Sunday Happy

Happy New Year! How’s it going so far? Ours has already been a shit show so expectations for the next 364 more days are low at the moment but if they are low then all the highs will be good right?

The past week was and we did it. Usually the week between the holidays is a little more slow and gentle but this year it didn’t offer as much reprieve from the chaos of life as usual. Day after Christmas we went to Megans and hung out with Anthony cause it was his birthday (Happy Birthday Anthony!) while still trying to figure out what the hell happened on Christmas. HA! Then once the offices we back open we had a day of aggravating phone calls with doctors and insurance people and I probably don’t need to tell you that it was the most frustrating day of calls ever. Another day was spent at the doctors where we were told the exact same thing that the doctors at the ER told us, but the mr got a new cast and they scheduled his surgery so not completely pointless?. (The mr is losing his shit with the cast and fun with that has just barely begun!) By mid week we were burnt out so we have been going out everyday looking for woods close by to walk in and be less. Then the end of the week came and we hung with Judah on his birthday (Happy Birthday Judah!) The mr spent 2 days making a one handed pop up card for him and then took him, the girl, and his friend to the movies while Coco and I walked around the neighborhood looking for discarded curb Christmas trees. Then they came home, Judah got a bearded dragon, Barb twisted up Coco’s slinky, and everyone ate cake.

New Years Eve was whatever. A holiday that sounds fun but when it comes down to it, I am not one to spend a late night doing anything. The mr and I went for a little hike and basically laid low. I did a little new year window washing, read some, started to clean my studio, and then was in bed by 730.

Woke up to this new year with a note on the mr’s truck. Someone smashed into it while we were sleeping. At least they left a note! But what was really fucked up was the phone call from the police asking to be let into one our apartments (the loft) because they needed to retrieve one of the bullets that was shot off and hit the house that morning. That was at 6am. So the mr ran on over and dealt with that. And then had to fix a leaky faucet with one hand.

Smashed cars, gun shots, and leaks… Happy New Year indeed.

Back to Sunday. Not much planned other then spending a few hours at the studio, glazing some mugs, but mostly doing a couple hours of cleaning. After that I am coming home to finish cleaning my studio, do the laundry, make some soup. Hopefully I will have some time to sit around on my butt and read. I got a stack off books calling my name and I really need to get out of my head.

Internet from the week.

-What’s the most eco-friendly way to dispose of your Christmas tree? We usually just chop it up and compost it. There is a goat farm down the road that takes them and I think I might do that this year.

-How to Delete Your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. I am sure there are a lot of people that are thinking about this. Or if not thinking about it, should be.

-Misery loves company and that is the truth. The Cost of Engaging With the Miserable

-Take These 7 Fire Tower Hikes In Vermont For The Most Rewarding Views. We have been to half of these (I have climbed them, the mr refuses) Always amazing views.

-Remembering the smart, sharp, naughty Betty White. This lady, what a freaking badass. And to go out, at 99, on New Years eve no less. Thats the way to do it.

-I didn't know this was. thing, did you? Inside the Starbucks Collectors Cup Market, Where a Single Tumbler Can Sell for Nearly $2K

-Three ways to be more rational this year. But do I need to be more rational?

-I would most certainly live in this tree house.

-Trend Alert: Hand-Painted Details All Over. I am into this. Way cheaper then wall paper and easier to get on and off.

Pictures from the week.

Sunday Happy

Anyone else in a slight state of shock at the fact that it is mid December? Every year it’s like this but this year especially seems like a kick in the face. Whoa, that got intense quick..

The week flew by. Nothing much different happened then then usual. I spent as much time as I could outside enjoying all of the winter weather. We went and hung out with the littles and picked up a single cookie saved for the mr made by Miley. I worked, same for the mr. And I made some garland and baked cookies. The n and there, whatever and what not.

Thursday night we had all the littles, Megan, and Erin come over (no one else showed up) for the mr’s yearly grilled cheese birthday dinner. We all danced around, Patty (Mileys boyfriend) braided hair and helped the littlest ones wash their hands. Judah made the mr an inappropriate but so very appropriate birthday card, everyone ate birthday cupcakes (the mr was bing a ass and wouldn't let us sing happy birthday.), and everyone was happy. It was low key and very nice.

Friday was the mr’s actual birthday and we were suppose to hike a mountain but when he woke up his old man hips were hurting a bunch so we decided to skip the hike and just have a chill day. Instead we went for a little drive, ate lunch by a pond, got coffee. I made dinner (lasagna), Barb came over, we ate, and then attempted to watch a movie together. Sadly I only lasted abut 1/2 hour in before I passed out but you know, I am an old lady too.

Yesterday I just spent the day cleaning and getting increasing pissy about how all the snow melted and how warm is was getting.

Now we are back to Sunday. Well it’s like spring out there and I am not really interested. All the hiking trails are going to be complete shit so I think the mr and I are going to keep it clean and just go walk the paved bike path on the lake and maybe have a picnic for lunch because that is how freaking warm it’s gonna be. Other than that I am going to spend a few hours at the studio finishing up some glazing, repot a few plants, probably clean off the porches, maybe clean the car…I don’t know. Or maybe I will do nothing and sit around and read and drink all the coffee and tea I can handle. What will br will be.

Internet from the week.

-How to slow down time because you’re not getting any younger. Perfect reading for the mr this week.

-Christmas food, regular food, everything as we know it. Is Gen Z changing Christmas food?

-I could definitely shut myself away in this little cabin.

-Here’s How to Build Your Own Cat Trees, Catwalks, and Cat Furniture. I know a few people that will be interested in this.

-Do you know? Where Does Vanilla Extract Come From?

-How to Remove Sticky, Clingy Tree Sap From Your Clothes. I was covered in sap, ans so was my shirt ans socks just making a couple feet of garland.

-If You Can Fantasize For Hours, There's a Name For That: Maladaptive Daydreaming. I don’t know about hours, but I definitely have had long bouts of daydreaming that last a while and it is an anxiety thing. Happens on planes, on long car ride, when I can’t sleep…

-Love this 70’s house.

-This is a very good idea. New Zealand's plan to end smoking: A lifetime ban for youth

Pictures from the week.

Sunday Happy

I don’t want to sound like a whine ass but can’t it just be fall already? I am so sick of summer! Might not be the most popular opinion but like I have said many of times… I can’t stand being hot and therefore I do not like summer.

The week. Up until just a couple days ago it has been too stupid freaking hot and humid. Another heat wave and I am not having it anymore, (or at least that is what I tell myself. Not like there is anything I can do about it),, but at least we were camping. We went to Little River, hung out I the kayaks on the breezy cool reservoir, did a little hike but had to cut it short due to ongoing back pain (still) and a million tiny no see-ums flying into my eyeballs. We then went back to the campsite, made dinner, ate, sat around a very small fire (too freaking hot to rage it) and crawled into the tent. Woke up, drank the coffee and walked to the water, then packed up and headed home.

The rest of the week went by in a flash. I moved almost 100 green pieces to the studio to be fired (glazing next week is going to be a bear). We took the littles for ice cream after their first day of school (and to check out Judah’s new hair cut!) then we went and hung out with So who showed us all her halloween stuff and her mad skills at drawing with her feet. I picked up farm share. I ate an entire watermelon, and we did all the things that needed to be done, talked about some stuff that needed talking about, and made plans for the plans we have.

Last night the mr and I went up to Belvidere for a little adverntue with some of the family. We took a ride around 170 acres on a giant 4 wheeler contraption, (7 people. 5 seats. But we made it work. Only once did someone (David) fall off the back while in motion.) looked at barns and apple trees, and hung out with the coolest old lady that I have ever meet. Vermont people are the best!

Anywho, it’s Sunday. I am tires as all hell but whatever. The mr and I have the camping plans in place and I am ready to veg out mentally today. Should probably take it easy physically too cause my back is still the shit…. Or not, we will see how stupid I behave.

Internet from the week.

-The complicated reality of doing what you love. True that.

-Do you like licorice? Red or black? I don’t know many who like black but I think the mr does. Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Licorice

-I have learned the hard way that stretching is key. What actually happens when you pull a muscle?

-A heart of sheep.

-Keep your muffins high. A Bakery Hack for Sky-High Muffins

- The Opposite of Toxic Positivity. Sometimes leaning into the dark is just what we need to do.

- Your poop can tell you a lot! The Poop About Your Gut Health and Personalized Nutrition-

-Don’t be an asshole when you are flying or you might just get your ass kicked. Flight attendants train in self-defense amid spike in unruly passengers

-Odd Apples: A New Photo Book Celebrates the Strange and Enchanting Fruit

Pictures from the week.

Sunday Happy

What a week. We had sunshine and we had snow. I was hot at time and I was cold at time. My eyes Itch but I don’t care because the world is turning green again and there are flowers and tree buds and veggie starts and all the good things. This is why I love spring so much. It is crazy and unpredictable and more or less not to sunny and not to warm. (I like me a cool cloudy day!)

Stuff happened this week. We had a farewell dinner for Mark because he is now off in the Police Academy which is so freaking weird and now I have a guy on the inside to delete any and all parking and speeding tickets I plan on getting in the future. Ha!. The mr, Barb, and I went for a much needed drive out of town to a river. We had a picnic, watched that water flow, played with rocks. You know, river stuff. Oh and I got a new bike!!! Well not new new but new to me. Ever since I got my bike stolen last fall I have been on the look out for a new one and I got to tell you, things in the bike world are not great right now. New new bikes are a million dollars and even the reasonably priced ones are hard to find cause of lack of inventory (because covid). And used bikes, well finding something that works, not garbage, and fits, is a pain in the ass. But it finally happened and I am just a happy lady on her bike again!

And now my garden, it is being fenced! The mr has been bugging me for a few years now to fence it in and I finally caved. I don’t know why I have been so hesitant about it but I just never wanted a fence. But now that he is putting it up well I am so excited! And the mr being the mr, he is making is so freaking cute and pretty and I am just really really excited and can’t wait for it to be fully up so I can put some shit in the ground and not have it eaten by the massive woodchuck lurking in the neighborhood!

Other then all that good stuff, same old same old. Made plans with the littles for sleepover next week while they are on spring vacation. Worked on pots, sat with the piles of papers then decided I would rather clean the fridge. Picked up second to last farm share. Ate all the greens. Basic life stuff.

And it is Sunday, again so soon. The mr and I are planning on a little drive to a place. Not sure the place exactly but I am hoping for a river/woods situation. A little hike, he can do a little fishing. I can sit by the river and read. That is my hope for today. That and to get all the laundry done. I have been ignoring it and now I have to deal with it. Stupid laundry.

Internet from the week.

-Your Biggest Climate Decision Isn't What You Cook—It's What You Don't. Food waste is one of my biggest anxiety triggers. Holidays and little kids… It can get pretty intense.

-The state of the plant-based food industry. And maybe stop eating so much meat.

-'Comfort Decorating' Is All About Making Your Home A Sanctuary. The key is to make is comfy and not ugly. HA!

-I never thought I would see the day. Gnome shortage: Lockdown and Suez canal blockage blamed

-Why Do We Compete? Sometime a little competition is a good thing.

-I am in love with this house and the property and can’t wait to see the renovations. LAKESHORE RENOVATION | PART 1

-I Got High to See if Weed Would Help Me Work Out. I don’t get high before I work out but when I use to go to the gym there was sa group of guys that came in that were always high as fuck. I always thought that if they were coming to the gym stones, well they were still coming to the gym so who care if they are stones.

-This is not a joke. Fancy Feast Released a Cookbook So Cat Owners Can Coordinate Meals with Their Pets. So how do you feel about this? I mean, well, why not?

-Watch out for those baked goods. Mystery tree beast turns out to be croissant

-I love a good scallop. Trend Alert: 21st Century Scalloping

And some pictures from the week.

Sunday Happy

Well we did it, made it to a new year. And now here we go!

The week between Christmas and New Years is always a weird one. I think I need to start treating the time as time off and not time I need to feel crazy and try and do as much shit as I can. So next year I’ll do that. Anyway it was a busy but good The mr and I did a lot of house projects like shelf building in the basement and linen closet and cleaning light fixtures .The mr started a new bathroom remodel job and I have been setting myself up to get a bunch of pots done in the next few weeks (All the hearts for Valentines Day!) all the while trying not to bug out much over that fact that with a new year comes new taxes. Why the heck can’t I stop thinking about them!?! I really just want to get that shit done and out of my head sooner then later. I am trying to be organized and think ahead like a good, responsible adult. BLAH. But what I did do which only took like a year was, we FINALLY bought new phones! It got to the point that the mr’s phone completely broke and he was interacting with people through his email on the iPad. So I did it, just bought them. He immediately stuck his sim into it and has been rocking it out. Me, well mine is still wrapped in plastic in the box because I am lame like that. Plus I am waiting for the case to come in the mail. But mostly I don’t care enough yet. (Although it will be nice to use the camera. The camera on my phone now is busted and won’t focus. if you can tell.)

Besides all of that we also had the littles over for a little birthday party for Judah (HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY!). He and the mr played with his new tools, engaged In some games of chess with Coco while Miley completely ignored us all and I made French fries, salad, and an ice cream cake. His mother brought the sushi (I don’t mess around with raw fish)! And we finished it all off with some wiggle dancing with Barb because what is a party without some wiggle dancing?

I am not a huge giver of a shit when it comes to New Years so NYE we just did whatever. I did try to watch a movie with the mr, but I just ended up falling asleep and was in bed by 930. New Years Day we took the day and went for a nice long drive out to the NEK and just spent time not doing. That was nice.

And then it was Saturday and it snowed and I was happy. Like really happy. I was even so happy to shovel out the driveway and smiled while I scrapped the ice of the car windshield because I really just like a cold snowy winter. You know? And then I started on my cleaning binge, took little breaks of snow time walks, went into the woods with the mr and Barb so they could get some snow time, and started packing up the Christmas decorations. It is all down except for the tree. All the ornaments are packed away but I left the lights up. One or two more days. I just love having a light wrapped tree in the house! (It is finally starting to drop needles so it won’t last long)

Today is day 2 of a weekend cleaning binge. First off though, me and Barb are going to go for a nice snowy hike and then maybe hit up a grocery store for food. But after that I am thinking today is the day I clear out my closet and just get rid of everything! (I really don’t have a lot of clothes but I stopped folding things and just started shoving things into the shelves few months back and now it looks a hot mess and I have basically not changed from the same 3 outfits for the past couple months). I need to remember what clothes I have and maybe even wear some of them! That and I might finally pull out the winter comforter but don’t tell the mr! I don’t want him to get his hopes up just incase I change my mind. (I hate the heavy comforter but he LOVES IT and I am trying to be nice.)

And that is it.

Happy New Year!

Internet from the week.

-Wow, what a trip to do this. Should I? Nope, It enough for me to just look at random pictures of myself and think how freaking young I was. The Photographer Who Set Out to Watch Herself Age.

-10 Things Nobody Tells You About Clutter (and How to Get Rid of It). Clutter sucks ad that we all know.

-I am not one for trends but I am on board with most of these. 21 Kitchen Design Trends We Predict Will Be Huge for 2021

-Liking this, especially the see through roof part. This Prefab Cabin Is Like Three Houses In One

-The only real way to detox your body. Water, but read for yourself.

-I have learned over there years that taking the time to organize and pack things nicely really is huge for when it comes time to pull it out again next year…. And ALWAYS wrap your lights! ORGANIZE AND STORE YOUR CHRISTMAS DECOR LIKE A PRO!

-The Weirdest Lies We Told as Children. I used to tell people my Dad was the drummer in the Beatles. More a misunderstanding then a lie though because he looked like George Harrison, played the drums in a band, and they covered a few Beatles songs..

-So cool.Sleeping Whales: Photographer Reveals What Whales Look Like When They Snooze

-Elementary School Kids Design the Christmas Lights in This Scottish Town. All towns should have their kids d this. I love it so much.

-Yurts, Igloos And Pop-Up Domes: How Safe Is 'Outside' Restaurant Dining This Winter?. I wonder. It seems like people thing if they eat inside of an outside structure, that it is not inside? The logic confuses me a bit.

And some pictures from the week.

-C