This Perfectly Imperfect Life

(Said in a whisper (since this is Wordless Wednesday & all): Decorating for any season/holiday now begins with using what I already have at home in new ways). Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

I've made a decision regarding the sharing some of my post Hurricane Sandy photos here publicly: I will wait.  It's too soon.  Especially for those who have lost so much.  And there are certain areas/towns where I haven't taken any photos because I've been too upset upon seeing them to do so. I thank you in advance for your understanding.

I've made a decision regarding the sharing some of my post Hurricane Sandy photos here publicly: I will wait.  It's too soon.  Especially for those who have lost so much.  And there are certain areas/towns where I haven't taken any photos because I've been too upset upon seeing them to do so. I thank you in advance for your understanding.

I hope all who celebrated yesterday had a lovely day! The day after Thanksgiving, since I stopped working because of my health, has meant a cozy day at home filled with snacking on leftovers and watching Christmas decorating shows all day, a favorite, favorite guilty pleasure that I enjoyed so much! (And one I didn't admit to anyone until I told my bff G in 2008 lol!)  Hold it. No, I do not shop on this day. I refuse for many reasons, but mainly because I worked too many years in retail & therefore too many Black Friday's and I relish the fact that I no longer have to leave our home on this day unless I absolutely have to!  Anyhow, back to the topic at hand! Since that home and gardening network (that rarely airs anything to do with gardening anymore) stopped airing its' Christmas decorating show marathon on this day a few years back, I've had to find a new day after Turkey Day ritual to replace it with. Let me tell y'all, it hasn't been easy and I...

Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum My rating: 5 of 5 stars What a Remarkable novel. One of the best I feel I've ever read. Remarkable. Disturbing. Horrifying. Painful. Utterly compelling. Shocking. Upsetting. Incredible. Remarkable. I've yet to fully gather my thoughts on it, there are so many!  I am very glad I finally read this novel. View all my reviews

To whom it may concern: After over half an hour of trying to reach your office this morning and only getting the answering service message, (despite calling after the starting time the office picks up calls per that message). I stopped wasting my time. I was calling to tell you that because of a phone call I received last night from "____" - who rudely tried to force me to make an appointment for an office visit and when I wouldn't basically accused me of seeing another ____________ - which I am not - I want it noted on my chart/account that I do Not want to be contacted by your office again because of that phone call and in the future if I need to see a ____________ again, because of that phone call, it will not be Dr. ________. (And if that happens, any new ____________ will request my records). I am not receptive to such attitudes and feel they have no place in my healthcare. (Or anyone else's for that matter). -Jo... This is a letter I wrote and mailed thi...

Today I am thankful for foggy mornings, my garden and Autumn in my garden. Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Today, and every day, I am thankful for all of our Veterans, for their service and sacrifice. I am grateful to my Husband (pictured above), a Veteran, who honors the Fallen today, for his courage, dedication and inspiration, today and every day. Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

I have been asked many times how folks can help Sandy's victims and this has been my husband's advice from the get-go.  (He is Commander of a local American Legion Post and a Marine). I've tried to add more specific details to put you in the right direction: To make sure all donations get to those who need it in affected areas, go through *your* local communities! (ie: Church/ Veterans Organization (American Legion, VFW etc)/ food bank/ schools/ library/ EMS-Fire-Police/ Community Organization (Elks, Moose, Knights of Columbus etc). Have them contact their counterparts in affected areas (by contacting local municipalities as some locations for our local organizations have been damaged or lost) regarding specific needs for an area and where donations can be shipped. If you follow me on twitter , I've been re-posting information regarding local communities in our immediate area that have been affected which could help you with specific places to get in touch with as well....

I'm writing to you, dear friends, as the sun sets beyond the hills that shelter and shadow us here at our coastal home. I realize I don't normally post writings here as this is more of a 'show don't tell' blog but, I'm trying to work through what's happened and writing has always been the start for me. Yesterday, for the first time since Hurricane Sandy devastated NJ, things started to feel oddly normal again. "Oddly normal" because around us things are anything but "normal." I'm still dazed and stunned. Numb. But, there's more and I really don't know how to begin explaining to you how I feel. Heartbroken? I'm not sure that covers it honestly. Or does justice to it all. Sadness? I'm definitely sad, but I just cannot, as of yet, find any word or words that begin to express how I feel about what's happened to my beloved home state of NJ. Maybe this will give you an idea: The place where Hubbs and I watched our fi...

I'm writing to you, dear friends, as the sun sets beyond the hills that shelter and shadow us here at our coastal home. Yesterday, for the first time since Hurricane Sandy devastated NJ, things started to feel oddly normal again. Oddly normal because around us things are anything but "normal." I'm still dazed and stunned. Numb. But, there's more (along with being so thankful and appreciative of our blessings, which makes me feel painfully guilty given how much so many have lost) and I really don't know how to begin explaining to you how I feel. Heartbroken? I'm not sure that covers it honestly. Or does justice to it all. Sadness? I'm definitely sad, but I just cannot, as of yet, find any word or words that begin to express how I feel about what's happened to my beloved home state of NJ.  It's more than just another case of marking time,  "Before Sandy" and "After Sandy" as we all tend to do when unimaginable even...

Today I am thankful for this. Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

We had a Nor'easter yesterday through last night that brought snow. And by Monday we could reach 70*. I can't figure it all out either! Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

I am thankful that as quickly as Nature can show its' wrath, it can show you a surprising bit of beauty it left behind untouched. Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

I am getting a late start on my 30 Days Of Thanksgiving posts thanks to a Hurricane named Sandy so it's time to play a little bit of catching up.  This has become an annual tradition for me here on Diggin' Around that I look forward to each year and it's ever so much more meaningful this year after seeing the utter & heartbreaking devastation locally & state-wide because of Sandy.  I invite you, regardless of your location, affected by Sandy or not, to spend this month appreciating your blessings, whatever they are, big and small, with me daily. November 6th - I'm thankful for the right to Vote which so many around the world don't have and thankful Hubbs & I have made a point of going to vote together since we've been a couple.   I used to look forward to voting when I was younger, was even excited to do so. As I get older, it weighs on me more & more. But, I gladly & with appreciation exercise my right to vote (in every election from local...

I have never loved my state of New Jersey more than I have since Hurricane Sandy turned us upside down and left so much of the state, especially our coastal & barrier island communities, in ruins.  I've always loved my state, but often we don't know how much until something like this happens. As much as I love my New Jersey, I don't know if I can do this anymore.  2 hurricanes in 14 months.  One worse than the last.  The stress of preparing and going through these storms is too much.  Seeing what's happened is too much.  I've lived near water my whole life, river, bay, ocean.  But, it's not safe.  Not here anyhow.  Like many others, I think we'll be going back inland.  (When, I don't know, but we have to try). We, right here, fared with Sandy better than we did last August with Irene and for that we are incredibly thankful.  (Hopefully I can say the same after the Nor'easter that's supposed to hit tomorrow & Thursday). Liter...

Please send our beloved, ruined state, your prayers, love & positive vibes - we desperately need it, especially our devastated coastal communities and I would be so grateful to y'all! NJ needs all the help we can get. I can't share my Nikon photos with you until we get power back, and, these from my Blackberry only give a hint of the local devastation. It's unlike anything I've ever seen first hand before. And I hope I never see this again. I'm stunned and utterly heartbroken. So grateful we fared well compared with Irene last August, in tears over so so many who've literally lost Everything & are now homeless. Hubbs is already taking applications for vacant apartments and once the power is on, we can send those through & see who management can approve. And we've already got a waiting list in case we get any more vacancies. The tenants who have left the complex to stay with family and friends (who have gas stoves and/or fireplaces) alo...