Autumn

Autumn has arrived in south Alabama. The morning air was cool and crisp at 51 degrees. Time to start making all of the wonderful Autumn foods that we enjoy this time of the year. It is perfect weather to spend time out-of-doors in the fresh air.

I just returned from dropping two of my cats (Zoe & Clover) at the vet to get spayed. They are not going to be very happy with me, but it will be best in the long-run. I'll just be glad to get my kitties back home again tomorrow morning!

I am in the midst of RA flare up. I overdid it this weekend and am now paying the price. For now, I am just doing what absolutely must be done and getting my children to help and the rest is let go until the flare up ceases.

Hope you have an enjoyable day!

Lifestyle Changes: Fitness

Over the last five years, my weight has slowly crept upwards on the scale. For a girl who could never get over 110 pounds, reaching 142.8 pounds was quite a shock. So I decided it was time to get serious about losing weight and getting into shape. 

Within the last four days, I have lost three pounds. I have made a few simple changes. I cut out all soft drinks and replaced it with water mixed with sugar/calorie-free fruit punch mix. I drink about 4 quarts a day.

I eat breakfast early in my day (Special K cereal) and a reasonable lunch - a tuna or egg salad sandwich (it is good to have a protein with your carbs).

Dinner is a small portion of whatever meat I have prepared and veggies.

I avoid all sweets, watch my portions, and avoid eating (carbs especially) late in the evenings.

I also started looking for more ways to be active throughout the day. Vigorous housework, gardening, and even dancing around the house counts. I am also doing yoga, going for walks, and am lifting weights. I don't want to be merely thin, I want muscles!

My goal is to weigh between 120-125 pounds and get fit. For me that means having well-defined muscles, flexibility, and to grow stronger.

What are your fitness goals?

Gratitude List ~ Week 38

1. Watching the hummingbirds at the feeder and hearing the buzzing of their little wings as they fly by.

2. Releasing clutter and simplifying.

3. Clarity and becoming clearer in my mind as to what it is that I want in life.

4. Making the time to practice self-care and pampering.

5. I am beginning to lose weight!

Little Changes - Simplifying

{Country Living}

I am once again simplifying. It seems to come in spurts and each time I remove another later of clutter. Yesterday I worked on the bathroom - throwing out almost empty bottles of lotions and oils I will never use, old makeup and nail colors, and anything that wasn't used regularly. It feels so liberating to release more stuff!

{Country Living}

I have always been a clutter-bug. I hang on to things for fear I may need them or for sentimental reasons. Plus, I like pretties and sparkly bits. But now, I am yearning for beauty combined with simplicity. How much simpler would my life be if I only had things I love and use regularly and both useful and beautiful?

{Country Living}

I am getting to the point in my life where I do not need or want a lot of possessions in my life. I prefer quality over quantity anyway, and having a beautiful home doesn't necessarily mean you need to have lots of things.

 {Country Living}

I am leaning more towards a natural, aesthetic beauty pared with simplicity. Soothing colors, textures, natural fibers {cotton, wicker, rattan}, bringing nature indoors, charm, and touches of luxury and whimsy.

{Country Living}

Though often small, bathrooms should most definitely be a place of beauty and offer a peaceful retreat - perhaps even a spa-like atmosphere. This is where we purify our bodies and pamper ourselves with long soaks in the tub, manis/pedis, beauty routines, and other such womanly acts. Don't we deserve sacred spaces in which to recharge and doll up before we face the world?

Abundance Quotes

Life is a field of unlimited possibilities.

~ Deepak Chopra

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Not what we have but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance.
~ Jon Petit-Senn

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Prosperity is not just having things. It is the consciousness that attracts the things. Prosperity is a way of living and thinking, and not just having money or things. Poverty is a way of living and thinking, and not just a lack of money or things.

~ Eric Butterworth

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If your everyday life seems poor, don't blame it; blame yourself; admit to yourself that you are not enough of a poet to call forth its riches; because for the creator there is no poverty and no indifferent place.

~ Rainer Maria Rilke

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Both abundance and lack exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend...when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that's present--love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature and personal pursuits that bring us pleasure--the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience Heaven on earth.

~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

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You do not need to be affected by the economy or man-made conditions. You can create your own personal economic environment of prosperity. If you are willing to listen to and take action on your inner guidance, you will do well no matter what the economy around you is doing.

~ Sanaya Roman and Duane Packer

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The journey to financial freedom starts the MINUTE you decide you were destined for prosperity, not scarcity-- for abundance, not lack. Isn't there a part of you that has always known that? Can you see yourself living a bounteous life-- a life of more than enough?

It only takes one minute to decide.

Decide Now.

~  Mark Victor Hansen and Robert G Allen

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Expect your every need to be met. Expect the answer to every problem, expect abundance on every level .

~ Eileen Caddy

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Abundance ~ An endless supply of water, trees heavily laden with fruit, a sun that shines every day, seasons in their never-ending cycle, a constant supply of air, an infinite wellspring of love, so many people to share with, an eternal cascade of imagination and creativity, unlimited lessons and growth, much valuable work to do, limitless potential for expanding and opening our hearts, unending forests to wander, evermore books to read and write, a vast mind of thoughts to explore, overflowing goodness, exponential wonder, overwhelming mercy, ~ a copious abundance of abundance to ponder.

~ Jinjee and Storm Talifero

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Thrift store shopping is a simple abundance with bragging rights.

~ Sara Noel

Scarcity or Abundance?

Money is extremely tight this week. How fitting that chapter 6 of The Artist's Way is on recovering a sense of  abundance! It's times like these when I am so glad I have built up a small stockpile and have acquired the skills to cook and bake from scratch. If there are good, hearty meals on the table and cookies in the cookie jar then pinching pennies doesn't seem so bad.

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"Always leave enough time in your life to do something that makes you happy, satisfied, even joyous. That has more of an effect on economic well-being than any other single factor."

~Paul Hawken

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Since my parents' divorce, I have carried around a scarcity mindset. Times were hard and money was tight as it usually is for mothers and children after such an event. I've replayed the role throughout my life so many times and frankly I've grown tired of it. It's time to write a new script!

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"True life is lived when tiny changes occur." ~ Leo Tolstoy

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  It is my desire to consciously choose abundance and thoughts of abundance. How can I do that? It's quite simple really. I will focus on that which brings me joy, happiness, and satisfaction. Having a neat, clean home is satisfying. Making time for exercise each day brings happiness, particularly once I start noticing changes in my body. I experience joy when I savor a bit of chocolate, spend time with my husband, and make time for my hobbies.

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Worry adds nothing to my life, so why waste time on that? What will be, will be. But how much sweeter life can be if I can let go of what if, focus on what I can do and enjoy, and trust that this is only a temporary situation...because it is!

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And you know what? I refuse to remain stuck a day longer and live the rest of my life in survival mode!! Scarcity can kiss my grits!

Hmmph!

The Artist's Way check in ~ Week 5

I'm doing the Morning Pages but really don't see the point. They are in essence like my journal pages, for I fill them with the things on my mind much like I do with my journal. My journal writing has ceased because I have nothing else to write about. So I am struggling with continuing on with the MPs.

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More Imaginary Lives:

1. Healer

2. Gypsy

3. Nun

4.Wildlife Researcher

5. Fitness Competitor

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If I were 20 and had money, I'd:

~ fly in a hot-air balloon

~ride a roller-coaster

~ camp all summer in the Alaskan wilderness

~ go on a safari

~ white-water rafting

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If I were 65 and had money, I'd:

~ travel

~ build a log cabin

~ hire a masseuse

~ hire a cook & housekeeper

~ spend my time doing all the things I enjoy

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Ten ways I'm mean to myself:

1. Critical

2. Reject compliments

3. No exercise

4. Stay up late

5. No homemaking routine

6. Cook same meals repeatedly

7. Drink soda

8. Neglect appearance

9. Smoke (don't preach, I know it's horrible)

10. Impulse purchases

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Ten items I'd like to own that I don't are:

1. Long gray sweater that ties at the waist

2. Comfy black dress shoes

3. Boots

4. Hats

5. Stairclimber

6. Craft room

7. Screened in porch

8. Log cabin

9. Horse

10. A trike

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My favorite creative block is - the computer.

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My payoff for staying blocked is - not having to face fear and risk change.

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The person I blame for being blocked is - myself.

Welcome Autumn!

The calendar says it's the first day of Autumn, but it hardly feels so. There has been subtle hints that Autumn is on her way and the weather girl promises clear skies and cooler temperatures by the end of the week. We shall see...

Tammy from Tammy's Sweet Life has given me the Fabulous Fall Blogger award. *Thank you, Tammy!* She has a wonderful little blog. You should pop in for a visit with her!

Storm Clouds

We heard through the grapevine that Alfred's unit will likely be deployed again in a year or so, this time to Afghanistan. Though it is not yet official, I can feel it in the very depths of my soul. There are dark, heavy storm clouds rolling in on the horizon...the backdrop of my life. Cloaked in dread and sadness at the thought of having to spend another year apart, yet trying to put on a happy face for my family. A facade.

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The reality is that time waits for no one and I can not put my life on hold. What I can do is make this next year as special as I can by building a collection of happy memories ~ conversations, good meals, love, activities, laughter, music, movies, candlelight, intimacy, and togetherness. Life is made up of small moments, some are mundane while others are marvelous. Woven together they tell a tale, the story of our life.

Gratitude List ~ Week 37

1.A big beautiful rainbow in the sky on my birthday.
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2. Chico!
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3. Comfy clothes that are both pretty and stylish.
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4. Refreshing autumnal breezes.
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5. A freshly mown yard.

Introducing Chico!

We have a new addition to our family. Chico is a Yorkshire Terrier with papers given to us by our neighbors for free. Isn't he as cute as a button? Needless to say the girls are tickled pink, as you can tell from Kenzie's expression.

.:smile:.

Falling Leaves and Heritage

These days I often sit outside in the fresh country air. I've noticed more and more leaves are falling, effortlessly twirling as they fall from the sky without a care in the world. While it's still warm here, there has been a subtle change in the temperature. There has been a bit of a breeze, lots of clouds, a little rain here and there. Autumn is quietly making her presence known as she approaches.

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I have been in contact with an uncle (my father's brother) that I have not seen since I was a child. He is doing geneology research on his and my father's family. So far he's discovered we are of Scottish and Irish descent. My maiden name, Morrow, is derived from "moor-row", meaning "the houses along a moor". On my mother's side we have Danish, Dutch, and German ancestry. Discovering your ancestry is so interesting, isn't it?

Autumn Decorating part 2

 A string of green, orange, and purple lights add a cozy glow to the kitchen at night. Lights were purchased at Winn Dixie for $3.99.

Forgive the picture being lop-sided....I couldn't figure out how to rotate it!

This is my coffee table topped with an autumny placemat, pumpkins and leaves purchased from Fred's dollar store last year.

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Hope you enjoyed seeing our Autumn decor!

Autumn Decorating part 1

Kenzie and I gathered baby pinecones and acorns from the yard to put in the vase that was in a thrift store find and added a scented candle to. 

A cute Autumn sign that I picked up at Fred's dollar store for $2.99.

I had an autumn leaf garland that I strategically placed atop my computer desk to add a colorful touch of Autumn to this corner.

On top of our television, I placed the pilgrim couple, along with the pumpkin (it's really a jack o'lantern that lights up and blinks...I'll turn it around next month for Halloween), and a cute little sign that says  Give Thanks. I paid $1.99 for the sign at Fred's.

Two more pictures to come...

The Artist's Way ~ Week 4 (Buried Dreams)

5 hobbies that sounds fun:

1. Painting

2. Photography

3. Scrapbooking

4. Jewelry-makking

5. Make cards

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5 classes that sound fun:

1. Dance classes

2. Cake decorating

3. Oil/watercolor painting

4. Belly dancing

5. Writing class

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5 things I would never do that sound fun:

1. Sky dive/Parasail

2. Surf

3. Drag race

4. Rock climbing

5. Skateboard

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5 things I used to enjoy:

1. Doing hair & make up

2. Turning flips in the yard

3. Ride bicycle

4. Climb trees

5. Play in the rain

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5 skills that would be fun to have:

1. Eternal optimist

2. Make othetrs feel good

3. Look stylish always

4. Outgoing personality

5. Fun & flirty

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5 silly things I'd like to try once:

1. Karaoke

2. Shoot a pistol

3. Go to a sushi bar

4. Go dancing

5. Streak my hair pink

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Where would I like to live?

In a log cabin on a large acreage. The cabin would be rustic with feminine touches. My home would be beautiful, yet simple. Cozy and romantic with soothing colors, elements of nature, and diffrent textures: lace, velvet, cotton, flannel, etc. 

The Artist's Way ~ Week 4 (Time Travel)

Dearest Tracy,

Having just celebrated your 35th birthday, I wish to tell you that the best is yet to come! Shoot for the moon! It is never to late to get into shape or write a best-seller. I encourage you to try new things often. If it sounds fun, interesting, or intriguing - go for it! Do not let challenges stand in your way. Work around them. You can do this! You can have the life you dream of. Nothing is impossible. You just have to let go and believe. I am cheering you on...

Love, Me

September 16, 2054

80 years old

Happy Birthday to me...

Another year has passed and I am now thirty-five years old. I was recently bemoaning the fact that I am now in my mid-30s with 40 just around the corner, mourning my youth and dreading the inevitable aging. But then I realized that I am much wiser than I was in my youth. I am happier now and I have a good life. There is no doubt in my mind that the future will be much better than my past. And so I choose to celebrate another year here on this precious Earth - time spent with those I love and in worthwhile pursuits that I enjoy. What could be better than that?

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Everyday should be celebrated. Sometimes we just need to be reminded.

Gratitude List ~ Week 36

1. Cherry Blossom lotion from Bodycology.
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2. Decorating for the changing seasons (pictures to come).
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3. Going to bed early for a change.
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4. Two free pink azalea bushes and day lily bulbs.
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5. Candy corns!

Sabbatical

We've entered into the fourth week of The Artist's Way book study. This is to be a week of no reading. This will be so hard for me, but I want to do my best. So, from now until next Wednesday I will not be visiting blogs. I need to tune out the world and tune into my intuition and the whispers of my heart.

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Things I will be doing during my sabbatical:

~ Thinking

~ Spending time outdoors

~ Walking/Yoga/Strength training

~ Homemaking

~ Clearing clutter

~ Watch movies

~ Singing

~ Self-care

~Cross-stitching

~ and whatever else strikes my fancy!

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Do not worry...I shall return! Wishing you a blessed week ahead!

The Artist's Way ~ Week 3 check-in

This week in TAW was about recovering a sense of power - which, as children, many of us do not have very much of. I found it interesting that anger is fuel and is meant to be listened to. The very first paragraph in this chapter spoke volumes to me. We are taught to be nice, so we stuff our anger because good girls don't get angry or cause a scene. And we lose our selves and can no longer distinguish the voice of our authentic self. We don't trust our intuition. We give our power away.

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Syncronicity is simply answered prayers. Julia tells us to "take a small step in the direction of a dream and watch the synchronous doors flying open." and "Understand that the what must come before the how. First choose what you would do. The how usually falls into place of itself." It would be interesting to keep a journal of answered prayers.

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"We all have our Africas, those dark and romantic notions that call to our deepest selves."

(my favorite quote from page 64)

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I have carried shame with me from my high school years and early adulthood. I have made my fair share of mistakes and have many regrets, but I can't change the past. I have decided that the past is just that - the past - and that I must leave it behind. For I am not the person that I was (not that I was ever terribly bad. I was the good girl after all.) Julia says "the antidote from shame is self-love and self-praise", two things I am not very good at as I tend to be overly critical of myself. But I can learn to be!

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Growth comes with time. There can be no rushing. The insights will come as I release the need to know it all now. I must remind myself easy does it, not only physically, but also mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Julia recommends practicing being kind to yourself in small, concrete ways and being open to receiving gifts from odd or unexpected channels.

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I loved my childhood bedroom because it was neat & clean. Mama never had to clean my room, unlike my sisters. :) I liked to rearrange my pretties and posters on the wall. It was my own private sanctuary. Though I share my bedroom with my husband, I still have surrounded myself with things of beauty that I love.

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As a child I was: confident, tried new things, energetic, friendly, happy.

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Five childhood accomplishments:

~ Won the spelling bee in 4th grade

~ Audtioned for & won the solo in the Christmas musical in 5th grade

~ Sang Amazing Grace in church in front of a large congregation

~ Hit the neighbor boy in the eye with a stick I threw after I told him I would do so if he didn't leave me alone

~ Stood up to a bully (girl) in 6th grade

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Favorite Foods: Cocoa pepples, Mama's baking, Icees, Red Hots cinnamon candy, bubble gum, soft serve ice cream

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Three bad habits: Too much time on the computer, lack of exercise, procrastinating on writing.

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Artist Date - no; finances have been tight & I can not justify spending money of frivolty.

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Morning Pages - none this week. I can't bring myself to do them. Perhaps it's the rebel in me....tell me I must and I refuse to cooperate. I journal quite a bit and I just repeat the same things over & over again. Boring!

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Syncronicity - I don't recall any, but then I wasn't particularly on the lookout for it either. I'll have to remember to take notice this week. I will start an answered prayer journal.

Bliss and The Golden Rule

We had an idyllic three day holiday. Alfred & I cooked together, took naps, puttered around the house, put out Autumn decorations, worked in the yard, and took a nice long bath. With the kids, we laughed, had lovely conversations, watched movies, played cards (Blackjack), and went for a walk. Quite ordinary things really, but it was pure bliss. And that kind of bliss can be had every day!

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Sometimes we get caught up in all there is to do - work, keeping up the house and yard, homeschooling, errands - that we lose touch with each other, take our beloved for granted even. Couples need time together daily to reconnect and remember the reasons they fell in love. It's not always easy, but it sure is worth it.

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In this day and age, there are stressors at every turn. Rather than battling with our loved one, we need to weather the storms of life together, for two are stronger than one. How much easier life becomes when you can turn to the one you love for comfort and gather strength, than to face even more conflict.

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People are not perfect. And sometimes our loved ones will hurt us, but we must not look at their faults, mistakes, or poor decisions as intentional. Rather, let us look at them with eyes of love and be forgiving. Let out motto be to live by the Golden Rule - to treat others as we wish to be treated.

Happy Labor Day

I want to wish all my readers a happy Labor Day!

May your day be filled with family, good food, and rest.

Last night I sat outside alone for a bit gazing up at the sky. The moon was beautiful. Its bright glow illuminated the clouds. I was awestruck by its breathtaking beauty.

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I heard an owl for the first time ever! I was hoping to see it flying through the night's sky, but I had no such luck. Perhaps another night...

Gratitude List ~ Week 35

1. Lingering in bed with my honey snuggling and talking on a leisurely weekend morn.

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2. Butterflies flitting prettily by seemingly without a care in the world.

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3. Always learning, growing, and changing.

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4. Cleaning and puttering about my home. I love to make things pretty and cozy for myself and my family.

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5. Carving out little bits of time throughout the day to enjoy the things I love.

Six Snippets

1. We have three glorious days stretched out before us. Three days of good food, movies, board games, laughter, rest, and togetherness. Alfred has Monday off work with holiday pay and I fully intend to make it a memorable time - be it rain or shine.
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2. Good news - Alfred finished his Earth Science college course with a final grade of 95! I am so proud of him. He has a lot on his plate between work, one weekend per month with the Army NG, plus college - but he rarely complains. He just jumps in and does what needs to be done. I admire him for that. He's an A+ guy in my book. :)
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3. I subscribed to Birds and Blooms and Victoria magazine. I also will be receiving free subscriptions to Country Living, Everyday Food, and Body+Soul.
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4. Books I am currently reading: The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery, Home-Cooking by Laurie Colwin, and Stillmeadow Road by Glady Taber. Can you believe that no library in my county has any Glady Taber books? Ridiculous!
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5. Kenzie and I gathered acorns and pinecones from the yard yesterday afternoon to add to my Autumn decor accessories.
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6. Autumn is such an exciting time for children with the kick off for all of the holidays - Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. It's always a magical time of year.

Changing Seasons

To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with Spring. ~ George Santayana

Summer is fading. We have had little tastes of Autumn here and there in recent weeks and it has been refreshing. Autumn is one of my favorite times of year for the reprieve from Summer's heat and humidity, which means more time can be spent out of doors.

This weekend I am going to pull out my Autumn decorations after seeing Deniece's lovely home. It will also be a good time to pull out my Gooseberry Patch Fall, Family & Friends cookbook. It is nice to try new dishes to go along with old family favorites, don't you think? I, for one, am looking forward to more baking and comfort foods.

I am always on the lookout for ways to add beauty to our daily lives without busting the budget. * How nice would it be to add a bouquet of flowers to the weekly grocery shopping excursion? For less than $5, we can enjoy flowers for a whole week. * Candles are always affordable and add a sense of intimacy and coziness to the home atmosphere. I have a good supply of Yankee Candles (votives) puchased on sale for $1 each. * I have numerous projects I want to tackle in the next few weeks. Most are quite simple and inexpensive. I just have to make time to get them done.

What things are you doing in your home to mark the changing seasons?

A Homeschool Question

A reader writes:

I read the schedule: a lot and a lot of lovely items, too (especially when it comes to preparing for birthdays and the actual visitings and all). When it comes to food, do you actually go into the kitchen and teach the children to cook? Do you teach geographics, history of the world, or a foreign language? And do you teach traffic skills, rules, and situations? My reference, of course, is what children get taught in our Dutch schools. Is folklore about your own region? What is that? I find it all very interesting. I'm sure I would've enjoyed homeschooling with such a schedule for the month of September. I feel like we are really missing something important here where homeschooling is not allowed.

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My goal is to expose my children to as much as I possibly can and widen their world so they have life experienes and the knowledge of how to do a variety of things. So, yes, they do cook in the kitchen with me as they have the interest and desire to do so. I do try to include new foods/dishes as well old favorites. I feel it is important to try new things and expand their food tastes.

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I do not officially teach geography or history, but we read a wide variety of books and watch TV shows/movies that are both interesting and educational. I do not believe you can not learn about these things unless you were living in seclusion away from media of any kind. We also discuss interesting things we learn about, where it occured and look it up on our globe, we read biographies, etc. You would be amazed at the connections children make on their own without formal studies.

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We are not currently teaching a foreign language, but two of my children have expressed interest in it so I am looking at options.

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My husband teaches our children how to drive as they come of age - which so far, is only our 16 year old son. We talk a lot about driving and we have so many examples of bad drivers and what not to do by watching the people on the road!

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Folklore encompasses myths, jokes, riddles, legends, cautionary tales, and many other forms of storytelling. We focus on American folklore simply because we live in America and we find it interesting.

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I hope these answers have helped. I, too, would have loved to have been homeschooled in this way! :)

September Learning Plans

Nature:

Full Harvest Moon - 5th

First Day of Autumn - 22nd

crows calling on foggy mornings

hummingbirds

apples

migration underway (geese, hawks, monarchs)

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Folklore:

Birthstone: Sapphire

Flowers: Aster & Morning Glory

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A maiden born when rustling leaves

Are blowing in the SEptember breeze,

A Sapphire on her brow should bind,

"twill cure diseases of the mind.

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Food:

Alphabet soup

Comforting casseroles

Soups & stews

Applesauce with cinnamon

Oatmeal cookies

Granola bars

Baking days are here again!

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Home & Garden:

Seasonal Scrub

Hang Autumn garland

Change garden flag

Work on homemade Christmas gifts

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Life:

Library card sign-up month (get Kenzie a card)

Better Breakfast Month

Labor Day - 7th

Chocolate Milkshake Day - 12th

Mama's birthday - 14th

Grandpa Jerry's birthday - 21st

Alyssa's birthday - 22nd

Mary Poppins debuted in 1964 - 25th

Johnny appleseed's birthday - 26th

Ganny's birthday - 29th

National Flower & Farm Animal Awareness Month

County Fair - last week of September

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Book Basket:

(Themes: Fair, Apples, Bees, Seeds, Homes, Dragonflies)

Corgiville Fair - Tasha Tudor

Johnny Appleseed - James Caraway

Homes of the World & the Way People Live - Brian J. Knapp

Busy Buzzy Bee - Karen Wallace

Berries, Nuts & Seeds - Diane L. Burns

All About Seeds - Susan Kuchalla

Apple Fractions - Jerry Pallotta

Apples - Jacqueline Farmer

Dragonflies - Jason Cooper

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Field Trips & Outings

Weekly library visits

Sign Kenzie up for her own library card

Park playground

Visit a farm

Horseback riding

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Crafts & Activities:

Flower color pages

Plant flower seeds (Poppy, Marigold, Pansy)

Make red collages

Use apple halves to stamp paint apple prints

Welcome September

In my garden there is a large place for sentiment. My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams. The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are just as lovely. ~ Abram L. Urban

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As my birthday approaches, I have spent more time in reflection. I told Alfred over the weekend that basically half of my life is over already. What will the second half hold? I most certainly don't want to waste any more time being a people-pleaser. I have my own life to live.

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I want to live fully and deeply, while being true to myself. I think the main thing is to take each day as it comes, fully embracing what is, being mindful and present in this moment. It's about learning to love myself just as I am and casting off the mask of perfection. Real life is far more interesting anyway.

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There is more to me than meets the eye. I know there is much to be unearthed - more facets of my personality just waiting to be discovered - like precious gems in a diamond mind.

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There will always be work to do, but I see no reason why I can't make it as pleasant as possible. When the work is done, I believe in filling the time with things that bring me joy: working on a cross-stitch project while listening to & singing along with a favorite CD, savoring the taste and texture of a chocolate brownie with a glass of milk, noticing the way the sun's beams of light stream in through the kitchen window and across the kitchen floor...the simple things that go unnoticed and are taken for granted because we are too busy, tired, bored, preoccupied, or _____ (fill in the blank) to appreciate them.

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I don't want to live unconsciously any longer.