In A Dream

Last night I had one of those powerful dreams that you cannot shake out of you. It wasn't a nightmare, it was one of those soulful dreams...one of those dreams you wake up from and say, "That meant something, I must remember that."

I had a dream about a friend that I haven't spent all that much time with over the years, but one of those people that impact your life by the way they live... one of those people whom you are always pleased to see when you run into them when you're out and about. We may not understand why we don't spend more time getting to know each other, but we do understand that they have a significant impact on our lives.

We all have impressions of people that we've either just met or even known a long time. They may or may not be correct impressions, but in some way these impressions color the way we feel about the person or the way we feel about ourselves. Does this make sense??

Anyway, I had a dream that I was baring my soul to this friend and I was making myself extremely vunerable in doing so.

I have always been an emotional person, my feelings always just underneath the surface. I cry easily and am always embarrassed by this. I seem to attract more stoic types into my life. My dream was about a friend that I have always thought to be a brave soul...I don't think I've ever seen her cry, one of my more stoic friends, who exudes strength whereever she goes.

In my dream I was explaining to this friend how much I admired her, and she was listening to me as if there was no one else in the room. However, in the dream I was at what must have been a political function and there were lots of people in the room and people were eating and celebrating, she was listening to me intently. There are just some people who know how to really focus, I'm not one of them, but I do attract such types.

I was crying in my dream and my friend was unfazed, she just kept listening. I felt safe and amazingly unashamed of my tears. I told her that all anyone really needs is to be afffirmed and to know why they are here and what their purpose is. It is so simple, but to me, this dream was sending me a message to my soul.

Preparing for Christmas

The nativity scene is in it's special place...

The stockings are hung...

I have a beautiful poinsetta...

The cloche has been properly dressed for winter...

There's a mini tree in the family room...

And...I managed to buy one of the last sleigh bell pillows at Pottery Barn for my livingroom sofa.

I spent the day cleaning and decorating and the evening playing monopoly with Mr. Honey and our grandsons.

It's been a lovely day!

Blind Side

Today I was up a 5a.m. getting ready for work. I went in at 6a.m. today because they needed more coverage on the early shift.

Surprisingly, I have had a lot of energy lately and I don't seem to need as much sleep. I ate cheerios for breakfast...the breakfast of champions, right? Oh no, I guess that would be Wheaties. Ooops!

I had my Lean Cuisine much earlier than usual at work due to the early shift. I've also been enjoying a lot of fresh pears lately and a few cashews.

Since I went in to work early, I got off early. It was the perfect opportunity for Mr. Honey and I to head out to the movie theater and see Blind Side. Fabulous movie. I highly recommend it. I love true stories and this one was both inspiring, thought provoking and entertaining.

After the show and eating a bag full of popcorn and a hot dog for dinner, I came home and worked out. Aren't you proud of me? I haven't given up. I'm still at it. Somebody at work today said they thought I was losing weight. It made me smile. My body has not yet been on a scale.
I don't want to jinx myself. I'm in it for the long haul.

Below is a photo of Quinton Aaron in Blind Side. Who ever cast this young actor was spot on! He did a great job and I think this was my favorite Sandra Bullock movie thus far. If you get a chance go and see it, you'll be glad you did!

Timeless Fashion

My daughter is modeling the dress that her grandmother wore when her grandmother became an American citizen. It is a very special dress. My mother married an American soldier in the late forties and moved to America when the war ended. She then became an American citizen in the fifties. This wonderful dress is still as beautiful today as it was in the sixties. If my mother were alive today I know she would love seeing her granddaughter fitting so beautifully into her dress.

When my daughter's friend had an opportunity to take pictures of the lovely, red, vintage airplane that you see in the background he asked my daughter to model for him. She was delighted to do it and thought it was the perfect opportunity to wear her grandmother's fabulous ice blue dress.

The funny thing is my daughter is 6ft. tall and my mother was only 5' 4". My mother had a fabulous figure. My daughter does too, only much, much, taller than her grandmother.

There was a time when I could have worn this dress myself and before I die I would love to fit into it again. Good motivation for me to stay on my diet, don't ya think?

Today I did a little more decorating. I found this lovely rosemary Christmas tree at Trader Joe's and I adorned it with little kitchen ornaments. It smells lovely and it makes me happy when I'm doing the dishes or just looking out my kitchen window.

Today was a very relaxed day. Mr. Honey took me out for breakfast, instead of our usual waffle breakfast with the kids.

When I got home I cleaned the kitchen and had my daughter and grandsons over for afternoon coffee and a game of Monopoly. The coffee for the adults, the Monopoly for the kiddos.

Later I ran to Target for a few things and when I got home Mr.Honey made dinner for us. We had fish, veggies and brown rice. I'm gearing up for a good week. The pumpkin pie is all gone. I'm planning on staying focused on my goals and making things beautiful for the holidays.

Christmas Sparkle

I no longer put up the traditional Christmas tree. I have left that for my daughter,who lives right next door. I found these little alphabet ornaments at Pottery Barn. I just love them. I bought a letter representing each family member. They have the sweetest little bells that hang at the top and are glittered all around the edges.

I have little mirrored garlands and sparkly snowflakes and icicles to add to the sparkle . I think I should have spray painted the pot in silver and black, but I kind of like a little red and green.

This year I am all about easy. Tomorrow I will do my mantle and hang the stockings.

I'm sad that this weekend is coming to a close and my youngest daughter will head back to San Francisco where she lives.

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays.

Traditionally we always spent Thanksgiving with my mother. With mother's passing there is definitely an empty spot that could never be really filled, but I like to imagine her reunited with my sister and the rest of her family whooping it up in heaven!

I plan on being back on track with my diet on Monday, so look forward to seeing less of me, l.o.l., in the months to come!

Leapin' Lizards!

Happy Thanksgiving! What a beautiful California day we had for our Thanksgiving celebration!

I started off my day with a good work out. When I emerged from my work out, to my delight my youngest daughter was sitting in my sunroom waiting for me to finish. I had no idea she would be home to celebrate with us. We all jumped for joy that she made it home. My grandsons love both of their aunties and were over joyed that at least one of them made it home.

Let the eating begin, l.o.l. My eldest daughter who lives right next door had our Thanksgiving feast completely under control. She prepared a delicious organic turkey with all the home made fixings anyone could want.

What a lovely, relaxing day. I'm so thankful for my family!