Kitchen Challenge

 

Seems to be my year of challenges.  So, I am on an organizational one.  And this week was the kitchen.  Our kitchen isn't too bad really so I did the drawers and redid the bottom cupboards.  The junk drawer was the biggest change.  Got rid of the very old, very dated contact paper and replaced with new.  Now the pattern I picked does not in anyway go with the yellow and green flooring, countertops or sink.  But I like it anyway.  

Generational Trauma

 Every so often I stumble across evidence of generational trauma.  I'm not so good at spotting it in my own life because it is what is normal for me. 

I applaud those who are aware and work hard to break the chain of generational traumas.  I have a member of my family who had commented about choosing to go to kids' activities.  In his childhood, kids' activities must have come way down the priority list and he still felt that pain in his adulthood.  So he didn't want to pass that on to his own children.  He felt it important to make the effort to go to activities and not just space them off.  I totally agree with that stance.  It is important to show your children that you think they are important. It is one small thing he is working on, but even small things can be important. 

His children have a couple of newer toys that seem to catch hair.  I will pick hair out of a toy once, but after that it is scissor time.  I have not much patience for it.  So, his children kept doing whatever they do that catches their hair. And each time he would carefully untangle their hair from the toy. I made a comment about my stance.  I wasn't trying to get him to do it my way, just a comment because I had done my time with hair untangling.  I have to commend him for his patience on that. 

His mother was there, and I must have set off a trigger.  She told this story of when she was a child and had long hair.  Her father had to go on a trip and when he came back, her mother had cut off all her hair.  She commented that her mother had done it for spite because the long hair was the thing that she and her dad did, the brushing and brushing.  Now I don't know that...maybe it was...maybe it wasn't.  It could have been that that long hair got tangled and Mom was not going to spend all the time brushing and brushing.  Dad was gone for like three weeks.  Well he beat up his wife for having cut the hair. The whole point of the story was the loss of the hair.  Not the domestic violence that could not have only been because one time there was a haircut. 

Well no hair got cut from getting tangled in the present day.  But later I did ask my family member if he had long hair as a child.  Oh no, he did not.  Probably because his mom didn't want to deal with his curly curly hair.  It was an interesting note to the story about hair.  It was fascinating seeing the generational trauma that still caused pain to this day.  Nothing starts in a vacuum. And nothing heals that is not recognized.   

Finished Fish Wall

 

I had an idea for some decorating.  Thinking about my brother and his love of fishing took this form.  I asked if I could paint.  Now I didn't intend to do anything until I returned from my trip to Indy.  But I had to see if the color of paint I picked was good.  So I painted a nice square on a spot that was covered up by a painting.  And then I, not thinking, started getting the last of the paint of the brush in another spot.  Well, I could not leave with the wall looking like that.  

I painted the first color and then tried sponging on the second color.  I had a completely wrong sponge for the look I was going for.  I painted over again with the first color.  Bought the correct sponge and did the sponging.  I was going for texture and maybe a water feel. Afterall, it is a fish wall. I finished the painting and then took my trips.  While in Cabo I bought a metal tuna fish to go on the wall to remind him of the tuna that he had caught on a trip there once.  

Once home, finishing the wall became my priority because it was part of his Xmas present.  I hung all the pieces and drew a fish line for the tuna.  I think it turned out all right for someone who does not know how to decorate.  

Home Again, Home Again

 

Blogger likes to put my pictures in the wrong order.  So, from bottom to top, Titus and Ned, Cluck Norris, Gus and Klaus.  Gorgeous sunrise in New Mexico.  And a horrible sign in Arizona at a rest area.  Made me stay on the sidewalks.  

The drive took four days. Stopped in Missouri to see Kim again and all the animals on her farm.  I never get a picture of Odie, the farm dog.  He loved me.  Spent the night and got on my way.  I never judge too well on how long it takes to get someplace.  

I spent the second night in Amarillo, TX.  I can now say I have really been to Texas, but I didn't see it.  It was dark on my arrival and dark on my departure.  I can say it still felt expansive seeing the lights so far away on flat land.  Saw the sun rise in New Mexico.  It was fabulous and I'm glad I stopped to get a picture.  Almost missed it.  

New Mexico and Arizona look a lot alike on the route.  New Mexico does have some pretty red dirt that I didn't see in Arizona and that felt like the only difference.  And I sure missed the cacti.  And the turnoff for the Grand Canyon.  Maybe next time. 

I would say my timing was perfect.  I took the southern route to miss the snow in the Rockies.  Heard that I-5 had been closed due to weather earlier.  I'm glad I had smooth driving the whole way.  And now I am home and my bed felt just divine.  

Not a Baby Anymore

 

My youngest grandchild just turned four.  His grandma Joanne made his cake with some help from the girls.  They were learning about fondant.  

The family came over for his party.  He got some cool gifts and I've got to say I nailed it again.  I got him an ice cream set up to go along with his other food stuff from Xmas.  The kids spent a lot of time making ice cream sandwiches.  

Our littlest boy is so smart, funny and kind.  He is also confidant in his wants and speaks his mind.  Sometimes to his detriment.  He loves his morning hugs where I remind him at the beginning of the day how awesome and amazing he is.  He really is.  

Welcome 2022

 Into bed early last night and then up before the sun.  I never make NY resolutions.  At least not as a "I'm going to go to the gym every day" or "I'm going to quit smoking."  I kind of like to take stock of how life is going and if changes need to be made.  I like to plan out some goals that I hope to achieve and think about what can make that happen.  

This year will start with my youngest grandson turning 4 tomorrow.  He is just having a small gathering at home and then later in the week going to Gravity to jump on the trampolines.  He is so smart, amazing and funny.  

I have a drive home.  Looks like I need to go way south to miss a lot of snow.  And that is all right.  I will get to see Kim in Missouri, Britt in New Mexico and Jeremy in California on the way.  And then it is going to feel good to be home and sleep in my bed.  Haven't been there for two months.  

I am doing Run Across America and have a goal of 250 km between January 1 and March 14. I am using it as my crutch to keep me moving when I get back and no longer have a walking partner.  250 km equals about 155 miles which should be more than doable with all the walking I do.  

I'm working on my health journey and want to incorporate some more good food.  It's a continuation of the journey I started last year.  Time to get off the plateau and move forward.  

Besides driving home, my first trip of the year is already planned and reserved. I am going to Los Angeles for my birthday.  While there, I have actual activities lined up that end with a hike on my birthday to the Hollywood sign.  

My oldest grandchild and I have a tentative trip planned to New York to see the Statue of Liberty and Central Park.  She has gone back and forth a few times, but finally decided that it did sound fun.  It will just be the two of us and that makes it better.  

I'm going to finish the fish wall.  Plant a new garden after I clean up last year's.  Get rid of that old hot tub and make a nice oasis on the back patio. I want to move the grills back there and make a nice seating area.  Basically, beautifying our space.  

Looking for the beauty and the balance.  Always.