Christmas in 5 days. I still don't feel it, so I probably never will. I have gifts for Michel. This is fun this year. He is getting a trip to France. So the box to announce the trip contains a survival kit, of sorts. A beret... but of course. And some obvious stuff. And the pista la resistance being, a SPEEDO!! Can't go to Europe and wear big ole' baggy American shorts. HA
For Emma, a wonderful Emma sized wicker rocking chair and I knitted her a cabled blanket to go with it. So she can be warm and "rock on" in 07.
Otherwise, I had lots of "misfits" to surprise with this and that. This is all done. Nothing left for me to do.
The family in general and Phil and I don't usually exchange gifts. We gave up the commercial need to satisfy this trend that has gotten so out of hand in society. We decided years ago to just get gifts for the kids and spend our money on fine food and drink and celebration together. This has taken so much stress out of the holiday. But, this year, something is developing or brewing or whatever. People are plotting and whispering. Michel especially, seems to have done something extravagant on my behalf. (They are so bad at being secretive). AND!!!! Mom and Dad seem to have some plan up their sleeve, even though she made a point to call me - like she does every year - to reiterate that we are not doing gifts. I don't know. The only rule that I broke was to get for Phil a print for his new office of the Port of Marseilles where he was born. But I can cover it up by giving it to Michel to give to him. Oh, and for Nikki and Nate, I got gifts to put under their tree, but they are from EMMA. So no rules broken. He heeee Mom and Dad however, are on my shit list!!! They have blatantly bent some rules. I can tell by the giggles and whispers and secretive phone calls to Michel. Hmmmmm
So maybe in some twisted and/or screwy way, we have actually captured the essence of what Christmas is suppose to be. A surprise, no matter what rules are broken. Nothing expected. No appliances, no clothes, no meaningless filler gifts. But rather, a gift with immense meaning because we just could not help ourselves.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
I've been shopping.....
Friday, December 08, 2006
Getting lost in the keys
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
The Decline of my Christmas Spirit
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
My Christmas List
Remember what you have in your life to be thankful for, and cherish it. There is simply nothing more to ask for,
365 pair of soft, squishy white socks. A new pair for every day in 07.
A tree in my front rocks.
Inspired days, soulful nights, and no regrets.
Books, anything on cooking must have photos. I am visually inspired.
A greener thumb. Mine has gone rather turquoise lately.
Another healthy year with my ever aging, grey haired dog.
.........Of Course
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Two Sesame Seeds
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Food Anxiety !
Friday, November 10, 2006
... Of Wisdom
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
PINK KITTENS
Friday, October 27, 2006
The Promise
October 27th in the year of 2006...
In the "working on me" department, I simply have to learn to slow my pace. This I know. My days are such a whirlwind of self imposed chores. I know I can do a bit less and take a few more breaks. It's my goal for November.
Family and such is on an even keel. I am still grasping the fact that my husband is human and therefore, flawed. But as Vickie points out, I was in love for 14 years and have just now opened my eyes. It was a good run!!
Michel is 17 on Sunday. I am dealing with melancholy and longing that it went so fast and that I didn't do it better. But I have to be confidant in the person that he has become. And so this year, I accept in my heart that I am letting him go to grow and live.
My company / work is no longer the frantic stress of chaos that was in this past summer. It's a successful hum of steady income and happy employees and opportunity for all that work here. I am eternally grateful each and every day.
The coyote story continues to evolve. The grey one that frightened me last month has now become my distant friend. I have named her Franchescia. I decide she is a "her" because I think a male would be more skittish / preditory towards Paw Paws. But this creature is not afraid of us and actually seeks us out - from afar, but she is there. We have had the pleasure of coming within 2-3 feet of her. When this happened, I apologized and cross the road, allowing her, her space. Yet she follows at a distance. This goes on almost every night. Once I had the pleasure of sitting on Tee # whatever while she lounged close to me. I spoke to her. We chatted and it was an amicable communication. The moment was so close to Nirvana with a beast that is was that night I named her. She made me feel like I was St. Francis, talking to the animals.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Journey's
I am constantly tweaking the details that are my life. I feel like I am "fine tuned", but realize that is is an ongoing journey. And so, I am humble, but grateful for the good time I am making.
Early Fall
Just a Thought
She appears to be so contimplative, however, at 17 months, full of energy and Oreos, that apparent "thoughtful pose" was a mere 3 seconds in time. I am grateful to have captured it!
What's on Emma's IPOD you ask?? She is enjoying some Laurie Berkner, the Itsy Bitsy Spider and "I'm the Map".
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Stalking the Stalker
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Day in ......... Day out
It's currently day out, September 23, 2006. There was a noticeable
shift in seasons today, from summer to fall. It is so slight, but so apparent if you take a moment to notice. The world smells different - all of the sudden. From baked pavement..... to burning wood, kind of crisp and clean and new beginning ,slight coolness, wrap a sweater around and listen to jazz in the dark because it feels so good - kind of change.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Talking to "DOG"
My inspiration today has been watching these two most innocent souls having a patio chat. These are the moments that imprint my life. She looks at his big animal form in wonder, and he tolerates her with kindness and grace. And they are both...............
talking to God.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
With Outstretched Arms!!
For months (or years) I have had a "knowing" - even when I didn't know what it was. But in current day, I have an inkling. There is change coming, be whatever it is. An easy statement. There is always change coming. I don't depict doom. I see a portal in which some will pass and so many are preparing for (albiet with subconscious gratitude). And I can make this bold statement because the people that draw to me - or I them, are of similar mind. And it's not a voiced thought for the most part. but timid souls asking: "do you feel it too". Metaphorically speaking, we are sure at "End of Times" But this is a certain positive. These times need to end. And I embrace the changes.
ZEN DOGGIE
perfecting his yoga practice. Of this, I am so proud. I am probably one of the few that can honestly say that when we do "downward facing dog" it's more literal than just the name of the pose.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Friday, August 11, 2006
"YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR HAT ON"
Phil is walking Paws, albeit with a grudging attitude. I can see them wandering the “golf”. Paws seems happy. Phil is smoking. And so our weekend begins. We’ve just completed 6 months of 7 days a week, 12 hours a day on the production line. And now that the contract is completed, I may be lost. I don’t know how we’ll function as regular people. Even Phil, who has not taken a day off this year, will stay home for 2 days. When we’re not building plastics and/or taking inventory and/or catering to employees – who are we? It should be interesting finding out what gives us reason to live.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
My Spirit is soggy
Like an unimagined nightmare, our air conditioner went out – completely – today. Whereas, this is a minor setback in normal society, I suppose, for us desert dwellers, it’s more of a TRAGIC EVENT. The temps were just under 110 degrees on the outside and remained 97+ indoors. Not so bad in black and white, but the sustained drama of 24 hours in this environment has flattened my resolve. AC repair just advised us to hang on. We are on “the list”, for whatever comfort that is.
Hour 14 – Pawpaw’s is wearing wet towels. I am listening to every to every motivational speaker on tape that I own. I can do this……
Slept on the floor tonight because Pawpaw’s fan is the only one offering any comfort.
Morning: 3 swims in the pool and then a bath. It’s miserable and I cannot work or function. I abhor sweat. So I sit.
The repairman arrives. And I thought I was miserable!! He has been on call for days on end – and I am his next victim. $775 and 10 hours later – life is back to normal, for the most part; sans my checkbook. He depicts doom for my TRANE unit and admonishes me to replace the whole thing. For a mere 8K, I would have no worries – OH, except for the 8K.
Fingers are crossed, hopes are high, my spirit is however, SOGGY. Looking forward to higher ground tomorrow.
AN ounce of optimism
Summer mornings start slow in the lower Arizona desert. I hesitate to launch my day, dreading the demanding temperatures I will once again prepare to face. My mood is one of lethargy. I would like to stay curled up here until October arrives, with it's promise of "spring" and when I will again become invigorated by life. However, Pawpaw's is making his presence known with a wet nose and demanding attitude, and so we start out on our morning walk. It's 6:30 AM and 91 degrees. This cooling trend is welcome!
The air is heavy and damp but with no promise of rain. We meander past the gardening crews, coiffing the golf course. Their tools wheeze and whine and pierce this usually quiet stretch, sending us further down the path. As Pawpaw's sniffs and smells every twig and bush along the way, a lone coyote crosses the road. It has red fur and is emaciatingly thin. We wish him a big feast today somewhere on the "golf". Our next glimpse of nature is a long tall roadrunner following in the footsteps of the coyote. The comedic nature of the scene offers my day hope and promise. And so, we wander home with tongues wagging, our day looms ahead…….