Life Throws Us All Kinds of Curves

The First of January was insane, we had a major change of plans. Sometimes, it's hard to go with the flow. First, you can get excited for an adventure, but then reality hits your plans. I’ve always enjoyed road trips, but they can be really hard on the budget, especially in the future, after you use your credit, and you end up overcharging a lot.

So, we had to go the doctor’s in Iowa City the first of the month. I was looking forward to that, until I realized I wasn’t going to have as much as the month before. Getting to the city wasn’t that bad, but the University parking was crazy as usual. All of that went pretty smoothly, and the hospital had Pepsi, and chips in the vending machine, so I was good. It’s what happened after, that through us for a loop.

We were supposed to keep lunch inexpensive, and we were trying to find a good place for waffle fries. But the place that I looked up on DoorDash was permanently closed, so that was disappointing. We ended up settling for Subway, which wasn’t terrible. After that, we were supposed to have only two stops. Chong’s, the Asian store, and Walmart, for my favorite brand, and blend of coffee.

The Asian store wasn’t that bad, I was able to find most everything we needed, including some good ramen for my sister, and some chopsticks. For me, I just needed a key ingredient for my miso soup, and Mom wanted some coconut water/juice. Next, we went to Walmart, but when I went in, they didn’t have what I was looking for, even though I checked the website. So, mom took me to three different places, until finally we found a Walmart close to Burlington that had it, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

Needless to say, we were pretty tired when we got home. I don’t usually regret what do, or get, but I have a habit of regretting the choices that put us in hot water. I really need to control my spending habits. There’s a phrase I’m looking for, but I can’t place it right now. Anyway, the start of February seems to be coming down, in a good way. I’ve been working on video projects, and my blogs, while doing house work. Imbolc passed by, and I made an interesting dinner, inspired by what I read. There’s been some warm days, so maybe the cold front will end soon, and next month will hopefully be better.

Clothing and Fashions Inspired By the Ages

Two of my favorite things, clothes, and history, are combined when shopping at vintage places, or even inexpensive places, like Goodwill. People give up old clothes, and you never know when you'll find something worthwhile.

A while back, my sister took my mom, and me shopping for some clothes. I was inspired to try and find jeans, something between “borrowed jeans” of the 1940s, and the wide legs, that made a comeback in the 1990’s. I was going for loose, but fitting, and comfortable, retro style.

In the end, I was able to finally find some awesome options, with some help from my sister, although she does like to take charge, and I mean complete control. But I ended up with awesome stuff, including some amazing shoes, so it wasn’t terrible, although I need to be able to cut myself off more times.

Grocery Haul & Healthy Foods to Cook With

I don't usually talk about what I buy, but I wanted to share some of things I've found at the grocery, and the health food store near us here in Burlington, Iowa. My mom has a lot of allergies, so it's really important that I find, and work with ingredients that are ok with both of us, and I've been very lucky to find these ingredients, sauces and flavors, that don't have anything that can make us sick.

My mom loves her sauces, so I've been trying to come up with some of my own. One of my first, that she seemed to like a lot was coconut aminos, with sesame seed oil, especially on chicken. I also was able to find a health food store near us called Nature's Corner, and they have a vegan mayonaisse, made without eggs, or soybean oil, which is very important in our diets. They also have a ketchup made by the same brand, Primal Kitchen, as well, and later I was able to find it our local HyVee store, as well. 

Recently I also discovered another brand that is a little healthier for us, called Noble Brand (by the New Primal), and they have a good, and spice bbq sauce. Plus, at Nature's Corner, they have soup packets, that don't have anything bad, like soy, wheat, or any added perservatives.

I've always enjoyed cooking healthy, and even doing things from scratch. Sometimes, when I'm working on the basics, it's nice to have quality sauces, and it makes it easier on me. It can get pricey if your not careful, but I always say it's worth it.

A Different Perspective for This New Year

A lot of the time in January, the days can start off cold, foggy, and seem off, but give it some time and, the sun can try to make an appearance. What could seem like a complete disaster, could shape up to be not bad, even awesome.

There have been a lot of moments this month, the first of the new year, where it’s felt like a seesaw, one moment things are pretty hard, and then they are looking up, and the next day, you get some news that tries to bring you down again. I guess we all need to try and keep an open mind and maintain a balance of some kind.

A New Style for a New Year

Starting this new year, I'm going to be working hard on making things different. I know I don't write and post as often as I want, but I'm working really hard on changing that starting now. I've been getting really inspired and going to start using that as motivation for my many projects.

This blog has a new template, and hopefully a new style. For now, I'll keep writing about the things that interest me, but all video's will be posted on my other blog, please go my storylines page for further information.

I do have a couple different blogs, and that's because I have so many ideas I want to share, and there are so many awesome, incredible templates that I want to use to showcase them. From my favorite movies and tv series, to my adventures when I travel. Not to mention all the different styles of cooking I like to try.

Books into Movies and Series: Jenny Han

Two different series, based on two different books, but all by the same author, Jenny Han. The first time I ever heard of this author, was when the Netflix movie, To All the Boys I've Loved, came out. After I watched the first movie in the series, I loved it, and I was hooked.

Then, I saw the trailer for, The Summer I Turned Pretty, I was intriqued, especially by the fact that the book series was written by the same author of the Netflix movies. After I watched this new series, I was addicted yet again by the stories this writer created.

I love that the main character is a female, not sure of herself, trying to figure herself out on her own terms. I think that’s awesome. I also like that in the movies, both characters are portrayed by actresses, who are not just your usual brunettes.

Misadventures and Oriental Shopping

We went back to Coralville again, the first of this month. The trip was supposed to be quick, considering we didn’t have Missy, and we knew where we were going for the most part, and what we were supposed to get. However, the best laid plans,… often turn into misadventures.

We got started pretty well, we went to Walmart, and I found the coffee I love best, and we were leaving, but we got to looking around, and found some other food stuff that was important, but they didn’t have a great selection of some other stuff we were hoping to find there, like dog food.

After that, we went to a store, World Fresh Market, I though they would have an amazing selection of oriental foods, and the key items on my list. But as it turned out, they didn’t. Most of the stuff was Indian, and was interesting, but now what I was looking for, except for some miso.

Next stop was Trader Joe’s. We got there, and we went looking for the things on our list. We had trouble finding one of the key products, but we found it with help from someone who worked there. We also found some amazing foods, potstickers, and macarons, two of my favorite things. We didn’t find everything we were supposed to though. However, as we were getting ready to checkout, one of the ladies who worked there, told us the place to go for oriental food and ingredients, and things, was a place called Chong’s.

So, we took a chance, and payload! All items on my list were practically there: miso, kombu, Benito flakes, and boba pearls. I was so happy! Even though our time there was cut short, it was nice, and now, I know where to go.

We got coffee, and headed home, so even though the trip was kind of crazy, it was awesome. We didn’t find everything, and we went to some wrong spots, but now we know better, so we can plan better for next time. Isn’t that the point of living?

Overview of the Batte of The Brushes 2022

It was my first time going to an event at the Art Center, downtown. My mom and I had reserved a table, beforehand so we would miss out on anything. I was so excited for the event, I planned a special outfit, and go my hair redone, cut and colored, just for the occasion.

When it was time, we got there a little late, but it was okay. We had time to find our seats, got something to eat and drink, and got settled to watch the artists go. We were supposed to go with two others, but they couldn’t make it. When we arrived, we met up with some friends of ours from church, who joined us, so that all worked out.

There was some awesome food, catered by an awesome local vendor, Tasty Endeavors, and the price was reasonable, at least to me, and they an awesome selection of sodas at the bar, and they also served an amazing charcuterie board, with cheeses, crackers, salami, and a balsamic vinegar for dipping.

Each artist had their own unique style. The task they had was to take topic, in this case: Riverfront, I think, and paint, and as a added twist, they had to include a mayfly. Some of the artists used acrylic, or watercolor, but I was amazing to see them go, and be around all that energy, including all those who were there to support the arts as well.

In the end, there was one artist, I liked better than the others, even though they didn’t win, and my mom and I didn’t get chosen in the raffle drawing for a finished work, I was still impressive, and was totally worth going. In the next couple of months, we may try and go to another event.