slow, snowy sunday...

March 1, 2020 Arlene Giddings

It was a slow, snowy sunday
at the big orange house.
There were naps taken
and yoga, bullet journalling and
a fair amount of shovelling.

In attempt to “embrace winter”
I took a quick walk to the park
to catch some snowfall photos…
and on the way back,
I decided today was the day
to make a snow angel…

snow angel. not a very good photo. but a snow angel regardless. :)

how naps are taken in the big orange house…

Then when I got back to the house,
I realized my neighbor was out shoveling her driveway
so I went over to say hi and introduce myself
and only realized after the fact
that I was wearing pink plaid pj pants
with pink polka dot rubber boots
and was COMPLETELY covered in snow…
you know…from the snow angel making…
and the very first thing I said to her was
”I lOVE THAT YOU BUILT A SNOWMAN!!”

Sigh.

Happy snowy, sweet, slow Sunday.
♥

friday i'm in love...

February 28, 2020 Arlene Giddings

this made me think…and then made me cry…just a little tiny bit…

this is true. and. this is me.

i need this

and this…

i am obsessed with this song…

ohhhhhh. this.

i listen to this probably once a day…if this guy EVER comes
close to the maritimes…I will be there.

i want a plant. I will name it fred. and try not to kill it.

did i show you my new lunchbox?? Even if I did…LOOK AT IT AGAIN…
it’s sooooooooo freaking adorable!!

the epitome of geekiness lives here...

February 25, 2020 Arlene Giddings

There are things I know I should not share.

This is one of them.

Yet…here I am…sharing it anyway. :)

I like schedules and routines and lists…
and color coded spreadsheets.

I feel like there is a lot that I want to accomplish
this year..this is my year to “ignite” after all!

Sometimes, though,
I feel like things are getting away from me…
like time is getting away from me…
like I can’t fit it all in…
so I made this little schedule for myself.

And, as crazy as it looks, it has definitely helped.

Nothing about it is carved in stone.
If something comes up,
like the chance to go to a movie
(AND PAY A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT
FOR POPCORN but I am not going to rant
about that again)…or go for a coffee
with your brother, then I happily do those things…
but otherwise…I try to stick to the schedule
but…mainly for balance.

I have also started an accountability group
with some friends and I can’t even tell you
how awesome that has been.

To get together once a month at your
favorite coffee house and geek it out
over pens, spreadsheets, apps and color coding
WHILE gently holding each other accountable
for goals that we have set AND
being excited for each other when
targets are hit and boxes are ticked off,
well…it’s pretty damn exhilarating and energizing.

I know I say this every year…
but I think that THIS is gonna be my year.
:)

whatcha readin'? 2020 {book 1&2::goal 30}

February 17, 2020 Arlene Giddings

So…it has been a while
since I have posted a
whatcha readin’ update!

I have been reading.
Not as much as I would like to be
but still…I really have been reading, honest!

I finished off last year
reluctantly reading the first of
the Crazy Rich Asian trilogy
and I was kind of a little ho-hum about it.
It felt a little fluffy, a little too name-droppy
but then…
well..honestly?

I got sucked in.

I wanted to know what happened
Rachel and Nick
and I was rooting for Astrid
and kind of wanting to throat punch Micheal
and kinda crushing on Charlie…

It reminded me of how I would always get
sucked into the daytime soap operas
my mom watched…
Another World and Edge of Night
and Mac & Rachel and
who shot Jake?

Ok…I just got totally sidetracked there. :)

The truth is
I liked the books
much more than I had expected to.

I might even watch the movie.
:)

3.5 out of 5 ♥♥♥♥♥’s
NEXT UP:: TIDELANDS - PHILIPPA GREGORY

friday i'm in love...the hearts and pirates mix...

February 14, 2020 Arlene Giddings

everywhere i look
it’s hearts and flowers
and sweet sentiments & valentine wishes…

but for some reason
tonight
my head is full of buccaneers
and bony skeletons,
torn treasure maps,
and bonny anne the girl pirate
sailing on a turbulent sea,
scaring the boys
and whistling for whales
who will float along beside her
and take her on the
next great adventure…
where she will lead mutinies
and rebellions and
make friends with the
jellyfish
and share secrets and bread crumbs
with the seagulls…