Who makes you feel good about yourself?

So Marc and Angel Hack Life had a blog post recently that asked 365 "thought-provoking questions".  I've picked some of the ones that stood out to me and hope to occasionally use them as writing prompts.  Join me with your own responses if you'd like!

Who makes you feel good about yourself?

 This is a good one for me to ponder right now as I'm finding it incredibly easy to not feel good about myself and to take many things as my fault or due to my own shortcomings.  When I first read this question, I quickly jotted down three names.  I know I have other amazing people in my life who could be included in this list, but for now I'll just talk about these three.
   
Dara -- I met Dara, gosh, was it just last summer?  Surely not, but I know it has to be.  I could list all sorts of ways that I met her and they would all be sort of true -- freecycle, my online attachment parenting discussion group, through a need for a timer during my read-a-thon, with yummy ice cream while house-sitting.  It was an interesting time for us to meet each other and connect -- extremely significant things transpired for each of us soon after our meeting and I'm so grateful for the way Dara has been present to me in the past year in a real walking alongside-ness.   Fiona had a Halloween costume she loved thanks (in many different ways) to Dara.  The morning of my job interview, I used some of the yummy body products Dara gifted me -- and I got the job -- clearly due to Pangea soap.  Fiona and I love our home-made aprons -- Dara surrounds me with an atmosphere of plenty when things feel scarce.  But to focus more on the question -- Dara has asked me good questions as I've been working through so much life change -- and while they are questions she thinks I should have answers to, she doesn't imply that there is only one right answer to any of them.  She's consistently assured me that I'm not crazy and that goes a long way toward feeling good about myself these days. 

Kacy -- Kacy and I have known each other since the early 90s.  I've never been a good dissembler nor is there a significant difference between my public persona and my private self -- and that was even more the case 20 years ago.   Kacy has seen me in all seasons, at all times of day, on two different continents, with my family and hers, doing everything but pole dancing and coal mining (though life isn't over yet and who's to say?).  Kacy never says to me, "Boy, Buffy, I can't believe how perfect you are in every way.  I wish everyone, everywhere, was like you at all times."  She does tell me that I'm a good person, that she wants me to be happy, and, at one point, that I'm one of the most loving people she knows.  She tells me when I'm being realistic and when I'm not.  When she tells me I'm a worthwhile person, I know I can believe her because she is well aware of the ways in which I suck.  So when she says there are ways in which I rock, it's a true comfort.

Gaylen -- Gaylen was my camper for several summers in the late 90s when I was a counselor at a camp in southeastern Montana.   Happily, she and her sister, who was also my camper, live in Denver and I was able to reconnect with them a few months ago (and hope to do so again soon)!   Gaylen told me, during our time together, that she was jealous of Fiona because she'd always wished I was her mom when she was little.   What a lovely compliment and from a lovely woman -- It's been a nice thing for me to remember in the midst of trying to be a good mama for and to Fiona -- that someone once thought I'd be a good mama to them, that there are things I do well in that arena.

I love you, my friends.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Hosted by Peggy.

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...much cooler weather -- Colorado remembered it's actually spring, not summer, I guess.

I am thinking... about my dear seven-year-old who is with her dad and feeling very sick.

I am thankful for... 35 years on this planet and the opportunity to try again today.

From the learning rooms... house-sitting for a friend starting on Sunday -- always learn new things in a new house..

From the kitchen...Brown Cow Cream-Top Plain Yogurt --  makes me very happy.

I am wearing...an over-abundance of pastels -- I look like an Easter illustration.

I am creating...ideas for what to write for Fiona's (over-due) birthday letter -- I have a book I write her a letter in every year, for her to have when she is older.

I am going...to a sunrise service on Sunday with friends I've known since I was about 12.

I am reading... The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan -- I'll finish it up today and start The Weird sisters.

I am hoping...that Fiona will feel better soon.

I am hearing... "Keep Holding On" by Avril Lavigne on the CD my friend Kacy made for me <3

Around the house...packing for house-sitting, doing laundry, and trying to get everyone well.

One of my favorite things... somebody willing to scratch my back.  :)

A few plans for the rest of the week: thinking about what to get with my Amazon birthday gift certificates from my mom and my aunt (!), send a letter to my brother, trip to the library, settle in house-sitting.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Amy took this picture of Lilly, Fiona, and I -- sharing the love. :)

The Simple Woman's Daybook -- February 23, 2011

Hosted by Peggy at:
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...  More lovely mildness  -- one last day before there's a chance of snow.

I am thinking...  about talking and listening and the place for each -- wanting to be a better listener.

I am thankful for...  a wonderful care package from my friend Elizabeth! It just came in the mail this morning and was just filled with so much perfectness.  Such a feeling of being thought about and loved.

From the learning rooms... on the hunt for a good dictionary to own -- been wanting one when reading with Fiona lately.

From the kitchen... breakfast bean cookies for tomorrow night's book club

I am wearing... an awesome long sleeve pine green shirt that my friend Kacy got me -- It's got shirred sleeves and a gorgeous neckline.

I am creating... fun ideas for Fiona's 7th birthday next month.

I am going... to the doctor again on March 30th.  My appointment today went well, though I'm sore in the aftermath.  At some point I need to start weaning off my medication.

I am reading... The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie with Fiona and listening to The Lake of Dreams by Kim Edwards -- my first experience with a Playaway book/machine.

I am hoping... that mediation goes well on Friday, that we cover lots of ground and feel heard.

I am hearing... lots and lots of quiet -- looking forward to listening to my CD from Elizabeth tomorrow, though.

Around the house... clean sheets on the bed and a recuperating cat.

One of my favorite things... hearing children I love laugh.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  book club tomorrow night, mediation, laundry, hopefully finishing paperwork?

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Happy me with my care package (I look a bit like Sebastian in this shot, eh?)

The Simple Woman's Daybook -- Sunday, December 12, 2010

Hosted by Peggy

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... lots more sun than I'll be experiencing in Indiana in a few days. :)

I am thinking... that life is unpredictable and depending on how you view that fact, you can either relax or freak out.

I am thankful for... Amy and Tim, who bought me my train tickets "home", for a washer and dryer, for my friend Kacy whom I've known for more than half my life, and for Dara whom I've known for a hard to believe short time.

From the learning rooms... I guess they weren't joking when they said I needed to put masking tape around my cross-stitch...oops.

From the kitchen... homemade trail mix -- pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, slivered almonds, maple syrup, and dried cherries.  Perfect for the train.


I am creating... an elaborate butterfly cross-stitch for my six-year-old daughter.

I am going... to be glad to see my mom.

I am reading... I'm actually sort of in between books right now, which is extremely unusual for me.  Just lots of preparatory activities going on.  I'll probably start a new one on the train.

I am hoping... that my cramps are largely over by the time I board the train tomorrow evening.

I am hearing... Billy Joel singing And So It Goes on Pandora.  <3

Around the house... cleaning up the basement for the guests who will be using it while I am gone, trying to pack but not making too much progress, trying to pay a few bills before I leave.

One of my favorite things... feeling better after you've been really sick.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  I'll arrive at Chicago Union Station at 3 on Tuesday afternoon and then probably catch the train to Elkhart, IN.  I'll be in Goshen visiting friends and family this week.  I'll also continue to work on my present for Fiona and divorce paperwork.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Mark and Lilly, our two young housemates -- I know we will be happy to see them when we come back from Indiana.

1st in a Series Challenge 2011 -- my sign-up post

This challenge is hosted by Katy over at A Few More Pages.

I think I'm going to for for the Series Fanatic Level, which means I am supposed to read 20 books that are the first in any series.  Any genre counts.

The challenge runs from January 1 through December 31, 2011 and can join anytime.

Some of my preliminary ideas:
1.  Whatever the first Sookie Stackhouse is called -- my friend Cathy is after me to give them a try.
2. a re-read of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
3. Whichever is the first 32 Clues book, because it seems like I should at least have a basic idea of what they are about.
4.Whatever the first Ender's game book is -- I'm thinking Ender's Game?  :)  One of my oldest friends loves Orson Scott Card and I really should give him a try
5.Secrets of the Black Box (The Silver Lining Trilogy)by Amanda Wolfe (I know I'll read this one as it was sent to me to review.)
6. ?

It seems like I should have a more complete list than that, but I'm pretty confident that I'll read at least 20 firsts in 2011.