Just the Facts #26

 “The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up0.” (Mark Twain)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!

 

 With a new school year1 starting, it's the perfect time to reminisce about our own days in the classroom. This week, let's share some memories from our grade school years. 

 

 1. I went to preschool for a single day. When I was four, my family moved from one side of Denver to the other. My mom took me to a local preschool, but for some reason, she didn't like it. So, after just one day, I never went back.

My kindergarten experience was also a bit unusual, as I attended two different schools. The first was in a converted duplex next to a park. Then, the same school moved to a building in the warehouse district.

There was no grade school to attend at the time, but construction began on one when I was in the second grade. By the time I started third grade, the new school was complete, and all the students moved over to the new building.

 

2.  When I was in fourth grade, my only major childhood injury happened while playing tetherball. I sprained my ankle after smacking it against the metal pole. I still remember watching it swell up in class afterward. That same summer, I re-injured the same ankle twice more.

 

3.  At my new grade school, I was part of a program for gifted and talented students called Club 34 and Club 56. Acceptance was based on a combination of test scores and grades. Throughout grade school, I was a member of these clubs, where we focused on project-based learning and problem-solving. In Club 56, our main project was designing a new community in a nearby area. It was a large-scale, science-based project, and ironically, I now live in the very community we helped create.

 

4.  My first experience with love and heartbreak happened in 6th grade with a boy named Angelo. He was in the classroom next to mine, and we'd meet for lunch and sit together during movies in the auditorium. He even called me at home, which felt incredibly grown-up. When we broke up, I was completely heartbroken. The thought of going to school felt unbearable. My mom noticed how sad I was and asked me what was wrong. When I told her about Angelo, she let me stay home that day. Instead of sending me to class, we spent the day cooking together in the kitchen, a gentle comfort during my first real heartbreak.

 

5.  Throughout my time in elementary school, I was a high-achieving student. I made the honor roll every grading period since the third grade, an accomplishment that earned me a special award in sixth grade. I was also consistently recognized for my character, receiving the "Good Citizen" award every year based on nominations from teachers and students. My academic performance was so strong that had my elementary school named a salutatorian, I would have been it.

 

 So glad you stopped by! Wishing you the coziest morning/afternoon/evening ahead. Can't wait for our paths to cross again.

Life is Short... Live it to the Fullest!

 

We Did The Moulin Rouge...Twice

"If you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely." (Roald Dahl)

 

 Hello, my lovely friends!

 

    Remember that special blog post I promised? Well, it's ready! This one was super special to us, and I'm so excited to share it with you.

 

     A week ago, my mom and I had a fantastic time at the theater! We got to see the Moulin Rouge play for the second time, which was a huge deal for me since I absolutely adore the movie. We'd been holding onto those tickets for almost a year, so you can imagine how excited I was when the day finally arrived!

 

     The past couple of weeks have been a real rollercoaster for my mom, thanks to all the craziness with Kaiser. Taking her to the theater is always a perfect escape—a chance for her to forget about everything for a few hours and get lost in a great play.

 

    Now that we bring her walker, we get to take advantage of one of the few perks her condition offers: early seating. It's something she absolutely loves! The night before, my mom had me curl her hair in rollers and ironed a pretty outfit for her to wear. She doesn't get to go out as much as she used to, so it was fun to help her feel special.

 

 We had front row, not center, but to the side very good seats. 

 

 The show was amazing! It’s just a non-stop musical. My mom didn’t doze off once and she’s notorious for falling asleep during a show. The aftermath of the confetti thrown at the end of the show. 

    The whole ride home, my mom and I couldn't stop gushing about the play. We both agreed we had to see it again! My mom asked me how much longer it would be in town, and when I told her it was only one more week, she immediately told me to look for seats for us.

 

    When we got home, I found two seats in the second row. They had a "limited viewing" note, which meant we wouldn't be able to see some of the action on the sides, but on the upside, the tickets were a total bargain—only $45 each! We snatched them up. 

 

Our view for the second show yesterday. 

 

My mom doesn't get out much, so whenever she does, she makes friends instantly. We sat next to a woman her age at the show, and they hit it off right away, chatting before the curtain went up and during intermission. We even heard a rumor that the actual Tony Award for Best Musical was on the floor above us, so we decided to check it out after the show.

 

    After the show, the real fun began for my mom! We went up to see the Tony Award, and that's when I spotted a group of women dressed as "Can Can" dancers. They were taking pictures with a crowd of people when one of them noticed my mom in her walker.

 

    "Hey mama! Come take a picture with us!" she called out.

 

    My mom's face lit up, and she laughed as she joined them. She had the biggest smile on her face. I made sure to thank the dancers for making her day so special.

 

 

 

    Talk about a magical week—we saw it twice! My mom was completely enchanted, and it was so wonderful to see her have the time of her life. This show is a true crowd-pleaser and the perfect outing for a special night with the people you love. It’s impossible to watch without a huge smile on your face.

 So glad you stopped by! Wishing you the coziest morning/afternoon/evening ahead. Can't wait for our paths to cross again!

Just the Facts #25

 “I think nothing is successful without something to eat at the end of it.” (Peppermint Perkins (Joe Perkins)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!  

 

1.  Lots of people love sweets, but they just aren't my thing! I'd take a salty snack over a sugary one any day. Seriously, don't even try to tempt me with a decadent chocolate cake—I'm the person who scrapes all the frosting off before I'll even take a bite. And those candy-coated treats? You can keep 'em.

 

2.  My childhood self had a very specific, and limited, relationship with vegetables. I was a fan of the usual suspects: corn, carrots, and green beans. That was it. My world was changed, however, by the magical invention of the microwave.

My family took a class on how to use our new appliance, and there, in that fluorescent-lit classroom, I was introduced to broccoli with cheese. It was a game-changer! I loved the cheesy deliciousness, but I still had a problem with what I called the "trees" of the broccoli. Luckily, my sister was the opposite and loved the tops. So, when my mom made it, I'd eat the stems and my sister would eat the florets. A perfect system!

These days, I eat the whole thing, but I still prefer the stems. Good thing my mom is still on team "trees," so we never have to fight for the best pieces.

 

3.  I'm not much of a sweets person, but a little sweetness in a savory dish? Now you're talking! I love how a touch of sugar can elevate a dish, especially when it comes to sauces. Think of that perfect balance in a spicy sweet sauce, the subtle honey in a sesame chicken glaze, or even the sweet cornmeal batter on a classic corn dog. It's all about that delicious contrast.

 

4.  Guess what? I'm a total lightweight! Just kidding—I actually don't drink alcohol. My teenage years were so memorable that I decided to make some different choices as an adult. I'll occasionally sip a wine cooler, but I mostly prefer non-alcoholic drinks. I even use the bottles of wine my dad left me to cook with, which feels like a great tribute to him. It's a win-win: delicious food and no hangover!

 

5. After all this time, I still haven't had a Starbucks coffee! I've had plenty of Dunkin's, but Starbucks has always been a no-go for me. A million years ago, I bought a bag of their coffee and it tasted like an old, smelly ashtray. One sip and I dumped the entire thing. It was so bad that I've never tried another Starbucks drink since!

 

6.  If I had to choose a final meal, it'd be shredded beef tacos. You'd think that for a foodie like me, the choice would be tough, but it's not. I'm talking about beef slow-cooked with chilies until it's perfectly seasoned and falling apart. Absolutely delicious!

                                            

So glad you stopped by! Wishing you the coziest morning/afternoon/evening ahead. Can't wait for our paths to cross again!

Back At It Again

 

"Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew. They're what make the instrument stretch -  what makes you go beyond the norm." (Cicely Tyson)

 

Hello, my lovely friends! 

  

    I know I promised a special something for the blog today, but I've got a little secret: it's continuing on Saturday. I'll have the full blog on Sunday for you all. 

 The refreshing break from the heat is over. After a glorious taste of cooler weather, summer is back with a vengeance. Yesterday, the temperature soared to 98 degrees, and it looks like it's here to stay.

 

    I'm ready to trade in my shorts for sweaters and my iced tea for a pumpkin spice latte. I can almost smell the crisp autumn air and hear the crunch of colorful leaves under my feet. And with the holidays just around the corner, that means I'll be back to writing full-time blogs soon!

 

   My mom's health journey continues with another chapter! Tomorrow, she's seeing her primary care doctor for a check-up. She's got a whole list of questions ready to go, trying to get to the bottom of all the new developments.

 

    It's been a bit of a rollercoaster lately with her MRIs. The first one suggested she had fractures in her spine, which meant she couldn't get the injections she needed. But then, after a specialist took a look and requested another MRI, the results came back with a twist: no fractures! Now it looks like the injections are back on the table.

 

     My mom is a trooper! She has a biopsy next month, and while it's all a bit much and the medical journey is getting long, she's taking it all in stride. She's completely focused on getting better and is ready to tackle whatever comes next.

 

 Before my mom's appointment on Friday, we're making another trip to the lab for more bloodwork. My mom loves to joke that with all the vials they've taken, she's surprised she hasn't run out of blood yet!

 

 So glad you stopped by! Wishing you the coziest morning/afternoon/evening ahead. Can't wait for our paths to cross again!

Choose You

 

Sunday Chatting

 "There's no secret to getting started. You simply decide and then take your first step. With each subsequent step, the next one becomes easier..." 

(Tom Venuto, fitness expert)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!  

 

     This Thursday, get ready for a blog post detailing a very special day! I'm holding all the juicy details until then, so stay tuned. It's something special we're doing today.

 

    Talk about a rollercoaster! We went from a week-long sauna party with temperatures hovering at a scorching 98 and 99 degrees, to Mother Nature finally taking pity on us this weekend. The mercury dropped into the mid-80s, giving our poor A/C a much-needed vacation.

 

    Our local weather has gone completely bonkers. It's like it's having an identity crisis. We're sizzling in the high 90s during the day and then, once the sun sets, it's like a switch is flipped, and we're suddenly plunging into the 60s. We've been able to give our AC a break at night all summer, which feels bizarre. It's so odd that the trees are just as confused as we are—some leaves are already changing color, probably wondering if it's autumn or if they just missed a memo. It's a real head-scratcher.

 

    The little garden I finally got around to planting is showing some signs of life! I'm seeing a few tiny jalapenos and some cherry tomatoes starting to pop up. I'm so excited that I'm going to whip up some salsa this week. I'll use the fresh jalapenos and some tomatoes I had the foresight to freeze from last year's harvest. I got a late start with everything that was going on with my mom, but I've since planted a bunch of stuff for a fall harvest, and it seems to be doing really well. It's nice to see some payoff for all that work, even if it was a little delayed. 

 

    I have some exciting news to share about Mike! He's coming to visit in October! He's already booked his flight and time off, so he'll be here at the end of the month, just in time for Halloween. This is a huge step for us, and I can't wait to see where this new chapter takes us.

 

    Even my mom is excited, maybe a little too excited. She's already talking about having "the talk" with him, so wish him luck!

 

 So glad you stopped by! Wishing you the coziest morning/afternoon/evening ahead. Can't wait for our paths to cross again.

Just the Facts #24

 "Fitting in is about assessing a situation and becoming who you need to be to be accepted. 
Belonging, on the other hand, doesn't require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are." (Brene Brown)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!  

 

     Welcome back to Friday Funday! We took a short break last week for the Scooter takeover, but I'm back with more facts about Paula. This week, we're celebrating the start of the school year, as most schools have either begun classes last week or are starting this week.

 

1.  For me, the start of a new school year was like my own personal Christmas. Forget toys, I was all about the aisles of fresh school supplies at Target. The smell of new pencils, the crisp feel of blank notebooks — it was a high unlike any other.

I lived for matching my folders and spirals for each subject, making sure every class had its own perfectly coordinated look. In grade school, the big excitement was picking out a brand-new lunch box and a pristine pencil box. The anticipation of using them was almost as good as the day itself. My mom would always stock up, buying enough to last us the whole year, and we'd each get a personal bin overflowing with our goodies. It was the best kind of organized chaos.

 

2. Getting back from vacation meant one thing: back-to-school shopping! My mom would take us on a mission to get new clothes for the year ahead. I'll never forget the year prairie skirts were all the rage. I got four of them, complete with matching tops, and wore them nonstop. Jeans just weren't my thing then, and they still aren't. I was a girly-girl through and through, and some things never change!

 

3.  My mom started a sweet tradition when I was little: she'd take a picture of me every year on my first day of school. The tradition continued even after she went back to work, but then my sister took over as the official photographer. My sister loved the tradition so much that she started it with her own sons, taking their picture on the first day of school all the way through college. It's a great way to see how much we've all grown!

 

4.  Back-to-school season always brought a mix of feelings. I was so excited to see my friends, but also a little nervous. It felt like an eternity since we'd last seen each other, even though it had only been three months. I'd see my friends who lived on my block during the summer, but I had other friends I wouldn't see until school started. The excitement of reconnecting with everyone felt like the first day of summer camp, full of new stories and shared laughter. But there was also that jittery feeling, wondering how much everyone had changed and if we'd still be the same.

 

5.  Back when I was a kid, the start of a new school year meant one thing: a massive closet overhaul. Before we could even think about new backpacks or notebooks, my parents would make me go through every piece of clothing I owned. It was a whole production—trying on everything, making a pile of what still fit and what was way too small, and then, for the fun part, I'd get to color-coordinate my whole closet and plan my epic first-day-of-school outfit. It was the only time I felt like a fashion designer, and that first-day outfit had to be perfect!

 

 So glad you stopped by! Wishing you the coziest morning/afternoon/evening ahead. Can't wait for our paths to cross again!

Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!

 

 

"Cooking... It's something you do every day. You might as well have a good time." (Mary Solaro) 
 

Hello, my lovely friends!

    

    The other day I saw the lemon pepper garlic marinade from World Harbor that has been sitting in the pantry for a while and decided to use it for a yummy chicken meal. 
 

What you need
Chicken pieces (I used thighs)
Small potatoes, cut in half
Zucchini , sliced in bite sized pieces
World Harbor Lemon Pepper marinade
 
I washed the potatoes to get some of the starch out. My mom's doctor had us start doing that for her. While those are hanging out I prepped the zucchini. 

In another bowl I put the chicken in and pour the lemon pepper marinade over that and let it sit out. 

In my dutch oven I sprayed it with Pam and put the chicken in the middle, surrounded it with the potatoes. I pour the rest of the marinade over everything. 
 
I placed it in the oven at 425 for about thirty minutes with the lid on it. Then I took the lid off and turned it down to 375 and let it go for twenty minutes.

Another quick and easy meal that was a hit. My mom really liked it and when you have no leftovers that's a good thing.

 

 So glad you stopped by! Wishing you the coziest morning/afternoon/evening ahead. Can't wait for our paths to cross again!

It's All About Life