Five Simple Things (August 4)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This sunset.

With all of the wildfire smoke lately the sky is lit up orange most nights. This week you could actually see the smoke plumes as the sun set. It's a pretty view, but hopefully we get some relief soon.

2. This dish.

I've been thinking of recipes to use this dish with lately. I picked this up at Goodwill and it was still in the box, but I did find the same dish at The Home Depot. I am thinking artichoke dip, a small side salad, homemade macaroni and cheese, anything really. I love this dish for two reason. One, it can go into the oven as is, because it's made of enamel. And two, the wooden trivet can be placed right on the table with the dish on top of it without damaging the table.

3. This smoke.

This week we made a trip to Whole Foods in Eugene and on the way back we were in traffic stopped for a wildfire. The firefighters from Linn County, Coburg, and even Oregon Department of Forestry were on it quickly, even air tankers from Redmond, Oregon flew over dropping fire retardant. It was incredible watching the teamwork and skill they took combating the wildfire before it reached any homes, or business. The fire, we found out later, is still under investigation. Hopefully, not a fire bug wanting to cause issues or panic to the community.

4. This moment.

We recently bought Skylar a hammock, now all three of us can lay in the backyard swinging in our hammocks and enjoying the sunshine together. This summer has been hot, but some days give us just a little bit of a break and we are able to stay outside longer without getting too overheated. Oregon's weather sure has changed since I moved here 20 years ago. It used to be mild, with maybe a little bit of heat every once in awhile in the summer, but now it's hot as blazes outside and almost unbearable some days. It's like Oregon has swapped weather with Arkansas, and instead of humidity we have wildfires. Not a fair trade, at all.

5. These pictures.

I made a huge mistake this week and left my cellphone outside in the sunshine, while the water sprinkler was going. After several hours I realized I left it outside on top of the duck coop where the water and the sun beat down on it. After awhile I finally got it to turn back on, and this was the first pictures I took to see if the camera was messed up. Hopefully, it clears up, but I think I may need to look into getting a new phone soon. Which is a real bummer because I lost a lot of things on the phone when I had to reset it.

One last thing:

Skylar and I have been watching old Charlie Brown cartoons lately and we are loving it. When they dance at the parties they have always makes us laugh. Charles Shultz really knew how to make a classic and one that I can share with my son, and still feel happy about. You can watch the same ones we've been watching, here.

Positive affirmations this week:

During my therapy sessions we learn new ways in order to give more attention to my mental health issues I am working through. Doing good things for others and connecting with people is an easy one, but only on days where I feel mentally sound. Taking care of my body, living more mindful is also an easy one, as long as I am doing it with people I trust and love. Learning new things, and having goals is something I am still working on. Learning new things is nice, and having goals is easy to do, but keeping up with it is a hard one I am working through. Bouncing back and looking for good is again, an easy task when I am not in the middle of a mental health episode. Being acceptable of my own body, mind, and soul is also a hard one to work past when I am struggling hard with mental health issues. And finding the bigger meaning is definitely something we all struggle with from time to time. Feeling out these issues that I struggle with help me figure out what I need to work on more for that week. It's important that we have a backup plan incase one of these issues triggers past trauma, or issues that I still have inside my head. The printout below can help you connect with yourself, too. Picking one thing from the list and staying focused on what you need to do to achieve that goal, or exercise is a good start. If you see a therapist, talk to them about the list and see how they can help you work through some of the harder issues on this list. You can do this! 🌈

Have a nice weekend.

End of July 2023 (1 Second Every Day)

 

Five Simple Things (July 28)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These flowers.

This week's flowers were top-notch. 

2. This view.

Picking up Skylar this week from college has made me so proud of him. I just loved seeing him sitting on the sign as if he dominated the day.

3. This duck.

Out of all three of our ducks, Quappy loves watermelon the most.

4. This window.

These little paper houses are the best. I like how they sit along the windowsill and bring some color to the area. The colored printable houses we printed several years ago from The Neighborhood, and the uncolored houses are from IKEA.

5. This doggy.

Enjoying the sunshine and living his best life.

One last thing:

While digging around in the garden this week Skylar found a colony of ants quickly hiding away their babies before anything happened to them. We watched them for a bit before covering them back up. Good luck, little ants!

Positive affirmations this week:

This book exert is a good example of why we should always lead our children to be better than us, and allow them to become their own. As we age we always want to give our kids a leg up to be successful and to carry on with our legacy. Therefore, the apprentice must surpass the master in life. This doesn't just apply to our children, but it also applies to others. Always help others be successful and happy in life, but allow them to grow, as well. This also applies to us and growing beyond what our parents did. When we hold others back, we are holding ourselves back. Push to be better and pass that knowledge onto other people, so we can all thrive and live our lives to the fullest. And never  forget, the only person you are in competition with each day is yourself, not other people. You can do this! 🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (July 21)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This swimming.

This week's temperatures were mild, well tolerable, but we decided to take a quick dip at McDowell Creek Falls. There's a trail system that runs through the entire area, but along the way there are different sized waterfalls. We had a nice dip in the pool at the bottom of one of the smaller falls and some lunch, and enjoyed the day. It wasn't crowded, so we had the pool to ourselves for several hours.

2. This jackite.

We put our Jackite up again this summer and we have loved seeing "him" flying high and gliding through the skies. We are wanting to get another one, but maintaining one is enough right now. We got him for our ducks to enjoy and befriend, but they can't be concerned or bothered by it. Which is a real bummer. ☺Our Jackite is the mallard duck, but there are others that are cool, too.

3. This moment.

These summer days are the best when spent with my boy.

4. This boy.

He is such a good kid and he is my buddy. When he starts college the days come to an end where he is curious and wanting to know the answers from me. He has spent every day of his life with me over anyone else. I am so proud of the person he is becoming and not one time will I ever stop being his biggest fan. I hope he never forgets that he can turn to me when he is in need, when he needs a hug, or even when he just needs a shoulder to lean on. I would give him the moon, if I could. Knowing what a great person I have raised, I miss my other baby so much. I wish my baby from 2000 had been given the change to thrive with us, as well. One day we will all be together and be able to share in the love we have.

5. These subscriptions.

This month's subscription boxes sent some wonderful items. My favorite from Kiwi Eco Box is the Ukrainian tattoo and anklet. I feel awful about what's happening over there and I wish I could do so much more, but for my part I will do the best I can to show support in any way that I can.  In the Kinder Beauty box, my favorite item is the Detail Setting brush from Jazmine Beauty. I also received a three pack of sample Heinz ketchups from Influenster - Habanero, Jalapeno, and Chipotle. The jalapeño was our favorite! And of course, Dae is always a treat to receive in the mail. I love their signature collection the most.

One last thing:

I received this calendar back in the Kiwi Eco Box January 2022 box. It has pages that are laced with wildflower seeds and I've been holding onto it ever since. I haven't been sure if I wanted to plant it, or keep it, but I think planting it would be the best for the environment and for pollinators. I am hoping it goes well, and the bees love it. I am going to soak them overnight and then plant them this weekend. Fingers crossed that they all sprout and bring lovely flowers for us all.

Positive affirmations this week:

The best advice anyone can give you. Living within our means is more than just about money. It's about everything we bring into our life, including people. If certain people are too much for you, then they are not within your means. Keeping your overhead low, your purchases few, and the people you let in sparse, life will be so much better in the end. You can do this! 🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (July 14)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This sunlight.

The morning sunlight always brings in rays of light that make my morning a bit more bearable. My mental health has been dipping lately, but seeing little glimpses of things that make me happy always help me get through just a bit longer.

2. These lights.

This week we got a good look at the Northern Lights across the horizon. It wasn't much, but it was still neat to see them in the distance.

3. This view.

Blue skies and cooler temperatures are always a plus. This week our heat finally let up and we could actually be outside long enough to do things without sweating buckets. Hopefully, it sticks around awhile and we get some relief. I know the plants and animals could sure use a break, too.

4. This moment.

I've been doing a lot of my work sitting in my new chair this week, and Eleven has to be right there monitoring everything I do. She really loves to be near me and we girls need to stick together. I am enjoying working in my chair rather than my desk, but my desk will soon be calling my name. I wish I could find a desk chair that's a recliner, because I would probably never leave my office it that were the case. 

5. This lid.

We have been on a mad hunt for the lid to this water bottle for about three months and after cleaning out the hall closet, there it was. For some reason it was dropped in there, or kicked in there by mistake. We have been using a small paper cup as a "make-shift" lid, so we are glad that we finally located it. These are such great water bottles, too. They are five gallon square bottles that stack on each other for better storage. We use them on our water cooler at home, and with an electric water pump when on the road, or camping. We have seven five-gallon bottles and two three-gallon bottles. We have this water dispenser and the best part is, it's on sale right now, too.

One last thing:

During our grocery trip this week and man was signing and offering copies of his children's books he wrote. His name is Will Robertson and his drawings remind me a lot of Calvin and Hobbs. He signed both copies for Skylar and he was such a nice man. Casey and Kyle are his book titles and you can find out more about him and his children's books here.

Positive affirmations this week:

And some days you just won't want to get out of bed or do anything. It's about progress, not perfection. Mental health doesn't pick and choose the best convenient time to visit you and it surely doesn't hit you on days that you can schedule in. What we have to do is focus on the good days and tap into those times when the days get bad. We aren't seeking the most perfect outcome here. What we are seeking is a little bit of positive progress that we can be proud of ourselves for. That, my healing friend, is the progress you want to remember, and the progress that you deserve. You can do this! 🌈

Have a nice weekend.