Friday's Grace

Happy Friday everyone. 

Phew! This week was totally unexpected. 

My allergies kicked into high gear this week and I had to give myself a lot of grace to be able to do what I needed to do this week. In this season of my life, my allergies present itself in the way of loosing my voice and a really terrible sounding cough BUT I otherwise feel great- weirdly enough.

After work each night, instead of working on posts or doing other things, I laid in bed and caught up on shows I've been neglecting. It has been nice to breathe for a bit and while its hard for me to sit still, I think it was a blessing in disguise this week.

At first I was sad I didn't get Wednesday's post completed but I said to myself, that's okay! You can only do what you can. Giving yourself grace is so important in these situations and I am really proud that I listened to my body and rested.

I haven't been to the gym in over a week now and yet again, at first I was upset with myself but I realized that to be able to work out I need to feel good and I can't feel good if I don't listen to my body.

Giving myself grace this week also allowed me to prioritize what I was doing at work and I was able to accomplish just about everything on my to do list and not feel overwhelmed. In doing so, I think I figured out a good system how I can make my to do lists more manageable. I am excited to test it some more. 

One morning, I stopped at Starbucks to pick up a Medicine Ball on the way to work. I went through the drive through and when I got up to the window to pay, I asked for a receipt. The woman in the window leans on her arms and faces me and asks " do you Fetch?" I was caught off guard by this question but then smiled as I realized what she meant- Do I use Fetch to scan my receipts and collect points to cash in for gift cards? HECK YES I responded and we had the sweetest conversation while I waited for my drink to be made. I told her this gift card I am using today, was from the points on Fetch! I drove away with a HUGE smile on my face. What an unexpected conversation about scanning receipts. If you want to join in and get 'free' money in the form of gift cards to your favorite retailers, click here for 2,000 points when you sign up! 

Okay, I am signing off but I wish you a wonderful and fun weekend! 

Oh, don't forget to give yourself grace! 

[[Chase grace.]]

ps. I'm linking up with Andrea and Erika, as always!

Letting Myself Have Grace

This post is more of an open letter to myself, letting me know that its okay. It's more of streams of thoughts than anything really and a reminder that I can't do everything. I will get things done, maybe not in order or in a set time period but they will get done and I will be proud of what I put out there.  Perhaps this is something you need to hear too? 

\\\ Giving myself grace with posts

\\\ I can't do everything

\\\ I try really hard but it doesn't always happen

\\\ I concede that I did my best and sometimes, my ideas don't always pan out like I think they should.

\\\ I'm still writing back posts from November to February. Will they get done? maybe, but not any time soon. I have to let myself know that is okay. 

\\\ I am really passionate about my posts for May and I am going to try to get those out in a more timely fashion but I have learned about myself, I do things on a weird time line. Does it look like everyone else's progress? no, but that is okay because grace. 

[[The timing is always perfect. Never rushed, never late, always on time]]

OOPS!

Just showing my face on the blog for the new year.

Welp! Its the second full week of the January and somehow I have lost track of time. School started Monday and I guess I still think I am on break because it seems to be hard to get back into a routine. I am giving myself grace today to focus on school work and getting back into a new rhythm of things. 

If this happened, two years ago,  I would have stayed up all night writing what I intended to write just because it was on my schedule and I didn't want to let myself down. I am happy that I can change directions and do things that suit my needs in the moment. I hope you have learned this for you as well. 

I will leave you with this fun project I am participating in, with the local library when I have some time. I have been making them when I am on my exercise bike, if you are or would like to participate, leave me a comment below and let me know!

Check back for an extra special Friday favorites on Friday. ((hint: 🥳))

[[find a rhythm that enhances your life not a routine that stifles it.]]

Grace on a Friday

Etsy

Woah! I'm pretty sure it was just Monday and then I blinked and its Friday. How in the world did that happen?! Does anyone else feel like they are in this revolving wheel that you can't seem to get off of? Oh good, I am glad its not just me. 

I am in my final 2 weeks of classes and let me tell you, I am using a lot of brain cells. There is so much to accomplish between now and October 11. I am hoping and praying I get it all done. 

So today should have been Feel Good Friday but between homework, overtime, normal work, and sleep, I didn't have a chance to gather feel good content. I am giving myself grace and surrendering to the fact, I am doing the very best I can be. Heck, we are still in a global pandemic- if we accomplish anything it should be celebrated. HA!

My advice for you today: Give yourself grace. If you are starting to feel overwhelm or overworked, pull back. Do what is good for your soul. You are the most important thing and to do all the great things you set out to do, you must feel your best. Grace not perfection (thanks Emily Ley for that reminder!)

Wishing you a wonderful end of the week and a wonderful weekend. I am going to try to go social media free this week and to clear my mind. Lets hope for the best with that. 

What are your plans for the weekend?

[[a little more kindness, a little less judgment]]

-gabrielle

PS. Linking up with Andrea and Erika today for Friday Favorites.

This weeks posts: September Playlist/// Dear September/// Happy Birthday Dad

Grace

This was supposed to be a post about recovery after surgery today but it was a struggle to write. I need a break from writing. I didn't realize how many emotions writing about Crohns Disease would bring up in me. It has been a lot to process and I decided I needed time.

On Monday night, I decided that I need to give myself grace and take a breather from writing about my journey. I put way too much pressure on myself and it’s not good.

Check back on Friday for some fun snapshots and I'll be back on Monday with how recovery after surgery was for me.

[[Exit gracefully. heal and grow, don’t look back-butterflies rising]]

-gabrielle

Saturday Night

Hello! Hi! Howdy!

Its Saturday night, Leo and I are home relaxing. I have been doing a few things around the house and even been painting in my garage studio. 

Painting brings me so much JOY! While I am no professional, I enjoy the act of picking out different colors and just letting the paint brush wander.

 I picked up some new canvas at Michaels this week. They were having a crazy sale- Buy 1 Get 2 free! TWO free!! Naturally I ordered 30 of them; ordered online and picked them up in store. The store associate asked me if taught one of those Paint and Sip classes. HA! I said I just like to paint. lol. 

Today was a good day- Blake and I did some errands this morning, we watched a few episodes of the office and then he went off to work and here we are. 

Its officially 90 days until Hawaii! I will share what I am packing and what I am most excited for about Hawaii in August. 

This season of my life, has been very interesting and I am grateful for this crazy adventure!

Laundry and my canvas are calling my name!

XO

"If you want to be successful, its just this simple, know what you are doing. Love what you are doing. And believe in what you are doing" WIll Rogers.

Recent Inspiration and a Revelation

Hi! Hello!  

Wonder Grace and Joy is born. Today it is born and I couldn't be happier. I have been around in the blogging world on and off for years and now I am back. Recently certain events have brought me to a period of reflection and renewal. I am trying to rediscover the girl I was years ago- happy, giddy about life and curious. There is a well know Kate Spade quote that seems to fit this old idea of me:

I feel like this described what I used to be and to tell you the truth, I miss her. Life is what you make it so I am making it the best I can.

SO TODAY....I decided to stop wishing I was her and lamenting over how she isn't here anymore. Actually I think she is here within me but she's afraid to come out and show her fun side. I am going to try my hardest to find this girl who i so wish would come out and play. I love my life right now and I am very content with who I have become but I think I can improve (can't everyone?!) and this is the perfect time to embark on this new adventure. 

I am recalling all the things I used to love- color, painting, creating really cute outfits, being playful and silly, observing life and just truly enjoying life to the fullest. I had fun with life and not took things so seriously. 

Wonder Grace and Joy is my journey and my scrapbook of living life to the fullest and rediscovering the old me.