the inner circle ....

Many people have wandered in & out of my life ...  close friendships that meant a lot to me ... and were a  disappointment when distance separated us.  As the age gap between my sisters & I narrowed, they too became trusted friendships.  But time & circumstances have changed the relationships between us as well and we are back to being sisters moreover.  Life's needs and priorities change with maturity and I've discovered that fine line between having friends and having real friendships.  I am most thankful to have found the latter at a point in my life when I can truly appreciate them.  Instead of having a significant number of friends, with most populating the outer 3rd circle, a few mid circle residents and a couple who seem to wander back & forth .... I have a full circle that I hold close to my heart.  They are the ones who listen long before they speak, who share & even relish in any joy I wish to share.  They are there in the shadows, not waiting for me to ask ... but stepping in because they know I probably won't.  They are forgiving even in the most awkward of moments & understanding even when their opinions differ greatly.  They love me because I am with faults, knowingly.  They are those who's hugs I can feel even through a text or an email.  I am so blessed for such a wide & strong inner circle.... I love them all, and they KNOW who they are!!

intuitive, introspective, interesting ... to me

     I once worked with a gal who seemed to emote a calmness vibe.  Her face would show some concern, perhaps even frustration ... but she spoke in quiet tones and always seemed to listen before anything else.  In times of turmoil ... she would remove herself if possible.  Even with a smile spread across her face, she was inward with thought and taking pause.  She was the type of person I liked working with.  A "get the job done, complaining takes time, say what you have to say, get over what has little consequence on your life, gentle soul" kinda person.  She was and still is.  
     This evening we spent a few minutes on the phone talking MUCH about me ... or rather my energy, my spirit, my inner voice.  I'm not sure what to make of it just yet, it takes a little time to process all the words & feelings that surface.  But I have long had interest & curiosity about intuitive readings so I purchased one of her sessions thru ETSY and counted down the days til we could connect at a quiet time between the 2 of us.  I had no expectations, or even questions for her ... I simply wanted to connect on a deeper level & with an open mind.  I find that I feel a flutter of excitement over the thought of connecting the dots ... of some of the pictures & words she felt begin to take shape.  I look forward to it.  And tonight ... as I gather my thoughts together before drifting off to sleep ... I will listen, just a little harder to those little voices in my head.  I will watch for the blossoming yet to come, a piece of the puzzle of my life, move toward those things that bring me the most joy & listen to the inner voices with my heart -not my head.  I will be more aware of what can be....
Thanks Sophie!! 

my VALENTINE "ungifts"

The Captain ... in all his typical consideration & thoughtfulness, has a SERIOUS will-power issue when it comes to buying things for me.  While I admit that it is often a wonderful thing ... it seems to affect his hearing BIG TIME !  His latest and hopefully last break-down came at my birthday getaway when he presented me with a gorgeous & ever-so-appropriate sea star bracelet.  In his eyes (and admittedly mine as well) ... the multicolored sapphires represent sea glass.  (my fav beach find & quartet namesake).  SO - my wrist was blinged up and we chatted about how it should be the last of such extravagance & purchases ... because I have so much to adorn myself already.  He agreed.

He also lied.

He had the matching ring already set aside to present me on "heart" day!!  I suppose I could stomp my foot, with hands on hips, with a serious tone to my finger shaking .. but OMG ... they are so lovely, and ... uh ... ya know ... I wouldn't want to hurt his feelings!!!!  Thank you my love ... you are disobedient, but truly adored!

music plate & a throat coat chaser

I have found that life is ever evolving ... and recently ... so has my vocal production.  Spending 4 days with these ladies is the cause & reason.  Having been reminded that EVERYONE was once a beginner, & feeling like I am still one at times ... I came from this musical weekender with new tools and new inspiration to do better & be better!

The passion I have for the Captain, is matched ONLY by my passion for singing !  
In my younger years, it was my escape from a belief that I was somewhat insignificant.  In my early 20's .. it was mask allowing me to emerge from my shell ... and now ... it is what has pulled me from depression (twice), & multiplied my circle of friends & happiness- many times over!!  SO, imagine what a few days spent singing and REALLY making music must do to ones inner soul !!  I am feeling pretty darn full ....

of ideas & hope & love ... for those I sing for & those I sing with!!!

a day RE-remembered

While in the midst of cleaning up files and deleting duplicate pictures, etc - I came across this photo and I remembered the time/place/reason/and joy felt in the moment it was taken.  
Honolulu Nov, 2008 .... waiting for LuLu, Bruce & Helena to arrive and spend a few days with us.
TO recap (like it or not) ... we gals were planning to go to the Sweet Adeline's Intl competition in the city.  We managed to do so 2 of the 4 days we'd planned- SIMPLY because the ocean front home we rented together ... was so wonderful, that we couldn't tear ourselves away from it!!!  Mai tais in hand .. we watched it the other days via internet telecast.  The trip .. time with hubby alone, time with girlfriends alone, time with a great group of peeps ... was unforgettable !!

cats, colds, & couch potatoes

 the quality of these photos are less than ideal.  why?  Because I'm too darn lazy to go downstairs & get either my camera, or my external hard drive that has my "good" pictures on it!  SO- I took them with my computer so I could just turn it around & click.  why?  well ... because I think I have a wee bit of the Capt's cold & it's turning me into a lump.  He was struck down (hard) on Wednesday with this virus that has had him in bed & USUALLY asleep 20 hours of each.  Add to that a nagging cough, lack of appetite, aches & pains from head to toe, and a general mental lethargy that he is getting pretty darn "sick" of!  What he HAS enjoyed ... is the company of a furry dude & dudette for nearly every moment he's indisposed.

POKI, seems to be viewing it as an excuse to take twice as many naps as usual.  Monkey uses the Capt as her own personal heating pad.  Whatever the pros may be regarding this less than "healthy" situation .... I STILL HOPE it's on the mend... I have things to do above and beyond soup & sanitizing!

By the dawn's too early light

For SOME Reason ... this morning's early rise was predicted. Beit the music played, rewound, played in my head ... the John Krazinski featured dream, the unexpected (on my part) rain- the alteration in home-front schedules, or the rum-soaked bread pudding I had at 7pm last night ... I do not know.... but here I sit, afore the fireplace, kittys purring with delight at the conclusion of a still-dark-in-the-kitchen breakfast & thoughts of settling a toasty mat before the day even begins. Life has been pretty quiet here the last 3 days, with the Capt suffering from his 2nd cold in as many months. In pure frustration, since having not been this indisposed (twice) in probably 8 or 9 years, save for a hernia surgery & a trick back here & there. For those of us that the common cold is routine at least once a year ... it's business as usual (and sometimes a couple of days of welcomed TLC) .. for the Capt - ONLY an opportunity to fall behind on playtime & left brain projects! His sleep pattern is erratic, making mine less than ideal, & my chores have been delegated to be those more silent. The TV remains comatose, the car full of electricity, the front lawn in need of mowing, and my scraping in severe neglect. While Poki revels in the fact that he has a near-constant sleep mate, I am beside myself in anxiety over having "lost" a program that seems to open up everything I need. With the click of a button .. I am at a standstill for much of what I need to catch up, after a 10 day craft room absence. As a newly resurfaced MAC user ... I have to think about my keystrokes and do some experimenting, since my mentor is currently unavaliable for comment or instruction. OOPS, to say the least. However, in the meantime ... laundry & mopping is up to date, a box has been filled for Goodwill, & I'm actually reading FEBRUARY issues of my magazines! I have 14 games of WWF in progress, 9 Dice with Friends, 3 Draw Something, 5 Song Pops, 2 Hanging, 5 Scramble, & I'm making money in the Hello Kitty Cafe (don't ask).... So, I could whine, pout, grumble & even give myself a swift kick .. but then again, I bet I could find a litter box in need of scooping. Besides .. maybe Clara Barton waved her magic white cape over my husband during the night & this will be day 1 of recovery ??!! hmmm ... did I turn the coffee pot on yet?

Location:Mattie Rd,Pismo Beach,United States

motivation, enthusiasm, & exhaustion

I have returned.  
Back at the homestead after nearly 4 days away from my spa-like beach house that has become a part of me.  Usually- this is difficult for me (unless I'm some place beachfront).  
This time .... not so much.
By mid morning Thursday, the back of the Escape was packed to the headrests with duffle bags, bottled water, thank you gifts, snacks,  music supplies, & women .... & on it's way to Long Beach for some serious vocal coaching.  And serious, it was.  Along with exhausting !
My passion for this "hobby",  is indescribable.  During these times- when rehearsals are long & frequent, I have to set aside things that I would also love to be doing, I have to be away from home (& hubby) more often then I would prefer, I have to make choices, set goals & priorities, make lists ... and, for the most part, I love nearly every minute of it.  Some days are sprinkled with frustration, but most- like these just past- fill me with renewed energy toward barbershop harmony!  The cherry on top was spending it with the other 3/4 of SeaGlass quartet.  When we aren't singing together ... we are laughing, learning,  leaning, sleeping, shopping, planning, packing, emailing, texting, chatting, or just plain missing being together !!  SO- a solid 3+ days together was awesome, not to mention the fact that we often make sa-weet music together.  Thanks gals ... it was totally groovy!!