It's a Cellar Kind of Date

Oh, boy.  Remember back when you had a big date, and you spent hours or days deciding on what you'd wear, how you'd fix your hair, what you'd talk about?  Yeah, me neither!!  "Take me for what I am or you're not worth it" is how I saw it. 

But I've got a date this weekend.  And I do spend some hours getting ready for this date.  I've got a date with my Cellar Chicks!!


Clockwise from top left:  Me, Cindi from So, That's Why!,
Laura from The Adventures of Mr. CT and Me, and
Leanne from From Chaos Comes Happiness.

So I looked for some pictures I wanted to scrap, and put together some packets that will let me get the most out of our time together.  I even asked my PG to pick up some low Points Plus (as in, Weight Watchers) chips instead of M&M's.  (I'll struggle with that one, but I'll survive). 

It's a day that fills me with creativity.  We catch up with each others' lives, we play show 'n' tell with all the new purchases from Archivers and Michaels and Hobby Lobby, and we have at least a little chocolate (it's a necessity, y'know!!), and we inspire each other with our latest projects from our latest classes. 

Yep, I'm looking forward to this date!  I'll let you know how it goes!!

It's a Blogfest!!

It's a blogfest!!  Started here, the idea is to answer the following questions to give you some insight into what makes me tick!  The nice thing about bloghopping is that sometimes it kickstarts you when you've been a little "dry" in the creative writing arena.

1.What is your favorite word?  Gratitude - There's just something about it that fills me with peace.  And it just opens doors for more good stuff to come your way!

2.What is your least favorite word?  Should.  It signifies to me a judgment call.  You should go here.  I should lose weight.  They should really act this way.

3.What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?  A sunny spring day listening to the birds, a warm (not hot) summer day, walking thru my garden, photographing flowers and butterflies and bees.  Talk about filling up with gratitude!!

4.What turns you off?  Negativity, disguised as knowledge.  You know how someone can be so very convincing that they have total knowledge about something, but everything they talk about is dripping in negativity.  Yuck!!


5.What is your favorite curse word?  Starts with an "F" and ends with "uck".  That's why I loved "The King's Speech" so much. 

6.What sound or noise do you love?  My grandkids laughter/belly laughs.  Can't get enough.

7.What sound or noise do you hate?  Dentist's drill.  'Nuf said.

8.What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?  I'm love to try my hand at being a retiree!  That is a profession, isn't it??

 9.What profession would you not like to do?  Waste hauler (garbage man, trash collector) not sure what the politcally correct term is.  Just couldn't do it!

 10.If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?  Mission accomplished. Where would you like to go next?

Stop by One Significant Moment at a Time to get the questions and learn how you can qualify to win some blog candy!

Happy Valentine's Day

To my dear friends and family, have a love filled day, everyday.  For today, I give you this:

Let your love be like the misty rains - coming softly, but flooding the river.
A Malagasy Proverb

Love,
Peggy

A Tribute to Barney

I know this is more for my benefit than yours, but I thought you'd enjoy some nice music to go with some pictures of Barney.  I will say that putting together this slideshow does make a difference in dealing with grief.

Thanks for stopping by.  PG and I appreciate all your support.

Beyond the Rainbow

Last night, we said goodbye to Barney.  I've told you about Barney before, here and here.  But it had come to the point where his little body couldn't fight to stay with us anymore.  As I sat to write this, I was truly at a loss for words.  So I thought about putting together a slideshow.  That will come shortly. 

Last night, PG and I talked about how much joy Barney brought us.  We talked about how all we would do is scratch on the sheet on the bed when we woke up and in one quick leap, he was right next to us, wanting to give us lovin' to start the day.

And we talked about how he would drag grandson #1 around the living room or just play tug-o-war as each of them had an end of a towel. 

And how he would be riding in the passenger seat of the van with my PG and would pull up the box of graham crackers that was between seats during their trip home.  A celebration for an excursion completed, I guess.

And how he would need his belly rub every day, while lying in PG's arms, just so that he could connect to my PG.  There were times he would just go nearly comatose and start snoring.   

And how all I needed to do if I wanted to train him to do anything was to stop and get an Italian beef sandwich.  One sandwich and he was trained.  We would joke that he was part Italian because he also loved pasta.

And how he was such a good sport when I found the latest sweater or jacket for him to wear.  Proudly wore it and knew that putting it on meant going out for a walk.

His tough guy look with snap front denim jacket!

We have been incredibly blessed to have this little guy in our lives.  But we also know that all dogs go to heaven.  My sister sent me a poem.  I thought I'd share it with you.

Beyond The Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,
I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.
I saw a wondrous image then of a place that's trouble-free
Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.


I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side
Were meadows rich and beautiful -- lush and green and wide!
And running through the meadows as far as the eye could see
Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!


My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new
And I wanted to go run with them, but I had something left to do.
I needed to reach out to you, to tell you I'm alright
That this place is truly wonderful, then a bright Glow pierced the night.


'Twas the Glow of many Candles shining bright and strong and bold
And I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.
For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,
We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.


So whenever you need to find me, we're never far apart
If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.
Author Unknown

Thanks for stopping by today.  Thanks for taking a few minutes to hear about Barney.

Snow Day #2 a.k.a. Fun in the Sun

Day 2 of the Blizzard of 2011.  Snow day at work that is shocking all of us!!

We didn't finish digging ourselves out yesterday.  We got the driveway and the front walk cleaned off.  I love it when all the neighbors pitch in and help each other.  It's just so community, y'know?

So today, the plan was to get out and do the front steps and the walk leading up to them.  Problem is the area is so confined two couldn't shovel it.  'Twas a one-man operation.  And it's CO-O-OLD out there today but the sun is shining nice and bright.  I thought I'd share with you some of the snow artistry of my PG. 

Snow Wall built by My PG 2/3/11

This isn't the first time he's had fun with snow-creations.  There was the year (1988) we built a 10 ft. sitting snowman. (It sorta reminds me of the Stay-Puft Marshmallow guy in Ghostbusters.) 

And then there's the year when we didn't have enough snow so he couldn't build a snowman, but he managed to entertain those landing at O'Hare by removing snow in areas of the backyard. 

Makes you wonder about crop circles, doesn't it??

This will give you a better perspective of how big it was.

Today, I was quite entertained as I watched him build this wall.  So were others as they walked or drove by.  It's no wonder I'm in love with this guy!!  He keeps life interesting!!

What's in your life that keeps you smiling??

"Let It Snow"?? Really??

We, in the midwest, are all saying we are hunkered down for the blizzard of '11.   We actually have no choice.  It's going to take a while for us to even get to the snowblower.  We'll have to shovel thru this

And then clear away this: 

Our little buddy loves the snow, but even he went out for about 5 mins. last night and decided to come back in.  The windy conditions makes it bitterly cold.

But the drifting makes it life-threatening.  Here's the fence between houses.  The fence is a four foot fence. 

And the composter in the back last night

10 p.m. 2/1/11

 and this morning. 



5:30 a.m. 2/2/11



Could be a record breaker.  Might take all of our energy to work on getting out today.  But still it's beautiful!!

I Danced With My Dad Last Night


Last night, I danced with Dad.  It was a short dance, and I'm not entirely sure I remember the tune.  It was a lovely dance, where I did not attempt to lead (bad habit I have) and Dad took me in his arms and lead me around the dance floor as if we'd been partners in Dancing with the Stars all season.  When we were done, he asked me if I liked to dance to songs like the one that played.  I told him I did.  Afterward, we sat on a couch and he asked if I would make a "cover for a wedding dress" for Sue.  Not sure who he was referring to, but I figured I'd find out if I just let him talk.  Unfortunately, that didn't happen.  I woke up. 

My Dad passed away in 1975.  But every once in a while, I get a visit in my dreams.  This was the first time we've danced during his dream visits.  I woke up feeling refreshed, a bit melancholy, but at peace.  Ah...there's that serenity I was looking for!!

Do you ever have vivid dreams about someone who's passed?  Do you ever wonder whether it's a spirit visit to tell you all's well or whether it's a need that you have to talk to that person that brings them to your dreams?  I can say that visits from my Dad almost always leave me feeling calmer about my world.  So I choose to think that my guardian angel realizes my need for reassurance and shows up just when I need him.  What could be better than that?!? 

I'm thinking I'm going to have a great day today.  I'm going to get a lot done.  Now if I can just figure out why I woke up with "United We Stand" by Brotherhood of Man playing in my head!!!

What a Charming Word!

As I mentioned earlier, my word for 2011 is SIMPLIFY.  And when you select a word of the year, it's nice to have that daily reminder to keep your focus.  Back in 2009, I was introduced to the wonderful world of Lisa Leonard Designs when I received a gift of a charm with my 2009 word (Gratitude).  Each year, Lisa has a special charm that is created with the Word of the Year in mind.

So I couldn't resist this year's charm.  I'll probably be wearing it most days.  Isn't it gorgeous???

Thanks LLD!! 

And...Tag, I'm It!

Oh how delightful it's been to read the responses to the current blog tag that has been virusing thru some of my fave blogs.  I do enjoy getting to know more about my favorites.  But then it happened...one of my faves sneezed the virus my way!  Thanks, Laura!!

So without further ado, I answer the following 19 questions to fulfill my part of the tag.

1. if you have pets, do you see them as merely animals, or are they members of your family?
Barney is most assuredly a member of the family.  Our little cockapoo is nearly 15 years old and he thinks he and grandson #1 are peers. 

2. if you can have a dream to come true, what would it be?
That everyone would stop judging others for thinking differently.  As my mother would say (although she never embraced these words), "Live and Let Live." 

3. what is the one thing most hated by you?
Boy, hate is such a strong word.  And it holds such negativity.  So hating anything is a waste of energy to me.  What I strongly dislike is being lied to. 

4. what would you do with a billion dollars?
I have no idea.  I guess it depends on whether it came in all at once, or a little at a time.  I'd make sure my family was comfortable, but I could do that with a million. 

5. what helps to pull you out of a bad mood?

My grandkids.  Never fails.

6. which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone?

Can't see how you can have one without the other.  I'm lucky.  I've got both!

7. what is your bedtime routine?

Check email one last time, wash face, moisturize, and read my affirmations and gratitude statements.  Head on pillow.  Out.

8. if you are currently in a relationship, how did you meet your partner?  We worked together.

9. if you could watch a creative person in the act of the creative process, who would it be?
I would have to say, I'd love to watch Leanne (fly on the wall observation) create a blog header.  I'd love to know what goes on in her head; what she envisions.  I've seen her in action once she's got her idea and it's amazing to watch, but I'd like to watch her as it develops in her brain.

10. what kinds of books do you read?
Lately, I've been reading books about law of attraction, the power of feeling.  My Texas friend says I like "chicken soup" books.  I'm kinda all over in interests.  Faves:  The Red Tent, Angels & Demons, The Help, and the Gregory Maguire books that show an alternate view of some stories we loved as children.

11. how would you see yourself in ten years time?
Retired, enjoying my family, enjoying trips with my PG, taking pictures, blogging, scrapbooking my mounds of pictures.  And that'll be in less than 10 years.  

12. what’s your fear?
Funny how certain words keep popping up in your life at times.  Because of all the reading I've been doing lately (see #10), I can honestly say that nothing comes to mind if I think about what invokes fear in me.   

13. would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to visit outer space?
Nope.  Especially if I had to deal with the TSA.

14. would you rather be single and rich or married, but poor?
Isn't being married (in the right relationship) being rich in spite of the money in your pocket?  Okay, I'll answer the question.  Married but poor, because my life wouldn't be the same without my PG.

15. what’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
The first thing?  After a couple glasses of water during the night?  Guess!!!   After that, a cup of tea.

16. if you could change one thing about your spouse/partner what would it be?
Have him realize that you CAN put a dollar value on time and that wasting time is wasting money. 

17. if you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?
Nothing comes to mind.  Hated my given name growing up, but it fits me now.

18. would you forgive and forget no matter how horrible a thing that special someone has done?
Forgive?  Yes.  It only weighs on ME if I don't forgive.  Forget?  Not necessarily.  I'd have to be in the situation to determine that.

19. if you could only eat one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be?
Brownies. But they gotta be good!!!! 
 

Okay, questions answered.  The next part is I have to tag others and if they are interested, they can answer the same questions, or different if I saw fit to change them.  As Laura mentioned, I know not all like to play along.  But I will name one lucky blogger:

Cindi at So, That's Why.  Cindi, feel free to play...or not.  Copy questions below and roll with 'em, or make up your own...or not.

1. if you have pets, do you see them as merely animals, or are they members of your family?
2. if you can have a dream to come true, what would it be?
3. what is the one thing most hated by you?
4. what would you do with a billion dollars?
5. what helps to pull you out of a bad mood?
6. which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone?
7. what is your bedtime routine?
8. if you are currently in a relationship, how did you meet your partner?
9. if you could watch a creative person in the act of the creative process, who would it be?
10. what kinds of books do you read?
11. how would you see yourself in ten years time?
12. what’s your fear?
13. would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to visit outer space?
14. would you rather be single and rich or married, but poor?
15. what’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
16. if you could change one thing about your spouse/partner what would it be?
17. if you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?
18. would you forgive and forget no matter how horrible a thing that special someone has done?
19. if you could only eat one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be?