A Fresh Cup of Coffee
Continuing Coffee Breaks and Conversations
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Monthly Musings - All Things Spring
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Wednesday Hodgepodge - In This Week's Bucket
I had to look at my calendar to figure this out. We've had plenty of changed plans recently, but not actual cancellations. But a couple weeks ago, my chorus rehearsal was cancelled because of the eclipse. Many of our members were going to be traveling or doing something special to view the eclipse so they just gave us a night off. I was a little disappointed, of course, but I had to also admit that it was kind of nice to be at home that night.
It really depends on what I'm planning! In general, I'd put myself somewhere in the middle, maybe a 6. There are some things I like to plan, and I always have plans to make better plans (haha), but I don't plan anything in detail. I make lists of things to do, to pack when I'm traveling, restaurants to try, and that sort of thing, but my lists are pretty general.
I have been using the website Remember The Milk to keep all my to-do lists for a few years. I haven't got the RTM app yet, but I think I probably should. Adding that to my to-do list now . . .
I do try to have a weekly menu plan, although I usually plan just the main dish and figure out the sides as I go. Most weeks Monday is leftover night or something similar, since I have very little time between work and chorus. Wednesday nights we eat at church. This week I have roast pork tenderloin (or, as we like to call it, Kangaroo Tail) planned for Thursday night. Crispy Cheesy Chicken makes it onto our menu quite regularly. I use Plan To Eat to help me keep track of recipes, meal plans, and even shopping lists.
I do have a couple of bucket lists. The "things to do before I kick the bucket" type list is vaguely in my head, with things like "go on an Alaskan cruise" on it that I think of from time to time. The bucket list I actually work on is more immediate. I wish I had a different name for it - I used to call it "40 things while I'm 40" and so on, because it was the list of things I wanted to do before my next birthday, but it got harder to come up with enough specific items to match my age! But that's what it is, a list of things I want to do or work on before my next birthday. The current list includes a couple of vacation ideas, setting up our patio with at least some basic outdoor furniture so we can use it, and visiting all of the Columbus Metro Parks. And someday, I will go on that Alaskan cruise! It's been on my wishlist for years!
Hmmm. A drop in the bucket. It doesn't feel like much changes or that what I'm doing makes much difference most of the time, but each day and each positive thing adds another drop that eventually adds up to make a full life.
I'm writing this late Tuesday and I'm too tired to come up with anything. Plus I need to go to bed! So please enjoy these two cartoons that really made me laugh this week!
What are your thoughts on planning and bucket lists? Leave a comment and let me know!
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Everyday Images #34
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
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Scripture and a Snapshot - Lose/Gain
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Wednesday Hodgepodge - Going Bananas!
Everyone should certainly know the basics of 'adulting' - how to do simple cooking, and look after a home and a vehicle. I think everyone who drives should know how to check their oil, use jumper cables, and change a tire. (I'm very sketchy myself on how to use the jumper cables, and I know how to change a tire, but I haven't done it myself in many years. I probably need a refresher course!) I also think everyone should know how to balance a checkbook and some basic finances. I do know that, and tried to make sure my kids knew as well. That said, I'm still rather a procrastinator about keeping my own household books up to date. UGH. And I think everyone should have some basic writing and communication skills - write a letter or thank-you note, apply and interview for a job, and that sort of thing.
I don't have a good system at all. I try to keep my Christmas gift wrap tidy, but I don't bother keeping gift wrap or bags on hand for non-Christmas. If I need to wrap something, I just buy whatever gift bag I need for that item and I'm done with it. I do buy 'real' cards to send for family birthdays and anniversaries, though I don't always get 'real' cards if I'm going to be together with the birthday person and give them a gift. Most often the cards are for my siblings, nieces and nephews, and extended family because I seldom see them. And I actually have a couple of cards here that I really need to get in the mail or they will be late (which isn't at all unusual for the cards I send. *sigh*)!
Bananas are my favorite fruit and I've been including them in my lunches two or three days a week lately. I love banana bread, but a black bottom banana cake is my favorite things to bake - and to eat! - that's made with bananas. Unless I'm offered Bananas Foster. I've never made it myself, but oh, I do love to eat it!
Tropical Fruit French Toast - yumm! |
I do believe in second chances. And third chances, and fourth chances . . . That's what grace and forgiveness is all about. I'm so thankful that God doesn't give up on me when I mess up, and so I try to extend that grace to others as well. Of course, there are consequences to our choices, and we usually have to live with those, and we seldom get a true do-over. But mistakes and poor choices don't have to define us if we learn from them and want to do better, and hopefully we can give that opportunity to those around us. That said, I don't think forgiving someone who has hurt us necessarily means giving them the chance to do so again and again.
I don't have time for a long treatise on all the things I think are included in "fun" so how can I summarize? Hmm. Being with people whose company I enjoy, and laughing with them. Very broad and simple definition.
Jemima Puddle-Duck update: She seems mostly unfazed by our presence, as long as we don't linger at the door too long. She is spending more time sitting on the nest now, and has ten eggs! The possibility of ducklings within the next couple weeks is growing!
What's your idea of fun? Can you sum it up in a sentence or two? Leave a comment and let me know!
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This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Fresh Cup of Coffee helps continue the coffee breaks and conversation. ...
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This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Fresh Cup of Coffee helps continue the coffee breaks and conversation. ...
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This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Fresh Cup of Coffee helps continue the coffee breaks and conversation. ...