* YIKES, IT'S DECEMBER! *

Right now, my two part-time jobs are kickin' my butt! Yesterday when I got into my car, I had to stop and think which job I was going to and which highway I needed to get on! LOL

Actually, it's not that bad, but I'm looking forward to working only one job after this Saturday. (Have I even mentioned the two jobs? Long story as to how I came upon the second one and got hired the day of my interview, even after I was AN HOUR LATE for it!)

My posts will probably be even fewer this month, but I hope everyone knows that you're always in my thoughts. Maybe I'll just post a photo or two every now and then....

 

December 2008

... like these two wacky pictures of myself from December of 2008. Gosh, it doesn't seem that long ago!

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Welcome to my newest follower, Dawn.

 

I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thanks so much.

 

P.S. - Dawn, please leave a comment with your blog or website. When I click on your photo, a link pops up for about one second and disappears before I can even click on it.

 

 

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"How did it get so late so soon? It's night before it's afternoon. December is here before it's June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?" - Dr. Seuss

 

 

* THIS MONTH WILL BE HALF OVER BEFORE WE KNOW IT *

My previous post was on December 30, 2014. And here it is January 9, 2015.

Gosh, this month is almost half over already!

My apologies for yet another very brief post. I just wanted to say Hello, and share the news that my "seasonal" part-time job (at Thistle & Clover) is continuing....indefinitely!

The owner asked me to stay on, and I said "Sure! Thank you so much!"

I hope everyone is having a blissful beginning to the new year.

More news will follow soon. I promise!

I hope this fireplace will make everyone feel warm and toasty!

♪ Baby, it's cold outside! ♪
 

"In the winter she curls up around a good book and dreams away the cold." - Ben Aaronovitch

* A New Dawn - A New Day *

It's 4:30 am, CST and I've been wide awake for a couple of hours. Why? Because I was exhausted last night and went to bed way too early. So, here I am wide awake and raring to go! 

The first thing I did was fix myself a small yogurt parfait. (Yep, even at this time of morning!) I try to always have three major food items on hand: yogurt, fresh strawberries, and granola cereal.  

Then I walked over to the kitchen calendar and flipped the page to December. There's something invigorating about seeing that new month, all those "blank" days just waiting for life to happen. And this morning, for the first time in my life, a song popped into my head right then and there.

♫♪ 

Birds flying high

You know how I feel

Sun in the sky

You know how I feel

Breeze driftin' on by

You know how I feel

It's a new dawn

It's a new day

It's a new life

For me

And I'm feeling good

I'm feeling good

"Feeling Good"
(Lyrics & Music by Anthony Newley & Leslie Bricusse)

And for whatever reason, that's exactly how I feel this morning: happy, excited, calm, anxiously waiting for whatever the day may bring. I can just hear Michael Buble singing this, because although I know it's been sung hundreds of times, his voice is the one I'm most familiar with. 

http://familycrafts.about.com/

What about you? How do you feel when you see a new calendar page? And please, don't allow your stress level to rise just because it's December 1st! 

"The most important thing is to enjoy your life - to be happy - it's all that matters. -- Audrey Hepburn

* This and That on a Wednesday *

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

I've been feeling a bit "autumnly" for a few days, but our weather is wacky, and today was warmer and more humid again. Yet, October is right around the corner, and the beginning of my favorite time of the year....October, November and December. The aromas of traditional meals and desserts, seeing family and friends, drinking those yummy flavored coffees, and burning lovely scented candles. Ahhh, heavenly!

I thought I'd share some photos from around my house. Even though they are from past years, many of you may not have seen them before.

From November 2010

From October 2011

My fireplace in September 2010

Are you reading anything really great right now? Do you have any favorite books for particular seasons....like favorite movies?

I'm rereading "Crazy Ladies: A Novel" by Michael Lee West. (The chapters progress though quite a few years and aren't about any certain seasons or holidays, although they certainly are mentioned.) I first purchased and read it in 2006. (I know this because I wrote my name and the date inside! And that reminded me of my excitement when receiving brand new books at the beginning of each school year!) If you click on the title, it will take you to its page on Amazon where it averaged 4 out of 5 stars in 118 reviews! I loved it in 2006 and I'm loving it again in 2012!

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Besides being an author of about a zillion books...well, maybe not quite that many, Ms. West also cooks and bakes and decorates. I have no idea where she gets the energy! Click Here to visit Rattlebridge Farm. AND please click Here to visit her website. She's awe-inspiring!

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One More Thing about Michael Lee West: She also wrote a book blurb for my memoir, of which I will be forever grateful, but that is not the reason I rave about her or her writing. That all comes straight from my heart and I know she knows that, too. 

Lastly, the fabulous Jennifer Daiker over at Unedited is hosting Guest Bloggers and I will be the featured guest next Monday, October 1st. Please stop by and browse all through Jen's blog. She is amazing!


*Welcome to my newest followers, Riet and Lady Cat. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you! *   


"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." - George Eliot