Here We Go! Holiday Survival Guide 2017

I may do this every year. This list is a work in progress. Time is short (isn't everyone's?) and we have a lot of stuff to do. I have my own thoughts and a very limited amount of time to research, so this is it for this year. There's no shortage of information online though. There are holiday survival guides for every aspect of life, so if there's something specific you're looking for (one dish meals, pet safety, beauty, house cleaning, etc.) you can do a search. As for this list, I've just taken some time out to remind myself about the things that might be helpful as I try to improve this holiday game a little bit each time around.

Started this blog in the store parking lot. Let the shopping begin!

1. Breathe.

Seems simple enough, but I slept in today. I had to. I didn't make it to the gym. I didn't get everything done that I wanted to. I'm not going to feel guilty about that. I needed sleep - end of story. I'm going to approach the season with that mindset. Everything will not get done. That's ok.

2. Get a game plan.

This is no time to wander about aimlessly. I need a list of things to do in order to make the most efficient use of time.

3. Be prepared to abandon the plan.

Life happens. Expect the unexpected and go with the flow. Precious moments can pass us by if we're not prepared to stop and take it all in. Zach said "baby" today. If I was too wrapped up in a plan of accomplishment and not paying attention, I might have missed it. It might not have happened at all if we hadn't taken the opportunity to FaceTime with Mimi (who taught him to say it).

Gotta take a break. He wants me to read him a book.

4. Remain guilt free.

I am going to miss some stuff. I can't be everywhere at all times. There's no room for second guessing and feeling bad about anything. Make a decision and stick with it - or don't - but either way DO NOT FEEL GUILTY ABOUT IT. Nobody and nothing is perfect. Enjoy the ride.

5. Be kind.

This seems obvious but today in the store parking lot, a man stopped me as I was driving past. He indicated to me that he was about to pull away and I could take his spot. How nice was that!!! Kindness goes a long way. Let's be a part of the holiday joy and spread the love by being kind to each other. We're all in the same boat here. Let's smile.

6. It doesn't have to be expensive.

One of my favorite go-to stories about this is a childhood memory. An Aunt and Uncle had to "talk" to me. It sounded serious. They explained that money was tight that year and they couldn't afford to get me much. "This is all we could get you..." They proceeded to hand me a plastic cup filled with chocolates. I remember thinking, "WHAT ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT? THIS IS THE BEST GIFT EVER!" I never forgot that. People on your list appreciate you thinking of them. The gift doesn't have to be extravagant.

7. Wear a cross body bag.

This is no time to fool around. Everything has to be hands free. C'mon, get serious. Being preoccupied with looking cute will not do. (Wearing heels is OUT OF THE QUESTION. I just don't understand that at all.) That being said, put on a little lip gloss. I feel more confident and am more likely to make friendly connections with people when I feel at least a little bit put together. But can we NOT wear pajamas to the mall please? I mean, let's not get carried away. Strike a balance.

8. Drink water.

Hydration is a must - it ranks right up there with eating and getting enough sleep. This is a marathon. Start drinking enough water. As an added benefit, it may make you feel less hungry and less likely to pig out on unhealthy, desperate snack-age. Also, we'll need to drink plenty of water with any headache medication we may need to take - lol. Seriously though, it doesn't matter if we need to take extra time to find a restroom. Just do it. Drink the water.

9. Don't over-complicate anything. 

I'm always trying to do something extra and add on other tasks. Do something, then check it off the list. Done. Keep it moving and steady as she goes.

10. Enjoy the ride. 

I know I already said it, but it's an important one. Laugh at any and every chance. Spread the smiles. 'Tis the season - enjoy. If I feel the stress coming on and things get frantic... I'll try to let it go. Let's just be happy. Amen.

The grocery store check out clerk seemed tired and on auto-pilot. When Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer came on, I exclaimed, "Rudolph! Here we go!" as I loaded my items onto the conveyor belt. He smiled and continued smiling until I was rolling away and the lady behind me stepped up to the pin pad.

OK. That's all I got. The kid just fell asleep. That means I have to also. xo

Namaste,
T

Love Deeper

Dave is gone. I had no idea. I last saw him at the beginning of September. He was at the front desk of the gym, gently teasing me about my workout as I was leaving for the day.

“Are you OK?” he laughed.

“No!” was my reply. “My legs feel like gummy worms!”

As director of training, he had set me up with my personal training sessions the previous week. He had also set me up with trainers years ago when I first joined that gym, but I had taken a break upon doctor’s orders during pregnancy. We both laughed and said quick goodbyes as I walked out the door. No one knew then that he had less than a week left to live. I didn’t know until this past week.

I had gone out of town shortly after that exchange and missed his passing and all the announcements. I had noticed his absence at the gym lately, but thought he must be working evening hours, or maybe on vacation. I finally asked about him on Saturday.

"Where's Dave? I haven't seen him in a while." 

The poor kid at the front desk hesitated awkwardly for a moment before telling me that he had died. It happened a couple of months ago. WHAT??? His obituary said it was an apparent heart attack. Anyone would tell you that Dave appeared to be in excellent physical condition. He was always giving new clients fitness assessments and was passionate about health and well-being as a lifestyle.

I stood there in disbelief for a few moments and stammered out a few questions before apologizing for the fog I was in, trying to process the information. I had just finished my workout and needed to stretch. Eventually, I drifted back to the personal training area and found a mat. With watery eyes I talked to Dave in my mind as I stretched. (How could I not have known? I was so sorry to have missed him...) I felt as if I could hear his voice speaking back to me as plain as day - as he always had. He was a source of lively charm at the gym. He would always smile and greet you enthusiastically, making you feel like family. Sometimes we would chat and philosophize. I had told him all about the baby and how physical therapy was going. He told me about the excellent results he was having with massage therapy for his shoulder and gave me the therapist's name and number. We spoke about the amazing mind/body connection and I noticed the book he was reading (An Interview with God, Woodrow Kroll). He inspired a lot of people there and they would all miss him.

I just couldn't believe he was gone. It felt as if he was standing right there, agreeing with me. He seemed his usual, smiling self in my mind's eye and he impressed upon me the significance of cherishing every moment. Of course he wouldn't want me to think of him and be sad. I envisioned him speaking very matter-of-factly, saying "This is how life is." It's just amazing how you can be here one moment - and be in Spirit the next. I kept talking to him periodically throughout the day. He's like "Angel Dave" to me now. It's going to take some getting used to.

I don't need condolences. I'm sure his family and those closest to him are feeling a sense of loss I can scarcely imagine. His absence has me contemplating how short our time here is though. It's made me want to talk to loved ones. He is inspiring me to have conversations and make visits that I've been putting off because I'm "too busy." Most of all... I want to pay more attention to those whose presence I take for granted. I want to live more fully and fearlessly. I'll prioritize the things that are important. I'll appreciate people around me. (There are so many beautiful people whom I adore... ) I will Love deeper. I will forgive quicker. I'll smile and laugh every chance I get. I will put my energy there - in that place of Joy and Love.

Time is valuable. I will spend it wisely.

Love you all.

Namaste,

T

Faith Steps In...

The whole family is sleeping. I don't have long... I am living in a Calgon commercial and just want to know when the relaxing bath part is going to come. I've been racing around trying to do everything and started this blog with the working title "No Idea."

These two...

The little one is teething. The big one is recovering from hernia surgery. Teething: we are getting through it. Surgery: Russ is doing well and on the mend.

Then there's THESE two...

Both want to go outside and act hungry despite the fact that they just ate and went out.

Also this week was a house window replacement. (Baby crying, dogs barking, table saws tripping electrical circuits, guy knocking at front door wanting me to come out and take a look, meatballs in the oven, sauce and chicken on the stove, out of baby ointment but don't realize it yet...)

The old window was in rough shape. It was broken and stuck in an open position. The previous occupants had caulked panes of glass up around it to keep cold air out - making it impossible to even access the window itself. There it sat, hidden by a curtain and effectively boarded up and forgotten about.

That was enough of that. Guys had to come with suction devices to remove the glass panes without breaking them and a bright, shiny new window came into place. You can see out! It opens, closes and functions to keep cold air out all on its own! It's brand new and sturdy and clean. I also had California Closets come and design some organizational space. I am reclaiming parts of the house - and my life - piece by piece. Maybe sometime soon I can actually wear two of the same color socks and remember to grab my wallet BEFORE I get into the checkout line at CVS! #momlife

I struggled to tie everything together and get this blog written until an illuminating conversation with a friend. (WHEN DID I HAVE TIME FOR AN ILLUMINATING CONVERSATION????) We spoke briefly about faith. When you've done all you can do, you have to just trust that all is as it should be.

Things get crazy. This is life - as it is meant to be. Enjoy the ride. It's kind of like the new window. We get all clouded up and stuck. We seal ourselves off from all the endless possibilities trying to do things our own way instead of just trusting that the Universe (or God, or Divine Order) has it all under control. After you've done all you can do, there's nothing left to do but trust.

A little Faith... that must be the bath part.

Namaste,
T

Dear God,

Tears. People in church. Children. Children in church.

I went to 5:00 PM mass on Sunday with Russ and Zach. It's been a while since we've all gone together. I can not imagine. I can not.

Click here for: "Texas Church Shooting..." on NBC News.com

Yet the world keeps turning. Time keeps ticking by. Stores are busy getting their Christmas aisles in order and people are busy shopping, watching football games and carrying on with the daily routine of life. Yet for some, there is immeasurable heartache and loss. For some, time stands still and numbness takes hold. For some, life will NEVER be the same.

We left church, stopped at the store, went home, fed Zach and got him ready for bed. The shooting was not mentioned in the service we attended. I'm not sure the priest was even aware of it. It wasn't until we were back at home that I was able to look it up.

I saw Marianne Williamson's (world renowned spiritual author and teacher) Instagram post: "Dear God, please help us. Amen" It includes a picture of the shooter (also from her hometown of Houston, TX) with text saying that he is not a Muslim or with Isis and that THIS (he) is what a terrorist looks like. MARIANNE WILLIAMSON - a woman who guides millions of people through concepts in A Course in Miracles - is pointing out what terrorists look like and praying for help for us all on her IG account.

With tears swelling up, I thought about how to fight "hatred." I know it's with Love. I know it's with kindness and compassion. I know the "battle" that occurs within ourselves and manifests in the world between fear and Love. I know people will argue and politicians will fan flames, stirring passionate thoughts in millions of people, dividing some and uniting others in common cause. I know many will search for answers and sometimes answers will not be found. Some will believe fiercely and cling to their faith. Others might give up on it.

I checked in online to see what friends were talking about and found something positively delightful in the midst of all this horror. I smiled. Then I laughed. It was pure, genuine. Then I looked up the lyrics. THIS is how you fight hatred - with joy of heart. This sweet little girl is bringing the Light!

Dear God,
Help us all. Let us be guided by Love. Grant us wisdom and understanding in our thoughts, kindness in our deeds, and childlike wonder and joy in our hearts. Be with those in pain. When we hurt, hold us tenderly and touch our souls with the Warmth of Your Love and Divine Comfort. Heal us. Open our hearts and minds to learn, that you may teach us softly. Amen.

Thoughts and continued prayers for families affected by this unfathomable tragedy.

Namaste,
T

"Then he said: I promise you this. 

If you don't change and become like this child, 

you will never get into the kingdom of heaven."

- Matthew 18:3

"My friends, stop thinking like children. 
Think like mature people and be as innocent as tiny babies."
- 1 Corinthians 14:20

Zach Williams, Old Church Choir, with lyrics:

Zach Williams, Old Church Choir, Official Music Video:

Click here for "Why the video of this 6-year-old... went viral" on Today.com