Fabulous Friday Favorites

Hi!

This week I felt much better than last week. Its FINALLY April and I feel like I have gotten into more of a new rhythm this week- this was the first social distancing/alternate day schedule at my office. It was weird but I liked it. I was productive and I had a lot to do each day. Also I'm pretty sure it helped that I only worked 2 days this week and I have a 5 day weekend. I am taking any small victories I can get.

My mental health seems to be improving as well. I am trying to focus on the good and use gratitude to base my thoughts and try not to let my thoughts go to the dark side. It's as always a work in progress for me.  I am happy I am seeing the sunlight even when there are clouds.

Here are some of my favorites from the week:

Modern COVID-19 Love Story/// Did you see this? Guy sees girl dancing on her roof. Guy flies drone to her with his number (SO CREATIVE!) and then they have dinner, socially distanced of course. Watch this video to make your heart feel all the feels.

Dealing with Sensory Overload/// This is a great article from the Mighty talking about how not to be over consumed with all the news surrounding COVID-19. My favorite ones are Social Media Social Distancing and setting boundaries. I have been trying to limit my consumption of the news because I feel like its ALL OVER. I totally understand the importance to stay informed but girl, slow down,  I see you. HA!

Star Struck Penguins/// I know these videos of different animals exploring their aquariums/zoos is absolutely adorable and what we need right now. I know you've sat and watched every single video BUT you just have to watch how cute the penguins are meeting the beluga whales. You are going to melt into a pile of mush.  You're welcome. :)

Jeopardy Database/// Mental Floss published this great article how there is a new database with every.single.question. ever asked. There are over 300,000 questions! 36 Seasons! I am in amazement over all of this. I wonder how much money that is? Also where does Jeopardy get the money to give away?  Check out the J-Archive here.

Chipmunk Dog/// This dog loves his tennis balls. He loves them so much that he has a really neat trick- he likes to carry them all in his mouth. You have to watch this adorable feel good video. It will make you smile so much.

That's all I got for this week. Don't forget to check out my March Inventory and March Reads.

Linking up with Andrea, Erica and Narci today.

[stay patient and trust the journey]

-gabrielle

March Reads

I have a confession to make.... this month, reading was not a priority for me. I know its good for me but it was a struggle each time I picked up a book. I started one and struggled through the first 50 pages thinking it would get better, it didn’t.  I started a very thought provoking book and once I got through the first chapter I stopped because each chapter has questions to answer and I want to do them but I need quiet time to think and process. With all that being said, I read ONE book this month.

A Curve in the Road by Julianne Maclean ⭐⭐⭐

This book was good; it kept my attention and within the first 50 pages, there was a big twist which was nice but once the action was over,  I felt like there was nothing left except some predictability in the story lines. It kept my mind busy which was something I definitely needed but it was my absolute favorite. I wished there was more substance to it. The dog was my favorite character.

I have a few books on my nightstand that I took out from the local library last month, but since this COVID-19 started they suspended fines and returns. So I still have those books....I might dive into those, I might venture to my bookcase to see which books I have not read yet or maybe re-read an old favorite. Check back next month to see what I read in April.

What did you read this month? I am always looking for suggestions.

[[a well read woman is a dangerous creature]]

-gabrielle

March Inventory

In the great words of Ron Burgdendy, Well that escalated quickly. March was a rough month. Did March feel like a year to anyone else?

Chalk and Leaves

Just like last month, I decided to take inventory in my month. This month was especially hard to find happy things but I think some good came out of this crazy month. What were your happy moments from this month?

Highlights
+Spending more time with my parents
+Running outside in the warmer weather
+SPRING
+Zoom yoga classes
+Learning to slow down and breathe (still working on this)
+Getting my sewing machine out to sew masks
+Reaching out to friends and family

Lowpoints
-Worrying and the stress of the COVID-19
-The unknown of all of this

Favorite Moments
+Running outside
+Seeing the flowers and trees start to bloom
+Family time (lots of it)
+Spotting rainbows and sidewalk chalk art on my runs
+Catching surprise sunsets on the water

Favorite Posts
+Thirty Two
+Recent Snapshots
+All About Me

Looking forward to
+More outdoor runs
+More yoga (virtual and in person)
+connecting with friends in person after all of this passes

Quote of the Month
+All great changes are preceded by chaos-Deepak Chopra
+At the end of the day, remind yourself that you did the best you could today, and that is good enough- Lori Deschene

Hopes/Wish for next month

+Not to take little things for granted- going out to aimlessly walk around Target/TJ Maxx/ Michael's; a food store with the shelves stocked; a boring Tuesday at the office that is full of employees and clients; seeing school buses on the road; and most importantly handshakes and hugs. We need to focus on the good things to come again, whenever that might be.

What to Expect Next Month:
+New Normal
+My Fitness Journey
+Being Vulnerable

[[Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you- 1 Peter 5:7]]

-gabrielle

Fabulous Friday Favorites

Well, this week I think, at least for me, was a little easier.. I feel more settled into this new normal.  I am working from home every other day for the foreseeable future.  I still have anxiety about it all and it still worries me to no end, but I think I have my wild thoughts under some control.

This week, I noticed, that people seem to be more calm as a whole. People are reaching out to see if others need help grocery shopping; reaching out to friends and family via text, calls, and facetime; making masks for the healthcare workers; providing free coffee to first responders and healthcare workers; sharing more memes to lighten the mood and provide emotional comfort to one another. This is a hard time for everyone and I believe that everyone is taking comfort in that- we are all in this together, as the nation and as the world. I loved seeing how people are coming together, but not (because social distancing) and helping one another. We might be in a pickle for the time being but compassion and kindness seem to be really shining through.

These are my favorites from this week:

Dr. Elvis Francois/// Did you see this? His voice is AMAZING! What a gift he has and he is sharing it with his patients and now the world. Out of the craziness of his day, he has time to sing and inspire. Well done Dr. Francois!

Silver Linings During COVID-19 Quarantine///All news is not bad; this story is filled with feel good stories about the good things that are happening during all of this. Spoiler Alert: it is filled with family time, new hobbies and tackling dreaded chores but making it fun.

Zoom Meetings// I have never heard of Zoom before this Quarantine but I am sure glad technology is so amazing.  Now I don't use this for work, I use it to attend live yoga classes and it has become one of my favorite things to log into. Getting to connect with people from all over through the internet is truly amazing.

Laughter// To make you all laugh here are some of my favorite memes from this week:

Stay healthy, be safe, be smart and always be kind.

[[When we get through this, every handshake and hug will mean so much more. Simon Sinek]]

-gabrielle

As always I am linking up with Andrea, Narci and Erica.

Don't forget to check out this weeks posts- On COVID-19 and March Mixtape.

giancarlo

Yikes. Talking to Eric yesterday really got me thinking. Like my mind is a mess just like the last time I saw him. we really haven't spoken since September and It was like we were back in our bubble again. we revealed things to eachother and it was really nice.
I think eric was one of the only relationships I truly gave myself and everything that I had. It didn't feel like I had to hold back. we had some rocky parts in our short relationship but the fact we still felt so comfortable after so many years makes me think. He was one of the few that made me feel like I can be my true goofy self. he didn't judge me. he played along and I think I truly did love him. the fact after 4 years we jumped right back into our bubble made me smile. the chemistry was still there and it was even more intense.

March Mixtape

Hi friends.  This month's playlist is one I hope will uplift you, inspire you and bring you joy. When I was picking songs out, I was really focusing on the words and the message behind each one. I hope this is a little sunshine in this crazy world we are living in.

March Mixtape

Dance with Me by Morgan Evans feat Kelsea Ballerini

Won't' Give up on You by Peyton Parrish

Home to Me by Ross Ellis

The Good Ones by Gabby Barrett

I Will Follow by Chris Tomlin

Tell Your Heart to Beat Again by Danny Gokey

What A Beautiful Day by Chris Cagle

Know Your Worth by Khalid, Disclosure

Rise Up by Matt Maher

Blessings by Florida Georgia Line

Beer in the Headlights by Luke Bryan

Big Plans By Why Don't We

Graveyard by Halsey

If You Need Me by Julia Michaels

Prize Worth Fighting For by Jamie Kimmett

Wide Awake by Katy Perry

Eastside by benny blanco, Halsey, Khalid

The Good Parts by Andy Grammer

Remind Me You're Here by Jason Gray

Safe and Sound by Capital Cities

God Only Knows by for King and Country, Echosmith  & Timberland

Click here to listen to this month's mixtape.

[[He heals the wounds of every shattered heart. Psalm 147:3]]

-gabrielle

On COVID-19

Hi Friends,

I know this past week has been so hard. We all have been experiencing variety of emotions- anger, sadness, uncertainty, calmness, happy, worry and feeling scared and for a while I thought I was the only one who was experiencing these emotions. I realized as soon as others started speaking out about the emotion range they were having, I felt more at ease, knowing that other people were feeling the same as I was. In this time of worry, its nice to know that others share the feelings as you do.

I will not lie, I was a mess for the better part of last week; I am not one to hid my emotions and coming off the week prior (a full moon, daylight savings and Friday the 13th), March certainly has not been easy for me emotionally. I am pretty sure I cried multiple times this month and sometimes I didn't even know why I was crying, I think it was just the feeling of  sheer frustration and the feeling of overwhelm in every aspect of my life. Its funny how things tend to be grouped together-  everything is good or  everything is bad. I also have been feeling hopeless in the sense that no one really knows what is going on with this. No one knows how long we will need to stay inside and away from people- it could be weeks, it could be months. 

As I am writing this, I feel nothing- I am in a void, so to speak. There is so much going on and yet I am choosing not to feel anything.  ( I am not sure if that is good or bad but I am going with it.) The unclear restrictions, the mixed feelings and the unknown scares me.  I am a person who is prone to anxiety and depression and for the life of me, I cannot get out of this slump I have been in, pretty much all month.  At this point I am not trying to rationalize them; I am allowing myself to feel these emotions and get swallowed into them. 

Yesterday, I cried, stayed in my pajamas all day and laid in bed, and if I felt like crying, I did; I gave myself grace in that aspect. I thought about so many different things and my mind was having a hard time focusing on one thing for a long period. I had a plan to be productive yesterday and a to do list of things I wanted to do, but that sat undone. 

I know others have been giving great advice and great tips how to weather this virus but to be honest,  who is actually following that advice? (I am not one to be the mean and so judgmental, but seriously?!) Does anyone just sit on the couch, eat junk food and wallow in their emotions? No, only me, cool ! I appreciate the other bloggers trying to put on a brave face and act like this is exactly what everyone needs but truth be told,  this is probably the last thing we all need. We need real talk- and not just about clothes, the newest accessory or another sponsored post about something they don't use; we need posts about how they are really feeling, honest and raw. No need for sugar-coating your feelings now, especially since everyone is feeling it. Feelings are messy, you don't need to put together a blogpost that is perfect.

A lot of people in my community seem to not be listening to the Governor and to stay inside.  To them, its a free pass to go to the parks/boardwalks/outdoor areas in large groups and act like we have a "snow day". There are a lot of people that I heard say,  "Oh I'm not in the age range or I'm not at risk for this'.... hello! the virus does not discriminate against anyone. Its very frustrating. I am at risk being on immunosuppressant medication for Crohn's Disease and my parents are at risk because they are older , and you not following the rules is putting us at more of a risk. I am a rule follower to a T... can't everyone else be one too? Is it that hard to stay inside with all the necessities- food, internet, streaming services?

Here is my plead to all of you please please please for the love of God, if you are not an essential employee, stay inside and do what you do every other weekend-drink, eat and binge something on the many different streaming services that are available; clean to your houses until your hearts are content; remold or repaint that thing you have been meaning to do; play board games; reorganize your closets... DO SOMETHING INSIDE AND BY YOUR SELF.

I would rather be stuck inside now for two weeks, rather than in the summer for 3 months.

Use your brains,  I know you are smart, listen to #flattenthecurve.

-gabrielle

ps. If you or someone you know is really struggling with their mental health, you can contact NJMENTALHEALTHCARES  the free helpline created for telephone counseling, emotional support, information and assistance at 866-202-HELP (7 days a week, 8AM to 8PM)

Faboulus Friday Favorites

Woah! Did this week feel like 7 weeks to anyone else?! No, just me? okay cool.  Lets agree to say COVID-19 has made a monumental impact in most peoples lives. I have been practicing social distancing not just because this virus scares me but also I have a compromised immune system and my parents are older. We are (knock on wood) in mostly good health. We have been taking all the precautions and I am happy my job has restricted the public from coming in. That puts me at ease, a little more. Having my own office is perfect for social distancing now. #introvertunite

I figured with the craziness of this week, my favorites this week should be uplifting and light.

I found this and I couldn't stop laughing because I remember all those times trying to do math homework with my dad and crying my eyes out for hours not understanding basic math. This common core math is way harder and  I cannot imagine how parents are feeling now, teaching something that they don't even know. Thank goodness for YouTube and the Internet.

one/// Penguins Explore Aquarium /// This was just the most adorable thing I have ever seen! These penguins were just waddling around, like it was no big deal. They did not realize how they are winning over America's hearts right now. Take a look at this cute video here

two/// Celebrities/// So many celebrities are using their stardom for good. John Legend, Thomas Rhett, Keith Urban and Dropkick Murphys all streamed mini concerts from their homes Tuesday night trying to "flatten the curve." I loved how interactive these were (You voted on what Chrissy Teigan was to wear---a plain towel) and the artists were connecting to so many people at once.

I caught the end of Thomas Rhett's instalive concert; Him and Lauren prayed for everyone and it was just such a heartfelt and natural thing for him to do. It was really, really sweet.

Seeing other celebrities livestream themselves reading their favorite children's books have made me smile all week. I love seeing celebrities use their star power for the common good.

three/// Dating during COVID-19 outbreak/// This article made me giggle. Yes, dating is looking a little different right now BUT I think this might be really good. Courting is talking to your potential romantic partner before entering into a romantic relationship. Maybe this is the roaring twenties are happening again. I'm curious to see what happens.

four/// Easy fix /// This made me laugh so hard this week. They fixed the Mars Lander by hitting it with a shovel?! Come on, that seems so made up but yet, it happened and it fixed it. For real!

five/// Anxiety and COVID-19// it was no secret this week I was filled with anxiety. A LOT of it. As the week wore on, I had less and less anxiety but its still there. This was a great article and provided a lot of tips.

six/// Favorite things/// my absolute favorite things from this week was seeing how families are FINALLY spending time together and working together to provide harmony and calmness in a world of such uncertainty. The world is a pretty awesome place once everyone just calms down. The sheer fact that all these good, heartwarming stories are emerging, reminds me there is still good in this scary world. It sometimes takes a worldwide emergency to bring these good stories out.

Well, I am saying my prayers, counting my blessings and thinking good thoughts to get me through today. Please know if you are struggling with anything, I am praying for you.

Be sure to check out my Recent Snapshots and All About Me posts from this week!

[[be someone who makes everyone feel like a somebody]]

-gabrielle

PS... I took an online live yoga class last night because COVID-19. I had always taken in person classes so this was a little different but this was the coolest thing I've done in a while. Go find a local instructor and take their online live class. They are having a hard time, like a lot of us during this time. Do something good for your mind and body.  You wont regret it.  I have a few yoga instructors who are doing live classes, if you want a great session, let me know and I will give you their names!
Namaste everyone.

PPS. I’m linking up with Andrea, Narci and Erika for Friday Favorites.

All about ME!

I think out of all the years I've been blogging, I don't think I have ever had a post of facts about myself. Yup, I looked through my old blog posts and I did a little mini introductions when I started or restarted a blog but nothing like this.

Last April at Holland Ridge Farms

 10 Facts About Me

1. I'm a paralegal who's main responsibilities are adoptions and bookkeeping.
2. I love to read and I try to take a book everywhere I go.
3. There is always songs on loop in my head, but never whole ones, pieces of this and pieces of that linked together-I feel like its my soundtrack. (Does anyone else do that?!)
4. One of my bucket list items is to visit all 50 states- I've been to 7 of them so far.
5.I have been blogging for close to 10 years on and off.  This is not including Xanga and Myspace.
6. When I was younger, I wanted to be a teacher or a fashion designer.
7. I have been practicing yoga for 4 years with the same teacher.
8. I haven't watched TV all year and I truly don't miss it.
9. I have kept all my old planners since 2009; I wish I had older ones. They are like journals to me.
10. I'm an ISFJ and a type 2 Enneagram.

Did anything surprise you about my facts?

[[this is the part where you find out who you are]]

-gabrielle

PS.

Just a side note: I know everyone is still worried about COVID-19 ( I like this name better than Coronavirus) and all the uncertainty swirling around it.  I am worried too,  ALOT! It has been hard to limit the exposure of the information and news about it because its just EVERYWHERE I look. I am happy to see families embracing the virtual schooling and taking time to spend together. I know being a teacher on subjects that you don't necessarily remember have to be hard but seeing all this family time makes me happy and reminds me that we are resilient and strong. Remember to take a deep breathe and trust that everything will work out.  We are JERSEY STRONG!

Recent Snapshots

This is one of my favorite posts to publish. I am always snapping photos of things I see along the way. More recently my camera roll is full of screenshots of quotes, bible verses, items I want to purchase and other randomness. Does anyone else do that- take screenshots of things you want to remember to do/buy/think about?

I wanted to just say this about Coronavirus- It is scary to think about what is happening around the country with the fear of this virus. With schools are converting to virtual schools, companies are having employees work from home and the unknown that is swirling around lets no forget to breathe, take a step back from social media and re-center ourselves. Its okay to feel overwhelmed but do not let it take over your life right now. Talk to people you trust and meditate to calm your mind. Do self care for yourself- what ever that might look like. We will get through this- we are strong and resilient Always.

Okay. On to the photos, I thought it would be fun to share some photos I've taken since the middle of February. These are everyday things that have caught my attention and made me smile. Enjoy!

  

     

[[May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow and may trouble avoid you where you go--Irish Blessing]]

-gabrielle