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Author: jehdld

Happy Homemaker Monday, Icy Start

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A light sheen of ice is covering our cars and road this morning. A lot of the local schools including my preschool are once again closed. Thankfully, by afternoon, the temperature is supposed to bounce above freezing improving the roads. 

Joining in as always with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom to plan my week.

The Weather

Yesterday’s sunrise

Icy and not so cold (but feels cold) to start the week. Yesterday, it warmed up to the low 30’s but still felt like it was in the lower teens most the day. We’re supposed to get more rain tomorrow and Wednesday but the temperature is also supposed to be in the 40’s so that will hopefully, wash away the snow for a bit.

As I Look Outside My Window

dark eyed junco aka snowbird

 

Icy sheen on the cars and the street, birds at the bird feeders seem to be coping just fine. (I put out birdseed last night so I wouldn’t be slip sliding trying to do it this morning.

Right Now

The Monday morning usuals, working on this post and listening to the washing machine. Also, working on some tax numbers (blah) and talking to my husband about the road conditions (he’s getting ready to go to work).

Thinking and Pondering

Trying to not worry too much about J who appears to be struggling again, winter blues hits hard sometimes. Happy I was able to get him out of the house for a bit yesterday afternoon. Thinking about all the decluttering I’d like to get done in this house. Saved a bunch of Christmas boxes for that purpose but now they’ve sort of become clutter themselves.

How I am Feeling

Not terrible. Slept okay, relieved it turned out to be a snow day at my work as I didn’t want to have to turn people down though I wasn’t planning on getting out in the ice. A little grumpy as we were out of regular milk for my coffee this morning. Found some sweetened condensed milk in the pantry so not all was lost thankfully.

On the Breakfast Plate

An English muffin and coffee with the sweetened condensed milk which is actually not bad. Just not something I’d want every day. Vitamins.

On the Lunch Plate

Not sure: canned soup or hot sandwiches?

On The Dinner Plate

I did finally clean out and organize our pantry on Saturday. Made a list of meals we could have based on the ingredients in there. Lots of pasta in our future it seems. Pasta of some sort for today or maybe the Asian bow tie pasta that’s on the side of the chicken stock carton.

On The Menu

Struggling to get into a new routine around here so of course, the menu planning struggles as well. Trying to clear out the freezer a bit with the pantry.

MONDAY: Penne pasta in Vodka sauce (jar in pantry), going to try to make it in the slow cooker. Salad, breadsticks. Going to have hamburger, mushrooms, and cheese to add into the pasta separately according to taste.

TUESDAY: ham steaks and cornbread (cornbread mix in pantry, ham steaks in freezer)

WEDNESDAY: applesauce waffles, bacon (applesauce in pantry)

THURSDAY: chicken enchiladas (so much enchilada sauce in the pantry!) Taco meat from freezer for husband who doesn’t do yellow cheese

FRIDAY: Husband’s choice or leftovers

What I Am Wearing Today

Chiefs tee-shirt, jeans, and right now black and white polka dot slipper socks.

On My Reading Pile

The Little Cafe in Copenhagen by Julie Caplan, just started it. I’d read a preview a while back but couldn’t find it at the library and it wasn’t on Kindle Unlimited. Finally, in December maybe, it went on sale for 99 cents and I bought it. Really enjoying it so far.

On My TV This Week

You know I have to say it: How ‘Bout Them Chiefs?????!!!! What a great game, missed a bit of the beginning being out with J but saw most of the game. Buffalo played a good one and I was almost feeling sorry for them until those fans started pelting the players with snowballs? Ice balls? Not classy. I know not all the Buffalo fans did that but ugh. Note to Carrie: I cheered on your team as well and was so sad they didn’t quite make it. Looks like a team that’s going to be there next year for sure though!  Since we didn’t get our Green Bay/Kansas City wish, I’m now hoping for a Detroit/Kansas City game 🙂 One more week to get through.

Non-sports things: I started watching The Bear and it is really good. Also, the Percy Jackson series on Disney, nothing like that horrid movie from a few years back. And game shows: The Floor, I Can See Your Voice, and We Are Family (I’ve even had a few correct guesses!).

Looking Around the House

Well, cleaning and clearing is still the January focus not that you could tell from looking around this place.

On My To Do List

  1. Go to grocery store for just a few things (like milk and bananas)
  2. Target trip for just a very few essentials (hair conditioner, cat food, etc)
  3. Continue working on tax stuff
  4. Continue the cleaning and clearing of the house, might do a few kitchen cabinets
  5. Usuals: laundry, cleaning
  6. Hopefully, on a clear warmish day, drop off donations at charity shop
  7. Get outside and go for walk one day (maybe Thursday or Friday? Both?)
  8. Go out with friends for Mom’s Night Out, need to find the exact date
  9. Send a few cards in the mail
  10. ????

From The Camera

I had some red-winged blackbirds visit the bird feeder! I’ve had a lonely female visit previously but never a whole group. Pictures aren’t the best as it was still super cold and I couldn’t get the door open quietly. Had to settle for pictures through the not so clean glass.

And a couple from my walk last Thursday

Loved seeing all the animal tracks across the frozen stream

 

Something Fun To Share

Just something silly for the fans of Hallmark movies and the Chiefs. (Filmed locally!)

Fun fact: You can actually purchase a sweet nectar of the endzone candle! Do I want one? Yes but they are a bit pricey (I think). Maybe if the Chiefs make it to the Super Bowl again, I’ll cave and shell out the dollars.

Quote for the Week

What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness? (John Steinbeck)

 

 

Random Items From This Week

Chitchat Week in Review Winter Wednesday 2 Comments

Just finished an entire week in review blog post and then, decided it was so boring I’m not publishing it. So, here we have try two with the photos I downloaded for the deleted post. (I’m also counting this as my winter Wednesday post even though it’s Friday.) I’m just going to list some random items from the week. 

  • We missed trash day on Wednesday! The trash truck usually always comes around 9:30 in the morning but for some reason they came at 6:30 on Wednesday. Thankfully, we didn’t have too much trash this week and should be okay to make it until next week.
  • Sickness also found J on Wednesday so he missed the start of his college classes this semester. Shouldn’t be too bad as Tuesday was a snow day.

    A blue jay for my blue Wednesday
  • Did you know blue Monday meant that it was supposedly the most depressing day of the year? I had more of a blue Wednesday but really haven’t been super depressed this winter (yet). Getting outside makes such a difference!
    Snow flowers?

  • I watched Trolls and School of Rock on Wednesday afternoon, both older movies and yet somehow I’d never seen them. Go watch them if you’ve not seen them yet, worth your time. Light and fun as well.
  • Want to know something that works good for sifting powdered sugar onto things if you don’t want to break out the entire sifter? A slotted spoon! Probably one of those I’m the last person to know that kind of things but thought I’d share it in case I’m just the second to last person to think of it.
  • I went to the grocery store twice this week. Once on Monday and again yesterday, both times to prepare for cold and snow. Yesterday was more about getting birdseed and a few snack items for the weekend. 

A Few More Items

My editing stuff says I need a subheading, so there you go.

  • Don’t discount the mental and physical benefits of a snowy hike. Not a snowy workout, just a walk on the snow covered trail admiring the season.
  • If you line your pan with foil to avoid a mess from a sticky sauce, clean said pan before the sauce cools and “glues” the foil to your pan. Ack! What a mess. SIGH.
  • Let myself say no to work a few times this week, why is it so hard to prioritize my own plans even if they aren’t “big”?
  • Excited for G who has a job interview coming up in a couple of weeks. He’d been a bit discouraged so this helps.
  • Started the week with laundry and here I am ending it with more laundry? How?

Weekend Plans

 

None really. More laundry, cleaning and clearing of clutter for today. And some paperwork. Ugh. Waiting to see how J feels when he wakes up and whether he’s going to his classes (they don’t start until 2).

Football watching on the agenda for the weekend mostly. Go Chiefs! Go Packers! (or am I supposed to say Pack? Carrie?) and Go Lions! Not sure on who I’ll cheer on for the fourth game. Maybe a walk on Sunday if it “warms” up a bit more.

How was your week? Any plans for the weekend that might be more exciting than mine?

 

 

Happy Homemaker Monday, MLK Day

HappyHomemakerMonday 14 Comments

Greetings from balmy Kansas City!

Today’s a holiday for most but my husband still went to work. J’s enjoying his last full day of relaxation before his spring college courses start. G’s asleep as is the cat. And I’m sitting down here to take some time and plan out this week.

Glad to have the inspiration to do it from Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom. Always fun to join in this weekly link up of bloggers.

The Weather

Like I said, it’s balmy outside. Ahem. I’m trying to wait until the temperature crawls up to 0 for my weekly grocery store run. We do get a bit of a heatwave on Wednesday when it’s going to be 32 for our high! Bring on the shorts. Then, it plummets again for the weekend. I did sneak a peek at the 10 day forecast and next week looks warmer and rainy with highs in the low 40’s. I don’t even know what’s normal for our area anymore.

UPDATE: It’s noon and we’re barely above 0 now! Woohoo.

As I Look Outside My Window

We had a goldfinch visit!

Lot of birds under the birdfeeders. I ran out of food but it seems they’ve knocked enough on the ground to sustain themselves for a bit.

Right Now

How did we end up with so much laundry? Laundry, coffee, computering.

Thinking and Pondering

 

J’s new college schedule leaves me very limited on my available working hours. Not sure what to do about it. Not sure to be perfectly honest what I want to do about it. It was kind of nice to slow down last fall so maybe this is a sign to slow down a bit more? Classes start tomorrow so I’ll have a better handle on how his schedule truly fits after this week. Might just take this week completely off from work. Probably have no choice on that. Not like I don’t have plenty of at home tasks to keep me occupied.

How I am Feeling

If I hadn’t had quite so much coffee this morning (trying to use up the end of the Keurig pods to put the machine away until next year)….I’d say tired. Unnamed little gray cat wanted to play and cuddle last night or um, early this morning? Two a.m. SIGH

Good thing she’s a cute little cat!

 

On the Breakfast Plate

Did I mention the coffee? Also, cinnamon toast and vitamins

On the Lunch Plate

Depends on when I actually go to the store. Feels like it might be a blue box mac and cheese kinda day

On The Dinner Plate

I’m not sure, probably going to make pork chops and baked potatoes depending on my store timing

On The Menu

Giving everyone an assigned day didn’t work out very well (yet). So I’m basically on my own again this week:

MONDAY: pork chops, baked potatoes, salad?

TUESDAY: chicken/rice/broccoli casserole (J requested this, I made it a long time ago, no idea what recipe I used so…this could be an interesting dinner night)

WEDNESDAY: hamburgers and sweet potato fries (gotta celebrate that heatwave!)

THURSDAY: honey garlic baked chicken legs, mashed potatoes or maybe noodles (trying new recipe)

FRIDAY: maybe spicy potato soup in the crock pot? Or leftovers…

What I Am Wearing Today

purple v-neck sweater, jeggings, and right now, slip on leopard print shoes (changing into other footwear if I go out, of course)

On My Reading Pile

I finished Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam and it was one of those rare instances where the movie was so much better than the book. How they made a decent movie out of that trainwreck is beyond me. Now, I’m reading a much more intriguing one called Almost Surely Dead by Amina Akhtar. One of my First Reads (get two in January) and I’ve been pretty much unable to put it down to the point I’m almost finished with it.

On My TV This Week

You know I have to say it: How ‘Bout Them Chiefs!!!?

And also, for Carrie: How ‘Bout Them Packers!!!?

Is this the year our teams are going to finally meet again in the Super Bowl?!

Later, I hope to really be saying How ‘Bout Them Steelers!? Ha. Okay, I’ll quit boring the non-sports fans now.

I’m also just about finished with The Last Of Us on Max, started watching because I needed my zombie show fix and it was the best I could find. It’s surprisingly good. And I also decided to give the new Percy Jackson series on Disney plus just one episode and now I’m hooked. So I’ll be watching that each week (glad to have a weekly show to watch). Not sure what else I’ll watch, it’s tv season but the writer’s strike threw the timing off on all my winter shows. Probably just those silly game shows and whatever else I stumble across.

Looking Around the House

Cleaning and clearing is definitely on today’s list. And finally putting away the rest of Christmas, still some lingering bits here. I think it’s time for the greenery around the kitchen doorway to go. I did clean the inside of the fridge yesterday so if you come over, I’ll open it and you can admire our clean fridge instead of gawking at the rest of the messy house.

On My To Do List

  1. Grocery store
  2. Put away rest of Christmas
  3. Clean our bedroom/sort out rest of winter clothing
  4. Pay bills
  5. So much laundry
  6. Take a walk when it warms up on Wednesday!
  7. Clear some clutter in the bedroom (I’m working through a challenge)
  8. Paperwork/filing
  9. Clean the bathrooms
  10. Decide if I want to go to Bunco tomorrow night

From The Camera

These pictures are all from last week when it was slightly warmer outside.

Quote for the Week

Peace is more precious than diamonds or silver or gold.
(Martin Luther King Jr.)

Game Changers

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As I was stepping into my rain/mud/snow boots this morning, I mentioned to my husband they were game changers for me. For the most part, until about 4 years ago, I never really owned boots that actually kept my feet dry and (this is important) were easy to get on and off. Boots that were also actually comfortable.

Thought I had a picture of them but can’t find it. However, here is a link to them.

These boots make me more willing to go outside in the rain, mud, and snow. They helped me go on more hikes this fall (and hopefully, this winter as well) since I wasn’t relying on just tennis shoes.

Anyway, then I started thinking about a few other things that were game changers for me in the past few years. And I thought it might be fun to share just a few of them in a post here.

ONE: Parchment Paper

Why did it take me so many years to embrace the idea of parchment paper? I finally started using it on the family chocolate birthday cake a few years ago. Only recently did I realize I could use it to keep things like my banana bread from sticking in the pan. And on cookie sheets instead of greasing them when recipes called for it.

TWO: Great Advice I Really Needed

Reading this little tidbit has helped me so much with not feeling guilty when I say no to work. It’s made me realize that my plans for just myself are also important. I’ve quit canceling on myself (and sometimes my family) to put someone else’s priorities above my own. And let me take a day to relax if I know I need one.

THREE: Warm Socks 

This kind of fits up there with my thoughts about having a good and easy pair of boots. Warm socks make it so much easier and enjoyable to be outside in the winter. Who knew? Probably everyone but me.

***********

These are all just small things but they’ve made such a big difference for me. What do you consider some of your game changers?

 

 

Snow Covered Branches

Just Photos Winter Wednesday 4 Comments

Very briefly and early this morning, the sky showed blue and the sun lit up the snow covered tree branches.

Zooming in didn’t work quite as well as just opening the door, bracing from the cold, and taking a longer shot.

The middle two pictures were out the back door and the top and bottom ones are outside our front door.

They make me want to get my snow boots on bundle up and trek through the woods. However, no snow day today and it’s back to work for me later this afternoon. Perhaps tomorrow morning I’ll get my chance. The weather people predict more snow for us on Thursday afternoon into Friday.  They also predicted more snow for Sunday (along with very cold temperatures starting on Saturday or was it Friday?)

I’ll leave this post by asking only one question:

Do you want to build a snowman or sit inside and drink cocoa? Both is a valid answer.

Happy Homemaker Tuesday, Snow Day!

HappyHomemakerMonday 12 Comments

A day late with my post (same year, same timing of my posts!) after I ended up working yesterday. We’re in the midst of a predicted winter storm over here and today I have a snow day! Wasn’t scheduled to work but it’s still exciting to have a snow day.

Time to join in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom and plan this week.

The Weather

It’s snowing! Not that cold, at least not yet. It’s mostly in the 30’s for the next two days. Then, we’re due to get some kind of cold front that puts the temperatures down into the 20’s. Oh, and with a chance of more snow Friday into Saturday. The forecast for the Chiefs game this weekend: Mostly cloudy with a high of 15 degrees (and that’s one of the more generous predictions I’ve seen). Winter is here. The weird thing is I’m not even upset. I’ve missed it the past few  years. (That outlook subject to change, of course)

As I Look Outside My Window

Hard to see, this is out the front window, but big fat snowflakes were falling (probably still are, I’m in the basement with no view to work on my post).

Right Now

Working on this post, rewashing the laundry I forgot (oops), and trying not to think about all the cleaning chores awaiting me upstairs.

Thinking and Pondering

Not too much, I’m in a just kind of go with the flow mood this morning.

How I am Feeling

Not too bad though I did wake up with a slight headache. It seems to be going away, thinking I just needed some caffeine from my coffee. *UPDATE: between the computer going slow and the cat being fussy, knocking things over, I’m feeling a bit frustrated as I’ve been working on this post for over an hour now (with breaks to do things like start dinner in the crock pot)

On the Breakfast Plate

Maple and brown sugar oatmeal, sausage patty, vitamins, and coffee.

On the Lunch Plate

Undecided

On The Dinner Plate

I planned on roast but forgot to thaw it so I guess I am pondering if I still want to have that for dinner. UPDATE: I decided to go ahead and make the roast.

On The Menu

Would you believe I got up and went to the store by 6:15 A.M. yesterday after getting called into work? I had to be at work at 8 and knew I didn’t want to go after work even though my husband said it would just be raining. It was not raining after work, snow started at about noon yesterday. Glad I went.

MONDAY: Chicken strips and sweet potato fries (all frozen stuff) *I worked 8-4:30*

TUESDAY: Roast in the crock pot

WEDNESDAY: Maybe pork chops? *I work 1-3:45*

THURSDAY: Tacos

FRIDAY: spicy potato soup

Not sure I’ll stick to the above menu, we’ll see what ideas I can get out of the rest of them.

What I Am Wearing Today

Snow day uniform:

Pink leopard print pajamas/loungewear…top is more like a hoodie and bottoms have pockets though I probably wouldn’t wear this outfit to the grocery store. Add in black and white fuzzy socks.

On My Reading Pile

Finished some good ones over the weekend: Pretty Things by Janelle Brown, I don’t think I’d read anything from her before so I’ve requested more. Prior to that I read It Girl by Ruth Ware, her books have yet to disappoint me. Ruth Ware’s book was a thriller, of course. Not sure how I’d classify Pretty Things, not really a hard core thriller but still exciting and interesting. One of those makes you think about the social media kind of books.

On My TV This Week

I did enjoy that new Rob Lowe game show, The Floor, last week so I’ll probably watch it again. Not really sure what else, need a new show to watch. Mentioned in Saturday’s post, we watched The Creator and Leave the World Behind over the weekend, both were decent movies. I’ve picked up the Leave the World Behind book from the library to compare. Oh, and of course, I watched and will watch the Chiefs game!

Looking Around the House

Just a few Christmas things I’ve yet to put away included in the usual mess. Kitchen table needs serious attention as does pretty much everywhere else.

On My To Do List

I’m not even sure, let’s see

  1. Figure out what is going on with this computer!
  2. Clean the house/laundry
  3. Pay bills
  4. Clean out fridge/freezer
  5. Go outside and play in the snow (before it gets crazy cold)

    Snowman from my walk on Sunday, not my creation

From The Camera

I did go on a walk Sunday while there was a bit of sunshine and before the snow moved into our area. A few photos sprinkled into the post up above as well. Thank you to Aritha for the idea to take a picture of the sun while it was there:

Sun reflected in a pond at the nature center

 

Look at the shimmer on the ice:

Quote for the Week

God spoke today in flowers, and I, who was waiting on words, almost missed the conversation.
(Ingrid Goff-Maidoff)

 

 

 

 

A Week With Unexpected Surprises

Week in Review 8 Comments

Hope everyone had a wonderful first week of 2024! Mine was a nice balance of relaxing and working with a few pleasant unexpected surprises. 

Monday: A Relaxing Start

I didn’t even do my regular Monday grocery run (and I should’ve to get my Chiefs gas discount, hoping they do well tomorrow in general and so I can get a good gas discount!). Strange how the first day of the new year already seems like a long time ago.

Tuesday: Winter Walk and Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

I found enough energy on Tuesday to take a winter walk at the nature center. Shared the pictures in my first Winter Wednesday post of 2024. I’ve decided to bring back Winter Wednesdays as they really did help me not mind winter so much. And somehow, this rarely happens, I managed to cook just the right amount of chicken for our copycat Chik-Fil-A dinner on Tuesday evening. Everyone had enough without tons of leftover. And it turned out really good. Small win but sometimes those are the best!

Wednesday: A Late Christmas Gift, Slice of Pizza, and A Bald Eagle Sighting!

Super blurry and hard to see but it is indeed a bald eagle in that tree!

 

Mid-week was a full work day for me, the first one of the year! And it was a great one. Came to work to find a student had brought me a Christmas present. A co-teacher ordered pizza for her lunch and they messed up the order, giving her an extra pizza so yes, I’ll have a slice of pizza for lunch. Yum!

And then, the best thing ever on my break. Cutting thru the park on my way back to school and there just sitting in a tree? A bald eagle! So fun and unexpected. Nobody behind me so I grabbed my phone and then, of course, there was someone behind me. As much as I wanted to circle back, I had to get back to work so settled for one very blurry photo. And of course, I can’t get my photo edit computer thing to work today so this is the basis unedited photo from my phone.

Thursday: Finding A Dress In the Back of the closet!

Thursday was another slow day around here with me just taking my time with things. And discovering a dress in the back of the closet, perfect work dress with some black leggings. Sold! And for $0.

Friday: More Work And the First Snow of 2024!

I had a feeling it would happen and it did, I worked the full day instead of just half a day. It was an odd work day with me starting in the pre-primary class for a teacher having car trouble, going to my planned primary class (and them driving me a bit nuts, unusual in this particular class), and then, returning to the pre-primary class to finish the shift of a sick teacher. Somewhere during the unusual mixed up busy day, it started snowing!

One of the sweet pre-primary students looked out the window upon seeing the snow and said: This makes me so happy!

It made me happy as well. As much as I love my summer, I also love all the seasons and couldn’t imagine living somewhere with minimal weather changes.

Friday night, I was tired. Leftovers for dinner and silly science fiction movie: The Creator. It was enjoyable enough for the genre, I called the plot Terminator in reverse.

Today is the The Epiphany

I’ve made our traditional cake but not really done much else. Spent this morning watching another movie, this one on Netflix, called Leave the World Behind.  It was pretty good and I enjoyed it though the ending seemed a bit hokey. Did request the book from the library.

Actually, I’m still in my pajama pants at almost 3p.m. Later, I’ll put a ham in the oven for dinner. The plans for the rest of the day, a nice dinner and watching the football games.

My purple didn’t turn out very pretty this year but I liked the swirl in the middle of the plate

 

Tomorrow, I’ll put away the rest of the Christmas decorations (or I may do it tonight) and get out for the walk I missed on Thursday. And of course, watch the Chiefs game. More snow is heading our way for Monday into Tuesday.

How are you spending your first full weekend of 2024?

Letting Myself Post Without A Photo

Let24 2 Comments

I read somewhere long ago that blog posts should always have a photo attached. Ever since then, I’ve struggled to post just text. Even the text had to have a Pinterest worthy sharing type button.

Not today. Tomorrow, there will be photos again, I promise. If I’m not too exhausted to post after a 4 hour work day. No promises that there will actually be a post tomorrow. So I suppose I should say my next post will have photos again.

Today I’m off work and letting myself have a slow day as I go about completing a few tasks.

Things I’ve done so far today:

  1. Cleaned up my email of unread messages and deal offers, unsubscribed from a newsletter that was too “go-getter” for my current state of mind.
  2. Laundry
  3. Slowly stacked my Christmas sweaters/pajamas/socks on a section of the bed to put away until next year
  4. Unpacked the regular coffee cups and packed away my Christmas mugs
  5. Put a few items of clothing in my donation box AND discovered a dress from long ago, forgotten in the back of the closet. It’s something I could easily wear to work/casually so I’m excited about it.
  6. Taken a coffee break at the cat’s insistence.
  7. Put away quite a few “hang to dry” clothes that’ve been dry for weeks
  8. Let myself use the Swagbucks points on myself. (I ordered a Google play card for my silly phone game)
  9. Fed the birds
  10. Brought the recycle bin back up from the curb

Not a bad list of accomplishments prior to noon for an unrushed day off work. And not a timer in sight!

Why I’m No Longer Using A Timer for Cleaning

Back when I first started blogging with my So Not Organized blog I was always singing the praises of using a timer. And almost all in on the Flylady system. Remember I even tried it again not too long ago as a 31 Days project (I don’t think I made it the full 31 days).

However, I’ve made the most amazing discovery recently. I do better at the tortoise pace in the race than that of the hare. Setting a timer stresses me out. While I don’t mind jumping from task to task while cleaning/organizing so as not to get bored, sometimes, I want to finish my project and not stop when an arbitrary timer tells me to do so.

Plus, it all gets done in the end no matter what pace. And if it doesn’t, believe me the dishes/laundry do indeed wait for any man/woman in the end.

And Now A Quick Short Rant

It’s the time of year when the all the organizing/cleaning blogs, actually all blogs that aren’t simple day of life ones, want to sell me subscriptions and systems. And they always try to hook you with that free download. Sometimes the downloads are nice and sometimes they make me roll my eyes (probably because I’ve been around long enough to go, they got me…this is common sense!).

I get that these bloggers are trying to run their blogs as a business and make money (I think that’s what did in the personal blogging day to day connections we all crave but that’s a rant for another time) but seriously, unless Hoarders is setting up cameras outside your door, you do NOT need to spend almost $100 (or more) on any systems that tell you how to clean your house/plan your meals/organize your life.

Just do a bit of Internet research/trial & error and find what works for you and your family.

*rant over*

How I’m Spending the Rest of My Day

  • Getting dinner together (need to marinate pepper steak)
  • Going for a walk later (I hope)
  • Putting away a bit more of the lingering Christmas
  • Reading in my book (The It Girl by Ruth Ware, really good so far!)
  • Doing whatever other housekeeping tasks catch my eye
  • Keeping an eye on the weather (looks and feels a bit promising for the first snowfall of 2024)

How are you spending your Thursday?

 

Welcome Back to Winter Wednesdays

Just Photos Winter Wednesday No Comments

These posts helped me enjoy winter a little more last year so I thought I’d bring them back for this winter. Just a quick one tonight as I ended up working today. Photos from a walk I took on Tuesday. It wasn’t freezing cold but warm isn’t the adjective of choice from my walk either.

Some areas of water, some areas of mud, and some ice.

For reference, this is what the area above looked like in late October:

More ice from the stream:

Winter robins:

What’s the difference between a spring robin and a winter robin? The seasons, I guess. I don’t really know.

New year so I took a new trail:

And had a bit of a different view of the lakes.

We’re supposed to get some wintery weather over the weekend so perhaps next Wednesday’s views will be a bit more snowy but who knows. Either way, I’ve decided it’s good for me to be outside no matter the weather as well as chase the sun in the winter.

 

A Different Approach

24 in 2024 Let24 4 Comments

The past few years, I’ve been making a list and usually not checking it twice. The second number of the year became the number of items on the list. Except in 2021 when my year was less and I made a more sensible list that still mostly didn’t happen.

Twenty four items just sounded like way too many things this year. Plus, I could make a list of 24 things, carrying quite a few over from 2023 and tell you right now the items on the list I’d likely accomplish as well as the things I would not. For example, my reading goals. If I put read 100 books on my list, I’d do it because I love to read and am always reading anyway. On my phone while waiting on things, before bed, to put off doing other things. I just love to read. I could put quit eating sugar on the list (again) and I’d waste my time as I have a sweet tooth. Putting that on there would just want me make sugar that much more (side note, I’ve been doing quite a bit of reading/following of accounts on intuitive eating).

A Different Idea:

So, instead of the same old things, I decided to approach my list a bit differently this year. It still is a list of 24 but I divided it by 2. I’m just picking two areas of focus for each month of 2024. Does that mean it might be a bit vague and against all the advice and rules as such for goal setting? Yep. Do I care? Nope. If all that works for you, go for it! Doesn’t work for me so I’m doing something different. Is one right and the other wrong? I don’t think so. We all have to find what works best for us and I have a feeling this is going to work really well for me. Hopefully.

My 24 Areas of Focus for 2024*

January: Clearing and Cleaning

February: Love and Understanding

March: Health and Happiness

April: Growth and Travel Planning

May: Dreaming and Career Choices

June: Relaxing and Resting

July: Home Improvement and Organization

August: Friendship and Connection

September: Education and New Beginnings

October: Nature and Nurture

November: Gratitude (duh) and Grace

December: Joy and Peace

*Subject to change after January

More on January’s clearing and cleaning focus soon.

Thoughts Leading To My Word For The Year 2024

As often happens, my word just came to me. Actually, it’s been there all along in song I suppose.

A few weeks ago I watched Frozen again when it popped up on regular tv. I still stand by the opinion it’s really not that great of a movie (the second one is actually much better, I think).  One thing I can’t deny is the song “Let It Go” and have I had it stuck in my head ever since? Of course, even this morning, it was going through my head.

The truth is I’ve been struggling with my word choice because I wanted to take the year to focus on taking care of myself, resting (last year certainly had its stressful moments), having my turn, figuring out what was next. Then, I’d struggle because that all seemed so selfish, self-care briefly entered my mind as a word but again, it felt selfish. I am not allowed to be selfish, something that while I probably am just that, I’m also terrified of being that. Here, I’ll wait while you go what is she talking about or go grab some aspirin for the headache I’ve just given you with this paragraph.

What do those two paragraphs up there have to do with each other? They led me to my word of the year.

My word for 2024: Let.

This is the year I want to:

  • Let it go: the guilt, the negativity, the clutter, the things that are not bringing me peace
  • Let God: trust his timing, let him be the guide, give up the control a bit (this will be a struggle for me, I already know)
  • Let it be: this goes back a bit to a 23 list item of accepting that I am not responsible for the ill will and conflict of others
  • Let myself ask, speak, and feel: another struggle, however, this year, I’m letting myself ask for help when I need it, letting myself let my feelings be known (if it matters), and letting myself feel (I struggle with withdrawing and shutting down when emotions are heavy and if you’re wondering, that’s not always the best way of coping)
  • Let myself have permission: time to allow myself to do the things that bring me joy and that I need to do to take care of myself with less guilt (guilt-free is the ideal)

Let’s see where this little word with so much great power shall lead me.

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Did you choose a word for the year? Are you a list/goal setter for the new year? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

 

 

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