Hello Friends ~
Happy Tuesday again. Lol I wasn't going to post this week and take a longer break, but I have time this morning and wanted to finish the post I started yesterday and of course check in with you all. I really enjoyed the holiday break and spent a lot of wonderful time with the kiddos. My Mom has been over a bit too, but we distance when we enjoy a meal and we wear masks the rest of the time (& wash hands a lot of course). Trying to get myself to believe it's a brand new year. The days still seem to run together. But I'm doing as most do and I ordered some new organizational things for the house and I've been back to working out more and trying to work on all the holiday indulgences I enjoyed. Lol I pray you all had a lovely holiday season and that your 2021 is starting right already.
Some other news here. My ex bought a big fancy house in a city nearby. It's so big it even has a big home gym with it's own basketball court - yes in the house, and a movie theater room. His Dad will be moving in with him too. He wants to work on some areas in it that need sprucing up and hopefully sell it for a profit in a few years and move away once Annie is out of school. Oh how life changes. I told Annie it will be exciting to go share time over there. The kids hardly spend time with Ad at all, other than when they work for him to make extra money. And she said, "but you're not there Mom and I'd rather be with you" and that made me feel pretty good. 💕 I know this will get her to spend more time with him though and that will be good for both of them. Also, he's being generous and giving me a whole new kitchen! My painted cabinets break down due to moisture by the sink etc. We always talked about replacing them with wood ones. And he offered to take care of that and since wood will be darker I will be getting light granite. Many of my appliances are 20 years old and so he'll be replacing all of those for me as well. He's also having a new security system put in my house. I'm very grateful for how he continues to take care of things, as we both move on. The holiday season was hard as it would have been our 25th anniversary. But he has become such a different person than the man I was married to that it makes it easier to just be grateful for what was and move forward into the plans God has for me. 🙏
Ready for all of your hope and promise 2021 🌟
THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:
ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING
an eggnog scone with glaze and nutmeg sprinkle, coffee
HOW I AM FEELING THIS MORNING:
I am feeling energized. I have been back to a normal workout routine again and it has been making me sore - Lol, but also making me feel better and more awake in the AM's and motivated for my days.
ON MY MIND:
Wondering what this new year will bring. And thinking about my Annie back to in school learning and starting hockey practices and tryouts. I'm so grateful for things to be getting back to normal, but I also worry about this being such a big season for bugs anyways....let alone covid stuff. I just pray the numbers will continue to remain stable in my area here and that she can continue to go to school, as she prefers that more and being around her friends.
AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I still have all of my Christmas stuff up. I'm still enjoying the glow every night. 😊 I will keep it all up a bit longer because it just makes me happy. 🎄 ✨
CURRENTLY READING
Not sure what I'm going to dive into next. I've been reading January magazines and some Susan Branch books I have currently
ON THE TV TODAY:
HGTV shows, kids baking shows, Greys Anatomy, cooking shows, The Rookie, Escape to the Chateau on HGTV, over the holiday I binged The Queen's Gambit on Netflix (it was really good!), I also binged Virgin River, and currently watching Sweet Magnolias - both on netflix.
ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:
MONDAY - leftover pork chops
TUESDAY - pancakes, breakfast potatoes, fruit
WEDNESDAY - smothered pepper jack burgers, BBQ potato wedges, veggies (HF meal)
THURSDAY - walnut crusted chicken, roasted broccoli, cheesy ciabatta bread (HF meal)
FRIDAY - pork flautas with pico de gallo & lime crema (HF meal)
TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:
zoom with my gf's, play cards with my Mom, bake, read
FROM THE CAMERA:
Gorgeous roses my Dad & step Mom in AZ sent over the holidays
Annie & I had fun doing our traditional cut out cookies - my Gram's (Annie's namesake) recipe
we also made marzipan balls -another fave
My girl getting ready (with her bro & I) to dig into her present pile
the hot cocoa bar on my kitchen counter is still going strong 😉
I made a lot of naughty treats (like garlic ranch pretzels) and some healthy ones for our new year's celebration. The kiddos each had a friend over (they live down the block) that they have been allowed to be around during this covid time (keeping our circles very small) and my Mom came over, again safely and wearing masks.
view from the treadmill
so I can still enjoy scones 😋
I loved my wedding ring so much - it was my upgrade ring I got one anniversary. And the thought of never wearing it again made me too sad. I love the princess cut and cathedral setting. So I had it made into a mother's ring and put the kids birthstones in it. It's nice they're both green (peridot and emerald). And I had it sized for a different finger. So I still get to wear it all the time and it has a new meaning for me now. 💗
beautiful snowfall on the bay yesteday - can you see the big snowflakes in the pic? they flew right at my lens
I see you 2021 and I'm ready for all of the blessings to come 🙏
PRAYER LIST:
I pray for an end to this virus. For peace, healing and unity in our world. I pray for anyone sick, suffering, isolated, and afraid - for their peace and comfort. Please Lord give strength to those fighting the virus on the frontlines. 🙏 I hope this vaccine will be safe and effective and the beginning of the end for this virus. I pray this new year will bring peace of mind and joy to all.