Covid Dreams?

Last year during the height of Covid I started having occasional nightmares and crazy dreams, I read that this was quite common with lots of people. But in the last few days I have had nightmares for three nights in a row. This is very unusual for me. I actually woke myself up screaming the other night. I think it scared poor Scruffy half to death.

I started trying to write down the dreams as soon as I woke up to see if they had any meaning in the light of day. Maybe some similarities in the dreams.

I discovered a pattern in the dreams and they all had to do with self doubt, insecurity, fear, and frustration. But I guess that is what most nightmares and bad dreams are made up of in one way or another. Whether you are being chased by a chain-saw carrying psycho or just fear of everything else.

I have experienced feelings of self doubt, insecurity fear, etc etc. during COVID but I realized that COVID isn’t the only thing making me feel this way. And it may not be for you either if you are experiencing any of these feelings in your day to day. I think COVID added into the mix just put the feelings and emotions on steroids or something.

I have been on a better eating plan and tried to cut out mindless eating. I think when you do that you become more in tune with what is actually going on around you. It’s called clarity. You are no longer numbing yourself to avoid feelings. So lots of things start to come out. I think those probably get carried over in our dreams.

One of the dreams I had was that I was repeatedly dropping things and no sooner than I picked them up I would drop them again. I couldn’t hold onto anything. Over and over. I was also trying to open a combination lock and although I knew the combination I couldn’t get it open. I guess it doesn’t take much to figure those out. In my dreams doing that left me feeling like I couldn’t do anything. I felt inadequate and helpless. Those were just the beginning, the waking up screaming part of the dreams involved people crawling out of mirrors and coming after me. It sounds kind of like “The Ring” although I was actually too scared to ever watch that movie.

I realized that I have been feeling self doubt about certain things in my life. I find myself questioning decisions and the ability to get things done. This leads to uncertainty and of course self doubt. I have always been a very secure person so this has come as quite a surprise.

But I also realized that there are many things to factor into feeling this way. Age, hormones, my job and anxiety are just a few of these. I guess COVID and all that surrounds that could just be the icing on the,, zombie. I’m not really sure.

I do know that discovering a pattern in the dreams brought them into the daylight and has helped me realize some of my insecurities. And just that small thing makes them not quite so scary. Putting it into words also helped and I would highly recommend this if you are having bad or strange dreams. You may get an insight into yourself.

Sweet dreams!! and always remember

Love your day your way!!!

Spring Is In The Air

Happy Weekend friends how was your week? Mine was really busy. We have been busy at work and I have been on this new work out regimen and it is just kicking my butt. I have been sleeping great though and getting a lot of fresh air and exercise. It really makes such a difference. Not a lot of pounds down yet but a few and that is a good thing.

Can you tell that spring is coming? Well it is in our area anyway. You can hear frogs croaking and buds are starting to pop out on the trees. The Bradford Pear trees are starting to bloom. I noticed several on my way to work yesterday and then by the time I came home several more blooms had popped out.

Look at these Bradford Pear Trees. I know a lot of people don’t like them because they are really weak but I love them!!!!

We were able to visit for a few minutes today with my mother in law. The assisted living center where she lives called Mark a few days ago and told us we would be able to visit for a short time. We had to sit outside and wear masks and stay six feet apart but she seemed so happy to see us. It is worth whatever we have to do to get to see her. Each living center and nursing facility gets to make their own rules. So hopefully in a few weeks they will lift more of the restrictions.

I woke up this morning and forgot it was Saturday. I was in bed thinking about getting up for work and then it hit me that it was Saturday. Don’t you love to do that?

We had made arrangements to visit my mother in law at 11:00. I wanted to buy groceries early. I let the window of opportunity slip by without doing an online order so I was faced with dealing with people. I drove into town early around 8:30 but it was starting to get crazy already. Saturdays are always like that.

Our local Walmart is about the only place to buy groceries in our area. The aisles at this particular Walmart are very narrow. The online shopping is great but you have the workers gathering items for the online shoppers and they use these huge carts as tall or taller than the average person. Each cart is about half as wide as the aisle and has several blue bins where the groceries are placed. When one of these contraptions is in the aisle it is almost impossible to get around them.

Today it was Sorority or best friends shopping day at Walmart. Three women were shopping together. Each woman had a cart. At almost every stop they would park their carts and chat about what had been put in one of the ladies’ carts. Many stories were shared as well as recipes. I know it was probably a great girl time for them but please go grab coffee somewhere!!!! I will admit one of the recipes I heard sounded pretty good but I was in a hurry to get the groceries and get home so we could visit my mother in law.

The visit went great!!! My mother in law was so happy to see us and we talked and talked.

After the visit I wanted to stop at the Estate Sale in Madisonville. Remember I told you I went a few weeks ago. They are held periodically at this one particular site. This sale did not have a lot of antiques but I found a couple of things. I spotted this rather large heavy box with a lid. It was only $6.00 (because everything was half off today. Yesterday it was $12.00) It is gorgeous. What would I do with it I pondered. I walked past it a few times. I went back and took the lid off noticing once again how heavy it was. It was just so freaking unique and it was only $6.00!!! I got it and I love it.

Look at this isn’t it gorgeous!!! I love the muted colors. I ran into a friend outside the sale and he ask what I would put in it. I have no idea and that is part of the fun.
This book was only $5.00 (it was $10.00 yesterday). I just couldn’t pass it up. I love the southern craft traditions. Making quilts and baskets and rugs are just so lovely. I will share some of these stories with you soon.
Look at these precious flowers peeping through the leaves. Spring is coming!!! the signs are everywhere.

After we got back home I did some reading and cooked dinner and Mark and I took a 30 minute walk. We have been doing this every evening when we have a chance.

How is your weekend going so far???

Always remember

Love your day your way!!!!!

A Wild Wonderful Weekend!!!

Hello friends and happy Monday!!! How was your weekend. Mine was really good because it was extra long. I took Thursday and Friday off to get some extra things done around the house. I made sure to add some fun things in as well.

Thursday Mark and I had some cleaning up to do around the house. We planned to move some things to the basement that we weren’t using and work on tax prep to have our taxes ready to drop off next week. We didn’t get as much done as I had hoped but we had some good walks in the sunshine with the babies.

On Friday I went to Knoxville with my sister Sandy to do a little shopping. It has been almost a year since we have had a real shopping trip. We were so excited. We had a great time. We went to our usual favorites, TJ Maxx, Target, Marshalls, and Ulta.

I loved this wreath at TJ Maxx but I have many many Easter wreaths and certainly don’t need another one.
I loved this little cookie set especially the pastel colors. Did not buy because I am trying to be really conscious of what I bring into my house. I have to ask myself if I really need it.
O.K. This bunny is just too freaking cute. I passed him by and then I saw him again at Marshalls. Maybe this was a sign that I was supposed to have this bunny. But I was strong and resisted and marched myself right on by.

Saturday morning I got up kind of late for me. I was contemplating the day. I planned on doing nothing but lounging around with the fur babies on my lap. Maybe working on a couple of projects and that was about it. The sun was shining so bright like it was saying are you crazy you know you have to get out in this beautiful sunshine today. Come on Girl!!! Think about the steps you can get in today.

It was almost as if all the planets aligned when my nephew Tyler messaged me and said ” wonder what I can do today on this beautiful day?” I said ” well I have been thinking about taking a drive across the Cherohala Skyway do you want to come?” He said yes. We made plans for him to meet me at the house. I grabbed a quick breakfast and off we went.

A beautiful day to be on the Skyway, not a cloud in the sky.

First let me tell you about the Cherohala Skyway. The Cherohala Skyway is a 43-mile National Scenic Byway that connects Tellico Plains, Tennessee to Robbinsville, North Carolina. So half of the drive is in Tennessee and half of the drive is in North Carolina. I hate to tell you but the North Carolina roads are much nicer than the Tennessee side. There are some great spots where you can pull off the road and get some amazing photos. Of course the trees were really bare and not as beautiful as it is in the spring and fall but still a beauty all it’s own.

The National Forest Scenic Byways are roads that have been designated by the U.S. Forest Service as Scenic byways. The program was initiated in 1987.

First stop was Hooper Bald trail. It was at the very height of the Skyway, elevation 5,290 FT. There are several hikes you can do on Hooper Bald. We chose the one mile easy walk. I am at the early stages of working out so my stamina and leg muscles are not yet what they need to be for a longer hike. We made plans to come back and bring Mark and more supplies and do a longer hike. Plus Tyler was excited about bringing his friends back to the area for a longer hike.

A small flowing stream in the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.

Hooper Bald trail is a very easy trail even though the first half mile is all uphill. You come out at a beautiful meadow with no trees and wind blowing gently. It’s just so peaceful. But there are several trails in this area you can do.

We traveled on. I wanted to stop at the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. I knew there were a few hiking trails there that we could do. Joyce Kilmer is almost at the end of the Skyway coming from Tennessee. There are a couple of different hikes you can do at Joyce Kilmer although the easier trail was closed for trail repair. We did the longer one that was over two miles.

We then drove the 43 miles back over the skyway and stopped in Tellico Plains to get a late lunch.

A great day, I got to spend time with Tyler, it’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of an eighteen year old. I got lots of sunshine and steps in for the day. I had over 12,000 steps recorded for the day.

On Sunday I did the usual laundry, catching up on email, knitting, watching some TV and doing some baking for the upcoming week. And I was soooooo tired from the hike on Saturday.

But alas, 5:00 AM came quickly this morning and I had to return to work. Remember when I said a four day work week would be great? Well I change that to a three day work week. That would be really awesome!! It would give you lots of time to catch up around your house and have some fun too.

So how was your weekend? I hope you got to get out and enjoy the sunshine.

I almost forgot. Starting Wednesday I am adding a post called Wordless Wednesdays. You know how I love to take pictures and share them and this will be a way to just share photos and nothing else. Let me know what you think when you see the first post on Wednesday.

Have a wonderful week.

Always remember

Love your day your way!!