#1) My New Cultivate the Lovely Mug
I had a radio taping in Colorado Springs on Thursday, and I barely made it through the interview before the slight head cold I had turned into full-blown nose-can’t-stop-running, head-is-going-to-explode head cold status.
(By the time I landed back in Nashville, the only thing I wanted to do was crawl into bed… And I’ve mostly stayed there ever since! I guess God decided that I needed to get a jumpstart on my planned word for 2016 — REST!)
At any rate, I’ve been drinking Zarbee’s Throat Relief drink in my brand-new Cultivate the Lovely mug that I bought from MacKenzie over at Bold Turquoise makes me feel a little more classy while rocking bed head and PJs.
#2) My Last Business Trip of 2015
As mentioned above, I flew to Colorado Springs on Wednesday and Thursday for a radio taping. It was my last business trip of 2015 and I couldn’t be happier to finally be at the finish line after a long, very full, and very stretching year.
It’s weird to not have any huge and pressing projects ahead of me and very little travel planned for 2016. But it feels SO good! While I’m grateful for the growth and the opportunities this past year, I’m also grateful to be entering a much quieter season!
#3) Our Monday Group
These are all the adults in our Monday Group (taken at our Christmas Party this past week). And every single person here means so much to us.
We’ve laughed, teased, cried, prayed, ate, and played together almost every Monday night over this past year. These people have listened to us, loved us well, cared for us, and modeled what authentic community looks like. And it’s been one of the greatest gifts to us since moving here to TN.
Can’t wait for all our 2016 Mondays!! (Also, I have no idea why I was the only person who missed the memo on where we were supposed to be looking in this photo!)
#4) A Funny Laundry Image
I found this image from MamaNeedsaNap.com and just had to share it… because maybe you needed the laugh, too?
#5) A Thought-Provoking Quote
I’m attacking this head cold with gusto… Taking all sorts of vitamins, downing the liquids, slathering myself with oils, chugging the tinctures, and resting like it’s my job! ?
I don’t mess around when it comes to sickness! Ain’t nobody got time for head colds!
It appears to be working because I was able to sleep well last night (okay, I confess: I did take Robitussin Nighttime) and feel more human today.
This is the perfect day to be reading Choose Joy. My favorite quote so far: “Too many people miss the silver lining because they’re expecting gold.” -Maurice Setters
What are you loving this week? Tell us in the comments!
Jaimie Ramsey says
Jon Acuff is in your Monday group?!? That is SO cool.
I am loving our Christmas tree–all the ornaments bring back lots of memories
My homemade lotion for my baby boy’s dry skin (and mine too!)
All the time with family we’re getting this week and next
Lots of cuddles with my baby and hubby (who’s starting a four-day weekend! woot!)
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Crystal! 🙂
Rhonda Swan says
This week I’m loving:
-watching my daughter ride horses
-celebrating the holidays with my family
-pursuing my passions
-good health
-a good year coming to a close
Sarah@TheOrthodoxMama says
I am loving watching “A Christmas Carol” with my classes (I teach middle school) after we read the book. I also am loving that I don’t have to be in school after Tuesday 🙂
Savannah @ Budget Preps says
I’m loving that I got a Christmas bonus AND a raise for next year! We are able to get a jump start on our debt snowball for 2016!
I’m also loving that I finally took the plunge and monetized and self hosted my blog. I have no idea what I’m doing, and learning as I go. Your book really inspired me! Thank you!
Crystal Paine says
Woohoohoo!!!
Darcy Hicks says
Hope you feel better soon, Crystal! Things I’m loving this week:
1. A Sunday spent playing Monopoly w/ my kids
2. My son’s Christmas program w/ his school
3. My husband had x3 job interviews this week!!! (waiting to hear)
4. Power of prayer
5. Christmas baking
Have a good week! Merry Christmas!
mrl says
Good luck on your husband’s job interviews!
Crystal Paine says
I hope the job interviews went well!
Lea Stormhammer says
Ugh – head colds/sinus stuff are the pits! Hope you’re feeling better soon, Crystal (and everyone else who’s suffering!).
Here’s my five this week:
1. My parents visiting. They’re in their early 80s and still able to travel and are basically healthy. I’m so blessed!
2. My children’s school Christmas concert (they go to private school so it really is a Christmas concert!). It was amazing – loved it!
3. The semester being over for the University I teach at. I’m SO ready for a break!
4. My children. They are really enjoying this holiday season with all the chaos and joy – it’s contagious!
5. Christmas lights – they are making me absurdly happy this year!
Feel better soon, Crystal! We’ll be praying for healing for you.
Lea
Crystal Paine says
What a fun week! Thanks for sharing!
Abby N says
Colds are awful during this fun time of year. I’ve been fighting mine for two weeks. BTW, I really enjoy your blog and did a double take when I saw the picture of your friends. I know Katherine and Chris (from a life time ago. Small world… Merry Christmas!
Crystal Paine says
Oh how fun! It’s a small world! We ADORE Katherine and Chris!
Mandy says
Is Jon Acuff in your group? I’m reading his book and your book at the same time.
Crystal Paine says
We love the Acuffs! And I love all of Jon’s books!
Keelie Reason says
I was starting to think I should decorate the pile of laundry on my couch this week…I mean, if you can’t beat it, decorate it. 😀
I am loving:
1. Christmas cantatas
2 . Chats with friends
3. Christmas shopping checked off
4 50th wedding anniversary for friends at church
5 Mom coming to play the piano at the Christmas Eve Service for the church my husband is interim pastor for.
Crystal Paine says
“If you can’t beat it, decorate it!”
Love that!
Katrina says
We went straight from a stomach virus to horrible head colds and sore throats for myself and the kids. Hoping for a healthier start to 2016! 🙂
Crystal Paine says
I’m SO sorry! That’s NO fun at all! 🙁
Debi says
Crystal, like you, I too have a head cold and I don’t know what natural things to do for it. Could you share some of your remedies in addition to the ones shared in the above post? Nothing I’ve tried is working. I’ll pray you get well soon!! I am hoping we both have a clear and wonderful Christmas.
Blessings!
Crystal Paine says
A few of my favorite things when I’m sick:
Oils: OnGuard and Oregano and Thieves (you can diffuse it or mix with coconut oil and put on the bottoms of your feet a few times per day).
NeilMed Nasal Rinse
Lots and lots of liquids — orange juice, kombucha, tea, water
Probiotics
ColdCalm — I’ve been trying this because we had some.
Rest 🙂
Debi says
Thank you, Crystal! I will look into all of that today. I have alternated peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender oils in my diffuser. I have also been adding ACV to my water, this usually works, but this is one tough bug. Rest….aahh….so necessary….but I haven’t been doing that enough. Thanks for the reminder:)
Bless you!
Debi says
Follow up: I purchased the ColdCalm and took some Vitamin C and lots of fluids….one more natural remedy that worked really well today was organic honey and lemon. I added the mixture to water and it helped quite a bit with the congestion. I’m feeling much better, I hope you are feeling better too, Crystal.
God Bless!
Crystal Paine says
YAY!!! I’m so glad!!
brittney says
For colds we almost always rely on natural remedies. A good apple cider vinegar(not strained, but with the “mother”) diluted with water helps so much. Also I use Coldcalm anytime I feel anything coming on or if someone in the house is sick. I love it and believe in it wholeheartedly. Echinacea tea or peppermint tea also helps a lot. I drink shakes frequently and if anyone else in the house is sick I add coconut oil and raw honey to my morning shake.
Jackie says
I am LOVING the podcast Serial. I am not sure how I haven’t heard about it til now. I am obsessed this week 🙂
Another love of mine right now is a curling wand. Again I think I am late to this trend but I love it!!
Crystal Paine says
I’ve heard so much about Serial. I really need to check it out!
Jenny kref says
love the laundry pile decorated with Christmas lights.
Anne says
Ugh! I am sick, too, and I am eleven weeks pregnant. Now that my morning sickness and fatigue is more manageable, I got a cold AND a bladder infection! I’ve never had one before but I guess it’s common in pregnancy.
Two things I’m loving:
Hallmark Channel Christmas movies: They have made the morning sickness and now these illnesses more tolerable. (We have cable – it isn’t frugal but it’s one thing we splurge on because my husband loves sports. He doesn’t have expensive hobbies and doesn’t buy himself techie things (or anything really), so I am happy we make room for it in our budget).
Grown-up coloring books: I have been enjoying coloring along side my three year old to pass those long afternoon hours until my husband gets home from work. I use crayons and I find it some therapeutic.
Crystal Paine says
Ugh! I’m so sorry you’re dealing with a cold, bladder infection, and morning sickness!! 🙁