MORE FEBRUARY RAMBLINGS

I feel spring in the air!  It's sunny and in the mid thirties and that's good enough for me!  This is the little bunny that sits next to my front porch steps, year round I might add.  I have a nice little collection of bunnies that I add to every year and bring out once spring arrives.  That would be March 20th.  I'm counting.  I like the ones that look old and chippy and a little simple, but I do have some that are whimsical, I don't discriminate when it comes to cute critters.  I found a few online a couple of weeks ago and I'm looking out for my UPS guy.  Not so much that I can't wait to get them, I've resorted to hiding my deliveries since the intervention.  Oh, did I mention the intervention?  My son and daughter (that would be Jeff and Emily) took me aside one day and told me I had a serious online shopping addiction.  I thought it was crazy that Emily was partaking in this discussion because she's worse than me, but she was loving the drama.  Jeff does his work here on an average of 2 days a week and those seem to be the days I get "my stuff".  And he thinks I'm on my laptop entirely too much.  In my defense, I countered with; A)  It's no one's business.  B)  99% of the time it's on sale.  C)  They should be glad I'm not one of those ladies that likes to lunch and shop everyday.  I mean, it could be worse.  Of course I had to think over what they were getting at, and I decided I would curtail my fascination with shopping from the comforts of my couch.  If it's said that we don't perceive our credit cards as real money, let it also be said  that we shouldn't confuse our computers with the shopping mall.

Thank you for all of the well wishes for Layla.  I can't say it's been a rough time, just something that pulls on my heartstrings.  She was so groggy when I brought her home, she didn't even wag her tail or lick my face.  The next morning, The Husband and I were going to be gone downtown all day and I knew she needed a pain pill (wouldn't you if your uterus had been removed?).  After a lot of persuasion, I got her to take the pill wrapped up in a piece of salami.  I know she is still recovering, but she walks around lethargically and whimpers constantly.  The incision looks fine and I cuddle her all the time, I don't know what else to do.  "Hello, Dr. Fisher, my dog is crying"??  Today was her last pain pill.  They don't even make her tired.  Could she have been prescribed too low a dose?  Should I call for more?  Why oh why can't our pets talk?

Charlie the painter stopped by Saturday to measure and he's going to call back with a quote.  He can start in 10 days.  I have my work cut out for me.  This little space in my kitchen is Information Central and yes, I know it's cluttered.  The word "simple" and I just don't mesh.  Each of these cookbooks have to be taken down and cleaned...with a degreasing product.  As they are next to the stove, I do this every couple of years or when I use them.  It's time consuming and I entertained the thought of packing most of them up.  I do know that if I do that, I will just clutter up the shelves with something else.  If I take the shelves down, I could do a pretty gallery with some prints or signs  or plates.  Hmmmm, not sure what to do.  But the best thing is, I am going to finally be rid of this old green paint.  

We had a very quiet weekend and I had some time to fiddle with Pinterest.  I'm making some boards of my favorite things and it's fun.  I'm very particular about what I pin; recipes I know I'll try, crafts that seem doable to me (with all ten of my thumbs), and home decorating that's feasible.  I have no desire to have a "dream kitchen" pasted up, or "the bedroom I've always wanted".  My kitchen is done (well, maybe not that wall), as are so many other rooms in my house.  Of course I'm not a newlywed or someone that has just moved into a new home, it just is what it is.  I love making small changes and being inspired to try something different.  Looking at my boards last night, I sort of had an abstract look at the type of person I am.  Sort of how your home reflects the people living in it, that's what I was seeing.  What did I learn?  Well, first of all, I'm practical, as I said, I'm not clearing out any rooms to replace it with things I see everywhere.  And sadly maybe, I'm not much of a dreamer.  I don't mean to sound like a Debby Downer, but I don't spend my time "wanting".  If I want something material and I can afford it, then it's a done deal.  If I can't afford it, I don't waste my time or fill my head with impossible thoughts.  I put a lot of emphasis on needs, maybe because as a mother and wife, it's been my life tending to others and of course myself.  I fulfill needs and they are much more important than the wants.  And what else did I find out while playing with this imaginary life I've created online (smile)?  Well, I have a lot of interests that I've sort of shoved to the side.  That I'm a little more creative than I thought.  And finally, I need (and want) to make the rest of this journey a beautiful, happy and fulfilling one.  Imagine all that, just from playing with Pinterest!  

It's been very nice quiet day, Mondays are the only day of the week that I'm home alone.  I find it hard to concentrate without all the noise and chaos around me. ;-D  I'm going to get in a few chapters of the book I'm reading before starting dinner.  By the way, the book I have on my sidebar hasn't been touched yet (it should say 'books I will be reading someday'), I'm still plowing through a mystery series that is sort of 'light reading'.  No offense to the author or people that like a little fluff, the books are funny and page turners, but after I get done with the last one, which is #6, I can't wait to move on to the book on my sidebar and a few I've saved in my Nook library.

I hope all of you have a good week! :)