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A Week With Unexpected Surprises

Week in Review 8 Comments

Hope everyone had a wonderful first week of 2024! Mine was a nice balance of relaxing and working with a few pleasant unexpected surprises. 

Monday: A Relaxing Start

I didn’t even do my regular Monday grocery run (and I should’ve to get my Chiefs gas discount, hoping they do well tomorrow in general and so I can get a good gas discount!). Strange how the first day of the new year already seems like a long time ago.

Tuesday: Winter Walk and Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

I found enough energy on Tuesday to take a winter walk at the nature center. Shared the pictures in my first Winter Wednesday post of 2024. I’ve decided to bring back Winter Wednesdays as they really did help me not mind winter so much. And somehow, this rarely happens, I managed to cook just the right amount of chicken for our copycat Chik-Fil-A dinner on Tuesday evening. Everyone had enough without tons of leftover. And it turned out really good. Small win but sometimes those are the best!

Wednesday: A Late Christmas Gift, Slice of Pizza, and A Bald Eagle Sighting!

Super blurry and hard to see but it is indeed a bald eagle in that tree!

 

Mid-week was a full work day for me, the first one of the year! And it was a great one. Came to work to find a student had brought me a Christmas present. A co-teacher ordered pizza for her lunch and they messed up the order, giving her an extra pizza so yes, I’ll have a slice of pizza for lunch. Yum!

And then, the best thing ever on my break. Cutting thru the park on my way back to school and there just sitting in a tree? A bald eagle! So fun and unexpected. Nobody behind me so I grabbed my phone and then, of course, there was someone behind me. As much as I wanted to circle back, I had to get back to work so settled for one very blurry photo. And of course, I can’t get my photo edit computer thing to work today so this is the basis unedited photo from my phone.

Thursday: Finding A Dress In the Back of the closet!

Thursday was another slow day around here with me just taking my time with things. And discovering a dress in the back of the closet, perfect work dress with some black leggings. Sold! And for $0.

Friday: More Work And the First Snow of 2024!

I had a feeling it would happen and it did, I worked the full day instead of just half a day. It was an odd work day with me starting in the pre-primary class for a teacher having car trouble, going to my planned primary class (and them driving me a bit nuts, unusual in this particular class), and then, returning to the pre-primary class to finish the shift of a sick teacher. Somewhere during the unusual mixed up busy day, it started snowing!

One of the sweet pre-primary students looked out the window upon seeing the snow and said: This makes me so happy!

It made me happy as well. As much as I love my summer, I also love all the seasons and couldn’t imagine living somewhere with minimal weather changes.

Friday night, I was tired. Leftovers for dinner and silly science fiction movie: The Creator. It was enjoyable enough for the genre, I called the plot Terminator in reverse.

Today is the The Epiphany

I’ve made our traditional cake but not really done much else. Spent this morning watching another movie, this one on Netflix, called Leave the World Behind.  It was pretty good and I enjoyed it though the ending seemed a bit hokey. Did request the book from the library.

Actually, I’m still in my pajama pants at almost 3p.m. Later, I’ll put a ham in the oven for dinner. The plans for the rest of the day, a nice dinner and watching the football games.

My purple didn’t turn out very pretty this year but I liked the swirl in the middle of the plate

 

Tomorrow, I’ll put away the rest of the Christmas decorations (or I may do it tonight) and get out for the walk I missed on Thursday. And of course, watch the Chiefs game. More snow is heading our way for Monday into Tuesday.

How are you spending your first full weekend of 2024?

Letting Myself Post Without A Photo

Let24 2 Comments

I read somewhere long ago that blog posts should always have a photo attached. Ever since then, I’ve struggled to post just text. Even the text had to have a Pinterest worthy sharing type button.

Not today. Tomorrow, there will be photos again, I promise. If I’m not too exhausted to post after a 4 hour work day. No promises that there will actually be a post tomorrow. So I suppose I should say my next post will have photos again.

Today I’m off work and letting myself have a slow day as I go about completing a few tasks.

Things I’ve done so far today:

  1. Cleaned up my email of unread messages and deal offers, unsubscribed from a newsletter that was too “go-getter” for my current state of mind.
  2. Laundry
  3. Slowly stacked my Christmas sweaters/pajamas/socks on a section of the bed to put away until next year
  4. Unpacked the regular coffee cups and packed away my Christmas mugs
  5. Put a few items of clothing in my donation box AND discovered a dress from long ago, forgotten in the back of the closet. It’s something I could easily wear to work/casually so I’m excited about it.
  6. Taken a coffee break at the cat’s insistence.
  7. Put away quite a few “hang to dry” clothes that’ve been dry for weeks
  8. Let myself use the Swagbucks points on myself. (I ordered a Google play card for my silly phone game)
  9. Fed the birds
  10. Brought the recycle bin back up from the curb

Not a bad list of accomplishments prior to noon for an unrushed day off work. And not a timer in sight!

Why I’m No Longer Using A Timer for Cleaning

Back when I first started blogging with my So Not Organized blog I was always singing the praises of using a timer. And almost all in on the Flylady system. Remember I even tried it again not too long ago as a 31 Days project (I don’t think I made it the full 31 days).

However, I’ve made the most amazing discovery recently. I do better at the tortoise pace in the race than that of the hare. Setting a timer stresses me out. While I don’t mind jumping from task to task while cleaning/organizing so as not to get bored, sometimes, I want to finish my project and not stop when an arbitrary timer tells me to do so.

Plus, it all gets done in the end no matter what pace. And if it doesn’t, believe me the dishes/laundry do indeed wait for any man/woman in the end.

And Now A Quick Short Rant

It’s the time of year when the all the organizing/cleaning blogs, actually all blogs that aren’t simple day of life ones, want to sell me subscriptions and systems. And they always try to hook you with that free download. Sometimes the downloads are nice and sometimes they make me roll my eyes (probably because I’ve been around long enough to go, they got me…this is common sense!).

I get that these bloggers are trying to run their blogs as a business and make money (I think that’s what did in the personal blogging day to day connections we all crave but that’s a rant for another time) but seriously, unless Hoarders is setting up cameras outside your door, you do NOT need to spend almost $100 (or more) on any systems that tell you how to clean your house/plan your meals/organize your life.

Just do a bit of Internet research/trial & error and find what works for you and your family.

*rant over*

How I’m Spending the Rest of My Day

  • Getting dinner together (need to marinate pepper steak)
  • Going for a walk later (I hope)
  • Putting away a bit more of the lingering Christmas
  • Reading in my book (The It Girl by Ruth Ware, really good so far!)
  • Doing whatever other housekeeping tasks catch my eye
  • Keeping an eye on the weather (looks and feels a bit promising for the first snowfall of 2024)

How are you spending your Thursday?

 

Welcome Back to Winter Wednesdays

Just Photos Winter Wednesday No Comments

These posts helped me enjoy winter a little more last year so I thought I’d bring them back for this winter. Just a quick one tonight as I ended up working today. Photos from a walk I took on Tuesday. It wasn’t freezing cold but warm isn’t the adjective of choice from my walk either.

Some areas of water, some areas of mud, and some ice.

For reference, this is what the area above looked like in late October:

More ice from the stream:

Winter robins:

What’s the difference between a spring robin and a winter robin? The seasons, I guess. I don’t really know.

New year so I took a new trail:

And had a bit of a different view of the lakes.

We’re supposed to get some wintery weather over the weekend so perhaps next Wednesday’s views will be a bit more snowy but who knows. Either way, I’ve decided it’s good for me to be outside no matter the weather as well as chase the sun in the winter.

 

A Different Approach

24 in 2024 Let24 4 Comments

The past few years, I’ve been making a list and usually not checking it twice. The second number of the year became the number of items on the list. Except in 2021 when my year was less and I made a more sensible list that still mostly didn’t happen.

Twenty four items just sounded like way too many things this year. Plus, I could make a list of 24 things, carrying quite a few over from 2023 and tell you right now the items on the list I’d likely accomplish as well as the things I would not. For example, my reading goals. If I put read 100 books on my list, I’d do it because I love to read and am always reading anyway. On my phone while waiting on things, before bed, to put off doing other things. I just love to read. I could put quit eating sugar on the list (again) and I’d waste my time as I have a sweet tooth. Putting that on there would just want me make sugar that much more (side note, I’ve been doing quite a bit of reading/following of accounts on intuitive eating).

A Different Idea:

So, instead of the same old things, I decided to approach my list a bit differently this year. It still is a list of 24 but I divided it by 2. I’m just picking two areas of focus for each month of 2024. Does that mean it might be a bit vague and against all the advice and rules as such for goal setting? Yep. Do I care? Nope. If all that works for you, go for it! Doesn’t work for me so I’m doing something different. Is one right and the other wrong? I don’t think so. We all have to find what works best for us and I have a feeling this is going to work really well for me. Hopefully.

My 24 Areas of Focus for 2024*

January: Clearing and Cleaning

February: Love and Understanding

March: Health and Happiness

April: Growth and Travel Planning

May: Dreaming and Career Choices

June: Relaxing and Resting

July: Home Improvement and Organization

August: Friendship and Connection

September: Education and New Beginnings

October: Nature and Nurture

November: Gratitude (duh) and Grace

December: Joy and Peace

*Subject to change after January

More on January’s clearing and cleaning focus soon.

Thoughts Leading To My Word For The Year 2024

As often happens, my word just came to me. Actually, it’s been there all along in song I suppose.

A few weeks ago I watched Frozen again when it popped up on regular tv. I still stand by the opinion it’s really not that great of a movie (the second one is actually much better, I think).  One thing I can’t deny is the song “Let It Go” and have I had it stuck in my head ever since? Of course, even this morning, it was going through my head.

The truth is I’ve been struggling with my word choice because I wanted to take the year to focus on taking care of myself, resting (last year certainly had its stressful moments), having my turn, figuring out what was next. Then, I’d struggle because that all seemed so selfish, self-care briefly entered my mind as a word but again, it felt selfish. I am not allowed to be selfish, something that while I probably am just that, I’m also terrified of being that. Here, I’ll wait while you go what is she talking about or go grab some aspirin for the headache I’ve just given you with this paragraph.

What do those two paragraphs up there have to do with each other? They led me to my word of the year.

My word for 2024: Let.

This is the year I want to:

  • Let it go: the guilt, the negativity, the clutter, the things that are not bringing me peace
  • Let God: trust his timing, let him be the guide, give up the control a bit (this will be a struggle for me, I already know)
  • Let it be: this goes back a bit to a 23 list item of accepting that I am not responsible for the ill will and conflict of others
  • Let myself ask, speak, and feel: another struggle, however, this year, I’m letting myself ask for help when I need it, letting myself let my feelings be known (if it matters), and letting myself feel (I struggle with withdrawing and shutting down when emotions are heavy and if you’re wondering, that’s not always the best way of coping)
  • Let myself have permission: time to allow myself to do the things that bring me joy and that I need to do to take care of myself with less guilt (guilt-free is the ideal)

Let’s see where this little word with so much great power shall lead me.

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Did you choose a word for the year? Are you a list/goal setter for the new year? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

 

 

Happy Homemaker Monday, Happy New Year!

HappyHomemakerMonday 18 Comments

Can’t think of a better way to start 2024 on my blog than with a Happy Homemaker Monday post! And since I’ve not taken a single photo yet, I’m sprinkling in 12 photos from last year (one from each month, an idea I saw over on Daniela’s blog, Danahandmade). Also, I want to congratulate any of you who managed to blog for 365 days! Amazing.

jar of black-eyed peas grown in the garden, January 2023 (last year’s harvest was not so bountiful)

 

Okay, now onto my weekly planning post. Grateful that Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom decided to continue this wonderful link up in 2024. (Did I wish everyone a happy new year yet? Happy New Year!)

The Weather

Bluebird, January 2023

It’s pretty dreary out and chilly this morning. Temps in the high 20’s, feels like the low 20’s. Sun is supposed to come out later this afternoon with a very slight warm up. Hoping to get a short walk in when that happens. The rest of the week is normal for around here: highs in the upper 30’s/low 40’s. Chance of rain (maybe snow? Who knows) over the weekend.

Right Now I Am

Downstairs working on this post, wondering why it’s a bit chilly in our usually very warm basement.

Thinking And Pondering

March 2023

Still trying to decide on a word for this year. Usually a word has come to me by now but I’m still sorting through things: heart, happiness, that came up something 3 times on an auto-word generator as did explore (which I do like), joy, trust. So many words! Maybe I’ll do a separate post and get your input to help me choose.

How I Am Feeling

Loved my orange tulips, April 2023

TIRED. We went out last night, traditional New Year’s plans, played games with friends until midnight. Couldn’t sleep, my alarm went off unexpectedly at 6:00AM but it worked out as J also had plans an overnight party and decided to come home at 6:15AM but we had the door bolted. Oops. Glad I was up to let him in the house.

On The Breakfast Plate

J graduated high school in May! So happy he achieved this!

Photo has nothing to do with breakfast, huh? My first breakfast of 2024: coffee (of course!), vitamins (nothing new), donuts, and bacon. Donuts are supposed to be a lucky thing to eat on New Year’s Day so of course, I had to do that.

On The Lunch Plate

No idea why I took a picture of ketchup in June 2023

Absolutely no idea.

On The Dinner Plate

tomatoes growing, July 2023

 

Traditional New Year’s Dinner: spicy black-eyed peas, cornbread, salad (ham steaks for the picky ones who won’t touch the black-eyed peas)

On The Menu

bounty shared by neighbors, August 2023

I’m not completely finished menu planning and also toying with the idea of assigning everyone here a day to plan for 2024. Also, planning to do a bit of a pantry/freezer/fridge clear out in the next few weeks so…

MONDAY: black-eyed peas, cornbread, salad, ham

TUESDAY: copycat Chik-Fil-A sandwiches

WEDNESDAY: Pepper steak maybe?

THURSDAY: not sure

FRIDAY: not sure

What I Am Wearing

Turtle on the path at the nature center, September 2023

Like my turtle friend, I’m moving slow this morning. Still in my “pajamas” of an Eskimo Joe’s t-shirt, sun and moon pj pants, and slip on leopard print shoes.

On My Reading Pile

A favorite, I re-read (mostly) in October 2023

Working my way through Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. Not very far into yet. Garden catalogs, is it too soon?

On My TV This Week

November 2023

The Chiefs ended the year (and started the tv viewing week) on a good note winning the AFC West championship for the 8th year in a row (!) so I watched/listened to that. We’ll probably watch some more football at some point this week. Not really sure what else. TV Viewing Last Week: Based on a True Story, The Doctor Who Special, Oppenheimer, Mommy Dead and Dearest (documentary about Gypsy Rose), and re-watched the Barbie movie. Maybe more reading this week?

Looking Around The House

December 2023

Living room and bathrooms are clean. The rest? Yeah, needs a little (a lot) of work.

On My To Do List

If you’re keeping count this is the 13th category here. I did go for a walk on December 29 so I’ll share those pictures for the rest of this post.

  1. Decide on a word for the year
  2. Lots of blog posts rattling around in my brain to get “on paper”…er, the computer
  3. Finish putting away Christmas and washing putting away Christmas sweaters
  4. Usuals: laundry, bills, cleaning
  5. Start slowly cleaning/clearing our clutter

From The Camera

Few more from my walk last Friday. We’d had quite a bit of rain over Christmas so this was the path in places: 

Squirrel!!

Quote For The Week

You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream. (C.S. Lewis)

Thursday Tidbits

23listfor2023 Chitchat Wait2023 2 Comments

Well, we’re in that weird state between Christmas and New Year’s over here. Please, tell me how it’s already Thursday?

Only photo I took this week

Silly hibiscus bloomed inside earlier this week. Wish all my plants were so happy. Sadly, that is not the case.

Weather’s not been cooperative for getting out and going on much needed walks either. Did see the sun briefly today but the only walk I managed was to grab the recycle bin from the curb.

Taxing Times

Not so fun fact about our state. Property taxes are due by December 31. Merry Christmas! This year’s taxes were crazy high (thankfully, not out of hand for us but many others were not so fortunate, city is actually suing the county over the assessment practices that were apparently unlawful). As I paid today, I noticed they left one of our vehicles off the bill so we’ll owe more money. Husband went up to the local courthouse to try and fix things but the line was so long, they were full before his turn. Told him to come back tomorrow at 7AM (they open at 8) and said that the line today had gone all the way around the block. UGH. We can wait but then, we’ll have more penalties and all over someone else’s mistake. UGH.

Waiting For Word Inspiration

My word for 2023 was wait. And so I continue to wait for inspiration on a word for 2024. Wait worked well for the year mostly. Though as an impatient person in a few areas, I did struggle at times. I’ve spent the last few years waiting on stressful things/conflicts to resolve  (and I continue to wait on my stubborn self to accept that some things aren’t fixable nor are they mine to try and fix). The year of the pandemic and the following few have been stressful at times and this is the first year that felt like things were tilting back to a less hectic and worried pace.

Word candidates for 2024 that have popped into my mind the past few weeks: rest, slow, relax, reset, turn, green, nature, nurture…maybe breathe. Just saw recover on a random word generator. Hmmm… I’ll continue to ponder it through the weekend.

Not Much Love For A List of 23 Items

Um, I didn’t get very far with my 23 things for 2023 list. However, I don’t feel like I failed too much as I think I just had other priorities. And I’m okay with that, I can still do the things on the list as I move into 2024. Cleared a few bins from the basement, accomplished my tv and reading goals (always, ha!), and ordered the cases for the dvd storage. Also, I managed to talk to someone in Hobby Lobby about framing the photos and get a few questions answered. Thinking of taking a completely different approach to this list making stuff for next year.

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How’s your time between Christmas and the New Year going? Reflecting on any lists? Picked out a word for next year? Or are you just enjoying the quiet?

 

 

Happy Homemaker Tuesday, Pajama Day

HappyHomemakerMonday 6 Comments

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday! Today is my traditional pajama day. I stay in my pajamas all day while taking down the tree and watching the Doctor Who Christmas special. Before I start taking down my Christmas decorations, thought I’d pop on here to plan this slower week.

Joining in as always with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom. Very grateful she continues to give us the gift of hosting this link up and for the wonderful community of bloggers who join in with it.

The Weather

After a bizarrely warm week including a warm, rainy Christmas Eve, it’s 32 degrees/feels like 22 with snow flurries in the air! There’s a chance of a little snow (dusting to an inch) today. I’m happy to have a bit of winter weather finally. Summer person as I am, I was missing my winter weather as it helps add to my holiday mood. (That said: Christmas shopping with no coat is super nice!)

As I Look Outside My Window

I was so taken with the clouds this morning! Probably not to those of you who live near mountains but the clouds reminded me of mountains.

Right Now

I’m typing up this post, listening to the dryer, the cat’s snoozing on the daybed behind me and the boys are also still asleep upstairs. My husband is also home and watching a show on his tablet.

Thinking/Pondering

The beauty of older children, tag reads: To Mr. and Mrs. Claus 🙂

 

We had a really nice relaxing Christmas this year.  Thinking about the different looks of our Christmas over the past few years. Really liked the energy of Christmas this year, despite the entire year going by at breakneck speed, Christmas felt slower and less frenzied. Hoping to keep that feeling going into the new year (and beyond!).

How I Am Feeling

Still tired. I didn’t get my Christmas nap as I had to make pies to take to our Christmas dinner with my brother. (Excuse me a minute while I go jot something down in my Christmas notebook: Make pies the day/night before Christmas!)

On The Breakfast Plate

Cinnabon cinnamon roll, bacon, coffee plus the usual vitamins

On The Lunch Plate

No idea, maybe a ham sandwich on French toast bread (G made us French toast as part of Christmas breakfast yesterday)

On The Dinner Plate

Pork chops, baked potatoes, probably Christmas goodies for dessert/leftover apple pie (chocolate pie disappeared in minutes)

On The Menu This Week

Monday: Christmas! We had my brother in law over for Christmas breakfast (my SIL worked the Chiefs game). Biscuits and gravy (and sausage and biscuits for those of us that don’t like gravy), French toast, watermelon cut into Christmas tree shapes and strawberries, coffee, juice, and of course, Christmas cookies! No lunch and then, dinner at my brother’s house where he made homemade spaghetti sauce with both Italian sausages and meatballs, salad, and bread. I took dessert, apple and chocolate pies plus there were some cookie plates as well (not from me).

TUESDAY: pork chops, baked potatoes (this is mainly because the pork chops didn’t get put in the freezer on Sunday when I ran to the store early in the a.m. so I wouldn’t have to go today.)

WEDNESDAY: pepper steak, rice

THURSDAY: maple baked chicken thighs (This has been on the menu for something like 5 weeks and I’m determined to actually make these!)

FRIDAY: hotdogs and French fries

What I Am Wearing Today

Velvety pink and black leopard print pajamas, the pajama top is more like a hoodie, regular leopard print slip on shoes that don’t match (I’d be in slipper socks but need shoes for running up and down to the basement putting Christmas stuff away)

On My Reading Pile

I have 2 new library books loaded on my phone. One is Yellow Face by R.F. Kuang and I don’t remember the other one, I know it’s a thriller that I’ll probably read first. Over the last few days, not Christmas-y at all, I read The Whispers by Ashley Audrain. Didn’t do much for me and I found the ending frustrating though many reviewers on Goodreads seemed to love it.

On My TV

Well, there was that Grinchy part of tv viewing yesterday. Would someone please get the Chiefs an offensive line for Christmas? Ugh. Also watched Charlie Brown Christmas and had A Christmas Story on in background during Christmas morning. More football on at my brother’s house. Doctor Who later today. Not sure what else, not really watching any series at the moment.

Looking Around The House 

Post Christmas chaos and I wouldn’t want it any other way!

On My To Do List

Not too much thankfully.

  1. Put away Christmas tree (Nativity will stay out until the Epiphany)
  2. Pay bills
  3. Clean house, G is talking about maybe inviting some people over for New Year’s Eve so we’ll also need to clean the basement a bit in case anyone needs to stay the night
  4. Send a couple Christmas cards, late but still…
  5. Maybe go out to the nature center and go for a walk, fresh air sounds nice

From The Camera

Didn’t take many pictures over the holiday weekend (Excuse me again….off to make another note in my Christmas notebook!), not even with my phone.

We went to the KC Symphony on Friday.

Holiday screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas, symphony played all the music in the movie as it showed on the big screen. (Fun trivia fact I learned: Catherine O’Hara, the mom in Home Alone is also the voice of Sally!)

Beautiful Christmas Eve Sunrise (from the grocery store parking lot, ha!)

Waiting for Santa

Super cool and special gift from my brother who hosted Christmas dinner. A bird feeder he made from an old redwood post that he had kept from our late parents home.

Quote For The Week

I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future.

(Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol)

 

 

Quick Hello

Chitchat 2 Comments

Hello, hope everyone is enjoying their holiday season! I’ve been busy over here with musical concerts, graduations, fun get-togethers with family and friends, and trying to squeeze in all the other have-to’s along the way.

I’ve worked a lot more this week than I planned. (If you would please pray for the families of two of my co-workers that are cousins, as one’s brother passed away unexpectedly last Friday)

However, Christmas break is officially here after work today, just a short 1-4 day for me.

Our holiday weekend plans include:

  • The symphony tonight (I cannot wait, super excited for this!)
  • A baking day with J tomorrow (our annual making of chocolate covered pretzels plus we’re trying out a pizza snack mix
  • I’ll probably get up early tomorrow for some last-minute shopping (or I’ll do it Christmas Eve morning)
  • The Christmas Eve candlelight service on Sunday night (J’s brass ensemble band plays some of the music!)
  • Christmas morning with just our family to open gifts (unknown if my bil/sil plan to come for breakfast, need to find out)
  • Christmas dinner at my brother’s house (he’s making spaghetti and I’m in charge of dessert, Thanksgiving repeat with chocolate and apple, I’ll probably take a few cookies as well)

Not sure I’ll be on here again until after the holiday so I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas full of love and happiness!

 

 

Happy Homemaker Tuesday

HappyHomemakerMonday 4 Comments

Back to normal around here with posting a day late after a fairly busy weekend plus working last Friday and yesterday. Friday was just a typical workday though I had very little notice about getting there and it was a bit of a crazy day.

The beautiful sky on my birthday!
These pansies just keep blooming!

Saturday was my birthday! It was a nice day. We didn’t do too much as everyone was a little tired (and grumpy!) at times but enjoyed eating dinner out at a local Chinese buffet plus I finally got a pink donut for breakfast. 

I’d been craving one forever, no idea why. My family spoiled me properly with gifts plus an ice cream cake (and key lime pie).

Sunday, most of us (G needed to sleep) went to hear J play with his band during the church service. And then, in the afternoon, J and I went to a handbell concert at a different church. Finally, yesterday I worked all day in my favorite classroom enjoying the kids very much although this time of year is a bit crazy in the preschool realm.

And now, it’s suddenly Tuesday and time to join in (a bit late) with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom to plan the rest of this week.

The Weather

I sneak out for a walk on Saturday and another view of the gorgeous sky!

Imagine you’re hopping on a pogo stick (and not falling off like I’d probably do). Now, you have a sense of the weather around here. Yesterday was in the high 50’s. Today it’s barely supposed to hit 45. Then, warm again. SIGH. Makes the cooler days feel that much colder but I’m not complaining about those warm days when I have running around to do. Raise your hand if you’re also a “just going to leave my coat in the car” person?

Right Now I Am

I’ve just returned from dropping J off to take his history final at college and started working on this post. Phone is down here beside me so I won’t miss his text when he finishes though I’ve no idea how long it’s going to be.

Thinking And Pondering

Quite a bit. Always. Trying to focus on the holidays and put my word of the year from ’23 into action (WAIT) by waiting until after Christmas to worry about New Year’s stuff. However, I did cave and look at one of those word find things…you know the first 3 or 4 words you see will be your 2024. I saw: connection, breakthrough, purpose, and love. So, no pressure there. Geez.  Also, closer to the present, G’s graduation, the little celebration we’re doing for him on Saturday. The holidays. My work. Said in my Charlie Brown voice: ALL OF THE THINGS!

Full disclosure: full view of my hanging basket, covered in leaves after my husband cleans the gutters

How I Am Feeling

Not too bad. Lots of sickness going around at school so I’ve been doubling down on black elderberry syrup in addition to my typical vitamins. And prioritizing my sleep though I didn’t really mean to go to bed at 8:30 last night (Oops!).

On The Breakfast Plate

Coffee, a cherry yogurt (not the flip kind), and a piece of fresh baked banana bread. Plus vitamins and 10 ml of black elderberry syrup.

On The Lunch Plate

I’m not sure but maybe a turkey and cheese melt or some sort of soup

On The Dinner Plate

Either chicken and noodles or ham steaks. Still trying to decide.

On The Menu This Week

My ice cream cake birthday cake, it’s Christmas but I didn’t care.

Working yesterday threw off my grocery store routine along with my menu making.

MONDAY: Rotisserie chicken for J and my husband. G and I had these chicken strip dinners the grocery store deli had on special. They were okay. *I worked 7:30-4:00*

TUESDAY: Either chicken and noodles/mashed potatoes or ham steaks/apples

WEDNESDAY: ham steaks/apples if I don’t make them today.

THURSDAY: Pork chops of some sort. NOT cornbread crusted. Those were a bit of a fail.

FRIDAY: OUT *G’s college graduation*

What I Am Wearing

Gray sweatshirt, jeggings, new very warm wool-blend socks (a birthday gift from G), and tennis shoes. (Yesterday was Grinch day at school and I wore a red Grinch t-shirt with a green sweater 🙂 )

On My Reading Pile

I just finished Being Henry: The Fonz…and Beyond by Henry Winkler. It was a very insightful look into how even as a celebrity a person can feel unworthy. Now, I need a good Christmas romance type book to read. Turns out I’m not a fan of Jenny Colgan. I couldn’t get past the first 3 pages of the first library book. Too much description. UGH, not my kind of writing. Did I possibly mix up Jenny Colgan with Julie Caplin? No comment. And of course, none of those books are at my local library. Might splurge and treat myself to The Little Cafe in Copenhagen since it’s not on kindle unlimited either.

On My TV

A certain football team which we shall not discuss further. Coal in a few players stockings maybe? UGH. Blue Beetle, really good movie! Forgot to cancel Apple plus (let’s be honest, I didn’t have 500 hours to figure it out either) so I watched the Hannah Waddingham Christmas special. I enjoyed it so much. Had no idea she was a singer as well as an actress. Saturday afternoon, G and I watched the latest Doctor Who special. Neil Patrick Harris was phenomenal as a creepy villain. And after work yesterday, I slept through watched a few episodes of Sugar Rush on Netflix.

Looking Around The House

Well…there’s mess. And then, there’s Christmas decorations. Followed by more mess. SIGH. On today’s agenda: more Christmas less mess. We’ll see.

On My To Do List

Just a few things. Ahem. Random order

  1. Grocery store (I probably should go again as I went last night with no plan and not even sure…)
  2. Wrap presents
  3. Finish Christmas shopping
  4. Clean the house
  5. Figure out the cookies/cocoa/etc for G’s family graduation party
  6. Figure out something to wear to G’s graduation
  7. Pay bills
  8. Figure out what we still need to do for Christmas gifts
  9. Go a few places/get a few things
  10. Everything else I’m forgetting

 

Christmas Tips, DIY, Ideas, or Recipes

I made half a batch of this Spicy Sinterklaas cookie recipe last week, leaving out the almonds and candied fruit. We really liked them and I’ll probably make more before Christmas. They aren’t very sweet and bonus, don’t take eggs!  J had the idea that it would be fun to do an Advent cookie calendar. So I’ve been kind of rolling with it and trying to either make or put out a different kind of cookie each day leading up to Christmas. (Note: I usually make one tray and freeze the rest of the dough, planning some to have on Saturday for the graduation celebration and some for cookie plates for friends/family). Never too late for a new tradition!

From The Camera

I took a walk last week and another one on my birthday so just a few photos from that to share here.

Quote For The Week

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before.Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store.Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”  (From How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Doctor Seuss)

Happy Homemaker Monday, December Is Dashing

HappyHomemakerMonday 8 Comments

Maybe more through rain than snow around here now but where did my weekend go? Or for that matter, my Monday morning?

We did have a nice (although a bit busy at times) first weekend of December. J’s concert on Friday night was a lot of fun. Then, a slower Saturday until our game night with friends. Yesterday, I don’t know…every time I looked up it was later in the day. And of course, I did listen to it on the radio and then, watch the second half of the Chiefs game. Ugh. It did at least give me a bit of joy to know how happy it probably made Carrie to see her Packers win. Going to put all the headings in green today to honor her team.

Let’s just move on with the week. Maybe I can get something posted and planned before noon…joining in as always with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.

The Weather

It started out properly miserable looking, cloudy, gray, and foggy. However, by the time I left the grocery store, blue skies and sunshine! I guess we’re in for one of those weeks with weather all over the place. High 40’s today and tomorrow, followed by 50’s and is that a 60 I see for Thursday? Then, rain moves in for the weekend and we go back down the 40’s.

Right Now

I just got back from the store. Put my too few groceries for what I paid away. And sat down to get started on this post.

Thinking And Pondering

The Happy Holidays song by Andy Williams is stuck in my head but before we can think completely of Christmas over here, we have a college graduation to celebrate! And before that, my birthday is this Saturday. What are we going to do for all this? I’d wanted to go see the eagles at a nature area north of town, however, the weather doesn’t look great. So, who knows what we’ll do. My main present is like J’s, the symphony tickets. Debating a “cookies, cocoa, and congratulations” family party for G next Saturday but need his input. He graduates the 15th but in a concert arena in downtown proper that we already know will make it difficult for older family members to attend. And also, today is national cookie day I guess. So, who’s baking cookies? I might figure out a time to make a few.

How I Am Feeling

Okay, a little overwhelmed, slightly tired, but I don’t feel bad.

Bluejay

On The Breakfast Plate

Well, um, coffee. And one piece of fudge from the fridge. Looks like it’s going to be big lunch day maybe.

On The Lunch Plate

Vitamins, maybe some type of hot sandwich? Not sure.

On The Dinner Plate

Spaghetti and meatballs, salad, and garlic toast

On The Menu

J helped me work out our menu this morning by looking through my latest batch of library cookbooks.

MONDAY: Spaghetti, meatballs, salad, and garlic toast

TUESDAY: Apple butter ribs in the crockpot, corn, and cornbread (from a slow cooker recipe book)

WEDNESDAY: Cornbread crusted pork chops, potatoes (from Tricia Yearwood’s cookbook)

THURSDAY: burritos

FRIDAY: maple baked chicken thighs, sweet potatoes (carry over meal)

SATURDAY: OUT for my birthday. Not sure where yet.

What I Am Wearing

Sweatshirt, jeans, socks and tennis shoes

On My Reading Pile

Read The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins over the weekend. It’s The Hunger Games prequel, I really enjoyed it but it was a bit different than the other books in the series with a more philosophical side. Noticed the reviews were a bit mixed, I think perhaps because of that. Still want to see the movie though. So much better than Holly by Stephen King, finished it as well and I must say it’s the first time I’ve ever been completely disappointed in one of his novels. The underlying story was good but his Covid references were just too many, I don’t care about the viewpoint as much as the clunkiness with which he dropped them into the story. Not subtle enough for me.

Finally, on a happier reading note, I’m still slowly working my way through my re-read of Christmas Island by Natalie Normann. And have a stack of Jenny Colgan Christmas books from the library to read.

On My TV

I did watch Candy Cane Lane, the new Christmas movie with Eddie Murphy over on Amazon. It was okay, not really great, a bit too long I think. And the new Doctor Who special which I enjoyed. Finally, some football…ah, those Chiefs…perhaps it’s not going to be their year. SIGH.

Looking Around The House

It’s starting to look a lot like Christmas! I set my Nativity sets out on Saturday and my husband put my lighted greenery up on Sunday. Still a few things to do. Oh, and this guy made an appearance a bit early this year:

On My To Do List

mallard duck

A lot of the usual stuff…plus Christmas things:

  1. Grocery store *DONE*
  2. Bake Christmas cookies
  3. Laundry
  4. Finish putting out the last of the Christmas decor
  5. Go for walk and enjoy sunshine
  6. Christmas shopping/make lists see who/what and all that
  7. Breathe
  8. Christmas cards
  9. Water plants
  10. Eat a candy cane and read my Christmas books or watch a movie

From The Camera

A few phone photos

Waiting for the concert and the band…
After the concert, everyone took candles to go outside for the “lighting of the quad” and sing some Christmas carols

Christmas Tips, DIYs, or Ideas

I’m drawing a bit of a blank today. In a do what I say, not what I do kind of advice giving here: it’s very helpful to buy 1-2 stocking stuffers and/or Christmas presents each month of the year. I started well this year and then, stopped. SIGH. Hopefully, I do better at this next year.

 

Quote For The Week

 

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