Thoughts from Alison that might at least entertain you!

Wednesday Morn

(Yes, the category selections for this post seem like a peculiar match.  Coming from me, does that really surprise you?)

Happy Wednesday morning as I try to focus myself enough to drive to work!

Last night brought a Volunteer recognition holiday party at work.  We had great fun, and I was reminded countless times that this is exactly the role I ought to be in.  What fun!

Today is massage day for me - Yay!!

The girls are happy and warm in their house, even though we're practically into next year and there's still not enough tuna in the world for Tori and not enough shadows in the world for Maggie B.

Tonight I WILL finish our holiday cards, so that they're at least in the mail before the holiday!  I will also clean off the kitchen table, which resembles a heap of forgotten items much more than a table.  I will also have dinner with my husband!

My thoughts and best wishes are with our close family friends as they celebrate the too-short life of their father/husband over these next few days.  To quote a colleague of this friend who has passed, "He was given a brilliant mind and a lousy body."  Peace to you, Friend.

And Peace to You All, Dear Friends: May your boots be taller than the snow is deep!

Still, Still, Still

(Here we go: Alison tries to re-create yet another brilliant and entertaining post that was lost by her fabulous computer!!)

Milan is buried in snow - about 5 inches (?) and counting!  John and I woke to this winter wonderland this morning, and it is quite lovely!  The snow wasn't exactly a surprise after our attempt at driving to Toledo last night in the beginning of this storm.  We quickly lost count of the number of spin-outs and accidents we were passing, and turned around to head home after our highway speed was reduced to about 30 mph.

Many thanks and good things to my beautiful husband for taking good care of us under crappy conditions, even while his wife tried to pretend she wasn't a terrified basket-case in the passenger seat!

John and I celebrated Bernie's birthday with a very fancy dinner at the Milan Taco Bell.  (Bernie - the good news is this year you'll get TWO birthday dinners!!)

The yard outside is covered in perfect white, with just a few critter tracks heading here and there. I can't say for certain, but I think the growing season for my porch plantings is over, as well as the life of our pumpkins!  I snapped these pics this morning when there were about a hundred geese on the lake, and one lone squirrel working hard on his breakfast in the tree.  (crunch-crunch-scrape-scrape-crunch!)

I am actually considering getting out my big ol' snow boots from my years in Boston and going out to play!

Tori, on the other hand, is perfectly content to stay inside on her couch.  ("Her" couch.)

"Still, Still, Still - One can hear the falling snow."

Happy Day to all - Be Well and BE SAFE out there!

George Winston

John and I saw one of our favorites live at The Ark last night!  George Winston played a show for us.  On the one hand, it was a completely different experience seeing him play in the small intimate setting of The Ark (400 seats) vs. when we saw him a couple of years ago at The Max in Detroit (capacity of nearly 2000).  On the other hand, the program was exactly the same as the one we heard him play then!

On the OTHER other hand, John and I both got to MEET HIM, and his record label (Dancing Cat) held a food drive for Food Gatherers and donated a portion of the merchandise sales for the evening to Food Gatherers!  All in all, it was a pretty neat night.

In keeping with the theme of relaxation from last night, I had a massage after work today.  This was a grand day for a massage - coming off two very difficult weeks of work and fighting the end of a cold, I needed it!

Question to the masses:  What do you give your massage therapist for Christmas?

Be Well, Friends - Listen to good music, Relax, and maybe have a Massage!

What a Weekend!

Hello and Good Monday to All!

Today I've had a full day at home after a weekend of lots of work.  Friday, Saturday, and Sunday all brought nights at the club, and all were busy and running.

Did I mention yet that I only had a leisurely day at home after becoming violently ill this morning?

I'm feeling better now and think tomorrow will be a work day.  Our bodies have a definite method for communicating to us when we've simply done too much, eh?

Get a Massage!

That's all I have to say, really.

Have you ever treated yourself to a massage?  Not just treated yourself I guess, because it's more than a treat.  It's good for you, and your body will thank you.  Even my husband does it!  Please note:  If you have a first massage, and haven't before, it definitely won't be your last.

(Umm, guess what I did this evening?)

Take care, Friends - and take care of your bodies!

Accomplished!

So far from the vacation list, I've managed these things:

• Planted all the planters and hung three hanging baskets
• Picked permanent locations for Harold and Sylvia (yes I changed her name, and a little spider is happily building a web on Harold's head).  They aren't anchored yet.
• One bike ride
• Idea for a new collage well formulated (but not actually started)
• Spent the day with Holly
• Got to hear Hal Walker in Toledo last night
• Got a pedicure (pale pink!)
• Will watch the Tigers yet tonight

Not too shabby!  Uhh...  and no wonder I'm so exhausted!

Take care, All - Be Well and Be Laughing!

To Do:

A short list of things I plan to tackle/accomplish/indulge in while I'm on vacation for the next 8 days:

• Plant the plants in the planters that are currently waiting on the porch
• Find permanent (anchored) homes for Harold the Heron and Shirley the Sand Piper
• Spend a day framing two more collages with mom
• Ride my super awesome bike as much as  possible
• See Shrek the Third, even if it's getting "ordinary" reviews
• Play Scrabble with my husband
• Start a new collage, which may or may not be done in time, to give for the art auction at Food Gatherer's Grillin' event in June
• Spend a day with Holly and her silly kids
• Spend a day with Tami and her silly kids (Tam, you don't know that yet...  but it's a goal!)
• Spend an evening in Toledo listening to Hal Walker sing
• Catch up with more than a few people I've lost track of through the stress of the last several months of work
• Watch a little more Tigers baseball
• Get a pedicure!
• Celebrate the anniversary of my first date with John!
• And last, but certainly not least - begin to tackle some of the piles-o-crap in our basement that need to simply go away!

Hmmm...  not a very short list in retrospect, but I'm going with it!

Happy Sunday eve, Friends.  Be Well and Be Taking Care of You.

Destination Relaxation

Greetings, All!

I am headed for a little retreat this afternoon that I have needed all week - I'm off to The Relax Station for a massage!  I think I've stored up all the stress of trying to wrap up my job this week - it's sitting in my neck and shoulders.  If you're in the Ann Arbor area and ever feel the need for a mini-retreat, I definitely recommend The Relax Station!

In an entirely different vein, I have a little fun "extra" coming up shortly.  I will be the "Artist of the Month" at Georgette's in Maumee in June!  Yes, even though I quit my job there...  they talked me into displaying some of my collage for the month.  I'll have about 6 pieces on display, some for sale and some just because they're pretty.  If you're in the area, stop in and see them!  I will have them on display by June 5th.

John pointed out this morning that I can now tell people in honesty that I am "between jobs."  I kind of like this feeling!  The promise of something new, the several days ahead of no commitments, and all that jazz.

Back to relaxation for a moment:  If you are in the Toledo area, consider an evening out this coming Tuesday (May 22) at Brewed Awakenings coffee house.  My friend Hal Walker, an amazing musician from Kent, OH, will be performing there that night!  Hal is in the middle of an Ohio Arts Council residency at one of the elementary schools in Toledo, and he set up this gig for fun.  Think folk, Appalachian sounds, and amazing energy.  That's Hal!  I'll be there along with many other followers - he starts at 7:30!  Brewed Awakenings is on Central Avenue near Douglas, not far from the Westgate area.

Peace to you, Friends.  Happy Saturday!