A New Project

Hi Everyone...life is good here!  I've been busy with a multitude of activities...jogging (until I hurt my back...I can still do everything else though), hiking, trying lots of new recipes (my husband and J are loving that), finished training our puppy Jake on the invisible fence and he's thriving, get togethers with family and friends, and online Christmas shopping (I know...it's a bit early for that).

I bought a new Mac computer and love it.  I downloaded the footage I shot while on my trip to Thailand, Laos and Vietnam back in December, and used the iMovie feature on the Mac to make some movies.  I've attached one...hope you enjoy.  (You'll need to go to my playlists for songs on the bottom right and shut that off...so you can hear the music I attached to the video)

 My OCD tendencies have kicked into high gear and I've been making lots of movies.  I'd love to share one that I made of J when he was a baby...but my ex-husband is in it...I'd be afraid he would sue me or something if he ever found it somehow.  Not that it depicts him in a bad light...other than being the father of someone who grew up to have an addiction problem...like most people in the world, in some form or fashion.  Does anyone have any advice in this department?

J is doing great...except he lost his job...but he decided to go back to school in January!  He's looking for another job to hold him over until then.  His father said he would pay his living expenses if J could get loans for school.  We're not sure yet how much he qualifies for...so I'll help him if he doesn't get aid.

I'm still interviewing for a few positions.  At times I feel that I should be looking more diligently, but then these projects come up...and well I'm enjoying life.  I'm very blessed that I have money in the bank to draw from to get me through...but then I feel a bit guilty for continuing to use it...oh well...I believe I'm where I'm supposed to be right now.

Sending peace, love & joy to all of you!

Bundle of Joy!

We have a new bundle of joy…Jake! He’s a Brittany Spaniel and three months old. The previous owners had him for a month. The husband is in the military and is being deployed to Iraq on Monday. He got him for his wife so she wouldn’t miss him so much while he’s gone for a year…but they have three children and another dog and it’s a bit too much for her.

I’ve had dogs most of my life and have missed having one for the past few years in some ways and have enjoyed the freedom of not having one also. I have been jogging him two miles each day for the past three days that we’ve had him. I read that this breed of dog can become destructive if not exercised enough…so this is the perfect place for him. We have an invisible fence that encompasses an acre of the five acres of land, but I need to research how and when to train him. His favorite games are me chasing him and playing tug of war. He’s already a mama’s boy - following me everywhere. He was living in an apartment…so he’s almost on sensory overload out in the country…with the new sights, sounds and smells. He’s a hunting dog and has already pointed a grasshopper. He loves to drink out of the KOI pond and it’s fun to watch the goldfish swim over to where he’s lapping up water and for some reason congregate there. He’s fallen in a couple of times.!


The neighbor’s cat…who was here all of the time…has been scarce lately. I’ll miss the presents the cat was leaving for me at the back door almost every day…dead mice and a half-eaten squirrel (yuck)!

This is a photo of the lane that leads to our house…we’re the last one down the quarter-mile road…

This is our neighbor’s barn…he has sheep, alpacas, dogs and cats!

He says, I'm pooped!

P.S.  I've been seeing my mother every 2-3 days and have established better boundaries!  I quit smoking 5-6 days ago...with the help of the patch...and feel much better!

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

Couldn't Sleep...

I got up at 4:15 am this morning...couldn't sleep...I think because I jogged 2 miles yesterday.  Although I've been active doing Yoga twice a week and went for a 13 mile bike ride last Thursday, I have to recondition myself to jogging at least 3 x per week and then my sleep is not affected. 

Or, it could be the new vitamins I started taking...too much energy!  My husband got up during the night to sleep in the guest bedroom and he just came in and said that he couldn't sleep because I was snoring and smacking my lips...embarrassing...he is a very light sleeper though!

J was not approved for his home visit on Saturday because he didn't get the paperwork turned in far enough in advance.  He handled it really well, probably because he knows he's being released on Wednesday.  It was a disappointment...I had purchased steaks to grill for dinner and we had plans to go out to eat for breakfast and lunch. 

I made good use of my time though...I went to the landscaping store with my husband's truck and got a ton of gravel to put below the deck and twelve stepping stones to make a path from the driveway to the lower level porch and deck...and dug the spaces out in the dirt for placing them.  I need fourteen more...so off to the landscaping store today!  My husband was a bit upset because the truck is not made for that much weight...and he was concerned that it might damage the axle or something like that!  Too bad we didn't have the device shown in the above picture!

I went to my ex-sister-in-law's (my brother's ex-wife) yesterday to help clean/paint for a few hours.  That is where J will be living for a few months, or until she sells it.  I skipped Church to go and she was at Church while I worked.  Her son, my nephew had moved out months ago to live with friends while he is going to college, so only my niece is there now.  She will also be heading to college this fall.  J is apprehensive about moving there because we're not very close...as in emotionally close...to them. 

I have been feeling quite peaceful lately...taking it day by day...and feeling gratitude for everyone/everything in my life. 

I am going to miss Lou and Madison...as I know all of you are!

Much love, peace and happiness to everyone!

Love Thyself!

There are many ways that I take care of myself and love myself. I exercise regularly because it really helps with anxiety and has many other benefits. I've always thought that many people who are on anti-depressants, anxiety meds etc. could exercise instead. I recently read an article about how it is very helpful for addicts (but they have to want to do it - just like anything else).

I keep my house organized and decluttered because it helps me to feel calm and its just part of my personality.

I try to eat well (i.e. salads, vegies, whole grain breads and cereal with soy milk).

I read!!



I love to travel and have gone on quite a few trips by myself. I believe that it is very empowering to travel and especially by yourself. I drove through the New England states and camped part of the time. I flew out to San Francisco and took Amtrak trains and buses to Napa Valley, Yosemite and San Diego. I meet people all of the time when by myself. One of my most empowering trips was to hike down to the Grand Canyon by myself a couple of years ago. I spent the night at "Phantom Ranch" and hiked back up the following morning.

I volunteer occasionally for a church and for an organization that houses homeless women and their children.

I give backrubs (I have very strong hands) to people (family, friends and sometimes strangers).

I found a site online called "www.meetup.com" a couple of years ago and it has helped me to form new friendships and participate in activities that interest me. They are nationwide and I belong to a hiking club, dining out club, and about 4 others. Another club is for public speaking and I signed up because I have always been challenged by this (in school etc.) and want to overcome my fear.



I asked my son to go sky-diving with me about 1 1/2 years ago because I wanted to face that fear. It was an exhilirating experience. J was more apprehensive than I, but he loved it!


My husband and I are invited to 4 halloween parties and today is his company picnic that we're going to (and taking my mother also) so long as J doesn't have to go in for a drug test. Then as I was typing this my mother came out of her bedroom upon wakening and is extremely off-balance - so if she doesn't get better, we won't be going.

J went out with two friends last night and I was a little anxious. He said "stop worrying about me". I woke up at 4am and he was downstairs watching T.V. and was fine.



Today I'm thankful for:

1. The sun, moon & stars.
2. Music and musicians.
3. Cosmetics & perfume.
4. My blogger friends (thanks for the advice about my mom/driving)!

Have a GREAT day!!