This weekend has been so nice! I got to spend time home with my family and the weather was amazing! The snow is going down and the grass can be seen!
Now, for a lot of you, a nice time with your family might mean going for a hike, going on a mini vacation or maybe a day in town. Us, those are all great but for me spending a nice time with my family means working together on some project. This last weekend we stacked wood (they have a wood-burning furnace) and watched movies. My mom and I play games. I loved my weekend!
I don’t know about you all but when some weekends end and the work week begins it almost feels like you just woke up from a dream. That the weekend didn’t really happen but the weekend is over and you have to go back to work. You may love your job (like I do) but it is still sad to have to move on from the joy you just had.
Now talking about the weather! I was so warm this past weekend and the warmth is going to continue into this week 🙂 The snow is melting and puddles are forming and drying up 🙂 You can see patches of grass, the snow isn’t so deep and even though things are looking a little browner than the fresh white the excitement and love is growing.
A Week Later…
Fast forward a week and we are here again 🙂 It is cloudy outside so at 8 AM I have lights on…bummer. I really have a mood that goes with the weather. Seriously! It has been like this for years. If it is cloudy and dreary my mood is a little more mellow, quiet and sometimes sad. When the sun is out and the sky is bright blue I am the happiest girl! I am outside working in the yard (during appropriate seasons) or taking pictures or just smiling and thanking God for the love and life he has given me.
I supposed having a mood go with the weather is normal. What is very interesting (I think) is during the winter months I didn’t have this thing. Sure I had days where I was up and days I was down, but it wasn’t so much with the weather or clouds. It was just by how my body was doing (health wise) or if I got a good night sleep. You through spring in my face and it changes…interesting…Ok y’all I promise I am as kind as I can be on these bad days but the smiles are closer to the fake side. They aren’t all the way there but they do lean that direction.
This morning I have some exciting things going on though. I am making French Toast sticks!!! Is your mouth watering? Mine is! I am trying something out today…Let’s just hope they turn out…
Oy. Ok, so working at a church as the secretary and owning a business is a big challenge. I am learning that making lists is becoming a MUST, not a need or want anymore. I have forgotten about quiet a few things. Luckily they were not all instant time demanding. However, I did get a bit stressed this weekend when I thought I was all caught up until I opened up my computer, saw a bunch of windows open with projects waiting to be worked on.
Yes. I freaked for sure. This afternoon I was working at church putting together the worship folders and realized I had completely forgotten to post on social media on Monday.
Of course, for those of you who know me you know, I talk out loud…to myself. So of course as I was standing there (in high heels mind you. Yes, I am dressing a little better than high school now 🙂 ) I said this in frustration. Now, I did not realize that I was speaking loud enough for someone to hear. I honestly thought I was being quiet. Pastor heard me…of course, he was concerned because I was working at the church. I told him what I was really talking about and he started laughing say oh! Haha, yes, that was all my bad!
Monday
Monday my mama and bro came down for the afternoon. It was so nice to spend time with them! I dragged them around first to the DMV (I am turning 21 this year [YIKES!] so my license needs to be updated) then we went back to my place because my amazing mama picked up some food that was on sale at the store by her for me. After that, we went to Walmart and picked up a few things. Including a new monitor for the church office and a cart to help with the organization which will be part of my many jobs this week to work on 🙂
This last week was a doozy! Not because there was a lot going on but because there was enough to wear me physically out. Which, let’s be honest, is a great relief to be physically tired verse being emotionally and mentally tired.
I work at a church and school and they have had maybe a week of school in the past 2 weeks because of snow days…
This week it was A TON of snow shoveling. Monday it snowed, I shoveled. Wednesday it snowed, I shoveled. Thursday it snowed and I shoveled. Thursday it snowed and I shoveled. Thursday it snowed and I shoveled. Yes I know I said that three times. I went out to shovel three separate times. I have a lot to shovel (I shovel by hand. I do not use a snow blower). I was exhausted! I also have some lovely blisters on my hands from shoveling so much this week 🙂
It is expected to snow again Sunday and Tuesday and I am pretty sure more times this week. Y’all I am literally running out of room to put snow down by my driveway. Seriously…the pile is eye level for me. The driveway is also shrinking in size because of the snow. which is getting a little hard for people to drive in and out SO, anyone want to come help shovel? 🙂
That is all, for now, talk soon!!!!
God Bless you all and enjoy your snow-filled wintery days 🙂
I know it has been a long time and wanted to write this all week at different times. There has been SO much going on this week!
First I got around 6 inches I think on Monday. I shoveled by hand the sidewalks and my driveway. Boy did I get a great workout! I was so pooped for the rest of the day I sat in my Library watching movies and drinking hot cocoa 🙂
I was a LOT of work to shovel it all but a great workout and a great accomplishment 🙂
Tuesday began the really cold weather, I went to work for a little while in the morning because I had to get some stuff done. Especially because I had already planned to not go on Wednesday with the crazy cold weather. Later that afternoon I wanted to be in my kitchen. I really wanted to make something. I had not made a pie in a long time so I decided to make a pie! I made a French Silk pie. The instructions did not have a lot of instructions to them so I have no idea if I did it right but it sure tastes good! Of course, my mama helped me out and filled in the most important instruction…French Silk pie needs to be chilled…good to know!
It may not look the best but it does taste yummy!
Wednesday started like any other off day, I slept in got up and started my day with a shower, comfy clothes, and relaxation. Now the story begins 🙂 So I went through the day not using many dishes until lunch. I had pie. Anyways, I wanted to rinse off my plate. That wasn’t going to happen….my sink wasn’t turning on!! OH NO! There was no water…weirdest thing. So the first thing I did was tell my friend (who I was currently talking to). It was hard to explain what was happening however because I was laughing so hard! It was just so funny to me that I went to turn the sink on and there was absolutely NOTHING. Then I ran around trying all my other faucets in the house. They all worked…just not the kitchen sink. Hmm, so I sent a message to my mom and aunt who were more than happy to pitch their suggestions 🙂 I called the plumber and I was told there was no chance the pipe could burst but to just leave the cabinet doors open and keep air moving on them. So I left the cabinet doors open, the faucet on and it was like that till Friday afternoon when I came home to RUNNING WATER IN MY SINK! It was so exciting! Also on Wednesday, my fridge decided it was going to be mean and leak. I have a water and ice dispenser in my fridge. The ice dispenser part I have had no problem with but the water dispenser I have been having problems with for a while where it doesn’t work. I can’t get any water out of it. I don’t know why but that is how it has been. The fridge was leaking and making a mess on my floor. I have a washcloth stuffed there to catch the water and a show mat on the floor to catch the missed dripping water…it did work, no more water on the floor 🙂 The fridge stopped leaking when the kitchen sink started working…I am thinking there is a connection but I am a little brain dead with everything that has gone on this week I am not going to worry about it at this very moment. There is no problem anymore there is no need to think about it anymore…right?
So Thursday, I went to work and my trainer/person I am replacing went with me and helped me print and fold the bulletins and with everything else I had to get done. I was a bit spacey and not totally there which was not good…I had coffee for a little while….then I went to take another sip and I honestly have no idea what happened…suddenly there was coffee on my sweatshirt…on my pants….more on my sweatshirt….oy. Ok, so I stopped drinking coffee after that and stuck with water…good news though! I GOT THE COFFEE OUT OF MY SWEATSHIRT! My mom seriously taught me the absolute best way to get stains out! THANK YOU, MAMA! So there was a statistical report that was due the next day at noon and it was not an easy report to fill out. Finding the right numbers is really hard when the database you are using is messy and not completely correct. Let’s just say I was VERY stressed at work Thursday. A teacher from the school was there (school was closed because of the cold) and she has become a very wonderful person to have around. I absolutely love her. She has been so amazing and helpful! Anywho, she came in and just sat and talked with me and calmed me down and I appreciated it SO much! I got the report done and all was good 🙂 After I came home and got out of my icky dirty coffee covered clothes I couldn’t stand the dirty dishes anymore. I carried them up to my bathtub, filled it with soapy dishwater and washed my dishes in the bathtub…I love adventures like that. When to get stuff done you need to improvise, life would be SO boring if we didn’t get to do these things 🙂
This is not a clear picture and I apologize for that but you get the idea 🙂
Friday came around and I went to work expecting to be bored because I didn’t have much to do at all…I ended up working till 1:30 PM. I found lots to do and was given more I finished ppt’s for Pastor, I worked on redoing a sheet Pastor wanted to be redone (I came up with a total of 3 different ways it could go). Then I got a call from an area pastor talking about something that was due to the synod that afternoon…uhoh. This information was information from the pastor…or the treasurer….here is what I am so scared about this. The pastor is on vacation this week and not answering work calls. The treasurer has been the treasurer for as long as I have had this job. Seriously we have had these positions for the same length time. So the treasurer and I made an executive decision to get the information in. I did NOT want to find out what would happen if we missed the deadline. After that stressful 15 min, the rest of the day was an easy day and went very smoothly. Then I came home and my sink water was running…oh my was I happy!!!!!
So these past two weeks I decided to grow my nails out. I really like my nails short. I keep scratching myself and other things, it is really hard to take contacts out (which hasn’t been a huge issue this week because I have been wearing my glasses except for today), not to mention baking anything. Under my nails gets so dirty! The one great thing about long nails is peeling oranges is so easy now! But one thing out of everything else…I am going to cut them. I am getting so annoyed with them…not to mention soar…the scratches are a bit much. Talking about new body things. So I have had super dry spots…literal spots on my upper arms for a year now. No creams were working to get rid of them. Then they were getting really itchy and red. My face was also super dry and itchy and I was having a lot of acne breaking out on my hairline and a little on my forehead and chin. I decided enough was enough. I went to the drugstore and looked at different lotions and washes. I decided on this lotion for eczema for my arms because the bottle talked about the same symptoms I was having and a hydrating face wash for my face. GUYS!!!!! My arms don’t have those horrible dry spots! They are healing! They aren’t as itchy too. I am so happy! Now my face, oh geez, the combination of the face washer and the use of toner is working beautifully! My skin is not AS dry and the acne is calming down. This girl right here is so very happy!
Ok, I am not a huge fan of Valentine’s day. I just always liked the candy and little-stuffed animals that came out of it 🙂 Well because I own a bed and breakfast now I need to start thinking holidays. So the house is decorated for Valentine’s day. I gotta say…I really like the decorations. There isn’t a lot, it is very settled but, I really like it…
This is my view as I write this blog post. I was really warm because I was working so the fireplace is not on. Otherwise, it would be 🙂
Ok, I am done for now. God bless you all and have a wonderful week!
“Smile everyday no matter what comes your way.”KJ – 6th Grade
So my day started out great. I woke up before my alarm and got to sleep for an extra 1 and a half hours! I don’t know why but I love waking up and going back to sleep before my alarm goes off 🙂 I got up I took a shower got dressed had time to relax and get ready for the day. It was flurrying outside and looked so pretty with the white snow covering everything 🙂 I was just so happy! I got to work, changed out of my snow boots and put my nice boots on felt so pretty and ready for the day! Well, that was the end of that…we were working on bulletins for the church today (printing them) and the copy machine was being finicky and the paper was jamming and the ink was smearing. It was messy 🙂 Then the folding machine was set wrong so we had to futz with it so it would fold correctly then the paper would jam in that. Oh, what great fun! (not). We had to do some stuff on the computer but we couldn’t find the files to accomplish this task until (at the end of the day of course) someone said: “why don’t you search for them in the search bar?” Wow, yea that was not my brightest moment. My adventures at the office are going smoothly for the most part. I am learning a lot and getting to know people. I have come to realize who the best people to talk to are. Hint, hint, they are the ones who come into the office and talk 🙂 My walk on Tuesday to work was a little scary because of the frozen rain all over the sidewalks but today was not slippery and absolutely beautiful!!!
Walk in the way of the Lord
Oh! I did not go to church on Sunday so I went on Wednesday and I walked to church (as I always do). This night, however, was one of my favorites! The reason is it was a crisp cold…no, refreshing cold and the sky was clear. What can you see when the sky is clear? That’s right! The stars! Oh my, goodness was it absolutely gorgeous! I just stood on my walk back after church several times and stared into the sky like I did when I was younger when a plane flew over. It just made me OH SO HAPPY!
So a few months ago my lower oven (I have a two oven contraption. The top oven is one rack and the lower is a two) stopped working. Since the new year started I have been trying to get a hold of a repairman, well he is here! My oven is in a few pieces 😉 and he is still taking pieces out and off trying to find the solution. To be honest I really don’t know when I will have my oven back but I do know that there is someone here to fix it 🙂
Also, I needed some good winter pictures. It snowed today so I thought I would go out and capture the snow, even if it was just a dusting. I got a new phone last week and I hadn’t really taken any pictures with it but I am SUPER happy with the camera! The pictures I post today are the ones I took. I am not a professional photographer so they are not always pleasing to the eye.
Explanation
As you have probably realized I am writing a lot of posts this week. Well, I am trying to keep up on all of my social media posting more often (especially for Simple Blessings LLC). I find it hard to remember or when I do what to say so my photographer/web designer/friends are helping me with this area 🙂 I also have just had a lot to say this week I guess 🙂 Perhaps I will keep this multiple posts a week a thing. Or it will go back to once every few months haha we will see!
Over the years I have had a number of friends. Over the years I have lost friends, I have gained friends and I have learned the type of people who you call your friends and the types of people you do not.
The type of people you call your friends are the people who are there for you as much as you are there for them. They are the type of people who are not afraid to tell you that you messed up. They are not the type of people to walk away when things get hard.
Over the years I have learned these traits and many more. I have learned that to be a true friend you must always be honest, loving, loyal and truthful. You must also be good guidance as well as be surrounded by those you trust to guide you correctly.
If they don’t want you in their life they are not worth the tears, only the prayers.
In middle school, there were four of us girls in the class together. We were absolutely silly (in nice terms). Two of us were “Switzerland” and then there were the other two. So, us “Swiss” would basically trade friends every once in a while and spend time with the other girl. The two girls we will call them cold war “Russia” and “US”, did not get along. No idea why they just did not get along. A few times things would be said that would get me worked up and I remember email was the biggest and coolest thing back then. If you had an email you were a really cool person. 🙂 Anyways, I remember misusing my email and calling out a friend via email instead of in-person about something that happened. I will admit at the time I was really mad at that “Russia” for showing her parents the email I sent. Of course, her parents went to my parents and my email privilege was taken away. Yes, I was very mad at “Russia” for quite some time. Looking back, however, I thank her that she went to her parents who went to my parents who took my email away. Let me clarify, I did not hold a grudge for this long…I came to this thankfulness about a week or two after the incident :). From this experience, I learned to confront my conflicts in person rather than over email, text or written letter. I also realized I had a bit of a temper and that was just not ok. It has taken me years to downgrade the temper but it is much better and from this, I have learned great patience. 🙂 I am getting off topic… In the same year, “U.S.” and I wrote a song. Don’t ask why a song I still don’t know, maybe we just liked to sing…Anywho we wrote a song about stuff that was going on with Russia and her “friend group”. I will not be attaching it because it is rather embarrassing. I look back now and realize how horrible of a friend I was. I encouraged and joined in on the mean talk and actions against “Russia” and “U.S.” I have apologized to both of them (if I remember correctly or I thought about doing it a lot and it is just in my mind as a permanent memory making myself think I did it when in reality I did not…) If this is the case let this be an informal apology to you both. Hopefully, one day when we are together I will apologize to you in person.
Yes, I know this is all from middles school and yes I do know that it is silly to remember such things. Yet, it is not. These happenings were critical moments of me learning to be a better friend and to know the type of influence I let into my life.
You are probably noticing that there are no examples from high school. Yes, I did go to high school, however, I did not have the best of friends. I had acquaintances and classmates. I did not really have “friends” until Sophmore year when I made my best friend. We met in study hall. “Dr. Horse” was a freshman and I was a sophomore she asked if she could sit by me, I invited her to and we have been best friends ever since. With her, I learned honesty. “Dr. Horse” dated a guy in high school and I was not honest about my thoughts about him. I thought at the time I was doing her a favor letting her figure out her path. By doing so I was not being a good friend and keeping “Dr. Horse” from awkward situations and getting hurt. I learned with that experience to always be truthful to your friend. If they do not want to listen to your thoughts fine, but you should tell them your thoughts and give them guidance to the best of your ability with their happiness and good health in mind.
Which is exactly how it is with Dr. Horse and I as well as my other close friends.
College…well, in my first year of college I “dated” a guy I was told I should date for years…I wouldn’t say it was a mistake but I will say I will never make that decision again. I learned that some advice and guidance your friends give you are not always good. We will not go further into that.
A friend we will call “Venezuela” (long story not going to get into that name) is troubled. “Venezuela” has gotten into some bad crowds and can’t seem to get away from them. Well “Venezuela” and I had lost contact for a few years then for lack of better words, found each other again. Actually, through “Venezuela’s” mom I was given the phone number and we started to talk again. We have had fairly constant contact for about 4 years now and our relationship has become stronger. He does not trust many people but he has expressed many times that he is thankful he can trust me. No, I am not intending to brag here I am clearly stating that I have grown to the point where people trust me. So can you. “Venezuela” and I have grown to trust each other and to count on one another to be there. Whether it is to give support, listen or just be there.
This situation started a few months ago. “U.S.” sent me a note talking about an old classmate of ours. The information (after talking to the classmate) turned out to be a lie. The mistake I made right then listened to the classmate and let the lie live on and grow rather than telling my friend our classmate was lying. I recently (as in this past weekend) fessed up to the lie and apologized to “U.S.” about the deception. I apologized to the friend about turning my back on them. That is what I learned about this happening. A true friend does not turn their back on another for anything. A true friend stands tall in front of (or behind if you are covering their back) them to protect them. A true friend does not waver.
Over the past few years I and the other half of “Switzerland” grew apart. We grew apart to the point where our mothers knew more about the other one than we knew about each other. I have noticed this for some time but have not addressed it. That changed this past weekend as well (my this past month has been friendship fixer for me…). I was talking to my mom about other things and “Switzerland” came up and my mom knew more than I did. I was embarrassed to tell her we haven’t talked and I didn’t know how to answer “why”. We just haven’t talked. I sent a message to “Switzerland” apologizing for not being a good friend and being so distant. I apologized for not telling her that I was always there that I am still here and still want to be her friend.
Friendship is one of those things where you live and you learn. Not everything comes instantly. Many things like friendship, you need to learn as you live. You can not grow in being a greater friend if you do not make mistakes with your friends and learn from them.
To be a a good friend you must learn how to first, be a friend
As you may have read in my last blog post my new year’s resolution is to be a better friend. I have not been the best of friends to the friends I consider to be great on their feet and having a wonderfully full life. I have put most if not all of my energy into those friends who need to be reminded that there is someone here for them when they are ready to talk or need to lean on someone. My resolution is to be a better friend to all of my friends.
Ok, you probably noticed this is very one-sided. Yes, I have come to realize I forget friendship is a two-sided street. “Switzerland”, “U.S.” and “Venezuela” have all pointed this out to me. They have all said that when in a relationship both parties need to work equally to make the relationship work. A one-sided relationship is a pain in the but and very draining. I know as a fact that I seem to be very good at one-sided relationships. What I mean is that I am ok and sometimes good at letting people open up and share about themselves. I, however, keep a lot to myself sharing only what is necessary so they open up and not bury everything deep within. I am working on this. Friends, I am always here for you. I always have an ear open to listen and I am very willing to give guidance when you ask or just listen and be here when you need it. All I ask in return is that you do the same for me.
I really need to go to bed I have to go to work tomorrow 🙂
Good night, Good morning or Good afternoon!
Smile every day no matter what comes your way!
KJ 6th grade
God Bless you all, we will talk real soon 🙂
Disclosure: the nicknames used are by affiliation. Russia and US because it was like a war between the two at the time. Switzerland because we were stuck in the middle (although I did tend to favor one side… oops!). Venezuela was part of the lie. Dr. Horse because of the love of horses and the fact the person is going to be a doctor (in other words finding a country that fit them was hard so I gave a different type of nickname 🙂 ).
I started training at my new job on Tuesday! Now, I don’t remember if I told you I was getting a new job. I got a job as a secretary at my church here in Lake City. I am being trained and am loving my trainer! She is also the person I am taking over for. I am a little nervous going off on my own when my trainer is done because there are so many little and big things to do.
Wednesday and Thursday were fairly normal days so to say. Friday however, my trainer and I spent all day organizing, cleaning and finding treasures in a closet in the office. It was so much fun and we found so many very cool history books dating back to 1888 when the church was first established. Such a neat find!
So this week I have been learning to balance a new job, owning a business, staying in touch with friends, family and having a social life outside of work and allowing myself downtime as well. I am quite sure this will become more difficult as I gain more hours and more responsibilities with this new job but I look forward to the challenge. I appreciate all of the love and support. Thank you all my loves!
My travel is my life journey I am on now
I have had friends come here and they always have something to say about how Minnesota is weird. I will always agree 🙂 Wisconsin will always be my home and I am very glad I can at least see it. Sorry Minnesotans but I am Cheese Head and always will be 🙂
I miss you Wisconsin but, I can always see you when I walk outside. #wisconsinsishome
I made the decision to make my 2019 New Year’s resolution to be a better person and friend to all. When I was in middles school I made a quote for myself. I knew I was not being so happy all the time and being kind of grumpy pants (hormones made it so much worse in high school. I apologize to all). I have gone away from my thought. I made a quote in middles school that I still go by today. I will admit that I have lingered away from my quote for a while. This year I am going back to the quote.
“Smile everyday no matter what comes your way.”
Some may say, “shouldn’t you live by a quote Jesus said or something from the Bible?” Here is my reply, “It is religious. I say Smile to show the love my God has shown me. By keeping a smile and being cheery and happy and knowing the blessings he has given me no matter what happens in my life. I keep Jesus in my mind, I keep him in my life and I keep him on my face and in my heart.
I started fulfilling this resolution when I received a text from a friend late at night. I, of course, was asleep so I did not see it till morning however I made every effort to reach them and talk to them as soon as I could. The text would not cause alarm from most people but this one friend has a history. I make the effort to always answer the text and to reach out when I think of it. This specific friend has been on my mind a lot lately and I couldn’t understand why. I then realized they were not doing so well. I remember my mom talking about sometimes when she has people on her mind she will send them a message of some sort and they are very grateful because they have been going through some sad or hard times. I am truly grateful God has given me the blessing of this “sense” if you will 🙂
This friend has had a hard time growing up and living. They have tried different things and made friends with multiple people but they always seem to be toxic and it is very hard and has hurt my friend greatly over the years. When we talked earlier this week they mentioned how they have come to the acknowledgment of these people being so toxic and that they need to find better friends. The struggle they are facing that I am having trouble trying to figure out how to help with is that being around such toxic people have made them toxic and thought they want to be surrounded by good people they worry they will turn the good people into toxic. How do you tell someone that if people are truly good they will want to help the toxic person out of their toxicity? This friend has also fallen from God. I have tried for years in different ways to guide them back towards their savior but I am running out of ideas or know if what I say is doing anything or making any headway.
I know a few people who struggle with anxiety and depression. I have learned that each case is very different. For some, the anxiety is almost a constant pain because they over think and rethink everything. As I do research about anxiety one definition clarified anxiety as internal turmoil. With others, it is a pain because they are overstressed or they have a hard time digesting information and they become overwhelmed easily. Each of these cases is unique but they have something in common. With depression some it feels like loneliness. Others it feels like nothing at all. There is no feeling, you are numb, is how it was explained to me.
I have spent the last few hours researching anxiety and depression to know how to help my friends. I have known for years the best thing to do is to make sure the person knows you are there for them. That you are always available to talk and always have an ear available for them. I know to not give advice or say you understand when you really do not. I know to not pressure or force and to be patient. I know it is not an overnight “fix”. I know it is draining to them as well as me. I also know that support for everyone in this journey is imperative.
There is peace in the small things. Each grain does not do much but, put them all together and peace runs through you. Peace is in the little things.
Love you all and look forward to talking to you all soon 🙂 God Bless!
What is Christmas Magic to you? Go ahead, think about it. Send me a message! What is Christmas Magic to you?
At this time of year, you hear a lot of people talking about the Christmas Magic but, what is it? Some people say Christmas Magic is Santa or the Christmas miracles that happen. Sure all of those things are magical and wonderful but they aren’t the true Christmas Magic. Christmas Magic isn’t waking up to a tree surrounded by gifts. Christmas magic isn’t getting to spend the holidays with family and friends. These things are all possible because of the Christmas Magic but, again, they aren’t THE Christmas Magic.
Christmas Magic is the baby boy in the manger. He is the Christmas magic.
You see, without that baby boy, there would be no Christmas which would mean none of the things listed before would even be a thing of this time of year. The baby boy we know so well as Jesus Christ gave the world something called Christmas Magic. He gave the world himself. He gave the world eternal life.
Ok, so super big side note, I meant to put together this blog about 2 weeks ago…Yea life hit hard and I lost all time! So here goes the rest of the blog starting from where I left off 2 weeks ago 🙂
Christmas weekend I drove home on Saturday and didn’t leave till the following Wednesday. It was so great! I was able to spend lots of time with my family and play lots of games, it was absolutely wonderful!
Christmas eve marked our tradition of going to Grandma H’s for dinner and gifts. However, the children’s Christmas Eve service was not on Christmas eve so the night was a little different but still lots and lots of fun!
Christmas morning we went to church came back mama started lunch and then we did our family Christmas with both grandmas. It was so wonderful! I received so many amazing surprises and some things I had asked for. Such a blessing to be with family! Later that day our cousins came over and we played games all afternoon and into the night. WHAT A BLAST!!!!
So Wednesday came and I went back to LC. I received the news that I got the job! I am starting a new job working as the church secretary next week! I am so excited!
That Saturday I drove to the Cities and stayed overnight at Grandma J’s. We went to our favorite restaurant for dinner and we played games till 10:30. The next morning we went to church met up with the rest of the family there went back to her place and did Christmas with my dad’s side. Such a nice time! I drove back to LC later that day.
Monday I spent my day cleaning and prepping for the family to come over on New Years for games and food. That night my pastor and his wife picked me up and drove me to new years eve church service. It happened to be at one of the surrounding area churches and not at my church. I was very glad they offered to take me because I am pretty sure I would not have been able to find it so nicely… 🙂
Tuesday comes and I wake up with a really sore throat. OH NO! We made lots of food and played a ton of games, it was all so fun!!! After they all left I curled up on the couch and watched a movie. Then I went to bed exhausted!
The next morning I woke up with a super soar throat, a runny nose and I did NOT feel good. I went to the pharmacy and got more medicine (I had used the last of it on Tuesday) then came back home and nestled into the house not leaving except to get the mail. I spent the whole day just relaxing and trying to get better. I have an appointment on Friday and I have work the next week. I HAVE TO GET BETTER!!!!
My Holiday month was absolutely fantastic! I got to spend lots of time with family and I was able to play lots of games which I had missed doing dearly! I mean don’t get me wrong sometimes I do play games but I play against myself…that gets a bit lonesome after a while…
Ok, I am done now. Happy 2019 to all and may God bless this new year for us all. Merry Christmas, happy Epiphany, enjoy the cold weather while it is here, there will be a day in summer when you would love to have some cold weather.
Monday my aunt, grandma, and mom came over. We made gingerbread houses and had an absolute blast! We played games and went for a walk that night through the park to look at the lights 🙂 The next morning we had brunch with shaped pancakes 🙂 I LOVED having them here. It was so much fun!
Wednesday morning I got a call from my mom.
I had this best friend. She was the absolute best. She was always there for me, she listened so well. We had been together since I was 2 years old. Her name was Little Boo. The Schwans man brought her and her sister, Mitsy (who died one year and two months ago). They were so sweet and amazing and loving. Mitsy got her name because she was so tiny! Seriously, she was always super tiny. She also had little mittens on her paws 🙂 Little Boo got her name because she was so scared…of everything. Although she was very scared of my dad 🙂 Until she got older I think she just gave up running 🙂 Wednesday morning my mom called me and said she had good and bad news. I knew what she was going to say so I braced. The good news was that Little Boo was no longer hurting. The bad news was that Little Boo had passed away. I was just thinking about her before the phone rang. I was thinking about how much I missed her and that her time was coming and that I should get home soon…never wait for it may be too late.
This was my goodbye to her late last night
It is really hard to talk about her and not cry. Writing this I am broken. I know it will get better. It always does, it will just take time. As you can see in the goodbye she had a lot of different names. But she was every one of them.
This morning I got a message from my brother (he saw my goodbye). He said, “Hey, hope you’re doing ok.” To you that might not mean much. That might not be enough. To me, however, it made me cry happy tears and thankful tears. Just the little message like that shows how strong love is. He knows how much Booboo means to me. He knew I was hurting. The little acknowledgment was wonderful. That he was thinking of me and checked in was just fabulous.
I was having a hard time saying goodbye and accepting things many years ago. I wrote this to take it out of my mind and put it in the world. The phrase has been on my mind a lot lately. Goodbye, Little Boo and Mitsy. We miss you both so much. Mitsy in her flower pots and Little Boo running away from dad walking down the hall.
The Print of a Princess
A week that started out great had a horrible downfall in the middle is ending with some sugar-filled joy. Yesterday I baked three types of cookies and banana cake.
Bad picture sorry about that. The lighting right now is not good 🙂 I made cut out cookies, Andes mint cookies, and chocolate crinkle cookies 🙂 All so yummy!
That was this week. Very eventful and full…and the week isn’t over yet! Oh, yea! You all know me, I LOVE to rearrange. I don’t know how often I rearranged my bedroom growing up. Well, when I need a change of pace or something just isn’t working the same anymore I rearrange. To find out what I rearranged you will have to come and visit 🙂 See you soon!
God’s blessings to all of you. Also, a blessed Christmas season. Jesus Christ is Born!
Come to see the beautiful Christmas decorations and stay a night or two at Simple Blessings. Breakfast is homemade each morning, the beds are super comfy and warm, the treats are always delicious and the hostess is smiling brightly just for you. Also, check out our new website. It has changed a little over the last few weeks 🙂
I AM OK! I volunteered to help the chamber of commerce here in town decorate downtown. We were decorating light poles and I went up on a ladder to put up the greenery around the poles. Well, the ladder bent and slid out from under me…EEK! I slid down the pole and the ladder went crashing down. OOPS! I walked away with bruises on my ankle, leg, knee, and ego but nothing more 🙂 After decorating downtown and the park I got into the Christmas mood but I was being good and holding off decorating my house. Then my Christmas tree showed up. Great, now I have this giant box in my living room. Let’s just say I couldn’t wait anymore. I started decorating for Christmas this last week 🙂
I ran into a situation…I don’t have buckets for storage of my fall decorations. So, for now, it is all in my bedroom making it a challenge to get to the bathroom. One of these times I run to the store I will remember to grab some…along with nightlights. I have gone to the store multiple times. I have been reminded to pick them up yet I still have not picked any up…Seriously, people, it has been weeks.
Decorating has been so fun! I started and as I was going around putting things up that I had I made a list of things I wanted to add or wanted to think about. My mom and aunt came and we spend the whole day in Rochester and we shopped. I picked up stuff from so many stores and had so many fun things! When we got back we all jumped to decorating the rest of the house with all the goodies we got! The picture below is a picture of my aunt and I configuring the star on top of the tree. It was more of a trouble than it looks in this picture… 🙂 SO MUCH FUN!
I am going to share a few pictures of some of my favorite pieces and settings in my house so far. This is one of my all-time favorite times of the season so there is a lot of decorations and fun little things everywhere 🙂
I get my tree lighting skills and pickiness from my mother. If a tree is not covered with a blanket of lights the lighting on the tree was not done right. I have 6 strands of lights I think on this tree and it looks about right 🙂
I kept mentioning to my mom and everyone that I was so excited to start my very own Christmas village. It has always been my favorite thing to set up at Christmas time. My mom had so many cool pieces and such unique things it was always so much fun creating my own “story” out of the pieces each year 🙂 I am so glad I get to continue that in my own home with the start of my Christmas village!
The pictures do not do this justice. In person looking at the fireplace, it looks like Christmas. It just makes me so happy!!!!!!
This is on the Library door and looks absolutely perfect with the framing. It is absolutely perfectly homey.
So, upstairs needed a little Christmas. Mom had the idea to put wreaths on the door. They look so amazing!
This guy needed a home for the season. The second floor landing in this corner fits him beautifully perfect! So, there he stands tall and proud and perfectly perfect 🙂
So there it is! My beautiful Christmas house and it makes me so happy and feel just at home!!! AHHHHHHHHH! So happy I am 🙂
Day 2
So day two of my mom and aunt being here was so much fun! We went to Red Wing and picked up things we forgot the day before or realized we needed last night while we were decorating.
Big news! WE REMEMBERED NIGHT LIGHTS!
OK, I need to go work on work now so I should probably stop yapping and start working…I love it I do! It is just a lot of busy work…Oh well! Life is a party and it is all fun!
BYE BYE!
Oh! Side note, you should all come and stay here at the bed and breakfast! https://simpleblessingsllcmn.com/ https://www.facebook.com/SimpleBlessingllc/?ref=br_rs
like us on Facebook and visit our website (which is in the process of being revamped) to make a reservation and to see the place in pictures. See you soon!
