Sunday Gratitude.

Today, I am grateful for...

1. mild, springtime weather--even if it ushers in a big storm.
2. a boy who still enjoys playing with stuffed animals.
3. a funny husband.
4. bell peppers (finally) growing in my little pots.
5. good movies. 
6. time to work on my classes.
7. my coffee pot.
8. our cozy little home.
9. sleeping until eight this morning.
10. crafty daydreams.

the glass is half full.

Source:  Pinterest via Jennifer Kershner

I have a confession:  I am generally a "glass is half empty" person.
I can be pessimistic, gloomy, even a little paranoid, feeling like the world is out to get me.  Sarcasm is my friend.  There are days when every sentence that comes out of my mouth is some type of complaint.

Source:  Pinterest via Martina Qualls

Not too long ago, Connor asked me to stop being such a "grumpy old lady."
Um, yeah.  I'm a real joy to be around.

Source:  Pinterest via Sara Kate

In my defense, there is a lot about my life that would make even Pollyanna scream in frustration.  The Dalai Lama might have some serious questions about what evils I committed in my past lives to earn me such stellar karma in this one.  The saying:  If she didn't have bad luck, she'd have no luck at all.  I think that was written about me.


But, in my occasional "glass is half full" moments, I recognize my blessings.  I have a healthy son.  I have a cozy home.  I have a patient husband.  I have a car that runs.  We have plenty of food, clean water, money to pay the electric bill.  I have a tremendous amount of freedom almost every single day.  This is just the short list.


I am truly blessed.
And I really want to focus on that throughout this next year. 
I want to let go of all of my frustration and worry and fear.
I want to live the gratitude I feel rather than the grumpiness.

Source:  Pinterest via Sandra H

So, I'm trying out some strategies that might make this easier:

• I'm working on some home beautification projects, but working really hard to focus on what I do have rather than what I don't have.  For example, I don't have money to buy custom curtains for my house, but I do have the creativity and mad sewing skills (ha!) to sew new curtains out of the ticking stripe fabric I found at the discount fabric store this week.  Or, I don't have money to buy new knick knacks and pictures to hang in our dining area, but I can search through all of the stuff I already have and come up with, what I hope will be, a cute little arrangement. 
• I'm planning some crafty projects just for our house.  I almost never take the time to make things for our everyday use, but we need new potholders and chair cushions and a few other things and I've been having a lot of fun thinking of how to make some.  Not to mention, it gives me an excuse to peruse Pinterest for hours on end.  : )
• I'm trying to stick to a housekeeping schedule so that I feel less overwhelmed by all of the little things that pile up.  I really hate cleaning.  I wish I didn't, but I do, and I'm just going to have to get over it.



Source:  Pinterest via Marlena Porter

• Perhaps, most importantly, I'm trying to teach myself to stop. stressing. out. over. things. that. are. out. of. my. control.  I'm trying to remember--at the beginning of a freak-out--to take a deep breath, say a quiet prayer, and move on to something else.  This is not easy for me.  At all. 

So, on that note, I'm sending out positive thoughts this evening, hoping that everyone has a wonderful week.  I'll be here, focusing on the happy in my life. 
Even if it kills me.  : )

Source:  Pinterest via Jemm

Sunday Gratitude.

Hello. Today, I thought it would be nice to share some words of gratitude. I know that I may seem to grumble on an on at times and I can certainly appear pretty pessimistic, but I am grateful for so many things.

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One of the things that I have really enjoyed lately is sitting out in our front yard, watching C run through the sprinklers, draw on our driveway with sidewalk chalk, or play in his little swimming pool.  Usually at this point in the year, we have super hot and humid days that make you run for the air conditioning, but we've lucked out and had some really lovely weather over the last few weeks.

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Another thing for which I am grateful is C's summer school program.  C will start kindergarten in August and our school system has offered a "Kinder Prep Academy" this summer.  I'll admit, I have really enjoyed the large chunks of free time, but I what I appreciate even more is the fact that he has had a great time.  I think that most parents worry about their children's first exposure to "real" school, but C has really benefited from and enjoyed this summer program.

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Finally, I'm thankful for the fact that we are days away from the end of June and that means it's almost pay day!  Now before you think I'm just being greedy, let me explain.   I don't receive a paycheck in the month of June and that's a big hardship for our little family.   We worked really hard to stick to our (very-stripped-down) budget this month (with few exceptions) and it feels good to be closing in on the finish line.  J feels like he's going to turn into a tuna fish sandwich and I am almost tired of peanut butter--something that I never thought could happen!



So, there you have it!  A little Sunday gratitude.  I hope that you all have a good day. 

P.S.  Wish us luck because I think C is about to lose his first tooth.  There is blood and he's a bit freaked out!!!