Been a while it seems since I just did a general post. So, this will likely be as the title says a long and rambling post.

Family Matters

Does anyone remember that show? Steve Urkel and his catchphrase: Did I do that?

I’ve got quite the load of parental guilt regarding J’s anxiety/mental health anguish right now. Feeling like I failed Pandemic parenting 101. I mean I was prepared for nuclear winter parenting not pandemic parenting. SIGH. Okay, I was prepared for neither and yes, I know things could be so much worse.

I struggle a bit with what and how much to share of all this. Mainly, I ask myself is it really my story to share? However, I think it might help someone not feel alone should they stumble across this blog (and they’d really have to stumble as I’m loathe to use the whole SEO stuff too often, too much of a headache!).

It also helps to share my thoughts on it a bit. Clear out a bit of the mental space it’s taking up in my head.

Snow days definitely don’t help when trying to get a kid back to some semblance of a routine. Yesterday was a rough one and a no go on the school front. Followed by more bad news from the band director. He’s sharing that sad news of ineligibility with J today. He’s still in band but because of attendance/grades ineligible for contests. One of his favorite things. I appreciated the warning from the band director who knew it was going to be a tough blow coming as things were starting to look up again.

Hope

At least we have a new therapist who seems a bit better than the last one (or perhaps that’s just wishful thinking) and full evaluation to hopefully get complete answers coming up soon. Just hoping and praying for things to get better as winter falls away into spring and summer. Might be the cause of some of my spring fever.

Recharging

When I ran to the grocery store on Monday, the everyday bouquets of flowers were marked half-price! Of course I bought some. Or rather I told my husband he bought me some. Ha!

I wanted to share more pictures of them with you here but alas the camera battery needed to recharge this morning as did my phone. Is it just here that all the phone chargers disappear on a scale on equal to socks in the dryer?

Since J did indeed go to school this morning, I plan to use some of this time to recharge myself. Doing what I do not yet know. It’s much too cold to be outside though the sun is shining brightly. Seven degrees with negative wind chills is not exactly walking weather. Perhaps I’ll do the boring mom thing and clean up a bit. A clean house always makes me feel better. Once the camera battery charges, I’ll work on taking more “in focus” photos of the flowers.

Whatever I do, I plan to take my time with it.

Healthy Stuff

Or maybe it should say unhealthy stuff? I don’t know. The scale number surpassed my scary limit so I’m trying to be a bit more mindful of the crazy amounts of junk I’ve been eating. Stress and emotional eating do not help here. Neither does the abundance of junk food first left from Christmas, then from Valentine’s Day (not quite as much but my husband did buy a giant tub of M&M’s that I keep hiding behind the vitamins. And then, someone keeps bringing back out to the kitchen table.

I have started taking a dose of apple cider vinegar (YUCK!) each morning after eating breakfast and finishing my coffee. It’s supposed to help regulate hormones, another issue happening. I have it on my list today to make a doctor’s appointment for myself. Bottom of the list mom here. Who quite honestly isn’t sure if she’s up to dealing with her own issues until she knows what’s happening with her kid.

Looked for the apple cider vinegar in caplets. So many brands! And why can’t they just have apple cider vinegar? The brand I’d planned to buy adds zinc and vitamin D to their caplets. Um, I don’t remember much from 10th grade biology (actually, I remember quite a bit which is weird) but D,E,A,K are the ones that you don’t want to over do. And I already take a vitamin with C,D, and Zinc.

Final Thoughts

This might be one for my blogging friends. Do you mentally write posts and then, never quite get the thoughts down on your blog? Or is it just me? Sometimes, I get as far as title: Dealing with Disappointment, Routine Adjustment, or A Glimpse at my Rudolph Day and then, nothing. Other times the whole posts is simply written in my head as I go about my day.

Last week (and really, I still want to officially write this one), I had a whole post about being a “but” going in my mind. Those people (sometimes it’s me) who always finish a happy thought with a negative. Perhaps, part of today’s recharge is going to be be actually writing that post as I really want to share those thoughts.

However, I think I’ve reached the end of this long and rambling post. Thanks for sticking around if you’re still reading. And tell me, how do you recharge?

I think that perhaps for the first time ever, we stayed home on Christmas day and didn’t host anyone either. It was strange and wonderful all at once!

Christmas Eve:

For the first time in many years, I didn’t spend the entire day shopping. Other than a quick run to World Market to look for golden syrup (for a recipe that didn’t happen as they were out of it), no running around in the crowds for me. It was nice to be at home during the day. Of course, my husband spent the day helping a friend so he wasn’t home. However, he spent many years “holding down the fort” while I shopped so I didn’t mind. That evening, we all went to church together (J played with the band at his baritone teacher’s church for 2 services) for the candlelight Christmas Eve service. I’ve always wanted to go to church on Christmas Eve, we just never have so I was very happy. The service was excellent. I’m hoping attending the candlelight Christmas Eve service is a tradition that continues.

…the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be
On your own front door 

And while I have a standard policy of not sharing photos of my family on the blog , I was very excited to get a great photo of my husband and kids together after the church service that tempted me to break with my policy. Maybe just this one time. (Shh! Don’t tell)

Christmas

On Christmas, the 20 year old who used to wake us up at 4 and 5 a.m. asked to sleep. So, we complied until noon. Then, I couldn’t take it anymore and we woke him up so we could do presents. Everyone seemed happy with their gifts. Mostly clothes, I do miss the sleep-deprived toy days a bit. However, waking up rested on Christmas is also an amazing gift! 

Speaking of being well-rested, my husband gifted me a new pillow. I’ve been on a quest to find a new pillow. I’m a squishy pillow person and I’d tried a couple cheaper new ones but they sounded like squished up coats to me. He splurged and got me what my oldest called “a hotel pillow.” I think it’s down. All I know is it’s squishy AND quiet.  I slept really good last night. My big gift to my husband was a new kitchen trash can as he really hated the one I’d painted to match the walls. So I bought him a plain white one. Welcome to boring married life. 

G gave me some very thoughtful gifts this year: a pop socket for my phone (how did I go so long without one of those?), a photography guide book, and these cool metal bookmarks that look like feathers. J got me the Christmas cactus I wanted and a gift card.

In the morning while waiting on the kids to wake up, we watched Die Hard. In the afternoon, while the kids messed with their gifts (it wasn’t all clothes) and my husband napped, I watched The Matrix Resurrections. I loved the movies and was not disappointed in this one. Despite the not so great reviews, I loved the cheesiness of it. To each their own I suppose.

Other Tidbits From The Day

Food was kind of weird on Christmas. I’d bought cinnamon rolls and a couple eclairs from the good (and oh so expensive, it’s definitely a special occasion kind of place) bakery for our morning. Then, had a loose plan for dinner but forgot to thaw things. So we didn’t really do a Christmas dinner. That part of the day was a bit odd with us kind of eating what was on hand, frozen pizza at lunch, leftover Church’s chicken from Christmas Eve, and then some leftover Thanksgiving turkey (from the freezer) later that night. And of course, way too many Christmas treats from stockings and earlier in the week.

I had a somewhat nice (once I convinced him I didn’t want to talk politics on Christmas) phone call with my brother who lives out of state. Exchanged Christmas texts with my other siblings (signs of the times, huh?) and a few friends. Christmas night I was as tired as if we’d run all over the place (husband said it was because we did nothing all day) and actually dozed off watching How The Grinch Stole Christmas (the cartoon one).

Overall, it was a nice day and very relaxing without having to worry about running around or time tables. However, if we repeat our lazy Christmas next year, I’ll be sure to have a proper dinner plan in place! That was the only glitch in the day.

(We do have plans to get together with family later this week.)

How was your Christmas?

It’s raining, storming to be precise, this morning. Much welcomed and needed. Thought I’d pop on here and share a little bit of my rainy day dreaming with you all.

Here are a couple of the things on my mind as I slowly clean the house. Taking my time with everything today.

Autumn?!

Dare I say I’m dreaming a bit of fall? Don’t worry fellow summer lovers, I’ve not abandoned my true summer love but I do believe like reaching the bottom of a too large bowl of ice cream, I’ve had my fill for this year. Looking forward to sitting on the front porch (of course, we need a new bench or at the least bench cushion first) and reading my books with a gentle breeze blowing.

Those classic candles burning on a cool, cloudy, and rainy fall day. (Note: I still think August/September is a bit too soon for pumpkin spice anything but I do have my eye on trying the apple chip macchiato also offered up by Starbucks. And plan to make an apple chip cake very soon!)

A Giant Cottage Garden

Since I didn’t get out and water this morning or get a chance to wander around the flowers and vegetable garden, I’m also rainy day dreaming about next year’s garden already. Ordering away for some free flower and seed garden catalogs. Trying to solve the space problem. In my mind I have a big rambling area to create the perfect cottage garden complete with gravel paths. Maybe something that looks like this garden.

However, in reality…SIGH. I could take over the whole front yard and am tempted. I’ll just have to do it slowly so the husband won’t notice when it went from grass to a huge flower/vegetable garden. Back yard is still so shady, maybe some day I’ll get around to focusing more on it.

And since this is my only day off this week, I’m also dreaming of a slower paced schedule (hopefully) for next week. What’s on your mind today?

(Note: Here I go again with forgetting to hit the publish button on my posts! This was from yesterday. Our weather today is great & I’m off to work. Happy Wednesday!)

Today I’m not working but rather eating many frogs.

Working on this post between bites. Just finished one of the biggest frogs on the plate, cleaning the room where we had to keep Chip after his vet visit on Tuesday. Suffice it to say, he needs to be someone’s outdoor cat for sure. Also, cleaned out Chelsey’s litter box.  The joys of owning a cat! Hopefully, Chip will be with his new family soon and Chelsey can return to being queen of the front porch.

After that fun, I’m paying bills. Filling some paperwork. And trying to organize (yet again) this desk top area. Soon, I’m hoping to transition some of these tasks to upstairs once I get familiar with my new (to me) laptop computer.

Spending some time downstairs cleaning up the mess left by my basement camp week. Not sure where I’m going to put all the stuff but I’ll figure it out.

Sadly, ordering flowers for a funeral service. The classic, a peace lily. Don’t want to order as that will make things seem so real. However, it must be done.

Finally, opening and washing the extra masks I ordered. With both boys in school and wearing masks almost daily, I didn’t want to be washing masks twice a week. If you’re interested (I get no commissions or anything just sharing for the sake of sharing here), I ordered these masks from Amazon. Aside from the paper ones, we all agree these are the most comfortable as they are very light weight.  And can I just add that I very much hope/pray the only masks we’re discussing this time next year are of the Halloween variety?

And all throughout the eating of my many frogs today, a side serving of laundry. Of course!

Do you have any frogs to eat? Speaking of eating frogs, have you ever had frog legs? I have not but have heard they taste just like chicken. I think, however, I’ll continue to stick with simply the chicken.

Happy Wednesday! Thought I’d check in here before I get started on what I’ve set aside to be a cleaning day around here.

My main focus today is J’s room as he’s off having a end of summer get together with friends. They compromised with a 10-10 type get together in lieu of an overnight. Too many schedule commitments already, more than a few of them in band so practices already in full swing. Works well for me as I need him up early tomorrow for the driver’s education course.

Cleaning Day Focus:

• J’s room as stated above. It’s past time for a deep clean. And I’d like him to have a fresh start for school in another 2 weeks (I know, I should wait a week but this is when I have time and he’s out of the way).
• Deep cleaning of the bathrooms. Much needed.
• Usual chores: laundry (never ending), dishes in the kitchen, maybe straighten the living room
• Down here still needs completed. I got overwhelmed with this project and left a bigger mess.

Other Things Happening Around Here:

• At noon, someone from a kind of nearby neighborhood is coming to check and see if “Chip” is perhaps her missing “Webster” I really hope so. It would be nice to be able to reunite him with his family. I know that pain of missing a cat from the many years ago when Chelsea’s brother Chase disappeared.
• We’re under an excessive heat warning today starting just after noon. There’s a pretty good breeze right now so it’s not too bad out but I can tell it’s going to be. Especially if the wind dies down.
• Still going garden crazy around here. Stopped by Tractor Supply on my way home from dropping J off to pick up a few more seeds and potting soil. My grow bags on the deck drip down on it in a way that concerns me so I thought I’d make use of that water and plant some morning glory seeds (not sure if it’s too late) to make use of the excess water.
• Vacation? Seems to be a no so I think perhaps I’m placating myself with the excessive flower planting and gardening stuff. It’s been taking me an average of 45 minutes to an hour to water each morning: Vegetable garden, front porch flowers, container herb garden, corner of driveway, raised beds on side of house (We finally have small and green tomatoes on the vines), citronella plant on deck, grow bags (new thing), and hydrangea that sprung to life in the spring. Turns out hydrangeas like to be watered. Who knew?

All my garden doings take place in the morning hours or later evenings. Especially with the current weather. That’s why I’m making today mostly an inside day.

What’s happening where you are today? Are you getting the crazy hot weather as well?

Happy Fourth of July! 

We have no plans. It’s been nice and yet at the same time I’ve been a bit lost all day. Since I was spending some time reminiscing about our previous holidays by going through my Facebook photos, I thought I better post about our holiday on here. And I wanted to share the rest of my Flags4Freedom photos I took on Thursday.

Why? Well, it seems I decided to more or less quit engaging on Facebook in 2019 and had a hard time remembering what we did for that Fourth of July. Finally, realized that sadly, we didn’t do much as we left maybe the day after the holiday to go through the contents of my husband’s late grandfather’s house before it went on the market.

Anyway, better to have a record of a low key holiday than no record at all. I do like to look back and see how we spent the holidays.

First, speaking of reminiscing, I’ve also been thinking about the Fourth of July holidays I had as a kid. 

When I Was A Kid

My mom would fry chicken and then put it in the oven to make the best barbequed chicken (and no, I have no idea how to do it sadly). Plus homemade macaroni and cheese. And a lemon layer cake with vanilla pudding in the center and simple powdered sugar on top. We’d load up and drive to my Aunt Thelma’s house in the country. Relatives, kids, lots of fireworks, outside. A pond. That’s what I remember. 

As A Young Adult

One brother or the other would have a gathering. Lots of nieces and nephews (note there is a 7 year age gap between me and my siblings, I’m the youngest) running around with fireworks. Note the food, same as above or more…maybe my brothers grilling something, too much. Chicken, brats, hamburgers, hot dogs, pop, beer. Crazy fireworks. Let’s just say my husband’s introduction to my family’s Fourth of July was interesting. Did I mention 2 of my 3 brothers are retired from the fire department? Crazy fireworks.

As A Wife And A Mom To Young Kids

One Fourth of July gathering on my husband’s side (too tame for me) and I declared Fourth of July as belonging to MY family. No alternating though we sometimes did go see his family for a bit on the way to my family’s gatherings. The irony of having a child who HATED my favorite holiday. Trading off with my husband sitting inside while one of us was outside watching the fireworks. Second child takes after my side and loves all things fireworks. More than I do, I think. Still going to family gatherings with good food. Taking my now signature dish of crunchy coleslaw.

Recent Holidays

A rough one in 2017 after my nephew lost his father. Went to a friends with sister-in-law and nephew so as not to overwhelm (my family can overwhelm sometimes). The one from 2019 again lost in the black hole of grief. The weird pandemic one from last year. Sister-in-law and husband over for a cookout and then my nephew hanging out and doing fireworks with us. A pretty good time despite the pandemic.

AND TODAY

Did I mention we have no plans? Seems so odd. Family we spent the holiday with last year moved out of state. My family hasn’t had a gathering since 2018. G has his own plans tonight.

This morning, I made red, white, and blue strawberries. Then, we took J and bought a few fireworks (G was sleeping and see above, he still mostly hates fireworks). Went out for lunch at a local restaurant. It was very good and none of us are hungry yet even though we ate at noon and it’s now 6. I watched Independence Day (a tradition).

Currently, I’m waiting for J to wake up from his nap, trying to decide if I’ll even mess with dinner, and sometimes sitting outside and listening to the neighbor’s party (they live a few houses away and we don’t know them or I’d crash it, LOL). We’ll enjoy their show later.

And I’m thinking that it’s time to host a family gathering soon….

Are you off doing something fun? Maybe having a family gathering? Going out to see a display some where later?

Know that saying about needing a vacation after your vacation? That’s me this week! Staycations are not my thing. It’s not been a bad week. However, I don’t feel as though I really had a vacation in the traditional sense at all.

Rainy Days

It rained every single day except today.

I’m good with a little rain so I don’t have to water the gardens every day but this was a lot of rain so I’m not going to need to water for at least a week.  Rainy days made it hard to make plans to do anything. Motivation lacks as the sheets of rain fall from the sky. Plus, I just couldn’t get it together with my planning.

A lot of the local things I thought we’d do were still closed or on timed tickets due to Covid. While things are better and mostly open,  I do miss being able to be spontaneous. SIGH.

So mostly, the teenager has slept (what he wants to do anyway though I did get 3 games of Connect Four out of him) and I’ve played Animal Crossing and watched too much TV. (oh dear, I found yet another spin off of The Walking Dead. I do love a good zombie show.)  Read a little bit as well.

Retail Therapy

I needed new tennis shoes for work. And while I don’t enjoy shoe shopping (I know! Really though I don’t like to shop for shoes.), I made myself go this morning. So I have some new tennis shoes to wear to work next month. And, I found this fun pair of Keds on clearance! I have a leopard print shirt so I’m excited to have matching shoes.

After shoe shopping, I ran in Five Below and picked up some random Christmas gifts to stash away. Then, I went to Target for cat food and cleaning supplies. Apparently, I’m not very good at retail therapy.

A Journey to Sweden

Sort of. We went to Ikea in Kansas to buy a desk for G. A bit of a belated birthday present. He knew he was getting one but we had to find one he wanted and that fit and all that. Finally, 2 months later, he gets his desk. Photo below is from a park near Ikea.

At least I finally got to see the Flags 4 Freedom that I’ve always wanted to go see.

More pictures of the flags coming soon.

A Weekend Project

And now, somehow, the desk set up has morphed into tearing up the carpet in G’s room (replacing it is long overdue). I’ve been mostly down here staying out of the way. However, I suppose I should go check on the progress of things (and the occasional raised voices I’ve heard).

Hoping things are back to a true normal where we can be spontaneous again and travel without worry next year. Did you take a vacation this year? I’d love to hear how it went!