Five Simple Things (December 13)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This tree.

The tree got a little bare as we boxed up gifts and mailed them to Arkansas for my family. We were glad to get them shipped out this week, though. It was one less task over the holidays we had to worry about.

2. This sign.

Jeff and I did some last minute shopping this week and Macy's is always one of the places I like to go to get a new ornament for the tree. It's become a tradition for us for the last 10 years. We also pick up ornaments when we travel, so we can relive the trip each year we decorate the tree.

3. This water.

On of our five gallon water bottles got cracked and unfortunately we didn't notice it until it leaked on the floor and the jute rug. We quickly soaked up what we could with towels, but this fan had to stay on the rug for a few days.

4. This ornament.

One of the new ornaments I picked up this year to add to the tree. I bought four of them and I just love them. They remind me of the hard candies in the tin my grandparents used to have. They are large and make a statement on the tree, too.

5. This couch.

If only we had the space for this couch. I would be falling asleep on this thing every night.

One last thing:

The courthouse in Corvallis always looks its best during the holidays.

Positive affirmations this week:

One thing I have learned being a parent is your words will become the ones that can make or break your child's confidence. I try hard to make sure that my words to Skylar are always encouraging, honest, and loving. His confidence is high and he feels he can do anything he puts his mind to because of my words to him alone. There are times when people say harsh comments, but I remind him that those are entirely their issues and to feel sorry for them that they don't have someone reminding them that they are important and loved. There is nothing worse than having to explain to my own child why adult bullies, sometimes family adult bullies say some mean comments. I remind him that they are battling their own issues and not to take it to heart. I wish that everyone could find peace in their own minds. Don't let these people steal your joy, and especially your child's.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (December 6)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This kitty.

 

Eleven loves her feather toy.

2. This caramel.

This THC caramel has been helping with my anxiety at night lately. I don't like to depend on something to help me sleep, because I don't want to become dependent on it, but lately, it's been hard to relax. I love all the THC edibles from Hapy Kitchen, though. They are a Portland-based company and make some great low dose edibles for people like me with a low tolerance.

3. These candles.

Burning some of the many candles I have. All this week I've had a candle burning at the end of the day and I feel it has made a bit of a calming environment for everyone. It might become a daily habit I start doing from here on out.

4. This sky.

The view of the moon and Venus this week.

5. This web.

The Jeep Compass is towards the end of its life, but we still use it for local trips to the store from time to time to keep it going. It's been hard for us all to watch it sit and get older. We have a lot of great memories in this old car, especially when Skylar was younger and we had Baz still. It was the first car we took up on the pass to play in the snow. The spiders have been moving in around the outside of it, but when the frost hits the webs, it is a pretty sight. Stay strong, old friend.

One last thing:

Birchbox and Kiwi Eco Box came this week. My favorite thing from Birchbox is the R+Co Television Perfect Hair Masque, and my favorite thing in the Kiwi Eco Box is the UpCircle Face and Body Soap Bar. I love the smell of all of their soaps, to be honest, and I always get excited when I see one in the Kiwi Eco Box.

Positive affirmations this week:

Codependency is a symptom of our upbringing. It is really hard to break that pattern that we were taught. Being aware of how codependency is learned is a good step in recognizing how to heal. The list below can be saved and taken to your therapy appointments to address some of the ones you feel. There is no shame in being codependent. Not repeating the cycle can help your own children not become codependent, too. Healing takes time. Don't punish or talk down to yourself during the time you're healing from trauma you picked up as a child. It is not your fault.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (November 29)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This moment.

home isn't a place. it's a feeling.

and that feeling is complete when my sweet boy is "home."

2. This basket.

I got Skylar a laundry basket, so that his clothes aren't all over the floor and his room. At least he is getting the dirty clothes in the general area of it.☺

3. These clouds.

My view on my way home from work is always so pretty.

4. This candy.

We love Justin's and these taste just like Peanut M&M's.

5. This pap.

I don't make this often, but it's always loved in our house. My mom made this for breakfast from time to time when I was growing up, and she never actually "taught" me how to make it, but with trial and error I figured it out. Skylar and Jeff love it and from what I was told my Native American grandmother made it and told the story of how the Natives made it as baby food since actual baby food was hard to come by. It is a high-calorie dish, but it's worth it from time to time. The recipe is here.

One last thing:

These geological tiles of how Earth was formed over 4,600,000,000 years ago are one of our favorite things on the grounds around Linn Benton Community College. With Skylar wanting to major in a science degree it's always fun to read these and look up that time period to see what Earth could have looked like.

Positive affirmations this week:

Never forget that your own mental health isn't as important as all the other stress people bring your way. Take some time for yourself and remember that you are important.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (November 22)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This tape.

A metal tape dispenser is just what I needed.

2. This rain.

The rain this week is relentless, it seems. I love the rain, so I can't complain...

3. This sunset.

... because the rain sometimes brings beautiful sunsets here on the west coast.

4. This illusion.

Kitty in a jar. (for the worried, she is sitting behind it, not inside of it)

5. This rain.

More rain to be had here. I am hoping that it will turn to snow one day.

One last thing:

We are going to be watching all the holiday movies this weekend. I like this time of year, because it is chilly outside, warm food and drinks are the norm, and you can cuddle up with a blanket and watching a lot of movies that are holiday-themed. Freeform has a lot of the good ones on their streaming platform. I'm definitely going to be watching Home Alone every day it's on.

Positive affirmations this week:

It really is okay.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice day.