I hear the Music......and it's playing for ........................

Music.

It is magical.

It can take you back days, months, years, decades - in a single note. There is music which remind you EXACTLY where you were and EXACTLY what you were doing when you hear it. You know what I'm talking about.  Music evokes emotion.  It digs into your soul and find hidden emotions.  Yes, there is some music which does none of the above. That's not music.,  those are 'songs'.  Songs do stir emotion, but quickly is forgotten until you hear it once again.

But Music.

Music lives in your soul. Your heart. It moves you. Not just on a dance floor, but stirs what's inside of you, dormant. It can make you cry or laugh, smile or even sleep.....but it connects. With YOU. Even when you think you aren't listening, you hear it. It seeps into your soul. Music is submissive. It just lingers there , just outside your subconscious - waiting to be remembered and cherished.

Equate that to love.

Finding someone like that in your life doesn't happen often.  And when you do, almost always, there is a shared "song" or a piece of music which, when you hear it, reflects you straight back to smiling about that person.

What do you do when you find your music?

YOU DANCE. and SING. and SMILE.

Although, wonderful, It doesn't have to be a person.  It can be what you do, where you volunteer, your personal space where you go to just "be". If it is a person, where are they? Close? Long Distance?

If you haven't figured out where your music comes from....it's time to start.

It's time to start dancing, and singing and smiling.

Creating Spaces....and SMILES

     So, the New Year brings head colds, dreaded packing away of Christmas Décor. That whole "fresh" thing I've spoken of before....but head colds.  Natures way of reminding us to slow down.  After all, when you have a head cold, EVERYTHING seems foggy. Doesn't it?  I KNOW I'm not the only one whom can feel like that......

     When I am in the "fog", I tend to retreat.  Normal instincts.  What I'd LIKE to do, is crawl under the covers in my warm bed, have someone bring me hot tea and lemon, warm blankets, homemade chicken soup and rub my back.  I know. I'm a sap.  Those whom know me well, understand I must feel REALLY  bad to let someone else take care of me. 
     Most of all, though,  I want space. Not as in " far away in another galaxy space" - just a retreat.  A place to go, where the noises are calmer.

     This week, I finally moved the last of my condo to the new house.    I found myself amidst all the boxes of clutter and disorganization.  
     Add Christmas, New Years, decorations outside, decorations inside, split Christmas Visits, ill family members......and you have a recipe for spontaneous combustion.....

    I decided, in order to maintain what was left of sanity (or close to sanity, anyway), I needed a "space".  My space.  A family space.  Like the old 'Cheers' theme song - "...where everybody knows your naaaaammmmme".....  THAT kind of space.

     Having just moved into a new house, the garage is too full (at this point,anyway) to create any of those cool garage "man caves" with the television, recliners...etc.... 
     However, I'm fortunate that the back yard is a blank slate.  It's large.  It's not finished...It has great potential.
     so, I put my brain to work. Overtime as it usually is...just perhaps a bit more determined.  

     It is on rare occasion that I utilize any object for its truly intended purpose.  Tires become tables, Dressers become serving chests, and yes, twin beds become outdoor lounge settees.

     It's amazing what you can do with a metal canopy frame, some outdoor fabric, lights and sheer curtains.  

     So, the transformation has begun.   Patio Lounging area is complete. My bucket list includes a movie area (in progress), an outdoor bar, portable AC for those Arizona Summers, firepit seating with firepit, cookin, bbq station and even a raised garden and reclaimed water collection.

Thank heavens I have REALLLLY, and I mean REALLLLY  patient and supporting, creative friends to help me with my craziness.  

     I might get it done by Spring ....more than likely, as OCD as I tend to be, it could be done as early as the next 12 hours....ok, well, maybe 24....  Either way, it's a great escape. A project, that when finished will not only make ME smile, but will hopefully provide a place to gather over the next few years as the kids grow.

     I'm already loving that the kids bring their friends to hang out here.  This house has LIFE again. And it DOES make me SMILE.

     So, for today, I'll get back to packing up Christmas...and finding IT'S space...for the next 11 months, anyway.

Happy New Year.