Catching Up

Happy September!!

So this was one of the best live rides I've taken... on September 11th, Robin coached a ride where she talked about 9/11, NYC, honoring those who died by living fully, and finally announced she was pregnant with her first child!!  They've been trying for a while, so she was very emotional... and I was too as she announced it.  Her husband, Drew, came out to surprise her with flowers, and it was all fantastic and full of joy and hope on a day that was already emotionally charged with hard memories.

Chet Lee and Tater-Tot - the Wilson fam had me and the Fultons over for dinner last weekend!

Tate shared his fireman's hat with me. 🎔

Group pic!

A good reminder:

Yay for my new bumper sticker!

I've been taking the Personal Development School classes with Thais Gibson... I'm working toward secure attachment and keeping this list close to remind myself:

I arranged this veggie tray owl for Eric and Rosa's baby shower!

Sarah and I at the shower

And now one with Chet Lee

The Fulton and Heiskell fam!

And a quick slideshow from yesterday:

Blogger has updated to a new system, and while the new font choices are fun, there are still a lot of bugs and issues, so the following photos are in exactly reverse order from the way I selected them. 😞 So going backwards, here are some memories from August 27 to September 10, minus Labor Day weekend with Holly, which will be my next post.

My new XOXO hoodie... yay!!

FaceApp -- Me as Harley Quinn - creepy!

Some cute flowers I put out for the weekend Holly came to visit - Reasors had a 2 dozen for the price of 1 sale.

I did another full closet cleanout and gave lots of stuff to Goodwill this past week!

The Parrishes helped Mom and Dad paint the front side of their door... Mom and I did the inside while they were at SeaWorld last year.

I was excited to catch this mileage number! =)

Truth:

(Me being excited on the 777 day - not sure why it inserted the other pic in between. lol)

I miss Vegas and Mon Ami Gabi. lol

A lovely walk/jog to one of Robin's outdoor classes at the Gathering Place!

More encouraging truth:

We were practicing with Microsoft Teams, and it really zoomed in on my smile - this was Laura's computer screen. lol

It's been such a strange year.  I'm over the Bluejeans and video dockets, but I fear the attorneys are loving them and we may be in this for the long haul.  If so, I'm gonna need Creek County to step it up and provide better WiFi.

That's my photo-filled update #1.  One more catch-up post coming today.

Feeling Grateful

*This will be my last public post for 2020 - making the blog private on September 1st.  No promises, but I may start fresh or edit and bring this back online sometime next year.  If not, know that it's been a pleasure connecting with you here, and thank you for reading! ❤

  Today, I feel grateful for all that God has done, and all He is doing, and all that He will do!

 

More happy news today:  Cody's XOXO rides are coming back, and Peloton is selling these fun shirts - yes, I've already ordered mine! lol

I'm also thankful for Judge Woolery's kindness in writing everyone who works here a note of gratitude before he retires at the end of this month.  That's a classy and thoughtful move, and much appreciated!

This morning was a boot camp workout with Robin then Restorative Yoga with Dennis.  Yay, Peloton!  On Sunday, after a short Peloton jog where I saw all the neighbors out swimming, I went to my neighborhood pool for the first time this summer.  The water and just laying out is always so refreshing, and I MUST do that more often next year and get more out of my neighborhood dues! lol  *Also thankful that I found two cute new swimsuits at Avenue -- yay!!

Last week was also my first movie in over five months!!  I got an Icee to celebrate - yes, please!  The seats are limited and AMC is taking all kinds of precautions after being closed so long, so I appreciated that and felt safe, especially since I was on a row by myself.  The reclining seat in the theater is my happy place, even if the only movie I could get tickets for was Grease. lol  It's fun, but gracious, it's so inappropriate for what's supposed to be a high school musical. #summernights

Here's a meme that made me laugh out loud this week.  Everyone's over 2020.  I'm embracing the things that bring joy and give me a sense of normalcy and routine right now!  

* * * * * * *

In deeply tragic news, Glen Hickerson, the attorney I mentioned in the last post, passed away on Monday... thus far, this is the only COVID death of someone I know personally, and I'm struggling to process that news.  I sincerely hate that he was alone in ICU for almost the last month of his life.  It's not okay, and that suffering-and-loneliness combo is dramatically increasing this year.  Glen was always kind and one of very few attorneys who made a point to speak to me every time he was in our courtroom.  I'm thankful to have known him.  Laura wrote a lovely tribute for him HERE.  Praying for his family!!

In other prayer request news, please pray for my aunt, LaJo (who we call "JoBug")... I mentioned earlier that she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and sadly, it turned out to be an aggressive and rapidly growing form of cancer.  Babah had the same thing years ago.  JB is having surgery tomorrow and will likely have to undergo chemo and/or radiation after that.  And again, she may face many of those daunting appointments alone, thanks to the pandemic.  Anyway, prayers are appreciated!!

So despite an unusually boring work schedule, there's a lot going on lately -- in my life and the lives of people I love deeply -- including some things I'm not free to write about here.  I feel thankful for God's grace, and I feel very aware that I need to press in and stay close to Him!  I'm focusing my heart on worship this morning, and that's been really good.

I hope you are well, and I hope those you love are well.

"May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance." ~Jude 1:2

May you grow every day in the knowledge of God's love for you.

May that knowledge bring you great healing.

And through that healing, may you become all you were intended to be!

Moving Forward...

Hey, friends.  I hope your Friday is off to a good start!

Today marks the one-year anniversary of Grandad's death, so I'm remembering him and feeling thankful for our relationship and for the hope of heaven. ❤  Also thinking of Babah - we talked a bit this morning, and I'm grateful for that and for her resilient spirit.  Here are a few of my favorite pics with Grandad:

Sarah and I met for lunch on Wednesday and had a great 3+ hour chat covering family events, future vacations, attachment styles, redefining boundaries, and so much more.  I'm thankful for this connection, and always appreciate deeper conversations where I really feel seen and heard.

I got my Century Club free tshirt from Peloton on Monday -- huzzah!  =)

And starting this week, I've been pressing into a new routine with early morning workouts!  It's motivating having someone to workout with, even virtually... and by that I mean it gives me a more valid reason not to hit snooze, and it's an empowering way to start the day -- I've noticed I definitely feel better and look more put together (because I have more time to shower and get ready) when I get up and make myself do this!  I'm trying to switch it up more now that I've hit my 100 rides goal... I have done yoga, bootcamps, spin classes, and strength training, along with some outdoor walks and jogs around my neighborhood after work, trying to move up one milestone in each category on the app by the end of 2020 - yay, Peloton!  (*Also thankful for cute new workout clothes from Old Navy's recent sale. lol)

Another lovely side effect is that I've closed all 3 activity rings on the Apple Watch the past three days... it's much easier when your day starts at 7am and you workout for 40 minutes first thing! lol  Must adjust my night schedule so I can keep this going (and by that I literally mean turning Netlix off sooner).

In family news, my awesome niece and nephews started school yesterday.  It's been another difficult summer for them, and I'm praying they have a great first couple days back!!  ...And that CHA is able to stay open where they can have a more consistent schedule and social routine.  No one is sure what to expect this year.

This collage is from their "Meet the Teacher" day on Monday:

And Mom took these bright and cheery pics early yesterday morning.  (It's T-man's first year of Junior High, and he had football practice before school, which is why he's not in the pics taken at CHA.)

I'm four chapters into my second time reading Boundaries.  Both authors are Christian counselors and they write with clear, helpful logic and authority on this topic.  (Hi, Elizabeth!  Whenever it works for you to read this, we can chat more about it.  We're only a year behind on our original book study schedule. LOL)

I especially love the way this book defines what is and what is not your responsibility - I'm not always clear on that, and I want to grow there.  After struggling with building internal resentment over investing way too much time and energy in things that were never my responsibility, I am realizing I need to redefine and clarify certain lines, and to put more focus on growing and changing the one life I am fully accountable and responsible for right now, which is my own!

On a slightly related note, my tentative plan is to shut down this blog within the next month.  I know.  I've been pondering that for a while and praying about what's the healthiest thing for me moving forward here.  Writing will always be a good creative outlet, and I will continue to keep a record of the things that matter most.  My boundaries on what I'm willing to share here have been inconsistent and have understandably changed a lot throughout the past twelve years, as have my opinions and beliefs on any number of issues I once wrote passionately about.  Life changes us, and I'm at peace with myself right now.  I am a *much* healthier person than I was when I started this blog, and I want to feel free to keep changing and growing, not pressured to present a certain image, and not limited or held back or misunderstood based on old expressions that no longer fit who I am and what I want and what I stand for.  I have written several posts that offer solid encouragement and hope, but I know I have also unintentionally hurt people here sometimes, and I've made certain things public that should've been more sacred and private.  It's a tricky balance for me, but that problem will obviously be eliminated if it is all private.  The idea that anyone anywhere can log on and read all of this and see the pictures I post has always bothered me a bit.  I know my regular readers are few and in my closer circle, but there are enough views from other countries that it makes me cringe sometimes.  And those in my close circle can obviously connect with me in other places where we can have more balanced, two-sided conversations.  I have one friend and one family member that I connect with daily, and many wonderful others who know the big stuff and don't feel the need to know the daily details, which is perfectly normal.  Google Photos is its own time capsule at this point, plus I have my daily calendar journal, so I'm not worried about forgetting things.  Anyway, just wanted to alert those of you who are faithful readers.  Thank you for caring enough to check in here.  I believe this will be a healthy change all around and hopefully lead to more two-sided connections and more thoughtful future book writing as opposed to random ramblings!

I think that's all I've got for today.

Hope you have a fantastic weekend ahead!!

Tuesday News

Happy Tuesday, friends.

Since I'm holding on to valid hope that things will not always be like this and we will gradually establish a better normal, I thought I'd document my current work routine for future reference:  After a brief period of being "open" (far from our usual routine), our courthouse is now locked down again, kind of.  The public has to come in through the Dewey Street side entrance, and the sheriffs ask questions and let people in on a case by case basis.  Masks are a requirement.  I still come through the front parking lot door, but I have to use my employee badge since it's locked.  So I put on my lovely mask, grab the badge, observe and avoid the wasps, come in, then exchange the badge for office keys since our office door is also still locked.  Once I'm in my office, I don't have to wear a mask and things feel semi-normal.  Aside from the major changes to our dockets and cases... we're doing lots of hearings via Bluejeans video (switching soon to Microsoft Teams).  The building WiFi is weak lately, so I'm now having to move my machine into Laura's office and watch/listen on her computer when we do video hearings.  There have been a few technical glitches and volume issues, but overall, I prefer those virtual hearings to courtroom hearings lately - trying to take down every word spoken by attorneys and witnesses who are wearing masks and standing much further away from us than normal... yikes, the muffled voices are not my favorite!  

One of our kinder attorneys is in the hospital with COVID and has been in ICU since the end of July with various complications... prayers appreciated for Glen.  We also have more and more people missing court hearings because they're calling in with COVID or quarantine issues (saying they were exposed or are awaiting test results or have the virus, etc.) -- a legitimate worldwide problem, but obviously also a convenient excuse for some who don't want to be here.  The new Supreme Court ruling regarding Native American cases has significantly lowered our criminal docket.  The October jury term is very limited, so my office will not have to navigate any 2020 jury trials, and I'm grateful for that.  That would be a hot mess.  In much lighter news, the government has no money to spare on janitors, so we all take out our own trash and dust/clean our own offices now.  And I'm on course to make about 1/5th of what I usually do in transcripts this year, which is not at all surprising and not a big complaint for me.  All that being said, I am thankful to have a secure job and very grateful for my health and the extra downtime I've enjoyed during this crazy year!!

After binge-watching Schitt's Creek this summer, I so wanna be friends with David Rose!  He's simply the best. ;-)  Here's a 2020 timeline according to his moods/expressions.  I love that September = him giving up and moving to the Amish farm. lolol

Moira is also hilarious and always EXTRA.

 Their scenes together are usually my favorites, although the entire cast is pretty great!

In case that wasn't enough about my TV habits, I'm currently watching The Last Dance, the documentary on Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls 1997-1998 season.  I can feel you being surprised, but back in 7th grade, I actually cared about sports and cheered for the Bulls and I remember most of that championship team, so this has been fantastic to watch and learn more about them and all that was happening behind the scenes there!  (My main takeaway so far is that Jerry Krause was a small-minded, arrogant moron who allowed his pride to ruin something that could've been great for so many more years.)  

...Also, don't pull an Adidas!  When he was a rising young star, Michael strongly preferred their shoes and wanted to sign a deal with them, but Adidas said they really didn't have the time to design a shoe tailored for him.  So Nike stepped up and volunteered themselves, and the Air Jordan brand TOOK OFF... even I used to own a pair, back in the days when I wore Nike shirts and Bulls jerseys and baseball caps. lol  (And MJ has been crazy loyal to Nike too, to the point of purposely covering up the Reebok logo on his Olympic team tracksuit.)  Anyway, over 3 billion dollars in revenue later, I'm thinking Adidas might've been able to find a spare bit of time.  Wow!

Okay, back to real life events... I got my hair done this weekend and went red for the first time in a while.  Also got my new glasses - yay!!

This is my "your story isn't over yet" ring, reminding me that sometimes God has put a semicolon where we mistakenly thought He'd put a period. ❤

An encouraging verse that can apply to so many things in our lives... 

Perfect clarity will come later.  Trust is enough for now.

Some truth from an old quotables post that caught my attention:

Mmm, that's all I've got for today.  

"Warmest regards.  Have a bless-ed day!" ~David Rose ;-)