It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

My mother was famous for this exhortation, particularly when it applied to one of us kids doing something without being told to do it. “Well, wonders never cease,” was sure to be exclaimed. I can still hear it in my head.

Thus, when I pulled the first tissue out of the new box yesterday and I only got one rather than a fist of half-ripped substance, it was a “Well, wonders never cease,” moment. I cannot recall ever doing this before. It may have encroached into the realm of miraculous, too.

It’s those little things that keep our loved ones near. Danke Schön, Mutter.

Hm. My daughter did a serious clean out of our office closet which needed major attention. Major. Stuff was hitting the trash and donation bins. A couple of things are being repurposed, which had me going down a Pinterest rabbit hold last night looking for projects. Then, this post gave me pause.

Do I really want to do this? Some suggestions were to use your old bag as a hanging planter, (?) wall art, (seriously?) a sewing kit, a pillow cover. The only one that made sense to me was using it for a child’s dress up box.

My pocketbooks are not pretty enough to end up adorning my home, just worn and well-loved, so maybe an outdoor hanging planter would work. The elements could do it no harm?

I think I can find a better project, even though it is the “year of the purse.” Carry on.

Okay. My sister and I succumbed to the after-Christmas sales.

These little abodes light up! They were a great deal! They are super cute! They totally go against my last admonition to myself to not acquire any more Christmas decor! My sister has a set! They will last through the winter season as design elements! I love the playful colors! I just unpacked them today!

But aren’t they cute?

I have misplaced something rather important to me and I haven’t had the time to dismantle everything to find it. Drives me nuts when I do this! However, it is here and I shall find it. All I have to do is start cleaning.

Maybe this is what the “Hokey Pokey” is all about? I’ll be poking around one of these days.

It came to me yesterday, on the main street of my daughter’s road, standing on the lid of a water main pipe, when my granddaughter said, “Let’s do the Hokey Pokey.” We did every verse in full view, truly turning ourselves around. Sometimes the answer is so obvious!

Here I was, trying to fill a suitcase with used rolls of wrapping paper and my sister’s discards from her closet, when we could have been a little more active in our actions. Though we had an awful lot of fun, we surely could have done a little Hokey Pokey for our entertainment, although it was way too frigid for man or beast to accomplish that outside for her neighbors to enjoy. Yet, we tried to “put our whole selves in.” I literally did that yesterday with “Pavila.”

After all, that’s what it’s all about.

My sister was cleaning out her closets and gave me a roll of cellophane gift wrap. I now have something to put in the empty side of my luggage. It’s a start.

We may be stymied in our retail efforts today as the wind whips around with blowing snow and the promise of frozen digits. Probably a fortuitous circumstance. We shall be compelled to craft and create, staying warm until we venture to the ice sculpture competition, a frosty event on a bone-chilling day.

We know how to have a good time!

Vowing to bring my biggest piece of luggage, I arrived at my sister’s with a suitcase not even halfway filled. One side is completely empty, the other is about two thirds full. It was a good experiment in testing the limits of my luggage lugging capability. However, it did bring to mind that show I find so fascinating, “To Catch a Smuggler.”

Often the person being flagged has empty luggage or no luggage, aiding in the transportation of illegal drugs or merchandise. It did cross my mind that an almost empty bag could bring unwarranted attention.

I safely made it through security and beyond, thus beginning the retail therapy phase of my visit. I intend to do my best to return with something else in my bag.

Off we go!

I’m visiting the “ruleless” sister. We plan on exercising daily, eating salads for dinner, and doing some retail therapy. I can promise we shall adhere to one of those intentions quite easily!

Stay tuned for the deets.

Another year to start anew, yet every day is thus.
We try again, we do our best, carry on as so we must.

Measuring our time in years, maybe memories?
Seeking solace with our friends, shared epiphanies.

I’m feeling old, though yet still young, my body wants a rest.
My heart and soul, as well as mind, still want to give my best.

So off I go to exercise and keep my limbs a’moving.
Because I want to show the world that I can still be groovin’.

A little encouragement for the new year and your resolve to clean. I could use a few cards.