180 Turn Today

Yesterday was a variety-pack day, but a really good one. 

8 miles on a brisk, overcast morning. Felt great -- it's been WEEKS since I've hiked. So long, that I'm a tad sore this morning. 

Ran into this big guy a few times.
Chunky fellow ready for winter.

Home for one of the last salads from the garden. It's probably time to give it a break -- covering and uncovering overnight is a bother. Seed room starts late January so a little break is good. But, dang, the lettuce is fresh and so much better than store bought. 

[A little garden side-note ...

Grown greens and radish in spring and fall.

Grow cucumbers and beans in summer.

These are the easiest of everything to grow. Big bang for your buck. If you're looking to dip your toe in gardening. They can all be grown in big pots too.]

I got some extremely necessary volunteer  obligations wrapped up before the court hearing. 

It was well worth making time for it yesterday.

Back and forth in the car -- a number of times between 2 towns. Had to be that way, but it paid off.

Dinner with my friend was a great catch up -- although I didn't like the meal. All good elements, and then swimming in grease. She picked a restaurant in an odd place (one of my drives back and forth). Turns out she thought the book signing was there. Oh well. 

AND ... I survived the book signing with minimal conversation, Congratulations, etc. - the real challenge coming at my hair appointment next week. Every thing was really nice, organized, thoughtful. She was so well spoken and yea for her. 

The book and message aren't for me though. The story was out in left field. The values behind the story aren't mine. The writing is inexperienced. The editing, sloppy. But, I meant what I said -- I'm cheering her on for fulfilling a lifelong goal and executing the physical book and launch so well. This book is one of EIGHT in this planned series. Oh boy.

Home for sleep and then woken by a sick old dog. Poor baby. We had a rough night together. He seems to feel fine this morning. 

Today has a different feel and I'm not thrilled about it. Dreaded CHORES. Hello, plant watering -- I'm talking to you. It's a relatively unscheduled day (unlike yesterday), but I have to fill it with THINGS because time is ticking. 

Choosing a bunch of "un-fun" things isn't exciting me. I'll be glad to have them finished and am going to try and find a way to enjoy the day. I've saved podcasts for just such a moment. 

(I know, woe is me -- not any sort of a real problem.)

If I get the chores off the table, I can focus on fun holiday items. We'll see. I slept in after a late night and a sick dog. It's already a couple hours later than my usual go. My guess is the festive chores will wait. 

Hope you have a good day. Later gators.

No Gobble-Goop and Foxes

Thankful for LISTS.

To-do lists = less overwhelm.

I also decided what's important. 

Set the intention for the family Christmas celebration.

Let a bunch of gobble-goop go. 

(Like everyone gets their favorite holiday cookie.)

Kept the things that speak to me (and our family).

It's still a rushed couple of weeks, but it feels more manageable.

But...

I HAVE NOT DECORATED YET ... good lord. Something came up with volunteering and I spent the afternoon in the car. It's pushed to Wednesday or Thursday. I'm leaning toward Thursday since hubby is golfing -- helps to "think" in a quiet house. 

The other BIG thing is my youngest and DIL decided they want to be surprised for Christmas. I usually get detailed lists. Eeek -- now I need to ponder and purchase before next weekend. Wish me luck. 

Here are a few things I did finish yesterday.

Stocking hangers came.
Not the right size though,
but good enough for now.

Book exchange for bookclub.
Fun way of wrapping a book.

Decorated it myself from
in inspiration picture.
"Vintage" like plastic
balls and velvet ribbon.

You know how ladybugs are my "sign?' Lately, foxes have started feeling more interesting -- I think my sign changed. Of course, both are easy to notice (even live foxes in our area). I think the ladybug is too prevalent and the evil ladybugs can fool you (spots are different; one good for garden, one bad). 

Anyway, heading home from the library I noticed a leaf that looked like a fox. Sharpie and laminate later and now a bookmark. Walking places and noticing things delights me.

A fox, right?!?

Here's the library book -- really good so far. Interesting premise and I have no idea where it's headed. I hope it sticks the landing. It was recommended so I have hopes.

Early, cold hike this morning. Not with the group since they first decided on a hike too far away for my schedule, and then last night changed it to a walk in a neighborhood. Why a walk? Why not a local hike? This group's dynamic ... acquiesce to the lowest denominator, at the last minute. I'm learning to accept it and do what works for me without me getting all worked up (mostly). Slow progress. One of the ladies is hiking with me.

I have volunteer obligations for most of the afternoon, early dinner with a friend, and then my hairdresser's book signing. 

Variety packed day.

Best get going. Have a good one. Later gators.

TWO Weeks (!!)

Hello, Monday. 

Hello, holiday crazies. 

Since we're celebrating Christmas almost a week early, I feel a sudden panic about getting ready. I have SO MUCH on my calendar (as we all do -- and I realize I'm not adding working to the mix). 

I have little to nothing really moving along. 

That includes my extreme Christmas decorating procrastination. This happens especially strong on the year we move into a new house. It's not just don't-know-where-to-put-anything -- it's I JUST decorated (and am still decorating) regular stuff. We don't have pictures hung upstairs, re-doing my bedroom.

Then I need to take down, move stuff, make room for Christmas decor. Not a joy this year. 

Gifts are maybe half finished. 

No cookies baked.

No menu planned.

And add the other things in these next TWO weeks. Lord help me {full blown panic after confirming the timeline on my calendar}.

Short and sweet this morning. My car goes in the shop today and appointment is in 45 minutes. 

Hope you are well and organized and have a good week ahead. Later gators.

Market Day

One day.

Four Markets.

First market:

I walked up to a local food market and gift store. The business started as a catering shop 40 years ago, passed to the daughter who made it a store front and wholesaler when she had kids and a catering schedule was too much.

The food comes highly recommended -- and I met the owner last week. I bought a bunch of meals to share with the kids (trying some today) and a few gifts. I'll be going back for more gifts. It's a fantastic local business. Glad I walked, but my bag was HEAVY on the way home. It did help to edit the gift buying.

Second market:

Headed to a holiday market for kids in foster care. I did the pickup for the mom. 12 stations of gifts, Santa, music, etc. I had a carload of holiday food for the family and gifts for the little girl.

Third market:

Quick stop at home and off to the holiday market in Clarkston. This was AMAZING. Already put it on the calendar for next year. It's never worked with my schedule -- so happy to go this year. The level of artist work was far beyond what I expected ... and the food, dang.

Here are some pictures -- I have other gifts too, but didn't take pictures of everything.

A church was selling paintings
by their members -- $5

For my bedroom makeover.
Adding color. I'll frame
the prints. Each one has
a story -- so beautiful.

Santa reindeer

Passed this international
holiday tree.

Took a break to eat.

Lunch -- flavor was delicious.

I got home and wasn't in the mood for decorating. Got on pjs and started watching the latest season of All Creatures Bright and Small.

And finally #4:

My DIL texted -- they were headed to our town's German Christmas Market. Did we want to come?

Yep!

Got dressed.

They parked at our house and we walked up.

Our grandson loved the lights, watching a little train ride, and visiting Santa. Otherwise, it was rather like an amusement park vibe. Selling junk stuff, fried everything food stations, mulled wine and cider. But it was festive and a fun evening with the family.

The blog is having trouble saving again and I keep logging in and out and losing what I typed. Time to give up. 

Hope you have a good day. Later gators.

Hard News, Little Moments, Next Up

My eldest son got hard news yesterday. His company restructured after a buyout and his department (and 1/2 the company) were let go. The writing was on the wall for the last couple of months, but he thought he had more time. Crappy day for everyone.

Getting let go in December is always a shitty move. It's a dead month for business and he won't see new job options until at least mid-January. Add the economy, etc. and he has an uphill climb ahead. We'll help in anyway we can if it gets to that point. 

Switching gears ...

I went to the women's local group coffee -- it's every Friday, but I've only attended a few times. Large group yesterday after the BIG mayoral win. It's a good group in community and a wealth of information about the town. This group is the reason the local election was so successful. 

Some small moments yesterday ... it's a hodgepodge.

Little houses from a European
flight years ago. Numbered
collectables -- on display.

Sassy rock idea.

Seriously Spotify?!?!
Made me laugh.

Painted pot at a lunch cafe.

I enjoyed noticing and documenting little moments this week. It was a fun week to do it.

Next focus ... feelings. What do I want to feel as I head into 2026? I took pictures of a list of 150 feeling words from this book before I returned it to the library. 

Subtly and nuance matter. 

Excited is different than passionate. 

Rested is different than peaceful. 

I'm going to pay attention this week ahead. When I like something ... why? What am I feeling? Sussing out the nuance can help define my direction more clearly. 

I love reflection time of year. My favorite podcast is Gretchen Rubin's because of the year review and look ahead. Sad to hear her father passed unexpectedly, so this year's podcasts might be delayed or not as in depth -- unless they were pre-recorded. 

I have mix of a day ahead. 

I need to do a holiday pickup for my volunteer position, all the way north of me.

Then heading to a holiday market for the refugee town, all the way south of me.

Lots of car time today. Then home to finish decorating. I made very little progress yesterday -- the mood wasn't right after my son's news. Back at it today.

Have a good day. Later gators.

Little Moments and Matches

Little moments ...

The first pictures are of my dog pouting because I was on a zoom call. He step-by-step nested the chair to death (pictures loading backwards). He wanted to sit on my lap and I didn't let him because I was on video -- he's a dramatic boy. (P.S. This was just after I took him on a fast, 1 hour explore anything walk.)

Flowers in December
on our walk.

These matches are SCENTED!
Smells like a wood fire.

A side thought on matches. 

I started using 4 inch matches to light candles. 

There's something grounding about it.

The match strike.

Waiting for the wick to light.

Blowing out the match.

The lingering smell.

A scent memory.

A teeny tiny moment to slow down and be present. 

A little ritual for an otherwise mundane task.

It's a favorite little add-on these days.

Rain and overcast all day today.

Gloomy day or cozy day? I say the latter. 

I have a couple of errands to run, then home for the day. 

Sweat pants and slippers.

Decorating, reading, rock painting.

Hubby gets home very, very late (maybe tomorrow morning because of delays already).

Because it's a homebody day, gloomy = cozy. I'd be bummed if I had outside plans. 

It's going to be a little harder to find small moments to photo, but let's see.

Hope you have a nice day and find some little moments too. Later gators.

No Rabbit Holes Today, I Promise.

Hello. 

Here are little moments from yesterday.

BEAUTIFUL plate.
Food was excellent.

Charred green tea
with coconut milk.

Hard to see, but the plants
completely entwined again.

Evidence of a toddler visit.

Retro wallpaper print.
70s is back baby!

I grabbed a couple of library reads. This book is tailor-made for goal setting ahead of the new year. Easy to read. Lots of quotes in each chapter. A little confirmation bias, but I'll take it. 

Small actions. 

"Planning your day becomes living your life."

Ask, What do I want to feel from these goals?

Chase the feelings.

Decide from the feelings.

Feelings are vibrations in your body.

Your body knows.

Emotions are created from a story, thought.

These can be misleading. 

I'm only about a 1/3 finished. 

After lunch and the library, I walked to a local scent shop. It was amazing. They blend and make lotions, skin-care, soaps, etc. and sell local boutique items. I got a hostess gift for a party coming up, some Christmas gifts, and a few things for my stocking.

The store is off the main road, but angled oddly. They've been in business for 8 years, but I only noticed it when I started walking around the town. It's going to be a favorite for hostess gifts and the like. 

Today is a bit of a homebody day ... and a local hang. 

Continuing decorating for Christmas.

I started the tree last night.

Pulled out all the boxes too.

A couple of zoom calls for coaching stuff. 

Local walk with Duke.

Walk to an early dinner with a friend tonight. 

No rabbit hole today. You're welcome lol.

Have a great day. 

Be on the watch for small moments.

Later gators.