Tuesday Vibes

                    

                       Dinosaurs, Fresh Starts, and Cowboy Cornbread

There’s something about having a few fun plans on the calendar that just lifts the spirit. Last night Michelle sent me a message asking if I would like to go with them to the Oklahoma City Zoo this Saturday. They have a brand-new dinosaur exhibit and some rides that sound amazing, and I have to say—I’m pretty excited about it!

It has probably been three or four years since I last visited the zoo, so getting to see the new exhibits will definitely be a treat. Even better, I’ll get to spend time with Wesley, Angel, Clifford, and Max, which is always special to me. Time with people you care about really matters.

I told Michelle that I’d probably drive myself because they’re planning on staying until about 4 p.m., and after being sick last week I know I probably won’t have the stamina to stay that long. I’m feeling much better, but I’m still easing my way back into normal life. Having the flexibility to leave when I need to just feels like the smartest plan.

Speaking of recovering, today is Tuesday and I made it through my first full day back at work yesterday. I’ll be honest—I was probably only feeling about 75% of my normal self. Still, I managed to get seven saves, which made me feel pretty good about the day.

If you know anything about working in a call center, you know that adherence is a big deal. While I was sick last week, I kept worrying that I might not have a job to come back to. I’m not someone who calls in unless I truly have to. I take my job seriously and try my best to show up and do my part.

When I got to work yesterday, my manager Sherry reassured me that everything was fine. I might get a verbal warning for the time I missed, but honestly, I can live with that. Even a written note in the file would be okay. Sometimes you just get sick, and there’s no way to plan ahead for that. The important thing is that I’m back and ready to work toward my monthly goals again.

Today I’m hoping that if there’s a little quiet time between calls, I can work on a journal page. I recently received some new materials in the mail from New Jersey because we’re planning to visit there in April when we travel to New York City. I probably won’t get to explore a lot of New Jersey, but I definitely want to say I’ve been there so I can mark it off my bucket list.

One of my long-time goals has been to visit all 50 states. At this stage of my life I’m not sure I’ll get to all of them, but every state I can check off is a win in my book. I feel very fortunate that I’ve been able to explore different parts of the United States over the years. We really do live in a beautiful country.

Later this evening I also need to sit down and make a few credit card payments. Life admin never seems to go away, does it? My plan is to do that after dinner and my usual evening routine so I can focus and get everything taken care of.

Speaking of dinner, tonight I’m thinking about making one of our favorites—Cowboy Cornbread Stew. It’s hearty, simple, and perfect for leftovers. It also makes a great lunch to take to work the next day.

Cowboy Cornbread Stew Recipe

Ingredients

For the stew:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 cup frozen corn (optional for extra flavor)
• 1 packet taco seasoning or chili seasoning
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

For the cornbread topping:

• 1 box cornbread mix (such as Jiffy)
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and chopped onion until the meat is fully cooked. Drain excess grease.
3. Stir in the kidney beans, canned corn, diced tomatoes with chilies, frozen corn, and taco seasoning. Let everything simmer together for about 5–7 minutes.
4. Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
5. In a bowl, mix the cornbread mix, egg, and milk according to the package directions.
6. Spread the cornbread batter evenly over the beef mixture.
7. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown and cooked through.

It’s warm, filling, and one of those meals that just tastes like comfort.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today. I always appreciate you taking a moment out of your day to read along with me.

Before you go, I’d love it if you’d say a quick hello down in the comments. Tell me what state you’re from—I really enjoy seeing where everyone is checking in from.         

Saturday Reset Cleaning

 

         Saturday Reset Cleaning: Starting the Weekend Fresh

This morning, we decided to switch things up and do our usual weekend reset on a Saturday instead of Sunday evening. The plan was simple: get the house in order today so tomorrow could be reserved for our monthly grocery shopping trip. Honestly, this may become our new normal.

We started our chores right at 8 a.m. and wrapped up by 10 a.m., which felt like a win all on its own. There’s something so satisfying about knocking out housework early and still having most of the day ahead of you.

We began in the kitchen, as we usually do. Counters were wiped down, clean dishes were put away, and the refrigerator got a much-needed cleanout. You know the kind—checking expiration dates, tossing leftovers that had seen better days, and giving the shelves a quick wipe. After that, we swept and mopped the floor, leaving the kitchen fresh and ready for the week ahead.

Next, we headed into the bedroom. We cleaned off our bedside tables (they always seem to collect random things), emptied the trash, dusted, and vacuumed. It didn’t take long, but it made a big difference. There’s something calming about walking into a tidy bedroom at the end of the day.

From there, we moved on to the living room. Thankfully, it hardly ever gets too bad, but it’s always nice to give it a good dusting and vacuum to make it sparkle again. A clean living room just feels more inviting, especially when you plan on spending some quiet time reading or watching TV later.

Our last stop was the dining room. I cleaned off the table and tackled the weekly mail pile. Please tell me I’m not the only one who lets mail stack up throughout the week! I sorted through everything, discarded a lot of unnecessary papers, and organized my medicines. I still need to put them into my daily pill organizer—I tend to do better when all my pills are together. Sometimes I laugh and say my breakfast is my medications. If you know, you know.

By the time we finished, the house felt lighter somehow. Clean, calm, and ready for the weekend. Growing up, Saturday mornings were always cleaning days in my house. My mom would be up early, getting everything done, and doing this reset today brought back some really good childhood memories.

For lunch, we kept things simple and delicious. We made burritos topped with chili, using leftovers from a few nights ago when Mr. C. made chili. It was fast, easy, and surprisingly good—one of those meals that reminds you leftovers can be just as comforting as the original dish.

Later in the afternoon, I headed out to the laundromat. I arrived around 4 p.m. and was finished by 5 p.m., which is always a relief. After that, I stopped to fill up the Jeep with gas since Cherrie and I are heading to Norman, Oklahoma tomorrow for groceries. I also ordered dinner from Subway, making one last stop before heading home. I was back in the house by 6 p.m.

Overall, the day was incredibly productive, but it never felt rushed or stressful. I still had plenty of time to relax, read on my Kindle, and watch a little TV. Most importantly, I was home with my sweet husband, and that’s always the best part of any day.

Getting everything done early made the weekend feel longer and more peaceful. There’s something comforting about a clean home, full bellies, and nowhere you have to be. If this Saturday reset becomes our new routine, I’m all for it.