All is Good


A few days ago, the weather warmed up considerably and I scrambled outside for a walk in the sunshine without a coat or jacket.  The spring-like day quickly faded to a wintry rainy storm by nightfall and now I'm back with the winter days.  The warmth was refreshing, hinting of days to come.  Can you feel the change in the days?

The daylight is lasting longer, the sun when it does peek out, feels warmer at a different angle.  I've announced I'm a winter lover on this space, but maybe I am a lover of all seasons as they emerge. 


My stress levels were high this week.  My husband's work stress seeped into my brain and I absorbed it as my own stress.  The beginning of the week was just awful.  Maybe these animals pick up on the negative state of mind and misbehave more.

Thank goodness yesterday was a stellar day.  I babysat, decompressed while watching Disney Jr and chatting with a toddler that is emerging with two word sentences (yay!).  My duties were welcomingly simple.  Play with her, feed her and tire her out.  Yep, did it all with success.



My arrival at home in the afternoon was greeted by Holly and Frodo, who both decided to tone down their dynamics.  I sat and knitted relishing the peace.  My husband's work stress lessened after a few meetings as well.  All is good! 


Part of savoring contentment is after the crazy ride of perceived stress or making impossible choices.  The older I get the more I recognize the fact that whatever is stressing me out isn't forever.  It has a beginning and an end.  Sometimes I am in control of the length of time and sometimes I am not.  My reaction is where I need to improve. 

I'm thankful for my sister and my children who listen to my complaining.  I'm grateful for my dog groomer/trainer who says 'sounds like they are making great progress' whenever I relay the Frodo/Holly antics and feel like a failure. 

I take life too seriously.


So after a rough week, lots of dog training and wasteful worrying. I have a photo from last night where both pets were willing to give up the drama and exist in harmony for over a half hour.  This half hour was perfection.

All is good.


Comments

  1. Evan's work stress can seep over to me sometimes, too. The finish line of retirement is getting closer... but, sometimes I think it's like when folks tell you in a marathon that you're almost there with two miles left to go... it just makes it harder to think it's almost there and realize there are two. more. miles. to. go. His work is getting more and more stressful... and we are getting older... Stress seems such a waste of precious time. And, then the idea of retirement carries its own bag of stresses... how will it work? Will we really be okay? Will we drive each other crazy being together so much? Ha! Then, I tell myself to take a deep breath. We've figured it out this long. It's going to be okay.
    LOVE the last photo... bliss. May your week be MUCH less stressful! blessings ~ tanna

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  2. Great photo at the finish! And love the one of Holly standing up - she has such a cute face. Wishing you a stress-free weekend with plenty of knitting and peaceful creatures. Enjoy!!

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  3. Karen, us women tend to soak up our hubbies stresses, I do too. Reading your post I kept thinking that I could have written the very same words ;). Frodo and Holly are adorable btw!

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  4. That last picture, I love it. You know, it drives me crazy when I take on Lucas's work stress, but it's inevitable. As a wife, and as an empathetic person. yes, we may take life too seriously, but there's bonuses to that as well. It's just hard to find them sometimes :)

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    1. I take everything way to seriously, it's been a personality flaw for a long time.

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  5. I am so glad that Hubster's work stress is greatly reduced these days. He has a great boss and a great job with employees he chose himself. Makes him a much happier person.

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    1. I'm hoping that that will be our reality one day soon!

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  6. The last photo was a joy, living in harmony long may that last.

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  7. I'm sure sorry to hear about the stressful week, my friend. I do the same thing when it comes to hubby's stress and making it my own. I'm glad that everything is back on track now though and loved seeing Frodo and Holly at a more peaceful state. Holly is totally at rest! Take care, Karen.

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    1. Thanks Dianna, I'm glad I photograph the good times with these two - I frequently forget!

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  8. Wishing you longer than a half hour of peaceful coexistence between Holly and Frodo, along with lots of stress-free knitting time this weekend!

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  9. I’m so sorry to hear about your stress levels. Please don’t think you are a failure, Frodo and Holly are going through a process of getting to know each other and sharing their home, it takes time, look at the progress they have made so far. Hope you have a relaxed weekend.

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    1. Thank you Polly, you are right, I have to focus on the progress :)

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  10. Worrying is a really hard habit to break. I used to worry a lot more, but some truly horrific times more than a decade ago largely broke me of that habit -- not a method I'd recommend! But facing up to the worst things that can happen changed the way I live. A less painful tool is Thich Nhat Hanh. Have you read any of his books? They are all amazing, but my favorite is: Peace is Every Step.

    I am awed that you relax with a toddler! That shows a lot of emotional mastery in my book!

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    1. I am a bowl of jello with the toddler, honest! I think it's Disney Jr that does it..

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  11. Isn't it fun to watch speech and language develop in a toddler? The process still seems miraculous to me. I worked with many children who struggled so typically developing children seem like miracles to me. I wish you a stress free weekend. Why do we worry so much about things? I was telling myself on a walk today not to worry about something I have no control over. Our reaction as you said should be our focus. Besides much of the time, life has a way of working things out.

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    1. I used to be a speech language pathologist and worked with many children who could not talk age appropriately so her emerging language is beautiful

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  12. Karen, I am so familiar with the stress you speak of. Reading your post I was reminded of that wonderful quote by Julien of Norwich: “All shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well.” I hope you have a weekend full of hours of peaceful knitting ! xoxo

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  13. It is hard not to absorb all the stress. My head tells me one way to react, my heart reacts differently, and my tummy churns. Thank goodness most stresses pass. I hope you have a relaxing weekend. Love all the photos of Frodo and Holly.

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    1. I try to do deep breathing, that stops the chaos in my brain sometimes.

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  14. Holly has just the sweetest face and BEAUTIFUL eyes!!! She and Frodo are like human siblings. They love each other, but sometimes you just gotta swat your brother/sister.

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    1. exactly! these two are doing a tap dance around and at each other.

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  15. Absorbing other people's stress... oh my, I can relate to that! I know I shouldn't, but I do. It's sort of comforting to know I'm not alone in this...
    I love the color of that yarn in the top picture. And that last one... bliss. Wishing you all (animals included) a stress free weekend!

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    1. when I started knitting with the wool, I was skeptical until I got a few inches in and then I loved it!!

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  16. I'm sorry your week started out so stressful but I totally relate. Sometimes we just need to step back from our situations and look around. We really don't have it as bad as it seems in the moment. I've had to do that lately with our youngest whose in the Army.
    I love all these cute little photos! Frodo and Holly are just like us as humans, they have moods that will change sometimes. Yes, I do think they pick up on our vibes. That's how some animals are trained to note heart attacks or strokes. But don't suppress your stress for them or others as it's not healthy for you. Just knit away my friend! I love to see you beautiful works of art. I am almost done with my scarf that I started before vacation but have been too busy to pick it up since I got home. That and being sick...
    Hope you have a nice peaceful weekend and the weather is beautiful for you!

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  17. Thank you for sharing the struggle and your thoughts. I often take on the mood of others and have to stop myself. The weather is gloomy and I'm fighting it! Going to volunteer helps me a lot. IT wont last forever as you wisely say. The cat and dog peaceful photo is wonderful

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    1. babysitting and the gym are my saving graces!

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  18. How wonderful that your two Little’s are rounding the corner. I have no words of wisdom about dealing with stress. I am one who doesn’t know when to stop saying yes until I get so sick I can’t move, which is how I am spending the weekend. Yuck?

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    1. I can say no to some stuff. Feel better Juliann!!

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  19. So sorry about the stressful week. I know the feeling. I am sure that Holly and Frodo will figure out a truce shortly. Your knitting is so pretty.

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  20. How fun to witness the development of this little toddler. Frodo's like, "Yaaazzz, I got the lap."

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