Radvent 12/11

After a long week of work and commuting, there isn't alot of time

to run errands and get the chores done during the week.

My preference is to get everything done on Saturday so we can

spend a task free relaxing Sunday.

Adam took care of laundry on Friday.

Yesterday was a busy long day.

Today, Adam, Crockett and myself 

are deserving of a lazy day.

Radvent 12/10

I write for myself.

I find it therapeutic.

It helps me organize my thoughts.

I write to make my husband proud of me.

Rules I find important are proper spelling and grammar.

If anyone writes me an e-mail or a text or a note or anything

that is not proper English or is in anagrams, I cannot read it.

I don't want to try to figure out phonetically what they mean.

The more I write, the more I become interested in language

and realize that writing is so much more than sitting in front of

a keyboard.

Radvent 12/9

Thoughts and words make a difference.

I am not one who can look in the mirror and recite,

"I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me."

I do know that if I get down in the dumps and starting thinking,

....if one more thing happens....

I can be sure one more thing will happen.

Instead, I consciously think of all the blessing I have

and how lucky I am.

I truly does influence the mood I wake up in

and how I go about my day.

Radvent 12/8

Right now, with life the way it is, it is almost critical

that I stay within my comfort zone.

I need to stay balanced, on a merry-go-round.

A Roller Coaster right now would not be good

for my mental health.

I also consider myself lucky that I am

able to live a merry-go-round existence at the moment.

Comfort for me is security.

Rent and bills paid.

Food in the pantry.

Crockett happy.

I need this comfort right now so that when

things change, I'll be ready to ride the Roller Coaster.

In the front seat, with my arms raised up over my head.

Radvent 12/6

This is a good topic for me.

I am not going to write a post.

I am going to log off the computer

and START the knitting I've been wanting to start

for the last couple of weeks.

Click HERE to learn more about Radvent.

Radvent 12/5

I thought I'd doodle a few Christmasy things

to help me get in the festive mood.

Sadly, not happening.

Except now I want to eat a Candy Cane!

Click HERE to learn more about Radvent.

Radvent 12/2

The key to keeping your balance is knowing when you've lost it. Anonymous

As a teenager, I was always busy. School, friends, figure skating, swimming, band, volleyball, badminton, soccer and the list goes on.  I was lucky, it was the 80's. I had no issue with balance and a large part of that was due to a Mom who took such great care of me and let me sleep in on the weekends.

My 20's were tough.  I had moved away from where I grew up, away from all my friends and all that I knew. My job for the first few years was a 4pm - 11pm shift. That didn't give me too much time for a social life. I didn't have a problem with balance per se, I had no balance. I had no life.

By my mid 30's, I was happily married and for the first time in a long time I felt as though I had a life/work balance.  That was it, it was a life/work balance. Not a life/work/recreational balance. 

I'm now 43 years old and a total homebody. I even enjoy being by myself sometimes, I need it. I need that quiet time to just think, walk, enjoy nature, breathe deeply. It's the LIFE part of the equation that brings me the most joy and happiness. The LIFE part for me is family, home, sharing the tasks of daily life with Adam. I admit, I am too comfortable with my lack of social/recreational activities and that is the part of the balance equation I will be working on in the coming year. I'm thinking maybe a book club or an art & crafts group, maybe a yoga class.

I will say that if I ever do feel off balance, I sleep.  I mean a weekend sleep marathon. Those are the best.

* * *

The 3 most important things I need to do this evening are:

1. Give Crockett a bath.  

We are going to a Dog Party tomorrow. He got an invitation from my boss's dog Sasha the Sheltie to attend her 10th birthday party. There'll be 5 dogs there. I have NO IDEA what to expect. If nothing else it'll give me good material for a blog post :) I will of course take my camera with me.

2. Sort the laundry.

The laundry has been neglected this week. The overflowing hamper is making me mental crazy go-nuts.

3. Be in bed and asleep by midnight. 

No sitting in front of my lap top into the wee hours of the morning.

 Click HERE to learn more about Radvent.

Radvent Blog Journaling Project 2011

One of my favorite blogs, that I've mentioned several times

on my blog and has given me inspiration is Alycia's

The Curious Pug

I have her button over there to the right- - - - >

Alycia is participating again this year in

Princess Lasertron's Radvent 2011

and I think I too will participate.

 

What is challenging you the most right now?

Honestly, it has been day to day life. Everything seems to be a struggle. I feel overwhelmed more often than not.  I don't know where to begin and I end up shutting down and watching movies to escape reality. 

- The Mr. has been out of work now for longer than expected. I stress about ends meeting.

- My 20+ hour a week public transit commute to work sucks the life out of me.

- I suffer with depression that gets a little more difficult to cope with this time of year with the lack of sunlight.

- My pants are a bigger size than I'd like and I just can't seem to keep my nutrition on track.

- I haven't really moved my body or worked up a real sweat in what feels like forever.

- I'm neglecting the laundry and I hate hate hate when it piles up.

- One of the most challenging things I face lately is staying kind and not turning into a total bitch.

...and how can you be grateful for it?

I am grateful for how I have handled these challenges. I have focused on the positive, been grateful for what we do have, counted my blessings and started doing things that give me joy, like knitting, drawing, painting, reading and taking photographs. I am grateful because what all of these challenges have shown me is that I have a solid and loving marriage.  I am strong. I am resilient. I have a few people in my life who really care about, love me and have helped my through my challenges in so many ways (Thanks Mom & Dad!). I am on medication that helps me and hasn't turned me into a zombie. Mostly I am grateful that the majority of these challenges are temporary.

Reflect on one challenging thing in the past year that you kicked butt at.

Dealing with my depression and anxiety.  I did not want to go on medication. Previous medications helped with the sadness and melancholy but they took away all emotion. I was scared that would happen again. I finally opened up to my MD, told her everything and we made a plan together. Dealing with the depression took away the anxiety.

...what would you have told yourself?

There is nothing wrong with admitting you need help and asking for it.

Journal 3 times each week of December.

Although I have this blog, I still keep a written journal and 3 times a week is an excellent attainable goal.