stepping stone refresh

Here's another craft that's been on the list for a while.

This past summer, right before the neighbors tore down the house next door, I dug up a random stepping stone that had been embedded in the ground between the houses that we kinda just mowed over and ignored. 

Then it sat propped up against a post for a few months. Then one day I scrubbed it with soap and water and it sat for another few weeks before I plopped it into the middle of the driveway and spray painted it white.
Then it sat in the driveway for a few more weeks. Then today I grabbed an amazon box, a razor blade, and a garden sign that I picked up at the dollar tree a long time ago and I made a stencil. 

Grabbed some spray paint and headed back outside.

I started with a teal color, but that looked a little flat so I went back with a navy on the tips and I really like how it turned out!

Not bad for something that I dug out of the neighbor's yard :)

Crochet things

Since I decided to learn to crochet, I wanted to buy a book that I could easily reference. I know that online learning is NOT for me unless it's a quick video. I looked at a few books and decided that I liked the one sold at Hobby Lobby the best because it has nice charts and some cute projects. Then I spent about 30 minutes picking out yarn. I had no idea that they were categorized by weight and it really matters what you use! I also bought an assortment of crochet hooks and stitch markers and tapestry needles. So I started my official crochet journey at the Hobby Lobby in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

Here are a couple things I've made while learning how to read patterns and playing with tension:

This wobbly flower. These are cute and I bought some actual flower-colored yarn to make more. I put this one on a screw outside for a little whimsy.

This lumpy little basket. I don't know if I love crocheting in a spiral because it's so easy to lose track of stitches. I can't figure out if it's lumpy because I was playing with tension or I lost track of stitches. Or both.

This partial hat. I tried making one and ignored the swatch to gauge size, and halfway through I realized I was making a hat for a GIANT. So I unraveled it and anyway it was good practice learning to read patterns and learn different stitches. This one might be better.

I found this website Yarnspirations has lots of free patterns and now that instagram has figured out I'm into crochet, I come across a lot of neat stitches and tips. So. Here we go.

2026 here we go

Quick note. I don't want to be one of those old people that tells the same stories over & over, and complains about all their health issues. Because damn that's all my parents (and FH's parents) do. I love them but I'm sensing a theme here.

Okay, time to review the past year and start a fresh one. Last year was about setting things up to develop new habits to take better care of myself physically, mentally, and financially. I think I did all right. Work got really busy, I traveled a lot, we hosted a lot of folks out here at the river... and I felt like I had no free time or energy. I blame that on the combination of schedule and hormones. I was running on autopilot most of the time without realizing it. By the end of the year, I was able to take some time off and recharge and only then did I realize just how tired and disconnected I was.

With that in mind, one of the things I want to change this year is travel less for work (I am allowed to say no when they ask), and make a point to see my people more. Now that I have my small household support system in place (the maid and grocery delivery), I think that will be easier. I still want to travel for fun once a month (except summer months when we opt to have people come to us), and I want to mix in a few camping trips this year. We already have one planned, weather-dependent. 

Physical goals: One thing I've noticed since I started doing yoga again, is that my body has really changed in the last few years. Movements that used to be easy are more difficult. I've lost strength and mobility without even realizing it. Which tells me I need to keep going. If I can lift weights twice a week and go to yoga once a week, I'm active enough in the interim that I'll be happy with that. Funny enough, it's easier to maintain a workout schedule when I travel, because there's not really much else to do.

Financial goals: We haven't looked at the budget yet, but the goals we had last year are the same this year: max out all retirement accounts and make some smart investments with the leftovers. One thing I do want to start doing is contributing monthly to a fund specifically for travel. Right now when we travel, we add up expenses and split the costs and reimburse each other. Which is really tedious. We have an extra joint account that we don't use that would be perfect for that.

Mental goals: I started to crochet to learn how to make one specific thing, but it might be fun to actually learn the stitches and how to read patterns and make some stuff. 

Cheers.

new things

We have tried a few new things lately. And now I can't ever go back to the way things were before. Funny enough, these things were triggered by the fact that I've had to travel a lot lately (aka the last 2 years) and I am struggling with fatigue. I just can't do it all and I need to call in reinforcements. 

First, we hired a maid.
We've budgeted for a maid every year but didn't use one because I enjoy cleaning. But picture traveling all week and coming home to a house that needs to be cleaned but you didn't make the mess. And your energy levels are bottoming out. Take my money. Clean my house. Her name is Nikki and I love her.

Second, we signed up for Walmart+ (I guess there was a half price promotion lately) and we've started getting groceries delivered. Walmart is the only place that will deliver groceries out here. It's a game changer. Picture a long travel day and then having to spend at least 3 hours grocery shopping (the drive + the shop + putting away) and your energy levels are bottoming out. Having them delivered saves time and energy and I'm loving it. We accidentally bought a gigantic jar of pickles because we didn't pay attention to the description but that's part of the learning process.

I've also started going to yoga again and I love it. I try to go once a week and it's so, so good. Lifting weights at the hotel gym or at home is great, but I forget how fun it is to move my body and stretch and set an intention. I originally signed up again because I need to spend the "wellness" credit that's offered by my job, but now I'm hooked and I will be investing regularly. 

In other news, the chickens are still laying regularly even though the days are shorter, and the neighbor commented on how healthy they look, which made me feel really proud. It turns out, chickens are awesome and pretty low maintenance once you figure out your system. Also fall gardening > summer gardening. We are swimming in tomatoes and eggs right now. Pretty great problem to have. 

The flock

Let's meet the girls.

I got 5 grown hens from the local feed store. I showed up on a Friday morning with 2 large amazon boxes with airholes cut into them, and the guy cracked up at the creativity. They were living in cages packed so tightly, I feel like I rescued them. The first day they rolled around in the dirt like they'd never seen it. And they probably hadn't. 

They are all red star hens, and I couldn't tell them apart so after about a week I put a different color zip tie on their legs. Except for one. She was supposed to be yellow but I couldn't catch her so she's the only one without a bracelet.

Their names:

Clover- supposed to be yellow.
She keeps her distance. Out of respect for me being unable to catch her, she was named after the whole reason they are here.

Coco- Blue. 
Easton named her. 

Micora- Purple.
Lilah named her.

Gertrude- Green.
Named after my Aunt Kate, who for some reason was nicknamed this after a chicken named Gertrude.

Princess Mary Jane O'Kief- Orange.
Named as if she was a racehorse, by some friends who named her after... a favorite hobby. 

They are all pretty mild-tempered. Everyone except Clover will let me pet them, and will eat out of my hand. They love strawberry tops and bananas, but won't touch kale or watermelon.

Here's a shot of the very first egg. What an expensive egg!

chickens

And now, for a little chicken content.

Here is the coop, designed to be cute and easy to clean. It is moveable in the event of a hurricane or severe flooding.

The run, attached to the back of the coop, includes some area under the deck to gain square footage, shade, and use otherwise wasted space. Every opening is secured with hardware cloth.

We ripped out an old rotting firewood stand, put in flower beds, and planted grass to boost our backyard curb appeal.

And, of course, here is the flock.

life appreciation post

You know, sometimes I have to stop and take a deep breath and re-center myself. Been feeling a little off lately.

I have been traveling a lot, which inherently creates a need to adapt, and I've also been navigating the shifts that come with perimenopause. Yes, I saw the doctor and they said that I basically have 2 options. Either get my levels tested and take hormone therapy, or deal with the natural process and take good care of myself in the meantime. Of course I chose the crunchier option.

This week, when I left for the airport for the second Monday in a row, I really didn't want to. But since there was nothing I could do to change the situation, I had to change my mindset. I could be sad that I have to leave home, or I could re-frame my point of view and be excited for the adventure and the opportunity to see a new city. Why spend the time being upset when I can choose to change my mood? 

Fortunately, I've had practice with shifting my focus to appreciate the present. And I'm so glad. Because even though my days were filled with layovers and work, it really is cool to visit a new city. I didn't have time to do much, but in the last couple of weeks I was able to do some recon and see if these cities were worth visiting again. And, they were.

How lucky am I that I get paid to travel? I've been to some really cool places and met some cool people. My company pays for my snacks. I get to keep my airline, hotel, rental car, and parking points, which enables us to travel for fun on a budget. I get to come home to a house in paradise with a wonderful husband who carries my luggage upstairs, makes sure the toilet is clean (LOL I'm not mad at it) and fresh flowers are ALWAYS on the table. I get to sleep in a comfortable bed next to him and wake up to scratchy beard kisses and drink my coffee in the morning with views like this.

So yeah, life gets busy and I get tired, but when I stop to take it all in, it's all pretty damn good. I am SO lucky.