This one has promise. There are so many things I hope to do in my life. Maybe I should create a life list like my friend Cindy. There are the usual hopes; I hope my children grow into healthy, happy, self-confident, loving adults. I hope that in some way, my life has a positive impact on others.
Someday I hope to finish my college degree. Instead of completing it way back when, I started a family and then became the primary income provider. I don’t really need a degree to have a successful career. In fact, I’m doing great without one. What if I want to change career paths later in life? You can’t really get a job anymore without a degree. Plus, I would like to be able to say that I am a college graduate. It has a nice ring to it.
I would like to travel the US and the world. There is so much great history and so many beautiful places to experience and see. How amazing it would be to travel through Europe and Asia? Even to visit every state in the United States? Really visit them and learn about different cultures, taste different foods, meet new people and learn their stories?
There are so many more, but those are the first ones off the top of my head.
This day is supposed to be all about finding something you have to forgive someone for doing. I may need to add another post for today’s (besides just the Thanksgiving menu). I try to not hold grudges. Usually about 5 minutes after someone has hurt my feelings or done something that may need forgiven, I do. This seems to be a resonating theme so far, but life is too short to hold onto negative feelings. There are many more things worth cherishing and celebrating.
Here’s our tentative menu for this year. It’s subject to changes because something else may come along that sounds better.
Turkey – using Pioneer Woman’s brine
Brisket
Cornbread stuffing
Sweet potatoes & even better sounding Sweet Potatoes
green beans
brussels sprouts
cranberry sauce
rolls
pumpkin bread pudding
pumpkin pie
Cherry pie
Since the daily post was a little short today (on a side note, I think some of them will be. I actually read through the list and most of them are just goofy), I thought I would leave you with this. A few weeks ago I got a new camera as an early birthday present. We have been experimenting with taking pictures and in general just having fun. It is amazing what a difference the quality of picture you can get from a great camera vs an adequate camera.
Maybe I am just not the right person for introspection. Or, maybe I just don’t take things serious enough. Who knows.
I know I have done some awful things, but I forgave myself for them a long time ago. This goes back to the post for day 1. There really isn’t much point in making yourself suffer for the things that you either have no control over or can’t go back in time to change anyway.
It’s hard to know what to say that you love about yourself. I mean, it feels sort of conceited. “This is what’s so awesome about me!”. What do I love about me? I never really take the time for self examination. Is this supposed to be just about myself, or can it be the things that surround me? I wonder if it is supposed to be physical, mental, spiritual, or a combination of all?
Here’s the least humble. I love that I am smart. I’m by no means a genius but I like knowing that I can solve a problem if needed. If I can’t do something, I love knowing that all I have to do is some research and I will be able to do it.
I love that my life is filled with love, my husband, my children, my family and friends. I love that I am a good mother. I know that I don’t always make the right decisions, but I love my kids, and they know that I love them.
I love that for the most part, I am calm under pressure. There is no use in freaking out about something that you don’t have control over. If you have control of at least yourself, then you can rationally solve whatever problem there is. I’m positive there are situations that I would not be able to remain calm and rational. I hope that I don’t have to face something like that.
I love that my body is healthy. It has been strong enough to give me three amazing children. I don’t get sick that often (knock on wood) and I have the energy to try fun new experiences like completing a 5k and the DFW Mud Run.
Right out of the gate with a bang! This is pretty hard. Hate is such a strong word. I like to think if there were something I actually hated about myself, that I would try to change it immediately. In general, I’m pretty happy with myself. There are things I wish I could change, but if they don’t change, it’s not really that big of a deal. I’ll start with a list of “don’t really like” and see if any of them change to hate.
My weight. I don’t like that no matter what I do, it never fluctuates by more than a pound or two. The scales haven’t really changed in about 3 years. I’ve come to terms with that. There is a tiny bit of muffin top that I am working to get rid of, but I’m happy with my body. So, no hate there.
I am often scatterbrained. If someone says something directly to me and I am already on some other train of thought, I will have to ask them to repeat themselves. This is who I am though. Maybe I need some extra vitamins.
Parenting is hard. I hate that I second guess myself and constantly worry that I am going to completely mess my kids up for life based on any one thing that I do wrong.
I guess that’s it. There is my hate thing. For the most part though, I don’t hate anything about myself. There just isn’t reason enough to make myself miserable.
I saw this on another person’s blog and think it is a great idea. I say that, but I haven’t really read the full list. I hope there aren’t days that have something incredibly lame. If so, there may just be a few lines for that day. An apology note and a picture. Something is better than nothing, right?
Maybe it will help me actually stay motivated to keep putting up new posts. We’ll see.
This is the list if you want to add your own:
Day 01 → Something you hate about yourself.
Day 02 → Something you love about yourself.
Day 03 → Something you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 04 → Something you have to forgive someone for.
Day 05 → Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 06 → Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 07 → Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 08 → Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.
Day 09 → Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10 → Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)
Day 14 → A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Day 15 → Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.
Day 16 → Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19 → What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20 → Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21 → (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22 → Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23 → Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24 → Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25 → The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26 → Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27 → What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28 → What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29 → Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30 → A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself
I wrote this post six years ago. One, I can’t believe the blog has been around (more or less) this long. Two, a few years ago, I wrote about Zoey turning seven. She seemed so grown up. That’s nothing compared to today. I know it is only the beginning.
Today is Allison’s seventh birthday. We are celebrating her birthday in a similar fashion to Zoey’s. A drive to Shreveport with a few of Alli’s friends and a movie.
My baby, my youngest child. The one who has my eyes and still loves to snuggle with me. The one who reminds us so much of her brother when he was her age (a side note: On his next birthday, he will be DOUBLE her age). They share the same strong sense of right and wrong, this ranges from caring about the environment to standing up for others. Unlike her older siblings who are a little more reserved, she is not afraid to speak her mind out loud. Where the other two were more quiet and shy at her age, she is outgoing and spirited. She is a singer and likes to play pretend, whether it is with G.I. Joes or Liv dolls. The girl is super smart and has a huge heart. Greg and I like to say that she is our retro child. This one who loves all things about the 80′s, so much that we introduced a whole new group of six year olds to Ghostbusters last year and dressed as Princess Zelda this.
I don’t know how to write down how I feel about my children. There is so much love and not enough words to describe it. All this week Allison has been telling me that she was the best birthday present I ever had and will ever receive. She is absolutely correct.
Happy Birthday to my youngest child.
