THE WEAKLY TRIBUNE
Monday - Jan. 9
Danielle was home from school, ill AGAIN. But it's not Covid this time either. Poor thing, she's pretty good at swabbing her own nose. I guess that's what she's in for with a mom who is too curious and a government that mails out free tests. Daniel was home over lunch and brought me "lunch at my desk" which for me is even better than "breakfast in bed." It was more of the duck gumbo he made on Sunday. Yum. In an effort to reclaim my life from Floki domination, I finally hauled the pet gate back inside from where it had been temporarily resting in Campy, and gleefully installed it. No more trying to keep our rowdy pup behind the kitchen barricades! I finalized an elaborate rainbow ordered Daily Cleaning Schedule on my Reminders App. The Home Edit would be proud of me! I didn't actually start cleaning today or anything that drastic. Took Floki out on a long walk to burn off some energy. Danielle walked a bit, but was too draggy to go far. Talked to Aunt Sue a long time on the phone. Made fried rice, hibachi venison, and canned peaches for supper. Larisa and Kristin popped in for a surprise mini visit. Today I give thanks for: My "new to me" Super Secretary mug from Mel!
Tuesday - Jan. 10
Danielle woke up with 100.7 fever, so another home day for her. I researched kid's vitamins for picky eaters. Worked at my desk, got Danielle's schoolwork and oversaw her working on it, played hide & seek for "recess," (Floki was great at giving away our hiding spots!) but we forgave him since it was his first day "Accident Free!" Housebreaking a Giant Schnauzer should come with lots of Gold Stars. I lit a fire in the backyard fire pit and started to burn the boxes that were piled on the back porch. Supper was Venison Street Tacos with Gator Drool dribbled on them. "Put that on a cracker!" You can't go wrong with anything made by or recommended by Stalekracker.
Today I give thanks for: My olive green felt tipped pen from Rhonda.
Wednesday - Jan. 11
Danielle was delighted to go back to school. I was delighted to take her. I got right into burning more boxes in the backyard. Which gave me pandemic flashbacks for some reason! The weather, the smell of smoke... I'm not sure what all invoked it. I was sort of wishing for Safer at Home again. But that wish passed quickly! I flipped the porch rug and sprayed everything down; the chickens like the back porch too. I'm so pumped to be able to enjoy it again, and to be able to let Floki out the sliding door. Washed and washed and washed 3 bundles of fresh greens from Steve's Farm. Danl didn't get home early enough to cook them, so at his suggestion I went up and got Chinese takeout for supper. My fortune cookie read, "Unnecessary possessions are unnecessary burdens." Is Marie Kondo writing fortune cookies now?! It felt like an omen, so I tucked it into my planner.
Today I give thanks for: My Clarity Planner
Thursday - Jan. 12
Due to Danielle's sickness, our planned planner planning session was moved from Monday at Rhonda's house to Wednesday at Karma's house. This is Rhonda's 3rd year using a Clarity Planner and the first year for Karma and me. Going through the prompts for reflection and goal setting together is a huge help! This planner goes so deep it feels like therapy. But I think I will have a year that's closer to the year I dream of! Just the fact that I'm doing the Weakly Tribune again is proof. We spent all morning making S.M.A.R.T. goals and more, while drinking lattes and laughing. Came home to let Floki out, ran back up to the bank, washed and vacuumed my rental, grabbed a bowl of duck gumbo to eat on the way, picked up Danielle from school, and drove to Enterprise on 9 Mile Road to return my rental. Phew. Mamalisa picked us up and took us to her place so we could borrow her extra Honda. Hopefully my Audi will be able to go into Tedder's soon to have some wear parts replaced. It looks great with its new grill from Lee's Collision. Fingers crossed I won't have to frequent Lee's or Enterprise in 2023! Stopped at DG for art supplies; popsicle sticks for Danielle and watercolors and blank cards for me. Danl had made vension gravy in the crockpot, and a big pot of greens on the stove. I whipped up some instant taters and popped Mary B's biscuits in the oven. Sabrina ate with us too since Katrina is in KY.
Today I give thanks for: having something to drive
Friday - Jan. 13
I had to do a bank run again for a cashiers check for buying another dozer. It was a 1/2 day of school due to 2nd quarter ending. I pittered the morning away due to being on my phone way too much. Restarted the day after lunch. Tackled a bunch of desk work, then moved the couch after cleaning under it, and moved the table after cleaning paint and clay off it. The house feels so much more open back to this arrangement! But somehow like usual, I ended up with a bad case of the grumpies from cleaning and seeing so much grime and filth. Had leftover gumbo with fresh rice for supper. Drank some homemade eggnog I had frozen from our family Christmas on Jan. 6 to cheer myself up! I'm getting more and more ready to actually start my daily cleaning schedule! Got to bed pretty early.
Today I give thanks for: the humor found in my The New Yorker page-a-day calendar
Saturday - Jan. 14
Sleep-In Saturday! Danielle proclaimed this the best day of the week because, "You don't have to go to school or to church, just stay home and do nuthin!" LOL. Danl left early for work as usual. We cuddled in bed awhile, then did our Morning Routines and got ready to meet Trent, Heidi, and Malaya Penner at David's Catfish for lunch. It was so fun to hang out again! Then the guys went to Danl's current job at Johnson Ford and to the property on 97. We girls went to Piggly and Family Dollar. Trent's hung out here at our house for a bit. I drew and watercolored 2 wedding cards. Danl made jazzed up mashed red potatoes and I heated up the leftover venison gravy and greens. Made the meringue for the Cherry Berries on a Cloud dessert for Kaylee's wedding.
Today I give thanks for: new memories with old friends
Sunday - Jan. 15
Happy Wedding Day, Kaylee & Carson! I got up good time to finish my dessert. Danl went to work at Johnson Ford since working when they are closed is the prime opportunity. Danielle went with me to the wedding and sat with Aunt Rhonda. Wow! What a traffic jam to even get pulled into the WH church parking lot! I heard they served 490 but I don't think everyone even stayed for lunch. It was a lovely wedding; I felt most privileged to observe and write impressions from a front side bench seat. Danielle expired long before I did; she was pulling on my arm and pleading to go home. So we said a few last hellos/goodbyes and headed to the house. Mom and Bill stopped by with Seafood Corn Chowder. Yummers. Tara and Kristin stopped by with milk from the dairy, and Trent's stopped by to change clothes. We lazed around eating chowder and sourdough toast and leftovers from David's Catfish and being on our devices. We had plenty of evening, but somehow didn't even get to bed on time.
Today I give thanks for: weddings! I love a love story with a happily-ever-after!
