Not so FAQ's #23

Why does it take nearly two years to add a new blog post?

The answer? I've been distracted...distracted in the most wonderful way!

Distracted...after several years of creating and wallowing in my own personal turmoil. (see past posts)

Distracted...finally moving past the past.

Distracted...searching, finding, bonding, loving and marrying this amazing man standing next to me!



Although it didn't feel like it at the time...
...(it rarely does when wallowing)

I can truly say that the journey to get here was worth it...

...finding myself now in this place and time...

...with the man I will love for the rest of my life.






Thank you, Thank you, Thank you...

...'My Sweet Mr. Yellow Pants Man'...

...for distracting me...

...and reminding me just how grand love is!

Transformation

Instant Gratification...

...in a can!

Not so FAQ's #20

What does contentment look like?

Like this...















...and this...





 

...and this.

Oh...

...and like this.

Wonderful Windows to the World

Sweet Doc...my amazing friend...

          ...who shared his passions with me

 

Who taught me about 'cat's britches'...

...and 'steer's heads'.

(cool huh!)

Who encouraged me to push myself to my physical limits...

...and was always there with outstretched hands to help me climb...

...even when threatened with a sloppy spring snowball!

Who joyously...
and unselfishly...

...guided me to experience the Wonderful Windows to the World.

 













I had forgotten....he reminded me.

I was numb....he breathed new life back into my heart and soul.

The Reader's Digest Version

Well...to make a very long story short...which is difficult for me...

 ...I now have a Salt Lake City, UT address.

In November of 2009, I made the difficult decision to leave my Minnesota family and friends.  (I miss you N8- with all my heart)

The solace was that after 34 years - I have enjoyed living closer to my sisters in Southern California and my mother in Las Vegas.

But also since living in San Diego - I have lost two jobs.  Facing the daunting reality of yet another job search was discouraging to say the least.
  

But the upside - the layoff did open the door for me to finally make the decision to close the distance gap of a 2+ year relationship with MRW. 

Even though I still face a job search - knowing we can experience a normal dating relationship together - is a comfort.

Thanks so much to my amazing family and friends for your encouragement and support to follow my heart.  I love you all!

It's time has come....

...Woodstar's Journey continues.

A National Geo'Graphic' Moment

I debated whether or not to write this post... if it was "appropriate".  But then I remembered this is MY blog and I'm the boss of me.  ;o}

Yesterday while I was out - I spotted something flying around a low bush along the sidewalk.  I couldn't tell what it was.

It was too small to be a hummingbird, flying too fast to be a moth or butterfly, and the wrong shape for a bumblebee.  It took off and landed several times on a couple of different bushes.

It finally landed - and stayed - but even then I couldn't really tell where it was - as it blended in with the leaves.

So I took a picture of the whole bush with the intent of zooming in on the saved picture to find it.

I zoomed in and saw that it was a very large green beetle.

I stepped into the bushes to get a side view shot.  It was a brave (or stupid) thing for me to do as I was wearing sandals.

The thought crossed my mind that maybe other creatures might be lurking among the bushes!

Anyway...

Again - I wasn't exactly sure where the beetle was among all the green leaves.

I zoomed in on this side view picture to find it again.

Imagine my surprise to see TWO beetles... 








...in a rather compromising position!

I was almost embarrassed.  I apologized to them for disturbing their 'moment' - as it's probably the only one they'll get in their limited life span.

However - I couldn't resist the curious urge to get a picture of them from the front.  They didn't seem to notice or care.

I guess the lady beetle was shy - as she hid her head under a leaf.


I think the guy looks a little bored...or is that fear?


She probably killed him afterward and ate him for lunch.

No one said love was easy - or fair...

...But it's definitely worth taking the chance.

Cosmic Connections

I have an amazing friend - a Cosmic Connection unlike any other.


Cosmic connections are difficult to describe.  They are rare and beautiful gifts.  They appear to have been forming for many years on separate planes - until something magical happens - and the time comes for those planes to suddenly intersect and the connection is revealed.



They come with their own set of challenges - as it is overwhelming to imagine the energy it took for the "entities" to create the connection in the first place.  They require a lot of Trust and Clarity - so fear doesn't undermine them.

Perspective is important to keep the connection grounded.  Courage is required to nurture it - to keep it strong and intact.

There is the delicate balance of being rooted in reality without compromising the magical-ness of it all.  
 
I have an amazing friend - a Cosmic Connection unlike any other.     

The Heart of the Matter

Even in the best of relationships there are times when love can feel a bit "prickly".  Thank goodness we don't have to be perfect to be loved.

I literally cannot fathom where I'd be at this point in time if I'd had to face this journey all by myself.  I understand that many of it's paths can only be traveled and experienced by me.  At times it can all be so overwhelming that I panic and I resist going down certain roads.  I'm tempted to take the path of least resistance - but I eventually come back to the "in your face" reality that it's not a good idea to do it that way.

I am so grateful for the people in my life...for the friends and family who enthusiastically supported the idea - and welcomed me so graciously - during my Westward Ho adventure that began on 11/11/2009.  For my SLC cosmic connection - you are the BEST!

For my sons who have had to deal with the loss of their traditional family - who honestly didn't see this coming - and continued to love and support us even though they were hurting too.  They are our greatest success story.  Two strong and amazing young men - I love you forever! 

My incredible mom, 5 sisters, and 2 brothers (and all of their families)...my lifelines, my moral support, my devil's advocates, my reality checks, and my whacks upside the head when I need them.  (And I can honestly say I've needed them because even I've wanted to whack myself upside the head a few times!)  And for my dad - gone from this world - but to whom I often pose questions and ask for advice.

They give me that down home, never-ending, soft-and-cozy-like-a-homemade-quilt kind of love.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone!  I love you all!