Thought I’d pop on here real quick for those of you who might be wondering about the scary news from the KC Chiefs parade today. I did not attend as I was working for a teacher so she could go. Her and the other teacher who went are safe. So far all of my friends and family in attendance are safe though a bit upset and shaken. I angry and embarrassed that something that was supposed to be a happy occasion in our city ended like that. Praying that none of the victims were children. And of course, praying for the victims.
Not much else to say at this point as I’m still a bit stunned by it.
Anyway, I’ve not been around as a lot of sickness going around school and I’ve been working a lot more than usual. Hoping to catch up properly (and reply to my week old comments, I did read them all) very soon.
Hope everyone is healthy and enjoying this odd first day of Lent/ Valentine’s Day. (On a Winter Wednesday note: It’s 63 and sunny here today!)
Sometimes it feels like February is the longest winter month. I know we all start getting a bit antsy for spring this month. And it doesn’t help with days of warmer spring like temperatures teasing. Then, the temperature likely plummets and here comes some cold. This is typically our coldest month. We’ll see what happens. And it always feels like the longest winter month to me as well.
However, we also get sunrises that look like this:
And there are things to do to keep the February blahs at bay. Though some do take intention.
Fun Things in February:
Groundhog day! (He didn’t see his shadow, so early Spring. Of course, here it was a sunny day so hopefully all our groundhogs slept through and didn’t see any shadows that way)
My husband’s birthday (Maybe you have family/friend birthdays to celebrate this month?)
Galentine’s Day…this is tonight for me. Getting together with girlfriends at the Cheesecake Factory for a fun dinner and exchange of small tokens of friendship.
Super Bowl Sunday! Go Chiefs! It’s more fun to watch when your team is playing but I still watched many years when neither of the teams wore red.
Pancake Tuesday. I’m all about holidays involving food!
Mardi gras
Valentine’s Day. Just pass me the dark chocolate and we’ll be fine.
President’s Day, a holiday is a holiday and a day off work for this one!
Chinese New Year is Saturday, it’s the year of the dragon!
And of course, there are 29 days in February this year as it’s a Leap Year.
A Fun Photo:
I took this reflection of the sunrise in the window of my husband’s truck this morning. It captured the sunrise colors better than my proper photo.
Last week was busy with work, enjoying the beautiful weather, and meeting up with friends on the weekend. Decided to just let myself go with the flow and not worry too much about computer land.
Back today though to plan my week with the help of Happy Homemaker Monday hosted by Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.
The Weather
It’s been so nice out lately! Light jacket weather or no coat weather if wearing a sweatshirt/sweater. Today’s a little chilly and in the 40’s but it’s supposed to bump up to the 50’s by afternoon. And be in the 60’s to end the week! Of course, I do see a snowflake predicted on Superbowl Sunday.
As I Look Outside My Window
The sun is shining! The birds are pooping on our cars singing!
Right Now
Taking a minute between today’s normal tasks to post here.
Thinking and Pondering
How to “encourage” 3 other persons in this household to help me out a bit more. Also, pondering on my focus areas for February. I’ve decided upon love, friendship, and kindness for this month. Hoping to get a post up about how last month’s focus of cleaning and clearing went and my ideas for this month’s focus areas.
How I am Feeling
A bit like I’m struggling to stay on top of being sick. Not currently sick but have that run-down feeling and a bit of a scratchy throat. The scratchy throat might just be our crazy weather.
On the Breakfast Plate
Coffee, sausage mcmuffin (from home, leftover breakfast sausage plus an English muffin), vitamins, black elderberry capsules
On the Lunch Plate
Not really sure yet. Thinking more about the lemonade tea I bought than eating.
On The Dinner Plate
French Dip sandwiches by request
On The Menu
We really winged it on last week’s menu but it went okay. Still, nice to have a plan for this week. It’s a bit crockpot heavy.
MONDAY: French Dip sandwiches
TUESDAY: Banana Pancakes and bacon, what else would we have on Pancake Tuesday?? UPDATE: I thought tomorrow was pancake Tuesday but it’s next week! Oops. Maybe we’ll have French toast instead…
WEDNESDAY: Mississippi Chicken (this is a new Paula Deen recipe for the crockpot…hoping it’s good because I have plans and won’t be home for dinner, ha!)
THURSDAY: OUT for husband’s birthday! We’re having BBQ. Chocolate cake at home.
FRIDAY: Taco soup (requested by husband)
SATURDAY/SUNDAY: Leftovers/Super Bowl party food (pizza)
What I Am Wearing Today
The week before the Chiefs are in the Super Bowl, we wear red everyday. However, I forgot to hang to dry my Chiefs shirts last night so I’m wearing a red heart Valentine sweater and jeggings today.
On My Reading Pile
I finished reading a really great one last week titled After the Forest by Kell Woods. A bit of a reimagining of Hansel and Gretel and Snow White all combined starting the tale with Hansel (Hans) and Gretel (Greta) as young adults. Really like how it kept in line with the Grimm fairy tales.
On My TV This Week
Well, of course, we cheered on Taylor Swift at the Grammys last night. Husband was mainly watching because he wanted to see Billy Joel sing. Quite a lot going on this week so not sure when/what I’ll be watching. The Big game on Sunday, of course!
Looking Around the House
Did set out a few Valentine Decor items.
Real-life photos from the kitchen with dishes to clean and groceries to put away:
On My To Do List
Grocery store *DONE*
Hang up clothes to dry *DONE*
Dinner started in crock pot *DONE*
Work a few hours on Wednesday afternoon
Enjoy Galentine’s Day dinner with friends on Wednesday night
Bake cake for husband’s birthday on Thursday/Go out to dinner
Wish brother happy birthday today *DONE*
Start artichoke seeds
Put a few outdoor plants on front porch for to let them enjoy weather also
Cheer on the Chiefs in the Superbowl on Sunday night!
From The Camera
I’ve not picked my camera up in far too long. All these photos are from my phone!
Quote for the Week
Let all that you do be done in love. (Corinthians 16:14)
After so much cold and rain, the clouds parted, the Chiefs won (again!), and the warm sunshine arrived. It’s been a busy start to the week (work-wise) over here so not much time to post. This post is going to be short as well. Hopefully, I’ll have a minute to catch up on Friday. Just two photos for today.
Walking in Sunshine
(And mud, I took a picture but the computer doesn’t want any muddy pictures. Not sure why it won’t load. I did enjoy squishing into the mud while wearing my boots though)
My Kind of Winter Day
We went from the arctic blast to cloudy and rainy to 62 and sunny today! Welcome to Midwest living. How’s your weather?
While it’s had its moments of happiness, it’s also been a bit of just a weary winter week around here. And no sunshine! Oh how I miss it!
Just thought I’d pop on here for a little week in review though not much to share. Taking a break from the aggravations of adding up tax numbers. The main aggravation coming from the local utility department insisting we have no account. Computer glitch probably but very annoying.
A few tidbits from my week and sadly, not many pictures as it’s been rainy and foggy so outside photos didn’t happen. Perhaps a sign to work on my indoor photos? Hmm. Something to ponder.
MONDAY and TUESDAY:
Everything started off icy this week. Thankfully, by Monday afternoon the temperature bumped up enough that I felt safe to go get a few things at the grocery store. And J got out to his band class as well. Always good to get out. He also shared with me what was going on so we started on fixing that (Just some college administration things that arrived last week. Somehow they were counting a dual credit class from 2 years ago into last semester’s grades causing all kinds of havoc with financial things.). Tuesday was another bit of an icy start so no classes for J again. I don’t know what I did, maybe some cleaning and clearing? Oh yes, that is it. I cleaned out our medicine cabinet. So far I’ve cleared the pantry, medicine cabinet, and a few things from our bedroom.
WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY:
Wednesday was a struggle. My solar battery started to wear down very fast. Had a bit of an argument with J. Went to the library and the power went out while I was there. However, they were very kind to write down my books so I could still take them. Had the things to drop off at the donation center in my trunk (still there) but the donation area was closed probably due to weather. My husband did make dinner Wednesday evening (pancakes and bacon) so that helped a bit as well.
Yesterday was much better even though it poured down rain the entire day! J went off to his classes and I spent most the morning making minestrone soup.
Treated myself to a much needed Starbucks chai latte when I had to run to the store for pasta (I’ve decided dinatale pasta is the best for minestrone even though my recipe calls for elbow macaroni).
Last night I went out with friends, never underestimate how much that can help with a down week. We went to the Nelson (how we refer to the main art gallery in town locally) to see a Monet exhibit as well as exhibit of the works of Evelyn Hofer (very interesting!). Our kind friend obtained tickets to the exhibit for us through her work.
And then, we all went out to eat a bit of a Kansas City institution of hamburger restaurants, Winsteads. I’d not been there in years! We were at the original location but they used to have restaurants throughout the city including a couple close to us. Sadly, those restaurants are long gone.
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Today and the rest of the weekend: I’m wearing my lucky red sweater for red Friday today. Trying to remember to wash my lucky long-sleeved red Chiefs shirt so it’ll be dry in time for Sunday (it’s a no dryer item). Our weather is supposed to bump way up in temperature but I’m still going to wear it. J needs to go the college bookstore later.
I’d like to maybe visit a Hallmark store as I’m starting to think on my 2 focus words for February….love and friendship are calling to me. Think I’ve done a decent job with my cleaning and clearing for January–perhaps a blog post is in order. It’s another weekend where we have no big plans (outside of cheering on the Chiefs on Sunday afternoon) but I’m not mad about it. Maybe I’ll spend some time practicing on indoor photos.
If the sun shines, you know I’ll be chasing it. And if it doesn’t, I’m planning to get outside anyway (I can manage anything but ice and pouring rain, I think).
How has your week been? What big or small plans do you have for the weekend?
The January blahs or blues or whatever you want to call them hit hard today. We’re on day too many of not seeing the sun. It’s foggy, damp, and depressing outside. The snow is in the stage of no longer pretty and half-ice mounds and half-muddy mess. A few snowmen (not ours) are hanging on around town at least.
For my attempt at winter appreciation today: Earl gray tea and a slice of cinnamon bread for an afternoon snack. Maybe I’ll see if I can sneak in the latest Percy Jackson episode before we leave for J’s class.
Oh and in a that’s just the way the day is going: While I was in the library, someone crashed into the transformer (they were okay) outside cutting off power for a lot of that block. SIGH. So much for escaping the blahs that way.
How do you cope with the winter blues when it means being stuck inside?
(If you are wondering why I didn’t go for a walk, it’s because I’m thinking based on my last walk, it’s most likely an icy mess right now)
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.
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
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
Go to grocery store for just a few things (like milk and bananas)
Target trip for just a very few essentials (hair conditioner, cat food, etc)
Continue working on tax stuff
Continue the cleaning and clearing of the house, might do a few kitchen cabinets
Usuals: laundry, cleaning
Hopefully, on a clear warmish day, drop off donations at charity shop
Get outside and go for walk one day (maybe Thursday or Friday? Both?)
Go out with friends for Mom’s Night Out, need to find the exact date
Send a few cards in the mail
????
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
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)
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.
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!
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?
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
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
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!)
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
Grocery store
Put away rest of Christmas
Clean our bedroom/sort out rest of winter clothing
Pay bills
So much laundry
Take a walk when it warms up on Wednesday!
Clear some clutter in the bedroom (I’m working through a challenge)
Paperwork/filing
Clean the bathrooms
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.
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.
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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?