Thankful Thursday: Leap Day

 

I Am Thankful For:

Having people in my life who truly care about me and my feelings

There are always new books to read

Productive days

A healthy lunch

Embroidery projects

A bunny hopping around in the driveway

Seeing my husband's creative side

Oatmeal with peaches and walnuts

Friday evenings at home

Being silly

Warm chili on a cold evening

Dreams

Good morning kisses

My husband offered to prepare dinner

A day without reflux

Daffodils in bloom

A good heating pad

Dark, cloudy days

Receiving videos of my grandsons

February Favorites

Even with Leap Day added into it this year, February is still the shortest month of the year.  Maybe that's why it feels like so much packed into it, even though it's really not any more or less than most other months.

February did bring some stress and struggles. What month doesn't?  But I am choosing not to focus on any negatives and instead I'm thinking about my favorite things from the past few weeks.

Valentine's Day:  We didn't have a special date night or anything this year.  I did make a nice dinner that night.  My husband brought me chocolates and a lovely bouquet of flowers.  Those flowers were still looking beautiful more than a week after Valentine's Day!  

First Birthday:  Our youngest grandson turned one this month.. His party had a cowboy theme and my daughter made the cutest little cupcakes with edible cowboy hats on top! 

Book Club:  I attended my first book club at the local library this month. The book of the month wasn't great.  But I enjoyed meeting some new people and talking about one of my favorite things.

All in all, I would say that February was a pretty good month. What were the highlights of your February?

Marching Into A New Look

 March is almost here.  And with it - a new look is coming to the blog.  As my seasons of life have shifted and changed - the blog has stayed mostly the same.  But now, it's time to spring into a new look.  

Starting on Friday (March 1) you'll be seeing changes to the blog - starting with the name.  "My Really Real Reality" is becoming "Making the Most of Midlife".  

Much of the content will remain the same -because that's what I like to write about. I'll still be sharing inspirational quotes, and sharing what I am grateful for each week through my Thankful Thursday posts.  However, I feel that the new name better expresses who I am and what my focus is at this point in my life. I just felt like things needed a bit of an update and a refresh. 

The URL will probably be changing in the coming weeks - but I'll give everyone a heads-up before that change happens so you can adjust accordingly.  

I hope you'll stick with me as these changes occur.  And that you'll continue to enjoy what I have to share through my posts.  

Thank you for being here!

Sunday Inspiration: More Than We Were Told

Thankful Thursday: February 22, 2024

 

I Am Thankful For:

Half-price Valentine candy

Getting things done despite the pain in my back

Finally completing the finishing touches

The pain in my back went away

Early signs of Spring

Having the cutest little dogs

Attending my grandson's birthday party

Cute little cupcakes

Wearing something I made

Roast chicken dinner

The laziest of Sundays

Turning off the phone and walking away from the argument

A beautiful sunset

Three day weekends

Early morning quiet

Feeling supported

My grandson turning a year old

My daughter stopping by for a quick visit

Sunday Inspiration: As Though My Life Depends Upon It

Thankful Thursday: February 15, 2024

 

I Am Thankful For:

Snuggling with my grandbaby

His mischievous little grin

Days when I feel like I have my act together

Books

Effortless cleaning

Early morning phone calls from my daughter

Finishing a crochet project

Friday evenings

Warm February mornings

Homemade ramen

A good week

Superbowl Sunday

Sleep

Book  Club

My home

A day out with my daughter

How I feel when I wear pink

Love

My forever Valentine

Sunday Inspiration: How You Love Yourself

Thankful Thursday: February 8, 2024

 

I Am Thankful For:

February

Cute outfits from my closet

My little dogs

Lunch date with my husband

A midday margarita

Warm February days

Croissants and fresh berries

My grown kids spending time together

A little self care

My new "robot" vacuum

Music

Making the most of my wait time

When my husband comes home sooner than expected

The pattern of sunlight through the blinds

Cats with blue eyes

Clean floors

What are you thankful for this week? Leave a comment and let me know!

It's Almost Tłusty Czwartek!

Chances are you're familiar with Mardi Gras - or Fat Tuesday.  You may know all about Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday). But what about Tlusty Czwartek, or Fat Thursday - also known as Paczki Day?

As you may recall, I have been exploring more of my Polish heritage since connecting with my father's birth family last year.  And learning about " Fat Thursday", or "Paczki Day", from my cousin was a pleasant surprise!

Tlusty Czwartek is observed on the last Thursday before the beginning of Lent.  Much like Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday, it is an opportunity to indulge (over indulge?) before the abstinence and fasting of the Lenten season. 

In Poland, this day of indulgence includes 'paczki", a Polish dessert which is very similar to a jelly or custard filled donut. Hence, "Paczki Day". Cooking (and then consuming) large batches of Panczki was a good way to use up your supply of butter and sugar so they didn't go bad during Lent.  Much like the English tradition of consuming pancakes on Shrove Tuesday.  

Speaking just for myself, I can't pass up an opportunity to treat myself to a donut-like treat.  I'm not having any luck finding paczki near where I live, and I'm not feeling quite braveenoughto try making my own. But, I think my Polish grandmother would understand if I substitute them with some Krispy Kreme.  

Have you ever heard of Fat Thursday or Paczki Day?  

Pay A Compliment

Everyone likes to hear nice things, especially about themselves. (I know that I do!) And today just happens to be -  "Pay Someone A Compliment Day".

Giving someone a compliment is a nice way to show your appreciation, spread a little positivity and kindness, and make someone's day.

Studies show that when we receive a compliment, it activates reward centers in the brain and releases dopamine.  Dopamine helps increase our levels of motivation, focus, and happiness.  So, when we receive a compliment - we also get a little burst of feel good brain chemicals!

While there's nothing wrong with simple, general compliments (" I like your shirt") - try to be a little more specific with your compliments ("Your blouse is beautiful. The colors make me think of springtime.").  

Focus on something you genuinely like or admire about the other person - not just their appearance. Complimenting an accomplishment, personality trait, or habit you admire can mean a lot to someone, and let's them know you really see them and don't take them for granted.  

Today, I challenge you to pay as many compliments as possible. To your spouse or partner, other family members, friends, co-workers - or even a random stranger.

Who will you compliment today?  What's the nicest compliment you ever received?

Connect

In 2024 I chose to skip my usual One Word for this year in favor of a Word of the Month. This came about after last year's experiment with doing both. I found that I liked the freshness of a new word to focus on for each month.  My word for February is "Connect".

As we all know - the big "holiday" for this month is Valentine's Day.  Which is all about love.  And to love someone, you need to make time to connect with them and build the relationship.  

In the month of February, I plan to make Connections a priority. 

Connections are important.  With spouses or partners, our family, friends and other loved ones.  We even need to make time and space to (re)connect with ourselves.

For me this will look like:

- Connecting with my husband.  

Prioritizing spending more time together.  This doesn't mean sitting side by side while we watch television or mindlessly scroll on our phones.  It means engaging in some good conversations. Maybe taking some long walks or hikes together (if the weather cooperates). Holding hands more. Kissing more.  Trying to remember to stop what I'm doing to really listen and give him my full attention when he has something to say. Making time for a date night or two - or even a date lunch during the week to give him a break during the work day.

- Connecting with family.  

Sending more texts or phone calls just to say hello and check in with my adult children, parents, sister, and cousins.

- Connecting with myself.

Spending some time in meditation and doing more journaling.  Doing some self evaluation to determine what I want to do with the next season in my life. Writing more for the blog. And participating in more activities that bring me joy.

- Connecting with others

As part of "participating in activities that bring me joy", I am looking into attending a book club at the local library as well as a knitting and crochet group. This could help me to meet some new people and connect with others that share the same hobbies.

Throughout the month I will be thinking about and looking for additional ways to make connections. 

Do you make it a priority to connect with other or yourself on a regular basis?

Sunday Inspiration: Lifelong Romance

 

Take Your Child to the Library Today

 Did you know that the first Saturday of February is National 'Take Your Child to the Library" Day?

 

This is the perfect day for you and your child to explore all the library has to offer!

Of course there are the books. So many books! You and your little one are sure to find something you'll enjoy reading.  But there's more.  Many (most?) libraries also offer magazines, games, and movies.  There are story times, as well as other entertaining and educational programs. They may even have something special planned for "Take Your Child to the Library" day!

Can't make it to the library today?  Many libraries also provide access to books, audio books , and more through a digital (or virtual) library.  All you need is a library card and whatever app your library uses. If that's not an option - maybe you can find something for you and your child to read at home!

Do you regularly use your library?

Hello, February 2024

After a January that went by in a complete blur - we have arrived at the month of all things love-related.  February is upon us and Valentine's Day is just a few weeks away.  (If you're not feeling the love, be sure to check out my post "Love Someone" from Valentine's past.)

At the moment, February is looking to be another quiet month.  Actually, less than January turned out to be.  

Today is Groundhog Day.  I know that many of you are hoping that the fuzzy little creature does not see its shadow, forecasting an early spring.  At my house, we have seen no measurable snowfall this year. So, I'm kind of hoping for at least one good winter storm before warm weather arrives.  

I'm not sure what - if anything - the Man of the House and I will be doing for Valentine's Day.  We usually try to have a little date night on a day other than February 14th to avoid the crowds and long waits at all the restaurants.  I usually plan a nice dinner at home for the actual day of Valentine's. 

This month our youngest grandson is going to be a whole year old!  Watching him grow and learn new things over the past year has been so much fun.  His mom is planning a cowboy-themed party, and I can't wait to celebrate his birthday with the family!

The new gutters were finally installed in January, but thanks to a delay on an order and uncooperative weather conditions - we're still waiting for the trim on the front door to be completed.  Fingers crossed that February is the month this project finally gets put to rest. 

I don't have a clear idea about my reading list for February.  I am currently reading The Housemaid by Freida McFadden, and plan to read the sequel The Housemaid's Secret next.  I have a couple of holds at the library that I'm hoping will become available this month.  If not, I'll just read whatever strikes my fancy from my incredibly long To Be Read list. 

I did well on my January goals. The home office has mostly been cleared up and is a workable craft/guest room now.  There are still a few things to take care of.  I'd like to come up with a better guest bed than the current inflatable, but that's pretty low on the list. And I need to clear out and reorganize the closet.  I purged my dresser drawers and have them all nice and organized.  I'm still working on being more consistent about getting in some sort of exercise every day.  But I am doing better than I was - even if it's just a short session on the treadmill a couple of times a week.  It's all about progress. 

My goals for February include:

• Reorganizing the closet in the craft room
• Purge and reorganize bedroom closet
• Exercise at least 3 days per week

What are your plans for February?

Thankful Thursday: February 1, 2024

 

I Am Thankful For:

Walking dogs in the rain

Meatless meals

Celebrating our oldest grandson's 12th birthday

Playing peek-a-boo with youngest grandson

Organized drawers

Fridays

Company for the drive

Birthday dinner

A cozy bathrobe

Clean dogs

A Saturday with nowhere to go

Football championship games

Funny dog pictures

Feeling loved

Starting the last step of the crochet project

French press coffee

A good month

The shining sun