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!

Let’s just chat about things around here lately. And of course, a bit about the garden spots as well. Brace yourself, this post is going to be a bit of a ramble.

That orange lily was completely closed up when I bought the bouquet last Friday. It’s really opened up and now stands out.

We have some daylilies in our yard but they aren’t anywhere near blooming yet. And I didn’t plant them so we’ll see what we get. I slogged through the yard and mowed it yesterday (more rain due overnight tonight). Each time I mow lately, I start to dream about replacing the front yard hill with flowers. Daylilies crossed my mind. Have you ever seen a lawn replaced with flowers? What do you think?

In a complete turn around, want to talk trash? Not like competition trash talk but actual trash?

Trash And Recycling Woes

Not counting this week (I didn’t need to call), I’ve called our trash company 3 weeks in a row! And not just to chat. Not complain either, well not at first. The company used to be local but now they’re based out of Arizona but of course, the day to day stuff is still handled locally. Unless you want to talk to customer service, then you call Arizona. Makes sense, sure?

Here’s why I called them. The day after Earth Day, we received a letter stating our recycle pickup would only occur every other week moving forward. Apparently, it’s not longer profitable and they didn’t want to increase our rates. Oh, they’re so kind (sarcasm). However, they’d be glad to provide us a larger or an additional container at no charge. All right there in the letter.

The letter the customer services folks in Arizona didn’t believe existed. Well, the first person could see it as she transferred me to sales to request my bigger container.

Customer Service Fail Again (and Again)

Guess what? Bigger recycle containers don’t exist. So, I requested an additional one. They’d be happy to provide it for a charge. Um, NO, not what the letter says. Delivering one for free the next week. Okay. Did it arrive? Nope. Another call, another promise. Did they deliver the second time? Yes. Did they deliver the right container? No.

They sent a second trash container and charged me! Suffice it to say I was simmering a bit when I called customer service yet again where they mysteriously couldn’t transfer me to a sales supervisor or their own supervisor. Kudos to the poor gal in sales who took my call. She did get the charges fixed and hopefully, next week (everything recycle is every other week now) the bin gets corrected.  Oh, and last week they forgot to pick up the recycle container on the right day! Thankfully, I fixed that with an Internet issue form.

Moving on…let’s talk about the Internet or rather our data usage.

Data Usage Increases (Or ISP Wants More Money)

Apparently, our ISP can change our contract terms at any time without notification. And so, now, they have given us a data limit.

via GIPHY

Made even more annoying by the fact that we’ve miraculously used more data this month (double from last month) than during the last pandemic year. We get one free month, then they start charging unless, of course, we want to switch to their $30 more a month unlimited plan.

Why don’t we just switch companies? Sadly, we have two choices in this city. (Don’t get me started on why there isn’t free competition with all this, my brother who lives in KC proper but only 15 minutes away has different options but can’t use this company). And we’ve had the other Internet choice previously. It was worse. SIGH.

How’s your Internet service? Issues? Or are we just the lucky ones here?

Ending my post on a positive note, let’s talk Christmas!

Rudolph Day in May

Yesterday was Rudolph Day! Did you do anything for it? I didn’t do much other than glance at the tasks.

Great suggestion: order Christmas gifts out of summer catalogs for great clearance finds. Guess that dates the site a bit, haven’t seen a good catalog in some time but might be fun to look for catalogs to order or bargains on-line.

For my quick treat for the day, I made an iced hazelnut hot chocolate. Discovered, I think the iced version of hot chocolate might taste better than the hot!

Three Days of Posting in a Row!

Not that anyone is keeping count, however, I’ve now posted 3 days in a row.

Later, this afternoon, I have to work, then we’ll probably watch the finale of The Masked Singer. Exciting Wednesday night plans! What’s happening in your life lately?