On my mind.

Never apologize for showing feeling. When you do so, you apologize for the truth.
~Benjamin Disraeli

I am, indeed, a king, because I know how to rule myself.
~Pietro Aretino

He who know others is learned; he who knows himself is wise.
~Lao-tze, Tao te Ching

Who?

I stood upon the weathered front steps staring off into the distance as night was slipping in. A gentle breeze rustled the treetops that towered above as though giving the daylight a gentle nudge to move along.
I inhaled and exhaled slowly.
My mind cleared itself of the rumblings of the day and welcomed in the calm...the comfort...the anonymity that night offers. I closed my eyes and listened as the nocturnal creatures began to emerge. I felt them slipping about masked by shadows.
Whoooooooooooo echoed in the distance. Whoooooooooooo. Whooooooooooo.
I thought to myself, "Who?"
What an incredible question.
The breeze blew again, more of a wind this time.
Lost in thought, I turned and walked back into my home.

Oh, Monday.

Monday already...again...still perhaps.
I sit and plan out my days, weeks, months and then watch all my planning efforts so quickly vanish and let life just take over. This translates into very little accomplished when looking into the eyes of the last week of June.
When I do a quick inventory of my missions for this month, I find I'm running way behind and THAT'S NOT COOL.
I've jumped into a 30 day thing and quickly realized that posting a photo every single day is way more than what I can do. Instead, watch for a recap of them. I'm running with the artistic calling on this one. Whenever they appear, they appear. It semi-defeats the 30 day bit but I've modified the challenge to suit my needs.
Off and running...away I go!

In the Ghetto.

I could listen to this one on repeat.

30 days.

I struggle to squeeze time in for regular brain ramblings around here so why not try a 30 day challenge to really swirl things?
I keep saying to myself that when I have time or when I this or that or something else or another excuse THEN I will get around to one of these. The longer I put it off, the less time I find I have.
So, without another excuse standing in the way, I'm jumping on board with this challenge. Come back and see how it goes or better yet, how's about you jump in, too?

Who are you?

In the morning as you wake from last night's slumber, who are you?
Once you've steeped your morning tea or sipped your first taste of delicious coffee, who are you?
Around that time when you grab a bite, whether you sit to enjoy or take it running after your next to-do task, who are you?
In the lazy afternoon sun, who are you?
Along your mid-evening stroll, who are you?
When the daylight fades away and stars start coming out, who are you?
Once the comfort of darkness has given way to a new morning, who are you?

Who are you?

On the phone.

Mamma
Yes sweetpea?
Mamma, I just want to go home wit you and cuddle on da couch.
Me, too, darling. Mamma will be home in a few hours and we can snuggle up. We'll call in some magic favours and the house will sparkle, dinner will cook itself and laundry will run downstairs for an appointment at the spa (aka washer/dryer) then tuck away in closets and
drawers.
Ok Mamma. I wuv you much.
Baby, I love you, too.

Found me.

I'm consumed. My time has been poured heavily into the exam preparations and, with one day to go, I'm nearing my breaking point. Exhaustion is licking at the outskirts of my blurred vision. My husband has been extremely patient and very supportive. My children miss me moving among our little family unit.
Two nights I've missed dinner, playtime, wind down baths, goodnight hugs and kisses and tucked-in-tights. I've worked hard to learn though I still feel far from knowing. I try to find the answers to questions so big I don't even know where to start. Sometimes reflecting is necessary. Other times, it is counterproductive.
It is during this time for me that only the rarest blogs are read. They are the sliver of sanity and self-indulgence that I entertain. It is stolen time. Sometimes I wonder if I would feel better foregoing my pleasure and pouring all my moments into the textbooks and course materials.
And then I tripped across a post today over at Roots of She...You Can...and just like that I have had my energy restored.
And I remember why I take that time...
Where do you fit yourself into the chaos that can sometimes unfold?

On my mind.

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.
~Thomas Jefferson

The book you don't read won't help.
~Jim Rohn

I don't go by the rule book...I lead from the heart, not the head.
~Princess Diana

Frantic Friday.

I woke in the middle of the night, unsettled, anxious. I did the required walk around the house making sure nothing was out of the ordinary. I laid back down and caught the last few minutes of a show that I'd PVRd. Turns out the show ended to be continued. Wonderful.
I fluffed my pillow, squirmed about until I'd found comfort again and drifted off into an uneasy state of sleep.
I hope tonight is more restful.
Universe, if I might be so privileged as to have a moment of your time, please let me pass this exam. Please teach me to be well prepared and not anxious. Help me remember tranquil moments and count all my blessings, twice. Calm me.

Lines, arcs and oddities.

I'm fighting with words today. It isn't an argument I fancy entertaining any longer. Here is one of my most favorite photos taken last year.
I hope all the elements in this image entertain you as they do me. The image itself is unedited and despite the slightly crappy quality, I love everything going on in it including the random strangers scattered about.

Mission: June

Let's get back on track.

1. Study up! T minus 10 days to a final exam. I can do this. I will do this.


2. Rock out first 5 modules of new reading and assignments. Today starts my next course. I couldn't avoid the double up so starting June 11, I'm going to be running to catch up.


3. Find green.


4. Stack it up. It's time to pack away winter and welcome summertime sunshine. Do you hear me Mother Nature? I'm going to tuck away the cold clothes. I plan on turning off the heat this weekend (for the second time this year). I'd like to know I can leave the windows open without freezing.


5. Boxes, get outta my house!


6. Take back the basement.


7. Furniture overload. It's time to thin out the insanity. The two tiny desks are first on the hit list. While both seemed practical, the reality is neither is big enough to accomplish much more than being in the way. What about the China Cabinet? Can anyone lobby an opinion in on this? I have a large rectangle living room/dining room that does not have a nook to tuck the China Cabinet into. It is taking up wall space and is full of pictures and clutter but very few dishes. It does hold sentimental value, though. What's a girl to do?

Seven seems like a lucky number for this month. I'll check back in 30 days and see how things go.
Run!