Here I go again

Last night I packed for the Bahamas....the suit case weighs 38.6 lbs....so I am good to go at the airport. I have my camera bag ready, batteries are all charged, Ipod and head phones in one of the pockets, two books in the front flap, charger for cell phone and Ipod. My handbag is packed with passport, two pair of sunglasses, lipstick, hand cream, cell phone, aleve, small jewelry case, reading glasses and wallet.

Good thing I am writing this I need to pack underwear, an extra disk thing for the camera, and money. How could I forget these. Hopefully the ATM still has some cash in it or else G man and I go with no money.

Read you all when I get back.

PS: in case of an emergency I will be at the Atlantis Resort

The kitchen Sink

Yesterday while G man was washing the Thanksgiving pots and pans he heard a sucking sound. The kitchen sink gave way and fell from under the counter with the water and a pan still in the well of the sink.

We had the sink installed in 2004 along with granite counter tops. This morning I called the company that did the work. They are closed due to the holiday. So I have mega dirty dishes, pots and pans, and am leaving for the Bahamas on Sunday. G man is on his way to Home Depot to talk to the "experts" there to get information as to how to re-install the sink.

Needless to say he and I argued about him re-installing the sink. But what do I know, he fancies himself a Mr. Fix it and that is that. My concern is he will crack the granite while drilling holes for the clips. He says he won't if he has the correct tools. Exactly. The correct tools are needed.

Oh well. If one does not take chances in life how will one know what one is capable of. Good Luck G man. I 'll be upstairs in the office kitchen washing the dishes.

Thanksgiving

This year G man's cousins are not coming for dinner. They decided to stay home with the baby and cook for their family. This will be Cousin Laura's first Thanksgiving dinner to cook by herself. I know she will do well and have alot of fun. Our table will be a little quieter and dinner a little smaller, the cousins will be missed.

My two brothers and their families, my mom, Veggass, and my cousin Andrea will be here. Jenny G and I have invited a few of her friends to come over. Some of them have families out of town and some of them just like to be here. I am not sure how many will show up, but the more the merry. I really love having people over for the holiday.

Becasue I am not working outside the house my time to plan and prepare for the day is my own. Having this time is fabulous, a luxury. Almost frivolous. For years I worked and could not get the time to plan and prepare. Then when I stopped working to stay at home with the kids my time was theirs not mine. But now I am free of work and kids activities. I never knew having time to myself could be so luxurious.

This freedom feels like selfishness. Sometimes I look around and hope the kids or G man will ask me to do something for them just so I don't feel so selfish. They do once in awhile but for the most part the novelty of me being able to run errands, make lunch, or switch loads of laundry for them has worn off. ( When I closed the store everyone wanted me to do for them, not so much now)

So now I am able to do what I want. My list of 2009 New Year resolutions could become a list with many check marks to indicate.......finished that.

At the Thanksgiving dinner table I will be able to say I am thankful for time and all that time allows me to do. Time is truly a luxury and one I will not squander.

FYI

I'm making cranberry mustard and pumpkin butter for Thanksgiving.
Just thought you would like to know what I am doing.

2009 New Year resoultions

1. Doctor visit...complete physical

2. Brush dogs at least once a week....now they are lucky if it is once a month.....

3. Volunteer on a regular basis

4. Have my camera with me at all times....well at least when feasible

5. organize all my recipes, cookbooks, and cooking magazines

6. get more archival storage boxes for my photos

7. photograph and document all my family heirlooms......( I have half of this done all ready)

8. frame my favorite photos

9. steal all the pictures and pedestal cakes plate I can from my mother.....ok I'll ask if I can have a few of them, if she says no I will steal them for safe keeping

10. start to declutter my house

I have to make the list now so I can prepare for the tasks and goals ( resolutions) I have decided upon.

Does anyone else have a list yet?

Images of my part of the Erie Canal

Icons

I went to the art gallery last Thursday night with Jenny G.......the show was for Icons from the Romanov period of Russian history (300 years). I am fascinated with last of the Romanov's and secretly hoped that Anastasia and Alexi did escape the massacre ordered by Lenin of the their family in 1917. Sadly the two children did perish and the end of a hoped for happy ending died too. But the show was not focused on just Nicholas and Alexandra, there was 300 years of Icons represented.



The images at the gallery were beautiful yet primitive. What I found most intriguing were the Icons prior to the Western influence of Icon art. The pre Peter the Great, he was the one that ordered Russian artists to learn from western artists how to paint, Icons show images of people with dark skin, very tight curly dark hair, flat broad noses and most with brown eyes. The Icons with obvious Western influence show people with light skin, blond hair, blue eyes with long slender noses.



One other tidbit I found fascinating. The Russians believed that the Icons were windows to heaven. That a glimpse of what comes after death can be seen by honoring the images presented in the Icons.

Peace

Thank you Sans P

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