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A Bit of Green on Thankful Thursday

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Thought I’d share a bit of green from around the house in today’s Thankful Thursday post. I really do need to get back into the swing of picking up my camera! I can tell I’m out of practice.

bit of green

That said, I’m extremely thankful I do have a “fancy” camera to pick up and use. Some day, maybe, I’ll learn how to use it properly. For now, I’ve decided to just stick to auto for a bit.

I’m thankful that somewhere along the line I went from having a completely brown thumb with plants to more a yellowish green hue. Don’t look to me to save your houseplants but the ones in my possession might just have a chance.

That said, I’m also grateful to see our local grocery store carrying shamrock plants as mine suffered the fate of someone (me) without the completely green thumb. (I think, it’s outdoors, we’ll see if any green springs forth from the pot once it fully warms to spring and summer.) Plan to pick up a replacement, hoping they go on sale though they aren’t overly expensive (hooray for that!).

Indoor Stuff

I’m thankful for knowing how to cook (mostly) and more than enough food in the pantry, fridge, and freezer.

The privilege of being overwhelmed with too many “to-do’s” when so many simply struggle to survive.

Candles, books, coffee, and tea. It’ll be green chai tea later today, of course, for St. Patrick’s Day. Also, a Shamrock shake.

Thankful for minor family traditions like J and I always getting a Shamrock shake from McDonald’s on or around this date. One thing I’ve noticed lately is that the simpler traditions seem to be the more memorable ones.

And finally, I’m grateful for tiny chunks of time home alone this week. As well as time spent with friends. So glad I decided to go ahead and go to Bunco on Tuesday night. A much needed mental break! And a haircut, same style but also a good lift for the spirits. (And now that gas is a bit more, I’m also thankful she moved to a salon that’s just the tiniest few blocks closer to the highway than the old one)

Outdoor Stuff

Though it might snow later tonight, I am so grateful to see sun and a bit of warmth on this Thursday instead of snow and cold! Hello, little purple-blue flowers. My harbingers of spring for sure. Though I fought them for many years, I’m now grateful for their presence knowing once they take over the yard, warm weather is sure to follow. And take over the yard they do.

Speaking of spring flowers, I’m happy to see my alliums poking through the ground and growing. Just last week, I searched for tiny signs and found only one pushing up through the dirt. This morning, I have this:

And grateful to see more tiny purple signs of spring and summer every time I walk around the yard. Found these peeking out from the daffodil foliage.

Yes, I still need to rake the leftover fall leaves. I’m thankful my leg no longer hurts from a pulled muscle so I can get out there and take care of things later today. It’s amazingly wonderful to simply be able to put on pants with no pain (no pain, definitely not a minor thing to appreciate)

A Few More Items 

A husband who can not only change a lightbulb but change out a whole light fixture in less than an hour

We had the ugliest fluorescent light fixture in the kitchen and when I mentioned replacing it on Sunday, it was done before dinner. This is an LED light. Not sure what any of it means except it gives out more light and looks so much better. Sometimes I take for granted how handy my husband is at this type of thing.

Messages of faith when I need them the most

Friends who follow up and check in when you ignore messages

Music

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What things are you thankful for today?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Homemaker Again on Tuesday

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Yesterday just wasn’t great. A lot of issues with J just left me a bit too emotionally drained to even put together a coherent post. Thankfully, this morning was better.

So, here I am again on a Tuesday. Better late than never? And it’s my Spring break at work! We’re actually celebrating 3 spring breaks in a row around here. Unfortunately, not much overlap. My break is this week. J’s is next week (though they also get Friday), and then G has the following week. My poor husband doesn’t get one.

Late to the party but still linking up with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.

The Weather

Spring’s trying! Sunny days most of the week with highs near 60. Chilly start today as it’s currently 43 degrees but supposed to warm up quickly after lunch. Slight chance of rain on Thursday, still much needed as we’re in drought conditions. Okay with it as long as the wintry mix they hinted at on the news skips out on us.

As I Look Outside My Window

I see sunshine, a bunch of front porch plants and a yard in need of tending. Hoping to get out there later today.

Right Now

Working on this post in efforts to put off chores  (cleaning, paying bills, etc.)

Thinking and Pondering

Too much to share. Here I’ll share the lighter things on my mind:  I’d like to use my spring break to do some much needed spring cleaning and refreshing around here. Easter is also on my mind a bit. The garden areas of the front porch and yard.

Homemaking Tips

I’ve been adding a few drops of lemon and lavender oils to the washer when washing the bedding. Makes them smell so good!

How I Am Feeling

Tired. Trying to push through some depressing and defeatist thinking.

On The Breakfast Plate

I’ve switched over from yogurt to oatmeal each morning. I haven’t compared it officially to my flip yogurts but I noticed I feel a bit better with the oatmeal breakfast. Also, apple cider vinegar tablets, vitamins, water (as well as coffee!)

On My Reading Pile

I’ve slowed down on my reading a bit. Still working on The Fix (Amos Decker #3) by David Baldacci. Also, need to decide if I want to renew or return The Minimalist Home: A Room by Room Guide by Joshua Becker. (All my library books are a couple days overdue!)

On My TV

Sigh, no more Joe Millionaire. Read where one of the couples is already no more. It was a fun show though. And now, I’m more excited than I should be to see The Masked Singer is back. As are The Flash and DC Legends of Tomorrow, both of which I just watch on the CW app. Finally, I caved and started watching Outlander on Netflix after Carrie from Northwoods Scrapbook suggested it. Two episodes in and I wasn’t sure but another friend encouraged me to stick with it a bit longer. Now, I’m on season 3. Honestly, I still have mixed feelings as it’s not my usual type of show (Time travel stuff? Yes. Period drama? Not so much) but I do love the scenery and music of it!

On The Menu

Not overly exciting this week.

MONDAY: We had tacos and I baked a (store bought) apple pie for pi day

TUESDAY: Chicken and spinach skillet, rice

WEDNESDAY: OUT probably Subway *J has a school band concert*

THURSDAY: Irish Bacon and Cabbage Soup, homemade brown bread, Lucky Charms bars *St Patrick’s Day*

FRIDAY: Freezer Frenzy (Need to clean out some already cooked items in the freezer)

From The Camera

Still sorely lacking in this department. With the exception of the dove photo further below, all the pictures from this morning just for this post.

Looking Around The House

There’s a reason I want to spend my week spring cleaning, the entire house needs it!

To Do List

  • pay bills
  • Spring cleaning (might make a post with an outline of the tasks to keep me on track)
  • E-mail J’s teachers (I’m skipping parent-teacher conferences this week as I didn’t think I could hold it together 7 times in a row with everything that’s been going on (some of them already know the anxiety info anyway), e-mail felt safer)
  • Write/send a letter
  • Yard work and enjoy the beautiful spring weather

On My Prayer List

The people of Ukraine, an end to the horrific war (I made the mistake of watching the world news one night and could not contain the tears as they told the stories of the millions of refugees, so many of them children!), family, friends, strangers. A kinder, peaceful, and healed world.

Quote For The Week

I need to end this post on a lighter note with thoughts back on spring flowers and green yards. I get a “Daily Moment of Happiness” e-mail from Gretchen Rubin and she shared this quote in it last Tuesday. It just spoke to me:

I shall never have the garden I have in my mind, but that for me is the joy of it; certain things can never be realized and so all the more reason to attempt them. (Jamaica Kincaid) 

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On Thursdays, It Snows

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It seems as if on Thursdays, it snows. And I put out my Thankful Thursday post.

Thankful for the much needed moisture to the ground. However, I’ll be doubly thankful when I can say: On Thursdays, it rains.

Not that I haven’t been thankful but the week from last Thursday to this one feels like such a blur making it hard to remember things. I’m sure I’ll leave some things out but I still want to share the good things I do remember.

Perhaps, I’ll start with today and go backward.

Definitely, thankful to have all my family home and safe on this snowy Thursday. And for a home to keep us sheltered from this round of cold, wet weather.

Glad to have easy access to clean, fresh water for laundry, cooking, dish washing, drinking, and watering my too many plants.

Thankful to share this post with whoever is out there reading it as well as the photos. Especially since the computer photo app was not working this morning and I spent a couple hours fixing it. (Go me! Thought for sure I’d have to call technical support aka one of the teenagers but I managed to get it going again.)

Coupons, Gift Cards, and Savings

Happy that I went ahead and splurged on these 3 tiny bud vases in the Target dollar spot (Bullseye playground, I still call the dollar spot though I guess it should be the dollar(s) spot. Thankful for the little coupon which helped me make up my mind. The vases came in handy for the daffodil buds I had to pluck prior to the cold snap moving through.

And I’m thankful for this lavender plant filling our living room with a lovely summery scent. I used a Home Depot gift card from Christmas to “rescue” it from the outdoor garden area (Too soon! I really hope they moved the rest of them indoors last night).

Finally, going back to Monday, I’m so very thankful for the grocery store gas discounts. Since Chiefs season is over, they’ve been using the Sunday temperatures. Forty-four cents off a gallon at least helped a little to offset the current super high prices.

Going Places

Haven’t gone too many places but I am thankful for a reliable car to get me there.

  • Out to eat and a game night with friends
  • Spotting a great horned owl on the way to J’s lesson
  • A bit of alone time in Target and Home Depot
  • Mom’s night out and fun catch up during Happy Hour last night

At Home Again

I started the post by giving thanks for a home to shelter us from the storm. However, I think I can count that one twice when so many lack that in this area and across the world.

  • The security of monotony, being able to watch tv shows and read books while resting a sore leg
  • A stocked, pantry, fridge, and freezer for meals
  • The amusement of watching Chelsey, the little gray cat, demand time and attention
  • The joy of watching the birds at the feeders
  • The luxury of a pajama day (probably why I’m having trouble focusing on this task)

What things are you thankful for today?

 

 

 

 

Happy Homemaker Monday, Snowy Start

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So last night we had rain, hail, thunder & lightening, all followed by a tiny bit of snow. Oh, and now it’s cold again. Thankfully, not bitter cold. Just average winter cold but I’m ready for those warmer days to stick around for good. I’m ready for sitting on a sunny front porch surrounded by blooming flowers.

However, for now, I’ll sit inside and continue to dream of those days while joining in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom for another Happy Homemaker Monday. (And look two in a row for me posting on an actual Monday!)

The Weather

Already mentioned it a bit to start my post. Cold. Snow on the ground (though not much and the roads were fine when I went grocery shopping). It’s supposed to get back into the upper 40’s/low 50’s tomorrow and Wednesday before we get another chance of more snowfall on Thursday into Friday. While I don’t necessarily want the snow, we do actually need something wet (I’d prefer rain) to soak into our ground around here.

As I Look Outside My Window 

This is a cheater picture as it’s from early Sunday morning (prior to our weird weather) but I was so excited to see a goldfinch at my feeder! Today I’ve seen mainly cardinals, snowbirds, and sparrows. And of course the Carolina wren pictured above (though not at the feeders).

Right Now I Am

Freezing! And wondering why as it’s usually a bit warmer in the basement from a heater we have down here. I’m about to go check and see if the pilot light on it might be out or if it’s just cold here by the window. (Heat is going strong, must be cold because I’m by the outside wall/window)

Thinking And Pondering

Wondering about J, we had a full diagnosis type appointment at the therapist office on Friday (so many surveys and questions and I still have one that came via e-mail to complete). Hoping, however, it gives us answers so he can feel better. Of course, everything always takes so much time. Pondering that. 4-6 weeks for answers. Not their fault, we’re in line…lots of people needing help these days. And of course, hoping the answers are simple and not scary. I don’t expect them to be scary but all of this is a new experience and while I can kind of guess the answers, I’m waiting for the experts. Also, thinking I probably should be reading something other than a nonfiction book that’s an account of several sons in a family suffering mental illness.

Homemaking Tips

I got nothing.

How I Am Feeling Today

Well, in one of those only I could manage it moments, I pulled my inner thigh muscle (or maybe a ligament) while kicking the recliner part of our loveseat last week. The chair gets stuck when reclined and I *possibly* kicked too hard in trying to get it to go back. I spent all of Saturday (bummer, too as it was a nice day) resting and elevating my leg. Felt better but now I’ve walked on it a bit too much and it hurts again. Stairs are not very fun, going down isn’t bad but the trip back up them is a bit brutal. Otherwise, I feel okay.

On The Breakfast Plate

Boring as always, oatmeal, coffee, water, and vitamins

On My Reading Pile

Usually, I don’t do this but I have 3 books in rotation. Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolker. The one about mental illness, I’m not very far into it as it just popped up yesterday but it is interesting, one of my skip the line library loans. The Fix by David Baldacci, the 3rd and final installment in the Amos Decker series. It’s not really holding my attention well but I plan to finish it at some point. Finally, since the Baldacci book wasn’t holding my attention on Friday, I started reading Both/And by Huma Abedin. I thought it was just a memoir when I started it but I guess she was one of Hillary Clinton’s aides. The part about her background was very interesting, I’ve just hit the part where she’s starting her career in politics, hoping it doesn’t get overwhelmingly political as I read on.

On My TV

So since I sat and rested my leg on Saturday, I did watch a bit o’ TV. The Dropout on Hulu is very good. Then annoyed as season 1 was only 3 episodes, I switched over and watched The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley on HBO Max, also very good. (And if you’ve not read the book Bad Blood by John Carreyrou, start with that. I read it last year or maybe in 2019). Staying in a documentary mood, I also watched on HBO Max, Gaming Wall Street about the GameStop stock controversy. Definitely worth your time. And then just for fun, I started playing catch up with D.C. Legends of Tomorrow. This week will be more of that along with the finale of Joe Millionaire on Thursday!

On The Menu

Struggling with my menu planning today.

MONDAY: Might be an OYO kind of night. Leftover roast, leftover taco meat, etc. *J has a baritone lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY: Pork chops, baked potatoes, salad

WEDNESDAY: Pepper chicken? (Like pepper steak but I’m making it with chicken)

THURSDAY: Spaghetti or Korean meatballs, undecided

FRIDAY: Possibly BBQ shrimp (we have a seasoning packet) or maybe something else *J has an appointment at 3*

Sat/Sun: Chili?/Homemade pizza

From The Camera

The Carolina Wren singing its song

Looking Around The House

The last holdouts of my flowers from a couple weeks back

I did clean off the kitchen table this morning (really cleared it completely). That’s about all I accomplished.

On My To Do List

  1. This Post (almost done)
  2. Clean off kitchen table DONE
  3. Grocery store DONE
  4. A bit of laundry
  5. Start cantaloupe and honeydew seeds DONE
  6. Finish survey from therapist office

On My Prayer List

Friend who just lost her brother, and now her uncle. The people of Ukraine. An end to the ridiculous war over there/peace in the world. Family, friends, strangers.

Quote For The Week

I smiled when I read this in the current issue of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. It’s so very true in this area.

 

Hello, Sunshine!

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I’m so thankful on this Thursday to be able to say hello, sunshine! It’s something I miss during the dark winter days.

I really do think perhaps that I am solar powered. Nothing feels better and more energizing to me than bright sunlight soaking into me.

Hello, sunshine!

Are you solar powered also?  Nothing wrong with a cloudy, rainy (or snowy) day and I appreciate those as well. I just don’t love them as much as I love the ones filled with bright sunshine and warm breezes.

And on this bright sunshine filled day, it’s time for another Thankful Thursday posting.

Hello, sunshine!

I’m definitely thankful for grocery store flowers continuing to bloom into their second week now! Nicely filling in the gap for me with the contradiction in the temperatures of spring and summer while outside remains in the browns of winter.

I’m so thankful my little tomato seedlings are growing. Very much looking forward to the day I can plant them outside (of course, I know that’s closer to May but still exciting!) Hello, sunshine!

If you’re thinking I seem to be on a bit of an outdoor theme with my thankfulness today, you’d be right. I’ll end with a couple of indoor pictures for you. Hello, sunshine!

Glad to have switched out (and used up!) my February candle. Time for the house to smell like Sunshine and Daffodils! Very thankful for the clean, refreshing scent of this candle. And also, thankful that most my daffodils (there were a few too close to blooming) seem to have made it through last week’s deep chill temperatures.  A few last thankful sentiments before I return to my dreams of spring plantings and blooms. Hello, sunshine!

Grateful for my family, friends, and my job (nothing soothes the soul like preschool children).

Bonus Items:

Always think of a few things right as I’m about to finish these posts! Not a bad problem to have.

  • Car washes! Want to know something funny about me? Automatic car washes freak me out so I only wash the car by hand in the stalls. And I gave the car a much needed wash on Tuesday!
  • Books and silly tv shows.
  • Sleeping well last night

What things are you thankful for on this Thursday?

 

Happy Homemaker Monday, Goodbye February!

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Well, it’s Monday night but I’m still back to posting on a Monday (finally)! The first two months of the year feel so foggy and distant already but I’m so glad for a brand, new fresh month tomorrow! 

Since it is late on Monday, I’m just going to get straight to the categories. Joining in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom as always.

The Weather

Beautiful! The end of last week was cold and snowy. However, the snow is almost all melted and our week is full of high 50’s and 60’s sometimes upper 60’s even. Think a slight chance of rain for the weekend. March is coming in like a lamb for sure.

How I’m Feeling

Okay. Really wasn’t the best Monday as it was a rough day for anxiety with J. However, we’ll just try again tomorrow. New month, fresh start. 

On The Breakfast Plate

Strawberry blueberry instant oatmeal. Glad it was the last packet! I thought it was packets of two flavors when I bought it but no, they were combined. Not my favorite. Coffee, water, vitamins.

On My Reading Pile

Still reading away, too much to escape. Read another Kristin Harmel over the weekend, The Forest of Vanishing Stars. Very good historical fiction work about the Jewish people hiding in the forests during WWII. Invisible Girl by Lisa Jewell was creepy good as was Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware (both kept me guessing to the end). And for a little lightness, Spring Blooms at the Hummingbird Hotel by Daisy James didn’t disappoint.

On My TV

We watched The King’s Man one day last week (not my pick), it was long but okay.  And I watched Free Guy by myself on Friday. I enjoyed it a lot! Planned to watch Defiance as the Kristin Harmel book afterward mentioned it but all these streaming services and is it on any of the ones we have? No. No, it is not. Grumble. I’ll of course, also watch Joe Millionaire on Thursday.

(Not on my TV but we did go to an actual movie theater (!!) to finally see Spiderman: No Way Home. Enjoyed that. We were also the only ones in that movie.)

On The Menu

Pretty basic week here. Gordon Ramsay’s quick and delicious menu item was a dud so I gave another chicken recipe a try tonight. It was okay. Everyone else seemed to enjoy the carrot side dish but I personally, did not. Cooked carrots aren’t my thing.

MONDAY: Bacon wrapped chicken, carrots in a sweet sauce (honey, chicken stock, butter)

TUESDAY: Pancakes

WEDNESDAY:  ?? Maybe out *I work 8:30-6*

THURSDAY: Roast in the crock pot *I work 3-6*

FRIDAY: Shrimp/Fish/Asparagus/Garlic Toast *J has appointment at 9*

From The Camera

I’ve been pretty lazy with the camera especially about changing out the zoom and regular lens. The zoom is on their often when I need the regular. Last week was also a little dreary with the weather near the weekend.

Looking Around The House

Lots I needed to do today just didn’t get done. Maybe it’ll look better tomorrow.

On My To Do List

  1. Go to store (DONE)
  2. This post (In progress)
  3. Finish up laundry
  4. Take care of a couple e-mails
  5. Check Spring Break dates on calendar
  6. Everything else I’m forgetting

Quote For The Week

I go to nature to be soothed, healed and have my senses put in order. (John Burroughs)

Another Snowy Thursday

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Would it be wrong to start my thankful Thursday post this week by saying I’m thankful spring is almost here and winter almost over?

I mean I’m realistic as I know our frost-free day is a long way off and we have had snow in May. However, warm spring breezes are coming. We had a few (too early) of those last week teasing us into thinking about spring plantings. Thankfully, I at least have my seed catalogs to curl up with on this snowy day.

A Few Thankful Things From Last Week/Weekend

I was thankful to get J outside to enjoy the snow with me for a bit. He probably would never admit it (teenagers) but I think he had fun. He even made me a free form snow penguin after I was telling him about seeing an ad for a mold for one.

That snow (and the cute little penguin) are long gone and I was okay with that since a wonderful almost 70 degree day replaced it. The outside time did come with a price (a bribe of Wendy’s for dinner) and I was grateful that they got our order right! We have two picky eaters in this family and sometimes fast food drive thru windows are a bit challenging.

Can’t recall the exact day but G and I had a bit of a spat right at dinner time. Normally, I probably could’ve shrugged it off but with all the extra stress from J’s situation I took it pretty hard. Let’s just say I was angry. Angry enough to leave the house and go for a drive. Like mother like son? I returned to find G also had gone for a drive. He came home and apologized to me. So, while it wasn’t an ideal evening, I am very thankful to have a son who is capable of admitting his mistakes and apologizing for them.

This Week So Far

Mentioned in yesterday’s post about my bargain flowers. Very excited and happy to have some bright flowers to brighten up this dull, snowy day. And that I bought two bouquets. One for the kitchen and a smaller one for the bedroom.

I think I’d have fresh flowers in every room if I had the time and budget for it. Maybe one day I’ll finally achieve enough of a cut flower garden at home to do that.  I just love fresh flowers, don’t you?

On a different note, I am thankful for the new drinking glasses I found at Target. Plastic but logo free! We have glass glasses but the boys were always grabbing the plastic logo ones. I like that these look nice but are ultimately unbreakable (and dishwasher safe!)

A Bit More in the Kitchen

Yesterday’s dinner was a bust. Neither quick nor delicious, Gordon Ramsay! I’ll take the blame for overcooking the chicken but turns out none of us are likely to book a trip to Morocco any time soon. The flavor profile was not for us. Couscous wasn’t awful but not good enough to round out our meal. And I forgot that poor G doesn’t like lemon in food unless maybe it’s a dessert.

All that to say I was thankful we had other options for dinner last night. Bowl of cereal for me (Even after spending so long making the dish, lots of chopping of veggies, I couldn’t do it), pretzels from QT for my husband and J. G went out with his friends later. At least now we know, we don’t like that flavor profile (I should have thought it out as I tasted the spice while fixing dinner and kind of thought it yucky but wanted to try it cooked.).

Rounding Out The Final Few Thankful Items for This Week

Thankful a friend let me know about receiving a digital order we’d both placed prior to Christmas (a download of a band concert) so I contacted the gentleman and figured out the problem, getting our order as well. It was supposed to take 4-6 weeks so we hadn’t thought much of it until recently.

Happy J was in a rare good mood last night.

And after a rather roller coaster week of emotions, I’m thankful to settle down, block it all out, and watch my guilty pleasure reality tv show, Joe Millionaire, later tonight.

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What’s on your thankful list this week?

 

 

A Long and Rambling Post

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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?

 

 

 

Happy Homemaker Two’s Day (Late, Again)

HappyHomemakerMonday 8 Comments

I promise to get back to posting these on Mondays. Soon. I had good intentions yesterday but then, it was a holiday. And the grocery store was offering an incredible discount on gas that I couldn’t miss (Temperature on Sunday was 57 degrees so that’s how many cents off a gallon with that amount of purchase!). Plus, the weather. Oh, the beautiful, glorious and now, frustrating weather.

More about the weather coming up shortly. As always, joining in with Sandra over at Diary Of At A Stay At Home Mom. I’m so grateful she doesn’t close her link up on Monday nights and gives us slackers a chance to join in the fun as well.

The Weather

 

Were we talking about the weather? Oh, yes. So, we’ve had a serious snow storm (7.5 inches!) last Thursday, followed by 57 degrees on Sunday, almost 70 degrees (yes, you read that right) yesterday.

And today, it’s in the low 20’s with freezing rain and temperatures falling. Back to the low 40’s for the later half of our week. And creeping back to the 60’s (maybe) again next week. Chance of something again this Thursday. Honestly, I’m ready for a new ride. Let’s try the one labeled spring. I know, get in line, huh?

How I Am Feeling This Morning

See rant about weather. I have spring fever. And I didn’t sleep great so I’m tired. However, I’m motivated to get some procrastinated items off the to-do list today.

On The Breakfast Plate

A switch! I’ve been on an oatmeal kick and actually so has my husband. Much better than his usual breakfast of toaster strudels or bacon and Eggo waffles.  I don’t like that he’s eating all my instant oatmeal packets. Good thing I bought more at the store yesterday. Also, coffee. Just realized I forgot to take my vitamins. Better do that.

On My Reading Pile

Still going through quite a few books. (Just a reminder note: I read very fast and probably procrastinated quite a few tasks while reading these books) The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah was very good and pretty emotional, I think I preferred The Four Winds, however. I do now know that Alaska is definitely not on my places I’d like to live list. The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware was a good, twisty murder (maybe?) mystery that kept me guessing. And Mercy by David Baldacci brought the Atlee Pine series to a satisfying close. It’s the first set of his books I’d ever read and see he has written quite a few. I’d give more of his books a chance.

That said of all the books I’ve read over the past week (into this one, remember I had 2 snow days in there!), the one I’d suggest over all the others is The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel. WWII historical fiction isn’t usually my thing but this one sucked me in from the very first page. I noticed from the Goodreads reviews, it’s a love it or hate it kind of story but I loved it. About a Jewish woman who flees with her mother to rural France and ends up forging documents to help children escape to Switzerland. Her mother disapproves of the work (completed at a local Catholic church) and her budding relationships with the other members of the resistance. I could not put this one down at all!

Now, out of necessity, I’ve moved on to a lighter subject and am reading Spring Blooms at the Hummingbird Hotel by Daisy James. And a nice, practical non-fiction book The Minimalist Home: A Room by Room Guide to a Decluttered, Focused Life by Joshua Becker.

On My TV

Not much really. Next Level Chef when I remember. Joe Millionaire, guilty pleasure TV. Forgot to watch Around the World in 80 Days on Sunday so I need to catch up on that some time today. Tried watching some random show last night, The Endgame. Seemed ok. Reminded me of a female version of The Blacklist. 

On The Menu

We cooked a turkey on Friday! Trying to make freezer space plus now we have cooked turkey to use in meals.

 

I was tired of looking on-line/at Pinterest so picked up some new cookbooks at the library attempting to get out my cooking rut. Tried a couple new recipes from them last week. The fusion (not called that but I think it was that) Italian/Chinese stir fry from Lydia’s A Pot, a Pan, and a Bowl cookbook wasn’t a hit. However, the porkchops from Gordon Ramsay’s Quick and Delicious were a “can make again” winner. Unfortunately, I saw nothing in the Jamie Oliver cookbook that I thought would work around here so I need to give it back. (Library is a great place to try out cookbooks before you buy one).

MONDAY: Pepper steak, rice *J had a baritone lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY: Spaghetti, maybe minestrone. Depends on my mood later.

WEDNESDAY: Moroccan chicken (another Gordon Ramsay recipe)

THURSDAY: Spicy Potato Soup (Grateful that Schotzy mentioned this recipe a while back. I’ve made it many times since then)

FRIDAY: Turkey tacos using leftover turkey (in freezer), yellow rice

SATURDAY/SUNDAY: homemade pizza, hot dogs/French fries

From The Camera

Back yard on Saturday afternoon:

South side of the house at the same time:

Yes, my daffodils have sprouted and have buds. No idea what to do about it. Going with the information that said they’d be okay as long as they haven’t flowered. If not, I guess I’ll learn for next year.

Looking Around The House

It could stand some spring cleaning. Or regular cleaning. It’s not awful though.

On My To Do List

  1. Pay bills
  2. Measure freezer shelves
  3. Go to Target for bins to organize freezer (Note: This was my husband’s idea/suggestion. I’m not passing it by when my husband suggests I go to Target!)
  4. Fold laundry/do a bit more laundry
  5. Clear out one tub in basement

Quote For The Week

Always maintain a kind of summer even in the middle of winter. (Henry David Thoreau)

Or maybe even a kind of spring?

**********

Am I the only one with spring fever?

Birds Before the Storm

Birdwatching 2 Comments

We had a winter storm last Thursday. A real snowfall, our area had 7-8 inches of snow! It’s all out there melting away today with south winds and a predicted high of 57 degrees. It was just about that warm if not a bit warmer last Wednesday as well.

I took advantage and went for a walk with my camera. It’d been a while since I’d walked around the lake at the park I usually just cut through on my way to work.

(Adding a note here that I’m having issues with a slow computer and a bit frustrated so these are just a quick sampling of the photos I could actually get to upload to my blog)

Robin beside the path

People around the park don’t bother these birds much.

The lake is always full of Canada geese and various ducks. The only ducks I can confidently name are the Mallards.

Mallard Ducks

Female Mallard Duck

If you want to see geese as well as the Mallard ducks posing with a turtle, click back one post.

Blue Birds

The highlight of my walk around the lake was a little pair of bluebirds. The male didn’t stick around for very long but I enjoyed watching the female bluebird for quite a while. Took quite a few photos but of course, slow computer…so here are just two.

Closer to home: Hawks!

Before I left, I did spot the hawks in the backyard once again. I think I saw the little hawks twice last week. 

And of course, at home, the usual collection of sparrows, cardinals, chickadees, woodpeckers, and squirrels continue to raid the birdfeeders. Along with a flock of brown-headed cowbirds that does not thrill me. We also have a collection of robins hanging out as well. What birds did you spot last week?

Joining in with the Bird Depot hosted by Anni over at I’d Rather B Birdin‘. (Think I forgot to link up last week!)

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