Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Ups, Downs and a Good Swear Word

Life is filled with ups and downs and as I always tell my children, "that's life." I'm usually a pretty positive person and I live with the most "glass half full, always look on the bright side" man, but sometimes I have to turn to myself and say WTF?  Really?  Life's twists and turns can be damn hard to navigate. I know, mouth like a sailor, but sometimes a good swear word can do wonders for the attitude.

Because it feels good for me to write things down and share them with the world, here are my life lessons for the past couple of months, not in any particular order, but each one resonates with me today.

Hard work pays off.
Tell the truth, even when it's hard.
Money can't and doesn't buy happiness.
Home is a grounding place.
Being in limbo sucks.
Get your affairs in order.
Live life without regrets.
Family is everything.

Enjoy a few pictures that I took from the roof of my building on a gorgeous clear day in Chicago.  The last one is the best.









33 comments:

Bethany said...

Love your pics, and swear words. Love a big black Lab dog that leans in for an ear rub!

Glen QuiltSwissy said...

Love the views, the dog and the quy! LOL. Great pictures.

glen: who had a few swear words in my post where I sewed the machine plate to the back of the quilt while quilting it. How did I do that?

Jules said...

May I say I can totally relate. My husband transfers frequently with his work and I am a "makin' lemonade" kinda girl, but sometimes it's just so hard - where we are living currently the sugar is in quite short supply :)! I'm trying to raise a 9 yr. old boy and show him the positives in each and every beautiful day God gives us, but occasionally I have my moments! Thanks for your blog - it gives me a little lemonade each time I read one of your posts!

PegD said...

Go Iowa State. :-)

Kate said...

Hey, there's a study out there that proves that cursing makes you feel less pain. I apply that study to all parts of my life.

Anina said...

Hang in there Jacquie!

Esch House Quilts said...

You are one wise woman!

I love, love a good view but it was the last picture that made me smile.

Hang in there!

LC said...

I agree on the swear word front. I'm the daughter of an honest to goodness sailor, so I come by it honest myself :) Your rooftop view is absolutely beautiful!

Debbie said...

I live in the Chicago area and loved the pix.

EG said...

Does this mean you didn't get the condo? Ya know, I love the Lord, but sometimes nothing captures it like a good cuss word.

Jan said...

The right attitude helps a lot. And you have a great one. Love the photos.

Jan said...

Beautiful pics!

Sorry that you're finding yourself in places where swear words are needed - MRFR! :) I can *totally* relate. Sharing some of my life's lessons from last year: http://daisyjanie.typepad.com/daisyjanie/2011/12/a-happy-merry-birthday-christmas.html You're amongst those on the list in #s 6, 7, 10 & 13.

One of my nicknames is trucker mouth...

Valerie said...

Yeah, sometimes nothing can substitute for a good swear word. I think your life lesson list is spot on. Hang in there!

Marg M said...

Chicago, love it

Anonymous said...

May I add one? Labradors make great listeners and they don't care if you swear. Take care, Byrd.

ellen said...

I swear way too much.
I hope that all is well with you and family, dear Jacquie..sending love to you in the big city, from here in the wee boonies. Take care, do.

SusieDW said...

Yeah, the last pic is the best. Live like a dog. Live in the moment. Sometimes it takes God a little while to work stuff out. My favorite saying... "don't force the outcome". Blessings & Calm. (*hi Bruno*).

Betty said...

Isn't Chicago the best little town ever?! And a good man and a lab the best friends ever?! My mom, GRHS, could spew expletives easily, but I married a guy who doesn't see the sense in it so ... when he's at work... My pup has quite a vocabulary cause he hears his mom let loose, especially with a difficult sewing project :) Hey, makes me feel better!!

Ann J said...

Couldn't agree more !! My life here in Brittany is pretty much in limbo at the moment thanks to an industrial strike !

Love the photos ............Ann J

Twisted Quilts said...

I was at Thimble Pleasures in Chapel Hill today and saw that you are going to be there soon! We have a wedding on the coast that weekend, SHUCKS!

AMM said...

I love your photos - reminds me of my first visit to your lovely city in June this year

Unknown said...

I LOVE Chicago and your pics make me want to take a pilgrimage . . .there is nothing quite like it and I miss it terribly (not the politics, but that's the case anywhere :)

Sometimes the f-bomb is the best release - if it's used all the time, it loses it's therapeutic value, but at the right time, from the right person, it's perfect.

**nicke... said...

sometimes that is the only word that is appropriate! have you seen this swap on flickr? maybe you should join the next round to get your cussing out! http://www.flickr.com/groups/2035203@N23/

xo

Erika Mulvenna said...

Wonderful photos! Hey, I agree, sometimes a couple of swear words can make a situation seem easier to handle. ;-P

LoBo333 said...

Whoo hoo! Go Iowa State!!!

Libby said...

Wow we must be almost neighbors...I live close to that church and go thrifting at that Salvation Army often :)

Alison said...

Jacquie love them all, but as you said the last one is the best.

Fiodhna said...

Hope things start picking back up for you Jacquie. I've heard it said (and totally agree)... that dogs are the best stress relief and therapy you can get...better even than children/family/best friends bc they don't require anything from you whatsoever, not even conversation. They just come and cuddle and lean and love...no questions asked.

Doris said...

Go CYCLONES!!!! Beautiful pics, and words.

stephanie @ Luckystarquilts said...

Thanks for putting it into words what I've been going through too this past year, some good stuff but lots of the not so good too...don't even ask me about my summer. Family; yup, right up there at the top of the list of THE most important. Don't forget that folks -and make sure your calendar reflects that!

Molly said...

Oh boy. Hope whatever the situation is gets resolved soon and in the meantime enjoy your view ... and your dog ... and your man!

V and Co. said...

amen. hey i moved to iowa. nice shirt! :) hope everything gets better or moves in the direction of peace.

CitricSugar said...

Great post, Jacquie. I have been on a blog break for two months and have just finished catching up - you have been busy! I appreciated your list of mantras/lessons - every one is a good one. And that fact that you cop to using the f-bomb just makes me love ya more! :-)

Best of luck with the move.