Jounaling 101

After repeated attempts to "journal," I have decided that I am just not deep in a literary way or even very articulate. I cringe when I consider putting my innermost thoughts on paper. ( I would probably not hesitate to spill the beans to anyone within hearing distance but commitment to paper is so final and could be damning. Thus it scares me.)

BUT, I was inspired by this book to begin a daily journal of some sort anyway. Also the fact that I am trapped for 8-9 hours daily in a non-creative atmosphere helped to convince me that any creative act is better than none.

This page from Linda Woods book gave me the idea for my little journal. You can find her art in her Etsy shop. (click on the pictures if you want to see them larger)

In years past I tried making this little daily calendar into something inspirational by printing out quotations and taping them to each page. In that way I could be "surprised" by each thought of the day. I enjoyed the quotes, but it required a lot of work done ahead of time. (Yes, I know they sell this sort of thing already done. Let's just say I am cheap.)

The tools of my trade are these; any pen or highlighter already at work (nothing brought from home for this purpose), any trade magazine or flyer that is mailed to us at work, any magazine or paper product that someone at work may give me.

I try to journal about some aspect of my day. Now, I don't want you to get the idea that I am wasting company time on this little whimsy of mine. I don't take breaks, I don't go outside to smoke, I put in my time. I usually only spend 3 to 5 minutes a day for each entry. I may take the calendar out of my drawer and jot down a thought and pop it right back into it's hiding place once or twice. I try to write something everyday but some days we are just too busy.

I was longing for sunlight and spring on this particular day. I was feeling quite dull. Can you tell?

And you can see how my mood was lifted by this sunny day.

Ooops, I'm back to wanting out! I was a SAHM for 26 years. I took care of my kids, I worked with the PTA, I went to Bible studies, I had a craft business. It has been the most difficult thing for me to get used to being stuck in just one place day after day. Some days I think I will go stir crazy if I can't do something new. This was one of those days obviously.

Refreshed by a nap in the car on my lunch hour. I love my lunch hour! : )


I got a new car over the weekend!

It was a VERY frustrating day!


Did I mention that I live for Fridays?


My Blog's birthday!

My list of woes.


The month end is always really busy. Not much time for fun. Just work!

Looks like some things will be changing around the office. It's all good!

Bad weather Friday!

And today's entry......


At the end of the year I'll make some kind of cover and use rings to keep this little work journal together. I hope it will amuse me to look back on 2008 and remember each day.

Paris Anytime

My uncle was sent to Europe in 1961 along with his Air National Guard unit during the Berlin Wall build up.

"November 5 1961

Skies over West Germany — In the wake of the Soviet Union's continued construction of the Berlin Wall which they started in August 1961, and a fear of possible conflict in Germany, on October 1st President John F. Kennedy mobilized selected reserve components units including elements of the Army and Air National Guard. To prove his determination to protect Germany along with the other NATO allies, he authorized the deployment of eleven Air Guard fighter squadrons to bases in Germany, France and Spain (a non-NATO ally). The first of these squadrons arrived in late October, less than a month after mobilization. By this date several, including Missouri's 110th and New Jersey's 141st tactical fighter squadrons, had their ground service personnel join them and they became fully operational. They soon began flying patrols along the border dividing East from West Germany. No Army Guard units were deployed overseas although two divisions and numerous non-divisional units were on active duty in the U.S. Fortunately, no war erupted and by the summer of 1962 all the Guard units were released from active duty."

His job was to develop the film taken by photographers in reconnaissance planes. In his collection are some interesting aerial shots of European landmarks. In addition, he took some really nice shots of Paris on a weekend trip there.

I especially like this picture of a street with the Eiffel Tower rising up through the fog in the background.

In 2002 I took this photo. This was taken in the final hour before nightfall. You can see the twinkle lights that light the tower in the dark.


I mailed myself a letter from the post office in the Eiffel Tower (because I am a nerd). You can click on any image if you want to see it larger.

Here is a picture my uncle took of the Place de la Concorde. This is an Egyptian obelisk that was once at the entrance of the Luxor temple.
And here is a shot of the same spot. I took my photo from a moving tour bus.

The black and white format used by my uncle adds mystery and romance to these photos of Paris, don't you agree?

Fashion Alert!

I just found this fantastic new fashion blog. Please click here to be blown away!

see it to believe it

Bet ya you will love it.

These Make Me Laugh

I saw these two Japanese commercials on another blog a few months ago and saved them because they make me laugh. I bet you will too.



This is a Pizza commercial.

Happy Birthday

Today is #2 son's birthday.



When he was young he loved balls of all sorts and received at least one, maybe two for every birthday and Christmas. He was afraid of the wolf that lived in the alley behind our house (thanks to his Dad and big brother's stories). He had to get stitched up so many times I've forgotten exactly how many times. He is kind, patient, thoughtful and giving of himself.


He was a bicentennial baby....born in 1976.

His favorite cake is Strawberry shortcake. Enjoy your day hon!

Random Thoughts on a Sunday Evening

We had to hold the yard sale inside R's basement yesterday because it rained a fine misting rain all day. Even so, we each made some mad money to spend on something fun. I've been wiped out since I got home last night and consequently have spent all my time staring at the TV and sleeping today.

So, since I am too tired to do anything to write about I will just post some random photos.

First take a look at my nearly EMPTY attic and basement. I am thrilled to see floors and walls again.

I found Rachel's first real doll while cleaning out. Of course, I couldn't give her away.

I got rid of all of my shower curtains. This is the fabric I plan to use for a new curtain for the main bathroom shower. I choose this color because there is dated gold tile in that room that I have to work around. I think I will like this. I will use one of the neutral colors in the fabric to paint the walls. What do you think?


I dream of replacing my sofa with something similar to this.

I collect tiny bits of paper and other ephemera. This is a peek at my recent collection.

Here are more bits.

I love watching movies, especially at the theater. A diet Coke and a bag of popcorn, what could be a better way to escape real life? R and I recent saw this movie. We loved it.

I printed the list of movies and documentaries I've seen since I began Netflixing. Here are some I would recommend as very enjoyable.

The Painted Veil
As Time Goes By
Eat Drink Man Woman
Merry Christmas
The House of Eliott
Jeeves and Wooster
The Hobart Shakespeareans
Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont
Miss Potter
Word Wars

My backyard is in desperate need of a gardener, but my bed of irises is lovely.


I hope you all have had as restful a Sunday as I have.

Yardsale Countdown!

So tonight was the big night before the night before the sale pricing marathon. And we almost got it all done. The thing I am worried about now is how in the heck we will get it all outside in under 2 hours. It took days and days to get in all into Rachel's basement.

Take a look. See if you see anything you might need. hehe

How about some wooden chairs or stools or birdhouses or........

How about Barbie? Does she need any accessories? How about a camper for her?

Or maybe a convertible for her?

Anyone need a violin? A doll bed or rocker?

Need a little sunshine...how about sunflowers?

If you aren't in the market for sun how about some snow (man)?

Catch me if you can, cause I'm the Gingerbread man!

Anyone need their own personal Wheel of Fortune?

See I wasn't kidding when I said the ex had a luggage fetish!

I am PUZZLED as to why anyone would pay for this collection of stuff, but I sure hope some yard sale folks think my junk is their treasure.

Please give Rachel a big round of applause! Without her this yard sale would never have been about to happen. Thank you Rachel for everything! You are my bestest daughter ever!!!

Ok ya'll get up early Saturday and come on over and shop!

The Most Precious Gift

The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers. -Thich Nhat Hanh

Over at In The Lap of Loveliness you will find the story of this year's outing to their local ( sort of ) wildflower farm complete with pictures of my lovely granddaughters. So in that vein, I thought I would show you a picture of last year's outing which I was blessed to be a part of.

Those fields of flowers are poppies.

What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but, scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable. -Joseph Addison

The artist is the confidant of nature, flowers carry on dialogues with him through the graceful bending of their stems and the harmoniously tinted nuances of their blossoms, Every flower has a cordial word which nature directs towards him. -Auguste Rodin

These two images were created digitally using MetaCreations Art Dabbler.

Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made and forgot to put a soul into.

-Henry Ward Beecher

A bit of fragrance clings to the hand that gives flowers. -Chinese Proverb

How does springtime, nature and God's good earth inspire you? What aspect of nature makes you smile the most?

Footwear

I tried on Audra's new 5" platform wedges at work today. How do people walk in these? I only stood stationary and thought I might topple over if I wasn't very careful. Is it because I am older? Have I lost my balance? I felt like I was tottering on stilts.

Audra in her shoes.


Me in my sensible sandals. ( I know, I need some pedicare!)

Shoes 1980, by Andy Warhol.

ps

I love the way the sky looked at noon today. Take a look.