2022 Happy To Be Here

Weird work and sleep times meant that this morning I was awake around three. This left me ready to nap around ten so I rested for a short time. It also meant I was ready to crash around five in the afternoon and I did, napping for about an hour. It was just the rest I needed to be able to finish watching the movie Willow with the family; they had started watching it during the week. We also watched the first episode of the new Willow series . So good! Other happy things from today: Being awake so early allowed for a trip to the store before the sun rose and getting a few things. It was nice to avoid the crowds. When I left the sky was lovely and the sun was shining.  Later, I went out shopping again, this time with Keziah, and got to spend time in line. It was good to spend time with Keziah, we got to talk a little about presents.  With the holiday season upon us there is a pull to clean things up. Keziah and I went through two of my boxes (mostly books) today and mo...

The closer that winter comes, the more I feel I am losing my fight with depression.  The medication does not seem to be helping anymore.  As the holiday season gets closer, I remind myself of the reasons that I write this blog. The obvious one is to have a way to let others know about my day. The big one is to force myself into finding things to be happy for. Today, one of those happy things is that Keziah and I had a long talk about some things that I need to do to help with the depression. Follow-through will be hard. Baby steps today that are my happy things include: Paying bills that I had forgotten. I think I'm caught up now, phew. I took some time and found some things to get rid of. One box was ready to go but for some reason is still hanging around. That and two books that I don't want to hang onto. These things still need to get out of the house, but they are out of my room. There was also some random trash and recycling that went away. Another happy thing is...

When I consider the training course that I am trying to get into, I feel excited. Then starts the anxiety where I think of all the ways that I am lacking. One of the things I started doing today is to take an online free typing tutor to help me increase the speed at which I type. When I have taken free online tests for speed I only type around 32-35 words per minute (WPM).  According to the internet, 40-45 WPM is the average but 65 WPM and higher is where to aim for a job with typing.  I’m hoping that the typing tutor that I am using will help to increase my speed and accuracy. I’m happy that I thought about doing this. The big question is whether I will remember to practice daily when I can. Generally when I decide to do something daily, I’ve been pretty good at it. Other happy things from today: Keziah made a delicious baked French toast that I had when I got home from work. The possibility that I might be getting this training has inspired me to get other things don...

They play music at work and sometimes they take requests. Out of the blue someone requested they play sea shanties, and they did! It only took about four songs before there was mutiny and the music switched back to rock and other more popular music. Other happy things from today: A small step was made to go through one of my many boxes. Last year I got better at getting rid of things, there is still so much more that I need to say goodbye to. When I realized that today wasn't the day to do so, I stopped. A small amount has been added to the burn pile though, so some minor progress was made. More geraniums have bloomed and there are a bunch of new buds. There are also seed pods growing so I may get to try again next year. Orange daylilies are also starting to bloom. I feel like I have much better luck with flowers than I have with fruits and vegetables. ☮ Currently reading: Pocketful of Miracles: Prayer, Meditations, and Affirmations to Nurture Your Spirit Every Day of t...

According to DuoLingo I reached a 1200 day streak today. Although I get into the app and practice I don't always learn new words. I wish learning a second language came easier for me. Slow and steady I'm learning more. Other happy things for today: I was going to write about how I am behind on getting rid of things for Lent.  The goal was seven things a week.  Instead, I shuffled through a couple boxes and found five things to go with two books I found this morning and made the goal.  Phew! We brought more things to the studio and spent some time there.  It is still a bit of a mess, but it is coming together.  Keziah found a sign that we hung up on the wall to make the place seem more like ours.  Gideon did some crafting today too! For Christmas I bought new locks for the doors.  I installed one a few months ago.   The other two I installed today and I made sure all the keys are labeled.  Today marks two years since they signed pa...

 There are still nights below freezing but it is still spring, so freezing nights are expected.  The flowers I planted in the triangle last fall seem to be doing okay.  Many of the crocus came up, there are tulips that have pushed through the soil and either the lilies or the iris are coming through as well.  Last year I thought I planted so many things, the area still seems a little barren to me.  I know things will come in as time goes by. Other happy things from today: It was up to me to give Aesop, our dog, a shower today.  He was such a good dog.  All day, when people have pet him, I have received comments about how soft, white, or nice smelling he is. Zed and I took Aesop for a walk.  Good conversation with my son-in-law. Gideon, Zed, and I had a video call with Bel to play D&D.  Folke couldn't make it so we mostly talked about things rather than play.  It was a nice virtual visit. I had a goal during Lent to get rid of at leas...

Today was all about the studio. We packed more things into the van and brought them there. We sorted through a bunch of the boxes and threw away things that were trash or no longer serve a purpose for us. I found some cool things that I should have taken pictures of like tiny hand sewing machines and old wooden spools of thread.  I only photographed the things I'm getting rid of since I'm keeping track of those things for Lent. We ended up with four empty boxes of things put away. Things I got rid of. I'm counting these as five of the seven things for the week.   If a few hours sorting craft supplies wasn't enough to count towards my 15 minutes of A&S for the challenge, I watched a few videos on how to make jewelry with polymer clay. So day 85 is done and I only have 15 more days to complete the challenge. This challenge has been wonderful for getting my brain working on a more creative level. When I was home I remembered to check on the plants in the greenhouse....

 Sometimes, words are hard.  Here are some happy things from today: For Lent I am attempting to get rid of at least seven things a week.  I've had a hard time making the time to give this task the attention I was hoping for.  I did find things today though to fulfill that goal for this week. This was my mom's jacket. Gideon said he would like it for next year. Most of this has or will be donated. The doll clothes are going to my friend for her grandchildren's dolls. Keziah went through a bunch of craft supplies today and we brought them to the studio.  Next week we will do more organizing there.  It was wonderful to hear her find things that have been packed since we moved. For the A&S challenge day 83 I worked on the rug braiding. A few days ago I didn't have a picture of what I worked on for the challenge.  I took a picture today of the flat cap I was working on. TF and I reached 'The End' in Minecraft and killed the dragon.  Yay!  It...