Seven Sentences for Sunday

Seven Sentences for Sunday: The Heading into the End of the Twenties Edition

  1. I made some financial, health, and creative resolutions. I didn’t share them last year and I made good headway on all fronts. So superstitious me is keeping them to myself so I don’t jinx all the progress I’ve made. 
  2. That being said, I went down a pants size! 
  3. The best part about new pants that fit in a smaller size is they make you feel cute and sexy all day, but after I’ve eaten dessert, I can unbutton them and they become my comfy pants til it’s time for bed. 
  4. I got one last Christmas moment. I am always transported to a magical place when the tree lights are the only light in the room. 
  5. I’ve already gotten J’s and Ez’s birthday gifts for their birthdays at the end of March. I have to get The Mayor’s gift for his birthday in February then I am taking a few months off before I start on Christmas shopping for next year. 
  6. I am hand making R and J’s advent calendars for next year, so I will start collecting for those in March. 
  7. I was supposed to have lunch with my BFF after Christmas but he came down with norovirus and had to cancel. I have an entire file in my Notes of discussion questions the next time we get together. It is getting longer by the day, so we are going to have to make a date sooner rather than later. How often do you catch up with your BFF?

I love you all, some more than others. 💜🌻

Last night of Christmas lights. Goodbye Christmas magic til December!

Seven Sentences for Someday: The Snowy Monday Edition

  1. When I am super hungry, I get highly irrational. Adam will ask me how many squares of pizza I want and I respond “Eighteen” and he says, “Hmmm. How about we start with three.” And of course he is always right. I hope we never lose this type of interaction. 
  2. Ez killed their senior pictures. We got proofs and they are outstanding. 
  3. R turned 19. The last year of her teens. I know so many good things are going to happen for her this year and she is going to go into her 20s soaring.
  4. The Mayor and I had early dinner out on Friday at one of our old haunts, Dos Amigos. I was thrilled the waiter checked out my cleavage and smiled, only for me to realize it’s because I had already spilled salsa down my top in the 25 seconds between him dropping off the chips and coming back to take our order. I’m 48 and still hopeless. 😩
  5. Today is our first day of snow. I love how peaceful and quiet it is, but only because I don’t have to be anywhere. 
  6. I accidentally dipped my thumb into a 460 degree water bath that I was pulling out of the oven when I made homemade baguettes. My entire thumb is one big blister now, which makes texting and typing a very surreal experience. 
  7. I finished and submitted my 1% Club application this morning. I don’t know if I could make it to the 100k, but it sure would be fun trying!! For my video I sang a made up song to the tune of Seasons of Love from Rent. Fingers crossed they like me enough to cast me!

I love you all, some more than others. 💜🌻

Seven Sentences for Sunday: The Six Sentences and a Hefty Paragraph Edition

Meticulously take one red and one purple every night. This is what remains. If something is off in the universe when I start taking two purple, you know why.
  1. I just approved a comment from a reader from 2020. Somehow I missed it in my review tab and it has been sitting there for 5 years.Apologies, dear reader. -100 for Destiny!
  2. I had my zoom call with Alan Alda and he is an amazing, brilliant, deep man who has all of his faculties, despite dealing with the tremors of early Parkinson’s. I am so blessed to have been able to share space with him. We talked about the meaning of life and it was fascinating to hear everyone’s stories and his response to them. 
  3. Just when I thought the Bengals had their season back on track, our defense gives up 39 points to the freaking Jets and we lose.  Sigh. 
  4. My BFF has started a podcast with a friend about being in recovery. I encourage you to check it out and give it a listen (especially Episode 2) wherever you get your podcasts. It is called Terminal Addiction and you can find them on YouTube, Spotify, instagram, and Facebook. 
  5. Last night The Mayor made a dupe of the famous Golden Lamb shepherds pie, complete with sun-dried tomatoes, Lima beans, peas, carrots, lamb, and a crust of Parmesan cheddar on top of the mashed potatoes. It was outstanding and the best part is we have enough for leftovers tonight, which means the Mayor doesn’t have to cook!
  6. Fridays and Sundays are the only days where I don’t have a commitment. The Mayor works those days, so I have a good 7 hours to myself to get caught up on work and binge the shows he won’t watch. I am eagerly awaiting the return of Emily in Paris and am neck deep in the new Kristen Bell show Nobody Wants This. 
  7. I look forward to Friday nights because The Mayor and I celebrate the end of the week with a joint after I close my computer at 5. I love this ritual and it helps me set aside all of the stresses of the week for an evening of contemplation and traveling the universe. This week Friday night joint was my birthday joint and was infused, so it packed a punch. I had some personal issues with a family member that had been wreaking havoc on my psyche and two puffs in, I was able to release all of that angst into the universe and trust that it would all work out. I got a perspective on a problem that I sorely needed and I was able to let it go. The next day the personal issue worked itself out and I had a load off my shoulders. Now, am I suggesting you should get high when you are faced with an unresolved issue? I mean, I’m not not saying it. Just kidding. But I think we should maybe not be so afraid of a plant with proven medicinal benefits.

I love you all, some more than others 💜🌻

Seven Sentences for Sunday: The 48th Birthday Wish Edition

  1. Our neighbors had a baby so I dropped off flowers and a Panera gift card and today they flagged me down to give me a thank you note. Ezra noticed the note when they got in the car and said, “Who sent you a message via carrier pigeon?!” I guess they don’t see handwritten letters very often. Haha.
  2. In my twenties I used to be paranoid that people would know if I’d just had sex, like I somehow radiated the JBF look. Now as I’m in my late 40’s I have no qualms about a quickie in the morning and then running carpool an hour later. I guess being 47 means realizing that people really don’t know or care. 
  3. One of my simplest pleasures is learning something new from one of my engineering articles and passing that tidbit on to my mom. She loves receiving those texts and is always enthusiastic with her replies. I hope I have 25 more years of those exchanges!
  4. I hit up Kroger this morning for their $5.99 sale on seapaks as well as their 33% off Halloween candy. Got stocked up on salmon, cod, and tilapia as well as bags of snickers, Twix, and skittles. Had to get in before the crazy church crowd terrorizes the public. 
  5. Sundays seem to be my catch up day with my BFF. We text over football about our weeks and all the progress we have made toward our goals. It’s nice to have a sympathetic ear when the world gets to be too much. 
  6. I’m not sure if it’s my bipolar or my neurodivergence, but I have half a dozen active projects in various stages of development and at least 50 more simmering in my brain. My brain can be a lot sometimes. 
  7. It’s the start of my birthday week! I’ll be 48 on Wednesday and my birthday wish this year is for it to be the year I start menopause. It’s about time and I’m about done. Let’s just finish it already. 

I love you all, some more than others. 💜🌻

Seven Sentence for Sunday: The trying new things edition

  1. I finally went to a free crochet class that I have been meaning to attend for the past few months and I made three new friends and am well on my way to making a dish rag.
  2. I am also relearning French via Duo Lingo and am at a level 43 out of 160, so I have a ways to go.
  3. Biscuits and gravy for dinner tonight; sometimes we have lots of veggies, tonight we had none. I ain’t complaining, that gravy was delicious!
  4. I am 3 pounds away from losing 50 lbs from my top weight. I wouldn’t mind losing 50 more, but I’d be happy with 30-40. I think my doctor would be fine with that too. I just seem to be okay with losing at a turtle’s pace—especially if it means I get biscuits and gravy for dinner every three months!
  5. Harvard released their applications for their extension campus. I have vowed that when we get moved and settled I am going to apply for my masters in creative writing. I feel like I should be able to finish my novel as a capstone project.
  6. WWE’s women only event Evolution is on tonight. When Rhea Ripley walked into the arena with no makeup on I swear my heart took an extra beat. That woman does things to men and women alike!
  7. This is the first time I have written in 3 years. In the spirit of doing new things I figured I d revisit an old thing while I was at it. I am glad to be back, for however long.

Seven Sentences for Sunday: The Kids Chime In Edition

  1. I broke my New Year’s resolution and missed 2 weeks of SSFS. I am not to be deterred, however, and am picking up where I left off.
  2. The kids have decided to help me with this week’s SSFS, which eases the burden of coming back from a break.
  3. Sometimes a waffle is just a holy pancake—-J, philosophically.
  4. This game is bullcrap!—Ez upon realizing she had Zero pie pieces to my and Jolie’s 5 a piece in Trivial Pursuit Family Edition.
  5. Isn’t Kenya a singer?—Ez, confusing Enya with the Geography question.
  6. Keemstar is weird.—My strange little child R’s contribution to the list.
  7. And we’ll end with another Ez-ism. “Mom–notice anything different about me?” as she presented herself before me after a trip to the bathroom. I scanned for any trace of makeup or perfume and then said, “Give me a hint.” She said, “Nothing is different. I just wanted to trick ya.” So there.

I love you all, some more than others.

Seven Sentences for Sunday: The Pushing It Edition

  1. I wish I had a camera fixed on The Mayor when Roman Reigns was called at #30 for the Royal Rumble. He was a 5 year old boy with arms crossed and pouting as if he had just been told he had to finish his brussels sprouts before getting his dessert.
  2. We are at the beginning of week 3 of DDPYoga and I am down 5 lbs. I’m aiming for 8 more lbs before our next official weigh-in on February 23. I can do it!
  3. The Mayor’s birthday is on Thursday–he hit’s the big 39, just 4 months behind me. And J picked out the coolest present for him that is right up his alley–I can’t wait.
  4. One of our boy cats, Bernie, has a little stuffed monkey that he plays with and leaves for us to find in random places. The other day we came home after a particularly long day out and found it smack in the middle of Adam’s side of the bed. He must’ve known it’s Adam’s birthday week.
  5. There’s a market called Fresh Thyme not too far from our house and they have the absolute best yogurt with the cream on the top like they have in Europe. Spooning off that creamy goodness completely makes my day.
  6. I took the kids to see Hidden Figures and R was struck by the fact that not only were African Americans treated poorly, but so were the women. Ez chimed in and said she thought they should have had a girlcott instead of a boycott. Sweet children’s minds….
  7. I really want to see LaLa Land. I might have to take myself to the movies in the next week or so so The Mayor doesn’t have to be subjected to a musical.

I love you all, some more than others.

Seven Sentences for Sunday: The Blank Space Edition

  1. I might have to make this Seven Sentences for Monday since that seems to be the only day I remember to do them.
  2. I am really regretting not taking the kids to the women’s march in Cincinnati on Saturday–I think witnessing and taking part in a peaceful protest would have been good for them, and me. Alas, I played chauffeur for J and a friend to the movies instead. Missed opportunities.
  3. The Mayor and I took “before” pictures and measurements today for DDP Yoga. It’s ridiculous how inflexible I am. I am looking forward to seeing my progress after a month.
  4. I have had Fitz and the Tantrums’ “Roll Up” looping in my head–it’s a ridiculously fun song but I know exactly none of the words, which makes it difficult to sing along.
  5. While selling Girl Scout cookies with Ez yesterday an approximately 95 year old man answered the door wearing an adult diaper and a robe that was completely open. After we left (he didn’t buy anything) Ez looked at me and said, “Mom, I think I’m scarred for life.” I don’t blame her.
  6. Aziz Ansari was amazing on SNL. His monologue was on point and his acting in the sketches was awesome. I’m looking forward to Master of None coming back to Netflix.
  7. After selling cookies in 63 degree weather on Sunday, I am ready for spring. So is Ez as she skipped along the sidewalk singing, “I am ready for spring….” Alas, the weather calls for 30 degree temperatures over the next week, so we are still in winter mode for a while. Boo.

I love you all, some more than others.

Seven Sentences for Sunday: The Here We Go Again Edition

  1. The Mayor and I gifted ourselves with the DDP Yoga workout package–we did the first instructional this morning and are pouring with sweat.
  2. DDP has so many success stories from people who have changed their lives, we can’t help but be inspired. If that 500 lb man can drop 315 lbs and touch his nose to his knees, then I can no longer use my medicines as an excuse for my extra pudge.
  3. How do you get your child to stop asking for stuff? I think R asks for stuff just to ask for it–she certainly doesn’t need it. She got a hand sanitizer and a body spray and Bath and Body Works just because her sisters had gift cards and got something for themselves–a he didn’t want to be left out. And not 10 minutes later she asked for a new book from Barnes and Noble. Sometimes it seems like it’s never enough.
  4. Following up on #3, I have grateful kids who appreciate what they have, but it doesn’t hold their attention long. Drives me crazy.
  5. J is no longer allowed to hang out with one of her best friends because her friend’s parents are afraid that J is going to turn her gay. I never thought J’s open mindedness and self-proclaimed pansexuality would be used against her in this day and age—so disappointed in other people.
  6. Ez knows the difference between figuratively and literally and how to use them correctly. I am so proud of her–and impressed with the Language Arts program at her school.
  7. The bright side of the new medicine? I’m not tired all the time and don’t require 11-12 hours of sleep at night. I can now get by on 9-10–which seems like bragging to some people, but I can still do a lot with my day if I’m up by 9:30 instead of 11:30. Hooray for small victories.

I love you all, some more than others.

Seven Sentences for Sunday: The Shh, It’s Monday Edition

  1. I feel like I was suddenly thrust into adulthood this past week when we plunked down $12K for a new HVAC system because our last one was a fire hazard—thank goodness for 60 months same as cash. Practically like buying a car!
  2. I took the kids and J’s friend, Ava, to see Sing! on Tuesday before school started back. A welcome relief from the stressors of school.
  3. J is on restriction from her electronics for the rest of the month—this hurts me more than it hurts her, I think. Or at least as much so.
  4. I totally meant to sit down and write yesterday but the rush of three kids smothering me with hugs and kisses got in the way and I forgot. At least I’m my own editor and can only chastise myself so much before shrugging it off and writing on Monday instead.
  5. Switching meds again is no fun, but at least this time wasn’t met with ridiculous weight gain like the other times.
  6. The med switch does have me hearing the crackles and pops of the Universe in a whole new way–it’s comforting.
  7. It’s snowed, which means I am officially done with winter now and spring can come soon. How am I going to make it through the next two months???

I love you all, some more than others!