• parented.
  • ate.
  • created.
  • learned.
  • gave thanks.
  • About Me
  • Home

one little word

I’m Choosing the Sun

Posted by Carolyn on May 3, 2016 Leave a Comment

Alma has always been a late sleeper.  By that I mean she will sleep past seven most days, if we let her.  Harriet, on the other hand, has always been an early riser.  I think we’ve had two mornings in her life when she slept past seven.

I’ve decided to be more like Harriet.

My CHOOSE for now is to wake up before the sun.

I want to have some of those peaceful moments before everything, and everyone, starts going.  I want to have a moment where I can sit still before I have to go all day long.  I want to have moments with Harriet where we can explore together.  I want to take some time to notice these moments.

So, from now until the Solstice, I will be getting up earlier and earlier.  I have it all written out in my planner so I can set my alarm for ten minutes before the sunrise.

Yesterday, I was supposed to wake up at 5:52, but I was already awake at 5:50.  I went and sat in Harriet’s room and caught up on Instagram and stuff while she still slept.  I really noticed the sounds of Harriet’s breath as she slept.  I noticed the quiet all around us.  Then she stirred, turned over and saw me, and smiled.  I got her out of her crib and she said, “Thank you for staying with me, mommy.”

She was so happy that it made the whole morning shine.  She cuddled into me and her gratitude for my being there when she woke up was electric.

Today, I woke up with my alarm.  When I left my room, Harriet saw me, or heard me, and called out.  We got up, spent some time watching the sunrise in the backyard.  Alma joined us to make some hot cocoa, and our morning had begun.

It might be hard to wake up so early, but if all our mornings can be like this, I will have no reason to complain.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: a little moment, CHOOSE, gave thanks., monthly CHOOSES, nature, one little word | Tagged: chooose, monthly chooses, one little word

The Age of the Bully

Posted by Carolyn on January 20, 2016 2 Comments

I’m going to get political here and I’m going to say it.  Donald Trump is a bully.  He’s a jerk.  He’s sexist.  He’s racist. He’s a liar.  But somehow people love him.

I have an idea about why.

You should know that this is based on my observations in middle schools.  That shouldn’t surprise you since Donald Trump acts even less mature than most middle school aged boys I know.  Much less mature, in fact.

We all remember the bully, don’t we?  That one person who would make fun of other kids for a laugh.  That one person who would systematically target a weaker kid and turn the other kids against him.  When we were kids and saw this situation, we had to make a choice – stand up for the weaker kid, or join the bully.  It’s usually a safer bet to join the bully because then you don’t risk becoming the next target.  We have all done this – it’s part of growing up, figuring out who we are, learning what’s really important.

Fast forward through high school, college and into adulthood.  We are all rational adults, right?  We know who we are and we would all stand up for what we believe in, right?  I’m not so sure.

Our culture is fixated on the anti-hero.  A list of the top TV shows of the past few years reveals something that we all should think about.  Some of these characters are evil, others are simply unlikeable – Don Draper, Walter White, Dexter Morgan, most of the casts in Game of Thrones, Girls, Orange is the New Black, VEEP, House of Cards… I could go on.  Why do we continue to watch these shows?  Why do we care?

We watch these shows for entertainment value, right?  But, what if it has gone further?  What if by watching so many horrible decisions we have become immune to it?

What I’m trying to say is that we’re still that kid in middle school who chooses to side with the bully instead of standing up for the victim.  We have become so desensitized to the fact that bad people actually are bad.  We now look at a bad person and have to question whether or not they are bad, funny, misunderstood, or something else.

I imagine that many of the people who support Trump do so because of this dynamic.  He’s saying horrible things, and people need to make the choice to either laugh with him or fight him.  He’s reckless with his words, and people are eating them up.

Will he become the Republican candidate?  Quite possibly.  Will he become our next president?  I quite hope not.  I have faith that those Republicans who lean more to the left will help prevent that from happening.

I’m not sure our country could survive a Trump presidency.  Other countries will shun us.  Money will be wasted on wars and walls.  We, as a country, will solidify our role as a powerful global bully.

Let’s all work together to not let that happen.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: CHOOSE, STRONG, writing | Tagged: CHOOSE, one little word, politics

“I Choose You” – a One Little Word Theme Song

Posted by Carolyn on January 12, 2016 Leave a Comment

I like to have theme songs.  Music has always been a huge part of my life, and right now, Sara Bareilles is a huge part of my life.  (I’ve written about her here and here and here and here and here).

This song keeps popping up on my Pandora and Spotify stations, and it is spot on for my One Little Word – CHOOSE.  I mean, “I Choose You” is a love song, but I’m listening to it as a love song to my self.  There are some lyrics that are particularly perfect for how I’m feeling about CHOOSE for 2016:

And I believe in something again
My whole heart
Will be yours forever
This is a beautiful start
To a lifelong love letter

Tell the world that we finally got it all right
I choose you
I will become yours and you will become mine
I choose you

I’m choosing, this year, to write a lifelong love letter to myself.  To make choices that are good for my body and soul.  I’m choosing to do things that will affect and impact my life for more than just 2016.  That’s the magic of these Little Words.  You never know where they will take you, or what they have in store for you.

We are not perfect
We’ll learn from our mistakes
And as long as it takes
I will prove my love to you
I am not scared of the elements
I am under-prepared, but I am willing
And even better


Let the bough break, let it come down crashing
Let the sun fade out to a dark sky
I can’t say I’d even notice it was absent
Cause I could live by the light in your eyes
I’ll unfold before you
Would have strung together
The very first words
Of a lifelong love letter

Tell the world that we finally got it all right
I choose you
I will become yours and you will become mine
I choose you

There was a time when I would have believed them
If they told me you could not come true
Just love’s illusion
But then you found me and everything changed
And I believe in something again
My whole heart
Will be yours forever
This is a beautiful start
To a lifelong love letter

Tell the world that we finally got it all right
I choose you
I will become yours and you will become mine
I choose you

We are not perfect
We’ll learn from our mistakes
And as long as it takes
I will prove my love to you
I am not scared of the elements
I am under-prepared, but I am willing
And even better
I get to be the other half of you

Tell the world that we finally got it all right
I choose you
I will become yours and you will become mine
I choose you

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: CHOOSE, gave thanks., one little word | Tagged: 2016, CHOOSE, goals, I choose you, music, one little word, sara bareilles

CHOOSE – Making it Public with Goal Trackers

Posted by Carolyn on January 7, 2016 1 Comment

Like last year, I bought these goal trackers from Elise.  I printed out seven of them and posted them by my front door.

I wanted to think of a few things that I can try to do during the year that will help me show that I’m making good choices.  Some are the same as last year – Wrist Party, Clean Room, Daily Chores, Sending Letters.  I also added Savour, Whole 30 and CHOOSE.

Some of these things I did really well last year and want to continue them, others I didn’t quite get, so I’m trying again.  Progress is greater than perfection!

Sorry these photos are potato quality… I’m not getting good light by my front door these days with all the fog.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: CHOOSE, gave thanks., one little word, to do lists | Tagged: 2016, CHOOSE, goal trackers, one little word

One Little Word 2016 – CHOOSE

Posted by Carolyn on January 1, 2016 Leave a Comment

This will be my fourth One Little Word.  FOCUS from 2009, GRATITUDE in 2014, STRONG from 2015 all still speak to me in one way or another.  I love how these words carry through from one year to the next.

During December, I have been thinking about what word is speaking to me right now.  What word will help me focus in on what I need in 2016?  Where do I need something?

The word that kept popping up in my mind was CHOOSE.  Right now, and this could change, it means that I need to stop and make good choices.

There are too many days when I sit down during naptime and end up wasting the entire time doing stupid things like watching stupid shows.  I need to make different choices that will positively impact myself and my family.  Like clean the kitchen.  Or create something.  Or write for a while.  Or do laundry.  Or work on my license classes.  Or exercise.  There are always better options.

But, sometimes the best option is to sit down and waste time.  Sometimes that’s the choice that should be made.  But, I want to be more aware of those choices and aware of why I’m doing the things I do.

Those are the little choices, the daily choices that can change how I spend a day.  But, I know that these Little Words seep into more than just the days.  They don’t seem to be making a difference, then, poof I realize the huge impact they have made.  These little days, these little choices all add up to something much more important.

So, I choose CHOOSE as my word for 2016.  Here we go!

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: gave thanks., one little word | Tagged: 2016, CHOOSE, one little word

Strong – One Little Word – 2015

Posted by Carolyn on December 31, 2015 1 Comment

My word for 2015 was STRONG.  I wanted to increase my strength in many ways.  I wanted to show my girls what a strong woman looks like.  I wanted to strengthen my body, my mind, and my relationships.

I had plans of getting my wrist party everyday.  I wanted to do a sun salutation everyday.  I wanted to floss more often.  I didn’t do all of these things.  I didn’t increase my physical strength much at all.

The thing about STRONG as my word was that it was hard to find tangible ways to incorporate it into my daily life.  Not like GRATITUDE in 2014.

When I started thinking about this post, I thought it would be a post about how I failed my word this year.

Then I kept thinking… I thought about this past year.  Let me tell you, this past year was a doozy.

We started the year with Jesse in a new job.  A new job that, from the start, wasn’t a good fit for our family.  He was working long hours – going to work before the girls were awake, coming home for dinner, and going back to work after the girls were in bed.

The company had some internal problems, and Jesse’s position ended up being eliminated.  I have never been more relieved to hear about someone being laid off.  I knew that a period of unemployment would be hard on our family, but I also knew that it wouldn’t be long, and that Jesse needed a rest.

I worked as much as possible during that month, but also took some days off so we could be together as a family.

After only about a month of unemployment, Jesse was offered an amazing job at the University.

Looking back at the first half of the year, I remember the stress, the tensity, the long hours, the time spent missing Jesse, and know that I was strong.  I was strong to be able to support Jesse during those months.  Strong to support the girls.  Strong to keep my shit together.  Those months seem like forever ago, the feel like a dream.

Actually, now it feels like we’re in the dream.  Jesse loves his job.  He loves where he works.  I love visiting him there.  I’m so proud to tell people what he does and where he works.  His job is making a difference in the world.  He’s part of something important and worthwhile.

This year, Jesse and I also celebrated being married for a whole decade.  We took the time to renew our vows in front of our daughters, our friends, and family.  The past ten years haven’t been easy, but they have been fun.  I feel the strength of our marriage, and the strength of our commitment to each other and to our family.

Anyhow, all this just to say that I have surprised myself with the strength I’ve shown this past year.  My strength didn’t show itself in the ways that I expected, but it has shown itself in ways that were necessary.  We have come through a tough time, and we’ve come our ahead.  If that isn’t strong, I don’t know what is.

Photos by Katrina Henry, Edited by Me

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: gave thanks., gratitude, learned., one little word, STRONG | Tagged: 2015, marriage, one little word, strong

Creating a Morning Routine

Posted by Carolyn on October 6, 2015 2 Comments

unnamedI’ve been trying to create a new morning routine for a few months now.  My intent is to give myself some quiet time in the morning, before everyone else is awake, to get focused and settled. I couldn’t do this earlier because Harriet was waking up so early, but luckily she’s been sleeping in a little bit more and now I have time in the morning.

One thing I bought to help me do this is the book Savor. It’s a book of devotionals that was recommended by Ali Edwards. I bought it, but I couldn’t really get into it, so I suggested to my best friend, Katrina, that she get a copy too.

We’ve been trying to keep up and messaging back and forth about the readings everyday, that’s been harder than I thought it would be. I know that I need some time, set aside, just for this devotional.

One thing I realized about my friendship with Katrina, while I do consider her my best friend, we don’t have much time anymore to really talk and delve into deeper issues. I’ve already noticed that this book has helped us become closer and I’m looking forward to having more time to focus on it and to focus on our friendship.

So, when I had the idea to start getting up earlier, and create a morning routine I was thinking that I would get up at 5:50. I started setting my alarm and every morning I would just turn it off. My new idea is to wake up at 6:30, which is only 15 minutes earlier than Jesse gets up. I think this 15 minutes will be enough time to start making some tea or coffee then read the daily devotional in Savor, and to send my response to Katrina.

Today was the first day I’ve done this, and it seems to work out pretty well. I’m going to check in on my blog later this month to let you know how long I’ve been doing with this, and hopefully I’ll have all sorts of successes to share. I might even have expanded it to more time so I have time to do some sewing or creating along with the Savor.

Here’s a great line from yesterday’s entry in Savor.  Doesn’t get much better than that!

Right now all the leaves are falling, and there’s no reason that they have to turn electric bright red before they fall, but they do and I want to live like that.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: a little moment, gave thanks., learned., one little word, STRONG | Tagged: morning, one little word, savor, strong

30 Days Hath September – Whole30 Reflections

Posted by Carolyn on September 30, 2015 1 Comment

So, it’s September 30th.  this means a lot of things.

October is tomorrow, and Autumn is really, truly here.  I can really see this on my walks.  The trees are beautiful.  There’s a chill in the air.  The students are back on campus.  I’m drinking hot tea instead of iced.

It also means we’ve technically made it to the end of our first Whole30.  I say technically, because it has now been 30 days.  But, really, it’s just the beginning (and not really an ending).  It was a great experience, and we learned a lot about food, nutrition, our bodies, and what we’re capable of.  I lost six pounds in the 3 1/2 weeks, Jesse lost 14).

This past weekend, we had a couple birthday parties to attend, so we decided to relax the rules since we were almost done.  I ended up having a tiny portion of Yumm (locals will know that this means beans, brown rice, veggies and Yumm sauce).  I instantly – I mean instantly – got a stomach ache and it became a gut bomb for the rest of the day.  I was bloated and uncomfortable.  Jesse got instant heartburn.  Now, I always feel like Yumm is a healthy option, and I still think that it is (way better than fried foods, greasy meat, etc), so this surprised me.  I realized that ‘healthy’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘good for you.’  I’m not sure what it was that wasn’t good for me, but with the bloating and discomfort, I’m going to guess it was the beans.  Suffice it to say, after a day of discomfort, I went back to the Whole30 way of eating for the rest of the weekend.

On Monday I wanted to try something else, so I got one of my favorite pumpkin muffins from a local bakery.  I figured I had done really well, and deserved a treat on my walk.  I bought it, started eating it, anticipating it to be the best thing I had ever eaten.  I ate about half of the muffin, and was full and done.  I didn’t feel gross like on Saturday, but I just realized it wasn’t worth it, so I didn’t finish it.  I didn’t get any headaches or pains, so I’m going to assume that grains are okay for me to eat.

Since then, I’ve been back on the Whole30 plan.  From here on out, I’m going to stick to it, but not strictly.  I mean, if there’s something that looks good, and isn’t too unhealthy, I’ll have some of it.  During this past month, I’ve learned ways to snack healthier, choosing an apple or a few banana chips.  I’ve learned that I don’t need as much food as I previously thought.  I feel like I’ve slayed my sugar-beast.  At the parties this weekend, I could have had cupcakes, but didn’t, and truthfully, I didn’t really miss them.

I know that the Whole30 plan is crazy restrictive and overwhelming.  I get it.  There were days that were really difficult.  There were things I really wanted to eat.  But, I kept going.  It’s easier than counting calories or points.  It isn’t just some fad diet that has crazy things like tons of grapefruits or cabbage soup.  It really felt like everything I put in my body had a purpose and was making me feel healthier and more energetic.  I learned that a microwaved apple with cinnamon and nutmeg is a wonderful dessert, but that I didn’t always even need to have dessert.  I learned that if I was feeling a slump, some tea or a handful of cashews would do the trick.

Most of all, I learned that I’m strong.  My will is strong.  My body is strong.  Today, on my walk, I walked through a beautiful oak grove and couldn’t help taking a selfie.  When I looked at the photo on my phone, I thought I looked great.  My hair is just in a braid, and I’m not wearing makeup, but I still thought I looked great.  I know it’s only six pounds, but I feel like my face looks thinner.  And my skin is clearer, my hair is shinier, my eyes are brighter.  Usually, I’ll take 100 selfies and kind of like one of them.  Today I took about 20, and liked 10 of them.  I know it sounds silly, but to me, that is strength.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: 35 Until 35, ate., gave thanks., STRONG | Tagged: autumn, food, gratitude, one little word, strong, whole30

STRONG Six Month Update

Posted by Carolyn on June 8, 2015 Leave a Comment

IMG_7887As I reported in January, I bought some of Elise’s goal sheets.  I was totally gung-ho for a while with these, but I’ve lost steam.

I’ve been wanting to do an update… I decided I would recommit, then post an update when I was back on track. I thought 3 months in would be good.  But I wasn’t happy with my progress at the time.  Then 4 months passed and I still didn’t have my butt in gear.  Then 5 months…

We’re in the 6th month now, and I’m still not happy with the amount of dots I’ve filled in lately.  I decided to go with the idea that I need to make it public to make it happen.  So, here I am, publicly announcing that it’s time to try again, start over, keep going.

I quick reminder of what I’m trying to commit to this year:  Being STRONG.  Strong in body, mind, spirit.  I thought a few of the things I could do to get stronger are flossing, kissing my family, writing a letter each week, going on a monthly hike, taking vitamins, sun salutations, 7 minute workouts, picking up my clothes, and having a wrist party (aka taking 10,000 steps in a day).IbMG_7887As you can see, I haven’t done very well lately.  My update is kind of sad. There are some sheets I haven’t even touched in months.

I decided that it was best to just post these photographs.  It’s best to just show the truth of my situation.  And that is that I need to get back on track.  I need to be motivated to fill in those little bubbles.  The second column is coming up, and I’d like to see it much more full.

Especially the wrist party sheet.  IMG_7895Okay, STRONG, let’s do this.  Again.  For reals this time.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: a little moment, learned., STRONG | Tagged: one little word, strong

STRONG – Make It Public, Make It Happen

Posted by Carolyn on January 2, 2015 1 Comment

One thing about the One Little Word is that it’s sort of hard to keep it in the front of my mind for an entire year.  With GRATITUDE in 2014, I was able to do this by making it a habit.  Everyday, I wrote down my gratitude, then on (most) Fridays, I posted those words on the blog.  At the end of the year, I posted all of them.  That made it stay in my mind.  For STRONG in 2015, I’ve been thinking of ways to keep it going.  Following Elise’s list making strategy, I’m decided to make it public, and make it happen.

And Then They - STRONG Elise JoyThe first strategy for this also has a lot to do with Elise.  For her 30th year, Elise made something each month, then sold it in batches of 29 or 290.  For December, she made a goal sheet and sold it as a letterpress, and a digital file.  I was quick, and snatched one of the letterpresses up – they sold out in minutes!  I was really happy to finally get one of her Make29 offerings!

And Then They - STRONG Elise Joy3I also printed out a few others.  I wanted to put them somewhere in the house that was very visible and public, so I figured the best place was right behind our front door.  They are hard to miss.  My goals are all things that I will do each day that will make me stronger.  I will kiss my family, thus making our relationships stronger.  I probably already do this, but actually paying attention will make it stronger.  I will do a sun salutation each morning.  I will floss every day (this will be hard, I’ve already missed a day!).  I will take my vitamins.  I will get my wrist party.  These will make my body stronger.  I also decided to use it for a weekly goal of writing a letter, and a monthly goal of going on a hike.

And Then They - STRONG Elise Joy2Hopefully, at the end of the year, most of the circles will be filled in.  If I miss a few days, no big deal, that’s not the point.  The point is creating habits, making myself stronger.  And letting it go if I miss a few.  I think it will really be impressive to see a visual representation of how I’m doing.  I know that if I see patterns (like I never floss on Tuesdays, or never get my wrist party on Sundays), I’ll be able to figure out a way to work on it.

And Then They - STRONG Elise Joy4

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: gave thanks., one little word, STRONG | Tagged: make it happen, make it public, one little word, strong
1 2 3 Next »
If God said, ‘Rumi pay homage to everything that has helped you enter my arms,’ there would not be one experience of my life, not one thought, not one feeling, nor any act, I would not bow to. -Rumi

Recent Posts

  • 3 for 1 Pumpkin Brew Fest (2019, 2021, 2022)
  • Pumpkin Beer Fest 2020
  • SEPTEMBER 2019: Currently
  • Dear Harriet, Age 6
  • OCTOBER 2018: CURRENTLY

Archives

Categories

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Copyright © 2023 and then they....

Theme by ThemeHall.

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.