Frosty the Snowman (plus pictures)

Good morning.  For some reason, I woke up at 4:30 and couldn't get back to sleep.  I gave up an hour later and got my day started.

It's still a full day, but somehow feels less hectic.  The BIG things are finishing up on my list and boy oh boy do I need some regular old down-time.

Let's talk RING - it looks amazing.  My eldest did such a fantastic job of picking it out and he's so excited for Saturday (we all are!!).

We picked up little Aspen who got an adorable hair cut and is doing much better socializing.  Lots of driving (so much traffic yesterday), lots of errands and somehow it all got finished.  Whew.

PHB call last night was chatting about forgiveness.  It's not something that is an issue for me right now, so I didn't have a big reaction to anything -- for a couple of girls, it was a hard exercise though.  Tears and so on.  Next step is a LIFE MANTRA and VISION.  It's a big homework week so I'm scheduling some time to get it started early.

Dare to Lead - Brene Brown.  I read it over our trip.  It was good, but I listened to a podcast recently (maybe it was Super Soul Sunday) and it detailed the entire book.  I'd recommend either, but both wasn't necessary.

I'll talk about The Dark Side of the Light Chasers (Debbie Ford) when I do the exercises on it - not until January (most likely).  The gist is when someone triggers you, good or bad, there is a reason.  It's an exercise on accepting all of yourself.  Super interesting read (and a quick one).

I also listened to a podcast (and I can't remember which one at all - ugh) that had a really interesting point.  Maybe it was the latest Brooke Castillo with a guest coach???  Anyway, the point was when you stop having external things on your list to work on, then you finally understanding the need for internal work.  I want to grow a family.  I want to grow a career.  I want to become financially strong. I want to own a house.  I want to travel.  I want to lose 50lbs.  I want to get in shape.

All the thing you think you need to do to be happy or successful or proud.  When you finish all those things - have the house, have the family, have the career - then it's a "what now??"  That's when the internal work takes the lead.

YES!  This is what happened in my situation.  I did the STUFF and was still coming up short.  I dabbled in internal thought work, but never focused on it AND I was looking externally for the next steps.

It doesn't mean external goals stop though, it means the focus shifts.  The external is more gratifying when you have the internal stuff in better shape too.

That's my sermon today hahahaha.  It struck a chord with me and summed up what I've never been able to articulate.  Maybe this is the definition of a mid-life crisis?!?!

Oh .... SHOES!!!  I almost forgot which is funny since my laptop is being squished out on the table by boxes and boxes of shoes!  So far - one pair is set for return - too small in the toe area.  The others I like and need to try on with clothes.  One more possible return because the boots have a heel and are slippery in the front.  I bet I can scuff them or put some sort of anti-slip sticker on them (they must make something like that).  My rule is if I'll NEVER choose them over another pair, then NOPE.

Here are a few Christmas decoration photos.  I never took a picture of my "good" tree though.  These were taken so I can remember where I put stuff and don't need to "think" when I decorate next year.  Is that zapping the holiday spirit??  Maybe, but I want EASY!  I have more, but they're even more boring hahahaha.

My new CHRISTMAS blocks on the shelf.
Photobomb Parker.

The "family" tree. 

A couple of Christmas things on my photo board.

Hubby loves gnomes.  I found the little block at Home Goods
and then happened to find a matching gnome.  

Stockings!  Can't do over fireplace since we use it too frequently.
Addition of Chubby Christmas Bird from Pottery Barn on the right.
(The name cracks me up - the bird is really cute.)
It's my soon to be daughter-in-law's stocking addition this year.

Did I mention I'm glad to be home?  Home feels good.  My bed felt good.  Now I need to get my house in shape for this weekend.  Ramblings over.  Have a happy hump day.  Later gators.