Just Me & My Moments in May – Just One More Piece
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Here you will find a collection of ideas, tips, and just thoughts. I love to share everything happening in my abundant life and what inspires me.
Welcome to Just Me & My Moments! It’s a little space where I share the bits and pieces that make up my everyday life. From small joys to honest reflections, it’s all about capturing the moments that shape who I am. Nothing fancy, just real life, simple and meaningful, and one moment at a time as a widow.
I’m so happy you are here!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Weekend, and let the summer begin!
The puzzle had been sitting on the lanai table for a couple of weeks now.
A thousand pieces of a beautiful home in the city. I love Charles Wysocki 1000-piece puzzles!
The border always comes together fast. Then the house, since it was the main subject, with an ice cream truck and playing hopscotch. I got all the way up to the sky, and then it got HARD! The rest of the pieces all looked the same.
Some nights I’d move four pieces. Some nights, a few more pieces would fall in place. After a few days, the gap in the middle was shrinking, and something kept pulling me back to the table.
Then there was one lonely piece left.
I actually stopped and held it in my hand for a second. A little smear of sky, branches, and leaves, shaped like a lumpy T. I set it into the last open spot, and it snapped in with that satisfying little click, and the whole thing was done.
I sat there looking at it for a few minutes. Nobody came to congratulate me. Nothing changed. The dog didn’t even care.
But I thought about how the whole thing only worked because of that last piece. Not because it was special, but because everything I’d done for several days was quietly building toward it. There were times I almost gave up.
Life does that too. You can’t skip the middle and jump to the last piece. It doesn’t mean anything without everything that came before it. And sometimes the thing that finally completes a long season is quiet and small and looks like nothing by itself. Just that soft click of things fitting exactly where they were always supposed to go.
After a few days of looking at my accomplishment, I took a picture before I broke it apart. Then I opened up another puzzle, because I’ve learned something about patience, and I’m not sure I’ve learned enough yet.
☀️ DROUGHT: Our area is now in a Phase III water drought situation. Most of Florida is about 40+ inches behind in rain. We got a really good rain a week ago, and the other day, and more is on the way. Hoping that the summer rains will start daily now.
🚗 UPCOMING TRIP: I am packing for the upcoming trip in June and can’t wait to tell you all about it. If you have any suggestions for places to see in NOLA, let me know. Miss Dixie will be staying with a friend of mine.
🍝 EASY COOKED SPAGHETTI SAUCE – Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-low heat. Add 1 chopped medium yellow onion, and cook until soft. Stir in 5 minced garlic cloves, cook 30 seconds. Add 1 tablespoon tomato paste. Stir in 2 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Simmer 45 to 60 minutes. Finish with fresh basil leaves.
🐕🦺DIXIE UPDATE: Miss Dixie had her yearly update and shots. She is such a trooper when it comes to getting the shots. Didn’t even flinch. Her weight journey will be ongoing. She is on the diet version of her Science Diet food, which is higher in protein, and you can tell she has trimmed up a bit. She is very healthy, according to her blood work and the vet. I just have to be careful to give the exact amounts of her kibble each day. Small dogs’ weight can be tricky.
☀️FUN AND INTERESTING FACTS: What was Memorial Day once called? What flower is worn on Memorial Day to symbolize those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country? Memorial Day was once called Decoration Day. It was initially a day to decorate the graves of soldiers, both Union and Confederate, who had given their lives in the Civil War. A paper poppy is worn on Memorial Day. It became the symbol of the fallen after the poem Flanders’ Field was published.
⛪ IN CLOSING: For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord – Romans 8:38–39
Something to chew on
“The happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything.”
Have a dull lampshade? How about using old wallpaper inside the shade to give a little something?
💗What I’m loving this month
- Antiques Terracotta pot with handles
- Love this ribbed-patterned pot
- Set of 4 inexpensive Spring Towels
- Vintage-looking Blue Glassware
- I’m trying this Easy Skillet Cheesy Enchilada Bake, and so easy to make, low-carb
- I love these DIY Terracotta Clay Herb Markers
- Check out this greenhouse made from recycled items
- This t-shirt dress is comfortable yet classy. It’s well-made, and the fabric is lovely. Runs true to size. If you like a roomier fit, size up.
- If you prefer not to wear shorts in summer, these pants are the answer. They are lightweight and wash up beautifully. They run true to size, but I sized up for extra room. Order in petite for a more cropped look.
- This sleeveless top is very cute with a traditional fit. I love the coverage.
What I’m watching, reading & listening to
📺 I haven’t watched a really good, tug at your heart movie in some time now. I want real acting, by real people. And then I watched Remarkably Bright Creatures on Netflix. Who would’ve thunk that I would fall in love with an octopus? I highly, highly recommend this movie for everyone. I didn’t read the book, so I’m not sure how it compares.
📺 The series Steel Magnolias season 5 starts June 11th on Netflix. I have really loved this series about the ups and downs of a good friendship between 3 friends.
📺 The big news in the crime world is that Alex Murdaugh’s murder charges were overturned due to the clerk tampering with the jury. Not sure when the retrial will be, but you know I will be watching every minute of that. He won’t be getting out of jail anytime soon because of pleading guilty to extortion from his clients. The irony of it all is that Murdaugh is now suing the clerk for $600,000, which is the amount of attorney fees for the last trial. I could say so much about that, but I will let it be for now.
Let me know some of your favorite movies or shows in the comments.
My Patriotic Favs
Decorate with some of my favorite red, white, and blue items for your home.
Our Books and coloring books
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. – John 10:10
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Tammy
I’m just a country girl loving my geeky life, always taking pictures, getting my hands dirty in the garden, exploring with travels, and enjoying thrifting. But above all, living my faith as a child of God!
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I love the lamp design! I’d never have thought about doing it, but it’s actually so so effective. I really like it! It subtly ties everything all in together. And hooray for completing the jigsaw! I bet the sky was so frustrating! Haha.
Claire
http://www.clairemac.co.uk
Wow. I really love your comparison of life to puzzle pieces. That is so true! Every moment helps create your entire life.
I really need to get myself some puzzles. My mum does them regularly and buys from charity shops. I have heard how therapeutic they are to do and I am always looking for a new hobby.
What a lovely post! I really enjoyed reading about your puzzle journey and how you connected it to life’s bigger lessons. It’s so true that we often focus on the finished result, but every small step along the way is what makes it possible. I also loved the reminder that sometimes the most meaningful accomplishments come with no fanfare at all, just a quiet sense of satisfaction.
I’ve done a dozen of puzzles and enjoyed every moment of it. I need to go back to this wonderful and relaxing hobby, love it.
I’d love to try the Easy Skillet Cheesy Enchilada Bake recipe. Sounds so mouthwatering and thanks a lot for the recommendation.
We are having quite the dry spell in England as well. No rain only sunshine! I do like your puzzle, that’s a neat little thing to work on each day.