Get high on "Get Low"

I don't have cable TV.  That's okay with me for now. 

I have a $10 set of 'rabbit ears' that should theoretically pick up the signals from my local HD stations.  At my first apartment it picked up all of the major network stations and several others.  Score!

Unfortunately because of the location of my TV in my new place - and most likely some techno-dweebiness on my part - the HD signals are weak.  I can only get ABC, a bad connection to the CW, and two Spanish-speaking stations.

My point is that I don't watch much TV.  This results in me not seeing the trailers for the latest movies....and potentially missing many good ones.

Thanks to a 'heads up' from my CC - I'm happy to say that I didn't miss this one.  Here's my official 'heads up' to you. 

You most likely will be moved...and I'm pretty sure that you won't be disappointed.


 

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.

The Carousel of Life

None of the 7 Dwarfs have the name that I feel today.

I would have been okay with feeling Grumpy - or even Dopey - but I ended up feeling Sad. 

It's crazy to me how my emotional state can change - seemingly in a heartbeat.  I understand that ups & downs are part of the carousel that is life...but sometimes it bites!

I know that part of it is that I'm tired from the training at my new job.  When my energy level is down - it's easier to get sad.  It's been a while since I've had to "think and retain" in office-mode.  I'm not complaining - but I'm also grateful for R&R at the end of the day.

It would be reasonable to say that I've been 'under-employed' since I left Minnesota on 11/11/2009. 

Since January I've been doing some part-time Companion Care with a wonderful couple here in California - they are the Best!  I love them dearly and will miss not being able to spend as much time with them now that I have a "big-girl" job.  

There are those that I love and miss so much - who live in far away places.  Having the commitment of a job - brings with it the realization that the freedom to travel at my whim has changed.

Under-employment had its benefits and it was great to have some respite time from the real world - but it was also unrealistic.  It surely is a double-edged sword. 

I don't like this tweaked feeling. 

I want to feel calm, content & confident...

and comfortable in my own skin

...like this guy.

Heigh Ho...

...Heigh Ho - it's off to work I go!   Sing it with me!

Feeling grateful to have the job and excited to get started!

I am that 1 out of 7 today...

Gratitude on Many Levels

The Good News is....
(drum roll please)
....I got a JOB!

I start Monday at a local Chiropractic office - a 2-minute commute by car - less than 15 minutes by legs.  I checked.

I'm excited about working with the doctor and his staff.  There is a wonderful energy that surrounds them and the practice.  I personally have had great success with chiropractic care - as have other family - and it will be good to be involved in helping people get healthy.

I'm looking forward to getting engaged in the world again - in a way that only gainful employment can accomplish.  It will also feel good to have an income - instead of just an out-go!

With unemployment figures off the charts - this is definitely one of those times when I don't have to pick an Angel card to remind me to be Grateful!

So - with this good news - why then this morning did I have an underlying feeling of sadness.  I scolded myself to "get over it" and quit acting like such a whiner!

That's when it occurred to me that it was 5 years ago today that my dad had to leave us for his next adventure.

I guess my heart must have remembered before my head figured it out.  It helped me to identify and understand the reason for my sadness.

Gratitude has many dimensions...

(Not so) FAQ's

What does it mean that I have to dust my stove?

I recently recalled when years ago I was on a Women's Adventure weekend with about 25 ladies from church.  We were playing the charades-like game called Guesstures.

I'll never forget when someone was trying to get us to say the word 'stove'.   Someone shouted out - "that cooking machine!".

Game Over!  We were laughing hysterically as only women can over a kitchen joke.

I know it loses something in the re-telling as it's one of those "on location" moments.

That it was so funny to us may have been directly connected with wine consumption.  No doubt the reason she couldn't come up with the word 'stove' in the first place.  (Did I say church group?)

The memory of it still makes me laugh.  Laughter is good.

'Settled' is a Relative Term

It's Sunday night.  I'm trying not to feel guilty about writing my blog instead of job hunting on craigslist - emailing cover letters and attaching resumes ad nauseum.  I can't look another job posting in the eye right now.

It was a nice weekend with 3 sisters and assorted family members over on Saturday for pizza and root beer floats.  The plan included some swimming in the complex pool but it was a bit chilly.  Weird summer this year in San Diego.

It seems forever ago - and also like yesterday - that the cargo from Penske #2 landed in my living room.  

Having my first "official" soiree in my new place was the motivation I needed to get the last bits of the unpacking picked up and put away.

There are still some pictures to go up on the walls - but that will take a bit more time.

I'm finding it hard to hang the early family photo collages.  There are so many nice memories of happy times... 

...but there's still some fragility that surfaces when I see those sweet faces.  I usually end up crying.  

But it's all good...all part of the healing process.  I can feel my new backbone getting stronger every day.

I am grateful for all the experiences that have created my story thus far...even the sad and challenging ones.

I am especially grateful for my sons.  It's been an amazing gift and pleasure to be their mom.


Thanks guys....I love you forever!