What's top of my mind: My first full week after vacation was cut shorter because Winter hit our area of Southern Illinois all week. We started out with sleet Sunday night that turned into snow. The totals of ice were .75 inch, and snow was 3 inches, so I stayed home Monday. FREEZING temps followed all week keeping everything frozen solid. Then Friday it snowed all day totaling 7 more inches, and I came home around 9am. It truly looks like a winter wonderland outside. The downside of these cold temperatures hit me on Thursday. I left work and heard loud thumping under the Jeep. I pulled over to check my tires and make sure no ice or snow was blocking the wheels, but it all looked good. I decided to keep going since I live less than a mile from work. I heard two more thumps then nothing more. TBG checked under the hood and said everything looked fine and we drove it around the neighborhood to see if it was still making noise. It wasn't and we pulled into the garage, and I again looked under the Jeep. This time I was horrified to see a cat's tail hanging down. To make a long story short, while I was at work a cat had climbed up under the Jeep and that thumping noise was him. It was removed yesterday with no damage to the vehicle. But I've been sad about that poor cat for three days now. I park in the garage at home and hadn't been anywhere but work all week so never thought to look before I left.
Where I've been: No where but work and home.
Where I'm going: Hopefully I will make it to work all week and I'm sure I'll make a small grocery run but no other plans so far.
What I'm watching: I watched the latest episode of Southern Charm and a few DDD episodes while making dinner but really didn't watch much else.
What I'm reading: I need to finish Wintering because I have two books from Christmas that I can't wait to read.
What I'm listening to: I love when everything is covered with snow because it is so quiet out. I went out Friday and Saturday to just enjoy the stillness and silence for a bit. It was wonderful.
What I'm eating:
Soul soothing chicken and white bean soup with garlic cheddar biscuits.
I had a couple of Belgian waffles in the freezer left over from breakfast last weekend, so we had chicken and waffles. I made a siracha and maple syrup sauce for them and it was delicious.
LO beef and bean chili with cornbread
Chicken sausage with green peppers and onions, baked potato and salad
BIG salad
Chicken, mac and cheese and salad with Texas Toast. This was a new recipe for a baked mac and cheese that I will share this week.
Tonight, I am roasting a bone in turkey breast, sides undecided yet other than I want to use the cranberries in the freezer to make a cranberry, orange relish.
What I'm planning: I've been looking over my planner for 2025 and scheduled a few trips, day dates and celebrations. I want to stay ahead of the planning for holidays and events.
What is making me smile: This meme really hit home for me. Making the most out of every day is my number one intention.
My heart goes out to everyone in the California area experiencing this historic loss. It seems like the list of people having their lives totally devastated by these events continues to grow. Prayers out to them all.
I’m a bit west of you. Where I live we ended up getting 11.5 inches of snow. I like to get one good snow so I feel that we’ve had winter, but this was a bit much for me. I haven’t had mail in over a week. Hopefully it will warm up enough today to do some significant melting before it drops below freezing on Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteWe don't always get much snow so I always enjoy it when we do but I could have done without almost an inch of ice first.
DeleteIt’s been a lot of snow here, due to lake effect. I’m so sorry about the cat situation. That must have been a horrific thing to see and realize. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteWe love California, but what a mess it’s become over the years. I’m not sure what to believe as far as who or what has caused the latest round of fires. It’s heartbreaking.,
It did upset me when I saw the tail and put two and two together. It is really difficult anymore to know what the truth is about everything.
DeleteI'm sorry about the cat, but how could you know. Weather tragedy is getting to be a lot this year.
ReplyDeleteIt is getting to be a lot this year and it's hard to find out what the truth is.
DeleteThat is so sad about the cat. I remember when I was little, my dad always had to check the car before we left my grandmothers to make sure there weren't any cats hiding out.
ReplyDeleteWe're expecting another round of snow starting late tonight. I sure hope they are wrong.
I hope you don't get too much. You've been hit pretty hard already this year.
DeleteOh no! Poor baby. I always pound on the hood of my Blazer before I get in and start it. They seek warmth. That would have troubled me too.
ReplyDeleteI like the quote a lot. That is how we should all live. Your menu sounds good.
Have a good week.
I guess being at work I didn't think about it. I will now though. That quote really spoke to me too. I hope you're week is good as well.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear about the cat. A quarter century ago I acquired a kitten that survived such an adventure. She must have been the runt of her litter. She only lived four years.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me sad that this one didn't survive.
DeleteOh poor kitty! I'm sure you are sad. I like your intention to try to make the most out of each day. I always try to find a little something from each day to be grateful for.
ReplyDeleteIt was sad. I like to do little things throughout the week to make each day special too. Otherwise things become monotonous.
DeleteI would be very sad about the cat also. Especially you, since I know you are a cat lover.
ReplyDeleteI find some days are special because I do special things and some days I have to create some little something special, even if it is just to have a cup of tea in a china cup while reading at night.
It is sad. I find the same, there are special things that happen somedays and then somedays we have to make them a little special. Tea in a china cup while reading sounds perfect.
DeleteOMG.. The story of the cat is horrifying. So sad. I don't have to deal with snow anymore of being in Miami area. I used to enjoy the snow, but never enjoyed driving in the snow to work. I do like your meme and yes the losses in California are heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind the snow but the ice has been bad this year. Horrified is exactly how I felt. I never thought to check while my car was parked at work during the day but I guess I should have.
DeleteThat is a good quote. So sorry to hear about the poor cat. You soul soothing chicken and white bean soup sounds divine and I need a bowl.
ReplyDeleteI thought is was a good quote also. Yes, I feel bad about the cat. Poor thing was just trying to get warm. Soup is a must this time of year and this one is really good and filled with warming spices.
ReplyDeleteOh my dear, I would be horrified about the kitty. I still have garage kitty. Showed up here 3 years ago and has taken over garage. She is spoiled rotten, loves all the attention customers give her.
ReplyDeleteI was pretty horrified.
DeleteThat's so sad about that cat. I would be devastated for a long time. I keep reading that you should bang on the hood of your car every time to scare any animals away that would be in there. I should do that because we have a lot of feral cats in our community. We are heading into a deep freeze this week too. I am over Winter! Have a good week!
ReplyDeleteI will be too. It had to be one of the feral cats that roam the fields around the hospital. I've heard that too but I don't know if that would work or just make them freeze in place. I just hope it never happens again. It was 3 degrees when I came to work. Walking out in that will wake you up. Stay warm.
DeleteOh nooooo that poor cat! He was probably trying to get warm! What a nightmare for you. I'm so sorry. Enjoy what is left of your winter wonderland -- you've probably got more snow since this post! We even got an inch this week, haaha! xoxo
ReplyDeleteWe've lived here 20 years now and this is a first for having snow on the ground for 20 days in a row because of the below freezing temperatures. I don't mind much, it is winter, and I am not in the south anymore. xoxo
Deleteoh no poor cat... so sad. we had a kitten that used to jump up and sit on top of the tyre, so we always checked but one day we had a tradie who didn't know to do this.. Hope you're keeping warm. It has been SO hot here and humid and stormy!
ReplyDeletecheers
sherry https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/
It was so sad. Sorry you've experienced it too. It has been a cold winter for us, but we know the heat, humidity and storms are just around the corner. Stay safe and cool.
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