Dishing the Week 11-01-09

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW -it's sunny with light bouncing around my window panes.

I AM HEARING - general signs of life from Dick in his office.

I AM WEARING - khakis and a yellow cotton turtle neck. It's a day that's cooler inside than out.

I AM THINKING - that as good as it is to have Dick back home, it's easier to sleep w/o him! No snoring...even if it is pretty quiet these days.

I AM THANKFUL FOR - his safe return and Bekah's improved heath and for finally getting the spilled honey off the pantry shelf. Big deals and pesky deals.


I AM CREATING - order with my new digital supplies. Put them away properly labeled and I'm more relaxed creating with them. I also have a new Art Journal that I won! woohoo


I AM GOING - to the Apple store today with Dick. He deals with his sync issue and I look at Macbooks. I think I'll buy on line once I determine my specs.

I AM READING - the newspapers. I want to get them cleared out today for my bunny lady who takes them. I need a good book to read!

I AM HOPING - that the new 1T hard drive install will go smoothly.

FROM THE KITCHEN - we are having the posole and slices of the good dark breads from Cleveland.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS - is having Sebastian stay with me all day, except for his hundred zillion forays down to the kitchen for grazing. At least he can still manage the stairs.

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK -Switch out ehds, making the 1T the new backup; test out dvd burning; keep up with my digital classes and lessons;remain grateful for all that is, as it is.

Dishing the Week 11-01-09

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW it's raining raining.

I AM HEARING the clock ticking.

I AM WEARING fleece, as the house seems colder than it is. It always seems colder to me when I’m alone.

I AM THINKING it would be nice to have been on the trip with Dick. I miss him.


I AM THANKFUL FOR the fact that I did stay home, mostly, kind of.

I AM CREATING piles of things to be picked up this week. Why does it take messes to make order?

I AM GOING no place special because home is darn special to me.



I AM READING a rather self abosored book. I'm not finishing it. Instead it’s time for Netflix on demand!

I AM HOPING that it drys out enough this week for weeding.

FROM THE KITCHEN I am eating non-homemade food. Imagine!

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS is my house. Darn, I like it here.

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK Plans? I shuld be making plans??

Dishing the Week 10-25-09

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW - there is sun and cooler weather. I'm so glad because the humid weather gives me headaches and makes me cranky.

I AM HEARING - the sound of silence. Peace and calm are abundant.

I AM WEARING - black slacks and a white long sleeved t-shirt. I think this day is going to be warmer then colder as October should be.

I AM THINKING - that I'm pretty darn lucky - blessed - to have a husband who understands when my energy level has gone way way down.

I AM THANKFUL FOR - for the gift of time alone. I know he wishes we were going on this trip west together but he understood my needs before I expressed them. He reads my heart.

I AM CREATING - the pages for the Ali Edwards on line class. I do love these teachers who come in via my inbox!

I AM GOING - to Costco and to speak in Pasadena tonight. I pray for some wisdom, and lacking that, just plain clear speaking.


I AM READING - magazines right now as I want to clear this batch out this week.

I AM HOPING - that neither Jake nor I have the flu. I'm also hoping that the coming week will be easier for the Mesa Reynolds.

FROM THE KITCHEN - the meatloaf winds down and there is a batch of chili-mac for Dick for tonight. Nothing seems that attractive to me except popcorn.


ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS - has been seeing Jake play water polo. I could not believe how he has filled out and has the broadest shoulders. A lot of swimming power in that boy.

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK - visit with Anne, getting painting estimates, haul more to the charity shops, and Take It Easy.

Dishing the Week

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW - The rain has just about let up tho the sky is still overcast but so much brighter.


I AM HEARING - It's very quiet. Almost no traffic, almost no breeze, so just the occasional rustle of the bamboo.

I AM WEARING - my orange Halloween socks and a Halloween scarf. It's good to go out early in the a.m. so I get more dressed up.


I AM THINKING - that our lives are so full but what a blessing that is. We still have choices in it all and how often I forget that.

I AM THANKFUL FOR - the wisdom and humor I heard this am. Appreciate it all and then it all flows.

I AM CREATING - a couple of pages a day to really get into the swing of some of the digital techniques I'm learning. I think the postcards may have a hiatus.

I AM GOING - to start planning a Chicago wardrobe. Just HOW cold will it be???

I AM READING - a couple more of the 'book stash'. "Queen of the Road" looks like a light before sleeping read, and "An Unexpected Light: Travels in Afghanistan" is my new downstairs afternoon book. Dick just finished it and passed it on.

I AM HOPING - that Bekah continues on her upward recovery. I know there will be down times and setbacks but please God we do want her with us longer and well.

FROM THE KITCHEN - good things should happen this week because I bought a boatload of things to cook, including a lot of pork. Seems the time of year, doesn't it?

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS - is having the company of Sebastian the cat in my studio, even if I know it's the heated cushion, not me, that keeps him here. I take what I can get.

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK - Take the cat's climbing frame to the SPCA as he is past jumping up on it; make a couple of pork meals and one humongous meatloaf; fill two more bags of craft supplies for the Boys and Girls club drive; walk <-- and get new shoes to do this; remain grateful

Dishing the Week

Last week. Somehow a lot of nothing got done yesterday, and that made it a damn good day. I feel so totally relieved not to be tutoring till January - maybe. As much as I love it, and I really do, it just got tiring. I think my student's constant yawning greatly contributed to that feeling. But enough about jails.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW - the sky is overcast and the bamboo is drooping.

I AM HEARING - the tick tick tick of the clock and the click of the keyboard.

I AM WEARING - my first Halloween socks of the season!! Oh yeah, other clothes too. Like black pants and the tan long sleeved t-shirt. It's almost a uniform.

I AM THINKING - that I should finish up the picture sorting today while I have the kitchen table free. The man has gone to the dentist and then has a meeting.

I AM THANKFUL FOR - all of it.


I AM CREATING - order, or at least I'm trying.

I AM GOING - try and catch up with my digital classes today.


I AM READING - The Children's Book. This was a slow start and boy does she love detail.

I AM HOPING - that all goes will this week for Bekah's BMT (bone marrow transplant).

FROM THE KITCHEN - there are good leftovers from last night's dinner and a halibut soup to be made.



ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS - lately is having Sebastian keeping me company in the studio. I know it's not me; it's the heated cushion but I'll take what I can get from this boy.

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK - keep on keeping on with the classes, pack up the scrapping things for my trips to Baltimore, visit the Railroad Museum in Baltimore with Artist Way peeeps. Get myself to Target before the purple stuff is gone.

Dishing the Week

Dishing the Week

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW... it's cool and nearly night.

I AM THINKING...that the memorial service weekend was not as hard as I thought it would be. Gloria, we finally washed all your ashes off!

I AM THANKFUL FOR...for the time I had to spend with Stephanie this weekend. Old friends are the best.

FROM THE KITCHEN...there is only a slight bit of the crab dip left and I have no desire to even go near it!

I AM WEARING...black slacks, a long sleeved J. Jill pebbly top. I am so glad there is a store near me. The poor woman's Eileen Fisher as I think of them.



I AM CREATING...the beginning of the end of my class with Cathy Zielske, ME: The Abridged Version

I AM GOING...to read tonight tho I'd really like to watch a movie instead but I know I'll regret staying up late again if I do.

I AM READING...The Little Stranger, well, I'll start it later tonight. I loved the latest Isabelle Dalhousie book, The Lost Art of Gratitude.



I AM HOPING...that I don't have to tutor this coming week, but if I do it's ok.

I AM HEARING...crickets and the whoosh of the occasional car. A quiet Sunday evening.

AROUND THE HOUSE...it seems very quiet after my dear friend headed back to Georgia tonight. But it's also good not to hear her cell constantly ringing.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...is hearing live music and going to hear the Subdudes today with Steph was just like old times. I miss a music buddy.



A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK...Finish the the ME album, get rebadged for tutoring at the jail , and do some stockpile cooking for The Man.

Dishing the Week

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW... the breeze is blowing, the sun is warming the air, and the cat is reluctant to share that window with me. Hey! it's my room you know!



I AM THINKING...that someone may want to have the furnace on when he gets home. In the mornings i.e.

I AM THANKFUL FOR...the recent time alone I've had. Time to be alone with my own thoughts, time to do some clearing out, and time to watch movies.


FROM THE KITCHEN...nothing. Maybe I'll finish up the posole so we can have it for supper tonight. I didn't even feel like cooking for the Artist Way peeps when they came Friday night. I also cleaned out the dishes part of the pantry and have a lot to wrap so they can go to charity.


I AM WEARING...black slacks, a long sleeved tan t-shirt, and non-skid socks. The days of short sleeves seem to be just about over.




I AM CREATING...more space in my life. Vietnam Vets is coming tomorrow and taking more stuff.

I AM GOING...out to lunch? Maybe.


I AM READING...Anita Desai short stories but they are too 'down' for bedtime. I have a 'hold' at the library for tomorrow.


I AM HOPING...that I can get rid of two old rugs tomorrow.


I AM HEARING...crickets and the whoosh of the occasional car. A quiet Sunday morning.


AROUND THE HOUSE...it's clean and fairly straight. What furniture can go?


ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...is usually red licorice but the stuff I got from Giant isn't quite cutting it.



A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK...very little 'have to's' this week. Only a memorial service for a friend. I usually like these but not this one.

Dishing the Week

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW...

the grass is just cut and looks absolutely perfect. It's not hot nor is it cold, and it's a perfect into fall day.

I AM THINKING...

that my life is darn good. Things seem to be level and the only niggly bit in my head is my son over in Afghanistan. I get more than a twinge every time I read about a horrendously injured person over there as I did twice this a.m.

I AM THANKFUL FOR...

the great week I had to myself while Dick went biking in Williamsburg. I didn't get much of anything major done but I stayed up as late as I felt like and ate on my own schedule. I also watched some tv shows on my new TV.

FROM THE KITCHEN...


I didn't cook much but one thing I did make was a peach cobbler for a friend, or rather a nectarine cobbler. I decided early in the week to make the rib roast I had in the freezer for myself but it took forever to thaw. By the time I cooked it, I really had no time to eat it. I also realized it had cooked more than I wanted because I had it on convection. Big sigh for me but in the end it was still too rare for Dick so the reheating worked fine - for him. I also realized my horseradish was old and bitter. Too bad...

I AM WEARING

cropped khaki pant and a white short sleeved t-shirt. These days it's a question of short sleeve? long sleeve? as the temperature fluctuates from chilly to more temperate. The seasons, they are a-changing. I think it may be time to put the sandals away tho.

I AM CREATING...


lots of digital pages and slowly working on the digital album for the Cathy Zileske class. That is getting slower and slower as I still am procrastinating about doing the writing. I have a video to watch so maybe that will get me more in the mood to write. I'm not even sure how the layout will actually be done. I'm at least going to look into that today. I may be behind but that's ok. It's all on my schedule. There is also the altered book to look at and see how I'm going to finish it. Is that to be done this Friday??? Can I get more done before the Artist Way session?

I AM GOING...

not many places this week except up to the jail I think for tutoring. I have to call and see if we have students. Saturday will be a big trip in that I'm going to a charity football game with my dil and all three grandchicks. I hope we have good weather and that the girls can have patience for the game. It's being held at dgs's high school where he is now in his freshman year. How time flies!

I AM READING...

The Book of Splendour by Frances Sherwood and Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah. I have vowed to read my own huge stash before I dare bring any more home from the library. This has been hard but last week there wasn't a lot of reading going on as I watched things on that new big tv screen.

I AM HOPING...

that I can clean up the studio worktables this week and get those nectarines canned.

I AM HEARING...

the bamboo rustling about outside and both of the wind chimes in back. It's strange that we hear the bamboo chimes as we seldom got wind in that direction before.

AROUND THE HOUSE...

I finally got around to signing up a cleaning service and they start this coming week. Hallelujah!

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...


is being retired. I still love not having to go where I don't want to go.

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK...Can nectarines, make a cobbler for the grandchicks, move the magazines upstairs, see if I can get a commitment about painting the dining room wall, get new walking shoes, get walking in the am

(This idea came from Jain over at Once in a Blue Moon. I love the idea of doing a weekly wrap up and re-centering on Sunday.)