wow. w o w. holy cow, wow! take a second to let this one sink in. did you read that? did you read it out loud? did you pause to let it simmer? did you close your eyes and cogitate what it means to you? did you stop to think how your actions may have impacted someone else? did you want a do over?

we can never really know what's best for someone else. we can give advice based on our own personal experience. but that doesn't make it right for someone else.

as a parent, it's very hard to walk this line...the line of being a parent and at the same time letting your child make those decisions on their own. to let them enjoy the successes and suffer their trials. can a parent really know what's best for their children? as littles, it's our responsibility to teach them right from wrong, good from bad, virtuous from evil...but as they grow older and more independent and then they live on their own...where do you draw the line? when do you decide to let them live their lives for themselves? to let them have their own dreams and goals and aspirations?

i think that's one of the hardest things about being a parent. finding that balance...tweaking that balance for what works for each child...it's something i struggle with.

i truly hope we have instilled this in the girl...to be her own person. to think for herself while respecting the opinions of her parents, grandparents, and other mentors.

i absolutely love byron katie. she has awesome teachings. check out her website HERE.

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gentle reader, there hasn't been much going on around here this week...and that's a good thing, right?

i did make it to the gym and personal trainer today...that's three times this week! i missed one day last week while i was watching the heating guy repair the furnace at magic lake.

let me tell ya, i really enjoy being at the gym. lifting those weights. pushing the stress right outta my body and mind. it's such a relief to walk out of their at the end of the hour and know that i worked hard. that i pushed my limit.

next on my list is to get a work out routine going on here at home for the rest of the week...i can do it, i have made the choice not to start yet. i'm not sure when that will change and i'm not promising anything. i will let you know when it happens, though!

between the gym and going back to kiroworld for the staff training i ran back home. i had a few things that take care of and needed my laptop to do it. i walked through the kitchen and glanced out the window and saw this:

this photo does not do the colors justice...not at all...in real life, this tree looked like it was on fire! it didn't look like this yesterday, i promise you! but today? today it was beautiful...with a little blue sky peeking in there, too...in between the fog and the rain!

and the night ended with the girl coming home. we had dinner together and then she began her studying. i really like this wednesday night routine! i love knowing she will join us for dinner convo and then she and kiroman can chat about anatomy and physiology stuff!

the doolittles are always so excited to see her, although it makes studying difficult because they all fight for her attention!

life is good, gentle reader...no matter how hard we think it is at any given time...no matter what challenges we may face, it will be better...

i am grateful:

• for spending lunch and dinner with the girl and kiroman
• to see my mom at kiroworld then sharing a caramel apple spice together
• to be able to enjoy the fall colors
• to have one project knocked off the list
• YOU, gentle reader, YOU