it feels like Sunday...

Don't you love that? When it feels like Sunday, but it's really only Saturday? It's like a bonus day off come tomorrow.

It's been a slow day...really, really slow. My mom and dad stopped by this morning on their bike ride...mom had ice water, dad had a cup of warmed up coffee. We visited a while and then off they went.

I made two big pans of enchiladas a bit ago...one with green sauce, one with red. I couldn't decide so I made both. I don't think anyone will complain.

I feel like I want to do something...something creative...but I don't know what. I wish I had just one thing I was interested in...one thing I loved to do...rather than wanting to do every.single.creative.thing.I.see. I just realized the other night that I have almost ten thousand Pins on Pinterest. TEN THOUSAND, people. Doesn't that seem like a problem? Dang. Someone please grab me by the shoulders and shake me while yelling, "Pick something  and DO IT already!!"

And on that note...it's time to put the enchiladas in the oven and make some spanish rice on the side. Then...maybe peruse Pinterest a bit more for that perfect project. ;)

Or maybe read a book.

Black Friday Schmack Friday.

I don't shop on Black Friday. And I never will. At least not on purpose. I went out the year before last on a Black Friday by accident and that was all I needed to confirm why I don't do it on purpose. What a nightmare!

There is nothing I need or want that bad that I will go out and fight crowds, lose sleep, camp out, risk being trampled...to get it. (OK, OK...I know the whole trampling thing might be a bit dramatic...but...it could happen!!)

Instead? I will stay home, eat leftovers from the amazing Thanksgiving feast my mom hosted yesterday, tidy up the place a bit, do (never-ending) laundry, and whatever else my little heart desires. Ha! I make myself laugh sometimes. Whatever my heart desires...now that is funny.

What are you doing today? Anything your heart desires? Do you brave the craziness of Black Friday shopping?

Happy Thanksgiving!

thinking a lot, writing a little

Lego guys in the dishwasher...they've been there for
about five years now. I don't have the heart to take them out.
They make me smile.

I really wish I could be a consistent blogger...but I've come to the realization that I am not. And I think I finally figured out why. I think too much. About a lot of stuff. As we all do, right? But some people talk their stuff out...think their thoughts out loud...call a friend...whatever. And I do that, too...sometimes. But for the most part, when I have a lot on my mind, I get quiet.

But even still, life goes on around here...I'm tidying up, stocking the fridge and putting fresh sheets on Seth's bed in preparation for him to COME HOME TONIGHT. We are all SO excited to have him back home, under our roof, safe in his bed. (Well, maybe that "safe in his bed" part is just me...pretty sure that's a mom thing...) College is treating him well, he is loving every minute of it. But I'm pretty sure, even still, there's no place like home.

gearing up for the holidays...

Pablo is gearing up, too.

I've probably stated it before...Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday. I love the season, I love the food, I love the sentiment...enjoy family, be grateful, spend time...it's all good. I love it, love it, love it. I look forward to it every year and love every minute of it while it's here.

I've probably also stated it before...Christmas is not my favorite holiday. Don't get me wrong, I love what it truly is about, the birth of Jesus. But I don't love what its become...commercialized and materialistic and in your face.

In the past, the thought of Christmas has only be a source of stress for me...spending extra money that we don't have...worrying about what to get for who? And worrying if it's enough? Worry, worry, worry. Bottom line? I can be a bit of a Grinch. Or if I'm honest, maybe a lot of a Grinch.

But this year I've decided to change my attitude. I've decided to get into the Christmas spirit...whether I feel like it, or not. I am going to decorate sooner than a week before Christmas. I am going to listen to Christmas music. I am going to talk positively about Christmas and everything that it entails...and do my best to look past the commercialism, rather than letting it disgust me. It is what it is...it's not going to go away any time soon. So I may as well give myself a break and do what works for me. Because let me tell ya, stressing about it every year? Yeah, that doesn't work for me.

I'm noticing that as I change my thoughts and attitude toward Christmas I find myself actually looking forward to Christmas. I am looking forward to hanging the wreath and and setting up the nativity and putting the lights on the tree. Because really, I do love when the only light in the room is the lights on the Christmas tree.

Sunday morning...

this & that

Is it weird that I love the ampersand? It's my favorite symbol. 

The weekend is here...Food Network is on...I'm still in my jammies...and there isn't a plan in sight for this weekend. I'm taking advantage of this while I can before wrestling tournaments start.

Laundry is tumbling...muffins have been baked and oatmeal has been made for the chickens. Libby even ate some this morning (with a little butter, banana and brown sugar.) Can you say spoiled chicken? I don't know what else to do other than keep her comfortable.  I set her up in the kitchen for the night again last night...a box lined with hay and fresh pine shavings made for a cozy, warm bed. I put her outside yesterday and she seemed to do fine...so we'll do that again today. Maybe some sunshine will help, too.

Friends shared some interesting things on Facebook this morning...thought I'd share them here...

A little something about boring men.
This guy's story is incredible...God is good.
What's worse than pink slime? Molded pink slime.

On that note...I'm going to get my day going. Time for a shower...possibly a quick trip to the grocery store...probably a run to the library to pick up a book on hold, "A Pig in Provence"...and back home to sort through all of the bedding I have for our bed. It's all mismatched these days. Over the years either the flat sheets have worn out or the fitted...pillow cases have torn or become too worn...so now our bed is a jumble of all the survivors. I want to go through everything we have, see what goes and what doesn't, get rid of what I won't use, then replace whatever is necessary. I'm not the type to buy a "bed in a bag"...not into the matchy-match thing. So because of that, our room has always been a jumble. Maybe if I go through everything we have I can make some sense out of it and come up with something that looks like I meant to do it! We'll see...

Have a great Saturday...xoxox

It doesn't feel like Friday.

It's Friday! And...I have to go to the dentist this afternoon. Remind me to NEVER make a dentist appointment on a Friday again. That is NOT a good way to begin the weekend. What was I thinking?

Libby the chicken is still under the weather. I don't know what else to do...she's been in a box since Monday and I feel bad keeping her confined like that. But she's not eating much but bananas and her legs are still quite weak. On the bright side, her eyes are clear and healthy and her comb is nice and red. I'm stumped.

I am missing Seth like crazy these past few days...Thanksgiving break can't come soon enough. I need to see my boy...

(Just decided...in the middle of writing this...that Libby was going to spend the day outside. I just put her out and, though she's still having trouble walking and her tail is still tucked, she's happily eating oatmeal with her sisters. So...we'll see.)

Happy Friday...I hope YOU don't have a dentist appointment!

sick chicken

I noticed one of the chickens was under the weather on Monday. She was walking funny and had her tail tucked under. I brought her in, made her a cozy bed in a box of hay and started searching the internet for "sick chicken" advice.

After two days of observation and not much change in her behavior, appetite or condition I deducted that she might be "egg-bound". Several of the sites I visited recommended a "chicken spa"...a long soak in a warm water bath with Epsom salts. So...when I got home from work today Libby got a soak in the spa!  Afterward, I wrapped her in a towel and held her for a bit. She was calm and seemed relaxed. Then...I dried her feathers with the blow dryer on low so she wouldn't catch a chill. (Yes, I did.)

When I put her back in her box (with nice, fresh pine shavings) she actually began eating some of her applesauce. Then I gave her a little bit of banana and she gobbled it up! It's the most she's eaten since Monday evening.

However, after all of that I am thinking she's NOT egg-bound. I have no idea what's wrong with her. So we'll just keep giving her TLC and hope for the best. Poor girl...

Feeling good about...

extra garlic, onions and turmeric...good for you!

• an extra (much needed) day off
• a quiet morning with lots of hot coffee
• a long, hot shower
• washing dishes in hot, sudsy water
• healthful broth simmering on the stove...an extra dash of turmeric...feeling a little sneezy and wheezy the last few days...gotta kick it!
• making a (BIG) dent in the laundry pile
• watching morning shows...a guilty pleasure on days off
• letting the chickens free-range
• egg nog...or as my cousin Jenna would say, "Egga nogga"
• celebrating the many veteran's that fought for this country...thank you.

Sunday evening...

recently...

Would you believe I just hung things back on the walls
after repainting in JUNE? I know.

I spoke in front of a room full of women last weekend...on a stage...under lights...into a microphone...and I lived to tell about it. Public speaking is not on my list of favorite things to do. But when God asks you to do something...you do it. And He gets you through it.

We've got a 3-day weekend coming up...I didn't realize this until yesterday, so...bonus! Although, don't you think we should get Friday's off rather than Mondays? We've done that before and it makes so much more sense. Then you can start your new week without feeling like you're already a step behind. However, an extra day off is an extra day off...so I'll take it!

I'm going to go shopping with my mom this weekend...IKEA for sure, and who knows where else we'll end up. When we shop we can go from 9am to 9pm. And I don't even like to shop! But I DO like to hang out with my mom...so...it evens out.

The cold weather is finally here...sweaters and slippers and soups and oven baked goodness...makes me breathe a sigh of relief.

What are your plans for the weekend?

Wednesday in the Word

He brought me out into a spacious place;
    he rescued me because he delighted in me.

Psalm 18:19

sometimes it's good to....

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