It's Snowing!

We are in the midst of our first official "big"snow storm right now. It's snowing pretty hard, piling up quickly. According to news reports, we should get 10 inches, but I never put a lot of faith into the forecast, so will just have to wait and see. After last year's blizzards, we really aren't in much of a mood for dealing with the white stuff, but it sure is pretty to look at!

Snow coming down hard!

Immediately sticking to everything!

Even my dog Sullivan, who was less than amused! He doesn't like the cold

My daughter, Shannon, made what she called a "cookie pie". Simply put, it's cookie dough-like crust housing what appears to be about three pounds of chocolate chips. She said it wasn't very good, "but go ahead, try it", she encouraged. Foolish human that I am, I did. Alas poor stomach, I knew you well.

This experience is not unlike the horrors of when she or Jim ask me to smell something, like milk. "Does this smell OK to you?" Look, just because I have a really good sense of smell doesn't mean I want to inhale every wretched thing on the face of this earth. Reminds me of when Shannon brought out a Summer Sausage from Christmas while I was working in the garden in August. I was totally unsuspecting of the age this ancient snack food of doom had behind it, so took a sniff. Whoa baby! I was prepared to retaliate that time, however, as while I was digging in the flower bed, I had found a opossum skull. I whipped it out from behind my back, roared and she ran squealing back into the house with the skull nipping at her heels. Seriously, it still had teeth. She still laughs about making me sniff that meat stick, but once reminded of the curse of the opossum skull, she calms down. I win!

Simple Pleasures

Yikes! Today, it is windy, VERY windy, like batten down the hatches windy! It's also cold - in the 30's and dropping to the 20's this afternoon! However, on the plus side, the sun is shining, which hasn't been the case for a while, it's Friday, which always puts a little extra zing into a person's step and, the wind causes my chimes on the porch to play their sweet music, which always makes me smile. What will make you smile today? I'm sure something will. Look for a brighter side; a simple pleasure today. I know you'll find one! Happy Smiling! Hugs ~Leena~

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CrAZy HaiR!

 A few months ago, I decided that I would attempt to grow my hair out. I knew it would take some time before I had anything even remotely considered as "more than short" hair since it was about an inch long and spiked up on top. Yep, spiked. Red, too. Much shorter than in any picture I have posted here or on FaceBook. Even shorter than in this license picture from a few years ago. 

I liked it, wore it that way for several years, but, as is a woman's prerogative, I wanted something different.

Over the months, it not only has grown much faster than I anticipated, but it has changed color. It is now chocolate brown, very dark; in fact, darker than I thought it would be. Maybe it will give me that exotic, mysterious look. Nah! I don't think so. However, I do like it very much and think I will stick with this shade for a while.

My plan was to just let it grow until I thought it needed a little shaping up, so last week, I went to the local "Hair Butchery" (yes, we call it that and no, I don't know why we continue to go there). I really have no idea what this "stylist" was doing, but after a little trim, she decided to show me an alternative to wearing my hair curled under, like I prefer to. She curled my hair up and not just on the bottom, all the way up to the crown, which was all poofy! I looked like some demented reject from the cast of Hairspray! Who wears their hair like that? Row after row of flipped up curl. Did she think I wanted to resemble a rooster? I decided it wasn't a real big deal, just a bad styling and that I could sleep it flat and wash it out the next day. Boy, was I wrong! It inflated overnight and I awoke to majorly puffed up hair! "Ack! I look like a Macy's balloon!" I shouted to my husband. This was much different from my Einstien hair of old. This was CrAZy HaiR! Fortunately, it all did come out in the wash and I now have semi-normal hair. I will continue to allow it to grow and do its thing until it needs taming again. 



This is what it looks like if I shake my head back and forth really fast - CrAZy HaiR!
Kids, don't try this at home



Isn't It The Truth?

I was over at a wonderful site I've joined, The Braves Girls Club (click on the button below to be linked there). It is a fabulous site, filled with inspiration, creativity, encouragement and very friendly and talented people! A while back, I'd signed up to receive what they call their "Daily Truths". This is an email that arrives daily that really comes from the heart of the writer. The emails are words of wisdom, encouragement, hope, friendship; so many things all rolled into one. I always enjoy reading them and have actually printed off several for my "board of motivation".

Anyway, I just read today’s Daily Truth and it is, well, so true! It pondered the notion of what would happen if an artist never shared their work? This applies to so many people who share of themselves - artists, writers, song writers, actors, too many to list. They all create something that can make one single moment so much more special, yet what if they hid their work for fear of rejection? I was thinking of this recently; how if everybody who was ever told ”no, you can’t do that” or ”no, that won’t work” or just plain didn’t have the confidence in themselves to try just gave up, think of all the wonderful, useful things in this world we wouldn’t have? Think of all the fantastic people we may never have met? I am done with the Negative Nellies! I know I can do it! I know I was meant to do it! I know I will do it! Instead of being my own worst critic, I am becoming my own best cheerleader! Shake those pom- poms! Believe in yourself! Do what you were meant to do! Wow! That felt great! xoxo~Leena~

Simple Joys For Simple People

Wow! January, huh? I'm looking at the calendar and it says January. Are you sure we already had Christmas? Are you positive summer ended so many months ago? I often think I've fallen into a time warp because this rapid passing of days, weeks, months, dare I even say years, doesn't seem possible. 

I started out December as I always do; with the wearing of the holiday earrings and socks! What? You haven't heard of this tradition? Well hop on board, sister, because it's really fun! Out of all the things I collect, I think I enjoy my holiday accessories the most and I am a freak over earrings at any time of year! Like I said, starting December 1st, I get out the special box marked "Holiday Jewelry" and once again, get all giddy and excited. Contained in that box are over 25 pairs of holiday-themed earrings; everything from sweet little snow angels to Santas tangled in tree lights!


My Earrings (I like the teeny tiny red sock near the bottom. Like Who socks)



Christmas Pins



There are also around 15 pins of the same nature. Some belonged to my mom and my aunt, so they are very special and take turns riding on my coats and sweaters.  My sock collection is housed in a basket in my bedside table drawer. I only have maybe 10 pairs or so of socks, so I have to make sure and keep up with the laundry!

     

Socks, socks, warm. toasty socks!

So simply, each day, I pick out a pair of earrings and a pair of socks and a pin and while wearing them, I have super powers! I can out-smile the crankiest of holiday shoppers! Well, maybe not, but I am in a much better mood when I am wearing my little festive friends! Over the years, my husband has even gotten involved.  No, he's not wearing the jewelry and socks, at least, I don't have any evidence that he is, but he does buy me the prettiest earrings and pins and the cutest socks most years to add to my addiction, er, collection. See?



Silver tree with PINK BLING! Love them!



Silver glitter snowflakes - sparkly!



 I'm sure it isn't too late to start your own collection and tradition and prepare for next year. Many of the stores are still selling Christmas and holiday themed goods at great discounts. If not, then keep an eye out for these little gems in the fall. They'll be out plenty early enough for you to start your private festival come December. Just one of the simple little things I love to do during such a joyous season!