good day for a good day . . .

I made these a few weeks ago - just never posted a picture. 

They are small bags filled with rice.  They can be microwaved for 2 minutes to use as a heating pad, or put in the freezer to use a an ice pack.  

My granddaughter Avery loves them when they are cold . . . just to cool off when she is hot.

I have made larger one also that you can actually put around your neck, but I like these smaller ones better.  My scraps of fabric are now being sewn into masks . . . but this is a great way to use up fabric.

Our little Tatum Mae out for a walk.  She is growing so fast.

I could watch you for a single minute

and find a thousand things I love about you.

GOOD THINGS TODAY . . . 

Sunshine and temperatures over 80 degrees

Walking every day

Taking pictures

Flip Flops

Staying up late 

Feeling rested

Binge watching shows with Richard (presently we are watching Ozark)

Planting sunflower seeds

For Today . . .

Outside my window . . . beautiful sunrise and it is a little chilly

I am thinking . . . today is going to be a wonderful day!

I am thankful for . . . the man who makes my coffee every morning

From the kitchen . . . scrambled eggs (made by that same man)

I am wearing . . . brown dress pants and a rust colored cardigan

I am creating . . . a zombie doll

I am going . . . to a birthday party this weekend!

I am reading . . . Grief Land by Armen Bacon

I am hoping . . . that Lily has the best birthday ever!

I am hearing . . . Lily humming to herself

Around the house . . . lots of fun and commotion (we have Mattea staying with us for 2 weeks)

One of my favorite things . . . coloring pages

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . laughing, coloring, sewing, reading, kissing, and maybe pizza

From my picture journal . . .

In an effort to keep Mattea entertained . . . I bought a coloring book.  I have read where adult coloring can be a good stress reliever.  I am not sure if that is true or not . . . but it it fun and fun is good.  I know folding origami cranes is very relaxing to me . . . so maybe there is something to it.  We are now searching online for more coloring pages.  I think it would be fun to make some of  my own.

There are still a few remnants of Halloween around the house . . . 

and Charlotte seems to find them and make the most of them.

I walk over this heart all of the time . . . but the first time I have walked over it in the rain.

Just a reminder of how much I love to walk in the rain . . . 

and how wonderful it is for us to be getting rain.

Today . . . 8.11.15

I picked up a Day of the Dead votive candle today . . . and decided that I had painted on my skull enough to call it good.  I added a few rhinestone stickers and can't wait to decorate with it this October.  I picked up the candle holder at Pier1 this afternoon.  My friend had been in there and was anxious to tell me that they had their Fall/Halloween decorations out.  I hate that they rush holidays so.  Halloween decorations are my favorite, but I truly think August is way to early to have items on display.  Even worse . . .  there were Halloween decorations on display at Michael's in July.  Don't even get me going about Christmas.  I understand why they do this . . . but I do not have to like it.  I do like my new candle holder and my skull . . . and a few other things that I bought today . . . but I think I will wait until October to post about those.

This is my first week back at work after Summer Break.  I don't always look forward to going back  to work (which I believe is completely normal), but it also is always exciting to go back.  It doesn't matter that I am an adult . . . there is nothing like the first day of school . . . or the first day of Summer vacation.  I can't enjoy that first day of Summer vacation until we start all over again . . . . . 

I am busy, and a little tired, and motivated, and irritated, and regretting just a little bit not doing more work while I was off this summer, BUT . . .

•  I love being busy.  I actually function best when I am facing deadlines and working in chaos. 
• I have a husband who nags me to get enough rest when I get over tired.  I listen a little more than I used to.
•  The motivation just carries over into everything I do, whether I am at work or at home.  Who knows . . . I may paint my bathroom the week that school starts.  
• Irritated . . . yes, but that never lasts long with me . . . and it takes a whole lot to really bother me. 
• Regret . . . not even worth it.  I can't change yesterday.  

For Today . . .

Outside my window . . . dark and still very warm

I am thinking . . . that today has been a great day.
I am thankful for . . . a husband who nags me to take care of myself - If only I would listen.
From the kitchen . . . rice bowls with pineapple chicken.  

I am wearing . . . cut off sweats and a cami

I am creating . . . the Day of the Dead skull that I just finished . . . and lots of art journal pages.

I am going . . . to stay up way to late tonight - I can already tell.

I am reading . . . Paper Cranes, by Cheryl Koenigs

I am hoping . . . that my wrist feels better soon.  I injured it about a week ago.  It actually feels worse even though I have been icing it regularly and keeping it braced.  

I am hearing . . . Dean Martin

Around the house . . . sleeping cat, shopping bags filled with Halloween decorations, candles & incense, a big pot of decaf coffee.

One of my favorite things . . . a small metal hanging sculpture I bought in Cambri (A heart with wings).  I need to take a picture of that.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . work, work, and more work

From my picture journal . . .

 PEACE!

FUN day!

 I had planned on getting so many things done today . . . and to at least finish the doll that I am working on, but our shopping turned into a day of wandering . . . 

  . . . shopping . . . lunch . . . and a stop at a bakery.  I had no intention of buying a King Cake, but it looked too fun to pass up . . . as did these other little cakes.  The heart shaped one was a raspberry cream sort of cake,  the one in the middle was tiramisu, and a delicious chunk of carrot cake.  Along with a hot cup of coffee . . . perfect way to celebrate today. (I am going to have to walk a little extra tomorrow.)

. . . and of course trying on hats.  

Today was good.

Today was fun.

Tomorrow is another one.

~ Dr. Seuss

Tonight . . .

Outside my window . . . dark and cold – I am not a big fan of winter, but it feels cozy inside tonight.

I am thinking . . . that 2015 is going to be a good year.
I am thankful for . . . two week off over the holidays
From the kitchen . . . coffee

I am wearing . . . leggings and a big warm sweatshirt

I am creating . . . origami cranes, a doll, and some pages in my art journal

I am going . . . to enjoy every last minute of my vacation.

I am reading . . . The World of PostSecret by Frank Warren

I am hoping . . . to clean out my closet before I go back to work.

I am hearing . . . The Walking Dead Marathon . . . zombies growling :)

Around the house . . . 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle, glitter, and origami paper

One of my favorite things . . . my little skeleton (a gift this fall from Ashley) 

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . play some tennis, get some walking in, and go listen to some live music.

From my picture journal . . .

 The Clown Shoes Chocolate Sombrero was very good.  One of my new favorites.  

This is why I do not like winter . . . that high of 70 looks pretty good for next Tuesday.

While I was making little wire chairs yesterday . . . Richard was out in the garage building a stand for his stringer.  He still wants to add a shelf  and a pull out tray.  

For today - teensy, weensy spiders . . .

Outside my window . . . nighttime – it's a beautiful night!

I am thinking . . . what a great day it was!
I am thankful for . . . family and friends!
From the kitchen . . . chalupa, jalapeno poppers, pot stickers . . . and more game day munchies.

I am wearing . . . a white t-shirt and gray cut off sweats.

I am creating . . . a Halloween banner and doll bodies.

I am going . . . to definitely sleep in a little in the morning.  I am up way too late.

I am reading . . . Sycamore Row by John Grisham (I haven’t read anything by him in years.)

I am hoping . . . that the Cardinals win tomorrow.

I am hearing . . . not a thing

Around the house . . . Halloween decorations . . . alongside St. Louis Cardinal stuff.  Yeah October!

One of my favorite things . . . staying up late.

A few plans for the rest of the weekend . . . watching the Giants/Cardinal game and the Walking Dead!

From my picture journal . . . spiders  

Today . . .

Outside my window . . . it’s sunny and heating up – it’s going to be a scorcher today.

I am thinking . . . it’s a great day for a party! . . . even if it is going to be HOT.
I am thankful for . . . all my kids!
From the kitchen . . . breakfast burritos

I am wearing . . . a grey maxi dress.

I am creating . . . paper cranes.

I am going . . . to completely enjoy my weekend!

I am reading . . . nothing at the moment – (I better find a book.)

I am hoping . . . it isn’t too terribly hot today, but I think hoping won’t help.

I am hearing . . . an old Disney cartoon that Charlotte is watching on my phone.

Around the house . . . party decorations, making salads, tennis racquets being strung . . . just a fun mess!

One of my favorite things . . . Bag of Bones white cheddar Cheetos  J

A few plans for the rest of the weekend . . . trying out my newly strung racquet, fun with family, and just relaxing!!!

From my picture journal . . .

today . . .

Outside my window . . . the sun is coming up – just about ready to shine through the window

I am thinking . . . that with the amount of work I have today – the day should fly by.   

I am thankful for . . . all my kids!

From the kitchen . . . oatmeal and coffee 

I am wearing . . . a black wrap dress

I am creating . . . having fun with my art journal these days

I am going . . . to have a great day!

I am reading . . . The Happiness Project - by Gretchin Rubin

I am hoping . . .  to get some good news today!

I am hearing . . . the AC just kicked on . . . it’s going to be another hot day.

Around the office . . . quiet (I’m here early – so all alone) – and tons of work to do.  I love the start of a new school year!

One of my favorite things . . . origami paper

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . just making the most of each day!

From my picture journal . . .

Charlotte's rubber stamps . . . .

. . . and inky fingers.  She is very much into stamping and drawing these days.

At least I made him laugh!

Just for Today . . .

Outside my window . . . warm and overcast – I love this kind of weather.
I am thinking . . . if we take every day as it comes – we can get through just about anything.
I am thankful for . . . my husband.
From the kitchen . . . pancakes – Richard called me this morning and told me it was National Pancake Day (he knows that I like that kind of thing) . . . 30 minutes later he showed up at my work with scrambled eggs and pancakes.  What a great way to start the day!
I am wearing . . . jeans and a Santa Clara University t-shirt (College Day at school).
I am creating . . . a clean and organized craft room . . . it looks wonderful!  Now it’s time to create something.  Nearly done with a doll that I thought would have been finished ages ago.
I am going . . . to probably drink way too much coffee today.  J
I am reading . . . Fifty Shades Freed . . . I ended up reading this whole series.  It was better than I thought it was going to be when I started the first book. I don't think I will bother watching the movie when it comes out.
I am hoping . . . to get out some St. Patrick’s Day decorations tonight.
I am hearing . . . nothing – I found a nice quiet place to enjoy my lunch break.
Around the house . . . cleaning out!

One of my favorite things . . . the new work table that I got for my craft room.  (which is what caused me to completely clean and reorganize that room)
A few plans for the rest of the week . . . write a story for my newest doll, cut out some more dolls,

From my picture journal . . . I haven't posted much this week - life has been busy . . . so just some random photos from a very busy week.  But not too busy to at least snap of few pictures of things that caught my eye.