Friday and Cricut and Moving

That's alot of AND's!
Okay- Happy Friday, first of all. I hope you enjoyed a bit of wine yesterday, since it was National Wine day, and all.....saw lots of people questioning why it is only one day, when it seems most people see it as an everyday celebration!

My interests, you may have noticed, shift often. I'm now onto Cricut. Do you have one? Would you buy one if you had the extra money? Opinions, tips and tricks are welcomed.

Finally, I have started to build a blog on WordPress. While still quite in the infancy stage, I could use your help in that decision, too!

What blog platform do you use, and why?

moving

I'm moving over to wordpress~ you can find me there at 'dwellinginit'....Since I'm still learning about the blog business, I'm not sure which is best for me..
What is your opinion???

Guess I skipped Valentine's Day

I was so busy enjoying the day that I just didn't think about a blog post! Horrors! Especially if you are like me, and still just jotting down random thoughts in the hopes that someday I land upon something I can continually talk about and keep it interesting!
So, how was YOUR Valentine's Day? I'm of the mind that this is a Hallmark Holiday....show LOVE everyday, not just one day a year....
Monday is here and we're back in the grind. Hopefully, you brought some love with you!

Feed the birds

Winter means cold weather, and we are in for a true Arctic Blast~ no need to add details that the news is covering.
But, a reminder to keep your pets inside as much as possible, check their paws for ice melting material they may have wedged into their pads, and remember the birds. Throw out some food, even if it is some peanut butter on a slice of bread, they can peck at it and get some benefit to help ward off the temperatures.
Public service announcement over.
Go forth and enjoy your Saturday!

Friday! Celebrate

In Western PA, it's predicted to be the coldest weekend yet; since last winter. Bring it ON! We've been quite spoiled with warmer than normal temps and there hasn't been a lot of snow.

All good reasons to be extra happy it's Friday. That, and Fish Fry season has begun~ yahoo....love a great fish fry.

We are another week closer to mild temps, muddy lawns and peeks of crocus and tulips!!

Lent begins

Facebook is losing people. For Lent. Truth be told, when I was reading various posts last night about people vacating FB for Lent, not one of my thoughts was "oh, I'll miss them". I am happy for the time they gain, if they have to 'give up' FB for Lent. It has obviously become too big a time suck. I wish them well, and hope they make the best of new free time in the next 40 days. What would YOU do with free time during Lent?

Mardi Gras; Lent and Fish Fry

Happy Fat Tuesday! Eat like a King today and prepare for the Lenten Season. Lenten season needs to be remembered as so much more than Friday Fish Fry's.

The colors PURPLE, GREEN and GOLD are symbolic to Mardi Gras. PURPLE is for Justice; GREEN is for FAITH and GOLD is for POWER.
 
But, since I mentioned it, where is YOUR favorite place to enjoy the tradition of Fish Fry's?

Super Bowl Monday

Ahhh....the morning after......Hopefully, you loved the commercials, Lady Gaga and the half time show. 50% are happy their team won, the other 50% are looking forward to revenge next season.
And in your house, I hope it was filled with love, laughs, and good food. There's always next season.

What is your plan?

Weekends~ begin with an expanse of time that I hope you fill with things you love to do, with people you cherish. Even if that means just reflecting on a time in the past or a time in the future. Have a happy thought and say Hello to one person you don't know today. Share a smile with a Stranger Saturday!!

Running with Alzheimer's

The February issue of Runner's World tells the story of a man documenting his Alzheimer's Disease while still trying to run....I'm a runner with a family history of Alzheimer's....reading some of his symptom's really opened my eyes.
These past 2 days ( pre-reading the article) I keep asking people at work if they smell smoke. They look at me strange and say NO....he talks about smells no one else can smell.
He talks about numbness~ my right thumb has been numb now for almost 3 years....the chiropractor blames it on carpal tunnel syndrome.

Jeesh....talk about a wake up call I don't want.

Anyway- please take the time to read his story. It's inspiring.

shopping your house

The house is in that odd stage....holiday decorations are down, making the house seem more 'undecorated' than normal....the opposite of how the house feels 'so busy' when the decorations are loading your visual senses....

So, what's a girl to do? I still want to shop....but, I shop my house! I'll take a bookshelf that was in the living room and add it to the upstairs hallway. I'll move a picture from the living room to the bathroom.
Couch throw pillows become decorative bed pillows...dishes become holders for candles, those kinds of things...

Where is your favorite room to shop in the house???

Photos

Can anyone help me? I'm new to this blogging thing~ but I've seen many beautiful blogs and they always have pictures.
Anyone know how to add photos to a Google Blogger Post?
Thanks for any tips and tricks you can offer!

Frost on the Ground~ Ground hog Day

Fond memories flooded my mind today when I saw the frost on the ground. When my kids were babies, they were convinced that frost on the grass equaled snow.....love that innocence and optimism.
In other worlds, Phil the Groundhog of Punxatawny, PA, saw his shadow today, predicting an early spring. Since we ended January at 60*, I am hoping this little varmint is correct!!!

Bangs- grow or cut

Are you a bang person?
I grew mine out for a wedding I was in last August, and I was so happy to have them back, covering up my wrinkly forehead. But, I forgot that bangs require maintenance. More often than a regular cut. My hairdresser said I am free to just pop in and she'll cut them ,but even that is too much at times...so, I've taken to curling them, and then fussing with them all day to keep them out of my eyes. And, feeling much like Mrs. Beasley.
Rant over.
So, are you a bang person or not?

Friday

Cheers to Friday! There is something about the end of a work week that just makes everything a little bit better. Your "Friday" may be a Tuesday, or another day of the week. But, hopefully the feeling of having a couple days off brightens your day.
What's your favorite thing to do on your "kick off the next couple days off" ???

lunch with friends

Is there anyway better than to spend some lunch time yukking it up with friends?

Now, I've been burned a few times at work, trying to be friendly, just to find out I was being friendly with the enemy....so, find those friends who work NEAR you and can meet you for lunch.

It's refreshing, there isn't a propensity to have a whine session about work; and it's necessary in the very best of ways.

So this is the challenge; reach out and find someone (at work or elsewhere) that you can share a nice, relaxing conversation during lunchtime.

I hope you enjoy the time spent!

The ugly winter has arrived

Well, it's here. The ugly part of winter. I'm not talking about cold temperatures. That is expected. What I mean by ugly is the lack of color in the sky and on-ground. The snow is melting because the temperature is above 40; and that dreary cold rain is settling in for a few days. These are the hardest days to get excited about. I feel the same about these 50 degree days in the spring. Does anyone else feel like this?
Luckily, last night was a beautiful sunset....makes up for the lack of color today.

Saturday and the living is easy

Snow happened last night. Light, fluffy, beautifully quiet snow. There is a time of reflection when you have everyone home, safe and sound. The stillness of a snowfall.
My wish for you is simple. I hope when God shows you a beautiful sight, that you are able to stop, breathe, and say Amen.
Snow is not without work, worry and stress.  Before you start the task of shoveling it all out of your way so you can get to where ever you need to be, simply stop and look at the unmarked beauty of it all.
Be safe, be warm, and be happy that you are able to witness the beauty of another day.

Snow!

the forecast is snow. How much snow? Well, it depends on where you are located in Western PA. Some will see 1-3"; others will see 6-12"...and the grocery shelves reflect in direct proportion by their emptiness which part of the state you live.

Good times for all ahead.
Be safe, be smart, be warm.

Snow, toilet paper and a bad memory

The weather forecast for Western Pennsylvania is snow. If you aren't from around here, this post makes no sense. People from the area, in general, will load up the shopping carts with toilet paper, bread, milk and eggs when there is a snow prediction. Panic sets in and shelves are cleared.

This shopping phenomenon is well known, and the butt of many jokes. (pun intended)
Guess who forgot to buy her toilet paper on the weekend trip to the grocery store? Yep. Me.

I want to hang a sign on my neck declaring that I am NOT in panic mode, I simply have a bad memory.

MLK Day as a National Holiday.

The work week is a bit shorter because of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Well, what I actually mean, is that my employer is closed on MLK day, so I got to stay home. Thank you, Dr. King for your contribution to American History, and the civil rights movement.

A popular post I saw on social media was people  offended that this day is a National Holiday, yet Veterans Day isn't. They were NOT saying that MLK, Jr. didn't deserve a National Holiday, they were saying that Veteran's Day should ALSO be a National Holiday.

Shouldn't the men and women who have served our country get at least the same recognition?

What do you think?

Sunday

My birds are keeping me amused today. I fill up the bird feeder, and I hear them all, in their original 'tweet' form; speaking to each other. "Hey, that human is back, and LOOK! She got that better food with the nuts and sunflowers again!!"

It's a wonderful, relaxing way to pass a few moments at different times of the day. My cardinal likes to come just before dusk. I say a prayer for the people who have passed on , as I was told cardinals are visual reminders of those who have died.

My morning doves are numerous, and funny. They perch by the feeder and guard it. But before long, my brave squirrel will chase them away and take up roost.

The only bird I see who is actively aggressive is my huge blue jay. He's not here often, but when he does swing by, he makes a huge mess and won't let my little chickadees near.

The raccoons have been absent, since I started bringing in my feeder at night. One cute little raccoon soon became a rowdy family of 4. That's when I started removing the buffet at night. Too dangerous for my dog.

My other favorite visitor is again one who doesn't stop often, my beautiful woodpecker. He stops about once a week, never for long, before flying off into the tree. He'll sit there for about 5 minutes and then POOF, he's gone.

I got worried the other day because I noticed a hawk sitting off in an adjacent tree, not near my feeder. Was he just resting, or was he waiting for my tiny chipmunk?

Circle of life, I guess.

What I know for sure, is that the cost of the bird food is minimal compared to the joy I receive from watching some of God's gifts outside my window.

Happy Saturday

Do you love Saturdays? I do....just having an entire day without anything to do is marvelous to me. Some are bothered by not having a schedule, and that's fine. It's their thing. Nothing wrong with that.

My plans today are to do what gets done, and not stress about what doesn't.

My dog doesn't know the difference between Saturday and Monday, so we are up at 4:30 a.m.; maybe that's why I enjoy my weekends. Even though I am awake, what is different about a weekend wake-up, is that I don't have to go to work!!

Today is actually a splurge day for me. I got a gift card to a spa and at noon, will be receiving a 90 minute facial.....I can't wait.

Whatever your plans or non plans are for today, I hope you enjoy your Saturday!

I said a prayer

First, I apologize for not having the all of the actual links to the sites I am about to discuss.

Yesterday, my numbers were not drawn in the PowerBall. I was quite sad, honestly. I felt for sure that I would be a winner. Really and truly felt that way. As I pondered the inevitable "WHY not me?" ; I went about my normal morning, reading blogs, clicking here and there on other links to pass the time while having my cups of coffee.

My first blog of the morning was "Thistlewood Farms" (http://www.thistlewoodfarms.com/run-like-the-wind) and the specific post was "Run like the Wind".  I was drawn to those words, because it is something I have uttered to my daughter before every track meet. (Actually, I say "run like the wind, girlfriend") soon, my WHY started being answered....even if my numbers didn't align perfectly...I was still a winner. I have a family who loves me, and I love each and every one of them. That makes me a winner. I just needed Karianne's beautiful way of reminding me to keep things in perspective.

Then, in true attention deficit fashion, other links caught my eye from other sites and pretty soon I was just clicking away, lost in my own little internet world. I happened upon another blog in which the message told me that maybe I wasn't praying RIGHT. All I was doing was asking for things, not really THANKING our Heavenly Father. Stopped me in my tracks. Was I taking the time to PRAY for others? Was I praying for the right request? Instead of giving me what I am asking for, I need to seek His guidance to accept what I am given. This was another huge answer to my WHY?

Normally, I am quite optimistic. Looking for the good in people, in situations, etc...and I tell others to be the same way. Yesterday, I fell short. :(

But,with the help of Karianne, and some other smart bloggers, I am back on track. And praying the way I should have been all along.

PS: Thank you to those kind bloggers who share words of wisdom. I've also learned to make note of where I am finding all those wise writers!

NOT a winner, at least not in the Power Ball lottery kind of way

Nope, I didn't go to bed a lottery billionaire winner, and I didn't wake up as one either.

But, I did wake up. Winning!

I'll admit that I was a bit downtrodden. I mean, I prayed; thought of generous philanthropic activities; kept an optimistic view, etc., and still, the numbers didn't fall my way.

And yet, messages that our Heavenly Father heard my prayers were delivered to me today. Not in any monetary way, but in subtle readings. My father said 'winners are measured with numbers'. A blogger I follow wrote today of the importance of family and when I commented on her blog, she sent me the sweetest personal message.

So, even though I'm not a billionaire, I'm rich in knowing that others care about me, that they read my words and know the meaning, and that even though I am not rich, people reminded me today that they are happy I am in their life.

And, I am happy and blessed to have them in mine.

God Bless us all.

My Tunnel Vision

one of my favorite spots to be....on the way through this tunnel, I anticipate the chill and wind but look forward to the miles ahead of me....and on the way back through the tunnel, the same cool air is a welcome cool from the sweat I have created, and the light at the end of the tunnel means the end of another needed mental break and physical moment in time.

there is snow in Pittsburgh

It finally snowed more than a flurry and a dusting! Of course, the National Championship game last night (Yeah Bama!) went late so a delay for the start of school would have been most welcome!
What about you, are you a fan or a foe of the snow?

Monday Motivation

Normally, Mondays and I get along very well. Each new start to the work week means a time to put the previous week in the back of my mind and forget about any bad feelings....this Monday is a bit rougher for some unknown reason;
maybe the fact that sweet college girl is back at her campus and not in her bed at home anymore, could be that the temperature is well below the freezing mark for the first time since late 2015, or even that my class syllabus is very overwhelming, or quite simply; I have the true Monday blues.

Rest In Peace, David Bowie. Thank you for your contributions while on Earth. There is no doubt you have left a legacy.

No Winners

The official result is that no one won the Power Ball lottery last night...but let's break it down.
If you woke up this morning, you won.
If you had the red Power Ball number (13) you won.
If you had a few of the numbers, you won.
And, most of all.....If you remembered how to pray, had many thoughts of  generosity (that you would bestow on others) and lived a few days of real optimism, you won.
So, to all you winners out there, continue to pray, be generous to others (kind words and shared smiles are FREE), and live a life of optimism.
and, spend another $2 so you can repeat the feelings of the past few days!!! :)

It's a beautiful day....

Randomly, I like to ask open ended questions...
Today, my first question is...
"It's a beautiful day to....."

Comment, please!!!!

unsubscribe

One easy task; a mountain of time gained.

Since the New Year, I've been 'unsubscribing' to the plethora of merchants who email me regularly.
With my ever changing attention span, I've accumulated a multitude of different people willing to contact me daily, weekly, monthly with their pitches of sales, creative ideas, and products to try.

I never noticed HOW many I got in a day until I went on vacation and didn't check my email for one day. 374 new emails. Only ONE was a personal email from my father.

That was the moment I decided to start with the unsubscribe option in my emails. It's painless and easy.
As with anything, the hardest part is starting. I spent about an hour that first day going through my inbox, and selecting the 'unsubscribe' button on each email I no longer wanted to receive.

Each day, my inbox is smaller and smaller....which means I can actually PAY ATTENTION to what is being delivered.

Ah, the joy of an uncluttered inbox.

Is it kind? Lessons from a horse veterinarian

Something to keep in mind....

I read something yesterday from a friend, who shared a post on Facebook from a Horse blogger....he wrote about the treatment of horses....in summary, think about a couple key things before you act.

1) Is it kind?
2) Is it necessary?
3) Will your speech improve upon the silence?

Not only is this good advice for veterinarians, I think it is GREAT advice for everyone to follow...

Laundry Laundry and more Laundry

We moved to a new home 2 years ago and the one thing we all used every single day was the Laundry Chute.

I love doing laundry~ the sorting, the washing, the folding, I even make my own powder detergent....but you lose me when it's time to put it all back in drawers, closets, etc.
So in the new house, there is no laundry chute. Kids and husband create piles of dirty clothes in their rooms.

Which means once, or twice a week, I am a naggermeister about laundry.
 " Mom, can I go to the mall?" response " Where is your dirty laundry?"
"Mom, can I go to so and so's house?"
 " Did you put away all your clean clothes?"

This weekend was the most clothes I can remember having to plow my way through since we moved and didn't have the washer and dryer hooked up for a week.....

Since I have spent so much of my weekend there, I was so happy to find these pictures on HOUZZ...
maybe if I can create one of these retreats, laundry will return to a much happier place for me to spend a weekend.

Fool me once

And, in the world of 'fool me once'....I've added a name....share some generosity, that's my style. What is not my style is to overlook the lack of a simple THANK YOU....lesson learned...moving on!

I'm bored

Happy New Year!
I'm bored and in need of some serious mental stimulation.....so 3.2.1 GO.....please send me ideas.