Grateful Friday

• It was a good week. Busy week. Week of Family. A week of Celebrations. My son made his First Communion, my daughter celebrated her 5th birthday, survived Kindergarten screening (big deal for a very shy child), new bikes, lots of cake, and good food.
• Did I say we survived Kindergarten screening. They scored my daughter low in a few places, they never thought to ask about personality. She just doesn't talk to strangers- I am ok with that. I thought they got quite a bit out of her. Really I do not like screenings at this age. I do not like the whole labeling business and stuff and beginning that when they are in pre-school and working with strangers, just isn't good information to have anyway. Whatever!
• The weather is supposed to be great for the next 4 or 5 days. Above normal temps and lots of sun. Can't wait! Really can't wait. Because right now it is cold and damp and dark.
• I really loved Grey's last night. But boy did the hour go by fast! Next week- 2 hours! I am going to have snacks prepared for that one. Maybe even a cocktail or ....2. Or I could just wait until the second half- pop a Tylenol PM and then sleep like a babe when the show is over?! Either way- I am still having snacks!
• I know that my husband bought me something from sundance. And I know it is jewlery. And I know that it is one of 2 rings that I picked out. I know all this - but I have to wait a few days till my birthday.
• I cannot even begin to tell you how happy I am that dance class is almost over with. A couple more weeks of studio classes, pictures, stage rehearsal, dress rehearsal and then finally the recital. Then over! And I do not think she wants to sign up for next year. That's ok with me. It will save a significant amount of money and she will be in all day kindergarten - so she will not need the added activity.
• Soccer starts next week. Happy about this. But I will also be happy when it is over with too. Just a lot of running around, rushed meals, dirty kids, tierd kids and later bedtimes while we try to fit it all in (plus still practicing piano and for spelling tests).
• Hubby is out of town today. So tonight is going to be a McDonalds night. So happy to not have to cook!
• My reign as PTA president is almost up! Now if I could just get the rest of the officers to commit to a meeting time to do next year's budget. I could pass the torch.
• Bought my school books. And the tuition money is in the bank.
• Did I mention that I have a birthday coming up! My hubby asked me what kind of cake I want. And dare I say it.... I do not think I could possibly eat another piece of cake right now. So the kids and I are planning to have Ice Creame Sundae Night instead. With all the fixings. Multiple flavors!

Its in the genes

I have enjoyed watching the new show October Road.
It's a bit predictable.
I like that sometimes.
One character has been considered a bit of a farce,
you know the SHUT-IN guy.
I mean who really would stay in there house
since 9/11? Never venturing out.
Relying on friends.

The thing is...
I get him.
Totally.
I could be him.
Really.
I would love to keep myself and my children
in our warm loving home 24/7.
I would love to keep them safe
from terrorism and school shootings.
I would like to limit the possibilities of
car accidents and child abductors.

I could completly hole up here.
Homeschool them until they are 30.
Ok maybe 40.

It actually runs in the family.
Its in the blood.
I have an Uncle and a great Uncle
who pretty much have done that to themselves.
As they got older, they just could not
bring themselves to leave their home.
These are not stupid men,
my uncle is a lawyer and a judge.
My great uncle is a journalist.
I am not sure what happened
(or didn't happen in their lives)
that led to this.

I know that what I feel inside is both
normal and irrational.
The VT shootings have surfaced some
of these again.
Next semester I will have 2 courses on
campus. And right now that scares me.
I know the odds. They are definately in my
favor. I also know that once this is out of the
media I will feel better.

Now that I have shared that
very freaky, dark twisty side of me,
let me assure you that I do not think
that I would actually shut myself in.
I know that the love I have for my
children is too great to deprive them from
all this world has to offer.
I know that it would be a greater tragedy
to create a false world for us and that my
children would probobly resent me if I did.

It's just sometimes the evil in this world
is too big for my brain to wrap around.
I cling to my faith.

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Wow- the big 5

This sweetie turned 5 yesturday!

f-i-v-e

I just can't believe it.

She had a special day.

A day full of activities that she requested.

A day of family

A day of celebrating her.

She's my middle child.

I knew she would be the moment she was born.

And I apologized to her right then and there.

Since I was an oldest child- I just would not know

all that that would mean for her.

But her dad is a middle child- so they can hang....

She absolutely loved having the day for herself.

I have gone through so much

with this kid in her 5 years.

So many firsts, even though she was my second.

But she was my first

GIRL

Oh they are so different than boys.

We spent her first night home from the hospital

after she was born- well- we spent it in the emergency room

Fun- especially on my sore bummmmm.

She was having a hard time breathing.

And she was so small

And even though the emergency room dr. requested that

the on-call pediatrician come to the hospital- she refuses.

So after chest x-rays and the er dr. telling me I did the right thing

they sent me home.

Home so stay up the rest of the night watching my baby breath-

in case she stopped.

And what that child do- the next morning

she sneezes. Big sneeze.

And out pops the biggest bugger I have ever seen

It was over 1 inch long, grey and fat- like a worm.

And that was the end of the breathing problem

(although my pediatrician insisted on being very thourough

the next day at her 2 day visit- making sure there were no other

obstuctions)

I knew then and there that this was no ordinary child-

and that we would have many fun- stories to tell.

And I do.

Maybe you will be lucky and I will share some more in the future.

Anyhow- love this kid.

Pray to God that she will be safe, grow up healthy and strong

and continues to be kind, gentle and loving!!!!!!!!

SPT- parts

• This week it is all about listening.
• Listening to my inner voice
• But especially listening to my outer voice.
• Listening to what I say
• How I say what I say
• and who I say what I say

more self-portraits here

Grateful Friday

• Just because he sometimes acts possessed, does not mean he needs to look that way too.
• Family- had my nieces a nephews over tonight while there parents are out of town. Haven't done this since they were little. Now they are all hormonal and teenaged(new word I think). So we made homemade pizzas, had soda and watched movies. Good times.
• The weather is spectacular! Had the heat off and the windows open all day. And the sun- so happy to see the sun.
• My little guy makes his First Communion tommorrow. He is a little worried about the wine. He does not like the taste of it. I told him that no matter what he cannot spit it back into the chalice. He said- I know Mom, its the blood of Christ and it's not cool to spit out the blood of Christ. And well, that was actually the furthest from my mind (not quite as devout a Catholic as my 8 year old). I told him that I was actually thinking that other people have to share that cup of wine- and totally not cool to backwash into a cup that other people have to drink out of. His response of course was, and its the blood of Christ. YES I am getting my money's worth at that school!
• Started reading some of my future class assignments. Have to read Gilgemesh (spelling???) ancient poerty... Hmmmm.
• Back to our kitty- he plays fetch. Just like a dog...with sharp claws!
• Very grateful for a safe day for all the kids in town today. There were some bomb threats that were made to the High School that my nephew goes to. Seems that someone posted the threat in a bathroom a month ago-stating what would happen today on the 8th anniversary of columbine. So they did not make school mandatory for the kids today and they swept the school top to bottom before classes began today. But nothing. Thank God-because my nephew did not stay home today-he went to school.
• My brother is flying in tomorrow for the First Communion. That makes me very happy. Wish he could have brought his family with him. But it's better than nothing. And well this way we get him all to ourselves.
• My mother in law is making half the food for dinner. It just ends up that way. She loves to cook. And instead of just bringing dessert, she is bringing two desserts. Thank goodness I knew better and didn't buy a communion cake. I really wanted to buy one, white, with buttercream frosting, etc. But we do not need 3 cakes. Do not even need 2 cakes. And since I have been on a major eating binge- I really do not need any cake.
• Very happy that my daughter's friend from preschool will be in kindergarten with her next year! They were going to do the public school thing because they did not want to pay the extra money. So I had given up hope! But they changed their minds. I am so happy! We really like them.

Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe weekend.

Praying that next week is a better /safer week for our world.

SPT- parts

This has got to be

one of the craziest

photos I have

ever taken of my

body parts.

But you asked for it.

I am always amazed

by the tiny networks

that run

through our bodies.

I am amazed

at how our parts

are inter-connected.

I am amazed

that these little veins

in my arm

are the same

as the little veins

that were in my

arm 20-30+

years ago.

They look the same -

they function the same.

And when I am old-

they will still be...

There is a permanece

in certain parts

of our bodies.

As some parts

mature over the years

others just

remain constant,

untouched by time.

It is time that I look

through my parts for those

pieces of me

that have been

untouched

over time.

The pieces

that do not only

weather the storms,

but come out

just as they were before.

Those pieces are inside me.

They are part of me.

They are the constant

that keeps me together

when all else fails.

They are the parts that

really do not care

where I've been

or where I am going.

These are the parts

that I would like to listen to

a little bit more.

Just a little.

Learn from them.

Learn to be content.

see more here.

Grateful Monday

Missed out on this on Friday.

But feel like making my list today instead.

Even though it can be a bit trivial-

I find the process of finding the good in my day

very therapeutic. Keeping the positives in focus

helps me be better, happier and yes "nicer".

Since picking that goal this week- I have realized

what a weak word that is. We all know the meaning-

but there is a bit of lack of meaning as well. It is not

clearly defined. And when you do look up the definition,

it is a word, action, adverb, etc that is very superficial.

We say "oh that's nice" when we may not really like something

but do not want to be negative or hurt someone's feelings.

We use that word often when we feel

that we cannot be honest with someone.

But that is my word this week and I am sticking.

You know like Cristina with Burke.

• We had a wonderful weekend. My cousin came in for her bridal shower. So I got to hang out with the ladies on Saturday. My oldest daughter came with (she's almost 5). It was wonderful to see my grandmother's sisters. Made me really miss her though. But through them it felt as though a piece of her was there. I wore her pearls and my mom used her serving dishes. Just because we could. (I say that a piece of her was there, because I know that my grandmother is happily in heaven dancing away with my grandfather. She's complete again, she's in loving arms again, they were a team, and I know that they will never be apart again)
• Went to the nature reserve yesturday. Tried to take photos- although it is spring- it is very very brown and dirty here. We have had snow- but not much rain. Took a couple of pictures of a goose. She was protecting her nest of eggs. But again not real exciting. Geese are like seagulls around here. We just have so many of them that we are used to them.
• Saw bald eagles in my parents trees this weekend. They are spectacular! Absolutely breathtaking when they are free. Just wish I had a better lens to capture them.
• My brother may fly into town for my son's First Communion. Totally not required or expected but a nice surprise!
• Stood in line for dance recital tickets yesturday and am very very thankful that it was not like it was last year! Everyone was nice. It wasn't crowded. And I got 2 free tickets. Yah me!
• Some really nice hand-me-downs from a friend. They are coming in handy with the girls. So nice not to have to buy new winter sleepers this time of year. Glad to have the spring fleece for my youngest.
• Bought my books for my classes this summer. I will be doing a lot of reading. A LoT! A whole bunch. More than usual ( and I read a ton).
• It's a beautiful day here. 60's, sunny and fresh! It is amazing at how much the weather is affecting my moods lately. Snowstorm last week Thursday had me feeling so blue. It looked like February outside. And then the next day- warm sunny and all the snow had melted by mid day.

This was a nice way to start the week - maybe I will do this on Monday's more often.

New Look, New title

I got a new look.
I like all the color going on here.

And since I am tierd of making banners,
uploading them, and then looking at them day after day,
I decided to just rely on words.

I like words

So each week- or on a whim,
I will change my phrase.
It kinda mimics the inspiration
cards I like to use.

So this week, I am just...
trying to be nice.

Easier said than done.

Especially since I am very
hormonal this week.

I like to look up words in the dictionary.
"Nice" is a very vague word and it has
many different meanings than one
would expect.
So I am going to self-define this one for my use.

Nice- it's all about an attitude and it's
all about how you make your responses.

I need to be nicer to myself,
I want to be nicer to my husband,
I want to be nicer to my kids,
I want to be nicer in thought.

I have a lot of thoughts
running throughmy head,
like most people.
Thank God I do not share half of them.
I am at times very surprise by
the nasty thoughts I have.
Thoughts that pop in my head
as I see people as I drive,
as I wait in the school parking lot for
my kids, as I watch the news.

I want to be nicer in my thoughts. It is really
an important thing. For me.

Sunday Scribblings- In the News...

It can be like a poison.

The news.

Oh sure the front man is always very beautiful, colorful, white teeth and all.

But what is underneath that glam is...Violence, tragedy and controversy

sensationalized

by liberal (I can say this- i am a liberal myself) reporters

who are just trying to make a story.

So I usually skip the news.

I do not get the newspaper- our cities paper really sucks!

I do not live in a vaccum though.

I do get snippets of the latest headlines.

Usually the headline is all you need.

Not the whole story.

Because- you never know whose story you are getting.

And you rarely get the whole story.

I find that when I watch the news, I feel as though

they are talking to me like I am an idiot. The content of the story

is usually not complete. After all home many minutes are they

allowed? I am always left wondering, ok what are they not telling me.

One of the local newstations wanted to interview us at work last week

about major construction that is taking place on the road in front of our store.

As a team we had already discussed the need to be positive about

it- after all there is nothing we can do to change it! (Well and now that they've started

we would really like them to finish). After all we can get any customer to our store. There

are still many roadways that are navigatable.

So they set up their camera and interviewed my boss.

And she was wonderful, positive and very very optimistic.

Well it was a very very short interview. As a reporter where do you go from there.

What a story killer. No controversy, no anger, no tears.

So her clip was not on the news. Edited out. But there were a couple of

other store owners who were more emotional about the construction and so- that is the way the

story went.

What bothers me is that the story was complete. They had already made up their mind what the issues would be, what the slant would be and then just went searching for interviews that would support their theories. The construction does not affect them in the least. But they decided they needed to ruffle feathers-

So that is my take on the news and most journalism.

Oh- and do not get me started on Rush Limbough. (Remember I am a liberal at heart)

Kitty Love & Grateful Friday

• Grateful for this little one. He is still not liking us very much, but progress has been made. Yesturday I caught him and held him for a while and then introduced him to each of us in the family and gave him a walking tour of the house. I just needed him to know there was much more to our house than our spider ridden basement. And I showed him all the best sun spots. Well last night he meowed on the steps. Yes he came up the steps on his own. So I opened the door and he sat on the top step watching me on the computer. He watched me for over an hour and then I got tiered of his game and went to bed. So this morning where do I find him, but in the laundry room/bathroom behind the washing machine. He seems pretty content there, although thouroughly annoyed with flash photos! Progress.
• It is like winter here. Temps in the teen's. Yuck, Yucky, just the Yuckiest. BUT the sun is out! That just makes all the difference.
• Easter. Oh thank God it is finally Easter. I am so ready for this holiday to be over. I seemed as though it would never arrive.
• My parents made it home safe and sound from Florida. They have been gone for a month and a half. And we are all super happy that life will become normal again. They are our support system. They are our Sunday Dinner. They are our babysitters. They, well we just love them so much and glad that there house is filled with all that is them again.
• A messy house. Ok not really thankful for this. But it will give me something to do this weekend. LOL.
• Peanut sauce. Love a good stirfry with peanut sauce. Just wish I had remembered to pick up soy sauce too. But I keep forgetting. Nothing goes better with peanut sauce than soy sauce. Must remember to put it on my grocery list this weekend.
• Breakfast. No not in the morning. Hate breakfast in the morning. But for supper. That's the plan anyway. Egg, pancakes (homemade of course), bacon (a must), hashbrowns, orange juice.... Drooling already.
• So new toons to groove to. Looking for a few more.
• New Shoes- I don't have them yet. But I have plans.......
• Spring clothes. All the clothes in my closet are old (older). Just haven't bought many since quitting my job, job. You the kinda job I could have supported my self and my children, if God forbid anything happened to my husband. Really do not have a big need for new clothes. I have so many dressy clothes that I do not wear, do not even have a place to wear them. Just can't part with all of them though. Some just stay in style and you never know when you might need them. Anyhow, I am liking the lighter feel and color of my spring clothes. I refuse to go back to the winter stuff. Which is pretty challenging with these lower than normal temps and all.
• A cleaner basement. Notice I did not say "Clean". With the kitty down there and all, I have been straightening up. I just can't seem to get a good handle on all the crap we have down there. We do not use it, but some of it I just can't get rid of. I know that there is however a rummage sale looming in the future. That will help. Although I hate having a rummage sale. It is just soooooo much work! Everytime I do one (and I have not done many) I say Never Again. It is just so much work pricing and displaying things. I also think that I just need to move every thing to a corner and then organize it piece by piece shelf by shelf. Maybe even label things. Oh now I am drooling.
• All you gals in blog world! I spend more time than I should reading them, but I truely enjoy reading about your daily happenings and viewing all your cool photos. You inspire me. So a big THANK YOU!

SPT-Parts

I am not fond of most of my parts.
But I have always liked my eyes.
You can't really tell in the photo
but they are olive green.
I always wished they were blue.
I am the only one in my family with green eyes.
My husband and my children have various shades of blue.
My girls have very brilliant baby blues.
But my son has more grey-blue, like his dad.
Funny though, he wishes his were green.
Even insisted they were when he was younger.


This photo was an accident.
Didn't realize I had zoomed in.
But now it is one of my favorite
photos from florida.

Dumb Kitty

ok, we broke down and got ourselves
another cat
still a bit of kitten in him
he's 10 months old
brought him
home
last night
I would post a really
cute picture of
him
BUT
I can't find him
he's hiding
in the basement
and only comes
out when we are not
around.
so I call him
Dumb Kitty
after all there are so many
nice spots in my house
and none of them are in
the yucky basement
for now that is
where he feels safe
but it
sucks for us

A little something to read

Just finished this.

Good book.

Wonderful story of

friendship between

2 women of different

generations.

Love the cover art too!

Sunday Scribblings- Deepest, Darkest

I didn't go to church today.

It's holy week.

I never make it to church during holy week.

But I have a second grader.

A second grader who makes his first

communion in 2 weeks.

A second grader who deeply believes.

So I feel as though I should be going for him.

I send him to a catholic grade school.

Want him to have the background, the teachings, the celebrations.

It has been good for him. It has been good for our family.

Sometimes they teach him things that I do not understand, or agree with.

Such as they cannot say the A-word.

A-word, what the H-E-L-L is that.

You know Alleluia.

Cannot say that word during lent.

So now it has become a bit of a thrill to say A-word.

I really do not get it.

Making a word that should have such a beautiful meaning into a "dirty" thing to say.

So I tried to explain to him that his mom and dad really do not believe that you cannot say that word during lent. That we think it is a beautiful word that can be said whenever someone feels the need to praise God.

But he won't budge.

He has many arguments as to why I am a bad for saying Alleluia during lent.

(Not all his arguments make sense. But he's trying his best to convince me to believe his way). So I guess I asked for it- you know sending him to a parochial school and all.

I surrender for now.

But getting back to missing mass on palm Sunday.

I do not like lent- I know I am not really supposed to "like" lent.

But I have a hard time with the darkness

that is infused into the lively traditions that endear me to church.

I do not like that we do not sing.

I do not like that the beautiful stained glass windows that allow beautiful morning sunshine into the church are covered.

I do not like that the crosses are put away until Easter Sunday.

I do not like it.

Maybe it is easier for me to forget the pain and suffering that Jesus went through.

Maybe it is easier for me to walk away from the gruesome truth of history.

I have felt the love of Jesus. I have felt his hands upon me.

I have felt his unconditional love. And I have felt his forgiveness.

And in my deepest darkest times of pain and loneliness I have surrendered to him, knowing that the pain I felt could not even begin to compare to what he went through on the cross.

And during those time, he eased my pain. He answered my prayers. He gave me his love.

Lent confuses me. This is the time that we actually should be soaking in the light, studying the scriptures and praising all that he is and all that we will be.

We cannot re-create those deepest, darkest days of history.

Self reflection does not need to be created for spiritual growth.

I lived my deep dark days. I denied myself joy and beauty and love.

I experienced that.

He saved me.

And I refuse to re-enter the darkness, even for well meant church rituals.

So I will quietly sing my Alleluia's

(because I love my son enough to not cause him anymore distress

over his mothers hopeless beliefs)

Alleluia

Grateful Friday- Home

1. Grateful for a safe trip home without any major toddler tantrums on the airplane!
2. A great vacation. This view that I got to wake up to each morning.
3. My parents- they are so generous to us.
4. Being home- vacations great, but home is home! And after being away all the things that I hate about my house- actually seems beautiful!
5. Wonderful and thoughtful ladies that I work with.
6. Tacos- Advocatos- Tomatoes, Chocolate
7. Finding a new piano teacher that we really like almost as much as the old piano teacher. Although we can't wait till Sally comes back! Miss you Sally.
8. A new critter that may find it's home with us. Pending application, we are adopting a new kitty. Seems soon- but also feels right.
9. A wonderful break from the computer world. It was much needed and very very pleasant! Although I missed SPT and Sunday Scribblings.
10. Spring, April, Easter, Birds, Tree Buds, Tulips, Pastels and all the stuff this season brings.
11. Dophins, Manatees, Stingrays, Cranes, Palm Trees, Blue Skys, 80 degree temps, swimming, hiking, Mangroves, crabs, snails, horseshoe crabs, starfish, seashells

Grateful Friday

1. Getting ready to fly south. Just like a bird. To soak up some sun, relax and enjoy every minute with my family.
2. A good friend who will be staying with my pet.
3. Sunshine... yes a sunny day here.
4. Spring break! Love it when the kids are home. (Ask me later in the week and see if I still answer the same. LOL)
5. My mother-in-law, who sent me my birthday present early(a month and a half early) so that I could spend it on our vacation.
6. That my husband has a good job, got a good performance review and will not be layed off anytime in the near future. (Not so for my brother-in-law, 2nd layoff in 5 years, sucks)
7. Options. I have options, I have choices to make, I have plans to lay down, I have goals to a make, I have classes to take. But I have options. Not stuck, Not stuck at all. A year ago about this time- that's how I felt. What a difference a year can make.
8. A nice reply to my blog regarding my cat. It made me happy. Just a note from a stranger, but it was kind.
9. Two days to clean my house. Yes, I will be cleaning my home for above said friend who will be living here for 2 weeks. So I will be dusting, vacumming, washing floors, changing beds and looking to make sure there are not any leftover christmas decorations visible anywhere. Seriously-glad to have the weekend to do this. It will keep me very sane.
10. Again glass half full- not half empty. Continuously reminding myself of this. It makes all the difference.
11. Another good book.
12. Almond MM's in wonderful pastel colors.
13. My to do list is getting smaller.
14. Did I mention- heading south!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't Feed the Animals!

Some pics from this past weekend.
We spent a lot of time enjoying
the wonderful spring weather.
So were the animals.

Wanted to post some
happy pictures today.

Feeling blue

my heart is broken a little
Took Isak in yesturday instead
of waiting for today.
I just couldn't see him
not eat for another day.

I've had pets die.
But I have never had
to euthanize a pet.
It is a different experience.
I really do not have words to explain.
But it was very hard to leave him there
to walk out without him.
He tried to hid in the tissue box when we
got in the office. Dumb kiity, you are not the small.
The doctor was sweet to both of us.
She told him how beautiful he was, and what a good kitty he was.
It sounds so corny, but it really did help.
It was so hard to leave, and even though I was not
crying as I left, anyone in the waiting room could
see that I had been crying.

Our dog is acting different.
She was looking for him all night.
And now she will not go in the living room.
That is where they used to nap together.

Ok, Enough of that. But it feels good
to get it off my chest. I know he was just
a pet. But he was my pet. And I miss him.

Four days until we leave for Florida (yeah)
A new Greys tonight (Double yeah)
And a new show after Grey's that looks pretty good (Super Yeah)
Rhonna's got a website back up. Can't wait until
she starts journaling again. Always found her to be very
inspiring!

SPT-Time to Say Good-bye

It's time.
I have been giving him lots of love.
I gave myself a few days,
but Thursday is drawing near,
much too fast.

In my heart
I know that
I am doing the right thing.
But...
the decision to end a life
(even if it is a pet)
weights heavy on me.

Grateful Friday...(ok I'm a little late-Saturday)

1. Oh, I am so grateful for the weather. It's 42 degrees with full sunshine. Melting all the snow from last weeks snow storm. The snow is packy so the kids can play in it. Just what I was in need of.


2. A little road trip to one of our favorite vacation spots. Full of old architecture and dive resturants. A good day!


3. Another good book. It will be out in May 07.


4. Girl Scout cookies. Ok, I'll admit that I really should not be too grateful for these. I have had way too many of them and am already regretting them. However, they arrived at a very good time.


5. Getting a new garage door opener on Monday. Yes, it is one of the major appliances that crapped out on us this month. Grateful to have the cash to pay for the replacement and installation. Too bad it didn't happen when the weather was frigid. But it will be nice not to manually open the door. Especially since there are no handles on the door to pull open or shut.


6. The birds have been singing and getting frisky with each other. Didn't realize how much I missed their constant music. Can't wait to see my first Robin of the season. Soon Very Soon!


7. The realization that I have been looking at the glass "half empty" instead of "half full". It really does make a difference. Another post on this epiphany in the near future.


8. Another realization as to what is at the heart of my dispair. The obvious answer is just the catalyst. But the real reason is deeper. And now that I have discovered the real reason, it makes it much easier to deal with the situation as a whole and put perspective on the whole thing.


9. Eggs, Toast, Bacon and Hashbrowns for lunch with a big glass on Diet Pepsi!


10. Time to love up an old friend, pet, companion. Not much time left to enjoy him. I am coming to terms with the need to euthanize him. It hurts. I just wish he could pass quietly in his sleep. But I really don't think that is going to happen. Something is different in him this week. And a little bit of his spark has left his eyes. The hardest part is knowing when. And we are going on vacation for 10 days. Someone is staying at our house during that time. But, I just would hate for anything to happen to him while we are gone. Yet, I hate to end his life earlier, just because we are leaving. Not sure what to do.


11. Work. I really like my job. And I really like the women that I work with.


12. Very grateful for the shift in my mood. Very Very grateful!