Life~

I really like stairs. Stairs of all kinds. That might seem a little bit odd, your thinking. But if you really think about it, you use stair to go "up" to get somewhere new. To make it to another level-right?
My life to me, has been like climbing stairs. I've always seemed to be climbing with some sort of effort to get higher than where I was. Sometimes, I felt like I was pushed down those stairs because I chose the wrong route and there was nothing really to hang on to but a simple rough board that splinters...

 I would have to get back up; clean my wounds and find my strength to grab hold of the, 'hopefully' new path and pull harder to go forward again. Have you ever felt like that?

  My faith has gotten me through some rough times. The railing that was offered to me was usually at first the plain cold steal bar. It was made to be uncomfortable and cold while I was hanging on tight to get one step closer to the top. If I focused on my journey, and struggled to keep on God's path for myself; the railing slowly became more smooth and sometimes a bit ornate. Quite nice to hold onto, in fact. I felt a little more secure and started to enjoy the climb.

 

Even so....sometimes, I would get tired out from traipsing up and just stay where I was. I'd ponder what life should have been or could of been had I tried out another avenue...or if there was something just really wrong with the way I was doing things (imagine that-ha-common sense right?)....how exhausting, how unproductive-ugh!

But I suppose, everyone needs a rest now and again. Since I was a single mother, I had no one to lean on and help steady me, or catch me when I fell. A person can obtain a lot of bumps and bruises doing it alone. Unfortunately, I obtained a lot of  physical and emotional scar's 'when' I was married. But I am a strong soul, and strive to be at peace and happy-and forgiveness was the first step to begin my upward journey-the right stairs~

I had to try a few different ways up, a few different styles..to get it right. And that's ok! It's called "growth". The staircase that works for me is one in a sacred place. I had to first learn how to get out of my own way....that was the hard part..HA!

But the way I chose has been very freeing and beautiful ( yes, even when times get rough, I can still find the calm in the storms that I sometimes have to weather through)

It's full of amazing learning and adventures...and promptings of a spiritual kind. The view is bright and the rail is smooth and strong.

 I can be kind of a knucklehead sometimes, still, but not like before. I know to stay within the bounds of good kind living. I now believe I'm worth it!!!! So are you!!!!~

 I've let go of things that were knocking me down those stairs. I know I have family, friends and 'Him' to hold me up and walk beside me as needed....One step at a time..

What staircase are you walking up these days? Are you enjoying the climb? Or is it time to choose another one...one that suit's you better to where you want to end up being, once you've hit the top?~

I am quite content on the one I have chosen. Maybe we can meet at the top. I will be the one who will be standing there with a big bright smile and my arms wide open~

Peace out~

 

Ps. Health tip of the week....Eat more at home. Eat real foods...reduce the processed items you put in your mouth. Your body will heal inside out.

Herbs and spices are important too. Helps lower inflammation in your tissues...among other naturally wonderful things.

I will also be gone for a couple weeks-important life need be's~

I shall return ;)

An Alternate Valentines Experience

Ok, so I'm just going to put it out there...ugh Happy Valentines day~ ( February 14 )
But I still stand by my protesting the way one day is celebrated. Love is for all time and every day!!!

I am going to suggest and alternative to Valentines day rituals.
1. Don't spend a lot of money on something that's only going to last one day-instead, make a memory.
2. Find out something about your loved one, that they love to do- but don't really get the time to do because life seems to get in the way....like a hobby
3. Set some time out to take your loved one and do something related to this hobby they enjoy.
For instance: if they enjoy hiking or walking or gem stone hunting, ie: rock hounding. There are places you can research in your area that you can mine your own precious rocks. I've done it, my sister has done it-it is a fabulous way to really appreciate what you find-with your partner! Or take a nice drive to an area and go for a beautiful hike in nature. Pack a homemade picnic lunch for on the way. Both occasions, bring plenty of water. Got to keep your sweetheart hydrated!
Take a walk on the beach and find some lovely shells together to display in your home...make a sand sculpture together...get creative, laugh and play around. Enjoy each other.

Maybe, if you are lucky, you two may find the mother of all gems..

Probably not-ha. But it wouldn't it be nice if you had that kind of excitement in your hearts while enjoying a new memory-a new adventure together??? Excitement is what makes the memory "stick!"

What a real emotional gem looks like:it's made by those who make an effort, a loving, fun time together. It may even go right, when your trying to go left- roll with it and get a laugh out of it...hug your honey and carry on your adventure with a happy positive spirit!
 Memories are not an object, it isn't shiny or adds fat to your body..it's after the day, you can think back, smile and get a warm true loving feeling deep down inside. that's love-that's care-that's happiness that lasts a lifetime...not just a day of bought stuff...from the stuffmart!-HA- Old and overdone with no real meaning....

I think one of the most happy times of a valentines, is when someone I loved surprised me with a dinner train excursion. It wound up through the woods and into beautiful country. We were seated across the table from an older couple. The elderly gentleman wore a fedora hat and looked so much like my very beloved grandfather who passed when I was young. It was an amazing time of talking, eating, and enjoying the scenery. It couldn't have been a better train ride. A beautiful memory. Yes, the train tickets did cost money, but all the things that transpired that day were magical and wonderful, and just 'happened'
By the way, have I mentioned....
                                                      I LOVE TRAINS!!!!!

 

I was seriously thinking of incorporating them in my summer month long trip...BUT, I don't have enough time in between those who want to spend their time with me.

So~ another time I will plan a purely fabulous vacay on some amazing train rides across our country, with a friend in tow to share with me some adventure.

 

Until then, please rethink what your Valentines day will look like. Don't try and "buy" the person off... do your best to make a great memory~

If you don't have someone you are sweet on, do something fun for yourself- your own memory...don't you think you are worth it? I do~

~PEACE OUT~

I love you

                                                               
                                                                  

Valentines Day is coming-Bah Humbug!!

Sorry it's been a longtime in between my postings lately. I've been working on a book that needs endless editing-so it feels like. I have a little bit of writers OCD- HA! I need to learn to let it go and let others read and make the choice if they like it or not. Regardless, it just feels good to tell a story..my story.
So, Valentines day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The one "so called" holiday of making a one time effort of telling your loved one how much you care~
Candy, flowers, a night out in a romantic setting???...ugh. I've always felt that if you really love someone, make an effort every chance you get!!!! You don't have to buy things, etc. Just show that "someone" with actions, words of care and love. Smile, hug, laugh with that person. HUG- HUG- HUG!!!!!!
The act of hugging someone you care about is giving that person a physical, non-intrusive connection of care. In just that one small gift from one person to another...will be uplifting and can be very healing in some cases. You might not even be aware of the wonderful gift your actually giving that human soul.       
HUG~  care and love. Sure, ok, on Valentines day too~

I have been doing some extra thinking this year. Ha-no, that's a good thing...
I am going to take this blog site a little left .....I am going to emphasize not only tuning into nature and finding the fun and sometimes funny things in life, but to also encourage health and wellbeing of body and soul. I think it's time to really talk about trying to get worldly things out of our main focus, find inner peace and happiness that actually speaks to your soul...the kind of happiness that lasts...
and not just gives short term satisfaction /gratification.
Also, to start thinking more about the toxins we are ingesting. You ever wonder why there are so many exploding cases of cancer and other health issues in our lives?? I'm sure you've figured it out by now. I just want to embrace and share my journey of trying to clean up as many chemicals, etc. out of my diet.
Let's face it-it's impossible to do it 100%. But let me tell you, from when I really started to work on this about 5 years ago...I feel so much better and my physical and spiritual being has been uplifted in many positive ways.
I do have a strong faith in God and Jesus as my Savior and the Holy Spirit inside-guiding me. ( I am working on the listening part, as I am only human and prone to mistakes...ugh )
You can have faith, belong to a different religion, not really have a religion, or what have you...I care so much about you as my neighbor of earth. You matter. I love when we can connect through blogging. I thank you for being here with me and letting me share my thoughts and one sided banter!
I will start posting again once a week. I hope you will G-1 any posts you like. That gives me an idea what you care about. Drop me a comment. (private or public) it's all good.
Sit back and enjoy~
        Until next week,
                      PEACE OUT~

Tip of the week- HYDRATE with water...pure clean water! The most important thing to put into your bodies all day, every day!

Weathering the Winter Blues

I'm figuring that there is about 2 more months of real winter-like weather here on the coast. About 2 weeks into this cold freezing, wet, dreary weather....I am so over it. I want my sunshine back!!! I want the rays of sunshine to gently reach through my window, early in the morning and kiss my face awake. I want to be able to be warm and refreshed, instead of hurriedly crawl out from under my blankets, trying to find my slippers and the thermostat; so I can get warmer and feel like starting my day. But no...I have to wait.

I do love the fog, and I do love going out for nature walks, and I do love to feed the tiny sparrows and chickadees on my deck that come to find an easy meal. I fight sometimes to find things to feel uplifted in my day....

Some people fight with winter depression. I used too- a few decades ago, but through my faith, I was healed from that. But I can still feel ....well BLAH! It doesn't last long. The trick is to keep moving and take my focus off any negative feelings.

I've decided that between now and my next birthday in April, I am going to tone my body a bit more to get as healthy as I can. ( yoga..ouch-ha, and my exercise bike and a little weight training)

 I plan on doing some in country traveling this summer. I've hooked up with some family and friends to make it a sweet personal fun time for me. I used to go on exploring weekend vacations with my kids when they were young. We would just load up essentials and just pick someone to decide which direction we were going to drive and see where it would take us. We would always try new roads and places.

 I intend on making this a vacation to do some new, out of state exploring. Some things are planned....something's I'm going to leave up to wherever the day takes me.

"AN ADVENTURE"!!!!!

-that's what my summer is going to be.

 Life is an adventure to some extreme...but this one I'm taking....this time, will be on my own. This will be the first time in my crazy upside-down life, that I will be going on by myself! I will be taking no stragglers with me! -Ha.

This way, I will have the opportunity to adjust my schedule and even extend any part of it if I so desire. This will be my chance to fly and be free for a while. For when I get back home, I will be tightening up my bootstraps and buckling down to get back to work and figure out where my path wants me to plant roots-for once in my life....I'm determined to become a tree and grow in one place. Not sure where that place will be now. Maybe right here in Newport, maybe in a different part of Oregon or a different state??!!  It's not for me to know at this time. It's for me to discover.... over this year or two. It's a "knowing" I have. It's part of my life's adventure. Sweet for me!

I also decided that before my birthday, I'm purging clutter from my home. Not useless stuff, just earthly stuff that I have no more need for. Someone else can benefit from it. I want to continue my life- light in all aspects. I want to refocus on what really matters in life...people.

People, like family, friends and people whom God puts in my path. How much fun and love and care can we share. I want to make as many people as I can feel better...smile...hug...laugh...loved....and just get a good ole deep cleansing breath after spending time with each other feeling the release peace.

Think about how you want your "rest of your life" to be. If your truly not happy where your at -change it-do something different for your betterment. Have something you truly want to look forward too. Hard work done with a happy and positive heart will get you blessings you never thought obtainable...think about it...are you really truly happy with your life? If not, what's missing? Don't be afraid to live. Think, pray, ponder, get out of your own way. Life is so much more than "weathering the blues"..

Until then, have a little laugh- Love those minion goofballs

All in good fun~

~Peace out~

 

Christmas is close

I'm happy to say, I am all done with my Christmas shopping and wrapping of said presents! I couldn't be happier. I hit the best deals for the best stuff so I won't have the pain of credit remorse. Nothing is more unsettling that putting yourself in debt to make others happy...basically for a day~ It just smart, common sense to go with a budget, look for sales, take coupons to the sales and purchase the things your family and friends really like and it doesn't hurt at the check stand!!! I think no one want's to hit the new year with crying wallets!!
I made sure that this year, I gave myself the blessing of paying off a couple of small debts. It felt liberating. Of course I really don't like to go into debt for anything, but sometimes life throws you a hardball, and reluctantly, you have to concede. But taking responsibility to paying those speed bumps off as fast as you can, is a gift to yourself. It's not a 'fun' thing-not so much a 'simple' thing.. but a 'wise' thing. And if you can give yourself some stress free by doing so-.....you can be more relaxed and can enjoy yourself better. Not to mention, it can open things up so your able to help others-if need be.
That in itself, is beautiful. Just make sure when you do that, you don't want something in return. Just do it out of love. No strings attached~

Love is the reason for the season~

My love includes Jesus Christ. He is the reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place. Not all believe or celebrate Christmas. Everyone is free to make their own choice ( whether openly or in silence-as I know some in other countries or circumstances, have to be careful)
But everyone, no matter what you believe- deserves love in their life. The life-blood of existing.
This Christmas season, I wish you all- LOVE
                                                                      JOY
                                                                           LAUGHTER
                                                                                              and a massive amount of
                                                                                                    PEACE~

Weather and Rough Days

So...where I live, it's cold, rainy, sometimes very stormy with torrential rains and very high winds. I do so love it. I love the weather. Although I have to make my way inland tomorrow and that means I have to drive over a small mountain pass, forest-like roadways and near flooding waters. But so far, the news reports the road I need to take is clear. Bad news is ( if your driving in it), there is another big storm that's going to hit tonight.
I do love hearing the wind blowing against my window and the rains hitting hard as it flies sideways from the velocity of the wind. It's kind of soothing for me while in my bed. Lulling me slowly to sleep, like a sort of "white noise" but in the more nature type sense. That was a mouthful~
I had a very long day today, as many of you can relate too. Nothing is better than to be able to come home and make some homemade soup to snuggle down with. I usually sit on my couch and hug the bowl with my hands; after I've changed into something soft and comfortable.

It's ultra nice to wrap a soft warm blanket around my shoulders and lap while indulging in the soothing warmth of my organic soup as it slides down my throat. Having the room bathed in a warm soft lighting with my Christmas tree lights on...I can sit and just let the day drip out of my brain. If you are noticing that I'm using the word "warm" a lot...that's because there is no other way of explaining just the right sensation other than calling it warm~

It's a very wonderful word indeed for this time of year. I hope your staying warm and safe. I hope you fill your body with less processed food and take time out in the kitchen by yourself or with a loved one and fix something nutritious and yummy. Keep it simple and fun.

Now go snuggle under a favorite  ( must be soft to get the best feeling) blanket and read a good book, watch a sweet, or funny movie, whatever puts a smile on your lips and a song in your heart and wash the day away if need be.....

The point is, be comfy- comfy- comfy! RELAX~

 

Peace on Earth, Good will toward men (all humans!)

Thanksgiving Blessings

It's about that time again for us here in my humble abode. I really didn't feel like doing the whole "big dinner" this year. Kind of thought I would take the holiday's slow and easy. I'm usually the one that pulls all the family together and organizes a day full of fun, warmth, laughter and a whole lot of good old home made food. Now that my sons are all grown up and have lives of their own...except for the part that none of them have met or married...hint- hint ...ha; I seem to be 'it' for the cooking! I suppose I do feel good about that part. And if your wondering, yes, I did teach them how to cook. They just love my cooking~
So I conceded~  ooooooooooook then!!! (I say with a deep breath and a smile)
So once again, I will pull out the antique china that I inherited from my beautiful colorful grandmother Spangle that passed when I was 16. I still hold her in my heart. ( Grandma, if you hear me, thanks for all the love and joy you took showing me how to keep a neat home and fill the house with wonderful smells of good learned home cooking-I love you dearly- tell my sister I love her too-'till we meet again in the hereafter-we will be a unique light in heaven! Ha!)
I will make my homemade cinnamon rolls ( my other gma's recipe) that my family loves so much each holiday. I will distribute them, warm and tasty the evening before. I will bake pies and other deserts the night before. I will chop and slice anything that's needing, to prep for the morning before. I will do what I can so I have minimal things to do on thanksgiving day....Because...spending as much time with the ones I love, family and friends is what I am most thankful for. I do not want to become so busy that the day passes me by.
When my day is done and all have gone home... I will collapse on my bed...exhausted, happy, glad the work is done, the dishes washed and put away and counters wiped..  and I am left with a new sweet memory in my head. Happy I gave my loved ones a warm memory and happy tummy's.
I do these things because I have a love in my heart for those close to me. There is nothing more important to me than love. I love the people in my life hard, and I hope, deeply, they will show love for me too. It's the best gift I have or ever will get!!!!
It's also important to do things for others in your life too. Do it with a good heart. Do it without needing to be recognized or thanked.. Turn what your doing away from 'yourself' and make it totally about 'them'.  Those are truly Treasures to be had that can never be taken away.

My youngest son reminded me of one of the things I did quite a few years ago. Two of my young sons and I were spending a fun day in downtown Portland. Something we did ever so often. ( I still do) There was a homeless lady sitting up against the wall with no shoes on. I asked her what size she wore and went into a shoe store close by and bought her a pair for her feet. She was thankful-she was sweet. I could afford it and I couldn't let someone go without a basic need. I didn't do it for anyone but her. That's it. No big deal!! And we went along with our day. It was a good day with my kids. I had forgotten this over the years. To me, it was just a simple kindness. Many good people subscribe to this way of life. My youngest son, in conversing with me a few days ago brought it up. He said, "mom, what you did was so amazing to me, it just inspired me so much to be a good and caring person"~ And he is a beautiful young man-a glorious work in progress-as we all are. It dawned on me, that when I was outwardly kind-empathetic, happy and giving, when the situation is put in front of me..my kids were watching and learning how to make this world a little more sweeter. That, I found out, was a perfect blessing- my treasure- I had not been aware of until then. 
How many blessings have you shared with others? I bet many more than your aware of.
Smile
Be glad
If your alone this holiday and feeling sad. Don't be. I'm here. Leave me a pm., or a comment. Everyone matters.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING~

PEACE~