Share Your World ~ 1/24/23

Thanks Di for hosting. I’m tossing in my two cents, worth 1/2 a penny. HERE are the rules and ping back.

1. Do you find it relatively easy to fall asleep at night? I do but staying asleep is my problem. Until my 40s I had no issues.
2. Do you remember your dreams? Only if I write them down immediately.
3. If you can’t sleep, do you watch TV, read or listen to music in the hope you will nod off? Most nights I read myself to a drowsy enough state to fall asleep easily.
4. Can you literally sleep anywhere (chair, sofa, bus, train, flight etc)? Not really. At least not comfortably. When I was a kid, we traveled a lot in our station wagon. No matter what time we left, I would climb into the way way back and fall asleep almost immediately. I think that was self preservation. 🤣

Di writes … Gratitude: Flowers from a child, be they weeds or roses, have equal worth.

Yes! It’s why a macaroni necklace from a child’s art project is worth more than gold. These 2 are my gratitude. They still look like this to me. Certainly not 25 & 34.

Lulu and Pony

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Share Your World ~ 1/17/23

Di gives us the questions & I share my two cents. To join us, HERE are the rules & ping back. And away we go …

This week’s questions:

1. What is the most comfortable vehicle you have even ridden in or driven? That’s easy, a Hummer. There’s a story about that. For milestone work anniversaries, we got to go out for lunch & invite guests. In 2009, on my 25th, we were planning how to get to the restaurant & Cheryl, our Administrative Assistant tells my big boss Mark “why are we discussing this? You’re driving her!” Funny thing is no one wanted to ride with him. Ha-ha. He’s not intimidating but ya know, executives simply by title can un-nerve some people. My immediate supervisor, TB, my one brave friend Mel, and I rode in the Hummer with the big guy. LOL. The other attendees opted to meet us there. Okay after all that backstory, I rode up front, felt like we floated among the clouds. The seats in that vehicle were like butter, I tell ya what. Real leather I presume. Who knows? Maybe just faux leather but so soft which was odd for a vehicle that was originally not made for public use & I’m sure was much less comfy.
2. What is the most uncomfortable vehicle you have even ridden in or driven? Hmm, that one is harder. Probably our 1983 Mazda truck that we kept for less than a year. Every other vehicle we owned was kept until they were more costly to repair than they were worth. The Mazda was standard transmission so when I drove it, we were being jerked all over the ranch roads. That’s the only place I was allowed to drive it. Fun times though. “Jill you’re grinding the gears, stop it!” Then we’d promptly stall. Because ya know, B told me to stop it. 😉
3. Have you ever ridden a horse (or a donkey at the seaside)? Not at the seaside but we rode horses in trail rides & on an 8th grade field trip to Bandera.
4. If you could have one of these as a pet, which would it be and why? Black panther, cheetah, leopard, lynx. Hmm, a lynx since I think it is the smallest of the bunch. Still a ‘big cat’ but not as big.

Gratitude:
Never forget to tell the Special Someone in your life that you love them. Yep never. I say I love you to B & the kids everyday, sometimes more than once. The word love comes easy to me. Some may not think I’m genuine but I mean it to my core. My favorite meme floating around the internet lately. If someone can hate for no reason, I can love for no reason. Well my reason is because life is short. No time for hate. The Oz Man wasn’t so Crazy Train after all. “Maybe it’s not too late to learn how to love & forget how to hate”

As always, more to come.

Share Your World ~ 1/10/23

Thanks Di for hosting. Here are the rules & pingback. Now for my two cents worth 1/2 penny.

1.  How long did it take you to get back into your normal routine after the holidays? Like riding a bike, I never forget my normal routine & slip back in easily. Sad but true. Work, work, & more work. Ooh ear worm.

2. Which makes you feel more relaxed, putting your feet up in front of the fire with a good book or socialising with your friends? The book is more relaxing but socializing in a small group, like my immediate family, the brain trust is a close second. We let our snark fly & that is oddly relaxing.

3. What is your favourite hot drink? Caramel apple oat milk latte from Starbucks. It was limited time only & they’ve replaced it with a pistachio latte now. The pistachio is good but not quite as good as the apple. Yum!

4.  If you are feeling poorly, do you prefer to be pampered, or left alone? Left alone.

Gratitude:
It costs nothing to be kind, but one kind word can be priceless to the recipient. I agree. In a world where you can be anything, be kind!

Share Your World ~ 1/3/23

Di has provided the first SYW questions for 2023. HERE are the rules and ping back. Now let’s see what I can come up with.

1. Did you stay up to see the New Year in? Nope I fell asleep reading. However around midnight, we were woken from our slumber by a barrage of fireworks like we haven’t heard in the almost 23 years we’ve lived here. People had something to say that’s for sure.
2. Are there any special occasions or events coming up in 2023 for you or your family? Not really. Lulu is engaged but hasn’t set a date. That will be our one special occasion for 2023 or maybe early 2024.
3. Do you keep a diary? I journal infrequently these days but always have one going. Writing helps release the hounds. In a round about way, my blog is my diary.
4. How did yesterday differ from January 1st 2022 or was there no difference? No difference. A day off work to do as I please. Not sure if all days are special or if no days are special because it’s all the same. Not in a sad way more like eat dessert first or use the good towels. Live a little while we still can. Don’t wait for the holidays. Kick up your heels now just because.

Gratitude:
A smile is infectious. Spread it around. I like this Di! Just like sunshine, smiles to everyone.

As always more to come.

Share Your World ~ 12/27/22

We made it to the end of 2022’s last #SYW of the year. Special thanks to Di for keeping this weekly post going. Melanie’s memory lives on. HERE are the rules & pingback. Now I toss in my two cents worth 1/2 a penny. Inflation is doing its thing ya know.

1.   If you have been given a variety of gifts, do you have a clear out of older stuff to make room for it? That would be negatory good buddy. That’s CB talk. Ten four & braker, braker, one nine. Seriously, we haven’t exchanged Christmas gifts in many moons except for getting a very little something for our children. Ever since the 2006 unfortunate event, we haven’t been too keen on material possessions. The bests gifts I have ever gotten are intangible & absolutely free.

2.  Do you overindulge with food for special occasions and then come to regret it with either weight gain, guilt or severe indigestion? Not anymore. Hard to believe I could even say that because the Jilly before had issues with food like I was afraid I’d go hungry or something. I ate just to eat & usually to excess. Presently I’m on the Invisalign diet. At least that’s what I call it. I have to keep my trays in 22 hours a day so when I do take them out, I am very particular about what I eat. Now all that said, food is still for special occasions & I don’t restrict myself. Instead moderation in everything, including moderation says a coaster I saved from the Esquire Tavern, the oldest bar on the San Antonio Riverwalk. I’ve had birthday desserts times 2 (Lulu & me are December babies) plus ice cream & Christmas cookies. This along with Blackened oysters fondue as our Christmas tradition dictates. I no longer double or triple the recipe. One batch is more than enough for four people.

3.  What is your favourite part for any celebration? The laughter & conversation. We’ve had some doozies over the years & keeping a sense of humor sure comes in handy for our celebratory shindigs.

4.   Are you looking forward to getting bargains in the January Sales? I’m a year round bargain hunter & might write more about that later in the week. I noticed today at the grocery store lots of things were 1/2 price but Lu & I still stuck to our list. One gentleman in front of us bought out the stuffed unicorns from the toy aisle. He was taking them to the flea market on Saturday. That happens a lot around these parts, maybe it happens in your neck of the woods too? No harm no foul I guess. At least they’re brand new.

Gratitude: I’ve finally got my head on straight. How long it will stay that way remains to be seen but self care for the win even if temporary.

As always, more to come.

Share Your World ~ 12/20/22

Thanks Di for hosting. Melanie we remember!! HERE are the rules & pingback.

Here are this week’s questions:

1.  How organised are you in either your working or private life? I’m very organized so much so that I often forget where I put things. LOL I do have a system for work called “organizing for success” where we actually had a class to teach us how to organize ourselves for optimal efficiency. It works well actually though we scoffed at first that that class was just another flavor of the month. I also get a daily briefing from Microsoft Viva in my work Outlook. Most excellent AI at it best!! It reminds me & basically gives me a ‘to-do’ list based on a scan of my sent emails, sometimes catching things I miss.

2. Do you remember family birthdays or anniversaries and send cards? I remember but I don’t send many cards. It’s a save the planet thing. Virtual greetings, texts, or phone calls are the way to go for me.

3.  If you see something in a shop that is an extravagance but you can afford it, do you buy it? No, I usually talk myself out of it. I was raised by two depression era parents. Waste not want not. Extravagance = something you want not something you need.

4.  Are you looking forward to the New Year? Yes I sure am, not that much will change but every year I have renewed HOPE!

Gratitude: What simple thing warms your heart? Laughter for me too. And kindness. It is simple & free.

Share Your World ~ 12/13/22

Time to share my world. Thanks Di for hosting. HERE are the rules & ping back. And away we go …

1.  As a kid, did you have roller skates, a go-kart or a push bike? Not only did I have roller skates but I loved my roller skates. I first had a pair that hooked onto my tennis shoes which required a key to tighten before graduating to the roller skate that laced up. Finding a smooth place outside a rink was always the challenge. The driveway and sidewalk was free reign. So much FUN! Friday nights were spent at the Carvel rink. Flashlight skate was a fave lights out except for flashlights fastened to our skates. I’m surprised we didn’t have more broken bones from falling while trying to maneuver around in the dark. My brothers had a go-kart made from a lawnmower & trash can lid but I was never interested in that. All of us had bikes, mom & dad included.
2.  Also, did you belong to a gang or just hang out with your friends? Now this is funny. In 1979, Grease came out and we all had to see it in the theaters. Shortly after seeing the movie, my friend Lisa Ann, who I have written about before, suggested we all get pink silk jackets to become the Pink Ladies. LOL By the time school started in August, she had forgotten the idea. Yep that was me almost belonging to a gang.

3.  What is the best present, birthday or otherwise, you can remember as a child? My “I’m a little longhorn” t-shirt that my uncle David gave me just because he happened to have a job at the UT campus & was near the bookstore. I wore that cartoon Bevo shirt until it was too small. I vividly remember not wanting to take it off to be washed. When mom finally pried it off me, I’d be waiting by the dryer to put Bevo back on as soon as it was done. What a weird little kid I was …

4.   If a friend stayed over, did you have a midnight feast or did you go to bed and sleep ? We stayed up all hours of the night talking. I don’t remember eating at midnight though there were always snacks just earlier in the evening.

Gratitude:What gives your day a kick start? I prefer quiet but once I’m on the road to work music gives me a kick start. The only good thing about my commute is the tunes. I now have adult braces aka Invisalign which means no coffee for me. I was always a sipper & I only get 2 hours a day to be without my trays. I’d have to chug my coffee which wouldn’t be enjoyable. I was already down to only on the weekends anyway so this is not a big sacrifice.

Until next week, as always, more to come.

Share Your World ~ 12/6/22

Di gives us the questions & I toss out my two cents. To join in, HERE are the rules & ping back.

1.  Do you have a favourite outfit you like to wear? Not really. Ever since the pandemic, I couldn’t care less what I wear. I do enjoy fuzzy socks when it is cold outside. Versus a specific favorite outfit, I have a favorite style – stretchy comfort.

2. What is the worst thing you were forced to wear as a child (school uniforms aside) ? Weirdo that I am, I loved my school uniform. No fuss, no muss, nothing much to think about. The worst thing I was forced to wear, was hand-me-downs. They never really fit right. I really wanted something I was the first to wear. My g’ma would sew an Easter dress for me each year but otherwise, it was the school uniforms or clothes my cousins out grew.

3.  Do you have a sweet tooth, and if so, are you a chewer, cruncher, or sucker? Chewer – brownies, cakes, pies.

4.  Do you think you could eat your weight in chocolate? Not all at once but in my lifetime, you betcha. I probably already have. lol

Gratitude:
Smiles are infectious, spread it around. I’ll add, laughter is the best medicine. Keep on smiling & laughing. Makes the world a brighter place.

As always, more to come.

Share Your World ~ 11/29/22

Di gives us the questions & I toss in my two cents. HERE are the rules and ping back. Join us in the fun!

1. Do you have any family traditions? Kind of but they’ve mostly gone by the wayside. I’m into the intangible now. The traditions were stressful and now we can just enjoy each other’s company.
2. With December on its way, have you ever been carol singing? Ooh but of course. I was in the children’s choir at church & the glee club in school. I’ve been belting out the Christmas carols for a while now. Back in the day we started practicing for Christmas right after Halloween. Guess I’m still practicing.
3. Do you decorate your home for the Christmas holidays? First year that we aren’t doing anything other than my small ceramic tree & our nativity. Less is more. See 1. Above.
4. Do you enjoy the Christmas rush for preparations and shopping? Nope even before I became Ms. Grinch, preparing & shopping stressed me out. See 1. & 3. Above. ☺️

Gratitude: Our friends in the US have just celebrated Thanksgiving. I’m most thankful for my family.

As always more to come.

Share Your World ~ 11/22/22

Di provides the questions & I add my two cents worth 1/2 a penny. HERE are the rules and ping back. And away we go …

1. As a child, did you prefer to watch TV, play games outside on a nice day, or read? TV wasn’t 24/7 like it is now. Time in front of the tube was limited by momma. It was always go find something to do outside & we did. Freeze tag, bikes, and more. If I wasn’t outside climbing trees or making mud pies, I was reading. Which coincidentally I enjoyed doing while outside sitting on our swing set. I still take my books out to my garden swing.

2. What would you rather do now, read a book, watch a movie at home, dine out with friends, or go down the pub? Read or movie. I don’t enjoy dining out anymore. Not sure how I ever did. And too much time at the pub in my misspent youth makes that a no for me now. We can recreate similar eating & drinking experiences at home. Dang I sound like a fuddy duddy.

3. Are you fashion conscious? Not in the least. Comfortable over style any day.

4. Do you wear slippers, clogs or go barefoot indoors? Slippers or gripper fuzzy socks in the winter, barefoot in the summer.

Gratitude:You don’t need a special occasion to buy or be given flowers. Agree. Here’s a just because bunch we picked up on Saturday.

Fall colors

As always, more to come.