Rummage Sales

When I went to the rummage sale this morning, I really only went because they advertised bookcases. I'm always on the lookout for bookcases for my classroom. I really didn't mean to come home with an oak rocker, converted antique ice chest, a bookcase/hutch and matching pieces including a three-drawer unit and a small five draw file cabinet.

This addiction was passed down from my mother. If the sale is selling glasses (goblets, wine glasses, etc.), my mom is buying them. She has a hutch in the basement full and numerous cupboards. I don't have the love of glasses, but I love going to rummage sales. Books are my weaknesses as well as furniture.

The IKEA bookcases/hutch/drawers are now in the loft and will be the future home of all my crafting/scrapbooking/photography/writing supplies. I have already established the three drawer unit as gift wrapping. One drawer houses the wrapping paper, one the tissue paper, and the third holds ribbon, tags, gift bags. I am so excited.

The ice chest is now a hutch in my living room, the rocker will soon be outside as soon as I put a protective coating on it, and the rest of my bookcases are awaiting me in the loft.

Did I tell you I was excited?

Summer Tease

Nothing can prepare the body for a 40 degree temperature DROP! Yesterday, I spent the day outside in 85 degree weather. I slept with the air conditioner running only to awake to the frigid temperature of 40 degrees. I hoped it was a fluke and that the temperature would soon be warming up and the sun would come out. That was not the case however. The past two days were simply summer teases. Look what is coming, but wait - not yet. I have not been able to warm up all day. My bones are cold and achy. How in the world did I grow up in the U.P.? How did I survive 7 months of winter and temperatures well below zero?

Get a Move on - OUTSIDE

When the weather is 80 degrees, one must GET OUTSIDE. Forget the electronics - move on outside. Here is how I spent my day (mostly just trying to get a little color on my pasty, white, glow in the dark skin):
1. Enjoyed the warmth of the sun sitting OUTSIDE
2. Drank my morning cup of coffee OUTSIDE
3. Completed (or at least tried) the daily crossword OUTSIDE
4. Finished reading the first Pendragon Book: The Merchant of Death OUTSIDE
5. Put down new red mulch in the front flower beds OUTSIDE
6. Read the NEA Journal and Virginia Reading Association Journal OUTSIDE

NOTICE A TREND?

7. Ate lunch OUTSIDE
8. Went rollerblading with Matt (he actually ran, but I'm not much of a runner) OUTSIDE

Thank goodness my allergy medication works wonders; otherwise, I would have had to abandon all this time OUTSIDE and spend a glorious day inside. I wonder what I'm going to do tomorrow OUTSIDE? It's supposed to be in the 80's again. What would you do?

He is Risen!

Take a moment this day to reflect on the significance of this day.

Take a PEEP

Now, I am not fond of Peeps, but when I saw this recipe in Taste of Home, I immediately thought of Matt's Dad. It was because of this recipe that I volunteered to make dessert for Easter. The original recipe called for a packaged yellow cake mix, but since Matt is allergic to gluten, I had to make a homemade cake. I switched it to a chocolate cake recipe I found on Glutenfreeda.com. The true taste test will come tomorrow, but if it tastes anything like the batter, I'll be happy.

Gratiz

Thank goodness it's FRIDAY!

Power of Listening

Listening gives you power. Power to hear the entire converstion. Power to hear what really is going on. Power to understand the TRUE nature of problem. Power to decide a course of action. Power to calm down. Power to be effective. All because you LISTENED instead talking. Listened instead of getting involved. Listened instead of reacting. JUST LISTEN.