Wish To See...

This was a very tough year for a lot of people, including many people I love. I am taking this time to count my blessings and remember the things that kept me going this past year.

1. My suburban-hippie sack - I spent 10.00 on a Stuff n' Go Bags and it might just be my best purchase of the year. I use it nearly everyday.

2. Josie - I know it is an internet cliche to wax rhapsodic about ones cat. But I don't care. Josie-cat has been a great boon to my happiness this year. So cute! So cuddly! 

3. Honey crisp apples

4. ID 101 - After taking some time off of my one-at-a-time college career, I am really excited about this class that I am wrapping up. I learned a ton about design, but more importantly about myself.

5. It seems that with the right tools, I can draw. FTW!

6. Abstaining - I learned this year that giving up flour and sugar is the most painless way for me to take control of my eating. To the tune of 47 pounds.

7. Vampire Fiction

8. LeakyCon - This year I semi-came-out as a real lover of all things Harry Potter. To prove it I attended a HP conference. The best part was making new friends and spending quality time with my sis-in-law.

9. Curtains - For my birthday Mi Mama and I made a valance for the kitchen and I made sheers for the french doors. 

10. Angel - The whole darn thing. Melissa gave me the gift of the Angel box set. Rich and I watched episode after episode until we saw the whole thing. 

11. The Fluent Self - http://www.fluentself.com/ Havi Brooks is busy helping people with their stuck.

12. Summer Fruits and Veggies - I had some of the best peaches and corn of my life this year.

13. Christmas Shopping with Cash

14. Professional painters - When the project requires a scaffold it is time 

15. Planning the Cruise of a lifetime - April 2010  Transatlantic cruise from Florida to Barcelona Spain. Planning is nearly as fun as the trip itself. This is going to be epic.

16. Rearranging the living room - New paint, new desk, new direction. So much better!

 

17. The love and support of my friends and family - This is a perennial point of gratitude for me. This year my loved ones have really shown me their true colors and I couldn't be more pleased. 

18. Being Married - I don't know how my husband and I found each other but I am so glad we did. I am looking forward to the day when any two consenting adults can marry and share their lives and Rich and I can.

19. Babies - Stella! Nathan! And all the wonderful little people who let me sniff their baby heads this year.

20. Freedom of Choice - Lord knows the US isn't perfect, but I am truly thankful to live in a society where if I can dream it, I can do it!

I am still aglow with triumph after reinstating order in my closet. It is a wonderful feeling to have a closetful of choices to choose from each morning - nearly all perfectly wearable. The only exceptions are a handful of inspiration items, My Mom's wedding dress, and a pair of jeans one size too small (zipable, but not wearable if you know what I mean).

While digging through that closet, I was amazed by what I found. Hand-me-down sweaters from Jords that were previously too small, my old go-to Ann Klein suit that now fits again plus Blouses and sweater I had forgotten about.

From a secondary closet I have also unearthed my old red coat, my old standby that has served me for so many years. It is great not to have to think about buying a heavy coat when the temps drop, which will be sooner than I think.

If you have never struggled with weight you might not realize that along with your clothes, jewelry can also be outgrown. I was thrilled to find I can wear my Honeymoon Watch again and do nearly everyday. Most of my bracelets fit better and even my wedding rings are looser.

I have been riding the weight rollercoaster long enough that by now I should be a bit more jaded or at least pragmatic to protect myself for future weight gain. I am pleasantly surprised to find myself just enthusiastic to move forward and proud of bow far I have come.

 

*Note: Last Friday's outfit involved a spring green tee-shirt and brown cords. I was freezing all day. And looked like I should be grocery shopping.

Ever since Mi Mama first started watching Paula Deen's cooking shows I have thought of taking a pilgrimage to Savannah, Georgia.  The last year has been an extremely challenging one for Mi Mama and a getaway was certainly in order as Autumn rolled around. Neither of us enjoy hot and sticky weather so we chose October as our time to travel. Oh, Ha ha! We arrived after a 12 hour journey to find the river town steamy and drizzly.  

Despite the less than favorable weather we enjoyed our visit greatly. Saturday we traveled around town via trolley, hopping on and off as we saw fit. We had a lovely lunch at the Pirate House, the haunted former guest house where Robert Louis Stevenson was inspired to write Treasure Island. 

Historic Savannah is a wonderful city. I will admit that I was a bit disheartened when we first arrived and found mostly strip malls and car dealerships surrounding our hotel. But the truth is  this town is set up like many old southern cities with a historic heart. As the years pass and the city grows the outer edges become less than enticing. But once I got past the highway-commerce part of town, I was completely charmed. 

As it is well known, old Savannah was one of the first planned communities in the US. The glorious old homes are laid out around a series of squares, giving  the prosperous forefathers and fortunate current residents alike peaceful parks right outside their doors. 

  

This week I may have met my Mr. Miyagi. Her name is Prof. Sheppard and she is the reason I purchased a t-square today. It has become clear that this semester's class is all about the fundamentals. My homework this weekend is to draw a window, door and tile floor to scale using my architectural scale. This means math people, MATH I say! I am not going to lie. The drawing and the math are freaking me out a bit. More than a bit. But I am going to be brave and see this thing through. Who knows? I might even be good at it.

This weekend I have been able to get many little things done that I have been meaning to do. Flounder and I each took half the list on Saturday and set off to run errands. He went to the transfer station and the Salvation Army. I headed to Target, the dry cleaner, and the Lancaster market and then I fatefully turn the car to Butlers' Orchard. On the winding narrow road that leads to the orchard, I managed hit something and hit it hard. I slashed my tire in the process. This is the second flat tire in as many months. Good News: The tire was still under warranty! Bad News: The AAA guy who came to my rescue jacked-up on of the bolts that holds the tire on when he replaced its nut while applying the donut. This little screw up cost us $60. Gah! We will be contacting AAA on that front.

Today was a good day. I got to hang out with Ms. WAS and see how her kitchen/ family room is coming along (the answer - gorgeously!) I also used a burst of energy and the able assistance of Flounder the rearrange our (now shared) office, hang new fixtures in the powder room and hang a picture in my bathroom. I am beat. Energy, spent.

Imagine it - You are a stinking rich, you love fine films, cashmere throws and cuddling with loved ones.

This room is for you!