As it is....

Yesterday I went to bed at 7am. Yes 7AM. I got up at 10:30am. I could not for the life of me get to sleep last night. I couldn't get comfortable. I was hot - I was cold - I was hot - I was cold. I read for a while and as soon as I turned the lights out my eyes were wide open starring at the ceiling. It just was ridiculous. I read again. I then tried again and then I finally got up and wrote some emails and surfed some blogs. So I finally went to the bed at 7am...I still starred at the ceiling for a while. I woke up at 10:30 as I had a phone call. After waking up a little bit I then did some chores and made chocolate chip banana bread. I wish I would have added more chocolate chips.

But here are a few pictures of the bread. I hope to post the recipe over on Cooking with Great Abandon in a few days.

Remembering...

Tonight I am thinking about a friend that died 1 year ago tomorrow. We are getting together with friends tomorrow night to raise a glass to her. It is so odd because she was one of Michael's co-workers so that is the level of friend she was...we did some lunches and such but we weren't close close. And yet I don't go just a few days without thinking of her. I have been thinking of her a lot today of course.

I joined a yahoogroup this week and it has been really negative so far and I am very disappointed. Then there has been a lot of negativity toward others in blogs lately too. I just feel like everyone needs to maybe take a few breathes and really look at what is important in the world. Our friend's parents lost their only child last year. They will never see her get married or have kids. We had another friend lose her 14th month old child recently....the pain of that...losing your child...knowing he will never see his 2nd birthday or have his first day of school or just be with his parents and in their arms. I just guess there are a lot more important things in this world then being so negative and intolerant towards others.

I am very thankful for the life I have with Michael and I hope I get many days with him... enjoying each other and living our lives. It is the wonderful thing about life it is exciting and full of so many possibilities - we are here to explore and discover all that life can give us.

Kitty Cat Love!

Just some cute pictures Michael took of our kitty cats!

Friday Gratitude

1. Daily OM - they really do remind me important lessons in my life
2. Notes from the Universe - they are quirky, fun and thoughtful
3. Ideal Bite - an email that I get daily giving little tips about living a more green lifestyle
4. Emails from friends that make me smile, cry, laugh and just be thankful to have so many wonderful friends in my life
5. Blogs - thankful for all the wonderful blogs I read out there that inspire, make me think and laugh.

Day Trip

So tired. We left at noon for a little trip. It was only going to be the afternoon but at the last part of it we added on another little jog and it meant that we got home at 9:45pm. We had a really nice day though!

We saw snow and iced over lakes up at 10,839 feet. We had pretty spring weather in the lower altitudes. We had gravel back roads. We had lunch on top of Powderhorn overlooking the grand valley. And then we stopped at Gateway Caynon Resort for dinner at The Paradox Grill on the way home.

It was very nice day!

I am hoping I can get Michael to actually POST some pictures that he took as they are gorgeous!

Friday Gratitude

So this week I am grateful for...and it has been a bad week so I do need to take a moment to look at the positives.

1) Migraine finally on the end cycle - almost not noticeable at the moment (crossing my fingers)
2) Grilled hotdogs so that they get all burnt and crisp are yummy! (Thank you Jessica for giving me that craving --- finally had 2 tonight instead of tuna fish sandwich!)
3) Kitty Cats actually slept in bed with me most of the night last night even though Michael wasn't home (usually they don't - they are his cats and you can tell when you see him with them)
4) Once Again with Feeling - the Buffy musical makes me sing with it because it is so good! Which is a good thing if you are me but maybe not a good thing for anyone listening....only the cats today.
5) No more snow!
6) No laundry to wash! (still need to fold a couple of loads)
7) Dishes done!
8) Emails from friends today (I hope I will get back to them all tonight.)
9) Warm fun cloud socks (Thank you Angie)!
10)My Micky mouse blanket. I have had it since college and I still sleep with it every night. It keeps me warm and comforts me when I am not feeling well...and missing Michael.
11) And since I listed my blanket I should list my Teddy Bear Fitz. He is SO loved that he look a little scraggly. Yes I am 39 years old and sleep with a Teddy Bear!
12) Feeling creative and hopefully now that migraine is lifting I can do some art...finish a few pieces I started last week.
13) Michael is working hard but sounds like everything is going very good...that is a very good thing! I miss him lots though...so will be glad when he is home!

Snow?

I think someone forgot to tell Mother Nature it is April. We don't even get that much snow in the winter and right now it is snowing...huge huge snow flakes. Michael is leaving today to get to Denver for work. So I am little nervous about him driving over the mountains. I am staying behind. It is just so weird to look outside though and see snow and then remember it is April....April....not December...April.

Friday Gratitude

~ J ~

Jessica - is a very very good friend....who I love and adore! She has this sense of spirit radiates kindness, love and just a realness that is hard to find in this world. I have cried, vented, laughed, and been thoughtful with her...and appreciate her friendship more then I can put into words. I am very grateful to have Jessica in my life.
Jumbo Shrimp - I love seafood but especially shrimp and especially big jumbo shrimp: broiled, sauteed, fried, in a sauce, alone, or however I really like shrimp.
Just a girl - just a girl in the world....I am just a girl in the world doing what I do...trying to make the best of it.
Jelly Beans - It is almost time for Jelly Beans to hit the store. Yummy!
Jif Peanut Butter - creamy, smooth peanuty goodness! yum!
John William Waterhouse - Always enjoyed his works...can get lost in them. They have amazing colors and spirit coming from them
Joss Whedon - brilliant man - very grateful for the many wonderful hours of entertainment he has brought to me through Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly and Angel.
Journal - be it paper or online my journal has helped me grow as a person and so I am very grateful for the years of journaling.

Wow A Dyson!

5 Minutes for Mom and Dyson have teamed up to give away a Dyson Slim. To sign up for a chance to win check out the info. ENDS April 4th 1pm!

Happy 40th Wedding Anniversary!

My parents are out of town right now but today is their 40th Wedding Anniversary...so I just wanted them to know I am thinking about them today! Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

You have been wonderful role models of a good relationship...thank you for dancing in the kitchen on Sunday mornings, having family picnics on the family room floor in the wintertime, for bring our family together with Aunts, Uncles, Grandmparents, cousins and other relatives even when we lived far away...sharing special tiems with them....and just showing us the meaning of family! I love you!

Friday Gratitude

I am thankful for....
1. The beautiful rose Michael gave me and that he is so thoughtful with doing things like that just because
2. That the art book I created gave me lots of satisfaction and that I get to see some wonderful images created by very talented artists when it finds it ways back to me.
3. And to go with the one above...thankful for so much inspiration going on around me right now.
4. Peanut butter sandwhiches!
5. That my migraine cycle seems to be ending.

Surprises and Art

We were going to go out of town to suprise JoAnne, Michael's Mom, for her birthday but there is snow in the high country so that might make the mountain passes a little difficult to get through. And Michael has to be back before Sunday as he has a meeting with a client. So not going to risk...which with me suffering through my migraine cycle this week it was probably for the best even though it would have been very nice to give JoAnne that suprise.

I have been working on an altered art book all week. I will post pictures over on my art blog tomorrow.

Michael came home with a rose for me yesterday just because. I am a lucky girl! It was a nice surprise. I have it sitting here on my desk.

Reading

I have been reading a lot lately and almost through the stack of books I hadn't read yet but had laying around for quite a while. I received a gift certificate from Amazon plus I going to get a library card. I hadn't really got one to this point because when I went to the library last time - it was tore up and I really wasn't finding anything I wanted to read at that time. But I have found that I can do searches online and also even check out books and then they will have them ready for me to pick up so that is cool. So between library and Amazon I was thinking getting another list of books going as I am almost through my stack of books. So I would love suggestions please!

Right now I have on my list:
Eleven Minutes: A Novel - Paulo Coelho
Memoirs of a Geisha: A Novel - Arthur Golden (lent my copy out years ago and never got it back)
The Cloister Walk - Kathleen Norris
Bitten (Women of the Otherworld, Book 1) - Kelley Armstrong
Outlander - Diana Gabaldon
anything by Marge Piercy

Link...

16 things it takes most of us 50 years to learn

Some of them I really like others are eh.

Friday Gratitude

Friday Gratitude using the letter ~ I ~

inspiration - there is so much inspiration out in the world. Sometimes I don't see it...maybe I don't want to see it. But more and more I see it...and I really do feel it coming to me more in the last year. I am very blessed to receive it and see it all sorts of forms.

Italian food - I really love pasta and just the flavors that come from Italian cooking...olive oil, garlic, basil I think are 3 staples of my cooking. So I am grateful to all the flavorful Italian food I have eaten and hope to eat for a long long time.

identity - I am grateful to know who I am....and not be afraid to acknowledge this is who I am.

integrity - One word that goes to the core of my beliefs. Integrity keeps me going forward and having faith in people and also lets others know I will not let them down and be true.

Internet - Well this one I am thankful for otherwise I wouldn't have been able to be even posting this fine list! I am very thankful for the Internet. I have met some amazing people via the Internet....including Michael so I am grateful for it.

icons - the little 100 x 100 pixel box that I use in each post because I am a visual person. I like to show emotions, likes and interests in a visual way as well as with words.

improvement - Always room for improvement and I am thankful for just growing and moving forward.

imperfect - I am grateful to be imperfect which kind of goes with the above one of improvement. But really why I am listing it is because I don't like things to be perfect. Especially when creating art. I don't measure. I don't want things even and perfect. I want things to just be as is...flawed, messy and beautiful in that.

India ink - I really like what India ink can do on paper. I am thankful for its inspiration, it movement, its feel from harsh to soft.

iconology - The word iconography literally means "image writing." And it something I have always enjoyed. I look at images and try to see their meaning, intent and significance. I especially enjoy looking at the symbols in religious iconology.

ice cream - yum! I am thankful for the cold cream treat! Ben and Jerry's Brownie Fudge is my favorite store bought in a carton. But Cold Stone Creamery is my absolute favorite. And I don't have a favorite mix or flavor I just go with what sounds good in the moment.

Living with Pain...

I have had several people ask me about living with pain (migraine pain). I usually don't go a week without one. And at times they are cycles where they last from 3 to 10 days. Every thing and every day with a migraine is measured. I wake up and gauge the level of pain...such as today is a 4...okay I might get away with coding or medium level of housework. If today was a 9 I wouldn't be able to get out of bed. And I would need everything quiet and black.(Pain scale)

Let me give an concrete example...lets say if I was to load/unload the dishwasher. I have to measure all the factors that goes into the task and the environment that surrounds it. So the kitchen has a window over the sink that has quite a bit of light coming through it. It also has a skylight and the adjoining dining room has a window too. So the kitchen is fairly lite up, light hurts my migraine and can cause it to spike if I don't watch it closely. Next smells affect me so the fragrance in dishwasher detergent, some foods residue when rinsing off plates and other dishes might bother me, if I need to scour something a little more I use vinegar and baking powder (vinegar is not the most pleasant smell). When I unload and load the dishwasher I then wipe the sink and counters down the smell of what I clean it with can make my migraine worse. I am overly sensitive to smell with a migraine so if the trash has onion peels from the night before so I could be heading to the bathroom after unloading/loading dishwasher because the smell might get to me. Also my strength when I have a migraine is just not full because if to have to really scrub a pan that is causing me to move more....which makes my heart rate up (even a little) and that causes my head to pound more. Bending up and down over the dishwasher - the motion - can aggravate my head too - making it spike. I am sure there are other factors I am missing too that I have to add in.

So I wake in the morning with a migraine I might not be able to do it because of all the things that go into that simple daily task. If I am lucky I might get to do it in stages...unload the top rack and then walk away for a while. A pain level of 3 or 4 in my migraine, I might be able to unload and load all at once but usually I do have to rest after because I do cause it to spike a little and by rest then I can get it back to a 3 or 4. If I start to push too much I can send it over and make it the pain level spike to a 7 quickly and stay that way for the rest of the day.

The thing about this all....that if I didn't do things when it is a 3 or 4 I would NEVER accomplish anything. But I do have to say some days when there have been a string of them back to back, I wonder where is my quality of life? I feel angry that I don't get to do some things because of the migraine. I also feel guilt because I can't accomplish or keep up with some things because of it.

So there it is...I try to live each day the best I can and get the most I can accomplished and pray and hope that the next day I won't have a migraine so that I can do even more.

(Okay one friend that I was discussing this post with asked me if I had ever heard of the spoon theory. I never had so she sent me a link. It does an excellent job describing it...I am thankful I don't live with something more than migraines...although they suck I know I could be worse off.)

just passing this on...

A Fat Girl Rant....

Friday Gratitude (on Saturday)

We had some hard news this week...of friends lossing loved ones. A friend lost his father this week and then we got a call last night and a friend lost her baby who was about 14 months old. We have lots of friends losing family lately. Michael has become one of the people they call first because of his memorial videos just are so touching. So although it is a hard time right now I still wanted to give thanks...for family and friends....they are blessings...each in their own way gives so much to me and I am very grateful.

Spring is in the Air...

The weather has been amazing. Almost too amazing. I am scared we are going to get blasted with one last cold blast. But today we went to run errands and I wore sandals.

I am really struggling with daylight savings this time around. I am not getting to sleep until after 3am or 4am. I then don't sleep well often until after 6am. So I am sleeping IN! I mean really in anywhere from 9am to 11am.

Started a new book but not sure I will finish it at least now. It has beautiful words and the first sentence makes me swim in my mind from them but then it is like that each sentence is trying to compete with each other and see it can be even better.

My monitor is acting wonky so tomorrow I plan on trying to rearrange to see if something it is sitting next to is causing the vibrating lines through the screen.

Carolynn, a friend of mine, is a fantastic woman. I met her through livejournal community. I can't being to tell you how much I adore her. She is witty, smart, kind, talented, pretty and so much more. She is a wonderful mother and wife. I am grateful that she sees me as I am and accepts me. I can't begin to explain how much that means to me. Anyway, I just wanted to do a public thank you to my friend Carolynn. You are amazing and I am blessed to call you my friend.

Days of the Week

This week went past fast for me actually yesterday morning when I got up to make breakfast I thought it was Thursday and then I was looking at the calendar on the wall and realized it was Friday.

I ordered some items online recently and when they came they were too big. So I called to exchange them. The person on the phone was just very matter fact about - not rude but not overly pleasant either. I hang up and realize I forgot to ask them something about returning the items so I call them back. The person I talk to answers my question, but also confirmed the exchange order I had just placed. I said yes and hung up the phone. I thought the price seemed really high but my mind hadn't caught up enough to ask her about that before I hung up the phone. So I grabbed the package invoice and sure enough it was almost a $20 difference. I was making an EVEN exchange just one size down on the items. I called again and the person I spoke to the third time....was a charm! She went out of her way to help me and thought it was kind of odd that it wasn't done the first time I called. She even ended up throwing in free express shipping for having to call back so many times. That is good customer service! I ended up emailing them to tell them her name and how helpful she had been for me.

Worked some this week. I hope to clean my studio this afternoon and then work on art tonight or tomorrow. I have several projects to do.

I am making pure junk food goodness tonight for dinner. Meatball "Sandwich" Casserole...layer of bread, a cheese layer (cream cheese and cheese), meatballs, sauce and then more cheese. I am making the meatballs out of ground turkey and veggies so at least it will counter some of that fat in the cheese!

Not much else going on.

Friday Gratitude

1. Enjoying so many good books lately!
2. The weather being so nice that we have our windows open
3. Aveeno lotion - as my skin feels so dry right now and the lotion makes me feel not so itchy.
4. Casino Royale comes out next week on DVD!
5. Being able to design a new design for Michael's business website so that we can get that up properly.
6. Michael and I work really well as a team with web design
7. Stromboli that I made for dinner this week was oh so good!
8. Mail love!
9. a cup of tea...or a few cups

Just a commentary....

* I am a dork.....cute and lovable though according to what Michael says but he does get a chuckle that I get into commentaries. I love listening to the commentary...when they provide them on movies - televisions shows. Michael bought Angel season 4 and 5 (yes we are going backwards but that is when Michael got hooked on Angel so thus season 4 and 5 first). And I am listening to the commentary on season 5 first episode and Joss is so GREAT! Anyway the little tidbits you get from commentary are just so great!

* A little tidbits I learned from commentary season 5 first episode - Joss is a Dixie Chick fan and he put had Fred putting that poster up in her office not only because of the political upset they caused but also because he is a huge fan of theirs. He also saw a photograph in that CD booklet that was of a sign that said "we are changing the way we do business." And he felt Fred was worried she wasn't going to be living up to department head that she was weak and not strong. And Joss thought Dixie Chicks are strong and basically so is Fred and so that would be coming out in season 5.


We ran some errands the other day and then ran into Tuesday Morning. We hadn't been in there in quite awhile. And we ended up buying a few things. When I moved and then moved again I got rid of lots of things like plates, silverware and glasses because those are really things to me that can be replaced easily. A well loved cookie sheet not so easy to replace so I kept things like that but didn't keep some dishes. When I moved in with Michael, him being a bachelor for quite a while he had mis-matched plates and silverware but GLASSES oh my! He had every size and full sets (more then one set on some) of juice, double old fashioned, tumblers, one other size that I think is for like a mixed drink maybe a highball or collins, several different types of wine glasses and then cordial, margarita, champagne, and a couple beer mugs. So we don't ever look at glasses because there are more then enough in this house. Today though of course I spotted on the back of the shelf that had that hand-blown glass feel. A set of 6 - all different colors. And showed them to Michael and he liked them too. He said, "more glasses?" So I am going to get ride of one set for this set.

lately...

• I know I haven't done a life update post lately because I have been suffering from a pretty big migraine cycle. It finally spiked to the point where Michael and I both thought he might be taking me to the ER the other night. Luckily I got it under control but since then it kind of knocked me on my butt. Yesterday it was still lingering and then today I just felt out of it and tired. So hopefully tomorrow I will feel more like myself. I have housework, website work, and art all piling up.


• We watched Mirrormask tonight. I really enjoyed it, but I liked Dave McKean's art before I saw the movie so I was pretty sure I would like the movie.


• Made yummy breakfast burritos this past week. (just like these.)
  

Friday Gratitude

Doing a letter today....H...

Heart - Heart...so many ways I am grateful for heart...heart of giving and receiving love and warmth and caring. My favorite quote is about following your path with heart and it is how I try to live my life. Times I have wanted to stomp my feet and get mad or am confused and unsure of what to do....I slow down and listen to my heart and it usually guides me clear and sure.

Health - I have migraines. I am not in the best of health but I am thankful for my health. I am thankful for living and breathing and enjoying each day.

Hope - It is a beautiful word with beautiful meaning. A wish for fulfillment of something...I have hope for many things in my life and my art has been my main reason for hope right now. Hopeful of where I am going with it.

Handmade - I love things that are handmade. I am grateful for the time and craft people put into homemade items. Like my slipper socks that my friend made....they are loved muchly.

Homemaking - Okay I am odd I like homemaking. I like making our home nice. I like the art of keeping a house. I like the zen to it.

Humor - I love to laugh...who doesn't...and so good humor is important. Michael has a great sense of humor and we laugh quite a bit.

Hugs - Hugs are good. I am grateful for hugs and the people that give me hugs!

Hands - I have a thing for hands and maybe it is the artist in me to notice other artists hands. They are so beautiful. I also am grateful for my hands....drawing, cutting, creating.

Friday Gratitude

1. A big stack of books to read.
2. Allergy medicine to help with the extreme sinus pain I have been going through.
3. Migraine medicine to help dull the spiking pain in my head even a little - 3 days of migraines.
4. Peanut Butter cookies we have been enjoying this week that Michael's niece and nephew made last weekend.
5. Getting mail love! Socks! I participated in a sock swap with friends. I got bluish green socks with purple stripes that are oh so soft!
6. Michael being hooked on Joss-verse by watching Angel! (I am huge Joss Whedon fan - Buffy the Vampire Slayer.)
7. Clean sheets on the bed...I love the smell of clean sheets! This set we got each other for christmas - 600 thread count - in terra cotta! So pretty!
8. My old ragged Teddy Bear that Michael gave me shortly after I moved here...I still at 39 years old sleep with a Teddy Bear at times and I love my ragged bear.
9. Being able to see my sister's last weekend!

Just randomness...

* Weekend was great! I loved seenig my sisters! We just hung out and talked. Well we went shopping too. We didn't pick very good places to eat except Sam's though. But really just happy I got a chance to hang out with them. We haven't done just talking like that in a long time and I really enjoyed it.

* I got a chance to go to Archivers to use my coupons while in Denver. I got some paper, a bucket of words (thinking of using in magnets), lots of things from their Hot Spot (1.99 spot) and then some metal bits and bobs.

* Eating Garden Salsa Sunchips right now and they are so good! My sister's bought them when we saw them this past weekend.

* Michael just went out of town for the day -- I was really wanting to go with him but with the migraines we didn't feel that would be best.

* Finished The Crimson Petal and the White. I am a little disappointed how it ended! Okay more then a little disappointed.

* Need to search down a recipe for the little
Southwestern Spring Rolls they serve at Ruby Tuesday (Flour tortillas filled with chicken, spinach, black beans, cheese, corn and cilantro. Fried until crispy and served with fresh avocado ranch.) Michael had them for the first time this last weekend and he was crazy about them.

* I have been struggling with my voice this week....it just keeps going out. I think this past weekend with all the talking I just wasn't used to that and so I wore it out!

Sisters!

Leaving in a bit to go to Denver. My sisters are flying in to spend the weekend with Michael and I! I didn't get to spend much time with my family when we were in North Dakota in October. It is great to get to spend real quality time with them. I don't get to see my family all that often so I will take anytime I get and I am thrilled!

Happy Valentine's Day

We really aren't celebrating Valentine's this year and it isn't because we are Anti-Valentine's or anything of the like....frankly it is because it has been a long week and we are leaving to go out of town tomorrow.

But I did want to at least leave my beloved....a Valentine message...

I love you very much Michael...
My heart belongs to you and I am blessed to be a part of your life!
Happy Valentine's Day!

Just...

This week is going to be busy and hard.

A good friend of Michael's lost her father and so Michael is working on the memorial video right now. Those are hard for to do but I know how much the families appreciate what he can do to capture the memories.

I am getting packages of cookies ready to send to friends for Valentine's Day. I made Valentine Bark, Cardamom Butter cookies with dark chocolate and espresso glaze, triple chocolate bite size brownies and shortbread cookies. (Pictures and recipes over on my cooking blog.)

I think I have some depression going on right now too. So feeling just out of sorts. Keep working to move forward.

I Heart Music

I am baking cookies to send friends and listening to Zeros + Ones and they were playing this song that I am really bouncing and dancing to as I roll out cookies. And I am singing the lyrics...

I am singing the lyrics

...I pause to think why do I know these lyrics. And realize it is a remake of a song that I enjoyed in high school -

high school

! Oh that makes me feel old...so old. The song was Ant Music by Hyper (original by Adam Ant). Adam Ant was my first concert (and saw him multiple times).

Tonight I have made some candy. Cardamom butter cookies are in the fridge to chill out over night. And then shortbread cookies are baking right now. I have ingredients ready to go for triple chocolate bit size brownies. And then I will make the cardamom butter cookies with dark chocolate and espresso glaze tomorrow.

I am really like all the music on Zeros + Ones. I want listen to some more many of the artists but Kaiser Chiefs - I really liked and I know I have heard them on this station before (SIRUS - Left of Center station.)

Friday Gratitude

Doing a letter for my Friday Gratitude...

~ G ~

giggles - you know giggles just make me feel good. Michael can get me giggle so hard that I can't catch my breath.
geisha - mysterious and beautiful they intrigue me.
good friends - I am grateful to have many good friends. Each and everyone of them give me more then I can put into words. Thank you!
grace - it is something I strive for. I have a friend to me epitomizes this word. And she inspires me to handle situations as well as she does...with such grace.
gustav klimt - I like almost all of Klimits works. I think as a little girl I saw the Kiss and that is when I became even more interested in art.
girly girl - I am a girly girl. I love to dress up and wear make up. And I am happy that I turned out to be a girly girl.
google - saved my butt on many ocassions.
garlic - I enjoy cooking and garlic is pretty much a staple in the kitchen...gives everything a lot of flavor.
Good Search - a search engine that gives to charity of your choice every time you use it!
green beans - They are my favorite vegetable. I love love love Green beans! I could eat them every night. So I am thankful for green beans!
german chocolate cake - I love the cake with the frosting. I haven't had it in years. Michael doesn't like coconut or nuts in things
Grandparents - I have/had great grandparents that gave me lots of wonderful memories

Colonial House

Tonight after watching Colonial House (only one episode left) Michael and I were discussing the episode. And so he starts to say, "Would you...." and before he could get anymore out I said, "nope!" He replied that was the quickest I have ever said no before. And so he asked me why I wouldn't want to do Colonial House.

I love watching Colonial House. It is interesting to see how people are dealing with it. To think about that time period especially after tonights episdoe where they had a Native American Indian tribe visit them and really put in their face what was done to Native Americans.

So although I am enjoying watching and thinking about that time period. I know I wouldn't make it.

• meat having maggots but scrapping them off - eating it (when I told Michael this one he laughed and said, "yes expiration date girl would have a problem with that" - I am big on expiration dates.)
• flies flies flies - there are flies on everything
• use of chamber pot - with layers of skirts - sorry it makes me wonder how they didn't get their skirts in it
• the living all in one room
• a toothbrush - someone was brushing their teeth with a piece of wood in the last episode
• just the hygiene in general squicks me when I think about it too long
• the rules of the time period - I think I might have some problems with too...yeah

I am sure there are many other things that I am missing but I am thankful for the people that got us here although not happy how they did it.

Sunday Sunday

We got up early to do grocery shopping. It has been almost 2 weeks since we went so it was needed. I have our pantry pretty stocked so I find stuff to cook but I was running low on many things. Something I had been craving is stew and I haven't made any this winter so I asked Michael how that sounded to him. He said that sounded really good so there is stew in the crockpot right now. We can have left over french bread with it and a bottle of wine. Yummy! Although I am very full right now we had a wonderful brunch. Almost every Sunday Michael makes brunch. He says "we" make it but really I don't call sticking sausages into the oven and pulling them out as really cooking and that is all I contribute to Sunday morning brunch. But usually when he is making brunch I am unloading the dishwasher so we are in the kitchen together and I really like that. We talk and joke while doing our things and then sit down and enjoy our brunch. A nice tradition.

I started a new book last night. A friend gave it to me over a year ago and truthfully it is a BIG book - hard back and so I kept it on the bottom of the stack. But I saw it peaking out from under my huge pile of books...knew that needed to be next. I need to get that read and back to her. It is The Crimson Petal and the White. So far I am not liking this guys writing style but I did just flip through and read some random pages and I think I will get beyond that soon.

Friday Gratitude

Really yesterday is the only gratutide I wish to express on this Friday. Yesterday was our anniversary. I have been blessed to give my heart to a remarkable man and share this journey with him. We have spent 4 years working towards dreams. I love you Michael in all ways always. Thank you for 4 wonderful years and many more!

Happy Anniversary

Today is our anniversary - 4 years we have been together. I still remember that first moment we met. I have a Kurt Halsey piece as my desktop wall paper that just for me sums up those first moments.

click on it to get a bigger view












Happy Anniversary Michael! I love you!

Area Event...

If you are in the Grand Junction area....and want to pick up some good quality art for great prices make sure to check out this event....

5:30 p.m.-10 p.m.
The Art Center
1803 N 7th Street
Grand Junction, CO 81501

Admission: $20/person

Over 145 pieces of fine art, ceramics, Persian rugs, Russian Impressionists, and collectibles will be auctioned in a fund raiser for The Art Center's exhibition and education programs. Silent Auction from 5:30-6:45pm. Live auction starts at 7pm. Cash bar, hors d'ouevres.

Phone: 970-243-7337
http://www.gjartcenter.org

Michael and I each have works in it. He has his Barbwire I and II and I have Tap the Maidens.

Friday Gratitude with an Update...

So tonight is when I should be doing a gratitude post and I will end it with it...but I do need to get the not so good stuff out of the way first.

Today was a little long. I didn't expect us to be where we were quite so long...either did Michael. By the time we got home I was feeling pretty...well...cranky. And I know Michael was too - we were just trying hard not too be grumpy with each other. So we get home and were going to check email and kind of veg. Just as we sat down to do that....power went out. There was a short circuit many blocks away...that affected our area as well as many others. And so we were without power for 2 1/2 hours. The candle smell was getting to me. The power going out just put me kind of on edge. So all and all today hasn't been the best. It wasn't horrible but not fantastic.

Oh a funny note during our power outage Michael sang to me. Actually he has a decent voice when he is being serious but he was singing 99 bottles of beer on the wall tonight...with kind of a country twang to it. Thank goodness I got him to stop at 94! It was that or Carpenters! See he makes me smile and laugh in the midst of....that day...a long, hot, tired, cranky, on edge type of day...smiles and laughter...that is what is about....awww love!


So Friday Gratitude...

I did the letter E on December 15th so I think I will do F tonight.

~F~

Family - I am very grateful to my family. We don't always agree. We don't always understand each other but we love each other very much. I have good memories that really show me the meaning of the family. That include my biological family and my chosen family. Chosen family is to me friends that are just so close that they aren't just friends they are family. You can be yourself with them and I am thankful for them also.

Friends - I have many friends and I am blessed by their support and just friendship. I am grateful for all that do and have done for me.

Food - I am grateful for food...yep I am...it nourishes me when I am lacking energy or a certain vitamins, it comforts me, it is an passion too...creating and sharing the things I cook with others.

Friday - Thank goodness it is Friday. Although we have lots of work to do this weekend. Fridays are usually the sign of the end of the week and just time to relax. Very nice day indeed!

Fabulous - I am thankful for the word fabulous because there are just so many fabulous things in this world from incense that makes the house smell fabulous to fabulous friends who I can laugh, cry and vent with, fabulous socks I got from sock dreams recently. Fabulous!

Female - I am grateful to be female. I love being a woman.

Future - I am grateful to be able to look forward to our future. We have goals and dreams that we are working towards for our future.

Falling - I am grateful for falling although it probably pains me to say that. But it is true. I am grateful for falling so that I learned how to try again and keep trying.

Faces - I love faces. I have a thing for faces. I love the all the different looks...each unique. Some hard and worn with age and hard work. Others innocent, soft just starting their journey through life.

Fur Babies - we have 2 kitty cats that our babies. I love and adore them. I also think of Cali too when I think of fur babies.

Fairy Tales - Princess and dreams! I am grateful to dream and escape through Fairy tales.

Firefly - It is a Joss Whedon creation that I really enjoy...great characters & writing.

Frida - Frida Kahlo an amazing artist that I find new inspiration through every time I see a painting or read about her.

Free Speech - Being able to say what we want....is something I think that is slowly being taken away. Those that seem to speak against the government get told they are not patriotic. Anyway, I am thankful for free speech and hope it will be around for a long time.

Fall - my favorite season. It is beautiful - crisp & colorful.

Faith - my favorite word. Faith...in self, in him and I, in the journey...faith in so much.

Fairies - I have several Amy Brown prints with fairies and a book of her art. They are so playful, sensual, magical.

Sock Dreams!

A good friend of mine told me Sock Dreams has a clearance sale...I ordered 3 pairs! I used some Christmas money for it! So I am getting 3 pairs - Super M's, M's Ribbed and the O Chevrons. Doing a Happy Girly Girl Dance!

Friday Gratitude

I got out of the habit of doing gratitude posts during the holidays so I want to get back to them. There is so much in my life to express graitude about as I am living a very blessed life.

1. That Michael arrived over in Denver safely, has been having a productive week and will be HOME TOMORROW!
2. That it is cold outside but I have warm soft slippers from K on my feet and my purple microfleece robe - how can that not be a marvelous combination!
3. That I got to have fish for dinner. Michael doesn't like fish so I usually just have it when he is out of town.
4. That the mulled cider candle that I got for 49 cents is making the house smell good.
5. Licking hot fudge off a spoon...so delicious and decadent!
6. Some wonderful conversations with friends....this week!
7. And exciting step forward for me with my art. I am thankful my friend and Michael encouraging me.
8. Got some really good art pieces done this week and am surrounded by inspiration.

I'll Take It...

Life this week has been busy. Michael is getting ready to go on a week long trip and had a ton of work to get done before going. He has wanted to also spend as much time with me so had me go with him on errands and appointments so that we could hang out in between stops. It has been so nice to have that time with him. I am going to miss him like crazy next week after being together 24/7 (because he works from home) and then to not have him here....will be very odd for each of us I am sure.

Tonight I was making dinner (meatloaf, homemade mac-n-cheese, mixed veggies - comfort food at its best) and Michael came and basically swept me off my feet. He gave me one of those making me weak knees kisses. It was very romantic and just so nice.

Today Michael had a meeting and offered to drop me off at Michael's Arts and Craft while he did his meeting. They have 90% off their Christmas stuff. I found some silk holly and berry garland that was marked 9.99 and I got it for 99 cents. Michael had said that he thought some garland hanging from our dining room cabinets with ornaments hanging off it would look nice so when I saw that I thought that would be really perfect. It is actually even more upscale on how it looks then what I had in mind so I was thrilled. I also got some art supples - micron pens, a rubber stamp that is all writing, a couple foam stamps (for doing texture on backgrounds) and then just some other odds and ends for art. Oh there were some mull cider big jar candles - that were 49 cents so I got one for us and one a little present.

I have been obsessed with Alias. Michael got me the box set for Christmas that included the whole series. I am having serious fangirl obsessive thoughts and jonesing for the next episode always. (This is said very tongue in check but I am being a little fangirlish...I mean who can't see that Sark isn't a hottie.)

This and That and Ebay

Michael has had a really busy month already and it is only the 9th today. And it doesn't look like it will let up at all this month. He leaves to go out of town next week so I hope to do some things like get bunches of stuff on ebay. And finish some art I started last week. I have some ideas for Valentine's also I want to get working on too.


Back to Ebay though. I took down all our holiday decorations and decided to go through my Hallmark Keepsake Nostalgic Houses and Shops to see which ones I was missing. It looks like I am missing 1986 and 2001. Of course the 1986 one is a rare one and worth the most in the collection. It is worth $300 to $320 in the secondary market (in box - with price tag in mint condition). So I went to Ebay and looked for my 2 missing ornaments that 1986 house doesn't seem to go for anything under $60 (without the box even). And I saw it go for as high as $135. The other one is available and usually less expensive then its price tag. I got up at 7am yesterday morning to try to win a bid on the 1986 house (without a box) and it went higher then I was willing to pay for an ornament - even one that will help make my collection complete. I really was amazed when I started researching the houses how much they are worth. One ornament over $300? WOW!

What else to report...

We shot a friends son's wedding this weekend. I think we got a lot of good footage and I am sure Michael will do a great job on the video. It is going to take him a while though as this month is busy and next month looks as though it will be really busy too.

I woke up with a migraine cluster today - but it is the first I had of that kind in a long while so I was happy although it is really painful. Not much else for me to report right now.

(photos Michael took with the glow of the christmas tree lights on my little village of Hallmark Nostalgic Houses and Shops)

Food Blog Nominations

It is the time of year for the Food Blog Awards. Just linking them so you can go vote!

One of my favorite entires is from Gluten-free Girl Blog...."Yes" Made me all teary!

Photos....

this is a handmade glass pendant my parents gave me for Christmas. I want to find out the artist for it as it is really pretty.






This cute little bear Michael's parents Frank and JoAnne gave me. I am not sure if I told them the story of as a kid always being sad that those stands that have things with your name on it never had my name as it is so unusual. But I thought it was very nice of them to get my name on it. I have her sitting on a bookself in my studio. She kind of greets me as I come in. Thank you for the cute bear Frank and JoAnne!






And this is the Buddha that I bought with a gift certificate Michael gave me for Christmas. The little lotus holder is perfect for a little incense cone burner I have so that is what is in it right now. I have it sitting on the corner of my desk. I think it is a very pretty Buddha and a good source of inspiration for art.

Some trinkets....

Posted over on my art blog some magnets I made and a tin I made for a good friend.

Post Christmas Update

Yesterday Michael and I were out of the house before 7am heading out for post Christmas shopping. I know we are insane! We picked up Christmas items...holiday tissue, gift bags, bows, Christmas cards for next year. Plus Michael had given me a gift certificate in my stocking and so I got a Buddha with a tea light candle holder at the base and a few other little things. We picked up MORE movies. Really after all the ones we got for Christmas we didn't "need" them but they were good deals so it was hard to pass up. And then we hit this new place for breakfast and we could have fed 5 people on the food they served us. We took home lots and had it for breakfast this morning.

We spent the rest of the day just watching movies and napping...kind of a repeat of Christmas day. It was nice. We are having lots of quality time and that is has been great!

Today I woke up with a migraine but it was cloudy all day so I think it was weather related. By tonight migraine had faded. I am watching Robin Hood Prince of Thieves....Alan Rickman steals the show. His lines are so funny!

A Very Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

I just turned my computer on for the first time about 20 minutes ago. It has been a wonderful Christmas. Last night Michael and I had an amazing dinner....stuffing ourselves with all the delicious things on the table and drinking a bottle of mead. It was really perfect with the ham. It did make me a little tipsy and I was a wee-bit more flirty then I have been in a while. It was fun though. After cleaning up, we went and looked at lights. This years theme seemed to be cut out lighted palm trees (yes Kate that made me think of you). One of our Christmas presents to ourselves was a new dvd storage unit. The one we have now is wide so takes up most of the hallway where we store it and we ran out of space in it awhile ago. So Michael and I put the new one together last night. And then headed to bed as we were both tired and wanted Santa to visit our house.

This morning Michael and I both woke up really early so we said why not get up. So we did....and Santa did an amazing job on our stockings! Lots and lots of goodies....one being Godiva chocolates for me. Yum! After we opened our stockings we got the cats going on their stockings. We got them some new toys and replaced nip packets in some of their other toys but their favorite toys...were the stir straws that I put in there at the last moment remembering we had a packet up of them in their cupboard. So the thing that was free basically is the thing that they enjoyed the most. figures!

We had some cinnamon rolls for breakfast and then we opened packages. Our stockings had been a surprise this morning but our gifts together this year the storage unit but also tons of movies weren't a surprise. The day after thanksgiving had really good movie sales - 3.50 to 10 dollars and so we really stocked up. The gifts from family and friends though were of course. After opening gifts there was a knock on our door....it was the postman he had a gift for us from my one of my best friends Aydeen and her husband. It was very fun receiving a gift on Christmas! Thank you Laz and Aydeen - Michael and I love the gifts!

One of my gifts was the Alias DVD set - all 5 seasons. Michael and I had watched all of season 4 on TV except the last episode of season 4. So this morning we watched that and then watched the first episode of season 5! And then another episode tonight. WOW! (Can't wait to see where you are at with the season Mandy...I can't believe the first episode OMG!) We also watched the first part of the Chronicles of Riddick and will watch the 2nd part after I am done posting.

It really was a relaxing day...we watched movies and Alias, ate yummy food, and napped!

The best part of the day was captured in words that Michael wrote in a card he gave me....really our gift is the gift of being togehter and taking this journey together. So today I was with the man I love and enjoyed another perfect day...it was the perfect gift....being together.

I hope everyone had a magical Christmas full of love and joy!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town....

• All the presents are wrapped and under the tree. Stockings waiting for Santa to fill them.
  
• Dinner is in the oven. Hopefully done about 5:30pm. Bottle of wine chilling. Goodies on the table that we have been snacking on.
• We saw a postal worker out today. She was delivering packages. With the snow storms here in Colorado I am sure there are a lot of people waiting for Christmas packages. So on a Sunday they were delivering packages. I heard also they will deliver tomorrow too.
• We had a marvelous brunch full of fresh fruit, pastries, hashbrowns, order your way omelets and mimosas - yum!
  
• Been listening to Christmas carols all day! Singing as I cooked.
  
• I know I say it often but I don't feel I can say it enough how blessed I am to be loved by Michael.
  
• Also I have so many good friends and wonderful family. I am very grateful for all the support and acceptance you give me. Thank you for!
  

I want to wish everyone a VERY Merry Christmas! I hope you have a holiday full of love, laughter and the magic of the season!

Christmas Randomness

Sound of Music is on....it is a favorite musical of mine. I love the music and sing along to it.

There is a song that plays this time of year that always always makes me cry. It is The Christmas Shoes by Newsong (link to lyrics). I hadn't heard it this year until just the other night while wrapping gifts. And of course I had to reach for kleenex. (Mom if you haven't heard this song you need to hear it....you will need kleenex too.)

Silly Christmas link....Mt. Dew Christmas Tree

Yes! A wonderful Christmas gift

Been cleaning house most of the day as I have neglected it with the holiday preparations.

I was just thinking yesterday while unloading the dishwasher that I have had lots of depression this year but I can honestly say this Christmas I haven't felt it. The holidays can get me blue and this year doesn't seem to have hit me that hard.

Michael just called me into this office. He has video tape his Dad took of when Michael when got Chessie for Christmas. She is just a little kitten and she is so her. All the things that make her darned adorable now were there in the video of her from her baby days.

Well going to go find my slippers because my feet are cold. And then maybe fold clothes...I know the excitement is too much!

But tomorrow will be good - we are going to brunch to one of our favorite places, then deliver presents. Tomorrow night will be a nice dinner followed by going out to look at Christmas lights.

Caesar Protesting Christmas!

When we put up our tree - our kitty cats get their sunny spot bed taken away. And so Caesar was sitting on the sub-woofer in protest the other day. He was highly annoyed that he didn't have his spot in the sun and couldn't figure out how he could get to it without being in lots of trouble (because it would involved tipping the tree over).

That big round ornament with the poinsettia on it...is Michael's...it is his Baby ornament. I think it is his first Christmas ornament. The one below it with the 2 cats is the closest we have come to finding something that at least a little resembles our babies.


There is a yarn drum ornament. Michael has a few drum ornaments - as he is a drummer.












You can barely see a red bell ornament in the right hand corner. Michael's Grandmother made that and a few others we have on our tree.

Friday Gratitude

I am doing a tribute to all things I am grateful that start with E!

~ E ~

Eating - I love food so I like to eat.
Epicurious - Which goes with the above. I love that site for recipes, good wine suggestions and other food related ideas.
Encouragement - I am thankful for all the encouragement I get from my friends and family.
Emotions - Although my emotions have been all over the place I am glad that I do have them. I am glad I feel a wide range of them.
Energy - Having energy...to just do things I am grateful for and also feeling energy/vibes or whatever you call it. I like it when I encounter someone with good energy. My friend Jane is coming to mind. She always has such a warm clear soothing energy coming from her. Just being around her for a little bit always makes me feel so good.
Expression - Being able to express through writing, spoke word, art, and so many more ways...I am grateful for the ability to express my thoughts and feelings in so many wonderful ways
Envelopes - Mail Love! I love seeing envelopes in the mail with my name on them. And I love sending out envelopes full of mail love to others.
Eggs - I like eggs. Egg sandwiches, Godfather Eggs, Scrambled eggs with hashbrowns, neatly folded eggs piled on a fluffy biscuit. Also thankful to have them so I can bake yummy cakes, cookies, brownies and breads with them.
Eggplant - Not the food....oh no...don't like eggplant to eat but I love the color! I would love to have a room painted with that color
Edward Gorey - Lovely work....dark and delicious
Eddie Izzard - He is so funny! Plus he looks good in heels and make up!
Electricity - Without it....there is so much I couldn't do. So I am very thankful for electricity...for keeping computers running, heat going on this cold snowy day, power to run my bread machine and crockpot to make a yummy a warm dinner, to give me warm water for my shower, and dryer to warm up my robe to make me toasty when I am cold, to run all the tv to watch Buffy and Alias...yes I could go on and on with all the wonderful things that electricity brings to me. Very thankful for electricity
Egyptian art - Art history was one of my favorite classes in college. I always got A and A+'s in it. Egyptian art was one area that I took several classes as it really just has always fascinated me. I even remember in grade school doing papers on Egyptian art as I have drawn to it.
Eyes - I like eyes...I like the expressiveness of eyes. I keep thinking of Michael's blue intense eyes. Yummy! so grateful to be able to look into them every day! I am also thankful for my eyes...to see all the wonderful things that pass before daily.
Ephemera - My art consists of lots of ephemera so I am very grateful to have it as an available resource as it inspires me often.

Busy Busy

Right now life is extremely busy...'tis the season right? We were suppose to leave for a trip today, but well Michael has some sad news this week. A friend died so we are delaying our trip. We will be leaving on Saturday. Things we did/doing this week: finished Christmas shopping, baking, more baking, making jar mixes for gifts, getting packages ready to mail and...oh and did I mention baking. My Christmas baking includes: Festive Bark (almond bark with pretzels and M&M's mixed in), peppermint bark, chocolate fudge, chocolate caramels, Cardamom cutout cookies drizzled with espresso glaze and dark chocolate, sour cream cookies, molasses cookies, and chocolate chip cookies with peppermint bark. For jar mixes I did hot cocoa (amaretto and french vanilla), brownies (with white chocolate chips and coconut), Cranberry & white chocolate cookies, and then M&M Chocolate Chip cookies.

Good thing or Bad thing...??

Is it a good thing or a bad thing that I got so caught up in painting that I almost took a drink of the water I rinse my brushes off with? Instead of my diet coke sitting on the other end of the table?

Thank goodness...I caught myself before I actually drank...not sure acrylic paint is really "good" for a person.

Going back to work!

Tree Decorating Adventures....

Last night we had to run around to several places as the garland we usually do on our tree was not in the Christmas decoration boxes. So we went to 3 places and didn't find what we wanted but got something that will do at least for this year.

We finally got the tree decorated today. I brought over the tins that have the ornaments in them. I have a ton of Christmas tins that I use to put baked goods. When I pack up the Christmas stuff I put ribbon garland in one tin, ornaments and just other little Christmas odds and ends. And I lifted a few ornaments out of a tin....a scream emerged from me... that the whole neighborhood heard...

My fingers wrapped around...

....the ribbon garland!

Caesar was in the living room he looked at me and you could tell he thought "what is it that she has in her hand that has made her scream so...it must be horrible." He stalked over to me very cautiously and then sniffed the ribbon in my hand. He looked up at me cocking his head and again you could tell he was thinking no that I can't be what I am smelling. So he sniffed the ribbon again. He looked up at me saying in his cat meows "you do know this is the ribbon garland you have been looking for several days right. You should be happy." And then walked away like "okayyy she has lost it - AGAIN"

See when I looked in this tin before it just looked like it was well packed with ornaments but under the ornaments was the ribbon on their spools. So now we have not only ribbon garland but we have the garland I got at Target last night that is gold with little sparkly stars on it. They actually look good together because the ribbon has gold in it.

I am such a dork sometimes. I could have saved myself a lot of trouble if I had just emptied out each tin. Oh well...live and learn and now the tree is up and looks very pretty.

Friday Gratitude

1. Mail Love - Mail Love was in abundance! I got a package from a very good friend - stuffed full of recipes, a cookbook and magnetic "paper" dolls that are gingerboy and girl. They have little pieces to decorate them and are just too adorable for words. I can't wait to get them up they will be great when I am baking, while something is in the oven I can play! I also got a few other things from her and her husband. Thank you both so much it was very sweet of you guys!

Last year my family did up a big package for Michael and I. In it was one little special package to open every day until Christmas. Last year there was gourmet hot cocoa packets, M&M's, slipper socks, notepads and such. Well they decided to do the same thing again this year and so we have opened 4 gifts: recipe cards & holder that have candy canes on them, holiday spatulas, 2 magnetic notepads, holiday sprinkles for cookies and baked goods, little holiday paper cupcake liners, and a ceramic spoon holder. It is very thoughtful of my family. Michael and I get such a kick out of it. It is fun to see what they came up with and it is nice to feel their love through their extraordinary thoughtfulness.

2. Birthdays - Michael's birthday was this week. He had a great birthday and we both had a wonderful day. He is a wonderful man that daily I see all the reasons I fell in love with him. And how lucky I am to be with him. I know this past year was a hard year but exciting at the same time. I love you Michael!

3. Links - The link I posted early in the day. Many topics wrote about there have been on my mind. Making me contemplate the season even more. It might be another blog entry soon....my thoughts on the reason for the season.

4. Water - I have been drinking so much water today. It is good and refreshing.

5. Warm clothes - Thermals, cuddl duds, soft sweaters, sueded cotton sweatshirt, long sleeve thick t-shirts from Eddie Bauer (that I have had for 13 years and still in great condition), wool socks, knitted socks, fleece purple bathrobe... all items that keep me warm when it is Oh so cold here!

And just thankful for this season and enjoying it!

An Unexpected Link....

I stumbled upon a link to a blog that I thought for sure just looking at where it was originating from I wasn't going to like it. But that was pretty closed minded of me. In a swift judgment I decided I wouldn't like his views without even opening and reading. Not something I like that I did and want to work on that more. I am sure this person and I don't share all views but I do have to say many things he says in the handful of entries I have read - I was thoroughly impressed.

The link is from a Catholic Monk. The Spiritus Project: liberating the Message of Christ from Christianity

His latest entry is what prompted this post....to share his blog with others...
Santa's not the real problem...

It is the message I have believe for a long time....inclusion, tolerance, giving, and love. It is a message I feel we don't hear often enough.

So I have spent the last 30 minutes reading other entries...
This link he uses a quote from RENT on the bottom of it...and again another message of tolerance, inclusion....not the us vs them that is the norm of these days.

Even this entry...where I don't agree with him...I enjoy reading his thoughts. I am pro-choice. And pro- stem cell research. But he is the first person I have seen that is pro-life - in the terms that I think of as actually pro-life.

He talks of a book both Michael and I would like to get...
"The Bible is not divine. God alone deserves our worship. Bibliolatry, worshipping the words of Scripture instead of the God they manifest, absolutizing them and using them out of context, is a most insidious vice...Read it correctly; read it as a whole. Don't fall into the trap of using the Scriptures to self-righteously condemn everything from homosexuality and abortion to people of non-Christian faiths. Taking the Bible literally and simplistically without regard to its literary forms, historical context, and even its use by the living tradition of the Church, ultimately is a sterile exercise." From: "In the Spirit of Happiness" by the Monks of New Skete, 1999

Birthday Wishes...

Today is Michael's Birthday! I hope that your day is a celebration of what a truly amazing man you are...I am blessed to have you in my life and so I hope to make this day a celebration of YOU!

Happy Birthday Michael...I love you!

Soldiers Away From Home

Another friend posted this (at the moment not remembering who sorry about that) but I wanted to pass it on.

Let's not forget the people serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and other places during the holidays. Every day they put themselves in harms way. And I can't imagine all they go through - just the mental and physical strains, the emotional and spiritual strains, being away from their family and friends, just being so far away....so sending a little Holiday cheer their direction is not only as Thank You but I am sure it will brighten the day by giving them a gift.

http://anysoldier.com

You can even order packages online to send to them so you don't have to put a package together yourself at Treat Any Solider

Friday Gratitude

A few months back I started doing letters of the alphabet every once in a while so I had to search back and it was in October that I did the letter C so next...the letter D as my Friday Gratitude...

~ D ~

~ Diet Coke - I can't go long without a diet coke. It just refreshes me. I like the bubbles and the taste.

~ Decadence - chocolate dessert, a wine that makes all the troubles of the day fade away, kisses that are full of passion - and other stuff that would be TMI (too much information) for the family that reads our blog.

~ Drawing - I am thankful that as a child I learned the joy of drawing.

~ Dinner - If I have to choose a meal that I enjoy the most it is dinner. I like cooking dinner also so many things I can make with it. I thankful for wonderful dinners I have made, created and shared with friends and family.

~ Dessert - If I could skip though meals and go straight to dessert that would be best! Thankful for all the sweetness that comes with dessert!

~ Dove Chocolates - Well it is chocolate you know...and I don't turn that down.

~ Darby - me...thankful to my parents for brining me into this world and raising me, thankful for the life I have lived...the grand adventures as well as the times I was not doing too good. They all have given me valuable lessons, life experience and memories. I also am thankful for my name. I love my name....so I am thankful my parents gave me this unique name.

~ Destiny - Michael and I talk about this quite a bit as we do think it seemed like we were destined to meet. There were several times our paths did/could have crossed. And we are thankful we finally did meet and are able to fulfill our destinies together.

~ Desire - I am thankful I am able to desire all the wonderful things I do...Michael, art, books, music, food and so much more.

~ Dreams - I am thankful for dreams...night time dreaming and day dreaming.....dreaming of life

~ Dressing up - I like dressing up.

~ Dolls - As child I played with dolls - just baby dolls, barbie dolls, paper dolls. I loved dolls and I have many wonderful memories involving dolls.

~ Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, The Dandy Warhols, Darling Violetta, Dido, Dar Williams, Dixie Chicks - All good bands/singers that start with D. I enjoy the music they bring.

~ Daily OM - Thankful for the Daily OM. I usually start out my day with them and when I do skip them I am always reminded when I read again the next time why they make me feel better. They allow me to learn more about myself - learn more about my spiritual self.

Daily Message

I get a daily message from the Universe...and this is todays that gave me shivers even though you fill out one line but it wasn't exactly what it lists so that is what is giving me shivers...

Darby, can you believe it's already December?

That it's Friday, again?

That as you read these very words, somewhere in the world there are waves crashing, eagles soaring, lilacs blooming, and friends laughing so hard tears are streaming down their faces?

That your life has been changing so swiftly?

That you're absolutely gorgeous, inside and out?

That you're new art website came so quickly?

That others who now want to be selling art, emulate how you did it?

That peace, love, and happiness are flourishing around the world?

Yeah, Darby, I thought you would.

The Universe