making me smile today . . .

This is when I start having fun making a doll . . . 

I am not sure what I am going to do with these yet - but that is also part of the fun.

 Avery came to visit me at work yesterday. . . 

. . . evidently she likes to doodle also!

 . . . and a new coffee mug.  

Happy Friday!

Be Amazing . . . .

I did what I told myself I wasn't going to do this weekend . . . spent a good part of Saturday cleaning.  My intentions were to make something, read, and relax.  I got frustrated because I couldn't find something . . . which turned into organizing my supplies and cleaning the whole house.  

I have to admit though . . . it is much easier for me to do the relaxing part

when things are in order . . . that's just the way I'm wired.  

So with that done . . . I spent some time painting and writing . . . and reading. 

I had Lily spend the night.  That involved staying up late, watching movies, having popcorn and root beer, playing with slime (her not me) . . . and face painting.  

I have so much going on with me these days . . . some good and some not so good,

but I believe it is all moving towards something amazing  - if that makes sense.  

This blog has always been a good place for me to be me and I go back and forth about sharing some of what I am going through and think that eventually I will.  I have no problem throwing my life out there for everyone to see, but for now and as I work through some things . . . 

I will spare you all the details.  LOL

Life is a gift - Each day God gives us is a gift . . . so find some JOY in today!  

No matter how serious life gets, 

you still gotta have that one person 

you can be completely stupid with. 

doodles, paint, and omelets . . . . and withdrawals

 I needed a reminder today . . . 

"Faith isn't a feeling.  It's a choice to trust God

even when the road ahead seems uncertain."

~ Dave Willis.org

  . . . doodles and paint

. . . and when my husband makes an omelet - it smiles!

I needed smiling omelets today.  

I quit drinking coffee on Thursday.  Just typing that makes me wonder what was I was thinking? I drank a few cups of tea to get me through the headache . . . and I thought that would be it, but NO - there seems to be more to it.  It has been five days . . . I am so tired and feel like I am just off or in a fog . . . I guess sluggish is a good word.  I'm congested and even though the worst of the headache is gone . . . it feels like it is still right there under the surface.   By 3:00 in the afternoon I can't keep my eyes open . . . I have just given in to a 3 hour nap every afternoon . . . and I don't usually take naps.  Of course I had to get online a find out what I could about caffeine withdrawal.  Who would of thought . . . and what was I thinking?  I love coffee!  . . . did I mention that I LOVE COFFEE!

I actually made the decision due to some health issues . . . so it is a good decision.  

I am drinking herbal tea (which is NOT coffee) . . . but I love the message on my tea bag tonight.

today . . .

Our temperatures have been a little warm, but the weather has changed enough,
 especially the last couple of days, to feel and enjoy the change of seasons.
 I think I need that change - or rather I change right along with the seasons . . . and I need that.

It changes my routine and my way of looking at things.  I seem to slow down and find joy in things a little easier this time of year.  I read more.  I enjoy cooking and baking,  I pull on an old, cozy sweater that has been softened by years of wear and drink my coffee outside because the day feels beautiful and glorious and I don't want to miss a minute of it.  I love to just be home.  We light fires in the back yard.  We go for rides in the country . . . and sometimes we just wander.  I love this time of year!

"Summer ends, and Autumn comes
 he who would have it otherwise would have high tide always and a full moon every night; 
and thus he would never know the rhythms 
that are at the heart of life. 
~Hal Borland

Happy Friday . . .

Life is interesting these days . . . to say the least!

I'm attacking it with a positive attitude and choosing HAPPY!

Happy Friday . . . HAPPY WEEKEND!

good things this week . . .

I have never used the coffee mug in this picture.  I few years ago I was going through a tough time and had talked to my boss about it.  The next day he brought me this coffee mug . . . it has been on my desk ever since.  I handled "plan B" as well as I could at the time . . . that plan has since been abandoned and I am probably somewhere around "plan H".  I leave this mug on my desk to remind me . . . that life isn't going to always go as planned . . . in fact there have been days when I wonder who's life I am living, because it isn't always the one I expected, but then I look at the people I love, remember where I came from, think about what is really important . . . and I realize I handled "plan B" well enough that the important part turned out like I planned . . . the rest of it really isn't worth my time and energy . . . probably never was.

GOOD THINGS THIS WEEK . . .
1.  Charlotte turning 4 . . . that is something to celebrate
2.  Early morning weather that reminds me Fall is not far off
3.  This new "Do Doodle" pad . . . (was this made for me or what!)
4.  walking . . . walking . . . walking
5.  Do, Do, Doodling . . .
6.  Getting some dolls cut out . . . finally
7.  Lots of reading
8.  Eating healthy
9.  New Halloween decorations
10.  And a unicorn on my desk . . .
Have a wonderful day!

back to school surprise . . . doodles . . . and the force

 I received a wonderful "Back to School" surprise in the mail this week from Lorraine at Paper Vernissage.  I can't wait to put this peace sign fabric and Day of the Dead buttons to use.  Thank you so much Lorraine!  A few years ago I stumbled upon another blog that Lorraine kept . . . each Friday she would post about something that happened at the school where she worked.  We may live on opposite coasts . . . and very different parts of the country, but some things are the same.  I would find myself laughing every Friday with my principal over her stories.  I miss that blog . . . but enjoy following her at Paper Vernissage.  

 Just a few August doodles . . . most of them unfinished it seems. 

I guess I have been busier than I realized.  

Yes, these are August doodles . . . with the Sanderson Sisters - I tend to get into the spirit of Halloween rather early.   I suppose it is too early to start decorating though.

Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is.

Hmm.  In the end, cowards are those who follow the dark side.

Many of the truths that we cling to depend on our point of view.

When you look at the dark side, careful you must be. 

 For the dark side looks back.

Do or do not.  There is not try.

Fear is the path to the dark side.  Fear leads to anger.  

Anger leads to hate.  Hate leads to suffering.

Happy Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday!

good things today . . .

GOOD THINGS TODAY . . . 

1. A great day at work!

2. Dinner with this guy!  

3. Thinking it was about 1:00 . . . and it was time to go home 

4. Watching the Olympics

5. Old friends

6. Making fun plans

7. Painting . . . even if only a little bit

8. Coffee!

9. St. Louis Cardinals 9th inning comeback (yesterday) . . . I love baseball!

"It ain't over 'til it's over."  ~ Yogi Berra

10. Going to bed early . . . 

think happy. be happy.

coffee and cards . . .

I get behind on posting my index cards.  I am actually just behind on posting anything . . . 

I thought I better put something up here. 

 My mom left this past weekend and it has been sort of quiet with her gone.  I am still off work . . . I am beginning to believe I get more accomplished when I am in a routine and going to work - (if that makes sense) . . . since when I am working I always seem to complain that I need more time.  I tend to be a mess of contradictions though always.  

(I am pretty sure it is both why I make Richard crazy and also why he loves me.) 

 . . . I guess I just need to embrace that - whether I am working or on vacation.  

I had a plan to go into work today to get a couple of things done.  I am putting that off until tomorrow.  

I think I am going to go pick up Lily . . . and we may just wander today!

just because . . .

When life gets busy . . . 

take the time to find joy in the small stuff. 

 Charlotte's chalkboard drawing . . . it is . . . "a girl with angry eyebrows that is mad at her dad and mom because they won't give her candy."  I think she really captured the "angry eyebrows". 

 Coffee just tastes better in a great mug.  Love this one!

 . . . my little partner in painting.  

 It doesn't matter how tired I am, what mood I am in, or what is going on around me . . . this face makes every day better!  

 . . . bringing a little sunshine indoors . . . 

 . . . Richard making dinner last night!

Index card challenge . . . making a little time to be creative every day. 

life is busy . . .

My life is crazy busy at the moment, but then that is normal for this time of year.  It won't be long though until things slow down.  Until then I am doing my best each day to make a little time for myself . . . and taking time to find some joy in the little things.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

be true to yourself . . .

 Charlotte's drawing . . . .