Daylight Savings Time....

I've missed you!
And as soon as I am fully awake I'm going to tell you how much I've missed you.
But for now on the first day I'm sluggish and goggly.  I know I yawned more today than I smiled.  It's all in my head as I know I slept as many hours as usual.  Waking up in the dark makes me feel as if I'm waking up earlier.

I'm willing to forge forward.  Because the reward is so great.  I love daylight savings time.
Driving home after work my neighborhood was busy.  Dog walkers and runners, kids riding bikes, neighbors planting bedding plants.  Those few extra hours of daylight after work make such a difference in my day.

Thank you, Mr Sun.  I've missed seeing you in the late afternoon.

Breakfast on a Rainy Day

This morning The Dancer made breakfast:  waffles from scratch, fresh strawberries and bacon.  What a nice surprise

Springtime

I'm going to post this pretty photo even though it's not from today.  I had a busy, busy day and just never had a chance to pull out the rebel.  I'm definitely looking for signs of spring.

It was 80 degrees today!

Tomorrow I'm going to take a photo of spring.  Stay tuned.............

Are you the Teller or the Listener?

I am definitely the listener.  I work with women who like to tell.  They "tell" about their family, their activities, their history and their day.  Tell, tell, tell.  Talk, talk, talk.  And I'm the designated listener.  I'm glad I'm a good listener.  Or I'm glad others THINK I'm a good listener.  Inside my head I'm usually counting how many names they drop or how many times they say "I".  It may not be that bad.  I don't mind listening.  I know how much it means when I'm talking to someone who is actually listening. I make sure to show respect.   I don't interrupt or add to the story or stir the pot or gossip.  I do NOT gossip.  Like my grandmother always said, "Never miss a chance to keep your mouth shut".

Now sometimes this backfires.  Sometimes when I keep my mouth shut it makes the "teller" think I don't know anything.  And so they have to educate me.  Oh brother.

I have learned when it's advantageous to be assertive and tell it like it is.  I have also learned that silence is golden and sometimes by not saying anything you can say a whole lot.  And when I choose to remain silent, I'm always glad I did.  Yes, I'm always glad I did.

It's annoying to try to have a friendly conversation with someone who is constantly talking about themselves.  I've heard it said if you have to tell how great you are, you ain't that great.

And so I am ever the listener.  I don't mention things.  I don't bring things up.  I'm the encourager, the confidante and the believer.

So, are you a good listener?

Beautiful Day

The temperature dropped 20 degrees overnight.  That made a huge difference in my disposition.  I'm not ready for the humidity.  Today was beautiful outside.

I sat on my driveway and painted.  I found a tutorial for a pottery barn knock off American Flag  here.  I'll post a photo when it's finished which should be tomorrow.  You can totally do this in a day.   I want to hang it in the hallway between my hearth room and the stairs.

I also painted a few picture frames I had lying around.  The red frames on one of my mantels are pretty but they've been displayed since before Christmas.  I'm ready for spring colors.  I'm going to just switch out the photos.  I can't NOT display the babies.

I have a confession:  I've become addicted to pinterest.  Anytime I have an idea or wish I had an idea for things around my house - from decor to dessert - I do a search on pinterest for inspiration.  This morning I found the prettiest oval frame  that once held a mirror.  The minute I saw it and the transformation I thought, "I HAVE AN OVAL FRAMED MIRROR"  I creeped up into our scary attic and found it.  Taped it, prepped it for painting. Not to just find the exact color.

I woke up ready to clean and I did that and more.

I hope this good weather lasts a few more days.  I have a couple of closets that need attention.

Saturday morning

Have you ever woken up "in the mood" to clean and organize?  It happens to me often and today is one of those days.  I always get up earlier than my family.  I usually spend my quiet time reading.  Well, let me clarify.  I usually spend my quiet time cleaning and then reading.  I unload the dishwasher - although this morning the dishwasher was full of dirty dishes.  I went to bed early and since I'm the only one who can push a button the dishes did not get washed.  So they are washing right now.   I almost always clean out my refrigerator on Saturday mornings.  Check.  I start the laundry treadmill, fold items left in the dryer.  By the way, do you always have laundry waiting in the dryer?  Because I do!  I fed the dog and gave him his thyroid pill.  Yes, our dog has a low thyroid............what is the term?  He's almost 11 and so now he's on meds.  I'm glad he feels better but my lazy easy big fat dog has regressed into a playful puppy!  He wears me out!

But back to my day.

The Engineer had planned a visit for this weekend.  Truth be told he wanted to come home to gather his ski equipment as spring break is next week at the ski slope.  He could not find somebody to take his place as the Dorm R.A. for the weekend.  And so that leaves me with a lot of T.I.M.E. to do whatever I want!  Which feels great.  Ironman shipped his ski equipment yesterday.  I told The Engineer to check the box as soon as he got it.  No telling what Dad sent.

I have several spring decor things I'd like to do today.  I have a project going in the garage that I've neglected for a week or so.  I need to visit my weekend home - Kroger.

But first I'm having another cup of coffee in my quiet house.

:)