2 in 1 day

Wow, I don't post for months on end and now 2 in 1 day, YAY!!  I posted a comment at another blog I read and it made me think about how things aren't always what they seem.  Life moves along with a power all it's own.   You don't have to participate, you don't have to encourage it, you don't have to do anything; it moves at a speed out of your control.  You may influence it's direction but not it's motion, it travels forward with or without you.  The funny thing is, what you think is an end may really be a beginning. 

Pictures from Philadelphia

3 weeks with no internet at home.  Brought laptop to work today for several reasons, one of which to upload some pictures.

My sister Jan, my nephew Derek and his girlfriend Jackie

Big buildings are fascinating to me, especially those that are odd shaped



The steps!



The Philadellphia skyline.

I did not make it to the LYS nor did we wash windows, it rained!!  We walked from my nephew's apartment down to Rittenhouse Square, lovely, lovely place, I would enjoy that park if I lived in Phila.  Walked on to the Museum of Art, took photos, climbed the infamous 71 Rocky Balboa stairs, more pictures, went inside, enjoyed some refreshments in the café, viewed several of the rooms/exhibits.  One I particularly wanted to see, Costumes & Textiles was closed but I enjoyed several others.  Some of the paintings were unbelievable, could have stayed for several days.  Walked on to a Whole Foods store, what a place!!  We bought food for lunch (late lunch, like 2pm) and other items for supper, got caught in a light rain shower, no umbrellas and every taxi was full.  My nephew was more upset than his mother & I were, all part of the adventure to us.  We did get a taxi before we were dripping wet and it did make carrying the packages home much nicer.  It was a very relaxing time and very educational as well.  Look forward to visiting again, hopefully next time I will visit the nearby yarn shop.

I can do it!!

I just "added" my first blog embellishment, Dish Rag Tag V, so proud of me.  I'm really slow with this sort of thing, afraid to ruin what little I've managed to create to this point.  Today I feel empowered, tomorrow I'll be applying for Steve Jobs' position.....not!  What did Christopher Robin say to Pooh......

"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."

I'm feeling brilliant.

Traveling

My sister & I are in Center City, Philadelphia, a couple blocks from Rittenhouse Square visiting my nephew/her son for a couple days.  We had the most wonderful gelato last evening, thank goodness I ordered small, my choice was a very intense, rich, dark chocolate....mmmm!  Philadelphia Museum of Art later and maybe a yarn store if they are open, doesn't that sound like a perfect afternoon!!  My sister, before her retirement, ran a cleaning business.....my nephew's windows, second floor, are atrocious.... guess what we're doing this afternoon???  I'm with her- grimy, cloudy windows are a sin.....let the clean, bright sunshine in.

One year ago!

Holy Cow, it's Dish Rag Tag Time again and the anniversary of my blog creation.  Lots happened in the last year, some sad, some glad and some just life but anticipating a fun DRT V is a great way to look to the future and let the past be the past.  DRT will get me back online, here's a start.

One of the great things, I'm a Great Aunt to Alivia Lee Hoffman, born 6/11/11!  She's a cutie and we love her.

I will post more recent pictures when I get home.  At 2 months, she changes every day, it sure is amazing.

5 weeks ago!

It's been 5 weeks since I've posted on this blog!  Not that I was an every day posting kind of girl but wow, 5 weeks!  Because something similiar just came up in conversation, I'm really not that surprised.  My sister asked me at dinner last night "when was the last time you posted on Facebook?"  February 2011.  I'd say I"m out of my routine.  Did I truly have one, as I look back, not really.  Routines are funny things, once you get out of one, it's not a routine any more and often you don't even realize you're out of it until someone like your sister brings it up. Both of my sisters write on FB every day, sometimes more than once and usually at the same time everyday; they have a routine. I like routines.  I think I function better following a routine.  I am more productive with a routine both at work and at home but I can't seem to stick to a routine.  Do you have a daily, weekly, monthly routine, if so, what, for how long and what keeps you sticking to it?

Ruminations

I can't imagine not having my favorite after work "keep me warm" sweater (I'm always cold) not hanging behind the bedroom door.  I can't imagine not having a door or a bedroom to come home to after work.  I can't imagine not having a roof over the heads of those I love. 
I certainly don't worship my material possessions but I have to admit the thought of not having that little piece of comfort is a bit disconcerting.  I believe the love of my Lord, my husband, my pets and my family make overcoming any obstacle possible.  I pray for those who need the comfort of a loved one or a hug that offers hope for a better day tomorrow..  I pray you know that others are praying for you daily. 
As we prepared for a sale at the home of my inlaws, who both passed way in the past few months, we realized that we had a tangible way to help.  Today we shipped 12 large boxes of clean, good quality clothing to Alabama.  We decided to trim our own considerable closets as well, adding new and gently used clothing from our home, honestly, how many T-shirts do I really need????  I felt a bit guilty as we gathered these things, why do we have so much and others have so little? 
I will never know the answer while I live on this earth but I pray that until I do, I will remember to be thankful for each breath taken by those I love and to praise Him for His blessings. Amen.