A January Day

Good Morning ~

Good Afternoon ~

Good Evening ~

And Good Night!

There's no way I'd rather spend my days.

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Coffee Talk

Good morning! How was your weekend? It is funny. After so many festive Christmas and New Year weekends, having one without major commitments was strange. No complaints from me, though! Saturday was quiet, with afternoon mass and a trip to my friend Heather's house for dinner. We got takeout from a local restaurant, ate, and visited with her and her husband in her cozy home. I highly recommend doing that as opposed to going out to dinner this time of year. Fewer people = fewer germs. Plus, what's not to love about eating in cozy clothes?!!? 

Sunday, I woke with a purpose. At my age, I have to do things like cleaning and organizing when I feel like it instead of scheduling a time for them. This is a big change from my ambitious thirtysomething self, who cleaned her entire home every Friday, whether it needed it or not! Anyway, after my coffee yesterday, I brought in the tubs for the Christmas decorations that have been happily resting on my dining room table since last week and packed them up until next year. Then I looked around and decided the post-Christmas dust would not magically disappear, so I filled the sink with my favorite, Murphy Oil Soap, which always reminds me of my mom and my childhood home. I wiped, tidied, vacuumed, and organized until I finally collapsed on the couch. After only a couple hours! LOL! I miss Christmas but am enjoying January's clean, sparse feeling. 

And because I strive for transparency here and for sharing real life, I offer the following photos as proof that my house is only sometimes clean and tidy. Warning: If gross, dusty things bother you, please scroll quickly past!

Yikes! So there you are! The excitement that is me cleaning my house. Today is recovery day! Schooling with Flynn and some afternoon coffee on the couch. Dinner is an easy favorite, requested by Steve: Stuffed Bell Peppers with mashed potatoes. Have a great day, whatever you have planned. Thank you for visiting! Oh, and I don't think you will be surprised to see this...

I just couldn't do it! I like the light and cozy too much!

Billie Jo

New Year, New... TV Shows?!

 Hello! And Happy Friday! How was your week? Mine was good here, except it was a bit warm for January! I am all about having the seasons during the season. January can be cold because it is supposed to be cold here in Pennsylvania. Besides, and I have zero scientific proof to base this on, I feel like when it is 55 degrees in January, all the germs have free reign to grow, multiply, and spread. Anyway, January is when I fill in my new planner, one of my favorite things to do. While I used to fill it full of due dates for babies and birthday celebrations, I now find myself filling in dates of the eye doctor, dermatologist, and yearly checkup appointments, as well as the mammogram and dental checkups. 

I also add the premier dates of my favorite shows. I know, sad but true! This time of year leads itself to more structured indoor activities in the evenings. The early darkness and the cold make me want to clean up after dinner, turn out the lights, and snuggle in with the return of my current favorites on tv. When summer rolls around, I will be outside on the deck, out in the boat, or sitting by the fire pit, but for now, inside and cozy it is. 

Here are the shows I am looking forward to watching...

This is on "regular" tv on Fox.

This is a fun show for the family to watch together. 

This is not the case. This is a creepy one that is slow-moving but very addicting. You can catch up on the previous seasons on Apple TV+. The new season premiers on January 13th.

Ahhh, The Bachelor. How would we ever get over the post-Christmas letdown without the promise of this classic returning? Who doesn't want to watch several young women vie for the attention of a man they have never met in the hopes of getting him to propose marriage in six weeks? All kidding aside, I enjoy this show for what it is, entertainment. The new season starts January 23rd on ABC.

This is my favorite guilty pleasure. You Season 4 premiers on February 9th on Netflix. I love this show. It is not a family show, so be sure to plan accordingly. And if you have yet to see the first three seasons, you should before this. You is based on a book by Caroline Kepnes, one of my favorites. And I could not have imagined anyone other than Penn Badgley as Joe, the main character.

This is just a special that I watch every year. Why? I have no idea. I just do!

Ok, now that you know how I will spend my winter evenings, what shows are you looking forward to watching? Please share in the comments. And have a cozy weekend with your people. Thanks for visiting!

Billie Jo

Well, That's Done!

Hello there! My house is currently basking in post-holiday chaos, and I am okay with it. The tree is still up because I love the lights at night; some decorations are currently residing on the dining room table, waiting to be packed away until next year, but the pile of empty boxes in the garage is making it impossible to get to the Christmas tubs, so there's that. These sunny days allow me to see the previously hidden layers of dust on things and tiny pieces of wrapping paper litter the floor under the couch. And, honestly, I am okay with it. 

I have relaxed over the years. It could be my realization that my body has limits or the desire to hang onto the cozy of Christmas a bit longer. My midlife mantra has become, "It will get done when it gets done." And until that time, I can live with it. Now, that being said, I did tackle a project yesterday. This was out of necessity. I have woken up with a stuffy nose for the past few weeks? Months? Anyway, it has been an extended period since I washed my mattress pad and pillow covers. And since I swept under my bed. And since I wiped down the bedframe. You get the idea. Yesterday, I did it. Not all at once like my thirty-year-old self did. I did it gradually throughout the day. And I got it done. I got nothing else done, but I got it done. I packed away the Christmas quilt and returned things to normal. I dusted, vacuumed, wiped, and fluffed. And today, I woke up sniffle free!!!

Today, I may do the guest room. Or I may take a day to recover.

Have a cozy Wednesday, my friends!

Thanks for visiting!

Billie Jo