wasting the day away

Decided to clean and rearrange the bedroom today.
That was before I texted V,
telling her I was going to South Bend Chocolate
to surf Black Friday sales.
As I was throwing on sweats and tshirt,
she texted that she was in!

UGH.
So I put on my jeans and pearls...
yes I found them hiding in Hil's room and confiscated them again,
the pearls that is,
but missing anything could be found in her room.
Laptop in bag, mittens on and out the door.

Caffe Wein and bagel consumed,
we are sitting and each in our own worlds,
occasionally asking what the other has found,
or showing something inspiring.
No black Friday ads for us......
too much hustle and bustle that day.

Instead I am wasting the morning away
looking at one of my favorite blogs:

shop-dog.blogspot.com
If you like dogs with attitude,
you will surely enjoy this quaint site.
I giggle all the time at his antics.

Parking time is about to run out,
and I do have to get to the cleaning and rearranging.
Enjoy!

Grounding

I had an interesting conversation with hubby yesterday.As he has been in Canada for an extended period,
we have been catching up on our frequent calls.
(I really missed being able to talk with him
at any moment I wanted to...he turns his phone off in Canada
...at $.30 a minute..whew!)
He called and asked what I was doing.
My answer was...I'm making red velvet cupcakes.
He started laughing.

Apparently, his day was filled with political radio,
"discussions" with driver managers, and the world in general.
He said it felt like he came crashing back to the 1950's reality
when talking to me....good ol June Cleaver.
He was reminded that life is good, things move forward,
and that I ground him.
I however, never in all my dreams imagined that I would be
looked upon as June Cleaver.
Or mother earth, or, Pollyanna,or Miss Kris from my contemporaries.
I rather enjoy it.
I have a good life.
I am blessed that my hubby works really hard for our family,
and always has.
I am blessed that I was able to homeschool our daughters
and that they are amazing.
I am blessed that my days are filled with Mema, coffee,
cupcakes, care ministry, spinning, and taking care of others.
People say I am always so busy.
Most days I don't feel it, but when I look back,
yup..I'm pretty busy.

Last night V invited me to come to a poetry reading at Notre Dame.
Alice Notley was the poet.
Everything you would imagine a poet to look and act like.
She was funny and very very strange.
I followed the first series or works...I think,
but the last had my brain concentrating harder than it ever had before.
It actually was hard to decide what to have for dinner afterward.
There were so many obscure, weird, graphic ideas thrown around.
If this woman could be published and popular,
why can't others with more clear ideas do the same?
Or is it that she is so totally off the wall,
that others think her genius?

Anyway, it is a very cold morning,
Chuck has his sweater on in the house,

but my electric bills are only $51,
so the thermostat is staying where it is.
Maybe a bit higher to  67.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner,
I am making turkey, rolls and stuffing.
V and Mom have the rest, I think.
Delegating is good.
I am thankful!

I tunes

What a wonderful invention!
Yes, I am a bit behind in the times,
but I am so happy about my nano!
I just downloaded 12 new Christmas songs!
Everything from Barbra Streisand Jingle Bells,
Muppets 12 days of Christmas,
Andy Williams Happy Holidays,
Frank Sinatra I Believe,
and of course, some Micheal Buble!

Hilary refuses to let me begin decorating before Thanksgiving is over.
Who's house is this anyway?!
I do need to declutter before pulling out the holiday boxes
I suppose.
No fun!

At least I'll be listening...and singing...
holiday songs while I clean
and walk Chuck.
My neighborhood is in for a surprise this year,
as I add more holiday songs to my repertoire.

Have a blessed day!

Trying to Heal

I visited my podiatrist yesterday.
After breaking my big toe six weeks ago,
the xrays showed that it is "trying to heal".
This is somewhat frustrating,
but expected, with my Charcot condition.
Doc is worried that the bone will heal improperly
as other bones in my feet have similarly healed.

I raked the front and back yard this weekend.
I was soooo sore when I woke up the next day.
Everything hurt.
Everything that is, but my feet.
I suppose it would help the healing process
if I stayed off of my feet as much as possible.
But when it doesn't hurt......
You see my problem.
I have confidence that eventually the swelling will go down,
the color will return to normal,
I won't have to go for periodic check ups for this toe.
Complete recovery!
I am reminded that when you are suffering  a cold or the flu,
it seems as if you will never be, or even  remember 
what it feels like to be healthy again.
To have energy, stamina, a clear head,
nothing dripping, and a sunny disposition.
It amazes me every time, when the bug is gone!

I am also reminded of a healed marriage.
For many years it seemed as if I was to be forever unhappy.
After twenty six years tho,
I can testify that hard times do indeed pass.
Growing, changing, learning, compromising, loving...
all needs to happen for a change to begin.
I went to a Joyce Meyer conference this past weekend
with my two best sistas.
We were all so very inspired, convicted, and lifted up!
Cleveland is a beautiful city!
The topic of the meetings was the Fruits of the Spirit.
If you watch the program, in six months,
you may get a glimpse of us girly girls intently listening,
and trying NOT to look at the camera.
Although one of us was chewing gum like a cow...
I won't say who!
One thing Joyce mentioned, is that God works VERY SLOWLY.
You ask for something,
you wait and wait, and wait,
until you think you can not wait any longer.....
then SUDDENLY God works and answers your request.

Rarely does He answer quickly.
Rarely do we ask for things that He can give to us quickly.
Most of the time He waits, so that we will...
be mature enough,
and have enough character,
to handle what we have asked for.

So, after raking my leaves one more time this season.....
I am going to enjoy healing.
I have lots to knit, spin, and read.
Many plans are brewing in the near horizon,
that I will also be maturing for the answers.

I am blessed and broken :)

weather/clouds

I am a weather junkie.
Clouds and storms fascinate me.
My dad and I used to sit in our garage in Pittsburgh
and watch the storms roll in.
Lightning, thunder, pressure changes, animal reactions.
All of it was awe inspiring.

When a storm threatens I:
1.  gather candles and flashlights,
because undoubtedly my power will go out,
being on the Morris Park Country Club property line.
Inevitably, a tree or branch will fall over the power lines.
2.  stand looking west out my back door,
watching the wind, clouds and storm approach.
I will stand here until the rain threatens to drench my family room.
Sometimes, I venture beneath the overhang on the garage side of the deck.

The other night, I took out the trash and looked up to the sky.
I was struck with the weird formations above.

Did anyone else notice these formations?
The winds were coming from the south east,
and also pushing in from the north.
Fantastic swirls of clouds!
As the sun was setting, the colors of fall and the approaching storm
had me glued to my spot in the yard.
No storm came though, but I had many pictures of the fast moving phenomena.
Maybe I should have been a weather girl!

Blessed by God's mighty, and creative show.