(On Location) From the Train.
March 9th, 2010
I don’t know if it’s just me but the train seems especially quiet this morning. Aside from a window that us partially open and is making the sound that windows do when they are open and something is movig at a fairly high rate of speed, there is silence.
it was hovering just below the freezing point when I got out which has left a beautiful frosty tint to some of the leaves and even the benches at the station.
As we pass through field after field, I can see signs of spring- a crocus here, a daffodil there. The trees are still bare, but it won’t be long before they start showing signs of life.
I’ll admit that I didn’t want to get out of bed this morning because I was tired after a unrestful night of sleep, but now I’m glad I did. These quiet moments are golden. I can’t help but wonder if that is where the quote “Silence is golden.” comes from.
Take some time and enjoy a moment of silence today. Reflect, ponder or just be.
My Favorite Feline
March 8th, 2010
The clouds finally cleared out today and the sun made an appearance. Mister M. took advantage of the warmth of the sunshine and curled up on the sofa. I was able to grab this shot in a quick moment with my “eye” before he turned his attentions to JJ.
Times Changing? (The Oscar’s)
March 8th, 2010
I didn’t watch the Oscar’s last night, but I was happy to read on Fox News that Sandra Bullock won Best Actress for her performance in The Blindside. It was an awesome film, and Sandra did an amazing job at playing a southern girl, right down to the accent. I am a southern girl so I should know.
What I did find interesting is that the first woman director EVER won an Oscar last night, and incidentally that same film won for best picture, The Hurt Locker. Until I saw it nominated for the Oscar, I’ll admit that I’d never heard of it, but I’m curious how many of you saw it and what your impression was?
You have to give kudos to Kathryn Bigelo for being the first woman EVER to win the best director Oscar. In 82 years, that’s definitely saying something. It’s great to see that women are also finally being recognized for great directing work, and I have to wonder if times are changin’ in Tinseltown. What do you think?
Jewelry is a Girl’s Best Friend
March 8th, 2010
Anyone who knows me, knows how much I absolutely love jewelry. My mother in law asks me every time she notices that I have a new piece of jewelry if I have enough, and I have told her on more than one occasion that one can never have too much, or enough jewelry. For years, all I would wear was gold, but over the past five or six years, I’ve started exploring other metals such as copper bracelets and sterling silver.
For the most part, I buy my jewelry online. The prices are great, and the selection is much better than I have found anywhere locally. In fact, I’m constantly looking for a great new place to shop for jewelry and recently I came across a great new place, that not only has great items like copper bracelets, silver charms, and other fabulous jewelry, but they also offer free shipping worldwide. The thing that I love about that is that not only can I order something for myself and have it shipped for free, but I can also order great pieces of jewelry for friends in other parts of the world without paying outrageous shipping prices. Shopping for jewelry should be fun, and they also guarantee your complete satisfaction on every item that you order.
As you know, I love to share great deals when I find them, and I definitely think this is a great place to shop. Not only is the selection great, but the prices are good, and did I mention free worldwide shipping?
Beach Weather- Kind of
March 7th, 2010
Today is a new day, and for the first time in a while, I slept really well. Marcel has been absolutely fantastic through all this. He took two days off from work, and coupled with his regular days off, that gave him six days at home with me. I needed it. I’ve been blessed with some really wonderful friends here. I don’t know how I would have made it through without the love, kindness and prayers from my friends and family. I am forever grateful.
Even though it was hovering around the freezing point today, we decided that we really wanted to get out for a while. Actually, I’m the one who wanted to get out, since the sun was shining and there was little wind. We decided to take JJ to the beach for the first time ever and he loved it. He was a little too enthusiastic, but I know that was because it was his first trip. It seemed like everyone else had the same idea that we did, because the beach and Aloha was jam packed with people and dogs of all breeds and type. The sun was wonderful, and I needed a little Vitamin D. After about an hour and a half the wind started picking up and we decided to head home. JJ was exhausted. I tried to get a picture of him at the beach, but he was not having any part of it. I was trying to catch him with the “eye” phone but he would have been fuzzy with every shot, so I’ll have to wait until next trip.
Tomorrow, I’m going to attempt to start working again. Hopefully I can concentrate.
Thoughts
March 6th, 2010
I’m sorry if the little that I have been writing has seemed like doom and gloom, but I can assure you that it isn’t. The truth of the matter is, I’m grieving the loss of someone who was very dear to me, and in some ways I’m still trying to wrap my brain around the fact that she’s gone. It hurts, and it’s almost unbelieveable to think that when I go home the next time and when the holidays roll around that she won’t be there with us.
I’m trying to give this all a place, but it’s going to take time. I’ve been blessed by the outpouring of love and support from family and friends, and that makes it easier to bare that she’s no longer with us, and that I am not there. Yesterday was the wake (visitation) and I couldn’t sleep thinking about it. This morning is the funeral, and I wish I were there. I’ve done everything I can from here, and now I just need to give myself some time. We all need a little time. I just wish it didn’t feel as though someone had ripped a hole in my heart.
Soup Saturday- Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Stew
March 6th, 2010
I thought this Stew looked pretty interesting and was easy enough to make, so I decided to share it with y’all today. I haven’t made it, but I added it to my ‘to try’ list. It would probably be perfect for today if I’d been able to think about it ahead of time and get everything cooking, but I haven’t really felt much like eating anyway.
Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Stew
1 Tbsp. oil
2 lb. beef stew meat (1-1/2-inch cubes)
5 carrots (3/4 lb.), peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 large onion, cut into chunks
6 small red potatoes (2-1/2 lb.), quartered
3/4 cup KRAFT Original Barbecue Sauce, divided
1 Tbsp. MAXWELL HOUSE Instant Coffee
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen peas
Make It!
HEAT oil in nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add meat, in batches; cook until evenly browned, stirring occasionally. Layer carrots, onions and potatoes in bottom of 5-qt. slow cooker; top with meat. Pour 1/2 cup barbecue sauce over meat; sprinkle with coffee granules. Cover with lid.
COOK on LOW 7 to 8 hours (or on HIGH 5 hours).
STIR in peas and remaining barbecue sauce; cook, covered, 15 min. or until heated through.
Thanks to Kraft Recipes for the recipe.
Seeing It All
March 6th, 2010
In an effort to distract myself of all the events happening recently, I’ve been spending a little time reading articles online. I’ve been pretty random about what I’ve read and many of them were fluff pieces, but there was one that really stuck out in my mind. The article was one written by Eric Hammer and was a review on finding great prices on prescription glasses. Now, I personally don’t wear glasses, yet, although since I have two parents that do, I figure my time isn’t too far behind. I’ve heard my parents talk time and time again about the prices they pay for eyeglasses, and after reading the article, I couldn’t help but share with them that they were obviously paying too much.
I’ve heard about Zenni before, but I never really gave it much thought, because often times people advertise great prices only to find that the quality is lacking. That isn’t the case here. According to everything I read, they are able to offer great prices (as low as $8.00) because they are no designer frames and are manufactured out of the country in China. The quality is outstanding and the price even better. I decided that I shouldn’t stop just by sharing with my parents, that maybe someone else could benefit from their prices as well. I figure why pay full price on anything if you don’t have to, and with shipping prices at just $4.95, it’s a steal.
Miss You
March 4th, 2010
Yesterday the world lost a very special person, my aunt Carol, who also happened to be one of my best friends for many, many years. I have been struggling with her being in the hospital, ever since I found out about it, and now I’m struggling with grasping the reality that when I go home, I won’t get to see her during Thanksgiving or any other time. She is one of the most special people I’ve ever known, and I miss her greatly.
When I can talk about her more, I plan to shre some of the wonderful things about her, so that everyone who reads this space can see a glimpse of the wonderful person that I knew and loved. She’s in a better place now, but it’s still heartbreaking that she’s no longer with us. I love you Carol- always.
Beyond Understanding
March 4th, 2010
Some things in life that happen are really difficult to understand, and are even more difficult when you feel the need to be in a certain place but know you can’t. I spent several day this past weekend and early in the week being conflicted as to whether to take a trip home because of my friend / aunt being in the hospital in NICU. I took over the counter sleeping pills in order to get some sort of rest and peace at night, because I just didn’t know what to do. I’m normally not someone who takes anything to help me sleep, but in this case, it was necessary, otherwise my brain would have never shut off. Don’t worry, I’m not abusing them and there’s no danger of that, but I know I need rest and that was the only way sleep seemed to come. Some things in life just don’t get easier.
