Sunday Inspiration: Getting Ahead

Thankful Thursday: July 31, 2025

 

I Am Thankful For:

Being able to order new glasses

New contact lenses 

When the dilation finally wears off

Lunch at the ramen restaurant

A delicious coffee treat

The new moon

Productive days 

The new kitchen lights are up

Saturdays

Pancakes

New nails

Quiet

A midday walking session

Feeling beautiful

Evening thunderstorms

New possibilities

Goodbye, July

Well, here we are.  Tomorrow is the end of July. Over half the year is behind us. I hope it's been a good one for you so far. 

Our daughter celebrated her birthday this month. We watched the grandkids so she and our son-in-law could have a grown-up date. Then we all gathered at our house for pizza and cake. I am constantly in awe of the amazing woman she became. I kind of want to be her when I grow up. 

One night during the first full week of the month, I suddenly started seeing flashes of light in my peripheral vision on the left.  As you can imagine, I panicked a little bit.  A phone conversation with the on-call doctor quickly determined that I most likely was not having a stroke.  I was told to take some Tylenol in case it was an ocular migraine, what to look for to determine if I needed to go to the ER, and to see my doctor if it wasn't gone by morning.  It was not.  So, after a few more phone calls I was off to the eye doctor.  He was able to rule out a tear or detachment of the retina. Whew! Apparently it is something called Posterior Vitreous Detachment, and it's not unusual - especially in near sighted people over 50. 

An upside of all this is that I finally scheduled a routine eye exam. I got new contacts and I have new glasses on the way.  This was just the nudge I needed to get that done.

Our kitchen remodel is moving right along.  The Man of the House and I (ok... Like, 98.5% him) finished installing the new tile the weekend before the cabinets were delivered. And I am obsessed.  The flooring is every bit as beautiful as I hoped it would be. 

Sadly, three of the cabinets are damaged and we are now waiting for the replacements to arrive. In the meantime, he has started installation on them. He'll just have to unscrew the damaged ones and switch them out when the replacements arrive.  

He also put up the new ceiling lights.  And they are also gorgeous.  It took me forever to decide what I wanted. But I'm glad I took my time and didn't just go with the first thing I liked.

We are still waiting on our new deck to be completed.  Last week we were told that they expected to have it completed by Monday. But then no one showed up to work on it Friday or Monday. Which is frustrating.  On Tuesday they did get started on the floor part of the decking. So hopefully by next Monday. Fingers crossed.  

In July I read "The Spite House" by Johnny Compton, "The Jackal's Mistress" by Chris Bohjalian, and "The Obituary Writer" by Ann Hood.  The book I read for book club was "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow" by Gabrielle Zevin. I'm currently reading "The Sugar Queen" by Sarah Addison Allen. And I'm Beta reading one of my daughter's upcoming novels.  I didn't listen to an audio book this month.

Some of my favorite things from July included fresh cucumbers from my little greenhouse garden and spending a day with my grandsons.

I'm looking forward to August. I've potentially some new and exciting things brewing, so we'll see how rhay goes.  Hopefully I'll have some fun things to report at the end of next month.  

How was your July?

 

Sunday Inspiration: Becoming

 

Thankful Thursday:

 

I Am Thankful For:

My dog's little stretches

Sunsets

Lavender

A little treat for myself

Hearing the neighbors rooster when I'm walking the dog

Fading hydrangea

My daughter

Work started on the last part of the deck

Sunny days

First cup of morning tea

Being an Oma

Pizza with the family

Running errands with my husband 

Shark Week

The new kitchen floor is just as beautiful as I hoped it would be 

My husband buying tickets to see Stevie Nicks this fall

Sleep

The sound of the kettle heating up

The breeze before the storm arrives 

Grounded

Yesterday I stood outside in my barefoot.

I felt the solid ground beneath my feet. The grass tickled between my toes. 

I watched a cardinal fly from bush to bush along the property line.  

A large bird drifted in lazy circles against a backdrop of building thunderhead clouds in the distance.  

I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feeling of the sunshine on my face. 

A breeze gently whispered past my cheek and caused my skirt to flutter around my legs.

I listened to the birds singing and the buzz of the katydids. A squirrel chattered away somewhere in the tree tops. I heard the roll of thunder from a storm on the other side of the mountain.

I felt time slow for that brief moment.

I thought about how it is possible to feel so completely connected and totally disconnected all at the same time.

Unplug. Pause. Listen. Feel. Ground yourself. Recharge your spiritual battery.  It only takes a few moments.

Sunday Inspiration: Beauty

 

Thankful Thursday: July 17, 2025

I Am Thankful For:

Getting a same day appointment with the eye doctor

What's happening is perfectly normal

My husband helping find a solution

Skirts

Listening to all the "outdoors" sounds

Perfect timing

A moment to recharge myself

Gathering storm clouds

Chicken salad

Working on a DIY project with my husband

Thunderstorms

My youngest niece

Pain meds when you really need them

A burst of creativity

Watermelon

The new cabinets have been delivered

Making it to book club after all

Early to bed

A busy day at the library

The first cucumber from the garden

Midlife Is Not A Crisis

The Midlife Crisis.  It's one of the things that often comes to mind when people think about this stage of life. It's a time full of changes and challenges which can leave us feeling off-kilter, disoriented, and uncertaint about what we're doing and where we're going.

As we begin seeing more and more of the physical signs of aging, we may start recognizing and assessing our own mortality. This feeling that time is somehow running out may cause us to begin thinking about how our life has played out so far and what we want to accomplish with whatever time we have left.  This can lead us to realize that we have goals that we never achieved or abandoned along the way. We might feel a sense of dissatisfaction with what we have achieved. We may be realizing that jobs and relationships we've had no longer serve us. 

Our children are either on the cusp of becoming independent or are already grown. We're finding ourselves with empty nests for the first time in 18 years or more.

Other people may have expectations of what we should be doing or how we should behave (or dress, or do our hair or makeup) because we have reached a certain age. And these ideas might not fit with how we feel on the inside or what makes us feel confident and the most like our true self.

Midlife is only a crisis if we focus on the endings portion. As Semisonic told us way back in 1998 - "every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." Midlife isn't the end! You're not too old. And it's not too late.  

You still have an opportunity to rediscover that dream or goal you once had and look into chasing it. Or make some new ones! 

Having grown children means not having to focus our time and energy on their needs. This gives you more time to concentrate on what you want to do. This is YOUR time! 

You are under no obligation to do what other people expect!  Now is the time to live life as your authentic self. Especially if you haven't been doing it up to this point.  Wear the dress. Or the shorts. Or that bathing suit. Grow out your beautiful silver hair - or not!  Put on the red lipstick. Or don't wear any makeup. 

Figure out what brings you joy and do more of those things!

This chapter of life can feel like a collection of endings. But it can also be a time of new beginnings and opportunities.  

Turning to Stone

Did you ever watch "Game of Thrones"? Or read any of the books? 

If so, do you remember the leprosy-like disease that was so feared by the citizens of Westeros?  Grey Scale - where the skin literally turns to stone.

Last weekend we were tiling our kitchen. Apparently I am excessively messy with the mortar. By the end of the day, I looked like an extra from an episode of "Game of Thrones"!

The moral of this story?  Take and use the gloves your husband offers. 😂

Sunday Inspiration: Woman

 

Thankful Thursday: July 10

 

I Am Thankful For:

Clean laundry

A new book

A cool breeze

A new vision for my crochet project

Basil harvested from my little garden

Finishing one book and starting another

Meds for my little chiweenie's anxiety

Fresh caprese salad

Wearing the shorts

New tile

Shrimp rolls

Progress

A deep cleaned bathroom

Sunshine

East summer outfits

A plan to deal with the unexpected complications 

A beautiful morning

Fresh tomatoes from the garden

Sunday Inspiration: The One You Wish You Had

 

Thankful Thursday: July 3, 2025

I Am Thankful For:

The new moon

Sundresses

A cool shower at the end of a hot day

Afternoon rain as a break from the heat

Dreams

Doggy smiles

Patio is complete

Words of affirmation

A movie date with my husband

Croissants

Making a plan

Grilled burgers

Dodging the rain

Peach season

Midpoint of the year

Early mornings

A busy day at the library

The start of an extra long weekend

Marking the Midpoint

Welcome to the midpoint of the year.  Six months gone, six more to go. It has been a busy year so far, and June was no exception.

The most popular post on the blog for June was the latest addition to the "What No One Told Me About Menopause" series - It's a Hairy Situation, where we discussed all the changes that perimenopause can bring to our hair. Hot Girl Summer: Midlife Edition was a close second.  Perhaps because it published just before the first heatwave of summer arrived and many of us needed those tips for coping with sweltering temperatures during perimenopause and menopause. 

June was a month of changes around our house.  The first phase of construction began on our new deck with the excavation and pouring of cement for the lower patio level.  I am eager to have this project done so we can start enjoying our outdoor living space! 

Home improvement projects were also taking place inside as we gutted the kitchen and dining area for a long overdue renovation.  The walls and ceiling have all been patched, primed, and painted.  New flooring should start to go in this week.  And the new cabinets should arrive in a couple of weeks.  I am so excited about how this new kitchen is going to look. 

June was a medical month for me.  I had my yearly bloodwork labs done and my wellness check with my primary doctor.  I'm healthy for the most part, but my cholesterol and A1C have taken a negative turn. Coupled with a significant increase in weight, it's a clear indication that I need to get back onto a healthier routine.  I'm not surprised by these changes.  In fact, I anticipated this.  Between my knee injury, surgery, and a back injury keeping me quite sedentary for most of the past year and a lot of stress eating - this was bound to happen.  But, I have a plan in place to get back on track. 

In June I read After the Forest by Kell Woods.  Our book club selection for the month was The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress by Ariel Lawhon. My husband and I completed The Institute by Stephen King.  I finished listening to The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen.  And I had the pleasure of reading my daughter's first published work - a novella called The Joke's On You (by Kaitlyn Owenby)!! 

Two of my favorite things from June can't be found in any store. The first one is my little greenhouse garden. It has brought me so much joy to start harvesting my first tomato, some lettuce, lemon cucumbers, and herbs.  I can't wait for more tomatoes and cucumbers to come in. The second thing is my hydrangea. They are really showing up and showing off this year!  So many blossoms and in beautiful shades of purple.  I am obsessed! 

How was your June?

Sunday Inspiration: Confidence

 

Thankful Thursday: June 26, 2025

 

I Am Thankful For:

Cherry season

Sunshine 

Deck construction has started

Thunderstorms

My daughter's family getting home safe

Sleep

Painting done in kitchen

A slow cooker full of gumbo

Deck footings passed inspection

First cucumbers from garden

Learning new things about the library

Air conditioning

A good yearly physical

Compliments

An afternoon nap

Sunday Inspiration: Remember

Thankful Thursday: June 19, 2025

 

I Am Thankful For:

Breakfast with my dad

Sunsets

Friday the 13th (the day, not the movie)

Lunch with my husband

Fireflies

The first tomato from my garden

When my husband suggests getting takeout

Repair work completed

Ceiling is primed

My husband resolved the electrical issue

Simple dinners

A day with nothing scheduled

Gardening

Blood work done

Deck materials delivered

Silly dogs

Hot Girl Summer: Midlife Style

Trust me on this... when you're in perimenopause or menopause, "hot girl summer" takes on a whole new meaning. While hot flashes are common during this phase of life and occur throughout the year - combining the summer heat and humidity can make a summer day feel like you're living in an inferno.

It's not in your head!  According to the Mayo Clinic, fluctuating estrogen levels cause the hypothalamus to become more sensitive to temperature changes. This is what triggers hot flashes. It can also explain why we may find that we are less tolerant of extreme temperatures than we used to be.

Are hot flashes more frequent during the summer?  One small study did show an increase in hot flashes and nightsweats during June and July, but for the most part the jury is still out on this.  There is one thing we can all agree on though. If it's already 90⁰ and humid when a hot flash starts - it is just going to feel that much more intense. 

So, what can we do to keep our cool during hot girl summer season? Here are a few tips that might help:

• Keep your home cool. Run  your air conditioning and use fans to circulate the air. Close the blinds and curtains to reduce heat gain from sunlight. 

• Wear light, breathable fabrics such as linen and cotton.  Avoid tight, restrictive clothing.

• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods. These can trigger or worsen hot flashes.  Drink plenty of water.

• Use cooling products.  From cooling wraps (or towels) and eye masks to bracelets, even cooling gel pads to wear in your bra - there are many products on the market designed to help lower your body heat.

• Talk to your doctor.  Hormone replacement or low-dose antidepressants can help ease or eliminate hot flashes associated with perimenopause/menopause. 

Perimenopause in the summer may feel like nature turned the heat up just for you, but you’re not alone, and you’re definitely not powerless. With a little planning, a lot of water, and maybe a fan in every room, you can stay cool and feel more like yourself. Listen to your body, and don’t be afraid to slow down when you need to. This season of life—and this season of the year—might be intense, but so are we!

What's your best tip for staying cool when summer and perimenopause turn up the heat?

Sunday Inspiration: Father's Day

 

Thankful Thursday: June 12, 2025

 

I Am Thankful For:

A bouquet of hydrangea

Watching the clouds build on the horizon

Chocolate chip cookies

Listening to the rain

When my grandson yells "Oma" and runs to hug me

The old kitchen cabinets are gone

Picking out new light fixtures

Reading my daughter's first book

A good hair day

Pulled pork

The monthly book club meeting

That first cup of tea in the morning

Helping someone find a library book

Tacos

My greenhouse garden is flourishing

Tiny little cucumbers on my plants

What No One Told Me About Menopause: It's A Hairy Situation

 This post is meant to share what I have learned about menopause based on my own experience.  It is in no way intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new healthcare regimen.  Never disregard medical advice or delay seeking help because of something you read on this website.

As women, there's a good chance that we have spent quite a bit of time thinking about and caring for our hair. Curly, straight, thick, thin, and a variety of colors. We are always either caring for what we have or trying to change it. And then along comes perimenopause... 

During perimenopause, estrogen and progesterone levels decline and allow for the androgens to have a greater influence on our body systems.  These fluctuations disrupt our hair growth, and can cause changes to our hair texture. 

Thinning hair is a common experience during perimenopause. The loss of estrogen and progesterone can cause increased shedding as well as a shorter growth stage. While the potential increase in androgens can contribute to follicle shrinkage - especially near the temples. 

Deficiencies in vitamins B and/or D can also contribute to poor hair health. A lack of certain minerals, such as zinc and iron can also contribute.

Perimenopause can also affect your hair's texture.  Decreasing estrogen may lead to brittle, drier hair. Some women experience more frizz or find their hair more difficult to manage. A change in your hair's curl pattern can also happen. 

And these changes may not be limited to the hair on top of our heads. Increased androgen levels can cause unexpected hair growth, especially on the face.  Many of us are struggling with a random chin hair that pops up out of no where. And some of us experience that single wirey black or white hair that sprouts out of some unusual places.  

Just as the hormonal changes can cause a thinning of the hair on our scalp, some women experience a decrease of body hair. You may notice that you don't have to shave your legs or armpits as often, or notice that you seem to have less public hair. Personally - I don't have to shave my legs anywhere near as often, but my armpit hair seems to flourish. Go figure.

There are some steps you can take to keep your hair as healthy and beautiful as possible throughout perimenopause and beyond.

• Practice good hair care. Choose gentle cleansers and conditioners free of harsh sulfates, parabens, alcohol, and silicones. Limit or avoid styling with high heat.
• Eat a diet rich in protein and nutrients that support hair health.
• Reduce your stress. 
• Consult with your doctor to rule out any underlying problems that may be affecting your hair health and to discuss treatment options.

Have you experienced any hair changes in perimenopause? 

 

Sunday Inspiration: Decision Making

Thankful Thursday: June 5, 2025

 

I Am Thankful For:

My creativity

Cabinets are ordered

An abundance of blossoms on my cucumber plants

My little chiweenie is feeling better

Lunch with my dad

Deep purple hydrangea

Plums

My son's birthday

My fall wasn't worse

Oreo dessert

Saturday nights

Waffles

Clean laundry

Paint samples

Starting the work

Ice cream with chocolate syrup

Warm sunny days

My daughter's first book

Sunday Inspiration: Look Fear in the Face

Wrapping Up This Midlife May

As May draws to a close, I find myself looking back on a month filled with blooming flowers, longer days, and making plans for the summer months ahead. I reflect on the days I've enjoyed and the lessons May has taught me. It's a perfect moment to look back on the memories we've created in May and look forward to the coming season.

The most popular post on the blog in May (by a huge margin) was when I shared my April Empties.  I also told you about the Five Things I Would Tell My Younger Self.  And we talked about the real meaning of Memorial Day. 

In May we celebrated Mother's Day.  My family outdid themselves this year. I was showered with some lovely gifts and a great breakfast. My daughter planned a day trip for the two of us with coffee, pastries, crystals, and books.  It was a wonderful weekend. 

Of course, we had the long Memorial Day weekend.  Ours involved working on our home renovation project, some yard work, and delicious ribs cooked on the grill by my amazing husband.  

May has been ending on a celebratory note for 27 years now. Ever since the birth of our son. I couldn't think of a nicer way to say goodbye to the month. 

During May, I read "Weyward" by Emilia Hart, "The Light In Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron, and "Two Old Women" by Velma Wallis.  Our read for book club was "The Marsh King's Daughter " by Karen Dionne. My husband and I have been reading Stephen King's  "The Institute" to each other just before we go to bed each night. And I am currently reading "Garden Spells" by Sarah Addison Allen.  I have also been listening to another Sarah Addison Allen book - "The Girl Who Chased the Moon."

Some of my favorites and finds for May include:

Laura Geller Jelly Balm Hydrating Lip Color: The wear is incredibly comfortable. It lasts surprisingly well for a balm. My favorite shade is "In The Buff," a lovely neutral pink. 

Peonies:  I was so fortunate to have inherited a patch of pink peonies when we bought our house. All these years later they are still thriving and put on a beautiful show every spring. 

HIXX Smart Bird Feeder with Camera: This was a Mother’s Day gift from my husband.  I am not exaggerating when I say that I am obsessed!  I should probably be a little embarrassed by how much of my day I spend on my phone watching the birds at my feeder.

How are you celebrating the closing chapter of this beautiful month and preparing for the summer days to come?

Thankful Thursday: May 29, 2025

 

I Am Thankful For:

Ice cream

Sunshine

Finalizing the new kitchen design

My sweet little dogs

Feeling better

Not getting hit by that car

My husband coming home early from work

Pizza

Waking up from a nice dream

Funny dog videos

Homemade lasagna

My dad dropping by

A rainy afternoon

My husband

Enjoying a cup of tea in the predawn quiet

Listening to the birds wake up

New library books

Memorial Day

Wishing each of you a restful and reflective Memorial Day.

Many think of Memorial Day as a day off and/or the unofficial start of Summer.  But it's much more than cookouts and pool openings. 

Today, I hope you remember the people who gave their lives in order to free us from a tyrannical king.

Remember those who fought, even against family and former friends, to preserve our country.

Think of those who gave all to protect our world from a fascist dictator. 

And the countless others who sacrificed in service to our country.

In their honor, observe the "National Moment of Remembrance". At 3pm local time, pause and think about the meaning of this day. 

Then get back to enjoying whatever fun summer-type activity you have planned for today!

Sunday Inspiration: Accept

Thankful Thursday: May 22, 2025

 

I Am Thankful For:

Beginning demo work on the dining room renovation 

A salad with baby spinach that I grew

Watermelon

Saturday mornings

Yummy coffee drinks

Grilling season

My husband working on the new kitchen layout

My new bird feeder is up and running

Trying something new

Waking up to breakfast already made

Putting on the shorts

Bird videos

Library days

Not vomiting

A long afternoon naps

Rainy mornings

Sunday Inspiration: First

Thankful Thursday: May 15, 2025

 

I Am Thankful For:

Sunshine

Reading with my husband

Tasks completed

Feeling better

Weekends

Mothers Day breakfast

A new bird feeder

A day with my daughter

A delicious coffee drink

Independent bookstores

Book Club friends

Feeling cute

Afternoon thunderstorms

Discovering new books

The tree and stump are gone

Rain showers

A new meal idea

Happy Mother's Day

 

Thankful Thursday: May 8, 2025

 

I Am Thankful For:

A craft project completed

A Spring breeze

Treating myself to a coffee

New lipstick

A lunch date with my husband

New sunglasses

My peonies are blooming

Transplanting my herbs

The sound of falling rain

A beautiful sunny morning

Huevos Rancheros

The smell of peonies

A brand new week

Laughter

A margarita

The next phase is scheduled

Baby bears caught on our security camera

Five Things I Would Tell My Younger Self

Anyone remember the song "Oh la la" by Rod Stewart that goes "I wish that I knew what I know now when I was younger"?  For some reason it was stuck in my head the other day, which got me thinking...  what would I tell my younger self if I could get a message back to her?

Here are five things I came up with.

1) Some of the things you'll go through are definitely going to suck.  You'll make mistakes.  Some big ones.  You'll face some challenges. You're going to be hurt. But in the end it will all be ok. You're going to learn from all of it and grow as a result. It's going to make you the woman I am now.

2) Stop trying so hard to fit in. You don't have to like what everyone else likes or do what everyone else does. Not everyone is going to like you, no matter how hard you try. You might as well like yourself. (And, by the way, you're pretty damn spectacular.)

3) You're spending so much time worrying about things that don't matter. 99% of the things you're worrying about right now will either never happen, will turn out fine, or won't even matter one way or the other in a couple of years.  

4) Travel. Whenever and wherever you can.  It doesn't matter if it's an hour or two down the road or across an ocean. Go! Spend the weekends away with your husband. Take the road trips with your sister. When the opportunity comes up for that trip to Japan - take it! Make some memories!

5) Getting older isn't as scary as it seems.  In fact, it can actually be pretty great. Being in your teens and 20s is fun.  But being in your 50s is so much more fulfilling. Life doesn't end at a certain age.  It only ends when you stop getting older. So quit dreading every year that passes and start embracing them.  We're having so much fun now! 

What would you tell your younger self?

Sunday Inspiration: The Unexpected

 

My April Empties

I finished up several skin care and beauty items in April.  Some were old true-blue favorites.  Some were hit or misses.  Let's take a look:

Neutrogena Ultra Light Cleansing Oil:  This is my go-to for the first part of my skin care routine.  It easily removes all my makeup and doesn't leave my skin feeling oily. This wasn't my first bottle and won't be my last

Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum:  Good Molecules Serums are my ride-or-die.  I have tried many other hyaluronic acid  serums, but I always come back to this. 

Loreal Midnight Cream:  The jury is still out on this one. It does feel thick and luxurious when you apply it.  But performance-wise, I'm not sure if it lives up to the hype. I did purchase one more container. After that's gone, I'm not sure if I'll continue using it or not. Also, the fragrance is quite strong, so if you're sensitive to that, you may want to give it a pass.

Laura Geller Original Spackle Primer: I absolutely adore Laura Geller makeup, and this primer is no exception! I have a couple of other great primers in my makeup arsenal, but this is the one I reach for over and over. 100% a repurchase!

Have you tried any of these products?  What were your thoughts?

Thankful Thursday: May 1, 2025

 

I Am Thankful For:

A good check-up for doggy #2

Listening to the birds welcome the morning

Homemade pizza

A new washing machine

The weekend

Rootbeer

The new moon

Lunches prepped for the week

Misty mornings

When my husband grills dinner

Wildflowers

Selecting the next book to read

Working on a craft project

Volunteer appreciation at the library

Meeting new people who are passionate about books

Sitting outside at sundown

An End to April

April was a much needed month.  It was quiet for the most part. It gave me a chance to catch my breath. And it breathed a little sunshine into my soul.

April brought my little sister's birthday.  I would have liked nothing more to celebrate with her. But since that wasn't an option this year, I sent her a gift that I hope was meaningful. She's such a great gift-giver and it was hard to come up with something even close to the amazing gifts she has given to me recently.  

We celebrated Easter with our kids and grandkids.  I made up a little basket for the dogs, because I'm silly like that. It was a beautiful day. And spending time with the grandkids is always a joy.

It was a quiet month in the blog. Other than Sunday and Thankful Thursday posts there wasn't much for midlifers. But I have a couple of good things lined up for May, which I hope you'll enjoy.

In April, I read "Two Twisted Crowns" by Rachel Gillig, "The Last Train to Key West" by Chanel Cleeton, "Everything is Tuberculosis" by John Green, and "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien. I finished listening to "Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old".  And in the last couple of days, I started reading "Weyward" by Emilia Hart.

We put up our greenhouse in April and have started growing some vegetables.  We're keeping it small since this is our first year.  Tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach, cabbage, peppers, and a couple of strawberry plants. I am looking forward to later this summer when we can start harvesting some of our own produce!

How was your April? Let me know in the comments!

Sunday Inspiration: Who's Job Is It?

Thankful Thursday: April 24, 2025

 

I Am Thankful For:

Planting vegetables

Running errands with my husband

New planting boxes

Spending time with my son

Making a good attempt at something

Prepping dishes for Easter dinner

Easter

The grandkids

Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting

Getting the dogs outside to play

Planning a new project

A good start to the week

Clouds resting on the mountain tops

Library day

Making earrings

Growing herbs

Watering my plants

My daughter dropping by

Sunday Inspiration: Happy Easter

 

Thankful Thursday: April 17, 2025

 

I Am Thankful For:

Houseplants

Ok books that turn into good books

The azalea in bloom

Speaking my mind

A new haircut

Ginger ale

Spending time with my husband and son

A warm robe for chilly mornings

Lilacs blooming

Puzzles

Being able to meal prep for the week

Fresh baked scones

Book club

Dogs at the library

Sunday Inspiration: Someone Else's Eyes