Thoughts on a Rainy Day

Hello, Sweet Friends, I hope that you are keeping to the 

high road, as we navigate our way through 

this challenging new year. 

We are currently having abundant rain, 

here in the Pacific Northwest, but 

the temperatures are milder, and for that 

I am grateful. 

Although I love the sparkling, quiet beauty 

of snowfall, it does make life difficult for 

the wild things, and for getting around 

on icy, hilly roads. 

Which brings me back 

to my 'high road' metaphor......who wants to 

slide down a slippery slope? 

I usually stay home.

xoxo

Our current temperature. Just warm enough to get by 

with a sweater. 

But with boots and an umbrella! 

The glacier pansies that I planted this past fall,

are peeking out of their protected

corner under the eaves, curious about 

what is going on in their little world. 

Just some sleepy succulents, pots of ivy and groundcover

to keep them company. 

We've had so much moisture this winter. 

Even the rocks are mossy! 

No rolling stones here :)

My bird-cage angel also sports a hint of green, 

but the hellebore considers this weather perfect. 

(I did hide them under the eaves during our recent snowfall.) 

A slow fire takes the chill off inside. 

We have electric heat as back-up, 

but there is nothing like a warm fire. 

 Ramblin' Man likes to load it up

like a boss...…:) and really heat things up!

I have to keep an eye on him.....

(Notice the ladder outside on the deck. He likes to 

climb those when nobody is around)

I love all of the good wishes and advice 

on my last post announcing his retirement.

Thank you so much!

I know it is going to be an adjustment!

All that 'man-splaining', tramping in and out

with dogs, and messing up my kitchen.....

 I have tried to plan for that. 

His retirement gift was a new workshop built 

 last fall. I'll share a few photos soon. 

He still has to finish up the interior, 

so it is a work in progress. 

Can you tell that I am looking forward to spring? 

Some of my flea-market paintings. 

My tall cabinet holds the television, stereo and other electronics. 

I found this vintage basket at a European antiques wholesaler 

when I had an antique shop many years ago.

My Mom was my partner, but when she 

became ill with lymphoma, we had to 

close shop.  

xx

(My Mom recovered and went on to live another 30 years!)

It seems that I was always called back home. 

Sometimes, not entirely by choice. 

At the time, the children were young and I 

could not work full-time. 

So I put my dreams on hold. 

That's not to say I sat around on the sofa all day! 

I did work outside the home, but the jobs 

I took were mainly focused on the hours 

when my children were in school, so I could 

be home with them when their Father wasn't. 

My children were all close in age - four children 

in five years. So leaving them to daycare was too 

expensive and besides, not many people could handle 

 them all at once. 

xoxo

This buffet was one of the pieces in the shop. 

So was my kitchen queen and daybed. 

I sold my crafts and antiques for a while in shows and shops, too.
I was even accepted into a gallery and at Seattle's Pike Street Market
for my weavings. But the long commute, hours, and sacrifice
of time proved too much for me and the family.

So, I took on jobs close to home and with flexible hours.
I worked as a teacher's aide for a while
and served as PTA vice president.
I loved helping out in my children's school,
and even helped start an art program
and an after-school activity program,
that continues to this day.

I started my own housekeeping business when they
were teenagers so I could be home in the afternoons for all of their
games and many activities.

Once they were all driving and more self-sufficient,
I took night classes to become an administrative asst.
I worked all day and then went to classes for 5 hours,
5 nights a week for a year.

But the teenagers found trouble and my elderly parents
became frail (my Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's
and my Mom with heart disease),
and I was needed at home once more.

But I did learn to use a computer
and most of the programs!
I was completely clueless before the classes.
xx

Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans. 

- John Lennon -

When you are handed lemons, you must make lemonade. 

Although, you might need a splash of vodka once in a while. 

Just sayin.....

Seriously, though, I would never regret spending 

 precious time helping my teenagers get on the right path, 

and helping my parents in their final years. 

Time that can never be replaced. 

I was very fortunate to have my hard-working Mr. 

to take care of us all and make 

it possible for me to stay home when I 

was most needed.

We sacrificed income, 

but have peace of mind that we did the right thing.   

This handcrafted sign with

my grandson's little hands and feet, 

truly says it all. 

Now I am helping with the grandchildren, 

and when I look back on my life, 

everything becomes clear.

I was meant to be exactly who I am. 

Domestic Diva! 

And I have new dreams now. 

xx

I am slowing down and those old dreams 

no longer apply. 

Now my dreams are much simpler. 

Gardens and road trips, flea markets and galleries, 

family gatherings and grandchildren,

and time to be creative. 

Time to notice the magic. 

Everyone must follow their heart. 

It's all about the journey. 

xx

Thank you, dear friends for your wonderful friendship. 

Some of you have been dear friends for a very long time. 

Even though we are only friends through 

blogland, we will always be friends through time. 

xoxo