THANKFUL THURSDAY

In the words of Elton John…

What did I miss??
Is everybody still blogging?

Hey, guess what? It’s September 1st and a Thankful Thursday post!

I am so, so thankful September has finally arrived! It’s time to give this scorched ~~flesh~~ earth some much needed color AND a cool down!
Holy hell!

<3 After a busy summer – volunteering, weddings, grad parties… – I am thankful for a slow down.

<3 I am super thankful for all of the love.

<3 I’m thankful for my friend teaching me about freeze-dried salt water taffy! I’d never even heard of it! Turns out you can freeze dry just about anything. Who knew?
Have any of you ever had freeze-dried candy??
~~I can’t be the last person on planet earth to hear of this.~~

Yes, bye, bye! Be gone with your triple-digit heat and your fucking flooding! Our planet needs a chance to heal.

I hope all of you are staying cool and/or flood free. I don’t know how people in the UK manage without AC. We have our AC and fans going non-stop! It’s a fucking wind tunnel in here and there may be some dried-out eyes, noses, and throats but so far nobody has died of heat stroke! My kids are constantly telling me, “Mom, relax. You’re not dying.” No, I’m not but I could!
~~They’re mean to me.~~

I know, I’m a whiner but heat is not my vibe and this has been the hottest summer in Idaho since they started keeping records!

I am so ready for this…

And then this… I’m super excited for this!

YOUR TURN!!
What are you thankful for?
What has your summer looked like?
How are you guys beating the heat??
Are you looking forward to fall and winter??
You know I want to hear all about it!
Comment luv, please!

MIMI’S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY –
Yesssss! I’m serious. If you don’t want to stress over holiday baking, ya’ gotta’ start early!

Happy September everyone!

<3 mimi <3

AND ON THE 4th DAY OF JANUARY…

The heavens opened up and Magical Mystical Mimi’s window was FINALLY installed!

I can’t even believe it you guys! And it wasn’t even an army of Oompa Loompas. No, it was an army of one!!
One little guy who shared with me that he had moved here from out of state, he’s transgendered and his wife loves to crochet and once made a whole blanket on a 10-hour car ride!
Yes. He shared this with me IN LESS THAN 20 MINUTES.

Seriously tho, really, a nice enough guy but holy hell all I kept thinking was, did I gain a lot of holiday weight because this guy obviously thinks I’m Oprah!

So, day 5 into the new year, and progress is being made and I’m all for that. Now that the window is out of the way, I’m organizing craft stuff. Michael’s is having all kinds of sales right now so I bought a couple of boxes of boxes.
These boxes are perfect for getting my crafty shit together and they fit perfectly on shelves and are super easy to label.
Also, I may be a bit obsessed with boxes. I can always find a use for a good box!
I know I’m not alone on this…
C’mon you guys. I know it’s the unspoken debate in your head too.

Omgosh. I totally forgot this was a Wordless Wednesday post. Ooops. Well, I’ve had a lot of Wordless Wednesdays last year so I’m a little wordy today. :)

I’m still totally bummed that Betty White died and I can’t believe everybody’s like, well, she was old. SO WHAT!
My grandma lived to be 104 and it was sad when she died too.
Betty White was cool. It would’ve been nice to see her reach that 100 mark.

Well, we’re in the middle of our first week of the new year. How’s it going for everyone?? It’s pretty good on my end. Things are rolling along. We’ve had a beautiful winter this year which gave us a white Christmas and that was really wonderful. It’s just nice – to me – to look out and see a blanket of white, sparkling snow. My whole life I thought God invented snow just for me because I loved it so much.

Over the holidays I discovered a new show that’s pretty cute and surprise! It’s not a creepy crime show!
It’s on Acorn t.v. – you need a subscription – and it’s called Under the Vines.
It’s filmed in New Zealand and it’s about a man and a woman who inherited a vineyard…

If you are able to watch it I highly recommend it. It just got renewed for a 2nd season so I’m happy about that.

Okay, well, my day is far from over but it’s been a good one and I hope the same is true for you. I hope you’re staying warm, dry, cool, and most importantly, safe, wherever you are. Sleep well!

MIMI’S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY –

Be kind ~ Be thankful ~ Be loving ~ Be you!

❤ mimi ❤

CURRENT MOOD – Aaaahhhhhhhh…

As much as I love the hustle n’ bustle of the holiday season I really love these first few days of the new year. The beginning of the seasonal decompression.

My life is now in that New Year’s Eve “wake me up when the ball drops” phase, or in our case when the potato drops.
True story… Not sure what the deal is with the wings on the spud, those are new but whatever. There was also some kind of glitch in the timing by a couple of seconds but that was just part of the weirdness that was Boise this year.

Another moment of Boise weirdness? Spending 3 hours in ONE Jumanji cursed neighborhood looking for the winners of the neighborhood Christmas lights contest and finding this…
I sooooo wanted to go knock on their door and ask them when the Easter egg hunt started but ya’ know what? Whatever. I hear a lot of people on my creepy crime documentaries talking about how they found Jesus in prison and I am just so happy that on this night we found Him all over this neighborhood!
And we found joy on the rooftops!
And Santa in the windows!
And eventually, we did find the winner of the Christmas lights contest.
No, not that house altho to be fair…

Drumroll, please…
This house was awesome. It had so many lights and cool stuff I couldn’t fit all of it into one pic but this gives you a pretty good idea. It really was beautiful in person and well worth the fun of going round n’ round in one neighborhood for 3 hours.

Okay, okay, it may have been my partner in crime that made it awesome and fun and so worth it but still…
Omgosh, I laughed so hard my sides ached for hours!
SIDE NOTE: Forget trying to find the winners, try finding the way out of the neighborhood! I don’t think either one of us has ever done that much swearing so close to the holidays. (Family get-togethers excluded.)

Friendship really is one of our greatest gifts.

I hope you’re all settling into the new year. Decompressing a bit from all things merry and bright. I know we’re only 2 days in but these 2 days feel realllllly nice.

MIMI’S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY –

Be kind ~ Be thankful ~ Be loving ~ Be you!

❤ mimi ❤

2020 MISSED CONNECTION MONDAY – Wild Hair

❤ “Missed Connection Monday” is brought to you by your local Craigslist. These are real “love notes” that strangers leave for other strangers in the ‘Personals’ section of Craigslist. Or as I like to call it –
“Your local serial killer hunting ground.”

YOUR NEW HOUSE
Was doing sone work on your new house and we made eye contact and you smiled. You seem lonely and I think there may have been something there. You were a beautiful blonde bombshell. If you think this is you tell me where you were building
***The only thing I have to say about this is…
Next on ID, Nightmare In Suburbia.

Seriously, this one gave me the creeps for real. The guy knows what this woman looks like, where she lives AND the layout of her home. Bonus. He’s already making up some psycho imaginary scenario about her seemingly lonely life.

This would be my response…
MATURE FEMALE AT FRED MEYERS
you were at fred meyers today,your ecclectic fashion sence and wild hair drove me crazy,if you read this and want to chat or something please reply.
***Awwww…
Dear Random Guy at FM,
It’s very sweet of you to notice. I did just get my hair cut but I’m really not into the whole “serial killer hunting grounds of Craigslist.” Thanks anyway.
Sincerely, Mimi.
PS – I drive a lot of people crazy.

<3 Happy Monday, everybody! How was your weekend?
Mine was unplugged for the most part. I did have to check on kids back east and Miranda up on the mountain.

The photo below is at Miranda’s ranch yesterday.
We got about 3″ of snow here in the valley and they’re calling for a week of snow. It’s still not cold enough to keep it around for very long which is fine by me. I love the snow but January is usually such a frigid, gray month that seems to drag on forever.

<3 Totally missed posting on Friday because I started decrapifying my bedroom closet. Why is that everything seems to grow tenfold once it comes out of a closet??? Seriously, cleaning closets make the biggest cleaning messes! I’m surprised at how much crap a person can get into a closet!

Anyway, so the decrapifying continued on and consumed my whole weekend because I may or may not be a hoarder of dresses, socks and crafting/sewing shit. I’m well over 100 on my decrapifying challenge.

<3 Aaaand, speaking of decrapifying… Seems we need to decrapify our beloved Luci. The vet did a complete head to toe exam… again… plus blood work, x-rays, and an ultrasound.
$184 later…
Our dog is full of shit.

With age (she’s 14) her spine has curved and that curvature combined with her just not being nearly as active as she once was, plus, a recent round of anti-biotics, it appears that Luci’s “plumbing” has gotten clogged. She’s taking a 1/4 tsp of Miralax twice a day. It’s a slow go but at least it’s a go!

<3 How are all of you surviving the crazy weather?? My kids in Michigan all got different weather. The one up north got dumped with snow (of course) and the other two down state, one got ice and rain, the other got nothing. Go figure.

<3 Okay. I need another cup of java joe and then I’m heading to all of your blogs to catch up!

MIMI’S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY –

OCTOBER ONE

What a great day!
It’s October AND it’s “Taco Tuesday!”

October for me means all of this… <3
And lots of soups, stews, chili, anything and just about everything you can put in a crockpot!
Since it is “Taco Tuesday” and October AND chilly outside I thought I’d share a very October, “Taco Tuesday” chili recipe with all of you!

TACO CHILI
courtesy of The Diary Of A Real Housewife
Taco chili is always a fall favorite at my house served up with a topping of sour cream and a big ‘ol piece of cornbread!
Do any of you make taco chili?
Do you take part in “Taco Tuesday?”
What’s your favorite taco meal?

I know. A ton of questions but… as always…
I’m a nosey bitch and all of you know that!
Aaannnd more questions!
So, what did everybody’s weekend look like?
Anybody in the path of all of that rain and snow?

My friends in Montana got walloped of course and Miranda was sitting in her hot tub this morning enjoying the snow falling on her up in our mountains.
Down here in the valley we had wonderful rainy days.
Oh. One more question. Is anybody watching the 31 Nights of Halloween?
Do you have a favorite movie you like to watch around Halloween?
~~Okay. That was two questions…~~
My favorite is…
I love, love, love this movie and honestly I watch it year-round but it is the movie that kicks off the Halloween season for me.

This movie comes in a close second…
Okay. It’s back to my creative bubble for me.
Happy October!
MIMI’S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY –
Be well.
<3 MiMi <3

#18 – PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE

Seriously… Omg… I can’t stand repair work being done around me and I feel like such a bitch about it but honestly, it just drives me bonkers. Especially since the work is being done in two of the rooms we frequent the most. – Thank the gods that be that we’re having no issues in our bathroom!

Plus, I feel like I’m being held hostage by the Gomer waiting on when/if he chooses to show up. He never shows when he says he will and we’ve had some beautiful days that I would’ve much rather been on the trails in the sunshine than waiting on that jughead.

And I know that I don’t have to be home for them to come in but I’d rather be, ya’ know? I mean, I don’t know this guy. He could be one of those weirdo panty sniffer idiots I see on all of my creepy crime shows. Who knows?? Plus, just the idea of a stranger in my home and I’m not here. Yeah, no. Call me paranoid but no. Not happening.
My future daughter-in-law tho, finding the positive in everything that happens, did take advantage of this annoying situation..

She decided to dry her leggings collection… And trust me. She has waaaay more than this and more coming in the mail!
So. There’s a silver lining. Killing two birds with one stone, as it were.

HOME REPAIR UPDATE –
The fan is gone AND the Gomer got fired! Not because of us but apparently, his work, in general, was a bit shoddy. – Ya’ think???
We have a new maintenance guy and he appears to be on the ball and he’s certainly 100% more professional than the Gomer. We still have holes in the dining room and kitchen and the one in the dining room is going to get a whole lot bigger before all is said and done. I don’t even care. I just want it finished!

We’ve had some great weather but that took quite a turn. Cooler temps with rain/hail/snow mix but that’s okay because I’ve got plenty of projects to keep me busy indoors!
More about those later..

Passing along a “must see” show. If you have Hulu, ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ is excellent.

It’s also a book by Margaret Atwood but I haven’t read it – yet.

Have any of you read the book or are you watching the show? It’s so creepily fascinating.

I am determined to get this posted today! I hope you’re all having a fabulous week. I’m coming around to catch up on everybody now and hopefully, there will be enough hours at the end of my day to write a post for tomorrow!

Mimi’s Quote for the day –

#13 – 60 DAYS

60 days into the New Year and this will be my 13th post.
What the heck??
Chalk it up to everyday life. This winter crud that seems to make never-ending rounds to my home. No motivation. Writer’s block or any number of other projects taking over my life at the moment.
Whatever the reason, I seriously need to rectify this.
Apparently, Fuxatawney Phil saw his shadow and was correct in his prediction of 6 more weeks of winter. At least for us. We still have snow on the ground.
Side Note: Wouldn’t it make more sense that if the rodent saw his shadow that would mean the sun was shining thereby indicating bright sunny days and an early spring ahead?? I mean if he pops out and it’s dark n’ gloomy, seems to me that would be the indicator of 6 more weeks of winter. What do I know?
This winter has been a tuff one out here in Boise. Way more snow than we’re used to in a city not equipped to handle it or the subsequent flooding that we get warned about every single day. Maybe it’s summer I’m ready for and not necessarily soggy, wet, possibly flooding, spring.
I’ve definitely caught the winter crud more this past winter than any winter before. Seriously, I think every bug that’s floating around lands on me and boom. I’m coughing and hacking and aching everywhere! My Dr. says it’s just crap going around and she thinks my liquid – protein shakes – diet is not helping. She’s an advocate for real food so for the sake of my lungs, sore nose from blowing and my ears, I think I may have to step up the menu.
For Lent this year I’ve decided to do the ’40 Days, 40 Bags’ challenge and declutter my life a bit. Literally. You can Google the challenge. Basically, you’re just getting rid of 40 bags of whatever it is you don’t want/need at your home. Either toss ’em or take ’em to Good Will.

This took a couple of bags.
Hey. Don’t judge. It’s the all things fast food/pizza/catalog drawer. Ideally, we’re supposed to use these coupons and I’m certain I was going to order a couple of dresses out of those catalogs but clearly none of that is happening as evidenced by this drawer.
2 bags down 38 to go!
I’ve also been making wine glasses and mugs and other fun stuff with my wonderful Cricut that I am still so very much in love with.
Here are two stemless wine glasses I made today for a couple of friends back in Michigan who spend lots of time on the water.
I feel like I’ve been away forever. Kinda’ weird getting back into the swing of things but I’m making the rounds and catching up.
Here’s to a lovely March ahead.
Ours came in like a lamb. I can’t imagine it going out like a lion tho but then again, I didn’t imagine we’d have as much snow as we’ve had. So again, what do I know?
What about where you are?
Did your March come in like a lamb or a lion?
Mimi’s quote for the day –
feather

#11 – Exhale..

Okay. I think I might be in a better mood today. Maybe. Um. A little bit anyway.

I decided to take a page from ‘Cranky’s‘ book of all things political but with a slight modification.
**Cranky announced on Facebook that he would no longer be a part of political rants on Facebook and noted that he would unfollow anyone from either party that is ranting.

I totally get it.
I will no longer be participating in political crap on Facebook either. At least not so much.
~~Not at all. Fingers, eyes, and toes all crossed.~~
However, I won’t unfollow you if you do.

My blog is a totally different story. As evidenced by yesterday’s epic return rant to the blog-o-sphere after a 3-week absence. I will rant here as often as I like because…
My blog. My rants.
Same with Twitter.
Nobody has to read or agree.
Here’s our week ahead…
Good weather to stay inside and craft or sew.
seven_day_wxpage-1 Still, I wish it was like this.
flowers-sunshine I’m so ready for flowers and sunshine and veggie gardens.

Mentally I’ve already planted my patio container veggies.
I’ll have my standard “salad” garden.
Lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, radishes, and green onions.
I like the idea of being able to literally pick a simple salad out your back door.

Then I’ll change things up a bit.
I really want to try some new growing techniques too and this seems super easy.
garden-dirt-bags Have any of you ever planted like this? Just planting right in the bag?
I think it’s genius and I’m going to give it a go.

I’d also like to try this. They’re barrel spuds! I’m pretty sure I won’t need 100lbs. but I’m willing to try for 50lbs. just to see.
The instructions for these barrel spuds can be found here.
how-to-grow-hundred-pounds-of-potatoes-in-a-barrel And one more…
I’m definitely trying this.
Again, genius.
I usually buy my tomato plants already well on their way but I really want to see if this works!
how-to-grow-tomatoes-easy The instructions for these tomato seedlings can be found here.

I’ve never tried one of those upside down tomato plants but I’m curious to know how those turn out.
Also, I was happy to discover in my search of all things patio container gardening, that you can plant squash in containers too! I didn’t know that so they’ll be on my list too!

Have any of you thought about your upcoming gardens? Or maybe you’re lucky enough to be in a place where you can grow at this time of year or year round – that would be fabulous.
Well, folks. A late post but I kept it light and didn’t rant or vent. Kept everything on the bright side with my face towards the sun moving forward. I hope this is a trend our country will take as well.
Face towards the sun.
Moving forward.
Mimi’s quote for the day –
sunshine-is-the-best-medicine feather

#10 – THREE WEEKS

Yep, it’s been 3 weeks since my last post.
Guess I jinxed myself by revealing my goal to post every day of 2017.
I should’ve allowed for sick days.
2017-divider-line-blue-icy I’m not gonna’ lie. I did find myself locked into a Nyquil coma more than once and with all of this political bullshit going on, some days I wish I was still in one.

Holy fuck. Every time I see someone with a pussy hat on their head or dressed like a vagina or protesting that the sky is blue I just think to myself, “And they want to know why we voted for Trump..”

I don’t know what I’m more sick of. These protests, marches, soap box award speeches or this flippin’ snow, ice and cold.
I’m just done with all of it.
2017-divider-line-blue-icy People are flipping out over shit that may or may not happen. Give it a fucking rest. Most importantly, give our President a chance. Cheese n’ rice man. It’s been 10 days..
And because I don’t want to turn this into a 100-page vent, here’s a pic of a mug I made.
Seems fitting because I’m feeling very Grinchy right now.
made-grinch-mugs Getting a head start on my inventory for this year’s craft fairs.
2017-divider-line-blue-icy Heading around to all of you. Sorry for the downer post but it’s been a pisser three weeks and I really just want to wake up with all of the snow and ice gone, the sun shining and nobody protesting or hating my President.
I know. Dream big, huh?

Happy Monday folks! May our week be filled with good news and good weather!
2017-divider-line-blue-icy Mimi’s quote for the day –
life-some-days-i-just-cannot-participate feather

#7 – MEOW..

That’s what my Detroit Lion’s roar is sounding like tonight.
But ya’ know what? Kudos for a GREAT year Detroit. We were hoping for a lit’l Chicago Cubs magic but clearly the refs were not going to let that happen. And that’s not sour grapes. That’s the truth. If any of you followed the Lions at all this year, you know the refs were brutal.
Oh well. There’s always next year, right?
2017-detroit-lions-fan 2017-divider-line-blue-icy This will be a short post because I’m a lit’l tired and I want to get in bed n’ snuggle my pup. We’re supposed to get round two of snowmegeddon and who knows what that will bring. I went out today because the news said it’s supposed to be worse tomorrow.
This is pulling into the parking lot at Albertson’s to get some groceries. It’s wet snow too. Heavy and sloppy.
2017-snow-albertsons 2017-divider-line-blue-icy I don’t often long to be on a tropical island but today I am longing.
Today I’ll take sand n’ sunshine by the sea over snow all over the place!