I'm in the Christmas frame of mind-Help!

It's not even December yet-Heaven HELP ME! Hahaha~
 We haven't experienced a first snow ( if you live in a seasonal area), we haven't had Thanksgiving either! But this morning, when I awoke from my Tuesday night slumber...I suddenly got the "Christmas frame of mind"-syndrome!!! I think I am out of my gourd feeling so warm and magically joyous so early. Wanting to smell peppermint and cinnamon coated pinecones...smelling warm baked goods and a fir tree; decorating that tree in my living room. Putting up fun festive decorations...hanging frosted snowflakes from the ceiling over my dining table. And then there is this fat jolly man, who is a made up character of wonderment in our imaginations.....tah-dahhhhh

Announcing, waaaayyyyyy too early in the season,  vintage cardboard Santa Claus! Ha! Or should I say HO!

Well, there he is, in all his pre-holiday glory, in a shop where the Christmas displays and decorations are set up right on cue....November 1st!!!! Ugh~ It seems to come earlier and earlier each year. And usually I get a little annoyed at the rushed holidays. Hmmm.

But something almost magical turned on, deep, deep inside of me over night. And I must admit, I'm really loving it. Thinking about all the lights, sights and smells that come during this winter season. The displays in the neighboring yards and people seem to be a little more happier and kind to each other during this time of year.

 My sister really love the nutcrackers...(as I sit here remembering past times)

I used to take my sons to he nutcracker suite ballet every year in Seattle, Washington. We would get all dressed up, go out to eat at a nice restaurant and go hit the live show-when they were young. They grew up... and out of wanting to go.. (major bummer)but I still have fond happy memories...

I am not really into the gift giving aspect of Christmas (but I still do it for friends and loved ones without over-doing it) I am all about the warm fuzzies~

 The love and the fun~

 The helping others out with a smile-spreading some joy and laughter~

 The remembering of the real reason of the season~

 My main joy-my Savior.

(Whether you believe or not...I do. He poured out so much love on us, why would you turn your back on that??? I don't know...pondering, pondering...)

 Just be full of love-charity during this holiday season.

It's a free gift we can all give, right?! It cost nothing but a small bit of time on our parts.

I challenge you- to see how many people you can cause to smile or giggle out of giving a kind word, or a small kind deed for someone in need, or a funny face or positive type tease. Or just shooting a sweet happy smile towards someone who has a grumpy or sour look on their face...just so you can be the 3 second bright spot in their daunting day.

What do you say? Are you up for the challenge?

Spread the holiday magic around, starting now! Why wait until Christmas...

Peace out~ my rays of earthly happy magic- this winter

Work vs Retirement

Some of you know that I consider myself semi-retired. What that means for me is that I was well enough to let go of the 9-5 typical work days. I did so partly to help take care of my terminally ill sister- partly to work on my own health-last, to pursue my own life work interests. I had money put aside for this, plus I have a healthy retirement set up for myself.
I have been doing home rehabing jobs for flips and helping homeowners with renovations. It is something my father and a few male friends in my life taught me, and I excelled at. A lot of hard work goes into doing house rehabing.. But I love to be creative in many forms. I love to make nice things out of broken down worn stuff.
~And it doesn't hurt having a big ole paycheck in the end!!!!!
 I get tired and achy...but it's a satisfying and good feeling to go to bed at night with. My previous career was more of a brain power type job (social worker) and I did love it. After many years you can get mentally burnt out though-The only drawback for me...
As I was crawling up on my son's roof a couple day's ago, to clean up the branches and debri and clean out the gutters..you see he lives in the woods and the pine needles are fierce.

 Nature, in all it's beauty can make an awful mess for us human inhabitants!..I was deeply thinking that it was time for me to "retire" this part of my 'semi-retirement'. Ha..sounds funny when I say this. I was just thinking that I don't want to fall off the roof...ugh..feel my muscles scream at me as I grow older. I'll save my exercising to my walks/sprints and yoga, etc. ( happy thoughts)
It's time for me to keep exercising my mind and keep it sharp. I will continue to write books and whatever I aspire too. I plan on finding my way back to a social work job (still pondering what that area that will be- thinking helping youth through the court systems) I will probably still inventory/sell , through a city shop- designer clothing. But I do believe I have climbed my last ladder to the rooftop and ripped up my last floor, etc. for profit anyhow~
So...I will say goodbye to that part of my life. It has enriched me greatly and I am blessed because of it.
If you take anything away from this post is- don't be afraid to "retire" something in your life that has run it's course. There are more things to explore..to grow yourself on. Give yourself a well thought out change. It can keep your life happier and more fulfilling.
Something to "ponderize"
Peace out~

Mental Health

Having good mental health can infer many different aspects. I am about to share a simple 'free' way of natural mental health I practice almost every day. For the person that has a relatively normal day and evening, day after day after day...ugh! Enough of the monotony already...haha.
 Seriously, even when things don't go so smoothly- as life will smack you upside the head at times; you need something to even out the days 'vibe'. You need to flood your senses with beautiful, mostly natural things, sounds and smells. ( smells must be natural-canned sprays do not apply!!) It can be the soft happy loving voice of a child or loved one. Their smiles, a giggle, a happy verbal thought sent your way -in your space. But since I live alone at this point ( although family lives close by if I need a loving person "fix" ) I find my "mental health medicine/therapy" outside.
I find it in the tree's, plants, waters that flow boundlessly around my area. I hear animals making sounds, like the birds singing, the wind blowing, the gurgling of the rain pouring around me at times. I love walking! period. I love seeing new things and new colors as the seasons bring. I love seeing architecture in buildings and homes as I pass. I make up little stories in my mind about what wonderful lives people are living inside. Most of the times I like to think of funny things, because I sure do love to laugh and smile ALOT~
It's really quite fun in my head. Ha! I try to live in the best positive thought structure I can possibly conjure up. The conjuring part comes when I'm grasping at anything to turn a bad situation tolerable. I have been told I'm a really good problem solver, a productive multi-tasker . I guess that's what made me a decent social worker. It was /is one of my blessings in life.

I really like when I get to travel around. Near or far, I love to see things and take in the uniqueness in certain things. Can you smell the woodsy-ness and damp moss up along these rustic stairs. And where do they lead too?

An elaborate treehouse in the deep woods. It almost would make me feel like one of the lost boys from the peter pan movie. It brings out the kids-like qualities in my thinking. How fun would this be to stay here with a few good friends just enjoying the weekend?! Truth or dare anyone??

I love to see wildlife anywhere I go. I especially love owls. They are so interesting to watch. How they move and their eyes are sooo.. hypnotic! ( this is a pic of a rare owl-would love to see one in person)

 

So here's to finding ways to keep your everyday mental health in check. It's all about finding your calm and centeredness. Letting go of what's negative, hurtful and plain exhausting. It's also to give you purpose out of the boredom and depressions of life. We all need a kick to become re-awakened once in a while. We need a reason to know what's real and worth it.

 With my faith- and understanding of my faith, I know "why" I'm here on earth. But sometimes I need to have a reminder and a joy while I am here doing my 'thang'!!!! smile

 

Peace in~and out~

Season Hypnosis

Have you ever noticed that we all transform ourselves every season? We change our thought process to what the weather and calender date is? Its not about putting on a rain coat or grabing an umbrella during a wet summer day. Its more like a changing of the guard. When that day of...lets say "fall" hits; away go our sandals, shorts, etc...and out comes our boots, scarves and hats. Our thoughts go to raking the leaves and stocking up on soups and comfort foods. Time to ready ourselves by hunkering down and buttoning up our homes. There are even specific colors we gravitate towards. No more whites after labor day (that one always baffled me..its kind of ridiculous-right?!) We choose more warm colors, more earthy shades and deep jewel tones. I think we even wear more formal dressy clothing in the fall.
We pretty much 'fall' into a preconceived mind set that allows us to 'flow' gently into each changing season.
 I do love the Autumn "mind set". I know some people who are right there with me!

I have an ever swelling urge to jump into my boots and go outside to walk in the leaves that are slowly changing colors and twirling to the ground...and breath in that cool crisp air. To still feel the sunshine kiss the top of my hair....to feel and smell whisps of woodsy winds woft past my body. I love to fill my home with slow cooking smells of stews or soups and freshly baking breads or pastries. Wrapping my cold hands around a nice cup of hot chocolate topped with whip cream and a dash of cinnamon!
I love to be curled up on my couch in comfy clothes and my favorite owl blanket and a great inspirational book, or maybe a biography. I so enjoy putting up Autumn holiday decorations inside and outside of my home too.
Living on the west coast also includes some amazing wind and rain storms. I am a lover of weather. (now you know my inner geek-ha) The wind blows so hard during these storms -objects go flying..the rain flies sideways. Sometimes the power goes out. I have candles ready that give a warm soft glow. If I have kids over..that means shadow puppets with flashlights and ghost stories or just good deep conversations of wonderful subjects. Its amazing how close you can become to others when electronics are taken out of the mix!!!
So even though we tend to "hypnotically" transfer our thought process to accommodate season to season...try to step back in those times and really drink in all of the impending excietment and see it more as an adventure than a chore while getting things ready.
Enjoy life...let yourself grow to re-love and cherish the simple and fun things in life- can I get an Amen! Fabulous!
Peace out-be warm and happy. SMILE every day~

Candy and Sweet Memories

I can remember all through my life loving to wander in the local candy shops and being transformed into one of the kids from the movie - Willie Wonka and the chocolate factory! 

"I want it now-I want it all now!"

All the smells and brightly colored wrappings. The themes that were posted on each aisle drew you to your favorite section. You were burdened by what delightful delectable you should purchase....

 Oh, there are really too many choices to make!! Do you go for something salty? Sweet? Sour? Something new, like from a different far off land? Or do you stick by the good ole same familiar "yum" you know to be true to your taste buds???!

Then your eyes travel around to the bendy toys that are displayed amongst the sweets. Hmmm, you think...another option! Decisions aren't easy...would I prefer this to candy today? But you cant even think of leaving this place without any oral satisfaction-
Oh the pain of it all sets in. Decisions-decisions. Ugh!! How did life get so complicated.

 Then you spy the giant sucker. Now that would last for days. Deciding to get the biggest colorful candy on a stick-no less and a gumby.....that posable greenish rubber eraser looking guy with appendages...what could be a better choice!! It's a win- win situation! 

 

 Ok, maybe a bag of jelly beans and some chocolate to go with it. All of that seems to be in this display-Hello kitty has it all covered🍬

And if your choices just don't sit right with you after you leave the store...there is always Halloween coming up in about a month! Kids get free candy...and adults can hand it off at the door..but who are we kidding....we 'adults' stash some away for ourselves! Ha, because we are all just big ole kids in grownup clothing!!!
                It's a simple fun aspect in our lives whether old or young we can enjoy. Just give yourself the ok to experience it once in a while. Keep those happy sweet times in your heart!  It will keep you young.
Peace out from the lollipop guild- haha!

Disc Golfing the Hard Courses

My two youngest took me to the local disc golf course- which is a very challenging course to say the least.

 I have not been out for any kind of decent exercise in a while. Needless to say, it was fantastic! I made the whole course except, I have to admit I didn't play the last hole...maybe it was the last two?? Ha.... well nonetheless, I powered on! Jess and Lance gave me amazing pointers to help me make the best of my throws. I used to throw a pretty mean baseball in my youth. I played on the town team in Monroe, Washington back in the day. But my disc throwing skills need a lot of practice!!!
 Both of my sons had amazing arms-I could not believe the distance they threw their discs. Not only that, to have them weave around the tall trees!! Pure talent!!!

My disc was the pink one. I'm not a "pink" girl...but it was easy to find. That is one of the one issues you have to deal with in terrain like this. You really need to have a spotter to watch where the wild ones go. There are many hills and brush that hide a disc. Many loose theirs, or they just go to really bad places to climb and get too...but for us.. we go for it~

Yes, they even get stuck in tree trunks, limbs and cliff-like sides....Keeps it interesting, right?! The point is to find it. Those discs are not cheap!
There are many different ways to throw your disc. Everyone has their own special "get r done" way.
Jessy has a faux bowling-throwing style that works quite well~

My son Lance has a fling and release type of throw-style. Kind of like a dancers technique to it. Whatever...it works famously. The disc soars~

 

Hole nine is the favorite. It has a ravine, fallen logs and a strategically placed basket. Sadly, Jess lost his disc on this one. But he did find one a couple holes before. So as I see it, it evened out!

( Here is hole 7 where I actually made the basket-it was not to far from there, but I will take it as a personal triumph!!)

 

I am very blessed to have my sons to teach me new sports. I am blessed to be in decent shape to enjoy my challenging hike. It was a wonderful sunny day. Fun had by all. We had the course all to ourselves. We could really get crazy and not worry about hitting anyone in front of us~

( it's happened before...haha. The guy was ok) all in stride)

 

Go out and get some exercise and do it with friends or family.

Peace out my readers~

Smile and have fun-push yourselves for fitness-the natural high in life!!

Daniel Boone!

Daniel Boone was a famous pioneer man. He was in our U.S. history books. They even made a series show about him back in the 60's- I believe it was. Such a brave and interesting man, who dwelled in a time when survival of the fittest was needed. He did great things in the revolutionary war. He was married to a good strong woman and raised many children.

 Daniel's fathers name was named Squire Boone..... Squire Boone is my great(s) Grandfather!!!!
Yes, that's right. He's my historical claim to fame...Ha-sweet!
 Doing family history is so much fun. It's like doing detective work. I have found direct links to ancestors to be able to join the DAR ( daughters of the American revolution) if I ever chose to.
His brother, Israel Boone, is my line of direct family.
 I encourage everyone, everywhere to get started on a family history tree. It's amazing who you can shake out of the treetops!
 I have found so many interesting stories and lineage to people and places I never knew existed. I am currently finding family as far back as the early 1400's. And let me tell you, that's not very easy to do. They didn't keep records like they do now or even the 1800's. But there are documentations now that are becoming available online. Just make sure they came from reliable sources. Verify-verify! The key word of the day. It's fun, its simple to start ( as in a lot can be accessed online) It gives you a solid worth of who you came from. Family history!  Luckily, I have unlimited access to many sites. What a blessing that is!!!
Spend this fall and winter- during the days that you cant go outside...doing your own research-for your own piece of history. Spend time talking to older members of your family about any family history they know or any stories they can pass down to you- and take notes. You'll be glad you did. I wished someone had  told me to do this when my grandparents were still alive.
Find your own story...
I'm finding mine!

Here's to you Uncle Dan~
Thanks for the readable memories
Peace out ;)