Some Days I am a Squirrel, Other Days a Sloth

 

   Dear Blog,

     I am sorry that I have been neglecting you yet again.  You see, some days I have felt like a squirrel and other days like a sloth.  I seem to go back and forth between the two ends of the spectrum a lot lately.  Some days, it is a full on sprint to get everything done that I feel like I need to, and others, I am on the couch, barely moving and watching way too much YouTube.  Anyone else ever feel this way?

   My squirrel like behavior has ranged from trying to make sure that I have everything I need here at home to combat the rising prices.  This includes food shopping, storage containers, clothing needs, gardening stuff and HBA items.  To this end, I have been haunting the thrift stores for months trying to find good storage containers and I think I finally have most of what I need.  The only thing left now is to hit up the bakeries to see if I can either buy or get some of their food grade buckets for free.  I've been madly filling up the containers with cereals, grains, popcorn, pastas, etc. to try and make sure that I can extend their life and keep them free of any moisture or pests.  I've also been adding to my canned goods, both veggies, easy meals and some canned meats.  More packets of instant potatoes, rice mixes, cookie and brownie mixes were also added, along with the essential cans of coffee. 

   I had a great "hallelujah" moment here yesterday when I finally found another pair of jeans that I like and are comfy after a 6 month search!  I am super picky about my jeans, as I don't like any metal touching my body when it comes to clothing.  It drives me insane and actually hurts.  The one pair of jeans that I wear constantly are getting to the point that they are going to be worn through or rip in a matter of a few more uses.  I managed to score a pair at Goodwill that are not in my preferred style, but they fit and have no metal on them, so I consider that a huge win!  While there I also found two shirts and a pair of LuLaRoe leggings (brand new) for half off.  I live in leggings for a good part of the year while at home, so I am always happy to find another pair in my size that I like the pattern of.  My best find of the day though was not a clothing item, but rather a cute yellow Fiesta ware pitcher that I will most likely use as a vase.  It was only $3.99 and I snagged it right out of the bins as they brought them out to stock the shelves.  Normally I am not a "yellow" fan, but this was just so darling and made me happy, l so I bought it as a treat for myself.  Another thrift store that I visited had a lovely pink Anne Klein purse (brand new) and some fun fabric that I bought.  I know, I know, I don't NEED another purse, but this one just called my name and I don't have anything like it.  It brough me joy, was a good price, and I will be using it a lot this Spring.

   Jeff and I have been trying to spend as much time with our kids and grandkids as we possibly can and help them out with projects that they have going on.  Jeff has continued to help Chris with his shop build, and Jaysn and Rachel with their trim work in their house.  This weekend he and Jaysn will be finishing up the trim work, so that will be one less project to get done.  Today he is working on yet another project for one of his co-workers.  Eventually he will find time to work on building me more shelves here at home...I hope.  We celebrated with a Superbowl party last weekend with the kids and grandkids, with Rachel hosting us all.  It was potluck style and there was so much good food per usual.  I just could not stop hugging and kissing on the grand boys and my grown boys and girls.  Just being together and watching everyone have a wonderful time filled my love tank to the brim!

   All this activity, while good and wonderful, did wear me out.  I found myself spending days on the couch in between my bursts of energy.  I know I need to pace myself better, but that is still a balance that I have not been able to find yet.  I tried to set a goal for myself to at least shower and get dressed and out of jammies on those days, but many times, even that did not happen.  Even making dinner was a huge drain on me, and a few times I had Jeff just bring something home for us.  Yes, I am not proud of myself for that, but goodness, some nights a girl just needs her Panda Express. 😋 Go ahead and shake your head at me or laugh with me...I'm good either way. LOL!

   Those days on the couch were filled with way too much YouTube, disaster movies or computer "surfing".  I do have a pile of books here, both from the library and from my own stash, that I want to get read, so that will be my goal for this week, along with baking, organizing projects and trying to stay warm as our outside temperature drop down into the single digits.  I fear for my plants that have put on their Spring growth.  My snowdrop flowers are up and blooming, with the tulips, daffodils, and peonies also making their way out of their Winter slumber.  This has been a very strange Winter here with much too long stretches of warmer Spring like weather than normal.  Praying that it does not mess up my fruit trees and bushes.

   I will end this here and try to get back to a few projects that I have here at home today.  There is laundry currently going and I have some overripe bananas that need to be made into banana bread and possibly a homemade chicken pot pie for dinner later this evening.  I will then turn back into a sloth and spend the evening watching a movie that I borrowed from the library while happily munching on popcorn with Jeff. 😉 Sounds like a good balance to me!

  Be blessed, stay prayed up and remember that we are all doing the best that we can so be kind to one another.  Much love to you all!