Thursday Thanks Tank #204

I am thankful for:

New friends.
New running friends.
New trails to run on.

Encouragement.
A health assessment that indicates what I feel- that I am getting healthier.
Moments of Bonding with my teenager.
Fall. It's just slightly cooler- ever, ever so slightly.
My daughter's new friend. They've worked out our schedule. Last week, playdate at our house, this week playdate at her house, next week our house and on and on. It's precious.
New recipes, including this Pizza Casserole from Paula Deen.

A new favorite tree.

Rainbows in my backyard.

Dumping Leftovers

Yesterday I had outstanding thoughts about goals and being proactive. Then, I had a terrible no good very bad day. It was the kind of day that ended with me feeling like a failure. Oh, how I hate days like that. I find it especially ironic this morning as I think about it.

I ended up with a bad headache and found myself unusually emotional. I had the kind of irrational emotions that often arise monthly but it wasn't time for that. I found myself thinking, "What's wrong with me?" as I got frustrated over petty things with my husband. It left me feeling terrible and I couldn't shake it. I went to bed feeling frustrated with myself and frustrated with my husband and even more frustrated that I felt that way.

I hear some days are like that, even in Australia.

What I hate most is how when I have a bad day I usually end up beating myself up for it.

This morning I am shaking off feelings of insignificance and regret.

I have to choose to let it go.
Cue the music.

While I was thinking about that I decided to finish loading the dishwasher. I cleaned out some leftovers from the fridge. Disgusting. I hate cleaning out leftovers.
How timely! Seems like that's what this morning is about. Alright, they've been dumped. The disposal was run. The fridge is clean. The dishwasher is running.

Today is a new day.

His mercies are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Goals

I figured out recently that I need goals. I suppose if someone had asked me if I liked to have a goal to strive for, I would have said yes. I didn't realize how much I am affected when I don't have a goal until recently. How did I figure it out? Well, I set a goal and quite suddenly felt so much happier than I had been feeling during the weeks before.

I was surfing the net when one of my running groups posted that Disney had opened up more slots for the Disney marathon and half marathon. I had planned to eventually do a Disney marathon, figuring it would be a lot easier to work out after our recent move to Florida. I had checked on Disney races right after we moved. The soonest I had the chance to run the Disney marathon was going to be 2016 because, of course, it was full.  Normally these races sell out within hours of opening. New slots for the race was extremely unusual (unheard of to me) and a little hard to believe. I hopped over to the RunDisney site to see if it was true. It was. So after some consideration, I signed up for the Disney marathon for January, 2015. 

Ever since, my running feels more purposeful. It's not to say I wasn't enjoying my runs before. I was. I was running because I enjoy it. Each run felt good. But now, each run now feels like a small piece of a big puzzle. It feels good physically and mentally.

I am not sure, but I imagine having a focus will help my running improve.

I am pretty certain all of this could be applied to other areas of my life- managing the home, working with my kids, intellectual pursuits (reading is all I can think of here), and on and on.

I am often frustrated that I am not making progress. I feel frustration and lament that I am not getting anything done. I am getting things done but nothing is ever complete. I'm now considering that it is because I don't have defined goals.

It's time to set goals. It's time to look at different areas of my life and set some small (and maybe long-term) goals.

I imagine that having a focus will allow to feel more satisfied each day.

Thursday Thanks Tank #203

I appreciate.

the rain.
my morning coffee.
my yard.
trees.
sweet tea.
the sound of the dishwasher.
the sound of my husband snoring
... okay, sometimes. only sometimes.
chocolate covered pomegranates.
(I do not appreciate that they come in a Costco bag. yes, I do. No, I don't. Um, ya.)
my kids' teachers.
online bill pay.
having a trip planned.

Sometimes

Sometimes I wish a Type-A, ultra organized person would come my house and give in to their extreme need to organize. But then again, that person might have a panic attack in my home. Still, the thought of someone else organizing my pantry sounds really nice.

Sometimes cheez-its taste good with wine. I guess wine just goes with everything.

Speaking of that. I have a love-hate relationship with myfitnesspal. We are arguing daily.

Sometimes I get tired of people my age talking about how old they are or how old they feel. They are not old. I am not old. I don't feel old. But I realized today that I don't feel all that young either. Maybe people talk about being old because being middle aged seems too mediocre. Hm.

Sometimes I laugh at things I read. For example, today I read that if you read one hour per day in your chosen field you will be an international expert in 7 years. Somehow I think I could prove that theory wrong. I am a stay-at-home mom.

Sometimes I wish we talked like the characters in Pride and Prejudice. It's just fun to look around the world I am in and imagine people talking to each other with such elegance. Sometimes, it is just hilarious to imagine... especially at places like Costco or Wal-mart.

Sometimes I wonder if I am the only allergy mom that has a hard time not stockpiling safe candy around Halloween. The treat size candy is out in stores and it took everything I had the other day to avoid that aisle at Wal-mart.

Sometimes I am acutely aware that I should cherish the things my kids are doing. My days of blanket forts and stuffed animals frolicking through my living room are numbered.

Sometimes there isn't enough time. So I am enjoying the time I have.