Time to Pass the Christmas Torch

I've been thinking long and hard on this one. When I was cleaning my sewing room today the decision became final in my mind.

No more sewing Christmas stockings for the Stockings for Soldiers project.

This is the time of year when I start working on the project, but instead I find it's the time to pass the torch. Pass it to others who don't feel the need to outdo themselves due to some I-need-to-impress or I'm-never-enough way of thinking.

I have lots of non-Christmas charity projects and lots of non-Christmas fabric to work with.

It's kind of sad, but it's time to let Christmas go. 

GPS Malfunction

The GPS walking app on my phone must have some sort of issue. One lap around the block at work looks like this.

The two trips around the block looks like this.

You'd think I was running back and forth across the streets and in yards and into homes. (Don't worry, I wasn't.) Weird.

Personal Weather Station

No need to watch the weather on TV here. Just pay attention to the cat. When she hunches under the coffee table you know a storm is on its way.

This time there was more lightning in one storm than I have ever seen before. Even managed to snap a picture in the middle of the night.

Being Aware

When I'm busy it's hard for me to look beyond what I'm doing. While I've struggled with it for years I like to think I'm better than I used to be. I know I was better today since I was looking at the clouds on my way to work.

Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me and missed the opportunity to take a picture of a spectacular cloud formation. But I redeemed myself by continuing to be aware this afternoon. This interesting cloud caught my eye when I got home.

Radio Silence

I feel like I've gone silent on the blog but I'm just back to work. Leaves kitty home to play outside. Which in her case might just mean playing in the dirt. Geez, the girl needs a bath.

Happy Dance

It's nice to be home. I get to sleep in my own bed. I get to be greeted by a cat happy to see me. I get to see my flowers in bloom. (Black-eyed Susans in the picture.)

I get back to my scale. 130 pounds lost. Happy dance time!

Hoarding Paper Goods

Can you call shopping on Amazon an addiction? It's not like I'm buying electronics or clothes or stuff I don't need. I buy practical stuff. Toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex, air freshener, coffee. It's not like I'm paying all that much, either. Their Subscribe and Save discount, plus their coupon, plus a price reduction. Certainly cheaper than the sales at the grocery store.

But now that I finally got to go downstairs and organize my shelves I realized I might have let things get out of control. Sure looks pretty on my shelves, though!

Keys on Knees

A record long physical therapy session. Grocery shopping. Unloading the car from our time in Boise. Unpacking groceries. Helping hubby get his classroom ready. Celebrating hubby's birthday. All squished into one very long exhausting day.  The knee, the head, and the body are all screaming from the combination of busy activities. 

Can't forget about the driving. Today was the first day I've driven since surgery. As the knee has been getting stronger, I didn't see it would be much of a problem. But being I'm only wearing shorts because of the still-tender scar, a problem did present itself. 

When you drive, where do your dangling car keys hit? Mine? 

The Universe is on my Side

Iselle isn't the first hurricane I've dodged. Where was I before Katrina hit? At a conference in New Orleans.

With this Iselle one we really cut it close. The flight we took last night? If we happened to be ending our vacation today here's what we would have found:

The Universe continues to look out for my best interests. We're home in Idaho while Hawaii prepares for the one-two punch. Category 1 Iselle hitting the Big Island as I type this, with category 3 Julio set to hit this weekend.

Oh, and there was an earthquake there today.

I'm always thankful for the Universe.

Leaving Things Behind

The good thing about traveling is you can come home with a lighter suitcase than when you left.

We make it a practice to take holey socks and worn out undergarments on our trips so we can toss them while away, leaving us less left to pack on the return trip home. On this trip we have left behind the usual socks and undergarments. With me dropping pounds, I also brought along clothes that were several sizes too big, knowing it'd be the last time I'd get to wear them. Goodbye nightgown, pair of shorts, and tshirts. Also goodbye to a pair of sandals that busted on the trip. Goodbye to the most delicious of fruit - white pineapple - from the local farmers market. (That stuff was delish!)

We're also leaving an island under a hurricane warning. A state of emergency has been declared by the governor, libraries and schools are being closed (yep, they start the new school year early in Hawaii), and workers will be sent home early on Thursday. Our hotel is prepping their ballroom, the place in the building made to be hurricane and tsunami safe, where guests will camp out during the storm.

With our late night Wednesday flight out we are managing to miss the hurricane by just a few hours. By the time we arrive in Boise Thursday afternoon the damage may have already begun. Crossing fingers for a good outcome in paradise.