Thinking Tuesday

I am calling today Thinking Tuesday.  Just for myself.  I am home today and going to do some thinking.  I have had a busy couple of weeks.  I went to the Ann Arbor Art Fairs....actually four of them were all going on at the same time.   It was crazy full of people and I actually got to have a conversation with the man who won best of show for painting.  I was walking by his booth and stopped to ask him some questions about his paintings.  He answered and we had a little conversation.  Later when I went by the Art Fair Booth I saw that he was the winner!  To me this was amazing because I just stumbled on his booth.  It seems like they place the best paintings in one area so I always make it a point to browse that area before I am too tired. 

I also went to the county fair.  It was at my daughter's insistence.  Lately she has been making sure that I do things.  Maybe it is the idea that I may be leaving to live in Florida...but whatever it is she has been keeping me busy.  This weekend we are going on a little trip up North....stopping first at Frankenmuth.  I haven't been there in ages...for those far away Frankenmuth is stuck in Christmas...there are quaint little shops selling Christmas items and of course, a store named Bronners...could possible be the biggest Christmas store ever.  I will try to take pictures.

Last night I brought in some more stuff from the trunk of my car.  I went to my storage and got stuff to go through.  I usually bring it in late night when the other residents are asleep....they always have questions like...."Are you moving?"   So I thought I had it made but when the elevator went up it stopped on the second floor and a lady got in with two books (our library is on the 2nd floor).  First thing she asks is...."Are you moving?"  lol.

Anyway I went through the box and it was mostly junk...some paint brushes...and some oil paints that are probably ruined by the cold winter....then I opened the bin and found more summer clothes...so I spent the next 1 1/2 hr trying on clothes.....I only found a few items that didn't fit....and the rest I really liked.  You see I never buy something unless I love it....so I just have so many things that I love.  It will be hard to whittle things down for a move.  That is one of the things that concerns me on moving.  I know I have to let go of things but it is so hard for me.  My daughter is no help....she really doesn't want me to go so I can't ask her to help me decide what stays and what goes....and I definitely can't take everything with me....heavens, I have just too much and to pack it and move it would be too costly for me. 

Sometimes the little voice in my head asks if I am doing the right thing.  My son and daughter who live here think I am not making a wise decision.  My son told me no one will hire someone my age.  I can't go there and not do some kind of work.  My daughter who lives in Florida says that getting a job won't be a problem...but it is here so why would it be different in Florida.  In two weeks I will
see what the job situation is in Florida...on the internet there seems to be lots of jobs advertised...but whether that is actually true remains to be seen.

Today I read about a woman called the woman in black.  She is seen along the highways between Georgia and Ohio....She only carries a little bag with her.  She dresses all in black.  How did she make the decision to give up all she had and just walk and live on the land?  Is she desperately sad or really more content.  Jesus tells us that we shouldn't lay up treasures on earth,

Matthew 6:19
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

Maybe I need to keep that thought in mind in my personal situation. 

Well, enough for now.....have a great Tuesday...it is cooler here in Michigan today...hope the sun is shining where you are and that blessings are raining on you.
 

Yesterday, today and tomorrow

Yesterday I had the day off from the Summer Reading Program so I decided that I had better do what I had planned from the beginning and head out to Toledo and go to my painting group. In the beginning I was volunteering 5 days a week and then realized that the artist club had painting times on Tuesdays and Thursday mornings. So I asked to change my scheduled days to Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays so I could paint with others.  For lots of reasons. I had been putting off going.   I always have been a little bashful in new situations so that is one of the reasons.  Another is my preparations for the Florida start new idea.  So yesterday I had a talk with myself and kind of got after myself and headed out. 

It is about a thirty five mile trip to the Toledo Botanical Gardens (where the Toledo Art Club calls home).  I was still not certain that I should go so right away a little voice inside kept listing more reasons not to go. The main one that popped up was about my car.  My car is old. It was purchased for cash after I had to let my wonderful Prius go back. I had intended for it to be a temporary vehicle and to get a better one down the road.  Now it's going on 5 years and I still have it.  Lately it has developed a problem. When it gets to between 49 and 52 miles per hour, it flutters.  Acts like it might stall out.   Scary. Again I gave myself a little push and decided I would just have to have more faith that I would make it there and back. (I did, by the way.)  

I actually got there a little early (8:45am) so I checked facebook on my phone.  I waited and waited.  It was 9:15 then 9:30.  I tried the door it was locked tight.  At 9:35 I decided to leave.  I went across town to the large shopping mall.  I tried on a lot of clothes and vowed to go back on my diet.  I did find one dress on sale for half price and since it was sleeveless I had to buy a shrug to go with it. Then I went to chic filet for lunch and told myself that I would get serious about that diet tomorrow. Lol

After that I was pretty worn out but I wanted to go back to the artist club.   To get some answers about the painting group but also to see my paintings hung in their gallery.   I knew the club Secretary would be there at 1pm.  So I went back across town.  When I got there I saw a lot of cars in the lot.  This didn't surprise me as I knew that there was a different class in the afternoon.  I went in and asked the secretary and she told me yes that they did have people painting there in the morning.  ?????  I told her my situation and we surmised together that it must have had a really late start.  Probably the people who regularly attend this were aware of it..but not someone like me...a first timer.   So although disappointed I understand.  I went in to look at my paintings and to compare to the ones who won.  (I didn't).  I guess I took the theme wrong.  It was the road less traveled and mine were the only ones with roads in them.  Most of them were paintings of farms.  I guess farming is done less nowadays but I wasn't thinking like that.  If I was part of that morning group I might have known.

So I left and drove home.  No incidents.  Yeah!   When I got home I was beat.  I sat on my sofa for a moment and awoke with a start about an hour later.

I was contemplating watching some tv and putting my feet up when I remembered that I had promised someone to go to the local opera house to view a play.  So I freshened up just in time to leave.  The play was "Catch Me if You Can" .  It was a movie but I had only seen parts of it.  The interesting thing about it was how they handled the many changes of scene.  I think there must have been about 14 scene changes.  The disappointing thing was that it was mostly a musical.  I must say that most of their plays are.  I would like to see a drama sometime with maybe only one or two songs. 
 One gal (toward the end) was a really great singer....I would have liked to hear more from her.  The lead male was good but kind of a boring voice and persona.  I got home at 11:30pm....a busy day and late night....made getting up today a little difficult.

Today I did the reading program this morning and am heading out to get my prescription and any groceries and then the rest of the day I will take it easy....maybe paint a little, read a little, stare at the tube a little.  Tomorrow Ann Arbor Street Festival and Art Shows...4 in total.

Happiness

Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.
Abraham Lincoln

Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

The world of those who are happy is different from the world of those who are not.
Ludwig Wittgenstein

When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.
Helen Keller

The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet.
James Oppenheim

Man is fond of counting his troubles, but he does not count his joys. If he counted them up as he ought to, he would see that every lot has enough happiness provided for it.
Fyodor Dostoevsky

We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.
Frederick Keonig

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
Marcel Proust

Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.
Eleanor Roosevelt

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
Buddha

If you want happiness for an hour — take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day — go fishing.
If you want happiness for a year — inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime — help someone else.
Chinese Proverb

Happiness is like a kiss. You must share it to enjoy it.
Bernard Meltzer

If thou wilt make a man happy, add not unto his riches but take away from his desires.
Epicurus

You can never get enough of what you don’t need to make you happy.
Eric Hoffer

That man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest.
Henry David Thoreau

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.
Albert Schweitzer

Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.
Franklin D. Roosevelt

Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action.
Benjamin Disraeli

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.
So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
Mark Twain

 

Good morning!  I am sitting at my table at the summer reading program. My student didn't come today for this hour so I am on my kindle writing this.  This past weekend I watched all the episodes to the series "The Killing"   36 episodes!   I don't usually do that but it did help keep me occupied.

I have been giving a lot of thought to what makes someone have a happy fulfilled life.  I use to think a happy life would mean having a home, family, and lots of things.  Especially money.  I am beginning to think I was so wrong.  It's really probably different for everyone and some people probably never find the answer.  What do you think?

Well almost time for my next student.   Write more soon

Wedding Day!

Yesterday was a great day!  I went to work at the summer reading program and got to meet my three young students.  They are all so charming....and the time with them just flew by.  Then I didn't stay for lunch but hurried home to my apartment to change into a dress and head out to Toledo for my daughter's wedding.

The groom's mother, Dottie, was suppose to pick me up and after I really hurried to get ready and be down in the lobby I waited and waited and finally decided something was wrong.  Could she have gone to the wrong senior high rise?  So I texted my daughter and waited for an answer....turns out Dottie misunderstood and was going to come an hour later (which would have been too late).  So she rushed over to pick me up but then insisted that I drive.  She has a brand new Ford Escape....so driving that was a LOT different than driving my 17 year old Monte Carlo.  When I tried the brakes I about threw us through the windows!  But I adjusted quickly and on the way home told her I wasn't giving her car back!

Here is a couple of pictures of the wedding...

 

 

As you can see it was quite informal...done on the Toledo Court House property in front of a statue.  Afterward we went to the Toledo Spaghetti Warehouse for a delicious meal and got to sit in the old Trolley.    I had Spaghetti with meat sauce...still have some in my frig....It was all delicious.  This is what they had...

 



Over the weekend while I was at their house I got an idea to buy them some new things for their table...then at the last minute I realized they wouldn't have a wedding cake...so I bought one and a bride and groom figurine and left it in their refrigerator as a surprise when they got home.  Here is a picture of the table and the cake...

 

 

So all in all a lovely day!

 



Happy 4th of July!

Today was the fourth of July and like most holidays I dreaded it.  I don't know why I am like that but I struggle with it all the time and just try to keep busy with things so I make it through.

Yesterday I advertised three things on facebook and sold two.  I advertised my oak desk...which I like but could live without.  My high table and two bar stools...which is never used and just takes up room.  Living alone I usually eat on a tv tray/table.  And the last was my stampin up collection.  The stampin up collection went right away....it was worth over $1000 but I wanted it gone and actually ended up getting $230 for all of it.  The high table and stools sold today for $50.  I still have the desk and no one even commented on it.  I guess oak furniture is out of style.  Now I have a little more room in my apartment. 

Tomorrow I leave to go and spend two days at my oldest daughter's house.  They are going to the amusement park and need someone to stay with the pets.  Then Monday starts the summer reading program and of all things Monday afternoon my daughter is getting married!  My oldest daughter is named Holly.  She was a difficult teen and left home at 15 and had a baby at 17.....somehow she went back to school in the evenings and got her high school diploma...then worked in factories for years...later she got tired of that and went to college where she got a degree in nursing.  She is now an RN.  We have sometimes disagreed on things but one thing I appreciate is that she will tell you how it really is.  If she doesn't like something or if you are making a mistake she is right there telling you...and she stands up for anyone who she thinks is in the right or is being mistreated.  No one in the family tangles with her!

Here is her picture :

 

 

 

and yes, that is her soon to be husband!

 

 

Nite all....

Good Morning!

I can't believe that when I woke up it was already after 10am.  I am usually an early riser and two days ago I was out walking at 6am.  Of course it could be that I really tired myself out yesterday doing sorting, sorting and sorting....with making only a small dent.  Last night I was still going through things and my chiming clock chimed one time....I stopped in my tracts and realized it was one o'clock in the morning!  So I dropped what I was doing, prepared for bed and took a few minutes to read a little in my kindle to make myself slow down and relax.  So I guess 10 am in that respect wasn't really a late sleep in. 

Today is back to work on things around here.  My usually neat apartment looks like a tornado swept through.  I am also going to try to find someone with a garage that I can borrow to have a sale.  Maybe I will put it out on facebook and see if any of my facebooks friends will respond. 

It is a beautiful day here in Michigan so maybe a walk is needed in a while. 

Here is a cute pic of my grandson....just to share....it's kind of how I feel sometimes....but here is a better one....

 

 

 

And  this is for me...

 

 

Have a nice day!



Sorting, Sorting and Sorting

Since I made my decision to move to Florida it dawned on me that I have so much to do.  I live in a small apartment that has 3 closets.  One is kind of large and supposed to be used for storage...which I guess I took way to seriously.  It is (or was) packed full.  Now a lot of it is in my living room.  Because one of the many things I have to do is get rid of things because I can't pay to have stuff shipped to Florida.  It is so hard.  I save too many things.  Pictures, greeting cards, art supplies, jewelry, and then there is all my stampin up stuff.  I have tons.  I sit and look at it all and get frustrated.  All the money I spent and how I wish now that I had it back.  I found about 20 notebooks...I guess they were on sale and I was going to college and thought I would need them.   All this from just one closet.  The other two hold clothes....how much clothes do we really need?  I have 5 pairs of boots...maybe six winter coats, dressy dresses, skirts that I hardly wear....and maybe 20 swimsuits....along with tons of tops, capris and jeans.  I have 3 sock drawers...imagine that.  What is wrong with me?  Maybe it goes back to when I was young and was lucky to have 3 outfits to wear to school.....I guess it affected me somehow.  Anyway it is so hard to just throw stuff out.   I guess I should pile up the jeans and take them to a resale shop....I just need to find out about that. 

So yesterday as I was pulling everything out of the closet, my grandson, Andrew, calls.  "Can I come over?" he asks.  I can't say no because guess what....he is leaving on Saturday to go and live in Florida....not just visit.  So I warned him the place was a mess but he was welcome to come.  Today when he left I gave him a big hug and told him I would miss him so much.  He has been a good companion in my lonely times and I will miss him coming over and us going to the movies together.  Now I will have to go to the movies alone again.  :(    I asked him if we could Skype sometimes and he said yes of course. 

I know I should be thinking that in the future I will move to Florida and he will be there for me again.  But when I look at my living room and the destruction of just one closet then Florida seems way out of the picture.  Of course you don't know the whole story that I have a whole 9x12 storage shed that still needs something done to...it has about 20 mystery bins....Christmas decorations....household goods I couldn't make a decision on when I left my house and other odds and ends.  I tried to bribe my grandchildren last year to help me clear it out and I had no takers. 


So you know what I will be doing in any spare time I have.  I hope in reading this you wont think badly of me  (I am not a real hoarder but I can see it lurking in the background) .....I think things just got out of hand and life kept going and I got behind.  Now I have to buckle down and purge things.

Well...that's my plan anyway. 
Next week starts our summer reading program and 3 mornings a week I will work one on one with children to improve their reading.  I made these plans before I made the Florida decision but at least it will give me a little reprieve from a task I hate. 

I have been thinking of what I want to do for the fourth of July.  No one in my family has mentioned any plans so I don't know what to do.  I guess if nothing comes up I will just work the day away on clearing out stuff.  Ok enough of that.  Maybe you can mention how you would handle the holiday if you were alone.