My Friday Five...

1.  Well, I'm 41 now. Yep, I turned one year older this past Sunday. I'll be honest and admit that prior to my birthday I was feeling the blues. I was overwhelmed by anxiety and depression all week long. I couldn't fall asleep until nearly 3 or 4am.  I cried most nights. It was pretty rough. I just found myself thinking about the past and where I was at currently in my life. I was feeling like a failure. I was feeling so unworthy. All of my fears were just running around loose in my head. It was not a good time.  And so, I talked it out and cried it out with God. I also wrote it all down and got it out of my head. I reminded myself of all the good people and things in my life. I repeated all the mantras I keep close to my heart. I read quotes and jotted down the ones that spoke to me. I made myself choose joy over and over, even though I just wanted to lie down and cry.  Sunday came and I celebrated with my mom, dad, and sister. I wanted just to have some family time with all four of us for once. I wanted low-key. And, I wanted donuts.  So we ate, talked, and laughed. I read the cards they gave me and my heart just burst.  I cried and cried. I saw how much they loved me and I felt so blessed in that moment. It made me realize just how lucky I truly am and that maybe Rachel Hollis is right, "It's impossible to feel anxiety and gratitude simultaneously."  Because in that moment when I was feeling so grateful for my family, I didn't feel anxious at all.

2.  Books, books, and more books...well, if you've been reading this blog for awhile, then you know all I ever want for my birthday or for Christmas are books. So, yes, I had a birthday book wish list and I was lucky to all of them. Hurrah!  Here they are:

and these were pre-orders (the Ogawa was pre-ordered last year for my birthday, so I've been waiting for a year!):

Not a bad bunch, eh? I can't wait to dive into the Ogawa - should be here next week. Woo hoo!!

3.  TV shows.  My TV watching has consisted of Southern Charm, The Hills: New Beginnings, and Good Witch. I am so behind on everything. I still need to watch the new Veronica Mars and Real Housewives of the OC.  Oh, and that new Mindy Kaling show, Four Weddings and a Funeral. Cripes! So much TV, so little time for it. Except, for Aurora Teagarden. Yep, I made time to watch the new movie on Hallmark this past Sunday - talk about perfect timing (on my birthday!). Plus, there was an Aurora Teagarden marathon, so I definitely caught a few of those as well. And, this Sunday is another new Aurora Teagarden movie - hurrah! What about you? What are you watching this summer? Any good shows to recommend? Let me know.

4.  Journals. Okay, so I think I definitely have an addiction. For my birthday I got the new Field Notes box set of Wilco ones (who doesn't love Wilco?!).  I also got some Christian Lacroix journals - they are so surreal and whimsical, how could I not want them? Plus, they remind me of Ab Fab.  Plus, I ordered two limited edition Traveler's Factory notebooks that just came out.  Oh, and did I mention that I used my birthday cards to make a junk journal. All of those plus the ones I already own - yikes! Then again, it was my birthday, so I suppose I shouldn't feel too guilty, right?

5.  Music.  Creedence Clearwater Revival.  This song on repeat: Have You Ever Seen The Rain?

And now, I'm off to read some magazines. I have copies of Vogue, O, Real Simple, and In Her Studio. Hope you all have a great weekend! Happy reading!!