Tag: #3things

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

3 things March 6th 2023

I am grateful for the able body that has allowed me to work in my yard for the last 3 days. It has been a long time since I have been able to get my hands dirty on my own little piece of heaven; I am grateful that I got to spend time with my two favorite, busy college students this past weekend – they bring me such peace and joy; I am grateful for the beautiful weather we have had these last few days. #choosejoy #3things #gratitude

My little sock-free corner…

3 things: January 2, 2023

I bought this dresser at a thrift store and still want to paint it, but it’s really working for me right now.

My first list of gratitude for 2023 overflows, so I decided to focus on the simple things.

I am grateful that 10 weeks after my move I finally have all of my socks put away off of the top of this dresser (and everything else, too…but the socks seemed to propagate each week).

I am grateful for the New Year’s Day fire I had in my backyard with my guy. A cleansing of sorts as I burned the last few boxes from my move into my new house. Appropriate timing I’d say.

I am grateful for the red granny boots I wore today. I have been actively searching for them for 10 weeks (since the move). I bought them in Austria this summer but still had never worn them due to the shredded ACL and the aforementioned misplacement. I didn’t even mind how squeaky they were all day with their rubber soles.

Perception is everything. Everything. Continue to find the joy where you can in 2023. Some of the things I learned in 2022 – happiness is a synonym for peace; serenity needs protection from invaders and thieves; never confuse peace for boredom – they are NOT the same thing.

#gratitude #3things #choosejoy #serenitynow

3 things on a rainy day in December

December 11, 2022

The rain just keeps coming. It’s a slow soaking which I know our ground needs but our spirits have had enough of it. I am grateful for the shelter of my home and for the knowledge that my loved ones are also.

Due to my health and recent move I decided not to put a tree up this year. The Christmas decorations are minimal and I have not even a wreath on my door. I am grateful for all of people in the world who decorate their homes for people like me to enjoy when we just cannot rise to the occasion.

I had a wonderfully relaxing yet productive weekend. The house is shaping up. The freedom I feel to do what I want to it is like no other feeling I have ever felt. Perhaps one day I will find the words. But for now, I am grateful that my home is my special place – not a beach or a mountain – my home.

#gratitude #3things #choosejoy