Sunshine Melts

Hooray! The sun shines brightly.
The snow crackles as it melts.
I hear the dripping.

Warming trends say the reporters.
Yes! We need a break.
Winter pausing.

Minds regroup.
Soak the sun in
Travel while you can.

Fog will come tonight.
Take warning, be home by dusk.
Remember old days....before people
traveled so far to work.

Hunker down they did.
Stay in, feed the animals.
Explore snow drifts.
Warm mittens and boots.

Reprieve for now.
Enjoy.
Get out there
Feel the joy!

Hugs from Katie

Sunday

Another weekend closes.
It was another enjoyable one, though it was not productive
in any way.

I take that back, it was in that it was a restful time.
Time spent recouping from the winter weather.

Resting time. Healing time. Time spent with
my husband just being together. He always has
to be making something, constructing or baking,
cleaning or accomplishing something.

I enjoy reading, writing and delving into an old
movie or just sleeping.

Sometimes I cannot believe this man and I have
been married for 31 years and together 33.

We really are so different from one another.
The opposites attract thing is definately true
in our relationship. We have somehow been able
to adjust to each to the other's ways and to keep
the spirit in our relationship.

We had a couple of bumpy years a while back, but for
the most part we have survived that too. There are
enough good things in our relationship...things worth
working to save. We both continue to try to better
our time together.

He is possibly taking some time off from work here
sometime soon. This will be another test I am sure of
our companionship "nettle".

I thought about 3 or 4 years ago that we were too
different to stay together. There are still days when
I wonder that, but for the most part, I believe the person
that I didnt like was ME.

Now I am working on changing that person for the better.

You see, I had reached all of my goals set earlier on in
my Life. I did not spend any time considering what I would
do after Children. The time and energy it cost me to get
to that point was so strong and so energy consuming, I
never took time to plan what to do after they were all
married an moved on.

Don't misunderstand, I don't regret any of that time spent.
I just never had foresight enough to plan my life beyond
the girls. To be honest, I never even thought about the
days I would become a Grandma. For a time I even gave
up on the idea that it would ever happen. The girls seemed
to take me at my word about having children. I never meant
to be down on having a family. I was the one who decided
the children would become all encompasing and I would let
their lives absorb mine. It was the only way I knew how to
mother. I had to give all and it was almost too much a price
to pay.

As I sit here on this Cold Wintery Sunday Evening, I am realizing
how truly blessed I am. I have a wonderful family....3 lovely girls
and they have all chosen wonderful men. I have a grandson Tyler
whom I adore. I thought I loved my children, still do...but this
feeling for that little boy is beyond love, I am truly soppy
over him. Loving him makes me love my girls more as well.

The connection to the theme of this room is only that I sit here
writing this on yet another Winter weekend. Truly realizing how
wonderful it is to get out to travel only to get groceries or to
visit the local monthly flea market to see what treasures I need
to bring home. This month I have to admit, I did not find anything
that had my name written on it. I came home with nothing...which is
very rare for me.

All I have to show for this weekend evening is the fact that we
missed the brunt of the storm, we are safe...and Life is good.
I feel nearly as good as I used to when sitting by a warm fire.
The kind I used to feel when we had a true wood burning stove.
I often miss that feel....we felt it a lot when we camped.
Many was the evening we would sit with friends or family and
get all hot and comfortable before bedtime. We had to give up our
wood burner because of allergies. But that warm toasty feeling
will remain forever in my heart.

This too is good.

Thanks for sharing this time together once again.


Goodnight.

Katie

Ice Ice Baby

Ok, ok, but I bet I did get your attention, right?

Spent time writing this blog earlier today only to lose it
when publishing. Not sure why...but will try again.

This weather is Typical Iowa Winter Weather...so why am I
getting Cabin Fever so much this year?

Maybe that is something that comes with age as well as all
the other "fun" stuff?

I am finding my topics are wandering into each other, but that
is ok too. Time well spent writing, blah blah blah....hehe.

Anyway, as I look at the storm now, the worst of it missed us.
It went North East as I had hoped it would. Tracked to where
some of my good friends live.

Just know this kind friends, I did NOT wish it upon any of you.
When is spring again?

Ok, yes I know the answer to that, just trying to lighten the mood.
I tend to try to do that whenever and wherever I can.
It seems to be my nature. I find I come by that from
both sides of my Family...Mom's and Dad's. I only recently
realized that. My Dad has a wicked sense of fun and humor
as well as my Mom did.

Today I was sitting here visiting with some friends online
and became so chilled I had to go into another room, sit by hubby
under a blanket next to my lil Duke doggie to get warmed up again.

So now I return with blanket doubled on my lap and warm thoughts to
keep my little toesies warm.

I do not mind the winter weather near as much as I would if I had to
venture out to work now days. I have not been gainfully employed
outside my home for about 2 years now. I do not regret that because
a lot of good things, and some not so good, that have happened
during these past two years. I would have had to miss a lot if
it weren't forbeing unemployed.

I had dreams of living the Artist Life. Trying my hand at writing
for a living. From what has come from my pen so far, I better let
that Dream go poof. Along with the one about Singing for a living,
and the one of Saving the World all by myself. Next on the list is
possibly the Drawing, Painting, and Entrepreneur phase of my list.
Comedy?
Seinfeld is safe for a few years yet too!

Getting a real job in this wintery mix would be a nightmare.
Hubby has even stayed home and either taken vacation days
or sick days just to stay safe. He is officially retired, so
has that option. I have to admit, I like not having to worry
about him being out driving in some of this stuff...it is
very nasty lately.

I think Bears may have the right idea after all, don't you?
Toight it appears the storm has moved on to other areas, and
we have no worries except the cold.

I was remembering some other winters this one reminds me of
and will write soon about them.

Today I just wanted to get my time in. I have not missed a day
writing since I began to work on it in earnest.

Now that does not mean I have written anything of extreme
content...but I am looking forward to this time now rather
than dreading it...so something is working to my advantage.

See you soon Friends,
Thanks for sharing this time with me.

Hugs

Katie

Cold Sun

The storm has ended.
The temperature dropped.

I suddenly remember
Cold Ice Box.

Chopping out blocks
Loading and hauling.

Horses whimper
Wooden runners thumping.

Over the ground they grind
Hear the hooves drumming?

Something so simple
The storm leaving reminds me.

Bring in the Brass Monkey
Other people joke, glibbly.

People live in this climate
And do so willingly?

Moving South sounds so appealing
Live where the warmth is, choice States revealing.

Nah, this is our place here
Has been for years now,

No one will leave here
It's become pride to stay, and how.

Winter will pass soon
Summer return.

Memories of Cold then
In Summer heat we will yearn.

Wherever we are
Whatever we do

Whichever Season is passing,
Is the one we will Rue.

Snow Day 3

AAAAAAGGGGGGGGGhhhhh!

What is it about being able to go places that keeps us sane?

I remember years ago getting snowed in for days at a time, and it didn't
bother me like it does now.....

Maybe it is because I have a husband who paces after a certain amount of
time? Yep, think that is it.

I am used to self entertaining. I can write, read, watch tv, exercise.....
Nothing really much different than a normal day for me since I no longer
work outside the home.

I have been home about 2 years now...and I must admit, am getting a bit
bored with the entire thing.

It isn't that I haven't been looking for work, I have just decided I no
longer want to work jobs that are not rewarding just to survive.

Guess maybe that will be one of my Resolutions for the New Year, although
I kinda promised myself not to make any as I never keep them anyway.

Another one is to exercise more, since I have health concerns now.
Plus, I realize how much better I feel when I do move. Hubby bought me
an Eliptical Trainer last Spring. I used it at first regularly, but then
for some reason gave up on myself again. I have to stop doing that...will
set my goals much more short term this year....

I have tried nearly every program of weight loss there is available.
There are times I succeed and times I give up. I am working on the why.
What am I getting from carrying all that extra weight. I think I have
come to find out that it gives me excuses to fail in other things, or
not to try so hard. Now that I know that, it is time to fix it.

I should dig out all my old Journals from the past 3 or 4 years...bet I have
said this same thing a dozen times before this!

Sitting here one more day Snowed in, I sit here writing about the past.
No more....from now on, forward ho!

Ms Positive and Half Full have returned and I am going to go with them to a
better year!

Maybe writing this in public will lead me to a better "Trim" result. At least
putting it here for all to see makes me responsible for whatever this year
leads me to.

This morning I am proud to say I did 1.5 miles on the machine and did
that in 12 minutes. My heart rate was 147...and started at 200!
So already I know that I can do it. I put on my CD player with
Don Juan Demarco music and walked and loved it...the time flew
as I truly get into that music.

Yesterday I even went out in the Snow a bit and shoveled! Looks like
we are going to have plenty of that after all this winter. I will
get out there again today if only to get some fresh air...maybe I can
change my attitude toward Snow Days too!

Remember as I do, the glass is half full or half empty. Try looking
more for the half full glass!

I hope you are doing something good for yourselves this year too!



Hugs from Katie~!

Day 2

When I went to bed last night, I heard the wind blowing the newly falling snow around.

I was glad to be safe, warm and to be near someone who cared about me enough to
put his arm around me...as he always does when we fall asleep.

As I drifted off to sleep, I thought about the ways of the world and how nice it
is to go to sleep with wonderful thoughts and in total safety.

Events of recent days around the world make one really think about such things.

Appreciating simple things....its what we tend to forget, and what we need to really concentrate on in this fast paced, jumbled mixed up planet.

Smile at someone you do not know.
Change the channel or turn off the tv when violent shows come on, and that is way too often anymore.
Open a door for someone, or let them in the line.

It costs nothing and can make you feel good in the bargin.

Hug a relative, even if they say "ew"....chances are they don't mean it.

Laugh with someone, be silly, they will feel better too!

Last of all.....find something good in each day....you will face the next one
with added zest and energy.

Hugs from Katie

Storm

Strange how a Winter Storm can bring back memories from days gone by.

Remember how we used to look forward to getting snowed in?
Back in the days when the snow fell....a person stayed home....safe...warm....
getting closer to family, playing games, cooking, reading and putting a puzzle
together.

Remember when a rope tied frome the house to the barn secured the animals
survival, but not always the farmer's? Scarey things but true. It
was a true "lifeline".

I think that is why I always enjoyed the story line of "Little House
On The Prairie". There were things that were similar to my rural growing
up, but the adventures of Laura and all made my life on the farm seem very
tame and yes, safe.

Lately I have been reading more and have begun to write again. This is not anything
new to me...but something I have resolved to do more of in 2005.

These flashbacks of memory help me "remember when".

Back to the talk of storms. I remember the wind howling as the storm intensified.
The rattle of the tin and the tink it made as the Snow hit and the shutters shimmyed. I remember carrying in more wood than the storage place on the back porch would hold knowing how important it would soon become.

I remember Mom doing her Mother Hen things she always did when preparing
for another onslaught of Winter. She always organized things quickly and
made us all feel safe and warm and tucked in soundly.

Those ventures outside afterwards were always fun too....adventure of
the purest kind. Digging tunnels, walking on Snowshoes handed down
from Grandpa, making Snow Angels. Hot Chocolate and warming hands
by the wood stove while watching the wet mittens sizzle and pop as
they dried. It was always my job to make sure they did not burst into
flames.

Oh, don't forget breaking icicles off the edge of the buildings so they
did not become weapons. Did your parent warn you about that too? HeHe...
How about "Don't eat the Yellow Snow". Like we would????

This story has no real plot, just me wandering down memory lane as this
latest winter storm trudges in on us.

Safe here, all cozy.......just called my children and they are all as
safe as can be on a night like this....

All is well....

I hope this little story has awakened some memories of your own and
that you perhaps too will write them down...for someday someone
might enjoy reading them and so it goes on and on...

Goodnight from Iowa where there is a Storm outside, but a warm heart
inside....take care and will write soon again.

Katie