Oh, the weather outside is frightful...

 ...unfortunately I have no fire to be delightful!  Well, welcome to 2022 and Winter Storm Landon!  LOL We took today (Wednesday) - Friday off  (closed the offices) and this morning it looked like it was a bad call, but now... not so much.  Have been enjoying my snow day, have a batch of bread rising, some marinara simmering on the stove, and have shoveled the driveway 2 times, and even got some old birthday cards mailed out.  Yea, I still do it. I know it is probably goofy, but with the past two years, I think it's appreciated.  Let's see, it's been a hot minute since I've done this.  Have really lost (or maybe acquired a new) my pace/rhythm on things...

Old business:

• Pictures put away, homework put away!
• Finished Essential Spirituality. Now Reading Boundaries as my "work" book, and Land of the Painted Caves for fun.
• Trail Guide - ouch fell off the wagon!
• Magazines, every day, before I do my fun book reading. This has been a fun new rhythm right before bed.
• Neck and shoulder exercises (Neckersizes as the boys like to call them) are better, 3-5 days a week.
• We had our 1 year anniversary at HC in Wabash, that has been fun. It has been a rough couple of years for massage, but we are hanging in there.
• QUIT church!  Yea, I know, can you believe it? Last day was in October. Replacement gal is perfect for it.  It was such the right thing to do, I feel good about it.
• Finished up fall gardening stuff, but unfortunately did not get all the weeds pulled before the ground froze. I reckon they will probably still be there in the spring.
• 018 is off to IU!
• Boys' and my closet rework is done!
• Continued with running as much as I could, 2-3 days a week.  Now that it is so cold, I've switched to riding my bike. Not as successful, 1-2 days a week.
• Have donated many things to Goodwill.
• Built a bench for Wabash office.
• Bought S a lift table, and then made an extension so she can work on tall people.
• Starting hiring process for Marion.

New Business:

• 018 and 020 suggested I move them into the same bedroom since they are both in college now so I can have my studio back. So there has been LOTS done to get that going:
• Built a loft out of piping for 018's bed to go over 020's.
• Moved shelving in from laundry
• Moved office stuff out of 020's room
• Made crafting table from old countertop the neighbor's gave me
• Bought a super-cute rug to go under so hopefully my feet stay warm
• I get to look outside the double window into the backyard, yea!
• PURGING as I move stuff in and around
• That set off a chain reaction to reorganizing the laundry room a bit and 018's old bookshelf went out there to be a butler's pantry for me
• Built more pipe covers for the laundry room to keep the cold air out
• Sand/stain boys' bedroom door
• Sand/stain my closet and bedroom doors
• Sand/stain studio doors
• Hang shoe organizer for boys
• Hang punch organizer for me
• Keep on keeping on!

Hot in the City...

 Boy is it ever!  We've been cycling through some weird weather here.  Super-hot, then cool.  Tomorrow starts another cool cycle, yea!

Old Business:

• Still need to put pictures away, and more homework.  Oof!
• Book reading is good, started new one, Essential Spirituality.  Almost done.
• Trail Guide, lately 2-3 days a week!
• Magazines, lately 1-2 days a week!
• Neck stretches - not as good, but we're gonna do it!
• It's been 9 months since hiring S and moving to Hoosier Chiropractic, it's been good! I absolutely love it. Challenging to have an employee and being responsible for and to someone, but it is a good thing!
• Still working at church, been tweaking schedule to make it easier.  Not sure why I don't want to let go. And yet, sometimes do!
• Did some spring planting, but not as much as I've done in year's past.
• 017 graduated high school, and we were able to have a small family party.
• Everyone in the family is vaccinated! YEA!
• 017's closet is finished, and he really loved it!
• Started shelf/closet work for 020 and me. About 3/4 done.  Have some trim on both sides, rods on my side, shelves on his side, and both doors yet to go.
• DRIVEWAY and DRAINAGE are done!  OMG it is so much better!
• 017 quit at Wendy's. Over June he's been doing a bilingual kid camp at the school in town.
• Brother, sister, and nephew came up for a visit. We hung the TV, and replaced the ceiling fan in the living room.  So.Much.Better.  And you can see the fireplace now!
• 020 also came for a visit, loved it!
• Ran my first 5K, it was trail run. 017 kept pace for me, B&T ran the 10K segment, and 020 did the 5K. It was so sweet of them to do it with me!

New Business

• Keep running (that's been hard with the weather)
• Get closets put back together so I can (keep) going through stuff and get it moving
• Get back to scrapping
• Enjoy my backyard - actually been doing a lot of that, so don't want to stop!

February 2018 Flickr Upload

 Looks like it wasn't a very busy upload month... Here's my faves - it was tricky to learn how to put everything on, especially the sleeves!

All the leaves are brown...

 ... and the sky is grey.... Only it is blue today. But that is coming, I am sure, and we have had gloomy days more.

I seem to be on a 3 month rhythm, maybe that's OK...

Old Business:

• Memorabilia is put away. 017 hit me with a BIG stack of homework too!
• Ordered some prints when Walgreen's had a sale, so now those need to go
• Been reading my book over breakfast. Never more than a couple of pages, but hey, it is progress
• Trail Guide? Oof, trying...
• Magazines, I've been trying to read at least 1 page per day, or article
• Devotionals - caught up, and do those before my book at breakfast
• Was able to hire 1 therapist in Wabash - S! Still nothing for Marion. But this is totally exciting! She is wonderful, I have known her for years. And wow, does it really change the way I think about things.
• We've moved into our new space with Hoosier Chiropractic.  It is so beautiful! They did such a wonderful job remodeling it, and then S did such a beautiful job setting it up.
• Gadget has lights and wall cabinets hung. And brought me a little fridge.
• Got the big fall push of planting done, including about 300 bulbs!
• Have turned in my resignation at Church, but they are holding onto it, just in case things with COVID and massage don't go so well. It's getting bad around here.
• S is so much better at social media than me!
• 019 is back at university and 017 is a senior - holy cow!
• Landscaping is "done" around the deck. Just ask the boys, I'm never really done.
• Gadget and I did a Labor Day camping trip by ourselves. Took the quads all over. Had so much fun.

New Business

• Working on 017's closet, because as of last week, we are DONE moving back into the garage. Just picked up the unit we want to use from Lowe's.
• Gadget broke it off with me. After almost 10 years. I am beyond heartbroken and confused.
• 017's girlfriend broke it off with him too. After 3 years. He is hurting too. Not a lot of laughter going on around here right now.
• 017 is managing to juggle Wendy's and schoolwork fairly well. I usually end up staying up too late so I can make sure he's home. I usually pass out on the couch.
• Have just really been evaluating my life, what I'm doing, where I am, where I think I'm headed, my priorities, everything. This has been such a kick in the gut.
• Finished a mini album for my sister in law and brother.
• Finished a scrapbook page, trying to get back to it.
• Not looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas, it is just going to be so hard without him.

January 2018 Flickr Upload

Here are my favorites....

Not sure what they were doing, but always love to see them together!

Shoveling snow...

Solo contest...

December 2017 Flickr Upload

My faves...

016 Shoveling the driveway...

016 Getting his Letterman's jacket

014 Getting his numerals

My dad

016 practicing driving

016 and 014 being goofy

014 being goofy - we were assembling his desk chair and he said "look, it's a booster seat!"

All done...

New Year, New You!

Well, I guess I missed posting in December. Thanksgiving at my brother's house went well.  It was full of a bunch of people I didn't know (my SIL's family) but I guess that is just opportunity to grow. We ended up having Christmas there too, but smaller, just our side.  And that was fun too.  Got to play some Euchre, which I haven't been able to do for a couple of years, at least.

Old Business:

• Been able to keep up with putting memorabilia away as soon as it happens!
• Been doing pretty good at reading either an article, or section of the book, a day.
• Studying still bad, unless you count blogs.
• Garage now has a roof, and shingles. They've been working on siding. Gadget got most of the electrical done this past weekend, and is scheduling next trip. I think the goal is to try and get the outside done as quickly as possible, so that when the snow starts flying they can be inside. Also need to call electric company and internet company so I can get my service entrances moved off the front of the house.
• Have a lead on a possible therapist. Need to call. That would be awesome and would free me up to do better marketing and running of the business.
• No one has bought the bolsters yet.
• Finished the medicare videos.
• Have been scrapping - that's felt really good.
• I took Christmas week and New Year's week mostly off.  1 massage appointment each week, and my church shift.  That felt really good. Just to slow down a bit, and try to focus. Want to carry some of that forward.
• Still need to work on church projects. First up is the time and talent and the background checks.

New Business:

• Time and Talent and background checks
• Keep scrapping
• Keep reading
• Get more consistent with online marketing (blog, facebook, instagram, linkdin)
• Get more consistent with household chores. This has been a hard one since 018 went off to college.
• Speaking of 018 it was sooooo much fun having him back home for a bit. He's turned into such a neat young man! Pretty incredible. We played a bunch of Magic The Gathering. And we went to see Rise of Skywalker. I had to spend the 3 weeks out at the dining room table since I couldn't use his bedroom, but it was worth it. Miss him so much!

Pumpkin Spice...

Gotta admit, I'm not a huge fan of everything pumpkin spice! Like, moderation is OK, love it in candles and pie, but I'm just waiting for the pumpkin spice toilet paper to hit the market, knowwhutimean?

Again, it has been months, but maybe that is OK. Maybe that is the pace, rhythm.  And maybe I just need to be OK with that.  I mean, like, who cares, anyway???!

Old Business:

• Some of the memorabilia is put away.
• Still wish to have Gadget sit on me to take naps...
• Arrendale's has been absorbed into Heart and Soul.  It ended up being anti-climatic.  But that's OK.
• Gardens - wow! Was able to get all the way down the alley.  And do one of the corners up by the house.  We're on our way!  And yes, still loving the straw. Since it doesn't decompose as fast, it does a much better job at keeping it moist, and the weeds at bay.  Plus good for the crowns over the winter. Next year, the push will be around the back of the house.  Need to figure out if I want to make the patio behind the kitchen (#1 or east patio. We have #2 or west patio behind the garage) bigger, or leave it as is. Have started sinking fund back up!
• Decided not to do memberships just yet through MassageBook.  There's significant overhead cost to it.
• Reading - eh, some good, some bad. Almost done with the book. Magazines, slow, but it is happening.
• Study - eh. Same as reading. But I would like to sit down and make some CEU class goes.
• Flow/Pace/Rhythm may always be something I strive for. Maybe that's just how it is.
• 018 is at Trine. He's been home for a bit during Fall Break, but that is it.  Looking forward to Thanksgiving!
• House project is well underway! North side of existing house almost done, east side almost done, and south face is about half. Footers are dug and poured, block is laid and walls are up for new garage bay. New windows in garage area are also in, as are new man doors. Finally a storm door that is not so crooked you can see in through the cracks! And new front doors too, so we will finally have a storm door in the summer that will have a screen! So far, have been able to do it without refinancing through the bank. But, wow, what a project to get the garage cleaned out so they can work there. Most everything has been moved to the shed, the laundry room, the living room, my bedroom, or my office (018's room - it got a redo too, slimming down to a twin bed with dresser drawers so that i could move in here).  It also "required" the purchase of a large toolbox and chest (rollaround kind) a rolling cart with drawers, a new workbench, and 2 LARGE standing cabinets (although we put them on casters and the workbench too) and 2 smaller cabinets that will eventually be mounted to the wall. So I have spent countless hours over the week and weekends sorting hardware, going through stuff, getting rid of stuff, making a free pile, donating, and throwing stuff in the dumpster. How did I get so much stuff!  I feel like I have more than when I started, but I know it's not true. But I"m super excited about it, and it's going to be so awesome. And I think make the house and the property look so much better.  So right now, my car is outside in the carport (Gadget was able to move it into the front yard.  That was pretty impressive!

New Business:

• Set some class goals
• Set some business goals
• Figure out a better way to organize/manage daily tasks so goals get progress
• Continue work on house
• Have some things to sell on eBay
• Memorabilia
• Scrapping!
• Reading!
• Thanksgiving and Christmas
• Continue life at home with just 016. It has been a lot of fun. We seem to mesh pretty well together!

Baby it's cold outside...

...we're still recovering from Winter Storm Harper around here. Subzero regular temps plus windchills in the negatives. Like more negative than anyone would like...Roads are still very icy where it was drifted. But today it is supposed to get up into the 30s so that will feel like a refreshing change from the "instantly freeze the snot in your nose" that it was yesterday. You know what I'm talking about...

Details on my 20 mile march (life is a marathon, not a sprint...)
Old Business:

• Cleaned the main part of the garage too, always a constant battle
• Fell off the photo bandwagon, again. Trying to get back on
• Reading, it is off and on
• Breakfast bar is middlin' at best
• Fell off the anatomy train (pun there, the series is called Anatomy Trains...)
• Contract is still doing well
• Menu planning is back a bit
• Winter project list is so-so so far
• Straw worked great. 2 bales did 3/4 of the back yard.  Good information for next year.
• Still trying to really watch my pace - not sure I completely understand what is going on, but I have my ideas....
• Doctor visit was very disappointing.  He was not even concerned about my energy issues and just chalked it up to age.
• Thanksgiving went really well, or at least as far as the menu was concerned. Family issues, on the other hand, always exciting!
• Christmas was also wonderful and especially so since the boys were with me during my time with Gadget. It is hard when the whole family is together just because there are so many of us, and all so very different, but that is also part of the reason I like it!
• New Year's & D's birthday also went well. Very exciting there as his house is almost ready for move in!
• My side family Christmas & Thanksgiving (Thanksmas, Christgiving??) went really well too and we were blessed to have one of my aunts and uncles with us.
• We also got to put in a new water heater that same weekend. And by we, I mean Gadget. But I did get everything I wanted out of it, so that was totally cool! Well, almost. We did not get to buy it from a local store. That was the one disappointment. But he was able to convert it to gas, and move it out into the garage. Now I get to finish that corner of the laundry room.
• 015 helped me get the snowblower up to the house so we could plug it in to start. We did not have to use it last year, so it was probably a good thing to do. And then we got to use it on Sunday!

New Business:

• Fix corner of laundry room. Can't find my joint tape, but 015 and I were able to remove the conduit for the electrical, and then get the wire up into the attic. Now we have another circuit breaker free. It has been a hope of mine for awhile to spread out the load of the house a bit more.
• Work on getting set up with providers so I can start taking insurance at work. Already set up for FSA/HSA.
• Schedule surgery. Need to get my guts yanked out. I'm fairly at peace with it now. I hope that continues.
• Another exciting business opportunity. More on that later. Don't want to jinx it as I've not told all the correct parties involved yet.
• Work on 2018 letter to send to family.

May 2017 Flickr Upload

Yea me! I got some more uploaded today!!  You can see the stream here....

My favorite pie - well, one of many... Strawberry Rhubarb

015 Helping with replacing the kitchen faucet...

015 running sectionals at IWU...

Gadget fixing my car...

016 Academic Honors...

013 being goofy...

013 falling asleep at work...

Febuary 2017 Flickr Upload

Flickr Upload  to see the full feed.  You may have to "become my friend" or follow me here, due to some issues, I've been pulling back the security settings on photos.  Hope you understand...

Here are my faves though, and maybe that is enough for you...

013 with his silly shirt.... come to find out, one of his teachers had the same.  And my Aunt and Uncle in the background!  I love that they can now be included too.

My younger brother, 043...

Dad, 015, 013, my Sis in Law, and my older brother...

043 doing something he loves, driving the lawn tractor around...

Finally working on the office at Gadget's house...

And oh yea, the year of fixing the bathroom....

My life flows on...

... in endless song...

It is summertime now, and it has been a bit since posting...

Old Business

• Garage has gotten more attention, and always needing more
• Still need to scrap
• Reading more frequently/regulary
• Memorabilia still sits there
• Bar stools done (even scotchguarded)
• Lamps are done (I only owned the shades for a year!)
• Woodpile containment system built
• New patio set up/carport cleaned out so 017 can park his car
• More bushes planted
• Marion Anniversary Cards mailed out

New Business

• Work on busting up Legos that 014 doesn't want anymore
• Tore down new room at Wabash salon. Long story
• Look for new place in Wabash, potentially
• Get brickwork repaired in front
• Prep for National Youth Conference - I'm an advisor!
• Stain wood fence, ramp and back stoop

January 2017 Flickr Upload

I'm back on the bandwagon... Oh, and I've had some trouble with pictures getting into the wrong hands, so I've changed security settings... You may have to request being a friend or family to see.  This month was a small upload....

December 2016 Flickr Upload

As always, the full upload is here, and these are my favorites...

Collecting donations for the band...

Putting up the Christmas tree.  We decided it was way too big... This was the last year for it...

Opening presents...

Opening presents...

Millions of people living as foes ...

 Maybe it's not too late To learn how to love And forget how to hate ....

Oh, if only we could get the world to listen to those words...

Well, it is starting to warm up here, this week, we should get into the 40s fairly consistently.  That would be nice for a change!

Old Business:

• Done reading becoming wise.  So good.  Passed it on to 016.
• Garage, sigh, always needs tidying.  But I try to do a little bit before I start something.  And when I finish something.
• Scrapping still on hold...
• Magazines are getting read
• More massage promotions (Groupon, Radio Ad + Valentine give-away, MassageBook)
• Kitchen ceiling is done - yea!
• New printer is cool!
• Winter list - electrical panel is mapped out, and a good list attached to it
• Hinges are not going to be done by me.  I tried.  Too much effort.  Will bag up and take to Goodwill
• Need to get to scrapping again. 
• Memorabilia pile is put away. Pictures were ordered, now they need to be filed...
• Swiffer replacements (reusable) have been made. Even sent one to 022.

New Business:

• Next on the project list is getting my mom's footstool reupholstered.  Should be fun; I've never done it before. Although my gramma & aunt used to do it professionally.
• And the letterman jacket.  I need to get that done before he graduates!  LOL

November 2016 Flickr Upload

Stream is always here...

Faves are here....

021 and 015 during LAN Party

013 during LAN Party 

015 LAN Party

021 LAN Party

015 during Youth Service Sunday

013 during Youth Service Sunday

Time to remember repairing the roof leak over the bathroom

Two left feet? Yup, I always knew it, now my socks confirm it!

I was so hard to please, don't look around...

... the leaves are brown and the sky is a hazy shade of winter...

Oh, my does it look like winter around here.  Sub-zero temps and snow.  But it is supposed to warm up, so maybe that would be nice... Hopefully not turn things too swampy before the next snow....

Old Business:

• Still reading becoming wise
• No more weeding, for a long time...
• Did clean up the garage a small bit
• Pumpkin soap made, now honey & lumberjack to do
• Gutter apron is done. Will need to do new roof in spring
• All shed tools hung! YEA
• Scapping was on hold due to holidays
• Cross county on hold, next up, track!
• Magazines being read
• More massage promotions, holiday sales with Megan were good...
• Desk is always messy, then clean, then messy...
• 014's bedroom painted over Christmas break - YEA!

New Business:

• Kitchen ceiling restart on Monday
• Massage promotions - trying to get clientele to be more regular
• Had to buy a new printer
• Went through project list to determine what could be done over winter months

October 2016 Flickr Upload

Looks like I've missed a couple of months, but here are my faves, and as usual, you can see the whole lot here...

013's Jr. High Cross Country Team Party

015's High School Cross Country Regionals

022 helping me with the lawnmower - each year I think I'm getting a bit better at taking care of my equipment.

Becoming 013...

Moving into the office/laundry room... been a long time coming...

Asking for donations at the band concert...

Early start to shed remodel... rotting trim is removed...

If you're gone...

...maybe it's time to come home... ah, but where is home.  I've lived so many places in my life, I'm not sure I know where that is.  I usually just tell myself it is where I am right now.  So I guess right now I have 2 homes.  And I guess that is OK.  I don't know why that song has been so big in my mind right now.  It is a chilly still summer morning, but we are definitely leaning toward fall.  And I suppose that makes me a bit introspective, and maybe melancholy too.  One more year coming to a close, closer to my goal, supposedly, but what is my goal?  I struggle with answering that.

Old Business:

• Still tabled becoming wise
• Weeding is done, now just maintenance.  Clippings are good in the bed, and now preparing for the winter decomposition, so that means building it up as much as possible.  Which, really, we have been trying to do all summer
• Garage, yup, still needs some tidying, but have become more regular at it, so it is more manageable
• Made some peppermint soap!  Now need to make more face, honey & oat, and pumpkin pie.
• Lost a couple more shrubs.  Think it is from drainage issues in the yard, and their feet are staying too wet
• Lost a dogwood, was able to replace it.  It is slightly bigger, hopefully this will help.  The one that I replaced this spring is doing OK, but I worry about it.  Having a hard time getting them to live past year 2
• Just when I gave up on the garden, whilst weeding, I found a tomato plant that must have survived being washed out as a seedling. We have enjoyed some very yummy tomatoes from it
• Have a test section of gutter apron done.  When I went do to it, realized this is what they tried to do to fix it.  So we did some modifications.  I need a good downpour. Probably not gonna happen until it is too cold to do the rest! LOL
• Shed trim is done! Yea!
• Tools still need rehung, but hardware is here for it
• Ramp, Back Stoop,  and Fence still need staining
• Roof is still problematic
• Two more layouts done, trying to get more consistent/habitual
• Less flying for me, now that school and cross country have started
• Lots of laughter during conversations.  Plus love hearing 016 becoming so much more like an adult with his thinking.  He is such an old soul
• Been to a couple cross country meets.  Always fun to watch all the boys & girls give so much of themselves.
• Fahrenheit 451 completed, but loving the notes in the back
• Have read more magazines
• Soap orders have increased
• Scrap orders have increased
• Massage appointments seem to have leveled off.  Been working on some promotions to attract new clients
• Church has been busy with district conference (making pie), a wedding, and summer speaking schedules

New Business:

• Make soap to replenish stock
• Make pies for progressive dinner next Friday
• Make promotions happen!
• Continue to scrap
• Continue to keep desk better
• Live in the moment more
• Get a new bed for 013 on his birthday
• Paint 013 bedroom for birthday
• Get kitchen ceiling scraped (another spot found and done, another spot needs done) so I can mud then paint
• Work on flowerbeds over at dad/s

July 2016 Flickr Post

Hey there, just a few more to finish up the month... I guess I got behind again somewhere...  Anyway, just some of the boys, and the baby shower.  You can check out the upload here.