Contentment vs. Complacency

So I've had this post rolling around in my head for some time. I'm still struggling with how to word the ideas in my head, but I'll give it a go.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to listen to a friend and she struggled with some issues in her relationships with her family. This past year has been very difficult for everyone in her family. Some very serious decisions had to be made and so much good has come from making them. Now many people have said to her to be happy things are better now than they were last in the past even if there are struggles in areas that haven't changed that are still causing so much pain and strife. And while I agree, in theory, that things are better than they were and that should bring her much happiness, I cannot agree that she should not strive for more than what she has. She should not just be happy with the situation she lives in. The damage that could occur to her family is there if she "just accepts" that the changes that have been made are enough.

It brought to mind the idea of being content but not complacent. I've learned to be content in my life, accepting that each day is a blessing, another day to love my family and friends and to serve God and the community. But if I just accept that and grow complacent with the things I have or the person I am now, I will have failed. There are so many things in my physical, emotional and spiritual lives that can be improved. My body needs to be healthier, my home needs upkeep and some major repairs, my relationships with my husband and children need nurturing and love, my relationships with friends need time and communication and, most importantly, the time that I spend with God needs priority.

So, have you settled for what you have and where you are in life? Or do you live happily while striving to improve yourself and your environment?

Not A Supermom: Christmas Giveaway--Penzeys Spices!

Not A Supermom: Christmas Giveaway--Penzeys Spices!: "I'm not a great cook, but I do like good-quality ingredients. I think this makes my humble offerings turn out better than they otherwise w..."

It's too dern cold out!

I'm done with it. Seriously, I really enjoy a cold snap here in South Florida but two serious cold fronts in a row may be too much for this Florida native. The inside of my house is 62 degrees. I sure hope the sun heats it up soon.

In better news, I'm having a blast with my new Captivate Android phone. In fact, I'm using it to post this blog entry. How cool is that? It's a huge transition from my Blackjack II, that's for sure.

Here's to a great day! (well, if it warms up, anyway. LOL)

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It's dark outside this morning. For some of you, that probably doesn't come as a surprise. For me, sometimes I forget that there are people who get up before the sun. It's a strange feeling for me to sit in a dark, quiet house with all my children snoozing in their beds. Usually, by the time I'm rolling out of bed, at least one of my offspring is up making noises. *we won't mention that usually those noises are electronic in kind

But this morning, it is dark and quiet and I'm sitting here playing on my computer, contemplating the day. Schoolwork for the kids, at least a little, anyways. Physical Therapy for me. A long work day for my beloved. More coffee for sure.

Oh, and a shout out to my lovely friend, Sooze, who kindly let me know that I've been ignoring my blog way too long. Thanks, Sooze!

Not a Happy Anniversary

So today was the 9th anniversary. I don't have to tell you of what, do I? I think we all know what happened the morning of September 11th, 2001. Some folks have been posting where they were that morning. I was home. The kids and I had just returned from my morning shift as a crossing guard and I had this idea to turn on the television in my room. I did not usually do this as we were new homeschoolers and I was trying my hardest to fit our homeschool into a mold that, come to find out in later years, was not the one that worked best for us.

As I went about my room, doing whatever I was doing, the news interrupted the normal broadcast and announced something had caused an explosion at the World Trade Center. All cameras available were trained on the towers. This got my attention and I sat down to watch and see what was going on just as the second plane struck. SURREAL. That describes the feeling at the time. I just couldn't even focus on anything else.

The changes in our society since that time have seemed so many and, yet, so few. Some of those changes have been in our interpersonal relationships. I see and hear of so many people who live there lives based on fear and use that day as one example of why they should. What a sad existence that must be. This morning, I remember 9/11/01 and all of the people who were lost that day, by loving my family and friends and celebrating the life we have. I can't imagine that those who no longer can do that would want anything less than that.

Happy Memorial Day!

We are having a quiet day here at home, eating hamburgers and watermelon. But we are very aware that we have many men and women to whom we owe our gratitude for sacrificing daily to help make the United States of America into the greatest country in the world (at least in my opinion). So, many thanks to all of you, soldiers and your families, from the past to the present for the freedoms your sacrifices have made available to each and every one of us.

What I'm doing...cuz you've been on pins and needles, right?

My life lately seems like a bunch of appointments, :)

I don't mind, but it's sure a good thing we home school. I honestly don't know how folks with children in school (public or private) manage all the dentist, doctor, orthodontist, etc... appointments. Yesterday, all three children had their cleanings. Good news not a cavity amongst them. Yay! This was Emma's last cleaning before she gets her first phase of braces on. (yes, I said first phase. Like Raina, she'll probably have to have braces again as a teen, but hopefully a first phase will reduce the amount of movement and pain the second phase brings) It was Raina's first time without her braces. She said it hurt more because they could really get in there and get to everything. LOL. I told her to floss more.

Today, we visit the orthodontist for a followup on Raina's teeth to see how they are doing out of braces and a regular check for Jacob. I sure hope he's been wearing his bands enough. I think I'm helping orthodontist buy his yacht.

On top of those, I have physical therapy three times a week. It's great, because I need to strengthen my core muscles. I spent two weeks flat on my back, it was horrible. I don't ever want to do that again.

I'm still waiting to hear about the presidency for the girls' softball league. I hope to hear ASAP so that we can start getting the word out. School is out at the end of May and we need to get the flyers in the schools before then. Off to the orthodontist then...catch ya later.