Roseland

Roseland

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Saturday, January 30, 2010

A Snowy Day

 
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After a week of agonizing over whether to cancel a family weekend in Boone/Blowing Rock to celebrate Skye's 23rd birthday, or strike out & attempt it, Keith & I chose to cancel yesterday morning. Being stuck in snowy Boone in a small motel room or an apartment with 3 other people sounded less than fun. Getting home Sunday seemed quite dangerous if the weather was as bad as forecast.

So once the choice was made, I decided to be content to enjoy our first 2010 snow here at home in central NC. I love snow--to me it makes all things look pure, new, clean. It creates quiet.
Peace.
Quiet.
Rest.

It's been sleeting most of this quiet Saturday, on top of last night's 4 inches of snow. I've been computing most of my day, putting on photos & checking out others' snow pictures. No schedule, no time crunch, no work, no meetings....

Soon Keith & I are heading out to explore in the Jeep. Always a fun thing:) We'll take our cameras & check out the beauty of our beautiful snow blanketed world.

I'm copying one of my favorite snow poems below---just insert Jeep instead of a horse:)

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

What Will 2010 Bring--January


A swing.
Inviting.
Empty though.
But full of promise.

This year is already bringing changes for me.
I mentioned in an email to my manager Yvonne that I'd been considering cutting back my 3 day job to 2, not knowing for sure if it was the thing to do, left it at that, then this week she asked if I still was interested in trying it.

I said yes.

Rewind: November & December were tough for me. I love, love, Christmas, but found myself constantly dreaming of getting more sleep--sinus stuff dragging me down, working hard in Cardland, shopping, no time to bake, propping my eyes open during the Christmas Eve Service, no time to enjoy things. By Christmas afternoon, I was headed for exhaustion & a sinus infection--not a good way to end 2009:(

Fast forward: The 2010 Hallmark plan is to work 9-5 two days a week (one being Monday), add on one Saturday a month, additional days when special projects need done, plus sub for other daytime co-workers when possible.

Keith's not sure about this.
I'm afraid I didn't even discuss it with him, & he's my sounding board--not sure how that happened:( I think he's fretting that I'll spend as much, yet will not be bringing home as much.
I admit I do have some self control issues, especially with food & shopping:( Things I need to work on.

But, the thought of having one more day "unscheduled" makes me feel "freer" already:)
Googa mooga, maybe I'll even paint again!

Or, spend some time on a swing:)

Will keep you posted:)







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Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Still Alice

I read this book in 2 nights & an afternoon.
It strikes close to home. My mama had Alzheimer's, her mama, her brothers....
My oldest friend has early onset Alzheimer's &, so far, her disease has been mercifully slow progressing. I thought of Judy often as I read Alice's story.

I recommend Still Alice to anyone. This is Lisa Genova's first novel, & it's excellent.

From Simon & Schuster about Still Alice:

"While Alice once placed her worth and identity in her celebrated and respected academic life, now she must re-evaluate her relationship with her husband, her expectations of her children and her ideas about herself and her place in the world.

Losing her yesterdays, her short-term memory hanging on by a couple of frayed threads, she is living in the moment, living for each day. But she is still Alice.

Still Alice is as compelling as A Beautiful Mind and as powerful as Ordinary People. You will gain an understanding of those affected by early-onset Alzheimer's and remain moved and inspired long after you have put it down."

Haunting....

Friday, January 01, 2010

Christmastime 2009 Ponderings on New Year's Day

 
Photo: Christmas Brunch

I am writing this on the 2010 side of Christmas, but all the Christmas decorations, gifts, trees, are still surrounding me, calling to me to put them away.
I am trying to recoup from a sinus infection that had been slowly brewing most of the fall. I'm afraid I was determined to survive till Christmas, then afterward, with my guard down, I just gave in to physical & mental fatigue.
Wednesday I finally saw my doctor who recommended a regiment to get me back to normal:) Antibiotics are the last solution these days, but am thinking they are in my future, like today!

Christmas Eve was such a busy day since Skye & I both worked. Afterward we picked up subs for supper, then attended the 8pm Christmas Eve Service at Peace. I was so tired I have no idea what Rev. McFarland said--not good:(
Christmas morning was calm & quiet, a sweet time with the family.
Cameron, Seth & Kelley, and Skye were all here:) Three Three & Wyatt were so excited to be together & play & scout for food:) Gifts galore. Food galore, even a bit of Christmas wine:)
By 1pm Seth & Kelley & Three left for their second Christmas with the Wests, and Skye, Wyatt, & I headed straight for a nap--heavenly!

In hindsight, I had assumed visiting Keith's mom & dad & all the Mc's at Thanksgiving was a good idea, but--with mid Nov. through Dec. being the busiest time in retail, Skye facing papers & projects being due & her exams around the corner, Keith ending up having gall bladder surgery the exact same time as Janie's & Louise's visit (both rare indeed!) Dec. 8/9, finishing shopping, not have time to bake, not sending Christmas cards till Christmas Eve & later, I resolve to keep it more simple next year. One way will be to take off work after the rush--we enjoy going to Pa. after Christmas; a much more relaxed time:) Another is to ask off Christmas Eve--it's not good when you can't soak in the meaning of the Season. Thirdly, it'll be easier for Skye next Christmas with a school schedule & work in Boone as well (hopefully) to be off after Christmas Day.

Life is too short to rush here & there & simply yearn for enough rest. I felt like I couldn't get a deep breath some days:(
Should I re-schedule my part time work in 2010? Should I work two days a week instead of three? Should I pare down my church volunteer time?? If so, what should I give up??
I pray for wisdom & discernment, & plenty of vacation time in this new year:) Keith, where are we going first? Boone in January? A girls' weekend in NYC in May? Sounds good so far:)



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