What not to wear?

4-12-10 doubtful brain
I am pleased to report that I survived the 2 and half day training session last week but, I’m a bit exhausted still.

It’s sad to say, one of my biggest struggles last week was deciding what to wear, not only for this training session, but I also struggled finding something decent to wear to church Easter Sunday. This winter I was totally lazy and often just worked in sweat pants and hoodie sweat shirt, or even in my Pjs.

So I’m going through one of the fashion conundrums: What is appropriate attire for a 54 year old woman? (mature woman trying to be hip)

Recently, I have been viewing myself falling off the edge in slow motion. The edge being “normal”. I fear I’m heading downward towards extreme eccentricity. Sure being whimsical and dressing unique can to fun and endearing (as I have been told), but I think it is time to start dressing and looking a bit more age appropriate.

Ann is inspiring me by wearing skirts to make more of an effort with her appearance.... BUT....I recently received hand me down jeans from my 16 year old neighbor gal… Paige, they fit! So I decided to add to my wardrobe…. Now I question if I should be wearing these low cut style of jeans. (You have to be careful with "muffin top" with these low cut jeans)

I recently also bought this fun hat, only $10... But I’m never sure if this really is attractive, or just convenient for a bad hair day.



Funny story about the hat, which happened two weeks ago in a restaurant while I was in KC: I was approached by a man who said his wife liked my hat and he wanted to know were I bought it. I told him Des Moines Iowa, in a local coffee shop. This hat was from Paraguay where the owner of the coffee shop gets their coffee beans. (or something like that... thus the reason the price is so cheap)…. So silly me, I offered to buy one and send to his wife. He gave me a 10 bill and wrote his address on a piece of paper. I have fulfilled my promise and sent off the hat late last week.

So maybe I don’t feel so bad about wearing the hat, knowing another middle age women will be wearing it also… somewhere in KC… But I’m still not sure about the “hip” jeans. I like them, they are comfortable… so what the heck! ??

Please girlfriends..... Stop me when I cross that line of dressing too young. I think I need a wardrobe make-over SOON!

A new earth

4-9-10 TGIF brain
The tree people showed up yesterday and ground the front tree stump out.

I'm surprised at myself, I don't really miss the tree much as I thought I would. I actually like the open feeling now. I am also excited to have a clean plot of soil which holds endless possibilities.

I'm still feeling a bit worn out as this work week comes to a close. I plan no projects for the weekend, only some rest and relaxation- I hope I can stick to that plan. Of course the rest and relaxation means relaxing in the car as I drive down to KC later today.

These are some signs of spring in Des Moines this morning....tulips, serviceberry tree and peony. I know I will be jumping ahead into spring in KC later today. Their trees were leafing out last weekend.

The efficient laborer

4-8-10 slow paced brain

"The truly efficient laborer will be found not to crowd his day with work, but will saunter to his task, surrounded by a wide halo of ease and leisure" -Henry David Thoreau

Although this doesn't sound very practical in today's fast-paced world, something about this quote from Thoreau resonates with me.... and after the last 3 busy and long days conducting training, I think I will try to embrace the spirit of this quote- at least for today.

I do have much to get organized and I need to regroup for my next work project.... but today I will not rush myself.... and often, with a relaxed attitude, I find I actually can accomplish more than I think.

Although this morning it is only 35 degrees, the sun is shining bright and the birds are singing. I predict a pleasant day ahead!

Back in Iowa

4-4-10 Sunday evening brain
I arrived back in Des Moines Saturday evening and was happy to not only be greeted by neighbor cat Max, but my front daffodils were in full bloom. They look so bright and cheery scattered around in the brown dormant garden. But green is starting to show here and there. I was really surprised to see my rhubarb showing up already.



Easter was a nice service at Westminster. I sat with the Carey's and with neighbor Sue, then helped with the Easter flowers after the 11:00 service. Sue invited me down for lunch and her daughter Paige made us some delicious sandwiches and dessert was strawberries dipped in chocolate. The weather was mild 60's and I took long walk with Sue and her dog and she caught me up on the news.

However, it took my sister emailing me a story to learn of news Saturday during an Easter Egg hunt at the Beaverdale park,a few miles from our house here, that teenagers found the body of man. Not sure of the details yet, but appeared to be a homeless man. I later did get around to reading the newspaper and saw the article there.

This week I have a repeat performance, giving another round of training, this time in Des Moines. So I'll be using my energy for this and I may not be blogging much the first part of this week.

Easter weekend

4-3-10 holy brain
Pictures of our experience with (Easter?) Bunnies.... taken in Arizona, in the Tempe area. Bunnies, eggs and candy??? Funny how these things get connected with Easter.

I guess children would not have as much fun searching for "an empty grave"... even if it was filled with candy.

For me, Easter is about new life, re-birth, the freshness of spring, forgiveness, salvation, and a new path/journey to enlightenment. Easter is about miracles coming true.

Wishing you a joyful day!

TGIF: Good Friday

4-2-10 celebrating brain
First of all, Happy 85th Birthday to my Dad!

My week in KC is winding down. The warmer weather here made for a perfect week to work out in the yard... mostly raking. However, Wednesday night Molly brought us some heavy duty clippers (gas power) so Greg could try to get the fence hedge under control this year. This reminded me of our annual bush/tree trimming we do up in Charles City for my Dad, along with the help of friends Steve and Vanni!


We created more work for ourselves by creating a large pile of brush! Thanks to Molly for her help, and thanks to Jeff, Molly's husband and our lawn care company, who carried off our big pile of brush on Thursday.

I'm noting that the Forsythia have bloomed over the last few days, thanks to the 80 degree temps. This is 10 days later than last year. How do I know that? I read it in my 2009 blog book!

PS: Happy Birthday also to Mr. Curtis!

Fresh air

4-1-10 fool'n brain
In February, like many, the winter was starting to take it’s toll and my outlook began to suffer. I had started this below, as a draft blog entry:

I believe, at times, I am starting to get tired of this "split-in-two" life.
At times I feel like selling the house, quitting my job, moving.... and changing the name of my blog to.... "Starting from Scratch".

I was feeling overwhelmed by the snow, tired of taking care of the DM house on my own, and missing Greg.

Happily, this week spring fever has hit me! For some reason I’m experiencing memories and the feeling of spring in Iowa City, during my college years. This has me feeling “fresh” and wide open to new possibilities. I was thinking that during college, being away from home, I also at that time was living a life “split in two”…..and I was OK with that. I lived with the uncertainty of my future as well as enjoying the unknown multitude of possibilities and could unfold. Life felt exciting and unpredictable.

So as this new month of April starts….. I am now feeling grateful for my opportunity to be “split” and appreciating the “double” blessings my two lives present to me.

But as you can tell..... my brain keeps processing it all over and over again. This split life is manageable for now.... and even fun in a lot of ways.... so enough said on this topic until autumn when I turn 55. I recently found out that regular retirement from the University starts at age 55. Something to ponder later this year.