Indulgence

Putting together a jigsaw puzzle is something I only indulge in between Christmas and New Years. Once I start a puzzle, I am oblivious to the rest of the world and can stay up all night working to find one piece. This year I had some fairly easy puzzles, so I managed to get three done in two days. They were fun to do.

Then I had some computer problems - could not get on the Internet to browse - and finally ended up purchasing a new computer which just arrived yesterday. Because it was so frustrating not having access to the Internet, I started working on a 1,000 piece puzzle, and finished it in a few days.

Being without the Internet is getting akin to being without electricity. I couldn't pay bills, I couldn't get any recipes, I couldn't read blogs, I couldn't look up the weather, I couldn't browse Amazon, I couldn't do the jigsaw puzzle on AARP, and I couldn't shop. Horrible.

Now I have a new laptop, I have endless problems getting things setup, and half my programs don't work because they are so old. Life is never boring.

Christmas Decorations

This cuddly pot-bellied little snowman is watching the world go by from the vantage point of my dining room table. That is a soft flannel quilt on the table, made many years ago. I love all the smiling faces of the snowmen.

My fireplace looks inviting on this cold December day. Two beautiful poinsettia plants add Christmas color.

Last year I went all out with Christmas Decorations - a big tree and decorations in every room. This year I'm keeping it simple and easy. After a small health problem and surgery, I'm ready to sit back, relax, and enjoy my quiet home. Thankfully I'm doing well, feeling great, and fully recovered. This year I will enjoy the season, hearing the story of the birth of Jesus, the music, the colors, the family parties, the food, and finally a big family wedding on December 29th. Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la la la.

Today I am grateful for the color red. (And green.)

Slippers

The other day I spilled something on my comfortable slippers and decided that since they were old and worn, it was time to throw them out.

A trip to Kohl's seemed in order and I wandered around the slipper department checking out all the options.

Since I prefer slippers that are more like shoes (with a back heel section), I was not considering any slip-ons. However, nothing that I tried on felt comfortable or looked appropriate for an older woman.

Finally I tried on these slip-ons. They were very comfortable and fit my foot perfectly. I was worried about slipping out too easily, but there is enough of a front structure to keep my foot firmly in place. I purchased them.

Now I am here to tell you that I LOVE these new slippers. They are so easy to get on, so wonderfully comfortable, and I like the way they look.

Is it silly to be so happy over a pair of slippers? Ah, the little things in life that make me happy and feeling cozy - they are the things that hit my gratitude list after family and friends.

Wishing all of you a warm comfortable pair of slippers.........

Good book

Today I finished reading Little Chapel On The River by Gwendolyn Bounds. It was a good book and I highly recommend it. It was a pleasant read about nice, interesting people. The author experienced first-hand the 9/11 tragedy and this is her story about relocating to a town on the Hudson River and a pub where she found a welcoming family.

The writing kept me engaged from start to finish. There are even pictures to help the reader get further acquainted with the people in the book. I've never been a person to spend any time in a bar, but this book made me realize that family can be found not only in the home, but in a bar, an office, a business, a church, or just about anywhere that people care for each other.

Happy Thanksgiving to all......................

Blogging

Dear Blogland Friends,

Updating of my blogs has not taken place lately because I have been busy working on a volunteer job at church, enjoyed a week with out-of-town guests, and have been flitting about in my social butterfly world. Also, I have been too lazy to take pictures and record what I’m doing. I have been working on quilting projects and cross stitch projects. I have been reading books. Along with my out-of-town guests I went to see WICKED and we took a travel day to Lake Geneva Wisconsin.

Every day I write Morning Pages (per Julia Cameron of The Artist’s Way fame) and keep a small journal. Blogging therefore becomes a third process of recording my daily happenings and gets put at the bottom of the list.

I really enjoy reading a few blogs that are written every day and wish that I were not so lazy and could get in the habit of posting more frequently.

However, I can happily report that my life overflows with wonderful things to do, places to go, and people to see.

I’m off now to a luncheon engagement………..

Good for me......

Wow - doesn't this bowl of apples make a nice picture? I bought a bag of apples because it is September (Fall to me), they are a healthy snack, and on Weight Watchers they are only 1 point. Unfortunately apples are not my favorite food. On my list of favorite foods, apples might be close to the bottom. Now apple pie, apple cobbler and apple slices are a whole different matter.



When I got appendicitis (back in my 20's), the last thing I had eaten was an apple. For years after that, I could not face eating an apple. Then, during one of my dieting phases, I went to Diet Center where an apple a day is recommended, so I ate tons of apples. If Diet Center recommended a bag of potato chips every day, would I be sick of them? (NO)



Will I actually eat these apples? Some creative thinking needs to take place to make them palatable - like baking them with Splenda, or dipping them in yogurt, or adding diced pieces to my green salad. I keep telling myself, Apples are good for me, Apples are good for me......



Years ago I read Julia Cameron's book, THE ARTIST'S WAY. In the book she discusses Morning Pages - an exercise of writing (by hand, not on the computer) each morning using the stream-of-consciousness method. I have practiced doing Morning Pages many times over the years. For some reason, doing Morning Pages seems to give me energy for the day. I use this writing time to plan out my day, to record what happened the day before, and to write out my gratitudes and prayers to God. I write three pages each day. About half way through, I usually feel like I have nothing more to say, but per Julia, I keep writing. Sometimes it is nonsense, but soon I am back on track and by the time I get to the end of the third page, I wish I could write more.


Now you may be asking, if Morning Pages is so great, why does she stop doing it? Good question! Company comes and my routine is interrupted - I go away for a vacation - I have an early morning appointment - I don't feel well. Excuses, excuses.



Food management and Morning Pages - it is time to consume those apples and lift that pen. Good for me!