Reading

Wow, I have made it through a lot of library hold books. Seven of them so far. I have 1 more checked out that hasn’t been read and 3 on hold. I feel that 3 is a manageable hold list LOL. I even snuck a book I own in there. That’s 11 books and it’s just past halfway through the month. I think I need to take a breather and slow down a bit. I’ve neglected some other things and have eaten like crap over the last week. 

Tonight after work, I’m going to clean my bathrooms, do the dishes and practice the organ/piano for Sunday. I have to play 3 songs I’m not completely comfortable with. Once I do all that, plus my eye mask, I can read something if I want. But also I could do a puzzle or finally get started on that Easter wreath that’s sitting on my table. Choices, choices. 

Birds Are Back

I woke up yesterday morning to a bird singing. In general, I don’t object to the birds, although I could wish they didn’t start so early. :) But they are back and I heard them again this morning. The other night, the batteries in my electric flickering candles went out, so they are finished and put away until the fall. The 2 that I left out are off their timer and they don’t truly flicker. They will get turned on when I want them, but not on a schedule. And with the time change, I have flicked my switch as well, and I’m ready to start embracing the springtime, even if it’s technically not until the 20th. Although when I have to wake up tomorrow and go to work, I will be cursing the time change. It’s a world of difference from today where I could wake up naturally. Also yesterday, I cleaned the leaves and dead stuff out of my flower garden. It’s way too early to plant, but with all the rain and snow we had, it was nice and wet and easy to pull the stuff out. 

I can see the buds on one of the trees outside my kitchen window. The other tree is always a few weeks behind. In another month, my library will not get the direct sunshine it’s gotten all winter, with the leaves on the trees being gone. Time passes and we all adjust. 

I did make caramels yesterday. I added some raspberry flavoring and dipped them in chocolate. I’ll have to take them to next family dinner, but I had been wanting to make them for months and didn’t want the cream to go bad. After all the reading I did last week, I’ve slowed down and started being productive around the house again. I got my final rag wreath stuff out so I can start working on it as well. It’s Easter themed so maybe I will finish it in time to hang? It will be good just to finish it, even if it’s April before the last part is tied. I even did a puzzle and got out a couple more 300 piece ones to do. It all goes in waves and that’s just the way it is. 

Moody

I am in a mood! A really bad one. I’ve felt like this kind of all week, kind of for no reason. I’m pretty sure it’s just more perimenopause fun. I’ve stayed away from the news and can’t say that I’m unhappy. I’m just super grumpy.

Some positive things: It snowed this morning and I’m going to soak in the cozy vibe today, and I get to go to water aerobics tonight. 

When I looked out my window this morning when I got out of bed, we had some rainy drizzle going on so I went and got ready for work. When I opened up my blinds as I was getting ready to leave, I saw a whole bunch of snow coming down. I left for work, but the closer I got to the freeway, the more snow and last time I went to the office, I had to park clear out by the farthest production building. My mood was rapidly deteriorating and I turned around and came home. Funny thing is my sister told me they don't have snow up north when I texted her. Oh well? I’m not stuck to my desk like I was yesterday so I can run some errands at lunch and take care of a few things, while I enjoy the storm in comfort. One of the things I still like about my job is the ability to do it where I want. 

So I’m taking a few minutes to eat something fairly healthy and I’m getting my bad mood out. It’s fine to feel however I feel, as long as I don’t take it out on other people. Then I’m going to put some tunes on and get to work!

Books and More Books

Ok - I’m getting book anxiety. LOL I meant to be working on a few projects, but I had 10 books on hold at the library and they have all started coming up. Some of the books were stuff they still were in the process of buying as new releases so I got my name on the hold list early, but did not expect them to all come up at the same time. I had 1 paper book and then an ebook come up. Then the next day or so, 2 more paper books. I’ve managed to read 2 of the paper and the ebook. But another ebook came up, I’ve still got one more paper at home, and the library has one ready for me for pickup. But I can see on my list that one is in transit, which means only a day or so before they notify me again. LOL 

I’ll take 2 back tomorrow and pick up whatever they have for me. I have 3 weeks to read them all, but it is really starting to get to me. It’s not like I have to finish them all and if any of them don’t hold my interest, I’ll put them aside. But so far, they’ve been good, so I’ve been trying. Plus, it’s not like I can’t borrow them again. So crazy to feel it, but that’s the mood as of the last week. 

Random February Thoughts

How is February almost over? I know it’s shorter, but still. I have definitely enjoyed being cozy through the dark months and am getting to the point where I can welcome spring. I hope it’s a rainy one, since we didn’t really get a winter and need the water. Rainy days can be cozy as well. Plus, spring brings flowers. 

I’m going to put away some of my electric candles once the batteries run out. I’ve decided to leave 2 of them out, but will turn off the timer. I have my scented wax warmers on all year, so there’s no reason why I can’t have a candle on here or there. And when the summer gets really hot and bothersome, I’ll just close the blinds, turn on candles, and put a rainy autumn day ASMR scene on the tv!

I’ve been doing a bit of reading this year. Twenty books and over 4,310 pages in the 2 months. I think I will take a bit of a break (or at least read only one book at a time) for a little bit and try and finish some craft projects and maybe catch up on some podcasts or something. I need to get some more walking in as well, although with water aerobics, I’m not feeling quite as much pressure to get out. The warmer, longer days will help that though. Leaving the house for 1.5 hours 2 days a week makes me feel a little bit like I’ve lost some time at home. And technically, I have, but it’s still “me” time and it's doing me a world of good. It feels good to move my body, and talk to people besides my family and co-workers. Plus, I love being in the water, and so far, the chlorine is not bothering me or making my skin or hair drier. I’ve got a routine down now. 

Last week was a high sugar week, with the birthday, so I’m trying to get back on the less sugar eating plan. It’s hard since I’m addicted to the sweet stuff, but I’ll keep going. I am sneaking in one more gift to myself before the end of the month, but then birthday shopping is over and done for the year. And I have too much stuff as it is. LOL Maybe March will be a clean-out-the-closets month.

Snow Day!

We finally got snow! I was skeptical this morning when it was mostly rain. I took the morning off to celebrate my birthday and when I left my house around 9, I did not think we would truly get much in the way of snow. However, when I came out of the first store, my car was white. And it's been coming down ever since. 

I got a cute little bud vase and found some flowers for it.

My original plan had been to take the morning and drive to Salt Lake to some indie bookstores, but then I decided to stay around town. It turned out to be a good idea. I ended up with a new pair of walking shoes and a tall plant stand for my bedroom. It's white, but I got a can of spray paint at Michael's as well so when it dries out, I can change the color. My plant is now much higher up and closer to the window where it can get a lot of indirect light. I had my birthday Dr. Pepper at lunch and I have tickets to a play this evening. I think the snow will be stopped by then. 

I may still hit up some bookstores this weekend. I've got a few I'm looking for. We'll see. I've got a ton of laundry to do. I'd like to find a pair of water shoes for water aerobics so the pool doesn't keep taking the skin off my big toes. I'm loving water aerobics, but that part is annoying. But with that, I think I'm about done with birthday shopping month. 

And the snow is still coming down! This makes me so happy. 

Home, Sweet Home

I love being at home in the quiet. 

I spent last week in North Carolina, traveling for work. The trip was fine, and it was nice to see my team. I got home Thursday night around 8:30 and then worked a half day on Friday. I packed my bag again (differently) and left Friday at 12:30 for a road trip to Escalante, UT with my sister and the twins. 

We had a good time. I don’t think I’ve ever stopped in Escalante before and it was very small. The hotel was good, but there were not many options for food and pretty much everything was closed on Sunday. We had planned ahead and had ramen and other options. 

We did a few small hikes to some Petrified Forest state park, and the Devil’s Garden. And played in the hotel pool in the afternoons. We also did the short hike to Mossy Cave this morning and because it is Presdent’s day, the national parks are free. We stopped at Bryce on the way home. We didn’t stay long, but the wind was blowing and up at 8000 ft, it was cold! Still, it’s beautiful to see and we got our free dollar’s worth. 

Now I’m just sitting here enjoying my quiet, clean, and chaos-free home. I love the kids, but it can be a lot. I have a busy week ahead and this will actually be my only night home until Friday. I have things every night this week. 

We passed the 2 year milestone for mom on the 14th. Still can’t believe she’s gone sometimes. She did love a good road trip though.