Day 230 - Poetry

I know I've been posting a lot of poetry lately in lieu of more substantial blog posts and I do apologize.  It is just that I am/have been in a somewhat reflective mood lately and these poems have resonated with me. I figured that they needed to be shared so there you have it.

We have a lot going on in our lives at the moment and sometimes it is good just to sit and reflect. Things have a way of working themselves out - you just need to hang in there and be the best version of you - that you can be so that you're in the right place at the right time and all that jazz.

So along that train of thought, here's a poem about hope. I'll go work on my cross-stitch and then get some sleep - hope your Sunday is a gooder!

Hope is the Thing with Feathers

By: Emily Dickinson
"Hope" is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I've heard it in the chillest land
And on the strangest sea,
Yet never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

Day 229 - Time for Reflection

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. 

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be critical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. 

Be careful. Strive to be happy.

© Max Ehrmann 1927

Day 228 - Bananas!

So I have a couple of WAY Too ripe banana's that need to be used up. I'm thinking of making banana bread or muffins. Even if we don't use them up right away they do freeze really well and are great for a sweet treat when you're in the mood for one.

I've also been dying to try the chocolate brownie recipe with blueberries and spinach and might just do this too. I need to see what I have in the way of ingredients. I don't really have much to type. I have a kitchen to clean and laundry to fold and I should probably take advantage of the little Diva's nap time to do it!

Until tomorrow :)

Day 227 - Cat papers

The hubby has been hard at work getting JubJub's papers in order for his trip to my sister's. I am surprised at the sheer amount of info required but I guess it does make sense. They need to know exactly which cat they are shipping and need to ensure that said cat is healthy and able to travel. I am sorry that I keep mentioning the kitty but it is consuming a lot of our time at the moment. We just hope he's happier at the end of all this!

Anywho before I call it quits for the night here's a story I have to share:

We heard some pretty scary growling type noises coming from the Little Diva's room so I went to check on her. She had her big tiger on her bed and was marching the little one up and down the back of the bed. I guess the noises were simply her cat/tiger growling!

Day 226 - Found Poem - Had to share

 So I ran across this poem a few days ago and thought I would share it. We all have moments as parents when we get frustrated and these words once again reminded me that life is too short to get frustrated over silly things. I am reminded how far my amazing little Diva has come and I do marvel at how amazing she is daily - even when she's in the midst of a house shaking tantrum :)

A Preemie Mothers Oath

I have struggled and toiled for this child.
I have sat in the NICU and waited.
I have cried and prayed.

I have endured.

Like most things in life, the people who truly have appreciation are those who have struggled to attain their dreams.
I will notice everything about my child.
I will take time to watch my child sleep, explore and discover.
I will marvel at my surviving miracle every day for the rest of my life.

I will be happy when I wake in the middle of the night to the sound of my child, knowing that I can comfort, hold and feed him and that I am not waking to a nurse taking another temperature, an alarm going off, another round of meds or because I am crying tears for fear of the unknown.
I will be happy because my baby is alive and crying out for me.

I count myself lucky in this sense; that God has given me this insight, this special vision with which I will look upon my child that my friends will not see.

Whether I parent a preemie with physical challenges or medical issues, I will not be careless with my love.

I will be a better mother for all that I have endured. I am a better wife, a better aunt, a better daughter, neighbor, friend and sister because I have known pain.

I know disillusionment as I have been betrayed by my own body.
I have been tried by fire and hell many never face, yet given time, I stood tall.

I have prevailed.
I have succeeded.
I have won.

So now, when others hurt around me, I do not run from their pain in order to save myself discomfort. I see it, mourn it, and join them in theirs.

I listen.

And even though I cannot make it better, I can make it less lonely. I have learned the immense power of another hand holding tight to mine, of other eyes that moisten as they learn to accept the harsh truth and when life is beyond hard. I have learned a compassion that only comes with walking in those shoes.

I have learned to appreciate life.

Yes I will be a wonderful mother.

Author Unknown

Day 225 - 3 year old and fun parties!

Our littlest nephew turned 3 today and we were there to celebrate! We spent time in the sun, had some laughs with friends and family, ate some delicious food, ate some awesome cake and watched the little guy open his presents. It was fun all round. The little Diva had a blast playing with all of the kiddies.

It's been a busy weekend and it really does not feel like Monday today. I have a feeling that this week is probably going to end up feeling long even though it's only 4 days!

I am going to wind down here though because I'm tired and it's been a long day!

Happy Tuesday folks :)

DAy 224 - heartbroken...

We took JubJub to a cat hotel today. By we - I mean the hubby drove him. I couldn't do it. Just getting him into the cat carrier broke my heart. He howled. I balled. I felt like a traitor.

We will keep him at the hotel until his flight details are finalized and he can go live with my sister, her hubby and their furry babies. I hope that he is happy there.

I know that we are doing the right thing. JubJub was miserable here. He was trying his best to tell us what the problem was. We tried so many different things to try and make him happy but nothing seemed to do the trick. I hope that he will be happy with my sister and that the change of scenery at the hotel will do him good until then.

I remember the day he picked us at the animal shelter. He was a ball of fluff with the biggest ears and most inquisitive kitty eyes I had ever seen. I miss him already and wish that there was something we could have done to make him happy.

We tried.

I look at Mr. Kitty and see him asking where JubJub is and I fight to keep from crying again.

I'm dreading the Little Diva asking where "Jub-bub" is.

This doesn't feel fair.

I truly hope he finds his happiness.