Life Adjustments


Tomorrow night, our daughter and son in law arrive and the festivities begin!  Am I ready?  Well, let's just say I'm as ready as I'll every be.  I should be baking some chocolate chip cookies but I'm writing a post with a kitten on my lap and that is where I want to be. 

Holly Berry and Frodo are getting along pretty well for less than two weeks.  I babysit for Frodo's groomer who is a dog trainer and she knows everything.  I arrived at work this morning and just gave all the worries and fears to her.  She told me I should relax (HA!).  Seriously though, she thinks everything is going great.  So we are moving forward to getting these two pets used to each other.

Holly LOVES under the tree on the satin skirt

getting closer, one is chill the other is confused
 I've hit a rhythm to my days that feels like a rhythm I've had forever.  I'm learning to let some duties go and I'm embracing the kitten cuddles and kitten stares.  I also manage to knit while the kitten is sleeping on my lap - decadence and pure pleasure.  The best part of the day is in the morning after most of my prayers, I get a tiny meow.  I pick Holly up and she purrs in delight.  She likes mornings as well.

the book I need to read before January 1st


I'm trying to figure out when I will do a weekend post...since Christmas eve is on Sunday.  I'm leaning towards Sunday morning.  Sometimes I daydream of blogging once a week during these busy times, but you know what?  I am a talker, so it's like sitting in silence and you're dying to tell someone a secret.  So I doubt I'll take a break.  Three times a week works best for me for now.

Holly Berry!!

This is what Holly sees while she is in the dining room....Poor Frodo
 I've been thinking of this past year and all of the adjustments I've done.  I started babysitting, I hurt my back twice and wasted 18 weeks of some kind of pain, I joined a gym and rescued a kitten.  I did all of it with grace, except the back pain. 

I'm proud that I took charge of my health and joined the gym.  I feel stronger and so much better.  I'm glad I said yes to babysitting.  I love being a caregiver to a tiny human who is looking at the world with fresh eyes.  I will always stop and rescue animals.  Always.

My life is full and good. 



Now if I could only quit the worrying.  That would be a miracle.  I know that if I get enough rest and stick with a schedule of some sorts my worrying eases.  Right now, I'm mellow (cat sleeping on my lap helps).  I'd like to get better and being mellow when my mind is racing. 

Maybe some meditating?  My sister does it and swears by it.



I'm wishing all of you a happy winter solstice a wonderful holiday season!   You should eat one too many cookies, laugh until you're gasping for air, sit and stare at your blessings and the beauty around you. 

Thank you all for reading this blog, for your friendship and encouragement.  Thank you for the comments and all you silent readers.  I value this space and the friendships forged through commonalities.  I am lucky!

I love him!


Comments

  1. BonnyDecember 21, 2017 at 7:20 PM

    I've just started meditating (maybe only 6-8 times) and I think it makes a difference for me in terms of less worry. I've got some things going on that I was compounding with my non-stop worrying, and I basically started meditating out of desperation. I don't yet have a real routine or practice, but even 10 minutes a day is something. I'm thinking of it as a positive health change (along with walking and eating in a healthy way). Give it a try; you don't have anything to lose and may have a LOT to gain!

    Wishing you and your whole family (including Holly and Frodo) a very Merry Christmas and all the best in 2018!

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  2. Judy S.December 21, 2017 at 7:33 PM

    Enjoy your family time, Karen. Have a very Merry Christmas. I enjoy your blog even though I am often slow to post.

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  3. JaneDecember 21, 2017 at 8:47 PM

    Enjoy every minute with your family. And good on you for taking good care of yourself. Staying healthy as we age is important. Merry Christmas.

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  4. AsKatKnitsDecember 21, 2017 at 9:08 PM

    I began meditating some time ago - sometimes good, sometimes not so good, and then Mary shared this with me and it made all the difference in the world. https://ocoy.org/original-yoga/how-to-meditate/the-breath-of-life-the-practice-of-breath-meditation/the-christian-tradition-of-breath-meditation/

    Merry Christmas to you and your family, Karen!

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  5. AnonymousDecember 21, 2017 at 10:05 PM

    Sounds like Holly is a very sweet little girl.

    Wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas and all the best in 2018.

    P.S. Steve and I joined a gym today too. Wish us luck.

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  6. Juliann in WADecember 21, 2017 at 11:14 PM

    I want to tackle the worry thing in the new year. It is robbing me of sleep and impacting my health. Seems like Holly has been quite a gift.

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  7. DeborahDecember 22, 2017 at 1:02 AM

    Petting a cat or dog is good therapy for you. I should also be baking cookies. Mine will be oatmeal raisin since I'm trying to make foods as healthy as possible for Christmas dinner. We are having our grandsons over on Tuesday and the youngest will be bringing his first serious girlfriend. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

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  8. JoséDecember 22, 2017 at 5:29 AM

    Wishing you and your family a very happy, cheerful and warm Christmas !
    Wow, Holly and Frodo really are doing well, and what a difference already in Hollys' appearance ! I really think you did a fantastic job taking her in.

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  9. mamasmercantileDecember 22, 2017 at 5:37 AM

    Enjoy the wonderful family time together and the joy our furry friends bring. Praying that you have a pain free Christmas.

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  10. MaryDecember 22, 2017 at 6:24 AM

    Enjoy the weekend, Karen! I still do a double take seeing you Holly Berry as a kitten, instead of a graying miniature schnauzer, but she is a cutie! Merry Christmas!

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  11. TannaDecember 22, 2017 at 8:27 AM

    I love the JOY in your "voice". You've had an amazing year, Karen. I admire the way you've gotten through some tough times and embraced big changes. Awesome and inspiring. ALL the best to you! Merry Christmas! blessings ~ tanna

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  12. MaggieDecember 22, 2017 at 9:30 AM

    Sounds like you had a good year - despite the back pain. Worrying is my weak point too, but I'm working on it.
    Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  13. AndriaDecember 22, 2017 at 9:45 AM

    Beautiful post! My husband swears by meditating, so I'd give it a try. Enjoy the holiday, your family and your beautiful life. Thanks for sharing your joy with us, its lovely.

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  14. kathy bDecember 22, 2017 at 10:03 AM

    I keep posting as well, because it is MY thing and it calms me. Glad the animal kingdom at your house is a peaceable one! My son zach meditates and loves it. I try to give my worries to God. I love your snowman plate

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  15. margeneDecember 22, 2017 at 10:06 AM

    It sounds like that kitten came along just in time and rescued you. Holly Berry and Frodo are going to be fine and they'll be fast friends before long. May your weekend and your Christmas be as full of joy and laughter as you can stand.

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  16. MonicaDecember 22, 2017 at 10:11 AM

    Great post Karen! I love the name Holly Berry! So cute! Pour Frodo. He'll get used to Holly Berry. Cats do have a very calming affect on us humans. It's an amazing thing really. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

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  17. Jeannie Gray KnitsDecember 22, 2017 at 10:23 AM

    What a beautiful post! I'm so glad Holly & Frodo are learning to enjoy each other. I had to laugh at the idea of meditating your worries away. I know some people swear by it but the few times I've tried, I just sit there thinking about all the things that are worrying me and get even more stressed out. Writing my worries down, maybe with some helpful tasks I can do, always works best for me. Wishing you a very merry Christmas!

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  18. Needles and WoolDecember 22, 2017 at 10:52 AM

    It sounds like things are going well with Holly and Frodo! It has been good you are taking baby steps in introducing them. Holly looks like she is getting bigger already! It is good you are taking time to relax and to let some things slide, I feel like this time of year we all want to do everything and we can get overwhelmed but like you said we should also take time to enjoy the beauty around us and enjoy the season. I enjoy reading your blog and getting to know you. I love this community too and grateful for the friendships we all have made through our blogs. Merry Christmas to you and your family Karen!

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  19. VeraDecember 22, 2017 at 11:22 AM

    Both Holly and Frodo are just so sweet. They will be friends before you know it! I try to meditate - I don't always fit it into my daily life, but when I do it does make a difference in a positive way.

    Wishing you all the best for a lovely Christmas and much joy, laughter and fun in 2018.

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  20. StefanieDecember 23, 2017 at 11:16 AM

    Yay for getting along! I'm glad Frodo and Holly can be in the same room now. What a blessing it was when you found her. I'm so glad to have "met" you. You are amazing.

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  21. UnknownDecember 23, 2017 at 4:33 PM

    Your two furry friends are adorable! My kitty is fast asleep at the moment in the Christmas tree box - her absolute favourite place. So we are now stuck with this huge box in the living room😃 what we do for our pets. Have a lovely Christmas Karen, I've enjoyed reading your blog this past year xx

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  22. MichelleDecember 23, 2017 at 5:01 PM

    Merry Christmas and thank you. Thank you for sharing your life with us. It is a great blessing to many.

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  23. Helen BDecember 24, 2017 at 6:55 AM

    Have a lovely Christmas, so glad kitten is doing well and Frodo and her seem to be getting on ok, there is something special about seeing the world again through the eyes of a small child, hope the gym exercise carries on working for you and your back pain/injury doesn't play up again, take care and enjoy the Christmas time

    ReplyDelete

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