Small Joys — slow down

Day 52

Random number is 264

Rest

To be honest, I deleted a few Small Joys that didn’t look like fun after all or are things already started so no longer needed on list. And I replaced the 4 I deleted with just the word REST.

Then lo and behold that was Tuesday’s Small Joy. So I got in bed at 8 pm. Watched a bunch of Bones. Did a lot of Christmas shopping online. Got a busy but also fun day planned for tomorrow. Yeah… I was still productive while in bed. And I’m still awake after midnight. But I did rest. Wasn’t on computer. Didn’t tidy. Or have a meltdown about anything. Getting all that shopping done, and an organized list of Xmas holiday tasks for tomorrow (er, later today) is restful — by reducing my anxiety.

Small Joys — catching up: delicious and dicey

Day 51

Random number is 371

Do something delicious

I’ve really fallen off on doing these Small Joys and writing about them. Yikes.

Well, on Sunday, the day of this Small Joy, I baked delicious peppernut cookies and oatmeal walnut cookies. And ate a fantastic chicken quesadilla at a nice Tex-mex place near the Parker Playhouse in Ft Lauderdale. I did make sure to appreciate the deliciousness of my food since the Small Joy made me aware. The show we saw was a delicious feast. And Sean is as always my delicious husband.

Process update: I’ve been picking Small Joys but then getting busy with other more urgent and necessary stuff. And the Small Stuff gets lost in the shuffle. I’m okay with it not being daily, but I do want to journal and have fun and get creative … not just *be productive*. So I want to try to focus on it again.

Day 51.5

Random number 214

put dice into hexagon terrarium

I did this one in mid December and forgot to document it. So glad to finally put this glass hexagon to use — and it looks so pretty.

Cookie List 2024

Peanut butter cookies with Reese’s cups — done 12/14

oatmeal with walnuts — done 12/16

Peppernuts — dine 12/15

gingerbread twigs -- done 12/20

Gingersnap cut outs —dough made 12/21, started cut outs 12/22

Pina colada (edited to add: baking these in January for tax season)

UPDATE:

12/17: brought in two plates of oatmeal walnut and peanut butter Reese’s to work. They were a big hit.

12/21: bringing some cookies to Stacy birthday party, and mailing a tin to Laurie in Iowa. Planning on a tin for Nora & Jon to take to his parents.

12/22 — took some to Dawn’s house for cribbage day

List/musings — not dead yet

I didn’t die from pneumonia in winter of 1973.

I didn’t die on a snowy overpass between NM and CO in Dec 1989.

I didn’t die from staph infection in May 2015.

I didn’t have a stroke in Mar 2017. Nor in Nov 2019.

I survived congestive heart failure in early 2020.

I fixed the broken wheel bearing just in time in Nov 2024.

Probably other stroke opportunities and near misses in the car that have faded from memory.

#LifeIsGood

Musings — feeling blue

Feeling blue because:

1. Peter is depressed again
2. fucking RFK potentially in charge of health
3. Republicans caving and slobbering Uber DT
4. Democrats doing nothing worthwhile
5. Achey feet, tired legs, general tiredness of a too busy month

Things that cheer me up;

1. Making a sand dollar garland out of felt and beads
2. limoncello cream
3. hanging out with Sean
4. losing myself in a novel
5. Art museums
6. staying off social media
7. baking cookies
8. riding my bike
9. a nap
10. tidying my bedroom
11. a hot shower

Small Joys — I felt that!

Day 50

random number 135

Make a holiday decoration

To be honest, the Small Joy that came up was “plan a map art”, and I was excited because I love maps. Went to Pinterest where I’d saved a bunch of ideas (which probably inspired putting the idea on the list). Ideas I’d never looked at closely. They were all stupid or impossible.

But! I did remember I have a bunch of felt and had wanted to make stuff with it. So I changed the Small Joy! Which I can do, because it’s my game.

I already had a bunch of circles cut out: and I know I have a bunch of buttons, so I have these organized to become 4 ornaments to give as gifts.

I also started an elf-boot-shaped one for Stacy because she’s having a murder mystery party, and I’m an elf, and her tree crashed so I figure she’d like an unbreakable felt ornament.

And I’d started some tan & white sand dollars; probably intending them as coasters, but instead I’ll make a garland with the wood beads I have. That’ll be fun and personal to me and Sean.

Photos to come when finished….

Check in

Breakfast report: half a banana, half a Pepsi, rosemary bread toasted, 1/3 of a documentary on the Mitford sisters

Clothes report: black pants, orange t-shirt with gnome. It’s what was closest and comfiest.

Weather report: cold by Florida standards. Wire winter coat when walking dog, but also wore sandals and cropped pants

Medical report: heart no trouble, decent nights sleep though only 6 hours, right big toe hurts from arthritis, bowels working fine, skin looks ok and is now moisturized