C'est la vie!

Hello friends. How was your week? Hope it was wonderful.
It's been pretty quiet around here at Slightly Off-Center headquarters these days. Life has been a tad unpredictable for me as of late and I'm finding it difficult to keep up with my little spot here in cyberspace. So, after some careful thought and consideration, I have come to the decision to give my blog a little rest. Oh, I'm not giving it up completely, just putting it to bed for the time being - there are some matters that I need to give my full attention. I need some time to gather my thoughts, reflect, and spend time enjoying my beautiful family. I hope to be back soon, and possibly be able to share some of life's happenings with you all when the time is right.

Thank you all for your support and devotion to Slightly Off-Center, and for your welcome, heartfelt comments, email and messages - you know, they do truly make me smile :)

Sending love, luck and happiness your way,

TGIF!

Wishing you all a warm and fuzzy Friday

and peachy weekend :)

Kokology - A Glazed Expression

It's Thursday and you know what the means? Yup, you guessed it! Time to play a little game of Kokology. If this is your fist time playing along, you can click here for the introduction to the game.

Ready to play?

{Book 2, pg. 23}Arts and craft class is almost a right of passage in our society, a grueling test of the human spirit in which young initiates strive to force rubber cement, pipe cleaners, modeling clay, and papier-mache to bend to their will. And few of us can claim to have managed to avoid the experience of creating an object--be it ceramic mask, napkin holder, or the obligatory ashtray--only to be confronted by and empty expanse demanding that you do something, anything, to decorate it.

A plain white coffee mug of your own design sits ready for the kiln and is staring at you in blank anticipation. You have chosen to use blue glaze; now, if only you could decide on the pattern....

Which of the following patterns do you paint in blue on the mug?

1. Stripes.
2. Polka Dots.
3. Checks.
4. Wavy lines.

*Reading this in Google Reader? Answer the questions before you continue to scroll to see the Key to "A Glazed Expression".

»Key to "A Glazed Expression"«

Blue is the color most deeply associated with the inner workings of the mind, from imagination to intuition to intellect. The white surface of your coffee mug provides a blank slate and give s your mind free rein to express itself in the most comfortable, natural way. In this sense, the pattern you selected reflects the structure and strengths of your mind in its approach to creativity and problem solving.

1. Stripes: You favor a direct and clear-cut approach, making you a keen decision maker able to resolve problems and put plans into action instantly. It's only natural that people perceive you as a leader and pillar of strength in difficult times.

2. Polka dots: Your strength lies in the adaptive, artistic nature of your mind. This may make you appear to be a little offbeat, perhaps even eccentric to some, but you make a real contribution to the world as a creator with a unique vision.

3. Checks: You excel at mastering the demans of the everyday, but in no way does that make you average or ordinary. Few people are able to organize their lives with such quiet efficiency. And the result of your efforts is that you always seem to have the time, wealth, and compassion to share with those in need.

4. Wavy lines: You gift is in generating an atmosphere in which it's easy and comfortable to feel and express love. It's not that you crave attention or affection, but people just naturally feel good about taking care of and supporting you. And all that goodwill has a ripple effect, touching the lives of those around you in subtle ways. Ask the people who know and love you--the world is a better place for your being in it.

Good Morning!

{Wordless Wednesday #51}

Visit Wordless Wednesday

This Weekend I

...turned down a shopping trip to New York. (I may end up regretting this)
...had fun shopping for fresh, local produce.
...was surprised by hubby with a new laptop. (awww! Such a thoughtful guy my hubby)
...installed some shelving in the home office.
...enjoyed a relaxing couple days with my beautiful family.
What did you do over the weekend?

Kokology - Where The Sky Meets The Sea

Haven't posted one of these for a while...
Who's up for a game of Kokology?

Read the following scenario and chose your answer from the list below. You may leave a comment with your answer or keep it to yourself , it's up to you.


(Book 2/pg. 61) There are breathtaking mountain vistas, sweeping metropolitan skylines, rugged tracts of forest that stretch as far as the eye can see, and gentle country landscapes dotted with fields and farms, but of all the scenic views in the world, none can stir the imagination and calm the soul like the unbroken line where the sky meets the sea. That blue horizon is a vast space inviting the mind to relax and unwind, to soar above and dive within, to dream...

You are staying at a resort hotel with ocean view. Lying on your bed, you gaze out a huge bay window across the cool blue waters, and lulled by the scene, you drift off to sleep. Which of the following view greets you when you awake?

1. A bright midday sun burning over the sea.
2. The dark ocean sleeping beneath a starry night sky.
3. A cool mist rolling in over the waters.
4. The sun just beginning to sink beneath the horizon at dusk.

*Reading this in Google Reader? Answer the questions before you continue to scroll to see the Key to "Where The Sky Meets The Sea".

»Key to "Where The Sky Meets The Sea"«

In myths and ancient religions from around the world, the sea and the sky are pictured as an eternal couple, forever holding each other in a loving embrace. The way you envisaged the scene out your hotel room window is your vision of the ideal relationship between two loving partners and shows the things you seek most from love.

1. A bright midday sun burning over the sea
Passionate excitement and intensity are essential to your ideal romance. For you, love isn't true love if it doesn't burn like fire, and if that means added danger, it always proves worth the risks in the end.

2. The dark ocean sleeping beneath a starry night sky
Others may think you're a little hokey or old-fashioned, but you place the greatest emphasis on things like commitment and faithful devotion in a relationship. Your love affairs may not set the sky ablaze, but they will never cause you any sleepless nights, either. And when other loves have clouded over or burst into flames, you will still be enjoying those nights of untroubled sleep-- together.

3. A cool mist rolling in over the waters
The line between friendship and love is blurred for you; the two inevitably flow into each other. Your perfect relationship is with someone you can tell your secrets to, share laughter and tears with, and just relax and be yourself around. You refuse to believe that your lover can't also be your best friend.

4. The sun just beginning to sink beneath the horizon at dusk.
You seek a storybook romance that inspires the world with its picture-postcard perfection. Everything has to be just right, from the meeting, to the first kiss, to the place settings at the wedding, to the house with the white picket fence. True love is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you see no reason to settle for less than the very best.

Side note:
Just the other night hubby and I went down to a favourite look-off spot where we often go for some quiet contemplation. As we were driving away I mentioned how lucky we were to live so close to such beauty. I could never imagine living in a place where I wasn't a moment's walk or drive away from the ocean.

What is something in your part of the world that you could not imagine living near?

DIY Jar Labels

I'm still looking for ways to personalize the new pad, so this week I came up with this idea to design and print labels for jars that I purchased for my bathroom cabinet. They remind me of the jars I remember seeing in the pharmacy and doctor office when I was a wee girl.

I loved them so much that I want to share them with you. I have included these labels and a blank template for you to download and use on your own jars.

Directions:

Download and print labels onto card stock -I used a metallic white cardstock. Cut and past ( I used double sided craft tape) onto glass jars or decorative bottles or vases. Jars and glossy cardstock are from Michaels craft store.

Download Bath Apothecary Labels
Download the Blank Label template

TGIF!

How was your Friday?

Here are some photos of the new house - still a work in progress.

{front entrance}

{living room/sitting room}

{dining}

{baby girl's room}

We are still in the process of adding some personal touches to each room. More photos to come.

September Melancholy

I could feel it and smell it in the air this morning as I stepped outside to see my youngest daughter off for her first day back to school. A few red and yellow leaves that skipped across my feet and the air had that distinct - change of season - scent, a reminder that fall is just around the corner. Yup, summer is drawing to a close and it will be soon time to start making plans for autumn, packing away the summer T-s, short pants and flip flops to make way for warm sweaters, fleece hoodies and jeans - as Don says... "I feel it in the air, the summers out of reach..." ( "Boys of Summer" -Don Henley).

September is a time for fresh starts. The start of a new season, a new school year, back to work, back to schedules and routine back to blogging. Today is my first post in over a month. I have been enjoying getting settled into our new house - lots to do still but I have decided I am no longer going to obsess over the little details and focus on a room at a time. It's unbelievable how much stuff we had squirreled away that we really didn't need. So instead of having a yard sale, we decided to donate all the furniture, clothing and house hold items to charity, and I am still sorting through boxes of stuff... one day at a time.

Thank you for all your good wishes during our move :)
It's great to be back!