Photo's from a drive

I like driving it is one of my favorite things to do. Driving helps me quiet my mind and think things through and mostly it helps me remember that the simplest moments are the best.




Lately I have been driving lots and lots, usually its down to Phoenix and back over the weekends to see the family and the dogs. Which is really nice except it has been extremely/unbearably warm/hot down there. So last Sunday I decided to take a drive a little closer to home and found myself driving out Williamson Valley Road, beyond where the pavement ends. I have made this drive before, and it is very pretty out this way, however instead of just going straight out Williamson Valley Road to Interstate 40 and into Seligman, I choose to turn onto to Walnut Creek Road, which turns into a beautiful drive through the Prescott National Forest. I even managed to take a few photos along the way. Even though the weather was hot and sticky, with little to no rain, it was a wonderful day.

Listening to your heart?

Over the last few months, I have had some interesting things happen in my life. Most of which have caused me to take a complete look at what I really want from life and how to go about getting it.

I mean we all say I want this or I want that...but really are we truly going after what we want? Are we listening to the one part of us that will help us the most? I know I haven't been.

This has made me wonder, what if I began to listen to what my heart is trying to tell me and not rationalizing the decision in my head?

What I realized is that the Universe/God (what ever benevolent being you believe in) has thrown some choices in my path that made me really wonder about what I am doing, why am I not listening to my heart? I have had people come into my life that I thought were "nice" people and were being honest about what they wanted from me, completely ignoring the red flags, until they were being waved at me in such a way that I could no longer doubt what my heart had been telling me from the beginning, had I chosen to listen, and not get caught up in the newness and excitement of it all.

Now, not only I have met new people, I have had the absolute wonderful pleasure of being in touch with people from my past, (thank you Face Book) which made me realize that even though time continues, lives move forward, and your head softens the memories of what was or could have been, you realize your heart never forgot and you began to wonder...

What if I listened now, to that soft whispering that is my heart telling me I have known the truth all along, urging me to be honest, honest with how I felt then and how I still feel, yes even after all this time.

I believe it is out of fear that I have not listened to my heart, fear plain and simple (well maybe not so plain or simple) but fear none the less. Of course as I look at things now, I am wondering what am I afraid of? What is it that keeps me even now from taking this step and I realize it is as simple and complicated as something a friend said to me not to long ago...she told me that I was afraid to be happy, at first I laughed off her comment but now as I examine my life I am left with the complete understanding that she was right.

Of course the problem now becomes, will I listen to the whispering that is my heart talking to me or will I go on as usual, being afraid of what my heart is saying, being afraid yet safe by living on the edge of what might possibly be the truest happiness ever? Am I willing to take that chance?

In the moment...

I am learning to live and breathe in each moment as each moment that happens is special. These moments are trying to show me something, what that something is I can not say, all I can do is live, breathe and feel each of them, for these are the very things that help me to let go of the past, embrace the present and not to be afraid of the future. I feel it, waiting for me beckoning me to take that first step, that step which is the hardest of all steps, for once I do that the rest will follow and there will be no stopping or turning back.




I wonder what I am afraid of? Is it the unknown, then with clarity, I realize I have already taken not only the first step, but many steps towards the unknown, as I keep moving forward the past begins to recede from my vision, a little more with every step. I am living in this space, this time, this moment and whether it be from joy or sorrow, I am no longer rooted to the past, I break free to move forward, wondering as my journey begins what will happen next, but not being afraid any longer.

defensive driving school ~ really??

Ok, so last Saturday found me sitting in the defensive driving class over at Yavapai County Safety School while at first I thought that this would be another one of those monotone boring classes, I was pleasantly surprised that this class was not like that.

The teacher Mike Littrell, is an Aviation Inspector with 16 years under his belt which makes for some very interesting conversations on what causes accidents of any kind. The fact that he seems to be very passionate about this class and as he put it, if he can change the way just one person thinks when they are out there driving then it is worth his time, makes this the class to attend if you have a choice of going to school or paying the fine. Besides he gives out candy and who doesn't like candy?

Of course, everytime I come to an intersection I can hear Mike saying it only takes a second to save a life, and I find myself looking left, then right and then left again. Maybe it won't save my life or anyone elses today, but you never know when taking that extra second to be careful will pay off.

a life update: a new car and a camping trip :)

I have had the "who ride" a 1993 Toyota MR-2



for about 3 years now, and I loved this car, I did not realize how much I loved it until I went to trade it in and proceeded to cry about not having it anymore....who knew I had such an emotional attachment to my car, not me.

Of course with all of the changes in my life, it was time to get something that was a better fit in my "new" life, and something that Lola was comfortable in also, because as much as I loved the MR-2, Lola was not a fan.




Enter the "New Who" a 2001 Toyota Highlander, which Lola and I both love, it has been a ton of fun so far and recently ( about 2 weeks ago) went on a camping trip with Sadira (who posted a great story about our trip) to Beaver Creek in Sedona.

Things overheard while camping:

"Mom what is a wet dream?" (which left Sadie and I trying not to laugh out loud at this comment from a young man who was probably only about 12 years old. Imagine being that mom.

"Are you drunk?", "thats why I brought my own tent" "stop touching me!!!" (these comments came from the camp next to us, which had about 15 people in it all who were drunk and loud and ignoring their crying children, just the kind of people you love to camp next to)

And of course my personal favorite from the trip: "It's a, It's a, It's a!!!!!" "What is it, What is it????" which was said in the form of high pitched screams (that only dogs could hear) between Sadie and I, when I saw a HUGE snake.... I mean it was really big...of course I am deathly afraid of snakes so that didn't help.


Our Campsite

The Creek

full Flickr Set

just a quick picture

I was out front of my house tonight taking pictures of the lightning from my patio and this was my favorite:








flickr set

To Be Content...

It's so easy to be seduced by expectations, to spend our lives searching...for the better, bigger, more.

When we often have just what we need. Think about the positives. Enjoy your family, your health, your wonderful friends.

Belated Birthday Dinner

Last night, I made a belated birthday dinner for Tom who's birthday was last Monday...We had ginger-teriyaki salmon w/pineapple salsa, long grain wild rice and asparagus for the main dish, we had a bottle of Coppola wine Pinot Grigio and for desert I made individual banana-blueberry-strawberry cream cheese pies. It was a very good evening, with great company and wonderful conversation. So Happy belated birthday Tom.

Drinks you say?? I am there...

Last night Sadie and I went to the Firehouse Kitchen Bar as it was ladies night and the drinks were half price and we were both in need of good conversation, company and drinks...all of which we accomplished as we sat on the patio and drank our Cosmopolitan's...it was good to get out even if it was on a Wednesday night...(this picture is actually from last Friday night when we were out and about causing all sorts of trouble)..

LOST & FOUND

What I lost~~myself to another individual (completely/mostly by my own choice) to give of myself so completely that I found myself floundering about my life, walking on eggshells, waiting to be good enough, in every way, trying so hard to be that persons everything, only to find that I lost me, the best parts of me, the worst parts of me, I became totally unrecognizable to myself and those who know me. I was waiting, waiting for something/anything to make me aware, to make me take action, well that something finally happened, (and as is usually the case it was sad but necessary).

Now what have I found or better yet what am I finding~~ ME ~~ wonderful, glorious, beautiful, silly, fun, creative, sometimes overwhelmingly sad and happy ME!! Right there where she was waiting for me to find my way back, to the me who likes to be spontaneous, have fun, write just to write, take photo's, and most importantly to the me who is not afraid that she isn't pretty enough, sexy enough, funny enough, talented enough, the me who isn't afraid to be by herself or that her ideas wont be good enough for someone else.


Found, I have also found some of the most wonderful, supportive, creative friends and family. I feel incredibly lucky and blessed to have these people in my life.

Everyone should be so lucky to have a Lost & Found department in their life. What have you lost or found lately?

THANK YOU to all my wonderful, beautiful, creative, friends and family, with out you and your support I might still be lost.

Thoughts for Wednesday

I dare you to see how beautiful you truly are... (found under the bridge by the Dinner Bell Cafe) this really caught my attention there was no signature but it definately made me think...can I really see how beautiful I am, how much I am worth.. I am going to try to see the beauty in myself and others everyday.

Also along those lines a quote from a piece of Dove dark chocolate (which was very tasty):

Think Lovingly, speak lovingly, act lovingly.

Maybe the world (or just my world) will be a better place if I can do this on a regular basis, always trying to find the good in any situation is difficult, but not impossible.

Its Tuesday and

I really should learn to carry my camera with me, everywhere. Even when I take Lola out for our morning jog. This morning as we were jogging around 5:15 we saw a beautiful antelope just standing in the field looking at us. Lola decided today would be a good day to try and put her Heeler instincts into use, luckily she was on her leash, lucky for her... bad for my arm, she nearly pulled it out of its socket.

Not only did we get the pleasure of seeing that animal but a little further down the road, about 1/2 mile we got to see a coyote and he just stood there eyeing us, Lola wasn't even interested in him, she just kind of looked at him and kept on her way.

So I figure from now on I am going to try and take my camera with me, because I am sad that I didn't get any pictures.

Weekend Fun

So this past weekend was a whirlwind of activity for me. Friday night I went out to dinner with friends to Garcias (service was mediocore at best) and to the movie Land of the Lost, which was true Will Ferrell humor and had me laughing.

Saturday morning was spent doing chores...never very fun but always necessary, my friend Bev and her daughter Sharon came over and helped me move the last of the stuff from the old house to my new house.

Then Saturday evening I went to a retirement bar-b-que for my co-workers husband. There were lots of people there, we played volleyball, horseshoes and had a small bonfire, where the kids promptly wanted to make s'mores, luckily Janice (our hostess with the mostess) was prepared for this request and the s'mores making quickly began with "lots of don't get to close to the fire" and "no the best way to roast that marshmallow is like this". It was a great time.

Sunday I hiked West Fork in Sedona with Sadira and Amy and the lovely Lola, now I have never hiked this trail and was totally surprised with the beauty of it. We had such a good time and the hike was good and the pictures were beautiful. Even Lola had a great time and did really well, she even let a couple of the other dogs sniff her. (she has come along way). Then it was down to Clarkdale for lunch at Sadira's favorite Mexican food restaurant, Su Casa, I have to say it was very good and I will definitely be eating there again.





All in all it was a very good weekend filled with lots of fun and friends.

woo-hoo for Wednesday

So I haven't figured out the whole adding pictures and links yet (Tom has said he will help me when we get a few minutes.... )

I have to say I am very excited that today is Wednesday, mostly because I only have one more working day this week and then it is off to Vegas for a girls weekend.... Yeah!! My friend Dani (if I knew how I would insert picture here she is very pretty) who currently lives in San Diego and I are meeting there Friday for some fun, shopping and gambling for the weekend. This is a very needed respite from my current every day life, and it will be great to see Dani, as I haven't seen her since last August.

Maybe by the time I return from my girls weekend, I will actually learn how to post pictures and link things... who knows as Tom might say crazier things have happened. (and there are still two full evenings before I leave that might be time for a crash course in the whole blogging area)

life....

why does it have to be so hard sometimes, you think you have it all planned out and then before you know it things change....and send you for such a loop that you cant see which way is up...I feel like that currently. It feels like no matter how hard I try to get a grip it just seems to spin more out of my control. So I have decided to take it day by day and let the universe guide me and help me with my choices. I have to believe that everything (job, personal and financial) will work out as it is supposed to and the more I try to control it the worse it seems to be... so we shall see... but as always I will look to the bright side and find happiness in every moment.