Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Positively Tuesday- Stress Busters

      I have to admit, the visa situation for my daughter was nearly as stressful on me as it was on her. Her anxiousness if getting something wrong, then the possible missed appointment confirmation was stress inducing on all of us in the house. Plus her worry mixed with exhaustion from transitioning to a 4:00 a.m. start, then a challenging night at her second job, led to more tears and 2nd hand anxiety for me. It was one of many "not my issues" that were in limbo. Having at least that one checked is a huge relief.  Anything that can bring a few moments of pause in worry is good. Tuesday mornings I try to make my own pauses and think of at least 10 joys, simple pleasures, or things that made me smile.

  1. Now she waits, but I'll put Visa appointment done as number one.
  2. Second has to be that we got to, during, and from Chicago safe and sound. We even got a tiny bit of exploring the immediate area.
  3. I went and watched my daughter's softball game last Wednesday night. Her team is fine, but the other team could hit the crap out of the ball! Still, a nice night outside and away from my computer.
  4. Had a good visit with one of the mom friends and her husband at another friends sons grad party. Our husbands don't know each other well, but they really hit it off. 
  5. It was nice to see DH's uncle, cousin, and meet her daughters. I enjoyed a terrific fire, good conversation, and a couple glasses of wine. Neither DH's siblings and families were there, and it sounds bad, but so much more relaxing, even though a full cabin. They are just so extra, if you understand.
  6. I cleaned the cabin and did all the towels used by my MIl's guests. It was nice to see how happy their visit made my MIL, and how relieved she was that DH and I said we'd take care of things. She was driving them to a relatives on their mom's side. DHs aunt passed away about, five years ago. 
  7. Back to the road trip. I'll put this in the category " things you don't see every day and hope to never see again." My daughter had dozed off and I was cruising along, but had a motarcycle a bit ahead. As I got closer and could see golden hair flying, I realized the man had no clothes on. I woke DD upright away to confirm what I was seeing. As I changed lanes to pass, she goes, " He either had a fanny pack on or a Speedo." We decided to think Speedo for a tiny less ewe factor.  This is in I90, cars on both sides, on an early Friday afternoon. It seemed like it could have been from an episode of CHIP's from the '70's.
  8. I took yesterday off. I will pay for it in long hours, but the physical and mental rest was terrific. I got caught up with laundry, a little other tidying, and enjoyed both porch and deck. I made both vegan and regular cheese and bean enchiladas and felt good about using up some lingering corn tortillas, white crumble queso, and green onions. 
  9. I finally got my hair cut. I kept it long enough to still pull back, but the ugly ends and a couple inches are gone, plus my hair was thinned out. I need to color, but the cut alone helped my mood.
  10. DD2 and friend picked strawberries Saturday. I made just a jar of refrigerator/ freezer jam. Yum, yum. My daughter made her first strawberry rhubarb dump cake as well. 
    Horrible photo.
    Delicious jam.

     It felt good to both be a help to others, and have help myself. DD1 took care of the dog despite having busy days herself. DH, still not fully done, out another patch coat in the wall that had to be cut. She's seeing a possible house contender later today. I hope to be able to tag along. However your week was, let's hear what's been nice in your life. 

18 comments:

  1. Too bad you did not get a picture of the speedo/fanny pack guy. Can you imagine the road rash if there were an accident. He would be peeled like a grape.

    Your hair looks coarse and full and I am always envious! Mine is so fine and silky. Getting split ends cut off makes me feel better. I can imagine how it has helped you cope with the stresses. A haircut is a great relief!

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    1. I wouldn't say my hair is course-it's thick, but also silky. I need the hair stylist to thin it, then it really has good body. We were not about to take his picture!

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  2. This week has been a struggle tbh. My daughter and I had lunch with my dad and that’s probably the highlight. I’m off today without any real plans and that’s a great joy also. The weather is beautiful today. I slept in and am lingering over a cup of coffee. Going to clean and organize for a few hours, get lunch with DD, start checking Marshall’s etc to see if we can find her a good backpack, go thrifting, maybe get some groceries. We’re having breakfast for dinner, eggs, pancakes, bacon and fruit with plenty of leftovers, something my son is pumped for. Just got an email saying her student loan is ready to sign and I’m happy to have that off my mind. With the loan completed we’ll be around 90% done. She needs to take a picture for her ID, take a computer comp test and select her meal plan. Hopefully we find a backpack today. One big trip to Walmart for toothpaste and snacks and a few school supplies before we pack up and she’s all set! Sounds like you had a very nice week with lots of friends and family :) JoAnn

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    1. Invest in a good back pack that has seperate place for laptop. I think it's K Swiss that our kids each got. I'm sorry your feeling a bit low and the week was hard. I'm sure your feeling her growing up. It was hard for me with each of mine.

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  3. Ha, your story about the semi-naked guy reminds me of when my sister and I flew to our house in Florida. We were almost at the house and it was BUCKETING DOWN rain - and there in the middle of a really busy intersection was a guy with long blond hair, wearing a loin cloth and carrying a huge cross!!! Welcome to America huh! And I'm so glad your daughter's visa got sorted - that kind of stuff stresses me out too!

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    1. People do odd things. I'm so relieved the Visa is done. I'll feel better once in her possession.

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  4. I love homemade strawberry jam on vanilla ice cream. YUM! Isn't it amazing how a good hair cut can make you feel so much better? It truly is the simple things.
    Have a great day!

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    1. We'll, mine did not set so likely topping it will be. It's delicious though.

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  5. I hope this house is THE ONE!
    You had a lot of good things and even with the ick factor I would have to count the nude or almost nude cyclist as at least a WTH and be kind of glad I saw something so outrageous.

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    1. Fingers crossed. She made an offer but even typing sounds like I might jinx her getting a positive response. It was a WTH moment- and now telling it, so many people have these stories.

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  6. The nude biker is incredible. Also, think of the chafing!!!

    My stress relievers are similar: working out, helping someone else with a project, marking something complicated off of my to do list, etc.

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    1. It's too gross to think too long about the biker. I love checking off to do list items.

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  7. I've had a lovely week. The baby is an absolute joy and we're besotted ( I emailed photos ). We've done a lot of work at the allotment, and we're picking peas, broad beans, strawberries and raspberries. I'm still unable to sign into my Google account unless I swap to Chrome on my phone, hence this format for commenting.

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    1. Oh so wonderful. I've barely gone to my samandcoffee65@gmail.com address. I have issues with Word press.

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  8. Wow, love the nude biker, I need a stress reliever right now.

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    1. Oh boy was it something to see. In a gross way!

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  9. What is with that man riding in a Speedo? 😂 Doesn’t he know road rash hurts if he we to wreck? Yikes! I know what you mean about anxiety rubbing off of you too. We go thru that here as well at times and it’s frustrating to say the least.

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    1. I hope it was at least a Speedo. Too odd. I don't know how to shake the anxious feeling about something every day. I am trying to work on it.

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