I'm baaaaaaaack!

for any & all of you who have worried about me lately, I am here to tell you I am getting back to my old self again. A lot has happened- much of which I can do absolutely NUTTIN about and while I needed time to rant & rave ( that was the only way this time to get me to my "working it all out" process), and to grieve for changes I had hoped would not come ..... I have accepted that not everybody chooses my way (or even cares what it is for that matter!) and really - at the end of the day, I have only myself to answer to anyway. SO, in my own cheerful & gracious way I am back in the fold to deal with what comes at me until I decide to chase rainbows.

ask & I shall receive (often)

It is not an unusual event for me to ask the Captain if he can do me a favor when he's not busy. INFACT it is even more common for him to ask if there is anything in particular that I want him to get done before he gets started on a project of his own .... no matter the case, he is SO GOOD about "getting right on it". I wanted some little bins to sort the coffee capsules for my new Dolce-Gusto and he not only went & found some- but then he helped rearrange things so they would fit!! And as if that alone didn't tickle me pink, he "got right to" re hanging a couple of things for me in the master bathroom too. What a guy!!!

we have a standing joke about "getting right on it" .... the Captain says it all the time even when it is something totally out of the question !! It makes me laugh almost every time. (and I sooooo like laughing) Thanks Captain. ILY

the lows & highs of it .... (the ocean that is)

I really didn't give it much thought when I took
HIGH tide pictures today .... that I could compare
them to the LOW tide pictures of yesterday, or
I would have been more careful to take the same
angles. HOWEVER- I think the Captain took
some pics with his phone so (when he is awake)
I might have him download them if there is a
better comparison. The loooooooow tide was
erie. tsunami looking.








the high
tides came
all the way
up to the
sea walls-


leaving only
small mounds
beach here & there
(and not many of them!!)

sneeeeze, snifffle, & open ANOTHER box of kleenex

sunshine, low tide & a walk with my Captain!

a VERY low, low, low, LOW tide today-
so we went to take a look!















I love
the
reflection
of the
pier in
the wet
sand.





this was
pretty
much at
it's
lowest.

it made
the
beach
HUGE!

From flowers

that were

"personally"

delivered.

Cupcakes,

carrot cake,

an eclair,

faxes with

greetings,

a dozen texts,

a few singing messages, & live phone calls -
my birthday was off to a BIG start by mid morning yesterday!

Then I came home to dinner at a great Italian restaurant in the neighborhood,

accompanied by a lovely glass of white wine that was well received. We returned

home to a pile of gifts (and I am not exaggerating). The Captain had all sorts of goodies, plus cards galore from he & pops & the mail (and the neighbors), and packages that came from my a couple of my sisters. There was more around here then at Christmas time!! ALL OF IT really thoughtful, fun, sweet & groovey!!

Thank you EVERYONE! It was a wonderful treat.

OMG .... what a difference a day makes!

I was doing some "digital shopping" today with gift certificates my hubby gave me for my birthday & I started crying. Only THIS TIME it was happy tears. The digital download I erupted over was a layout for a Top Ten list. It caught my eye and I started thinking of all the ways I could use it and somehow- it made me start thinking about yesterday and how @7am I would have used the list to figure out the top 10 ways to fall into a coma .... but by 11am I would have used it for the top 10 reasons for being SOOOOOO THANKFUL that I have wonderful friends & family!!!! Toda- much of what had drawn me down into a well of self pity is simply the way it's gonna be & I am ready to keep on plugging the holes in the dam!
THANK YOU to all those who have been trying to help me cheer up lately ... you finally broke thru (and honestly ... it wasn't just because you bought me stuff!!!) Once again, it reminds me of how lucky I am to have such amazing friends & family. XOXO

perhaps my biggest challenge yet ...

I am going to try a new number. Because (quite frankly) the old number is pretty unbelievable anyway and besides .....once you get really good at something .... it's time to try something new. SO- after being 39 for 17 years .... I am turning the page to 49. That may seem like a lot of pages to turn at once but truth be told ... it would mean that as of today, I have been 49 yrs old 8 times anyway!!!
My sissy Lindy has sent me a HUGE box via Fed Ex that sits in my living room untouched. Partly because it came a day early & partly because of all the stuff going on that celebrating just isn't feeling right at the moment. Perhaps a little later today. (since it's barely 6am now anyway & I am off to work momentarily) THANKS TO ALL for the well wishes. I love you!!

[Happy Anniversary LouLou & Rich

25 years!! YOU ARE RIGHT- it is a BIG accomplishment! 24 years ago- I would have bet that it wouldn't last past 5 and that I would be the first to celebrate 25. But, alas- as the most naive of all teenagers growing up within our family- my white picket fence & 2.5 kids faded after 13! You jumped in head first & have rarely looked back. GOOD FOR YOU! Best of us (from my spectator seat) - I think you two are better suited now then when you first said "I do". luv ya much & BIG congrats.

DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!!!

OKAY- so maybe you doooooooooooo want to try
this, BUT - be prepared for it to take over an hour
to curl (most of) your hair!!. Which is probably
about how long it will stay curled considering I
have been straightening it for over a year!!!
(not to mention how it will look after I sleep on it)

CELEBRATE !!!!

My ever-so-on-the-ball sister asked me what my "word"
is for 2010 this morning. I have been struggling over
this for over a week now. (& if this was my biggest issue,
wouldn't I be lucky?) By yesterday, I had narrowed it down
to courage & celebrate .... so when I saw her email, I
gave it more thought. Mind you, I am rapidly *#+;!=@%
approaching 60 (&?$-*/#&@!;*%^=<") , so I decided on
celebrate for more than one reason. If I manage to
muster up the courage I should be using ... then I can
celebrate that accomplishment, and in the meantime-
I plan to celebrate each day that I "live with grace".
By that I mean being compassionate, considerate,
loving, patient, empathetic, understanding, tolerant,
thoughtful, charitable & forgiving to everyone &
every situation possible. Afterall .... it really isn't
all about me.

my opening page ...

I needed an opening page to my "me" book that
documented something I particularly loved for
each month of 2009.
So I decided to make a ME page to kick it off !!

2009 done, 2010 started

finished all

the embellishments

to the 2009 "Book of

Memories" - it was

my project of

documenting

something for

every month !! &

I already have a

solid start for

this year too!!

the Captain's got a "bug"

my Captain is feeling icky ...........
Since it RARELY happens, he doesn't
handle it too well. But his princess
nurse it keeping him hydrated & tylenol'd.

Get well soon my hubby !!

today's accomplishments

THIS is the RIGHT WAY to start the morning.
I almost forgot to take the picture ..... a minute
or so earlier it was even prettier!! (more defined
layers) My mocha latte

and THIS is my extra curricular activity
for the next 8 weeks!

community volunteer program - at the
very least, we'll meet some new people.

not back into the swing of things (and happy about it)

What that REALLY means is that life is not back to the same ole "what has recently become a grind" thing. And that is a GOOD thing. Of course-if I don't work- I don't get paid- but I am learning that not spending makes up for not making (too slowly but none the less). Back to a few coupons, dig thru the storage room- in other words .... shop from the stuff I already have (and my not remember having!) I can do this. Stay tuned for more later :o)

no longer "live" from snowy Palm Springs

and you wonder why we came

home early from P.S.?

I MUCH prefer

to watch "wild"

weather from my own

window at home!! and

I wasn't disappointed.

At times- the wind was

so strong the rain

totally horizontal

(and in this case- the hail)

chores are cancelled on account of rain !!

without a doubt- this was not a day for getting things done. Between the wind, the huge waves in the angry looking ocean, the hail, the showers turning to downpours then back again, the rainbows & a hint of sunshine .... it was a day of awe. (and looking thru the telescope). In between oooohs & wows ... I did some embelishing on my recent digital layouts. I felt relaxed & creative & it's been a good day for me!!

stormy weather (sing it baby)

I L-O-V-E my home! And boy am I glad to be back in it! :o)

CELEBRATION of friendship!

I am really

disappointed

that I missed

the REAL date

of her birthday.

but

Perhaps ......

having a new

greeting that

is a little late-

actually makes

the Birthday

Greeting for a

special friend

more unique!!

Happy Birthday

JULIE xoxo

the look of love

I know, I know (loulou) you do that "gag me" thing
now & again when I talk about love, but brace yourself ....

this is me & my Captain .... feelin' the love that we have

a little more time for when we have some extra time

together!! This is one of our Palm Springs self-portraits!

have I told you lately ....

Have I mentioned lately how much "the boys" spoil me?
I tell ya- there is REAL VALUE to being the only female in the household. (Little Kitty notwithstanding). Flowers for no reason. A dinner out just at the mention. gourmet coffee. extra hugs. more help with chores than the average bear. My being "the princess" is evident in our household. I notice & I appreciate it and (shamelessly) I love it! Thanks guys

The guys have recently been discussing my potentual retirement. Prompted by some goings on at the workplace, they are (as usual) putting my happiness first. And while the idea of it sounds inviting- I don't think the household is ready for it financially and ... with my subsequent cut back of work days- the I want to accomplish a couple of goals before putting the subject on the table seriously. Leaving my job is not something I take lightly, as there are people I REALLY care about that would be affected (including patients) and that is only part of what makes me a good employee (valued or not- I still want to be proud of the job I do). SO- knowing the "opportunity" is available, will allow me to give careful thought & attention to the idea, while pursuing what I KNOW I want to get done in the mean time. AND ONCE AGAIN...... thanks boys!!

we also got "trained" yesterday

well- a LOT is said about boys & their trains!

in this case .... it is well put. The set up they have put
together at The Living Desert is impressive. It covers

an area big enough to house an elephant or two and it

seems to continue to be more elaborate each year.

the Grand Canyon, drive-in movie theater, numerous

train stations, bridges, hotels, stores, camp grounds and

our favorite (because the Capt stayed there when they

traveled across the US to move to California) ......

the WIG WAM MOTEL !!

wow- what a great day!

WE HEADED OUT MID MORNING TO GET SOME
EXERCISE WITH A WALK-ABOUT AT THE LIVING
DESERT. HERE'S SOME OF MY FAV PICS - (I LOVE
CRITTERS!)

AND THE CALORIES WORKED OFF WERE REPLACED
BY HITTING OUR FAVORITE LUNCH EATERY ....
THE DAILY GRILL. (OOOH ... AHHH ... YUM YUM)

things are a-shakin'

The Captain & I were "shakin" awake this morning (just after 4am) by an earthquake! The vibration moved into side-to-side shifting that lasted maybe 10 seconds or so. Turns out it was a 4.3 that was centered about 25 miles from here. I didn't feel any aftershocks, I just drifted back to sleep (after those thoughts that you form about "what if" it was bigger)
After a yummy PETES Gingerbread latte & part of an apple fritter
..... we are off to The Living Desert. If you click on this picture ...
(actually my Tshirt) check out what the Zebra has done to all the
other animals!)
see ya later!

& the journey is part of the whole experience

The first couple of hours of our drive winds
thru the lush green hills east of Santa Maria
(at least at this time of the year) Various
shades from kiwi to emerald ... thick mats.
It's really pretty and soothing.
eventually (don't ask
me where ... it gets dry & rocky & sage brushy,
& Joshua tree'ish - sort of prehistoric looking.
and MANY times, I
find myself saying out loud "who would want
to live here??" but many do.
I find nothing
in this area that even remotely encourages
me to stay (there is no romance here for me)

FINALLY we come to the wind turbines .....
that means we are getting close to Palm Springs!
we usually drive right thru
town .... just to feel it's energy (and look for changes)
and then .... our temporary home.

Palm Springs bound

ON FRIDAY morning, we are heading out

for Palm Springs.

LOTSA golf courses !!

(but none of us use them)

Pop has been going

every year for 20+

years, with the

Captain & I tagging

along for the past

5 or so. It's sort of

like Las Vegas- in

that it's prettier at

night when it's lit up. They do have some

great museums & my fav is The Living Desert!

(and they have some great restaurants too).

Thinking this might be our last haul out that

way, since the weather this time of year (for

the timeshare) is almost the same as home!!!

AND above all - don't forget the FOLLIES!!

(look it up if you aren't familiar!)

Vanessa .... enjoy the next 364 days !!

YUP!

this young

lady turns

29 today.

With every

year you are

more lovely &

we are more

proud of who

you have become.

We love you Ness!

yes mom, (I knew) it was your birthday

you are Hawaii to me
you are soft skin & a hint of Shalimar
you are a good sport about my short jokes
you are my cup of coffee in the morning
you are my glass of wine
you are my game of free cell
you are my whisper in the night
you are kind & honest & loving

you are GREATLY missed.
Happy Birthday mom.
I know I am a day late- but only because it is easier to
talk about it today than it was yesterday. xoxo

it tasted as good as it looks (really)

if you look at this picture and it looks yummy ....
YOU ARE RIGHT. I saw it in the Williams-Sonoma
catalogue & while I can't really afford to buy their
beautiful products .... I CAN (and will) use their
recipes.
THIS is a lasagna fritatta.
I made breakfast for dinner last night so this was
the main event. Now that I am working less - I
hope to be going back to my "from scratch" roots
a little more often. AS USUAL, I didn't follow the
recipe exactly, as many of the incredients are those
that I would be buying only for this dish and not
using again. If it would have been better yet had I
done so ... then WOW. It looked just like the pic
(even though I don't even have a fritatta pan!!!)
My friend Spiker will have a bit of it tomorrow at
work, since I promised to bring her a taste :o)

refreshed & raring to hit the ground running!

alrighty then ..... I mulled, whined, fumed, nightmared, grumbled, therorized, budgeted, & kicked myself in the butt - so I am over my "issues" as best I can be (with the support of my hugable hubby & wonderful friend Julie). So now, it is business as usual- except that it is a little less often (and to that I say YAY).
onward ho !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

there's new landscaping at our house this week

I would have preferred that the new "landscaping"
involved our back yard ... but it wasn't about ME
this week (wassup with that?) Check out the
his 'n' his hybrid Escapes. THIS makes us all
over 30 now (mpg that is)

the Captain and I have personalized plates but just
for fun ... I added one to Pa's vehicle for this pic!
and and

a REAL hike for us (well ... me really)

TODAY'S destination of choice .....
the Montana de Oro bluffs



and all GOOD hikes start with
an experienced guide. (I carry
mine with me quite often !)

the views were wonderful.

the pelicans (and otter) were out

in large numbers to play in the big waves

& I love the colors in the wet rocks

so (of course) I picked up a few

HA- I laugh in the face of danger!!

Thanks Captain -I needed the break