Snow

Snow is falling outside, Christmas lights are twinkling on the tree, and stew is simmering on the stove. 

 My feet are snug in warm new slippers and propped up on the ottoman. I am watching whatever happens to come on the TV channel I am tuned into and ignoring the dirty foot prints that mar the hardwood floor.

There is work to be done but my sofa is comfortable and the blanket my son gave me for my birthday is keeping me snug and warm.

I am trying not to think about the future and the changes coming to my little household in 2013. 

I am trying to "just be". 

I will worry about housework, the future, and life a little later. 

For now I will  just sit and enjoy the snow falling outside my window.

A Little Random...

1. Has this happened to you? You wake up in the morning with a great idea that you carry through your shower and while getting ready for the day you build up a gung ho attitude to get it done.  You're going to kick some butt with this idea.  Then you sit down to put your shoes on, contemplate the steps needed to run with your idea, and think, "Nah. I'd rather take a nap or read a book."  It happened to me this morning.
2. I like the idea of a flat tax and getting rid of most of the IRS.  Yet while I was setting up my payment program with the man from the IRS this morning to pay a small amount of taxes from 2011, I felt bad because my idea would cause him to lose his job. 
3. Tonight and tomorrow I am taking part in High School Homecoming activities.  Something I haven't done in 20 years.  Go Lions!! Yay, Class of 93!  We are in the Homecoming parade and in charge of the Homecoming assembly.
4. My son has signed up with a talent agency and had head shots taken on Sunday.  At $450 for pictures, I sure hope he gets at least one or two jobs to pay for them.  The photographer showed me some of them and I must say that my son is one good looking kid.  Err, man, I guess.
5. Said son will be 18 in 11 days.
6. Senior picture proofs came back.  Great shots.  Cheapest package is about $239 bucks.  Sorry Charlie. Not doing it.  Will probably call my cousin to take some pictures to commemorate the Senior year.
7. Maybe it is just me but it seems that certain politicians still think the only issues women care about are getting free birth-control pills and the right to an abortion.  In my humble opinion, real women care more about the economic future of our country, jobs, education, and basically the same things men care about.  Women are a lot smarter than we get credit for.
8. The upcoming elections are giving me anxiety.
9. I watch too many news programs,
10. I need to read a book.

Why do they have to be so mean?

My nephew, who has always loved school, started 6th grade yesterday.   Instead of having a great first day, he broke down last night about how mean the kids were.   All of his friend ignored him.  He was teased for wearing his cowboy boots.  Boots he saved his money to buy and loves.  And this in a town surrounded by farms, and where the major summer event is the rodeo and county fair.  He was told he was weird. This is a big deal for a kid, especially on the first day of school.

My heart aches for this boy who is such a loving kid.  He would never say or do anything to hurt another person.  I try not to have favorites but something about him reaches out to me more so than some of my other nephews. 

This boy loves animals.  He studies them and wants to have a farm when he grows up.  When CAL Ranch or IFA start selling chicks each year, he begs to go to the store to watch and hold the small birds.  For years he has wanted a Russian Tortoise.  Like good parents, my brother and his wife waited to awhile to see if his interest in the Russian Tortoise would wane.  It hasn't.  In preparation for getting a tortoise, he researched their habits, diet, and habitat needs.  This summer he finally received his Russian Tortoise, "Otis".  His mom is growing dandelions in her windowsills to feed Otis and my nephew can tell you everything you ever wanted to know and more about his tortoise. 

Everything about this kid screams kindness and goodness so I don't understand why kids have to be so mean.  I pray that he finds a couple of good friends who can accept and appreciate everything good about him.  And I pray that kids all over can learn to be kinder to each other. 

Vintage Pyrex

I have developed a love for vintage Pyrex.  Looks like it is time to start combing thrift stores and the internet to begin my collection.  I don't have even one piece of the old stuff.  I need to fix this.  I particularly love these snowflake patterns. I may be buying one of these soon.

    Images from www.kaboodle.com.

Motivation, where are you hiding?

I have misplaced my motivation.  It was easy to find at the beginning of the summer.   I was going to water-aerobics each morning.  I felt great.  Then work interferred and I started having 7 am meetings.  My classes started at 7 am.  When the meetings started my motivation went into hiding.  I haven't been able to find it again.

My mom is losing weight.  My cousin has posted some great weight loss on Facebook.  My son is exercising every night.  The more people I see successfully doing something I am not should bring back my motivation.  Right?  Wrong.  My motivation has been even harder to find. 

I keep waiting for THE MOMENT or THE THING that will get me moving and feeling better.  It is elusive.  I know, I need to do it for myself.  But negativity is a terrible things and I think, "Will doing this really change my life, change me, make me a different person?" The answer comes back as "No!'.  Really?  That's not fair.  It should make me feel better and isn't that what I need?  I know it is.  I need to feel better.  I'm just not motivated.

I'll keep looking. Maybe I will find it.