Spring Fling Kick-Off

It's Friday and it is 11 a.m. - - - I have much to get done but am taking a break long enough to post about the Spring fun that is coming our way tomorrow!   Please join me!

I'm celebrating with Spring fever early . . . Saturday, March 5!

8:00 a.m. - - - Coffee and devotions - - - I'll share a morning devotion with you . . . of course you are on your own for coffee!

Going to shower quickly and be set for a relaxing day!

I am really focusing on two things for the day.  #1 Reading and #2 Cleaning windows.   

I'd love to have you join me and share about your day!  How do you prepare for Spring?  Do you decorate your home?   Do you plant a vegetable garden or flowers?  What is your plan? 

Check back tomorrow at 8 a.m. for a Spring devotion and then at 10 a.m. for the first Spring Challenge!

Hint . . .

Spring Fling

It should be illegal to not blog post for over two months!  Especially when I blogged January 3 and said I was going to allow much more time for fun this year!!  Fun for me includes reading, blogging, coloring, and relaxing.

I'm declaring this Saturday Spring Fling - - - Spring does not begin officially until 3-20-16 but I am in a hurry and I'm having Spring fever.  I have been spending about half an hour every night after work in the back yard with the puppies - to my surprise my youngest puppy has learned to play fetch really well!  I have never had a Boston Terrier who would agree to give up the ball or bone or etc.  But Libby is doing it perfectly! 

First on the list I need to wash windows - - -fun? - - - no - - - but necessary for me to enjoy looking out!

Then for Spring Fling I started to collect ideas on Pinterest - under Spring Fling!  A new wreath for my front door - ideas for Easter baskets - and a spring cleaning challenge.  So . . . this Saturday I plan to work on the new wreath as my project.  The rest of the day will look like this . . .



Reading
                                                   Devotions
                     Coloring

                                          Napping
 
           Cooking

                                                   Coffee                                Blogging

 

Would you like to join me in my Spring Fling?

Please do!

Check in with me on my blog where I will be posting fun challenges for ways you can enjoy a "Spring day"

3 prizes to be drawn for!!

 

“Tomorrow when I awaken, the slate will be clean, and a new day will stretch before me. God's mercies are new every morning.” ― Lori Hatcher

God's mercies are new every morning, great is our faithfulness O Lord, great is our faithfulness.

I have written about starting over, and New Years Resolutions, and focuses, and goals many times in my blogging life.  Seems I am always "starting over" - and as Oprah used to say - it gives us a chance to get it right. 

I have only had a small bit of success when starting over.  My favorite time was when I started on Nutrisystem in 2012 and for the next year I basically did it right.  I followed the plan and lost weight, exercised, and felt great.    Even if I had a bad day and even when I was off of the plan for part of that time, I still felt like I was doing things right.  It was a good time in my life.

Alas, I don't think life is always meant to be just that "right" all of the time.  I have more than a blessed life that I give thanks for each day.  However, I am restless with the way I am using my time, the relationships I have, the way I handle myself at times, and yes, about my weight/health.  

Recently I have gone through a very rough period of doubt and fear.  The valleys are not fun, but certainly can be educational.   So, it's not a new year, or a new month, or my birthday, or any special date.  I still plan to end tonight in prayer and Bible reading, and look ahead to God's mercies tomorrow morning.    Once again if you will humor me, I will begin a do-over.  Please check back to see the lessons learned from a summer of unrest . . . maybe they will help you when you are faced with the same.  

Randomness vs. Intentionalism

Ha!  Did I just create two new words?  But I jotted these two terms down today because one is where I am finding myself lately . . . and the other is where I want to go.

Explanation . . . One of my co-workers and I try to cheerfully refer to a certain amount of paper work that ends up on our desks each day as our "randomness" . . . meaning that nobody wanted to take the time to deal with it so they send it to our department and we must dig our way through it . . .

Definition of random:

     Made, done, happening, or chosen without method or conscious decision.

That is how I have been living lately, randomly, certainly not methodical, and with no conscious decision in several areas of life.  I don't feel my best when living this way.

Definition of intentionalism:

     Oops, I see that intentionalism IS a real word, but it has nothing to do with what I thought . . . soooo I change that to intentional . . . and the definition is "having an aim or plan"  BINGO!

Couple these two words with a quote I ran across this week that basically said "anyone can decide to lose weight . . . but you have to then move . . . "  

This made sense to me and it's not a new concept . . . make a good plan, set a goal to aim for,  and then do it!!    Talk is cheap . . .

So . . . tonight I will finish up this blog . . . and go to sleep . . . no bedtime snack . . . tomorrow I am getting up and having coffee and a muffin . . . enjoy my day at work (spent quite a bit of the weekend at work) so the randomness won't frustrate me as much tomorrow . . . and best of all . . . counting down to Tuesday when the hubs and I take off for a little vacation . . .

Puerto Vallarta . . . here we come . . . I have a plan, I "intend" to have a great time!

To blog or not to blog . . . really isn't the question.

I say that because I have not been intending to drop the blog - I have missed it terribly - and so - I'm back on and I'm looking at new ideas to write about!   The original blog began after we made a big life change and moved to Beloit after living a few miles down the road for 25 years.  I had much to write about but found that after a year or so I was just struggling.   I think that as bloggers we might sometimes put too much pressure on ourselves to "entertain" via the posts . . . and so I'm back to using it as I first intended . . . a quiet place to share my blessings.  I'll show you what I mean very soon as I will be writing about some of this and some of that . . . but for the moment . . . CRISIS has arisen and must be dealt with!!!

Our big screen TV has died, quit, I was just settling in with my morning cup of coffee when I heard great frustration and agony from the family room downstairs . . . hubs had no TV . . . so I have about ten minutes to shower and we are off to the "city" to buy a new one . . . can't be without ya know!!

Happy Weekend to all of my followers . . . (Tami)

A vow of silence . . .

"Silence is golden . . . "

                    “Never miss a good chance to shut up.”   

        

            
                                         “My personal hobbies are reading, listening to music, and silence.”

 

 

I recently decided to explore silence.  I have a Bible that teaches of the "spiritual disciplines" and one of them is silence.    Spiritual disciplines are ways to imitate Christ in our lives.  Thought up by someone who noted in scripture that certain fruits were present in the life of Jesus.  And so what better reason to practice those ways.

 

That being said, my motivation as well as being more Christ-centered - is to eliminate some stress in my life.  Let me explain:   Here is my pattern - and would some psychoanalyst out there please leave an in-depth comment on how to fix me?  In the situations of my life I stay jolly and positive and want everyone around me to feel comfortable.   Sure wouldn't want to upset anyone.  Instead of sharing healthy opinions - I stuff them and stuff them - until they come popping out at seemingly small issues.  Confusion abounds.  I then feel bad and apologize.  Or I just say too much and get tied up in a long conversation of which I do most of the talking . . . Then I buy into negative self talk.  Great life strategy huh?

For whatever the situation - whether it be at work, with family, or with public I end up thinking to myself - be quiet - don't get involved - practice silence.

For the next three weeks I'm going to work through the area of silence in my spiritual disciplines Bible.  I'll be back to share . . . or . . . not.

Enjoy some quiet time for yourself too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Open Your Mouth Only If What You Are Going To Say Is More Beautiful Than Silence

                   

 

    

Getting a plan . . .

The following blog post was nearly "deleted" today as I started on a new post - - - as you will see below I was feeling stressed out - - - and once the post was written - - - I didn't have any intention to print it - - - but today as I re-read - - - it doesn't sound so bad.  It's all very true.  Life isn't always picture perfect.  So - read on . . . and then follow along with me to see my " plan" in action,

It's nearly 2 a.m. and I have been home from work for one hour.  Why?  Trying to catch up with work that cannot seem to find an ending.  Two steps forward and then three steps back.   I'm going on a long weekend trip to see our son this weekend so extra hours are required.

Poor management? (that would be on me)  Busy establishment? (that's a good thing) Short on help?  (I think maybe yes).  A person can't move from one position to a supervisory position and take all of your present work with you to the new position . . . then become even busier on top of it all . . . it makes for a tired lady.    And yes sitting up at 2 a.m. blogging may bring certain people down on me . . . but I'm not suffering from physical tired.  I'm tired in my heart and in my soul.  

Every aspect of my little life - which is blessed in many, many ways - is not going the way I think I want it to go.    I want to work hard at my job and meet deadlines easily - I want to lead with grace and wisdom and kindness and forgiveness.  I want a more healthy body at a smaller size but I refuse to do what it takes to get it.  I want to relax in my home with my family and pets and read and clean house and keep up with laundry and watch favorite TV shows.  

I want a good nights sleep.

I want to pray and read God's word.

I want to simplify.

I have been dejected at not finding things to blog about as I did in the past.    

So sounds like I need a vacation??  Well we are off tomorrow to the great state of Texas.  Our son Todd and his family live there, and the five day weekend promises to bring some fun in the sun and much more . . .

Assignment:

Relax   Enjoy family  Rest my soul   Come home with a plan . . . stay tuned.

“Your life is the sum result of all the choices you make, both consciously and unconsciously. If you can control the process of choosing, you can take control of all aspects of your life. You can find the freedom that comes from being in charge of yourself.” - - Robert F. Bennett

Problems are always made better at the beach :)

Back to the drawing board once again . . .

I don't know if anyone has missed regular posts from Henningsen Happenings but I have missed writing them!!  It takes a creative mind to be a blogger I believe.  When I was going strong it changed the way I viewed every event of every day.  I looked at the simple and obvious with new eyes.

So as we start a new month and summer finally arrives . . . I vow to take a look through those eyes once again . . . 

Plans for June July and August include:

     Vacation with granddaughter at our house for a week!  More to come . . . 

     Summer Reading Program - plus two week long readathons . . . one done

               One of my focuses for 2014 - READ more

     Be active . . . walks . . . bike rides . . . swim . . . 

               One of my focuses for 2014  - EXERCISE 

     Bible Study with Rebecca - The Search for Significance . . . Time in prayer

               One of my focuses for 2014 - WORSHIP

That's my short bucket list . . . nothing like the spring mop and bucket list I had to get ready for summer . . . remember the yard and the garage and the patio and flowers . . . done done done and done.  So now I resolve to rest and enjoy.

My job has been extra busy as of late . . . another focus of 2014 that I have not taken the time to work on . . . in much need . . . is my WORK . . . the place that pays me and my bills!    I plan to take some time this summer to reflect on this and come up with a plan!    To make it better!

Hubs and I plan to take a trip to the mountains with our granddaughter who has not been there even if we have to stretch it into early Autumn . . . A trip to see our son in Texas or meet somewhere in between . . . and I'm going on a trip by myself to stay overnight with my sister in southeast Nebraska . . . I haven't told her yet . . . but we have much to do and much to discuss . . . I want to spend some time in the country.

To summarize my summer . . . READ, RELAX, REST.    Be thankful.

     

All in a day's work . . .

It was Saturday - my favorite day of the week - and although I dreamed of this:

I knew I had chores to do:

     Family reunion was the next day - just a few last minute details to tend to . . . 

     

     Fund raiser at church - just a few last minute details to tend to . . . 

     Peschool SS class - just a few last minute details to tend to . . . 

     And going back to our summer to do list - it was time to try something new . . . 

Saw on Pinterest and knew that other family members had tried this - I headed out to the hardware store for spray paint that works on plastic.  Sure enough they had it, I bought it, and it is now done.  One can of paint per large plastic flower planter.  New dirt added and a few flowers.  Then on to the next project - just adding some flowers to the blue pots - find a spot for the red bird wind chime and there you have it - a red, white and blue relaxing oasis for the summer!

More pics to come when all is said and done . . . 

Hubs got home from his real job and fired up his new "honda" . . . 

Some say this bad boy mows all by itself . . . 

I think Clay would agree - - - look at how he is "following quickly" behind Mr. Honda and he is actually standing up straight and tall!    Far cry from the old mower that required bending over, pushing with brute force strength as you held the gear handle down - all the time.

Gotta love the weekends . . . ended ours here . . .

                             

80+ degrees - time for a front porch visit!

It's been a long time since I have joined in with a farmhouse front porch chat with Patrice at Everyday Ruralty.     Thought it sounded like a fun thing to do - please join in if you'd like - copy the questions into a blog post and link up with Patrice!  The questions she asks today are:

1.  What has kept you busy lately?  Most days I would say my job . . . but with the sun staying up later in the evenings and the weather warming up . . . I have been busy working on the yard, patio,  and some new lighting for the front of the house.

2.  Are you making or creating anything?   I have been making miniature prayer quilts - or at least I was and then the last 3 weekends we have had obligations out of town and so there hasn't been much time to create!

3.  What are you really hungry for right now?  At this moment . . . I would love if some one would bring me a diet coke on ice!    I haven't had one today . . . it's warm in the house  . . . and I won't allow myself to think of any food that I am hungry for . . . avoiding that subject  . . . Diet coke will do!

4.  What song has stuck in your head lately?   "Beneath Your Beautiful" sung by Matthew Schuler on The Voice last season - - - such a beautiful song.

5.  If I could celebrate my upcoming birthday with you, what would we do?  My birthday is in February and I would choose to meet family at The Olive Garden or Applebee's or The Blind Tiger for a nice meal and a movie!    Second choice . . . a quiet day at home with coffee and a good book and a nap under a warm blanket!  Of course both kids and the grandkids would call to say Happy Birthday!

Thanks Patrice - it's been too long since I joined in for your random fun!   Easy to learn about someone by just asking!!

Spring has sprung . . .

Or so I wish . . .

(Began this post four days ago . . . )

Today is dreary cold - but yesterday - and this was no April fools - was very nice!   April 1 and I expect to be thinking spring and for the Henningsen's that means we get out the notorious "Get your place ready for summer" list.   It looks like this:

     1.  Clean big shed.

     2.  Clean little shed. (Organize wood supply for planned Spring fires in the firepit)

     3.  Clean up dog house.

     4.  Add more sand or chat (I asked about artificial turf - answer was "Oh God No")
          to Roy's pen.

     5.  Sweep and hose down patio.

     6.  Paint picnic table.

     7.  Clean garage.

     8.  Trim roses.

     9.  Paint hall closet.

    10. Add rock to drive. (A story I won't tell here)

    11. Plant flower pots.

    12. Wash outside windows.

    13. Buy new grill or fix old one.

    14. Clean old grill.

    15. Relax and enjoy my favorite season of the year!!

I'm old school and I have the above list written down on paper.  

Hubs is more techy than me and he has his list on his iPhone.   It looks like this:

     1.  Mow and clean up yard.  (Task completed 4-1-14)

     2.  Spray for bugs.

     3.  Spray for weeds.

     4.  Add sand to Roy's pen.

     5.  Add rock to driveway.

     6.  Add mulch around base of trees.  (Cuz everyone on the block does)

     7.  Take down satellite. (on top of house when we bought it not in use)

     8.  Fix front water faucet.

     9.  Fix electric cords on back of house.

    10. Build fence.

    11. Clean out dads apartment.      

I would say that for the most part, we are in agreement about what needs to get done wouldn't you?  

I love this time of year as each chore is crossed off the list and the place starts to come alive - I have mentioned in previous posts that I have always wanted a patio - and even though I have had more of a "back porch" until now - it has always been one of my favorite spots to read, drink tea, and just sit and look around.   Now we have a patio - and I love my outdoor space!  The red picnic table that my dad built us over 30 years ago is still the main focal point - it has been repainted and reboarded several times - but recently we brought it back to the original colors of black base and red boards.  A fire pit given to us by Dave and Tami is my next favorite thing and I can't wait to bring it out and enjoy some cool spring nights by a fire.    I purchased red lawn chairs and a red bird wind chime - to remind me of the red bird we named the first year in our new home . . . Ozzie.  I have a flag holder to fly the Red, White and Blue during the summer months . . . are you seeing a color theme yet?  Finishing out the patio with some blue planters and this year a try at something new I saw on Pinterest - - - painting the large plastic pots Red!    Add red geraniums and sweet potato ivy plus some white wave petunias and It's an American Celebration all summer long.   

This year hubs decided the ugly dead lilac bushes needed to come out and he will build a Henningsen Fence.  He is getting very good at HF's.  His first was built in Glen Elder and it was approximately 30 feet long . . . #2 was also about 30 feet long . . . who knew he had this ability?   So when we moved to Beloit and I needed a new patio fence - #3 came along and it was more like 20 feet possibly - but created my dream patio!  This #4 HF threatens to be the biggest job so far - - - depending on who wins the debate of where it should be placed. 

There is always that job of spraying for weeds and spiders and anything else that crawls except for two dogs of course.   

This kind of rounds out our plans for the spring - do you have any routines or rituals that you do in the spring time? 

I have learned to take it slow and do one job at a time.  To really appreciate when something is crossed off the list and to show great appreciation for each little step that is done.

Please leave a comment  - I can't wait to get new ideas! 

Old Things - What's the pull?

Earlier this week I had to travel out of town for training for work.  When I finished up that afternoon I decided I wanted to check out a corner antique store downtown.

The minute I walk in to an antique store - I feel "something".    My sister has recently been finding some really neat treasures at her local antique stops - a pedal-tread sewing machine, vintage materials, and a unique card table.  She has great uses for them and they look great in her home!  Maybe that is what lead me back to this store that I had visited a year ago when I was looking for an old magazine rack for a Pinterest project - remember here.

Yesterday I spent two hours winding through room after room after room of anything you can think of - they had it there.  Three levels of dishes, cook ware, baskets, toys, jewelry, clothes, purses, quilts, tablecloths, books, NO I can't even do it justice by trying to list things here.

I found some really fun things - I purchased a couple of items that I won't reveal here as they are gifts for someone special!  Here are just a couple of the items I loved the most:

Who didn't have one of these in their homes if they grew up in the 60-70's??  Pyrex set of mixing bowls.  My mom had the set.  And if I had 95.00 to spend - I would have had this set!  What good memories though - - - they started to flow - - - the percolator coffee pot that we had, the casserole dishes, the melimac plates, cups, and saucers.  I had to just pick them up and hold the coffee cup in my hand.  I started drinking coffee in those!  

And my favorite find!  Fisher Price Play Farm.  This set belonged to my little sister but I played with it many many hours.  How nice that she shared!  I had the dollhouse - or maybe it actually belonged to my middle sister - but somehow I felt that they were both mine.  LOVE these toys.  I would have purchased this set for 25.00 but no animals and no tractor with wagon and no fences included.  So I passed.  But I plan to search one out for "grandma's toy box".  It's a must have!!!

So now that I have shown you some of my finds - please tell me what the feeling is that I experience when I visit these shops?  I tried all afternoon to put my finger on how I was feeling?  Is this nostalgia I asked??  Am I melancholy??  Am I fighting the aging process?  Am I sad because these days are long gone?  It hit me that my kids and my grandkids would probably feel nothing when looking at these things.  BUT that would be natural correct?  They would feel nostalgic about all different kinds of things.  

There is something sad, sweet, fun, and heart-warming about revisiting these pieces of my history.  I have had the most fun with a Pinterest board - found here - where my sister Tami and I have continued to collect things that were part of our childhood.  

Can you explain the feelings to me?  Did I have such a great childhood that I remember all of the things I used to have?  We didn't have everything we ever wanted as a child I'm sure - but we had things and they meant a lot to me.  Maybe I'm just overwhelmed with thankfulness and gratitude for the childhood I did experience!!   Let me know how you feel when "antiquing"?  Does anyone share the strange emotions?  

Happy Memory Seeking!!

Meet you on the front porch!

Perfect weather for sittin' on the front porch again!  What I mean is time to join in one of Everyday Ruralty's Chats on the Front Porch . . .

Patrice asks us:


QUESTIONS

1. What's  the one thing you feel is the biggest waste of  your time during an average week?
2. When was the last time you baked a pie?
3. What do you want to spend time doing that you aren't right now? 
4. What do you do with old clothes?
5. If we were having lunch on the porch today, what would you bring for the potluck styled lunch?

And here we go . . . 

1.  What's the one thing you feel is the biggest waste of your time during an average week?

     Well I had to think for two days about this and honestly I could not find anything that I do
     that is a waste of time to me - I know for sure that some of my friends would be able to 
     identify several obsessive quirks I have as a waste of time but for me - not so.  So I considered
     all areas of my life  and hmmm well I finally came up with one huge waste of time for me every 
     day of every week - - - Calling the IT department at work when my department has a problem.  
     And that is all I will say about that.    

2.  When was the last time you baked a pie?  

     We will have to travel back in time for the answer to this!!!  Back to the 1980's.  When first
     a wife and mom I felt it was just part of my duties - to learn to bake a pie.  My mother
     makes phenomenal pies and would have gladly taught me - but I doubt if I ever wanted to
     learn.  I remember that I used this new pie crust recipe that was the hit of the decade and it
     used vegetable oil instead of shortening.  I made a few fruit pies with canned fruit.  Decided
     I didn't like pie that much.  I got through the high school days of having to provide pies for
     school events by making brownies instead or purchasing the frozen store bought ones.
     Now my big secret is to have mom bake me one or hire my best friend!  Delicious!

3.  What do you want to spend time doing that you aren't right now?

     That is easy for me and that is READ more!  I have no good excuse for not reading as much
     as I would like.  I have plenty of time to watch TV and movies (which is my #1 fav) so if I
     would go somewhere quiet without the TV I could be reading.  My other problem is reading
     words on a page can just lull me to sleep instantly!  Maddening!!

4.  What do you do with old clothes?

     Oh dear I may get slammed on this one!  I do not have a very large wardrobe EVER - I wear
     the same small choices over and over and so when I am done with them they go straight to
     the trash can!!!  Sorry to those thrift store fans or to those of you who donate to charity!
     Both are great options but I just toss them!

5.  If we were having lunch on the porch today, what would you bring for the potluck styled lunch?
    
     Barilla Veggie Farfalle with Tomatoes and Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese
     
   1 box Barilla® Veggie Farfalle

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic chopped
1 teaspoon thyme chopped
1 tablespoon chives chopped
2 pints cherry tomatoes halved
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup fresh mozzarella cheese diced
½ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese shredded

Preparation 15 minutes preparation + 20 minutes cooking

1. BRING a large pot of water to a boil

2. COOK pasta 1 minute under cooking instructions and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil

3. PLACE on sheet tray to cool down

4. In a large skillet SAUTE garlic and thyme in 2 tablespoons olive oil until slightly yellow in color, place off to the side

5. In a small bowl, COMBINE remaining olive oil, cooked garlic and thyme, chives, cherry tomatoes, and lemon juice, season with salt and pepper

6. TOSS pasta with marinated tomatoes and mozzarella and top with cheese

Yum!

Thanks again for joining me on the front porch and please comment with your replies or come back and leave a link to your blog with your replies!  Thanks Patrice - the chat was fun!  Now I think I will head to my front porch for another cup of coffee!

Opposites Attract

No - not what you think - not going to talk about couples - like my hubs and I who are opposites in many ways - but yeh I kinda like him and have kept him around for well a long long time :) . . .

But stealing the idea from my sister and fellow blogger Tami - - - see her most fun post called Happy Happy Happy where she makes a great list of things - not big life changing things that bring joy - but the small every day things that make you sigh and smile . . . She challenged us all to make our own list.

So - now - - - I'm going the opposite direction.   As I work through a book about managing our emotions - I ask - what makes you mad?  Not angry enough to throw things (which hopefully you don't anyway) and not even the things that get under your skin and causes your blood pressure to come up notch by notch - - - but just those tiny little life events that make you sigh and not smile.    I have a few of those things and am learning to react differently to all kinds of frustration . . .

Finding out a package I am excitedly waiting on didn't arrive.

Coffee pot turns off and coffee is luke warm.

Carrying a purse that is too heavy.

Newly mopped floor with little doggie tracks in it.

Stopping everything and running to the phone and it's a telemarketer calling.

Renting a bad movie.

A hot bubble bath when there isn't quite enough hot water left.

A bad book.

Stale chips.

When the vacation ends.



I'd love to hear the small things that cause you to take a deep breath and sigh . . . Leave a comment!


"My recipe for dealing with anger and frustration:  set the kitchen timer for 20 minutes - cry, rant and rave, and at the sound of the bell, simmer down and go about business as usual."  Phyllis Diller

Spa rage ...

The hospital where I work sent me to a meeting in a nearby city this last week.  It was a wonderful meeting and just the break I needed from everyday stress at work!  It was a great review and I got a lot of good information to take back to work with me . . .

Best part of the day away - when the meeting was over - I headed to my favorite spa for a pedicure and nail fill.  It had been 3 weeks since my last visit there and was I ever surprised with some big changes!  The usual little girl who owned the shop was gone and one of her workers had bought the place and made some very nice changes.  

The new owner has a unique story.  He (Randy) is a recently retired Marine Gunnery Sargeant.  He and his family have traveled the world and now settled in North Central Kansas.  Sargeant Randy spent 3 months in nail school and passed his boards.   Now he and his wife manage the shop and their oldest daughter is waiting to receive her license in the mail any day now.

Back to my relaxing day away - - - you know how it is when you find yourself with "time" to spend the way you choose?  It doesn't happen often, that you don't have something to get to next - some place to be or someone else is waiting on you to be back - - - but this afternoon - - - I actually felt like I just had the rest of the day to myself.  After finishing up a great pedicure with brightly painted orange toenails  . . . I moved on to my nail fill - - - That's when things got a little crazy . . .

Managing a new store with only yourself to do all of the work - and in a business where "walk-ins" are encouraged - - - scheduling can be tricky I would guess.  Mr. Sargeant Randy had a lady return at 3:30 and by now it was 3:45 and I was just beginning my nails - - - I noticed - the lady whose hands were soaking for her manicure- - - she was getting impatient - - - watching the clock - - - turning and looking at us - - - shaking her head - - - and then came the comments . . . "you told me 3:30 and now it's 3:45 . . . ".  I'm sure that his training with the Marine Corp gave him plenty of "leadership skills" and "anger management skills" . . . I mean how could this unhappy ole gal even compare to the stress he has been in from time to time??   Pretty soon - I had had enough - - - I didn't have his patience for rudemess - - -   I said, "If you want to go take care of her because she is having a hissy fit - you can - I am in no hurry"   "Oh, do you mind?", said Sargeant Randy.  Off he ran to keep the customer happy and before long she was relaxing and laughing and focusing on herself - cuz you know - it's all about her  . . .

The lesson in this?  Not sure if there even is one - but it made me want to try and live more and more with the feeling I had that afternoon of not needing to hurry through life - - - not worrying about being home or to the next meeting or to work, etc.       It's a peaceful feeling.

The nail salon appreciated the chance I gave them to keep all customers happy and coming back by giving me a free salon spa pedicure - that was sweet of them  . . .

Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are busy driving taxicabs and cutting hair.

George Burns 

Comfortable?

I love to be comfortable, don't you?  I love to be comfortable in the clothes I wear, in the chairs I sit in, the shoes I wear, and the situations in which I find myself.    I must be comfortable in the dentist chair, in the driver's seat, and on my bicycle.    I need a comfortable amount of money in the bank account, a certain comfortable amount of food in my stomach (that's for another blog soon)  and a comfortable and secure feeling that "the kids" are happy and doing fine.

Thought I would focus on a few of these areas . . . and yes later I will tell you exactly what prompted this blog post.

Clothes - - - My wardrobe is not something I spend a lot of time focusing on - but I do need and like to have some nice outfits to wear to work and some stylish sporty outfits for travel and going out.  I limit myself in many ways:

     No collars.

     No high necks.

     No long sleeves.

Yeh - makes it a little hard to shop.

Chairs - -  - I have three favorite recliners - I'm in one of them now - nothing better than a quick nap in one with the ceiling fan going in the summer and a blanket and the heat in the winter time.    Nothing feels as good as deciding on purpose, with great intent and much forethought - to take a nap - - - while hubs is watching his shows in his chair. 

Situations - - - Sadly, too many situations I deal with - are not comforting  . . . but I'm working on those.  So - comfortable is with my family and a few close friends - and some family who ARE my closest friends!   People being drama-less - low maintenance - honest - and oh not stupid.   Yeh well I'm working on that too.

Places - - - Everybody has their favorite place to hide out - away from the stress of your day - - - the bubble bath - the hot tub - the local pub - the patio or garden - the lake - the beach - best friends kitchen - mom's house - I have these too and love them all.

Recently I decided that one place I am really comfortable - is in my bed - and even more than my own bed - - - I dream of climbing into the guest bed at our daughter's house - very soft and roomy and welcoming.    My son's guest room is great too - well - thank you Julia and Nikki for giving up your comfy beds!  But one of my favs is to go to a nice motel like the Hampton Inn - Hilton - Holiday Inn - etc.!  When did motels start making such nice clean, soft, plush, comfy, white cozy beds!!      Unfortunately I had to crawl out of this one too quickly last weekend - but it was a great night of rest!

And while I was catching up on some reading - relaxing with the hubs and the TV - preparing to help move our granddaughter to college the next day - I thought - I REALLY like to be comfortable!  I think I will spend more time focusing on "being comfortable"  in my clothes which means losing more weight ---  in my own skin, which means liking myself more and letting others bother me less --- and in my surroundings, which means taking/making time for naps, rest after work, relaxing on the patio, surrounding myself with people I enjoy, activities I enjoy, just living the good life God has blessed me with.

Definition:  Comfort:  A state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint.   -- noun

But oh wait - - - it's a verb too - - - comfort - - - soothe in grief, console.

Guess I can't be so greedy huh - - - I can have my comfort and hopefully offer some to others too!

TGIF!

As I recently mentioned I love weekends - especially Saturdays!!  This one is slated to be a beautiful summer weekend and I plan to prepare for the upcoming 4th of July Henningsen BBQ!!  One project goes back a few months when I purchased Red White and Blue bandanas for a tied blanket! Thought it would look cute and festive thrown over the sofa when people walked in!

Dodger has other ideas I think  . . .

I am also planning to prepare some food for the freezer - just a couple dishes - and of course do some last minute cleaning.    

It's been nearly a year in our new home - and just tonight we finished trimming up some trees and to finish that off we will grab some river rock tomorrow and do a little landscaping.    Is the work ever done?

Then a friend and I plan to do some R and R at the Chataqua Swimming Pool - relaxing in the sun and exercising down the Lazy River . . . 

It's harvest time in North Central Kansas - so hubs will be working most of the weekend - so I can finish off the weekend with some reading - playing with the dogs - laundry - and oh maybe even a 

nap!  

What are your plans for the weekend?

Saturday . . . in the park . . . I wish it was the 4th of July ...

Two of my favorite things are Saturdays and the 4th of July - for real.  Since I have had bloggers block again I decided to just write - and journal my Saturday.  I love everything about a Saturday especially one I can stay home and enjoy. 

I start the day by getting up early with working hubs (It's busy in the ag world again), making coffee, turning on the weekend weather, and going back to sleep in my chair or sofa.

After a quick shower I'm off to enjoy the rest of the morning!

The weather channel has us in the red zone today for storms and although it's beautiful out - no sunshine at the moment.  Perfect morning for a bike ride . . . and the minute I finish this coffee and get out of my recliner . . . I'm on wheels!

Bike ride finished for now - goal is to do 5 miles today in segments - - - two yellow crop dusters flew overhead as I took off - I still am intrigued and love living by the airport - aren't I silly?  

Watching the weather again on TV and remembering those who lost their homes and their lives this week in the huge tornado near Dallas, Texas.    

Laundry is next on the list . . . has to be done . . . especially since the hubs is busy working today :) As most of you know . . . he does most of the laundry.  

He's coming home soon - so planning some lunch.

Bike ride - washed car - and relaxing in the chair again.

Yard sprayed for weeds - Clay home.

Customer calls - "didn't know you'd be closed this afternoon" :(

Clean sheets and a clean shower curtain.

 Brought home a book called Blue Diary by Alice Hoffman - has anyone heard of it?  Going to take a time out for a little reading and a diet coke.    Back later . . . 

Now to finish one sewing project I had planned for the weekend.  Clay has built bunk beds for our granddaughter, Elaine  - no for her American Girl Doll McKenna.  She wanted bright blue and so I picked up some matching material to make two thin "mattresses" for the bunk beds.  If you remember earlier my sister Tami and I made little tied quilts for the dolls.

The "ripper" is my friend - - - see anything wrong with the above picture?  Yeh  . . . could you not have spoke up???  Just sewed one together like this - - - so only had to rip one out.  The afternoon is coming to a close and it has been a good day - - - Time to clean up the mess - and throw some brats on the BBQ - yum!  But the finished project looks like this . . . any little girl would love to have this . . . minor imperfections included! :)

Hope you enjoyed my Saturday journaling - it was much fun - and two new topics came to mind today so I think I have broken my bloggers block!  Until then . . . 

I'll keep my day job . . .

It's spring time and that means light showers and breezy warm days . . . oh wait . . . I live in Kansas and that ain't necessarily so . . .

This week I have seen a nice day - a gloomy gray day - wind like crazy - sleet and snow flakes - thunder and lightning and rain and hail . . .

We are still having new experiences in our new home in our new town. We woke up to discover that the power was off in our home. I looked around and hubs looked around and he discovered that the neighbors across the stress had power - - - but our side of the street did not.

Talking it over, we decided that we should call the emergency phone number and when we did we got information that they knew there was an outage and were headed out to the truck. Within minutes of heading back to bed - it was quiet - and then came the roar down the street - and as I watched - the Beloit City electrical truck had arrived right outside our bedroom window and the scene below was what I saw.

As I watched them hoist a worker up to the transformer, I was thankful that they are there to do this job. I said a quick prayer over them and thought about how their wives would probably be worrying when their husbands head out in a storm -

Within minutes we had power again -

Thank you men for the job you do . . .

Move over Texas - we are coming down!

Spring has sprung - - - a leak I think - - - We celebrated the first day of Spring with news of another winter storm approaching fast.

As a former winter gal, I'm surprised that this is bothering me - and knowing we need the moisture to bust the drought - I still can't help yearning for spring and summer to arrive.

Casey and Tracy made it home this weekend - first visit since Christmas - but there will be no golfing, sitting around a patio fire, grilling, or playing outside with dogs. Snow started falling at about 9 a.m. today and continues all morning - - -

Perfect day for reading, watching March Madness, napping, and enjoying time together.

We fixed a pot of chicken and noodles and enjoyed an evening with Grandpa A. and more March Madness!

Packing my bags and heading to Texas and warm beaches . . .


Blessings today in having family near . . .
Blessings today in good news from family in Texas . . .