Priorities-lights and sparkles

Well, I’ve been away awhile and realize that I’ve fallen off the path of my goal… What was that again? Happiness?

Oh yeah! Happiness!

Today, I just picked up a magazine that said, Stress less…Smile more, is that the answer? Actually, page 66 said the answer was Yoga, mindfulness and meditation! Making that a priority in your life again.

Monday, I was told that my priority of having lunch with my children and setting up a Christmas tree, was wrong! who helped me move a tree from the store to my home and set it up, decorate and clean up, as a surprise for my family and to save from using our weekend morning to do this, AND save my working spouse the physical and time trouble, was to some a messed up priority and time I should’ve spent on organizing something, or working in the home, as I was on the clock at my job as a stay at home mom.
Did I mention that I nursed my baby boy while I ate my late breakfast with one hand in between feeding my toddler daughter with the other hand?

Ahhh, the gorgeous, beautiful tree is mesmerizing to my children and has brought Christmas to our home! The bin of hand me downs in the garage can wait!

Lights and sparkles and and a Christmas star brighten our home and make us smile.

Well, most of us….

Priorities are determined and ordered by many in many ways, but given precedence and carried out only by ourselves.

Chosen wisely, even small actions prioritized highly, can make big memories!!

And maybe I’ll get to that yoga tomorrow! Or maybe I’ll meditate staring at some red glittery bulbs and SMILE!

Random acts of thankfulness-coffee and cookies

While on a break physically from interaction with a negative, but permanent fixture in my life, (if not for phone, texts and email halfway across the country, I’d be able to say complete absence from, rather than a break) I realized something, that I had temporarily forgotten about all the very wonderful people and things in my life, due to being focused on the many things that my new marriage partner has brought into my life!!

In the midst of trying to grow, heal and fix my partnership with someone that appreciates only money and his image, I’d completely lost focus on being appreciative of those that have provided me positive experiences, support, kindness and selflessness!

So, last night I baked! I shared the wonderful Butterscotch, peanut butter, oatmeal cookies with my family, and packaged some for my husbands small work team and additionally made four quart sized bags of cookies to give thanks to people who have been on my mind and in my heart all year, and most recently or in the past have shared themselves with me, when I needed it most

So, it occurred to me that sometimes a gift is not really appreciated, if it is not something sought after or it hinders one in some way. This realization sparked me to buy a few coffee gift cards for those who maybe don’t want, need or like cookies/sweets for whatever reason. My goal was to be

Thankful and give back

In no particular priority order, I shipped boxes to some and dropped locally to others… Two even anonymously!!!!

1. My sorority big sister, who sent baby gifts for my most recent born, even though I have not seen her in years, along with a card proclaiming her happiness that my husband and I found each other! A woman who always gave me her all and who is loving and kind and strong and smart and admirable and sweet. I have owed her a thank you note for 6 months!!

2. My little sister who has been my rock, forcing me out of my isolation and back into her life and into celebrating happy times for family members, despite my husbands rejections to let me leave him with babies or go out while he is home. (evenings/weekends)

3. A friend of 17 years that welcomed me with open arms to being a stay at home mom, late in the game after I had my third baby and had worked full time for 14 years! Whom had me for coffee monthly and talked me through having three children. Who listens and helps and gives her heart and also bags and bags of girl hand me downs!!!

4. A neighbor couple whose daughter is my daughters most adored friend and who are open minded, helpful without being asked, kind and have invited us into their life and family and friend events many times! Also, they have welcomed me to a neighborhood where my husband was a regular boater, partier and bachelor for years before I moved on!

5. A neighbor, children’s author, exercise instructor and mother! Enough said, sweet, spunky, friendly and real about life, parenting and marriage. Non judgmental, just open and fun and giving!

Pass it on! Focus on the people who bring you up, who make you smile, who deserve appreciation and acknowledgment for their efforts small and large!