Post Random Ramblings

So where have I been? The non profit work is emotional and hectic, but has many rewarding moments. I’m not sure this is something I will do forever, it’s already been about 2 years and feels like a lot longer, but I am taking it one day at a time.

Writing – I still write…I have about 3 chapters of a novel written, yes I’m still a bit behind on this, but have a lot more than I did a year ago! I’m slowly working on actually finishing this one! I have an agent I talked with last year that has given me the “OK” to send it to her when I’m done, so I’m pretty excited about that! My work is so stressful it’s difficult to find down time and focus on writing, but enough excuses!!! This has lingered far too long!

The gym – I have been going in spurts, but now that my mother in law has a heated pool (been open since end of March) i have been swimming more days than not during any given week, so that is going great, and toning up slowly!

My health is a lot better since discovering I have Celiac disease (I have an intolerance to gluten (wheat, barley, malt, etc.) but luckily I have an ‘intolerance’ and not full blown high allergic reaction). I have recently been going through some more tests, but feel a ton better than I did a year ago!

My sister is out of state now, but well within a weekend drive, so that is all working out (I miss her though).

Just saw my TN friends last month, we had a blast. We decided to meet halfway at a cabin and went on a wine tour (WOW that was fun), it was a short weekend, but we had a GREAT time, I love those gals!

more to come soon…

I have been getting up 20 minutes earlier than normal for the past several days. I know it doesn’t sound like a lot, but I have had less stress – no rushing in the morning, traffic on the way to work is less, getting in before most of the others is very nice. It helps me have a clearer head and better start to my day. I might work up to more time in the mornings and start doing my walking then. I have walked in the mornings before and loved it.

The walk in TN last Saturday was amazing. It was so quiet, so relaxing. The mountain view was amazing, the trees and sound of nature were encouraging and good reminders that silence and peaceful sounds do still exist!

I am flying to TN on Thursday to see my very dear friend there! I have not flown in a long time and I have not traveled alone in a long time. I’m looking forward to the silence and time to reflect during the flight. I am sooo looking forward to seeing my dear friends and renting a cabin in the mountains. I can’t wait to renew my spirit and laugh and relax with good friends! I’m coming back late Sunday, but even in that short time I’m sure I will have clarity, renew my soul, laugh until my side hurts, listen to nature, enjoy the streams and so much more. :-)

I can’t wait!!!! :-)

Going to take a brief moment and brag a little. We had a big fundraiser at work over the weekend. I donated a framed photograph and a photo session. I brought in $390 between the two of them for the organization! :-) YAY ME. lol

This was the photo I ‘blew up’ and had framed… :-) Hope they enjoy it as much as I do!

FINALLY bought a smart phone..mind you I had a phone that did not even have a camera on/in it. So now I have this ‘smart’ phone which I feel is smarter than me most of the time. It’s great, it’s amazing, but it’s overwhelming and almost unbelievable as well!

It’s a samsung vibrant. I was not really a ‘texter’ and now I even text my mom lol. I love the camera on it. I have not set everything up, but I’m learning…will post some funny camera pics here soon. :-)

I have stated many times I have the best sister I could have ever asked for. Another example of her caring and knowing me so well skills…Her gifts are always amazing and thoughtful. She does know me so well!

This year for my birthday she put together this little photo collage of baby photos (of me) from past bdays. Two of them had our parents in them; I still get a kick out of how young they were! I LOVE these type of photos and was doing a project on my own collecting some old photos and had planned on putting them in a frame…I had not told her about this project, she just reads me so well. :-) I am going to scan a few of the photos in and post them soon.

Our mother reads me well too actually. She bought me two poetry books. The weekend before my birthday I had gone to the bookstore to buy a Whitman poetry collection…One of our assignments for my class was to watch an education themed movie (I chose Dead Poet’s Society) and write a report…anyway that movie inspired me to dive into my love of poetry (since I have not practiced that love of reading for awhile!)...The book store only had Leaves of Grass, which I wanted anyway, but not a collection of poems. SO I had just bought that, but still wanted some poems, from anyone. Mom’s gift was perfect! And I had not mentioned I bought the Whitman book! If I had made a wish list…everything would have been crossed off. It was a great bday. OH and the night before my husband took me to the Brazillian restaurant I had been wanting to try for months, and it was sososo good. :-)

Happy Brith-Day to me. :) As I tell mom every year “Thanks for havin me”... :)

So, this morning on the way to work I noticed (for the first time even though I’ve driven this exact way for the past 9 1/2 months) a long, thin strip of grass sticking up out of the pavement in a side road I turn on right before the work driveway. Bright, beautiful green blades; little blades of grasss in the road. They found their light and fought their way to it; thriving in an unlikely location, against the odds. Inspiring.

HERE IS ONE OF THE PHOTOS…

One thing I love more than rain is when a rainbow follows it. Last night driving home I saw part of a rainbow and got all excited, I had not seen one in awhile…THEN I see the ENTIRE rainbow, only had that opportunity a few times, most of the time the ‘end’ is out of sight. SO I rushed home, grabbed my camera and jogged (well who am I kidding, I walked pretty fast..) Couldn’t get a good view of the entire rainbow (but have it logged in memory), but I did get a few good pics that I will post on here very very soon!

And yesterday I was so tired, not feeling great, a bit worried about the dr. appt. I had today…just not feeling good, but the rain, sunshine, and rainbow were beautiful distractions. :-)

It’s the little things isn’t it?

I would LOVE to go diving for pearls. And of course I want to be environmentally friendly; no forced farmed oyster pearls. I have tried to find some places online, but have not had much luck. I know there is a jewelry company that talks about the Sea of Cortez pearls “The Sea of Cortez Pearl is the only pearl in the gem industry verified to be cultivated and harvested under strict environmental protection and fair trade labor practices. This newly rehabilitated marine biology also acts as a source of economic wealth for this previously poor region in Mexico.”

Not sure if I will ever get to do this, but I would love to if the perfect opportunity came up. :-)

So I had an appointment downtown yesterday, near my old job. I am trying to take care of some health stuff before the new job so I’ve had quit a few appointments recently…details would require another entry from me I think!

Anyway, I was near the old job and the great co workers so I stopped by to grab a bubble tea (of course) and headed to the old job. It was so great seeing everyone in that environment, it still feels like family there, the building, the setting, and of course the friends.

We all sit for about an hour and laughed and joked and actually planned a short 2 hour overnight trip to a zoo and museum. That should be a blast! A small group of some of the most fun people I know. They truly are like extended family to me! I’m so thankful we keep in touch.