Tag: vulnerability

Project John Stamos

In Uncle Jesse’s words… “have mercy!” (Full House fans — you’re welcome.)

There comes a time when we have to wave the white flag and surrender. We have to surrender to the fact that we just can’t do it all.

We are currently dabbling at having some hired help for cleaning so that we can focus in on family and not get bogged down (and crabby) about other tasks that just shouldn’t matter in this season of our lives.

Case in point, I wouldn’t be able to write or shower quite frankly if not for this seeming indulgence.

As the mom of two bigs and two little littles, I know how quickly time passes and I don’t want to miss a thing.

HAVE MERCY!!

Project psssst…

I didn’t even know the word ‘dry shampoo’ when a can of ‘psssst’ found its way into my bathroom cabinet. Perhaps it was a slight misstep in name as it conjures up images of muppets in trench coats asking if I want to buy the letter ‘b’. Nevertheless it is a brand name that is still in my mind over 20 years later.

I think we all make slight missteps in how we brand ourselves in this world where self-promotion through social media allows us to manipulate perception through posts and pics of our very best days.

I am not defined by my depression. It is not my brand. It is just part of my journey. I get to hone in on what really matters in my life because my body throws up cues and warning signals when I misstep. I think rather than an attitude of woe is me perhaps that is a reason to be thankful.

Project ‘the Code’

My husband has a gadget that he can hook up and instantaneously know the issue of our car.

Oh! If only! If only we could hook ourselves up and have a doodad throw the code of whatever ails us.

I feel like my body and mind do give me cues on when things are going awry. But, I have to be paying attention. It is very easy in the hustle and bustle of life to ignore the signs and push through.

When all else fails, I take the time to stop and self-diagnose. Usually, the problem is as simple as going back to the basics of my non-negotiable (which sometimes become negotiable–therein lies the problem) and taking the next right step back to me being me.

Today’s next step is to stop and pay attention. Depression ain’t no friend of mine.

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 sink or swim

I think sometimes I try to make life feel too safe, too predictable. Control freak anyone??

Let’s say for example I was a young Saint Bernard … and let’s imagine for a second that there was a flock of geese… and a body of water…. and a fun friend to accompany me… I didn’t know I was designed to swim until I dove in and just did it. Feel the fear and do it anyway.

Some things are just plain worth the risk. Knowing people… worth the risk. Trying something new … worth the risk. Being myself… worth the risk.

So get out there people! Get out there like your flock of geese is just waiting for you!

P.S. today’s post is brought to you courtesy of disgustingly smelly community retention ponds, geese, the number 4 and the letter f … just because.

Project Tantrum

I may be writing this post from under my bed sheets. When adulthood comes a knocking; my inner child may or may not throw a hissy fit.

The reality is, I am an adult and as such have adult responsibilities. I am not talking about the day in and day out things of life but the sucky adult stuff like … I don’t know… applying for extended health care coverage or making RRSP contributions. Barf!

These are the things that make my anxiety levels skyrocket and my decision making ability goes ‘byeeeeee!!’ Then, because depression is a liar… my self worth comes under fire. It is a vicious cycle.

It is very easy to revert back to a tween in my coping … or lack thereof. To quote Chris Evans aka Captain America “I don’t wike it.”

Project ‘Much ado about nothing’

So, yeah… I just ripped off Shakespeare…. (btw… if you google that particular piece of work just know that the cinematic version with Emma Thompson has lots of butts in it.)

Once upon a time, there was a girl who was fearless. She didn’t shy away from ner a bully or a challenge. One day, she decided that she wanted to invent something out of nothing…. well not quite nothing. In fact, one might say it was quite a bit actually.

You see, her pantry overflowed. Her fridge was packed and her freezer was bursting. Determined not to throw out another head of lettuce or a furry steak she decided to take stock. ‘Surely,’ she said to herself, ‘out of such abundance she could feed her family on a budget for a month.’

Many questioned the wisdom of such an undertaking. Why would she do such a thing?

  1. to be creative with what is already right in her hands.
  2. to be less wasteful. (ie. a good steward)
  3. to challenge herself to grow through taking on something new.

P.S. does anyone have a good recipe for random, unidentified dried goods? (asking for a friend….)

picky_eaters.jpgpicky-eater-dog-1.jpg

 

Project Planted

I almost bit the dust again today. Bit the dust with baby in stroller in tow. Not good.

I was going to write about this the other day when my social butterfly Iris Bernard (not so saintlike) Campbell decided she wanted to say ‘hello’ to a neighborhood pekingese. That day, I was ready for it. I had a strategy and I had my feet firmly planted so that I could be the one to come out victorious.

Today, not so much. Iris won.

Planted. I want to believe with every ounce of my being that when I am planted (aka deeply rooted) I win.  Winner, winner, chicken dinner. ‘Nuff said.

Project bad words and bedonkadonk

Just like the people we hang out with have influence on us so do the things we choose to fill our minds with.

I am having a not so secret love affair with Zumba. The setting of the YouTube videos I follow is tropical and the music is Spanish Reggae.

Did I mention I don’t speak Spanish? The books we read, the shows we watch all impact who we are and how we think and engage in the world. I am going to continue in my bad words and body parts Zumba but I will think twice before I mindlessly binge on yet another Netflix show.

Enjoy one of my repartee.