Author: jehdld

Isn’t this the time for the great reflection on the previous year and all that? Mostly, I’ve been reflecting on why I’ve eaten so many Christmas cookies instead of an actual meal. Maybe I should go ahead and think on my list and word from 2022 for a moment.

Well, this wasn’t a year for great success with words and lists on this end.

Let’s start with my overly ambitious list of 22 items for 2022. I don’t know I have 2 days left, what can I squeeze in and finish? Ha.

My List With Progress Updates

~~Join in for every Happy Homemaker Monday~~ Did pretty good here, think I missed a few
~~Read 82 books~~ I read 128 books! Probably when I should have been doing other stuff
Follow the Fly Lady Plan (Adapting the days to work for my schedule) Maybe next year
~~Learn to use the laptop computer (my son gave me his old one in the summer and I’ve ignored it)~~ I tried but we decided the laptop wasn’t fixable after all.
Host Easter brunch I really hope to get back to some form of this next year!
~~Celebrate Rudolph Day each month with a bit of Christmas planning~~ Managed a few but didn’t do all of them, okay I think I did two. Still two isn’t zero.
Share gratitude each week with a Thankful Thursday post Made a decent attempt, found it easier to think thoughts of gratitude each day than force myself to write a weekly post
Drink a minimum of 3 glasses of water a day HA HA ha, miss…next year maybe?
~~Go on a vacation~~ My husband and I went to Arkansas for a weekend with friends
~~Take at least 3 “people” pictures for each major holiday/occasion~~ I did okay with this
Make a photo book of 2021 and then delete all the pictures off the computer (or put them on a flash drive) Still have time, maybe, but probably not going to happen this year
Frame J’s all-district band photos (the one from 2019 and the one from 2021 when we get it) Next year SIGH
~~Use it up and/or throw it out before buying new (with things like wrapping paper for example)~~ I did pretty good with this one to the point I had to have my husband buy me new wrapping paper to finish up wrapping Christmas gifts and my candle closet is almost empty!
Add in an evening skin care routine Didn’t happen though I bought new moisturizer
Try one new restaurant each month as a family Nope, not even close
Go through one bin in the basement each week (to clear out and declutter) 2023 Goal for sure!
Fix wedding ring SIGH, no. I should’ve made this a Christmas request.
Organize Pinterest boards by actually trying pins and deleting ones that are no longer relevant Nope, didn’t happen
Start doing yoga again Refer to number 18’s answer
Make a better effort to reach out and connect with friends and family I’ll give myself a C-/D+, definitely room to improve on this one
Create a master list of family birthdays Ha, no. Still want to do it though
Take the coffee cup advice and enjoy myself (I use this coffee cup a lot of work days as a reminder to myself to just enjoy the time with the preschool kids) I did okay at this, think I did better than usual through the holiday season.

Heal, My Word of the Year from 2022

Well, not my best endeavor for a word of the year. Not my worst either.

I outlined what I wanted to achieve with my word in this post.

While I didn’t really achieve the planned results, same size with the same dry skin, taking time to put myself first a bit more often did help my mental health. Quite a bit. I can’t remember the last time when at this time of the year, I wasn’t in an awful mood.

Barely a whisper to myself: Have I actually avoided my usual post-holiday funk? If so, that is a HUGE win.

Do I feel better at the end of 2022 than I did at the end of 2021/beginning of 2022? Absolutely.

What is that catch-phrase of the Flylady whose system I didn’t manage to follow? Oh yeah, progress not perfection. Works for me.

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Did you do a word/list for 2022? How did you do with your plans?

And are you doing the same in 2023?

A Bit of Cabin Fever and Clearing Out Stuff

December 28, 2022

jehdld

Winter Wednesday 6 Comments

Just realized it’s Wednesday. Not much winter stuff to report today. I let G take my car to work so I’m having a bit of an at-home day.

Today’s Winter Weather

Still having cocoa with homemade whipped cream even if it is kind of warm outside

Not so wintry anymore. It’s windy out as I can hear it (nothing like the crazy gusts from “the storm”) but it’s also 52 and sunny. Snow is melting fast.

Cabin Fever and the Cat

I think the cat has cabin fever after all the super cold days. She meows loudly at anyone who will listen but doesn’t know what she wants. Outside? Nope. Love? Nope. Food? Nope.

At least it’s warm enough for her to go outside today and tomorrow but I have a feeling she’s missing her sleeping bench. It’s not going to be dry anytime soon.

And like a little kid, she’s been misbehaving a bit as well. Why play with your brand new Christmas toys when there’s mischief to be found?

She’s getting on the kitchen counters. We can hear her…she’s not a sneaky as she thinks. Chewing on the plants. UGH, something she never did in the past. And are the plants good for her? Of course not! She did get some cat grass for Christmas so I guess I better get on potting the seeds and setting them in the window. Need to water plants anyway.

I’m feeling a bit restless myself, want to go outside but it’s gone from billions below zero to probably mud. Still plan to grab my boots and go when G gets home, I think. It will be good for me.

Clearing Out Stuff

I’ve started clearing out stuff as I take down Christmas and put things back. It’s kind of nice as i’ve been doing it slowly. Usually, my husband starts helping and it stresses me. I don’t like to feel rushed. This year (maybe he’s finally figured it out?) I’ve been going at my own pace and just doing bits each day. And I’m making an Advent tub so that next year I can unpack it first. All the Advent items and things I like to put out in first in one place. What a concept!

Winter is a good time to take stock of the things I truly love or do not. One of my goals/list items for 2023 is to have things I only truly love in this home. I’m hoping this book gives me a bit of inspiration.

A nice thing about winter is the temptation to go outside and do something else is not as great as in the other seasons. I’m slightly less distracted, by outdoor things anyway.

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Have you started packing away your holiday stuff yet? Are you like me and like to go slow with it or more like my husband who just wants it done and done now?

Happy Homemaker Monday, After Christmas Tuesday

December 27, 2022

jehdld

HappyHomemakerMonday 6 Comments

I took yesterday completely off. Other than taking down a few Christmas items, I stayed in my pajamas and pretty much watched Doctor Who all day. It was a nice break but I’m ready to be a little more productive this morning.

Already have done a few things. Including paying our taxes. Ugh, what genius in this state thought it would be a good idea for all the taxes to be due in December? Grumble. Grumble. Grateful we had the funds to pay them however as I’m sure many probably don’t at this point.

Even though I’m on Christmas break, I’m still joining in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom to keep somewhat on track with my week. Straight to the categories, shall we?

The Weather

Cold this morning but look at our Thursday!

Ready for that day. And a little wary, warmer weather usually brings a storm behind it. Probably nothing like the “storm of storms” that didn’t turn out to be much for us other than crazy, bitter cold.

As I Look Outside My Window

I saw this sunrise earlier! Even stepped out on the front porch in the 16 degrees to grab a photo.

Right Now

Just finished paying a few bills including our taxes so I’m taking a moment to do something a bit more fun like working on this post.

Thinking And Pondering

Christmas, how things went, notes I want to make for next year. And of course, thinking a bit about ideas, goals, and my word for next year. We did have a nice Christmas, hope you did as well!

How I Am Feeling This Morning

Pretty good. After being a bit sloth like (okay, a lot sloth like) yesterday, it felt good to get up, shower, and get dressed this morning.

Listening To

The sound of silence. Isn’t that a song? Also, can hear J moving about upstairs fixing his breakfast of scrambled eggs though it’s back to quiet so he must’ve finished.

On The Breakfast Plate

Nothing yet but coffee. Trying to decide between leftover pumpkin pie with homemade whipped cream, Christmas cookies, or being good and just eating oatmeal or eggs and toast. Vitamins with whatever option I pick.

On The Lunch Plate

More Christmas leftovers, either leftover spaghetti or taco soup.

On The Dinner Plate

Since my husband went back to work, I suppose I’ll have to make us a real dinner tonight. Leaning toward pork chops, have a quick Gordon Ramsay recipe I like to use. Probably something simple like baked potatoes with them. Nothing fancy.

What I’m Wearing Today

Short-sleeved black sweater, jeans, leopard print slip on shoes (I’ll change shoes if I go out anywhere today)

On My Reading Pile

I have a stack of library books, can’t think of a single title at the moment. Today’s reading plan is to focus on all the December magazines. Give them a glance and throw them in the recycle.

On My TV

Watched enough TV yesterday for a full week probably. However, if I fold a bit of laundry, I may watch an episode or two of Emily in Paris, new season is out.

On My Menu

Um, Christmas cookie casserole? Ugh. This is definitely, I think, the hardest week of the year for menu planning. And I need to go to the store.

MONDAY: We ate out (Backyard Burger) *J had no lesson so that was nice*

TUESDAY: pork chops, baked potatoes

WEDNESDAY: chicken of some sort? I’m not sure

THURSDAY: chicken sausage/broccoli/orzo skillet *I have tentative plans to get together with a friend*

FRIDAY: Frozen/Homemade pizza maybe? with salad

This is all subject to change once I clean out the fridge and see what is actually in it behind the Christmas crowding.

Looking Around The House

Looks like in the process of taking Christmas down especially in the living room. Kitchen table is once again covered. Of course, most of the stuff on the table is Christmas goodies so it’s not all bad.

On My To Do List

Pay a couple bills including taxes. DONE
Grocery store
Continue to take down Christmas decor
Organize Christmas decor a bit better, make a special tub for Advent so I can unpack it first
Sort out and add things to donation pile (doing this very little with Christmas decor as I didn’t put much up this year. However, I didn’t so much as take the plastic off my Christmas tree stacking mugs, think they can go)
Ponder things, eat junk food, reflect on word of year and list from 2022, make new ones for 2023
Laundry (Is this ever not on the list? Thankful my husband did a bit yesterday)
Wash and put away Christmas sweaters, sheets, and shower curtain
Get birdseed somewhere (not sure if I want to brave the after Christmas shoppers at Menards)
Get outside and get some sunshine!

From The Camera

Picking up the camera more must be a goal for 2023! I’ve gotten so lazy about it. While I didn’t put much on the tree this year, I did love my battery operated clip on candles so much.

What I’m Creating

Goal for 2023 is to create a clutter-free, cozy home full of things I love and nothing else. Isn’t that always the goal?

Quote For The Week

How about a song instead. I’ve had this stuck in my head every since the candlelight service at church on Saturday.

Merry Christmas! Blogmas Day 31

December 25, 2022

jehdld

Blogmas2022 2 Comments

We made it to the big day! And I *think* that even though I combined a few days here and there, I posted for every single blogmas topic. It’s a blogmas miracle!

Another short quick one today. I’m taking a few minutes while waiting on the dishwasher to finish up so I can make my chocolate pie. And yes, I could take the pan out of the dishwasher but I needed this 20 minute break.

Even have a couple pictures to share with my post. The topic is Christmas Day Traditions.

And really, we don’t have much of any here lately. We do open stockings/presents in the morning (or early afternoon depending on when people get out of bed).

Dinner with family usually.

We used to do breakfast with my husband’s family and I hope we get back to that some day as I miss it. (I’d settle for brunch timing though).

Hope whatever you’re getting into today, it fills you with joy and wonderful memories!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve Traditions: Blogmas Day 30

December 24, 2022

jehdld

Blogmas2022 Uncategorized 6 Comments

Another quick no picture blogmas post. Popping on here while downstairs trying to find the Die Hard dvd. Happy Christmas Eve!

Pretty simple on our Christmas Eve traditions over here. I usually go shopping in the early morning.

Do lots of last minute things, eat Christmas cookies for the main meals of the day (not really, this year we did Church’s chicken because Subway closed earlier than we thought).

The last 2 years we’ve gone to the candlelight Christmas Eve service at a church where J’s band sometimes plays accompaniment to the hymns.

And our final tradition is for the boys to open Christmas Eve presents. The presents are always the same, Christmas Eve pajamas and a book. This year was Frosty the Snowman and books on etiquette though my kids have fairly good manners. Just thought the books would be good reference guides now that they’re getting older.

And I did ornaments this year as well. Spiderman for G and Mickey Mouse for J.

Okay, time to go watch a Christmas movie with my husband. Hope everyone is having a great Christmas Eve.

Blogmas Day 29: Christmas Menu

December 23, 2022

jehdld

Blogmas2022 4 Comments

I just have a few minutes so I thought I’d pop on here and do a quick, no picture blogmas post. Today’s topic is Christmas Menu and that’s convenient as I’m getting ready to go to the store. Rather, my husband is taking me to the store since G took my car to work.

Our Christmas Eve Menu

Since J is playing at the candlelight service and needs to be at church by 4 with the service at 5, our plan is for taco soup in the crockpot. We’ll probably just plan on a late lunch at Subway (exciting, I know) so that we can enjoy church without worrying about everyone being hungry.

I debated getting an ice cream cake to have as dessert. Still on the fence as we have lots of cookie goodness floating around here at the moment.

Christmas Menu

Just got off the phone with my brother a bit ago. Finalized plans are dinner around 4p.m.

So, I’ll probably pick us up some million dollar cinnamon rolls from a local bakery for breakfast. Unless, my brother-in-law and his wife decide to come for breakfast, then it’ll be my husband making biscuits and gravy. Stay tuned.

Lunch will be snacks. Leftover soup.

Dinner at my brother’s house: Spaghetti, meatballs, salad, garlic bread. Cheesecake and pumpkin pie for dessert along with chocolate pie (my contribution by request). We’ll take some cookies. And I’m planning to make an odd *doesn’t really go with spaghetti but we talked about it at Thanksgiving* jello salad my mom used to make. And homemade whipped cream for the pumpkin pie.

Not exactly traditional but I’m looking forward to it.

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Hope whatever is on the menu for your Christmas meal, it’s delicious and your holiday is wonderful!

Blogmas Day 28: When Do You Open Presents

December 22, 2022

jehdld

Blogmas2022 6 Comments

Well, we didn’t get as much snow but enough for a white Christmas. And the cold did arrive. Flannel sheets on all the beds. Me, turning the thermostat back DOWN, griping about the inability of certain people in this house to dress appropriate for the weather. Suffice it to say it’s NOT shorts weather even inside. Well, unless you turn the thermostat up too high. No, not the kids. The husband.

Shall we talk Christmas instead? Getting closer…

Today’s another quick Blogmas topic, I think. Just a question.

When Do You Open Presents?

We’re pretty much full on Christmas morning/day opening people around here. G had a tradition of starting our Christmases super early until very recently.

Last year I was waiting on them to get out of bed!

The kids do get to open one “Christmas Eve” present each year. It’s always the same: Christmas pajamas and a book. This year, might be a movie though. We’ll see if the books actually arrive in time.

As a teen, once all my siblings no longer lived at home, my mom used to always let me open one present of my choice on Christmas Eve. Sometimes she’d discourage me if I happened to choose one of the bigger gift choices.

Gifts from family/friends, however, are opened as received if they arrive early. Same with gifts from school.

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When do you open gifts?

Blogmas Days 25-27

December 22, 2022

jehdld

Blogmas2022 2 Comments

It’s a cold, snowy day so let’s make it a 2 blog posts kind of day! First, this is the general Blogmas catch-up post. Then, later I’ll do the actual Blogmas post for today.

First up in the catching up….

Blogmas Day 25: Last-Minute Gifts, Homemade or Store-bought

Well, I’m not one for making crafts that turn out in giftable form so usually I stick with store-bought. My go-to gifts, not necessarily always last-minute:

fuzzy socks and lotion

candles

Small flashlights (packaged with some candy)

For young children/teens: a card with a small amount of cash

And sometimes, just homemade cookies/fudge in a gift bag

Day 26: Weather? Lights? Parades?

Well, today’s weather is more in keeping with a white Christmas but usually, it’s more mild at this time of year. There are lots of light show/display choices in our area though we’ve been to none this year. It’s in the back of my mind to make more of an effort to put these on the calendar next year, at least one.

They didn’t have it this year but in 2019, I did get to go with some friends to Winterfest at World’s of Fun (photos).

And in past years, we’ve gone to see the iconic plaza lights.

Other classic light displays/events (not so many parades here at Christmas time) are something called living windows on the Independence square(photo below), some sort of huge display downtown at Union Station, Powell Gardens, Christmas in the Park (a free drive through display though they do collect for charity at the end), something called The Magic Tree (I need to do this, never been to it), and probably many others I’m forgetting.

New things this year are something called Zoo Wild at the Kansas City zoo, some sort of walk through experience at the Renaissance Festival grounds, and a newer drive-through light display somewhere east on Interstate 70.

Of course, I’m not giving up hope on seeing some lights as many of these displays run until New Years. And I know they keep the plaza lights on generally until some random mid-January day.

Finally, the last day of the catch up post…

Blogmas Day 27: Christmas Past, Present, and Future

Since past is first, I’ll start by sharing the little girl with the wreath since I stumbled across her photo when looking for light pictures.

And her she is with her sleigh. The bag in it is from a local soap company, I threw it in there that year.

She’s definitely from the Christmas past. I’m keeping this section fairly brief and so just moving on to Christmas present.

How is your present Christmas season going? I cannot explain my relief at getting a delivery of a substantial part of the Christmas presents last night before the storm hit. Whew! Other than that, I’m a bit of a mess this year. Can’t think straight/get organized/minimal decor out. And I don’t think it’s just me in talking to my hairdresser yesterday.

As I pondered this yesterday, I think what it might be is an after-effect of the pandemic. Things were so off the past two years and then suddenly, they’re mostly back to normal this year. A bit of a jolt and I don’t think I’ve had time to adjust to the sudden changes from the past 2 years. Maybe? I don’t know. Just a thought. I’m certainly glad Christmas is back to normal this year though we’re doing something different for the 3rd time in 3 years. Dinner at my brother’s which is kind of back to normal and yet it’s been so long it almost feels new again.

Finally, Christmas future. I’m still enjoying this season (and playing along with Blogmas is helping!) but I’ll tell the truth and say I’m also thinking ahead a bit to things I might do/not do/do differently for next year. The yearly wail of next year “I’ll be more organized!” certainly comes to mind.

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If you’re in the path of the great storm, I hope your staying safe and warm. Don’t forget to go check out all the wonderful Blogmas posts over at Chasing My Life. I’m off to bake a few cookies but I’ll be back later to add today’s topic in a new post.

First Day of Winter

December 21, 2022

jehdld

Winter Wednesday 4 Comments

Happy First Day of Winter!

Going to be a short post today. I agreed to work this afternoon. What was I thinking? Still have a mile long to-do list over here. And of course, this is coming:

Well, so the weather people still say.

The current weather for the first day of Winter:

30 degrees with a feels like of 21 degrees (Fahrenheit). My phone shows a little sunshine symbol but I don’t where it’s looking. And it also says “Few Snow Showers.” Interesting. While I was out and about, it was cloudy with no snow. Chilly but not super cold yet.

We do have a Winter Storm warning starting at midnight tonight until midnight tomorrow night. Then, a Wind Chill warning from noon tomorrow until noon on Saturday. Supposedly, snow, wind gusts of 45 mph, and wind chills as low as 30 below zero. This warning spans “portions of east central and northeast Kansas and central and west central Missouri.” So who knows what we’ll actually get here in KC.

Saw on a local radio station page and it’s scary accurate for our area:

: May be an image of tree and text that says 'Snow possible anywhere from 1-180 inches Maybe. Could start at 7,8, 9,10, 11 pm Maybe not til morning. Maybe not at all. Actually might rain. そチ大塔ス'

So how am I spending the first “official” Winter Wednesday?

Went to get my haircut this morning, did a little more Christmas shopping and some non-Christmas shopping. Putting fresh, clean flannel sheets on our beds. It’s been too hot for them before now. Need to run one more errand on the way to work. Should do more Christmas shopping after work but might just come home, drink hot chocolate and watch a Christmas movie instead.

One thing I’ve been trying to find is little projects of the indoor variety to keep me busy during this winter. We all know I’m not crafty in the least. They gave us these little mosaic art snowmen at the work Christmas event last week. I found it really soothing and relaxing. Might have to find some more of these.

Finished product (all dots on the cardboard now, just need to add string for hanging it):

How are you spending the first day of Winter?

P.S.

My Farmer’s Almanac daily email kindly let me know that there are now only 88 days til Spring!

Also, a Blogmas catch up post coming soon, sure I’ll have time during the “storm of the century!” tomorrow.

Happy Homemaker Monday, Almost Christmas!

December 19, 2022

jehdld

HappyHomemakerMonday 8 Comments

Seems a bit quiet in blogland this morning. Maybe because it’s almost Christmas? Six days if you’re counting.

Still, I need to stay on track this week so I’m joining in as always with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom for the Happy Homemaker Monday link up.