the discomfort zone

This is Sophie's comfort zone (more of a nest really). Doesn't it look nice?

I think I've spent a sufficient amount of time today in the awkwardness of trying to expand my horizons. There was some anxiety and uneasiness involved. It was tough...and uncomfortable...and probably worth it. I'm pretty sure I grew as a person, but right now I'm ready to climb back into my cozy little world.

I'm thinking hot chocolate, and the new book I haven't had a chance to start yet would be perfect.

But let's be realistic...I'll probably have to settle for taking Ella to ballet and going grocery shopping.

Which actually sounds fantastic. A perfectly mundane and wonderfully normal thing to do.

The book and hot chocolate will happen later...

Yes later tonight will be great...

Like 10:30...

Perfect...

I can't wait....

It's turning out to be a good day.

Some thoughts on change...

A little bit of change isn't necessarily a bad thing...it can be quite useful...

A lot of change has a tendency to just weigh you down.

So empty your pockets once in a while.

??????????

(Thanks to Ella, my trusty assistant, for stacking all of my change for the photo above)

A little bit of winter

Snow in the mountains. Not quite the Colorado Rocky Mountains, but still very pretty.

Full washes from all the rain.

A little bit of flooding.

Fantastic sunsets.

The cold rainy weather was fun while it lasted.

on my mind

There's nothing like a good run and a hot shower to improve my mood.

Ella's seems to be doing really well with her reading at school, but she doesn't like to read at home.

I want to go back to school.

I'm excited to try out a new camera lens.

I'm not so sure about Facebook.

I think it would be awesome to move to Europe for a few years or back East.

Sophie's toes point in when she runs. Do I need to call the doctor?

I need to donate some money to Haiti.

When is Glee going to be back?

I think I want pizza for lunch.

I have to go pick up my new glasses sometime.

The car needs new tires....and probably an oil change.

I hope my car doesn't break down in the middle of running errands this afternoon.

The girls have a new little cousin...I hope we get to see him soon.

I'm really looking forward to making some Valentine cupcakes.

I'm not looking forward to Ella's dentist appointment tomorrow.

I'm so not looking forward to taxes this year. Maybe we need an accountant.

I don't know why I keep getting this sharp pain in my stomach. I wish it would go away.

I really should go to Costco today, but I do not enjoy shopping there. Maybe I can get away with just going to the grocery store.

Why is my bank account $60 off?

Wow, the sky sure is blue today.

I'm looking forward to this weekend.

I need Strawberry, Quick!

This girl loves strawberries...and strawberry cupcakes, and Strawberry Shortcake (the cartoon not the cake...well actually she likes the cake too), and her strawberry dress (which had to disappear because it's too little), and her little red strawberry shoes.

We introduced her to Strawberry Quick this weekend, and now it's all that she wants to drink. I only hope that we haven't ruined her taste for real strawberries with the sugary fake flavored stuff. Oh well, at least she's drinking her milk...her little pink mustache is pretty cute too.

attempt number 1

I'm pretty happy with it. I like how the binding turned out, but I think I'll do the cover a little different next time.

Uhhh...

I think these guys (see YouTube clip below) must have been Wile E. Coyote fans growing up...

maybe it's been a while since they've seen the cartoon...

things don't usually work out for him...


It's pretty cool...even though it turns my stomach.

I know we live in Tucson and all...

...but it is January.

I just can't seem to convince my girls though that it's not quite swimsuit season...just give it another month.

(Yes, I am bragging a little bit).

Irene, are you ready to come visit yet?

If only...

Muggles for Harry Potter!!

image from www.freeclipartnow.com

I really wish I could come up with a temporary sticking charm for my house. Things would stay put, and the charm would wear off only when I was done cleaning.

I also really wish I could come up with a vanishing charm for my walls...then...any marker, crayon, pen etc that came withing a 1/4 inch of my walls would vanish. Come to think of it...I would also place the vanishing charm on my couch and cupboards and floors.

And since things just can't vanish into thin air...they would end up in the room of requirement I would be sure to put in my house. Actually...I guess I already have a room of requirement of sorts...it is more commonly known as the garage.


On a related note...I just finished reading the entire Harry Potter Series...I loved it just as much this time around.