Life Balance

Trying to find a good life balance when you add up all the things a person wants to accomplish in a day or a week, it's not an easy task! 

My work life consumes 10 hours a day, then there's walking the dog, finding time to do a few chores and squeeze in a little exercise as well, and before you know it, it's bedtime!  And there's paperwork that didn't completed, maybe a few bills needed to be paid, then add in the creative stuff that I enjoy doing. 

Where did I find all the time to do those things in the past ?????

And how will I create time for myself to do those things now ?

With everything that's been going on, sometimes just getting through the work day is the only struggle I can get through.  Other days, it goes a little better and I feel like I get a few things accomplished.  I am in awe over how much I can get done just on my phone, and yet, it still doesn't seem like it's enough some days. 

One day at a time

It helps to make a list

I like the feeling I get when I can actually check something OFF my list!

Which reminds me, I need to make a "Honey Do" list for my son in law when he's here next week.
(He doesn't know it yet, though. haha)

Because today was a better day than most,
here's a photo of the flowers I planted last week
using the new Canon camera and filter I shopped for today!

This is It! Moving Week (2008)

Counted Down - This is It! - Feb 14, 2008

Current mood:cheerful
I started this blog, and then looked at the date... oh gosh, Valentine's Day.  Well, sorry, you're not getting my thoughts on love, romance, or relationships (and everyone says ~whew~).  My mind is crowded with thoughts of a truck, the weather, the long drive ahead, and all the other peripherals of moving day.  YES , its finally here.  Tomorrow, I pick up the truck;  Saturday is loading day, and the start of a long drive. It's been quite a journey getting to this point.  I'm excited - and amazed at how it all fell into place in perfect timing. 

I'm also sad to be leaving Ohio.  This has been my home; in November, it will be 10 years ago that I moved here from California to raise my kids and gain four step-kids [ I love you guys!!].   I leave behind mostly great memories, and a few sad thoughts.  But my time here has come to an end.  People come into our lives: for a reason, for a season, or for a lifetime.  And when I reflect back on moving here in the first place, I know now it was for a reason, and a season.  I wouldn't trade those years for anything ... I loved, and was loved, by my family, and the friends I have made here.  I will miss the people here ...... You know who you are! so you'd better stay in touch! ....  and oddly enough, I will miss the seasons.  Living in Ohio taught me to appreciate the differences in each of the seasons, and to take what comes weather-wise with a smile.  (If you don't like the weather in Ohio... wait 5 minutes, it will change!)

Unless I find some sort of internet-connect along the way....
the next thing posted will be from Arizona! 
Really big HUGS to everyone .....  I love you all !!!

Goodbyes & Beginnings - Feb 15, 2008

Current mood:scared

Today was my last day at work - and I didn't realize how hard it would be to leave my "walmart family". Me and "the girls" (Cathy, Emily and Tammi) went to lunch at a local Mexican restaurant. It was good, fun to sit around and talk, dredge up memories. We all started when the store was brand new, did the setup thing from start to finish. Its been a great three years, I'll remember it always. HUGS girls! I love you, and miss you already !! (turn off the waterworks Emmy --- that's catchy! dammit!)

From work, I went to pick up The Truck. OMG. I don't think i can do this. *cries* I got the truck, and it drives like a frickin' truck.  I put the car on the back, you don't wanna know how awful that was. and I drove home with it all. Pulling a car, in all that big truck, is really really bad. I never made it over 45. my leg hurts from the sitting position you're in , as related to the gas pedal. my back hurts, and by the time I got home, the dolly/tow thing had come undone and it was a miracle my car made it all the way home with me . . . . that was 25 miles. How am I ever gonna make it 1,872 miles? I just wanna crawl into bed and cry. .... (Update: I called Penske help line, they told me some tips and what they thought the problem was, and how to correct it ... so , we shall see!)

We loaded the front portion of the truck, got a few things in there, and I'm looking around at all my *stuff* and wondering just how am i gonna get it ALL in there?? what do i leave behind? its all boxed up and not separated for that.... dammit.

I had it in my mind that ... I can do anything I set my mind to .... but this takes the cake. I dunno how I'll stand it. And I'll tell you something else.... I had to have a talking to with my son, Brian. He's moaning about things. "This is hard enough", I told him, "without my having to try to keep your spirits up as well. " To top it off, it was cold tonight, the wind was kicked up, and my ears are frozen and ache.

Well, considering how much we got done, and how long it took ... I'll be lucky to hit the road on time. But... that's what "vacations" are for, right?? hahahhaha

Hugs to everyone ... and cross your fingers, say a prayer, dance in the moonlight if that's something you do ... I sure could use some good thoughts :) 

Finally Arrived! - Feb 22, 2008

Just jotting a few words here to let everyone know that we finally arrived in Arizona on Weds.  It was a long drive, and ... no major mishaps... I'll get some details here soon. It took me two days to get enough boxes unpacked and computer hooked up.  Lots of family is here, and my daughter and granddaughter are staying with me for the weekend, so I've had lots of help with everything. It's great to be here, the weather's been gorgeous so far.... (sorry, Ohioans, but it really IS ! )  HUGGSSS to everyone, and thanks for all the good thoughts !!! 

11:33 PM

2019 PS:  Eleven years ago, and I still can recall the long unending hours in The Truck.  What I realize now is that I didn't anticipate how difficult some of the things we take for granted would be, like putting on gas. You can't drive an extra tall rig into just any gas station lane!  And some states required us to pull into weigh stations. (ugh)  The biggest lesson learned is that you can't back up when you're towing a car on a dolly!   But all things considered, I amazed myself! 

Struggles

This has been a week of struggles.  Work struggles.  Life struggles.  Decision struggles.  I'm not one to dish out a lot of details while I struggle through things.  Sometimes its easier for me to work it through on my own than to think it out loud into the blogosphere. 

With work, its issues with a new managerial staff, and it seems as if each of them has an oar in the water, but no one's paddling in the same direction.  Which results in covering a lot of the same ground over and over again.  Frustrating for people who like to have a clear goal and just get things done.  Very frustrating.

 

With life, its ... well, I'm calling it a growth period.  Now that there aren't major goals on my plate, its time to refine the smaller goals, or find some new goals.  I've been "status quo" for a couple of years now, and its time to branch out in new directions.  I have been doing it in small pieces, local concert in the park, a night hike in the mountains.  Small steps in the right direction :)  I think one of the things that I really need to do is take a vacation by myself.  No kids. No family.  Something and somewhere I really want to go.  When I was home, I didn't get any beach time, so I'm leaning in that direction.  Or maybe some mountains, forest, trees, hiking.  I'll have to do some research.

Decision struggles are self explanatory, yes?   Everyone has decisions to make, from what to have for dinner to what do I want out of life? And sometimes in life, we reach a point where there aren't a lot of choices when  stuck in a rut.  You either do, or don't.  And if you don't like those choices, do you suck it up and keep things as they are?  

Sometimes change is a good thing, a necessary thing, 

no matter how much we don't like it, or want it to happen.  

Sometimes change helps us grow into the next phase. 

“Sometimes good things 

fall apart so better things 

can fall together.” 

-Marilyn Monroe