Arkansas Born and Bred

 

          Saw a blog prompt to write about where you grew up. Well, I grew up in Arkansas. So I consider myself a southern lady. I speak with an accent, I love sweet tea, I enjoy simple things, I am polite, and I like things to be easy going. I found a nice picture of the state that shows all the towns I lived in LOL. I was born in Malvern, spent a few years in DeQueen, I lived the longest in Little Rock. I got married there, went to college there, and had my son there. I also lived in Jonesboro, and last but not least, I lived in Hot Springs right before moving to Florida. 

        Each place was great. Malvern is a very small town. Everybody knows everybody LOL. That is where my mom grew up. Most of my relatives in Arkansas live there. I remember visiting my grandparents there and getting to go to Piggly Wiggly for groceries LOL loved that name. DeQueen is where I had to grow up quickly. I think I was in first and second grade there. My mom had to work a lot, so my brother and I were latch key kids. I was babysitting him when I was just a baby myself. I was convinced my house was haunted, so at night I made him sing to me LOL. 

           I spent most of my years in Little Rock. That is where my dad's side of the family lived. I met my ex husband there. When I was 26 I had my amazing son and my whole life changed. He inspired me to become something so that I could take care of him. It was tough, but I got my BSN nursing degree at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. For about a year, while getting divorced and facing custody issues, I lived in Jonesboro. It was pretty there, but lonely. We did not stay long. I took a break from Arkansas for a few years and lived in Nevada.

        When my daughter was one year old, we moved back to Arkansas, and lived in Hot Springs. It was so pretty there. I liked it a lot.  There was quite a bit to do there. There was this fantastic garden to go explore, downtown had all sorts of cute shops, everything was nice and close. We got tornado warnings to keep it interesting LOL. There was a hot spring where you could actually go and fill up water bottles to take home. It was very relaxing living there.

           I am not sure why we moved away, but we did. Looking back, part of me wishes we had stayed, but Florida is our home now, and we like it. Lots to do here, I have an awesome house, it is hurricane season, so we have fun weather LOL. I get to have pets. Most important, my kids love it. By the end of my life, I will most likely have lived the longest in Florida, but I will always consider myself an Arkansas girl :)

Disturbing Dreams

 

          I sleep a lot LOL like I can fall asleep anytime I settle down in my recliner. It is just so comfy. The part I do not like about that is my dreams. Sometimes they are nice, but often they feature my mom. Those ones drive me nuts. They start out normal, then I somehow figure out in my dream that she is not supposed to be there since she died, and then she drives me crazy. Last night I dreamed I had all of these cute baby animals in the backyard, kittens, ducks, chickens, even a pig LOL and I wanted to build little shelters for them so they didn't get cold at night. I had all of these cardboard boxes to use, and I started to put them together, but then my mom showed up and started dismantling them and making the animals leave. Weird dreams like that. I never have good dreams with her in them, just ones where I get so upset. It makes me wake up sad.

          So while I sleep a lot, it is never truly restful because of my dreams. So I wake up frequently. This morning I was up at 3:30 a.m. coloring my hair LOL. Trying to get it back to blonde. Today is my day to get ready for work weekend. Laundry, groceries, cleaning, recycle out, and Staci to church. I might even make some treats for the weekend. 

Happy Leon Day

 

          I had no idea that Leon Day was an actual thing LOL Leon is Noel spelled backwards, and today is June 25th, six months to Christmas LOL. How fun. So I am going to attempt to celebrate it LOL not sure how though. It is so hot here in Florida that it does NOT feel Chrismasy.

          Well I did it LOL I mowed my front and back yards yesterday. It sucked and I was exhausted afterward, but I felt very accomplished. My grass looks so much better now. Today I need to buy a new hose, since I can't get my current one to detach from my sprinkler LOL and I am hoping to plant my avocado. Lee is off today, so he can help me. I have a new drill bit for the ground to entice him LOL.

          I wish I had some fun Christmas memories to share, but unfortunately I don't. We celebrated, but in a simple way. My mom would try to make everything perfect, but that often backfired because she was so caught up in things being just right, that it became not fun and way too stressful. I love trying to go all out for holiday, but I learned from her, to not let it ruin the day if it does not go according to plan. It is more about just being together and having a nice day. I miss her though. She was my best friend.

Quiz Queen

 

          I love alliteration LOL I am not really a quiz queen, I just took one quiz, but quiz queen sounded more fun LOL. I like taking quizzes, but often it seems like they all go wonky halfway through so I never get results. Today I made it all the way through one designed to tell me if I am an old soul or a new one. Apparently I am an old soul :) I was not surprised to find that out. I do tend to like things of the past. I have taken every history course I can find. It is interesting to see where things came from. Word meanings, sayings, traditions, recipes, clothing, so many things to research.

           It is kind of funny to think that a few generations from now, my descendants (if I ever get grandkids) will be talking about how great grandma was an actual nurse during the Covid pandemic of 2020 LOL. All the funny masks she had to wear, how everything was closed, and how the world changed. Oh and the toilet paper LOL. we have yet to figure out why toilet paper was hoarded, but I still have a supply in the garage LOL.  

          Well, I finished up Ghost Whisperer, so now I need to find something else to watch. I like episodes so I can zone out and get some steps in while watching. I also have a sprouted avocado seed that I need to plant. Hopefully it will continue to grow, just have to find a place for it. With all of the rain, the backyard grass is looking so green. That makes me happy. Now it just needs to dry a bit so I can mow it LOL. With daily rains that is challenging. My big secret is LOL I like mowing. It is a great workout and afterwards I feel so accomplished, but don't tell my kids. They let me be extra lazy after it is done LOL. They even bring me drinks :)

Sunday no Sunshine

 

         Woke up today to the sounds of thunder booming :) loved it. The rain was awesome, everything is soaked LOL no mowing for me it seems. My dogs did not like the rain or thunder though, they were hiding under me the whole time.

          Work was a challenge, had one patient that would not stop yelling no matter how many sedatives I gave them. All of the other patients were complaining about them. I was somehow expected to fix this LOL. As if I wanted the yelling to continue. Oh I am so glad it is over for me now.

           So now I get to relax and enjoy my days off. No particular plans yet, just general stuff. I did good so far watching what I eat, trying to get my cholesterol down. Also still behaving on not eating sweets every day LOL. Feet finally do not hurt and I am not sick LOL feeling more like myself.

Lowering Cholesterol Naturally

 

          Well, I have my blood pressure under control, now I am off to lower my cholesterol. I have no clue what my levels are, but if I am like the typical American, then I am sure they are high. Since I do not wish to take medicine but still wish to be healthy, I am going to try and beat it naturally. 

          According to the internet, I need to increase my daily fiber. I need at least 25gm/day. I looked up the types of food that are healthy and full of fiber, hence the pretty picture. I will be going to the store soon to get me some bananas and apples, as well as some oats, berries, olives, okra, chickpeas, and prunes LOL. It also recommends garlic, I do not think I can just eats garlic straight, so that I will try and find a supplement for. I will also add it into anything I cook that is savory. I also have lots of nuts around here, so I am going to combine them to make a healthy snack rich in fiber.

          I just want to make sure I can stay as healthy as possible. I have been doing my exercise as best as I can. Slowly I am losing weight. I dropped 10 lbs so far :) and I am trying to get more sleep. I want to be around to bother my kids for as log as possible LOL.

Taco Tuesday

 

          Tuesday and now I am thinking about tacos LOL guess I just figured out what's for dinner. It is a good thing my kids and I like tacos LOL. Now, I just have to go get fixins for them. 

          I saw a blog prompt asking where in the world would I love to have a picnic? I am not a big fan of picnics, too many bugs, but they can be fun. I remember going to a big church one with my uber crush and wanting to make it so special LOL and in doing so I got all the wrong food. Romantic food is in reality not very picnic friendly. The chocolate and strawberries was a disaster. Back to where in the world, that is a challenge to think about, as I have never gone anywhere. Actually, I think I would like a place I sort of am familiar with, Lake Tahoe. Up there it is gorgeous, not too hot, lots of shady areas, a lake to swim in if you like cold, and no dangerous critters lurking in the waters LOL. 

          Okay, we are going back to watching Bridgerton early LOL. I was watching last night, and my daughter came in LOL that show is definitely not appropriate for her LOL shoot it is barely appropriate for me. I had to fast forward through a bit of the racy parts LOL.

Monday Morning

 

          Good morning Monday :) I liked the little picture I found LOL the "stabbing people is wrong" part made me giggle. Day two of waking up and not being sick is awesome LOL feet don't hurt and I am pretty much over my cold, I had forgotten what normal felt like LOL.

          Not a lot to do today, which is my favorite type of day. I have orders for Amazon and Walmart coming today. We got a fancy, self cleaning cat litter box LOL. Cost over $300 so these cats better like it. No idea why I got it, other than my son has been asking for one forever. Now he has to come up with a better response when I tease about getting another cat. He always says I can't until I get a better litter box. Now his argument is moot LOL. I don't really want another cat, I just like messing with him. I mean, if I had a bigger place, then I would love lots of pets, but right now, 2 dogs and 3 cats is enough. 

          So, today I guess I will be somewhere between a potato and a sunflower, meaning I will be binging Bridgerton, and then outside getting groceries LOL. I need to figure out something for dinner.

Happy Father's Day

 

          Happy Father's Day 2024. It is not really an important day for me though. I grew up without a father, so never really celebrated it. I think I was three or four when my parents divorced. I occasionally saw my dad, but not enough that I remember him growing up. As an adult in my 20's I had some contact with him, but we weren't close. I do regret that now. I had a chance when I had my son, because my dad loved babies, and I know he so wanted to be a grandpa, but I was still too bitter about him not being a proper dad to me, that I did not let him really see my son. By the time I grew up enough, it was too late. He had passed away. I cried when I found out he had died. I didn't think I would, but I sobbed for all that could have been. I did love him, just did not like him.

          Well that was depressing. On to better stuff. I think I am finally 90% over my cold LOL and I made it through work weekend. Now only easy peasy stuff. My daughter is currently getting dressed and then we are heading over to SeaWorld for a bit. We get passholder money, $40, so we are going to spend it before it expires today LOL. Yep, we are cutting it close. Then back home to enjoy the rainy weather and tidy up. OOOh and I get to watch latest Bridgerton episodes LOL. So exciting :)

Hypotension?

 

          Wow, this morning's B/P reading was 114/69 pulse 71. I am shocked, but in a good way. After I got covid a couple years ago, my blood pressure was scary high, I even had to take medicine. I set out to get it down naturally because I did not like the idea of being diagnosed as having hypertension. Right now I am glad to say I have no diagnoses other than anxiety. Anyway, I have been trying hard to get and maintain a normal blood pressure. I check mine every day and it seems to be fine now, even low, according to my latest readings. Getting all this sleep from being sick might have helped a bit LOL. Aside from my stuffy nose, I am feeling much better. My foot no longer hurts me, which is an extreme blessing, and my B/P is under control.  I also am glad to say, I haven't had any sweets in quite a while LOL. Been very tempted, but I refrained. I do have some oreos stashed for a little treat. I will grab one cookie every now and then.  I even switched out my coffee creamer for sugar free.

           I cannot believe the week is already done. I do not like losing it to being sick. Not 100% better just yet, but hopefully enough that I can get through working with minimal discomfort. I need to prep me some snacks and meals to take. The one good thing about never being asked if I want to order out too is I don't order out LOL. I save that money and am stuck eating only what I bring. I just have to make sure it is relatively healthy. Okay I am off to find more cold medicine and to get my adulting done for the day.

Rainy Daze?

 

          For as much rain as they have been predicting, I thought for sure I would have seen some by now LOL of course I have been in a cold medicine daze for past 2 days, but I still see nothing. It would be nice. I love extreme weather. I sleep to the sounds of thunderstorms.

          I woke up today, and I think I am on the mend. I cannot believe I got so sick so fast. It just hit me BAMM at work. I thought it was allergies but nope, it was a bonified cold. I am glad it is over. I am just hoping my kids stayed spared. So far so good. I still managed to mow the front yard LOL I figured I could sweat a few germs out of me, plus I wanted it down before these so called rainstorms hit. 

          I cannot believe it is already Tuesday LOL lost two days to being sick. I really don't know how people work five days a week with only two off. I could never go back to that. As usual I am going to take it easy. Not a lot of things on my to do list. Just a bit of cleaning. Here's hoping the storms will show up and keep me entertained :)

I'm in a Gooseberry Patch Cookbook

           My daughter and I like cooking together. I tend to get creative and make up recipes as I go along. A couple of years ago I got an email asking for recipes for a new Christmas cookbook. I thought how fun would it be to get one of my creations in a cookbook. So we came up with a spiced cranberry sauce recipe that I make every year and submitted it. Trying to figure out exact measurements was challenging as I usually just wing it. It got chosen and I was a published cook LOL I got a free cookbook and bragging rights LOL 

          Last year I got another email asking for Autumn recipes. Staci and I had just made these walnut cookies that were a hit at work, so we decided to figure out a recipe with measurements and submit it. We got picked again!!! Our recipe even made the feature recipes selection LOL it was funny to get the book yesterday because we had totally forgotten what we had submitted LOL. I just knew it had been a cookie LOL. So that book there has mine and my daughter's recipe in it on page 183. I put this one under her name. The cranberry sauce one has mine on it.

          I got another email requesting recipes, so I just submitted another on for my aioli chicken LOL let's see if I get picked again. That would be totally cool :)

Weekend Wonder

 

         I made it through the weekend!!! Of course I kinda felt a bit of a cold coming on, so I took some Nyquil and some sudafed LOL my system doesn't know what's going on LOL. I'm starting to look like a red nosed reindeer over here. 

          My kids are currently trying to change out our lightbulbs in the hallway LOL we had to buy a ladder just to do that LOL it was too high up for our stepladder, so we had to upgrade. Oh the joys of homeownership. I wouldn't change it though :)

          We have started planning for halloween already LOL. By the time it gets to September/October all the good stuff is gone, so have to do early. I bought a really cool banner for the garage door and I am sure our giant pumpkin and skeletons will be back. We just need to figure out a theme for the season. Any ideas????

Gala Night

 

          Tonight is Staci's Gala Night, so I get to doll her up again LOL well, as much as she will let me. I have learned she does not like to stand out. She is wearing her gold and purple dress again, we are getting some use out of it LOL. She also has sparkly earrings and a necklace to go with it. Oh, and gold slippers LOL. Perhaps I will redye her hair when she wakes up. 

          Ugh, my cats killed another lizard in the house. They brought it in, so it is a good thing they took care of it LOL. My perfect lil puppy notified me of the dead critter and stood guard over it until I could take care of it. I just hate disposing of the body. Is very yucky. Earlier this week a adorable person posted a picture warning us to be beware of "baby gators" at the pool LOL it was a lizard. So now all lizards are baby gators LOL.

          So far no rain yet this hurricane season, for one they said was going to be intense, it is disappointing. So hot with no afternoon cool down. With my luck it will rain all weekend, making it impossible to mow the front yard after work. I really am ready for the rains LOL I am tired of watering my plants. 

          Well off to do my responsible stuff. I have laundry, recycling, groceries, and cleaning to do before work, they is is doll up the daughter time LOL such fun :)

Everybody Needs a Day off Sometimes

 

          Yesterday I missed blogging because I took some cold medicine LOL I lost a whole day. No idea how drugies do it. How do they function??? I am told I had conversations with my kids that I do not even remember LOL.

          So, since I really do not have anything I NEED to do, I am taking the day off, just in case my system is trying to get sick. Sometimes you just need a break. I have all my responsible stuff done, so it is a good day to do nothing.

I Did It!!!

 

          I am tired, but feel accomplished :) I made it through my work weekend, three in a row, and I can still walk!!! I was even able to mow my backyard this morning, so now I feel all good about myself LOL Looks so much better back there. Grass was so long in some areas that it stalled my mower LOL. Took awhile to get it looking decent again, but I made it and now I get to relax. My son bought him and my daughter sandwiches for dinner, so I am off the hook for cooking, no brain power needed from me. Which is good, because nothing up there is working LOL