Perspective

The past week and a half has been crazy busy.

Thankfully, the CMT's (Connecticut Mastery Test) are behind us and now we are gearing up for spring conferences. Recently I've had a few tasks dumped in my lap very unexpectedly and it's taking up much more time than I originally thought.I'll be honest, I'm not happy that I've had to take this on. I feel like I'm in a little over my head.


The kind of busy when you don't know if you're coming or going. The kind that no matter how early you get up or how late you go to bed, you just can't finish the days "to do" list. The kind that when you unlock the front door you want to head straight for your bedroom and collapse on your bed and stay there for the rest of the night.


I'm exhausted!


After a simple phone call my perspective is changed ...


My brother isn't much of a chit chatter on the phone. We talk often but our conversations usually only last a few minutes. When I spoke with him last night he didn't stop talking ~ so odd. Within a few minutes his voice became a little weepy.


He lost a patient that afternoon.


This isn't his first, but clearly one that is affecting him deeply.

They shared a light hearted conversation upon her arrival.
She was young; only 35 years old. She had a family and was polite and outgoing. This was noted as my brother works in the ER and these behaviors aren't always seen.


Without going into all the medical details, he lost her within an hour of her arrival.
She passed away from an allergic reaction to a medication that prescribed a couple of days ago.

{My brother and me Christmas 2009}

I'm not so tired after all.
Instead, I'm thankful that tomorrow I am priviledged enough to wake up, and have another busy day.

Leave A Comment

Rainy day

It's a cold, dreary, rainy day here ....

I've decided to stay put.

If you need me, I'll be snuggled up in one of these dreamy beds.

This lovely frame is now on my list of "must have."

I wonder if I could sneak this ruffled bedding past my husband ~ ahhh.

Just imagine the sweet dreams to be had under this canopy

I love the quiet but elegant details of the bedframe.

Please bring me a cup of hot tea and a stack of magazines. I'm going to be a while. ;)

Enjoy your weekend!

*I'm not certain of the sources as I tucked these photos away for idea purposes*

Leave A Comment

How was your day?

Mine you ask? Not so great!

My morning began with a sweet little child telling me that I look like his GRANDMOTHER. 

Seriously?

I look like a grandmother?
Hence the photo of me ~ I'd like to add that I took it upon arriving home this evening after a   l  o  n  g  day.
This was followed by another sweet child announcing that I get to sit on TWO letters during circle time. I guess that makes me an overachiever.
 I'll be adding DIET to my list of to dos!

Upon entering our home I was greeted with a scent that could come of no good ... and upon initial site, I was correct!


Apparently, the Boz has the tummy bug that has visited our home.

 I'll spare you of any photos but, oh sweet mother of goodness!
It was oooooozing from his kennel. I've never been so grateful for our wood floors.
Thankfully, we keep him in a kennel during the day. I don't even want to imagine what our home would look like if we didn't.

~WARNING~
graphic and disgusting details ahead


Once I assessed the situation, I opened all surrounding windows and Lysoled the area, gathered appropriate cleaning supplies and, held my breath.
Unfortunately, I am blessed with an amazing gag reflex that was put to a level of testing the military hasn't even developed.

Plan A
Lay down every old towel we have so the dog can walk to the door ( I thought about housting him out the window since it was closer than the door but he weighs too much and I had my good clothes on.)
Carry the kennel to the backyard and hose down.

hmmm ...


Helpful hints for Plan A
Check to make sure husband hasn't left the hose on "Power Wash" level.
Ummm ... when there is a high level of pressure, the water tends to come flying back at you along with what you happen to be spraying.
Check dogs bum before he rubs up against you because he's so grateful for all you've done.




Results of Plan A
Take shower and wash hair and face REALLY, REALLY, REALLY WELL!
Wash pants since they now have remains of the mess all over.


And lastly ... remind husband of what he has missed while he's been away on travel :)

I think it goes without saying that after my shower, I had a very large glass of wine.

Leave A Comment

Black and White Wednesday ~ Sunshine

This past weekend I bought arm loads of fresh flowers. I couldn't get enough of the beautiful fresh cut and potted spring flowers. 


I like to use different types of vessels for vases. This sweet little pitcher was made by my Aunt Joanne. She is an artist and at some point in her education, this was a project and then a gift to my mother. I love the flowers ~ it's hard to see but the petals are raised from the surface at varing levels for a 3D effect.

When I was a little girl she would fill it at lunch time with milk or water and allow me to pour it into my glass ~ it was the perfect size for my little hands and I thought it was a big deal!Today I'm using to hold my sweet kisses of sunshine!




Enjoy more black and whites at Lisa's.

Leave A Comment

Spring is on its way!

This handsome fellow, along with some friends, are looking for a new home.
You can find them in my Etsy shop.
I'll be adding new spring and Easter tassels this week. 

It's a bright and gorgeous day!
The kind that offers endless energy and you want to spring clean, spruce up the yard, and brighten your home for the new season ahead.
That's just what we've been doing this weekend.
We've spent some time in the yard, making way for our new landscaping ideas. 
I raided Trader Joe's of their daffodils, tulips, and lilies. Almost every room in our home has a fresh bloom or bunch. One would think we are staging for a flower show.
And for today's excitement ... cleaning out a few "treasures" that are no longer needed.
{my husband has informed me that we will be hosting a tag sale this spring}

I officially have no complaints over the weather this weekend ~ it's been perfect!

The neighborhood tweens have celebrated by breaking out their shorts {with hooded sweatshirts}. I haven't gone that far just yet as I know there is still a chance of s**w here in the north.

Hope you're having a super pre-spring weekend as well!
Make sure you take a peek!

Leave A Comment

Black and White ~ Pages in Time

As the season is about to change into a softer more gentle phase, so will my lifestyle.
During the winter I like to hunker down with comfort foods, fluffy down comforters and pages filled with various forms of entertainment.
As spring arrives I look forward spending less time indoors and more in my flower beds, catching up with neighbors after a long winter, and evening walks on the beach.

This photo was taken of my bedside table after a Blogger Book Swap. The pictures represent my life as a toddler on the lap of my mother {my favorite choice of seating} and as a wife on the arm of my husband just before dashing off to a formal event.

 As with the seasons, our identities as individuals change over periods of time.

Join Lisa for more beautiful Black and Whites 

Leave A Comment

Grew up Green

I'm not sure how or when this realization popped into my head but, I've come to learn that my parents were GREEN long before it was the in thing to do!

I'm becoming more and more concerned about my family using plastic for food storage. Even more alarming is heating any type of food in this form of container.

Due to my form of lunch hour {Ha, I don't get an hour. More often than not, I'm eating with a student or inhaling my lunch so I can attend a meeting.} I always bring my lunch with me from home. It is often leftovers from the night before, soup or, a salad.

Last weekend I bought several of these pieces from Crate and Barrel. I love them! The seal is fabulous  and have been personally tested as they have traveled to and from my classroom.

I'll be adding more to our home now that I know they travel and work so well.

My mother always went to the Farmers Market with her own bags. They were loosely knitted  that expanded as the items multiplied.

When at the grocery market she would recycle by bringing back the paper bags from the previous week.

I my Whole Foods and Trader Joe's bags that can be purchased in their stores. Some of the markets in my area are giving back .5-.10 per bag when you bring your own.

Not to sound snobby but please understand these acts weren't based on my parents income, rather their upbringing. My grandmother was from the depression era so there was no wasting allowed. Yes, she was the one who washed out bread bags to be reused, washed aluminum foil to be reused, darned nylons ... you get the picture.

Growing up, my brother and I always brought our drinks to school in a thermos. At home,

 we had our own glasses that weren't allowed to leave the kitchen ~ no drinks allowed in the formal living areas.

Today I bring my water to school in my Klean Kanteen{of course it's pink!} and if I bring coffee, it's made at home and travels with me in my pink Starbucks travel mug. Except for Wednesday when I meet the ladies for coffee at 7am. Whole Foods has a wonderful selection of Klean Kanteens to choose from. I just read about another bottle in this month's issue of Clean Eating.

Both of my parents enjoyed gardening. We had a vegetable garden, flower garden and herb beds. It was a nightly chore to carry the vegetable and fruit peels from our meal out to the compost pile. All the yard matter went into this pile as well which was then turned into rich wonderful dirt for our yard.

I've been composting for many years now and love what it does for our plants.While I was there, I picked up this great compost pail at Crate and Barrel. I bought the larger one for our home.

Childhood memories, ahhh ;)

Leave A Comment