ESG: Gratitude List * 2017 edition

Like most everyone, I'm thankful for family, friends, faith and freedom most of all. This year, I thought I'd dive a little deeper to things that might otherwise get missed on a Top 10 list, even though I'm grateful for them.

These are completely random and in no particular order - Enjoy!

  1 - Humility 
  2 - Authenticity
  3 - Intentionality
  4 - Vision
  5 - Quiet time
  6 - Integrity
  7 - Heaven
  8 - Fragrance
  9 - Conscience
 10 - Warmth


OK - told you it was a different type of list...at least, for me it is.  But these are 10 things that I truly am grateful for, and woven together, they make me who I am.

We all have different roles and responsibilities, and when I compare good times vs. bad times, the difference between them usually has to do with the above qualities or traits.  Think about it.  

As a regional sales manager for a digital signage and software company, there are many ups and downs in my world.  When sales are strong, it's easy to love my job and be in a good mood.  When sales are weak, it gets ridiculously stressful, and that puts me in a bad mood, which makes it easy to be grumpy to those closest to me.  I drink and eat more - spend more money (retail therapy) - and escape whenever and however I can.  After feeling guilty for over-indulging, I reboot myself, and focus on what I know works.  Having the vision, intentionality, integrity and conscience - I remind myself that I'm doing the best I can, and things will work out, or they won't.  My stressing about it and sabotaging myself won't change anything.

As a wife and mom, same thing!  I can't control my husband or kids, but I can control my response to them.  I love my family more than anything, and I want what's best for each of them.  I raised my kids to think for themselves and to follow their dreams, so I'm learning to let them do what they think that looks like.  They have their own dreams and I don't expect them to fulfill mine.  

I added Heaven to my list, because I do believe that when we pass from this world, eternal life with God is going to put everything in perspective for us.  My faith is strong and makes me who I am, and while I hope yours is too, I don't try to convince anyone that it's "my way or the highway".  To me, faith is a very personal relationship with God, and I hope it is for you too.  

Warmth rounds out my list because I truly hate being cold!  I love hot weather and if I had my way, I would just hibernate from November until May.  One of my favorite memories from when my kids were little, was I'd be folding laundry right out of the dryer, and take a bath towel or blanket that was still warm, and wrap them up in it and snuggle a minute.  It did my heart good when my daughter, now 26, returned the favor the other night.  She washed her fluffy throw blanket, and came and covered me with it while I watched TV.  I loved the warmth - both from the blanket, but especially from her.

Fragrance is a new one for me.  I recently discovered the benefits of Essential Oils, and have been experimenting with different combinations in my diffuser, tea and bath.  Maybe it's in my mind, but I swear, I can tell a difference in how I feel.  My office smells like lavender, and it's amazing!

On that note, I'll bring this post to a close and get to work, intentionally, of course!  Thanks for reading my list and posting a rating on Swap-bot. 

Much love and thanks to all,

                    Ilyse - Happy Mom ❤️

That Was Then...This Is Now

I had no idea how difficult it would be to narrow down what to share for this swap!  I decided to post these on my blog so I could share a few extras and some details.

First - when my husband and I met in 1981, he was the drummer of a band called “Snuff” and I was the Program Director of a local radio station “XL102”.  We got married in 1985, and he was still playing music, but once we started our family, he got a ‘real’ job. 😀  He eventually became a Contemporary Christian Worship leader, and now pastors 3 little churches.  He still plays music, and I’m still in awe of his talent.  One reason radio was a good fit for me, was because I've always loved music, but could never sing well or play an instrument - but I had a good ear and could ‘pick the hits’ as we used to say.  So, the pictures I'm sharing are of my husband, Michael, and "Snuff" --

Snuff at outdoor concert in VA - 1982

Snuff reunion show, Nags Head, NC - 2013

       

Robbie-Scott-Michael-Cecil-Jimbo on Michael's last gig with Snuff, 1990

Rehearsal for the reunion, 2013
Michael-Norman-Robbie-Cecil-Robbin-Chuck

And here are two extras that I have framed here in my house.  The first is what I call "Dancing Through Time" - I wore my mom's wedding gown when Michael and I got married.  The second frame shows 3 pre-school graduations - Me, My daughter & me, My son & me.  I love these kinds of collections, and hope you've enjoyed mine.

1985 - 1954

1998 - 1996 - 1960

Thanks for visiting - Remember to post a rating, so I know you've received my swap!

Cheers,
Ilyse - Happy Mom

My Favorite Photo Swap - October - From Happy Mom

Hello Swappers and Friends!

Ohmygosh - October was another crazy-busy month here!  Can you even believe that the year has gone by so fast?  One of these days, I will surprise everyone, including myself, and start my blog post saying that it's been a BORING month!  Might be nice, for a change!  Truth be told though, I am never bored.  Even when things aren't busy around here, I always find things to do and ways to entertain myself.  I've been told that I'm my own best company - Ha!  Probably true!

Here are some fun pictures - my favorites - from October:

Road trip through SE Virginia cotton fields

Family time is always the best time, and this month, it was great having my son home for a few days.  Dinner out is always a treat!

    

Another favorite was a photo I snapped at the airport while waiting for my flight to NYC.  I glanced at an article that a person sitting near me was reading, and it caught my eye.  The headline states that nearly 40% of adults in the US qualify as "obese" -- I am so happy that I am not part of that 40% anymore.  I started a weight loss program last November, and have stuck with it for a full year.  I've lost almost 50 pounds and my numbers are now in the "normal" range.  

Reading someone else's paper

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Last print out from doctor's scale  

And, speaking of my trip to NYC -- 

I had the privilege of traveling up to my corporate office in Connecticut, to participate in the Breast Cancer walk there.  Every year, they have a team, and they solicit donations from the whole company.  I always make a donation, but this year, another Regional Manager and I traveled up for the event itself.  My co-worker and I both got great airfare rates to fly in to LaGuardia - she was coming from Denver, and I came from Richmond.  We met there and drove to Branford, CT - Our event planner/HR Director invited us to stay with her, so we had a girls pajama party :)  

While we were there, we ate dinner out, drank some great wine, went to an Oktoberfest celebration at a local brewery, toured the area… and of course, did the Breast Cancer Walk.  Before going back to LaGuardia to head home, we visited the 911 Memorial in New York City.  It was a very good weekend trip, and it made me happy to spend time with my co-workers, to raise money for a great cause, and to get more walking done in 3 days than I did all month!  LOL!  And on the flight home, I got some amazing shots of the sunset from the sky!

At Lighthouse Point Park

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"The Marlin Mammaries"

911 Memorial - New York City

My view of the sunset from the flight home

I love sharing my favorite photos every month and hope you enjoy seeing them!  I always invite my Swap-bot partners to share their swaps with me, even when we're not automatically partnered - I am obsessed with looking at photos!  I'm on Instagram and SnapChat, so look me up.  Hope to swap again soon, and thanks for posting a rating so I know you've received this.  Have a great month!