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.

New year, new beginnings

To tell you the truth I have never been a huge fan of New Years. It always seemed like a way for people to make fake promises to themselves. I was never one for resolutions or anything like that. In fact most years I don't even "celebrate" New years. This year has been different for me. It is going to be a year of big changes for me and I am so excited to have this "holiday" as a "reason" for the change. Not that I planned it this way, it just happens to be january. Yes, I do know that it already the 16th. I feel really good and positive about where my life is right now. I have a sense of peace about where I am and where I want to go. After losing so much weight last year I feel happier and healthier, as well as feeling lighter...and not just in actual weight but in the weight on my heart. I tend to be a pretty emotional girl even though I seem tough to many on the outside. But my heart feels happy to have this glimpse of the life I want for myself. I am motivated to make some positive changes in the way I am living this life. More to come...Simplicity...thats the goal for this year...2008, the best year yet.

A long time coming

And its finally here. I have wanted "a" piece of Le Creuset for years! Well what I got was a gorgeous 6 piece set for FREE!!!!!! I won a contest at work and this 6 piece set was in the prize book. I couldn't beleive it. I did not even think I would get "a" piece and now I have 4 pieces (2 with lids to make the 6 piece set). It is a beautiful "Cherry Red" color and I love it.

Now this is not just any wooden spoon shown in the picture with my gorgeous Le Creuset. It is a William Sonoma Maple wooden spoon which is a requirement for quality Le Creuset cooking says VB. She gave me this spoon as a Christmas gift in anticipation of my cookware arriving. Yes, this has been a big deal for me and those in my life that love me and Le Creuset. VB has tons of yummy stews, soups and chowda's she makes in her "flame" colored Le Creuset. She is willing to share her recipes so I too can make hearty yummy meals in my new cookware. I am so excited to get started and the timing is perfect as I am heading up to the cabin tomorrow for 5 days of "after Christmas" relaxing.

Humm....Something to ponder as the New Year approaches.

Truth and life are all around you.

What matters is where and when you decide to put yor focus.

-Roger Von Oech

What will you focus on as we turn our calendars to start a new year?

For me...

-Relationships

-Organization

and

-Having a happy heart.

Happy New Year friends!

Christmas 2007

Well this Christmas was not the ideal for me. Working in retail really changed the season for me. But I made the best of it and still enjoyed the little bit of time off I was able to take. I did have off the thursday before Christmas and spent the majority of the day baking and wrapping gifts while listening to my favorite Christmas music. It was a really fun day that I enjoyed thoroughly.

These few pictures are of my little house decorated. I just love my tree. It is the perfect size for my little house. I also collect Annalee dolls. This is a tradition I picked up from my Mom. these little guys covered my house throughout my entire childhood. When my Mom knew I wanted to start collecting them too she passed the majority of her collection to me. I was so happy. This is the third year I have had hers and I love them. They are all dated and some of the ones I inherited from her are from before I was born. They are so cute and really make me smile. I hate packing them up in January. I often refer to them as my "friends". I know, some of you are thinking "She needs to get out more!". Well I beleive that friends should make you smile, and these guys make me smile everytime I look at their sweet faces. Aren't they the cutest?

I spent Christmas eve and Christmas day at my Aunts house. We had a great time. my cousins and thier baby were in town from NY and it was so fun to spend the holiday with them. Since I didn't have a lot of money to spend on Christmas this year I was able to focus on the real meaning of Christmas. Well I hope your Christmas was enjoyable and you were able to spend time with your loved ones.