Harley Heaven

There is something fascinating about people watching at Bike Night! Almost as if this is the stage for people’s alter egos to surface…their time to let it all hang out!

My husband and I seem to be those people. Years ago we donned the cowboy hats and boots and knew all of the line dances…now it’s time to straddle the Harley! This isn’t him…

Do you see the inner child bursting out…

This is the friend I’ll be going to Europe with…watch out!!

I just had to show off the new jeans I got for Mother's Day!

Who said your 50's have to be dull!

Two Blogs

While checking out Pioneer Woman's Blog, I discovered Katie Granju's blog Mama Pundit.  Granju’s son H was brutally beaten, most likely during a drug deal gone bad and suffered a drug overdose on April 28th.  Through her blog I discovered Joanna Cravey's Blog, a grandmother raising her drug addicted daughter's daughter.  Joanna discovered Katie's blog on The New York Times blog, Motherlode, by Lisa Belkin.

Both women could use our prayers and support!

It's interesting to me how we stumble upon blogs concerning addiction, even when we're not looking for them.

My son J is being released Saturday after serving 20 days for the DUI he received back in March of 2009.  He will be home for only three days before going into a court ordered two week assessment that stems from the felony charges also from March of 2009.  If you'll recall, he was granted "Treatment in Lieu of Conviction".

My trip to Europe is rapidly approaching...only five more days!

Fantasy Farm

Had a great time at my Cousin's farm this weekend!

He carves wooden sculptures...

Has amazing gardens...

There are chickens, horses, baby lambs, a donkey, a dog, two cats, pigs, and a miniature horse!

I'm just not posting photos of all...

and red barns...

Hope your weekend was filled with beauty!!

The Woods

These are photos I took...except for the one of me...the past few days from three hikes I've gone on.

I'm grateful today for nature, my "Vasque" hiking boots, and cameras!

"Quit hanging on to the handrails . . . Let go. Surrender. Go for the ride of your life. Do it every day."

Melody Beattie, "Finding Your Way Home"

"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we really are, far more than our abilities."

Albus Dumbledore in one of the Harry Potter books & movies

"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."

Judith Kelman

"All of us have been dying, hour by hour, since the moment we were born. Realizing this, let all things be placed in their proper perspective. . . . Remember, it is always later than you think."

Og Mandino in  "The Greatest Success in the World"

"That whisper you keep hearing is the universe trying to get your attention."

Oprah Winfrey

"Life is Good" Award

Shen from ReunitedSelves honored me with

the "Life is Good" award.  Thanks Shen!!  The following are my answers to the

questions associated with acceptance of the award:

1. What would your perfect day consist of?

Being outdoors with the sun shining...a backrub...a yummy picnic lunch...a hike through the woods...a nap... saying, hearing and meaning the words "I Love You"...hearing the birds singing and later...some music!

2. How would you describe yourself if you were an item of clothing?

A light-weight, wrinkle resistant, colorful, wrap dress that could be worn during the day as a casual outfit or dressed up in the evening with high heels and appropriate accessories!

3. What hobbies are you currently working on?

My blog, hot yoga, travel planning, and reading!

4. Walking in the woods in wellies or bare foot on the beach?

Walking in the woods in wellies!

5. Have you ever hugged or sang to a tree?

I have hugged a tree!

6. Growing your own veggies or nipping to the supermarket?

I've never grown my own veggies - but I do buy some organic!

7. Have you found anyone exciting in your family tree?

I think my grandfather was pretty exciting!

8. Slap up meal in a posh restaurant or fish 'n' chips from the wrapper?

I like both - but I'd have to pick "posh restaurant" since usually it's the latter!

9. Which element do you most resonate with, Earth, Air, Fire or water?

"Fire"!  I'm usually the firestarter and tender of it...and jump over campfires for everyone's entertainment!

10. Do you believe in fairies?

If fairies are "Angels", then Yes!


Thanks again, Shen!


It's a really hard choice, but I would like to pass this award on to the following bloggers:

Renee at renee-mentalimages

Heather's Mom at heathersmom1

Barbara at parentofheroinaddict

Her Big Sad at herbigsad

Anna at letgohangon

Annette at journeyofrecoverysearchforserenity

Jennifer at onetrueself

If you have time, post it as I have and answer the questions!!

A Day in the Life of a Census Taker

I've been working as a Crew Leader Assistant and also going out in the field to do Census work.  It's been interesting!  I'm lucky that the area I'm working in is very nice...some of the homes are million dollar homes.  I've probably been to about 75 houses and only encountered one lady that was somewhat beligerant.  She was quite rude and when I got to the question about picking a race...she said..."American - that white is not a race...it's a color of skin."  Towards the end she apologized and said that she just has a problem with the government.  She then remarked that she'd heard we make $60 a visit and I said "No - nothing close to that", so she asked how much I make and I told her politely that I wouldn't share that information.  I've worked with the public my whole life in some capacity and with many "difficult" bosses and co-workers, so this has been a natural fit for me.

When I approached another house, there were two dogs in the yard, a border collie and an "ankle biter".  An "electric fence" sign was posted and I stood on the sidewalk sizing up the situation as the "ankle biter" yapped away.   Less than a minute went by and I made the decision to brave it...so I walked up the driveway onto the entry sidewalk, up to the front door, while the "ankle biter" followed me...yapping.  The first thing the homeowner said was, "I guess you have to be a dog lover to have this job", to which I replied, "I watch the Dog Whisperer and I am a dog lover".  

A couple of days ago I pulled into someone's driveway because there wasn't a close parking spot and decided I wouldn't lock my car.  As I shut the door, I had a sinking feeling that I locked it out of habit...and I did...with my cell phone in it.  The home owner was very understanding and let me use her cell phone.  My husband said that there was a "valet" key that he had put under the front end of the car with a plastic tie down...thank God!

I'm still reading the one year Bible and it talks about the Census being taken way back when.  In America it's been taken since 1790!

Not sure what my next gig will be yet!

Bitter Sweet

Last night my son arrived home with his girlfriend and handed me two dozen roses...this is a picture of them...and a card.  He said he thought the card was perfect.  It said:

Mother

no one has to tell me how lucky I am to have you,

because I've known for along time

When I think back over the years

and remember all the special things

you've done for me,

I realize that you're not only

a great mother, but you're also

a wonderful person.

You've taught me so much

about life and love and giving,

and those are lessons I'll never forget.

So many things that have added to my happiness

have been gifts from you...

maybe having a mother like you

has spoiled me a bit,

but don't ever think

I don't appreciate and love you,

because I do...with all my heart.

Happy Mother's Day

Inside he wrote:  I'll never be able to express how much you mean to me and how much I love you.

                          Thank you so much for being here for me through everything.  Love, J

My husband just left to take J to his three week DUI rehab.  As J and I hugged goodby...I swallowed the tears until he walked out of the door.  I'm very lucky to have a son like him...I'll miss him!

Close Encounter

I awoke at 4:30am this morning and decided to get up.  I noticed a light on beneath my son's bedroom door...thinking he left his T.V. on...opened the door and he was still up.  He told me that after his girlfriend picked him up from work and was driving him home...the police stopped them because she had a tail light out.  She didn't have her driver's license on her and one of the officers questioned my son....asked him for his I.D., ran a check and saw that he was on probation.  J said there were at one point three police cars there and it took about 30 minutes.    He was surprised they didn't search the car!

There were no reprecussions, because they weren't doing anything wrong.  When it's 1am in the morning, there is a greater risk of being pulled over.

He was a bit upset because now he has to report to his Probation Officer that there was some contact with law enforcement.  I asked him if he has cravings for drugs and he said, "Yes, actually yesterday I thought about it because of going away for three weeks on Sunday".  I'm glad he's honest with me.  I told him that I continue to pray for him every day!!

Mother's Day Prayer for each of you...

I had planned to delete my last post concerning my husband before he returned from his weekend golf outing, but didn't...not sure why.  When he returned, we caught up on each other's news from the weekend and I went to the grocery.  I had listed my mother's stove on Craig's List for her and sold it in one day.  The guy was due to come pick it up...which my husband was aware of.  Upon returning from the grocery, my husband wasn't at home and the guy was there with his son to take the stove.  I called my husband and left a message on his cell phone. 

I was downstairs in the storage room with the two strangers and called my husband again...he answered...I asked him where he was...he said just driving around.  The guy had to take the front of the stove off to fit it through the doors and as he was loading it into his truck, my husband made an appearance.  I didn't want to be alone with strangers in my house...although my son was in his bedroom sleeping. 

After they left, I asked my husband if he was upset about something...he said he read my blog.  I asked why that upset him...he said because I left out the part about me yelling at him...I asked when I yelled at him...he said off and on through the discussion.  He said he also didn't like the world knowing about our business.  I told him that my blog is like a journal for me...a place I should be able to write about what I want.  He said he thought it was a place for me to write about J's issues.  I told him that this is a family disease and everyone is affected.

I asked him if I could set up a camcorder when we "communicate" and he said, a bit sarcastically, "I'll have to think about it".  I asked him if he would go to counseling with me, he said Yes.

I know other bloggers have had the same issue as far as family members not being comfortable with how much is shared on the blog.  I want to respect his needs/feelings, but also my own.  When I replay the discussion and try to understand why he feels that I was yelling, I'm at a loss.  That's why a camcorder would come in handy.  I haven't asked about it again and he hasn't given me an answer.

Moving on to other topics...J leaves at 8am on Mother's Day to go into the 3 week DUI rehab.  I'll be having the celebration at my house and we'll combine it with my mother's birthday, like we usually do.  I asked J the other day if he is surprised at how well he is doing and he said, "Yes".

This is the best Mother's Day gift I could receive!