55:365

(all photos by Elaine A. Russell)

In the past 24hours... I have learned that my friend's (from high school) mother passed away.... that my husband's sister is in the hospital with a possible heart attack... and I've learned more about bone cancer than I ever care to know.
Crazy how things seem to "dogpile" when they hit like that....

And yet the world goes round... and it goes on. I had a fabulous lunch with my daughter at Kelly's Pub in Nob Hill.
It is a really cool place... and the food portions are not only HUGE... but they taste awesome.

From there... we went to a great local gallery (which will be featured on Friday's blog "sneak peak")...stopped at Cafe Giuseppe for a hot chai ( totally awesome!! and the place is really cool).... and then we stopped at this incredible little bookstore "The Book Stop," where we found the most amazing selection of books (new and old).




I was able to take a few pictures while roaming about... and then we made a quick stop at Albertson's grocery store for a few items; where I saw the most beautiful orchids in their floral area. WOW.





And now I am home. And it is late. And I can't help but think about how crazy life can be. Life doesn't just stop... even when you want it to... if only for a minute while you catch your breathe. Illness and tragedy rains on everyone. ... and can... seemingly out of the blue...
And just as miraculously... good and great things happen as well. We may never know why things happen the way they do... and perhaps that is a good thing.

Living Simply Tip for the Day:

Enjoy life. Have good coffee. See good art. Read a good book. Enjoy time with loved ones every chance you get. Buy yourself flowers. Yes, it's more than worth it.... and these are the things you will reflect upon when the rough times sometimes hit you, or someone you love.

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LINKS:

Kelly's Brew Pub -- fabulous food, great service, big screen Tv's, billiards and more!

Cafe Giuseppe -- awesome coffee... tea... and a neat little lounge area

The Book Stop -- hidden TREASURE! Great little book shop.

9:365

Some days are the kind where you wish you would have/ could have ... stayed in bed. Lazy days where the bed seems way too comfortable to leave... and the floors seem way to cold to be on....

Today was one of those days. My dear hubby is sick today... something that only happens about once a year. It is cold and dreary out. ......And yet, today was also the last day to submit entries in my "give-away" --- me giving gifts in celebration of this blog site being one year old. So it was with excitement that I went through all the mail that I had received ... tallying up who all had entered..... And so... in the next few days I will be getting addresses from some lucky winners... who will each get a present in the mail.

So, today I did some laundry, picked up the house a bit... took my photo for my "Photo a Day project; year 2010".....made wontons and rice.... ran a couple of errands....went to a Pampered Chef Party briefly....and got back home in time to make my honey some tea and make sure he had taken some medicine.

Tuck yourselves in ... dear readers. Read a good book, watch a good movie... snuggle with someone you love. See you all tomorrow :)

Living Simply tip for the day: Get enough sleep for you. Don't be embarrassed if you have the opportunity and inclination to take a nap. Likewise, if you do better on less sleep... enjoy the extra time doing something you love. This will ultimately reduce your stress, increase your health and well-being... and will make your life much more simple.

""The first thing experts will tell you about sleep is that there is no "magic number." Not only do different age groups need different amounts of sleep, but sleep needs are also individual. Just like any other characteristics you are born with, the amount of sleep you need to function best may be different for you than for someone who is of the same age and gender.""

*all photos by Elaine A. Russell