Welcome to Jen's Pond

Happy New Year!  How many times have you heard this so far this month?  I think one thing this time of year and that phrase causes me to do is think about what will it take to have a happy year?  Many times I think we see the new year as a new chance to start something, learn something, etc. Look at gym memberships - they will increase in January as people start getting fit. Why do we choose to put it off and wait until another year? Why not the next month..or next week? Or better yet, the next day? If it's something you want to do or want to achieve, just start.  ...this is all sounding good to me, but yet this year... well, about halfway through the year, something changed. I don't know what - haven't figured that out. Something changed and the momentum I had gained in working out consistently and starting to plan and cook more at home hit a huge wall... a wall I am having trouble getting over. Every day my intention is to do better, but then I find myself disappoi...

More joy...  It's almost football time for the RAIDERSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!  ⚑ The Raiders first preseason game starts soon, vs the San Francisco 49ers. I'm excited for the season, as I am every year, filled with hope, anticipation, excitement, and nerves. Lots of nerves. We start the year after a disappointing season last year. The Raiders have a new quarterback, having traded their starter for many years to the Saints. I'm not sure they traded for a better quarterback, but I don't think any worse. Their big time running back hasn't signed yet so is missing in action. We have some key defensive players back, but also new folks. I've been a Raider since ... I really don't know. It's been a while though. I always say since I was a little girl. I remember being at a friend's house and "some" football game was on. I don't remember who they were playing, but I do remember the Raiders never quit, coming back to win the game. I proclaimed th...

Finding My Joy I've realized I need to focus more on joy. Not just doing things that bring me joy, but realizing everything that brings me joy. There's a lot that brings joy to me, but I'm not sure I see it all the time. A quick list of things that bring me joy as I sit here: my family, sitting in my house, watching soccer, writing, even paying bills (sounds weird, but I am happy I have the ability to buy what I want and need)... Today's world can be overwhelming. News of bad things happening around the world can make me feel anxious, sad, angry, drained, upset... all the feelings. Thereare a lot of good things happening, too. I don't have a lot to say in this addition, except that I hope my writing encourages any reader to start recognizing all the joys in their life - the small joys, the big joys, and all the joys in between. They're there, I promise.  Tater Tot is chilling, while I write. 

Working on enjoying the little things... Since the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine(s), there have been so many changes in our lives - work, family, play, community, etc. for many of us. My work found itself closing its doors, opting to share a work space when we need it and work from home. This has been different to say the least. I sometimes go use the shared office space every day, but there are times being in my own space that are super cool. The other day... on another windy Spring day in Oklahoma, I decided to try out the kite I'd purchased late last year but hadn't tried it out. The only audio in this video is the wind - and it was windy out there - so feel free to mute and add your own music.  Here's to taking more time to enjoy all that life offers, but I forget.    

  I think I didn't realize how lucky I am for the family - immediate with my Mom, Dad, brothers... my brother's families... and their families... and my many, many cousins.  My Dad's family has a large reunion every three years. It first began with us all meeting in the Branson, MO area. I remember as a kid going, enjoying Silver Dollar City, canoing the river, swimming, eating, and more with all the Uncles and Aunts and the many, many cousins. We've since then moved the reunion to different locations. We've grown together, partied together, hugged on each other in places like Williamsburg (VA), Keystone (SD), South Haven (MI), Red River, Pigeon Forge (TN) and many places in Colorado.  These are extraordinary weekends. We just have a lot of fun, enjoying what the places have to offer - together.   Some may be thinking how does family relate to joy?  I mean, many of our family members we see and/or talk with a lot.  But do we really think about the joy ...

As I sit here listening to one of my new favorite songs, Joy, by Andy Grammer, I realize I don't celebrate enough. There is so much joy around me...and I'm missing it.  So here's to finding my joy - each and ever day.  My goal is to post something every day, to share my joy with others.  I hope this will help others realize the joy around them and to enjoy those moments. 🤟

Lately, I've been focusing on 'silencing my inner critic.'  My life coach, Mandi , has really been a huge help in me realizing how damaging this critic has been.  I haven't even realized how bad it's gotten, but my self-talk wasn't nice.  I've named this critic 'Sneaker' because its been sneaking around my life, throwing in gut punches, jabs, upper cuts, and knock outs to my psyche for a while.  Oh so long....  Sometimes it doesn't sneak around though.  Yesterday was one of those days. Omigosh, I was such a crank! I think this stemmed from feeling overwhelmed with things I need to do and want to do in my professional and personal life.  And then things started happening that just started me griping about - an email here, a meeting there... and then BEEP.  The smoke alarm started beeping. No, not a fire beep, but you know the sound when the battery is low?  Yes... that beep that keeps coming... every so often, though never in any sort of rhyth...

  It's Mom's birthday.  😁 While I may feel a little down, I think this time of year also helps.   The Christmas decorations, the tree, food smells, family...  I look at the Christmas tree (with the lights you put on), watch the birds flock to the bird feeders (with the occassional hungry squirrel shoving his face in the hole), look at the plants in your green house... I don't think there's a day that goes by that I don't think of you and Dad...and I don't think I would want it any other way.    I never thought much about my middle name until you were gone... It wasn't that I didn't like it, but never really thought about it.  I've thought a lot more about it now.  I've been working on clearning the attic and finding things saved.  While you were great at letting go of the clutter (something I need to master), you still saved a few things.  Finding the dress you bought and wore on your wedding in Mexico or the tiny sweaters your kid...

I took this picture after a pretty bad ice storm that hit much of my state in October.  I say bad because many people in cities and rural areas lost electricity for over a week and trees were snapping with frequency.   So when our temperatures rebounded, thawing us out, I assumed that the flowers that had been encased in ice would soon fall to the ground and wait to try again til next year.  It was a pleasant surprise to see that not only did they stay but are thriving. I walk by them every day and just yesterday noticed a smile on my face and the feeling that washed over me (and washed over me again as I think about it).  Look at the photo again. Closer this time. I didn't see it when I took the photo. I merely wanted to keep the blooming fresh in my mind. But seems I was photo bombed. Look again. There is a bee visiting.  Hope. I took this photo when I was doing my best to hang on to Hope, while I felt my hope dwindling.  This gave me the...