For What It's Worth


Friday, February 21, 2020

52 Lists Friday


I’m trying to do more personal (non bookish) posts so I’m trying the 52 Lists for Happiness prompts on Fridays as a regular feature.

I’ll posts the prompt for next Friday at the end in case you want to join in.









I’m having one helluva week (Fonzi is still sick on and off, I had a flat tire, leaking furnace, Figment had a vomiting, pooping meltdown the other day because I was out too long & now my laptop computer screen is literally separating from the computer).


via GIPHY

But I’m determined to - not be positive exactly – but maybe not fall into the pit of despair lol so I’m continuing with my 52 Lists for Happiness.


via GIPHY

LIST THE BEST CHOICES YOU’VE MADE IN YOUR LIFE SO FAR

Without sounding super clichรฉ – my husband. He's a calming force in my life because he's so chill while I tend to be a worrier. He's calmed me down SO much over the years. I tended to date the bad boys before him and, luckily, got over that crap. Kevin's a great guy but has a little sarcastic, cynical edge to him so it works lol

Getting my first sheltie, Indy. Well, he wasn't actually my 1st sheltie - my first one came with my house lol The couple was divorcing and they had him tied to the tree and were going to put him to sleep. We took him in but he was a hot mess with severe separation anxiety. After he died suddenly of cancer I had a crazy idea to get another sheltie.

Indy was a fearless, and whip smart puppy. He kept getting bumped up to the next levels in obedience and agility after a week of class - only held back by his slower to learn mom lol He was the epitome of not holding on to any baggage and just moving forward. I learned so much from that dog at a time in my life when I needed it.

In my quest to keep his brain challenged, I pushed myself way out of my comfort zone, taking him to classes with *gasp* people! and competing in obedience and agility and meeting life long friends. And, of course, going on to get my other shelties. They all literally changed my life and Indy was the catalyst.

Starting a blog. I never in a million years thought I would put my self out there on the internet and still be hanging around 10 years later but here I am. I started out as a private political blog on Word Press Ha! THANK GOD I didn't stick with that. And then on Indy's birthday in 2009 I launched For What It's Worth. I didn't even tell anyone I knew for over a year and I still can't believe anyone found me or that I became a book reviewer. I originally intended to talk about TV, movies, music and life.

As you can see, most of my best decisions were ones that pushed me a bit and blogging is no exception. My desire to meet my online friends and authors got me to fly (I hate flying) for book cons (I hate crowds) and contact publishers. It's been life changing.

What are the best decisions you've made in your life?

List for next Friday: List the things (from your past and present) that feel like blockades in the way of happiness.

Oooh...getting deep next week! lol

27 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, what a week. It has to get better, right? {{hugs}}

    When it comes to best life decisions what immediately comes to mind is my husband. Yes, cliche, but also true. We were an unlikely pair for many reasons all those years ago. We got together *after* he transferred from here to NC (he was only back on business when we reconnected), he’s 14 years older... all kinds of reasons. But I knew there was something there and he was special. Best decision ever. :)

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    1. My husband and I are a weird unlikely pairing too lol

      Glad we defied logic!

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  2. You are having a rough run lately. I hope things start looking up for you, or at least, that things stay quiet for a while. I make terrible decisions and pay for them for the rest of my life, but I am glad yours worked out so well for you

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    1. Quiet would be wonderful lol

      We've had highs and lows but still a great decision.

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  3. Oh my gosh I love that GIF. But ouch sounds like your week has been pretty crappy! I hope Fonzi and figment are okay- sending lots of positive vibes for them. Some weeks just suck. Flat tires- ugh. We had it happen to BOTH cars in the last few weeks- I had a flat in the garage and then our other car went flat a few days later. And tires aren't cheap lol. Enough of that though! I like your list of positives. :)

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    1. TWO???


      I have no idea what's going on right now. Everyone says it's Mercury in retrograde so when the hell does that end??? lol

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    2. Mercury in retrograde?? That just SOUNDS bad lol.

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  4. I'm glad that you made this blog and decided to meet people. I haven't gone to any book conventions because crowds and me just don't mix. lol You've had a hell of a week but I'm glad you tried to stay positive about it. I know that's a hard thing to do. Hopefully next week will be better one.

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    1. Thanks Mary.

      I'm weird about crowds. I don't like when I'm pinned in somewhere - like a meeting or something where I can't just walk out but if I don't have to interact and can escape I'm fine.

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  5. Things have got to get better soon, right? I cross all my bits and pieces for you to have a chill week that leads to another and another and another until all is good.

    I love your sheltie story. I can't believe that people could be so heartless as to plan to take their dog to be put to sleep because they were divorcing! I'd be like "see you later, I'm keeping the dog!" Go you for taking that one in (even if the dog was a hot mess) and it's awesome that the experience led you to getting Indy and then the others. It's cheesy but everything happens for a reason... :)

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    1. He was a great dog originally and then they ended up tying him to a tree then he started snapping at people so they were going to put him to sleep. He was a mess after all that but so sweet.

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  6. Okay, the story of your first sheltie is just HEARTBREAKING! What is wrong with people? I'm glad you found Indy though and he really pushed you out of your comfort zone. It sounds like you were good for each other.

    I'm sorry about all the awful things going on lately. Sometimes it really feels like life wants to pile all the crap on you at once, doesn't it? Not cool!!!

    I'm glad you decided to blog! It's been a really great decision in my life too - starting Shooting Stars Mag. I didn't start out as a book blog either!! LOL

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I remember your blog in the early days! It was way more about media right? I've loved how it's evolved though.

      Yeah - people are assholes. Most of my dogs have had awful stories. When I worked at a shelter - someone brought in their shih tzu because it didn't match their new furniture/

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  7. OK that is a really bad week. I don't know why all these crap things seem to unload on us at the same time but it always seems to happen that way. I hope both of your furry critters improve soon.

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  8. Aww I just love your post here and good for you sticking to positive happy moments. Love that you have your husband who balances you out. We all need that right? And I agree 100% with blogging, its such a gift right....and we both have been doing it for the same amount of time. So crazy how time flies.

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    1. I'm trying lol It hasn't been easy to stay positive but I try to balance it out.

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  9. Oh man, I'm sorry your week was so awful! I really hope Fonzi feels better soon. Give him a kiss from my crew! <3

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    1. It's a lot of trial and error right now. One thing helps while another causes a setback but I hope we catch a rhythm this week.

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  10. I got stuck on political blog. I am glad you came to the light side of book blogging

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    1. Oh I could NEVER do anything political right now. Book blogging is stressful enough lol

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  11. Oh no hope your week gets better and that Fonzi feels better too!! <3

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  12. The hubs sounds great! I semi-gave up bad boys, but my ex was still too much bad boy, I guess, ha ha. ๐Ÿ˜„

    My best decision was to give up the music biz when my son was born and concentrate on being Wonder Mom. I really could have ended up a hot mess on the road I was on. ๐Ÿ˜›

    I didn't know you did obedience and agility! I did obedience trials with my setters. Agility didnt become popular until after I quit showing. It looks like a lot of fun! ๐Ÿ‘✨

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    1. I did. I had 3 shelties at the time (pre-Fonzi) and it was a great outlet for them. I was never super competitive about it but Indy enjoyed doing trials. He got first place every time.

      Fonzi has titles in obedience, agility and herding but that was all with his previous owner (who passed away). He's just a slug, couch potato now lol

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  13. I'm enjoying your personal posts!

    Kevin, uh? Did you let him read this post? ๐Ÿ˜‰ Better not - he might grow an ego! LOL.
    I didn't know anything about Indy, though I've known you for years when he was still alive. What an awesome dog.

    I feel the same about blogging - it's the peak of my sad life LOL.

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  14. Ah sorry to hear about your crazy week. I hope this one has been at least slightly better.
    It's so nice to see a positive blog post like this one. Especially that it shows how pushing ourselves can have so many benefits, not only in the short term but over long periods of time. I know starting a blog for me was an amazing experience that brought me so many good opportunities and I'm glad to be back doing it again after a long break.
    - Sabrina @ Wordy and Whimsical

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