On Vacation

Don't know if I'll be able to blog until I get home.  In the meantime,
life goes on!

Only Change Is Constant

That phrase was offered to our Civics Class by a good teacher back in high school.  I won't say how long ago that was!  At any rate, one of the group's I'm in is wrestling with this issue as we begin to open ourselves up to accepting new members who have completed the same training we have.  It's an odd place to find ourselves in.  Our original class numbered about 18; twelve of us actually completed the course; only six of us have remained in contact through regular meetings where we share stories, offer support to each other, and do some "soulwork."  And yes, it will be a challenge to have a new member.  But I would like to think that the group now formed and new members who happen to find their way to us will offer each other blessings and insights that we can only imagine (or hope for).

Change being constant is frustratingly true.  And I'm especially sensitive to that particular facet of life these days.  A phrase in church this morning resonated:  "There is a certain winter in our spirits today, O Lord."  And a synapse in my brain cried "YES!"  It's been winter in my spirit and soul for awhile now.  Not that this is a new experience for me.  Living with depression has literally been the story of my life.  But the cycle this winter has been a bit different.  Not sure why--but having a label on my recent "state" is fodder for exploration.

We cleaned house today.  Our son and his twin children are arriving Tuesday for an overnight stay before they take Pepper home with them while we are gone on vacation.  Pepper has had a bath and haircut as well.  So we're about as prepared for the visit as we can be.  Ok--I've got to get the guest room prep finalized, but first I've got to get our stuff on the bed packed....

The other part of the house that still needs a fair amount of work is the space I call my own.  It's "upstairs" in the atrium off our family room.  It seems I'm always in some state of organization--there are way too many works in progress.  So I'll be buckling down tomorrow to a: get some items ready for the bag we check through for the trip and b: straighten up my room enough to get some peace of mind.  In the meantime, of course,
life goes on!

Movie Lines

"A Few Good Men" is one of my favorite movies.  Can't say how many times I've watched it (I have it on video), but it always captures my attention.  Jack Nicholson is riveting as the bad guy, Tom Cruise is an almost likable hero, Demi Moore ads the right amount of spice, and Kevin Pollack is just nice to look at--along with playing an interesting character.  So the movie line that's been on my mind lately?  The one where Tom Cruise finds out that Demi Moore will be accompanying him on a fact-finding mission (against his wishes) and he says, "The hits just keep on coming."  And that's what life has been like lately.  One darn thing after another.

So not much to sound off about without sounding like a whiner.  Until the sunset was blazing across the sky this evening and I reminded myself that life is generally good, God showers me with blessings, and spring will come.  And those "hits" will be survived, hopefully with some grace and gratitude.

I'm working on that as
life goes on.

Dogs!

Robin, a good friend, is involved in border collie rescue.  Today, Joan (from Idaho) drove up for a "meet and greet" that had been arranged for a couple from the Seattle area.  I ventured over to say a quick hello to Joan.  I met her a couple of years ago and have enjoyed interacting with her on occasion.  She wasn't staying in our area long, but a quick hello is a good thing when you don't have an option for a longer visit.

All activity was in the backyard, so I let myself in the house and headed out the back door.  There were four people and four dogs.  Robin, Joan, the couple looking into the adoption, and their other three dogs were there in addition to the young male that was up for adoption.  It was definitely "black and white" dog day!  Apparently, the couple have acreage and sheep--a perfect combination for borders!

It was fun to watch the dogs play and interact.  One, Gracie, was a bit shy.  She's on the small side and had a lovely face.  Her eyes reminded me of Toby--an Aussie that blessed us for a little over 13 years.  Thank goodness she wasn't like Toby at all in any other way.  The eyes nearly sliced my heart in two.

Robins dogs (Storm, Kate, and Quinn) were in the house and another foster dog was in the garage.  And Joan had her oldest border collie in the truck.  So.....nine dogs total.  All border collies.  All black and white.  And yes, I managed to say hello to each and everyone of them with belly rubs, playing ball, and lots of patting.

Did Pepper (my aussie/bc mix) notice?  You betcha!  I didn't think she would ever stop sniffing my pants, my coat, my hands.

I'm enjoying flowers.  A dozen red roses that my romantic hubby got me for Valentines Day.  They are still absolutely gorgeous, slowly opening.  And a friend gave me a pot of paper whites yesterday.  The flowers are lovely and the fragrance shouts "spring!"  And today was spring-like.  We had some blue sky and sunshine in the afternoon.  Always a blessing.  Hubby got to go out on his motorcycle, the dogs got to play outdoors, and there were lots of grins.  One of those quiet days that are a blessing as
life goes on.

Ash Wednesday, Valentine's Day, Lent

All at once--so much going on.  Class on Ash Wednesday was very good, though a bit long since we were given a mission of picking music for church services Sunday.  Even that provided fodder for good conversation.  Still, by the time I got home, figured out what to "do" for dinner, and looked at the clock I didn't really want to do the dash to church for the Ash Wednesday Service.  Some regret there, as I always enjoy Taize and the placing of the ashes on my forehead is a seriously sacred moment.  But if there's one thing I'm learning lately, it's that I can't do everything and keep my family life on an even keel at the same time.

So, for Valentine's Day I treated my husband to a day for "just us."  I did go to the gym, but afterwards was coffee and scones and relaxing back home before going to lunch (his favorite, soup and salad at Olive Garden) and topping off the afternoon with a movie.  We don't do "date" days very often so it's always special.

And Lent.  When I last visited my brother and his family in California I discovered hidden object games on the computer.  Keith and Jenny both like them and Jenny did warn me that they could be addictive--and she was 100% correct!  A wonderful combination of logic, hidden object screens, puzzles, and just plain "figuring things out."  My husband, by the way, was not enamored with this new distraction in my life and I've literally had to set timers when I get on the computer to "play."  So for Lent I'm giving up computer games and will be devoting the time instead to study or reading.  This will be a very good thing!

No regrets

about moving those many years ago.  Yep, used to be in Michigan and the snow on the east coast the last couple of days makes me really glad to be living in the eastern desert of Washington.  It is beautiful.  I remember many crisp winter nights when the snow glistened in the streetlights, the bright and lovely coating after a snowfall, the quiet of freshly fallen snow.  But I love to love it from a distance now.  The shoveling, the stuck cars, the slick roads, the inconvenience are things I just don't care to experience any more. 

Yesterday we had a Valentine's Carnival for the kids at church.  It was a blast to watch the little ones enjoy themselves so much.  There was face painting, cupcake decorating, a fish pond, a penny toss, and "make your own" valentines.  At times, it was hard to tell whether the kids or the adults were having the most fun--especially around the card making table!  I particularly enjoyed playing with the plastic frogs that "jump" when you press on their butts.  Doesn't take much to amuse me some days.  And a bit of frivolity is a good thing as

life goes on.

Busted!

Yeah,  I pushed my luck this morning.  My husband has never liked the idea of a dog on the bed, so Pepper has generally kept to her bed on the floor at the end of my side of the bed.  Just recently, I started letting her up--at first only on my side near the edge (where she never stayed for long) and then on the other side of me (on my flannel blanket)--where she was more content to settle down, relax, and snooze as I read.  So this morning we were enjoying the peaceful quiet of the bedroom and I heard my husband approaching.  Pepper, sound asleep, was slow to wake up and respond to my "Get off the Bed!" so we were caught.  Not a happy camper, my husband was unusually "not so bad" about the situation.  He only made a couple of snarky remarks as the morning progressed.  But I'm betting that we'd better behave for now.  So why is it that having Pepper next to me on the bed is such a comfort?  I'm not sure--but it is.

Costco was a zoo today but I plugged along to pick up some veggies and coupon items.  At the check out the lady in front of me put a separator on the belt so I could begin loading my stuff.  I gave her a grin and said, "Thanks!"  A moment later she caught my attention, gave me a grin, and said, "You would have done the same for me."  And I said, "You betcha--a little kindness makes the world a better place."  After that we enjoyed some bantering with each other and the check-out clerk.  It was a small but nifty feel-good interaction.  And things like that are one reason I'm glad that

life goes on!

Healing

A friend with constant health issues has been through a particularly tough time lately.  Several trips across the mountains (always a crap shoot weather-wise this time of year) and a surgery later she is finally "coming back to us" and feeling improvements in her health instead of feeling rotten much of the time.

A few us met at one of her favorite restaurants today so she could delve into a favorite food that she hadn't had since "Before the Surgery."  Afterwards, a few games of Banagrams at her house before we had to go our separate ways.

The best part?  Seeing her less-stressed face, having her snarky sense of humor back, laughing deeply from our guts, and just plain having fun.  What a joy it is to be blessed with wonderful friends to share all parts of life with (two of these folks literally booted my butt to the doctor when my depression got really bad)--the good, the bad, the sad, the frustrating, the joys, the fun, the wonder of lives, and the presence of each other.

I'm feeling the warmth of God's arms this evening for me, the people I care deeply about, and the whole of creation.  Yeehah!

Life goes on!

Another Sunny Day!

Blues skies again.  Hurrah!  We could get used to this....

Well, this morning I tried the "new" oatmeal at Starbucks.  It was ok--but not outstanding.  At least no better than I make at home.  Which probably speaks to just how much (or how little) steel-cut oats are in it.  Apparently the new blueberry topping isn't available in this area as I was unceremoniously handed a bag with the traditional brown sugar, mixed nuts, and dried fruit.  It was an ok breakfast sandwiched between a workout at the gym and a meeting at church.  Frankly, my usual quick breakfast of yogurt and cereal would have been just fine.

A group of people (?!) apparently had a swell time in the parking lot last night.  Garbage (fast food, mostly) was strewn over a wide area and a half-rack of empty beer bottles was close by.  As I pumped away on the stair stepper I decided that I would pick the crap up if I had an appropriate bag in the car.  So, armed with a paper shopping bag and some "doggy do" bags to put over my hand (almost as good as rubber gloves) I got what I could (some was under parked cars) and put it in a trash can.  And, a young gentleman headed for the gym stopped to help along the way.  Which I thought was really cool.  :)  The world is full of all types--those who don't give a rats behind about their impact on the environment being one type that really gets my goat.  So I've decided to keep materials in the car to "fight" pollution one mess at a time as the opportunity arises.  I'll be more intentional about having bags with me on walks.  It doesn't do any good to gripe about it if I'm not willing to be part of the solution.  So, perhaps there will be a little less litter as

life goes on.

February 1st, A Fine Day

My husband remembered to change the calendar in our dining room to February and it was a joy to come home and see it.  "Follow your heart--but take your brain with you!"  Good advice.  Wish I had the wisdom to follow it when I was younger!  (Don't most of us?)

A mammogram mix-up worked out when someone didn't show up for an appointment and I got to get in--in spite of my appointment being lost in computer space.  And then some time with a dear friend who is recuperating from surgery, our class communion at church, a walk in the sunshine, and coffee with a good friend.  And, believe it or not, harvesting broccoli and spinach out of the church garden!  In the midst of this blessing one of my classmates remarked, "God is good--all the time!"  It put a smile on my face and reminded me to remain aware of the blessings overflowing in my life.  Days like this are a blessing indeed.

And, wonder of wonders, I did well through the 24-hour fast for the class.  I limited myself to water and tea with splenda.  Before starting I sincerely asked God for his help by limiting by usual "hypoglycemic tendencies" and the fast went well--better than I expected.  I did have some assistance--a great summary of fasting by a fellow church member, a book of devotionals specific to eating issues, and the trainer at the gym pushing me toward better eating habits. 

This discipline thing is not easy (boy would I like some sweet potato fries and a burger!) but keeping at it is important.  And yes, even without fries and burgers

life goes on.