tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39062691847355192612024-03-18T08:49:32.716-06:00Life as I Know ItI like to write about the ordinary and the reality of day to day living. Encouragement at times, inspiration at others and when things get too hot and heavy ... something light and frivolous to release a little pressure.Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.comBlogger3618125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-21813460463008341732024-03-18T06:52:00.000-06:002024-03-18T06:52:33.739-06:00An Expensive Quarter<p>I spotted a quarter on the ground as soon as I took a step off our back door deck. One rarely finds loose change these days, so I held on to it so I could tell my sister of my good fortune during our walk.</p><p>We walked and talked, and talked and walked, as we always do. Then all of a sudden I slipped on a small patch of ice and my newly found quarter flew out of my hand. I still hadn't gotten around to telling my sister my most recent good news, so it hadn't made it to my pocket yet.</p><p>The moment the quarter skidded across the icy patch, I quickly told my sister why I was holding onto it. Of course I was going to retrieve my quarter (most likely my son's quarter, but we'll figure out custody at a later date). </p><p>My sister immediately recoiled. She thought I was going to break through the ice and land in the puddle of water which was beneath it. I was not afraid. Twenty five cents is twenty five cents. It was a lucky quarter and I went after it.</p><p>I made it back to the safety of the walking path and <u>then</u> I slipped. Allegedly, my head was mere centimeters from hitting the pavement, but that was lost on me. My glasses slipped and one of my lens' popped out onto the ground. </p><p>Oh well. Easy fix. I maintained ownership of the quarter (now safely tucked into my pocket) and put the lens from my glasses in the same pocket. Still holding my disabled glasses in the same hand I'd been holding the quarter (I didn't want to take the chance of bending the frame so I didn't pocket them). </p><p>You know where this is going, don't you?</p><p>You're right. Nearing the end of our walk, I decided to take the chance on putting the glasses into my pocket. As I did so, I dropped them on the icy ground. Undoubtedly, lens down. I'm fairly certain the lens is scratched. Hmphf.</p><p>All for the sake of a quarter. A rather expensive find indeed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYZQaNnDkBUVhRiqlO1Rok_epLVV8hSzp4PLSJZp471vyTFKPj8KQyLP1hSB3VQTtAvQVumxcQFrU6QyW4x4bVlXbHx1-c1hR3uZ7Lm15yOGoYAcB3it-udSH-W_ocYqDYgGmPkUumhpZ5RjciecO-ljfi8r7ItxuQ6s0obvtEHDJSki1eC7LiA7D/s4032/20240317_073004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYZQaNnDkBUVhRiqlO1Rok_epLVV8hSzp4PLSJZp471vyTFKPj8KQyLP1hSB3VQTtAvQVumxcQFrU6QyW4x4bVlXbHx1-c1hR3uZ7Lm15yOGoYAcB3it-udSH-W_ocYqDYgGmPkUumhpZ5RjciecO-ljfi8r7ItxuQ6s0obvtEHDJSki1eC7LiA7D/s320/20240317_073004.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>P.S. My knee feels bruised as well - but without the satisfaction of a purple and blue discolorment, all I have left, is the "ouch" of not wanting to kneel on that knee today. </p><p>I do feel fortunate I didn't land on my face though. It was a pretty cheap tumble after all.</p>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-77498031564771500462024-03-17T08:51:00.005-06:002024-03-17T08:56:23.452-06:00Hidden Blessings<p>Life threw us a few curve balls this past week ...</p><p>Our Senior Cat in Residence took a sharp turn for the worse one day. The vet cured his sneezing and excessive mucous condition, but almost immediately after he completed his dose of antibiotics things started to change.</p><p>I thought it was an side effect of the medication. I assumed once the antibiotics were out of his system he would be back to his regular self. I was wrong.</p><p>Litter conditions changed, there was another somewhat steep decline in food consumption. In the past, when one cat lost some weight, the second cat gained it. Total cat weight stayed the same. Food consumption remained static. This was not the case.</p><p>When the cat food started to last much longer than usual several months ago, my thoughts immediately went to the cost savings. Instead of going through one bag every four weeks, it was lasting five weeks. When my daughter commented on the recent decline in cat food consumed, along with our Senior Cat losing more weight, it raised alarm bells.</p><p>Then one day (it seemed suddenly, but in actuality it had been happening gradually for quite some time), Senior was laying down in odd spots throughout the day. The bathroom tiled floor, the bathtub and en route to wherever he was going. By nightfall, I noticed his walking was severely compromised. He was wobbling and could barely stand, let alone walk. My daughter had observed the same and we convened in the hallway where he stalled. </p><p>This was serious. It felt like it happened overnight (it didn't). I honestly wondered if he would make it through the night. My daughter slept with one eye and two ears open all night (she didn't sleep). He made it.</p><p>In unrelated events (but I promise to tie the two subjects together) ...</p><p>The next morning, our internet went out. Just as I was thinking how fortunate we were that the city was grading our back alley, POOF! Our services were cut (literally - the grader dug up our internet cable which had not been buried). After a phone call to our service provider and some troubleshooting, we were put on a two day wait list for a service call.</p><p>The perfect storm ended up being a blessing in disguise.</p><p>No internet = more family time<b> + </b>a sick cat = lots of desire to talk it through.</p><p>Long story short, we took our cat to the vet and her suspicion is our cat's kidneys aren't functioning properly. Blood tests will confirm or deny, but the cure's <u>starting</u> cost is medication at the cost of approximately $130 per month PLUS a new diet of special renal cat food. She did give our cat one pill which stimulated his appetite and the increase of nutrients definitely smoothed things out the past few days. But it isn't a cure. We firmly believe our cat is in his end days.</p><p>Our missing internet connection provided the best conditions we could wish for, as my ability to work was hampered and my daughter's desire to be on the computer was thwarted.</p><p>We talked, we reminisced, we simply sat with each other's company while enjoying moments with our ailing kitty.</p><p>It was the worst of times, but we managed to turn them into the best moments one could hope for under the circumstances. There can be small blessings buried deeply within some of the hardest of times. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2qCaXY-2GCLNtVYU-PXE8R_31IUkZhqI3zqtYFJtOUo9PV9S07byb3XrAJUJdIND14HpLb9ogunLDrgHYh3c7lBeykSvc5DzWy6FbLRSEfR2F-shtUMo_I-hH1gI4M-DpRFNXXrj7qLcaDSpovsfr0hzznvJ94LoORIzTMPVmqgzOouNm1dKzxqv/s4032/20240313_114742.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2qCaXY-2GCLNtVYU-PXE8R_31IUkZhqI3zqtYFJtOUo9PV9S07byb3XrAJUJdIND14HpLb9ogunLDrgHYh3c7lBeykSvc5DzWy6FbLRSEfR2F-shtUMo_I-hH1gI4M-DpRFNXXrj7qLcaDSpovsfr0hzznvJ94LoORIzTMPVmqgzOouNm1dKzxqv/s320/20240313_114742.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ray's favorite resting spot has been on the register of the bathroom for quite a spell now.<br />I added the comfort of the softest hand towel we have and he seems to appreciate my effort.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;">**Update - a recent check-in brought encouraging news. Ray seems to be doing well and appears to be walking normally. His blood tests are still pending. My hope is perhaps a change of "gold-nugget" cat food (Ray has been on an expensive special gastro-intestinal diet since shortly after we adopted him) may ease us through this next phase. Who knows? We can hope for the best...**</i></div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-57662705139954401842024-03-16T08:39:00.000-06:002024-03-16T08:39:03.808-06:00After the Storm - 2 Weeks later<p><b><i>Written a week ago (and abandoned) ...</i></b></p><p>A week after the storm has passed, it is looking a lot like Christmas around here. Christmas - with longer daylight hours, a warmer sun and spring not too far away.</p><p>We were fortunate my son dug us out with his skid steer. He made short work of what would have been more hours and muscle power than I can imagine. It was much of an issue as to where to <i>put </i>the snow, but the man-hours required to take on the job would have been monumental.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju950Mr1NKDulVwrbjsW6I9HJ7mKjSPXMK3ULn739fxOKSzj3P-c2EUxWE74Lz0fXP1Nn1D0oKD4PdelsX4PlQQpjjvxrPp3T8c_IL3hNZEp5FfZZEzL0BhrkIIMeNcTx5RffHV76gU47t-PriE9WFOpaVfxUnz4vS2-46bKgefNsYcaXU2jMSeOWf/s4000/20240304_162926.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju950Mr1NKDulVwrbjsW6I9HJ7mKjSPXMK3ULn739fxOKSzj3P-c2EUxWE74Lz0fXP1Nn1D0oKD4PdelsX4PlQQpjjvxrPp3T8c_IL3hNZEp5FfZZEzL0BhrkIIMeNcTx5RffHV76gU47t-PriE9WFOpaVfxUnz4vS2-46bKgefNsYcaXU2jMSeOWf/s320/20240304_162926.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The resulting snow pile in the front yard brought back warm memories of my daycaring days, when one of my dads (whose winter work included snow clearing and removal) dumped a load of snow for the kid's entertainment. Making the most out of winter includes snow forts, snow hills, snow-people, frolicking in snow piles and simply enjoying the gifts of nature.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8Pzv6fM3y3ZnHlGkrxNqTDM7QjrcXAxbfuZ0-S-NRN27kUdpdHxhWPZ5JvTIKhE2sjzj9ZIhuwfhDPN0Ha5MRBU9fJ0Dc5esO88ZzLfvEh66Ckitiv_JGpOTbTRjLDiQ7oQGh1rpz6kK9tf-KVHEoht99nPX-Qh17UBPhGY6pKuSu3PDpo_Gbvxl/s4032/20240304_160257.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8Pzv6fM3y3ZnHlGkrxNqTDM7QjrcXAxbfuZ0-S-NRN27kUdpdHxhWPZ5JvTIKhE2sjzj9ZIhuwfhDPN0Ha5MRBU9fJ0Dc5esO88ZzLfvEh66Ckitiv_JGpOTbTRjLDiQ7oQGh1rpz6kK9tf-KVHEoht99nPX-Qh17UBPhGY6pKuSu3PDpo_Gbvxl/s320/20240304_160257.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rabbit tracks in the snow bring a smile to my heart every time ...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2bBDmsWhy-NHaSxFOimPQ2wmDIKZnJV2-7rKebuDlpoVJ0fyIVvi_RHfFaC0jh3syd1tc0UDUaExkEOSfX2R0ASLtUo7knNBUjO4rjX0KTWAJQC3eXoIA8EwaZ16MvY7RSIPn_kF-Z2Ucv2cG0hoKiUJiPRpT_btdch-vp6v4-5wKhE7x5HuGhI4/s4032/20240310_113904.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2bBDmsWhy-NHaSxFOimPQ2wmDIKZnJV2-7rKebuDlpoVJ0fyIVvi_RHfFaC0jh3syd1tc0UDUaExkEOSfX2R0ASLtUo7knNBUjO4rjX0KTWAJQC3eXoIA8EwaZ16MvY7RSIPn_kF-Z2Ucv2cG0hoKiUJiPRpT_btdch-vp6v4-5wKhE7x5HuGhI4/s320/20240310_113904.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Two weeks later ...</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I abandoned this post in lieu of living life quietly and letting Mother Nature deal with the excess snow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I smiled when I spotted rabbit tracks on the mountain of snow in our front yard and was absolutely delighted when this happened:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hwOSpERvT1fogW40q62GV50nB1Wop3kvK5GuN20-RSILH-iGatU2i5VOuFmMX8rfPtmaIuhpbLqqPJExQUnMU5WNSXT-f_k4zLDayp4OprWOlTyxR-DsIRTb1cgTiHPvdAQ67FI5UVJifG-AWqSyQMkx5uKkp9Bsv1b5LjZYIEC9q2sXIEVOp5SW/s4032/20240313_134229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hwOSpERvT1fogW40q62GV50nB1Wop3kvK5GuN20-RSILH-iGatU2i5VOuFmMX8rfPtmaIuhpbLqqPJExQUnMU5WNSXT-f_k4zLDayp4OprWOlTyxR-DsIRTb1cgTiHPvdAQ67FI5UVJifG-AWqSyQMkx5uKkp9Bsv1b5LjZYIEC9q2sXIEVOp5SW/s320/20240313_134229.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdbpqnBlIBFGK7syRZQnOcb9R4ehakeKtArgy9VnJnRou9EiiDV42avnqh6kDP4ew5LJtLlurCPgPMM2bKSitOn2lLJ0cAMJ-ax3rAMsNQXK65RkgGORMrbNnopdtrzxakRFKEia1lcmJjwSyynaqYiuJNs2pxD2AWS1BGx7gGH9TCgA6e51OiXdM/s4032/20240313_134234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdbpqnBlIBFGK7syRZQnOcb9R4ehakeKtArgy9VnJnRou9EiiDV42avnqh6kDP4ew5LJtLlurCPgPMM2bKSitOn2lLJ0cAMJ-ax3rAMsNQXK65RkgGORMrbNnopdtrzxakRFKEia1lcmJjwSyynaqYiuJNs2pxD2AWS1BGx7gGH9TCgA6e51OiXdM/s320/20240313_134234.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Did you spot it? The rabbit hiding in plain sight??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVDL1CmxNbrnuEhB-_PnOjeYh3ZnGTxTzNGwIvTIezzVHA6habQhvQ1nLbpBgZk9n0i1TXAphIWUfXaE_mdsCcEz99EwMtKuN5j1mZ6WMfZO2qQZxiLaXKDRKFJWqINtIYjiuhS-9S1S724tS3IKJmk5tH0lewR4XBBUK_o2aU_AXb13p6W-PrNHv/s1691/20240313_134229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1691" data-original-width="1490" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVDL1CmxNbrnuEhB-_PnOjeYh3ZnGTxTzNGwIvTIezzVHA6habQhvQ1nLbpBgZk9n0i1TXAphIWUfXaE_mdsCcEz99EwMtKuN5j1mZ6WMfZO2qQZxiLaXKDRKFJWqINtIYjiuhS-9S1S724tS3IKJmk5tH0lewR4XBBUK_o2aU_AXb13p6W-PrNHv/s320/20240313_134229.jpg" width="282" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ahh ... the joys of rabbit-spotting. There is really nothing quite like it.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This winter station break was so much more enjoyable knowing it will all soon be gone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But I'm glad for the moments it brought to us, right in our own front yard.</div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-5383361697685656662024-03-03T14:34:00.004-06:002024-03-03T14:34:52.541-06:00The Storm<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKrnNjoNhDIjfnHrRSavDABsT6lx7NYZWXfxWgCsq-qqF1UI6BaorxKdwi8wZ9k4ViWWjLzWEa_BNsIEm13XSUSgIJF9uwB7wg0IFaeyki74sYzW1OyZGCp2QDBwvGFRDR7d1Gy3Lab5r96uDbrKrI-WsSkT3FXd75LmouPV8iFl-m9SjFncMQKO4/s4032/20240302_075203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKrnNjoNhDIjfnHrRSavDABsT6lx7NYZWXfxWgCsq-qqF1UI6BaorxKdwi8wZ9k4ViWWjLzWEa_BNsIEm13XSUSgIJF9uwB7wg0IFaeyki74sYzW1OyZGCp2QDBwvGFRDR7d1Gy3Lab5r96uDbrKrI-WsSkT3FXd75LmouPV8iFl-m9SjFncMQKO4/s320/20240302_075203.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKciapChn-qh3cQ0mSjnbkmeaqUYXPK1J66q2EN9G7IPvENZYLHyA9l0u4cLhGeKnoqnXb5JEHWRWshMTv3Ds6S-AcaUJcERO0fGTl96CQIwjGfl_3Oqs-zFD-DI2Uv9d3hx_q91IaGj68vZNMcKv9ST3xOi13_27il4Wbke7gZQ1RK3_sdRthim9W/s4032/20240303_104826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKciapChn-qh3cQ0mSjnbkmeaqUYXPK1J66q2EN9G7IPvENZYLHyA9l0u4cLhGeKnoqnXb5JEHWRWshMTv3Ds6S-AcaUJcERO0fGTl96CQIwjGfl_3Oqs-zFD-DI2Uv9d3hx_q91IaGj68vZNMcKv9ST3xOi13_27il4Wbke7gZQ1RK3_sdRthim9W/s320/20240303_104826.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Yesterday Today</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9hKcUZ7Uda4xfJTYED7bEt9gD9VMwjabj-WbvaXNbzBiPZXBksbK3M5GvW6Ns21aDdQWr8C6mSfaLzKMvqLRrAj20A7Xmu1n7hx2Sz979Ln4yIuiTGSJMh1MJ9SdF-vM_ff4tZuC_WePu27x5lwqoNmGS1EGXouzOUu_dyHqi1z6tLwGq-oZHvjo/s4032/20240303_120724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9hKcUZ7Uda4xfJTYED7bEt9gD9VMwjabj-WbvaXNbzBiPZXBksbK3M5GvW6Ns21aDdQWr8C6mSfaLzKMvqLRrAj20A7Xmu1n7hx2Sz979Ln4yIuiTGSJMh1MJ9SdF-vM_ff4tZuC_WePu27x5lwqoNmGS1EGXouzOUu_dyHqi1z6tLwGq-oZHvjo/s320/20240303_120724.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Presently</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiN3sspYCk6Hoeav-9HH8v2S4WtYqqxOh4Zl1NQ92hyphenhyphenM5pVXctxtH1AoKyp_kZ-sBE0Y2Av97gKKfPfodMRDYXS4toG9797V5K1clB9v3zMVdqMiQvqX4i9qY0QTqvbVMVnHifWi66-gJG_pgLfX4hXpgSKSLIzspg8zEDD-zUComDvtmp79sQxfL/s4032/20240302_075218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiN3sspYCk6Hoeav-9HH8v2S4WtYqqxOh4Zl1NQ92hyphenhyphenM5pVXctxtH1AoKyp_kZ-sBE0Y2Av97gKKfPfodMRDYXS4toG9797V5K1clB9v3zMVdqMiQvqX4i9qY0QTqvbVMVnHifWi66-gJG_pgLfX4hXpgSKSLIzspg8zEDD-zUComDvtmp79sQxfL/s320/20240302_075218.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yesterday</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aVxpxpXRnHGtpCnR_o0qaUN4zYBUh2yYDz79WkcWU1dNRqf29bjIssjexgxZZLjgN2-ayseGG3Qnc-nI_qLtLQXGaZfWjh0f5mysp14-QCE2lfQ7qwbYAEsSxwnTM7PALybYX56oJDmPMx174sYKjxNQ4KUcaSpm0qeBauABRObKxcyIngA2wHYQ/s4032/20240303_120704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aVxpxpXRnHGtpCnR_o0qaUN4zYBUh2yYDz79WkcWU1dNRqf29bjIssjexgxZZLjgN2-ayseGG3Qnc-nI_qLtLQXGaZfWjh0f5mysp14-QCE2lfQ7qwbYAEsSxwnTM7PALybYX56oJDmPMx174sYKjxNQ4KUcaSpm0qeBauABRObKxcyIngA2wHYQ/s320/20240303_120704.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Presently</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAm0l994Ls-SlCg8dgVItZKtNcXZsAJdz09pTb9DpnMe8epQbBdU-3sv7SWM-7wLJaChmtmrH-8OsYURcMRLeJRZ-FAlnwR_Cz8M8zTJsPFnep1YqPsWPwGmdCSydq-2wRB58wZYsUvjDob_dBMYmGX6Rw877gbYqn8KMxV9yiLbmz4VZZR6NsyXy/s4032/20240303_142514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAm0l994Ls-SlCg8dgVItZKtNcXZsAJdz09pTb9DpnMe8epQbBdU-3sv7SWM-7wLJaChmtmrH-8OsYURcMRLeJRZ-FAlnwR_Cz8M8zTJsPFnep1YqPsWPwGmdCSydq-2wRB58wZYsUvjDob_dBMYmGX6Rw877gbYqn8KMxV9yiLbmz4VZZR6NsyXy/s320/20240303_142514.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And yes ... it is still snowing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thankfully, reinforcements are coming tomorrow. I know a guy with a skid steer. Lucky me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-87388726271258452102024-03-02T08:03:00.000-06:002024-03-02T08:03:15.212-06:00The Calm Before the StormI am sitting in a warm, insulated, fully stocked bubble of joy this morning. Snow is coming. Lots of it. And I am all nestled in, in the way I aim to live every single weekend - no errands to run and everything I need is in the house or within walking distance.<div><br /></div><div>My small promise to myself is "don't drive on the weekend". It started when I spent a lot of weekends in my little oasis away from home. A small house in a small town where one doesn't need to drive anywhere. I would park the car when I arrived Friday night and it wouldn't move until I went home Monday morning. </div><div><br /></div><div>I loved the feeling of having a car available but not needing to use it. It took me back to my daycaring days, when I worked at home and everything we did during the day had to be within walking distance. It was the exact opposite of today's reality. The feeling of knowing the car is available but not utilized is a comfort.</div><div><br /></div><div>Suddenly, Mom comes to mind. When she gave up her driver's license it was an assault to her freedom. She drove only when necessary, her routes were tried and true, she drove only when driving conditions were at their best and only in the daylight hours. She drove so little, her car battery died on her one time. Yet - she knew the option to drive herself and be fully independent was available.</div><div><br /></div><div>There was a stretch of time between when she stopped driving and when her car insurance ran out, when she kept her car in the garage so it was still available for someone else to drive for her. I do believe being a passenger in her own car was perhaps one of her favorite modes of transportation. "Driving Miss <strike>Daisy</strike> Margaret" was a movie she often referred to, when it came to describing her ideal way of getting around.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is a great comfort to have all you need within the place you call home and know your independence is fully intact. It feels even better when you have the added insurance of knowing your supplies are fully stocked and everything you need to occupy yourself is within the walls you call home.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm feeling pretty fortunate this morning. Milk, toilet paper, grocery, home, cat and office supplies are in stock. The car's gas tank is full, credit card balances are all sitting at my favorite number in the world - zero. Library books and DVD's are queued up and ready to entertain me. I can finalize my taxes, finish organizing my office files, finish shredding the last of a very large box of personal shredding (and there is so much more where that came from!). I can work, I can play, I can write, I can read, I could call a friend. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is the calm before the storm. In so very many ways ...</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The before:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTM3W-qadVZzZD_zTdeuLM2gLkFz8Ca_P_tOu01iXB9w2DprO0KIe_ECwwxxrAOvP2D3eh1u0o2CralAhl_iUwr7DLm-b85XcR_ROZluq9UOTInfKsSSph8C86bu2jN6YyFO6xqqrQH0bIZYyyEpYOecCu7lmTRW4gsw47gllgrRJlin71fmVMDDHP/s4032/20240302_075203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTM3W-qadVZzZD_zTdeuLM2gLkFz8Ca_P_tOu01iXB9w2DprO0KIe_ECwwxxrAOvP2D3eh1u0o2CralAhl_iUwr7DLm-b85XcR_ROZluq9UOTInfKsSSph8C86bu2jN6YyFO6xqqrQH0bIZYyyEpYOecCu7lmTRW4gsw47gllgrRJlin71fmVMDDHP/s320/20240302_075203.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxCUOLNOaw8dHjkFqTx5ewW8NPJHp-h0lIH0ejSrMO0HfMae_UUojfBLC4ghr3DCaFV5WxX6TrqV-mHJe9uLc_pFHtupkd4IhsRVW7O46fZW156QA76ro2yeREd88ONB4VPFQ0jMTxNuj1YzqqDjuN3cR5iU170k34NlpxNImFQuowRPb3zjdN0M-/s4032/20240302_075218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxCUOLNOaw8dHjkFqTx5ewW8NPJHp-h0lIH0ejSrMO0HfMae_UUojfBLC4ghr3DCaFV5WxX6TrqV-mHJe9uLc_pFHtupkd4IhsRVW7O46fZW156QA76ro2yeREd88ONB4VPFQ0jMTxNuj1YzqqDjuN3cR5iU170k34NlpxNImFQuowRPb3zjdN0M-/s320/20240302_075218.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A foot of snow is in our forecast, so I will update "the after" very soon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The storm ...</div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-69324578548610433742024-02-14T12:05:00.000-06:002024-02-14T12:05:42.264-06:00Love is in the Air<p>I don't rabbit-watch much these days. If a rabbit isn't in sight when I gaze out our living room window, I don't linger like I did once upon a lifetime ago.</p><p>We haven't had much snow this year, so I haven't sprinkled grain under our tree to supplement the rabbit's winter diet. Without the rabbit-food nor snow to track their movements, all has seemed pretty quiet.</p><p>Snow did finally arrive and with it, rabbit tracks and evidence of rabbits circling our tree checking out the food supply (yes, I did sprinkle the grain when the ground was covered in snow). Even at that, I have only managed a few rabbit sightings.</p><p>I am fairly certain the number of rabbits in our neighborhood hasn't changed. The difference is the time I spend devoted to rabbit watching. As I quickly walk away from the living room window, I remember the days/hours/time I used to spend at the window. </p><p>"Hiding in plain sight" is what rabbits do best. I would stare into the winter scene and try to discern clumps of snow from rabbits. They look remarkably alike. I can loose sight of a rabbit if I take my eyes off the while they are on the move. Only to find them again, if they start moving.</p><p>While I miss those days spent at the living room window, I am frustrated at my new self. There is a hollow feeling inside of me that isn't patient enough to wait until a rabbit hops into view. Hopefulness and patience seem to be in short supply.</p><p>This morning, the moment I opened the blinds two rabbits were quickly making there way towards our yard. They had been startled by an early morning walker. They went off in two different directions as a strategy to keep at least one of them safe from danger. When the walker moved on and showed no sign of pursuit, they reunited very shortly thereafter, then hopped along down the street and out of sight.</p><p>The flurry of rabbit activity spurred me into glancing again. </p><p>This time, there were three rabbits on the move. Once stopped, the lead rabbit hunkered down and faced the other two. Hmmm ... was I witnessing a female with two male suitors? When one of the (presumed) males confronted the "lead rabbit" (aka: female?), she hissed at him and he backed off. The second rabbit did not take advantage of the possibility of him being first choice. They soon hopped away, the female still leading the way, started burrowing into a small pile of snow, but abandoned that idea when her suitors were still interested. Soon enough, they hopped out of sight and I don't know the rest of their story.</p><p>My rabbit-tale coincided nicely with the date. Could it be that I was witnessing a little spring rabbit-love in the air?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWm3g4ux9KYPF1LAzkjWSnei2yKeZBkKg8J6xJSQjfgqaH65o0ftBGKwx8rEP7lJQ9SQ8lNT6jICpEERS2ZObrtReD2okN5SlOSjTH3MnDW7Oa4DA0Hwq7hwqt_i8I9PIDmtPks4NsovYsh_S_EUnotERKvTeX0RlrbEGl9cQjr2vmh-wCpoc_cEx_/s4032/20240214_084039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWm3g4ux9KYPF1LAzkjWSnei2yKeZBkKg8J6xJSQjfgqaH65o0ftBGKwx8rEP7lJQ9SQ8lNT6jICpEERS2ZObrtReD2okN5SlOSjTH3MnDW7Oa4DA0Hwq7hwqt_i8I9PIDmtPks4NsovYsh_S_EUnotERKvTeX0RlrbEGl9cQjr2vmh-wCpoc_cEx_/s320/20240214_084039.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lots of rabbit tracks ... no rabbits in sight. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But they aren't far.</div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-51425612529772145382024-02-08T06:56:00.045-06:002024-02-08T07:17:19.591-06:00Delightfully Uncomplicated<p>As I sit here this morning, coffee at my side and a little time on my hands, life feels delightfully uncomplicated.
</p><p>There is no reason for today to feel different from other days. I simply woke up at my home-away-from-home and I'm ready to log another work day at my new job.</p><p>New jobs are fraught with stresses and complications. This is no different. The difference is me.</p><p>I'm taking a step towards my future. I feel comfortable. I feel comforted. I feel better.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I took a picture of our backyard and realized as I was taking it, the kitchen cupboards were reflected in the shot. It reflects a little of how I feel at the moment. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eyes on the present moment, while reflecting upon where I'm at and quietly plotting what I need to do to get here.</div><p></p>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-51884368839729713422024-01-27T10:01:00.001-06:002024-01-27T10:03:32.228-06:00Now What?I stumbled upon Brooke Shield's podcast "Now What?" a few days ago. Everything about it speaks to me. Starting with the title. "Now what?"<div><br /></div><div>That is exactly where I am right now. Purgatory. One foot in two different worlds. Each foot feeling solidly placed but the space in between (where my head and thoughts reside) is feeling torn and angsty.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thus, Brooke's podcast had me from the moment GO. All of her guests share a story of "Now what?" moments. That spot where you must move on from where you are. A place when life forces your hand and you must move onward and out of an existing situation.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have a good history of knowing what to do next when life forces my hand. It is entirely different when I'm the one who is navigating the course. Indecision, uncertainty and rerunning the same words and scenarios over and over in my head and conversations has become old. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm tired of the loop I'm in. I cannot imagine those who are listening to my repetitive conversations. "Make a move. Make a change. Make a decision. And act accordingly, Girl!!"</div><div><br /></div><div>The forward steps I have taken into my "Now what" decision feel right. I have a deep sense of feeling I'm headed in the right direction. Until I come back home. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is hard to move onto from someplace so comforting, familiar and full of good memories. It's hard to let go of something good and reach toward something new. Am I just running away from life-as-I-know it? Or walking towards a future I believe in? A little bit of both.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is the running-away-from element that haunts me. I know I need to let go before I move on. Letting go is hard.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now what?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCx_Zhub4cuK2Ne2PnVW9sAUHUU-IGlw1FXCSoCfcyDmf-3_5u3aavV-qSZFcGRkiSwdYBH5gr7RCPcryEUONwWcFbJ9NjxPjDH6DdTkdK0yr_6jhXlNRxI_ZLhyphenhyphenTGB7CyixYnu90YHxI9qslSCjSsrIKCMR9bGk9ozX0JzHQ2jaCB0EZ4vS4fzDK6/s2170/tempFileForShare_20240127-095700.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2170" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCx_Zhub4cuK2Ne2PnVW9sAUHUU-IGlw1FXCSoCfcyDmf-3_5u3aavV-qSZFcGRkiSwdYBH5gr7RCPcryEUONwWcFbJ9NjxPjDH6DdTkdK0yr_6jhXlNRxI_ZLhyphenhyphenTGB7CyixYnu90YHxI9qslSCjSsrIKCMR9bGk9ozX0JzHQ2jaCB0EZ4vS4fzDK6/s320/tempFileForShare_20240127-095700.jpg" width="159" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-77448649113861226432024-01-12T08:21:00.000-06:002024-01-12T08:21:05.163-06:00A Fresh, New DayI swear the phases of the moon have something to do with my coping abilities. Or maybe it is as simple as a few new worries added to my unresolved living-a-life issues.<div><br /></div><div>I started yesterday morning by writing down a list of the thoughts that were dominating my thinking. Recognizing the fast majority were "chronic" (ongoing, with no defined resolution in sight) with no new concerns added was something worth noting. More importantly, it was the three new topics added to the mix that was tipping the scales.</div><div><br /></div><div>I ticked off seven of the nine tasks on yesterday's list of tasks to tend, with a few extra sub-heading tasks within the tasks. Most importantly, it was managing my new worries that made the biggest impact.</div><div><br /></div><div>I made a few outbound phone calls. I made a few decisions. I gathered some facts. I ran all my errands while I was already out of the house. </div><div><br /></div><div>I did what was within my control. It all boils down to the serenity prayer. </div><div><br /></div><div>"G<i>rant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference</i>."</div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday morning, I wrote in bold felt pen "<b>No control</b>" after the "what then?" questions within my list of overwhelming thoughts. In other areas, I wrote "Action plan" when there were steps I could take to manage a concern - no matter how big or small. </div><div><br /></div><div>There is something empowering about those words - "action plan". The action could be as simple as finding out more information. Gathering intel to utilize at a later date. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8EyTP6yTuDFLktE5uCYBgxdHALLP6rUoQTnHgTwUsGuay4o8E91WqYBChNh4uqLqTelhLBEtjMU81gBVXwFbp0fFTM_fWZaRqDVdmIwy3tbeXUBPrM_DFpOfFY_fo9mXGghYXHJKxEZwbQonIL1iuN1yNWBcYv6ChHgTqIjX1LDFG4hXBDvh0nBh/s4032/20240112_072043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8EyTP6yTuDFLktE5uCYBgxdHALLP6rUoQTnHgTwUsGuay4o8E91WqYBChNh4uqLqTelhLBEtjMU81gBVXwFbp0fFTM_fWZaRqDVdmIwy3tbeXUBPrM_DFpOfFY_fo9mXGghYXHJKxEZwbQonIL1iuN1yNWBcYv6ChHgTqIjX1LDFG4hXBDvh0nBh/s320/20240112_072043.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">It's a fresh, new day. A clean slate. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And it is Friday!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm 63 years old and still living for the weekend.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm 63 years old and still living.</div><div style="text-align: center;">That is what is worth noting.</div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-72794719510833437122024-01-11T08:43:00.003-06:002024-01-11T08:46:50.435-06:00Spiralling I'm in a thought spiral this morning, so I reverted to my old ways of managing the words spinning around in my head. I grabbed a pen and paper. <div><br /></div><div>Seeing the words on a piece of paper has a way of taming them. You can see you aren't thinking about a million different things - you are more likely to be thinking of a small number of things in a million different ways.</div><div><br /></div><div>I started with the topic front and foremost in my mind, made bullet points about my thoughts, concerns, potential action plans and what was or wasn't within my control.</div><div><br /></div><div>I came up with eight main focuses of concern. Five of these are ongoing. Three are new. Some are inter-connected (ie: our cat's chronic mucous-spewing sneezing is impacting my house-keeping abilities). Money is a common thread throughout most of my ongoing worries.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fTwBQNBBemYLA19kOcd7RFyYAm2y0TMDyl-H3m5vaNpXASMWa_qtuRpZjhtcMGrr46vr5Vr9RRDeKLfhALNKrqY8fbdQLitwZ3kxIQcX7L1-ZQcE0eMv-6mdNTntkyGiEVEjzlQE6rfnwuqE9yjCd5koyT9mN7_v6Cvd2f0Dg4dBo-j18W2WllTD/s4032/20240111_083430.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fTwBQNBBemYLA19kOcd7RFyYAm2y0TMDyl-H3m5vaNpXASMWa_qtuRpZjhtcMGrr46vr5Vr9RRDeKLfhALNKrqY8fbdQLitwZ3kxIQcX7L1-ZQcE0eMv-6mdNTntkyGiEVEjzlQE6rfnwuqE9yjCd5koyT9mN7_v6Cvd2f0Dg4dBo-j18W2WllTD/s320/20240111_083430.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Note the white spots - I have discovered our cat's mucous bubbles up when sprayed with hydrogen peroxide. This is a section of the floor I washed up after supper last night. The knowledge that this is all over our floors, walls, doors and furniture is causing great angst. </i></div><div><br /></div><div>Work is taking up the number one spot of my anxieties, inter-connected with and followed closely by money. This is not a surprise. I have taken action and handed in my notice, which has compounded the troubles instead of lessening them.</div><div><br /></div><div>I started a clean page titled "TODAY". I itemized that which must be done, will be done and can be done today. </div><div><br /></div><div>Breaking things down into manageable pieces. It is about all we can do. It is what we must do in order to take the next step forward.</div><div><br /></div><div>I admit that "shower" is one of the items on today's to-do-list. These must-do items may be as small as that which, depending on the day, is a big thing. </div><div><br /></div><div>I endeavor to keep my regular list of must-do's pretty basic:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Get out of bed</li><li>Make the bed</li><li>Wash my glasses</li><li>Make my morning smoothie/coffee</li><li>Wash my smoothie glass/coffee cup</li><li>Clean cat litter/refresh cat water</li></ul><div>That's it. I make it a rule to keep my bed made, the kitchen counter and sink empty and clean, tend to our cats and THEN do one hard thing at a time.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Work is hard. Extra-curricular housecleaning is hard. Running errands, leaving the house, going to appointments are all hard. Some phone calls are hard. </div><div><br /></div><div>Lately, when the going gets tough, the tough turns on Netflix. So you know what? I gave myself the gift of one more month of grocery delivery. For the small cost of $9.96 per month, I can let someone else shop, pack up and deliver my groceries for me. Winter has finally arrived and our temperatures have dipped to -28<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">º </span>this morning. I will forfeit something else in order to allow myself this indulgence.</div><div><br /></div><div>What gift to you give yourself when the going gets tough? We all need a little something to pick us up at times. Give yourself a break today. You deserve it.</div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-91873613119349256372024-01-10T08:41:00.001-06:002024-01-10T08:54:58.180-06:00Life is a Puzzle<p>I have no idea what I'm going to write. No theme, no outline, no photo to direct my thoughts into one cohesive post. But I'm going to write anyway. It's been a while since I let my fingers do the talking. Let's see what they have to say.</p><p>I feel like I'm in a freefall right now. Parachute is not yet engaged, I don't see the ground, I'm just falling.</p><p>I'm looking for safety nets but unsure what to ask of them. I need to know they are there but I don't want to use them.</p><p>I feel like I'm falling from another galaxy, destination earth, ETA is six months but I don't have a map. I don't know what country I'm going to land in. Will I sink or swim when I get there?</p><p>Is there such a thing as a plan? I stopped planning years ago when life started doling out surprise detours on a rather regular basis. I could hear the snide voice inside my head snicker, "<i>So you think you can plan, huh? Heh, heh, heh!</i>"</p><p>Life is a puzzle. It starts out with about 5,000,000,000,000,000,000 pieces (or more). One by one, little pieces fall together. </p><p>As an infant, someone else is in control of finding all the edge pieces and creating some groundwork and boundaries. </p><p>As a toddler, you find a few fun, challenging and interesting parts of the puzzle and start putting together the easy parts. </p><p>Teen years? You start looking at other people's puzzles, try forcing your puzzle pieces to fit in. </p><p>Adulthood arrives and you only see a pile of pieces, not yet sorted into manageable colors and themes. The puzzle is overwhelming, so many choices, too much/too little direction. You are an adult. You should be able to figure out this puzzle of life and it may feel like you aren't ready. Or you feel like you are ready and you start off with the pieces that didn't fit in with the whole picture yet. </p><p>You start trying to fit yourself into someone else's puzzle. Find the connecting pieces. Find a way to fit in. You may abandon your own puzzle pieces altogether, as someone else's puzzle looks like a better fit. Mixing up multiple puzzles becomes an onerous task. It is only after multiple attempts, when you realize you have to work on your own puzzle, do the best with what you are given, accept and nurture what you have first, foremost and always.</p><p>Many a lifetimes are spent within our own lifetime, finding the right piece to make sense of the unfinished picture. We build up one part of our puzzle to discover there is so much more to decipher.</p><p>When we are fortunate, we find little bunches of "easy" pieces. The pictures our eyes pick out and focus on. Our passions. </p><p>Family is trickier. They are mixed in with all the zillions of puzzle pieces. They are familiar but they morph and grow and evolve over time so it's a challenge to find how those pieces fit into the puzzle of life. </p><p>Homes, jobs, teachers, bosses, bullies, caregivers, friends and all the supporting cast within your life. Some of those pieces are a one time event, others carry forward throughout your puzzle of life. A common thread, a theme, encouraging words, hurtful exchanges, tough learning experiences, heart ache and heart break. It's all there, mixed up in those trillions of pieces left to piece together. </p><p>The sky, the trees, the water - always there. Tough to decipher pieces that appear to be identical until we look at them close up and figure out how they fit into the entirety of our picture. Faith, health, inner peace, the air we breath in and out every day. All around us, invisible to the eye. </p><p>Each day, framed by the monotony of life - eating. sleeping, making the bed, cooking, working, caretaking, house and yard maintenance, paying the bills, cleaning the cat litter. The repetition, the necessity of the daily grind that is the structure and constant within the whole. </p><p>We spend our lifetime working on our puzzle. In search of a missing piece. Trying to fit in. Finding a piece we aren't ready for yet but not wanting to abandon it. The discovery that the piece that doesn't fit is from someone else's puzzle. Separating your parents/siblings/partners/children/friends puzzle pieces from your own, while incorporating a portion of their pieces into your picture. Attempting to visualize the entire picture.</p><p>Then comes a time when your pieces are dwindling. You know you have a finite amount of time to piece it all together. How do you make some pieces (safety/security, home, health, money) last as long as it takes before your puzzle is complete, when you have no idea how many pieces are left?</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGMXQywKX7sO56udzVQQDNqMNfpyhK_P408AJonEcXFDu9WlSM5pZolPcLKEu1_jGysIthC7laJ2ZjNF_orUj8TZ06yWRQA7GL3RVHl5yubVc2nu-LZP2OeeoE3WsHuclWAJNM_BQtbVYGXQ6rCAo69Q7vHNq4CY8BhQnJ2m4Lx9hkCS6B_MdKEXEA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="977" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGMXQywKX7sO56udzVQQDNqMNfpyhK_P408AJonEcXFDu9WlSM5pZolPcLKEu1_jGysIthC7laJ2ZjNF_orUj8TZ06yWRQA7GL3RVHl5yubVc2nu-LZP2OeeoE3WsHuclWAJNM_BQtbVYGXQ6rCAo69Q7vHNq4CY8BhQnJ2m4Lx9hkCS6B_MdKEXEA" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Puzzling, isn't it?</div><p></p>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-59479283513245462892024-01-06T06:18:00.003-06:002024-01-06T06:18:26.922-06:00A Little Moment of Awesome<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I woke up before 4:30 this morning and stayed awake. These bonus hours are a gift to myself today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It snowed yesterday. The first substantial snowfall of the year. And it was good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I put in a solid day of bookkeeping work and though my brain was done thinking at the day's end, it was truly refreshing to go outside and shovel. It was the right amount of cold. Not too cold, not too warm ... it was the "Goldilocks Zone" of being just right.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkwo0W9Kmg0KZ_6rPr2oTqDVYb9sqthZEpfGjwW3HV35oxwB7eQGfJxX3nV-fnnIEpL6RJP7nLqc8B_7Ozs-CQLmzlumYXdkCE2e09adjgA2QbOsGUAHn_t3KAfd-RocifayGvkuD0lRm-t1mYtxfUno7DvFQXyxXSCY9tNuHnInZtxzhMbapzJ5T/s4032/20240106_054846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkwo0W9Kmg0KZ_6rPr2oTqDVYb9sqthZEpfGjwW3HV35oxwB7eQGfJxX3nV-fnnIEpL6RJP7nLqc8B_7Ozs-CQLmzlumYXdkCE2e09adjgA2QbOsGUAHn_t3KAfd-RocifayGvkuD0lRm-t1mYtxfUno7DvFQXyxXSCY9tNuHnInZtxzhMbapzJ5T/s320/20240106_054846.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last year I didn't bother bringing out anything pertaining to Christmas. I wasn't all bah-humbug about it. I simply didn't see the point. No company was expected, nor did the idea of changing the scenery to reflect the season bring me joy. So I didn't decorate. The end.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This year, I invited friends over at a pre-seasonally-appropriate time. It wasn't too early to decorate and I had the incentive required for me to take on the task. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I felt joyful and light as I brought out my box of memories. I was delighted while adorning my corner shelf with stories of Christmases past and pleased with the result.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is January 6th and I am still enjoying the white light, memories and peaceful easy feeling my little Christmas corner brings to me. The decorations consist mainly of angels, snowmen, pine accents, sleighs and pinecones. I am now officially dubbing it my "Winter Wonderland" corner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5A3vDtxmlpcCwVn429vWyiDc-gQWcoyZHyS6vt1jt3CfLVhDzoXK2hhUr2_voU29boC8BToUela9ZZv_rFQ7Po5PTjaGPd_Baw0MGP2n5LhfjUQaxnVndOYXa6kzI6fuxrJDXRP8GX1F99yYhL8GSVYHTYGQguUnDAbG22HVdcfCB2ChWxcpCs3nI/s4032/20240106_054823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5A3vDtxmlpcCwVn429vWyiDc-gQWcoyZHyS6vt1jt3CfLVhDzoXK2hhUr2_voU29boC8BToUela9ZZv_rFQ7Po5PTjaGPd_Baw0MGP2n5LhfjUQaxnVndOYXa6kzI6fuxrJDXRP8GX1F99yYhL8GSVYHTYGQguUnDAbG22HVdcfCB2ChWxcpCs3nI/s320/20240106_054823.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I feel serenity within me this morning. I'm just going to coast a little while on this feeling. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Life is fleeting. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Please savor those little moments when you find them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>P.S. There were rabbit tracks in the snow. Oh, how I have missed my rabbit friends. They can come out of hiding now, as their winter white coats will finally blend into the scenery so they can hide in plain sight again.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Little things...</i></div><p></p>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-73491361245056380232024-01-05T09:52:00.007-06:002024-01-06T05:27:01.608-06:002024 Price Check<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't know which obsession is taking up the most space in my brain - new calendars for the year 2024, or the ability to check prices over the course of the past few years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My calendar needs are pretty basic. One wall calendar for personal use; one desk calendar for business use; one daytimer for business use. Amen. End of story. End of my needs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have received a wall calendar annually thanks to being on a high school reunion mailing list. It is the perfect size; the boxes allow enough room to make notations; and it is FREE. It wins first prize for all my needs. The only pitfall is it didn't arrive until the last week of December, so I panicked and picked up a calendar for $1.25 at the dollar store. It was much bigger than needed, took up too much space on the wall and (worst of all!), I spent $15.54 on unnecessary chocolates and treats when I bought my cheap calendar. I wasted time and money on an unnecessary purchase. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhBj4k1NeTKogo3oCvT6OzaTyg0P8SSJgI8bi2BeGi1n6E5KR0bYe0ct_MyBFGJoTM_8jSoxoW3Bc7UjcV6Hsr1frMvn5xY6Nanf5gOG6hlgeHxhYfk93Sctp3wg09R0CCMMI3TIekE8XUXGdwMy2yXQjnZLAGWk__jSodXJ8GM5EtS5OqqbHUvcI/s4032/20240105_082848.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhBj4k1NeTKogo3oCvT6OzaTyg0P8SSJgI8bi2BeGi1n6E5KR0bYe0ct_MyBFGJoTM_8jSoxoW3Bc7UjcV6Hsr1frMvn5xY6Nanf5gOG6hlgeHxhYfk93Sctp3wg09R0CCMMI3TIekE8XUXGdwMy2yXQjnZLAGWk__jSodXJ8GM5EtS5OqqbHUvcI/s320/20240105_082848.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Calendars to the left - total cost $7.75 + taxes + <b><u>$95 (!!)</u></b> <b>extracurricular spending</b> while in the dollar store in search of a bargain priced calendar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Calendars to the right - <u style="font-weight: bold;">FREE!!</u> delivered to me in the mail, with no added costs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Meanwhile, my obsession with the higher costs of living these days had me comparing prices between calendars purchased over the years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0EqD0rTkkTBCbxcXW1V85WFbyIKAD1aUAEA9iwDetzzUHwz9-2-q5Aqxzw06tp7cSRkJWirK1Dw4QlNZWLzBj4AQuB8v9UXg9_D9hpCfVMB_mDXd37ErXvc3lxr4e-UxLAdpIuQfBY_ArIuTk6v7d0qAMvtYNViIke2UAwUZLUeHOOP6iZba-GR0/s4032/20240103_084956.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0EqD0rTkkTBCbxcXW1V85WFbyIKAD1aUAEA9iwDetzzUHwz9-2-q5Aqxzw06tp7cSRkJWirK1Dw4QlNZWLzBj4AQuB8v9UXg9_D9hpCfVMB_mDXd37ErXvc3lxr4e-UxLAdpIuQfBY_ArIuTk6v7d0qAMvtYNViIke2UAwUZLUeHOOP6iZba-GR0/s320/20240103_084956.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2023/2024 - $1.50 NO increase</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEI1UxIKDGffvJ6u4i7gTEqa_FocO3L8NDCRQ1zB6ep4rNmcY69bRVhV3CX4kqLfWBD6Pu0mt3HgM-pLuEtXutTBGOMo8BcRahSdHh-zvHA0XEoqpCNKOaEr2geIRzFjf8XuGd1rW8cviTupgY-KZ_udUUGHnp7TyTKxLs_sSSpu8O2EK0PHCm1GcI/s4032/20240105_085106.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEI1UxIKDGffvJ6u4i7gTEqa_FocO3L8NDCRQ1zB6ep4rNmcY69bRVhV3CX4kqLfWBD6Pu0mt3HgM-pLuEtXutTBGOMo8BcRahSdHh-zvHA0XEoqpCNKOaEr2geIRzFjf8XuGd1rW8cviTupgY-KZ_udUUGHnp7TyTKxLs_sSSpu8O2EK0PHCm1GcI/s320/20240105_085106.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2022/2023/2024 - $3.50 NO increase</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The moral of the story seems to be:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> "Keep some prices the same to lure customers into the store and spend their money on impulse buys".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They got me hook, line and sinker. Fool me once - shame on them. Fool me twice (or three times, as I am almost certain I didn't buy the 2022/2023 calendars without overspending) shame on me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know better. In 2024, I will try harder.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The only consolation I have, is the number of times I talked myself out of take-out, which most likely countered the impulse purchases (aka: cookies, chocolate & chips - the 3 deadly C's). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My average monthly take-out spending has decreased by $100 monthly since COVID (yes, I keep track of these things), </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">so all things considered my obsession with calendars over the years probably balances out in the end.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just my meandering thoughts this morning. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Carry on!</div><p></p>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-84949929762152818582024-01-03T08:58:00.003-06:002024-01-12T06:33:50.295-06:00Six Months <p>Back to work. Back to my previously scheduled life. Back to the same old, same old.</p><p>As much as I love routine, the comfort of knowing my job well and all the benefits of working from home ... this part of my life is winding to a close. Six months. I gave notice last year. I now have six months to wind things up and pass the torch.</p><p>This knowledge should have me kicked into high gear right about now but I'm feeling overwhelmed. I am missing my teacher/my boss/my colleague/my support/my guiding light. </p><p>If she was sitting in the office beside me, she would have a to-do-list written up and a timeline and outline of what must be done. I can do that. I am capable and her words still guide me.</p><p>My work situation prior to COVID was becoming unmanageable. Working from home bought three more years of employment than I would not have been capable of, if nothing had changed. </p><p>I am grateful for that time, the experience I gained, the financial security of a regular pay cheque and the comfort of staying with a job I know well.</p><p>Now that there is an end in sight, I ponder the wisdom of waiting so long. There is no going back. Forward is the only option. Forward is good. Forward is a tad frightening.</p><p>Six months from now, the goal is to be living in my little oasis home away from home. The intention has been set. The path has been cleared. I have found employment in my new-to-me town. It is as simple as packing up my home and office, then passing my responsibilities over to the next generation.</p><p>July 1, 2024 ... oh, how I wonder how my life will look in six short months...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6T8GQDPK_z25ZbcoA-LZpYLnGZGfyIJlmDPQ2tp_iwfgLG-TwjtGUvgOUDv93faE0_-1MX0pHTSiGNYeTgcJZmyPtT-g43Qlc6puHBUDV60O18zoO9rqcd7j6MTZI9euZ0EcBWninfmmIgOMhKICUsrEOd8OOoap0C3d1XykIg5LQTw24ifXJopqR/s4032/20240103_084830.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6T8GQDPK_z25ZbcoA-LZpYLnGZGfyIJlmDPQ2tp_iwfgLG-TwjtGUvgOUDv93faE0_-1MX0pHTSiGNYeTgcJZmyPtT-g43Qlc6puHBUDV60O18zoO9rqcd7j6MTZI9euZ0EcBWninfmmIgOMhKICUsrEOd8OOoap0C3d1XykIg5LQTw24ifXJopqR/s320/20240103_084830.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An empty calendar page at the moment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>It holds the potential for oh, so many things.</i></div><p></p>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-57768977406592089102024-01-01T08:20:00.007-06:002024-01-01T08:20:52.322-06:00HappierI stumbled upon Oprah and Arthur Brooks book "Build the Life You Want" yesterday and immersed myself in the three part YouTube discussion between Oprah and Arthur on their book. <div><br /></div><div>I rarely buy a book these days, much preferring to borrow from our local library. But this was an exception. I have a feeling this could be one of those books I want to share with the world around me. It feels as though it could be a reference guide to "happierness" - a word Oprah coined and Arthur concurred it described the concept best.</div><div><br /></div><div>The quest for happiness is elusive and one never attains the goal and keeps it. Life ebbs and flows. We can't be happy all of the time but we can hope to feel happier. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is a book about the art and <b>science </b>of getting happier. Arthur is a professor who teaches a class on the subject. He speaks in a language I feel my most discerning child would hear. </div><div><br /></div><div>The conversation spoke to everything I am feeling and living these days. I have already suggested watching it together with my daughter, as it seems like this could be a good reference for her. And she did not shoot down the idea. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have hope. Renewed hope that the science of becoming happier may be the fork in the road most needed right now. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_JR0zPLO1vgKPgYVsWaDcWKnmjaZBYR6ZkWi8ego2CfKoU7U2CXyr8O3pbrRsjeVIRuKyLfs2p7cfVl5SSOhxWI32sqYnywyflFfJYmm_C9NK4FQ1IqIOaSXVA7Q0HMPA5fqRF27D2vGEE60GYOSFpzs7JfqD3UHjnUkrmxL8-2CMg9X5i-PLKXJ/s4032/20240101_080655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_JR0zPLO1vgKPgYVsWaDcWKnmjaZBYR6ZkWi8ego2CfKoU7U2CXyr8O3pbrRsjeVIRuKyLfs2p7cfVl5SSOhxWI32sqYnywyflFfJYmm_C9NK4FQ1IqIOaSXVA7Q0HMPA5fqRF27D2vGEE60GYOSFpzs7JfqD3UHjnUkrmxL8-2CMg9X5i-PLKXJ/s320/20240101_080655.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wishing and hoping for a hopeful, happier New Year to all! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our world could use a dose of happierness...</div></div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-62941940770758378572023-12-31T10:33:00.003-06:002023-12-31T12:48:52.747-06:00Tiny Habits<p>It is pure coincidence I have found the desire to write out loud on the day of New Year's Eve. It is even more coincidental I want to write about habits. </p><p>First off, I have recognized an ache within myself I've been filling with food, Netflix, purging on TV series, scrolling, inactivity and simply not being as productive as I am capable of being. </p><p>I have developed an unhealthy relationship with food, TV, cell phone and the ache I feel for isolation. I know I can't solve everything at once but I can tell the essence of "me" is ready to receive direction towards a better way.</p><p>I came upon this blog post <b><u>"<a href="https://bemorewithless.com/tiny-habits/" target="_blank">Tiny Habits</a>"</u></b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span>(bemorewithless.com) many days ago. It spoke to me in a way few things have penetrated my thoughts lately. I scribbled down a few points on a scrap of paper:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>change morning routine - write; read &/or breathe deeply (meditate??)</li><li>movement breaks - every 1 - 2 hours</li><li>gratitude journal</li><li>read</li><li>tackle one decluttering task for 15 minutes</li><li>walk after meals</li><li>ONE line a day journal</li></ul>This sounds so simple, I thought I should start all of the goals immediately. Then decided otherwise, as I would prefer to add one new habit at a time. So I moved the scrap of paper around daily and changed nothing, other than "drinking more water" (the <b>one</b> new habit I've been diligently maintaining, which is making the "<strike>bathroom</strike> movement breaks" goal very attainable). <p></p><p>If I do nothing else, it is my hope to incorporate gratitude and ONE line-a-day that made an impact on me, onto this blog so I can attempt to get back into the habit of writing.</p><p>I have missed finding my own answers as I let my fingers fly over the keyboard and write the words that are swimming around aimlessly in my head and make sense of them as they formulate a blog post. I start writing and allow distractions into the room and lose my way. </p><p><i>I have made myself a sandwich; took a picture and emailed it to myself; responded to a text message; washed this morning's coffee cup and arranged all the ingredients I need to make hamburger soup on the counter after I wrote down the bullet points I hoped to write about this morning.</i></p><p>Distraction is high on the list of habits I want to change as I feel the yearning inside of me to do better, be better and live better than I have been.</p><p>I'm not going to make specific goals. I want to alter my habits. Rome wasn't built in a day. ONE step at a time. I can do better. I want to <i>change </i>one bad habit at a time.</p><p>Today's challenge? Paint the inside of the cupboard under the sink. I have readied the area and opened the cupboard so the cats can investigate to their heart's content before there is wet paint to contend with.</p><p>My intention is set. And I've added a hearty, homemade soup to my agenda to appease my insatiable appetite. I want to curb my appetite with nutritious food - not the McDonald's meal I am truly craving. </p><p>Junk food satisfies a craving. Nutritious food satisfies a body's needs and lasts longer (if one doesn't eat 5 cookies in quick succession after eating a meal). Pause. Let my brain realize my stomach is full before purging on sugar for (yet another) quick fix. </p><p>ONE step at a time. One step in a forward direction. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBDe-AS88MbXnAZmLLBS_nxy-HKxCvu0ueTkL4nd_pTNmikogAk0la5-nmOH8_11Brej_qdtAdtDipy2nVNZgUjKeQw5niZ6IbNQJYHShf00Yh7vziByZAYafS6ES5wj_xw07J6kH-9UAplZBntDEoFTln1-EUGkTnNCgxJ8Nv0QpnXaejOX3P2k0/s4032/20231231_094233.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBDe-AS88MbXnAZmLLBS_nxy-HKxCvu0ueTkL4nd_pTNmikogAk0la5-nmOH8_11Brej_qdtAdtDipy2nVNZgUjKeQw5niZ6IbNQJYHShf00Yh7vziByZAYafS6ES5wj_xw07J6kH-9UAplZBntDEoFTln1-EUGkTnNCgxJ8Nv0QpnXaejOX3P2k0/s320/20231231_094233.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today's Goal</td></tr></tbody></table>Update (2 hours later):<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5__NfZLr_OLMrv0jAPAzrYrnsNgEljuc7qVrBPsyCWxk7ogR3wAMbYocbQTHAwyrxR8IYzb_Ibscz0AgNf_bJ5FI5q4rvctkEmtnInO9toxhguF4uZoEjFhpgzay3GN6wXTWU7oFVanhRt_CyXoqnvoZvHq0gyXgeMACl_CcI1WYXNGBWM04VRl9l/s4032/20231231_122826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5__NfZLr_OLMrv0jAPAzrYrnsNgEljuc7qVrBPsyCWxk7ogR3wAMbYocbQTHAwyrxR8IYzb_Ibscz0AgNf_bJ5FI5q4rvctkEmtnInO9toxhguF4uZoEjFhpgzay3GN6wXTWU7oFVanhRt_CyXoqnvoZvHq0gyXgeMACl_CcI1WYXNGBWM04VRl9l/s320/20231231_122826.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwswccJrDTCmko0UL0i-RMsj4J7NViDgCGQfHhAJfhRLJ2lwsYSQbJIpzzK-eEaEpiHKoEUK0EM0TRvss7QwOitnaIe6sTmbaSTpxOX481lc8AVtzp69qWBuvz4wYr26qxBVlYZ4_xGWvKOSL6qYlZuDUotakAIB9xLP0A5O2Wpc-aThBwu_UThmqY/s4032/20231231_122852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwswccJrDTCmko0UL0i-RMsj4J7NViDgCGQfHhAJfhRLJ2lwsYSQbJIpzzK-eEaEpiHKoEUK0EM0TRvss7QwOitnaIe6sTmbaSTpxOX481lc8AVtzp69qWBuvz4wYr26qxBVlYZ4_xGWvKOSL6qYlZuDUotakAIB9xLP0A5O2Wpc-aThBwu_UThmqY/s320/20231231_122852.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I achieved what I set out to do. Done!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am now off to watch Oprah talk about how to "Build the Life You Want".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is NOT the end.</div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-26217379134085143982023-12-20T08:55:00.001-06:002023-12-20T08:55:43.965-06:00Proceed with Caution!<p>It's "Christmas" every day around here! I'm a huge fan of the delivery options that are readily available. My December deliveries have included cat food, cat litter, printer paper, printer toner/drum kit, banker boxes and I've recently stumbled upon a few free grocery delivery options. I LOVE it!</p><p>My most recent gift in the mail was a paper shredder. It was as easy as opening the box, placing the shredding apparatus upon the paper bin and plugging it in. Voila! I was shredding within minutes. I LOVE easy-to-assemble items!!</p><p>Then I noticed the long list of symbols on the top of the shredder. I figured out the "Caution" part of the hieroglyphics but it didn't go much further than that:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinW-X9a0atJDTjCEMWU-2brYAfrLM96FnC_3U1ydXaTBNDsuo-BFx1T37NcxZSmLUs8cfQOuK0bZzg-vaNkru59qByj8CE-7W6rrEA7ZtXv3OwSC72RAsOnTmKnrsTNgj07IgwQy-sGkDm3KD2RO7Fv3Y2Qi4ZTP7TwhrKDdgJWewF_91B-3VFZ9hx/s3665/20231219_090432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="3665" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinW-X9a0atJDTjCEMWU-2brYAfrLM96FnC_3U1ydXaTBNDsuo-BFx1T37NcxZSmLUs8cfQOuK0bZzg-vaNkru59qByj8CE-7W6rrEA7ZtXv3OwSC72RAsOnTmKnrsTNgj07IgwQy-sGkDm3KD2RO7Fv3Y2Qi4ZTP7TwhrKDdgJWewF_91B-3VFZ9hx/w400-h85/20231219_090432.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay. Stop and pause now. Do not read any further. Do your best to decipher what all of the above means.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I will distract you from looking at the answers below and write about the other challenging piece of mail that arrived.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have recently been hired for a new job. Though I haven't worked out of the house yet, I have invested a lot of time into the process of becoming an employee. I was able to take a one-day orientation course from home and I have been completing, signing, scanning, emailing countless new employee forms. I have signed in and signed up for numerous accounts, with more to follow once I'm at my new workplace. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I received a letter in regards to immunizations. I'm pretty sure this letter was meant to be emailed. There was no phone contact information, nor clues as to who to contact for specific information. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I devoted a large part of the day attempting to attend to the tasks defined on this piece of paper. The next day, a revised letter (including a contact phone number) came in the mail. Much easier! Done! I felt like I had conquered my universe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Onto the next task. Taking my car to the shop to see if they can diagnose a potential problem with a car that is presently in perfect working order.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have learned a lesson the hard way. I have a "one click" warning when it comes to issues pertaining to starting my car. ONE warning. I turn the ignition. Nothing. So "nothing", that I assume I must not have fully turned the key. Because the next time and countless times afterwards (only countless, because I didn't count the actual number) it starts like a charm. Until it doesn't. One time it was the starter that was gone (a year ago); the second time, it was the battery (three months ago). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was five hours away from home when I received my "one click warning". I didn't know how many more starts I would have, so I used my finite number of car-starts frugally. I made it through the remainder of the weekend and all the way home without incident. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My phone call to my mechanic went something like this, "<i>I don't know if you can diagnose a problem with my car if it is working perfectly but ...</i> ". And they did! It was a bad battery. 100% covered by warrantee! Have you EVER gone to the mechanic and received a bill for $0.00?? Best gift EVER!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Life was feeling pretty good. One challenging day makes one appreciate when everything in life happens in a manner that is as easy as taking the next forward step.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back to my new paper shredder warnings. Below, are the deciphered codes:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuaZpsPuqh_0DNPif-QJ5bvkI1FYfxlHg-AS7Jz-Vos5F2ZUgpLqU57TK8oLBuURPGCH0a-GF2Z_gIt4L9ygn-hU7rusNEQMbFoNRIRvl7IEMUpjpiqwOBILIsJSSXMpJLqD8tm6AAUW3svkzUsRaGIq46xMt0q0wPEoLKvHP2418HNunffZgZ2B9B/s3606/20231219_090709.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1722" data-original-width="3606" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuaZpsPuqh_0DNPif-QJ5bvkI1FYfxlHg-AS7Jz-Vos5F2ZUgpLqU57TK8oLBuURPGCH0a-GF2Z_gIt4L9ygn-hU7rusNEQMbFoNRIRvl7IEMUpjpiqwOBILIsJSSXMpJLqD8tm6AAUW3svkzUsRaGIq46xMt0q0wPEoLKvHP2418HNunffZgZ2B9B/w400-h191/20231219_090709.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoNdiiF-QRJW14yhwqailAXIGUSGo_zApOjGnDRN8vG3thjiJhsRaU_JhGF5NKeLFRFw3yxig_aSJ8TcFVLMJJyvgH-yEIjqxiNe81us3XNQV5OJ6fKuEJlF3eWh7WDdNHoMvd4FKcmVb-wvEZ3XqW0Jf4ieicwMdS4izUsVP_6FVHYAXRL4AxaBF/s4032/20231219_090549.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="4032" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoNdiiF-QRJW14yhwqailAXIGUSGo_zApOjGnDRN8vG3thjiJhsRaU_JhGF5NKeLFRFw3yxig_aSJ8TcFVLMJJyvgH-yEIjqxiNe81us3XNQV5OJ6fKuEJlF3eWh7WDdNHoMvd4FKcmVb-wvEZ3XqW0Jf4ieicwMdS4izUsVP_6FVHYAXRL4AxaBF/w400-h191/20231219_090549.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My personal favorite? "Please keep children out of this shredder"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Life is full of warnings, cautions and subtle clues to forewarn you of the potential dangers ahead. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some, like keeping children out of a paper shredder, are pretty straight forward. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Others, like a one-start-warning, we learn as we go along.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Proceed with caution. But please DO proceed.</div><p></p>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-77237076032983052522023-12-09T08:17:00.000-06:002023-12-09T08:17:02.821-06:00Hi Mom<p>I had the privilege of a good night's sleep and with it came a bounty of dreams.</p><p>You know how convoluted those dream story lines go. I was all over the map. Literally. </p><p><i>Driving just outside of the city with a friend who died last year. She just needed a friend and all we did was drive. We then ran into the road that has been closed all year and a battalion of army vehicles drove down the road. We detoured and ventured further out of the city.</i></p><p><i>The next thing I remember we were driving down country roads that petered out into nothing but a walkable path but we saw cars driving off in the distance so we kept driving/walking (??). </i></p><p><i>Eventually we ended up in the south/westernmost part of the city. By this time we were walking but I was also walking a bike. When some scary characters crossed our path, I told them to just take the bike to barter for our safety.</i></p><p><i>We came upon another sketchy group of characters and by this time I was walking with a friend I haven't seen in five years. Details are fuzzy here but I was aware we had a very long way to walk and in a very lucid moment, I said "We know this is a dream. Let's just dream up a car." And we did.</i></p><p><i>Just as simple as that, a white Mercury Mystique drove up and we quickly hopped in. Who was in their prime and driving the car? Mom. She looked at me and asked if I would drive (Mom wasn't a big fan of driving and was very often a passenger in her own car). I hopped out of the car ...</i></p><p>... and POOF! I was awake. And ready to drive for Mom. She looked so good! We didn't even get a chance to talk. </p><p>It was still good to see her.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsG0UBynqxptFWdzegjWCH8P0WwAHZ2gD9xYpQ7Vn7BuwEUSaF44080zEL_SXGDvFVgckMWdGbZylVEA_WYiwJGq0zLtre2zOIboO5CJjW1vxJ-v5SdnU8Q-6wlHodtrskTDJDr0oXiirXj_-M-NarjP8yDx0RS7Gug8WHAjrGo11gnesrZpRkRNv5/s2925/20231209_081044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1915" data-original-width="2925" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsG0UBynqxptFWdzegjWCH8P0WwAHZ2gD9xYpQ7Vn7BuwEUSaF44080zEL_SXGDvFVgckMWdGbZylVEA_WYiwJGq0zLtre2zOIboO5CJjW1vxJ-v5SdnU8Q-6wlHodtrskTDJDr0oXiirXj_-M-NarjP8yDx0RS7Gug8WHAjrGo11gnesrZpRkRNv5/s320/20231209_081044.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is also a small comfort to see her car parked safely on our driveway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks, Mom!</div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-58231920769709784082023-11-27T08:57:00.000-06:002023-11-27T08:57:04.937-06:00The Power of Puttering<p>I have had the happy pleasure of preparing for guests two weekends in a row. While this sets off a domino effect of panic transformed into productivity, the results are worth it in the end.</p><p>Cleaning is always top-of-mind and living with cats makes cleaning an endless and futile job. Vacuuming is the second last thing that gets done, followed by a shower and taming my hair. Once I get my hair washed, my company is usually due within the next hour or two.</p><p>But I digress. The reason for this post is due to a morning when I started to putter before I poured my second cup of coffee.</p><p>I thought I would bring out my Christmas decorations and bring a little light and joy into the room. I turned on some music and the rest is history ...</p><p>Dusting off the unused and neglected decorations brought old memories back to life in a magical way. Everything I touched had been gifted to me over the years. Old friendships, my daycaring days, my family, my dancing years, a handmade decoration from an old family friend which was given to Mom, a gift from my Secret Santa one year ... I thought of each person and the circumstances around receiving each gift as I placed them on my cat-proof "Christmas shelf":</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPUntCP851ILa2sS9uTvv5U8g-MU3N5Hd8__O-BnEUbyhLiVgJG_PiiwsHoaxTPCgx7DaSgaZB2pTkrFCB-FYLcOTyYhsOxIzDETIdZdJMftHaKgIjhSBKZPErgUtuBeGWfqaEZvD_pQT522pbhPdGb2_wcC_5cpdNgPA_k1IWAvhMl3jgcqwFuKb/s4032/20231127_074627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPUntCP851ILa2sS9uTvv5U8g-MU3N5Hd8__O-BnEUbyhLiVgJG_PiiwsHoaxTPCgx7DaSgaZB2pTkrFCB-FYLcOTyYhsOxIzDETIdZdJMftHaKgIjhSBKZPErgUtuBeGWfqaEZvD_pQT522pbhPdGb2_wcC_5cpdNgPA_k1IWAvhMl3jgcqwFuKb/s320/20231127_074627.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>The corner shelf, itself was Mom's. Mom was with me all day as I adorned her shelf the way most people decorate a tree. I served supper on her plates; we drank apple cider out of her crystal wine glasses; we had tea from her china tea cups; we sat in "her room" with our tea, after supper. </p><p>At every turn throughout the day, I heard Mom's voice, felt her spirit and honored my memories of her as they washed through me.</p><p>Memories. We are so very fortunate when reminiscing brings about a feeling of peace. The ability to recall and remember is sometimes a privilege we don't have the ability to hold onto forever.</p><p>So why? Tell me why?? Why am I tamping down the good stuff? Why am I filling every void within my days and nights with streaming TV shows, podcasts and other people's words? </p><p>It felt SO good to putter around the house with music playing in the background. Light and easy music which left lots of room in my head to think my own thoughts and remember as I touched my life up close and in a personal way.</p><p>I have cleaned enough to see beyond the surface dirt and cat hair to discover there is SO much more to be cleaned! I have emptied off enough surfaces to realize I am holding onto things that really don't matter. </p><p>I have come a small way but there is so much further to go.</p><p>So why? Tell me why?? Did I wake up the next day and turn on the TV and lose yet another day after tending to only a few small tasks I had left over from the previous day? Why was it so tempting to turn on a podcast and play a mind-numbing word wipe game in the background instead of stopping here to spill some of my thoughts into the written word?</p><p>I must remember the Power of Puttering. The magic of music. </p><p>May you find a little piece of yourself today. Tuning into music, turning off social media and scrolling, tend to one small pile that has been accumulating and allow yourself the freedom to putter. Listen to your thoughts, move your body, search for the little piece of serenity within that has been evading you lately.</p><p>That sounds bossy. You do "you". We all must do what we need to, to take the next forward step. But when you DO find a little piece of yourself somewhere along the way, stop and nurture the moment and if you can prolong it, try. Just try. </p>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-60989794518617999622023-10-15T09:13:00.000-06:002023-10-15T09:13:12.800-06:00Balm For the SoulI took a step away from life as I know it and ran towards the home that brings me serenity. I am here - at my Little Oasis on the Prairie:<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrB_KDo-Qn-ah-eirc_HibsqXm5px81nwSwloP6mKjZJQeq5iVw7f8IH-XGRTGKeuEsX1Sv2mpdhzBCmHwtNtQ2tJHwYsSwnn5kutwvVum-6xhjRhLjitj_7eh7HH8fch4OkwFHzJ0bBl-kNqpLdkpp7-_7a581qc5NCFTogMY-oppLMEsTSTmuHdq/s4032/20231014_145207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrB_KDo-Qn-ah-eirc_HibsqXm5px81nwSwloP6mKjZJQeq5iVw7f8IH-XGRTGKeuEsX1Sv2mpdhzBCmHwtNtQ2tJHwYsSwnn5kutwvVum-6xhjRhLjitj_7eh7HH8fch4OkwFHzJ0bBl-kNqpLdkpp7-_7a581qc5NCFTogMY-oppLMEsTSTmuHdq/s320/20231014_145207.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I arrived Friday afternoon, bearing ready-made-meals and no agenda whatsoever. All I knew is I didn't have the brain power to think of bringing "ingredients" to turn into homemade meals. I didn't want to be a burden. I didn't want meal planning to take up one corner of my thoughts.</div><div><br /></div><div>It has been beyond lovely.</div><div><br /></div><div>A walk-and-talk with my sister which morphed into a lunch and an afternoon visit. Writing a letter to my other sister and walking to the mailbox was the only item on my mental to-do-list.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once I arrived back home from the mailbox, I started to putter outside. Three hours later, I came inside and popped the store-prepared-pizza into the oven and called it a day. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was marvelous.</div><div><br /></div><div>Today's agenda? More of the same. Simply following the path of least resistance. Amazing how that path leads to productivity when I take a step away from my city home where I live with my work.</div><div><br /></div><div>Best idea I've had in at least a month. </div><div><br /></div><div>May today be the day you follow your own path of least resistance. You deserve it.</div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-12528226021389593012023-10-13T09:03:00.001-06:002023-10-13T09:03:29.154-06:00Quiet Desperation<p>I sit here and clutch onto my hot cup of coffee as I desperately hold onto the last moments I am free to call my own today.</p><p>I wrote that paragraph and erased the paragraphs to follow. I checked job postings. I took a few typing tests. I peeked my head out into the world beyond the world I have created here at home and feel like a turtle.</p><p>I've tucked my head and limbs back into the safety of what I know.</p><p>I've worked on my own for 3-1/2 years now. I ran my daycare for 14 years. In a faraway land of long ago, I remember telling myself I was the best boss I ever had. </p><p>I have high expectations of myself. When I stop meeting those expectations, I want to be done. </p><p>I'm there.</p><p>But I don't know where to go next.</p><p>The saddest part of all, is I do believe I know where I would go if I had no one else to consider ...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5P6fkx39PvyTcnZNh-2dJ-rtiZ65eZOSNe0puKnOD5JfPHRFf0VqKiG_dSTfhaezfg1YMRmYp1kyfzHACYQlfJWs5zeVCIxS1ZOYfM9NjlupdNQhugPeLPi0nyu-Ib33YUC5f0G1H4eCX6WpjWHkpFm2O7W4UuZFfJc8pY9TfeEIZVkT5VK_IZEw/s805/IMG_20231011_105354_299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="805" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5P6fkx39PvyTcnZNh-2dJ-rtiZ65eZOSNe0puKnOD5JfPHRFf0VqKiG_dSTfhaezfg1YMRmYp1kyfzHACYQlfJWs5zeVCIxS1ZOYfM9NjlupdNQhugPeLPi0nyu-Ib33YUC5f0G1H4eCX6WpjWHkpFm2O7W4UuZFfJc8pY9TfeEIZVkT5VK_IZEw/s320/IMG_20231011_105354_299.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I see it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I just have to get there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>P.S. I must make a trip to update this photo - a lot has changed since this was taken.</i></div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-73831650830215096642023-10-12T08:37:00.001-06:002023-10-12T08:37:13.365-06:00Calm Quiet Place<p>I have shut the door to our den (aka: "Mom's Room"), gathered a fresh cup of coffee and I'm in my calm, quiet place.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My thoughts have been in a repetitive loop for a very long time, so I have shied away from writing. When people ask how I am, my response is, "<i>Same. Same. And more of the same.</i>" And that is the truth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Holding patterns are comfortable and uncomfortable all at the same time. I've become a little more of who I have been all along and less of who I have been all along. All at the same time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The past week held a few up-in-the-air variables where I needed to know I had done all I could do, to take a step towards change. That has always brought a feeling of control in an incontrollable situation before. "<i>Do what you can. Then let it go</i>", has been my motto. <i>Trust the pause ...</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanksgiving came and went this year. I didn't take the time to stop and count my blessings. Truth be told, I count them continually.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am beyond grateful for the quiet, predictable, safe little life I lead. I peak at the news of what is happening in the world outside of the very small window in which I see the world and I run for cover. I feel like a groundhog who is saying "<i>Spring? Not yet! Not yet!!</i>" and I pop back into my safe little space underground.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm in touch with people who matter to me. I have maintained long distance friendships since my family moved when I was nine years old. Long distance, letters, phone calls and sporadic face-to-face contact is warm and comfortable to me. I'm grateful for friends and family who nurture our relationships from afar. I'm grateful for those I do see in the flesh. Less is more when it comes to socializing. At least for me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Death, dying and chronic illness seem to be a theme among those I know. No one is untouched. Mom used to comment on her feelings on these ongoing conversations. I hear you, Mom. I hear you! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My sisters and I made our way towards my brother's family's home last month. It was wonderful. Our visit was sprinkled with laughter, familiarity and a sense we were all guests in our temporary AirBnB oasis. It was heavenly. It was life sustaining. Laughter never felt so good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have no moral to today's story. I have been craving a little writing time and when I brought out this brand new candle (with a fragrance labelled "Calm Quiet Place") this morning, I thought I would simply stop the world for a few minutes and write.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I miss this space. I miss who I used to be when my fingertips revealed my deepest, unconscious thoughts. I may be back ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hrosQcG_T1qRVoxjz-KOQ41EtW8xIuncDetlTf6tm3hZ_boOdmAtA9tCleeOrE2021hXN0N-6GwJURRMSa4XcBEaiEEDvmLoI0c6aKJ1_mZg-uPreohp2ruEjJX3F6dWuVS6fT0c-dX9YjP3LovYhvXJgg8Xcg3tmBLq31dRaAIe1sTxgIywdjHW/s4032/20231012_080945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hrosQcG_T1qRVoxjz-KOQ41EtW8xIuncDetlTf6tm3hZ_boOdmAtA9tCleeOrE2021hXN0N-6GwJURRMSa4XcBEaiEEDvmLoI0c6aKJ1_mZg-uPreohp2ruEjJX3F6dWuVS6fT0c-dX9YjP3LovYhvXJgg8Xcg3tmBLq31dRaAIe1sTxgIywdjHW/s320/20231012_080945.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-53283344779543454892023-09-09T10:46:00.000-06:002023-09-09T10:46:13.928-06:00Some Things Bear Repeating<p>In my valiant attempt to re-jig my finances to find new ways of living within my means, I have cancelled cable and in its place, our internet provider provided a free streaming service. </p><p>A new found wealth of programs I have never accessed before has me watching more TV than ever before. I discovered a documentary section where I have invested many hours. Me, being a long time fan of Cher, found a few documentaries on her. </p><p>I knew I had blogged about Cher after attending two of her concerts. Thus, I opened up my blog and typed "Cher" in the search bar. I lost track of time as I read every post I wrote that contained "Cher" within the context. When I found this one, I thought "this one bears repeating". Enough said.</p><p>Here are some thoughts from almost four years ago. The anniversary of the day Mom left this world was a few days ago, so these words feel like a timely message from beyond:</p><h2 class="date-header" style="background-color: white; color: #993333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 10.14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.2em; line-height: normal; margin: 2em 0px 0.5em; text-transform: uppercase;">THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2019</h2><div class="date-posts" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;"><div class="post-outer"><div class="post hentry uncustomized-post-template" itemprop="blogPost" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/BlogPosting" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 1.5em;"><a name="570957417109812629"></a><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="font-size: 18.2px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0.25em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 4px;"><a href="https://colleen-lifeasiknowit.blogspot.com/2019/11/filling-void-living-life-forward.html" style="background: url("https://resources.blogblog.com/blogblog/data/harbor/icon_lighthouse.gif") left 0.15em no-repeat; color: #336688; display: block; padding-left: 20px; text-decoration-line: none;">Filling the Void (Living Life Forward)</a></h3><div class="post-header"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-570957417109812629" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background: url("https://resources.blogblog.com/blogblog/data/harbor/divider.gif") center top no-repeat; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding-top: 12px;">I found myself thinking of Mom this morning. "<i>I miss missing her ...</i>" I wrote. As I continued to let my fingers do the walking, I found an inner contentment which has filled the void that was created since Mom died.<br /><br />While Mom was here, I wrote her a weekly letter. She phoned me in response to my letters. If I was not home, she would wonder where I was and if she had to wait too long before I responded there was a sense of urgency within her voice. She knew my routines and would concern herself when I wasn't where she expected me to be. My holidays would revolve around going out to see Mom. Our sister weekends would often involve going to Mom's.<br /><br />Mom has been a strong guiding force within my life. I listened to myself repeat what she had said often over the course of my life as I lived it and I wistfully thought of the day when I would be quoting her after she was gone. I was pleased to recognize I appreciated who she was to me while she was here on earth.<br /><br />After Mom died and the immediate needs of taking care of her house, estate and tying up all loose ends with the lawyer, accountant and our taxation department were done, there was a distinct void in my life that was once filled with "Mom".<br /><br />The void created the space for me to feel all the feelings I had been tamping down with busyness. It was a time when tears appeared out of nowhere and everywhere all at the same time. It was a time of sadness but it was necessary.<br /><br />Life doesn't stand still for anyone. The sun continues to rise each and every day, seasons pass, bills need to be paid and life goes on (and on and on). Life dragged me along as I dragged my heals through that first year. It didn't matter. The sun rose. The sun set. Life called out its demands. I had no choice but to move along with the flow.<br /><br />Fast forward another year. I stopped bucking the idea of moving on. I started making a few plans. I dared to dream a little. I placed my dreams and my final financial gift from Mom into our home. Home renovations began, my thoughts were consumed with all aspects of that. Bit by bit, the void created by Mom's absence began to fill up.<br /><br />I continue to think of Mom, what she may say or think, I quote what I remember from Mom's vast array of quotable quotes and smile when I think of some of our conversations. She continues to guide my thoughts, actions and motives. She is part of who I am. It is undeniable. Sometimes I must quiet my inner-Margaret but most of the time, I just smile when I get a flash of her expression or hear the scorn in her voice over some inane use of the English language.<br /><br />The cracks of my life have been filled up with living my life forward. As I think of the past year, it is "full". Full of home renovations, family, plays, Glennon Doyle, Cher, Oprah, friends, getaways, gatherings and celebrations. It was a year which was filled with doing things that filled me up and filled the void left in Mom's absence.<br /><br />It feels good to feel fulfilled again. I do miss missing Mom but it is more important to go with the flow of life and live it fully while one is able to do so. I still feel Mom's guiding force and I hear Dad within my thoughts too. Between the two of them, they gave me the tools, my siblings, a strong sense of who I am and who I aspire to be.<br /><br />Life goes on. We carry bits and pieces of everyone we meet as we make our way along. I am grateful to have thoughts of Mom and Dad within me. It is my hope to live my life in a way that would please and honor them.</div></div></div></div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-18385984610320540622023-08-09T10:52:00.000-06:002023-08-09T10:52:20.868-06:00The Best Holiday I Didn't Know I Needed<p>Have you ever taken a holiday without really feeling a great need to get away? When the ache to separate work and home isn't the driving force? When splurging on a little getaway feels like an indulgence and not a need?</p><p>I just returned from such a retreat. I wasn't running away from anything. I wasn't running anywhere. I was drawn towards a place I called home for 18 years. I had a yearning to stay at a little home-away-from-home at an AirBnB close to where I grew up. </p><p>I ached for an independence and solitude you don't get when you stay with family or friends. Don't get me wrong! I love visiting and meeting up with people. I simply enjoy the feeling of having time alone to digest, absorb, reflect and fully inhale the day I am anticipating or have just lived.</p><p>I had a moment of angst at the end of my very first day. It was a day where I left my little oasis first thing in the morning, touched base at one point and was immediately off again, returning at dusk. I thought "Oh no!! When will I have time to savor the moments right here at my little 'home'?"</p><p>The very next day was all about those moments. I sat on the balcony, read a book, gazed upon the rooftops and yards of the neighborhood while awaiting my guests. One set of guests left and I gathered up more company for the duration of the day. It was marvelous.</p><p>I didn't have to rush home on check-out-day so I returned to the balcony, reopened my book and simply inhaled. A deep breath where everything felt good and right. A moment I knew I could recreate at home but I savored the fact that it was nestled within memories of relaxed and relaxing visits with people who mean the world to me. </p><p>I drove home to the sound track of music of yester-year. Feelings of days when I didn't know what life had in store and my inner me was simply young and a little naïve. </p><p>The innocence of my youth was seasoned generously throughout a vacation away from my day-to-day life. Though I had many visits of a serious nature, I was grounded in the sensation of "coming home".</p><p>I walked by Mom's house. It has changed. Life goes on.</p><p>I spotted several rabbits as I made my way through the days. The first crossed my path as I left after a visit with my brother's family. A second was spotted as I headed southward to walk the paths of my youth. Not a rabbit to be seen near or around Mom's. One more rabbit ran parallel to me on a busy road as I headed to visit my childhood friend. Not many rabbits, but I felt a significance in the timing of their appearance. </p><p>It was the best holiday I didn't even know I needed. I highly recommend it. Don't put off those little retreats too long. They are best enjoyed when you are enjoying a version of your best self.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1JL37tJLCR8oHcomM-GwfRY6uBMeUB5ec4rELjjrSKf_lftaTDC0x6dnDASLVt_SiHGl02PtcC8IpurtjGNc-h3cwTsKeF0Qj5g9pwzWnEzb7mI2oXCajArxMzZsXF3kAeTw75C1B6CB2vXPF3AtF6NwCUcbOYVEdHvEnZ0iEkqUHJhQk6w1mpfR/s4032/20230807_094712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1JL37tJLCR8oHcomM-GwfRY6uBMeUB5ec4rELjjrSKf_lftaTDC0x6dnDASLVt_SiHGl02PtcC8IpurtjGNc-h3cwTsKeF0Qj5g9pwzWnEzb7mI2oXCajArxMzZsXF3kAeTw75C1B6CB2vXPF3AtF6NwCUcbOYVEdHvEnZ0iEkqUHJhQk6w1mpfR/s320/20230807_094712.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906269184735519261.post-38213260707742160272023-07-31T08:42:00.003-06:002023-07-31T10:30:36.770-06:00Rabbit-Palooza!I finally found out where the rabbits have gone. They have moved onto greener pastures north of where I've been searching. They were everywhere!<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X5QQVqUQxkJouwgWgW1pQEcLts1WrJyzFS6uvO2xxxyZs1STWEw4vfXj-zklrd_XBYYK8ZchBmkWH695hIdsY64EYpmcnfNva5cZHIgkJTjpyGt3uKYxjWT37gS1kr7kbO-SeBcPDun2y9Gqe_TtnL3h-g2gxoH8sDUH8wvKPDZeRshRP7NcttZV/s4032/20230731_064616.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X5QQVqUQxkJouwgWgW1pQEcLts1WrJyzFS6uvO2xxxyZs1STWEw4vfXj-zklrd_XBYYK8ZchBmkWH695hIdsY64EYpmcnfNva5cZHIgkJTjpyGt3uKYxjWT37gS1kr7kbO-SeBcPDun2y9Gqe_TtnL3h-g2gxoH8sDUH8wvKPDZeRshRP7NcttZV/s320/20230731_064616.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I spotted one. Then two more. Then four were together. I kept walking. I kept spotting groups of rabbits. A friendly walker noticed me snapping a picture. She told me she had spotted at least 25 rabbits in this park but there were more rabbits in other parks.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40nAU7MsBc-d6fe7cT0f7k3ykKBZ4aa5TmQzV7Kp7rPUMaDGRte8jggdXX7xJh8HgWUnOoIlWPpnUPQlzVkxsF7M3xRu2wxF3GjVW4BILNELRnWoUJww4HKbM9l2D0xBfBu3wk_GWzRVPzOjJ_uv3kYbxXNFsKC0CM71CLz8MySw21f778stomgA5/s4032/20230731_063115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40nAU7MsBc-d6fe7cT0f7k3ykKBZ4aa5TmQzV7Kp7rPUMaDGRte8jggdXX7xJh8HgWUnOoIlWPpnUPQlzVkxsF7M3xRu2wxF3GjVW4BILNELRnWoUJww4HKbM9l2D0xBfBu3wk_GWzRVPzOjJ_uv3kYbxXNFsKC0CM71CLz8MySw21f778stomgA5/s320/20230731_063115.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYDhH4XZR6_k24LvKNnaVAzrflV1wTNuJq0QJKnULt-YOclT9BGfI2ykU1ZkckmUyPyiJceJD60liCdy9FMn8k_VQjh79vY_JB5U55qrz5PCvDdoFiqFa2wtTsJj4p2c9eIZpp3K6HUuw-xv226UsXSd3sB3uoyuzNXMhywbTpzU2ux3b7Dx1W4d5/s4032/20230731_063445.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYDhH4XZR6_k24LvKNnaVAzrflV1wTNuJq0QJKnULt-YOclT9BGfI2ykU1ZkckmUyPyiJceJD60liCdy9FMn8k_VQjh79vY_JB5U55qrz5PCvDdoFiqFa2wtTsJj4p2c9eIZpp3K6HUuw-xv226UsXSd3sB3uoyuzNXMhywbTpzU2ux3b7Dx1W4d5/s320/20230731_063445.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulPu27HQvopwAt-FMSYnY5xZyMJboOl_seNd7CcnWGSHBFw2479Zr0-Fk3PiN8eQ8MV2LfWJ5mBHO7cAyOTc46MukSKl3-7kevCqX1rEVuE1wDtC2HAox3uv7ZOAAv285mBRROJ0t1eifEp7cDYq8J9Ycc6PwOssGneogR1KnGTvB_zEMS13vjRRp/s4032/20230731_064313.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulPu27HQvopwAt-FMSYnY5xZyMJboOl_seNd7CcnWGSHBFw2479Zr0-Fk3PiN8eQ8MV2LfWJ5mBHO7cAyOTc46MukSKl3-7kevCqX1rEVuE1wDtC2HAox3uv7ZOAAv285mBRROJ0t1eifEp7cDYq8J9Ycc6PwOssGneogR1KnGTvB_zEMS13vjRRp/s320/20230731_064313.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif21Yzq71BOT9wsUbHMNH_SnA57lBDetXzIpmhLm9yDuk3AuhaxXIIxxidsAWynv3vmtC7mihPtJGuktAwt81aN5N_015PHVROqrKuNIyVBHQnP8884Tq2jpHFL5yfZ3IUJKH-XfPLN-OG8I7HFNWTOGdjTmgqI0fld00NRLedn7zsImfvI18snYOU/s4032/20230731_064531.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif21Yzq71BOT9wsUbHMNH_SnA57lBDetXzIpmhLm9yDuk3AuhaxXIIxxidsAWynv3vmtC7mihPtJGuktAwt81aN5N_015PHVROqrKuNIyVBHQnP8884Tq2jpHFL5yfZ3IUJKH-XfPLN-OG8I7HFNWTOGdjTmgqI0fld00NRLedn7zsImfvI18snYOU/s320/20230731_064531.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I stayed on the walking path and kept spotting rabbits. I ran out of path so I took the city sidewalk and circled around and took the southern most part of a different path in the same park. At one point, I saw ten rabbits in a group with a few more in the periphery. </span></div><div><br /></div><div>I was in rabbit heaven.</div><div><br /></div><div>I stayed on the walking path and the rabbits thinned out. But they were still there. I walked to the end of the path and wasn't entirely sure of the fastest way home, as I ended up in a residential area full of crescents, coves, courts and roads to no where. </div><div><br /></div><div>Even as I neared home, I spotted three more rabbits in the school playground I used to frequent regularly with my daycare family.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAH1n3VD03eEWBHY793PgSntWh5hRoGAIJGKMmDt98ZHHFBM8L4vpRHwqOaeL7WGyol729JMmUpYn7Y748tQvW9LZkAnB1l78OAZJ1h1qON55wteagRZsDs2V_9O3k6GqK8SaCTxw4-9RlH2-RWIKktOStyZrSrNyeyfr4cLkb6izL9mHd6jrCc26/s4032/20230731_071633.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAH1n3VD03eEWBHY793PgSntWh5hRoGAIJGKMmDt98ZHHFBM8L4vpRHwqOaeL7WGyol729JMmUpYn7Y748tQvW9LZkAnB1l78OAZJ1h1qON55wteagRZsDs2V_9O3k6GqK8SaCTxw4-9RlH2-RWIKktOStyZrSrNyeyfr4cLkb6izL9mHd6jrCc26/s320/20230731_071633.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The day feels blessed by rabbits. No woo-woo feelings about the why of it all. I simply took a new path.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes it is as simple as that. We need to go new places to see new sights, feel new feelings and remember there is more than one road that takes us back home.</div></div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421075483349777391noreply@blogger.com0