I made it to my writing group tonight for the first time in weeks. At least, I think it's been weeks since I've attended. Time has been playing tricks on me lately.

At any rate, I made it there tonight. My compadres critiqued the handful of pages I submitted and I critiqued theirs and we talked about books and I felt like a writer. It was wonderful.

It wasn't until after the meeting that I saw the texts from my sister letting me know my nephew had to go help Daddy get Mama off the floor. She hadn't technically fallen, thank goodness. When she knew she was losing her balance, she leaned against the wall and slid down, with Daddy holding her.

A controlled fall, I guess you could say. 

(I'm grateful my nephew is living close to them again.)


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I really need to go dancing. Yes, I said "need".

Tom and I were invited to go with friends Friday night, but he had been working on cars all day (with no luck!) and was totally wiped out.

I had a lot of work to catch up on, myself, and would have gotten even farther behind if we'd gone. But, if only for therapeutic reasons, hitting a dance floor is rising ever higher on my priority list. 

Laughing is good therapy, too, though, and thanks to my blogging friend, Bill, of A Few Clowns Short, I got a good chuckle this week from the following video.

If you've never watched the TV show Breaking Bad, don't bother watching it. You won't get it, and you'll probably never want to watch the real thing!   


 

And now for more sweet!s of the past week, although I kind of gave some away in my last post… 


Sunday: no slow cars in front of you on the way to work; repeat customers; the sacrifice veterans make to ensure you stay free; majestic skies that make you pull off the road to stare and snap a photo; one more movie with your sweetie before heading out of town for a few days

Monday: leaving ahead of schedule on your road trip so you totally miss morning traffic; the red-orange rising sun peeking through low clouds on the horizon; your dad's surgeon giving him a good follow-up report; spinach enchiladas; laughing with your parents

 

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Tuesday: telling your mom "Happy Birthday" first thing in the morning; making chili for your parents; the smell of a pumpkin pie in the oven; celebrating your mother's 81st birthday with family; reconnecting with a dear friend from your past

Wednesday: old red trucks; your parents' neighbor caring enough about them to call you for an update and to see how they can help; time to walk around the state capital with your camera while waiting to pick up your son from work; helping your future daughter-in-law celebrate her 25th birthday with margaritas and Mexican food; arriving home after being away (again) 

 

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Thursday: hitting snooze and snuggling deeper under the covers on a cold morning; the moment when the first sunrays hit the Hollow; neighbors who tattle on your puppies when they are off on an adventure so you can call them home before they get into trouble; being stranded at home without a car so you have hours alone to work on your book; a surprise in the mailbox from one of your friends

Friday: a long walk with your puppies; finding writing inspiration in a fourth grade classroom; finally getting a chance to grocery shop for your house for the first time in weeks; watching an old Haley Mills movie with your sweetie 

 

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Saturday: your puppy reminding you to go for your morning walk; a visit from your son and grandpuppy; a deluxe chicken quesadilla a la your son; a photo shoot of a beautiful family; red-haired babies; hearing good news about a friend's son

Sunday: French Toast after church, courtesy of your husband; a slow day at work when you're tired; finally making it to your writing group meeting for the first time in weeks

 

I hope, no matter how busy you are in the coming week, you remember to make note of your sweet! moments! 

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19 responses to “Small Things”

  1. Ms. A Avatar

    Relieved to hear it was a controlled fall and glad they are both okay. (I know how that can go, even for the helper)
    Have a great week!

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  2. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    They make a good team. I guess they've had lots of practice over the past 63 years. Sigh. Hope you have a great week, too!

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  3. Gail Dixon Avatar

    The blurred shot of the dog is awesome. So sorry about your mom’s controlled fall; my mom used to do the same thing. But with no one there (before I arrived), she’d crawl to wherever she needed to be. I hated to hear that. It’s beyond difficult watching our parents age. Prayed for you this morning, btw. And once again, I so appreciate your prayers for JB.

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  4. Lisa Gordon Avatar

    What a beautiful couple your parents are, Barbara!
    Dancing sounds like a really good idea to me.
    I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  5. pauline Avatar

    Just coming here and reading your sweets is one of mine 🙂 Hope all goes well with your folks – it’s hard when you’re far away.

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  6. rjane Avatar
    rjane

    Barbara,
    What a beautiful rendition of simplicity! God gives us just enough and then we pause to breathe. Dancing is an amazing way to connect and feel the love between one another. Dancing is the free spirit within each of us that allows us to let go and let God carry us another day. I am enjoying your beautiful blog and inspiring thoughts and thankful that our “mutual” friend Rae introduced me to this blessing!

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  7. Jennifer Richardson Avatar

    you are walking through the changes in your life
    with so much grace and beauty, friend.
    really, you inspire me
    and the way you ride the waves
    stirs my hope.
    well done, you
    and your beautiful heart:)
    -Jennifer

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  8. Wolf Pascoe Avatar

    Hayley Mills! I had such a crush on her.
    Sending good thoughts about your mom.

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  9. Charlotte Dixon Avatar

    Your sweets of the week are always wonderful to read and even more so this Thanksgiving week. It’s so great to acknowledge the good–we have so much of it. And I’m glad you got to enjoy your writing group before hearing about your mother’s fall. (Also glad she’s okay.)

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  10. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you, Charlotte, and thank you for stopping by! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  11. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    How can anyone resist Hayley Mills? My favorite is "The Trouble with Angels". Probably was an early influence in me converting to Catholicism! lol

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  12. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    You are the essence of grace and beauty! But I'm glad I can inspire you at least a little, if only for paybacks!

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  13. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    We obviously both feel the same way about dancing! Thank you so much for coming by to leave your sweet thoughts. We'll have to get Rae to get us together in person!! And go dancing!

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  14. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you, Pauline. I'm glad you enjoy reading them. It's such great therapy keeping track of them!
     

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  15. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    They are so cute together, even now. If you ever get to Texas, let me know and we'll go dancing! Hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving, Lisa!

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  16. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you so much for your prayers. I know how hard it was for you during that time with your mom, but I know you were such a blessing to her. And once again, I'm so happy there was hopeful news about JB!! Hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving, Gail!

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  17. rjane Avatar
    rjane

    Barbara
    My pleasure sister!

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  18. rjane Avatar
    rjane

    Barbara,
    Ahhhh! “The Trouble with Angels”, my ultimate favorite and owned by both of my sweet daughters. We have watched it over and over, we laugh hysterically because of our Catholic school upbringing. We raised our girls through Catholic education and know it has been the base of their profound faith and christianity. What a blessing to know you have converted to Catholicism. So special is the process (however lengthy) takes commitment and a soul to endure the sacraments. God bless!

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  19. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I enjoyed it without going to Catholic school. I can only imagine how much more you get out of it if you experienced a little of that! It took me thirteen years to convert, but I had a chance to meet one-on-one with our priest and he alleviated the doubts and answered the questions standing in my way. I truly felt it was where God was leading me, and I haven't had any doubts about it since.

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