LAST CALL!

And your final reminder!

I know this is post #2 for me today, but I had to come back and remind you that not only will tomorrow mark my 100th post, but it's the day of my drawing, too! You have only until 8:00 o'clock tomorrow evening (Eastern Time) to get your name in the hat. Winner will be announced on Thursday morning.

If you haven't yet entered, just click HERE and follow the directions. As soon as the winner has received the prize box, I'll be sure to post pics of what they won.

A wee BIT OF A STRUGGLE

I posted the other day about it being so much easier to count your blessings on a sunny day. Today I want to talk about counting your blessings during those times when you most need them to bolster your spirits.

For several weeks I've been struggling with a situation that has really had me down. I don't like being down.

There is absolutely no fun in it and no point to it. I always try to make a conscious decision to BE HAPPY. Life is too short to not make the most of every moment.

But sometimes that is more difficult than it should be.

You see, someone I thought was a friend ended up being not such a great friend. She has chosen to use her position (which puts her in contact with much of our community on a daily basis) to be sure that others know her opinion of me. She is twisting things said in past conversations to make it appear to others that I am something other than what I appear to be.

My first reaction was anger.

I was (and still am, to be honest) angry that she would say to others the things that are coming back to me through the grapevine; that she is trying to make it seem as though I am some deceitful and conniving person who is out to make myself look good whatever the cost; that she has the audacity to approach even my good friends in an attempt to turn them against me.

But what good is anger? NO GOOD AT ALL. By being angry, I'm giving her the power to control me.

Still...it's tough to let it go.

Then I added another reaction.

Hurt. When I mix anger and hurt, I end up with tears.

I avoid conflict and since I'm really the only one this situation is hurting, I refuse to become embroiled in it any further. I am simply avoiding her (and subsequently avoiding letting her see how upset this has made me) and hoping that others are able to see and know the truth because they know me. So far when friends have confronted me with what they've heard, it has been more of a 'heads-up' kind of situation. They just want me to know what's being said but they're not believing any of it. For this blessing, I am extremely grateful.

I will always care deeply what others think of me. Sometimes I wish I didn't, but then I'm afraid I wouldn't appreciate and enjoy as deeply all the wonderful blessings that fill my life, too. After all, as one of my favorite poems says:

God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

And that's okay. Without the valleys, the views from the peaks wouldn't be nearly so breathtaking!


So I'm going to count my blessings during my very busy day today. So much to do and so many things for which to be thankful!

This is Kelli...reporting for duty.

I am having blog withdrawal! Didn't had two minutes over the weekend to sit down with my laptop and check in here. And I don't have much more than two minutes right now, so this will just be a quickie.

We had Perri's first track meet on Saturday. Ever been to a track meet? Three words: ALL DAY EVENT

The Hubster had softball practice that evening, too. (He is Perri's coach.)

Tucker had baseball practice early Sunday afternoon, and then there was softball conditioning later. Plus I cooked dinner for everyone for after church. We ended up eating at different times and I really hate that. We have as many dinners as possible (especially on Sundays) sitting around the table TOGETHER.


Today has been busy, too. Took the kids to school and then went straight to see Kelli, my awesome stylist, and got new color and cut.

Doesn't it always feel good to get pampered just a little?

Now I'm prepping dinner ingredients so we can eat steak sandwiches on the run this evening. If there is no more rain, we'll be having softball practice after Perri gets out of track practice. And Tucker has baseball practice at the same time. Luckily the fields are next to each other in the same complex.

Last but not least, don't forget about my GIVEAWAY! I hope more of you will click on that word and leave a comment! Time to enter is running out...you only have until Wednesday!

Four Fabulous Facts on Friday

I'm needin' some fabulosity (yes, that's a word...my word) in my life today! So this is going to be a happy-go-lucky post about happy things, things that make you feel good, things that make me SMILE!

And I figure if I find some fabulosity that makes me smile, I ought to share it with you! So here goes.

1. Sunshine and blue skies and the promise of 70* on the ol' thermometer this afternoon!

(Mine aren't quite to this point yet, but they are peeking through the ground already!)
A definite treat for March. Hope you're having the same kind of weather wherever you are!

2. This is National Chocolate Week!

Woohoo!!! And specifically, today is Chocolate/Caramel Day. How's that for a great excuse to enjoy that luscious, decadent, creamy delight? Personally, I love dark chocolate with coconut, caramel, nuts, or just all by itself.

3. Spring officially arrives at 1:32 p.m. TOMORROW!!!

YAY!!!

4. My sweet grandson, Hayden. This last one is something that makes me smile every single day. He's sweet, smart, funny and lights up my life like the SUNSHINE!




Now HOW could you look at that face and not SMILE?

And don't forget about my GIVEAWAY! Be sure to get your name in the hat! I'm working on the prize basket right now and I think it will make you smile, too!