Swing

I did too much. 

Morning was wonderful. 

Then I got in the kitchen and COOKED and COOKED.

All good food -- fresh, from whole ingredients. I say this because it took a long time (e.g. cut a head of cauliflower into bit sized pieces for roasting for a delicious dish). More stuffed peppers from the garden. Fresh salad from the garden. It took about 4 hours in total.

I was too ambitious. 

It was good.

Very FS day.

My back got tired.

But I pushed on.

Rock painted.

Made chai from the teahouse. Sadly, it's not the same. Something is off and a bit unpleasant. I'll inquire more next time I'm at the teahouse. I also couldn't get it hot enough. I don't know how they make it so well.

Not the same. A lot of work
to make a pot of tea. I tossed
most of it.

My back was tired and felt awful. My ankle was acting up. I got an upset stomach after the tea. Delayed me heading out, just in case I needed a bathroom again.

I was a mess, but headed out in the pouring rain to pickup my grandson. Four more hours of playing, carrying, etc. So much fun, but I was hurting and it's hard to take care of my old dog and a toddler by myself. Monti peed about 6 times in the house -- raining outside and I couldn't get him to go while I had a toddler in my arms too.

Winding down for the night.
Quiet, upstairs play.

Dogs forever begging.
Dinner was rice and beans.

We were both exhausted by the time the kids came to pick him up. He could hardly keep his eyes open -- we played trucks HARD lol!!  I went straight to bed -- he did too. The old and the young have a decent overlap on the Venn diagram. 

I'm not "great" this morning. My ankle is hurting (doesn't bode well for tomorrow's farm shift in the morning and a hike in the afternoon). My stomach is still off (but, in fairness, it hasn't been great for a few days, yesterday afternoon was the worst though). 

I got confident and a bit cocky. I can do it all ... spoiler alert, I canNOT do it all.

Does this mean I need to modify today? I'm not sure. Maybe I don't need to swing the pendulum too far the other direction. 

Do too much ... swing ... do too little.

I have a very nice day planned with my aunt. Checking out 2 local markets. Not a lot of driving and we'll grab a lunch after. My son asked if I wanted to pick up my grandson again today (much easier -- just go to his house and play for an hour). 

This is the question mark. I could come home and be at home all afternoon and evening. Rest, pjs, paint rocks, quiet time. Or ... babysit which will be a delight, but out late afternoon. Not home until evening. 

I told him I'd text later today. Game day decision based on how I feel ... mainly my stomach. He's coming over on Sunday so I have another full day of Granny-time coming up. 

It's possible that today will be enough rest and restore. I hope so. I'm leaning toward picking him up -- it's a joy that I can't describe. BUT ... it's work. There's a reason women don't have babies at 55. I'm glad I'm a young-ish Granny. (Ironically though, I feel ancient this morning.) 

I AM modifying a workout. I'm going to stretch and a little arms. My body hurts and it needs something different today.

I've rambled enough. My aunt is a very early person so best get moving for an early start today.

Hope you have a good day. Later gators.

L.O.V.E. Message

This is turning out to be a really nice week. 

Partial luck.

Partial intention.

I use a basket for misc stuff in the workout room. Grabbed my lifting gloves and found a message -- good omen for the day.

L.O.V.E.

Fixed breakfast and picked a pre-historic leaf from the garden to chop into tomato and eggs. A little friend came along (scooted him outside again).

Found this beauty growing up in a the hairdresser's parking lot. Sitting pretty in a sea of concrete and car pollution. Nature finds a way. 

Rock painted. Here's one that's almost ready. Everything else is in process.

Back says
SHOW YOUR COLORS.

I picked up new glasses and not sure I'm as in love with them as I was ... eeek. I'll wear them today and see what I think. My hair was slicked back yesterday from the keratin treatment so it was a different look. 

Dinner with the family was fun -- everyone was in a great mood. Playing trucks was the highlight. My grandson knows to look in my bag and he's adorable about it. I didn't love the restaurant -- won't go back on my own suggestion, but it was up the kids' alley. 

The hike is rained out today -- no surprise. All day rain again. (Thinking of Jamaica and the hurricane -- utterly awful.)

Last minute babysitting add-on for my grandson today. 4 hours of trucks, books, slide, cars, cuddles. This is one of the few things that I'd let infiltrate my day. I even turned down a library shift in lieu of having a home day to myself. 

The morning and early afternoon are all mine. Slow, quiet roll, and lots of good stuff. 

On that note, time to get the morning moving. Have a great day. Later gators.

Inspired Energy

I feel like I'm getting my GROOVE back. 

Hormone regulation? Maybe. I'm on a higher dose of a patch and a new vial of cream.

What's better?

Sleep

Recovery

Energy

"Mental" Energy

I have 2 kinds of energy issues. What you normally think of -- can't run faster, get winded hiking, etc. But there's another kind of energy issue that I hadn't noticed until hormones went wonky.

Let's call it mental energy or desire energy. 

Something that I enjoy -- yep, but let's punt it to next week. 

Afternoon free -- great, let's watch re-runs on TV instead of that fun thing. 

Interesting -- love it, but let's not actually do it, just think about it.

Nothing that takes a lot of physical energy, but it takes some other kind of energy. And I'm talking about things I LOVE to do. But it's things I don't HAVE to do. When that energy flops, my day flops. 

This is what's improving again. 

On that note ... progress on the Happy Rock Snake.

Pouring rain and I went to a rock quarry. CLIMBED a pile of river rocks after trudging through mud up to my shoe top ... luckily wearing my washable trainers. I was filthy and soaking wet. The London Fog long yellow rain jacket is only water resistant hah, but it wiped down nicely. 

They were helpful and walked me to the pile and held an umbrella while I chose the rocks. One bag $6. I only filled half a bag (too heavy) so she gave it to me half price. I have a feeling I might go back (on a nicer day) if I want to grow the rock snake. 

Tell me this doesn't already
look like a snake head?!?

Washed and drying.

WAY heavier than it looks.
Only $3

PICTURE THIS :

Rock painting ...

Air Supply the record player ...

in my pjs and a sweater ...

drinking kombucha ...

candle lit ...

house to myself ...

pouring rain out the window.

Come on (!!) Delightful.

All brought to you by this other kind of ENERGY.

It was slow, homebody, peaceful, relaxing, reflective, creative. Filled my tank afternoon. 

I need better way to describe it ... hold on ...

"Hello, ChatGPT I have a question."

Zeal

Zest

Life Spark

Playful drive

Joyful momentum

Inspired energy 

I like "inspired energy" since it feels energy adjacent and I've been calling it another kind of energy. Thanks, Chat.

Off to start the day. No rain, but overcast. Rain all day again tomorrow (probably canceling a hike). 

Hair appointment.

Picking up new eye glasses in mid-town.

HBD dinner for my DIL tonight. 

Hope you have an inspired energy day. (Prepare to hear this phrase a lot hah.) Later gators.

Rainy Monday

Rainy Monday ... pouring, all day rain. At the risk of sounding like an old lady, we need the rain desperately. As a gardener, I'm pleased. 

Can I tell you a little side note on the garden and the FS visualization?

The garden is a part of my FS visualizations. Growing, sharing, connecting. I've imagined being at the garden, talking to people. It wasn't possible at my last garden because it was tucked in the backyard where no one could see it. 

Several times a week, I'm puttering in this garden and someone walks by and talks to me about it. The missing piece of the visualization ... pretty cool. 

I've been playing around (thinking) about a couple of creative projects.

Enough thinking ... time to get doing.

These are part of my SEEING sense focus. 

First:

Christmas table favors. 

I figured out this year's craft and supplies are ordered. 

Snowmen Candy Bars.

Stay tuned. 

Next:

Happy Rock Snake.

It got washed away on the trail after big storms and I messaged the town. I have the go-ahead to start it again.

First up ... I need to paint the head and tail. I can't find big enough rocks -- tried nursery and hardware stores. I'll try a couple of landscaping companies too. I can also look at the river (not this week -- too much rain will cover the rock area). I only need a few rocks. The body of the snake will be regular sized rocks and I have a lot of those.

The plan ... paint the head and tail. Coerce friends to help me get the body going. Probably around 10-15 rocks will start it. I need to paint a sign too -- "help us grow our Happy Rock Snake." A little community project. 

Could be a flop.

Will be fun.

Could be a success. 

Painting rocks together is a GATHERING and I'll use Priya Parker's guidance. This project will check a lot of FS boxes.

And I'm back to rock painting again. I took a bit of a break ... just long enough to miss it. 

I love a working craft space.
It's like a moving meditation
when I'm painting.

Backs are painted too.

I don't want to hand paint the base of the big snake rocks so I bought some spray paint. Not sure if it'll work. Sampled some small rocks and drying overnight ... looks like an option. It might also be good for rocks that are hard to get base paint adherence. 

The green is okay for the snake,
but I wanted a brighter green.

Next, kinda:

I ordered curtains and a rod for a portiere. 

What's this fancy word, you say? (At least, I did ...  never heard of it before.)

It's a curtain over a door, often an entryway. We have no privacy from our front door and want an option to close it off when it's dark. For a number of reasons, a shade or frosting the glasses aren't options without issues. Trying this first. It's vintage and adds interest and fits my aesthetic right now. 

I saw it in an IG picture of a room and googled more about it.

I like that it's a little weird. 

Trying to change a lifetime of vanilla decorating. 

Stay tuned for pictures next week if it works.

Finally:

I'm fussing with the primary bedroom. Have some ideas to try out next week to start building it up to cozy and fun and playful and creative. 

It's really rather dull and uninspired right now.

Planets must be aligned ... I'm on a creative streak. 

That's all from this rainy Monday. Dogs are being groomed (bummer with the rain) and I have a few errands while they're getting finished. Then the day is mine ...

Have a good start to the week. Later gators. 

"Never Wake a Sleeping Chihuahua" and Other Popular Lies

Well, I got some more meds in my grand-dog. Boiled chicken, blended with water, mixed in crushed meds and VOILA ... winner, winner, warm chicken dinner.

"It's not fair!"
P.S. They got some chicken too.

Gobbling it up.

Good blender saved the day.

Let her sleep in the living room (never wake a sleeping baby or a sleeping chihuahua). But this was FALSE, fake news ... traded sleep for a shitty start to the day.

Greeted this morning by diarrhea EVERYWHERE. She poo-ed (is this a word?), stepped in it, got in her 10,000 steps. Lucky me. 

How's your morning going? Hah!

Poo-gate is cleaned up. I'm in the craft room hiding out. Candle burning. Coffee and tea in hand. The morning is getting better. (My ankle is still having troubles though -- dang.)

Zoey goes home this afternoon. Hubby leaves tomorrow morning. Going to try AGAIN to have a ME week at home. Looks like rain here too, so probably less outdoor fun ... but perfect indoor time.

{knocking wood very rapidly}

Why?

Hubby's golf trip might be a rain wash-out and there are whispers of canceling ... NOOOOOOO!

I'm in the next stage of settling the house. Porches, outdoor spaces, garden ... all getting another step forward. Nesting and getting cozy with the cooler weather. 

Paint

Outdoor rugs

Fall plants

Decor

Christmas lights (finally)

Fence signs

The past 3 years, the last few months of the year were too full. Too much travel. Too much doing. Too many obligations (talking to you, baby shower and bridal showers). Fun, but also not fun.

I promised myself a homebody-ish holiday season. Slow down. Time to notice and enjoy the little moments. The pandemic was the first time I had that kind of year-end and I loved it. Trying for that same feeling (without the pandemic problems, of course). 

When I have a big looming list, I tend to rush over all the little things ... as much as I try to do differently. This year feels quieter. 

I want will be super selective about what I add to the calendar. No filling up on junk social time. 

Can I do it?

Will I do it?

Taking odds ... I think yes. 

Something I forgot that recently came to mind (via a poem). Sensory walks. Notice what you see, smell, taste, hear, feel. 

This can be applied to anything. I'm applying it to the end of the year.

Closing out 2025 via the senses. 

What's first, you ask??

SCENT

Candles.

Lotion.

Cleaning products.

Hand soap.

Laundry detergent. 

Windows open. 

I have so many good ones. I'm even lighting my candles with real matches. Do you remember how nice that smells -- nostalgic and lovely. Reminders of slower times. 

(And I feel the irony of how my morning started ... nothing says delight like the smell of doggie diarrhea. Guess I need to be specific that it's GOOD sensory experiences I want lol.)

Off to plan the week. Fill-the-tank week. Didn't work for me last time. Trying again. Fingers crossed. 

Have a great Sunday. Later gators.

A Turn. Dang.

And things took a little turn ...

My foot/ankle is wonky. Thursday afternoon and all day yesterday, I walked with a limp. Nothing happened, it just started hurting. Marginally better this morning. 

Almost like a gluten issue -- maybe too many 00 beers, too regularly?? But it's not on the other foot/ankle so that seems unlikely. 

I dropped the hike today. I'm horribly disappointed. I've been looking forward to seeing this trail for 2 years and everything fit for this to be the time. 11 miles with steep elevation. No way with a limp ankle. It wasn't a decision ... there wasn't a choice. 

Then ...

We have my son and DIL's chihuahua for the weekend. I sat up with her for 3 hours in the middle of the night -- she was squeaking and barking and pacing. FINALLY at 3:30 I got a couple of meds in her and she fell asleep. 

I spent 2 of those hours trying ways to get her to take the meds. No joke. Duke stole a dose she spit out so he's sleeping well this morning.

We're I'm tired. She's cute. But good lord, tonight I need a different plan. 

I'm trying not to go down a pity party hole this morning so let me tell you something interesting whilst EVERYONE ELSE in my house is SOUND ASLEEP. Good for them.

I walked to a local woman's meeting at one of the coffee houses I frequent yesterday morning. It was a cool morning. I did an arm workout earlier. Played with the garden before I left. Library book and a poetry book (in case no one was there yet) in hand to return and grab the next couple of holds. Talked to some people on the walk up. Good conversation with the group. It's a regular, standing meeting -- everyone knows everyone. Grabbed the books and walked to the lunch cafe a block from my house. Chatted with the ladies (I'm a regular there). Enjoyed a plant forward meal and headed out.

On the walk home it hit me with such a strong slap ... this was eerily VERY similar to part of my "Perfect Day" visualization.

(Martha Beck -- visualize, in great detail, a perfect ORDINARY day from a FS perspective.)

This is a visualization that I walk my mind through that started before we moved. I usually imagine 2 days because it encompasses a bigger range of what perfect-ordinary looks like to me. BTW, if I had hiked today, it would have been a part of the 2nd day imagined (very specific to this hike).

Seriously?!?! 

You can argue chicken and the egg. 

Did it come true because I visualized it, or did I visualize it because it was something that was already meant for me?

This has inspired, motivated, delighted me into leaning into this exercise. Taking time next week when I have the house to myself to do a long meditation to let my mind wander into the future. I can't wait to see what I see. 

For some reason, a bunch of "things" are coming to pass. I want to pay attention. Delight in it. Focus on THIS instead of an unexpected disappointment day. Trust the process. Trust the universe. 

Okay, a dog is bugging. Got to run. I have more to say another chat. Later gators. 

3000

A little epistolary post for #3000 ...

Dear Past ME, 

You decided to journal because "everyone" said you should. You decided to journal online because your handwriting is a mess. 

(You can force nice handwriting for a few sentences, but this would've been a nightmare ... plus you like to edit. If you think this draft is awful, you should see the first go hah!)

Part of a self-improvement model. The Morning Routine.

Wanting and searching for something. 

Happiness? 

Satisfaction? 

Direction? 

Validation?

It's become a place to talk out thoughts. 

Confess.

Be vulnerable.

Brag a bit. 

A reason to notice things so you can report it the next day. 

A reminder to be present (spoiler alert ... the secret to a good life).

Reflect on yesterday and intentionally plan today. 

Turns out these rambles are also a peek into Past ME without the distortion of memory ... only the distortion of the moment, as one does interpret life.

I'm grateful for this routine. Future ME (now Present ME) would not be the same without it. 

I see patterns -- good and bad.

I see goals.

I see struggles.

I see some figuring it out.

I see some growth. 

I see bigger hopes. 

I see dead people. 

I get to remember things I never would've remembered. 

It's a tool that seems so insignificant day to day, but 3000 times later, it's a changed life.

Love always,

Me.

2999

Changed things up a bit yesterday.

Talked to the installers and they had a full day, so, you guessed it ...

... walked to the tea house. 

Lovely day for a walk (and a morning run). Nothing but ONES yesterday. Caught 1:11 on the clock too.

Stopped for lunch on the way home since I was running low on food at the house. Sat outside. It was cool and breezy and perfectly FALL. Loved it. Crisp leaves on the ground. Breeze blowing leaves on the table. 

BEST TIME OF THE YEAR!

I have a poetry book with me (forgot that I brought it). Read that instead of a novel so I can get right to my library reads when I get home.

Author selected 44 poems.

Page about why this poem.

Then the poem.

Then the dissection of the poem (use of space, use of punctuation, etc).

It's really interesting. I've read 4 so far and the first one was especially good. 

"A Word on Statistics"

Wislawa Szymborska

Translated by Joanna Huss

Got some books from a few LFLs on the walk. I used to not take books -- save them for someone who needs them, but I want people to take from my LFL, so I decided to "use" other LFLs too. I supply my LFL and add to others too. 

I missed the LIVE webinar so I'll catch the replay. Forgot about it until my alarm loudly reminded me -- oops. Ran into a neighbor on the walk and we chatted all about the shit show that is the government. I haven't seen her in a long time.

HVAC is installed. Dehumidifier is installed. Very few hiccups. Glad I was wrong. 

Time to go home (!!)

But first ....

Not sure exactly. I have to time a pickup of hormones from the compounding pharmacy that closes for a couple of hours midday. That means a later start out the door. It's sort of on the way so I don't want to have to go back out after the drive home.

I have time for something because I'm not in an immediate rush ... hmmmm.

Maybe a shower and get the house ready to go. Then a replay of yesterday ... teahouse and lunch. Teahouse doesn't open until 10 though.

Another option is a walk to breakfast in Asheville and a stop for coffee in Franklin. I haven't stopped these last few trips. I enjoy the beans and I could use another bag. 

I think the second one is the winner, but open to going with the flow. For now, washing sheets and need to start a quick clean (vacuum, bathrooms).

Best get at it. Today's post is 2999. Have a good day. Later gators.

Quiet Morning Rambles

Brrrrr ... no furnace today.

Do I think they'll finish as expected? About 50/50. 

I spent the afternoon finishing up The Girlfriend on Prime. Good lord it was FANTASTIC. I didn't expect the ending at all. Lots of twists. Great acting. One of my favorite shows this year. 

I haven't been reading this trip.

Why? 

LIBRARY BOOKS. Three holds are waiting for me. The book choices I brought to Asheville are all chonkers -- 450+ pages. I started one at the teahouse, but not hooked yet. It's a relatively easy read so maybe I can power through it today. Decisions, decisions.

I'll join a Priya Parker webinar LIVE since I'm glued to the very cold house all day. LIVE is a different experience. Neither better nor worse, just different. It's about virtual gatherings so not as relevant to me, but I'll get something out of it. Who knows ...  maybe more than I expect. 

I registered for a couple of hikes last night. Saturday is a big gal. 

Little nervous.

Little dread.

Perfect. 

Something I want to do. Something that fear can talk me out of doing. It's exactly what I need to do.

BTW, fear isn't afraid of something dangerous -- silly little things that don't make a lick of sense. 

Afraid of finding the trail head.

Afraid of being late.

Afraid of keeping up.

Afraid of having to pee in the woods. 

Dread is ...

... waking up early

... cold start

... long drive

... hard hike.

I've had this drop in DOING energy. The feeling of MEH and BLAH. I gave in for a bit too long, but enough is enough. Back to a regularly scheduled life and that means big girl panties. 

It's almost like a depressive episode. Falling back. Hiding under the covers. Talking myself out of everything. 

At first it feels like a relief. A break. Grace. 

But then it becomes The Energy of NO ... of nothing. It's a momentum in the wrong way ... circling down into smaller and smaller. 

The smaller I go, the harder to pull out. And THAT is the problem of letting it continue.

Saturday is a big yank out of that spiral. 

I've been pulling against the spiral for a couple of weeks. 

5K Race

Women's group meet up

Hikes

Social commitments

But I'm still feeling its pull. Doing nothing sounds so good. So enticing. So kind. So caring.

Once I pull out, the momentum changes. It's not a fight anymore. I'm excited to do things. I love the variety. I love the fun.

This is my FAVORITE time of the year and I want to enjoy it.

One last note.

This ISN'T about needing quiet time vs over scheduling. 

Quiet time is one of the things the spiral warps. 

Painting -- nope.

Meditation -- nah, I can skip it today.

Solo walk -- why bother. 

I will over schedule so I don't have to do the quiet time (which is a big part of growing energy).

I know this seems like a contradiction to what I've been saying. Calendar too full. Not enough quiet time. 

The fullness is the spiral (in this case). It's a distraction. An excuse. 

I absolutely need to be intentional about my calendar and overfilling it. But my heart knows the difference. I know, deep down, the WHY of my choices. 

Okay, I've rambled a lot. I think I have just enough time this morning to get a little run (when the sun comes up) and shower before the work starts again. 

Have a good day. Later gators.

Fall Feels

Arrived in Asheville to this little surprise. 

Friends from ATL were visiting Asheville last week and left a pretty pumpkin on our porch table. How sweet is this?? They did this a couple of years ago too. It's a reminder that adults love little surprises as much as anyone and friends are wonderful. 

Within the first hour here .... drum roll ...

Tea house visit. 

Of course.

Walked from the house.

Decaf option opened up my teahouse world.

Today is nothing but HVAC install. BUT ... spent some time getting a few things off a to-do list that I could do from Asheville.

Appointments made.

Projects researched. 

Calendar planned. 

Volunteer work finished.

Here's a little blue door from Etsy that I put in our tree. How cute is this?!? I might need to put up a nail to secure it. 

Stocked up the LFL that was mostly empty. I put some GOOD books in last time. Gave a little theme this go around for SPOOKY SEASON reading.

My 4th quarter calendar is filling up quickly. 

Turkey Trot run. 

I've always wanted to run one, but work or hosting got in the way.

This one is a 10 minute walk from my house.

Winner, winner, turkey dinner.

TONS of hike options with the club. Heavy hitters. They'll be a push for me. Registering for a big gal on Saturday. It's a hike I've had on my radar for a couple of years. Oh boy. Going for it.

Meetings with my new local woman's group. Getting involved in local politics and local issues. 

Live webinars. 

Live coaching calls.

Family visits.

Appointments for me and for the dogs. 

Is it too much?? Maybe. Not too much if I can get my energy back to where it was a few months ago. Still not there, but planning as though I'll get there.

And it also feels like filling up my life with LIVING. Lots of good things. Lots of variety. Lots of FS. 

Caveat is to remember it's not a race (except for the race hah). Don't rush. Don't be 3 steps ahead in my mind. Then it doesn't feel like too much. 

I've also edited a few overzealous options that crowded out quiet time.

Fall is the best. 

Holidays are the best. 

I'm looking forward to this season more than I have in some time. 

(Probably because no baby showers or weddings happening lol.)

I feel community and connection as this year closes out. I hope the feeling stays. It's been WORK -- on myself, on new things, on letting go, on paying attention, on being intentional, on taking risks, on failing.

Hope you feel the fall feels too. Later gators.

Fall ME??

I'm doing a little reset of sorts. 

Monday.

Leaving for Asheville.

Beautiful fall weather.

It practically writes itself. 

Hello, ... I don't know ... "Fall FS?" 

I'm leaning in hard toward the holidays and this last bit of the year. Energizing weather. Fall clothes. Nesting vibes. Me vibes. 

And, it's about time. 

The last few months haven't been my best. I'm not drowning, but I'm absolutely not swimming. Of course, I'll blame hormones a bit -- that tank of my testosterone was very real. It's slowly improving. 

I'm ready to focus again. 

You know where I'm starting because it's like an evil groundhog's day problem. I have to clean up my night snacking. Dang, it sneaks up AND it's so hard to turn around AND it wreaks havoc with everything else. 

Starts today and I feel ready. Change of scenery to Asheville will be a nice kick start. I made a bunch of food to take this week -- garden veggies and such. It's less about WHAT and more about HOW MUCH. 

I'm also focusing on saying YES to things that I want to do, but require a bit of effort.

Harder hikes.

Garden planning.

Gatherings.

Rock "snake" for the community.

Creative projects.

House projects. 

Being bolder. Having fun. Being intentional. 

I've been meh lately. Doing the bare minimum-ish, and procrastinating a lot. Go for that extra walk -- eh, no. Take that free hour and paint a rock -- maybe TV instead. 

You get the idea. 

It also starts with keeping commitments to myself. I did that yesterday. The evening came and I absolutely didn't want to go to the political event. But I did and I'm very glad I did. Met people. Learned a lot. Taking action and not sitting on the sidelines anymore.

Okay, I need to get going and get on the road to Asheville. Hope your week is off to a good start. Later gators. Oh ... I feel the pull of the teahouse and a book this afternoon.

The Little Bookclub that Could

We are the little bookclub that could. 

Two last minute add-ons that morning.

Two last minute (10 minutes before) cancelations.

Did I freak out? Not really, but did utter a few WTFs.

Five of us in a rounded corner booth. Deep blue velvet seat -- lovely and girly. That said, I'm not chomping to go back. No GF bread options and that takes out most of the menu. It's pricey too. Better options for brunch, so I'd need a specific reason to go back.

I had idea for the next meeting. 

It's a combination of Priya Parker gathering theory on magical questions and Gretchen Rubin's children literature bookclub. 

What's a magical question? A question the group is interested in everyone's answer AND excited to give an answer too. 

Choose a favorite book from childhood. Re-read and bring to the meeting. This will open some magical questions and be an interesting discussion in a different way.

We tried a magical question at brunch.

What's saving your life right now? 

Barbara Brown Taylor question.

Big or little.

No wrong answers. 

Coffee can be the answer. 

God can be the answer.

And everything in-between.

I loved hearing everyone's answer. Mine was group gatherings. 

Why? I hated groups so I went hard on individual for a few years. Turns out the problem was they were the wrong groups. It takes time, effort, willingness to try, willingness to let go. In this shit-show we need people. I'm grateful for people gathering in kind, inclusive, groups. 

And for the book selection ... I'm chewing on some options. The Secret Garden is an option. Winnie the Poo is an option. The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe is an option. Stay tuned. 

Backing up a minute ...

I ran passed a tree on my usual running route and thought someone put in a fairy garden in a hollowed out tree knot.

Nope, it's NATURE being amazing.

Absolutely darling

Today is an overdue call with my longest friend of almost 40 years. Formally my best friend. We've been having a prickly relationship for the last 5 years. At least prickly on my end. It feels like the relationship swiftly became one-sided. I'm tired of it and slowed down my side of the road this year (after 4 years of trying, waiting, supporting, getting coached). 

We haven't talked in 3 months. 

Is the friendship ending? I don't think so, but I think the best friendship ended long ago. I know she's struggling with some identity stuff (career, middle-aged stuff), but her answer is to puff herself up and deflate me. Insults disguised as opinions. Ignoring my wins. Inflating her life. Wanting me to engage as a best friend and shrugging off her lack of attention to me. 

I could go on, but I should end it there since this is public-ish. 

Every time we talk, I hope we can start connecting again. Long friendships go through cycles and I'm hoping this will change for the better at some point. I don't expect she'll ever be my best friend again, but I think we can stay close, if we can work through this. 

Well, the conversation took a turn. I'll end it here. Hope you have a good Sunday. I have another local political meeting tonight. Trying to get informed. 

Later gators.

Bargains on top of Bargains

So many BARGAINS (!!)

But I'm getting ahead of myself. 

The coffee meeting ended up also being a meet a greet with the local politicians running for office. 

Most of them. 

The non-incumbents showed up.

The incumbents did not. 

The incumbents just left pamphlets.  

I learned and talked and made decisions. Early voting here I come. 

(GA has excellent early voting.) 

I'll plan more Friday morning meetings with this group. 

BTW, the coffee shop is one I frequent. We donate monthly because they train and employ people with disabilities. It's a nice walk up a pretty street. 

Win, win, win.

Then the GARAGE SALE. My aunt was not wrong. Good stuff. A carload of good stuff -- eek. I restrained myself somewhat. 

Toddler toys. 

Plant pots.

Art work.

Little table.

Vintage table runner.

Fancy dish towels (not pictured).

Vintage, handmade table runner.
Heading to Asheville.

Numbered original on left.
Changing up my bedroom walls.

For flowers

Plants or craft supplies

Pots and fence containers

Each one was $1 -- what?!?

Little porch table or
plant stand. Brass inlay.

50 cents or $1

How cute it this chair?  $5

No hike. No surprise. 

Instead I had a catch up call with a good friend for a couple of hours and finished this library book.

Silly, teeny-bopper book.
Fun, easy read. There's a sequel
but I'm not sure I want more.

Hubby came home and we started watching the 3rd season of the Diplomat.

Good day. 

Today is bookclub and we're brunching. 

Have you noticed I'm not all up in arms about cancelations?? This group seems to hold a better commitment. Most of the wishy-washy ladies have dropped.

And ...

Maybe, just a little, I've calmed down. 

That theory remains to be tested though hah.

Have a good day. Later gators.

Bi-Fecta

The trifecta today is only a bi-fecta now. The hike got canceled because the hike leader fell on a hike yesterday and needs to recovery. 

Could I still solo hike? 

Sure. 

Will I? 

Probably not. 

Should I? 

Probably would do wonders for my mood. 

But I think I want some time at home instead of hours of hiking.

MAYBE with a lean toward nope.

FIRST UP ...

... meeting at a coffee shop to discuss local issues. It's a standing Friday meetup and only 3 of us have RSVP'd this week. Maybe people just show up. I hope it's not a bust since I had to move plans around to open my schedule. 

SECOND UP ...

... I'm heading to my aunt's neighborhood for a community garage sale. She's been talking this up and has invited me so many times. Fingers crossed for some goodies. I'm going a bit late (see First Up) so ... fingers crossed. 

I have a number of office items to work on this afternoon (which is another reason I'm leaning heavily toward not solo hiking). 

CAN I WHISPER A SECRET?

I absolutely do not want to go to Asheville next week to have the HVAC installed.

There I said it.

 

Two days completely hijacked while they do the work. It's going to be loud and messy and suck any opportunity for Asheville joy out of this visit. I'd much, much rather be home. I find out today if the permits came through. Guess what I'm hoping?!?

And you know something won't go right. The house is over 100 years old. Modern mixing with the old is bound to have problems. 

SOMETHING CRAZY ...

I'm coming up on my 3000th post on this blog -- seriously?? 

2993 today.

Since 2016. I went back and read the first couple of months and it's interesting to see what's the same and where I've grown. I also like the way I wrote back then. I wrote this post in that style a bit more. What do you think? Check it out -- it's pretty good, if I do say so myself. 

Note the old-lady double spacing between sentences. Not anymore, Satan. I'm a single-spaced lady now.

I'm going to keep reading some backlist posts -- pop in and out over the years and visit past ME. 

I'll end on an Amazon fail or happy accident, as it were. I bought eyes for Halloween decor, but they won't stick to the tree. 

Hello, pivot. 

Meet my trash can.

They're rounded and the
trash machine might bust
them, but until then ...

Mister Trash Can and I wish you a good day. Later gators.

Hello

Hello. This week isn't going as I planned. Nothing horrible, but a lot of add ons that sucked up my moments of ME time.

Oh well. Going with the flow because I don't have the mental energy to fight it or even talk about it. "Whatever" is my motto today. 

And, of course, I also think this is a bit of hormone blahs. There are times I wonder if I'm getting a period and then I don't, but my mood correlates. I think this is what's going on this week because I feel blue and uninspired to do much of anything. 

The fix to this is always to do the things anyway. So I am. Up early, sheets already in the wash, and my morning routine begins. I didn't even want to write this morning -- but I am. I'm heading to lunch with my DIL's mom and then a volunteer home visit this afternoon (details still finalizing though). 

I babysat my grandson yesterday afternoon and it was great -- lordy he's a joy. Kids are borrowing our stroller because they have company with 2 kids for the weekend. We rode around the house collecting all the things. Anything and everything can be an activity with a toddler. 

The stroller was passed down to us from a neighbor who had it passed to them. The grandparent chain and we'll pass it along someday too.

Tomorrow is a full day with a trifecta of activities. First -- meeting up at a local coffee shop for a woman's group in my town -- liberal focus on keeping our town an inclusive place to live. It'll be my first in-person event. I'm very curious. Then to my aunt's for a neighborhood garage sale. She said there's some good stuff. Sadly can't get there super early, but hopefully some good thrifting left. Then an afternoon hike -- the one that hikes by my house. I'll come home to hubby being home from his trip. 

I hung a sign I had made on Etsy on the fence on the side of the trail. What do you think?

Here's a little look at the fall garden. Greens, radishes, peas, peppers, and flowering Thai basil.

Here's Duke sitting next to a lizard and not even noticing. He LOVES to chase them. 

I finished this book. It's the author's first book in a decade since Defending Jacob. No wonder I didn't read more of his portfolio. It was okay. I liked the writing, but I expected more from the story. There was a "wow" moment halfway when the narrator switched, but that was it. I finished and felt like what was the point of the book -- left me feeling like it was unfinished in a way. Like an outline of a plot, but didn't write enough to make it come together. 

When I volunteered at the farm, I dressed to cover from the sun and bugs. My picture was used on the website. Note to self -- do better next time. I look like something a little crazy.

Picking little hot peppers that
get dried for chili flakes.

Hope you have a good day. I'm rallying for one myself. Later gators.