https://chitchatwithjean.com/
Author: jehdld

Throwback Thursday: So Not Ready!

So Not Organized Archives 3 Comments

As most of you know, I used to blog over at So Not Organized. This year, I needed a change and started a new blog here. However, I started with So Not Organized in 2012. And I don’t want to just let 9 years of blogging slip away when my hosting agreement over there expires (it’s good for another year, so no rush).

After giving it a bit of consideration, I’ve decided to create an archive of my favorite blog posts and series from So Not Organized over on this site. I’m adding a page and going to slowly add to it each Thursday.

So far, the only way to do this is simply re-publish each post. Don’t worry, I plan to edit and carefully curate only the best of my previous blog. There are plenty of posts that frankly, aren’t worth a repeat performance. However, after 9 years of blogging, I also have many I don’t want to lose.

Below, you’ll find the very first post I ever published (date: February 10, 2012).

WARNING:

Like many firsts, it’s messy and not great. However, I’m sentimental and want to keep my first post ever!

So Not Organized

I’ve been teetering on the edge of starting a blog since January and I’m still not ready but for some things I’ve learned you are never ready….to leave home, to get married, to be a mom, to not be able to go home again (sorry, you actually cannot “always go home again”),  to have your kids go to school, to have your kids finish school, to have them home for summer vacation (applies currently!), and many others but I must move on from this first, terribly too long sentence of the new blog.  So am I really ready to start the blog I’ve been thinking about since December?  No.  Not ready at all.   However, I’ve decided to take a deep breath and start one anyway.

Why one about organizing?  Well, actually it’s more about trying to organize and failing than actually organizing.  Write what you know.  I know I try to be organized.  I know I (usually) fail miserably at being organized.  I’m hoping I’m not alone and that this blog might offer the readers some good ideas (that while they didn’t work for me might work for them), laughter, and a sense of relief and realism (so, it’s not just me!) all at once.   I really do love the idea of organization:  the brightly colored bins and boxes, dresser drawers that are color coded with all clothing neatly folded (do you fold your socks or make sock balls?  Me?  I throw my socks in there and dig for matches….), canned goods in alphabetical order, and refrigerators with lists of contents posted neatly on the doors (there is a never a place for unidentified green stuff in recycled butter container though…).  I love that there are people who can accomplish all that!  I’m not one of them.  I could blame my boys and my husband (and for fun, why don’t we blame the cat as well!).  However, I lived alone for a while and I never accomplished any of that even without other people around to mess it up.  I managed to be sloppy and unorganized on my own (probably more so!) as well.

Hopefully, you’ll want to follow along and get some organizing ideas (even knowing what ideas don’t work is one step closer to knowing what will work!).  So even though I’m still not ready, I’m about to hit the “publish” button on my first post on my new blog.

~~Jean

My January Rudolph Day

List of 21 for 2021 Rudolph Day 2 Comments

I celebrated my first Rudolph day on Monday. Sort of. First, I worked but only until noon. Then, I went shopping.

Happy Rudolph Day to me! There are some places I shouldn’t go unsupervised. Bath and Body Works is one of them. Thankfully, for our budget, I seldom venture into the actual store.

Basically, between lunch, making dinner, and taking J to his lesson, I had only a small amount of time for whatever this Rudolph Day entailed. Made me a bit anxious until I remembered my word of the year (less). I did not have to do *all the things* after all.

After my shopping trip (where I bought a Valentine’s Day candle plus some new scents of shower gel/lotion to try), I had a cup of mint hot chocolate. I did add whipped cream to it for the sake of being fancy.

Looked around on line for Rudolph Day sites and ideas. It’s when I stumbled across the site with the falling snow I shared on Monday. And I properly cleaned out the storage tote I set aside for Rudolph Day things. Also, added a few small empty Christmas tins plus a belated gift from my hair dresser to it. Are gnomes considered Christmas? Or year-round? For now, he’ll be my Rudolph Day mascot.

Other than those things, I read my Christmas Island book during J’s lesson and kept on reading it after we returned home.

Don’t you love when books include the recipes talked about in the stories?

 

I did a little less with Rudolph Day than I expected but it was enough.

Mostly, I’m using the ideas from this site. It’s an older one but I prefer it to the updated site. If you celebrate Rudolph Day, how/what do you do to celebrate it?

Happy Homemaker Monday, Afternoon Edition

HappyHomemakerMonday 10 Comments

Happy Monday! I’m a bit late today as I worked this morning, then went shopping for a bit. Came home, lunch, housekeeping, cat entertainment, and now at almost 4p.m. am just sitting down for this post.

Joining in for hopefully every Happy Homemaker Monday this year with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.

The Weather

Chiefs excitement in the air! Sounded a bit like New Year’s Eve again last night. Also in the air? Lots of wind and rain. We were supposed to have a winter storm today/tonight but it went north of us. So, just rain, maybe a bit of snow on Wednesday. Pretty normal temperatures for January, 30’s mostly though it looks like it might be close to 50 on Friday. A fairly mild winter so far, most my heavy sweaters still stored as I haven’t need them.

How I Am Feeling This Morning Afternoon

Mostly at this point, sleepy and a bit grumpy. Didn’t accomplish most of the things I thought I might.

On My Mind

Plans for the rest of this week, husband’s upcoming birthday (in early February around Super bowl time), work, dinner. Usual stuff.

On The Breakfast Plate

Seems like a long time ago but I had apple cinnamon oatmeal and two sausages. Coffee and vitamins, too.

On My Reading Pile

Last week, I read The Conjurer (Vine Witch #3) by Luanne G. Smith. Best one of the 3 in the series. Then, on a whim, I picked up (well, as much as you can pick up an e-book) The Dutch House by Ann Patchett.

That book got to me a bit. Didn’t expect to enjoy it and yet, I couldn’t put it down. The sibling relationship, the sitting outside of the house where they no longer live and reminiscing, it just left me with so many feelings. And made me miss my sister (who I’ve not spoken with in a few years, family squabbles and all that. The not speaking part is not my decision, by the way, nothing would bring me more joy than a phone call from her.)

Moving on to this week’s reading choices. Starting with something lighter, in honor of my attempt to join in the Rudolph Day fun (planning for next Christmas), I’m reading Christmas Island by Natalie Normann and enjoying it so far. And this week’s serious choice: Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow.

On My TV

My book choices probably gave you a clue what musical I watched on Disney plus over the weekend. Also, working my way trough the Marvel movies in time line order (an ongoing thing), ready for Captain America: Civil War. Watched a teeny bit of TV this weekend, caught the newest Wandavision episode on Friday. And of course, the Chiefs game (sort of watched/didn’t watch for luck) on Sunday evening.

This week, I’ll watch my favorite show of the moment Prodigal Son on Tuesday evening and probably continue to work my way through the Marvel movies.

On The Menu This Week

MONDAY: Hawaiian pulled pork sandwiches, sweet potato fries *I worked 8:30-12* *J has a baritone lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY: Chili or tacos

WEDNESDAY: Chicken Cacciatore, Parmesan roasted leeks (vegetable of the week)

THURSDAY: Pork chops, baked potatoes, salad *I work 1-3:45*

FRIDAY: Homemade pizza, salad

From The Camera

Didn’t pick up the camera nearly enough last week.

Looking Around The House

Not awful, needs a bit of a clean up and then, I plan to pull out the Valentine’s Day decorations tomorrow

New Recipe I Tried Last Week or One That We Really Enjoyed

Not much to report here from last week, the favorite of the week was basic spaghetti. I’ve finally come around and started doing shredded Parmesan as opposed to the green shaker can. I buy it shredded in the bag so not completely fresh but wow, a huge difference over the green can.

To Relax This Week I Will

Drink a cup of tea in the afternoons, read my books

Something I Want To Share

Found a fun site when trying to figure out what/how to do Rudolph day, followed a few links to find:

a site with relaxing snow 

On My Prayer List

Family, friends, our world, end to this virus, a lot more peace and kindness everywhere.

Quote For the week

Be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud. (Maya Angelou)

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Our Hawk Came Back

Birdwatching 8 Comments

Not too much to share today in terms of bird photos. The hawks like our neighborhood but prove as difficult as ever to catch on camera!

I only have one other bird to share this week besides the hawk. One morning I was taking out the trash and glanced up over the house to see this crow sitting in the top of one of the maple trees:

Took the photo from the front yard. He didn’t stick around too long before his friends called and away he flew. We see quite a few crows from time to time. However, they usually don’t hang out in our yard too often.

Mostly, this week I’ve been at work and not out watching the birds with camera in hand (or nearby). However, Tuesday we did get to hear and see one of our neighborhood hawks in action. No hunting luck from our feeders (that I witnessed) for the poor little hawk.

Hawk Tales

Late in the afternoon on Wednesday , J and I took a walk almost around the block, a dog stopped us short but that’s not relevant. We saw robins and cardinals and heard a Carolina wren in the empty lots we passed near the lake. A few geese were in the field surrounding the lake. As part of the agreement to walk with me, I’d bribed the teenager that I’d leave my camera at home. So no photos.

The weather on Wednesday, blustery. Nice out until the winds started. I starting mentioning how maybe it was too windy for us to see our hawks as we came closer to home. At the same moment, we saw over the roofline, a swooping bird making my comments sound like nonsense. And then, we heard the hawks calling.

This lonely, and unsuccessful hunter (on Wednesday anyway), sat perched and looking deep in thought.

Though I looked for a bit, I never could find his calling companion. Sounded quite close, somewhere out front. Later, he moved to another tree branch and we could spot him out my son’s bedroom window. However, by the time I got back outdoors with my camera, away he flew!

Perhaps this week, will be my lucky week for good photos of our Cooper’s Hawks. And perhaps, the birds will help me out by developing a taste for fat squirrels as opposed to my little song birds.

Other Birds Spotted This Week

As I mentioned, I worked quite a few days this week so not a lot of bird photo taking time. The weather’s been nice enough to enjoy them in passing though with plenty of blue skies visible between the cloudy days. Lately, I’ve seen more robins hanging out in the backyard.

And then, our usual guests, welcome and unwelcome, at the bird feeders: sparrows, mostly the house kind with two or three white-throated ones as well, cardinals, chickadees, nuthatches, tufted titmice, and doves. The house finches finally took to the new squirrel proof feeder. My unwelcome squirrels continue to raid all the others.

I’ve started throwing a fruit/nut seed mix on the deck railing for the blue jays to come gobble. I watched one spit one type of the see out one day, must not have been a fan of that type. If the blue jays don’t come in time, the squirrels find it. The cardinals and sparrows seem to enjoy it there as well. Probably need to get a proper tray feeder for the area by the deck. The downy and red-bellied woodpeckers still visit the suet feeder when the squirrels aren’t hogging it. As does the Carolina wren.

At work on Thursday, I spotted more robins, a blue jay in the woods near the main playground, and then a robin sitting on a branch with two mourning doves near the pre-primary playground. A group of gulls also flew overhead late yesterday afternoon as we were out there.

What birds did you spot this week?

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Joining in with the Bird Depot hosted by Anni over at I’d Rather B Birdin’.

 

Palindromes and Positive Thoughts

Chitchat On My Mind 2 Comments

Read something interesting this morning. Today starts 10 days of numeric palindromes. (On the Farmer’s Almanac Instagram page). What’s a palindrome? Reads the same left to right or right to left.

First Inauguration in history to take place on a palindrome date. Next time it happens won’t be for one thousand years!

Did you watch it?

My Thoughts about the Inauguration

I admit to getting a bit emotional watching the Vice President take her oath of office. Hard to imagine that any of us raised during the 70’s and 80’s decades of “girls can do anything” did not.

This is not to imply those older or younger were not as moved. Just a comment of how it felt to someone old enough to remember the Ford/Ferraro ticket back in 1984 (I wasn’t old enough to vote, just in high school). For the most part, I prefer not to talk about politics at all. Doesn’t mean I’m not aware, just not my favorite topic.

Commented to J this morning (home from school so I made him watch the Inauguration with me, history and all that) how I realized I feel as though politics has been everywhere for the past few years. It’s tiring. Too much, I’m looking forward to a bit more balance of conversation moving forward.

However, I do want to talk a little bit more about the entertainment part of the ceremony today. What did you think?

Personally, I didn’t care for Lady Gaga and her rendition of the national anthem. And what about her gown? Haven’t quite decided if I loved or hated it. However, she wore it well. Too shocked from a “Who is Jennifer Lopez?” question to really remember her performance. My favorite was Garth Brooks singing Amazing Grace. We thought the poet talked a little fast though reading her words, they are nice.

Positive Thoughts

 

sunset on Monday
Sunset on Monday

 

Like many, I hope and pray today signals the end of so much hatred and bitterness and a movement toward more kindness and civility within our country. It is so very much needed.

Looking forward to perhaps, a spring and summer where we can do a bit more.

My husband told me we had the dates for our Arkansas cabin getaway with friends though it falls in the middle band season. He thinks, no band again in the fall. I hope he is very wrong! I hope by next fall school is back on it’s normal rotation complete with marching band. As much as I enjoyed the getaway last October, I’ll gladly exchange it for watching my son doing his thing again.

Today’s Things

It’s been a bit of an off day here. I ended up working all day yesterday so today became my only day off this week (not counting Monday as it was a holiday!). J had anxiety happening this morning so stayed home to do school here.

Still need to call him in, honestly at the point of wondering what the difference even is between “excused” and “unexcused” absence and if it matters if they count them all the same. I’m sure part of my hesitation is the stigma of saying he’s suffering from anxiety rather than say a headache. Probably, just say he had a headache & I forgot to call for simplicity sake.

Managed to accomplish a few things today (not as many as I wanted but can’t really blame that on the teenager).  Cleaned out the fridge, cleared out and re-organized my clothes in the dresser (even put a few items in the donation bin!), caught up most the laundry, chopped up some celery for snacks, and went for a walk halfway around the block. A couple of suspicious looking dogs stopped our walk short, wasn’t feeling sociable nor did they look super friendly. Most excited about the dresser as I cleared the top of it off on Monday. A finished project. Hooray!

Probably should have put the camera lens cover somewhere else

 

Going to go finish up another load of laundry, make sure everything is in order for the rest of this busy week (two full work days ahead), and then, read a bit more of my book (maybe with a cup of tea).

 

 

 

Happy Homemaker Monday, Short Week

HappyHomemakerMonday 10 Comments

Today’s a holiday so we’re all home except my husband. His boss is making him work today. I wonder about that boss of his sometimes. (He’s self-employed)

Wish I could say I spent a few extra minutes sleeping in today but I got up early to “practice” a bit for a more structured week. Still took my time with things this morning.

J was up early as well uncertain about whether he had school. Encouraged me to not watch the news this morning, just turn it on for the weather. And so, we watched an episode of Peep and the Big Wide World together. One of his old, preschool favorites. So, thankful my son and I aren’t arguing so much these days.

Now, I’m taking a few minutes to put up this post and look at the week ahead. Joining in with Sandra from Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.

The Weather Outside Is

Yesterday afternoon

 

Seasonable. Saw the sun yesterday but a bit cloudy now that it’s mid-morning. We’re supposed to get in the low 50’s (a little warm) later this week but most the week has highs in the mid 40’s. No rain/snow expected this week. Most of the snow from last week is gone.

On The Breakfast Plate This Morning

Cinnamon swirl bagel with cream cheese, coffee, and vitamins

As I Look Outside My Window

Gray skies, brown ground, good sleeping weather says the cat.

As I Look Around the House

It’s been worse and it’s definitely been better. Probably spend a bit of time cleaning today so we’re ready for our four day work/school week.

What I’m Wearing Today

Long-sleeved purple V neck shirt, kind of like a sweatshirt, navy leggings, tennis shoes

Currently Reading

Go me, I returned the two books I couldn’t get into back to the library. Read and finished Tuscan Dreams at the Cornish Confetti Agency by Daisy James. Her books are great for light, romantic, escape reading.

I also read and finished just last night, The Year of Less, How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, And Discovered Life As Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy In A Store by Cait Flanders. It was a decent memoir but she lost me when she delved into giving advice at the end. You can see my Goodreads review here.

Even though it shows I’m reading two books over there, I’m not. Need to remove them. Unless a library hold arrives today, I’ll probably start in on the The Conjurer (Vine Witch #3) by Luann G. Smith just to have something to read at J’s lesson tonight.

On The TV This Week

Maybe something while I fold a little laundry today, not sure what I’ll watch. Prodigal Son tomorrow night as I’m definitely hooked for the new season. And I gave WandaVision a try over the weekend and liked it so I’ll watch the next episodes of that whenever they release.

Otherwise, I may look into if the seasons of Family Guy are streaming somewhere. Every time we catch that we end up laughing and my husband and I could use a new watch together show.

On The Menu This Week:

Oh, still on the TV thing, we’ll of course, watch the Chiefs play! I was so happy over the win (whew, that breeze you felt was probably a collect cry of joy/sigh of relief from this entire city) that I rebooted Thanksgiving dinner last night. We had turkey (from the freezer), sweet potatoes, corn, and roasted acorn squash.

MONDAY:  Spicy potato soup, crusty rolls (from a bag) *J has a baritone lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY: Lemon Artichoke Chicken *I work 8:30-??, covering a morning* (carryover meal from last week)

WEDNESDAY: Spaghetti, garlic toast, salad

THURSDAY: Husbands choice but I’ve slated it for hamburgers & hot dogs *I work 9-6*

FRIDAY:  Tacos *I work 8:30-5:30*

Something Fun To Share

When on Instagram, I kept seeing this tag #DianeinDenmark. Curiosity finally got the better of me and I looked her up on the Internet. She has a blog and You-tube channel (mostly, the blog provides links to the You-tube). I think I’ll probably start following along with her as I like her personality (one of those people who just seems to ooze happiness) and her paper sorting idea surely resonated with me today.

Favorite Photo From The Camera

Camera battery died yesterday while I was out waiting for the Stealth jet to flyover (Chiefs game start and we’re in the flight path) but I missed it anyway. So, snapped this cold little robin waiting for spring this morning.

Quote For The Week

 

If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way. (Martin Luther King, Jr)

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Red Birds and Friends

Birdwatching 7 Comments

In honor of the Kansas City Chiefs upcoming play-off game, there’s a lot of red on display around the city. Thought I’d do my part and start my post with a red bird today.

Red Birds

Cardinals. Funny thing if you’re talking sports and saying “red birds” in this city, you’re not talking about football. Your talking about the baseball team from the other side of the state named after those red birds. We’re all Royal blue around here during baseball season. Enough sports talk. How about some more cardinal pictures?

Can’t leave out the beautiful female cardinal.

And Friends

I’ve noticed the house finches and sparrows like to hang out around the cardinals.  Moving on, how about a photo of a bird that’s not exactly red but has the color in its name?

Red-bellied woodpecker 

Bought a new “squirrel proof” birdfeeder last weekend. The first birds to test it out were the chickadees and then, this fellow:

Kind of funny as he has to work hard to get the seeds out and the suet feeder is easy for him. However, I’ve noticed he now prefers the new feeder. At least, the house sparrows take a break from their seed scattering ways when he arrives.

Another bird to return to the yard this week, our hawk!

Hawk tales

Still not completely sure of the kind. He’s perched in a tree across the street in this photo. I ran outside to take some photos and got fairly close. Though later realized, I should’ve grabbed the bridge camera with the better zoom!

And while I say a hawk, there are two in the neighborhood. Later the same afternoon, I opened the door and listened. And then, stepped out in the street and saw one sitting in a tree at the corner of the road and the one photographed, now in a tree behind the neighbor’s house. Calling back and forth. I grabbed J and we listened for a bit.

Tried listening to various bird sounds and now, I’m even more confused on what it might be. The “crying” sounds we heard don’t seem to match the Cooper’s hawk but those are the most common hawks for our area. I think it might be a red shoulder hawk based on sounds. We do see those on occasion.

On another day, I was simply watching my birds at the feeders when one swooped down low and made a pass over the area! Lucky day for the songbirds and fat squirrels, not such a lucky day for the hungry hawk. Hopefully, I’ll see our hawk (or hawks) again soon and get a better zoomed in photo.

Other Birds Spotted This Week

It’s been a good week for watching the birds out the back door and I’ve been home to do it. One morning, I spotted a pair of crows over the roofline in a tree up on the corner.

And another day, like something out of a dream, a goldfinch perched on the fence for just a moment. I don’t know what the little yellow birds have against our yard but I seldom see them out there!

And finally, I’ve counted 3 so far of the my favorite little white-throated sparrows foraging about on the deck and in the yard!

All our regular customers as well: the Carolina wrens, tufted titmice, downy woodpeckers (saw 3 of those at once one day as well!), blue jays, and chickadees. On a warm day, I even spotted two brown tree creepers in the oak tree. And J noticed a flock of starlings stop briefly in the backyard yesterday.

What birds did you see this week?

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Joining in with the Bird Depot hosted by Anni over at I’d Rather B Birdin’.

 

 

Revising My List for 2021

2021 Word Of The Year List of 21 for 2021 4 Comments

Like many others, I chose a single word to focus on for 2021. My word is working well for me so far in the new year.

Teaching me or reminding me of important lessons. Keeping me from going overboard. Mostly, I’ve felt quite a bit less stressed this week.

Enjoyed a slow week (though really, thinking yesterday was Friday all day messed me up a bit). And worked on feeling a bit less guilt about saying no to work on this snowy day.

Spending more time focused on my plans for the day even if they are simple ones. Paying the bills, working on my blog, watching the birds, laundry, reading my book. Finally, making the potato soup for lunch with my son.  A plan that’s been in the works since mid-December.

However, last night I wasn’t feeling quite as relaxed. A fair amount of Little Red Hen syndrome going on with me. So, I stepped back and tried to figure out why I was really so upset and stressed. It hit me, my list of items for the year was too much.

But, Jean, you only put 11 items on the list! You already did less. Perhaps we can just revise the list, then?

Here’s the old list:

  1. Read 72 books
  2. Join in for every single Happy Homemaker Monday post
  3. Keep a kindness journal
  4. Serve a vegetable with every main meal in addition to/instead of potatoes
  5. Buy and savor a “fancy” (read expensive) magazine each quarter (so 4 times)
  6. Spend at least 5 minutes outside every day
  7. Observe one sugar free week each quarter (sensing a theme with the quarterly things here)
  8. Follow a nightly skincare regime
  9. Learn a craft
  10. Participate in Rudolph day on the 25th of each month
  11. Save and preserve my old blog, So Not Organized (maybe in book form or on a flash drive?)

Doesn’t seem so bad really. Yet, a couple of those items were causing me a bit of undue stress. So, time for a revision.

Here’s  Revised list:

 

  1. Read 72 books
  2. Join in for every single Happy Homemaker Monday post
  3. Keep a kindness journal Focus on ways to be kind to my family
  4. Serve a vegetable with every main meal in addition to/instead of potatoes Try one in season new vegetable each week
  5. Eat dinner together at the table as a family Tuesday through Thursday
  6. Buy and savor a “fancy” (read expensive) magazine each quarter (so 4 times)
  7. Spend at least 5 minutes outside every day
  8. Observe one sugar free week each quarter (sensing a theme with the quarterly things here)
  9. Follow a nightly skincare regime
  10. Learn a craft
  11. Participate in Rudolph day on the 25th of each month
  12. Save and preserve my old blog, So Not Organized (maybe in book form or on a flash drive?)

As you can see, I didn’t change much. And actually I’m adding an item. Here are my thoughts on the changes:

Why no kindness journal? I’m already a kind person, mostly. Frankly, it was stressing me out to try and remember writing my deeds down at the end of each day. And while I know it’s vague, it’s an area I need to improve. Always easy to be kind to strangers, not so much to share that kindness with the people who are constantly about in the same house.

The vegetable thing? A bit much, not that it’s not a worthy goal. Again, just the stress of it. Doesn’t mean I won’t expand the vegetables served with our meals, just that I’m not going to make myself crazy trying to do this with every single meal.

Review of the Rest of the Items

Here’s how it’s going with the other items:

  1. Read 72 books: I’m not worried about this at all though Goodreads says I’m a book behind on it.
  2. Join in for every single Happy Homemaker Monday post: So far, so good on this one!
  3. Keep a kindness journal Focus on ways to be kind to my family: It’s been a say less, listen and appreciate more kind of week (mostly).
  4. Serve a vegetable with every main meal in addition to/instead of potatoes Try one in season new vegetable each week: We all (except J who fell asleep early) tried turnips. Mixed results.
  5. Eat dinner together at the table as a family Tuesday through Thursday: We ate together Monday-Thursday! 
  6. Buy and savor a “fancy” (read expensive) magazine each quarter (so 4 times): Still deciding.
  7. Spend at least 5 minutes outside every day: I’ve done this weather permitting, today may not.
  8. Observe one sugar free week each quarter (sensing a theme with the quarterly things here): Not yet, thinking I’ll shoot for the last week of January
  9. Follow a nightly skincare regime: I ordered from skincare products from Philosophy but they’re not here yet
  10. Learn a craft: Still deciding
  11. Participate in Rudolph day on the 25th of each month: I did create notebook for it.
  12. Save and preserve my old blog, So Not Organized (maybe in book form or on a flash drive?): Not started at all. Need to research.

Not a bad start at all, I don’t think.

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Are you off to a good start with your word or goals for this year?

 

 

 

Watching, Reading, and Doing

Chitchat 4 Comments

Happy Wednesday! Thought I’d just pop on here and share what I’m watching, reading, and doing this week.

Watching

Believe it or not, I’ve not had the TV on much this week. Well, actually that’s not true. I guess I should say I’ve not watched too much of anything specific or planned on the TV. The past two days I’ve left the TV on as ambient background noise. Keeping an eye or ear rather on the news.  Yesterday, I watched a bit of Live with Kelly and Ryan as well as a snippet of the Wendy Williams show.

And of course, last night I watched the season premiere of Prodigal Son. So good! Wish I could get my husband to watch that one with me. After watching season 1 of the series and the premiere last night, I’m convinced The Walking Dead wasted Tom Payne’s acting ability. And Michael Sheen is so fun as a serial killer. Really, I’ve not seen a more perfectly cast drama series in a long time. Will someone please watch this show with me?

When I’m not watching TV (really I’m listening to it more than watching), I’m looking at the birds out the back door. I’ll share more about my birds on Saturday like usual. However, I’m happy to report the score so far: New Birdfeeder: 2 Squirrels: 0.  Chickadees were first to embrace the new feeder, followed oddly, by the red-bellied woodpecker!

What are you watching lately? Or are you doing more reading?

Reading

I’ve not glanced at either of the books I mentioned struggling to read on Monday at all this week. However, I did download Tuscan Dreams at the Cornish Confetti Agency and started reading it at J’s lesson and a bit in the afternoons.

Mostly, I have been glancing at my magazines. I get the HGTV magazine and stumbled across an IKEA desk from the cover I want for my reading nook corner of our bedroom.

Also, not sure if it counts as reading, looking at blogs and Pinterest. Seem to have the home décor bug. Think it might be a January thing? Anyway, I’m a bit obsessed with the Scandinavian style lately and this blog in particular. Trying to figure out how to convince my husband we need to go this direction in our ever on-going bedroom remodel.

So when I’m not watching TV or pretending scrolling through Pinterest counts as reading, what am I doing?

Doing

Honestly, not that much. Trying to over-see J’s on-line schooling. That’s going about as well as I expected. Still searching for balance. And completely fed up with these teenagers and their bizarre sleep schedules. Trying to not bristle too much at my husband’s random suggestions when he’s happily off at work and I’m turning down work to be here and oversee things.

In less gripey news, I’ve been working on my little corner nook area of our bedroom. Can’t do much as the walls and floors aren’t quite complete. However, I can dream. And clear out a bit of clutter, the usual January stuff. A trip to drop off at the thrift store should happen today.

Cooking dinners with mixed results. Tonight, however, we’ll eat leftovers instead of what I planned. Choices of taco meat (from Saturday), chicken legs, sausage & vegetables, or a battle over one porkchop with turnips. Funny note: White wine vinegar is not the best substitution for white cooking wine. My cooking level of experience remains “medium.”

In homage to my word of the year, I plan to spend today simply doing one chore in each room of the house and without hurry or worry.  Thankful for today’s nice weather, I’ll be attending a fire pit meeting with friends later. Though I’ll bundle up in layers as the temperature drops quickly in January (any month) once night arrives.

What things have you been doing this week?

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Happy Homemaker Monday, Second Week of January

HappyHomemakerMonday 12 Comments

Well, we did it. We survived the first week of January 2021. Shall we see what the second week holds?  I’m hoping it’s a little bit of calm, both here and around the world.

Joining in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom for this fun and encouraging weekly link-up.

The Weather

The sun is coming! The sun is coming! And warmer temperatures as well. It’s a balmy 26 degrees as I type this around 7:00a.m. but we’re supposed to hit the 50’s by Wednesday of this week. A welcome break from the cold. Even better, a break from dreary gray skies.

On The Breakfast Plate

Nothing yet but my plan is for apple cinnamon oatmeal, a blueberry English muffin, followed by vitamins. Already drinking the coffee, of course.

As I Look Outside My Window

The backyard is still in the fuzzy outlines of the dawning day. Birds (and squirrels) not quite yet awake. It’s just past peak sunrise so nothing really photo worthy though I’m happy to see that blue sky.

As I Look Around The House

I see a multitude of small messes and projects requiring my attention. Most of it appears to be mine.

What I’m Wearing Today

Black, long-sleeved tee shirt and my elephant pants plus I’ve went ahead and put on my tennis shoes. High aspirations for a productive day.

Currently Reading

Excited to pick out two books containing my word of the year. One fiction and one non-fiction. The fiction one is titled Less by Andrew Greer. And it won the Pulitzer Prize in 2018. And can I just say so far I have no idea why. In the interest of following my word of the year, it may become a “DNF” for me. (Did Not Finish). I might read “less” of Less and more of something I find enjoyable.

The non-fiction book I tried is titled The Sweet Spot: How To Accomplish More by Doing Less by Christine Carter. It also risks becoming a DNF. Seems aimed at a different time period than pandemic times. I’ll give it another chance today and see if my mind changes.

I’m mostly excited to seek out and read the new Daisy James novel, Tuscan Dreams at the Cornish Confetti Agency. It’s not exactly Pulitzer Prize material but I’ve been waiting for it to release and am more excited to read it than either of the two books currently (not) holding my attention.

On The TV For This Week

Murder!

I’m super excited they renewed this show and the new season starts on Tuesday. Prodigal Son is smart and sometimes funny, all the things you want in a show about the son of a serial killer who works as a criminal profiler now. (Also, sometimes a bit gory) I’ve already went and refreshed my memory by watching the last show of season 1 on Hulu (the whole first season is there and I highly recommend this one if you like murder mystery type shows, each episode ties up in the end with season having an on-going mystery).

Watched a little Fargo over the weekend, finally got around to finishing season 3. Ugh, what was with the ending of that season? Started season 4.  Also, in lighter TV viewing, watched all the Chronicles of Narnia movies on Disney Plus (The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, and finally, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader). Might need to go re-read that series as it’s one of my all-time favorites (much to G’s aggravation, he’s not a big fan. Prefers The Lord of the Rings series. To each their own.)

On The Menu This Week

 

Last week I followed the entire menu plan! This week, not sure that’s going to happen, thinking I’ll be re-arranging these meals a bit based on the weather. And switching the oven meal to a grill meal.

Of course, it’s an on-line school week and I turned down my work for today so I could be here to oversee things (SIGH, wish me luck as I’ve traded love and hugs from 3-6 year old children for surly teenage angst. I’m where I need to be though I’m already missing my coworkers and the kids.) Long way to say, there’s hope for this menu plan.

MONDAY: 20 minute skillet sausage and zucchini, salad *J has a baritone lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY: Lemon Artichoke Chicken and Rice (by request from J!)

WEDNESDAY: Flank steak in the oven, asparagus (I bought frozen in a bag), baked potatoes *maybe a MNO, warm enough weather to be outside around a fire pit*

THURSDAY: Seared pork chops with turnips, baked sweet potatoes?

FRIDAY: Homemade or Frozen Pizza or OUT

Something Fun To Share

During the opening sequence of a season 3 episode of Fargo, they played Peter and the Wolf narrated by Billy Bob Thornton. This immediately took me back to when I was a kid in the late 70’s/early 80’s. My mom had the album. Not narrated by Billy Bob Thornton, of course.  So I looked it up and my mom’s album was narrated by non other than David Bowie. Had no idea.

I remember liking the music and thinking it slightly scary all at the same time. Here’s the full you-tube recording:

(Note: I think someone simply put his narration to the Disney cartoon as the original cartoon dates back to 1946 with Sterling Holloway as narrator)

Favorite Photo From The Camera

Frozen lake at the end of the street:

Quote For The Week

A friend posted these verses on her Facebook wall last week and it stuck with me.

Ephesians 4:31-32 put away all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with malice, and be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ has forgiven you.

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So, what kind of things does your second week of January hold?

 

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