Update...

I'd love to type - "We are done relocating!"...

But alas, we still have a few things to check off the box in order to make that statement.

BUT - we are ALMOST done!

We have a house...

The boxes are unpacked...

The cars have the right state on their license plates (that took 4 attempts) ...

I have a permanent parking garage at work...

The work travel has begun...

We still need to get some pictures on the walls...

We're waiting on our Driver's License to come in the mail...

We've begun working through our damage claim from the move...

Yep - almost done.  :)

I also just downloaded about 1,500 photos off of my phone and have many restaurants that need to be added to the blog.  My goal is to get to that in the very near future, but I have a few deadlines that I have to get through first.

Wish me luck.

Namaste.

Hurry Up andddddddd Wait...

It feels like this relocation is taking forever, even though it isn't...

We are constantly rushing to meet a deadline, then twiddling our thumbs until it is time to rush again.

So what are we waiting on?

> Windows and Glass for the house in Michigan... Then we will be able to move forward selling it.

> 2nd attempt on our closing in Kentucky... OK, Ok. - Luckily, that wait is finally over as of yesterday.

> Keys for our new house... This has probably been the hardest wait - knowing it is ours, but having to wait just a few more days while they finish moving out.

> Our belongings... They are being stored on a semi-truck in Michigan.  Once we get the carpet dyed and the walls painted, we'll be welcoming all of the boxes. If I only had a dollar for each time I said - "Yep, we have that - on a semi in MI."

> Getting out of temporary living...It has a great view and short drive to work; however, it is not us.

> Just being done with being "in limbo"... I really don't like not being settled!

I am really starting to appreciate "my stuff"... Especially my kitchen tools.  As I was making Beef Stew tonight, I had to count to l0 a few times while trying to do something that is usually so easy... with my tools. I must say though - I have a good list of things that will make good gifts for a bridal shower or Christmas present. :)

BUT... I have to say that I am extremely blessed that I really like my new job.

If I had a huge amount of stress both with the new job and relocating, I don't know how I would manage.

Hopefully, the next post will be about "we are done" and then I'll get all of these restaurant/food pictures off of my phone and onto the blog. 

Namaste.

Relocating...

As I mentioned last month, we are in the process of relocating south to be closer to family.

This is my 4th company relocation...

The 1st one was straight out of college with very little belongings, but new job, new town... 

Just a bit stressful for a 21-year-old starting out in the world...

The 2nd (and 3rd) was a bit easier... 

Same company in the same job...just moving office/home locations. 

I did a personal move between the 2nd and 3rd...

I must admit - I prefer being moved as a part of a relocation and not having to pack/move/unpack all of it myself...

Now, we are in the middle of the 4th!

I must admit - this has been the most stressful move of all of them. As I was about to pull out my hair over the anxiety, I realized the number of things that we are going through right now.

Retiring from a job...

Starting a new job...

Reliving the "goodbye" of a loved one due to legal issues...

Buying our two vehicles...

Arranging for extended warranty on said vehicles...

Selling a house - in the winter...

Buying a house - in a crazy market...

Moving insurances...

Waiting on a parking spot (the joys of working downtown)...

Living in corporate living - a 2-bedroom apartment with a queen size bed is a challenge...

(NOTE - all furnished apartments should have a soup ladle, whisk and 9x13 casserole)

If something isn't on the To Do list or a reminder on the family calendar, then it doesn't get done.

If it doesn't go smooth the first time, then a colorful word is coming out of my mouth.

And I realized that everything (including my job) is really data focused right now...

Which may be why I feel like I am crawling out of my skin.

I am 50/50 right brain/left brain...

I have to have both data and creativity to be balanced and I am not balanced right now.

So, I opened the ole blog and started creating some words...

And I hope that this will help bring me back in balance...

And if that doesn't work, then later this weekend, I get to take pictures of our youngest grand's birthday celebration...

Until the next creativity need arises...

Namaste.

I'm Back...

Yes, it has been awhile since I have posted...

I am actually surprised at how long it has been...

Obviously, posting here took a back seat to what I call... LIFE.

2021 was the year of improvement...

Mainly, improving me - physically and mentally.

I, working with my doctor and a dietician, decided that I needed to make some changes.

And I did...

It took about 11.5 months, but I hit the weight goal that my doctor set for me.

64 pounds gone!

Lots of lower calorie recipes in the rotation.

Lifetime use of the MyFitnessPal app.

Yep - this is a journey.

Last November, we also joined the VR world and I have been doing SuperNatural workouts daily.

BIG GAME CHANGER

It helped me get off the last 6-7 pounds that were teasing me...

And so - 2021 was the year of improvement.

And I was successful.

So...

2022 is going to be the year of family.

I have decided to retire from my job of 25.5 years.

This will allow us to relocate back to the Cincinnati area to be closer to our kids and grandkids.

This is the priority.

This will take us most of our time in the next few months.

I am looking for the next adventure in our journey...

I have a lot of restaurant food pictures on my phone ready to share with you.

Perhaps in the spring?

Until then, stay safe, healthy and happy.

Namaste.

Thanksgiving 2020

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

With 2020 being the mess that it is, I do want to take a moment to reflect.  This year has been good in making me take stock of what we have and be thankful for that!

So - for my family, my friends, my work and my health... 

I give thanks.

Namaste.

#Remembering - A Blog Post

I don't usually go back and reread things that I ramble about here.

I do refer to restaurants or quilts...but not usually when I just type.

My blog has truly turned into a private diary for me as the popularity of blogs has died down.

And that's okay.

Today, I revisited a post from a few years ago (not intentional, it just happened) and it about broke me.

And I realized the my life hasn't changed much since that post and that hurts.

I do have a history with anxiety and luckily, I know the signs to head it off...

But that doesn't stop the tears from being reminded about who I am.

And honestly, I am who I am and there isn't much to change there.

What little I can change, I have started talking to my doctor about, but I don't know that it will help much.

What has changed since that post is the number of people who can just be outright mean!

And they are not happy that I won't let that into my life.

Does that make me a bad person?  Maybe. Maybe not.

But I don't and won't have to experience their hatred and meanness.

I am blessed that the few people who do read this blog are in far countries who don't know me.

I can truly use it to just get thoughts onto the screen and cope (a way I deal with anxiety).

Namaste.

My Thoughts on Social Injustice...

This blog has changed over the years...

I used to post about issues and things that were on my mind...

Then it evolved to what it is today - which is pretty light-hearted about food, crafts and such...

BUT

I decided that I needed to go back to my roots for this one.

I am not a fan of Social Injustice in any way, shape or form.

As a part of my job, I work to provide opportunities for everyone to be allowed to compete...

And it has become my passion.

And I have many friends with different ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc.

And they are all important and valuable in my life.

It bothers me that humans are profiled for anything other than their actions.

It bothers me that humans are not given the same opportunities for housing / education / jobs.

It bothers me that orchestras have to have auditions behind screens with no shoe sounds to be fair.

It bothers me that resumes/applications are evaluated differently when the names are hidden.

And even though it bothers me, I realize that I need to do more to make sure that I am not part of the problem.

I am working to educate myself more - not only with Black Lives Matter (and they do), but Hispanic/Latino, Native America (I am pretty confident that I have Sioux Indian blood, but I have no idea of the % (8.25%?) or any way to document it...), Asian American, LGBTQ+, etc.

I was in a seminar the other day that laid out privilege for me in way that really made me go "Hmm"...  

To be privileged means (according to this seminar) that you are "invited to the table" or "invited into the room" or "invited to be a part of a group"... insert whatever phrase resonates the most with you.

We all have areas that we are privileged, and we all have areas that we aren't.

It is up to those of us who are privileged in an area to help those who aren't and hope that in areas that we don't have privilege, others will help us.

I am a women - in some situations that makes me privileged and in some it doesn't.

And believe me - I have experienced sexism many times in my life.

I am Caucasian - that makes it easier for me in most situations.  There are others (wanting to go to a seminar for "women of color") where it doesn't.

I am a heterosexual - that makes it easier to me in most situations, but again - I have had times where I am in the minority and feel very uncomfortable. And that's okay.

I am a college graduate - and even though I worked very hard for that privilege, it is still a privilege.

The point is - everyone has times when they are privileged and times when they aren't.

The problem is that some groups have far more items in the non-privileged column than privileged.  

We all need to make sure that we take it upon ourselves to understand when it is easier for us to get a seat at that table (or whatever phrase works for you) and give a hand up (not hand out) to someone who needs it. 

That is all anyone wants.

AND...

There are good cops and there are bad cops.

There are good leaders and there are bad leaders.

There are good people and there are bad people.

There are good protesters and there are bad looters.

Notice something that was missing from those four statements? 

Race / Gender / Sexual Orientation.

I value those things (Race / Gender / Sexual Orientation / etc) in all of my friends and family.

I love to learn about our differences...They make us unique and special.

BUT THOSE DIFFERENCES DO NOT MAKE US GOOD OR BAD.

The big thing is that we all need to start communicating and talking so that all of the good people are working together to give each other hand ups and to stop the bad people. And a big part of all of this communication, which also means education for me.  

I am watching more documentaries. 

I am reading more books.  

I am listening more (oh that word is sooooooo important!).  

[I may start posting about some of my education as a resource. If there is interest, I might... Even if there isn't, I might just for me...]

And today - Black Lives Matter!  

Or if it reads better to you: Black Lives Matter Too!

In the end - yes, All Lives Matter - that is understood.  
But today, not all Black people are treated like they belong in that "All" statement, so it is time to spotlight their injustices and do something about it today. 

Because tomorrow, we may need to move the spotlight to another injustice and another... 

One day it might even be <Something that SassyMarie is> Lives Matter and I hope that others will stand up with me as I will stand with them.

Today - I stand with Black Lives Matter as a peaceful protest, as a conversation, as a call for action to fix what is broken.

I hope you are willing to listen, to be educated and to stand to eliminate social injustice.

Namaste.

Caught Up...

Alrighty...

I took some time tonight to get pictures off of my phone which helped me get caught up for #FridayFinds.

I also got all of my quilt pictures in the same place (imagine that concept) and have scheduled posts for #CraftyTuesdays.

I have a quite a few posts scheduled to go, so stay tuned!

I still have some more sewing to do...

And our group is planning to start going to dinner together again...

So hopefully, I will be able to keep the post going pretty consistently.

Wish me luck... Based on history, I may need it.

Namaste.

Waving Hello!!!

Hello!

Zdravstvuyte!

Shalom!

Kanechiwa!

Hola!

Bonjour!

Hope you are doing well whereever you call home.

It's been awhile, but simply - I ran out of stuff to write about.

Life got pretty boring...

I can say that we got 62.3% of our To Do list done while we were sheltering at home.

Honestly, we will probably get to 69.8% with a few more things that I plan to get done in the next month or two. 

But - since it is starting to "open up" around us, I have some new #FridayFinds to post...

And - now that things have been delivered, I have some #CraftyTuesdays as well...

Hopefully soon.

STATS as of now (worldometers.info):

9,520,160 cases

   483,959 deaths

5,169,270 recovered

Namaste.

2020 So Far...

An unbelievable 2020:

Australian Brushfires

Presidential Impeachment and Acquittal

COVID-19 

- Quarantine

- Everything shut down (including schools)

- Unbelievable gas prices
- Virtual Concerts

Olympics Delayed

Murder Hornets

Riots

It is only May 30th and I am so done...

On a positive note (okay the only positive note), 2020 made me a Great Aunt!
And I have made a lot of quilts and scrapbooks...

STATS as of now (worldometers.info):

6,259,243 cases

   373,696 deaths

2,785,631 recovered

Namaste.

Life As I Know It...

So, I am still working from home...

I am still avoiding large crowds...

I am still unable to play pool or visit my magician...

But...

Hot tub has been set up...

Flower beds have been filled with rocks...

Friends have been able to play Euchre and Boulderdash (groups of 10 or less of course)...

Restaurant patios have opened...

Two birthdays were celebrated (many weeks late)...

And...

There is a quilt to finish...

There is another quilt to make (once nursery colors are picked)…

There are flowers to buy and plant...

And I am trying to stay busy and be productive.

Wish me luck.

STATS as of now (worldometers.info):

5,781,637 cases

   356,826 deaths

2,493,117 recovered

Namaste.

Hi!

So, I got busy with life... In quarantine...
Ok...So full transparency, I got caught up with being bored...

I haven't posted in awhile...
And there isn't much to post about...

I've made cards.
I've scrapbooked.
I've made quilts.
I've cleaned (but we've been quarantined so long, I need to do it again).

I also have to say goodbye to an amazing lady who was taken from us way too early for an unknown reason.  And in this COVID-19 environment, there can't be a public funeral.  And just let me say - that funeral would have been standing room only.  In fact, she was so loved - they may not have had a funeral home big enough for it in her town.

So now, I am just passing the time...
And reading some books...
And finishing some more quilts and scrapbooks...
And trying to forget what this weekend is.

STATS as of now (worldometers.info):

3,915,636 cases
270,683 deaths
1,341,059 recovered


Namaste.

Scrap booking Memories... (AKA Virus...Post 14)

I realized that my naming of "Virus...Post**" is getting old.
Before I know it, I could be up to Post 100 and that's just depressing.
So, I'm moving away from those names.
And honestly, I've been blogging about things other than the virus anyway.

I was working on scrap booking again today.
I am bound and determined to get as much done as I can this year...
With or without the Shelter at Home order!
When we move again, I'd rather move photo albums then lots of paper and stickers...
And as nice as it is to get the memories documented for the future...
Documenting those memories brings up lots of emotions: whether it be laughter, a smile a tear.

Tonight, it was tears.
I went through my mom's books and salvaged some of the pictures.
Some were destroyed by floods and some by the adhesive in the old photo albums.
I then redid parts of my albums to integrate the pictures that tugged on my heart that I didn't have.
And now, I sit here in tears still being overwhelmed with all of the emotions that I had from reliving some of the memories that I have of my mom and dad.

It is still unbelievable to me that over the course of three years, I lost both of my parents.
I guess in a sense - at 44, I became an orphan.
And though some of the memories should bring me happiness, it is still so raw that everything still makes me cry.
One of these days, I hope the memories are able to bring smiles instead of tears.

STATS as of now (worldometers.info):

2,248,891 cases
154,145 deaths
571,573 recovered

Namaste.

Goodbye 2019... Hello 2020

I have to say that I am very much happy to bid 2019 a farewell.
It was a rough year with saying goodbye to MommyMarie and being so far from the boys.
But, we made it and I even did decent on the one goal (I think) that I made for the year.

I will not lie - I went down to the wire...
My goal for 2019 was to complete six scrapbooks.
On December 30th, I finished the sixth!
There were four digital books and two done the old fashion - paper way.

I have to say that I get more fulfillment and have more flexibility with the paper way, but the digital way is so much faster, though the cost is a one time thing rather than spread out with the paper!
In the end, they are probably comparable if you get the high quality books/paper. But with the digital, I can make them and hold onto them for a sale (just don't try this on Amazon - they will delete your book!!!).

So, what is a girl like me to do?  Do it again!

I do not think that six is the right number and our server is down, so I can't get to the file to see what I have left to do. I do know that I have two paper books to finish this year and can do at least two digital easily... so what the heck - let's go with SIX again...

And...
I am going to try to get four quilts made this year...

I am going to finish reading the pile of inspirational books (3) on my night stand...
I am going to try to eat out less (by 50%) and cook at home more...
I am going to try to drink more water at work...
I am going to cross quite a few things off of the bucket list...

Granted the vacation to help with those bucket list items is already planned.  :)

Here's to a great 2020.

Namaste.

Trying Again...

So, I was doing pretty good earlier in the year with intermediate fasting and dropping some pounds...
Then June 11th happened.
Any I couldn't deal with everything at once, so it all came back on (and then some).

I'm still not over this summer...
I still have paperwork and stuff to deal with...

But - it is time to try again...
I can't let my health get completely out of control - that is why I lost my mom.
So, I am going back to what worked about 12 years ago...
It's time to count calories again.

As miserable as I will be, it will be nice to be healthy again.
To be able to ride my bike without getting winded.
To feel like I can go up and down the stairs without my knees hurting.

And it is time to get going again.

Today was Day 3...

And I need to celebrate that I have had three successful days!
Here's to 100 more...

Namaste.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to everyone!

This is the first year that we haven't received a visit from the Easter Bunny.
I suspect that in a few weeks, we'll realize that he did visit and just hid the baskets and eggs way too well.  :)

Namaste.

Remembering - Summer

I am not a huge fan of being hot...

I always say that I can put more clothes on if I get cold, but I can't take more off...

Granted, I'm not a fan of extreme cold either...

I tend to miss summer a lot in the winter.

Winter is so blah and dreary - other than the pretty snow before it turns gray from all of the dirt, smut and everything else under the sun... It is pretty depressing.

So, we got metal flowers to keep a splash of color in our yard, even when it is blah.

I just need to remember to respray them in the spring to keep them from rusting!

Namaste.

2019

2019 has found me working on a few things:
> Organizing & Purging 
> Digital Scrapbooking
> Intermediate Fasting

I started out the year "focusing on joy".  Yes, Marie Kondo.
I didn't have much to go through as we purged A LOT before we moved north...
But I did have a few things that needed attention - mainly drawers!
 The junk drawer...
 The makeup drawer...
 The utility drawers...
You get the picture?

Here's one of the successes:

I did make a lot of progress with the drawers... Just have a cabinet and the top of a closet still to do.


Then, I got focused on digital scrapbooking...
My goal was to do six books in 2019 (one book per year) - I figured I could take two months to get one done and be on target to be done by the end of the year.
I guess I shouldn't admit that I would have to get 11 books done to get caught up?
Yeah, let's not go there.

January found me wanting to compare Shutterfly to Amazon Photos, so I was working on two books were being created at the same time.
My opinion?
Shutterfly wins on functionality.
Amazon wins on price.
Wait on the right coupon and Shutterfly gets the thumbs up.
 
Then, just when I was going to move on to something else, Shutterfly had an amazing sale (40% off and unlimited free pages).  I became a scrapbook crazy lady and got four years done in time to print during that sale. My wallet is VERY happy.  

So as we near the end of February, I have four years printed, one ready for print and one in process.  Not bad progress and maybe closer to get getting caught up than I originally planned!


Just after Christmas, I decided to try intermediate fasting.
MBB has been doing something similar for awhile now and I figured I'd give it a go, in my own way.
Five days a week, I eat between 4pm and 7pm to try to give my digestive system a break.
The other two, I either eat all three meals or just between 12pm and 7pm.
I am a fan of treating my body a little bit better...I am also the first to admit that I am not a fan of the digits on the scale right now.

So, I am giving this a go until I like the digits better and then, I'll probably adjust to what MBB is doing (eating between 12pm and 7pm everyday) as a lifestyle change.

As of now, I have lost 11 lbs over about 7 weeks.

Yes, I could lose it faster if I went on the diet that I have used before...
BUT - I was miserable ALL THE TIME and was always in a bad mood.
I was constantly hungry trying to keep my calories down and eat six times a day.
And if I didn't eat according to my plan - I got really shaky as my blood sugar dropped...
It was scary a few times.

With the intermediate fasting: I am hungry during the day, but it is the same hungry as before.
The difference?
I don't get shaky anymore.  I may get a headache as I get close to 4pm, but not every day.
I also am not hungry in the evening!
I feel full!
I get to eat what I want (not limited to eat whites, grilled chicken and green veggies ever meal)!


So that is what has been keeping my occupied so far in 2019.
And work...
And work travel...
And playing pool...

But I do have a lot of Friday Finds to post...
Just got to find some more time in the near future to get organized!

Namaste.

Our Forest

I absolutely love our land.
I love the trees...
I love the privacy...
I love the peacefulness...

The leaves have a lot to be desired...
The clean-up after a big storm - yep, picture worthy...

Definitely from one of our walnut trees...
How do I know, you ask?
We found about a hundred walnuts when we moved the branch...

Namaste.

Bucket List Item

I decided that it would be kewl to see all five of the Great Lakes.

A little information for those who may be interested (and my reference):

The "Great Lakes of North America" are a series of freshwater lakes that connect the Atlantic Ocean to the Saint Lawrence River. They are primarily on the Canada-United States Border (all except Lake Michigan - which is entirely in the USA).
They are the largest group of freshwater lakes by total area (94,250 square miles) and second largest by total volume (21% of the world's surface fresh water). 

Want to know more?  Click here...


I have been to Lake Erie a few times, but last month we took the grand babies for their first trip.
Since we found a beach that is only 20 minutes from our house, I expect that I'll be seeing this particular Great Lake often.

I have plans to see Lake Michigan and Lake Huron / the bottom tip of Lake Superior... 
Just not sure which one will come first and when.
Lake Ontario is going to be the tricky one!

(I didn't create the picture above, just "borrowed" it for the visual..)

Namaste.