I'd Do It All Again, Just To Be Your Mama

 There were a lot of things that I wanted to be when I was growing up.  A writer. A teacher. A lawyer. A truck driver (the television series B.J. and the Bear was huge at the time and I was determined to cruise the country in my eighteen wheeler, monkey companion by my side).

Those dreams changed over time, but, one thing never changed; I wanted to be a mother. A good mother.

I am forever grateful to Queen B and the Man-Cub for fulfilling that dream (and Hugh; he had a rather big part in it as well). There are a lot of things that I would change in my life if given the opportunity, but, being their mama is not among them.

In fact, if I could go back in time and have my choice of days to re-live, the days that they were born would be at the top of my list.

Thank you for giving me a chance to celebrate Mother's Day, kids. I love you infinity and beyond.

Fly Away Home

The Man-Cub will start winging his way home later today, arriving just in time to be my favorite Mother's Day present. It's been a long semester for him and we are all looking forward to having him back on his home soil.

Speaking of things winging their way home, last night, while taking my walk around the park, I spied the large bird that had caught my attention during a walk earlier in the week. When I first saw the bird, I couldn't get close enough to identify the type, so I decided to throw my camera and longest lens into my car on the off-chance that I encountered the bird in subsequent walks at the park, and, last night I got lucky and was able to take clear enough pictures to identify it (and it's mate!) as a Great Blue Heron.

The birds are apparently nesting somewhere in the vicinity of the park. I don't know a single thing about the migratory habits of the Great Blue Heron so I have no idea how long these two will hang around, but, I hope I get to see them flying above the park for at least a while yet.

As an aside, I have totally become what I once mocked; that crazy old woman who keeps binoculars and a field guide in her car for the off-moment when she spies a rare and intriguing species. 

Ha! Just kidding!

(I don't need a field guide; I have Google. And my Mother)

Anyhoodle, the birds are gorgeous and majestic and my baby boy is coming home. Life is good!

Me and My Shadow

 Recently, I have started walking around the park here in Hooterville in the evenings. By recently, I mean this week, but, since I had grown fairly permanently attached to my couch prior to this week, I'm calling it a win.

Anyhoodle, I have company on my walks and, since the Boomer Dog has also put on a wee bit of Covid weight; this is a good thing.

I'm optimistic that I will be able to keep up the walks; it takes a solid six weeks to form a habit, so that's my first goal. My second goal will be adding some other form of more strenuous exercise, but, for now, I'll enjoy the call of nature with my trusty companion.

Hope Springs Eternal

My weekend was chock-full of physical labor, leaving me sore, stiff, and tired. It did start off on a relaxing note, however; Friday night, Hugh and I attended a retirement party for an old family friend. The party was held at Petticoat Junction's one and only brewery and I used the occasion as an opportunity to sample their hard cider while Hugh drank an ale. The cider was pretty tasty.

On Saturday, I managed to prune my roses down to the ground with not a single scratch, which, is the best thing I can say about the chore. I honestly didn't want to prune them down that far, but, three of my oldest bushes were in significant need and there was really no option. I am hopeful that they will make a comeback, but, I have concerns.

After I finished the roses, I raked the large flowerbed in the front yard and the areas around my hydrangeas. I was thrilled to see that the hydrangeas are coming back; whether or not that means I will get any blooms remains to be seen, but, again, I am hopeful.

Since I was already dirty, I went ahead and replanted my succulent planter; I am super hopeful that it doesn't freeze again this year and that I will be able to keep it alive a bit longer than the last go around.

Then, in my final chore for the day, I spent several hours power-washing the porch. This task always takes it out of me; it is exhausting. But, the effort is totally worth the reward of having a clean, ready-to-use porch. I still need to hang the curtains, and, I am hoping that the new cushions I ordered don't get cancelled for a second time; then the porch will be ready to kick off the season. I'm hopeful that will be soon (sensing a theme here?).

While I was hosing off the porch, I saw the first hummingbird of the year, so I immediately busted out all of my feeders. With any luck, many of the hummer's friends will join him at the nectar buffet.

It's Sunday evening now and I have been working on bookkeeping chores for the hardware store for most of the day. I would complain but, since it isn't physical labor, I think I'm getting off easy.

Now, on to Monday; hoping for an uneventful, productive, successful week!

Toto, I've a Feeling We're Not In Kansas Anymore

Hugh and I spent the better part of last night texting with Queen B and the Rodeo Princess while they rode out their first tornado watch since moving to Texas. I am relatively confident that they weathered the storm better than we did, since Hugh vehemently expressed his wish to no longer have his daughter in Texas several times.

They're fine. We're fine. Everyone is fine.

I did gently remind Hugh that there are worse things than your daughter and niece living in a single-wide smack dab in the middle of Tornado Alley; they could be living on an island known to be dotted with volcanoes and surrounded by an ocean teeming with sharks...oh, wait...

Our children are going to be the death of us, y'all.

Or, at least their adult lifestyle decisions will be. Who raised them to be this independent?!

Oh, wait....

What's Up Wednesday, April 2021 Edition

 

April is almost over, and, at the risk of sounding like a broken record; I can't believe it went by so quickly! Last April (in The Year That Shall Not Be Named) crept by at the pace of a glacier, but, this year, like every month before it; has gone by in a blur. I guess I better link up with Sheaffer and Shay to recap what's been happening in my neck of the woods before I forget. 

What I'm Eating

Salad. So. Much. Salad.

I do try to throw some form of lean protein onto each salad, whether it be turkey, chicken, beans or eggs; making Chef's salad has become a favorite way to accomplish this.

I also had an amazing Asian BBQ chicken salad from a local restaurant this week at a working lunch with my team.

What I'm Reminiscing About

It's coming up on prom season here in Petticoat Junction and it looks like the kids are actually going to get to have one! It's going to be an indoors/outdoors event, which will be different than in years past, but I don't hear any of the kids complaining. Hearing about the event brings to mind the many, many pre-prom dinners that Hugh and I hosted, as well as the fun we had attending each Grand March. It's not every day that a parent gets to see their offspring dressed to the nines and I'm glad we never missed it (still feel awful for the kids who had to miss theirs last year). If you're super interested in long, drawn-out posts about other people's kid and their proms, I've linked to ours below. 

    Queen B's Junior Prom                     Queen B's Senior Prom        The Man-Cub's Junior Prom

                                                          The Man-Cub's Senior Prom

What I'm Loving

Kristi and Erin shared a sneak peek at the wedding pictures from earlier this month and they are great! What a fun wedding that was.

What I've Been Up To

Hugh has been working diligently on his EMS training in addition to running the hardware store and officiating the odd wrestling tournament or baseball game here and there. While he's been busy with all that, I've been slowly working my way through my household To Do list, which included risking life and limb when cleaning out the cabinets in my mud room. Up next will be my office and then the linen closet. Living the dream over here, folks!

What I'm Working On

To put a different spin on this question; I've been working on this new extension that allows me to convert my workspace into a standing desk. It's been great for my back and I believe that standing is a lot better for me than sitting.

And, to answer the question a bit less literally; I am also working on a golf tournament for Not So New Job. Last summer, we had a record turn-out and I'm hoping to top it this year. I'm also working on our autumn fundraiser, which is a barn dance. Due to Covid, the dance was cancelled last year so this is my first go at it. Fingers crossed for a hugely successful event.

What I'm Dreading

I've got to get serious about exercising again. I am dreading the soreness that inevitably follows because it causes me to suffer from Exercise-Induced Tourette's Syndrome, wherein every time I squat to sit on the toilet, I involuntarily curse. The same goes for every time I roll out of bed, walk up a flight of stairs, sit in a chair, get into-or-out of my car, etc., etc.

Sailors would blush, y'all. Seriously.

What I'm Excited About

Hugh and I pulled the trigger on a house rental in Hawaii for the Cub's graduation in December. It is a large expense, so it took a lot of mental debate, but; I'm so excited about it, I can hardly stand myself! Now, to lose the Covid weight so that I can frolic about on the beach without worrying that someone will mistake me for sea life and roll me back into the ocean.

What I'm Watching

I finally got on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel bandwagon. I would make an excuse about why it has taken me so long to join the party but, since I have always prided myself on being a late adopter, I'm really just being consistent (examples include Friday Night Lights and Schitt's Creek).

I'm also watching Bloodline on Netflix. I'm on Season 2 which isn't nearly as good as Season 1 but, at this point, I'm invested. Also, it stars Kyle Chandler, whom I have been crushing on since way back when his career started on Homefront (all of which makes my late adoption of Friday Night Lights all the more tragic).

Queen B suggested that I watch Dirty John and I'm five episodes in and fully invested. If you've ever known a real, live psychopath this is probably not the show for you; triggers abound.

What I'm Reading

I haven't been reading a lot this month (like, at all), but I was super excited to learn that the next book in the Outlander series is set for release in November! I have already pre-ordered my copy and cannot wait to catch up with Claire and Jamie.

What I'm Listening To

When I have time at home, I like to put a record on my record player. At the risk of showing my age, the albums in current rotation include:

Bon Jovi, who, is a hottie even all these years later. Oh, and a hell of an artist. And, a humanitarian. Ahem.

The soundtrack from Footloose, the original, not the remake starring that chick from Dancing with the Stars, although, that soundtrack is also pretty awesome and I listen to songs from it when I run because I am not a total curmudgeon (also, I totally know that her name is Julianne Hough, I'm screwing with you).

Prince, before he was The Artist Previously Known as Prince, and way before he was that ridiculous symbol that meant absolutely nothing to anyone.

The Eagles, who are timeless and therefore not indicative of my advanced age (that's my story and I'm sticking to it).

What I'm Wearing

I recently set aside my leggings in favor of maxi dresses. This makes sense since maxi dresses are nothing more than the leggings of the dress world; comfy, stylish, and they hide a multitude of sins. They also have a slight advantage over leggings because they have pockets. 

What I'm Doing This Weekend

If the weather cooperates, I am planning to open the porch for the season. I also hope to replant my succulent planter; it did not fare well over the winter (my fault, apparently succulents, while super hardy, are no match for an early Colorado freeze). I doubt I can come close to recreating the look I achieved last year, but, I'm going to give it the college try.

Last year...

Here's hoping these guys fare better!

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month

The Man-Cub is coming home next weekend! He will be working in Neighboring City again this year, and, while he has no idea where he will live since we sold the house there, he's really looking forward to being home. I am hoping he and Mikey will find a place to rent (Mikey is currently crashing at his sister's while he looks for a house to purchase), but, if worse comes to worse, we have offered the use of Jenny for the summer (Jenny is our motor home. What? You don't name your recreational vehicles? Remind me not to introduce you to our ATVs, Fred and Ethel)

What Else is New

I got a new rug for my office at Not So New Job. It's not just pretty to look at; it's also comfortable to stand on. Or, to lay on, like Boomer Dog did the day he came to visit me at work.

And, that's it for April. See you in May!

Sage Isn't Just For Thanksgiving Dressing

 Due to the nature of the work that we do at Not So New Job, it's only natural that the building would harbor some bad juju. Combine that with the toxicity of the previous leadership and you have a recipe for bad karma.

What do you do to rid a space of negative energy like that? Well, if you're a white girl with nary a drop of Native American blood, you call your old friend who just happens to be a member of the Lakota Sioux tribe and you ask her to come and smudge your space.

In the event that she is traveling the country and unable to heed your call, you do the next best thing, which is Google the shit out of the topic and attempt a smudging on your own. Which, is what I did.

No idea if it worked, but, as that friend of mine would say "If you wish to receive, you must first ask"*.

Stay tuned.

*She would follow that up with her catch phrase, "Smiles and good thoughts!", which I love about her.