Tuesday

It's been a somewhat busy day, today.  Went to the office in the morning; went to the post office during my lunch break to post my property tax payment and buy another book of stamps; voted on my way home from the office in the evening; brought the trash cans in; went through the grocery ads that came in the mail; and then, settled down to watch election results, video chat with daughter, and write to a friend.  Later, did the dishes and cleaned the litter box.

I didn't get around to doing anything that would count towards my 59 good things, today.

How was your day?    

Monday, Again

Mondays come too quickly, I say!  Weekends should last longer than just two days.

Had a busy day at the office.  Came home, took the trash cans to the curb for tomorrow's trash collection, had a cup of coffee and took a nap on the sofa.  Spent the rest of the evening relaxing, watching a favorite program on the TV and video chatting with daughter.  I'll consider the nap and the relaxed evening as two of my 59 self-care things for this month. 

Anyone else feel that Mondays come too quickly?

Fall Back Sunday

Craisin, Preserved Ginger and Walnut Muffins

Today, we ended Daylight Savings Time and went back on Standard Time.  The clocks were put back an hour and we gained an hour.  I chose to sleep-in for that extra hour (doing something good for me; part of my November goal), getting a full 8 hours of sleep for a change (I usually sleep 5-6 hours a night). 

Once I was up, I reset the clocks (I like to reset the clocks on Sunday morning rather than Saturday night), changed the batteries on one of the clocks, started a load of laundry and tried to video chat with a friend.  On-line visiting with my friend was going to be another one of my 59 good things, but, unfortunately, we couldn't get a connection.  So, we only messaged each other instead of video chatting.

Later in the afternoon, I video chatted with my daughter, did another load of laundry, mended the waist band of a pair of pyjama bottoms, and began another sewing project.  I want to sew myself a flannel nightdress, but I'll be doing that in baby steps.  Today's baby steps were washing the fabric and cutting out the pattern pieces.

 In the evening, I baked another batch of muffins - craisins, preserved ginger and walnut muffins.  Now I've plenty of muffins to take to the office during the week for my breakfasts or snacks and there will be some for the freezer for another day, as well.  I usually take my breakfasts, lunches, and snacks to the office with me and my work week goes well when I have everything prepared ahead of time.  Mornings are busy enough without having to wonder what I should pack for my breakfasts, lunches and snacks. 

I still need to put away the laundry from earlier in the day, which I had hung up to dry, do the litter box, pack my lunch, etc.  But, all in all, it's been a lovely day.

How was your 'fall back' Sunday?


 

November Goals

Roses for the Mantle

I've been repeating the same goals each month, for several months now. But this month, I've different goals.  This month's goal:

- Celebrate my 59th birthday by doing 59 good things for myself!

What kinds of good things?  I am thinking anything that makes me happy, from an hour of crafting time to a vase of fresh roses from the garden brightening up my dresser; from sleeping in on a Sunday morning to a well-organized clothes closet.   Anything that pleases me.  It will be like giving myself 59 gifts.

So, this morning, I gave myself the gift of fresh flowers - pink and yellow roses from my garden.  Some for the altar, some for the living room mantle, next to a photograph of my mother, and some for my dresser.

Roses from the Garden

Do you have any special goals for November?

October Goals - Review

Spiritual: Continue with daily devotions/meditations; host the monthly prayer meeting; attend special seasonal ceremonies at the temple - Prayer meeting hosted; didn't attend temple ceremonies.

Environment: Outside: continue to spruce up the garden. Inside: Continue to clean and declutter - Done; side yard was weeded and trees trimmed; house was cleaned and some decluttering was done.

DD: Continue to be supportive with in-person visits and on-line visits - Visited her in person one weekend and we've had daily on-line video chats.

Family: Get together with family once - Did so at the prayer meeting.

Friends: Visit 2 friends; e-mails & phone calls - Got together with some friends at the prayer meeting, visited one friend, exchanged e-mails and phone calls with others.

Career: Work on assignments in a timely manner - Doing my best.

Finances: Continue to save for next semester's tuition & fees! - On-going.

Health: Start walking for 30 mins. 3 times a week.  - Had the dr's appt. that I couldn't do in September; walks are proving to be more elusive.

Leisure/Crafts/Hobbies: Reward myself with 30 mins. crafting time for each 30 mins. of walking; finish knitting the blouse for DD, sew cushion covers, start planting a fall garden - Did some planting, but didn't do the rest.

Time Management: Multi-task!  - Yes!

Farmers Market Thursday

Persimmons

The weekly farmers market held near my office on Thursdays is a fun place to visit during my lunch break.  I don't find it to be a cheaper alternative to the grocery stores I go  to (although a friend pointed out that the farmers market probably sells organic produce, in which case, if I compare with organic produce in the grocery store, then, the farmers market is cheaper).  But I treat myself to something or the other, almost every week.

Often, it is a pastry or a crusty baguette from the French bakery stall.  Occasionally, however, it is some vegetables or fruit.

Today, it was persimmons.  The regular persimmons, not Fuyu persimmons.  They were selling for $2.00/lb.  Which is a little pricey.  I know the grocery store will have them for $.79/lb., later in the season (Fuyu persimmons are selling for $.49/lb., this week).  I love persimmons, so I will be buying more later, when they go on sale.  But for now, I bought 3 persimmons for $2.00. They are ripening in the fruit bowl, right now.

Do you go to a farmers market, regularly?  Do you like persimmons?

Hidden Four Patch Scrap Quilt

Hidden Four Patch

This is a quilt I made earlier this summer, as a 21st birthday gift for a friend's daughter.  It's my version of a pattern known as Hidden Four Patch.  I made it with fabric I had in my stash.  I love making scrap quilts - they are the only type of quilts I ever make!  I tied it, rather than quilting it.  It's not perfect (that wrinkled border!), but the recipient was happy with it and her sister informed me that she would like a quilt for her 21st birthday, too!

Does anyone else enjoy making scrap quilts?  Have you made a Hidden Four Patch?