1. God

2. Emily’s visit

3. She showed us a movie of her play, a Passion Play performed with singing, lifesize puppets, grand scenery.  She worked on the staging and pointed out when she would appear (disguised) to move props.  It is a free theater in Chicago that’s operated for many years and now she is part of the program planning, having distinguished herself and demonstrated her talents.

4. Salmon that tastes like the ocean

5. Fresh dill

6. Multiple zinnia arrangements by Cassie

7.  Giving Emily a book “Old Chicago Houses,” which I rescued from the library discards.

8. Letter from Jack and the thought and energy he puts into it

9. Bob joining us

10. Open doors

11.  Helen’s enthusiastic letter filled with enjoyment and love

12. How Crystal supports us all in this WLG community and what she exemplifies, appreciation, creativity, friendship, emotional balance, right thinking, right action

• Karen and her mom, Kay, came out to wallpaper in the guest nest today
• Kay is a wallpaper MASTER. Watching her work and direct was a treat
• Karen gave me 2 wallpaper options that she loved- and I chose the bold one, instead of the ‘safe’ one, which was also Karen’s suggestion
• It looks AMAZING. One accent wall of paper. Gorgeous beyond gorgeous.
• It led to a fun idea for mosaic, too! I can’t wait
• Julie and Elle came to help, and Julie cleaned a ton…
• While Elle expertly played nanny, plus we talked about the first Chronicles of Kane book, which we were both reading
• I am so incredibly blessed to have such Amazing friends!
• thank you for this!
• and this!

1. Productive days that seem rather relaxing

2. Having a hankering for chili and whipping up a batch :)

3. A whole batch of things tied up…and ready to dye

4. We have our first green beans to pick in the morning

5. My pretty red KitchenAid mixer and all it’s attachments

6. Being done with cabbage…until fall

7. Keeping myself in check

8. Stories of anonymous generosity

9. Music

10. Riding bikes

1. God

2. Rain – at last! :) (sorry for those who have outdoor events planned)

3. Crystal and Ava

4. Carol’s vacation delight

5. Reading a newspaper article about zentangle and learning more about Carol’s practice and community of this artwork

6. Mary Ellen’s laughter and life lessons

7. Tina’s great attitude, also thanks to her for bringing coffee

8. A message from Angry Jack about starting up men’s group again

9. Emily enroute to us

10. Cassie’s delight upon meeting her neurologist, you would like him, she said.  They have much in common.

11. Cassie feeling her feelings at the same time knowing what next steps are.

1.  getting to spend time with Kevin, Dyan, Nate, Andrew, Lynda, Sarah, and beautiful baby Annalise.  Oh me, oh my!

2.  we have a condo right on the beach!!!!  incredible!

3.  watched the full moon from our balcony over the ocean, with moonlit water!  delightful!!

4.  I am really a moonstruck person — I get excited for moon watching always!

5.  mornings at the beach, afternoons at the pool!  woweeeee!

6.  my grandson Nate making me a word bracelet that says, “G-Ma is beauty” — better than diamonds!

7.  Tom and I are on the ocean side, and everyone else is on the bay side, just a quick walk away!  yippee!

8.  so much reading time, it feels decadent!  I brought 11 books!  oh yes!

9.  sandcastles on the beach — always masterpieces!  hooray!

10.  food tastes great — eating in or eating out!

Thank you for the privilege of this amazing vacation!

• Activities for every season
• Not logging into FB for several days now- and I feel less rushed, more present, happier, more content. Maybe it’s just me.
• Library time with my daughter
• Teaching table manners, slowly and with great patience
• Surprising which things come fast, and which take much longer than I’d thought
• Making a doll, also slowly, have the body and undershirt done, need to do hair, face, clothes and shoes (all thanks to a good pattern from wee wonderfuls)
• Flower plates and bowls- poppies and sunflowers, oh my!
• The way “oh my!” and “yipee” and “hooray” always remind me of Carol
• Beautiful friends all over the world- I feel so incredibly blessed!
• This

1 .Cooler temperatures that make the porch a gathering place again

2. Homemade lemonade slushy with mint and basil?

3. The camaraderie of the cast for “Cotton Patch Gospel”

4. Humor Oh how vital laughter is!

5. Making pulled pork in the crock pot for tomorrow. Two ingredients pork and coca cola!

6. Having enough nuff said!

7. Getting to know Van Gogh. Silly dog!

8. A sermon that speaks to you! Did you know those who don’t pressure themselves are healthier? Finally an excuse!

9.The grocery store such an incredible array of edibles.

10. Allowing yourself to be relaxed and  content

1. God

2. A license plate I saw that reads “RELAX”

3. John C’s kindness and calmness

4. Bob S.’s steadfastness

5. When I complimented Chris on her heart-shaped pin she told me it belonged to a dear friend who left it to her, you would have loved her she said, to have a memory like that

6. Cassie made zucchini muffins and cucumber soup

7. Time to weed the garden

8. And exchange smiles with a neighbor unknown to me

9. Sitting outside and enjoying the first cool evening in a long while, and Jenn joining us

10. No word

• Watched Anonymous, about Shakespeare’s works, really interesting perspective, what a great story whether it’s true or not!
• Creating rhythm
• Figuring things out
• Namely, mothering
• Staying with discomfort and seeing it through
• Recognizing where I’ve been immature, grateful to finally see and so glad to be able to do something about it.
• Schedules
• Making a point to keep promises
• Especially to myself
• This

1. God

2. Continued healing for Sylvia

3. Emily received a performance award at work.

4. Not hurrying

5. Cooling off

6. Reading

7.  Moments of awareness

8. A notebook

9. Geometry

10. Geography of the heart and mind