Godspeed, Sweet Girl

Some sad news yesterday. 

My son and DIL had to say goodbye to their little chihuahua. We loved her so much, but it was time. She took a hard turn toward actively dying and they decided it couldn't wait for an appointment this morning.

Godspeed little girl. We'll miss you. Sassy, full of chihuahua spunk, a little mean, and my favorite chihuahua always. 

They've had such a hard month. Job loss, dog loss, and they're sick. 

It was back and forth whether I needed to go to the vet with my son. At the last minute my DIL got off work early and they could be together. 

This changed up my day a lot so I'm scrambling to regroup for today. 

I was able to get all the gifts wrapped and organized. Thank the lord for small victories. Today and tomorrow is FOOD. 

But first, I have a new grooming appointment for the dogs and that's cutting today into odd time chunks. (Hubby is golfing -- ugh, bad timing.) I should've pushed to next week. Fingers crossed we like this groomer. 

I've already been thinking about "different" for next year and I think if we celebrate Christmas on an off day, I'll cater the day. Sushi or something good. I'll still make the brunch and bake, but Christmas dinner will be off my plate.

I'm still thinking if Christmas is on Christmas -- how can I simplify to what matters in a way that takes away the "too much" work?

When the work is less, there's time to ADD -- something better, meaningful, fun, etc. I have a whole year to think about it. 

Signing off early again today. Two more days of prep ... two days of hosting and then CALM. Later gators.

Let's Do it Differently Next Year

I had another good day yesterday AND got a lot of holiday prep finished. 

It sort of feels like a never ending road though ... so much finished and yet endless lists to go. It's always this way, right? I'm seriously thinking about putting "a new way" on my 26 for 2026 list to see if it can be done differently. Not sure what that looks like for me, but it's time to try.

I have a court hearing this morning. It's going to be a happy day -- huge step toward reunification for the family. I'm excited for them and so hopeful. My time assigned to this case is coming to an end -- it's been 2 years. I expect to get another case in the spring, assuming this case completely closes (3-6 months from now). 

Picking up hormones while I'm up north. I'm self-pay now so I can get a 3 month supply AND next time everything can be mailed to me (don't have to wait until the last minute for insurance to approve). 

I'll have a quick lunch with my aunt since we're both in the same area today. Always a fun time with her. Glad we can sneak in a meet up before Christmas.

The rest of the day is holiday work. I'll make it as festive and fun as I can -- and my back will be bonkers. Goal to have everything wrapped and ready -- fingers crossed. 

I got this pin to add to my hiking pack. I love his message and his energy and it feels like a part of history. 

Short hello today. Hope you're finding some cheer and ease this week -- later gators.

Trucking Along ... With a Bit of Cheer Too

I did it. I had the book "conversation" with my hairdresser. Most of it was very sincere and the "I really enjoyed the book" was acted well enough. She was excited to talk about the behind-the-scenes so once I asked a few questions, she was off and running without needing me to drive the conversation.

Phew. Now we can continue to talk about the book and process without me needing to say I liked the actual story. 

I sorted gifts.

Found a few holes.

Filled said holes.

Done and dusted. 

The table craft.

IG reel.

Some holiday cheer in my day.

3rd year and my least favorite, but still fun. 

Christmas snow people candy bars.

The originals were white, but I did COLOR (because my year of COLOR).

Chatted with my bestie while I made them. 

It'll make the table look a bit more festive and I chose candy bars specifically for each person. This might be my last year of table craft. I'm scraping the barrel for something fun and easy. But who knows -- I have an entire year to think about it. 

No more time for more -- but that was the complete list for Monday. If I can sneak ahead a little on my days, all the better. Not yet and maybe not at all. Thursday and Friday are heavy hitters and I'd like to offload a bit. 

Today has some potential. I'm not hiking because of my foot, but I'll join for lunch. This leaves a long stretch this morning for a Peloton ride and something else. I can start wrapping and a little bit of food prep too.

Tonight is dinner with friends -- looking forward to seeing them and walkable for us (assuming my foot holds up). Walking to "things" continues to delight me. 

Definitely holiday cheer today. 

Hope you're having a good week. It's strange that this is my Christmas lead up week. I'll be curious how it all feels after the fact. Will there be a let down next week? Will I be delighted for the freedom and space Christmas week? I think the latter. A little preview of my year of SPACE, maybe.

Later gators.

FIVE Days -- Oh My!

I had another fun holiday day yesterday. 

Brunch and bookclub book exchange -- take a look at the before and afters. We all received a book we hadn't read before, but had we done the exchange the other way, we would've had to switch up. 

Serendipity. 

My selections

I've read this.

The book I received.

I want to read this.

Creative and fun!

Kids were over for football and they helped move the stuff I bought at my neighbors. Turns out a few things he "sold" me, his wife didn't agree hah. Got a refund -- oh well. More to come on these items once I get them placed and such. Holiday prep is taking priority over my house so I have to wait -- something to look forward to when Christmas is finished. I'm enjoying the re-do.

On a less-good note ...

My foot isn't happy. The walk to brunch did it in again. Resting and NSAIDS today and I'll see if I can hike tomorrow. I think it's just inflammation -- nothing broken, pulled, etc.

I was beat to the bone when the kids left. Crawled into bed, read a couple of chapters, and sound asleep. I ALMOST feel like I'm getting sick, but my recovery stats are staying great. Guess it's old-fashioned tired.

I have 5 days until OUR Christmas. Lord help me with everything. I'll get a HUGE thing finished today -- sorting gift piles and seeing if I have any holes. Sometimes that happens -- I end up with just one thing for someone's stocking and I didn't notice. This "unknown" is weighing on me because I may need to add shopping to my week. (I think I'm low on my eldest son's stuff.) Maybe some year I'll be organized enough to keep a list instead of a haphazard pile on a bed. 

But first, HAIR APPOINTMENT and another kind of book discussion -- oh boy. I need a little divine guidance on this too lol. 

Have a happy, fun, holiday-style Monday. I'm trying to add a little holiday fun to every day this week. Later gators. 

F U N (!!)

Top notch day yesterday.

Duke and I hiked. I'm having a little foot pain drama, so we kept the hike to 6 miles. He was okay with other dogs -- I know the trails well and we stayed away from the narrow areas. Actually ran into a friend and his crazy dog too.

I left more holiday rocks at the trailhead LFL.

I often look for "things" when I hike alone -- colors, shapes, etc. Yesterday was hearts. As you walk by, trees branches that form a heart from a certain angle, etc. Leaving the hike there's a cement pylon.

Hubby and I grabbed lunch and on the walk home we ran into our neighbor. His house went under contract last week. Selling stuff on Marketplace. WHAT?!?! Am I dreaming??

I shopped till I dropped. Picking up everything today. Lots of goodies for my redecorate -- so inexpensive. Stay tuned.

Back in the kitchen for oatmeal raisin cookies (my youngest's favorite) and banana bread (for today). Finishing up the cookie baking as we speak this morning. 

Then the party -- SO MUCH FUN. I had an excellent time. 

For all the bitching I do about the Tuesday hike group, man we had the best time.

Goofed around.

Laughed a ton.

Felt the friendships.

Everyone was in such a festive mood.

I need to rein in some of my particularities. These women are worth it. Maybe it's the fun night talking, but I don't think so. It was a good lesson for me. 

I know my word for 2026 is SPACE, but a runner up should be SOFTER. Hmmmm. Maybe SOFTER is how I want to feel. Something to overthink think about.

More fun set for today. 

Bookclub book exchange and brunch. 

Kids (grandson) over for football.

I'm doing a decent job keeping fun in this holiday push. We celebrate 5 days early -- just a week away. 

Hope you're doing well too -- wishing you a good day. Later gators.

Friday Recap

Yesterday's recap (for anyone wondering lol).

Coffee with the local women's political group and a mayor-elect. I learned so much about the history, town, and future plans. I'm going to go as often as I can to the Friday coffees. I learn a lot and enjoy the connection to the women and the town.

Rug came and ... drum roll ... I love it. Turns out I did NOT order the really colorful one that made me a little nervous. Kept to color, but in more muted tones.

The BEFORE. 

Stained, scratchy, corners chewed off. 

The rug upside down to show less stain.

Big Marketplace fail (shouldn't have sent hubby).

The AFTER. 

Already happier. 

Blue, green, gold, brown.

Stay tuned for the progression. 

It might take a minute to find a quilt. Struck out on initial look. It needs to be a small pattern or stripes or plaid. Big pattern will compete, rather than compliment (I think).

The artwork will be colorful too -- I have a good mix already. The big picture over the bed and the print of my aunt's art will stay. The wall across the bed and on the other side is getting the makeover. 

Hubby and I tried another restaurant - an old dinner from the 1980s. 

Great food, good price. 

Nice walk.

Stopped at a fancy chocolate store that was recommended by my aunt. 

Got two kinds of marshmallows to do a taste test on Sunday.

Proud of myself for not opening any last night -- I was tempted.

Worked on Christmas stuff for the rest of the afternoon. 

That leads me to today. 

A local hike.

Christmas prep.

Christmas party.

It'll be a good day, but I really wish parties were in the afternoon hah! 

Hope you have a good one too. Later gators.

Ending my Year of COLOR with a Bang ... or a Flop

Decorated (!!)

I eased up the task a little. 

The relabel and reorganize waits for un-decorating.

I also put in headphones and listened to Christmas music.

I'm really into "for King & Country" -- has a nice beat.

With headphones -- totally immersive. 

No more Carrie Underwood Christmas because of her radical political views.

"for King & Country" is a religious group, but hasn't shown a political stand -- phew. 

I hiked 9 miles -- 5 miles with a friend. 

Walked myself to lunch. 

Easy (7 minutes early) virtual appointment -- changing RX.

Then decorated.

My aunt and her friend stopped over to park at our house for the holiday festival. Decorations just in time as it turns out hah!

I painted a few easy rocks before the hike. Took them and a couple of holiday rocks from last year to the LFL at the hike trailhead. The holiday balls were all taken by the end of the hike. Guess they're a hit. I'll paint more of them -- super easy. It's so much fun to pass along a little happy and a little cheer (or joy as the rock says).

Today is a variety day again.

Coffee with the local liberal women's group.

Rug delivery (which may cut coffee short -- hoping they're on the later end of window).

Inventory Christmas gifts that are piled in the guest room.

Date meal with hubby. 

I'm excited and a little worried about the rug. 

I was in a mood -- no more drab. 

Made a screw-it decision. 

Ekkkkk. 

I don't remember exactly what I ordered except it has color -- the confirmation just has the name. Of course, I could look it up, but I'm just going with god on this one. I did the same thing with office furniture over the pandemic -- ended up being so happy with the out-of-my-box choice after a small panic just before it arrived. 

I know if I like something when I see it in the space. Trying to visualize it before hand is harder for me so this feels like a bit of a dice roll. 

This month ends my year of COLOR. 

This could be the grand finale or a total flop. 

Stay tuned ... I took before pictures. 

Now I'm working myself up about it ... good lord, it's a rug.

(P.S. No matter what, it IS the rug for the room. I have to make it work. Can you hear my slight panic?)

Have a good and colorful day. Later gators.