Rain, rain, rain!

Early this am DH had to get up and drive to the city.  He still has not gotten a doctor in our new area.  To his credit, it is not easy to find someone here.  He also takes a lot of medications and his doctor is very thorough.  But for this trip I really hated to see him drive so early in the dark with the storming going on today.

He called when he got there.  Made it fine.  The weather 3.5 hours north sunny and nice today.  He played golf with his brother.  His brother recently bought my old convertible.  DH took him our paperwork file with all the maintenance stuff, including window sticker.  I also gave him the car cover and my Pontiac hat.  Any chance I have to get rid of something...hahaha

Yesterday and last few days we have sold more stuff (sporting goods, motorcycle, hunting, camping...etc).  I am saving up for my backpacking equipment.  Depending on the events around doing stuff outside and coronavirus CDC recommendations, I am supposed to go on an overnight backpack thing for beginners.  If it is cancelled, I will just hold on the my money for a while and uy things more slowly.  It is crazy his expensive.

Today I cleaned house and washed the dogs.  This is them looking at me through the door while they were outside.

Happy December!

I am mainly just happy the sun is out today!  We have had about a week and a half of gloomy, gray raining AND WINDY! days.  I woke up at 5:30 am Thanksgiving to drive 4 hours to see my Granny and it was 36 and raining and 32 north, where I was driving.  I decided to call off my trip.  I know she was relieved, cause she worries about us.  My sister (and niece and nephew) were going to go, we were disappointed, but used the extra time to sleep and relax.

I went ahead and got up, I was wide awake.  DH and I just had a quiet day at home.  His family celebrates on Sat after Thanksgiving, every year.  So, we had a nice visit and meal Saturday.  Then, we ate 2nd helpings before the family from the city drove back.  It was in the 60's when they left Sunday.

One of my favorite things to do with Thanksgiving leftovers is to make bone broth with the turkey leftovers.  I take the entire mess and put it in my crockpot with water up to the top and I slow simmer for 24 - 36 hours.  Then I pour into a large container, strained with a sheet of cheesecloth.  I then dispose of the stuff and rinse out the cheese cloth and I freeze the broth.

Today I froze half and used half the broth to make a yummy soup of sautéed onion, yellow squash and zucchini.  I ALWAYS have to look up how to spell zucchini!  Anyone else?

I just flavor it with salt and pepper and rosemary.  Then after it has simmered 30 min and all the veggies all soft and tender, I use the immersion blender to blend it all up.  So good!

I gotta get back on the bandwagon of no sweets, less carbs, less processed food.  After all, I am training for Christmas!

So I feel like I am trying to get sick.  My throat is hurting and so I am trying to stay hydrated with water and tea and taking my vitamin C.  Could be allergies?  I can add muscle soreness to my issues today, after attempting yoga last night at 7pm.  My ankle did ok, after I realized I cannot do updog and careful on down dog.  But, I did get some good stretching and was good for me to practice yesterday.  I am going to go again today I think.  I think my aunt truly does not mind me being around, I just try to spend most of my day at work/work out and have just minimal time in evenings to visit, watch a show and then get to bed, so as to minimize my interruption of her daily life. 
She and I enjoy watching a show here and there on Netflix.  I try to get to bed early, but having a bit of a hard time sleeping on this sofa bed.  It will either get easier, or I will become incapacitated, lol. 
DH is riding with his sister to their cousin, who is an avid gardener.  She is thinking out a bunch of plants/flowers.  So I told DH, bring whatever back!  We will plant it!
Severe weather crazy in the Midwest.  Prayers to those affected by storms, rain, flood, tornadoes.  Family in Arizona and Colorado posting about snow.  Crazy.
My friend with kidney cancer has bilateral pneumonia.  She is having quite a heck of a time.  My heart goes out to her and people with health challenges.

Thursday Makes Me Happy

Can't believe it is already Thursday.  I like Thursdays.  It is the day when I have (usu) done my 2 power yoga classes, have shopped and done some food prep, clean my house and normally just do whatever I want on Thursdays.

Today, since it has been so cold and we have been cooped in the house several days, we are going to take the pup on a hike this afternoon.  I have a pork roast in the crockpot and I am getting ready to finish vacuuming in my new hiking boots I am trying to get broken in.

I wore them twice in the city on my normal daily walk and they were so stiff, I got blisters.  These are old school leather with ankle support.  I need to use them more often on shorter hikes of differing terrain.  Should be fine by spring.

Last 4 or 5 days it has been really cold, supposed to be nearly 50 today!  What are you doing today?

I hope you have some sunshine on your face today.  I am also in a good mood because it is not staying daylight until almost 6pm.  That helps, the darkness of winter is hard sometimes.

Day 9

Today challenge item was watch the sunset.  I did just after walking the pup.  Sitting relaxing now.  We had no severe weather despite all the warnings - reminds us of the weather scare tactics we had up in the city.

I am having some lingering sore joints including my left low back.  Hopefully yoga this weekI can focus on it.

I made 2 kinds of cookies today to freeze till closer to Christmas.   If I don't get my cards done soon, that's not going to happen.

Hope you are getting some recharging done this Sunday.

Day 25, Grateful for Perspective

Maybe you’re experiencing a season of life right now where you feel...rejected, abandoned, disappointed, unwanted, alone...We all experience these feelings at one time or another. Maybe as a little girl or even a grown woman who desperately wishes her daddy would love her, an employee who longs for the approval of her boss, a woman who would give anything if her husband would pay attention to her, or one whose husband has walked away. Maybe you feel forgotten by friends or family during the busy holiday season, and loneliness and painful emotions threaten to steal your joy...When we find ourselves feeling this way, we’re faced with two choices. We can turn away from God in anger and frustration and develop a sour attitude. Or we can allow the words of the psalmist to motivate us to step up in our faith...Psalm 43:3, “Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live...If you’re feeling forgotten, by others or by God, let your hope swell and your joy return by intentionally believing that God will never leave you and is always by your side. Make a commitment to focus on God’s presence and the blessings He’s given you, and let God be the source of your joy...Dear Lord, I’ve been feeling...alone in this world...Forgive me for doubting, and fill my heart with the joy of Your presence. I commit today to seek after You, put my hope in You and praise You even when I’m struggling. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."
   -Tracie Miles

This really resonated with me today.   If have felt lonely and lost in my life...I developed bad coping strategies.  I persevered at my poor choices...I learned I can also make better choices...and preserver in the those.  Today, I try to remain hopeful, grateful and help others.  My feelings change like the weather in the midwest.

Wish me luck as we play golf in the wind today.  Cold front is coming in and all day temps will be dropping.

Have a wonderful Sunday.  Spoil yourself just a little today.  Start with a thought.

Day 25, I am grateful for perspective.

Funk Be Gone

Fri and Sat last week, I was in a funk.  Sunday was very relaxing and replenishing.  We stayed home, cooked some white chili and some homemade bread and relaxed.  I even took a walk, as it got up into the 30's.  We have had weather closer to teens for 2-3 weeks, which is little below normal here for this time of year.  I loved getting out and feeling the sun and looking around at nature.  Esp knowing, it still could be several weeks before I get to do that again.

I wonder if part of my problem is that I am moving this year.  I have noticed friends sort of back away a little.  I don't blame them.  People are busy.  I had a cousin come into town but was sick, so we did not get together out of fear I will get sick.  I am on an immunosuppressant and nervous about the flu.  She went on down 40 miles or so to see our other cousin, who has also been sick.  I told them next time.  I had coffee with some friends last night after work and it was great! 

I did some more project cleaning (including my entire downstairs) and my pantry and under kitchen sink.  I belong to a FB group called "A Bowl Full of Lemons" and they have a challenge room/area each month.  January is the kitchen!  That feels good.

I also dumped a car load of my DH clothes off at thrift store.  I listed 4 more of his suits and several other things and he threw 2 boots in for thrift and 1 pair out from wear.  He is really getting on board and I am proud of him.  I am tweaking my wardrobe a bit too, getting rid of more work clothes.  I have decided that quality stuff that is warm and useful that I might want when I am older, if I cannot sell it, I will store 2 boxes under the bed.  This is all the clothes storing I will allow myself!

I have steadily had a few sales, I am making a second pass at the house and taking more to RH.  Plan to get city house down to bare bones.  We have 4 more pieces of furniture (sideboard cubby, antique chest of drawers, antique secretary and one filing cabinet) maybe couple more to move before we stage our house.  Then we will only have 5 bookcases to move after our house sells, a couple of chairs, an armoire, a bakers rack and a file cabinet.  We are going to try to stretch this out over next 3 months.  Then we will have gotten our money out of an older suburban we bought, that we had to put a bit more money into than we expected.  As I start to feel the overwhelmed list, I think about looking at the new beginning, not the old ending.  There is more power in looking for the good in the possibilities, not the past.  I am now convinced I am going to sell my more expensive SUV and go without a 4th car, or trade it for a small truck.  We may not have luck selling outright, so we will try that first and then trade if nec.

We do still have a lot of hunting and camping gear, but now that we have pretty much decided I am retiring with him this fall, we might need it and figure that will be a good time to weed that out.  So much for no-buy January, I got an awesome deal on a brand new pair of leather Columbia hiking boots on PM for $55!  My DH found a good deal on a pair that he had been wanting for several years - Vasque.  So, I don't feel bad because they really are more of a necessity than the normal clothes we buy.  I just dream about those hikes we want to take in retirement state.  I think about that everytime i have to bundle up and walk my dogs here in city.  RH has a fenced backyard and doggie door!  Can't wait!  Have a wonderful week!