The Good Life

This is not my dog!  However, he is at the babysitting job and I do love him so and he loves me.  Whenever I arrive, he whines for me to let him out of his cage (which I do!).  I give him time to 'get his wiggles out' as he runs about looking for mischief. He is a Papillon and is a lap dog.  I definitely could be a lap dog in a previous life I think, sit and get petted, sounds great.

The terrible twos seem to be giving way to wonderful threes (in April).  There are some temper tantrums but I give her lots of sympathy----'I know you are angry but let's think of something else instead'.  It works most of the time. 

My little toddler girl that I babysit now has emerging imagination play and I'm all for that.  Our toy cows fly through the air and make friends with the toy pigs who fly as well.  We sing 'cockledoodledo' as long as we can and giggle over the tandem voices.  She dances and sings.  She also is funny.  I drank all of my hot tea and said it was all gone.  She replied 'well Mrs. Karen you need to get some more coffee'.  She's a genius.

Life is good when viewed through the eyes of a child.

I've been doing great at some goals for the new year.

I started a one year plan to read the bible and I'm enjoying my 1/2 hour of reading before the day starts.  I read all the footnotes and that helps understand what's going on but it also makes the readings a little longer. 

My other goal is that pesky sketching goal.  What is helping me sketch on a regular basis is lowering my expectations.  Golly gee, why am I so hard on myself.  Why do I have to be perfect at a skill that is developing?  I know, I'm being ridiculous.  I've gathered my pencils and I am just doing it. 

I could not love my sweater more!  I love the way it feels in my hands and how I feel while knitting it.  This project is one I don't want to end.  However, I'd like to finish it to wear it before the winter ends.

peek a boo I see you Frodo

My worries have diminished over the past week and I'm grateful for the nothingness in my brain right now.  I've been pouring reflections in my journal as well as my gratitudes. 

On Tuesday morning I said goodbye to my RA doctor who is retiring.  This was a sad visit and I told him how sad I was, but I was happy that he was retiring in good health and wish him the best.  He truly is one of the best doctors I've ever had.  He is knowledgeable, compassionate and a dedicated man of science.  He will be missed.

I'm seeing a brand spanking new RA doctor in six months.  She is young (out of residency young?) and I hope she isn't retiring anytime soon.  I hope she has a wry sense of humor and laughs at my jokes.