A Week to Regroup

I'll be heading home tomorrow from a week of vacation in Branson, Missouri. My sister and I joined my aunt & uncle there and we've had a wonderful time.  The days were sporadically sunny and mild. We've had lots of clouds and some rain. Today was quite cool. We caught a couple of shows, rode a riverboat, took a train ride, visited a fish hatchery, shopped, and just sat around reading and watching movies. I visited the tiny pool once and it was freezing and not really big enough to swim in, which is what I like to do. Oh, and we had the usual photo ops.

For the whole week, I didn't write anything, not even emails. I did check my mail and visit Facebook but for the most part, computer time has been less than an hour a day, virtually unheard of for me. There were a few times I thought I should try and write but it just didn't seem to happen. That doesn't mean I wasn't thinking. During our trip to the fish hatchery, which was actually quite interesting, I began to think about a possible NaNo story involving the hatchery. I realized after we left that I should have asked questions but I was too busy looking at the layout and figuring out exactly how this story might work. I have a couple of months to plan.

To tell you the truth, I've benefited from it. I just didn't think about anything much, just let myself take each day as it came. That's probably what a vacation is supposed to be like. Just do whatever, with no real itinerary and enjoy the moment. Yes, we planned things, but usually around breakfast. My uncle was ill a couple of times and we just stayed in and relaxed.


Friday will be a long ride back to Indiana and I'm hoping the weather will be nice. It has gone down hill rather quickly and it is quite cool tonight, in the 50's. I think most of the week at home is to be sunny and in the 70's so that will be good. I have lots to do when I get back.

Boring Week

A long week finally hits the mid-point. It has been hot and I've stayed inside except for mandatory excursions. My neck is a bit of a problem this week but I think I've caused it. I've been on the computer more.

On Monday Sarah, Mike and I went to the church Labor Day picnic. I've got shots from that here:

Nothing fancy, mind you. And not very good either. The day was overcast but there was a nice breeze that kept it pleasant outside. The property is really a beautiful place with lots of room for us to do things like this. The food was really excellent. I got one helping of Sister Connie's banana pudding. I got it before I got my lunch and a good thing. I was hoping for seconds and it was gone by then. I need to just buy the makings and make my own. Need to reduce it to a smaller size though. I'll look into that.

On Tuesday, it was my Sarah's 8th birthday. We had cake and ice cream at her house and I got her some new books. She's just growing up so fast. But still my best girl.

I'm really rather tired for some reason. I have not been sleeping well. Lots of weird dreams I can't remember. I had one where I was talking really weird... like a buzzing noise. That was odd and a bit disconcerting. It is all I remember about it, too. I didn't like it when I woke up from it.

I've managed to work out the kinks in two stories that I've been working on for two  years! That's a bit awesome. I don't mean I'm done with them but I've made some sense out of them, to me anyway. Now to get it down.

I'm having problems remembering to eat. I am usually sick by the time I remember to put something in me. It is very annoying. I don't really get very hungry. I ate regular meals when I worked because the clock told me to but sometimes I still wouldn't be hungry. Now, I don't have schedules driving me so eating isn't a priority... mentally anyway. I'm kind of sick at the moment because all I've had today is coffee. And I really don't want anything now. I've noticed I'm only able to go about 5 hours before I feel ill. But it isn't hunger, well, I don't feel hungry. And despite that, I'm not losing weight.

I'm going. I really have to find food so I don't pass out. What a bore the week has been.

A Handle on Time

Things are just rather strange these days. I don't know what day it is most of the time. It seems that my life was geared to a clock in a way I never noticed. My day started at 7 a.m. and ended around 6 p.m. I only say six because that's about when I finished up any evening meal I would have after work and after that I was pretty much useless.

Now that I'm retired, I get up and don't know what day it is. I still have my alarm set for 7 a.m. but I may get up at 7 or 8 or 9. A few times I got up at 6 a.m. and didn't know what time it was because the clock hadn't gone off. The sky was very light so I just thought it was time to get up. When I realized the time I was annoyed. Of course I didn't go back to bed because what would be the point. I was up and awake.

Anyway, days of the week are the most difficult. I really can't seem to keep track. I've missed a couple of appointments because of this disorientation. I probably should get a calendar and put it up. The clock photos shows an astrological clock and it provides not only time, but the months with the astrological signs, not that I care, and I think day of the week. That's what I need on the wall in the living room. And it is rather pretty.

I haven't needed a calendar at home for a long time. I live alone and I used my work calendar since that is where most of my time was managed. I use Google Calendar to schedule personal appointments but that means I have to be on my computer or have my phone in my hand. When I worked I knew the weekends because there were only two days, never enough time, and I was exhausted. No one had to tell me it was Saturday.

This week I'm trying to turn over a new leaf... not really.. I just want to attempt to structure my time better. I want to spend less time on the computer wasting time and more time writing. I also have to clean up and dispose of a lot of stuff that is lying around. I have to do some wall patching, painting, and just clean out the storage areas to get rid of stuff I haven't touched in years. Cleaning my house was something I used to relish. Now, I can't seem to let go of anything. Still, I want to try. I'd like to get back to crochet and sewing but of course I have to get those areas cleaned out. They're just cluttered and not very useful at the moment. I'm not a full fledged hoarder... yet, but I can see how easily I could become one.

So, today is Monday. I have an appointment this morning and Sarah will come after school today. I have to finish the laundry. I worked on that a couple of days ago and am almost done with it. I hate folding sheets. A lot. But it has to be done. Once the laundry is done. I have to start looking patching the damage to the ceiling and sanding the area already patched in that room from some repairs done... a while ago. It is hard and dusty work. I figure if I take it slow I'll be fine.

If I'm lucky, I might have enough stuff to get rid of that I could actually set it out for a small yard sale. I'm not optimistic but one can only hope. If I made $10 I'd be ahead.

Bad Habits

I was wracking my brain about ideas for a post today and finally succumbed to my trusty list of sites that have ideas for blog posts. Somehow that always seems like cheating. I read through several on one list before finding one. I don't know why it was so hard. Honestly, the suggestions were not that complicated. Here's one. What is the one thing you're most ashamed of and why? Actually, the questions was to list my bad  habits or addictions and if and how I've tried to get rid of them.

Seriously. I'm in a quandary over it. My bad habits are not really something I'd go around telling anyone about. Would you? Admittedly, I don't have a tremendous amount of bad habits. I'm obsessive about certain things. I like order and structure. Clutter agitates me. No really, it does. I get very stressed when things are cluttered. I have two rooms right now that I avoid looking in because I've got to go in there and straightened things up. I finished the living room except for rehanging pictures and getting a couple of wall lamps. My plan is to take a room a week and work on it,  clearing out the stuff that needs to be disposed of or put away.

I suppose my worst habit is putting things off. I've gotten worse at this in the last few years. I know something needs doing and I drag my heels. I don't know why and I don't know how to fix it. But is this really a bad habit or just laziness?

No, I can't put my finger on a really bad habit. Sometimes I go to bed without showering. Not often but I've had a few days where I was so exhausted and felt so bad that I really didn't care. I usually change the sheets the next day and get a shower as soon as I get up.

Oh, and sometimes I forget to brush my teeth. This really is a terrible thing. Of course, I always go and brush them as soon as I remember... unless I'm at the doctor's office. . . or something like that.

I eat things I know are terrible for me,  like ice cream. Of course, that's made with milk and women need extra calcium so I think this isn't a very bad habit at all.

In more recent months, I've neglected to put away the laundry. . . for up to three weeks. I know! I know! Terrible! But I just pull out what I need and leave the rest. I do hang up my street clothes... most of the time.

Oh.. wait... sometimes... I forget to ... really this is just terrible.... I forget to take the garbage to the street, sometimes for two weeks in a row! They've given us these huge dumpsters on wheels that we just roll down but I just forget. I generally leave it at the street so I have to carry the garbage to the street and dump it in the container.

I'm sure there's probably more bad habits I have but I have to think about it. I think these might be the worst.

Oh, and I have, once or twice, belched in public. But I always say excuse me.

A Tasty Dinner

Mike and I had supper tonight together. I'm trying to show him some easy recipes that he can make for himself and freeze some of it for later. Tonight it is a family favorite:

 Chili Rice Dinner

This is a delicious pan meal that I fed my family of four with for years. It works well with cheesy bread and side dishes are up to you. We rarely needed them, but a salad is a pleasant contrast.

My substitute items are for my convenience only. I've made it either way. If you're a cook, you may have all this stuff to hand. I'm all about shortcuts. You can also prepare this in the microwave if you like. Instructions follow the main recipe.





Ingredients you'll need:

1. Ground Beef
2. Onion
3. Chili Powder
4. Dry Mustard seasoning (and some Southwestern Seasoning for more bite)
5. Whole kernel corn
6. Bell pepper
7. Tomato sauce
8. Water
9. Minute Rice
10. Cheese

Instructions and Measurements:

Brown in a skillet over medium heat:

• 1 lb of ground beef (I always buy 80/20 but the higher fat content probably will work just as well)
• 1/3 cup chopped onion (I substitute dehydrated minced or chopped onions 1/4 cup soaked in hot water for about 20 minutes.)
• Drain fat if necessary. (this may not be necessary with low fat meats.)

Add following ingredients and bring to FULL boil, stirring occasionally.

• 1 Tbl chili power (I've also added things to make it a bit more spicy. If you like spicy foods, add your spice of choice. I've used Mexican seasoning and creole seasoning.)
• 1/2 tsp dry mustard
• 1 package whole corn 10 oz (I use a can of sweet corn drained)
• 1 cup diced bell pepper (I buy the multi-color peppers, chop them up and freeze them to have on hand anytime.)
• 1 15oz can tomato sauce

Stir in:

• 1/2 cup of water
• 1 cup of Minute Rice
• Turn head low and simmer for 5 minutes. Turn heat off.

Top with:  

• 1/2 cup of shredded cheeses ( If I don't have cheese to shred I use slices of American cheese.)
• Once cheese melts, serve.

Microwave instruction:

Remember microwaves differ. Please err on the side of caution and reduce the times until you know what works best. If something isn't done, add a minute more until you reach desired result.

• Break up beef in small chuncks in a 2 qt non-metal baking dish. Add onion, cook high power 4 minutes. Drain any fat.

• Stir in spices, corn, pepper & tomato sauce. Omit water. Cover and cook 4 minutes.

• Stir in rice, cover and cook 4 minutes longer.

• Sprinkle with cheese and cook 1 minute to melt.

#recipe

#ChiliRiceCasserole

#ChiliRice