A Life List at the End of February

LOOKING OUT MY WINDOW....

Last week we were in the 70's and today we are in the 30's. This nutty weather is what makes Kansas such a fun place to live!! But, the sun is shining and that makes it all worthwhile. I'll just keep throwing on a jacket! And turn on my furnace again!!

AS I PONDER.... 

Too much to ponder!


WHAT I AM LEARNING...

We learned the car wash doesn't get cars really clean!
Can't wait to give this one a Paula Wash!

WHAT I 'M CREATING...

I have changed out my February Valentine's mantle to a Hello Spring mantle. Although with today's temperatures in the 30's you wouldn't know that spring is on it's way. I have a very pretty turquoise blue color theme throughout my kitchen/dining room. That adorable little "ball" banner is actually battery operated lights. I wish you could see how pretty it was at night!

Loving that little white bunny

Hello Spring!

Chalkboard

Sweet little lights at night

Placemats

kitchen towels to match

WHAT I'M READING....

I am reading The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney. This is our March bookclub read! I'm also still listening to Belong To Me. But I have to admit I haven't been doing too much of either book. I am busy with a new Facebook group for my new soldier. Lots of reading and learning about becoming #ArmyStrong. 


WHAT I'M WATCHING...

We didn't watch the Oscars. We usually do. But it wasn't because I was "boycotting them". I believe in Freedom of Speech. They have just as much right to speak against the President as anyone else does. It pisses me off when I hear people say 'celebrities have no right to speak against this administration." Have people forgotten this President was on Celebrity Apprentice first? He was a TV star before he was a president. We didn't watch because there were other things going on! I missed seeing all the beautiful dresses!


Pictures I want to share....

My last picture for awhile

She got her nose piercewd

Amen!

WHAT I'M DRINKING....

Sitting here at the computer sipping my first cup of French Vanilla Coffee! Yum! So good!


WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE KITCHEN...

Monday...Hamburger Steaks & Fries
Tuesday...Grilled Chicken Salad
Wednesday..Granny is on her own
Thursday...Ham & Cheese Wraps *Soup
Friday...Pizza
Saturday...One Pan Chicken&Orange Chili Noodles
Sunday...Spaghetti & Meatballs

A QUOTE I WANT TO SHARE...

Fighting.....

I am fighting my way through Darian's room. Decluttering, packing stuff away, getting ready to paint. How many times have you heard that??? Don't tell me!




A peek into my week...

Harley doesn't work any this week! Not until Saturday, that is. So I will take a break from driving the taxi and see what I can get accomplished. And she can work on that grade point average!!


  
A final thought...

As we leave February and head into March...

My Favorite Things for February

In focusing on the positive I thought I would share with you some of my favorite 'things' from February.

First of all is my new mini Happy Planner. It is about the size of my hand. I still like the Classic (bigger) Happy Planner and am thinking about turning it into a 'memory planner.' I like the way the mini is set up. And I like that it has lines. I haven't completely figured out how I am going to use it but so far I love it. Another favorite thing is those awesome Eiffel Tower scissors I purchased at Target. They are really sharp and great for paper cutting. And just too darn cute. And that pretty picture I colored is one of my favorite from this month!!

My final week of February

I also love this bookmark made from a page I colored!

Oh so pretty!
The plate is on a silver charger layered over
a red place mat!

 Another favorite thing this month are these plates I picked up at The Dollar Tree. $1 each. And so bright and fun! My regular Pfaltzgraff dishes have taken a beating over the years and are getting chipped so I treated myself to some new plates.






This year my February mantle was one of my favorite EVER! I filled it up and layered a lot onto it. I love these adorable little metal word pieces which I found at the Target Dollar Spot. They were $3 each and added such a cute layer to my mantle. Do you shop at the Dollar Spot? I need to stay away more!! LOL 

Just a card in the picture frame

Little plaques from my son

 My favorite snack for February has been these yummy chocolate Hazelnut cream filled wafers! Perfect with a cup of coffee in the afternoon for a 'pick me up'. They are $1 from the Dollar Tree. There are 10 wafers in each little can. They are 100 calories for 2 wafers. I usually only have one!! They also have a vanilla filled wafer that is simply to die for.

oops upside down!

My best purchase for this month was also from The Dollar Tree. Harley and I took a little road trip to a neighboring town that has a bigger Dollar Tree than ours. We found these tempered glass screen savers for $1 each. They are identical to what I purchased from Amazon for $7.99 a pack. I have never broken, cracked, or had any damage to my screen saver but the grandkids are hard on theirs and have replaced them a couple times. Harley recently purchased a pretty expensive one for her iPhone and cracked it in less than a month! So these are a really, really good buy!

Now this next thing is not really a thing. It's a picture of my son. I sent him a picture of a towel, which he left on the floor, and told him he couldn't do things like that. This is what I got as an answer. No matter how big they are or how old they get they can still be smarta**es! But I love the picture!

I would be remiss if I didn't include the weather for one of my favorite things. This is the temperature, right now, at 5:45 p.m. here in Hutchinson!!!!!!!


What have been some of your favorite things this month? Tell me about them in the comments! And have a great week!

Love Warrior-A Book Review and My Honest Opinion (Beware)

Below is the review written on Barnes and Noble. Mine will follow!

Just when Glennon Doyle Melton was beginning to feel she had it all figured out—three happy children, a doting spouse, and a writing career so successful that her first book catapulted to the top of the New York Times bestseller list—her husband revealed his infidelity and she was forced to realize that nothing was as it seemed. A recovering alcoholic and bulimic, Glennon found that rock bottom was a familiar place. In the midst of crisis, she knew to hold on to what she discovered in recovery: that her deepest pain has always held within it an invitation to a richer life.

Love Warrior is the story of one marriage, but it is also the story of the healing that is possible for any of us when we refuse to settle for good enough and begin to face pain and love head-on. This astonishing memoir reveals how our ideals of masculinity and femininity can make it impossible for a man and a woman to truly know one another - and it captures the beauty that unfolds when one couple commits to unlearning everything they've been taught so that they can finally, after thirteen years of marriage, commit to living true—true to themselves and to each other.

Love Warrior is a gorgeous and inspiring account of how we are born to be warriors: strong, powerful, and brave; able to confront the pain and claim the love that exists for us all. This chronicle of a beautiful, brutal journey speaks to anyone who yearns for deeper, truer relationships and a more abundant, authentic life.

I read this book as the February book selection for the on-line book club I joined. These kinds of books are usually not my cup of tea. This book was hard to read. I always wonder what makes a book a best seller. I think maybe it is because so many people will relate to what the author has to say. I did not read her first book Carry On, Warrior I don't know that I will either.

This book shows Glennon at what she calls rock bottom. She is struggling with recovery from addictions: alcoholism and bulimia. She has married the man that she was with during those times. Never a good idea, in my opinion. She had become pregnant at the times of these addictions. They chose to have an abortion. And  when she became pregnant the second time she and Craig married. Already off to what I would call a 'rock bottom' start. After she had three kids and a "what she thought" a stable marriage she discovers that Craig has cheated on her with 'real' women and pornography. This book is about how she finds herself and heals her marriage. In the end of the book they find 'happiness'. 

But they don't really! Just before I read the last few pages of the book I discovered that not only do they end the marriage (just as the book comes out) but she decides to announce to the world she is in love with soccer star Abby Wombach. What disturbs me about this is not the fact she is "gay" (although I question it) but the fact that she announced on her blog in August of 2016 she and Craig were separating and she announced in February 2017 that she and Abby were engaged. WHAT??? I say we haven't heard the last from this author on how messed up she is! I just don't think I care to read about it anymore. 

And just for the record I am not opposed to gay marriage. I am not opposed to gay people. I don't believe in the lifestyle but it is not for me to judge them. I have friends who are gay. I have friends who have gay children.I have friends whose spouses left them to participate in gay relationships. I have seen the pain and agony caused by this. The questioning of both the spouses left behind and their children.

My hope for the future of this world is for people to figure out who they are before they bring kids into the world. It's really not that hard. Kids are a privilege, not a right. I can only wonder what pain and suffering is brought to children who wonder if they really know who their parents are. And if the parents don't know who they are how can they lead children through some of the most difficult years of their lives.

This book will get **, just eh okay!

I will step off my soapbox now. Keep your comments and responses nice and respectful. Because I am just keeping my blog honest and real.  

My Life List-February 20th Edition

LOOKING OUT MY WINDOW....

Sunday was dreary here. But still 52* Tomorrow and all the rest of the week we will be seeing temps in the 70's. Then a drop back to the 50's on Friday. Beautiful spring type weather in February. I won't hold my breath yet!


AS I PONDER.... 

Lately I have been thinking about "fake news". Bet you know where I got that term from, don't you? Fake news is everywhere. Recently I read this study about  youth being unable to tell the difference between 'fake' news stories and the real ones. Heck, I have a hard time telling the difference. Even when we hear the words coming out of a person's mouth how are we supposed to know what is true and what is not? I used to be able to watch the news and could be pretty certain what I was hearing was the absolute truth! Not anymore! And it is sad! I don't have time to go out and check every news story I hear. Do you? So how do we decide what is true and what is 'fake'. There was a time when I could trust the President of the United States to let me know what was true. But notso much anymore. And I am saddened by that. It used to be the job of a reporter, or an editor, to check that the sources are true. Now, I guess, it is the job of the reader. Frankly, I am just too tired to do all of it!


WHAT I AM LEARNING...

I am learning that excitement comes in many places. I was almost ready to nod off in front of the TV this evening when my phone buzzed with a text. It said, "I love you granny" I about jumped out of my chair. It was my soldier texting. And then he called. And texted more. And called again. It was so good to hear from him. Because of good behavior they were allowed their phones for 3 hours tonight! He called his sister and his uncle too!! He hasn't yet entered into Basic Training. He is still in reception. This is where they do lots of paperwork, medical exams, vaccinations, issue their uniforms and boots, get their haircut, see the dentist. And stand around a lot. He had an issue with swollen ankles so had to go spend a couple days in sickbay. Now he is better. Said it was from standing around a lot and drinking a lot and fluid gathered in ankles. But they checked him out to make sure it wasn't a heart problem. He sounded very good. He's upbeat. He is ready to ship to basic. That's what they call it. But they only go to another area of the base!! And once there Basic Training starts. 14 weeks from that day we will see him again. Believe me it was good to hear from him. I held it all together until we hung up and then I bawled like a baby. Probably won't get another call until the short call with his address and then letters only!!

WHAT I'M READING....

Still reading the same books. I am so slow right now. Just too much to do and fall asleep when I read at night!!


WHAT I'M WATCHING...

I watched the show, The Good Fight, tonight. It is a spin off of the Good Wife. Wasn't that impressed without Alicia!

WHAT I'M HEARING...

Listening to NCIS Los Angeles at the moment. 

Pictures to share....

No hair!!

PVT Darian

Still has his own glasses

WHAT I'M DRINKING....

Lots of ice cold water!


WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE KITCHEN...

Monday...Leftovers

Tuesday...Chicken Chopped Sunflower Salad

Wednesday..Grab and Go for granny

Thursday...Soup and Sandwiches

Friday...weekend plans are up in the air for now

Saturday...

Sunday...

A QUOTE I WANT TO SHARE...

In Honor of President's Day in America!

What I'm fighting...

A peek into my week...

Harley had a half day out of school on Friday so we went to the DMV and got my license renewed (not due until April) and she got a State ID issued. Since she hasn't taken driver's ed yet she needs a State ID to get her nose pierced and to get onto the Army base when we go see Darian graduate. So this week we will go down to do the piercing and she has been begging to do some shopping. Guess I'll suck it up and go with her. I am just not that into shopping! But she loves it. She only works on Thursday and Saturday this week. And there is no school on either Thursday or Friday so we might do something fun!



A final thought...

WOW! Already February is coming to a close. One of the quotes in my planner says, "a year from now you will wish you had started today." So I am going to start today!! How about you??

A Picture Filled Life List

LOOKING OUT MY WINDOW....

Hard to believe it is winter in Kansas. We are sitting at 50* right now and it is just a bit past noon. This weather is to last the rest of this week. Up to 70* in the latter part of the week. Just crazy!

AS I PONDER....

Bet you don't know what I'm pondering, do you? Or if you know me well then you know that today is the day Darian ships out of Oklahoma City to his basic training in the Army! I haven't yet heard that he is headed to the airport but he is supposed to do his final swearing in at 11:00. The Sgt. told us yesterday that no news is good news! 
(just got a text that he has sworn in and now waiting to leave for airport) 


WHAT I AM LEARNING...

If there is ever a time that I will need to learn about patience it is now. And that is not a virtue of mine. I am a worrier! I worry about everything. Even if there isn't anything I can do about it, I worry about it. I think a lot of us are like that! Anyway I know I am not alone.

WHAT I 'M CREATING...

Still creating space! This will be ongoing for awhile. There is a lot of crap in this house! Believe me! A Lot! 


WHAT I'M READING.
I am reading Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton. This is our February book club choice. There will be a lot to talk about on book club night! I like the book club on You Tube idea! Don't have to change clothes. Can drink a few glasses of wine and not worry about driving home. And I can make faces or disagree with people without them even knowing. Can it get anymore fun than that?? I am also listening to Belong To Me by Marisa de los Santos. A freebie on Nook audible. Good, so far!


WHAT I'M WATCHING...

I haven't watched much of anything new lately. Just the regular shows I follow.

WHAT I'M HEARING...

At the moment, The Chew is on as background noise. Making me think of dinner plans. My planned menu probably won't work because Harley's schedule changed and she will be home tonight. I need to make a Target run so maybe we'll just grab a burger before we head home. She was lucky enough to cut her hours (for this week anyway) back to Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. They are getting a new manager so we will see how that holds up. 

WHAT'S ON MY CAMERA...

Ever the goof ball!

Love his shirt

hanging out with the cousin

at the Army office

final instructions

Paige has his "unacceptable shaving cream"

final hugs

more hugs

Uncle Justin and Darian

And one last hug

packing his liquids

WHAT I'M DRINKING....

I'm not drinking anything at the moment. But I'm thinking about it!


WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE KITCHEN...

Monday...Burgers out!

Tuesday...Sloppy Joes

Wednesday..Salad

Thursday...Chicken Pot Pie

Friday...Pizza

Saturday...Baked Chicken

Sunday...Crockpot Beef Stroganoff


A QUOTE I WANT TO SHARE...

A final thought...

Happy Valentine's Day to all my family and friends! 

A Safe Five Minute Friday

Time for another Five Minute Friday. If you want to write along with us go check out the blog. 

This week's prompt is SAFE

Go:

I have been hearing a lot about being safe lately. There is so much talk from the leader of our free world about keeping us safe. I have been listening to those who are in favor of gun ownership about being safe. My main concern in this world is my family's safety. But I am not afraid. I don't feel un-safe. Not even a tiny bit. 

I don't need a gun to protect me and my loved ones. The end of my story has already been written. And what will be, will be. I am not afraid. What I am afraid of is seeing so many people walking the streets with guns strapped to their hips. What I wonder is this: "What are THEY so afraid of?" Maybe, I'm just dumb. But I don't feel the need to own or wear a gun! I feel safe. Especially in my own home. In my neighborhood. In my town. I am cautious. And I am aware of my surroundings. But I am not afraid.

As for our country....this story has been written too. I trust that God knows what He is doing. And once again, what will be,will be. I know that it is important to have safe-guards. And I think we already have them. For the most part. During my life-time most of the 'big' things that have caused terror in America were caused by people who were not from the countries  on the ban list. Saudi Arabia sent some terrorists. And America grew some terrorists. We need to be a country that can feel safe. But I feel our leader is going about it the wrong way. That is just my 'little old' personal opinion.And, thank God, I am still allowed to have an opinion.

I have nothing against you if you are a gun owner. That is your right. As long as you can remember that your right ends where mine begins. If it makes you feel safer, that is a good thing. I just don't need to own one to feel safer. I have a far more powerful tool at my disposal. And I am learning to use it the best way I can.


STOP

Still Life-A Book Review

Review below from Goodreads


Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec and his team of investigators are called in to the scene of a suspicious death in a rural village south of Montréal and yet a world away. Jane Neal, a long-time resident of Three Pines, has been found dead in the woods. The locals are certain it's a tragic hunting accident and nothing more but Gamache smells something foul this holiday season…and is soon certain that Jane died at the hands of someone much more sinister than a careless bowhunter.

With this award-winning first novel, Louise Penny introduces an engaging hero in Inspector Gamache, who commands his forces--and this series--with power, ingenuity, and charm.




I kept hearing about this author and this book series. Still Life is the first in the series of books about  Chief Inspector Gamache. The setting is Canada. So, the fact that I was hearing so much about this book from others is why I read this book. I am not always pleased with books others suggest. Sometimes I am! But this was not one of those times, I am sorry to say!

I love mysteries and "whodunits". This is the genre of this book. I didn't feel the characters were very well developed. I didn't feel like I "knew" this Chief Inspector. Unlike, James Patterson, who writes the Alex Cross books, Chief Inspector Gamache didn't stir enough interest in me to jump right over to Barnes and Noble and download the next series. (To be fair I have to say that James Patterson books have lost their appeal for me, too).

The story didn't flow right for me. I don't know why. The ending wasn't credible. I like endings to be incredible! The plot just wasn't there.

In reviews I have read that the series gets better. But I just don't have time to read books that don't grab me and hold me until the end. This was only a 'eh okay' book.

Two stars** 

A "LOVE"ly Hodgepodge

Wednesday is here. Go to From This Side of the Pond and grab the prompts, answer them on your blog, share the love with everyone!!

1. What's the last thing you did that someone else thought was super? 

This was easy to answer. Harley has been begging for a pierced nose for the past year (maybe more). She turned 17 last Saturday so that is what she is getting for her birthday from granny. I take her on Friday!! And she thinks it is the most "super" thing ever!!

2. The last thing you ate that tasted superb? 

Superb! I eat lots of things that I think are good. Lots of things that I think are delicious. But the most "superb" title is reserved for a Lindor Truffle. Oh my gosh. That yummy, melty inner stuff. To die for.....

3. Supersensitive, superstitious, superwoman, superambitious, supercilious, supervisor, superficial...pick a super word from the list and tell us how it relates to your life in some way recently or currently.

Gads, Joyce, you make me have to think!! I am going to go with "superambitious". I am always superambitious. But I don't always get the things done which I plan to do. Can't "superlazy" be one of the words??


4. Do you love easily? If you're comfortable doing so, explain why you think that is.

NO! I do not love easily. I have to trust, (that is #uno) like, and trust before I can love. Trust comes first!!   

5. Valentine's Day lands on a Tuesday this year. Will you mark the day in some way? If you're celebrating with a dinner out somewhere will it be on Tuesday or will you celebrate over the weekend? 

Valentine's Day is all about making money for the stores. And the florists. And the restaurants. Who needs a special day to tell your loved ones that you love them? We should be doing this everyday and not just on February 14. Sorry, I am not a big believer in Valentine's Day!! Or, for that same reason, Mother's Day and Father's Day and blah, blah, blah

6. What's something you are loving right now? 

Right now I am loving my grandson. Of course I love my granddaughters too. But I am heaping extra love on the grandson because he is leaving on Sunday. We won't get to see him for four months. And we will get very few phone calls. And I doubt he will be a good "letter writer" if you know what I mean. He's in the Army now!!

7 Write a three word (or less) phrase you'd like to see on a Valentine candy heart.

Love You Everyday
Not Just Today

I guess that would have to go on two candy hearts.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

For all who don't know yet! Darian has enlisted in the Army and he leaves on Sunday morning!! Send HIM your prayers for my grandson and all the troops. And throw in an extra prayer for those who protect us closer to home....our police officers and our deputy sheriff's officers!!

My Life List-February 7th Edition

LOOKING OUT MY WINDOW....

The sun has set! We started out very foggy this morning. Then the sun came out and we got up to 55*. Tomorrow they are predicting 70* How nice for Kansas in February!!

AS I PONDER.... 

There is a lot going on in my household. I will tell you all about it before we end this list. I am proud. I am scared! But it is a good thing. A good thing for our family!!! Wait for it....


WHAT I AM LEARNING...

I have been memorizing Psalm 121 with the Do Not Depart group. If you would like to join us just click on the box in the upper right hand of my blog. This weeks we are doing 121:6:

"the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night."

WHAT I 'M CREATING...

I'm making a sticker book for my Mambi stickers which I use in my Happy Planner. I will share it when I'm finished. I have switched to the Mini Happy Planner. I want to use my classic happy planner for memory keeping. I think!


WHAT I'M READING....

I am almost finished with Still Life
by Louise Penny. And I have been listening to Belong To Me by Marisa de los Santos. I received it free on my Nook Audible. So far I really enjoy it. I'm also keep up with my Bible reading (Yay, me!!) This week I am reading Leviticus in the NLT version. The Old Testament is a struggle sometimes but hopefully I will stay on track. And with the GOD and GLAM group I belong to we are reading Living the Christian Year as a devotional. So I only read a chapter each week (a few pages each day). We are on week six of Epiphany. I am learning so much. Whew, that's a lot of reading!!


WHAT I'M WATCHING...

Last night I watched TLC's Husband Brothers. Did anyone catch it. I don't know if it will become a new series or not. It is a take on Sister Wives except this is one wife and two husbands with five kids. It seems very scripted. And I don't think the couples get along as well as the Brown family in Sister Wives. I doubt that I will follow this series. What do you think of that idea?? No way would I want more than one husband. But I would take a few sister wives. Hahaha!

WHAT I'M HEARING...

Currently I have Kevin on as background noise. Not a show I watch regularly. But the remote is too far away!!

WHAT'S ON MY CAMERA...

Justin and Darian

Staying close but both on their phones

fighting with his sister

like this

Trying to get a decent picture

Best I could do. Darian isn't looking at the
camera and Paige has cookies in her mouth!!

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE KITCHEN...

Monday...Southwest Chicken Salad

Tuesday...Chili Dogs & Chips

Wednesday..Broccoli Cheese soup

Thursday...Ranch Chicken

Friday...Omelets

Saturday...Millionaire Spaghetti


Sunday...Nothing planned at the moment


A QUOTE I WANT TO SHARE...

Fight (Word for 2017)

A peek into my week...

I will be doing a lot of driving this week. Harley works everyday but Wednesday and Friday. Darian is coming home to spend the night with us on Saturday. Justin and Paige will be here Saturday too. I am taking Harley to get a "tiny" tiny nose piercing on Friday! It's her birthday present from me. She has been asking for it forever!! Darian turned 19 on Tuesday and Harley was 17 on Saturday. So we celebrated. Kind of! 



A final thought...



Yes that is right!! We have become an Army Family. And we are ARMY PROUD!  Darian made the trip two weeks ago to Oklahoma City and enlisted in the Army. He got everything from them he asked for. He leaves for Basic Training on Sunday! Yep, this Sunday!! He will have Basic training and his infantry training simultaneously and be gone for four months. I am so proud of him! We are all so proud of him! Stay turned for any and all updates!! And add this young man to your prayer lists. He has joined with a buddy. They will go to Basic (Fort Benning, Georgia) and then on to their first duty station together!! Very, very proud granny!!