Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. my amazing trip
2. quality time with my family
3. fabulous parents and sisters
4. the roses Michael gave me - he had with him waiting at the airport for me
5. Michael - I missed him while gone

Just a Few More Days....

Only a couple more days here with my family. I have so enjoyed the time with them. And am going to miss them when I leave. I miss Michael though so am excited to get home and see him.

Here are a few more pictures of the sculpture garden...

Weekend Party

I had a fabulous weekend in North Dakota. We had a surprise party for my Grandma's 85th birthday. And then more parties to follow at my Aunt and Uncles's lake house.

Grandma was very surprised. And loved the video Michael made for her. I am thankful for everyone chipping in and giving me pictures for it. Otherwise he wouldn't have been able to create it.

I haven't seen many members of my family in more then 10 years. So it was GREAT to see everyone. All my cousin's have kids and all of them are ardorable! I enjoyed being around all the kids as they were a lot of fun.

And I hope that it isn't so long before I see everyone again.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. a great week with my family!
2. seeing some of my extended family - Aunt and cousins
3. the party we are having tomorrow for my Grandma and that I was able to be here for it.
4. my daily phone calls with Michael as I miss him so much and wouldn't be able to get through the day without hearing his voice
5. my family - I am grateful to have the family I do. They are amazing people who I love so much!

Everything comes back

"It's always better to give too much, pay too much, and love too much, than not enough.

But then, Darby, since everything comes back to you anyway, can there ever be too much?

I love you too much anyway,
The Universe"

I enjoy the notes from the universe. I think they are just good solid affirmations. This one is several days old, but I am just catching up on some email tonight. And it made me think of the seafood adventure. Our waitress got chewed out by the table next to us. And chewed out for things that were unfair and just so uncaring or unobservant.

She was called away to the front. She asked someone to cover her. While she was gone, the table next to us started complaining about her. And when the person that was covering came over, they asked her for a manager. They complained about things that just didn't really sound reasonable - at least to me.

When our waitress came back, they really were rude in complaining. And they said something about a plate of food that had been on the table and she said, "well I thought you guys were eating off it still as their was food on it." The man said, "oh yeah that is an excuse you knew it was just sitting there." They never said to her please take this plate we are done with it. They just expected her to mind-read. And know they were done with it even though it had food on it.

On top of all their complaining - just being a waiter/waitress is a very hard job. And that place was packed and the people in and out was crazy. I think she was doing exceptional for keeping up with everyone's drinks and clearing plates and just being helpful. I guess I give a little slack in those type of situations where it is crazy busy. I mean we had a 3 hour wait. I think having to deal with people all night - that all had 3 hours waits - the tension gets a little high. You have to tread carefully. And I felt she did that well.

The waitress was full-figured and it was the last rude comment right after she left their table that did me in - the man at the table with a huge beer belly said, "No wonder she is fat she sits around on her lazy ass." The woman was running all over that place and obviously more in shape then the guy and he said that. It drove me nuts.

They left shortly after and our waitress came back to our table to clear dishes away and refill water. It was very obvious she had been crying. My Mom stopped her and told her how uncalled for that table was and that she was doing a good job. We all told her were very happy with our service. She really smiled and you could tell appreciated all our comments. I hoped we had made up for the table next to us and gave her more then they took.

The note from the universe made me think that those people gave to everyone around them - not just the waitress. And what you give out - you get back so maybe that is why they were like that. They get back so much rudeness they just turn around and give it out and it comes back tenfold. Maybe one day they will see that opening their eyes to the people around them, being compassionate and appreciative will give you a lot more back. Make you feel so much better. At least I can hope for a world that everyone does that.

Seafood Adventure

Last night we had what I am calling a seafood adventure. My family loves seafood. All of us just enjoy it so much. Anyway, there was this seafood buffet at a casino near here that was doing a special during the summer. And Oh my the people! And the wait. We left the house at 3:30pm and got home at 11:45pm. But we did indeed get to eat seafood - not only just seafood good seafood and LOTS of seafood. We came home STUFFED!

They told us it would be a 3 hour wait and well - it was! Signing up for a club member card we got 10 dollars free for gambling so we went to play slots for a while. And then went to the bar and they had a rock-n-roll band that was pretty good so we listened to them for a while before we were able to go eat.

In the end - the food was REALLY good. Every seafood imaginable was available and it tasted so good! My favorite was the coconut shrimp - I think. Crab legs of course were the biggest hit in the place. I think every table had big plates full and buckets piled high with the shells.

Would we wait 3 hours again for it....I don't know but it was still a memory created and time with my family and that I will always enjoy!

Fruit, Flowers and Art

Just a few pictures from the Sculpture Garden and then Farmer's Market....

Bliss

I am hoping I will have some pictures to share tomorrow. I took almost 200 pictures just need to pull them from my camera.

We went to the Farmer's Market that had of course fruit and vegetable stands but also good eats (brats, gigantic caramel pecan roll), flowers and plants, handmade goods (soaps, candles and quilts), flea market type finds (sunglasses, purses and beanie babies). My Mom bought a gorgeous bouquet that I haven't got a picture of but want to take it where she has it in her house as it look so pretty. And then my sister April got 2 bouquets towards the close of the Farmer's Market for $5 for 2 bouquets - a dozen roses and also a bunch of gerbera daisies. So so pretty. My sister Michelle bought me some homemade soap - coconut pear. So yummy smelling it makes me hungry just inhaling around it!

After the Farmer's Market, my sisters and I headed to the sculpture garden. I had never been there. I took a ton of photos there - between the sculpture and the flowers - just so many pretty shots. If you have never been to Minneapolis, you might still know where I have been by the just me mentioning the spoon with the cherry. It is a big spoon with a cherry sculpture that it is famous for.

From there we went to have ice cream and then go to a store called Patina. It is a store I could lose many hours in and did lose quite a bit of time. There are so many little wonderful treasures. It also had art by Papaya Art which I always enjoy. And had the image I used with this post. One of my favorite images.

We then headed back to my sister's house for a bit before she delivered me back to my parents. I spent quality time with Mom looking at cookbooks and visiting. You know that is where I get my love of cooking and also just browsing cookbooks - from my Mom. I think tomorrow we are going to to Penzeys Spices. I know she will love their spices just as much as I do.

I am missing Michael of course but talking to him a couple times a day so that is good.

Very tired from the busy day. But very happy to have had such a beautiful day with my family! I miss them so much living so far away so it is just fabulous to be able to spend this time with them.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. arriving in Minnesota safe and sound. After a very bumpy take off, I am very thankful for be safely on the ground!
2. the cool weather here
3. laughing and having good conversation with my parents and sisters
4. Mom's cooking - homemade chocolate pie is the best (homemade chocolate filling in the pie as well as homemade pie crust)
5. being able to see my family!

Leaving on a Jet Plane....

I am going to miss Michael so much while out of town! At the same time I am looking forward to having so much quality time with my family. I am going to be in Minnesota for 2 weeks. Usually visits are rushed in 3 to 4 day spans so it will be nice to just have so much time with my parents and sisters as well as extended family.

I am busy packing packing packing! The cats of course are trying to help by lying in the suitcase because you know that speeds the process up so much!

So not sure how much I will get a chance to post while out of town. But will hopefully get a few moments to post some pictures and update about all the fun things I am doing!

Not a great day

Yesterday wasn't a very good day. I had a follow up mammogram that they are going to keep a watch on and the next visit if it looks worse I will have to get a biopsy. On top of that news we got some sad news on Michael's side of the family too. So lots of prayers and thoughts going out.

After the day we had, I asked Michael if he wanted me to postpone my trip to see my family. But he said - as I felt - that now it seems even more important to have these chances with family that we can have....because of our news it just is making us cherish all moments we have with those we love.

Doing Not thinking Challenge

So my goals for this Doing Not Thinking Challenge goals are:
1. Work on art once a month (great if more but I want to at least try for once a month)
2. Create Soul Collage cards (like at least 3 done by the end of challenge)
3. Organizing and decluttering - which I have been working on already but want to continue with these areas
* storage
* Michael’s office
* bedroom closet
* front closet
4. Sew one thing. I haven't sewn in years and picked up a basic sewing book at the library and want to make it a goal just to sew one thing so that I don't keep putting it off.

Progress: nothing been busy working on a video with Michael and getting ready to go out of town. I won't be doing the challenge obviously while out of town.

Goals Completed: bedroom closet, Michael's office and front closet

Always on the Back Burner

It feels like since mid-June I just have had lots on my plate but not many things get done totally. I start working on something and either Michael has to finish it or it just gets put on the back burner for something else that needs done. I hope by the end of the summer I will have been able to enjoy some me time. Do art, sew, get some plans on the way for some redecorating and so on.

Colorado National Monument

Just a few picture Michael took when we went up to the Colorado National Monument on Thursday...

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. having one of Michael's friends visit and getting to know her better
2. the wineries we visited today - samples we tasted and bottles we brought home to enjoy.
3. the beautiful state we live in - we visited the Colorado National Monument yesterday
4. good food, good wine, good friends
5. my love

Doing Not Thinking Challenge

So my goals for this Doing Not Thinking Challenge goals are:
1. Work on art once a month (great if more but I want to at least try for once a month)
2. Create Soul Collage cards (like at least 3 done by the end of challenge)
3. Organizing and decluttering - which I have been working on already but want to continue with these areas
* storage
* Michael’s office
* bedroom closet
* front closet
4. Sew one thing. I haven't sewn in years and picked up a basic sewing book at the library and want to make it a goal just to sew one thing so that I don't keep putting it off.

Progress: nothing unfortunately

Goals Completed: bedroom closet, Michael's office and front closet

2009 Reading List....So Far

This is my reading list so far for 2009. It isn't in order really - it is just how it came out when I copied from Goodreads.com

1. Eclipse (Twilight, #3) Meyer, Stephenie
2. Twilight (Twilight, #1) Meyer, Stephenie
3. New Moon (Twilight, #2) Meyer, Stephenie
4. Collage Discovery Workshop (Paperback) Hellmuth, Claudine
5. Collage Discovery Workshop: Beyond The Unexpected (Paperback) Hellmuth, Claudine
6. Artists' Journals and Sketchbooks: Exploring and Creating Personal Pages (Paperback) Perrella, Lynne
7. The Forgetting Room (Paperback) Bantock, Nick
8. Outlander (Outlander, #1) Gabaldon, Diana
9. The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) Pullman, Philip
10. Breaking Dawn (Twilight, #4) Meyer, Stephenie
11. The Time Traveler's Wife (Hardcover) Niffenegger, Audrey
12. Creating Keepsakes' Encyclopedia Of Scrapbooking (Paperback) White, Tracy
13. How to Be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking (Paperback) Lawson, Nigella
14. The Weekend Baker: Irresistible Recipes, Simple Techniques, and Stress Free Strategies for Busy People (Hardcover) Dodge, Abigail Johnson
15. Alphabetica: An A-Z Creativity Guide for Collage and Book Artists (Quarry Book) Perrella, Lynne
16. The Best Quick Breads: 150 Recipes for Muffins, Scones, Shortcakes, Gingerbreads, Cornbreads, Coffeecakes, and More (Paperback) Hensperger, Beth
17. Journal Revolution: Rise Up & Create! Art Journals, Personal Manifestos and Other Artistic Insurrections (Paperback) Woods, Linda
18. Art Escapes: Daily Exercises and Inspirations for Discovering Greater Creativity and Artistic Confidence (Spiral-bound) Kanter, Dory
19. A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose (Paperback) Tolle, Eckhart
20. Before The Storm (Paperback) Chamberlain, Diane
21. Visual Chronicles: The No-Fear Guide to Creating Art Journals, Creative Manifestos and Altered Books (Paperback) Woods, Linda
22. The Power of Kindness: The Unexpected Benefits of Leading a Compassionate Life (Paperback) Ferrucci, Piero
23. The Gourmet Slow Cooker: Volume II, Regional Comfort-Food Classics (Paperback) Alley, Lynn
24. Parrotfish (Hardcover) Wittlinger, Ellen
25. Collage, Assemblage, and Altered Art: Creating Unique Images and Objects (Paperback) Maurer-Mathison, Diane
26. The Best Make-Ahead Recipe (The Best Recipe) Ackere, Daniel J. Van
27. The Best Soups & Stews: A Best Recipe Classic (Best Recipe Series) Tremblay, Carl
28. The Domino Book of Decorating: A Room-by-Room Guide to Making You Happy (Hardcover) Needleman, Deborah
29. Salvage Style in Your Home (Hardcover) Hankinson, Moira
30. Untamed (House of Night, #4) Cast, P.C.
31. 1,000 Artist Trading Cards: Innovative and Inspired Mixed Media ATCs (1000 Series) Bolton, Patricia
32. Taking Flight: Inspiration And Techniques To Give Your Creative Spirit Wings (Paperback) Roberts, Kelly Rae
33. Lover Awakened (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #3) Ward, J.R.
34. Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse #1) Harris, Charlaine
35. Living Dead in Dallas (Sookie Stackhouse, #2) Harris, Charlaine
36. Club Dead (Sookie Stackhouse, #3) Harris, Charlaine
37. Dead to the World (Sookie Stackhouse, #4) Harris, Charlaine
38. Dead as a Doornail (Sookie Stackhouse, #5) Harris, Charlaine
39. Definitely Dead (Sookie Stackhouse, #6) Harris, Charlaine
40. All Together Dead (Sookie Stackhouse, #7) Harris, Charlaine
41. From Dead to Worse (Sookie Stackhouse, #8) Harris, Charlaine
42. 500 Handmade Books: A Celebration of Contemporary Book Forms (Paperback) Books, Lark
43. The Gentle Art of Domesticity: Stitching, Baking, Nature, Art & the Comforts of Home (Hardcover) Brocket, Jane
44. Creating Handmade Books (Paperback) Golden, Alisa
45. One for the Money (Stephanie Plum, #1) Evanovich, Janet
46. Quick Fix Meals: 200 Simple, Delicious Recipes to Make Mealtime Easy (Paperback) Miller, Robin
47. Scrapbook Journaling Made Simple: Tips for Telling the Stories Behind Your Photos (Memory Makers) Makers, Memory
48. Designing With Words (Paperback) Arts, Leisure
49. Best of the Best Vol. 9: The Best Recipes from the 25 Best Cookbooks of the Year (Best of the est: Best Recipes from the 25 Best Cookbooks of the Year) Magazine, Food & Wine
50. Ken Hom's Quick Wok (Paperback) Hom, Ken
51. Clean, Naturally: Recipes for Body, Home, and Spirit (Paperback) Maine, Sandy
52. Baking Soda: Over 500 Fabulous, Fun, and Frugal Uses You've Probably Never Thought Of (Lansky, Vicki) Lansky, Vicki
53. Two for the Dough (Stephanie Plum, #2) Evanovich, Janet
54. Three To Get Deadly (Stephanie Plum, #3) Evanovich, Janet
55. Four to Score (Stephanie Plum, #4) Evanovich, Janet
56. Baking: From My Home to Yours (Hardcover) Greenspan, Dorie
57. Home Hints and Tips (Paperback) Richardson, Rosamund
58. The Big-Ass Book of Crafts (Paperback) Montano, Mark
59. 500 Ideas for Small Spaces: Easy Solutions for Living in 1000 Square Feet or Less (Paperback) Seldon, Kimberley
60. High Five (Stephanie Plum, #5) Evanovich, Janet
61. Seven Up (Stephanie Plum, #7) Evanovich, Janet
62. Hot Six (Stephanie Plum, #6) Evanovich, Janet
63. Hard Eight (Stephanie Plum, #8) Evanovich, Janet
64. Ten Big Ones (Stephanie Plum, #10) Evanovich, Janet
65. Temptation (Mass Market Paperback) Deveraux, Jude
66. Bend-the-Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew (Paperback) Karol, Amy
67. What to Drink with What You Eat: The Definitive Guide to Pairing Food with Wine, Beer, Spirits, Coffee, Tea - Even Water - Based on Expert Advice from America's Best Sommeliers (Hardcover) Dornenburg, Andrew
68. Amy Butler's In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects (Spiral-bound) Butler, Amy
69. Meal planning and table service in the American home (Hardcover) Bailey, N. Beth
70. The Good Housekeeping Hostess: An Old-Fashioned Guide to Gracious Living (Hardcover) Housekeeping, From the Editors of Good
71. To the Nines (Stephanie Plum, #9) Evanovich, Janet
72. A Guide to Elegance: For Every Woman Who Wants to Be Well and Properly Dressed on All Occasions (Hardcover) Dariaux, Genevieve Antoine
73. The Black Lyon (Mass Market Paperback) Deveraux, Jude
74. The Maiden (Mass Market Paperback) Deveraux, Jude
75. Eleven on Top (Stephanie Plum, #11) Evanovich, Janet
76. Learn to Sew (Paperback) Reid, Alison
77. The Velvet Promise (Mass Market Paperback) Deveraux, Jude
78. Twelve Sharp (Stephanie Plum, #12) Evanovich, Janet
79. Lean Mean Thirteen (Stephanie Plum, #13) Evanovich, Janet
80. The American Woman's Home Beecher, Catharine Esther
81. The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of America's Most Imaginative Chefs Page, Karen
82. Fearless Fourteen (Stephanie Plum, #14) Evanovich, Janet
83. Highland Velvet (Mass Market Paperback) Deveraux, Jude
84. Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand (Kitty Norville, Book 5) Vaughn, Carrie
85. A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table (Hardcover) Wizenberg, Molly
86. Visions of Sugar Plums (A Stephanie Plum Between the Numbers/Holiday Novel, #1) Evanovich, Janet
87. Dead and Gone (Sookie Stackhouse, #9) Harris, Charlaine

31....I wish....

So I had a doctors appointment the other day. One of those appointments us women always love to have....anyway...my nurse kept writing 31 instead of 41 because she couldn't believe I was 41. And then the doctor was asking me questions (new doctor) and asked me my age because he said after that wasn't believeing what was on the chart as he thought I was in my early 30's. I told them thank you and that I would have to thank both of my Grandmothers as it was part of my genes. As they both always have looked much younger.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. the shredding being done!
2. brownies on the counter ready for brownie sundae's for 4th of July
3. Caesar (one of our cats) taking his pills so well - he takes allergy pills. And he really has gotten so good at taking them
4. not having a migraine everyday this week
5. getting through my doctor appointment

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life.

9 Bags

I spent the last 3 evenings doing shredding. I really want it done so I can focus on other things. I just had such a big box of it sitting in the living room I felt I needed to get it done before I can continue on with the things. I ended up with 9 bags full of shredding. Michael had hung onto some old work stuff and decided that since he had only got into it once in 3 years and what he was looking for wasn't there - that he probably didn't need most of it. So he whittled it down to a little box of things to keep. And I shredded the rest. 9 bags worth (Some of that was our just regular pile of shredding too that I hadn't been keeping up with.)

Rushed

It has been pretty busy. I have had several work projects. Michael has had a ton of them. And then he leaves for a conference on Sunday. And he will be gone a few days and on his return (the 8th) he will be picking up a friend to bring back for a visit. She will be staying until the 11th. Then he will be very very busy with work up until I leave on the 17th. I will be in Minnesota until the 31st. I hope that I am able to get everything done before I leave because at the moment it doesn't feel like it.