Beachin'

Here it is, Saturday, and I've frittered away the day.  Or has the day frittered itself from me?  I was busy with household chores, catching up from being on vacation, and trying to rest after a hellish work week of 39 hours in four days.  Yep.  I'm one tiiiiired gal!

I got to thinking as I was busying myself around here, and remembered that a year ago, I was dealing with my son Brian and his little saga.  It's funny as parents what we'll do for our kids when they're in need.  And sometimes, doing nothing is the best thing we can do -- letting them figure things out on their own and deal with the consequences of choices.  And sometimes, we just have to help them out.   After a week of living with a nutjob woman, he asked to come home again.  And I let him.  Because I told him at the start it wouldn't work, but he had to find out on his own.  And I let him.  :)

It was a whirlwind trip to Calif with my kids.  We also hit the beach:  Manresa State Beach as it was one of the few dog friendly beaches around.

We had a great time doing simple things:  Helping the folks around the house, playing card games and Yahtzee, and spending lots of time together.

It's nice to go on vacation,
and equally nice to be home again, too. :)

Making Memories

Well, here it is Sunday, our last day in California.  It's been an awesome trip, and the nitpicky's  I had on day one are long gone.  I'm just letting it all go, and enjoying every moment.  There's nothing like family time to keep a person's spirits up, humility in check, and gratefulness at the top of the list.  

We played a rousing game of Phase 10 last night, which was a lot of fun -- and shows me why I never play cards in a casino -- I have NO luck whatsoever!  *laughs*


This is my sister and granddaughter ... getting ready to play and win another hand!

I've spent a lot of weekends up here with family in the past year, most often without my kids in tow, and when its time to leave I always think that I should be here with family ... but I'm not having that feeling this time, and I think its all the commotion of having my kids along.  There's so much more chaos this time!  *grins*  but that's how it should be with family - always something happening :)

I've learned a great deal about myself in these trips, and the most profound for me is that I had a great childhood, it made me into a very unique person.  And in this day and age, it also means that I'm a rare kind of gal.  There are so many who didn't have the advantage of growing up in a loving home where no matter what you do, there is still love and support from your family.  I realized that no matter how much I want to create that for others, you can't recreate that for a person who's already grown up.  It works best on children.  So if you have little ones around you, in your life in some capacity, spend time with them, love them unconditionally, and give of your self.  You will reap what you sow for years and years to come!

Ahh, family

Up Bright and early on a Saturday morning, we decided to take an early morning walk, me and my shadow!


It's been a fun vacation so far -- mostly. heh

Ok. the vacation part is fun.

Driving in the car for 12 hours isn't so much fun:

 when you wait 20 mins for a drive thru lunch.
when a break at a rest stop takes too long
when there is just too much stuff in the car to find what you're looking for
when three adults all like different kinds of music

ok ok, those are all little nit-picky things, and shouldn't irritate, they're just part of the experience.  But I was lacking sleep because the kids were all up late, and every noise makes Sadie wake up, bark, want out of the bedroom, get up, let her out, close door.  and Five minutes later, she's scratching to come back in because yes, no matter what, it's really bedtime!  

Took the kids to the beach on Friday.  We had to find a dog friendly beach -- since when did they stop letting dogs on beaches?  I can understand not having them on the boardwalk and the adjacent beach, because of the volume of people who frequent that one.  Oh well.  Gotta love California tree huggers, eh?

We played a card game, all of us girls, and then a whopping round of Yahtzee, both fun games!  Of course, all games seem fun when there's wine involved :) :) :)   My nephews were enjoying themselves in the back yard with some Bud Platinum and a hooka.   My granddaughter, Bree, decided to challenge them to a game of Connect4 .... she won 27 of the 30 rounds they played!  But boy, did the boys hoot when the finally one a game!!!   hilarious :)

There's nothing better! 
Can't wait for the bbq today!!!

I wonder why?

Here it is, 10pm, and I really need to get to sleep.  I worked a weird shift today, 12-9pm.  And I got to wondering... why does that seem like a longer shift than my usual 6-3 every day?????

I bought a new light fixture for the garage because we just couldn't see out there any more.  Those fluorescent fixtures don't work right after a while.  We've been living with crappy light out there for three years.  My son put the fixture up today, and holy crap!  It's like daylight in the garage!  whooo hooo!  And I got to wondering.... why do we put up with these little broken things?

Why do we put the little things off??

Friday feels like Sunday! ugh

Well, it was obvious to me this morning that the stress levels kicked into high gear.......

It's my day off today, on a Friday, and tomorrow will feel like a Monday!  UGH!!!  Unusual, but with the upcoming inventory, my schedule is switched around.  I worked 5 in a row, off 1 day, worked another 5, off today, and I will work another 5 before having five days off --- Do you know the way to San Jose????

After taking my car in for some service -- oil change, tire rotation, wheel alignment and an overall inspection before a road trip (it all checked out OK!) -- because I'm the only driver, I sit and wait.  For 2 hours. (which I fully expected)  I got home and had brunch -- too early for lunch, but I was starved! Then ended up taking an hour's nap, if not more *giggles*  Boy, talk about being tired!   Lots of rest is needed after all the busy-ness at work, the stress levels being so high, and my cold that seems to be never ending.  Just when I think its behind me, I wake up and have another day of  *blech*

Looking forward to some much needed time off.  Altho sometimes I wonder why.  No one takes care of the things that I do, and when I get back, five days worth of backlog will be waiting for me *sigh*  But then again, time with family is always renewing, refreshing, recharging!  However, I might be taking that statement back after this road trip with my son, daughter, granddaughter and Sadie along!!!

Full Moon

"For centuries, women were the calendar-keepers, priestesses, healers, and advisors of the clans because of their ability to communicate with the powers of the Moon Goddess.  Men learned to read the Moon's seasonal passages for use in hunting and farming.  All early people knew that no human was unaffected by the Moon and her mystical powers...

Everyone is Moon touched, or influenced, some just more than others.  About one third of all people have a Full Moon in their natal astrological chart.  These people are highly sensitive and emotional, with intense reactions each time the Moon re-enters its natal sign...

Humans cannot escape the influences of the Moon, whether they believe in it or not.  The Moon touches the lives of all people in one way or another..." 

There's a kind of power with a full moon, and it makes me want to do something special when there's a full moon.  I've tried different cultural rituals in the past; sadly, I didn't have time to prepare anything for tonight's full moon.   (altho, comically speaking... perhaps a picture of my own "full moon" under the light of the full moon!  hahaha)

Make a moment in your evening to get outdoors and give the big ol' moon a wave and a smile -- our heavens are glorious to look at!

Is it Paranoia??

I have to vent.  Work is driving me crazy.  And maybe some of you will have other ideas about the situation.  I will try to be objective if I can.   We have a policy: Respect for the Individual    With that being said, I have been in my current position for 5 years now.  Policy in my dept has changed many times, but all of the changes are reflected in the handheld computer scanner that operates in my dept.

In the past, one of the "checks and balances" has been someone observing what's being tossed in the trash, making sure that each item has been accounted for in the computer program.

One of the changes in the system is items that used to be tossed in the trash are now sent to our Returns Center for recycling.  I've discussed these changes with our Asset Protection Manager, Barb..

Just the other day, AP Barb came to me and said that a member of management must escort me to the trash compactor and observe my throwing things out.  OK, I said (cuz I always want to be in compliance) but I tried to ask questions, to make sure that what I'm doing, and what management is observing, is what is being asked by Home Office.  The only thing that came out of her mouth this time was "We need to make sure that markdowns are being taken correctly."  Ok.  I asked if the other departments are being monitored ... no, just me/mine.  I explained once again that markdowns aren't being tossed out, they're being recycled.  But she was adamant about being compliant and insisting that management watch the garbage being tossed.

Because it feels as if I'm being singled out, and because I am the only dept being checked on, am I out of line for feeling disrespected, for feeling as if there is someone digging in order to find a problem?  Am I being paranoid???

Every day, I try to do my job to the best of my ability.  I'm reasonably smart, I know the ins and outs of my dept, and I have a working knowledge of accounting, so its not like I am working in a void.  I understand the need for checks and balances.  And I want to do my part -- but is it too much to expect that there is a conversation, some one asks me about the practices I've been doing for the past five years?

Its really bothering me, in case you haven't gotten that.  So much so, that I'm at the point where I feel that if there isn't going to be a little more respect, and a little bit of trust, then I'm in the wrong position.

Wish job openings for women over 50 were more than entry level / retail jobs.

and if you're under 40, high school educated, and reading this.....  my advice:  go to college, get an education and find a position that you love!   wish I had done that!

Intuition!

Intuition:  everyone has it, or at least had it.  Maybe there were negative influences in your life that tapped it down and now its gone by the wayside.  It isn't too late to tap into your intuition again. I was doing some reading on just that topic.  Why?  Because I am a multitasker, doing many things at once at my job.  And given that I work in a BigBox store, there is a constant barrage of people talking at me.  (Its funny, I used to go to the break room when there weren't many ppl there, but they installed a TV and ... blech. So much for trying to find a place to have a moment of quiet.)   but ... back to topic.

I wanted some pointers to get some of my intuition back.  I feel better when I'm being creative.   And I realize that there are steps we can take to be more intuitive.   Just what is intuition?  Some call it their little voice, but I like to think of it as a whisper from your soul.  And that's easier to hear when your mind is quiet.  Personally, I think we're over-bombarded with noises -- so much so that we allow them to distract us from any real thinking.  Never mind taking the time or opportunity to hear our soul whispering to us.

Just how do we do it?  First, allow yourself to relax.  Take some deep breaths, and stop focusing on the usual, the to-do list, etc.  Listen to yourself breathe, maybe you need to picture a "happy place" - sitting on the beach, in a park, in a forest.  Release your mind's chatter.  This is a simple way to have a brief meditation.

When we have a specific thing we want help with, when our mind is clear, and we think about our 'question' , our answer may come to us in symbols which aren't always logical, or it could be in specific answers.  But be patient!  Be open to songs, feelings, conversations, or synchronistic events (I'm a real big fan of noticing those!)

Pay attention to your dreams.  Keep a journal by your bed, and before you're fully awake, jot down any notes, words, feelings about your dreams.

And keep practicing!  Intuition takes work, an effort.  But it pays off!!

Popsicles!

Ohhh the joys of a popsicle!

When I was growing up, and wasn't feeling well, my dad would bring home cherry popsicles for us kids to eat as a treat. 


Whether your throat was sore, you had a new tooth growing in, or your stomach was  feeling upset, nothing soothed like an ice cold popsicle!!  

I have had an awful cold this week, and even took a day off work (rare for me!!) because I wasn't feeling well.  Having a popsicle probably would have brought the fever down -- even if only temporarily.  These days, my popsicles are multi purpose.  I like the new Outshine brand that's full of fruit and veggie juices.  Sort of grown up, but still that popsicle feeling!!!!

There's no comfort like an ice cold popsicle when you're feeling out of sorts---
try one and you'll see!!

Ah, Naps

For anyone who knows me..... I don't do 'sick' very well.  Mostly, I just want to be left alone.  After staying home from work on Thursday, I decided I needed to make my presence known today.  But to tell you the truth, I shouldn't have been there.  After two hours, I was wiped, and ready to leave. But... I stuck it out for four hours after that, got in my six hours, then boogied home.  Straight home and to bed!  Where I napped for 90 minutes ..... after having a ham and provolone sammich!  heh heh heh

Today was library day, and we dashed in and out before cruising through a Taco Bell where I had a chicken quesadilla ... usually I get a taco salad, but it just didn't sound good today.

Happy weekend to everyone!

I'm Siiiiiick

I woke up this morning with the alarm, and was shivering, so I let the alarm do a snooze.  And then another snooze.  I finally dragged myself out of bed, got dressed and ready for work, snapped the leash on the dog and trotted her around the block.  It was 70 degrees, and I was cold.... and wore a jacket!

When I got home, I debated.... go to work?  or not?  Awww hell, just go in.  I got all my stuff gathered up, headed to the car -- still wearing a jacket -- and thought WTF?  I'm sick.  Get back in bed!  There's no way I should be cold, having chills in 70 degree weather.   So yes, even though its a very rare occasion, I called out sick today. And it was probably a good thing.  I slept and shivered and slept some more, for about seven hours.  As of 6:30pm, I'm feeling somewhat better; although I still have a cold, I'm not shivering, and don't feel feverish.

Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday!

Be Unique

Two Quickies

Just a short post:   First, this cold is kicking my butt.  Yes, I should have stayed home from work today, but couldn't.  I did leave early, however, and came home to take a nap.  That should help, will slurp down some Nyquil again tonight, and that'll be that, I hope!

Second, it was my parents' 56th wedding anniversary this past weekend. And I gotta tell ya, shopping for cards to wish them a Happy one wasn't easy.  So many of them end with " .... and many more."  Well, frankly, when you hit the 56th one, just how many more can there be????  I didn't want a card that says something that ... well, might bother them.  I finally found one that didn't have that phrase in it, but its obvious that card writers everywhere assume that cards are for those who will be around to have many, many more.  But then again, with the divorce rate, shouldn't they adjust their thinking?  Or are they just being optimistic for us all????

Hallelujah, Friday is on its way.... have a good one, y'all !

Cold, cold

Cold... cold.... go aWAY!

and don't bother to come back!

Ugh.  I hate getting summer colds.  With the dry air here, its a constant scratchy throat, like there's a cobweb tickling just out of reach as you suck on ice all day.  Not to mention the headaches and being extra tired all the time....   It's just after 6pm here, and I'm crawling in to bed.... sweet dreams!

Impalas

Well my Sunday started off with a bang.  Every day I wake up early, so I was out walking Sadie at 5:45am, and we got a mile in -- before the heat, of course.  Then it was a dash off to work.  My BigBox store is having a "tire event" and tires for my car are on sale, $50 off each tire!  Can't pass that up!!   Why did I go there on a special trip and get there so early?  Because they only had 12 in stock, and I didn't want to wait for a special order thing.  So, I was first in line, and told them what I needed:  to replace the two Bridgestone tires on the front (as they are over six years old, and the summer temps are murder on rubber tires over time!)  While waiting for my car, I dashed over to the gym and got an hour on the elliptical machine, 3.88 miles ...  just shy of my goal of 4 miles, but that's ok.  I did it, accomplished good things.

When I got back to my store to collect my car, I noticed that yes, I had two new tires -- they look so pretty when they're new! and the two older tires were on the front:  right side, the Goodyear Eagle.  left side, an old Bridgestone.  UGH.  There's nothing worse than a mistake by your mechanic.  We all want to have confidence that the person working on our vehicle is competent and trustworthy.  I know that mistakes happen.  And of course, my store fixed the error right away.  But in the back of your mind, you're always questioning whether the rest of the job was done correctly!  And who wants to have doubts about the vehicle that gets you from place to place on a daily basis???  Not me!

I've had issues before when I would have my oil changed.  I mean, what better way to have it done that while I'm working -- no sitting around time, waiting for a car to get finished up.  But, since the customer is always right, when I asked for an oil change, plus change the air filter and wiper blades, I expected them to be changed.  Not checked.  I requested this as I knew I was going to be taking a trip and I needed to know that those things had been done.  And when I'd picked up my car, they said they checked them, and they didn't need replacing.  Now I  have respect for mechanics and their knowledge, and usually I heed their advice.  But I worked in a service shop for 22 years, and I know a thing or two as well.  I also knew that I would be crossing a windy desert on my trip and wanted that air filter changed because the fine desert dust is SO hard on engines.  It was also summer time, which is the time for our monsoon season, and I like fresh blades on the windshield so I can see if an unexpected storm comes up.  The $10 for air filter and $15 for blades was worth the peace of mind for my trip, and I was pissed they didn't listen to me.

On the other side of the coin, when a customer requests something, do it, and get the sale!  Our store sales are floundering, and no wonder if this is what happens.  *sigh*   Which is why I'm more than willing to give up a morning on my day off to sit at a shop and have my car serviced -- I need to have faith and trust in the persons who are working on my vehicle.  After all, it's my lifeline to my entire world.

On other notes, my throat is still scratchy today, and I am tired, so I came home and napped for 90 minutes.  Probably too long of a nap, but needed if I'm fighting off a cold.  Can't be dragging that off to my parents' house later this month.

The rest of the day will be spent on chores:   groceries, laundry, and general house cleaning.  It's even a little too warm to get Sadie into her pool, maybe when the sun goes down.  :)