Writer's Workshop

 Linking up again this week for writer's workshop. If you want to know more, click the box at the bottom of this post. 

The first prompt I chose this week (because I already had a post drafted for this exact topic!): Did you pick a Word Of The Year for 2022? Share!

I did pick a word for 2022 and that word is: 

Pause

Definition (thanks to google): a temporary stop in action or speech. 

In this case I want to focus on the action of "practicing the pause." What is "practicing the pause"?

 Well, another quick google search gave me this acronym to remember: 

S- Stop. Remember to pause.
T- Take a few breaths. This gives us time to notice the stimulus. 

O- Observe your present state without judging it.

    What are you feeling or thinking in this moment?

P- Proceed with awareness.

I also stumbled across a website with this awesome infographic (better then anything I could make!) 

Source 

and a website with some great ways to practice this technique: 19 Effective Ways to Practice the Pause. 

Second prompt I picked today (because I can!): Write about what you think your goals were 10 years ago. What has changed since then? Do you have the same goals?

Funny enough, I did post goals on this blog ten years ago. HERE are my goals from 2011. I am listing them as well, so I can tell you how I did and how they might differ from this years' goal. 

✅Complete the "Made to Crave" book study. I completed that one! Planning to do a re-read of this book because it was so amazing. 

🆇 Implement a family game/activity/movie night to do once a week. Yeah, not sure if this happened or not, but it sure isn't happening now. We do play games on occasion, but they are all teenagers now (or close enough). Things are harder when you can't just excite them into playing. 

🆇 Continue my workouts at Curves at least 3x per week. I have no idea how long this lasted, but I quit there for sure... 

✅Complete the 5 mile "Dirty Dash" in August. DONE! It was actually a 6 mile obstacle and mud run. Not the most fun for me, but an experience for sure. 

 

So, half of them were completed. I'm not sure if that is successful or not. My goals haven't change too much since then. I have mostly ones that will pull me through the year vs event type. I will share my 2022 goals later this week. 

 

This post inspired by: 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Christmas 2021 

From our family to yours, I hope you had an amazing Christmas and a blessed new year!

Thankful Tuesday

 This week between Christmas and New Year's always seems so long... All the better reason to count my blessings and focus on the good. Here are five things I'm thankful for: 

1. I'm grateful we live in an area where snow is still a beautiful thing, but it doesn't shut down the whole city. 
   
   
2. I'm grateful for a great relationship with my girls' dad. We were able to coordinate the holiday schedule so that it worked for both of us. Not everyone could do that. 
   
   
3. I'm grateful that my girls seemed happy with our minimalist Christmas. They only got a handful of gifts each and they were happy with that. 
   
   
4. I'm grateful for my dogs. They make me laugh so much. Make our home a lot quieter but more full. 
   
   
5. I'm grateful for Facebook. It has allowed me to stay in touch with my out of town family and friends. Things are hard when you can't travel much, but it helps! 

What is something you are thankful for today? 

Holiday Cheer

Linking up this Christmas eve-eve for Writer's Workshop. Check out more by clicking the link at the bottom of this page. 

List the top 7 things that bring holiday cheer. I suppose this list could be different for everyone, but these are the things that bring me holiday cheer: 

1. Reading or seeing stories about generous people giving to those in need. 
   
   
2. Christmas décor on people's houses or in yards (especially festive if it is in the snow, but we can't make that happen) 
   
   
3. Christmas music. I know it gets annoying really quickly, but when you have a tune that everyone can sing along with, it just warms the heart! 
   
   
4. Christmas movies with the family. All of us snuggled at the couch watching a holiday movie just makes it seem more like the holidays. 
   
   
5. Seeing those red buckets outside the stores. 
   Side note, those are called Kettles and they are a collection for the Salvation Army. I have attended the church my whole life and have seen personally the good work that they do in our community. It is totally worth it to drop your change in there. A little change from many people adds up quickly. 
   
   
6. School holiday concerts. We haven't had any "in person" concerts since the outbreak, but Liv's bad teacher this year is amazing and posted a virtual concert for us to watch on youtube. (feel free to take a look if you like junior high concert and jazz band) 
7. 
   
   
   
8. Candy canes. There is just something about them that makes me feel like it is finally Christmas. 

What about you? Do you have anything I didn't list that brings you holiday cheer? 

This post inspired by: 

Wordless Wednesday

So, this is from last week's snow. We may or may not get a "white Christmas" this year. The mountains will be getting a BUNCH of snow though. 

 

Thankful Tuesday

 Trying to be more intentionally grateful so I'm back to listing five things I'm thankful for each week. 

1. I'm thankful for the child tax credit we have been receiving the last few months. This month it helped me make Christmas for my kids. 
2. I'm grateful for my amazing husband. We've been dealing with a problem at home and he's taking care of the "messy" part so I don't have to. 
   
3. I'm thankful for Amazon, so I don't have to try and shop this time of year. I hate it! 
4. I'm thankful for my bible app. It has really helped me get into the word this season. 
5. I'm thankful for the flexibility of my job. Between taking time off for a memorial service and the dental work last week... I'm a little short on PTO, so I am able to work on the observed holidays to supplement and keep me at my 40 hours a week. 

What are you thankful for this Tuesday? 

What I love about Winter

Linking up again this week with Mama Kat for writer's workshop. If nothing else, it keeps me writing and helps the memories flow. Check out more info by clicking the box at the end of this post. 

This week the first prompt I choose is:  List 8 things you love about winter. Those of you who know me, know that winter is my least favorite season. Seriously. I love the warm too much to enjoy the cold wet dark season. However, I am going dig deep and think positive and List 8 things you love about winter

1. I love watching the snow fall outside my window. It is just so pretty to watch! 
   
   
2. I love the way the naked trees look with a layer of snow on them. 
   

   

   December 14, 2021 - St Luke's Plaza 4th floor, Boise, Idaho
   
   

3. I love a nice warm beverage when I get home from being out in the weather. 
   
   
4. I love the Christmas holiday and seeing all the outdoor décor that accompanies it.
   
   
5. I love being able to snuggle under a blanket and watch TV with my family (just doesn't feel the same when it isn't winter)
   
   
6. I love the frost that I can inspect on my windows or the leaves or the grass. It is so sparkly and pretty. Nothing can compare to the glitter of a frosty morning. 
   
   
7. I love how the coats of animals change and they get fluffier! 
   
   
8. I love watching the kiddos and the dogs play in the snow. From inside. I don't like being IN the snow. :P 

This post inspired by:

Not So Fun Friday

Story time: It has been awhile since I have been to the dentist. I kept putting it off and putting it off... well, last night I was chewing on a candy cane and felt a pain in the top back  teeth. I've been having issues with that back tooth, but again, hadn't gotten to it. (I think I lost a filling or something) Anyway, the hole that the missing filling left, it broke off on the inside. 

What had been a bother before (hole in my tooth) quickly became a painful problem. Since I was not established with a dentist, I "got" to call around and see who could see me urgently. Luckily, I got in with a wonderful group right up the road from my house. 

Not so luckily, they weren't able to do anything but grind down the rough edge and get me set up with an oral surgeon to remove the tooth. Thankfully, they were able to get me in for this Monday. With my anxiety, this weekend might feel endless, but at least it is scheduled. 

Now all I need to figure out is how I am going to pay for oral surgery and Christmas. I'm sure we will figure it out somehow, but I hate that things like this always seem to happen at the worst times... 

Needless to say, I am getting my teeth cleaned after the new year and will be keeping up with regular dental visits from now on. Even the kiddos are going to this new dentist (I like them that much!) 

Funny Story & Another List

 Linking up this week for writer's workshop. Check out all the details by clicking the box at the bottom of this post. 

First prompt I choose this week: Share the last photo you took and write about the back story.

So, funny story. We were in Oregon for a funeral over the weekend. Since we were there, we got a few friends together and had a pre-birthday get together for my sister on Sunday evening (her actually birthday was Tuesday). During the get together, my sister's boyfriend was the "mixologist" and made delicious but strong drinks for us all. Since I had imbibed the night before, I kept to one (maybe two) drinks for all afternoon. My best friend did not. She is the one "on top" in this picture. Here she decided that laying directly on top of me would be a great idea. It was, briefly but I was done quickly. Made for a few cute pics though. I sure do love this lady! 

And a second prompt, because why not? Create and share your holiday wish list.

I would love a couple more hair towels 

This book review book looks neat

My husband already gave me this calendar 

My sister's boyfriend got me some of this (seriously makes drinking too easy!) 

My sister got me an amazing "world's best bird mom" shirt

My dad and Zach got me (and Stephen) a food saver

We already had one great Christmas with my sister and family. Can't wait to see what the rest of the season brings us! 

This post inspired by: 

Front Door & A Quote

Linking up again this week with Mama Kat for writer's workshop. Want to learn more? Click the link at the bottom of this post. 

First prompt I choose was: write about someone who showed up at your front door.

Funny story. This summer I was working from home (still am). Between the kids and the dogs, we don't keep the door locked during the day. That changed for awhile this summer... 

We were all hanging out in the living room (and by hanging out I mean I was working and the girls were watching TV. Maverick was in his usual spot, on the back of our couch, right near the front door. I hear this barely audible knock on the door before it swings open. Maverick is frantically barking at the strange woman who just opened our door!  She quickly closed it and walked away. 

I went to the door, opened it and asked, "did you need something?" I heard the mumbled reply, "wrong house." I guess it is a problem with living in a duplex that looks identical to the one next door. :/ 

Prompt number 2: Share a quote you love. I'm going to share two, just because:

Both of these are prominently displayed at my work desk space. Share one of your favorites in the comments. 

This post inspired by: 

Wordless Wednesday

 I just love how he inserts himself wherever he can. And yes, he has a flower on his collar, Natalie said he likes it. 

Thankful Tuesday

 Going to try to start this back up because I keep finding myself in such a funk. Focusing on the bad in the world rather then the good that I have in my life. This will be my way to strive to be more grateful: Thankful Tuesday. Each week I will write at least five things I am thankful for. They can be situations, people, things, places. Anything that I'm thankful for! 

This week I am thankful for:

1. Snapchat - it has given me new opportunities to connect with my kiddos and I love that! 
2. Diet Mtn Dew - it's been a week, but caffeine helps 
3. This blog - it gives me the chance to look back at things that I have done in my life, documented for posterity. Started it just before Nat was born, so LOTS of memories. 
4. Speaking of memories - Facebook memoires - they never fail to make me smile, even if some times it is a sad smile. 
5. Stephen - I am so grateful for him. All the work he does for our family at home. His meals are just a blessing to our family 

What is something you are thankful for this week?

Thankful, Broken, and a list

I am linking up again this week with Mama Kat for writer's workshop. You can find out more by clicking the box at the bottom of this post. The prompts this week really spoke to me, so I choose three. 

First prompt I choose this week (since it is Thanksgiving day) is: write about something you are thankful for. 

I enlisted the whole family for this one. Asked each person to name something they were thankful for: 

McKayla: "My birds and my family" 

Natalie: "My phone and family" 

Liv: "U"
Sorry, have to share the snapchat screenshot, it was too good! PS If you want to communicate with your teenagers, it is worth a try, plus fun filters and  Bitmojis!  

Stephen: "crock pots, quality time with my doggos and a good book" 

Me: I am thankful for my husband who is amazing (and a great cook!) and  for my girls who are too quickly growing into such amazing young ladies. 

Write about a time you broke a bone.

In my life, I have only broken a bone twice. For as clumsy as I am, this is amazing! 

The first was when I was around 16. At the time I was long distance dating my girls' father. We shared many letters (yes, snail mail letters delivered by the usps, that's how old I am!) Being the very forgetful person I am, I was heading out to the mailbox to put the letter out, well past my "bedtime," so I didn't forget. 

Little did I know, my brother had a plan to scare me as I came back in. He jumped out and yelled (I think... he might have just jumped out) and I got scared and swung out to hit him. I missed him completely, but my fingertips grazed the wall. I was yelling and crying, my brother was laughing and my dad came out of the bedroom MAD. Now, if you know my dad at all, you know he's pretty slow to anger, but when he's mad, everyone knows. He sternly (but quietly) said, "Go. To. Bed. Now." I was crying, said something along the lines of I think I broke my finger. "Your mom will deal with it in the morning." Was his answer. 

So, I went to bed. I'm not sure how well I slept, with my hand sitting on an ice pack. Mom took me to the doctor the next morning and sure enough, I had chipped a piece of my knuckle bone off! I got a splint on my middle finger for several weeks and lots of jokes about what I was doing to break my middle finger. 

The second one happened when I was training for my half marathon. Mornings were really the only time I could run, so I was creeping down the stairs in my workout gear, ready for my run, minus the shoes. Well, I slipped. Carpeted stairs plus socks does not equal traction... 

I know I hit the stairs hard, slid down partway and was stuck there until my husband (again the girls' dad), helped me to the couch where I rested until I had to get dressed for work. 

Details are foggy, but I remember that a coworker urged me to get seen. Perks of working at your doctors office. He sent me down for x-rays, "just in case" but he didn't think anything was broken. We were both surprised when the x-ray showed a "wedge compression fracture" of the t7-8 vertebrae. Another injury that not much can be done for. I remember using the exercise ball to sit on at work for awhile, then I had to do PT to reduce the back pain. I'm 

List 7 things that bring you comfort

1. My dogs. They tend to know when I'm having a hard time and snuggle real close. 
2. My husband. He's such a great hugger! 
3. A good book. Something I can escape into. 
4. Memories of my mom (I love it when people share stories about her) 
5. Warm clothes straight from the dryer. 
6. Snuggling or even getting a hug from one of my girls. 
7. A warm beverage. 

This post inspired by: 

Wordless Wednesday

 Can't stop taking pictures of this sweet boy. 

The Three R's (A Lesson in Parenting)

Image or information courtesy of
Beacon House Therapeutic Services & Trauma Team
 | 2021 | www.beaconhouse.org.uk

 A page I follow posted this on facebook the other day, I had to save it to read later and it is SO good, I had to post it here to keep forever and share with my followers. 

This is what The Consciously Parenting Project wrote: 

It's easy to jump in and try to reason with our kids when they don't handle something well or need to learn something. But we know some things about the brain here that can really help you to stay connected with your child AND help them learn better.

I talk about it using the Brain Stoplight metaphor.

First we need to Regulate. We need to connect and get out of the red light state (my language) or our survival brain.

Then we need to connect in the emotional space. "It makes sense why you reacted that way. I'm sorry. I didn't know you were having a hard time..." The point is to connect. This is the yellow light or the emotional brain. We need to speak to that next.

And then, and only then, are you and your child back to green light and can reason.

Regulate.

Relate.

Reason.

In that order.

This is how our brains work and how our children's brains work. Work with these ideas and see how it transforms your family's conflicts. Works for partners, too!

A SHORT Visit

 So, when she was asked what she wanted for her 16th birthday from her aunt sissy (my sister), McKayla said all she wanted was a visit. 

Because my sister spoils my kiddos, this weekend she and her boyfriend drove over and picked her up for a slightly longer then 1 week visit. 

Had to get a "selfie" while sissy was here!

They drove the entire way here, stayed a night in a hotel and left the next. To that I say, NO THANK YOU! We are talking an 8 hour drive. Not something I could do. I'm too old for that! But McKayla is thrilled to be visiting. She gets to spend the first few days with my bff then head over to Colleen's house when she's off work for the holiday. 

She will return home with the rest of the family December 8. We have to come over for a funeral, so it worked out perfectly for a short visit and bringing her back. 

When I asked my sister for pictures (I was thinking more their week together, but she figured right away was good!) 

Hopefully I get more pictures then that during the visit. =) Happy Monday all~

FMF: Hide

Joining in again this week for five minute Friday. You can find more information here if you are interested. All you do is write for five minutes on the given prompt. No editing, no planning, just free writing for five minutes. 

This week's prompt word is "hide." 

I've always been a person who doesn't like "scary" things. As a teenager, horror movies would give me such a fright that I would sleep in the living room, with the tv and lights on for weeks after watching one. Self proclaimed wuss, I like to say. I liked the lights on so I could see everything, there was no chance of something hiding in the darkness, waiting to jump out and scare me. Not liking scary movies is something that followed me into adulthood.

How I went from being that scared teenager to a true crime loving mom is beyond me. Now I can't get enough true crime. I listen to all the podcasts, watch crime drama tv shows. I'm not sure why it is so interesting to me. 

The only thing I can think is that I want to know about everything that is going on around so I can be ready. Shows and podcasts are like a light into what is going on the in the world around me. I know that there is always a chance of being a victim, but I know what is out there. There are steps I can take to be prepared, be safe. 

One thing that I know is that I have God on my side. While he may not protect me physically, he protects my heart. I also know that if something horrible were to happen, I know where I'm going and that gives me such peace. A verse comes to mind, "I Have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11 It is one of the verses I have memorized (though I had to look up the "address") 

Another verse I had to look up, Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." This means we can't be "closet Christians." We need to let that light shine out for EVERYONE to see. There are more and more verses that are coming to my mind about being the light in the world, but bringing it back to the prompt, hide, we aren't to hide our faith. We aren't to put that light "under a bowl" but we are to put it in the window and let it shine for all to see. 

Black Friday and A Fall Bucket List

Linking up again this week with Mamma Kat for writer's workshop. I like the idea of not having to think about what to write, just finding a story that goes with the prompt. Keeps my writing muscles limber. This week, the prompt I chose is: Are you a Black Friday shopper? Why or why not? Write about a memorable deal or something you would look to swoop in on this year.

As you may (or may not) know, I am a former Walmart associate. I started off my "career" as a floor associate and worked my way up to department manager. When I decided to go back to school, I stepped down and worked as a cashier for my last year or so. Seven years I worked for Walmart. 

Anyway, on to the prompt, I am not a black Friday shopper. I hate shopping in general but when you add in crazy crowds, no thank you to that. As a former retail worker I can tell you that working retail sucks, especially when it is busy. Black Friday at Walmart is the definition of crazy. When I worked as a department manager I had to help with the set up and coordinating things while people shopped. Complete madness. I think that was the beginning of  the end and it was definitely the beginning of my social anxiety! 

I do shop after the black Friday deals though, through the "left overs" so to speak. Most of the time I find what I'm looking for and without the stress of all the people. Also, with last year like it was, I did most of my shopping online and will likely do that again. It is so much easier to have the shopping come directly to you from the retailer. 

I'm going to pick one more prompt, just because.  The second prompt I am writing on is: Create a Fall bucket list.

I am going to write more of a "Holiday Season Bucket List" though. Even though by the calendar it is still deep in fall, we are starting to fill the chill of the winter weather. So, here we go with my 

Holiday Season Bucket List

1. Storybook Land in Albany, Oregon's
2. Take a drive and look at Christmas Lights
3. See the capitol's Christmas tree
4. walk the Scentsy Commons light display (link to an article about it from 2019)
5. Enjoy the Winter Window walk in downtown Boise
6. Visit the Winter Wonderland at Indian Creek in Caldwell.
7. Take a family holiday photo (doesn't have to be professional, just nice pic of all of us) 
8. Make a family craft together

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

The dog park was so beautiful on Saturday...

New Hair Stylist

Jinx has now been with our family for a full month. 

Little did we know, with the price of this quaker parrot, we also got an in home hair stylist. This place he's sitting with Liv, it is one of his favorites. He will fly over to them just to climb on their head and play with their hair. 

When he isn't styling hair, Jinx enjoys to scream for us to let him out, talk to his budgie neighbors, give kissy noises and ask "what doing" approximately five million times. 

I've been trying to work with him on some training. So far he has learned step up (we put our finger in front of him, near the chest, he steps up onto our finger). He has also learned step down (getting off our finger when we ask him to). We are currently working on recall (getting him to come to me when he's free-flying). 

His wings are clipped but that doesn't slow him down. I have also been working on pointer training which is supposed to make it easier to trick train. He will touch the pointer, but then he wants to play with it... 

I have checked out several books from the library about parrots, training and behavior both. Look forward to reviews on those. I have also been stalking parrot owners facebook groups and websites to see tips and tricks to owning a parrot. Goal is to give him the best life possible while maintaining our current life as well.