gail's Great Atlantic Northeast

 

 How many of you would like to hear from Himself today?  I thought it would be fun but he is reluctant.  Actually, he is a very good writer.  He says he needs a topic.  Any suggestions?  I'll go take a shower and hope there is one or two when I get back.  g

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope not.  After a week of calm and decluttering, I hope I can maintain what I have achieved and continue even further.  This is not usually a house of calm and tidiness.  From what I gather, especially from Flylady, clutter is a symptom of a greater issue. 

 

For me that issue is a feeling of not being able to control my surroundings.  I have finally realized that, no, I can not control the actions of the people around me.  However, I can control my own behaviors.  When I change my behavior, those around me often change theirs as well. 

 

Case in point:  I was shopping in my local grocery store and I stopped to ask an employee where something was.  He continued what he was doing and then asked, "What?" in not the nicest tone of voice.  I gave him one of Aimee's patented big smiles and he couldn't do enough for me.  When he couldn't find the item I was asking for, he suggested another place it might be in the store (it is a very big place).  I smiled again and thanked him and was on my way.  Several aisles down, he caught up with me and told me exactly where to find the item! 

 

Same thing happened in another aisle with another employee.  I suppose they get so many complaints that a smile and a kind word makes their day!

 

What I am getting at here is that if you wait for others to change you will wait forever.  Changing your own attitude will either help them to change OR make it a heck of a lot easier for you to cope!

 

I'm not saying this is an easy thing to do.  I've been working at it for years!  However, with the right attitude, life is so much simpler.  With God's grace, the process will continue.

 

When you are stressed out, what do you tend to do to cope?  Is it a healthy or not?  I tend to isolate.  It is only unhealthy if I stay that way, wallow in self-pity and don't communicate.

 

Do you have one person in particular you talk to when you are stressed?  First, the most important person for me to chat with is God.  He is so real that He is approachable and loves me more than anyone in this world can.  Then, depending on the situation, I have several people I can contact.  If I know I am overreacting, I call L who is very laid back.  For other situations, there are other people.  I am so blessed!

 

Are you an anxiety eater?  Oh, yea. 

 

Who can make you crazier than anyone else?  Himself, of course!  Why do you think I need to change my attitude?!

 

Just for fun:  When is purple appropriate?  Just about any time!  Same with zebra print!

 

What's up for the weekend?  I'm not really sure here.  The weather is beautiful so there are lots of options.

 

be blessed, g

 

 

 

 

 

From the learning rooms...Isabella has adjusted to daycare/nursery school better than anticipated.  My little hurricane has won the hearts of the staff and this is a blessing and a relief to us.

I am thankful for...this quiet week I am having since Himself is reuniting with his Navy buddies in another state.  They spent months aboard ship in Viet Nam together and have a connection like no other.

From the kitchen...a clean stove that was soaked and scrubbed and has barely been used in several days!  Still, we have a bounty in the house available to us and I am truly thankful.

I am wearing...Seattle Seahawks sweatshirt, jeans and running shoes.

I am reading...another murder mystery and my Bible.

I am hoping...to finish going through Himself's bags and bags of cell phone bags with mostly no phones and see what is salvagable and get rid of the rest (I get a lot done when he is away...).

I am creating...a peaceful setting in the bedroom by getting rid of all the clutter.

I am hearing...Isabella play with her balloon from my niece's shower yesterday...we were so happy to have something to occupy her!

Around the house...a dent made in the clearing of clutter (see a theme here?).

One of my favorite things...quiet and solitude being available to me on a regular basis.  Though I love my family and friends, I cherish my time alone.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...to get as much done around here as possible before Himself gets home and to finally start the tape series I need to listen to and work through to help me grow in Christ.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

How fast they grow.

 

Yes, you read it right.  Himself is out of town at a reunion of some of the USS Princeton sailors he served with in Viet Nam.  When he graduated from high school, his parents gave him the choice of college or the service.  Fed up with school, he joined the Navy having never really noticed a "conflict" going on in a country called Viet Nam.  He has never regretted it though he still has dreams occasionally about being there.  There is no PTSD but he did see some terrible things.

 

The Boy and I have been living in peaceful co-existence since Friday.  It is so good for us to have this time together even if we are on different schedules.  He has matured so much since he started school and working.  It's good to be proud of him again.

 

Well, the coffee is fresh and hot at Greatgrandma's house and she needs a dose of Isabella.  I hope and pray that your week goes well.  Let me know if you have any prayer requests and I will be happy to bring them before the throne of grace.  g

 

 

 

 Can anyone recommend a decaf tea that doesn't taste like cardboard.  Bromley is the best so far.  Lipton is the worst.  Not herbal - ew.  Thanks!

 

Hallelujah!  I've got some things to do before posting the questions so bear with me.  I'm trying to come up with a name for our Friday meme.  Friday's Feast is already taken.  Have any suggestions?

 

This has been a long, long week around here.  The stomach ailment took days to go away and our sinuses are giving us a hard time with atumn allergies.  Overall, though, I am thankful for our health.

 

Be blessed, g

 

 

 

...stomach ache....will try to stop by later. g