Lovelies, it’s that time again – time for the Currently 04.2021 link up! As always, I am joining my friend Anne at Anne in Residence for this series. For today’s post we are sharing what we are currently arranging, craving, discussing, enjoying, and preparing.
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Currently 04.2021
Soooooo, until the last few days it had been a minute since I was able to write a blog post. Hired someone to give the blog a facelift for spring but it has taken close to a month to get the work done. And things still aren’t exactly right. In the meantime, to be honest, I have wondered if I should even continue blogging. Feel like I have lost sight of why I started in the first place. Which was to chronicle my journey into rediscovering myself in retirement. Been taking it to God for His direction and insight.
Arranging…
spring decorations. Almost didn’t get the decorations up in time for Easter.
Craving…
a little peace. I know LIFE is crazy. There’s always tribulation. Twists and turns. But sometimes it feels we just jump from one crazy week to another. Anyone else feel that way?
Last week for example, year-old Cami started getting sick, became dehydrated and was hospitalized. Her mommy, my daughter Lauren, had to swallow a camera so doctors can study her gastrointestinal system. My daughter Brennyn and Mustafa were in a car wreck. My 94 year-old mom fell twice in her assisted living center. My niece and nephew were diagnosed with Covid. Our tax appraisal came and shows that our house increased in value by $20k even though we didn’t do one thing to improve it. Well, I did dust and vacuum. But come on!! Supposedly it’s because the construction industry suffered during the pandemic and houses weren’t built, so those of us already in existing houses get to pick up the slack. Check out this article, here.
Discussing…
vacation plans. The girls want to do all of our July birthdays – there are 4 – in Cancun. Which sounds heavenly to me. PC and I went to Cancun in 2013 after my first cervical spine surgery. Heaven on Earth. We stayed in an all adult, all inclusive resort. This time we would have the 3 granddarlings along (and their parents) so need to find somewhere else to stay.
This place, Moon Palace Cancun, looks pretty swell. What do you think?
Enjoying…
getting back into my smaller clothes. Been tracking my Weight Watcher’s points. Have lost about 4 pounds which is just enough that my smaller clothes are fitting more comfortably. Participating in another StepBet walking challenge. My third. We are just into the second week of this month-long challenge and I have struggled a couple of days to meet my goal. Need to get back to exercising first thing in the morning. Ordered these St. John’s Bay women’s mid rise straight leg jeans from JCP in the fall of 2018. They were pretty tight then and still are…but hey, I can zip them up.
Preparing…
this very quick and easy cheesy southwest chicken soup. PC had a third epidural for lower back and hip pain today. Each time he has to take a sedative before the procedure then we always go to breakfast afterward. When he gets home, Paul is pretty well knocked out for the rest of the day. We had iHOP about 11 am so I just fixed this soup for dinner. I put it together in about 15 minutes and it was ready in an hour. Give it a try!!
Spring Goals
You might remember the list of winter goals and final update I shared here. Patting myself on the back as I did pretty well toward realizing those goals. Going to keep my list of spring goals short. And the goals themselves kind of broad. Have a look see.
We are already almost a month into spring and these 3 goals will take some work.
- Spring cleaning: each room from top to bottom, including window washing and blinds, laundering bedding, curtains and drapes, and carpet cleaning.
- Finish mosaic: my #100DayProject. I have been working on it pretty regularly until the last week. Added black glass to the design and not crazy about it. Ugh. But discovered that a little too late!!
- Begin side yard work: in an effort to be more environmentally friendly, we are going to replace the grass on the west side of the house with xeriscaping. Going to add a flagstone walk with rock landscaping around it. Something like the one in this pin from Pinterest, meandering around our Texas ash and peach trees and our oleander.
HodgePodge
Last but not least on this busy hUmP dAy… hodgepodge with my friend Joyce at From this Side of the Pond. Glad to be able to participate in hodgepodge again.
Taxing
1. What is something you currently find ‘taxing’? Life lately. Ha! How’s that for a broad answer? Just worn out with everything right now…especially those things I outlined in my Currently 04.2021 response for the prompt ‘craving.’ Craving peace. My friend Carrie at A Simple Lovely Life shared this quote from today’s entry from Jesus Calling. It spoke to me.
Favorites
2. I’ve seen this question asked in various forms on several social media sites…you can only keep three – coffee, jewelry, tacos, wine, books, dogs, chocolate, Netflix, make-up, leggings, cheese, cats. Which three do you keep and how easy or hard was it for you to decide? Books, cheese and kitties. Would try to negotiate for wine and chocolate. I love dogs but haven’t had one in close to a decade and have kitties right now, otherwise I would negotiate for them, too.
Forgiveness
3. Tell us something you know or have learned about forgiveness? At this time of the year, many of us think on the forgiveness we have been extended through Christ’s life and death. I am not sure I have ever truly extended forgiveness. As in me forgiving someone else. I can set things aside but I rarely forget them. So if those issues, those situations are still back there in my memory somewhere, have I really forgiven or just moved forward?
Bubbles
4. What’s something you’d recommend that is often overlooked and under appreciated? Had to think on this for a few minutes. Bubbles. Blowing bubbles. Discovered the delight, beauty, peace of blowing bubbles through playing with my granddaughters. Truly serene and restorative. Preferably done in the company of a little you love. I can liken a few minutes of bubble blowing to a cat nap, soak in the tub, or a moment of meditation.
K
5. Give us a favorite word that starts with letter K and tell us why this is the one you chose. Kevin. My brother’s name and one of my favorite people. My brother is a dedicated son and loving father. He is a hard worker and a proud patriot. I love him very much.
Random Thought
6. Insert your own random thought here. Hope you will come back by for the April Ageless Style get-together this Thursday. We will be styling earth tones in honor of Earth Day, 04.22.2021. This year’s theme is “Restore Our Earth.” Thanks to my daughters and their husbands, I have become more conscientious about recycling around our house.
Your Turn
How would you respond to the prompts for Currently 04.2021? What are you arranging, craving, discussing, enjoying, and preparing? Would enjoy reading your responses in a comment below. Then be sure to hop by Anne’s and Joyce’s blogs to check out their posts for this month.
Off to play dress up for the Ageless Style link up. It is a beautiful day. Love having an excuse to dress up and be outside for a bit.
Hugs and kisses,
Lisa Elliott
Enjoyed reading your answers today!!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, sweet friend. I am glad you came by and left a comment. Added your blog to my Feedly list.
Erin @ Cracker Crumb Life
I would miss you if you weren’t blogging! But if this isn’t serving you or is creating stress then maybe reconsider the frequency? I try to do three a week and that seems to work best for me. But if I do less, than so be it. 🙂 I try to be flexible with it.
Oh my goodness – so much has happened in your life! I hope that everyone is recovering from everything – the dehydration, the car accident, the COVID, your mom, all of it. Prayers that life will become a bit easier the rest of the spring.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
You are so sweet. Thank you. I just need to really focus on why I am blogging and like you suggested, blog only a certain number of times a week/month.
Thank you for the prayers, ladybug. We sure appreciate them. This week has been kinder so prayers have been answered.
rawsonjl
I can completely understand why you are craving some peace– that sounds like a real stressful time. I have been debating A LOT about stepping away from blogging too. At this point I’ve decided that I won’t be blogging next week (other than the Thursday link party I am commited to co-hosting and maybe my Friday Favorites and Saturday I Spy but those two are definitely not a sure thing). I can’t tell if I’m just burn out and need a break or if I’m just at that point where I don’t want to continue at all.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
My darling friend, I hope you won’t step away from blogging completely. I think we have been burning the candle at both ends. Something has to give. I see your comments on all the blogs I follow and you have been posting a great deal lately. Maybe we both need to just slow down a little? Prayers you and I both find some peace.
Juhli
Oh my goodness, your family has been hammered of late. Things will get better and please keep blogging but take time off when you need to. Love the Easter decorations.
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
Whoa… you did have a crazy week! I hope your momma is doing ok, poor thing! I am sure it is hard when you aren’t close. I really need to ‘plan’ some time to get outside and enjoy my garden. I feel every week is so busy here, too!!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
How’s your dad? We are looking into upping my mom’s care. Had a teleconference with the administration at her assisted living complex on Wednesday. Just so worrisome.
Yes, get your cute bootie out to the garden. I remember the year you and Aut made the fairy garden. Maybe it is time to work on it and give it an update.
Jodie
Man if vacuuming and dusting would raise the value of the home that much, I might do it much more, LOL!!
Cancun sounds like a wonderful idea.
Sending love for everyone sick and needing it.
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
You make me LAUGH!! I even mopped today. Our house is going to be appraised even higher!!
Laurie
I love your new look, Leslie! So stylish. I need to participate in “Currently”. It is so much fun! You certainly had a crazy week. I am sending virtual hugs your way. I think it sound like you could use one! Those jeans look great on you. Way to progress on your weight loss journey.
Deb
What a week you had! So many things to cause you stress. Thank goodness you have a lovely holiday with all your favourites to look forward to.
I really hope you decide to keep blogging, the new look blog looks great!
It’s not just the blog looking good,you are too – a bit of weight watchers and a bit of exercise is obviously working for you. I’m dreading getting my summer clothes out, sometimes it’s really strange how they seem to ‘shrink’ a bit when they haven’t been worn for six months 😉
Leslie Roberts Clingan
You never fail to make me laugh!! Our summer clothes do shrink while they are packed away, don’t they?
Thank you for the sweet comment about the blog – and me!! Hoping Rachel has heard from her test results and has some course of action for restoring her health. Lauren got a copy of her recent holter monitor results and her heart is having irregular beats 88 times in 2 minutes. Our poor babies.
notinjersey
Sounds like a lot is going on and I hope all will be ok! Cancun would be great!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Cancun is calling my name. I need a vacay in the worst way. We all deserve one, don’t we??
Lysha
Congrats on the weight loss!
I think we are all so anxious to get traveling that’s what everyone seems to be discussing. Cancun sounds like the perfect place to getaway to. I can’t wait to get back on a cruise ship, but I know it will happen in due time.
That soup looks amazing!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh a cruise!! I have never been on one but have always wanted to go.
Amy Johnson
It sounds like you had quite a month, yikes! As for your property value increasing, I’m sure it’s just another sneaky way for the government to get more tax money from you.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
We were adding up our property taxes last night…almost $100K a year. Just crazy. I could have some fabulous vacations with that money!!
IrisOriginals
Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry for your families sickness. Praying everyone is okay now.
Cancun sounds wonderful – hopefully you can work it out.
Grace & Peace, Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Iris. We have had a rough go of it lately but this weekend has been better. And today, Sunday, was a restful, restorative day. Thank you!!
leannelc
Hi Leslie – I really like the new blog look, but I know what you mean about wondering whether to keep going or not. Sometimes I feel like things are drying up, then I have a little spurt and write a few posts, then it slows again. I still enjoy it enough to keep going, but one post a week is my limit I’m afraid. I’ve had some lovely guest bloggers offering to write on my “cultivate” theme and that’s been really good – I love sharing the love around. If you ever feel like you’d like to write something just flick me an email and we’ll make it happen x
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you so much for the kind comments and invitation to guest post at your place. I will think on that theme. Not sure I am cultivating much over here. Except I have been reading a book about moving away from the pressure of constant self-improvery. It is speaking to me.
patwdoyle11
Your comment about forgiveness and forgetting made me recall when I was told forgiveness doesn’t mean you forget. It also doesn’t mean you’ve condoned what was said/done. It just means you forgive. That really helped me with it.
Also, so sorry to hear about all the chaos happening in your life right now. As I’ve been known to say to myself…. just breathe.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
You are so wise about forgiveness. I do need to be more forgiving. But I find myself bringing up past issues or thinking about past mistakes (I or others have made) and unable to let things go. Need to work on that.
natashajk
I hope you have gotten some of the peace you were craving. It sounded like your whole family desperately needed it. I would miss you if you stopped blogging but you have to make the best decision for you. I hope your day today is looking up.