An Event Worth Celebrating!

 Yes, Sunday was my birthday. 

HOWEVER, the best celebration, by far,  on Sunday revolves around an event which took place at a church in the next town over. An event which was celebrated by friends and family around the nation and I believe was also celebrated by angels in heaven. 

Carrie and Olivia made a public declaration of their decision to follow Jesus - sold out.  These photos bring tears to my eyes even now, 2 days later. These two are precious to us. 

Our "bonus" daughter and granddaughter! 

Celebrating My "Birthday"

 My birthday is tomorrow, January 24th, but our household is busy and it seemed best to celebrate today. 

Yep, 57...it's certainly been a year of unexpected opportunities for growth and challenges. It's been a good year. I look forward to reaching a few more milestones on my journey to wellness, investing a bit more time in relationships and living fully present...we'll see what God has in store. I've given up trying to guess. My word for the year is "now".

We went to Red Robin for dinner....and it was yummy. Then, home for "cake" and gifts. That maple bar was yummy. My stomach is upset...maybe too much fat and carbs? 

Stacia MADE this purse. I love it. She's working on a shirt too. 

Alex got this silver cross for me. 

Millie had had enough of being ignored. She believes she IS a lap dog. 

Dad spoiled me and got me the sweatshirt I'm wearing, this shirt and 2 sugar free candy bars. 

Krista and I will go out for a birthday lunch in the near future. It was a good day. I was happy we were able to find a time in the week when the whole household could be together...it was a challenge. 

Sugar Free Goodies

P.S. I've been told I can't post photos of Michael's main gift online. 

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Made 100 by my birthday...Walking Tally 103 miles out of 100 miles

The Next Friday

One of my dark secrets is that I, homeschooling mom of 9, do not like puzzles and board games. HOWEVER, we have closets full of them because I know they are good for kids...and it turns out they are also good for building cognitive alertness for Dad as well - according to his Speech Language Pathologist. 

Today Dad and I played 3 games of Guesstures. It's fun and a tad bit frustrating. You ask questions and get down to one person and that one person still up is ALWAYS the other person's mystery character....unless one is playing with Dad. ::snort:: Dad- you said your character has BLONDE hair - that's red hair. ::snort::  Dad wins. 

We also played table ping pong. This was a lot of fun. I got a lot of steps running around the table. 

Stacia discovered Turkey Red makes a great cup of Hot Chocolate. I loved their breakfast - lots of vegetables. Stacia and I had a great discussion on chapters 12 - 16 of John. 

She and I headed to the gym after our breakfast study.  We only made it once this week due to doctor appointments - but we.made.it.once. 

Dad had a Physical Therapy appointment at 4 p.m. and we watched Jumanji The Next Level after dinner. 

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Every mile counts! Walking Tally 100.75 miles out of 100 miles

3 Year Itch

I have moved every 2 - 4 years ALL OF MY LIFE. We have been in this house for 3 1/2 years. NO, I am not feeling like I want to move...but I am feeling like it's time to rearrange a few things. LOL 

We were not overly impressed with this property when we first saw it. I loved the floors, the fridge, the cabinets...we liked the location, the yard, the woods, the windows...we did NOT like the emaciated horses, the shape of the living room, nor the MASTER BEDROOM.  The home we placed an offer on fell through. We asked these owners  to build a deck of the 2nd floor door that led nowhere - they did. We have learned this is an ideal location - beautiful, very little wind - but that small room remains. Like the living room, it's long and narrow. We suspect it was built to fit specific furniture, and that the plan changed as our heating vent is IN THE CLOSET.  Anyway - our room has been a frustration. We planned to knock out the wall between ours and the room off the living room - it would still be odd shaped but it would be bigger...Dad lives in that room now...LOL  It is what it is.  I didn't take a photo until we had made a giant mess....but here is our room. Standing in the door and looking in. 

To get to the bathroom - one has to walk to the end of the bed, around the bed, between the closet, bed, dodge a nightstand and success. This is not a problem...but I DO have a lot of bruises from trying to navigate it in the dark now that I'm up several times a night with Dad.  We've talked over and over about how we might be able to better arrange furniture...and it never clicked.  I began to play with painters tape and the tape measure......and we began to move things around. 

These photos are taken standing in the same spot as the above photo. Both our dressers are against the wall you don't see - to the left of the fan. We never watch TV so it doesn't matter that we can't see the TV. LOL 

It's a tight fit to open the door...but there is now a straight shot from the door to the bathroom. We had to switch sides of the bed - but it's working well. 

I did move a little bookshelf in to cover some big scratches right where the call button receiver is on the wall. 

We are still talking about moving the carpet from the nook to the room....and we still need to rearrange pictures to fit the new scheme...

Someday we'll do a major remodel of this room - but for now - this will work. No new bruises from middle of the night trips in the dark. 

Did I say a tight fit? The first morning I opened the door, the knob hit the corner of my dresser and I was locked out of the room. ::snort:: 

Thankful Thursday

 

I finally realized if one pours slowly  - the teapot doesn't leak! 

The day began with a peaceful time in John 15. I may have followed a few bunny trails which led to not having time to share on Bible Babes. LOL 

Dad woke up at 5, but was a bit disoriented and went back to bed. 

I took advantage of his going back to bed to get a nice bit of miles in....treadmill and 30 min on the elliptical. I'm quite sure I will finish this challenge before Sunday. 

Just .75 miles at the tip to finish

Arielle said her walls were closing in and asked if she and the boys could stop by. ALWAYS. They arrived for lunch, just as I was getting back from dropping Stacia at work. The highlight of the day was playing tag and hide n seek with Benny. Michael played tag with him when he returned from picking up Alex. 

ALWAYS in motion 

I can't even. Look at those kissable cheeks...and the sweet baby rolls. Danny is certainly thriving. LOL  His smiles are precious and he's starting to do really well holding his head up. Go, Danny.  You'll be playing tag with Benny in no time. LOL 

Dinner was simple beef/bean burritos, rice, veggies and chips. I skipped the rice and chips and added an apple and peanut butter.  I need to get a click list in...this house needs greens! 

We ended the night playing Farkle. Stacia won. It took me most the game to get the original 500 points. 

Stacia made me a London Fog. Oh heavens! That is one delicious drink. 

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Every mile counts! Walking Tally 99.25 miles out of 100 miles

Dead Dog

 My sister friend, Beth, told me about a trick they taught one of their dogs. "Dead Dog"....Stacia decided to teach it to Millie...it starts with Millie sitting pretty.   She then points her finger and says, "Bang, you're a dead dog." 

Millie falls over on her back...

We all cheer for Millie. This is as far as she's gotten. Eventually, we hope to have her trained so we can ask her questions? Would you rather go to work or be a dead dog...would you rather eat Salmon Stroganoff or be a dead dog... and she'll plop over.  What are some of your favorite pet tricks? 

Salmon Stroganoff? Yes - it's a thing, even though so many Facebook friends are evidently hurling at the sight and thought of it. ::snort:: I was trying to think of quick meals to use salmon. Stacia suggested this and I was unsure. However, one gets tired of grilled, baked salmon, salmon patties...and we've canned, smoked, jerked salmon. I've made Salmon Wellington, Salmon Pot Pie, Salmon Alfredo and Salmon Divan...why not try Salmon Stroganoff? I took my Simple Beef Stroganoff recipe (which also looks a mess in the pan) and subbed air fried salmon for the beef. I used fat free sour cream and put it over spaghetti squash for me (pasta for them). 

I was surprised. It was yummy! I mean - delicious. The salmon didn't taste fishy at all, and it enhanced the other flavors. I looked around and EVERYONE was saying it was good. Several said they loved it. Alex had thirds and then had some for leftovers. Dad, who has told me he is getting tired of salmon, ate seconds. Nolan, our true Salmon disliker (though he bravely eats it), was at work. I am trying to have salmon on the nights he closes. 

Michael and I began working on rearranging our room. There is wood to haul, laundry to do, people to talk with, and I got in 10 miles today.  I am going to make 100 miles by my birthday - which had been by Valentines Day and then was by the end of January. Yay me! 

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Every mile counts! Walking Tally 91.25 miles out of 100 miles

About Winter Being Over ...

 Nah...not so much! ::snort:: All the snow was melted off the car when I went to bed....its BAAACK!

I was happy to get activity points today....I walked, spent 25 minutes on the elliptical and then spent 40 minutes shoveling snow.  Every burned calorie counts! LOL 

Millie was in a playful mood. Stacia usually lets her run in the chicken yard before she lets the chickens out. That didn't happen today. Here Millie is trying to tempt Stacia away from Algebra with her toy....

C'mon! Lets play just a little....

Michael and Dad took Stacia to work and then went birthday shopping. Rumor is I have a birthday coming up. ::snort::  I took advantage of having the house to myself to shovel snow and take a long shower. Lingering outside and taking a long shower - both things I am not easily able to do unless someone is around to visit with Dad.  

I also stole a few minutes to read a chapter in this book which Stacia recommended.  I try to read at least a chapter of fun reading a day....and today I coupled it with a cup of vanilla chai. 

I told Stacia these mugs must have been on 
sale because they are left-handed mugs....

Millie did not enjoy the rain yesterday. She was a happier with the snow...but couldn't make up her mind. She wanted out....she wanted in! All day long. 

The highlight of my day was seeing friends via a zoom Bible study. Michael, Dad and Stacia read a chapter out of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. 

Looking ahead to tomorrow night and wondering what to do for dinner. We have a 2:00 p.m. appointment and won't be home until 3:30 or 4:00. We need dinner by 5 p.m. to make it to youth group.  What are you're favorites? 

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Every mile counts! Walking Tally 80.75 miles out of 100 miles