Stuff

You know there are days that are in the bin before they even start? Days like today, when I started washing dishes, a task I despise, and the sprayer on the kitchen sink broke unexpectedly and sprayed me full on in the face. Days like that. Days you want to just slink back into the bedroom, slide under the cool covers and pull your pillow over your head and call it good. Those kind of days.

I love that there are peeps in my life that don't let me stay there. Peeps like the Man, who even though he is being the kindest he knows how, tell me to get off my pity party ass and get the hell out! Those peeps. The ones who laugh at the sprayer incident and aren't afraid I will find offense in their glee. I am glad I have those who bring me back to the reality that my life is actually pretty darned easy in comparison to others.

There are so many random things that are floating around in my head that a random list of them is the only way I can think to get them out and leave them behind. So here goes...

* I am tired of listening to ex-pats complain about the US and anything about our political, emotional or educational status. You choose not to live here anymore, you no longer have my ear in your opinion on what goes on here. Get over yourself and thinking you are superior because you chose to leave. Make your decision and stick with it. I will be un-listening to your rants from here on.

* Springtime around here means making some decisions about bravery. I must be brave to plant anything this early as we still face at least one more snow event, be it little or large. But I simply could not help myself and have begun the process. Wish me luck!

* I am sincerely hoping that the Boy will finally understand his limitations with horror/scary/thriller type shows. After being awakened over the last three nights by a twelve year old in tears over a scary movie, I am cooked and definitely no longer in the running for mother of the year. Is it just a boy thing to think that he can handle it? At his age, I knew I couldn't handle the creepy movies and avoided being scared, I didn't court it like chocolate or hip hugger pants!

* Yesterday was the best Mothers Day I have had in years. Was it because I lowered my expectations, I relaxed into letting it be, or because it was somehow more recognized as a day I wanted to be special? I don't know. I don't really care either, I am just glad I didn't cry once, all day long!

* I wish there was a way to fund my addiction to all things Apple by all the questions I answer when I take my iPad and keyboard to the coffee shop to write.

* My studio building has been ordered and will undergo construction around the first part of June. I am excited and perplexed and scared crap-less all at the same time. What an awesome responsibility and yet what a boost to the old ego when one's Man truly understands and wants to support in the way he knows how. Let the decorating begin!

* Gave up thinking that I would ever be an accountant. Have handed the reins over to a trusted friend who is working with me through all the odd quirks, strange entries and weird aversions I have had through the years. She has her work cut out for her! But what a relief to feel that burden being lifted and not just chucked to the ground and run away from.

* I am such an addict to my electronics that there are days I feel a complete slave to them. I wish there were a time that I could feel completely comfortable turning the darned phone off and spending a few hours reading and being quiet without guilt. But then I worry the entire time that I will not be available should something go awry and I am off pampering myself with silence. Silly, huh?

* I miss my grandmother. She was such a comforting soul to me. I know she had to have habits that drove her kids nuts, but to me she was always just Gramma. I wish I still had her to hug and breath in her gramma-ness. I wish I could sit in her living room and listen to her talk in the coolness of the afternoon. I miss her. When I planted my peony this weekend, I thought of her. It will be a wonderful reminder...

And that is all for now. I think I have lifted enough from my brain to now think clearer for just a few hours. Thank you to the Man for kicking me out and making me do what I said I would. You rock, even if you did yell at me... :)

Rrrrrrrrandom!

Little things that make my day...
* bananas in my cereal, just a titch on the green side so they are slightly tart and firm
* listening to the Red Winged Black Birds trill their hellos to each other
* moments that make me smile like wild turkeys ambling down the middle of the road.

* my iPad... I still love it immensely
* waiting for the garden to produce greenness.... tulips are still just leaves. (Probably a good thing since we have snow)
* lists
* checking in on bloggity friends that post to Facebook and Twitter
* people who get me... and still want to hang around!
* red wine blends (because that's how I roll)
* new apps for my phone.... and frankly, my phone!
* watching it snow... again.
* the chiming of the grandmother clock
* kisses from my sweetheart
* Skype chats
* being done with anything

Gobsmacked

Levi's Easter dragon kite

There are times in my life that I have come upon a moment and been absolutely taken aback by either the event itself or by my reaction to it.  This is one of those times.

Yesterday I was clicking along in my day feeling rather productive and safe when I learned of a dear friend's father passing away. We have all known it was coming and it is not a surprise for the most part to any party, but the way that it stopped me in my tracks yesterday (and somewhat still this morning) has me floundering about as if I were lost.

Suddenly I am faced with the reality that there comes a time when there is no more.  No more "I love you's", no more five-more-minutes, no more hugs or smiles or shared laughter. No more. Maybe it is because my husband travels so much and maybe it is simply hormonal, but that struck me dumb and I was thrown unceremoniously into the black pit of no more.... How would I react to my no more moment?

On the wings of angels my friend's father departs us, left standing in the moment of No more.... I am a little jealous.  I wish I were that free, that ready and that excited to see my Lord. I am still very tethered to this life and this family I have. I am still very weepy at the thought of No more...

Spring is almost Sprung

Columbine coming back to life.

Tulips starting to peek through the soil...

Hyacinth on the rise!

I am so incredibly excited for the tulips I planted last fall to poke up their lovely little heads! One can only hope that there was enough fertilizer applied to develop blooms... I know, I know... Can't I just be happy that they are coming up at all?

Winter at 7200ft in elevation is a marathon to say the least. We get those lovely days above 60 degrees, yes, but then at night we drop to well below comfortable. And then there is the snow... Truly, I am hoping for more snow! We need so much more moisture to pull us out of the impending drought and to make our hayfield worth processing in June.

I can always water the flower beds, the back yard, and the bushes... I cannot, however, water that front hayfield without penalty of law. So snow, rain or monsoonal moisture of almost any kind, I am patiently waiting!

In the meantime, I will enjoy the little pokey noses of my upcoming blooms! Woot woot!

Randomness for starters...

- I love new technology, but I am rapidly becoming weary of how quirky it can be. Teaching Lovely Husband new things is exhausting!
- Company in from out of town is awesome... And having one's home back to oneself is also very awesome!
- Why is the coffee shop completely packed and buzzing (no pun intended) at 4 o'clock in the afternoon? Shouldn't these people be working, caring for families or something? (Insert pang of guilt here.)
- Why is it when one clears one's schedule for an activity one desperately desires to have time to do that suddenly one feels the need to be anywhere else than where they have cleared their schedule to be?
- I am wondering if I am ever going to be a better photographer and more excited about snapping pics of stuff I find interesting. Maybe it is because I have been so stinking busy I am looking down more... Must concentrate on looking up!
- Shopping for new bottles to sample turned this up... Plan on giving label to dear friend who collects them... After we enjoy the insides, of course!


- I love the fact that large stores like Walmart are waking up and carrying gluten free products! Makes it much more possible to do a quick one stop for multiple items...
- I am jealous of the other areas of the country (and world) that are already enjoying spring-like conditions. I cannot even think about planting flowers while we are still getting snow alternating with days of 70 degree weather!
- Very excited to finish Kentucky Derby bonnet invitation... 10 year old birthday party... (sigh)
- Have realized that my children are turning into amazing adults, again. Does that ever get old? Note to self: Ask mother....
- In addition to trying to do more with photos, since I cannot seem to discipline to using camera, checking out Instagram for the Droid... I hear it is absolutely fabu!
- Loving time to put down some randomonium...

Hiatus and other mishaps....

Hello Peeps! I know, I know... I didn't call, I didn't leave a note, I simply vanished and have sunk ever so low on your reading list, if I am still there at all. I understand, truly I do!

I have not been idle, however, just focused elsewhere. I tried to tell you here. But you are right, I should have at least called...

I have made some major changes to my schedule and hope that in the coming days and weeks I can get back to my bloggy self and make you all chuckle just a bit once more!

I have been keeping the faith by reading most of my friends on the most lovely iPad with an app called Flipboard. My only complaint is that it doesn't allow for an easy way to comment on those blogs... Must figure out how that can happen more so that you know I am still lurking around out there!

I have seen you Christina, Spud and McG! I have laughed and loved the pictures I am so dreadful at taking myself. I vow now to keep you in the loop and to remember that I carry my new camera (albeit a Point and Shoot) in my purse for those occasions that I can snap for blog posting.



(Horrendous quality picture taken with phone.... Love the idea and the picture content - Need to ditch the phone and use the camera!)

Lovely Husband, as he will now be known, has freed my schedule to pursue my ever growing love of writing and I am hoping that I can somehow make him proud. In his generosity, I am lighter than air and feeling very freeeeeeee!!!! Looking forward to lists, rants and raves, some truly awful pictures and the simple things. Boy, have I missed you!

Prepare yourselves... I am hoping to be back - with a vengeance!

Resolutions

I don't normally make them, New Years Resolutions.... I think that if one wants to change something, you don't need a special day to do it. But then I think back to all the times I have started something and I tend to wait til Monday... Lol! Seems funny, but the beginning of the week just seems right for new beginnings. So maybe New Years is the ultimate first day....

I make lists, lots of them. I list my to-dos for my work, I list the groceries and rarely shop without one, I list presents to buy, goals to meet, things I would like to see accomplished in the year. So now seems a very right time for a list...

- This year, I want to smile at least once a day.
- It's also my goal to make someone else smile at least once a day.
- I will write more, this blog or the other one... But I will write more
- I will finish my book.... So darned close!
- I will Facebook less than I connect with others face to face
- I will watch less television and make that I do watch count....
- I purchased a new pen today... I will use it to record my written words for my kids to read when I'm gone. I won't be self conscious about my handwriting... I will let it be what it is for that day, even if it's messy.
- When I am offended, I will endeavor to ask the offender at least one question, and I will attempt to assume they didn't mean to hurt me.
- I will remind myself that the only person hurt by bitterness is me... And I will try like hell not to be bitter!
- I will make myself sit still when my kids wrap me in hugs and want to kiss me on the mouth. I will treasure those moments later when they are busy with their own lives.
- I will pray because God is always listening and I will speak like children are listening.

The list is long and ambitious, but I believe in grace and miracles so I will try it anyway! And when I fail to keep it all, I will laugh at the days to come and remember that God loves me anyway! And my family makes it all worthwhile!!!



(Me... I really need to wax....)