Snake Woman: all things ordinary, adventurous, and sprinkled with glass

Telling my story

2012-02-11T17:50:00.000-08:00

I think I had started to become daunted by the process of meeting someone and feeling like there has been so much life before this moment, so many experiences, people, connections triumphs and struggles that brought me to this point....how would I ever go about explaining all of that to someone new?

Then, out of the blue, I find myself in that exact position. Laughing at his stories; freely sharing mine.

I am beginning to think it less a chore and more a joy as we explore each other through our pasts in all the tarnished glory, the laughter filled present, and the hints of possibilities for tomorrow and beyond.

Smiling. Smiling.

Closing out 2011

2012-01-08T11:18:00.000-08:00

September marked the passing of my pops. I will save the long story for those who know me enough to ask (if you really want to know) over an adult beverage sometime, and just add that it was a consuming change.

Not because there was so much to do, I mean, there was a lot to do but a good list and keeping notes helps that process along, but becuase it changes the day to day. For mom, for me, for friends - the world looks different when a loved one passes.

The pup and I keep moving forward. God I love that furry face. She never tells my secrets. :-)

Friends are well, and the work front likely holds 6 more years for me - I had hoped to start the full time artist gig sooner, but number crunching tells me the extra years at the county will prove their worth many times over.

Still, I look for ways to keep creating, and I am currently signing up to be considered as an artist for a contest (of sorts) that asks for 10 pieces, 90% of the materials coming from landfill (yep - the dump!) and I am super excited. More news on that should I get selected.

Already over a week into 2012, I set the following intentions:

Identify and hold my gratitudes DAILY - hourly if it is hard
Spend quality time with family and friends
Assess the ways I can grow and take action
Breath deeply
Listen more
Eat good food
And always choose love, not fear

How does time pass so quickly?

2011-08-12T21:39:00.000-07:00

Should be heading to bed; I was talked into a "you are certain to get wet and muddy" 5k obstacle course tomorrow - though for a good cause - what was I thinking?

My yard looks awesome - there are always more projects, but the pruning is so so so much better.

I need to write more. Make more art. Breath deeper. Count my blessings. Keep walking forward.

Smiling, I am calling it a day.

Clarity

2011-04-02T19:21:00.000-07:00

I am doing what I need to to be clear. Sure. While at the same time dreaming and visioning the future I want. I like to think that we can have it all - all the things that bring us joy, especially the parts where that feeling comes from bringing joy to the lives of others.

It isn't about predicting, it is about setting clear intentions, and then making the choices that lead us to the desired outcome.

I know how to do that. I have done it. I am doing it right now; I just want to make sure I know what I want for the future.

For the present, making this tanish gray furball that curls up next to me and stares at me through bright yellow eyes, happy - giving her a good life in exchange for all the times she has been a patient listener, is a pretty darn good place to be.

I am grateful to have a career I love; that I do fairy well, that gives me a chance to influence lives of others positively.

I am grateful to be healthy, surrounded by family and friends who I love and I know love me.

I am grateful for my connection to spirit, and the world, and all the live and love in it.

I am grateful to know who I am at my core, even if I don't always know where I am going in the moment.

at the airport...again

2011-03-04T09:26:00.000-08:00

Funny, as much as I like travel, the back to back thing is not my gig. I need down time to recharge and I am not sure my battery is full. Seems especially hard since though I know this training for Rotary president is required, the timing is just bad.

San Jose of all places...oh well, it isn't like I will have time to explore even if it had been somewhere more exciting.

I am craving time to relax at home, play with the pooch, mosaic, and have true calm and unscheduled time with Mark. Trying to pry visits in during the midst of a busy week wasn't great for either of us.

ok... they are calling the flight. Paste on a smile, remember the mission of Rotary and why I love the great things it does and stands for.

Buck up Buttercup.

YAHOO! It works.

2011-02-21T21:05:00.000-08:00

There isn't a lot there yet, but I am so proud I was able to follow the complicated (to me) directions and reroute my website name to the new site. A big deal for the less than computer savvy.

Next I will figure out the best way to start adding photos. Stop by, feel free to offer suggestions (though I don't know if I will know enough to be able to act on them if they are too much about format) and let me know what you think in general.

I am probably going to have to add a page for her Highness, Ms Isabella Rosalini Tyler.

It may be a little thing to most, but I am excited.

trying to make a website....

2011-02-21T10:19:00.000-08:00

ok - so - finding a way to get it out there means I MUST have a website - so...conside me under construction.

snakewomancreations.com is coming soon to a theater near you. Or perhaps, the internet. That might get me more exposure now that I think about it.

gratitude

2010-10-19T10:35:00.000-07:00

maybe after the phone call to the doctor, I will shift, and rather than admit the pain, each time I think of it I will announce something I am grateful for.

I am so very grateful it was only one arm. For example.

Montana Adventure and the story of why my arm hurts sooooo much

2010-10-18T11:22:00.000-07:00

ok - so as I write this I am actually in Upham North Dakota. My arm is severely broken, the upper arm sporting a new rod from shoulder to elbow, and my shattered wrist held together with a plate and close to a dozen screws. I have been off work since September 10th, and we are well into October...what the heck? don't fall down a stairwell - that is what I have to say about that!

Left Mark's place in Sisters on October 7th and have been through Washington, Idaho, Montana and now North Dakota - heading back to Montana for Mark to hunt deer and antelope.

The pup, Izzy, has been enjoying the trip and maturing, though she has yet to point a bird...which is her job during the bird hunting!!! She has found and fetched a few, and I love her crazy.

Mark has been amazing taking care of the dogs and me and there has been so much scenery along the way...gorgeous. Facebook now sports close to 100 photos of the adventure so far. and the most exciting news is come February, I will be headed to Austin Texas to see my mosaic, Albacore Tuna on Dock, in the Mosaic Arts International show. I can't believe it got in the show and I can't wait to see it in the gallery. I will include a photo!

my potential SAMA project

2010-08-14T12:55:00.000-07:00

What gets into my brain to make me try to do stuff that A) I have not done before, B) I haven't researched the process for, and C) could wind up being a lot of time spent with no useable end?

I want so much to be excited about this mosaic, but I keep finding that I can only do it in tiny little steps, and each step closer to actually putting glass on it, winds up pointing to some other inbetween step that I hadnt thought about.

Maybe it is just too hot to be doing this...

On a totally different topic...I am so crazy in love I can hardly stand it.

writing again, for real

2010-06-25T13:43:00.000-07:00

I got the gift story done...a combination of the old one bracketed by inspiration from the life and times of this snakewoman and a fanciful thread to connect it all. Based on the reaction of the two that have read it so far, it is a success!

This weekend the pup goes to college - learning to hunt and hold birds, and then to fetch when they are shot. I will get time to have the carpets cleaned and yard work done...but I will miss her furry face.

New love though, makes up for missing the dog, and then some!

Back to it - the writing spawns a deep desire to do more...I want extra hours in the day, I have ideas, I could see writing a story that is accented with the mosaics...

Mostly, my life is feeling more balanced, more filled with love and light and purpose than I can recall. I am healthy and happy and truly grateful.

The things we see

2010-05-20T15:38:00.000-07:00

Just realizing it is time to start the inward journey...off tomorrow, home with the pup and new man. With the women on Saturday. My head is already moving that direction.

oh my good golly does time fly...

2010-05-20T15:26:00.001-07:00

Facebook apparently draws one away from the prose and more detailed blog updates. But then maybe, I just forgot about this. It's time though...good exercise to write more regularly, and maybe move away from the FB all things Isabella, all the time. A bit more of the personal here.

ok...finding it, remembering my log in, saying hello...its a start.

Reconnection.

Hello.

I am doing fine, thank you, and will expand on that soon.

in the Philippines

2009-02-18T12:31:00.000-08:00

to minimize redundancy, please stay tuned to the travel blog and I will return to my personal blog after I get home.

http://tagalogtravelblog.blogspot.com/

be well!

My life is remarkable.

2009-02-10T07:54:00.001-08:00

I am not sure if it is possible to not wake up in complete gratitude for this life. But it doesn't matter. I am happy to have so very much to be grateful for. Time for work, so I will leave it at that for now.

9 days and counting

2009-02-05T15:43:00.000-08:00

hard to believe - but I am having bittersweet feelings about leaving for a month. Crazy talk, eh? I am just so happy. But the month will speed by, at least for me. Philippines, I am coming back!!

I will learn to row it...

2009-01-18T18:33:00.000-08:00

of course, this is an advertisement for a brand new drift boat...but I so want to learn to row them...what an amazing weekend

departure is getting closer

2009-01-15T22:08:00.000-08:00

and it is bittersweet. I am excited to be going back to the Philippines, really I am. And yet, I never expected that I would be thinking how much I would like to be spending this coming month tucked in some cabin in the woods, or traipsing around Alaska, or fishing anywhere or relaxing on the beach or even just snuggled up, watching movies with him. It is all good, it just draws out all the scary wonderful vulnerable places I didn't expect to surface again.

Makes life interesting, right?

42 days....

2009-01-02T15:15:00.000-08:00

I am both excited to be returning to the Philippines and thinking about how much better good experiences are when shared...sure didn't expect to be sorting through all these feelings on the 2nd day of the new year! Not that I am complaining!

Focus on the beauty of it all, and how quickly a month passes. Right? Who knew how quickly these last 2 months would wiz by...big sigh.

Snow 2008....I miss it already

2008-12-30T16:41:00.000-08:00

'nuff said.

Christmas eve, full of snow and potential

2008-12-24T13:36:00.000-08:00

What an amazing last couple of weeks. Hard to even capture all the joy and excitement and feelings of hope and potential for the future. I am spending this holiday in the present, embracing the bliss and wonder of things that feel like they are happening the right way. For once? Has it been a lifetime of getting to this place? Lots to consider, but none of it is bad.

thinking about snowy escapes - small cabins with warmth from a fire, happy people, snuggling pup, trips outside to throw snowballs and simple hearty foods...and of course, the most amazing kisses.

maybe one of these???

A week before Christmas and all through the house

2008-12-16T20:33:00.000-08:00

I am just living in the present and loving every moment. I think this is how it is suppose to feel. Who knew?

It's December....tomorrow

2008-11-30T17:39:00.000-08:00

I can't get over how quickly time is flying. Crazy, really.

Have to post the beautiful steelhead...and let me just say, I am blissed out these days.

grateful grateful grateful....I don't want to lose sight of it for a moment.

More of the fish!!

2008-11-18T17:47:00.000-08:00

I mean really - the boat goes in here?

2008-11-18T17:41:00.001-08:00

Brad's friend and our shuttle hero

Can you see it down there??

Brad and Kelsey with the first fish of the day

2008-11-18T17:27:00.001-08:00

Sunday November 16th was one of those extraordinary days where the weather, the friends, and the adventure came together to make a day of delight and wonder. Brad and Kelsey invited me to fish from their drift boat. We left their place around 6am and explored several options for the best waters. Picking a drift boat launch that in no way resembled (to me) a place to put a boat in the water - think steep slope, tress and shrubs and barely a place to pull off along side of the road - and the next thing I know, Brad says, "Push" and there goes the boat, crashing down down down toward the water. Right up till it decided to turn right, into the trees.

The slope was such that I navigated to the stopping point by way of my bum in on the wet leaves a few times, but remarkably, everything was still tucked neatly inside, there was no damage, and a few heaves and hos and poof - the boat was in the water.

Shuttle the rig to the take out point, and we were fishing.

Brad had obviously taught Kelsey well, as once we reached the first hole, with little instruction, she let out line to the appropriate distance and before Brad could say OK, let the next pole out - ziiiiing - the first fish was on!

I might have the count wrong, but I think we brought in 6 of the 8 or 9 we had on. All gorgeous, all wild Coho - happily back in their river.

And here it is all organized....YEAH!!

2008-11-09T15:27:00.001-08:00

Putting it together

2008-11-09T15:23:00.001-08:00

I bribed Julie with wine for her help putting the 8 tables together...wine and drills...yikes

Craft room project

2008-11-09T15:19:00.000-08:00

ok....it is done for now.

Still a lot of stuff in that room but at least I can find it all now. Shall we start with the embarrassing "before" pictures? How did that room get so trashed?

2008-11-07T07:13:00.000-08:00

I have started again. For real. I am tired of looking at runners and feeling guilty; feeling like I should be out there. I feel better when I do. There is no denying that. It is all about making it habit again. And for that, Julie is helping. Hard to stay in bed when someone is waiting at your door.

30 mins today. The first day of the new regime. I'll celebrate once I get a few runs under my belt and when my legs quit their whining. Shouldn't be too long.

Fishing tomorrow...YEAH!

2008-11-04T15:55:00.000-08:00

ok, today is in fact Tuesday, which makes tomorrow the ever loved mid-week fishing trip - I am not sure there is much better. Fishing instead of working...yummy. I hope to have photos of the bounty but for now I post this gorgeous piece of bronze art...in honor of the fish we will be catching tomorrow.

I am so grateful for fishing friends.

Do I have abnormal amygdala issues?

2008-11-02T11:28:00.000-08:00

Cause frankly, I am not understanding my feelings....welcome to November I guess.

the week ahead

2008-10-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

ok, so, Monday and Tuesday are the big inspection...and then GSE is meeting with Bob Aguirre Monday night. Tuesday we meet at the Venetions for a board meeting. Wednesday, I testify on PDX, but actually have no evening plans. Thursday, Rick's b-day at China Bay in Beaverton. And impossible as it seems, Friday is Halloween and October is OVER this Saturday.

Freaky. Really people...it is freaky how fast time is flying by.

ummmm...my house smells so good.

2008-10-21T15:34:00.000-07:00

I couldn't stand it.

Not a minute longer.

I got up early yesterday and put a turkey in the oven. Yes, before work. I checked on it once on a break, and sent my dad to turn the oven off later. Do you know how good the house smelled when I got home? ok, the Turkey wasn't so bad either. No stuffing or potatoes, though right now, I am making really delicious soup.

Yes, I want to go home and eat.

I wish this was what my turkey looked like, but A) it didn't - mine was skinless, and B) I didn't think to take a photo.

Calendaring...

2008-10-13T22:09:00.000-07:00

Tuesday: Lunch with mom and an evening GSE meeting
Wednesday: Lunch with Vega and meeting Teri at the Venetian
Thursday: Lunch at Rotary and SEWING!!!
Friday: Pack for the GSE Manzanita trip
Saturday: GSE
Sunday: GSE and home for sewing and catch up
Monday: No plans!
Tuesday: prayer breakfast and evening concert - Johnny A...with...? :0-)
Wednesday: Finish sewing project

that is far enough out.

Movies

2008-10-12T12:40:00.000-07:00

I haven't seen Appaloosa yet and still want to. Wall-e played today at noon at the Venetian and I missed it, dang, but Tropic Thunder is playing this week (one I gladly prefer to pay 4 dollars for) followed by the new Mummy movie which I also have not seen yet.

Seems like these next couple of weeks I will be supporting the Venetian!

Appaloosa on Saturday? Perhaps

2008-10-09T22:13:00.000-07:00

Well, I almost made it to bed....but then I looked up the movie I might see this weekend...

http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/review/2008/09/17/appaloosa/

I will go to sleep thinking of Viggo. Yum.

Thursday...ah, tomorrow is FRIDAY

2008-10-09T22:05:00.000-07:00

Tired, but still got two table skirts, curtains, or whatever you want to call them, sewn. My machine needs a tune up and it is refusing to go in reverse. Dang. Do I limp through sewing 8 more sets and THEN get it fixed, or stop the process and then sew faster once it is better?

I think I go to sleep and worry about it tomorrow.

The machine is from 1983. Serious. It has served me well but I want it to keep working....

Wednesday bedtime

2008-10-08T21:57:00.000-07:00

Where did the evening go? Oh yeah, the good bye party for Monika, finished the last table, bought fabric for the room, looked for shelves (didn't find what I like), washed the new fabric and caught up on email.

ok - bed time for bonzo...more tomorrow evening.

Hot and tired, and really grateful for Julie's help

2008-10-07T22:05:00.001-07:00

The project has begun. Bowflex room is currently unusable, piled high with craft room guts and gristle. A few loads to the trash, some stuff for good will, 7 of 8 tables together and a good start to the reorg have left me tired, sweaty, and thankful Julie was building tables while I motored around arranging.

Lots more done tonight than I expected - I could easily be done with it all before the weekend if we are able to get the last leg drilled (one leg out of 24 was missing a critical hole) and if I set my mind to sewing the drapes that will cover all the hidden parts under the tables. I just threw fabric over the top for right now.

ok - a great start...even took some photos, and can I say I simply LOVE the rolling IKEA Snack Boxes. They were made for glass storage - plain and simple.

Late Monday musings

2008-10-06T22:50:00.000-07:00

Brad called...my friend, the amazing fisherman, says his friend the amazing fisherman (do they get exponentially more amazing?)took a group out to where we had planned to fish, and came home skunked. Not the same as getting skunked in cribbage, as fishing takes much longer than the average cribbage game and it's not like you can get 6 (the average hand in cribbage) or 15, or a cool 29...never mind this blather. Skunk might be the only fishing and cribbage connection aside from the fact that I like both, as does Brad.

oh wait, there is the fish cribbage board, that I would buy, if I knew where to find it.

OK, aside from that, 4 IKEA boxes are together, sans the rollers as they didn't come with hardware - which seems like a nasty plot against me (were I a conspiracy theorist) and I started one of the 8 (yes, 8 - there IS a grand plan)tables just to see how hard they would be. Tomorrow night - leftovers, table making, and organizing the craft room. I dare ya to tell me I am not living like a rock star.

Monday blues

2008-10-06T09:27:00.000-07:00

It is raining but I am not fishing, sad as that is; I trust Brad's fishing judgment completely.

It is cold in the house but I want coffee - which means I have to get up and go make it....urg

I want to organize the crafts room so bad, but it means spending $$$, time, and brainpower trying to figure out the best way to do it. For mow, maybe I just hide the mess. hmmmmm

Decisions decision.

Let's start with coffee. Everything will be a little clearer then.

forks in the road

2008-10-02T22:40:00.000-07:00

Well, by end of the weekend, a girl could have a sense of which direction she was interested in heading...or, she could be even less certain. It will be interesting, at the very least.

Off Days and dresses

2008-09-28T21:55:00.000-07:00

Here I am, watching a movie, (I know, is anyone shocked??) and recognizing the patterns in the relationships on the screen. Don't ask me how I made the leap, but I went from the movie and feeling kind of off, to the realization that I adore wearing dresses...they make me feel better, much like chocolate improves the attitude for other people.

So I looked for a few and decided that these will be my inspiration.

Wow. I am tired.

2008-09-27T21:46:00.000-07:00

I planned to go hang with Chris for a while. Chill at Bugatti's and work my Sudokus...instead, I watched "Running with Scissors" which might be the strangest, and maybe one of the saddest films I have seen in a while. And though it is early, I am going to bed. In the words of Harry Chapin's grandfather - good tired.

what a great day!

2008-09-27T20:21:00.001-07:00

Spent it with the team and we did the challenge course. It ROCKED!

Lots more images of our day are on the GSE site.

http://tagalogtravelblog.blogspot.com/

Gratitude, exhaustion, and beauty snakes

2008-09-25T22:29:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I say I am tired, and really, though it sounds like I am complaining, I am not. I am so grateful for all I have in this life. There is no way around it - I am very very fortunate.

Sometimes I think about Esmerelda...she was amazing.

I finally beat Mark!

2008-09-23T22:18:00.000-07:00

ok - I know - it is like 15 or 20 to 1, but I am savoring my victory. Happy dance, happy dance. The tide has turned. perhaps.

Dr Brody is fixin' me

2008-09-22T22:04:00.001-07:00

So today we start to tackle the anemia. Curious, since Jan thinks the low red blood count is Thallessemia...if Dr B can fix it up - wow. I will be very impressed. But hey, her track record getting the cholesterol down without "drugs" was pretty good! The approach - find a way to absorb the iron I take in better. And, crap, track every bite of food for several weeks. ugh. It isn't HARD, it is merely a pain in the tush.

ok - Daily Plate: Marie returns tomorrow.

www.thedailyplate.com

Our halibut was at least larger than this

2008-09-21T19:27:00.000-07:00

But still too small to keep! Check out the scale - I mean really, look at his thumb!

Back from the ocean

2008-09-21T19:23:00.000-07:00

Well, we are tired but pleased that we returned Gary's boat with no mishaps. Sad to report though, that we caught only a small shark and a tiny halibut (I will include photo's of the shark, but alas, not of the halibut). But we did have fun - well, maybe young Ryan had less fun as he was a touch sick....here is the shark!

The real way to relax

2008-09-20T18:35:00.000-07:00

Is to get all the chores done first so that play is guiltless. I finished the laundry, and got the "office" straightened up - finally! So I am now off to buy halibut bait.

Guess who is fishing tomorrow?

ME!

Check out the biggest halibut ever caught in Norway. And no, I do not expect to catch anything remotely close to this.

Dave and Kurt holding up our meager bounty

2008-09-18T18:26:00.004-07:00

The bloody crime scene

2008-09-18T18:26:00.003-07:00

Hey - got one on!

2008-09-18T18:26:00.002-07:00

Darn, I failed to mention that I forgot the card for MY camera, so we used Kurt's which has the dumb time stamp on it...oh well.

Me and Kurt - heading out in the morning sun

2008-09-18T18:26:00.001-07:00

Tuna with the boys

2008-09-18T18:26:00.000-07:00

So - the spontaneous Tuesday trip was a blast...Gary, Kurt, me, and Kurt brought his friend Dave, who, after several hours on the boat, we realized was someone I went to high school with. Hilarious - Dave knows Deb and Al and their neighbor Joe...it is such a small world. We got a late start having starter trouble in Forest Grove...it is funny to tell people we had trouble starting the boat and then mention that we went 40 plus miles off shore. But hey, that is where the tuna were!! Photos will be up soon!!

Going to bed VERY early!!

2008-09-15T19:30:00.000-07:00

Why you ask? Why would a girl be giddy and ready to sleep before 8pm? To go FISHING - of course. Making lunch and then going to try try try to sleep....tuna? Did you hear that tuna calling me? :-)

One more Poker run photo

2008-09-15T19:27:00.000-07:00

so we finally got to strip off a couple layers. Before the day was over, I was wearing a tank top and my jacket completely unzipped. Hard to believe how cold it was at the start.

Jewels and Mosaics....

2008-09-14T19:36:00.001-07:00

Girls just want to have fun, and things that sparkle!

Fun night...even sold a coaster set and Aida wants another "river" which is cool and fun since I haven't made one in a while. Still, it is really nice to be home and relaxing.

last Astoria shot...today

2008-09-13T17:43:00.001-07:00

It is just so pretty.

ok, off to wash the scooter.

The Rotary Ride continued....

2008-09-13T17:36:00.001-07:00

An all around yummy day. Here we are at the start of the ride - not too many bikes, which is fine as I am not big on riding in huge clusters. As it turned out, the three of us had pretty open roads the whole ride. The Astoria port area is so beautiful. But what really rocks - is I won a two night stay there for having....say it.....the LOWEST HAND! LOL

Astoria Rotary Ride

2008-09-13T17:33:00.001-07:00

So here I was while we waited to meet Dennis Frames brother in law - 47 layers of clothes on - ok, maybe 5 - and the day was shaping up to be clear (though at this point, crisp was more accurrate. Oh, and the FOG in the mountain - downright cold!)

The NAA conference 1st annual 5k run/walk

2008-09-09T17:26:00.000-07:00

Given my back soreness, it was mostly a walk for me, but it was beautiful. Along the river, the golf course, saw magpies and the uphill (which was significant rising up from the river) stretched my back well. Yeah!! Finished it - so hey - i got my tee shirt! I love being part of starting traditions.

I so love central Oregon...

2008-09-09T15:08:00.000-07:00

Putting clothes away in my room, the sliding door is open and I feel the warm breeze, hear the golfers swinging away, and listening to Pandora - whoever invented Pandora, and leaves it as a free way to listen to music is currently my hero. We have a 4 pm 5k run/walk. Depending on how the back feels, I am currently guessing my participation will more resemble a walk...

good to be here though. feels clean, and fresh, and renewing somehow. yeah

(so can you see me in the window, second floor on the rightside of the picture...overlooking the 17th hole tee box. I am waving at you all! LOL)

The unnamed river

2008-09-08T21:59:00.001-07:00

Not that I am saying for a minute that this place exists, or that if it did, I could say its name, but these photos don't do it justice. Brad and I had a lazy, gorgeous day on the river in his awesome boat - the photos were meant to capture the reflection on the water, and how the boat made circles in that reflection. I am convinced there is a mosaic, or several, laying quietly in wait for me to bring them to life from this inspiration.

Saturday with Ryan

2008-09-07T19:49:00.001-07:00

So this is the ever cool Ryan standing on his very own townhouse terrace, overlooking his amazing view - trees, the water, the wildlife...does it get any better? Apparently it does - he has the SAME wonderous view from his upstairs room.

Had a great day at UofO with Ryan; lunch, catching up, the token house warming items (every home needs a snake - or several - some rocks, a feather, and YIPPEE - I got to give him the first fridge magnet), checking out the buildings and the trees on campus, and of course, drinking out of the 1920's water fountain - all four fountains as a matter of fact.

Can you spell great day? I can - Y E S T E R D A Y W I T H R Y A N.

I actually thought for a minute I would sleep in...

2008-09-06T21:03:00.000-07:00

...when the call came in for an early fishing adventure. So, I am headed to buy lunch, and going to bed as soon as possible, to be at Brad's by 4:15. Yes, 4:15 AM. I really love fishing. Apparently.

gorgeous morning

2008-09-05T07:27:00.000-07:00

ahh...the difference a good night's sleep and a less sore back make. And poof - just like that, she has her old cheeriness and hopeful spirit fully engaged. Off to add the finishing rejuvenating touches in a wonderful hot shower and a motorcycle ride to work.

making it through the day

2008-09-04T18:21:00.000-07:00

sometimes the running away plan screams "good idea" to me - of course the practical side of me knows better, but the fantasy occasionally makes sense through the filter of the day to day crap. There are soccer kids in the field, I am deciding about getting lost in a silly movie or just calling it a day. decisions, decisions.

work and such

2008-09-03T21:58:00.000-07:00

tomorrow is our status report. why do I think we are going to get bashed? hmmmm

oh my aching back....

2008-09-02T22:03:00.000-07:00

...is not QUITE so aching any more....thank you thank you thank you Marilynn. Though I think you might have a sadist bone or two in you, you have incredible healing hands and a joyful, child like heart. Yeah Marilyn!

The end of the holiday weekend

2008-09-01T22:09:00.000-07:00

I wound up actually getting a few things done today. That feels great. Saw Mama Mia (which made me smile on so many levels), I heard from Texas (his text message says he is lost...I cannot begin to imagine), I organized the information on the Philippines trip into a new big folder, and got stuff to organize the office. Oh! And I got rid of some old broken stuff to Goodwill! Yeah, cleaning out the old feels FABULOUS. I cannot wait to purge through the office. Redid my alter as well. Wow. Thinking about it now, I really did get a lot done.

I even started writing...not the main thing, but practice comes in many forms.

Just Wondering

2008-08-31T22:37:00.000-07:00

How brave do I need to be to start the real writing?

hard news

2008-08-31T14:46:00.000-07:00

what do you say when someone calls to tell you their son has died this very day in a car crash? I am at a loss for words. Instead, I put up photos of a new mosaic. It is a tree, growing, and for some reason that seems an appropriate response right this minute.

pondering travel

2008-08-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

So it has been almost a year since this trip to New Orleans. I am feeling the pull. The need to move, explore, travel. I know the Philippines trip will be here in the blink of an eye, but right THIS MINUTE, February feels a lifetime away. Maybe that is partly why I think I should hop a plane to Texas...though I am sure the real reason has to do with wanting to see the wildlife there.

Could it be this easy? First entries...

2008-08-30T09:17:00.000-07:00

Well, I am in bed on a sunny morning, having slept in after a long run of too much going on in my life. I thought I might ride to the coast today, sneak up on the Shaver family at Ft Stevens and invite myself to their camping lunch. But the computer says it is raining over those hills. Sounds as though I might ride east instead.

As soon as I figure out how all this works.