Five Simple Things (April 25)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These muffins.

Making banana muffins instead of banana bread is a lot less of a task and easier to make. I haven't made a loaf of banana bread in years and I love the quick ease of grabbing a muffin in the morning when we head out the door. Definitely my go-to for banana bread. Now to work on perfecting the crumb topping. (Tip: Use the same recipe for banana bread, just bake them a bit lower, or higher depending on your oven.)

2. This kitty.

She was waiting on me to get up for the day. I love how she is always checking on me and making sure that I am keeping my routine. Cats love routine, and ever since I had my surgery, she has always made sure that I am okay. I love how she loves me.

3. This doggy.

This balance board comes in handy when we aren't able to go surfing. It helps keep our legs active and definitely has helped us when it comes to popping up on our boards. Hardy is getting better at it, too. 

4. This train.

We always love seeing the steam train scooting by when we are coming and going from the city.

5. This "snail."

My cream cheese on my bagel resembled a small snail. Maybe it was telling me to slow down lately. I have been running and going a lot this week, so I think I will heed that advice and slow down a bit and breathe.

One last thing:

How killer is this? You can go through NASA and have your name spelled out in Landsat satellite images. If your don't know what Landsat is, it's satellites that capture images across both visible and infrared spectrums, creating a continuous, science-grade archive of land use, water resources, and ecosystems. There are currently two satellites orbiting earth right now. The Landsat 8 (launched in 2013) and Landsat 9 (launched in 2021). I think I might get these printing in high resolution and frame them. I love how the earth looks in our names.

Positive affirmations this week:

Loving yourself and always being on your own side will help you stay on task with your healing journey. If you talk down to yourself, it will only bring you down more. Always talk highly of yourself to yourself. Saying statements like, "I am strong," "I am kind," "I am loved," and "I am enough" can help you change your own self talk, especially on days that are harder than others. You are your own best advocate to yourself. These positive affirmation and thoughts will help you love yourself, so that you can love others, too.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (April 18)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This hunt.

We participated in the Natural Grocers Golden Easter Egg Hunt this week. They have this golden egg hunt every year, but this is the first year we've participated in it. We were afraid that we weren't going to find one, but as soon as Skylar came around the corner to where the cereal is, he spotted it. We ended up winning a $25 shopping card. It was such a cool thing to be part of. We also needed a few things, one being honey. When we went to pick the jar up it fell over in the cart and I noticed an outline of Arkansas. We picked it up and saw that the jar was made at the Arkansas Glass Corporation. Natural Grocers has a lot of products from Arkansas, and it's always nice to see things from my home state in stores in Oregon.

2. These rays.

The sun has been peeking out all week and everyone has been enjoying it, even Hardy.

3. This kid.

I have been dropping Skylar off at college lately and it's always nice to be able to still tell him to have a nice day. I also love the fact that he isn't embarrassed one bit to hug and kiss me goodbye each time. I will always be his biggest supporter in whatever he does in life.

4. These flowers.

A small bouquet with roses clipped from the rose bush in front of our house grace the fireplace mantel this week.

5. This anglaspel.

 

Given to me for free through Heirloom Art Company for being part of their insiders. It is such a wonderful, delicate thing, and we love watching it spin.

One last thing:

It's been a hectic last several months, but we are finally sending out Skylar's homeschool graduation announcements, and his Linn Benton Community College graduation announcements this week. Family and friends were excited to get them, too.

Positive affirmations this week:

Mental health issues sometimes get in the way of us showing others that they are important and loved. But, allowing ourselves to be open to others and still encouraging them helps our mental health, as well. When you need to, reach out for that support, too, but always show others that they are also supported. We can all get through these times together.

You can do this!🌈

Just a reminder:

1. National Volunteer Week is April 20 to April 26.🤝

2. International Dark Sky Week is April 21 to April 28.🌃

3. Lyrid Meteor Shower is April 21 to April 22.🌠

4. Earth Day is April 22.🌎

5. National Park Week is April 19 to April 27.🏞

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (April 11)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This order.

Misfits Market came this week/ We grabbed a few candy options, but tried this week to fill in some missing items from our meal planning for the week. We love how easy it is to place and order with them and how quick it gets delivered in one of their pink vans. It's always a pleasure shopping online. I hate grocery shopping, so it's definitely convenient for me.

2. This puzzle.

We finished it! We had a lot of fund with this puzzle. Now to find another one just as cool. Maybe we will stay on theme with Alice in Wonderland.

3. This look.

The judgement is real.

4. This walk.

Jeff and I spent our Monday this week taking a walk through the Talking Gardens in Albany, Oregon. There wasn't many people, and I loved that the most. We saw a Mallard female with her four ducklings, turtles, frogs, and a lot of great views and plants. It was a nice way to spend the afternoon.

5. This face.

My boy has turned into a handsome man. I just love him!♥

One last thing:

Skylar had his ears pierced a few months ago and has been looking for some nice clear diamond studs since. We went into a jewelry store looking at what our options were and he found these two that he liked over the others. He can't decide if he wants the smaller ones, or the larger ones. I think either one of them would look great in his ears. He decided to the take the weekend to think it over. More on this soon.

Positive affirmations this week:

Remember, it is your responsibility to heal from what happened to you in your past. It is absolutely NOT your fault that it happened to you, but it is yours time to heal from it. You deserve to live a good life. Don't punish yourself more. You are worth it, and you are brave.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (April 4)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This library.

We always love a trip to IKEA. I love even more that they fly the Pride Flag and let shoppers know that everyone is welcome. IKEA has always been one of my favorite places to go, even for special events and random shopping trips. They recently added this Little Free Library, too. It's a great place, and I can't wait until my next shopping trip, or store event brings us back.

2. This haircut.

My handsome boy.

3. This popsicle.

Jonny Pops are our favorite go-to snack now. They are organic, Non-GMO, and only 45 calories per popsicle. And, they are delicious. We are also madly saving our wooden sticks for their rewards program. We will see what we can get once we have enough to turn back in.

4. This drink.

Sticking for food and drink still this week I rediscovered Clearly Canadian again. I used to drink these when I was younger and they were my go-to for a cold drink when we would stop at the store. I am so glad I found them and love that the taste brings back a lot of good childhood memories for me. I love that they have plain sparkling water, as well.

5. This bite.

Well, then... There's always room for cheesecake, apparently.

One last thing:

This week was the last time I could order from MightyNest. After over 15 years of their wonderful services, and their Might Fix each month I am incredibly sad. The tariffs and rise in prices had a lot to do with it. I placed a huge order with them as a way of saying thank you. MightyNest changed my life so much. Burt's Bees was my first taste of changing up my beauty, baby, and overall healthcare needs to a more environmentally, and body-friendly way. MightyNest was my first taste of changing up those habits all the way around. They taught me a lot of the last 15 years and I will always be grateful for them helping me discover how truly earth-friendly and environmentally sound I could live. I will miss them dearly, especially when I need to find information on how to live better. I wish them the best, always!

The picture above was my last order with them. Three boxes of stuff, and my last Might Fix. Just looking at these pictures as I post this makes me so sad. I ordered a lot of great things, though. A compost bucket for the freezer, food additions for Hardy and Eleven, tea, doggie poop bags, dish rags, pot covers, carpet powder, dog treats, lip stick, cleaning tablets, razor container, feminine wipes, safety razor, dish soaps. The Mighty Fix was a dish brush that reads, "MightyNest." I will treasure it for a long time. Thank you MightyNest. You can look back at all the years of my MightyNest orders here.

Positive affirmations this week:

A lot of people don't know how to love others because they haven't figured out how to love themselves. Self love is the best way to help love other people, too. A lot of negativity and hate in the world stem from people that can't, or won't love themselves enough. Finding that self love is the most important thing anyone can do. A lot of people ask, "What is the meaning of life?" The main meaning of life is to love yourself and love others before your time is done. You can start to find that self love by finding one things every day that made you feel important about yourself. Journaling or writing down what that was, is a form of self love. It could be things like, made my bed for myself. Washing my face and took a shower. Took a walk during lunch. Self love comes in all forms. If you are seeking that self love, start looking for ways to give that to yourself each day. And, write it down!

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.