One, One Wonderful Weekend

Even after the family phone calls that tell us about the worries and woes of people we love, we had a wonderful weekend.

We worked around the house, went to exercise, had wonderful meals, watched great movies and made plans for and got the equipment for our upcoming camping holiday.    Mike washed the cars and I washed and mended our clothing.  

My daughter checked in from her busy weekend and looked so tired, hope she got some rest.  My son is MIA, but I know he's studying for two exams this weekend.

Here's hoping for rain and a smooth week.  When I get back, I'm going to start doing some work for nonprofits.  It's time to put my skills back into play.

Thinking about Lent

Having been raised Catholic and raising the kiddies Catholic, it's always been fish on Friday.

Lately, it's been inexpensive fish on Friday and today will be no different.  It's fish cakes!  Been making some really good cakes and enjoying them too.  Don't know about the hubby, so we will see. 

Been working on the house, and it's ready for the weekend.  Been reading like a demon and thank goodness the library is within walking, biking, or driving distance.  We moved here to be near hospitals, doctors and the library.  Back then those were the priorities.   In another 20 years, they will become the priorities again.  But for now life is good.

Weather is still lovely and balmy, but a cold front will have us in sweaters this Sunday.

Spring, glorious spring

Not even checking email, so I can't get started with things that annoy me.  I have been doing, wait for it, wait for it, is laundry.  Yes, it's a joy to be pressing and sorting through the wonderful spring and summer things I have.  

Several years ago, I came to the realization that, instead of spending a small fortune on clothing I wear for three months, I needed to invest in things I wear almost year around.  I know, it was a duh moment, we all have them, this was one of my best.  I spend good money on good fabric, classic style and clean lines and it works for YEARS.  I have linen pants that are ten years old.  

At the end of the season, I got to the outlets online and score even more.  On top of that I sew, so it's a joy to see these lovely things, carefully selected, maintained, and worn with the joy of good stewardship.  

Had to replace the orange linen big shirt with one from Sundance, the retail outlet/organization formed by Robert Redford.  This may become my next big goto online shopping misadventure.  I can just see the bill now.  Considering I picked up a pair of Brooks Brothers slacks (never worn, tags still on) from Goodwill for my hubby for $3.50, I can swing thru the Sundance outlet page and see what's moving.  I won't mention the brown linen bell bottoms for $4.00 and the $1.39 camisole I snatched at the outlet mall three weeks ago.  

Shopping is a skill, and when I score Perry Ellis for 9 dollars, dress shirts and casual stuff, my husband and son win.  When I find that perfect hoodie online at Target for my daughter and help her mend it and clean it so three years later, people ask her where she got it, we all win.  It's my job to feed and clothe my family and teach them to seek and maintain things, to renew and reuse what is already in our closets and when she says, "halter tops this spring," well there are two already made and more to come.  Thanks to my mom for hiring someone to teach me to sew.  Thanks to thrifty thinking that allows me to comb the racks or consider online things that bring my current wardrobe up to date, and yes I am seeking the perfect yellow blouse, top, something to brighten up this summer.  Wish me luck!

Taking care of business, everyday

We are working on the house, doing some updating in the rooms and I have turned my eyes towards the bathrooms.  We replaced wallpaper and now I want to update the cabinet fronts going with a new color and hardware.

Also up is replacing the heating and  cooling system is also up, but we are having problems with getting people out to give estimates, they want to do it over the phone!!!  30 minutes is just so short a time to get here.  They could write it up and mail or fax it and they won't.  

Family again this weekend and then on to Mardi Gras.  Have a bunch of errands to run and things to do.  But I am keeping up with this and that's good.  Boring, mundane, but constant.    Oh, it's Valentines day, but I already have the card and chocolates!

Brett Farve retires, again

Trust me, it's not easy to say goodbye to a fab job, Sunday adoration, but he's done it.  Goodbye.

Hubby tried to retire, went back to school and was so unhappy, I requested he consider going back to work.  He did and we are alot happier.  I know I am.  We can plan and implement projects without so much pain.  You can plan for retirement, but time management is a different animal.  Because he was in school and I was working we couldn't travel.  The there was the school projects and then grad school wouldn't transfer his hours, so it would be years before he got his masters and it was "I am going back to work" and "hurrah" for me.

After all this, I am very grateful for the education we have, but really makes me question going further.  Especially when the educational system makes it so tough.  People who are considering returning to school for a career switch should be very careful, after two years, you could be deeper in debt and unhappy.  Tread carefully.

Family in town and family gone back home

It was a great weekend, we celebrated birthdays and had a lovely time together.  Mom in law is back at her home and now I have other family members in town and we will hook up this weekend.  And soon Mardi Gras arrives.

I have been trying to get to this blog and write daily so it becomes a habit.  This being important for me, because writing has always been a pleasure and I have gotten out of the habit.  I have gotten out of many good habits and all it takes is a change of attitude, an effort made to recognize that certain things, writing, reading, exercise, and diet are important and do deserve attention and time given to them.

Keeping it lowkey and private is working out, because unless I share this info, no one family wise will even know about this blog.  They just won't go looking for it.  It's hiding in plain sight.

Fab weekend, kid turns 30

I have no idea about the rest of the U.S. but the weather here has been amazing.  The rails to trails ride we took Saturday was great and the meal at the brewpub was amazingly good.  Came home, did laundry and cleaned house.  We had to get ready to celebrate my kid's birthday.

We did bbq and chocolate fondue for dessert and life is good.  Family has been behaving extremely well and it makes the day go so smoothly.

It's a busy week next week and I look forward to enjoying the weather and getting out more on the bike, riding to the farmer's market and library.  It's true, the simple things are the best, of and by the way the bottle Presto Rose Brut did put a nice pink glow to the meal.  Life is good.