So. Many. Feelings.

I’ve tried to write a blog post everyday for the past week. It’s hard for me when the world is kinda messy to pretend that it isn’t and sit down and blog like I usually would. While I am actually enjoying being home more, enjoying project after project, enjoying quiet time curled up with a book or sipping coffee in the still of the morning, I think to myself, there are a lot of people right now really struggling, so to just block that out of my mind while I sit down and write about the food that I am eating, or the walks that I’m enjoying, or the book that I am allowing myself to get lost in, feels oddly selfish. I feel like I should be doing something to help someone.

I am grocery shopping for my mom and while yes that is doing something for someone, it’s my mom. I am letting my kids know that I am here for them if they need an ear because I know that they are all going through a lot of stress right now doing life so differently.

Feeling all the feelings. Thats for sure. I go from feeling relaxed and happy doing WW Virtual Workshops in the comfort of my own home seeing some of my readers that I would never get to see otherwise, to worrying about everyone I know. Worrying about everyone I don’t know. Those that are feeling extreme anxiety. The people testing positive for the virus, those not feeling well wondering if they have the virus. Feeling sad for every single person going through anything medical right now not related to the coronavirus trying to maneuver appointments, schedule, reschedule. I can’t imagine being diagnosed with cancer right now, but I know that is happening. I’m thinking about all of the doctors and nurses on the front lines of the coronavirus and their families and how their life may be so entirely different for them right now. Feeling sad for those that live alone right now and feel more confined than ever. I’m thinking about how many people right now are stressed about finances or homeschooling. Then I find myself just chilling on the deck listening to music and sipping on my wine or taking a nice walk through my neighborhood on a sunny warm day. Then more feelings. Guilt. While so many of us are going on with life I just can’t help but think about how many people are affected in a way I know nothing about. Needless to say, I’ve spent a lot of time over these last few weeks lost in my thoughts.

I’ve decided that the best thing that I can do right now is seek out opportunities to help others, find joy in each day and take care of myself. So that’s what’s happening. Also, I reached out to someone that I thought could help me with some of these feelings, and she did. She knows who she is. THANK YOU!! You’re the best!

Super excited to finally share that this beautiful mom gave us grand baby number nine on April 13th at 4:03 in the morning!

Meet Kapri Nicole. 6 lbs 15 oz 19.25″ long

Anne was hesitant to get too far from home and participate in the surprise Easter Parade we had for Mike’s parents, but we did FaceTime her in! We also were able to include Tess and Manuel in Dallas via FaceTime.

Mikes parents were so excited and surprised to see everyone. We had six cars and 15 people all honking with signs on cars and blowing bubbles. I wish I had better pictures, but I was in the car…..so.

It was the strangest Easter ever. Typically we are with anywhere from 75-100 family members from Mikes moms side of the family celebrating with more crockpots and desserts than imaginable. Strange Easter for many this year I would imagine. We made them happy and reminded them how important they are to all of us.

This week is my One Year Anniversary with Effie! This picture is the day that I bought her before I pulled out of that driveway in Iowa to bring her home to KC.

Since I spent more than expected recently to have A/C installed, I decided to paint the outside myself. One day I would like to have Effie professionally painted to her original colors of white and turquoise, but for now, I’m doing this to clean her up a bit.

I watched several YouTube Videos, and while this method is in no way recommended, (like, no way at all!) she looks better than she did, and this should get me through two camp seasons.

I do love the glossy black clean look that she has to her! I’m literally cutting in with an angled brush, then using a 4 inch roller to roll on Rustolem Black Gloss paint. The sides and front are done, I just need to finish the back this week! The professionals are surely thinking I’ve lost my mind. Perhaps. But aren’t the shiny sides pretty?

• 

• 

I’ve really enjoyed being able to escape to her every once in a while in my dads backyard to read or journa or get lost in my thoughts while listening to musicl. A few days I attempted to write this blog. It is for certain one of my Happy Places.

While spending time in Effie, I finished up book number one that my lovely reader Diane sent to me and I’ve started book number two! Thank you again Diane, for sending me these treasures and for becoming a true friend.

Mike has been super busy working on the landscaping in the backyard around the new patio area. The back of the Jeep was filled with 30 bags of topsoil before I took this picture. I unloaded the remaining bags of top soil, then unloaded the 30 rolls of sod from the truck. I put them 4 at a time in the wheelbarrow and rolled them around to the backyard. That was a workout! At the end of the day I had over 15,000 steps. Nowhere close to the work Mike has done, but it was a good workout that day!

• 

• 

Mike has put in so many hours making the backyard look the way that he would like for it to look while also correcting some drainage issues. There is still some work to do and we plan to add some flowers in pots but it is coming along thanks to all of his hard work.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

I’ve been seeking out different opportunities to help others so I decided to donate blood. I did this on Saturday. My Instagram post from Saturday…….

I took her instructions very seriously too! Ate the whole bag of cookies! 9 Smartpoints!! Over half of my day! lol Ate really well the rest of the day too! Drank lots of water but more wine than I should have and sat on my tush and watched Netflix on the deck. Did I mention that I took her instructions very seriously? While eating and drinking and resting, I watched Unorthodox on Netflix. Very interesting and based on a Memoir. Only 4 episodes if you’re looking for something that won’t require too much time.

A few breakfast favorites lately.

Soft Boiled Eggs. Boil water, gently add eggs to boiling water and boil for 6 minutes. Remove eggs to a bowl of ice water for 2 minutes. Remove and peel under cool running water for a perfect soft boiled egg.

Sometimes I just want to change the texture of my food. A little Avocado Oil or Olive Oil spray in a hot skillet is a great way to make your soft tortilla crispy!

Bringing back an old favorite for some variety. The Big Ass Waffle. I like mine topped with blueberries, almond butter and a little drizzle of Pure Maple Syrup.

• 

• 

• 

A few pics of dinners we’ve been having. All of these are simple!

Paleo Newbie Sloppy Joe’s. One night served over baked sweet potatoes, one night over a bed of steamed broccoli. Also delicious by itself.

Burgers on the grill topped with a little goat cheese and caramelized red onions.

Paleo Newbie Steak Salad using my Flank Steak marinade recipe.

Flank Steak with potatoes and Burnt Brussels Sprouts for Easter Dinner. I used the broccoli recipe below for the Brussels Sprouts. A little addicted to this seasoning right now.

Skillet Scallops (Heat 1 T olive oil & 1 T butter in a skillet, add 1 tsp crushed garlic and cook the scallops for 3 minutes on each side, season with salt and pepper and lemon, also good with crushed red pepper flakes) with Danielle’s Burnt Broccoli, posted below.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

I have been grilling a lot lately because it is easy and I like being outside. Add a simple side or two and this can be an easy and healthy dinner.

I cooked up 6 Chicken Breast using this yummy Chicken Marinade. We had a big salad with them one night, then grilled asparagus and roasted new potatoes another night, then another night with the Burnt Broccoli and roasted Sweet Potaotes.

Admittedly, lots of broccoli this past week to keep my iron up so I could donate blood. ! I’ve tried to donate blood in the past and my iron was too low. This worked!

• 

• 

If you are looking for opportunities to help others, WW is offering an easy way for members to donate. You can donate your Wellness Wins! There are now 3 different opportunities to choose from in your WW App and WW is matching donations! Check it out and let me know if you have any questions. Great opportunity here for us to help with the simple click of a button.

Sidenote: I’m in this picture, just below the D, standing on the beach in Destin, Fl.

Several assisted living and nursing homes are accepting flower deliveries. Call first to verify that, but what a great way to brighten someones day that may be feeling lonely.

Call that relative that may be home alone or that needs to hear a voice outside of those they share a roof with.

Take chalk on your walk and leave messages. For some reason I really like this one.

How are you all doing? What are you filling your days with? Teaching kids at home? Working from home? Both? Still going to work? Life hasn’t changed too drastically for you right now? Puzzles? Books? Organizing? Cooking? Baking? Remodeling? Trying new workouts at home? Doing art? Projects? Living in your pj’s and loving life? Stressed out to the max and want your old routine back?

Whatcha doing?

I hope no matter where you are or what you are doing, that you are able to take care of yourself today. Sending lots of love and many hugs.

“love the life you live, live the life you love”