Tuesday, April 7, 2009

An attempt to avoid self-loathing

I love a lot of things. And originally, this was going to be a post entitled “Ten Things I Hate About Me”. Because today, I was into a sort of self-loathing thing. I think it was a combination of not getting enough sleep, having to get up super early and do the weekly blood test thing with my husband (we arrive at the ungodly hour of 6:30 am) and lots of other factors. But the final straw was when the dentist’s office called me at work this morning and asked whether or not my husband was coming in for his appointment. I had totally forgotten. I know, I know. It’s not that big of a deal, but if he can’t trust me to remember a simple dentist appointment, then he can’t trust me for the big things. And I am the appointment-maker of all things, big and little around here.

But rather than self-loathe, I decided to try to find things that make me happy. And in my world, this isn’t too difficult a job. So in no order whatsoever, here are ten things that I love that make me happy.

I love these two church steeples. They’re on Main Street in the town that I drive through to get home. I live outside of this town, on the hill, and I find myself making it a point to drive down this street daily. There are other ways home, but I like this one best. (photo taken with the old Sony Cybershot I keep in my purse for emergencies).

I love macaroni and cheese. And Pioneer Woman has an awesome recipe for it today.

I also love chocolate and peanut butter. And there’s a fantastic brownie recipe on Dyln's site today.

I love George but you already knew that. Oh, and my husband too. And my kids. And all that happy horseshit. (One of my father’s favorite expressions).

I love Photoshop (even though I have very limited knowledge of it).

I love Spring. I love seeing all the changes, and the beautiful colors and hearing the birds and feeling the warmth of the sun.

I love grapefruits. Especially when mixed with this. And I thank God and all the angels and saints that I don’t have a problem with that.

I love the seaside. One of many places I grew up was in Margate, NJ about two blocks from the beach. I have very fond memories of our home in Marvin Gardens.

I love hair products. My absolute favorite is Ojon’s Tawaka, but it’s ridiculously expensive and we’re on a budget right now. It smells heavenly, though, and what it does for your hair . . . it is just luscious.

I love watching Rescue Me. And it’s on tonight. I had to take a small nap after work today just so that I could stay awake.

So there are Ten Things I Love. I love a lot more than that, but I’m sticking with the ten for today.

So what are some things that you love?

Thanks to all who stop by here. You make my day sometimes with the comments you leave. And I welcome all the new faces and followers. You rock.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

45 comments:

Hilary said...

I am in AWE of what you do with Photoshop......I am GREEN with envy!
Don't be so hard on yourself, you're human, ya know.

Alicia @ boylerpf said...

I really have to try that peanut butter brownie...looks yummy! I couldn't even begin to come up with 10 things I love...I have so many and they change every day. I'll agree with many of yours. Hope tomorrow finds you in better spirits!

Leenie said...

Glad you got off the self loathing bus and put together such a positive, happy post. The church steeples are my favorite picture. Like all the other happy horse shit too. ;D

Donna S. said...

Love that picture!!!! Love streets like that!!! And I love spring, too.....if only it would come & stay soon!! I've been fighting being on a downer too. Just starting to "really" show my age, got that middle age spread thing going on, got my hair cut 2 weeks ago & it is short, short, short & the worst do I've had in a looong time. But it's so short all I can do is wait.... Oh, you asked for up things, not down things, huh? Sorry about that.

Lori said...

Nice way to flip around to what you love. It's always easier to think of what a person doesn't like than what is good. Good job girl on taking the high road! I love the picture of main street and the steeples.

Tess Kincaid said...

Yep, I'd pick loving over loathing any day!

Charming little town. You are lucky to get to drive through it so often.

Anonymous said...

I love your blog
I love photos of George
I love the church steeples too.

Yes, that's only 3 things, but it's a start.

Happy Horse Shit At Ya!
Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Char said...

awww honey - great way to be positive.
I love - my family & friends, my pets, Dr. Pepper, fresh flowers, someone to enjoy my cooking, the bay window in my den, and friend's I've made through blogging.

tj said...

...Oh girl, you are so not alone in the Loathing Dept. I've been feeling like that for this past week or so and then dealing with a Urinary Tract Infection on top of it all! hee,hee...Talk about suck! lol... But yeah, I'm with ya on lookin' on the bright side 'cause there's always blessings to count. Whenever life gets you down just repeat, "This too shall pass" because it will... :o)

...Btw, I wanna live near that street you pictured and drive down it every day too... Looks like a Norman Rockwell setting.

..."Happy Horseshit!"...lol... Blessings too... ;o)

BB said...

I get that way sometimes... feeling blue. But a little fresh country air, sunshine and a camera generally lifts me out of it. I love photoshop too - even if I blunder around in it like a drunken sailor!!
:-)
BB

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Peanut butter and chocolate...yummy!

Deb said...

Hmm...I don't know what I can say about myself. Yes, I do a lot of introverted stuff. One should hear what goes on in my head. There's not much I like about myself which pertains to the physical aspect of "me".
Now I will step out of that "self pity/loathing" arena now and focus on what I love.

I love my husband of 37 years.
I love my children.
My grandson hung the moon :)
I love where we live right now.

Sorry to vent so much...but, well, life is tough...

Woman in a Window said...

I love stawberries and bananas, fake ones, one bag of each from the dollar store and I hid them from my kids. In two nights they're gone and I love love love that they're all in me belly.

Shelley said...

I love church steeples too - loved your photo. And glad you posted a link for macaroni & cheese recipe on pioneer woman's site. I've been craving it this week.
Things I love - (besides your dog George -lol!) - my cat Marvin, artichoke dip made w/ cream cheese, kayaking on a calm lake and log cabins to name a few. :-)

Jill of All Trades said...

That's the way to get out of the doldrums.
-I love The Hubby
-I love my girls
-I love my life
and I love you pictures

Country Girl said...

You guys are funny. And thanks.

~ C.G.

Mental P Mama said...

I love all that same Happy Horseshit. And flowers. I love flowers. And I am also partial to your town--I have to get there some day!

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

I love your pics! Makes me want to drive up north-somewhere I've NEVER been! I love those church steeples too, and this week I'm going to try that grapefruit adult beverage!

FireLight said...

Hello there, Kate. I love that you have once again triumphed over yet another of life's hurdles: appointments. (Not that you have not had much practice!) You have set a good example for Reschedule & Reflect! And then you just kicked the Happy Horseshit out of
that Little Self Loathing devil on your shoulder!

I love seeing my son working in his rose garden.
I love how my husband carries my cup of tea to the car with me each morning and always says "drive carefully." (It's 40 miles to my school.)
I love that one special student always reminds me that God is good and on time.
I love your story which has unfolded here at this blog....
and of course, George!
Peace be with you.

Sarah Anne said...

I love your blog, for one thing. And I love George, too. :D

RURAL said...

Kate, I love that you turned around a bad feeling. And put a wonderful spin on it. Thanks.

Jen

GailO said...

I love lists of things people love, I love pictures of George, in fact I love just about all your pictures...and I love reading your blog!

Skogkjerring said...

First of all, lovely little township..and a storm was brewing that day..love when the sky gets like that.
Happy Horseshit- hahahaha...belly laugh there..think I've heard that one before too from my mom, she's from back east, wonder if it's a New England saying?? Hmmm..
I ADORE MAC AND CHEESE...not been easy trying to make it here in Norway but I have found a white cheddar and do the best I can...
Things I love- my family of course and friends (the few true friends I have)My doggies- all five of them- guess I better mention the cats too..hahahaha..I'm with Char- Dr. Pepper or Icy cold rootbeer in icy cold mugs...though I've only found Dr. Pepper here in 0.5 liter bottles at ridiculous prices. I love the woods and any nature which makes me feel small and meek. I love The Wizard of Oz and the saying, "Remember my friend, a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others."
That should hold for now..could continue writing but I'm sure someone else wants to comment and I need to leave room! Have a great day!!

Juri said...

I am so glad I stopped by your blog today! Feeling a bit "blaa" this morning, over my first cup of coffee, reading about the things you love made me think of the things I love...and that really brought my mood up! Thanks!!!

Juri

Jill of All Trades said...

Don't miss my April 7 post. There's a little something for you.

Maria said...

I loved your attitude and how you turned your day (and mood) around.

Cindy said...

Love the photo. I'd love driving down that street too. I love your blog, I love your photos, I love taking photos, I love my family, I love my dogs, I love reading about George, I love church steeples, I love chocolate milk, I love blogging, I love making pincushions, I love God and Jesus and I love making friends. Okay - I think that's ten. Thanks for helping me remember some of the things I love.

abb said...

Hmmmmmmm....too many to name.

A Scattering said...

I love at least 10 things about this post, not the least of which is the reference to Rescue Me. Isn't Dennis Leary the best thing ever?!

Ellen said...

I love reading your blog. I love your photos. I love your pink countertops.

Sorry you trip may not work out. I'm still available to do Winterteur if you are up to it.

IowaCowgirl said...

I love:
my cows,
my porch,
my 3 offspring,
my 1 husband,
reading,
desserts - both making and eating,
riding my horse,
sewing,
my schoolhouse, and
opera.

Kathie Truitt said...

I love writing, riding, country music, cowboy boots, beat up old jeans, horses, dogs, babies, "Dixie" my beat up suburban, Jay Truitt, my children, and soon to arrive granddaughter, Sophia.

Oh, yeah, and sunny summer days, and hot summer nights.

Lins said...

Absolutely beautiful town, Country Girl! I have a huge affection for church steeples...can't get enough!

LW @ http://goodbyemartha.blogspot.com

Daryl said...

I hate forgetting and/or misplacing things .. OH MY BOB do I ever get upset at myself when that happens.

So .. when's your birthday?

Angela said...

I love the view I have from my bedroom windows.
I love reading other people's blogs (it's my new obsession).
I love watching old movies from the 40's and 50's.
I love aprons (I don't really understand that one).

Mary said...

"all that happy horseshit" -- ROFL! You seriously crack me up. And that's one of the things I love. :)
xoxo,
Mary

Leif: A Voyage said...

oh HELL no.

...only ten favorite things?
The mental competition of possible items ensues...

1. Looking at pictures of homemade macaroni and cheese being made...by someone else
2. Loved ones cooking for me
3. Eating out in restaurants
4. Wonderful food. Simple, fancy, whatever...
5. The way my little cat Amelia Buttercup curls up in my lap and purrs when I'm writing
6. Just KNOWING that the manuscript that I submitted to Candlewick about Amelia Buttercup will become a book...soon
7. ...the first of a whole series
8. Being way kinder than expected
9. Breaking a rule
10. Trusting that it really will all work out, and in amazing cool ways that I could never have predicted or hoped for

Wednesday Inspiration hump day passover spring snow sunrise holy week happy day to you,
:-)
Katie

Pan's Island said...

It's funny - I have a thing for the picturesque churches in my town too. I step out my door and I'm immediately facing the front entry of a big church - the large wooden double doors, the stone staircase ... it's wonderful in the summer - just about every Saturday there's a wedding at that church and they all look so elegant and happy... I guess I love spying on weddings :)

Stuffbymichele said...

I love:
My husband (even though he's been crabby as hell lately)
My son
My best friend, Claudia
Spring!
My new job
Riding the bus to work again
Chocolate covered almond ice cream
Soy vanilla lattes
Taking pictures of flowers
and George!

Sue said...

I love reading your blog everyday...You and George lift my spirits!!

Sandy@American Way Farm said...

It'd be hard to pick only a few things so I'd have to say I just love life. It's an absolute blast! -Sandy

Anonymous said...

My computer crashed last evening and I was one mad and lost person. I worked with it last night and a few hours this morning and then had to leave and run some errands. Back this evening and after a few more hours I got it up and running!!!! Sooooooooooo I am back, at least for the time being I was having severe withdrawal pains for a while!!Love your post. Good night for now. Doris

Pan's Island said...

I liked your post so much I decided to make my own list on my blog - I link back to your blog though and give you credit for the idea ;) Take a peek if you have time!

Anonymous said...

It's a great way to get out of a funk, isn't it? To concentrate on the good things. I find in winter I slip into more negative thinking. This post was great Kate!

I love: My dh &kids, photography, playing with photoshop, blogging, peach pie for breakfast, the first sip of coffee each morning. Walking on the beach. And lots more stuff if I stop and think about it!

erin said...

i love your capture today...give george a hug and that will change your outlook quickly ^..^