Perfect Pink Parking PlaceToday something occurred to me while I was parking my car. (don't worry the above car is not mine.. I am not that big of a pink lover, but I do love a farfanugen)
Our Target is in the coolest outdoor strip mall. It does not have a parking lot in front of it like most stores. There is a 3 level garage parking and then parking on the side and back, which is not very convenient. There are about 8 coveted parking spots on the front mall walkway which if you get you only have to walk a few steps to the store.
When you get to the store you can either drive so that you pull around front with a chance to get one of those 8 spots or just go straight to the parking garage. I ALWAYS go to the front thinking I am going to get one of the spots.
And today was no different. I pulled around thinking of course I am going to get a spot. And just as I pulled around a man pulled out and I got one of the best spots there is to get.
But as I was parking I thought of the many times in 7 months that I have come to this shopping center and have probably only got one of these spots 3 times.
But if you were to ask me if I often find a good parking spot I would say "I have great luck with parking and often get one out front" even though today puts me at about 3% of getting a good spot.
So, I think it is important to reveal this part of my personality. I feel like I am a lucky person, but I am not always lucky. I feel like I have a great life, but not everything in my life is great. I enjoy almost anything I do, but it is not always enjoyable. I find the good in many things even if it does not feel good doing them.
Before I get a bunch of emails about living in denial, trust me I live in extremes at times and can be too real too.
I have often said that if anyone spent the day in the city with our family and we both went home to blog about it, the stories would be completely different. Mine would sound dreamy and others might sound dreary. (with due reason. the crying, the screaming , the heat, the cold and more screaming) This is something I have learned about myself from blogging. I have seen the brighter side of life this year from searching for it and documenting it.
Pink does not mean Perfect, which my life is not. I don't use this spot on the Internet to share my deepest fears and trials, although I have many. I am not the best mom, but I am a fun mom. But fun does not breed the healthiest eaters or the smartest in school. My creative skills help me being a fun mom, but being unorganized, challenges me to be a better mom.
My friends are talented, incredible people. We all shine in different areas. My talents may be more visible through photos than others, but don't be mistaken that I have many faults and struggles.
What had me thinking on this subject was a comment by Amanda in the UK in regards to my friend Mindy's birthday and her reading her 100 list. It was so insightful.
"Having read Mindy's 100 list on her blog, there are certainly things that have happened in her life that one could easily have 'quit' over. It's amazing to read your description of such a sunny personality and then read her 100 list and see some very significant 'downs' in her life. What an amazing person, to devote Q to 'Quilting' and boot Quitting out of her vocabulary!"
I am sure that any part of my sunny personality was learned from being Mindy's friend.
So, I document this to remind myself that having a good attitude can go along way and help me sail out of storms of life.
Our Target is in the coolest outdoor strip mall. It does not have a parking lot in front of it like most stores. There is a 3 level garage parking and then parking on the side and back, which is not very convenient. There are about 8 coveted parking spots on the front mall walkway which if you get you only have to walk a few steps to the store.
When you get to the store you can either drive so that you pull around front with a chance to get one of those 8 spots or just go straight to the parking garage. I ALWAYS go to the front thinking I am going to get one of the spots.
And today was no different. I pulled around thinking of course I am going to get a spot. And just as I pulled around a man pulled out and I got one of the best spots there is to get.
But as I was parking I thought of the many times in 7 months that I have come to this shopping center and have probably only got one of these spots 3 times.
But if you were to ask me if I often find a good parking spot I would say "I have great luck with parking and often get one out front" even though today puts me at about 3% of getting a good spot.
So, I think it is important to reveal this part of my personality. I feel like I am a lucky person, but I am not always lucky. I feel like I have a great life, but not everything in my life is great. I enjoy almost anything I do, but it is not always enjoyable. I find the good in many things even if it does not feel good doing them.
Before I get a bunch of emails about living in denial, trust me I live in extremes at times and can be too real too.
I have often said that if anyone spent the day in the city with our family and we both went home to blog about it, the stories would be completely different. Mine would sound dreamy and others might sound dreary. (with due reason. the crying, the screaming , the heat, the cold and more screaming) This is something I have learned about myself from blogging. I have seen the brighter side of life this year from searching for it and documenting it.
Pink does not mean Perfect, which my life is not. I don't use this spot on the Internet to share my deepest fears and trials, although I have many. I am not the best mom, but I am a fun mom. But fun does not breed the healthiest eaters or the smartest in school. My creative skills help me being a fun mom, but being unorganized, challenges me to be a better mom.
My friends are talented, incredible people. We all shine in different areas. My talents may be more visible through photos than others, but don't be mistaken that I have many faults and struggles.
What had me thinking on this subject was a comment by Amanda in the UK in regards to my friend Mindy's birthday and her reading her 100 list. It was so insightful.
"Having read Mindy's 100 list on her blog, there are certainly things that have happened in her life that one could easily have 'quit' over. It's amazing to read your description of such a sunny personality and then read her 100 list and see some very significant 'downs' in her life. What an amazing person, to devote Q to 'Quilting' and boot Quitting out of her vocabulary!"
I am sure that any part of my sunny personality was learned from being Mindy's friend.
So, I document this to remind myself that having a good attitude can go along way and help me sail out of storms of life.
I also acknowledge there are many appropriate times for a good cry and rocking in the corner.
On to fun, good mail.
#102 on my list of 136 things about me is"I sent President Bush a Christmas Card"
I still have one Christmas card left to send and then will share my crazy, Christmas card story and photos.
So today I was so excited when I got a large envelope in the mail with the return address, "White House, Washington D.C."
It was a letter from President Bush thanking us for sending Christmas wishes. You can read the letter here. Now I fully acknowledge that he probably never saw our Christmas card and did not sign this letter or even write it. But this is a case and point on my Pink Parking Place theory. I was running around my house today saying, "We got a letter from President Bush" (Annie Kate was so excited) some may say, "oh look at this form letter" But for us it was good mail at it's best!!
I also got this exciting and surprising package from Julia S. from New York City. Her husband is a med student and she is a chef. She sent me a great sugar cookie recipe, how timely, and a pineapple cookie cutter. The handmade card is a triple bonus. Thanks Julia. Exciting times for you in the next few months for sure!
29 comments:
Kristi - I loved this post! First of all, the pink car totally cracked me up! I think it is a real gift to look at life with such a positive outlook. It doesn't mean life is perfect, and it certainly doesn't mean you are living in denial. One of the things that has always impressed me about you is that you seem to live with a great sense of gratitude. That one virtue can wipe a lot of grime off of life.
It reminds me a bit of the end of Jill's favorite quote "And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same." Your grateful, positive attitude is contagious. If that's denial, then sign me up!
I have been thinking a lot about how I am perceived from my blog too. I think we all use blogging for different reasons, some are great writers and want to get things out frustrations and all. Some want to share information, some just want to document life. I don't usually use writing for my outlet (I cry REALLY hard and long) I use it to document things I want to remember, and to share things with family and friends. There are people who read my blog that I don't want knowing about my inner feelings and struggles. I think if we knew why people are blogging, perhaps we wouldn't be so judgmental of what they write.
When I recently wrote a blog about my daughter it took me so long because I was worrying about what people might think. Finally the thought popped into my head "who am I writing this for?" When I took that approach I could write whatever I wanted without editing.
I love your blog! I wish we lived closer.
Yea Kristi, your positive attitude is contagious. I think it's great that you utilize your blog to share the brighter side. I think finding the good is a HUGELY important skill to getting through this life happily, and I need to work on it. I am working on it. I have found the same thing - for me, blogging helps me see all the good things and the brighter side of my sometimes mundane-seeming days.
Thanks for that post, Kristi. I have often times read your blog and thought 'life must really be *perfect* for her'.
So thanks for letting me know that even your life has difficulties too! I do appreciate you sharing with us all the good times though!!
I think it is great you have a positive outlook on life. I don't know any Mom with young children who's life runs smoothly all the time.
But it is great to glean all the wonderful moments out of our day to take along with us and send with our children.
Kristi--this is one of the reasons I love your blog so much--everyone knows reality because they live it, but you have shown how to find the gems in reality. Nothing like a girl that can shop and find the bargains and you show your readers how to shop and find the bargains of happy living in everyday life.
A couple of years ago we received a card from Pres. Bush, too. I have no idea why...but it made my day and when we returned the favor he sent us a thank you card. Like you, I thought, "It's from a committee, but nonetheless the committee has manners and I LIKE this."
I loved this blog-- don't you just love it when you get those great parking spaces??? I claim to not be a lucky person- but when good luck comes my way I rebastrate (definition: jump for joy)! You are someone that brings me such happiness in life. Just hearing your voice or reading your words puts a smile on my face. You are also one of the few that has heard me describe some of my episodes of "rocking in the corner!" A true friend!
Kristi - your sunny attitude is one of the reasons I read your blog! I guess when it comes to parking you're a glass half full kind of girl (or is that 3% full?).
I'm so glad you finally got to write this post about Pink not being Perfect. I don't know why anyone would really think that, but it seems like you have many critics in your life trying to drag you down. Kudos to you for not letting them stop you from posting or from dampening your zest for life.
You have many, many talents and are great about sharing them, but you're still human and are subject to ups and downs like the rest of us. Just because you don't post about them all the time doesn't mean you're pretending to be something you're not. This is a great post Kristi and your attitude is contagious!
Congrats on your good mail from the White House!
Love the pink car! I also love that you documented how real your life is, even if it sometimes comes across as perfect and dreamy. I sometimes wonder as I'm reading blogs, how some people manage to be so good at xyz, and that their children are always so well-behaved, etc. It is nice to know that I am not the only one who is not perfect, and that is ok. I am glad that you have such a good outlook on life, and that you share it with us. Maybe it is better not to dwell on the negative and to focus more on the positive. Thank you for that!
I loved reading this post. What you were talking about is one of the reasons that "choose" is my word/goal for 2007. I want to be better at choosing to look for the good in things and having a good attitude. Afterall, I think that life really is what we make of it. Thanks for being a good example in this!
Thank you so much for this post. I love your blog and how sunny you are. I love your giving attitude. It makes me want to be that way! Please don't let anyone make you feel bad for being that way. We should all be that way.
It IS great to get mail from the White House! I mean, even if Pres. Bush didn't send it personally, he knows that someone is going to send it for him, and he gave his okey-dokey. I received a letter from a congressman that I had written about a concern of mine. I was so thrilled with that letter, which was really just an acknowledgement of my concern, that I put it in my box of treasures. I guess it made me feel like I really mattered in this big old country of ours!
In my parenting class the teacher asked if we "expected the best out of life". She said that yes things will happen, but if we truly expect the best out of life than we can build ours and our childrens self esteems. That has struck me, as I am one who does not. But after her lesson, and lots of thought on my behalf, I am now expecting the best out of life.
It does not mean that you don't know bad or live in lala land, but it means that you expect to get that parking place up front, if you don't oh well. One reason I think so many our drawn to you.
I hope to become more like this, and am starting yesterday.
That's a great little story about the parking spot, Kristi! You know what I love? When you get one of these cherished spots and then, when you leave, you can see the next person lined up to take the spot - I get a kick out of seeing my spot go, because I know exactly how thrilled that person is to get it (like I was). I want to give them a thumbs-up and a knowing wink!
Pass it on! Pass it on! Like Mindy's sunny disposition rubbing off on you- I can see from these comments, you're rubbing off on others.
Your Good Mail is fab - chief and chef! If I was Julia, I'd been skipping around just at the thought that my mail had rubbed 'shoulders' with President Bush's mail!
Isn't it funny how one good outcome can carry us through a plethora of let downs? You are either a glass half-full or a glass half-empty kind of a person. Life is so much brighter when you are searching for the good.
Love the pink car.
What a great post Kristi! Early on in my adult life, I gave in to the negative and it stunk! When I had a change of heart, I realized how much easier life was with a positive outlook and to push on. I love being around positive people and that is why I LOVE your blog. Keep it coming woman!
How cool to get a letter from the President. I might have to do that next year, my kids would love it too!
Life is all about the attitude you have...NO? We have all been through our own trials, I know I certainly have, and it's what we do with those trials that make us who we are. I have unfortunately let my sadness get in my way for too long and last year (partly because of blogging)I realized how much different my life would be when I let it go. It has been a roller coaster of a ride for me, but think i am finally able to push my heartache aside and really live my life to the fullest.
I have to admit it's good to know that everyone has bad days, not because I want them to, but because it makes me feel like I'm not actually crazy. Remember your blog is for you and just because you choose not to talk about the hard parts doesn't mean your any less you or real.
I agree with Elisa, I think we all blog for different reasons...
One of the reasons I love reading your blog is because you are so positive and upbeat! (I'm all for reading about joyful and happy things...)
Maybe it is nice to remind ourselves as we are reading blogs to be sensitive (and not judgemental) to what we are reading.
Pink might not be perfect, but it is perfectly contagious! Thanks!
Ooh, the lessons we learn along the way. This *positive* seems to come natural to me, but I'm having to practice it. I love to be out & about - museums, shops, restaurants, travel - and having children was a HUGE shock to my system (getting married at 28 doesn't help that). I let it limit me for a long time because the fits & issues involved with carting around two willful littles were, well, difficult (at best). I now know that I was only limiting myself and expecting the Least possible from them. I feel free as I've learned to just Go & Do, ignoring the bumps, but emjoying the Inevitably Beautiful moments that Do surface.
Thank you for a wonderful post. Again!
I reread my comment, meant to say the *positive* comes natural to YOU!
love your thoughts on this kristi! i agree that one's outlook is what makes all the difference in life. that doesn't mean that we don't have bad days or that bad things don't happen to us. instead it's what helps us move onward and upward and trust "all things work together for good to them that love God."
For a minute there (when I saw the car) I thought you had gone over the edge with the pink thing :) Great post. I think its a wonderful trait to have--feeling lucky! Sometimes I feel like I've become too much of a cynic. That's not a good thing.
Kristi- thoughtful post, as always.
I appreciate that you can find joy in everyday, no matter what! Having a positive outlook can make all of the difference. (I will admit that sometimes I have to remind myself of that fact but I agree that it does make a difference!)
i have an aunt whose favorite adjective is "perfect." everything to her is "perfect." (and, from the outside, she does seem to live a perfect life.) she is so sincere when she says "perfect," that it is infectious. it makes everybody in the room smile.
and you are able to do that with your blog!
I loved your post and the way you always see things in a positive light. What an infectious way to live.
My husband Josh is very much like this. Whether he is having a good or bad day he is always "unbelievable." I love it!
Great photo of the pink car! I was drawn to your blog this past summer because of your positive outlook on life and the details that you find inspiring. That made me want to look and discover more - I love that about you. Blogging is a wonderful outlet and a great way to develop friendships that we would have never formed in the first place. I think that it is a fantastic way to journal - the fun things that you want to remember. With that said, however, I do realize that everyone struggles. That is part of life. And, I think that most people would recognize that as well. Our blogs are generally more positive than negative. More fun than doom and gloom. I do find it endearing and brave when someone puts themself out there emotionally for a moment to vent or to explore answers. I wish at times, that I was brave to do that once in awhile.
I enjoy your outlook on life from the blogging window - and that makes me happy. I know that isn't the total package of who you are - but a great part of it. Thanks for sharing!
This was a great post. I really needed the reminder to find the happy things in life. I really try hard to do this but there are times when I just let the frustration in. THere have been many times that I have to just laugh during a really stressful situation with the kids and it makes all the difference.
Thanks for always being so uplifiting when I read your blog. I have really learned so much from you.
I love the pink car and the mail from the white house is awsome!
Our trip to the city with you guys was WONDERFUL. Of course the rain and could could have been better, but even that made for a good story. . . Not sure if I told you this, but when I graduated from High School I sent an announcement to the Disney co. I got a similar reply, but mine was obviously a form letter, they thought my name was Eileen and that I was getting a new job or something. Guess all the form blanks were not hit!
This post is so true. I remember a phone conversation I had with you when you were in your little condo, I kept asking you how things were going and you would just say "It's hard" and change the subject. I realized that there was nothing positive you could say so you wanted to talk about something else. That's serious self control.
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