Catching up with myself

It was a great week end. A full week end.

It started EARLY as I left the house Friday at 4:25 am to meet coworkers to drive north to Wausau for an interview. On the way back we stopped at a restaurant, where I wandered into the gift shop. A Gooseberry Patch cookbook caught my eye. Entitled "5 Ingredients or Less," its simple recipes are arranged by season, and each page has a seasonal decorating tip as well. After previewing a few "autumn" pages, I bought it for some pleasure reading on the 3 hour return trip. I was too exhausted to study the class books in my bag...

So I snuggled into the back seat of a monstrous BMW (the seats recline in the BACK seat!), got out a highlighter, a pen and some post-it notes, and started in. An hour later it occurred to me that I was feeling like "me." A palpable feeling of awakening washed over me.

Recipes, seasonal decor, sitting, perusing...no immediate pressures or deadlines. It was, in a word, blissful. I realized that some parts of me have just been shelved this year as I've gone from activity to crisis to activity to crisis. I simply have not caught up with myself. I've not recovered.

I came home and decided to clean the basement for 30 minutes. Make one little dent. In 2008 the basement had been DONE - completely organized for the first time ever in my adult life. Our new house has great built in storage, and all my seasonal boxes, as well as quilting supplies, had been arranged and at the ready. It was an incredible feat of purging and organizing. And then we had the 100 year record rain storm and a basement flood, so everything on the floor had been hurriedly moved to higher ground. In February of 2009 we had the drain tiles repaired, so everything was moved out and then covered in order to minimize the damage of cement dust. In March my uncle was so ill and then died, which involved two week ends in Iowa. My dad began to spiral in March. I was rarely home. In April I brought up box upon box of my mother's photo albums to have out for my dad's funeral. In May I took them all back down, but by then the two college kids, who both have lower level rooms, had moved in with all their stuff.

Somewhere along the way I gave up, and put the basement on "ignore."

And so, this past Friday, inspired by a bit of reading of simple seasonal celebration, I ventured down and began to move the photo album boxes back into place. I folded up my father's clothes and drove them to Goodwill. Something in me began to wake up... it was time to move on, and to start celebrating again. This isn't likely making sense, but this was big... I was coming out of a fog. Little by little. I found some boxes of fall decor, and carried them upstairs. Frank joined in and helped clean - vacuuming as I cleaned my way through areas. We set up a guitar area downstairs for Jake - the pieces had been there since before the repair, but we had just never put it together.

There's still a lot to do. But the "funeral" boxes and remnants of my dad's room are not there in a pile. The spring decor is put away, and those boxes are on the shelves. The upstairs is cleaned, dusted and looks ready for autumn. It's like I've arrived back home - the things that are SO important to me - I'm doing them again. Organizational chaos weighs me down - even behind closed doors in the basement. Celebrating the change of seasons is ME - I smile as I look around the dining room here where I'm typing. Cooking meals - new ones with 5 ingredients or less - it's ME.

I'd lost myself for a while. It's been a hell of a year. Really. I'm glad to be on the road back.

Gotta scoot. I'm going to set the timer for 30 minutes and organize some Christmas boxes which are still uprooted from the February repairs. 30 minutes at a time...it'll be done eventually...

Whew

Just in case you are having a hard time sleeping because you're wondering if I'm going to make it through my History of Christianity class, I thought I'd relieve your mind. I *might* make it.

We have no class next week, but I'm not telling anybody. That way I can go somewhere and study for the three hours. In two weeks we have a quiz. And in three weeks the mid term.

Yesterday a client moved our presentation to a hospital board FROM October 21, the mid term night. I wanted to kiss him, but felt that was inappropriate. Taking the exam with my class, rather than making special arrangements, is a major relief. Choreographing a major presentation at work AND studying for a mid term... over the top. The presentation is now in November. Thank God.

Then tonight the professor gave us the study guide, (THREE weeks before the exam!!) and said the words that make my heart sing: if the topic is not on the study guide, it's not on the exam. AND...it's 30 multiple choice and 20 true/false. WOO HOO. Relief is flooding my entire list-loving being.

Why do I want A's so bad? Well... that's the perfectionist. And bragging rights to my two college kids... Why will I study like a crazy person to connect the dots between the three page list of people and events that we need to know? Because I really want to understand the linkages, as well as do well on the test. But the way my brain works is that now that the pressure is off I will absorb much better. I'm funny that way...

I think I could pass an objective test even now. I do pay attention and write zillions of notes.

I am much relieved. You likely don't care at all, except that the next time you see me I won't look *quite* so stressed.

Further good news is that we ARE having class on Thanksgiving Eve. Why is that good? Because the alternative was to extend ANOTHER WEEK into December. Having a final exam on December 16 is every mother's (and her family's) nightmare.

Again...you don't care. 'Cept you love me...that's why you're here.

Good Night and Sweet Dreams. -graciered

Door County

Doing much better tonight. The house is more in order, the soup was good, the kids are content, Boomer is curled up at my feet. My little world is getting back into place.

Until tomorrow... when I will head to Whitehall, Wisconsin and then to Eau Claire. Thankfully I'm going with two coworkers, so I can curl up in the back seat and study. Hours of study. yeah!

Here is the link to photos of Door County. Paste this in your browser.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2037420&id=1116654663&l=917cba0af2

Good night. I'm going to watch the season premier of "House." I can't remember the last time I watched TV...need some vegging.

Way too much nature...

On a rainy, cool night in September, this chick has had about enough of nature.

I already told you about the mouse. (Yes, I'm in denial, and keeping the word "mouse" in the singular...)

Well, tonight I needed to walk a letter down to our mailbox, where the mailman will pick it up tomorrow when he sees the raised flag. So, I turned on the entryway lights, and stopped...there were two raccoons in the courtyard. They sauntered off, slowly, but I could tell that I didn't scare them at all.

I waited a half hour, leaving the light on. As I put on my crocs to cross the dreaded brick courtyard to the mailbox, I could hear the howls of coyotes in the back yard. They sounded close. I imagined that they were feasting on raccoon...and opened the door.

I braved it into the soggy night, and just barely missed stepping on a HUMONGOUS toad. No, I'm not exaggerating. There he sat right dab in the middle of the brick pathway. I jumped over him, hoping against hope that he would not feel the urge to jump at the same time. He didn't. He just stared and blinked.

I hurried down the driveway and deposited the letter, all the while wondering if coyotes eat toads. As I leapfrogged the...frog...my pace quickened and I dashed in the door. Boomer looked at me and yawned...he had not seen any of it. A lot of good he is!

As I sat down in the living room I spied a wasp on the wall. Smashed him like a bug. He didn't stand a chance after my evening in the wilderness of Greendale.

An ordinary day...

Feeling rather decadent...I am home ALONE. Totally alone.

You have no idea how rare this is. Four kids and a homebody husband...rarely alone. But perhaps a new phase of life is beginning. Anna is pretty independent, and driving. Jake is working on a pretty active social calendar himself. And Frank travels for work, although very rarely over a week end.

Anyhow...what did I do in my glorious time?

I made dinner for the kids, the neighbors and my in laws. Simple fried fish and potatoes, and slices of fresh picked pear. (the neighbors invited me to take a basketful right off their trees!) Anna delivered to my in laws, and I delivered two portions to my grateful neighbors. (they had been very busy in the yard all afternoon...I was over there a few times) I cooked because I wanted to...it felt luxurious to not *have to* and to not be rushing anywhere... I put on good music and enjoyed the time in the kitchen.

Once the kids ate, they cleared out. And I headed to my favorite place - the garden. I spent a few hours weeding, watering and trimming. The flowers are spectacular right now. And again...I did it because I *could* but didn't *have to.* It's not that I'm lazy, it's just that ... I get tired of the schedules and the *have to's.*

I washed the sheets on our bed, and sprinkled them with lavender powder. I'll be there soon.

Right after my bubble bath. That's next.

It really is the simple pleasures that make life grand. And the sound of silence. The night sounds of late summer are streaming in my window, along with the flow of water from our fountain...

I'm exhausted. But I'm puttering myself back to stability. Once my little world gets back into bloom and order...well...then I'll be ready for another busy streak. It's the ebb and flow of life right now. I am blessed.

These are links to the photos I posted on facebook today. Hope this works!

"An Autumn Day" can be seen by pasting this into your browser: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2036517&id=1116654663&l=59c903824d

"Sailing on Lake Michigan" can be seen by pasting this into your browser: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2036516&id=1116654663&l=e9685b76a8

Ooooo...the coyotes are howling in the woods - another cool night sound. And Boomer just drew closer.

Good night my friends. The bubbles are calling.

Faster than the Speed of Life

Whew.

I miss you, my bleaders. You know life is going past at warp speed when i don't even blog... Life is good, and full, and just the way it's supposed to be. Facebook is getting my daily snippets...I'll have to get back into the groove of the blog. My school starts in two days, so then I'll be chained to my computer and looking for reasons to procrastinate...

The house is full of happy sounds. Jake and his buddy Danny are playing video games with Brent, Emily's new beau. Brent was Jake and Danny's counselor at Bible camp in July, so Jake is all excited about Brent being here to visit. Brent is a 6 foot 4 inch blond haired goofball, and I totally approve of him. :) (remember Emily's list? He ranks pretty well...) Anyhow, I can hear the boys in the family room.

Under my room, where I'm currently sitting at my desk, is the girl's room. I can hear muffled gabbing and bursts of laughter. Is that not just a blessed sound? Truly, it makes my eyes tear up. I love that they are reconnecting after being apart for Em's semester in Spain and then her summer at camp. It's so good that they have each other.

Boomer is snoring at my feet.

Frank is visiting his dad at a rehabilitation center where he has been for a few weeks following a procedure to help strengthen his spine. Joey is working. Everyone is accounted for.

Quiet morning hour, then to work for a rush of projects, then lunch with Em and Brent, and back to work for a very full afternoon. (still playing catch up for being gone a week and a half) Went from work to the bookstore to get one last textbook, and then met the crew at Ricardos for pizza. While Frank went to see his dad, Em and I walked to see my mother-in-law and do a few chores. And now, here I am. Surrounded by happy sounds and trying to stay awake to work on my Bible study again.

Of course there are dark threads in the tapestry of every life, and I am working through a relational loss that has been so hard. Life is full of tough choices, isn't it? Sometimes it seems to be overwhelming...and then...I hear the laughter through the walls and I think of how blessed I am.

Such is life. Stay tuned.

Traveling Light?

Blogging from 30,000 feet. [I actually have no idea how high up airplanes fly… but that sounded like a great opening line...] Seat 11D, on the aisle, on Airtran flight 211 en route to Milwaukee. No, I’m not online. But I could be. Airtran has WiFi, for a mere $7.95 per flight. Kinda cool, but not necessary this time.

The woman beside me has the coolest bag. Major bag envy. It’s creamy leatherette hugeness has thus far revealed a full sized hard cover library book, a half bag of sugar coated pecans still in the vendor paper bag, a bag of almonds and dried fruit for her body builder boyfriend in the window seat, a few magazines...it’s all in there, and there’s more. It has no structure, a center dividing pocket with zip (safety for passport and wallet), handles and a shoulder strap. It’s simply cool. It is squashed under the seat in front of her with seeming ease. Casual sophistication. I have a passion for bags. This is a good one.

My bag is relatively new and has compartments for everything I need. I like it. Oakley vertical messenger bag. But it’s feeling a bit stiff. There is no flexiblity as I wedge it under the seat. [pilot just announced another hour and fifteen minutes to touch down - 565 miles] I have everything in its place, but it’s just not as ...bohemian...as that great bag next door. Of course she does not have a lap top...so...perhaps my boring structure is necessary. [And I did pick up three pairs of “sleepless in seattle” pajamas in the Seattle airport...one oversized tshirt gown for me and two pairs of jammie pants for the girls. They are rolled up and smashed into the back pocket of the Oakley bag which no doubt adds to it’s stuffed inflexibility...but gosh are they cute... ]

I’m thoroughly enjoying every minute of this trip. I have so so many toys along, and I’ve kind of marveled at it all. I’m learning to travel in the 00’s. It requires an organized bag and a WHOLE LOTTA cords.

First my Mac. Oh, I love mac. Then my iPod touch. (ito) I have LOVED reading the ebook Julie and Julia in tiny bites all throughout the trip - planes, busses, trolleys, traffic jams on the freeways...delays continuously softened by my sleek little toy. The rental car had an iPod jack, and I had packed the right cord (the one I use in my car) so that was HAPPY circumstance for my 3 hours in the car both ways between Seattle and Vancouver - loved having my music and podcasts with me. I felt so...spoiled. And then there’s the photos. I put a smattering of my life in photos onto ito ...and have showed the handy little album to many people - such a simple tool. Mac requires a power cord and then there’s another cord that connects mac and ito...for syncing and powering. Ito's car cord came along too. [the rental car had the iPod jack and the power jack all hidden in the armrest...how smart is that?]

My little digital camera. No idea how many photos I’ve taken. At least a thousand. And a couple videos too… of my brother playing the piano. There must be a hundred pics of the secret garden alone. [which, by the way, I’ve easily made into a very stress relieving slide show with Vivaldi playing in the background. mac is so seamlessly simple...integrating photos and music and fancy slideshow settings…] Of course I brought the battery charger and the cord to dump photos off the memory card and onto mac. Haven't digital cameras just changed everything? You can just keep taking pictures - capturing the moment. It's free and it's simple.

Tom Tom. This is my hub’s navigation toy that he pre programmed for me and sent along in it’s little zipper pouch. (It’s about 5 inches x 1 inch x 3 inches) When I plugged it in to the second power jack in the rental car, I just had to touch “Navigate to,” “favorites,” “Holiday Inn Downtown Vancouver,” and the little machine verbally navigated me right out of the Sea Tac parking ramp and up I-5 Northbound. Simply amazing. I put every destination into it as I went, and thus had not one moment of angst as I zipped around new cities. Isn’t that incredible? It came programmed with all of North America, but you can download other countries as well. Frank bought it for all his business trips. It uses the same plug as my Blackberry.

Oh...my Blackberry. Texting. Who can live without texting? It’s how I kept track of my brother and sister’s schedules (we generally met at our destinations) and kept up with home a bit. International cell phone use is 69 cents a minute, so that was kept WAY to a minimum. We put me on an international text and email package for 9 days...and that’s what I did. I used the phone maybe 10 times for quickie calls...not everyone texts… The BB required two cords: car (shared with Tom Tom) and power outlet for at night. That’s my alarm clock too. And I can google on it, like when I needed to find the nearest Starbucks...

[The woman in the seat in front of me is making jewelry. She has pill bottles and snack bags full of beads in a big ziplock...it’s laid all over her tray table...she’s yakking away with the flight attendant...the jewelry is very lovely! She tapes the ends with scotch tape when she moves about...isn’t it amazing what you can learn just from watching people? Repeat after me: I do NOT need a new hobby...I do NOT need a new hobby...]

Starbucks. Wow. It’s like a home away from home. Each morning (after I left the Holiday Inn- while there I had great coffee and free WiFi in my room) started with my two free hours of wireless and a skinny cinnamon dolce latte at the nearest Sbux. I’d get caught up on email, upload a couple photos to Facebook, read about everyone else on Facebook, blog (okay...only twice) and also work on my Bible study. Lovely morning ritual. I have decided that maintaining my morning journal/Bible/online routine helped make my trip more relaxed. I fit a lot of visiting and sight seeing in, but that couple of early morning hours were all mine. I’d awake early and do my thing before heading out for the very full days. I need alone time and time with God.

Those are my toys. They are not nearly as cumbersome as they appear. In fact my small leather purse has three zippered sections on its face which held my BB, my ito and my camera. They went everywhere with me. Tom Tom stayed in the rental car for the entire 8 days, hidden in that very handy armrest. The car cords stayed there too. The other cords all stayed in my laptop bag, along with mac. It’s all very compact.

As I return home I feel all caught up. I’ve kept up with most of the emails, with facebook, I have this blog to post, and I put in about 4 hours of work in total - emailing my edits back to the office. I’ve kept up with the kids and hub, and they with me. My photos are uploaded, many are labeled, and a lot of the duds are deleted. [ I have 800 of my sister in law Nancy’s Paris photos uploaded too - they were so stunning, I wanted to keep them to gaze at and plan a future trip… ]

It’s simply handy to have my gadgets along.

On the way to Vancouver I did not even check a bag. I had everything in my one carry on bag and my Oakley messenger bag. I was extremely pleased to manage that, and it turned out that I did not even need all the clothes that I brought. I traveled light. [I did need each and every cord…]

However, for the return trip I bought a cheap $20 carry on while in Vancouver in which to transport the three Julia Child cookbooks and her biography which my brother and I scouted out at various used bookstores. (these weigh at least 20 pounds cumulatively, so, in retrospect, may not have proven to be the best of souvenirs…) We entertained ourselves for hours on a few rainy days with a used book store crawl. It was a BLAST, and we both got teary eyed when we bagged each of the 6 books we bought. (Mastering the Art of French Cooking is the focus of the movie “Julie and Julia” which Jonnie and I saw on Saturday during a rain storm) He and I both got Volume I, I found a first edition of Volume II, and I bought two old old copies of Julia’s biography entitled An Appetite for Life. I gave one to my ex sis in law, Nancy as a hostess gift - I stayed with her for 4 nights. She and her hub went to see “J&J” while I was there, and since she loves biographies she LOVED the musty old book and was reading it each evening. Oh - I also got one other of JC’s cookbooks...a volume 2 of her book regarding cooking for company...

Oh! We’re beginning our descent. You now have my travel logistics. Roll your eyes as you may, but this is feeling like QUITE the accomplishment to me. The lists and the packing and the selection of just the right bags and electronics - each proved to be a component of a wildly successful 8 day trip to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

More important than the logistics of it all, there are the PEOPLE I visited: my brother Jon; my sister Sally and her partner Gloria; Sally’s daughter Katherine and her hub Jose and their 4 year old Sara; Jon’s daughter Jen, her boyfriend Terrance and her 7 year old Joshie; Jon’s ex wife Nancy and her husband Lon; Jack - one of the parishioners of my dad’s church in White Rock; and Karla - my best friend from age 10 to 15. So many visits. So many stories. When will I blog it all? Not to mention the ocean and the mountains.

But alas...all electronics must be turned off now. So... au revoir! Thanks for the prayers and “bon voyages.” I’ve had a WONDERFUL week.

Sneak Preview

Upcoming Topics:

Switching from PC to Mac - GROAN (but I'm starting to love it...)

Visiting Cleveland (Botanical Gardens, Art Museum, Lolly the Trolley, travel with boyz)

More hospital visits - three in one night!

Ephesians - latest Bible study

Personal Assessment paper - finally done

Minor Prophets - recently finished class

History of Christianity - next class

Joining a Health Club

Planning a trip to Vancouver in August

Emily's in love (shhhhhh)

and more!

Stay Tuned!

This and that

Once again there's only time for a "bullet point" post...just a glimpse at what is filling each day.

* My father has been in ICU for almost a week following bowel surgery. He is 83, in congestive heart failure, receives kidney dialysis 3 days a week and is a FIGHTER. While I know he is ready for heaven, he SO wants to stretch out his days here on earth. I've been at the hospital A LOT.

* Work has been very busy. My job is to find new work for the architects, so in an economy like this where there's never enough work, I must keep at it. Thankfully I love what I do.

* Emily has been in Africa and Portugal the past two weeks. I'll have to post a camel photo. Simply amazing.

* Joey was home for the Easter week end. Yes, I beat him in Scrabble. :) He and I are about even and we love to play. He's such a joy of a kid. We connect well.

* Easter Sunday was a blessing at church. I sang, our quintet sang, Shane had a great sermon, they showed an inspiring video of clips of the Jesus movie...it was an inspiring hour. Puts my trials in perspective.

* Today I've been mega journaling. I'm reading The Sacred Romance by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge. Between it and the Beth Moore John study, I'm very introspective and in the mood to write. I long for hours upon hours to do just that.

* My final exam is a week from Thursday. Overwhelming, but plugging away... Need to keep reading and stop being so introspective! :)

* Today was a catch up day. Two boxes for Goodwill, laundry done, lots of reading and writing, puttering... but now I'm off to the hospital, along with Jake.

* Anna is on a spring break band trip. Cleveland, Washington DC, and New York City. Our kids really get around. Frank's traveling for work. Me and Jake are the only ones not leaving Wisconsin.

* That's life in a nutshell. Even in the midst of the chaos that a hospitalization causes, I take the time for a good cup of coffee, my journal and the Word each morning - no matter what. I know "this too will pass." And some day Gib will head to heaven, and I'll never regret the hours sitting at his bedside.

* Happy Monday, everyone. He is risen indeed!

April

Hello!
Do I have any readers left? I'm sure you've logged in only to find...no update. So sorry. On the bright side, life has been so full that there's not time to write about it. :)
Let's see...

**I'm now 46. It doesn't feel much different.

**It's still winter here...I think we're expecting an ice storm tomorrow. (GOOD GRIEF)

**Work and school are keeping me busy most minutes. And the little things like cooking and cleaning and trying to say hello to the kids now and then. :)

**I'm at the laptop to write a paper. The homework this week is, "Why did the author of Hebrews quote Psalm 95 so many times? What concept do you think the author is trying to make clear in this reference? What nuance/perspective does Psalm 95 add?" (If you'd like to send me your answers, feel free!)

**My oldest brother is here for the week end. He and I went to my favorite coffee shop, by Lake Michigan, and had coffee and split a Java Milkshake. They grind coffee beans into vanilla ice cream. UNBELIEVABLE. I might be awake for a long time tonight though...

**Red and Ruby, my cardinal couple, are sighted daily from the bedroom window. I'll upload a photo I snuck of Red. Tonight I actually saw Red put a seed into Ruby's beak, and it looked like he gave her a kiss. I am *so* into these cardinals...a sign of aging, no?

**I just did my "neti pot" for the second time today. If you have no idea what that is, Google it. It is a drug free way of sinus cleansing and it works SO WELL. Yucky cold lingering on...

**Tonight I took some time to make some cards. Very simple, using ribbon and stickers and a calligraphy marker, but really felt good to do something a tiny bit creative.

**Bought some new KEEN sandals today. If you have no idea what those are, Google that too. In my estimation they are the world's most comfortable shoe.

**There. You're all up to date. Well, at least on the items on the TOP of my head.

I will try to be more consistent again. So sorry. I've missed you. -g

Week End!

Hallelujah...it's the week end. And I'm taking a long one - four days...almost. The almost is because I do have to do some work from home today, but I'm HOME. woo hoo!

Last night's class was so amazing, once again, and so I do plan to write up a couple reflections on a couple of different issues. One thing I love is that our professor, a PhD from Marquette University and a Pastor at Elmbrook Church, is SO in tuned to what is important. What is important to him is that this study of God's Word is life changing. His prayers at the beginning and end of each class are so humble and he continually stresses that drawing closer to God is the goal of the class - we are to be changed. It's not about "academics," although the class is academic and intense. I am just so pleasantly surprised by this tone, for the Bible says that knowledge puffs up. I just want to know God better. The yearning is growing.

I am so drawn to the Word right now - it IS changing my whole perspective - a true longing to dig deeper. And the small stuff of life is indeed less important most days.

We got our midterms back - I did well, although there's still room for improvement. Because I am me I want an A, but that may not be possible without quitting my job or my family, neither of which are feasible or preferred. : ) I'm teetering somewhere in the A- range at the moment, which is fabulous and he stated plainly that he is stingy with A's. He expects only a couple in our class of 50. Today's homework is to read 1 and 2 Corinthians (I STILL haven't read them) and somehow I'm not so enthused...so hopefully I'll get an attitude adjustment. I'm all excited about the shorter epistles...but...I will make myself go in order. :)

So, my coffee is brewed, my hot cream is frothed (those tiny hand held $2 gadgets are amazing) and the couch is calling. So is the house - which needs to welcome SPRING in decor and in cleaning. A long walk on this 50 degree day is in order, and I think it's time for a spring trip to Goodwill as well - to get rid of, not to add to, my stuff. There's something about spring that calls for clean surfaces and less clutter. WHEW. Hope my energy holds out. I will cook dinner for my family for the first time in a week too - unless you count Shake n Bake pork chops made at 10 pm for reheating... And the grocery - the cupboards are bare. Yes, I've been on overload - but now a four day week end at HOME. Woo hoo.

Enjoy your Friday. I'll be posting this week end, and hopefully changing the look of my blog. Time to welcome SPRING.

Still Kickin'

I'm too tired to write.
But
I am alive.

Two trips in two week ends - about did me in. Michigan was all work. Iowa was part work and part farewell to a dear old uncle. Emotionally draining but wonderful.

A bad cold is lingering. My head is under water.

Class tonight was inspiring. Our midterm is next week...yipes.

Work is crazy busy. Intensely writing proposals all day...my eyes have computer strain. (is that a real disease yet?) Perhaps that is why I'm not inspired to write here...wrote all day and took notes all evening.

Not complaining...just telling...that...I'm pooped.

So...goodnight!

PS On all those driving miles I've been listening to Joyce Meyer CD's and she is AWESOME and speaking right to me. Whew.

Iowa bound

After I sing at a wedding vow renewal in the early afternoon, I am off to Iowa. The trip is spur of the moment due to my dear uncle's failing health. This week end is the only one in the foreseeable future that could work...so off I go. Thankfully I was able to schedule a work appointment with a potential client in Dubuque, so Monday's trip home won't require vacation or unpaid hours. And after Dubuque I will stop in Madison to see our oldest and take the poor starving boy out for dinner.

I'm singing in the nursing home tomorrow afternoon at their church service. Interesting ways in which I am asked to minister - from still blooming love to easing last days.

I'm looking forward to getting caught up on my podcasts on the 14 hours in the car. And I'll be listening to Luke and John - the gospels. I'm way behind on my reading. Skimming scripture is a very tough assignment for me.

Happy Valentine's Day. My hope is that each of you knows you are loved.

Mental [Health] Monday

Generally I am able to take off on Mondays, and I call them Mental Health Monday MHM. There is something in me that needs to be home ALONE and get sane. I'm nicer on the week end if I can look forward to MHM.

The kids were home from college for 5 Mondays. I can live with that.
Then when Joey (finally) went back to school, Anna had the following Monday off school due to finals week.

So...today...whew. Finally. Except for one small detail...

The basement contractors arrived to solve our seepage issue. Solving the issue involves jack hammers, and large hunks of concrete continuously carried up the stairs to the awaiting dump truck.

This is SO not MHM.

I did go and get a haircut, bought new product (no, the drugstore variety is NOT the same as salon product. If you saw me in the last week, I was LIVING proof!) So, Monday will hold that accomplishment. The laundry is humming. I grocery shopped on Saturday, so cooking is on the agenda this afternoon. This morning I had slotted to study. Which is kinda tough with jack hammers.

It will [eventually] be nice to have the water draining properly through the drain tiles. It is an exceptionally boring way to spend thousands of dollars, though.

We refinanced our house - signed the papers on Saturday - thus reducing our mortgage by 3 years to 15 years, and our interest rate to 4.8something. We both braced ourselves to hear the new (post economic collapse) appraised value, but HALLELUJAH, the appraised value is 20,000 more than we paid just 1.5 years ago. WOO HOO. Location, location, location. The mortgage officer told us ours was the only property she had seen hold its value. So many people paid inflated amounts over the last 5 years...

Back to today...I could go to Barnes & Noble, but I'm afraid Boomer would experience heart failure if I left him alone to deal with these four strange men and that sound.

And so...it's Mental Monday. No *health* involved. Time for a pot of tea, some ear plugs AND the noise machine.(the sound of rain that I put on to mask family noises when I'm sleeping early or late.) And it's 25 degrees which means a walk outdoors with my beloved pup is in order.

Happy Monday everyone. Enjoy some silence on my behalf.

Beddy Bye

Just a quick HELLO before I'm off to bed.

I had half the day off work today, but somehow it slipped away. Thankfully I've had a very productive few days, and I'm feeling *sort of* sane.

The bedroom is in order. That's a large part of the definition of SANE for me. The desk movement led to the shelf movement which led to the...you get the drift. And pretty soon I had a big pile of displaced STUFF to deal with. Plus my [heavenly]walk in closet looked like a bomb had hit. (I've discovered it's a GREAT spot to hide stuff I don't feel like dealing with...that is until it's no longer "walk in.") Spent an hour on that last night. Today I put away laundry and piles of "basement" and "kitchen," (I put things in piles so I'm not running back and forth dozens of times...but...sometimes the piles grow roots...)Anyhow, the bedroom is sane. A place for everything and everything in its place. My hub is out of town for the week, so that helps...I can sort and pile and work into the night...

Laundry is done AND put away. That's accomplishment.

There's food for the next two evenings already made, and three lunches for each child in the fridge. Woo hoo.

The sink is empty.

My bathroom is clean, as is the kitchen floor, thanks to Anna who was off school today. (and needed money...)

My homework is about 75 percent done. I have to email it by midnight Wednesday. It's 7 pages so far. Two of the questions required 600 word answers. Yipes. Thankfully I am old and wise and started right in on this two week huge assignment. (the prof was on vacation this past week, so we had no class but got MEGA assignments) I'm loving it but whoa...it's a lot of work. I just love the reading though. I'm feeling stretched.

Stopped by the nursing home on my way home from work. That easily falls through the cracks as well, (sigh)so I'm glad I fit it in.

So... life is relatively calm. I'm headed to bed for 7 hours and then I'll be up and at it.

I am thanking God OFTEN for energy and health. Oh...almost forgot to brag that I did 34 minutes on the treadmill today too. Why 34? That's how much time was left in Audry Hepburn's "Sabrina." What a sweet sweet movie, and a lovely way to make exercise time pass quickly. Next up: "Roman Holiday." A tiny 13 inch tv on a bookshelf makes ALL the difference!

Well, g'night! I hope your week is productive as well!

Good Fortune

My fortune cookie held the following today:

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.

I'm a 35

The Radisson has Sleep Number beds. Each side of this king sized bed can be adjusted by remote control to the perfect sleep number.
I'm a 35. In the words of the infamous Goldilocks...it's not too hard, and it's not too soft...it's just right.
I have the other side of the bed set to 70; I'm pretty sure I could sleep on that side too...

A king sized bed all to myself in a deluxe hotel room...dial whatever number you choose...it's all good!

Amuse bouche

More inspiration.
Picked up a magazine -- which is more like a coffee table book in quality and price -- titled Artful Blogging. Who knew that blogging was now featured in a periodical?

Having only scanned it thus far, it appears to be the second volume, and it features blog sites of artists: artists who blog to help market their craft. And my oh my do those artists know how to create beautiful sites.

I'm a blog novice, utilizing the free blogspot site. If anyone has a link to a great explanation on how to fancy up a site, or create a custom backdrop, let me know. My creative juices are flowing.

I'm purposefully savoring the magazine...one blogger's layout at a time is enough to fill my senses. One that immediately grabbed me is http://parisbreakfasts.blogspot.com/ I haven't actually gone to the site, I've just admired what's published in the magazine. (I'm afraid to go to the site -- more hours are needed...) Here's a sample paragraph:

I like to think of each blog post as a morning "amuse bouche" -- a small bite, full of Parisien flavor for readers to enjoy with their coffee. Most contain a watercolor, photos, and a story. Ideally, I want to bring back memories of Paris past or arouse desires to visit anew. It has to work for me. I have to be inspired too.

Amuse bouche. What a great phrase. What a great way to read a delicious magazine, to enjoy a garden, to eat a biscotti with my latte: une amuse bouche at a time...

Inspire

Thank you to BL whose belated birthday greeting I just received and read. In it she conveyed how much my blog has meant to her, like the reacquainting of an old friend. (she moved far far away!) And so, here I am. Inspired again.

Starbucks has the cutest new mugs. A little white one with a pink painted center and a pink simple flower on it's front is now in my sink. Beneath the bloom is the word "inspire." A friend in our Bible study gave it to me yesterday. What a lovely word. Inspire.

Diane inspired me on Sunday when she went to the lakefront with me, toting along a copy of Organizing from the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern. Organization books intrigue me (I'm a freak -- well aware of it) and so since I had a birthday gift card to Borders I stopped today to pick it up. It's sitting here just waiting for me. Buying it and seeing it on my desk has inspired me...I'm cleaning our bedroom and once again trying to find a place for everything so that everything can be in its place. It's not hopeless, really. I just never quite get there...

Lest you think I'm a slob, it's actually not the case. My main rooms are generally in fabulous shape and ready for guests. Seasonal items are arranged and often updated. The rooms are lovely and comfortable and home.

However

My private space is another matter. Perhaps the problem is that I want to have EVERYTHING easily accessible. What is everything you ask? Well, to start with, as I look around me, I see:

journal; laptop; Bible; Organizing book; colored pencils; Precepts study; totebag; quilt in process; basket of sewing supplies; stationary, stationary and more stationary; birthday cards, well...a lot of many types of cards...organized in baskets, of course; a Longaberger basket of stickers (for envelopes); a rattan basket of electronic pieces and parts; a rattan basket of receipts; a basket of assorted post it notes (have I mentioned the pen and paper obsession?); books on knitting; actual knitting; inspiring quilt books; a few photos; a basket of tiny prayer books, lists and verses; tabs that need to go into my Precepts binder; two packs of neon filler paper (did I mention...oh...yes I see that I did...); a basket of pens...I think I'll stop now.

Considering that all of this is within arm's reach, my area looks pretty good. Baskets on shelves within an entertainment center with etched glass doors, as well as on a tall bookshelf on the other side of my desk/sewing table. The desk is in front of a narrow window with a view of our front yard pine tree. There's also a TV in the entertainment center, with a DVD and a VCR, and a love seat on this side of the bedroom. I've become quite attached to this whole end of the room, but it was looking a bit random, and there are a few piles. When cleaning all the other rooms of the house, if I don't know what to do with an item...I send it to my room. Thus today's focus.

I've interspersed the organizing with writing four cards, folding laundry, some closet organization, a bit of writing, and now the blog. It's a perfect rainy afternoon...puttering in my little world, bringing order and beauty while also accomplishing some nagging to do's.

Sigh. Only another 1.5 hours until it's time to prepare the tacos. (also on today's list...did I mention the "Tuesday off work" list?) Even with the mundane tasks taking up precious time, I am so thankful to have a flexible job with an occasional day off to get somewhat caught up.

And inspired.

Summary

Quick catch up for you avid readers...

• Just finished the book The History of Love by Nicole Krauss. Very very rarely do I read books twice, but I might read this one again. It was an endearing story of elderly male friendship, lost love, and a mysterious manuscript. Throughout the read I was confused but enthralled. In the last pages I started to put together who was who and how they were related. It's one of those books that you want to read with a paper and pencil so that you can track the cast of characters. Interesting read.
• Now reading Beautiful Boy: a father's journey through his son's addiction by David Sheff. This father wrote an article about the same subject for the NYTimes, won an award, and subsequently expanded it into this book. It's a page turner and a heart breaker. One of my closest friends has a nineteen year old daughter working to kick a heroine habit, and someone very close to me is addicted to crystal meth. And so while the reading is hard, I feel it is beneficial for me to know a close up and compassionate view of addiction. (btw...if anyone knows how to underline in blogger, do let me know...it's not on my toolbar...thus the book titles are not underlined)
• It's raining hard today. There's still melting snow. The sump pump is in overdrive and there are puddles in the basement. SIGH. We need some major landscape and patio work.
• Two of my three brothers were here for the week end. While it's always great to see them, it tends to be tiring as I cook and continually pick up behind everyone.
• I'm such a morning loner. When my brothers and husband were in my three favorite quiet time spots on Sunday morning, I did indeed pout. And then I found a new spot. This house has a lot of good nooks and crannies!
• My husband took a new job on Friday. He will be working for a huge company based in Milwaukee but flying around the country to check up on things. His title will be Compliance Manager (accounting) and he'll be traveling up to 35% of the time. We're excited about the frequent flyer miles!!
• Three overnight work trips in April will keep me busy. The first is tomorrow for two nights, then three nights beginning the 16th and finally four nights beginning the 28th. I love traveling on my own. I think it feels like such a LUXURY to have a hotel room to myself after so many years of sharing with my dear children and husband. (although we shared the tent more often than a hotel room)
• My 45th birthday came and went and was well celebrated.
• I'm currently beating my brother, who actually IS a brain surgeon, for the second game out of two in Scrabble. It's a riot. He is SO frustrated, SO competitive and is actually doing math to see who would have won if I wouldn't have had the "X "or whatever. GOOD GRIEF. It is a little sister (by 11 years!) dream come true. Hehe. The downside is I think we'll have to keep playing til he wins one.

That's it for the update. More on my Bible study at another time. For now I have to go work on it while I have an hour alone before picking up Jake for an orthodontist appointment. My brother is out with my dad, so I have the house to myself. YEAH.

PS Don't forget I love HELLOS in the comments. :)