Spring Fever

As a teenager living in California , I remember loving the early days of spring. The skies were magnificent blue and filled with cotton candy clouds. I loved those spring days because they were filled with daydreams of convertibles and ocean beaches. Now that I’m a mid-westerner, I long for those types of days. The daydreams are still filled with convertibles and ocean beaches, but they are quickly crowded out with the anticipation of auctions, flea markets and just plain junking. To satisfy my junk cravings, I devour decor magazines, watch American Pickers (my new obsession) and haunt the internet. Old Man Winter teases me with a glimpse of days to come, but then he laughs as he slams us with record-busting cold and snowfall.

That’s okay Old Man, I’ll get the final laugh.

Gage Andrew

8 lbs 15 oz

I'm in Love

Today we went for an ultrasound of my first grandchild and all I can say is "Wow"! At 12 weeks, this baby already has a personality and is a mover and a shaker. I believe there is a gymnist in my daughters womb. Life is good!!

2008

In 2008, life has been good...and sad. The year has brought much insight, heartache and freedom. I left a soul-stealing job, gave myself some space and freedom from a relationship and began the process of finding out who I really am. The journey is still in front of me, but isn't that what life is about?

In 2008, I also learned I will be a grandmother. I still don't connect myself to that title, but I'm excited at the possibilities. While timing is not always the best, the blessing of a baby is never wrong. My wish for my daughter is to have the insight and wisdom to make loving decisions for her baby and herself...and to be touched by a child as much as I have been touched by her and her sister.

Watch out 2009, here I come!!!!

I'm a Doris

This was right on....amazing for only two questions...

You Are a Doris!

You are a Doris -- "I must help others."

Dorises are warm, concerned, nurturing, and sensitive to other people's needs.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Tell me that you appreciate me. Be specific.


• * Share fun times with me.


• * Take an interest in my problems, though I will probably try to focus on yours.


• * Let me know that I am important and special to you.


• * Be gentle if you decide to criticize me.

In Intimate Relationships

• * Reassure me that I am interesting to you.


• * Reassure me often that you love me.


• * Tell me I'm attractive and that you're glad to be seen with me.

What I Like About Being a Doris

• * being able to relate easily to people and to make friends


• * knowing what people need and being able to make their lives better


• * being generous, caring, and warm


• * being sensitive to and perceptive about others' feelings


• * being enthusiastic and fun-loving, and having a good sense of humor

What's Hard About Being a Doris

• * not being able to say no


• * having low self-esteem


• * feeling drained from overdoing for others


• * not doing things I really like to do for myself for fear of being selfish


• * criticizing myself for not feeling as loving as I think I should


• * being upset that others don't tune in to me as much as I tume in to them


• * working so hard to be tactful and considerate that I suppress my real feelings

Dorises as Children Often

• * are very sensitive to disapproval and criticism


• * try hard to please their parents by being helpful and understanding


• * are outwardly compliant


• * are popular or try to be popular with other children


• * act coy, precocious, or dramatic in order to get attention


• * are clowns and jokers (the more extroverted Dorises), or quiet and shy (the more introverted Dorises)

Dorises as Parents

• * are good listeners, love their children unconditionally, and are warm and encouraging (or suffer guilt if they aren't)


• * are often playful with their children


• * wonder: "Am I doing it right?" "Am I giving enough?" "Have I caused irreparable damage?"


• * can become fiercely protective
  

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

I'm Back!!!

I feel rejuvenated and ready for new adventures. I've had time to get clarity, make some major changes and get jazzed about being creative again. These photos are not good, but I thought I would share my bedroom re-do. I had to use my phone camera to take these, but I'm working on getting new photos soon. I'm so happy with the way it turned out. Now, if I can just keep it this way....that's the true test.



The bedroom set has been a project I have been meaning to tackle for a long time and just procrastinated doing it (once again, part of the major change). I'm really happy how the red turned out. Reminds me of an old red barn....thus the name of the paint. The dressers had seen better days. It was an old set of my parent's and I have had it for at least 10 years. They have been through two of my kids, plus six of my parent's. So, it has held up VERY well, but needed to be reinvented. I hope I did it justice.

Next project....an old office desk that has seen better days also. When I'm done, it will look like it was bought out of a Pottery Barn catalog. Hope to show pictures this weekend.

Time for Reflection

The last five days have "blessed" me with some life-changing events and I'm taking some time to regroup and focus on matters. I'll try to blog and sew, but I won't allow guilt if I don't. In order for me to be creative, my mind has to be clear and open to the process. Right now, it is too full of deep wounds and critical tasks to be completed. But already, I see the light at the end of the tunnel and savor the vision of a bright future.