New Year's Eve

This is the final blog for 2018.  I'm working on setting up the new one for 2019 and hope to add that link to this post.  I will once again have something everyday that will be my happy for the day. 

2018 was a difficult year for me.  Resolutions aren't really my thing, but I may try this year, just one.  My resolution is to use some of my time more wisely.  I know that I will still end up playing games on the computer more than I should.  I also know that if I use more of my time being constructive that things can only get better. 

Potential is my happy for today.  It isn't just once a year that things can change.  We have the power to change the way our day is going in any moment.  We don't need to wait for a New Year's Resolution.  At the same time, if we try to change too many things at one time it is likely that we will fail.  So I am going to work on the one thing of being more productive with my time.  There are some huge changes coming my way in 2019 as I prepare to become the landed Baroness of my local barony in the SCA.  Using my time more wisely can only make that job easier for me. 

Virtual hugs to bring in the New Year!

☮

New Blog for 2019

Toast and Jam

A month or so ago my daughter cleaned out the frig and found a multitude of open jelly and jam jars, all which appeared to still be well within the dates of use.  She and her husband decided that it would be fun to have a toast and jam party and why not do so around New Year's.  Today was that party.  They were able to use some rooms at a local art school and invited many people to stop by and share their odd jams and jellies, toast some bread or grab some crackers and snack away.  They also brought a bunch of games to play and people brought crafts to work on as well.  From what I could tell, everyone had a really good time.  I tried to work on crafts as well and got a bit more done with my shoes and started making some of the favor kits for people.  I forgot to bring embroidery floss to go with the kits but at least four people took home some favors to complete.

My happy things for today include a lovely cinnamon apple cider jelly, listening to people playing Snake Oil and all the interesting conversations that I was able to have with party attendees. 

🍇🍎🍓🍯🍁🍋🍏

☮

Movie Night

Toothpaste really can help to clear off the yellowing of headlights.  According to the internet, it may not be a long lasting solution however.  Unfortunately part of the problem with my passenger side headlight seems to be from within.  That will mean a different tactic that I haven't quite figured out yet.  I'm not sure if it is something that the garage I have been taking it to is prepared to do at the price they quoted.  Either way, I feel a little closer to getting my car inspected.

This evening I went to dinner with K, Z, Gideon and some friends.  Unfortunately, soon after getting to the restaurant, Gideon complained of not feeling well.  Z brought him home with their meals to go and the rest of us stayed for dinner followed by the movie Mary Poppins Returns.  We all enjoyed the movie and it is my happy for today.  Emily Blunt plays Mary Poppins very well.  She isn't quite Julie Andrews though.  It took me until now to put my finger on what it was that bothered me about how she played the character.  There were maybe two brief moments where she appeared to be judging the family.  For whatever reason, that isn't how I felt Julie Andrews portrayed Mary Poppins in similar situations.  Although, that may be the difference of watching a movie for the first time as an adult versus as a child.  All-in-all it was highly enjoyable.  Content warning though, I'm not sure I would recommend if there has been a recent loss of a spouse or parent?  Perhaps me being overly sensitive, but I cried, bring tissues.

The noise in the restaurant was bothering him. 

There are chimes gently singing

while water drips into the bucket.

☮

The Car

The car I drive originally belong to my cousin.  It was left to me when she passed away, partially because I needed a car but mostly because I drove her to most of her appointments.  It has survived multiple accidents and has a little over 250,000 miles on it.  In my last job I drove, a lot, and needed tires about every year around this time.  This year I did not need new tires but there were a few other things that need to be fixed before it can have a safe inspection sticker.  Today the big items were done at a shop, last week we fixed the door handle and over the weekend I hope to replace the windshield wipers and clean up the headlights enough to pass the inspection.  I made the appointment to get this all finished for next week so I won't forget.  Getting the car worked on and having a fairly slack day other than that (with a friend!) are my happy things for the day.

☮

Just a Happy

Chiropractor in the morning and gown fitting in the afternoon and evening, that is more or less how my day went.  K & I also picked up a friend at the bus station who is visiting for a few days and helping with the gown/garb making.  The people working at making garb for our investiture are quite talented and I am looking forward to the finished product.  My happy for today is this garb making project.

Nice name for a shop!

☮

Happy Boxing Day!!

Late this morning I braved the crowds and went shopping for some of the after Christmas specials.  There were no real crowds though, so that was good.  I was able to get a bunch of wrapping paper and ribbon so we should be all set for next Christmas.  Of course, wrapping gifts before Christmas Eve so that if one runs low there is time to get more, is probably a better plan.

We had an after Christmas dinner out with my aunt.  Until the last two Christmases we spent Christmas with her and her daughter and grandchildren.  Things changed so that doesn't happen anymore.  I miss them.  We had a nice dinner though and overstayed our welcome at the restaurant.  In the parking lot she gave us some winter hats she crocheted for us.  Almost every year we get a hat.  I love them.  I was wearing the earmuffs that K got me and no hat.  I proceeded to place the hat on over the earmuffs and we all laughed hysterically.  That is my happy for the day.  Other happy things include that I am typing this on my new laptop while listening to my kids (one sitting next to me, the other 2000 ish miles away) play Minecraft together.  Technology.

Assorted goodies.

A blurry picture of the hat and earmuffs, she made the snazzy scarf, too! 

Not sure if this one that K took is any better.

This is the front and then back of a lottery ticket I found in a box of my mother's things.

🎁☮📦

Merry Christmas!!

Last night I got about two hours sleep.  I couldn't find any wrapping paper so when I finally tried to sleep it still took a little while.  It took me a bit to wake up two hours later.  I took a shower and started looking for fabric scraps to wrap the presents in.  Under some fabric (we have quite a bit) I found...wrapping paper!  So the presents got wrapped and I made my way to the Christmas celebration with my son-in-law's family.  

It was a very pleasant day.   From what I could tell the gifts I gave were well received and I am happy with all that was given to me.  There was one gift that I am surprised that I liked-a selfie stick.  It isn't something that I thought I would like but I got one and it is kind of fun.  I look forward to taking it out into the woods.  One of the things I asked for-a power pack- came in handy to charge the selfie stick!  I got an inverter so I can use electricity from my car, socks, candy, a game and more.  The big gift I received this year from my children and their partners is a new laptop.  I am so excited to be able to use it.  There are so many steps in setting up a new computer and I am too tired to continue to try and get it going more tonight.  

On my way home from the Christmas festivities the moon was rising.  I drove around trying to find a good place to take a picture of it.  My camera does not take the best moon pictures but this stop and smell the roses kind of moment is what I needed to round off the day.  My happy things for today include presents, time with family and friends, Gideon, fixing the door handle to my car and tonight's moon.

Merry Christmas!

Viking Z. 

Light up gloves! 

Selfie stick shot. 

Using the selfie stick to reach toward other to get a slightly closer pic.

My door innards. 

Christmas Tree. 

Moon through trees. 

More moon... 

☮🎅🎄🤶☮

Happy Merry Christmas Eve!

It is late, I am tired and I got distracted with playing on the computer instead of wrapping presents.  In my defense, I got a text message from my friend in Texas about joining the Minecraft game I am on with family.  So I got onto the game to help her with that.  I was not able to do much, but others who were in the game could help her some.  We still didn't get the voice chat working though.  I have no defense for staying on as long as I did. 

Much of my day was spent wandering around stores trying to find presents for people.  I made a pie too.  I even had a dentist appointment.  There was also a bit of looking around for vegan eggnog.  My happy today is that I did indeed find vegan holiday nog. 

Sunsetting this evening.

☮🌟☮

Christmas Shopping

This morning I learned that a cousin passed away last night.  Perhaps that is why I spent most of the day playing Minecraft with the family, both here and in Texas.  We play in the same 'world' and talk through an app.  Gideon is playing in it as well.  It isn't the same as having everyone in the living room together, but technology helps it seem closer than the 2000 miles it really is.

After Minecraft, Z and I went shopping for some last minute gifts and food stuffs for Christmas.  I'm still not done.  Only one shopping day left until Christmas.  I will be using Christmas Eve day to shop, visit the dentist and wrap gifts.  Z and I had a lot of fun shopping.  He does a great job in finding laughter in things.  That laughter is today's happy.

That big white circle thing in the pictures is the moon.

It is hard to tell with all the street lights and cars...

☮☮☮

Ugh

Today was my friend in Texas' birthday and I forgot to call until it was too late to call.  Hopefully she was having a particularly lovely day with family and friends and when I call tomorrow I can hear all about it.

We did a little bit of Christmas shopping today.  I plan to finish tomorrow.  No, that isn't true.  I plan to finish shopping for everyone that I need to buy for by Christmas, the rest can be done after.  Some people were blessed with an ability to know what people want and are able to chose just the right gift.  I am not that person.  Every once in a while I will come up with something good, but that is rare for me.  My happy for today is when I realized that making a decision about buying a particular gift was causing me to have a bit of an anxiety attack  They were very similar in features and the same price.  I was going to research more and look for ratings but there was no internet service in the store, so I acknowledged to myself the anxiety and just picked the one I thought looked best.  Phew. 

In the passenger seat,

I tried to get a picture of the river.

 But, highway, so we kept on moving.

The river was dark and cold looking.

It was a beautiful mad looking thing.

The afternoon sky turning pink.

Alaska plate in front of us.

☮

Happy Solstice!

It was the last day of school before break and I am so glad that that part of the day is over.  The teachers try to work on all the end of unit stuff earlier in the week so that the last day can be used as catch up for anyone who is behind and fun activities for the rest of the students.   One of the things we did was watch a movie.  This was The Ultimate Gift, and it was a tearjerker.  The audience didn't get all the miracles that one would hope for in a Christmas movie, but it was a good story.

After work I went home and my daughter and I had a meeting with the current Baroness to talk plans for the investiture.  The incomplete thrones were delivered today too.  We need to fine sand them, stain and paint them, and then protect them.  All the planning and little things to prepare for the end of January are my happy things for today.

For Solstice I found a website with some awesome pictures from space showing how the sun hits the earth to bring us different seasons.. 

☮

Early Christmas Eve

Religion is not something that I tend to speak about in my blog, and this post is not about that.  However, this evening my friend and I went to a service called Christmas at the Arena.  There were neighbor friends who graciously offered to give us a ride.  This service is in lieu of the service that they may have had on Christmas Eve and thousands of people seemed to have attended.  There was a band playing when we arrived.  They performed some Christmas songs as well as a non-Christmas one and were basically the opening act.  Following that there were some other performers, including dancers and then a brief break before the music became stand-up-and-sing-with-us carols. 

The service itself was about a half hour long and included balloons.  I had a brief flashback to many Christmases ago when I went to a performance at the Crystal Cathedral in California.  This service was not like that.  For one thing, it was free.  There was an envelope for donations but no basket for collections and only the briefest mention as to where and how to make donations.  The service was uplifting, the familiar music helped a lot, and is my happy for today.  I'm not sure if I will attend again, but I am glad I went.

Some pictures in random order.

☮🎈☮

Happy Birthday to ME!!

Cupcakes! 😄 There was a cupcake in my mailbox at work for my birthday and one when I got back to my friend's house.  One was green and the other white so together they were the Barony of Stonemarche colors.  The givers of the cupcakes have never met and still managed to get me a matching set.  😋  I had every intention of munching down on them both tonight but one filled me up.  My firend and I went for a walk and she made chili for dinner.  My Texas friend called and sung a Happy Birthday song to me.  My son called and we talked for quite some time.  My daughter and I talked earlier in the day.  I tried, and think succeeded, in responding to all the Happy Birthday wishes that were posted on Facebook for me (up to now).  All in all it was a pretty good day.  I am happy for all the wishes from family and friends. I'm not sure how 54 will be, but I am kind of glad that 53 is over.  It has been a tough year and hopefully this next one will be better. 

Sunrise

CUPCAKES!!

☮😎☮

Santa Hat

All the performers were at rehearsal tonight so I just got to sit back and watch.  It should be a great show.  This is the first practice and it is already very funny.  Next time, after the holidays, I need to take notes.

After work I tried to get my car inspected and, as expected, it failed.  The best part about that is I got to have a nice conversation with my son, the mechanic.  He kept comparing my state inspection with Texas, pretty much saying that my car would probably have been okay there.  What isn't, he would have been able to fix.  He wants me to get a new car, I can't afford it.  Even with all the repairs I will need I think it still will cost me less than $1000 this year to fix/ maintain. This is much less than a car payment would be. 

This week at school every day has a theme on what to wear.  Yesterday was flannel and fuzzy socks day.  I wore my fuzzy winter leggings under a skirt and fuzzy socks too.  Today was seasonal hats, antlers, etc.  I couldn't find my Santa hat (well, didn't want to search the cellar for the right box when the right box could be in storage) but I have a red ribbon hairband that I wore.  After crying myself to school (because holidays and missing people) I was greeted by a student with a Santa hat and a big smile with "Merry Christmas!"  That is my happy for the day. 

From my personal must-see Christmas movie, Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas, the song When the River Meets the Sea. 

☮

Songs

Last night I didn't sleep well.  I somehow made it through the day, Dungeon and Dragons Club after school, a site walk at the hotel where the January event will be and dinner after out with K and some friends.  Now I am over ready for sleep.  So I am happy that the day is such that I may rest my weary head and get a few hours of sleep.  I've finally downloaded some songs onto my phone for Christmas.  Here is a medley that I really enjoy.  Then there is this one that I also love, performed by the same artist, Jewel, as the medley. 

Tree outside the hotel. 

☮☮

Spain

There is precipitation coming down from the sky.  The sound of it pitter pattering against my window will be relaxing when I try to sleep tonight.  For some unknown to me reason I am feeling fidgety tonight.  So I will write this and then see what I can do to wind down for sleep.  It may be a sleep meditation kind of night.

The other day I decided to start using an app to learn to speak Spanish.  I am only a few lessons in.  I am enjoying the program, but learning a second language isn't coming easily for me.  It is a new thing and my happy for today.   My reasons for trying Spanish instead of Italian or some other language?  Maybe if I learn some Spanish I will make it to Spain and get to hike some of the Camino de Santiago.  Perhaps learning just a little of the language will help make it real. 

☮

Boxes

The day was fairly productive. This morning I went out and did a little bit of holiday shopping.  Going to look online for things tomorrow.   There was a holiday get together with some family.  I spent more time there than I planned, but spending time with family is a good thing.  My happy for today is that my car is cleaner and some of the boxes from storage are sorted and almost ready to go away.  If I wasn't exhausted from not being able to sleep last night I would go through more tonight. 

 

☮

Friday!!

After work I tried to take a 20 minute power nap.  After hitting the snooze on my timer at least twice, I am pretty sure that hour counts as a nap.  😎  It was a long week, but aren't they all?  I did a few chores this afternoon (and that nap) and made the choice to not do much more.  There is a long list of things I hope to accomplish over the weekend.  If I get enough of them done, I hope to finish off the weekend with playing Minecraft, hopefully with family, as a reward. 

My Texas friend called me this afternoon and she was gracious enough to listen to me rant about work and life.  I feel that I did very little listening this call.  We did laugh though, which is an important thing.  One of the TEDx programs I listened to claimed that children laugh about 300 times a day whereas adults laughed much less, I think the number was under 20 times a day.  More laughter is good.  My happy things for today are talking with my friend and laughter.

Since I forgot to take pictures today, here are some TEDx programs I listened to:

Own Your Behaviors

Exhausted Brain

Tiny Changes

☮

Just a Happy

This week instead of fighter practice K and I went to craft night.  Part of what I hope to do as Baroness is to make it to more of the small get togethers that happen around the Barony.  This is where it is easier to meet and get to know people.  Tonight I was very tired and don't feel like I was as active a participant as I would have liked.  Thankfully most of the people there already know me.  There was also an adorable toddler there with the sweetest, happiest laugh.  That laughter is my happy for today.


Some TEDx Talks:
Multiply your Time
The psychology of self-motivation

Some pictures from my walk in the city tonight. 

 Reflection

State tree and capitol 

So many window candles.

☮