You must begin to think of yourself as becoming the person you want to be. ~ David Viscott

The past two weeks have been wearying, and aside from a Saturday when a combined headache, kink in my neck, and day without sleep found me waving the white flag from my bed, I have plodded on and even have some good things to show for it.  The bathroom has been put back together post-painting, with new shower curtain and curtains too.  The bedroom wall-painting is almost done.  The headboard project is at least begun, with stars, string lights, and waiting-for-payday pillow shams next on its to-do list.  The bedroom curtains are up but lacking their ruffle-trim, tie-backs, and the hankie-patchwork-type sheers I'm planning to hang underneath them.  The 1980s childhood memoir-writing continues. The healthy eating continues.  It feels, though, like I've just been hanging on and getting through this fall so far.  Do you remember the brilliant exchange between the frustrated sheriff and his secretary in Cormac McCarthy's No Country for Old Men?  It keeps coming to mind this month.  "What is it that (Justice) Torbert says?"  he asks her.  "About truth and justice."  She distractedly answers, "We dedicate ourselves anew daily.    Somethin like that."  The sheriff responds, "I think I'm goin to commence to dedicatin myself twice daily.  It may come to three fore it's over."  Hear, hear.  I brought in Halloween cookies for my coworkers this week, and the cashier yesterday morning told me "I love your smile" while bagging my groceries, and I'm choosing to accept both gestures as signs that hope is not lost.  :)  Here's to the plodding-on.  

From Mike's Sister

I received a surprise package last week from Mike's sister.  She has been taking painting classes for awhile now, and she wrapped one of her tiny canvases of blue Hydrangeas--one of my favorite flowers--in sunny yellow tissue paper as a gift.  Love!  ♥  Both the thoughtfulness and the vivid colors made my day. 

Gorgeous.  Handmade and homemade gifts are the best. 

This afternoon, I finally decided on a spot for it on our little cookbook shelf. 

Truly, a day-brightener.  Love!  ♥

'Til the Love's Added

I had seen this plate on both etsy and eBay for $20 and even $35, and both prices strike me as crazy, but of course, to each her own.  I myself loved this little plate as soon as I saw it last year (or maybe even the year before now) and instantly wanted it for my collection, but $5 is about the most I'd be willing to spend on a small decorative plate, so I bookmarked the listings and kept searching and waiting.

Finally, a few weeks ago, I found the plate for about $11 including the shipping, and that was good enough.  As Mom is known to gleefully shout out when "striking rich" at a yard sale or flea market:  "Mine!" 

I attached a hanger last night, and this dear little thing that captures so much of what I love--the sentiment!  the window sill!  a braided rug!  hearts on the curtains!  a heart on the chair!  heart-shaped cookies!  heart wallpaper!  a multi-paned window!  a woven chair!  an old-fashioned stove!  a pudgy cat!  a colorful pan and mixing bowl!  a checkered backsplash!  a checkered towel!  even a (green!) checkered floor!--will, at long last, grace my plate collection tonight.  ♥

It is in every sense a little thing, but it is making me smile like the tabby above today.