Every time I sign in to Facebook it asks, "what's on my mind?" My answer is rarely short enough to fit in the status box provided. This blog is a collection of my random thoughts and reflections that answers that question.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Replacing Annoyance with Gratitude


I’m annoyed! So annoyed that I want to run. It’s moments like this that I realize that deep inside I am a runner. I don’t have a lot of stress in my life, but when it arises my first, okay maybe second, thought is “I want to go run this off”. Now, with that said I only had 40 minutes before I had to pick my kids up from school so inside of running I paced my house and ate a great deal of the pan of brownies my son made yesterday with milky way bars. So, now I feel sick to my stomach, instead of feeling pissed (okay maybe it was more than feeling annoyed). BUT I have a run planned for the morning and it will be fueled by the feeling of 30 minutes ago.

Now, I think, is a good time for writing the blog post that’s been running in my mind lately…Thankfulness/Gratitude and what it means to me, in no particular order.

1. I have consciously and successfully surrounded myself with positive, loving, genuine and caring people.

2. My grad school program focused on counseling and self-care.

3. I am raising confident, respectful and compassionate children.

4. I live within my means, even if I dream of more I am thankful for what I have every day rather than focusing on what I don’t have (most days).

5. Running and all that it has given me: supportive, awesome friends who run with me, and the feelings of strength and accomplishment.

6. My cat.

7. My amazing neighbors who look out for my kids as if they were their own grandchildren; the least I can do is help shovel driveways and share food (mostly, but not always desserts).

8. My husband’s support of me being a stay at home mom….working part-time when it fits in with my #1 job: mom.

The list must end here, time to get the kids from school!

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Monday Night Football Under the Lights


I watched the most exciting football game last night. There were lights, fireworks, a tunnel for the players to run out of and through fog while their names were announced, the field was spray painted in color with logos and words, there was a trophy and medals and music played loud. The score was tied several times throughout the game and the underdogs came through to win the game by one after completing a two-point conversion in overtime!

I cheered loud, my heart was in my stomach a few times, but in the end my son’s flag football team beat an undefeated team they had lost to twice this season to win the city-wide Park n Rec bowl game.

The temperature was mild but after a day of light rain it misted through most of the game. My son is in 4th grade and I found myself, more than once, during the game picturing the future. Is this what it will be like if he plays high school football? Do I hope he plays high school football? Honestly, not really, if flag football was a varsity sport I’d be all for it, but the danger of concussions down right terrify me. In baseball and soccer (his other sports of choice) there are dangers of dislocated or broken bones, but bones heal, brain injuries are permanent.

Being a University of Alabama alum I have watched and cheered on many college football players who make it into the NFL, but in the end when their football career is over I often wonder if their college education has prepared them for life after football. My mom gene also causes me to worry about the guys who choose the NFL draft over completing their degree.

Speculation, analyzing and negativism aside I am so proud of my son’s team for working together and giving their families and friends a great night of Monday Night Football!