2026 Project 365 – Week Eleven

War, incompetence, gun violence, knife attacks by elementary school children… These are this week’s weights. Whimsical crochet, spring flowers, salty t-shirts & stickers, some of the best Jambalaya I’ve ever eaten (Dr. M is a cooking genius)… These are this week’s counterweights. Shannan Martin, one of my favorite internet people, has a book coming out later this month called Counterweights. I’m on the advance reading team and I really recommend it because we need to name the awful AND name the lovely.
Sunday, March 8^th               
Once again, Craig and I look like we got together beforehand & coordinated our outfits. It was especially fun because we both tag-teamed the gospel reading.

Monday, March 9^th            
Monday’s mall walking t-shirt. This one was a gift from my bestie!
 

Tuesday, March 10^th
Blooming things! We’ve had this annoying weed in our peony bed. I fully intended to try to cut it down over the winter but never got around to it & boy am I glad I didn’t! It’s the white bush below, which our plant app identified as a Baby’s Breath Spirea. So pretty!
     

Wednesday, March 11^th           
Got behind another interesting car. The sticker that really grabbed my attention says “THEY DIDN’T BURN WITCHES THEY BURNED WOMEN.”
 

Also, here is another birb. Makes me laugh.
 

Thursday, March 12^th   
Ate my lunch at dad & Sue’s house.
 

Friday, March 13^th
Having chickens wander through our back yard is just the best thing.
 

Saturday, March 14^th    
I got these stickers for my sister-in-law for her birthday (it's in April but I’m giving them to her early because I can’t stand it).

And I made her a bird too! (Bonus photo of my topknot because you can see it reflected in my iPad in the bird photos.)

I had to have bloodwork done on Friday in preparation for my annual physical next week & I’m happy to report that my iron continues to be in the normal range. In fact, the only thing of concern was my creatinine which continues to indicate baby kidney disease. Hopefully my doctor is as happy with the results as I am! What is making you happy these days? Because lord knows we need a little happy!

2026 Project 365 – Week Ten

Today was the beginning of my favorite time of year – Daylight Saving (Savings, Savings’, Saving’s, etc. etc.) Time. As I have discussed many times before, I am not a morning person so I don’t care what the sun is doing then. Is it dark when I’m going to work? Well, SO IS MY SOUL JANET. Evening sun is a balm for me. Now, to remember to go to bed in a timely manner.
Sunday, March 1^st               
Dr. M & me at my family birthday celebration. Once again, I took no photos of other people - oops! But check out Dr. M's t-shirt. It is the TRUTH.

Monday, March 2^nd           
 A tale of two vehicles, seen on my lunch hour (the first one is a paving business). 
 

My latest t-shirt. This one is from Penzey’s Spices (this is the first of two Penzey’s sightings this week).
 

Tuesday, March 3^rd – my birthday!
Birthday flowers from Dr. M – so pretty! I also had a piece of cake as big as my head. Full disclosure? I had another piece later, and then more on Wednesday.
       

Wednesday, March 4^th           
Sheep!
 

Thursday, March 5^th   
Spent my lunch hour finishing this flip the bird project. It makes me laugh. I’ve already made another one. Ha!
 

Then I ate this Nothing Bundt Banana Pudding flavored cake that my coworker gave me. It was DELICIOUS. To be honest, my body is ready for my birthday to be over.
 

Friday, March 6^th
Spring in Lincoln County. So pretty!
 

Saturday, March 7^th    
My birthday present from Dr. M. These are my favorite spices from his Penzey’s Advent calendar. I use them in my omelets – so yummy. And the box came with a free bumper sticker!
 

OK, I need to get off of this computer & eat the very last part of my birthday celebration. It’s a week old cupcake and I will just be eating the icing off of it because I’m sure the cake part is dry as dust. Will report back later. How was your week?

P.S. My nephew in the army has been put on alert because of the war in Iran. Our family is holding our breath, hoping he doesn't have to go to the Middle East. 

 
 

2026 Project 365 – Week Nine

People. It is MARCH. February was simultaneously 50 years long and 2 minutes long. I feel a little discombobulated about it, to be honest. Also I guess we're at war? Oof.
Sunday, February 22^nd              
Sue’s church had a spaghetti lunch fundraiser for the youth and I got to participate. I enjoyed spending time with Dad & Sue, the spaghetti was good, the dessert was excellent, and I got to see my friend Jenny! Side note: I used my hair coloring crayons on Saturday for my church's game night and not a single person commented until I went to work on Monday. The perils of being a brunette - as you can see, it's not all the noticeable. I'm giving them to a little girl at church. 

Monday, February 23^rd          
What might have been…
 

Tuesday, February 24^th         
Our backyard chicken. Dr. M looks out the window most days & sees her rootling around in the leaves that he left behind (on purpose because bugs for chickens!).
        

Wednesday, February 25^th           
Every time I wear this sweater I get compliments – and people think I made it. I did not – a coworker found it at a thrift shop & thought it looked like me & she was right!
 

Thursday, February 26^th   
There’s a big sign on that road telling trucks DO NOT TURN RIGHT. This is why – it’s a very sharp, uphill turn and they can’t do it. But about once a quarter or so some nimrod doesn’t pay attention. Fortunately I could turn right to get to work. But get it together man! (I’m assuming it’s a man – ha!)
 

Friday, February 27^th
I pulled my hair back to wash my face at bedtime and started cackling because my hair was giving someone the finger. I’ll bet we know who!
 

Saturday, February 28^th    
Dr. M got some Easter flowers for his mother’s grave, and while he was there he found henbit on an infant’s grave. Spring is getting ready to spring, even amongst sad memories.
 

Speaking of sad memories, today is the 9^th anniversary of our very traumatic move back home to NC. Whew. We kind of try to not remember it, but if you want to relive the drama you can go here.

In other news, my birthday is Tuesday, and Dr. M had the brilliant idea to cook for my family for lunch today. He made pulled pork and it was FABULOUS. So good. We had a lovely lunch with Dad, Sue, and my brother and his wife. I felt well celebrated.

2026 Project 365 – Week Eight

You guys are SO LUCKY this week! You get to see me in FOUR different toppers! I know you’re really excited, so we’ll just dive in.
Sunday, February 15^th             
Love song to my husband: I love how absolutely intense you are about curling. Every four years you become an expert with very firm opinions. There is analysis, player bios, cursing, yelling at the announcers, the bliss of your team doing well. And I also love that you will transfer all that intensity to hockey. And, very soon, to baseball! I guess what I’m saying is that I find your 5 wing very sexy 😘.

Monday, February 16^th         
Another fine dinner by Dr. M. There are chicken thighs under those onions & peppers & they were delicious, but the star of this meal is the pasta with fire roasted tomatoes. Man. SO GOOD!
 

Tuesday, February 17^th         
I got a little…exuberant… with the cream cheese on my bagel. Ha! (Those are tiny little penguins on my glasses.)
  

Wednesday, February 18^th           
I’m wearing Elmo toppers & you can’t tell me nothin’!

Thursday, February 19^th   
The daffies behind our house finally opened up!
 

Friday, February 20^th
Things I did during my lunch break: Walked to a shop. Bought art and a ridiculously expensive chocolate bar ($9 whole dollars!). Opened my cigarette pack to find cute earrings. Ate $9.00 of chocolate. 10 out of 10. Highly recommend. (P.S. those are sheep on my glasses!)
 

 
Meanwhile, Dr. M enjoyed some deck sitting. Such a glorious false spring day!
 

Saturday, February 21^st    
We had a pajama game day at church! It was a blast & we want to do it again for sure (maybe make it a regular thing). We had all ages – from a brand new 7 year old to a 90+ year old. Also, I ate about a quart of banana pudding. My glasses have frogs on them (purchased after hearing about all the frog inflatables from Seattle).

Well, the Olympics are over. Whatever will we do with our time now? We might have to have quiet evenings of reading until hockey starts back up. What a concept! How do you entertain yourself in the evenings?
 
 

2026 Project 365 – Week Seven

We warmed up, we cooled back down, we had sun, we had rain. Isn’t March supposed to be the changeable weather month? Or has all that fallen by the wayside with climate change & Mother Nature is doing whatever the heck she wants? Don’t people know how dangerous a woman with hot flashes can be?
Sunday, February 8^th             
I watched the Superbowl for the express purpose of watching the Bad Bunny halftime show. It was amazing – when it opened with the sugar cane I knew he was about to make a statement. Whew! (Also I enjoyed all the other music – Brandi Carlilse singing America the Beautiful, Coco Jones singing Lift Every Voice and Sing, and that white guy singing the Star Spangled Banner.)

Monday, February 9^th         
Today’s mall sermon, plus the stickers that came with the shirt.
 

Tuesday, February 10^th         
There is this new cat that has started showing up at Dr. M’s dad’s house. It’s the doppelganger of his dad’s old beloved cat – and even gets under Dr. M’s feet like Smokey used to. So its name is Smokey 2.0 (even though we’re pretty sure it belongs to someone else & just comes by for food and a nap).
       

Wednesday, February 11^th           
Second mall sermon of the week! This basically says humanity has no future without local agriculture.

Thursday, February 12^th   
Our neighbor has a new dog – Poe! She’s mainly keeping him for a friend who can’t. Dr. M is thrilled to have a new friend to give scritches to. Oh, and there are still chickens roaming around.
 

Friday, February 13^th
Dr. M found the PERFECT shirt!
 

Saturday, February 14^th     
Valentine’s Day: when Dr. M gets tulips for me so that I can watch them open up & then shrivel up. Because I am a weirdo.
 

We have spent a lot of time watching curling and hockey this week. It’s been so much fun! Dr. M gets VERY INTO IT, which pulls me (willingly) along. Do you watch any of the Olympics? I can’t watch ice skating because it makes me too nervous!

2026 Project 365 – Week Six

I don’t know man, February is the worst, and the national news is also the worst.
Sunday, February 1^st            
Snow.

Monday, February 2^nd         
This was my post on the socials: February from my Mary Engelbreit calendar. It looks like it should be so easy, but it keeps slipping out of our grasp. Like maybe a giant orange cat is slapping it out of our hands. Or something. Yours, in love and rage, The Bug.
 

Tuesday, February 3^rd        
Dr. M is glad to report that our daffodils are very hardy!

Wednesday, February 4^th           
Dr. M saw sheep!
 

My mall walking T-shirt.
 

 Thursday, February 5^th   
It snowed AGAIN. It was very pretty & didn’t really stick around (or add to what was still on the ground). But still. I was unamused.
 

Friday, February 6^th          
I finally updated my Dollywood calendar and once again decided that the Mt. Rushmore square (for President’s Day) needed to be upside down.
 

Saturday, February 7^th     
Pop was tired of sitting in the house! He has a little sheltered nook out by the shed. Dr. M, however, was NOT sheltered so he got a little cold.

Also, the cats are doing just fine.
 

I’ve basically been cold all week (except for that lunch hour I spent driving in my car when it was sunny that one day) and watching the winter Olympics is NOT HELPING. I’m currently sitting in my recliner with my heating pad on even though I don’t actually have a backache. What’s your current situation?