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Category: Wait2023

Thursday Tidbits

Well, we’re in that weird state between Christmas and New Year’s over here. Please, tell me how it’s already Thursday?

Only photo I took this week

Silly hibiscus bloomed inside earlier this week. Wish all my plants were so happy. Sadly, that is not the case.

Weather’s not been cooperative for getting out and going on much needed walks either. Did see the sun briefly today but the only walk I managed was to grab the recycle bin from the curb.

Taxing Times

Not so fun fact about our state. Property taxes are due by December 31. Merry Christmas! This year’s taxes were crazy high (thankfully, not out of hand for us but many others were not so fortunate, city is actually suing the county over the assessment practices that were apparently unlawful). As I paid today, I noticed they left one of our vehicles off the bill so we’ll owe more money. Husband went up to the local courthouse to try and fix things but the line was so long, they were full before his turn. Told him to come back tomorrow at 7AM (they open at 8) and said that the line today had gone all the way around the block. UGH. We can wait but then, we’ll have more penalties and all over someone else’s mistake. UGH.

Waiting For Word Inspiration

My word for 2023 was wait. And so I continue to wait for inspiration on a word for 2024. Wait worked well for the year mostly. Though as an impatient person in a few areas, I did struggle at times. I’ve spent the last few years waiting on stressful things/conflicts to resolve  (and I continue to wait on my stubborn self to accept that some things aren’t fixable nor are they mine to try and fix). The year of the pandemic and the following few have been stressful at times and this is the first year that felt like things were tilting back to a less hectic and worried pace.

Word candidates for 2024 that have popped into my mind the past few weeks: rest, slow, relax, reset, turn, green, nature, nurture…maybe breathe. Just saw recover on a random word generator. Hmmm… I’ll continue to ponder it through the weekend.

Not Much Love For A List of 23 Items

Um, I didn’t get very far with my 23 things for 2023 list. However, I don’t feel like I failed too much as I think I just had other priorities. And I’m okay with that, I can still do the things on the list as I move into 2024. Cleared a few bins from the basement, accomplished my tv and reading goals (always, ha!), and ordered the cases for the dvd storage. Also, I managed to talk to someone in Hobby Lobby about framing the photos and get a few questions answered. Thinking of taking a completely different approach to this list making stuff for next year.

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How’s your time between Christmas and the New Year going? Reflecting on any lists? Picked out a word for next year? Or are you just enjoying the quiet?

 

 

Waiting

 

Nothing is lost in the waiting process because waiting is a growth process. (Ann Voskamp)  

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. (Proverb) 

Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known. (Sharon Begley) 

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Day 49/365

Things I’m Waiting On Right Now

I revealed my word of the year, wait, yesterday. Today I thought I’ll just share a few things I’m waiting on in my life right now.

Simple Things: 

My Christmas cactus to finally bloom. Oh, it’s giving me more exercise in patience than I can stand.

The washer cycle to complete. I’m washing all my “hang to dry” delicate cycle sweaters and such this morning

The dryer cycle to finish. It’s air drying the new comforter I picked up for our bed using my Kohl’s cash.

Online church service to start. (Probably will start before I finish this post so I’ll be coming back to this).

My hair to dry. Didn’t feel like making much effort once I got out of the shower.

My order from Bath and Body Works to arrive. Going to be a bit as I just ordered yesterday using up coupons, one for a “free” birthday gift that expired today.

Slightly More Complicated Things: 

J’s school schedule to get straightened out and his last semester of high school to finally (Please, dear God) go smoothly. Suffice it to say it’s been a rough start. Perhaps I’ll share more about it later in the week. Proud of him for not giving up because I’m not proud to say I was ready to over the weekend.

My Mom’s Night Out on Thursday. Normally, this wouldn’t be considered slightly complicated. However, I need to discuss something with a friend. Saying No to a friend is always hard. And while I want to support any endeavors of my friends, of course, I cannot do so at a cost of my home mental health. Not right now.

Speaking of mental health, my turn in line to have a breakdown. Ha.

Happy Things/Events:

My Mom’s Night Out on Thursday. Haven’t seen these friends in what feels like a long time since I bowed out in December, not wanting to get anyone sick.

The next set of upcoming birthdays, holidays. However, I’m making sure to take space to breathe between them all.

Using my birthday/Christmas gift cards. I’m going to Target tonight so planning to look for a new game for a different friend group to play perhaps. Or maybe I’ll save them for a bit later in the year.

Stopping here so I can get on with my day. What are some things you are waiting on today?

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day 8/365

 

I Didn’t Want This Word

So, this word of the year for 2023 came to me as they often do during late December. And it made sense.

The thing is the word wasn’t what I wanted it to be. Not an exciting, shiny word. At all. 

And so defiantly I fought it. Gave myself another word. And I still like that word. Even though I know I’m not quite ready for it. My friend Rebecca from Rebecca’s Hearth and Home guessed it.

The word I wanted was SPARKLE. Inspired by the sparkly pink frosting on the champagne cake from New Year’s Eve. Even took photos for sharing as I talked about my new shiny word for 2023. Trying to force it to be the word for me

My favorite definition of Sparkle (taken from the Cambridge dictionary): to shine brightly with a lot of small points of light

However….

The other word continued to nudge at me. And speak louder. Even as I was fighting it, then thinking maybe I could just have two words for 2023, I knew. So many lessons I need. So many lessons I do not want. Yet, maybe I did learn something at least from the fastball speed of last year.

And this word has whispered to me again and again already in the first week of this new year.  My word for 2023 though I’m not overly fond of it yet even if it feels right is:

WAIT.

This word came to me when I was writing about how I missed and wanted space between the holidays again. And when I had a bit of an issue with J, and knew I just needed to give it time. It’s been whispered to me (from greater powers) during moments of impatience and frustration (especially the past 2 days).

And so, while it’s neither shiny nor exciting, my word for 2023 is wait. Interested to see where this word takes me as (at least at work but perhaps not so much at home?) I’m considered a pretty patient person.

Just wait, more thoughts on this word are coming.

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day 7/365: Blogged for the entire first week! 51 weeks to go!

 

 

 

 

 

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