I'm not one of those people who "dreams" big, for the most part. I didn't grow up as a little girl dreaming of her wedding. I didn't go to college dreaming of a fantastic career. My life has been a crooked path, but one that has led me to the most beautiful place....
I guess I'm more of a person who lives in the moment. Taking what life throws at you, and making the best of it. Maybe that's just my Faith showing through. Knowing that God is in control.
Today has been a wonderful day...a "normal" day, one we don't often see around our household. After church and Sunday school, I was able to do some laundry, change the bedding, clean out the fireplace, put away dishes, and watch a little football.
I've got some chicken thawing for lunch.. planning on making rice pilaf, roasted sweet potatoes, and baked cauliflower poppers. Ken won't be home until 3:30 from work, so I'll make an early dinner around 5.
Got to chat with Allie - off away at college - online today. And I love that she sent me a link to a chocolate cake that I can possibly use for a dinner I'm catering on Friday and Saturday. It's always fun to have such adult conversations with her.
I finished knittng her a scarf this week, so I'll prepare a box of goodies to send to her too - to start off her new semester. I love that she appreciates when I can do something like knit her a scarf. There is just something about being able to provide for your family.
So while my ho-hum life may not be the dream for some, it is the most amazing life to me. I am so Blessed by everything around me.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Goals
Hefty title, yes?
GOALS.
goals.
per Wikipedia: A goal is a desired result an animal or a system envisions, plans, and commits to achieve.
We all have them. Call them what you will.
Some are small, attainable goals. Goals to live the life we should already be living. Eating better, drinking enough water, exercising, etc. Periodically we take time to reassess our lives, and refresh.
Others are maybe unspoken. Goals in our hearts. Personal goals that the world doesn't need to know. Goals that push us every day in our actions, and in our choices.
But the thing with goals, at least for me, is that I need them in front of me. Not hidden, but visible. everywhere. or I forget. Tonight a dear friend gave me a nudge on my writing. That I hadn't been writing. Not even knowing that writing daily is a personal goal I set for myself. And the problem is, it's a personal goal I've not shared with a lot of people. It's not on a list of resolutions. So out of site, out of mind.
So whatever your goals, resolutions, or bucket list....
Take time every day. Do something for yourself. We set goals to better ourselves. We owe it to ourselves.
GOALS.
goals.
per Wikipedia: A goal is a desired result an animal or a system envisions, plans, and commits to achieve.
We all have them. Call them what you will.
bucket list, goals, resolutions....
Some are small, attainable goals. Goals to live the life we should already be living. Eating better, drinking enough water, exercising, etc. Periodically we take time to reassess our lives, and refresh.
Others are maybe unspoken. Goals in our hearts. Personal goals that the world doesn't need to know. Goals that push us every day in our actions, and in our choices.
But the thing with goals, at least for me, is that I need them in front of me. Not hidden, but visible. everywhere. or I forget. Tonight a dear friend gave me a nudge on my writing. That I hadn't been writing. Not even knowing that writing daily is a personal goal I set for myself. And the problem is, it's a personal goal I've not shared with a lot of people. It's not on a list of resolutions. So out of site, out of mind.
So whatever your goals, resolutions, or bucket list....
Take time every day. Do something for yourself. We set goals to better ourselves. We owe it to ourselves.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Making Christmas Merry for My Family....
There is something in me that loves to do things for my family. To make days special. And so of course on this amazing day of our Christ's birth, I have been up early baking and cooking an amazing dinner for my family.
Up at 3 am to prep the turkey, which is now roasting, making the house smell amazing.
Next, at 5, the dough was begun for the rolls, which are finally in the oven. Cloverleaf rolls, in honor of my mother, who made them for every holiday. I can only hope that they are half as light and amazing as hers.
Sweet potatoes are boiling, to be mashed for souffle, potatoes are peeled and ready for cooking/mashing, and the cranberry relish is made.
Only thing left this morning is to prepare the stuffing. Mom's stuffing, of course.
I have loved being up, with cheesy Christmas movies on, the fireplace rolling, and a cup of good coffee to keep me company. The family is sleeping, and the time is mine. Soon I'll be setting the table, and pulling out serving dishes, and lighting the candles, to enjoy the afternoon with those I love.
I am so thankful this day, this day that we celebrate our Savior's birth, for all of God's Blessings.
Merry Christmas Everyone, and God Bless You.
Up at 3 am to prep the turkey, which is now roasting, making the house smell amazing.
Next, at 5, the dough was begun for the rolls, which are finally in the oven. Cloverleaf rolls, in honor of my mother, who made them for every holiday. I can only hope that they are half as light and amazing as hers.
Sweet potatoes are boiling, to be mashed for souffle, potatoes are peeled and ready for cooking/mashing, and the cranberry relish is made.
Only thing left this morning is to prepare the stuffing. Mom's stuffing, of course.
I have loved being up, with cheesy Christmas movies on, the fireplace rolling, and a cup of good coffee to keep me company. The family is sleeping, and the time is mine. Soon I'll be setting the table, and pulling out serving dishes, and lighting the candles, to enjoy the afternoon with those I love.
I am so thankful this day, this day that we celebrate our Savior's birth, for all of God's Blessings.
Merry Christmas Everyone, and God Bless You.
Monday, December 17, 2012
all in perspective
Went to visit my dad today.
A little frame of reference.
It never gets easier. Knowing that as soon as I leave that floor, through the locking door, he has no recollection that I was even there. But the visits are for me. At 42, it's so hard not having "parents" anymore. Mom has been gone for over 6 years, and dad has had severe dimentia since. Since age 36, I've been on my own, with the help of a couple of my older sisters. It's weird, but it's my normal. I don't know anything else.
So today my DH and I went to visit dad. It's been a few months, something I'm not proud of. But as I said, he doesn't remember when I do come. But the visits are special when we're there.
Today we did a lot of chatting about Iron Belt, WI, his home town, and Hurley, Ironwood, and other areas of the UP. I got to tell him that we'd been there for a playoff game, etc. He asks a lot of the same questions over and over, and offers the same comments over and over, but it's still good to see him.
Every once in awhile, he asks about mom. And I remind him that she's gone. And he asks what happened, and I explain.
Part of today's conversation:
Dad: "I am trying to figure out where to live."
Me: "You live here now, dad."
Dad: "What is this place?"
Me:"It's the King Veteran's Home. You live here."
Dad: (Hard of hearing AND dimentia) "This is my home? (looking around, smiling, at the expansive common area). Pretty nice!"
It was so cute. He thought he was living in a big fancy house. ANd that made him happy. And when he's happy, that makes me happy, no matter how confused he may get. What matters is that he's taken care of, in a good place, happy and content. And that he is.
A little frame of reference.
- He has severe dimentia. Has for years.
- He currently resides at the Veterans Home in King, WI, an AMAZING place that makes him feel very happy and comfortable. He is very well taken care of there, despite his dimentia.
- Some days he knows who I am, and will ask questions about my family, job, etc.
- Other times, he asks very generic questions, and I know that it is because he really has no idea who I am, and he is just being polite.
It never gets easier. Knowing that as soon as I leave that floor, through the locking door, he has no recollection that I was even there. But the visits are for me. At 42, it's so hard not having "parents" anymore. Mom has been gone for over 6 years, and dad has had severe dimentia since. Since age 36, I've been on my own, with the help of a couple of my older sisters. It's weird, but it's my normal. I don't know anything else.
So today my DH and I went to visit dad. It's been a few months, something I'm not proud of. But as I said, he doesn't remember when I do come. But the visits are special when we're there.
Today we did a lot of chatting about Iron Belt, WI, his home town, and Hurley, Ironwood, and other areas of the UP. I got to tell him that we'd been there for a playoff game, etc. He asks a lot of the same questions over and over, and offers the same comments over and over, but it's still good to see him.
Every once in awhile, he asks about mom. And I remind him that she's gone. And he asks what happened, and I explain.
Part of today's conversation:
Dad: "I am trying to figure out where to live."
Me: "You live here now, dad."
Dad: "What is this place?"
Me:"It's the King Veteran's Home. You live here."
Dad: (Hard of hearing AND dimentia) "This is my home? (looking around, smiling, at the expansive common area). Pretty nice!"
It was so cute. He thought he was living in a big fancy house. ANd that made him happy. And when he's happy, that makes me happy, no matter how confused he may get. What matters is that he's taken care of, in a good place, happy and content. And that he is.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
a few of my favorite things....
I am SUCH a Christmas sap. I just love how this holiday feels.... people giving to others, thinking of others....doing as Jesus would have us do - ALL YEAR LONG. There are so many things I love about this time of year...so here are a few of my favorite things.... (true Christmas officianados hummed that last line!)
Merry Christmas and God Bless!
- watching sappy holiday movies on tv
- baking and giving away treats for others to enjoy
- finding the perfect gifts and watching loved ones open them
- the fireplace
- snow on the ground, and the glow of holiday lights in the snow
- getting Christmas cards, updates of friends, and pictures
- eggnog, and hot cocoa, and Tom and Jerry's, and spiced cider
- the smell of balsam trees
- Christmas programs with little children singing
- going to the woods, cutting down our tree, and dragging it out
- mistletoe
- the Christmas service at church
Merry Christmas and God Bless!
Friday, December 14, 2012
no words....
I was online this morning looking for a recipe when a blurb on the screen said there was a shooting. in an elementary school. in connecticut.
So I turned on the television.
Early on, there were three hurt, and the gunman dead. But then the day went on, and the numbers started rising. Horribly rising. To now, where there are 20 children and 6 staff dead at the school, as well as the shooter, and another adult deceased at a different site. 28 people, almost all children under the age 11, dead at the hand of a single man.
How does someone turn a gun on innocent little children?
There are no words to express my deep, deep sympathy to all involved in this tragedy, both survivors and families of the deceased. I cannot say or do anything to ease the pain.
I pray to God today - for the families and victims, that they find comfort in their Faith. I pray for our society, that we bring God back into our daily lives, getting back to living life as God would have us live. And I say a prayer of thanksgiving - for all of the heroes that we will begin to hear about - that protected some of the children.
There are no words to describe how I feel today. There is a pit in my stomach. There is an ache in my heart. And tears in my eyes. A deep, deep sadness fills my soul today.
God Bless the people of Newtown, CT. May God be with you in the coming days....
So I turned on the television.
Early on, there were three hurt, and the gunman dead. But then the day went on, and the numbers started rising. Horribly rising. To now, where there are 20 children and 6 staff dead at the school, as well as the shooter, and another adult deceased at a different site. 28 people, almost all children under the age 11, dead at the hand of a single man.
How does someone turn a gun on innocent little children?
There are no words to express my deep, deep sympathy to all involved in this tragedy, both survivors and families of the deceased. I cannot say or do anything to ease the pain.
I pray to God today - for the families and victims, that they find comfort in their Faith. I pray for our society, that we bring God back into our daily lives, getting back to living life as God would have us live. And I say a prayer of thanksgiving - for all of the heroes that we will begin to hear about - that protected some of the children.
There are no words to describe how I feel today. There is a pit in my stomach. There is an ache in my heart. And tears in my eyes. A deep, deep sadness fills my soul today.
God Bless the people of Newtown, CT. May God be with you in the coming days....
Sunday, December 9, 2012
More freezer cooking!
Today was another freezer cooking day. For under 50$, and 4 hours of work, I put 2 meals of Tequila-Lime chicken, 2 meals of Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs, 1 meal of Sweet Asian Chicken, 2 meals of meatless manicotti, 4 sides of rice pilaf, and 2 sides of garlic mashed potatoes in my freezer. I know that people claim they don't have time for this, but the time I save far outweighs the time I spend.
It takes organization. And planning. But I was able to spend about an hour picking recipes and writing the shopping list, a half hour in the store, and 4 hours prepping and cooking. But the 4 hours included a lot of girlfriend time, so I am sure it could have gone even faster. And now I have seven main courses and six side dishes in my freezer. Yeah for me!
Tonight during commercial breaks and half time of the Packer game, I've prepped one kind of cooking (dough needs to freeze before slicing and baking), and made one candy. Again, it's not a ton - but every bit helps.
The key is to bite off little chunks of projects. Fit them in. If I can fit one candy/cookie in each day this week - I'll have my holiday baking done with a week to spare. And honestly, my attitude is just this: I'll get done what I get done!
People comment all the time about how much I get done. It's about organizing - and using those little bits of time that seem to be lost. That's all it is!
It takes organization. And planning. But I was able to spend about an hour picking recipes and writing the shopping list, a half hour in the store, and 4 hours prepping and cooking. But the 4 hours included a lot of girlfriend time, so I am sure it could have gone even faster. And now I have seven main courses and six side dishes in my freezer. Yeah for me!
Tonight during commercial breaks and half time of the Packer game, I've prepped one kind of cooking (dough needs to freeze before slicing and baking), and made one candy. Again, it's not a ton - but every bit helps.
The key is to bite off little chunks of projects. Fit them in. If I can fit one candy/cookie in each day this week - I'll have my holiday baking done with a week to spare. And honestly, my attitude is just this: I'll get done what I get done!
People comment all the time about how much I get done. It's about organizing - and using those little bits of time that seem to be lost. That's all it is!
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