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| "Makes You Happy" |
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| "Inside Your Closet" |
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| "Blue" |
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| "Heart" |
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| "Something New" |
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| "Time" |
Monday, February 20, 2012
A few days of photos....
A few self-explanatory photos will have to do for today - the last several days of my February Photo-A-Day Challenge! It has been SO much fun, and I do upload them to Facebook every day... just don't get them on here in a timely enough manner. Happy Monday to all!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Week's End
So glad it is the weekend, and a couple of days to catch up on things around the house. Last night Brian and Daniel came over, and Brian helped me make two crockpots of chili & soup for a celebration at one of my clinics today. Daniel loves to sit up on the island and help his dad cook - this time I had several cans of beans, etc for the chili, and he started stacking them. So I helped him arrange them on the floor, and he kept himself entertained for much of the evening with the cans, his tape measure and a couple of other items. I laughed because it was a younger version of Jace and the duct tape/bamboo - love it when kids use their imaginations!
Wednesday night we went out and celebrated Valentine's Day, with the same routine as our first date - met our friend Laura (and Herschel) at Houlihans for drinks, and then Brian and I went to DiGiacinto's for dinner. It was a great night - just like our first date. As we ate dinner on Wednesday night, we talked about how we both were surprised at how "easy" things were between us the first time we went out; although there were some of those jitters - in a good way. Our date on Wednesday night was wonderful - the food was delicious, the mood was romantic (a very simple Italian restaurant, the owner has been here for 20+ years, from NYC originally; red & white checked tablecloths, wonderful Italian food, and Sinatra on the walls and his tunes playing overhead) and we just enjoyed talking about the last few months.
I'm up early this morning - got a text at 5:30 from my best friend Gail, who lives a couple of streets over. Apparently a water line broke, and our neighborhood has no water. Looks like I'll be taking a sponge bath and wearing my hair pulled back today, which will be fine. MY main thought was "Oh heck - no water for my coffee!" I have a board retreat for a non-profit cancer group this morning from 7:30-10, and I HAVE to have my thermos cup of Churchill's Sinless Pastry- that's a non-negotiable. Looks like I'll be heading to the convenience store to get a couple of bottles of water for my coffee maker!
Will post my photos from the last several days tonight - happy Friday!
Wednesday night we went out and celebrated Valentine's Day, with the same routine as our first date - met our friend Laura (and Herschel) at Houlihans for drinks, and then Brian and I went to DiGiacinto's for dinner. It was a great night - just like our first date. As we ate dinner on Wednesday night, we talked about how we both were surprised at how "easy" things were between us the first time we went out; although there were some of those jitters - in a good way. Our date on Wednesday night was wonderful - the food was delicious, the mood was romantic (a very simple Italian restaurant, the owner has been here for 20+ years, from NYC originally; red & white checked tablecloths, wonderful Italian food, and Sinatra on the walls and his tunes playing overhead) and we just enjoyed talking about the last few months.
I'm up early this morning - got a text at 5:30 from my best friend Gail, who lives a couple of streets over. Apparently a water line broke, and our neighborhood has no water. Looks like I'll be taking a sponge bath and wearing my hair pulled back today, which will be fine. MY main thought was "Oh heck - no water for my coffee!" I have a board retreat for a non-profit cancer group this morning from 7:30-10, and I HAVE to have my thermos cup of Churchill's Sinless Pastry- that's a non-negotiable. Looks like I'll be heading to the convenience store to get a couple of bottles of water for my coffee maker!
Will post my photos from the last several days tonight - happy Friday!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
HAPPY!
"Sir, it is surprising how many people will go to a distance for what they may have at home." — Samuel Johnson
This was today’s quote in a daily email I receive from the author of a book titled “The Happiness Project”… When I was en route to Honduras for my birthday trip in April of last year, I noticed a girl in the airport, reading a book that caught my eye. I filed the title away in my mind (as opposed to the list I actually keep on my smart phone, of books that I want to read – yes, I DO have one of those, and you fellow readers will appreciate that!) and then again saw the book a few weeks later, at Barnes & Noble.
“The Happiness Project”, by Gretchen Rubin, is her accounting of a year-long project that she started after realizing that she was not truly enjoying her life, and all that she had. It wasn’t that she didn’t LOVE the things in her life, but she (like most of us) realized she wasn’t “living in the moment” and making the most of what she did have. So Rubin picked an area of her life to focus on each month - whether it was her work, relationship with her husband, her time with her children -and really focused on identifying what made her happy, and what she could do differently to better appreciate things.
Sound interesting?? Check it out here - I can’t adequately explain and do her project justice, especially since I don’t have the book here in front of me. But I walked out of B&N with it that June day, and started reading it, preparing to start my own Happiness Project.
Then the bottom of my life dropped out in July, and I found myself someplace that I hadn’t expected to be – single, again, at age 40. And at that point my Happiness Project was put on the back burner, as I dealt with the changes in my life. But this time was different – (A little backstory: my now-ex and I had separated once before, and were planning to divorce at that time as well, but then reconciled after three months apart. And I didn’t handle our break-up/separation very well- too much time on my hands = too much time out on the town, and just not taking care of myself. Not in a good place.)
But, as I said - this time was different - and seven months ago I was in a better place, emotionally, spiritually and just with myself, in general. I’ve said that I have never felt God at work in my life as much as I have over the last three years, in just the little things, and I truly, truly believe that to be the case. My faith has continued to grow, and He has continued to bless me, and has helped me to handle anything that comes my way.
Over the past seven months I’ve had time to heal and process things, and have come to realize and admit that things were not what they should have been in my marriage, for either of us, and that we are and will both be happier not married to each other.
And as I was busy adjusting to the changes in my life, I agreed to let a friend give my name/number to a friend of his – and was fixed up on the first blind date that I had been on in a very long time. A blind date that went amazingly well for both of us, I’m happy to say, and I’m excited about what the future holds.
Is my life perfect? No, but I’m happy. And on Valentine’s Day this year, I look back and think about where I was this time last year – and I had no idea that it would be the year it has been, good and bad. But I choose to be happy, and I hope the same for you! I’ll end today’s post with a quote too, --- one of my very favorite quotes, by Carlos Castaneda:
“The trick is what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same.”
Happy Valentine's Day!
This was today’s quote in a daily email I receive from the author of a book titled “The Happiness Project”… When I was en route to Honduras for my birthday trip in April of last year, I noticed a girl in the airport, reading a book that caught my eye. I filed the title away in my mind (as opposed to the list I actually keep on my smart phone, of books that I want to read – yes, I DO have one of those, and you fellow readers will appreciate that!) and then again saw the book a few weeks later, at Barnes & Noble.
“The Happiness Project”, by Gretchen Rubin, is her accounting of a year-long project that she started after realizing that she was not truly enjoying her life, and all that she had. It wasn’t that she didn’t LOVE the things in her life, but she (like most of us) realized she wasn’t “living in the moment” and making the most of what she did have. So Rubin picked an area of her life to focus on each month - whether it was her work, relationship with her husband, her time with her children -and really focused on identifying what made her happy, and what she could do differently to better appreciate things.
Sound interesting?? Check it out here - I can’t adequately explain and do her project justice, especially since I don’t have the book here in front of me. But I walked out of B&N with it that June day, and started reading it, preparing to start my own Happiness Project.
Then the bottom of my life dropped out in July, and I found myself someplace that I hadn’t expected to be – single, again, at age 40. And at that point my Happiness Project was put on the back burner, as I dealt with the changes in my life. But this time was different – (A little backstory: my now-ex and I had separated once before, and were planning to divorce at that time as well, but then reconciled after three months apart. And I didn’t handle our break-up/separation very well- too much time on my hands = too much time out on the town, and just not taking care of myself. Not in a good place.)
But, as I said - this time was different - and seven months ago I was in a better place, emotionally, spiritually and just with myself, in general. I’ve said that I have never felt God at work in my life as much as I have over the last three years, in just the little things, and I truly, truly believe that to be the case. My faith has continued to grow, and He has continued to bless me, and has helped me to handle anything that comes my way.
Over the past seven months I’ve had time to heal and process things, and have come to realize and admit that things were not what they should have been in my marriage, for either of us, and that we are and will both be happier not married to each other.
And as I was busy adjusting to the changes in my life, I agreed to let a friend give my name/number to a friend of his – and was fixed up on the first blind date that I had been on in a very long time. A blind date that went amazingly well for both of us, I’m happy to say, and I’m excited about what the future holds.
Is my life perfect? No, but I’m happy. And on Valentine’s Day this year, I look back and think about where I was this time last year – and I had no idea that it would be the year it has been, good and bad. But I choose to be happy, and I hope the same for you! I’ll end today’s post with a quote too, --- one of my very favorite quotes, by Carlos Castaneda:
“The trick is what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same.”
Happy Valentine's Day!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Bliss!
Enjoying my favorite things on a Saturday morning - curled up on the sofa, with a mug of coffee, and some music on Pandora... bliss! (That's a good title for today's post!) ... love this time of the morning/week. I'll have to catch up on the past three days' photos for my February photo challenge, but first I have another photo to post:
.JPG)
"Who are these lovely people?" you may be wondering ... well, they are the people that came in the photo frame, because I'm STILL WAITING for some winter 2011 memories! I'm afraid I may have contributed in holding off our winter weather this year, since it is February 11th and we still haven't seen any real snow.
You see, this was the first year in many years that I was totally prepared for my child to be out in the snow. Usually when we have our first big snow of the year, I'm all "Crap, gotta see if I can buy Jace a new pair of snow boots, warm gloves, etc" and the stores have already sold out to all of the GOOD parents who bought them before the weather hit. But not this year!! Nope - back in early November I bought Jace some great snow pants, some $20 double layer gloves, and made sure he had everything he would need for sledding. I even bought him a cool new sled for Christmas. And we have seen one single dusting of snow this entire winter season.
So all of you Springfield folks who are happy about our mild winter thus far, you can thank ME! Although I'm watching the forecast, and it looks like we may get some snow on Monday - along with some temps that are well below freezing... Winter may just be making a late appearance this year!
Wednesday's photo this week was "sun"; since it was a chilly and cloudy day, I had to figure something else out - so here was my photo instead:
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| Sun |
I mean, it was somewhat similar to the sun - it was yellow, made me feel good, and went down (smoothly) around 5pm that night... :) Wednesday nights are my weekly happy hour with friends, and I enjoyed a couple greyhounds that night with Brian and one of his good friends and his wife. A fun evening.
Thursday's photo was "Front Door", so I took a couple of shots that morning, but then had to wait until that evening to get a photo of Rocky in his usual spot. If he is inside when I leave the house, I can always see him peering out the window, watching me as I go.
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| Front door |
And yesterday's photo was a self portrait - I used one of the photos I had taken earlier this year with my new camera, and had some fun with it using some applications on my iPhone:
.PNG) |
| Self portrait |
Looking forward to a busy but fun day today, with Jace, Brian and his little boy, Daniel. I have some house cleaning and errands to do first, so better get going! Happy Saturday!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Feb 5-7th
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| Sunday, February 5th "10 AM"... |
Modern worship service at my church, Schweitzer. Love the music, and the sanctuary... took this as the blinds went up and the band was playing the final song... a great service.
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| Monday, February 6th... "Dinner" - Rocko. Enough said. |
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| Tuesday, February 7th... "Button"... I didn't check today's list before getting dressed this morning. |
Actually, a few pairs of my pants require me to use this same fix. Need to take them to my alterations lady! Susan has already chastised me for this on my FB post from an hour or so ago, telling me that our mother (who was an excellent seamstress - and homemaker, in general) is probably looking down on me wondering what the heck I'm doing (or not doing!)... Yes, Suz, I know. But hey, I HAVE learned how to cook before turning 40, but there are some things I'm just going to PAY to have someone else do. Just need to get them there to have them done!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Already behind...
I did capture my photos for February 3rd and 4th, and even got them posted on FB, since I could do that from my iPhone... but didn't manage to find time to log in and upload them here until this morning.
February 3rd - Hands:
February 4th - A stranger:
This has been fun so far, and some good themes coming up!
February 3rd - Hands:
February 4th - A stranger:
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| Someone enjoying the acoustic music last night, at the table next to us... |
This has been fun so far, and some good themes coming up!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Words
February Photo-a-Day Challenge:
Today's theme was "words"... I was thinking about it on the way to work this morning ... I'm a reader, and I love words... was considering a book title, or maybe a quote or Bible verse - I have a couple that are some of my very favorites. But then I realized that some of my most treasured words have been on my computer monitor for oh, probably the last 6+ years. Jace was playing around with the label maker in my office back when he was 6 or 7, and made this label for me. And as far as words go, these are some of the very best, and they're in front of me every day at work. So what could be better to use for today's photo - absolutely nothing!
Tomorrow's theme - "hands".
Today's theme was "words"... I was thinking about it on the way to work this morning ... I'm a reader, and I love words... was considering a book title, or maybe a quote or Bible verse - I have a couple that are some of my very favorites. But then I realized that some of my most treasured words have been on my computer monitor for oh, probably the last 6+ years. Jace was playing around with the label maker in my office back when he was 6 or 7, and made this label for me. And as far as words go, these are some of the very best, and they're in front of me every day at work. So what could be better to use for today's photo - absolutely nothing!
Tomorrow's theme - "hands".
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
My View Today
Feb 1st, Photo-a-Day Challenge:
I enjoyed some girl time with friends Gail and Deania after work today, so that was "my view today"... I also enjoyed a yummy lunch with Brian, and SAT OUTSIDE on the patio, on February 1st - but unfortunately didn't consider taking a photo while I was there - duh! Tomorrow's photo: "Words"... stay tuned.
I enjoyed some girl time with friends Gail and Deania after work today, so that was "my view today"... I also enjoyed a yummy lunch with Brian, and SAT OUTSIDE on the patio, on February 1st - but unfortunately didn't consider taking a photo while I was there - duh! Tomorrow's photo: "Words"... stay tuned.
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