thursday this and that

I keep forgetting to tell you about some of the other stuff going on around here. You know, besides food.

Sunday was full of activity. One of our young couples at church (we do actually have a few) are expecting their second child next month, and we had a baby shower for them after church Sunday. I put together one of the food items (I know, here I go again, but hey--we all eat multiple times a day!) and the floral arrangements for the tables (above). They're having a girl, can you tell?

Later that afternoon we went to the grand opening of a massage/spa place that was hosting a fund-raising event for a local shelter for homeless women and their children. We didn't know a soul there, and in spite of being outside in 90-degree temps we enjoyed ourselves. Kimber Cleveland, a singer-songwriter was providing entertainment, and she was very good. We had a chance to talk to her for a bit, and learned that she grew up Episcopalian, and is an animal-lover. Although the invitation to the event listed it as a fund-raiser that portion of it didn't really sink into my brain. One of the owners of the massage/spa place is a facebook friend, and I just hadn't migrated my thinking toward the shelter.

Anyway, there was a silent auction, and after we left they had a live-auction; we were fed, got to meet some people (including the aunt of our next-door neighbor, who is on the board for the shelter), and feel inspired by the work being done at this shelter.

The other picture here is just for fun. I wanted to take it of "my girls in purple and white" at the baby shower. To prompt a smile I said, "say sex!" and Shannon, on the right, turned to Yolande just as I took the picture to ask, "did she really just say that?" Perhaps you had to be there for this picture to have any meaning, but it was amusing to all of us.

Right then. I've got a bucket of work to do today, so off I go to begin my tasks. Blessings to you all! Hope it's a great almost-end-of-the-week day!

monday miscelany

It's a day of chasing details and crossing items off the to do list. And then... fun stuff! A little creating in my newly cleaned up office, and then this afternoon a trip to the movies to get us out of the house. I usually don't mind extended stays at home, but I am really ready for a change of scenery. There is a world out there, after all, where people live, and move, and have their being. Time to see it again, encounter it in all its humanity and messiness, and contemplate life in the present moment.

I've got two full days of clergy stuff this week, tomorrow and Wednesday. Before you know it it will be the middle of the month and I will be wondering how the heck we got there so soon! There have been days recently when I have not used my time to full advantage and I lament that. I don't dwell on that waste, but it makes me mindful that when opportunities come along to enjoy life, it behooves me to seize them. Which is one reason I am planning to take part in the Friday Night Sew-In. Accountability is a good thing for me, even if it is mainly to myself. And if any of you want to hold me accountable that is okay, too. The temperatures are supposed to move above freezing in a couple of days, and Juliet and I are more than ready to get back out for our walks. There's miles to go before I shed the pounds I seek!

I've now had my coffee, endured a lengthy interruption from a certain spouse, and will head to the shower to get my system kicked into the next gear. Hope your day is a good one.

one-liners

You may think that since I've just returned from vacation that I am just ripe with material for the blog. Ha! Even with material, some days just don't lend themselves to reflection or storytelling. Today is one of them.

Instead I'm stealing the idea of one-liners from Bug's Eye View. Just 'cuz (thanks, Bug!). We'll see what happens...

• It's gorgeous outside, and there are still some leaves of color holding fast to the Bradford Pears.
• I had several really good cries yesterday.
• Why is it that within fifteen minutes of shampooing the carpet, the dog decides she must add her scent to its freshness?
• I'm glad that Taylor Swift won the Entertainer of the Year award at this year's Country Music Association celebration. (You rock, Taylor!)
• Hot flashes suck.
• Ken and I spent a luxurious chunk of time yesterday at a local bookstore and I was reminded that there are waaaaay too many books on my "gotta read" list to which I will probably never get. Sigh.
• I think that at the least I have a hairline fracture on my tailbone.
• We still have marigolds blooming in our yard. Love those babies. Sturdy little buggers!
• I had a flash of inspiration this morning about something we might be able to do for Christmas presents in a "gift of the magi" kind of year. (I'm hoping that flash will return.)
• I love catalogs that come at Christmas time. Why don't they send a few of them at other times of year? (and yes, that was two lines--indulge me).
• Today is Trisha's birthday. Happy Birthday sweetie!
• I'm proud of my veterans, Ken and Junior.
• I picked up a few new rubber stamps on vacation and can't wait to use them.
• I would really love some homemade peanut butter cookies right about now.

Happy Day!