just a note

I had a plan for today. a very ambitious one. many things on my to-do list. want-to-do list. and poof! ain't gonna happen. oh well.

so now I have a plan for tomorrow. and that is a good thing.

the hubs is out of town. so my schedule is pretty much my own. until someone calls and then my schedule is not. but I don't really mind. things can wait. it's a beautiful day (happy Earth day!). I'm lending a hand. our grandson turns one tomorrow (without us there. sigh. but soon.) there are happy plans for the weekend. and plans with friends in between.

things don't always go as scheduled. my way. your way. but life is pretty amazing. and shared. and joy full.


'I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.'

endless possibility

expect the unexpected. good things come to those who wait. patience is a virtue. all good things to remember. and this past week has shown me it is true. conversations lead to opportunities. casual visits open doors. even the odd text message brings hope.

it has been a good week. busy. productive. frustrating. fruitful. I'm afraid some things will never change. that is good and bad. but I'm focusing on the good. and the surprising way things seem to work out for the best.

Chatting at the Sky posted

'May I not despise small beginnings even if they lead only to small endings. When I seek to grasp for bigger and wider, may I remember how much I treasure smallness, simplicity, and soul space. If I begin to work hard to carve out a sense of myself, may I turn – again and again – toward the presence of God.

And may I ever remember that no one gets to tell me who I am except my Father. Any commentaries about my identity, either out there or in here, may I let them gently go.'

amen.

Sunday afternoon

it's a gloomy day in the great state. and oh so beautiful. been raining on and off from the wee hours of the morning. I love days like this when you can be a bum or ever so productive. I have chosen the middle road. I go between household chores. and sitting with my book. or my phone playing words with friends with my sister in Ohio. the hubs is doing the taxes and some work. and wanders down every now and then for moral support. and a kiss.

planning a week or two ahead. a trip to Dallas with a friend. our first baseball games with the local team. an odd assortment of work. play. volunteering. socializing. decision making. project tending. a lovely mix. really.

the teapot is whistling. calling my name. I must obey.

'the best kind of rain, of course, is a cozy rain.'

true blue

it's been a joyful week. joy full. a friend, recently diagnosed with colon cancer, received news that the cancer had not spread. she will start chemo soon. there is a long battle ahead. she is afraid. she is strong. beauty full. faith full.

her sister gave out bracelets to share and show our strength.

the words are supportive. rebellious. kind.

and as I see these words daily. I see my friend. I see God. and I am reminded. the importance of caring. kindness. faith. love. and the option to choose. fear or love, baby. I choose love.

'no one fights alone.'

don't forget the ps

I seem to be obsessing over my new room. but I get that way. anxious to finish it. content to let it just come together over time.

but while the hubs was away I was pulling out 'treasures' from the closet. things that I have accumulated to use at some point. and I came across a lampshade that I adore. let me repeat. adore. we bought it at the HD Buttercup clearance center (part of LA's greatest furniture/accessory store located in an repurposed bread factory. double heaven.) I was pretty sure it would be too big for the just relocated lamp (that I took out of our bedroom - there was a lot of shuffling going on). but I'd try anyway because I want to use it somewhere. and voila! perfect.

don't you just love the sensation of placing something and turning around to look at it and saying, smiling, yes. yes. yes.

ps love to all. happy valentines day!

'there are some days when I think I'm going to die from an overdose of satisfaction.'

dressed up

finally finished painting the den. the walls are clean and bright. but the Litchfield Gray is on the pink side. I'm trying to love it. but too pinkish. so we'll move onto the floors (pull up the horrible carpet and refinish the warm long leaf pine) and restore the fireplace surround (remove the ghastly inappropriate ceramic tile and either (hopefully) expose the original brick, or retile with era appropriate majolica tiles). and then see to a new paint color. I'm anxious to put the room back together even in its semi-finished state.

my little settee is back home. with a new dress. lovely vintage barkcloth. and simply adorable.

the house is ever so quiet this morning. the hubs is away for a few days. he left me with a kiss and a loving warning not to take out the carpet while he is gone. he knows me all too well.

'serious is a word that must be entirely avoided when it comes to decoration.'

daily message

I follow StoryPeople on FaceBook. artist Brian Andreas posts a story of the day along with a quirky image. his messages are potent. poignant. heartfelt. strong.

thank you. I need that today.

'he told me one time he forgot himself & his heart opened up like a door with a loose latch & he tried for days to put it all back in proper order but finally he gave up & left it all jumbled up there in a pile & loved everything equally.'