Sam Squared

      I enjoyed the Super Bowl and the halftime show. If fools want to explode on the Internet arguing about entertainment performed in Spanish in the middle of a football field, they're free to do it and look ridiculous doing so. Did I know any of the music? No, but to be fair, I rarely know anything music wise in the last decade; just ask my trivia friends just how unhelpful I am in certain sound rounds. The wedding was a real wedding I learned! Pedro Pascal and Jessica Alba dancing on the porch. The old men playing dominoes. How much more wholesome do people want?  Green Day was phenomenal to open the game and the always wonderful Brandi Carlile's America the Beautiful would bring a tear to a Patriots eye. (Maybe that's why the Patriots fell so flat on the field, too choked up, lol). Green Day      It was a small gathering. I ate too much pizza and as it's been ages since I made black bean and corn salsa ( some call it Cowboy Caviar), I went to town...

                                       As a reminder in case you feel repetitiveness to my Friday posts, I copy the previous week, delete the old and update as I go along the week. This will help me add as the week goes on. Here's my recap of Friday, January 30 to Thursday, February, 5. I just sort of list things as they come up, then edit before publishing.  Avoiding Spending/Saving on needs I mostly just wandered but spent a full $2.25 total on these wildflower seed/ gift tag/ card ( which I'll use for MIL for Mother's Day and plant for her) and a very cute pick for spruce tip pot next Christmas. I really need February to because lower than low spend month and tuck anything unspent in my line items towards Greece. I took out my spending money for the month in cash and when it's gone, it's gone, but I've got ideas to make the month not feel tight entertainment wise. Really planned m...

      I'm blogging up a storm this week. I'm in full avoidance mode, even though I made my hefty goal list for February. I'm making lists, getting a thought in my head, then going down rabbit holes and links to other rabbits to chase.       Yep, I "research" then write when I should be spending my days clearing shelves, going on donation runs, or getting items thrown out. I've not been a complete shut in though. I get outside with the dogs. The big guy chases balls, rarely returning, making me go to him. The old man just saunters the yard, exploring the perimeter. Little Miss watches from the patio doors. I spent a long day at a show choir competition. It was enjoyable, but I probably will not attend more than one a year. When it's not my own kid, there's only so many mashups of Broadway, pop, and movie themes set to choreography that I want to sit through. I had a night out with the mom friends- really therapy session, but not for me this time.  ...

           I mentioned I'm starting to play around flight, accomodations, and other details associated with potential trips. Even if deferred until next spring, Scotland is top of my list, probably via London first. I easily could have spent another week ( months) there and not been bored. Going that far, I'd want to spend several weeks. It's just too hard to spend that kind of money in airfare for a one week trip. Pup is a big consideration though, so need to make sure he's cared for at a house.       My friend has thrown out the option of maybe even us camping when I get to Scotland to stretch the budget. I was pretty cold to the idea thinking if I'm going that far, I want comfort. But, I've thrown Googling a few campground type accomodations and my goodness would it be beautiful to wake up and have a good hike in the Scottish greens or down to the coast. I'm no longer ruling it out, though a few musts include easy access to a toilet a...

           I'm going to put myself into the deep and have a few goals that fit within my overall 2026 plan to have a more contented life. I've got six categories (7 if money goals are included) and know I can't tackle a lot in each, but aiming for intentional effort.  Personal healthcare   Schedule mammogram Walk four times per week, 30 minutes or more. Strength, toning 3-4 times per week.  Research alternative seasoning that brings out flavor similar to salt, but without salt (recommendations please)  Lose 3 pounds and be back at a certain target weight by March 1. Get through February 14th with some big distraction. Even though Valentines was never a big deal in our marriage, it's still a painful reminder of loss and sadness on many levels Social Battery/Connectedness Schedule one outing with a friend monthly Schedule one group outing with mom friends  Play trivia at least 1X this month  Decrease Facebook to no more than one ...

     My heart, mon coeur, is a bit fuller after Sunday's comments. How nice to get such special comments and encouragement to blog about anything. Lucette commented in French, giving me the opportunity to try to reply in my horrible remnants of the language that 40 years ago, while not fluent, was fairly capable. Maybe it's sparked a new passion not through duo lingo or the Facebook advertised three hour sales pitch guys, but to find local language classes. Peut tetre.       I think I shared that I spent the summer I was 18 in an exchange program and lived with a family in Solies Pont, France not too far from Toulon. I've long since lost contact with the family. They were frequent hosts and I bet they had dozens of foreign youth and young adults in their lives, too many to track. In fact, two English girls overlapped my stay by a few weeks. Somewhere I have faded pictures but did not do a good job saving or organizing after my parents home, to our firs...