T’was the week before Christmas

Here we are, Christmas is here next week! Honestly, I’m struggling with feeling very Chirstmasy. My home is decorated, tree is up, lights are sparkling, Christmas music playing in the background. Undeniably things are different this year. But as always, when I feel myself feeling down I try to focus on the positives in my life. 

32 years of Marriage – December 18, 1988

I say it every year, and I’m thankful the years keep adding up but, Oh my stars! How on earth could it be that we have been married that long?! When I think about our journey, the days when we lived in a small apartment in Orlando, or our big move up to Chattanooga, bringing Josh to his first home in Calhoun, GA and Ty in Cross plains, TN and then finally, (23 years ago now!) our move back to the NW.  It does indeed seem like a very long time.

Our family has grown in so many beautiful ways over these 32 years. I honestly can’t begin to express how thankful I am for these years that we’ve shared. Even though there were some really challenging times sprinkled throughout, we have only grown stronger because of them. 

I’m so thankful that even after 10 months of working from home together we still like each other. Happy Anniversary babe! 

Baking – The Great British Baking Show

I’m hooked. I realize this show has been around for awhile but it is new to me and I love it! I have ordered and received one of Paul Hollywood’s baking books along with a scale and I’ve tried a few recipes with varying success. I’d like to pause here and say, I am not a fan of the metric system for a few reasons. First, I didn’t learn it in school so its a mystery to me and I’m too lazy to teach myself. Second, it seems less efficient. It’s so much easier to use measuring cups and spoons rather than a scale where your constantly adding or oops, having to scoop out to get the exact measurement. Nevertheless, I’m proofing my dough and learning how to bake in a new way. 

Escaping – I Just need a break!

I have stopped watching the news. I find myself completely overwhelmed and at times overly emotional when I listen to what news outlets have to say. As a student and later a teacher of history I always enjoyed learning, teaching about the Great Depression. Part of the reason being it was so clear cut in the textbooks. This caused that, which effected this and the result was a depression. There is a massive contrast between learning about something and experiencing it. One of the concepts taught when learning about the Great Depression is that books like Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone with the Wind” (which is an excellent novel I highly recommend it)became very popular at this time. For a nickel people could escape their disasters of lives into a dark theater or the pages of a book and get completely wrapped up in another time and other people’s lives. Leaving their worries behind. 

My big three escapes are – Reading, watching TV and Exercise

I think about this a lot and recognize I’m doing the same thing. I have read (so far) 52 books this year. That is a book a week! That is shocking to me and I know a big part of that was because of being down for so long after foot surgery. I am also spending a few hours every evening in front of the TV. Shows which make me laugh are at high value to me right now. I have no tolerance for anything too serious. Have you seen Community on Netflix? Hilarious… I’m also so thankful to be active again. Last weekend we hit the Cape Horn trail in the gorge. When it isn’t pouring rain I squeeze in a walk at WSU with Lucy and we got ourselves an exercise bike and I’m using that about 5 times a week in the garage.  Exercise is so important for my mental health! I’m really thankful to be active again. 

I hope your week before Christmas is filled with happy events and love.

Focus on the positives and find something to make you laugh today!

Shelly