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Four Day

I’m so excited about my four-day weekend that I can barely stand it. Work has not been the best place to be this week, so I’m looking forward to a nice, long weekend. Fortunately, I have no plans outside of watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the Timberwolves in the NBA playoffs. Outside of watching the playoffs, I plan on watching Netflix and chilling on the couch.

Speaking for four days, I have four days left on my four-week Apple Fitness + plan. I missed a couple of workouts yesterday and today due to a pinched nerve in my shoulder. I also had to cut my spin class short due to sharp knee pain, which was great. Outside of the last few days, the plan has been working fantastically. The yoga and Pilates are helping quite a bit. I love lighting some incense or palo santo for my practice.

The fitness plan ends on Sunday, so I’ll be starting a new one. One thing I don’t love about the plan is its lack of flexibility to change or move workouts once set. Consequently, I’ll be setting a weekly plan from here out. This way I can make sure the plan aligns with my schedule. Otherwise, managing the plan and my schedule is a bit stressful.

What personal belongings do you hold most dear?

The personal belongings I treasure most are the picture books I’ve made over the years. I made books for each of our Utah trips. When the boys are older and have their own place, I’ll make sure they each have a copy. One of my favorite Utah books is the book I made for Jake and I of our trip through the Mighty Five. It’s nice, thick, and great documentation of an epic trip across southern Utah.

Perhaps my favorite book is the cookbook I’ve made for my family. I compiled all the family recipes and put them into a beautiful book with family photos. Each of the grandkids will get one when they get married. It’s beautiful! Also, I’ve made some of the recipes so many times that the recipes are no longer legible. With the book, I can now easily read all of the recipes.

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Spring Cleaning Essentials

Spring cleaning essentials: the must-have items to refresh your home. As the days grow longer and the temperature rises, it’s time to shake off the winter blues and embrace the freshness of spring. Along with the blossoming flowers, spring brings the annual tradition of cleaning and decluttering our homes. Having the right tools can make a world of difference when sprucing up your living space. Here are some essential items to consider adding to your spring cleaning arsenal:

  1. All-Purpose Cleaner: A versatile all-purpose cleaner is a must-have for tackling various surfaces throughout your home. Look for a cleaner that is effective yet gentle enough for use on countertops, appliances, and bathroom fixtures. Opt for eco-friendly options to minimize your environmental impact.
  2. Microfiber Cloths: Ditch the disposable paper towels and opt for reusable microfiber cloths instead. These cloths are highly effective at trapping dust and dirt without leaving behind streaks or lint. Use them for dusting, wiping down surfaces, and cleaning mirrors and windows.
  3. Vacuum Cleaner with Attachments: A reliable vacuum cleaner is essential for keeping floors clean. Be careful to not overlook the importance of attachments for tackling hard-to-reach areas. Look for a vacuum with a crevice tool for cleaning those areas. Finally, It should also have a brush attachment for upholstery and curtains. I love my Shark Rotator vacuum.
  4. Mop and Bucket or steam mop: Give your floors a deep clean with a mop and bucket combo. Choose a mop with a reusable microfiber or sponge head that can be easily wrung out to prevent streaks. For hardwood floors, consider using a gentle cleaning solution specifically formulated for wood surfaces.
  5. Scrub Brushes: For stubborn stains and grime, a scrub brush is your best friend. Keep a variety of brushes on hand, including a stiff-bristled brush for scrubbing tile grout and a soft-bristled brush for delicate surfaces like glass shower doors.
  6. Organizational Tools: Spring cleaning isn’t just about tidying up—it’s also an opportunity to declutter and organize your space. Invest in storage bins, baskets, and drawer organizers to corral clutter and make it easier to find what you need.
  7. Air Purifier: Improve the air quality in your home by investing in an air purifier. These devices help remove allergens, dust, and other pollutants from the air, creating a healthier indoor environment for you and your family.
  8. Squeegee: Keep your windows sparkling clean with a squeegee. This simple tool is highly effective at removing streaks and water spots, leaving your windows crystal clear and letting in more natural light.
  9. Odor Eliminator: Banish unpleasant odors from your home with an odor eliminator spray or diffuser. Choose a fresh, clean scent like lemon or lavender to impart a welcoming atmosphere throughout your space.
  10. Rubber Gloves: Last but not least, protect your hands from harsh cleaning chemicals and bacteria with a pair of rubber gloves. Opt for gloves with a textured grip to prevent slipping and ensure a secure hold on cleaning tools.

With these essential items in your cleaning arsenal, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle any spring cleaning challenge that comes your way. So roll up your sleeves, open the windows, and let the rejuvenating spirit of spring inspire you to refresh and revitalize your home. Happy cleaning!

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Blah

Blah is exactly how I’m feeling now that I’m back to work after a spectacular week in Mexico. There’s something about coming back from vacation that makes work extra miserable. Of course, my AC stopped working last night, which makes it even worse. I just hate not being busy and being hot. It’s not a great combination for me. Fortunately, I’ve been able to get some work down in our room during my downtime.

While everything is feeling blah, I’m pretty excited about my new bird feeder. It’s got a camera! I set it up with the hubby’s help on Sunday afternoon. It’s so cool! The video quality is higher than our ring. Also, it’s really fun to see the birds and critters up close. We’ve consistently had the grackles, blue jays, and squirrels at the new feeder. I’m pretty sure the squirrel is a hoarder. He likes to fill up his cheeks, disappear, and then come back. The close-up view gives you a chance to appreciate the beautiful colors and patterns on the birds.

What is your favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite?

My favorite is Christmas! I love all the baking, family time, and laughing. It’s always fun to host brunch. Later in the day, we usually play games. It’s a great time.

Apparently, it’s” long list of ex-lovers” not star-crossed or Starbucks lovers
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48 Hours

In less than 48 hours, I will be embarking on Momcation 5.0. I cannot wait!! First of all, I can’t wait to see all the girls and meet the two new moms. Second, I have no responsibility for the entirety of the trip, which is amazing. Lastly, I love exploring and enjoying paradise. In the end, it’s a trip that is good for the soul. I can’t wait!

This is the fifth Momcation I’ve attended. Last year, we went to Puerto Vallarta, which was magical. In 20222, we ventured to Turks & Caicos, which I love. We were supposed to go there in 2020, but we all know how that went. Before the pandemic, we visited the Cayman Islands and Turks & Caicos (North Caicos.). Every location has been spectacular in its own way, so I’m looking forward to what this year’s destination will bring.

I am hoping, after I leave in 48 hours, that the Mayor and the hubby will remember to feed the birds and water my tomato. The birds have become quite accustomed to their morning feast at our house. They don’t even go into stealth mode or fly away when I walk outside now. We wouldn’t want to disappoint them or the squirrels. The tomato plant is now fruiting, so it would suck to lose it while I’m gone. I’m sure the puppies will also miss being spoiled by their mama.

Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.

I think the biggest decision that has helped me grow was to stop looking for happiness outside of myself. Other people can bring joy and momentary happiness, but I’m talking about the deep rooted happiness with one’s life and one’s self. At the end of the day, we can only control ourselves. Now back to working on my doodle. I’m not at all artistic, but I have found doodling and coloring throughout the day helps keep my spirits high and my mind engaged.

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Ho Hum

Ho Hum, what an appropriate title for a shit show of a day. Our internet with AT&T went down early this morning along with our cell service. Fortunately, we have Comcast as a backup. Unfortunately, Comcast still sucks. Needless to say, it’s been a trying day. It has me counting down the hours to Momcation 5.0.

I should have known today was going to be a special kind of crazy. After all, it is the day the taxman cometh. One bright spot was that our menagerie was hopping this morning. We even had a new visitor. A beautiful mottled duck joined the others for a snack. The animals have gotten so used to me that they don’t fly away anymore when I bring out the food or water. Even the skittish blue jays and squirrels have started to stay.

Instead of running, I’ve been working on Zumba chores for Momcation. I haven’t taught since I tore a tendon and was diagnosed with Graves, so I’m excited to give it a go. After all, it’s only been six years. Honestly, I had forgotten both how hard and how much fun it is to put together a class. I’m a bit rusty, so hopefully I’ll be able to give my fellow moms a good workout. It’s also a test to see if my ankle and body will tolerate it. If it goes well, I’m going to start teaching again as I need a second income.

Describe a positive thing a family member has done for you.

My family has done so much for me that I don’t even know where to start. I guess I’ll put it in broad strokes because otherwise, we’d have a War and Peace size answer here. The biggest thing was that they have supported me through life at every stage and every difficulty. I know that’s a pretty general answer, but the truth having support makes a huge difference.

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Eclipse

Apparently, there’s some sort of eclipse today, which I’m sure will bring out all the weirdos. The nut jobs and tin foil-wearing conspiracy theorists love to get worked up about these things. It’s been entertaining to read some of the crazier posts people have made. I’ll be sharing some of them here for your entertainment. My favorite posts are the ones questioning our ability to have an eclipse during a crescent moon. That and the posts say they’ll look at the sun directly because the government said they shouldn’t look at it directly.

Enough about the eclipse and silly people, I had an interesting yet quiet weekend with the Mayor and my puppies. I binge-watched Euphoria and Regime. If you haven’t watched either, you should watch both. Zendaya and Kate Winslet are supremely talented actresses. You won’t be disappointed in either’s performance. Euphoria tackles some pretty heavy subject matter but it is so well done. Zendaya’s performance as Rue, a high school student addicted to opiates, is powerful. I highly recommend you check out both.

Pictures taken in Arkansas by my friend’s daughter that was working with NASA today.

Hubby is halfway home, he has completed the first leg of his trip. Now he’s waiting to get airborne to head back to FLL. Right now it looks like his flight has a slight delay, but nothing too major. I’m back at work, watching The Heart Doctor on Acorn because I’m bored out of my gourd. Nothing is happening at work. Fortunately, it gives me plenty of time to work as publisher of my blog. Speaking of which, I’ll be adding a separate recipe and travel section shortly. The recipe section is self-explanatory. As for the travel section, it will include blogs about my travels and travel recommendations.

Photos from my friend’s house in AR, which is in the path of totality

What book could you read over and over again?

I love reading, so there are a ton of books that could be on this list. One of them is The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho. Fortunately, it’s a pretty short read. The others on the list would include The Count of Monte Cristo, War and Peace, Les Miserables and The Decameron.

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Easter

I hope all who celebrate had a wonderful Easter. I know we sure did. Unusually, we were able to sleep in on Easter morning. No longer were there kids begging us to get up, so they could find their baskets and their hidden eggs. Since only Goalielocks was home, we didn’t even get their baskets out of the attic. We put the candy out on the island for all to enjoy. When Goalielocks goes back to school, I’m sending it with him. Lord knows I don’t need that stuff in my house.

We met the Burrage’s at church for Easter Service, which was fantastic. Goalielocks ran into someone that he graduated with from West Boca. Now he was the class joker and a pretty popular guy in high school. Goalielocks pretty much knew everyone and everyone knew him. Elijah, who is autistic, shared an English class with Goalielocks. Elijah was so excited to see Goalielocks and show him off to everyone.

It was a really sweet interaction. Moreover, it gave me insight into how my son treated people in high school. I mentioned this to him and he said “What did you expect? How did you think I treated him?” All while looking at me like I’m a fool. The questions he asked made me happy. Our children may not be perfect, but you hope they go into the world and treat people with kindness and love no matter what.

Anyway, I digress. After church, we headed to Melly’s folks’ house for brunch. We had a very tasty quiche. I mean eggs, cheese, cream, and vegetables what isn’t to love? In addition, there was some tasty spiral ham, which paired perfectly with the rustic Italian loaf I had baked. Naturally, there were also fruits and a salad on the table, but I was too full from the quiche to enjoy them. A girl had to have priorities and yesterday it was quiche.

The rest of the day was spent chilling at home with the puppies watching Euphoria and going for a run. We popped a pizza in for a quick dinner, which hit the spot. I spent most of the night trying to avoid eating the jelly beans and Cadbury eggs I had set out for the boys. That was definitely easier said than done.

What are your morning rituals? What does the first hour of your day look like?

My morning ritual always starts with walking the dogs one at a time. They’re far too strong for me to walk them together. After I walk the dogs, I give them their donut. Once the dogs have had their treat, I fill up the bird feeders out front. Once the dogs and birds are fed, I sit down with my coffee and watch the Great British Bake Off until it’s time to work.

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Dog Food

Last night, while the hubby was grilling up some of his famous potatoes and steaks, I made dog food for the puppies. I bought a duck breast at Wild Fork a few months ago and defrosted yesterday. Obviously, it’s not something I’ll do all the time, but thought it might be a nice change of pace for the boys.

For their meal, I peeled 3 carrots, cooked 3 cups of rice, bought 1 large duck breast, and hard-boiled seven eggs. Note, I did not use all the eggs for their food. Veterinarians recommend that dogs have no more than one egg per day. To cook the duck, I lined a baking sheet with aluminum foil after preheating the oven to 350 degrees. I placed the peeled carrots on the baking sheet with the duck breast in the middle. The meat and carrots roasted for 20 minutes. Once the duck breast reached an internal temperature of 165, I cut it up into cubes and cut up the carrots.

Once the duck and carrots were cut up, I added them to the cooked rice and mixed them well. Naturally, I poured any of the juices from the duck into the mixture. The last step was to cut up the eggs and add them to the mixture. Ideally, I’d use more vegetables, but I only had carrots on hand. Next time, I’ll use sweet potatoes and peas in addition to the carrots. The recipe is below.

Homemade Dog Food

Ingredients:

  • 2 Duck breast/chicken breast/chicken livers
  • 4 carrots
  • 3 cups of rice
  • 1 egg for each dog per day
  • 1 sweet potato
  • 1 package of frozen peas

Instructions

  • Cook rice according to package instructions
  • Prepare a baking sheet with foil and preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Wash produce
  • Peel and cut carrots in half and place on the prepared baking sheet
  • Cut sweet potato into cubes and place on prepared baking sheet
  • Place duck breasts or desired protein in the middle of the baking sheet
  • Roast the duck and vegetables for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature of the duck is 165.
  • While the duck is roasting, cook up the peas according to package instructions and prepare the hard-boiled eggs
  • Once the duck and vegetables have cooled, slice the meat into chunks and the carrots into smaller pieces.
  • Combine all ingredients in one large bowl and serve

I have two large (80-90 lbs) male dogs and split the recipe between the two of them. Going forward, I’ll probably use chicken as it’s much cheaper, but the duck is a nice treat. You could also substitute lamb or beef cuts as well.

What is one word that describes you?

Kind. I love people, animals, and life and want to make the world a better place. Fortunately, I think little acts of kindness go a long way in brightening the world. Consequently, every day I try to be kind to those around me (some days go better than others,)

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Sleepy

I’m so sleepy today. This spring forward an hour nonsense has got me all discombobulated. Now don’t get me wrong, I love the later sunset. I do, however, resent losing an hour of sleep and having to wake up when it’s dark. The Monday after the daylight savings time change should be a national holiday, much like Super Bowl Monday. Everyone should be given an extra day to assimilate before having to deal with the shit show that is a Monday.

Work was busy this morning, but things have taken a turn towards boring. I love being busy and talking to great people all day. It’s when it’s slow or folks don’t answer that I start to get restless and frustrated. At this point, I may put the headset on Anakin and take a nap. However, I’ll have to first wake up my sales assistant as he is currently napping comfortably on our bed. I do think Anakin’s gritty personality will lend itself to sales.

This weekend I finally ticked a few boxes off my to-do list. The Goodwill bags are now gone. My Hubby dropped them off for me Sunday morning. There were several bags in our room that needed to go, so the room looks so much better now. In addition to the Goodwill run, I organized my food storage cabinet. For some reason, keeping the lids and food storage containers organized is a real challenge for my boys. I had enough of the nonsense and straightened it out yesterday.

Which animal would you compare yourself to and why?

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Grateful

I had a wonderful, low key birthday and I’m grateful for all the love and birthday wishes I was given. Unfortunately, I had to work a full day. It was a slow, tedious day. After work, we ordered Sushi Yama for my birthday dinner. Sushi Yama is definitely our go to restaurant for birthday dinners. By the end of dinner, I was way too full to even try and eat birthday cake. Consequently, we’ll be enjoying the cake today.

As for today, I’m laying low and getting stuff done around the house. The hubby and The Mayor headed to the Panthers game around 3, but we managed to get a lot done this morning. In fact, we actually got the bags for Goodwill out of our room and dropped off at Goodwill. Before we dropped off the bags, my Hubby made me waffles with strawberries and bacon for breakfast. I’m grateful for such a good breakfast. It was mighty tasty!

As you know, I love baking much to the dismay of my waistline. Since I have more bread than I know what to do with, I decided to bake something different today. Today I made the puppies some doggie biscuits with peanut butter. I opted to use a biscuit mix from King Arthur, which was super simple to whip up and bake. The dogs absolutely love the biscuits, so I’ll definitely be baking more of them. Now the puppies and I are watching Inventing Anna about the mass deception perpetrated by Anna Sorokin. It’s really well done.

Where would you go on a shopping spree?

If I could go on a shopping spree, it would probably be at Boca Town Center Mall as it has pretty much everything you could need from gold bars to designer purses.