2025 Project 365 – Week Forty-eight

Here it is Sunday night after being off work for two days and I’m not exactly feeling the Sunday Scaries, but I’m also not entirely excited about waking up at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow morning.
Sunday, November 23^rd           
We had a Thanksgiving potluck at church (Dr. M brought green bean casserole & cornbread!). But then afterward, something went awry with the hanging of the greens. I’m not sure what…

Monday, November 24^th     
Ducks. Getting into a row. I wonder if the black one is like a border collie duck?

 The Moon Man, at it again… 
 

Tuesday, November 25^th     
The EnChristmasification of City Hall!
 
 

Wednesday, November 26^th      
Dr. M volunteered to make the gravy for our family gathering. It was really good!
 

Thursday, November 27^th    
Happy Thanksgiving!
 

Friday, November 28^th              
We celebrated my brother’s 60^th birthday today (it’s on Monday, but we’ll all be at work). Dr. M & I bought him $60 worth of potato chips, his wife got him 60 Diet Sundrops, his youngest son & his wife got him 60 scratch-offs, and his older son & his partner gave him $60. She worked really hard on this!
 

P.S. I didn’t get a photo of my brother. What the heck!

From the socials: What a banner day in the Bug household! Firstly, @ridinthestormout59 gave me my anniversary present (two weeks early - very on brand for us). The 35th anniversary is the emerald anniversary & this necklace & earrings of raw emerald is perfect! Then, this flower delivery came to the wrong house & when we called customer service they said we could keep them! Bonus: my wedding flowers were roses & calla lilies!! (Final pic is of my @thehappygivers sweatshirt because duh.)

 
Saturday, November 29^th   
Boy those roses REALLY filled out!

I have my winter roommate back! Ms. Pinky has been blooming up a storm.
 

We made it through Thanksgiving unscathed (mostly) and are careering toward Christmas at a ridiculous pace. Will I be ready when it gets here? Only the Shadow knows! Fortunately, it’s Dr. M’s turn to write the Christmas poem, so I don’t have that on my plate. Whew! Are you like me, and kind of wish it was already January (without actually wanting it to be January)?

2025 Project 365 – Week Forty-seven

Pretend that there are words here. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
Sunday, November 16^th          
Fit check! This photo is actually from Monday, but since I wore this same outfit to church, I decided to put it here.

Monday, November 17^th     
Dr. M unlocked a new cast iron skill! This cornbread was so good! 
 

Tuesday, November 18^th     
Dusk at home… 
 

Wednesday, November 19^th      
Dr. M saw sheep!
 

Thursday, November 20^th    
I went to a women’s leadership conference with my coworkers. The convention center was recently renovated & I was obsessed with the fixtures in the bathroom. The one on the left was the hand dryer, the middle was water, and the right was soap.
 

Friday, November 21^st              
Dad & Sue had these probiotic gummies and I was intrigued because I’ve had a doctor recommend probiotics to me, but I was overwhelmed by all the choices. The good news is that these taste like those candy orange slices (Yum!). But the problem is that they taste like those candy orange slices.
 

Saturday, November 22^nd  
Dr. M & Ms. Pinky enjoyed a lovely day out on the deck.
 

When I went to look for pictures on Facebook I realized that I had not posted anything since the link to last week’s post last Sunday. I guess I’ve been a little quiet on the socials. How about you – have you been chatty or introverted on the socials this week? (Nance is exempted from this question – ha!)

2025 Project 365 – Week Forty-six

State of the Bug Update: Week 3 ½ of no pain medication and while I have noticed an increase in random pain, it’s not as bad as I feared. My shoulder does hurt a good bit more, but I think that’s not related to medication – I just really do need a shoulder replacement at some point. Also, I’ve cut WAYYY back on my consumption of Diet Sundrop (because it’s bad for kidneys too), and I haven’t had any headaches and my sleepiness during day has basically stayed the same. So, although I will continue to be a drama queen, things aren’t as desperate as I thought they would be.

Sunday, November 9^th          
Here was all that was left of the wedding décor at church. All the flowers were so pretty!

Monday, November 10^th     
I sent this to Dr. M with the caption “What fresh hell is this?” Note: we didn’t get any snow to speak of.
 

Tuesday, November 11^th     
Here I am modeling the sweater. I’ve already been working on the yoke because it's too big – I was worried that it was going to fall completely off my shoulders! 
 

Wednesday, November 12^th      
No photo.
 
Thursday, November 13^th    
Dr. M’s birthday! I felt like my gift to him was inspired this year – a Penzy’s Spices Advent Calendar! Here is the cover and the two inside “pages” – if you look closely you can see the little doors you’re supposed to open. I can't wait to see what all spices we get.
 

Friday, November 14^th      
Dr. M bought his own damned birthday cake and it has been delicious!
 

Saturday, November 15^th
Dr. M brought Ms. Pinky in for the night earlier in the week, but she’s back outside for now & still blooming!
 

The national news this week has just been crazypants. If it weren’t so serious it would almost be laughable – and that’s just what we want in our government administration, right? Oof. How was your week? Less stressful than the President’s?

2025 Project 365 – Week Forty-five

Reader, I did not wear the sweater to the wedding. I finished it in time, but I just couldn’t figure out how wearing a 100% wool sweater in 74 degree weather was a reasonable idea. That’s ok – I’m still glad I made it and will definitely wear it at some point.
Sunday, November 2^nd         
It was All Saints Sunday at church, so I wore my new Feryl Designs necklace with a skull on it.

Monday, November 3^rd    
I laughed at the pillows that showed up in our lobby at work. Pie!
 

Tuesday, November 4^th     
Tada! It was sopping wet at this point. Here’s what I said on the socials: The sleeves are ridonculous. It’s 100% wool. It probably weighs 8 pounds. It’s a lot bigger than I expected (my yarn was probably heavier & I just can’t be bothered to swatch). But it used up a ton of my stash & I think I might love it.
 

Wednesday, November 5^th      
We had an Employee Appreciation food truck event at work. I got some seriously excellent BBQ and these very fancy donuts. Yum!
 

Thursday, November 6^th    
No photo, so I’m sharing my new headshot from work.
 

Friday, November 7^th        
Just a couple of Rhyne boys enjoying the sunshine.

Meanwhile, after spending three hours waiting on some car repairs (the Bobley needed a new battery, an inspection, and a new headlight bulb and there were complications because they didn’t get everything reconnected), I went to help set up for the reception for Saturday’s wedding. I loved these personal touches! 
 

Saturday, November 8^th
Wedding day! It was the most joyous wedding that I have ever been to. So much fun and laughter. Abbey used the cake knife from our wedding (nearly 35 years ago now!) and wanted Mike & me to cut a ceremonial slice before the professionals took over. We were quite honored!
 

Now that THAT’s over, it’s time to look ahead to Dr. M’s birthday (on Thursday!) and then Thanksgiving. We’re starting down the slippery slide to Christmas and I am not at all prepared. How about you? Are you ready for the holidays?

2025 Project 365 – Week Forty-four

Yesterday, I worked so feverishly on the sweater I’m supposed to be wearing on SATURDAY that I neglected any and all other duties. Well, I did go to church and eat with Dad, Sue, & Bren. But after that it was all crochet all the time. Well, I did do a couple of loads of laundry. But after THAT… Anyway, this post is a day late. Sorry!

Sunday, October 26^th        
Dr. M made another delicious stir-fry! I appreciate that he indulges my disdain for steak and cuts the ribeye into strips for this meal. Yum!

Monday, October 27^th   

One of Dr. M’s cousins gave him this heating pad years ago and now it is MINE! Bwahahaha! It goes all the way down my back and is the bomb dot com.

Tuesday, October 28^th     
There is some chicken & noodles & peas under these Cheetos. It was delicious!

Wednesday, October 29^th      
I was trying to crochet without my glasses on. I lasted a few minutes. I just get tired of having to wear them all the time, you know? 

Thursday, October 30^th    
No photo.

Friday, October 31^st          
City Hall Halloween Contest! I didn’t enter, but I did dress up (I was an animal rescue farmer). My favorite costume was the Ramen – she had twisty yellow balloons, and little round green (peas), red (carrots), & yellow (corn) ones. So creative!

 
Saturday, November 1^st
I keep running out of yarn, so when I started the sleeves I weighed it so that I would use the same amount on each sleeve. I’m still not sure I’ll have enough & may have to get extra creative. Oof. However, this has definitely been successful as a stash buster! 

And now it’s November. The time of Dr. M’s birthday, of Thanksgiving, and of the anniversary of the worst decision the United States ever made. What does November mean for you?

2025 Project 365 – Week Forty-three

I was rudely informed today that my best friend’s daughter’s wedding is in TWO WEEKS. I’m making a sweater to wear to it and I am not even close to being finished. The good news, though, is that I’m also not sure it will even work so it might not matter if I finish. Ha!
Sunday, October 19^th        
We have a CD of our Christmas cantata music, and we were trying to figure out this ancient technology so that I could play it (there was no “on” button!).

Monday, October 20^th   

No photo, but there is this screen shot of one of my Instagram friends’ stories. She likes to take photos of her pond & make us find the frogs. And I “cheat” by taking a screen shot so I can blow it up because I can hardly ever even see a frog. I’m going to help you guys out by letting you know that she cheated on this one – there are only two frogs.
 

Tuesday, October 21^st     
I had an appointment with a nephrologist today to discuss my kidney function. She was a lovely doctor who told me I won’t need dialysis any time soon, but she also told me to quit taking Celebrex and that was very hard news.
 

Wednesday, October 22^nd     
I got a low air pressure warning on Tuesday so that night Dr. M used an air compressor to pump up all four tires. Unfortunately, using the car power outlet drained the battery, so Wednesday morning he had to jumpstart my car. I’ve known that my battery is getting weaker, and this was my sign to just go ahead & get a new one.
 

Thursday, October 23^rd   
This was how Dr. M was rolling after he heard a Led Zeppelin song in the Honey’s IGA. Ha!
 

Meanwhile, I was out buying way too much stuff for our church’s Trunk or Treat.

Friday, October 24^th          
No photo.  
 
Saturday, October 25^th
Trunk or Treat! Dr. M & I were the Funny Farm. We had a nice time! I’m including photos of my favorite costumes – Taco Belle & Cruella De Vil.
 

I posted this on the socials today: It’s time for an airing of grievances. (I imagine you have some too.)

I have so much arthritis in my shoulder that my doctor was impressed! Straight to surgery for you young lady! Skip the physical therapy, but here try a shot first (it actually helped).

I have stage 3a kidney disease. It’s a baby stage - hardly even worth mentioning - except that it spells the end of my dependence on Celebrex and its ilk. Here - have some Tylenol & God have mercy on your soul! (Tylenol is useless except maybe if I THINK it’s working will it have a placebo effect?)

My thumbs, freed from the tyranny of NSAIDs have awakened & are making crocheting a sweet torture (I AM HYPERBOLATING but ouch). And my knees are getting into the act. And Winter is Coming.

Oh! And I had to have a tooth pulled!

And these are just my minor(ish) physical complaints. The insanity that is our current government is a whole other situation. Can I just mention that families losing SNAP benefits while the White House is being defaced so that a ball room can be built is a slap in the face of any American with a heart? I don’t care who is paying for it - let them fund food for families who need it! And don’t get me started on ICE and the dismantling of all of the government agencies who keep us safe.

I’m tired. And I’m a little annoyed at my body. And I’m afraid for the folks who don’t have the privilege that I do. And I just needed to get all of that off of my chest. Whew!

2025 Project 365 – Week Forty-two

It’s cold (ish) and damp and I’m getting ready to hunker down for a long winter’s nap. But wait! Did you know that fall/early winter are the times when All The Things happen? I keep having to leave my house to do things. Yes, they are things that I signed up to do, but that doesn’t make me any less salty about it.

Sunday, October 12^th        
I was getting ready to leave dad & Sue’s house when I saw this album and had to take a photo. Have you ever heard a Jerry Clower routine? You should check him out – it’s a treat!

Monday, October 13^th  
Dr. M made a delicious vegetable beef soup. 
 

Tuesday, October 14^th    
From the socials: I had to have a tooth extracted today & really throughout the process I was a rockstar (other than some whining before the pain meds kicked in). But I read the “post-surgery” instructions & apparently, I can’t brush my teeth for 24 hours. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I’m not a drama queen, but I play one in real life.
 

Wednesday, October 15^th    
My newest shirt from The Happy Givers.
 

Thursday, October 16^th  
Dr. M says: “…I just love these shoes! I gambled with $100 or so and ordered two pairs, as pictured. No, this is not an ad. My feet are complicated, my budget is tight, and the hassle of getting insurance approved diabetic shoes is real. I know firsthand from trying to get good shoes for Pop. So when I saw the ads on instagram for these, I took a chance. So far, so good! I have neuropathy, not from diabetes but from lumbar fusion surgery. In short, I could feel my feet before surgery, but I couldn’t after. My favorite $100+ Merrell mocs just didn’t give me a wide enough base or elasticity that allowed for swelling feet. In fact they cost me a big toenail earlier this year. I don’t know how long these shoes will last, and yes, the factory is in China, but they really work for me in terms of walking around grocery stores, etc. again, not an ad, just a very pleasant experience.” 
 

Friday, October 17^th          
Another gorgeous meal by Dr. M (there are chicken thighs under there somewhere). 
 

Saturday, October 18^th
Dr. M & I and thousands of our closest friends decided to go leaf peeping on the Blue Ridge Parkway today. It was bumper to bumper, and we both started feeling a little claustrophobic. I’m glad we got to see the loveliness, but as I told Dr. M – Hickory has pretty trees in the fall too!
 

I didn’t make it out to a No Kings rally yesterday, but reading about all the peaceful demonstrations and the millions of people participating gave me hope for the future. If they have another one, I might have to make an effort to attend. First, I’ll need to get an inflatable frog costume though… Where is your hope-o-meter these days?