Hit A Wall

Last night I hit a wall.  We went to the kid's apartment to view an adorable wedding wishes video and get take out.  We went over final details for everything and I was suddenly overwhelmed and worn to a nub.  

A big part is my hormones are wonky again.  It should pass soon -- this seems to be the pattern so probably better by tomorrow, if all stays predictable.  Nothing isn't fixable, but all together, I'm feeling the blahs.

Reseting today.  

Birds and squirrels and storms have ruined my outside planting -- ugh.  Need to start over next week.  This upset me for some reason.  Porch is a muddy mess.  UPDATE:  Able to fix box and lettuce and romaine have sprouted ... there's hope (!!)

Birds built a nest on top of our new porch sunscreens.  I won't let hubby knock it down so no using the screens all spring.  I love nature, but ... bummer.  This also explains the crap all over the porch (grass, twigs and bird poop).

I need disposable dishes for all the breakfast and lunch food on the wedding day because the prep areas get locked up in the afternoon and I can't get my serving stuff back.  Really?!?  Why am I just learning this NOW?  Adding a Target run to my list today.  

Hubby ate some of the bagels for Sunday -- took them out of the freezer.  He didn't want me to buy any for him (I asked twice) and now he ate some.  Seriously? 

We are having issues with trash and recycle pick up in our neighborhood.  This is the second week of no service.  TONS and TONS of boxes from our new house ordering sopping wet in the driveway.  Ugh.  The pile up is big and stinky and annoying.  So many phone calls and no resolution.  Looks like we are switching service providers next week.

Storms through last night were crazy.  I've never heard so much thunder in my life.  Hour after hour.  It was scary.  More storms like this over the weekend.  My hair will never survive.  UPDATE:  Storms caused the workout room to flood.  I think we have it managed, but no sure longterm what's in store for the floor.  It was a wall of water that hit the side of the house.  Hopefully, that was the worst of the storm fronts.

I'm also a little bummed hubby and I are the work horses for Sunday.  While everyone gets settled and gathers, we are making tons of trips back and forth, hauling stuff in the storms, etc.  I'm happy to help, but it's a bummer we are on the outside of the fun that day.  I think this is what was the last straw in feeling overwhelmed -- we went over the schedule for the weekend and it's all on us -- no exaggeration.

I'm glad I have today to get things reset.  I need to pull up and ENJOY THE PROCESS.  Where have I heard this??  

I hate a feeling of not being prepared and I feel like that today.  A day of fixing things should help.  Tomorrow is show time and I want to be HAPPY and JOYFUL and PRESENT.  Picking up the cookies today too -- fingers crossed they are awesome.

Wish me luck -- I need it.  Stay well.  Later gators.

Getting SO Close

Eeeek  -- 2 more days until the wedding weekend begins.  Wow.  It's actually HERE (!!)

I trialed my hair and makeup yesterday.  No pictures of the makeup, but hardly looks different (that's fine).  I am going to try my hair one more time on Friday -- getting closer to what I want.  Next time, no volume spray (just hairspray prep), bobby-pins and comb a little different and more side twist.   I'm pinning things tighter because it's suppose to be windy.  Better it stays put and looks a little less fancy.  I think the volume spray makes my hair frizzy and bendy.  

More wedding errands today (bagel pickup) and heading to kids apartment to view a video her brother compiled.  We'll figure out the schedule for Sunday too.  

The weather went from bad to horrible.  Now 100% storms and rain for Saturday evening and all day Sunday.  Still hoping for a small miracle so they can get pictures taken on Sunday.

I finished The Most Beautiful Thing (Arshay Cooper).  Very nice story about the first all black crew team in the 1990s written by one of the team members.  It's also a documentary (my sister recommended it), but I couldn't find it to stream.  The story is worth the read.

That's all from here.  Stay well.  Later gators.

Daffodils and Rain

Finally went to Gibbs Gardens to see the daffodils.  They were pretty, but it was SO CROWDED.  Very few people with masks.  I looked and went home.  I was able to avoid people for the most part, but the numbers made it unenjoyable (even if there was no pandemic).  Also, this big ta-da wasn't THAT spectacular.  I'm actually not sure why it gets such fanfare.  The daffodils are scattered over the property so the "numbers" didn't make the impact I thought.

Heavy rains, thunderstorms ALL WEEKEND long.  Come on, Universe -- throw us a sunshine bone.  What a huge bummer on so many levels.  My heart is sad for the kids.  I'm hoping still, but this is a huge storm front again -- not just rain so it's not likely to change much.  It's getting worse every time I look at it.

GA is open for everyone over 16 to get vaccinated.  Start the mass waves again.  I found a link to get hubby's second vaccination scheduled so he's all set.  Now I'm working on helping my eldest get an appointment when he gets back from his preview honeymoon.

Today is about prepping me for the wedding.  Toe painting, hair and makeup practice.  I also have to call Top Golf and check policy regarding thunderstorms and I need to order the bagels for DIL and the gals for breakfast.  That's all on the agenda.  I'm sure I'll find some other things to keep the day full.  Enjoy the process -- need to hear this over and over.  I get so task oriented, specifically task-complete oriented, I forget to enjoy it.  

I'm so so so stinking bummed about the stormy weekend.  Trying to turn it around in my head and that's not working well.  Of course, it will be nice and they'll be married and all those good things ... but, they aren't getting much of any kind of wedding with the pandemic and now pictures in jeopardy.  There's no dancing so the yard games were the activity -- not anymore.  We'll all do everything we can to make the day special and fun for them.  Smiles all around.

I really want to throw them a family party when the pandemic is over.  Poor kids.  They are taking it all in stride, but I know they are disappointed too.  

Have a happy day.  I hope vaccinations are in good supply for you too.  Later gators.

Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Yeast bread -- done and dusted.  It rose quickly and I think I over-proofed it a bit, but otherwise, a hit.  (When I added the link below, her pictures also have a sunk top, so maybe it wasn't over-proofed.)  I stayed clear because of the gluten, but it smelled great and hubby loved it.  Two more packets of yeast if I feel inspired.  It was way easier than I thought.

Here's the recipe I used:

Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Forecast for the wedding weekend is THUNDERSTORMS, WIND and RAIN.  Noooooooo (!!)  Let's hope it changes.  Pretty please with sugar on the top.

Today is the last day of no rain forecasted for the week.  Heading to Gibbs Gardens this afternoon to see the daffodils.  I planned a hair practice today, but I'm switching things up.  Trader Joe's this morning and hair tomorrow.  I'm totally out of fresh veggies and I don't want another day of frozen stuff.

Publix added a new party tray and it's perfect for DIL.  I'll add a couple of baskets of extra goodies, but it saves a lot of work.  It's better than I planned given the timing and setup.  That was a lucky find when I was ordering my son's sub platter. 

I'm still working at not letting my brain convince me I need to be overwhelmed.  The next 6 weeks are packed with good things (fun and productive things) and I wake up in the night in a little panic.  But there's absolutely no need for any level of panic.  Dang, brain -- cut it out.  

Case in point yesterday.  I smoothly got a lot done with no rush or push -- plenty of time for all the things. My first go at bread "fit" into my already full day without a problem and I enjoyed it.  It didn't need to wait.  Slow down.  Breath.  Enjoy the process.

That's my goal for Gibbs Gardens today.  ENJOY the pretty nature show.  Trees are in bloom too.  It should be beautiful.  Taking a Peloton ride, hitting Trader Joe's and then a nature walk.  Sounds like a good day.

Have a good day too.  Send sunshine vibes for no rain on Sunday.  Stay well.  Later gators.

It's Officially Wedding Week

Oh my gosh -- I'm excited and excited/nervous and excited/happy.  Lots of cool things happening this week.  Enjoy the process (or get overwhelmed).  

We're heading to the kid's apartment on Thursday evening to watch a video DIL's brother put together from messages from former wedding guests.  It's all a surprise and that's going to be fun.

For some reason, the charcuterie platter for my DIL and her gals feels like a big addition to the week.  Trying to simplify so it doesn't add so much setup to the actual wedding day.

Switching gears -- I planted my "greens" yesterday.  Lettuce, spinach and romaine.  The overnight temps look warm enough now.  Also, my inside chives sprouted overnight (2 little ones, but it's a start).  

Gave hubby a haircut and messed up the side with the new clipper.  I can fix it if it doesn't fix itself this week by growing a smidge.  Don't want to mess with it just yet.  He was warned this was possible :)

I'm a farmer and a hairdresser and a caterer.  Remember "being" lots of things as a kid -- this week feels like that lol. 

My goal this week is to RELAX into all these things.  It's only overwhelming IN MY HEAD.  The reality is I have plenty of time to get everything finished and then some.

Remember the 21 for 2021 list?  If all goes as planned, I'll make a yeast bread today.  Why am I adding this on THIS week, because it reenforces the fact that busy is okay and not overwhelming -- practicing this concept.  I have time and the ingredients.  Why not.  

Also, I might have my craft project idea.  A semi-DIY little take-n-return library for the new house.  I've seen them in a few places in Asheville and our back street gets lots of walking traffic.  I think that would be fun.  My contribution to the craft is probably painting it (with a little assembly) -- but that counts (says me lol).  

I changed my mind on painting an old blanket chest (looks better stained), but I ordered paint for an old table.  Plans are to paint it gray/green and take it up to the new house.  Lots of fun projects happening.

Today is a Costco run, bread baking and a little housecleaning.  Happy Monday.  Let's make this a super duper fun week.  Stay well.  Later gators.  

Home Again

Well, I figured out the posting issue.  It defaults to a "code" view now and I need to change the setting -- my bad.  I could've posted all week.  

Anyway ...

We worked HARD on setting up things in Asheville.  Poured rain all but a few hours.  Lots of temporary stuff until the furniture arrives, but things are arriving here and there.  Here are a few pictures.

DUKE (!!)
Thinks he gets a seat at the table.

Starting to figure out this dang shower situation.
More next visit after I add my "fixes."

First rug came.  Love it.
Same rug for the family room ordered.
Blues, gray, toupe, tans.

Temp rug from home and temp sofa.
It's "livable" for now though.

Outdoor furniture assembled.
Pictures to come when it's not raining.
Nice set from Overstock.

The layers of BUYING seem to never stop.  Curtains are next.  Decor can wait, but I want to get the basics ready for our kids to visit.  We need window coverings for nighttime.  So many things are backordered these days too.  Some drapes aren't available until June.  (My office conversion here is STILL on backorder -- not one thing shipped yet -- even the "immediately" available stuff.)

The Asheville neighborhood bears were out and about.  Our next-door neighbor left her bird feeders up too late after the bears came out of hibernation.  Eeeeek.  These guys were right next to us.  Her feeders are down now.  We heard the commotion and scrambled inside with the dogs.

Sound horn going off to "annoy"
the bears into leaving.  It worked.

Mama and her grown cubs.
Stunning animals, but I don't want to see them this close.

This week is the big switch to ALL THINGS WEDDING.  I have a few things added to my list to help the kids.  The big thing is providing trays of finger foods for the ladies.  There aren't any options for Sunday early catering, so I'm doing it myself.  This means grocery store runs and some prep work.  (Boys are easy -- Pub Subs trays.)  We also have some added responsibilities for firewood, drop off, groomsmen rides.  It's okay.  We'll figure it out and get it done.  I'm so excited (!!)

My hairdresser thought my hair needed some layering before the wedding updos and now it feels too short.  I hope my practice goes well this week.  It's showtime. 

Today are two zoom calls.  High school chat for a 51 birthday and bookclub.  It's a transition day for next week so LISTS are starting for each day.  I also wanted to plant seeds, but it STILL might be too cold.  Checking weather to see what's what.  No seed sprouts from the indoor pots yet.

BTW, we (hubby) hooked up our Apple TV we had and we watched Ted Lasso.  One of the best shows I've seen -- seriously sweet, funny, everything good.  If you can see it, totally worth the watch.

Have a good day and stay well.  Glad to be back to posting -- lots to chat about these days.  Later gators.

Change of Plans

Something is up with this blog. When I type, it's showing up strange. I have no idea what's up -- same thing happens when I go back into other posts. Maybe it will look "normal" when it posts. Anyway ... change of plans. Heading to Asheville today because a rug is being delivered in the pouring rain. We aren't set up for our neighbor's son to help yet (keys, etc) and the rug is 70lbs. Too heavy to bring back to his house. Car is packed and STUFFED. Both dogs will ride on my lap (ugh) and we are driving in this storm. Wish us luck (and safety). The tub curtains are "possibly lost" according to Amazon. Dang. That was the priority this trip. The rain has delayed a bunch of other packages too (including the rug pad -- bummer). Biggest issue is they will sit on our porch for days now. I might have to enlist a neigbor's help this time. Home Saturday afternoon and then complete shift to ALL THINGS WEDDING. I'm excited. Also, on a happy note, GA seems to be doing better vaccinating. All of a sudden my circle has their first shot or an appointment. Progress (!!) Hope you are finding relief in your area too. Boy, we are all long overdue. P.S. NO SPELL CHECK on this post because it's strange. Extra typos coming your way. Hope this gets fixed soon.