mall watching

I know a few people who sit at Barnes and Nobles
Bookstore to
simply watch people.
I love to participate in this activity.
I enjoy listening to others' conversations.
If they didn't want to be overheard,
they should not be discussing these things at the bookstore.


Most of my time recently at B & N
has been looking at knitting and spinning books and magazines.
I find the bookstore full of so many possibilities, and my mind can run wild.
I used to look for homeschooling, quilting, gardening,
travel, diets and cookbooks, decorating etc.
I look forward to many other interests in the future!

As I was leaving the bookstore, I walked through the mall.
I noticed all kinds of different people there.
I passed the children's play area I watched
mom's texting on their phones while
their children played with other children.
I wanted to jump in and protect these little bits
from diving onto hard plastic playthings and in turn,
stop them from losing teeth or requiring stitches.
Why don't parents watch their children?

I passed bored employees trying to pass time
when no one was shopping their booths.
I especially wonder about the girl
who will pull all kinds of hair from your body
with two pieces of string!

I watched a woman try to read a magazine around a teeth whitening machine!

I saw many people in the food court.
One was cutting up noodles with a passion.
Some were trying to make their 15 minutes last as long as they could.
Some ate while their toddlers wandered about.
Most had distant looks on their faces.

The last lady I saw was entering into the mall.
She looked tired and as if she didn't really know where she was.
Her hair was unkempt, and one lace was untied on her boot.
I thought about offering to tie it,
but better judgement and her eyes made me keep walking.
Sometime people want their laces untied.

I think I would enjoy taking a note and sketch book with me one day or a few.
Observe, and capture all I see.
Most of these people seem empty.
Do they know the Lord?
He makes everything so much better...even in the tough times..
we just have to keep looking for Him
in spite of the whole world bringing you down.

Sometimes that is hard to do!

raising the bar

I had a HORRIBLE day yesterday!
Just terrible.
It was all in my head and mood.
Feeling frustrated and worthless and lazy.

I don't have many of those days.
Actually, I can't remember the last time I felt that way.
I was in a bit of moodiness when the girls moved out.
I love my space and solitude now!

Yesterday, in the middle of
my self inflicted depression,
a good friend asked my advice.
I appreciated it so much.
I do have experiences that can help others.
The holy spirit tells me what to say.
Heaven knows and understands
that I could never come up with the things I say on my own!

I have been included and have been surrounded by
such an amazing group of people!
They demand and expect my best.
It is such a blessing to know this!
I am striving for the top!
I want to be used for His Kingdom!!!

My mind is whirling!
I am excited for what is coming next!
I am pushing that bar as far as I can get it,
then accepting the stool and pushing it further!

Get ready world.
You are His and I am His willing instrument!

peaceful

I had a very peaceful day yesterday.
Good thing because the day before, I felt like biting everyones' head off!
Funny how one comment or person can annoy you to the point of it affecting your whole day.

I woke up feeling as though I had to accomplish something!
I rarely have nothing to do, so today felt unusual.
I checked emails, did the few dishes in the sink and hovered.

I had been to the library earlier in the week.
My book selections were from diet and exercise, to finding sea glass and it's history, and the new Dean Koontz book Breathless.
I love Koontz' writing style.
Stephen King ish, but his character development is phenomenal!

The snow had been shoveled and coaxed from the roof,
both girls were working and the parents seemed content.
I settled onto the couch in the dining room,
with a cup of Michigan Cherry coffee, pumpkin seeds and my book.

I usually have the tv or radio on.
Mainly for some noise in the house.
Quiet and I are not the best of friends.
However, this seems to be changing.

With feet of snow outside and me inside, I didn't feel the need for noise.
I felt cocooned and protected.
As I read, I felt myself drift into the scenery of Colorado.

I daydreamed a bit of owning an inn in Maine,
complete with farm and thriving fiber business.

Charlie slept on my lap,
then on my shoulder so he could better see the outside world.
I was not tempted to doze.

My folks invited me to see a movie with them, which I enjoyed.

I came home and plyed together a mystery challenge I had started the week before.
For as difficult as this was to spin, with its pieces of ribbon, bits of crinkled green aluminum icicles, and different fibers, when I plyed it with romney it turned out rather well.

Charlie and I went to bed early and I dreamed of buying slices of all kinds of fudge!

snow SNow SNOw SNOW!!!!

From one of my favorite movies...White Christmas...and whenever it snows, the girls and I repeat the snow on the train scene! Which sometimes brings us to make our rendition of Sisters!

I love the snow!
I love it when it is white and quiet and I can sit all day in front of the window and watch it gently falling to the ground.

I especially love it when, in the evening with a cup of cocoa or tea,
I can look out my front door and see it sparkling like the stars in the sky
have floated down for my pleasure.
I love walking in the evening snow when all is so very quiet.

I stopped by Office Max after having breakfast with Ronni.
How I love those two things.
Seems I am full of love today!
I went to organize my bills and discovered that my calender had run out.

There is nothing in the world, next to fiber,
that I love more than browsing in a paper goods store.
I purchased and new binder, folder and 2010 day planner.

SO my afternoon will be spent with paperwork, training Charlie and spinning!
No gym today! Maybe an exercise video, but I have been doing really well at the whole diet, gym thing.
Maybe today is the day off!!!

Stay safe in the weather all.
LOVE!

Maggie 2

What a good dog!
She lived just over 12 years.
Made it through to 2010!
Hated my mother in law!
Helped in the garden by digging and shaking the grass clumps.
She killed moles like it was nobody's business!
Loved to take long walks.
Hated squirrels.
She loved to dance and would sing along with Happy Birthday!
We had to buy paddle ball paddles so she could play with the p..tewwie!
Tolerated Charlie and was loved by him more than any other being.
Barked at the mailman, little kids, any animals passing the front door.
Only ever bit one person...Kimberly surprised her at the front door.
Always managed to end up in the bathtub when there was a storm or fireworks.
Hated when anyone fought or yelled. She would hide under the bed.
Was a great companion.
Loved being scratched with paint sticks...
especially on the backside!
Always raised her arm when scratched.
Hated the dogs next door and never even met them!
Was terrified of sprinklers...even while riding in the car.
Shivered because she got attention when she did.
Loved carrots as snacks.
Always rode on my lap looking out the window in her "..sition".
Was the best behaved dog in the whole world.
I will miss you little girl.
Rest well on your fuzzy!
January 4, 2010

Just when you think you have it all figured out...

For the past year, I have tried my best to not interfere, give my opinion or advice, roll my eyes, or make a scene.
All this because my daughters are dating.
Things are not how I would have them.
If it were up to me, "children" would casually date a number of young men before going "steady".
They would get to know, every detail, of the young men and their own ideals, values, hopes and dreams before becoming serious.

It seems I am old fashioned.
I cannot even count how many times I have opened my mouth with a comment or tried to ask a question and then have my head bitten off before the tears and yelling began.

I realized that I should take my grandmother's advice...and not say anything...EVER!
Let them come and talk at me, ask for advice, cry on my shoulder or hug me with excitement, but NEVER NEVER offer anything without being bribed to by one of the girls!

And NEVER EVER even look in the boy's direction in case he gets the wrong idea and thinks I am a horrible person and causes problems in the relationship.

I was thrown a loop tonight.
Veronica asked me to pick up a friend from the airport. He is moving here and staying with her until his place is ready.
Hilary was off and I asked if she wanted to pick him up. "Oh no! Ronni specifically asked you to get him because this will be your chance to grill him."

What do I do now?! All this self control for what? I called Terry and my best friend and asked their advice. The plane was late, so God and I had some more time.
UGH!
From the airport to the apartment, I covered sports, cars, politics, religions, his intentions, my expectations, and that I really was a very nice lady, but could make his life miserable if Ronni is allowed to driver herself home after 11pm.

Not bad I thought.

Veronica called me when she got off of work and praised me. "That is just what I wanted you to do! I needed you to be Lorelei Gilmore and pull the boy into the kitchen and let him know that you had the whole town behind you when it comes to me."

I cannot tell you how relieved I am.

Now why couldn't I have been trusted with the other one's fella.......
I really am a nice lady!
Now, back to keeping my mouth shut~!

Weepy!

I can't explain it!
I have felt like crying...or have been crying for two days now!
This is mostly a happy crying.
An I am overblessed kind of crying!
Is that possible? To be OVER blessed?
My life feels full. My cup over flowing...and flowing and flowing!
The family is healthy, and happy and safe.
We have our struggles, but nothing that keeps us down!

A dear friend is moving tomorrow...to Texas of all places!
I am so glad that I know her!
But, I didn't know that I was so attached and that she is such a valuable part of my life!
I was given a gift to be a part of her last small group at church.
She has been in snippets of my life for about two years.
I know that I do not know her well, but she is one of those people
who you have an instant connection to!
I only had one other friend like her.
One of an ex boyfriend's best friend. He was always around, always there if you needed him, and I didn't realize how much he ment to me until I moved.
As I hugged him goodbye, I felt like Dorothy saying goodbye to the scarecrow.
I'll miss you most of all!
That's the feeling I have now.
But it is also a happy felling because I know that she and I will always be close and connected.
I will keep it that way!

My church family is amazing! I only wish you could experience the love that is shared between all of these messed up people! Honest. Unjudgmental. This is the place where Jesus would attend.
When I say "I am blessed" this is at the tippy top of the list!
I have NEVER felt more welcome and a part of anywhere in my life!

I feel that my talents and gifts are finally at their peak.
Both at church and at home.
I love sitting at my wheel, creating. Then knitting. Discovering new ways, new feels, new combinations! Just waiting on a direction God wants me to take so that I can bless others as much as I am blessed!

And finally, but right there at the top of the list! My friends.
I have never had a best friend of the likes of the one I have now.
We are nothing alike, but I can not ever imagine ever being without her!
I am blessed with great friends.
I can be me with all of them! That is hard for me. But not with them.

OK. Time for more Kleenex!

shoulds

I should be finishing the 3" on Hilary's sock.
I should be painting my granddaughter's jewelry box.
I should be tying my grandson's fireman fleece blanket.
I REALLY should be cleaning house~
I should be making cards.
I should be knitting on my BFF's sweater.
I should be finishing my sweater...first from all handspun romney!
I should be finishing Christmas cookies the girls started last night.
I should be writing a letter to my sister in law.

I am done shopping for presents.
2/3 pairs of socks are done.
All I want to do, is read, visit Mema, spin, see movies, and enjoy the snow....
Wait! There is no snow..only rain!
Guess I'll tackle some SHOULDS!
Merry Christmas!

borrowing

I love how my daughter Veronica's mind works.
Her use of language astounds me.
I must borrow her words today. Most of the time she is witty and intelligent. Today however, she was hysterical.

She dropped her car off to get the oil changed and was going to walk to my house for breakfast.
I woke at 8:30 and texted her.
It was raining and I offered to pick her up.
She took me up on this.

I crawled out of my warm bed and threw on some sweat pants,
my winter jacket and out I went,
bleary eyed in search of my oldest daughter.

I was within one turn of the garage when I called her,
thinking that I missed her in my sleepy state.
No. She was still there waiting on me.
She was shocked that I was not awake.
She informed me that she had always felt guilty for sleeping in because she had the impression that I was always up at 5am,
scrubbing the floors and teaching mice to sing.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAAHHAHAHA!

I love how she words things!
No. Empty nest has set in, and I stay up late knitting Christmas presents, watching old movies, and find that I allow myself to sleep in as long as the dogs let me.
Most days...9am.

Have a blessed day!

hmmmmm

I am stumped today.
After reading the few blogs I follow, with such wit and wisdom and fun,
I feel inadequate today. I am totally impressed with my daughter's use of the English language. She really makes you "feel" the agony and joy of people.

I cashed in $50.16 today all in change!

I searched endlessly for a Bible study on spiritually unequal relationships
with no luck.

I walked the dogs around the block. Maggie literally stopped at every yard and TRIED to pee. Ugh! No more long walks for her. I hope she gets better soon.
This is tiring!

I plan on spending the day trying to finish Christmas presents.
I have 3 weeks. Hopefully this will be enough time.

There is lots going on around church this week, but I feel tired.
Emotionally, physically and financially! Spiritually I am HOT!

The weather is cool today and very sunny. I am barbequing tonight for the last time this season, I think.
Chicken, baked squash....I have been trying to buy a new to me squash every week. I have not been disappointed.....baked sweet potatoe and maybe brownies.
Depends if V is coming or not.
Tonight would be a great catch up on Greys night!

Tomorrow the girls are coming over for lunch and to help me decorate the tree.
It is up and lit, but the girls have always liked putting on the balls and such!
I love it! And surprisingly enough, they get better each year!

Alright....off to knit.

Going to try DAWNTREADER's soup recipe this week!