Tweaking the Layout

As you can see, I am finally taking the plunge and getting a template. Thanks to the SSB for helping me get it up.

But as you can see I lost most of my sidebar. :(

But don't worry. It is an opportunity to start over! As for the blogs I previously linked to, if I see your URL in my sitemeter referral info, I will try to get you back in there. Please feel free to send me your URL.

Also I welcome all feedback on the new layout. Let me know if there is something you really like or don't like.

If you don't want to leave a comment, feel free to e-mail me at butterfly.wife.life AT gmail.com. Just change the "AT" to "@" and you are good to go.

And one more thing . . . . The inspiration for this comes from A Cup of Tea with Friends. I love her new layout. So thank you Rose_Michelle. :D

Trip to the Butterflies

Jack Bauer has been complaining that it is cold here. (I mean really, is 40 really that cold for someone named Jack Bauer?) So I took him to the warmest place I could think of: The Butterfly House. It is a tropical conservatory with as many as 60 different butterfly species. And about 1500 butterflies. It was about 80-85 degrees in there and about 90% humidity. After about 30 minutes, it was too hot.

But most importantly, I got photos. Nice of Jack to come home and bring his digital camera. (Maybe I'll get a digital SLR some day.) One butterfly landed on me shortly after we walked in and it stayed on me until we left. I had to shake it off so we could leave. (Can't take the butterflies with you when you go. Go figure.) I still haven't been able to figure out what kind of butterfly it is.

Oh, and I almost forgot. I found some new, small butterfly stamps to mark my cards to Soldiers' Angels Germany. Woohoo! :D

"What IS your thing with butterflies?"

Yesterday, Green commented: "I've always wondered ... what IS your thing with butterflies?"

I thought I would share my response up front in a post ... in case you were wondering yourself.

Green - Butterflies are a simple symbol of a profound transformation. That's what I have been through. It is my way of honoring my transformation. Honestly, I never thought twice about butterflies before this blog. Now, they are everywhere. And I love it. It symbolizes what I have been through to be where I am today -- even if today happens to be a particularly sucky day.

And just so you know, I am doing much better today. This is a tough patch of transition for me, but I think much of what I was going through the last few days was a bit of anticipatory grief. Wheels are now in motion. I might as well enjoy the ride as best I can. Right?

Butterfly Kisses from a Reader

Thank you, Bette, for sending me the link to the lovely picture.

From Shorpy.