Happy Things Friday: 27 October

First, how did we get to the end of October already? The time has flown but things have also felt desperately heavy and sad in the world this month. The rapid escalation of conflict in the Middle East, catastrophic natural disasters and, on Wednesday, another horrific mass shooting. The head of the UNRWA said he “fears the world is now losing its humanity.” I fear the world has lost its connection to God and, as a consequence, respect for others. Where is the love? The compassion? The hope? Things feel dark and scary, especially as a parent considering the world in which my kids are growing up.

And yet life continues on for my family in our own little corner of the world. In relation to so many others, our challenges pale. It feels insensitive to celebrate our freedoms but gratitude seems like the only reasonable response to an all-consuming darkness I’m incapable of controlling or preventing.

Yesterday I read the following quote: “Life keeps throwing me stones. And I keep finding the diamonds…” Let’s go diamond hunting, shall we?

LIGHTHOUSE RESTORATION

I cannot believe my oversight. I don’t think I have ever shared the fact that I literally grew up right across the street from a lighthouse! Until this week I didn’t know it was formally known as Schafner Point Lighthouse – to me, it was just the building across the street from my house – but does this not fit my blogging narrative perfectly?

The lighthouse had fallen into disrepair and there were a few years of limbo where no one was quite sure who was footing the bill for restoration. This week they announced the light had been replaced.

GLOW BOWLING

L got to go to a birthday party on Friday evening and declared it to be the “best birthday party ever.” It was his first time bowling and he loved it; plus there was pizza, cake, and Pokemon cards in the treat bags. So a very, very happy night for our favourite little fella.

CROSSING THINGS OFF TO-DO LISTS

I’ve had a growing pile of little sewing chores for the last few weeks. A small tear in a seam, two tiny holes that needed to be mended; a sports bra that needed some fuseable tape.

I kept putting this job off because sewing of any fashion is not. my. thing. But one day I decided to just do it. Not surprisingly, it took me less than 15 minutes to do all four tasks and I felt tremendously productive – and a bit like Ma Ingalls – with my pile of freshly darned clothing.

Also, this is a double Happy Thing because two of the four items (the ones with actual holes in them), I had considered destined for the rag pile – a shame since they are some of my most-worn items. So it was especially rewarding to know these beloved items can “live on” in my wardrobe.

NEW PLANNING MATERIALS

I have used my Sprouted planner almost every single day in 2023. It is like an extension of my body and does it sound weird to say that by the end of the year this book feels like a trusted, life-long friend?

Well, cue the joy when my 2024 planner arrived in the mail last week AND I managed to find my favourite DollarStore calendar duo again – I’ve been using them for years, and the price sure is right! One afternoon I made a cup of decaf and sank into the delight of starting next year’s planner/calendars and it was every bit as wonderful as I had hoped…

Another Happy Thing alert. When I went to order my 2024 planner, the owner of Sprouted – Heather – was kind enough to offer to send an extra 2024 weekly planner for me to use in a GIVEAWAY! Stay tuned in the next few weeks. One lucky reader will get to be planner twins with me in 2024.

A BRACES UPDATE

A got her braces on last Thursday – it was not nearly as traumatic as she feared; while Tylenol and Advil were helpful for the first 48 hours when the pain/aching got intense, she has done an amazing job of adjusting to life with braces.

We quickly learned that flossing is the BANE OF EVERYONE’S EXISTENCE after getting braces. At the recommendation of several friends, I bought her a Waterpik in the first 48 hours. Her first attempt at using it was a disaster, but now she’s basically a Waterpik addict. It is MIRACULOUS for braces and I hope she continues loving it because I doubt her teeth/gums have ever been this cared for and healthy in her life.

Also, because of the extra care required, I’ve been helping her with tooth care every night before bed. I had been really dreading this addition to my nightly routine – I thought I was done helping children brush and floss – but so far it has been a gift, not a burden. We get comfy on her bed, I help clean the wires on her braces, and then I read her one chapter from a book.

MOVING ON

I’ve mentioned looking forward to wrapping up my project management contract. I started it in the middle of the pandemic and have juggled that role with my other work and home responsibilities for over a year longer than anticipated. When they asked me to consider extending my contract for yet another year – through to the end of 2024 – it left me feeling exhausted. I was literally counting down the days to 31 December of this year.

Initially, I tentatively offered to stay in the role until the end of March 2024. But this week I decided my reasons for staying the extra three months (primarily guilt over them having to find/onboard someone else) are not good enough reasons to keep this on my plate. I really need a break – it wasn’t going to be about the overwhelm of too many hours as this project is in its final stages…but it was yet another distinct thing to think about and manage.

I gave my notice on Tuesday that I’ll stop at the end of this year and the relief I’ve felt since is INCREDIBLE. I’ve learned so much over the last few years; made valuable connections, and stretched some good intellectual muscles. I don’t regret taking on this set of responsibilities but it was time to move on…and I’m moving on!

I FINISHED OUR 2023 FAMILY PHOTOCARD FOR CHRISTMAS

A supernova of gold stars to me…

BONUS ROUND:

• Snuggling L until he fell asleep one evening. Want an anti-anxiety breathing exercise to beat them all? Synchronize your breathing with that of a sleeping 8-year-old. It’s pretty magical.
• Friends who send memes.
• Therapy. I needed this week’s session badly and it was so helpful.
• Magic bags on cold feet.
• Coffee.

• Fall Chocolate Chip Spiced Cookies. When Nicole mentioned them yesterday I had to whip up a batch. I’ve made these so many times in the last year and we are forever indebted to Suzanne for first sharing this recipe!
• Butter chicken over rice.
• Carrot cake (we had company in for coffee, cake, and board games – not going to lie that the cake may have been my favourite part of the afternoon). This is the recipe I use; modifications – less sugar, NO pecans, and 1 cup less icing sugar in the frosting recipe. I made a full recipe and divided it between two 8x8s; I froze the extra one. Another happy thing? A few years ago I learned that iced carrot cakes freeze and defrost like a dream! So I have a bonus carrot cake awaiting company in the future.

• Old photos. I was looking through our photo folders earlier this week trying to find something and stumbled upon this picture of L with his bestie the first year they played soccer. How were they ever so little? He still fit on my hip back then!
• Freshly laundered clothes.
• Comfortable pants. I mostly hate pants (other than pajama pants, of course, which are the best articles of clothing on the face of the planet), but every once in a while you find a pair that is ACTUALLY comfortable.
• Freshly cleaned counters.
• Birthday parties; the kids have had A LOT of invites lately and while I sigh a bit about them wanting to find just the right gift – what a joy to have friends and to celebrate with them.
• A is loving Grade 7. Last year was really, really hard. This year she has “found her people.” She is involved in so many things (volleyball, drama, youth events, volunteering gigs at school every week) and has so many new friends and activities and it’s just…wonderful to see her so much happier and finding her niche(s).
• One last cross-country race for L! He got 2nd place – coming back from being 8th or 9th! Another 50 meters and he would have won for sure and put forward a great effort. He has loved this experience. When we got in the car after the race he said: “I’m glad so-and-so won today. He told me before we started that he really wanted to win and that he was nervous, so I’m glad he got first place.” This boy sure has his moments <3

• After surviving a morning this week that was only 2C (about 35F – brrr), I was delighted when Thursday turned hot and sunny; favourite activities included a long walk with Joy and an hour of light reading on the deck while L and a playmate played soccer and basketball nearby.

Your turn. I’d love if you shared some Happy Things from your week in the comment section below! Do you own/use a Waterpik (A is the first in our family)? What’s your favourite kind of cake? Do you use a planner? Any fun weekend plans?