I started blogging 21 years ago today! (Mind : Blown)

On Monday, I was reminded by a fellow quitter that’s it’s been 20 years since we quit smoking! It tells you something that I had to be reminded of that fact.

Those two things are forever entwined for me — the people I quit smoking with, and the supporters, were all virtual/blog friends at the time. I’m lucky to have met many of them (who are some of you) over the years!

Hands down, the best thing about blogging is the people I’ve met (virtual or otherwise).

I’ve been scarce lately, feeling a bit tongue-tied — lots of big things going on in my little world. (Not to mention the things going on in the big world.)

I’m looking forward to spring, even though we had a named winter storm yesterday (Ezra) that left a few inches of crusty snow, but the sun is shining today and the roads are drying up.

This morning’s view from the bedroom window. There are some tracks left by a fast-moving bunny, and also (likely) some cat tracks. I realized in the middle of the night, seeing that my neighbor’s back porch light was on, that he must have it on a motion sensor. He lets his dogs out on leads in the back to do their business, which is usually why I’d notice the light was on over the winter — but in the middle of the night? Randomly at 2:12 or 4:43 in the morning? (duh!) I’ll get a camera set up out there SOME DAY! What goes on back there??

Anyway, whether you’ve been reading these ramblings for 21 years or 21 minutes… THANK YOU!!

THING 1:

Tomorrow is “Special People Day” at the kids’ school, which includes a History Fair!

Junah is doing a presentation on JFK, and I’ve been “helping” him with my personal recollection of facts, along with some anecdotes. He seemed to really appreciate my input, especially that JFK’s assassination is one of the first memories seared into my brain.

In addition to a tri-fold filled with facts, everyone in his grade is making a “bottle figure” to represent their chosen subject. Junah finished his last night — Ali made the clothes, Junah painted the Styrofoam ball/head & glued on the “hair” (repurposed from one of Malina’s coats), and Kate penciled in the facial features which Junah then outlined. Ali said that the parade of bottle people going into school this morning makes her so excited for tomorrow!

We’ll be going, too, as I happen to have the day off. The girls will have history projects, too, though less labor intensive than Junah’s.

All I know is that Malina’s subject is “personal history,” as I was dramatically queried for information a few days ago. I kept my answer very brief & to the point, but someday she’ll be privy to (or endure) the entire family tree!

Ali sent the photos above & below this morning, too….

…which reminded me that there will also be kids’ artwork displayed in all of the hallways! I absolutely LOVE projects like this, in which it appears that each child was given the same material & direction, and they each did their own thing. Just delightful!! I still remember Mrs. Kelly giving us each a piece of paper every week or so, each with the same line drawn across it to extrapolate upon… I was in 1st grade… only a year or so after my JFK memory… digging deep this week. haha.

THING 2:

My sister Ann checked in at the hospital last night and is having a hip replacement today! That’s definitely an event in my future, so I’ll be closely watching her recovery. Send some good juju if you can!

THING 3:

My Hitchhiker has about twice as many teeth as it did last week. One or two of those teeth are a little bigger than the others… I get distracted!

I sure love all those colors.

Hope you’ve had a great week!

It’s the first day of the first month that I’m eligible to apply for Social Security (for my desired timeframe)… and I did.

They want a copy of our marriage certificate, though, and I can’t put my hands on it, so I have filled out my request and a check for $7.75 to get a certified copy by mail. I’m usually pretty good about organizing/filing important papers, so I’m a little miffed, but I don’t have time or energy to spend on that kind of thing!

We have a lot of rain and even a little snow in the Tuesday-Wednesday forecast, and a few “cooler” days after that, but the forecast shows upper 50s next week and I.am.here.for.that! We couldn’t resist plucking a couple bunches of tulips from the huge display at the store the other day.