The Beast in the Basement

No-it's not me.

First, let me thank all you dear people who were kind enough to send us good wishes. It meant a lot to us both. Merci!

The treadmill finally got delivered yesterday...Yippee.

Tomorrow I'm going to bring the camera with me to the basement because this picture doesn't do it justice. This treadmill has enough displays and buttons to rival the cockpit of most airplanes. It took me over 5 minutes to program it and make it start. Thankfully I have discovered a shortcut for those who are not training for the Olympics. It also has connections for I-pods and such. I need to be entertained or it just won't be happening. Sad...but true. Here's the really bad news. I'm back to square one since it took two months to get it. I huffed and puffed and huffed some more and then I sat down and fell into a coma...just kidding.

For anyone who remembers my little "thread thing" this past year with Hancocks of Paducah, I know you won't believe it but I ordered some fabric from them and you further won't believe-it came in less than a month.....I know, I can hardly contain myself. I figured I'd give them another shot and frankly, I wanted it to work out well because they have awfully good prices on things like Kona cottons. With the stores now selling fabric for 9+ bucks a yard and the personal finances a bit tight, I'd like to help the local shop but to be honest, I know where she lives and it's a 2 million dollar house and her husband gave her the store to play with. I'll wish her good luck and pay Hancocks 4 and 5 dollars less and feel bad quietly. I like to go there occasionally for a treat or two but I have to conserve somewhere and buying less expensive background, backing fabric, and thread is one place I can do it.

So I got the fabric to finish the baby quilt and to use as backing for another piece. I really should buy it by the bolt.

Anyway, that's what's going on around here. The weather has been so cold. I was about 12 degrees out last night when I went out to dinner with a friend of mine. Afterwards we walked into Michael's. What a dump. When I can walk all the way around any craft store and not even be tempted it's really bad. The only thing available that wasn't crappy looking was the Martha Stewart stuff an really...who does Martha think she's kidding? I know...everyone! I picked up one of those multi-rolls of ribbon that she sells cause it was pretty, on sale, and I felt like I might use polka dot ribbon for something nice. When I opened a roll it was a 6 inch piece of ribbon-no kidding. Well, except for Martha-she's kidding....all the way to the bank.

Well, I'm of to enjoy a cuppa and maybe a movie. Roger is home today and he twisted his back-driving my car. He took my 4-wheel drive monster to work in the bad snow and ice the other day and he's not used to climbing in and out of the larger vehicle. His back didn't like the change at all.

Hope your day is a peaceful one.

Gratitude

It's been twenty five years since this picture was taken and I treasure every day since then. I was a different person then, not better or worse, just very different. The thing that remains the same is my love for Roger and our life together. It really doesn't get better than this. So, while I remember those fun filled moments cruising around the islands of Hawaii, the scents and the sounds, I am thankful that I made that long-ago decision to walk away from that old life and begin anew with this one. Roger is my touchstone for all that makes me happy. When I am afraid, he makes it better. He cuts me more slack than the rope will allow and his main mission for the past twenty five years has been to make my life a happy one. I have not always appreciated that gift as much as I should have. For that I'm sorry. Now, when I have a clear vision of both the past and the present, I have grown to appreciate all that has been given to me. One of my favorite quotes from the bible is "to whom much is given, much is also expected". Not sure if those are the exact words but the meaning is spot on. I think it is what drives me to help, to nurture, to give to others, and to care for what is important in this life.
I know I don't say it often enough but I really love this quiet man who took the first wild chance in his life and bet on me. I hope we have many more years together to appreciate each other and enjoy the life you've worked so hard to give us. Happy Anniversary to us.