january

A year ago, I began blogging. I wrote nearly every day. I spent a lot of time reading blogs, making new friends in Cyberspace. What has changed?

WORK: The move to the new salon has been so positive. However, it has taken loads of time. I think this coming weekend may be the first weekend I will not be doing something work-related since before Thanksgiving. My room is nearly complete with the exception of my tortoise shell bamboo blinds arriving and being hung. I will be posting photos later!
I actually went in last Monday and had a Raindrop massage, which means she used the Young Living Essential oils on my spine. It detoxifies at a very deep level. She incorporates a lot of reflexology. It was a fabby experience.
The owner and I have been spending a lot of time planning advertising for print and in special events. I love how proactive he is. He seems to be a talent magnent. Our staff is continuing to grow with top-notch professionals.
I have slept the whole night undisturbed since December 22 when I moved out of old salon. Does that make the prior place bad? No. It was just time for me to move on.

TT: He has been working painting the new salon. That is, when he is not being Mr. Mom running our household and caring for Isabella. He is a very good "dad"!

DAUGHTER: As of Christmas morning, Dot and Boyfriend are engaged. I can now use the "F" word when referring to him. (Fiance!!) I was over the boyfriend thing. They were meant for each other. She is so happy. So is he. So are we!
She is nurturing a huge crop of wildflowers for their May 20 wedding. Their kitchen looks like a green house with boxes and boxes of tender shoots stretching towards the window for sustanance from Mr. Sun!
She told me this wedding was not mine to spend a dime at. I appreciate that response. My only sorrow is F has never been married and it would have been so nice to have him be the recipient of my splashy generosity on the last wedding. Drat. . .

ISABELLA: How is it we could be so silly in love with such a tiny package? She weighed a big 1.5 pounds at her ten week checkup. She is now twelve weeks and is about 75% housebroken. She is very smart and very dear.
She had to have her eyelids tacked up because the lashes were poking her eyes. She may have to wear this horrid collar to keep her from scratching the stitches out until she has matured enough to have actual surgery to reform her deformed eyelids. What misery for her. She has already knocked one stitch out. . .
Isabella now sleeps with me (TT sleeps in his chair). I confused her for my little travel alarm clock this morning and woke up to realize I was tapping her on the head as though she was the snooze button!

FAMILY: One of my sisters had a health emergency that was a dreadful scare, but ended up not life-threatening. As my eldest, I think of her a lot like my mom. . . she has always been there. I am grateful she is okay.

FRIENDS: Our friend with the lung cancer who had the double lung transplant slipped into eternity Friday, January 12. What a sad, sad loss. They all fought hard. She is a remarkably brave woman. She is strong and fragile.
Our friends F and S had her sister move in with her two children, 7 and 4. They asked us last night to be the childrens' god-parents. We love these kids. Help them with homework, take them to church, play and pray with them. I said yes. Made me feel very badly what a rotten god-mother I am to KE's daughter. I have a hard time with long distance relationships. KE and her dot are in NC now. I must work on this weakness.

FAITH: We continue to love our Catholic Church and are now considering our response to the Lenten season. F and S will be confirmed at Easter Vigil Mass. That is exciting.

TV: Yes, we are American Idol junkies! There goes two nights a week. Then there are the football games, which take us over to F and S's house. Great b/c I can play with the children. But, bad for blogging.

So, there is the catch up on why I do not spend much time in cyber-space! I am hoping for a lull in the action so I can return to visiting my friends. Love you all!

devotion

I had to post this. I need this message every day. God help me to be this honest with myself.


The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword . . . it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

What a pleasure it is to use a set of sharp, new kitchen knives! At first you may fear accidentally cutting yourself, but you soon discover that the right instrument makes it much easier to prepare the evening meal. You don’t have to exert your strength to tear apart meat or vegetables, so you’re less tempted to put your fingers in harm’s way.

How many of us make use of the Word of God in this way? Do we read its stories reflectively, placing ourselves into the situation and testing our reactions?

For example, with whom do we honestly identify in today’s gospel (Mark 2:13-17): the sinners who flocked to Jesus’ table, or the religious critics who found them embarrassing and inconvenient? Would we be able unhesitatingly to lay aside our work in response to an invitation like the one Jesus gave Levi?

What motivates our actions? Dare we allow the Spirit to penetrate our hearts, exposing roots of greed, glory-seeking, envy, or cold duty where we would prefer to see ourselves as motivated by prudence, self-esteem, truthfulness, or love?

It can be frightening to realize that we can hide nothing from God. But it can also be very liberating. We don’t have to waste energy pretending to be someone we are not. God knows us through and through, and he still loves us unconditionally. He offers us forgiveness for sin and the power to be transformed.

The same Word of God that reveals our deepest thoughts and intentions also reveals to us the face of the Son of God, who was fully aware of what he was doing when he called Levi and sat down at table with other sinners. He is a powerful and sympathetic high priest who understands our every burden and temptation.

So put aside fear, and tap into God’s great mercy. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

Jesus, Word of God, I invite you to search my heart and know my thoughts. I come to You just as I am, eager to encounter You just as You are, full of compassion and life-changing power.

Psalm 19:8-10,15; Mark 2:13-17

wierd

Six Wierd Things About Me


(THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the "six weird things about you" blog post. People who get tagged need to write their own six weird things post and state the rules clearly. At the end of the post tag six more people and don’t forget to leave a comment on their blog to tell them they have been tagged and tell them to read your blog.)

1.My forearms and calves are VERY short even though I am 5'8". Always have to hem jacket sleeves and pull my seat forward in car.

2. I have to have five small pillows to be able to sleep. Tempurpedic curved one for neck/head. One between my knees and one under my waist to keep my back aligned. One at chest between my arms to keep my back comfy. And finally, one under my right wrist/hand so the carpal tunnel does not flare up.

3. I have to sleep in pitch dark. I wear a black velvet tempurpedic sleep mask. Makes for a lot of peace in a well-lit world!

4. My childhood was wierd - my maiden name was Ralph, my parents were atheists, my knees are knock, my teeth were buck, I wore tortoise shell rimmed glasses and my mother made my clothes (when minis were in style, my homemade dresses were to my knees- eeewwwwwe) they were into healthfood, so I had carrot strips and pumpkin seeds when all my friends had Fritos and Hostess Twinkies!

5. I get really paniced and smothered feeling if I don't get time alone, but give me a glass of wine and I want to be with all my friends!

6. I hate clutter, but I make it every where I go. I am constantly picking up after myself. WHY do I have so much STUFF?????

I tag:

TT
Gardenia
Pup
Jada's Gigi
David T
Sandi

almost!

I have moved in and worked there for one week.

I could load you down with endless details. Like decorating slowdowns and such. I wanted to move in and have my room all perfect. You know, so I could have the big "TaDaaaaaaaaaaaa" and beam with pride.

But, we are still painting trim, waiting for bamboo shades, shelves, my aromatherapy timer. The new shampoo room chairs have not arrived, the washer/drier is not yet installed. . . oi!

For one week, I have slept through the night each night. Slept like a baby. For one week, even though I work nearly as hard as the holidays, I am not worn to a frazzle at the end of the day.

It is a happy place. Not perfect. But happy and respectful. I feel it. My assistant feels it. Dot has felt it for the four months she had been there. And most importantly, my clients feel it.

Truly, HAPPY New Year!