I really am trying! ;-)

Wow, times flies..and then again, it doesn't! July of 2011...ohhh, ouch!! I had no clue at that time how long it would be til I was painfree.. almost 4 more months and as of this date, 1/14/12, I am still not totally "normal". NO comments from the peanut gallery! I am thankful that God has done so much healing and I look forward to Him completing what He started!

In my last blog, I commented that I was going to do my part to get and stay well! I am happy to announce that I am working on that and even tho I have more to do, I am working on it one day at a time.

Let's see...Chels is expecting baby boy #2, Brit is engaged and will be married on October 27th of this year, Mom will have back suregery on January 27th ...busy busy...

Not much more to report (probably bits and pieces if I could remember them..haha) but will make every effort to show up here a few more times this year!

Love, hugz and prayers to all of you...

I'm back? :-)

Wow, 3 years! Where the heck have I been?? Well, I could list everywhere (including the times I was hiding out) but let's not go back, but forward!

2:20a.m. and I am up waiting for my sciatic nerve to calm down enuff to go back to sleep. This has been one of my most painful experiences with it, ever... the after effect of our absolutely fabulous trip to Europe in May. And, the consequence of not taking good care of my body over time. When this session of it passes, I commit to myself (and I guess everyone else) to do the work so that I don't repeat this upleasant and very painful experience.

Hoping this finds you all well and happy. As I think of those of you that used to blog with me..so many changes ..let's catch up!

love you...til next time.... :-)

thinking about you : -)

okay...the next installment :-)

So, what's new in my world since May??? Nothing and a lot?

First off, all is well. My family and I are in good health (to the best of my knowledge), we continue to be employed (a VERY good thing), and we've had no family world wars...small scuffles...but we are still talking to each other!

July found me in Vancouver to shoot a wedding and I shot another wedding (local, darn it) about 10 days ago. My next wedding is November 1st and then one on November 22nd. I continue to shoot monthly for a local Chamber of Commerce and next month I will be photographing their biggest event of the year...scaryyyyyyyyyyyyy! In July I upgraded my camera to a Canon 40D and am absolutely delighted with it's abilities! WOW!

Work is a little slow, then again, so is the economy but, my boss has a good handle on what he does and our clients have not suffered terribly..anddddddddddd, I remain employed! Want to take on some personal assisting for a few hours a week...will see if, when, and how that goes! By the next blog time...I might have something to tell you. ;-)

For now, I wish you all the best...love, good health and enough money to live on and to share..

God bless...until next time... warm hugz to you!

Quarterly blog? ;-)

Wow, I forgot I had a blog! How rude am I?!

Hoping this finds everyone healthy and happy! I realize we all go thru "stuff" but keeping a positive attitude is the key to remaining or attaining mental and physical health. This of course comes from NOT having had the attititude or the health in late 2007 and early 2008! Thanks to very special friend, I am in almost the best "health" I've been for a long time. Thank you for caring and holding me accountable! I love and appreciate you!

Life so far this year has been as it usually is...work, dancing, working on old creative idea's and working on some new ones. A good way to stay out of trouble! *grin* My children are well...#1 daughter moved back in on March 1st and it's been going great 95% of the time. I realized how much I missed having a person here to interact with for those 18 months til she moved back. Keeping our relationship on a "roommate" basis has been the key! (notice I've been finding lots of keys this year *smile*)

Was given a delightful gift of a condo in Palm Springs for the long weekend..can't wait! Time to relax, sun a bit, read..just be. Heading up to Vancouver in July to shoot the wedding of some friends .. looking forward to the opportunity to help them out AND to see other friends I have not seen in 4 years! Hoping that the first week of September will finda Amanda and I on a cruise ship, taking a 5 day New England cruise.

Congratulations to Nadine and Rick on their engagement..wishing you both all the best!! Wishing Brad much happiness in his life .. Congrats also to Dave and Bobbi on their upcoming nuptials!

Okay..that's about it for now...the answer to your other question, is NO, not yet! In time :-)

stay safe and well...hugz O:-)

Days 3 thru 6...

Okay, I tried...the thought was there but the time didn't seem to be!



Let's see: Day 3 ... Still not catching up on sleep but sleeping sort of normally..does that make any sense? Relaxed this morning and then headed off to Tarpon Springs (look em up) ...a greek community where they are well known for sponge diving. Met up with my cousin's son who I haven't seen in 2 1/2 years and he introduced us to his neighbor that owns a sponge boat that does tours. His neighbor generously offered us the tour for free and off we went. So much we don't know about so much. The history was very interesting, the diver went down and brought up a sponge and I, of course, took a million pictures..haha. The tour was about 40 minutes long but flew by. If you're ever in Tarpon Springs make sure to take the tour on the Nickolas (?) III. On the way home we got caught in the "tornado warning" area. Hmmm, now that was just a bit scary. The rain pelted the car, the wind rocked the car and things were flying everywhere. A few blocks later we were just back to regular rain and an outstanding lightening show!



Day 4... Family day! My aunt, uncle, cuzzin, her hubby and her boyz all live about 30 - 40 minutes from my gf...how lucky am I!! :-) Off I go about 10am to have a day of visiting. It's great to spend time with everyone ..getting to know my 3rd (?) cousins who range in age from 10 to 2 .. they are sweet girls. I stay until about 5:30pm and then head back for a birthday dinner with my gf. A full and fabulous day!

Day 5.. For those of you that have heard me speak about my godmother, lucky me ..she is wintering about 1 1/2 hrs from here and this day finds me heading to Haines City, FL. It is WONDERFUL to see her and the family (her *kids*) all together for the 1st time in 30 years. We all gather for dinner and I enjoy listening to the family banter..laughing...and all the stories. Of course I take pictures and at some point in time, I may share them with you...laughing. I don't sleep well that night...feels like a scratchy throat coming on but can't be, I've already been sick! Sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I get up the next morning having not slept much and with a wonderfully froggy voice. By the time we make it back to my gf's in the afternoon, I sound terrible and we have a dinner to attend at my cousins. Her hubby, who was a chef for 30 years, cooked dinner... swordfish, fresh stir fried veggies and a special rice he makes...yummm!!!!

Day 6 & 7 ... I am knocked out by my cold and we are mostly home. I don't think I've napped this much in years. Also the first time I can remember getting sick on vacation...grrrr... this may NOT happen again. Catch you with you tomorrow...

hugz

Day 2 ...

So much for sunny Florida...laughing...oh well, I'm here to visit, not because of the weather!

I stayed up as late as I could and took 1/2 of a Tylenol PM to help me get onto a "normal" schedule as quickly as possible. Both helped and after a relatively good night's sleep, I was awake at 7:30AM!! Geez, one would think I was going to work. It actually took me a while to get fully awake and then I was ready to gooooooooooo!

I remember talking to my gf and her hubby last night but I don't remember exactly what we talked about..laughing..I was so tired! Today was a different story! My gf and I met when we were 15 (a couple of years ago *wink*), and have "seen" each other twice since then..this trip being one of the times. It is such a blessing to have such a strong connection with her.. it feels like we see each other all the time. She's delightful to be with..is a smart and funny lady, and loves me for me..hmmm? lol Her hubby is great...loves to banter and attempts to keep me on my toes all the time! Thank you, George for bringing to Florida!

Today's adventures included a local flea market where I found a number of treasure's (new tops, of course..lol) a camera case..and, and, and! ;-) After spending the better part of 3 hours there we went to a local bar and had a GREAT hamburger and some of the best onion rings I've ever had! Okay, now that we had some sustenance and a little time to rest we moved on to a craft store (now what would i find there...lol), Best Buy for a new memory card for my new Lumix TZ3, and then off to the grocery store for "stuff". (which included stuff for Bruce's wonderful chicken/feta recipe)

So, until I figure out how to add photo's from their computer ...all you get are my words and wishes for a safe and sane weekend...

love from the Sunshine (NOT..haha) state!!

Day 1 ....

An early morning...phone rings at 5:30AM to wake me..I head off to the shower..put myself together and head down to the front desk of the hotel to check out and catch the shuttle. On my way to the elevator I am presented with my first gift of the day, a lovely sunrise, something I rarely experience!

I arrive at the airport feeling the excitment and the little bit of nervousness that always meets me at the airport. These feelings are rapidly replaced with sheer terror as I discover I have left my ticket at HOME!!!!!! HELPPPP!! The United agents I speak with calm my fears and quickly have me on my way to the security area which I fly through. Sigh, now I'm back to the original feelings, I smile, looking forward to the day and what it will bring.

Great flight,,wonderful seatmate, a young man (25 yrs of age & in the Air Force) who is leaving his wife and 2 1/2 yr old son to serve in the Middle East for the next 7 months. He's smart, funny and kept me company from Los Angeles to Denver, Please keep Maurice and all the men and women serving in all the branches of the armed force, in your thoughts and prayers.

Denver, I'm nervous again .. but only for a moment. I smile as I spot my friend, handsome as always and wearing that fabulous smile that makes everything right, We talk, talk and oh yeah, talk some more...silence is not part of this visit. I enjoy watching his face as he takes in every page of the calendar I made for him,,,just the reaction I was hoping for.
The food was mmmmmmmmmmmmm *grin* GREAT...the company the highlight of my short stay ...too short but each moment a gift, Parting came too soon!

The next part of my trip was uneventful and I arrived in Tampa on time,,.thrilled to see my girlfriend...

more later...my body seeks sleep...

for what it's worth ...

..I thought I'd peak in and say hello! I totally missed November and I apologize to those that actually trusted me to follow thru..lol

November went by relatively quickly with no major events. Thanksgiving was lovely and was spent with my daughters, their dad and his wife, mom and sister. I am thankful that after almost 30 years (and being divorced for half of those) we continue to get together to spend holidays, birthdays and in general, just enjoy being together.

Christmas is now chasing me down and I am so not ready. It will be what it will be, yes? :-)

Short and sweet but sent with love and wishes for a blessed Christmas and ALL the best in 2008!!

hugz O:-)