stuckinindiana: simple joys

Showing posts with label simple joys. Show all posts

25 May 2017

The Simple Joys - May in Indiana

The SIMPLE JOYS surround us... no matter where we are. Savor the simple joys: like blooming trees in Indiana or lush mountain greenery in the Kentucky mountains or... those things that surround YOU wherever YOU are!!

We changed the cover photo on the When You're StuckInIndiana Facebook page today to this shot taken while looking east from our backyard in the "land of stuckinindiana"...

Blooms on one of our ornamental trees -
a crabapple tree :)
Cameo by our NEIGHBOR, Eddy,
over by the white barn.

The old saying says, "April showers bring May flowers." It would seem that we got our fair share of showers in April and, we're getting an extra dose in May. In addition to a lot of rain, we've gotten some pretty strong winds. The wind the other day broke down and/or destroyed the blooms on all of our irises and many of our other flowers. It also continued to beat up on our fence out back:

I am choosing to "embrace the beauty in the broken" - ha ha! The hole in the fence makes a great frame for our wonderful open country view. It also makes this coming holiday weekend's fence tear-down and rebuild activity much easier :/

There's a lesson to be learned there :)

... and now to go outside in the rain to clean those clogged gutters...

18 October 2016

Enjoy the Little Things - #write31days 10-18-16

I'm not at our "house" this week. I'm at our tiny little 2-bedroom apartment in Kentucky. There are no chickens here to feed, water & let out to graze. There aren't 3.5 acres of property that is constantly reminding us that it wants to be wild... and not a real "lawn". There isn't a home full of possessions acquired over nearly 28 years of living in one town in need of being sorted through prior to our move to Kentucky (whenever that will be). I can't do any projects around the house or property to prepare it to be placed on the market next summer.

I'm in an apartment that can be cleaned in a matter of hours... with a small percentage of our clothes... with a small kitchen... with a tiny laundry closet & with really super small bedrooms. And, this week we have the Little with us her while her Mommy is taking a vacation with a cousin and being away from the Little for the first time EVER for any length of time.

Aside from tending to the needs & wants of our 3 1/2 year old girl, I don't have much that has to be done each day. The two things I need to work on are preparing posts for the When You're StuckInIndiana Facebook page and writing one blog post a day for the #write31days writing challenge.

So, I have been enjoying the little things...

holding the Little while she watches a PBS Kids show
reading books to our little one
taking drawing suggestions for the MagnaDoodle
playing dress-up
dancing like a ballerina
fixing fun meals
looking at Christmas decorations at WalMart
taking lemonade & cookie breaks a few times a day on the balcony
etc.

Today, as I look back with the eyes of a responsible adult, I don't see much that I accomplished other than 2 loads of laundry & a few dishes. But, I feel accomplished... because I have given my time & full attention to a young child whom I want to feel valued and loved. And, I have really enjoyed sharing the little things with her!!

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." ~ Robert Brault

5 Minute Free-For-All - Enjoy the Little Things - #write31days 10-18-16

11 December 2015

2015 November 1of3 ONE THOUSAND GIFTS

Three Gifts A Day: NOVEMBER 2015
Based on the book, One Thousand Gifts, (by Ann Voskamp) #1000Gifts #JoyDare
I took the 1,000 Gifts Dare for the year of 2012... continued in 2013... and 2014! Now, I'm into 2015 and almost to 2016!!! GOD IS FULL OF BLESSINGS...

November 2015... 1 of 3
Sun 11/01
4084. met goals - ALL THE TITLES FROM the 2015 #write31days challenge :P)

4085. after-church adventures

4086. enjoying a GORGEOUS 1st day of November outside

OPEN YOUR EYES...

I'm a broken record with this one... but, my life was deeply impacted when I opened & read Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts. More than anything, the book validated something I felt had been belittled over the years by so many of my respected peers, friends & mentors. What Ann wrote gave a voice to what I'd felt my entire life... the best things in life are in the moments -- no matter how small those things may be.

Laying on the grass in the summer looking for cloud animals
A mother & baby deer drinking from a small creek at the wood's edge
The daily changing colors of winter wheat in June & July
Smelling chili cooking in the crockpot when you get home on a cold day
The sound of snow crunching under your feet during a winter walkabout
Belly laughs from a little one
The reflection of white lights on the snow way after the rest of your neighbors have turned their lights off

#JoyDare No. 2911. Calling Out My Friends & Family Members

Pictures related to 9 people who were a
blessing to me in the month of August 2014

I prayed last night for God to order my steps* today. I have so many things that need to be done around my house and in my yard - 3.5 acres! This morning I woke up & asked God again to help me set my agenda for the day - so that I would be productive around here but more really, so that I would be effective

#JoyDare No. 2891. Iced Coffee by the Cement Pond

A friend asked for my recipe the other day when I shared the following picture and #JoyDare:

#JoyDare No. 2891. Iced Coffee by the Cement Pond

Iced Coffee with stuckinindiana
Ingredients:
2 cups cold coffee

3 heaping spoons of sugar

1/4 cup (approx) of half & half OR heavy whipping cream (yummiest)

One "booze drink shaker thingie with a lid & strainer cap in the lid"- full of ice

One tall glass with a straw - full of ice

Canister of whipped cream for topping if you are feeling especially fancy that day
And, if you are feeling extra fancy-schmancy that day, put in a drop of your favorite flavoring extract (e.g. vanilla, almond, hazelnut, pumpkin pie spice, cocoa, pecan, peppermint, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Heat the coffee in the microwave for 2-3 minutes (or on the stove to a boil)

2. Fill the booze drink shaker thingie with ice

3. Put the sugar on that ice

4. Pour the cream over the sugar & ice

5. Pour the hot coffee over that

6. Close the lid completely and SHAKE VIGOROUSLY

I sometimes think about what I am going to do to the LOML if he keeps leaving his dirty socks under the bed skirt!

7. Remove the little cap on the booze drink shaker thingier to strain the iced coffee from the shaker into your glass full of ice

8. Garnish if you wish with whipped cream :)

Yield:

2-3 glasses of delicious iced coffee

PS I always make sure the refill glasses have plenty of ice!

8/28/14 #JoyDare No. 2891. iced coffee by the cement pond
WHY? Because God is fun :)

18 July 2014

#JoyDare No. 2767. Beds Made Before Noon

... and then there are those mornings when the caregiver of a little one, whether that caregiver be Mommy, Daddy, G'Parent or someone else, just pushes things aside on the kitchen table for their own breakfast plate :) I post a lot of pictures via Twitter and on my blog & my Facebook page that might give the appearance that I have it all together. Let's just keep it real... I don't.

Our "Castle TreeHouse" for the first 44 of our 54 days here at Chautauqua is small... VERY SMALL! And, taking care of a toddler full-time (while mommy takes classes) is something that takes a LOT of time & energy. This morning I found myself preparing her breakfast & then pushing things aside to carve out a place for my own plate. I had to chuckle over the things I was dining beside.

I glanced up from my seat at the table & caught a glimpse of our bedroom. I smiled as I saw the two single beds (aka a trundle bed!) all made up & ready to serve as a place for changing diapers and changing clothes. That will be our place to sit to read a book or play a game. If we get a chance, we'll watch a portion of a movie (a KIDS MOVIE, of course) sitting there. The upper bed is my writing spot while the baby plays with toys, puzzles & baby dolls in her Pack N Play. Writing time is quite limited these days too :)

When I caught the view in front of me, I said...

Celebrate the little things & don't get stressed by something that seems to be a big thing today!

So, one of my "JoyDares" for the day is having the beds made before noon!

The Chautauqua adventure continues!

06 January 2014

2013 December ONE THOUSAND GIFTS #JoyDare

DECEMBER 2013

One Thousand Gifts (by Ann Voskamp)

#1000Gifts #JoyDare

Buy book here...

Buy Kindle edition here...

I took the 1,000 Gifts Dare for 2012...
and I'm almost done with 2013...
GOD IS FULL OF BLESSINGS!

Today I find JOY in...

12/1/13 Sun

2081. my church family

2082. celebrating the birthday girl

21 tomorrow - seriously!!

2083. safe travels for the LOML to/from Cinci

12/2/13 Mon - K is 21!?!?!?! WOW

2084. getting to see a very LOVEY baby to start out an early day!

2085. my eye sight - what a gift

Thankful to enjoy my mom's art work!

2086. Thanksgiving left-overs = YUMMY!

12/3/13 Tues

2087. foggy walk-about

2088. help cleaning the stainless steel refrigerator

2089. it's beginning to look (a little bit) like Christmas around here

12/4/13 Wed
2090. feeling encouraged about the pending WINTER
2091. 30 minutes of shopping :)
(I hate shopping... so, I go in, get what I want... and then LEAVE!)
2092. glimmers of hope in an area which was total darkness for a long time

12/5/13 Thurs
2093. Santa's elf shopping then a late nap which lasted until about 5pm!

2094. walking away the pounds & winter blues :)
2095. live theatre!

12/6/13 Fri
2096. successfully completed Day 3 of the 7-Day Challenge!
2097. Panera w/my long-time accountability partner & A who chatted with EVERYONE while we were there!
2098. first big snow tradition... Bonge's

12/7/13 Sat
2099. thankful for changes in the past year
2100. celebrating a WONDERFUL sister-friend

2101. less autumn & more Christmas
(working around the house)

12/8/13 Sun
2102. watching a baby wake up
2103. pre-lit Christmas trees - grrrrrr!
2104. OH MY WORD... first school program for our little GRAND, A

12/9/13 Mon
2105. back to my 7-day exercise challenge after missing Sat & Sun
2106. BFF Club - relaxed & quiet tonight - very unusual
2107. Bugles for dinner - 'tis the season where schedules get in the way from time to time!

12/10/13 Tues

2108. Cheerio's

2109. fresh evergreen from the property to decorate

2110. shadows - proof that there IS light!!

12/11/13 Wed

2111. restful night despite limited hours of sleep - I have a theory on that

2112. singing Christmas songs for the 2+ hour drive to Cinci
while this one slept peacefully

2113. new "DeeDee" in the world - my friend's daughter (a former show choir girl with my daughter) had a baby girl!!"

12/12/13 Thurs

2114. more decorating w/evergreens from out the back door

2115. feeling much better from exercising - why don't I keep this up year round?!?!?

2116. T&K helping J set up for tomorrow morning & doing chalk selfies:

12/13/13 Fri

2117. J's senior critique to prepare for her SENIOR SHOW next semester

Slab work - landscape ceramic

J's FINEST work of art yet!

2118. Lunch on Layke at AU

2119. A Christmas Carol - supporting the LOML

The wonder of a first Christmas

12/14/13 Sat

2120. relaxed morning - well for an hour or so

2122. feeding birdies outside my bedroom window :)

2123. bath time smiles

12/15/13 Sun

2124. church beside my hubby (aka the LOML)

2125. spending time shopping with T & K

2126. FINAL performance of A Christmas Carol - I get my husband back :)
(and a family tradition - photo bombs!)

12/16/13 Mon - A, 11 months old today!

2127. more organizing around the house

2128. 5 months of sleeping better - love being able to provide a safe, secure, positive environment for 2 of our favorite gals :)

2129. dinner w/family & friends who we claim as family!

12/17/13 Tues

2130. strength when I am worn out - has to be from God!

2131. safe travels

2132. pizza party & pool games w/J & T

12/18/13 Wed

2133. the LOML working from town today :)

I would prefer him working from home... but, from town is great too!

2134. finding art from when T. was 8 yrs old

2135. praying for my Stripped Love (formerly Butterflies of Hope ministry) women

12/19/13 Thurs

2136. throwing on snow boots & walking outside in my jammies to take gorgeous snow/sunrise pics

2137. fingerprinted for a Christmas present :)

2138. Christmas dishes
wanted some since I was a little girl, got them after 15+ yrs of marriage &
they make me HAPPY every time I see them :)

12/20/13 Fri

2139. checking items off the TO DO list - like a beast :)

2140. surprise present for the LOML - will it be a success

2141. big sissy in town

12/21/13 Sat

2142. another female HELPER around the house - thank you Auntie Cooah!

2143. friends of mine - a family divided!

2144. crockpot dinners = good & usually much easier

12/22/13 Sun

2145. Orchestra Sunday w/T. in town!

2146. a wiggly little girl who wanted MORE orchestra

2147. Sunday afternoon nap - much needed

12/23/13 Mon

2148. another female HELPER around the house - thank you Auntie Cooah!

DID I SAY THAT BEFORE!?!?!?!

2149. a clean master bedroom - who cares about the rest of the house - LOL!

2150. a hubby who doesn't mind picking up groceries on the way home for work

12/24/13 Tues

2151. Christmas Eve time together w/Mom & her 3 daughters

2152. the new "WOW!" look

2153. practically DONE w/wrapping presents - that is SO rare for me!

12/25/13 Wed

2154. watching A's FIRST Christmas

It's a Christmas explosion!

2155. watching A's FIRST STEPS on Christmas Day

2156. wonderful happy times with family!

12/26/13 Thurs

2157. early morning hugs and smiles when J & A returned to work/school

2158. 2 families praying for safety

2159. answered prayers - safe travels

12/27/13 Fri

2160. 4-hour nap for A. while Auntie Cooah was babysitting

2161. hair cut - don't let myself do that often

2162. the LOML - I just love that guy :)

12/28/13 Sat

2163. breakfast w/Aunt Kimmy!

2164. nice weather for shopping at Hamilton Towne Center w/A in a stroller

2165. early to bed

12/29/13 Sun

2166. early morning drive to airport - great conversation w/big sister :)

2167. church w/family - including the 11-month-old who loves to wave at ANYONE who will look at her!!

2168. MAJOR CLEANING BURST OF ENERGY - after about 2 wks of house guests

12/30/13 Mon

2167. a quiet morning - first time in a while

2168. Solomon watching A as she played w/new things from Christmas

2169. impromptu dinner w/BnK

12/31/13 Tues

2170. packing up things at "the apartment"
2171. family meal & fellowship for our New Year's Eve celebration

2172. a day that ended on actually the NEXT day :)
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

DECEMBER 2013 #1000Gifts #JoyDare

Linking with the Ann Voskamp Holy Experience Community

I've taken the 1,000 Gifts Dare for 2012 & 2013... click on the links below for specific months...

1000 Gifts 11/13
1000 Gifts 10/13
1000 Gifts 9/13
1000 Gifts 8/13
1000 Gifts 7/13

1000 Gifts 6/13
1000 Gifts 5/13
1000 Gifts 4/13
1000 Gifts 3/13

1000 Gifts 2/13
1000 Gifts 1/13

02 December 2013

2013 November ONE THOUSAND GIFTS #JoyDare

NOVEMBER 2013

One Thousand Gifts (by Ann Voskamp)

#1000Gifts #JoyDare

Buy book here...

Buy Kindle edition here...

I took the 1,000 Gifts Dare for 2012...
and now I'm well into the 1,000 Gifts Dare for 2013...

Today I find JOY in...

11/1/13 Fri

1991. HOPE ideas for last month - more than I could share in 31 days!

1992. the beautiful colors of autumn

1993. the JOY this little girl had giving out candy...

to our ONE Trick or Treater :)

11/2/13 Sat

1994. a washer & dryer
and many other modern-day blessings that make my life easier!

1995. spring cleaning - in November :)

1996. father & daughter time!

11/3/13 Sun

1997. 5 cousins (in their early 20's) sitting in church together

1998. G'MaBev's candied apples

1999. a Christian heritage

11/4/13 Mon

2000. the LOML working from home - very rare during the week!
2001. support & love of cousins

2002. hot apple cider, apples & caramel, DWTS cousin party

11/5/13 Tues

2003. early morning hugs & kisses
2004. the ticking of a $5 clock in the great room that reminds me of my grandma's grandfather clock when I was a little girl

2005. extra chances to show unconditional love

11/6/13 Wed

2006. Baby Einstein & a rocking chair
for someone who is NOT used to Daylight Savings Time yet
2007. giving advise (sometimes)
How to transition a cozy baby who is fast asleep in her warm carseat into her crib which is as cold as the house - 66 degrees... put a fleece blanket & her lovey into the dryer on hot for a few minutes; fold & roll them together & carry to crib; unroll warm blanket in crib; gently place sleeping baby onto warm blanket & place warm lovey in her arms; cover her with the warm blanket she had in her carseat
2008. warm fleece throw blankets for the entire family :)

11/7/13 Thurs

2009. the root of all evil (inside joke)

2010. baby snoring paired with classical music

2011. watching my mom smile while watching her great-granddaughter

11/8/13 Fri

2012. leaving too early for an appointment

2013. 4 generations out to lunch :)

2014. long Facebook statuses -- every once in awhile

November 8th - Thankful that I had a passion at a very young age to be a doctor. Thankful that I took possibly every biology class offered by AU when I was there. I ended up being a mom full time & don't regret that one bit. However, in taking all those classes & with the passion I had for medicine, I was educated well for days down the road when I would sit beside both parents in various doctor appointments & be able to help them better understand what was said in the appointment.
Psalm 139:4-7 https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.139.4-7.nlt

11/9/13 Sat

2015. walking & talking with a dear friend

2016. reminder that I'm not a fan of shopping
(especially when the voices start)

2017. tiny baby teeth - someone got their first this week :)

11/10/13 Sun

2018. romance - even when the park is closed & you eat your lunch in a parking lot

2019. too much caffeine - some extra cleaning got done

2020. daddy daughter bonding
(watching Burn Notice together)

11/11/13 Mon
2021. saying "I love you" as family members head out to work & school
2022. my front yard :)

2023. "Innie" belly buttons - bahahaha!

11/12/13 Tues
2024. desire to stay at home - worshiping, reading, writing
2025. watching lacey snowflakes fall with A
2026. watching Downton Abbey AGAIN - as J watched it for the first time

11/13/13 Wed

2027. a house with heat - brrrrrrr it's cold here

2028. walkabout at 23 degrees - LAYERS being the key

2029. a surprise visit to a friend while A slept peacefully in her carseat

11/14/13 Thurs

2030. sunshine & pretending that winter isn't coming - LOL

2031. reading stories to baby dolls

2032. my silly sense of humor

Posted this on Facebook:

Someone at A Christmas Carol rehearsal please let Bob Cratchit know

that his "other woman" has dinner waiting for him

11/15/13 Fri - COUPLE'S THERAPY WEEKEND :)

2033. making it to a dinner reservation despite horrible traffic

2034. awesome cuisine & chocolate mousse for dessert - be still my beating heart

2035. just me & the LOML at a hotel :)

11/16/13 Sat (10-month b'day for A)

2036. reading for over an hour beside my sleeping LOML in the morning

2037. finding "happy's" for our little one

2038. the LOML's silly sense of humor

Smile Honey :)

11/17/13 Sun

2039. leisurely morning before check out

2040. one last romantic lunch date b4 going home

2041. safety in the storms!

11/18/13 Mon

2042. laundry room with LOTS of counter space!

2043. clearance table decor for my house

2044. reminders of God's faithfulness on Facebook & Twitter

11/19/13 Tues

2045. winter blues setting in... is this a good thing??

2046. working through the "fog" & accomplishing things

2047. seeing the eyes of the father of my babies when he looks at his grandbaby - it's a mutual love affair!

11/20/13 Wed

2048. frosted mornings

2049. picking up our little one...

Love my church. Love picking up Ayla so her Mommy can go to classes. Love when #SiriusXM is playing great worship songs as soon as we get into the car :)

2050. dinner waiting for Bob Cratchit :)

11/21/13 Thurs

2051. a hubby who loves our kids SO MUCH

2052. taking J & A to CCM for K's recital

2053. safe drive to/from Cinci

11/22/13 Fri

2054. good report from Mom's Dr appt but, I am a space cadet:

November 22nd - Thankful that my sister understood that I meant to say BIOPSY and not AUTOPSY as I was reporting back to her about my mom's doctor appointment earlier today! My sisters are very understanding with me (and fun!).

2055. TGIF - what a week!

2056. friends through the BFFClub