For the birds......

7387

Pretty sure 2013/2014 are the popular numbers today.  Pretty sure the rest of the world is reflecting on the past 365 days.  Australia is breaking out the noisemakers already--they've got just a few hours to go.

I'm not there......never am on New Years Eve.  I don't remember ever partaking in the noise making, confetti and streamers jazz.  I just don't. Maybe at some point that'll change. But I think it's safe to say, after some 50 years of not indulging, the likelihood is slim.  LOL

Instead, I'm counting posts--wondering what in the world I had to say in the past while that was so darn important.  ROFL
Seriously......  That's an indicator of how busy my brain is.  And what a creature of habit I am.

It's colder than cold and it's going to dump an few inches of snow this afternoon.  The bit we got yesterday was just a prelude to today's dumping.  It's not the 5" of snow--it's the blowing (icing the road)and drifting across the highway that becomes the issue.  And while I'm a veteran driver on this crap, even I know that blowing/drifting snow on curving open highways is a good way to get yourself in a ditch. And it's cold out there.....-11 I believe--but I'm not looking cuz I'm pretty sure it'll be more than that. LOL  I do denial well!

Sooooooo....7387 posts and STILL nothing of worldly notice.
That's a wayyyyyyyyy good thing--cuz with this brain, all sorts of things could be happening....and aren't!

.....so THAT'S why there's 7387!

.....LIGHT BULB!!!!!

Daily Reminder

We don't seek perfect relationships in marriage or in other places in our lives. What we seek instead are real and honest connections. Perfection has a picture-book form, but it has no depth and no personality. 

This means that sometimes we will get upset with others, or they will get upset with us. 

We need a basic commitment to stay in the relationship dialogue, to continue returning to it as long as both people are willing to work on it. Working through crises is how a relationship grows from simply being an idea to having its unique reality.

Keep smilin' ('specially when your nose falls off...)

Fairy Reminder

Accept uncertainty. We do not always have to know what to do or where to go next. We do not always have clear direction. Refusing to accept the inaction and limbo makes things worse.

It is okay to temporarily be without direction. Say, "I don't know," and be comfortable with that. We do not have to try to force wisdom, knowledge, or clarity when there is none.

While waiting for direction, we do not have to put our life on hold. Let go of anxiety and enjoy life. Relax. Do something fun. Enjoy the love and beauty in your life. Accomplish small tasks. They may have nothing to do with solving the problem, or finding direction, but this is what we can do in the interim.

Clarity will come. The next step will present itself. Indecision, inactivity, and lack of direction will not last forever.

Cold Storage

TFTD

The way to get it done is to start where you are, to keep going forward, and to constantly remind yourself why. Though it’s certainly not as easy as just saying you will, it is absolutely within your ability to make good and valuable things happen.

Act in accordance with the way you wish your life to be. Though it’s easy to say, it’s much, much better to do.

Solved

Yup....one camera boxed up for return.  We talked it through and at one point himself was considering the camera for himself.  LOL. Much more his style with all the bells and whistles.  And he likes the bigness and manual zoom times 60!  Yeah...not so much for a gal who climbs over rocks, sneaks through bushes and bangs the camera around.

At one point he started laughing at himself for thinking I wouldn't DO that with some huge, camera in tow...funny man....

So we'll upgrade with what I'm familiar with.  Something I can bump and drop and wear swinging from my neck and whip out to make 220 photos happen in the course of an hour.......woohoooooo!!!!

Whoaaa.....maybe we can get a bigger memory card and go for 500!!!

  :-)

A bit of glitz

Today's Reading

The way your life is now is not the way your life will always be. Fully enjoy all the good things about this moment while also working to create a positive future.

As good as things are right now, you can make them better. As difficult as things are right now, you can make them better.

This day, this moment, this experience will eventually pass. Give it your best while it is here, and then move forward to something even better.

Rut Roh......

I'll tote my scratched-lens-non-working-flash camera out with me today.  It's not because I don't have some fancy, too many buttons, doesn't have a flash but it has a slot you can slip a fancy, spendy one into, 60x zoom with RAW settings and the whole schmere camera that I could delicately put into the camera bag and bring with me........
Holy cow--I could probably photograph somebody changing their underwear near the farmhouse window from a mile away!

I adore the Brit.  Seriously--he thinks the photos I take oughta be in Butterfly Beautiful or something.  *laughing*  I do end up with some amazing photos--and I'm relatively convinced it's the camera...scratched-lens-non-working-flash that it is.
I don't WANT a fancy one that makes me work to get a nice photo.
I want the one I have to be healed into the flash working, non-scratched camera I had before the flash crashed and burned and the *&^* crutch scratched the lens.

I might be asking too much.  And obviously I'm lazy cuz I want the camera to do all the work.
Ummm....yep--that's true.  I wanna enjoy taking photos and gleefully go from one spot to the other.  I don't wanna spend my time flipping settings and working on exposure stuff and whatever the heck those bazillion buttony and dial thingies are for.
*sigh*
Lazy...  LOL  And obviously picky!
I placed it back in the box last night and battled on whether to return it.  And I'm pretty sure it'll go back.  Which leaves me with the ongoing search for a camera to swap out for the one I don't wanna hang up.
It's like looking for a new child.  :-/

*laughing*  Where was that option when they were teenagers and a couple of poopuses!

Random Joy

Fairy Diddy

I will be open to identifying what I need from people, and I will ask for what I want directly. 

I will let others be there for me.

Winter's Harvest

Fairy Dust

Having goals but keeping them realistic, for the day or the year, is a sign of emotional health. Not dwelling on those that can't be accomplished, at the moment, is another sign. A change of attitude is all most of us need to move from where we are to a better place emotionally.

There's never a better time than right now for rejoicing over what we've done.

Pondering Santa

Fairy Thought for Today

Give to the world the best you have and the best will come back to you.

--Madeline Bridges

Sometimes we feel lazy or bored, and then we don't do our best work. Perhaps we are daydreaming instead of listening closely to what a friend is trying to tell us. When we are not really paying attention to our activities or the people around us, we'll likely miss out on something important because we do receive in equal measure what we give. And this truth works in every aspect of our lives.

When we treat our friends, our families, even people we don't know well with kindness, we'll experience kindness in return. Our own actions and attitudes toward others are what we can expect from others as well.

To all of you---Joyeux Noel

Easy Peasy!

Have yourself a very laidback Christmas
Let your hearts be light
Cuz tonight.... your pizza
Will be delivered right..... lalalalalala

:-D
Yup--pizza and chicken and breadsticks and loads of munchies and sweets and goodies!
NOT the traditional deal (that'll come tomorrow), but something easy and fun.
Really--"let's not kill ourselves trying to prepare so much 'stuff' that we're not enjoying the moment".

Leastwise that's the thinking in the decision.
We're tired....we've been battling the edge of the crud for weeks...I'm still hobblin' around and dealing with 'craps'...and we're *ahem* old.
Well, HE is, anyway.....and since I'm not willing to take over the cooking responsibilities--BRING ON THE PIZZA!!!!!!
We'll have pizza, do prezzies, toss wads of wrapping paper at each other, PLAY and eat some more--and send 'em on their merry way to put out cookies and milk for Santa.....Bug can have her Christmas morning at her own house.  Grandad'll be happily emptying his stocking from Jolly St. Nick while Nana happily sips coffee from her new mug, laughing at HAPPY Bug photos sent from the iPhone.
It's a good arrangement--meant to put the support in place cuz I was one of those that got 'drug around' from one family gathering to another and never really got an opportunity to establish 'traditions' for the kiddos until family dynamics/loss happened.

Yep--I'm the reason the girl says no to showing up at other places on the eve's night and morning of the holiday.  "My Mom won't let me."  (*laughing*)  is a heavy load, but I'm pretty sure I can handle it.

TFTD

Sometimes in life, things happen too fast. We barely solve one problem when two new problems surface. We're feeling great in the morning, but we're submerged in misery by nightfall.

Every day we face interruptions, delays, changes, and challenges. We face personality conflicts and disappointments. Often when we're feeling overwhelmed, we can't see the lessons in these experiences.

One simple concept can get us through the most stressful of times. It's called gratitude. We learn to say thank you for these problems and feelings. Thank you for the way things are. I don't like this experience, but thank you anyway.

Force gratitude until it becomes habitual. Gratitude helps us stop trying to control outcomes. It is the key that unlocks positive energy in our life. It is the alchemy that turns problems into blessings, and the unexpected into gifts.

Things that make me happy!!

....Mondays!  (yup--go figure, I'm weird!)

....snow angels.  :-D

...shoveling snow--I shoveled!  I shoveled!!  (k.....it was more like a 'push', but I helped!!)

....snooping under the tree.  (there's prezzies under there for me--just sayin'....)

....the Noisy Moose under the tree (that's suppose to go nutz when someone's snooping under the tree) being quiet JUST for me!  (k....needs batteries.....but still....)

....waddling in the snow to draw a huge heart.

....singing "I wanna Hippopotamus for Christmas" loud and off key.

....oh yeah......and drawing smiley faces on the Jeep window.  *snickering*

Daily Reminder

Helping others helps you, at the very deepest level. Giving real value serves to create real value in your own life.

By providing encouragement, you receive encouragement. When you teach, you learn.

Each day is rich with opportunities for you to make a positive difference in the lives of those around you. And it is through genuinely enriching the lives of others that you find true richness in your own.

Everybody Sing!!!!

Ohhhhhh........♫the weather outside is frightful♪
But the fire is so delightful♫♪
And since♫ we've no place to go
LEEEEEETTTTTT it snow♫♪, let it snow,♫♪ let it snow!!♫♪

I'm still chuckling about how much and when--so far they've gotten both all wrong.
And apparently they've named the storm "Gemini".  Isn't that lovely.  We're naming snow storms and we're already up to the "G's". And we just had the winter solstice yesterday.

*chuckling*  I'm waiting for the sun to bring a bit of light.  There's only an couple inches out there--pretty sure he's gonna tell me it's double that cuz his snow measuring skills suck.  LOL  But I'm pretty confident....even if he's not....that snow angel making WILL get to happen this year.  And I'm thinking when it slows down and gets a bit more light--and he gets some coffee in him....that's WHEN it's gonna happen.

Yeah, yeah....he'll say "absolutely NOT".  I was checking out the 'snow angel making' possibilities last night.
I think it's the 'one crutch' deal that's gonna get in the way.  But I'm pretty sure I can plop into snow and then lay down (as opposed to the usual straight legged backwards drop). It's the getting up jazz that'll be difficult(which always is anyway!)--which is why I'll need his cooperation.....or not........

I mean......seriously....What's he gonna do.........leave me laying in the snow once I'm down?!
...k.....that's a possibility BUT..he wouldn't leave me out there long enough for bodily harm to occur.
Right.  I'll wear 2 pairs of muttons AND a scarf, JUST in case....
:-/

Yup--snow angel!!!!  *doing happy dance in the chair*

C'mon daylight!!!!

TFTD

Anxiety is not created by your situation, or by what you must do about your situation. Anxiety is the result of your attitude and your perspective on the situation.

To be free of anxiety, you don’t necessarily have to change the situation or avoid doing anything about it. What you can do is change your attitude, your perspective and your expectations.

In fact, your attitude ultimately is not dependent on your circumstances. Your attitude is whatever you choose it to be.

As surely as you have learned to react to certain things with anxiety, you can teach yourself to respond instead with peaceful confidence. That response is just as realistic, and much more positive, healthy and enriching.

Keep in mind that it is because of your choice that you become annoyed, frustrated, angry, fearful and filled with anxiety. Keep in mind that you always have another, more positive choice.

Here comes Santa Claus....hohoho

Today's Fairy Reminder

In our daily lives we often take a very short perspective. We see what is worrisome today, what is pressing hardest, or what is most frightening or confusing. Eventually, we may look back and have a totally different idea about what was truly important on this day.

Let us take a moment now to remember what does endure, what we value most, what counts in the long run. For a brief quiet time we can let go of all the anxieties of this moment. We can identify our tensions and then take stock of what matters in the long run.
.

Wakin' up the world

Daily Fairy Reminder

Think back over the last twenty-four hours, and consider the things you did. If you had the chance, what would you do differently?

Fortunately, you do have the chance, and it is now. As you move forward through this day, you can apply all the lessons you have learned from all the places you have been.

If you recall some negative thinking or behavior in your past, now is your chance to move away from it. In the same way, there were also things that worked out well, and now is your opportunity to give more of your time and energy to them.

There is never any need to burden yourself with regrets. For you can always turn your negative past experiences into positive present insights and actions.

This moment right now is your opportunity to benefit from what you have learned in all the moments leading up to it. This moment right now is your opportunity to be the best you can be, because you are now more experienced than you have ever been.

Choose to transform that experience into wisdom, always looking for positive ways to do differently. And as each day goes by, your life will grow in richness, joy and fulfillment.

And then some more!!

What can I say...since last December my biggest fear has been ice....and snow.
I'm told this is a fairly normal fear given it's how the leg broke in the first place.  And here I am, wrapped in a blankie with a heating pad on my back....letting winter DO what winter DOES.  It's not like I have an ounce of control over any of it.  Can't change it, though I could look into job opportunities in warmer places.
Not happening....so.....  I'll turn on some holiday tunes and stay warm.  And since we've no place to go...Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.  Oops...right now it's freezing rain
The snow (5-8") is set for Saturday!

Sheeesshhh Mel....get it right!!

....and then some.....

TFTD

Listen, carefully, lovingly and attentively to the world around you. Listen to others and listen to life.

Let go of your assumptions about what you expect to hear. Listen not only with your ears, but also with your heart and spirit.

Pay attention to what life has to say to you. There is no end to the valuable lessons you can learn.

Hazy Graze

Daily Reading

Look up from what you’re doing and look around for a minute. See what a beautiful world you’re in.

Take your mind off the problems for a moment, and focus on the positive possibilities. Consider how very much you are able to do.

Turn your attention for a while away from the worries and anxieties. Remind yourself of all your many blessings.

The direction of your focus is the direction your life will move. Let yourself move toward what is good, valuable, strong and true.

The things that fill your awareness are the things that will fill your life and your world. So expand your awareness beyond your own concerns and toward the best of what can be.

Yup...Dwarf!!!

The Dwarf showed up in my bed, and then the Dwarf found his way to his pillow.

THEN the Dwarf went for a chilly adventure in the refrigerator...and then he ended up in my purse.....ohhh but THEN the sneaky Dwarf hid in his shoe....ssshhhh.....he's still there.  :-)

Ohhh the places the Dwarf gets to go!!

I'm game for the fun!!  Bring on the Dwarf!!

Wonder where the little fella will adventure to next......

Things that make me happy....

....driving myself to an hour away destination.  

....moon watching.

....making wrapped up prezzies PRETTY.  

....toting goodies down to the train day event for the fellas.

....watching kiddos who happily rip open prezzies.

....Dove peppermint bark chocolates.....o.m.g.....

....the dwarf in the refridgerator.  ROFL  I'm thinkin'.....bit of packing tape and lid of the washmachine!  

 :-)

Reading for Today

Don’t blame others, don’t blame the situation, and don’t blame yourself. Instead of wasting your energy on assigning blame, empower yourself by accepting responsibility.

The way you experience life is no one’s fault. It is your choice.

Fully accept and embrace responsibility for all that surrounds you, and something amazing happens. You gain the power to make a positive difference.

If you run from the troubles, they grow stronger and chase you more and more relentlessly. Yet the moment you take responsibility for those troubles, you begin to have some control over them.

If you merely wish for your dreams to come true, they won’t. Yet when you step up and take responsibility for bringing those dreams to life, they begin to take on real form and substance.

Responsibility is the key that gives you access to all the best life has to offer.

And the drama continues

So, when the physical therapist asks you "what's this" and tells you to call the doc...you smile, nod, inspect....and gather opinions.  LOL. Yup, I was taking an opinion poll EVEN THOUGH I KNOW BETTER.  I did ring the doc.  And I did sorta kinda drive the conversation.  Yes, I have some kinda "stuff" showing up on my leg...no it doesn't look like a rash--it looks more like petechiae (g'head and look that up....I did.).  How would I know if it's itchy...it's on a numb part of the leg.  Is it bothering me?  It's bothering the physical therapist....does that count?  (The doc chuckled at that one!)
Do I wanna stop taking this and start the process all over again?  More importantly, do I wanna stop this one, haffta manage that pain and start on a low dose of the other when this one IS holding off the "bend over the leg and try not to cry" pain?  Ummmm......NO!!!!  If I can hold off, see if this petechiae goes away (that'd be good!) and not have to deal in all that other junk....that'd be awesome.  If it gets worse or I start having other symptoms, I can call and we can talk how to start the other script that he called in and end the one I'm currently on.

This is good news!!
Cuz when I looked up the other medication depression, agitation, suicidal thoughts and homicidal thoughts were just a few of the bajillion warnings listed.  (...more drama)  Like I need increased issues with my thinking?!
HA!!  As if it's not screwy enough on a good day.  LOL

Brown paper packages tied up with string

Thought for the Day

Sometimes the desire to remain comfortably where you are can prevent you from being the best you can be. Sometimes you might live with unacceptable pain just so you don’t have to make any changes.

Sometimes it is useful to remind yourself that there is more to life than just being comfortable. Sometimes a change, though it may be intimidating, can do you a whole lot of good.

It’s great to appreciate and value where you are. Yet life will surely and eventually insist that you continue to move forward.

So make the choice to get a little bit beyond what you’re comfortable with. Feel true gratitude and appreciation for life’s richness, and know that there is even more beyond the horizon.

done....

On a Sunday?!  I have some seriously dedicated physicians.  I said that to the doc who was apologetic for just getting to the call I made on Friday afternoon.
No, I wasn't feeling like there was significant improvement with the medication...but I assured him this could be the series of crappy nights I've had.  Lack of restful, uninterrupted sleep due to stupid pain seems to be my issue.  I did tell him it's not the bending over the leg trying not to cry kinda pain...so in that aspect, there IS significant HUGE improvement...cuz that's why I threaten the doc to begin with....I was on the brink of losing the ability to manage the pain.  I can handle this...I just don't wanna haffta.  Maybe that's the curse of the issue...you get to manage it every day.  That seems to be the case, at least far as what I've read in the past 48 hours that would seem to be true.

NOT what I was hoping to take away from this experience, but I'm convinced it could be worse.......and WAS.

I haven't been on the higher dose long enough to really let it reach the theraputic level, so said the doc.  Give it another two weeks...and if I'm still doing high levels of pain and sleeplessness, make the appointment.  Unless it escalates and I feel like it's going backwards.  Hahaha....that'd put it right around New Years.  Notsomuch thinking that's a convenient time for either of us!

Oh, but I did drive myself an hour to go shopping for 45 minutes.
I do NOT like to shop.
I DO like that it only took a brief stop to make it work....and I like that I'm DONE!!
WOOHOO!!

The Road Less Traveled

Today's Thought

The belief that life has to be hard and difficult in the belief that makes a martyr.

We can change our negative beliefs about life, and whether we have the power to stop our pain and take care of ourselves.

We aren't helpless. We can solve our problems. We do have power - not to change or control others, but to solve the problems that are ours to solve.

Using each problem that comes our way to "prove" that life is hard and we are helpless - this is codependency. It's the victim trap.

Life does not have to be difficult. In fact, it can be smooth. Life is good. We don't have to

"awfulize" it, or ourselves. We don't have to live on the underside.

We do have power, more power than we know, even in the difficult times. And the difficult times don't prove life is bad; they are part of the ups and downs of life; often, they work out for the best.

We can change our attitude; we can change ourselves; sometimes, we can change our circumstances.

Life is challenging. Sometimes, there's more pain than we asked for; sometimes, there's more joy than we imagined.

It's all part of the package, and the package is good.

We are not victims of life. We can learn to remove ourselves as victims of life. By letting go of our belief that life has to be hard and difficult, we make our life much easier.

Wakeup Call

Wow.. Who'da thunk...

We'll be back shortly

Our servers are over capacity and certain pages may be temporarily unavailable. We're incredibly sorry for the inconvenience.

(I'm a bit surprised the web log reader isn't able to handle their own business...LOL........NOT!!  Silly people.....)

Daily Reminder

The more flexible our lives, the more easily we'll be attracted to an unexpected opportunity. And flexibility is fostered by a loving posture. As we approach the world, so it greets us. We are not mere recipients of life's trials and tribulations. We find what our eyes are wanting to see. When our focus is rigid and narrow, so are our opportunities.

13

One insane Friday.
The first PT of the week thanks to crappy roads.
One sore, miserable hip flexor whatever that is.
One notsocomfortable me.
Happy Friday the 13th.

Did ring the doc...seems another increase is needed.  The Physical Therapist seems to think I oughta be in less pain.  Id like that and I'll trust their judgement...I'm a 'suck it up and keep moving' kinda gal....however, it's still not so tolerable at the end of the day.  I made the call.

But we're at the weekend so we'll see how it all works out.
Right now...pfffttt.
*sigh*  This too shall pass.

The Sole in Christmas

Singing in the Season

The little thing cried when she had to leave her playmate from school. And then she cried when she had to leave Nana and Grandad.
Oh, but I got to her Christmas Concert!!

Small, private Christian School, we were entertained by the preschool through 7th grade choirs and bands.
And we're talking small, small.  Gotta love that a grown man with a cool tie stood up with his four bell ringers to make it work.

The Mom was proud The Bug managed to stay standing up through the entire two songs they sang.  Never mind that she spread her wings to fly when the rest of the group was rocking the baby.  LOL  OMG they were all adorable.
Amd OMG I elbowed Grandad as the band attempted to find ONE note they could all agree on.

Fairy Reading

Do you remember anything special that you did exactly one week ago, or one month ago today? What can you do today that will make today a day to fondly remember for a long time to come?

This day is an entire day of your life. You have the opportunity to live this day in such a way that it will make a positive difference for years to come.

You can express your love in a new and unique way. You can begin an ambitious project that you’ve been meaning to start for a long time.

You could take the time and make the effort to learn a new skill that will add value to every day of your life. You could visit a place you’ve never been to before, or re-connect with an old and dear friend.

You can thoughtfully re-commit yourself to your highest priorities and take real, effective action that will bring those priorities to life.

You can live this day in such a way that you’ll be forever thankful for what you’ve made of it.

Get started now, and make it one to remember.

I simply remember my favorite things...

Things that make me happy....

....Brown paper packages tied up with string...lalalala

....Christmas carols while I wrap prezzies for under the tree.

....The bottle with lights and bulbs stuffed in it lighting up the coffee nook table.

....Himself reporting a 'random acts of kindness' that he pulled off.  He's gettin' good!

....Making six gallons of chex mix to give away.

....The big arsed blowing snow thingy.  ;-)

....Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes.....

Fairy Material

Stop worrying so much about what you’re trying to say, and listen for a while. Though it may seem strange, one very effective way to express yourself is by listening.

Listen, carefully, lovingly and attentively to the world around you. Listen to others and listen to life.

Let go of your assumptions about what you expect to hear. Listen not only with your ears, but also with your heart and spirit.

Pay attention to what life has to say to you. There is no end to the valuable lessons you can learn.

Farmall

Daily Reminder

The other side of giving is taking. Many of us were brought up to believe that it's not okay to take, so we diminish admiration that people give us. "Oh, this old rag, I got it at a garage sale for next to nothing." This response to a compliment can take away the joy of giving it from the person who admired the way we looked.

Giving needs taking to complete it. We can keep the cycle of generosity going by taking gracefully. A world without those who take would be unbalanced. When someone gives us love, appreciation, or a gift, we can show our real pleasure with a simple thank you, and stop thinking we don't deserve it.

o!m!g!!!

---  has a plate with divided compartments...it's red
---  disallows foods to touch....unless they're auppose to
---  wedges knife under 'normal' plates so juices don't intermingle
---  swiftly segregates foods and disallows touching when dining out
---  asks for veggies 'on the side' to ensure they're not violated
---  never, ever, EVER mixes mashed potatoes with corn
---  trying not to gack!!!     omgomgomg...


O!M!G!!!
Why WOULD ya?!

Spot the eagle

TFTD

Silence does not draw attention to itself. It is the ultimate in letting go and letting be. It is the opposite of the great dramatic event, so we easily forget silence is a basic means by which we grow. We live in a "can do" society that applauds a man of action who gets a job done. Perhaps we learned to think that being alone in silence is empty time with nothing happening.

In truth, some great things happen only by decisive action, but other great things happen only when we get ourselves out of the way and simply allow them to occur. It would be foolish to believe only in action and miss the benefits that come from quiet moments. When we withdraw from the hubbub of the world around us and quiet our minds, we are making room for great things to fashion themselves together.

Frozen in time

oyoyoy......

There's a big arsed blower thingy to handle snow.  I've become concerned about he-who-isn't-aclimated-to-midwest-winters-and-probably-never-will-be physically shoveling the white stuff.  He ain't from around these parts.  LOL. His idea of cold is 40 degrees.  Ummmm....that's sweatshirt weather to this gal.

We got snow of the fluffy kind last night.  I stopped at the house midway through the work day today to pick up a forgotten item...and noted a few things.

• The driveways were still covered with snow 

•  The sidewalks were sorta cleared...clearly shoveled in the manner that the fella from NOT around here does it...at an angle, leaving a zigzag shoveled walk as opposed to a straight shovel job 

•  The big arsed blowing snow machine that's self propelled is in the garage looking all cozy and pristine

As a midwest gal I know that driving on snow on your driveway repeatedly means the stuff hangs around and turns into an icy patch from hell...it melts, it freezes...more snow happens...BIG mess.  This, in part, is why folks are up at the crack of dawn clearing driveways.

I shared all this with he-who-had-excuses.  And I told him the time to test the big arsed snow suckery upper thingy was with the light stuff...and I wanted the real barrier and not the excuses...cuz I'm the one who'll be calling the paramedics if he kept it up.

"It IS a big arsed machine....I was a bit concerned that I'd start it and end up in the next county because I couldn't get it to stop."
I didn't laugh....but I did make it home early enough to be outside with he-who-ran-the-big-arsed-blowing-snow-thingy as he cleared driveways....and sidewalks...and blew the snow on me as he discovered settings for the snow chute...and laughed....and watched him clear the whole block of sidewalk for the two neighbors that hadn't done theirs yet.
We're good now...he's satisfied he can handle the machine.  He's even convinced I'll be able to handle it NEXT winter.
Ha...winter hasn't officially arrived yet....
:-/

Fairy Words for Today

Doing all the work in a relationship is not loving, giving, or caring. It is self-defeating and relationship defeating. It creates the illusion of a relationship when in fact there may be no relationship. It enables the other person to be irresponsible for his or her share. Because that does not meet our needs, we ultimately feel victimized.

In our best relationships, we all have temporary periods where one person participates more than the other. This is normal. But as a permanent way of participating in relationships, it leaves us feeling tired, worn out, needy, and angry.'

We can learn to participate a reasonable amount, and then let the relationship find it's own life. Are we doing all the calling? Are we doing all the initiating? Are we doing all the giving? Are we the one talking about feelings and striving for intimacy?

Are we doing all the waiting, the hoping, and the work?

We can let go. If the relationship is meant to be, it will be, and it will become what it is meant to be. We do not help that process by trying to control it. We do not help the other person, the relationship, or ourselves by trying to force it or by doing all the work.

Let it be. Wait and see. Stop worrying about making it happen. See what happens and strive to understand if that is what you want.

Tangled in fog