The Reluctant Red Nose

Right now we are on our third winter storm in two weeks. The past several years have been very mild for winters….and many of us have been saying how that this winter we are probably “due”.

This past week our getaway trip was definitely one for the seasoned traveler of going with the flow….which is very difficult for my very “planned” soul. I try to go with the flow….but it is definitely not my favorite thing to do.

Today was supposed to be a day off where I could reset, make soap, make bread, grade school, laundry….all the things that quiet my soul….and it just wasn’t how the day went. Contractors came way too early…..set things in motion to cause failures on machinery…made the day unproductive because of it. Illness came upon our store with either staff members or their children. The weather is supposed to be snow and ice…and all these things…and I realize how completely helpless I am in all of it.

I have learned that at the age of almost 50, I can be upset at the circumstances or happy….and my circumstances will still be the same.

This time of year people get upset with the cold and the snow and not being able to go and travel and constantly change plans because the weather is going to do what it’s going to do.

I used to dread winter to…but I know that winter is meant for resting….resetting…organizing our lives. We start good habits, invest in reading and puzzles and cozy blankets. Our dogs enjoy the cozy nights I know….they don’t enjoy the snow when they have to do their business outside…but they enjoy the cozy.

January….we are halfway through….we have had a lot of snow days….I have cleaned out cabinets, Invested in healthier meal choices, and planned some trips for the year….I still need to finalize some others…but we are getting there.

My plants barely survived the holidays so we had to do some upkeep with them….I still need to finish two projects….but for the most part…we are on a good path.

As we continue through January, I encourage you to stop and reset….go through your house…what brings you joy? What makes you cringe? Make your house cozy….and in the end it will bring peace to your life….I promise.

For the last couple of years, January has been our month to reset. It is normally met with great anticipation and usually a very special time.

Living in the Midwest, and planning anything at all in January is always a gamble. Sometimes you win….and sometimes….you become flexible.

I had had my eye on this caboose for quite some time but she was always fully booked and always very expensive. About a month ago I made the reservation, which is normally quite late for me…but I was so happy it was available.

Sunday we drove down…it was a lovely sunny day…high around 50. It was so lovely we stopped by Roaring River to take a walk….then we were back on the road to finish our journey.

Made our way to the caboose with no issues….easy to find, check in was easy….adorable and cute….

Was cozy and reminded us of an Rv camping experience.

It had a very small kitchen…no way of cooking but did have a microwave…

The town of Eureka is wonderful. Good food, great coffee, wonderful people and very eclectic stores and quirky. It’s a wonderful place.

We walked the town….saw some funny things…

Love the old buildings….

One of our favorite restaurants….visited for the first time 20 years ago….it doesn’t disappoint

The caboose also has a beautiful stained glass window in the bathroom….

The next morning we went to one of our fave places for breakfast

Later that very rainy day we had to leave early due to a snowstorm that was coming our way that was already battering our hometown. We knew that the next day would be treacherous trying to get out of the mountains….so thankfully we have family nearby so we went to their house and hunkered down…:

But first we had some PF Changs….and May I say that if you haven’t met it….may I introduce to you this amazing chocolate cake (which not even four people could eat….but we sure tried!)

The next morning snow fell….blizzard was occurring in our hometown…there was nothing to be done except to wait…take a nap…eat and talk. It was one of the most relaxing days we have had all year.

We got up very early this morning to head back home. All roads were pristine and we were soo grateful.

We are now preparing for our second snow storm!!!!

Be careful everyone!!!!

Oh my favorite month….I have waited for you! My organizer is beautiful, my calendar is marked so neatly…plans for the year have been partially made.

Closets and shoes have been cleaned out. Christmas is down…a few bare trees remain. Valentines cuteness is out…and today I felt happiness with my beautiful clean home.

Today I was able to make a homemade soup, bake some muffins and even was able to make a batch of soap….since we are down to just one bar at our store.

I have supplies for one project…and hope to get started on that next week.

As we approach a new year….I can truly say that in finding peace I’m finding that turning off the things that make me anxious…less productive. I have made attention to my stress level when I follow accounts that have taken themselves back to the simple…..I can even feel my body relaxing. I have decided to listen to that…if I start to feel peace by watching the simple…then I need to know that I do indeed…need simple.

This year I turn 50….and the beauty of this age is…I really do not care what anyone thinks of me…or my house. I’m not going to tell you it doesn’t hurt my feelings when people say mean things…but after I’ve slept on it…I normally can move on.

At the age of 50 I have decided to quit buying the cheapest thing…instead wait….buy the thing you want….buy the product that has better quality…in the end you spend less. Do things that help your life run smoother.

I have a lady who comes and cleans my house every other week…and I find her to be my biggest help in keeping my sanity.

I have the same person clean my store…I have two accountants that help me at the store to get reports etc ready for our CPA. I use a service that helps me do payroll. I have one of the best homeschooling programs. I found the best violin teacher in town and an amazing art teacher.

I use a meal service for our lunches each week and I have no plans for getting rid of it. I do these things because….if you think you can do it all….you simply can’t. Something will always suffer. Your feelings of being amazing will never be fulfilled…you will always feel that you are losing.

Use pickup services or use Walmart plus.:……make your life easier.

Make a list of priorities, what do you want your life to look like? What brings you peace? For us that answer was answered by the River…making us know that fishing and camping would be our only way of true relaxation.

Going out of the country once a year so we can see all the things we have been wanting to see…visiting our children on the other side of the country……this is what brings me joy.

Work schedules had to be changed to allow for my need for creativity…longer days instead of shorter days is what we had to do to alter it to make everyone happy…..

Remember that no one else pays your bills but you…..you don’t have to explain your choices…but you do have to take responsibility for the way you live your life….

Make this year the best one yet!!!

So many people despise that word…they want to jump straight to spring. I guess I used to be the same

As a child it meant colds, cough drops, fevers, sickness…and back then…boredom. We didn’t have streaming services for music or television or movies…there was a lot of reading and a ton of dreaming.

I am an extrovert/introvert. What I do for a living and even what I do for fun is not quiet. Playing in front of a large congregation is not quiet. Clowning in front of a lot of kids is not quiet. Owning a retail store is not quiet…so my relaxation time must be.

January is a month where I reset…I look back at the year in my professional life and also my entertainment life and look at what worked and what didn’t. I look at my home, my fitness, what we eat. Where do we want to travel to, what do we want to see. How do we want to spend this year? Is this the year for a new car? What exactly do I need to improve.

Without the winter months, we can’t possibly expect to excel throughout the year. I used to make the mistake of pushing myself constantly…never stopping…never resting. This caused me to either be sick or it caused me to do good things grudgingly instead of a happy attitude.

Winter allows us to sit, relax…cuddle. Winter weather allows your body to find the cozy…it allows puzzles and reading….soups and breads…warm pajamas and fireside chats. It allows times for homemade soaps and bread making….enjoying the small things..dreaming of gardens and greenhouses….

January is a month of not only planning but dreaming. It allows you to read without guilt…which then in turn allows you to rethink how you live your life. I have never enjoyed a month more.

Reset, reorganize, rest and dream of all the possibilities for the New Year.

Enjoy January….don’t rush through it….embrace it.

My blog lately has seemed like an informal book of what is a recipe for a day in the life. I give you what happened…and offer no narrative.

I’m exhausted…I’m exhausted mentally, physically and I’m in between wanting to watch a movie marathon and nap all day…to wanting to go camping and hike and fish…o can’t decide which one. I cry probably once a day…but it’s for things I can’t control. Last week I cried while watching a video of little kids seeing Santa for the first time. Why did they make me cry? Because I realize my kids will never be little again. Do I want them to be little and go through the teen years again? Absolutely not!!! However, my fave days were the days that all the adult kids were in my house and the last few nights were fabulous listening to them talk to each other…and laugh. Then I cry again…but these are happy tears…because they really do love each other. But then I’m sad for my youngest because now she’s all alone with her boring parents.

I’m overwhelmed with work as I get ready next week to do inventory and take down all the Christmas decor…pay all the bills for all the things. I’m overwhelmed at switching my home decor to winter and Valentine’s Day. My house is a dumpster fire and I would like nothing more than a day to purge and clean with no Interference from my better half…

I need to make soap, make bread….finish my last painting project and my last wallpaper project….and just be still. I need to purge and be quiet…get rid of excess and plan the year….

I’ve made appointments for Red Nose Readers which is giving me life…and I hope to make more appointments soon.

We hope to travel to Greece this year….more fishing and camping…and hopefully start to go biking when we go camping….

If you are where I am right now….offer yourself some grace….take one day at a time. Start getting your hands into things that bring you peace. Writing and playing keyboard…making bread and making soap bring such a calm to me…

So let the hush come to you…wave the busy goodbye…form a new plan for the new year…slow life down for a bit….and just let the world go by…

The month of January is fast approaching….today my husband and I did this…

We said goodbye to our son and daughter and her new husband. The only thing that gave me a little bit of small hope is they all live in DC…but I cried…and cried….and then had some retail therapy…and silk pajamas did take away the sting for a bit…clearance pjs are even better.

Life when you have adult kids and you own a retail store is anything but relaxing…and honestly I’m not sad to see the holidays go. It is a blur of constant activity and absolute exhaustion. I feel that I live in a constant turmoil of being pulled in a million different directions and never feel that I am in the right place.

Christmas Day was a beautiful and quiet day. It was filled with just our immediate family. We opened presents slowly…we ate lunch when we felt like it…and it was an incredible day and I am grateful for it.

The month of December brought a staff Christmas party….

Christmas Dress up day….

Playing in church….

Sisters of Solace graduation where we presented the custom made necklaces….

Now we all get ready for a new year….cleaning up the old….throwing out what didn’t work…and working towards more simple…more getting by with less….and I’m ready.

My house has always had good bones…and good layout…she just didn’t look like I lived there….for ten years we have worked on her….and today….she finally looks like she belongs to me.

I know there are many brick purist but this brick on my house was some of the ugliest brick known to man..and no one will miss it.

I started the project with kilz for brick. I started rolling the entire brick but then decided I didn’t like the way the grout was showing through so I decided to brush it.

I also had painted my front door and I do like the color but May change it this next summer. I also plan on painting the patio…

So here is how it started….

And here is how it went….

We then decided to paint the trim black on the garage…and we really like how it turned out!!!

Let me know your thoughts!!!

I have had the paint to do this project for about a year. I have not had the time to do it since we did a “cleaning up” of staff and restructuring. I now have a very capable staff and actually have my life back again who hnos something I haven’t had in such a very long time…that it almost feels weird.

So I started with the Rustoleum Floor system which is a two step process. The directions call for using a roller but I didn’t like the way my bathroom floors turned out, so I brushed all my floors and even though it was tedious the end result is exactly what I wanted!

My floors were the disgusting white tiled with some strange lines in them which made them look dirty constantly. I have hated them for ten years….

I have two dogs and one teen…so we will see how they hold up…but honestly even if I have to touch up every six months it will be worth it…

I did the first two coats and then let dry for six hours….I then did the stencil on top and let that dry for another hour. Then I did the sealer on top of that. The hardest part was my dogs….they did not understand why the kitchen was off limits…so they made it super difficult with them. However, the results were so worth it!

The last month has been a crazy flurry of house projects and camping…work and school….

We took our camper on one last amazing camping trip where the weather was just fantabulous! We started the morning running the Donut Dash…Louie enjoyed it immensely!

Then it was time to go camping!

Then it was time to celebrate Halloween….Ellie decided to dress like her youth pastor and won first place!

Then it was time for me and Louie to show what we got!

Then I clowned at St Francis! The kids are soo great there!

Then we went to the Mayors Thanksgiving dinner and we won an award for our business!!! Totally a surprise!

I then clowned at Roller Rama and enjoyed making balloons

Ellianna had her fall dance….

I will share home projects on another post!

I had a beautiful dress to wear to this event…but this event was outside and decided to be absolutely freezing with a high of like 54 degrees.

We walked up to the amazing tent….

We then waited on the bride and groom to get there…it was quite the ordeal….

The food was amazing!

There was a family dance off!

My only regret is that I should have just froze in my beautiful dress….but I chose comfort over beauty…..

It was a wonderful party….dancers kept dancing until after 8…party was over at 5….