September 2021 Randoms

 Sharalyn, Meredith, and I met up for a belated birthday lunch at the beginning of the month. My gift to Sharalyn was this vase of roses from my yard. The saying on it was perfect for her. She has been and continues to be such a good support and friend to me. I'm truly blessed by the wonderful friends in my life.

I got my new planner pages for 2022. Bring it! I am so done with 2021.

I want to get this book. I like Hayley Mills.

We went to this last Saturday night! It was good.

Time for a comeback for my boomer name of "Donna"? I don't really see it happening, but you never know!

A friend introduced me to these, and I fell in love. They're so good!

Funny pictures of John that Sam took on the bus. 😆 

As you can see he's really good about wearing his mask correctly. 😂

Looks like it will be a pretty typical winter across most of the country according to the Farmers' Almanac. I hope we have a stormy January like it says because December has been boring as heck with hardly any snow!

20th anniversary of 9/11. That day will forever be seared into my mind and heart.

Books I saw at Barnes & Noble that look fun.

I think farts and gas are really funny. Yes, in some ways I have the sense of humor of a 10-year-old.

Archie comics are a long-time favorite, especially Betty & Veronica.

How did I never do this before?! The water boils so much faster when you put a lid on it!

A love note to myself on a bookmark 😁

I'd like to get this book too.

Hi!

I enjoyed going to PolyArts, especially since it was cancelled last year due to Covid. I got two candles, two plaques made with beach rocks from the Cape, and a nice wooden phone holder made by my friend from high school's brother. I love living in my hometown again!

Look at that cute owl! 

More cute owls!

I filled out a form online and sent a letter to the President about the vaccine mandates and my opposition to them. Just doing my patriotic duty, Mr. President (which contrary to what you said on Tuesday DOESN'T involve getting vaccinated).

This was a good dinner.

Another book I'd like to read, especially as I try to get geared up for getting a real job next year. 😒

Bentwood had a vet appointment and they swaddled him up in this blanket to keep him calm and cozy while they did some work on him. Cute! He's such a good cat.

Around the House in September

Here are the boys goofing off when they got home from school on the first day... 

Creepy handprints on the blanket (they're mine...or are they? 👻😁)

Sam and Rocco showing off their geodes

I thought Violet looked cute the way she was laying on the couch propped up on a pillow. What a lovely lazy little lady she is. 😄😘 

I guess we both like pillow propping and being lovely lazy ladies!  

I was never into seasonal bedding until he who shall not be named left. Maybe I'm getting glimpses of my true self as a single lady, I don't know. What I do know is that when I saw this cute fall bedding set in a catalog I had to get it!

It's got owls!

I like my room, especially when the afternoon sun shines in nice and bright like this.

And I like when the morning sun shines in on the back side of the house and lights it all up.

I got myself pretty pink roses for Sam's birthday. I grew him and hatched him after all, and it wasn't easy! But it was certainly worth it!

They bloomed beautifully! Just like Sam.

In September some of the bigger tomatoes grew. They were good but not as good as the cherry tomatoes. Next year I think I'll just do cherry tomatoes. But it was rewarding that both types grew.

I didn't do well with keeping them staked as they grew. Oops!

They're both 12 but I call them "screenagers" when they're on screens like this 😉

I organized the coat closet and everything in it! Very rewarding. 😁

Wisdom, Humor, and Inspiration in September

Awww, such a cute joke 😄

I belong to a Facebook support group for LDS single mothers, most of whom are divorced or are currently going through divorce like me. Some of their advice is really good for me right now, especially from those who have been divorced for awhile. (These weren't in response to anything I posted--I don't post anything very much on there. Mostly I just lurk.)

My kids aren't better off without him, but I am.

I agree with her that single life is fine and that inner peace with that is so important. I'm not looking to jump into another relationship once I'm divorced. I don't plan on joining any dating apps or anything like that. I'm certainly not desperate to get remarried (although I am open to it). I really have found happiness and contentment in being on my own. I do miss being married and I'd rather be married to a good man than be single, but I have my sons and my Savior and that's all I really need at this point. I totally trust in Heavenly Father's plan for me and my life. If there's someone out there for me, then we'll come into each other's lives at the right time. If not, then I'm fine being on my own.

I like essential oils, especially lavender and peppermint. They really do help me feel good. I mostly use them in a tealight burner and diffuse the aromas that way.

I greatly benefit from the power of routines in life.

You got that right! *cough*Covid vaccine*cough*

"Motion is lotion," I love that! I have a regular exercise routine (that mostly involves my treadmill and DVR 😁) and when I don't do it I definitely notice a difference.

This is helpful advice about anxiety. I've had a lot of anxiety in my life over the past few years, mostly due to my marriage and now divorce, and I still have anxiety sometimes, but I've learned to manage it pretty well and live a good, happy, healthy, productive life in spite of it, and sometimes even because of it.

This was in the police log of my town paper. I thought it was so funny 😂

A good way to live life