Even though I didn’t accomplish much on my 22 for 2022 list, I’m forging ahead and making a new list for 2023. By the way, if you’re wondering, I got the idea from Gretchen Rubin. Her website has lots of great ideas.

(Also, if you like to write things down pen/paper style, the resource tab has a printout for your list)

Without further preamble, my list of 23 for 2023, in no particular order:

Clean our basement a tub at a time (I’ve already told my husband of the plan)
Participate in every Happy Homemaker Monday for 2023
Read 92 books
Create a cozy, inviting home filled only with things I love (though I’ll probably have to allow my husband/kids to keep their things as well)
Get my ears pierced (again, I had them done a long while ago but haven’t had them in years)
Get tubs to store the Christmas books
Unsubscribe from at least 3 junk newsletters every time I clean my email
Throw away any broken or worn out items!
Re-watch the David Tennant episodes of Doctor Who, old school style…just one episode a week
Rediscover the lighter, fun-loving open to (almost) anything adventurous side of my personality
Celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary in August with either a trip or a party
Join in for the Blog365 challenge and post every single day in 2022 (in progress already!)
Buy 2 Christmas presents for the boys each month (and one stocking stuffer for myself)
Be better about reaching out to friends/family members. Make an effort to call/text someone once a week.
Put space between the holidays to make each one feel more special (example: don’t eat Valentine’s Day candy/treats until it’s actually Valentine’s Day)
Make individual binders for our bank statements
Frame the photos from when J was in the all-district bands
Leave a review for things I purchase (I’m so bad about doing this and yet, I always read them before I buy things)
Figure out a way to either subscribe or keep all the blogs I enjoy reading in one place (Bloglovin’ isn’t really working for me anymore)
Take at least 2 people photos at each holiday/special occasion
Get storage containers for our DVD collection, sort, and store them
Accept that a some family situations aren’t likely to change and realize I’ve done enough.
Invite people to our home (family, friends, etc…been too long since I’ve done this)

As you can see, my list is all over the place from super vague to very specific. I feel better about a lot of the things on this list than I did on my list last year. So with that glowing New Year’s hope, I’m going to say I have great chance of success. What things would you put on a list of 23 for 2023?

Sweaters

January 4, 2023

jehdld

Just a short post today. Another busy work day. Yesterday was cold! Not crazy cold but windy and cold. Regular winter weather I suppose.

Today’s predicted weather (putting this one together on Tuesday night)

On Tuesday: it was cloudy, windy, and cold all day today but really the temperature was in the 40’s after a high in the upper 50’s at midnight. For Wednesday: Predicted high of 46 and mostly cloudy all day once again.

Sweaters

I like a good sweater in cold weather.

And I got curious about why they’re called sweaters. Lazy google research says: they were worn by rowers and intended to “produce sweating and reduce weight” More info here (source)

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Day 4/365

Eleven Words

January 3, 2023

jehdld

Blog365 6 Comments

I’ve been picking a word of the year for 11 years now (counting 2023). Just for fun, I took a look back at my word choices:

Way back in 2012, my word was No. It was a time of lots of PTA volunteering, I think. And I was done.

I suppose it makes sense that the following year, I chose present for my word.

Then, there were a few years of less than memorable word choices. The words were nice but I didn’t do too much or think too much on them. Some years are like that and it’s okay.

Here’s a brief list of words for the years 2014-2016.

2014:Action

2015:Chapter

2016:Celebrate

The year of 2017 was a doozy with me choosing a whole phrase for the year:

Rediscover, Revive, and Renew

Yeah, no pressure with that choice. Can you see me rolling my eyes behind the computer here?

Just a Few More

I think my favorite of all my words of the year, occured in 2018. The word Embrace just worked wonders for me. And if I recall, 2018 was actually a pretty good year.

Did you know you can change your word of the year if it’s not working for you? My words, my rules. Ha. I did change my word in 2019. Started with the word Time. Oh, the pressure of that word. I felt it almost immediately. My second attempt worked so much better and I saw things so much clearer from a perspective of Gratitude.

While 2020 wasn’t in any way humorous, the word of the year I picked ended up being one of those situational comedy kind of choices. Why not pick the word Home and then have a worldwide pandemic that forces you to be there. SIGH.

Less in 2021 seemed like a good idea at the time. By the way, I guess the family does kind of notice things after all. “Oh, look the Christmas presents under the tree look like it used to be” spoken by G on Christmas Eve after I had hardly anything under there in 2021 because of my word of the year. And less was fine but it’s not me.

And then for the past year of 2022, my word was Heal. Started out okay but honestly, I kind of fizzled out on it. Lots going on in the household. However, I do think from a mental space, I did find myself dealing with and having a few points of clarification. Let’s see how vague I can be, huh? Anyway, it wasn’t the greatest word but it wasn’t terrible either.

My 2023 Word Deserves Another Post

I’ve found a wonderful word for 2023 but I want it to be another post. After all with 363 days of posting to go, I think I have the space.

A few words I considered for this year: Space, Wait, Air, Relish, Anticipate, Breathe, Timing.

Yet none of those quite captured what I wanted for this year. There’s a hint about my word in this post.

Do you pick a word for the year? Or have a guess what my word of the year is going to be?

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Day 3 of 365

First Happy Homemaker Monday of 2023

January 2, 2023

jehdld

Blog365 HappyHomemakerMonday 15 Comments

I know it’s silly but does it make anyone else happy that the new year started on a Sunday? The first four Saturdays of January make for perfect multiples of seven: 7, 14, 21, 28. Then, of course, it stops since there are 31 days in January.

Time to join in for the very first Happy Homemaker Monday of 2023. I was waiting to see if Sandra might’ve changed the categories for the new year but I need to go ahead and get my post up now. If they’ve changed, I’ll just change them next week. UPDATE: She did add a few new ones but like I said, I’ll catch up on that next week.

The Weather

Yesterday was beautiful, sunny *almost* no coat weather. Today, however, is foggy and chilly. Rain predicted for later this afternoon. Looking forward to the free carwash! Should’ve seen the lines with the nice weather over the weekend. Right now, it’s 42 degrees with a predicted high of 57 later today. Then, we start sliding back down into the reality of winter temperatures. After tomorrow, highs are in the 30’s for the rest of the week. More chances of rain (high of 38) again on Saturday.

As I Look Outside My Window

I don’t see too much, pretty foggy right now. Have an electric candle in the window and a vanilla candle burning on top of the bookcase. Semi-cozy around the mess I suppose.

Right Now

Waiting for the washing machine to finish as I work on this post. It’s laundry day!

Thinking And Pondering

About My word for the year and what to add to my list of 23 things I’d like to do in 2023. What the new year will bring.

How I Am Feeling This Morning

I work the rest of this week, J returns to school tomorrow (praying it goes well) so basically some standard Sunday night anxiety tripled into Monday day anxiety. SIGH. Otherwise, not too bad.

Listening To

Washer and dryer down here. If I were upstairs, I’d hear the background of the local morning news my husband is watching.

On The Breakfast Plate

Lower sugar maple brown sugar instant oatmeal and a cookie (balance, right?), vitamins, coffee

On The Lunch Plate

Probably leftover black-eyed peas and cornbread

On The Dinner Plate

I am not sure…need to ponder it as I work on this post

What I Am Wearing Today

long-sleeved black t-shirt, greenish color jeggings, tennis shoes

On My Reading Pile

Need to start a new book on my phone! Probably the first chapters of the Marie Kondo book, Kurashi at Home: How to Organize Your Space and another book I picked up at the library about being outdoors. Can’t recall the exact title but it’s about the concept of Friluftsliz, the Norwegian word for outdoor love. Something like that.

On My TV

Probably not much with my work schedule this week. Planning to watch one episode a week of the David Tennant Doctor Who episodes.

Over Christmas break, I finished watching Litvinenko on AMC+, it was interesting. And also White Lotus, can’t quite decide how I felt about that show. First season was better than the second. It was on HBOmax. And I watched a couple Netflix movies, Slumberland (really enjoyed it!) and Troll (fun, think it was supposed to be scary but was a bit silly).

And of course, yesterday, how about them…Chiefs! Actually, they were aggravating me. At one point after they got the lead, my husband turned to me and asked if I knew they were winning. We’re very spoiled by such a good team. And though it is a bit painful, most of KC has to say Go Bengals! (Just for tonight)

On The Menu

And here we are at the category, I wanted to avoid. As usual, I really do need to go to the store but let’s see what I can manage from the fridge/freezer first.

MONDAY: Roast in the crockpot *J has baritone lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY: Chicken strips *I work 8-4:30*

WEDNESDAY: Pork chops, baked potatoes *I work 8-4:30*

THURSDAY: Pepper steak *I work 8-4:30*

FRIDAY: Turkey of some sort, sweet potatoes *I work 8-4:30*

Looking Around The House

Still a few touches of Christmas amid the mess. Trying to decide if I want to go ahead and take them down today or wait until after the Epiphany.

On My To Do List

So much. Why did I wait until the last minute for everything??

Grocery store
Target for household supplies: shampoo, cleaning, etc
Laundry
Find books/plan for school tomorrow
Pay a few bills/at least get them organized
Put away all Christmas sweaters/clothing until next year
Clean out cat box *SO overdue on this, oops
Hope it’s not cheating if I write and schedule a few blog posts for the blog365 challenge
Clear off kitchen table/either throw away or freeze Christmas goodies
Clean out email inbox. Say it with me: There will always be another sale.
Spend 23 minutes outside for another challenge I’m doing

From The Camera

Took advantage of the great weather after the game yesterday to go for a walk on a local trail. Excited to finally make it this bridge. (It’s a 5 mile loop trail and I usually don’t have time for the loop, still didn’t but got to the bridge at least)

What I’m Creating

I have a candle project I’d like to do but likely won’t have time to look at it until Saturday

Quote For The Week

May my heart be kind, my mind fierce, and my spirit brave. (Kate Forsyth)

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Day 2 of 365

Happy New Year!

January 1, 2023

jehdld

Blog365 15 Comments

Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a wonderful and safe evening saying goodbye to 2022 and welcoming in 2023.

Instead of jumping right into my word of the year or my list of 23 for 23 (both in progress), today, I’m simply sharing a few random things making me happy on our sunny start this brand new year.

A New Calendar, look at all those days just waiting to be filled!

Black-eyed peas, grown in my own garden, soaking for today.

Yes, I’ll be supplementing with a can from the store. I use this Paula Deen recipe each year.

The birdsong coming from this Evergreen tree

A Kansas City Chiefs Game to Start our New Year!

(I’ll let you know tomorrow if that continued to make me happy to start 2023, ha!)

This basket, the base for a completely unexpected surprise gift from a friend

I just love it. And how I wish some of you with the always cozy, inviting homes lived close enough to come help me decide what to put in it and where it would go in my home.

My holiday cactus about to bloom

Champagne cake

I get the same one from a local grocery store each New Year’s Eve. There is something about the sparkly pink frosting! And also,I love the taste of the cake hiding beneath it. Only on New Years.

(There’s a hint in the above picture as to my 2023 word of the year. Got any guesses? Stay tuned)

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Just a few small things bringing me small, simple pleasures today.

Blog 365: Day 1 of 365

And now, I need to take a moment to share that I’ve decided to join in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom for her Blog 365 challenge. A blog post every single day of 2023! Sometimes the post might be a full one but other times it might simply be a picture.

Reflecting on 2022

December 30, 2022

jehdld

22for2022 Heal2022 No Comments

Isn’t this the time for the great reflection on the previous year and all that? Mostly, I’ve been reflecting on why I’ve eaten so many Christmas cookies instead of an actual meal. Maybe I should go ahead and think on my list and word from 2022 for a moment.

Well, this wasn’t a year for great success with words and lists on this end.

Let’s start with my overly ambitious list of 22 items for 2022. I don’t know I have 2 days left, what can I squeeze in and finish? Ha.

My List With Progress Updates

~~Join in for every Happy Homemaker Monday~~ Did pretty good here, think I missed a few
~~Read 82 books~~ I read 128 books! Probably when I should have been doing other stuff
Follow the Fly Lady Plan (Adapting the days to work for my schedule) Maybe next year
~~Learn to use the laptop computer (my son gave me his old one in the summer and I’ve ignored it)~~ I tried but we decided the laptop wasn’t fixable after all.
Host Easter brunch I really hope to get back to some form of this next year!
~~Celebrate Rudolph Day each month with a bit of Christmas planning~~ Managed a few but didn’t do all of them, okay I think I did two. Still two isn’t zero.
Share gratitude each week with a Thankful Thursday post Made a decent attempt, found it easier to think thoughts of gratitude each day than force myself to write a weekly post
Drink a minimum of 3 glasses of water a day HA HA ha, miss…next year maybe?
~~Go on a vacation~~ My husband and I went to Arkansas for a weekend with friends
~~Take at least 3 “people” pictures for each major holiday/occasion~~ I did okay with this
Make a photo book of 2021 and then delete all the pictures off the computer (or put them on a flash drive) Still have time, maybe, but probably not going to happen this year
Frame J’s all-district band photos (the one from 2019 and the one from 2021 when we get it) Next year SIGH
~~Use it up and/or throw it out before buying new (with things like wrapping paper for example)~~ I did pretty good with this one to the point I had to have my husband buy me new wrapping paper to finish up wrapping Christmas gifts and my candle closet is almost empty!
Add in an evening skin care routine Didn’t happen though I bought new moisturizer
Try one new restaurant each month as a family Nope, not even close
Go through one bin in the basement each week (to clear out and declutter) 2023 Goal for sure!
Fix wedding ring SIGH, no. I should’ve made this a Christmas request.
Organize Pinterest boards by actually trying pins and deleting ones that are no longer relevant Nope, didn’t happen
Start doing yoga again Refer to number 18’s answer
Make a better effort to reach out and connect with friends and family I’ll give myself a C-/D+, definitely room to improve on this one
Create a master list of family birthdays Ha, no. Still want to do it though
Take the coffee cup advice and enjoy myself (I use this coffee cup a lot of work days as a reminder to myself to just enjoy the time with the preschool kids) I did okay at this, think I did better than usual through the holiday season.

Heal, My Word of the Year from 2022

Well, not my best endeavor for a word of the year. Not my worst either.

I outlined what I wanted to achieve with my word in this post.

While I didn’t really achieve the planned results, same size with the same dry skin, taking time to put myself first a bit more often did help my mental health. Quite a bit. I can’t remember the last time when at this time of the year, I wasn’t in an awful mood.

Barely a whisper to myself: Have I actually avoided my usual post-holiday funk? If so, that is a HUGE win.

Do I feel better at the end of 2022 than I did at the end of 2021/beginning of 2022? Absolutely.

What is that catch-phrase of the Flylady whose system I didn’t manage to follow? Oh yeah, progress not perfection. Works for me.

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Did you do a word/list for 2022? How did you do with your plans?

And are you doing the same in 2023?

A Bit of Cabin Fever and Clearing Out Stuff

December 28, 2022

jehdld

Winter Wednesday 6 Comments

Just realized it’s Wednesday. Not much winter stuff to report today. I let G take my car to work so I’m having a bit of an at-home day.

Today’s Winter Weather

Still having cocoa with homemade whipped cream even if it is kind of warm outside

Not so wintry anymore. It’s windy out as I can hear it (nothing like the crazy gusts from “the storm”) but it’s also 52 and sunny. Snow is melting fast.

Cabin Fever and the Cat

I think the cat has cabin fever after all the super cold days. She meows loudly at anyone who will listen but doesn’t know what she wants. Outside? Nope. Love? Nope. Food? Nope.

At least it’s warm enough for her to go outside today and tomorrow but I have a feeling she’s missing her sleeping bench. It’s not going to be dry anytime soon.

And like a little kid, she’s been misbehaving a bit as well. Why play with your brand new Christmas toys when there’s mischief to be found?

She’s getting on the kitchen counters. We can hear her…she’s not a sneaky as she thinks. Chewing on the plants. UGH, something she never did in the past. And are the plants good for her? Of course not! She did get some cat grass for Christmas so I guess I better get on potting the seeds and setting them in the window. Need to water plants anyway.

I’m feeling a bit restless myself, want to go outside but it’s gone from billions below zero to probably mud. Still plan to grab my boots and go when G gets home, I think. It will be good for me.

Clearing Out Stuff

I’ve started clearing out stuff as I take down Christmas and put things back. It’s kind of nice as i’ve been doing it slowly. Usually, my husband starts helping and it stresses me. I don’t like to feel rushed. This year (maybe he’s finally figured it out?) I’ve been going at my own pace and just doing bits each day. And I’m making an Advent tub so that next year I can unpack it first. All the Advent items and things I like to put out in first in one place. What a concept!

Winter is a good time to take stock of the things I truly love or do not. One of my goals/list items for 2023 is to have things I only truly love in this home. I’m hoping this book gives me a bit of inspiration.

A nice thing about winter is the temptation to go outside and do something else is not as great as in the other seasons. I’m slightly less distracted, by outdoor things anyway.

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Have you started packing away your holiday stuff yet? Are you like me and like to go slow with it or more like my husband who just wants it done and done now?

Happy Homemaker Monday, After Christmas Tuesday

December 27, 2022

jehdld

HappyHomemakerMonday 6 Comments

I took yesterday completely off. Other than taking down a few Christmas items, I stayed in my pajamas and pretty much watched Doctor Who all day. It was a nice break but I’m ready to be a little more productive this morning.

Already have done a few things. Including paying our taxes. Ugh, what genius in this state thought it would be a good idea for all the taxes to be due in December? Grumble. Grumble. Grateful we had the funds to pay them however as I’m sure many probably don’t at this point.

Even though I’m on Christmas break, I’m still joining in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom to keep somewhat on track with my week. Straight to the categories, shall we?