The Friday List (nice things you’ve done for yourself this week)
Ah, the bounty of it all! Food, glorious food, a family I genuinely enjoy being around, lots of down time, time to read and catch up on some old Oprah episodes, gorgeous weather with sunny sky and crisp mornings–in short, just the kind of Thanksgiving weekend that feeds me body and soul. Very grateful for that.
Nice things I’ve done for myself this week? Read what I wanted to, ate what I wanted to, started going back to Bikram yoga (boy, did my body miss that), made sure I got plenty of sleep, took time to notice and enjoy all the wonderful aspects of my life. I’m happy there’s a specific day set aside to acknowledge the abundance we already have, but I really need to make a practice of noticing that every day. Sometimes all the good just slips right on by because it’s effortless and doesn’t need much attention. We save our strength for the big dramas. But I think I’d prefer giving more emphasis to the simple joys, like being able to get outside and walk my dogs (back to one dog from now on, by the way–our guest Lab is about to drive away with her owner this morning. Wah!). Joys like getting to work on Thanksgiving dinner with my mother, who is the World’s Greatest Cook. Joys like getting to hang out with my family last night, knowing there is never going to be any weirdness, no vendettas, no drunken brawls or pent-up anger, nothing but easy companionship with people who all actually enjoy each other’s company. Sweet.
I’m sure you all have some things to say, so I’m going to yield the floor. What’s up in the self-kindness department for you guys?
Technorati Tags: The Friday List, Self-Care, Self-Pampering, Self-Kindness
November 23rd, 2007 at 3:10 pm
I’m wearing fleece.
Fleece makes me happy.
November 23rd, 2007 at 3:56 pm
I’m with you, Heather. Fleece makes me so happy! Is that weird of us? Who cares!
November 23rd, 2007 at 8:03 pm
When I came home tonight, my phone didn’t work. Nor did my Internet. Nor did my garage door.
Instead of freaking out, I sat in the living room and worked on a puzzle. That was nice, and the phone and Internet healed themselves. Not so much with the garage door. I’ll have to worry about that tomorrow. (Read: My father-in-law will worry about it tomorrow when he comes over and takes a look at it. As if I have any idea how that thing works.)
November 24th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Boy, did I buy myself some jacket that was WAY too nice and too pricey. I fell in love with it a month ago at the Outlet mall, and was back there doing some Christmas shopping and happened in that store - knowing it couldn’t be there - but it was.
It’s also a little bit small, so I’ll have to leave it open over a black T-shirt, which will look stunning, or lose weight to fit in it, which would also look stunning. I also may just hang it on the wall because it’s so lovely.
The other nice thing I did was NOT go out in the early morning hours to collect bargains. Sometimes I enjoy it, but this time I needed the sleep more. Much more.
November 24th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
You said it, Robin. This week was all about being with my family–both immediate and extended. It was a week full of fall leaves, heavy comfort food, laughter, snuggles with my hubby and daughters, the blessing of a bit of rain on our parched ground, my baby’s milestone of crawling, and general holiday goodness.
Specifically for me, I went with my sister today (a day late for the Friday list) to see the movie Enchanted with Amy Adams (who was ADORABLE in this role) and (sigh, sigh, sigh) Patrick Dempsey. As one who spent my high school and college years relishing each new animated Disney feature, I thoroughly enjoyed the company’s ability to poke fun at its own product while still sticking with its message of the importance of striving for “happily ever after.” Go see it! You will laugh at the comedy and swoon at the romance, particularly when it involves that beautiful princess and McDreamy.
November 25th, 2007 at 8:40 am
My kids have been asking to see Enchanted, and while I’ve been tempted because of McDreamy, I didn’t want the kids to fall victim to the Disney Cinderella myth. Good to hear it is actually good.
I’ve been really selfish with my time this past week–Anti-Social was my first name. But it saying no felt really good this week. I’m sure I’ll make up with a bunch of guilt, but for now, it was pretty darn good.
Spent time with family and laughed at some great stories.
Glad you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
November 25th, 2007 at 9:15 am
I went to see Enchanted last night with my BFF and family. I was all ready to hate it, you know, because I’m too cool, but I agree with Kelley. It was super-fun. I laughed and smiled a lot. (Just to reassure myself I was still cool when I was done, though, I came home and watched several eps. of Arrested Development, which also made me laugh and smile a lot, in a completely different way.)
November 25th, 2007 at 10:03 am
That’s hilarious, Adrienne! Arrested Development is a great show. I only caught a few episodes because I had NO time for TV when it was airing, but I hope to see it on DVD soon. That’s better anyway–no commercials and you can watch as many in a row as you like. I’m doing that with The Office right now and having a blast.
As much as I’ve loved Disney’s animated features, I’ve not been a fan of this big “princess” push. I have two girls, and my 3-year-old is a Mickey Mouse fan who loves blocks, dirt, and art more than baby dolls and frilly clothes. I want to keep her that way. (: Being in the real world after dreaming of a “happily-ever-after” marriage for so many years has been sobering for me; not because my husband and I are headed for divorce or anything, but because of the HARD WORK it is to be married and stay connected, even with all the joys. This movie didn’t ignore the real world–in fact, it collided silly romantic fantasy head-on with real, nitty-gritty life. But it also offered the message that “happily ever after” isn’t so bad or so unreachable, even if it does require a bit more work than the fairy tales communicate. There’s certainly a great, big, happy ending to this film, but it wouldn’t have been right any other way. I guess this is all fodder for a separate post, but since Robin’s doing so well taking her break, I decided to write it here. Maybe I’ll blog about it myself over at Queen Kelley sometime this week.
November 25th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
Glad you had a good thanksgiving Robin! Worked on my book! almost done with first chapter!!!
November 25th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Thanks for all your happy talk, y’all. Vivian, stick with anti-social now and then. I’m all for that. We need our doses of solitude or some of us (me for sure, and it sounds like you, too) will explode with crankiness and put-uponness, and then no one is happy, right? Let us go off to the cave and establish equilibrium, then come out when we’re ready. All will be well.
Adrienne, love that you did a puzzle. Puzzle-making is such a lost art, and SO relaxing–it’s one of my true pleasures when I get together with my sister-in-law for combined family vacations. The pleasure of seeing the picture come together, the obsessive need to keep working on it–good times. Sorry about all your electricity problems, but sounds like you were all Zen about it, so no worries.
Kelley, thanks for the movie review (Adrienne, too). McDreamy rules. Say no more. And yes, Amy Adams is such a great actress (did you see Junebug?), so I’m sure it’s worth my time and bucks. And I hear ya on the marriage thing. My friend and I were just talking today about how people don’t realize you’d better like your husband before you marry him, because there are so many surprises in store as families and other elements from the outside world collide. No point in ever looking at your spouse as a fixer-upper. You’d better like what you’re getting right now. (And happily, I did and still do.)
Dylan, you’re working on your book? YAY!!!! Love to hear it! Keep going!
Mother Reader, you deserve a hot-looking jacket. That and a black t-shirt–yeah. Good for you. We all need to have at least one outfit that makes us feel pretty/cool/perfectly us.
November 26th, 2007 at 12:26 am
I’m a big fan of “happily ever after” in fairy tales. When I read a book or watch a movie, I want escapism! There’s plenty of “real life” to go around… in real life. However, I can’t really talk, as my life is pretty cushy.;)
November 26th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Yes I am it’s going pretty good!
Ok I will! thanks! *hugs*
November 28th, 2007 at 7:18 am
I spent time with my mother, who visited for Thanksgiving.
I had a day off.
I am always thankful for what I have and for those who support me.
I enjoyed my time on stage and backstage.