Here is something I wore today.

I have never worn much in the way of makeup.

When I was younger and my skin was pretty I only wore eyebrow pencil and a little lipstick.

After having babies, I started using a little light foundation just to blend the splotches, a touch of lipstick, taupe brow pencil, and mascara.

As I aged and my skin got drier, I started using a heavy moisturizer.  Still only using a little light foundation, switched to using a brow brush instead of a pencil - now in grey instead of taupe, gloss instead of lipstick, and because of my lash extensions - NO mascara.  I do wear eyeshadow to contour my sagging lids, and a smudge of liner on my lower lids.  It's sprunch spray for the hair, and fake perfume.  Always rings on my fingers, and earrings!

...and my boring black and white (o, sometimes I have some color) wardrobe.

This is the eye level skyline from my back door.

I love it.

The abundance of roses (have tons more than this shows) this spring make it especially pleasant to feast upon with my eyes and have that wonderful fragrance fill the air each time I open the door.

 This same skyline with the eye raised just a tad captures the beautiful silver dot of moon.  Heavenly little orb that fascinates and captivates me and sometimes won't let me sleep!

My niece and Dexter spent the last week at our house.

I love them both to pieces.

But...

O, how I enjoy the 

Peace

&

Quiet

when they are gone.

The thing that makes me sad is not being able to attend EVERY occasion that involves someone I love - whether it be lack of time, too far away, not enough gas in my car, a previous engagement,  whatever.  I want to go to every blessing, baptism, missionary farewell, wedding, graduation, birthday party, anniversary celebration, reunion (class or family), lunch, tea party, shower (baby or bridal) ...  I just want to share the time and let all those I love know how much they mean to me before I go (or can't) to their funeral.

CIRCLE

The first thing that came to mind was

but, then this picture popped into my brain

goodness knows why "circle the wagons" would come to mind.  However, there have been times in my life that it was necessary to get me through a trial.

...which leads to this

To be circled about with a loving family can't be matched by any earthly feeling!

...which leads me 

full CIRCLE

back to the Elton John lyrics of 

"Circle Of Life"

From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There's more to be seen than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done

Some say eat or be eaten
Some say live and let live
But all are agreed as they join the stampede
You should never take more than you give

In the circle of life
It's the wheel of fortune
It's the leap of faith
It's the band of hope
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle, the circle of life

Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with the scars

There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round

At 1 p.m. today I was reviewing my primary lesson for tomorrow.

Then preparing necessary visual aids.

Then the handouts.

And, I'm still  cutting out the handouts.  

I love my calling.

I especially love the children in my class.

(the whole dozen of them)

But, can I just say this ~

I really do not like cutting things out of paper!

Well, I went to sleep on the couch watching a movie with my girls, got up and went to bed without doing my blog post last night.  

You see...

being newly employed means

getting used to a new routine and it has not been a piece of cake for me!

Don't get me wrong - I am so very grateful for a JOB!

Because I am still in "training" I am being scheduled at various times to be able to work with different trainers.  Yesterday I had to be at work an hour before I normally wake up!

So, therefore the early bedtime!

...and missing my blogging time!

It's a fact

BLACK & WHITE

are predominate in my closet.

Today it was black over white with black pants.

Yesterday it was black over white in a different way - 

white pants & black blouse.

Black purse & shoes today.

White purse & shoes yesterday.

Kinda' boring.

Zzz Zzz Zzz

Looking down

the path I've followed ~

~ if I had it to do again,

I would maybe open gates instead of climbing over, or move the rocks instead of tripping.

Perhaps I wouldn't have strayed so far from center to see the mirages on the outer sides.

I've had some hills, and fences, and thorny places...

BUT

I know that I am wiser and stronger.

I've been humbled.

I've been led to restful places of comfort and beauty.

I know the way and am grateful for 

my Redeemer

who has prepared the path before me.

I am enjoying the journey and the companions I share it with.

AND

I prefer to look UP!

I'M GRATEFUL FOR...

AND

  

AND

MY NEW JOB

I AM TRULY BLESSED!