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valuethislife

Say hello to Angus, my new little friend! He’s a

Say hello to Angus, my new little friend! He’s a Parti Yorkie so doesn’t look very yorkie-ish, but he’s definitely got the cute goin’ on!⁣
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Going from a small quiet apartment to a house with a yard is an adjustment for him, but he’s learning more every day. ⁣
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If you have any lost Lego pieces he’ll find them for you. I thought we had picked up all the stray pieces since the grandchildren’s last visit but he has sniffed out the last brick in every crack. And Angus learned a new trick: drop the Lego to get the treat😊

I read somewhere that the #1 factor in people deci

I read somewhere that the #1 factor in people deciding to attend our funeral is....the weather. ⁣
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And these are the people we're worried about offending, or worried about what they think?! ⁣
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They don't think about us as much as we think they do! ⁣
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Meanwhile, who is missing out on what we have to say or give? Whose life won't be changed because we don't get over ourselves and share?

Cat equivalent of Mom being in the bathroom and se

Cat equivalent of Mom being in the bathroom and seeing little fingers come sliding in under the door. She thought she found a place to hide, but no 😂⁣

Friday night is almost always pizza and a movie ‘round here. One less meal for mama’s brain to plan and cook at the end of a busy week.🍕⁣
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But there’s still a (wrinkled) clean tablecloth and fresh flowers from a niece’s garden. Don’t save the flowers and cloth for a special occasion. The occasion is today, and it’s special.🌼 ⁣
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We never know when is the last time our toddler will hold up his arms to be picked up. We don’t know when it’s the last time a child will call out “watch me, mom!” And none of us know when it’s the last text or call from a loved one. ⁣
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So let us live “as if” and create long strings of regular days that include the flowers and candles and good dishes. The things we “save” for someday. Those strings tie hearts to memories of home—all the simple ordinary days that we thought were endless.💜

Negative emotions. Yikes. What happens when you fe

Negative emotions. Yikes. What happens when you feel them? Do you immediately move to a pep talk at yourself? Or avoidance, like watching endless Reels or folding laundry? ⁣
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It has been said that emotions last for about 90 seconds in the body. A minute and a half. ⁣
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What if experiencing negative thoughts and emotions is OKAY? ⁣
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What if it’s normal and just part of being a human? Huh. What a novel idea. You’re human. 💜😊

A lot of life can be wasted by wishing that things

A lot of life can be wasted by wishing that things were different. Or by focusing on what we don’t have.⁣
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Fortunately, we can shift our wishing and wasting in a moment. 💜

Old and new. All mixed up in decorating, and in li

Old and new. All mixed up in decorating, and in life. It’s a cross between what has been and what is now. Maybe your “now” isn’t what you planned. That’s the case for most of us. ⁣
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“Occasionally, weep deeply over the life you hoped would be. Grieve the losses. Then wash your face. Trust God. And embrace the life you have.” (John Piper)⁣
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“Occasionally” is the key. Not every day, not once. Often enough to clear your heart and refuel your faith and courage.❤️

Summer rainstorm is soaking the porch pillows. Oh

Summer rainstorm is soaking the porch pillows. Oh well, always glad for rain in the summer. Lightning, thunder, heavy rain—I’m here for it. Hail and tornadoes, no thank you. ⁣
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And yes, our house is blue and red brick, with white trim. Previous owners painted a few years ago so we have no plans to redo. Not something I would have chosen, but it’s a nice color of blue and lends⁣ itself well to a cottage feel. Or 4th of July 🇺🇸😁

Summer kitchen window corner, where the Roma tomat

Summer kitchen window corner, where the Roma tomatoes and avocados ripen.🍅🥑 The brick originally had a warm beige Tuscan vibe, and it extends to the backsplash and behind the stovetop. ⁣
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It wouldn’t have been that bad, except for the randomly placed black granite diamond shapes amongst the brick. Same material as the black granite countertops with copper flecks. ⁣
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So we did what any respectable sick-of-remodeling person would do—painted it white and sealed it. Amazing brightening effect on the kitchen. And it made my cottage/farmhouse heart happy.🌱💜

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Value This Life | Charlotte Siems © 2021