Just the Facts #2

 "Think for a minute about what makes you fabulous and how you can celebrate it." (Laura Mercier)

Hello, my lovely friends!

    Woohoo! It's FRIDAY! And because Fridays are for fun, I thought I'd share a few random, quirky things about myself. As always let us know something about yourself. 

1. I'm a vintage soul, my heart beats to the rhythm of a bygone era. I'm drawn to the elegance of classic furniture, the charm of old movies, the melodies of vintage music, and the stories whispered by old books. My DVR is a time capsule, filled with treasures from Turner Classic Movies. My top ten favorite films are a cinematic journey through the golden age of Hollywood, each a masterpiece frozen in time.

 

2. I'm pretty much a swear-free zone. Okay, maybe a "damn," "hell," or "ass" slips out on the rarest of blue moons. But honestly? "Crap" covers 99% of my needs. It was a no-no growing up, so it just kind of...stuck. And you know what? I've never really felt the need for anything stronger. Just doesn't seem worth it to me.

 

3. I've got a high bar for how I treat myself, and I think everyone deserves that same level of self-respect. It's too easy to underestimate our own worth, and I'm just not about that. I give respect, so I expect it in return. If that's not your vibe, then we're probably not a match. I'm not willing to compromise my values or lower my standards for anyone.

 

4.  I try to live with a positive outlook. It's not always easy, we all have those days where the struggle is real. But generally, I find joy in the everyday. I've known what it's like to be in a dark place, and honestly, I refuse to go back there. I've learned that darkness can be a heavy burden, and I'm choosing lightness now. So, I look for the good, even when it's hard to find.

 

5. I've saved every single card I've ever received, from birthdays and holidays to just-because notes. It all started way back in kindergarten, and now my collection lives in a big bin. My grand plan is to one day organize them all by year – a fun little trip down memory lane. I'm so happy I started this, especially because I have some treasured cards from my dad and grandparents. It's like a little time capsule of love and well wishes!

 

Thank you for stopping by! Wishing you a day/evening/morning filled with sunshine, laughter, and perhaps a little bit of magic. Until next time, ta-ta for now!

Well That Was Something Else...

 "The inward journey is about finding your own fullness, something that no one else can take away." (Deepak Chopra)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!  

    I've been MIA for a few days, felled by a nasty cold. It definitely threw a wrench into things, especially caring for Mom, but we weathered the storm. It was a short but intense bout of crud, but I'm finally back on my feet.

 

     Remember those winters? The ones where snow piled high and the air bit with a delicious, frosty edge? For a few years, we'd almost forgotten what a real winter felt like, basking in unseasonably mild temperatures. But winter's back, baby! And honestly? I'm kind of thrilled. Especially from the cozy vantage point of my warm house. I know, I know, many of us are bundled up and braving the chill, but think of it this way: every snowflake that falls is one step closer to spring. We'll get through this, together, one chilly breath at a time. Sunshine and daffodils are just over the horizon.

 

    Valentine's Day was bittersweet this year. I wanted to make it special for my mom, who's been missing my dad terribly. I surprised her with flowers and chocolates, and we spent the day and evening cuddled up watching movies. It was a small gesture, but I hoped it brightened her day a little.

 

     The added stress of a jury summons hasn't helped. A few weeks ago, I received one and honestly panicked. With Mom struggling so much – she's barely even making it downstairs anymore – there's no way I can leave her. I've been bringing all her meals upstairs, and we've been having dinner together in her room. It's a lot of running up and down, but it's better than her trying to navigate the stairs in her condition.

 

     So, I filled out the caregiver exemption form and sent it to Kaiser last Monday. They said it would take a few days to process, which was cutting it close since my summons was for today. You only have a week to respond, and by Thursday, I was starting to get really anxious. Friday came and went, and still no word from Kaiser. I'm on pins and needles, hoping they come through.

 

     My quest for this elusive document began on Monday with a phone call, a week after my initial request. "Where is it?" I'd asked, only to discover it had been languishing at the front desk, unknown even to her doctor. Rage simmered. They promised a nurse's call that never came.

 

    Tuesday, I took matters into my own hands, emailing her doctor directly. Within minutes, a helpful voice was on the line, promising the paperwork within the hour. Hope flickered. Two hours later, I arrived, only to find…nothing. Not only that, but her doctor had left for the day, requiring a frantic call for approval and a stand-in signature. My courthouse deadline loomed, then vanished with the closing bell. Dejected, I plotted a Wednesday morning assault, the day before my reporting deadline. Dismissal seemed impossible.

 

    Wednesday dawned, and I marched into the deserted office, a ghost town. At the front desk, I recounted my week-long odyssey. The receptionist, bless her soul, efficiently processed the paperwork, confirmed my number, and uttered the magic words: "You're dismissed." Five minutes. Five minutes after a week of frustration. The irony stung, but the relief washed over me in a tidal wave. My bureaucratic Everest, conquered in a sprint.

 

     A wave of relief washed over me. I'd checked the draft call numbers, and mine was up. The thought of leaving Mom alone, though...it was impossible. Bringing her wasn't an option either; her pain made sitting through anything unbearable. I was stuck. Then, the best news: postponement until April! Even better, Mom suggested I get the paperwork signed declaring me her sole caregiver. That would mean a lifetime deferment. Perfect. It solved everything.

 

    Now, I can finally relax. And just in time, too—it's snowing again! I'm so grateful I don't have to venture out into that white flurry. Instead, I'll curl up inside and enjoy the winter wonderland from the warmth of my window.

 

 Thank you for stopping by! Wishing you a day/evening/morning filled with sunshine, laughter, and perhaps a little bit of magic. Until next time, ta-ta for now!

Getting Better

 

Love Yourself First

 

Under the Weather

 

Happy Valentine's Day Y'all

 

A Little Hot Cocoa to Warm You Up

 

 "Life is going to give you just what you put into it. Put your whole heart in everything you do." (Vivian Baxter)

Hello my lovely friends! 

Its been freezing here for the past couple of days not even getting to double digits. Not much is going on since my mom has that pain that keeps her home and I have to stay to make sure she's okay. The other morning while cleaning the kitchen I decided to make us some hot cocoa.

 

White Peppermint Cocoa

2 cups of milk (fat-free or low-fat)
1/2 cup of white chocolate chips
2 pieces of white peppermint chocolate squares (use a couple of peppermint cadies)
Lite or sugar-free Cool Whip


Directions
Pour the cold milk into your saucepan and heat it on medium-low. Add the white chocolate chips and continuously whisk the milk, you do not want to step away because it could boil over if it gets to hot. Add the peppermint chocolate or the peppermint candies. It turns the milk to a light pink color, very pretty. About 6 to 10 minutes later it should be done. Pour into your favorite mug and add a cup of dollops of whipped cream and curl up and enjoy!

Thank you for stopping by! Wishing you a day/evening/morning filled with sunshine, laughter, and perhaps a little bit of magic. Until next time, ta-ta for now!

Beef Pot Roast (Recipe)

 

“Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.” (Harriet Van Horne)

Hello, my lovely friends!

 

 There are days when I loathe cooking, but most days I love it. I enjoy the whole process of finding a recipe or looking through cookbooks, cutting everything up and then cooking. The other day was one of those days.

Beef Pot Roast
Beef Roast (3lbs.)
Potatoes, cut in half (used small ones)
Bell Pepper, bit sized pieces
Onion, cut and quartered
Carrots, cut in the size of a baby carrot
Mushrooms, sliced in thick pieces (1 small container)
Herbs de Provence, 1 TBSP.
Olive Oil, ½ cup
Salt & Pepper, to taste

Directions
1. In a large roasting pan and spray it with Pam. Turn the over on to 325 and prep all the veggies.
2.. In a bowl I put potatoes in, put some olive oil and the herbs, salt and pepper and mixed them. On the outer part of the dish put the potatoes down flesh side. I then did the same thing to all the veggies and then add them to the dish.
3. Turn the stove on high and I put a cast iron pan on it. I put salt and pepper on both sides of the roast. In the cast iron I put some oil in it and browned the roast on all sides. I then put it on top of the veggies. I covered the whole thing with foil.
4. I cooked it at 325 for about an hour and a 20 minutes. I took the foil off the last fifteen minutes.

    

Thank you for stopping by! Wishing you a day/evening/morning filled with sunshine, laughter, and perhaps a little bit of magic. Until next time, ta-ta for now!

 

 

Find the Beauty in Things

It's Been One of Those Weeks

  "Over and over again, we lose sight of what is important and what isn't. We crave things over which we have no control, and not satisfied by the things within our control. We need to regularly stop and take stock; to sit down and determine within ourselves which things are worth valuing and which things are not." (Epictetus)

 

 Hello, my lovely friends!

    It's so late, the only other living things awake are me, the crickets, and the characters on this screen. We're having a party. A very quiet, mostly-me-eating-popcorn party. 

    So, the other day, a bunch of us online were reminiscing about "Selena," and it totally triggered this hilarious memory. My nephew Kyle was obsessed with that movie when he was little. I swear, it was the only thing that existed in his world. My dad, bless his heart, would try anything to steer him towards a different cinematic experience. "Kyle, how about we watch...I don't know... anything other than Selena?" he'd plead. But inevitably, we'd walk into the family room, and there it would be: Selena on repeat, either the movie itself or her concert footage. It didn't matter what my dad suggested, Selena always won. The image of his slightly exasperated face next to Kyle, eyes glued to the screen, still cracks me up. It was a daily battle, and Selena reigned supreme.

 

    Whew, the last couple of weeks have been a ride with my mom. Remember that time her leg pain flared up so bad we were doing a midnight dash to the ER? Yeah, well, that little beast decided to make a comeback, and this time it brought friends. Seriously, this has been the Mount Everest of leg pain. Things got so intense, she's now supplementing her pain meds with...marijuana gummies. Let's just say things got interesting. Thankfully, Thursday marked the turning of the tide. She's still got some ouch, but she's about 90% better than peak-pain, which, let me tell you, was a sight to behold (and not in a good way.

    My mom's body has apparently declared war on her. It's not pretty. The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of trying to manage her pain, keep the house from looking like a biohazard zone, and, you know, remember basic things like laundry. Which, clearly, I failed at. Hence, me at midnight, communing with the washing machine. At least I'm getting something done, right? Silver linings and all that.

 

     It's weird, seeing the tables turn. One minute she's nagging me about my questionable life choices, the next I'm the one making sure she's comfortable. It's frustrating sometimes, sure, but honestly? I wouldn't trade it. I can't imagine anyone else doing this right now. Who knows what the future holds, but for now, we're taking it one step at a time, and Mom's still calling the shots as much as she can. Which, let's be real, is probably for the best. She's still got opinions.

 

 Thank you for stopping by! Wishing you a day/evening/morning filled with sunshine, laughter, and perhaps a little bit of magic. Until next time, ta-ta for now!

Just the Facts #1

 

 "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." (Dr. Seuss)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!

    Here we are on Friday, and that means "Friday Funday"!  Let's talk about things I collect. Do you collect anything?  I'm always fascinated by what people are passionate enough about to gather and curate.  Maybe it's vintage stamps, quirky teacups, or even those adorable little rubber ducks.  I'd love to hear all about it!  What treasures do you hoard... I mean, collect?

1. Key chains - It started as a kid, a summer ritual. Vacation meant a new city, and a new city meant a new key chain. A tiny, tangible souvenir of adventure! My collection sprouted like magic beans, each one a miniature memory. Then, my parents joined the key chain conspiracy. Their vacations, especially those glamorous cruises, became a source of key chain treasures. Every few weeks, my keys would get a fresh new look, a jingle of tiny metal and plastic, a reminder of far-off places and happy times.

 

2. Journals -  My journal collection? Let's just say it's a thing. It started back in my teens, a humble little diary tucked under my pillow, and it's spiraled gloriously out of control ever since. Seriously, if a journal is pretty, it ever-evolving thoughts (and, let's be honest, my mild journal addiction).

 

3. Purses -  I'm a girly girl, through and through, and my heart belongs to purses! When I was little, I'd sneak into my mom's closet and play dress-up with her gorgeous evening bags, dreaming of the day I'd be old enough to carry them myself. Well, guess what? Dream come true! She's finally passed them down to me - talk about a treasure trove of vintage glamour! And the best part? I even have some of my Grandma's beautiful evening bags, each one a little piece of history and a whole lot of sparkle. For the past five years, my everyday go-to has been Vera Bradley. Small, big, patterned, solid – I love them all! They're the perfect blend of practical and pretty, and they just make me happy. A girl can never have too many purses, right?

 

4. Coffee Mugs -  You've all seen the coffee bar, all sleek and sophisticated. But what secrets lie behind those two innocent cabinet doors? Prepare yourselves... it's not just coffee beans and filters. Oh no, it's a mug menagerie! A ceramic carnival! A caffeine cup collection that would make even the most seasoned barista blush. Yes, behind those doors reside my beloved mugs, a vast and vibrant army. And they aren't just for show! I'm a mug-swapping maniac! From spooky specters at Halloween to festive fir trees at Christmas, each season and holiday gets its own dedicated drink ware. So, while you might see a simple coffee setup, just know that behind the scenes, a mug-tastic world awaits!

 

5. Old Books - I think you all know I love old things, and that includes books! I'm a regular thrift store treasure hunter, always on the lookout for literary relics. I've got some cherished old books from my childhood, the kind with worn covers and that unmistakable old-book smell, the ones I read so much they practically know my fingerprints. And when my grandpa passed, I knew I had to snag his book collection – he had some real gems! There's just something about the stories they hold, the history they carry... I just love books! 

 

 Thank you for stopping by! Wishing you a day/evening/morning filled with sunshine, laughter, and perhaps a little bit of magic. Until next time, ta-ta for now.

Happy Birthday to Me