Weekend Plans

 

My view for the weekend.

I used to write a "Weekend Plans" post every Friday. Of course, that was when my children were little,  I was younger, and Covid was yet an unheard of threat similar to the fictitious virus in the movie Outbreak with Dustin Hoffman. I thought I would write about our weekend plans again for some reason or other, no matter how uninspiring they may be. So, here goes! 

My sister Margie is coming to spend the weekend with us while Steve and her husband head to camp to do camp things. I think that involves takeout bar food, something to do with crossbows, and comedy movies from the '70s and '80s. Tomorrow we will watch tv, play cards, call my mom, and order takeout. We will watch mass online again, as so much sickness is swirling around here, and I try to avoid it like the plague. Literally. 

Sunday, we will do much the same. I plan on doing laundry and making a meal plan and a grocery list. Then Sunday evening, we will watch the Steelers in the playoff game that should not have been! I have minimal hope they will win, but I do hope for a good match and a happy career-ending moment for our quarterback, Ben. Sunday evening, we are also expecting our first big snow event of the year. I am actually excited about the possibility of snow because I think it should snow when it is supposed to and then be gone. Snow in January is pretty and fun. Snow in April is not. 

Lastly, thank you for your kind comments of support on my previous post. I appreciate each and every one. Thank you also for your concern over Rhett's influenza. He went to the doctor yesterday and got much-needed medication. I encouraged that because sickness always worsens over the weekend, doesn't it? While he was gone, I put on a mask, opened the windows in his room, and sprayed the heck out of it with Lysol. I also changed and washed his bedsheets. I couldn't find any of his own sheets to put on his bed, so he is currently enjoying sleeping on the Charlie Brown Great Pumpkin Halloween sheets I dug out of my stash. As per Rhett, he didn't complain. 

Well, that is all I have today, my friends. 

Thank you for visiting.

Leaving you with some Pinterest finds because who doesn't like a smile on a wintry January weekend? 

Billie Jo

Not A Resolution~A Goal

 

I didn't make a resolution this year. Instead, I set a goal. I set a goal for myself to do what I can, however insignificant it may be, to help stop the stigma associated with mental illness. I spent many years trying to understand and deal with my OCD and Anxiety on my own. And I did. Until I couldn't. I had to admit that I needed help for something I didn't even know I had. That was over ten years ago, and today, with therapy, medication, and loads of support, I am living this life I love without the constant chatter and obsessions invading my mind. I will always have OCD, but now I have the tools and medication to help me deal with it. 

I feel compelled to share this here because I know some people still feel afraid, unsure, and embarrassed talking about their mental health. That makes me sad. I often say that if I had Diabetes, I wouldn't hesitate to tell people. I wouldn't be afraid to tell people I need medication to keep me healthy. Right? I am committed to being open about my Anxiety and OCD. And that I see a therapist who helps me immensely. I am no longer afraid to tell people I take medication. Recently, more than one person has told me that my openness and honesty have encouraged them to seek help with their own Anxiety through therapy and medication. That makes me so happy because when a person suffers from Anxiety, one of the best feelings in the world is knowing he or she is not alone. 

So there you have it. If you didn't already know, I have OCD. I have Anxiety, mainly about my health. I see a therapist. I take medication. I am not embarrassed. I am thankful. Thankful that I sought help. Thankful help is available. Thankful I realize that OCD is a part of my life. It is not me. Or my entire life. I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. I love my family, my home, my pups. I read and teach and watch old games shows. I cook and bake and call my mom. I live my life. Anxiety is a small part of that life. I know that now. And let me assure you, if you suffer from Anxiety, Depression, or other mental health issues, you know it now too. 

Happy Wednesday, my friends!

Thanks for visiting and for listening.

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Cozy

Good Monday Morning, my friends. It is a blustery cold day here in Pennsylvania. The lake is starting to freeze outside, making it look more like January than October. We stayed put this past weekend because of the cold, icy weather and a poor young man who came down with Influenza on Thursday. However, we had plenty to do, and I am happy to report that most of it got done. 

First up. Packing away Christmas. It always amazes me how quickly our home can go from festive, cozy Christmas to uncluttered, cozy winter. I was sad to pack it away. I always am. Next year I am decorating earlier. Remind me of that, please. 

Flynn and I watched this last night. It was good! If you are a Liam Neeson fan, you won't be disappointed. I believe it is streaming on Amazon Prime.

I found most of the ingredients for this delicious Asian Noodle Soup on hand Friday afternoon, and with Rhett not feeling well, I made a huge pot for dinner. It was delicious and hit the spot on a cold winter night. The recipe is right HERE if you would like to try it. I didn't have all the vegetables, but I think that was just fine with everyone!

We also watched a beautiful mass online. I am so thankful to our friend and pastor, Fr. Ross, for making it available and allowing those who can't or aren't ready to attend in-person to participate in weekly mass. What else? Oh yes. Football. And the almost unbelievable way the Steelers managed to sneak into the playoffs! Ben can't hang up his helmet just yet. 

Well, that is about all, my friends. Today brings school with Flynn, shredded chicken in the crockpot for dinner, and hopefully some relief for my patient, Rhett. If you are interested, I found a great explanation of the daily stages of the flu. Rhett has literally followed this exactly! It is a good resource, especially now when every sneeze brings fear of Covid. I will link it right HERE.

Stay happy and healthy. And cozy. Always cozy.

Billie Jo

From December Into January

The week between Christmas and New Year's is my favorite week of the year. This year was as special and cozy as I had hoped. One afternoon, Madison invited me, Flynn, and Peyton to her home for a holiday tea. She served tea party sandwiches, fruit, banana bread, cake, and cranberry orange scones. Delicious! With Christmas music playing in the background, we visited and then played a game of Christmas Scrabble. It was a wonderful day.

We were also happy to be able to resume our traditional visit to my sister Margie's house this year after last year's Covid cancellation. We began our annual Christmas week visit to Margie and Chris's house years ago when the kids were young. They were sad when Christmas Day was over, and going to Margie's gave them something to look forward to. Her house is the Christmas House! We always have pizza, wings, and cookies. And she and Chris spoil my kids with love and gifts. This year all of us could go, and we had a blast. 

All too soon, it was New Year's Eve, and while we had a smaller celebration than in past years, I was okay with that because I was having a hard time staying awake! We made homemade pizza and then played some games until it was time to ring in a brand new year!

This is the only photo I have of New Year's Day, but I love it! Steve cooked the traditional pork, sauerkraut, and kielbasa. I snuggled on the couch and watched the annual Twilight Zone Marathon. Later, everyone came for dinner and games, and dessert. And that was a wrap on our 2021-22 Christmas season. Insert sad face.

Monday night, Steve and Rhett and Chris and Steve's brother-in-law Barry braved the cold in Pittsburgh to watch our quarterback Ben Roethlisberger play his last game at home. I cannot believe he has been the Steeler's quarterback for eighteen years! It was a special night, and while I was happy they could be there, I was even happier I could watch from the comfort of my cozy couch.

Well, that is about it, my friends.

Have a lovely weekend in your part of the world.

Stay safe, healthy, and cozy!

Billie Jo

New Year~ New TV Shows!

 

I am all about the holidays, as you know. October, November, and December are my favorite months of the year, full of special days and holidays. I am always sad when New Year's Day ends, as I know we have to wait another year for it all to begin again. One thing that makes me feel better is the fresh new start to a brand new year and knowing that we are settling in for a few months of calm and cozy. 

January means the start of some of our favorite television shows too. Here are a few I am looking forward to watching as I am snuggled on the couch.

The Bachelor

January 3, 2022

Is this a ridiculous premise for a television show? Yep. Would I want my daughter to go on television to find a husband in a man who is also dating thirty other women? Nope. Do I enjoy watching it every single season, knowing it is more likely scripted entertainment? You bet.

Ozark

January 21, 2022

This is a great show, mainly because I am a huge Jason Bateman fan. At first, I wasn't sure about it, but I got sucked in very quickly. The first three seasons are out on Netflix, and the new and final season starts in a few weeks. Cannot wait.

Servant

January 21, 2022

This one is a bit strange. I got hooked when I was down with the stomach flu, binged the first season, and waited for the second. It is creepy, but I cannot figure it out, and I am excited to see where it goes. Servant is on Apple TV.

The Amazing Race

January 5, 2022

Finally! After a long wait, this favorite is back. I am sure there may be some adjustments because of Covid, but I am excited to see Phil at each and every stop. By the way, this is the only one of the shows I listed that is family-friendly. 

How about you? What are you watching? I'd love to hear!

Happy Wednesday!

Billie Jo

Christmas 2021

 Christmas Eve 

Madison and Nicolas hosted all of us for a traditional Danish Christmas in their beautifully decorated home on Christmas Eve. Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve in Denmark, and Nicolas and Madison shared those lovely, festive traditions with us. The meal was delicious! We enjoyed several traditional Danish dishes with a few of our regular favorites as well. Nicolas and Madison served roast duck with gravy, red cabbage, Frikadeller, or Danish meatballs, ham, broccoli casserole, green bean casserole, and potatoes. For dessert, we enjoyed Peyton's cookies and a special Danish dessert called Risalamande, a delicious rice pudding topped with cherry sauce and one almond hidden somewhere inside. Whoever finds the almond wins the almond prize! Madison and Nicolas did a fantastic job of preparing a delicious meal. 

In between dinner and dessert, we exchanged our Secret Santa gifts. We chose names way back in November and kept the secret until Christmas Eve. I am always amazed at how thoughtful each person is choosing a gift for their person. Nicolas had me this year, and I could not be more thankful for his gift. He put it all in a burlap Santa sack tied with jingle bells! Inside was a beautiful ceramic evergreen tree I can keep out all winter and a white gnome, or nisse as they are known in Denmark. He also included vintage Christmas albums and a festive pillow for my couch. 

We also joined hands and took turns choosing a Christmas song to sing as we danced around the Christmas tree. I love seeing the joy in the faces of my family as we share Nicolas' traditions. We also played a Danish exchange game called Pakkeleg. It was so fun!!!! We finished the evening with the reading of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas, a tradition we have had forever. I offered for Nicolas to read it as we were celebrating in his home, but I was overruled, and tradition won out. And I was happy to oblige. After a lovely, festive evening, we headed home to set out our stockings, cookies for Santa and head to bed. 

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was just as lovely. Steve and I awoke to the sound of...silence. Once upon a time, we had four little ones clambering for us to get up and go see if Santa came. We have two remaining, and they are older and like to sleep longer. Steve and I enjoyed a quiet morning, turning on the tree lights and Christmas music. Soon the kids were awake, and Madison and Nicolas arrived for brunch. Per tradition, we open stockings, enjoy brunch, and then check under the tree for presents. 

It was a cozy, relaxing morning as we enjoyed kringle, coffee cake, muffins, fruit, and tea, coffee, and juice. We took our time opening gifts, and before we knew it, Peyton and Chris arrived to start opening their presents. We had a pleasant visit with them while Rhett and Kyrstin headed to her house for Christmas dinner. Peyton and Chris also had dinner with his family after leaving our house, so the rest of us enjoyed leftovers from the night before and some fun new games to end the night. We called my mom, who was happy and content, and suddenly, as quickly as it came, Christmas Day was over, and new memories were stored in our hearts.

My friends, I hope you had a happy, healthy, cozy Christmas.

Thank you for visiting!

Billie Jo

The Week In Between

 

Merry Christmas, my friends! I hope your Christmas was everything you dreamed it would be. A "Merry Christmas" means something different to each of us, and I pray you enjoyed Christmas in your own way. We certainly did here with family, fun, food, and home. Now we enter my most favorite week of the year. This week in between has always been a chance for us to spend time together, play new games, watch the Christmas movies we didn't get to yet, nibble on cookies, wait for Daddy to get home, and look forward to a brand new year. 

This week has changed of, course, as my children grew. It used to be we spent days in our jammies, playing with new Barbie houses or assembling Match Car garages. Now, two of my children have their own Christmas homes, but I am sure they will be here often. My Rhett goes to work, but he joins in on the fun when he gets home. Flynn and I will spend our days in our cozy clothes and open some of her new Legos and games. I have one appointment, and we are resuming our annual visit to my sister Margie's house for pizza and presents, after skipping last year because of Covid, but other than that, we will be home here together. 

Then in the blink of an eye, New Year's Eve will be here, and we will celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of a new one. At home. With food, fun, and family, of course. I will check in here this week and resume posting again next week. Until then, thank you for your friendship, visits, comments, and blogs, which bring me so much joy. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, my friends!

Enjoy!

Billie Jo