Reading every day

 

We are now five days into the month and so far, my daily challenge is going well.  I have made time every day to read. As simple as that sounds, it's a big deal for me. I love to read.  Something that has increased with age, to be honest.  But these days, I love the escape that it gives me from everyday life.  I can go anywhere and do anything within the pages of a book. Having that time every day to transport myself into someone else's life, someone else's world, is very liberating for me. But I have not always made the time for it. This month, I am changing that. Every year I do the Good Reads reading challenge and set the bar high for myself.  I have never accomplished my goals in that challenge but this year, it is a definite possibility that I will succeed at it.  Go me!!

I love to read biographies and autobiographies.  Especially of actors because I know their work and reading about their lives only deepens my appreciating of the art that they have created. I wanted to start my February daily challenge with a biography.  For my birthday this year, Michael gave me a copy of Tim Curry's autobiography, Vagabond, A Memoir.  My first exposure to Tim Curry was in the movie Clue.  It is one of my favorite movies and I have seen it thousands of times.  It never gets old to me. Wadsworth, the butler, is my favorite character and Tim does it so well.  Since then, I have seen him in other films, and I always have enjoyed his work. So this was a perfect book for me to begin this challenge.  I am already almost halfway through the book which is pretty fast reading for me.  I am pleased with my progress and am really enjoying the book itself.  He has just finished up filming Rocky Horror, so I am very interested to see what lies ahead! I'll keep you updated!

A Little Good News - Anne Murray

 I have posted this song before but it's one of my favorites by Anne Murray.  And it's very appropriate for our times, I believe. And some days, I just want a little good news to start my day! 

1 Corinthians 13 4-8

 

These storms were different for me

 As many of you know and have also experienced, we have had two weekends of winter weather.  Two weekends ago, we got an ice storm and this past weekend we got a very big (for us) snowstorm. I am very grateful to the people in my life that looked out for me over those two weekends.  Whether it was here at home with Jason and Lois, or Michael texting to check on me, or my boss Kirstin making sure that I was safe, it was comforting to have that. 

This time around was different for me though.  Normally whenever there is a forecast of wintry precipitation, I almost always immediately begin to panic, and my anxiety level can go through the roof.  I'm not sure why I have felt like that but that's the truth.  It did not matter if I was single or not or living with someone romantically or platonically, it just stressed me out.  This year, I did not feel any of that.  

I was as prepared as I could be for both storms. Probably not as prepared as I should have been, but I have been taking notes on that! But neither storm did I freak out about it.  I accepted the fact that whatever was going to happen, I had no control over so I would not let it worry me.  And it did not.  I had plans in place for anything the storms threw my way. I made the decision early on that my safety came first and, because of that, I did not get behind the wheel of my car until I felt that I could handle it.  That took a huge weight off of my shoulders. 

Not that I want another winter storm anytime soon, but I need to be prepared as we are just barely one month into winter.  And I have already started making better preparations if needed.  Things that I did not have in place but most likely should.  It has been that sense of calm and preparedness that carried me through these storms mostly stress free.  I have learned along the way that self-care is extremely important in my life.  Once I realized that putting my needs first during times like these is absolutely fine, I weathered the storm much better than I ever have.  Thank goodness!

One Drawer at a Time Update

 I started my "every day" process of cleaning and organizing again at the beginning of the year.  So, I'm one month in.  I chose to do the process a little differently this year and I have discovered that I do not believe that is going to work for me. I was doing one thing in one room and then going on to do one thing in another room and so forth until I had done something in each room before starting the cycle over again. While I did it that way and wrote down what I had done in each room, it simply does not feel right. I got things done and organized.  I do not like it as much, though, because I am not seeing the results that I did when I focused on one room at a time.  I could really see a difference when I would spend a few weeks in each room.  It made more sense to me that way.  I am glad that I tried something different but now I know what really works for me.  So, I will be going back to focusing on one room and not moving on until I finish up that room.  Also, and I have no problem admitting this, I still have a lot of my Christmas stuff up.  I am working, albeit slowly, on getting it all put away.  In the meantime, it does make things a little more problematic because the rooms are not like they normally are throughout the year.  So, I will go back to focusing on getting the kitchen done first.  There aren't very many decorations in there left so I can definitely work around that. Plus, since I'm in that room so much, I will be able to really see my progress. And that is really something with this process that I need.  I can do that. 

The round glass platter

 

I remember this platter from my childhood.  For years, it was a part of our kitchen. Mom always had hers displayed on the counter. It stood up against the 70s orange counter.  It looked wonderful.  I do not know whatever happened to hers.  But I do know that she used it.  It was brought out for company, especially in the summer if we cooked out.  All of the toppings for burgers and hot dogs were put on this platter.  I honestly do not remember when she got rid of it or why or even if Bill has it.  But I remember it fondly.

Several years ago, I was able to find one on Ebay.  I do not know what my life would be like without Ebay LOL  Still, I got it for a very good price and absolutely love it.  I have tried to find information on the maker but have had no luck so far. What I did find is other pieces that match this and yes, I am so excited about that. I have found square platters and rectangular platters.  They all have this wonderful vegetable design on them.  I may add them to my wish list.

Anyway, I think that my platter is beyond fabulous.  I have used it several times but need to incorporate more into my weekly meals.  I can do that.  This is one of many things from my memories of childhood that I have tracked down online and purchased.  I take comfort in these things. Do any of you have such things in your house right now?  Things that you remembered and decided that you must have?  I would love to know!

Quote of the Week

 

A good quote to start a new month with!