Comfy at Home

I ventured out today to get a new book. There is something so comfy about being at home with a book, a soft blanket and a favorite mug with a hot beverage. I'm really into coffee, hot apple cider and hot teas right now.

The traffic. Get me home! It's like pre-Christmas shoppers out there on the roads and parking lots are full at every store. I could barely get to the highway by the mall due to traffic. Maybe because it's cold & rainy outside or perhaps people just don't know what to do anymore than search for more stuff.

Me, I'm almost done Christmas shopping!! :D

Making my Christmas list months ago and picking up things as I go so I don't have to use a credit card and thanks to Amazon Prime, I am almost finished.

It's been a year since I've used a credit card. It was a goal to see how long I could go without an impromptu purchase I didn't have money set aside for and the months have rolled into a year. If you want to form a new habit, I highly recommend ditching credit cards.

At the book store today the sales clerk at checkout acted as if I was nuts to pass on their credit card because I would have saved $8.00 today. [Eye roll] I can see she was passionate that I was missing out on an excellent deal, no thanks.

My girls don't use credit cards either. Both are really against them thanks to Brooke's Dave Ramsey finance class the high school offered and Mariah & Jeremy following Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace.

Curled-up moments are not for daydreams only. They are intentional moments of rest and relaxation and I for one am going make a cup of hot apple cider, curl up on my comfy chaise snuggled up under a warm blanket and open my new book. Guilty confession: with my neck massage on as I read.

Stay safe out there.

Empty Nest: Day 1

The sunshine is pouring through the window on my writing desk. Formerly Brooke's bedroom now transformed into Sofia's bedroom/my writing room. All-inclusive with a bathroom and walk-in closet.

The move yesterday went so much faster than I imagined, while Brooke had so much more than I imagined. Between me, my parents and Alex's parents, these kids are set up pretty nicely and their apartment has so much personality!

My daughter is a class act. She worked hard moving, was gracious to her helpers and planned to buy everyone dinner. Once things were moved, I left Brooke & Alex to put their things away. Had I stayed, I would have told Brooke where I thought things should go. This is their moment together. Their home.

My first night at home was different sleeping with my bedroom door open. I had kept it shut because of the cats. 

This morning I woke up and made it to the coffee pot without cats under foot begging for morning treats and in all things that give me balance I began cleaning like crazy.

It started last night after the move transforming the bedroom into a whole new look. 

Then, I couldn't sleep because I had so much I wanted to do and was up at 5:30 a.m. cleaning e v e r y t h i n g free of cat hair, moving things into Brooke's large walk-in closet which is now a fabulous extra space for me, and going through my cupboards and refrigerator. My gosh, I have a lot of excess food for cooking for several people and visitors. 

I'm thinking Monday's will be designated $5.00 gyros at Papa Gyro's, Wednesdays will be $5.00 sushi and I am thinking I'm going to have to learn to shop for just me. 

My girls now live 5 minutes from each other. What a blessing! I can make my rounds and see both my girls and grand babies. 

I woke up really happy and it makes me smile that the sun is shining. I knew it would be.

A Thank You Note on My Coffee Pot

Brooke often sets my coffee pot where I only have to push the start button. For a girl who doesn't drink coffee, I love and appreciate this act of service from her.

She also leaves me notes on my coffee pot if she wants to get a message to me right away in the morning, knowing the coffee pot is where I go to first. She's funny, creative, and thoughtful.

This morning I woke up and thought, I will make her a special breakfast this morning. I go to my coffee pot and taped to the top is a note card message taped and folded neatly into a letter ...

To the mom out there who feels like she can barely make it through another day, don't give up. It makes every difference.

I love you, Brookie.

xo,

Momma 

Her Last Night at Home

It's all you've known for decades, then it changes.

Brooke & Alex got the keys today to their new apartment and it's so nice. The moving begins. The tough years of dreaming of this moment and it's here. I'm stepping into the light at the end of the tunnel of raising children into independent adults and as I look around at this unfamiliar territory, I wonder where the years went.

Tonight is Brooke's last night living at home.

Mariah is pregnant with my 3rd grandchild, my mom & dad are heading south for the winter, and I decided it was time and had about 8" of hair cut off.

My hair feels light and bouncy. It's always curlier with the weight of length off and I like it.

There have been so many changes in only a week.

I've done my job. I have been steadfast as I sat on the nest with my youngest still home and have provided and cared for them well.

This light at the end of the tunnel, everything is much brighter than I expected it to be. With my home sold, zero debt, literally everything paid off, I've bought all the new things I wanted and I have exactly everything I want. God is an excellent provider in my life and I am blessed in so many ways.

I'm entering another new season in life as my little birdie flies off and my nest is now empty.

Congratulations Brooke & Alex on your new home! I am so proud of you Brooke!
xo

Thanksgiving in October

Today we celebrated Thanksgiving before my mom & dad head south for the winter. 

This photo was taken seconds before my sweet granddaughter leaned over and grabbed two fist fulls of hair on the top of my mom's head like vice grips and pulled not letting go. Mom was screaming wildly, it was hysterical!

An hour or so later, I was letting out a wild scream. Good grief that child can pull hair straight out of the root. 

It is always good to have everyone around a table sharing an amazing meal together. 

From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.

Photo:  Mariah & family, Me, Brooke & Alex, my mom & dad, my brothers & family.

New Flatwear

It's probably safe to say my flatwear is at least 15 years old. I've been looking, not looking, but have kept my eyes open for the last several years for the perfect flatwear. A new look.

With Brooke & Alex moving out in less than a week, it was time to search. 

Looking in high end stores for quality flatwear I was willing to invest in, it was frustrating that it all looked similar. Sub par similar. So I go online and search through hundreds of settings. I just need to find the one.

And I see it. So unique, it caught my attention in a "nobody has this at all look." In fact, every site I went on I couldn't even find a review on the 65 piece set. It was a risk, so I ordered it and it arrived today.

It's perfect. It is prettier than I hoped. It's so elegant and it just matches the look of my decor. I'm so grateful I didn't settle for what the stores offered. 

Washed and in the drawer, I do admit I keep opening the door to admire them. The former set is boxed up and ready to move with Brooke. 

Now I need to host a dinner party!

The Standoff

Sofia and I had our 1st standoff today.

I picked up and took lunch to Mariah's house today and was sitting in Sofia's play room with her feeding her when she wanted to grab her plate of food out of my hand and dump it on the floor. I told her, "It's not going to happen."

Then she looked at me and tried to grab a handful of food off the plate to throw on the floor. The challenge was on!

I know I gave her a look like what on earth are you doing and I said, "Sofia! Sofia!" She looked at me through furrowed brow, gave me the stink eye and yelled, "Ma! Ma!" Then she immediately started smiling and laughing. I snatched her up and ticked her and kissed her.

She's a brave little soul

Little Miss Attitude may be a princess, but Grandmomma is the queen!