Ten things that come to mind right now:
1. I saw a Bluebird today! I don't recall seeing one before, or if I did, it was a very long time ago.
2. I would like to munch on some potato chips, but I don't have any and it's 10:30 at night.
3. It's going to be sunny for six days in a row! Welcome relief after 30 inches of rain.
4. I don't have any family traditions. That's sad, and that's another story.
5. I'm still "finding myself" after quitting work at Walmart.
6. My husband wants to go into business.
7. Would I be happier if I deleted all the news feeds from my facebook?
8. I'm allergic to fabric softener. That's the only thing I've changed and I itch all over.
9. Lots of snow in the mountains, snow pack is at 110% of normal.
10. We should probably buy some Asti Spumante for New Year's.
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Thursday, December 24, 2015
More than 20 Questions...
I saw this on another blog the other day and thought I would give it go.
1. Do you like bleu cheese? Yes, but just on steak, with onions.
2. Have you ever smoked? No.
3. Do you own a gun? Yes, my husband and I love to go in the mountains and shoot targets with our .22 rifles.
4. What flavor of Kool-Aid is your favorite? When I was a kid...any but grape. I don't drink it anymore.
5. What do you think of hot dogs? I am suspicious of their ingredients, but will occasionally eat a turkey or beef one.
6. What's your favorite Christmas movie? I haven't had TV in a long time, and I didn't grow up with TV, so I'm not really sure. My daughters probably have favorites, though.
7. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee.
8. Can you do push-ups? No, not since I had surgery to remove several lymph nodes in my arm in 1996.
9. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? That I wear or don't wear? I like to wear earrings, just inexpensive ones that I don't need to worry about loosing. I also have a few nice pieces that belonged to my mom.
10. What's your favorite hobby? Digital photography.
11. Do you have ADD? No, but I had to proof-read this post and update it.
12. Do you wear glasses or contacts? Glasses.
13. What's your middle name? Vanessa.
14. What are your thoughts at this minute? I need to light the pellet stove and take a nap (thus all the errors I needed to correct).
15. Name three drinks that you regularly consume. Coffee, green tea and milk.
16. What is a current worry of yours? That my husband's sinus problems won't clear up.
17. What do you currently hate? All the negativity on facebook right now.
18. Where is your favorite place to be? With my husband.
19. What do you plan on doing on New Year's Eve this year? Cuddle up with my hubby and watch a movie, unless my daughter and her hubby came over. In that case we will party.
20. Where would you like to travel? Sedona, Arizona, and back to Kosovo.
21. Name three people you think will do this questionnaire on their blog. No clue.
22. Do you own slippers? Yes. These floors are hard and cold.
23. What color shirt are you wearing? A pink flannel nightshirt that works as my favorite "robe".
24. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No way.
25. Can you whistle? Nope.
26. What is your favorite color? Spring colors, mostly peach.
27. What songs do you sing in the shower? None. I only sing to music.
28. Would you be a pirate? In my childhood daydreams, yes. Robert Louis Stevenson was my great great (I think only 2 "greats") Uncle and he wrote "Treasure Island".
29. What's in your pocket right now? Nothing.....no pockets.
30. What's the last thing that made you laugh? Something my daughter said.
31. What vehicle do you drive? 2010 Hyundai Sonata.
32. What's the worst injury you've ever had? Fell on my knee on the rocks when I was a kid. I still, and always will, have a bump, because bone chips are in there.
33. Do you love where you live? Yes. This is the second remote place I've lived in my life. The first was Midland, California in the Sonora Desert, 22 miles north of Blythe. Look up Midland CA, my website comes up on the first page of a Google search.
34. Would you change your first name if you could? No.
1. Do you like bleu cheese? Yes, but just on steak, with onions.
2. Have you ever smoked? No.
3. Do you own a gun? Yes, my husband and I love to go in the mountains and shoot targets with our .22 rifles.
4. What flavor of Kool-Aid is your favorite? When I was a kid...any but grape. I don't drink it anymore.
5. What do you think of hot dogs? I am suspicious of their ingredients, but will occasionally eat a turkey or beef one.
6. What's your favorite Christmas movie? I haven't had TV in a long time, and I didn't grow up with TV, so I'm not really sure. My daughters probably have favorites, though.
7. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee.
8. Can you do push-ups? No, not since I had surgery to remove several lymph nodes in my arm in 1996.
9. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? That I wear or don't wear? I like to wear earrings, just inexpensive ones that I don't need to worry about loosing. I also have a few nice pieces that belonged to my mom.
10. What's your favorite hobby? Digital photography.
11. Do you have ADD? No, but I had to proof-read this post and update it.
12. Do you wear glasses or contacts? Glasses.
13. What's your middle name? Vanessa.
14. What are your thoughts at this minute? I need to light the pellet stove and take a nap (thus all the errors I needed to correct).
15. Name three drinks that you regularly consume. Coffee, green tea and milk.
16. What is a current worry of yours? That my husband's sinus problems won't clear up.
17. What do you currently hate? All the negativity on facebook right now.
18. Where is your favorite place to be? With my husband.
19. What do you plan on doing on New Year's Eve this year? Cuddle up with my hubby and watch a movie, unless my daughter and her hubby came over. In that case we will party.
20. Where would you like to travel? Sedona, Arizona, and back to Kosovo.
21. Name three people you think will do this questionnaire on their blog. No clue.
22. Do you own slippers? Yes. These floors are hard and cold.
23. What color shirt are you wearing? A pink flannel nightshirt that works as my favorite "robe".
24. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No way.
25. Can you whistle? Nope.
26. What is your favorite color? Spring colors, mostly peach.
27. What songs do you sing in the shower? None. I only sing to music.
28. Would you be a pirate? In my childhood daydreams, yes. Robert Louis Stevenson was my great great (I think only 2 "greats") Uncle and he wrote "Treasure Island".
29. What's in your pocket right now? Nothing.....no pockets.
30. What's the last thing that made you laugh? Something my daughter said.
31. What vehicle do you drive? 2010 Hyundai Sonata.
32. What's the worst injury you've ever had? Fell on my knee on the rocks when I was a kid. I still, and always will, have a bump, because bone chips are in there.
33. Do you love where you live? Yes. This is the second remote place I've lived in my life. The first was Midland, California in the Sonora Desert, 22 miles north of Blythe. Look up Midland CA, my website comes up on the first page of a Google search.
34. Would you change your first name if you could? No.
Monday, December 21, 2015
Rain, rain, rain, rain, more rain, rain.......
We've had 20 inches of rain with more on Monday and Tuesday. PNW...here's your sign:
We're in the orange.
Mist rising from wet wood in the warm sunshine.
A frosty morning.
One of these trees fell over. Winds have been gusty and the ground is saturated. Sometimes trees can't hang on.
Here is the stump and logs. There are more logs across the street. It was a tall tree.
The shadows are long this time of year, and they are getting longer. I watch them and dream of summer. We missed so much of it last year with my crazy work schedule. When my hubby has the early shift he comes home around 2 pm so we have time to enjoy the afternoon.
Saturday, December 19, 2015
Changes
I left Walmart last Sunday. I was only scheduled for 3 more days. I guess the automated system gives you two weeks after you give notice, no matter what date you write, and then you have no more schedule. That's ok, because my neck and shoulder were hurting so much I didn't want to continue. Hubby said, "Why torture yourself, just quit." So I did.
I've had one week to recover and already I can see a difference in my body. I wasn't staying hydrated enough at work. The bathroom was too far away. I was eating wrong. I was stressed. Even though most of my (former) co-workers are really nice people, I was beginning to avoid certain other people. I was turning and walking away from sick people and heading down other isles when I saw people with dogs (I was sick and tired of getting flea bites, though only a few dogs came in with fleas). I refused to smile at old men. I could see them searching for a chance to smile at me. I was tired of it. One young co-worker teases all the women. He's quite the character, but I had enough of his relentless teasing, and one day I flat out told him to stop. After that he avoided me like the plague. I could have complained to management, but I wasn't planning on staying anyway. I got along well with the three department managers in my area, and the stockers. They were all sad to see me go. We always talked, laughed, and helped each other.
I do not regret leaving. I do not regret working there. It was my first retail job. It was hard but interesting. My enthusiasm lasted about 6 months. After that I started counting the time until I could leave. I am considered lucky by most people. My husband has a good job and I have social security. It's enough. I left many people behind who have no other choice in life but to toil at Walmart. Several ladies I know use a cane and are in a great deal of pain, but are in no way able to stop working. One lady is 77 with heart problems and COPD but she can't quit because of debt. Another lady can't quit because her car payment is bigger than her SS check. My complaints pale in comparison. Life is expensive here. Food is expensive, heck, everything is expensive. But it's beautiful here, darn beautiful.
So I had a little stress over leaving, because I was dropping a supplemental income that was trivial, but helpful nonetheless. My husband supported my decision 100%. We are both happier with this arrangement.
My two concerns are getting "soft" from not enough exercise and falling short money-wise. I've been cooking more. Hubby is coming home for lunch since I stopped working, so I spend some time every morning cooking his lunch....just part of my new "job" of staying home. At last I have time to finish unpacking and to fiddle with my plants. We spend most evenings watching movies together on Netflix.
Opposites Attract.
I'm happy here. My husband is restless. I was born in a city but raised in the desert. Aside form my teen years in Hollywood, I detest living in cities (visiting is great). He was born and raised in a city, so even though he loves nature and all the easily accessible nature here, he misses shopping, coffee bars everywhere, stores everywhere. I never knew a man who loves to shop more than most women. He wants to buy me everything. He wants a higher paying job. He wants to move to where he can make more money. I told him I don't care about money.
The thought of moving away from this area brings sharp, conflicted emotions in me. On the one hand I can say, "Yeah, it makes sense to live closer to good doctors and not have to drive 111 miles for an appointment to see a specialist (though I have not needed to do that)." But for me, it ends there. When I sat at the edge of the Smith River and watched crystal clear water sparkle over Serpentine stones, it was like a dream, some fairy tail land. When we walk by the beach, take in the ever abundant fresh air, view the sweeping horizons of blue sky and clouds, my soul soars. When I can open the windows and doors in summer and enjoy the fresh air and NEVER need an air conditioner, I know I am happier here than any place where it is too hot or too cold. The thought of leaving crushes my heart. But yet, I want my husband to be happy. He knows how I feel. He wants me to be happy, too.
I embrace change and new places, as long as I can keep my most cherished things. Sometimes those things can be packed, some are memories and sometimes they are rooted in places. Moving can be a good thing, but cutting ties can hurt. I will always have my daughters, and I wish my older daughter was closer. My husband and I love each other dearly and enjoy our life together. But will I always have the Ocean and the Smith River?
I've had one week to recover and already I can see a difference in my body. I wasn't staying hydrated enough at work. The bathroom was too far away. I was eating wrong. I was stressed. Even though most of my (former) co-workers are really nice people, I was beginning to avoid certain other people. I was turning and walking away from sick people and heading down other isles when I saw people with dogs (I was sick and tired of getting flea bites, though only a few dogs came in with fleas). I refused to smile at old men. I could see them searching for a chance to smile at me. I was tired of it. One young co-worker teases all the women. He's quite the character, but I had enough of his relentless teasing, and one day I flat out told him to stop. After that he avoided me like the plague. I could have complained to management, but I wasn't planning on staying anyway. I got along well with the three department managers in my area, and the stockers. They were all sad to see me go. We always talked, laughed, and helped each other.
I do not regret leaving. I do not regret working there. It was my first retail job. It was hard but interesting. My enthusiasm lasted about 6 months. After that I started counting the time until I could leave. I am considered lucky by most people. My husband has a good job and I have social security. It's enough. I left many people behind who have no other choice in life but to toil at Walmart. Several ladies I know use a cane and are in a great deal of pain, but are in no way able to stop working. One lady is 77 with heart problems and COPD but she can't quit because of debt. Another lady can't quit because her car payment is bigger than her SS check. My complaints pale in comparison. Life is expensive here. Food is expensive, heck, everything is expensive. But it's beautiful here, darn beautiful.
So I had a little stress over leaving, because I was dropping a supplemental income that was trivial, but helpful nonetheless. My husband supported my decision 100%. We are both happier with this arrangement.
My two concerns are getting "soft" from not enough exercise and falling short money-wise. I've been cooking more. Hubby is coming home for lunch since I stopped working, so I spend some time every morning cooking his lunch....just part of my new "job" of staying home. At last I have time to finish unpacking and to fiddle with my plants. We spend most evenings watching movies together on Netflix.
Opposites Attract.
I'm happy here. My husband is restless. I was born in a city but raised in the desert. Aside form my teen years in Hollywood, I detest living in cities (visiting is great). He was born and raised in a city, so even though he loves nature and all the easily accessible nature here, he misses shopping, coffee bars everywhere, stores everywhere. I never knew a man who loves to shop more than most women. He wants to buy me everything. He wants a higher paying job. He wants to move to where he can make more money. I told him I don't care about money.
The thought of moving away from this area brings sharp, conflicted emotions in me. On the one hand I can say, "Yeah, it makes sense to live closer to good doctors and not have to drive 111 miles for an appointment to see a specialist (though I have not needed to do that)." But for me, it ends there. When I sat at the edge of the Smith River and watched crystal clear water sparkle over Serpentine stones, it was like a dream, some fairy tail land. When we walk by the beach, take in the ever abundant fresh air, view the sweeping horizons of blue sky and clouds, my soul soars. When I can open the windows and doors in summer and enjoy the fresh air and NEVER need an air conditioner, I know I am happier here than any place where it is too hot or too cold. The thought of leaving crushes my heart. But yet, I want my husband to be happy. He knows how I feel. He wants me to be happy, too.
I embrace change and new places, as long as I can keep my most cherished things. Sometimes those things can be packed, some are memories and sometimes they are rooted in places. Moving can be a good thing, but cutting ties can hurt. I will always have my daughters, and I wish my older daughter was closer. My husband and I love each other dearly and enjoy our life together. But will I always have the Ocean and the Smith River?
Saturday, December 12, 2015
PNW or Not
I once joined a Pacific Northwest gardening group on facebook. I was
accepted, but admonished about my location. They told me the north
coast of California is NOT part of the Pacific Northwest. The PNW is
Oregon, Washington state and British Columbia, however, I was
welcome to stay in the group. I didn't feel welcome, so I left.
After living here over a year and watching weather patterns, I began to question that. I have also discovered that far northern California IS included in the PNW by some definitions. In fact, Crescent City is so close to Oregon that our phone book combines CC and Brookings, Oregon. So I rest my case...Purists say no, new thinking says Yes.
After living here over a year and watching weather patterns, I began to question that. I have also discovered that far northern California IS included in the PNW by some definitions. In fact, Crescent City is so close to Oregon that our phone book combines CC and Brookings, Oregon. So I rest my case...Purists say no, new thinking says Yes.
PNW as defined by the Old Farmer's Almanac:
I wish this was bigger so you could read it
It's been doing this on and off for days:
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Rain, Wind, Rain and More Rain
Tonight I am thankful for candles. Hubby bought six of them, the tall skinny ones in glass jars, that can burn all night and not drip on anything. I have one in the bathroom upstairs and two downstairs. I will keep the upstairs one lit all night. The power didn't actually go out, it just browned out several times. I am saving my work often.
Apparently we are back on track regarding rain amounts. I'm surprised we are actually an inch behind normal. We've had 14 inches since October. And now it's too late to write. I'm getting up at 4 AM and it's already 11:33 PM, so I'm cutting it short right now.
Apparently we are back on track regarding rain amounts. I'm surprised we are actually an inch behind normal. We've had 14 inches since October. And now it's too late to write. I'm getting up at 4 AM and it's already 11:33 PM, so I'm cutting it short right now.
Saturday, December 5, 2015
I Did It!
I walked into Personnel and turned in my notice. They said if I put down the 25th then I will get the holiday pay. Christmas is the only day Walmart is closed, in fact, they close at 8 PM on Christmas Eve, so if I am scheduled to work that day, I'll be home no later than 8.
It's going to make a huge difference in our lives, in a good way. I can just feel the stress flee my system on my days off. No more living in "two time zones", as I describe it. He in the AM, me in the PM. We get up for each other, or stay up for each other, so we end up sleeping twice each day, if we are lucky, and we are not sleeping enough.
I'm so happy my hubby says what I worked is enough. We paid off our debts, which was my intention. Now he can take the car to work (unless I need it). No more trying to figure out if he can finish at the same time I take my lunch, or even before I start. Hubby told me, "Go to the flower club and photography meetings, make friends, enjoy life!" The meetings are usually on Saturdays, when they have them. I was only able to attend one.
It's going to make a huge difference in our lives, in a good way. I can just feel the stress flee my system on my days off. No more living in "two time zones", as I describe it. He in the AM, me in the PM. We get up for each other, or stay up for each other, so we end up sleeping twice each day, if we are lucky, and we are not sleeping enough.
I'm so happy my hubby says what I worked is enough. We paid off our debts, which was my intention. Now he can take the car to work (unless I need it). No more trying to figure out if he can finish at the same time I take my lunch, or even before I start. Hubby told me, "Go to the flower club and photography meetings, make friends, enjoy life!" The meetings are usually on Saturdays, when they have them. I was only able to attend one.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
December Already!
I wasn't thinking that I could do a "Ten on Tuesday" in December, I guess because I wasn't planning on posting so often. I only have a little time, before I must get ready for work. Let's see if I can hash this out in 10 minutes. I hear the subject is "The Ten Best Things I Did in November"
1. Blogged more...I didn't get every day in, but I did more.
2. Enjoyed Sundays with my hubby.
3. Bought succulents at Flora Pacifica.
4. Decided to quit Walmart for sure, this month.
5. Enjoyed an early Thanksgiving dinner with my daughter and her hubby.
6. Made a new friend.
7. Saw an "old" friend, well, she used to work at Walmart.
8. Made really good homemade pizza.
9. Crafted an easy-to-keep-track-of budget.
10. Followed the budget.
Six minutes to spare! The budget is the "biggie" because it allows us to pay bills with one account and shop, save or whatever with the other account. That way the bill-paying account is never overdrawn because it's not used for anything but bills, which are all predictable. The amount left over goes into savings. The biggest issue here is the cost of food. Meat is astronomical. A roast can easily cost $25 or $30. We can usually get better prices at Roy's in Brookings, Oregon. We sure do miss Aldi, but there are no Aldi stores out west....however, I hear they are expanding.
I'm not a big meat eater but hubby does like beef and chicken. He also likes fish, which I hate, but I can tolerate a few fish sticks. It's fine with me to cook two different things for dinner. I'm looking forward to not working evenings so I can do more of that.
My time is up.
1. Blogged more...I didn't get every day in, but I did more.
2. Enjoyed Sundays with my hubby.
3. Bought succulents at Flora Pacifica.
4. Decided to quit Walmart for sure, this month.
5. Enjoyed an early Thanksgiving dinner with my daughter and her hubby.
6. Made a new friend.
7. Saw an "old" friend, well, she used to work at Walmart.
8. Made really good homemade pizza.
9. Crafted an easy-to-keep-track-of budget.
10. Followed the budget.
Six minutes to spare! The budget is the "biggie" because it allows us to pay bills with one account and shop, save or whatever with the other account. That way the bill-paying account is never overdrawn because it's not used for anything but bills, which are all predictable. The amount left over goes into savings. The biggest issue here is the cost of food. Meat is astronomical. A roast can easily cost $25 or $30. We can usually get better prices at Roy's in Brookings, Oregon. We sure do miss Aldi, but there are no Aldi stores out west....however, I hear they are expanding.
I'm not a big meat eater but hubby does like beef and chicken. He also likes fish, which I hate, but I can tolerate a few fish sticks. It's fine with me to cook two different things for dinner. I'm looking forward to not working evenings so I can do more of that.
My time is up.
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