Month: November 2022

Animals, anxiety, Books, Creativity, Dogs, dreams, Emotions, family, Food, Friends, Holiday, Learning, Life, Love, Nature, Photography, retail, Thinking, Travel, Writing

Shuffling the Holiday Cheer Around

1972italy

The winds have been blowing since yesterday. The power has gone out and come back on. We got a little of the promised rain last night but with the temperature drop what precipitation we get will be snow. We are also under a winter storm advisory. Things are starting to get interesting.

Yesterday found me all over the place. I did get most of my running done but I got home a few hours later than I hoped. Mom and I spent time chatting over coffee at her place then we went out to lunch. We both had a very good time. Times like this I wish she lived closer. She needs to get out more than just to the senior center and the store.

I have also agree to add two more articles for the paper this month. I asked if they wanted someone to cover the Kids Christmas this weekend and Santa is coming to the Village Market on the 19th. They said yes. So I will be covering both along with photos. I enjoy doing articles with photos. So Sunday after work I will buzz over to the park and do my thing. I need to remember to bring my camera to work. The event starts at 1pm so I will have missed the first hour. I am tempted to ask is the night shift manager would mind coming in early so I can get there when it starts. I would like to get some photos of Santa arriving. I will talk to her today when I go in. I also need to drop off the stuff I got yesterday from Mom and my friend for the event.

Despite having two days off I have not touched my novel. Part of me is angry with myself but then there is the feeling that there is something cooking with it. That is needs to be left alone for right now. So I am not going to beat myself up for not working on it. I am going to trust the process.

I need to figure out a way to make sure I don’t forget my extracurricular activities. I get so much going and then I will get lost in the daily regular projects and completely forget the extras. Like I need to draw names for the Secret Santa at work today. Which reminds me, I should bring something to draw from. A Santa hat or some such. I could bring a stocking. That also reminds me that I need to get a stocking for Archie (I kept saying Moose in my head). This is why I have tons of lists all over the place..

I ought to wrap this up. My mind is whirling with things that I need to do. I did not get any new photos yesterday so it will be some repeats. Sorry about that. I hope you have a great day! Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Animals, Cooking/Baking, Creativity, Dogs, Emotions, family, Food, Friends, Gardening, Learning, Life, Love, Nature, Photography, Thinking, Travel, Writing

Feeling Good

1972italy

Well yesterday was a full day for me! I did laundry, dishes, watered the plants, filled the bird feeder, swept the kitchen, played with the pups AND made my first turkey soup from scratch! It turned out really well. I boiled all the wings and made my own broth then once I got the meat off the wings (I let them cook for several hours) I added all kinds of fresh stuff: potatoes, onions, mixed veggies and even fresh herbs from my garden. This time I added about half a stick of butter for a nice rich flavor base.

Stella is beside me on the love seat smiling. I have covered her up and wadded a blanket for a pillow beneath her head. She was so cute when she nibbled the blanket before trying to cover herself up with it.

Archie is on the floor chewing a bone. He has been very good about giving Stella her space this morning. Last night he decide that he wasn’t close enough to me (Stella was beside me) so he wedged himself across the top of my head. There wasn’t any room so he would whine every little while until I finally scooted down further on the bed. Then he oozed himself further onto my pillow.

I have a full morning planned. As soon as I post this I am headed to Kalkaska then to Mom’s with a few stops in between. My goal is to be home by noon or so.

I do have several new photos to share. Hopefully I have enough room in my media. If I don’t I will update as soon as I get home. Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Animals, anxiety, Books, Cooking/Baking, Creativity, Dogs, dreams, Emotions, family, Food, Friends, Gardening, Holiday, Learning, Life, Love, Movies, Nature, Photography, Reading, retail, Thinking, Writing

Deciding What Matters

1972italy

We got up much earlier than I anticipated. But that is ok. I feel the need for my quiet time before the world wakes up. The pups have been fed and are off and on behind me sleeping (Archie has been up and down, I think he gets too warm up there with Stella). The morning is overcast and the temperature seems to be dropping. It is creeping ever closer to freezing. And I am ok with that today. I have today and tomorrow off but one of those two days I need to do some running. I have to go to Kalkaska to get some winter headbands to donate to the local Christmas event and Mom asked if I would stop by. I am feeling a bit exhausted and really want to stay hunkered in at home. So I am debating about going today (which leaves all day tomorrow to stay home) or tomorrow (which means no “day of rest” before my workweek starts). I am thinking tomorrow. I need to get my new boots treated so that they will be protected from all the mess I will be walking through over the winter. Once I get them cleaned and get the Sno-seal on they have to sit for a bit before I wear them.

I am also feeling the need to write today. I try to write every day but on those days when the mood hits I try to make an extra effort. And since the kids are snoozing that will make it a bit easier. I will probably pull out a few research books and read as well.

Things were slow enough at work that I put up the Christmas decorations. Only to find out that the closing shift manager had planned to do it that night. She wasn’t too happy with me. But if no one says anything then I am not a mind reader! I thought it would be a nice surprise for the store manager since he loves Christmas. Thursday will begin our nonstop Christmas music. Atleast it is not for several months in a row. Just a few weeks.

The family spent some quality time together last night. We had an amazing dinner while we binge watched “Wednesday” on Netflix. We agree that they did an amazing job with it. We both grew up with the original “Addams Family” and “The Munsters” tv programs. They did it justice and did not make it woke. It was modernized but still very true to the original. I highly recommend it!

If I am going to do some writing I ought to get cracking. Once our day gets going I will pass out bones. Archie seems to be doing better now that we have them again (the guys in the meat department ordered a whole box for me and it did arrive… originally we couldn’t find it, so I have enough bones for a few weeks). I also bought a bunch of turkey wings they were getting rid of. My goal is to make turkey soup from scratch. So I will need to get that big stock pot going soon as well. Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Animals, Creativity, Dogs, dreams, Emotions, family, Friends, Gardening, Learning, Life, Love, Nature, Photography, retail, Thinking, Writing

A Little Bit of Everything

1972italy

Here we are at our usual dark o’clock Sunday morning time! Stella is beside me on the love seat and Archie is chewing a bone. I don’t know if today will be very busy at work. Yesterday certainly wasn’t with the exception of the two hours when everyone woke and did the mad dash to get stuff before the Michigan/Ohio game. I managed to get a lot done. Unfortunately that mean that all three of my carry outs were looking for something to do. It came down to having them clean shelves aisle by aisle. I have no idea if the night manager continued that or not.

Yesterday was also a time of reconnecting with old friends. I had several friends I’d not seen or talked to reach out yesterday. Some stopped by the store while others called or messaged. It was nice to catch up with everyone.

The pups went for their first walk together. I just took them out on the property but they both did really well (despite having to constantly keep the leashes from entangling). They both had harnesses on and I got shorter leads for both of them out. It was a beautiful day out.

I should probably wrap this up. Hopefully Archie stays out of trouble while I am gone. Yesterday he got into a plant and destroyed it while Chris was in the other room. I hope you have an maxing day! Thanks for reading and stay safe! (I’ll try to get some new photos to share over the next few days.)

Animals, anxiety, Creativity, Dogs, Emotions, family, Food, Friends, Gardening, Learning, Life, Love, Nature, Photography, retail, Thinking, Writing

Doggie Dynamics

1972italy

Another morning up before the sun. I didn’t sleep well as I slept light enough to wake whenever Archie got up. I kept the light on as well (but dim) in hopes that he would stay in the bedroom and sleep instead of getting into things. It was successful.

Stella is feeling left out. Everytime I go to give her love Archie is right there. When I let them out this morning she came in first so I loved on her as much as I could before letting Archie in. My goal when I get home is to take each of them for a walk on the back 40. I want to do them separately because if he freaks out I will need both hands. And I think Stella deserves a little alone time.

Our meat department at work specially ordered bones for us.❤️I am hoping that it will help him not chew on things he ought not to. We have been out at work so it has been several days since they have had any to chew. Which is about the time he started getting into things.

Aaaaaaand the clock tells me I have a few minutes before I need to be out the door. Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Animals, anxiety, Cooking/Baking, Creativity, Dogs, Emotions, family, Food, Friends, Gardening, Holiday, Learning, Life, Love, Nature, Photography, retail, Thinking, Writing

Busy Day of Thanks

1972italy

Both pups are trying to sleep behind be. Archie Bear is using Stella as a pillow and she’s not sure that she wants to do that. So they will each pick up their head and readjust.

Dinner turned out amazing! Chris smoked the turkey for several hours and not only was it moist but we had a time getting it onto a plate because it just fell apart. The whole dinner was the best he’s done so far.

My friend did come over. It was the photo of the two pups that I sent the got her over here. I took a picture with my phone of both of them looking out the window. Then I sent it to her saying that they were looking for her. I guess she was planning on not coming until I sent that. I am not above cheating! But she was glad she came over and I am too.

Archie is starting to get into things. He ate part of my pillow and I caught him eating mail off the table after I went to bed. We are thinking he is going through another growth spurt. I gave him an extra bowl of kibble yesterday afternoon and and extra bowl this morning. He was going through his breakfast as if he was starving. I hope we have bones at work. That seems to help him a lot. I also hope that he doesn’t get into anything while I am gone.

I should have an order to put out today. I think my misship for my liquor will be ours. I never got a call back. I will try again today. I don’t think we will be too busy (my heart goes out to the retail workers doing Black Friday, I don’t miss it AT ALL) but I will have lots to do. Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Aging, Animals, anxiety, Dogs, dreams, Emotions, family, Friends, Gardening, Holiday, Life, Love, Nature, Photography, Thinking, Writing

Troubles

1972italy

This morning has started in a funk. I didn’t sleep well, anxiety woke me several times. Reading the news did not help. Mostly negative stuff. Both pups are behind me asleep. They cuddle well together. Stella struggles some days because Bear is so very present. She can’t go anywhere without him wanting to follow (much like Stella did to Essie when Stella first arrived).

Today is Thanksgiving and we are due to have company later. I am pretty sure that both are phones will be busy with well wishes for the holiday from friends and family alike. I am just feeling very blah about it all. Trying to talk with either of my parents has become very frustrating. Whenever I send Dad a text and email (I always send both) to ask if he wants to Facetime I either get no response at all or several days later he asks when do I want to talk. Even when I put the date that I am sending it on there. Mom. Mom is frustrating to talk to because she is in her own little world. She has the tv blaring in the background whenever we talk. Talking to her the simple becomes difficult. She has problems understanding a simple explanation or grasping a simple concept. She will laugh at things that I am serious about thinking the situation is funny. Texting isn’t any easier. I try to be patient. I really do. Even when they get upset with me because I don’t talk for very long (they forget that I am still working full time etc).

I feel guilty typing all this but today it is how I feel. I can only do so much. I try to take care of everyone as best I can. I fall short a lot I know. But I do try.

I don’t have any new photos to share. So I will have to go back through my library on here and pull up a few to share. Sorry this has been a bit of a downer post. Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Animals, Creativity, Dogs, Emotions, family, Food, Friends, Holiday, Learning, Life, Love, Music, Nature, Photography, retail, the World, Thinking, Travel, Writing

A Day Out and About

1972italy

I guess I should’ve plugged in the laptop after yesterday’s post. We’ll see how far we make it before the battery goes dead. Yesterday was a busy day. Chris and I spent some much needed time together doing early Christmas shopping. I came home with new boots and three new pairs of jeans. I really love my new boots! I have been dreading replacing my old boots because I don’t do frilly. I don’t need all the designs, colors and stitching on them. I just want a basic boot that is hard working (I wear my boots year round with the exception of Summer). And I think I got that in the new pair. They are comfortable even before being broken in.

Other goodies we came home with included a double bowl holder for the dogs as well as a new collar and harness for Archie Bear. He likes the new collar but is very unsure of the harness. It is the same one that Stella has but in red. I was over the moon about the bowl holder. It is supposed to be for a food bowl and water bowl but I am using it for their meals. It is so much easier for them to not have to bend all the way down to the floor when they eat! And Archie doesn’t chase his bowl around the room when he eats either. I wanted to make one from spare wood but I never got around to it. For me it was worth every penny. It is also easier to feed them. They are face to face instead of side by side as Bear tends to try to help Stella eat her food once he has finished his. This way she knows where he is as she eats. (I stay with them and keep him out of her business until she has finished eating.)

It was good to spend time with Chris. We do it so seldom with our work schedules. We chatted here and there but were content to just sit in silence while we drove (although the drive home we were singing to ZZ Top). We will have company for Thanksgiving this year. I invited a friend over (the same friend that lives down the street and has been having problems). It will be interesting to see how Archie Bear does with a new person. I want to take them both with me to work today but I’m not sure how long I will be. Atleast an hour. I don’t want them in the car for that long. But Stella needs to get out and I want to get Bear used to being in a car.

Well the battery is about gone. I will take a few quick clicks with the camera and add them to this post. A big thank you to everyone that has reached out over the past few weeks. It is great to hear from my readers! Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Animals, anxiety, Creativity, Dogs, dreams, Emotions, family, Friends, Gardening, Holiday, Learning, Life, Love, Medical, Nature, Photography, retail, Thinking, Writing

Doing a Bit of Planning

1972italy

I did get up earlier this morning. Around 8am. But I was in bed by 6:30pm. I felt decent when I got up but, as the day wore on I felt worse and worse. So I hunkered down in bed and read. I couldn’t keep my eyes open past 8pm. I may have been asleep even before that. But I am up and ready to try again!

Poor Archie Bear is trying hard to adjust to our schedules. Both pups are on the love seat behind me. Archie is ready to get his day started once he has eaten his breakfast. Unfortunately that just means he can run around outside for as long as he wants but he has to be quiet once he comes back in. And he tries to be quiet but once he gets going on a bone (it seems to be his morning toy of choice) all bets are off. He is learning the words “shhhhh” and “quiet” though.

Stella is curled up in a wad of blankets wearing her hoodie. I still need to size Archie Bear for his. I am dragging my feet for two reasons. 1. He really doesn’t seem to get cold when he is outside. He goes tearing through the yard playing. 2. He is still growing. With as big as he is at 6 months old I’m not sure how big he will get. I know we will go through several collars.

Oof. Bear has draped himself over my left arm. So I am trying to type this one handed. I want to figure out who we are getting gifts for this year. And I have pulled together a Secret Santa pool at work. And I am doing a horror Secret Santa thing as well. I almost forgot. I have ideas for all of it but I need to organize myself. And do I want to send out cards this year? If I am doing that then I need to start getting addresses. (Since I seem t be going whole hog here, if you want a card too send me your address and I will do my best to get one out to you!)

I need to wrap this up. I don’t have any new photos to share. It is warming up and the snow melt just looks messy. I will share some older ones and try to get some fresh photos for tomorrow. Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Animals, anxiety, Creativity, Dogs, Emotions, family, Friends, Holiday, Learning, Life, Love, Nature, Photography, retail, Thinking, Writing

Paws to Regroup

1972italy

Well this is a late late post today. I decided that I was going to not look at the clock and just sleep as much as I needed. That meant about 12 hours, give or take. I am not sure if it was all good sleep as at times I woke up in pain but that’s ok. I need all I can get. Both pups were even in bed with us when I woke up. Right now Archie Bear is chewing a bone. Stella is behind me asleep. I don’t know if the bone chewing is too loud. I don’t want to wake Chris up. Bear is trying to keep himself occupied. The other option is the squeaky toy with the working squeaker. I had to take that one away.

The snow has stopped but the wind has picked up where the snow left off. It is definitely winter! I need to try boots on Bear (I may wait since his paws don’t seem to have a problem with the cold whereas poor Stella was trying to play with only three paws on the ground yesterday) as well as size him for a hoodie. Stella was wearing hers yesterday because it got a nasty cold once that wind started, even with the sun out.

I am trying to find a balance for the two pups. Stella needs to get out for atleast a car ride soon. Bear doesn’t like cars but he might be ok if Stella was with him. Also, should I take Stella on her own? Does she need some “no Archie Bear time”? I want to get him used to going for car rides for something other than going to the vet’s. I try not to give more attention to one or the other but there are times that it happens. With several days in a row off I am hoping to get some training and such in.

I need to send some photos to Archie Bear’s Grandma as well. She asked for the occasional update and some photos. I feel like I have been crazy busy and not gotten anything done. By the time I get home I am pooped but I try to spend quality time with the pups before I have to go to bed. I also try to fit in keeping in touch with family and friends which has sadly fallen by the wayside. I respond to text messages but the responses are usually brief. Part of me is glad I decided to step down from the paper for next year. I will miss it though.

I just remembered that I need to clean out some space for new photos if I am going to add any. That means I need to wrap this up. And the pups are getting restless. Thanks for reading and stay safe!