Wednesday Hodgepodge

I am joining Joyce this week for Wednesday Hodgepodge.  It's my first time... 

 1. Spring is officially upon us, no matter what the weather may be in your neck of the woods. Is there any 'spring cleaning' on your to-do list? What's your most dreaded task? 

    We live in a very tiny space by choice.  It takes me about an hour to thoroughly clean this space so I don't have anything on my "to-do list" for spring.  We still have some cold days/nights so I will leave the extra blanket on the bed for a bit longer.

2. What's something many people seem to love, but to you feels like 'watching the grass grow'? 

    Watching NASCAR.  I don't really understand how you can sit and watch cars go around a track 500 times.  We used to really be into racing hold hotrods but it was on a short strip.

3. Mint grows in abundance during the spring season. Are you a fan? What's your favorite food with a 'minty' flavor?

    I like mint... Girl Scout Mint chocolate cookies are my fave! 

4. It's been said, 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder.' Agree or disagree? Explain. 

    Absence makes the heart grow fonder... well, I agree and disagree.  This depends on the person.  It is true for me but not for my significant other.  He enjoys his time away and doesn't seem to actually show much feeling like "missing" anyone.  Me, I get heart sick when I'm away from the ones I love!

5. Are there any festive spring events in your city or town? If so, will you take advantage of them? 

    There is nothing going on in our small Missouri town.  I check the calendar just the other day.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

    Quite a few people around us are already cutting grass.  We did our preventative maintenance on our mower and sharpened the blades getting ready to start.  Our grass isn't quite ready to be cut yet.

   Monica

Knitting reborn!

 In the past couple of months I have struggled with what to do with my time.  Dan and I live in a tiny space living so when I came back into this relationship I only brough the necessities.  I donated all my knitting/crocheting supplies and a huge stash of yarns.  I donated all my books and only kept my Kindle.

Lately, as I shared in my last post, it is difficult to focus on a book for very long.  My mind wonders down bunny trails.  So I ordered me a new set of interchangeable knitting needles and some yarn to get started back to knitting.  I will have to be careful not to get carried away and grow my supplies and stash to an unreasonable amount of space.  It's very addictive! LOL!

I cannot wait for my supplies to arrive!

Monica

Restoration

 Think about what that word means...returning something to its former owner, place, or condition.  I have been praying for the restoration of our marriage.  But is that what I truly want?  Restoration?  I want our marriage back but not in the same state it was when it ended!  I want our marriage to be filled with all the blessings that the Lord would pour out on us!

This has been a difficult few months.  We are learning to communicate more than I think we ever did in the 30 years that we were married.  That in itself is hard for me as I am not much of a talker.  I'm an introvert.  Some days  I don't think that this is going to work.  But I think that is because I am trying to get out of communicating.

Another thing that I've struggled with during these months has been not having anything to fill my time outside of work.  I "cling" to Dan, something I know he hates, because I don't have anything to do nor do I know what I want to do.  I feel antsy.  If that makes sense.  I donated all my knitting supplies.  I have a hard time focusing on a book. It's taking me forever to get through the one I have going.  I'm working on finding something for ME.

This was not meant to be a pity party.  I am just putting my feeling down somewhere.  I hope to come back in a few months and see that we have made some tremendous progress! 

Thanks for listening.

Monica

Front Proch Chat #3 ...Another break

Sorry to have missed blogging so much lately.  I have a closing date on the place and I am busy trying to get things packed up.  There is much being donated and much that I am just getting rid of.  I have only been on my own for three years, but it seems like I have accumulated so much stuff already!

Dan and I are eager to make a fresh start.  That is the blessing in all of this.  If I could have only communicated my feelings a few years ago and diverted all this terrible mess.  

Anyway, know that while I am packing, I am thinking of my blogger friends! There isn't much time to knit or read so that is all on the back burner until I am moved... Except my Bible reading.  After January I should be able to get back into some sort of routine again.

Outside...It's a beautiful 50 degrees and sunny.  Nice change after the dreary few days we have had.

Listening to... Christmas radio on Pandora.

Drinking... water.  I need lots of that with this cold I am battling.

Around the house... stated above.  Lots of packing and giving away of items that I don't need right now.

Linda is growing so fast!  I haven't seen her since Thanksgiving due to the cold that I have.  I don't want her to get this.

Hope you all have a wonderful December.  I will try and stop back in now and then but can't be certain!

Your Friend,

Monica

The Joyful Bookcase

The Joyful Bookcase is a post on the last Wednesday of each month to recap what I have been reading.  For the month of November, I have JOYFULLY completed the following...

NKJV, ESV, NASB, MSG

James

1, 2, 3 John

Jude

2 Samuel

Sons of Encouragement: Biblical stories of Aaron, Caleb, Jonathan, Amos, and Silas by Francine Rivers... I have not completed this one, but I am over halfway done with it.

Hope you had a great November in your reading!

Monica

 

Front Porch Chat #2

 Today is Monday, November 20, 2023

I didn't have time to get my post up yesterday but didn't think one day would matter much.

Time - 6:10 a.m.

Scene - It's much colder this morning with some light rain.  It's still dark as I am up getting ready for work.  

Today's plan - I have to work this morning and still have much cleaning up from our Thanksgiving celebration yesterday.  I spent most of the time visiting and holding my precious little lady.  Time well spent if I do say so myself.

Drinking - Coffee with Southern Butter Pecan creamer

Listening to - News 

Reading - Sons of Encouragement... still.  I've been too busy to do much reading on this book.  But have been doing my November Bible reading.  I am in the Message version right now.

Watching - Not much.  I did relax one evening and watched an episode of Monarch of the Glen.

Randomness - Spent Friday with our middle daughter and the grandbaby! She loves her Pa Pa!

She was so sleepy and fought it for so long! LOL!

I hope you all have a blessed week and Happy Thanksgiving!

Monica

Front Porch Chat #1

On my old blog, I used to do a Front Porch chat post each week.  I thought I would do it here in place of the Simple Woman's Daybook since our friend Peggy doesn't seem to currently blogging much.  

Today is Sunday, November 12, 2023

Time - 7:40 a.m.

Scene - It looks like a beautiful morning.  Cold but the sun is shining.  The yard is clear of leaves but there is a breeze so I'm sure there will be more leaves down soon.

Today's plan - We have to get the cabin cleaned and ready for the next guest coming in at 3:00 today.  After that, I need to do a couple loads of laundry and get ready for the work week.

Drinking - Coffee with Pumpkin Spice creamer

Listening to - Bill Gaither's Holiday station on Pandora.  It's a mixture of hymns and Christmas music.

Reading - I am about 400 pages into a 1000-page book... Sons of Encouragement: Aaron, Caleb, Jonathan, Amos, and Silas by Francine Rivers

In November I am reading 2 Samuel, James, 1, 2, 3 John, and Jude in NKJV, ESV, NASB, MSG.  I may not make it through all the versions of every book, but I will sure try.

Watching - If I watch television at all it has been NCIS.  Since Newsmax started charging for their viewing I have not been watching any news.  I don't pay for any channels or streaming apps.  Last night I looked up a series that my friend Linda shared, Monarch of the Glen.  It's a British series.  I got through the first episode and will be watching more.

Randomness - Yesterday after we finished picking up the leaves off the yard I went and visited with our daughter and grandbaby!  I must really wear her out.  After playing with Mimi for an hour she crashes in my arms and takes her nap.  Then she is ready to go again!   She is such a happy little thing!  Here are a few pictures to put smiles on your face! LOL!

After spending about four hours with them I went and did my grocery shopping for Thanksgiving dinner.  I was shocked to find that Walmart did not have everything that I needed.  Mostly the bread cubes for my stuffing!  When I asked, they said they didn't have it out yet.  What?!  They directed me to box stuffing! As if!  My family would revolt if I made that stuff!  Lol!

Next week I'll have some Thanksgiving to share!

I hope you all have a blessed week!

Monica