Show Time!

The Painting, The Artist, The Installation, The Trip.

I'm exhuasted, I'm exhilirated, I'm thrilled, I'm ready (pretty much).

Time to sleep. Wake soon. Gather Artist.

Work, play, make pies, party, pack and go.

This is my life and I love it.

Little Black Dress?

Oh the Internet is rife with pertinent advisce today.

This is informative, but I already knew it.

And it's already ready for the BIG EVENT!

Would you like some coffee?

Deconstructing Relationship Advice for Woman

Hmmmm....

I haven't had to digest this information for a long, long time.

Hmmmm....

Hmmmm....

Hmmmm....

Sunday Bizzy

Wow - while I only gave myself a few fanny-in-chair goals for today.....they are hefty and leading to some really intense goals over the next few days.

1) Finish the SW Utah trip planning - tick tock
2) Finish MyArtist's surprise - lots to do here and it relies on others too.
3) Work on the Camino reunion - teamwork!
4) November Wine Club invitations - DONE!
5) San Francisco planning - tick tock

I'm feeling strong - lots of coffee, worked out this morning and have a reward waiting for me at the end of the day.

This week will be fabulous and full of fun...once all the chores are done!

Dimension

I'm finding that I'm where I was with "Teri" about two years ago at this time. It was a prime time for me. I loved it. I lived it. I felt alive.

While I wish I could put some definition on some things, I think the stars think otherwise.

The best part of it all, is I'm contented. Everything that is and everything that isn't. Every sad, weary thing that keeps rolling my way is just another dimension.

Boy am I dimensional. LOL

The Love of Children

One of my best friends moved away this week. She just resigned from our company. I miss her dearly. She arrived "back home" today. A home she shared with her dynamic mother. Her mom collapsed and died about two hours later of a heart attack.

I am devastated for her. I'm frustrated that she's so far away and I can't help. And I miss her.

I'm glad she was there for Mom. But dammit all. Dammit. Dammit. Dammit. F-bomb dammit.

My grandson saw me crying tonight. He held me and said "Grandma, I'm so sorry to see you sad. I know why...your friend is sad too and that makes you sad. You're like that and I love you."

Teeny Peek

Menopause Jewelry

This is a howler....

Menopause Jewelry
My husband, being unhappy with my mood swings,
bought me a mood ring the other day
so he would be able to monitor my moods.
We've discovered that when I'm in a good mood, it turns green.
When I'm in a bad mood, it leaves a big frickin red mark on his forehead.
Maybe next time he'll buy me a diamond. Dumb ass.

Kickin' It

I do believe this is why Monday is so damn good!

I bought these back in May when I was in Las Vegas. They are one of the most comfortable pairs of footwear I own. And what a way to kick Monday around! Heee haw!

(Of course there's more to it!)

Namaste

Namaste.
I honor that in you in which the entire universe dwells.
I honor that in you which is of love, light, truth, and peace.
When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are one.

Yes!

Colin Powell backed Barak Obama today.

I'm so in.

AP reports: "The former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman said either senator is qualified to be commander in chief. But after studying both, he concluded that Obama is better suited than McCain, the standard-bearer of Powell's own party, to handle the nation's economic problems and help improve its world standing."

I wanted Powell to run for President. Knowing he is behind Obama means the world to me. And it means that Obama has a great military adviser backing him.

This is a great day for America!

Why?

Borsht for breakfast, cookies for lunch. Do some work, help a friend.

In the middle of it all, smile, feeling full of joy in the middle, top and bottom of my being.

I'm busy - so much so, if I miss my mark all the dominoes will fall. But.. the upside to that is there's so much wonderful to be had from it all.

So I'll clean the top of the refigerator while stirring soup, while responding to email and planning my week. I'll wrap packages, play ASL games with my grandson, watch TV, play video games with my grandson, sleep less, play more. I'll watch a movie and work, fly down the highway with the top down. Yoga when I could clean and drop everything to snuggle with my love. I'll sleep late one day, but not two.

I can settle for love and not need to seek LOVE. I'll be all I can for me, for you, for them. Because I can. Because I want to.

MyArtist often asks me "Are you happy today?" Yes, very much so.

My Centered Self

I'm in good place right now. Single, emotionally centered, and now focusing on the physical strength I let slip away a couple of years ago. I'm involved with people and places and projects and ideals. But, I am not lost in others' struggles.

Personal truggles make us stronger. Allowed to unfold and participating in their resolution makes us unique and multi-dimensional. They do not have to crush us.


Self centered - no. Centered - yes.

Happy? Blissfully so.

Driving In Reverse

So....I found myself needing to do my previous company role again. My dear friend and successor has resigned and is moving away.

I would say it should be like riding a bike, but it is more different than that. I would describe it as driving in reverse. One has to twist around to see where they are going even though they know the the terrain, and the "normal" perspective is very skewed.

It Really Happened

Not only do I have an Obama sign in my window now, I have two.

I actually went and picked up one by myself AND Ms. Jules was kind enough to send me one. I'm really sorry, I beat her too it - she's worked really hard on getting me to this point.

ObamaMama I have become.

Last Year

Last year upon returning from the Camino I kept eating like I was walking 25 miles a day. Not good. I went into winter puffy like a bear ready for hibernation.

Not this year.

Why?

Yes, I'm full of questions tonight. I haven't had an ounce of gumption today....not that I didn't do anything, but all of a sudden tonight, I'm ready to do laundry, clean the kitchen, scrub the bathtub, work on craft projects, blog, etc. It is time to sleep dammit.

Who Am I?

I have an ongoing art project that I've done over the years. My sister in law told me about the concept and actually teaches classes about it. From what she told me I started about five years ago.

I realized today, in looking through it, I've really captured me.

Faith / Angels
Love / Passion
Idealism / Joy
Travel / Nature
Yoga

And the best thing about it all, is that all of the images I've created/collected/inserted are about happiness. And it isn't the pursuit of happiness. It is my happiness.

(OK so the LOVE thing still needs some work...)

The Perfect Day

I woke up with a sinus headache this morning, but nursed it and retreated back to bed. IM'd with the Artist for a bit and then langiudly, messed around for three hours before facing the day. Did the big adventure, updated my cities where I've been, cleaned the office, blogged, talked with family and totally did less than I'd planned.


Ahhhhh - how much more perfect can it get?

Teri's Grand Adventure

I'm finding EVERY excuse today not to do what I need to do. But then again maybe that is what I am supposed to be doing.

MyArtist asked me if I was liking my iPhone. My pat answer for everyone thus far has been "yeah sure - work phone, get email, cool factor".

And then there's the standard Bejeweled that I put on every toy I own because late at night, when I can't sleep, I play that. MyArtist showed me the Koi pond...I own it and it is my grandson's favorite application. Who doesn't like poking yor finger in "water" and chasing fish around? Oh and almost all my email accounts can be accessed. And I have unlimited texting. Weather, camera, my favorite photos, and an iPod inside where I can have music, movies and books.

And then there's Google Maps. Oh My! One can put in their address and where they want to go. You can get directions like you would print out off the web, a map with the directions at the top and you just click forward, forward, forward as you make the turns given, etc. There are push pins that show where you're coming from and where you're going AND..... a blue push pin that is all about where you are.

I've been wanting to go to a Jazzercize class and the one nearest by is at 5:30 am in the morning. I have yet to show up (yes I do go) and find class being held. I decided I would stake out the next closest class. It's Sunday, traffic is non-existant and I have this cool iPhone with push pins.

FANTASTIC! But what was even more fun was watching "me" come home. The little blue dot trotted down the map, off the highway, up the street and holy cow into my driveway. I had to go really slow at the point because I was in my driveway and watching the dot and not my house. And another freaky feature is seeing my my house from space on my telephone. And yes, the blue dot follows me through the house.

Please tell me I no longer have to get lost leaving airports!

Orem's Growing Up - In A Good Way!

We just had our first farmers market grocery store open up - Sunflowers. It it fabulous!

There's a new theater opening up next month too - 16 theaters. So instead of driving a strech north or a stretch south - in the same amount of time I used to have to drive - I can walk - YAY!

I can find yoga everywhere now, whereas before, it was a challenge.

We've had a PF Changs and California Pizza kitchen for awhile. We can't forget too, that THE Starbucks has been here for awhile too (and thankfully) is thriving.

Keep on growing little town....it's pretty here and getting to be kind of fun.

Friday Night and I....

I'd finish with "I aint got nobody"......but my point in this post is that I cooked and cooked. It's been awhile since I've been able to do a kitchen marathon. I'll definitely have to do some Oh-Oh posting this weekend.

Lime Seared Scallops, Broccoli Slaw (I love this stuff), Roasted Poblamo and Corn Chowder and a pork roast ready to offer itself up to my homemade BBQ sauce. Still to come: Apple Pie (I'm gettng pretty good at this pie stuff - LOL), hummus and I'm thinking either a clementine cake or Tarte de Santiago.

Perfect weather to delve in.

Bass Ackwards

As my mother used to say.

I bought groceries today. Nearly $200 worth. Yes it was toilet paper, paper towel, plastic wrap season and I have already had some superb food from the exercise, but........

I can buy an airline ticket, park my car for a weekend, and visit friends and family all over the country for that same amount.

Hmm...cook, do laundry/dishes/chores hang out at home or go somewhere?

I think the US is kind of twisted right now.

One More Day

Last night I had a crazy dream
A wish was granted just for me
It could be for anything
I didn't ask for money
Or a mansion in Malibu
I simply wished, for one more day with you

One more day
One more time
One more sunset, maybe Id be satisfied
But then again
I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still, for one more day with you

First thing I'd do, is pray for time to crawl
Then I'd unplug the telephone
And keep the TV off
I'd hold you every second
Say a million I love yous
Thats what I'd do, with one more day with you

Compliment for Google

I wanted to send Google a compliment today and I can't find a place (at least easily) to pass it their way. So, since Blogspot is their prodcuct I'll do it here. Maybe the Googlebot will help me out a little.

GoogleMaps = awesome
GoogleMaps with walking directions is = FREAKING AWESOME!

I'm a walker - this is great news! And the even better news is it measures the time at 3 mph....just my pace.

Ya Never Know II

And tonight it was an itty bitty mouse in the house.

If you give a mouse a cookie...

He'll eat it.

Ya Never Know

This is what you find in the kitchen when there are small boys in the household.

Knowing You're Loved

There's a tremendous energy released into the world when someone tells you they love you and why.

Take some time today, turn to your family or a friend and let them know why they mean the world to you.

Global Warming will take on a whole new definition.

"I Like The Man With The Brown Skin"

My nearly eight year old grandson was watching the debates with his mother and me tonight. He listened intently. And he commented on what he was hearing. Here's a glimpse of our evening:
Why? "Because he wants to protect the children".

Later he said...."if the children aren't cared for, there won't be any grown ups later".

He referred to McCain as "the white skinned man". He didn't like him citing "with war, people fight and they die and then there's less people to love".

I love the compassion he shows and the logic his young mind has assembled.

Folks - if this is a glimpse of our future -it's all going to be all right.

Additional Adjectives Not Required

Footprints Not Fading

A point was actually said out loud this weekend that I've known for a long time....My Spain trip is all consuming of my being.

I was told before I left that upon my return it would be an ongoing struggle to take ones feet off the path. Several of us have discussed it since - that if you didn't do it, you can possibly understand the enormity of it all - physically, emotionally, spiritually.

Joop said awhile back he gave up trying to share it with others and just shut up about it - only sharing if specifically asked for his experiences. He noted he had us and we had him...a safe and supportive place where the secrets of the Camino could be revisited and validated. Denise has said the same....with her it is a painful reality...I can sometimes hear the hurt in her correspondence.

Learning Not To Work

I'm so proud of myself. I have actually vacationed recently. When I've left my office using vacation time, I've vacationed. This is a new concept and I've been restored because of it. Go me. The moments are deeper and the return so profound.

Rainy Oregon

I spent the weekend in lush rainy Oregon. Visited MyArtist and the painting. Celebrated a birthday, met some really interesting people, cooked a little, dined a little, planned little, listened a lot. I even managed to get copious amounts of quilting done.

One thing that quiet contemplative weekends can evoke is musing on life. Like how so many seemingly divergent concepts really aren't. How poeple tend to find shelter under the same eaves again and again. And it leads me to wondering why, if the shelter isn't adequate, why we keep assembling there?

Fun, introspection, retreat.

Men: Female Math + Intuition Can Prove Fatal

Men love intelligent women until they invoke their intelligence. Need I say more?

This Explains A LOT of Things

Part of my horoscope for October:

Mercury rules communication, commerce, thinking, perception, negotiation, and contracts, as well as electronics and all moving parts. The world spins on the very areas in life that Mercury rules. We need Mercury to be in top shape because if it is not, human interaction with the performance of computers and machines tend to go haywire, as counter-intuitive as that statement may sound.

On October 4, Venus and Jupiter will be in a lively conversation, sure to bubble up lots of fun. You may travel over this weekend; if so, you've chosen the perfect time to go. (Something seems to make you very happy about what do you this weekend.)

Speaking of your partner, it appears your significant other - a good friend - will bring you to a Halloween party and if so, you'll have one of the best Halloween parties EVER.

Turn That Frown Upside Down

I really try to be an upbeat person and try to put some happy out into the world. Sometimes I intentionally work on slapping a smile on somone's face and some days, just being me, manages to do the trick. I think sometimes that people forget that I have bad days too or that perky is a habit and not always how I really feel.

But....then I realize other people are just like me....they don't always know that they are really slapping a smile on me.

And today, when I really, really, really needed it the most:

Customers and co-workers: "You are always so kind to give me a warm smile." "I wanted to call and say I wasn't trying to give you a hard time in that email - I really just need your help so I wanted to call and tell you in person" "I cannot thank you enough for the package that just arrived! It’s been one of those days and you just turned it around lol!" "I really do appreciate your thoughtfulness. "

Family: "Love you lots", "hugs and kisses" and lots of family time tonight.

Camino: One friend left an Internet voice mail reading of Shakespere for me and other greetings today.

Except for my family, no one knew about my personal cloud - and they only knew one facet. Just look at all the love that came my way today. Thank you angels.

Some Days i Just Get Lucky

My work phone started rebooting itself yesterday when trying to sync email. Today all my calendar items (and reminders) were tripled and then quadrupled. And a few hours ago it randomly started rebooting itself at regular intervals.

Tech Services and I have worked very hard to troubleshoot it. The final analysis was to label it "trouble" and "shoot" it, thus putting me out of its misery.

And our company is now replacing Treos with.............you guessed it -

iPhones

Reading Machine

My grandson's school has a reading contest with a nice prize at the end. The little man is reading everying, all the time and out loud. He is roaring through books, reading every sign posted everywhere.

And the story gets better - About 10:00 last night I hear him jabbering away. He's on his Mom's bed reading to her and she's sound asleep.

It is really funny as a grandparent to see the roles being reversed by the grandkids. Karma is a beautiful thing.