Resolutions

I wrote earlier this month about trying something new every month this year.  I hope everyone is on board with this and is out there trying new things!

I have to admit, I haven't done anything crazy this month.

I did try the utensil separator for the dishwasher.  So far, I'm a fan.

I cut my hair.  Not a huge thing, I suppose.  Some would say that cutting 6" of your hair off is something new and different.

I have branched out and am trying new teas.  I've found some that I like (I was quite surprised) and some that, well, weren't that great (yuck!).

What have you tried this month?


Next month is a short one...get out and try something new!

Marie Kondo

I'm sure you have heard of Marie Kondo's book, "The Art of Tidying Up."

I happened to catch a couple of episodes of her new show on Netflix.  I think it's a great concept.  Only keep the things that bring you joy in your life.  Say, "Thank you" to those things that you are letting go.  I've basically been doing this with some things in our house, so, it made sense to me.

I have not read the book.  I'm afraid I would put everything in our house out onto the curb.  Including RT, the kids and the dog.

Well, wait.  That's not true.

We all know that I would still keep the dog.

Snow Thrower

I've mentioned before how I am the snow thrower in the family.  Most people buy a snow thrower.  RT married one.

Growing up, my brothers and I had to shovel our HUGE driveway.  They were a lot older and therefore a lot faster.  As time went on, I perfected my snow shoveling skills and well, now, I'm pretty quick with a snow shovel.

I love being outside when the snow is falling.  It's so peaceful.   Until the snow blowers come out.

This last snowfall, I went outside to shovel.  I thought we got an inch or two of snow.  I was quite surprised to find 4-5" of snow on our driveway.  The snow was a little deeper than I thought and I tried to use the snowblower that I inherited.   Of course, it did not start.  After cleaning off the cars, I started my snow shovel dance.  Halfway down the driveway, and I realize that my kids are spoiled.  They get out of bed and the car is cleaned off and the driveway is shoveled.  Reality is going to hit them when they move out and realize someone has to clean their car off and shovel their driveway.

I have been told that I should wait for my kids to shovel the driveway.  But, waiting until they (finally) get out of bed and then having to hear them complain about shoveling the driveway...I have better things to do with my time.

Once they move out, they will appreciate all of my years of snow shoveling.

What's on your nightstand?

Let's play a game.  What's on your nightstand?

I'll go first.

I have a lamp.
Lotion (my hands are ALWAYS dry!)
coaster (sometimes I have a glass of water)
an owl (remember all of those sock owls that I made?  Yea, who can forget)
EO Diffuser (My fave Christmas gift!)
Book that I'm reading

I'm sure that you have similar, normal items.  Maybe some lip balm.  Crossword puzzle.

I happened to look at RT's nightstand today and realize that he has:

Ear buds
Bible
2 other books
and a cheese grater

(SCREECH)

WHAT?

You read that correctly.  A cheese grater.

He got the cheese grater for Christmas.  I'm thinking with all of that reading he's doing, he probably gets hungry and has a little snack.  I wouldn't be surprised if his nightstand was a mini fridge.  He did get some cheese for Christmas.

So, what's on your nightstand?

Dishwasher Utensil Separator

I'm not sure if that's the official name for this item.  It's a separate piece that goes on top of your utensil basket in your dishwasher.  You then separate each utensil and place it into its own slot.  This way the utensils don't stick together and they all will come out clean.

I just found out about this item.  I know.  How did I not know about this?  Have I been living under a rock?  I had the pieces when we purchased our dishwasher, but had no idea what they were for, therefore, they found a nice home under our kitchen sink.

Ten years later, I'm at a party and watching the hostess put the silverware into the slots on her separator and it hits me.  "Oh!  Those pieces aren't dust collectors!  They actually have a purpose!"

So, I thought I would give it a whirl and see if it works.  Hey, I'm trying new things!  And, guess what?  My utensil separator worked!  My forks, spoons and knives all came out clean!  It's a miracle!

Yea.  I probably need to get out more.

Vacation Mode

Whenever we go on vacation, it's nice to get up early, get out and get moving.  See and do as much as you can while you are at your vacation destination.

I normally get up early.  I get out and go for a long walk every morning.  RT likes to sleep in a little on the weekends.  He has a laid back approach of getting up and working out.  His whole routine (workout and breakfast) can take all morning.  While I like to be done with all of that and out the door by 9.

Whenever we go on vacation, RT is (sometimes) up before 7AM and is ready to go do something (work out, hike, get coffee/breakfast).  This happens all of the time and you would think I would be used to it by now.  I'm so used to him sleeping in that it takes me by surprise every time.

Don't get me wrong..I'm glad he's up early on vacation and willing to get out and do stuff.  It's just a shock when he's the total opposite at home.

Resolutions

Do you make New Year's Resolutions?

I think I ask this every year.

It's a new month.  A new year!  It's a great time to try new things.  Step outside of your comfort zone and do something out of the ordinary.

Now...I don't make New Year's Resolutions.  I think you should be able to change something about yourself or your life at any time of year.  January 1st is not a magical date.  In other words, you don't have to wait until January 1 to change something.

My challenge to you this year is to try a new thing:

food
recipe
exercise
store
music
author
film genre
TV show
job

every month.

Yea.  You thought I was going to say try one new thing this year.

Nope.

I want you to try 12 new things this year.

It sounds difficult and uncomfortable.  But, you'll thank me when you realize that you....like okra.  Or, you really enjoy rap music.  I'm sure I will get the occasional, "I can't believe I listened to you and watched a different TV show."   My response will be, at least you tried it!

I'll play along with you.  I mean, I wouldn't make you do this and not do it myself.  Maybe I'll write about my experiences?

So, who's in?  (I hope everyone)

Let's see what fun stuff we can do and try in 2019!