I’ve had some blips in my life lately.
Blips, of course, being the polite way of saying shit has been hitting the proverbial fan. Thank god, it’s not literal because that’d be a mess. I’m already knee deep in poop these days, and I certainly don’t need any flying excrement. In fact, I should probably take out that giant plastic bag of dirty diapers in my living room. It’s amazing how much backdoor brownery one tiny human generates.
All crap aside, when life gets a little bumpy, I like to grab a glass of wine or three. Occasionally, I’ll try something a pop more productive and pen a gratitude list, allowing me to focus on life’s little blessings like rainbows, unicorns farts, and an endless supply of caffeine.
Today I thought I’d go the more productive route and take you along for the ride, Out Loud of course. Thanks for hosting Ms. Amanda.
Let’s begin:
I’m grateful for booze and coffee, sometimes together. Let’s face it, liquids make the world go ’round. Granted I guzzle my H2O like it’s going out of style, but these drinks have my heart.
(Until I had a baby; now I do what She wants. Shenanigans!)
Crystallized pansies and violets embedded in a bar of dark chocolate…and the heavens open and the angels rejoice. This was magical.
Time heals all wounds, and if you read this post, you know exactly what I’m talking about. ♫ Guess who’s back. Back again. [Loving’s] back. Tell a friend. ♫
Speaking of good times, I’m grateful for any kind of relaxing activity.
Also, I’m grateful for carbs; they are my spirit animal. For those of you who read this blog, you know my undying love of bagels. Well if you follow me on Snapchat, you know exactly why: BUTTER POCKETS. Last week, I encountered the mother of all butter pockets.
I’m grateful for books. Quite simply, they make me happy and I have been staying up way too late reading.
Thankfully, Ave has been a champion sleeper at night. Knocks on wood. Please sweet baby Jesus don’t punish me for saying this one out loud.
The baby books aren’t bad either. In fact, I’m digging their messages.
I’m also grateful I can officially fit into a pair of my old jeans and by fit, I mean button. It’s true, I might be rocking a muffin top, but it’s more than I could do six weeks ago. It’s progress, and I’ll take it; dammit.
Last but not least, I’m grateful for summers seasonal produce. I can’t get enough berries.
On ice cream, that is.
It’s a wonder I can button those jeans.
If you were penning a gratitude list, what would be on it?
This is such a lovely list…. I def have a tendency to focus on the negative and get anxious about ‘what ifs’ rather than focus on the positive and right here, right now. You sound like you have made tremendous progress ever since your little pumpkin arrived- bravo to that! Butter pockets….! I love that name for those nifty little craters.
Reading – I am almost done with ‘Cold Mountain’ by Charles Frazier – if you have not read it, and are looking for a sweeping epic novel oozing with descriptive language, mountain landscapes so real you will feel the mountain air off the page, and of course – a love story that gets you in the deep marrow of your bones – read it. You won’t be sorry.
Grateful list: lap swim time, my overly-large deep soaker tub (I could live in there if I could), beer fridge (I fought this one for a long time, but hubby won the battle and now I love opening that little thing and getting a cold drink on a hot summer night), unexpected smiles, watermelon and more watermelon and even more watermelon.
And I just fell in love with your description of Cold Mountain. I’ll have to add it to the list, one of my favorite lists that is.
You need to take a beer into the soaker tub along with Cold Mountain or whatever book you’re on now.
Also please pass me a slice of watermelon. I’ll make you a mojito with it. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Gratitude
Pardon my intrusion, but if you enjoyed Cold Mountain (Loved It!) you might also love Mudbound, by Hillary Jordan… While they are very different books, they sort of are are in the same category of “if you like, then might also like?” If you know I mean? Hopefully you have a library and don’t have to purchase, it makes it so much easier to trust recommended books!
Intrude away especially if it’s another book recommendation. I’m adding it to the list.
Meghan recently posted…Gratitude
and now I want a bagel. I haven’t had one in a bit so I think a French toast bagel is calling my name. I would be extremely grateful for a well sleeping baby at night, that’s for sure. it’s always important to remember the positives when we deal with negatives – helps to keep us in check and make the negative not feel as bad as it can be
meredith @ cookie chrunicles recently posted…What I Ate Wednesday 8.10.16
I hope you got that French Toast bagel. I covet those. They look so good.
Meghan recently posted…Gratitude
I am grateful for a thriving marriage between true best friends that is still interesting and fun that will celebrate 43 years this month.
For days when our 18 year old granddaughter drives on over unexpectedly “because I’ve missed you guys!”
Oh so grateful that I don’t have to have candy and treats from 4 small children anymore! I can have it in plain sight and the bowl stays full as long as my husband and I stay out of it. I cream doesn’t have to bury under the frozen brussel sprouts as a disguise.
I am grateful for car rides on nice days with no intended destination.
I am grateful for blueberry pie. My own is my preferred, not to brag or anything. Okay, bragging.
Meghan, congratulations on a sleeping baby! Of four, I had just one good sleeper. You may want to quit now. She is cute lil brownie maker! And now I’m off to se what I can scavenge that might have some butter pockets. I collect pricy specialty butter. It’s an issue.
I like your pricy specialty butter obsession, and I would also like a slice of your blueberry pie. I bet it’s fantastic.
Congratulations on 43 years. That is amazing!!
Meghan recently posted…Gratitude
I love gratitude lists! I try to make it a practice to do one daily, and also to write down three “wins” for the day. Helps me feel like I’m making progress.
Today’s gratitude list: I am thankful that my hair dresser had an opening for today. My roots are way too dark and long. I am thankful for this great job and my boss. I am thankful for my supportive friends and coaches. I am thankful for lovely summer date nights. I am thankful for having an abundance of choice.
I really like the idea of writing down three wins for each day. That’s awesome. Thank you for sharing!!
Meghan recently posted…Gratitude
Well… you’re having blips, eh? Ahhhh I don’t like hearing that. I hope you’re okay. I mean, making a gratitude list is such a great example of keeping perspective, for sure. You’re a strong woman. Congratulations on the buttons. 🙂 Ave is just so incredibly cute. <3 Hang in there, Meghan. xo
Suzy recently posted…It Was Never a Dress
It’s all good in the hood. Just makes us stronger. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Gratitude
I’m grateful for your posts! Honestly reading them has helped me more than you know. I confess I don’t read many blogs. Eek. So I felt bad about writing. But fuck it. I’m blogging for me and any other soul who gives a darn.
Anyhow I’m grateful for you for reminding of blogging, and lemon water! I had stopped that for ages and finally started making it a priority. Feels so great to ge that citrus first thing. I love healthy rituals.
I have been saying my morning gratitude prayers if you will for years now. Since Lulu was born I started saying them morning noon and night! Mainly to help fight the tears and remind myself of the good shit. So much shit and a lot of it’s good lol. Morning I say to Lulu all the things I love, evenings I tell all I’m grateful for. Hoping she gets some good juju 🙂
Love you!
Danielle recently posted…recap of my pregnancy
Aw I’m so glad to hear I’ve been a help. You can contact me anytime. I got your back, and don’t worry about those tears. It’s totally normal. I’m pretty sure I cried on the daily. You got this, and you are doing an amazing job. You birthed and are caring for a tiny human. Hello, you are Superwoman!
Meghan recently posted…Gratitude
We will be there to take care of you soon! I take out trash, very quietly recycle empty wine bottles, and pour a fantastic bottle of bubbly. Bubbly goes particularly well with butter pockets, I find.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted…Socca Waffles, Glutes, and WIAW Eats
I cannot wait for that glass of bubbly. The company too, although that goes without saying. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Gratitude
Oh how I love a deliciously buttery bagel. Seriously… I couldn’t live without carbs and wine. Okay, I could, but I really don’t want to live without either. Perhaps that’s why my muffin top remains… hmm. Yeah, I’ll keep the booze and carbs.
Hope the blips get under control!
Heather Shoberg recently posted…Tutus and Trucks
I’m convinced booze and carbs are the secret to happiness.
Meghan recently posted…Gratitude
OH MY THOSE BERRIES!! Those are beautiful, and even more so on that ice cream. I’m happy you are fitting into those jeans AND partaking in the booze. Atta girl.
Brittany recently posted…Living for the Weekend
Yep, I’m trying to get back into the swing of things. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Gratitude
Oh those berries look amazing! We have winter strawberries right now (yep that’s a thing!) but I can’t wait for the other berries to be in season.
What a wonderful way to focus on the awesomeness that’s going on right now, it’s so easy to focus on the funk and stew in it. I find it particularly hard being home alone but I usually manage to knock it in its head.
#butterpockets… That is all…
Jen @ Chase the Red Grape recently posted…5 ways Olympic athletes can help motivate your life #5TTT
Winter strawberries!! I want to try these.
I can relate to struggling with the home alone business. When the Hubby was in school in a different state for those two years, it was really hard, more so than I had ever expected. While I miss him during the day, at least I get him in the evenings now.
#butterpockets = Everything!!
Meghan recently posted…Gratitude
🙂 So much to be grateful.
…but seriously that butter pocket. It’s almost as amazing as Ave’s pouting which is on fleek.
Arman @ thebigmansworld recently posted…Healthy High Protein Chocolate Fudge Cake Bars
Butter pockets are everything!!
Meghan recently posted…Gratitude
I don’t think my comment this morning went through – but I’m sorry if this ends up being a repeat.
Just wanted to say thank you for the reminder to stop and be grateful for what I have – because I really do have a lot. An amazing family that would do anything for me, a beautiful place to call home with all the fresh air I could dream for, and an amazing community of friends who support me ridiculously – whom I’ve never even met! I’m one lucky lady.
Though I could use more butter pockets in my life. I’ve been slathering that stuff like its my day job.
I wish it was my day job actually.
<3
I think we could all use more pockets in our life. They are like manna from heaven.
You’re doing awesome!!
Meghan recently posted…Gratitude
Gratitude lists make me so happy 🙂 I used to be pretty negative when I was younger, but my attitude did a complete 180 after I started practicing gratitude regularly a couple years ago. So let’s see… I”m grateful for hard work paying off (you know what I mean!), vacations, air condition, and the fact that my toenail is still attached after I slammed it into an escalator stair. I know 😯
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…banana burglars, seahorses, & IG stories (ToL#195)
You slammed your toenail in an escalator stair. Ouch! I hope your toe is ok.
Hard work paying off is definitely a good one and so very much deserved. I think the final product looks fantastic.
Meghan recently posted…Gratitude
I SO MUCH LOVE THIS SO MUCH! Gratitude seems to be like a really wonderful cure for any blues or downer days. Thinking of all the blessings that God’s given me and that I don’t deserve really puts my head and heart back in the right place.
IT makes me smile so big to hear that the little one is sleeping so well. And summer produce is just SO AMAZING. Peaches here are still really good.
Emily recently posted…Top 5: Peanut Butter Marshmallow Sandwich
I need to get my hands on some peaches before they’re gone. They’re so amazing this time of year.
Meghan recently posted…Gratitude