Welcome to my Weekend Coffee Share and the first day of National Poetry Month! Let’s have some word play. Maybe our coffee share will be like a musical. I’ve been reflecting in verse with my dog at my feet. (Yes, I sound like a geek). 🤓
My Saturday morning brought healthy breakfast, juice, and tea
Last night, after dinner with loved ones to end my busy week
I talked to my guy on the phone like a giddy, chatterbox teen
Then drifted off after a hard day’s work and finally caught up on my lost sleep.
My morning cup is accompanied by sunshine and birds who freely sing
The past is behind, the future I have no need to know or see,
And I can be grateful for all of these things, no worry of what tomorrow brings.
Jan. 14th–Welcome to my #WeekendCoffeeShare and Day 13 of the daily blogging challenge. I’m having a chai latte to welcome the cool morning.
The weather really cooled yesterday after a rainy night, so we had a warm, relaxing fire going last night. I think my dog Bixby even enjoys sitting by the fire.
A peaceful sight and sound!
Today is a day to take a breath and catch up. Of course, I’ll get my 30 minute cardio. I’ve already walked the dog. Some laundry needs to be done, ( that’s part of the catching up).
I had an interesting dream last night that took me back to my childhood home here in Jacksonville. We lived there 5 years, age 8 to 13. It was the longest time I’d lived anywhere in my youth. The start of my dream was chaotic, I was touring the house, and it was full of ants, the bathroom mirror was covered, I had a memory of being betrayed by a friend and letdown by someone else. But I think the mirror means “leave it in the past.”
As I continued the walk-through, I saw adult friends of recent years, told them I was selling the house, and to come view it with me. It really was a nice house in real life (we moved to an apartment when my parents divorced). I kept finding new, cozy, beautiful rooms (that weren’t there in my youth) and heard my adult friends squealing in delight behind me.
The best I can make of this dream, which totally changed tone halfway through, is: I no longer live in fear, chaos, and self-loathing. Thinking I’m never good enough…that’s no longer me. I NOW LIVE A LIFE OF LOVE, BEAUTY, AND COMMUNITY. I see new beauty everywhere. A Day may start rough for me, but it can change, I can feel gratitude, and I can enjoy my life.
So now, I must get ready for my gym cardio, and later get ready to see my boyfriend, a constant source of laughter, and tomorrow, I’ll see my dad who is visiting from up North. I’ll have some time today to work on a lesson that intrigues me, and yes, catch up on laundry. Life is good!
Have a great weekend, everyone. Thanks for visiting my corner of the blogosphere!
Welcome to my Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer . It got into the 20s in Northern Florida last night, so today calls for a hot chai tea. Grab your beverage of choice and pull up a chair! We had a fire going last night and are sure to start the fireplace again this evening.
I’m all done with Christmas shopping and preparations! I’ve been relaxing and enjoying myself the last few days. All of the gifts are under the tree, and it even now looks fuller than above. I got Bixby a chew toy that he will get on Christmas Eve. I’ll be going to a family service at my church tonight that includes a live nativity. I’m looking forward to it!
My dad sent a Visa gift card for Christmas, so with those unexpected funds I bought tickets to a Christmas Event called Dazzling Light at the Jacksonville Arboretum for myself and my boyfriend to attend Thursday, because he takes me to so many fabulous places; he deserves it! Needless to say, we both loved it and felt like kids again! This includes the hot chocolate that warmed me as walked the grounds from 8 to 9 p.m. We were in 50 degree weather then, but the cool humidity made me crave something warm.
Let it snow!❄️
I haven’t been there in years, but even at night the place is magical! There was music food, and lights in many varieties as well as exhibits the kids could play in. Let’s not forget the pretend snow to play in! I used to play in snow as a child, forty-plus years ago!
All in all, we both had such a great time, and Chris really appreciated this surprise! I’m so glad.
Lately, I’ve started painting when I get a creative bug and my hand and shoulder hurt too much to write. I’d done two coasters before today, and my son wanted to help me do some ‘modern art’ today. Of course, I said yes and got out the materials in my garage “studio.” We both contributed! It was an excellent mother/son activity!
It was so fun making art with my son, and such a wonderful bonding experience! I’m truly enjoying this Winter break, and not a single silent moment has me bored.
Fun at the Jacksonville Arboretum!
I am wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas, happy holiday, and a Happy New Year! May the joy of this season be yours.🎄⛄
Welcome to my Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer. Ah, the holidays draw near, we get time off, and we forget what day it is! Never mind that my chai latte has already been consumed before I can get to this! Grab your favorite beverage and pull up a chair…
My routine was topsy turvy Saturday morning, as I had to be awake at 6:30, get dressed, and leave the house without breakfast or coffee. I’ll use that as my excuse for not posting Saturday! I had to take a fasting lipids blood test. No, the lipids weren’t fasting, I was. 😉 I think it interfered with my sleep Saturday night, knowing I had to wake up and do that. Needless to say, my breakfast afterward tasted great!
Once I ate and had my chai latte, I was in a wonderful mood. Yesterday was the day for my school’s drama club to put on their play, a dinner theater style lunch of lasagna to start it off. Scrumptious! My boyfriend accompanied me and met several of my coworkers, friends,and my boss, who told him that I’m ” a treasure.” Nice!
The students put on a great show!
We all really enjoyed it! My friend Jen, her husband, and her son met Chris. He had a great time and enjoyed meeting everybody. The superintendent was there, and I’m sure she was quite impressed with the play as well!
Now, on to health, a thread as common as writing used to be for me . I made a good attempt to sleep Saturday, and despite the tossing and turning due to leg nerve pain, kept getting back to sleep. My shoulder has much better motion, but my pain gets worse with cooler weather change, which happened this week. I’m still in shoulder physical therapy, and I’m seeing a specialist on Dec. 14th about the nerve pain and overall chronic pain. I’ve been trying to take extra vitamins, like B12, and to eat healthy. You might appreciate this week’s random post on my experience: https://wp.me/p7aqV2-33W
I wish I had more to share on writing, but healthy living attempts seem a full time hobby in addition to full-time teaching lately. Hopefully the holiday vacation will allow some time to write. I joined Planet Fitness, as I can’t stand working out in the outdoors while it’s cold. So I bike in the gym and type blog entries. Their fees are low, too. Maybe I’ll get answers soon.
On the bright side, I have a wonderful family, things are great for my son, I have wonderful friends, a loving boyfriend, and the funniest dog. I ordered the new technology with my classroom grant, so my already rewarding job is starting to become more interesting!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone, and have a great Thanksgiving!
Welcome to my Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer. It’s a green macha tea day for me! In a while, I’m heading out to get a massage, and later I have to do my Saturday cardio. *Sigh
I know I said in my Gratitude post of a few days ago, “There is nothing I need to chase after,” and I’m sticking with that, but last night I felt an urge to chase the sunset. My boyfriend and I had just left dinner, and there was the pinkish-orange hue above the tree line. So I convinced him to drive that way, because I wanted to drive to a river landing where I knew we’d see the sunset.
Turns out, that was the last glow of the sun. It was dark within about 5 minutes, so we turned around to head back. When he turned the car around, the moon was so bright and almost full, that I forgot our unreached sunset. The darkness covered the tree tops, and the moon seemed to follow us along as we drove North. I was just as pleased as if we’d have seen the sunset on the water.
I know my boyfriend couldn’t see the full moon as he was driving, but he did smile at me several times. He seemed happy that I was happy. And that, my friends, also makes me happy!
So I’m dwelling more on that thought than on my sleep issues last night, due to my sore shoulder and arm. I do feel, however, that the adhesions are breaking up. I believe I am on the way back.
So, I think the moral of this story is, revel in the joys of any moment that greets you. Don’t waste time regretting what has left you. Have a great weekend, everyone!
Because sometimes I need reminders, and because it easily flips the switch:
When I’m tired after a workday and my arm and shoulder both hurt, I remember I’m grateful to have a job. I may have to lay down and relax for 15 minutes, but then, I’m grateful that I can get up and exercise through the pain, and for that I shall rejoice.
I am grateful for the sunshine we had after the storm this weekend, and when that happens, I will slow down and greet the sunshine with thankful eyes, giving it time to soak into my skin. I’m grateful I can still travel, and I will give myself time to enjoy the fun and also time to rest and relax.
While I may still be working for much of the remainder of my life, I need not be driven anymore to achieve or to chase after carrots. There is nothing, I repeat nothing in this world that I need to chase after.
I now abolish the rat race from my life and my mind. Everything I need Is right here; I simply need to nourish it, appreciate it, show it love, and take the time to enjoy and surround myself in it.
Welcome to my Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer. This last week was very relaxing and maybe even lazy, once I got the vacation laundry done. There were two days of teacher training, however, but Friday gave me a renewed chance for lounging. 🙂
Schultz Center, training and conference center.
The training we received was very informative. Despite English teachers having new standards, new curriculum, and a new text, I left with the feeling “I can do this!” The lesson plans are more clear, and the text completely links with our new state standards, so I’m quite happy with this! I also had a great lunch with a teacher friend at the Garden Cafe!
Since our vacation, I’ve had a sore/stiff shoulder and my boyfriend has a knot in his back muscle near the shoulder blade. For me, it was likely from doing a backstroke while lounging in the Coco Cay waters. For him, it’s definitely from carrying luggage that included my cosmetic carry-on . We both seem to agree that vacation was still worth it!
Here, I’m wearing my obsidian necklace from Chichen Itza, Mexico from Chris. Hard to tell here, but it’s a Tree of Life.Journaling is part of my summer writing plan that helps me work on mindfulness and gratitude!
On Writing —
I wrote probably one page this last week on Ellie, the Time Traveler. I also jotted down thoughts and ideas for continuing Crossroads Dinner #205. I’ve really been distracted by the shoulder. However, I’m still journaling by hand almost daily. Here are some thoughts on being part of the rhythm and flow of life:
From the July 1st prompt: I heard in a pain podcast, “Don’t be fearless, but fear LESS.” (Pain Free You). My thoughts are that we cannot help but to have feelings, but we can try not to over focus on them. This morning, it’s easy for me to trust the process of life. I know all my loved ones are safe, and I’m sitting in a room blessed by Sunshine peeking through my blinds.
Grasshoppers are making joyful noise out in the day as the temperature climbs. It is peaceful. I am noticing it all. On cloudy, rainy days, I need to also spend more time noticing, just observing, because it is also a part of life’s Evan flow, the cycles of nature. I can notice what’s around even if it’s not what I wanted or expected without judging, even if it changes my plans. The dance of nature is so awesome to observe!-PC
That’s where I am right now. I see my doctor about the shoulder next week and will have coffee with a writer friend Thursday. It is sure to be at least a two hour coffee chat! Have a great day, and I hope you find time to relax. Bixby certainly is a guru at this!
Woman with busy-brain learns to meditate and focus her mind on positivity with a little help from the right books.
Do you struggle with meditating like I do? Here’s my latest tool.
So, you have a busy brain? You wake up with a drumbeat in your head thinking of all that you need to do, or you struggle to get up and feel positive about your day in any way? Have you tried meditation, they ask. Ha. My busy brain struggles to meditate and needs all the help it can get. Here’s what’s working for me lately.
Last summer, my holistic friend Kim gave me a lot of journals and self-health books. Since I love books, self-help books and journaling are both things I love to spend my time with, and being a teacher on summer break allows me exactly that! I started last year with the Soul Coaching, 28 days book with focused each week on one of the elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water. Believe me, I had a few seriously negative things that I needed to get through last year, but I began to open my eyes more to God’s blessings all around me and to learn more about myself and my spirituality through them.
This year, I am using the Affirmation Journal by Louise Hay pictured above. It really centers my mind each morning on positive things that exist in my life and helps set up my mood for the day. Things are going quite well for me this year, but summer is a time I could be dangerously lazy and develop serious kinks in my neck from reading on the couch or sitting at the computer for countless hours, starting with breakfast even. Being my age, I at times struggle with focus as well and may have 20 tabs open at once, so starting my day with breakfast and writing in this Affirmation Journal helps me to get centered with a positive mindset. Another goal I have is to be more active and have several breaks from sitting, writing, or computer time. So, getting centered in the morning helps me all around.
Sure, I could Google positive thoughts or daily affirmations. No, never mind, I can’t. I would be distracted by the latest drama between two celebrities suing each other over their broken, toxic marriage, or even by Amazon telling me what I should buy now. I could read a Bible passage and reflect on that. No, some of those passages are quite confusing. I was raised on the Bible, and it has its purposes, but if you’ve read it, you know it’s confusing. I’ve had preachers preach that you can’t just pick and choose what passage you wish to read. Sometimes I do agree, other times, I may seek it out. At any rate, I have found this book helpful as it asks for my interpretation and reflection on each thought.
Here is an example based on the thought: “I now accept all good as normal and natural for me….”
I think this entry had a lot to do with gratitude as well, but accepting good things for exactly what they are has been a struggle for me at times, having “busy-brain.” I just want to share what has worked for me lately.
Blessings to you all for a happy week and great summer!
Welcome to my Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer. It’s a full throttle coffee day, as I have grades to prepare. My son just walked Bixby, who is feeling a little lonely lately.
My mother has been sick with COVID and is isolating herself, so Bixby feels really lonely during the day when I and my son are at work. I have been worried about her, but she’s getting better. I hate seeing her uncomfortable and unhappy. She is a lively woman who likes to go places and socialize with friends. She just wants the sickness to be over and done with. It was last Saturday she got the results. I know she can’t wait to go out to dinner again or go to exercise class with her friends.
Monday, I stayed out of work and got a COVID test as well, but fortunately, it was negative. So I had a four day work week, but I still felt so stressed and overwhelmed by Friday. I have a lot to do today, but I took some time to go eat some barbecue with my son last night. It was enjoyable, and I’m glad we did that. I’m grateful for the time I can spend with him.
So, that’s the state of our world right now. We do have some sunshine today in Northeast Florida, and I’m thankful. The light is coming in little by little, and Spring is on its way.
pamelascanepa 