Quit Contemplating Your Navel and Get on with the Positivity, Already

 

I've made no secret of the fact that it's been a rough couple of weeks here at Casa masses. It's been a lot of drama, a lot of personal decisions, and incredibly overwhelming pile load of stuff on me. Several of my last posts have been somewhat, shall we say, depressing, And for that I do apologize. This blog is my way of processing things.

But tonight, I want to focus on the things that are good. I challenged myself to only think of things that make me smile, and here's the list I came up with. I'm choosing, tonight, to dwell in the good. What would you put on your list?

• Gingerbread martinis



 

• chewy molasses cookies
• driving down the interstate with Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Christmas concert on volume 1,000,0003
• Seeing my daughters delight at being in a school that she loves (even if the opera rehearsals are about to kill me dead – I guess it's my turn after putting my parents through years of rehearsals - but my parents didn't have to drive 30 minutes each way - just sayin')
• phone calls and text chats with new and old friends
• Impromptu street corner brass bands


 

• 60° at 8:30 on a Friday night in December.
• Knowing that we have Santa breakfast tomorrow, and knowing that I at least have this year when at least one child still believes
• Snapchat pictures with my big kids – yes, I saw the Today show story about the horrors of Snapchat, and yes, I still let my kids do it. In fact, I do it with them. I believe in meeting them where they are. 
• Fresh hot coffee first thing in the morning
• Knowing that I got really great shots for my Christmas cards this year
• Buying some Christmas presents, and finding great deals on them at Want Not
• Discovering a new recipe for cranberry chutney that was delicious, and deciding to can it for Christmas gifts

• Throwing away unmatched socks and 58 (!!) eraserless pencils
• Good mail  - a great friend sent me an AWESOME gift - it was a just because she was thinking of me, and it seriously put a smile on my face for an hour

• Making a really difficult decision, with regards to one of my children, and being completely at peace with it, after four years. Well, kind of at peace. Quazi, kind of, sort of at peace - but I talked to my dad about it for a long time and that was good, too. 
• My brand-new license plate - ten made up Internet points to you if you know what it means

Comments

[Amy]

Juggernaut?

[Beth]

Thinking of the good will do me a world of good too.
1. the movie Elf
2. my husband's great smile (even if he does have walking pneumonia)
3. kid #3 getting accepted into the college of his choice (Ohio State-we're half way done!)
4. wrapped presents
5. any martini!!! I must have the gingerbread recipe!!!!

[Mary @ A Simple Twist of Faith]

Watching my girls love their school, and realizing I made a good decision after all.

Setting limits and learning how to say no.

Experiencing the season through the eyes of a five and seven year old.

Learning to be the better version of me, and letting go of who I thought I should be.

[Sylvia]

1. Minimal morning sickness.
2. Can still see my toes.
3. Bedrest means no laundry.
4. Red Bull.
5. High calorie diet means I can eat pizza for breakfast.
6. numnumnum. Did I mention eating whatever I want? Sorry, must go stuff my faces and chins.

[Nicole]

I'm trying to focus on being more positive, too. (And it's working so far, for the most part!) On my list right now is:

--having a direction
--new ink pens
--pasta salad
--finding a sense of inner calm

[JMB]

1. Did a head stand and bind in yoga yesterday.
2. Loving that only one daughter is in the Nutcracker this year, as opposed to 3, it is actually relaxing hanging out back stage just chit chatting with friends and not running around with multiple costume changes, hair and makeup.
3. Happy about decision with kids' Christmas presents - finally at a stage when we can limit it to one big present and not much else.
4. Looking forward to my planking challenge tomorrow (keep me in your prayers). I started at 3.08 and now I can hold for 5.05. No side planks just fore arms or high plank. I've never been in an athletic competition in my life and at the ripe old age of 46 I can't believe this is me. I actually love working out now.

[Tara]

Maybe I should write my own list. My husband informed me just today that I am a pessimist. Wow, the truth hurts sometimes.

[Luckyduck]

1. Seventy two degrees and a day on the lake. No fish, but who cares.
2. Only two weeks to Christmas break.
3. Fabulous PSAT scores from my daughter.
4. Two mornings in a row to sleep in.
5. A husband who is totally in touch with his feminine side!

[Sonja]

Oh many . . . trying to figure out your license plate is going to make me bonkers!! Is it Juggernaut? If so, why? Plus, I need to know where you found your window sticker. It is SO me.
Okay - grateful time:
1. Everyone in the house is currently healthy.
2. I have been spending more time with my hubby. It is because he is currently unemployed, but because he had the foresight years ago to squirrel away money when times were good, we are not panicking.
3. Super thankful for the big check that came unexpectedly last month for insurance overpayment because my husband is so on top of the bills that he paid some twice. *chuckle* Spot on timing for it's arrival - Christmas gifts are paid for!!
4. Having awesome, truthful blogs like yours to read to know that I am not the only one who has some of the feelings that you have.
5. For having good friends to hang out with who love me no matter what. I don't have many friends, but it is quality, not quantity.
Merry Christmas!!

[Sonja]

that was supposed to say "Oh man . . . " ;)

[WebSavvyMom]

-->I'm normally always glass half full but being diagnosed with SHINGLES! yesterday at Patient First and still being in pain sort of has my glass flipped over.

[Kyooty]

Positive... let me see.

The house is decorated ahead of time,
The boys are enjoying each of their sports.
I've got shopping ideas.
I'm going to sit down with my favourite man and watch fluffy tv.

[Christal]

Just grin, you ought to? From the former Vger... trekkie that I am.

[net window sets]

Having amazing, honest weblogs like yours to study to know that I am not the only one who has some of the emotions that you have.