We have a new guest in the house. It came in a 224 lb. box and yesterday it was assembled. It is metal and big and has a backlit display. It will only move if I move it. It will cause me to sweat and move if I allow it. Otherwise it will just stand there looking at me with its stationary gaze wondering when I will make it do it's thing.
It is an elliptical.
It is beautiful.
I am certain sometimes I will think it is not beautiful.
But today I love it.
It is so easy and simple. I get up. I put on my shoes. I plug in my ipod and turn on the fan. I have my TV remote close in case I want to watch something. And then I sweat. And then I can be complete. I didn't have to drive anywhere or put on my coat. I don't have to pay a gym fee and no one has to see me on it. But you can if you want. You can come over anytime between 5:00 am and 6:30 am and sometime in there I will be on it.
Yay!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Christmas Eve
Because the holidays (definition: Holy Days) are so jam packed with activity and fun I have discovered many events that have gone unposted. So many that I neglected to even get pics for! Dang it. But I want to record Christmas Eve events.
Every Christmas Eve Jim and I host a Open House. We always have the house open to anyone who would like to stop by or sit and stay all night if they desire. This year was fun for many reasons but one being that Jim is rockin on the great room. (pics to be posted soon) His efforts usually have a gasping reaction. This was really fun for him as he has been working like a dog.
The night before Christmas Eve I always put the beans on to soak. The next morning I get the going with onions, carrots and ham. They cook allllllllll day. This year they were especially good. I make rolls and have sandwich makings so all can make little sandwiches however they desire. I also had meatballs in the crock. And don't forget the wassel in the stove!
Then the treats were amazing if I do say so myself. I wish I had taken a pic. Dang it again.
Cheese ball, crackers, caramel popcorn, sweet chex mix, reeses bars, easy turtles, tiny chocolate chip cookies, veggies and dip, candies that folks gave. I can't remember it all.
That day during prep I realized there were a few items I had forgotten. Risking major facial responses I asked Jim if he would be open to going to the store. Suprisingly, he had no qualms about it. Providing a list and off he went happily. He also got a couple of stocking stuffers too.
When he returned I realized how genius this was. Because of my frugal nature I will stick to the list. Jim on the other hand purchases with his tummy and with generosity. I asked him to buy another kind of soda. He returned with 4 liters of soda along with 2 more 24 can cases. I asked for one bag of ice. I got 2. I asked for a package of celery hearts. I got 3. And it goes on. What a hoot. He was grinning and happy. Jim loves a party.
Folks started to arrive at 5. I must say that next year this will be ever more comfortable as we will have the great room to use. At this stage we were busting out of the seams and I was in seventh heaven. Family faces, friends with love and hugs and smiles, some bearing gifts, some bearing treats but all willing to share together this wonderful time of year.
To those who shared this special time with us I have to say a gracious huge thank you. When you bless our home you leave part of you here for us to still enjoy. The memory of your laughter and sweetness continues. May all the world begin to know this year the love I have around me. I wish that will all the wishes and fairy dust and prayers on my knees and in my greatest imaginings. I wish all to have the security of the Babe in the manger who with such enduring love set out to make it possible for peace on earth and good will toward men. For without His love I would fain to judge and harden and worry. But with it I can love wholeheartedly and unabashadly. And I am so happy to do so.
Praying for blessings from God to all this coming year.
Every Christmas Eve Jim and I host a Open House. We always have the house open to anyone who would like to stop by or sit and stay all night if they desire. This year was fun for many reasons but one being that Jim is rockin on the great room. (pics to be posted soon) His efforts usually have a gasping reaction. This was really fun for him as he has been working like a dog.
The night before Christmas Eve I always put the beans on to soak. The next morning I get the going with onions, carrots and ham. They cook allllllllll day. This year they were especially good. I make rolls and have sandwich makings so all can make little sandwiches however they desire. I also had meatballs in the crock. And don't forget the wassel in the stove!
Then the treats were amazing if I do say so myself. I wish I had taken a pic. Dang it again.
Cheese ball, crackers, caramel popcorn, sweet chex mix, reeses bars, easy turtles, tiny chocolate chip cookies, veggies and dip, candies that folks gave. I can't remember it all.
That day during prep I realized there were a few items I had forgotten. Risking major facial responses I asked Jim if he would be open to going to the store. Suprisingly, he had no qualms about it. Providing a list and off he went happily. He also got a couple of stocking stuffers too.
When he returned I realized how genius this was. Because of my frugal nature I will stick to the list. Jim on the other hand purchases with his tummy and with generosity. I asked him to buy another kind of soda. He returned with 4 liters of soda along with 2 more 24 can cases. I asked for one bag of ice. I got 2. I asked for a package of celery hearts. I got 3. And it goes on. What a hoot. He was grinning and happy. Jim loves a party.
Folks started to arrive at 5. I must say that next year this will be ever more comfortable as we will have the great room to use. At this stage we were busting out of the seams and I was in seventh heaven. Family faces, friends with love and hugs and smiles, some bearing gifts, some bearing treats but all willing to share together this wonderful time of year.
To those who shared this special time with us I have to say a gracious huge thank you. When you bless our home you leave part of you here for us to still enjoy. The memory of your laughter and sweetness continues. May all the world begin to know this year the love I have around me. I wish that will all the wishes and fairy dust and prayers on my knees and in my greatest imaginings. I wish all to have the security of the Babe in the manger who with such enduring love set out to make it possible for peace on earth and good will toward men. For without His love I would fain to judge and harden and worry. But with it I can love wholeheartedly and unabashadly. And I am so happy to do so.
Praying for blessings from God to all this coming year.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
The ages
I took an old lady out to lunch the other day. Seriously. I can say "an old lady" because she truly is and would consider herself as such. She is 92. She still drives, still has an upstairs apartment, still takes care of herself for the most part. She has definite ideas about how things are and how she wants her surroundings. She is tenacious about her home and set on the color she wants on her nails. She would love to be included in conversations but unfortunately cannot hear most. She has a great sense of humor and laughs at herself along with prodding others with a joke. Her body wants to stop and seize up and she will simply not allow it. Her fingers are riddled with arthritis and every ring she can get on. Her jewelry will wear out and not stay in the box. Her hair will always be done at the same time and she will always have a shampoo set and the ocassional perm with the same color toner.
Some have considered her overbearing and pushy as a younger woman. I say that is the very reason she is still alive and kicking.
She has taught me so much. Her family has taught me as well. You see, the very time that I think I know why someone is so headstrong and stubborn my impression will usually be incorrect. When this lady will say "You have to leave now? I so wish you could stay" she does not mean that your visit isn't good enough and that you will never be as pleasing to her as you would like. She is merely saying "I have so loved your visit and I just don't want it to come to an end."
And when she says "I never have company. I want the holidays to be over because they make me sad" she is not saying that she is a humbug. She is remembering all the other holidays in her life when she was surrounded by so many that have now passed on. She remembers her husband, mother, father, siblings, cousins. She is the only one left. She is simply reminded at the holidays that she is "alone".
Her family feels that she has judged them. Her family feels that their actions are never enough, never to her liking. I have learned that she is simply incapable of stating things in any other way. She will choose her words as she always has her entire long life.
I see the strength in her when others may see her weakness. When her body will not perform or the door that she is attempting to open will simply not budge since it weighs more than she does she is not weak. She is simply frail in body but such strength in her being. She has to be a realist at this stage. Fantasy will not serve her now. Reality is her friend.
What strength it must take to rise every morning, greet the day and choose in. So many "greater" ones have chosen out.
I admire this cantankerous set-in-her-ways lady. I love her home. It echoes of all that have held items there literally through the ages. Her tenacity rings in my heart and she teaches me.
So I will not neglect the simple time to take her to lunch, cut her steak, pack her to-go box, sit and visit in her sweet apartment and eat whatever treat she chooses to give me. I will send her a card in the mail because that is what she accustomed to. Mail. In the mailbox.
Every time I see her I choose to learn. I choose to love her and honor her.
Sharing it seals the deal.
Some have considered her overbearing and pushy as a younger woman. I say that is the very reason she is still alive and kicking.
She has taught me so much. Her family has taught me as well. You see, the very time that I think I know why someone is so headstrong and stubborn my impression will usually be incorrect. When this lady will say "You have to leave now? I so wish you could stay" she does not mean that your visit isn't good enough and that you will never be as pleasing to her as you would like. She is merely saying "I have so loved your visit and I just don't want it to come to an end."
And when she says "I never have company. I want the holidays to be over because they make me sad" she is not saying that she is a humbug. She is remembering all the other holidays in her life when she was surrounded by so many that have now passed on. She remembers her husband, mother, father, siblings, cousins. She is the only one left. She is simply reminded at the holidays that she is "alone".
Her family feels that she has judged them. Her family feels that their actions are never enough, never to her liking. I have learned that she is simply incapable of stating things in any other way. She will choose her words as she always has her entire long life.
I see the strength in her when others may see her weakness. When her body will not perform or the door that she is attempting to open will simply not budge since it weighs more than she does she is not weak. She is simply frail in body but such strength in her being. She has to be a realist at this stage. Fantasy will not serve her now. Reality is her friend.
What strength it must take to rise every morning, greet the day and choose in. So many "greater" ones have chosen out.
I admire this cantankerous set-in-her-ways lady. I love her home. It echoes of all that have held items there literally through the ages. Her tenacity rings in my heart and she teaches me.
So I will not neglect the simple time to take her to lunch, cut her steak, pack her to-go box, sit and visit in her sweet apartment and eat whatever treat she chooses to give me. I will send her a card in the mail because that is what she accustomed to. Mail. In the mailbox.
Every time I see her I choose to learn. I choose to love her and honor her.
Sharing it seals the deal.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Finally...
Oliver and Mickie finally got their stocking presents.
"I love my toys. Thank you Santa."
Cat Nip Theif
 |
| I heard some tinkling in the other room...went in to see what it was... |
He doesn't even look or act sorry at all. And he wasn't. Until I took it away and put his stocking out of reach.
Monday, November 22, 2010
My 100th post...
So...what to write for my 100th post?
Being close to Thanksgiving I realize the same thing every year and more and deeper each year. I am blessed. I am covered with blessings. I am drowning in them. I breathe them in and I can smell the happiness. For the blessings that I am truly grateful for have very little to do with my things...my stuff. I am grateful for them, don't get me wrong. But they are usually very short lived when it comes to deep true happiness.
Now I realize that I am grateful for good sleep. For peaceful nights. For hearts to continually beat inside the chest of those I really love.
I appreciate how a good movie can change the way I view tragedy or love. Or a really great book.
I am grateful when my husband arrives home safely in the bad weather.
I am so thankful for creativity and sparks of ideas that press in and I must comply immediately for fear they will leave and never return.
I love music. I love how it touches my soul and breaks me open to feel something words cannot express.
I am so happy when a dear friend or family ends the phone conversation with the words "I love you."
I am thankful that all the things my heart holds dear and all the things I know not and all the people that desire peace and health are all in the sweet hands of God. I am thankful I have learned to trust Him. Most of the time. And when I worry it is perfect because that brings me to my knees which is a great place to be.
I love the times when I laugh till I cry and the times when I cry and my husband makes me laugh.
I love the babies that grow into the most amazing people that I have ever met. Ever.
And there is my 100th post.
I am thankful you took the time to read it. I am thankful for you.
Being close to Thanksgiving I realize the same thing every year and more and deeper each year. I am blessed. I am covered with blessings. I am drowning in them. I breathe them in and I can smell the happiness. For the blessings that I am truly grateful for have very little to do with my things...my stuff. I am grateful for them, don't get me wrong. But they are usually very short lived when it comes to deep true happiness.
Now I realize that I am grateful for good sleep. For peaceful nights. For hearts to continually beat inside the chest of those I really love.
I appreciate how a good movie can change the way I view tragedy or love. Or a really great book.
I am grateful when my husband arrives home safely in the bad weather.
I am so thankful for creativity and sparks of ideas that press in and I must comply immediately for fear they will leave and never return.
I love music. I love how it touches my soul and breaks me open to feel something words cannot express.
I am so happy when a dear friend or family ends the phone conversation with the words "I love you."
I am thankful that all the things my heart holds dear and all the things I know not and all the people that desire peace and health are all in the sweet hands of God. I am thankful I have learned to trust Him. Most of the time. And when I worry it is perfect because that brings me to my knees which is a great place to be.
I love the times when I laugh till I cry and the times when I cry and my husband makes me laugh.
I love the babies that grow into the most amazing people that I have ever met. Ever.
And there is my 100th post.
I am thankful you took the time to read it. I am thankful for you.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Poltergeist?
It snowed today.
It snowed today. I know this because my butt hurts. My butt hurts because this morning as Jim left to go downstairs to massage an early morning client he noticed that our alley cat Sweet Pea was there. Usually she doesn't show up in the mornings so he came back to tell me. He knew I would want to give her something to eat. And I did. So I got out of bed and headed to the back door. I opened the door and stepped out with my left foot and noticed at the same time that it had snowed and realized how slick the door mat was from the icy surface. Instantaneously I found myself doing the splits. I didn't know I could do those anymore. So Jim below had heard the thud and hollered "what was that?" I remarked that I had fallen. "Are you OK? That was pretty loud."
Yes, I am OK (I think) and do you really have to remark about the sound I make when slamming down on a hard slick surface? Really?
I took my wet sore body back inside and immediately took some ibuprofen. Starting to stiffen up now.
Pain reminds me I am alive. Very very alive.
Yes, I am OK (I think) and do you really have to remark about the sound I make when slamming down on a hard slick surface? Really?
I took my wet sore body back inside and immediately took some ibuprofen. Starting to stiffen up now.
Pain reminds me I am alive. Very very alive.
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