Long and Stressful Day

It has been a very long day.  I had written early in the week about Taz's dry itchy skin.  We decided this morning that Rick would take her to the vet at 8:00am when they opened and get her a shot.
While with the vet Rick also mentioned that we had seen some tiny drops of blood on her bed.
It turns out she had an infection of the uterus and had to have emergency surgery.  The surgery was successful and she is home tonight.  We don't know her age for sure, she was grown when we got her and we didn't know if she had been spayed.  She had not and this infection could have killed her.
We are so grateful that our vet did such a thorough exam.

We got our new fridge today.  Rick will hook the ice maker up sometime over the weekend and I will do a happy dance.  I love this new fridge.  It takes up less room than the old one, is more energy efficient and has more storage space.

Rick is going to a bee conference tomorrow.  I had planned on going, but I'm going to stay with Taz and make sure she is ok.  She has not eaten and she starts her meds tomorrow, so I have to get food in her.

Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Pain Management

It felt good to teach today.  Currently our Pain Management program is small, so I am able to give lots of attention to each student.  For me, that's the way I like it and how I think it should be. Chronic pain is personal, and life changing.  Hearing each student's story and understanding their struggle helps me to develop classes that are beneficial to them.  Today was all about low back/hip pain and how to function with that pain on a demanding job.

No one wants to stay home on the sofa and wallow in their pain but many reach a point where they don't know where to go or what to do.  As stress builds in their lives, so does the pain and it all becomes a vicious circle.  Once they begin to get relief and understand they can reclaim their life, they have hope. Once there is hope, there is the will and desire to do what they have to do to live as normal as possible.

Today there is more money spent on the treatment of Chronic Pain than on heart disease, diabetes and cancer combined in this country.  We are a world in pain, everyone searching for an answer, looking for relief any way possible. There are no easy answers, but there are answers for many.

Managing and living a life with chronic pain involves time, effort and resilience,  It includes, nutrition, exercise, stress management, sleep and much more.

I love teaching these classes and seeing the look on students faces as they regain mobility, experience relief, and regain their health.

My cup of hot tea awaits, enjoy your Friday.  I am so excited, I get my new refrigerator tomorrow.

Hump Day

Since I am home three extra days a week, I am in a cleaning out frenzy.  Today I hit our bedroom from corner to corner, organized my jewelry box and cleaned out magazines.

Tomorrow I will teach our Pain Management group and our First Responders group.  I am looking forward to teaching for a few hours.

This time of year Taz's skin gets dry and itchy, usually it takes a trip to the vet and a steroid shot.
I had bought a waterless dog shampoo based on essential oils and I tried it on her today.  She hasn't scratched at all. I knew the oils would be good for her skin but I am thrilled that it's helped her itchy dryness.  Hopefully we can avoid the shots.

Today was Jordan's birthday, he is twelve years old.  It's just hard to believe he is 12.  He asked me to make a meatloaf for his birthday supper so I did.  I talked with him a few minutes ago and he told me how good it was.  He loves comfort food.

Hot tea and a warm cozy bed are calling my name.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

A First

A first for me today.  I have painted and drawn all of my life.  I have painted on furniture, canvas, floor cloths, walls and painted hundreds of  cards, even painted on ceiling tiles and discarded pieces of wood, fabric, etc.  My prize drawing is a portrait of Samantha when she was around 3 years old.
My first...I actually had art displayed in an art exhibit today. 

It's been surreal actually.  I told the woman when she called a few weeks ago asking me to submit some of my work that I wasn't really a "fine artist".  She told me that the uniqueness of what I did was the reason they wanted to show some of my work.  I am humbled and honored.

The exhibit featured the works of 54 artists from the county where we live.  Amazing pieces of sculpture, photos ( three of Rick's) paintings, textiles, pottery, jewelry, just exquisite works of creative talent were displayed today.  There was a compilation of my Christmas cards that one of our dear friends had framed so she allowed me to show that as well as a cow hide that I had painted for her husband in 1986.  The hide was a gift from another friend and when he passed her husband asked if I would paint something for him on a piece of the hide as a remembrance of our friend.  Another friend made a similar request, so I cut the hide into pieces and painted one for each friend.

There has always been a running joke in my family,  I was the different one, the one that must have been swapped at the hospital and someone else got the child who belonged to my family.
Today it was nice to be considered different and unique. 

Time Will Tell

The dogs are loving their morning walks.  Temps in the 30's seem to be the perfect fuel for them.  It seems to be perfect for me as well.  Or maybe it's the cutting back on my time at work, but my FitBit is telling me that my steps and active minutes have doubled in the past week.

For my blogger friends who told me that my health would improve with less time at work, I think you were right.  I know I have much more energy, but I am still missing my classes.  It's only been a week and I have been told there is an adjustment period.  Time will tell.

Party

Jordan will be twelve on Wednesday.  His mom did his birthday party today at Dave and Buster's.
His cousins came and his best friend from school.  Not only did the kids have a great time, but the grown-ups did too.   Samantha told me that on the way home today, Jordan told her it was his best birthday party ever!

Samantha and Jordan have a packed February, two swim meets, a state Beta Club Convention and a state Quiz bowl competition.  Just knowing how much he has to study and swim, makes my head spin.

I think the picture is a good representation of adults and kids having fun at the party today.
Zuzu and Joy are the kids in the photo, Samantha and Andrea( Zuzu and Joy's mom) are the adults.

This last week of January is a busy one for all of us.  Rick and I have both have art being shown at an exhibit and Rick has bee meetings.
I am still trying to get use to only working one day a week.

May your Monday be filled with kindness.

Blueberry Buds

That week of 70 degree weather is playing havoc with our blueberries.  They think it's time to bloom and produce.  We had such a bumper crop last year, hoping for the same this year.  Fingers crossed.

For the past week, finally our temps are normal and we are hoping that the bushes slow down. 

Today we bought a new refrigerator, not the most interesting way to spend Saturday morning, but an important project.  Next, a new freezer.

This evening our friend Fred took us out for dinner at one of our favorite restaurants.  A grilled greek style sea food platter was my choice.  I am full and happy.

Enjoy your Sunday.  Be kind.

Dog Fest

Lady, Calliou, and Taz decided the new dog had gotten way too much attention.  Today they decided time for a love fest of the old dogs.
I couldn't believe Lady jumped up on the sofa with me and Taz.  Calliou tried but there was just no room.

What a crew.

Rainy Thursday

The rain started as we had our morning coffee and continued until mid-afternoon.  Finally a break and we took the dogs for a walk.  Well Taz took a half walk.  She hates getting her feet wet.  Even in the wet and cold, it felt good to be outside.

Thursdays are supposed to be my work day now.  But work texted me yesterday and told me all yoga classes had been canceled this week (including my Pain Management class for today) because of a flu out-break. I missed teaching, but I certainly do not want the flu. It seems everyone we know has a cold, a bug, the flu or something.  We are taking elderberry every day and keeping our fingers crossed.  Wash hands, wash hands, wash hands.

I made cilantro hominy chicken soup this evening, it was perfect for a cold rainy day.  I love soups and am so glad that Rick enjoys them as well.  We will have leftovers tomorrow.

Enjoy your Friday, hug someone you love, be kind.

#LibraryShelfie

In support of our local library, Rick and I are doing "take a shelfie".  We have many shelves of books and at this point in our lives we have given away those we no longer wish to keep.

The books on our shelves now are those we love, those we reread, and those we are currently reading.

The little deer bookend has a mate.  The set belonged to my grandmother and I cherish them so much.

We have tried to share our love of reading with all our nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and now great great nieces and nephews.  We often give books as gifts.  I have been a bookworm since I was five years old.

The love of reading has been a dear friend and I can't imagine not reading.
Be kind, spread joy, and read a good book.

Tuesday Thoughts

So I have been doing serious house cleaning these first two days of semi-retirement.  For me creativity flourishes when things are in order.  I think the dogs are really happy I have been home more.  It still seems I am just on vacation, I think week two or three will give a truer picture of how things are really going.

I love this cold weather.  Our morning walks are invigorating.  The heat and humidity makes me feel wilted, the cold gives me energy and I can breathe so much easier.  Now if it would only snow.

Tomorrow is my brother Ricky's birthday.  He is 22 months younger than me.  We have lived next door to each other for 35 years.  His kids have keys to our front door.  He is Jordan's Papa.
He is the spitting image of our dad.  There are days when he walks up the hill to our house and I stop breathing, he looks so much like daddy.  If he thought you needed it he would give you the shirt off his back and ask if you needed anything else.  He is a good decent man.  I am proud to say he is my brother.  I will call him early in the morning and sing happy birthday.  He is always the first to call me, just like our dad was.

I hope this week has brought you kindness.  Tomorrow I hope you laugh out loud.

Today

Walking out of the community center tonight the wind came out of the north, cutting and cold.
It is 28 degrees right now, and will drop to around 20 by morning. It is brisk and invigorating.
I wish it would snow.

I don't think the reality of cutting back my work week has hit me.  After all today was a holiday, tomorrow will probably be a bit different.  I keep looking at my vision board, a reminder of what's important for me now and moving forward.

A cup of hot tea is waiting, enjoy your week.  Be kind.

Weekend Away

We spent this weekend at a bed and breakfast in Mentone.  Friday and Saturday were cold and rainy, but this morning the skies were blue.  We love bed and breakfasts.  The Mentone Inn  was the perfect mountain get away.  A large homey living room welcomed us with a fire glowing in the fireplace.  The sofas were covered in cushy pillows and cozy throws.  Our inn keeper Cynthia made sure the tea kettle was full of water so that when we came back each night from dinner, we could sit by the fire and sip hot tea.

Breakfast was amazing each morning, full of southern goodness like homemade biscuits and jelly and lots of hot coffee.  The inn was built in 1927 the same year as our barn and farmhouse.  I felt a kindred spirit.

The dogs were happy to see us, but not over excited.  My brother Ricky lives next door and he comes over to check on them when we are out of town.  He spoils them and he brings Lady, Jordan's dog to hang out with them.  I don't think they missed us much at all.

This week will be my first week of semi-retirement...I am nervous.  I have worked since I was 15, cutting back to one day a week is a major step for me.  Time to take a deep breath and see what happens.

Be kind this week, spread joy.

Cold and Rainy

Sometimes, even if it is rainy and cold, you have to get out of the house!
Wishing you all a peaceful Sunday.
Be kind.

Friday Ramblings

Change in the weather, big change.  The wind is howling and it is cold...rain coming in tomorrow and then even colder weather coming by Monday.  I hope it snows.

We had a delightful dinner tonight.  We went out to celebrate Rick's birthday which was the 15.  Salmon cakes made from wild Salmon straight from Scotland.  Yummy.

I hope this weekend is a holiday weekend for most of you, enjoy the long weekend.  I saw on the weather channel that Australia was finally getting rain, so very grateful.

Be kind, hug those you love.

Worth

It's been a long day.  I am still dealing with the respiratory stuff that I've had for weeks.  So is everyone else who has had it as well.  By the end of the day I am dragging. 

Our company is going through some major changes and because of the transition ( think mergers and takeovers sorta) there were meetings today with corporate  and marketing people.  Basically they wanted to know what we all did.  So there were panels brought in to sit up front and answer questions and describe what it is we do.  I was on one of the panels.  I fall under the description of special programs/services.   I got the feeling we were being evaluated on our worth and not sure if that was worth to the patient or worth what we are paid.  Time will tell.

We had a major change in the weather today.  It was freezing when I walked to my car tonight to come home.  Even colder weather on the way.  What a roller coaster...70's for highs and now looking at 40's for highs.  Wow.

Hot tea awaits.  Tomorrow I hope you get hugged with joy.

All

I love this.  Such a beautiful sentiment.


Behind you, all your memories
Before you, all your dreams
Around you, all who love you
Within you, all you need.

Plans

One valuable lesson I have learned through the years, plans don't always go as planned.
We had planned on getting up around 3:30 am this morning and driving down to the the Alabama Florida line for a friend's mom's funeral.  Around 2:00 am a Meniere's flare hit hard, there was no getting dressed, much less riding in the car for 4 hours.  My day has been spent on the sofa.  It has been a long time since one hit in the wee hours.

Meniere's is a strange condition/disease.  The flares hit without warning, sometimes they are mild but most of the time they are ruthless.  I would not wish this on anyone, not even my worst enemy.

I am much better this evening and hopefully this one has ran its course.  I do know there are particular triggers for me, fatigue, stress, weather, and dehydration.  I think the first 3 played a part in my dance with the devil last night.

I will be at the acupuncturist's office first thing in the morning.  I think it's time for a tune-up.
Wishing you a Wednesday full of kindness.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

EARLY

EARLY day tomorrow, like 3:30 am.  We will be traveling to the Florida/Alabama line for our friend's mom's funeral.  Lots of rain and fog tonight, so hoping the weather is better for our drive.

Sweet dreams tonight
Be kind tomorrow

Sunday Night

It's a little strange to be saying this, but I have been painting Christmas cards today.  All these 40 some odd years I have painted cards I never really kept any.  I have many that we have taken pictures of through the years, so I am recreating a few of them for the exhibit.  I do have a friend who has framed many of the ones I sent her so I am going to see what she has tomorrow.  I admit I am getting a bit nervous about this.

One of our best friends mom passed away today.  We will drive down on Tuesday  morning for her funeral.  They live in South Alabama so we will hit the road before dawn.

May this week bring peace and kindness to all of you.

Changes

We made it through the storms today safe and other than limbs blown off trees, all is well here on the farm.  In communities south and north things were not so good.  South of us in a small rural community, three people were killed, north of us a school was damaged and at the Birmingham airport, planes were damaged.  I can't remember our fall/winter storm season ever being this active.
Every few days we face another round of some sort of severe weather,  the weather guys are saying more to come mid-week.

On a good note, not even half way into January and we have opportunities for music gigs.  I also got a call yesterday and was asked to submit a sampling of my painted Christmas cards for a local art exhibit starting January 28, ending April 17.  I am beyond excited. 

To be honest limiting my schedule at work had un-nerved me a bit.  I had started to fret, thinking why did you do this?  But in the meantime I had also been sending hopes and dreams out into the universe for more artistic opportunities in music and art.  With my work, I give 100 percent physically and emotionally four days a week.  I felt  that my creative side was being choked, that a part of me was dying slowly.  When I created my vision board a month or so ago, everything on it pointed to creativity and travel.  My soul was screaming at me.  I truly was giving myself out.

I see so many possibilities now.  I will continue to work one day a week.  I will continue teaching yoga at the community center but there are other doors opening and I am ready.  I knew that becoming one dimensional was unhealthy, yet I continued  on that path.  Allowing all sides of who I am to thrive again will make me a better human, of this I am sure. Changes are scary, but good.

May we all be kind tomorrow, to ourselves and each other.

May You Be Safe

The clouds are racing across our skies tonight.  If you stand and look up long enough you get glimpses of an incredible full moon.  At one point for just seconds, the clouds parted and I saw the moon in all its glory, and then clouds swallowed it up.

Our atmosphere is unsettling.  It is way too warm for January and the winds are playing tag.  At one time there is a gust straight out of the Gulf and then the next one comes from the west.  The weather guys are telling us tomorrow could be rough, hurricane force winds, heavy rains, large hail and tornadoes.  Going to bed tonight with hopes that things calm down and Mother Nature softens her fury for all of us.

Enjoy your weekend, where ever you are,  may you be safe.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Mindfulness

"In the beginning mindfulness takes away worries and fears about past and future and keeps us anchored in the present.  In the end it points to the right view of self."  - Ayya Khema

Classes today on mindfulness.  This quote says it all.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Right Choice

Somedays things start backwards and continue that way.  It is best to laugh and deal with each curve as you round it.  Today was one of those days.  My day planner had the day all lined up, but those plans were not meant for today.  At first I felt frustrated as I tried to regroup and then I realized I needed to just let it all go.

Guess what?  It turned out to be a good day.  I got a little rest, did a little much needed cleaning and got to hang with Jordan and had a great class at work. 

Next week will be my last full week at work.  After that I will only be working one day a week at the addiction center.  After 14 years, one day a week ...wow.  I am excited, scared, nervous and relieved.
I have questioned this decision many times in the past couple of weeks, but I believe I am making the right choice.  Time will tell.

Be kind tomorrow, give someone you love a hug.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Super Human

A grueling day, training someone is exhausting.  It takes incredible energy and focus to make sure you are teaching all that they need.  School teachers are super humans to do this day after day, year after year.

Hot tea is calling my name. 

May we all know kindness tomorrow, may we all be kind.

Ready

Continuing to train one of the new yoga teachers for work tomorrow.  She is going to be a wonderful teacher, full of compassion and loves what she does.  That is success.

Rain moving in later, my bones told me earlier but the weather guys verified it tonight.

I am tired and so ready for bed.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Early to Bed

A beautiful winter's day. The air has been so crisp and clean with glowing blue skies.  The dogs have been beside themselves today, their energy has been boundless.

We put away the rest of the Christmas decorations today.  I am always so sad to take them down.
I just love how the house looks with them, so cozy and warm.

A busy week ahead, I will finish training the young woman at work and certify her as a beginner yoga teacher.  Going to meet a friend on Wednesday for lunch, keeping Jordan for a while tomorrow before work.    Hoping to keep the crud at bay.

Rick looked at me earlier this evening and said let's go to bed early tonight, I am tired.  I gladly agreed.  Hot tea is ready.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams.

Friends

We had dinner with friends this evening.  Three of them have been our friends for over 40 years, Brenda and Danny had their first date with us, we wrote a song for their wedding.  Judy and her new husband Ed, well Judy and her late spouse Tom had been our friends forever.  Tom died a few years ago and I was thrilled when Judy called and told me she was going on date about a year ago.

Ed was an old friend of she and Tom's, he was there for Judy in her darkest hours after Tom's passing.
As we had dinner tonight all I could do was smile each time I looked at Judy.  She looks ten years younger, and she is happy.  That is what I want for all my friends, for all those I love...I want them to know happiness and joy.  Life is short and it is hard and messy and difficult.  Life is wonderful, and joyful and beautiful too. We get through the hard times as best we can and then we pray that the good times come again. 

This crud, even with the meds is tough.  Tomorrow will be a day of rest.  Next week is a busy one and I will need my strength.

May tomorrow be a day of peace.

Not A Dress Rehearsal

Still raining, how I wish I could send some of this rain to Australia, how I hope we won't need it this summer.  Last summer was brutal for us, heat and drought.  I think Earth is sick and Mother Nature is begging us to take better care of this place where we live.  We humans have taken and taken and given little back, we have littered and destroyed and I think because of our greed we are about to pay the piper.

I look around where Rick and I live.  There are places that are so beautiful they take your breath.  Yet the road sides are littered, our precious Mulberry River is dead, and we humans continue to take for granted this pale blue dot we all call home.  We are an interesting species.

My crud is better today, a visit to the doc and meds have helped.  Years ago, I always thought that stuff would just go away with time.  I learned hard, life threatening lessons because of that mentality.
Today, I don't wait and see.  If I have any symptoms of infection invading my body I see the doc, sooner not later.  An immune system that barely functioned showed me how foolish I was,  and how fragile life could be.

I hope your first weekend in 2020 is going well.  Be kind, hug those you love, laugh out loud...this is the real deal, not a dress rehearsal.

Yucky

I had the crud back in October, it stayed with me a couple of months or so.  Last night after we went to bed, pain hit my cheek bones, I felt feverish and suddenly I noticed my throat hurt.  This morning I realized the crud was back with a vengeance. Yucky is the only way I know to describe how I feel.

I went to work in the pouring rain and taught my pain management class.   By the end of class, I knew my mistake was not staying home.  I left and did not teach the remaining two classes.
I have called the ENT, but this stuff is rampant. Hopefully I will hear from him by tomorrow.

At work, today people were constantly complaining about the rain.  Even with all we have had, I can't complain.  We had a drought this past year.  October 1 our temp was 100 degrees and now I see our friends in Australia are in the throes of heat, drought and fires.  I wish I could send them some rain, that the heavens would open up and water would fall from the sky and quench their parched  soil.

Be kind tomorrow, let's make this a kind year.

January 1

January 1....a new year, a new decade, a new month

January 1...I don't make resolutions, but I make my vision board

January 1...setting the wheels in motion for change

January 1...many birthdays this month, Rick's, my brother Ricky's and Jordan's and my grandmother, Mamie's

January 1...rains coming in, flood watch issued for this first few days

January 1...fingers crossed that snow might come this month

January 1...Christmas decorations are put away

January 1...my new year's wish?  for more creativity in my life than ever before

January 1...hope and kindness, what I wish for the world

January 1...I love the bare trees

January 1...our New Year's meal? black eye peas, ham, collard greens, cornbread and sweet potatoes
traditional soul foods for money and luck

January 1..Happy New Year!  spend more time with family and friends and those you love.