Fandango’s Friday Flashback – March 13

I have a little time to sneak in this post this week.  I go back to 2017 when I was doing a daily happiness and gratitude challenge originally posted here.

Happy and Grateful – Day 71

As March begins I continue with my goal to find happiness and gratitude every day.  There is at least some small thing that can bring a smile and give you a moment to be grateful for.  Please join me in looking for the good moments of the day … it would be great if you would share them in the comments or on your own blog.  Be aware of the little wonders of the day!

Today I have spent a lot of it worrying.  Worrying is something I am really good at, I learned worrying from my Mom.  She would stay up late listening to the police scanner when my Dad worked overnight shift as a policeman.  So I definitely learned a thing or two from her.

First there is a winter storm advisory out for the night.  Last I looked we had a couple of inches of snow already.  But we aren’t supposed to get more than 5 inches.  Probably the most we have had in a storm this year, but I have been through a lot worse in the past.  My biggest concern was my daughter getting home from work and she made it fine.

I have also been worried about a friend who is seeing his biological father for the first time in a lot of years.  He never really knew him at all growing up and they were meeting tonight.  I felt better after he texted me things went ok for the night.

My worrying has been done for the day.  I am happy I can relax a little now.  Taking my anxiety meds will help too.  I am grateful every one is safe and happy.  Now if I can just get my tension level down enough to sleep…

 

 

Fandango’s Friday Flashback (FFF) – March 13

Be Prepared

“Please just take the money,” Sharon said.  “You never know what kind of trouble you might run into on your trip.”

“But Mom, we are just headed to Cedar Rapids, not across the country,” Nicole said.

“Please, just in case.”

“Ok Mom, but I don’t think we will need it.”

“You can give it back to me when you get home if you don’t end up using it.”

“Thanks Mom, this is just to go to a concert and then come back home.”

“I still wish you would stay the night in a hotel there, so you don’t have to drive in the dark back.”

“I drive at night all the time here and you never worry.”

“That is wrong. I always worry.”

“Ok, I will give you that.  Now we had better leave.  Thanks again Mom!”

“You’re welcome.  You and Andrea have fun, but be careful”

“We will.  I love you.”

“Love you too.”

 

Written for Fandango’s One-Word Challange (FOWC) – case

Delayed

The snow is falling fast and the winds continue to howl. You were supposed to be here over an hour ago. I check my phone; no messages, it’s still silent. I am frantic with worry as the visibility outside continues to dwindle. The news talks of accidents and abandoned vehicles.
Once more I go to the door, open it and look up and down the street for any sign of a car. The icy chill greets me as I hear what could be an engine. I hold my breath, waiting, until at last I see headlights and you returning home.

Happy and Grateful – Day 283

The month of October is upon us.  Fall is in full swing with the leaves gathering on the lawn… maybe a pile or two to run through even.  The evenings are getting dark earlier as the days grow shorter.  And a few of us look forward to a good scare with Halloween coming this month.  Everyday has at least some small portion of good in it.  I am looking for that good with this challenge to find my happiness and gratitude every day.  Join in with the challenge by commenting or writing your own blog… let’s find some goodness today.

Today was in the upper 40’s and we had rain early in the day.  My body felt the temperature change.  I did still manage to get a load of laundry done at least.  Unfortunately the fatigue got the best of me today and saw me take two naps.  So I felt like I did nothing but sleep.  I guess I am grateful I had nothing going on so I could actually nap.

Tonight I went to my Dad’s to get him some dinner.  I had to stop at the store first and pick him up some soda and decided to get him a rotisserie chicken.  Then I just had to fix him a side when I got there.  I was happy to have a short cut like that available.

I am feeling pretty down tonight.  Really worried about a friend in Northern California I can’t get a hold of and I fear is too close to the fires.  So much devastation in the state.  Also have a couple of other friends who are suffering and I feel so helpless to do anything for them.  I know there is really nothing I can do when it comes to other people… I just wish I could make them feel better.

I should stop my babbling fingertips and see about some sleep.  Remember to find your happiness and feel your gratitude.  Have a good night/day!

Tired and Wired

Around and around

My mind runs in circles

Thinking and worrying

The hamster running in the wheel

Never ending thoughts

Over and over

Until the chaos wears me down

And I can finally find sleep

Yearly Mammo

(Just waiting for my check up and trying not to worry so I thought I would write out some of my frustrations and worry.)

 

An hour to go until I am

Smushed smashed and squished

The pain doesn’t bother me

It has become routine

It’s the waiting

And not knowing

That give me the grey hairs

But at least I have hair

It left for awhile

Fourteen years ago now

So this should be no problem

The worry should be past

But there is always a chance

And for that I always worry…

Happy and Grateful – Day 221

Seven months are gone now and surprisingly I am still plugging along with this challenge to post about my happiness and gratitude every day this year.  August brings the state fair here in Iowa and lots of heat and humidity.  It is the time to see the back to school shopping start with kids dreading it and parents loving it.  As I continue my challenge I hope you will take a minute to reflect on your day too.  You can even share your happiness and gratitude here in the comments or on your own blog.  There is good in every day!

It was a busy day today… I hope I don’t pay for it tomorrow.  It started with taking my boyfriend to work at 6:30 and I returned home to sort out some pinto beans for our beans and cornbread dinner.  I tried to channel the ghost of my ex-husband and he made great beans like his mom.  I was only the observer in that dish.  I think I did the dish alright.  Everyone who ate it seemed to think it was good so I was grateful for that.

I finished a letter for a friend and mailed it, took my Dad to his coffee group, picked up my boyfriend, picked up a handful of items at the store and delivered some of the dinner to my daughter and Dad… phew! Like I said a busy day.  But I got through it all with little pain.  Fatigue was really high and I did nap after dinner.  I just hope the activity does not bring aftermath pain tomorrow.

I think the moment of happiness was when I got a couple of messages from my daughter that she approved of how I made the beans, greens and cornbread.  I am sure it will never be as good as her Daddy made, but it made me happy to get her seal of approval.

Now in the quiet time of the night I think of two friends and worry… one’s husband had a heart transplant surgery last week.  The other is in a volatile situation with someone who should be her EX-husband and their son.  I haven’t heard from either of them the last couple of days and I am worried.  So I babble a little longer here and get some of the fear out on paper.  I am sure everything is fine but it just makes me aware of how far apart we are when I can’t just hop in the car and go she them.

I will stop babbling now.  Let you all get on to another blog to read or your own writing to do.  Thanks for stopping by!  Find your happiness today!  Have a great night/day!

Happy and Grateful – Day 172

June brings warmer weather and the start of summer.  Hopefully it brings many ideas from my muse too.  I continue to write for my challenge to find the things that make me happy and grateful each day this year.  Please feel free to join me in this challenge with comments about your happiness and gratitude or start your own blog.  There is always something good to find in each day.

Anxiety has been my shadow today.  I have done what I can to try not to worry, but I keep stressing about my drive to the city tomorrow and both the rehearsal dinner and wedding this weekend.  A room of strangers and a handful of people I know a little… plus in clothes I am not comfortable in, I am not looking forward to it.

But I forged through the day and came out with my sanity still as intact as it can be this late in life.  My Dad’s doctor appointment got cancelled, and I forgot about a meeting my boyfriend had tonight.  So I spent most of the day on my own.  Besides getting lonely and feeling the blues I did ok.  I am grateful for technology to keep me entertained today with some games and a space to write.  And I was happy I was not completely alone as my cat slept with me a good portion of the day, tucked in right next to my laptop.

Now my night-time dose of anxiety meds and some sleep before my drive tomorrow.  If only there was a local doctor who would take my case… but it does no good to dream about it.  Thanks for stopping by and remember to find your happiness!

I Wish I Could Help

Overworked and underpaid

The sign of the times

Endless hours

Minimal paychecks

 

Underfed and overstressed

The state he is in

Empty cupboards

Infinite bills

 

Overwhelmed and underappreciated

The way he feels

Unending drama

No respect

 

Under equipped and overwrought

From my side of things

Unable to help

Worried without end

Day 73 – 100 Days of Happiness

I cried again today… not for sadness though.  It was a more or less humbling moment.  My boyfriend and I have been in sad financial ways for some time now and I have been very worried about Christmas.

I grew up with Christmas always being a time of giving and I LOVE to buy stuff for other people and see the joy it brings them.  Strapped for cash though that is hard to do.  We have been saving change, taking pop cans to the redemption center, using coupons when possible… all the tricks we can think of to save.  Today my sister and father surprised me with a check to use for Christmas shopping.  It was all I could do to stop the tears from flowing right away.  I am so lucky to have family that understands what I am going through and is there to help where they can.

So one worry has been lessened. And happily I was able to take advantage of a Black Friday sale and get a shirt for my daughter at half price almost.  Now if I can get organised for Cyber Monday I can do some more shopping and then it will be a happy Christmas once again.