For Today...February 20, 2011

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Outside my window...the snow has all but melted, though it is still really cold. I remember last year, we didn't have any snow past the end of February. I love to watch it snow, but right now, I am so ready for warm weather so I can head to the water's edge in my flip flops.

I am wearing... jammies. I think I have come down with the icky sinus funk going around up here.

I am thinking...random thoughts. Warm sunshine, flowers, loved ones, not wasting a moment with those we cherish. 

I am thankful for...life. No matter how hard it gets sometimes. There might be long periods of darkness or down times, but just at my lowest point, there's a break in the clouds. If even for a second, to remind me to cherish life.

From the kitchen...nothing much today. Being stuffy doesn't inspire much hunger.

I am creating...slowly. And in spurts. I did actually do some painting this month and got two pieces I am pretty happy with. I'll share a picture of one of them, made for my hubby as a Valentine gift. The other is for a project of sorts. I had posted a status on my personal Facebook about a handmade exchange. I didn't get many takers, since the catch was you then had to repost offering your handmade goodies. But I did have one commenter...and if she's reading this I don't want her to see her surprise!

Rob's gift on my easel.

I am reading... well. I started Digging Up Otis by T. Dawn Richard and You're Not Who You Think You Are by Albert Clayton Gaulden. I usually only do one book at a time, but sometimes, if they are different enough, I read two. These two aren't really that engaging...so I picked up a Jen Lancaster book at Borders here in town, and LOVE it! Bright Lights, Big Ass is too hilarious and you should go get it. NOW. And while you're at it, read Jen's Blog. it's just as hilarious!

From the learning rooms...I'm learning to give myself time. For some reason, I have this thing in my brain that I have to do a perfect, finished painting in one sitting. yeah, sometimes it takes more time! My hubby is still doing very well in his classes. I still can't believe it's been a year since he began and that he graduates in September! Right now, September feels like a lifetime away, but I know it's just right around the corner. I'm so proud of him!

I am hoping...to figure out what the heck the deal is with my hormones. It's been going on for a while, but since turning the big 3-0, it seems so much worse. 

I am hearing...a cat purring in her sleep and the best cooking show on PBS, Cooks Country!

I am going...give myself a break...I swear I will. After doing some writing work, I'm going to make a big pot of tea and cuddle up with my cat and my book for the rest of the day.

Around the house...laundry,dishes,general tidying...how does this much crap pile up so quickly?

I am remembering...Rob's grandmother, known to most of the family as Grandma Great. She passed away this past Tuesday, and the funeral was Saturday. Since we lived in South Carolina, I didn't see her much. But, the times I did, I enjoyed thoroughly! She was a vibrant spirit that never lost her childlike fun side. Her apple dumplings were out of this world, and she loved everyone she met. We were still about 4 hours away living here in North East, so we didn't see her much, but when she got sick we planned a trip to see her on Rob's next day off. She passed before then, so our last visit was the family reunion last September. I am so thankful I could call her family, and that I met and got to know such a wonderful lady. 

Quote to commit to memory... "There are two ways to live your life. One, as if nothing is a miracle. The other, as though everything is a miracle." ~Albert Einstein

A few plans for the week... well, just getting well is first. I'm not what my family always called "Sick-sick". I'm that nagging, stuffy, wipe-your-nose-every-two-seconds kind of sick. So resting and lots of fluids for me. I'm sure the housework will still be here in a few days...

One of my favorite things...waking up to see my cat all snuggled up next to me. She is mommy's precious little snuggle bug!

Photo for Thought...I have to share this picture of Rob and his grandmother from our wedding. I just love the story behind it! See, after the wedding ceremony, the wedding party and the family had to gather for the posed shots before the reception. Well, Grandma Grape (as the younger kids called her) had misplaced her teeth in the flurry of getting ready at the house before the wedding. Rob's mom had told him about it...they had almost been late looking for them! Well, when it was her turn to stand and smile with Rob, he looked down and said, "I guess you found your teeth!" and she just blushed, then smacked him and said, "Oh, Robbie!" Our fabulous photographer, Brendon Sharpe, caught the moment and we cherish this photo! I thought it was a fitting memory to share in Grandma Peck's honor. She is greatly missed!

The Daily Excitement of a Pennsylvania House Wife... Birds in the House!

     Ok. I love birds. Love listening to them outside the window in the morning. They are like little music boxes, the best soundtrack there is on a walk around the block, or sitting in the lawn chair reading. Birds are great...outside.

     Why specify? Well, today I slept in way too late, and came downstairs about 11:30. Powered up the computer, and turned on the TV. When I hit the power button and the TV came to life, there was a sudden flurry of batting wings and a huge black blur swooped down over my head. Of course, I ducked for cover and ran into the kitchen, all the time hearing the thing right behind me. I was half way down the stairs to the basement before I turned around, all the time thinking, Oh crap, it's a bat, it's a bat, it's a bat...

     The black bird was clinging to the screen in the kitchen window. He'd let go, flutter about, slam the screen, and squawk. I ran outside to gather my thoughts, maybe see if the screens came off from the outside. They didn't. The bird sat there staring at me from the kitchen. Little help here? was all over his face. 

      I crept back into the kitchen, but he was no where to be seen. At least he solved the problem of getting the screens open without getting pecked to death for me. So, I opened the screens, and even the back door in hopes he'd fly right by me. No such luck. I'd scared him further into the house...which was just great.

     Flash forward about two hours. I had started thinking that maybe he'd escaped some other way, or maybe the open door helped. So, I settled in to checking up on Facebook and answering emails. I even took a break from that to walk the dog. Who, by the way, had bird crap on her back...evidence the bird had a sense of humor. Since there was still no sign of him though, I began chatting with a friend. She said birds can hide for a long time before feeling safe enough to come out. Greeeeat.

     I couldn't have made it up if I wanted to...when she said that, the damn thing started rustling in the ceiling. He took off toward the dining room. I tried to keep up. I think I saw him fly the coop from the kitchen window after a detour smashing into the dining room windows I didn't open. I'm not absolutely sure.

     I hope he is free and singing in the maple outside, because I have had enough excitement for today!

**Update!!  I am finding little plops of bird poop in very odd places...

Though, thank God, they are all on hard, easily disinfected surfaces!**

 

Finally Up and Running!

Well, the dust of moving has yet to settle, but my computer is up and running, and I can blog again! We had a pretty good time of it while we moved...even though there was a freak winter storm in the south! That delayed us from leaving Saturday and pushed us to Monday. Our little caravan stopped over in West Virginia, where we awoke to snow, snow, and snow! I can't tell you how proud of myself I am. I drove the entire way, in the snow! Who says a southern girl can't handle northern weather? Ha!

Thanks to the family and friends that helped us move (you know who you are!) we are now officially at home here in Pennsylvania. I have always loved it here when we visited for vacations, though I had never been in the winter. I must say, I still love it! I have been very disappointed that the snow melted when we arrived and I have been waiting a full week to see more! Well, Tuesday night the flakes began to fall! I am posting this EARLY in the morning because, well, I haven't really gone to bed yet. I just had to get my computer put back together and the new layout up and running...

I can't wait to get some pictures of the snow fall later today, and to keep sharing my every day adventures as an SC girl living in PA!

Please Excuse My Dust!

It's official...this time next week, this South Carolina girl will be living in Pennsylvania! Yes, you heard that right. My husband Rob and I are headed to Pennsylvania! A lot of people have been shocked to hear it. True, I am a Southern girl, but I think I can make it up north! I am looking at it as adventure! We're moving for school, but I feel like it's much more than that. This will be the farthest I have ever lived from my family and friends. Everything will be brand new, right down to the weather, and I can't wait! I am looking forward to the experience, if for no other reason than the photography opportunities! Rob had a pretty good laugh at my expense already. A friend of his left him a message on Facebook to bring his boots and snow brush, and I had to ask what a snow brush was. He couldn't stop laughing! He may have been living here in the south for a long time, but it never occurred to him that I wouldn't know what that was. I guess there will be a lot of those moments in the near future!

Of course, all this means I'll be away from the computer while we move...no laptop unfortunately! As soon as our PC is up and running again, I can't wait to flood this blog with new pictures and stories of my new journey. I'm sure I will have a lot of things to scrap, so I hope to begin sharing my work soon too! Thank you all for reading my little corner of the web...look forward to seeing you soon!

Coming Soon!

I'm so excited about starting this journey! I'm still in the prep stages, so bare with me and I'll be up and running soon! Thank you for stopping by!