Happy Creative Christmas Eve :)

making Christmas tree ornaments with Aunt Vinnie and Eliot

Grandma JoJo helping

My cutest cousin named Eliot

Uncle Craig, my favorite uncle since childhood

Hey all

Today marks a year and a half since I got hit by a car.  I'm here in Indiana, my home state, visiting family and friends -- the first time I've traveled since before the accident as well as since separating from my husband.  It's been a tumultuous visit with lots of firsts and lots of sadness, as well as a bit of peace at times and acceptance from others at other times.

I have spent the past week soaking up time with dear friends.  I was able to visit what I consider my "home church" on Sunday and it was a solace.  I feel no desire to go to church in Colorado, but I think if I lived here again, I would be at Assembly every Sunday.

Tomorrow I will see my daughter for the first time in nearly two weeks.  Before that happens, however, I will be visiting my little brother in prison.  My mother and step-father are picking me up bright and early in the morning for that visit.  I haven't seen him for several years and have had only very brief phone conversations.  For a while we weren't sure that I would get visitor clearance in time and I'm so glad I'm able to go -- my mom worked really hard to make it happen and the people at the prison bent a lot of rules, I think, to get me in during my visit.

After our visit to my brother, we will pick up my daughter and go to my aunt and uncle's house to spend time with them.  I'm looking forward to having some relaxed time there and to seeing my cousins as well.  We will be there for several days.

This is some crazy hard stuff, some crazy hard times.  But again I am surrounded by goodness.

I've been working on a cross-stich pattern for my daughter -- beautifully colored butterflies on navy fabric.  I'll try to post a picture at some point, hopefully an "in-progress" shot.  I'm looking forward to giving her the presents I've collected for her here and there, as well as some fun presents from our friend Dara and two new books from our friend Becca.  I'm looking forward to spending time with my mom.  I'm hoping I can get presents wrapped before Christmas morning but I know that right now I need to be getting ready for bed so I can make it through a very full day tomorrow.

Blessings to you all on this cold and dark December night.

The Simple Woman's Daybook -- Sunday, December 12, 2010

Hosted by Peggy

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... lots more sun than I'll be experiencing in Indiana in a few days. :)

I am thinking... that life is unpredictable and depending on how you view that fact, you can either relax or freak out.

I am thankful for... Amy and Tim, who bought me my train tickets "home", for a washer and dryer, for my friend Kacy whom I've known for more than half my life, and for Dara whom I've known for a hard to believe short time.

From the learning rooms... I guess they weren't joking when they said I needed to put masking tape around my cross-stitch...oops.

From the kitchen... homemade trail mix -- pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, slivered almonds, maple syrup, and dried cherries.  Perfect for the train.


I am creating... an elaborate butterfly cross-stitch for my six-year-old daughter.

I am going... to be glad to see my mom.

I am reading... I'm actually sort of in between books right now, which is extremely unusual for me.  Just lots of preparatory activities going on.  I'll probably start a new one on the train.

I am hoping... that my cramps are largely over by the time I board the train tomorrow evening.

I am hearing... Billy Joel singing And So It Goes on Pandora.  <3

Around the house... cleaning up the basement for the guests who will be using it while I am gone, trying to pack but not making too much progress, trying to pay a few bills before I leave.

One of my favorite things... feeling better after you've been really sick.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  I'll arrive at Chicago Union Station at 3 on Tuesday afternoon and then probably catch the train to Elkhart, IN.  I'll be in Goshen visiting friends and family this week.  I'll also continue to work on my present for Fiona and divorce paperwork.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Mark and Lilly, our two young housemates -- I know we will be happy to see them when we come back from Indiana.