Moon River - Mantovani

 I love the music of Mantovani, and I do not believe that I have ever shared any of their recordings here.  I have many of their albums on both vinyl and cd.  Their music connects me to Mom and to Grandmother.  And I do love a good orchestral sound.  Mancini's Moon River is one of my favorites of theirs. I hope you enjoy it as well. 

Daily Challenge Update

 

Obviously, one of my goals this month is to get my garage in order and in better shape.  Things have simply gotten out of control back there. I readily admit that.  But I am trying to get out there as much as I can this month and do at least a little bit at a time. With the summer heat and no A/C out in the garage, that is about all I can handle.

Anyway, one of the things that I am doing is condensing and repacking things out there.  That is, the stuff that I am keeping for the time being.  What I am realizing now is that I have so many empty boxes and containers out there.  I am not really sure why?  Well, I know why.  I would empty out a box or a container in years gone by and think to myself, that's a good box.  I should keep that.  No, I don't need to do that anymore.  And, just FYI if you don't already know, Amazon boxes are not that good once their initial use is over.

I want to get rid of all of these empty boxes. My plan is to use the strongest and sturdiest ones that I have out there and then recycle all of the rest.  It is almost driving me crazy. It isn't, but it almost is LOL  Taking this one step at a time.  Tis all I can do!

When Will I Be Loved - Linda Ronstadt

 July 15th was Linda Ronstadt's 80th birthday.  She's an amazing singer who could easily go from one genre to another without skipping a beat. It's impossible to pick a favorite.  There are so many that I love but here's one of them.  Enjoy!

Partials

 I believe that I have reached the point in my adult life where I am supposed to start rebuilding my body from materials other than what God has given me.  That is to say, my dentist has advised me to get partials.  Yippee!!  LOL  There's nothing wrong with having partials or dentures.  I knew this day would come because of the lack of care I gave my teeth over the years.  Still, it's earlier than I thought it would be. And it comes with great sticker shock.

I understand her reasoning behind it.  A partial would help me to keep more of my teeth for longer.  My mouth is currently uneven and I am chewing mainly on one side of my mouth.  That puts pressure on those teeth that should not be there.  Having partials would balance that out and allow me to keep what I have for longer.

I understand how beneficial partials can be when you get ones that work.  One of my best friends has them and they seem to really work for her.  My Dad's wife has them but hers have never fit properly and have caused more trouble than not.  I guess you never really know how it is going to work out until you try it. 

However, I don't have $3500 sitting around to fix this problem.  I have insurance but I'm not sure how much they will cover and everything has to be paid for upfront.  The only way I could possibly do that is with my dental credit card.  And that would be convenient if I had several years to pay it off.  But I don't have that extra to pay them each month.  Ah, well.

I am not sure what I will do with this right now.  I know I need it and I know I cannot afford it.  I think I'll just pray and hope for the best right now. Tis all I can do. 

Recipe of the Week - Bloomin' Onion Dip

 This is a recipe that Jason showed to me online at the beginning of the year.  And I had everything I needed to make it already, so I tried it. Absolutely delicious!! I will definitely keep this one in my appetizer rotation and can't wait to make it again!  Hope you enjoy it.

Bloomin' Onion Dip

1 Medium onion, finely chopped

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

1 cup grated parmesan

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp cayenne

1.5 Tbsps Worcestershire

1 cup friend onions - for topping only

Mix all ingredients except for onions until smooth.  Fold in onions.  Top with fried onions.  Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes. 

The pottery milk jug

 

This little milk jug belonged to Aunt Sara.  Mom got it from the estate years ago.  She always said that this pitcher was a staple of the breakfast table whenever she visited overnight at the family home.  I don't know the maker of it as it's not marked on the bottom.  I have seen this style of pitcher at many antiques stores but never remember to look for any information on it.  Oh well.  It sat in our kitchen for years in the house in Monroe.  Mom kept it on top of the pie safe in the kitchen. Now it is part of my home.  Actually, right now it's in a box LOL  But I will find it soon enough and give it a good spot in my house.  If only I drank milk, then I would use it just like my family did.  Maybe one day!

Daily Challenge Update

 

I have not been in the garage every day this week mainly because of the +100 degree temperatures that we have been having.  Still, I did get out there a few times and got some things done.  Now that Michael has most of his stuff out of there, I now have an entire wall of shelves that I can fill up.  And don't worry, I'm not going out and buying things to fill these shelves.  I have plenty.

So, I am getting boxes that I know are full and that I know I have already gone through and I am putting them up on the shelves.  Now I am able to see more of the floor.  It's the little things, people!!  Also, on the shelf underneath the worktable in the back I found a lot of pictures. They were stacked on the shelf and it looks like at some point, some squirrels were making nests there on the pictures. Oh well.  I have had to get rid of a few frames but was able to save the artwork in the frame.  I am cleaning them up, one by one, and finding places inside to hang them.

So, things are coming along very well out there.  I am hoping to get out there some this weekend and get some more done.  We shall see! 

Getting back to the job search

 It's time to throw my hat back into the job-hunting arena.  Let me first get this out of the way.  Searching for jobs has nothing to do with my current job.  I love my job.  I love the people I work with and the residents and their families that I serve.  And I'm pretty confident in saying that they love me as well. So, I am not looking for a new job because of any kind of dissatisfaction with my current position.

I gave myself a year after finishing my master's degree to just relax.  I very much enjoyed getting my degree and I really like being a student.  But it was a lot of work and so I decided that I deserved some time to myself.  Not that I have done anything extraordinary with that time, but it has been very nice.  But now it is time to get back to it.  

During the year, I did apply and interview for several jobs.  The interviews went well but neither of them panned out.  It was still very good experience for me.  I am going to start looking for things in the gerontological world that sound interesting.  Things that I may be good at.  Even if I don't have the experience someone may want, I am hoping someone will see my passion and my drive and take a chance.  That is all I can hope for.

First, I need to update my resume.   That shouldn't take too long haha!  Then, I need to start networking.  Many things happen because of who you know.  I will keep you updated on this progress because I am quite excited for the possibilities that are ahead.  It will all be good experience nonetheless.

Quote of the Week

 

This week I have started working on enjoying my own company.  I have gotten myself out of the house on my own and done things by myself just for fun.  And I have really enjoyed it.  It's not like I would not love to do things with people, but I need to be able to enjoy life with only myself as well. 

Starting to budget more

I will be the first to admit that I have never been good at budgeting my money.  There are many reasons for this, but I am not going to talk about them right now.  Those reasons are all in the past and I cannot go back and change any of them so why dwell on them?  All I can do is move forward and so that is what I intend on doing.

Beginning with this paycheck, I am going to work on budgeting my funds.  I have already started to work on saving more and I know that sticking to a budget will help me increase my savings.  I am such a list person that I don't know why adhering to a budget is so hard for me.  And yes, I know I have my eBay and antiques and thrift store habits, but I am hoping to keep those under control with the use of a budget. 

First, I need to look at where my money goes and prioritize.  Rent, bills, food, etc.  Lay out all of the categories where my money is spent and look at the numbers.  I need to think about my financial goals, short, medium and long term. Sadly, retirement is not one of those goals.  Ah, well.  It is a lot for me to process but I think I can do it.  I know that most people budget by the month but right now I am going to start with budgeting by the paycheck.  I think I will be more successful to start out with that way.

I don't know how this is going to go yet but at least I am trying.  I will keep you updated!

Today's Moment of Mindfulness

Appreciate the abundance of wonderful things in your life and give them your attention.  Keep a little notebook especially for jotting down memories worth saving, surprises and things you are thankful for. 

 

Grocery shopping at home

 

As you all know, I love to go grocery shopping.  The grocery store is one of my happy places.  I am there at least once a week if not more.  Normally I go to the Food Lion that's not far from my house.  That is where I'll do my bulk shopping.  If I just need one or two things, I will go the Bestway, the neighborhood grocery store around the corner.  It's a little more expensive depending on what you're buying but I save on gas, so it evens out. 

Something I have started to do first, before I even step foot into the grocery store, is shop at home.  That may sound like a no brainer to some people but not everyone does that.  I am guilty of that.  Not that shopping at home is required but I often find myself having duplicate items when I only really need one.  Why?  Because I did not shop at home first.  

Shopping at home first has made me start to really pay attention to what I have in stock. I have a great set of pantry shelves in my laundry room which has given me the option to stock, and sometimes overstock, things that I use in cooking.  That plus the kitchen cabinets and the chest freezer equals a lot of food available to me.  But I had not been paying attention to what I already had before making my grocery list. Thus, I have 6 cans of Rotel LOL

I have been watching a series of videos on YouTube about ways to save money.  I know that's something that we all want to do.  One of the videos said that you should always shop at home first before you go out and buy something.  This did not just apply to groceries but to everything.  Check your cabinets to see if you already have what you need before spending money unnecessarily. So that is what I did.  

My neighbor Lois was coming over on the 4th for lunch.  I wrote out the menu and then wrote down everything that I would need to make the dishes.  Then I went shopping in my house. There were some ingredients that I knew that I already had like onions and butter.  Pantry staples.  But after doing my first round of shopping at the house, I managed to take a two-page grocery list and shave it down to about 10 items.  That was it.  Whew!! It truly saved me money by paying attention to what I already had on hand.  

From now on, I am shopping at home first for everything.  I never know what I'm going to find!

Avocado Egg Salad

 I love some egg salad.  Grandmother showed me how to make it when I was a child, and I have been making it ever since. And as much as I love traditional egg salad, and always will, I do like to branch out and try new versions of it.  One day I was looking on the internet for a heart healthy egg salad and this recipe popped up.  I have only made it once, but it was very good and I will make it again soon. I will say this, though, about it.  If you are going to serve it to others, make it right before you do.  Otherwise, it will turn that brownish color that avocado likes to do.  It will still taste great; it just does not look very good haha. Enjoy!

Avocado Egg Salad

6 hardboiled eggs

2 avocados - peeled, pitted and cubed

1/2 cup minced red onion

1/3 cup mayo

3 Tbsp chopped sweet pickles

1 Tbsp yellow mustard

S&P to taste

Mash eggs lightly in a bowl with a fork.  Add all other ingredients and combine well. S&P to taste.  Chill in fridge.  Serve with crackers on a bed of greens.  

Organizing the Garage

 I have picked one of the hottest times of the year to try and get my garage organized.  This is going to be my daily challenge for July.  Now that Michael has gotten most of his stuff out of the garage, I have lots more shelf space to put boxes and containers that have been on the floor for a long time.  Jason and Marc still have a good bit of stuff out there but that will not stay forever either. I have been trying to go through the boxes out there and sort things.  That has been pretty productive, and I have been able to get rid of things and condense boxes.

I want my garage to be more of a functional space than just storage.  Not that there's anything wrong with having storage!  But I want to have my heavy bag available for workouts.  And if I need to do any kind of woodwork or whatever, I'll have a place for that.  I also have realized now that I have almost no tools LOL  I will need to invest in some of my own.  But I will build that up slowly.  

So that's my challenge for this month.  I hope I can get some things done each day despite the heat.  We shall see!!

Quote of the Week

 

This is something that I have been working on lately.  Letting go of the things that I have dreamt about my whole life is hard because I have not found any dreams to replace them.  I am working on that and will find something else to embrace and pursue. 

Wish You Were Here - Jack Cassidy

I have heard this song sung numerous times by many different artists.  I know I have it on several records.  I always have been intrigued by the song and find it on the haunting side.  I'm not sure why but in some ways it's very sad and in other ways it's very hopeful.  I had no idea that it was the title song of a musical from the 1950s.  It's a musical about a summer camp for adults in the Catskills.  Interesting concept.  I want to do some more research on it but I heard the score on the Sounds of Broadway website and found it quite charming.  Here is Jack Cassidy from the original cast singing the title number.  Enjoy!

 

Royal Rose China

I am always happy to accept a new set of dishes.  I can't help it; it's just part of who I am.  Much to the chagrin of my house, though.  Trying to find storage for it all can be daunting at times.  But I do not let that stop me.  And the important thing is that I enjoy it.  And I use it.  This particular set is called Royal Rose.  It was manufactured by the company Fine China of Japan.  

This set came to be by accident.  A friend of mine that I work with knows that I love dishes and things like that.  She told me that she had a tea set that belonged to a relative of hers and would I be interested in it?  I think it may have belonged to her brother, but I cannot recall off the top of my head. I told her that of course I would be interested.

A few weeks later, she brought me this box.  It was not a huge box but definitely bigger than what a tea set may fit into.  That didn't bother me at all, though.  I gladly loaded up the box into my car and got excited to see it when I got home.  You see, she didn't tell me what it looked like or what the pattern was.  It was a mystery at the time. Once I got home and opened the box, I thought there were an awful lot of pieces in this box.  I will admit that it was incredibly packed.  

The first piece I unwrapped was a cup and saucer set.  The pattern was pink roses on a white background with gold scrollwork around the rims.  I thought it was lovely.  I proceeded to empty out of the box of all its pieces.  My friend lied to me LOL  This was not a tea set.  This was a service for 8 of fine china.  I did not mind at all.  I did not have any pattern that looked like this so I thought it would make a nice addition to my collection.  And it has. 

I have used this set for several dinners and really enjoy having it on my table.  It had many pieces like the cream and sugar, salt and pepper sets, serving bowls, platters among all of the dinner plates, b&b plates, dessert plates, cups, saucers, etc.  There never was a tea pot which disappointed me since I initially was told it was a tea set.  Oh well.  I will enjoy it for many years to come!

Give yourself some "internetless" time each day

 I think it's important to take some time every day to do something for yourself or someone else that has nothing to do with social media, a computer and a phone.  Giving yourself a break from the constant streaming is healthy for the spirit.  At least in my opinion.  Get outside.  Read a book or a magazine.  Play a game, one that doesn't require a login LOL. Write a letter.  Go visit someone and have a real conversation.  Just do something that's different for a change.  Listen to music. The possibilities are endless.

I started thinking about this earlier this week because of something a friend said to me.  We had a huge storm roll through on Monday.  Many places in Greensboro were without power.  Luckily, my house was not among them.  But a friend I work with said she was without power for about 6 hours.  She and I are roughly the same age, so we remember what life before the internet was like.  Her daughter, however, does not know about that. My friend told me her daughter had three major meltdowns during the power outage because cell service was down and she didn't know what to do with herself.  While I did chuckle when I was told this, I also felt very sad for her.

It's not her fault.  It's a generational thing. They never had to live without it but I do think it's important that they find things to do when this happens.  Same goes for me and everyone, really.  When the power or the internet goes out, what do you do?  Some of my friends laugh at me because of my huge record collection and all of the DVDs and VHS (yes, you read that right) tapes I have.  But when the internet is down, I know I can entertain myself.  

But this incident just reminded me that I need to take some time each day and get away from having the world at my fingertips.  I think it's important. 

Mom's glass trinket box

 I love this little box.  It was always sitting out on a table or a shelf in our home for as long as I can remember.  Mom used to keep it filled with pieces of natural glass that we would find on our beach trips.  That was always a fun way to pass the time at the shore.  That and sharks' teeth.  The glass looked so beautiful inside the box and gave the box a wonderfully colorful appearance. 

I don't know where Mom got this little box from.  It may have been a wedding present or something she got from Aunt Mary Lee.  Or it could have simply been something she picked up along the way because she liked it.  Whatever the reason, I'm glad she had it because I really think it's pretty.  There is a chip in the lid now. I'm not sure when that occurred but it is not going to keep me from using it.  Most of us are cracked or chipped in one or another so those qualities in my possessions do not bother me either LOL

Now it sits on a chest in my den.  It's empty at the moment. I would love to go to the beach and search for glass again to fill the box back up.  Maybe one day!

Psalms 4:2

 

I read this Psalm the other day and it definitely struck a chord with me.  It's something I want to ask many people these days. 

Today's Moment of Mindfulness

 

Life isn't happening to you; Life is responding to you. 

Tabloids

 

When I was a kid starting around 4th grade, I really began to find my voice through creative writing.  I loved writing stories and serials.  I carried that love of creative writing through high school.  The writing really tapered off after that.  I miss it and hope to pick it up once again. Anyhow, because I loved writing, I used to read tabloids all of the time.  Mom would buy me copies of The National Enquirer, The Sun, The Globe among others.  I just ate them up. 

Even as a pre-teen, I knew it was fake. I knew that the stories were not real.  They were so fantastical and absolutely absurd most of them.  But they were so delicious to read.  And I always thought to myself, who would ever believe this kind of thing?  I just didn't see how anyone could believe stories of Elvis still being alive, or of the adventures of Bat Boy, or all of the drama that went on in the lives of every celebrity in Hollywood.  I thought only an idiot would believe such rubbish, entertaining though it may be.

With the advent of social media, I get it now.  People will believe anything.  No research, no fact checking.  If it comes from a specific source, it is believed no matter how out there it is.  And this in on both sides of the aisle. It's just ridiculous to me but that is where we are right now.  As a kid, I enjoyed reading the National Enquirer.  As an adult, I do not enjoy living in it. 

A visit with Dad and June

 Saturday, I spent the day with Dan and June.  I always try to take some food with me for them to have, and I'd spent Thursday and Friday nights after work cooking.  They are always very appreciative of that, and they seem to enjoy the food.  And since they're almost 2 hours away, it makes me feel like I am contributing to their well-being. And it's an excuse to cook, which you all know I love. I packed up the cooler early Saturday morning and hit the road. 

They live in Angier, NC in Harnett County.  It's a very nice drive because it does not involve the interstate which I am thankful for.  I'm sure I could take the interstate to get there but luckily, I have always taken highways and back roads. Traffic was not bad at all and the temperature was still cool.  That is a plus because I don't have A/C in my car anymore.  Fun times!  

The thing I really love about visiting them besides the obvious of spending time with them, is that the visits are so easy.  Getting together with Fornes family is always a relaxed atmosphere.  We just sit around and talk.  And when we don't have anything to say, we just sit around and it's enough.  Dad and I went to a Chinese buffet for lunch then came home and took naps. It's how we roll.  We spent time updating each other about people in our lives.  Stories are always told.  Often, there are stories that have been told before but I'd rather hear them than not. June will pull out pictures she thinks I would like to see and recipes she knows I'll want to look at. And it's just a nice time.  It was good to catch up with them, and I look forward to another visit soon.  That was my fun for the week!

Youth Handbells

 This past Sunday, the youth handbell choir rang during the service at church.  They did a wonderful job, and it made me think how much I miss having that in my life.  This church has several adult choirs, and I am hoping to join one of them in the fall.  Or at least be a substitute!  I will have to do some research into that. But watching the youth choir ring brought back a lot of good memories for me.

As you know, ringing handbells was a part of my life for almost all of my time at FBC Monroe.  For me, dealing with my own issues even at a young age, the choir represented several things for me.  I was good.  I was a very good ringer and that boosted my confidence. It also made me feel like I was giving back to my church in a way and that was important to me.  And of course, I loved it and it's important to do things that you love. 

Ringing in the youth choir gave me the chance to socialize with and get to know people I would not have otherwise.  There's a huge gap between middle school and high school as far as hanging out goes but the members of the handbell choir were very welcoming.  Elizabeth Evans, Suzanne and Brent Jewell, Kennon Blanton, Donna Pittman, Beverly Baker.  They were all in high school when I joined the choir as a 6th grader.  And they were great.  I feel like we got to know each other in a way that I would not have had I not been in the choir.  It was a wonderful sense of community.  The first year I rang in the youth choir, we were under the leadership of Jim Reich so not only were we friendly, but we were also very disciplined and rang up to Jim's standards, which were very high. 

I keep up with most of the people in the choir even today through social media and my letter writing. It was a good time in my life.  I know I cannot go back but I can look towards the future and the hopes of ringing in a choir once again. 

The yellow depression glass tray

 I am often quite guilty of impulse buying while I am out antiques shopping.  Big surprise, I know LOL But this tray is one of those purchases I made at Golden Antiques in Summerfield.  I bought this several months ago. It was my second trip to the store, and I always seem to leave with multiple items in hand.  That's not a bad thing necessarily.  Anyway, I was there to look for some Easter decor for the house.  I only had a few pieces and wanted some more so that's why I was there.  Anyway, I saw this tray and just fell in love with it.  It instantly went into my buggy.  I can't remember exactly what I paid for it but I know it was less than $20.

I have always loved depression glass.  I have several books on the subject.  We did not have much of this glass growing up, at least not when I came along. Aunt Mary Lee had a set of green depression glass that went to one of her nieces but that's about all I know. It was well before my time.  But in our many antiques excursions back in the day, depression glass was always in every shop it seems and I loved looking at it.  While green is my favorite color, and I do love green depression glass, yellow is the color I was drawn to.  Yellow is a color that just makes me happy but oddly enough I had no yellow depression glass.

So, when I saw this tray at a good price, I knew that I must have it.  I've only used it once but it's still early, folks!!  The pattern is called Landrum Topaz.  It was made by the Lancaster glass company.  I'm pretty sure this is the sandwich tray and not the cake plate, but I'll have to get out the measuring tape and figure that out definitely.  Either way, I love it.  This pattern seems to have been mostly serving pieces and not dinnerware.  So, I will be on the lookout for more of these pieces on future antiques shopping sprees.  And I look forward to using this more in the future!

Today's Moment of Mindfulness

 

Are you sitting down?  Bring your awareness to your chair or the ground and become aware of pressures against your body and textures on your skin.  Shift your weight to give you greater comfort and notice any areas of tension such as shoulders, lower back or neck. 

If I don't wear it, let it go.

 

As I go through the process of one drawer at a time, I often watch videos or read articles about decluttering spaces.  That's actually where "one drawer at a time" got its name for my process.  Most of what I saw always said starting small as to not overwhelm myself.  That works better for me than trying to tackle an entire room at a time. I can't tell you how many times I stood in my garage for 20 or 30 minutes just staring at the space.  I would get frustrated and then leave for another time only to do the same thing the next go round.  So, doing this in small batches works best for me and I can see progress.

I was watching a video the other day on decluttering and the speaker talked about how holding onto things you don't and won't use and have no true sentimental value could be because you are holding on to a vision of the person you used to be.  That made a lot of sense to me and the timing was perfect for me.  I have been going through clothes over the last week, and I realized that I was holding on to things I no longer wear because of the person I used to be.  Yes, there are some good memories attached to some of these clothes, but they're CLOTHES!! I don't wear them because I can't wear them right now.  If you know me, I will use something until it is dead and completely worn out.  

I decided to donate anything that I cannot wear anymore.  Honestly, that cleaned up about 1/3 of my clothing storage space.  That was pretty amazing.  I used to rationalize keeping things because I would tell myself that one day I will be able to fit into them again.  No, no longer doing that.  I can always buy new clothes down the line.  For me, in this moment, right now, I do not use it and it is taking up valuable space.  Into the donation pile it goes. I had a lot of t-shirts that had become belly shirts.  I can thank my love of cooking for that one LOL There's plenty of wear left in them just not for me.  I had a pair of cowboy boots that I never wore.  Someone will.  Pants I ordered online that ended up being too small in the waist (sigh) but I was too lazy to return them.  Bye bye!!

Saying the person I used to be often sounds so regretful but it's truly not.  I'm not the person I was 2, 5, or 10 years ago.  Hell, I'm not the person I was yesterday.  And getting rid of these items that I do not wear that someone else can is very liberating.  It is helping me to be more of the person I am right now in this moment and I like that.  

Quote of the Week

 

I promise that not all of the quotes I post will come from Sunday's sermon, but this one really struck me. The sermon was about true friends and what that means.  This quote was used to illustrate that, and I have been pondering it ever since.   I have thought a lot about it and the results are both good and bad but it's helping me to move forward. 

Mental Benefits of Boxing

 

I loved my time at the boxing gym years ago.  There was a definite camaraderie there and a sense of community that you don't find many places and I miss that.  But besides the physical benefits of the intense exercise, boxing has mental benefits as well.  Another reason I want to start training again.

It helps with stress and anger relief.  Boxing provides a healthy outlet for releasing tension, stress and frustration through physical exertion. It is a safe way to relieve the worries of the day and is very empowering when that happens.

It elevates moods.  Intense exercise such as boxing helps the body to release endorphins, the body's natural mood boosters.  That helps to reduce anxiety and depression.  I don't have those as much as I used to on a daily basis, but I can account for the fact that I always felt better after boxing training. 

It increases confidence and self-esteem.  Learning how to master new skills and techniques does wonder for the mental state.  And seeing the physical benefits of this intense exercise definitely boosts a person's confidence.  Another reason I want it more.

It enhances focus.  Boxing requires intense concentration to memorize combinations and movement patterns.  This improves mental clarity and discipline which can be transferred to other areas of life.

So, while the physical benefits are obvious, these mental benefits of not only boxing but of all exercise, are helping me to motivate myself and guide me on this journey to a better healthy lifestyle. 

New recipes, Bicentennial Gardens and CUMC

 It's been a good week overall.  Not a whole lot in the way of fun but I did get a little bit in there.  At least things that are fun for me!  As you know, I love cooking my Sunday meal.  I have started referring to it as a Sunday meal rather than lunch or dinner because it's my big meal for the day and has lately been sometime in the middle of the afternoon.  So, last Sunday I tried two new recipes and loved them both.  One was for hamburger gravy.  I saw something about this on YouTube.  I was watching a video about cheap meals from the 70s and this was one of them.  I thought it sounded good, so I looked up a recipe to try.  It was so simple but so filling.  I served it over cheesy mashed potatoes and will definitely make it again.  In fact, I plan on cooking it to take to Dad and June next week.

The other recipe I tried was okra and tomatoes.  This is Paula Deen's recipe. I saw it on an episode of her first cooking show and wrote down the recipe.  This was the one to beat.  I was not sure if I would like it or if it would be anything special but good grief was it good.  It was my favorite thing from last Sunday's meal.  I shared it with two other people and they both agreed that it was very good!  Another keeper I will have in my recipe collection.

I have been picking up my daily walking and have really enjoyed it.  Last Saturday, I decided to take my walk in one of Greensboro's many parks.  I opted for the Bicentennial Gardens.  It's located on Cornwallis and Holden.  I had been there before, but it had been many years.  It was just a lovely experience.  So many places to walk and things to see.  The gardens are simply beautiful.  And at 8 in the morning, it's not too crowded at all.  It felt so good to get out into a garden again.  Seeing the beauty of nature does a soul good.  While I may not get to a different part every Saturday, I would certainly love to try.

I attended my first service at Christ United Methodist Church last Sunday.  I have been meaning to go for a long time and thought I may as well go ahead and try it out.  What a wonderful experience it was.  Everyone was friendly and welcoming.  The sermon was about David & Goliath and there were many good points made.  I took notes haha!  There was a beautiful soloist in the anthem and the service wrapped up with communion.  I had to hurry out after because the service ran longer than I anticipated.  I did not know that they would do communion which adds time.  I actually had something in the oven that I did not want to burn LOL  But on my way out I saw one of my residents from work who is a member of the church and I had no idea.  I'll be going back today.

Hopefully I will get more fun things in this week.  I know I will go and see Dad and June this Saturday but I look forward to discovering what else is in store for me.

Early mornings

 I really like being a morning person.  That is something that I never thought I would say but it's true. 

The older I get the more I enjoy getting up with the sun or even before the sun depending on the time of year.  Growing up, like most kids, I was definitely not a morning person.  I think that many parents struggle with how to get their children up and going before school.  And I was not a breakfast eater when I was a kid so there was no such thing as food motivation back in those days. Somehow, I made it through those years of getting up and 7 and leaving the house around 7:30 for school.  I don't know how I did it but there you go.

And like others that I know, not all, I went through that phase as a relatively young adult when staying up late going out and having a good time were my priorities.  In some ways I wish I could have that time back, but I did create some great memories in those days.  But that was another time when getting up early was definitely not important to me.  I would get up at 8:30 in order to be in to work by 9 or I would actually sleep the mornings away on days I was not working.  I'm not especially proud of that period but it is what it is.

Now, and for the last 10 years or so, I relish getting up with the dawn.  It is my time for me and me alone.  When I was in a relationship, that was the only time I had that I could truly devote to myself.  Once Michael would wake up, my morning would become about getting him ready for work and making sure he had everything he needed.  And there's nothing wrong with that but in retrospect it was unhealthy for me.  But that is when I started loving the mornings.  And I still do now that I'm single.  No matter what is in store for my day, these first few hours are just about me.  Whether or not I am doing something productive or just sitting with my coffee at the computer.  It's my time to do with as I wish.  And that is a precious commodity these days I feel.

Getting up early also allows me to get things done that might otherwise get pushed aside.  I love that sense of accomplishment to the beginning of my day.  It sets the tone for my entire day. The past few weeks I have been getting in a morning walk which has been fantastic.  I am enjoying being outside and working towards my health.  Making that part of my early morning has changed my daily outlook in a good way.  Early mornings are not for everyone.  I often have friends tell me they look at time stamps on my posts and just cannot imagine being up that early.  You have to do what works for you.  And now that I am in my 50s, this works for me.  Early mornings are my favorite time of life right now. 

Donating items I am ready to let go of

 One of the nice things about cleaning out drawers and cabinets and closets and such is finding things to donate.  While I enjoy going thrifting and finding good deals on used items and clothes that still have plenty of life left in them, I also enjoy donating gently used items that I no longer use but someone may find useful.  Doing this one drawer at a time really does help with that.  And I try to donate to charities and shops that do good for the community.

Today I took two boxfuls of items to work to donate to the yard sale we are having next week.  All of the proceeds go to the Alzheimer's Association, which is a cause that I feel is very important.  We have these sales several times each year and I always try to find some good things to give away.  I have also found some good deals at these sales too so it's a win/win for me!  And with this sale, anything that does not get sold is donated to Freedom House, a recovery center for mothers where they can get the help they need.  Another cause I think is important. 

I love it when this process benefits not only myself but others.  We're all in need in one way or another and helping each other with those needs just feels good.  That is all. 

Quote of the Week

 

This is a quote that was used in this past Sunday's sermon which was about David & Goliath.  It hit me like a thunderbolt and brought a new perspective to my week!

Rose Medallion

 

Rose Medallion is a pattern that was created in China in the early 19th century.  It was mainly for export to America and European countries.  The pattern was continuously produced or recreated up through the late 20th century.  I have always enjoyed this pattern.  We did not have much in our households, but it is a pattern that Grandmother would always point out whenever we were antiques shopping.  Mom did have a small bowl that sat on our living room coffee table for a while that we bought at an auction. 

Until this past year, I did not own any Rose Medallion.  I went to an estate sale, surprise surprise, and found this collection.  It was more than I wanted to pay for it, but since it was the last day of the sale, I decided to make an offer.  I did and it was accepted.  I do love the pieces, especially the cups and the chocolate set.  I need to find good places to display them.  I don't really have a place to put them all in one spot so I will pepper them throughout the house!

I don't know how long I will hold onto them but am happy to have them at the moment.  I enjoy them and that is what is important!

Today's Moment of Mindfulness

 

as you walk from one place to another, become aware of your posture.  Notice if you are rushing ahead with your shoulders hunched and carrying tension like a heavy sack.  Pull your upper body back and straighten your spine.  Be aware of your connection to the ground as each foot is placed one in front of the other.  Enjoy being alert and mindful while you walk.  

The Music Cabinet

 

I love this music cabinet.  This is a Bivens family piece that was purchased towards the beginning of the 20th century.  You can see that part of the shipping tag is still on the back of the cabinet.  It has a glass knob on the cabinet door and a beveled mirror on top.  This piece was in our home for as long as I can remember.  Aunt Sara gave it to Mom either in the late 70s or early 80s.  The piece actually belonged to Aunt Billie, but Sara gave it away anyway LOL  It always sat in our living room and was overflowing with sheet music.  

I received this piece when Bill and I divided up our parents' things after Dad married June. And I have loved having it in my home.  Right now, I use it to store table linens.  For several years, this piece was out in the garage.  Last year, I decided to bring it back into the house.  I cleaned it up well and put it back in the living room where it has been ever since.  And now that I no longer have a fish tank in the living room, I have moved it to where the tank used to be. Somewhere I have a photo from the 1920s of Aunt Billie sitting in front of the cabinet. I need to find that picture and frame it for display on the cabinet.  It's a lovely piece and I am blessed to have it. 

Today's Moment of Mindfulness

 

There is meaning in all things.  But are you paying attention?

Two new recipes and a trip to an antiques shop

 I have not done a whole lot of things over the past week or so for fun.  That is not to say that I have been in a bad place, I just have been getting things done around the house and simply trying to keep up with my daily existence.  But there does seem to be a pattern of things I gravitate to first when it comes to doing something for myself that I find enjoyable.  While I hope to expand on those things and do more and different things, at least I do have a few go-tos in my life. 

I tried a few new recipes over the past few weeks.  I made a Thai shrimp pasta dish with a pineapple cucumber salad on the side.  I really enjoyed the pasta dish.  I had never cooked with coconut milk before nor had I used rice noodles.  I was happy with how it turned out and will make it again.  The pineapple cucumber salad ended up being a big surprise.  I wanted a salad to go with the pasta but something different and came upon this recipe. It was really easy and tasted so good.  It's very fresh tasting, even though I did use canned pineapple.  A good summer recipe.

Thai shrimp pasta with pineapple cucumber salad and naan.  Yum!

I went to Golden Antiques on Saturday before last.  It's always dangerous for me because I never leave empty handed.  And that was true this trip as well. I bought a beautiful set of six glasses and a covered vegetable dish.  What can I say?  I'm addicted to pretty things.  There are worse things in life I suppose.  But I will upload pics of them soon.  It was a nice trip, and I always like to support local businesses. 

Not mine but I bought a set of six just like this

 

I have also enjoyed my morning walks this week.  I never really thought about exercise as being a fun thing to do but I am slowly gravitating towards that.  How I feel after I'm done is pretty exciting to me so I am hoping to keep that up.  Well, that is it for me in the excitement department.  I will find bliss in domestic chores this weekend I have no doubt.  Mainly because I have nothing else to do LOL  And no money to do it with.  All in all, I am happy.  Even a little fun is better than none!

Quote of the Week

 

Getting out each morning this week has made such a difference in my life.  I definitely plan on continuing each day as I can!

Getting more exercise into my daily routine

 I did not realize how much I missed exercise until this week.  For the past year, I have mainly been sitting around like a slug as far as physical exercise goes.  I have been totally unmotivated to do anything.  And it shows.  Over the past year I have gained a good amount of weight.  That's not good for my heart, BP, cholesterol, etc. And my lower back started to hurt because of all the excess weight it's having to carry.  So, I have recently started making some good changes with my diet and with how I go about life. This week I started back with some daily exercise. I can already tell a difference.

I am just starting off small. I am walking every day.  While it is good exercise, it is also good just to get out of the house and into the outdoors.  I desperately need to work on my cardio, and I have to start somewhere so why not now.  Better late than never!  While I have lost a lot of weight this week, it's only been three days after all, I can definitely tell a difference in how my day goes. I have been walking in the mornings before work.  My workday goes by quicker now.  I am more productive at work, and my mood is definitely elevated.  I am really liking how that feels.  

Years ago, I used to train at a gym here in town.  I loved it and hated that I had to give it up for financial reasons.  But beginning in earnest to exercise again has reminded me how much I actually enjoyed it.  There was a rush of energy after my workouts, and I always felt better about things.  And I was in much better shape then than I am now. That is what I want to rediscover. That great feeling of accomplishment that comes with working out.  I am going to begin adding new workout routines to my daily regime on top of the walking every day.  I am quite looking forward to it.  The 15-year-old me would never imagine me being someone who enjoyed exercising but here we are!