F.I.G. Collective - Week Four

Elisabeth challenged us all to find gratitude in February, so she created the Finding Joy in Gratitude Collective. Here are my FIGs for last week.

Sunday, February 24
Book club tonight at my house! Hannah was really good. We were a bit worried about so many people in the house, but one is a neighbor she knows really well and one is her vet, so she was pretty chill. We just kept giving her sweet potatoes and then she laid down and just watched us. We've been working really hard on getting her better with people in the house and I THINK IT'S WORKING. Hopefully I didn't just jinx it. 

Monday, February 25

I had Blanche the Puppy for an hour today at work. No complaints over here.

Tuesday, February 25

Snail mail alert! Allison sent me an adorable card with a fox on it and a glamour shot of Lucy the Dog. 

Wednesday, February 26

My husband was working late tonight, so I brought all my yoga props downstairs and treated myself to a long restorative yin practice using Hannah as my bolster. Just kidding. I don't actually lean on her or anything, but she LOVES it when I do yoga downstairs because that's prime cuddle time. She was touching me during every pose. Bless her little dog heart. 

Thursday, February 27
I went to a new-to-me Zumba class with some friends. It was so much fun. At one point, I had no idea what was happening - everyone else seemed to be able to just do the footwork - and I just stood there laughing like a crazy person. Good times. 

Ignore how my makeup is literally running down my face.

Friday, February 28
I am finishing up The Blue Castle and so much is happening that I did not expect! Crazy! I am having so much fun with CBBC and I am grateful for everyone who is reading along and participating. 

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And that's a wrap on FIG February. What's your FIG of the day?

F.I.G. Collective: Week Three

Elisabeth challenged us all to find gratitude in February, so she created the Finding Joy in Gratitude Collective. Here are my FIGs for last week.

Sunday, February 17
Today was so much fun. My husband, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew, and I had a day out in Milwaukee. We went to a smash room and then to a UW-Milwaukee basketball game. Along the way we had delicious food, including something called a bubble waffle cone, which was amazing and now I think I might need a bubble waffle maker in my life. Anyway, it was amazing. I am so grateful that they came to visit and I'm grateful we had all these fun opportunities.

I'd like everyone to note that yes, I am wearing a scarf. 

Monday, February 17

We went to the grocery store today after work. I'm so grateful we can afford healthy food. Also, we bought TWO DOZEN eggs, which made me feel sort of rich. 

Tuesday, February 18

I got to vote today. In this time when voting rights are in peril in this country, it was truly exciting to go into the polling place and have nothing but an absolutely, 100% drama free voting experience. (It was a primary for state school board superintendent. That was the only race on the ballot. I was voter #131 at about 10:30 in the morning.)

Wednesday, February 19

Zelda has been so cuddly in the last few days. It has been bitter cold here and I think she's just cold. But I don't mind her winding between my legs when I'm cooking and hopping on my lap every time I sit down. 

Thursday, February 20

We threw out the last of the radioactive litter! There is no store of used litter in our garage. EXCITING!

Friday, February 21

Just look at this dog! Caught mid-lick! And the sunrise! What a day to be alive. 

Saturday, February 23

Look! A postcard from J in the mail!

Bonus FIG: We're at Costco and the people in front of us our unloading their cart onto the belt. You're supposed to leave heavy items in the cart. They left some heavy stuff and a big tub of croissants. I joked "that must be some heavy bread" and Dr. BB, without a second's hesitation said "they must be filled." I laughed so hard. I don't know why that tickled me so much, but I was doubled over with laughter. 

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What's a little something that made you happy today?

F.I.G. Collective: Week Two

Elisabeth challenged us all to find gratitude in February, so she created the Finding Joy in Gratitude Collective. Here are my FIGs for last week.

Sunday, February 9
Hannah and I did an entire loop around our neighborhood park. It's kind of a spooky setting, with lots of trees and hidden sightlines and she has historically been scared of it. She's been working on being brave and because today was a bright, sunny day, I think she was game to try. 

Monday, February 10
Puppy Blanche came to school today!

Tuesday, February 11

I am so lucky that I get to this super fun fitness class at the community center every week. 

Wednesday, February 12

Snowing, snowing, snowing! That's fun in and of itself, but I went into work for a couple of hours and then came back home. My husband kept refilling my mug of tea. If that's not a real perk of working from home, I don't know what is.

Thursday, February 13

When I took this photo, it was 12 degrees outside, but Hannah and I were walking because that's what we do. Thank goodness for all the modern technology that allows me to be semi-comfortable on these walks - my boots, my coat, my heated vest, and, of course, my beloved handwarmers. 

Friday, February 14

So many fun things for Valentine's Day, including a special Valentine from Jenny! My brother- and sister-in-law and nephew came to visit us. It was snowing LIKE CRAZY on their drive here, but we had a lovely dinner when they got here.

Saturday, February 15

We had to dig out this morning and it was fun hanging out in the snow. My brother-in-law and his family are still here and we went bowling AND to a golf simulator. It was so much fun!

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What your fig today?

F.I.G. Collective: Week One

Elisabeth challenged us all to find gratitude in February, so she created the Finding Joy in Gratitude Collective. Here are my FIGs for last week. (I'm going to be honest. Things were tough this week and looking for something good each day was sometimes a challenge. I feel great that I met the challenge, though.)

Sunday, February 2
It was a winter wonderland when Hannah and I went out for our morning walk. It got into the 40s throughout the day, so it all melted by lunchtime, but what a joyful morning stroll for the two of us.

Monday, February 3

Zelda!! She's playing with her brown ball again. Woot woot!

Tuesday, February 4

I have a few LED candles scattered about the main floor that automatically light from 5-10pm. When the Christmas tree was up, I hadn't noticed that the batteries were dying. We recently put new batteries in them and they add a lovely atmosphere to the house. 

Wednesday, February 6

Bestest Friend sent me a Valentine's Day package!! It was a fun surprise waiting for me in the mailbox when I got home. 

Thursday, February 6

Woke up to the driveway and sidewalks coated in ice. The dog didn't get a walk, but just a trot around the grass in the backyard and I got to work from home in the morning! Woot!! Cascading effects of working from home: I got more tea because my husband kept making me teafills and I had nachos for lunch because I was home to use the oven.

Friday, February 7

I went in to work late today because I had to drive to Madison to get an oil change in the new car (friends, I think I have to stop calling it the "new" car - it's five years old). My special treat for doing stupid, boring, car-related things? You guessed it. 

Saturday, February 8

You guys! I met a puppy. Her name is Blanche. She's three pounds (about three months old) and is maaaybe the cutest, smooshiest little landshark I've ever met. Huge thumbs up. 

Her person lost her dog Rhoda about a month ago and Blanche is doing her best to fill Rhoda's shoes. 

I brought over a dozen chocolate chip cookies (for the human), some toys, a collar light, and a toothbrush for Blanche, and stayed for a half hour playing with the dog and telling her how vicious she is. What an afternoon. 

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What's making you happy today?

F.I.G. Collective, Week 0

Elisabeth challenged us all to find gratitude in February, so she created the Finding Joy in Gratitude Collective. I decided to start a week early, so here are my FIGs for last week.

Monday, January 27
Hannah had a bath yesterday and her fur is so soft and she smells so good.

Tuesday, January 28

I was on an award committee and one of my very well-deserving colleagues is winning the award. I'm so proud of her, but it's also kind of hard because I can't tell her yet!

Wednesday, January 29

Just look at this sunrise!! LOOK AT IT. One, it's beautiful. Two, and more importantly, it means the sun is rising on our morning walk. The days ARE getting longer. Winter will not be forever.

Thursday, January 30

There is a flag pole between buildings where I work. The American flag has been in tatters for weeks. It wasn't at half-staff during most of winterim (it should have been because of the death of Jimmy Carter) and I spent more time than I care to admit trying to figure out who to call to get the flag situation fixed. It was so disrespectful and I am enough of a lady concerned with flag etiquette to be sort of obnoxious about the whole thing. ANYWAY. The flag has been replaced.  

Friday, January 31

My husband won a teaching award at work. Yay! Lots of celebration in our house today. 

Saturday, February 1

There was a wellness day at the community center and I went to a 15-minute stretch class, a 25-minute Werq (dance) class, and a 25-minute yoga class. For free. It was truly delightful and I had fun hanging out with some of my fitness class friends.

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What is something you're grateful for today?