Time Out.

Sometimes you just have to give yourself a time out. Not because you did something wrong necessarily, but because you have lost focus and need to reflect and change direction or be placed back on the right track.

So today I am giving myself a time out. It started with sleeping in very late. I haven't slept this late in years. As a matter of fact I am pretty sure I was a teenager the last time I slept this late. Paul and I woke up at 10:45 am. This is unheard of for both of us. Apparently our bodies needed to be recharged. The windows were open all night and I could get the occasional whiff of fall as I slept peacefully. I had some pretty outrageous dreams too.

I have to say we bought this memory foam topper for our bed a couple of weeks ago and it is awesome! We both kept waking up with stiff bodies and our mattress is about 5 years old and you can't flip it so it was getting warn. Instead of shelling beau coup bucks for a new mattress we bought this topper on line and it was the best thing we ever did. Both of us have slept so much more soundly since it has been put on the bed. Not to mention our upstairs neighbor is away, so I haven't been woken up with the sound of heels stamping on the ceiling or her vacuuming early on a Sunday. Yeah. It was awesome taking my time waking up this morning. Sure Lola was running around at 6am since she could hear the birds and squirrels up and at em. Then she came and curled up with us after she got her morning run around the house out of her system and cuddled down for a late morning nap.  Once we rose, I made chocolate chip pancakes and veggie sausage. Another rare treat in this house.  I don't think I have ever made chocolate chip pancakes before now that I stop and think about it.  We sat at our kitchen table, with the window wide open looking out on the backyard. No fear of the upstairs neighbor coming out to look back at us for once. So pleasant.

Then it was time to get down to the house work. As I was down in the basement doing the laundry I decided to bring up my Halloween stuff. I know what you are thinking. "It's way to early to think about Halloween." So say you, however this is my holiday and I just wanted to bring up the boxes. My plan is to wait until Fall Solstice to actually decorate (September 23). We will see if I can wait that long. As I was going through my containers I came across this Cd I have been thinking about for months now and thought I had lost it in one of our many moves over the past 6 years. It's actually a soundtrack called Samsara and it is beautiful. It is all Tibetan Nuns chanting and singing. Check it out if you can find samples of it online; very beautiful and reflective. Perfect for taking a time out.

This year I have decided to take on another Do-It-Yourself Halloween craft project. You may recall last year's project. http://redheadedstepsister.blogspot.com/2010/10/giving-thanks-while-getting-crafty.html
 Well this year I decided to try and make my own version of a Sugar Skull.

Traditional Sugar Skulls

I was going to originally make it out of paper mache and all this stuff. But by the time I took in account the cost of supplies, time and effort. Not to mention the mess it would make I decided to take the easy route. Traditionally Sugar Skulls are made to celebrate The Day of Dead which is November 1. This is a day were families get together and remember loved one and ancestors who have passed on. To sort of celebrate their lives and legacy. Some people will actually decorate their sugar skulls to resemble the loved one. In my version however I did it a bit different.  I put my own spin on it. First I got a foam skull from the craft store and some inexpensive imitation flowers and went to town. My skull is to represent the passing of my mother (October 2) and her love of Halloween. Her favorite flower was yellow roses.Well I couldn't find a yellow rose that I liked so I used a red rose on the left to represent her, and the Yellow smaller is to represent myself, carrying on her legacy and traditions. It's still a work in progress I might add a few more details but so far this is what it looks like.

My version.

I can't believe I did this, but I was out buying Lola's supplies and came across these Angel wings for cats. I have always said I would never dress my cat up or dog for that matter but when I saw these I couldn't resist. It seemed fitting since I have always said my Mum sent Lola to me. I got her about two weeks after my Mum passed and she has been with me ever since.

I know I am a terrible cat owner. I couldn't help myself. Do you love how the bag she is laying on looks like clouds.

Sometimes I swear she gives me looks my mother would have when she is mad. As you can tell she was not feeling the whole Cherub look.

In the meantime we are also making plans for our 5th Annual Canuck-giving! The tradition began here; http://redheadedstepsister.blogspot.com/2009/10/keeping-with-tradition.html.  I think this year might be the biggest one yet. Either way whether we spend it with just Paul and myself or with a group of friends it will be a good time and still carrying on with the tradition.

Yes indeed lots of positive things to focus on in the coming weeks. Yes indeed. Happy Solstice, Happy Harvest Everyone!