Midweek Rambling

Welcome, August! Family Visits, Fresh Goals, and Looking Forward

Good morning, friends!

It’s Wednesday morning, August 5th, and I’m on my way to work. It’s about 6:30 a.m., and we are blessed with another beautiful Oklahoma sunrise. I don’t know about you, but I have a feeling August is going to be a wonderful month.

The biggest reason? My youngest son, Trevor, his wife Mellissa, and my sweet grandchildren, Kyndall and Liam, will be coming home from North Dakota for a week and a half! It feels like it’s been far too long since we’ve all been together, and I honestly can’t wait to hug those babies.

Over the past few weeks, Mr. C and I have been busy getting everything ready for their visit. We completely decluttered Kyndall’s bedroom, which doubles as our guest room, and gave the toy room a complete makeover. It feels so nice knowing everything is organized, clean, and ready for little feet to come running through the house again.

Yesterday our new window air conditioner arrived for Kyndall’s room, and Mr. C is planning to install it today. With August being one of the hottest months of the year here in Oklahoma, I know they’ll sleep much more comfortably.

If you’re wondering why we named our guest bedroom Kyndall’s room is because her and I have always utilized the guest bedroom as if it was hers. She has a dresser drawer that has clothes, small treasures and hair items waiting on her. When they leave to go back to North Dakota I send most home with her. Then I start gathering up new items for the next visit. 

Now I just need to start planning a few fun Nana-and-Kyndall adventures. She always loves helping me in the kitchen, so I’m already thinking about a few treats we can bake together. I’ll also be stocking the pantry with plenty of kid-friendly snacks before everyone arrives.

Monday

Work started the week off fairly well. I finished Monday with 9 saves. While it wasn’t exactly where I wanted to be, every save helps someone, and that’s something I’m always grateful for.

Monday was also a big day for our grandson, Landon. He had his tonsils removed, his adenoids taken out, and tubes placed in his ears. Anytime your grandbaby has surgery, your heart worries a little extra. Thankfully, everything went well, and now it’s just time for him to heal.

Tuesday

Tuesday turned out to be a much better day at work. I finished the day with 14 saves, and I was really pleased with that. Today I’m setting my goal at 16 saves, although I’ll be happy as long as I reach at least 10.

After work, I picked up Taco Mayo for dinner because Mr. C had spent nearly the entire day helping Brody and Savannah with the kids while Savannah was getting her classroom ready for the new school year. Since Landon was still recovering from surgery, it was a huge blessing for them to have Grandpa there to help out. I know Mr. C enjoyed every minute of spending time with those grandbabies.

Tuesday evening I also worked on my required credit counseling certification. I’ve finished everything except the final chat session. Once I complete that, I’ll officially have my certification behind me, and that’ll feel wonderful to check off my to-do list.

Wednesday

Today I’m heading into work feeling optimistic.

We’ve had some changes happening in our department recently. Madison is transferring to the National Team on August 10th, and Whitney will be out beginning August 12th for surgery, with an expected six-week recovery.

Because of that, our schedules are shifting around. Sam has been moved from his normal 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. schedule to working 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you know Sam, you know that’s going to be quite an adjustment! He’s definitely a night owl who usually stays up until around two in the morning. I imagine his alarm clock is becoming his least favorite thing these days.

Thankfully, we’re expecting a new employee to begin training around August 18th, so relief is on the way. Until then, we’ll all be pulling together. It will certainly be busy, but busy also means more opportunities to earn those extra save bonuses.

After work today, I plan to finish my certification chat, and then I think Chicken Express is calling my name for supper. I’ll even order enough so I can pack leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch.

Speaking of lunch, today I’m keeping things fairly simple:

• A low-carb roll-up
• Frozen fruit
• Yogurt
• A Diet Root Beer
• A Diet Pepsi
• An energy drink

Little by little, I’m trying to make healthier choices.

This year has really become about being intentional. I’m trying to eat better, manage my money wisely, stay organized, and simply become the best version of myself one day at a time. Progress may not always be fast, but progress is still progress.

Five Simple Ways I’m Trying to Cut Back on Carbs

• Make wraps using low-carb tortillas instead of bread.
• Keep fresh vegetables ready for quick snacks instead of chips.
• Choose grilled chicken more often than fried foods.
• Drink more water and diet drinks instead of sugary beverages.
• Keep healthy protein snacks like cheese sticks, boiled eggs, or nuts nearby so I’m less tempted by sweets.

Five Easy Ways to Save Money

• Plan meals before grocery shopping.
• Cook enough supper to enjoy leftovers for lunch.
• Give yourself a 24-hour waiting period before making impulse purchases.
• Keep a running grocery list so fewer trips to the store turn into fewer impulse buys.
• Put even five or ten dollars into savings each payday—it adds up faster than you think.

Nana & Kyndall’s Kitchen Corner

One recipe I know Kyndall and I will have fun making together is Mini English Muffin Pizzas.

All you’ll need:

• Whole wheat or regular English muffins
• Pizza sauce
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Pepperoni or cooked sausage
• Mini pepper slices or olives (optional)

Let Kyndall spread the sauce, sprinkle on the cheese, and decorate each pizza with her favorite toppings. Bake at 375° for about 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly. It’s easy, delicious, and kids absolutely love making their own creations.

I’m counting down the days until our family is all together again. There’s just something about hearing little voices fill the house that makes everything feel complete.

I hope each of you has a wonderful Wednesday. Thank you for stopping by and spending a few minutes with me. Until next time, take care of yourselves and make today count!

Been sick this week!

 

Some weeks just don’t go according to plan, and this one definitely threw me a curveball.

Tuesday morning, I made it to work thinking I could push through whatever was going on. Well…my body had other ideas. By about 7:45 that morning, I was sitting at my desk feeling absolutely miserable. I was so sick that I actually started crying. My boss came over and asked what was wrong, and all I could say was, “I’m so sick.”

She took one look at me and told me to go home and not worry about work. She also asked me to let her know around 2:00 that afternoon how I was feeling so she could decide whether I needed to stay home on Wednesday. I was so out of it that I had Mr. C wake me up around 1:45 so I could figure out if I was capable of functioning. The answer was a definite “No.” I sent Sherry a message letting her know I still wasn’t feeling well, and Wednesday became another day of rest.

Getting older has definitely taught me one thing. At 59 years old, I don’t get sick very often, but when I do…I don’t do anything halfway. If my body is going to have a virus, it apparently wants the deluxe package. My stomach was rolling, I was nauseated, and I had a pounding headache in my left temple that just would not let up. Tylenol didn’t seem to make much of a difference, and honestly, I couldn’t even think straight enough to decide if I should call Dr. Angie.

When I left work Tuesday morning, I called Mr. C, and yes…I was crying. He immediately offered to come get me, along with Brody, but I told him not to. They were already at Brody and Savannah’s because Mr. C was planning to watch Lane while Brody, Savannah, Sophie, and Landon went to Landon’s doctor’s appointment.

I just wanted to get home as quickly as I could and crawl into bed.

Even though I told him there wasn’t anything he could do for me and that he should stay where he was, he came home anyway. They simply took Lane along with them to the doctor’s appointment instead.

That’s just who he is.

I felt bad because it completely changed his plans for the day, but he told me he wanted to be home in case I needed anything. I am so incredibly blessed to have a husband who always thinks about everyone else before himself. He takes such good care of me, and I never take that for granted.

By Wednesday morning, I was finally beginning to feel a little better, although that stubborn headache was still hanging around like an unwanted houseguest who couldn’t take a hint. I spent most of the day in bed because I simply had no energy. Thankfully, by this morning—Thursday, July 2—I finally feel like myself again.

Today is our work potluck before everyone enjoys the Fourth of July holiday. Ironically, I was the one who suggested we have one! My original plan was to make my famous piña colada cake, but after spending two days sick, I figured my coworkers probably wouldn’t appreciate me showing up saying, “Don’t worry…I only sneezed on it once!” 😂

So I pivoted.

Instead of baking, I’m bringing a supreme pizza from Casey’s, along with some festive sugar cookies, plates, napkins, and silverware in navy blue to give everything a little Fourth of July feel.

This morning Mr. C asked if I was taking my insulated lunch bag to work. I decided against it because sometimes simplifying life is the best decision. I packed a little fruit cup, a Zero Sugar Monster, a Zero Sugar Cherry Dr Pepper, and a bottle of water. Ice is free in the break room, so if my drinks get warm, I’ll survive.

My goal today is simple: make lots of saves, enjoy lunch with my coworkers, and ease back into normal life.

After work, I’m finally getting my nails done—which is long overdue—and then I’m stopping by Johnny’s Restaurant to pick up dinner. Mr. C wants chicken fried steak, and I’m planning on ordering a club sandwich. The best part? We’ll both have leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

Sometimes life reminds us that our plans can change in a heartbeat. Thankfully, good people, a little rest, and a lot of grace can help get us back on our feet.

Here’s hoping the rest of the holiday weekend is full of fireworks, good food, and absolutely no surprise viruses!