Life in the not so fast lane

Another week has come and gone (the 37th if you are counting) and it scares me to think how quickly the holidays will be here, the year will be gone and I will start another year keeping up with the joys I look for each day. And trust me when I tell you there are days I have to search high and low to find even one joyful thing.

Sometimes I look around and see people who live so much more exciting lives than I do, and I think there is no way they could possibly count their joyous moments. Or perhaps I am wrong and they find things they do boring or chaotic. I'm not sure, but I might like to walk in their shoes a day or two. Oh well, this is the life I lead.

BTW, I love show tunes!

Saturday: We got up and got out of the house early to run by the produce stand and get out usual Saturday morning running around done before an early ball game.  I understand TV revenue benefits to colleges and airing as many televised games as possible, but an 11 o'clock start time really messes up the day. We watched and cringed as Texas played extremely well and Alabama played extremely poorly. They pulled out the win at the last minute but I don't see how!

Sunday: The day was a routine Sunday. TheHub had to work a little but at least he was able to do it from home rather than having to drive into the office. I did at least try to make his day a little easier and made an actual hot breakfast for him. I don't eat breakfast and do not usually make one for him, but every now and then (OK, once in a blue moon) I pretend like I am a nice wife and whip him up some bacon and eggs over medium. 

Sunday evening we did a little running around to do a couple of errands, then we managed somehow to stop at our favorite bbq joint (Full Moon) for a quick dinner.  If your clothes do not smell faintly of hickory smoke when you leave a bbq restaurant, then you have chosen the wrong place to eat. The aroma from the pit is essential for the ultimate eating experience.

Monday: This was a regular type of day. Some days just getting all the laundry done, folded and put away is a huge joy. I don't count ironing though; I do that on demand and I don't demand it that often. TheHub went out of town so I had the entire night to do exactly what I wanted to do___read!

Tuesday: The day was cooler with sunny skies and low humidity, perfect for coffee on the porch. In fact I left the door to the screened porch opened all day. 

I remember when I was a kid and everyone had screened doors at the front of the house. I wish I had one right now to get a good cross-breeze on days like we had Tuesday.

 Wednesday: I had a lovely lunch at Bistro V with my former neighbor and really good friend, F.  We have been trying to find time to get together for several months, and it was great to finally be able to meet and talk. I have missed seeing her.

I also had a lengthy phone conversation with one of my friends. 

To top off the day, TheHub brought a beautiful bouquet of cut flowers home when he stopped at Publix after work.  His recreational shopping habit does have its perks.

Thursday: My Beloved Sister and I went out to lunch, then stopped by a new to her Walmart Everyday Market. It is a grocery store that is outside our suburb, but is always well stocked, neat and tidy. I hate Walmart, but I will voluntarily go to that particular store. It was nice to see her reaction to it, and like me she is going to start using it for her go-to Walmart grocery stop.

I was lucky to talk with all three sons and had messages from my DIL's. 

Son1 had some very exciting news. His car was stolen from his driveway a couple of weeks ago and was found mostly unharmed Thursday. 

TheHub and I went to Hot and Hot Fish Club for an early dinner. I was so happy the signature tomato salad was still on the menu. If you are in Birmingham and want to try somewhere really good, this is a nice place to go.

We came home and settled in to watch an episode of  Better Call Saul. It was a really good day.

Friday: The day was a perfect day to have coffee outside. After a couple of cups I decided to let Alexa blast me with music while I cleaned. About mid-day I wound up in the dining room. Big mistake. I should have started earlier. 

Instead of a china cabinet, I have corner cabinets built in on either side of the dining room window. Do you have any idea how much junk can accumulate there? 

I had already decided I would go though each and every single item, choosing anything I no longer use to go in a donations box for a local thrift store. I sorted enough for a big box, and I have only gone through the corner cabinets and about half of the sideboard.

 I found a lot of things I had forgotten I owned, and I also found my grandmother's punchbowl and cups. I could have sworn I had already given it to my cousin who will actually use it. I am leaving it on the dining room tables as a reminder to take it to her next week.

And as an aside, exactly how many table cloths are too many? 

TheHub called while I was still in the middle of sorting, polishing, and storing, to say he wanted to go to a casual restaurant for dinner.  It meant I had to stop what I was doing and get ready to go out.

Even though I was not keen on going, we ate on the patio, the weather was great, there were a couple of adorable kids playing by our table while their parents finished eating, we had a great conversation, and finished  by driving to the crest to see the remnants of a butter colored sky following the sunset. 

And now I can type this and not have to worry about it Saturday morning. Looks like I am going to be   stuck in the dining room instead!

Look for your joys each day. They are always there!

May all your weeds be wildflowers,

Anne

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