February 7, 2024

3 Things of Gratitude: House, Home, and safety.

I am grateful for the safety of my home. I cannot stress this enough. Nor, will I ever, ever take for granted the peace and comfort I find here, in the house I purchase for myself,by myself. From the warm glow and fresh scent of a burning candle (or ten) to the towering oak trees that I could watch for hours, as though they shield me from imagined monsters trying to steal my coveted serenity. Being safe vs feeling safe – the struggle is real, my friends. Tonight I felt violated, attacked – the fortress penetrated. But alas, I remained secured – no one was hurting me. I was safe – I am safe. Yet, I sobbed tears of old hurts, old betrayals, old demons, and old losses as if they were anew. Security and a sense of safety are priceless and are to be cherished and protected. I had to remind myself feelings are not facts. And repeat again and again, “I am safe”.

I am grateful for those friends that surround me with love and can bring me back to center – bring me back to my home, remind me of my security.

It has been a long night. It’s now the 8th and I need to move forward with my day. It’s not easy. I am grateful God has given me the strength and purpose to overcome and move forward.

#gratitude

Falling into Fire…October 2023

Fall fires….

Today I am grateful for my alone time sitting by the fire I created, in the yard of the house I bought, listening to whatever music I want to, enjoying the nature and the peace.

Today I am grateful, oh so grateful, for my children and the memories that pop up to remind me who they have been, and who they are becoming. I am so proud to be a part of their lives.

Team Michael B

I am grateful that I have the ability and means to to design tshirts to support my son in his first half Ironman next week. A triathalon remains on bucket list – but these distances are impressive. I don’t know how people do it – I’ll just keep making the shirts and goofy posters!!

#choosejoy #gratitude #3things

August 3 things…

August 10, 2023

Peace….

The last two weeks are a blur, as is the entirety of this past summer break. So full of activities and sunshine. A simple 3 things today to get back on track with my daily gratitude. My how easy it is to get distracted in this world and put too much on your plate!!! Here’s to simplification.

Today I am grateful for my son home; peace; deep breaths. Simple.

#gratitude #3things #simplify #choosejoy

Panama City Beach, Spring Break, and a Few Good Books

Friday, April 14, 2023

I love the sunlight on the water in the late afternoon.

I try to fold in a visit with my family when I come to Florida, I went a tiny bit further down the coast this time. No stopping in Destin, my regular go to. Just a little too much baggage to unpack during this vacation to add my brothers to my week. I do wish I could have spent some time with them, but oh how the relaxation of the salt air was desperately required! The water was crisp and clear and tumultuous and so healing.

While in the beach I read the book Verity by Colleen Hoover on the recommendation of one of my students. I am so glad I did! I used to read for pleasure every day before I went to bed. I have picked up so many books over the last few years and have not been able to focus enough to really read for enjoyment. Oh, how I have missed it. I cannot remember the last time I read a book I enjoyed so much, getting lost in so easily. When I was finished I really wanted to have a sit down with the characters and talk about some of their decisions! I have found my joy again. I immediately went to the local Walmart and bought 2 more titles by the same author. I’m already halfway through It Ends With Us. Life is good.

Spring Break…what can I say? I have enjoyed your company and now we must part ways – until next year.❤️

3 things: I am grateful for the white sandy beaches of the Panhandle that always soothe my soul; I am grateful for the opportunity and the space in my life to read for enjoyment again…to find my loves once again, to find ME again; I am grateful for this time called spring break that allows me, as a teacher, to find the strength and peace and patience to finish out the year strong.

Thank you for reading!

#gratitude #choosejoy #3things

Saturday morning #3things

April 1, 2023

I just took a deep breath before I begin. Not one of exasperation, but one of relaxation. A mindful reset.

Ahhhh…sleep

I am grateful for my health and able body: I am grateful that I can finally sleep well after decades of poor sleep; my house is a mess right now but I am so, so grateful to be able to say MY HOUSE. The clutter isn’t important. My peace and safety are way more important. I am grateful that I have learned not to let the little things bother me. And that is amazing. I guess that was four things – that last one snuck in there.

Be mindful. Be present. Be at peace. Have a great day everyone and thanks for reading!

#3things #choosejoy #gratitude

March 27, 2023 – 2 more weeks until spring break.

I am looking forward to my break in Panama City, Florida this year. I have never really taken the week of break for a vacation – in more than 20 years. Teachers and administrators around here are hanging on by a thread and the teenagers are ready for the warm weather…they are all twitter-pated. (shout out to Thumper)

Char’s Heart, inspired by my granddaughter, has been an amazing creative outlet for me. Click the image to see the whole shop, so far.

I am grateful that my recovery has brought me the ability to live one day at a time and reminds me that no matter how crazy things get – I can choose joy.

This weekend I had a lot of grading done in my yard. It’s a muddy mess, but I am excited to see things happening. Although I was supposed to be working on National Board Certification during this bobcat episode, the beep, beep, beep prevented me from being able to focus. The photo of the bobcat is right outside the open window where I was working. So, I chose a different endeavor (I love that word!) I made a t-shirt for my Etsy shop that reads “I choose joy”, pictured above.

My three things this morning are this: I am grateful for the time to grow, time to grieve, time to have fun…just time; I am grateful for finding new and fun creative outlets and, of course, a little time to explore them; I am grateful to have a special person in my life who makes it his mission to treat me like a Queen and make sure that I have all I want and need. Look at those roses! He didn’t just buy them, he also arranged them.

#choosejoy #charsheart #3things #gratitude