2022 ~ Reflections ~ Struggles

2022

~sharing~

*this is a very transparent post 

Reflecting on 2022 and one word continuously pops up in my mind. 

Struggle

...with the direction our lives have been going in (apparently there is no manual on managing the new normal of your life after a loved one's stroke. How could there be? Each situation is unique. We are 10+ years in.)

...with my self image

...with my weight

...with feeling stagnant 

...with my health challenges

...with figuring out what I want in the near and distant future

And so much more. Too much to put into legible words. We all have struggles. Some more than others. I never lose sight of that.

But...I am the eternal optimist and have faith that mine will all be sorted out if I continue to put in the work. Action is a ✨️magical✨️ word when it's very definition is applied to our circumstances. And attitude most definitely can be a tool we can use to work for us, or against us.

It is possible that I am extra reflective (annnd a tad melancholy) at the close of this year since I am facing my 60th birthday soon. I also think I have a touch of PTSD where a new year is concerned, since we have all been put through the wringer these past few years. Nonetheless, I have planned my plans, dreamt new dreams and have gorgeous goals laid out for this new year.

So, in honor of bidding adieu to 2022 with a soft kiss on it's cheek, welcoming the baby new year, and my upcoming 60th, I have decided to post a selfie a day for the duration of 2023. On the good, the bad and the "it is what it is" days. I think it will be interesting to see the changes from day to day. (I have officially reached the point where, as one woman put it, "one morning I woke up, looked at myself in the mirror and said, 'WHAT is THAT? That wasn't there yesterday!'") So...yeah. This should be fun, lol. Would you like to join me? I'll be using the hashtag #dailyselfie2023 on Instagram if you would like to follow along.

cheers to 2023

Wishing a most HAPPY, HEALTHY, SAFE, PEACEFUL, BLESSED and PROSPEROUS year ahead to y'all! See you next year!

💋xo, 

TJ

Christmas Greetings ~

 

Wishing you and yours the merriest of Christmases! 

I will be spending the day with my beloveds and will see you in the next post!

💋xo, 

TJ

A Peek Into Last Week (December 10 - 16)~

 endeavor:

authentic•oldfashionedvalues•lowtech•slowliving

~livingsimply~

I'm so glad you're here! Come on in and set a spell. How has your week been? Tell me all about it while we grab a nice wintery beverage-hot chocolate? Coffee? Or maybe eggnog is more to your liking?-and gab a bit. I'll go ahead and start things off while you warm up and gather your thoughts~

Holiday Happenings~

This year is the first year that I can ever remember not putting up a Christmas tree or decorating for the holiday.  It is a bittersweet thing for me. Our home is still in disarray from the water damage we had earlier this year and I couldn't find the enthusiasm to have beautiful decorations competing with the backdrop of all that. 

That's not to say I don't have the warm, cozy glow of the spirit of Christmas within. I have surrounded myself with other holiday delights to "make merry"...

What I'm watching/reading listening to~

(still A Christmas Carol-ing and Little Women-ing 😆)

I've been enjoying listening to an assortment of Christmas music (including the Little Women soundtrack, lol😁) on Spotify this week. Mannheim Steamroller is always a favorite, along with Michael Bublé and of course, all the good old classic songs of the season.

Create~

I dug through my ever ready crafting bag and pulled out the supplies needed to turn an old Christmas card into several bookmarks. I enjoy doing this with beautiful cards that have been sent to me. It's a lovely reminder of that person each time I settle in and open a book to happily while away a few relaxing moments.

the longer bookmarks will be used for standard sized books

the short bookmarks I will use in my traveler's notebooks 

Homekeeping ~ 

This past week's homekeeping focus was the bathrooms. I cleaned in there a little deeper than the everyday type cleaning, really getting into the nooks and crannys (and rewarded myself with lots of bubble baths!).

I also continued to declutter and am considering whether I should try and sell a few of the items and if so, how and where I should list them. Facebook (for miscellaneous household items)? Poshmark (for clothing. Do they take other types of items?)  Are there other, better places to list online? These are the questions swirling about in my head surrounding this subject right now, lol.

It was also a great relief to have two big (and heavy ) boxes full of items for donation picked up after much procrastination in the matter. (I don't know why it takes me so long to schedule the pickups. I think I'm trying to make sure they are getting a "haul" worthy of their time, effort and expense to pick up but then that means we are left with the growing collection-and the temptation to dig through and pull things back out.🤫😊)

What I'm cooking, baking and eating ~ 

I haven't done a lot of cooking lately but when I have, it has been fairly decent sized batches that we can eat for several days that week with enough left over to freeze for future meals. Like the Garlicky Chickpea Soup I made this week. It's faster fast food, as in: it's faster than getting out and driving somewhere to pick up something when I'm feeling lazy(-er than usual) and uninspired to cook up something. Plus, it's definitely healthier and more economical than takeout and it has that special ingredient that you just can't buy anywhere...l♡ve.🥰

Well, as always, it was wonderful visiting with you! Take good care of yourselves, your hearths and homes and let's meet up again real soon.

💋xo, 

TJ

Change~

 

 “Change is the only constant in life.”

~ Heraclitus

Hello and welcome back! 

I wanted to pop in and let you know that I have decided to stop writing dedicated posts on my "Frugal Five", opting instead to write about my frugal endeavors by incorporating them within other posts. I came to this decision after much reflection and embracing the conviction that I don't want to focus on and wear "lack" as part of my identity. Although I do believe that frugality can be a useful tool in the creation of abundance and even wealth, I don't want it to be the greater focus here. Knowing that what we focus on and give our attention to grows, I would rather focus on improving and growing the abundance we already do have. 

I sincerely hope that you will consider continuing with me on our never-ending journey, with all of it's ups and downs and detours through life. After all, that's what keeps it interesting, no?

Thanks for stopping by! 

💋xo, 

TJ

A Peek Into Last Week (December 3 - 9)~

 endeavor:

authentic•oldfashionedvalues•lowtech•slowliving

~livingsimply~

Some weeks are more relaxed and low key than others. Truly, they all are pretty relaxed and low key for us at this point in time. Some are pretty dreamy though~

Even though I had a doctor's appointment for an ultrasound and some labwork, it went smoothly and quickly.

And there was the time and beautiful weather for more wonderful walks in the neighborhood.

Mid-week my allergies started acting up but it gave me the perfect excuse to take it extra easy, enjoy our blessings and just be.

One evening, after hubby and I left our vaccine appointments, we splurged and ordered takeout from our favorite Mexican restaurant 😋. It was delicious and it was such a treat to not have to cook but there was just one problem: it put us into a carb coma...

And then we woke up a bit later with a bad case of bedhead...

There was also plenty of time to snuggle with my buddy, Galahad...

I'm still watching every version of Little Women and A Christmas Carol that I come across that interests me. They are my favorite Christmas time movie traditions that I always make time for. I'm always surprised that there seems to be a new version of them both each year.

In the kitchen, I tried a new hot chocolate mix recipe and have been absolutely enjoying it (sprinkled liberally with chocolate chips that I stir into it to make it extra decadent🤫) as part of my cozy nighttime routine.

I hope you had a great week with plenty of time to do all the things that you find makes your week dreamy !

Thanks for stopping by!

💋xo, 

TJ

School of Traditional Skills ~ FREE Class

 

📷: School of Traditional Skills 

Whoohoo!

Check out School of Traditional Skills Facebook page to register for this class. It's FREE (thank you SoTS)! I always learn so much from their classes.😊

On December 14, 2022 join Harvey Userry as he shares his wealth of knowledge of feeding backyard chickens.

School of Traditional Skills

The more skills and knowledge we have, the better. I don't have chickens since our HOA doesn't allow for it but I would like to have them. And who knows? Someday I may have the opportunity to. Gaining the knowledge now means I will be prepared for the future, should the time come that I have a lil' hen habitat!

Will you be joining us? I hope to (virtually) see you there!

💋xo, 

TJ

Five Frugal Things ~ 12/7/22

 

🤣

This week's five frugal things, in addition to the usual frugally frugalness (😉)~

1)  Each day I walked my dog I used the potty pick up bags provided at stations around our neighborhood. I normally buy my own and will continue to do so when I have a chance to stop by Dollar Tree where I normally buy them.

moisturizer, eyeglass cleaner, castile soap and perfume oil

2)  I was given a couple travel sized and a couple regular sized products that I will happily use by my daughter and her friend. 

3)  At the recommendation of my dental hygienist during my last visit to use a warm salt water rinse in place of mouthwash, I can now save the money I used to spend on that product. She also suggested I use baking soda to brush my teeth a couple of times a week in place of toothpaste. That will help stretch our tubes of Sensodyne to last longer. With two very inexpensive items I can tend to my oral hygiene! 

4)  While perusing the teas (since I am almost out of my herbal tea bags) on the Walmart website and store shelves during my most recent grocery shopping trips, I decided to stick with using my lemon balm plant and other herbs and spices that I have on hand to make my evening tea with.

5)  I took advantage of grocery sales and purchased: 3 - 2 pound packages of cheese for $5.99 each; 10 pounds of chicken leg quarters for .59 cents a pound; 2 pounds of butter for $2.88 each; 2 - 12 ounce packages of (my favorite 😍 😋) coffee for $5 a bag and 1 1/2 pounds of tomatoes for .88 cents a pound. 

I hope you found some great sales and fresh ideas for saving money this week! 

💋xo, 

TJ

Today's Funny~Totally Relatable

😄

 

Dear Santa, ISO~

😆

 

A Peek Into Last Week (November 26 - December 2)~

endeavor:

authentic•oldfashionedvalues•lowtech•slowliving

~livingsimply~

Welcome back!

What I'm cooking, baking and eating ~ 

Chicken veggie noodle soup, asparagus fritatta (using asparagus bought on sale back in the Spring and then blanched and frozen), salmon salad (made like I do tuna salad) served on a bed of greens, blueberry breakfast (or anytime!) cake (I just added a few frozen blueberries to a Jiffy Blueberry Muffin Mix and baked in an 8" pan), bacon and egg breakfast burritos 🌯 😋, Toll House Cookie Bars.

Homekeeping ~ 

This past week's homekeeping focus was the kitchen. In addition to the daily tasks, I focused on cleaning the face of the cabinets (where do all those tiny splatters come from?!😄) and the edges of the floors where the floor meets the walls and cabinets.

Highlight ~

Walks!!! Lots and lots of walks in the neighborhood. We've had some gorgeous, cool weather that just begged us to get out and enjoy nature. And we did!

And after an abundance of fresh air and sunshine, we mayyy have needed a little nappy-poo.

Enjoy the upcoming week and...

thanks for stopping by!

💋xo, 

TJ

Friday Fave #6~

 

This Friday my fave that I'm featuring is Seche Vite. A product that I have used for years .

I thought I would switch things up a bit and do a video version for you on my YouTube channel. I had fun doing it and I hope you enjoy it! If you haven't subscribed yet, I would be so grateful if you did!

See you there!

💋xo,

TJ

*this product is not sponsored and is not an ad~just a friend sharing with friends!

Hawks in the Sky~

 

While out for our daily stroll, I happened to look up while paused for Dollface to sniff the area. I enjoy skygazing because you just never know what you might see. Add to that fact I am somewhat of birdwatcher. Not the binocular packin', hiding in reeds in a swampy marsh kind (although a pair of bird watching binoculars is on my wish list), lol. I'm more of a casual bird observer and take immense delight in all their antics. 

Well, today's observation did not disappoint! Hawks patrolling the sky! I have never seen so many at one time. I counted no less than fourteen. I thought surely there must be some prey that they were all going to compete for but no, they just continued to glide high above us until they slowly drifted into the horizon.

red tail hawk 📷: audubon.org

My natural curiosity and love for all of God's creatures great and small got me to doing some online informational digging: 

18 Species of Hawks in Texas (with pictures)

Hawks In Texas: Our Top 15 Lords-Of-The-Skies Species Guide

What Makes a Group of Hawks a “kettle”

Eat, Prey, Love: A Day with the Squirrel Hawkers of East Texas

Or maybe they were turkey vultures?🤷‍♀️ They were so high in the sky, I'm not sure.

turkey vulture 📷: audubon.org 

How Do Hawks Hunt? (7 different methods & how to observe)

I hope you enjoyed this mini bird watching post. Do you like to birdwatch? Do you consider yourself a pro or, like me, a casual birdwatcher? 

Thanks for stopping by! 

💋xo, 

TJ

Five Frugal Things ~ 11/30/22

 

No matter the circumstances, I have always had abundance in my life and all my needs met. It all depends on perspective I suppose and I have experienced first hand, life in a poorer country. I came back from that experience seeing my life through a new lens and I felt like nothing less than royalty! Sure, there have been some trying times but we've made it through, none the worse for wear. 

Here's a few frugal things I did this week~

1)  I used a long forgotten gift card to put gas in our vehicle.  There was just enough on it to fill up the tank!

this watch requires five batteries as each face is for a different time zone

2)  I watched a YouTube video to learn how to change watch batteries. I have several watches that have been sitting unused because their batteries were dead. I have put off having the batteries replaced because of the cost and the time and effort to drive to my favorite jeweler to have him change them. I ordered a pack of four batteries for less than the cost of having one changed. One watch down and several more to go. Unfortunately, not all my watches take the same type of battery so this will be a process for me that will take some time.

3)  I used some leftover lemon rinds, a few sprigs of rosemary and a sprinkling of thyme simmered in my tiny slow cooker as a natural air freshener.

4)  I took advantage of the loss leaders and digital coupons at Randall's and was able to get ten pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts for .99 a pound, four pounds of bananas for .29 a pound and a free 6 ounce can of black olives.

5)  I refilled my bottle that I use as a facial toner (1/2 apple cider vinegar and 1/2 water).

I hope you had a frugally abundant week. See you next time!

💋xo, 

TJ

A Peek Into Last Week (November 19 - 25)~

endeavor:

authentic•oldfashionedvalues•lowtech•slowliving

~livingsimply~

Homekeeping ~ 

This week's focus was storage or the laundry room so I continued to focus on decluttering the "storage" (lol) of excess and miscellaneous items. I am a self professed pack rat and work diligently to avoid crossing over into hoarder territory. Admittedly, I do have a hard time letting some things go. Sometimes it may take me several passes of an area before I can release something. A fact I'm not proud of.😊

What I'm watching/reading ~

Each winter holiday season I love to watch all the various versions of A Christmas Carol  and Little Women. It has begun! This past week I watched the 1994 version of LW movie with Susan Sarandon. 

I don't have a favorite version of either movie, I love them all!

Highlight ~

Thanksgiving of course! And...

a brisk walk in the park with my Dollface was one of the highlights of the week! It was a chilly, blue skies kind of day and absolutely beautiful! 

I hope you and yours had a most delightful Thanksgiving.

Thanks for always joining me here in my quiet little corner of the world. I appreciate it more than you know!

💋xo, 

TJ

Thanksgiving Blessings to You and Yours!

 

A Peek Into Last Week (November 12 - 18)~

endeavor:

authentic•oldfashionedvalues•lowtech•slowliving

~livingsimply~

It has been a slow but uneventful week here. With a few glitches thrown in 😆. But, we carry on!

Homekeeping ~ 

 This weeks focus was the office, desk and paperwork. I managed to wade through a stack of old paper and toss, file and shred most of it.

I continue general decluttering and organizing. 

What I'm watching/reading ~

I enjoyed spending some time reading up on some of the fascinating history and fun facts about the great state of Texas, where I was born and bred, on this site. I occasionally recall my ex-husband (may he rest in peace) saying I couldn't be more "Texas" due to the fact that I was born in Texas City, Texas. I had never thought of it that way, lol.

Garden~

snow peas

It always fascinates me to go out to the garden and discover the seedlings that appear seemingly out of nowhere! And the never-ending self seeding abundance of basil at my fingertips year 'round!

basil and blue skies

Highlight ~

This little secret garden pathway that developed organically is definitely one of the highlights of my week. I imagine fantastical, enchanted  garden loving beings using it in the twilight of the evening! 

I hope your week was filled with things that brought you joy! And I hope that every day of every year you find something to be thankful for, not just during the month of November or on the upcoming holiday of Thanksgiving day itself. Each day is a gift, and that in itself is enough to be thankful for. May you have a wonderful, safe upcoming week!🦃

Thanks for stopping by!

💋xo, 

TJ