“Animals are such agreeable friends – they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms.” -George Eliot

Yesterday, I had a bad day. I’ve been stressing about all the things that have to be done by all our deadlines to make this move happen, and I ended up yelling at the kids and text-venting at my husband. So I had a little cry, and took a tea break with my most non-judgmental friend to regroup. {Did you know? Owning a pet really has been shown to be good for your mental and physical well-being.}

from around the web:

• I practice simple living but I still love my stuff :: I’ve been thinking along these lines, too, as I pack every.single.thing we own.
• What it means to make peace :: “I feel most peace when my inside matches my outside. I feel most peace when what I believe matches what I do…”
• Learn to trust yourself and live without regret :: As we’re making big life changes, this post reminded me of a few things I needed to hear.
• The joyful, illiterate kindergarteners of Finland :: A long but fascinating article. “Those things you learn without joy you will forget easily.”
• From the top of the proverbial hill :: Favorite line: ” I want to have lived in such a way that people around me long to be 80 more than they long to be 18 again.”

on the blog (in case you missed ’em!):

• Goodbye, House :: As we prepare to move, I’m taking a few moments to appreciate the good house this has been.
• Gran’s Pound Cake Recipe :: Shared a couple of years ago, but if you haven’t tried it, you should! Nope, it’s not healthy, but it sure is good for special occasions, and great to take to a party.

right here at home:

Last weekend my longtime (30+ years) friend Lisa and I had lunch at my favorite tearoom. I’ve celebrated so many big and just-because days there — many of them with her. I’ll miss the place, but I’ve already located a tea room not far from our new home. Priorities, people! 😉

All three kids earned new belts in Choi Kwang Do this week: orange senior for Kathryn; yellow senior for Scout; and white senior for Jem. Other than their enrichment classes and church activities, our week has been nothing but packing.

I snagged the photo at left from Diane because ADORABLENESS! This was one day she went to Brandon’s school for his teacher/student softball game and I’m completely smitten with the cuteness of Carter’s grin here. And that little foot!

Next week is MOVING DAY and two house closings and potentially the last remnants of my sanity, so I will not be writing a week-end post or sending out my weekly email. But, barring any sort of unexpected problems, I’ll be back the week after that.

Enjoy your week, and if you’d say a prayer for safe travels for us all, I’d sure appreciate it!

Linking up today with Kris and Mary.

Jamie

Wife, mom, J-ma. Introvert who enjoys good books, sunshine, and authentic conversation. Often seen with a steaming mug of tea in hand – unless it’s lost yet again in the microwave. Read more »