Category Archives: The Everyday

Getting Christmas Ready

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For the last few months, I have been laboring under the belief I have all the time in the world to prepare for Christmas.

Turns out, that’s not true. Friends, Christmas is next week. Did you know that? Evidently, I haven’t been paying attention.

My list of people to shop for is pretty short compared to most but I want to get it right and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find things I actually want to give.

This has led to procrastination on my part.

On Monday night, I made a list of all the things that still needed to be bought, wrapped, mailed, baked, cooked, cleaned and otherwise negotiated and it occurred to me that I might be in trouble. But I wrapped almost everything, inventoried baking supplies and got almost all the cards ready to mail.

Almost.

But, as I sat at work yesterday and struggled to focus on a task at hand, it occurred to me that my window for acquiring the last few gift items I needed and some supplies for a potluck dish this weekend was rapidly closing.

So I did something I prefer to avoid and dashed to Chillicothe after work for a quick trip down Bridge Street to grab what I needed.

I had braced for a stressful experience, thinking that traffic and lines would worsen as all us 9 to 5’ers invaded the stores. After all, when you work all day, you fit in those errands where you can!

But it wasn’t too busy, I got what I went for, and made it home at a semi-reasonable hour. Even more notably, most people seemed to be in a decent mood. I thought it was festive and great fun as I turned up the Christmas music and enjoyed the holiday lights along the way!

I’m calling that a success.

In all, the thing I have dreaded and procrastinated wasn’t so bad. That’s usually how it goes!

How are you doing with your Christmas preparations? Are you one of those people who was done in September or do you fly by the seat of your pants like me? Do tell!

Snowy Day

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Snow came fast and heavy yesterday, prompting me to cancel plans and stay home. I made a pot of tomato soup and watched the birds attack the backyard feeders. Renee Zellweger’s depiction of writer Beatrix Potter played while I idly flipped through a magazine.

This was my first day in I’m not sure how long when I wasn’t required to carry on a conversation, go places, or even use my brain for much.

All my internal batteries have been badly drained lately. There’s been no time to recharge and I’ve been venturing into treacherous waters as my nervous system is lit up like Times Square most of the time.

So, yesterday was absolute, immeasurable, and pure bliss. Was I sad for my cancelled plans? Yes. Was I happy to do what I was doing? Also yes.

This morning dawned cold. After breakfast I ventured out into ankle deep snow to check the bird feeders and snap a few pictures. It was gray then but the afternoon has since transformed into a gorgeous blue sky day. After my walk, I came in for a hot shower with peppermint scented soap and promptly curled up with a book and cup of hot chocolate.

I write to you from a soft perch on the couch where I can see the Christmas tree indoors as well as the snowy day outside.

Classic Christmas music plays in the background while Scout luxuriates in a patch of sunlight.

This is what I needed and I am grateful for two slow days in a row.

Make no mistake, there are a million things that need my attention. I brought home a work proofreading project. Gifts need wrapped and Christmas cards need attention. My house needs a good scrub and I need to pay a couple of bills. I have got to make a list of last minute gifts, stocking stuffers and a plan for baking and cooking.

Things need done and a little planning goes a long way toward simplifying life later.

For now though, I’m going to continue relaxing and simply enjoy being. I hope you will do the same.

Ready To Face A New Week

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I’m settled back in and ready to face a new day after being gone for a conference last week. While I learned some things that can help my day job, I was there because I’m the Vice President of the Governing Board of my local Educational Service Center. The conference was held at the Broadmoor, a legendary hotel and resort in Colorado Springs, Colorado. 

Our wonderful Superintendent gave a presentation at the conference and she invited me and our Board President to go along. I joined the board during Covid and haven’t had a lot of opportunities to participate in conferences or other learning events so I jumped at the invitation. 

This turned out to be a wonderful trip despite some hiccups and, in some cases, the hiccups enhanced the experience. The Broadmoor lives up to its reputation in more ways than I can count. It’s possible I will be ruined for life and am still mourning the lack of turndown service at my home. The thoughtful lighting choices, classical music and chocolate left on the nightstand made going back to the room a real treat every night. 

Plus, they got a few inches of snow while we were there that enhanced the Broadmoor’s absolutely gorgeous Christmas decorations. On our first night there, I awoke around 4 a.m. and was delighted to find myself in what appeared to be a Christmas snowglobe. 

Our Superintendent had put together an agenda that allowed us to be at the conference and get out to experience some of Colorado. As it turns out, the snow which made the world seem so magical also made the world more challenging. Our breakfast spot that first morning was closed for weather as was the Garden of the Gods where we were to take a tour. Snow also prevented us from making it to the top of PIke’s Peak. 

That’s ok because the three of us get along well and had no trouble pivoting to do other things. Better yet, we had a great time on those pivots. As I so often find to be true, what we do when things go awry can be even better than the plans. 

And I’m grateful that was the case. 

I complained the other day (once again) about the state of air travel. Yet, I want to stop a moment and encourage you to think about the miracle it is that we can get on a plane in Ohio and, in a few short hours, be halfway across the country.  Trips that once took days in a car now take a fraction of the time. 

I’m also grateful to every person who played a role in making my travel safe this trip. My two companions did all our driving and took good care of us even in weird traffic situations and on slick roads. Shuttle and car drivers, pilots, and the crews who keep all these vehicles operating are rock stars. I thanked all our drivers for a safe journey.

So, it’s back to work and back to the real world today. There are no doormen in fancy uniforms and no one to give me fresh towels so I guess I’ll go back to doing those things for myself! 

Stay tuned. I will tell you more about the Broadmoor, the PIke’s Peak Cog Railway and some things we saw sightseeing around Manitou Springs. 

Leftovers And Making Something Out Of Nothing

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With inflation hitting grocery stores so hard this year, now is not the time to be wasteful with food. Yet, I found myself throwing away a bunch of food when cleaning out the fridge Saturday simply because I failed to use it up.

A serving of green beans here, half an onion there, an entire container of cottage cheese that I took a spoonful out of before it hid from me in the back of the bottom shelf. Not that much if you’re talking about one thing but shameful when you see it all together. 

Americans waste a ginormous amount of food every year so I try to be mindful that I don’t want to fit in with that crowd. But as life ebbs and flows, there are times when using up what I have is easy and times when it’s not. 

So I cleaned out the fridge and then realized I had an entire bunch of overripe bananas staring at me from the kitchen counter. You see, there are two sides of me. There’s the side that can’t get enough bananas and the side that pretends they don’t exist. 

I don’t care for banana flavored things but have a basic recipe for chocolate chocolate chip banana muffins that can be dressed up. I had enough for a double batch so I mixed up the batter and started adding to it. First, there was a handful of random chocolate chips that needed used up. Then I discovered a jar of peanut butter that produced a fair serving when scraped with a silicone spatula. Then I added some blueberries that were languishing in the freezer. The recipe calls for sour cream or plain yogurt which I didn’t have so I subbed with some low sugar vanilla yogurt that was begging for attention. 

In the end, the batter was thick and heavy and produced three dozen of some pretty good muffins. Not bad for some pantry basics with odds and ends of leftover stuff! 

My grandmothers knew how to cook a chicken, produce broth from the carcass and preserve it for another day. They knew how to use up those odds and ends and how to make a meal delicious with the magic of bacon grease and a little flour. They knew how to use what they had to make a good meal. Today, I know someone who will throw away an entire roast because their spouse doesn’t like leftovers and they don’t think you can do anything else with meat that was cooked once. 

Oh, both of my grandmothers would have a hissy fit. 

I don’t eat meat but I do know how to transform the bits and pieces of my leftovers into something great when I set my mind to it.  It’s a life skill we all should possess. 

I was able to give away some muffins and still have several for the freezer so we’re ready to go on a cold winter day when we want a muffin but have been actually eating the bananas instead of ignoring them for five straight days! My future self will thank me! 

Decluttering

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Decluttering has been an ongoing project around here for a while. That’s because I’m moving at an absolute glacial pace without any real hope for improvement in this lifetime.

While motivated to not suffocate under the weight of my own stuff, I’m stymied by two things:

  1. The phrase “but it’s really nice” often slows down the process. I have to constantly remind myself that if I don’t need a thing, it doesn’t matter how nice the thing is. Do you know that until about two weeks ago, I owned five colanders? I cannot begin to explain the reasons behind this.
  2. I collect things with potential and I hate to let go of potential. Vintage items that will someday be rotated in to my home decor, random craft projects, and scraps of ribbon and fabric (because you never know when you might need precisely five inches of a beautiful blue ribbon) are particular weaknesses.

I realized this week that I own so many black socks there is no reason to ever again wear an uncomfortable pair of socks. Slidey socks are unwelcome here.

Scout isn’t all that helpful. I emptied this fabric box earlier this week and he has laid claim to it. He seems to believe it’s the nicest box he’s ever set paw in and hasn’t been receptive to my suggestions that we move it. We certainly can’t give it away since he’s discovered the creature comforts of having a fabric box of one’s own!

I did drop off a carload of donations a couple of weeks ago and have another bag started already. Progress is progress, I guess. Even if it is slow!

From Sour To Sweet

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This has been an annoyingly not very good week and there’s no sign of relief. If I could, I would just go to bed and stay there still Saturday. Since that is not the world I live in I push on just like everyone else having a not very good week.

Meanwhile, someone who is also having a challenging week seemed to recognize that I was hanging on by a thread yesterday and offered me the sweetest little gift.

It’s a Little Debbie Christmas Tree!

I hadn’t had one in years and it was a delightful treat on a sour day.

That’s the thing. In a world that seems to only take take take, a small gesture can have a big impact!

Happy whatever day this is! I hope you’re having a good one.