2019 Project 365 – Week Twenty-one

This week was apparently all about food and the selfie. I didn’t really realize how many pictures that I’d taken of myself until I started organizing this post. Well, to be clear, I take pictures of myself REGULARLY just in case I’m extra cute that day, but I don’t usually post all of them. I guess this is your lucky week!

Sunday, May 19^th                                        

Beautiful day! The Grilling Man fired up the Foreman Grill. And I finished a scarf using the remnants of the yarn I used for the vest I finished a few weeks ago.

Monday, May 20^th                   

It’s hay roll season! I love them!

Tuesday, May 21^st                                                   

My hair was a bit extra today.

Wednesday, May 22^nd                                                       

Oh my goodness I had a TERRIBLE (but delicious) food day. This new job is going be a problem – there is always some kind of evil temptation in the office. I didn’t feel like real dinner when I got home, so I made a big ole bowl of goopy grits, eggs, & raisins. Yum!

Thursday, May 23^rd                                                       

When I saw this vest/duster last year I HAD to have it. But it’s a bit…much. I decided to wear it today anyway & got lots of compliments – possibly for my bravery in wearing it, but I’m ok with that.

Dr. M got our house ready for Memorial Day.

I’ve not been too sure about the yarn I picked for my next project. It reminds me too much of a couch that my parents had in the 80s. But then my friend Becci at Feryl Designs posted these earrings that match perfectly, so maybe I’m in fashion after all!

Friday, May 24^th                                                    

Dr.  M posted this on Facebook: “It’s not a bad leg...still strong, though weaker now than my left because of the nerve issues. Sometimes when I’m comfortable (read: in a recliner and stoned on gabapentin), I think I’m okay. Then I stand up for five minutes or sit in an office chair or a car seat for twenty minutes, and I know I need help. Don’t even ask what it costs me to get groceries, etc., for Pop each week. I’ve worked hard in physical therapy this month, and I am stronger where it counts. I’ll continue to work on core strength going forward. But the pain and burning are unabated, the deterioration in my lumbar unchecked. I meet with the neurosurgeon on June 5th...guess I’ll find out after that when D-Day is.”

I took a picture of the little topknot I wore to bed – it made me laugh with those sprigs sticking out. Please note that I am growing out my gray just to see what it looks like. So far I’m not really a fan.

Saturday, May 25^th     

My breakfast – steel cut oats, fried egg, tomatoes, bell peppers, spinach & a lil parmesan. It was great!

Our single day orange lilies are blooming. They’re about three feet tall – crazypants!

I went to lunch with Daddy & Sue. The restaurant had these giant barrels that we sat in to eat. I got a Portobello burger & the most decadent chocolate cake – YUM. I only ate half of each, but that was a gracious plenty.

Meanwhile, Dr. M was hanging out with his Pop & got to see the neighborhood peacock.

Tomorrow is Memorial Day. It’s 92 degrees right now, so we won’t be having any outdoor cookouts. But Memorial Day doesn’t seem like the right occasion for celebrations to me anyway. Check out this twitter thread on the U.S. Army’s page to see where my mood is these days. I’d like to hope that we could honor the memory of those who have sacrificed for our country by taking better care of those are still among us, sacrificing among us.

2019 Project 365 – Week Twenty

Last week Catalyst asked how Dr. M is doing. He continues to be in a lot of pain, but due to his hard head stubborn nature iron will he is continuing to take care of his Pop, get groceries for us, and mow the lawn (with his dad’s riding mower). He has an appointment with the surgeon on June 5^th. Until then he’ll have physical therapy twice a week.

Sunday, May 12^th                                        

The flowers from our yard say Happy Mother’s Day!

Monday, May 13^th                   

Got a haircut – mainly wanted to get all that hair off of my neck. I have nice thick hair which is fabulous until I can’t stand it anymore.

Our volunteer impatiens make me smile.

Tuesday, May 14^th                                                  

Ms. Rita, our red geranium, has been blooming like crazy for weeks now, but Ms. Pinky has been having her annual snit. She is FINALLY deigning to grace our presence with a bloom, which might actually BLOOM sometime this coming week.

Wednesday, May 15^th                                                      

Juvenile delinquent.

Thursday, May 16^th                                                      

The skirt that I wore today was so long that it kept getting caught in the wheels of my office chair. I was pretty pleased with my binder clip solution.

Meanwhile, Dr. M was enjoying some time in the swing out back. I love this picture of him with the trees as a backdrop.

Friday, May 17^th                                                    

The Blanket Flowers are adding some interest to our sea of coreopsis.

Saturday, May 18^th     

It was almost 10:00 & I realized that I hadn’t taken a picture. Earlier in the week I had put my grandmother’s hat on Samuel Spaniel to see how long it would take Dr. M to notice. He noticed later that day, but it amused me so much that Samuel is still wearing the hat. Ha!

Work outfits. This time, on Tuesday, I’m wearing black pants that “fit” but they’re too long. This is why you’re seeing so many skirts. What’s annoying is that, even though I’m short (5’4”), my legs aren’t really all that short. I guess women are just supposed to always wear heels?

From my Facebook post this afternoon: “Dear Facebook, I need some help interpreting a dream from last night. I was at work & on the phone with NC Mountain Woman talking about this wonderful banana bread I was eating when I had a FABULOUS idea: just fax some to her! I got up & went to the fax machine & started looking for a fax cover sheet. And that's when it dawned on me that I probably couldn't actually fax banana bread. I started laughing maniacally & startled my coworker.” My Facebook community basically laughed & had no real insight to offer. What say you?

The Leafing of the Oak Tree

April 6

April 26

2019 Project 365 – Week Nineteen

Happy Mother’s Day! I always have a little twinge on this day, but mostly I’m glad for all the great (and hilarious) memories I have of my mom. Love & miss you Momcat!

Sunday, May 5^th                                        

I wore my new Feryl Designs necklace today (why yes, I did buy myself something when I got Sue’s birthday present). I always love Becci’s designs, but I think she outdid herself on this one. Also note my glasses situation. I would not be a BIT surprised if I end up wearing a third pair around my neck sometime.

Monday, May 6^th                   

The rose bush that we call Peaches actually is more of a coat of many colors sort of rose. I love her rainbow style.

Tuesday, May 7^th                                                  

My concealer formed a little heart this morning, which I took as a good omen.

Our peonies have been GORGEOUS this week!

Wednesday, May 8^th                                                      

The Roy came by for some scritches.

Thursday, May 9^th                                                      

The volunteer petunia is looking lovely. And Ms. Pinky is almost over her winter snit.

Friday, May 10^th                                                    

It’s the Spike Leaved Coreopsis that ate Plateau! It’s pretty much taken over the wildflower bed. There are a few other flowers poking their heads up in there, but for now it’s all yellow, all the time. I’m not mad – I think they’re very cheerful.

Saturday, May 11^th     

I like a slushy Diet Sundrop, so mid-morning I went to put one in the freezer, but when I looked down I had an egg in my hand.  I’d been awake since 6:30, so I’m going to blame sleep deprivation. #what

Work outfits. I’m probably winding down on this – I only have so many different outfits. I have to say that I finally see what folks have been telling me – that one pair of black pants are too baggy now. It’s so hard to give them up – mostly because it’s so hard to find a replacement that I like.

Work is still going well & I’m still enjoying it. Whew! What’s going on in your life?

2019 Project 365 – Week Eighteen

Rachel Held Evans died on Saturday. She was a shining light for those of us who grew up in the evangelical tradition & then chose to leave that world. She was way too young – 37 – and leaves behind a husband and small children (1 and 3 years old). I am so so so very sad about it. I’ll be reading her books and thinking about how mad I am at God for a while.

Sunday, April 28^th                                       

When we came out of the nursing home we were struck by the fact that this car exactly matched Sue’s dress. Fun!

Meanwhile, the blue bunting was eating peacefully at the feeder with a cardinal.

Monday, April 29^th                   

Our house is quite lovely right now.

My status from Facebook: I had a fabulous first day at work - thanks for all your good wishes! Also, I was down at WW even though I forgot my weigh in clothes. A good day!

Tuesday, April 30^th                                                  

I FINALLY finished my lone crochet project of the year (not counting finishing last year’s blankets). The recipient loved it – whew! I laughed when she sent the pictures – she knew better than to send a picture with a face on it if she didn’t want it on my blog. Ha!

Wednesday, May 1^st                                                     

Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak!

Thursday, May 2^nd                                                     

The Dr. Van Fleet rose at Dr. M’s father’s house – so delicate & pretty. It’s about 70 years old.

Friday, May 3^rd                                                   

Dr. M went for his first physical therapy session today – fortunately it is located very close to us (well, nearly 10 miles, but that’s close now that we live 10 miles from everywhere.).

Meanwhile, I was arranging my desk. I LOVE the little finger highlighters! I really need to find some project to use them on.

Saturday, May 4^th     

Fundraising barbecue is big around here. They serve actual BBQ (as opposed to those folks who “have a barbecue” & are really just grilling hamburgers). Yum!

I missed Monday, but took a picture of my daily work outfit for the rest of the week. I don’t know why. There’s a big full length mirror in the bathroom at work. I’m amused at some of my choices. For example, Tuesday’s outfit looks like pajamas. And you know, I’m ok with that! Also, what is UP with my Friday hair?  

I survived my first week at my new job! I actually really enjoyed it – I think this will be a good fit for me. However, I will be mostly brain dead in the evenings until I feel more comfortable with all the aspects of the position. Learning is hard work! Although to be fair to myself, most of this stuff is very similar to work I’ve done in the past, so perhaps it won’t take as long as I think to get the hang of things.  

 Be thinking about Dr. M tomorrow - he has his first cortisone injection. Big thanks to my dad who will be driving him there. He's pretty nervous about it (Dr. M, not my dad) - here's hoping that it goes smoothly & has a big impact for the better on how he feels!