Just wanted to say that its Christmas... and it's my second favorite holiday of the year. (The first is the 4th of July because it was so close to my birthday that growing up I thought the fireworks were for me.)
Its time to sit back and be grateful for the blessings received throughout this year.
For me, I am grateful for:
1) The connections I've made through my church. For the friends that helped me through one of the hardest things I had to deal with in my life - my father's death in July.
2) The realization that, with God's grace and my own hard work, I forgave my father and stepmother for everything they did or didn't do for me growing up.
3) The shift in perception, where through an unusual film called "People vs. the State of Illusion" I learned that I have the ability to actually choose to be happy. And that slight shift brought everything I had been working on the past three years in therapy, in my church support groups, reading in the Bible, discussions with family and friends, etc. come into focus. I now see things in... a different perspective. (I hope to share the whole story here eventually...)
4) For my job. In a world of uncertainty and unsure economic times I need to remember that the minor annoyances at work are just that minor.
5) For the fact that I think I could go on and on about being grateful. In past years my old pessimism would have hindered that.
Merry Christmas! And a Happy New Year! May it bring new adventures and new joys.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
My Brother was in Town, Thanksgiving Holiday and I'm a procrastinator
My brother came into town on Thursday, November 10th and during his stay I didn't have time to post. Then after he left... I procrastinated, but I kept up with the trying new things though and saving the information in this post.
Then Thanksgiving came and I procrastinated some more!
Finally work got complicated and I didn't have any extra "free" time so I didn't do any extra writing, except for when I had that breakthrough in the last post.
So here is my intended third post more than a month later than it should have been posted. What I realize is that I just need to finish up this post and get it out there. That way I can focus on other topics in this blog. In order to get this posted about halfway through the days descriptions will be brief, as the delay has been because I have wanted to elaborate on each...
Day 4 - Thursday, November 10, 2011 - Leave the house with the intention of giving $20 to someone in need.
This comes from the "Be Bold" night on Monday. She discussed that we should be bold in our giving. It prompted a discussion at our table about charity and being approached by people for donations. I always seem to be approached and if I happen to have cash I will almost always inevitably give. So I decided that in my week of new things I'd intentionally look for someone to give $20.
On this day I had so many things to do to get ready for my brother that I really didn't have a chance to break out anything else from the list. (Sorry A.D.) I left my apartment and drove for awhile. It was funny. I hadn't really thought about where I'd find someone. On my route to my mom's from my apartment I rarely see anyone who needs help, not like on my route to work. But I had forgotten to eat lunch so I stopped and grabbed something from McDonald's. Instead of going my normal route I turned south on Tatum and dug into my cheeseburger from Mickey D's. Suddenly, with my mouth full I saw someone with a sign on the corner. (Yeah... yeah more car bad habits - eating in the car!) So with my hands holding half a burger, I reach into my purse for the $20 and rolled down the window. I very clumsily waved the money towards the man. He came over and thanked me profusely. I however, suddenly got embarrassed about the food and I weirdly had a moment where I wondered if this man was judging me. Isn't that a weird thing to be embarrassed about?! In the end this man probably had to get over the embarrassment of standing on a corner asking for money. So I let go of the weirdness and moved on with my life, sending out a prayer that his would get better.
Day 5 - Friday, November 11, 2011 - I hiked up Piestewa Peak... well as far as I could.
I had on my list to hike Camelback Mountain. My brother and his girlfriend wanted to try hiking Piestewa Peak again. We had visited the mountain the last time they were here, but they didn't make it to the top like they wanted. As for me, I was injured and could only hike about five minutes before having to turn around as the steepness of the hike was too much for me. So I ended up hanging out in the car with my mom while everyone else hiked. My goal on this day was to get to the first outcropping that everyone else got to last time at the very least.
It was hard! But everytime I wanted to stop I took a breath and continued on. I had the mantra "I can do this - I'm not going to die." And I did it! When I figure out how to attach pictures to blogs I'll come back and add the picture I took of myself up there.
We also stopped at Echo Canyon before getting to the Peak. I actually thought we were going to hike here but Mom just wanted to show my brother's girlfriend the view. However, I think one day I'd like to hike this Canyon. So I added it to the try new things list.
Day 6 - Saturday, November 12, 2011 - I took my brother and his girlfriend mini-golfing and gocarting at Crakerjax. Also went to the Movies and let my brother chose the movie. That's not exactly new but the fact is he chose a movie I had really thought I would never see - had no interest in the concept. So the new thing was I didn't complain about it (he-he).
Mom had to teach this day. It was the one day she couldn't take off during my brother's stay with us. So I was in charge. I had at first big plans for this day. I wanted to go to the Grand Canyon, Sedona or even Tucson and try a few different things. When it looked like that didn't appeal to anyone but me I started searching online for something quick and fun. We settled on going mini-golfing and gocarting. It is something I have done before but really not something I've done since I lived in Missouri and probably around college sometime which is going on 7 years now. Wow that is a strange thing to realize!
After gocarting/mini golf we went and saw the movie IN TIME with Justin Timberlake. I think that's ultimately why I didn't complain. Justin is HOT! And I actually liked his acting. Didn't actually know if I would. The movie is definitely more interesting then I thought it would be and I actually enjoyed it. Sometimes its best not to be in control!
Day 7 - Sunday, November 13, 2011 - Nothing exactly new - Susan G Koman three day walk... oh and at church... committed to tithe 10% next year for the first time.
So started out the day going to the 9 am service so I could have the rest of the day to spend with my brother. While at church we had a final lesson on giving and they had their annual contribution commitment. They asked us to put on a pledge card what we were going to tithe monthly to the church. This past year has been the first year where I really made a conscious effort to contribute. Given that the last time I attended church regularly was when I was child that's not really surprising. What I haven't been able to do this past year is give 10% of my earnings, instead giving what I could to get in the habit of giving. This day I made the commitment to actually tithe 10%! My church had those of us who commited to do so for the first time that day to walk to the front in what they called the "Widow's Walk." (see the Bible for the reference - its the story about the widow who gave her last 2 coins...)
It was an amazing thing to witness. And I found out at a later service that over 250 people committed to tithe 10% for the first time!
After church joined the family for my mother and step-father's sunday excursion to "Church". That's what my parents jokingly refer to their Sunday brunch. We then explored Old Towne Scottsdale walking through all the individual jewelry stories. What is interesting to note is that we randomly got to see the end of the Susan G. Koman 3-Day. We saw them walking near Echo Canyon the day before which is just south of Paridise Valley here in Phoenix. I just couldn't believe we ran into them again!
Day 8 - Monday, November 14, 2011 - Brother and his girlfriend left early in the morning and for the first day of my vacation I got to sleep during the middle of the day!
Nothing truely new today. Although I had a first. I got to see my mother get emotional after we dropped my brother off at the airport. Truth be told I was the one who broke the quiet with "I think I might cry!" Mom brokenly laughs and says, "Don't then I definately will." Turns out she always cries after taking either my brother or myself to the airport, even if its me going on a trip and she knows I will be back! She laughingly adds, "I normally do this by myself and don't have an audiance!" The things you learn...
I also, for the first time actually, got to take a nap on my vacation! Blessed sleep!
Day 9 - Tuesday, November 15, 2011 - Tried to find something new. Went on yelp for the first time to find a facial place and nail place. Called around for a facial - ended up not having openings the day of the phone call - need to schedule. Called around for nails - they too didn't have any openings. Ended up just booking my appointments. Facial on Wednesday and Nails on Friday!
Day 10 - Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - Hair appointment - scheduled months previously and facial appointment. It is a pampered day!
Day 11 - Thursday, November 17, 2011 - Acted like a Twihard and went to the Midnight Premiere of Breaking Dawn Part 1!
Day 12 - Friday, November 18, 2011 - Went out on the limb and did some crazy colored Gelish nails. Think Asfault and Vegas Nights - basically glittery gray!
Day 13 - Saturday, November 19, 2011 - Attempted to go to the Pirate Exhibit with coworker at the Science Museum after a Saturday conference for work. The museum was closing so we went and ate dinner instead where I literally told my coworker the plot and story line of all the Twilight books from Twilight to Breaking Dawn... oh no I am a Twihard!
Day 14 - Sunday, November 20, 2011 - Horse Therapy and Bridesmaid Dress Shopping. Yep, those two very different things did occur back to back.
Day 15 - Monday, Novmeber 21, 2011 - Actually complained about my nails as one was nicked and got fixed. I normally don't complain about those things so that is new! Last day of vacation - so the mission is complete.
Man... If I had thought to just post these final days in list sooner I would have had this out about three weeks ago. Uggh... sometimes I'm too much of a perfectionist. One thing I'm trying to unlearn.
Then Thanksgiving came and I procrastinated some more!
Finally work got complicated and I didn't have any extra "free" time so I didn't do any extra writing, except for when I had that breakthrough in the last post.
So here is my intended third post more than a month later than it should have been posted. What I realize is that I just need to finish up this post and get it out there. That way I can focus on other topics in this blog. In order to get this posted about halfway through the days descriptions will be brief, as the delay has been because I have wanted to elaborate on each...
Day 4 - Thursday, November 10, 2011 - Leave the house with the intention of giving $20 to someone in need.
This comes from the "Be Bold" night on Monday. She discussed that we should be bold in our giving. It prompted a discussion at our table about charity and being approached by people for donations. I always seem to be approached and if I happen to have cash I will almost always inevitably give. So I decided that in my week of new things I'd intentionally look for someone to give $20.
On this day I had so many things to do to get ready for my brother that I really didn't have a chance to break out anything else from the list. (Sorry A.D.) I left my apartment and drove for awhile. It was funny. I hadn't really thought about where I'd find someone. On my route to my mom's from my apartment I rarely see anyone who needs help, not like on my route to work. But I had forgotten to eat lunch so I stopped and grabbed something from McDonald's. Instead of going my normal route I turned south on Tatum and dug into my cheeseburger from Mickey D's. Suddenly, with my mouth full I saw someone with a sign on the corner. (Yeah... yeah more car bad habits - eating in the car!) So with my hands holding half a burger, I reach into my purse for the $20 and rolled down the window. I very clumsily waved the money towards the man. He came over and thanked me profusely. I however, suddenly got embarrassed about the food and I weirdly had a moment where I wondered if this man was judging me. Isn't that a weird thing to be embarrassed about?! In the end this man probably had to get over the embarrassment of standing on a corner asking for money. So I let go of the weirdness and moved on with my life, sending out a prayer that his would get better.
Day 5 - Friday, November 11, 2011 - I hiked up Piestewa Peak... well as far as I could.
I had on my list to hike Camelback Mountain. My brother and his girlfriend wanted to try hiking Piestewa Peak again. We had visited the mountain the last time they were here, but they didn't make it to the top like they wanted. As for me, I was injured and could only hike about five minutes before having to turn around as the steepness of the hike was too much for me. So I ended up hanging out in the car with my mom while everyone else hiked. My goal on this day was to get to the first outcropping that everyone else got to last time at the very least.
It was hard! But everytime I wanted to stop I took a breath and continued on. I had the mantra "I can do this - I'm not going to die." And I did it! When I figure out how to attach pictures to blogs I'll come back and add the picture I took of myself up there.
We also stopped at Echo Canyon before getting to the Peak. I actually thought we were going to hike here but Mom just wanted to show my brother's girlfriend the view. However, I think one day I'd like to hike this Canyon. So I added it to the try new things list.
Day 6 - Saturday, November 12, 2011 - I took my brother and his girlfriend mini-golfing and gocarting at Crakerjax. Also went to the Movies and let my brother chose the movie. That's not exactly new but the fact is he chose a movie I had really thought I would never see - had no interest in the concept. So the new thing was I didn't complain about it (he-he).
Mom had to teach this day. It was the one day she couldn't take off during my brother's stay with us. So I was in charge. I had at first big plans for this day. I wanted to go to the Grand Canyon, Sedona or even Tucson and try a few different things. When it looked like that didn't appeal to anyone but me I started searching online for something quick and fun. We settled on going mini-golfing and gocarting. It is something I have done before but really not something I've done since I lived in Missouri and probably around college sometime which is going on 7 years now. Wow that is a strange thing to realize!
After gocarting/mini golf we went and saw the movie IN TIME with Justin Timberlake. I think that's ultimately why I didn't complain. Justin is HOT! And I actually liked his acting. Didn't actually know if I would. The movie is definitely more interesting then I thought it would be and I actually enjoyed it. Sometimes its best not to be in control!
Day 7 - Sunday, November 13, 2011 - Nothing exactly new - Susan G Koman three day walk... oh and at church... committed to tithe 10% next year for the first time.
So started out the day going to the 9 am service so I could have the rest of the day to spend with my brother. While at church we had a final lesson on giving and they had their annual contribution commitment. They asked us to put on a pledge card what we were going to tithe monthly to the church. This past year has been the first year where I really made a conscious effort to contribute. Given that the last time I attended church regularly was when I was child that's not really surprising. What I haven't been able to do this past year is give 10% of my earnings, instead giving what I could to get in the habit of giving. This day I made the commitment to actually tithe 10%! My church had those of us who commited to do so for the first time that day to walk to the front in what they called the "Widow's Walk." (see the Bible for the reference - its the story about the widow who gave her last 2 coins...)
It was an amazing thing to witness. And I found out at a later service that over 250 people committed to tithe 10% for the first time!
After church joined the family for my mother and step-father's sunday excursion to "Church". That's what my parents jokingly refer to their Sunday brunch. We then explored Old Towne Scottsdale walking through all the individual jewelry stories. What is interesting to note is that we randomly got to see the end of the Susan G. Koman 3-Day. We saw them walking near Echo Canyon the day before which is just south of Paridise Valley here in Phoenix. I just couldn't believe we ran into them again!
Day 8 - Monday, November 14, 2011 - Brother and his girlfriend left early in the morning and for the first day of my vacation I got to sleep during the middle of the day!
Nothing truely new today. Although I had a first. I got to see my mother get emotional after we dropped my brother off at the airport. Truth be told I was the one who broke the quiet with "I think I might cry!" Mom brokenly laughs and says, "Don't then I definately will." Turns out she always cries after taking either my brother or myself to the airport, even if its me going on a trip and she knows I will be back! She laughingly adds, "I normally do this by myself and don't have an audiance!" The things you learn...
I also, for the first time actually, got to take a nap on my vacation! Blessed sleep!
Day 9 - Tuesday, November 15, 2011 - Tried to find something new. Went on yelp for the first time to find a facial place and nail place. Called around for a facial - ended up not having openings the day of the phone call - need to schedule. Called around for nails - they too didn't have any openings. Ended up just booking my appointments. Facial on Wednesday and Nails on Friday!
Day 10 - Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - Hair appointment - scheduled months previously and facial appointment. It is a pampered day!
Day 11 - Thursday, November 17, 2011 - Acted like a Twihard and went to the Midnight Premiere of Breaking Dawn Part 1!
Day 12 - Friday, November 18, 2011 - Went out on the limb and did some crazy colored Gelish nails. Think Asfault and Vegas Nights - basically glittery gray!
Day 13 - Saturday, November 19, 2011 - Attempted to go to the Pirate Exhibit with coworker at the Science Museum after a Saturday conference for work. The museum was closing so we went and ate dinner instead where I literally told my coworker the plot and story line of all the Twilight books from Twilight to Breaking Dawn... oh no I am a Twihard!
Day 14 - Sunday, November 20, 2011 - Horse Therapy and Bridesmaid Dress Shopping. Yep, those two very different things did occur back to back.
Day 15 - Monday, Novmeber 21, 2011 - Actually complained about my nails as one was nicked and got fixed. I normally don't complain about those things so that is new! Last day of vacation - so the mission is complete.
Man... If I had thought to just post these final days in list sooner I would have had this out about three weeks ago. Uggh... sometimes I'm too much of a perfectionist. One thing I'm trying to unlearn.
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