Day 30 - I bought this

But only in my dreams...

Its an itty bitty monks bench.  So adorable but MWC played the Scrooge...er I mean Voice of Reason...and insisted we didn't need a second one, no matter how cute, when we already have a normal sized one.

Day 29 - So This Happened

There was once a little boy who didn't think he wanted a little sister....he soon realized just how wrong he was and loves her very much.

Day 28 - Black

A black bike and a black sign on a rainy, gray day in Olney.

Day 27 - I'm thankful for this

Spain, Christmas 2013

I am thankful for the love, fun, travel adventures, laughter and traditions we share as a family.

Day 26 - Wall

Lots of walls...or portions thereof..at Castle Acre Priory

Day 25 - Time

Time to go home after a wonderful day.  Notice the sunset starting in the background....at 3:30pm.

Day 24 - I need to do this

I need to make my to do list for the week

Day 23 - I made this

I made this for MWC for his birthday a few years ago.  The background is a collage of maps of everywhere we have lived over the years...and the city where we got engaged.

Day 22 - A favorite thing

A favorite joke in our family is to figure out who is the favorite child....

with 3 children on another continent, and Sweetness off on her very first youth retreat, Sunshine is experiencing life as an only child for the very first time in her life.  So today, by default, is her day.

Oh yeah.. sucking wind during my water workout..Go me!

I interrupt this string of photos for the month with an actual post to share a personal praise/victory/success story.  Whatever you want to call it.  Drumroll please......

I could hardly catch my breath and could barely carry on a conversation in my deep water workout class today.

No, I'm not crazy.  I know, I know.  MOST people would not celebrate or brag about having such a hard time continuing to exercise and sucking wind during a workout.

However, I am not MOST people.  (no comments from the peanut gallery please!!)

So why am I celebrating?  For the past 10, 15, 20 years??..... I don't know exactly how many because I do not remember when I actually had enough strength in my body (and particularly my knees and legs) to do any workout that enabled me to raise my heart rate so high.  However, today I did. I actually had to tell my body to back off some so I could catch my breath.  In Tuesday's class, I was able to *run* through the water for a length of the pool, without my buoyancy belt.  I didn't break any speed records, but neither did I sink to the bottom.  My legs were strong enough to not only keep me afloat but to also propel me through the water.

First it was 10 pounds and getting into the old jeans.  Now I'm able to get my heart working hard because my legs are so much stronger.  And for me that is worth more celebrating than the 10 pounds and old jeans....well, almost!

Day 21- Shoes

Day 20 - Bright

Belle

Bright, adj.

• quick witted or intelligent
• animated;lively;cheerful
• characterized by happiness or gladness

Day 19 - Whole

Apple cranberry crumble pie - I want to eat the "whole" thing...warm with vanilla ice cream..thank you very much. 

Day 18 - I love this

This is the view from my bathroom window where I stand each morning to brush my teeth. It's beautiful in the summer with flowers blooming and pretty leaf packed green trees.  One might think I'd "love this" more on a summer day but one would not necessarily be right.

Because what I love most about this photo is not what is in it.....but what is NOT...and what I've not seen in a couple months.  This photo is my garden with NO rats in sight.

Day 17 - Cooking

Pumpkin Corn Chowder was obviously a big hit.

Day 16 - After

After the leaves fall, you discover interesting things in the garden.

Day 15 - Hot and Cold

Hot cappucino on a cold morning

Day 14 - For Me

The only one for me

Day 13 - Letters

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Day 12 - Normal

Normal is just a setting on your washing machine......doesn't apply in England.

Day 11 - A set

Remembrance Day Poppies

We spent a wonderful day in London today.  I wanted to see the poppies at the Tower of London one more time before they start to remove them tomorrow.  Its amazing the impact it has on one to see that many poppies in one place and realize each one represents a life lost in World War I.  It was packed today but I'm so thankful we were able to see them and be there to hear a large portion of the 21 gun salute.  

At 11, we observed 2 minutes of silence while standing next to the Tower Bridge.  It was quite touching to see all the boats on the Thames come to a halt and watch the Bridge raise to salute the fallen.  

We had the happy circumstance to meet a man from Guernsey while waiting for the bridge to raise.  I have read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society twice so when he told us he was from the small island of Guernsey I knew exactly where he met.  He was amused by all the Americans who now come to their island because they've read the book. He has not...but he says his wife had.  It was interesting talking to him.

In the past we've not done a lot for Veterans Day but as Frog was involved in Civil Air Patrol in high school and we attended many Veterans Day services with him, its a new tradition for us..and one I hope we will continue.  To spend it in London today was quite special.

Day 10 - I Do this Every Day

Day 9 - Heck Yes!

Do I love our tradition of having an afternoon tea on our day trips?

Day 8 - A Place

A favorite place we've visited

Day 7 - On the Floor

We had a little friend over today.  Such a sweet cutie.  Its been a LONG time since I've had a little boy playing on the floor in my den.  

Day 6 - Made me Smile Today

I took this photo in Greece..it popped up on my digital frame today and made me smile.  Brings back memories of an amazing Christmas trip with my whole crew and reminds me of the spectacular beauty of the Greek isles we visited one day.

Day 5 - 8 o'clock

My new clock

A picture and a story today.
MWC was out of town when I was working on a new craft project...a red coffee table.  I'd found the table at a charity shop and wanted to try my hand at painting some furniture.  Red has always been my favorite color so I decided a red table was the way to go.

One day while he was gone, the hands just fell off my mantel clock.  I found this gem at TK Maxx calling my name.  I couldn't say no!  With a new clock and a new table, I decided my whole den needed a little update.  Its very rare, that a room change doesn't coincide with a major move.  With very little effort...a few new throw pillows, a new candle and picture frame, and the rearrangements of a few knick knacks.. I updated my den and am quite happy with the results.

At our last assignment...when we actually owned the house, it was the joke that MWC and the painter crossed paths with every trip MWC made.  At least now, the changes weren't so drastic.

Moral of the story:  MWC, its dangerous for you to go away if you want to recognize your home when you return.  Best just stay put!

Day 4 - Can't Live Without

Daily Bread

Day One, Two and Three

Last month, Clone observed Inktober by posting a daily sketch on his blog. I enjoyed seeing his drawing each day.  Another friend routinely posts daily photos on her FB page that always amuse me and another friend posted this weekend that she was going to do so this month and invited others to join in.  I think it will be fun to try.  I can't imagine taking a new shot daily and may draw from some I already have but I do plan to try to take as many new ones as I can.

Here is the photo with the list my friend posted.

And here are my first three photos to catch up;

Something blue:

I saw this!

Weather: