What is saving me

 We have reached the middle of winter. Modern Mrs Darcy hosts a "What is Saving You".  It is funny that it always seems like the little things that are saving us. My list is below.  Check out what is saving others.

Buy Good Gloves - I live in a place that hardly ever gets much snow, but I was glad my husband bought me some good gloves.  I was going to cheap out, but when we had Snow and Ice Armegedon in Southeast New Mexico last week I was glad I didn't cheap out. I am a person who always has cold hands.  

Lighted Dog Collars - We started walking our dogs after supper and it is dark.  We got red and blue lighted collars. We are the neighborhood paw patrol.  They are rechargeable and have several light modes.

Book Club - I belong to the Sharon Says So book club.  I enjoy reading books I normally wouldn't attempt or pick. we read mainly nonfiction. I learn something every time. There is something so satisfying about sharing ideas about a book.  Also, in this turbulent time I find Sharon McMahon's knowledge and advice a welcome breath of fresh air. You can find Sharon on Instagram - SharonSaysSo

Postcard from Zazzle

Sending and Receiving Postcards - I joined postcrossing last year and it is a lot of fun to send and receive cards from all over. People always ask what I write.  I always write a little message tailored to their profile. Since I live close to Roswell, New Mexico. I send lots of alien postcards. I ask, "Do you believe?".

What is Saving Me

 We are halfway through winter, and I am participating in what is saving me. This is a link up with Modern Mrs Darcy. I have done this for a number of years, and I think it is easy to pinpoint what is killing us but much harder to say what is saving us.

What is Saving Me

Tea - this Twinings Immunity Support tea - Blackberry along with a swig of this cranberry syrup is helped so much. I was sick most of January. This taste awesome hot or iced. The local coffee shop introduced me to this combo.

Candles

We weren't much of a candle lighting family, but my husband suddenly turned into one. There is something nice about lighting some candles at night. We each gave each other candles at Christmas. Most of ours are Walmart but it has turned into a winter ritual. I also like the battery-operated timed candles too. 

Podcasts

I really enjoy a podcast. I like missing person investigative ones mostly. I am really liking Hide and Seek and the Disappearance of Shane Barton Case.  This is a Washington State case. My nephew also recommended Swindled.  I started at the beginning of the series. I liked #2 The Horse Queen/Rita Crundwell and then I watched the episode of Scam Goddess - Horse Heist about Rita Crundwell. I like Scam Goddess for the comedic relief, and I could see the location and Rita.

Creating

Of course, I made homemade valentines, and I have worked on them for a while. I am not ready to share the design quite yet. It is a recycled paper envelope project, and I have saved so many envelopes.  I have really enjoyed what I have been making. It is actually hard to stop making them. It is weird and neat how many different designs security envelopes there are. If you sent me a letter, I apologize but I definitely recycled the envelope into art

Valentine Last Year

What is Saving Me

Modern Mrs. Darcy has a link up for when we have reached the middle of winter and "What is Saving Us." Check out what is saving everyone else.

I always find it is the little things that save me.

Hoka's - Yes, the tennis shoes recommended by my podiatrist are saving my feet.  I have arthritis in my big toe.  They have just the right amount of cushion. They are pricey. Wish they had more normal colors in the wide version. These are my number #1 walking shoes.  

Morning Outside time - It really helps me get a grip on what I need to do for the day. It isn't completely screen free but close. I have fallen off of this a bit, but it really does help start the day right. Cold and lots of wind have discouraged me of late.

Being creative! I am not an artist, but I am a creative person. I challenged myself to enter a recycled art show this week at my local library. I won honorable mention for my piece out of magazine and cardboard called Artesia Sunrise. 

I also made my annual Valentine's to mail through Loveland, Colorado. So, I have spent this January working out my creative energy.

The Keep App

I have been trying to eliminate some of my paper mess. I love that I can mark things off my list. I am not usually an App person but I like this one.

What is Saving Me

 What is saving me? I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy. Check out what everyone else is saying.

I know it is always the little things that are saving me.

NBA League Pass

I am a closeted Trail Blazer fan.  I moved to New Mexico from Washington where it was fairly easy to catch a game on cable tv.  My husband gifted me an NBA League Pass and I love being able to easily watch the Blazers except when they play the Suns.  The Suns are considered the local team. (Don't know how.) Watching these games is something I really look forward to. My husband might have gotten the short end of the stick on this one as I like to comment on the game. I think I should be hired as the inappropriate commentator. - Dame Time! The Albama Slammer from LSU, What does Grant have in his designer bag, Bosnian Beast, The Shaq of Troutdale etc.  He is not a sports fan.  

Lotion

It is dry here and so is the skin. I know that Cetaphil has been saving my hands. If I could just get my husband to stop quoting Silence of the Lambs, " It rubs the lotion on the skin."

Tea

Another gift from my husband as I couldn't find the chia tea in stock at our local store. This is the best chia tea. I am a big fan of Stash tea Chai but this is better in my opinion. I am an avid coffee drinker but during the winter I like to slow down with tea.

Creative Endeavors

sneak peek at this year's valentine

I have been riding a creative wave lately. If you are a creative type, you know you just got to ride the wave while it last. I think I always put this on what is saving me. I just have put my homemade valentines in the mail to be remailed through Loveland Colorado to get stamped with the Loveland Valentine Cachet.  It is truly a labor of love.  Every year, I come up with a new one. This year I had too many ideas.

Mantras

"Everything is Figureoutable" and "That isn't a worry for today" have been my go-to sayings. We completed a surprise move from Washington to New Mexico. We are still in the messy middle even after 9 months and saying these two things has reframed things for me. I have said it so much that Nonna, my mother-in-law, has gotten me a sign with "Everything is Figureoutable on it".

What is Saving Me?

We have reached the midpoint of winter and I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy's "What is Saving You " I am always reminded it is really the little things that are saving me.  I live in the PNW where it is really dark during the winter.  

Creative Projects

I have been working on two projects inspire somewhat by Elise Joy Cripe.  One is a 50 Sunset/Sunrise picture project.  It is also inspired in part by Shannan Martin and "Just Look Up" and "Human Sunrises"

Secondly, I was inspired to make 50 homemade valentine cards. Picture above is last year's valentine designs. I know that I did not reach my goal of actually sending all 50 cards as the post airs. Turns out I don't actually know 50 people to send cards to. I need to work on that. I am calling this Operation Valentine. Everyone should send some good mail. My hometown is Loveland, Colorado aka The Sweetheart City. 

These creative projects keep my spark going.

Mom Food

I was influenced by Jessica Fischer-Good Cheap Eats.  She makes herself Mom food.  My mom food is a healthy salad. I have been prepping my lunch. I had fallen into some unhealthy habits, so I have been at least having a healthy lunch. The key for me is it is not good enough to JUST buy the green stuff, but have it prepped because my default is easy and really bad for you. I don't want my vegetable crisper to turn into a vegetable hospice if you know what I mean.

Nail Polish

I don't do many girly things but lately I have been wearing red nail polish.  Prior to this I have maybe put on nail polish once or twice a year. I also have some mishaps with red polish. I keep choosing red. My favorite reds are Unbreakable Heart and Cinnasnap

Future Me Mindset

Venison for Dinner, Kate, is always talking about taking care of future me. That has really influenced me. I am not a homesteader and don't have any intention of ever being one. However, Kate's mindset of doing little things to make tomorrow better has really been a game changer. Anytime I think I won't pick up my kitchen before bed or not make something ahead, I hear her words ringing in my ears. This also relates to Mom food too.

What is Saving Me 2021

I am linking up to Modern Mrs Darcy's What is Saving Me? We are officially at the midpoint of winter. I have been doing this for a few years and I always notice it is the little things that are saving me.

 A NEW THRONE

Yes, I mean a new toilet in the master bathroom. Did you ever have something that annoyed you everyday and you kept saying to yourself it is not a big deal? Basically just "suck it up buttercup". Well our toilet was that. It just flushed poorly. So finally after 15 years we said enough is enough and got a power flush. It is amazing and it flushes properly. I am lucky to have a handy husband so this project was no big deal. I keep asking myself why we didn't do this sooner.

BIRDS

I do a lot of driving of my older son. It is a long story but basically he doesn't drive. He does ride public transportation for part of his day. I feel like I drive the same routes over and over. However along my route lately I have been noticing all the eagles and hawks. They are something I routinely look for. If I can stop, I take a picture. 

In October this hawk was hanging out by our house. I guess I am a very amateur birdwatcher 

Experimental Cooking

My husband and I have been doing some cooking together. We have tried some new things. One of your creations was thanks to my sister who gifted us a bigger waffle maker. We made chicken and waffles. The chicken was made in the air fryer.

Another of our cooking experiments was making sourdough pizza in our cast iron pans. They came out delicious.

A Project

I completed a creative project of hand making my valentine's. Loveland Colorado is my hometown and they have a valentine remailing program. Every year I remail valentine's from there. It is tradition. Most of the time the valentine's are homemade. This year's original valentine had a lot of coloring. Below is a sneak peak

It is always a good way to stretch my creative muscle. I think people enjoy receiving them. It is also nice to have a deadline. Details about remailing valentine's from Loveland CO can be found here.

What is Saving Me

Up here in the Pacific Northwest it is dark. Sometimes I need to remember what is saving me. I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy. Check out what is saving everyone else.

Cookie Stockpile

I think I have listed this almost every other time on "What is Saving Me." I remember sitting at a MOPS (mother of preschoolers) presentation by Lindsay Ahrens. Lindsay has a cookbook called Fix Freeze Feast with Kati Neville. Lindsay was saying how having freezer meals allowed to extend her hospitality. This month I was able to contribute cookies to a funeral because I had a stockpile of frozen cookie dough. It was easy to extend my hospitality.

Piano

I purchased an electric keyboard from COSTCO. I have been wanting a piano for a long time. I just couldn't pull the trigger. I took lessons for like 12 years but after I left High School I basically quit playing.  I was amazed how much has come back to me. I find playing super relaxing.  I basically have been playing a little bit each day.

Preschool Art

Printmaking with Cds

I like to be creative but I am not an artist. I have been doing some preschool art projects and I find it is good low entry way to stretch my creative muscles. I am only doing it for my own satisfaction. That is such a luxury and so freeing.  Is that considered Art Therapy?

Decluttering Challenge

I am partcipating on a online challenge at Creating Mary's Home. I am amazed at how much I have gotten rid of . It is nice to have some guidelines on how to do this. It is also holding me accountable. This is a 90 day challenge

What is Saving Me Right Now

I linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy's What is Saving You.  Check out what is saving everyone else.

We have reached the half way point of winter. This is perhaps my most serious version of what is saving me that I have ever put out. It has been a stressful winter so far.

Savings Account
Our savings account literally saved us.  My husband was a working government furloughed worker.  I feel blessed that we had that cushion.  We literally had a no frills budget. We had enough to pay our bills. It was one thing that we had to stress about. I am thankful. I know thousands of workers didn't have that luxury.  That really sucks.  I feel grateful to my community how they stepped up to help.(food bank and many others)

Dave Ramsey and others such as Jessica at Life at Mom have talked about how to create Emergency Funds. One of the best adulting decisions we have made.

Pantry
My pantry saved us because of the above mentioned furlough.  My son said we won't starve.  We literally ate through our pantry.  It was a good exercise in cleaning out, too. There might have been some expired rice crispy treats. Hey, no one died.  Also who has 4 ham bones in their freezer and a turkey. Below is a excerpt is of my furlough diary. Designed in Project Life App.

Humor
Eclectic_twist on instagram  posted a joke that I literally sent to EVERYONE and it was the levity we needed to get through the day. The joke is kinda inappropriate so if swears aren't your thing don't look up the punch line - What do you call a constipated detective?

Unexpected Bloom

We had an unexpected mild January here in the Pacific Northwest.  I still have a few calendulas blooming.  It was a bright spot in a rather dark gloomy winter.

What is Saving Me 2018

I am linking to Modern Mrs Darcy's , "What is Saving Me".  Please check out what is saving everyone else. It is officially the halfway point of winter.

Rainbows are the only good part of rain

It is so dark here in the Pacific Northwest.  I often dread this part of the year. I feel like this year I need more saving than usual. These little things are saving me.

Letter Board Wars

I love putting up sayings on my letter board.  It has been my way to put out a little positive energy in my house.  My youngest son has frequently though has been sabotaging my board.  He placed the sounds good on my board.  "Sounds Good" is a pet peeve phrase of mine. Later my son came back with the "Wrath of God"

My board was a purchase from Walmart 9.99 and came with the letters as well.  My husband modified it with a custom frame.

Local Coffee

Coffee is life.  Loving these local beans - Bellingham Coffee Roasters.  Good coffee can make life bearable.


Project Life App

I love love using the Project Life App for scrapbooking.  I find it such a relaxing experience to get my photos scrapbooked.  I do this from my phone. This is such an easy way too and fun.  I can easily scrap a page in just a few minutes. If you haven't given it a shot, you got to purchase this relatively cheap app.  It is so awesome!

Better Late Than Never

This TV show with William Shatner, Terry Bradshaw, George Foreman, Henry Winkler, and Jeff Dye cracks me up.  I have actually laughed out aloud.  So that is has been my guilty pleasure. My husband and I were trying to decide what the female cast would look like - Goldie Hawn, Sharon Osborne, etc,  Anybody else do that kind of thing?

Genealogy Cold Case

I am a very very amateur genealogist and I have been researching my great grandfather and his possible criminal pass.  It gives me another reason to hang out at the library for the Library Ancestry Edition.  However, I had a eureka moment and found out most of the details of his case and it was just so satisfying. I found it with a relative simple google search.  IT seems like it seems like the only win in a long winter.

What is Saving Me 2017

It is officially the midpoint of winter.  It is definitely dark up here in the Pacific Northwest. Gray is the official color. I am joining the Modern Mrs Darcy's What is Saving Me Link Up

This pink poinsettia which I somehow haven't managed to kill yet.  It is still blooming it heart out.  It is a bright spot in my house. Now it is going to die - ha ha

Due to so many people suggesting the Gilmore Girls, I have been binge watching  it on Netflix. It is my guilty pleasure.

Podcasts - I am getting more into listening to Podcasts. My current favorites are Reply All and Undisclosed. My husband and I have a lot of time discussing various Reply All episodes. The quirky nature of this show is intriguing.

My Son going to High School Transition classes. He is on the autism spectrum and transition classes are teaching him about the world of work.  This also gives me a a break as he has somewhere to go. He has an internship.

Project Life- I am a big fan of  Digital Project Life App.  I love being able to scrapbook from my phone.

What is Saving Me

Modern Mrs. Darcy asked what is saving you at winter's mid point.  I thought I would link up- What is Saving Me. I am lucky to live in an area that doesn't get brutal winter weather but it is so dark here AND rainy. Below is what saving me during the dark winter months.

WALKING

Walking in the Fog

Hovander Park

My friend and I have been walking even if it is slightly rainy, damp, muddy, or dark.  The physical activity is great but also the companionship is lovely.   My friend is great listener.  I feel so much better after I walk both mentally and physically. I use a fit bit to track my progress.

KEEPING PENCILS BY FRONT DOOR

Nothing ruins a morning faster than having to search for something.  This year I eliminated the search for the writing utensil by having pencils by the front door.  Such an easy thing has been making getting kids out of the door a heck a lot easier. I am adverse to rough mornings. Who doesn't like a freshly sharpened pencil.

BIRD WATCHING (SERIOUSLY!)

Watching the birds from the kitchen window.  I guess I am turning into a bird watcher. I have a hummingbird feeder and it is fun to watch the hummingbirds.   I have joked that this has turned me into my parents. We also took time this January to go see the bald eagles. It has been fun to spot hawks, eagles and various other birds.

POST IT REMINDERS TAPED TO THE MICROWAVE

With 7th grade this year for one child, I have to deliver said child/trumpet player to school early for Jazz Band.  I struggle with being coherent in the morning. After a couple of missed practices,  I have been taping a reminder to my microwave above the stove. The note isn't pretty. However,  it has helped both of us remember to stay on task and get to "Jazz Band" with our "Jazz Hands".  (ha, ha)


What was saving me in 2015

What is saving me- BIG and small

I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy- What is Saving You?  We are at winter's half way point.

What literally saved me this past month was having my Gall Bladder out on Jan 1.   Yes, I know how to ring in the new year.  It was a wake up for me to change up my diet.  Who knew that 3 ounces could cause so much pain and anguish.  I can't believe how much better having my gall bladder out.  It made me realize that I had been in distress for a long time. I haven't walked up to anyone yet and said, "Wanna see my scars." I have been eating a lot of oatmeal in the mornings. 

The small thing that has been cracking my Husband and I up and making our day lighter is simply an observation. This has been literally the year of the random odd sock. 

Don't have any pictures of our random
sock finds so I decided just to share a
bright sock picture

What I mean, as we were in the ER parking lot we spotted a sock on the ground on our path on the first day of the year. You know the day, I had my worst gall bladder attack EVER.  My husband at once began to notice a pattern of the random odd sock and it seems like hardly a day goes by without a sighting - freeway, airport parking lot, casino.   My hubby and I have been noticing them.  It is our inside joke.  There are a lot of bigger things we could be paying attention too but this is cracking us up.

Rooting for the Seahawks has been a lot of fun.  It is amazing how much 12th man spirit is out there. Seahawk fans are the BEST! The whole family has gotten into it.  A lady just gave my hubby a knitted Seahawks hat.

 I am not sporty but I do enjoy watching the Seahawks play.

Marking something off my travel bucket list - Geocaching the ET Highway.  It is something that both my husband and I have wanted to do for a while and we made it happen. We ended up in 4 days getting around 307 geocaches.  (Travel Details)

Lastly, the winter's here are dark.  They haven't been as cold this year.  Thank you El Nino! Books are my light in the dark.  I finished Boys in the Boat but I have been working on Tracks, Maze Runner, and The Rent Collector.