Pike Place Market

This past weekend we had a lovely time visiting with Tadpole and Ronnie.  We had hoped to go to the Fremont Solstice Parade but we were cursed with the poor weather ..and so decided to go to Pike Place Market instead.  I think that the rest of Western Washington decided the exact same thing because we were packed in there like sardines.  Luckily there was a little corner for us at the Athenian (my favorite place to hang out)

and we had a delicious breakfast and view all at once.  Even though my phone was almost out of juice I had enough to shoot a few wonderful pictures, how can you not when you are there?

Rachel was back.  There was actually a guy STRADDLING poor Rachel's face so instead of photographing him I took pictures of her hoof prints

and there was a million bikes there too...

and the balloon man.  How much more delicious could he be you ask?  I'll just say he is RIGHT IN FRONT of the mini-donut stand, so his aroma is delectable  (ewwwwwww) ...but at least it cancels out the weird bubblegum and dna smell wafting from gum wall right?

I don't know why, but I never noticed that there is a clock under the famous Pike Place sign...am I the only one thats never noticed this?

then...my phone died, and in my hurry to leave the house I also left my main camera.  So this friends is where we leave off ... just know that there were a million wonderous photo opportunities at the museum of glass, all of which I missed. ...

Cats with wings?

Woah, uh mazing
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1049610/Ready-Tiddles-Meet-cats-sprouted-wings.html

17

Before I talk about 17, let me talk about something close to my heart. 

I love this bath.  Everytime we go to Lowes I have to visit with it.  I did'nt actually get IN IT last night but I did visit with it again, and I hugged it, just a little bit ... before people crowded around to mock me.  I love the curves, the silver metal feet - plus, its so shiny.  Basically - whats not to love?  One day I shall have you...

And now, 17.

Remember 17?  17 was a weird year for me - I finished up high school then returned again at my Dad's insistence.  I was soooo ready to be done with school and sooooo ready to be working.  I was also ready to leave home and be on my own - despite being ready, life had other plans for me and I ended up enduring another year at high school and another year at home.  I say enduring because at the time it seemed like a chore, looking back it was the perfect thing to be happening!  It really was a glorious last year before entering the real world of relationships, heartbreak, bills, working and so on. 

My stepson Elliott turned 17 today.  Mr Big and I woke him at by storming his room in the early hours shouting happy birthday greetings and shooting him with confetti cannons.  Because it was 5.45am I didnt have my camera with me to capture the moment...I did later though...and here was one of El's gifties. 

These are treking/walking/running shoes that Elliott has been wanting.  I love that he isnt afraid to wear fun things like this.  Its inspirational!  You're an awesome fellow Elliott!



15 days...

Dear Reader
Sorry.  Its been 15 days.  And I have no actually real excuse aside from a lame "i've been busy" to offer you.  Anyhoo, recap on the past goings on that have kept me from you:

SOPHIE's 3rd Birthday

There's something about Soph that's so charming.  It's not only that she looks like a fairy with her whisps of blonde hair and tinyness, but its her personality (hilarious) and her scary incredible intelligence. 

MOM TO SOPHIE:  I see you are drawing lots of circles.  Can you draw me a square

SOPHIE TO MOM: No, but I can draw an octagon, would you like that....

See what I mean.  Scary - and yet charming all at once. 

We really enjoyed Soph's third birthday - it was a princess theme and Kirsten her mom did an amazing job with the part design.

THE WEATHER

Even though it is June and its supposed to be delightful easy breezy blue skied days the above has been more the norm for us.  Those of you that know me well know that usually I prefer the rain, love the grey and chilly.  Usually.  Right now I want to punch rain clouds in the snoot.  Im sick of them.  I want my fill of vitamin d.  Mooooooaaaaan.....

ELLIOTT

Have I mentioned to you that El has come to live with us permenently?  Its actually been awesome.  He is a terrific person and I love having him with us.  We've been able to be a part of some milestones - first up was the milestone of part one of his drivers test for learners permit...he was close to passing but not quite.  Better luck next time bud.  I love that we celebrated PRIOR to the testing. We are an affirmative positive family us Allens.  Soon friend, soon you will need to be weary of driving when Mr Elliott is on the roads (but I know he will be a terrific driver).

BILL AND MELINDA GATES

One of the rare sunny days in Seattle this spring happened a couple of weekends ago and it coincided with Mr Big and I attending the opening of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  There were quite a few people waiting to view the beautiful facility but it didnt take long before we were in schmoozing with other members of the community. 

This building cost millions - they were very thoughtful and responsible in how the built on the site and what the used to construct the buildings with (very enviromentally concious).  Plus, what a wicked spot for it, right under the space needle...

Im not sure if you are familiar with the humanitarian work that is done here.  Its spectacular.  They are really making a change in the world.  I actually was very emotional walking around the building knowing how much they do.  Thank you Bill and Melinda Gates.

FREMONT MARKET

This was our first time at the market...and I loved it!  I had no idea that it was so large, its really a nook and cranny kind of place with most of the usual things - stores with sterling silver creation, stores with crazy garden ornaments, a cool vintage section and then some less usual things.  Case in point Danish Ebelskiver's.  Basically these are a pancake BALL filled with delightful things.  I went for nutella (how can any sane person resist it?) and raspberry jam with cream cheese.  Mr Big went for lemon curd and butter and salmon, cream cheese:

While we were sitting eating these delights a lady came up to me and held out the lead to her pup and asked if I would take care of him while she shopped....ackward pause...of course I will look after a strangers dog.  Actually he was a darling sweet boy, part pug, part something scruffy and his name was pepper...isnt he sweet...

after we pup-sat Pepper we continued our walk around and snapped up the deal of the century - two antique Chinese window screens for only $50 (for the two)

GENEVA

Who knew?  Geneva has been going to dance classes and is, according to Dot, third best in her class.  As you know, I am not known for my graceful ways, and sadly - neither is my beloved.  So Dots news fell on grateful ears and so it was with great excitement that we headed to Gen's first dance receital in "tree of life" at the Mountlake Performing Arts Center.  Great facility incidentally and it was such a pretty pretty evening

I find it hard to believe Gen is third best - she was the best dancer by far.  It was a very enjoyable 2 hours

and as if it couldnt be topped guess what else.  I had a profetic moment.  Gen had danced, the little kids came out and danced for an awwww moment, and then they all came out for their bows and curtseys.  At that moment I said to Dot and Gary..."the only thing that would make this better is confetti cannons".  Within seconds there was a double boom and confetti blasting out everywhere! YES!  Basically I think every performance should cresendo with this. 

So thats what we've been up to....see, busy right?

Thank you to Born to fly bloggie for posting this beautiful quote.  So true.  I've always love Bronte

Memorial Weekend

This weekend honors and remembers those brave men and women who died in service to America.  At church we also expand this to include all those that have touched our lives in someway and have since passed away its always a very special service for that reason.  With the four year anniversary just having come around, I was thinking of my Nana, Ann. 

Prior to the service you are invited to bring a flower with you and as you walk to the entrance of the sanctuary there are flowers for sale.

 After a few announcements the band plays beautiful music and the congregation is invited to walk forward to the stage where about 30 vases are waiting to receive the flowers people bring.  Each flower represents the beauty that person brought to your life, and that life keeps blooming.  Kathianne suggested that they are never really gone and said on the way into church this morning she had glanced across a couple of lanes on the highway and realized that a person was looking at her as she looked at them...you've done that before right?  I loved that she used this analogy to explain that when you want to remember someone that has passed over you only need look towards them, remember them..and they are right there looking back at you "from the other lane".  Beautiful right?  I loved it.  Fortunatly they had tonnes of tissues so it was all good, and then they started the procession up to the front while a couple of ladies sang "Because I knew you" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UFpQtOuOnc don't listen to this unless you are willing to shed a few tears, but it was really perfect for this ceremony.   

Nan, Because I knew you, I have been changed - - for good.  I miss you every day.

After everyone had taken their flowers up front this is the beauty that was left:


We finished up by singing America the Beautiful as the closing song in salute of those who have passed away that were in the armed forces, it was perfect

Im so glad that I am part of such a great community at the Center for Spiritual Living.  They do things just a bit differently, but different in an excellent way.

Happy Birthday Little One

It's your birthday today. You're two and I can hardly believe it. Seems like only yesterday that your Mum and Dad were calling to tell us the news that you were on your way to brighten our lives with your perfection.

I wish that we lived closer. I would give anything to be able to see your sweet face more. I love it now that Dad, Mum and I got smart and we now have Skype capability. I guess when you get older that will be something old fashioned, but right now its new. I got to hear you giggle while Dad tickled you on Friday night, and see Mum push you around on your new bike. It made my day, but then - it always does.

I want you to know that I love you very much, I miss you and I cant wait to see you next year. Happy birthday sweet boy!

Here you are when you were first born

and how here you are - a baby no more at 2 years old:

Beautiful video

Click on this.  Its great!

The Mountain from TSO Photography on Vimeo.

Bits and Bobs

I recently downloaded an app called "instagram" on my iphone.  Its a photo app so you know Im all over that... its really fantastic because not only does it allow you to have a rolling photo journal of daily photos you take (and post) but its also social because you share you photos with other instagramers all over the world.  One of the people on there posted a photo from The Eden Project in Cornwall and it led me to their website... HOW EFFING COOL that they have a web cam on this..:

Giant corn on the cob?  No.  Deep breath readers.... ITS A FLOWER BUD that will soon open up to have a giant stinky blossum.  Word.  Even better....it has a webcam on it so you can check in, real time, from across the miles to watch its progress.  This thing would be a bitch to repot right? 
Its a Titan arum - which is the world largest flower.  If I were a teacher (SIL Verna....) I would totally show my kids this.  The flower is endangered AND once it blooms it only lasts for a couple of days before it goes toes up.

This upcoming weekend is Memorial Weekend - one of the very few long weekends that we have here in the states, so as you might imagine Akeeweegirl and her family are very much looking forward to the rest.  Unfortunatly the rest part is a dream I think because I already have about 17 million jobs in mind for me (and the fam :-) ) to work on.  Course there's the garden, thats a constant, and I also want to repurpose a bookshelf into...a better bookshelf that it currently is.  In my mind the finished projay looks incredible, but Im not the handiest person sooooo...we shall see.  I also want to hang mirrors, paint frames, do some art work, plant some veggies...Im tired just thinking about it!

Got the coolest thing for Fathers Day gift for Mr Big, I cant say what it is (he sometimes reads this) but I know he is going to lurve it!!  I wish it was fathers day today so I could surprise him with it.

Have a great weekend friends!

I'll miss you

Dear Miss Oprah
I've grown up with you, and as Madonna said - you have been a mother to millions, including a simple kiwi girl from Auckland, New Zealand.  Oprah, I love you and I'll miss you.  I know you are a faithful fan of Akeeweegirl....or at least you would be if you knew about this little bloggie, Im sure it would be one of your favorite things.
I never got to go to see your show even though I have been to the beautiful city of Chicago several times, I'm sorry about that - it would have been wonderful!
I was watching your farewell spectacular last night and I was so emotional throughout - it is incredible how much one person can do, and you've done SO much good, not just here in the states - but all over the globe.  Thank you for being an inspiration in my life. 
Love Feefee

Maggie at http://www.mightygirl.com/ has put together a little flickr group to showcase some of the great teachings Oprah shared over the years, things that resonated.  If you want to join in you can post your photos at the group #thanksoprah - here's my contribution

Golden Gardens

People.  Seriously.  Its spring here in the Northwest.  How bout some freaking SUNSHINE ALREADY? Arrgh!  I am completely sick of greydom (which is weird, I usually embrace it)...but im ready to break out the sundress, ready to complain about it being too hot...

With this in mind I was so excited when, a few weeks ago Caroline mentioned that she was hosting her sons first birthday party at Golden Gardens.  This is a wonderful spot, just outside Seattle proper.  Perfect for a first birthday party.  It was freezing cold.  But you know me, I always like to look for a silver lining.  I found four.

Number one.  Olly.
This kid is a delicious morsel.  Anytime I am in his presence is a good time.  Just look at this wee cherub...this is Mr O not eating, but sucking, the life out of his birthday cupcake.  Like most 1 year olds this is his first taste of one, and he was definitely savouring it....and concentrating..at the task at hand.  Happy Birthday lil fella.  Love you oodles.

Number three was Miss Sophie.  Shes a little poppet too and its co-incidentally her birthday celebration this coming weekend.  She will be 3.

oh, did I mention the weather? Brrrrrr

and yet strangely after all is said and done, this too was a silver lining, Number three actually.  Number four was spending time with the love of my life, Mr Big AKA Gary.  Love you honey.

My Workplace

Honestly, if when I win the lottery and am swimming in million dollar bills I don't think that I will be working here at my present place of employment.  THAT SAID - I cant help but love love love where I work, and this is almost exclusively because of the people I work with and the simple fun that we have together.  Today is a perfect day to explain what I mean.

Firstly this is the conversation I have

UNNAMED EMPLOYEE #1: Does anyone have a plastic bag

UNNAMED EMPLOYEE #2: I do... (stands up in her cubie and this is what we see)

ME:  Bingo, UNNAMED EMPLOYEE #2 has one or two in her stash to help...

I don't know about you, but I think I counted about a gazillion bags here.  It was made even funnier when this exchange happened:

QUEUE raucous laughter following UNNAMED EMPLOYEE #2 showing the plethora of bag choices....

UNNAMED EMPLOYEE #3:  what is all that garbage doing at your desk?

UNNAMED EMPLOYEE #2:  this isn't garbage!

.....silent pause......

THEN, Kind Kirsten brought in her red wagon to lend to Caroline.  Caroline's son Mr Ollie is turning 1 and is having a barnyard themed party so what better to compliment all the decorations that a red wagon? 

and then the shannanigans ensued. 

and then...Unnamed friend demanded a ride (and as you can see there was some speed wobbles and an austin powers style turn happening here....thank goodness Carrie is practising before the prince gets in on the weekend!!)

and then she was off....to get coffee 

This didn't even draw a crowd, because we were surprisingly stealthy about the whole operation.  And yes, we were on our break.

Unnamed friend being the strong negotiator and sharing caring kind of person she is hopped out of the wagon and tried to get UNNAMED EMPLOYEE #4 to join in the fun.  I think UNNAMED EMPLOYEE #4 is saying something like this when I took the picture "emmmmmmmmm I don't think I should...ps, girl, where are your shoes?"

 followed in quick succession with...."ok, I'll give it a whirl"

but in the end....

Scaredy cat ...

Millionaire?

I love this, its so perfect dont you think?

Ahhaaaa breathing space

A bright sunshiney day!

It's a beautiful spring day here in the northwest, one of those days that make your happy meter peg, your eyes weep with the beauty of the mountians against the bluest skies.  Ahhhhhh.  Heres a picture from the University of Washington taken last weekend, the cherry blossums are just delicious en masse at this time of year.  It always puts a spring in my step to see them

What will make the day better you ask?  This beautiful little collection of childhood memories, reposted from one of my favorite blogs http://mightygirl.com/ Whats your favorite childhood memory?  Mines being with my dad on a sunday afternoon on Devonport wharf with my orange fishing rod fishing for sprats (tiny fish that only the cats would eat) and having sausages and chips (fries) for lunch out of their newspaper wrapping.  I really hated fishing, but I loved the time with my Dad.

Other childhood memories from Mighty Girls bloggie fans...

My grandmother had a heart valve replacement in the early 80’s, and unlike the porcine valves of today, hers was mechanical. It clicked every time it opend and closed, and I remember drifting off to sleep lulled by the symphony of her creaky wooden rocker, her heartbeat, and the click-click of her artificial valve. -Angela







Every Saturday morning, my dad would make me Eggo waffles and then, before he started his weekend chores in the garage and the yard, he’d make me a magic wand with a star on top out of a twisted wire hanger and tinfoil. I would play with it all week and it would always fall apart around Friday afternoon. -Sarah Brown






The time I asked if we could go to the amusement park after work, and my mom said, “we’ll ask your father,” which always meant no, but for some reason he said yes! And we went! -Brittney






My dad worked swing shift until my older sister started kindergarten, so he was home during the day. My preschool was down the street from our house, and one day I got sick and he came and carried me home in my alphabet blanket. -Judy






I remember my grandmother giving me a bath, in the darkening evening with just the glow of the under-cabinet lights, in the kitchen sink and her playing “this little piggie went to the market” with my toes. -Wendy






When I was 3 I “ran away” exactly one house down and across the street from my house. I dragged a half-inflated rubber dinghy and got the dog to follow me. I went completely buck naked, and my neighbours brought me home after my long journey… -Tia






When I was very young, finding a penny on the felt like I had won the lottery or unearthed a pot of gold. I would pick it up, bring it to my heart, and shout, clutch it and shout, “I’m rich, I’m rich!” On the morning of my fourth birthday [my 12-year-old half brother] woke me up very early, excited to show me that a money tree had appeared in our backyard overnight. Sure enough, when I ran to the back yard I found one of our little trees had “sprouted” not only pennies, but nickels and quarters on nearly all of its branches and leaves. I was so blown away by the surprise and joy of plucking treasure from a tree that it would be many years before I realized the “magic” was my brother. At an age where kids are notoriously self-absorbed and barely interested in any members of the family, much less a four year old sister whom he was forced to stay home and baby sit instead of being able to cruise the streets with his friends, my brother took a portion of his hard-earned paper-route money and spent many nighttime hours taping coins all over a scrubby lilac. At the time, I had been enduring some of the darkest days of my childhood. Our mom and my dad (my brother’s step-dad) were in the midst of a toxic divorce, involving the police being summoned to the house on occasion to break up the fighting, and ultimately, my dad ignoring me in order to cause pain to my mom. Though the breakup did not involve his biological dad, my brother, who lived with us full time, was by no means spared the pain of the divorce. Yet, somehow, while the adults mired in their own drama and self-pity, a twelve year old found a way to put his hurt aside in order preserve a little bit of magic in mine. -Jenny






We lived in New Mexico when I was younger. Whenever there was a thunderstorm at night, my parents would leave the garage open, and we’d sit in the trunk of our car wrapped up in blankets watching the lightening. -Ashlyn






My sister and I used to gather all our barrettes, hair clips, and pony tail holders and put them all in my dad’s hair while he read. We inherited our naturally curly hair from him and would comb it out to a giant Afro first too. -Betsey






When I was a teenager I use to suffer really bad with menstrual cramps. We were at our beach house and I came back from the beach crying and in pain and my dad, put me in his bed, the only bedroom with an air conditioner, a cup of hot tea and some pamprin and rubbed my back until I fell asleep. -Meg






My parents used to take my brother and I on “surprise vacations” when we were growing up. They’d wake us up at some ungodly hour of the morning and tell us we were going on a trip. My brother and I would go back to sleep in the backseat of the station wagon and by the time we woke up again, we’d almost be at our destination. We’d start guessing where we were heading, and the anticipation and excitement was just overwhelming. -Erin






When war broke out (in the Fmr Yugoslavia, where I’m originally from) and the constant shelling would get so bad in my hometown (Karlovac) that sometimes we had to go stay with family friends in Zagreb, I’d dread every Sunday at 7pm when my parents would drop me and my brother off. I remember climbing the stairs up to our friends’ apartment, holding onto both of my parents, and making sure my steps were in sync with theirs as we climbed. For some reason I felt this was like a secret thing that made us closer in those moments before they’d leave, even though I never let in on it to them. And then later, lying in bed, I’d blow kisses to them in the dark, convinced they’d somehow get to them. -Pretzel Thief






When I was little the tooth fairy would come to visit me, my mom would not only leave me money under the pillow, but she’d leave a trail of “fairy dust” (glitter) from my pillow to my bedroom window. I would show everyone who walked in the house, and didn’t let her vacuum for weeks! -Emily






In the early 1960’s, my siblings and I were sent to our grandmother’s for a week or two each summer. Across the street from her house was a black family with lots of kids. We weren’t allowed to go across to their yard and they weren’t allowed to come across to ours. Sadly, it was stricly racial on the part of the adults. However, we all wanted to play together so badly that we made up games that could be played without ever crossing the street, all day, every day. For about 6 years, we couldn’t wait to get there to see our friends and they couldn’t wait for us to come, even though we were never closer than 25 feet from each other. -Marsha






My dad owned a small diner in his younger days, and because of that, became the best short order cook. On Saturday mornings, we would come downstairs to fluffy omelets, baskets of toasted bagel halves, crisp bacon, and these incredible little fruit fritters he would make. -Dawn






Walking home from the community pool in bare feet popping tar bubbles on the side of the road with my toes. -Sarah






When I was a little girl, I absolutely adored my Dad. I would get up earlier than I had to – before my 7 brothers and sisters – so I could watch him shave. First, though, I would need to warm up so I’d stand over a heat register, oh did that ever feel good. I’d watch my flannel nightgown billow out. Then, I would go to the bathroom and sit on the toilet seat and watch my Dad pass the electric razor back and forth over his cheeks. One time, he grabbed my arm and ran the razor over my forearm. I remember giggling because it felt funny and when I looked down at my arm, a small patch of blonde hair was gone. I thought that was the neatest thing. -Cindy






My Gram wouldn’t let Gramps smoke in the house so he rode his touring motorcycle to Dunkin’ Donuts every night to smoke and drink coffee with his Navy buddies. When my little sister and I would stay the night, he’d come home with a box of Munchkins for breakfast. He would sit in his recliner, me on his lap, and the dog on my lap while we watched “Lawrence Welk” and “The Wheel.” His leather jacket was cold against my cheek from the wind and he smelled like cigarettes and sugar and coffee and it was perfect. -BeckyC






When I was about 6, my Dad took me on a “date”. It wwas after my parents’ divorce, and after he started dating my (soon to be) step-mom. We got dressed up in our very best, and he took me to the fanciest restaurant in town. The maitre’d gave me a long-stemmed red rose, pulled out my chair, the works. My Dad gave me a bottle of “First Lady” perfume by Dadi (which he of course told me was French for Daddy). From then on, he always called me his First Lady. -Amber






When I was small my grandparents had a trailer on lake ontario. My grandma would go swimming with us several times a day, as much as we wanted really, and while we were all out in the water she would make up rhymes and sing non-sensical, silly songs that she made up. When we went inside she’d make us change into dry clothes and then let us put her “mouse” in our hair (mousse). When I was with her I was never concerned with anything but having fun. -Cheryl






The close of a day at the beach on a gloriously sunny holiday in Donegal (in the north east of Ireland) when I was about 8. As you probably know the weather’s not that great here in Ireland, but the sun was splitting the stones every day that week, and one long day at the beach, we stayed so late that it finished with us all watching the tide getting closer, closer and closer to our picnic blanket. Instead of being super-sensible and leaving, my parents went with it and let the water get so close that my brother and I built a little wall out of the sand around the blanket to keep the water away, while they lay on the blanket watching our efforts. We were totally surrounded by water in the end and had to paddle to get back to the car, arms loaded with all our stuff. It was so exciting to me and my brother. -SarahC






My favorite childhood memory is when my dad used to play guitar and sing to me. It was just after my parents’ divorce, and this was our time together — our weekends. I loved all those songs and learned all the words, and I still love them. After a while, he stopped playing guitar, and I begged him to play to me again, but he won’t now… and now that I am grown, I realize all the songs were love songs to my mom. So now the memory is a little bittersweet, and I wonder if he had ever sung “Every time I tried to tell you, the words just came out wrong… so I have to say I love you in a song” to my mom, maybe she would have understood, and stayed. -Steph






My family would go to the beach on the weekends, and my dad would fill a huge 5 gallon bucket with water. It would sit in the back of the truck and warm in the sun all day. When the day was done, we would scamper back to the truck where he would rinse me and my brother in warm fresh water while we stood in the bucket. -Christina






I remember my grandmother giving me a mug half-full of brown sugar for a snack.


And my grandfather carrying me out of bed in the morning and sitting me down in front of the fire before school.


And my dad telling me “Always do more than you’re asked.” -Kelley

Come on! Get Happy!

...... in my Friday blogfest look what I found.  I lovely list of things to do to "be happy".  My happiness meter is almost always running at 98% (I know, Im lucky)...but there is always room for more happy right?  Hope you enjoy this list as much as I did and that your happiness meter will be pegged!





1. Say what you want without apology or shame. You don’t have to tell the whole world, just one other person will do.

2. Refuse to step toward the easy thing, when the real thing is what you really want.

3. Forgive yourself for wanting more.

4. Forgive everyone else for wanting less.

5. Turn off all the noise. The phone. The TV. The radio. Sit in the quiet of your house and let however you feel come right out of you.

6. Take a nap. This is uncharacteristic and strange, but do it anyway. Go ahead, get all the way under the covers like it’s 8:30 and you’re five years old. We won’t judge you.

7. Tell the truth about your beautiful, impossible dream. There’s no point in hiding anymore. Everyone already knows deep down. If you say it, there will be a price to pay, but there will also be a path forward and real excitement.

8. Show your heart. A look or a small but simple sentence is all it takes, so allow yourself the freedom. You have so much hope (and sadness) you’re carrying around in there and it takes so much energy to keep it in, so let it out.

9. Know that no one needs to see what you see for it to be valid and true. Honor yourself for your own wisdom and register what it’s taken for you to learn what you’ve learned so far.

10. Allow yourself one small adventure. Define adventure as something that allows you to feel awake and alive without bringing destruction down on yourself or others. This one step toward your honest heart will fuel a hundred days of happiness, and happiness, like nothing else, is one of the most beautiful ways to enter a purifying fire.

Thank you to Jen Lemen for this list.

OK Big Guy in the sky, I hear you

I don't know about you, but I often find myself at odds with the people around me.  Not understanding their actions, their behaviors....being disappointed.....you know what I mean?  Well, there's a couple of close peoples in my life that have been driving me friggin bonkers and I was writing about this in my journal this morning and asking for some guidance from the universe (on how to be more tolerant and not so upset about it).  Soon after I started my usual trawl through bloggieverse and look what came up.  A MESSAGE SO PERFECT, so succinct.  Take a deep breath:



and breathe out haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.  Thank you great unknown.  You are so right. OF course.

IN AP PROPRIATE

I don't know what it is about dolls that my friend John finds so scary, and usually I send him the odd picture of a doll just so he knows im thinking about him.  So imagine my surprise when, out of the blue, when I wasnt even looking for a scarey doll picture for John, actually when I was blog stalking....look what I found


Im not so sure I would want this doll for a little one...how about you?

Visitation

Only 16 weeks till my Mum is here.

You know what its like when a parent comes to visit for a day: you throw laundry in the oven, push everything under the bed etc etc... well imagine that but that the visit is for 6 weeks.  Im a little panicked.  A little overwhelmed.

As I sat in the big leather chair last night thinking about the upcoming visit I started to make a mental list of all the things I wanted to have perfect by the time she gets here...

1.  The Garden
I want tumbling vines, in full bloom roses, no weeds, bees buzzing - you know.  The uge.  This is similar to what I would like established within 16 weeks

this is what I have in side garden number one

There's a little work to do as you can see.
2.  The Mouldings
When we moved into Castle Allen it seemed pristine - every surface had been newly painted including all of the 100 year old framing and mouldings....I think that they must have done a quick job of the mouldings because for some reason they are all yellowing and so now its white and yellow strokes (... kind of makes it look like we are heavy smokers, that kind of yellow).  Not pretty.  These must be refreshed.
3.  The letterbox
A couple of weekends ago I was enjoying a quiet Saturday morning when there was a knock at the door
Me:  Good Morning!
Postman:  Im going to stop delivering your mail unless you get a bigger mailbox
Me:  Huh?
Postman:  Holds out a stack of 7 magazines, 4 letters and a card  This kind of volume of mail doesnt fit into your box points at beautiful vintage cast iron box
Me:   Snatches mail  Thank you  Slams door
How bout doing your job postman.  Anyways, Im on the lookout for a beautiful larger mail box - I was looking at google yesterday (google search was "huge oversized mail box") and look what showed up.  I dont think that the mail would fit in this either.


4.  The Den conversion to a bedroom


This is where it is kinda (actually this is a photo of the den before we moved in, theres a desk in the place of the cube organizer but largely this is the den.  Somehow we have to put a queen sized bed in here and also something for them to store their clothes in...and in general make it a delightful place to stay.  Did I mention that this window looks out to the yard...the yard with no joie de vive?  Curse my black thumbs.

There are numerous other things to do...this is just the beginning dear reader.