Do Your Best

After one of those sleepless nights, I drank my morning cup of coffee and left for work, wondering how the day was going to play out. As I was driving along, I noticed the bank billboard, which often has little nuggets of wisdom on display. It simply said, do your best.

Kind of funny how some things can speak to you. As tired as I was, and worrying about how I was going to make it through the day, those words were comforting to me. Isn't that really all that is expected of us, in the big picture, I mean?

So, I did my best while I presented my monthly health inservice to people at work. I did my best to not freak out too much during my dental exam when the hygienist called out her secret code of numbers while checking the condition of my gums. They do have a secret code, you know, but she did end up telling me what the numbers meant and I guess my gums are in good shape, after all. I did my best to run all the little errands that I had decided last night had to be done today and then couldn't stop thinking about them, thus making it impossible to sleep. When will I learn to just write them down?

And then tonight, Katie called me and we had a nice, long talk on the phone.

I'm thinking I will sleep well tonight.

Folks From Minnesota

I heard a snow plow this morning, which normally wouldn't be a news flash, but it's been an unusual winter in Minnesota.

And then a friend posted a video on Facebook sort of making fun of us Minnesotans, but the funny thing is that there's some truth to it ... reminds me of the movie Fargo. Some folks were offended by the way Minnesotans were depicted, but I think we can poke a little fun at ourselves. And, you do hear that Minnesota accent sometimes.

This guy is a local radio personality.

Just want to add that the title of this video sounds worse than it is. There is no profanity or inappropriateness in it, just silly nonsense.

Mystery

A favorite green glass cup has gone missing and nobody seems to know anything about it.

I found this set at a local thrift store about a year ago, and we've only used the dishes a couple times for special occasions. I store them up on a high shelf in the kitchen, so high that you need to stand on a chair to get them down, so it's not like someone would just easily grab one to use.

There are only five of us in the family, everyone has been asked, and nobody is confessing. I'd just like to know so I can stop searching and get on with life, know what I mean?

New Glasses!

The prescription glasses I ordered online arrived in the mail today, and I love them!

I'm guessing comparable ones would cost a couple hundred dollars, but I paid $25 for two pairs, and that included shipping. I figured that if they didn't work out, I wouldn't be out much money, and if they did work out, I'd be way ahead. I'm thinking that I'm way ahead.

You need a prescription, of course. And you have to have your PD (pupillary distance) number. The tricky part about having your PD number is that vision stores don't want to give it to you ... and, if you don't have it, you can't get fitted for frames. However, the online store gives instruction on how to measure your own. Bruce measured mine. I just uploaded my picture to the site and "tried on" the frames I found interesting. Now that I can see how the glasses actually look on me, I am pleasantly surprised and I think I like them better than any of the other glasses I've tried on and bought in the stores.

This time I ordered glasses for driving. Next time, I think I'll order bifocals ...

Bird Cage

As I was driving home from work this afternoon, I heard a commercial on the radio about our local Cub Foods store having packages of pork on sale for $1.29 a pound. I swung by and picked one up. The roast was nice, as were the chops and ribs. I put the chops and ribs in the freezer and made the roast for supper in my slow cooker, with mashed potatoes and gravy.

I also got around to cleaning the bird cage for our budgies, loopy LuLu and Cole, also known as the Grand Poobah. It's not my favorite chore in the world, but I guess it does need to be done every so often. Katie thinks the green netting we have along the bottom of the cage to catch feathers looks like a diaper (maybe it does) but whatever you call it, I'm thankful to have it as it saves me from having to vacuum so much.

I guess most of the animal cares fall on me, but I don't really mind. The love they give to the family makes it all worthwhile.

It's been a balmy 32 degrees today and the roads have been decent. Not much sun, but it was nice enough that I saw some people running around Lake Calhoun. It's energizing to see, and for a moment I felt like the world was wide open with possibilities. I love that feeling.

It's been a quiet day, though. It seems that the month of January is often quiet and uneventful. I'm not really complaining, that's just the way it is. I'll go work out at Curves, make some supper, and take care of my people and home. Thinking of supper, I plan on making a recipe that I haven't made in awhile, and I'll even post the recipe ~

ChopStix Tuna
2 cans tuna
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/4 cup white cooking wine or water
1 small onion chopped
1-2 stalks celery
dash pepper
2 cups chow mein noodles-divided
1/2 cup salted cashews-optional

Mix all together, except 1/2 of the chow mein noodles and put in a greased casserole dish. Top with remaining chow mein noodles. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.

And, that's about it.

Lasagna

Since I had some fresh spinach to use up, I decided to make a pan of lasagna. It's in the oven now, but I have to admit that making it was a bit intimidating. I'm not totally sure why, but I think it might have to do with the detailed layering of the ingredients and my need to (sometimes) do things exactly right ... anyway, I used the recipe off the box of no bake lasagna noodles, told myself to calm down a few times as I focused on what to layer when, and then even had it all assembled before I left for Curves.

I put the pan in the porch to stay cool, another benefit of a Minnesota winter.

There are a few other things that I find myself avoiding, such as rolling out pie dough or sugar cookies, or making bread from scratch without a bread maker. I tell myself that's because I like simple recipes, but maybe I just need to push myself to try new things.

New Snow

We have a new blanket of snow, and I have to admit that it's beautiful. Everything seems so much more quiet when there's new snow, and the sound of a wind chime hanging in the trees is that much more noticeable. It's nice.

The roads were a bit tricky to drive on this morning, though. I saw three cars spin out on my way to work, and felt lucky that I wasn't one of them. You'd think that people would learn to take those turns slower, but I guess we haven't had as much practice this winter. Ah, yes, Minnesota.

I read somewhere once that having too clean of a house means you might be boring. I think I saw this on a magnet hanging on a friend's refrigerator, and it must have made me think because I still remember it after all these years. I decided that I must not be a boring person as my house is always a work in the making.

I've been in a battle with my house for quite some time now, and my friends are probably tired of hearing about all my declutter challenges! However, I am making progress and I think a clean house can be mind clearing, too, and calming. So the quest continues.

This weekend, I've been working on the basement storage room. What I'm finding a lot of, is paper. Lots of paper to shred, recycle, and file. I'm thinking that being an office manager is probably not my calling and that I should probably stick to nursing.

School Bus

I've had a fascination with school buses for many years. I think it started when my kids began to ride one, and then I had to watch it roll away down the street. I would always say a little prayer for the kids on the bus, that they would stay safe and have a good day. Well, my kids don't ride a bus to school anymore, but I still have my little routine of watching the neighborhood bus drive away, and I still say a little prayer as it goes. I figure it never hurts to pray.

Chocolate Raspberry Coffee Creamer, Again

Since we can't find chocolate raspberry coffee creamer in the stores anymore, I've been trying to make a homemade version. After a couple of not so tasty results, I sort of cheated and used French vanilla coffee creamer as the base. Then added baking cocoa and raspberry syrup. And used the blender. I'm thinking this batch just might be the one. At least until they start selling the stuff in the stores again.

Brrr

It's cold today. I don't think it officially hit zero degrees, but with the wind, it felt like it. My eyes were stinging a bit by the time I made it into the building at work, too. But ... it's already mid January and the winter is half over. I think I can handle this, especially when I think of this time last year when I was wading in snow up to my hips!

Happy Birthday, Debbie

Gotta say Happy Birthday to Debbie, one of my oldest and dearest friends. We've known each other since seventh grade French class, lived together during nursing school and after, were in each other's weddings, and have been like sisters. I don't know what I would do without my Debbie, my life would have a hole in it, for sure.

Sunday Morning

It's a bright, sunny morning and I heard some birds singing when I went out to get the morning paper. I've already had my coffee, and it's feeling like it's going to be a great day.

I've been looking for new recipes to try in my slow cooker. It's easy to get into a rut, then run out of ideas, then start wanting to eat out all the time. Which is what I'd like to avoid. So, I found a creamy chicken and mushroom pot pie recipe and a sausage with sauerkraut and potatoes recipe that look worthy of a try. I'm thinking I should try at least one new recipe a week, but you never know if that will happen!

Cold Day

The weather has taken a turn towards actually feeling like a true Minnesota winter. Temps were in the teens today, and the wind was bitter. I was glad for my warm coat, boots, and knifty knitted hat as I walked from my car to work.

Tonight we turned on the fireplace, and I made a supper of spaghetti and sweet Italian sausage.

Now, after I finish filling out the massive paperwork for Jake's upcoming orchestra trip, which is due to be handed in tomorrow, I plan on settling in to read. I started reading The Help last night, and it's been difficult to put down! Guess I'll need to be seeing that movie soon.

Curves

A part of my daily routine is working out at Curves. I've been going to Curves for almost two years now, and I absolutely love it. I try to go three to four times a week. And, If I go at least twelve days in a month, my health insurance will kick in twenty dollars toward the monthly membership fee. 

Since I've been working out there, I feel stronger and healthier. I sleep better, move better, and feel better. I've met a whole new circle of friends there! Some of the women are in their eighties, and are such an inspiration. And, they're wise. I learn something new every day. 

Oh, and I'm not getting paid to endorse Curves. It's just that it's been that good for me.

Catching Up With An Old Friend

I overslept this morning, and it felt good. I think some of the others in the family slept especially well last night, too. Nick said maybe because of the pizza we ate last night. At any rate, I made it to work on time and afterwards, I met up with an old friend for coffee.

It was great to see her. We go way back to when we worked together at the hospital, and spent those years growing up, really. I think it's been at least two years since we've been able to meet. So much has happened, and it was good to exchange stories and catch up.

Tonight, Katie and I took some pictures of her paintings, and then she took a picture of me in my new Duck Apron.

Getting Back to Normal

I'm not sure that we're very normal around here, but I did get to clean house a bit today. The Christmas decorations are now put away, and all the dust has been dusted up and vacuumed. I love Christmas, but there is a time when you know it's time to put it all away and move on to other things. Minnie didn't like me messing with the tree, though. Poor cat.

Trip to Aldis

Today I made a trip to Aldis. I haven't been there lately, but when I do go there, I'm glad. My main reason for going today was to get ground turkey, which is only $1.49 a pound. Aldis isn't as fun as our local Cub Foods, no free coffee to sip on or friends to bump into and chat with, but it feels good to get a good deal.

Friday

Now that I'm working a regular Monday through Friday job, I have more appreciation of the concept of TGIF and the start of the weekend. My drive into the city for work was especially enjoyable because for some reason, all the radio stations I listened to had great songs playing. That's not always the case. The sun was out, and the weather was actually balmy. Even work itself was kind of fun. And, then I met Renee for lunch and a long overdue talk about life. It was a good day!

Here are some photos of our yard today. Just the right amount of snow, in my opinion.

Taking Care of Business

Although the day seemed to be working against us somewhat today, I feel good in that I was able to cross off something big on my list to do's. A passport needed to be renewed, and soon. Well, it wasn't actually needed until the end of March for Jake's orchestra trip, but I've been thinking about getting it done for quite awhile. And, it was bugging me.

We drove to the closest government service center, hoping that we had all the correct documents needed, only to find out that this particular center had been penalized for something they had done, and they weren't able to process passports until the end of January. Are processing passports a lucrative business for the government service centers? Weird. So, we drove to the next town. We did find the place, the lines were even shorter than at the first place, and we were in and out in less than fifteen minutes. Hardly worth stressing about!

Humble Soup Supper

The fridge is still full of leftover odds and ends, and so it made sense to make a pot of soup. I've thrown in the ham bone from Christmas Day, the marinara sauce from last night's ravioli, some shredded carrots that don't look as crisp as they did when they were purchased, that last bit of celery and onion, and a couple of cans of Great Northern beans. I'll season it up after it's simmered for awhile. The house is smelling good!

Little Changes, Lots of Happy

Today I met my good friend, Debbie, at Applebees. I had a wonderful lunch of grilled shrimp spinach salad and French onion soup. And we also had a brownie bite for dessert.

Afterwards, we decided to browse at the TJMAX home goods store. There are some days that everything looks especially pretty, and today was one of those days. I've been looking around for some colored glasses, and guess what I found ... I also picked up a red paisley drawer organizer for my jewelry, and an apron with ducks on it, which sounds kind of silly, but I really like it.

There was a sign hanging on the store window that said Little Changes ~ Lots of Happy
I thought it was something that fit my day. Sometimes it only takes something little to make things better.