Wow! It's been a minute . . .

 

Hard to believe that my last post was in 2016! So much has happened since then. I thought about beginning a new blog. Have my priorities changed? Did I want to focus on different things other than Eat, Pray, Joy? I decided that the title still fits. I Eat and Pray every day. And focus on finding the Joy in each day. During a pandemic that was sometimes a challenge. But, here I am re-centered on Joy. One of my biggest Joys since 2016 was the purchase of my motor coach, BB (Brenda’s Beauty). I vowed to travel in it each and every month. I did just that until the pandemic hit. A very sad BB sat in RV storage for March, April, and May of 2020. In June I decided that I owned my very own personal “bubble” and traveled to my favorite beach Destin, FL to visit my longtime friend, Anne. I was able to “work from home” while enjoying the beach and my friend! Not a bad deal. So much fun I went back again in October with my adult children, John and Sarah (James stayed behind in Dallas). Remember to EAT, PRAY, and find the JOY in every day.

EAT - Still enjoying my Blue Apron deliveries with friends and family

  PRAY – One of my favorite places to pray and meditate, the beach.

JOY – A Joy since 2018, BB (Brenda’s Beauty) my motor coach.

 

June/July/August 2016

Eat – Yes, I continue to eat every day. Some days are more nutritional than others. In June I found Joy in helping decorate “Texas” cookies with my good friend, Nancy. We welcomed a new Interim Pastor at the church where I work. Yes, I ate several, they were as yummy as they looked. I continue to enjoy my Blue Apron deliveries with friends and family. My son, John recently challenged me to a Fitbit challenge called the Workweek Hustle. I was competing with a group of 20 and 30 somethings. I didn’t have to be in 1^st place but I challenged myself to not come in last. I think I did alright for a “Mom.” It was also incentive to eat more healthily. My daughter got me hooked on Greek yogurt not too long ago. A great source of protein each morning. Yogurt with berries and granola…yum! When the Fitbit challenge was done I was amazed to come in 3^rd place out of 9. What I gained from participating was much more important than winning. I am getting up earlier each work day so that I can get in a 30 minute workout each morning. I challenged myself to get 4000 steps in before leaving the house. Feeling pretty good about my progress. 

Pray – Where do I begin? I pray daily for the world and the nations leaders. Racial & social injustice. Peace on many fronts. As both national conventions went on in July I watched and heard the highlights of both. I do not remember a time in my lifetime of voting when the conventions seemed to embody such internal discord. I pray that both parties will be united by the time of the election in November and that the best leader for this time and place will be chosen. Of course, I have my preferences, but I will pray for what is best for our nation and believe and have faith in God’s master plan.

Joy – Writing for this blog reminds me of my commitment to “find joy in every day.” My Joy in June, July, and August has been in my music, specifically my solo handbell ringing. Just beginning on my solo ringing journey. I scheduled and rang for four different churches this summer. Beautiful places of worship! I even invested in a Solo Port-A-Bell Case which holds three octaves of bells (all I usually need). “Each performance is different,” I heard a handbell soloist say. Oh, how true this is! I now say that each performance is, “Uniquely Organic.” You can never predict what will go wrong or right! You just have to go along for the ride! Ah, the joy it can bring if you embrace it.   

May 2016

It is hard to believe that I have not blogged in over two years. Maybe it is time to begin again.

     

Eat –I have certainly ate a lot over those two years…haha. I began cooking with Blue Apron in the fall of 2015. It has been great, they do all of the shopping and gathering and I do the prep and eating. Not a bad deal! Just this week I enjoyed several meals with good friends. Saturday my friend Lynn and I prepared and enjoyed Zucchini & Spinach Quiche. Monday nights have become “Dinner & Dancing” night with my friend, Kari. On Monday, May 2 we prepared Chickpea Burgers with Sweet Potato Rounds and watched “Dancing with the Stars.” We are rooting for Ginger Zee. Oh, how I enjoy good food! But it is the socializing that comes with it that brings me great joy! From “Dinner & Dancing” to a relaxing Saturday night dinner with a friend, it is the friendships that tie it all together.

Pray – I continue to pray every day. This year is an interesting year with the Presidential election coming up in November. I will not discuss politics on this platform but will continue to pray for our nation’s leaders. My roomie from the choir trip in the summer of 2015 was Sue. She is having a challenge with regard to a recent diagnosis. I continue to lift her up in prayer for strength and healing. I also lift up my friend, Donna, who just had hip surgery. May her healing and progress be quick.

 

Joy – Another Joy in my life is music. I still have the privilege of ringing handbells with several great groups. Concert Bells of Fort Worth just completed their spring concert series. And Preston Hollow Sanctuary Ringers will debut a new Cathy Moklebust piece this June. We will sadly say farewell to our dedicated Director, Judy Melson. She is retiring after 20 years of service. I have also acquired my own set of handbells and am excited to embark upon a new venture in solo and small ensemble ringing. I was excited to solo ring on my birthday this year in New Jersey at my good friend, Blake Spencer’s church, Ocean Heights Presbyterian. Remember, find Joy in every day!

    

June birthdays, July 4th and more...

 

I never would have predicted that I would blog every day for an entire year. But I did in 2013. I guess I got somewhat burned out and have been quite lazy about blogging in 2014. Not that I haven't experienced... Eat... Pray... Joy every day in 2014. I have eaten plenty and tried several new places in 2014. I have taken less photos of food than I did in 2013. I'm guessing it got a little boring seeing pictures of what I had for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.  

 

I continue to pray daily for friends, family, etc. Prayers of thanksgiving for my friend, Susie. She came to Texas in mid May and finished packing for my move to Addison while I worked. I could not have done it without her. In June, on my heart and in my prayers was my friend, Karen and her family. She had so much to deal with over the past several months. I was taken back to those days in 2008 when I dealt with my aging parent, three kids, etc. There are so many things that come up when dealing with your aging parent. Illness, surgery, their fears, your fears, etc. It is all so stressful emotionally and physically. In my case my mom waited until the last days and moments to handle end of life decisions. My heart goes out to anyone dealing with an aging parent and especially my friend, Karen.

 

 

 

I continue to find Joy in every day. I have been very fortunate over the past several months and have experienced much joy! I found a new place to live only two miles from my office rather than 18 miles. My lessened commute brings me joy and saves me major bucks and time. In April I, with my three children, attended the wedding of my niece, Amy, much joy was had by all! It was great to have all three children in one place for the family occasion.  The birthday of my youngest son, James, was in late June and we had a family celebration for he and my niece, Amy, and their June birthdays, I felt blessed! Next, I looked forward to celebrating the 4th of July in my new place in Addison, very close to Kaboom Town. I had hopes of sitting back in my pool, enjoying a beverage (or two or three) with friends and watch the fireworks to celebrate our nation's birthday! Part of those were realized as I grilled burgers for Kari and Alys on my new grill, had several Cosmos and we enjoyed the pool at Kaboom Town time. Alas, we could only hear the fireworks on 7/3. The company of friends, burgers, drinks and the pool was great though! The next day, 7/4, I drove to be close to Josey Ranch for the Carrollton fireworks show. I located the perfect parking lot on a hill and had a wonderful view of the show. Pictures never do fireworks justice, unless of course you are a professional with professional equipment. I was blessed to have one of the best views in town. Watching fireworks always brings me such joy...I love all of the colors!

 

How long does your birthday last?

 Does your birthday last a day? A week? More?
 

I say, it lasts as long as family and friends want to celebrate it with you. I am so very blessed to have family and friends who celebrated my birthday on March 13 through April 17 when I received the last birthday gift from a friend. The gift tag said, “Some birthdays go on…and on…and on…!”

Through the years my friends have made fun of the fact that I celebrate my birthday for an entire month. This began when I celebrated my 50^th for a month rather than getting bogged down into the fact that, “OMG I was turning 50!” To be honest, it was funny at first and I laughed with them and took the joking in stride. After a while it ceased to be funny.
 

This year, I said nothing about my birthday and hoped it would go by quietly without notice. I just wasn’t in a partying mood. My friends and family are the reason I celebrated. They proceeded to shower me with lunches, dinners, gifts and cards for over a month. I am in my 50s and proud of it. Prayers of thanksgiving for my family and friends! They are my JOY!  

Mardi Gras to Lent to Easter

 

Mardi Gras (French) also Fat Tuesday (English), refers to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after the Epiphany of Kings day and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday. Fat Tuesday, reflecting the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season. I enjoyed Fat Tuesday with my handbell peeps before our Tuesday rehearsal. We had waffles at the local Waffle House, delicious. 

 

Lent...give up, give away or add in? Many choose to give up things during Lent each year. Like soda, drinking alcohol,  a certain food or internet game addictions like Words with Friends. This year it is quite popular to do 40 bags in 40 days where people go  through a closet, give away or repurpose clothing or household items, sort through an overcrowded garage, etc. I have chosen to "add in" a discipline. I have begun yoga...again. Every morning I have the hardest time getting up and getting going. So I began doing my "Morning Cup of Yoga" book. It is a fifteen minute yoga routine that is designed to get you going in the morning. So far I have done it every day in Lent. I have to admit it has helped defeat my morning laziness. I am very much a night owl but I have begun getting to bed earlier knowing that I will need to awake earlier to do my morning routine. Will I become a yoga fanatic? Probably not, but it certainly has helped me to get going in the mornings rather than dragging out of bed at the last possible moment and feeling behind and tired all day. Here's to adding in a new discipline that helped me along my journey through Lent.

Sunset in Sarasota, FL

Photo credit: Susie Elsea

Now I have made it through Holy Week where I rang at a Maudy Thursday service and sang at a Good Friday service. The Good Friday service was such a moving Tenebrae service ending in darkness with a soprano/tenor duet of Where You There sung from the chancel and balcony. I was moved to tears. Looking forward to the Joy of Easter.

An Attitude of Gratitude

An attitude of gratitude February 2014 Prayers of thanksgiving. So many things to be thankful for in February of the New Year. And gratitude brings me joy!

I currently have a job with benefits. Grateful.

  

I have attended many performances of dance and theater in the New Year, Pelobolous, Kibbutz, Plano Symphony and Godspell. I have the privilege of having invitations to these performances with and from my friends. Grateful.

 

My friend, Blake, will soon receive his Doctor of Ministry from SMU. He has been there for me over the past several years during and since my divorce. Proud, Grateful and Thankful for him!

I have lost 10 pounds by eating less and more healthily. May I never find it again. Grateful.

 

Even though I'm eating less I have enjoyed many good dishes with friends in January and February. Grateful for friends to share meals with.

I find joy in the music whether it be ringing handbells, singing in a choir or attending musical performances. It is hard to concentrate on the negative when one is "in the music." Grateful for the music in my life!