Blessings, affirmations, grace, and reflection

When it gets out outside my block gets hot. Hanging out central. Hanging out has never been my thing...even as a teenager so I definitely don't understand fully grown adults hanging outside every single day and night. I am desperately trying to find a new place to live. Last year when I looked I found a couple of places I liked on Craigslist but they were ultimately out of my price range. I am trying again this year but not seeing anything catching my eye. Trying a couple of other sites now. I really need to reconsider moving back to Maryland.

I really think a piece of me must die in the winter. I need to find a place that has mild winters and long warm months. I don't like it t be too hot or too humid. Today the weather was nice. We spent the day in Long Island. The Nassau Museum has a lovely home in Roslyn with expansive lawns, a sculpture garden, wooded trails, and an art collection. Once I download my photos from my camera I will upload them here. Lovely. I am intent on moving out of the city now. On top of it, I was sure my allergies would kick my butt but they were fine! Can't believe Memorial Day is here already! I have no plans. Oh well.

I need to visit Columbus, Indiana. Watching CBS Sunday Morning and apparently this Midwestern city has interesting architecture. Yesterday was relaxed. Went to a small festival then headed across the bridge to suburban NJ. So relaxing over there. No drama. Everything manicured and peaceful. Slow. People polite. Love it! Met an old friend at the library where she was having a meeting. She is pregnant. So cute. Hung out with her and her daughter for the afternoon. She made pizza and a cake then I headed back to the city where surprisingly things were calm. I have jury duty next week. We'll see how this goes. Hoping I don't get picked. I have a focus group to attend Tuesday so hoping it all works out. Hoping for a relaxed week.

Today is my birthday and it was a wonderful day. Though the weather is still damp and dreary my kids gave me a surprise party. So sweet!

Today was a decent day. Testing is over so sanity and normality has resumed. After work I went to pick up my car. Everything was in order. I was only out $50. I guess I have a new body shop should I need one (really hoping I don't!)  Next weekend I'll go get the general maintenance taken care of...rotating tires, oil change, etc. Having a car in the city is both a convenience and inconvenience. Guess it all worked out in the end since I probably wasn't going to drive to Sleepy Hollow in this weather. Also wound up finding a new nail spot and got my eyebrows cleaned up. It was a win-win situation! Next up, replacing this BlackBerry with an iPhone. Waiting until next month when Apple is expected to release a new version. That would then require me to get a new Mac. I have one that I use at work, but since my PC is already outdated I would want one at home. Crazy since my PC is only a few years old now. One day down this week and four more left to go.

I might be stating the obvious, but I'm posting more. My access to internet was spotty for a while as I worked through my financial challenges. I decided to give Clear a try and I like it so far so good! It is basically a modem that you plug in the wall, hook up to your computer and you're off! No cable, no phone line, nothing! I haven't been writing as much as I had been though. Writing takes time and energy away from other things...like cleaning or leaving the house. So, writing has fallen by the way side for now. I've been spending a lot of time reflecting on my childhood with neighbors on FB. A neighborhood page has cropped up and it feels good to share so many of the same memories with others. I've been away from home for over 20 years now and our neighborhood memories are unique to our little enclave of the city. Everyone from our old hood is so spread out now...across the state and across the country...yet we are bound by these shared memories of our li...