CURRENT SITUATION…

Seriously. I’ve been awake for hours and the only thing I’m ready to do is to drink more coffee!

Late nights and early mornings…
In the words of Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) in one of my all-time favorite movies, Lethal Weapon…
~~When Mel Gibson was soooo hot and before he went off the rails a bit~~.
CURRENTLY I AM…
<3 Reading –

<3 Watching –
<3 Listening to –
An 80’s soundtrack that my future son-in-law made me.
This song actually made the list. So many people overlook this gem!
Fun song. Great beat. Easy to dance to. I’ll give it a 96…
As I date myself with an American Bandstand reference.

Bonus points for me! It’s from a Soul Train performance! Ha!
Again, dating myself but it’s okay… Those were good times with or without clothes!
<3 Wishing –
I could get all of my shit done – also known as craft projects – so I can take a lit’l bit of a breather!
<3 Eating – Low carbs and high protein.

Makes perfect sense to me.
<3 Feeling – Like I could eat an entire chocolate cake. ALONE.

<3 Enjoying – “Every breath I take… Every move I make…”
<3 Needing – My hair, nails, and eyebrows done!
<3 Drinking – Water. Lots n’ lots n’ LOTS of fucking water!!!
<3 Loving – That the holidays are right around the corner.

I’ve tried to catch up with everyone. If I haven’t yet I’m on my way!

Been busy but managed to get a mini vacay in via ranch, dog, cat sitting.
It was heavenly. Seriously. Heavenly.

I always learn so many new things when I spend time with Miranda and her family…

Like ranch kids know exactly how far down to dig – with MAN size equipment – to bury a dead cow so “something” doesn’t come out and drag it off.
Miranda and the hubs and the 2 boys could host their own National Geographic show and never have to leave home! Not even kidding.
Okay, folks! Back at it! I hope you’ve all had a wonderful week with good vibes that carry into the weekend. I’ve missed you all but I’m back! ~~I think…~~
MIMI’S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY –
Be well.
MiMi

MIDNIGHT AT THE OASIS… – #8

First of all, let me apologize for the earworm that got stuck in your head just from the title alone. I’m not talking about midnight at this oasis…
Buttttttt… Can I just say, I miss those clothes, that hair, and the music.

I’m talking about “Blake & Miranda’s Mountain Oasis.”
This is pretty much the winter months, give or take a few inches of snow.

This is the summer.

So. When I write that I’m heading to “Miranda’s” I’m sure you’ll all understand if it takes me a few days to come back. It’s so relaxing and when you walk in the door to “Blake n’ Miranda’s” home not only do you feel like family, you are family.

You may remember my post ‘Miranda Throws A Pleasure Party.’ It’s my most viewed post to date. If you haven’t read it, you should. That post will really give you a view of what lies at the foot of those beautiful mountains up there.
Well… pleasure parties, homeschooling, fantastic home cooking and running a ranch!

Speaking of homeschooling… Kudos to every homeschooling mom/dad on the planet! The school work has changed SOOOOO much it’s unreal. I look at the math and I’m like, nope, I’m out. Give me books, words and art and I’m in.
Side note: The 1st photo and the 6th may be the most accurate.

This is me if I were a homeschooler.Oh, and if you’re curious about “Blake’s” role at the “oasis” here’s a couple of pics of just one of the things he does.
See that road on the side of the mountain? Yeah. He keeps those clear…
Day and night…
And can you believe people still bitch if the roads aren’t smooth as glass?
Seriously…
Back in the city, I’m just hangin’ out doin’ what I do. We finally got some snow! About a half an inch. Woo hoo! Just enough to freeze at night and make the roads icy but hey, no complaints. Here’s our week ahead…
That’s just nuts! I wish all of our Januarys were like this!
Today looks like a great day to get some reading done.
I’m currently reading two books. Yep. I’m that kind of reader…
“Miranda” gave me ‘Gone Girl’ for Christmas. A real book, paperback and I checked out ‘The Giver’ from my local library via my phone using the Libby app. I’m determined to reach my reading goals this year on Goodreads!
So, what’s Wednesday looking like for all of you??? Almost to the weekend. Anybody have plans?? I have a dental appt. on Friday. Go me! ~~I hate the dentist…~~
As always. Feel free to spill the beans in the comments below.

Also. The Goodreads link up there is to my Goodreads page so if any of you want to share some great books add me to your list. I’m always looking for the next great read.

Have a great rest of your week!
MIMI’S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY –
Time – 5:47am
Temp – 26 degrees F/cloudy/it’s fucking dark still!
Mood – AWAKE!!!!
Bitch, bitch, bitch –This moron, John Engler. What a douche!
Michigan State University Interim President and former GOP Michigan governor John Engler is facing backlash for saying that “some Larry Nassar sexual assault victims are enjoying the attention.”
Best thing – It’s early so I’m going with my bottomless coffee cup!
Be well.

#15 – NEVER COMPLAIN, NEVER EXPLAIN

Whoever penned those words was most definitely NOT a blogger.
Forgive me blogging world for I have sinned. It has been 67 days since my last blog post.
While I was gone…
– I did not discover the cure for cancer but I did use sunscreen so that’s kinda’ close.
– I also did not go tubing down the Boise River but I did go past the park that’s completely flooded by the Boise River, so again, close.
– I met a total hottie while shopping at Whole Foods and then went back to his place and had wild Animal Planet sex!
– Okay. I didn’t really meet a total hottie and go home with him to have wild Animal Planet sex… ~~Kill joys~~
BUT… I was in Whole Foods and I did see a total hottie and I seriously thought about having wild Animal Planet sex with him!
So, yeah, I’m gonna’ count that as close too.

I started the Whole30 eating plan. You can read about the plan here.
Basically, it’s this –
Meat, fruit n’ veggies. No sugar, no grains, no dairy.
“Eliminate the most common craving-inducing, blood sugar disrupting, gut-damaging, inflammatory food groups for a full 30 days.”
After 30 days you start introducing more foods back into your meals and then you
pick n’ choose which ones stay based on the way they make you feel after eating them again.

So far, drinking my coffee black seems to be the most challenging aspect of this plan.
I didn’t realize how much I reeeaaallly love my fancy coffees!
Other happenings –
A wedding and a new grandbaby in October! Can you say busy, busy, busy?!
Plus the daily/weekly –
Breathing
Meditating
Going to church
Getting healthy, physically, mentally and spiritually
Hitting the trails
Therapy
Reading
Aaand… Trying to stay in the creative zone with lots of creative irons in the fire!
Keeping it all in balance, cutting out the negative and basking in the positive.
Those are my goals.
In the words of Ferris Bueller –
Here are a couple of the “creative irons” in the fire.
WIP (Work in progress) the first of many baby blankets for the new lit’l tummy nugget.
Bobble stitches and granny stripes. As soon as we find out if it’s a boy or girl I’ll add some color.
And, using up some scrap yarn whipping up some granny squares.
The “back” pic shows the weaving in of the ends with a tapestry needle. Sometimes I weave as I go. Whatever my mood. I really like the granny squares because they whip up so fast and you can do so many things with them.
I’m going to blog at least 3 times a week now. More if I can fit it in. I really enjoy it and I really miss it. And, I really miss all of YOU!
I hope you’re all doing well and I wish you all a fabulous week ahead!
Mimi’s quote for the day –

FIRST THINGS FIRST

First the coffee and the food.
Then the dishes that accumulated late into the night.
Then combing Pinterest to find a new pumpkin recipe for this season.
And last but certainly not least. While whatever pumpkin deliciousness is baking. I will be quilt making! Yeah. I know that rhymes. I’m cool like that.
Coffee and food – check.
Pumpkin recipe – nope
But this…
‘Sour Cream Apple Bars‘ = DELICIOUS!!
Click on the link and the recipe is yours to enjoy too!
apple1A You’re supposed to let them cool but um, yeah. Not in this house.
First seasonal baking of the year – CHECK!
Got the car back today. Yay! No cab service needed our mechanic brought the car to us. Such a nice, nice guy and he always goes above and beyond the initial repair. The brake line, new brakes, bleeding the brakes, checking all the fluids, fuses, etc., only $125 for parts AND labor. What a guy! – Coolest thing about him? He’s Egyptian. Like straight from Egypt. I just love him.
Whenever I can, I like to do this lit’l thing called “Jew Boise.” Which is simply getting the best deal of the day I can find. Like a great seven dollar dress or a super cute shirt on clearance for three bucks. Well tonight my “Jew Boise” find was at the grocery store Albertsons using their ‘Just for U’ app.

You can read all about it here if you live in a state that has Albertsons stores. It may just be an out west thing.

I bought $57 dollars worth of groceries and only paid $35 dollars using their app. PLUS, I got ten cents off per gallon of gas at Chevron. Needless-to-say, I LOVE this app. I tend to stick to one grocery store when I shop – Winco – because Albertsons can get pricey but when they have sales. they have great sales and this app is a money saver.
I never did get around to my quilting. I’ll get back to it on Monday.
Tomorrow is a special day for us Catholics.
Mother Teresa will become St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta tomorrow. I’m super excited about this and am so happy for her much deserved sainthood. What a blessed woman she is indeed.
It’s Labor Day weekend. Did you venture out or have a “stay-cation?”
BBQ’s, camping?? What’d everybody do??
Without my wheels I was housebound but tomorrow is church, the balloon fest and heading up to the mountain trails and maybe over to Oregon. Who knows where the road may lead.
I feel so fortunate that I actually live in my vacation.

I hope whatever you’re doing, you’re having fun and spending time with those you love making memories to keep you warm n’ toasty through the long winter ahead.
Ready or not. Those “ber” months have begun folks…
Mimi’s quote for the day –
feather

WHEN IT RAINS…

Here in Idaho when it rains, it sprinkles. – For about a minute.
And that’s all we got today was about a minute of sprinkles. Boo. Now it’s nothing but gray skies, which today aren’t bugging me so much because I woke up sooooo stinkin’ tired this morning and no matter how much coffee and iced tea I drank I was still tired.
BUT WAIT!
Boom. Just like that, all of the caffeine decides to work and here I am, 11pm. WIDE AWAKE!
True story.
The highlight of my day and the only reason I put a bra on today – seriously – was getting the car into the shop. Actually getting the car into the shop wasn’t the highlight, trying to get an Uber to get home was.

Have any of you ever used the Uber service? It’s an alternative cab service. It’s an app for your phone and you can read all about it here.
I would tell you all about it myself except OUR DRIVER NEVER SHOWED! Not even kidding. We waited almost an HOUR for NOBODY!
uber Of course, it was at precisely this moment that I needed to find a bathroom and nope, not one business around that had a public restroom.
– We (“Puzzle Girl” and I) were only dropping the car off. The shop wasn’t open. –
We ended up walking to a grocery store which thankfully did have a public restroom.
We did a little shopping and then called a cab.
I have to tell you, I was pleasantly surprised. The cab was clean and our driver wasn’t a serial killer although I suspect he fancied himself a pop singer… He had a sign on the dash that read, “Singing is allowed and encouraged.” I’m pretty sure that was meant for him personally because he sang along to the radio the whole way home. Not gonna’ lie, it’s kinda’ weird being in a vehicle with someone you don’t know who’s singing along to the radio with full lung power. It was sorta’ like our own personal version of ‘Carpool Karaoke’ minus James Corden and any celebrity passengers.

I was super surprised at the fare! In Michigan, you can’t get anywhere in a cab for under twenty bucks. Boise fare? Eight bucks WITH a tip. How crazy is that?? I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’d take a cab everywhere for that price but hey when you’re in a pinch. It’s a nice, affordable option. At least in Boise.

ME BEING ME MOMENT – I did survey our driver from head to toe for identifying scars and tattoos. I checked for escape routes as soon as I got into the cab and I made sure there were door handles and functioning locks. I cracked the window just in case I had to kick it out and had 91 already dialed into my phone with my finger ready to press the last 1 if need be.
Shake your heads and laugh. I watch those creepy crime shows. They won’t take me without a fight!
Then, it being boy child #3’s birthday month… When we got home “Puzzle Girl” decided to decorate for his favorite holiday too. (I helped a lit’l bit.)

That candle makes the whole apt smell like you’re walking through an apple orchard. I’ll be going back and buying a case of those! The spiderweb light? Just cool.
Okay. Well. That was my day in a nutshell. Now I’m off to go read about some of your days.
Anybody else excited for the upcoming holidays??
Which one is YOUR favorite?
Mine’s Christmas. Halloween is a very close second.
Mimi’s quote for the day –
taxi quote feather