Sharing and airing of thoughts and an emailer who doesn't really like my blog.

Blogging is a great source of enjoyment for me. It is a hobby and something that has given me the opportunity to work on my writing and photography skills. My spelling has improved and my vocabulary is steadily increasing.

Blog topics are all over the map and from day to day I never really know what is going to get written and published until I sit at the computer and let the creative juices flow.

There are certain things that I do not write about because they are too personal. A girl doesn't like to tell all her secrets, after all an aura of mystery must be maintained to a certain degree.

My family rarely appear here on the Humble Bungalow Blog.

I prefer to keep some things private.

I share so much here and often wonder if I say too much.

My life is not one of glamour and non stop parties.

I am rather a simple woman with a few interests and a small circle of fabulous long time friends.

We get together for coffee, lunches and dinners both out and at home.

I'd be very lonely if I didn't have friends.

They are a treat and a treasure.

There are many happy hours to pursue hobbies, 

go for walks, 

read 

and plenty of healthy distractions 

from the domestic duties which are ongoing here in the Bungalow.

I like regularity and rhythm 

I am a creature of habit.

I love things here to be organized and tidy.

I could never be happy living in a chaotic mess.

It would be too stressful for me.

I only have one junk drawer and it is neat and tidy!

I like predictability

and 

do not like to be "rushed."

I like to keep moving and have purpose.

I do not over think things.

My expectations are low

and I am overjoyed when something wonderful occurs.

I am easily satisfied.

Travel is not high on my priority list

as I delight in exploring what is very near to my own back yard.

I am on a first name basis with most of the shop keepers whose businesses I patronize on a regular basis.

I do like to chat and exchange pleasantries with them.

I feel that this relationship goes beyond the usual exchange of goods and money.

I dislike rudeness in any form.

I seldom use a curse word as I believe there are many wonderful adverbs and adjectives that can be found to describe any situation.

I can keep a secret and am very trustworthy.

I do not like gossip and find it in extremely bad taste when someone tries to get me to say something negative or unflattering about someone.

I stay true and positive.

Road rage is not on my radar.

I try to be a Zen driver.

I narrowly missed getting hit this week by a driver who ran through a stop sign.

I blew my horn out of shock and disbelief 

and to try to alert the person in the vehicle that they had made a serious mistake.

My car stopped within 6 inches of their speeding car and I thought for sure we would collide.

It really is a miracle that my reactions were so fast and my brakes were so efficient.

Normally I do not use my horn.

In this case I think it was justified.

It's sound even startled me.

I am a list maker

groceries

things that need to be done

birthdays

menu planning

chores

goals

I am sure that I can come up with some more tidbits of information 

 but that's about it for now.

“If you must speak ill of another, do not speak it, write it in the sand near the water's edge''”

 Napoleon Hill 

I get a fair number of emails...

most of which are friendly. 

Many want to share with me their own bungalow images and I feel a wonderful cross border connection

with other owners who are passionately restoring their homes.

Some want to know where they can buy some of the clothes that I have bought and I am more than happy to guide them in that direction.

Others just want to say how much they enjoy reading about the simple life that we live here in our humble home.

I have had some emails from a blog commenter who did not want to go public and leave a comment.

But chose to write in depth about all that was wrong on the blog

from the layout to the content...

The emailer critiqued The Humble Bungalow Blog 

in a very blunt way with a rather harsh tone which bordered on rude.

Blogging does open one up as a target for malcontents.

Perhaps this person is unhappy with her life

or is suffering from an illness 

maybe venting makes her feel better.

I hope that I have helped some one feel better,

as it is my aim to have an open door policy

welcoming all to The Humble Bungalow.

Next time I hope that she will go public and share her words with all of us in this community

and please do not mince words

I'd like everyone to share and comment on my blog.

Bulking up and the battle of the bulge...

I have weighed in and the numbers are going down...
ever so slowly but the good news is that 6 pounds have been shed.

I am feeling much better wearing pants. I now have what I can only all breathing room!
The doughy muffin top is looking much firmer and that dreaded back fat is disappearing.

So why would I want to dress like the Goodyear Blimp?

I'll tell you why...

I do not do cold, chilly, or freezing at all well. I love to be warm and cozy. Perhaps that explains my love for all things cashmere and why I am usually wearing some kind of scarf around my neck.

I needed to buy a coat as my car and seat heaters used to keep me warm!

Walking has it's benefits but it does expose one to the elements of nature, and she can be quite cool and frosty.

I bought this coat online from Land's End. It has some great features like the fleece lined pockets, a two way zipper, faux fur on the hood and down fill throughout. If you live in a climate such as we have here in the Pacific Northwest you might consider buying one of these...as an advocate of warmth and comfort while facing those inevitable dips in the Celsius this one get's my seal of approval and it comes in a variety of colours.

You can see it here.
I have linked to the Canadian site so if you are not in Canada go to Land's End.com.

My feet get cold too so I purchased some chill chasing sox and tights...

Alfred Sung

tunic top / dress

in a butterscotch shade

quite the departure from my usual palette

cheap as chips

washable

warm

will be worn with tights

and boots.

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire:  it is the time for home.  

~ Edith Sitwell

Sarah over at My Yellow House warmed my heart with her recent post.

Go over and visit

she has such a way with words.

as you gather round the hearth

snug and safe

enjoy the warmth and be grateful

for what you have.

Remembrance Day is this Friday 

I hope that you will pause and give thanks,

many people gave their lives in hope that we could live our lives without fear 

in freedom.

What to wear when the temperature dips...

Baby it's cold outside!
I am cocooning in wool and layers and have recently purchased a down coat to wear walking about in the chill windy weather. I'll show it to you in an upcoming post...it's from Land's End!

Cashmere Club Monaco long scarf/shawl

3rd or 4th year in service and what a soft way to keep cozy

I highly recommend owning at least one of these.

(I have another in emerald green)

Looks rather dark in this image but I am wearing tights in charcoal grey by Hue

and my short booties in black with the western cowboy vibe

and a wool V neck dress which I bought from Zellers 

and it was under $50!

The texture has some interest

as the theme here is all grey.

I have taken off all my sterling bangles and have taken out my trusty timepiece

and I have added my gold bracelet for fun.

I am putting my best foot forward 

exercise is now so much easier

and I feel so much more energy as a result.

If you had told me this would have happened 

I think I might have doubted that fact.

I am embracing steaming mugs of tea and hot soups.

Chill chasers of the finest order.

Keep warm!

Fly little bird fly!

Fly little bird fly...
be free and easy.

Test those wings that you were born with and use those aerodynamics...
you have the ability
 just do it.


Be very afraid of this next image....
footwear,
of the mummsy kind...

I have lost my mind and gone for comfort over fashion.

It''s true.

I am no longer barefoot prancing on the slivery wood floors.

My feet are warm and happy.

But they scare me when I look down and see those faces.

I put these soft slippers on my feet and fell madly in love.

Not with their looks but with the way they conformed and cushioned my tired toes.

Lambs or Sheep...

does it matter?

They are a fashion no no of the first order,

scary!

I am shuffling through The Humble Bungalow in these...

toting my Haws watering can

pottering and watering the house plants.

This miniature orchid is putting on a great blooming show

and I water it once a week.

Routines are so not on these days..

everything has changed.

I hope that I have chosen the right job in the career department...

the move is radical

I am going back to my roots...

elementary school

and I'll be working with special needs students.

Autism was my forte and I have come full circle...

I may be posting less

or possibly more

I suppose it will depend on my level of energy

and what inspires me.

I 'll let you know how things are going but it might take awhile...

I might be a stranger in a strange land

for a wee bit...

bear with me as I am standing on the precipice of something new...

I hope to soar and not plummet

but with any new endeavor there lies a modicum of doubt...

I wish that someone was holding my hand!

 Hope that your week is off to a great start.

Hugs from the Hostess

XO

Lazy Saturday...after a big night on the town.

I slept in and am sipping a mug of real coffee, the first in many months. Feeling very lazy sitting here in my robe and slippers...
There is something so decadent about waking up to the aroma of coffee brewing in the kitchen.
We had a wonderful evening last night and it was a later one than is usual on a Friday evening after a busy week.
It's hard to imagine that we can go out on the town and live it up like we did when we were much younger. Good to know that we haven't forgotten how to have fun!

We were celebrating the fact that I have a new job!

Flowers from my daughter's fellow!

We walked downtown and dined at one of our city's top restaurants and then we hoofed it over to a heritage hotel by the sea and had a bottle of champagne, a gift from my daughter's fellow. I don't like the word "boyfriend" as that does not adequately describe him because he is a man not a boy.

I could have pinched myself as we were sitting on sumptuous leather sofas enjoying the lights of the harbour living it up and savouring the moment rubbing shoulders with international tourists.

As we were leaving we strolled through the convention center and were surprised to see a large group of red headed Lucille Ball look a likes...the Ricky Ricardo's were inside waiting!

It was a dreamy date and such a memorable way to celebrate and mark new beginnings.

New beginnings and the rapid way that change is making an entrance into what was a predictable routine has taken us by storm and I am reeling...
but all in a good way.

Once I started to action change with a new approach to fitness and health, lots of things started happening and there seems to be a domino effect.

The new job is going to be a challenge and one that I am keen to take on. I am ready to embrace a new direction in the late stages of my career and have so many tricks in my bag just waiting...so wait no longer, it's time.

Walking to work is going to be such a bonus.
Not only is it healthier it's greener and cheaper!

I did have to go out and buy some good looking walking shoes that I could wear to work.
(They cost less than 4 Michelin tires for the Volvo though!)
I never need an excuse to buy shoes, who does?

Adrienne over at The Rich Life (on a budget) has done some shoe shopping recently...
she has chosen some lovely colours.

I imagine that you are not surprised that the shoes are black...

Lisa over at Privilege shares a love of black footwear.

She just started a new job and check out how great she looks in her khaki and black.

a little silver bling in the mesh

they are not shoes for the faint of heart

they have serious support and are made by Geox

which has a patent on their shoe building technology.

I am lusting over some Frye boots and tried on some fabulous Ralph Lauren riding boots at Winners...

they are most definitely investment boots...

(cheaper than Michelin's hmmm....)

I just don't know if they are in the budget right now.

The reno is taking most of our cash and still is the number one priority around here.

Lots to think about...

I am taking today as a lazy day to ponder the whirlwind of change that is blowing through the Humble Bungalow.

(I had better get dressed as the plumber will be here in a few minutes!)

I am still the same Hostess

but with a newness that is redefining 

how I view my life and the direction that I seem to be going.

Make the most of your weekend whatever you choose to do...

carpe diem

take a leap of faith and shake up your world.