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Friday, August 9, 2019

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:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22375599-the-little-house?ac=1&from_search=truehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42201995-the-stationery-shop?ac=1&from_search=true

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28260600-diary-of-a-provincial-ladyhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42046518-the-rest-of-their-lives?ac=1&from_search=true

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40554155-slaughterhouse-5https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44080835-prefecture-d

and these were pre-orders (the Ogawa was pre-ordered last year for my birthday, so I've been waiting for a year!):
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36242816-the-memory-police?ac=1&from_search=true

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43798285-the-institute?ac=1&from_search=truehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44776548-year-of-the-monkey?ac=1&from_search=true

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!!

6 comments:

bermudaonion said...

I'm sorry you went through such a rough period before your birthday and hope you're in a better place right now.

Brandie said...

I'm sorry to hear about your anxiety around your birthday. You are a blessing and I'm thankful to know you - I know your family loves and adores you, too! I'm glad you were able to turn things around and feel better. And I'm glad you got so many awesome books!!! That's a great birthday! :)

Nadia said...

Kathy, thanks! I am definitely in a better place right now :)

Brandie, thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words - they made my heart smile so much :) You are truly a great friend to have.

Lark said...

Happy Birthday! Glad you're in a happier state of mind now. And fun that you got so many good books to read. Have an awesome weekend! You deserve it. :D

Ti said...

Birthday blues are the worst! I can so relate. I think it's nice that you had some time with your family though. That usually helps quite a bit.

It's almost September and you know what that means! KING. Yep. You know what I noticed the other week? I never read Elevation. Seriously. I bought it and forgot to read it. How could I not read it? So I will have two King books to read once his new one comes out.

Nadia said...

Lark, thank you! I was so excited about the books :) You are the best!! Cheers!!

Ti, I know, right? I don't know what happened, but they just hit hard this year. It definitely helped cheer me up. OMG! I know, KING is nigh :) LOL! OMG! You have to read it!! Such a good one! Let me know what you think of it :)