Day Two Hundred Two: $4.50 Outfit

The other day, I went in a store to look at bedding, but on my way to that department I happened past a clothing clearance rack. I am a bargain shopper, and I really love to get a good deal, so I was naturally inclined to peruse the rack and check out the offerings. I ended up finding several things to try on, and of those I decided on a few to take home, including the outfit I wore today, which cost a grand total of $4.50. Even for a bargain shopper, that's a pretty amazing deal--probably the best one I've ever gotten on brand new clothes. And the best part was I received multiple compliments on the outfit throughout the day!

Selfies are super weird, but a $4.50 outfit is worth documenting!

Day Two Hundred One: Writing Code in Python

Today I taught a coding class to my older boys, which meant that I first had to teach myself. Udemy came through for me once again, this time with the Teach Your Kids to Code class. (I've used Udemy for some wonderful art classes for Clay in the past.) One of the things I love about homeschooling is that I necessarily get to learn right along with my kids. We only completed the first lesson, but we had fun and are already learning useful information. I have always been intimidated by code because it really does seem like a foreign language, but so far I am enjoying it. I can't wait to see how the rest of the class goes!

Day Two Hundred: Wash Rattlesnake Rattles

About 15 years ago, Jeff's grandfather passed away, and Jeff ended up with one of his guitars. Jeff soon discovered that the guitar had an odd rattle to it, and as he began inspecting the instrument, he discovered that the sound hole was filled with rattlesnake rattles. Inquiries with the family revealed that every time Pawpaw killed a rattlesnake on his ranch he cut the rattle off and put it into his guitar because he thought the rattle added to the acoustics. We have had those rattles on display in an airtight jar all these years. Unfortunately, the jar was recently broken, and I moved the rattles to a different, less airtight container. We have been noticing a stench in that part of the house lately and finally figured out the smell was coming from the jar. So, today I had the rare pleasure and opportunity to hand wash 37 rattlesnake rattles. Believe it or not, I had never done this before.

Day One Hundred-Ninety-Nine: Infused Tequila Flight

I'm not much of a tequila drinker, but when Jeff and I were in Mexico this past summer, we tried some very high quality sipping tequilas, which helped me be less "afraid" of this particular type of alcohol. Today was the first sunny day we've had in over a week and the first truly warm day in months, and it demanded we find a Mexican food restaurant with a patio to spend the afternoon on. Mi Dia was our restaurant of choice. They have a spectacular drink menu, so I decided to try something new: a flight of infused tequilas. This is definitely not something I would normally order, but the drinks were beautifully presented and provided a fun adventure for my taste buds.

From left to right: Pineapple-Chipotle Casa Noble Crystal,
Hatch Green Chile Herradura Silver, and
Strawberry Ambhar Plata

Day One Hundred Ninety-Eight: Power Outage Evacuation

This morning, as Weston played his very last basketball game of the season, the power in the building kept blinking off and on. A few minutes into the second quarter, the lights went out and didn't come back on. We waited for a while under dim backup lighting and were finally told that the gym was being evacuated due to the safety hazards posed by the lack of electricity and water in a building filled with so many people and the prospect of not regaining power for several hours. We left and were headed to lunch when the coaches texted to let us know the power was back on and the games would resume. It's the first time we've been in a situation quite like that, but we were glad the power came back on and Weston was able to finish his game.

The players were happy to play some pickup games while the power was out and weren't too interested in evacuating

When we got home from the game, we found a dead rat on our back porch, so another exciting First for me was getting to dispose of it. I will spare you the photo, but I'm reporting this because I want my extreme bravery to be documented in case I ever wonder what I'm capable of!

Day One Hundred Ninety-Seven: Ford Expedition

Before my brother-in-law and sister-in-law moved to South Africa earlier this month, we bought their Ford Expedition, which immediately became Jeff's vehicle. Today, was my first time to drive it. My original Year of Firsts wishlist included "Drive a convertible," but, honestly, "Drive a Ford Expedition" is more in line with where I am in life, and I'm ok with that.

Day One Hundred Ninety-Six: Basketball Shuffle

Weston is playing in his last basketball tournament of the season in Mansfield, south of Ft. Worth. He had a game at 4:00 this afternoon and another game at 8:15. After the first game, he and his teammates and many of the parents went out to grab some dinner before the next game. Then, we all made our way back to the gym with plenty of time to spare before Game 2. When 8:15 rolled around, all the courts were full of high school teams, and there weren't any 12u teams to be found. Our coach went to investigate and came back to report that our game was actually supposed to be played at a different facility, 30 minutes away. Our coach was able to get in touch with the other coach and they agreed to wait for us. So the whole team loaded up in our different cars and headed out in a crazy caravan. We didn't end up starting the second game until 9:00, and Weston and I didn't make it home until 11:00. This isn't the kind of adventure I envisioned when I started my Year of Firsts, but it was sort of a wild time.

I love watching this big guy play ball...
Here or there or anywhere!

Day One Hundred Ninety-Five: Too Much Information and A Bad Feeling

On my writing days, I usually like to find a cafe that offers bottomless coffee, so I can refill all afternoon while I work on my projects. Today, I picked the cafe in one of our local grocery stores. I was sitting in a booth, and there was a man sitting in the adjoining booth, and we happened to be facing each other. One trait I don't care for in myself is my ability to overhear other people's conversations in public places. But, try as I might, I can't seem to block it all out.

So, the guy in the next booth starts talking on the phone, and it quickly becomes clear that he knows A LOT about weed. He also mentioned a stabbing. Later, in a separate conversation, he gave detailed instructions about how to shoplift and referenced his time in prison.

After that call, he left his phone and other belongings, exited the cafe while it was pouring rain, and wandered over to a nearby convenience store. When he came back a few minutes later, he was surreptitiously pouring something into a cup and wincing a bit as he swallowed. At that point, the situation just started to feel not quite right, and I decided I didn't want to see how crazy he could get, so I left the cafe. I have never gotten up and left a place like that based on overheard conversations and bizarre behavior, but, unfortunately, in the world we live in, you can never really be too careful, and I don't regret my decision to leave.

Day One Hundred Ninety-Four: Invitation-Only Team

Max has been participating in a Ninja Warrior class since right after the new year, and tonight his coach approached me to express how much he loves having Max in class and to tell me what a hard worker Max is. Then, the coach extended an invitation for Max to join the Ninja Warrior team. This is obviously more about Max than me, but it was the first time I've been approached with an offer for any of the kids to join an invitation-only team, and I'm very proud of Mr. Max.

So proud of my Ninja Warrior!

Day One Hundred Ninety-Three: Homemade Cuticle Cream

I was playing around in my beauty lab again tonight and ended up with homemade cuticle cream. My cuticles are always in need of a little extra care, so I was excited to find this recipe.

Day One Hundred Ninety-Two: Copaiba Oil

I have been using essential oils for quite a long time now. I have my go-tos, but I also like to experiment with new oils sometimes. I added one of doTerra's newest oils--Copaiba--to my last order, and I finally pulled it out to try tonight. I had read that it was good for skin blemishes, and with a hormonal acne outbreak peppering my face, I thought the time was right to give it a shot.

Day One Hundred Ninety-One: Caymus Wine

My parents always keep a nice selection of wines on hand, and when I arrived at their house this evening, they offered me a glass of one I had not previously tried. It was a Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon from Caymus Vineyards. I don't usually love the Napa wines, but this one had a bold flavor and a slightly spicy aftertaste that made it really great.

Day One Hundred Ninety: Superhero Bed

The younger boys and I made our way to Seguin this afternoon so we could be a part of the birthday festivities for my nephew. He graciously gave up his bed for me, and so I got to have my first opportunity to sleep in a superhero bed.

Day One Hundred Eighty-Nine: Urbanrio

Well, today's First isn't very original, but sometimes you have to go with the First you have, not the First you wish you had. We visited Urbanrio, a new-to-us Mexican food restaurant in Plano, while Ruth was at track practice and before Weston's basketball game. It was the first decent weather we've had in some time, so we grabbed a seat on the patio, where we could appreciate the sunset and see the never-ending stream of commuter trains, which absolutely delighted the boys. After days of being holed up in the house because of illness, it felt like Heaven to sit on the patio with some chips and queso and a mango margarita.

Urbanrio

A perfect evening!

Day One Hundred Eighty-Eight: Snowboard Cross

We are obsessed with the Olympics in our household and spend quite a lot of time watching them. We are familiar with many of the events, and we all have our favorites. Today, I was introduced to a competition that I had not previously seen but that I instantly fell in love with: snowboard cross. I love that it's a true race, and I love seeing the competitors display their skills side by side.

Day One Hundred Eighty-Seven: Primal Kitchen Condiments

I haven't really felt like eating much the last few days, but today food started to have some appeal, and I was glad Ruth offered to make a salad for lunch with some of our new Primal Kitchen dressing. When trying to eat healthy, the natural inclination is to add more salads to the mix. Unfortunately, most salad dressings are anything but healthy. That's why I was pretty thrilled to discover Primal Kitchen's condiment line, which are all avocado based and contain no sugar. They taste really good and have the right consistency, and they make healthy eating just a little easier!

A sampling of Primal Kitchen's offerings

Day One Hundred Eighty-Six: Oscillococcinum

Still in the grips of the flu and desperate for relief, I tracked down some Oscillo, a highly recommended homeopathic treatment, which is out of stock almost everywhere. I can't even remember the last time I had the flu, so this has never been on my radar. But now that I know about it, I will keep it on hand.

Day One Hundred Eighty-Five: Calathea Lancifolia

The truth is, I spent most of this day in my bed, wondering if it would be my last. I certainly didn't have the energy or consciousness to think about Firsts. But at some point during the day, my sweet husband went to the store to pick up some things that might ward off my death and also picked up a lovely plant, which I noticed and loved even in my flu fog. I have never had a Rattlesnake Plant, as this species of calathea is commonly known, and it was a bright spot in an otherwise bleak day.

Day One Hundred Eighty-Four: Non-Optimal Drive from Austin to Dallas

Well, Weston's last game got pused back by an hour and a half, so we didn't leave Austin until about 5:30. By the time we got to Waco, Weston was starving and craving Italian food, so we stopped at Olive Garden. When we finished up there, the temperature had dropped to right around freezing, and it was drizzling. Weston fell asleep almost immediately, and I spent the rest of the drive home trying to convince myself, between deep, chesty coughs, that I was not getting sick. It was not my favorite drive, but we made it home safely, which it what matters.

Day One Hundred Eighty-Three: National Pizza Day

Weston and I celebrated National Pizza Day while watching the Olympics Opening Ceremony in our hotel room. And even though we couldn't be with the rest of our people, they were celebrating too, and there was a lot of texting of pictures back and forth. We love any excuse to party!

Happy National Pizza Day!

Day One Hundred Eighty-Two: Red Horn Coffee House and Brewing Co.

After Weston's basketball game this morning and lunch with my mom afterward, Weston and I found ourselves with no other plans for the day. I took him by the first house Jeff and I ever owned, but that wasn't much of a time filler. So I hopped on Google Maps to explore my area and found a fun coffee house and brewery, where Weston and I spent several very enjoyable hours this afternoon playing board games and enjoying some snacks and drinks. It was such a great place to hang out with my game loving guy!

Red Horn Coffee House and Brewing Co.

Fun times at Red Horn

Day One Hundred Eighty-One: Road Trip with Weston

Weston has a basketball tournament in Austin during the next few days, so he and I took off this evening on our first-ever, just-us road trip. Our first order of business was to grab some dinner, because food obviously figures prominently in a road trip with Weston. I hardly ever get to hang out with the kids one-on-one, so I'm super excited to have this opportunity!

First stop: Panda Express

Hmm. I'm not so sure about this fortune. What do you think?

Day One Hundred Eighty: Restorative Yoga

Today's First was a true "Yes, And" experience. There was no premeditating or looking back on my day to see what I did that would "count." It was simply an opportunity that presented itself, which I said "Yes" to. I took Max to try out a kids' yoga class, not knowing that they had a restorative yoga class going on simultaneously. I was sitting on a bench outside Max's class, trying to decide which book to read next, when the restorative teacher came out of her room to get something. She asked if I wanted to join the class, and at first, I declined, citing the fact that I wasn't dressed appropriately for yoga. But then she explained that there was barely any movement at all in the restorative class and that I could wear what I had on with no problem. Knowing that I was going to miss my regular gentle yoga class tomorrow evening, I decided to kick off my shoes and join the class. It was truly restful, and I'm so glad I did it! And, I'm also proud of myself for being spontaneous!

Day One Hundred Seventy-Nine: Makeover

Looking for faces on which to practice makeup application for her business, a woman posted a plea on a local Facebook group for volunteers. I decided it would make a good First for me, so I offered my face. This First was way outside my comfort zone, since I'm not that in to people, makeup, or being touched. But getting outside my comfort zone is definitely the spirit of this Year of Firsts project, and I'm glad I did it. I made a new friend, tried a new look, pushed past some of my issues, and grew as a person.

Before

After

Day One Hundred Seventy-Eight: Laser Tag

In lieu of a big birthday party, Max chose to just invite one good friend to Main Event, and we finally found a day that both the friend and we were available. Aside from being the responsible adult in charge, my objective was to knock out my First for the day. I made that happen with a round of laser tag. It was so much fun, and especially so since I got to share the experience with all my kiddos!

Day One Hundred Seventy-Seven: Military Surplus Store

I think once, when I was in college, I stumbled upon the military surplus store across from campus. I barely gave it a glance, and I haven't darkened the door of another military surplus store since that time. Until today. Because that's where you shop when you are the mother of a CAP cadet and you don't want to pay ridiculous prices at the online retailer for specific uniform components. I thought we would just be popping in there for the necessities, but I have to admit, it was a super cool store, and we spent plenty of extra time just looking around. I kept wondering if I needed any tactical gear or grenade boxes in my life and how I would look in various shades of camo. It was definitely a new kind of shopping experience for me, and it was surprisingly fun!

Omaha's Surplus

No camo for me this time, but we got this girl fully outfitted.

Day One Hundred Seventy-Six: Groundhog Day Party

When the kids realized that today was Groundhog Day and that it was a Friday, they decided the only thing to do was to have a party. Obviously, the movie Groundhog Day would be the main event. But we took it a couple of steps further with Fuzzy's fajitas and a groundhog cookie cake. I've been to all kinds of parties in my forty years, but I can honestly say I've never been to a Groundhog Day party! We had a blast and made some wonderful memories!

Packing in some extra calories to get us through six more weeks of winter!

It's Groundhog Day!

Jeff and Ruth produced this adorable and delicious groundhog cookie cake for our party.

Day One Hundred Seventy-Five: Making it onto the Thankful Board

This year, we are trying to be very intentional about being thankful and filling our home with positivity. One of the things we've done is to transform our school white board into a Thankful Board. Anything may be written on the board by any person as long as it is positive and reflects a spirit of thankfulness. Being a stay-at-home mom/homeschool teacher can sometimes feel like a very thankless job, so I was thrilled to see that I made the board! I do know my family appreciates me, but it's nice to see it in writing. Plus, you know you're doing something right when you see your name sitting there next to "croty" (karate)! 😀

So much to be thankful for!