Keeping Busy

I must say that this has been the most depressing winter I have ever known!  With the continual snow and sub-zero temps, I will be welcoming spring with open arms! 

The children here have not had a full week of school since before Christmas.  If it is not a delayed day, it is a closing of school.  I am so glad Laura is not a senior this year. 

What has been keeping you from going crazy this winter?  I have started to crochet so many things that my WIPs far out number my completed things!  I have finished my daughter Ashleigh's birthday present.  When it gets closer to her birthday, I'll show it to you.  Don't want her to get a peek before her day!  I have also been getting back to cross-stitching.  It has been a good long time since I've cross-stitched and I realized how much I have missed it.  I'm working on a couple of pictures I want to hang and also planning out some Christmas decorations for next year. 

I am trying to read a book a week, but I think I have fallen asleep more than I have read! This weather makes me so tired.  I am almost finished a Phryne Fisher mystery. Do you know Miss Fisher?  She is an amazing woman. The books are written by Kerry Greenwood, taking place in Australia in 1928.  This will be the second time I am reading them.  I started watching the mystery series on Acorn TV.  I think it is also available on Hulu or Netflix.  The series is almost spot on with the books.

Well all, I must go, as my banana bread is needing to come out of the oven.  I don't know what I would do if I couldn't bake!  I love it! 

I hope the sun is shining in your part of the world.  If not, do something that you really love and make your own sunshine!  Hug someone, see a funny film, a have good meal and share your love with all!

Until next time, 

Hugs from me to you

A Day Of Love

Good morning, everyone!  I hope all of you are well, safe and warm today!  

I can't believe the weather!  Even the places that have a good amount of snow in the winter are suffering this year.  Here in Indiana, while there has been snow, it is the wind chill that has been horrid.  I do not remember wind chills like this in the 15 years I have lived here.  Hopefully that will mean a very mild summer.

Do you have plans for this day of love?  I don't.   I am not married anymore nor do I have a significant other.  Do I feel left out?  Good heavens, no!  I have have my daughters, and grandchildren, and I have my cat, Keeko.  What else does one need?

I just popped in today to say hello and I hope that on this day of love, you remember that the first person that needs your love is you!  Love yourself, you are special and don't forget it!

Happy weekend!

Till next time,

Hug....

A Two-for-One Book Review

Good Morning!  I would ask how your weather is, but I think none of us have anything nice to say about it!  So we shall move on to better topics.

Have you ever read a book and just KNEW you would love it from the starting sentence?  This is what happened to me with the book Julie and Romeo written by Jeanne Ray. In fact, I fell in love with this book so quickly I made sure I had the follow-up book, Julie and Romeo Get Lucky, in my hands so there would be no break in between books! 

We all know the story of Romeo and Juliet and their quarreling families.  Now, imagine this in our current 21st century and make Romeo and Julie, as she is called in these books, in their sixties!  I tell you, they are a hoot!

The families of Julie Roseman and Romeo Cacciamani had been feuding for years.  Julie and Romeo grew up knowing you did not talk to the 'other' family.   Over the years, reasons for this feud had never been spoken of.  All that was known was to hate the other family.

Julie and Romeo own rival flower shops in Somerville.  Each of them have lost their spouse, Romeo's by death and Julie's by divorce.  They each have children and grandchildren.  Their families, unlike Romeo and Julie, want to keep this feud going on for eternity.

A chance meeting at a business seminar reunites the Roseman and Cacciamani clan.  While Romeo and Julie think it is high time this feud end, their families have other opinions.  The chance meeting of these two have the feud switch  from simmering to full-on boiling!

I don't want to give away too much about the books. No spoilers here!  I will say that these books put a whole new twist on Romeo and Juliet.  

Can you read one and not the other?  Of course, although I could not!  Can you read them out of order?  Of course!  I will say if you enjoy a comical, yet dramatic read, one that touches on families, traditions and lots of love, you will enjoy these!

I hope each of you have a wonderful Thursday.  Please, stay warm and be safe if you must venture out in this crazy weather that most of the world is having.  Read a good book, share a meal with those you love.  Remember, above all else, tomorrow is another day!

Hugs...

Snow Days

I'm sure, by now, you might be thinking this winter may never end.  I know that I have started using some choice words to describe the days!  I love the snow and winter, but this is seriously starting to get ridiculous!  Wednesday and today the children had a snow day. I think today is either day 7 or 8 they will need to make up. We do have a built-in snow day calendar, but not this many!  I've lost count on how many delayed starts they have had.  The state board is trying to come up with ways to make up all of this lost time.  I am glad Laura is not a senior, as I am sure the seniors are missing opportunities.  Hopefully we will have a glorious spring!

I  have been trying out new things for the blog.  Having Laura home has helped, as she knows much more about computer tech than I do.  So, the next few blogs may have different looks until I hit on one I like.  Please, feel free to make suggestions.  They would be very valuable help. 

What has been keeping you busy?  I have been crocheting, which I do everyday.  It's for my hands and really, at times, peace.  I also have been knitting again.  Now, I had knit before, 30+ years ago, and had started several years back again.  It seems like I get too busy for knitting or I want a project that is fast.  I really knit slow!  Several weeks ago, daughter #3 called when she went into labor and I took up those long forgotten, dusty needles and knit a pair of booties while I waited for the news!  I will say that since then, I knit most days and have made another pair of booties, a scarf and am starting on fingerless gloves.  Nothing real complicated for now, just knitting to remember the stitches and find my rhythm again.  

I am going to try to do a book review once a week.  I have so many books and use my library constantly.  I love reading, do you?  I sometimes find that I get stuck in a rut with genres.  So, I try to read at least one book a month that makes me step out of my reading comfort zone.  I also look for new authors.  It's great to stumble upon an author that you just click with.  Some of my favourite authors have been found like this.

I will leave you for now.  I hope that you are staying safe, warm and cosy where you are.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend.  Hug your loved ones, laugh with a friend and above all, remember that you are special!

Hugs....

Keeping Warm

Good Morning!  I hope all of you are safe and sound on this winter morning.

Are you snowed in?  Here, in my section of Indiana, it's starting to get pretty bad, I must confess.  I've heard some roads are near impassable due to snowfall and drifting.  It's the drifting that is bad here.  I live where there are farms and open land.  Sometimes it is hard to even see the ditches.  Staying home is the best thing you can do.

As of this morning, we are under yet another winter advisory and a windchill advisory until Wednesday.  Here it is predicted to be -35 to -40.  Upper Michigan is going to see the wind chill as much as -60.  Can things actually survive in that temperature?  All I know is that when we have frostbite warnings, no one will be leaving this house!

I'm sure all of this cold weather is taking it's toll on the economy.  I know that the tab for taking care of the roads  has already gone above the county budget.  The schools  have already been off more days in January than ever before.  Unfortunately, that does mean a shorter summer vacation, but I think that is a small price to pay for the safety of the children.

I read this morning, or maybe it was last evening, that it is so warm in Alaska that the dog races were canceled.  I do not ever remember Alaska being too warm in winter.

For now, we are staying indoors.  Reading, playing games, crocheting, knitting and drinking huge quantities of tea and cocoa.

Until next time, stay warm and safe, my friends.  Keep your pets warm and safe, too.  If you must venture out, take plenty of time.  Remember, spring is on the way!

Hugs...

This Will Be The Year

I have decided that after a year away, I needed to get it together and start blogging again.

The year I took off?  Well, where to start.  I think I used LIFE as an excuse.  You know, all the things that can and do happen on an everyday basis.  Babies being born,  youngest child starting high school, me feeling like I'm getting old faster than I am ready for...the list of excuses goes on and on.  I think my biggest excuse is FEAR.  I am an introvert.  I have OCD. Both of these only add to my fear.  The fear can be very overwhelming at times.   I have decided to take charge of this fear and no longer let it rule me.

Do you ever read something,  an article or a blog or a book,  and think "Wow, how did they know that about me?  Are they secretly filming me? (enter that fear thing)  Well, I felt like that after reading a post by Erin at bluebirdbaby.typepad.com.  Every year Erin has a challenge for the year.  This year it is 'Let Go Of Fear'.  She talks of how fear can seep into your life and makes things so very hard for you. Fear can hinder happiness of all types; relationships,  jobs, dreams.  My fear has certainly done that to me.

Four years ago, I had something devastating happen to me: my husband walked out on my 10 year old daughter and myself.  Not only that, but it came to light that he had been planning this for some time.  To make matters worse, it was for the person that I thought was my close friend.  I had no money, as he closed the accounts, no job, a 10 year old, and major health problems.  To say the least,  fear took over.  I spent most of 2012 and 2013 just trying to cope.

Are things better now?  Yes, very much so.  We have a wonderful apartment, a good high school for my girl, and most of my health problems are being dealt with.  But fear, I am sorry to say, still envelopes me at times.

I have taken Erin's challenge.  I will no longer allow fear to rule.  I know, easier said that done at times.  My biggest fear that I am dealing with at the moment?  Blogging.  Am I good enough to blog?  Does my page look like something I would stop and read?  Are there enough pictures or not enough? Are the topics boring?  Do I prattle on to much? (always!)  I am going to not think about those fears any more.  Today is the day I tell fear to take a hike!

There is a song that I love, sung by Susan Boyle. The title: This Will Be The Year. I'm making it my personal challenge.  This will be the year when I start living again, mistakes, phobias and all.  The year that I become who I was meant to be.  No excuses.

I hope all of you will have a wonderful day.  Keep warm, my friends.  Hug your special someone, laugh, love and most of all, remember that you are one-of-a-kind, there is no one just like you and you do count.

Until next time,

Deb

It's me

It's been ages since I've posted anything.  Let's just say the last 6 months have been crazy-some good, some not so much.
I do want to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and hopefully I'll be able to blog daily after the New Year.
Happiest wishes for all,
Deb