Sugar Plum & me

so, it took MONTHs to figure out, but i finally did it    this photo was taken back in April when i took the church's hike group to Tent Rocks    Marsha, Lil Miss Madison & I brought up the rear   it ended up just being us for the remainder of the hike   my intentions were to hike a lot with Sugar Plum during the summer for my conditioning for the trip   it hasn't happened   Marsha & i haven't even been doing our usual hiking on the weekends   she got a boyfriend and has been busy with him among other things   but anyways, i've been wanting to share this photo since april   my new copier doesn't scan the photos like my old one did   now i ask WHY did i get a new copier?   anyways, i just figured out via my myspace account how to load this onto here and it be big enough to see....i did stop at Best Buy today to check out Adobe Photo Shop for my computer   won't buy it anytime soon, but think i'll give it a try by the end of the year    right now ALL funds go to the Grand Canyon...lol    until laterz.....

Life is Good

       Do what you like

                                                Like what you do.

so, like before and after workin' at Jen's office today, i went window shopping again for backpacks and other equipment for my trip   of course i'm lookin for the bargain hoping to not buy everything at my favorite store=REI    so i went to my favorite store second    there a guy helped in fitting me for a backpack   boy did i get an education on backpacks   how they fit =at the hips and shoulders   how snug they're suppose to be once packed  making it so compacted that nothing moves around all over the place    all those extra straps are for something   he fitted two different ones for me   $50 difference in price   he also packed each one so that they were 30lbs or more and i wore them 10mins each around the store    i didn't know backpacks were to fit soooo good   i decided on one, then went back to the more economical sports store   the backpacks didn't fit, even after i adjusted them as much as i could   but hey, i came home and checked out the two packs i had picked up at yard sales for nothing   one i immediately realized won't work at all    the other fit perfectly   it just needed some straps, which i picked up at REI (my main purpose to go there today)   so i have a pack!   but may splurge for the new one because they have a place for a camel pack water bag to go inside them which carries 2liters (i need twice that amount of water to carry into the canyon)...so anyways, my friend Maggie may have some boots i can have (if she can find them)  if i get the boots from Maggie i may go ahead with the purchase of a new pack   otherwise, i'm investing big bucks ($140) for new boots    although i did find some good boots at the sports store, they're too light weight for backpacking   i need a medium weight in order to balance   so right now, i've saved me $200-250 on a backpack by using the one i have   i'm ecstatic about that especially since finding out last nite that there's a possibility that George won't be going with me on the trip   he may get a job (which at the moment he doesn't have one)  so it's waiting to see IF he gets the job & IF they let him have the time off to do this   i'm going regardless although my friend Marsha is trying to talk me out of going alone   ok i'm weird   i do things alone   i have for a loooooong time   i know i can handle it   besides there will be plenty of people on the trails besides park rangers i'm sure   i'll be fine!   this is my birthday present to me   gotta make the big 5-0 something special!!!!!!!!

second wind

   so, it's like 11pm   i'm on my second wind    since startin the new job, i'm awake late at night   i'm accustomed to a 10pm bedtime   now i'm lucky if i'm there by midnight   not sure i like the change   will know in time if i can handle late   i was up late this morn because i couldn't sleep til 2am  ...nah, i like the early mornin hours  i'll figure a way of getting to sleep "early".......anyways, i went for a hike today checkin out our trail for this saturday   it was recommended by one of the group's hikers   it was short  maybe too short for saturday but it may have to do   i'll go back to the trail tomorrow looking for a loop that's near by   i didn't find it today   i haven't been hiking in 2months, so i didn't want to over do it   hopefully i'll get up early enough before it gets too hot    although it didn't seem to be that hot today, i still sweated up a storm  i've been doing that lots lately   i'm wondering if it's hot flashes again   not sure but ever since menopause and/or my meds, i sweat up a storm constantly, even during the winter in the heat indoors   my shirts are just soaked   i wear two shirts, one of those under armour sports shirts to absorb the sweat and keep me warm/cool   then on top of that a very thin t-shirt   both shirts were drenched in just an hour on the hike   came home and had to change before the baseball game tonite   then i just sweated some more   goodness you'd think i was doing a major workout all the time, like the jocks   i used to think it was because i walked 10miles a day in delivering mail   now it's just simply being in the heat, or not sometimes   it had cooled down at the ball park tonite, but i was still sweatin'   well i hope i'm sweatin all those toxins we get while living   hopefully it keeps me healthier in the long run......anywyas, so much for sweat!!!.......after the game i had to stop at Walmart   i found a couple items for the backpacking trip   but more importantly i checked out their bicycles   awesome prices!   for a hundred bucks i can get something decent for now to workout on   i can always trade up laterz if need be   found the perfect bike   well almost perfect that will give me the workout i need , or so it appears anyways    so the first extra hundred next month, i'm getting that bike for my conditioning program   all i've got on my brain is the Grand Canyon   school's startin soon and i'm not that excited about it as i am about the Grand Canyon   i think the Grand Canyon, and i think not only of the great adventure it will be, but about PHOTOS!!!   i'm sooo anxious to get back and take more photos there   i saw a couple of my old photos from 3yrs ago, but they've deteriorated on the web i have them on   plus then, i only had a film camera   now i have my digital which should enhance the photos, or so i'm thinking   i just LOVE the Grand Canyon anyways   can't wait to get back there.....

ahhh...yes!

  

When people keep telling you that you can't do a thing, you kind of like to try it.-Margaret Chase Smith

 

i like this one best!....so what do you think of the new display?

this is a test...

               

this is a test   i'm experimenting on how to display my photos better here...i took this one a month or so ago on a trail    this still makes me laugh....    this is the Sulphur Canyon Trail in the Sandia Mountains...

kelli's flowers

It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.-Alan Cohen

finally, sum photos of my own again    i took these today at my former boss' house   i go there 4x a week to water her lawn (she has two houses,  this one is 4 sale)    anyways, the flowers finally bloomed this month with all the rain    they're absolutely beautiful   the wind was blowin' enough to move the flowers   a couple of these photos are slightly out of focus because the wind   but i like the way these pics turned out   i definitely can use a few of them for my note kards ...did i tell you i made note kards out of sum of my photography   i'm selling them at our church's bookstore   if they sell well, i kan keep stocking them   anyways, i'm excited...

anyways, the rest of the day was spent running around doin' other errands   in the process i finally got a spare set of keys made for my motorcycle   the key guy looked familiar to me but i couldn't place him   finally i started asking him questions and we discovered that he was the batting coach on a softball team i played on about 17yrs or so ago   wow!   i didn't realize it had been that long ago since seriously playing ball    although i played a couple times since then, it was only for socializing and fun   17yrs ago was the last time i was seriously competitive...God how much i've changed since then  whew!!!

anyways, after errands, i came home for a much needed nap   it was a late nap, which means i'll be awake for awhile   that's ok, i've got to fold that darn laundry and wash another load   i get to sleep in manana if need be   It's all good!

slow and slowest

so, i finally get my friend stephen's bicycle out to ride this morn   was ready for a nice cruise and fresh air   well i learned immediately it has 2 speeds= s.l.o.w. and s..l..o..w..e..s..t    plus the front brakes don't work and the rear brakes barely work    i rode only about 20mins   not much of a workout   my left knee felt better and i did relieve a little bit of stress left over from work   but for the long haul of conditioning, this bike won't work   so i'm off to search my finances for a few extra bucks to buy me my own bicycle    i just might have it IF my sister decides not to come in Labor Day weekend....spoke to  her this morn   she just bought a house (will be closing end of next month)  anyways, if she doesn't make it, i'll have the extra dough 4 the bicycle if i choose to buy at this time    most of my conditioning kneads to be hiking in itself, but a good bicyle wood help immensely in the long run   keep your fingers crossed for me    ....(a note:   my sister wants to come in for my 50th birthday celebration  my birthday is in september...however, my number priority is getting ready for the Grand Canyon trip which will require more money than initially thought-i went window shopping 4 supplies the other day...anyways, i appreciate the thought of her coming in, but i could use the money resources for the trip   her arrival means sightseeing for her, which is good since she's only been here a couple times i think in the 20yrs i've been here....so here's to hopin' she stays home at the moment   unless, again, i win that damn lottery....lol)

SUDOKU

A Sudoku puzzle...

...and its solution numbers marked in red

Sudoku (数独, sūdoku?) listen (help·info) is a logic-based number placement puzzle

so, have you played it?    i just learned how a few weeks ago   the young adults i knew at the mall taught me how   so i go get an "easy" puzzle book   i'm still struggling thru sum of them.....lol   but it's a great relaxer when i need it    been doing at least one puzzle a day    pick it up to take your mind off things   no nonsense fun!

two in the mail

 

good mornin   it's only 6hrs later than when i went to bed last nite   since beginning the new job, i don't sleep in as much   but it's just as well this morn because i just got a call here from the assistant manager to come work earlier today than scheduled   Oi!!!  my body hasn't adjusted yet to workin' 8hr shifts again and being on my feet all the time too   goodness, i hope this helps shape me for my trip   It's all good....

so anyways, yesterday i got the above photos in the mail   they're Jorje's two youngest kids   Roury (top picture) is 22 months  his sister Rylei is 6 1/2months old    they're soooo cute   i just adopted Jorje's kids (she has 4) as my grandbabies   i know i know   they're really my great nephews and niece but i could use sum grandbabies  besides Jorje is disowning her mother, my sister it seems   Jorje and i have become pretty close these past several months by all our phone calls and online chatting   we communicate at least 3-4times a week   she's my oldest niece and she's finally wising up with the family   i just hope i can guide her through it all, although she handles it pretty damn good herself   i went thru my own "divorcing" of the family,  most of them anyways, a long time ago   now they don't bother me so much and what they do   still like to kick their asses sometimes, but hey  i'm saving my knuckles...anyways, i adopted Jorje as my own daughter   she calls me Mama K  It is good    anyways, i wanted to share the babies pics   i must go see them as soon as possible   i'll try next year sometime although i have my trip to Washington state planned as well    maybe i'll win the lottery by then and can do both trips.....lol   It's all good!

3 x a charm!

   alas, i finally beat the bank   ok maybe not beat it, but i finally got the close out right   and yes Jude you're right,  the mgr does straighten it all out the next day and it balances itself out   of a more important concern is S.I.D.   not sure what that stands for, but they're the ones that go around to different places and do sting operations of people selling alcohol to minors   they're out in force every weekend i think, if not every day   ok i understand the need to enforce the laws, but i wonder if they're going after the wrong people   i'm thinking they should spend more time on catching the drunk drivers   anyways, i'm beginning to feel like i'm working for the govt or something with S.I.D. hanging over us ALL the time   i wanted to retire, not do govt work again   i'm enjoying the people i'm working with, but these sting operations are too much   maybe i should look for some other line of work like back at the mall or something    i'll sleep on it....

in the meantime, i got to spend a little time with Marsha & Lil Miss Madison today   we went to breakfast then off to Lowe's for sum lumber   Madison behaved pretty good for the most part   we manage to contain her in both places   she's gettin' busier by the moment as she's growing   in a few months she'll be 2   i'm prayin' she doesn't have too much of the terrible twos....lol   i know i can keep on dreamin on that one   anyways, Madison was the highlight of my day...now the highlight of my night will be my pillow   it's already calling me....

survey

Got this from Marti@ Porch Stories...maybe you'll play along...                                                                  1. What was the highlight of your day?   just gettin' up today and gettin sum fresh air on my back porch

 

2. How many meals do you usually eat a day?  1-2 meals a day, plus a snack

 

3. What's your favorite movie? Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Sound of Music 

4. Have you ever thought George Clooney was hot? not really

 

5. Have you ever doubted your sexual orientation? yep, so i gave up on having one   decided celibacy was the best  

6. How long has it been since you have seen an ex? well it's been since the last baseball game i went to  Louise is an ex from way back when and we along with others, go to the Isotopes baseball games

 

7. Name 5 of your best friends. Maggie, Jen, Marsha, Carol plus my therapist

 

8. Would you ever consider moving to Zimbabwe? NOPE       

                

9. What would you do if someone dyed your pubic hairs bright pink permanently? don't think i'd let anyone near me to even try it...lol

 

9. Would you ever dye your hair pink (the hair on your head)???   nope

10. When was the last time you had Starbucks?   this mornin, and every mornin    i buy it by the pound

 

11. Are you single? yes

12. What is your opinion on global warming.  WE ALL NEED TO DO OUR PART...

 

13. What about abortion?  I AM AND WILL FOREVER BE PRO CHOICE....my wish for the world is that every child would be a wanted child

 

14. Which would you rather star in: High School Musical or Striptease? neither    haven't seen either of these movies so woodn't know which one to vote for on this one...

15. What's the worst movie you've ever seen? i easily forget these movies especially since i'm not a movie buff

 

16. How many times do you sneeze a day?  don't count, so don't know especially since allergies are coming & going all the time here

 

17. Are you an "adult"?  LEGALLY I AM...BUT SOME OF THE THINGS I DO WOULD MAKE YOU QUESTION THAT...LOL

 

18. Where do you live? albuquerque, nm

19. Have you ever thought Michael Jackson was going to kidnap you?   what kind of question is this?

 

20. What color hair do you have? brown with lots of salt

 

21. Would you rather have a hybrid vehicle or a Hummer?   Hummer   i'm all outdoors! 

 

22. Who is prettier: Angelina Jolie or Kate Bosworth?  Angelina!! 

23. What do you think about the tabloids?  the Rumor Mill

24. Have you ever been to Texas? Yes

 

25.Would you want to go? only to visit

26. Do you wear a watch?  yep, but most of the time i forget that i have it on, now that i'm retired

27. Have you ever had the sensation that you were falling while asleep?  ABSOLUTELY..

 

28. Would you rather work at Goodwill or McDonalds?  GOODWILL  Could be fun

29. What do you think about Britney Spears' 16 year old sis getting pregnant?why why why dont' kids use condoms?

Getting pg is not the worst thing that could happen  (i'm in agreement with Marti's answers that i left on here on this subject)

30. Do you recycle? Yes.

 

OK, I hope some of you will take up the challenge.... copy and paste and answer the questions.  (Leave me a link so I can check out your answers).

i did it again...

flowering heart by jump-button                so, i'm home from work finally   like i'm always sooo anxious to get home from the new job   don't know why, but i can't wait to get out of there   the job is fine   maybe i'm not used to working til 10pm    anyways, being anxious again tonite, i messed up the count on register one again   i was all excited because i knew how to do it right this time   well i got the numbers for the bank, but i closed the drawer before counting the cash in the register   thinking i could reopen it as usual, i couldnt   so i had to just put in the bank's numbers   they made my count short IAW the paper trail   well Lisa, the next one on shift, said it'd balance itself out by the time the manager sorts out the paper work   so i needn't worry   and actually i'm not going to do so   i was way over on the 2nd register last nite   glad i'm not the manager straightening out the shift registers each time   since this was really only my second time on the bank's register, i figure 3 times a charm   well i work tomorrow nite, but i'm letting Krissy be on register 1   i cooked in the sun this late afternoon, sweatin' up a storm from the sun shining directly into my space at the register   goodness    anyways, the (new) job is doing pretty good   just gotta get the till down and i'll be fine   i started out pretty good the first 2 weeks   this week has been over/under dramatically in the registers   must not be my week   but i don't feel bad  Krissy said she hasn't gotten the bank register right yet either   she's been there about as long as i have   1 plus a half day the next couple days, and i get some much time needed off   i'm ready to kick my shoes up on a hiking trail   get some fresh air and nature....It's all good....i'm rollin' with the punches!

mixed bag

For everything there is a season,
And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

 

today was a mixed day   from sad to joy to joy   i learned first thing this morn that someone i knew at church took her life a couple days ago   deep empathy my friend  i know you are at peace now and on to a better life now   i know not the circumstances surrounding all this, but i had only spoken with her last week   much anguish i feel but i must remember life goes on despite our departure   the sun still rises, children continue to play, the wind blows endlessly and we press on with our living   you are loved my friend   you are already missed....

alas after lunch, i strode over to the Coronado mall, the other mall that i didn't work in, but sits closer to me in proximity to my hovel   there a woman grabbed my hand and persisted on pampering me a bit   this skin care stand are those also from Israel   she knows Rafeal, the young man who i worked next to me at the mall (Cottonwood Mall)   she told me he's coming back in October   right now he's at the University going to school, if i understood her english correctly   a bright spot in my day to know how he is doing AND that he's returing here in ABQ in October   i'll be ecstatic to see him   i think of him often although we have not been in touch since he left last January   i just came across his pic on my desk a few days ago   i'm anxious for his return...

then i was off to REI  (Recreational Equipment Inc.)   it's a big outdoor outlet out here in the west at least   i went window shoppin' for a new backpack, hiking boots, stove and other stuff for our Grand Canyon trip   i'll be shopping there soon for new boots, then the other supplies laterz   well the good news is the sales rep i spoke to happens to do the Grand Canyon trail we're going on at least twice a year   he gave me sum great info on the trails and which one was shorter in distance to the bottom  in addition he reminded today that there's another camp ground on the way back out of the canyon in which we could split the hike out in two (i just learned about it yesterday)   sooooo....i called the Grand Canyon info office and see if we could switch our permit for the second night   he also told me more about the two trails down into the canyon   i sent an email to George my hiking buddy who's going with me and i also left him a message on his phone   i really like the idea of breaking the hike out in two   we're just starting to get back into conditioning for the adventure   since this is our first trip down, it may be better to split the trail   but there are other trails to hike while we're actually in the canyon for a day   so right now i'm anxiously waiting for george to call me

Life is so fragile sometimes   one's passing is a reminder to appreciate the moment right NOW....God bless!

last nite

   Revenge of Efe-by jevigar

so....tonite was the last nite workin' at the mall   i said my good-byes, but will see them again   no love lost   happy to move on   although it was the boss' attitudes as to why i left, it still don't feel good when one thinks ill of you for no good reason   but alas, i'm out of there   now at a  place i feel welcomed and appreciated   Life is about Change, but sometimes i like a stabilizer   so the new job will be the staple   come september there will be school and maybe another class at church   if i don't take the class at church, i'm gettin' back to my guitar lessons once and for all   thought maybe it'd be better in the fall to start the lessons since spring time i get so antsy with the warm weather coming anew   fall is the time to settle in for the winter   cozy up to a fire and a book   this time i'll cozy up to the guitar if i so choose...but for now the most immediate adventure is back to conditioning for my Grand Canyon hike   the national park sent me a video on how to prepare for the trek   most i knew, but did pick up a few tidbits that will be helpful for our trip   tomorrow i'll begin hiking again   the Cibola National Forest is back open again   it's been closed almost the entire month of july due to fire danger   but with plenty of rain for the past couple weeks, i now can venture on the trails again   i also borrowed a friend's bicycle and i'll begin on it tomorrow to build hopefully my knees as well as my cardio   i'm also intent on losing some weight before November rolls around   i'll shoot for 10lbs and be happy with that   may take awhile longer for the 20lbs i gained over the last 2 1/2 yrs since retiring from the p.o.   i had no idea i kept soooo much weight off while i was walking 10mi a day or more delivering the mail   i can lose that weight again   it may take longer, but i'll get there   once the Grand Canyon trip is over, i'll buy my own mountain bike to stay in shape during the winter months when trails are muddy    ilove to exercise anyways   just been resting my body since retiring...lol   anyways, Life is Good...which reminds me, i have one of those Life is Good t-shirts on the way and it has a jeep on it   anyways, i'm finally ready for more down time again and gettin' into shape   all month i've been working both jobs which has minimized leisure time   the pace has been good, but not sure i can keep it up   besides, my doc wood prefer i only work about 15hrs a week   i'll be back to that after this week   anyways, i'm chillin now   i get tomorrow off    looking forward to the play time like these dogs in the above photo   and soon, i'll be off taking my own photos again   in the meantime, i'm headed over to the church tomorrow to set up the selling of my note kards from my photos   i'm anxious to see how they sell, although i don't expect much until september/october sometime when everyone starts going to church again   right now it's summer time and as usual attendance is low   Change is in the air, and it's all good!   

 

dark places...

   so, it's 11pm saturday nite   day after a full moon   i haven't been home long from the new job..soon it'll be just the job....i screwed up the count on the register tonite, but right now i don't care   lesson learned   it would have been better to have waited for the graveyard person, but i was anxious to leave and she was late   thinking the other new woman knew how to close out the "bank", i started the process and did it wrong   o well, will get it right the next time   it was only my second time on the "bank"   register one covers the vault and i was on it tonite   anyways, the assistant manager will straighten out the paper work in the morn, or so i was told   i just don't like doing that   i like to know how to do it and do it right   o well, i'll call Jess the assistant tomorrow or wait til i work with her again on wednesday nite    i've learned that there's no going home early on the afternoon shift   the graveyard people come in at the last minute or late   gotta get used to it  i've been spoiled by the mall and leaving on time, all the time   not at the new job  o well, life goes on.....

anyways, so i came home and have been winding down on the computer   went thru the deviantart website and found the above photo   it's called Dark Places by *gmesh   anyways, i was expecting tonite at work to be busy as hell, but totally the opposite   there was a thunderstorm this afternoon and i guess it scared everyone away   lightening struck twice near the store and all electrical went out both times   that was the  highlight of the shift really   gray clouds remained for the rest of the day and the above photo best depicts how i feel at the moment   but alas, feelings are only temporary and this too will pass   it's all an adventure for more growth and expansion whether we want it or not    actually down deep i feel pretty good, there's just this dreary feeling lingering after today's weather...think i'll have a bowl of cereal and see if i can get to sleep   if not, maybe there's something on tv for awhile   i had a Monster Energy drink at work this evening   last time i did that, i was awake for quite awhile   but tomorrow i don't have to be anywhere, so i can sleep as late as need be...until another day...

5.8 tons!!!!

OMG!!!   5.8 tons of cocaine!  horrific...did u read the story on this   Mexicans capturing a submarine carrying this much cocaine   that's a hell of a lot of coke   and i know there's probably that much more elsewhere...no wonder i don't read the news much among other things...

in the meantime, i'm chillin' at home tonite   of course after a day of running around on my day off   well sorta   i did sleep in late on purpose   then i worked a couple hours at Jen's office  (did i mention i started workin for her a few hours a week)   anyways, after that George and I went to lunch   we were tryin' to get a road trip in on our bikes  well after lunch we decided to try the bike ride anyways,  originally plans were to ride up to MADrid, but there were rain clouds on the mountains  MADrid is behind the mountains..anyways, so we had to stop at a friend's of his first and by the time we got there, other rain came in from the north (the mtns set east of here)   well we cancelled the ride and i made it home JUST in time to switch to my jeep where are streets were flooded   after another quick short trip to Jen's office, i went to the mall and also to Sam's club to pick up photos  finally at home and it was 7pm   i'm chillin the rest of the evening   gotta work tomorrow 2-10pm at the new job   one more week of workin both jobs and i'm done with that adventure    i'm not missing the old job already   my transition is almost complete...

tranquil

....it's late wednesday nite   minutes away from midnight   i sit unwinding from the day and a nite at work   it was an interesting nite   i'd forgotten about the characters we have in life   characters of people who walk thru the door at the store   interesting...even one employee is a character i learned tonite...but alas so is the true diversity we live with   after working elsewhere for so long..the p.o., the mall, church, etc...nice places where i haven't run into so many characters   goodness, the new job brings it all back   and tonite was only wednesday, a slower night   this saturday will be my first weekend night  only to be filling in for someone going on vacation   and next weekend too   it'll be busier and more characters will come out of the woodworks on the weekends  it'll be interesting...the homeless guy came in twice tonite   i refused a sale of liquor to him first, then hours later, my co-worker who is also assistant manager, refused a sale to him also   i think there was someone at the store who wood sell to him regardless of him reaking of alcohol   here in NM there is an over serving law  anyways, that someone is no longer working at our store, she transferred to another store...but there were more characters tonite   so maybe i'll go back to a nicer place to work   at the moment there's a possibility i'll be hired by someone else at the mall   WHEN that'll happen remains to be seen   i shouldn't complain for having it so easy at the mall, in comparison, the mall is a piece of cake   Life, sometimes you don't know how good you have it until it's gone...the new job isn't too bad, just dealing with more characters....lol

wild horses!

this is from David Cramer's Photography, http://www.davidcramer.com/blog/?cat=25,   he is the local photographer whose website i stumbled upon while searchin' for Bosque del Apache website   he has sum wonderful photos there   this particular photo i chose to talk about a PBS show i saw last nite   it was about wild mustangs up in Colorado   they were beautiful   the story followed a horse the filmmaker called Cloud  from his birth til 5yrs later   it was a beautiful film but with sum harsh realities in it   thunderstorms & lightnening killing sum horses   but what was shocking to me and the filmmaker was the killing of a foal within hours after its birth   it couldnt get up and walk no matter how often it tried   it couldn't go anywhere   so do they let it die a slow death, or kill it as it did   i think it was the lead stallion that killed it   harsh realities like these are sometimes why i steer away from nature shows   but then again i compared it to our harsh realities   we live in harsh realities ourselves and it truly is the survival of the fittest   we have violence, hunger and war to deal with in our lives besides the power of nature's wrath at times   but i reminded myself that death is only of the body   the Spirit always lives, never dies   the flesh returns to the earth as the Spirit of the animal, or man, moves on to another life   this Life is truly an adventure not to be lived in fear   i've been reminded lately from friends and my doctor about whether my new job is safe   maybe it's not as safe as other places, but i still feel it's as safe as anywhere else in life   this body of mine could be hushed thru other means, at anytime   i desire to live with NO FEAR!!!   i believe in facing one's fears and mastering all fears   although i fear at times still death, i will live my life fully   one day it will be a no thing and i'll know i am forever..

dreamin'

                                                          O to be sittin atop this mountain at this time   peace, serentity and a cool summer breeze upon my face  ...maybe next month....this photo reminds me of sum Colorado mountains i 4wheeled years back   i have yet to get back there, but there'll come a day   hmmm, maybe first thing next spring   but for now i'll take this photo to take me there   and since we have cooler weather here now, it only takes a moment...

    yeah, i could use a hug today...

supercuts & Shamu!

                              ok, so i'm experimenting   i just figured out how to move the pic from the left hand side of the page....duh!....lol    anyways, the next step will be to figure out how to type down the sides of the photos......anyways, so yesterday i cut my hair again   although i recently posted pics of me growin' my hair, i couldn't take it any longer   just not ready for that long hair   don't know why i torment myself...well maybe i do...but i love my short hair   i did cut it a bit different style this time, leaving some fullness on top   although i love buzzin' it around the ears and back   may have to go back to that    so anyways, while cutting my hair, my hairdresser Carmen was telling me there's a Sea World in San Antonio, TX   AND it's only 10hrs away from here   hey that's a nice bike ride down there   i want to see Shamu again   fell in love with him/her when we went two years ago in florida   this time i won't sit so close as to get drenched and i can take pics of Shamu this time   didn't want my photograhpy equipment gettin ruined   so anyways, found the above photo in deviantart page   now i MUST go asap   maybe next spring as a conditioner for my long road trip to Washington state   i've got it on my agenda for sure   besides i'd like to see the Riverwalk again in San Antonio   haven't been there in over 30yrs since i did basic training at Lackland AFB...what an adventure it wood be!

it's mornin..

To go into solitude, a man needs to retire as much from his chamber as from society. I am not solitary whilst I read and write, though nobody is with me. But if a man would be alone, let him look at the stars. The rays that come from those heavenly worlds, will separate between him and what he touches. One might think the atmosphere was made transparent with this design, to give man, in the heavenly bodies, the perpetual presence of the sublime. Seen in the streets of cities, how great they are! If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore; and preserve for many generations the remembrance of the city of God which had been shown! But every night come out these envoys of beauty, and light the universe with their admonishing smile.    ....it's a gloomy day   but if it rains it will be good   though the clouds have hovered many a time, no drops have yet to fall   but it's keepin' it cool around here   below the 90s in temp with a summer breeze for of fresh air   ...alas i had my first official day of work yesterday that wasn't training   i ended up workin' 9hrs   the sting operations were out and the big boss didn't want me left alone at the counter   no problem by me   but that meant we stocked the cooler past my quitting time   i must remember a hoodie sweatshirt for that task for i always freeze my tusch off   since there were two of us it didn't take but an hour   alas out to thaw out in the warm air   as i was packin' my bag on the bike, a guy with a harley started conversation   he gave me a good education on the new harleys   maybe i won't get a harley davidson, for i did find another Kawasaki bike which is a cruiser   it's big and powerful but i need to know for sure i can maneuver it with my feet   i think i should go with a cruiser 4 the next bike cuz i'm not gettin' any younger   we'll see   it's still a few years away   the right time will come for my new bike  in the meantime, my lil crotch rocket is just perfect   the only probably i have is when it's windy as hell around here   but i just learned yesterday that the crotch rockets get blown around more because of the fairings on it   now i know....the music plays   it's goin' 2 B a good day!

quotes...

To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

 

quotes,   i got a link from Indigo for quotes   i came across Emerson just last nite   the above quote apparently was inaccurately credited to Emerson   but whoever said, definitely sum words of the wise   i like Emerson and am ready to read more of his works   i was introduced to him thru our church and his works inspired our founder of religous science=Science of Mind   he was only 1 of 3 inspirations, but i think i like him most...anyways, this morn i'm annoyed a trite bit, but i will overcome   my first paycheck with the new job is suppose to be in, but it's not there   so i'm feelin' like it's a raining day, which we've been expecting for a few days now   i  hope the sun comes out today and brings a smile to my face   just as i thought things were on a roll, i come to a stop sign  so i'll pause for a moment and continue forward   Life is an adventure and there are bumps on the road   it's still all worth it...

p.s.  Indigo's journal is ravens-lament who has been giving me links to graphics, lyrics and quotes   she has a great journal   check it out @ http://journals.aol.com/rdautumnsage/ravens-lament, if u haven't done so already...

sent from a friend

Enjoy the ride; there is no return ticket

George Carlin on aging!
(Absolutely Brilliant)
IF YOU DON'T READ THIS TO THE VERY END, YOU HAVE LOST A DAY IN YOUR LIFE.
AND WHEN YOU HAVE FINISHED, DO AS I AM DOING AND SEND IT ON.

George Carlin's Views on Aging

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is
when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about
aging that you think in fractions.

'How old are you?' 'I'm four and a half!' You're never thirty-six and a
half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key.

You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next
number, or even a few ahead.

'How old are you?' 'I'm gonna be 16!' You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna
be 16! And then the greatest day of your life! You become 21. Even the words
sound like a ceremony. YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!

But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad
milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a
sour-dumpling.. What's wrong? What's changed?

You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes,
it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are
gone.

But! Wait!! ! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!

So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, and REACH 50 and make it to 60.

You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day
thing; you HIT Wednesday!

You get into! your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch;
you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s,
you start going backwards; 'I Was JUST 92.'

Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little
kid again. 'I'm 100 and a half!'
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!

HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let
the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them.'

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. ! Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening,
whatever, even ham radio. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the
devil's workshop.' And the devil's family name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is
with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets,
keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable,
improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips.. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next
county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments
that take our breath away.
And if you don't send this to at least 8 people - who cares? But do share
this with someone. We all need to live life to its fullest each day!!

Life's journey is not to
arrive at the grave safely
in a well preserved body,
but rather to skid in sideways,
totally worn out, shouting
"...holy sh*t ...what a ride!"











_____

got our dates!!!

    we got our dates for the Grand Canyon today in the mail   we're goin' when the full moon is in display  YEAH!!!!    that's when i wanted to be there   now i have yet to purchase that tripod, but it will be bought b4 we go....i'm excited!!!!  to say the least....and we've decided to make the decision for that bridge after we hike out of the canyon   weather may be really bad during that time and our time & efforts may not be worth it   just to get to backpack in there will be awesome enough!

thanks Raven!

       i got this clip from a site given to me by Raven Laments    this wood be me every mornin with my java even in the summer   i'll post the website in a sec.....so anyways, i'm just chillin today   had lunch with Stephen and borrowed his bicycle so i can start gettin' back in shape for the Grand Canyon   The Cibola National Forest is closed right now due to very high fire danger which means no hiking except in open space   think i'll get another bicycle anyways to ride for conditioning when i'm not up for a hike   maybe i can lose a couple pounds and keep it off this time   i used to bicycle all the time but got out of it when i was walking 10+miles a day delivering mail   now that i'm not doing that, i could enJOY a bicycle ride almost daily for a couple hours   i'll get another mountain bike and ride the open spaces where i hike too   that should be fun   my last mtn bike went to a yard sale for a postal co-worker who had breast cancer   it sat in the garage for a few years, so i sent it off for a good cause    anyways, i'm all ecstatic about hiking the Grand Canyon in November   don't know when the dates are exactly but it will be within the first 2 weeks of the month as requested   it'll be cool, or cold, but i'll cuddle with George if i have to keep warm   we'll be alright   we also have decided to drive over to that new bridge the Native Americans hoisted over the canyon    it's another 4hr drive west of where we will be, but we just added an extra day to the trip=provided the funds and time is available   it should work out   i always figure where there's a will, there's a way!!!!  i'm on cloud 9 and i haven't even gotten there yet.....

anyways, after lunch with Stephen i took a nap   the last 4days in training at the new job has been a bit hectic   mostly getting the confusion of alcohol sales cleared up with a phone call to my boss   yesterday when i worked there were 2 situations that arose that others questioned my judgment in one of those situations and the other was a homeless guy, apparently a regular at our store, who came in and i woodn't sell to him    the first situation, a mother & son came in and i didn't ID the son   i felt she was responsible for him and he's not the one to bring the beer up to the counter  well Johnny who i was workin' with felt different   so i ID'd the kid anyways who turned out to be 21 anyways   o well    as far as the homeless guy,  we are not to sell to intoxicated people, plus my boss said if they even smell like liquor-DON'T SELL   i don't know if he was intoxicated, but i smelled alcohol which he probably smells that way constantly   i have no idea for sure that he isn't intoxicated   plus he was stumbling on the way out the door, but i didn't judge that to be intoxicated   he could be disabled too for he was carrying a cane   anyways, the manager-in-training knew him and sold him the liquor   i just don't feel comfortable selling to the homeless who drink all the time   this happened years ago when i worked a convenience store   the manager sold to him that time  i woodn't    i have a lot of compassion for the homeless, i just don't sell to intoxicated people!

well, so much for the job   It's all good....right now i'm off to Marsha's again for a moment   forgot my tea & beer i took over there last nite   didn't have the beer last nite, think i will tonite    i took the day off from the mall   a much needed rest for today   plus i work the rest of the week every day either at the mall or at the new job=Circle K   i finally calculated that i'll quit the mall job in 2-3weeks   then it's just one job again, other than helping my friend Rev Jennie at her office a couple hours a week  that's nothing....i'm off

THANKS AGAIN RAVEN FOR THE WEBSITE TO THE WONDERFUL ART YOU DISPLAY!!!!.......the website to this art=http://www.deviantart.com/

Never Let Them

Love shouldn't hurt all the time...Never let them tell you it should. If love feels that way, maybe it's not the love you deserve. You can be without a love in your life. You can endure, as long as you have love in your heart. Never let them destroy that love. There are times in your life that you will meet someone who will try and make you feel worthless. Remember that no one can make you feel that way, unless you let them. Try to understand what motivates such behavior so that you're sure not to make the same mistake. Never let them change the way you live. Life is meant to be lived, but a great part of our lives is committed to doing the ordinary. To live life fully, you should dedicate yourself to doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way. Never forget that you serve a great purpose with every breath that you take on this Earth. No one is quite like you. There is nothing better to be than who you are. Never let them tell you otherwise. Anyone who demands perfection from you is the model of imperfection. To be perfect would be the end of your growth as a person, because every time we learn something new, we become better. There is no better way to live. Never let them think you have stopped trying. And remember, someone who builds his reputation by destroying the reputations of others has very little in the way of a foundation. Never wish to be like someone else. Make others wish they were more like you. Never let them convince you that you are anything less than the great person that you are. Never let them win.
	©Copyright 2005 J Reilly

 

 

so i'm clearing out My Favorites Place and came across the above   i don't when, where or how i got it, but i still like it   thought i'd share it with you....

we R goin'!!!

we are goin' 2 the GRAND CANYON!!!!!!   according 2 my bank account the park approved one of our date requests in November.....YEAH!!!!

the long or short of it

TELL ME WHAT U THINK!!!   ok these photos were taken today at Marsha's   all photos but of me were taken by me  a few more flowers, Marsha's dog Scooter, and of course my Sugar Plum, Lil Miss Madison...so what i want to know is do you prefer my short hair as posted in the left hand upper corner on the journal, or my new look=longer hair   yes that's curls you see  i don't have straight hair except when i keep it really really short as i've usually done   i wanted a change in my hair style or something, so i've been growin' my hair which i think i mentioned earlier   frankly i think i like the photo already posted on this journal, but i think that has more to do with being 20lbs or more lighter in weight   o well, the only way to lose that weight again wood probably be go back to walkin' 10+ miles a day at the p.o. or maybe go hikin' 6hrs a day now which i don't have time for   anyways, a change was due   not sure if i like it yet totally   will grow it at least 3more months before deciding whether to keep it or not   i'll know in time whether i'll keep it   most importantly i've got to keep it out of my face   not only for the new job, but my own sanity   can't stand hair in my face!  on a lighter note,  i had a great time winding down at Marsha's this evening  her boyfriend, her daughter & her boyfriend (well Madison's dad) were all there   it's been a very hectic 4days due to the new job & getting trained   hope it gets better   this is real work, not like selling sunglasses at the mall   this place has accountability and responsibilities  something i'm more accustomed to doing   It's all good  i have a few days off from there, but i'm still workin the mall   will resign there real soon   matter of fact i'm headed now to figure exactly when i'll resign=1-3 weeks from now    right now i just need to relax with my music   if i'm not back soon, it's still hectic   take care...laterz!

a new job!

 happy 4th of july!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

here's hopin' everyone's 4th is a celebration you never forget.....

started my new job today   yep i got it  was hired a couple days ago but i've been soooo busy i' haven't had the time to make a note here   so i started this morn @ 6am  worked til 2pm   it was a decent day  thought i did pretty good til the manager talked about checkin' IDs   i was calculating sum of them in my head, but i learned that i can put it in the register and we also have another scanner we can use   he emphasized checkin ids on all restricted sales which include cigarrettes, alcohol & beer   i didn't sell any liquor today because i don't have the certification class til tomorrow   since i was only selling cigs, i only occasionally checked them   well the manager told me of the sting operation they had at their store very recently   they handcuffed the guy and took him out   as in training yesterday, the facilitator talked about the sting operations going around   so yep i NEED to just get in the habit of running the ids thru the register regardless of age   i'll start that on sunday  also i need to LOOK at the photo and the expiration dates on the ids   so i did good, but definitely can and need to do better on the restricted sales especially   i ain't going to jail over nobody's ass    by the end of the shift i was ready for a cig of my own  still may have one   just cancelled going to the Isotoopes baseball game tonite because i'm so wiped out   after work i had errands to do out in the sun   another drainer to my day   although there has been sum rain the past few days, it's still too hot during the day   so i'm going to lay low tonite   besides i learned today that the baseball game has standing room tickets only for tonite   really not up for that kind of crowd tonite   thought everyone wood be out of town since it's a 3day weekend   anyways, i'll take a nap and maybe go to sum other fireworks tonite   then i could take my camera and unipod and try catching the spectacular displays of fireworks tonite   have a safe weekend everyone....Remember our troops that are still overseas during this holiday   HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!