Thursday, December 15, 2016

Advent: Joy


I skipped right over peace, didn't I? We had some good, but not surprising conversations about peace last week. But, I was tired. That's all I wanted. Extra sleep.

Now, we've moved onto Joy before the big fella: Love. So, here are some things that bring me joy:

Sophia
Erick
my new hat (see picture)
getting a paycheck
friendship
wine
fireplaces
boxing
laughing
telling a story
hearing a story
dogs
horses
ice (for beverages, not on roadways)
snow (everywhere)
movies
fluffy blankets
family
hot cocoa
guacamole
snuggling
the smell of baking


Just to name a few. Joy to the world!


Friday, December 2, 2016

Work

Going back to work has been a big adjustment for all of us. The changes for Erick and Sophia have been more subtle because I'm still at school drop off and pick up every day. However, I'm not able to do all the housework and errands that I normally do throughout the week.

The biggest changes have been felt my Leo and me. Poor little Leo has to stay in his crate from 8:30 to 3:00 every day. Two reasons. The first is that Gabriella hates him, and we worry that either the cat or the dog would wind up hurt at the end of some long day. Second is that even if I close Gabriella in her own room, Leo is anxious the entire I'm gone if he's not in his crate. He stays on the same patch of couch watching the door, but I know in his crate at least he calms down.

It's been a bigger adjustment than I thought it would be for myself. I'm just working during the hours that Sophia's in school, but the shift it has made in my mentality is pretty significant. In some ways, I'm more efficient during the time I have at home, and in other ways, I seem to be a bit adrift. I haven't found the patterns that will make this all work together. The really good thing is that I'll probably get to adjust back down at least somewhat. A person is being hired to take on quite a bit of the job I'm doing at the moment, so that will be a relief. I just have to push through till then.

Regardless, it's the holiday season, and I'm focusing on hope.