just thinking

had a pedicure last week. as I sat there and got pampered I put my time to good use browsing through intellectual publications like Glamour and Vogue. all for the greater good. I am occasionally taken by little tidbits the editors use for filler. those odd features that are wedged in between the latest fashion news and what Oprah had for supper. like this list of questions to ask your significant other (or best friend, etc). some interesting and intriguing topics to get a conversation started. and keep it going.

1. what did you really think when you first met?
2. do you believe in God?
3. what little thing to you love about each other?
4. what was missing growing up?
5. what would you change about each other?
6. what are your greatest fears?

there's always more to learn. understand. appreciate. love. always.

'it's what you learn after you know it all that counts.'

I know that I know but it's nice to be reminded

I often talk about this blogging world and how it impacts and inspires me. a new blog I read has the tag line 'savor & serve the world' (what's not to like in that?). today this particular blogging friend talked about a retreat she attended and how it made her realize that you have life-changing experiences. often.

'I walked a labyrinth several times during my retreat, the ancient shape spilling so many ideas at me I had to stop every few feet to jot them down, rich clear insights into very old ways of being that snag and scar me. right before I reached the center, I asked, 'how will this time be any different? I know all this but how will I live it?' the first thing I saw when I walked into the center of the spiral? a rock tattooed with the words: begin again.

in this full busy hectic blessed life we lead there are decisions we make on a daily basis. corners turned. direction given. successes made. struggles endured. opportunity. possibility. how wonderful to realize. understand. appreciate. that it is never too late to reevaluate. reconsider. regroup. allow. empower. let in. release. the beauty. the value. the joy of it all is that we learn. we grow. if we open our eyes and our hearts to the lesson.

choose. it's either fear or love baby. I choose love.

the merry month of May

another busy week in paradise. and good news all around.

two friends shared the wonderful news of renewed health and new found opportunity. blessings abundant.

the first phase in our construction - which would more aptly be termed destruction - is finished. and I am so glad that future banging will indicate progress toward the shiny new. and the return to more than one bathroom. can't hardly wait.

the hubs and I celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary. it's amazing how time flies when you're having fun.

so many things happening. and all leading in the same direction. toward the happily ever after.

'real elation is when you feel you could touch a star without standing on tiptoe.'

in the beginning

there use to be a place for everything. and everything was in its place. today there is everything everywhere. boxes. bins. baskets.

there use to be peace and quiet. and now, at 6:26 pm, my golden silence is broken with the sound of sledge hammers and crowbars. ripping. grinding. banging.

but I am filled with the happy. my remodeling project is underway! and soon, she says optimistically, I will have not one, but two shining new bathrooms. a spacious walk-in closet. a real enclosed laundry room. and a little morning room (not to be confused with my sometime in the future 'me' room) where we (that includes you, my friends) can sit, have a cup of coffee - or a glass of wine - and look out onto my garden.

progress is my word of the day. and this is just day one.

ps I would post a before shot, but my electricity is turned off upstairs when there are 'before' photos on computer. so you will have to settle for an 'after' shot; and I will post 'before' after.

'create a definite plan for carrying out your desire and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put this plan into action.'

joy in the journey

long time. no blog. I have a million excuses. and if you know me, one was certainly not because I have nothing to say. but so very much to say that I hardly know where to begin.

been working on the remodel project at our house. soon to start. will I ever say 'started'? decisions to make. obstacles to overcome. budgets to digest. but all in all moving ahead. excitement. anxiety. fervor.

been to Boston. our niece got married last weekend. and the joyous occasion made even more so with the guest list. darling daughter and handsome son, along with the hubs side of the family were all in attendance. we laughed. we talked. we ate (and ate. and ate.) we celebrated being together. love. joy. bliss.

been back to reality. back at work. back to everyday adventures and challenges. back home to an empty house. as good as it was to come home - I had quite a readjustment period. a bit of the euphoric to get out of my system. a lot of missing my children (and seeing the growing baby bump). now vowing to keep promises made to see each other not just at every wedding. but make for more happy occasions for no reason at all. expectant. hopeful. content.

'happiness is excitement that has found a settling down place. but there is always a little corner that keeps flapping around.'