I'm one happy, happy girl. Beach in the snow!!! 

After spending 8 hours yesterday and 4 this morning working numbers for tax prep, I celebrated this task completion by hitting Horseneck Beach about 3:30 this afternoon with good friends. It was very cold...but made for a perfect long walk. Now comes the big job of editing 260 images down to about 20.

I love the stillness of snowfall. Even on a night like tonight when I can see the wind whipping the snow around, it holds the quiet. We live in a frenetic world and so cherish these moments. In snow, is Silence.

I had a what turned out to be a great gathering at my home on Saturday. It was originally a very belated try again bday party for me that morphed in an early birthday for Nicole and a condolence party because Anna had to leave her beloved studio and move into another space. Chinese food a couple blocks away and then dessert and drinks at my place.

Cake by Daved and Serena, flags made by D, S and me, pie by me and photo taken by someone else (not sure who!)

Probably one of my all time best gifts was when someone at the party exclaimed "I'm so glad you moved to Providence!".

These are all folks I've met in the last 18 months, except for Lewis who I've known for much longer, and am grateful to have them in my life.

Fun work incident:  I work with many people who have very thick south of Boston accents.  It's something I've noticed since I've moved to Providence.   My desk is next to a guy named Don.   There is a worker in the factory whose name is Dawn.  Sometimes, the operator will page "Dawn please call the operator".  Early on when I'd hear the page I'd ask Don "why aren't you calling the operator?"  He'd respond "because she paged Dawn"  

Me: "How can you tell the difference?  

Don: "It's obvious" he says.  

And we'd both end up laughing.

Yesterday I had nothing to do, so I asked the other 4 in my area "anyone need help?  I'm even up for doing something boring!".  Angela gave me a job.   As I worked through a list of UPC numbers on my computer I came upon a problem.  After some thinking I realized I could research using something Don has shown me when I've assisted him.  

I complete the job and hand it back to Angela, mentioning the fact that I was stumped in the middle but used something Don taught me.  She and two others in the workspace look at me, confused, and all say "Dawn?  When have you done work for Dawn?"  I look at them, puzzled.  "I've helped Don almost every week!"  They ask "but you haven't been introduced to Dawn!"

There was much laughter once we all realized what was happening.  It reminded me of the "who's on first" comedy bit because we went round and round for a while. 

(photo taken a couple nights ago on Broadway…next to my home)

Returned from NYC and fell into a crazy, surprising and delightful week.  And busy.  Very busy.  Here is another NYC photo.  This one from the Met.  I spent Sun, Jan 26th, leisurely wandering the Met…and for the first time with no agenda.  No blockbuster must see show.  It was a treat. 

Whenever I return to NYC a part of me feels I've returned home. My heart always leaps a little as I see the approaching skyline. It's strange...coming from the girl whose heart is also entrenched in the New England coastline. I am thrilled to my toes to be spending almost 4 days here, and doing so with a dear friend...an amazing painter, Sue Danielson.  It's art in the city time!

Another photo from my commute last night.  

I've been super busy these last few weeks.  Trying to get back into a routine but that will have to wait until next week because I'm away again this weekend.

Blizzard tonight.   My 20 minute commute took almost an hour and a half.  On the plus side, it's really pretty out.

Well…I had a belated birthday adventure planned for Saturday evening.  On Saturday morning I needed to cancel it.

Instead of outdoor ice skating, then walking for Chinese food, and then a short walk to my house for cake and fun, I spent the bulk of the weekend battling a nasty stomach bug.   Finally, after some organic ginger tea in the afternoon, I was able to keep some light food in my stomach.

This afternoon, although I'm feeling better, I've been drained.  It's been kind of nice to have free HBO this weekend because I couldn't do anything other than lay there and drift in and out with movies in the background.

I hope to reschedule for February.  And I'd rather not spend another weekend like this one.

Here is another photo taken on Sunday.  This was right across the road from the restaurant in Westport.   I love stone fences and had forgotten how much I enjoyed them until I moved to RI and saw them everywhere.

Taken while on my beach/snow adventure.  Such a great day!  

This my favorite of the 330+ photos I took.  I'm really proud of it. 

Today's adventure was a day at the beach.  I have ached to go to the dunes after a snowfall and enjoyed a couple hours with a friend walking the dunes and shore.  It was cold and wonderful.

I really am a beach girl...in all seasons.

Before spending an afternoon painting, I wanted to spend some time outside in my new snow boots.  I took a walk along the canal on this gorgeous albeit below freezing day.  

Taken yesterday evening before the big storm hit later in the night.

Part of today was delightfully spent with some good friends in their home.  Four of us, each curled up in our blankets, enjoying episodes of "Bomb Girls" on Netflix.  I've had it queued up for a while but had yet to watch it.  It's an excellent show.  

Phoebe, resident cuteness also part Boston Terrier and Mexican Xolo, revelled in today because she had a choice of 4 blankets and 4 pairs of laps.  She did hop around and enjoy all laps.

I made a choice to stay in this evening and be with myself. 2013 has been probably the most difficult and scary year thus far. There have been some amazingly magic moments tucked within, but the anxiety and fear would loom large.

I've had years involving deep heartbreak, the kind I wouldn't wish on my enemies, but…this, this was different. It wasn't about heartbreak which, regardless how brutal, we get through…in some fashion, even if a part stays with us. 

No, this year was about financial questions and wondering how I'd pay my bills and the low esteem that comes with rejection after rejection from sending out a multitude of resumes. Averaging 10 to 15 resumes sent each week, I received a handful of responses….to then be the "almost but not quite" girl. I didn't have a partner who could pay the bills while I looked for work. There were times when I'd have no idea how I'd pay rent. It's just me. RI has a rough job market. It affected me on a core level. It definitely affected my painting practice, which I'm struggling to regain. And yet...I knew I needed to trust myself...and all would work out, yet still made for many sleepless nights.

But now, I have a job. I've been returning, albeit slowly, to a more rigorous discipline of exercise and more importantly, to my painting. And, I wonder what 2014 will bring. I try to leave a few unopened presents for the new year. Anticipation. A little mystery. And patience. 

So tonight, I am thoroughly enjoying being surrounded by my deep red curtains and twinkly holiday lights. I chose to bake my mom's Toutiere (Canadian meat pie) and enjoyed it with pickled beets and red wine, then followed by some very nice chocolate that was gifted to me. 

It's a time of reflection and soothing myself after being battered around these last 12 months.

Happy and magical New Year to all of you!

The sheep ornament was purchased to remind me of the times I attempted to "baaahh" like a sheep and would fail miserably. And also the glee I'd feel when I saw sheep in fields.

The round ornament was my first ornament purchased in RI....last year.  It's one of Providence's iconic buildings on the canal at the mouth of the bay.  Like all my ornaments, they remind me of something.  And the fish?  I love the water.  Like fish. 

From my trip to Boston the Saturday before xmas.  Look at those orange feet!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Tonight, while going to get mail.  Photo taken at the yoga place next to my mailbox place.

Yesterday was a day trip to Boston.  After a delightful walk to the train station, I leisurely took my time buying my ticket, grabbing coffee and going to the restroom. Then I checked the board to find my track number only to discover it was supposed to have left a minute earlier. A guy raced past me and I tear off after him. We managed to hop the train with 30 seconds to spare, laughing and hi-fiving each other before grabbing our seats.