Hmmmm...What Are 'YOU' Doing Tonight?!

 (1978 Norman Rockwell "Going Out" Book Plate by mysunshinevintage)

      I need your help, blog readers, before I continue with today's post!! O_O I'm trying to find out how many people are actually reading this blog, and I think my numbers aren't telling me the truth! So, PLEASE!...if you read this blog daily, or weekly, or EVER! LOL...leave me a quick note...even just a "yes"...down at the bottom of this post, to let me know you're there. Thank You! :-]

      Now!...on to today's post...It's Friday, people!! :-) And in my case...'Virtual Friday Date Night' day!! YAY!!!...The problem is...uhhhh...I don't know where we're going, 'IF' we're going, or nothing!! It's been one of those kind of weeks where I've traveled more than I've wanted to already this week, and I'm feeling like putting on some 'footy' pajamas, calling 'Uno's Pizzeria' for TAKE-OUT, and 'vegging'!! ^_^

       Usually, for our Friday date, hubby and I are all about packing light, dressing ourselves up in good-looking but comfortable clothes...

 (Black poncho - Made To Order - by KnitwearFactory)

      ...wearing our slip-on shoes to the 'virtual' airport, and going somewhere fun for good music and good food!! :-) But this week we've 'Been There/Done All That' already!!...It wasn't all that much fun, because the travel plans took us on a highway trip...but not to anywhere fun! But it was taxing on the mind and body...FOR SURE!! All of the traffic, waiting, dressing, un-dressing, poking, prodding, etc... (Doctor's Visit) UGH!

     Needless to say, if I don't see another professional smiling face this week...I'll be just fine!!! :-] ... And food?!......Oh Yes! We had good food!!!!... 

      Chicken, sweet potatoes, and salad!...care of some dear, dear, friends of ours! ^_^ ♥♥♥...
 

      They called and said they were bringing it over!!...Yeah! Just like that! :-) ...
 

      And, IT.......WAS........DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      The funny thing is...they had no way of knowing that hubby and I were having one of those "what-do-you-want-for-dinner?!"..."No, what do you want for dinner?"...kind of days! By the time he went to work in the afternoon we were still undecided...and we had a meeting last night!
      That shared meal...still hot when it got here!!...was dropped right out of the sky!...sorta kinda. ^_^ ♥ I would thank them by name here...with blinking lights and everything!...but that might be a bit much for them. :-)) So, I'll control myself and just say 'THANK YOU, YOU KNOW WHO!!!" ^_^ And...uhhhhh...if hubby could get the recipe for the chicken he...and I...would appreciate it!! ^_^
      As to music, I have been listening to music all week!...but mostly during the breaks while watching tennis. ^_^...Yeah, tennis is still on! ^_^ (Indian Wells)...But I haven't been listening to 'date' music!...You know, love songs. So, maybe that's something we 'could' do!! :-) ...

(Copper Guitar Pick Necklace with Personalized Hand Stamped Date Name or Message by MissAshleyJewelry)

      In fact, maybe I can play myself a few love songs...You know, "I Love Me!" ^_^ ...while I wait to see if anybody is reading this blog! LOL You can listen to the music while you're writing me a note if you like! ^_^ Have a good 'Friday Date' or a good weekend, Y'all!!! ♥

"I Love Me!"

I love me.
I love the happy me.
I love the fact of me.
I love the silly me.
I love me.

I love the confident me.
I love the cooking me.
I love the sexy me.
I love me.

I love the cuddly me.
 I love the caring me.
I love the beautiful me.
I love me.

I love the supportive me.
I love the sporting me.
I love the giddy me.
I love me.

I love the quiet me.
I love the talkative me.
I love the pensive me.
I love me.

I love the sensitive me.
I love the thoughtful me.
I love the world, with me.
I love me.

I love the patient me.
I love the stylish me.
I love the smiling me.
I love me.

I love the creative me.
And the one who created me,
because he helps relate to me
why I love me.
And I do love me!

What Do You Have On Your Feet Right Now?!

 (Swirl Golden Toe Ring by LuluMayJewelry)

      Hello, Everybody!...No, I'm not gonna get into anything deep today! You can thank me later! ^_^ No, I'm not gonna be all 'Big Sister-ish' and try to solve everybody's problems, or try to make sure everybody is eating their vegetables and drinking sufficient amounts of water! LOL

      What I'm gonna do is talk about your feet! ^_^ What are you wearing right now?!...Sneakers or tennis shoes?!...Work or snow boots?!...High heel office shoes?!...Or are you, like me, barefoot, with not even a hint of toenail polish?...Or simply in your comfy bedroom slippers...bunny slippers included...dragging around the kitchen looking for breakfast and a long overdue cup of hot coffee?! ^_^

      Are you looking at your feet right now?! LOL...That question is for those of us who don't know whether we're going or coming, or if we still even have feet!!...and who had to look because they weren't sure they had anything on their feet!! ^_^ Don't laugh!...unless you're going through the change!...because then I know that 'you know' exactly what I mean!! LOL...*Disclaimer: I've worn two left shoes to a gathering before!...and I've put my shoes in the refrigerator and missed a gathering altogether because I was so distraught that I couldn't find my shoes!! ^_^*

      WHATEVER!! LOL...The reason I'm talking about feet is, of course, because of a couple of shops I found on Etsy. WOW! What pretty shoes they had!!!...Made me almost want to grow some more feet!...*How fortunate dogs are to have four feet!...LOL...And, go figure, they don't even like to wear shoes!! ^_^*

        Look at these boots!!!!...

      

 (Camel Leather Boots by MYKAshop)

      Oh, the skirts I could 'swish' up against those leather boots!! LOL

      Let me take a small break right here to say that  if you're a groom, and you 'have to' wear shoes today...don't forget your socks!! LOL

 (‘In Case You Get Cold Feet’ Grooms Socks by GroomSocks)

      Okay, back to shoes! ^_^ ...

 (Crochet Ivory Barefoot Sandals by barmine)

      You can probably see why these 'shoes' (sandals) above are some of my favorites, right?! :-) Not only are they crochet sandals, but, wearing them, you can be in shoes and be barefoot all at the same time!! LOL

      But if you absolutely have to have a sole on your shoes, these cute sandals...Oh!...are soooooo cute!!!...

 (Nikko Leopard and Yellow Sandals by ImeldaShoes)

 (Leopard and Green Shoes Open Flat Sandal by ImeldaShoes)

      And these zippered beauties below.......WOW!!!!...

 (Dark Shiny Blue Shoes with a silver zipper by ImeldaShoes)

      I'm speechless!! ^_^ That's because I'm an equal opportunity shoe lover! ^_^ Hmmmmm...I wonder if my hubby would look good in them?!....And if they come in the size "BIG"?!! LOL

      If I could own only one pair of shoes in my life, these might do! :-) ...

 (Pointed Open Back, Partly Closed Red Shoes by ImeldaShoes)

      Ooooo!...I started sweating at the thought of only one pair of shoes for my WHOLE LIFE!! O_O Let's move on from that thought....QUICK!!! LOL

      In fact...Phew!...let's talking about something else!!...How about pretty rings!...

 (Adjustable Forest Moss Green Luster Glass Victorian Ring by pink80sgirl)

      ...and pretty flowers! :-) ...

 (Sepia Still Life Floral Art Print Roses Photograph by JudyStalus)

      And mentally....I'm back! ^_^ But now my left foot is sweating!! LOL..."It's alright, Baby! Mama is gonna go and find you some shoes right now!" LOL...Mama is also gonna go and find her some breakfast! ^_^ Have a good day, Everybody! ♥ And if you can, those of you in the Vulcan storm vicinity, stay home and build something...and think barefoot thoughts! ^_^

(Home sweet Home Wall Art Print by WittyWackyPrints)

Build

You can build a reputation,
build a fire, build a stair;
You can build a neighborhood,
build a table, build-A-Bear!

You can build a layered cake,
build some buildings, build a boat;
You can build a website business,
build relationships remote.

You can build vocabulary,
build up friendships old and new.
Build up globe-ular relations
if you really wanted to.

You can build upon your knowledge,
build a table, bridge, or train;
build a step into the future,
or just shelter from the rain.

You can build an awesome snowman,
and not waste him. Make a cone!
Or can build up folks around you,
so they never feel alone.

All this building talk,
shows the things that you can make
if you build a wordy poem...
and you also stay awake!

I Don't Want To Be 'JUST' The Big Sister Anymore!

 (Stamped Sister Rings by PureImpressions)

      I'm taking kind of a detour from my usual posts today to talk about a subject that I've been thinking about for a while. The subject of family, and where I fit in the family. I've thought about it before, with no solutions in my head as to what to do about it. But something happened yesterday that brought it all back up again!

      I got a phone call from my dad, which I told you about. But afterward I got a call from my sister. Dad had called her to tell her the good news about my doctor's appointment, and she called to say how happy she was for me. :-] ... But when I hung up the phone I started to pull apart bits and pieces of the conversation, and I realized....I'm still the big sister!! O_O

      Okay...here's where you go and get your cup of coffee. ^_^ ...

 (Hand Stamped Vintage Spoon by ForSuchATimeDesigns)

      Let me ask you...where are you in the family tree?!...I'm the oldest of my mother's children (eight in all). The 'big sister'. And that's what I've always been! ALWAYS! The one who plans everything like crazy. Who worries about everybody, as if I'm the second mother. The one who gets the phone calls when someone needs a shoulder to cry on, or some other kind of help!

      I'm also the one who none of my sisters and brothers really know....Not 'REALLY!', I mean!...I think the reason is because they 'have' thought of me as sort of a second mom. The 'go to' person...yes!...But also the social enemy of all things 'cool'! ^_^ More like the 'keeper-of-all-things-that-remind-them-of-HOME'!...

 (Colourful Forest and Lake Original Acrylic Painting by GiselleDenisFineArt)

      And that's not a bad thing! In fact, I've prided myself on being just that!...for years...'The-Keeper-Of-All-Things-Having-To-Do-With-HOME'!! :-) But now, as a 'Wug' girl into my fifties, I wanna be more than just the 'big sister'!!!...I wanna be the companion. The friend. The neighbor. The first phone call to share family funnies with. The one 'BEING helped for a change!!!

      It feels to me sometimes that my sisters and brothers think that no matter what goes on with me, or what is happening around me, that "Eh! She's got that!"...When in fact, there are times when I wish I had a big sister, with broad loving shoulders, for me to cry on!...Not that I'd use them much! LOL But I'm sure I would...maybe! ^_^ 

      So, as of today, I declare that 'I AM MOVING ON' from 'big sister' status!!!! ^_^ The 'Please-call-me-if-you-need-something' ship has now sailed!! LOL...

 (Original Museum Quality Open Edition print/ poster by falboart)

      And the 'Hey, Girl! ship has pulled into port! ^_^ Don't get me wrong, as long as I'm alive I know I'll be the big sister!...But from now on out, no one needs to weigh their words around me because they're afraid I'll be counseling them on the rights and wrongs of being in this family, etc...!...Even though they can expect a friendly nudge in the right direction from their true 'sister/friend'! ^_^

      If you're not the type of person who has ever noticed how your siblings respond to you, based on where you are in the family line, then this post will make no sense whatsoever!! LOL And you're probably not the oldest!! ^_^ The eldest sibling, in my experience, always notices!!! LOL

      So, no more outcast status for me! Call me 'Miss Moving On'!! ^_^

)

(Fine Art Giclee Print by susancasephotography)

      But still, YAY for sisterhood!! ^_^ Have a good day, Sisters and Brothers!! :-) ♥

)

      Bye Bye, "Big Sister"....I'll shed a tear for you, and remember you well.
 
Sisters

Sisters-on the family curve
sometimes just get on your nerve;
But, sisters will a purpose serve,
they will your life preserve.

Sisters-sometimes they're at war;
and sometimes they "do" go to far.
All sisters want to be the star-
not follow where you are!

Sisters-they don't care a bit!
When fighting they will never quit!
But, sisters, all your jokes they get;
and, when with you, they fit!

Sisters-are your family.
Sisters, see the things you see;
Sisters, knew the girl you'd be,
and set your spirit free.

Sisters-beside you they live;
and sometimes drain you, like a sieve;
But sisters, their last dime will give,
and will your bad forgive.

Sisters-no one else can knock;
and wow!-the memories they unlock.
A sisters smile can stop the clock-
'cause sisters "They Just Rock!"

Parents-with the seasons flow.
Boyfriends-they will come and go.
Brothers-by your side will grow.
But, sisters ease your woe;
and one shared heart you know.

Okay....So There's Good News!...And Bad News!

 (The Morning Light Nature Photography by susancasephotography)

      Yes, I'm back!! ^_^ And guess what?!...This morning I feel like talking! :-) For those of you not feeling like reading.....Sorry. But maybe you won't be sorry to read it if you're in the mood to also look at some items from Etsy! :-) I'll spatter them throughout this 'bad news, good news' post.

      GOOD NEWS: Our weather here in Massachusetts is gonna be over 50 degrees!! YAY!!! Maybe Spring 'is' gonna come!! ^_^ That's why I shared the header photo. It's Spring-y looking!!

      BAD NEWS: Tomorrow night, into Thursday morning, we have another winter storm coming! O_O Right now it appears that it will be more of a rain event, with an inch or two of snow at the end. But they're still watching the 'weather models'...whatever that means!...So, it's gonna be an hour by hour thing as the time for the storm gets closer. ...C'est la vie!

      I still have ways to make myself happy about the upcoming....PLEASE!!!!!...Spring. See! (below) :-) ... 

 (Personalized Stationery Set Assorted Floral Bouquets - Folded Cards & Note Cards by LuckyInkDesign)

 (Blue Striped Lavender Sachets by BailiwickStudio)

 (Crochet Hook Cozy Roll-Up Organizer by cozylittlecorner)

      Pretty flowers!.....Pretty colors!.....and reminders that, no matter what the weather, or the season, I can still CROCHET!!! ^_^

       GOOD NEWS:...Yes, there's more! ^_^ ...My appointment with the doctor yesterday went very well! :-) I'm in good health. My blood pressure was GREAT! :-) All of the hospital and transportation personnel were fabulously sweet and very professional! :-) And I lost weight!...a lot of weight!!

      BAD NEWS: That was my last appointment with this particular doctor. :-( She's going on leave for a while because of a personal medical issue. :-( ...I'm really sad about that. She's a great doctor.

      Also, while my weight loss was fabulous!...the doctor has planned another round of bloodwork for me...Just to make sure it's not associated with something bad! O_O ...*Go figure!...I lose weight, and it might be a 'bad' thing! LOL*

      Along these same lines of weight, and bad news associated with weight, hubby got on the scale too...'just for kicks'!...He already knew what he weighed. He went to the doctor in December.  He was very happy about what he weighed too!.....But..."Not so fast, buddy!"...He got on the scale and found out he had GAINED a significant amount of weight!! O_O YIKES!

      I felt so bad for him. You should've seen his poor, sad, disbelieving, disappointed face! O_O *sigh*...Oh well, now he has to come over to the dark side...of counting calories and low carbs, and lots of water, and regular meals, and light snacks, and less sugar......and....and...! Or he can go to the store and buy some 'fat pants'! LOL Back in my earlier life I did that!!!...and it worked for a while! :-)) ......His choice! I'm here for love and support...thick or thin...like he has done for me for years!!! ♥♥♥ ^_^

      

      GOOD NEWS: I have the most supportive and loving friends and family in the world!!!! ♥ I wish I could scoop them all up and give them a big group hug and kiss!!...but I can't! There's too many of them! :-))

      For a simple, albeit nerve-racking, visit to the doctor, what did I get?!...Lots of loving phone calls, including a phone call from one of my dear friends saying that she would be praying for me, and that everything would be okay. :-) ...Another phone call to say: "I Love You!...I just wanted you to know that before your appointment." (She also wanted me to know I was supported and loved, and that she was sure everything would be just fine!...*And she was right! ^_^*)

      After I was back home, my father called to say how happy he was for me that the visit prompted some good news. :-) Everybody in my camp, on my side, and sending good thoughts!! ♥♥♥ The truth is, even if it had been bad news I still would've been in a good state of mine, knowing that I am loved this much by so many people!! :-] ... F.Y.I., I love them all back too!!...Even more than they love me!...because I know that Jehovah God was behind all of their encouragement and love, which means he thinks they're pretty great too!!! ^_^

       I am very, very grateful!!!!!!!! :-)

Kind Spring (on Facebook)

      BAD NEWS:....Uhhhh...The post is done, and I don't have anything else to talk about! ^_^ ... THIS MORNING!!! LOL Have a great day, Everybody!! :-) And if there's someone in your life you haven't said 'Thank You' to for a while, try it today! It'll make you feel great! ^_^

I Am Thankful

I am thankful I can breathe
when I wake up every day;
I am thankful I have time
in which I can spend to pray.

I am thankful that my husband
is a good, hard-working man;
I am thankful I can write
with a steady flowing hand. 

I am thankful for my ears,
and the sunsets I can see.I am thankful for good friends,
who are always there for me;     

No Time To Talk!

(Black & White Prints, Set of 3 - by shlomitsart)

      It's a really quick post today, Y'all. I have all kinds of stuff going on, and I don't have time to talk! Imagine! Me!...no time to talk!!! ^_^ Anyway!!....I'll tell you the whole story tomorrow. For now...'Toodles!!' LOL And have a happy Monday!!

For all the Mondays

For all the Mondays that come around,
and all the Fall leaves gently falling down;
For all the wet soil, caked and brown,
and all the worms it must have drowned;

For all the honking, and chatty sound
from all the folks scurrying round the town;
For aching feet and hearts that pound;
and lists and nerves to be unwound;

For bags and keys that hit the ground,
when well-tired bodies fall in a mound;
For deals and prices that do astound,
and all well worth it, pound for pound;

For all the Mondays that come around,
and all the weekends gone with a frown;
For adjectives needed, not just a noun,
Much thanks to Mondays that come around.

Time To Spring Into Pancake Sunday Talk!

 (Wooden House Clock & Pencil Holder by WoodenWood)

      Don't worry. Even though I used the word 'talk' in the blog title for today, I'm not gonna talk your ear off. Promise! ^_^ In fact, I'm barely awake after 'springing our clock time an hour forward'!...for daylight savings time...Too bad I can't spring my body clock ahead an hour!! LOL

      Considering that the extra hour is a sure sign that Spring will actually be here soon!...at least, in our neck of the woods! (because some of you have 'been there/done that' with Spring already! ^_^)...I'm gonna share some Spring-looking items I found on Etsy!...At least they reminded 'me' of Spring! :-)

       Well, the pencil holder didn't remind me of Spring...

 (WoodenWood)

      It reminded me that the time has changed...because of an upcoming Spring! ^_^ ... As my mother would say: 'Same Difference'. :-))

      But the items below 'did indeed' remind me of Spring!...

 (White Daisy and Butterfly Real Flower Garden Necklace by enchantedplanet)

 (Set of 5 Teal and Coral Hair Ties by ElenasBows)

 (Mini Planters set of 4 by WindandWillowHome)

 (Red Shoes by ImeldaShoes)

 (Rare 1960s Red Milk Glass Vintage Daisy Brooch by JewelryQuestDesign)

      Flowers and Spring colors!...YAY!...Apparently Spring really is going to come this year! LOL...In the meantime, I'll be keeping calm and trying to get the vision of piles of snow and ice out of my head!!

      And just because it's Pancake Sunday, I'll let you know that no pancakes are on the table this morning...My choice. I wasn't in the mood...What I was in the mood for was a raisin bagel. So I had one!... ^_^ ...along with some green tea, with lemon and honey!

      Hopefully...barring any curbs jumping up to attack our car...or any other mishaps this morning...it's gonna be a great start to the beginning of the upcoming day of Spring! ^_^

('Good Day!' Print from original drawing by WittyWackyPrints)

      See!...Not too much talking, right?! ^_^

Change

Oh, I've been so hither thither,
up and down, all here and there.
I guess I'm trying to get a handle
on the changes everywhere.

The changes of the weather
and the times, and of me.
The changes to my schedule
and responsibility.

I'm not complaining...Well not much!
This change is good. I will adjust.
You may see me near the highway

with a sign: "Will Change Or Bust!"

Something Happened On The Way To The Date!

 (Vintage 1922 Looks Like Car Trouble 8 x 10 Instant Download Image by PixelHistory)

        We had our plans all set for a night of pizza and a long sleep. But something happened on the way to the date!...the brakes on the car completely gave way!!!! O_O And "No, I'm not kidding!!!"

      Hubby went off to the drug store, and to pick up a little something for lunch before he had to go back to work in the afternoon, and..."UH OH!!...THE CAR WON'T STOP!!!" O_O...He applied the brakes and....nothing!! O_O He had to steer the car into a curb in order to stop it!!...Phew!

      Thankfully, it stopped without hitting anything one or anything except the curb! And thankfully he wasn't up on one of the steep hills around here when the brakes went out, or else that would've been a very sad phone call!!! O_O As it was, hubby was panicked and nervous over 'what might have been'!...I was just thankful he was alright!!

      But now...once again...we have no car!! :-( He looked under the hood and apparently the master cylinder is leaking...or something!...He's been talking about what he was gonna do about our car situation for a while anyway, with the car needed more and more 'old age' repairs...Now?...There is no longer any question! Another vehicle has to be enlisted!!...Ugh!

      How?...From Where?...With what money?!...and with what time to do it?!...All questions to be answered after much prayer and wrangling of all brain cells together!...Ugh!...But I'm sure it will work itself out. Somehow it always does! :-]

      I' just gonna put it out of my mind for right now, and show you something pretty I saw on Etsy yesterday!...

 (Rustic Modern Oak Wood Cutting Board or Wooden Serving Tray by HardwoodHome)

      I've never used a cutting board, but I think that if I had seen this one...maybe I would have! :-) It has such pretty flowers on it!! ^_^ But then again, knowing me, I probably still wouldn't have used it, because I would've been afraid I'd get something caught in between the floral filigree!! Oh No!!! LOL...It probably would end up being a pretty decoration, instead of a cutting board! ^_^ Somewhere to look and enjoy more flowers! :-)

      Speaking of flowers! :-) ...

      This is my new lapel pin that I made yesterday! :-)
 

      I'm gonna make a boutonniere in the same color later today, and maybe list both of them in the Wuglyees shop.
 

      In the meantime I'll be trying to relax my mind, and think of leftover pizza, meatballs, and no car problems!!...*deep breath*...I don't know what world that would be in, where there's no date interruptions, and no car problems!...but it's not this one!! LOL
 

(Seatbelts Cotton T-Shirt by CenterMassDesigns)

     WHAT-EVER!!! :-)) Have a good weekend, Everybody! :-)

Let Go

Ever against the tide we row,
fighting our-self, with bent elbow.
(Releasing feelings, tucked inside,
hidden because of foolish pride.)

Fighting just to stay the course.
Using every ounce of force.
(Dreaded emotions pushing through,
trying to get the best of you.)

Waves of feelings swirling round.
Fighting hard to keep them down.
(They're  seeping out on every curve.
Letting them-takes lots of nerve.)

Open quick, your tight-clenched palm.
Feel the water's  quiet calm.
(Released emotions-held too long,
now are righting every wrong.)