Merry Christmas!

Henry Alfred Kissinger...

"The great tragedies of history occur not when right confronts wrong but when two rights confront each other."

What I'm reading for fun...

TODAY WAS A GOOD DAY TO CURL UP WITH AN AFGHAN AND A GOOD READ AND THIS BOOK IS MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH DELICIOUS!

"I left my wedding dress hanging in a tree somewhere in North Dakota. I don't know why that particular tree appealed to me. Perhaps it was because it looked as if it had given up and died years ago and was still standing because it didn't know what else to do..."

The world outside my window...

November is blowing;
leaves are tumbling down.
Dancing their way across the lawn,
they pile up in corners,
shivering in the steel gray gloom.

Uplifting...

THIS BOOK HAD SO MUCH WISDOM
I SIMPLY HAD TO TAKE NOTES!

Voila, it's a studio...

WELL, ALMOST!
TODAY WE PAINTED THE CLOSET,
INSTALLED THE SHELVES, AND HUNG THE BLIND.
NOW I GET TO PUTTER, ORGANIZE, AND ARRANGE STUFF!

Lil Dragon's artwork...

It's taking shape...

THE BACK ROOM IS BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE A STUDIO!

Today we finished painting the walls and trim and emptied the closet.
This evening we went to Lowe's and bought shelving.
Tomorrow we will paint the closet and install the shelves.

Oh, what a difference....

This afternoon we painted the ceiling and three walls.
Tomorrow we will paint the other wall,
the closet, and the woodwork.

Tonight we will dine in splendor...

A WONDERFUL PLACE TO CELEBRATE
36 YEARS OF MARRIAGE

Autumn is my favorite season...

"Delicious autumn!

My very soul is wedded to it,
and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth
seeking the successive autumns."
~George Eliot

Happy Halloween...

THE LITTLE GOBLINS WILL BE OUT FOR TRICKS AND TREATS TONIGHT

I LOVE HALLOWEEN!

Slices of serenity...

Friday, November 2, 2007, at 7:00 p.m.

"Pure Mind, Pure Deeds, Pure World"

Discover how to reduce problems and suffering by recognizing and opposing those thoughts and feelings which continually get us into trouble when we act on them. Please stay after the talk for refreshments and to get to know the community.

Mark your calendar and let me know if you want to go!

Saturday morning adventure...

BUBBA AND I HAD A DELICIOUS TIME
WANDERING THROUGH THE BUILDINGS,
DROOLING OVER THE FURNITURE, QUILTS, AND CRAFTS,
BUYING "NO-SUGAR" BAKED GOODS, JAMS & JELLIES, AND
CHOOSING FRESH PRODUCE AND DELI MEATS TO TAKE HOME

Friday night, date night...

UNDERDEVELOPED CHARACTERS AND STORYLINE
THOUGHT PROVOKING NONETHELESS
HAD LOADS OF UNTAPPED POTENTIAL

On the road...

Six States in Four Days!
PENNSYLVANIA, OHIO, KENTUCKY, WEST VIRGINIA, VIRGINIA, MARYLAND


STATE CAPITOL, COLUMBUS OHIO


CINCINNATI, OHIO, FROM THE KENTUCKY SIDE OF THE OHIO RIVER


VIEW FROM A REST STOP ON I-70 EN ROUTE TO HARPERS FERRY


HARPERS FERRY, WEST VIRGINIA

Serendipity...

I HAVE BEEN GRACED TO RECEIVE
WHAT I NEED WHEN I NEED IT!

Can you remember your favorite Halloween costume?

I can...

When I was 8 years old, my mother made measly rabbit costumes for me, my 7-year-old sister, and my 3-year-old brother out of white flannel with dime-size red polka dots. I was the father measly rabbit and wore one of my father's fedoras and carried a rubber cigar. My sister was the mother measly rabbit and wore an apron, which my mother also made, and carried an easter basket filled with lots of fresh carrots with the tops still on. My brother was the baby measly rabbit and wore a diaper on top of his costume and carried a baby bottle. My father was in the military at the time and we won a prize at the base Halloween party. I wish I had a picture to share with you. We were so cute!

A lunch date...

Yi-Yi and Lil Dragon and I had lunch with Buddha Bear today at Two Cousins, the best pizza place in Mountville.

I'm glad this chore is done...

NOW BUBBA CAN PARK INSIDE WHEN THE WEATHER GETS NASTY

Pumpkinpalooza...

BUDDHA BEAR & AUNTIE ALI HOSTED A FESTIVE HALLOWEEN DINNER PARTY AT THEIR HAUNTED MANSION LAST NIGHT.

I love when the Bears gather for fun times and delicious food!
We had a smashing good time!

I luv this program...

If you love to make lists the way I love to make lists, this program is for you. It even interfaces with Google Calendar. I don't know what I'd do without it. What can I say, I'm an organization nutcase!

CLICK ON THE COW TO FIND OUT HOW IT WORKS...

Phase One...

Transform the Closet

1.
Sort closet contents into boxes labeled
"KEEP," "DONATE," and "DISCARD."

2.
Remove existing shelving and patch holes in plaster.

3.
Paint the empty closet.
[You knew I would!]

4.
Install appropriate shelving.

5.
Reload the closet.

THESE ARE THE PLANS FOR PHASE ONE.
IT WAS MY INTENTION TO START TODAY. THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.
BUT NOT BECAUSE I CAVED IN TO FEAR. NOR DID I PROCRASTINATE.
LIL DRAGON IS SICK AND I SPENT THE ENTIRE DAY TAKING CARE OF HER.

I need help...

I've made the list. I've even checked it twice, thrice, and four times over. The strategy is on paper. The plan of attack is outlined. I know just what to do. The problem isn't in the knowing, the problem is in the doing. I am face to face with having to put on my Nike's "just do it."

"Do what?" you ask. Transform the back room into a studio. That's what I need to do. And to do it, I need moral support. And accountability.

So, starting tomorrow, I'm going to take a picture a day of the back room and post it in this space. It is my hope and prayer that all of you will nudge me into action with your love and comments. Please be my "bridge over troubled water." I desperately need one.

Ruh ro, rorge...

It's stormy and windy tonight.
I was afraid the scarecrow might end up in Kansas.
He's spending the night indoors!

The witch is in...

Thank you, Mamao4!
When I told Mamao4 that all I needed to complete my Halloween theme this year was a sign saying "The Witch is In", she said she had one I could use. She even delivered it personally to the castle.

It looks great bungee corded to the wreath on my door.
I love flipping to the side that let's people know that the witch is out when I leave the castle and then back again when I return.
Bubba thinks I'm having entirely too much fun.

Halloween is coming...

The Castle is Ready!

Works like a charm and it's economical, too...

While wiping up the kitchen today, I ran out of my favorite cleaner... pink grapefruit scented method all purpose surface cleaner.

Bummer! I love that stuff. It works great and is gentle on the environment. Since I didn't feel like making a run to Target to get more, I decided to try a homemade cleaner recipe that I found online and was saving in case I felt like experimenting.

I removed the label and recycled the empty method container for this recipe, but any empty spray bottle you have around would work. Also, I added a drop of red food color to imitate the pink grapefruit method color and several drops of lemongrass essential oil to give it some pizazz. Then I tried it out. Fantastic... we have a winner!

Castlebear's Homemade Spray Cleaner

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon washing soda (not baking soda),
  
• 3 cups hot tap water
• 1 or 2 drops food color
  
• Several drops essential oil
  
• A squirt of liquid dish detergent (about 1 tablespoon)

Directions

• Measure the washing soda into an empty spray bottle
• Add the hot water and swish to dissolve the washing soda
• Add the food color, essential oil, and dish detergent
• Swish to combine
  

Girls night out...

Burgers and Fries

Meditation and Serenity
Lots of Chit Chat
Girls Night Out was Great!