Happy Monday world! This isn’t just another Monday. Here in the states it’s Memorial Day.
Yes many often view it as a three day weekend, a kick start to summer and a day to BBQ. The reality is, its a day of solemn remembrance for the men and women who served and gave their lives for our country.
I know if I made a trip to the military cemetery where my father is buried, a flag would be on his stone as well as the thousands of others who surround him.
My father did two terms in Vietnam. He was always immensely proud of his service to our country.
He never talked about his time there. It wasn’t until the last year of his life that he said some things that made sense to some of his ( we thought, idiosyncrasies) and I think it was only the advancing of his alzheimers that may have loosened the memories and let them out.
He always wanted the windows closed and locked. It made my mom crazy. He revealed in his later days that the enemy used to hide in the jungle and trees and then attack. ( we live in the country surrounded by some very dense terrain) he had never lost the worry that they were still out there.
Or more chilling how the sound of aircraft made him tense… the enemy would fly over and throw the dead soldiers from the helicopter. A reminder they could be next.
It was a roadside bomb exploding and causing the vehicle he was in to crash causing injuries that sent him to Germany to rehab and then finally home.
I’m not sure you or I can even begin to grasp what our service men and women go through, or how it makes a lifetime indelible impact on them physically, emotionally and spiritually.
On this day we remember those who sacrificed their lives. Those who left behind loved ones, dreams, and plans for the future.
Ithought of how so many laid down their lives as…..
I passed a man selling fresh produce on the side of the road this morning.
I saw a bumper sticker proclaiming political views.
I drove by multiple churches.
I made plans for my business.
I recently voted in an election.
I shopped in stores with a great abundance of food and other items.
Freedom.
We have so much freedom in our country to use our voices, to run businesses, to move about freely, to worship as we choose, or not choose. We have freedom to vote for our elected leaders.
We have so many freedoms and it’s on this solemn day we stop to remember…to remember those who gave all so that we can live in the daily freedoms we take so for granted.
Thank you seems so small…..such small words for gratitude of giving and serving with ones life.
As you gather with your family on this day, I hope you take a moment to pause and give thanks for the precious gift of freedoms you have and for the lives of those who make it possible.
Is anyone else appreciating that the days are slowly getting a bit longer and for us, warmer as well?
So I’m feeling a bit victorious...
Why you ask? I’m coming off a 9 day stint of taking care of my very active, busy, precocious 2 year old granddaughter while my son and wife were in Ireland.
Rough for them I know 😛
Anyway, I dusted off my 24/7 mom skills and thankfully they were still in place. And it should be mentioned, being fit has payoffs in keeping up with a non stop 2 year old.
Thankfully she enjoys being busy and enjoyed running and going places with me.
She loves being outdoors with the sun in her face and wind in her hair. She wants to explore and is open to new adventures. She’s fearless and doesn’t hesitate from jumping into things.
She’s my spirit animal, seriously.
We went to the park one day. And of course she wanted me running up the hills with her, and then climbing up the big slide. She delightedly waited at the bottom for me to slide down squealing in joy. We got on the swings, her in my lap holding on to the chains thrilled we were sailing into the trees.
***me…attempting to bend all 6’0 under the slide over hang***
It was all fun and games till she let one arm go. I was trying to keep her on my lap while the swing was twisting wildly and I’m internally freaking out ’cause I’m terrified I’m gonna break her little arm. When I finally get the crazy swing under control and stop us, she turns to me and says “Nanny come on, do it again!” While my heart is still pounding out of my chest…
I got to climb bars, swing from them, and all kinds of other things while well behaved moms in yoga pants sat chatting watching my antics.
It’s the cool thing about being old. You just do what you want and you don’t care if anyone may or may not be approving.
There’s a crazy amount of freedom in that.
And you know something? It is true…what people used to tell me…that grandkids are awesome and blah, blah…I thought they were just running their mouths
You love them in this crazy, awesome, different way from your own kids. They are the reward for not eating your own offspring 😜
They own your heart in ways you can’t explain.
I have 6…and a 7th due in less than a month…another little girl to own my heart. My first born son expecting his first born. I can hardly wait to see him in a daddy role to his baby girl.
I just hope he doesn’t pass out during the delivery….
So yeah, grandbabies are kinda cool.
Then one day, we’re in my car hitting the highway. I drive a Charger and it never gets old letting it open up, hearing the engine kick in, and that swift feel of rapid speed. It’s a head rush.
I do love it.
Then from the backseat I hear….”Whoa!” Followed by a wild delighted laugh. I glanced back to see her with this big smile on her face. It appears she may enjoy it too…
This was us “driving” later. I may be ruining her for her dad hahaha
The next morning as we were going to car she runs for drivers side and I hear…”Nanny are you ready?”
I spent a whole lot of time laughing. 😂😂
Her parents returned home after a fun trip and collected her.
I missed her sleepy little face that first morning they were back, waking up, calling me and giving me morning hugs and kisses.
We had been partners in crime.
Fortunately they live next door so I don’t have to go to long before I get those again.
Later, I got to enjoy my coffee in a cool cup. Pretty sure not many people have a coffee cup like this around Texas….
Oh yeah, aside from busy 2 year old care, I had time to work on lots of projects for my business. That has kept me running too. I love all the creativity that comes with it.. I find it quite relaxing in a weird way.
I finished this cool antique table this week. I’m excited it has sold already.
Look at those claw feet. I’m a sucker for those.
I repurposed an ugly vintage suitcase…
Look at it now…
And I turned a boring brown table into a clock table which I love…
I’m on a black and white kick….
And one other thing. Check out this super cool antique radio cabinet I scored. I’m totally repurposing it for something else…I can hardly wait to start it.
In other random stuff….
I was running through the store the other day and spotted this.. .
Like…what the heck Barbie?? I know times are a changin’ ya’ll but.. this isn’t the Barbie I knew and loved.
I love the glamorous Barbie even if the world thinks she’s unrealistic. What’s wrong with fantasy and fun play? I like my Barbies with crazy long legs and unrealistic waist sizes.
She had amazing clothes, cool cars and equally spiffy boy friends.
I don’t want a thick Barbie in mom jeans.
I know that may not be politially correct to say but it’s my personal opinion. Childhood is short, why can’t you have something wildly fun and non real to enjoy before you have to grow up?
Maybe there is a market for the mom jean Barbie….I prefer the Barbie who knows how to dress and has the cool car.
Your turn to weigh in…what do you think about a modern looking Barbie? What new projects or adventures have you been up to this week? How will you spend longer days?
Happy Monday you crazy kids! The kick start of a new week and new beginnings. The day new diets are determined to be started and Friday plans are already formulating.
I don’t have any weird hang ups with Monday, I’m just glad I’m still invited to the party, ya know what I mean?
Spring is slowly settling in over south Texas and with that comes warmer temps, lighter clothes and the promise of longer days.
But before spring is really in solid, we do usually get a few cooler days before those warm days are permanent.
Of course with the changing seasons, it means retailers will mark down clothes to make room for the incoming season.
It’s amazing what can be found there if you time it right.
Yeah, you have to wade through the usual cheese graters, random glasses, candleholders, tired picture frames and whatnot to get some cool nugget but I find the hunt as fun as bagging the game.
Anyway, I was waiting for the door to open last week (’cause they don’t open till that clock hits 10 ya know 😉 )
They had racks of markdown winter clothes out front, I guess giving us something to do while we waited. I had noticed this leather jacket hanging right on the end of the rack
I tried to ignore it.
Really.
I have enough black, rocker chick type jackets. I have a thing for them and they in turn, work for me.
But it was just hanging there like it was waiting for me to find it…. and then I thought.. I think it’s my size…
“just try it on” the little bad voice in my head whispered
I pulled it off the hanger, slipped it on, and of course, it fit like a glove.
And it was black. And it had all the zippers and snaps, and cool stuff I love on those jackets….
I casually asked the lady what the price was since there wasn’t one on it.
Her reply… “Oh, it’s 3.99 but all that is half price today.”
I blinked twice… and popped the jacket back off the hanger into my waiting arms.
2.00? You’re coming with me baby.
It even matches my car 😉
Ok, I don’t always find cool clothes… I don’t really look for them. As stated, I’m usually after discarded goodies I can flip for my shop. Sometimes, I’ve got an armload and other times I’m left empty handed.
One week though, I had decided that there was nothing I needed/wanted/ could use. I was on my way out and did a final “drive by” down the frame aisle. I saw a lady holding a sampler.
A “sampler” is what girls used to do back in the day, practice their sewing. It could contain things like numbers, ABC’s, simple pictures etc. I love them and have several in my home.
How had I missed these the first time???
I lurked around looking at random things hoping she’d discard it and walk off.
She did.
I snatched it up and also a smaller one on the floor next to it.
My first thought was that they were so heavy. They were framed in glass, double glass.
My second thought was… these look really old.
Like… old.
I didn’t hesitate, but scooped them up, paid the clerk the 11.67 they came to and left.
Outside, I eagerly examined them and came to the conclusion, they had to be real because who would go through such trouble to preserve something that wasn’t that old unless, well, it really was??
And why were they tossed in with the cheapo frames on the floor?
Yes, this one is dated 1872.And this one is dated 1820. 200 years old next year.
I have questions.
Who would get rid of these? Why would someone take such effort to preserve them to only have them land in a bin of cheap frames and art work? Why was something so old, obviously antiqued, so cheap??
Lucky me.
They fit right in with my love of old cool things. And I got both for 11 dollars and some change.
It was my lucky day 😉
Before we leave this topic….
Hubby and I went to a big flea market yesterday. I found a bunch of cool goodies, but this table, how cute is it?
I love these old school tables. The claw feet always help me to date it. They just don’t make such detailed furniture anymore.
This is going to go through a lovely transformation… I promise to show it off when it’s done 🙂
When I’m not flipping furniture……
Spring time also means birthdays in my family. My daughter in law requested a chocolate cake I make with strawberries. It’s a family favorite…
Honestly though, the frosting I could just eat out of the bowl. With an entire pack of real butter and rich chocolate, it melts in your mouth.
I’ll give you a minute to just stare at it and imagine….. haha
Well, I did make some healthy side dishes for the meal… that helps right?
There are lots of recipes for asparagus and tomatoes but I kinda do my own thing. I toss the asparagus and tomatoes together with some olive oil, crushed pepper and sea salt, plenty of fresh garlic, and then roast in oven turning frequently till it’s all tender. I added fresh parmesan cheese at the end.
It’s like heaven.
It should also be noted that we were celebrating her birthday early ’cause next week her and my son will be in… Ireland….
and it should also be noted I will be watching my 2 year old granddaughter while they are gone.
She’s like 2 going on 20.
She makes me laugh and she does crazy things.
She’s my spirit animal.
I’m grateful that I’m an above “average energetic” grandmother ’cause it’s gonna be a busy 9 days 😛
And in some final what on earth?? thoughts….
I heard a story on the news recently that made me just wonder … wonder why on earth it even needed mentioned.
It was about some actress or some famous “ish” person “coming out”….
What was she coming out about?
She has stretch marks.
Yes you are reading correctly. She was coming out that she had stretch marks a common normal thing millions of people have.
I was scratching my head at how this was newsworthy and I guess on some level she had felt this had made her less than a person or something like that.
This is what our world has come to. That our value is based on surface things. That if we are somehow “flawed” there’s something wrong with us.
Listen, you may be genetically blessed and not have a single one. You may have done every thing possible to not get one and boom, there they are.
It’s not just that. You don’t have to look far to see that besides stretch marks, cellulite ( again something millions have, even skinny people) is another damning factor making you less than worthy.
Let me just state this incase you need reminded.
Those things don’t define you nor do they make you less valuable.
I can tell you this. When I’m on the road running or cycling or when I’m lifting heavy things, the last thing on my mind is my stretch marks. ( and yep I got some with pregnancy) they don’t define my strength and power. They don’t affect my performance. They don’t keep me from wearing running shorts and a sports bra or a 2 pc swimsuit.
And photo bombed by an amazing sunrise….
And I hardly let them bother my self esteem.
We live in such a shallow world where such surface things can define us or reduce the value we feel for ourselves. Society. social media and beauty magazines do a good job promoting this crap.
This is just a reminder that you, and your real or perceived flaws are fine just the way you are.
Now… tell me…. do you go to thrift stores? Do you like finding treasures others have cast off? With the arrival of spring, what’s your favorite outdoor activity?
I soaked up a bit too much last weekend and got some sunburn… like it’s February right? how can that be. My skin reminded me it’s been hidden for months and not outdoors being exposed to the elements training…
I am good about using sunblock but I just got outside and lost in my work and kinda forgot to spray the stuff on.
oh well… I am rather brown now haha
And I will definitely make that the first thing I do before I spend the day working outside.
Today though I want to leave you with a thought. I saw this quote months ago and planned to do something with it..so here we are..
I’ve thought often how people can be content sitting on the sidelines and just observing but never really taking the plunge into something.
Taking the plunge into their dreams, hopes, ambitions, goals, life.
For some reason they are held back… by fear? uncertainty? the unknown or “what if’s”?
All of us will have different goals, interests, desires etc.
A different “calling” on our life if you will
Years ago I would’ve never seen myself where I am today, nor would I have seen myself accomplishing things I thought only “other” people did.
Not only did the idea of running seem crazy, running half, full and an ultra marathon seemed completely and totally insane.
And a duathlon? Go run, then bike, then go run again.
No… no where would I have seen that coming. Like that stuff is hard.
Yet, because I kept putting one foot in front of the other, somehow, all of that unfolded unfront of me.
Were there times I doubted myself? Absolutely.
After a training session that didn’t go like I planned or feeling tired it could happen. I’d mentally talk to myself, regroup, and get after it again.
I DID have what it took to do those things.
I realized I’d never felt more alive being out on the road doing hard work than anything else I’d ever done.
Ok, in all fairness I do have a “dive into the deep end” mentality when it comes to taking things on… but to take a middle aged non-athletic woman and turn her into an athlete?
It didn’t happen by sitting on the sidelines observing life and others who were doing it. It required me getting out of my comfort zone and getting stretched far beyond limits I thought I had.
I wanted to participate in life…in the things that made my heart beat fast and made me think again what wonderful machines are bodies are and how they can be trained to do amazing things. I wanted to participate in challenging my perceived limits.
And I wanted to savor what it felt like doing it, not just merely watching or thinking I “couldn’t” do it.
I have big goals ahead for myself. I am far from content sitting back and not continuing to push and work for more.
I will never be the one spectating, sitting on the side lines.
I want to be in the mix of something that challenges me more whether it’s athletically or learning new skills that I don’t know.
Which one are you? Where do you want to be? It’s never to late to make changes and set new goals.
I was feeling kinda lazy and toying with not writing and then I thought about you, my 1.5 readers. I thought about you and how you’d be bleary eyed over your morning coffee looking for todays Monday Musings and then it wouldn’t be there and you’d be mildly disappointed…ha… so here we are.
I do have a few things I’m musing this week… as in….
How the heck do I have a 30 year old child now? Well, not a child a man for sure, but you know what I mean.
Tomorrow, he officially turns “30”. For some reason he’s been dreading it like he’s now gotta sign up for AARP and get fitted for dentures or something.
I find myself pondering where 30 years rolled off to? I think I’m to young to have a child this age 😛
A homemade 3 layer German Chocolate Cake
My first born son.
Sweet, kind hearted, gentle, ridiculously off the cuff funny, smart, ( he used to toss the directions for Leggo kits and just build them from sight), he impresses me with what he can teach himself and what he knows, he’s beautiful and comes in at about 6’5, a combination which often makes the opposite sex pay attention.
He’s also married and going to make me a grandmother again with a beautiful little girl in the spring 🙂
This is the gentle, compliable, laid back child that convinced us it was so fun we should have another one.
Enter my strong willed, stubborn, head strong, out spoken, bold second son. You know the shopping cart that refuses to go the right way and is constantly careening everywhere and you gotta keep a firm hand on it at all times? Yeah. This child may be more like me than I want to admit… but he’s another story 😉
I joke it’s good the oldest one came first….
Life moves along and I think one of it’s biggest markers/milestones is watching your children grow up. I’m blessed for sure with what I’ve been given and am so thankful to watch him celebrate another life milestone.
I realized this week sometimes I underestimate myself
Not often, but I do.
When I was asked before Christmas to offer up a wish list, it was on my mind to ask for heavier free weights. I have a variety of weights I use depending on what I’m doing, everything from light 15lb for higher reps, to a 35 lb kettle bell, and Olympic weights for all the other fun stuff. I had asked for 20lbs thinking that would be enough of a move up to make me work a bit harder than the lighter ones I used mostly for arm work
I did get the requested 20 lb weights.
What I realized is in the past months, the time I’ve been working out, my arms have gotten stronger than I realized and the 20 pounders felt, well, a bit breezey. ( Iguess tossing all that other heavy stuff around added up :-P)
As in, I easily curled off 12 reps without missing a beat. I knew if I wanted to be challenged more I’d need to up the weight. So I went to athletic store and played with the 25 and 30 pounds. Even though I use a 35 kettle bell, it’s usually with both hands so the single 30 was heavier for single arm work.
I opted for the 25’s because it’s hard enough, and when I add more reps I really start to feel it. Doing renegade rows with them I REALLY feel them.
Don’t know what a renegade row looks like? Here you go. It’s a little work for a lot of your body
Needless to say, I’ve got some new arm goals for this year 😉
The holidays are behind us, time to get productive again…
Meaning, I need to get back to flipping my vintage and antique furniture! My daughter in laws were asking me what I’d done lately and I’m like…uh nothing….
Tonight though, I finished off a chair that’s mine that’s been sitting waiting for a new seat and waxing over the paint. I love this old chair, it’s legs and weathered details. I bought it in horrible condition for 10.00. It now looks pretty, distressed, usable and cute with my old Sligh desk I refinished last year.
I love the spindle backI love the legs 🙂
Want to read more about what I do in my uh…spare time? Find my posts here…
Do you remember, way back in April of last year, there was a Southwest Airplane that the engine blew out on ? The pilot, a woman named Tammie Jo Shults, calmly, successfully, navigated and landed the plane to safety with only one engine and a hole in the cabin after a window blew out.
Here’s the super cool thing.
I’ve gone to church with her for years.
I remember one summer doing VBS ( vacation bible school) with her and finding out she was a pilot and being in awe of that…and then finding out later she’d been a Navy fighter pilot.. the first woman to do so.
I mean, really, that seemed like a crazy, cool kinda job.
Needless to say, when that day happened and we heard about it, but then it got really closer to home when we all started hearing who the pilot was.
I tell you all this because this morning she shared her story during the morning worship service.
Before she spoke they played clips with air traffic control and her in the cockpit during that unnerving flight while pictures of the plane were shown.
To say it was moving is an understatement.
Soft spoken, well articulated with a good sense of humor, she shared her personal insights from that day.
Already a strong and committed Christian, she gave a beautiful testimony of peace and trust in God during that time. She said “I realized quickly that today could well be the day I meet my Maker” but then she said” I also knew we were still in the air and flying but somehow knowing the truth that it could be a possibility, a calm settled over me as I began to do what I needed to do. ”
This is the calm steady voice you will hear on the audio tapes from that day.
She jokingly said one of her sons friends had commented “Your Mom is so calm!” and his response was, “No she’s not, you should see her when I leave my dishes in the sink!”
She talked about the unsure, scary moments when the engine went out, the cabin losing pressure, smoke in the cockpit, not being able to hear, see, or breathe, how horribly loud everything was and how badly the plane was shaking.
She wondered if it would be able to stay together to fly. With one engine gone and parts of the plane destroyed with it, she said the left side was essentially like having an “anchor in the air”.
She talked about the pain she still feels knowing a woman lost her life that day and how she has kept up with her family. She mentioned passengers that she said were the “true hero’s that day” and her crew that did an amazing job at handling such a difficult situation.
Listening to her speak about that day was not only interesting to hear her personal account, but also to here her share about her steady and unwavering faith in God even in the midst of such turmoil and difficulties was encouragement to us all.
I can’t top that…..
What a story, right?
I’ve got a busy week ahead and ideas for new topics to bring you. One post I’m looking forward to writing is a comparison post on low carb vs. keto. Are they the same? Different? What are the good and not so good points on them? And lots more ideas as well.
Your turn… what do you have going on in this new week of a new year?
Welcome to the last edition of Monday Musings for 2018! It’s hard to believe we sit poised on another brand new year full of possibilities and adventures.
It’s all about your perspective
I promise this isn’t gonna be any kinda “new year, new you” post nor will it be full of cliché end of year rhetoric.
Just yours truly with some random musings to end the year with and perhaps a little sass thrown in the mix just for fun.
The holiday season has been great
OK I don’t know how it goes for everyone, but my holidays have been good.
Busy? Yes. Controlled chaos at times? Yes. Food? Ugh more than enough. Family? See “controlled chaos” ha
Seriously though, I’m blessed to have my tribe together and everyone is happy and the kids play and drag toys everywhere to which I find pieces of things tucked in my sofa till summer time and Nerf darts in odd places but it’s all good stuff, ya know?
There’s been a plethora of food and sweet treats and really at this time of year I’m officially getting sick of food.
I’ve been cooking and baking since… well… Thanksgiving.
I’m ready to get back to easy meals and I’m ready to take a break from sugary treats. I guess it’s good I’m used to eating healthy most of the time because it doesn’t take long for me to realize it’s not my comfort zone.
The Snake Oil People Are Coming
Oh I have a good time with all of the “health and wellness” leeches out there. I don’t have a voice here for no reason, and having a blog and my social media is the perfect platform for speaking out against some of the craziness.
The tv ads have started. The stores have begun to set up huge displays of “meal replacement shakes” with athletic wear in the front of store and my social media feeds have all the DM people hawking their wares for weight loss.
Tricks and gimmicks abound.
Yeah, yeah we all ate cookies at Christmas and maybe to much of grandmas pie.
Whatever.
Here’s the deal, you don’t need their wizardry to lose weight, honestly, you don’t. Keep your money, buy healthy, real food and smaller clothes with it.
You don’t need to be cleansed, detoxed, purified, or any of that other nonsense. ( remember you’ve got a liver and kidneys to do all that 😉 )
I’m not gonna go crazy in this post about this topic but I WILL leave you with a great article that clearly defines all the “lingo” these companies use so you’re a little educated.
I have not gotten in the amount my body craves these past few weeks. I came off months of training, did the duathlon at the end of November, and headed into a busy month working and preparing for the holiday season.
I did get out the other day for a ride… of course it was one of the coldest mornings we had this week….
My Ninja look. I was kinda numb when I got back but I felt amazing
I hope you have found time to get out and enjoy some purposeful movement. I hope that as you move into the year ahead, you are already planning to make it a part of your daily routine.
I enjoy other less “active” activities…
The day after Christmas found me with my first “free” day in quite awhile. And by that I didn’t feel totally task oriented with a to-do list in my face. So I trolled the local stores for any after Christmas items I couldn’t live without then I went and got coffee and just spent some time… reading….
Coffee and a good book. It’s the simple things right?
I started a book ( One Bridge To Life) before Thanksgiving and it got set aside ’cause I just didn’t seem to find extra time to lay down and leisurely read.
I was able to attend a public meeting at a local church and the speaker was a 92 year old man who had survived the Holocaust.
There is something very humbling about sitting there listening to someone recount horrors from ages ago, yet watching his face at times, it was like he was seeing it all very clearly in his minds eye. That got me more than anything… seeing his look become distant as if he were seeing it all over again… and he most likely was.
Of course his time to talk went all to fast so, what do you do to fill in the gaps?
You buy his book of course.
This one is his personal recollections of his life before the invasion, during his time as a prisoner, and then his liberation.
I read and then have to walk away at times as I’m dealing with the truths that these were real people. The horror is almost like todays graphic horror except I know this was real life.
I keep reading and I start to get involved with a “character” and I want them to make it… to get out…to escape…so many never made it to survival.
I’ve had to set the book down and walk away for awhile more times than I should admit.
I just cannot wrap my mind around the horrible, ghastly, inhumane treatment of human beings done by other “human beings”.
Yeah, not light reading I know.
I believe like so many others, these stories, the lives of those who went through this monsterous atrocity, must always be remembered. I guess educating myself further is a way for me to “not forget” such a horrible point in the history of mankind.
Boy that got heavy….
I finished my weekend up by working at the shop. If you remember I shared in previous posts, I took a space in a Vintage store in town to house all my creativity and to keep some of it out of my house 😛
Anyway, a slow afternoon let me re-work my space and take down Christmas, and overall be a bit productive.
All the pretty green things
Speaking of taking down Christmas
I will admit to feeling like… HUH? when people whip their tree and decorations down the day after Christmas.
Like what’s up with that?
I guess ’cause I put so much into my decorating I just love to enjoy it for as long as I want. My tree has stayed spectacular this year, for a live tree, now past Christmas, it’s not even dropping needles.
Considering how big it is, and how much work it took to make it look so gorgeous, I’m in no hurry to pull it down.
I jokingly tell my kids it may have Valentine hearts on it.
And with that I’ll leave you with this weeks question to ponder…
Do you take your decorations down soon after Christmas? Or do you enjoy leaving them up for awhile?
Hello world! It’s late as I sit down to write this and I’m toying with crawling into my bed after a busy day OR knocking out a post for your Monday viewing pleasure.
It looks like writing is winning out so here we go.
I feel pretty victorious right now…..
I got a lot of my Christmas wrapping done yesterday. I think this is a huge win. Don’t get me wrong, I love wrapping. I love making beautiful presents for people to open. It’s just the “sitting down and doing it” part that I need to commit to.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…
I’ll get these done just in time for all my Amazon purchases to start arriving this week then it’s on to more wrapping.
And seriously? I’ve been the Amazon shopping queen this year. Free standard shipping? Delivered by Christmas? I’m all over that. Definitely saves me time, gas, energy, and not having to deal with 1.5 million people in places that aren’t made for that many people.
Sometimes, it’s very “people (y)” out there and I’m just not crazy about that. Weird I know considering I’m really pretty much an extrovert but even then there are times I don’t want to be surrounded by so much humanity.
Like… where do they all come from???
Online shopping is where it’s at.
Things I’ve realized lately….
The older I get the more I realize there are things I care less about.
Let’s consider unrealistic expectations.
The laundry will never be “all done” and I won’t make myself a basket case 😉 trying to hit that illusive goal. It doesn’t matter. It’s never “done”.
My floors will never be spotless. I’m cool with that… mostly. I’d rather pour my energy into something else than attempting to keep them looking like no one lives here.
My closets will never be magazine perfect looking organized. They are tidy and I know where everything is… that works.
I will never be able to make everyone happy at any given time and it’s not my job to do that.
As much as I want my holiday meal table to look like a Norman Rockwell painting, it never will. If people are fed, happy, content and loving I will consider that a total win.
Taking care of myself is just as important as taking care of others ( pay attention to that.) Being a martyr and thinking it’s not something you should do is not right. Take care of you.
And one other tidbit ( I could write a lot on this topic… but one more)
Life is just to short to fold and mate socks together.
There. I said it. All you OCD people are choking on your coffee right now.
I realized a complete freedom one day tossing all of my socks into a drawer helter skelter and walking away.
Freedom. On to something more exciting.
When I grab them I may or may not have them as matching colors. That has become irrelevant to me as well. Uh.. they do have to be the same “kind” of socks though.. I do that have standard hahaha
I do still match hubby’s ’cause he deserves to pull out a complete set in the wee hours as he gets ready for work.
In other fun events…
If you read my Saturday Snippets post, https://sassyfitnesschick.com/2018/12/15/saturday-snippets-2/ I mentioned hubby had a birthday and I shared the cake recipe with you. What I didn’t tell you about is the cool gift I was able to surprise him with.
What was it you ask? Tickets to see The Phantom of the Opera that was playing in town.
I knew he’d never, ever suspect it so it made watching him open it that much more fun.
Anyway we got to go on Sunday and it was amazing. The show is downtown ( I love downtown… it has such a “feel” a life of it’s own) at the Majestic Theatre which opened in 1929 and when you walk in, you feel like you’ve stepped back into that time period. The design, structure, everything makes you feel like you’re in the roaring 20’s. The theatre was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1993. It was also the first theatre in the state to have air conditioning. For many years it remained the largest theatre in Texas and the second largest in the United States.
A side view of the theatre
Playbill
This is the longest running show having been produced for 30 years. Not only was the entire show incredible, the singing literally left chills running down my spine.
The talent of the main characters was just breath taking.
The story is bittersweet with a love triangle between the young opera singer, her love interest in her life and the Phantom who lives in the bowels of the opera house.
I’ve had the idea for awhile to just toss out something short and sweet ’cause on the weekends yours truly is busy and I know you are too.
These posts will contain anything from a current recipe I’ve found and love, an exercise idea, thought, inspirational quote… well… you’ll just have to check in week to week to see what it is.
Today I want to offer up a sweet treat recipe. Birthday’s are still a big deal in our home regardless of how old you get.
Every year is worthy of a celebration.
My amazing hubby just celebrated another trip around the sun so when I asked what kind of delicious cake he wanted me to whip up for him I got the not so unexpected response of…
Carrot cake.
Now don’t start gagging if the idea of veggies in a dessert seems every kind of wrong. Carrots make a wicked, moist and tender cake… and I promise you have no idea they are there.
Anyway, I’ve made these before but went searching for something “new” and found a recipe to try.
Oh my goodness. It was worth the little extra effort it took to make it ( you make a buttermilk glaze to pour on warm cake.. then frost when cooled) the frosting is …well.. can I find words??
Cream cheese and real butter with a hint of vanilla…
It made a marvelous 3 layer cake that even my carrot cake hating kids were drooling over… they are now singing a different story 😉 It really was the most amazing delicious cake.
And here’s the recipe to try out. Be sure and check out my board “homemade cakes” on Pinterest!
Are you a carrot cake lover or hater? If you don’t like it, why?
Happy Monday beautiful people! It’s really Sunday evening as I write this, and I’m finally finding a moment to sit down after a long busy day and catch my breath.
Football has been on all day and of course all my men must keep the sound at a level that resembles being at the actual football game.
When the games are over, the sound comes down, it’s then I’m reminded how nice a quieter house is.
With everyone here I’m reminded of how blessed I am to have such a wonderful family…. even if they do have the football games ridiculously loud 😉
Family.
It’s hard to not reflect on how blessed I am with my family. I have an amazing, wonderful husband, great kids, my sons wives, grandkids ( another on the way arriving in the spring!) and my daughters boyfriend who after 2 years of putting up with her 😉 is also family.
I’m grateful for who we are as a group. For the love, laughter, silliness and uniqueness of each person. I guess I’ve become even more appreciative in a world where so many families aren’t like that, who are mean spirited and cut throat to one another, where jealousy and petty things take place over the value of relationships. These behaviors are so sad to me.
It just makes me want to hold closer those I love and what we have. I don’t mean “perfection” because not one single person or family is “perfect”… that also is an illusion many try to present…. just learn to love perfectly with not perfect people.
But really though, if you don’t take care of your family, at the end of the day what do you have? The world is a rough place, love those who are yours, over look faults, be patient with weaknesses, set loving boundaries, speak truth, love fiercely and value the uniqueness of those who are your tribe.
Ok I’m gonna get off my soapbox now 😉
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
Speaking of family… for me Christmas and family are closely tied together.
This past week I’ve gotten all my Christmas decorating done and my massive tree all decorated.
All 13 feet of it.
It’s got over 400 lights, 180 feet of silver beaded garland, and 100’s of ornaments. It took pretty much every ornament I have and my 6’0 body hanging precariously off the very top of a 6’0 ladder… but it’s done.
It is really, I think, the most spectacular tree we’ve ever had.
I love turning all the lights off at night and just sitting in the quiet house before I go to bed and just looking at it.
I find those times peaceful as it lets my mind unwind and wander and reflect on so many things. It’s a practice I’ve enjoyed for years and I find simple joy in it.
Here… I’ll let you have a sneak peak at it all….
All of the glass ornaments that were my grandmothers and moms go at the top for safe keeping 🙂
How beautiful is this?
Long before you young whippersnappers had that crazy little Elf on a shelf thing going on, I had this little guy be a part of all my Christmases…which are getting up there now 😉
According to what I was told a long time ago, these little guys came on dish soap bottles back in the dark ages.
My grandmother was the one who got them ( a green and a red one) the green I retrieved from an old tub of my mom’s where Christmas decorations go to die. Although faded and more worn looking I dragged him out and he has a spot on my primitive toy tree ( I’ll show you later )
The red one comes out every year to quietly perch among the branches of my tree.
I don’t have to do anything with him, move him around or pose him in a bowl of cereal.
He’s just a quiet sentinel marking another Christmas in his family.
I love having things from my childhood past to share with my kids and grandkids. Those things evoke feelings and memories of Christmases long ago and the people I loved who I shared them with.
I hope these traditions continue a long time in my family.
But on the topic of trees….
I somehow, in the past few years, have managed to have more than one tree. I’ve got little theme trees that I haven’t been able to resist doing.
A primitive toy tree surrounded by my old rocking horse obsession. A cool black and silver tree that holds all my kids ornaments they lovingly brought home from school projects years ago, a silver tree that holds tons of little glass ornaments that date back to my great grandmother. It’s so vintage looking… I love it.
This tiny tree is only about 2 feet tall. In a old wood crate it’s surrounded by old glass ornaments who are “wounded” and can’t hang on the tree anymore.
A few years ago I got a pink one. Sorry, I’m a girl and pink is like one of my favorite colors. It’s in my kitchen and it’s all gingerbread and candy themed and my granddaughters adore looking at it. It’s full of whimsical sparkly play candy and garland although I do buy various colored candy canes to add to it.
I think I’ve got like five theme trees around my home… but hey! It’s better than being a crazy cat lady, right??
In other news….
in a busy month with not only usual life activities, but holiday preparations as well it might be tempting to skip your workouts.
May I suggest something short and sweet that also brings a punch ? HIIT (high intensity interval training) is hard work in a short amount of time.
Got 20 minutes?
Here’s an example of one I did last week.
10 push ups
10 burpees
10 jumping squats
20 jumping jacks
20 mountain climbers
30 sit ups
30 second plank hold
Do as may sets as you can in 20 minutes.
It was a cold morning when I did this. I was sweating at the end. I managed to get 5 sets done. I was thinking that didn’t seem like…a lot.. until I realized I had done 150 sit ups in those 5 sets. I do butterfly sit ups with a 25 lb weight plate to make it a little harder. I do a longer hold on my plank as well.
It’s important to remember that you can always modify a workout to your current physical abilities. If you’re stronger, add some weight or push a little harder.
If you are just starting out, reduce reps if you need to and go at an easy pace.
Short, powerful workouts are very effective and if you are limited on time, they offer a high energy boost and get you on your way.
Visit me on Pinterest and find more short workouts on my fitness boards.
Ok and you know I need to leave you with something tasty….
I will also encourage you to maintain healthy eating habits during the festive season of Christmas and all that goes with it however there are going to be tasty treats to eat as well…..
My daughter in law found this recipe and suggested we should try it. We are quite the dessert lab rats around here haha
These are delicious and will probably be added to our list of favorites. Don’t take my word for it, go make it and see what you think.
My cookie baking and candy making will be getting going soon so I’ll share some of my favorites with you in an up coming post 🙂
So tell me… are you ready for Christmas? How goes the decorating? Are you done shopping yet? Do you have a favorite Christmas item or recipe?
Welcome to the first installment of Saturday Snippets! I’ve had this idea bouncing for awhile and am finally getting it out.
Uh… what’s a snippet?
It’s a small piece or brief extract of information.
I decided this might be a fun forum to post a new recent recipe, a healthy tip that might not need a whole post, or just sharing a quote or thought I may have come across.
But overall, it will be a short and sweet post that will offer something positive, informative or maybe thought provoking and it won’t take but a moment of your time 😉
And on that note… today’s snippet…..
Time. It’s something we all get the same amount of. How we choose to use it is where we differ.
When it comes to health and fitness, specifically exercise, it seems that is the thing most often heard as to reasons why someone isn’t exercising.
It’s not that they/we/I/you don’t have the time, it’s just something that we may not choose to make a priority.
Move exercise into “priority status” like having a meal, brushing your teeth, being at work on time, watching tv or playing on the computer, meeting a friend for coffee or anything else you do in life that you may set aside as important.
Do this often enough and you’ll find you do indeed, have the time to exercise.
sassyfitnesschick 