Sunday Sundries--Spring Edition

We've had some beautiful weather here this week and I hope it's nice where you are! The only real disadvantage of spring springing early is of course the massive amounts of pollen from the budding trees and bushes. I had a doctor apologize to me once, saying I was in the worse place in the world for my particular brand of allergies. I take that back--he said there's a particular valley in Iran that has similar conditions and the people there are miserable too.

That's okay. I've learned to live with it, after seven years of three allergy shots a week and over five decades of runny noses for months at a time. Even in my baby book, Mom wrote, "Poor little babe seems to have inherited both of our allergies." I have been using the saline nasal sprays to keep gunk flowing, hopefully preventing a trip to the minor emergency center for antibiotics. While I might want to get out and take a walk, I make sure I stay inside with the air filter going.

I've given my various allergies to my characters, in a fit of spite. Actually, I just used it in my ever continuing quest to not make it too easy for them.

But, here are some funnies and pretties to get us through the next week!

I remember finding some four leaf clovers behind our old house as a child. Always felt really special at the discovery.

I really love this! I did a couple of counted cross-stitch pieces from a Dover book of Celtic patterns:

A not very good picture, but you can see my insanity.

On to the kittehs.

We had cats that lived for the can opener and one I had to let smell the lid, so he could make sure it wasn't cat food. He was truly bummed when they started putting out those tuna pouches.

Sphinxes are so odd looking, don't you think?

Since I can't get out and garden (though I did have some lovely rose bushes when we got married), I live vicariously thorough one of my characters. She collects garden sculptures, wind chimes and all sorts of vases and containers. I had to stop myself from buying a couple of calla lily bulbs just last night. They would probably die unplanted in the garage like the hydrangea bush and iris rhizomes from two years ago. *sigh*

Our stripey twins love looking out the window and there are birds and squirrels that taunt them. They'd probably fall dead of a heart attack if they were actually confronted, though.

Absolutely. Don't you agree? I found a little silk flower arrangement of pink crocuses that I'd given Mom and I'm putting it in my cubicle at work. But, I love purple flowers. I'm also a firm believer you should "Bloom where you're planted."

And my dear husband is making us some egg sandwiches, which is my cue to go help! Everyone have a super week and enjoy some nice weather. Love to all!

Sunday Sundries--A Little Bit of This and That

"I've begun to realize that you can listen to silence and learn from it. It has a quality and a dimension all its own."

- Chaim Potok

I grew up in a household where my parents were older and my brothers were quite a bit older than me. As a result, I have a wide range of music and reading tastes, but I remember spending a lot of time by myself, in the quiet. So, when I met and married my husband, who is one of seven, holidays radically changed. The noise level of that first Christmas was almost overwhelming, with nieces and nephews all around. 

 I still spend a lot of time by myself, with hubby and I working different schedules. To tell the truth, that may be why we've been married over twenty years. We share a love of music and we've opened each others' eyes to different music genres and artists. This Sunday morning was spent in one of my favorite ways--reading the paper and listening to some classic jazz. He went to visit his folks and now I'm listening to our cable music service, discovering some new tunes and artists, while I write. But, silence is good too.

Life is good.  

 I've been trying to get more sleep and I think that's one of the things that helps my attitude in general. I highly recommend it, as well as making time to laugh.

Most definitely. We need warmth and comfort. And occasional quiet.

Something to focus on for some deep breathing and meditation is good too. I'm thinking about finding another yoga class, for exercise and stress relief. What do you do to give you that relaxation you need?

My husband teases me that I inherited my father's ability to fall asleep almost anywhere. I have been known to nod off sitting up, with the light shining in my eyes and the TV blaring, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't fit in a file folder.

I have to admit, sometimes I have to force myself to be more like my cats and shut my brain down to relax.

Though sometimes it doesn't quite work that way.

Prayer helps. I've had to realize quite a few times over the past few weeks that I need to ask for help.

And it's important to have friends who will listen. And finally,

We're all just works in progress, my friends. Love to all and have a great week!

Sunday Sundries--Hanging on Edition!

So, here's my Sunday inspiration:

"We often make the mistake of thinking that if we hurry we will be at our future sooner, but it only causes us to lose the present."–Joyce Meyers

How true is that? I find comfort in certain things--my family, my friends, my cats, having good food and comfortable things around me and especially my books. I had a friend who lost everything in a house fire last week, a cousin just a few years older than me die and between that and the two tornado warnings, it really put my thoughts in perspective. 

I not only need to get my self in gear, I need to start getting stuff DONE. I've written some great scenes in my notebooks, but they need to get into the computer. I need to get writing and craft stuff organized so I can find what I do have. AND I need to get a new routine when I find out my new work schedule in a few weeks, so I can stay healthy and sane. Sounds like Spring Fever, doesn't it?

Seriously, folks. It's not that hard, is it? 

 And we shouldn't worry if we have faith. Too bad I'm really good at worrying!

 Because this is true:

 And so is this:

 And unfortunately, so is this:

 What have we learned from this?

 I feel like this most days.

 But then I have a friend or a co-worker that helps me out and says:

 Because:

 Oh, no. Not Another Learning Experience. But things will be OK, because:

 Have a great, safe week, everyone!

Sunday Sundries--Silly Stuffs!

Dear hubby and I were out of town for the weekend and we're sitting here watching The Oscars while looking through my sillies to share with you today! This was just hilarious, the poor thing.

This one's pretty fun too:

Okay, a little more highbrow:

Not really. Here's another one.

Our kittehs were none too pleased that we ran off and left them. I made sure to clean the litter so we wouldn't have any political statements.

Love the funny paw, don't you?

We went to a science fiction convention where the term "Cincinnati Rules" was coined. If you get up out of your seat, well, you don't need to be so surprised when someone else takes it.

One of our cats tried to convince our friend that he never had any lovings, was starved to death and beaten at every opportunity. So obviously not the truth.
And finally:

Yeah, this looks like him. So, don't believe anything he tries to tell you, okay?

Everyone have a super week! 

Sunday Sundries--Birthday Edition

Well, there you go! Tomorrow will be Happy Birthday to me!
Yes, I have to work, but I have my Hello Kitty tiara to wear. Seriously, I work in a call center, so the customers won't see me, but I'll be having fun.

Last

Last week, on Valentine's Day, I was in a car accident. I'm OK (I was a little sore--it hit hard enough that it spun the car around) and amazingly, The Mighty Purple Saturn only has a jilfriggered back bumper, but, my husband got out of a warm bed to come "rescue" me. I had everything under control, so I let him take me to breakfast. When he got home, he presented me with some lovely amethyst earrings and matching necklace that happened to match a ring I bought several years ago. This from the man who swore he'd never buy me another amethyst. I'm a lucky girl.

Love the look, don't you? My official birthday gift is the MS Word software for my laptop, which was my Christmas gift.

Though I am so totally a fangirl and huge stripey kitteh fan.

And black cat fan. We're having a small birthday get-together tonight at a local restaurant. I have a couple of friends with February birthdays and one is a Leap Day baby. She is turning fourteen this year and requested a lemon meringue pie instead of a birthday cake. I'll pick it up, along with a chocolate pie, later this morning.

It won't be that wild, but love the picture.

Don't need to worry about that.

Because this graph is true. And finally--

Stripey twins Boris and Natasha have promised no hairballs or political statements and I'm grateful. And I'm grateful for each of you! Have a super week!

Sunday Sundries--Love Edition

This will be the first Valentine's Day in a few years where both Chris and I will be working. Not that I'm complaining--I'm grateful we're both employed--but with our different schedules, we won't see each other except for a few minutes before I get ready for bed. So, we went out to eat last night and Chris fixed us some breakfast this morning. It's okay, we've been married over 20 years and it really is the little things that matter.

But, here's hoping you find your happiness and love this week.

Which reminds me, I'd better scoop the cat litter before Boris or Natasha make a political statement.

Yes, it does take a ton of patience, doesn't it?

For my single lady friends out there. You know who I mean.

Too silly and cute.

Ooops.

Let me make this clear--no marriage is perfect. No relationship is perfect. So, shouldn't Valentine's Day be a celebration of what we have, not just a celebration once a year of this idealized thing that would not last?

I've found mine. Here's hoping you all find yours. Love to all!