Rainy Day

I love a rainy day. It lets me be lazy without the guilt. It's best when it rains all day, but a few hours will also do. I love getting out a book and reading while the rain hits the living room windows. I also love being curled up on the couch with a blanket covering me and a cat on my hip watching a good chick flick. A rainy day also gives my flowers and plants a much needed drink...and I don't have to do the watering! A slow steady rain during the night is the ultimate! Listening to the rain patting the roof lulls me to sleep and if I awake during the night, it is so soothing. We need a few more rainy days in the near future!

Time Alone

I treasure my time alone. You would think that as a single person, I would have a lot of time alone. Not so! I feel like I run, run, then run some more and I am never spending time in my house alone. I love to be alone, with a book, magazine, movie, or with just the cats. I hate feeling like all I do is sleep here, and that is how I have been feeling lately. Tomorrow should be a day for time alone. Let's hope!

Stress

In the life of a single woman in her 40's, how can there be much stress? I can't answer that, but I feel it every day lately. I am feeling pulled in so many directions lately. I feel like summer is running out and I haven't really taken a lot of time out for just me. That sounds weird in a sense since I just got back from vacation two weeks ago, but when you go on vacation with six other people when you are use to time alone, it's tough and I feel like I just need to be by myself for a bit. No people, no thinking about work, no yard, no cleaning, nothing. I can't seem to get away from my thoughts though. I guess I just need to picture Maui in my mind and maybe that will help. Let's see if it does. Picture it with me now........

ZZZZZZZZZZZZ's

Sleep.

Why can't I seem to sleep lately?

Stress?

Thoughts?

Tossing and turning.

Wake.

Doze.

Wake.

Look at the clock.

Doze.

Sleep.

7:00am awake!

Ugh.

Will it happen again tonight?

One Single Rose

I have never had a rose open as beautifully as this one. I was given this rose from a former student at Cabaret this year. The seniors give roses to someone special that is in the audience and he gave me his. I cherished that moment and brought the rose home to put in a vase. I never dreamed it would open as perfectly as it did. Another small gift from God that could be easily missed if we didn't stop to look at the roses!

On

7:00 am

One step at a time!

clothes-on
socks-on
shoes-on
Zune-on
music-on

On the road.
On my way to moving.
On my way to health.
One step at a time.

There are many different ways to get exercise into my everyday life:
mowing
cleaning
weeding
walking.

One step at a time!

Beauty is Right Where you are Looking

Beauty is everywhere in this world. From the majestic Grand Canyon and the red rocks of Sedona to the flowers you planted in your backyard. From a volcano erupting at night on a Hawaiian island to a vine pushing its way through the bricks of a sidewalk. From a giant tree in a local yard that has been there forever with it's new leaves opening in the spring to that same tree in the fall with it's leaves changing colors and falling to a fresh mowed lawn. I am trying to look for beauty in my everyday life. I look at the sweet faces of my Bella, Gabby, and Mackenzie and I see beauty. I walk out my backdoor and I see all of the flowers I have planted and I can't help but smile a little smile at the beauty I have added to my world. As I drive down the road, I see beauty in the architecture of the old houses that are all around. I thank God for the little bits of beauty He gave us. As we hurry through our world, we need to take a breath and look at the beauty all around.

Take the Steps

Take the steps can mean many different things. You can take it literally, and physically take the steps when you are going somewhere. It can also mean taking the right steps in putting something together...directions. I am trying to "Take the Steps" in my life. First, I am walking and trying to take "steps" every day. I may not go fast or too far, but they are steps that I am taking. I am also "Taking the Steps" when it comes my health. I am trying to take steps to be a more healthy me. That is a lot for me. I want to eat healthier, protein, fruits, veggies...limit carbs some if that is possible for a carb-o-holic! I am getting up when I awake rather than just staying in bed for hours. I an trying to not watch as much TV...damn those reality shows! I am reading more. Taking the steps, day by day, can make those changes that need to be made. So..."Take the Steps" "One Day at a Time."

Maui

There are so many places in this world to love. This is one of mine. Maui, Hawaii is a favorite place. Sitting by the pool watching the sunset over the Pacific...it can't get much better.

Mom is Always with Me

Whenever I see a Monarch butterfly, I think of Mom. She is always with me.

Family Vacation

It can be very tiring going on a family vacation when you are use to living alone...with three cats! The week leading up to the trip was very unexciting until I had to take my car in to have two recalls fixed. I ended up with a rental car! The recalls went great, but they needed to fix a "boot" under my left front axle. $320 later, it was fixed and I was on my way home. I kept hearing a strange noise and thought I was just crazy. I called Byers back and took the car back in and they heard it too. They had no idea what was wrong, so they kept my car and gave ma a Jetta to drive. I wasn't really happy, but I ended up liking the Jetta. Who would of thought?

I arrive to pick up my dad at 3:00 am...ugh...to head to the beach. We meet with the White family an hour later and we are on our way. Girls in my car, and boys in the other car...that was good planning! The trip down was uneventful. The condo was great with lots of room and the beach was spectacular! Who knew that in such a wonderful place, being around people 24/7 could drive you crazy! At least Tami and I got to have alone time. I complain about being single, but I need to remember to cherish those alone times when I can just sit and read with no interruptions or noise. When I can watch whatever shows I want. When I can eat or not eat when I want. When I can go to bed or get up when I want. I guess I am selfish, but after 43 years of being alone, it is what you get use to!

I know it sounds like I was unhappy on the trip. I wasn't. I loved it. We had a wonderful time laying on the beach, soaking up the sun and surf. I had fun playing in the water and trying to ride the boogie board! I loved going out to eat with everyone. We laughed and laughed and did some bitching on the side too. Who wouldn't with men there! The fireworks on the beach were great! (Even though we were nearly killed by roving fireworks!) Everywhere you looked along the shore, there were fireworks. Many memories were made and overall, a family trip can be tiring, but it is all worth it in the end!