Back to normal and it's way too quiet

My house is SO quiet. After a month and a half of guests, kids (yes, I still refer to my adult children and their friends as kids), and holiday festivities, my house is like one of those big, rundown mansions in the neighborhood where the kids dare one another to enter. It's dusty, messy, and during the day, very empty.

And it's eerily silent. Devoid of laughter and loud voices telling tales. Gone are the wafting scents rolling from my kitchen of baked goods. There are less laundry and fewer dishes in my dishwasher, and despite my full, way-to-small refrigerator, the foods crammed inside are not of the delicious holiday variety but of our day-to-day fare. In other words, boring.

I like Mondays. For me, it's the beginning. A clean slate to start over. If my life and my house are in disarray, I fear not because come Monday, I will be home alone with time on my hands to do what needs to be done to bring everything back into order. Sometimes I literally hold on to knowing Monday is coming, and it has never been more so than yesterday's Monday.

The last of the family disbanded on Saturday. Darcy returned to college and her adult-ish (her words, not mine because like me she chooses to keep the kid moniker) life of classes and work, and to hold my sorrow at bay, I held on to the solace of Monday. To the opportunity to begin the new year working on my resolutions and knocking my house and laundry into tiptop shape.

I just hadn't counted on the silence.

That's something one definitely has to get used to after a holiday of giggles, stories, warm bodies crowded on the couch, fights over television shows, foods from favorite eateries, and plans made to explore places.

Jason and I are trying. One day at a time.

She is always listening and judging

This is a Madison story. Whenever I ask her to write a post for my blog, she groans--noises reminiscent of ones made when I told her to do her homework. So, I'm paraphrasing her story and from her answers to my questions.

Madison's tale:

Last night after everyone went to bed, and after I had stayed up well into the wee hours of the morning (this would be Cara's addition), I shut off the lights to head into my bedroom. That's when I discovered that the tree lights - the tree mother replaced our Christmas tree with and decorated with colored lights - hadn't been turned off.

The lights are attached to our Amazon Alexa just like our Christmas tree had been, and, not wanting to wake everyone up, I whispered softly to Alexa so that she would turn off the lights with her typical Ba-dupe sound.

Me: "Alexa, turn off tree lights."

But, instead of the Ba-dupe sound and the lights going dark, I got Alexa at volume ten.

Alexa: "IT APPEARS YOU ARE WHISPERING! IF YOU WANT TO TURN ON WHISPERING MODE, GO TO THE ALEXA APP AND ENABLE THE WHISPER MODE!"

It was SO loud, and I was hopping up and down on either foot, whispering for her to stop before she woke up the entire house.

Me: "Alexa! Stop!"

Alexa: "ARE YOU WHISPERING? IT APPEARS YOU ARE WHISPERING!"

Me: "Alexa! Stop! Stop!"

Alexa: "WHISPERING CAN BE ENABLED BY GOING TO THE ALEXA APP AND TURNING ON WHISPERING MODE."

Every time I told her to stop, she would point out that I was whispering. I kept saying her name, and she kept telling me by golly, she was not going to allow me to whisper when I hadn't followed her directions.

It was quite hilarious.

At 3:00 in the morning.

GMC's Yukon XL

In June 2019, I wrote about our experience in renting a Yukon XL. Here is an excerpt:

Before the trip, there were several texts regarding concerns on the rental car and whether or not we had a big enough vehicle to carry seven people plus luggage. Apparently, upon hearing the tale and viewing some of the baggage, the rental agent agreed we needed a bigger car. That's how we came to renting the Yukon XL. Cue the music...

Us: (to the tune of YMCA) "It's fun to ride in the YUKON XL. We love to drive in the YUKON XL."

We had a lot of fun with the Yukon XL. More fun than I could possibly portray or give justice to by writing about on this blog. Just know that it came up in daily conversation, that it had a force shield around it, that the amount of room and comfort was off the charts, and that no other vehicle will ever match our experience. Seriously, GMC should snap up our family for a commercial. We could sell the shit out of this vehicle!

The Yukon XL remained alive in our family through a group text named Yukon Yik Yack, where we post various sightings of Yukon XL's. When Madison drew Jay's name for the Christmas gift exchange, she decided his entire Christmas would be Yukon XL themed. She made him stickers, socks, and a water bottle with various Yukon XL's that she drew. The final gift was a note telling him to be on the couch Christmas night at 8:00 p.m.

Where he was treated to this video:

Written and produced by Madison, it was completed over several days. The coup was finding that one of the family's renting in the building where my family rented their beach house was a family who drove a Yukon X!

Again...

GMC, give us a call. We can totally sell this vehicle!

Elliot starts off 2020 right

After Susan and Rusty arrived for the holidays, Elliot began limping. He walked around the hood with us one night and couldn't finish. We had to take turns carrying him home, a feat that wasn't easy for us old gals. He immediately began licking his sore paw, and this went on and on every time he walked on it. 

Darcy and I took him to the vet. A place I haven't been to in years as this dog belongs to Tom. I leave that chore for him. After all, I took the kids to the vet doctor all those years why shouldn't he get a turn with this child?

Vet: "A minute ago, the dog was your dog."

Darcy: "She does that a lot."

Me: "The dog belongs to both of them. They're the two who brought Elliot into the family."

Darcy: "You love him."

True. Which is why I took Elliot to the vet where I also decided I'd bring up his skin condition. Elliot has had a skin issue ever since the day we brought him home. I blame the breeders. They handed over Elliot covered in fleas, and the poor animal has had skin lesions ever since. We've been told he has allergies, and after testing, etc. it was decided he was allergic to fleas. Go figure! 

A flea bites him, and then he scratches, and then it spreads until he has scabs over 75% of his body. He has to be miserable. I thought it odd the vet couldn't narrow down a treatment, but then I've heard from other sheepdog owners that they too have dogs with the same problem. 

Turns out, medicine has progressed! The vet decided Elliot's paws - all four of them - were infected with a secondary infection caused by his allergies. He recommended a special shampoo, once a week baths, daily brushings, and a new allergy pill for dogs. We took it all and then went immediately to the pet store to bath him with the special shampoo.

He hates getting a bath, but he does love to be clean. Plus, he gets to pick out his own treat, which the store puts at the animals' level. A week later, his skin was SO much better, and we took him back again to give him another bath. The pet place has three washing stations, and they provide everything an owner needs to bath a pet; shampoo, conditioner, towels, treats, brushes, and a blow dryer. You do the work.

After Elliot was bathed, we decided we all deserved a Starbucks. Elliot was totally on board with that run!

He decided on a puppachino, and since his cousins, Brody, Kol, and Pumpkin gave him Starbucks gift cards, he treated us. 

So far, his skin lesions have all but disappeared. He is suddenly more energetic. He wants to play more often, and he even seems to enjoy being loved--something he usually isn't keen on. He enjoyed the company for the holidays and is looking forward to what 2020 has in store for him. 

He hopes there are fewer baths and more Starbucks.

Charcuterie Expert Wannabe

Since my introduction into the charcuterie board, I've been obsessed. If I thought my family would go for it, we'd have charcuterie foods every night. On my board. Because I love building this board.

I follow on Instagram the former food editor for our local paper, and when she posted this book, I immediately put it on my Amazon wish list even though I pooh-pooh any cookbooks because all recipes can be found online. A fact my friend pointed out to me when I mentioned the book. My friend whose house I decluttered and whose cookbooks I gave to Goodwill.

Me: "This is different."

My cousin and I went through the entire book, but she wasn't as enthralled with the boards as I am. She had some excellent points. For example, the cramming of foods. Most charcuterie boards start out with a premise and a layout, which is then filled in with the assorted crackers and foods. It makes for a very full board, which we agreed made it hard for fingers to maneuver.

But as my mother always reminded me, recipes are made to be tweaked. My boards tend not to be crowded, but I think they can be too stark, so I'm working on filling them in more.

For NYE, we always have a game night with another family. My friend texted me she was bringing a cheese and meat tray, so my charcuterie board for that had to be tossed. No worries! I turned to my Christmas present book above (which was purchased for me for Christmas, thanks to the friend above...the one whose cookbooks I gave away), and I decided on the chipboard.

Only with fewer dips and less variety of chips. I decided on onion dip, salsa, guacamole, queso, and tabbouleh. Unfortunately, the avocados were not ripe, so I had to purchase pre-made organic guacamole and then to cut down on time I went with Dean's french onion dip instead of making my own. Note: homemade dips look better on the board.

Also, I need more bowls for my board. I only have a couple, so I used my little everyday dishes, and it doesn't have the same aesthetic, picturesque view. But it still was devoured. 

I think if I try one charcuterie board a month, I should have it down pat by the end of the year. Perhaps I should add this as a resolution? I'm determined to have at least one board that resembles a board that belongs in a book.

I already have February's board since it will be a strawberry season in Florida:

Stay tuned.

Winna!

My younger brother has always picked on me and usually still gets the best of me. Even as we age, he doesn't stop. If he isn't quizzing me on movie lines, he's poking me in the side. He is very competitive and loves nothing more than besting me in games, whether it's cards or board games or driving.

This holiday I got the upper hand.

It started first with me whining about my sore feet. No one stepped up to offer comfort, so I pouted. Rusty wanted me to play cards. I declined. I told him I couldn't concentrate on anything but my aching feet.

Rusty: "If you can beat me two out of three hands, I'll rub your feet."

We played Gin Rummy, and I won the first two games. Gin! I laid down my gin hand and had my shoes off before we could even clear the table we were using. I have never enjoyed a foot massage more than I did that one.

But the best was yet to come...

During our annual dinner to a favorite local restaurant, my brother and I sat next to one another. The vegetable for that evening was slices of cooked tomatoes with parmesan and bread crumbs. Neither one of us eats plants. While I wasn't looking, Rusty put his three tomatoes on my plate.

Me: "Ha, ha, you're so funny. The waiter will not be fooled."

Rusty: "I'll give you $50 if you eat those six tomatoes."

Me: "Show me the money."

He pulled out a fifty-dollar bill and laid it on the table. I stared at the tomatoes. Ugh.

Me: "I'll eat three of them for $50."

Rusty: "The bet is six for $50."

Me: "Then I decline. I'm not eating six tomatoes. I hate tomatoes. I could probably gag down three, but I can't do six."

Rusty: "I'll tell you what. I'll double it. Six tomatoes for $100."

He pulled out another fifty-dollar bill and laid it on top of the previous bill. The table began to buzz. My competitive juices, the ones that long to show the little shit up, kicked into gear. I channeled my inner Survivor. I took the bet.

I cut the first tomato and put half into my mouth. Ugh. I chewed it. I ate the second half. Rusty began talking shit.

Rusty: "Feel the acid? If not, you will later tonight. And look at the squishy one on your plate. That's rotten for sure. Make sure you savor that rotten tomato. Let it slide down the old gullet burning your throat with the acid."

I kept eating. The table was on my side. My husband was impressed; I had even put a half into my mouth. My competitive side kept on chugging. I pictured Rusty rubbing my feet. He began sweating after I ate the first three slices.

Rusty: "The bet was three for $50, right?"

I ignored him and kept on eating. The waiter got into the bet and kept popping back to our table to check my progress. The end was in sight. I kept eating.

When I finished the last bite, I had to open my mouth to prove I'd swallowed it. The table erupted in applause. The waiter got me a celebratory margarita to wash away the taste of tomatoes, and I pocketed the $100 in my bra.

Best Family Christmas Ever!

2020 Resolutions

My side of the family has kept resolutions since 1989. Actually, 1988, but somewhere those were lost, so we say 1989 with an asterisk*. It's a cool, little journal, and it shows when people joined our family and when we lost members. I have a file with the written notes, but moving into the electronic age, we now have a Google Drive folder. I also check in ever two months on my resolutions to hold myself accountable. Without further ado...

Here are my 2020 resolutions:

1. Travel (Explore and open myself to new experiences)- I had this as a resolution a couple of years ago, and I said I wasn't going to repeat resolutions, so I added the last bit, so it wasn't necessarily the same. I think this year is about making myself stronger.)
2. Get into an excellent mental and/or physical place where I don't mind having my picture taken. - See, I'm switching it up. I hate myself in photos, but images are for the future, as I've discovered this year when going through my boxes of them. This year I'll work toward loving myself in photos.
3. Devise a working routine schedule Monday-Friday so that I do it and stick to it - I work from home. I really do. So, this year I'm starting a work schedule, and I shall turn off electronic devices and work everything else around those hours.
4. Finish editing book #1, so Maya can edit and critique it. - I have to get it ready. Lots of plot changes coming and it will take work, but I have many who have offered to help me so...
5. To drink less coffee and therefore less creamer - This one is the big one. I've got to cut down on the creamer, and to do so means doing the same with the coffee, and that can't hurt...right?
6. To tackle some old resolutions that haunt me - Guess I'm going back, huh? But I really need to complete projects, and this holds me accountable (at least in my mind).

Happy New Year, everyone! Here's to a new decade! Thanks for reading.

Goody-bye 2019

End of the year - a decade. Yikes. I haven't really processed the decade thing yet (maybe another post soon?), but this year has been a good one. I'm healthy. My loved ones are healthy. We're all still standing, and the outlook is bright. We spent tons of time with family. Can't complain.

Let's see how I ended with my resolutions.

1. Tackle a project once a month - I started out strong, and then I finished strong. Because I knew the end was near. I started back to the beginning of my blog and edited it and labeled my posts. I had 100 pages with 25 posts a page. I edited ten and a half pages for 10%. Wow. It felt like more as it took up tons of time. I scanned photos into my computer. I have a giant box of said scanned photos. It started out as a little box, and then there were two boxes, and now I have a large box. That's a win, right? I didn't do the baby books I said I would do. I did clean out some closets, and tons of crap went to our new storage unit my husband decided we needed. While I don't think I'll be able to say I completed this resolution this year, I did at least attempt it. Score - 5
2. Finish my book, begin editing it, and start writing book #2 - Done, done, and done. Book number one isn't done, and it needs an overhaul (especially after receiving feedback from a Harlequin editor), but I did finish it, and I began editing it, and I started book #2. This one is complete! Score: 10
3. Learn the next step in the writing career (i.e., writing a synopsis, querying an agent, etc.). - I'm counting this one because the next step was really the synopsis, and not only did I have to research this one, but I had to do it. I also learned several other steps through workshops with my writer's group. Done. Score: 10
4. Adopt a healthier lifestyle (including eating, exercising, sleeping, and vitamins) - I attempted. I lost. Started strong, waned, dropped off, and tried a comeback that fizzled. Score: 5
5. Use more Wyndham points this year than last year - This required math. I'm glad I took the time to do it. This one was completed on my end! Done!  Score: 10

Total: 40 out of 50 - Yes! Three out of five. I feel such satisfaction! Halfway through the remaining two. Not bad. Not bad. Go, me!

Here's hoping I complete it all next year! Here's hoping your year was a great one too and that next year is even better!

Thanks for hanging in with me and reading my nutty recap of our lives. Love you all.