Heavy Rain

Given the opportunity to work from home or to into work, while I love the option, I've been going into the office every day. Still securing weddings and events, creating new marketing campaigns, and now doing all the things I wished I had time for, now that there is time. It keeps a good routine, too.

Ahhhh, it's Saturday and it's raining like crazy. It couldn't be more perfect!

What a perfect excuse to totally relax, stay in comfy clothes all day, and binge watch favorite shows and make new recipes. Total confession, I am LOVING Married at First Sight!! These dating/married reality shows are my faves, watching the dynamics of the shows, the reality show experiences, for me is entertainment. 

It may have caused a shift in my thinking as I haven't wanted to date. At. All. 

My life is full, my job successful and challenging, and time with my grand babies absolutely fulfilling. Add a brand new beautiful home I am so excited to move into and loving my solitude, I've had zero desire to date. Zilch. Not even interested. Sounds like it's more work than worth it. I've tried it here and there and find I quickly retreat to the comfortable life I already love. 

If I am functioning at 100% happy and enjoying my solitude in life, I guess the best way I can explain it is... I don't want another persons emotional roller coaster/drain, neediness, mood swings, needs that don't match mine, drama, attitude, games, attention-seeking micro cheating ways, them not being an equal, a financial disaster, unhealthy addictions, laziness, brats, on a different path in life, needy ways to pull me from where I am. #itsgoingtotakeamiracle

I am starting to open up to the idea though. 

I cannot imagine the man it will take to make me truly fall in love. Perhaps, once I move in and get acclimated to my new home, I will entertain the idea more. 

"POOPY!"

I get euphoria when my grand babies come over. My excitement to see them, my heart swells in love. Sofia's happy screams when she sees me and Rowan's sweet smile when I talk to him, it's beautiful.  

In my mind, I feel 30's something and it's still surreal to me that I have a granddaughter and grandson. 

At 9 months old, Rowan now plays with us. In the midst of playing, Sofia has this thing where she is perfectly fine one minute and in the next second she screams, "pOoPy!!!!!!!!!!!" As she jumps up and starts running for the bathroom, thank goodness I am quick to grab little brother and we are in the race to get to the potty.

Now, poopy can mean #1 or #2. It's really her word for I have to go potty now. Being quick is key! One time last night, Sofia yelled, "hUrRy gAnNy!" We made it to the potty safely, but I did have dreams last night where I heard water running and it was Sofia pee'ing across the house. 

Never a dull moment. 

Rowan is sweet and passive, plays well by himself as he investigate everything. He loves to be held and loves to smile and laugh.

Sofia is headstrong and she can communicate anything she needs to tell you. Her new phrases this week I've heard are:  "nO jEreMy!" and my son-in-law Jeremy tells reminds her he is "daddy". She referred to my brother last night with a name for the 1st time: "uNcLe yAsOn". And, kissing my sweet babies goodbye, Mariah said, "bye Momma" and that is exactly what our sweet little Sofia parrots, "bYe mOmMa!" 

They are a world of entertainment and I am so in love with them both.

Surprisingly Tasty

Pulling out my new cookbook and trying many new recipes has been a lot of fun! Surprisingly tasty, too!

Sometimes, don't you just want to try something different, but you don't know what you're hungry for? It takes time to look through cookbooks and make a dinner from scratch, but (means there's more!) now there's time. Time to take advantage of this extra time we have on our hands because of Coronavirus and make the most of it. 

I like chicken wings, but it may be every six months that I have some. I found a lemon-pepper chicken wing recipe that could give any restaurant a run for their money. It was a double bonus of a sense of accomplishment and an unexpectedly delicious dinner.

This week I've made several new dishes. A Creamy Buffalo Chicken with Mushrooms, several different kinds of cauliflower side dishes, Maple Sausage Deviled Eggs, Almond Butter Bombs, Chia Pudding with fresh berries, and different combinations of protein shakes. 

Next, I want to try Mexican Chicken & Cauliflower casserole and Panna Cotta with fresh berries.

I love to constantly learn and try something new and it's time to freshen my cooking skills. 

Quarantine is better when you know how to cook.

Chosen Photos

I woke up this morning and smiled. It's mine. 

My new office is so beautiful!! It's a large room, once a living room. With natural hardwood floors, a large fireplace, high ceilings, several windows, french doors that open at the bottom of the staircase, and the far end of the office has built in bookshelves. 

For someone who doesn't like to shop, I've accumulated many new shabby chic pieces for my new home. One of the things I need more of is photo frames for my new office and I've found six. This is just the beginning. 

Six new photo frames and I'm not kidding, thousands of photos to chose from. 

Every photo reminds of it's sweet memory and made it a hard decision, but I did it. I think my girls will be surprised the photos that I've chosen. Photos that are my top favorites.

The question is... but who will be in the 8x10? I should take family bets. 

SOLD!

Thank you, God, I closed on my new home today!!!!!!! 

From the disaster of my condo falling through last year, I feel like I had PTSD that kept me on edge the entire time and that is zero exaggeration. It's because I love this home so much. 

Then, Coronovirus. 

Like the rest of the state and country, we watch every day to see if we we're open or shut down. The bank wondered, too, and called a couple times to see if I was still working. With as qualified as I am, a fabulous 3.25% interest rate, it was only a matter of being laid off that would have undone all of this.

Thank you, God, it didn't happen.

In fact, I went into work today for my last day for two weeks (wasn't sure what last normal day meant) and learned we are indeed staying open. It is my decision if I want to work from home or go into work daily.

Thank you, God. 

Truly, know Who to thank. I know I'm blessed. 

*Laugh out loud* As ridiculous as it sounds, I cannot wait to order checks tonight with my new home address! What is it with me and checks? I have no idea?! Seldom do I write them, I just like to have them.

One more time... thank you, God. 

Quarantine Begins at 11:59 p.m.

The quote above completely taken out of proper context; however, as we begin an initial two week quarantine beginning tonight at 11:59 p.m., I am more prepared than most to enjoy my solitude. 

Cuteness Overload

When my daughter called last week saying my granddaughter had her shoes on and her backpack ready to go on a date with me, I rearranged my work schedule to get her right away.

"a sUrPrIsE fOr mE?!?!" She knew I had a special surprise for her, a princess dress, and once those exciting words were shared, it was forever etched in her little brain.

She should live in princess dresses and she does. I had found a beautiful princess dress I knew she would love. With angel wings put on her back, her crown on her head, she found flowers she felt she should carry, too. And she walked around with poise and grace.

Pretty princesses also eat mac & cheese off of lollipop. Nobody seemed to notice the cookie on the table, too. Being with Ganny is always a magical adventure. 

Little brother loves Ganny snuggles and kisses, too. He likes to be held as we play hide & seeky with his sissy and "cAtCh mE." 

We will start doing dates, too. I just have to figure out how that will work, because princess Sofia isn't going to have that.  lol