Kelly Said...

Kelly used to always say: I buy you books and I buy you books and still you pick your nose.

There's a lesson there.

Forever and Always

And in looking for the last set of lyrics I found this:


Song lyrics | Michael Buble - Everything lyrics

This is how I want to be loved forever and always. When, oh when, will my ship come in?

Music and Lyrics

I love this movie. I went to it by myself one afternoon and feel in love with it. It's just the sweetest thing. Two songs are running through my head today:


Song lyrics | Hugh Grant - Love Autopsy lyrics

and


Song lyrics | Hugh Grant And Haley Bennett - Way Back Into Love lyrics

Chatterday

I'm getting things knocked off my list this weekend: Changing light bulbs, arranging the cat sitter, pre-departure hotel room, etc. I moved some stuff around the house. Finally took down my cache of birthday cards - deciding this year's had completed itself. I put a couple up on the bulletin board because they were so, well, me!

I walked with the pack and discovered that it does make a difference how the weighty stuff is loaded. At least people were friendlier today - last time I walked with my pack I was treated like I was homeless. People today were curious and asked questions.

A friend came to dinner last night and I cooked salmon and peach cobbler (from scratch). Reread the last half of that sentence - I cooked salmon and peach cobbler (from scratch). Go me!

I found a great bargin on a Cuisinart coffee maker. I think there's even a button it to mop the floor if I look hard enough. Talk about features - WOW!

I'm working on some trip details this afternoon. Tonight I'm heading to SLC for dinner. One of those special dress up events. Just have to decide whether to wear "strapless" or black, and then remember to take the blister bandaids off my toes. LOL!

Back to planning land - time's a tickin!

Spain

Have you been following my trip preparations? If not - drop in: http://mi-viaje-a-santiago.blogspot.com/

There's a link to the right if you want it in the future.

Buen Camino

Aarrrrrrgggghhh!

That's all the creativity I have in me today!

Pioneer Day

Today, in Utah, is Pioneer Day. A special day for the LDS members and a state holiday. For me, I lean toward the state holiday persuasion.

I did my chores on foot this morning.

I cooked up a storm today! Since I no longer have a houseful of people, I've been doing the cheese and crackers or nachos, bachelorette thing. The weather had cooled down and I used the stove and oven for a few hours and cooked enough food to last me a couple of months (between cheese and crackers and nachos).

My friends and I moved around between clusters and groups and all decended at another friend's tonight with dinner. We did a pajama party and watched TV for awhile and then ambled back to our own abodes. Short, sweet, fun. (Her husband was envious - he was out of town).

A little haha. My phone rang at one point while I was at my friends. I looked around confused. Everyone was there! Who in the heck would be calling? It was one of my daughters.

What a lovely day!

July

July is only about 2/3 done, but I have to take note that it's been good to me so far. The best month, I'd say, so far this year. And listen to this....next month I leave for Spain! (I like the fact I had to move it up a day!!) For those who have contributed to this upswing- and you know who you are: Thanks for the peace and happiness and being in my life - I appreciate you.

Sleeping Around

I think, since I haven't been traveling much for work lately, that I'm restless. I've taken to "sleeping around" as my sweet, wonderful, thoughtful, got-my-back-covered girlfriends have phrased it. Read on, please.

I have a big house. I have lots of living "areas". I am restless. I'm bored. In the past week I've slept on the living room couch, on the living room floor, in the "main" guest room, in my room. I still, should I desire to continue "sleeping around", have the second guest room, the empty bedroom, the yoga room and the family room to choose from. And then there's the loft and the hammock out back still if I have run out of options. And then, there are my friends' houses if I need to roam further.

Fortunately, I have a trip in August and then in September I'll get a different bed a night for 30-something days. That should cure me - right?

Testosterone Free Zone

We had girls night tonight: One newly married, three long single, one enganged, one missing due to fire reports in her area. NOTE: This was not a man-bash fest!!

We wined and dined talked about travel, talked about men (no bashing - honest), talked about work, talked about sex, talked about men, talked about men and sex (no bashing - honest), discussed rumors, quelled rumors, talked about men (no bashing - honest), talked about fairy tales, love, etc.

My friends here are so wonderful. We have couples, we have singles, we have girls, and we have guys. I love them all dearly and love the group I'm with. It is safe, signifigant, and restorative.

You go girls - I love you all so much!

If Tomorrow Never Comes

Sometimes late at night
I lie awake and watch her sleeping
She's lost in peaceful dreams
So I turn out the lights and
lay there in the dark
And the thought crosses my mind
If I never wake up in the morning
Would she ever doubt the way I feel
About her in my heart
If tomorrow never comes

Will she know how much I loved her
Did I try in every way to show her every day
That she's my only one
And if my time on earth were through
And she must face the world without me
Is the love I gave her in the past
Gonna be enough to last
If tomorrow never comes

'Cause I've lost loved ones in my life
Who never knew how much I loved them
Now I live with the regret
That my true feelings for them
never were revealed
So I made a promise to myself
To say each day how much she means to me
And avoid that circumstance
Where there's no second chance
to tell her how I feel

If tomorrow never comes
Will she know how much I loved her
Did I try in every way to show her every day
That she's my only one
And if my time on earth were through
And she must face the world without me
I s the love I gave her in the past
Gonna be enough to last
If tomorrow never comes

If tomorrow never comes
Will she know how much I loved her
Did I try in every way to show her every day
That she's my only one
And if my time on earth were through
And she must face the world without me
Is the love I gave her in the past
Gonna be enough to last
If tomorrow never comes

So tell that someone that you love
Just what you're thinking of
If tomorrow never comes

Thank you Barry!

Not The Brightest Crayon In The Box

Remember as I tell this, that I woke up at 3:30 this morning (my team thought the clock was wrong on my laptop). At 5:30 I went for a walk (2 miles) . Then I went to work 9 hours. Then I walked to Spanish class (2.5 miles in 98 degree heat) and then walked home (2.5 miles and lesser heat).

I snacked before I left and I had fitness water and went through 1.5 litres of water total - but I'm tuckered. The hours, the miles, the heat - I'm more than tuckered, I'm wiped. So off I go to bed, way too early again.

Hasta manana muchachas!

Yawn!

Buenas Dias!

I let myself be totally fluid last night - no agenda, no chores, no exercise. I soul searched, I reminisced, I blogged, a couple of friends and my daughter called, I pampered my feet a bit and languidly went to bed WAY TOO EARLY! And here I am - I've been pretty much awake since 3:30.

I've done work email, read some work periodicals, done some home chores, fixed breakfast, had my coffee, etc. Now I'm just waiting for some hint of daylight and I'll go take a walk.

There goes the alarm clock - guess it's time to get up and get going. LOL! Have a great and wonderful and fabulous Miercoles!

Soul Mates

It's taken a village and a lifetime (to date) to get to my Spain trip. I've worked on it heavily the last few days. I'm overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude.....and sentimental to boot.

Awhile back I gave a copy of Soul Mates to a friend of mine who knows what her soul desires, but this life has not yet delivered. At some point, I'm sure, we'll share the highlighted passages, and knowing her well, they'll be marked in the same places. Having dragged out my copy from the fireplace mantle to double check the author's name (Thomas More), it's been teasing me into reading it again. I have a hard time READING the book because I have these hot pink highlights that I applied to it somewhere in the mid 90's.

"Soulmates" is an overused term these days. Almost like "love" with teenagers. My definition and attachment to it runs deep, very deep. I still believe, that a true relationship is truly effortless. Don't get me wrong - it isn't without attention to detail (oh this I've learned the hard way) and it requires full participation, but that being connected and communicating comes naturally.When connected, the giving isn't difficult, it is desired. Anyway...

Here's the quote that stirred my soul tonight: Anything done without imagination is impervious to soul, and yet it takes little effort to move from practicality to style.

The book goes on to delve deeper into what comprises friendships, relationships, love and eros. The book has remained a lighthouse in my life and in some cases the definitive guide of who might stay, who must go and who gets the permanent WELCOME mat.

My heart to those that truly understand me and the special that I am and honor the love that I have to give. Thank you.

I Believe

I believe in magic! I believe that believing in God, god, angels, fairy dust, fate, karma and love that life will come at you and it will be good. Let life happen folks! Love, live, laugh, give thanks. Go where you want to go, but don't forget how you got here. Cherish the taste of chocolate. Find out why you're here - today, right now. There's a reason and it's a lesson. Every thing important will surround you and care for you. Some days less than others. Some years less than most.

Don't lose faith with anything. Hold out hope. Trust. Know.

That's Not How I Planned It!

As I was leaving the house today to meet my friend for lunch, I noticed one of my tires was low. Looking closer, I realized that the sidewall was split, like 3" split. I knew it was coming time to get new tires, at my last oil change the mechanic had let me know. But noticing it TODAY, had signifigance.

1). I hadn't planned on going out to lunch today. 2) By seeing it today I was able to drop my car off at the dealership and have her pick me up. 3) I did not risk driving on the highway in this heat and having a BLOWOUT! 4) My friend's husband, who I also work with, is out of town this week and she gave me his car to use.

So while I have to buy tires sooner than I'd hoped (I had hoped I could wait until Spring), it fell on the perfect day, with the perfect situation and all is well. This is how it goes with me. I'm so very blessed!

Closure

Ha ha! Not as heady as it sounds!! At coffee (our Sunday girls group) I finished the curtins for the yoga studio and finished my stuff sacks for my trip. The remainder of today is going to be Spanish (homework) and Spain (travel plans). One little happy detour, a friend just called and wanted to go do lunch. That on a Sunday, in Utah County, is a challenge, but we are up to it :).

I found out more information on Tomas the Knight (Templar) and how to find his refugio. This will be a "must stop here" on my trip. And met up with another female perigrino who will be traveling about the same time I will be. I'll write more about this on the Spain site later.

Happy Sunday one and all :-)

Llama Fest

We're all heading to the annual Llama Fest tomorrow night! Funny thing is half us was rounding up a group to go, while down the hall the other half was coming up the hall to see if we all wanted to go. It's a psychic fest too!

And...if you really want to hear the story again, I'll tell you about the strawberry llama kiss I got once in Augusta, GA (right after I got done walking to South Carolina).

Here's a little ditty Blaine found to help prepare us for the event:


http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/llama.php

I Remember This

I am in a happy place!

I have had a fabulous week! Work, while challenging, has kept me on my toes, but not scrambing for sanity. My general being has been so at peace. I've felt restored, laughed buckets of giggles, and felt "hugged" all week.

A friend said to me..."We all support you on your trip, but you've rediscovered someone that understands ALL of it at a level we never will. How fortunate you are!!" And she's right.

I remember once being understood without ever speaking a word - never having to define, explain, request. Applauded, encouraged and prodded to simply be ME.

And this week - I've had that all again. I remember this.

The Top Ten Things To Learn In Spanish Class Before The Camino

Because my Camino is a reverent undertaking - I won't post this list there (well maybe - after I stop laughing). But....since this site is totally "me", this is appropriate to post here. From the person who knowest me best:

The Top Ten Things To Learn In Spanish Class Before The Camino

10. I need batteries.
9. Ten bucks for a Gatorade!? Gimme a beer.
8. Has the mud ever been this deep?
7. I don’t shower with men.
6. No, I’m sitting here waiting for the ice cream truck.
5. I didn’t know people drank from this fountain. It sure looked like a foot-soak to me.
4. Do you have earplugs? The Italian guy in the next bunk is snoring.
3. Touch my boobs or ass again and I SWEAR I’ll slay you in the Name of Jesus.
2. That smell isn’t the pasture, it’s the socks dangling from my pack.
And the number one phrase to learn in Spanish:
1. Give me all the M&M’s in the store or your children will go blind and get leprosy.

Beautiful Evening

I worked on my trip to Spain tonight. I sat on the patio all evening, typing, researching, and nursing a couple of glasses of wine. I stayed out there until the very last rays of today's light faded. It was wonderful and restorative.

Tambien

Sushi Tuesday

A local Sushi restaurant runs a special on Tuesday. Our group gets bigger and bigger every week. It started with two of us, and then two twos of us - today our group was five. It's just a given if it's Tuesday it must be Sushi!

My Good Fortune Does Not Quit

I recieved a call today from Esperanza. They are having "stragglers" teams next year. I'm in.

Here's what D had to say: "Building a house in Mexico?......So you're gonna shred your feet in Spain, then your hands a year later in Mexico? I do remember your burger-ized hands from the last time. (Funny he should remember that - because I don't - maybe like birthing a baby - you forget the labor???).

I LOVE MY LIFE!

House Stuff

Finally! The table and chairs have been assembled and finally, I took pictures of the WALL!

Table and Chairs - Louise came over tonight to help me. God Bless IKEA - it was simple as pie and I could have done it alone. But....it was way fun with two to assemble. Then Diana called and asked if she and Blaine could join us. Heck, yeah - the more the merrier. Blaine held stuff and torqued a couple of obstinate bolts. What a blast. And here's what I have now :)

Now - for THE WALL. Remember this started out as a New Years weekend project. And turned almost into a remodel. Here is the fruit of my efforts.
Several wonderful things happened with this project. One it's 99% done. I did it myself. Louise and Randi (her idea in the first place) both told me how to do it and left me to learn. It's great fun (loaded with Spanish right now). My grandson loves it. This was my very first ever household project. (My last house I didn't do a thing to it.)

It still doesn't have the chair rail, but one of these days, when I don't have a thousand things going on and have an extra set of arms around again - it will be done.