It's Tax Time

"Choose Easy?" I'm not finding it easy to do my own taxes this year. In fact, I'm getting lost in the process! I've entered my information, gone back to revisit again and again. I keep getting different refund amounts so I'm still working on it. At least I'll be getting a refund!?

My desk is strewn with papers and it's driving me crazy. Which ones do I need? What can I toss? I can't wait until this is over and the check is in the bank!!!

Fat Cats Don't Like Low Fat!

I recently decided to put my two fat cats on a diet. They are both huge and it's not just fluff!
These two eat constantly and beg for more!
They are spoiled too. Toby, the yellow cat, gets a saucer of cream in the morning when I have my coffee. Henry wants his bowl FULL all of the time. Now I'm filling it up with "low fat" food. They both think I have lost my mind!
When I put the food in their bowl they run to it hopefully but then only nibble a few bites. Then the complaining starts! Meowing for something else, anything else!

Henry pouts too. He looks at me with distain and just walks away sometimes. I know they will lose weight if I can just stick to this. It's a new year's resolution forced upon them!

Carriage House Dreaming

I think it's time to really downsize this time! Is it possible (of course it is) to have an estate sale before you die? I'm thinking a really really big sale will free my life of unneeded clutter and allow me the freedom to live more peacefully...

I found an add for a carriage house for rent! It's a one bedroom,detached house with a fireplace! Now I'm really dreaming!

I can imagine myself coming home to a quiet little cottage style home, sipping tea by the fire,and living comfortably within my income. I moved a huge truckload of STUFF here from Florida and now I'm realizing that I don't really need most of it! It might be fun to pare down to the necessities this time. Just looking around my current house now I can see that there are ROOMS I don't use and TONS of stuff I don't need!

I guess moving on and getting rid of is a process. I owned my own home for years, now I'm renting and letting someone else worry about the upkeep. It's really not so bad. I'm learning that home IS where the heart is and that I can't take stuff with me when I go! I don't want to leave my kids with the ugly task of getting rid of Mom's things either! I think I'll pursue my "estate sale" now and enjoy the best things life has to offer without the baggage!

An evening of contrasts

Last night I vegged on the sofa watching TV. I watched a mini-marathon of "What Not To Wear" and then "Miss America." Neither of these shows are usually on my list but I found them to be an escape, of sorts.

I watched Stacy and Clinton go through clothes and toss things that I recognize in my own closet! I wear a lot of t-shirts and jeans. I wear comfy sweats and flannel jammies too. Most days I really don't care what I look like because no one sees me in anything but my nursing scrubs anyway. I shop at thrift stores, WalMart and KMart. I've never been to NY and wouldn't know what to do with $5,000 to spend on clothes!? I need a haircut and should stop coloring my own hair too!

Does it really matter what you look like or how you dress? Stacy and Clinton think so!

I was touched by the way the girls they made over seemed to feel though. They all were radiant and more self-confident at the end of the show. Do new clothes really make you happy? Do high heels make you look beautiful? Does it really matter what you wear?

I get more pleasure out of seeing a beautiful cardinal at my bird feeder, a lovely flower or a sliced orange than shopping for clothes. I love seashells, candlelight, soft puppies, soft music, purring cats, a steaming cup of soup, the feel of sunshine on my face, and hugs from my kids.

I have memories more beautiful than any pair of shoes. . .

If you look closely at the pineapple photo you can see how God makes even a prickly plant beautiful. Roses bushes have thorns but produce the most beautiful flowers. His hand in nature makes all things beautiful! He can do that same in us regardless of what we wear.

Miss Katie Spam from Indiana

Photo from Newsday.com

This lovely young lady who won the Miss America pageant certainly is beautiful. What touched me most about her was the song she sang for the talent competition,"Via Dolorosa." Her sweet voice seemed to reach up to heaven. I'm sure that God has great plans for her life too.

"Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering

Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King

But He chose to walk that road out of His love for you and me

Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary."

It matters not so much what you wear, but the song you carry in your heart...

Draw your house

Hi,
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[url=http://www.drawahouse.com/takethetest/index.asp?street=f29a9295c23f362046cd7de9121c48b6] [size=18]Click here to draw a house[/size][/url]
When you have drawn your house it will be added to my street
which is a collection of all the houses people on this forum have drawn.

Let's get real!

True confessions this morning. I do not live in a clean house! I spend way to much time blogging! I spend way too much time on Facebook! I haven't cleaned my bathroom for two weeks! I didn't make my bed today! I let my laundry pile up until I have nothing to wear! My dogs are constantly peeing and pooping in the house! I haven't cleaned out or washed my car in months! The past two Saturdays I didn't change out of my pjs all day and I might do the same today!
Looks like Nugget was up on the dining room table again?
I shudder to think what might be growing behind the toilet?!
Not enough laundry to worry about yet...
I might just go back to bed!

What a difference a day makes!

Isn't life much like the changing colors of the kaleidoscope? Some days are so bright and colorful that you can hardly contain your joy. There are rainbows after the rain, flowers where there were none. Sunshine behind the clouds.

There is time for every season, a purpose for everything under heaven.

I hope you find some color in your day today.
A reason for hope. A prayer of thanksgiving!

This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!

Distractions

I woke up today at 4:00 am with the weight
of my worries upon me. I started out the day
with a cup of coffee and some time, too much time, spent in my little corner of the world. I'm still here actually. Sitting at my computer, surfing around instead of dealing with the problems I face.

I wonder just how many people do like I do?
Just try to ignore it and hope it will go away?
It's NOT going away. It's just mounting before me.

With no definite plan in sight it's much easier to
just waste time doing something else.

I really need to figure out what to do about my
finances. I need a plan. I need to take action.
I need to so something!

I'm reminded also to "be anxious for nothing,
but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be known
to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses
all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and
minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4: 6-7

This will be my thought for today.

Leaving and Changing

I was able to come home for lunch yesterday just in time to watch President and Mrs. Bush say good-bye and board the helicopter out of Washington. I watched as the helicopter rose and pulled away. I'm not sure why but I felt tears come to my eyes and a great sense of loss.

I remembered another day another time when my feelings got the best of me. That day was September 11th, 2001. I remember the exact place I was standing at the time. An entry parlor at a retirement home where I worked. I just happened to be passing through and noticed a small crowd of residents standing around the television. It was very quiet, I remember that too.

Some people were crying. Some praying softly. All were in shock.

In the days that followed I was glued to the news. I watched our President, listened to his words and felt his determination. I was never so proud to be an American or so angry that this happened to our great nation.

Yesterday, I also watched as our new President signed the official documents for the transfer of power. Again, I'm not sure why, but I felt afraid. I'm hoping in the days, months and years to come that I will again be proud of America. I do rejoice that we have finally begun to accept our brothers and sisters of color. It has been a long time coming.

It's probably the change that bothers me. I have personally had many leavings and many changes in my own life. I have learned from each one. There is still lingering doubt and reluctance to trust the unknown. May God keeps us all under the shadow of His wings and protect us from harm. May our new President look to Him for guidance and strength.

Inspiration!

http://www.piece-by-piece.net/Crochet/simple_crocheted_scarf.htm

Isn't this a beautiful photo?! Frost on spider webs! Amazing! It was posted today on Yahoo and I want to thank them for the inspiration!

My grandmother did tatting and crochet. She tried to teach me. I guess I didn't pay attention because I have never pursued this wonderful skill. I have many beautiful things that she made though. My favorite is a white crocheted bedspread. It is absolutely gorgeous and must have taken her months to finish! She also did laced edging on handkerchiefs. A day before Kleenex when ladies always had a crisp hanky in their pocket or purse.

I think I'm inspired this morning to try to crochet a scarf. Can't be all that hard, can it? I'm always trying to find projects that I can use and not just look at. I'll have to pull out my little book on stitching for left handers. Grandma tried to teach me by having me sit on the floor and watch her do things upside down. Maybe it will come back to me? I hope so.

It warms my heart this evening to see my four furry friends all getting along so well. The dogs are even giving Henry a kiss goodnight. I think he even likes it.

I hope you had a good day today. I hope you were able to pause for a few moments today and be thankful. If dogs and cats can get overlook their differences and be at peace with one another surely we can. It is a good thing to forgive. It is a better thing to be forgiven.

I hope you rest well. Remember the One who created you, loves you. He will watch over you and keep you from harm. Good night.

John's photos

I wanted to share some of the amazing photos that my dear friend John has taken recently in Seattle. I think he has a great eye for photography, don't you?

I love the composition of this photo. The curve of the girl's legs with the architecture of the building.

This is a photo of the Ballard Locks this fall. Beautiful colors and point of view!

A study in black against the bluest skies you've ever seen, in Seattle of course!

Love this one! It has an eerie feel, doesn't it?









I've been trying to get John to post his wonderful photos. Perhaps you could encourage him too?

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?. . . But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Matthew 6: 26-27, 33-34

Nugget

This little dog is flat out fun! He doesn't think he's a daschund or a dog even. I'm not sure what he thinks he is?! He can fly, he can jump, he can leap tall things with a single bound! He can always find something to do that makes me laugh. How can you be mad at that face on the dining room table at Christmas? Nugget seems to prefer the height of a piece of furniture to the floor where dogs are supposed to be. Maybe that makes him feel much larger that he is?

I rescued him from a young couple that had four big dogs and were afraid Nugget would get trampled. Not a problem for this dog but I'm glad they parted with him!

Nugget's great adventure happened a few months ago. I opened the back door to let him and his fearless friend, Dylan, out. Much to my dismay there was a dead squirrel on the back porch. Well, Nugget had found a prize! He grabbed the squirrel and took off with it across the backyard! Mom went after him but to no avail. When I got close enough to grab Nugget he just swallowed the squirrel whole! Yep, whole! Fur and feet and tail - gone in one huge gulp! I just stood there not knowing what to do. My baby dog swallowed a squirrel!

I called the emergency vet because you know these things never happen during office hours.

After a few tense moments and the sound of laughter in the background, the girl came back on the phone and told me just to watch him, "he'll probably throw it up," and "call back if he seems to be having any problems."

I watched the little booger all day. He didn't throw it up. He didn't seem phased by the whole experience at all! I didn't stop shaking for hours but Nugget went about his usual activities like nothing had happened. A normal day in the life of a small weiner dog, I guess?

I wish he could talk to me. Sometimes it would be nice to know what to expect next. But then, he probably would keep his secrets to himself...

Southern style cornbread

I know you were wanting the cornbread recipe too! There's nothing like southern cornbread with your taco soup! This is the Alabama recipe I got from "Pearl" at work. Now you know anyone with the nickname "Pearl" has got a good cornbread recipe!

Pearl's cornbread:

Preheat your big cast iron skillet (I know ya'll have one) in the oven to 350-375 with some oil or bacon drippings.

Mix together 1 cup self rising flour, 1 cup corn meal, 1 egg, 1 cup buttermilk (no subsitute!).

Pour into hot skillet and bake until it rises and the top is golden brown.

I haven't tried to make this yet but I've eaten plenty of it and it's GOOD!

Taco Soup

On a cold, cold Alabama morning I'm hungry! Already had my coffee, now I'm thinking about what's for dinner? One of the dear ladies at work brought us a big crockpot full of Taco soup this week. We all chowed down but I just didn't get enough! She served it with the famous southern cornbread she made too. YUMMY!

Here's the recipe:

TACO SOUP

1 can garbanzo beans, 2 can whole kernel corn, 2 cans black beans, 1 pkg. taco seasoning, onion, green pepper, 2 lb. cooked hamburger, 2 cans diced tomatoes, 2 pkgs Hidden Valley Ranch mix, 1-1 1/2 cups water. Combine all ingredients and cook slowly for 4 hours. Serve with cornbread or tortilla chips. Top with sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese.

Now that's a hearty meal for a cold winter day! Enjoy!

Missing Florida

The weatherman says it is 18 degrees here, "feels like 8," this morning. I am really missing Florida today! I don't want to go outside! I want to go "home" where the sun shines and it's WARM!!! A place where there are flowers year round. Green grass not brown! Palm trees not bare trees! Sandals not socks!

This is a photo of the Alabama Crimson Tide girls. Notice a similarity here - with the hair? All blonde and big! Sometimes I feel like the guy in the back with the shocked face...

When I moved here from Florida with my short reddish haircut I started noticing the girl here with their big blond hair. They're everywhere and I started feeling a little odd. I didn't talk like them, didn't look like them and had no idea how I could fit in?

In Florida we say "ya'll," but we don't say "darlin'" or "sweety" or "precious" very often. I hear those words all day long now. It's really kinda cute but definitely something I'm having to learn to get used to.

I live near the place of the original fried green tomatoes and yes, I've eaten plenty of those recently. The green beans here are cooked to mush in bacon fat with lots of onions. Now the cornbread is something I have really learned to love. No one makes cornbread like a southern gal! They don't like fish here but they do love their fried chicken. There is a chicken place on every corner. If you ask for iced tea, you'll get SWEET tea unless you say otherwise and then they look at you as if you were from another planet. Thankfully, I love sweet tea.

Now back to the hair. Along with the hair comes a heavy dose of make up and fake tans.
The girls here are not like the fresh, beach babes in Florida. They are put together in a perfect package that must take hours to achieve!

The sweetness you see on the outside, however, is often hiding a little bit of distaste for anything other than the south. It's really hard to "fit in" here but I'm trying. Maybe I'll bleach my hair blonde and try more of that makeup? Couldn't hurt, right?

Ironing is not one of my favorite things to do at 6 o'clock in the morning. My thoughts range from "why didn't I do this last night, wish I had done this last weekend, now I have to hurry or I'll be late to work..."

Most of my clothes don't need ironing and I prefer it that way. My new scrubs. 100% cotton, do though. I was getting ready to just do it but am distracted by this little iron that my mother had.

I use it as a door stop now but can imagine ladies of the past having to heat it on their stove before using. I'm thankful to have one that just plugs in to the wall!

I didn't even have an ironing board until recently. I shopped WalMart and just couldn't make myself pay over $30 for something I don't like to use. I found this antique board at a local thrift store for $3.00. That's more my style! It's small but does the job and I think it's rather cute.

What do you think about when you're ironing? I'm usually in a rush with thoughts of panic.

Wonder what the ladies of the past were thinking when they ironed their sheets and dish towels? Yes, my grandmother used to do that! I don't. Does that make me a lazy housekeeper?

The DMV

Here in "Sweet Home Alabama" there is a place that I have visited often. Too often. It's the Department of Motor Vehicles. The first time I went, hoping to get an Alabama tag and driver's license, I was turned away. I didn't have all of the needed paperwork. This after waiting in a long line for almost an hour.

I decided that I would try to get my driver's license first at another location only to be told I was too blind to drive! A trip to the optometrist and back with a letter in hand finally got me my Alabama license. Still no tag though...

Second trip to the DMV was fruitless too. Was told I needed to get my lien holder to fax them a copy of my title. Okay. I called the bank and they agreed to fax the title. Back to the tag office.
But. The lady at the counter did find my title but said she couldn't read it. I could read it, but she couldn't. I had to call the title company again and have them mail a copy of the title to the DMV.

Third trip to the tag office. After several tense moments the lady agreed to send in my application. No, I couldn't get my title today, you'll have to come back...

Fourth trip to the tag office. That will be today. I got a letter from them saying my application was denied for having no signature. I hope today, when I get there, they will have my application and I can sign it and be done with this!

Sweet Home Alabama? I'm not so sure...

This is my dear Aunt Adelaide. Photos from her 100th birthday party! She is my hero. Still sharp and healthy and as sweet as can be. She spends her days watching the golf channel, sitting out on the porch, and reading. She just finished the entire Harry Potter book series too! What is it like to live 100 years? The world has changed so much in her lifetime and she has taken it all in stride. She has so much wisdom and such a happy outlook on life in spite of all of the difficulties she has faced. We can all learn from our elders. I know I have learned so much from her.

The things I remember as a child are Christmas in the basement of her lovely Cape Cod style home. A fire crackling in the fireplaces both upstairs and down. Hiding in the little closets under the ceiling in the bedrooms. The smooth, shiny hardwood floors and the soft hand- hooked rugs on the floor. Her tiny red kitchen. Sliding down the bannister when no one was looking. Homemade cookies. I always felt loved in her home. . .

I loved her garden too. Especially the rock garden where there were always little suprises to find. Her roses were especially fragrant and abundant. In the spring there were tulips and daffodils and crocuses everywhere. In winter, we would sled down the hill until our ears were frozen and then come inside for homemade hot chocolate. The best!

Adelaide is an artist too. She paints landscapes and flowers and shares them with her family and friends. She has had many showings of her work near her home in Pennsylvania. I am continually inspired by her. Her art work graces my home now.

So what do you say to someone who has blessed your life so much? How to you begin to tell them how much you love and admire them? Just being with her on her birthday was such a joy. Another memory for me and one for her. God bless you Aunt Adelaide and thank you for being the kind of person I can only hope to be. . .

Love, Kathi

As promised, a tale of two weiners. Only one story this evening...

Dylan Vaughan Hendrix is a standard (big) daschund. Got him a flea market where the lady had a sign "mini-weiners for sale." He WAS mini then but has grown up to be the man of the house. His first adventure was to defend the homestead from the huge german shepherd dog across the street. He bolted over there barking his little head off.

I guess he was thinking the dog was a threat to me, I don't know. What happened next was
not pretty. The shepherd had the same idea, defend the family! They not only had words about it but Dylan got a big bite in the butt! It took three of us to untangle the mess.

Dylan had to have stitches and wear one of those funny cone things on his head until he healed. You would think that would have taught him to pick on someone his own size but he continues to be the fearless one.had the same idea, "defend the family," and the two not only

I have another daschund too, and two cats that keep me company and give me miles of smiles. It's so much fun to come home to a house full of friendly faces and wagging tails!

Fuzzy frost all over everything this morning. Beautiful in the sunshine but COLD! Too cold to get my camera out and try to snap a photo. Kept the gloves on the waited for the defroster in the car to do its thing. Was a busy busy day at work. Kept trying to remember to "do everything in love." Made my day go better.

Spent hours shooting and developing xrays. Felt sad for the big lady who could hardly get up on the table. Waited patiently. Could be me someday. Thought I saw a broken hip on the films but I'm not the doctor. Always wonder how someone can walk around on a broken hip? No wonder she was slow...

You never know what's going on with the people you meet each day. A smile and eye contact seems to help. A kind word doesn't hurt either... We all need the touch of another in our lives. Even if it's only for a moment. Let your light shine!

Speaking of xrays, I found this artist who takes xray photos of flowers. His name is StevenN. Meyers and his work is amazing! I have no idea how he does, it but love the way he captures the perfection of each leaf or flower or shell.

God does everything well.