Mrs.J

Well well well

I had stopped watching figure skating because it seemed to be a race to landing quads. I have never seen her two programs and looked up her short program yesterday. Wow what a breath of fresh air. I did not even notice the jumps. The joy and excitement I saw, she had created one of the most fluid pieces I have seen in a long time. Her free skate was just the same. Her musicality is amazing! Proof that you have to enjoy and love what you do. I applaud Alysa for taking the path she did. Towards the end of the younger Ms J’s junior riding career she had stopped having fun. She consciously decided it was not about the ribbons but about showing how much she loved riding. She took on the training of a friend’s young horse. And made the decision to stay on her large pony and have some amazing fun with her. She also really enjoyed being on an IEA team. A format where you ride a horse by draw that you have never ridden before. Not all riders can do it as it takes your skills and knowledge to figure out a horse just by a description on a piece of paper and maybe one test fence. Those decisions ultimately helped her with the choice of schools to attend. She chose a school with a wonderful IHSA club team. Where anyone can ride you don’t have to be recruited to ride. Those who do what they love will always come out on the top of life. Alysa skated like no one was watching. I thank her for letting us in.

So ended with .67” last night. Have .30” upon waking this morning.

Decent rain here now. Looks to be a nice amount behind it.

My deep dive question of the day. Do you (general) have issue with justifying purchasing things for yourself? I have gotten back into printmaking lately, did some holiday gifts for the kids and my husband. I did some lino blocks to make one of a kind t shirts. I do not own a proper printing press and have been using a brayer, a small hand press, or by standing on the inked block to press. My printing methods have been less than stellar according to my standards and I have seriously been eyeing a small handmade press. The thing is I am having issue with justifying getting it. The cost is not excessive but I think after being in mom mode I am struggling to convince myself of that. Mr. J has just told me to get it, yet I still find myself looking at it to order and am not pulling the trigger. I want to get back into my artwork and know the proper equipment is a must. But I am just finding it hard to spend money on myself. I am just curious if anyone else goes back and forth with this.

0.55 here. Had to drive in it later in the afternoon over to Baltimore to pick up the older Ms. J from a film set. Then drove her back down to DC. Driving on 70, 695 and 95 was not fun. The snow pack created a low fog and along with the rain the glare on the highways made it hard to see if you were in your own lane. Only 200 was decent as the reflective striping was still reflective.

41 and drizzle. I am not minding the rain to flush the dirty snow piles away.

Mr. J and I are not natives to MD. But our daughters are. Through them in school we learned the importance of the watershed. I grew up around the Maumee River which empties into Lake Erie and grew up understanding the importance of keeping waterways clean. I have found that those who do not live near their water source seem to think it just exists. Ignoring the surrounding environment. As for making jokes well some people just never grow up and it shows.

This system is causing some serious sinus pain. My whole left jaw is painful to the touch. Gums and teeth have that copper taste due to swelling. Left eustachian tube is plugged. And pressure in my left cheek and temple. Tea did not help so broke down and took Ibuprofen. Should hopefully clear out when the rain pushes through.

Backyard temp of 56.7 here. Lot of snow melt on the deck right now. Actually have the back screen door open for the cats. They are having a good waft.

31 currently. And I think I am going to start rating these cold snaps in bags of bird food. Currently on my 3rd bag since the snow back in January. While it is mainly to feed the birds in the winter it is also cable for our cats. Between suet cakes and the feeder and spreading seed on the snow covered deck they have had a steady stream of action. Even getting the squirrels up which prompts quite the frenzy at the back door.

Nothing wrong with weirdos. Always told our kids they got the short straw with their parents. One a Game Animator and the other an Artist who fixates on weather, transportation, and animals. Always told them if everyone was the same we would live in a very boring place. Must have done something right. One going the film track and the other enjoys studying dead peoples bones.

@AlexD1990 see you are in Lewes, DE. Mr. J and I took a trip back the end of September to DE as we had never been there. Stayed in a lovely AirBB just outside of Rehoboth Beach. We ventured up to Lewes. Visited the lovely museum in town. Had some Kickin’ Chicken in the beautiful park just behind it and then ventured down the streets to a secluded beach down by the Yacht club. Had a great time!

We tend to plan vacations as a family wanting to explore not just a different place but a different culture. Have experienced Costa Rica and last year Eastern Europe. Mr. J and I have been throwing around visiting PR and Belize and after seeing that fun cultural halftime show has it got me wanting to go somewhere.

Well that is not a surprise. That is the type. I was editing to add to my post while you were quoting so will also say the added part here. Why certain men feel that if a woman moves their body a certain way is sexual is on them and them alone. It is as pathetic as the ‘oh but her shoulders aroused me’ crap. Honestly the two Ms. J’s would have a field day with him.