I have subparts. Not multiples, but parts of me that kick in and take over when some times they shouldn't. Some of them developed because of the person that I am (and that's okay). Some of them developed as a survival skill during a very hard time in my life (and that's okay too). But what happens is that when I don't control their energy, they can take over.
So what do I need to do help contain that energy? Meditation? Intimidating. But I will try. I have to think about meditation. What does it look like for each person? In my head, I am sitting on the floor, legs crossed chanting OOoommm.. But does it really have to be like that? How about a walk by myself - no headphones, no walking partner, just me. Or a bike ride. Or sitting alone in the dark without interruption just breathing.
All I can do is try. Today - subparts - stay in your corner and only come out when I need you not when you want to. Got it?
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
What I am listening too, watching, and reading.
It has been a while since I have done a movie, music, book review in this space. I blame school, but that is wrapping up - only four weeks left of the first semester. I have worked my way through it, but not sure that I should have taken 12 semester hours. I have signed up for six hours this summer. Most of the classes from here on out are all electives so I get to take fun stuff like Introduction to Film, World Music, African-American Literature. I am looking forward to the next two semesters. Yeah -- I said it! I am sure you will hear the opposite of that as I progress.
What I am listening to:
Spotify has been my music player of choice on the internet. Normally I am a Pandora gal. I love my stations and love to hear what they pick to rotate through my artist stations. But Spotify lets me be even more specifc. If you are not familiar, you have to download the player, but then enter an artist and it pulls up all the information on that artist and you can listen to any album, single, or whatever from that artist. It is a great way to check out new artists. And I get to listen to what other people (friends on Facebook mostly) are listening to.
So my go to song for a "kitchen jiggle" when cooking or a "chair dance" at work is Wild Ones by Flo Rida ft Sia. You know that you have seen him here before with Good Feeling. I can't seem to get enough of his songs. I like this one too. He has become a favorite on my Spotify playlist. Some of you critics might say "his songs sound the same" -- don't care....I LIKE em!!
An album that I can't get enough of is Goty and the CD is Making Mirrors. The song Somebody that I Used to Know feat Kimbra is a haunting melody and this link will take you to the video. Many people tell me that they think he sounds like Peter Gabriel. I don't necessarily hear it (I think they are comparing this video to Peter Gabriel's Sledgehammer video) but I am obsessed with this song. And there are days when it is in my head and I can't get it out. That will likely be a bad thing when I am sick of the song.
For local music, Curtis and I along with some great friends had a chance to see The Fez at the Englert Theater in Iowa City. The now hold the record for single day tickets sales at the Englert. YEAH! This is the second time Curtis and I have seen them. They are a Steely Dan Tribute band and are amazing. "Like" their Facebook page link above and check them out if they are coming to your town soon. Their next gig is May 12 in Iowa City!
I will keep trolling Spotify and hopefully hear some new stuff and remember some old songs too - like Simply Red - If You Don't Know Me By Now. Love this song and that is why I LOVE Spotify!
What I am reading:
Still reading school work. My literature class is having me read Alice in Wonderland - the real one by Lewis Carroll. I DO NOT LIKE THIS BOOK. I didn't even like the early movies - only like Tim Burton's rendition with Johnny Depp. But I am plowing through it and got my assignment done tonight.
I decided that I need to read a pleasure book before I go to sleep. It helps me unwind and turn off my brain. At that personal reading time, I have been reading Charlaine Harris. I started with her first book ever written. It was okay but she has definitely improved with the years. I am now working on her book "An Ice Cold Grave". This is book three in a four book series about Harper Connelly. It has been an interesting series and read. I love Ms. Harris and had the pleasure to meet her in Iowa City. If you don't know her she has written all the books that the HBO show True Blood has been based. Her books are my guilty pleasures and this series is really more of a mystery book than fantasy. Although, there is a person who talks to the dead....but otherwise good stuff! I always like a book that I can't figure out the twist until right at the end. And these books do that for me.
What I am watching:
Again, due to school, not been watching a lot of anything. I did go see Hunger Games. I went to it hopeful that it would be good. And it.....WAS! The film makers did a great job translating the book to the movie. They had to take some of the violence down a little bit for the PG 13 crowd, but otherwise it was well done. I should have probably posted this above, but am thoroughly enjoying the soundtrack.
But my DVD find this week was Lars and the Real Girl staring Ryan Gosling. WOW! It was a cute and poignant movie with many many layers of emotions and acting. Before this my favorite movie of his was Crazy, Stupid Love. I wasn't sure when it first started. But it got better. It's the story of man living in his brother's garage. He is very socially awkward - it is almost painful to watch his interactions with his brother, sister-in-law and coworkers. Then his cubicle mate shows him a website that sells life-size anatomically correct dolls. These are not your typical "blow up dolls" no way. Bianca is her name and she is quite pretty. The story then unfolds regarding his fears and issues surrounding many things like his mother's death, etc. I encourage you to rent it. It is worth the 120 minute investment.
And Mad Men started this week! OMG what are we going to do? We don't have cable.....We can buy the season on iTunes and it will be downloaded the next day -- so think we are going to do that......but can't wait to see what is happening with Donald Draper this year. New marriage, etc..........Cheers!
What I am listening to:
Spotify has been my music player of choice on the internet. Normally I am a Pandora gal. I love my stations and love to hear what they pick to rotate through my artist stations. But Spotify lets me be even more specifc. If you are not familiar, you have to download the player, but then enter an artist and it pulls up all the information on that artist and you can listen to any album, single, or whatever from that artist. It is a great way to check out new artists. And I get to listen to what other people (friends on Facebook mostly) are listening to.
So my go to song for a "kitchen jiggle" when cooking or a "chair dance" at work is Wild Ones by Flo Rida ft Sia. You know that you have seen him here before with Good Feeling. I can't seem to get enough of his songs. I like this one too. He has become a favorite on my Spotify playlist. Some of you critics might say "his songs sound the same" -- don't care....I LIKE em!!
An album that I can't get enough of is Goty and the CD is Making Mirrors. The song Somebody that I Used to Know feat Kimbra is a haunting melody and this link will take you to the video. Many people tell me that they think he sounds like Peter Gabriel. I don't necessarily hear it (I think they are comparing this video to Peter Gabriel's Sledgehammer video) but I am obsessed with this song. And there are days when it is in my head and I can't get it out. That will likely be a bad thing when I am sick of the song.
For local music, Curtis and I along with some great friends had a chance to see The Fez at the Englert Theater in Iowa City. The now hold the record for single day tickets sales at the Englert. YEAH! This is the second time Curtis and I have seen them. They are a Steely Dan Tribute band and are amazing. "Like" their Facebook page link above and check them out if they are coming to your town soon. Their next gig is May 12 in Iowa City!
I will keep trolling Spotify and hopefully hear some new stuff and remember some old songs too - like Simply Red - If You Don't Know Me By Now. Love this song and that is why I LOVE Spotify!
What I am reading:
Still reading school work. My literature class is having me read Alice in Wonderland - the real one by Lewis Carroll. I DO NOT LIKE THIS BOOK. I didn't even like the early movies - only like Tim Burton's rendition with Johnny Depp. But I am plowing through it and got my assignment done tonight.
I decided that I need to read a pleasure book before I go to sleep. It helps me unwind and turn off my brain. At that personal reading time, I have been reading Charlaine Harris. I started with her first book ever written. It was okay but she has definitely improved with the years. I am now working on her book "An Ice Cold Grave". This is book three in a four book series about Harper Connelly. It has been an interesting series and read. I love Ms. Harris and had the pleasure to meet her in Iowa City. If you don't know her she has written all the books that the HBO show True Blood has been based. Her books are my guilty pleasures and this series is really more of a mystery book than fantasy. Although, there is a person who talks to the dead....but otherwise good stuff! I always like a book that I can't figure out the twist until right at the end. And these books do that for me.
What I am watching:
Again, due to school, not been watching a lot of anything. I did go see Hunger Games. I went to it hopeful that it would be good. And it.....WAS! The film makers did a great job translating the book to the movie. They had to take some of the violence down a little bit for the PG 13 crowd, but otherwise it was well done. I should have probably posted this above, but am thoroughly enjoying the soundtrack.
But my DVD find this week was Lars and the Real Girl staring Ryan Gosling. WOW! It was a cute and poignant movie with many many layers of emotions and acting. Before this my favorite movie of his was Crazy, Stupid Love. I wasn't sure when it first started. But it got better. It's the story of man living in his brother's garage. He is very socially awkward - it is almost painful to watch his interactions with his brother, sister-in-law and coworkers. Then his cubicle mate shows him a website that sells life-size anatomically correct dolls. These are not your typical "blow up dolls" no way. Bianca is her name and she is quite pretty. The story then unfolds regarding his fears and issues surrounding many things like his mother's death, etc. I encourage you to rent it. It is worth the 120 minute investment.
And Mad Men started this week! OMG what are we going to do? We don't have cable.....We can buy the season on iTunes and it will be downloaded the next day -- so think we are going to do that......but can't wait to see what is happening with Donald Draper this year. New marriage, etc..........Cheers!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
It's a Girls' Weekend
A short post for this Saturday morning. LOTS to do......four of my favorite girls are hanging out with us this weekend. We have a full agenda and I have a minute to type this up while they are getting ready for shopping.
I ran to Fort Dodge after work and picked up Kiona and Marissa. Thanks Jack (their dad) for meeting me there. We then headed to Ankeny to see if we could beat Curtis as he was picking up Quinn and Hannah from Perry. Alas, we didn't make it.
The night commenced with birthday cake, birthday brownies and ice cream. SUGAR!!!!! Then to burn off that energy there was Just Dance 2 and 3 and a bit of Karaoke. Except the only video I got was Curtis singing.....with a weird reverb!
Anticipate a great rest of the weekend of shopping, craft projects and all around WOO HOO times!
Stay tuned.
I ran to Fort Dodge after work and picked up Kiona and Marissa. Thanks Jack (their dad) for meeting me there. We then headed to Ankeny to see if we could beat Curtis as he was picking up Quinn and Hannah from Perry. Alas, we didn't make it.
The night commenced with birthday cake, birthday brownies and ice cream. SUGAR!!!!! Then to burn off that energy there was Just Dance 2 and 3 and a bit of Karaoke. Except the only video I got was Curtis singing.....with a weird reverb!
But as every one was getting used to each other, we started to have fun. Of course Kiona didn't want her picture taken.
And Marissa was trying to figure it all out.
Anticipate a great rest of the weekend of shopping, craft projects and all around WOO HOO times!
Stay tuned.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Mindfulness
When I say mindfulness I think that most people will have at least a little bit of thought about what I am talking about. Some people refer to it as "being intentional" or "spiritually focused" or just "paying attention".
When we are not mindful, we can become physically sick, use terrible coping skills, and it can take a tremendous toll on our bodies, our spirits and our relationships.
I was fortunate enough to go to a Women In America speaker series at Simpson College last night. The speaker was Cheri Maples. Cheri is a former police officer who has her law degree and a master's in social work. That was impressive enough to me, but she also has traveled around the world teaching, learning and sharing the "mindfulness" philosophy. Her spiritual and mindfulness awakening happened when she decided to attend a retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh. I encourage you to click on the link and check out his teachings. I will be getting a couple of his books and slowly start my mindfulness journey.
Her thoughts and wisdom last night were perfect timing for the place my heart is right now. It seemed I couldn't write down fast enough what she was saying. My pen was smoking it was moving so fast. But more importantly she was speaking to my heart. As she puts it, my "numb heart" or the "numbing of my heart".
I consider myself an activist. I care about the things that happen to people. The things that happen in spite of the good work that people do to try to prevent them. But what do we do when our "hearts quiver for social injustice"? It is really hard NOT to have vicarious sorrow for the suffering. Her take on that activism was very necessary for me to hear. Hardheartedness (or is it numb-heartedness) is a symptom of vicarious trauma. I some times refer to it as being "jaded". But as she explained trauma takes its toll - physiologically, emotionally, and spiritually.
When we are not practicing mindfulness we are:
Check, Check, Check and CHECK!!!!!
The CRAP in your life is the COMPOST of your enlightenment. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that!!!!!!
So the journey begins to practice Mindfulness. Beginning with "relationship is the litmus test of spirituality". That if we don't nurture our relationships mindfully, then the rest of our spirit is out of balance.
So with that:
Her quote that stuck with me regarding how we talk to each other in all of our relationships: "It is the most important peace work we do. When I hold on to my opinions with aggression, I contribute to violent energy on the planet." I KNOW!!! RIGHT????
So the very most important last thing is SEED WATERING. What seeds do I water in my self and others. Are my actions watering........
So LIFE is LIFE -- it is joyful and challenging; bitter and sweet. There is nothing to achieve (cause we will never get there) it is just a consistency in our lives. We have to get away from the discontent of what simply IS! We offer life signatures that have ripple effects daily.
My goal (and I don't promise that I will achieve it every day, but I will try) is to be MINDFUL. I will slow down and find JOY. I will water SEEDS of kindness, trust and joy.
What are you going to do?
Resources she listed:
Real Happiness by Sharon Salzberg
Books and CDs by Jon Kabat-Zinn
The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh
Keeping the Peace: Mindfulness and Public Services by Thich Nhat Hanh
When we are not mindful, we can become physically sick, use terrible coping skills, and it can take a tremendous toll on our bodies, our spirits and our relationships.
I was fortunate enough to go to a Women In America speaker series at Simpson College last night. The speaker was Cheri Maples. Cheri is a former police officer who has her law degree and a master's in social work. That was impressive enough to me, but she also has traveled around the world teaching, learning and sharing the "mindfulness" philosophy. Her spiritual and mindfulness awakening happened when she decided to attend a retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh. I encourage you to click on the link and check out his teachings. I will be getting a couple of his books and slowly start my mindfulness journey.
Her thoughts and wisdom last night were perfect timing for the place my heart is right now. It seemed I couldn't write down fast enough what she was saying. My pen was smoking it was moving so fast. But more importantly she was speaking to my heart. As she puts it, my "numb heart" or the "numbing of my heart".
I consider myself an activist. I care about the things that happen to people. The things that happen in spite of the good work that people do to try to prevent them. But what do we do when our "hearts quiver for social injustice"? It is really hard NOT to have vicarious sorrow for the suffering. Her take on that activism was very necessary for me to hear. Hardheartedness (or is it numb-heartedness) is a symptom of vicarious trauma. I some times refer to it as being "jaded". But as she explained trauma takes its toll - physiologically, emotionally, and spiritually.
When we are not practicing mindfulness we are:
- addicted to overworking
- living in fast-forward
- on a biological roller coaster
- use dysfunctional coping mechanism that sap the ENERGY OF THE HEART
Check, Check, Check and CHECK!!!!!
The CRAP in your life is the COMPOST of your enlightenment. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that!!!!!!
So the journey begins to practice Mindfulness. Beginning with "relationship is the litmus test of spirituality". That if we don't nurture our relationships mindfully, then the rest of our spirit is out of balance.
So with that:
- I will develop the art of pausing and refraining - thru meditation
- I will notice all the ways I perpetuate violence in myself - doing away with negative self talk
- I will learn to let go - began that process regarding expectations and changing my worry and control patterns all ready.
Her quote that stuck with me regarding how we talk to each other in all of our relationships: "It is the most important peace work we do. When I hold on to my opinions with aggression, I contribute to violent energy on the planet." I KNOW!!! RIGHT????
So the very most important last thing is SEED WATERING. What seeds do I water in my self and others. Are my actions watering........
- the seeds of kindness?
- the seeds of doubt?
- the seeds of trust?
- the seeds of blame?
- the seeds of_________?
So LIFE is LIFE -- it is joyful and challenging; bitter and sweet. There is nothing to achieve (cause we will never get there) it is just a consistency in our lives. We have to get away from the discontent of what simply IS! We offer life signatures that have ripple effects daily.
My goal (and I don't promise that I will achieve it every day, but I will try) is to be MINDFUL. I will slow down and find JOY. I will water SEEDS of kindness, trust and joy.
What are you going to do?
Resources she listed:
Real Happiness by Sharon Salzberg
Books and CDs by Jon Kabat-Zinn
The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh
Keeping the Peace: Mindfulness and Public Services by Thich Nhat Hanh
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Back to Saturday Morning Coffee Pondering....
Happy Coffee Drinking Friends!
I have a school work weekend planned. Curtis starts his dance season and has a few more dances to do in Northwest Iowa. He is slowly making the transition to Central Iowa but there will be a few trips back. If any of you know any one getting married, having a big anniversary party or just want to have fun, don't forget to get in touch with him. Or better yet, check out the website at www.musicmaniowa.com. He has assembled a pretty rocking team of DJs that cover NW Iowa, Central Iowa and parts of Eastern Iowa.
The most exciting news EVER happened this week. April 28, I will have been in central Iowa for one year. It has FLOWN faster than I would have even thought.
This week my bestie, sista girl in the whole wide world, Keetah, got a job in Central Iowa. She and her family will be moving closer!
Another girlfriend visit happens tomorrow. I get to see Joanie Nelson! She and Wade are going to meet us in Audubon to PLAN OUR IRELAND TRIP! YEP, we are pulling the trigger and going to Ireland with them this late fall, early winter. So the itinerary and details will be organized tomorrow. So very exciting!
On another front, it has been unseasonably warm this week. Curtis had to mow last night and it is still March. Because we are now in a different planting zone, I feel like it is always like this, but people are telling me no that we usually still have snow on the ground. We had about an entire week of moisture and unfortunately could still use some more I think. Note the brown patches in our yard still. But I have put my houseplants outside risking overnight chances of freezing. And they are loving the sun.
The trees are budding or flowering, daffodils are up and blooming and the folks in Pella are worried that the tulips will be bloomed way ahead of the Pella Tulip Festival coming up. Mother Nature decided to get an early start. I am no way complaining, I love the bird songs in the morning, the sun comes up earlier and earlier and it has moved way to the North and not directly shining in my patio door any more in the mornings.
All the outside pictures were taken by my husband. He took my phone and snapped a few when I said "I don't have any pictures for my blog this week". THANK YOU Curtie!
I have a school work weekend planned. Curtis starts his dance season and has a few more dances to do in Northwest Iowa. He is slowly making the transition to Central Iowa but there will be a few trips back. If any of you know any one getting married, having a big anniversary party or just want to have fun, don't forget to get in touch with him. Or better yet, check out the website at www.musicmaniowa.com. He has assembled a pretty rocking team of DJs that cover NW Iowa, Central Iowa and parts of Eastern Iowa.
This week my bestie, sista girl in the whole wide world, Keetah, got a job in Central Iowa. She and her family will be moving closer!
My heart is a flutter. She will begin her job almost exactly one year after I started mine. I know the stress of a FAMILY move, but they will work through it, their house will sell FAST, and all will be well in the world. I can't wait for the kids to be closer, to see them more often and hang out and the most important part -- watch them grow into the most amazing people!
Another girlfriend visit happens tomorrow. I get to see Joanie Nelson! She and Wade are going to meet us in Audubon to PLAN OUR IRELAND TRIP! YEP, we are pulling the trigger and going to Ireland with them this late fall, early winter. So the itinerary and details will be organized tomorrow. So very exciting!
The trees are budding or flowering, daffodils are up and blooming and the folks in Pella are worried that the tulips will be bloomed way ahead of the Pella Tulip Festival coming up. Mother Nature decided to get an early start. I am no way complaining, I love the bird songs in the morning, the sun comes up earlier and earlier and it has moved way to the North and not directly shining in my patio door any more in the mornings.
I am so excited to have this tree off to the side of our driveway. It is beautiful right now. And I am getting the itch to put my fingers in some dirt. Been walking through garden centers doing some planning. Gotta be a little bit patient I think.
All the outside pictures were taken by my husband. He took my phone and snapped a few when I said "I don't have any pictures for my blog this week". THANK YOU Curtie!
Well, I am off to see The Hunger Games this morning. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the books so can't wait to see the movie. Mixed reviews by viewers who went late Thursday night or yesterday. I am going this morning at 10:00 am. I am hoping that it will just be me and a couple other people since that is way to early for teenagers and their disruptive and rude movie going ways. But that is a topic for another blog. So watch for a "What I am Watching, What I am Reading, and What I am Listening To" blog later today. Have some new music that I am kind of obsessed with.......
Til next week when I will have 4 young ladies (12 and under) here for a girls' weekend. Have great plans for shopping, and getting our nails done, and sugar overload. Check back!
Til then, Bailey and Curtis were entertaining me at Old Chicago last night and I apparently embarrassed her in front of our favorite server last night. Sorry Bailey -- mom is awkward.......how come you don't know that by now?
Speaking of awkward....
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Today is about transformation
This post won't be about some magical spiritual transformation, it is about a couple rooms. I worked on them Saturday and part of this morning. If I planned it properly, you will all see the "before", "during" and "after" pictures.
As you can see it is currently a Purplish Periwinkle color. Too dark for this small room. So I picked a greenish gray color.
Then I started to put on the final color and OOPS! WRONG color! It was very baby blue (Forgot to take a picture because I was in a panic). So off to Menards to try again. This is not a color that I would normally pick anywhere so I was worried that I was going to have an ENTIRE gallon of paint. I suppose I could use it as a shower gift for someone, but that might not be appropriate gift giving.
The paint tech at Menards gave me the gray that I wanted, told me to bring the wrong one back and they would refund even if I made the mistake. Yeah!
I had hoped to get a little green in that gray, but I think I like the plain gray better.
So Bailey and I kicked it out and did two more coats and finished up with that room about 9:30. Been painting for 12 and half hours. Ibuprofen and a hot shower please!
My next project was a BIG one. We have a very large family room in the basement. It is currently "painter primer white". It is a dark room because there are only a couple small windows in there. We picked a taupe/beige color and as you can see this room is BIG! Lots of corners and crooks and crannies and a small bathroom off the side.
I don't have the wall hangings for this room yet. We are going to order reprints of pieces that were done for the lobby of SCT by Chad Elliott. I also am looking for a sofa table to put behind the couch that will have a lamp on it. So still a work in progress but the BIG stuff is done. The theme for this room is THEATER. Those great pieces plus some memorabilia from our days at SCT will complete this room.
Woke up with a sinus headache Saturday morning. Is good to know that even with the early Spring/Summer I still am not able to sleep with windows open. ALL CLOGGED UP! So as soon as I got that moving from my head, I got started on my project.
Painting a room is not one of my favorite projects and this won't be an exception. However, I LOVE the finished project usually, so here we go.
We are starting with the spare/guest bedroom. The previous owner had this room as a little girls room. I love the periwinkle color and there were some "fairy princess" curtains in here. (I am giving them to my favorite girl ROO - they look like her). But I think it needs to be lighter. So going with a grayish-green.
As you can see it is currently a Purplish Periwinkle color. Too dark for this small room. So I picked a greenish gray color.
It seemed to be covering very well.
Then I started to put on the final color and OOPS! WRONG color! It was very baby blue (Forgot to take a picture because I was in a panic). So off to Menards to try again. This is not a color that I would normally pick anywhere so I was worried that I was going to have an ENTIRE gallon of paint. I suppose I could use it as a shower gift for someone, but that might not be appropriate gift giving.
The paint tech at Menards gave me the gray that I wanted, told me to bring the wrong one back and they would refund even if I made the mistake. Yeah!
I had hoped to get a little green in that gray, but I think I like the plain gray better.
So Bailey and I kicked it out and did two more coats and finished up with that room about 9:30. Been painting for 12 and half hours. Ibuprofen and a hot shower please!
Here is the finished room.
I am borrowing these lamps. Now I think I know what I want so a trip to Gordman's is in my future.
Inspired by this print that I won at a church auction many years ago. Now to find some curtains and a few other colorful items for the room. We are set!
My next project was a BIG one. We have a very large family room in the basement. It is currently "painter primer white". It is a dark room because there are only a couple small windows in there. We picked a taupe/beige color and as you can see this room is BIG! Lots of corners and crooks and crannies and a small bathroom off the side.
We started adding this color called Prairie Dust. I am very pleased!!! It warms up this room so much. Makes it feel less stark. It is still a bit echoey but that is only going to get better when I get items on the walls.
We quickly discover that we think we will only have to apply one coat and maybe do some touch ups. So I bought too much paint. BUT.....love this color so we will be using it again in another room somewhere later -- maybe the hallway as well. But I was not ready to tackle that this week.
Finished bathroom
Zoe finally glad to have HER couch back
Still have that DAMN pole in the middle of the room -- I am thinking a person that knows wood craft *cough* EUGENE *cough* is going to be able to make me a box for that thing.
Still don't have the TV back together but that is on Curtis' list when he gets back from Spencer.
I don't have the wall hangings for this room yet. We are going to order reprints of pieces that were done for the lobby of SCT by Chad Elliott. I also am looking for a sofa table to put behind the couch that will have a lamp on it. So still a work in progress but the BIG stuff is done. The theme for this room is THEATER. Those great pieces plus some memorabilia from our days at SCT will complete this room.
Tired, sore, and hands are a mess from this weekend. A good kind of tired, but I just want to NAP. But after I take 800 mg Ibuprofen. But I want to thank Kristin McHugh and Bailey Dean. I could not have finished this project without their help! THANK YOU SO MUCH and I owe you! Kristin call me when you are ready to paint modeling. I will be there.
Yeah - Sunday afternoon -- REST - that is your purpose today!
Friday, March 16, 2012
Expecting certain things.....
Expectations. We all have them. We have them when we purchase something. We have them when we get to work each day. We have them in our families and friends.
But what happens when expectations are different for each person in those relationships? For example, if you have an expectation of behavior from your child and that behavior is completely different than you think it will be. Conflict ensues!
My biggest disappointments are not in the fact that the people I have relationships with have different expectations. It is that I have set expectations that are unrealistic. If I think that a person should act a certain way or do a certain task, why is that their expectation as well. It has been a hard thing to wrap my brain around. I usually just get pissed off and away we go with a fight. But after processing this last event, it isn't fair that I put those expectations on other people. I can only put expectations on myself.
I can only speak from a point of my experience and my feelings surrounding those experiences. What I think is communicated and expected (expectations?), is not the same thing that is in my brain. It is frustrating beyond belief. And it has led to many, many a foul mood. SO I can choose to continue down the path of frustration or I can try a different path. I choose a different path.
But what happens when expectations are different for each person in those relationships? For example, if you have an expectation of behavior from your child and that behavior is completely different than you think it will be. Conflict ensues!
My biggest disappointments are not in the fact that the people I have relationships with have different expectations. It is that I have set expectations that are unrealistic. If I think that a person should act a certain way or do a certain task, why is that their expectation as well. It has been a hard thing to wrap my brain around. I usually just get pissed off and away we go with a fight. But after processing this last event, it isn't fair that I put those expectations on other people. I can only put expectations on myself.
I can only speak from a point of my experience and my feelings surrounding those experiences. What I think is communicated and expected (expectations?), is not the same thing that is in my brain. It is frustrating beyond belief. And it has led to many, many a foul mood. SO I can choose to continue down the path of frustration or I can try a different path. I choose a different path.
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