Yee Haw - New Shoes

I haven't gotten a new pair of shoes in several years. I needed some work shoes/sandals that were comfortable, casual (as in business casual) and of course, cool looking. Now dress codes have loosened significantly in the last few years. We can wear capri's and sandals anytime and jeans on Friday. We can wear jeans every day if we pay for it (benefitting charity). I am all about charity, but I have other pants I can wear four days a week and enjoy jeans more on Friday.

I can remember (and this will certainly date me) when socks (preferably hose) were required, even if you were wearing long pants. Never any jeans, no cleavage, and a host of other rules. But honey, you should see these girls today. I love the casual atmosphere and would hate to go back to business attire, but these girls absolutely push it past all common sense. I swear you would not believe some of the girls walking around our building at work. I sound like an old lady don't I?

Anyhow, I found the greatest shoes. They are made by Skecher and they have tennis shoe bottoms. They have been around for several years and I am sure you have seen similar ones, but I just loved these. I had to buy them because I had a really crummy day at work, so my therapy was going shopping. Leon is playing golf, so I came home, fed the cats, emptied the dishwasher and took off again. It was great. I just strolled around and finally found these shoes. I love them and they really feel pretty much like tennis shoes.

Now we'll see if they can last all day tomorrow (you know how the first day with new shoes is!).

Fresh Raspberries - Before and After

***BEFORE


Leon got such a deal at the grocery store the other day. Raspberries for $1 a pint. What a deal!! They are usually $3-$4 a pint. So of course he grabbed 4 pints. Now the responsibility falls to me. What to do with them? We could eat them plain and raw - that would certainly be the healthiest; but what fun is that? So I googled raspberry recipes and came up with a crumble that had apples in it. Now Leon loves apples and loves raspberries, so I knew this was the one. Here is the recipe in case you find a deal on raspberries too. By the way, the raspberries we got were from Kroger. I don't know if all of their specials are the same everywhere, but you never know.

Apple Raspberry Crumble
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
Juice of 1 lemon
1 10 oz. package frozen raspberries (obviously I used fresh and it turned out fine)
1 C all purpose flour
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C unsalted butter (ouch!)
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Arrange apples in buttered 8x8 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Sprinkle raspberries over apples. Mix flour and sugar in bowl. Cut in butter until crumbly. Add nutmeg. Sprinkle this mixture over the fruit. Bake at 375 degreens for 25 minutes. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream (we just ate ours plain)

***AFTER

Another interesting blog

Every so often I like to share a new blog that I discovered. The one that I am going to share with you was suggested by a colleague at work. It is the blog of a woman with a family, a woman of faith. The amazing thing about this blog is that she shares her and her husband's recovery after surviving an airplane crash. She started her blog before the crash, a chronicle of her family life. After the plane crash, she continues to blog about her struggles, physically and emotionally. It is an amazing blog. While she was in the hospital, a relative posted reports of how she was doing.

If you have a few minutes, it is inspiring and heart rending all at the same time. Take a look!!

Guess what's on the needles!?!?

I have started a new knitting project. That in itself, is not a new revelation. But now, I am starting on a project that I have been wanting to try for some time. I needed to get better at knitting overall, before I started this one. I needed to know how to knit in the round and knit on a smaller scale. Here are some pictures of the start of my project. Aren't the colors yummy? Any guesses?

A good book

I have had the opportunity for the first time in a while to finish a book by my favorite author. It was one of those times when I just was absorbed by the book. The book was very good, but it also may have been that I was just in the mood to get lost in a book. Nothing is more pleasant! I have not had time to read for personal pleasure lately, with work and reading for my book club, and all the other things that keep me busy. However, I have been sick lately and used the opportunity to get into a new book that has been laying around for some time.

I have read almost all of Anne Rivers Siddons books, but was delighted to find one that I had not yet read. Off Season was delightful and happy and sad all at once. It was a love story, not only between two individuals, but a love story between the main character and her childhood home, a community, memories and lessons learned in those times. This was a book roughly equivalent to my age and growing up period, so I could really relate in so many ways.

I won't bore you, or spoil the book for you by giving away the conclusion of the story, but it is about a girl who spent her summers at the family lake home and how they shaped her life.

I was particularly moved by the impact of that home and 'lake life'. It was possible for me to read the book and absolutely put the story and atmosphere into my own context. Although my childhood was different in many ways, I think most people reading the book could relate to their childhood memories and how we all wish to grab back some of those moments in our adulthood.
Also how they often sustain us through our adulthood and even old age, just as they did Lilley, in the book.

27 years or 324 months or 9,828 days

Well, I haven't blogged for a while, so I was thinking about what has happened in my life lately that would merit a blog entry. Well, actually, we have had our anniversary 2 days ago. I think we would agree that marriage has been a joy and a challenge. It was definitely touch and go from time to time, but I think that the hard times have made us stronger.

Anyhow we are now headed on to 28, and have much to look forward to. We are blessed!!!!

Bike riding

Leon and I went on a bike ride tonight. It has easily been a year since I have been on my bike, so I was a bit wobbly out of the gate. But what is the old saying "it's like riding a bike, you never forget". So we rode around the subdivision next to ours and had a great time. It was my favorite time of the evening, the temperature was cool and it really was pretty neat. My favorite part of bike riding is the air on my face. Now I have to get out more often. Luckily, it is early in the year and once I get out in the spring and summer once, I tend to get out more often. So I challenge you all to get out there and ride!!!

Spring (and the goslings) has sprung

I always know it is really spring when I first see baby goslings and I saw my first ones today. I was out running errands and driving down the road when I spotted two parent geese and their babies; and then just down the road a little further, another family of geese and goslings. It seems that we have an overabundance of geese around our neighborhood and sometimes they get a bad rap. People get tired of their droppings and they can be aggressive if it is nesting season, or if they're just in a bad mood and you get too close. I have seen a woman attacked by a goose and it was pretty scary. But, it was minor and she managed to wave it away pretty quickly, but you get the idea!?!.

We were at the zoo a couple of weeks ago and there were geese all over the place and people were feeding them, as they always do. Leon, Abby, Lissy and I were walking along and two geese started running toward Lissy and I and lifted into the air just above our heads. It was a very scary moment, but the mother in me took over and I threw myself in front of Lissy to protect her. Thank God she is okay!!! Another take on that story is that Lissy threw me in front of her, but I won't go there!!

Anyhow, I really do love the geese and though some people say that they are filthy because of their droppings, I do believe that we would be pretty filthy too, if we didn't have bathrooms. And their babies are absolutely enchanting. I watch for them every spring and I am always happy when I see them.

Another thing that I find really cool about geese is that they mate for life. I don't think there are too many species that do that, but nothing is more heart wrenching than seeing a goose hit and killed by a car and their mate on the side of the road, not knowing what to do. It is almost as thought they are waiting for their mate to get up. This mating for life ritual makes me wonder how they choose each other. Is it totally random? Is it just the first one they run into after hitting "puberty"? I can't imagine they are smart enough to be "attracted" to a particular other goose. And then, how do they tell each other apart from other geese. They all seem to look the same to me. So when the goose husband leaves for some errand and comes back to a group of goose wives, how does he know which one is his. Interesting!!!! Okay, I really must stop this now.

Take notice of the geese and goslings in your neighborhood and ask yourself these questions.

By the way, I did not have my camera with me, so these pictures are from Flickr, but I really want to get a picture of my own. Maybe next time!!

Tag - You're It, Lily

I want to back up (go back in time, as it were) to a project that I did over the past month. I didn't get a chance to share it at the time, but it turned out so cute that I wanted to share it now that I am back.

A little background information is not really necessary, but helpful. Babies begin to grasp things at about 4 months and of course everything goes into their month. For some really really weird reason, it seems that babies are attracted to the tags on their toys and blankets. I remember when Abby was little, you could buy her the cutest toy, and without a doubt, she would find that tag and then she loved the toy (tag). So I decided to make a tag blanket for Lily. She has not quite started the grasping yet, but is really close. So I made this tag blanket with the most beautiful and colorful tags that I could find. I am anxious for her to play with it. Here is a picture of it.


Also, speaking of going back in time; if you have not read The Time Travelers Wife, you really should put it on your reading list.

Painting for pineapples

We have begun a repaint of many of the rooms in our house. We have had white walls for years and Leon has asked that we get some color on them. I am in agreement finally. I have always liked white walls - they look clean, they match anything, they are bright - but they are also boring.
So I am on board to splash some color throughout our home.

This past weekend, we painted our kitchen. I got to pick the color and decided that I wanted to do the kitchen in pineapples. It is the "mostly" international symbol of hospitality; and there are some great decorating ideas and products out there just waiting for me to happen upon them. The color that we painted is sortof a goldish-yellow and is very pretty. I really like it a lot!! I am also making curtains, but am still deciding to what extent. So here is where you come in - here is my dilemma. The window over our sink has always just had a valance. I have made a new one to match my color scheme. What I am wondering is whether to do a 'bottom' curtain. My instinct is no for two reasons - the window is pretty small and pretty far up off the ground outside, so the 'naked' window opens up the outdoors more and we still have some privacy. Also the sink may prove to be a problem in keeping the curtain clean - there is a lot of splash over on the window, that needs to be cleaned regularly.

On the other hand, a 'bottom' curtain would add more color and interest to the sink area. Also, it might be possible to tie back the curtains with some cute little pineapple tie back thing. The bottom curtain would be out of the green/yellow print. In case it is not clear, there is a fair amount of the gold color in the printed fabric.

I'm back.

Exactly one month ago today, I suspended my blog for a personal enrichment activity. I have completed that activity. I am, however, having a bit of 'lethargy' in getting back to blogging. I realize now, however, what this blog does for me. It actually helps to keep me active and interested in things. It keeps me looking for things to blog about and things to do. It is really very good for me.

In addition, I really do love the writing part of it. I will certainly never be a good writer, but at least I have been able to put some of my thoughts down on, ummm, the screen!?!? It may be a slow start getting back at it, but stay tuned (or not), I have more to say.

Today is earth day, so take a walk, hug a tree, recycle something, don't waste anything and take a minute to just admire the beauty of our earth. It is at risk and we are the only ones who can save it.

Respite

It has been a while since I have blogged, so I wanted to check in. I will not be blogging again until after Easter. I am working on a Lenten project and it takes most of my computer time. But I have all kinds of ideas and pictures to share when I pick it up again. So please hang in there and I'll be back soon. In the meantime, two very special people in my life.

A featured blog

*photos by "Hula Seventy"

I have so many blogs that I visit on a regular basis. Everytime I get a new interest, I find new blogs about it. Well, I came upon a fun blog the other day and wanted to share it with you. Another artist who just has fun with life and sees such beauty in everyday things. I think that is what charms me the most and endears a particular blog to me. Someone who is able to see beauty in everyday life and talk about it. Anyhow, I happened on to Hula Seventy through another blog that I visit and was enchanted by her spirit and her love of art, color, life and so many other things. Her writing is fun, direct, inspiring. Put her on your list of favorites. I will be checking in from time to time to see her talent. I have included a couple of her photographs. Oh, I forgot, her name is Andrea

It occurs to me that really we are all artists, some of us do it on paper, cloth, clay and assorted medium, while others see art. The lucky ones can do both!! When you can see art, recognize it and then execute it, I believe then you are one of the lucky ones. Art is pictures, paintings, writing, sculpture, dance and so much more. Art is really the world.

My Friends Church

Thought you might be interested in a very special church. It is one of a kind and it will warm you and envelope you like no other church. The light through the beautiful windows allows for contemplation and meditation, in a beautiful aura of softness. The bell in the steeple will call you for services and announce the hour of the day. The snow on the roof of this very special church adds a charm all it's own. God is truly there, I do believe. So step right in and enjoy the ambience.

This church that I speak of was made by my friend, Katie. It is a work of love, done for her sister, and I was privileged to see it prior to the great presentation.



Again, I am amazed at the absolute unending ways of expressing ourselves through art. This creation was made with card stock, miscellaneous trims, and glitter snow. Pretty amazing!!! Great job, Katie!!!!

The Columbus Zoo

I was reading the Sunday paper this morning and happened to read an article about how the Columbus Zoo is the #1 zoo in the nation. I tried to find the same article on the newspaper web site, but apparently it was not an article that got to both venues. I was hoping to link you up with the article. Anyhow, It just so happens that I got a Columbus Zoo membership for Christmas and am very proud to be a member. We have only been to the zoo once since Christmas, due to the weather, but plan to get there several times this spring, summer and fall. I think the weather should start shaping up pretty soon. I did find a link to a description and write up of the zoo. It says that it is a renowned zoo, but didn't give the #1 designation.

And of course, there is dear Jack Hanna. What a character! Such energy and personality. He is such fun to listen too. I caught him on the radio one morning plugging the wildlights display during the holidays and I was laughing out loud by the time I got to work. He is a very big part of our zoo and I am proud of that as well. He is a wonderful representative for our very wonderful zoo. I got some pictures from Flickr to share. Thanks to the wonderful photographers.

Is there no end to the crafts?

Just as I think that I have seen every craft imaginable, something new comes along. Just when I think that there is nothing new to be seen in the arts and crafts world, something new comes along. And just as I think that I have made all my choices in the crafts world and am done spending money on new crafts, SOMETHING NEW COMES ALONG!!!

I just discovered this interest new craft and had to share it with you. It really is quite interesting. I may have to try one just for the fun of it. They are Temari Balls. From the web site: "Temari has become a creative art form of breath-taking splendor. It has survived the thousand years because of its endless design potential and creative possibilities."

Ash Wednesday

Leon and I went to our church's Ash Wednesday service last night. I have not really observed Ash Wednesday in the past. I was certainly aware of it and it was a part of our church calendar, but aside from that I didn't really pay too much attention.

I understand the discipline intended when you give something up; but always struggled a bit with what that had to do with spirituality.

I was very inspired by the service at our church last night and have committed to attempt to use these 40 days of lent to examine my spirituality and how it fits into my life. Our pastor gave such a wonderful message; communion and the ashes were meaningful; and the symbolism and tradition was comforting. I am so glad I went!!!

Memories (and a funny story)

Upon returning home from Indianapolis, I have been meaning to write about a memory I had while I was helping out with Abby.

One of the things that I did while in Indy was to deliver Abby to and from preschool. The process has clearly been planned out by the preschool teachers and the parents are expected to adhere to the rules for drop off and pick up. I was instructed by Carrie exactly how to proceed. Once I pulled into the back parking lot, I unhooked Abby from her car seat. She crawled up into the front seat and I pulled into the line of cars which wound from the back parking lot through to the front parking lot as each car unloaded it's precious cargo. The teachers come out and physically take each child from the car and they are taken into the church for preschool. The parent, or in my case, grandparent does not have to get out of the car at all. At the pickup time, the reverse happens, the child is physically put into the car, then I pull into the back parking lot and fasten her into her car seat.

There is something inherently satisfying about dropping your grandchild off for preschool. Since I only had to drive up and someone else took over, I had time to really appreciate the feeling. I'm not sure if the feeling comes from stepping in for that short time and experiencing her day; or if it has to do with the feeling that here I am, involved in her life and being the grandma dropping off my little one while mommy is home with a new baby. I think it also had to do with the normalcy of preschool and the gifts which both Abby and myself are able to enjoy. At any rate, I had the luxury of remembering back to when my girls were little and a funny story that I feel I must share.

This particular story is about Lissy and a particularly difficult morning that we had before school when she was in elementary school. I will just take a guess and say about 3rd grade. Difficult mornings often consisted of not agreeing about much of anything, which could include clothes, breakfast, chores, after-school instructions or any combination of these things. So this morning, Lissy and I just absolutely clashed, which ultimately resulted in tears and anger and starting both our days in awful moods. I went off to work and she went off to school still mad at each other for some very insignificant reason ( I assume all mothers and daughters experience this.)

I got to work feeling very regretful and sad that I had allowed both of our days to start out like this. So I decided that I would call her at school to tell her to have a good day. I called the school and asked to speak to her and they allowed me to do that. She was called to the office and when she picked up the phone and said 'Hello"; I began my heartwrenching, sad story, telling her that I was so sorry and that I loved her; that I wanted her to have a good day; that she meant the world to me; that we would not have any more mornings like that again (even though we did) and on and on.... When I was all done with my 'I'm so sorry' speech, I hear a little voice say "Who is this?" So I reply, well who is THIS? The little voice says "This is Melissa St____ly".

Okay I just poured out my heart to the wrong Melissa. So with some semblance of dignity, I tell this other little girl to please send my Melissa to the phone. I managed to work up another good "have a good day" message for my Lissy , but it just wasn't as good the second time.

As Lissy and I talked about it later, she says that when Melissa St__ly came back to the room, all she said was "I think it's your mom".

Back to veggies

Well, I have a confession to make. I just got back from Indianapolis and I wasn't very good in my WW program. Now granted, as one WW friend said, "life happens, move on"; but there is still all that time that I could have been losing and instead probably gained. But today, I am back on the wagon, have been on the treadmill and made a beautiful vegetable salad this afternoon.

We went to church this morning and stopped at the Andersons on the way home. They have really good, really reasonable produce, so we often stop on our way home. They had a sample salad with all kinds of colorful vegetables and a dressing. It was really pretty and looked really good, so I decided to try it at home. Here are a couple of pictures of how it looked. We got a really good strawberry viniagrette dressing and as the little Campbells girl says -- Umm Umm Good!!!!!

I bet a little bit of fruit would be good in it too, strawberries or mandarin oranges. Just thought of that - maybe next time. Also, Leon put a little bit of goat cheese on his.

The Dalai Lama's rules

I was doing some surfing the other day and came across the Dalai Lama's rules for living. I have a lot of respect for this religious leader and think he probably has discovered the secret to serenity and peace. We all have stresses and chaos in our lives and perhaps he does not. He certainly is well taken care of and probably does not have many worries. But nevertheless, I found his rules to be a very good goal to work toward. I thought I would share and it is always good to read them again. Perhaps I should send them to the Israeli's, Palestinians, Taliban and all other warring peoples.

Dalai Lama’s 18 rules for living

At the start of the new millennium the Dalai Lama apparently issued eighteen rules for living. Since word travels slowly in the digital age these have only just reached me. Here they are.

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three Rs:
   1. Respect for self
   2. Respect for others
   3. Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it

Lily Noelle

I am now the grandmother of two darling little girls. Lily Noelle is a day old and just as gorgeous as can be. I came on Thursday to be with Carrie and to help with Abby. I am on vacation and will be here for a week. I am looking forward to having fun with Abby, bonding with Lily and helping out Matt and Carrie for this first week of their new life.

I hope to blog on a regular basis while here. Of course, my computer goes everywhere with me.

There is nothing quite the same as holding a brand new baby. It is absolutely beyond description.

CPSIA Blog In Day

Well, in surfing my blogs today, it appears that an issue has arisen regarding the lead in items which come into contact. First of all, I want to say that we certainly need to protect our children, however in reading these blogs, things do seem to be out of hand. The impact is to handmade items, as I understand it.

I will just direct your attention and let you make your own judgement. Following are the blogs where the issue is defined and your help is asked. Be sure to find the 1/28 entry.



http://sarahjanestudios.com/blog/
http://www.allsorts.typepad.com/

Bathroom Bond Time

Sounds like a scary title, huh? Actually I have a really cute story to share. I was laying in bed this morning waiting to get up and get ready for work. Leon was already up and in the shower and I am literally never awake when he is getting ready. But for some reason, I was awake this morning. Those of you who have cats know that they start moving around when we do in the morning, which includes walking over our lumps in the bed, breathing in our faces, walking from the bed onto the bedside tables and generally being a pain in the you-know-what. So I am laying there, with my eyes still closed, but I can feel them doing the morning routine.

I heard Max jump off the bed and head into the bathroom. Our bathroom door closes, but does not latch, (I really do need to see about getting that fixed). So he knows that he can just lean into the door, it will open and he can get into the bathroom with Leon. All of a sudden, I heard Leon's voice saying "Hey buddy, where have you been. I'm almost done now." It was so sweet. Apparently every morning, while I am Zzzz-ing, Max and Leon are bonding. Max loves the heat of the bathroom, when someone is showering and sometimes he comes in with me, but he and Leon have a routine.

Knitting like crazy - what's on the needles

I am having so much fun knitting and have been learning so much. I started about 6 months ago, having not knitted since I was a pre- teenager. I have always crocheted, but knitting is really pretty new. Since I started, I have learned to knit in the round, (that means juggling 5 needles at one time in order to knit something round without a seam). That is really pretty amazing, for me! I have experimented with cables, although I have not made anything. That is really cool and I am waiting for just the right pattern. I think the key thing is finding small projects, so that I don't start something and then not feel like finished it. The perfect project for knitting in the round is a baby cap. I have made 4 caps, but they just weren't quite right, but I just finished the fifth one and I think that I finally have it right. So the four that I have finished will be donated and this one will go to the new little person in my family. I just hope that it fits. I hope that doesn't sound bad to donate the ones that I am not happy with. I actually plan to make some more to donate. By the way, if you knit and want to donate baby hats for newborns, I can get you the address. It is a great program!
Having finished the hat(s), I am now working on a neck warmer. These are quite the fashion statement right now and they are really pretty easy and have great patterns. They just go around your neck under your coat like a scarf. This one will have buttons on it and will button around the neck. Any takers? I think it will be done in a couple of weeks. Here is a picture of mine and a picture of the one on the pattern. Can you tell which is which? Of course you can, I still need lots of practice. Mine is on the second one. Plus I have a ways to go yet.

pictures of doll clothes

Okay, I finished up the doll clothes and wanted to share. I think adjustments to the patterns will be necessary, but am anxious to get busy.

Doll clothes for Abby

I have found a way to make a dent in my fabric stash and please a very special little girl, all at the same time. Remember the doll clothes we used to play with when we were little. Well, I am planning to make some. Actually I have already made two things, but am unsure about the size. I measured the dolls, when I was at Carries last time, but am making my own patterns so, the measurements that I got are so irrelevant that I really need to back off until I see the dolls again. But, I am excited and am carefully following instructions from the 'new mother' that Abby has to be able to put them on and take them off by herself. (which means velcro and elastic). I am enjoying thinking of ideas and deciding which fabrics Abby would like. So far, I have made a pair of jeans and a pajama sac. I am going to wait to make any more until I test these on the baby (oh, her name is Annie). I think it will be fun for her to dress her doll while Carrie is dressing the new baby. I may add pictures of my creations later today, but here is what Annie looks like.

Puzzle time

First of all, I need to pat myself on the back for a minute. I changed the background all by myself with just one phone call to Lissy to confirm something that I already knew.. I really do love black and white and thought this one was nice for a change. What do you think? Well it is a three day weekend for both Leon and I and we are taking it easy. He is playing his WII Indiana Jones game and I, of course, am surfing the net and catching up on my posting. It is cold cold cold here, although it is better today. I have often said that I could live in Alaska and I still maintain that is true, because it was surely colder here than in Anchorage yesterday. I actually am a bit of a weather bug and do keep track of the Anchorage temperatures.

This is the one time of year when I get an urge to do a jigsaw puzzle. I do one about once a year and it is almost always in January. Christmas hustle bustle is over and I just feel like staying in and being cozy, so that is when I feel like doing a puzzle. My sister and I used to do puzzles in the winter time and I think that is where I picked up the bug for it. So I picked up two puzzles a couple of weeks ago and started on one of them. It is a puzzle of a Rockwell print and I just think the Rockwell paintings are so homey anyhow. Middle America and all that, so I tried that one first. I started it about two weeks ago and it is not together yet, although some of it is pretty complete. Now, mind you, I have done a puzzle or two in my life, but this one is a bugger, excuse the crass language. Believe me, Sandi will attest to our puzzle skills. I have had whole sections together and everything looked perfect, from the way the picture looks to the puzzle pieces fitting together and had to tear it all apart and re-do it. It is still not right because one side is longer than the other and I can't imagine where the problem is. So the end of the story is --- this is not fun anymore and I am going to tear it apart. There is a certain amount of pride that I have to swallow to do it, but life is too darn short to agonize over a darn puzzle. Plus I have another one that I am going to start, and it is a different brand altogether, so it is bound to be better. I cannot imagine that I have lost my touch and by the way " I think there is a piece missing" --- Sound familiar, Sandi????

So I will leave you with the extent of what I got accomplished. Between Max (that's my cat) thinking he was helping me do the puzzle and the inferior workmanship of the producer, I just didn't have a chance. Okay maybe I had a chance, just not the will.

January thoughts

Hello to everyone. I have truly neglected my blog lately, but the new year is here and I have lots of stuff that I am wanting to do. So I wanted to let you all know where I was and what's going on. Resolutions become boring, but the new year is always a time to re-assess where we are at and remind ourselves of where we are going and what new paths we might wish to take. With that said, I have two new things that I will be working on this year, well really three, I guess. First of all the indirect thing is that later this month, I will be helping to welcome a beautiful new baby girl into the family. I am looking forward to it and with the birth of my second grandchild, family dynamics will change and everyone will sort of settle into a new order. Change is a good thing and our family has done a fair amount of it lately. In the past year, we have welcomed Chad into our family, on an official basis. We have considered him family for quite a while now, and are so happy to have him here. Leon has closed a business and we have settled into the 8 to 5 routine that so many people live. Not a change for me, but a substantial change for Leon. It has been a year of some difficult times and some very joyous times. All in all, I am very grateful for everything I have and all the people in my life. I am truly blessed and consider the hard times as character building experiences. What is the saying, "into each life a little rain must fall". Also it certainly helps to be able to look back and assess your life, rather than trying to make sense of everything as it happens.

One of the new things that I will be doing this year. First of all, in my attempt to become more active in our church, I am starting a new group called "Between the Lines". It is a Christian fiction book club. We will be meeting once a month and my first meeting is next Tuesday (please bow your head right now and say a prayer for me). I am a bit nervous, but also excited and hopeful that it will work. My vision is to create a group that runs itself, is close-knit and enjoys gentle or christian fiction books. I would like to meet in a home environment or a 'coffee house' place - someplace comfortable and easy. If anyone has suggestions for books, let me know, although the more I explore, the more I find that there is a lot of stuff out there.

The second thing that I will be working on is a change or addition to my business training. In looking toward the future, it is clear that retirement is not too far away. I do not think it would be healthy for me to totally retire, although I certainly look forward to cutting my hours. Anyhow, I am exploring the possibility of going into an accounting field (I know, boring!), to transition into. I really do enjoy working with numbers and making things balance. My manager has helped me to network with two accountants outside the bank and there are 2 accountants that work as underwriters at the credit center. It is a new skill and I will need more training, so all of that is open for me to explore. Imagine my retirement with a little accounting business on the side. Pretty cool, eh. My options are open and I have lots of ideas about how to proceed. I'll check back with you next January and let you know how I did.

Regarding the picture. I found this picture on a "Stumble" site and fell in love with it. Also, I know my background is still Christmasy, but the site I use for my backgrounds is down temporarily, so I will not be able to change it until it comes back up.