OK - I get it - I am boring! {Hodgepodge}

 

1. June 10th is National Herbs and Spices Day. Besides salt and pepper what herb or spice container do you reach for most often? Is there a spice you truly dislike? What's a recent dish you made that called for more than salt and pepper?  

With my spice loving husband - I think I use Red Pepper Chili flakes more than anything.  Put in eggs - sprinkle in any mexican dish - of course add to spaghetti sauce.

For me- I love Everything Bagel seasoning. I've been on a kick of putting cottage cheese on toast, with the seasoning sprinkle & putting hot honey on top. YUM! & good protein breakfast!

2.  It's been said 'variety is the spice of life'...in what way is this true for you? Elaborate. 

I honestly - as a true Enneagram 6 - I love things steady & stable. Variety sort of freaks me out. I love schedule - routine. So for me - variety? We got a RED TRI Aussie  - that's the kind of variety I like! Next, we need a RED MERLE! LOL

Need one of these babies, dont you think?

3. What's something in your life that adds 'spice' (excitement, intensity) even if also comes with challenge or unpredictability? 

Ummm.... look at my answer above. I'm not adding a lot of spice to life.  We're very straight, on the line, keep it usual sort of couple.  I wish I COULD add some spice - but I'm just too tired. LOL

4. If you could instantly master one skill or hobby, what would it be and why? 

Skill wise - I would love to be able to sing - like Cynthia Erivo type of singing.

I would also like to be a fast reader. Give me ALL the books!

I would also love to be able to draw. 
Or play an instrument by ear.

Did this say ONE? .... oops.

5. We're halfway through the year...what's one book, movie, or activity you've loved this year that you'd recommend to others? 

One book... oh man - that's like picking a favorite child. I've had a few 5 star books this year.  I have to say, if you are a Hungers Game fan - books or movie, I would HIGHLY recommend the prequel of Haymitch's story.

Movie? I think the only movie I've seen this year is Thunderbolts & it was good. Would I say rush out & see it? Nah... I know it was last year - but I'm sticking with WICKED!  ... it came out November & released on Peacock this year - so yeah - sticking with Wicked

Activity? ... do I have to remind you - I'm boring as boring can be.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We MAY have a finish line ahead. We are hearing rumors that mom MAY get to come home on Friday.  All the fingers crossed. I know she's wanting her own bed, her own chair, to be with her cat.  It'll be nice to have her just 5 miles from me instead of 30 miles. Its been a long 4 weeks.

Craft time, winning & the art of distraction

 Just some random things of my week

WORK FROM HOME MORNINGS
The best part of summer is the sun is up early & my drives into the office are finally in LIGHT. Working from home is even better because a lot of times, my body is still on the regular clock & I wake up like I'm going into the office.  The other morning, it was already warm - but hot humid - & I went out on the front porch & watched the day start before I had to log on. It was just the best start to a day. Easy & slow. More of that please.

Yes, I have on Halloween leggings

FAJITAS TO GO
Remember when I talked about a veggie fajita I got when Hubby & I went out to dinner? I was coming home from seeing mom & told him to order it to go. We werent sure how it was going to be. Well - we now have a new favorite.  Now - it aint cheap so we wont be doing it often - we could probably even split it because we had leftovers for lunch the next day.... but YUM!

Look at those full mushrooms!!!!!!!!!

ACTIVITIES
Now that mom is finding her way around rehab more, she's been venturing out. She went to a "Move & Groove" class they have every morning. Its basically putting people in a circle & kicking the back around - physical activity! Glad she went to it - it wore her out! & they had a country singer come in one day.  Of course Bingo & Bunco is always a favorite.  She even went to Craft class this past week & made this little butterfly magnet. She said, "you have no idea how long this took me to make" ... she was very proud of it.

MOVED
Mom got moved to a new room last week & its such a nice room.  Bigger! Has a recliner that lets her sit in it & is the kind that helps you stand from it. I make sure it sit in it when I visit,  She's got a good view too right out to the front so she can see the people coming & going - & the street & even see me when  I get there & when I leave.  She also has a view of a baby bird next.  It's been a good move for her.

BINGO WINNER
On Saturday, I was up just at the right time for another Bingo class. The best part, I got to see some of the ladies that I met from Bingo last week.  Got to catch up & hear the latest gossip. LOL.  & look who WON! Me!!!!! I won the big game - the COVER ALL. YAHOO! So - last time when we played, the winners got "cash" for their little store.  This time, they gave candy.  Since this was the big win, you got to pick 5 pieces of candy.  Well - when I won - I slid my card over to mom yell Bingo - didnt want to make anyone mad.... & then with the candy, I made sure everyone at our table got a piece - & before anyone comes for me - I didnt take any LOL.  Bless their hearts. You dont realize that one little piece of candy would make people so happy. Makes me want to go grab a great big bag of candy & just toss it around like confetti!

THANK YOU CARD
.... that was unexpected. I had to go see a doctor I hadnt seen in awhile. I love this doctor - she's just so personable & makes you at ease. What a surprise to get a Thank You card for seeing her. I love doctors that just have the touch of comfort.

TENNIS
Man... that French Open was SOOOO good. It drives me nuts that they dont have the electronics like some of the other Grand Slams. Get with the times Paris!  But the women's finale was so good - cheering on Coco & then the men's - HOLY TENNIS BATMAN.  Over 5 hours.  Such good playing. We are seeing the next generation of tennis players coming up.  Makes me kinda sad to see the Legends phasing out - but time for the next group step up.  

In order to make sure I can focus on the screen, & not get constantly bugged to go out & play, I loaded up on some good bones for the dogs to chew to entertain them so I could focus. I was prepared.

YASSO
I am not a big fan of ice cream.  But those Yasso bars... mmmm. They're made of Greek Yogurt & have some protein in them too.  My favorite is the Chocolate fudge.  I had left visiting mom this weekend & had picked up some cat food for her baby - & also, snagged a buy one, get one 50% off book & a box of Yasso bars.... & I was just starved on the ride home - so broke one out to enjoy the drive home. 

Let's not talk about the drips on my shirt by the time I got home. No cares.

CURRENTLY READING
The Blue Sisters.... I really enjoy just a good story.  I've always wanted sisters my whole life so reading about these 4 sisters ... just like life, every one of them different in personality but the sisterly love.  I'm finishing this up & enjoying it. Heartbreak & all.

SAY WHAT????
& I'll leave this week on this note.... Fall decorations are out .... unbelievable.

Do you like Yasso Bars?

You ready for Fall decorations?

Have you ever gotten a thank you note from a doctor?

Safe space, bingo & I need fresh air! {Weekly Check In}

 Little snippets of the week: 

HIDING PLACE
Harvey Dent used to love his kennel. It was his safe space. So when he passed away, I had thoughts of taking it down - but Ernie was grieving so much & laying next to it - something he never did when Harvey was around (my heart hurts) .... so we left it up longer.  

I'm so glad its up still because it has a new resident. Ozzie has taken to it since Rusty has come along. I think he has found it a safe space for him too. He sleeps in it at night - I'll catch him in it during the day for a break of playing - I love seeing it get use again..... & it makes me do a double take every now & then to see a black & white dog laying in the same spot our Harvey Boy used to be in.... but glad it still offers the same calm space for any of our boys.

PREORDER
I have to really love an author - or be excited about a book to do a preorder.... but when my bloggy friend Dara posted this as a book she was excited for this summer, I nearly jumped out of my chair. I have no idea about this author - but the concept of this book.... Its about Auntie Em & her story. Yes - THAT Auntie Em! Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz's Auntie Em! .... I just think this is a cool concept. And as someone who was force fed Wizard of Oz my whole life from my mom, I'm going to have to get her a copy too.

Comes out June 17th - click HERE for book info

BINGO
Mom wasn't aware of the events going on in her Rehab center & they had Bingo one night when I was there. I said, lets go. I wanted to get her moving & get her familiar with the facility and meeting & talking with people. We got in & I pulled a chair up to a table that had 5 women & sat mom down & chatting they started.  The women ended up talking to me & having me come over & told me to stay for Bingo & I'm not one to miss playing a game. .... I had such a sweet time with these ladies.

I ended up passing out bingo cards & chips to people - just a regular ole worker there. At the end, some of the ladies had me take them back to their rooms. Happy to help. They were so grateful that they got a free ride.  I used to take my youth girls to volunteer at this facility - makes me want to go back to volunteering. Some of these people dont have visitors & they so appreciate just talking to someone.

There was one little lady that was all dressed up - had on a beautiful necklace & a big butterfly broach. I told her how beautiful her jewelry was & she just grabbed my hand & was so thankful for the compliment. Made me teary eyed. I just wanted to hug her so hard.  

PLAYING
Tell me how fast I FINALLY knew one on Connections last week! .... made me happy to see this one.  I didnt get the last two though - got the guitar one but blank after that  - I suck at this game. My brain really struggles on it for some reason.  Granted, some of the categories are just so DUMB. Like, who thinks of some of these?  

SWEET SERENADE
In the rehab center where my mom is - they have some "apartments" for assisted living.  There is one that when I walked through to visit mom, she has visitors.  (I actually met the woman who stays in this room at the Bingo)  You can see one wheelchair in the room of a lady who was visiting - but this sweet man, in the hallway - was singing - SINGING his heart out.  American Idol style.  In this area, it is like a domed round area- so his voice just echoed off the ceiling.  It was just so sweet.  I actually video taped it so I could let mom listen.... Look at this little stud charming the ladies

1000 HOURS

Still trucking along for 2025 - all the fresh air I can get! 

51 & a half hours this month & for 2025, 160 hours.  

Man... I thought I would be further along.  840 more to go... that means I need to average 140 hours a MONTH to reach 1000 hours. HOLY COW - this aint looking good.

Who knew how little time I actually get to be outside.  That depresses me so much. ....I think when you actually TRACK your outdoor time, you'd be surprised how little of it you actually get. 

I use the app called 1000 hours - made specifically for this.  It has a free feature - you can buy premium but I've never needed it. You can hit a timer when you go out & turn it off when you come in - if you forget, you can type in your time (estimate it) - you can change your time. You can go back on days & enter. Its really a nice app if you want to track it.

BOOK OF WEEK
I did this book on Audio - its on Hoopla if you're interested.  I think McFadden books are so .... dumb? LOL - they used to be really good to me - but I think she pumps them out so fast, they just are predictable & you can really sort of figure out the twists coming. & now, some of the things that happen - big, scary, gross things that happen in the book - I just laugh anymore because they're so expected & just ... dumb? That word again. So why do I always go back to her books? Because they're fast - they're easy reads - I do want a good twist & I will say - a few, she HAS gotten me on - mostly in the epilogues.  But these are like "mindless" reading - the sort of books that clear the brain for a GOOD book - OMG - that sounds so mean. But it really is a palate cleanser for me if you will. & with them being free to check out most of the times on Kindle Unlimited or Hoopla - why not?

BEREAL OF THE WEEK

Me waiting on an elevator to jet out of work at the end of the day - BYEEEEEEEE!!!

Does your dog use a kennel?

How are you doing on your outdoor time?

Have you ever played BINGO with a group?

Do you like McFadden books?

What a Cheesy Hodgepodge

 

1. What do birthdays look like in your house? How are they celebrated? Any special traditions? What about birthdays growing up? 

Birthdays really arent a big deal in our home. Both Ricky & I are in December - He is a Christmas Eve baby & I'm 5 days after Christmas.  For Ricky, its a busy day of finishing shopping & doing family Christmas. His birthday seems to always get sidelined.  I try to do something special for his day - a lunch or dinner - but its just never like everyone else's birthday.

Mine? You shouldn't work in Accounting with a birthday at year end. I'm usually working late on my birthday - or exhausted from working year end stuff & just want to relax.

Growing up - I can just remember getting to pick out dinner & the local bakery birthday cake. OH MY GOODNESS - they dont make cakes like that anymore.  Ours came from Buddy's Bakery.  Probably 8 inches tall of nothing but pure fat icing.  They were always decorated so beautiful too.

I will say - my dad was always the best - as an adult - he would always make me one of his famous sweet treats. Hershey pie always my favorite. But he'd always do something cute & fun - always special. .... Man, I miss him

2. Someone is sending you a dozen roses...what color are you hoping for? Are you someone who gets accused of seeing the world through rose colored glasses? Is your accuser correct? Elaborate. 

Ever since my wedding, Ricky always has gotten me white roses... so I would expect white roses .... over 30 years later - always white. I love it too.   They're not easy to find too - he does a good job.

I think I USED to be someone who saw the world through rose colored glasses.... um. Not so much anymore. This world has taken a crazy shift ... add in menopause - & yeah.... I miss those rose colored glasses days!

3. June 4th is National Cheese Day...will you celebrate? What's something (besides a burger) you make in the summer months that calls for cheese? 

EVERY DAY IS NATIONAL CHEESE DAY TO ME!!!!!  & to the dogs as well! They love them some cheese sticks.

We have grilled cheese a lot during the summer - & winter honestly - but its a fast snack/meal without heating up the house.  

& I love me some cheese & crackers for snacks, lunches - any sort of reason really.

Me & cheese - we're best friends.

4. 'tis the season...any weddings on your June calendar? What's the first word that comes to mind when I say marriage? 

No weddings ahead. & I'll never not hear THIS in my head when I hear the word "marriage"

Tell me you're a child of the 80's without saying you're a child of the 80's

5. What are you most looking forward to this June? 

Nothing really exciting coming up.... but there will be 2 days off work so I'll happily take that!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Did you see Sunny left the Eagle nest? ... My coworker saw it happen live & she gasped & told me it happened so she did a rewind of a few seconds so I could see it.... just been so amazing to check in on these girls. Yep - I just discovered they are both girls.  

One down- one to go. Love that Sunny came for a visit to encourage Gizmo to take the leap too.  I saw some wide shots that show mom, dad, & Sunny all in the same tree that Gizmo is still in.  This has just been the coolest experience to watch.

Soar on Sunny Girl!

Right before TAKE OFF

Weekend Highlights

 I honestly cant believe we're in the 6th months.

I saw a post that said - only 14 more weekends till Fall & I was mind blown.  That means it'll be like 10 weeks till Pumpkin flavored things explode everywhere.  Isnt that wild to think about....

Anyhoo... here's some highlights over the weekend

FRIDAY
* Ricky was on his way home while I worked from home & he asked if I wanted anything. Tell me how great apps are when I can order what I want at Starbucks & he can just zip right by & pick it up.  The future is good.  & the burst of green tea caffeine pushed me through the rest of the day.

Even got a little smiley face - I think?

* It had rained most of the day - gloomy, chilly rain - so when it finally broke & the sun came out, it was such a beautiful evening.  The clouds were just so fluffy - totally fall like clouds. I'm done with rain now for a bit. 

We had gone over & fed the horses & I sat with mom's cat for awhile.  I was just so tired & decided to stay home & rest for the evening.  

I must have been really tired because I dont even remember what I watched on TV that evening.... brain shut down

SATURDAY

GLORIOUS - I slept in. I rarely sleep in & most of the time, I dont like the way it makes me feel.  Like I missed a part of the day. Morning is my favorite time of the day - watching the world be quite & still - coming alive slowly.  But we're talking perfect sleeping in conditions. Fans on - window open & crisp cool 50 degree air - I ended up sleeping in till nearly 8am. What am I? - a teenager? ... nah - teenagers sleep till noon. But it felt the same to me. 

I made some coffee & wrote in my journal for the morning... & grabbed my book & started reading. OMG - this book is the CUTEST book. I'm really not a big fan of romance books - but this is just adorable. The perfect Rom-Com vibes - I think I laughed over a dozen times - LOUD laugh. I even choked up & cried. This was just precious. It had one part at the end that I was side eyeing - I dont care - the vibes carried it through - pure 5 star read for me.

Speaking of side eye.... look at this dog saying "you're going to read over playing with me?"

I am a serious reader too....I love annotating books with flags & highlighters... & I keep a notebook for all the books I read.  It's come in so handy to look back when someone asks about a book - I have characters & plot points & quotes... I dont play around when it comes to books. LOL

I'll have you take note of the rocks at the top of that page too.... those are all ROCKS I've taken out of RUSTY'S MOUTH! ... that dog! My goodness - he loves to chomp on some rocks.  We've dug up half of our landscaping but he still manages to find them. Drives me INSANE

I finally had to get life in order & went to do some laundry, clean & vacuum the house.... & of course, I lean down to get dog toys out from under the bed & lovely .... I hurt my knee. It only hurts when weight is on it. So if I'm standing, I can put all my weight on my other leg & its fine - but take a step - put any weight on the leg & NOOOO! .... oh well, perfect time to sit & ice it up watching some French Open. GO USA & COCO!!!!

I ended up getting more done around the house - limping the whole time - & of course more reading.... & then Ricky said, lets go get some dinner.  Works for me.  We went & took care of the horses & gave mom's cat some love & then headed out. I got some Veggie Fajitas & these were AMAZING! Broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, red peppers, onions, green beans.... I could have just eaten this straight off the frying pan with a fork - but of COURSE I'm gonna put them in a tortilla & put on some cheese, guac & lettuce! 

I left there & headed down to sit with mom for a few hours.  

She is still doing really well in rehab.  I was so happy to get her bed fixed though. She had been looking like she was hanging off the edge of it & her feet were hitting the foot board. She's not a tall woman so it never made sense.... but after getting some nurses to come look, they figured out what was wrong. They pulled the mattress back, fixed the bed adjustments & AHHH - mom looked so comfortable when I left for the night.  Sweet dreams mom!

I got home & just devoured my book.... I only had like 50 pages to go & I just left to enjoy in the morning - didnt want to rush.

Plus, I had to catch up on The Love Hotel on Bravo..... Ashley - girl - you are a mess!

SUNDAY

I slept so well again with this fresh cool air - so UN-JUNE like.  The dogs were all cuddled in bed with me & I couldn't understand why. Usually, they're with Ricky until they hear me wake up.... but I got up, went to start the coffee maker & my cell phone rings... & its Ricky. WHAT IN THE WORLD?

LOL - he was craving a Starbucks coffee so went down - at 7 am to go get one - he must have REALLY been craving it.  He asked what I wanted & I was like, works for me - put up the coffee maker!

I finished up my book waiting for him to get home with it....& perfect morning

I was playing with the dogs & straightening up & all of a sudden, see a commotion out in the back yard & that coffee must have hit just right because Ricky had a ladder out & chopping parts of our tree off. He gets in his tree cutting moods. 

He spent the WHOLE day cutting down trees - back in the woods, he took out a HUGE one. He terrifies me when he does it. He acts like he knows what he's doing - but I question it & remind him - he's gotten very LUCKY with each tree he's taken down.

I wonder if there's a school to teach how to cut down trees .... he'd love it - that's for sure. 

I started a new book & was in & out of it through the day - watched some more tennis with Shelton & Alcarez playing (those young kids are BEASTS), seeing mom, prepping for the week ahead, paying bills - the weekend just needs more than 2 days - so not fair.

I got an early shower & then spent most of the night picking ticks off Ricky where he was in trees all day. SO MANY TICKS!!!!  ....ewww....

I ended up finishing this book & can I say - NO - just NO.... not a good one. I listened to a podcast on it today & they agreed - which  makes me feel so validated.  Its noted as the next Adie Larue - I can assure you - it is NOT.  This just got a big 1.5 stars from me. & that half star is being generous.

& another weekend in the books... 

One Sentence a Day - May 2025

 

My sweet bloggy friend Leslie left me a message & said that now I'm back - am I going to do One Sentence a Day again? ... I mean, I started that EONS ago.  Just one quick snip of the day  & people took the idea & made it their own in a lot of ways & I loved seeing it.  But now... I may do this again - its the perfect memory place.

Plus, I downloaded this fun little app that you can keep a pic a day so this is handy too for memories of the month... so let's give May a try

1 - Thankful for my brother's friend who was able to go to the horses to meet with the ferrier #keepthosenailstrimmed

2 - Covering for a coworker on a Friday makes me so ready for the weekend #TGIF

3 - Spent the day at home watching the Kentucky Derby while Ricky was rocking out in the rain to Metallica in Nashville #ROCKON

4 - Rainy day kept me on the couch all day reading #gloomy

5 - Happy Graduation Day Rusty Collins! #whoseagoodboy

6 - Took the day of to get my car services & pay property taxes & snuck & saw Thunderbolts #greatmovie

7 - Finished The Grace Year & my mind is just spinning #handmaidstalePLUSYellowjackets

8 - THERE'S A NEW POPE! #americanatthat

9 - Friday is PIZZA NIGHT! #nocooking

10 - Lots of shopping & enjoying a yummy lunch with free cheesecake #yumyum

11 - Happy Mother's day where we had to wrangle up a stray mini horse that is obsessed with Baby! #hesinlove

12 - Enjoyed a walk at the park for an evening stroll #empty&quiet

13 - No coffee creamer at work forces me to do a Starbucks run #dontmind

14 - Rusty loves when I work from home just for the strawberries on my breakfast #happypuppy

15 - Covering for coworker always makes a busy day #workathomeatnight

16 - Storms tearing through above us & below us leaving devastating tornados #heartbreaking

17 - Time to go out & buy some flowers to finally brighten up our home #onsaletoo

18 - I am just sucked in a new book & have the perfect weather to sit outside & just enjoy #happyplace

19 - Mom is back in the hospital #itsbeenafewmonths

20 - Got home from the hospital to beat storms & ended up catching the rainbow that followed #nevergetsold

21 - All the take out from being at the hospital, I actually cooked dinner tonight #mushroomflatbreadpizza

22 - Finally got mom's MRI done & everything looks great! #noissues

23 - Mom got moved to rehab center from hospital #onwardandupward

24 - Went shopping before seeing mom to go pick her up some goodies while she's in Rehab #whodoesntlovenewsocks

25 - A fall like day left me reading a book I've been anticipating for awhile #goodtimetodigin

26 - Memorial Day & the unofficial start of summer is here! #yearwillflybynow

27 - Mom looked so good today when her BFF came & sat with her during the day & got her hair all combed out & braided #settledin

28 - Work from home day let me get up early & watch the last episode of The Handmaids Tale before logging on #DLTBGYD (if you know, you know)

29 -  Got mom loaded back up on snacks & drinks & she looked so good & happy in rehab today #pushingon

30 - Why is it May & still feeling like fall? #chilly

31 - Lots of cleaning, reading & visiting mom #Saturdaytothefullest

From my Photo a Day app

BYE MAY!!!!!