Thankful In the Ordinary 1

 

Here we are in the 11th month of the year.  Very close to saying goodbye to 2026, which moved by quicker than 2025.  This month is for celebrating my son's 19th birthday and for stuffing our faces with turkey but it's also a month that reminds us all to be thankful.  

I do tend to take life for granted sometimes, especially the ordinary, so for the month of November I'd love to turn this blog into a place where I can give thanks for most of those ordinary moments.  

This morning as I was scrubbing the toilet and cleaning other areas of the bathroom I thought of how grateful I am for this time I have at home.  My husband is at work, my daughter is at school and my son is miles away at college and here I am at home doing the monotonous, never-ending housework.  My husband works full-time to use the money earned to pay the bills for this house.  My kids are getting an education so that they, too, one day can work and earn a living.  There have been so many times when I feel like I am nothing, doing nothing, and lacking in succeeding in anything.  Then I remember, I am doing the most important work of all.  I am providing a space for my family that is clean and making sure their bellies are full.  If I knew then what I know now I probably would have worked a lot harder at it before.  I wouldn't have complained so much.  I wouldn't have thought so negatively about it.  Many women of today will look at homemaking as oppressive but I see it as a wonderful opportunity to be able to provide for my family in the most nurturing way.  I can't say I succeed at this, but what a joy I feel when my husband can come home from a long day of work to a clean home and a warm meal ready for him.  He worked hard and deserves to come home to that.  

I'm not only providing for my family but I am also doing the work the Lord has called me to do.  I do have a part-time job because in today's economy it would be tougher for us if I didn't work at all, but I am thankful to be a school van driver, which gives me the opportunity to be home in the middle of the afternoon.  I use this time to clean and even though it never gets all complete by the end of the day I know that there will be a chance to get more done tomorrow.  I am thankful for my role in this family, even when my effort goes unnoticed or may not seem like it matters much.  

It's The End of October ... Already?

 I know I write this a lot but the truth is time is flying by really fast.  How are we in the last week of October already and why does it feel like we didn't even have an October at all?  

The mornings have been chilly.  I had to crank up the heat in the school van this morning because the windows were icy but right now it's sunny and 53 degrees and will probably hit close to 70 degrees soon.  It's that time of year where I wish I could just snuggle up on the couch with this cutie and not get up until spring.  

But I can't do that!

So, instead I just wake up early and go about my day doing all the things my schedule requires me to do.  Work, never-ending house cleaning, figuring out what to make for dinner, and all that.  The good thing is that we are coming to a close on the high school football season.  I only go to watch my daughter perform in the band and as much fun as it is, by evening the weather is beginning to get too chilly.  I miss watching my son on that field and I know in a few years I'll miss watching my daughter too.  So, I'm soaking in every moment ... even when the moments are flying by in lightning speed.

Over the weekend was considered Super Band weekend.  Friday was band night at the football game where the high school band was also joined by the elementary and middle school bands, Saturday night was the band show here at home and Sunday was the Halloween parade.  The Halloween parade was on a Sunday and we prefer attending church on Sunday and not something related to something that reflects evilness so she skipped that.  Buuuuut, she did wake up feeling sick so she ended up missing church anyway and watched online.   Our congressman made a visit to our church and spoke about his faith and it was wonderful to hear.  He's up for reelection this November and so is our governor.  We'll see how it goes.  All I can do is pray and hold onto hope that the right ones are elected.  

It's Soup Season! Easy Hamburger Noodle Soup

We have now entered into the start of cozy, bundle-up, and warm up your vehicle to melt the frost on the windows season; which can only mean one thing: time for soup.  

I found this recipe on the one and only Pinterest and made it on Saturday evening.  Saturday morning Rob and I went our separate ways: he went to watch our son's college cross country meet and I went to watch our daughter's.  It was chilly and all I could think of was how perfect of a day it was for soup.  This was light and delicious.  I wanted to share in case you needed any ideas of something simple and warm to make.  I made some biscuits for the side, with the help of the Pillsbury Dough Boy. 

 EASY HAMBURGER NOODLE SOUP

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 cups egg noodles
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions:

1. Brown the Beef: In a large pot, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess grease.
2. Sauté Vegetables: Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the pot; cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
3. Add Flavors and Liquids: Stir in the basil, oregano, beef broth, water, and diced tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Cook the Noodles: Add the egg noodles and reduce to a simmer. Cook until noodles are tender, about 10 minutes.
5. Season and Serve: Season with salt and pepper, garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.

Apples and Pumpkins

 First, I'll start by saying that last Friday I had to take my dad to the hospital for a minor back surgery.  Because he was under sedation I had to stay with him for 24 hours.  It was weird spending the night in the bedroom I had spent all of my teenage years, as if I had never left it.  Aside from taking care of my dad I had to keep watch of my mom, who is handicapped from a stroke and in late stage Alzheimer's.  She was in bad shape that day.  Totally out of it and fell as I tried getting her from the wheelchair to the car.  Thankfully, a nurse and a bystander helped get her up and in.  I went home on Saturday and my dad is healing up.  It was exhausting and I'm glad for a three day weekend that followed.  My son is home on fall break and classes start back up tomorrow.  Today was back to school for the girl and back to school van driving for me.  

Yesterday my daughter and I spent some time at a nearby orchard and picked apples before walking through a pumpkin patch.  We picked more apples than we needed but it was fun.  The weather was beautiful for it.  

We enjoyed a good conversation and quality time together.  I love my girl.  

This weekend was tough for her.  She was feeling really down through the entirely of it.  Finally, I found out that her "friend" group got together and did not include her.  Again.  She's been having this trouble with them for a long time.  We talked about it in the car and I told her it's best if she let's them go and finds new friends.  I mean, she does have other friends, but this particular group is not good on her mental health because they do not treat her well.  These are friends since elementary/middle school and it's difficult to let go but I cannot stand to see her hurt by them over and over again.  Every day I pray she finds good people.  I may not think the friendships matter but she's a girl that thrives on being surrounded by people.  While I'm perfectly fine with being a loner she isn't.  She told me she had a good day with me and I'm glad I was able to cheer her up.  

Today I'm back in the swing of a normal routine - house cleaning and grocery shopping.  

Oh, last Thursday I turned 48.  It was a day like any other.  I did get treated to a delicious Italian meal after watching my son in his race and then was gifted with some new books and a gift card to Hobby Lobby.  48 doesn't feel like a big deal.  Just a few year from that half century mark ... yikes!