Springtime state of mind!

Hey there!  It's good to see y'all!  

'Just a few notes from the road ...

Monday morning our ladies group hosted a surprise brunch/shower for one of our own ... who's been absent nearly a year.

Ya, more than a few tears were shed.

Hope you'll excuse me bragging (again) on the Instant Pot?

See, I'd signed up to bring Conecuh sausages -- but the night before grew anxious, realizing I'd never tried doing that.  Except on the stove-top.  And who likes cleaning up all that yukky grease-splatter. Right?

Whaddya know?  They came out great.  Tom even said he doesn't want me ever doing them any other way.

🐣 🐣 🐣

So, I saw where someone makes Instant Pot Dyed Easter Eggs.

Gotta confess:  71 y/o and I still like to play with my food.

Except. I only found one pint-size mason jar.

(I suspect more savy crafters already caught on, because there were no mason jars to be found.)

What to do but swallow my "never-ever agains" and revisit WalMart.

Oh my gosh, y'all!  Not only has our 'super' mart gone self-serve check-out ... but now they've rearranged 90% of the store!

Were it not for Tom looking for a certain BBQ cover ...

All's I gotta say, sometimes it's a good thing no-one can read my lips behind my mask.

I didn't find the jars -- which turned out to be a good thing -- but did find some beautiful tulips.

Well, ONE mason jar's better than nothing, right?

Where there's a will ....

Time to revisit my childhood egg cup!

Except ...

Some gotta win, some gotta lose .....

🐣 🐣 🐣

I don't suppose this Easter Sunday will be much different than recent years.  Only after receiving our second vaccines will I entertain the idea of in-person church services.

Meanwhile, here's a recent pix of my nearest and dearest.

Thank you for taking time to visit.  It means a lot!

Hugs, Myra

 

Random Reflections

Good morning friends!

... and a big hug to those of you who expressed concern for our safety after Thursday's big blow.  Honestly, it's a comfort to realize folks all over the country hear "Alabama" and "tornado" and think of us.

Personally, I think storm chasers like this fellow are a bit nuts-o, but each to his own.   

If I had a dollar for every time I've travelled this section of highway!

 

Again, we consider ourselves incredibly blessed.  Most of the destruction and loss of life occurred (in Pelham) only 69 miles north of Chapman Road.

Unfortunately for Janet and Andy, they lost another tree.  I hated to be the bearer of bad news.  But in Janet's usual resolute-but-sunny manner, she texted:  "I'm really trying to believe this is all going to be good in the end, but goodness.  It is like once we bought the lot, the trees started falling!  I look forward to the day when we are sipping coffee on my porch and remembering these days."

In other news!

I was sure surprised -- but relieved when Tom agreed to let me hire someone to clean our home's gutters.

I put out an inquiry on Nextdoor.com Sunday morning, and by 3:30 a fellow was here.  He even acidic pressure-washed those areas where he discovered black mold.

Normally Tom would have gotten up on the ladder and done this himself -- but I put my big size-9 down.  As it happened, even the young man doing the job fell to the ground when the ladder slipped.

That's OK.  The following day, the thingie I pull to release the foot rest on my love seat snapped nearly in half.  Tom wasted no time grabbing his tool box.  It took turning the whole thing upside down, but he got it working again.  His dignity's intact and my legs are happy again.

So, as part of my 'new year' resolutions, I've decided to start taking better care of myself.  (Ha!)

Thanks to son and DIL's generosity, I decided to get a pair of 'good' shoes.  Figure all the lower-back exercises in the world won't do much good if I keep wearing these crummy cheap sneakers.

(How do you know you're old?  When someone says running shoes and Myra thinks 'PF Flyers.')

So glad I didn't order on-line, because one of my three finalists actually hurt when I tried them on.

In the end I went with Brooks.

Unfortunately, wearing them for a couple hours around the house, my right foot began tingling.  Thankful to Anne, whose son is a professional runner and helped trouble-shoot my issues.  Who'd guess the right pair of socks could make such a difference!

Anyway.

It's a beautiful day in the Southlands.  I could go out front and pull weeds -- or, bungee jump over the Alabama River.  Odds are about the same.

Stay safe ... and have yourselves a great weekend!

Hugs, Myra

 

 

  

 

Do you have a Wish List?

 

So, I stole that title from an e-mail I received yesterday from our realtor in Arizona.   (I could remove my name from his mailing list, but Harvey's always been good for a chuckle.)

These blooms took a beating from our last storm ..... 

but I'm still enjoying their optimism.

But yes. It seems I've always had a wish list percolating in my brain.

While my family spoiled me rotten, there's something about a 'new year' that begs indulgence.

Whimsical. Something not to be sought, but discovered.

For instance?

There's nothing wrong with our flatware.  But it's so utilitarian.  Pandemic brain, maybe.  But I regard my fork with annoyance. 

  

Forget swirls and fleur-de-lis.  I dream of something weighty with a sturdy feel reminiscent of tavern fare.

Then there's this personalized tablespoon I bought my Pooh-loving friend.

https://www.etsy.com/

Ice cream? Cereal? Peanut butter!

Yep. I'm been guilty of gifting others with things I'd like.

Some of you know about my infatuation with coffee mugs ... each with its own backstory.

Now, I'm thinking this deserves a place in my Amazon cart.

Do you have a Wish List?

Come along with me, I'm on my way to the stars!

Hugs, Myra

 

It's All Good!

 

Ya, I'm still smiling ...

..... recalling yesterday's lunch with son and DIL.  Because I got to pick, we met at my favorite BBQ shack.  Yep, the same place Tom brought me take-out a few days ago.  Some things are worth doing over and over again.

'Wind hair', don't care!

Except while eating outside in the chill, a 'bug' decided my tonsils would make a fine place to rest.

Thankfully, in the kitchen ....

..... I've still a couple containers of chicken detox soup remaining.  At first, I was disappointed how bland it tasted.  (Yes, I used low-sodium broth.)  I'd made the mistake of over-cooking, over-shredding the chicken -- that resulted in it looking a lot like dental floss.

No worries, Tom grilled extra chicken. Plus, I brought out my new favorite weapon: Curry.

Have you a sure-fire 'go to' spice? 

Speaking of good ideas!

..... When one of my friends posted on FB, her hairbrush resembled a DNA kit, another gal jumped in with a bit of advice.

From her doctor:

To help alleviate hair loss, put a couple of tablespoons of coffee in your shampoo.

Couldn't hurt, right?  I'll let-cha know!

Know what else makes me smile?

..... The Waffle House isn't one of my favorite venues. But I love how, when you walk in the door, someone behind the bar's apt to holler, "Good morning!"  Like they mean it!

Anyway.  The other day we had to be back at the VA for Tom's check-up.  Because they were holding another Covid walk-in clinic, the lobby was filled.  Despite the chaos, everyone was so nice.  And I noticed, as workers arrived, one after another, they did the same thing:

"Good morning everyone!" in loud voices, coupled with 'the wave.'

Wouldn't it be nice if airport personnel were to do something like that?  (Ya, right. HaHaHa)

Still celebrating my birthday month ... but!

Oh my.  That final sentence ...

Wishing y'all a fine new week... sweet dreams!

Hugs, Myra

Thank You!

 

Yes, you!  And you, over there!

Everyone's birthday wishes and expressions of concern for our safety were felt!

Despite being here 3 years, early this week I was more nervous than usual.  Probably on account of meteorologists using phrases like "storm of the decade" and "life-threatening."  At any rate, Tuesday night I asked Tom if he thought we should take the dogs and drive into Florida. Nope? 

Knowing I'd done all I could to prepare the 'safe room', I was actually able to relax.  Sort of.   Weird feeling, watching the continuous weather coverage and hearing news achors refer to the tornados as, "Whack a mole: they keep popping up."  In the end, we feel incredibly blessed.  Janet and Andy lost another big tree to lightening, but it missed hitting my car; and except for a few minutes following that strike, our power remained.   A birthday to remember, for sure!

Like that Jimmy Buffet song lyric, I've come a long way since my first birthday!

Reminds me of a Cabbage Patch doll 😜

Since grilling was out of the question, Tom went for hickory-smoked ribs and brisket, and surprised me with a cheesecake!

We don't exchange presents, but I received some nice cards and a goodie bag from gal-pal Debbie:

Those 'turtle' things really work!

I thought they might feel uncomfortable, but no. We wore ours under our masks to the VA yesterday and remarked to one another how it really is easier to breathe.

What else does one do while waiting on Armageddon?

I may not be able to fill my new "Wanderlust" journal just yet.  But with a little help from FaceApp, I can pretend.

Big city shopping ... wish you were here!

Perhaps a visit to my home town.

I'd love to have a room like this in my home.

Okay.  Real graphic gurus (yo, Sandra!) could call me out for proportion goofs ... but I'm having fun.

Perhaps I'll attend next month's Kentucky Derby ... even an Easter parade.

"Oh, the places you'll go!"

Thanks once again. Just for being you. My wonderful friends.

Desert anyone?

Happy 'New Year' to me!  

Hugs, Myra

  

 

 

 

 

Thoughts on Sunday

Just a girl living her best life!

(Great-granddog in mom and dad's new jeep.)

Hey there!

... from a beautiful day in Coosada.

Not so much the next few days...

Suppose I should ask Tom to postpone grilling steaks -- and set up a martini bar in the safe room instead?

Oh well, I'm not going to worry about that right now.

Honestly, there's nothing much going on.

... Unless you want to count the new drape I found to disguise the big hole where the dishwasher used to be.

... or that we each scored our first vaccines within days of each other.

Poor Tom had to wait in line at the V.A. nearly 2 hours Wednesday morning.   But the next day I randomly happened on a Walgreens appointment less than 24 hours later!

He got the Moderna, and truly suffered ill effects. When the pharmacist was administering my Pfizer, she said "it seems more folks report having had side effects from Moderna."

I don't know!  There's so much info (and MIS-info) out there.  I even saw something on FB (source: NY Post) that claims taking a baby aspirin every day helps guard against COVID.

* * *

Oh, and there's a Memorial Day initiative I'm super excited about!

Yes, May 30's a long ways away, but wanted to share what a local artist is doing to honor loved ones' memories.

"A field of thousands of handmade ceramic poppies, each dedicated to a member of the United States Armed Forces who is no longer living but lives forever in our hearts."

My father always made it a point to purchase a poppy from the old men in front of the post office.  I wasted no time ordering one on his behalf!

The reason I'm sharing this, sponsors get to keep their poppy -- or have it shipped to them.  

If anyone's interested, here's a link to Alabama's Poppy Project and some pretty pictures from last year's event.

10% of proceeds go to support these guys.

Daddy

Well friends, t-t-t-that's all for now!

Please, take good care of yourselves and have a delightful new week!

Hugs, Myra

Over and over

 

... at the Hodgepodge! 

For anyone unfamiliar with this meme, Miss Joyce asks the questions.  We answer on our own blogs and link back to the mother ship, as it were.   Want to join the party?  Simply click HERE.

 💙

March 9 is National Get Over It Day.  What's something you need to 'just get over, already'?

Up until the Harry and Meghan interview, I thought I'd recovered from the last 5 years (of 15) at my last job.   Without taking sides, I can totally empathize with Meghan's claims about what went on behind closed doors. 

 

Were I to share examples, I've no doubt you'd think I was (a) exaggerating, (b) delusional or (c) pathetic, for having stood for the subtle-but-real abuse exacted by my boss. 

 

No-one was holding my hand to the flame, forcing me to go there each weekday.  It was a choice I made in exchange for the generous benefits and salary package.  

Only when I realized my own mental health was in jeopardy did I start making plans to walk away.

No longer having to act as if all's well in the kingdom is so freeing!   But ya, there are times it all comes back.  She still guest stars in my nightmares.

I need to Get Over It for once and for all.  

Something you're currently 'over the moon' about?

I'm still 'over the moon' at being a barefoot retiree!

What's something you're 'chewing over' these days? (Meaning thinking over carefully.)

It's not a Big Deal... but I'm less than excited about the next Bible study theme.  On the other hand, I'd certainly miss the camaraderie, the laughter.

The last thing you cooked or ate that was overdone?

Blushing!  Even chocolate-loving Tom couldn't eat my air-fryer cookies.  Pillsbury said, bake at 350* for 12-15 minutes -- but I suppose they meant in a conventional oven.   At only 12, they still came out hard as bricks.

In celebration of hitting Vol. 411 in the weekly Hodgepodge, give us the 411 on something happening in your life in the next 30 days.

I'm celebrating the 50th anniversary of my 21st birthday on St. Paddy's Day.  Cheers!

Insert your own random thought here.

We will have these (senior) moments to remember .....

Happy Hump Day, y'all.

Stay sweet!

Hugs, Myra

Simple Pleasures

🍀

When was your last 'best' day?

Pretty sure the pandemic's redefined my pleasure triggers.  At any rate, Friday morning Tom was in a sunny mood and readily agreed to accompany me across I-65 to Prattville.

(🤣 remembering how, only a few years ago, we thought nothing of driving 20 miles into Phoenix -- v. the 3.4 to P'ville)

I got my Target fix, and Publix, too!

...where, drawn by an invisible string, I found myself at the mecca of all things cheese.

Yo, Stacy!

Interesting ...

In the end, I went with my favorites.

I thought Tom might stroke out at the cash register, but no.

Happy Birthday Month to me!

Some of y'all may recall -- aside from Sunday roast or pizza -- Tom and I usually do our own thing when it comes to meal time.

Our tastes are like Mars and Venus -- and he's not reluctant to get in the kitchen.

His lunch

... and mine

Green eggs and ham sausage ... in homage to Dr. Seuss.  Yes, even at this 'advanced age' I still like to play with my food.

🍀🍀

Weary of my closet resembling that of a teen-age boy, I got to purging.  Then purged some more.  (Anyone need several dozen hangers?)

As closet space goes, it's not spacious.  But as a result, I've 2-3 projects simmering.

There's e-Bay...

Makes my feet hurt, remembering what I used to wear to work!

..... and finding spots for those things I don't care for but can't part with, either.

This, one of my mother's favorite hangings she bought in Solvang.  I know there's a name for this type of specific lace art(?), but for the life of me I can't recall.

Totally not my style -- but neither does it belong in a box.  So, it's come to reside inside my bedroom's chiffarobe.

Two Key West watercolors are waiting to be hung inside the closet.

🍀🍀🍀

I'm so excited to reveal Tom's back-yard project!

The rotting deck is being decimated and a concrete patio poured. (If it ever stops raining.)

Meanwhile, he was out this afternoon burning bridges. Literally. Burning the bridge.

And where's the fire extinguisher?

Sitting in the corner of the storage building where we found it 3 years ago. (*sigh*)

Ya, I love me some fire!

Safety training -- long ago and far away.

Thank you so much for spending part of your Sunday with me!  Have a blessed new week!

Hugs, Myra

Firsts and stuff

Happy March!  

I'd initially planned to post something Monday eve ... you know, to observe my affinity for 1st's.  Well, that didn't happen, but yesterday?  I was all worked up to blog:  Cold, rainy weather, (faux) fireplace ablaze...  life is good!

Except.  I remembered an upcoming birthday -- necessitating a card and stamps.  To the Dollar Tree!  ... where I scored not one, but a poke-full of St. Paddy's Day stuff and firm-bristle toothbrushes.  Unlike a former co-worker, I don't observe the first of each month by saying "Rabbit" Rabbit!"  but I do make it a habit to open a new toothbrush.  Simple pleasures.

Tom's so funny.  We were right there at Wal-Mart and he's in the mood for their frozen 3-cheese lasagna.  I strongly suspect he just wanted me along to man the self-serve check-out -- but we wound up spending the better part of an hour.  Aside from my father, I've never known a man who loves to browse the grocer's shelves the way he does.

OK, I'm blaming what happened next on a dear friend who (for the time being) shall remain anonymous. 😉

I'm busy scanning like I knew what I was doing, and Tom's over there bagging.  I turned the cart about and began helping him load.  Ready? Ready!

I'd not gone 5 feet when it occurred to me, I never paid for the groceries!  Thank goodness, no-one seemed to have noticed but man, I was embarrassed.    

Note to self!

Sorry, Linda!

🍀

Like a couple other March-baby bloggers, I've decided to celebrate my birthday all month long.   And what better way than to jazz up the dining room?

This silk hanky was a gift to mother when my dad was stationed overseas.

As some of you know, he always bought me green carnations for my St. Paddy's Day birthday ... so ya, I feel bound to continue that tradition. (*smile*)

Oh, Tom says 'thanks' for the birthday wishes ... and kind comments on my 'scratch' German Chocolate cake.  The other day Debbie and I shared a good laugh recalling when she visited me in Arizona and we made her a crock-pot chocolate cake.  "To die for!" ... Best compliment ever!

So, I don't really want a birthday cake, but going forward, I'm taking a page from my DIL and let Publix do the baking.

Rather than spend hundreds on a professional cake for Grand #1's wedding reception, Lois bought several varieties and let everyone choose their own.

Clever girl uses those fleece throws they sell at Wal-Mart as table coverings.

🍀

OK. I'm gonna close and see maybe if there's a clogging tutorial to be found on YouTube.

Keep warm ... keep safe!

Hugs, Myra