Welcome!

Spring has always represented renewal and refreshment to me. It seems like the perfect time to liven things up with some fun changes, and this week those changes include my newsletter format.

As you may have noticed, my target publication day will now be Tuesdays (usually - I'm human!). And instead of a lengthy written piece, I will be sharing bit-size highlights from my week, covering a variety of topics.

So, grab your favorite beverage, get comfy and enjoy this premiere edition of the new and improved Betsy Slay Coaching Newsletter.

Morning Page Musings

(Excerpts from my daily journaling)

On Reconciliation: "Believe people when they show you their interest in you by their actions or lack thereof. If they wanted to communicate with you, they would."

On Expectations: "She didn't accept me for who I was, but I also didn't accept her for who she was. It was such a blind spot for me."

On Body Image: "I feel sad for the 18-year-old girl who believed her body was wrong, bad, something to fix."

On Mulch Varieties: "Is the wood mulch bringing in more weeds in or are the weeds attaching themselves to the mulch? I may never know, but I DO know I've never found a weed attached to rock mulch."

On Bathing Our 15-Year-Old Cat: "I know it might be a terrible idea, but if I could figure it out, I could save $75 every 8 weeks."

On Self-Compassion: "How would I set this up if I wanted to have the best chance of success AND be kind to myself?"

Quotes from Others

"You got any pizza? Or pasta?" What my 2yo granddaughter Clara is really thinking about during her nightly bedtime story.

"I was a contemplative in an evangelical church, which is sort of like trying to squeeze a round soul into a square slot." Sue Monk Kidd, The Dance of the Dissident Daughter​

"The perfectionist writes, paints, creates with one eye on her audience. Instead of enjoying the process, the perfectionist is constantly grading the results." Julia Cameron, The Artist's Way​

What I'm Reading

Last week was a race to finish two books that were already overdue and unrenewable. Sorry Lakeland Public Library! They were two from Ann Cleeves' Shetland series. My love of cozy British mysteries continues!

​Raven Black unravels the deaths of two young girls, many years apart and explores how society handles grief and differences. Oh, and ravens.

​Thin Air: A remote island. A group of college friends reunite for a week of celebration and relaxation. The ghost of a young girl dancing along the shoreline. Secrets galore. What could go wrong?

What I'm Watching

I finished the series Rosemary and Thyme on Britbox. I've passed it over many times, so I'm glad I finally watched it. Rosemary Boxer is a plant pathologist, underhandedly fired from her university teaching position. Laura Thyme is a former police detective and avid gardener, newly single after an affair ends her 20+ year marriage. The two ladies meet up in the first episode and spend the next 22 episodes planting beautiful gardens and solving murders that seem to follow them around the British countryside and western Europe.

What I'm Listening To

​Making Midlife Magic: Episodes 94 & 95 of Rachel Baum's podcast have been really eye-opening to me. I don't work at my best when I feel like someone is making me do something against my will. But what if that someone is me? Learning how to make our yes mean yes and our no mean no can allow us to live our lives with a sense of greater safety and trust.

​The Rich Roll Podcast: Kara Goucher: Inside the Secret World of Elite Sport Doping, Abuse & Deception. Pro Athlete Kara Goucher "bravely shares her experiences as an athlete, including injuries, financial struggles, and her time with the Nike Oregon Project. We delve into the weight management pressures and ethical dilemmas she faced regarding doping practices. Kara also opens up about the emotional impact of being assaulted by her coach and the struggle to speak out about it."

What's Cooking?

​Ham Casserole with Broccoli and Rice was a perfect way to use up a great deal on diced ham I couldn't resist. I substituted crushed (slightly stale) pretzels for the Ritz crackers and a 50/50 blend of shredded parm and cheddar. Cozy and delicious Sunday night meal!

​Lemon Curd: I used this recipe to make curd with the pink lemons and limes I got a couple of weeks ago. This recipe could not be easier, and the results are tangy sweet perfection!

Home & Garden

I spent the first four weekends in March on a landscape project that's been years in the making. The view of the corner outside our bedroom window has been boring and ug-ly for the last fifteen years. I wanted to beautify it, but I had a problem. We had no rain gutters on our house, so every time it stormed, that area was pummeled by a raging waterfall, destroying everything in its path.

Well, gutters finally came to the top of our priority list a few months back and I was so excited because I knew as soon as the risk of a freeze was over for the season, this landscape project was on! In addition to the corner of the house, I added a semi-circle bed to each corner of the back yard and completely redid an existing bed that we can't seem to find plants that will survive there. Fingers crossed this year's selection of fountain grass is a winner.

Week 1 was measuring and marking the lines for the beds. Then digging up that top layer of grass and weeds and rocks. Finally, smoothing it all out with a rake.

Week 2 was cutting, laying and securing all the landscape fabric.

Week 3 was buying and planting all the plants.

Week 4 was buying and adding the paver border and topping with a thick layer of pea gravel. This is the third time we've bought a cubic yard of pea gravel and the first time we've had it delivered. $40 well spent!

It was a LOT of work and I'm glad that part is done. I am thrilled with the results. Now all that's left is to keep it watered and enjoy watching everything bloom and grow.

What Spring projects are on your agenda? Reply to this email and tell me all about it.

Until next week...I'll be finding happiness in the pursuit.

Betsy

Work with Me!

I offer private one-to-one coaching to a limited number of clients worldwide via Zoom.

Every coaching relationship with me begins with a complimentary session where we discuss your goals, your struggles, and how coaching may benefit you. There is absolutely no pressure to commit further, this is simply an opportunity to get to know each other better and decide whether working together would be a good fit for each of us.

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