Oh, the Negativity!

 Self doubt. Self negativity. One in the same I guess. But I am the queen of it. I can point out every physical and personality fault that I possess. I feel like I am short tempered with the boys because it feels like all they do is argue, cry or tattle. I feel like I am the strictest teacher there is because I demand so much of my students. Although I am rocking a weight loss challenge I signed up for, I can still point out all my physical faults. Obviously, it's not something I go around spouting off but it is something I think about when someone compliments me. I want to say, "Thanks, but...."

That being said, I have had a lot of people complimenting me on things I have been known to obsess over. Last week I was irritated because my classes were all acting crazy. When I thought I was at the end of my rope with my patience, a sweet tutor who works with my students daily, asked "Have you ever watched 'One Calls the Heart'?" She went on to tell me that I remind her of a teacher that is on the series because the teacher is compassionate and patient with her students. Me?? I don't see that but I'm glad she does. At a wedding last night, a lady with whom I've only met twice told me she could tell I was a teacher because of my bubbly personality. I don't think, in my entire life, anyone has referred to me as bubbly but it made me smile because I have been working on being more outgoing, smiling more. Last night, at the wedding, I also had several people tell me how pretty I looked. One twenty-something year old girl told me she really liked my dress. It put a smile on my face, knowing my hard work is paying off.

I wish a few heartfelt compliments would cancel out my negative thoughts. But, sometimes it gets the best of me. Lately, however, it has been kept at bay. Maybe it's because the weight loss challenge is making me feel better about myself. Or maybe it's because this week has been warm, which always makes me happy since I love to be outside. Or maybe I'm just growing up and learning my self worth. Whatever it is, I'm glad the negativity hasn't consumed me recently. If you deal with this as well, I challenge you to find the good in your life, the things you're proud of. And surround yourself with kind people. It helps tremendously!

Icecalopyse 2021

 Last week we were supposed to be in Nashville, enjoying our Mardi Gras break. Instead we were freezing during a historic ice storm that made its way through the South. It probably would have been more enjoyable had we not lost power for 38 hours. But we made the best of it. Rob was “out of town” on storm work so the boys and I played lost of Yahtzee and Name that Tune. When our house got really cold (no fireplace thanks to the previous owners and temps in the teens outside) we bundled in sleeping bags and blankets and told stories. I was thankful that our neighbors took in our little gecko to keep warm in front of their fireplace. I was also thankful that it was cold enough that we didn’t have to worry about losing groceries due to the power outage. I was also thankful for the neighbors who made me coffee each morning and friends who offered us a warm place to stay. I wasn’t willing to leave the dogs but we did run up the road to Rob’s hotel the second day so I could take a hot shower and we could warm up for a couple hours. It was glorious! What I was most thankful for is when our power came back on. I’ve never been without electricity for that long. Once it came on, I was able to enjoy the beauty of the storm.

Hard to believe that was a week ago and today I was almost sweating in 70+ temps. 2021 is rolling in the way 2020 went out and I’m tired of living through historical events. So if 2021 could mellow out I’d be most appreciative! Until the next historical event...

An Update on Life

 In the past month a lot of things have happened in our little family. Both boys killed their first bucks and our freezer is overflowing with meat. (Yay!!) Both boys began football and are killing it out on the field. Both boys play defense and are so good. P is like the defensive coordinator for his team and E is just happy not to be on offense. (But slays it when he is!) 

    A couple weeks ago, I took a girls' trip to Nashville and had an absolute blast. Not once did I think, "I wish I was single again so I could live this life all the time." But I did have so much fun escaping reality for a couple days. Another exciting thing is that I won a one year membership to a local gym and joined a 6 week fitness challenge. I'm down 9 lbs and have so much more energy. The only thing that is hindering me is that I have an injured rib at the moment, causing workouts to be painful...or nonexistent. I slipped on a newly mopped floor and hit my ribs on the side of a table as I went down. I don't know if it's cracked or bruised but I'm going on two weeks in pain. Thankfully, as of Thursday, I am back to sleeping in our bed instead of the recliner.     

P got the flu a few weeks ago. It wasn't all that bad, but we were told that's because he had gotten his flu shot a couple months ago. He had to do virtual school for a week, which caused him (and me) a lot of frustration and bad grades. Made me appreciate what my 5th graders went through earlier this year when they were all on the hybrid model- going to school 2-3 days a week and learning from home the other days. The only sad thing that's happened recently is that Liz the chameleon died. E took it harder than I thought he would, considering we only had her for a month. I think he enjoyed her so much because he was 100% in charge of her and didn't have to share her with anyone else. But I assured him we'd get another one soon. 

Well, there you have it. I guess that's about all on our life updates. We've been really busy and have not enjoyed too many homecooked meals together lately. But, after last year, I am not complaining in the least. I like that life is pretty much back to normal for our family.