January Journal: The First Half of the Month

January 1:  We are not party people.  We don't purposely stay up on New Year's Eve to see the old year out and the new one in except by accident.   This year wasn't one of those rare events.  I went to bed at 10 p.m. with plans to watch a couple of videos while relaxing in bed.  John came in right behind, crawled into bed and barely got prayers said before falling asleep.  No good night kiss for me...and at midnight when the clock ticked over, I when I woke, I said to the room, "Happy New Year."  Then I put down my phone and went right to sleep.

I woke in a fabulous mood this morning.  That didn't last.  When I came out, I said cheerily "GoodMorningHappyNewYearILoveYouthereI'mthefirsttosayit".  John went "Mmmm." I should have taken my hint right then.  

What put him in such a grim mood?  The same blame thing that makes him grim at least once a month: he went to review our bank account and didn't like the balance.  The same balance we have every month when payday is still two weeks away and I've already told him twice, "No more spending!"   

Coffee Chat: All About December 2025

 

Well, I promised I'd return in January, so here I am.  I thought I'd share with you what December was like in our home. Thrift, splurge, family and all.  I'm going to recount a bit of November because Thanksgiving is the start of the Christmas season for me.

Thanksgiving week and weekend:  Katie made dinner the day before Thanksgiving and invited the whole family.  Sam didn't go.  I picked up his kids and took them with us.  JD and his kids came. 

Katie did an excellent job. She served 20 folks (including kids) and it was all lovely and delicious. 

P.P.S. My REAL New Address

 

I'm so sorry!  I have corrected the link, and it should work for you all now.  Thank you for letting me know there was an issue.  

I've said my goodbyes and given my thanks.  I've heard from a few of you and thank you for taking the time to say your own goodbyes.  

Blue House Journal will stand for a time for anyone who might find it useful. 

If you would like to join me at the new blog, you can find me at A Fresh Season of Life.

Fall Cleaning, Fall Thinking

 

Dear Friends, 

I got busy this morning, not intentionally, and started the big fall cleaning.

What prompted me?  I had planned to spend the entirety of the morning working on the three books I'm studying my way through.  I shared what those were a few weeks ago and I'm trying to do something in each of them every single day.  Until I miss a day which somehow becomes two, three, four days, and I have to hunker down.  

And to think that just yesterday I'd told Sam that in school I would never put off any project work but get started right away on it because I loathed the anxiety that comes with putting off major work until the last minute.

Technology and Tantrums

 

Hello dears.  I have had my share of struggles, frustrations, and temperamental issues today.  All related to technology.

Sigh.

If only it didn't add so much to our lives!

Monday, Monday

 

John had his procedure early this morning and it went very well.  We had the pleasure of the most beautiful sunrise to view for at least 25 minutes of our journey.  John and I both kept commenting on how lovely it was.   We don't get out at sunrise very often these days.  Misty fog crept over the low places in fields the sunlight hitting it made it white as snowy clouds.  It was almost surreal looking, clouds down in the fields and clear blue skies overhead.

Happy First Year

 

Saturday: Today when we arrived at Katie's, John stopped in the yard to speak with Cody, who was hard at work cleaning out and leveling one of the flower beds where they'd pulled out shrubs a couple of months ago.  I went on up the steps to the porch and heard a loud squeal.  When I peered in the storm door, Henry was standing in his playpen, grinning from ear to ear, and began to bounce and jump as he looked at me.  What a lovely welcome to a Birthday party celebration.  

I was barely able to sit down before I had three children on my lap and a fourth child (not a grandchild, but he calls me 'Gramma' anyway) telling me all about the car he was holding in his hand.  It's good to be welcomed wholeheartedly when you enter a home and no one can be more welcoming than children who consider you a loved family member.