To Daily Post or Not to Daily Post?

I have no idea why I decided to participate in the November NaBloPoMo this year. I've done it before but this time, I already had a nice rhythm going with three posts/week. I met some very lovely bloggers participating in the past and I'm pretty sure that's a huge reason for jumping in even though, in the back of my mind, I thought it to be unnecessary.

I've discovered that my most of my daily posts are inconsequential at best consisting of nothing more than drivel. They don't hold any substantial content. Not that my blog post usually do hold substantial content but, they really don't right now. I'm just throwing stuff up here some days, it seems, to have something because it's a commitment I made. I am someone who sticks to her commitments. Usually. But I'm rethinking this one.

Another thing is I haven't met more than 3 new-to-me bloggers. No one is reading my trifling content. I'm visiting other blogs- I've made it through the letter E on the blogroll of participants and I'm finding that others are posting trivial writings as well.

I don't think NaBloPoMo is a bad idea. If someone is just getting into blogging, it's a good way to get used to posting. If someone has fallen out of the habit, this will help get them back into a rhythm. I also believe that it can be a good way to meet new people of the blogging sort and, on a good day, you can run across a blog with posts that are not only beautifully written but also contain thought-provoking content.

And so I find myself faced with a dilemma of the lowest sort- do I continue posting daily because of my commitment to do so or do I just stop and go back to my more comfortable blogging rhythm? I don't know. That annoying little voice in the back of my mind keeps saying, "But you said you would."

What to do? What I always do- question my motives. WHY am I considering quitting?

• No one is reading my posts
• My posts are drivel
• I don't feel I need to post every day
• I prefer a simpler method to my blogging 

That first one sounds like whining, doesn't it? The drivel part, though? I don't want to post drivel. If I continue this challenge through to the end of November, drivel is what the posts will be. Or a lot of posts about Baby M... 

It's not like I thought I would change the world by blogging. It's not like I thought I would turn into some sort of great writer. It's not like I thought I would make money from blogging. I started because I needed an outlet to help me readjust to having an empty nest. I discovered along the way that there are some wonderful, kind-hearted folks out there and connecting with y'all is one of the main reasons I continued this blog. Another reason is that I do enjoy sharing and writing. This blog brings me friends. It brings me joy. It brings me an outlet- to a degree. But posting every day just to post, I don't know that's bringing me much of anything more than posting every day.

This group has reminded me of going to a new school or a new church or a party and the people who already know each other stick together and there's no room for another person. I'm sure there are others out there who feel this way about this group. Even I have to admit that I am searching for people like me- middle aged, living in an empty nest, retired maybe, and grandparents. None of it is necessary but I do look for those folks when I visit blogs on the blogroll.

Right now, I've stopped linking to the NaBloPoMo folks on FB and the website. Writing posts, finding the places to link them, checking back for comments, reading the blogs of as many as I can in day...it's becoming no fun at all. 

I'm torn. I'll post until I don't. And that could be tomorrow or it could be the end of the month. My 3 posts/week rhythm was nice and I enjoyed it. This every day stuff is driving me nuts. It will be easy to tell if I decide to forget about it because there won't be posts everyday. LOL

Please click to visit my Etsy shop: CoasterDoodles

There are many sets of coasters for your browsing pleasure!Thanks so much! 

It's day 17 of NaBloPoMo!

Links to my first 16 days of NaBloPoMo in case y'all missed them (because they're so dang interesting and all...Ha!):

1. TWIGS AND ROOTS! Where I introduced y'all to Deanie's new business. 
2. THE BRAVE SIDE OF ME Where I shared my nonexistent bravery with y'all. 
3. BABY M'S NURSERY Where I finally show off the pictures of the nursery!
4. KEEPERS: FALL TELEVISION SHORT LIST Where I shared the few fall shows I watch.
5. SINGING ALONG WITH BABY M Where I shared some songs Baby M and I enjoy.
6. BABY M GOES TO CLEMSON where I shared a gazillion pix and commentary on Baby M's first ever college football game!
7. THANKSGIVING FAILS where I shared that I cannot make holiday meals as good as my grandmother did. 
8. IT'STHAT TIME! where I slacked off and just posted a voting clip art. Don't judge. This is hard. 
9. HOW TO ENTERTAIN A 4 MONTH OLD where I share what I'm doing with Baby M and asking for more ideas. 
10. MY MESSAGE TO MEAN PEOPLE where I give a message to mean people. LOL
11. STAY AT HOME GRANDMA GOES ETSY where I put myself out there and cringe.
12. WHAT ARE LITTLE THANKFULS? where I compare my lists of LITTLE thankfuls from this year and 2015. 
13. AND NOW, THE BIGS where I share the big things for which I am grateful. 
14. A SURPRISING GIFT where I tell y'all about the way too generous gift I received.
15. WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO BE ME IN 2016: where I talk about being a grandma. 
16. HAPPINESS IN THE HODGEPODGE where I share my answers on Wednesday Hodgepodge.

Happiness in the Hodgepodge

Hey, y'all! The Hodgepodge is back! That means Joyce has moved into her new home and I have a post for NaBloPoMo day 16! Ha! 

I thought the autumn months would slow down now that I'm home instead of school but, no. It's the middle of November, y'all. How did that happen? Christmas will be here before you know it and I am not ready. Nor will I be ready. This is crazy. I'm so glad the Hodgepodge is back so I can focus on something other than the speedy quick passage of time. 

1. Let's all think happy thoughts...share one of yours here. How about this:

2. There's a Chinese proverb that says, "If you want happiness for an hour take a nap, if you want happiness for a day-go fishing...." What say you? If you want happiness for a day spend it with your granddaughter!

3. Where do you go to decompress from the world around you? My bedroom. With the door closed. Sometimes, I'll take Tucker and we go for a walk. But mostly, I go to my room and close the door. The closed door means do not disturb the crazy lady within.

4. What song never fails to make you happy? This one:

5. Wednesday is National Fast Food Day. Should that be a thing? Apparently it is, so tell us what's the last 'fast food' you consumed? I can't remember the last time I consumed fast food. Seriously, I think it was last year at school and it was probably Chick-fil-A. If you were putting together your own version of a 'happy meal' what would you include? Anything that my grandmother used to cook. :)

6. In a few sentences tell us why you blog. At first, it was to work through my empty nest but, as the days turned to years, it just became some fun. Mostly, though, I blog because I love sharing and meeting new bloggers. 

7. List seven things you're feeling especially grateful for today. Baby M, Breezy, Deanie, Birdie, DoodleBug, SILExtraordinaire, DrummerBoy, Tucker, my friends...oh, sorry. This list could go on for quite a while. :) 

8. Insert your own random thought here. If I tried to make sense enough to all the randoms in my head right now, I'd be writing the rest of the day and into the night. Let's just go with how nice it is to have Joyce back from her moving adventure! 

It's day 16 of NaBloPoMo!

Links to my first 15 days of NaBloPoMo in case y'all missed them (because they're so dang interesting and all...Ha!):

1. TWIGS AND ROOTS! Where I introduced y'all to Deanie's new business. 
2. THE BRAVE SIDE OF ME Where I shared my nonexistent bravery with y'all. 
3. BABY M'S NURSERY Where I finally show off the pictures of the nursery!
4. KEEPERS: FALL TELEVISION SHORT LIST Where I shared the few fall shows I watch.
5. SINGING ALONG WITH BABY M Where I shared some songs Baby M and I enjoy.
6. BABY M GOES TO CLEMSON where I shared a gazillion pix and commentary on Baby M's first ever college football game!
7. THANKSGIVING FAILS where I shared that I cannot make holiday meals as good as my grandmother did. 
8. IT'STHAT TIME! where I slacked off and just posted a voting clip art. Don't judge. This is hard. 
9. HOW TO ENTERTAIN A 4 MONTH OLD where I share what I'm doing with Baby M and asking for more ideas. 
10. MY MESSAGE TO MEAN PEOPLE where I give a message to mean people. LOL
11. STAY AT HOME GRANDMA GOES ETSY where I put myself out there and cringe.
12. WHAT ARE LITTLE THANKFULS? where I compare my lists of LITTLE thankfuls from this year and 2015. 
13. AND NOW, THE BIGS where I share the big things for which I am grateful. 
14. A SURPRISING GIFT where I tell y'all about the way too generous gift I received.
15. WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO BE ME IN 2016: where I talk about being a grandma. 

Please click to visit my Etsy shop: CoasterDoodles

There are many sets of coasters for your browsing pleasure!
Thanks so much! 

What Was It Like To Be Me in 2016?

It's day 15 of  NaBloPoMo for November and I'm still hanging in there! Today, I'm using one of the daily prompts the Blogher gals give us because I'm stumped. I've got too much on my mind and none of it is blog worthy. So...

The prompt: What was it like to be you in 2016?

It was life changing and exciting to be me this year. I decided not to go back to teaching at Thanksgiving of 2015 so I could stay home and provide daycare for my very first grandchild who was born in July and--- I DID IT!

No more school was bittersweet. On one hand not having to be someone at a certain time is helpful with my fibromyalgia. Getting up and moving is not always the easiest thing to do. But I missed those kids and my teacher friends before the school year was over.

But then this little sweetie came along and I knew the decision was a good one.

Have I regretted anything about the decision? Just one thing. But that's something I may or may not share at a later time. Meanwhile, I regret nothing about my time with Baby M!

It's day 15 of NaBloPoMo!

Links to my first 14 days of NaBloPoMo in case y'all missed them (because they're so dang interesting and all...Ha!):

1. TWIGS AND ROOTS! Where I introduced y'all to Deanie's new business. 
2. THE BRAVE SIDE OF ME Where I shared my nonexistent bravery with y'all. 
3. BABY M'S NURSERY Where I finally show off the pictures of the nursery!
4. KEEPERS: FALL TELEVISION SHORT LIST Where I shared the few fall shows I watch.
5. SINGING ALONG WITH BABY M Where I shared some songs Baby M and I enjoy.
6. BABY M GOES TO CLEMSON where I shared a gazillion pix and commentary on Baby M's first ever college football game!
7. THANKSGIVING FAILS where I shared that I cannot make holiday meals as good as my grandmother did. 
8. IT'STHAT TIME! where I slacked off and just posted a voting clip art. Don't judge. This is hard. 
9. HOW TO ENTERTAIN A 4 MONTH OLD where I share what I'm doing with Baby M and asking for more ideas. 
10. MY MESSAGE TO MEAN PEOPLE where I give a message to mean people. LOL
11. STAY AT HOME GRANDMA GOES ETSY where I put myself out there and cringe.
12. WHAT ARE LITTLE THANKFULS? where I compare my lists of LITTLE thankfuls from this year and 2015. 
13. AND NOW, THE BIGS where I share the big things for which I am grateful. 
14. A SURPRISING GIFT where I tell y'all about the way too generous gift I received.

Please click to visit my Etsy shop: CoasterDoodles

There are many sets of coasters for your browsing pleasure!
Thanks so much! 

And Now, The Bigs

Yesterday I shared my thankful lists from 2015 and 2016 for the LITTLE things. Today, I'm comparing the BIG things on my thankful list. The big things include the obvious things like friends, family, a home but I've found that some of the big things to be surprising. Who knew?

They say that being thankful every day will make a huge, positive difference in our lives. I tend to agree.

The list from 2015:

BIG Things for which I Am Grateful:

1. First and foremost, I'm thankful for someone with whom I reconnected with a few years ago. This person makes such a wonderful difference in my life every single day.
2. My friends at school. I love these people. They are supportive, encouraging, uplifting, funny as hell, sharing, caring, loving, and I would hate going to work every day if they were not there. 
3. Daughters. Because, even when they are on my last nerve, they're still the best kids ever.
4. My Tucker. 
5. A roof over my head that keeps me cool when it's hot out and warm when it's cold out. The running water and electricity are quite nice too.
6. Every day that I am still alive. 
7. My education. I have two bachelor degrees and a masters degree and I'm darn proud of them. Even if I don't get paid squat at my job. 
8. My job. I hate working, but I love my job. 
9. A car. As soon as I get one. Not having one of your own makes you truly appreciated them.
10. Time. 
11. Family traditions.
12. My health.
13. The five senses and the fact that they all work just fine. 
14. Long weekends. In the mountains. 
15. Love. 
16. The seasons. Especially fall and winter. 
17. Food to eat, spring water to drink.
18. The healing power of music. And, the music itself. 
19. Kind hearts.
20. All my blessings.

And now, this year's list:

BIG Things for which I am Grateful 2016:

1. Daughters! My four in particular.
2. Granddaughters! Cause I have one now and I get it.
3. My SILExtraordinaire!
4. My pup! He's still the best!
5. My health and the fact that I haven't done myself in with poor eating habits.
6. Food on the table.
7. Electricity, running water.
8. A roof over my head. Even though it leaked during Matthew. Yikes.
9. Family gatherings when all four daughters and their boys are home AT THE SAME TIME!
10. My amazing friends whether here or in blog land.
11. My parents.
12. Our family traditions.
13. Blogging. Because that's how I met so many wonderful friends in blog land. 
14. Support and encouragement. It means the world. 
15. My grandparents. They've been gone a long time now but not a single day goes by that I don't think of them. 
16. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas!
17. Weekends!
18. Learning from mistakes. 
19. Safety.
20. The night sky. And the morning sky. :)

Your turn! What are some of you the big things for which y'all are grateful?

It's day 13 of NaBloPoMo!

Links to my first 12 days of NaBloPoMo in case y'all missed them (because they're so dang interesting and all...Ha!):

1. TWIGS AND ROOTS! Where I introduced y'all to Deanie's new business. 
2. THE BRAVE SIDE OF ME Where I shared my nonexistent bravery with y'all. 
3. BABY M'S NURSERY Where I finally show off the pictures of the nursery!
4. KEEPERS: FALL TELEVISION SHORT LIST Where I shared the few fall shows I watch.
5. SINGING ALONG WITH BABY M Where I shared some songs Baby M and I enjoy.
6. BABY M GOES TO CLEMSON where I shared a gazillion pix and commentary on Baby M's first ever college football game!
7. THANKSGIVING FAILS where I shared that I cannot make holiday meals as good as my grandmother did. 
8. IT'STHAT TIME! where I slacked off and just posted a voting clip art. Don't judge. This is hard. 
9. HOW TO ENTERTAIN A 4 MONTH OLD where I share what I'm doing with Baby M and asking for more ideas. 
10. MY MESSAGE TO MEAN PEOPLE where I give a message to mean people. LOL
11. STAY AT HOME GRANDMA GOES ETSY where I put myself out there and cringe.
12. WHAT ARE LITTLE THANKFULS? where I compare my lists of LITTLE thankfuls from this year and 2015. 

What are Little Thankfuls?

It was so much fun comparing the hashtags about myself from last year (I did this on the Grits) that I thought I would look back and compare my thankful list from 2015 with one I made today.

Last November, I wrote a post about the LITTLE things for which I am thankful. The big things are easy to come up with- friends, family, health, a home...It's the little things that be more difficult to find if we're not paying attention or not in a thankful frame of mind...

Think about those little things we might not even realize we appreciate. The little things that can turn a sour day into something calm and wonderful. The little things that bring happiness to our days. The little things that turn that proverbial frown upside down.

My list from November 2015:

Little Things for which I Am Grateful:

1. Deep down, in my gut, so hard I can hardly breathe and makes me cry laughter.
2. The way coffee smells and how the steam rises up from the cup when you first pour it. 
3. The way the lights on the Christmas tree sparkle.
4. The smell of rain. 
5. The way snow glistens during a full moon.
6. A song that reminds me of a love from long ago.
7. A memory that brings a smile to my face that begins in my heart.
8. The rhythm of poetry. Especially when it's being read to me. 
9. The sound of a cello, and fog horns, and those little grunts that puppies make. 
10. The smell of homemade bread and the memories it evokes. 
11. Pulling out that winter jacket and finding money in the pocket. 
12. Clean sheets. 
13. A surprise phone call from an old friend. 
14. Snuggling with your puppy. 
15. That thing you wanted is on sale and reduced even more at checkout.
16. Hot chocolate.
17. Sitting in front of the fire.
18. A handmade quilt.
19. Hayrides.
20. Farmers' Markets. 

My list for this year:

Little Things for which I Am Grateful:

1. Cool autumn weather that finally shows up.
2. Irish cream in front of a fire.
3. Just the right pen.
4. Music. 
5. A walk in the woods.
6. Red rain boots.
7. Stringed instruments, especially the cello.
8. A full moon.
9. Fog.
10. Snow.
11. Fall and winter trees.
12. Feeling safe.
13. Snuggling down into flannel sheets.
14. Polka dots.
15. Sudden ideas.
16. Feelings of accomplishment.
17. Rest.
18. Conversations with special people.
19. Laughter.
20. Books. 

Yes, my list could go on. But I'd be here a really long time and y'all don't want to read THAT much.

So, it's your turn. Share your lists in the comments or on your blog. I'd love to read them!

It's day 12 of NaBloPoMo!

Links to my first 11 days of NaBloPoMo in case y'all missed them (because they're so dang interesting and all...Ha!):

1. TWIGS AND ROOTS! Where I introduced y'all to Deanie's new business. 
2. THE BRAVE SIDE OF ME Where I shared my nonexistent bravery with y'all. 
3. BABY M'S NURSERY Where I finally show off the pictures of the nursery!
4. KEEPERS: FALL TELEVISION SHORT LIST Where I shared the few fall shows I watch.
5. SINGING ALONG WITH BABY M Where I shared some songs Baby M and I enjoy.
6. BABY M GOES TO CLEMSON where I shared a gazillion pix and commentary on Baby M's first ever college football game!
7. THANKSGIVING FAILS where I shared that I cannot make holiday meals as good as my grandmother did. 
8. IT'STHAT TIME! where I slacked off and just posted a voting clip art. Don't judge. This is hard. 
9. HOW TO ENTERTAIN A 4 MONTH OLD where I share what I'm doing with Baby M and asking for more ideas. 
10. MY MESSAGE TO MEAN PEOPLE where I give a message to mean people. LOL
11. STAY AT HOME GRANDMA GOES ETSY where I put myself out there and cringe.

Baby M Goes to Clemson

For a football game. I mean, we think she's brilliant but we aren't unrealistic. Not much. We realize she won't go to college until she's 8. ANYWAY, what better place to share Baby M's first football game than on Day 6 of NaBloPoMo?

Her parents had tickets and they were so excited to take Baby M up there.

Step one was purchasing a set of noise canceling head set for Baby M's little ears. Oh, and sunglasses because, we're cool like that.

Y'all, seriously. 

Of course, this was our first weekend of experiencing fall temps and it's way cooler in the upstate than it is here so, she had to be bundled up.

We're going where?

Clemson? I thought we were going to Disney. 

Was there any doubt what color Baby M's stroller is? I didn't think so.

The gang! Listen y'all, I've met these folks and these are the people that make you realize your grown up kid has the most wonderful friends! Especially the one standing beside Birdie and Baby M. She's a dream! Everyone should be blessed with a friend like M.

Notice the light shining on Baby M's head and no where else? I told y'all she was an angel! 

As the day went on, temps warmed up. Notice her tiger onesie and orange pants. I hope this child likes Clemson when she grows up. Else her parents will be crushed.

There's a reason she's yawning. Did y'all see the game? BORING.

Some of y'all might have caught the Clemson game yesterday. No one was in danger of having a heart attack due to a close game. Even Baby M couldn't believe it.

Wait, WHAT'S the score?

No, it couldn't be.  

Seriously? THIS is the game you bring me to see my very first time? 

So, Baby M went to sleep. 

For the rest of the game.

Because 54-0. In favor of Clemson.

Someone was proud to bring his baby girl to her very first Clemson game.

All in all, I'm pretty sure Baby M enjoyed her first Clemson football game. What do y'all think?

Of course, my dad would say she's probably happy to be out of that tiger onsie and orange pants. ;)

Enjoy your Sunday!

Singing Along with Baby M

Don't worry, y'all! None of the videos are of me singing. :) It's day 5 of the NaBloPoMo for November and I'm sharing a bit about the love my family and I have for music.

I love music. It has just what I need no matter what my mood and it doesn't judge me when I sing along off-key or spout the wrong lyrics. Music moves my soul. As long as it isn't country. Or metal. Or opera. Ok, for the most part, I love music.

When the lovelies were coming along, music played an important role in their upbringing. They learned the lyrics to the Grateful Dead songs instead of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. They knew John Prine lyrics, CSN lyrics, The Doors, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Beatles, Neil Young, to name a few. They were exposed to a plethora of my favorite music from rock to classical and nearly everything in between including the classics like Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. Shoot, we even love show tunes. But we "Just Say No" to country. And metal. And opera. This family loves music and not just current choices. As a matter of fact, when you go to Birdie's house, you will listen to vinyl. No joke.

Not that I never shared songs for kids with the lovelies. There were many. And Baby M will be exposed to some of these as well. As a matter of fact, we were just watching Raffi on YouTube yesterday:

And this one:

And I'm stopping there because we LOVED Raffi songs then and we LOVE Raffi songs now.

Here are a few more of our favorites:

Veggie Tales! Ok, the lovelies weren't all that little when we first discovered Veggie Tales but we sang along anyway and still do. This is one of our favorites:

Doesn't everyone know this one? One of the few Disney songs I like. 

Woody!

What about classical? Yep. It seems Baby M is a fan of the ballet so we've been watching this nearly everyday:

And I threw in  some Swan Lake, too.

I love singing along to music but I am very careful because I am that person who can't carry a tune in a bucket. But Baby M? She does not mind. She just smiles and smiles.

What are your favorite songs for kiddos?

Keepers: Fall Television Short List

Day 4 of NaBloPoMo has arrived and I'm already using the prompts they gave us. Ha! It's not that I've run out of things to say but more that I'm tired because I take care of Baby M during the day and am also trying to get the Etsy shop open and today starts my sugar detox and that's just too darn many things going on to have committed to posting EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR 30 DAYS. WTH was I thinking? AND, I said I'd do it on the Grits. too. Dumb.

Thankfully, my GERITOL has arrived. Very nice of Walmart to have it in stock. If they can't sell you on something new, they'll gladly sell you on something old. Hopefully, it's tried and true and I'm not headed down a blind alley to disaster. It's just GERITOL, after all.

Today's prompt is: Which fall shows should totally be canceled already?

Who knows? Who has the energy to stay up and watch any nighttime television? And, if they have the energy, who has the time???? Tell me, who! Because I want to ask them how they have the energy or the time.

Ok, calm down, it's not that bad. I do watch a little nighttime television but it's using via Netflix or Hulu because I'm not, in general, a fan of the shows they put out there for the world to see these days. This fall, I've tried a few new shows (on Hulu because, nighttime = sleep) and here's my take:

1. LETHAL WEAPON. I was skeptical. I really enjoyed the movies and I liked the characters and the way the actors interacted with one another. I assumed I would LOVE Damon Wayons because, Damon Wayons but who the heck is this, Clayne Crawford? AND WTH kind of name is, Clayne? No matter, I have totally enjoyed this show (which means FOX will probably cancel the hell out of it- if they do, NETFLIX, PLEASE pick it up!) It's funny and the relationship between Wayons and Crawford is working! There is not a single character on that show that I do not like. I also love that it's being shown on Hulu because I can pick it up whenever I want and rewatch any episodes at any time. 
2. THIS IS US: I happened upon this one on Hulu and tried it. I've watched all episodes, so far. I have no idea if the writers will be able to hold my attention but they have it up to this point. It depends on how they develop the characters. Y'all know how writers will make characters do things are just too stupid? Yeah, I don't like that. I'm referring to the path they often have female characters take. It's insulting. Warning, I have yet to watch this NBC show without tearing up. 
3. AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE: this ABC show drew me in becasue I love Katy Mixon. She's just adorable! I like the show ok so far. I like that she's coming to terms with herself and how she's adjusting to being in a community of people who aren't really 'her' people. I am probably giving it more of a chance just because of Mixon. We'll see. The jury is still out. 
4. BULL: I've seen all of 1 1/2 episodes because CBS is stingy and won't let Hulu show it. I thought it was ok but have no idea what I really think because, CBS is stingy. I'd love to give it a shot though  because Michael Weatherly. 
5. MAN WITH A PLAN: I just happened upon this and so far, MEH. But who knows? I've only seen one episode. I won't really be able to keep up with this one because, CBS is stingy. 

And that's it. The other shows I watch are not new this year and there aren't that many of them. 

If you'd like to see the few I've caught but didn't quite click with, check out the Grits! 

What's on your list of good shows to watch?

The Brave Side of Me

It's day 2 of NaBloPoMo. Only 28 days to go. Ha! I'm still questioning my decision here. Anyway...

Today's prompt is: When was the last time you did something brave? What happened?

If you consider brave the way I think most people do, then I've never done anything brave. I've never rescued anyone from a burning building or saved someone from drowning in the ocean. I've never stopped a robbery or the life of a gunshot victim. I've never suffered through a fatal illness (thankfully) and I've never had to endure the loss of everything due to a natural disaster- again, thankfully! As a matter of fact, I'm not sure I would show anything resembling brave if I did experience those last two examples. I hope I never have to find out.

I'd like to think I am brave enough to rush in and help in a desperate situation. But I can't say for sure that I would. But what if we take brave down a couple hundred notches to what most of us experience in our lives. I mean, not everyone walks a path where they have opportunities to show the hero types of courage.

All that being said, what have I ever done that even vaguely resembled bravery?

I've birthed and raised 4 daughters. Some people see that as brave. Not those who have 10 kids but some do. And these girls were all teenagers AT THE SAME TIME. That must count for some sort of bravery.

I've recently quit teaching to stay at home and provide daycare for my first grandchild. The jury is still out as to whether that was brave or stupid as I discovered IMMEDIATELY that I am no spring chicken. And I'm tired.

I still live in a town that used to be simple and quaint but that has had such an influx of people who have sucked the quaint right out of it and I haven't killed anyone. I guess that would fall more under restraint than bravery.

I've survived, so far, two of the lovelies moving back home. And I'm pretty sure that is bravery.

I stand up for my family and my beliefs.

We have, for the 3rd year in a row, some not great neighbors living in the house across the street and I haven't killed anyone. Wait. Restraint.

Ok, so I haven't done anything brave. Ever. The opportunity has simply never presented itself. Or God knows that I couldn't handle situations that require bravery so He points me in other directions. I'm more of an encourager to those who do. And I'm good with that. So, I will leave y'all with a short list of people I find brave:

• Single parents. Whether they're a single dad or single mom, these folks walk the path of bravery every single day. 
• The kid on the playground who stands up to a bully when the little kid just can't.
• Teachers. They go to school every day to teach and care for kids belonging to other people. Teachers have also been known to put themselves between their students and danger. Brave. 
• Women who have to, for whatever reason, start all over again from scratch. I admire their bravery. They could give up and go a different way but they don't. They hang in there and do whatever it takes. 
• People who take risks in business or in their personal lives. I admire the peole who do this. They have no idea whether or not the risk will work out but they move forward anyway. I find that brave.

And that's my short list of people who are, in my eyes, brave on a daily basis. 

Have y'all done anything brave lately?