Gratitude 1

 Hello faithful followers of this here random rants.  I wish I had it is me to write more on the daily. November feels like a reset with the new time set and cooler weather already approching.  So, why not have a daily gratitude space.

Feel free to join in and either comment with your daily gratitude of post about it on social media.  I would love to hear what each of you are thankful for.  

Gratitude rewires your brain.  I know this because I am nerdy enough to have studied the subject.  Writing down three things that you are thankful for daily actually changes your brain to look for more good things.  If you feel in a funk, I totally recommend giving this practice a try.  I always seem to do better emotionally when I focusing on the positives in my life.

Here are my three for today:

1. Halloween.  Yesterday filled my soul as my kids were out trick or treating.  Knowing that Ellis is getting to the age where this may not be as big, I embraced every minute I had with him!  He was hilarious in his Gnome riding a snail costume.  He named her Sally and I heard all about Sally all night. Zarah had a friend come along and then had a sleepover.  It is so fun to see her more and more independent.

2. Pumpkin Spice.  Zarah made us some pumpkin chocolate chip cookies tonight and they were delicious. I have been making a pumpkin spice egg bake lately in place of my blueberry one, and it has made mornings fabulous.

3. Sweats and Slippers.  Getting into cozy clothing on a very dark and dreamy day made it much easier to handle!

What are you thankful for?

The end...M is for mania

 

I have a Kelly Clarkson problem. And the problem is that I cannot get enough of seeing her live(13+ times and counting).  This picture above is from when I saw her in Central Park when my Mom took me on a last minute whim because I told her that KC was going to NYC and would put on a free concert for the CBS Morning Show.  My Mom was the best at flying by the seat of her pants and was always up for an adventure.  Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge with her will always be a core memory for me.

When we went to this concert, it was down pouring. We had to leave our hotel and walk to the park at around 5 am.  Was it crazy? Yes.  Did the rain soak us? Yes.  Do we regret it?  Absolutely not.  

I had a hard time writing this because Kelly Clarkson's talk show was ending.  And get this...it was ending before I was able to fly to NYC again to see her live.  The nerve.  It truly made me sad and I wish I could have gone.  But alas, adult responsibilities and a very low bank account prevented this dream. Sigh.  

I know there will be many more opportunites to see KC is concert and I cannot wait until the next time I am jumping to the closing song, which is always the closing song: "Since You Been Gone."  

Love you Kelly!

Let's hang in Vegas again soon!

S is for Spiritual.

 I don’t have much again this Sunday. I did listen to a talk given by one of my church’s leaders. In his talk entitled: “He Knows You by Name,” Elder Matswagothata says:

“The Savior can and will guide us through every season of life—especially through difficult times.”

If you read the previous post I wrote about being able to do hard things. When I get through difficulties it isn’t just me getting through it. Jesus has walked with me through much of my heartache. I think the most monumental moments of hard were when my mom passed away nearly four years ago and this past year as I grieved the life I thought I would live forever(the end of a 12 year marriage). I cannot make it through anything without heavenly help. I’m most grateful for that kind of support. 

S is for Sayings…

 “I can do hard things,” has been a saying that resonates with me. Life isn’t always rainbows and butterflies and I often get down and don’t want to be positive or even keep trying to be. Each time I lose hope, I remember all the hard things I have already done and I realize I truly can do anything, including those hard things.  

F is for Flowers.

 

The kids and I planted many packets of wildflowers in one of our garden boxes. We watered religiously and waited and waited. A cat decided that our garden is a great place for a litter box. I have multiple cat defense barriers. The damn cat still digs and poops. Sorry cat lovers. I do not like cats and this hideous feline has solidified my hatred. (Being allergic was the biggest prior factor). 

This lonely flower is the sole survivor in our wildflower experiment of 2026. It isn’t much but that flower is hope and believe it or not it still brings me joy everyday when I water.  

Do I know what kind of flower it is? Is the kind of flower my favorite this year? You bet!