Sunday Inspiration: We Must Decide

Thankful Thursday: November 14, 2024

I Am Thankful For:

The ability to be flexible with my time

Kind hospital staff

A late night drive home

Beautiful autumn days

An evening cup of tea

My daughter's surgery went well

Helping out with the grandkids

My grandbaby and dog playing ball

My daughter home from the hospital

Simple dinners

A day at home

A pot of chili on a rainy day

A quiet evening 

A nice lunch out

Coats for doggies

Cool fall temperatures

Lazy mornings

Used book stores

Sunday Inspiration: Now Is The Time

 

Thankful Thursday: November 7, 2024

 

I Am Thankful For:

Another year

Birthday cards

Take-out from my favorite chicken place 

Birthday gifts

Funny coffee mugs

A pretty new honey dispenser 

Time with family

Birthday cake

Homemade soups

The ability to be flexible with my time

My daughter is going to be ok

My sweet grandsons

Family

Focusing on what I am able to control

Can You Believe It's November?

We know these last two months are going to zoom by.  They always do.  That's just how it goes.  So, before that happens - let's take a moment to appreciate November. 

As it has for more than 50 years now - November started off with all the joy and fun that is my birthday. Nothing grand was done to celebrate this year.  At my request, the Man of the House brought home take-out from Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack for dinner. On Saturday, the kids and grandkids were here for dinner and cake. I received some lovely presents and cards.  It was a nice weekend and I appreciated every minute of it.

The Man and I will also be celebrating 32 years of marriage this month. That's right... 32 years!!  We've planned a little getaway to the coast later this month to celebrate the occasion.

Of course, here in the US - November means Thanksgiving and I'm already beginning to plan for our feast.  I find it's easier to start picking up things here and there rather than trying to remember it all in one big shopping trip. Especially with all the other busyness of the month. 

Usually on Black Friday, the Female Offspring and I get together and go out to start our Christmas shopping.  We enjoy spending the day together and the fun of searching for some bargains. 

My Goals for November:

• Do knee exercises every day 
• Have Christmas cards ready to mail by December 1st
• Decorate for Christmas

What are your plans for November?

Sunday Inspiration: In The Morning

Thankful Thursday: October 31, 2024

I Am Thankful For:

Getting some rest

White cheddar popcorn

Realizing something you have been looking forward to is getting close

Having dinner dropped off

Lazy Sunday

Starting to feel a little bit like myself

Texting with my cousin

First trip out of the house since surgery

A good post-op checkup

Plans made

Stopping for breakfast

Early voting

Conversations with neighbors 

Little Pumpkin hats

Goodbye, October

What. A. Month!

October was filled with challenges.  Looking back, it feels like a blur. It seems as if there is so much to say and so little to say all at the same time. 

The month began with our area starting the recovery from the destruction of Hurricane Helene and the floods that brought to western North Carolina.  Those first couple of weeks - every day just blended in to the next. 

We finally had our power restored on Day Twelve.  There were cheers heard throughout our neighborhood  that evening as everyones lights came on. Because we are on a well, once our power was restored - we also had water restored.  After almost two weeks without, you have a new gratitude for being able to flush a toilet with the push of a lever, flip on a light switch, and take a warm shower. 

Our internet came back for about two days mid- month before going back out again.  Optimum hasn't been very good about communicating any sort of updates or information and at this point no one seems to have any idea when service will be restored. 

That weekend, the kids and grandkids came for a dinner and to celebrate the Man of the House's birthday. There was white chili, corn muffins, and banana pudding. Best of all - it was an afternoon just enjoying having our family together. 

The Man of the House and our son had planned to go to Charleston for a fishing trip this month.  With everything going on after the storm they considered canceling, but since they had elected not to get the insurance, they would be unable to get a return of the money paid for the rental. So, instead of just the two of them going - I brought the dogs and we tagged along.  We even had our daughter and the grandsons come along.  It turned into a nice weekend of just getting away from all the stress and chaos we had been dealing with. 

On the 18th, I had my knee surgery.  The Man of the House drove me to the surgery center early that morning, before the sun came up. I was extremely nervous before the procedure, but it all went well. I was surprised by the amount of nausea I had after coming out of the amnesia, and the pain was much more than I expected.  My recovery isn't going as quickly as I would hope. But let's be honest - it was unreasonable to expect I would be completely back to normal in less than two weeks. 

I had my follow-up appointment on Monday and things are healing well. The stitches are out. Continuing pain/discomfort is normal, but should continue to improve little by little.  I was given some exercises to do for strengthening the knee. 

The Man of the House has been my absolute rock star through the entire situation. He nursed me through the nausea and pain of that first afternoon. In the following days, he took over my share of the house work, all of the cooking, grocery shopping, caring for the dogs, and helping me as needed. All while continuing to carry all of his usual responsibility, including those of overseeing the company's return to normal production after the hurricane temporarily shut it down. I couldn't have done this without his care and support. 

And that was the month in a nutshell.  How was your October? 

Sunday Inspiration: For What it’s Worth

Thankful Thursday: October 24, 2024

 

I Am Thankful For:

Surgery went well

Being back home

Pain medication

My amazing husband

Sunny Autumn days

My dad dropping off lunch

The first post-surgery shower

A visit from my daughter and grandsons

Cute Halloween earrings

Pumpkin scented candles

Days spent resting

Gummy bears

Pumpkin Spice tea

Sunday Inspiration: Healing

 

Thankful Thursday: October 17, 2024

I Am Thankful For:

Sunsets

Small returns to normalcy

Birthday celebrations

My husband

Spending time with my grown kids

When my little grandson wants me to hold him

Chili and corn muffins

Crocheting

Wifi

That our electricity was restored before the cold temperatures moved in

Sweater weather

There are still compassionate people in the world

Sparkly nail polish

Libraries and the people that work there

Can't catch my breath, tears in my eyes laughter

Sunday Inspiration: Survival

Thankful Thursday: October 10, 2024

 

I Am Thankful For:

A generator

A cup of hot tea

Time with my grandbabies

A long, hot shower

My husband's birthday

The power coming back on

Being able to wash dishes 

Flushing the toilet at the push of a button

Having the means to restock the fridge

A home cooked meal

Washing a load of clothes

Cleaning up the house

Sunday Inspiration: How Strong You Are

Thankful Thursday: September 3, 2024

 

I Am Thankful For:

Getting prepared

Books and yarn

A heads up from a friend

My husband home safe before the storm starts

My home is undamaged

People helping each other

Finally getting some texts through

My family is all safe

Cooking on the grill

Catching up with neighbors

Getting a shower

A cup of coffee

Acquiring some groceries

A hot cup of tea

A warm meal

Getting gasoline for the cars and generator

A glimmer of hope

Good Riddance, September

 I'm not even sure where to start with trying to reecap the month of September.  This was meant to be my month to Prepare.  And for a while I was making pretty good progress.

I was getting my house in order to prepare for my knee surgery in October. Getting things cleaned and organized. Decorating for Autumn. Things weren't moving along quite as quickly as I hoped, but I was happy with the progress I was making.

Then we got to the last week of September...

On the afternoon of September 25th, it began raining.   Over the next twenty-four hours, the area of North Carolina where I live received record rainfall.  Some areas were flooding.  It was a bit of a mess. But that wasn't the big problem.
The big problem was that Hurricane Helene was about to make landfall in Florida and head our way.  It's path was just west of us, putting us on the east side if the storm where the heaviest rainfall occurs.  Rain we didn't need on top of what had just fallen.

It rained throughout the day of the 26th. And in the early morning hours of Friday, September 27th, Helene unleashed her fury on our mountains.  It was worse than we could have imagined.

In our immediate neighborhood, trees and power lines are down.  We have no power, no water, and no internet service. Part of our road has washed away, but is fortunately still passable. Cell phone service is extremely spotty and virtually nonexistent at my house. I'm posting this while sitting in a parking lot where I was able to find a signal.

As crazy as things are for us right now, we are considering ourselves fortunate.   Our home isn't flooded and doesn't have a tree through the roof. We have been in touch with family to determine that everyone is OK. We've been able to cook some on the grill and a propane burner. We have been able to get out and get some more bottled water and some groceries. 

So many others in the area are suffering much more than we are right now. Homes have washed away or been destroyed by landlides and falling trees. Lives have been lost.  I don't think is possible to overstate how much this area is hurting.

Thankful Thursday: September 26, 2024

 

I Am Thankful For:

My dog had a good check-up

Pumpkin loaf

Lipstick

Crossing several things off my to-do list

Homemade soup

Being able to laugh at myself

A new stove

Texting with my daughter

Apple pie

Leaves falling outside my window

Football and snacks

A slow cooker full of chili

Starting over

Freshly painted nails

Sunday Inspiration: Autumn

Thankful Thursday: September 19, 2024

 

I Am Thankful For:

Knowing what to expect next

Appointment scheduled sooner than expected

A glass of wine

Talks with my sister

Goodies from my cousin in Canada

A short visit with my grandson

Going out to dinner with my husband and son

Baking a cake

Rainy days

Autumn decor

Time to read

Productive days

Prepare

September is typically a quiet month for me.  I know, I already mentioned that in my "Hello, September" post.  I also talked about how I plan to use this month to take care of some things before the last three always-busy months of the year begin. 

That's why I have chosen PREPARE as my word for September.

I will be preparing my Etsy for a reopening.  I'm hoping to have it ready to by the first week in October. I'm creating a new logo, a new heading for the shop, Facebook and the shop blog. I'm taking new product photos.  And all the other little details that need to be taken care of before I can declare it to be back in business.

I'm preparing the house for the fall holidays.  This mostly involves packing away all the little summer touches that have been on display for the past 4 months and putting out all my pumpkins and other fall decor.  The fall accents will be around until the end of November/beginning of December when we decorate for Christmas.

I'm trying to prepare meal ideas for football Sundays.  My usual go-to meals of chili or Gumbo are going to be making less frequent appearances thanks to my GERD. I'm looking for some easy meals that are comforting, but less irritating to my delicate system. Even better if they can go in the slow cooker. (Any ideas?)  

I also want to prepare myself for the last quarter of 2024.  I'm hoping to have some definitive answers about what needs done for my knee and prepare for that to take place before the end of the year. 

What are you doing to prepare for the rest of 2024?

 

Sunday Inspiration: Value

 

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Thankful Thursday: September 12, 2024

 

I Am Thankful For:

Ice cream

Pumpkin Spice coffee

A beautiful fall-like day

Getting my yearly vaccines

Football Sunday

White chili

Root beer floats

Appointment scheduled

Cute videos of grandson

Candy corn

The peace of not engaging

Finding a new (to me) podcast to listen to 

Sunday Inspiration: What are you living?

Thankful Thursday: September 5, 2024

 

I Am Thankful For:

Air conditioning

My little dog playing while wearing the cone

Apple pancakes with vanilla ice cream

Werthers Maple Creams

Afternoon thunderstorms

Hanging out with my husband

Afternoon nap

Homegrown tomatoes

A quiet day

My husband making a smoothie for me

Steaks cooked on the grill

My dog's eye is better

Learning skills for the future

Hello, September

It's here!!  September has finally arrived!  Fair warning - I am breaking out ALL the Autumn-ness.  Yes, I know it's technically still summer until later this month.  But I have been stifling the urge for all things pumpkin for the past couple of weeks. So, now that it's September, I am letting it run wild. 

September is always a quiet month for us.  We don't have any immediate family birthdays this month.  And no major holidays.  It's the quiet before the storm.  A shirt break before the months that are jam packed with our birthdays, anniversary, and the holidays begin.

With that in mind, I plan to use this month to Prepare for the upcoming months.  That's why I have chosen Prepare as my word for September.  It's time to take care of some things before life potential gets crazy during the last three months of the year. 

The only books on my Reading list for September are "Tangled Hearts" by Sara McClaflin and "Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone" by Benjamin Stevenson.  I am taking part in the virtual book tour for "Tangled Hearts". "Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone" is our book club selection for September.  After that, I'm going to do a little mood reading and open whatever my little book heart desires.  

My big project for September is getting my Etsy shop ready to reopen next month. I'm switching up my business model just a little. And hoping I can avoid the stress and anxiety it was causing me when I shut things down a year ago

My Goals for September:

• Decorate the house for Autumn
• Prepare Etsy shop for reopening in October 

What are your plans for September?

Sunday Inspiration: September

August Ends

Is anyone else feeling like August was just a complete blur?  I honestly feel as if this month was about two weeks long!

My father's birthday was earlier this month.  We celebrated with a lunch at his favorite fish place.  Last year, we found his biological mother's family just a few months before and I gave him a framed photo of her for his birthday.   This year, I was able to give him a framed photo of his biological father.  

I had the MRI on my knee in mid-August.  The results weren't exactly what I was expecting.  There was no tear to the meniscus.   But that didn't mean I was out of the woods.  I have some seriously messed up cartilage in there as well as a couple of cysts. And a few "loose bodies" (probably pieces of cartilage.) I am probably looking at arthroscopic surgery to remove the "trash" in my knee and see if any repairs are possible to the cartilage. Waiting on the orthopedic surgeon office to call and schedule my consult.  

I also had the follow-up appointment for my endoscopy.   There are some changes to the lower esophagus due to reflux, but nothing alarming.  I need to continue to make sure my gerd is well managed to avoid further damage and get rechecked in three years. I am also able to try cutting back on the dosage of gerd medication.  So, that was all good news!

The oldest grandkid started back to school this month, which means I'm not getting to spend time with him a few days each week anymore.  We did some baking during those last couple of weeks: chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and pumpkin muffins.   

One of my little dogs hurt his eye earlier this week.   I was out running errands and when I came home I noticed that he was squinting one eye. Looking closer, it seemed a little puffy and had some discharge.  Fortunately, I was able to get a same day appointment for him that afternoon.  He has a corneal ulcer (probably from a scratch to the eye).  We've been having to apply drops a few times a day and he has to wear a cone to avoid further injury.  He has a follow-up next week and hopefully it's healed by then.

Also, happening this week: my Canadian cousin and I did some more "together, but apart", cooking.  August brings the anniversary of our grandmother's passing. So in her memory, we made one of my cousin's favorite things that Grandma Janina used to make -  Racuchy Z Jabłkami (Polish Yeast Apple Pancakes).  They were SO delicious!  

I can't brag about my goals for August.  I still haven't cleaned and reorganized the linen closet.  I'm still trying to figure out my morning routine.  And while I did write or journal more often this month - it certainly wasn't an every day thing.  

All in all, I would say that as far as months go - August gets a C+.  

How was your August?

Thankful Thursday: August 29, 2024

 

I Am Thankful For:

The full moon

Baking brownies with my grandson

Finishing the first section of my new sweater

Cooler mornings

Pumpkin muffins

A good appointment with the gastrointestinal doctor

Lunch with my dad

A beautiful late summer day

Laundry folded and put away

My son cooking dinner for us

Comfort foods

Catching deer on the security camera

His covid test was negative

The first leaves starting to change

Getting a same day vet appointment

My husband fixing dinner while I'm at the vet

Making Racuchy z Jabłkami (Polish Apple Pancakes) with my cousin

Reset

I'm going to be honest with you - the last several months have felt like a LOT. I'm not going to go over all the details. I've probably already whined about most of them here at one point or another. At first, I felt like I was spinning my wheels.  That led to a feeling of being completely mired down and stagnant. Somethings need to change. 

And that's why my word for August has been RESET.

I definitely need to Reset my morning routine.  It has been feeling stale for a while now.  It hasn't been inspiring and invigorating me like it used to, and I find myself getting completely distracted from it on most mornings. So, I completely tossed my usual routine out the window and have just been trying to figure out what works for me and what I need from my morning routine right now.

I've been having a little more quiet time to just sit with my cup of tea.  I’ve also been trying to keep time for doing some more journaling, which is something I had struggled with for the past several months. I just can't quite figure out what I want to change, what I want to keep, or how it should look now. (Suggestions?)

My health could use a Reset.  I have been eating healthier out of necessity.  My stomach issues kind of forced me to do better about that.  But there's still room for improvement.  I need to be moving more, but my knee has put that on hold.  Hopefully after my follow-up with the sports medicine doctor I'll have a better idea what's going on and can make a plan to heal and be healthier.

I have also been struggling since I closed my Etsy shop last year.  It never really set right with me how and when it ended.  And I didn't think I would miss it as much as I do.  So, it's time for a Reset.  I am making some changes to my business model and will be reopening my shop sometime in September.

What's something in your life that could use a Reset?

Sunday Inspiration: Repeat

 

Thankful Thursday: August

 

I Am Thankful For:

One less thing to worry about

A bear in the pear tree

Sleep

Open windows

Egg salad

Day break

A great day for curls

Baking cookies with my grandson

A hawk in the pine tree

Flirting with my husband

A treat from Dairy Queen

Sleeping in

Laughing with my husband

Making plans for our future

Leftovers

Cooler weather

Time spent with my grandsons

Learning nre things

A decision made

Sunday Inspiration: Decisions

Thankful Thursday: August 15, 2024

I Am Thankful For:

A cool morning breeze

My grandson making me laugh

A trip to the library

An afternoon cup of tea with a muffin

Turkey burgers

My dad's birthday lunch

A trip to Sam's Club's with my husband

Feeling beautiful

Pictures of Henry

A change in dinner plans that made things easier

Taking a chance

MRI completed

A good Book Club meeting

Two dragonflies hovering over my car

Quick results

A beautiful morning

Not needing to turn on the air-conditioning

Sunday Inspiration: Change Something

Thankful Thursday: August 8, 2024

 

I Am Thankful For:

New opportunities

Being able to talk to my sister

A foggy morning

My dog's zoomies

Dinner out with my husband

A fresh haircut

Pancakes

An afternoon watching Olympic events

Planning for fall

Beans on toast

A morning nap

Healthier pizza

People who make me laugh

A new day

Feeling hopeful

Watermelon

Sunday Inspiration: Ask Yourself

August Begins

Oh, August.  That month which is most definitely still firmly set in summer with all the heat and  humidty, and yet we find ourselves leaning forward and squinting just a bit as we think "I'm pretty sure I can see autumn from here". 

August is another month of medical appointments. I have a follow-up visit for the endoscopy I had in July.  I am scheduled for an MRI on my knee, and a follow up for that. I also think Max is due for a one of his semi-annual checkups at the end of the month. (I should probably double check that and get something scheduled)

My dad's birthday is this month.  I know I've said it before - but every birthday we get to celebrate with him has extra meaning ever since we came close to losing him to a heart attack almost five years ago.  Every birthday since then feels like a bonus.

August has always felt like a month for fresh new beginnings to me. Maybe that's because it's back to school season.  All the new school supplies and clothes as well as a new school year with different classes and teachers.  What better time for reset? Which just happens to be my word for August.  (more on that in a future post)

My reading list for the month of August includes finishing "Normal Women" by Philippa Gregory, "The Thursday Murder Club" by Richard Osman, and "I Did a New Thing" by Tabitha Brown.  I started "Normal Women" some time back, but was unable to finish it before it had to go back to the library. I happened to see that the Kindle version was on sale during Prime Days and snagged a copy.  "The Thursday Murder Club" is the Book Club selection for August.  And "I Did a New Thing" is from my endless TBR list. 

My August Goals include:

• Clean out and reorganize linen closet
• Create a new morning routine 
• Journal/Write everyday 

What are your plans for August?

Thankful Thursday: August 1, 2024

 

I Am Thankful For:

Good results on my endoscopy report

The Olympic opening ceremonies

My new yarn arrived

Catching up with my favorite neighbor

Time spent with my daughter

Cute new stitch markers

Cheering on the home team

A delicious breakfast casserole

A good story

My husband and son going to a movie together

A healthy lunch

Appointments rescheduled

Afternoon reading time

Gold metal gymnastics

July Wrap-Up

July was not the month I was hoping or expecting it to be.  

I was thinking of a month filled with a few hikes, some long walks with the dogs, and a cookout or two. What I got was thunderstorms, trips to the urgent care, doctor appointments, and more doctor appointments.

The month started off well enough.   Our 4th of July "celebration" was small, quiet, and low-key.  Just us, the kids, and grandkids.  The Man of the House grilled some ribs. (Delicious!) And we indulged in some s'mores.  It was lovely.

I got to spend a few days each week with the oldest grandson.  And we celebrated our daughter's birthday this month with her family.  Those are some bright points in the month since any day spend with my kids and/or grandkids is a good day in my book! 

Then things got complicated.   I was already scheduled for my long-awaited endoscopy this month.  But before I could even get to that appointment I had an entirely new medical situation occur.

One morning after playing a little indoor fetch with the doggos, as I stood up and turned to walk into the other room - I felt a "pop" in my knee.  And as I continued to (try to) walk into the dining room, I realized something was definitely wrong.  I couldn't walk without excruciating pain in my right knee.  In tears, I told the Man of the House that I couldn't walk and probably needed to go to urgent care.  While getting dressed and waiting for the office to open, I felt another, smaller popping sensation and at that point the worst of the pain subsided.  Throughout the pmorning, the knee continued to ache with regular flares of pain that lit up the knee.  A trip to urgent care left me with a knee brace and a referral to orthopedics.  That appointment was scheduled quickly and the doctor suspects a torn meniscus. I have an appointment for an MRI in August.

The endoscopy went well. No complications or surprises.  They saw no areas of major concern. They took a few biopsies to check things out, but everything came back clear so far.  It's good to know there's anything too scary going on in there.

And that's July in a nutshell.  How was your month?

Sunday Inspiration: Regular Days

Thankful Thursday: July 25, 2024

 

I Am Thankful For:

Ice packs

A little treat

My latest crochet project turned out even better than I had hoped

Celebrating my daughter's birthday

Inspiration for a blog post

Chicken wings

Rainy Sunday

My husband comforting the dog during the thunderstorm

Hope

Getting some answers

My husband making dinner after my doctor's appointment 

My procedure went well

Sherbet

Wiggly little dog behinds

Talking to someone who has been through it

My grandson yelling "sneak attack" and then grabbing me into a big hug

A Midlife Woman's Manifesto

Re: Women in Midlife

We are no longer giving in and giving up just because we have reached a certain number of years.  We are still thriving and enjoying all that life has to offer.  We are constantly discovering new things - both about ourselves and about the world around us.

We are defying expectations and redefining the term "age appropriate".  We have spent the past 40-50+ years figuring out our personal style and what makes us feel good when we put it on.  We're not going to change that now to fit into the box of what anyone else believes someone our age should be wearing.  

We'll wear our hair short, mid-length, or long.  We'll wear a full face of makeup - or none at all.  We'll regularly color our hair - our we may let our silver strands shine. 

We're tired of playing a game we can't win.  We're tired of being told we are either trying to cling to youth and should learn to "grow old gracefully" - or we're "letting ourselves go." So, from now on, we're doing what makes us feel most like our true selves.

We're no longer being silent about perimenopause and menopause.  We're sharing our experiences - the good and bad.  We're advocating for better treatments and healthcare in these stages of life for ourselves and for the generations of women coming up behind us.  

We are showing up, showing off, being seen, and making sure our voices are heard.  Get used to it.

Sunday Inspiration: Beginning, Middle, and End

Thankful Thursday: July 18, 2024

I Am Thankful For:

Sunshine

Time to think about my next project

Found family

Days spent with my grandson

Sharing good news

Free car wash

Shrimp tacos

Afternoon thunderstorms to cool things down

Phone conversations with my sister

A break from the soupy humidity

Beautiful blue skies

Planning ahead

Medical care

Sunday Inspiration: What Becomes

 

Thankful Thursday: July 11, 2024

 

I Am Thankful For:

Fresh fruit

My son trimming the dog's nails for me

Cute shorts

Quiet reading time

Waking up before the alarm

An afternoon with my grandsons

Short weeks

Planning our next getaway

Grilled ribs

Family

S'mores

Freshly washed bedding

Finishing a good book

A moment of self-realization

A break from the heat - relatively speaking

The handsomest husband

My morning cup of tea

Sunday Inspiration: Comfort Zones

Thankful Thursday: July 4, 2024

 

I Am Thankful For:

Hunting for shells

A fruity "beach" cocktail

A delicious dinner

Driving up the coast

Climbing the Currituck Beach Lighthouse

Sunset drive back to the condo

A relaxing day on the beach

Beautiful yarn from a LYS on the Outer Banks

A pretty new journal

Buying fresh fish on the coast

When my husband makes me laugh

Being home again

Spending time with my cousin

Family cookout

The pitter-patter of rain

Spending the day with my grandson

Sunday Inspiration: "Dreams"