life is good

I was going to post about life being good. Then I realized that's not really what I want to say.

Life is good, don't get me wrong. Things are well. Family is well. Job is going good, I'm healthy, plantar fasciitis is almost completely gone, I can run again.

Life has its bumps but that just keeps me on my toes. Speaking of toes, Steve had the neuroma taken out of his left foot today, did the right one two years ago and it was time to fix this one. Dr. Truong told me the nerve was "a monster". Terribly inflamed, very large. Now we just have to get him recovered and keep him from going stir crazy for two weeks.

So, off the rabbit trail and back onto life is good...

That's not it. When I say life is good I'm saying good things are happening right now, I'm in a good place, I'm enjoying life. Which I am.

What I really want to say is I have a good life. A good life. Lots of people I get to love (and that love me). A job that provides for me and my family (and I like doing it and I'm kind of good at it). Lots of hobbies I get to pursue. Reading, running, working out, writing. None of them will ever be money makers or careers, they will always just be hobbies, but I get to pursue them. I occasionally throw in a craft or two, make a blanket or coasters or some random project.

I can afford to give. Not huge amounts, but I have enough money and time that I can donate some of both. (And the occasional requested dessert, oreo balls are being made for a teacher who has requested them several times from Whitney since October). I don't get to give as much as I would like, but there have been times when I didn't have excess of either so I'm quite pleased that I can.

I hope the same for you. That you can say you have a good life. That you have people to love, activities to enjoy and work to keep your hands busy and provide. Because I believe that you can provide for your family without working outside the home so for the stay at home mom, you are very important (and fortunate) in your labor of/for love.

Conversations with Whitney

Setting - church on Sunday morning after a lengthy discussion Saturday where Whitney tried to explain what a hipster is.

Me: (looking at the worship leader) is he a hipster?

Whitney: No, he's just a dude.

I have no words

A group at work started a biggest loser competition today. I have watched for the last week as everyone who planned to participate has binged on everything. One girl ate 6 donuts for breakfast and laughed. Today was weigh in and day one.

Three people skipped lunch.

I see huge results for them over the course of 6 weeks with no one sustaining the change.

my opinion

I'm getting good at keeping it to myself. I really don't like to argue. Don't much enjoy confrontation.

Nose piercings, belly piercings, eyebrow piercings? Strictly a personal decision. I have an opinion, and I'm free to voice it, at the risk of offending people about something that doesn't matter. It doesn't speak to character or morality.

Tattoos is the same thing. Now if your tattoos are offensive words or contain nudity, that's another story. We try to protect what our children see but then they see it tatted on your arm in Walmart that's offensive. But again, your body, your choice.

How you educate your children is also your choice. If you choose private school or home school for your children it doesn't mean you love them more or care more about their education than the public school parents. It just means you have different opinions (and more options) than other parents. I know good and bad about public, private and home school. You do what's best for you and your family and I will respect that. However, when your children screw up (and they will) please be prepared to take full responsibility for it, you can't even blame it on bad influences from school. (just kidding!)

I hear on a regular basis how bad running is for me and that I'm crazy or insane. Thanks for your opinion. I keep mine to myself, even when I have to do your job while you are at the doctor for chronic health problems because you don't take care of yourself.

There are so many other areas that get a lot of attention and debate that are more heated and serious.

Abortion.

Equal marriage.

The death penalty.

I just want to say that a difference of opinion is no cause for hate. It doesn't mean I don't like you, I'm uneducated, judgmental or hateful. It just means different.

I try to live this. Really do. Not always easy. In fact, it's hard to love everyone. It's hard not to be heated about things you believe when others disagree. But ultimately, I'm getting good at holding my tongue. Really good. It's been a lot of years in the making, but I have made progress. Not because I don't have something to say. Not because I'm scared I'm wrong. Not because I hate anyone. Just because if it's being used to tear down and not to build up, then I want to keep it in.

But....

there's always room for improvement.