🍂”Fall”ing for change🍁

September was a much anticipated month of transition for my family. A lot of changes were coming our way and I was worried about what the shifts were going to look like for me, and for all of us!

In the 2nd half of the Covid 19 Pandemic my mental health was not good. I was having more “lows” than “highs” in my moods and was really struggling. I couldn’t seem to get out of the “funk” that enveloped me for quite some time. Thankfully I have a fantastic support network of family and good friends so I received the support I needed, and was determined to feel better.

To skip ahead from a very challenging, sad, 1st 6 months of this year, through numerous changes I was able to get myself “leveled” off with respect to my moods. Phew! It was a long, tough haul but it could have been worse I know.

First of all I was going to be returning to my job that I had sadly been not able to do because of the Pandemic. Now, first off, I LOVE my job! I work in a dance studio and I love the people I work with, the kids there, and their families! I wasn’t so much “worried” about going back, but change, and getting back into a routine that I been away from for a while is just challenging for me. I was looking forward to it, but things were going to be very different for me again.

So, as the summer was winding down I started to wonder how I was going to cope with the coming months of major change!

• 

  1st daughter moving to University

Now that was one of my worries, the next was that my youngest daughter was moving away to go to University! I had never been away from her for more than a full week her entire life! She was excited to go, and I was thrilled that she wanted to; so proud that we had raised a daughter that wanted to learn to be independent, and learn to live on her own!❤️

That being said, I couldn’t imagine the house without her lol! She and I have always been really close and I was worried about how things would be without her around. I mostly worried that she would cope ok with her academics (a perfectionist) and make friends as she was very worried about those aspects the most! I just wanted to know she would be ok.

• 

2nd daughter moving away.

Alright, now to add another layer, my oldest daughter was ALSO leaving again after being home for 4 months to go back to her University!!!

So, within 1 week my darling husband and I went from being a family of 4 who spent tons of time together, to me going back to work, and both girls moving away!!😲🤪

I need to say one thing here of utmost importance…….my husband Shawn is my absolute best friend and the best dad and loving husband I could have ever dreamed of!❤️ I’m not kidding❤️ I am thankful for having him every single day!

The good thing about Shawn and I is that we have a lot of common interests and hobbies that we do together; we run, bike, walk, visit craft breweries, hike, watch movies to name a few. I have realized over the years how valuable these common interests can be when you are facing living with just each other for the rest of your lives, potentially….I am not oblivious to the fact that kids move back lol🤣.

So, with that what has happened since September began?????

I am feeling FANTASTIC and am loving life!❤️

Our youngest daughter has adjusted very well to living away and has found “her people” ( her words lol!) She has made some really good friends who are proving to be excellent companions and she is very happy. I couldn’t be more relieved!

My older daughter moved into her new townhouse with 5 other girls and is super happy! She has always done well on her own so I was not so much worried for her as I was going to truly miss her!❤️!❤️

Shawn and I have really adjusted well to living alone. We spend less on groceries (but more on schooling lol etc), do less laundry, and have more time with just the 2 of us….oh and my bro who is a big part of our family❤️

Fear of the unknown can be so scary, but being in a good place mentally before I took on the biggest challenges was a huge win for me!

I will be forever thankful to my excellent support system, my self intuition, and my incredible doctor!

That’s is for now! Comments and questions are always welcome!

Happy fall y’all!!🍂🍁😋

Your Simply Susan blog of the day💛🌞

Spaghetting ready for fall! :)

I love the fall so much for so many different reasons; the colours here in Southern Ontario, the cooler temperatures, the change in the air, and also the fall vegetables that there are so many fantastic recipes for.  So in today’s blog I will share one of my favourites!

Taco Spaghetti Squash!

Here is the recipe:

Pierce your spaghetti squash in a line all the way around the exterior.

Microwave for 5 minutes/squash

Take the squash out and cut it in half and scrape out the seeds

Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper

Place face down on a baking sheet and bake at 375 for 40 minutes

While this is baking, make your taco mix

Brown your meat of choice (ground chicken, beef, pork) ** if you want to bulk it up without adding more meat add equal amounts of rice and water

To this add:  your packaged taco seasoning or, make your own by adding:

1T chili powder,

1/4 t garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, and dried oregano

1/2 t paprika,

1 1/2 t cumin,

1 t salt and pepper

Once the squash is done, take out of the oven and let cool slightly

Once cooled, using a fork, scrape the inside of the squash making “spaghetti”

Next, add the taco mix onto the spaghetti

Top with Salsa, tomatoes, and lots of cheese!!

Bake at 375 for 15 more minutes until cheese is bubbling and melted.

Remove from oven, let cool slightly, then add lettuce and sour cream if desired, and ENJOY!!!!!

There you have it, your Simply Susan recipe of the day! 😆