I had a Valentine of my very own!

His name is John. And he is a wonderful man. It has been many, many years since I have had someone in my life for Valentines day. But this year I did and he made me feel so amazingly special. It was a crazy week at work as you can imagime and a bit stressful too. We had plans to get together in the evening so I assumed (you know what they say about that) he would bring something for me at that time. But surprise, surprise these gorgeous roses showed up at my work at around 10 am. I was so shocked, surprised, amazed and happy. It really touched my heart. He is an amazing man with such a gentle heart and he treats me so well. And he really "gets" me, he listens, really listens and pays attention. He wants to know my true heart and I can be completely honest with him. That is so freeing, to be my true self and be loved for it.

It is just the beginning so we are both trying really hard to stay level headed but it is very difficult. The beginning is the best part. I love spending time with him and getting to know him better and better. The more I get to know, the more deeply I fall. We have been dating for about 2 months but decided to be "official" about 2 weeks ago. There was something there we just could no longer deny. And I am so glad we are open to our true feelings about one another. It is the only way to really see where this could go. So we are "all in" and it is amazing!

(This is a picture of John and I before we were "official".)

Simple beauty all around

This rose is literally the size of my hand. I looked out my window yesterday and saw this burst of red from the corner of my garden. It inspired me to get out on my yard and pretty it up some. Maybe this weekend I will have some time to do just that.

Things are going really well for me right now. I am really happy. I have been surrounded by family which always stirs up long lost memories. Isn't it funny how that happens. All of a sudden they all come rushing back. My Aunt Barbara and Uncle Tony (My mom's brother and wife) were in town from NY for a week. Plus my Aunt Geri and (other) Uncle Tony live here in Scottsdale. (I have like 4 Uncle Tony's) So there was a lot of famly time and nothing makes me happier. I love reminiscing and talking about the good old days. It truly makes my heart happy. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family.

Fasting from our clutter...

How fitting is this...perfectly fitting for where I am in my life. Yesterday was the beginning of Lent. I really wanted to open my mind and heart completely this year and embrace Lent to the fullest. While at church yesterday (not my normal church either, I found an awesome new church that I think I will be visiting more often) I got this booklet for lent, I grabbed it without paying much attention to its content until I got home. Then it was a "wow" moment. The title is "Fasting from our clutter" I couldn't help but think of how perfectly this fits into the new goals I have set for my life to reduce clutter and move towards a more simpler life.

Lent is here. ready of not, the big question is always: How are we going to "do" Lent this year? May I suggest going on a fast from the various types of clutter in our lives, beginning with the "outer regions" of life-our personal habits and the clutter in our homes Then we will move to mental and spiritual clutter as the weeks progress toward easter. We can fast from the confusaion and the busy-ness that characterize our culture. If we use thisperiod to open our hearts, we willl be well prepared to celebrate Easter.... By Susan Rowland

Then it goes into a daily bible readings and "food for thought" so to speak for the next 40 days. I have made a committment to myself to take 15 minutes in the morning to read and reflect. I think it will fit so well in what I am searching for right now. Todays blurb read ' This culture urges me to so much. In what ways is the rush and busy-ness of my life not truly necessary, but an effort to win the approval of others-in other words, to "gain the whole world"?



I know so much of what I do on a daily basis is not really necessary and yet the things that are so important to me I am not making adequate time for. This bothers me....friends I have not connected with in weeks, books that I was reading have been laid down and not picked up again, crochet projects half way done and then neglected. So today I will ask myself..."is this really necessary?" and if it is not I will simply move on.