I woke up this morning (7 a.m.) in a less than spectacular mood. I am feeling frustrated about things that are out of my control. I went for a walk (7:30 a.m.) to clear my head and did my best to stay focused in the present. It was beautiful out. It was still cold but I could feel the sun through my winter parka. The birds were chirping and the magnolia and cherry trees were blooming.
"Those look like wedding flowers!" -Poppy
As I sit here, my mood is not completely shaken (8:30 a.m.). As I walked I kept thinking, “Ugh, I don’t want to post to my blog today about positivity and passion and being happy!" But, that is the whole point of this blog. So I figured I would just come clean and put this post out there. The old me might have wallowed in this mood for few days but, I am trying to change my wallowing ways.
In order to turn my mood around, I am going to:
1. Put on something to wear that expresses my positive mood-to-be.
Jeans (Dry Aged Denim), tank top (J.Crew), sweater (Forever 21), Band-Aid (Hello Kitty), shoes (Converse).
Check (9:00 a.m.) I opted for nice jeans, a bright pink tank top and a new sweater. Also, Poppy (the tot I nanny) accessorized my right hand with a pink Hello Kitty Band-Aid. Pink is positive, right?
2. Do something nice for someone I love.
Calypso being cat-like.
Check (10:00 a.m) I got my husband a cat! Just kiddin'. Kyle has been wanting to read the Bourne series books forever so I found him used copies of two and got him one new one. He needs a new book to read so this is a simple, inexpensive yet effective gift.
3. Make healthy Greek Chicken Pitas for dinner and make chocolate chip cookies with Poppy (recipes to follow tomorrow).
Working on it... Greek Chicken Pitas are in the works and the chocolate chip cookies had to be put on hold until tomorrow because the butter was rancid! Gross.
Working on it... Greek Chicken Pitas are in the works and the chocolate chip cookies had to be put on hold until tomorrow because the butter was rancid! Gross.
4. Go to the park with Poppy and enjoy this gorgeous day.
Check (2 p.m.)
Check (2 p.m.)
5. Pick up the house and open all the windows to let in the fresh air.
Check on the fresh air. Clean house? Not so much. I'll work on it tomorrow....or not.
Check on the fresh air. Clean house? Not so much. I'll work on it tomorrow....or not.
6. Go to the library.
Poppy reading her book from the library.
Check (10:30 a.m.) I picked up an audio version of The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan, along with a bunch of children’s books for Poppy. Now that I can’t talk on the phone in the car anymore, (no phone zone) I’ve been listening to a lot of books on CD.
Look at that list of positive to do’s. If I can stay present in those actions, I am positive (no pun intended) that I can wrap up the day with the optimism of a delusional Disney Princess. I’ll keep checking stuff off as I accomplish it and give an honest update at the end of my day.
(6:30 p.m.)
I can honestly say that I am in a good mood. My bad mood dissipated as I worked through my list. By the time we hit the park I was feeling great. I'm not 100% up but I think some good food+hot toddy+snuggling+The Tudors and I'll be back on top.
(6:30 p.m.)
I can honestly say that I am in a good mood. My bad mood dissipated as I worked through my list. By the time we hit the park I was feeling great. I'm not 100% up but I think some good food+hot toddy+snuggling+The Tudors and I'll be back on top.