Thanksgiving Linky Love

There is so much I want to share on this Tuesday before we give thanks. 

It seems all my shirts and sweaters have 3/4 length sleeves. Since I tend to be cold a lot, it used to make me crazy. But since I love this look, all that wrist exposure is a great chance to flaunt a bunch of arm candy. Charming Charlie has bracelets in the $20 or less category.  

via

While planning for our wedding continues, I am also thinking about what kind of marriage we will have. This post seems like a good start. 

Must be from a previous year. Friday is November 29th this year.

I am thrilled that stores like Nordstrom take a stand for important American holidays and their workers. And I like this quote from Pope Francis:

“The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades.”

To read the rest, visit here.

All the same I am digging the idea of a white Christmas tree for decorating this year. The one above is from the Land of Nod and Ampersand Design Studio holiday party. 

Finally, as a book lover, I enjoyed seeing photos of some of the world's most beautiful libraries from Wonderous Design magazine.

What book are you reading right now? And if you celebrate Christmas, will you have a green or white tree? Real or fake?

Ode to my Dog

On Thursday, we said goodbye to this beautiful old friend. Rody (short for Rodan, one of the Godzilla monsters) was nearly 14, or 98 in dog years.

A Long Life Well-Lived
I adopted her from the Humane Society in April 2000. I wasn't that sentimental then, so I don't even remember the date. Maybe April 12th or 13th?? At some point in our life together she switched from being my furry baby to being my partner. Everywhere I lived, she and I explored together on our long walks. When I  gained weight during my first pregnancy, so did she. When I was getting divorced and needed to be out of the house, she walked with me every night, sometimes for miles. Of all the members of my family, I feel like she was the one whose personality was most like mine: extrovert/outdoor soul.

One night after she came to live with me, I woke myself up laughing. That had never happened before, but it was because of her. Her immense joy for life was contagious. "Live like someone left the gate open"?? That was her!

She Was Always There
After I got divorced she stayed for awhile with my ex-husband because the duplex I was renting didn't allow pets. Eventually she went to stay with my parents three hours away. I bought a house because she was getting older and I wanted her last days to be spent with me and the kids. That was nearly four years ago. 

In the past year, she had really slowed down. For one thing, I could catch her before she darted out the door. She also stopped jumping up on the beds when we were gone. Last week, though, she wouldn't eat. She had trouble getting up the few steps from the backyard into the house. Worst of all, she didn't bark and kept her eyes closed most of the time. I knew in my heart that this was it, although "magical thinking" kicked in at some point and I tried to tell myself it was just a little cold.

I feel so lucky that we got as much time as we did together. But I do MISS my dog. She was a great friend.

Here's a video of Jimmy Stewart reading a poem he wrote about his dog, Beau, on the Tonight Show.

Thursday Organizing Thoughts

For three months I haven't been able to listen to music in my car. Long story short: we had replaced the battery but didn't have the anti-theft code for the stereo.

Anyhoo, I finally (FINALLY!!) got sick enough of not being able to listen to music in the car that I took action this week. And once I did, it was a simple enough fix. 

Listening to (and singing along with) music in the car is one of my seven ways to beat the blues. Of course, since we haven't moved yet, I'm also still commuting about an hour a day. 

Yesterday, though, angels sang!! In reality it was more like "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and the Beastie Boys. Oh the joy!!!! 

I think this situation is similar to living with disorganization and household chaos. Right now we are living that way. The carefully styled vignettes have been disassembled and packed away. Nothing is left on the wall. Every day more and more of our life ends up in cardboard boxes out in the garage.

It's frustrating and unattractive. In many ways we don't have a place for the stuff of life because we are living with the bare minimum. 

On the other hand, I'm also starting to really imagine what life will be like in our new home. I picture turning out the lights over the kitchen sink and looking out at the moonlight on the snow in our backyard. It'll happen, and it will be so awesome when it does.

House Beautiful

I pinned this kitchen recently because it is mildly reminiscent of the one in our new house. Actually, I just showed it to Phil to see if he thought it looked like our new kitchen and he said "not at all." I think my super power is that I can see what CAN be, not always what is. Or, perhaps, I am delusional. ;)

'Twas the Week before Thanksgiving

We had some big storms overnight. The wind blew over our patio table and smashed the glass top, but otherwise there was no damage to either our house or the one we are buying. Which brings me to a poem of my own creation...

'Twas the week before Thanksgiving and still we don't have our new house. Everything is in boxes, ready to move. I can't really rhyme, and I don't even care. If I have to wait until Santa, I'll pull out my hair.

A few favorites, then, to brighten up the start of this week:

You are not going to believe who is selling this sweater dress or for how much. (Hint: it's a great deal!) Available in six colors, it would look smashing with tights and a pair of boots.

This is the time of year when I begin to feel itchy about all the things my kids have and I wonder whether I'm really instilling the right values. Especially as we prepare for an influx of MORE at the holidays. This game from Modern Parents, Messy Kids seems like a beautiful solution.

And if all else fails, I imagine my happy place. The one I have never been to. Vietri offers a great overview of the best it has to offer. 

Happy Monday!!