making hay while the crop is still being harvested ....

so ... I'm using my NEW computer that is running lickity-split fast compared to it's predecessor, ever so joyful that the Capt was able to recover all the info from my hard drive, but waiting til tomorrow for the rest of my programs to get loaded up (scrapping will have to wait!).  I LOVE my illuminated keyboard... it means I don't have to turn the lamp on, when I have the monitor down low and just wanting to veg out & surf!  SO- last night, prior to my owl encounter- I took a few pictures of the moon zigzaging in & out of the clouds.  It would have been a good Halloween atmosphere  :o)   Windows 7 is quite a bit different than XP- so I've been experimenting a little .. since I don't have the availability yet to all the stuff I would normally be doing here in my ddcave.   I already appreciate the speed and some of the shortcuts, so I'm sure I'll be fine ... even if this old dog has to learn a new trick or two! 

from out of the darkness ....



LAST NIGHT- about the time night closed in on the sounds of the roads around us.  about the time the moon was highest in the sky.  about the time I am in my deepest sleep .... http://www.owlpages.com/sounds.php. 
Previously we assumed the critters we were hearing were screech owls, a-yakin back & forth.  But last night ... uh, correction, THIS MORNING (3:30-4am) the "screeching" began and it was obvious one of them was on our property...  I tip toed into the cool (ahh) air onto the lanai.  For me to behold, was a GREAT HORNED OWL !   With the moon shining brightlybehind him (her?), perched atop our flag pole- the silhouette indicated size and shape and .. in looking up information this morning regarding size & the sounds we heard last night - it turned out to be a juvenile begging shriek & the owl squawk (the link here will allow you to check them out yourself).  I could clearly hear both sounds from the lanai, so it's likely there was both an adult AND a juvenile present (I didn't think to look for 2!!).  We have routinely seen the owls around the neighborhood on lamp poles & fences just after dusk, but this encounter was a little more "up close & personal". woo hoo  AS FOR OUR CATS, they were sitting in the window of the dining room observing the scene ! 



the crash of '28

a sad day
I remember it well
Life came to a screeching halt. 
The fear of losing everything crept in. 
Panic.
acceptance.
Then we ordered a new desk top for my craft room.

gathering my thoughts ... one loss at a time

IF you have trouble reading the collage above & you care too- just click on the image, it whould come up in a separate widow that you can scroll thru (?)  Last night ... after my pomegranite green tea, after 4 games of WWF, 3 games of SWF, 2 more chapters of H is for Homicide, & running a song thru my head .... thoughts bombarded my weary eyes.  With a cat on my feet, hubby breathing slow & deep beside me & thinking about the "chillow" to be delivered on Tuesday .... words, images & phrases kept popping into mental view.  SO I grabbed a pen & paper & jotted a couple of notes.  AH, the brain shifted into sleep gear & I was ready for la-la land.  Well, right after I checked out the moon shining on the ocean.  (very groovey).  I made 6X6 prints of each parent for today's project life ... they turned out even better than my pre-concept last night!

you can never have too many _______

 I could go on & on about diamonds & money, etc but really- no, I mean REALLY ...  there are a few things that I DO believe your life is the better for having MORE of it.  Money doesn't make you happy, it just makes your surroundings prettier!  Been there, Done that ... NOT worth it!  BUT- if you are lucky enough (such as I) to have MANY good friends, that provide support & assistance, & BEST of all ... laughter ....

then you are RICH in my book! Add some grub that you barely lifted a finger for, some adorable flower pots, & the most perfect of weather ... and dog-gon-it ... life is as good as it gets. PERIOD.

Our annual Emerald Point barbeque was today & it may have been the best yet. Neighbor, Dick provided us with a bean bag game that kept us hoopin' N hollerin' long after the rest of the gang folded up their chairs and wandered down the street! THIS is the life .. and I'M SURE GLAD I'm livin' it!!

remind me to remind you to remind me ...

I made myself a list of things I want to get accomplished.  A couple of days passed where "life" got in the way of my everyday living and I forgot about the list.  It was just a matter of time before I could find the list, even though I finally remembered that I'd made it.  I suppose I could start making myself notes to remind me to check my list... but then, who's to say I'm gonna remember to look at the note.  I could go as far as setting up an alert on my phone to notify me about tasks ... but, quite frankly I don't always remember #1 to charge it, & #2 to keep it near by- so what's the point of that?  I've seriously considered researching some of the natural remedies for enhancing the aging memory here ... but I sit down at the computer, launch GOOGLE, then forget why.  It annoys me that some things get pushed aside & delayed because they are not foremost on my mind and I'm wondering why I can't just forget that I'm annoyed?!  At least then it would be constructive.  Uh .... hmmm .... what were we talking about
??????

all God's creatures ....

We headed over to Avila Beach today, despite the throngs of spectators lately.  The Capt being up closer & personal with them while paddle boarding yesterday had me hoping to snap a few pictures of my own!  I did.  253 of them to be exact.  I dumped 10% of them right off the bat, another 10% thru the first viewing and I figure by tomorrow- when I'm updating Project Life- I will dump half of what's left.  Tedious work, BUT- the GREAT thing about this chore .... was the event that caused it's need.  We spent about 3 hours in the sunshine & perfect temps ... walking, watching, & nice lunch out.  I've posted on FB & have more to add to my project ... and .... am researching another telefoto lens  :o)

back in the ole routine ... sorta

the ole routine ... of course doesn't exist ... but more like a "newly fashioned" ole routine that I am slowly getting back into!  
A couple of days ago- I experienced the first REALLY good day in what seemed like a long time.  With home improvements, accidents, deaths, & a lot of reorganizing ... life has been pretty stressful for a couple of months+.  (at least compared to what we're used to around here).  BUT- to the recue (as much as is in his control) - my Captain.  Focusing on some of my mental-relaxation needs .... he spent a significant amount of time finishing some projects around here.  The results have been wonderful and best of all- I FINALLY had a day (and into the evening) full of creating.  With music blaring, the sun shining, the windows wide, kitty cat company- into the evening full of stars, a sangria full of fruit, and a hubby just around the corner at my beck & call.  It was fan-tabulous and has set me on the path to optimism & anticipation of all things positive.  Along the way- my quartet has been rehearsing & setting goals .. while snapping a few pictures for our blog http://seaglassquartet.blogspot.com  and life seems to be getting closer to OUR new found normal with every passing day.  Add to the mix that Hawaii is just around the corner and the smile on my face extends from ear to ear!!  Thank you Capt ... thank you Lo & Lainey & C.  I am blessed.

what is changed, remains the same ... so to speak

As we were returning home from a PD volunteer assignment today- the Capt commented that this would be one of those times when he would check in with Pa & tell him all about what we did ... and it's not the first time he's had to catch himself in such a thought & return to the reality of our life now.  I've done the same thing.  Our days are different ... our nights, not as much so.  My jaunts up & down the stairs are pretty much for myself now- since that's where the design studio now resides .... or as my sister calls hers ... "the happy place".  It's surprising how many round trips I make during the average day.  So much for not being able to get to the treadmill presently.  Not surprising to me either is the fact that while very little of Pa's furniture or personal belongs reside in the house now- his presence is quite strong.  Conversations recalled over this, favorite comments over that, and of course ... the lovely bouquet that daughter Vanessa had delivered prior to the memorial last week.  By this morning, the last of the gladiola blooms faded, the birds were discolored, the greenery wilting- so I dismantled it, creating a simple & delicate arrangement highlighting the only flower still pretty ... the orchids.  I found it a little ironic that it would be the survivor ... being Ma Betty's favorite flower and all.  So, while I'm really happy about the many changes we have made over the past couple of weeks (& apparently Poki is in agreement as well), they are at times a little bittersweet ... since such things would also be appreciated by people I can no longer share them with.  AND returning to this morning, with our traffic control station directly across from the "PALMIST" sign, with the windows of the building promising truth in all things past & present ... I decided that the parts of my life I do not remember are better left that way, & that not knowing exactly what to expect for the tomorrows I have ahead of me .... is fine with me!

and with each day ... change continues (if we let it)

just a few days ago ... the Captain & I were in the final stages of getting the house in order to host some of the guests attending Pa's memorial.  Time was running out, our frustration running high because of paperwork & timing & questions with lack of answers, but .... it just seemed so pointless to let it drag us down- when we had a couple of little people with us that needed our attention far more than the house did.  And so, we made our way to the beach.  All it took was some sand & water (and a bucket & shovel) to bring them to giggles & squeals.  For me- it took a bit longer before I stopped fixating on what was left to be done at home.  Then I saw a whale in the cool blue waters before me.  And another, and again.  Dolphins, diving pelicans, squawking pelicans, frisky dogs, and a sandcastle.  Before I realized it, I was breathing slower & feeling relaxed for the first time in what seemed like forever (although I do know it was FAR LESS time than that!)  The magazines I brought still sat untouched.  The notepaper I was going to make a list on was still blank.  The grandkids were calling out to me.  And I pulled in a long, salty dose of air ... and went to play.  I am reminding myself tonight, as I glance around to see things needing some TLC - that there are more important things than shiney floors & orderly closets- & that being said, I'm gonna snuggle with my hubby while I read my kindle tonight!

a dream within a dream within a bit of a nightmare

AM  I  NUTS???

THAT's what I was asking myself a couple of days ago- I assure you. 
We've been going through a HUGE transition lately .... beginning with the tragic passing of the king of our castle on the 20th, but continuing near daily with all that comes afterward .... the phone calls, the coping, the paperwork, the questions, the translation of what seems to makes sense VS that which is dictated by law.  The notifying, sorting & sharing & planning.  And soon to come ... the gathering.  In the midst of the packing up of memories, the donating of duplicates, the replacing of needed items was a shifting of balance between the upper & lower levels of the house. And it's brought me to where I sit now .... in my freshly relocated creaft/design studio.  It's the biggest move I've made in a long time, both physically & emotionally.  Tonight is the first evening I have had the opportunity to "see how it fits".  At first glance ... it appears neat & proper ... but I am still sifting through colorful boxes, tucked into closed drawers, stacked upon newly mounted shelves, hidden behind a closet door.  There are pictures on the wall, coordinating decor placed strategically to make it appear so  :o)  Even knowing there is much left to locate ... I can "feel" the dreamy goodness of this change in scenery.   With the morning light (and a little free time ... I will snap a few pictures to document the new digs!!  AND-with that same light ... comes finalizing of arrangements we are taking care of as the family gathers in a few days to honor it's "Godfather".