10 things that would make my life good (?)

The other day, I walked into a conversation a co-worker was having with another -where she was asked to make a list of the things she felt would truly make her life good. I don't know if he told her to list 10, or if that is where she stopped. I just know that afterwards I felt a little sad, that she found 10 things that she would need. I got the impression that it wasn't any ONE of the 10 that she needed, but that if she had all 10, her life would be good. THAT alone would make a difference in the entire outlook I suppose but then again ....... it's hard to imagine (realistically) that any ONE thing could transform your life magically (although more money comes to mind at this moment) but let us suppose ..... first off, if we DO NOT rely on magic (it's so unreliable anyway) then even if there were ONLY one thing .... then I should hope one might want themselves or a loved one to be cured of a life threatening illness and THAT would definately change one's life for the better. Or if one has been out of work & that ONE thing they are wanting is a job - that most certainly would change their life for the better! AND, I can think of other "one things" that could (or should) apply here. BUT ..... if someone honestly thought they DID NEED 10 things to make their life good- then that is a sad thing. If there were a group of us (with our 2nd round of cocktails in hand) this would be an interesting round table discussion indeed because I think it would bring up 'what ifs' and 'have you thought ofs' and much more!!
Bottom line, it did get me thinking (and maybe in the big picture that's what this was all about anyway) .... WHAT do I need to make my life good (or perf, or better, or happy)?? Nothing. I mean, realistically. Yeah, sure .... more this, less that .....yatta, yatta, yatta. The r-e-a-l thing is all I truly need is me (and I do mean REALLY). I could chang all the things on her list myself . I can dust my butt off and do things MYSELF that would bring these things to me if I really wanted to.
SOOOO, if I am going to list that ONE THING that I need to make life good (better, happy, whatever) it will be to hold myself accountable to TAKE THE STEPS to get what I want. But for the record ..... life for me is pretty darn good just as it is!! So I will consider dusting my derrier at another time. (I can make that decision for myself as well right?)

Addyson is 2 years old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT'S BEEN 2 YEARS ALREADY?!!!

UNBELIEVABLY our little angel Addy turned 2 this past week.

Between my pain & sleepedness that (unexpectedly) overtook my week- & waiting for the "almost any day now" newest pics of the grandkids, I neglected to make the BIG announcement of the latest & greatest family birthday. Wow, look at the change from a few weeks old to now. What a cutie pie!!

I am so .... human (sometimes!)

so you get this email from a friend right? Yeah, yeah ... it has been forwarded you can see, but you figure you'll just take a quick peek. Maybe it's the "tell everyone the news" title line, or the personal comment that is put in the the subject line. Maybe it's just the particular person it's from or even your mood. Often there is some great pictures or nice music attached. Or the timing is perfect because it relates to a current holiday or situation you are in the middle of. And then ..... the dreaded "send this to those you care about" sentence- OR- the "this really works" testimonial. BUT- the finale that really bugs me is the infamous "send this to 10 people in the next 10 minutes or" ........ (you can fill in the blank yourself). Annoying. Bothersome. Tedious. and yet -
THERE ARE those times when I DOOOOO take the personality test, or the IQ test, or the blah, blah, blah.... EVEN THOUGH my intelligence really is of little or no issue to me in my life at this stage. And finding out my personality or (?) by picking my fav colors is a joke because that is determined by my "current"color mood (yesterday it was red, today is pink, two days ago leopard!!!) but still .... there is that part of me that will venture thru the thing, knowing all the while that I ALWAYS test out so middle of the road/average/normal/traditional/BORING -as I have forever & ever. There is THAT part of me that is predictable I guess. ANOTHER thing that is also predictable is that the time has come for me to head off to work. Lot to do, busy-busy and ONE DAY closer to a visit with my first born & his girlfriend if schedules don't change. :o)

it was a "guy" thing you might say

SO, these two GROWN MEN wander off into a HUGE crowd of people (estimated attendance is 100,000 in this town that normally has less than 9,000!!)
I dropped them off, since the nearest parking was likely a couple miles away BEFORE noon. They spent over 3 hours drooling. I thought I would share some of their fantasy autos with you in honor of Father's Day.

BIG BUCKS!! & BIG CROWDS !! (and I say "no big deal")

there is ALWAYS someone who feels the need to get OVERLY creative I suppose!!

I BELIEVE the idea behind taking a picture of this pink one was to make me think there was something there for me that I missed (uh .... it didn't work!!)

helllllllllllloooooo sunshine!

Yesterday was the PERF'est weather of the season here at the beach. I worked a few hours (argh) then came home and layed in my hammock- falling asleep in the warmth of the sun. YAY
I have been down & out most of the week but FINALLY feel a little more myself today. I move around a whole hour before I feel like I need a nap! Sleeping in was interupted by a 5:30am earthquake. Nothing to make headlines but enough of a jolt to wake me from a still sleep. Lotsa traffic here with the car show that attracts thousands to the area. So while the businesses are MORE THAN happy with the crowds, it is a good time to be feeling a wee bit under the weather since staying away from town is a really good idea!! The Captain & Pops will head down for a short look-see I am sure but I am groovey with quiet time, a little computer surfing & another nap! By tomorrow, I am hoping a little scrapping will be called upon so the "real" weekend will begin then.

well ... me too!

HEY

I have been busy as well. Maybe not in as physical way but with my brain & creativity! I have officially begun what I am calling my B&W book. As you can see, there is MORE to it than B&W but I may have a few versions before I determine the total direction I want to go in. For now, it certainly keeps me off the street! And I get to "play" on my own in bits & pieces. I am off for a couple of days for other things, but I just might sneak in for a little extra scrappin' too. Check out what I think is my starting point so far :o)

Sunday, Sunday .... it's such a fun day!!

Well, like I said .... the guys have been mighty busy lately. (I have created monsters by my encouragement for them to "shop" together!!!) look what they went & did??! IT'S ALL GOOD mind you, and will be put to good use. We pooled our resources to make it happen and it will really help pops! Check out the evidence of their "work" together. Keep on truckin' Dad!!!

organize, sort, appreciate ....

sooooo .... I got a few more paper racks a few days ago but FINALLY got to the organizing TODAY. (oh yay) So once again my craft room is in working order and since I got all my laudry done today- I think I shall "play" for most of tomorrow. I will be starting my black & white album.
Pops and the Captain were pretty busy themselves.
A pictorial on that tomorrow (I hope).
I LOVE WEEKENDS !!!

OMG, I thought Thursday would NEVER end??!!!

I left for the office at 6:40 am .... I clocked in at 7:39 ... I clocked out at 6:39 and I FINALLY pulled into my driveway at 7:52pm ... OH, BUT I DID get a 35 minute lunch so what do I have to complain about??!! (ok, actually, I clocked out for 35 minutes but I was only "out to lunch" for 15 of them) It was a long day. A long, busy, crazy, unorganized (unfinished) day! So, tomorrow will again start out early, so that I can catch up & finish up and BEST of all- leave the week BEHIND when I clock out of the last time this week! Hope it was as productive as it felt (?)

yes, he actually is.

and therefore I am.
Lucky
amazingly, thankfully, deservedly, truly .... lucky.
He, of course, is the Captain and he is ...... wonderful. My friends and family will wholeheartedly agree in this fact. I am not biased in this belief. He is.
He loves me. He adores me (this I have trouble saying even to myself). He supports me- both in things I know are the right decision and even in those things that are less so. He protects me, sometimes more than is necessary. He is gentle but determined when we disagree. In most cases he is open minded. In ALL cases he is open hearted. He has a Father's heart and a grandfather's playful spirit. He is passionate about much more than me (thankfully). His mind is always ticking. He has a messy desk but the inside of his tool boxes are immaculate, which pretty much describes him at times .... he's not GQ, but his heart & soul are as good as it could possibly get in a human being. He is fiercely loyal to his family & mine. He is generous (to a fault) but mindfully responsible in every way. He is playful and funny and young at heart. He can be cynical, but easily won over when deserved. He is thankful & respectful & amazingly smart. He loves his lighthouse (a story in itself) and best of all (for me & mine), he loves me .... just the way I am. Yes, he actually is. (all of these things, and more)

ahhhh ... that was nice

a festive meal, a bike ride, a little scrappin with my sis, a WEE bit of housework & some shopping with my hubby .... now THAT'S a weekend!!
TONIGHT .... the Captain graduates from his lighthouse/trail docent training. Keeping in mind that this is a volunteer job (he loves) and that he has actually been doing it (sometimes solo) for the past couple of weeks ... this is more symbolic than anything .... but most importantly, my opportunity to see him in this element that has added so much joy in his life! Congrats my Captain!! ILY

tip tap, rattle, roar, swoosh & tinkle

It's raining this morning. love it, love it, love it. BUT, I gotta disrupt the splendor and go to work (like it, but don't love it) I found myself, mid-sip of my coffee almost hypnotized by the different sounds the showers, drops or downpours make. VERY groovey. and maybe .... it will fill in all the ground squirrel holes so they will stop coming into my yard and stealing the young fruit off my trees ........... they have taken every bit of it so far! them critters, them varmits, them sneaky little theives!
TOOODAY is my Captain's birthday & he hits the BIG 60! He is a VERY young 60 but it doesn't change the number, so we are making it a big deal for him (and to him). What an amazing guy he is. I hope it is his best burf ever! (and of course it's fwiiidaaay!!!!) happy-happy, joy-joy

the GRAMPA chronicles continue ...

sooooo ... we get this phone call from the Captain's daughter saying "I have the greatest news" and the Captain's mouth drops and then she says - "NO, I'm not pregnant" ... and he is - for the FIRST TIME, almost disappointed (almost). The pictures above are why. The Captain is now, in full-fledged grampa mode ! It is a good thing that Vanessa isn't ready to start her family. Financially, they have a ways to go- but ALSO (selfishly on my part) it is Addyson & Anthony's time. These are the years when the g&g bonds are formed and I want them to have what my kids had with their g&g. perfect time. quality time. g&g time. SO - picture by picture, lemme tell their story here ....
1. grampa- why don't you have wotsa hair?
2. grampa, make your mouth go like this
3. wait, wait grampa ... I have to think (about picking up his toys)
4. what's taking the train so long grampa?
He was only here for 24 hours and yet, we are still talking about the visit 4 days later!!

I know, I "NO"

yes, yes, yes .... plenty pictures to share from the latest grandson visit, but it was a busy weekend and when I got a few hours to myself .... I indulged in creating a few scrap pages instead of sorting photos .... my choice.
speaking of choices (and blogs for that matter) ... something did come up over the weekend that had to do with choices on what to blog about. Clearly, when a person has a blog, it is "their blog" and they are in full control over what to blog about & when. totally true If I were Oprah, I too would have my picture on the cover EVERY issue .... touch ups, airbrushes & glam not withstanding. And while I choose (primarily) not to go the negative, finger pointing, tell-all direction with mine ..... I certainly am not in a position to direct anyone else to follow suit. They can choose to ignore my comments & I can choose to not participate in a daily reading .... once again, freedom of choice. THIS SAME freedom cannot, unfortunately, be used to determine whether I leave for work shortly so for now .... like it or not- it is my choice to head on out! besides ... on the "half full" sort of thinking, it means I am one morning closer to the weekend!