"It's amazing how lovely common things become, if one only knows how to look at them." -Louisa May Alcott

Long day. Time to snuggle in and finish watching another Christmas movie. (I'm *trying* to get into the spirit.) Loki seems highly interested in it. 😄 Cheers.

Coffee and a couple cheesy Christmas movies later.

Those dicks at my brother's old apartment sent my mom a letter trying to collect $ from her. Her name wasn't on anything there and she has zero legal obligation. Seriously. 4 1/2 mo later and at Christmas.

Of course she had to buy one with a bunch of sliding drawers.

Another random day off, so of course I woke up at 4:50am. Might as well get busy putting my mom's furniture together.

Let's keep each other's hands warm and slowly kiss while snowflakes melt into our smiles.

This Christmas season feels extra less Christmasy than any other Christmas I've ever experienced. It feels hollow and pointless.

The hummingbird visited Loki again. At first I thought it flew off because I was sitting a few feet away, but after I slowed it down, I noticed it looked up at something and then flew away. It's definitely never been scared of me one bit. Cheeky lil thing.

There could be worse ways to spend a Saturday afternoon if you need to stick close to home.

Hark close, and still, what I now whisper to you, I love you—O you entirely possess me, O I wish that you and I escape from the rest, and go utterly off—O free and lawless, Two hawks in the air—two fishes swimming in the sea not more lawless than we -Whitman

Often feels I'm a fucking hostage to the hope in my dumb fucking heart

One of my dresses for "Murder on the Orient Express." 😍

I finally got out my art supplies and put them when I would see them and use them. I also got a home gym of sorts set up. The treadmill is ancient, as is the tv, but they still work. Lots of room for my workout videos. Yay!

Music on this random day off. I had hoped to travel this past year, maybe see a loved one I had wanted to visit for a couple of years, but nothing this year went as I hoped. Absolutely nothing. So, I have a ridiculous number of PTO hrs to use before the end of the year. youtu.be/QU6Uq5ZLuNQ?...

The rosebush is still blooming.

Tell me you've missed me, too via IG @jeffreyczum

Our resident hummingbird is incredibly curious about Loki when we have him out. Or maybe it's just messing with him. Hard to say. It did fly within two inches of my face repeatedly while I was working on the puzzle because it needed more nectar in its feeder, so definitely an attitude there. 😄

Good morning. Taking a break for a while. Thinking too much about what might have been and not the reality of the situation. People move on, and I need to figure out how to as well. Social media isn't great for that. Be good humans. 💙

ocean run at dusk

Listening to Hozier and watching the sky undress for the night. The yearning is strong this evening.

💔 youtu.be/nW9Cu6GYqxo?...

Busted my butt cleaning up the yard and hauling rock for over three hours. Now it's time for a shower, food and drinks, and some good music while I unpack and organize stuff. youtu.be/E8oXUfUocs0?...

I enjoy my morning coffee and watch hummingbirds taste flowers while the neighbor's chickens make happy clucking sounds. Peaceful. So much loss recently: brother's death, best friend left my life, moved homes. Some days are just hard, but it will be ok. Breathe in & out. Let go. Bloom again.

could be us, slow dancing in the kitchen

💙 youtu.be/_KQdMgLW-K0?...

I was finally able to restock our cheese stash today with sharp cheddar, havarti, Gouda, burrata, mozzarella balls in fresh basil and garlic, cheese sticks, shredded cheeses, Parmesan, and a smoked Gouda dip. My cheese-loving heart is so happy right now. 😊

I give up. I'll become a ghost. Happy Halloween.

Three more high school kids who wanted potatoes! And a little treat.

This is just a snippet. There were so many fun events going on and entirely free to kids!

There was a point I thought I would have someone join me for this event last night. It would have been fun. Without thinking, I imagined us enjoying it together. I need to stop that. My daughter's team won first place!

Three high school kids. Three potatoes gone. 😄 We're going to run out of potatoes before candy. Oh, I let them take a candy treat as well.

Quick update: older kid smiled and grabbed the potato with zero hesitation. Younger kid asked how many, and when I said two, took the potato and a treat.

I want so much love in my life. The kind of love that takes your breath away. Makes you roll your eyes & sigh. Drives you to be better. Makes you feel cared for & safe & secure. Hold hands on walks. Have fun sex where we can sweat & laugh. Fold laundry, dance, cook together. I want it all. 💙

Gonna conduct the potato experiment this year for trick-or-treat. 🥔

Okay y'all, I'm ready to unveil this year's interactive squirrel pumpkin. I gave up on keeping the squirrels away from my Halloween jack o'lanterns years ago and decided to just work with them. Here are ones from the past four years: 1/2

learning to speak ghost on Ghoulingo

I would love to go for a slow walk here right now. 💙

9 yrs ago I picked up my daughter from school dressed as Maleficent because she was going as Mal that night. I stood at the gates with a scepter in hand and waited for her to come out. The kids couldn't stop staring and pointing. The look on her face when she realized it was me said it all.

It's not quite the same view as I had, but I suppose it will do. 😉 Happy Friday

Cargo to hold all their booberry snacks

Kiddo and I worked hard on Mr. Pumpkin's house tonight. I think it's safe to say he's happy in his humble little hut! 🎃🧡

Well, I guess another chapter in life has closed. On to the next.

Personally, I feel like if you're unable to meet in person immediately, video chat. Get as close to face-to-face communication as you can. For me, a deeper connection is everything. I need it.

When your teenager *really* wants to ignore you.

The soup of the day is heartbreak.

Wednesday morning and another month almost gone. youtu.be/ilwnAAZ0bLs?...

Someone is extremely chatty tonight. And bitey. He had much to get off his chest and went on about it for half an hour.

Maybe everybody WAS Kung Fu fighting.

Keep the Hal in Halloween!