Something that made me smile

December musings

I am thinking about wrapping up my blog at the end of 2009. I want to focus on other things come the new decade. The decision is not made yet but the more I think about it, the more it feels like it is time. But before I am completely gone, there will be one or two more posts.

Here are a couple things that came across my path this week:

Obama's peace speech...here is a part that moved me:

So let us reach for the world that ought to be — that spark of the divine that still stirs within each of our souls. Somewhere today, in the here and now, a soldier sees he's outgunned but stands firm to keep the peace. Somewhere today, in this world, a young protestor awaits the brutality of her government, but has the courage to march on. Somewhere today, a mother facing punishing poverty still takes the time to teach her child, who believes that a cruel world still has a place for his dreams.

Let us live by their example. We can acknowledge that oppression will always be with us, and still strive for justice. We can admit the intractability of deprivation, and still strive for dignity. We can understand that there will be war, and still strive for peace. We can do that — for that is the story of human progress; that is the hope of all the world; and at this moment of challenge, that must be our work here on Earth.

Teux Deux

A new to-do software I am checking out. As a lover of lists, I hope it helps me hold on to everything I need or want to do. It currently does not have an igoogle app or iphone app...they are working on it. Will just test it out during the next couple weeks to see if it is worthy of my lists :-). Speaking of tracking things, I am looking for an online budget tool that is easy to do. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know.

I have started to think about next year's theme and long-term life objectives especially as this decade winds to an end. I am enjoying the Art of Non-Conformity's perspective on year-end reviews and planning. If you haven't checked out this website, please do...it has some pretty insightful and achievable ideas on how to live life fully. As much as I love my life, I know that I am not necessarily living as intentionally and fully as I could be. In 2010, there will be some changes...they will be difficult but necessary. I am an instant-gratification type person and I need to think more long-term about my life and humanity as a whole.

I will sign off with a quote from Dolly Parton...

You'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try.

Up-up-upholstery

Look what happens when life is so busy...I have so many blog postings/ideas and no time to post. So today, I am uploading all my drafts because I don't know when I will have another chance.

I thought I would share my adventures in recovering furniture. I have never upholstered or recovered anything before in my life until this week. My grandmother's old dining set was graciously bestowed to me. However, it has been well loved over the years and needs some work. I decided I was not going to re-finish the wood this year but I definitely needed to change the fabric on the chairs - it is dreadful.

I have done 1 chair - 5 more to go. Take a look!

The state of the chair seats when they arrived


In process removing the old...the yellow had disintegrated into a fine dust.


A first look at the possibility



The final product (almost - I still need to screw the seat on)
Not bad!

Advent

The Christmas season is nearing. Advent has started. A sense of Christmas is starting to spread through my soul. Last week, I attended "A Christmas Carol" at Theatre Calgary (the poem I posted last week was from the play). On Friday, there will be a little Hallelujah Chorus happening as I head to hear Handel's Messiah. I am taking a friend who has never heard it live. I love taking people to their first performance of this amazing music. My mom did that for me years ago and it is one of my favorite Christmas memories. I even remember what I wore for the concert - I think my mom bought me a new dressy outfit for the occasion.

Tonight, while listening to Elvis Christmas and Boney M, I finished decorating my home with Christmas baubles. However, I have yet to spend any real time contemplating the Advent of Christmas. But I have about 7 or 8 days off before the holidays so I hope to take some moments to truly anticipate the celebration. I am not sure if I blogged about this last year but the Advent Conspiracy is a great movement to re-new the true Christmas meaning. I hope to share with you what I am learning this holiday season.


This year, for my annual Christmas brunch, I decided to do a "party with a purpose" and will be asking for a donation to the YWCA of Calgary and their work with women and children in need. A fabulous organization in our city. If you are looking to give back this season, I humbly suggest this charity. Or for my family, if you are wondering what to get me for Christmas, a donation to the YWCA would make my day.