"Patience is not simply the ability to wait - it's how we behave while we're waiting." ~ Joyce Meyer

No, I'm not back in Florida! Just wishful thinking on my part! Eye-deep in boxes and days filled with negotiating closing dates, I'm longing for the sounds and sights of the ocean. I know that this too shall pass, and I don't want to wish my life away, but I am so ready to be done with moving! And we still have at least a month to go! Whoever said that a 5-bedroom home was too much for two people!? It's beginning to seem just right at this point! In truth, I know that I am lucky to have such a dilema to deal with. That doesn't mean I don't want it done with though!  

In the meantime, I am resorting to things I've saved on FaceBook to fill my post. This time, instead of recipes, I'm sharing those thought provoking videos and articles that I always think that I'll get around to reading. You will notice that several of these involve growing older, and the pursuit of happiness - not necessarily exclusive of one-another, but not really connected here! 

  

Talks to Remind You That Life Goes On

To Conquer Fear, Man Turns Rejection Into A Game

The Surprising Science of Happiness

You Need To Think Differently About happiness - Here's Why

Stuart - Martin County - Reminds Us of Why We Love The Treasure Coast

It's Never Too Soon To Plan Your Driving Retirement

Prepare Your Finances For When You Can't Manage Them

Want Control At The End of Your Life? Here's What You Need

“When we’re running around it’s really hard to see things clearly, especially the things that really matter to us. And it’s only by separating ourselves from this torrent that it comes into focus. ” ~ Pico Iyer - Dumbo Feather Issue 46

My studio, all boxed up and sitting in the living room!

I am so grateful that Bruce understands and honors my need for "a room of my own" - in this case my studio (the highfalutin term for my craft room). This was a priority of his (and mine) as we embarked upon house-hunting, and our new home will have just the right space.

While I may not be in the process of raising three small children, as the author of the article below (click link) is, I do believe that carving out a spot for oneself is really important, no matter how large or small.

Craft As "A Little Space To Collect Oneself"

"I have so much chaos in my life, it's become normal. You become used to it. You have to just relax, calm down, take a deep breath and try to see how you can make things work rather than complain about how they're wrong." ~ Tom Welling

So, it's nearly 9:00 of the evening before I usually post-and I'm just remembering that I need to do this! So I told Bruce, "When in doubt, pull my knitting out!" Here it is!  It has been much too hectic to plan and plot posts. I suspect that most of you understand this.

Amid the chaos, I have begun a new project. Hitchhiker, by Martina Behm. It is a sweet, easy, repetitive pattern. Just the right thing for chaos!

"Time is a circus, always packing up and moving away." ~ John Hecht

Our packing is well underway, our home is besieged by a sea of boxes! What to keep and what to toss? I'm happy to say that I had already gone through much of that process for my personal things back in the fall. Thank goodness, because everything else is a tad overwhelming, 

Rather than posting about packing (I'm not keen doing it let alone writing about it) I'm going to share links to recipes that I have saved on Face Book for quite some time. I never seem to get past the "saving the link" phase. Perhaps corralling them to one spot will make me more inclined to try some out!

Grapefruit Pudding Cake

Shaker Lemon Pie

Chicken-Celery Root Dumplings

Sautéed Shrimp with Lemon and Garlic

Sausage Arancini

Crisp Hoi An Pancakes

Red Wine Braised Chicken with Chorizo and Chickpeas

Citrus-Chili Braised Short Ribs

"Rundown" Seafood Soup

"And the beat goes on........"

Where to begin! Bruce and I are back north - at least a full month ahead of what we had anticipated. We have sold our home, and are in the process of purchasing another one about 40 minutes away. This all happened so quickly! So, the packing that had begun at a somewhat leisurely pace in the fall is now full speed ahead!

Closing on both homes should be some time in late April or early May. I admit that my head is spinning a bit, but I know that it will all be history soon enough. I don't want to wish my life away, but I'd love for it to be June and to have the bulk of the move behind us!

I'm excited to begin exploring our new community. I've already checked out knitting groups, of which there seem to be a few! We will also be much closer to shopping, and major medical facilities. On the down side, we will be leaving good friends, but know that we will be close enough to be able to get together whenever we want to.

So - my posts may be a bit wobbly in the upcoming months, but I promise to keep you in the loop!