Hello, Dollies!
Welcome to Sentence a Day, 10.2019 – my October in one run-on sentence a day. These posts are lots of fun to read and review all that I have done each month. If you haven’t joined us for this link-up would like to invite you to try participating. It’s not too late to start for 11.2019 or pencil it in your agenda to begin with us in the coming new year.
Rebecca at Knit by God’s Hand came up with the idea for SaD and Sarah at Foxy’s Domestic Side always keeps us together by sharing the link-up code. Hope you will run by to check out their posts and the posts of some of the others linking up with us. Now, let’s see what we were up to in El Paso.
Sentence a Day 10.2019
- Liking this cooler fall weather, up to help with Cia, got a call that the endocrinologist needs to see me, ugh, PC and I cleaned the glass on a framed collage of photos from our trip to France, read with Cady via Facebook Facetime. 10.01.2019
- Helped with my pumpkin pie girl, Francisco received the news his grandfather had died, poor thing, and then had to go report for his first day of work, ran to Target – always dangerous – to get a uniform dress for my Cady Coo, and a few other things to send in a care package, physical therapy, painted rocks during long afternoon while worrying over the employment situation and waiting for the settlement check that wasn’t delivered. 10.02.2019
- Over the mountain but sadly passed a fatal accident on the mountain road, we never know when our last day will be; Cia was so good, and gave me this many huggies and kissies (she holds up all her fingers and says she wants to give me that many huggies), PT, home to wait again for the settlement check from the State Bar Association, chili and corn fritters that weren’t frittery-enough for dinner, awaiting the storm promised for tonight. 10.03.2019
Hello, Fall & Goodbye, Summer
- Awakened by our kitties chasing each other with fur flying up and down the stairs, endocrinologist appointment diagnosed again with primary hyperparathyroidism, could do surgery but going to just keep an eye on things, ran some quick errands before meeting Lauren at Souper Salad, nice to be alone together, shopping date at Annie Mo’s holiday shop afterward, Hobby Lobby stop and then home and off to the movies with PC to see “Joker” – dark, depressing but well acted by Joaquin Phoenix. 10.04.2019
- Last baseball game of the year, and possibly my last walk around the lake until spring; tough El Paso Yankees loss, but enjoyable lunch to follow with the team and head cheerleaders (wives), not home until 5:00 which made for a long day, left my scarecrow painted rocks about the lake for folks to find. 10.05.2019
- Up in time for church, great message by Andreas Neilsen from Sweden on how God can take nothing or next to nothing and create a blessing, a miracle; met the kids at iHop for breakfast, good food and convo and Lucia was adorable and ate very well, home for football and laundry and a bike ride. 10.06.2019
Monday, the new Friday
- Monday…my new fav day of the week because for at least that one day, I am on schedule…quiet time, chores, started homemade bread that will bake tomorrow, changed sheets, worked on blog posts, frustrating news on the job front as PC was turned down for another position, picked up new lenses for old frames. 10.07.2019
- Woke up at 2:30 am and couldn’t go back to sleep…made a list of things we can cut to save money…helped with Cia who was an absolute doll, ran to the Fountains to exchange my super tight size 6 leopard pants at J. Crew Factory for a more comfy size 8, counseling with Hillary, cried, home to bake bread which was one of my best loaves ever, tried to nap but mind was racing about my nephew Trey leaving for basic training. 10.08.2019
- Slept so well, rained all night, dressed in workout clothes to help with Cia and for my physical therapy session, ahhhhh, so restful, fixed French onion pork chops in the crock pot, ironed while listening to my Audible book, PC is feeling puny so no gym. 10.09.2019
Settling into the Season
- Fall is truly upon us…so nice to have the windows open all day; helped with Cia who was an angel, PT – only 2 more sessions…I will miss those naps; home to clean house – smells so good and looks so nice; couldn’t do my kitchen makeover this summer but did order new rugs for the kitchen which arrived today and gave it some pizzazz, bike ride, simple supper, blog reading all night with one eye on “A Million Little Things.” 10.10.2019
- PC worked from home so we had to stay around most of the day, enjoyed a morning walk together, gym at lunch, and then once my prince could quit work for the day, we went to see a really dreadful movie…thank goodness for popcorn; stone soup for supper, soak in the hot tub and fire in the pit before bed.
- Slept so good, cool evening temps, PC was anxious to get on the road for Las Cruces and our hike, lunch at Chick-fil-a beforehand, beautiful walk up to Soledad Bar Canyon, convertible drive through Mesilla and under a canopy of pecan tree branches back home to El Paso, soup for supper, blogging reading tonight and another soak in the hot tub. 10.12.2019
Sleeping Woes
- Over slept again and missed church, guess it is time to set the alarm on Sundays, walked around the outlet while waiting for the kids to meet us for a jaunt to La Union corn maze and pumpkin patch, Mexican food for dinner, then PC got a sad phone call about a wreck his mother was in, we were very worried the rest of the night. 10.13.2019
- Had trouble falling asleep last night but finally did, awoke to more terrible news about Paul’s mother’s wreck, spent most of the day in a fog, worked out at the gym, picked up a few groceries, treated ourselves to DQ blizzards, Chick-fil-a copy-cat chicken nuggets for dinner, soak in the hot tub before bed. 10.14.2019
- Grateful for ZzzQuil and a good night’s sleep, over the mountain to help with Cia today, got lots of huggies; home to finish laundry, blog read, open my fashion haus and style my Stitch Fix pieces, squeezed in a walk and a gym workout, talked with May (MIL), fixed chicken-broccoli-rice for dinner, more blog reading before bed. 10.15.2019
Sweet Cia
- Lucia was sick this morning so I didn’t head out until time for PT at 10:00, tried on all of the outfits I created yesterday for my flat lays, had fun playing dress up and using my good camera to take pictures, treated myself to sushi for lunch, prayed to St. Anthony to help me find PC’s blood pressure cuff and TENS unit for which I have been looking for weeks, all of a sudden, they both appeared in places where I had looked before…can you say little miracle? 10.16.2019
- Cia-sat early this morning so Lauren could go to the doctor, PT for the last time – or is it? they want me to continue to come – treated the PT staff to doughnuts, received a sad message from Gloria, the girls’ cousin, that her father had attempted to commit suicide, but her brother found him and got him to the hospital, Lauren’s OB is a little concerned about Cami’s small size, put together my altar for dia de los muertos. 10.17.2019
Bogged Down with Blogging
- I was a hard-working lady today but started out very lazy this morning, spending time reading blog posts in bed, then got the house clean, laundry started, cookies baked – pumpkin spice and oatmeal chocolate chip, and had the neighborhood handy man give us estimates for a few odd jobs around the house, treated PC to Chipotle for dinner. 10.18.2019
- Lazy morning in bed, blog reading and writing, met Lucia and Lauren at the El Paso Museum of History for sugar skull decorating and marigold making, PC and I had Red Lobster for a late lunch, then hit the outlet mall – need to stay away from there – ice cream on the way home, “Live PD” before bed, learning more distressing details about May’s wreck. 10.19.2019
- Slept without waking all night, unheard of; dressed casually for church so we could walk up McKelligon Canyon afterward, McD’s cheeseburgers for lunch, a stop at Lowe’s then home to watch football, took in a matinee of “Maleficent,” which I thought was pretty but not as good as the first, popcorn for supper followed by more football before bed. 10.20.2019
Ups and Downs
- My PC was up a lot of the night with tummy troubles, and neither of us felt 100% today, enjoyed a walk and a bike ride, homemade potato and ham soup for supper, got some little projects done around the house by Juan the handyman, learned there will be 2 new babies in our family in 2020…Brennyn’s pregnant!! Thank you, Lord! 10.21.2019
- And just like that, Brennyn isn’t pregnant, false positives – Walgreen’s pregnancy tests are renowned for them; a let down for everyone, my Prince is still feeling rocky, had my mammogram, my first photography class at UTEP, left over potato soup for dinner, bike ride. 10.22.2019
- Blog reading and writing and quiet time in the morning, picked up grocery order at Walmart, counselor’s appointment with Hillary, feeling let down and kind of depressed, we cannot continue to afford the co-pay for counseling and not sure it is helping much anyway. 10.23.2019
Old Friends
- Met Lorena for breakfast at Savage Goods – green chile burritos and good conversation, was supposed to have PT but haven’t gotten my additional therapy authorized; bought a tassel necklace for my mom, batteries for 2 watches and left a necklace to be untangled at Nayda’s Beads, PC came home from work absolutely defeated after learning his last paycheck with be 01.31.2020 and he will not qualify for severance pay as originally promised, pizza for dinner, football before bed. 10.24.2019
Busy Bee
- Friday, glad you are finally here; up early for quiet time and a cup of coffee, there was frost on the rooftops when I left to help with Cia so Lauren could do a teleconference presentation; my little one gave me such a warm welcome and big hug; her teacher was absent at school so I asked the director if they ever hire subs and she said they are looking to hire a teaching assistant to help in such cases, I told her I was interested, job would be from 6-10 am, M-F; made my latest chili recipe for lunch, GOOD!, quick workout at the gym, cleaned the kitchen, vacuumed and mopped, little walk, then dinner with the kids at Peter Piper Pizza, Lucia was so talkative and carving pumpkins afterward. My PC is so down. We are both so worried. 10.25.2019
- Combined gym workout with a walk up McKelligon Canyon (we always pick up at least 3 pieces of trash), rear-ended on the way but only minimal damage done to my car and we were startled but not hurt, my new FAVORITE chili (will be sharing for our recipe swap/blog hop on 11.12.2019) for lunch, lazy afternoon and evening watching TV and reading blog posts. 10.26.2019
- Dressed up for church which, combined with picture taking, made us late so we ate sweets at Valley Market, bought my dia de los muertos bread and then went to the second service, walked around the outlet mall as always, scored some great pieces at H&M with my 20% off coupon, Skyped and scrapbooked with my sister, bike ride, leftover potato and ham soup for dinner, football and baseball on TV. 10.27.2019
Back in the Saddle Again
- Guess who survived her first classroom subbing job in years? Oh, yeah, baby…you are looking at ‘er. And this deserves several sentences because today I felt like I accomplished something, like I did something well, because after I finished today, another teacher at the same school texted to ask if I would sub for her, and while I was at school a former student teacher who knew me as a librarian years ago, came up to say hello…it had been 15 years!, gym workout, blog reading, spaghetti and homemade meatballs for dinner. 10.28.2019
- Happy Halloween – had more tricks that treats in my day, tried to make a dia de los muertos video by altar on the porch all morning while neighbor dogs barked, car engines revved, UPS and FedEx and motorcycles raced up the street, finally got a video finished that I could live with then all my photos and videos disappeared from my phone, how does that happen?, they reappeared later after my meltdown, picked up Lauren and fam from the airport, took Cia trick or treating in her Anna costume and us in our Union general/southern belle get-ups. 10.31.2019
Like most months, October was a combination of high highs and low lows. So far, so good for November!
Your Turn
Last month I started used 1 Sec Everyday to create a quick video of my month. Thanks to Deb at Deb’s World for sharing this app with me.
How did you October wind up? What the best thing that happened? In which ways did you struggle? If you have a month in review post, please link up with us below or a summary of your October with me in a comment.
This month, I have a number of posts in the works, including my annual mini-holiday bucket list. It runs from 11.21.2019-12.21.2019 and features about a half-dozen holiday-related activities I hope to accomplish. Would love to have YOU join me!! If you are interested in putting together a mini-holiday bucket list, let me know!
Have a blessed first week of November, friends. Thank you for spending a few moments here with me.
Hugs and kisses,
Nancy
I always love to read about what’s going on in your life. You live in such a different world. Have a great november!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Nancy!! Come join us some time for Sentence a Day. We will probably continue into the new year. Would love to get to know you better through these glimpses into life!
Bojana
A busy month, its always interesting when you write it all down just how much happens to us and people we love in a short amount of time. I was so sad for Brennyn for her false positive, that would have crushed me when I was trying to get pregnant.
bosbodaciousblog.blogspot.ca
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, sweet Bojana. Brennyn was so sad to learn she wasn’t pregnant but thankfully, they hadn’t been trying for years only to have their bubble burst. Walgreens truly needs to pull their faulty pregnancy tests.
Gail
Well done on the subbing! Sorry to hear about PC’s bad luck. Will offer up a prayer. And do tell me what stone soup is!!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, stone soup is delicious. It is based on a folktale about a trio of hungry soldiers who are heading home from war. They walk into a village and beg for something to eat and a place to stay. The villagers turn their heads on the soldiers and refuse to help them. The soldiers decide to make stone soup. They ask only for a pot large enough to hold soup for the whole village and water to fill the pot. Then the soldiers throw in a stone to flavor the broth. While stirring the water, they wish aloud for just a few carrots and one of the villagers brings them. Then they wish for an onion, a few potatoes, a little beef and before long they have an hearty pot of soup. Enough to feed the whole village…without depleting the cupboards of anyone. It is a great story of working together, compassion, sharing. I used to teach it every year right before Thanksgiving. And we would make soup in the library. Mmmm.
Hoping to get some more sub work in the future. Sure appreciate your prayers for my PC’s job situation. We are getting pretty worried. Thank you!!
em
It’s been a little crazy around here so I am catching up.
I so enjoyed your post about your Dia di los muertos…so sad to have lost your sweet nephew, juxtaposed my the happy way you remembered him. I’ve listened to a few lectures on grief lately (for friends) and this seems like such a great way to keep Andrew in the present, where he always is for your family. We all have a finite time, and being able to include and honor him is such a blessing.
St. Anthony is a hero in our family. He never disappoints! My son chose him to be his confirmation patron. Smart kid!
I may have missed something…are you doing PT for your foot fracture? Hope all parts are working well.
And continued prayers and well wishes for PC. Stress from uncertainty is so trying. I know you’re rolling up your socks somewhat, but happy you are still “living” in the interim. Happy to see how much your are enjoying your time with Cia. Her pictures with both of you are darling!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hey friend!! So glad to hear from you. Have you guys had your first snow yet? I am hoping for at least a couple of snowy days this winter. We want to go sledding up in the mountains when my daughter Brennyn comes to visit after Christmas.
I have been doing PT for sciatica – at least that’s the diagnosis for now. Whatever the case, the therapy has really made a difference. And I am able to just do exercises on my own now to keep the pain at bay.
PC had an interview yesterday for a job here. We are hoping and praying that he will be chosen. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes.
Cia has been a delight for both of us. I was very concerned when Lauren and family moved to El Paso because Paul was not the least bit excited. But he is thoroughly enchanted by that little angel. And I think she has been just what we needed during this stressful time.
Thank you for visiting, my friend.
Retirement Reflections
Thank you for the catchup, Leslie. Once again, I greatly admire your extreme candidness and honesty. Wishing you and PC a wonderful November.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
November is off to a grand start. PC had an interview yesterday so we are feeling hopeful. Cia has been a delight and we are looking forward to the upcoming 4-day weekend. Hope your November is equally grand.
Mother of 3
I haven’t been a substitute in YEARS but I do have such fond memories; how wonderful to get back at it (and know you did a great job!).
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you! I love children. Really, truly, love them. And it has been wonderful to be back among babies!!
Joanne Tracey
Okay, I’ll ask the question – what’s stone soup? It sounded like a real up & down month with some stuff I’m sure you could have done without, but some other smiley parts as well. Good on you for the subbing job – just like riding a bike…or so they say. Wishing you a happy & healthy November.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I think I am losing my mind! I thought I had responded to your comment. It made me smile. Stone soup is based on a folktale by the same name. It is really more of a vegetable soup but when I would make it with my second graders at school, we made more of a taco soup because the kids in El Paso would be more familiar with those ingredients and flavors. And just as in the folktale, the first ingredient is a stone.
Natalie
Well done with the subbing job, Leslie! Wishing you a healthy and happy November and good news on the job front for PC. #sentenceaday
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Natalie. Hoping to hear good news about PC’s interview this past week!
Deb
First of all, well done on the teaching job! It is obvious that this is something you love so I’m not surprised that they want to have you there regularly! It must be so worrying for your PC and I really hope that he gets good news soon.
Seems like your month was full of ups and downs and I hope that next month will be more ups and less downs. Love those little 1 second videos, aren’t they fun?
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you for sharing the 1 second videos with me. They are such a fun way to preserve a month of memories. I need to share with my daughters!
I do love children and being back among them in school. Funny that you can tell that about me from my blog! Have two more assignments next week. And this week I am enjoying lots of time with Cia.
Juhli
Wow, what a month of ups and downs you had! Hope your MIL is ok, you get more subbing jobs soon and PC’s interview produces results.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Juhli. I keep thinking we are one day going to have a quiet, borderline boring month where I struggle to find something to write. Happy to report I have 2 more sub jobs next week and had to turn down two this week! Waiting to hear how PC’s interview went. Good thoughts welcome and appreciated.
Rebecca Jo Vincent
Gosh – you hear of these car crashes & you know they had no idea that day would be their last. We should all be reminded of that.
2:30am list making – when your brain just wont stop
Sorry sleeping is just not treating you kindly lately
That’s crazy that false positives can exist in PG tests – talk about an emotional toying. Not cool at all!!!!
You’ll have to share what you learn at your photo class
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Rebecca, this car crash my MIL was in has been devastating for her and the families of the people she hit. So sad. And we are so worried about what may yet happen.
I am back to sleeping well again. Hallelujah!
Oh, the photography class…need to write up a post about it.
Danielle
Leslie I love the 1 second video at the end. I am playing around with it as well, but for Nash. I’m hoping I will have a photo a day for his first year. We will see if I manage to keep up with it.
You had a very busy October. I love hearing about all the Lucia time you are getting. It’s so nice when kids get to spend time with their grandparents. I have such fond memories of my grandparents. I love the painted rocks, and that you left them for people to find. That is fantastic.
Hoping PC gets some good news on the job front. And yay for subbing.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Glad you are playing with the 1 second video app. I am going to take your great idea about doing a first year compilation for Nash, and share it with Lauren. Maybe she will want to do it with Cami. Thank you for sharing! I look forward to seeing Nash’s first year collage.
You were fortunate to have your grandparents around as a child. I never knew my grandfathers. Don’t even really think of them as grandfathers. They were my parents’ dads but nothing on a personal level to me because I never met them. So glad that Paul has become attached to Cia and vice versa. We are really enjoying being grandparents.
Thank you for the compliment on my rocks. Really hoped to get more painted, they are on my dining room table nd going to become winter themed rocks rather than ghosts as I had originally planned.
We have everything crossed waiting to hear about Paul’s interview. I have 2 more sub jobs next week. We can do this!
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
Haha, making a list at 2:30 a.m. sounds just like me! Stone soup? Did you get that recipe from a kids book? There is actually a couple of kids books with recipes I like to make… one is a thunder chocolate cake (I can’t seem to remember the name of the book) and the other one has a vegetable soup recipe. LOL. It is nice you have some family close now! I really hope PC gets a new position soon!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thunder chocolate cake comes from Polacco’s Thunder Cake, I think. Stone soup is from the folktale by the same name. I just took a recipe for taco soup because I knew the kids in El Paso would like that soup, and added a few ingredients of my own, including a stone!!
Laura Bambrick
What a month for you all! You certainly kept busy! Sorry about all the bad news you received too. I hope PC’s mother is doing ok! Sorry about her car accident! I really hope this month is more positive for you all! I always heard the dollar store pregnancy tests were really good. The infertility facebook groups I am in always recommend them, very low instance of false positives (Those are the WORST)! Hopefully a real positive is soon!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
We are hopeful for a real positive for my daughter in time for the holidays. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
PC’s mom is physically fine but the accident has taken a terrible toll on her emotionally and spiritually. Thank you for your kind words.
Debbie Harris
Oh Leslie, so many ups and downs in your month, it was good to read all about your happenings. I love your family connections and the love you have for them all. I hope the job front for PC comes good soon for you, it must be a worry. It can be good writing things down and this is one of the benefits of blogging 🙂 . Take care of yourself xx
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Debbie. Have enjoyed getting to know Dottie in your posts. And looking forward to lots and lots of holiday pics once you return to England.
Thank you for your sweet words. I do love my family and so enjoy every moment I get to spend with Lucia and Cady (far too infrequently with her). We will all be together again after the holidays. Cannot wait!
Chrissy
What a wonderful way to journal. I heard a speaker share that we should journal a sentence a day and this is just what you did. Sounds like so much transpired for you in a month – and isn’t that the way it is. I see the benefit of writing down thoughts at the end of the day b/c humans tend to overlook so much! Thank you for being an open, beautiful lady Leslie!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hey Chrissy! Thank you so much for coming by and leaving such a sweet comment. We would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have you join us for SaD. If not in the remaining six weeks of 2019, maybe you could start in January? It has been such a blessing to me. I can go back and see when we did certain things, I can reflect on good days and bad. Please think about joining us!
Amy Johnson
you are the busiest person I know. I’m so sorry to hear about your hubby’s job. Hopefully he’ll find a new one soon. Your sleep sounds like mine. It’s different every night. Some nights I can’t sleep at all and other nights, like last night, I slept 10 hours straight.
Shugunna Alexander
Hi Leslie, just letting you know I’m going to steal one second video idea😂😂🤜🏾. Thanks again
Now you my lady had a really roller coaster of a month YET you came out of it still with family and love. Congratulations on your subbing job, good luck with that. Also, the ham soup sounds really good, I want some.
Lastly, please tell your husband I’ll be praying for him on the job front. Your baby and grandbaby are so adorable… oh, my daughter said she loves your rocks!