I have another blog. I have several other blogs, actually. But the one where I've written most posts is A How-To Guide. I was in the practice of writing about life as I knew it beginning of 2011. Here's a sampling of what I referred to as "State of Our Union" addresses.
My family is grateful that times have improved somewhat since then, and I try to remain hopeful that financial hardships have been left behind for good.
Let me know if anything has resonated with you. Your comments and questions, dear reader, are always welcome.
Something unusual happened today. Something unplanned. Something surprising. Something I once enjoyed. Something that made me feel a sense of accomplishment. Something I've been told that I am very good at... okay, something my husband said I was better at it than he is. What happened is, I vacuumed.
Loud noise bothers me, so you would think vacuuming would be a problem for me. I think the satisfaction of a task well done overrides any discomfort or annoyances.
Dust bunnies bother me, but I don't seem to have a problem with the abundance of fluff strewn about the house; hugging the floorboards. Dust bunnies weren't as easily visible in my former carpeted home. One vacuum cleaner upstairs, another downstairs, and a once enjoyable chore kept the fluff at bay. Putting the steam cleaner into action a few times a year was always rather satisfying as well. Thoroughly vacuuming every bedroom, sitting areas, dining areas, staircase and hallways made me happy.
There are only bare wood floors here at The Place. There lacks the luxury of sitting or stretching out on the floor. Not having ample space to comfortably be bothers me, but I have to remind myself that shelter; a roof overhead and the availability of air conditioning and beds to sleep on for my family are all things for which to be grateful.
So, I vacuumed today, only one room of a tiny four room house. I dusted the kitchen walls, vacuumed the tile floor, wiped off counters, and was pleased with the fact that for the first time in a couple of weeks the kitchen sink was empty of a dish or pan to be washed in the morning.
I feel one quarter load lifted off my shoulders. Two-thirds through January and my effort to re-establish good habits is the objective; still striving to tweak some sense of normalcy back into our lives here. Sometimes, simply fixing dinner is the best I can do. Must remind myself, I can do more; I can do better. Let's see what tomorrow brings.
*****
Anyway, here's a way better vacuum cleaner story via CBS6...
My one woman book club is off to a good start. Finished Ben Mezrich's ebook Q in two sittings. Man, it was good.
Next up is another Mezrich read, Seven Wonders, which was released last year.
But in the event that I'm still freaked out about Q, I may have to go to Jim Gaffigan's FOOD: A Love Story, or anything by David Sedaris.
Prompt of the day asks: If you had to read the same book year after year after year, what would it be?
I've actually done this at different times in my life. I had to read them; they went hand-in-hand... or book-in-hand more accurately... every school break. As a tiny kid it was Millicent the Monster, and during the holidays, 'Twas The Night Before Christmas. Later, in elementary school, it was The Diary of Anne Frank. I was in the fifth grade when I first read it. I read it every summer through high school. Sometime during junior high school, I discovered Farewell to Manzanar; I also read this book through high school. I was lucky enough to have Reading For Pleasure elective where I found Philip Roth's Goodbye, Columbus contained in a collection of his short stories. This book I carried into adulthood. As a parent of very young children, a good friend thought I'd enjoy and benefit from Simple Abudance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy. I loved this book; still do. It's sits on a footrest within reach this very minute. So those are my books.
Oh, I almost forgot, I got into a serious phase of not being able to put down a David Sedaris book. So good. I wish I had my collection of his best works... nearly every book he's written, but all my books are in storage in Colorado. Fingers crossed I'll have them in possession again sometime soon.
I'm hoping to find that perfect book to read in my midlife years. I shall make this my mission this year. Wish me luck. Also, maybe, some will leave recommendations in comment section below.
I don't want to go out. I'm not happy about this. I need to go out but rather stay in, even on a day like this...
Image by L Carilo ~ January 2015
I know, right? Actually, at the time that I took this photo, I had just walked around to the driver's seat after dropping off my husband at work this morning. I sat there thinking maybe I should have gotten fully dressed to go shopping immediately afterward, but I just couldn't muster up the right state of mind to accomplish anything at that hour of the morning. I know this sounds bad, but I do not like being "the driver." Wait, had to scratch that, I like driving (except for dealing with dicks on the road), no... correction... I love driving, but really, these inconsiderate, self-absorbed drivers are my biggest pet peeve. A close second... early morning laziness. I don't like waking up early to go on a ride along for school and job drop offs when I could just stay in bed and get up at 7:30 feeling like a normal person as opposed to a lifeless zombie! Sorry for shouting there. On the upside, one vehicle; zero car payments. I shouldn't complain.
So, if you ask if I, "enjoy repetition, or do you always need change?" You'd probably get get a blank stare from me, and maybe hear cricket chirps. I don't know what is what anymore. I don''t know if this is a symptom of pre-empty nest syndrome or what, but I'm pretty sure this has been going on for years before any of my children reached 18 years of age. I'd like to think they could manage as well as I did when I decided to leave home at 19; better even. It's a regular suggestion to my eldest child that perhaps it is time for him to set out on his own. He has his valid arguments against it. We still rely on him to help with bills and food costs. This new normal business is taking a long time to adjust to.
Image by L Carilo ~ January 2015
Something that I can attest to is that I don't like living in a climate that is pretty much the same year around. I miss snow, a reason to use a fireplace, and having to bundle up when going out. But as I mentioned above, this is my new normal... get used to it, right?
Here's today's vlog post for This Is Fifty With Lil YouTube Channel. Like, Subscribe, Comment, and visit often. I'm having loads of fun with my new hobby and learning new things everyday. Another thing I've been looking forward to is reading Q by Ben Mezrich. It's my first e-book and I'm gonna bet that I shall not be able to stop until the end.
I'd like to welcome my second YouTube channel subscriber on this lovely 2nd Monday of 2015! I hope you had a good day, healthy eats, and a few minutes with a favorite human or pet... or, perhaps, favorite book or t.v. show. Whatever makes you happy.
Winter break walks with my daughter were not to be this time as I had hoped. College Girl's month long winter break is almost over. She'll be returning to school next week and I think I may cry this time. I was hoping to carve out time for morning walks together during this visit. But mornings escaped us - sick dogs, school break for our high schooler, increased holiday hours at work for my son, irregular work days for my husband, the holidays... This was the only time that I can recall the month of December erratic and lacking in tradition. I guess I've not yet made full adjustment to this new normal in California. It's remarkable the thought that only a couple of years have passed since we became homeless and were taken in by various relatives. College Girl was spared the trauma; she was safe at school, and away from all the terribleness the rest of us were left to endure. She being away at college, sheltered and fed was my tiny glimmer of hope.
Today I'm regretting not making an effort to have a morning walk with whomever may have been up for one during time off from school and work. I hoped to share quiet moments with my girl, or enjoy laughter-filled chats like "the old days" in Colorado. In a few days we'll be back to getting brief nightly calls from our girl. She's called us every night, except for the handful of times her schedule only allowed for a quick goodnight "I'll talk to you tomorrow." text. It is sinking in that visits home will be fewer and further apart. Her time has come to break away from the nest, you can just feel it. I'm excited for her; I encourage her when she starts telling me about options she's open to for when she's done with school. She's seems happy about possibly establishing life on the east coast... I love the thought of this. I'm confident that she'll make sound decisions as she gets closer to finishing school. I just wish we had gone on walks during this visit home that has flown by far to quickly.
I'm going to make the best of the next couple of days together, and anticipate her next visit home. It'll be a special time because she'll be here just in time for her younger sister's high school graduation. So, I guess I should still go ahead and make serious effort to take daily walks with hopes of shedding a few inches in time for springtime celebrations. It'll be good for me.
