this was a REALLY good day ....

I LOVE flowers so how could I not be in heaven this day? Surrounded by lush fields, in the company of my Captain. priceless

the thoughts are stronger than fatigue at the moment

I have a wee bit of insomnia at the moment .... thinking about someone else who could be awake at this hour as well, and knowing how she feels. Of course knowing how she feels isn't enough to console her. It can bring the right words, but it can't quell the fear she may be feeling. It might calm the emotions temporarily, but she's proably still got a few to work thru before resolve sets in. I was in her shoes once and add to it a child still at home and a huge mortgage. I worried, & cried, & felt the panic that comes .... but then the common sense finally arrived on the scene and took over for awhile. The fact was .... I was going thru something that I could not change, & therefore had no control over. There did come a time when a calmness finally came because I felt I was doing the best I could at the moment, and that needed to just be enough. so while I understand she might not be there yet, I want her to know that I am thinking about her and hope that she can take comfort in those words soooo many people are bound to say. "sometimes things happen for a really good reason"

and you know what- they usually do!!

it's a blustery day in the neighborhood

and I love it this way. The only weather pattern I enjoy more is when we have solid showers for a few hours at a time (and a bolt of lightening is pretty cool too) The wind has blown away the low clouds and churned up the ocean surface to make it angry & wild looking. Again, I like it this way. Don't get me wrong, I'm not about to move to an area that has this year round ... I just love the change up now & again to force us indoors :o) Even the kitty kats wanna curl up in my room. Look at how "sweet" Poki looks in his bed!!

I have my Pandora Radio going and some incense burning and with the swishing sounds of my cala lily bushes outside my window ... I have the kind of atmosphere that sparks some crafting. And did I mention that the Captain outdid himself this morning with my "mood for fruit" breakfast? OK, so he's not exactly a chef- but he sure gives it the college try !! What a sweetie he is.

The Captain is shopping for a new printer at the moment. His has been giving him some problems and the fax machine incorporated into it- that has been needed more often lately- has always been a problem. I replaced mine a few weeks ago and I was soooo amazed how much brighter the colors were and EVEN BETTER ... how fast it is. YAY!!

didn't want it til I was told I couldn't have it

HA-HA
has that happened to you? you never do something in particular, until someone mentions that you probably couldn't do it. then you are on a psychological mission to do it. (gee, I wish that worked with dieting!!) Never go shopping on Wednesdays maybe, until you have no car- then suddenly, for the first time in your life you want to go somewhere on Wednesday!! I can easily go a few days without posting on the blog .... til of course I am trying to put it off on purpose- then suddenly I have a million things to say!!?! WELL- since my build up to post #500 is now history as of late last night (even tho I should have waited til at least Monday) .... now I have the opportunity, but OF COURSE all those things I wanted to say are floating out in space somewhere (certainly not in my head now). NOT THAT anyone is concerned about it ... but rest assured my silence won't last long. But then, if you are reading this .... you weren't avoiding me anyway!

presenting ...the "TERRY-an-appolis" 500th post

I could write an entire book about this son of mine .... but for now .... let just CELEBRATE his upcoming birthday. I made him the subject of my 500th post. I felt it should be something special- and HE IS!!!!!!!!!(click on the picture portion if you want to enlarge & read it easier)

grab a cocktail, a coke or a cup of coffee ....

THIS is going to be a lengthy post (probably) .... because I have a LOT to say (duh) and, more importantly, because it is post #499 and I want to save the next one for something special I have been working on. yeah, yeah, yeah ... I could have planned things out better - but that would have required "thinking" and I try to avoid any of that outside of my job!! WHICH .... now that I mention it, could use some talking about. If you haven't read previous posts that might explain some of my comments today- then just deal with it. I will be spending enough time on this post already without added detailing! We are losing another 1.25 chick from the nest. I put it as a fraction because even though 2 people are leaving, I only saw one of them a fraction of the time. The other I am far more familiar with and she probably could be considered the 1.25 & more on her own. I am sure she often gave thought & planning to her job outside of paid hours! This is a big loss on top of another that was suffered just a few weeks ago. Thank you ever-so much Mr President .... the loss of medicare revenue, increased problems with the economy, etc has made it tough for medically oriented businesses to pay competant employees what they deserve and even worse ... when someone leaves- it's management's opportunity to have one less person to pay, while leaving more to do for those already overworked! I might also point out at this moment (this bears repeating) if everyone employed would work equally hard, it wouldn't solve all the problems at my job, but it surely would help. And by this let me clarify, that even if someone is not equally qualified or skilled- they can still work as hard! Those of us (and I toot my own horn here) who dig deeper to pull more of the load, end up being expected to do just that because it is in our nature. Like I said "expected" but not necessarily appreciated. In response, I have cut my days of work so that I can still enjoy what I do with minimal stress. I am not happy about how that affects my fellow workers, but I am responsible for me so my choices have to reflect that. UPON hearing of her 2 wk notice, I was already missing the calming affect she has on an environment. My mind was wandering to a place (?) that was trying to figure out how she, as a massage healer, & my bud Spikey who is an esthetician & myself could work together in serenity. One who makes you feel better, one who makes you look better and .... a princess. perhaps I could work on the mental issues. I would be the objective listener. well, ok ... it all sounds good anyway. MAYBE I will let that idea go for now. BTW .... does anyone know if there is such thing as carpul ear? I know that sounds silly but my stiff wrist, worked it's way up my arm, to my shoulder then into my neck (or I slept wrong on it a few days ago) and it even bothers my ear. bummer. I am thinking I pinched something. With the help of motrin it's getting better but ..... (of course it could just be that I am getting old, but I shudder at the thought). As I sit here (with my 2nd cup of java), the kitty cats are snoozing away atop the entertainment center-turned scrap cabinet. This is not unusual for Monkey- but lately Popoki has begun doing it as well. The first few times, he jumped up and gave Monkey his "evil eye" vibe as if he wanted the bed she was in. But the past couple of days, he just goes to which ever one is unoccupied. At a glance you might think he would better fit in the purple one but he isn't one to care about what hangs over or out (sorta like the males that have dunlaps, but still think they are an 8 if ya know what I mean) Poki thinks he is lean & mean even though he is the biggest scardy cat I have ever had! And up til last night, Monkey was the only one stealing my new craft chair but as you can see .... another critter is taking his turn. Ken claims it means I have to get another chair. I claim it means their napping might get interupted.

Speaking of interuptions ... I would like to point out that our back yard reconstruction is still ..... unconstructed, and it has to do with the Captain. There is something going on with him. The past few days he has been acting a little different. He was gone a couple of days .... pretending like it was a big inconvenience of his daily routine and all. He's been up a little earlier these past couple of days and this morning ... I think he was talking in code. There was something about someone named Azimuth and then he mentioned Snoopy (not sure if it was an adjective or the dog?) the size of this, the scale of that, AOA & UAV and I'm thinking maybe it's some sort of surprise for me. like a party. maybe Azimuth is an event planner & he was trying to keep things mum because sometimes I figure things out without even realizing (ie "snoopy") ... maybe he's concerned about the size of the cake, but knowing I am trying to cut back a little so the scale is a weekly concern for me. and the initials are acronyms ...... like maybe Another Opal Accessory & the Ultimate Accessorized Vehicle. He seems (and sounds) different than he's been in the past year or so. The funny thing is .... there are no special events or dates on the calendar for me. Not my birthday or anniversary, or retirement. WELL REALLY the funny thing is he has been doing some contract for for his old job!! And it's funny because as much as he has avoided getting tied up with them asking for his help over the past 16 months since he retired- he is actually enjoying the interaction. There is excitement in his voice and a sparkle in his eyes. He is also very pleased that the answers come right back to him as if he retired last week. That 'ole dog doesn't need to learn any new tricks, he's got plenty right up both sleeves!!! Way to go my engineer scientist!! Well folks, you might be glad to hear that I am closing this post now. I may be "editing" it later to add to it .... but you are off the reading hook for now :o) have a GREAT weekend.

gearing up to post #500

wow- do I ramble or what???? I canNOT imagine enough to say that would add up to 500 posts. I 'm sure there was a significant amount of yatta, yatta & quite a few blah, blah, blahs!!
ANYWAY ...... I am in a quiet house this morning .... ceptin' the birdies that out now that the clouds & rain have cleared- they are chirping merrily. Speaking of which .....
We have been marking down what kind of birds we have been "hosting" with our feeders. It appears that another variety shows up every few weeks. I guess bird news travels slow! Our newest addition is a pair of golden-crowned sparrows. That makes the 4th type of sparrow we see, along with house, purple, & lesser goldfinches, a pacific-slope flycatcher, American kestral, Costa's hummingbird, morning doeves, wetern scrubjay, hooded oriole, California towhee, juncos, redtail hawk, redwing blackbirds, a peregrine falcon, & in the fields next to us turkey vultures & the occassional great blue heron & egrets. I may have missed a couple but the point is ..... we have a great variety & they are a source of entertainment for the kittys & of interest to us!

AND .... ta-duh ... my blog banner for Spring is created & ready for "headlining"

ANOTHER look of love

QUITE OFTEN, I emphasize the enormous amount of love in my life but today ..... I am showcasing the love between my sister Foo (Lisa) & my sister-in-law Gidget (Rebecca). It took some practicing before she got it right (as did I) but THIS is what it's all about. A walk in an almond grove that glows because of them. They are both good people, but together ..... they are much, MUCH more!!

and a special thanks to ....

my sister Cindy & her hubby Richie put together the delicious feast that filled our tummies.

My sister inspires me in so many ways, I will forever be thanking her for one thing or another. She is an amazing woman (and friend).

MY life's "Easter Bunnies"

OUR Easter celebration is FULL of family. We don't need an excuse to gather up- but it makes us more focused to making it happen. AND- when our family gets together .... there is ALWAYS cameras, great eats, fancy cocktails & a LOT of laughter!!! Here is a mere sampling of our day.

the "youngins' are a big part of the planning. There was special goodies set aside for all of them. I cannot express the comfort I felt with them ALL close to me at one time. Addy, Laney & ACE. Luv Em to pieces!!!!!

HOPPY EASTER

home again .... & gearing up for family!!

I forgot to mention that my "cushy" new stool arrived & it is in it's place of honor at my craft table ........ HOWEVER, little kitty has decided it is her fav hangout so if she arrives first, that is where I find her when I come into the room. I had to put a little cover on it to make sure she doesn't muss it up. (she might just want to mark it since Poki has been looking at it out of the corner of his eye!!!)

and Poki demonstrates here how he keeps the Capt under control as they decide who is boss during play! He doesn't actually bite .... but a claw can get you if you aren't careful! The only hang up .... since it's been sunny lately- the hair is a flyin' (ick)

sometimes sneaky isn't smart ??!