Just checking in with this post. I have nothing useful, reminiscent, or crazy that I am able to share right now. Not really inclined to do another book recommendation, although I have been reading a lot. I haven’t really gone anywhere or done anything that is out of the routine. Still have my sweet grandson a couple of days a week, and he keeps me sane and breaks up the routine of every other day that I do not see him. So, I thought, why not just write a “check-in” post? I know many are experiencing “Groundhog Day” syndrome – is that a thing? I’ll have to look that up. (Hey! It is a thing – even back in 2011.) I think that is me at the moment.
At the moment…while I check in:
Right now, at this moment it is snowing, cold (5 degrees, windchill is -9 degrees) in northwest Arkansas. I don’t know how many inches we have – I’m not good at eyeballing that stuff. I’d say at least 4 or 5 inches, and we are supposed to get more. Yes, northwest Arkansas. Not Minnesota or Montana. Arkansas. Bone chilling cold that we haven’t had in years!
And tomorrow…
The low tonight is forecasted to be -6 degrees for the actual temperature. Not the windchill. Tomorrow’s forecast is a high of 24 degrees – I’ll take that compared to what we have had the last few days. We won’t get above freezing until Friday – 35 degrees forecasted high. This week is going to be stay-at-home-hunker-down-by-the-fire-and-snuggle-under-the-blanket cold. More snow is forecasted for Wednesday.
Also, our heat pump runs constantly trying to keep the house heated. The power companies are asking people to conserve energy as much as possible and will implement planned rotational power outages as needed to avoid a major power outage. Wait, what? It’s 5 degrees outside! How can that be a thing??!!
How about the pets?
All our pets are inside (both dogs are indoors all the time as well as one fourteen year-old cat). Our outdoor kitty, Mo, doesn’t like being in the house too long since she is used to running free. She is currently in the garage, her crate door open (we usually crate her at night especially when it is cold), with her food, water, and a litter box. She is not really minding that because when she looks out the screen door she sees all white, so she turns around and goes back to her bed in the crate. Smart move.
Side-tracked
By the way, I keep getting up and going to my husband’s desk and grabbing Cretors Cheese and Caramel Popcorn Mix (there goes my carb limit for the day). Sam’s has been carrying it lately. It is addictive. Not stress eating, cold eating, just eating because it is there.
What else…?
I am not bored. I do not let myself become bored. Instead, I read a book. Crochet. Read a professional magazine or look through decorating magazines. I research things on the internet. I check instagram and Facebook, although I have limited my time on those social media platforms. (Sometimes FB is just too much). I submit orders for our business. Grade. Work on our taxes. Organize my writing ideas. I search for writing ideas. I ask myself questions and write down the answers. Here are some of the questions I asked myself this month – one for each day of the month so far (do you think that is weird – that I write down and answer questions to help me engage in self-reflection? I just started doing this exercise. I’m really asking you here.)
My February Check-in Questions So Far
- What are 3 things on my list for this month? (I make a list for each month on my calendar – a “to do” or “get done” list.) Read two novels, crochet a lapghan, start on taxes.
- What is my quote for this week? “It always comes back to the same necessity: go deep enough and there is a bedrock of truth, however hard.” (May Sarton, Artist’s Way, pg. 15)
- What is one thing I did to nurture myself today? Meditated
- What is one thing I learned today? That we have a DVR in the spare bedroom (now I can record Blaze for Everette).
- How is February different this year than it was a year ago? It was pre-pandemic and we didn’t know what was coming with COVID-19 illnesses, deaths, shutdowns.
- What is the last thing I did before going to bed? Read
- Who did I want to win the Super Bowl? The Kansas City Chiefs (and we know that didn’t happen).
- What is my quote for this week? “The most potent muse of all is our own inner child.” (Stephen Nachamanovitch, Artist’s Way, pg 18)
- What did I put off doing today? Starting on taxes
- What is my priority today? Everette (my grandson) and to be present every moment I am with him.
- What is one strength of mine that I want to recognize today? I am organized.
- What is my favorite hobby right now? Crocheting
- How is today (Saturday) different from other days of the week? I spent less time on the computer – only checked for what might need to be graded and cleaned up emails. Some days during the week, I’m at my computer most of the day. On Saturdays I will work out, read, watch sports, and crochet.
- What book(s) am I reading right now? O is for Outlaw by Sue Grafton and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré
- Who am I thinking about today? My niece because it is her birthday.
That’s it. I’ve checked in. Your Turn.
Well, there you have it. My check-in post. It is still snowing. And cold. I’m ready for spring. What is new with you? What would be your answers to those questions above?