Friday, March 7, 2014

Blanket Wrestling

Blog post #465 of 365

Before I get started on my blanket wrestling thoughts I will take a moment to celebrate another 100 posts! The goal of 365 in 365 days happened and I will continue until I don't. I wonder what that number will be.

I woke up again this morning with a sense that my blankets and I argue too much. I have three on my bed. Two very light ones and one heavy thick one. The nights are cool but when I go to bed they aren't perfectly cool. By perfectly cool at a normal bedtime the temperature hasn't dropped completely. I like it to be cold when I go to sleep and not get much colder through the night. I'll settle for cool but I want the temperature to stay close to what it was when I went to bed. This is unfortunate because I live in a 1930's house that is not well insulated and doesn't have the best heating or cooling system. (Forced air would not be my first choice.) I usually start with one or two blankets over me and add as it cools. The problem is they blankets are all different sizes and the heavy one is the smallest in the bunch.

Every morning for a week I find my bed in a big knot. Well not knot exactly but way out of whack for sure. Some nights I find myself having puled all of the blankest to an odd angle trying to fit them all together after I started with only one and ended with three. They don't work so well in concert. This morning in particular ad I began to make my bed realized that somehow I managed to twist it right in the middle. somewhat looking like a bow tie or a poorly wrapped present... I've tried tucking them in at the bottom but the thick one is too short to get a good tuck and the others are so long they bunch up. This morning in spite of the twist I feel like I won because I was mostly comfortable and  it way really only one odd flip.

I woke up in such a good mood I made waffles! Have a winning day. (Not is a creepy Charlie Sheen kind of way.) In a this morning was so great I made waffles kind of way!

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Online Quizzes

Blog post #464 of 365

Personality quizez on the internet are all the rage. little test to gauge where your personality fits in certain groups. I've taken a few. Apparently I am best suited as a fan for Sherlock but I am so much more than that.  In Once Upon a Time I got the cricket. Apparently I was meant to be a shrink which make me laugh a little. I see myself more as Hook or maybe Rumpelstiltskin. They are perceived as bad guys but really are misunderstood. I don't relate to the girls on that show. As a Disney princess I was pegged as Snow white but nothing in the description does it say she loves controlling animals or cleaning up after a bunch of men while waiting for a hot guy to sweep her off her feet. It had an entirely different description. I wouldn't want mice or birds cleaning up the house. I'd teach the men to clean up after themselves because I believe we should take personal responsibility for our actions. I make a mess I clean it up. You make a mess you clean it up. I'll probably help but it is your mess. I do love men. I could totally share space with several. Men are fun to hang out with (not in a slutty I want to have sex with them kind of way but in a men are the people I usually relate to best kind of way.) If I were a Muppet I'd be Kermit; clever & thoughtful, putting my friends first, people are naturally drawn to me, reliable, and a big thinker, a planner and I know it isn't easy being green...

The personality quiz I thought was most interesting was the plant personality test. it really made me think about the results. I don't agree with them entirely but they were most fun for me. You can take the quiz yourself if you like.  http://traditionalmedicinals.com/plant-personality-quiz-results/?quiz_results=8P.8Q.8T

My friend took the plant quiz first. She got the following.
Echinacea - A protector. With an amazing blend of optimism, nurturing and goodwill, you lend your strength and energy to those in need. Your seemingly infinite goodwill and boundless supportive energy make you the one people turn to when times are tough. Your greatest strength is, of course, also one of your weaknesses, especially if you neglect to take care of yourself. At times like these, it’s a good idea to take a step back and focus some of that protective energy on yourself.
Ginger - Spirited. A feisty and fiery companion, quick with an opinion, a laugh or an idea. Warm, friendly and inviting, you never allow an awkward moment to pass. In fact, even cold and distant people warm up to you more quickly than others. Negative experiences or too much indulgence, however, can send you into a bit of a tailspin, and when hurt you may become quite cold and distant. Ginger people do best when their natural warmth and affection is flowing freely, giving them easy access to their love of life. Passion Flower - Deeply concerned about others and the world around you, you have a developed sense of what’s right and just. You’re a bit of an idealist and strive to see your vision of perfection realized in the world. On occasion you get out of balance, and you may feel a deep sense of unease and be prone to worry—especially at night, tossing and turning over all that is wrong or that needs fixing.

It intrigued me because for the most part it is on point for her. She is an advocate for people who don't otherwise have a voice. She is fiercely protective of her family and friends, is highly spirited with everyone she knows. She may appear shy to people she doesn't know but is willing to share her opinion especially when defending the weak or downtrodden. Overall a pretty 'on point' description as she put it.

After reading hers I took it myself. Like most of the online quizzes it was very short and there were times where I didn't really lean toward either answer but picked the closest. I'm not sure if I took it twice if it would result in the same answers but this is what I got.
Dandelion: Scrappy and tough, you’re a pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps kind of person. You don’t give up easily and you often thrive in situations that others would find discouraging. You have an instinct to serve others and see yourself as most useful in times or places of crisis, but you may over rely on your toughness and forget how sensitive you really are. Echinacea: A protector. With an amazing blend of optimism, nurturing and goodwill, you lend your strength and energy to those in need. Your seemingly infinite goodwill and boundless supportive energy make you the one people turn to when times are tough. Your greatest strength is, of course, also one of your weaknesses, especially if you neglect to take care of yourself. At times like these, it’s a good idea to take a step back and focus some of that protective energy on yourself. Nettle: Truly a nurturing and supportive friend, you’re the kind of person that just isn’t for everyone. But those who take the time are rewarded with your gentle disposition, and the kind of friendship that does a person good no matter the difficulty they’re facing. When out of balance, you can become more prickly than supportive or nurturing, though—a sign that you need to shower yourself with the same kind of nurturing you so freely give to others.
The plant descriptions for me were also pretty 'on point' as my friend said after reading mine. I wouldn't say exact descriptions of either of us but really very close in many ways.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Men

Blog post #463 of 365

I am a member of an online support group for widowed and divorced people who are all about my age. For the most part the people in the group are friendly and supportive but every once in a while there are negative, disrespectful, or demeaning posts about men. It bothers me. I love men.

The other day I read Matt Walsh's blog titled 'Your Husband Doesn't Have to Earn Your Respect,' you can read it yourself if you like. http://themattwalshblog.com/2014/02/22/your-husband-doesnt-have-to-earn-your-respect/

Now I was taught you need to earn respect however I believe you give respect until it is broken. If you give respect it is returned, usually anyway. As far as husbands I don't think you should marry unless you have mutual respect. The idea of men or women punishing each other in a relationship is just silly. Send someone to the couch to sleep is childish. Taking a little space to cool off yourself maybe but it shouldn't get to that point. You should love each other enough to work through stuff as it come instead of letting it boil up. I know this is sometimes easier said than done but done it should be.

Admittedly I do find inappropriate stuff funny sometimes but it doesn't mean it is appropriate. Like when a baby says a cuss word and you want to laugh but it is so not right. Or the neanderthal man commercial in the Walsh blog. Honestly, I would never have married a guy like that and then fantasize that he would magically become some perfect robotic like husband. I believe you should walk into marriage or any relationship eyes wide open, mind wide open.

Back to men. I love men. I enjoy many of the stereotypical things men like cars, tools, adventure movies, fishing, shooting stuff, etc. I don't think it is okay to bag on men or women because you don't happen to agree with them. Or when they don't agree with you. Especially not publicly.

Guys I will respect you to the same degree you respect me. That is how it will remain. At least for me.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Winter Foods

Blog post #462 of 365

In the winter it is generally cooler and cooler weather means cooking smells. Most meals I cook are done in 30 minutes or less. I cook tons of fresh veggies and a little meat because it is best for the diabetic in this house. But the smells of cooking don't live here often. I live in California where winter is elusive and so I take advantage of the few winter days and make soup or stew or bake something.

This past weekend I made an apple crisp and soup.

The ones I made this week are both quick, easy and yummy.

Smoked Sausage Soup

Cut smoked sausage in half lengthwise and cut again into slices about 1/2 - 3/4 inch

Brown sausage in a skillet until brown and fully cooked.

While the sausage cooks add the following in a large pot but keep an eye on youe sausage and remove from heat once it is ready.

2 quarts stock (homemade or store bought I keep some on hand in the freezer or pantry or both)

1 cup rough chopped onion (again I keep some in the freezer)

1 cup chopped carrots

2 cups chopped potatoes

1 teaspoon garlic powder (or minced fresh garlic)

1 teaspoon celery seed

1 teaspoon poultry seasoning (sounds weird but it isn't)

3 tablespoons ground flax seed (also sounds weird but it is a healthy thickener and completely optional)

Heat to a boil, cover and simmer until potatoes and carrots are cooked (a fork will slide through without much effort).

Now add sliced smoked sausage and simmer for about 15 minutes. Done. (I use only half of the sausage because I'm not a big meat eater.)

Apple Crisp

Heat your oven to 375

Prepare an 8x8 or 9x9 baking dish by buttering the bottom or use cooking spray if you prefer

In a bowl mix

3/4 cup brown sugar packed

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/3 cup soft butter (I like the flavor better but you can use margarine if that is what you have)

3/4 teaspoons each of nutmeg & cinnamon

Now cut and core 4 - 5 medium Granny Smith apples (bite sized but not tiny) and place the apples into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with the sugar oat mixture as evenly as you can over the apples. Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown on the top and apples are tender (Do the fork thing again.) Enjoy just like that or top with ice cream.

Monday, March 3, 2014

Somebody Needs Me

Blog post #461 of 365

I just read a blog called "Mommy, Somebody needs you." You can read it too. (http://yourbestnestindy.com/2014/02/27/mommy-somebody-needs-you/) As I read it touched me.

I too am a mom. My kids are now grown to adulthood. But I remember every exhausted minute of the time when their every need was dependent on me and relish every one. In the last five years taking care of my mom. She has some health issues and is feeling lonely most days. My kids come by and visit when they can. We go visit others when we can but mostly she watches TV, reads books, plays word games and reads Facebook. It is hard to watch. Then I think will that be me in 25 years? Will I be dependent on someone to care for me, feeling alone and unproductive. So I plug along knowing she needs me and again grateful to be here for her knowing she needs me.

My kids may not need me to be there for their every need anymore but I still feel needed. When my son is in the neighborhood he pops in for a snack, the bathroom and a hug. When my kids can't figure something out or come across something they've never experienced before they call me. Because they trust I still have their best interest at heart and I do.

My grandkids don't need me to fulfill their daily needs but I know they want me. They love to get on the floor and play with me, listen to stories as I read, color together and watch them succeed. That what grandparents do. They are back up for parents. They are support and love for their families too. I wouldn't trade a minute of it because I know someone is always going to need me. One day I may need them more than they need me, but that is okay too because I am content in knowing I am loved.


Sunday, March 2, 2014

Bean and Bestie

Blog post #460 of 365

Life and death again are heavily on my mind. This Friday my friend held her newest grandson for the very first time. He is big and beautiful and a welcome addition to their family. What baby wouldn't be right. Well Saturday her baby sister who we all called Bean attended the funeral of he most recent grandchild. He was still born just days before. Nobody gazed into his eyes or felt his soft breath and because he was early he was tiny and frail.

My bestie has posted dozens of photos of her new little grandson. Each one a testament of the love and support this little guy has in his life. Without question loved and accepted form day one.

My best posted a small hand full of photos from the services held for Bean's grandson. The tiny headstone, lovely flowers and high in a tree a bunch of balloons they let loose in his honor. The balloons playfully blowing in the wind, stuck among the branches of the tree above the tiny grave. Loved without question this little boy too has touched the lives of all around him.

May the family find healing in the love and support they show each other.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

February Quotes 2014

Blog post #459 of 365

"Just because I don't know which path is the RIGHT path... doesn't mean I don't know the wrong path when I see it." Christie MS

"And I listen for the whisper of your sweet insanity, While I formulate denials of your effect on me." Kyta

"Self control is a gift." Me

"You can tell how smart people are by what they laugh at." Tina Fey via Ty S

"Moses went from a man of no words to transmitting to the world the most imperishable words of all." Rabbi Wolpe via Todd

"It is possible to protect people from themselves. It is worth the effort." Spencer H

"Promises... and they still feel wasted on myself." Ashlynn

"When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." Maya A. via Rose

"My faith in what we're doing and our purpose isn't surrounded by a color of a medal... That isn't what it's about. The journey that we've had, the people we've been able to share this experience with, and the smiles and lives we've been able to touch made it all worth it." Noelle Pikus-Pace

"...it really is important, more than ever, to stand for something today, and to stand up for your values and beliefs. Even if you're the only one, having to stand alone. ...There are always others who can help support you, and Heavenly Father is always right there by your side." Noelle Pikus-Pace

"Remember who you are. Remember what you stand for." Noelle Pikus-Pace

"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strenght I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in His strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise His name forever." Alma 26:12

"If you think God stopped talking then you aren't listening." Todd

"Being healthy isn't about eating right and exercise. Being healthy is about all aspects of your health; emotional, physical, mental and spiritual." Gregory Rico

"Happiness comes not by complaint about troubles we have but my gratitude for troubles we do not have." Jessica L

"If I were a bird, I know who I'd poop on." (So many targets.) Cary

"When you focus on problems you will have more problems. When you focus on posibilities you will have more opportunities." Kathi RH