Taking Control

I am practicing hapkido forms for an in-school tournament in March. After several seconds, I was struggling to breathe. I need to take control here--walking, eating well, breathing exercises, maybe do the 21 yoga sessions that I downloaded. Definitely the moment to seize the day. I filled out a survey yesterday about my chakra and though it looked like I was in control, I know that is a lie. Everyone about me controls me. However on a positive note, I have dealt with my winter doldrums with books, candles and hot chocolate and enjoying the sunshine on a cold winter day!

I find sequels disappointing

Twenty-eight and a half wishes by Denise Grover Swank is a delightful read. The main character, Rose Gardner, shows resilience, ingenuity and loyalty. Our town library does not carry the sequel Twenty nine and a half reasons, so I ordered it from another local library. I got an email letting me know that a book had come in, but wouldn't you know it was the first book! So I called and asked to send that book back and to forward the sequel. I read it last night. Parts of it bother me. First, her lover continually calls her "darlin." Ugh! And why in the world would Rose leave a coffee shop with a killer? Doesn't she know that one never leaves the site where one is accosted? Why didn't she scream the house down? Why not kick, punch, drop to the floor? And the final scene is a replay of book one in many respects. And the die was cast. I could see that the relationship with the lover was going downhill. How sad! I am finished with the series after reading the reviews of book three, a novella and book five. Not the first time. One of my favorite fictional detectives became pregnant and I can just see her waddling around with a big tummy, knocking things over and solving crimes. I think she's forty years old too, and with having a baby and being up all night, can't see her as being much fun.

Left the charger at the store

One of the best features on my Asus Transformer Prime is the kindle application. I have a choice of free or inexpensive e-books. Generally, I download the free books, although I have to be careful as there are inexpensive books thrown in with the free, and it is easy to click on them and then notice that they are not free. Last evening, I was happily reading a book about a psychopathic killer when the tablet's low battery notice came on. I had packed my tablet, food, pharmacy (for my cold), shoes to wear to work today, purse to bring home, but apparently I left the charger at the flower shop. So in the midst of the mystery, my tablet turned itself off! Snow today and a slippery run to the other store, so I guess I have to wait til tomorrow to finish the book. I am a bit better, but not up to par. I am grateful that I had the cold before business picks up at the store. I can't imagine working lots of hours feeling as bad as I do.

Brightening the day

Feeling sick

I have a cold--watery eyes, sneezing, stuffy nose. I had to cancel a trip to the nail salon with my mother. I cannot take the chance of exposing my 86 year old mother to my germs. I canceled my martial arts class for the same reason. I am resting, drinking hot tea and eating hot chicken soup. I will work tomorrow--just me and the customers. I will wipe everything down with chlorox wipes and keep my distance. My husband got a cold first and though I carefully washed my hands, I got it too.

Flowers

Shopping

I tried on the pants that I bought when I went shopping with my daughter and discovered why trying pants on at the store is a good idea! So last night, after work I drove to the store to return them. Few cars on the road, so a surprisingly pleasant drive. I exchanged the pants and browsed picking up some zebra patterned slippers, hand lotion (because I can never have enough), trail mix and some other items. I knew the pants would be too long so set to work cutting off the factory hem and shortening the pants. Alas! They were still too long, so I took out the hem and tried again. Once I'm home, I will press them and try them on, hoping the length is right this time around. My husband has a cold and is feeling miserable. A friend stopped at the flower shop to say hello. He brought me a chicken wrap! So very thoughtful!

Snowy mist

On Monday, after work I went to the funeral home to spend some time with my friend. I looked through a photo album especially enjoying the pictures of my friend and her parents. I left promising that I would return on Tuesday for the funeral Mass. No family member reminisced about his life and I missed the opportunity to laugh and remember. I atended the luncheon after the service. My dog kept me awake that evening, so I was enjoying some morning sleep when my son called to ask me to drive him to the doctor. He was experiencing pain when he breathed and rapid heartbeats. The doctor did an EKG, drew blood and took a chest x-ray which showed a mass on his lung. Prescibed an inhaler. We picked up lunch and I drove my son back to work. My daughter's friend is competing on the game show Jeopardy so neighbors and friends gathered at her family home to cheer her on. She won two games so far! Not a nice day here! Flying snow under grey skies!

They live in my memories.

My friend called me last night with the sad news that her dad died yesterday afternoon. I have known both her mom and dad for 37 years. They came to visit when my babies were born bringing handmade knitted booties. They shopped every Wednesday and we would chat over our carts. We were in church discussion groups together. My most recent memory is when he came into the flower shop to send a birthday arrangement to his sister. His eyes sparkled and he smiled in enjoyment. I will treasure his last Christmas card. I will miss him though I know he rests in the sweet arms of his wife who died four years ago. A very difficult week for us. On Monday, I was shocked when my husband ame home from bowling and told me that the league secretary died of a heart attack thirty minutes before the bowling start time.

"Gloomy Gus Day"

The skies are gray and the air is misty. My dad described a day like today as a "Gloomy Gus Day." I sent some tulips and roses to my Mother and Dad. I hope the flowers remind them of spring and brighten their day! I wish that I could send flowers and chocolates to all my friends!

Beautiful!

The sun is shining and the temperatures rose. I bundled up and took down the outside lights. The nets were dry and once the wire became pliable, I tucked the sets into their boxes. Once the chore was finished, I rewarded myself with ramen and tea!

Safe Inside!

Though I have put away the inside Holiday decorations, the outside lights will be up until the temperatures rise. Even with the heat on, my fingers hurt the entire drive home last night. Neither my son or my husband could start his car. The cold drained the battery! So grateful to have a warm house to wait out the polar vortex! My husband commented once again how our two recently adopted stray felines would have died in the sub zero temps! The cats bring to mind the homeless and gratitude to the folks who have provided for them through the storm.

The Holidays

The last two weeks have been filled with laughter and enjoyable meals with family and friends . It is amazing that all visitors arrived and left as scheduled in spite of the snow and freezing temperatures. Such a wonderful holiday! I am working at the branch store today as the manager lives further away. I am looking forward to days off on Wednesday and Thursday. My daughter gave me Bob Tarte's book Kitty Cornered and I am laughing at the antics of his felines. Also discovered author Denise Grover Swank and enjoyed her Rose Gardner mystery, Twenty and a Half Wishes. Hope the sequel is as fun and not formulaic!