It’s a Great Friday!

It’s a celebration today, the Babe went to the cardiologist and was one of only two patients in the past year who didn’t gain weight. What an elite group to be part of! I’m proud of him for sticking to the Keto diet and being strong enough to skip Christmas cookies and candies. We have two dozen homemade chocolate chip cookies leftover from our giveaway to the neighbors, and they’re going to go in the freezer. Way to go, Babe!

Since we would only be gone a couple hours, I left Goldie out of her kennel. I think she and Lexie played the music too loud while we were away. Nothing was eaten up, tipped over, or scattered about, so I believe they were good. She is certainly old enough to be left out of the kennel, but I hope she and Lexie don’t get into a tussle while we’re away. Baby steps, for sure. Goldie kind of hangs her head when we close her kennel door at night. I might try leaving her kennel open, so she doesn’t feel bad. I know. We pet owners can be ridiculous.

Bernie Sanders is certainly a character for the ages. The Internet is full of new Bernie Memes, complete with his chair and mittens. Guys got to dress for the elements! No time to be fashionable! How funny! I have to say on another Inaugural topic, the “fashions.” We finally have a woman holding one of the two top offices, and we still have a huge fashion report. Kind of strange, and I doubt it will ever change. I truly don’t think there is any more elegant woman than Laura Bush. She has a beautiful manner, and her demeanor is kind, in my opinion.

I’m currently reading a book called, “All Things in Time,” by Sue Buyer. Sue Buyer is well over 90 years old, and after being a professional writer her whole life, she has written her first novella. She was a Vassar College and Columbia Journalism School graduate. She writes about her observations at a large-circulation metropolitan newspaper.

Of course I was drawn to the story once I heard this was her first book, at 92, I believe. She worked in an era when women didn’t work away from the home. She was ahead of her time with her thinking and lifestyle. It is only 114 pages long, I’m sure I’ll finish it today. I’m enjoying her writing and storytelling.

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com

It’s a chilly 27 degrees outside this afternoon. I’m feeling like having a nice, hot cup of tea to enjoy while reading a little while. It will be a great way to spend the rest of the afternoon. I hope you have an enjoyable rest of your day. Thank you for reading today, be kind, and see you tomorrow!

Awesome Monday Morning

I’m listening to Kevin Costner and Modern West. There are many songs that are perfect for the long, loving relationships, marriages, friendships. It’s where I find myself right now with the Babe. True Companions. “The One.” Being my protector, the one who helps me rise above the negativity in life. A true heart. I can protect him, too. From negativity, from himself, as he does for me. We’re so lucky to have this life together. I’ve been encouraged to go for my dream by this man. He may not understand it totally, but he’s on board for the duration.

This is a shot in the arm for my energy, in addition to losing about 20 pounds. We’re still doing Keto, and doing well. For me, I know it will be a slow but steady process. The whole point is to end up healthier, and it’s easy for us to keep going. I’m hoping for the longevity my Grandma Jewell had; she lived to 97. She was such a beautiful woman. Her heart was pure gold.

I told a little backstory yesterday about the craziness going on while I was trying to write the blog announcing Cartney McGuigan as my illustrator. The whole thing just came together, and I believe we all have opportunities that are golden, right in front of us. We have to be open to them; no idea is a crazy one; they’re ideas. They can be expanded and made into things that are not only possible but become vital to pursue. That is how I feel about writing. This whole prospect of possibilities makes me so happy!

I know I’m late, but our goal this week is to thoroughly clean the house while packing away all the Christmas decorations. So far, the tree is stowed, so we’re going well. The ornaments are all on the kitchen table, they’ll be put away later today. Having all the time in the world is helpful when you can only do so many things in a day. I always overestimate what we can accomplish, but never give up. We do what’s most important to us as a couple, and that is spend time with each other. Sure, we get grumpy at each other, but we’ve both learned what’s important and what isn’t. It saves a lot of petty disagreements most people have. It just isn’t worth it.

Next week, we go for sorting everything to do our income tax. That will be a wildebeest that needs taming. Seriously. Every year, I believe in my heart I will absolutely keep better track of our receipts, documentation, the whole thing. Every year, I have a box and desk like this:

Maybe next year I won’t do this again. LOL. Mom always says I had my father’s filing system genes. Oh well. I could have inherited worse!

It is snowing lightly outside my window. They are pretty flakes, that seem to be melting on contact. The view is nice, and I feel a warmth in my heart that I want to keep burning forever. It’s contentment, it’s satisfaction after creating. Any creative person can tell you what it is. It’s the feeling I used to get after expertly tailoring a suit for my business career; it’s the feeling I get after completing a beautiful quilt; it’s the feeling I have when I write. You made that thing; you wrote those words, you created those bridesmaid’s dresses, you created with ideas that filled your mind. It’s a purpose in life for some people. It makes others happy, too. It’s there for the sharing.

Thank you for reading today. I have a bunch of ornaments to wrap, stow, and some more instructional videos to watch and share with Cartney. Hope to get caught up and on the right track to have everything in order to allow for some more creativity. Quilting is calling to me right now.

Photo by Engin Akyurt on Pexels.com

Let’s all be kind to one another. How we behave in the next couple weeks can determine where we as a country will go in the future. I pray it’s a good path, I pray it’s a peaceful path, I pray it’s a kind and loving path. Let’s do our part. I’ll see you tomorrow!