monday gratitudes

Presque Isle, ME ~ Memorial Day Weekend 2009

Today I am grateful for...

• a beautiful day off from work.
• money in the bank to pay the unexpected amt of taxes I owe.
• extra days off this week.
• my education.
• time to make cards yesterday.
• my stamp & paper collection.
• my board certification as an art therapist.
• knitting to relax my busy, over-thinking mind.
• yellow. a color I never appreciated before.
• spring being on its way in New England.
• an apartment with nice morning sun.
• lavendar.
• scented candles...current favorite is "Dune Grass" from Yankee Candles.
• country.
• use of my arms and legs.
• feeling better.
• future milestones to look forward to.
• upbeat music.
• Netflix DVD's to look forward to (thanks to my sister!)

Decided to post an old picture to remind me that (a) Spring will get here, and (b) I need to focus on simple pleasures.Yesterday I tried to relax and eventually did...but in the a.m. did my taxes and had an unfortunate suprise...doesn't pay in many ways to have to work two part-time jobs. I need to make some quick adjustments before too much more of 2010 goes by so I'm not in this position next year. But I was able to calm my thoughts with a little knitting and then sat and played with my new scrapping supplies and made a few cards. I'll post them later. More collage-y in style I think. Fun. Needed some of my own art therapy. Today I need to take my car to the dealer to have them look at my windshield. The rubber liner that holds it down at the roof line is very loose! Yikes. Then a quick trip to Trader Joes. I want to pick up a few things for dinner and some tulips. Maybe I'll splurge on 2 bunches this week.

Happy Monday!

homesick at home

desert boots

I've been trying to keep busy since he left. It is such a wierd feeling...feeling homesick in your own home. That is the only way I can describe it. I have new found appreciation for women who send their men off to war for years at a time. Especially those who have children. I cannot imagine being in that position. I only have to wait 54 days to see him and we don't have kids yet. And I know he's safe and not in a war. I am lucky. We are lucky. He will be back soon. But it is still hard. It is preparing me for how it might feel if/when he is deployed.

Friday after I left the hotel and he went off to the airport I did some retail therapy at outlets in Maine. Hit LL. Bean and others. Stayed within my budget and got some really pretty things including a few skirts and summer dresses. I rarely wear skirts but do like how easy they are in the summer. Plus Cary loves when I look girly so I figured he'd appreciate them too. I love one skirt in particular from LL Bean...

...so pretty and flowy. Have a basic white t shirt to go with it. Also got a flowery blue skirt and will wear that with just a white t as well. I should own stock in white-t's. I wear them with everything all year round! I know ...boring but they are so easy!

Friday night I went to the paint-your-own-pottery Girl's Night after dinner at a friends. It was fun but I was so overtired from getting up at 3:30 am and getting very little sleep. Saturday I slept in and cooked dinner for my parents and brother and sister last night. It was so nice having them over. We haven't been able to host anyone since January when we had all the issues with the apartment begin. So it was nice to have them over. I'd like to do that again when he gets home.

Today it is rainy and gloomy out. I plan on doing chores: bills, laundry, etc and then going to my knitting circle tonight. I also rented more of Season 1 of Weeds and the movie He's Just Not that Into You. Looking forward to watching that tonight!

Happy Sunday!

choose my attitude

Bar Harbor, Maine -summer 2007

I don't have many words today. Just an old picture.

Wishing I could feel happier...and not let things overwhelm me so often. I wish I was back in this picture today....wishing I could just focus on the good people in my world and the things I enjoy instead of letting the rest of the junk take up so much of my time, mind and happiness. It/they don't deserve that. The troubles will still be there regardless of whether I choose to let them get to me or if I choose to be happy.

I might as well choose a positive attitude.

Easier said then done some days.

I wish I could listen to my own advice.

a view I miss

This is an old picture taken in the summer of '06. It is Mt. Katahdin in the distance in Northern Maine. It is a few hours south of where Cary is from and it is beautiful. I didn't take any photos today and wanted to share one I haven't before. I haven't been up there in months...since Cary moved here and I kind of miss it. It is a beautiful, quiet, hard working place.

Today had it's ups and downs. I did go to the gym after work and although I was dying (it was so hot in there) I feel good now. 35 min on the treadmill and the 1 hr muscle conditioning class. I can feel that I'm not in the shape I was in this time last year. I want to be back to that!

Well...off to eat my Trader Joe's Veggie Egg Rolls and Rice...hmmm....let me cancel out that 1 1/2 hrs at the gym!