Project The Who

Did someone get excited for a second thinking I was going to talk about legendary band The Who’?

I thought it would be more fun to tell you that the toddler in our home has been super into eating and drinking like a dog. I guess that is because the ‘siblings’ he is around the most are the furry ones.

In the past couple of days he has added to his repertoire of fun tricks and now says “wash, wash, wash the face” as he licks his hands and rubs his face. Pretty sure this mannerism came from our cat. Did I mention we have a cat too?

If you are counting that means: 2 adult children (18&20), 2 baby boys (23 1/2 mos and 6 mos), 2 Saint Bernards and a cat.

So, acting like a dog or cat adds up.

If you do your own math, and evaluate your top peeps (or animals I guess..) would you be pleased to discover that your mannerisms and actions have taken on their actions and mannerisms?

I hope to err on the side of spending time with quality people who rub off in me in a good way. I would hate to discover that somehow I have unintentionally become someone less than who I am supposed to be.

P.s. I love Jesus & endeavour ultimately to be more like Him.

Project Lipstick

So it turns out it is national lipstick day! Who knew? So I slapped on some lipstick. Why not?

For me lipstick is synonymous with girl power. This may have something to do with:

A) I am a Mary Kay cosmetics rep and Mary Kay the woman and the company are all about girl power!

B) I fully believe in the idea of giving yourself a little pick me up with something as simple as applying a touch of makeup.

Can we take this idea a little further? What if lipstick could represent the idea of caring for the here and now? Embracing the situation we are in and putting our best foot/face/effort forward?

If we are always looking ahead, then we will miss the extravagant gift of the here and now. If we are saving our best selves for the future then I am afraid we will be sadly disappointed.

I promise that if you fail to appreciate the now you will never be happy in the days ahead. Food for thought. Now go thee therefore and apply some lipstick!

Project Input Output

Should I be concerned for my character if the person I spend the most time with is under 2 years of age? You know that expression ‘you become like the 5 people you spend time with?’ So if you see an increase in curiosity and exuberance I guess blame it on the baby…??

As someone who does not possess infinite amounts of energy I try and be discerning about the who and how of my time. That combined with a short attention span *squirrel!!* make it so that each day I filter out more and more and focus on the better.

Just as I am careful about how I nourish my body with food (please do not read this to mean ‘diet’) I also strive to feed my mind and soul with the ‘better.’

I am in the process of cultivating a better morning and evening routine so that: a) I get enough sleep b) I don’t waste time with mindless netflicks or social media c) I am able to daily face what comes my way because I have spent time intentionally with the One who matters most.

How could we all do a bit better in the how and who of our days? Who are your top 5 people? How do they impact your character? If you needed to recharge what is your go to?

Featured

Project Me, myself, and I

Today’s blog is brought to you @selfaesthetics with my forever friend Tanya Lilley-Chan. I am so grateful to have Tanya back in my life during my seemingly mid-life crisis. She makes me feel body confident and teaches me to age with grace… and Botox!

I facetiously named this blog narcissistically because I HATE making everything about me. I have the best people in my life. True forever friends who have seen me at my worst and at my best. I love doing life in tandem with my lovely gal pals. Feeling alone does NOT have to be a thing. Depression or no… I am not alone. It takes a village. Thank you Tanya Lilley-Chan for being my friend since we were preschoolers. Love you to the moon and back forevermore.

Ps here is a shameless pitch for @selfaesthetics … if you have pondered the freedom of laser hair removal DO IT! If you wondered if Botox makes you look like Tim Allen in Skipping Christmas… you won’t. If there is a little something you would like to lift, tighten, brighten, augment or just plain feel a little better please do call Tanya @selfaesthetics (204) 237-1388

Project Splash and Bubbles

I am not usually one to enter a room quietly. I am more of a ‘taaaa-daaaa’ kinda gal. Today’s blog comes to you live from the splash pad in my community. Thanks to my gal pal Elizabeth for chasing mister while I eek out a wee blog.

Recently, I heard the expression from Crystal Thompson @flourishintoyou that when we hide (whether literally or figuratively) because our bodies aren’t presenting themselves to the world the way we would like that we fail to show up authentically and thus don’t accomplish what we were placed in this world to do. (Rough paraphrase… sorry Crystal!!! Also the bold was accidental but I am also half chasing a toddler.)

I don’t want to half show up. I don’t want to not show up. I want to embrace my life Calling and show up with a ‘taaaaa-daaaaaa flourish!’

Depression makes it very hard to show up sometimes because some days it takes every ounce of your being to perform the most basic of tasks. You can’t give from an empty cup. So my flourish today including choosing NOT to vigorously workout, to nourish myself in a way that listens to my body cues and to walk in strength and dignity which includes just peacefully being me.

May you enter your day with a taaa-daaaa too.

Project Leggo my Eggo

Depression is a jerk and a liar.

But depression is also the reason why I have the quiet confidence in the now…how I choose to spend my time on the good days and being OK in the stillness of the bad ones.

Depression is the reason that I have quiet confidence in the what…what I do with my limited emotional and physical stamina. My depression is like a sieve that allows me to really hone into what is important.

Depression is the reason I have quiet confidence in the who… I am fiercely loved and I love fiercely. My God is faithful.

Is it scandalous for me to say that I am grateful for this struggle?

Project Peek A Boo

Just because depression is part of my journey doesn’t mean that I need to be encased in bubble wrap. Although, now that I think about it, bubble wrap pants sounds like an excellent idea…. I may have to pursue that…

I want to tell you a little secret…….. I can still be me, be ok, do stuff, AND have depression. Don’t be afraid to ask the people in your life who also struggle with depression to do stuff and things. It makes us feel love and value.

Project Sister Act Deux – Back in the Habit of People-ing

When we got our Bozley neutered, we made the mistake of removing his cone of shame too early. He licked himself raw.

There is a tendency when we are going through stuff to allow our pain to become all consuming through isolation.

Proverbs 17:17 says; “A friend loves at all times, but a brother/sister (friend) is born for a time of adversity.”

Nobody has to do life alone. Let your friends see behind the curtain.

Project Sister Act

How can you tell the difference between a friend and a sister/friend (not sister wife)?

You share knowing looks
You share private jokes and mischievous plans
You have seen one another in your skivvies
You text one another almost exclusively in emojis and have designated ringtones
You have cried together…. often… sometimes laugh cries, sometimes ugly cries
You have laughed until you almost (or did) pee your pants
You talk about bra sizes and loving pillows (yes that was a private joke..)
When something happens, whether good, bad, or ugly you think to text them immediately
You are always planning what you will do together next (water aerobics anyone??)
You do life together…. REAL life together. You LOVE one another wholly and delight in the imperfections

Friendship is a huge part of the surviving depression equation. Please allow others into your journey. You won’t regret it. Vulnerability is beautiful. Friendship is beautiful.