When it rains.....

it pours... or so they say... is it that I have too much to say and no one to listen to me? is it because I am bored with other social media? (btw. we watched "the Social Network" a few weeks ago and it was a really good movie! Kudos to Aaron Sorkin!!!) 


Whatever the reason I am back, paying attention to my blog. And my friends' blog!!! I do read yours alls blogs yes!!


Will it last?? Who knows! We'll see... 

Digital Pack-Rat?

A few years ago, when I had a job and money to spend, I bought many Real Simple Magazines. It is a magazine that had everything I liked, good advice on just about everything, Literature, where to find super deals, decorating tips, recipes, etc. 

But now as I go through the contents of my storage unit, I've had a hard time letting go of them... However three boxes of magazines are not only heavy but cumbersome to pack as well.. 

So, the solution, Digital Copies. :D

I am scanning the articles I want to keep, so I have them digitally and it's also great because storage is virtually limitless. It's a win win!! :) So as the scanner next to me gently hums and whirs, the pile of paper on my other side grows larger, and I sigh with happiness..... Computers/Internet/Virtual Storage is AWESOME!!! I also have some O magazines and Everyday with Rachael Ray, that I will go through the same way. I've spent the money so I figure I get to keep the articles I like! 

I only wish I would have thought of this many years ago...

The biggest problem for me is keeping track of what I'm doing. As always I try to multi task, and sometimes (like just now) I will scan the same page twice and/or forget to scan one page....... but I mostly have it down to a system so it's not too awful..

By the end of this I'm sure I'll be a big know it all, so be aware lest I spew forth unsolicited advice!! (wink wink, I'm kidding) However I WILL know where to go to find answers to almost anything!! :) 

 

Anyone who has a library and a garden wants for nothing. Cicero

These last few days have been difficult to say the least here on Preston St. There have been high emotions, overflow of hormones, illnesses, aspieness, and business issues.. The "Text" company is coming up on a big deadline and have (had) printer issues for quite some time now... (among other things)


So, today after feeling crappy and crabby and down,  I decided, to hell with the rest of the world, and I did something for ME! I found a planter box and some soil, and I planted some flowers!!!  (Pic's to come)
However they turn out, it was nice for me to do some work with soil and water, outside and it lifted my spirit immensely. So the laundry didn't get folded and put away, the kitchen didn't get scrubbed and dishes done, Liv didn't make dinner, but I had some time for me. And I feel better equipped now to get on better tomorrow!


A garden is the best alternative therapy.
Germaine Greer

I wish I could say I have learned these things, unfortunately I got them off an email (one of those annoying chain mails that get sent around) but hopefully one day, I can say I have learned them all. Until then, enjoy! And feel free to add to the list; what have YOU learned?

I've learned...that the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned...that when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned...that just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.

I've learned...that having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned...that being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned...that you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned...that I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned...that no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned...that sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned...that simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned...that life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned...that we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned...that money doesn't buy class.

I've learned...that it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned...that under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned...that the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?

I've learned...that to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I've learned...that when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned...that love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned...that the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned...that everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned...that there's nothing sweeter than sleeping with your babies and feeling their breath on your cheeks.

I've learned...that no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned...that life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned...that opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned...that when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned...that I wish I could have told my parents that I love them one more time before they passed away.

I've learned...that one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned...that a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned...that I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.

I've learned...that when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned...that everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned...that it is best to give advice in only two circumstances; when it is requested and when it is a life threatening situation.

I've learned...that the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

I (can) HAS CUTE STUFF!!!!!!!!

One of the hardest things I am doing these days, is going through my things to sort out what will get sold, thrown out, given away, and what (FEW) things will come with me... It is something that has to be done, and I am excited to "find" things again... but then having to part with them get's sooo sad and almost heartbreaking. 


YES, I know, you're thinking I'm too attached to STUFF and you're right, I even think so myself... but then I look at my gorgeous blue glass plates, my funky kitchen mat, and my colourful throw pillows, and I cry really hard on the inside... 


I HAS CUTE STUFF!!!!!

and having to part with them is sad... 


BUT the item that will be the absolute hardest to part with, is my sewing machine.
It's not super fancy, or super expensive, but it was mine, and we made so many cute things together... I am going to try and keep as much of my fabrics as I can, and definitely all the patterns, but the sewing machine is too heavy and cumbersome so it will have to go.
*sniffle* 
(Hopefully they have sewing-machines in England!)

Anne'ish musings...

"Isn't a road an interesting thing?" said Anne dreamily. "Not a straight road, but one with ends and kinks around which anything of beauty and surprise may be lurking. I've always loved bends in roads."


Normally I do too, except when I am too afraid to take charge and choose a path. Waiting around for someone who knows better, is stronger, not afraid to take chances, someone maybe a little daring.... 


Then I get fed up with myself and think, girl, - take charge and just GO!!! Sometimes those roads end up fantastically exciting.. but most times, I chicken out and go back, only to find the paths have now changed and I am back where I started, with nothing to show for anything.... 


So here's to gathering courage to take the right steps, and picking a road! Maybe even the one "less traveled by" !!

July Musings....

"The best things in life are free"

or so the saying goes... I'd like to add that the BEST things in life are SHARED. As I learned in Seattle, California and New York, I am pretty content with doing things on my own, but it is soooo many thousands times better when I do things with someone else. Today I watched Eclipse and afterwards I lunched and went "window-shopping" at the Mall (the Gateway here in SLC). It was nice to walk around, looking at people, finding cute clothes, lotion samples and so on, but it would have been so much more fun to have had any of my friends there with me. So, here are some warm thoughts sent out across the communication tapestry to all my dear friends, I miss you and love you all however different and far apart me might be, rest assured, I think of you often and wish you were with me!


Recently I've run out of stuff to read, all my favorite authors seem to be on hiatus' so I've gone back to the REALLY OLD SCHOOL. We're talking the Anne of Green Gable's Series, and it's struck me that I am quite a strange soul, a little like Anne in some ways.... I do not have her lovely red hair, and I might not live in a place as romantic and fit for imagining as the Prince Edward Island (I still dream of visiting there some day).... but I do have a lot of imagination. Reading these books again is like the visit of a dear friend or even a sister... I love my Anne, red hair, freckles and all!
(This is to explain some rather Anne'ish posts I am sure is to come!)


Onwards, the WORLD CUP (Football) has occupied my attention lately, and though I started out rooting for England, my favor has now shifted to the lovely Oranje, the Dutch! It looks like there will be a very exciting finale on Sunday and I will be plastered in front of the TV to watch..... Next World Cup would be fun to share with someone!


Another "past-time" activity (read:work) that has been done lately is garden work..... Heidi has had me work both in our backyard and at her rental property. We have been dirty, sweaty and some days rather sun burned, but there's also the hint of a tiny tan on my body.... I'm VERY excited!!! I don't tan easily, (thank's Norwegian ancestry!) Pictures will follow as soon as I can remember to bring my camera outside with me.... But we have dug out trees, transplanted grass (lawn parts), clipped bushes and trees, planted flowers, spread bark, dreamed of green and leafy bushes, planned redoing of sprinkler systems, watered, clipped, weeded, edged, dreamed of herb gardens (okay, that's been mostly me.....), laid stepping stones, dreamed of raised flowerbeds, shopped for flowers & plants, watered, brought the dead (grass) back to life and I'm sure I'm forgetting something.... (lol) but gardening we have! As I said.... pictures to follow....


Well the night has now fallen, I've worked on this post (off-and-on) for the better part of three hours and need to go to bed...


Goodnight moon, celestial diamonds and peaceful summer breeze...