Carole Knits

october zinnia
october zinnia
martinis with a view
martinis with a view
gettysburg fence for
gettysburg fence for
germinate shawl on rocks
germinate shawl on rocks
field of flags 2
field of flags 2
color affection with edge
color affection with edge
cedar leaf shawlette 2
cedar leaf shawlette 2
3_27_2014
3_27_2014
3_18_13
3_18_13
2_24_2014
2_24_2014
1_11_13
1_11_13

Think Write Thursday

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The Think Write Thursday topic for this week is to consider what it means to be at the halfway point of the year. Did you state some intentions for 2017? If so, check in on them and give us an update. If you didn’t state any intentions then maybe you could tell us what you think so far about 2017 or perhaps you’d like to set some intentions for the second half of the year. Whatever you decide, however you approach this topic, regale us with your words!

Guess who didn’t set any intentions for 2017?

Raises hand.

Yep. That would be me. I mean, I did set a goal of reading 75 books but I don’t think that really counts as an intention. And really, I’m not going to set any for the second half of the year either. I have my summer bucket list and maybe in the fall I’ll create a fall bucket list. Because, really, bucket list sounds way more fun than intentions.

So that leaves me with what I think about 2017 so far. Hmmmm. Personally, it’s been great. I’ve got a side hustle, we’re getting a new grandbaby, we are celebrating 20 years of marital bliss (thank you all very much for the anniversary wishes yesterday) and day to day life is satisfying and happy. I’m reading and knitting, reflecting on peace as much as possible, meditating and journaling, and trying to live an authentic life. Actually, a quote from The Nix really struck me the other day and I think it’s applicable here:

Seeing ourselves clearly is the project of a lifetime.

So that’s what I’m doing. Seeing myself clearly as much as possible and working on the lifetime project of being me.

If you wrote a post for today please share it below! If you want to subscribe to the Think Write Thursday weekly email (it’s the only way to get the weekly prompt) please click here.


20 Years!

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20 years ago today I married the perfect guy for me. That is not to say that he is perfect because no one is, but I mean it wholeheartedly when I say that Dale is perfect for me.

How is he perfect for me? I’m about to tell you.

He’s perfect for me because he loves me all the time. He loves me when I’m happy and excited but he loves me equally when I’m cranky and tired. He loves me when things are going perfectly and he loves me when everything is falling apart. In fact, I’d venture to say that I feel his love most keenly when things are difficult. I mean, it’s easy to be romantic and sweet when it’s smooth sailing but to still be romantic and sweet, to still feel and express profound love when things are at their worst is really what it’s all about.

He’s perfect for me because he makes me laugh. If you know Dale personally – and a bunch of you do – you probably also know that his jokes are corny and often really dumb. It’s not those jokes that I’m talking about when I say he makes me laugh – although I do have a few favorites that do indeed make me laugh. It’s the other stuff, the goofy faces and voices, the quips and comments, the stories he tells, that make me laugh. And – equally important – he makes me laugh at myself. He has this ability to take a really tense or difficult moment and turn it around for me and make it funny. Or at least not so serious.

He’s perfect for me because he works hard. I tease him because he’s slow and he wanders from project to project but the reality is that he gets up early every morning and goes and drives that school bus. He comes home in the middle of the day and he does chores like laundry and home repairs. He paints and wallpapers and mows the lawn and shovels the snow and brings in firewood and cleans the bathroom and changes the cat litter. He takes my car for the annual inspection sticker and he brings in the mail and he empties the dishwasher. He is always doing something to make our home a better place, to make my life easier, and I appreciate his hard work so so much. And, perhaps best of all, he never ever complains.

He’s perfect for me because he’s a wonderful father and grandfather. He’s generous and kind and smart. He’s handsome and he has long hair and he’s just a little bit of a rebel.

Finally, he’s perfect for me because he sings. He sings when he’s doing the chores and he sings when he comes in the door. He sings when he drives the car, he sings in my ear when we dance, he sings all the time. And it’s beautiful and fun and it fills my heart with joy.

And maybe that’s the bottom line of this whole relationship we have – he fills my heart with joy. He makes me a better person than I am. He rocks my world every single day and I can’t imagine my life without him because he is perfect for me.

Happy 20th Anniversary, Dale. Thanks for being perfect for me. I hope I’m perfect for you, too.

Book Club

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Last night was our monthly Book Club meeting and it was, as usual, a wonderful time. We’ve been meeting since last November and I look forward to our gathering every single month. I think the secret to our success is that we really enjoy each other’s company and also that there is no pressure to read a specific book. That’s right – at our book club you just talk about whatever book you most recently read. Or, if you haven’t recently finished something, it’s perfectly acceptable to talk about any book you’ve read at any time. While it would be fun to all discuss the same book – and maybe we will do that at some point – it’s actually awesome to hear about what everyone has been reading and it’s a fabulous way to add titles to my to-read list.

The other secret to our success? Shared snacks and drinks. We meet at Sean’s house and everyone brings something to share. Sean usually makes something exceptional, like last night’s homemade cherry chocolate chip ice cream, I tend to go savory and last night it was glazed kielbasa and pineapple bites, and it’s just always delicious. The first time we met I rushed around after work to get dinner on the table for Dale and I but then when we got together and neither of us were hungry I realized – I don’t have to make dinner on book club night! That’s another bonus, for sure.

Studies show that people who socialize are happier and more satisfied with life. I certainly concur with those studies when it comes to book club!

Weekending

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I don’t have a lot of pictures to show you from this weekend because, frankly, I just didn’t do a whole lot. Dale and I had Friday night together but he went to a reenactment on Saturday/Sunday and that left me with a lot of time to myself. It was great! Don’t get me wrong, I love my husband and spending time with him is high on my list of weekend activities, but it’s important to enjoy your own company now and again.

Here’s how I spent much of Saturday and part of Sunday:

I read. I knitted. I went for a mani/pedi. I puttered around. I did some photography work. I did some LipSense work. I tended the garden.

And the photos, which don’t necessarily reflect the activities:

Finally, late on Sunday afternoon we gathered to celebrate the 40th wedding anniversary of my cousin Len and his wife, Peg.

It was a small and very fun family event that included lobster and beer. In other words, it was perfect!

How was your weekend?

Eye Candy Friday

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Can you believe I still have Charleston photos I haven’t shared with you? I’m thinking I’ll talk more about our trip next week but for today, here’s another beautiful window box from that lovely city. I just love those pinks and green together. (click it and make it bigger to get the full effect)

My plans are few for this weekend and that sounds perfect right about now. Enjoy your time and see you on Monday!

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