I must admit, when it comes to surrounding myself with amazing women, I’ve been very blessed throughout my life. These past few months (specifically on Fridays) are great examples when a few of these beauties gather at my home for cocktails, food and (sometimes tears!) lots of laughter. This may have started because of Covid and not wanting to miss happy/social hours, but has turned into an important part of my week with the women in my world.
Celebrating Mom’s Birthday in Black Hawk, CO
Cabin Fever Days, 2020
Girl Power (sorry Spice Girls, but this isn’t about you) has been so critical to me at every stage of my life, and becomes more important to me with each passing year. From early stages with young friends, to recognizing that your Mom and Sister are your best girlfriends.
“People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you’ll know exactly what to do.”
“God determines who walks into your life…it’s up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.”
Lake Koocanusa, August 2020
Love You, My Tribe! I wouldn’t be who I am without each and every one of you. ❤️
It’s been nice to be on a social media hiatus. Not planned, just worked out that way and I must say it was invigorating in so many ways. Reading @hodakotb as I do daily, and today’s message said it perfectly!!!
Personally, I have been (slowly) working through the clutter in all areas of my life. Delete, donate or dump – it’s been so freeing to get my space back, both physically and mentally!
As we go into the holidays the mental and physical clutter can be overwhelming. Remember to breathe deeply, smile often and when in doubt, throw it out. 🗑
I know…I never write, I never call. :). This one resonated this morning, so I am taking a few moments to put my thoughts on “paper.”
Every morning I read Hoda Kotb’s quote of the day in her book, I Really Needed This Today. Then I write in my StartToday journal by Rachel Ray. I know, sounds like plugs for the books, but it’s really about finding what works for you in setting your personal goals and jump starting your day. For me, this is my power-punch combo pack that I do EVERY MORNING.
Anyway, today’s quote from Hoda is “The beginning is the most important part of the work.” ~Plato WOW! First, a good reminder of why Plato was/is one of my Dad’s favorite philosophers. Second, Plato is right. We (by we, I mean me) are constantly saying today is the first day of the rest of my life…or starting fresh today…or for me, it’s a do over! No matter how you dice it, if you don’t START something, you’ll never reach your end goal.
Short and sweet for today, but the take-away is GET STARTED! Create a new habit, break an old one, learn something new! Whatever you see in your future you have to take the first step and BEGIN to reach your grand finale. Happy Humpday!
I meant to start on Day 1, but what can I say, I had work to do and just got lazy about getting a blog post done. Now with some project changes, I may just have time to blog every day for the next few weeks while I’m “locked down”.
So why the quarantine for 14 days when so many started over a week ago? Well, I went to Colorado for a few weeks to spend time with my Mom for her birthday, and my nephews for Spring Break. Planning it we had no idea it would turn in to an extended leave from school with students learning virtually, or that I’d need to hurry and leave as the conversations started around shelter-in-place for Colorado. That still hasn’t happened, but I needed to get back to Montana, especially with all the house stuff going on (that’s another post in the not too distant future). So out of love for my fellow Montanans, I am home for a few weeks to ensure I am indeed free of Covid-19, aka Corona Virus. Though there are now ~50 cases in Montana, I am doing my part to not contribute further to the problem.
The trip was fun! Our first week we celebrated Mom’s birthday, even Shane flew in from Minnesota to join the festivities, going out to dinner a few nights. Though there were warnings about closing businesses, everything was still open and places were crowded, though definitely not business as usual. We enjoyed the Blue Note Thursday and saw our old friend Paul Smith play with his band. As always, an amazing show. The second week we hung out at Mom’s or my sister’s place and kept to ourselves. Driving home was challenging as getting fuel, buying beverages or snacks, etc. require using your hands and seeing people. I got used to using my sleeve (which reeked of diesel at the end of the day!) or a paper towel to pump fuel, and using hand sanitizer every time I had an interaction with a cashier. A few were really prepared, like the Exxon/Pilot at the 287 junction on I-90…gloves, hand sanitizer – the works! So appreciative! It’s a crazy time we’re living in with a roller coaster stock market, over 20% unemployment rate and everyone told to stay home. One little virus has created this global pandemic! Very grateful my family is healthy, as are my friends and their families to date. Here’s a great picture from our restaurant nights where we ran in to my cousin’s wife, Talitha. Small world!
Me, Talitha, Shane, Natalie and Connie (Mom)
Shopping has been an experience! This is when I’m grateful that I stock pile everything when it’s on sale, as I knew my freezer was full and I didn’t need toilet paper or paper towels. For some reason, toilet paper sold out everywhere immediately, for what reason we have no idea. I think Charmin leaked something on the internet about a shortage and it went from there. HAHA! I went to Safeway on Friday before leaving Saturday morning as I had no idea what would be waiting for me in Whitefish. I needed some fresh veggies, fruit and a few canned items, so figured with the truck I’d just load it up. And boy did I! Lines at the store were crazy, but you can see from my fridge/freezer and shelves at home that this one person and one dog house is ready for weeks at home. This doesn’t even include my pantry (and yes, I like my Diet Pepsi…I don’t want to hear it). 😂
The line to check out at Safeway in Littleton, CO
A few additional photos of the pups while we were at my sister’s, and my road trip home through Wyoming and Montana.
Life has certainly changed in a short amount of time! I know things will get better, back to however we each define normal, but this has been a radical reminder of what is TRULY important in my life…my family and friends. What are you and yours doing during this interesting moment in our history? Are you spending quality time and recognizing that this may be a gift of time for you? Or are you in panic mode and prepping, missing the moments that are in front of you right now? Remember, everything is a choice. Even not deciding is a choice. So choose your moments, embrace what you can from these crazy moments, and keep taking deep breaths. Give it to God (or whomever you talk to) as this too shall pass. ❤️
This Too, Shall Pass
When things are bad, remember: It won’t always be this way. Take one day at a time. When things are good, remember: It won’t always be this way. Enjoy every great moment. —Doe Zantamata
I am not sure why I have waited to write, except in my mind I feel like I need the perfect topic to share. That’s crap. The fact is, there is no such thing as a perfect topic, just our own thoughts on what works for us. I have lots of ideas written down of what I want to chat about, and I will get to those at some point, but right now I am going to share what I started at the beginning (ok, almost at the beginning) of this year. Journaling. No, not just my gratitude journal that I’ve done every night since starting early last year, but really getting some early morning thoughts out there as well. So, what am I doing that has inspired me and kept me still at it a few weeks later? Let me tell you!
My morning journals
Two things happened…one of my best gal pals gave me Hoda Kotb’s book for Christmas, I Really Needed This Today, and I finally started my Rachel Hollis Start Today journal. I can’t believe how much I look forward to these two things in the morning! I used to get up at 5:30 to go to the gym every day when I lived in Steamboat Springs, CO years ago, and though I have fallen out of the gym habit (that’s next!), it’s been great to be up at 5:30 again and kick-start my day in such a positive and impactful way. Each morning I wake up and after taking my Peak Performance Total vitamins, making my Happy Coffee (can’t live without it!), and getting my gorgeous girl Segen’s day started, I take a seat in my big chair and journal. First, I read Hoda’s quote for the day and use whatever spare space there is in the book to write my own thoughts on how that particular quote impacts me or makes me feel. It’s not just writing it down, but thinking about what change I want to bring in myself or what I think I am doing right and should do more often. Next, I pick up my Start Today journal and write the five things I’m grateful for that morning, then my goals as if I’ve already achieved them for the year. From that list I take one goal and make it my priority, my main focus. If you’ve ever read Rachel Hollis’s books, or listened to her podcast, you will know exactly what I’m talking about! It’s a great idea and something she has done for years, write them down like you’ve already accomplished the goal so it becomes your reality. Of course, it’s only January 13th and I want to see the goals crossed off and done, but hey, I have 350+ days to go!
I know I am God’s child and always a work in progress. There are so many things on my “list” that I want to accomplish, to improve, and to forgive myself for. I recognize that none of this will happen overnight, but by writing it down it will help me see that tangible progress we all crave, that not-so-instant gratification as I step into the roaring 20’s of this century.
How are you starting your day? Do you journal, and if so, what’s your favorite resource or tool? I love new ideas and look forward to hearing all about your journey. Happy Monday, and cheers to a New Year of great things ahead!
Life with Little Miss Dynamite 