Oh My Goodness

"OH MY GOODNESS" is what the doc said when she looked up my nose.  I definitely have a sinus infection and an ear infection.  I got an antibiotic- whoohoo!  I was going to cry if she hadn't given me one.  Fortunately, I did not have to have a breakdown to get relief.  She said I should start feeling better in 24 hours.  I don't think I could have made it through the weekend, my head hurts so bad - sloshy.  She told me to get a Netipot (not a Neddypot), totally gross, but also is helping.  I think the weather is also going to play a part in my recovery, tomorrow we will probably have a school delay or cancellation.  I can sleep in a little.

I took the cat to the vet last night and his fur loss is due probably to boredom.  He better take up some hobbies, because I am not taking up additional cat entertaining.  I told the vet I am going to make him go outside, none of this winter lounging around.

I am going to bed early tonight!  Last night I had crazy dreams, nightmares, night sweats and a fox killing something out in the woods.  The screaming was horrific.  All in all a terrible night of sleep - or lack of. 

For you Baltimore readers, today I bought toilet paper.

Delays, Stars and Copy Cats

We have had a number of school delays and cancellations in the last couple weeks.  This morning I didn't even think to check and got us all up and dressed - 2 hour delay.  We could have been sleeping in! I am feeling better today, my ears popped slightly today.  I am not in so much of a bubble. 

I have been working on a star quilt and have stalled out.  I just don't know where to go with it, I am a bit frustrated.   I had an idea yesterday, but then couldn't figure out the math to get the stars all the same size.  Ellen just told me I have a quilter's block - harhar.  To add to the drama, I have run out of the background fabric.  I have a deadline on this quilt and am starting to sweat it a bit.

I wrote before about my sister's cat losing all it's fur.  I had gone to the store to look for a sweater.  My cat is losing all his fur.  What is up with that coincidence?  He is a copy cat?  Copy cat is an expression that really makes no sense,  cats are the least likely animal to copy.  They are so aloof and do their own thing.  I am going to take him to the vet tonight.  I will have to wrestle him into the carrier and cause him so much anxiety that more fur will fall out.

January Quilt

My January quilt for 2011.  

I have been fighting a cold for a week now and have nothing to write about.  I have been on the couch or in bed when not doing the stuff I have to get done. 

Ned wants me to tell you he is off to a birthday party, so I will be out and about to get him there.  Actually while Ned is at the party I will be taking Ian to the dentist for a chipped tooth.  It is good to be Ned!  It will also be good to be Ellen, she won't want to go.  She will stay home, watch tv and eat popcorn.

Quilt Expo and Strange Signs

I registered 13 quilts into the Baltimore Heritage Quilt Expo 2011.  The dates for the show are March 12-13 at Goucher College.  If you are in the area, please plan on attending.  It is a really beautiful quilt show, our guild has a lot of talented artists.  I entered my breast cancer quilt and my 2010 quilts from each month.   I think they will show better in the show than on my refrigerator.

I finished a quilt for a friend's pre-school fund-raiser.  It is cute, each kid made a self-portrait.  I am making one more small quilt for my friend, it is not finished yet. 

I have started my January 2011 quilt.  I will post a picture soon, it is almost finished.  I have to give credit to my friend and fellow blogger Cheryl at muppin.com.  She did a rabbit for the Chinese New Year and reminded me that I had a box of felt rabbits.  I sewed one on to a football themed quilt.  I am not a football lover, but the boys are.  In order to enjoy in their interests I have been learning about football.  I think I have reached my saturation point, my brain just doesn't want to be cluttered with football.  I don't really understand it!  Ellen is up on football also, she loves all the Raven's accessories.

A couple of years ago we went to New York.  When we were leaving I saw this crazy sign and no one else saw it.  My family would not believe me.  I decided to look it up on the internet to prove that I am not really totally crazy.   It is read "forget about it". 

We are all waiting around for the snow.  We are having a debate on whether we will have school canceled or just a delay.  I am hoping for a cancellation, just because I hate my driveway first thing in the morning.

I am off to make dinner, the kids asked for Kraft mac-n-cheese and I am going to oblige.  I will have left-overs.   Ellen and I are fighting colds and I feel even less motivated than usual to make dinner.  My neighbor gave us these yummy tangerine/grapefruit oranges.  We will have those and edamame as well- easy peasy -they hate peas.  For years Ian would cry, "I won't eat green balls."  Kind of makes you not crazy about peas.

Any good book suggestions?  I am going to start the "Omnivore's Dilemma", but then don't have anything on the docket.    There is a lull in all my trashy book series and I just don't have any ideas.   I got a gift card to Barnes&Nobles for Christmas and it is burning a hole in my pocket.  I should use it for books, before I fritter it away on peanut butter cookies and hot chocolate. 

Abundance

ABUNDANCE, is my word this year, or keynote if you read the following.  I am not really following a new-age  religion, I just shuffled over to a yoga website and got interested.  It is like doing one of the Facebook tests that ask what Star Wars character are you (I know I would be wookie)?  Anyway, I perused the list as instructed and the word "abundance" popped out to me.  It is interesting, because I really have been thinking about this lately.  My life is blessed with an abundance of humor, joy, love, friendship, good health (yes for real), variety/chaos, freedom, beauty, compassion and growth(not my girth).  I have been planning all the activities I would love to do this year.  We will not be able to do all of them, but I am happy to have an abundance of ideas.  

I am not advocating an abundance of things, although I do have many things that make me happy.  In my head I keep making a list of good THINGS or THINGS I like.  Maybe I will post it sometime.  I am thinking more of an abundance of life, preferably good, but there is always the bad.  If you have an abundance of good things to think on, then it gets you through the bad things. I have given myself permission to indulge, enjoy and rejoice in what life gives me this year and even ask for more.

If you read the list and come up with a word that stands out for you, let me know, I really am interested.

In Service to The One Life

Using Evocative Keynotes

The following evocative words contain principles, laws and qualities that aid in establishing the Spiritual Kingdom on Earth. They are needed to build character and a new world order. By choosing to align with any one of these keynotes you are linking up with other spiritual groups in the world who are meditating upon and putting these keynotes into action. This is service at a global level and aids in the planet's evolutionary unfolding.

How to Choose Your Keynote

Take a moment to get still and spiritually align yourself. When you are ready, begin reading the list of qualities. One may stir your heart, draw your attention or cause you to want to ponder it more. Which keynote is calling out to you?
Another method of choice is to tarot the keywords. Write each one on a 3x5 index card or print them out from this page and cut them apart. Take a moment to get still and align yourself spiritually. When you are ready, shuffle the cards and spread them out with the words face down. Affirm your willingness to serve the whole of humanity by allowing one of these keynotes to change you for the better. Which card is calling out to you? (You can use this technique by yourself or together with others.)

For multi-color printable .pdf file of the Keynote cards, click here

Abundance	Balance	Beauty
Being	Compassion	Courage
Creativity	Detachment	Energy
Enthusiasm	Generosity	Gratitude
Harmlessness	Harmony	Humor
Integrity	Joy	Liberation
Light	Love	Love-Wisdom
Patience	Responsibility	Right Speech
Self-forgetfulness	Serenity	Service
Silence	Simplicity	Will-to-Good
Essential Divinity	Unanimity	Goodwill
Spiritual Approach	Group Endeavor	Right Human Relations

After Choosing Your Keynote

Write your keynote on an a piece of paper, if it isn't already on one.
Light a candle and dedicate yourself to the service of the One Life using this evocative keynote.
Place the keynote where you will see it often. The quality will begin to have its effect upon your mind and heart and thus change your attitude and life.
Ponder upon and embrace the quality of your keynote in your eve