Good morning, world. It’s quiet in this house right now. I have a lot to tell you, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to squeeze it all in in one blog post, before kids wake up.
Yesterday, the craziest thing happened. Actually, it was more like a series of things. And now that I think about it, it was really the culmination of some things happening and some things NOT happening. I can’t go into all the details, but I can tell you this: things that I would ordinarily think of as bad, redefined themselves as good. Things that I had been praying for, things I would have defined as good things, didn’t happen, and in the long run, I actually think that’s going to be good as well. On top of all this, I managed to gain a much longed-for change in perspective after a total melt-down yesterday morning.
All that, friends, is a light this morning. A light at the end of the tunnel. And I am so, so, so grateful. I feel optimistic, joyful, encouraged, thankful (and not just the disciplined-because-I-have-to-be kind of grateful–the feeling kind of grateful). I guess I just wanted to hop on here and tell you that. In lieu of circumstantial details, I wanted to share a list of random things that I’m finding total delight in right now:
- Holiday coffee. From Aldi! So inexpensive, but so much fun!
- My old Trend-E-Totes.
- A Christmas tree up. With lights! That work! And time to decorate it!
- Perspective. You can spiral up or you can spiral down. Both take energy. Which spiral are you going to be on?
- Forgiveness. That may sound like an odd thing to be thankful for. I’m so grateful that God has forgiven me, but I’m also grateful He provided me with the capacity to forgive others. I cannot imagine having to hang on to all that negative energy for so long!
- Joy. The result of gratitude and forgiveness. YAY!!!
- God’s provision. In the weirdest ways.
One of the most wonderful things that has come out of the past year’s happenings is that we’ve started doing all our grocery shopping at Aldi. At first, it was embarrassing, but now, it’s one of my favorite things to do. It’s a total joy, and one that I would never have found if it wasn’t for this crazy journey. I love Aldi because it’s almost never crowded. I’ve found the times that are the slowest, and I do our grocery shopping in that window. If you’ve never shopped at Aldi, the three things that are the strangest are that they have random brands you’ve never heard of before, you have to use a quarter to “rent” a shopping basket, and they don’t have bags. I use my old Trend-E-Totes to pack up the groceries, and I smile the entire time I’m doing it. Another Aldi gift: thanks to their seasonal coffees, I haven’t had a drink from Starbucks in at least six months. I’m quite serious: right now they have gingerbread and mocha mint flavors, and that makes me so happy.
It’s the simple things, ya’ll. It really is.
Lots of you all ask questions and send emails whenever I post pictures of the totes on Instagram or Facebook. I love these totes. The shape is my favorite. I custom designed the shape with an old friend who used to work for me and help with product development. I love that I can slide my arm through the handle and carry the bag over my shoulder. Literally, I think they are perfect. They hold a ton of weight–I even load mine up with canned goods!
People keep asking if we are going to bring the totes back, and the answer is that right now, we just can’t. The doors have closed on that little venture. I still dream about being able to do a line of them in the future, but the investment in inventory is steep, and we just don’t have it right now.
However, there are a very few totes left and the good news is that this week, you can order them on Paper-Sale.com for $7.25 each! SERIOUSLY! There are only four styles remaining: http://paper-sale.com/collections/totes, but at less than eight dollars each, these are going to go fast. Use coupon code Wholesale at checkout to claim the discount.
On that note, I hear kids waking up. Happy day, friends!
xoxo,
Whitney
Hi Whitney,
I had just finished reading the 29th day of “I Declare” by Joel Osteen this morning and thought how the things you said today go right along the lines of this declaration. I am going to share with you this one as I believe you will like it too.
I DECLARE God is working all things together for my good. He has a master plan for my life. There may be things I don’t understand right now but I’m not worried. I know all pieces aren’t there yet. One day it will all come together and everything will make sense. I will see God’s amazing plan taking me places I never dreamed of. This is my declaration.
Each day there are inspirating, uplifting, and encouraging declarations for our lives followed by a short story. They are quick reads but seem to always hit me where I am each morning.
Thanks for sharing,
Beverly
Beverly
I love Aldi too. We have one right around the corner from our house. Did you know that it is owned by the same parent company as Trader Joe’s? There is just something about saving all that $$$! And I like that it is small and not stacked to the ceiling and the hodge podge of treasures in the middle of the store…you never know what you might find.
Whitney, I’m so grateful for some re-framing that’s been happening for me lately as well. Lots and lots of it, it seems. Also, I’ve still never shopped at an Aldi in the States, but I loved them when I lived in Germany and was so surprised to see them popping up here in Texas amidst the HEB empire. We even have one coming to Waco! I’m not a coffee drinker, but if I remember right, there are other treats to enjoy.
I’m so glad you shared about the totes! I just bought 3 pink peyton totes & 1 navy chinoiserie tote. I get one of each and a sister-in-law and friend will each get 1 peyton holding a few other little things. What a happy Monday. Off to do some grocery shopping of my own while things are calm. 🙂
Love your gratitude list 🙂 We have an Aldi here- may have to check it out 🙂 Have a great week! Xo