Week One Of Lent Down, On To Week Two

 I thought being more mindful of social media would be harder than it is.  Sometimes I forget and start checking it, only to remember, then I shut it down right away.  But I don't miss it as much as I thought I would. I think the times when I'm bored (like right now during my son's tutoring session) is when I miss it the most.  But I don't miss all of the news, all of the sad things, all of the infighting.  I guess I also don't miss all of my FOMO.  Man, I never really realized how even some of the positive accounts I follow make me feel bad.  Perfectly curated houses, perfectly curated children, perfectly curated everything.  This isn't on them, it's on me.  I look at myself and say "What a mess.  I've got to do better".  But honestly, I am doing my best.  And I may not be perfectly curated, but I'm doing ok.  And that's OK. But one of my New Years goals was to slow down and take more time for me and find more peace in my life.  I never really realized that I wasn't doing that until I lessened my social media usage.  All the noise is too much for peace.  And I didn't really realize that until I took a step back.

This is from my reading today and it really hit me.  (Lenten Reading: Media Fasting - Six Weeks To Recharge In Christ).  

Another thing that I have realized since starting Lent and implementing another Lenten penance is that I have really been fooling myself about my "healthy" life style.  There are things that I really didn't want to look at.  I didn't want to look at them because they might be hard, they might be ugly, they might not be what I want.  But I think it's what I need.  And it is hard.  But that is what Lent is all about.  It's doing the hard thing that brings you closer to God.  It's letting go of things that are coming between you and your relationship with God. And I've been cheating myself by not doing the hard thing.  When it's hard, that's when you pray.  That's when you call on God to get you through.  I can't do all things.  But God can.  I rely too much on my own strength, and I'm not as strong as I think I am.  And I certainly don't have all the answers. I'm pretty good about praying for others. And I'm good as praying to God to ask for things that I want.  I'm not so good at praying to God and asking for his help.  I always think that I have to push myself and do it alone.  That is such a lie.  I still have to push myself, but I need to ask for Gods help while doing it.  

Who would think that I would get to the ripe old age and would be still figuring this out? I'm sure I'll forget again. That's what we do. Our brains want to choose the easy.  So I'm learning this lesson and I'm writing down right here for my future self.  

I sat on the front porch with a cup of tea and a book this morning.  Normally I would have sat there scrolling my phone.  I would have missed the peace that came with sitting there quietly, with my Lenten reading, and taking 20 minutes to just be.  I think I'm going to do this again tomorrow. 

Hi. It's me.

 Has my last post really been since December?

Since then we've had birthdays, and holidays and one son graduate from college.  We have played basketball and baseball (still).

Everyone is good.  Things are going well.  

I hoped to get back on here and keep updating as this has become a diary of my life, but sometimes life just gets busy.

Yes, one son graduated from college.  I can't believe it.  I started my first blog when he was 4 years old.  And now he's 22.  He's back home and looking for a job (the job market is tough!).  The middle is 20 years old and will be a junior in college in the fall.  And the youngest will be 12 next month and starts middle school in the fall.  I'm not sure how all that is possible since I'm only 30... lol.  Some days I feel 30, some days I feel 80.

Having all 3 home is a blessing.  But also has it's challenges.  It's not easy having all these adults living under one roof.  But I wouldn't have it any other way.  I'm treasuring these times together because I know they are fleeting.  

This is a quick "I'm still here" post.  I promise myself that I will get on here more often.  

XOXO

Christmas Decorating: Using What YOU Have and Leaving The FOMO Behind

photo from Decorators Warehouse

 I love decorating for Christmas.  You know that.  And usually I'm ok with my decorations.  Could I have more?  Sure....  Could some use updating?  Sure...  But this year, I started to get envious of other peoples decorations.  

YouTube is Great!  I love it.  I love it for exercise, for recipes, for decorating tips, and more.  I get inspiration from so many wonderful YouTubers.  But I noticed something.  I found some interior designers that were decorating for Christmas.  And oh boy, was it ever beautiful.  Then I started getting FOMO, also known as the fear of missing out.  

My decorations are not elaborate and they don't really match or "flow" from room to room.  My garland is sad looking.  I have a lot of "character" decorations that might not look very sophisticated.  My mind started to race on how I could correct this faux pas.  It seems that across the board with YouTube influencers, things are more glamorous  this year for decorating.  Trends are more minimal yet very grand looking.  I need new garland.  And I need large gold deer.  And I need white fluffy blankets.  I basically need all new stuff, because I don't have any of those things.

So I started to fill my Amazon cart with Christmas essentials.  And I looked at Michael's and Hobby Lobby to see what they had.  And I made a plan to do a tour of antique stores in the area to see what I could gather up to make it a very merry and glamorous Christmas.  Clearly, my stuff is not on trend.  And this needed to be fixed NOW.

Luckily I took a deep breath before checking out on my Amazon cart.  And I was actually too busy to go to any stores.  Did I really want to drop several hundred dollars on new decorations?

Yes.  Yes I did.  

But was that the best use of our family's finances?  No.  It is definitely not the best use of our family's finances.  

And let's face it, my reasons for wanting all new Christmas decorations aren't rooted in reality at all either.  What will next years trends be?  Will I like those too?  Will I need all new stuff again?  I do not have the room to store all these decorations, even if I did spend the money on them.  That would mean that something would have to go,  and was I willing to give up our decorations that have sweet family memories attached to them?  Would my family be ok with that?

It's so easy to see what other people have or are doing on social media and want it for yourself.  It all looks so wonderful.  And it's easy to forget that these people are making money off of it and most of the things they buy are written as a business expense or were given to them to influence us to purchase from a particular store or online retailer.  I am not a business nor am I an influencer and no one is going to "give" me anything.  I have to learn to watch these videos with appreciation, and not envy.  People who celebrate Christmas want their homes to look festive and cozy.  But that has NOTHING to do with the real reason we are celebrating Christmas.  And because all of this Christmas decorating starts earlier and earlier every year, there is more time to get anxious about what we have, what design aesthetic we are going for, and it gives us more time to spend, spend, spend.  When my parents were young, most people didn't decorate their homes or trees until Christmas Eve.  We have moved far past that tradition. One lady I watched (whose decorating was spectacular) started to decorate in September.  She decorated every room on her main level and changes out rugs, artwork, and furniture to match each years theme.  But she clarified that by saying that this is "her job".  This is not my job.  Trust me, no one would hire me to decorate anything... lol.

I stopped watching that particular YouTuber.  Even though her style is amazing, it wasn't something that I could emulate.  And there was very little that I could take and use as tips (except maybe going forward, try to make my rooms flow better together).

If you can watch these videos or read magazines and see the beauty and leave it there, then you are ahead of the game.  If like me, you struggle with FOMO or feel envious or start coveting all the things, it may be time to mute that content until you can view it through a grateful lens and  not allow it to become toxic.  

Another person that I watch went outside to gather dried flowers, grasses, and seed pods to spruce up her garland.  So I took Daisy with me, and we went out back and did the same.  Her garland looked amazing.  Mine looks a little funky.  I'm not sure I'm going to leave it this way through the Christmas holiday, but the good news here is that it cost me nothing to mess this up.  It's not glamorous, but it did look a little better.  And it was free.  

I'm going to get my decorations out in the next few days and I'm not going to look at them like they are not good enough.  I'm going to look at them with gratitude and try to carry that gratitude into every thing I do this season.  And maybe I'll stay off of social media a bit more and just enjoy what I have right in front of me. 

Advent hasn't even started yet.  We have a long way to go, and I want Jesus to be at the center of this season.  He's the one we are actually celebrating.  That's where I need my focus to be.  The beauty of the season is HIM.

We have a lot of flooding in the back, but I was still able to gather a few things.

Daisy was just happy to be outside

Still a work in progress

Something That Has Been On My Heart

 For a few years now, I've tried to come up with something I could do for employment that would fit into my main responsibilities as a homemaker.  I know my main job is taking care of my family and I'm happy with that (and usually that alone can be overwhelming).  First, I thought being a secretary for our church would be a good option.  It's not exactly full time, but it would be a enough and I could probably work it around M's school schedule.  I'm his "bus".  I drive him to and from school since he goes to a "non-public" school.  I really hoped that the position would open up. 

In my previous life, I was employed in inside sales and marketing and at one point I was a Marketing Assistant to the Marketing Manager. My strengths are keeping things organized, helping customers, and gate keeping.   I can put together an awesome trade show complete with a customer reception. I enjoy running an office.  And not to toot my own horn, but I'm pretty good at it.

When the job finally did open up, I was very excited.  And 2 days later I got the news that a close family member was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer.  That family member was going to need me.  This was not the time to apply for work outside the home.  I believe this was God telling me "This is not the job for you".  That was 2021.

And since then, I've tried to figure out if not THAT, then WHAT?  I pray.  I put it in Gods hands.  But I do try to research things. I have Linked In alerts for jobs that would fit my qualifications.  And so far, nothing has come up that would fit my "bus" schedule or that would be flexible for family members. 

Then last week, I was feeling really down about the results of the Ohio election.  And I kept praying and asking God for peace with all of this.  And one of my prayers was "God, please tell me what you are calling me to do"?  And then it struck me.  Not like a lightening bolt, or not like anything grandiose.  I just felt Him say "Right now, I'm not calling you to do anything.  I'm just calling you".  And there it was.  As much as I would like to find work outside the home and help contribute to the finances of this family, God wants me right where I'm at, taking care of these people He gave me, and He wants me to use that to bring me closer to Him.  He's not calling me to save our church, or make more money for vacations, or become a professional outside of the home again.  He's got me where He wants me, and He wants me to grow in my relationship with Him.  "I'm not calling you to do anything".  I'm just calling you".  Took me a few years to hear that.  But I heard it.  Finally.  

Maybe some day that will change.  Or maybe it won't.  For now, I will be content with where I'm at physically, and keep trying to move forward spiritually.  

Weekly Meal Plan: Feeding the Family 11/10/23-11/16/23

 

Friday:  Out to Eat (M had a friend spend the night so we took them out to dinner)

Saturday:  Hot Honey Chicken Meatballs, rice, and sautéed zucchini

Sunday:  Za’tar Chicken, potatoes, and vegetable

Monday:  Pasta, salad, and rolls

Tuesday:  Turkey Tacos

Wednesday:  Mediterranean Turkey Burgers, coleslaw, and vegetables

Thursday:  Clean up day or One Pan Lemon Chicken and Potatoes 

Friday night, M had a friend spend the night and they had so much fun.  They always have a nice time together and laugh the entire time.  I love hearing the giggles.  

The rest of the weekend was just doing house work and trying to keep up with the laundry.  

This week I plan on finalizing my menu and grocery list for Thanksgiving.  And I hope to do a little Christmas shopping at the end of the week too.  

I've been watching YouTube videos on Christmas decorating.  They get me inspired.  But the problem is, all of my decorations are mismatched from over the years and I have no plans on going out and spending a fortune to replace them all.  Maybe I should start a YouTube channel on decorating with a hodgepodge.  

I would not start a YouTube channel.  I don't like being on camera, I don't have the voice for it, and I could not be that creative week after week.  But someone should start that channel!😜

Have a Blessed Week!!

Weekly Meal Plan: Feeding the Family 11/3/23- 11/09/23

 I'm keeping my fingers crossed that last week as the LAST crazy week for a while.  Things have been a little bit too busy lately.  And by too busy I mean completely crazy.  Too many commitments.  Too much to do.  I need to clone myself, because I can not do it all.  And frankly, I don't want to do it all.  But we made it and all was good.

Last Sunday was our neighborhood Halloween Trick or Treat.  We had a great time seeing all our neighbors and meeting some new ones.  We have 3+ acre lots and while it's not really that far between houses, it's far enough that we mostly wave at each other rather than interact.

Tuesday was the class Halloween party.  I think it went ok.  I have to plan our party with the other 5th grade class.  So that means I can't do everything I'd like to.  Well, I guess I could, but that wouldn't make me a very nice person.  I met with the other room mom and we decided on what to do.  I think the kids had a good time.  They seemed to have fun.

Then of course Tuesday was actual Halloween.  M wanted to go to my parents parents neighborhood to Trick or Treat since we did ours on Sunday.  My parents get 300-350 Trick or Treators every year.  It's quite the event.  Little M had a great time with his cousins.

And that night was bitter cold.  And it snowed.  I swear we went from fall to winter in one day.  Luckily for us, it's back in the 60's this week.  Y'all.  I'm not ready.

This weeks meal plan is trying to incorporate   Weight Watchers principles with Mediterranean diet principles.  This is a work in process.

Friday: Pasta e Fagioli with crusty bread

Saturday: Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas (from Skinny Taste)

Sunday:  Honey Mustard Pork Chops with oven roasted sweet potatoes and broccoli

Monday:  Oven roasted chicken thighs with potatoes and broccoli

Tuesday:  Tacos with beans and rice

Wednesday:  Chicken with rice and tomatoes (WW recipe)

Thursday:  Clean up for turkey meatloaves 

It's November now.  You know I'm working on Christmas.  No decorating yet, but I'm getting in the mood. I started shopping last week (on line and in person) and I have one child completely done, one child almost done, one child has yet to give me a list so he may just get money, the hubby is close to done, my parents are done, nieces/nephews are getting cash because why pay an extra fee for Visa gift cards, and I have ideas for everyone else.  

I say this every year.  But guys....this year I mean it.  I will enjoy the Advent season.  I'm going into my 54th year.  I don't have all that many years left (maybe another 50 😜).  I already have goals for the new year and one of those is taking my life back.  I'm taking control, instead of letting things control me.  I'm too old for this.  

Have a blessed week.  

Fall Decor

 The fall decor has been up for a while.  Halloween decor has been added for about a month, and will be coming down again next week.  Between helping family and friends who are going through health issues, helping at the school (I'm room mom this year), the kids, the hubby, and the house, I have been a tad busy.  Normally by now, I would have Christmas plans starting.  I'm not even there yet.  I'm still trying to find Marshmallow Peep Ghosts for next weeks class party. LOL.  I have to coordinate the party with the room mom for the other class and we just met last week to iron out what we were going to do.  That's fine, but according to the stores, Halloween is over and it's Christmas now.  I will have to plan better from the class Christmas party.  I did buy our Thanksgiving turkeys today.  So I'm ahead on that.  The grocery has turkeys on sell for 79 cents per pound or turkey breasts on sale for 99 cents a pound.  I bought one of each since we usually bake the big turkey (just under 20 pounds) and we fry a small one.  There weren't any small ones for 79 cents per pound.  They were all 18-20 pounds and our turkey fryer won't handle one that big.  The hubby likes to keep them around 8 pounds and 10 pounds at the max.  So I did pick up the 8 pound turkey breast.  If I find a smaller turkey, I will buy that too and save the turkey breast for a later date.  So they are both in my freezer waiting for next month.

Speaking of the freezer, It's loaded.  I keep stock piling things, but I think now is the time to start using some of it.  I got those turkeys in there, but not well.  And I'd like to start buying the fish we use for Christmas Eve (It's not because of supply chain issues.  It's just better to spread the cost out over a few weeks so it's not just one big hit at one time).  It's really just the calamari and the smelts so they don't take up too much room, but I'm afraid things are going to get lost in there and then I'll have to throw them out due to being in there too long.  I have a little experience with that and it's a terrible feeling to throw out food because it's freezer burned.  

I shopped for next week already, not realizing how much is already in the freezer, so I'll start shopping my freezer after that.  

The Halloween mantle 

The Halloween tree

Outside decorations

The squash borer moth killed most of our zucchini and pumpkins, but there two survived

He's a pug for Halloween

Family weekend at the boys college

Trunk or Treat at the little guys school

A trip to the Cleveland aquarium on a day off from school

Mother Nature decorating for fall

The color of the outside leaves with the colors of the inside tree

Menu Plan 11/4/22 to 11/10/22: Feeding the Family

 

This weeks menu plan:

Friday:  Meatless Friday: Baked Cod, potato, and vegetable (black bean burger for mom)

Saturday:  Low Carb Pizza Casserole (recipe from Kalyn's Kitchen) Frozen pizza 

Sunday:  Pasta, meatballs and sausage with homemade sauce

Monday:  Left over pasta and sauce

Tuesday:  Keto Taco Casserole (recipe from Joy Filled Eats) Leftovers again

Wednesday:  Quick Cajun Dirty Rice (recipe from Gwen's Nest) turkey tacos

Thursday:  Clean up day

Have a blessed week ahead!!

Little House and the Long Winter

 

My little guy and I have been listening to the Little House series via audio books.  It's been a nice experience to share these books with him.  I enjoyed reading them as a child, and my older boys were just not interested in reading them with me.  But the little guy enjoys them.  

We are currently listening to The Long Winter.  We aren't very far into it, but it's affecting me in ways that are causing me to worry about our own long winter.

We went from summer to fall as if someone flipped a switch.  The last several years, we've had very warm weather well into October.  This year is different.  We went from 80 degrees to 50 degrees in a day.  And I noticed the trees starting to change in September.  The leaves are now taking their sweet old time changing at the moment.  But they did start early.  It made me wonder if we were going to have an earlier and harder winter.  

In The Long Winter, the Ingalls family are finding themselves ill prepared to deal with the blizzards.  Right now, they are running out of coal, oil for the lamp, and meat.  It's making me think that maybe I should be increasing my stock of essentials for our own long, Ohio winter.  Of course, we'll be fine with coal and lamp oil, but meat and other food staples could be an issue.  I went through my freezer stash over the summer when I was trying to get the grocery bills lower, but now I'm thinking that I should build it back up again.  Not so much in a hoarding sense, but just in a "be prepared" sense.  

I notice that the supply chain issues are still with us.  Businesses are still having a hard time finding employees.  But while it can be annoying, it's not really an issue because we have enough items to substitute with unlike during the pandemic.  If the store is out of brown rice, I can still find white rice.  During the pandemic, there was no rice.  I'm not too worried about that happening again (but maybe I should be).  I just want to make sure that I have enough staples on hand that if I can't get to the store for a week, I can still feed the family. 

Items I like to keep stocked in the pantry/freezer:

1.  Beans- canned and dried
2.  Frozen veggies
3.  Boxed stock
4.  Bread - in the freezer
5.  Rice/Quinoa
6.  Meat in the freezer- ground and sausage
7.  Canned tomatoes - diced, diced with chili's, and whole
8.  Dried pasta
9.  Crackers/granola bars
10. Canned fruits/frozen fruit
11. Canned tuna

With the above items, I can make several different meals or soups.  I have canned fruit, but I don't really use that often, so I have to make sure to rotate that out.  The other things I use weekly so it's never a problem using them up before any expiration dates.

I always have olive oil, spices, and condiments so I don't worry about those.  With the pantry/freezer stocked up with those 11 items, I don't worry about feeding my people.  For other families, I would suggest nut butters too, but we have a nut allergy in our house and the little guy won't eat PB and J so I don't worry about keeping those in stock.  

I also like to keep a package of each size batteries in the house for things like flashlights or Xbox controllers (if you have kids, you understand how important that can be).

We also keep a small gas can of gasoline for our generator.  We have one that is portable and will run certain things like the heat, a few lights, the refrigerators, freezers, and our well and pump (no power means no water from us). If I ever hit the lottery, I would love to get one of those automatic whole house generators.  Our neighbors have one and it's great.  But right now, I'm thankful for our portable one.

Since we have a child with asthma, I also like to make sure that we have extra asthma medication in the house just in case.

It's always good to be prepared, but there is no need to overdo it.    If there is one thing that the pandemic taught us, it's that there are things that can happen that can be out of our control.  We don't need to stress out about it, but it's good to make sure that we have enough items on hand, that we can fend for ourselves if we have to.  

The Ingalls could have benefitted from a stocked pantry during The Long Winter. As the homemaker and keeper of the family, I'm going to make sure that I've got us covered.   

Menu Plan 9/16 to 9/22

 This Thursday Autumn begins.  And I saw on social media that we have 14 weeks until Christmas. I swear the older I get, time flies faster than a rocket ship.  

And we have another week of meal planning.  Saturday night I planned for pizza since we finally celebrated M's birthday with his friends.  Unfortunately for him, his actual birthday was August 14.  That meant we were only back from vacation for 2 weeks, and I was trying to get two boys off to college.  I just could not add in another thing.  So, I promised him a 10th birthday party, but it would have to wait.  Saturday was the day and I think the boys had a fun.  I had Game Truck come for the party and the boys had a blast.  I've used them in the past for the older boys, and they have always done a good job.  But just like everything else, the price increased SIGNIFICANTLY.  I was really surprised.  

We still have football going on and now this week starts basketball tryouts.  I feel like sports just never end and I know I've said it before, but I don't like it.  I would put my foot down and say no basketball, but the therapist says that keeping him in sports, helps with his anxiety.  How do I argue against sports with that logic?  I guess I can't, and I just have to put my head down and plow through. But right now, I'm sports-fatigued.

The puppy and I spent the morning watching the Queen's funeral.  Such a historic event.  I'm sad it's the end of an era, but she lived such an amazing life of service.  Rest In Peace.  Job well done.

This week's menu plan.  I shopped at Aldi this week and supplemented at Giant Eagle for drinks and cake for the party (the $20 ice-cream cake is up to $27...oy)

Friday:  Slow Cooker Tomato Soup and grilled cheese

Saturday:  Sheet pizza for the party

Sunday:  Baked Chicken Thighs, pan fried potatoes, and tomato and mozzarella salad (tomatoes from the garden)

Monday:  Generals chicken with rice and broccoli

Tuesday:  Turkey tacos

Wednesday:  Turkey burgers and hot dogs on the grill, baked potato, and corn

Thursday:  Clean-up Day

I'm still working on getting my grocery budget down.  I'm trying different stores to see where the best place is to save money.  

And I'm toying with the idea of making Saturday night "pizza night" and trying out different pizza types (that I make myself).  But we'll see how it goes.

Have a blessed week ahead!!

The Summer That Flew By

 Last time I checked, it was June.  How are we here in September??  

The last thing I posted was about the graduation party.  It was nice!!  It was a ton of work.  Next time I have a graduation party, it will not be at my house.  Oh, the work involved.  But to have it at a hall or restaurant was very expensive. And I would have had it at a local park, but apparently you have to book those one to two years in advance.  I know that now.  I will not make that mistake again. But the party really did turn out nice and it was worth all the stress and sleepless nights.

Then we moved on to vacation.  I LOVE the beach.  But again, it's a lot of work to get ready for it.  We've been going so many years that I have a system.  But it doesn't happen all on its own.  I love it though.  I'd be there right now if I could.

After vacation, I had two and a half weeks to get two boys ready for college and another boy ready for 4th grade.  Even though one has been to college the last two years, he moved into an unfurnished apartment this year and it was like starting over.  And this is the other boy's freshman year.  I'm broke and I'm tired.  But they are settled and happy.

My car was loaded, and this was just one boy.  And this is a new car.  We bought a new car during those 2.5 weeks.  Because why not add more chaos in the mix? 

Got the other one off to 4th grade. So far so good there.

AND last week, we got a puppy.  Of course, right?  But the son with the allergies finished his allergy shots (and is on maintenance) and is at college so the allergist thought it would be ok.  The little guy has been begging for a dog, the doctor said it would help with his anxiety, and with both brothers leaving, we felt it was a good time.  

Yes, it's like having a baby.  Yes, it is.  We are trying to get into a routine.  As of right now, we've had her a week, and she is slowly getting settled. And I'm slowly getting settled too.  Slowly.  She sure is cute though.  Meet Daisy.

And the young one is playing tackle football this year.  So far so good there too.  He sure does love his sports.

This is the quick, abridged update for a very busy time.  I told everyone that I was hibernating during September and not to bother me.  That's not going to happen.  So maybe I'll hibernate during October.  But I doubt it.