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Life

10 Things I Was Thankful For During a Curmudgeonly Week

October 29, 2015October 29, 2015 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 6 comments
10 Things I Was Thankful For During a Curmudgeonly Week

At the beginning of the week, I jokingly told someone that my blog was all doom and gloom this week. It wasn’t (at least, I don’t think it was), but last week I was pretty out of sorts and that carried into this week. When asked if I did a thankfulness post, my response was, “No, I had a hard time coming up with things to be thankful for last week.”

dreamsetc-gratitude1029Which is true. I wasn’t the most thankful person last week. I was stressed for a number of different reasons and wasn’t in the best of spirits. So I realized it was probably time for a reality check. I always say that there’s something to be thankful for, even when life is throwing you curve balls. So, to follow my own advice, here are ten things I’ve been thankful during my curmudgeonly week.

1 // Little One and the celebration of her birthday. She is such a joy and, even on the worst of days, she manages to make me smile.

2 // A sweet act of kindness from my nephew to his sister. I love that child! And watching my niece slip my dog a morsel of food while whispering, “Shh, don’t tell.” I don’t think my niece had any idea that I was watching. I love her too!

3 // Plans with friends… for a hayride on Friday… for an upcoming weekend creative retreat… for NaNo, which starts in November. (PS – I’m participating! Will share the link to my profile soon. I actually created a new one this year.)

4 // A rainy day. I’m one of those who likes rain, so rainy days are perfect, especially when I’m feeling curmudgeonly.

5 // A great sermon on Sunday.

6 // An email that almost made me cry. Happy tears.

7 // Finding an audiobook that I have been sucked into. The last book that I read took a couple of weeks to listen to because I’d listen to twenty minutes here and there, but I’m flying through this one.

8 // Doing nails with my mom. Those types of moments create the best conversation.

9 // Pulling out colored pencils and pastels for a project at work. It was a lot of fun to get the creative juices flowing.

10 // A nostalgic moment at a restaurant with my parents. The restaurant has expanded quite a bit and is so nice, but we took a moment to remember the old days it was at least a third of the size and the grocery store and restaurant were crammed into a small space. They’d have music blasting, so you couldn’t hear them when they’d call your order number. They’d stand there shouting unheard, then walk over to the music and turn it up. But even while I was nostalgic, it’s so cool to see how well they’ve done and how they’ve grown. They have a second location in Minneapolis and they ship some of their products (like hummus) to grocery stores all over the U.S. So, if you ever see hummus on the shelf and it’s The Holy Land brand, know that it’s from an awesome company.

So, there it is. Ten things I was thankful for, even while feeling a bit curmudgeonly.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN THANKFUL FOR?

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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Happy Birthday Little One!
In Review // October

6 comments

  1. Alexandra @ My Urban Family says:
    October 29, 2015 at 3:13 pm

    I love rainy days as well! Though we’ve been having some COLD rain the past few days with a lot of wind. I miss the warm rain haha

    Reply
  2. Nichole aka CuppaGeek says:
    October 29, 2015 at 4:22 pm

    I hope things get better for you soon!! Sending you positive vibes!

    Reply
  3. Lindsay says:
    October 30, 2015 at 1:07 am

    I hear you sister. About two weeks ago, I was in a nasty a$$ mood and barely could shake it. It’s awful, right?!
    Moving along … šŸ™‚ Glad you are having a better week. Enjoy your weekend Hun! xo

    Reply
  4. Charlotte | The Midnight Blog says:
    October 30, 2015 at 9:47 am

    It can be hard finding happy things when life is grey (I know the feeling!).
    I’ll be seeing you during NaNo, then?! I signed up in 2008 but this will be the first year I’m officially participating (at least trying, we’ll see if I manage…!).

    Reply
  5. Shann Eva says:
    October 30, 2015 at 2:29 pm

    That’s such a great idea to think of things you are grateful for when you’re not in the best mood. I think I need to do it too

    Reply
  6. Linda says:
    October 30, 2015 at 11:00 pm

    I especially liked your share of #8 and #10. Family time is always special, and I know you know that as well. At this moment with the blustery weather I’m thankful for my fluffy housecoat and furry slipper socks that I actually put into furry slippers! Can you tell I’m more of a warm weather gal? When feeling down, counting my blessings usually brings me back to a great reality check.

    Reply

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

I took these in early January when the snow still I took these in early January when the snow still felt a bit magical, but right now I’m just ready to walk barefoot in grass.

When I was younger I used to imagine what it would be like if we got so much snow that it would be piled high above our doors. I wondered if we’d be able to create tunnels in the snow to move around in.

And this year might just be the year we find out. I’m kidding, of course, but at this point I feel like we’ve been buried in snow. We’re even on track to beat some snow records I think (the amount of snow and the number of consecutive days with snow on the ground.

So. What’s the weather like where you are?
February was here and gone in the blink of an eye February was here and gone in the blink of an eye but contained moments I’ll carry with me forever.
When it’s almost halfway through February and yo When it’s almost halfway through February and you still haven’t posted January’s recap. January was filled with lots of family time. šŸ’™
Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. ā€œThe water looks cold,ā€ I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. šŸ˜‚)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle tour with a stop at Thingvellir National Park. My fingers froze as I took these photos but it was worth it to capture this view. šŸ˜ PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
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