* AN EXERCISE IN FUTILITY *

I've worked on four different drafts of possible blog posts the past few weeks. And as of this evening, none of them are relevant anymore.

Life keeps changing. Yes, I know that is "normal." That's what life is all about. Change.

But at this moment, right after midnight on Friday, I'm not pleased with the way this week is ending. Not pleased concerning my part-time job. "Not pleased" at all...

So, what's the point of this short post? The phrase: "an exercise in futility" popped into my head and I really wanted to use it, because that's how I feel tonight.

Stay tuned, if you care....but if I were you, I probably wouldn't.

 

* IF IT'S SUNDAY, I MUST BE GOING TO WORK TOMORROW *

Last week I almost worked my "normal" schedule at my job: 18 - 20 hours. 
The week before that I worked 40 HOURS. I was exhausted! My paycheck was nice, but I just can't do that very often. I still LOVE my job and all the people, though, which is wonderful.

~~~

So, I've been pretty lazy this weekend, as most weekends go. It's been so hot this summer. Yes, we DO have hot and humid summers here, but I don't remember so many days 90⁰ and higher. I make myself perform the necessary chores: laundry, and cooking and cleaning up the dishes. :)

~~~

This afternoon I worked on putting together a shadowbox frame with photos and mementos of Vern. I finally was able to begin it without being in tears. I need to get some spray-on adhesive and when I'm finished, I'll post a picture of it on here. We need to get lots of other regular frames, because we have so many photos we'd like to hang on the walls.

Here's one I've never posted before. It's from June 2011.

 

Vern was rolling around on the carpet and

I was shocked I actually got him in motion!

 

How I miss him....

 

P.S. Please take the time to stop by Robert Brault's blog. The man is a genius!! https://rbrault.blogspot.com/  

* TEA CUPS, TEA POTS, & CHICKENS...OH MY *

 "Bookie" commented on my Nostalgic Sunday post of March 20th, that she...and probably others...would like to see photos of the tea room area where I work. So, here are a few I took before I left work yesterday. I have many others that I've taken at various times, but they are mostly of the Home Décor part of the store and I will share them sometime soon.  

 

Tea cups, mini teapots, and sideboard

Part of the tea room
(Please excuse the glare. It was sunny!)

Private room in the tea room

Part of hallway between Home Décor and Tea Room (See the steps and hand railing on the right? That leads to more gorgeous items to purchase, the custom design room, the owner's office and my office!) P.S. I just LOVE those ceramic chickens! I bought two smaller ones (not shown) for myself and one of these larger ones for a friend's birthday.

* After reading Lisa's comment about the ceramic chickens, I realized they really aren't ceramic....they are more like concrete! But not too heavy! Just wanted to verify that. AND, the Imogene's website is getting ready to be updated asap, although every single item won't be able to be listed. Just ask me what kinds of things you like, and I'll let you know what we have!

~~~

 

As I've stated before, I love my job! I'm surrounded by beautiful things, friendly and caring people, and yummy food! What more could a gal ask for? If you live anywhere near Wildwood, Missouri or will be vacationing in the St. Louis area, do stop in at Imogene's! If you're going to have lunch, make reservations, even if it's only for two!

 

 

♪ Tea for two, and two for tea... ♪

 

 

 



* NEW THOUGHTS ON FOLLOWING MY BLISS *

Last week I had one of those moments where a thought just popped into my head and made perfect sense. I was in bed, trying to go to sleep, but my brain had other ideas...ha ha! Get it...my brain had other "ideas"!? (Sorry for the groaner, but I'm still going pretty much on lots of coffee and a lack of Zzzzs... due to working three full days and three half days last week.)

So...the thought that popped into my head was all about "following your bliss"... and isn't that what my blog and I are all about?! You've seen the following poem on my side bar:

"Follow your bliss.
If you do follow your bliss,
you put yourself on a kind of track
that has been there all the while waiting for you,
and the life you ought to be living
is the one you are living.
When you can see that,
you begin to meet people
who are in the field of your bliss,
and they open the doors to you.
I say, follow your bliss and don't be afraid,
and doors will open
where you didn't know they were going to be.
If you follow your bliss,
doors will open for you that wouldn't have opened for anyone else.”
-- Joseph Campbell

 

Both of my part-time jobs just happened to come along, when I wasn't even looking!

"...you begin to meet people
who are in the field of your bliss,
and they open the doors to you.
I say, follow your bliss and don't be afraid,
and doors will open..."
 
And yes, both jobs are rewarding and fun, and yes I'm following my bliss!

And then a powerful thought: Stop worrying about whether I'm writing or not writing...Enjoy where I am at this moment, and the writing will come.

~~~

 

When my friend, Robin Theiss, first told me about Joseph Campbell's quote, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I immediately felt like those words had been written especially for me. I still find it very powerful every time I read it. 

 

I hope all of you are following your bliss, but if you aren't, please give it a try.

 

Wishing you all a beautiful, blissful 2nd week of December!



 

 

A horse drawn carriage on Main Street in old St. Charles, Mo.
This was taken in December of 2009.



* 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!

~~~

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.

 

 

                                              ~~~

 

 

"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

* WORKING & LEARNING & DECORATING THE TREE *

WORKING & LEARNING

When I first started looking for a job a few months ago, one thing I said I would NOT do was work in retail. Well, have I mentioned that I'm working in retail?! But it's not in a large department store or discount store. THAT, I swear, I would NOT do!

I'm working seasonal, part-time at Thistle & Clover, the specialty shop I mentioned in a blog post on June 8th. (They carry Scottish, Irish, and Welsh items.) My new friend, Karen and her husband own it, and they are great to work for. The other employees are helpful and fun to work with, too. I'm enjoying learning about some of my Welsh and Scottish heritage which is on my dad's side of the family: the coat of arms, the tartans, the history, etc.

Karen, in front of Thistle & Clover

I love talking with people and helping them find what they're looking for, so it hasn't really seemed much like work.....until I get home and realize how tired I am!

DECORATING THE TREE

 

Over the past week, when I've been home from work, I've been adding a few ornaments to our Christmas tree. It occurred to me that at the rate I was going, it would never be finished before Christmas! So, during the past couple of days I finished trimming the tree! I'm so happy with it!

Our Christmas tree in 2014

Last year we only had a tiny, two foot tall tree, and it didn't seem like Christmas to me. This year we have a six foot tall tree, complete with lights, that we got at Walgreens last year after Christmas for...Ten Dollars! I'll post a couple of photos soon.

 

 

 

 

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other." - Burton Hillis