Still in the bedroom

 

I will admit that I have gotten away from my one drawer at a time project this summer.  I simply had other things I needed to get done but I also decided to slow some things down in my life.  As much as I love checking items off of lists, it got to the point that it was weighing me down some.  I was not taking time after work to just relax and let myself chill.  I had to come home and keep going so that I would be productive.  Some days that worked, but other days it did not. And this project is one of the things that got put on the back burner once I realized that I needed to take better care of myself each day. So this month, my goal is to pick up where I left off and keep going one drawer at a time.

The last thing I worked on was in my bedroom.  I lumped my clothes together because they are in different spaces throughout my bedroom and I got rid of everything that I could no longer wear.  It was more than I anticipated it would be but it gave me some good new space.  And I have not filled up those spaces with more new clothes.  I'm happy with what I have and will wear it until it's either worn out or I cannot wear it anymore. Hopefully the latter will be because the clothes are too big and not too small LOL So I will continue to work in my bedroom for the moment.  

I recently rearranged the furniture in there because I needed a change. I absolutely love how it turned out and it has definitely given me more floor space.  The room feels bigger. When I moved the bed, I found several containers of items that belonged to Michael.  I put them out in the garage with a few of his other things.  And I saw that there are still several containers under the bed that need to be gone through.  That will be my next few things to do with this project.  Hopefully I will find some fun things I had forgotten about and also things to let go of.  We shall see!!

Today's Moment of Mindfulness

 

Allow the telephone to ring three times before you reply, so that you can become aware of your breath and speak form a centered and calm space. 

Movies of Tim and Dolly

 The entire world felt the loss of Dolly Parton earlier this week.  While these things are inevitable, there was still no preparing for it.  She was an amazing artist and an even greater person.  And then the next day we lost Tim Curry.  He's a personal favorite of mine simply because of my obsession with Clue.  There have been many lists posted this week about Dolly and Tim, and it got me to thinking of the films that they made that I have not seen yet.  I will have to add these to my Friday Night Movie nights!

1. Passed Away 

2. Legend 

3. Three Men in a Boat

4. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas 

5. Ferngully; The Last Rainforest 

6. Unlikely Angel 

7. The Hunt for Red October 

8. Smoky Mountain Christmas 

9. Straight Talk 

10. Christmas On the Square

Today's Moment of Mindfulness

 

True meditation is constant awareness, constant pliability, and clear discernment. 

Recipe of the Week - Meatball Sub Casserole

 This is a recipe from Allrecipes.com. I was watching one of their YouTube videos on easy casseroles because you know I love a good casserole. This was one of them and so I thought I would try it.  And let me tell you it is good!!!  I have made it twice in the past few months and have thoroughly enjoyed it.  Those that I have shared it with also liked it so it's not just me LOL  It's easy and delicious.  I hope you will give it a try because I really think you'll like it!

Meatball Sub Casserole

1 loaf of frozen garlic bread, cooked and cubed

1 bag frozen Meatballs

2 jars marinara

1 chopped onion

Shredded Mozzarella

Grated Parmesan

Sauté onions.  Add meatballs and marinara and heat through.  Layer casserole dish with garlic bread.  Sprinkle both cheeses on top.  Distribute meatballs and sauce over bread.  Top with rest of cheese.  Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

*I also like to add cooked mushrooms to mine.

** I have also used Texas toast in place of garlic bread and it works well, too.  I prefer the garlic bread but it's still good!

It's not enough

 Do you ever have those moments when you just stop and look around and think to yourself "This is no longer enough"?  And I don't mean enough like enough stuff.  I have enough stuff.  I'm talking more about the quality of what you have going on in your life.  Or is it just me?  I seem to be having those moments more and more lately.  While there are portions of my life that are being built up to a level that I am grateful for, there are many things that I have become disillusioned with.  I hate to say that, but it's true. 

Some days, getting up and getting ready for work is very hard.  Today is one of those days.  It's not because I don't enjoy my job.  It's because I believe I can do so much more.  Anyone can do what I do at work and at the end of the day if I was not there, it would not make a huge difference.  Now, I'm sure some of the people that I work with may disagree with that, but that's the feeling I keep getting.  And that's not a good way to spend the majority of my day.  

Today, I know that I am feeling this way because of the loss of a great icon who was one of the best humanitarians to grace this planet.  I think about the difference she made in so many lives.  Not that I could ever be on that level, but it would be nice to feel like I had a purpose. Not that I don't have a purpose, really, but I am ready to make more of a difference in life than I do.  I am not sure where these feelings will take me today, if anywhere.  What I do know is that if I do not do anything about these feelings, I will let them overtake my existence and that's not good.  I will begin to overcompensate and from experience I know that will end badly for me.  

I will figure it out.  I'm not sure what is in store, but I plan on taking these feelings and making something productive and constructive out of them.  I want to make a difference.  Not only for others but for myself.  That is all. 

Dolly

Yesterday, we lost one of the greatest artists and humanitarians that the world has ever known.  Dolly Parton passes away at the age of 80, leaving behind an incredible legacy of music, movies, and good deeds. I think that many of us will remember where we were when we heard the news.  She was just that important.  She was that constant of good in life that so many aspired to. 

Dolly has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.  In the very early 80s, I remember watching her London concert on HBO. That's what got me hooked.  And I remember getting so upset that I could not go see 9 to 5 in the movie theater.  I was like 6 after all, so it was not appropriate, but I still threw a tantrum about it.  Years later, when I finally saw it, I understood why I should not have gone to the theater.  Still, it has become a favorite.  And the music.  Islands in the Stream, I Will Always Love You, Hard Candy Christmas and my favorite, Coat of Many Colors.  Her Christmas specials, especially the one with Kenny Rogers.  Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk.  Dollywood.  Her books for children program.  Everything she did touched so many lives.

I am glad that I lived during a time when Dolly was on earth.  She will be missed by many.  Irreplaceable and unforgettable.  Thank you, Dolly.