Recovering in Dark Mode

I felt much better today. Pretty weak from lack of food and hydration, but I could work from home so that helped me take it easy.

What didn't help was just when I was feeling a bit energized, I swear it was getting dark out already. Looked at the clock and it 2:17 p.m. WHAT?

It wasn't my imagination. The rain started and stayed – and those dark clouds won't break up for days, I don't think. Uff da. 

Good thing I don't always count on the weather to lift my spirits. That's pretty much off the table from November to May. But if tomorrow goes even better and I survive all day at the "real" office, I'm hoping to join some church folks at the Best Christmas Pageant Ever movie after work.

Even if there's rain, my friend Kermit the Frog above knows it's often followed by rainbows. In whatever form you want! 🌈 Let's find our Rainbow Connection this week – for lovers and dreamers and Christmas-movie-junkie ME.

Our Daily Bread

I'm late to the Gratitude Month party! But this is the column I wrote for our monthly church newsletter on the subject. Since it's finally November (plus some), I can share....

Our Daily Bread

At least once a week – without fail – we pray the Lord’s Prayer. But sometimes we get so used to praying it that we end up reciting it instead. Do we ever stop to think that we’re merely asking God to provide us our “daily bread” – our daily needs – and nothing more than that? Could we live with just what we need?

This fall, like usual, Mother Nature hit our country with a variety of tropical storms and hurricanes. And this year, at least two big ones that caused extensive flooding and damage and led to power outages and destruction of homes, business, even national treasures.

I personally am grateful I got to spend a week in the Asheville, N.C., last year – including a day at the impressive and historic Biltmore Estate – before this year’s storm put the city and an extravagant piece of history under water. You can’t take anything for granted – even after a century.

My heart goes out to the millions in the Southeast who lost what we would consider our daily bread – our necessities: Shelter, water, food, clothing, electricity, and more.

I feel blessed to be part of a church and community who immediately rallied to send aid to the victims. Semi-trucks parked around town were quickly filled with donations of water, blankets, and clothing. It’s amazing how caring and selfless we can be when responding to a crisis. 

Galatians 6:2 instructs, "Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Christians tend to respond to disasters by extending hands of help, offering prayers, and providing comfort to those in need. But what about the disasters that don’t make national headlines?

Each year, as the holidays approach, we get a wake-up call about the growing population of people in our own community trying to get by without their daily bread. And the many opportunities we have to band together – like we do with natural disasters – to help those suffering personal disasters.

The Red Kettle, our Charlie Brown tree, Operation Christmas Child, and more. These are evidence of the growing needs of many of our neighbors. 

Let’s enter Gratitude Month with appreciation for our daily bread and see how we can respond with faith, hope, and love to those who go without.

Hello, November

I probably say this ever year, but "This year has flown by in record time!" How is it November already? 

I definitely noticed the time of year during my "leave the house when it's still dark" commutes to work this week, but I'm just not wrapping my head around the fact that Thanksgiving is this month. And I should get my Christmas shopping started. And those cards!

A friend of mine shares posts from a Positively Present site and it gives me an idea how to address November. First, the To-Do List...

Then, there's what you should do just for yourself...

Let's turn that page on the calendar, ignore the dropping temperatures, and find a reason to enjoy November!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...

Mother Nature's case of dandruff really got out of control while we were sleeping! Woke up to this. Wow.

I won't name any names, but somebody was not happy with this at all! Well I guess I wasn't either.

I shoveled the driveway while hubby was at church so at least I got some steps in today. Then, since it was beginning to at least LOOK like Christmas, I baked some more cookies for our upcoming exchange in a few weeks. And I put the tree up.

I mean I put the tree up. Got the lights strung, but then it was already dark. I prefer some natural light while I hang ornaments so I'll have to finish this another day.

In the meantime, I'll keep getting in the spirit via my friends at Hallmark. Might be able to knock out two movies yet this evening. I know you're on my side! 

Be careful out there!

Monday is the New Winds-Day

So the Monday afternoon conversation started with an observation of the non-November temperatures and the fact the sun was shining. A great day for one more round of golf. Except we were both working – borth from home today.

But you know, hubby runs his own company and I have the best boss in the world who would let me take a 2-hour lunch for "important" reasons, so... we set a tee time.

It turned out to be super windy, but I hadn't golfed in a month so my tendency was to swing hard anyway. Though I'll 100% blame the wind, of course.

Plus I was hitting hard because I promised my Brewer fan friends I'd take out their anger on the ball after they learned Craig Counsell was heading to the Cubs. Gotta help my friends, you know! Don't worry, I crushed him multiple times today.

The pace of play turned out to be slow because anyone and everyone who was either retired or had a flexible job or no job was golfing. The course was packed. We were waiting for the two-some ahead of us who was waiting for the two-some ahead of them, while there was a two-some behind us who had a two-some waiting for them.

Still... We're golfing in NOVEMBER!!!! Whoo-hoo! And yes, Mother Nature will simmer down now and have highs in the 40s for the foreseeable future. This might be it. I mean I put my clubs in the basement this past weekend and the weather turned nice. Maybe there's another "reversal" in the cards. 

Enjoy your Monday!!

NO-vember

Well, November arrived today. Acting all cool. Too cool. Here I thought it was a balmy 22 degrees when I left my garage, but when the temperature kept dropping as I drove in the "real world," I had to take a picture at a stop sign down the road. Dang, that's super chill.

At least it wasn't snowing on my commute like yesterday. Thanks, Mother Nature, for small favors.

Of course, after yesterday's Spooky BOO-fay, we had treats leftover. I guess my diet is in transition (above), just like my body.

I'm fully aware that while my body is in the 55 mph speed limit, my metabolism has hit a mall parking lot speed limit of maybe 10 mph. And that's being generous. Trust me, I've seen the pictures.

So in my mind, I thought I should make this NO-vember. Like say NO to sugar, sweets, and bad decisions. My mind said that this morning but I'm eating popcorn for supper between a chiropractic appointment and choir practice as we speak, so maybe my mind needs to pump up the volume.

I know I can't completely fight this "transition" time in life, but darned if I'm not gonna try. I'm sure there's no magic cures, but thankfully there's a handful of people or so that love me as I am. 

I just have convince myself that my self-worth isn't dependent on whether a Reeses's pumpkin or Christmas tree makes an appearance in my daily choices. Maybe I'm just that sweet! 

Wish me luck in NO-vember!  

Off The Griddy

Much like this Amish buggy I recently saw on my road trip to Minnesota, I was blissfully off the grid today. 

My exhaustion caught up with me and I was in bed until 9:25 a.m.! No way I was getting to 9:30 church on time. So I stayed home. And pretty much stayed put all day. I had one quick run to Wal-Mart to get a printer cartridge, but otherwise was in my office typing up address labels for funeral thank-yous and editing hoops pictures from yesterday.

I relaxed and watched a little Hallmark, too. There's nothing else on for us purple people. We have our W for the week and are off the Griddy for today, too!

As we wrap up Gratitude month, may we all find a reason to do a little dance this week!

Need to Preheat

Woke up to a sunny but cold and blustery day. You know the type. Temps struggling to get out of the teens. Words like "wind chill" being bantered about. Not my scene.

Remembering that snow removal is my responsibility, I got out the shovel and cleared the driveway. I was so proud of myself for getting it done by midmorning while hubby was in town. Then I look out 10 minutes later and it's snowing. 

And there's no evidence I toiled for 45 minutes moments before. Thankfully it was light and there's an easy way to remove it.

With a leaf blower! And one operated by a helpful neighbor instead of me. Everybody wins. Or just me.

I'm more of an indoor sport type person in the winter. And by sport, I mean baking. Also known as heating the house.

In advance of next weekend's family Christmas cookie exchange, I made Crown Royal Sugar Crisp cookies.

Only because I smash the dough balls with the bottom of the lovely Crown Royal glass I found at Goodwill a few years ago. Makes for a nice look. 

For the finishing touch, I dipped them halfway into melted chocolate almond bark and added some sprinkles. They're pretty tasty. I've heard.

I'm sure this Betty Crocker level of excitement has nothing on blaze orange hunting stories from today. But you do your sport and I'll do mine. For the record, my oven mitt is orange if that counts for anything.

Be careful out there!

Warm Fuzzy Friday

Sometimes when it's been a tough week, you just need a warm fuzzy. And something warm AND fuzzy works, too!

And of course, she only sat on my lap like this for like 3 minutes. But it was nice while it lasted.

I think she wanted me to forget about the poop piles and puke piles she's left me this week. But I will admit that it was probably payback for not feeding her Wednesday morning before I left for work! I was distracted by having to take out garbage and driving in the snow.

Thankfully my good patient chose that day to do stairs in the morning. I'm sure he saved her 7th life or something.

So yes, Jim's recovery is going well. Can't believe that 3 weeks after surgery he is walking cane-less and can do some stairs and can drive his big-ass truck. He's not completely pain-free by any means, but wow, recovery is going well. Thanks for all the prayers and support.

Keep those warm fuzzies coming. Between recovery and some other stressors, we can certainly use them. Thank you. We're grateful. 

#gratitudemonth

No Need for Drama

As I exclaim over the massive snowflakes falling, I had to remind myself to chill on the drama. This is perfectly normal when the calendar says November. Even though my heart is in September, still trying to slow down fall. 

Oh and by the way... we have control over none of it!

So I made the best of it. Slept in. Drank Pumpkin Spice coffee in my fuzzy robe. And got on with my day. 

Since we have very few concrete plans on the weekend calendar with my Bionic Man still in recovery, it was kind of a free day. And since some of our Lady Royals 8th-grade basketball players "invited" me to take pictures of them at their home tournament today, I hopped over the school and captured their last game of the day.

For those keeping track at home. Middle school boys have school ball now and girls have tournament team play. By January, they're both playing school ball and the boys will switch to tournament teams later that month. If I recall. As for high school, our Lady Royals tip off next week and the boys tip off Thanksgiving week with the Cranberry Classic tournament. 

Oh and our first hockey game – for the Pacelli, Assumption, etc co-op team – is November 22. In case you're looking for things to do. 

Or in case you need to escape the house for unspecified reasons.

No need for drama.

From Sunrise to Sunset

This inspirational quote for the day could not be more spot on. I'll admit I was in a bit of a down mood leaving for work in the dark. But darned if God didn't give me the most glorious sunrise on my commute!

Yep. I was snapping pix while watching the road and not focusing just to see if I could capture some of it. Good thing I cleaned my windshield yesterday!

Isn't that glorious? It totally put me in a good mood, that's for sure. You know what also helped?

Now that's crazy for November. But we'll take it!

A group of us from my team at work took our lunches outside to eat in the courtyard and just soak up the last nice day of 2022. I mean, Mother Nature, feel free to prove me wrong. We'll take this any day.

And yes, it does lift the spirits. Beauty and warmth. Hope and peace. I knew God was with me all day long. And for that, I'm very grateful.

#gratitudemonth 

It's Gratitude Month

I feel so behind. I realized today that it's November, which I always observe as Gratitude Month. As this lovely illustration shows, some days I need a crap-ton of coffee to get that gratitude train a-chuggin'.

Today I am grateful for health. That even though my heart is hurting, I am physically OK. Even though hubby is recovering from surgery, he's going to be OK. And hopefully more mobile.

We just have to look at all the people we're praying for and we know we're grateful that for this moment in time, we don't carry their health burdens. We don't have cancer or a child with cancer, we don't have diabetes, we don't suffer from dementia or osteoporosis, we don't have COVID (long or short), we don't have crippling diseases like MS or even fibromyalgia. We aren't recovering from a miscarriage, heart attack, stroke, or rare infection.

We're just plugging along and thanking God that for today, we've got it pretty good in that department. We also know, from very recent experience, that it could all change in the blink of an eye.

So thank you, Lord, for our health. Today.

#gratitudemonth

Goodbye, November

Remember a year ago, on December 1st Eve, when we were like "Ohmigosh, I can't wait for stupid 2020 to be over with"? Yep. Good times.

I guess I was a bit too ignorant thinking that something with worldwide impact would just disappear with the flip of the calendar page. So here we are about to enter the last month of another sh*t show kind of year.

The good news is that we can at least get out of our houses and see each other again. And more importantly, hug each other again! A good number of us are vaccinated, too. But that doesn't mean the virus is gone. People still get it. People still die. 

I'm hopeful that will happen less and less because I don't like people we know having to suffer through this. And I'm really enjoying seeing people's faces – especially our student athletes – and getting my hearing back. Am I the only one who can't hear what people are saying behind the mask half the time? Apparently I've been reading lips for years and didn't know it. Give me a mask-wearing person behind plexiglass and I'm at a complete loss. Uff da.

Here's hoping we end 2021 on a high note. In a good way, not high numbers of victims. Let's enjoy December for what it is... Autumn 2/3 of the time and officially Hallmark Christmas movie season. 

It's looking better already.

Be careful out there!

Happy Thanksgiving

Woke up to a Thanksgiving Day dusting of snow today. Well, a little more than a dusting, but we were still surprised. Pretty sure it was not in our forecast unless we read right over it knowing we were staying put today.

We hosted my in-laws and Carter and that was it. Just 5 of us. But I'll glad I baked 2 pumpkin pies. Yum.

I cooked two turkey breasts and successfully made my mother-in-law's dressing. And had the usual corn, cranberries and mashed potatoes. Nothing fancy but it sure eats up a day preparing. 

Now we're in our tryptophan comas. Had dinner at 4-ish (had to go on the elders' eating schedule). And was fighting sleep by 6 p.m. Gonna power through and hope to make it until 9!

Hope you had a Thanksgiving filled with as many blessings as the calories consumed today. Wow. I am VERY blessed then! 

And full.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gratitude Challenge Day 22 :: Smell

Today's Gratitude Challenge is kind of a trick question. The sense of smell has become very important these days.

Day 22. A favorite smell.

While the delightful fragrance of a Farmhouse Pumpkin Patch is wafting through my house, we're all grateful we can smell anything since loss of smell is one of the common symptoms/side effects of COVID-19.

So I'm super thankful I can smell this and, knock on wood, will smell the pumpkin pies baking and turkey cooking later this week. 

I do really love the smell of certain things baking. Chocolate chip cookies, chocolate cake or brownies, my Hornets Nest Cake, and banana break. I'm thankful when I smell things baking because it usually means something special is about to happen – a birthday, a potluck for work (when I was AT an office), or a cookie exchange. (Looking forward to our annual family one this Saturday!)

I love the smell of lilacs because it means spring is here. The smell of fresh cut grass because it's a sign of summer. I love the smell of jasmine and ginger – but only on Maui, ha. The smell of an orange as you're first peeling it.

I'm grateful for the smell of buttered popcorn because that means I'm at a movie with a friend. Or about to sit in my recliner and relax for a bit (which may or may not involve a Hallmark movie).

I'm probably getting way too many food-related smells here. So I'm doubly thankful I do not have the double-whammy of losing smell and taste as part of the fun virus.

Be careful out there. And be grateful!

#gratitudemonth

Gratitude Challenge Day 21 :: Friend

Today's challenge is kind of tricky. It's the one time I don't want to single anyone out and end up offending someone I don't mention. So I may have to go a different route.

Day 21. A good friend.

Instead of saying I'm grateful for a specific friend, I'll tell you some things I'm grateful for in a good friend. (Again, not all inclusive.)

A good friend doesn't care you're Viking fans and still wants you to come to his birthday party on Packer Sunday. And a good friend tolerates a happy dance when we finally pull off a close win (even if it was against their team). Phew. 

A good friend shares their cake, too. And a good friend supports my sweet tooth in general – ice cream, Kringles, cheesecake... you know who you are.

A good friend makes time for a walk or coffee.

A good friend suggests the right book or Netflix series because they know me. (A good friend watches Hallmark movies, too!)

A good friend listens when I need it. And supports me even when I make mistakes.

A good friend doesn't mind that I curse on the golf course. And puts up with my 3-putts.

A good friend doesn't judge my wrinkles or my weight or the silver linings in my hair.

A good friend is a great hugger. For that, I'm super thankful!

Feeling blessed with the wonderful friend in my life.

#gratitudemonth

Gratitude Challenge Day 20 :: Freedom

Today's challenge brought to you by... a pumpkin spice latte, of course! At least I didn't say eggnog something. I'm trying to stick with the current season! Although I do have the freedom to drink either whenever I want.

Day 20. Freedom.

Such a small word can encompass so much. I am so grateful for my freedom – from my freedom to vote to my freedom to pick fancy coffee drink flavors.

I can't even comprehend the amount of freedom I have compared to a lot of people in and outside our borders.

When I got up this morning, without needing permission, I had the freedom to drive a vehicle I own to a coffee shop, where we had the freedom to openly discuss a book. Unsupervised. We had the freedom to share opinions – on the book and other topics – without fear of persecution.

I had the freedom to stop into two local businesses – both owned by women, who are free to own property. I had the freedom to spend money I earned because I am free to pursue a career. By the way, I didn't exercise that freedom. But formed a wish list in my head.

I had the freedom today to enjoy nature by walking around the lake with a friend. No one charged us to use the path. No one told us which direction we had to go. Though we knew it would be counterclockwise since yesterday was a clockwise day.

Hubby and I did not participate in opening day of the gun-deer season, but we have the freedom to do so as law-abiding citizens.

While he is meeting with hunter buddies to hear their stories at a local establishment, I was free to watch a Hallmark movie or two. 

I also had the freedom to operate a broom and run my Dyson vacuum cleaner that I purchased with my own money years ago. But I passed on those. Not because I'm taking that freedom for granted. 

But I had the freedom to say "tomorrow."

Today, though, I'm really grateful for freedoms big and small. They sure add up to a good Saturday.

#gratitudemonth

Gratitude Challenge Days 18 and 19

I wasn't planning to combine two days of the 25-day Gratitude Challenge again. But again, I skipped blogging because I was up pretty late editing pictures from the girls first hoops game of the season (at Stratford) – the Royals won, of course – and went to bed after midnight as it was. So here are days 18 and 19.

Day 18. A favorite sound.
Day 19. Something sweet.

Can you believe I can successfully combine two challenges with one answer again? I can!

One of my favorite sounds is a telephone call from boy, who as you know, is quite a sweetie!

I know I've shared this picture before but it's so Carter at that age. I just love it. Always, always wearing his backwards Nike cap. And most likely – even at age 4 – having a very grownup conversation with a grandparent.

Neither part has changed much. Except I can't hold him on my lap anymore when he's doing either of those things.

I'm grateful for memories and grateful for photos and scrapbooks that I can turn the page and turn back time when I want. At least until I see him again in, oh, 114 hours. That'll be sweet, too!

Hug your littles while they're little! They grow up so fast.

#gratitudemonth

Gratitude Challenge Days 16 and 17

Due to a late evening posting some basketball photos – yes, tis the season finally – I opted to hit the sack last night instead of blogging. So I'll cheat and combine days 16 and 17 so I don't fall behind.

Day 16: Something that's helped you.
Day 17. Someone in your family.

Whoa. We have a double challenge that could be combined if I had the same answer. And I basically do. Something that's helped me is my family. All of them.

There's something about family that's so wonderful, yet brutally honest. On the plus side, they know everything about you. They know your history and don't judge you. On the flip side, they know you so well you can't B.S. them either!

Combine that with a sense of humor and a ton creativity, and it's the right recipe for us. For the 8 R's.

Our parents say we're a bit of an anomaly. Beyond the R-R-R-un on the letter R. Here we are ages 50-70 and we still like each other. Still want to see each when we can. Still place emphasis on attending family gatherings. And keeping in touch. 

And still, with our 8 competitive streaks (well 9, counting Mom), can sit down and play cards or some game and, win or lose, laugh until our faces are red (redder than usual) and our sides ache. 

That's what saves me. That's what helps me... Humor. Laughter. And sharing a joyful moment with the people I'm most grateful for!

#gratitudemonth

Gratitude Challenge Day 15 :: More Food

I know I already talked about ice cream as a food I love (see day 3), but now we are moving onto other yummies we enjoy.

Day 15. Your favorite foods.

I'll just say right off the bat that I like spicy food. Like buffalo or Thai curry or mango habanero. But there's a reason I'm actually grateful for it. No, this has nothing to do with the digestive system!

Here's my buffalo chicken sandwich from tonight at Guu's on Main in Stevens Point.  I never make buffalo chicken anything at home but I love it. So I order it when I'm out to eat. And that's never when I'm by myself.

So I'm grateful for buffalo chicken. That means I'm enjoying a meal with hubby or family or, in tonight's case, some friends from work. It's more than tasty food. It's a sign of good company, good conversation, and usually a good amount of laughs.

Food does that in a lot of scenarios, doesn't it? I mean the big holidays are centered around meals like Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and a good old Easter or Mother's Day brunches. Holidays mean food. And for me, means family. 

So if I never had to step on a scale again – or fit into work clothes again – I'd be super thankful for food in my life. Now, it's mainly the treat that goes with it. Bon apetit!

#gratitudemonth