Alleluia!!!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

So *good* to say, sing, hear, feel that Word again!!!!

Blessed Easter Sunday....

Happy 78th, Dad!!

Dear Dad:

Happy Birthday!! And, yes, those roses on the table were cut from the yard just for you!

Love,
me

This time next week...

...I will be heading home.  I've been on an annual "vacation" to family and sunshine. This year I am doing it later than usual, and not so much vacationing as helping. Still, it is a break, and a break from winter/spring in the northeast. 

Life is precious....live what is in front of you. 

Tell people how you feel, and show them too....with pat on the back, hugs.....whatever....

Versions....

I prefer to deal with what is, or the fact that I prefer not to answer or discuss something.  This is probablly one of the few areas that I even resemble "yes or no; black or white" thinking.

I can keep a confidence....and do, for a variety of friends and family. 

Versions of reality, well, I don't have the desire nor energy to remember what the "story" is!  I don't do it anymore in my life, and I really don't want to do it for anyone else.  It doesn't feel good; it's too complicated; it is dishonest, and affects many many relationships. 

A confidence is the feeling or worry or joy you are sharing with me.

A version is a cover story...... parts may be true, and parts may be omitted. That doesn't sound so bad, right?  Well, too much energy, and many people can tell when there is more to the story. Even if they don't question further right then, they walk away with a weird feeling....

I prefer to stick to a responsive answer, or that I am not discussing that subject (whether it be just at this time, or with the questioner).   

I will keep a confidence; *please* don't ask me to get involved in the versions.

Ultimately, everyone involved ends up feeling bad or alienated.

Unpacking and updating on a grey rainy day....

My walk will have to wait until later; the rain is very steady, and my coat is not yet dry from last night's walk.

Perfect opportunity to avoid one thing by doing something else I need to do.....unpacking!  I already have the basics of the kitchen set up, and have been cooking meals at home most of the time.  I first thought that the abundance of interesting restaurants and takeouts in my immediate neighborhood would prolong the time of eating out because it was faster, more comforting, or under the "cost of moving" umbrella.  Luckily for my wallet, I am quite content to cook since I have more counter space than my last apartment.  I will never again live in a place that doesn't have enough counter space OR is without windows in the kitchen! I am loving the light from the 2 windows.

I am also about 25% through my contact list of businesses, friends, and family that need my new info. Little bit everyday is working....

So, on to reclaiming space in the living room as I unpack, unpack, unpack, and find a place for everything!

Muhammara.....oh my!!

Oh my....!!!

I just tasted muhammara.... a roasted red pepper, walnut, and pomegranate meze.  Delicious!!

I have Samira's Homemade brand. Looks similar to a hummus product in texture, and I ate it with torn pieces of some leftover pita bread.

Savory, with a small kick.

I had never heard of it before.  Glad I took the chance and bought some!

Yummmmm....

Snowy day making it easy to stay in and unpack!

Woke up to snow; so today is a good day to keep cozy and use the time to unpack rather than explore the new neighborhood.

Truth is, I spent some of my youth and high school years in this general area either visiting relatives, or living in the next town..... it has changed, and so have the businesses, but it still has a good familiar feel to it. I am so grateful for that feeling and the abundant good memories....  

At last...!

Everything is moved, and tonight is the first night actually sleeping here in the new place.  So relieved, so grateful, so cozy, so quiet......woo hoo!

Sometimes a simple update can calm us...

I have been readying for my move, although much more slowly than is helpful!  And the slowness in more mental than due to any colds or flu.

I got an update a few minutes ago that indicate I might actually have new keys in hand by close of business next Monday!

Even though there are still so many elements NOT pinned down, this news somehow was very calming. Maybe today I will get much more packed (both what I will keep, and what I will donate before the move).

I have several meetings and deadlines in the next few day also competing for my attention and energy. Hopefully I will be able to do just enough on all those issues.

Just enough would be a really great thing right about now.... 

Donations - Phase One

Even in an active snow storm, a truck and 2 guys came to pick up furniture donations!  I had moved everything ready into the hall so the snowy boots wouldn't stain the carpet already in dire need of a good steam cleaning!  The guys were grateful to have a few less steps to take!

I wanted to have kitchen goods, clothes, and books also ready for donation....but didn't manage to get it all done.  Luckily for me, I still have time, and if the donations can be carried by one person, they can schedule to come out with a smaller van and one person.

If all else fails, I can always drop the donations off when I have my moving truck for the big move. 

So, really, no worries....!

Not the same, but still sweet, and enough....

Found out Wednesday that "my" new apartment wouldn't be mine!  Current tenant doesn't have a new place lined up (maybe never did?!?!)!

So, went to see an option that IS available, as the tenants have actually already moved!

No back or front deck.......although some advantages over where I was thinking I was moving! Timing is still targeted to be the same....so that is a huge plus!

So I can hopefully get settled soon without having to settle for just anything. 

Downsizing....

Downsizing my living space (although the next apartment is sweet and just enough, and has a back deck).

Downsizing my household goods via donations.

So, presently doing more actual planning and packing than "musing"!

Hoping for Feb 15th; some parts of coordinating the process are out of my hands. So be it.  I will have my boxes ready to go!

Hollow words....

She said "vicious and mean-spirited"....

If they were even her own thoughts/words, they are at best not really about the present, nor about my action.

They are hollow words, but they still have an echo.

I saw the emotion on her face and in her posture as she left that morning....so real emotion showed up for sure.....this is a good thing.

Yet, how she has that emotion explained/labeled/attributed to an action of mine is not part of any logic nor reality of the present.

Silence was not an option....someday she may see that. Silence was the old way; I told the facts of what happened to me to another person who needed to know so precautions could be taken to rule out a repeat (or worse). I told when it was clear she was going to put others at risk because she "didn't think" anything would happen. I quietly warned her I would be making the call and why.

And I would do it again.

I do not live in the frozen silence anymore. Realizing that for certain is a gift of this experience. I must say, I would have preferred a much less disruptive illustration of that fact...!

Twenty minutes well spent...so many gems here....

Shame, vulnerability, wholeheartedness  (TEDxHouston - Brené Brown)

Isn't it "Seven Swans A-Swimming"?

Isn't it "Seven Swans A-Swimming"?  Must be the after Christmas reductions....



On a river in a city in New England the day after a blizzard 2011....



1/11/2011

Welcome!

Not sure what I will end up doing here; we shall see together. 

I am on the verge of so many changes -- so many shifting ideas, inspiration I need to capture....

So, I birthed this blog!