My Cuppa Joe

I'm in my 5th month of pregnancy now and can't believe how big I feel! I think being pregnant in the winter months is harder. Wearing all those heavy clothes to stay warm on top of the extra weight I'm already carrying makes me feel like the kid on "A Christmas Story" who could barely move in his winter getup. And how many little kicks and kisses have I already gotten from our to-be son? A million a day. This is going to be one active kid.

I am fascinated how life can grown within you. And then when you give birth, there's this tiny person about to blossom into the world. I look at Saloni, now almost 2 1/2 years old and think, my goodness, so much growth and knowledge already. I barely remember what I was like before I was eight! And here she is picking out her school clothes and making decisions about what fruit to eat at this small age.

I'm excited yet nervous at the upcoming expansion of our family. At 36, Lord knows my energy levels are not increasing and with four newly discovered white hairs on my head, listening to Depeche Mode doesn't make me feel younger like it used to. But one simple thing does help me with everything...and that's my cuppa joe. I love my time of day when I settle down for a cup of coffee. Decaf, instant, caff...doesn't matter. One packet of Hazelnut splenda and a few sugars and cream and I'm in a state of heaven. And in that state, age, hair, wrinkles, yada yada, all seems perfectly fine. Is it just me or do you get this from your cuppa joe too?

Subtraction Equals Addition

Have you ever removed an item from a room and suddenly were welcomed with a whole new perspective? I love the scene in the movie, "Dead Poet's Society" when Robin Williams asks students to stand on their desks to get a different view of the classroom. He insists that they see things from different vantage points to get different views in life. That scene will always be implanted in my mind.

When a friend of mine suggested that I move my craft table out of my studio and into the patio, where it could be put to more entertaining use, I jumped on the idea. I've been ignoring the reality that this table was becoming nothing more than a dumping ground for incoming mail, things to file, fabrics to put away and a sewing machine that needed serious dusting off. Although my husband was surprised with the move, we had a wonderful dinner the very next evening. Saloni loved have her high chair outdoors and just being among our trees, the sky and nature made dinner last longer and taste better.

Back in the studio, without the table, I was forced to put everything away. Within a week, I filed, cleaned, sorted and suddenly, the room looked like the original guest room it started out as. I was thrilled! This also gave me the much needed impetus to delve back into my fabrics and notions of which I have enough to create a store the size of Joann's Fabrics! Now I know that taking something away actually leads to more of something great.

And the Storm Approached

I have found that when it rains, it truly does pour. Last year, we decided to do our annual local tourist visit to the Sea Turtle Inn. We love the hotel which is just 10 minutes from our house and the views are 100% water and sun. But as you can see, there was no sun...there was not even any warmth. When we got there, we discovered that half of the hotel was under construction letting in more moisture in our room than a large humidifier. So, that night, we moved into the new Marriot Hotel, which had the most beautiful room and the best breakfast. (Sea Turtle, we'll be back when you're ready to open.) But even then, it rained the entire weekend. We took a very short walk on the beach and a quick stroll along the adjacent shops and neighborhood before the next downpour. So much for a getaway!

Well, this picture reminded me of a recent week in which our printer's cartridge holder cracked and my Palm froze. Both items we depend on heavily and when this happened...well, rain soon followed. On top of which, I lost an envelope of cash from a check that I knew had to be somewhere in the mayhem of files I was sorting through. And all this just when I was happily counting my receipts of money back from returns at the mall. Lucky for me, Office Depot ships the same week, so I'm sitting here synchronizing my new Palm and tomorrow, hope to install the printer. And thankfully, the envelope was found wedged between the front car seats. So at least there's some sun gleaming through this story, except for the unexpected expense part. Something tells me, you've had a week like this too. Just hope yours was not as costly.

Why I love Mondays

I may be the only nut that loves Mondays. I always have. Whether it was my school days or work days, the thought of new challenges, new books, new assignments...made me energized. Getting dressed for the part was the added bonus. Dressing up is my recipe for happiness. From a dash of lipstick to new shoes or the renewed swish of corduroys that were packed away for the summer, I relish dressing for the part.

But things change when you become a Mom. The suede pants had to temporarily be laid to rest. As did my silk shirts and fancy skirts. My daughter loves giving "huggies" and many of them come with the added wipe of wet "nosies". I love it! So now I've moved towards dressing our home. I've learned that little things such setting out the perfect cup of coffee for myself or laying out the items for my husband's lunch the night before gives me that same pleasure as the Monday morning get-ready-for-work routine. I'm one who loves moving furniture around too. I love the look my husband gives me when lamps have moved, plants have been added and there's new artwork up.

Thank goodness my Mom instilled in us three sisters that what you can do the night before to get ready for the next day will make the chore halfway done. And it is so true. Thanks Mom! Yesterday was truly a perfect Monday. Coffee and cartoons in the morning. Lunch with girlfriends in the afternoon, followed by a few errands and a good 45-minute nap. And finally, our regular evening walk to get the mail...Saloni lives for this and it's given me the daily push I need for fresh air and exercise. I made my yummy tomato soup and grill cheese sandwiches for dinner. Pure, simple bliss.

I'm off to pick her up from school soon, so I've got to sandwich in paying bills and writing emails. My to-do list for Wednesday is in the works. :)

The Excitement of a New Year

It takes me longer than others to realize we are in a new year. I tend to scratch out the "07" to "08" at least five days into the new year. Resolutions I never make. But this is the month I promised myself to focus on self and health improvement. It means little things like not forgetting my vitamins and bigger things like finally seeing my eye doctor. As you saw from my previous blog, decluttering makes me ever so happy. So from linen closets to our medicine cabinets, I chucked out the old and unused and made room for the new or for nothing as I love empty spaces. A wise friend once told me "Never let anyone rent the space in your head for free". I think the same should go for material things. My jewelry boxes are next.

So, part two of my self improvement is get back to business. Sunisha Designs that is. I took quite a long break from work since October. Vacations, visits from family and a few colds and sniffles kept me away longer than I liked. But hey, as everyone knows, all work and no play prevents time needed to imagine, reflect and set new goals. I'm excited to reacquaint myself with my fabrics and scrapbooks of ideas. Look for a new look to the website soon. And in the meantime, I'll be sure to write "08"...this far into January I should.

The Calmness of Cleaning

I know for a fact that most of us have read about the calmness and peace derived from cleaning. The "aha" you get from seeing cleared off counter tops and desks. And the joy of finding lost treasures buried under mounds of stuff. Just where does all this stuff come from? I finally got rid of old floppy disks and CDs that were used to download software from years ago. Yipee! New shelf space.

My sisters have a great rule: for every new item that enters the house, an old item must go. I think our love of donating must be genetic as my Mom is wonderful at giving away things whether it's to friends, family or the Salvation Army. I'm at Goodwill almost every month. And when those choice items leave our house, I feel as though I've shed a few pounds. Even better, I can actually see the back wall of the closet. Who knew that could be exciting? And as the sentimental girl that I am, I often wonder who wound up with my old blender, my college sweater or my old books. Sometimes I think it would be neat to attach a phone number to the item. Imagine getting a call from someone to tell you they love the desk you parted with. What great stories could be shared!

Speaking of stories, it's time for me to get out the story books to read to Saloni. It's my time to reward myself with a cup of coffee and my favorite Trader Joe's Chocolate Coated Chocolate Chip Dunkers - pure pleasure. I love sitting on the sofa in the middle of our family room to enjoy this moment before I pick her up from school. I certainly won't be donating my coffee cups anytime soon...