Abundance

Meet Blackjack, my buddy

I love spring. The weather is a bit warmer than average, but nothing to complain about. The garden is blooming and growing with leaps and bounds. Baseball is in full swing. The offspring cattle need to be rounded up and branded; therefore, three full days of horseback riding through the rugged desert.

The last several days I've been out helping friends round up cattle. We volunteer twice a year to spend three to four days rounding up the a friend's 40-50 head of cattle. The fourth day they brand the calves and take inventory of his herd. I primarily volunteer for the first three days of riding. The days are long but glorious days of riding! Serenity! One of my friends had spring training tickets for one of the afternoons. So we took a break from riding and drove into town for a spring training game. Front row seats! Ah, I've been in heaven. Baseball and horses.

Generally my husband doesn't join me in my cattle round up adventures. It just simply is not something he is interested in. However, he suggested we camp out one evening with the dogs to hang out. It is always a fun evening of hanging out with friends, amazing food made in dutch ovens, a great fire, and an amazing view of the stars. So after riding all day, I headed home to pick up my husband and the dogs. I was pleasantly surprised he wanted to make an effort to hang out with my cowboy/cowgirl friends. The dogs were in heaven with the opportunity to run around non-stop. Although it was a short period of time he spent with us on the range, I really appreciate his efforts and enjoyed having him around. 

I feel extremely exhausted and will let the photos share the rest of the story.

Searching for cows

Nest in a Saguaro

Took a break for some Spring Training - Cubs vs Padres

Front row seats!

Friends

Poisonous Gila Monster! First time I've seen one in the wild. I used the ZOOM!

Hawk on watch as we rode by

It was a beautiful ride

Cowboy with technology, "Did you see any sign of cows?"

Cactus blooming

It was windy the third day and Blackjack thought he saw cows

As I Say Yes to Life, Life Says Yes to Me

Life mirrors my every thought.
As I keep my thoughts positive,
Life brings to me good experiences.

Finding the Beauty under the Explosion

I've been pondering the March 22 reading in Courage to Change.

In order to survive in the contradictory and explosive world of alcoholism, many of us learned to ignore our feelings. We lost touch with ourselves without even knowing it.

For example, although I pointed an accusing finger at the alcoholics in my life for deserting me in times of need, I wasn’t a very good friend to myself. In my fear and confusion, I walked away from the little child in me who lived simply, who cried when the cat died and then let it go, who could appreciate a sunset and not want to own it, and who lived one day at a time.
Recovery does not mean that I have to become a different person. It means I need to start being myself again. The lessons I’m learning in Al-Anon are lessons I already know. I just need to remember.

Today’s Reminder:

There is an innocence within me that already knows how to trust my Higher Power, to cherish life while holding it lightly, to live fully and simply in the present moment. I will allow that part of myself to come forward and nourish me as I continue on this journey.

“It takes one a long time to become young.” Pablo Picasso

The reassurance that during the process of my recovery, I don't have to be a different person, is a huge relief! I can re-learn to be me or, even better, discover parts of myself that I never had a chance to explore and grow!

When the reading mentioned not being a good friend to myself, I instantly went back to those moments of being home alone and disappointed that my husband was out and about doing something else. Majority of the time I didn't know what he was doing, most likely sitting at a bar somewhere drinking alone or with a friend. Communication barely existed. However, my mind would turn into a tornado that would ripe through my imagination and create a variety of scenarios of what he might be doing. Or even the turmoil of what he HADN'T done at home, etc, etc. I would drive myself into a frenzy. I can remember the feeling of my blood pressure starting to rise and unable to breath I would be so upset. I would call or text him like a mad woman. That was exactly what I had turned into was a crazy, mad woman! It was upsetting all the way around. It was the perfect fuel for the fire when he did come home for a roaring argument of cruel words from both sides. Looking back, I didn't even recognize myself anymore and it shocks me that I was so obsessed with someone else's behavior and exerted my entire being into what someone else "might" or "should" be doing. Are you kidding me!?!? That just goes to show how deeply buried I was in my own part of the family disease. I wasn't helping the situation at all! I'm thankful that I can learn healthier ways to spend my time today. AND be a better friend to myself and my husband.

Although our communication has improved tremendously! There are still days that I'm unexpectedly put in that "old" scenario of being home alone when I had plans with my husband. Coincidentally, it happened very recently. The mad woman wanted to rear her ugly head. The really cool part is I allowed myself to think through the options that I had. I could go right back to my old behavior and send a snarky, rude, and bitchy message to my husband about the lack of communication and disrespect. I could justify the message, but not the delivery and tone. That would not help the situation one bit. In fact, it would only be fuel for that old bon fire. Ok. Fine. Next, my pendulum thought process swung completely to the other end. Another coping mechanism I use to try later in my own sickness right before I found Al-Anon was to completely ignore him and punish with the silent dagger. Obviously, that wasn't an option either as I would just be stuffing that resentment deep into my gut again! I wasn't punishing him, I was punishing myself! Yet, again, not being a very good friend to myself. Another option, would be to simply enjoy the quiet evening to myself with the dogs doing something that I enjoy. Get a good night sleep. Then get up early to enjoy another beautiful day. I'm grateful I was able to hash all that out with my H.P. to determine that last option was my best bet. Therefore, I allowed myself to work through that situation and determine how I was going to allow it to affect me. I didn't have to do it alone. I'm extremely grateful for that.

Later when we did connect, it was a calm and loving conversation that allowed both of us to express and share what we both felt we needed to say. I was at peace. I am thankful I didn't chose the path of chaos and explosions! It's nice to be me again.

One. Day. At. A. Time.

Stars, Snow, Strikes, and Serenity

There is a lot going on right now, so I feel like my writing is looking back over my shoulder right now instead of the right now. I read and follow such a variety of websites, FB Fan pages, blogs, etc, etc, that I do tend to forget were I actually found the awesome quote, saying, or cool video! I need to be better at my documentation so I can cite more correctly. Thankful it's progress and not perfection. Well, I believe the following video was posted on a FB fan page I follow and I loved it! Please take a moment to enjoy the universe that is larger than us. Amazing and absolutely beautiful!

http://vimeo.com/ajrclips/starsfromspace


The Northern and Southern part of the state received a lot of snow this last weekend when a cold storm system rolled through. Near my house, I have an awesome view of one of the mountain ranges to the north that were covered completely by the snow! Also amazing and absolutely beautiful! Please enjoy a few photos I took.

 I love this photo!

I first thought this was not one of my best shots. I started to crop the photo but stopped when I realized the human aspect of the photo sort of added to it in a way. So I left the photo alone to the exact moment I took the photo and life zoomed on by as I was enjoying this natural beauty. These mountains are just west of the previous photo.

As I mentioned I was going to another Spring Training game on Monday. Here are a few photos from the game. I love this game! It was such a peaceful day and always enjoy my time with my wonderful friend. I always feel at ease with her and be myself without being judged. She is an amazing person and grateful to have her in my life.



 I love sitting in the lawn seats. With the clouds and the sun peaking out here and there, it really gave a spectacular view of the stadium and field. I will admit, it was pretty chilly on Monday! Especially since the sun decided to stay behind the clouds most of the game! Brrrrr

I don't have a particular team that I "follow". We were sitting next to the bull pen for the White Soxs, so we did spend sometime  watching the pitchers warm up. Man those guys can pitch FAST! Where we were standing was sort of like standing in the batter box. We could almost feel the whoosh of the ball and crack of the ball hitting the catchers glove. Music to my ears.

 I can NEVER pass up a chance to take a beautiful scenic photo. I love reflection photos. I might have to dig through some old photos and share some of my favorite reflection shots.

This evening I tried a completely new meeting not only to me, but they just started up about three months ago! I continue to be grateful my H.P. speaks through others. It was a great meeting on the third step. The third step is "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him." Looking back I realize this step was life changing for me. I was able to find a spiritual path that worked for me and find a H.P. that was only mine and that I understood. Then to continue to build the relationship with that H.P. to help me turn over my self-will and hand it over. Powerful stuff when I start to see all my hard work starting to occur in my everyday life. I attribute a lot of my peacefulness and serenity lately to my strong relationship with my H.P. and letting go of the things I can't control and can't cure. It is soooooo important for me to go to meetings to listen and hear other people's perspectives, experience, strength, and hope. It has been a vital piece to my recovery growth.

Self-Worth Meter

My self-worth meter use to be pretty non-existent. Primarily because I would gauge my value based on my accomplishments or on what I thought other people thought about me. This required 99% of my energy to try to accomplish feeling worthy. I'm grateful today to say that I don't exert anything close to 99% of my energy trying to make accomplishments that will make other people happy. I focus on accomplishments that are for me and that will make me happy. It is such a relief to take that pressure off of myself to meet those unattainable and unrealistic expectations.

The piece of me that would base my self-worth on what I think other people thought of me; that piece has taken a lot more work. I've always cared more than I should about what others thought about what I did, what I said, where I went, etc, etc. I think that was more exhausting than anything! I'll be honest this way of thinking as been so ingrained into my being, it takes a lot of work with my H.P. each day to find that self-worth within myself and not look outward. It is important for me to take a moment to ask myself, "What is my motive for doing or saying this?" Is it for someone else or am I being honest and doing it for myself? I find for me, this is a good way for me to take my inventory through out the day and make sure my actions are not reverting back to my old way of trying to be a people-pleaser.

I did learn through my step four inventory some action items that I could apply to help shift my character defect into a character asset. It's in my character to love and care about others. I just needed to practice doing that in a healthy way! So I'm practicing loving other people for who they are and work on accepting that they are making their own choices. Doesn't mean I have to like those choices, but respect it was their choice not mine. I can't love to change that other person. I'm learning little by little, that just doesn't work. I absolutely can't live my serenity with that thinking. It's empowering to take that power back that I've handed so easily over to others. With practice, it has become more natural to feel good about myself without seeking the stamp of approval of others. Other action items I've learned to continue reaching out to others, as I love to do, but in a healthier way I can now; say a kind word to a friend or even a stranger in the store; write a kind note and mail to a friend I don't talk to a lot or leave a considerate note for a co-worder or even a kind loving word to my husband in the morning before I leave for work; and the most beneficial advice I've learned is to simply have thoughts of appreicate for other people to help shift my thinking patterns. Each of these actions have taken a lot of work and awareness, but have tremendously enriched my life!

"Today's Reminder:
Let me look for appropriate opportunities to share my love with people around me. In this way I celebrate one of my most positive traits without expecting anything in return. Paying someone a compliment that comes from the heart, or thanking them sincerely for their kindness, may be the nicest thing I can do for myself today." CtoC

"It is difficult to make a man miserable while he feels worthy of himself and claims kindred to the great God who made him." Abraham Lincoln

Peaceful Monday Morning

I am really enjoying the peacefulness that I've felt each day for the last week or so. Today is my last day off from my long weekend. It's a beautiful crisp morning with a little breeze after the storms this weekend. All the plants received a nice soak. In a few days I anticipate the weeds will start to go nuts, and we will have to stay on top of that! The dogs and I enjoyed a nice walk this morning.

This long weekend was all about spending time relaxing with friends and family. Mission accomplished! Today I'm heading off to another spring training game with a good friend. We just got off the phone talking about how we might have to bundle up with layers, since the temperature is suppose to be pretty chilly! However, the sun is out, so it could get a little warm sitting in the grass. So we will be prepared for whatever Mother Nature decides to share with us today.

This is a photo from the spring training game, Giants vs. Cubs, I went to on Friday.

"Let us spend one day as deliberately as Nature, and not be thrown off the track by every nutshell and mosquito's wing that falls on the rails." Henry David Thoreau

Curiosity in the Garden

Our trees, plants, and garden loved the rain storm that went through last night! As the clouds start to part and the sun peaks out, everything has started to perk up. Sadie helped me this morning add a new garden decoration. She agrees it works great with the wind we have today.

Other than the short adventures into the backyard while braving the wind, we are having a relaxing and chill Sunday. I cherish the quiet, drama and chaos free days.

Hope you are having a peaceful day!

Meatloaf

A dear friend of mine loves to cook and is an excellent cook! She shared her homemade meatloaf one day and it was delicious! I asked her for the recipe. It was a recipe with a little bit of this and little bit of that. Here is the version of the recipe I've created for us.

Dice up and place in a large mixing bowl: 

Jalapenos (we use three or four fresh jalapenos from the garden)

Habanero (we used 1 from the garden)
Green Bell Pepper (I used a small green bell pepper from the garden)
Small onion (or 1/2 of a large onion)
Dried Basil

Garlic salt

Then add 2 lbs of double ground Chuck Roast (or any ground beef) into the mixing bowl.

Next add 1 egg, 1/2 cup of oatmeal, 6 oz can of tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and Montreal Steak seasoning. Mix well.

My friend recommended making two loafs; however, I end up making just one big loaf. Next spread ketchup on top. then bake at 400 degree for usually less than an hour.

I will make mashed potatoes to complete the meal. Enjoy!

Looking Back with Gratitude

Last weekend my husband and I spent the entire weekend together at home. The fact that neither of us had plans, was shocking! It turned out to be one of the most relaxing and enjoyable weekends we have had in a long time. I found a little piece of paper that I jotted down some positives I didn't want to forget from that weekend. Here's my list:

* The weather was beautiful, clear blue skies with the temperatures in the high 70's with a slight breeze. I love our weather.
* I made the most amazing meatloaf for dinner. A dear friend shared her method of making meatloaf and I've been able to modify the recipe to fit our liking. I will have to share with you so you can try it! It was a nice treat for my husband, who is the chef in this relationship, to have a night off. Plus it builds my cooking confidence to have a recipe that I can kick butt making and that we both like eating!
* As a bonus, I also made him breakfast one morning! Which he did eat.
* Worked in the garden. My much needed therapy to help keep my sanity.
* Together we did a lot of the "chores" around the house. Usually there is a small fraction of tension when we are working around the house. Not this time. It was all done in harmony and ease.
* We both took a nap! This is completely unheard of and the fact that we both took a nap. Miracle.
* A wonderful friend of ours came over to re-key all of our locks and stayed for lunch! He is such a wonderful person and fun! Grateful for wonderful friends.
* Now that the locks were updated, we needed another key. So we drove over together to the local hardware store to get a key made. We pursued the small hardware store for a little bit. As we left we both commented on how we loved the local hardware store and the fact that the staff is always friendly. It comes across that they all love their job! Makes for a pleasant experience for us.
* We worked together to get the pool whipped back into shape to start getting ready for summer. We discussed hosting more parties this summer, since we have sort of taken the last couple of years off from hosting parties.
* It was my husband's idea for a "family" walk. Meaning us and the dogs. I LOVE these kind of mornings. In fact, we did our usual route and he wanted to go further, so we did another loop. The dogs were over joyed!! Especially because when it is both of us on the walk and we are wandering around the desert, they are usually off the lease. When it's just me and the dogs, I don't take them off the lease. It's just easier for me.
* Zero arguing. It was a weekend of kind words. Such a relief.
* Best of all! I was able to really work my program and let a lot of things go. There were a few things I wanted to "follow up" and check the status of where he was at with certain things. It's not exactly nagging, it's more that things are not happening on my timeline! I'm working on that. I decided it wasn't worth it this weekend. "How important is it?" I would ask. At that moment, it didn't matter one bit! It was more important to me to be happy than right. Handing it over to my H.P. Also, time after time it has been proven to me that everything always gets done when and how it is suppose too.
* I am grateful I cherished those precious moments and was able to live in the moment. Saying a prayer that I can continue to apply this frame of mind today.

I have a four day weekend coming up filled with time planned with friends and family. Plus some Spring Training games!! I'm a gal that can sit and watch baseball/softball live or on T.V. all day. I'm also a gal that loves to play softball all day! Looking forward to sitting on the cushioned green grass and listen to the crack of the bat.

My Dream

I had a strange dream last night. Since we moved into our house, many years ago, I have this reoccurring dream, but it sort of progressed into something new last night.

First a little history. I've always been someone that tries to be prepared for any situation. I suppose that is the Girl Scout in me. Also, I'm sure this characteristic played a role in helping me delve right into the family disease of alcoholism and possibly over think EVERYTHING! But that's another blog post. I have one of those small purses that has everything in it that you could possibly need. Then a larger "bag" that is left in the car with any other essentials that might come in handy when I'm not home. Over kill, probably, but I've had situations where it was nice having those items available.

A little more history, that will tie into my dream and might be a little controversial for some. Take what you like and leave the rest, my friends. Growing up my Dad was a qun smithy for many years. So I grew up with quns. I know a lot of people that don't like quns and don't want anything to do with them. That is their choice and I respect that. What I don't understand are those that are afraid of a qun, with no reason. I completely understand the uncomfortableness around one. For me that uncomfortableness is simply my ignorance of not knowing how that specific machine works. Education is the key. Don't be afraid, educate yourself. Doesn't mean you have to own one or use one, but understand and have a respect for them. Just my two sense.

I did go to the shooting range recently with a few of my girlfriends on Ladies Night. It was free for ladies and an awesome opportunity for woman to education and familiarize themselves with how a qun works.

Now the dream... I hear a strange noise or crashing of one of the windows in the house. I'm instantly awake. The dogs are barking hysterically. I hear more stumbling as the intruder walks through the house. I grab for my weapon that is loaded. I tip toe to the door of my bedroom and hear the dogs going crazy! I try to get a glimpse of the intruder, when I yell, "Who is there? You better get out of my house!!" Then I hear swearing as the dogs are nipping at the intruder, a qun shot, and one of my dogs whimpering. Then the intruder yells back at me, "I'm going to kill you b*$%^!"  That is the point that the dream took a new turn. The intruder has never screamed back at me. Nor has one of my dogs been injured in this dream. It was always a scenario of what if... they come through that door or that window, what will I do, say, or my plan of action to escape. Never has it moved forward this far. Well, it didn't stop there.

When he screamed he was going to hurt me AND I knew one of my dogs was dieing or dead. I ran into the room the intruder was in and fired my weapon at him. I vaguely felt that he had fired his weapon as well, and I didn't realize till later in the dream that I had been hit in the arm. The rest of the dream was in a strange slow motion but still very vivid. I grabbed my cell phone and dialed 911. At the same time I grabbed my dog that was shot, screaming at the other two to follow me into the backyard. I then proceeded to talk to the 911 person to let her know what happened. At the same time putting the two puppies that were alive and very upset into the dog run outside, so they wouldn't get in the way when the cops arrived. Then I sat down hard on the pool decking in the back yard with my dog in my lap crying my eyes out!! I was not able to talk to the 911 dispatcher anymore, but I remember them still being on the phone. I keep saying, he was going to kill me and he hurt my baby until the cops got there.

Let me tell you, it was an intense dream!!!! Perhaps it was a nightmare? On top of all this, I really haven't been dreaming a lot lately and in the past I was one that dreamed just about every night. So to have a dream that felt so real and remember every detail, was a little strange.

I will say that I have never (knock on wood) had a home invasion, so it's not out of fear from a past experience. I do feel home invasions happen more than people realize. Therefore, I know for myself I want to be as prepared as possible and hope that if it does ever happen, I have time to take action to protect myself and my family.

Despite feeling "real" maybe there is an underlining message waiting for me in this dream.

Now, of course, I did a search on what a possible interpretation might be of this dream! I always find these "interpretations" fascinating. Although I take ALL of the information with a grain of salt.
Some examples I pulled off of several "dream interpretation" websites. Food for thought. 

"An intruder in your house or in your space can mean that you feel someone has compromised your integrity or invaded your space mentally, emotionally, or physically.

Seeing an intruder in your dream, represents your feelings of guilt. Consider also what unfamiliar feelings or thoughts may be breaking into your peace of mind.

To see an intruder in your dream signify feelings of shame and remorse. Take into account any unusual thoughts and feelings you may be harboring which is taking its toll on your peace of mind.

An inner fear that is rearing its head in order to be challenged, processed and released; An invasion of privacy; Something that disrupts your inner peace.

To dream that you shoot a person with a qun denotes your aggressive feelings and hidden anger toward that particular person. If the person you shoot is a stranger, then it indicates that you are rejecting unknown aspects of yourself that you do not understand.

To dream that someone is shooting you with a qun suggests that you are experiencing some confrontation in your waking life. You may be feeling victimized in some situation."

Not sure any of these are the underlining message, but who knows. **shrug**

I much rather dream about sitting on a beach somewhere with my toes in the sand watching the waves gently break on the sand in front of me OR going for a long horseback ride somewhere in the pine trees. Ah, yes that is more like it! Good Night! Wishing you all Sweet Dreams!

12 Principles of Healthy, Intimate Relationships

Cleaning out my book bag I found a flyer I received at the Al-Anon convention last year.

The 12 principles of healthy, intimate relationships adopted from the twelve traditions of Al-Anon.

1. Our common welfare comes first. A healthy relationship depends on unity.
2. In a relationship there is but one authority, a loving God as God is expressed in our relationship conscience. Each member is God's trusted servant; none governs.
3. Two or more persons, when joined together for mutual benefit, may call themselves a relationship. The only requirement is a desire to be in the relationship and to make it work.
4. Each member should be autonomous except in matter affecting the other member, the relationship or society as a whole.
5. Each relationship has but one primary purpose: to serve as an expression of God's love.
6. Each member ought not be overly supportive lest problems of money, property or prestige divert the member from the relationship's primary purpose.
7. Each member ought to strive to be fully self supporting - spiritually, emotionally and financially.
8. Each relationship should remain a freely giving relationship - one to the other.
9. A relationship should be flexible in its organization and may delegate the functions of day to day living through an informed relationship conscience.
10. A relationship should avoid heated controversy: no one wins in a heated controversy. When a member loses or is hurt, the relationship suffers.
11. Each individual best conveys his or her beliefs or philosophy of living by attraction rather than promotion. Acceptance and respect guide interactions.
12. Self-care is the spiritual foundation of all relationships ever reminding us to place principles above personalities.

Inspiration

One of the advantages of exploring in life is I find inspiration! Through thick and thin, if I keep my eyes open I will see an opportunity to learn and grow. I'm not always successful in keeping my eyes and heart open. But that is ok, it just means to me that I wasn't ready yet and I need to allow myself that flexibility. If it was something I really needed to learn, then my H.P. will provide that opportunity again. In the meantime, I need to make sure I'm doing my own footwork, so I can be prepared and ready next time that opportunity comes around. After reading Syd's blog this week, I've found a new found inspiration in my writing through one of the questions on his blog. The individual inquired about not finding blogs to read where the person is married to an alcoholic. I can relate to that sense of urgency to find others to relate to in order to extinguish that feeling of loneliness and sense that I'm not alone in this journey. I started my blog as an outlet to express my new way of living through using the Al-Anon program. A way to express my recovery in an honest way and putting it out there to the world completely! That was a tough step for me to take, but I've been working on it now one day at a time since last August. Some days are easier than others to share; however, I keep working at it because it helps my own recovery to have this form of healing; in addition to going to meetings, having a sponsor, doing service work, reading the literature, and sponsoring others. I need all of that to help me rise above my own disease and not to be entrapped by the family disease of alcoholism.

I feel my new challenge is to try to share more about my day to day things and how I've worked through the struggles and positive aspects of being married to an alcoholic. While finding my comfort level of what and how much to share. This will be a challenge, so please bear with me.

As I walk this journey, I work really hard to adhere to all the Al-Anon traditions and concepts. I want my program to be based on attraction rather than promotion, with a personal touch. Please understand that I don't represent Al-Anon in anyway. I simply work the program to find a better way to live one day at a time and by taking responsibility to keep the focus on myself. By sharing my story and perspectives I hope it will help someone and encourage them to walk their own journey of recovery.

"Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing." Albert Schweitzer

This hot air balloon was just over our house this morning when I was out watering the garden.

Being Gentle with Myself

Had a wonderful conversation with a friend yesterday. It meant the world to me to spend that quality time together talking. From the very first day we meet, my Higher Power has spoken through my friend and 99% of the time I hear exactly what I needed to hear.

The topic in our meeting last night was expectations. Always a good topic. When I hear about expectations, it makes me think of the saying expectations are premeditated resentments. Resentments are poisonous and I don't want to have any! This week I've struggled with a few things that have happened. In addition, I didn't realize that I had taken some of those actions of another person(s) personally. I realized after the meeting last night that my anger this week was the result of an expectation I didn't realize I had, and of course was not met! Nothing earth shattering, but need to work through it. I need to start by being gentle with myself and not beat myself up about falling into the expectation trap. My disease of attitude clings to the need to control the situation, so working really hard today to let it go. Focusing on the pieces I can change. Starting with my attitude.

I feel like I'm a pinball bouncing around in the machine this week. Hoping I will stop putting quarters into the machine to stop the game so my head will stop spinning!

Speaking of pinball machines, they have one for just about everything! Go Thundercats!

Being Crafty!

It's been quite a long day, but a great day! Started out early in the morning with my Bootcamp ladies. Then after work I drove over to a friend's house to finish a project. We made a flag for our district for the upcoming Al-Anon convention. The convention is titled Participation is the Key to Harmony with an Olympic theme. So we will have an open ceremony with flags from the different districts around the state!

I was able to sew and hem the flag so it was ready to decorate tonight. Although I saved and prepped all the Word files, we spent quite a bit of time figuring out how to "mirror" the text and photo so we could print on iron transfer paper and then iron the information onto the flag! Between my dear friend, her wonderful husband, and a quick call to my tech-savvy sister, we figured out how to reverse the text and photo. It was definitely a team effort, but we figured it out!

Check out the finished project! I'm so proud of our work! I'm super excited to see the other flags.

I also want to thank my friend and her husband for the delicious dinner! I really enjoyed all of it, including the dessert! 

We have another system rolling into the state again tonight. I'm hoping for some rain tomorrow to help put out the wild fire that is raging in the river bottom in my home town. Last I heard there were no homes or evacuations scheduled and they were just going to let it burn out. Below is a photo of the smoke in the air all the way into town, several hours away from the actual fire. Also a photo of the sunset tonight.

Desert Sunset

Smoke in the air

Good night bloggerville friends! Pleasant dreams!

Monday has left the building!

Going for a record today, two posts in one day!

Last night resulted in a very restless night of sleep, or more lack of sleep. However, despite my inner groggy voice telling me to stay in bed, I did get up and go to Bootcamp this morning. Very proud of myself. Usually when I get home, my husband is still sleeping well after I've gotten ready and left for work. However, this morning was unusual, as he got up when I was getting ready. Since this is such a rare morning to both be up at the same time, we turned on the news for background noise. I honestly try purposely to not watch the news, as I find it is just to be a bunch of crap and they focus on a lot on the negativity in the world. I do stop to watch the traffic and news when it's on; although I can easily look that up on the Internet before I leave for work.

Well, I paused when they were covering the devastation of the tornadoes that ripped through the south this past weekend. It tugs at my heart to see so many lives ripped up from the roots and their homes scattered through the country side. I'm generally able to have empathy for those affected; however, I can detach and continue with my day. Today, the story of the toddler that was found in the fields near her home had passed away yesterday. Interesting, that sort of hit me a little differently today. Although, after hearing the rest of the story that both her parents and siblings where killed by the twister; it seems to me her H.P. was at work to help reconnect her with her family. I don't track the death tolls during these major tragedies, but the last news report I heard was up to 39. That seems really high. I will keep those families and friends in my prayers today.

On a completely different note, I follow A Dog's Purpose's Facebook page and they shared this adorable photo today. Puppies and, just dogs in general, melt my heart. Their companionship and love is the best medicene to help lift me up when my spirits are down.
Let the cuteness lift you up!

Music Exploration

"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." Red Auerbach

I subscribe to several NPR newsletter emails. One is the "Song of the Day", which I've been finding very fascinating lately. This week they featured an Icelandic band, "Viltu Vitrast". Not what I usually listen too, but I believe I was drawn to this one because of the clarinet. I grew up playing the piano and picked up the clarinet in grade school. Then I played through High School. I still have both of my clarinets, but haven't played since High School. Although I don't play anymore, I still have an appreciation for those that do play! I've included the article by NPR below.

Y. Roman Lojko wrote about the Young Iceland band.
"Viltu Vitrast"is a minimalist, clarinet-driven bit of Scandinavian electronic music, performed by three teenagers who are each roughly the same age as Justin Bieber. In the song, Samaris retells a religious Icelandic folk tale about people who need help from a celestial being, but worry it will choose not to manifest its power on Earth. Jófríður Ákadóttir's confident Icelandic-language singing, combined with pretty clarinet melodies and dreamy trip-hop beats, makes it easy to imagine gliding around with the celestial being as it considers the people's request.

Samaris' oldest member is 18, but it sounds like they've all been making music for as long as regional influences such as Mum, Bjork and The Knife. It helps that they earned 20 hours in a professional studio to master their Hljóma Þú EP after winning "Iceland Music Experiments," a serious battle of the bands, as well as that Ákadóttir has experience playing with another group, Pascal Pinon. But it's mostly because these guys have serious talent and vision.

Samaris knows English as well as any Scandinavian band, but it chooses a bolder path by fully embracing its own language and culture. Samaris has only released a short three-song EP, but it's already a top-seller in Icelandic music stores, and is set to play a number of Icelandic music festivals. Expect more from Samaris in a few years, as its members graduate college and focus fully on their musical destinies."

Garden Therapy

I had a very productive day yesterday in the garden! My Mom even came over for part of the day and played in the dirt with me. The weather was perfect, mid 70's and clear sunny skies. We prepped dirt and filled several additional pots that my Mom brought over that she had stored away that were not being used. They turned out to be great additions to my raised bed and other pots. I had a lot of fun chatting with my Mom about just about everything while we shaped and created the garden. It was a much needed kind of day.

Sadie & JJ our helpers in the garden :0)

Jalapenos

Lots of Tomatoes

New fancy pot! Perfect for Cilantro!

Another big pot we put cucumbers in

Dill is blooming!

Orange Mint's new pot!

The weather has been so beautiful, it draws me outside! Hence, it's tough to sit in front of the computer. Also I've been working on another motivational/fitness blog for a friend of mine. So I haven't had a lot of energy to post on my own personal blog. I am working on figuring out how to find a balance to fit it all into my life. The never ending search for balance continues!

"If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now - when?" Hillel