Friends

I am still recovering from the warm fuzzies left from a weekend spent with the best friends anyone could ever have.   Maybe recovering is not the right word, basking in the laughter, remembering the fun, but mostly just the feeling of being with a group of people and being totally accepted and loved.  So yeah, I'm a bit sappy today and actually more days than not lately, I blame age it is making me soft.  Or maybe it is finally finding a group of people I can be myself with.

We have all been through one hell of a year since the last January retreat that we have all attended.  It was time that was needed to let loose and bond.  All while working on a favorite hobby.  So this post is to friends, a value can never be placed on feeling at home with such a great group of women!  I feel so blessed and grateful to have found such a strong group of women to call my friends.

My favorite question of the weekend "What animal are you going to flounce as?"

Are you an athlete?

I pulled the following definition from the Merriam-Webster on-line dictionary.

Definition of ATHLETE

: a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina.

I have been called an athlete by random people in my life but I have never really thought about it.

This blog post by Katherine Tarbox really got me thinking .

I agree with Miss Tarbox.  Anyone can accomplish any athletic feat they want to, it is about desire and not making up excuses.  I ran a marathon and have completed a triathlon.  But yet still have not considered myself an athlete, but I believe I need to stop under-playing my activities.  

What are the reasons I personally work out?

• Keep weight off
• Stress Relief
• Stay healthy
• I genuinely enjoy it
• I like to help motivate others
• It's an accomplishment to finish a race or meet a goal
• Self satisfaction

Working out is a part of my life, I teach classes at the Y and the gym at my day job, so if I stop working out how can I motivate others or expect people to come to my classes?  I'm reminded during the times when I physically am not able to work out how much it is a part of who I am.  When my workout routine is messed up my demeanor changes.  But it is more than that.  I am an athlete.  I may not desire to be competitive with other athletes all the time, but I do participate in races, I make goals and do my best to achieve them.  By stepping out the door to run, bike, or swim regularly just might classify a person as an athlete.  What makes you feel like you are not an athlete?  What is your hurdle to getting out the door and taking the first steps to becoming an athlete, whether it is a weekend athlete, a YMCA athlete, or a stress-relieving fun-seeking athlete?  Do your body and your mind a favor and get moving.

Randomness

Just some hi-lights of things that have been happening.

I cleaned my cupboards so I would have some place to put supplies for...............

This:

I used my VISA giftcards from mom for these (which I love and wonder why I waited so long to purchase):

And I just had to get this:

PACKER SOCK YARN OF COURSE!!

And some cuteness: Gus "hiding" in the laundry basket

Seasons

Finally winter has hit Iowa for a few days at least.  We have snow and below freezing temperatures.  This winter has been mild and a fantastic surprise after the past few years where we have had snow fall after snow fall.  However, it hasn't felt right.  I love the change in seasons.  The cold and the snow get old after awhile but I live in Iowa and I expect it to come and as always it passes.

I guess this could be an example of life.  We go through seasons. It is a comfort to always know that everything will pass and there will be a new phase or season right behind to follow.  Life is unpredictable. Life is full of change, embrace it or get left behind.  A person can decide to grow with the changes, whether the change is expected or unexpected.  Or a person can allow the change to choke them out, it is a decision.

Kitties

Today's post is dedicated to the cats in my life.  I have one cat: Gus.  He is truly the best cat anyone could ever want.  He knows what no means and he stays off of the counters and tables.  He is a bit of a scardey cat in that he hates loud noises and little kids.  ( I think it is because little kids are loud and want to force him to play with his feathers).  He is the best snuggler and loves "the dude" as much (maybe more??) than I do.

Gus doing what he does best, snuggling and purring.

The dude has two cats, yes dos.  Ripley is sweet and about 15 years old, but oh-so-annoying.  He never stops meowing.  He will sometimes just sit and cuddle and stop meowing, but then there is the drool factor.  He is so sweet though it is hard to get too mad at him.  Dude inherited the cat from his long-time friends.  The other cat, Gabe, is a lap kitty but don't touch him too much or he will hiss and growl.  However, he will only move off of your lap if you make him.   It is rather confusing at times pet him or don't....it's a crap shoot for how he will respond.  I also call him moo-kitty as he is a rather large cat and looks like a Holstein.  I also gave Ripley and Gabe rapper names.  It is Rippy-D and Gabe-a-licious.  (Dude sometimes calls Gabe by his rapper name, it's really fun to say).  Gabe was given to the Dude by some students of his about 10 years ago or so, the students thought the Dude was lonely and needed a pet.  

Ripley taking a nap on the Dude's trumpet case.

Moo-cow Gabe a.k.a.Gabe-a-licious

So that's the pet story.  I will always be partial to Gus, he is my first baby and we have been through a lot together   He is 7 years old, which doesn't seem possible.  There is nothing like a pet greeting you home at  night or snuggling with you on the couch after a long day.  

Forgiveness

I kind of let myself get carried away in some drama this weekend and am regretting it like you would not believe.  So today's theme is Forgiveness.  Forgiving others can be healing and a growing point in one's life.  Forgiving oneself sometimes is even harder than forgiving another person.  I find that if someone asks me for forgiveness, I'm going to happily give it to them, but sometimes I fail.  And I have to figure out how to get back to the forgiveness cycle which means not only accepting an I'm sorry but also letting it go.  Sometimes it even means never getting an I'm sorry but in your heart offering forgiveness and living the forgiveness.  So I need to remember this and plan on coming back to this blog entry when I need to for a reminder.  I copied an article from the mayo clinic that I thought really outlined forgiveness and how it is a healthier option than holding a grudge or bitterness.  So, I will figure out how to ask for forgiveness to those I have wronged and hurt so that they can heal and so my heart can be filled with peace.  I have learned sometimes this means eating some crow so-to-speak.  It won't be the first time I have to nor the last, but hopefully these situations are few and far between.


I like this part: " By embracing forgiveness, you can also embrace peace, hope, gratitude and joy".


I also like the idea of becoming a more compassionate and understanding person, how can that be bad?  


http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/forgiveness/MH00131

Forgiveness: Letting go of grudges and bitterness

When someone you care about hurts you, you can hold on to anger, resentment and thoughts of revenge — or embrace forgiveness and move forward.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Nearly everyone has been hurt by the actions or words of another. Perhaps your mother criticized your parenting skills, your colleague sabotaged a project or your partner had an affair. These wounds can leave you with lasting feelings of anger, bitterness or even vengeance — but if you don't practice forgiveness, you might be the one who pays most dearly. By embracing forgiveness, you can also embrace peace, hope, gratitude and joy. Consider how forgiveness can lead you down the path of physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

What is forgiveness?

Generally, forgiveness is a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge. The act that hurt or offended you might always remain a part of your life, but forgiveness can lessen its grip on you and help you focus on other, positive parts of your life. Forgiveness can even lead to feelings of understanding, empathy and compassion for the one who hurt you.

Forgiveness doesn't mean that you deny the other person's responsibility for hurting you, and it doesn't minimize or justify the wrong. You can forgive the person without excusing the act. Forgiveness brings a kind of peace that helps you go on with life.

What are the benefits of forgiving someone?

Letting go of grudges and bitterness can make way for compassion, kindness and peace. Forgiveness can lead to:

• Healthier relationships
• Greater spiritual and psychological well-being
• Less anxiety, stress and hostility
• Lower blood pressure
• Fewer symptoms of depression
• Lower risk of alcohol and substance abuse

Why is it so easy to hold a grudge?

When you're hurt by someone you love and trust, you might become angry, sad or confused. If you dwell on hurtful events or situations, grudges filled with resentment, vengeance and hostility can take root. If you allow negative feelings to crowd out positive feelings, you might find yourself swallowed up by your own bitterness or sense of injustice.

What are the effects of holding a grudge?

If you're unforgiving, you might pay the price repeatedly by bringing anger and bitterness into every relationship and new experience. Your life might become so wrapped up in the wrong that you can't enjoy the present. You might become depressed or anxious. You might feel that your life lacks meaning or purpose, or that you're at odds with your spiritual beliefs. You might lose valuable and enriching connectedness with others.

How do I reach a state of forgiveness?

Forgiveness is a commitment to a process of change. To begin, you might:

• Consider the value of forgiveness and its importance in your life at a given time
• Reflect on the facts of the situation, how you've reacted, and how this combination has affected your life, health and well-being
• When you're ready, actively choose to forgive the person who's offended you
• Move away from your role as victim and release the control and power the offending person and situation have had in your life

As you let go of grudges, you'll no longer define your life by how you've been hurt. You might even find compassion and understanding.

Working from home

Last night I worked from home for about an hour or more after an amazing run outside in January with only running pants and two layers, a long sleeve shirt and a fleece, amazing!!

I was writing with my pen that my friends this girl and this girl picked up for me on NYE, best part of my night.  Okay not really the best part but a memorable part, the best part was starting the  year off with great friends and their husbands!

The pen is from my favorite pizza place.  Not only do they have the best pizza, it is also where Dan and I went to eat on the night we met.  We go there every year for our anniversary.  And now we have gone with some of my favorite people, good times all around!

Thankful to have such great friends and a wonderful boyfriend!