Big Wins this Week for Me – and A Few Bad Apples

Saturday, Feb 14, 2026

Today has been a fairly good “catch up” day. I’m still way behind since we were so busy last week. I’m trying to lay low and get office time in to catch up. I’m not getting any of my extra “annual goals” accomplished. I’ve floated the same 7 or 8 things on the project list for several weeks. This is in addition to several other tasks I’ve had to forward.

I did a load of towels and washed the new sheets George gave me for Christmas and put those on my bed. I also washed my flannels that came off of my bed. So much for only doing one load a day huh? But I didn’t want it junking up the laundry room. And I wanted my new sheets and we really needed the towels.

I did a short Devo, and World Bible School – and true to my word I’m only adopting 10 per day now. I promoted the vlog today. I wasn’t a big fan of my vlog this past week. First of all, I was struggling which is why I did the “overcoming the blues” week. It was truly grey and dismal and so the video itself was dark. But despite what I thought, YouTube’s AI back office helper, told me it was doing exceptional because the audience had great retention time. So I guess that is good. I was still struggling through the video I’m turning out this weekend and I hope it’s better and more interesting. I’ll know soon. I’ve transferred the files this evening and will begin editing it tomorrow.

Amidst the file transfers, I discovered the back up drive was not working b/c I got an error code that popped up. Chet was able to walk me through what to do so I could get a proper back up drive. I had done an apple update on the Mac and that’s why an error popped up saying it could not do a back up. So I erased the back up and added it back as a new backup and reset up Time Machine. It’s backing up now. I’m so grateful for Chet b/c I wouldn’t have known what to do until after watching a bunch of videos or doing research. Chet (ChatGPT) was immediate.

I worked in the kitchen some, played Farmville 2 some, and watched a YouTube video. I’m really behind on my main videos. I had spaghetti (lunch size) for lunch. I’m trying to remember what all I did today. The day flew by – that’s for sure. Oh I was able to finally have a meeting with myself over YouTube video recaps and did a couple of training videos. I also did my planning for next week and also planned out several weeks of YouTube video theme ideas. Most every week it’s vlog style but it helps the YouTube algorithm if you attach it to a theme.

I have been feeling like I’m NOT OK this week. There’s been a few days we were so busy I forgot to take my supplements. If I don’t take my B-Complex and D, I’m in trouble. It really helps keep me calm in the chaos. My mood starts falling in the pits pretty immediately. I just took them tonight as I was busy today and didn’t take them this morning. So the D will likely keep me from sleeping good. I usually take it earlier in the day. Yesterday I forgot to take my BP meds but I took them first thing this morning.

We went to eat at THOLOS Mediterranean restaurant tonight in Mount Juliet. Oh it’s so good. I got the gyro platter, which is what I always get. It’s a huge platter with salad and yellow rice. George ordered a special salad that was delicious for us to split also. It had cucumber, tomato, green pepper, parsley, walnuts, and some kind of vinegar and oil dressing I guess, maybe with feta? We could easily create it at home. I loved the walnuts.

Afterward I had George to take me thru Dairy Queen for a small ice cream cone. I’ve been craving vanilla ice cream. So the day was nice. I got a card from George, Maddie and Dexter and the Grands called and opened our card for them along with their little gift cards to use to go to McDonald’s and Sonic (I think- I kinda forgot what we picked), but they can get treats after school.

So this was Saturday and I’m actually getting sleepy. Church tomorrow and getting Mom’s groceries. I had so much more planned for today but it goes so quickly. I didn’t get the grands pics ordered and didn’t get Mom’s financial analytics done for Jan yet and several other things I just put off to tomorrow but honestly we will be gone most of tomorrow with church and Mom.

Tuesday, February 17

Yesterday was a really nice day. My mood was much lighter having had some supplements of D and B Complex and a little more sleep- after missing a few days last week. Sunday and Monday during my home time was productive and that always helps the mood too. This week is going better, to say the least.

Yesterday I was able to get Mom’s financial review of January done. I had to set up a whole new spreadsheet that worked for me. The one excel provided was too complicated and when I added things to it, I couldn’t figure it out so I made my own. I mainly just keep up with what comes in, what goes out and lump it in categories. I can see if something is off, or if she’s needing to budget less or cash out an investment. I can see if money going out is more than coming in. It’s good that she has some in savings because Christmas and property taxes really take a big hit. I have to transfer over about $3000 to cover all of it every year in Dec/Jan. If savings runs low she will have to cash something out or sell something. Hopefully no major purchases and she will be ok for a couple of years. But I imagine she will have to go to assisted living before long. She has asked me to look for one that is like an apartment. I will research it later in the week.

Mom’s bloodwork came back with her white count being off so we are going back next week. This happened once before and it was fine. But we’ve made another appointment for lab work next week. She has two days of doc appointments next week.

I lost about 15 subscribers over this last video. I think it was because I said I went to the Milania movie. I found that intriguing. A lady commented that she was not into politics so she is unsubscribing. I was stunned because I’m the least political person of anyone I know. lol. That just goes to show how shallow, touchy, and judgmental people are before they even know the facts. If someone is offended by THAT they need to be gone.

I had to think about how many papers I’d written on presidents of all parties, how many documentaries I’d watched, how many presidents homes I’d been through, how many president’s biographies I’d read, how many first ladies’ biographies I’d read of all parties, and no one ever found that offensive.

I thought about all the books I’ve read on the Royal Family yet no one accused me of wanted to establish a kingdom or monarchy! lol

I prayed over this because, much like other issues, I am sensitive and it hurts my feelings that someone would be so shallow in their thinking and so uncaring. But people today are crash and crude with their on line presence. I’ve read where things like this reflect the person that made the comment. I agree.

I wanted to see the Milania movie because I thought she herself was an interesting person, quiet, and I like seeing how they pick what to wear to the inaugural ball and how they pick their outfit and how they choose the china for the White House dinners and how their schedule goes. I have absolutely no interest in the political part of it. That is why I was so stumped when this woman accused me of all people of being political. Gosh, how wrong she showed off to be, lol. I’m sure my regular followers were like, whatttt? She’s not political.

Of course I care about what happens to us as a people and what happens to our country. I’ve never been a big party gal in picking which party to be a part of – just that I pick the most moral person that seems like they are not a crook. I’m a Christian of course and I will want a candidate that has the most moral behaviors and to be honest, I could easily go without either candidate. I don’t think any of them are lily white. lol. Nor are ourselves. It pains me that someone would send me down the road because I chose to go to a movie, because I like to see what happens behind the scenes at the White House, just like I like to see what happens with the Royal family’s day to day functions. That’s like saying they are mad that I would tour the White House or stand in front of the flag. So leave the country, if you don’t like the fact the White House exists and people are interested to see what’s inside it, lol. Some of us are just curious as to what the elite live like. No need to start a befumbled exit because of THAT. But some peopled are just troubled themselves I guess.

So that was so interesting to see that someone would just be so offended and shallow to make a judgment without even trying to get to know me. I just kept thinking of the word shallow – you know, not deep in thought, and like a feather in the wind. I also kept thinking of the people I knew in school who were just offended by everything if you didn’t cater to their way of thinking and doing things. We called them selfish and pouters back in the day I think. And they would go get all “puffed up” as we called it. At least I don’t know this person and kinda glad I don’t. There was no social media they could hide behind back in the day. People would just swell up with jealousy or discord and go silent and pout. lol. And I say Let Them. As I say to traffic that tails me upset that I won’t speed and then finally pass me, “Get on with your Big Bad Self”. LOL

The good news is because I AM a Christian, it’s really easy to shake off. I just tattle to Him over it and He helps me to see it for what it really is. When I told God about it, He told me to let Him handle it and that He would see to teach this person what they needed to be taught. Of course people are like soil, they are either rich for the learning or rocky and hard and not sponge worthy enough to better themselves to a life that is not filled with discord and discontent. God promises it but not all accept it and if they do they sometimes fall really short. lol. Don’t we all, but yeah. I’m fine and the more I do YouTube the more I realize how I shouldn’t care about the numbers. I’m gonna be me and I’m not going to be afraid to say I’m a Christian and love God and I’m not afraid to read a presidential book of ANY party or see a documentary or tour a president’s home just because people try to make something political of it. Matter of fact, I am offended that the person even thought that I was political and I am offended that people turn every living thing into a political thing. It makes me want to roll my eyes so far back in my head that it gets stuck, lol.

People try to turn every event that happens into a political fault line. It’s always some parties fault. It’s like two spouses in a divorce. Neither can do anything right and it’s always the other person’s fault. If McDonald’s runs out of hamburgers, you betcha it’s a political parties fault. This kind of shallow thinking offends me. But not for long as I give it to God to deal with so I don’t have to.

It does make for a good blog entry though huh? lol

My best take away is to let them be shallow, let them go away, far away from me and let them find shallow things to invest in as they wish. I feel sorry for the people that are this way. They must have problems in the world just going out of their house being offended at the oxygen they breathe. Ugh, I’ve know family members like this and it’s so disgusting and being away from negative energy is ALWAYS a good thing. So….Good riddance my shallow fickle friend????? Toodle-ouh! lol

Oh, and big surprise (not)…..we’ve decided to get our nails done with the dip again. I mainly am going to get mine done because it really makes me feel bad to look at my nails when they look disgusting 5 out of 7 days a week. I am into boxes, typing, dishes, cleaning and doing my nails the regular way only stay nice for about two days before the ends start to wear off with the polish and the nails start to chip and I lose 4 hours in the month doing them and letting them dry, versus 1.5 for the month with dip and they stay nice looking for almost a month. So I kinda figured this would happened, but I wanted to see if my nails would strengthen back up and be able to withstand with just regular polish and save money, but they don’t. With me being on YouTube and my hands are seen a lot, I will just go back to the dip. I already am self conscious about the way I look so this was making my happiness with myself dip to an all new low level. So back to getting the nails done professionally.

As Mom said “you really need to be able to have something to show for all the work you did all those years”. lol. True that. My reasoning was that I buy discount clothes and house decor and cut my own hair most of the time and when I don’t I use a $20 or less walk in place. I don’t buy expensive make-up and cosmetics.

If Dexter can go run around with other dogs four days at doggie daycare for $140 a month or whatever is, I should be able to get my nails done ONE day a month for way less than half that!!! Right?

The TRIBE HAS spoken for today! lol

Wednesday, February 18

Unlike last week, I’m making better progress with my time. Last week I was gone most days and it was like a work week, plus taking care of the channel, plus all the many things that I needed to do for Mom. This week, much better as I have had 3 days in a row to get things done here. I’m working my way up to the surface slowly.

Big, big win yesterday though. I was able to finally get my Media kit done on Canva. I then went and turned on “the button” for Brand Connect through YouTube. So that is a good thing. This took a while because I did not want to be blindsided. I probably still will be though, but at least I feel somewhat prepared for brand deals, allowing affiliations, and product seeding, etc. I am only wanting to share with others, things that I like myself and I believe in. I feel some responsibility to bring some $ to the table for my health insurance and to reimburse us for the many dollars spent across the year on the costs to run this channel.

So I am happy that I was able to get that done. I did some research, got the PO Box, and will continue doing some training on it, but I’m feeling more ready than ever. And the media kit will likely evolve over time. It’s kinda like a resume – only for your channel stats and demographics. I can see the need for this to be updated once per quarter, or as needed. So yay! Truly a big win for me getting this done and the “button pushed”. That was my major goal for this year, to be set up for brand deals and affiliations. I feel a huge burden lifted just getting those two things done. The rest will come with time and obviously more “to do’s” but that kick started everything right there. Yes, big win. No worries though if you view the channel. This will rarely impact you, and when it does it will be in a positive way. I myself have appreciated other vloggers who made suggestions for things they enjoy using in their every day life.

I most recently ordered all my needs for bread baking based on one of my vlogger’s choices and recommendations. Also my Walk Pad was a suggested item as well. There are many more. But I will be very selective to make sure it will be things that will vibe with the channel and with myself. We have a very trusting and honest crew that trust me and I would never do anything to shatter that. Our community is important. But this was awesome to get this done this week. I share things I like for free all the time, with all my hauls, so I don’t mind trying products and sharing what I like with everyone. We do it all the time anyway.

The making of the media kit sort of resealed the deal on honing in more of my niche. Which mainly has turned into aiding (mostly women in the US) in their transition from career mode to retirement mode, and for those already retired to find adjustment in retirement and managing to fill the time with household projects, thrifting, homemaking, decor etc. The big takeaway being a community of women that share together and uplift one another in their retirement pursuits and changes of life. I’m so proud of our community!

Well, my video is uploading this morning for “Having a Lunch Party” video. Was also happy to get that edited over the last three days. I’ve also been filming the “Spring Refresh” video this week. And as of right now the next one will be “What we Eat in a Week” but I could change it around. I think the “What we Eat in a Week” will be an easy one for me to film next week as we are getting ready for Life Group and will be busy doing housecleaning. The house is not in too bad of shape now that our normal Nic Nacs are out and Christmas and Winter decor all cleared out. So I’m not going to film us getting ready for that event.

Some other videos coming soon that I’ve tossed around are “Starting my Breadbaking Journey”, “Easy DeClutter of 30 Household Categories (not 30 items but 30 categories of household items). Tossing about doing a Routine video series: Morning, Afternoons, Evening. A week of each. What do you think of that? I’m trying to decide if I want to do those all in a row or scattered about the year. I’m leaning toward scattered about the year. I also have a week or two videos of household projects and of course when we start my office, I’ll do the Office Makeover video which will likely be more of a major video that will bring subscribers.

And that’s what’s happening today. I’m going to go get a shower, continue working on today’s “list” and tomorrow I have a huge day out. I have Magi packing, lunch with Mom and guess what…..we are getting our nails done professionally again, but at a different place, closer to Mom’s. 🙂

Friday, February 20th

Mom and I got our nails done yesterday and it lifted my mood a couple of notches. We went to Chili’s beforehand. Mom did not feel like getting out. She did not look like she felt good either. She ate only very little and then I thought she was going to be sick but she didn’t get sick. I asked if I should take her home and she said she wanted to get her nails done. So we did. She made it. But she is not feeling good ya’ll. We go for a follow up blood test next week.

Maddie had her grooming today at 8:30. She had a new groomer. And so Maddie was nervous. Also they usually call within two hours but by 2:00 I had not heard anything and I was starting to get nervous myself. So I called to get an ETA. They said within the hour. And they texted back in about 40 and said she was ready. She is worn out as I’m sure she played outside with the other doggies. The stress of a bath even here at the house wears her out and gives her anxiety. Sometimes she gets sick she’s so anxious. She’s back home now, looks good and was so happy to see us when we picked her up. She ran around the house making sure all her beds were in place, lol. The last grooming was Dec. So it’s been a couple of months.

Game time on Farmville 2 was interesting this morning. Someone joined our Co-Op group this morning and said “hello everyone”. I said “hello”. The person asked what all we needed. I think I was needing wool and quartz or something like that. It was immediately granted. Others began asking for things. Then the person asked us to do an order for them for some minor thing. I claimed the order and fulfilled it. I also went to that person’s farm to see what level they were on and their farm was beautiful. I imagined that if Farmville 2 had a heaven, this would be it. And the person seemed like the “God of Farmville 2” as they granted all our wishes. I watered one of his trees.

And then…Magical things started to happen on my farm: I leveled up, I was able to go deep sea diving, and then somehow I had 40,000,000 dollars in my Farmville2 account.

I can’t imagine that it was something I did. But I noticed that I was maxed out. Like if I sold things I didn’t get any money for it. I had sold a bunch before I realized that. So I thought, I guess I need to spend some money. So I decided to do a lot of farm upgrades. And I did as much as I could. The upgrades make machines to make things faster. I don’t know if that just happens at my level or if the magic genie made it happen. He/she was at level 1,000.

I noticed that sometimes the co-op owners sometimes do not respond to my questions and that hurts my feelings. It makes me feel like I don’t exist. I don’t ask a lot of question. But I did accept an order for someone and the order expires in 30 hours and since I’m at a lower level than most, it takes me longer to make things and to get the materials to make them. I was probably half way through completing the order and they cancelled it I think. I only had one or two more buttons to make and it would be ready to sell. I went to make the last buttons after getting the materials and the order was no longer there. I was so mad because I worked so hard on that order. So I asked about it, and was ignored.

So I decided to kill them with kindness like God suggests and I went and spent all my friendship fertilizer on her farm. The next time though that she put out orders I didn’t want to do any of them because I was afraid the same thing would happen. I guess the owners and those that are higher up in the game, are kindof annoyed with us peons at the lower levels always needing things. But I have tried to be supportive of them and get them things. Many of them have been nice to me though and have helped me so it’s not everyone. I almost switched because I felt invisible at times, but I know that I’m highly sensitive and that I have very high expectations of others behavior. So I’ve decided to give it some more time. I’ve often wanted to say “Can anyone see this message?” Because I have asked some things and they will ignore me like it was not seen. But I didn’t want to make them feel bad or piss anyone off. It’s nice to have a group to possibly share things with one another. One mans excess is the other man’s treasure he cannot find.

It has been interesting to get used to things. For example if I ask for a farm hand, they don’t want just anyone to send help. It needs to be someone with the task to “send so many helping hands”. So we all just sit and wait for our farm hands til someone logs on with that task. lol. Most of the time we don’t have to wait, but I have waited a few times. It’s no big deal as everything has its quirks. But there are some things I’ve noticed in this group. I think for the most part everyone is nice and just in their routine and us outsiders that pop in and out are just probably always a little untrusted. I for one, did not know that you can’t just buy things that are up for sale in the co-op market. You have to research the chats the last hour or so to see if anyone has requested that. If no one has you can buy it. I didn’t know that. I had no idea how a co-op worked or really what I was joining when the game led me to it. But I was buying things left and right in that co-op group and then I just happened to look in chat and they were all talking about new members and how people was stealing their stuff. I realized then what I’d done. And I said OMGosh I am so sorry. I’m sure I was one of them and I thought it was ok to buy. I was grabbing things left and right and I can I try to find and resource it back if needed. Someone said “well at least she was honest”. But I get the feeling I’m still not trusted yet. So I have tried to help when I could but I’m just not to their level and I need just about every thing I’ve resourced. And now of course I’m afraid to try to help anyone with an order because they fill them right on the spot at that level and they have no patience at all to wait for the likes of a peon like me to take 30 hours to fill an order. lol. So I don’t know but it’s been interesting.

I like the boat races and it’s fun when we all pull together for that. It was amazing and we won 1st place and got all these prizes. And then I had to sell as many things to be able to keep the prizes as it stuffed my barn and silo and I had to deplete my supplies to be able to play in the game so there’s some inefficiencies with that. A big win for me was incredible til it would not let me buy or make anything else til I sold a lot of what I had.

Anyway, those are the woes on Farmville 2, a digital world. Much like the real world. All the same She-Ite just a different dimension. lol lol

If anyone is reading all this mumbling, let me know, because I mainly just journal to capture my week and my thoughts for me. But sharing publicly has helped me in so many ways. So cheers to the people who read, support, are kind, and care. I love you dearly.

The olympics will soon be over. It’s been interesting, but I’m ready for a change in venue now and to watch something different. No haters please, it’s just that I’m not a big sporty person. But I am cheering our teams on from the sidelines and hope they do well and get the gold. I just miss my shows, lol.

Over and Out and I’ll post another journal entry set next Friday. Pray for Mom. I’m about to call her. She has not been well.