make a wish...

What is going on?  I pose this question in all seriousness.  Today started off incredibly beautiful, the late winter sun rising beautifully promising a bright wonder filled new day. I was sitting having coffee with Hubs in the front tv room and staring out the window watching it through the haze left over from the night.  It felt warm and empowering. Our pups were laying there basking in it, it was the perfect start to a perfect day. 

Note I said was.  Hubs turned on the news, something I really find less and less palatable by the minute.  I started to say day, but realized that is completely an understatement. Every single "article" for discussion was divisive, ugly, putting down someone or something.  I felt like I was listening to the cool kids at school deciding who matters and who doesn't.  The repetition of hatefulness was toxic and just plain ugly, if you say you hate something enough times you definitely start to believe it. 

He went downstairs to start work early, one of his branches has an issue, so I took advantage to turn the vile crap off.  When I did they had just finished talking about how only one race is unable to get a home because of income inequity.  I wanted to vomit!  Because income inequity is definitely not limited to a race, an age, a religion or freaking anything else.  Ask me how I know... I could preach on it for days with cold hard facts.  I'm not going to, but I am fed up with it. The next "article" or maybe I should just call it opinion piece as I pushed that beautiful blue button that would silence the propaganda machine started rolling into how minorities and women are afraid to return to their jobs as they are being called back.  I simply couldn't... 

This morning as I drew my energy cards there were two of them stuck together, so I understood that I needed to know both of them.  They were incredibly powerful today.  The angel of strength and the community card.  

The irony of my strong reaction to the bull on the news was not lost on me.  Here I had just pulled two cards that were talking about our individual strength and the power of using that strength as part of a greater community.  

I took the meaning of those cards to heart.  Today my little great nephew has to have another heart surgery, he's just 3 months old, it's delicate, it's intense and it is vitally important to his survival.  I was focused on the fact that we individually and as a collective can give the healing power needed to him and his medical team.  I have faith.  He has an army of angels, prayer warriors and healers all focusing intense power and love in his direction. 

The cards seemed so very obvious. 

Yet as I was cutting Hubs' hair and listening to random snippets of that vile news, I felt a calming sense of knowing.  Maybe those cards were saying something far greater.  The angel of strength says that we all have the power to harness the universe for good to tap into something far greater than ourselves and focus that power and strength to create far more than we have ever dreamed possible. The community card says that whenever at least 3 are gathered either physically or spiritually for a common cause the universe will aid.  It speaks of again doing good and being more.  Being successful in your endeavors. 

Both of them were encouraging me to find my voice and strength and be not only ready but willing to use it. 

I think I have already said I do not trust the media.  Now is absolutely no different.  From my quiet seat on this bus I was wondering why?  Today mask mandates quietly die, no fan fare, no hoopla, in fact if a friend hadn't told me I wouldn't know. It was announced last week, all week I have slowly seen signs going down telling you to mask up before entering.  I have slowly seen fewer and fewer people wearing the dreaded things. I am seeing smiles.  I am able to understand people when I speak with them. I noticed that several of the places that I have seen non-stop fear mongering about the virus have now switched almost on point to war fear mongering. 

I no longer trust any of it.  What are they trying to distract us from?  What are they trying to control?  Why are the opinion pieces all trying to block us being unified and loving one another?  What is the purpose?  Why are they sowing hate and discontent like wildflower seeds? Why has their been such a concerted effort to instill fear and hatred bouncing from one topic to the next for a very, very long time. 

Religion, skin color, orientation, nationality, medical status... the list is endless, for as far back as you can read in our "history" books (any irony is the fact that it is his story?) there has been some form of hatred being sown. Division lines being drawn at every step of the way. 

I used to think it was simply an American problem.  Now I truly see it is a global problem, it has been happening everywhere for a very long time.  I guess if we are busy fighting one another for whatever the flavor of the week is, then we are too busy to see the damage being done to us by those that feel they have power. 

I don't know, these are just some random thoughts that were popping into my head like wildfire this morning.  Maybe my head is looking for a distraction from the medical procedure that the little guy is going through, but I don't think so.  I think as the energy of the planet is changing, I am feeling a veil of blindness starting to lift.  I am seeing and feeling things far more clearly and in focus.  I could be completely off base, but it doesn't feel like I am. 

I am tired of the divisiveness being spewed at every corner.  I am tired of the immediate programmed response to something "of course they did, it's because they are ... insert the appropriate adjective here...".

My grands are all mixed, my youngest was being a total butt in dance class two weeks ago and was kicked out of class because she flat out refused to listen.  Props to my daughter for seeing it for what it is.  She was being a brat - it happens that is how kids test boundaries.  Piles of poo to her father he immediately said "of course kick out the minority".  Nope sorry pops... had absolutely nothing to do with that at all. 

We are being programmed to think like this.  It breeds hatred and contempt.  It has to stop. We are such powerful, loving beings.  All of the worlds problems could easily be solved, all the inequities and damage undone, if only we would stop allowing ourselves to be brainwashed. 

This is my deepest belief. We have been programmed with "keeping up with the Jones'", that without  meeting certain "standards" we are less than, we are being medicated and controlled.  We need to open our eyes and hearts and start pulling together, as a human race. 

Okay... this soapbox is getting taller by the moment so I am going to jump off while I can still see the ground. 

Today is about focusing all my energy, prayers and love on the little guy that I am sure is being prepped for surgery as I type.   Today is about sending love.  Please join me.  Please lift that sweet little cherub up for healing and health, guide the surgeons hands and bring him through it all!  Wrap his family in love, comfort and knowing that he is in the hands of the highest power!

Last night while chatting outside with friends as we finished a wonderful evening the most brilliant shooting star went past.  I made my wish... 

love and peace...

just being...

Yesterday was simply fabulous, the perfect bow to a wonderful week! Quality time with the Hubs, the Pups and dear friends!  I love spending time enjoying the people that are important in my world.  My week held a great deal of that, time with family and friends is priceless.  The only thing truly missing is time with the boy, but he is busy living his life way off on the coast. 

I'm not sure what today is going to hold.  The cold is finally shifting away, although it is only 19° this morning.  That is a bit nippy to go for a long walk yet, but we are definitely going to take advantage of the warming weather in a few hours and find a nice spot to take our babies walking.  I would love to go hiking, but everything is going to be very muddy today, as it was poor Beau was a very dirty little white puppy yesterday just from our walk through the neighborhood. 

It's sad, I would love to go to one of my favorite towns or trails to walk, but as we are thinking about it neither of us wants to waste the gas to go and enjoy life.  Gas prices have been on a steady increase for over a year. Now they seem to be on a direct rocket upwards. I'm not really buying their excuse, any more than I bought the other excuses.  It feels that it is simply about control. 

I'm not a fan of control, if you haven't figured it out yet. I am much more a live and let live kind of person. And I struggle when individuals feel they must control others.  

I pulled my energy card this morning and it was the third time I have pulled it in this month.  I pulled Yin, telling me to focus on my inside work.  To find the calmness and peace within myself.  I feel that is something that I have been doing a lot of without realizing it.  I have spent a lot of time simply being.  I've needed it.  When I have ventured out of that part of my life it has been to spend time with family and friends.  I haven't really put myself in any situations that are outside of that, it has felt healing. 

I am not sure if it is the time of the year, a time to hibernate and be still, or if it is simply the energy of the planets impacting on us. I have no idea what it is, my daughter hibernates every year at this time, I've often been a touch jealous of her ability to do so.  This year, as I have done the same, I fully understand the healing nature of doing so.  

As the temperatures are warming, the sun is out longer in the day I can even feel myself awakening. I feel my personal energy level increasing.  Not breaking through yet, but slowly.  I am starting to get spring fever.  I am longing to see that bright green that only shows itself during the spring time. On the flip side of that I am starting to want to do more and more outside in the beautiful sunlight.  Unusual for me, but I was excited to see the temperatures this week could get as high as 70°, I am ready to walk in the sunshine.  I am excited to feel the warmth and the energy that it brings. 

We are only a month and a few days from the first camping trip of the season, I cannot wait! I am ready to kick back and enjoy the peace with my sweet Hubs and my babies. Who knows maybe a grand or two will join us this year.  

My sweet Hubs is napping in his chair (he often wakes up super early - 3 am is the middle of the night FYI), the Pups are catching their first nap of the day and I am full of energy.  I am going to take this peaceful moment in time to putter around the house tidying up, finish up the little dachsund toy - I am so very close to being finished, and simply sit in the silence and plan out what I would like to manifest in March.  Soon we will get about, go run some errands and find delightful new scents for our little fur babies. Maybe a path we haven't encountered before or friends waiting to be made. Tonight... we have another group of friends that we will be joining for a wonderful dinner. 

I am going to enjoy these last few days of February... 

love and peace...

those precious days...

Lazy, yup that is my current feeling.  I'm sitting here enjoying my coffee, enjoying the rising sun to my back and watching my puppies. I'm not in a hurry to do much of anything, in fact other than spending quality time with our dear friends this afternoon, I don't really have anything much on my agenda today. 

I have already finished my workout - and yes I am celebrating the fact that I am able to bend my knee even further.  I find myself getting lost in the effort to move it further and further back, celebrating each little smidgen of distance.  This morning by the time I hit 10 minutes, I was so thrilled to see that my left foot was positioned the same as my right, meaning I had the same exact bend in each knee.  This might seem like a silly thing to celebrate, but I am only in my mid-50's, my greatest fear with replacing my knee this young was that people would always be able to tell. I was afraid that even though the actual pain would be gone, the range of motion wouldn't return and I would have a forever limp (like I didn't have that to begin with...).  So I am going to be silly and celebrate every single milestone. 

I was listening to a great podcast this morning, it was a ray of hope in a game that seems designed to keep us all in fear.  I adore this woman, I have no idea how she showed up for me, but listening to her calm voice talking about the fact that every one of us has the ability to create the life and world that we want to live in strongly aligns to my own beliefs. 

It also got me reviewing what kind of world do I want to live in.  I want to live in a magical world, full of love, light, and energy.  I don't buy into many of the constructs that segments of society are trying to force on us.  I believe in doing good.  I believe in being present.  I believe in being open and honest.  I believe in spreading love and helping others.  

Imagine if currency was kindness.  Imagine if wealth was measured in the good that you do in this world. Would you be a millionaire?  Or a pauper? 

I am not sure I would be a millionaire, I try to live a life full of service, but I am sure there a many areas I could do better.  I sometimes end up lost in my own world and miss opportunities to positively impact another.  I don't hurt them, I am simply lost in my bubble and don't see them. 

Can you imagine a world where we didn't focus on survival (because that is where we have been forced to focus) and instead focused on spiritual growth.  On finding the magic that surrounds us. That which is hidden as we work on day to day survival, can you imagine the beauty? 

I am actually relishing this moment of laziness, it's giving me time to day dream, to imagine and visualize the world that I want be part of manifesting.  A world that allows people to explore their dreams and ideas.  A world full of freedom.  A world that allows you to follow your dreams and not be filled with fear.  

Each of us has amazing gifts that we brought into this world.  Far too many of us never realize them, we are far too busy chasing our tails and running in an endless rat race.  I have a lot of theories as to why this is, but I am choosing to not focus on that.  Instead I am choosing to focus on the world I want to be part of.  Maybe if enough of us do that, we can change the direction we have been trained to go.  

Do you feel it in your heart?  The desire to walk a different path?  I mean some of us are definitely on our life path, some were born knowing and have a laser focus on that path.  Me?  Not so much.  I am the one that has forever been wondering what I wanted to be when I grow up.  Maybe I couldn't decide because none of the options filled my soul?  

I am still exploring what fills my soul, but I will admit that the last 10 months have definitely started guiding me in the direction I want to go.  I'm still not clear, I'm still exploring ideas and dreams, I'm still finding myself.  But the journey has been amazing and blessed!

I think it's time to finish the little dog I am crocheting for a friend, drinking a few cups of hot coffee (this week hasn't been good for that) and maybe even do a bit of painting.  I need to set my intentions and plan for March, can you believe it is almost here?  And just enjoy time with Hubs and the Pups (we want a walk - the ice is still too concerning).  

Have a blessed day... spend some time focusing on the new world that you want to bring about... 

what matters most...

Belief.  Do you experience moments when you simply don't know what or who to believe? I live in that bubble often.  News is not something I can believe at all anymore. I am truly becoming a question everything kind of person as more and more the world feels surreal and made up like a bad television show. I often find myself questioning why.  Things seem so random and out of sequence, without rhythm and rhyme. 

That was the start to my blog yesterday, I was seriously on the struggle bus as you can tell.  Instead of finishing, or even deleting, I decided to stop and walk away from it. I filled my icy day yesterday with life.  I turned of the media, stepped away from social media and had a blessed day celebrating my youngest grand child.  I helped her prep for her big day, I mean 5 is a pretty power filled age you know.  Moving from being a preschooler into the exulted age of kindergartner. She is ready to take on the world.  Watching her adjust her tiara and fix her hair and "make-up" she was stepping from four to 15 in moments. 

The weather slowed down the events of the day, moving them to today.  So she will get to celebrate twice, well three times actually as she will head to her fathers this afternoon.  The pups are ready in their party finest to go and visit her and all her friends at school.  

They are all so excited that there is going to be puppy time. My fingers are definitely crossed that my little bundles of energy that haven't had a proper walk in about 36 hours are going to be sweet and calm.  Not incredibly full of confidence, but we will give it a shot. 

My daughter's world got mixed up a bit as one of their kitties had to have "minor surgery" yesterday that turned into "major surgery" which led to trips to a special pharmacy to get medications and a kitty that is going to need to be watched over for months.  I was so very thankful for my new life, because I was able to step into the void for her.  While she dealt with adulting, I was able to be there to bake cupcakes and prep the dinner party she threw for our little "adult".  

We didn't know how many folks would make it, the roads were okay, but with weather like that you simply never know.  Both of her older brothers made it, which filled her heart to brimming.  They had substantial drives and we weren't sure the weather was going to good enough for them.  I sort of choked when she'd told me early in the day that she really hoped there were a lot of people at her party.  I was worried that it wouldn't happen, but it did.  

The house was brimming with happy people.  All intent on making that five year old's birthday one to remember.  Her teacher was there, her favorite neighbors and friends, my heart was full and happy to see her laughing and smiling.  To hear the heart felt thank you's for every gift she received.  Her eyes lit up like Christmas when she realized that her teacher had even come for her party. 

As I filled my life with those things yesterday, I was able to step outside of the movie that the world is putting on for us.  That's how it feels, like a badly scripted movie.  I am not convinced that what we are seeing on the news is accurate.  It feels too ironic.  I mean we are just coming out of a "pandemic", even Gates is saying it's over - the harbinger of doom... and almost instantly we are being drawn visually into yet another drama?  Why?  What is the reason?  I question the timing, countries can go straight from locking their citizens down to every one having disputes?  I mean I guess if you have folks locked down for long periods they can get a little loopy... but this just doesn't make any sense when you look at it critically.  But then neither did the "pandemic". 

It was a wonderful full day yesterday, filled with quality family time, love, joy and happiness.  I expect today will be similar.  In about an hour the Pups and I will head to the grands school.  After that, I have a pretty full day of creating and spending time with my puppies. 

I made a batch of hand lotion for myself and a friend yesterday - I am in love with it, if I stay in love with it, I might make a few jars up for sale, we'll see.  Even Hubs liked it. I also picked up the few odds and ends I needed to make a few random projects and I have a crochet project to complete today.  I'm still working on "that" sweater and might even head downstairs and work on unquilting that quilt.  That will depend on Hubs work schedule. 

I am choosing to stay outside of the media circus, I am choosing to stay informed (not from the mainstream media) but to stay out of things that simply do not involve me.  I am choosing to be prepared for anything that results from the chaos that is being created (again it's all too convenient - massive inflation was already happening and now there's a war? Please!) by making sure that I have the things I need, maybe I won't be traveling so much for a minute in time.  Maybe we don't have all the things we feel we want.  Doesn't matter.  

What matters is that my family is well cared for and loved.  That I take the time to do things with my family, friends, and neighbors.  That we look out for one another.  Like yesterday, when the ice rain finally stopped and it was deep enough to need to be dealt with, sweet Hubs went out with his snow blower and took care of our walk/drive and several of our neighbors, then he headed over to our girls and did hers.  He didn't have to, he did it because caring for others is what you should do. 

This bubble is kind of my sweet space.  I love that it can grow to accommodate everyone that wants to be part of it, yet is strong enough to keep hearts safe and love growing. 

love and peace...  

returning..

Welcome to February in the mid-west again this week.  I feel like we have seriously been stuck on groundhog day this year.  It's beautiful and almost spring like the first part of the week, and then Wednesday hits and pow welcome back to winter! It was such a wonderful couple of days so warm and welcoming, this morning it's an awesome 19° with an even colder wind chill and there is snow coming in again.  I love snow, but geez, this month has definitely been a strange one.  Hopefully all my French Toast and bacon friends have stocked up this month, and haven't exhausted their supplies because they might need them again tomorrow.  

The pups and I are going to wait until it is a bit warmer to go on our explorations, none of us are fond of the bitter cold. This morning when I let them out it was absolutely hysterical, Belle literally stopped in her tracks with her toy and her mouth and backtracked she was not about to go outside and freeze. 

I had such a great day yesterday.  There wasn't anything super special about it... but it definitely felt special.  As I prepped the meals for Hubs' awesome team, everything went like it should.  Nothing was wonky or didn't flow.  The pups were well behaved with a house full of strangers, and they definitely were over the moon with all of the snuggles and treato's. The energy of the afternoon and evening was super calm, far calmer than it has been for quite some time. Hubs wasn't feeling too great, he picked up some type of stomach bug in our travels so he went to bed super early once he got home from work.  So the pups and I played and relaxed together for the evening, I even got a large bit of work done on "that" sweater.  

Speaking of "that" sweater, I have firmly decided I am my own worst enemy on it.  I so desperately want to start on the brown one, that I am not fully engaged in that one.  Do you ever find yourself longing to do something else so the current project, activity, event etc, seems like drudgery?  I have two projects going right now that I am balking at.  I can feel myself doing it. I want them done, but get super fussy every time I work on them.  One out of frustration, the other because I want to move forward to the next project. As a result I am finding myself easily distracted and struggling to focus. 

I have a couple of small projects that I haven't finished yet, neither will take much time, I just haven't gotten around to it.  Both will require the pups to be napping or engaged with Hubs for me to do them, Pups under your feet while playing with melted waxes and oils is never a recipe for success.  I think I am going to get those finished today and then I am going to knuckle down and complete my two challenges.  For pities sake one of them is a Christmas gift.  Yes... I am that friend... 

I am feeling like my own energy is clearing and returning.  I've felt a bit out of it for a few weeks, not really having much motivation to do much of anything, and everything has been semi-pushed aside leaving me feeling incomplete.  If that makes any sense.  I hate having things I want to get done piling up because I simply feel blah.  Not sick blah, just energetically blah.  

Hubs and I moved my elliptical upstairs the other day, because I frankly can't ever use it when I have the motivation with it downstairs, my motivation and Hubs work projects seemed to collide time wise. So this morning, I decided before even going downstairs I was going to get my workout in, I haven't been putting much attention into my therapy, along with anything else.  I have to admit, I sort of felt like a rock-star getting 10 straight minutes in, I know that doesn't seem like much, but considering I haven't been able to, it felt like a huge accomplishment. Now lets see if I can keep the energy moving in that direction. 

I am hoping this clearing is more of a universal energy than a personal one.  There is a lot of stagnant and bitter energy that has been hanging around for a good long while now.  I am ready for a fresh start.  I am ready for families and loved ones to start remembering that they are important to one another.  I am ready for neighbors to speak without fear in their eyes, I am seriously ready for the rebirth that springtime brings. 

I feel there is much that needs to come to light, so much healing that has to happen.  I am a rip the band-aid off kind of gal, so... let's rip it, let's expose the ugly and let it heal in the light! I feel like so much has been slowly coming to the surface in my personal life and also throughout the world.  

I never want to return to our old normal, after almost two year, I see it for what it was.  Not my cup of tea so to speak.  I am ready for a fresh cup, I am ready for a rebirth, I am ready. 

The puppies have started that journey for me.  They are forcing me to be out in public, to be around people, to have conversations.  I am finding that I truly enjoy my neighbors, chatting with them, learning about their families and sharing their experiences.  At least most of them. But isn't that life?  I mean it would be terrible if we were all the same and moved in lock step. 

My daughter has been talking about being a trustee for our neighborhood for a long time, but the timing hasn't been great. I asked her the other day if I could nominate her, finally the time is right.  She's been dreaming up ways to build unity in our small little community for years.  I plan to really work on helping her get voted in, I think her ideas might just be what our community needs.  It might just be one of the biggest sparks that brings us all back together.  

Another neighbor started a plan for a tiny lending library, yet another neighbor spearheaded the building of it, we are waiting on approval of the trustees, but it is ready to go.  I am watching this beautiful web being woven, bringing so many folks with immense diversity back to being whole, I am loving it!  

I am not entirely sure what my personal role is in it all.  I am going with the flow.  I mean, the fact that I am actually meeting people and being friendly is HUGE for me. I was not that person.  My coffee cup pretty well sums me up... "Introverted, but willing to discuss quilting"... well quilting or any of my other passions. Maybe I'm not introverted, maybe I just needed to feel safe?

Well, I've rambled long enough today, the snow flurries are starting to dance across the sky and I've exposed my current questions about this crazy mixed up world. Now it's time to settle down, and work on those two small projects while my babies are snoozing. After that... I will work on "that" sweater, it's time to put it to rest. I'll need a quiet project while Hubs naps today - he's taking a sick day to get over his tummy bug. 

love and peace everyone...

magical...

It's a beautiful rainy morning here in the mid-west.  The news says we can expect snow again tomorrow, but today it is a wonderful 60° outside and I am enjoying the wonder that is late winter in these parts.  The door to the deck is open, the birds are singing and the air is so fresh and wonderful. 

The pups and I took advantage of a break in the rain to go for a soggy walk this morning, they weren't really sure what to think about it, but hey... mom said we were going for a walk.  Belle's latest is she wants to bring her toys with her when she's out and about.  It was so cute to watch her walking with her raccoon. 

We decided it was the perfect way to start such a great day.  2/22/22 will never occur again in our lifetime, it's a powerful set of numbers and I am determined to suck as much joy, love, energy and power out of this day that it has to offer. I mean look at all those twos... and it's a two's day.  Can it get any better. 

I will be pretty busy for most of this beautiful day, Hubs is hosting a lunch and learn for his team, so I need to get the house tidied and finish cooking for them.  The cake takes a couple of hours to cool, so I need to get that started in a few moments.  He enjoys time with his group in an offline setting.  They absorb the learning better and it builds a strong team. We'll see what the pups think of them. 

If it isn't raining I will take that hour to disappear with the babies, go to a park or just a long walk. I am not sure how well they will behave around 6 new to them people.  We'll see.  If it is raining, well, it might be a great time for a kennel nap. 

I finally figured out my challenges with my door sign and finished it yesterday.  I loved the sense of accomplishment, but would have loved it more if I knew exactly what allowed it to happen. Oh well, it's a learning curve.  I also discovered I can use a spare refrigerator for a "cave" when making cheese.  This is great news as I was not excited about the idea of digging out a cave for making cheese.  I am also starting to wonder just what this new adventure is going to cost.  I might need to return to work to afford my cheese making hobby. I seem to have quite a few hobbies that are not inexpensive.  Might need to re-evaluate my hobby choices.  Or maybe not. 

I need to get busy today, I have some thoughts I want to share, but right now, I need to cook.  Take a few minutes to show love today, please! Also take a few moments to soak in the beauty of this day, to celebrate it's magic, the one in a lifetime wonder of it. 

love and peace....

my daily life is enough...

We are home.  Sitting here in my living room, listening to the sounds of the birds chirping, the puppies playing and Hubs' music drifting up from his home office, I feel content and at peace.  

It was a good weekend. We love to see the family, we are always loathe to make the trip.  It's long and basically boring.  If they would finish the highway it wouldn't be nearly as challenging, but that middle 60 to 80 miles of two lane through little towns along rough roads, well... 

 Everyone was together, there was laughter and smiles.  There were intense conversations, there were moments of lighthearted laughter.  We saw everyone except my niece and her family.  

In all honesty, they needed peace and to hibernate.  Their little warrior is fighting hard, the news they keep getting is anything but strong and inspiring right now, this is normal, they expect it, but they also need time to build up their emotional reserves, not expend them fielding off well meaning questions and concerns.  They needed time to balance their hearts and emotions. We all understood and sent them loving wishes and quiet thoughts and prayers.  They are strong, but even the strongest need a moment to breathe. 

This weekend was the babies first trip, their first encounter with the rest of the family and their first visit with other pups.  It was a raving success.  They played like crazy, went for long walks with mom and dad and ran around in Gramma's yard with the the other pups living their best lives. 

On the journey both to Arkansas and back we found lots of neat little parks to explore, walking paths full of new scents. We had pups manipulating mommy like crazy, when the traveling got too much they knew they were going to get extra cuddles and loves and took full advantage of it.  

Northeastern Arkansas was heavily flooded, so some of the parks were limited in the areas available to walking, on the way down it was bad, on the return trip it was even worse.  The Current river looked to come up over 5 feet in two days.  We'd noticed a jeep parked up a road on Friday, as we drove back Sunday my thought was... well someone screwed up, because it won't be getting out of there on it's own, and I know from years of driving that road, that the water there only get's higher, until late spring.  I felt for them, I've had a vehicle go under water, it is not fun to deal with. 

My babies are glad to be home.  They are romping and playing like crazy.  Acting like they haven't seen their toys in years.  It's sort of hysterical.  But watching them play, get scolded by the senior dogs and learn social cues from other pups was incredible.  I am feeling stronger about them spending some quality time in puppy day care after the next set of shots.  They need to learn social cues and how to respect them.  They even spent the evening with Gramma and her pups.  They did so well that I am incredibly proud of them!

It was nice to spend time together with my sisters and mom.  We even got the picture I wanted taken.  Is it always smooth?  Nope, we are all so very different that we don't flow, we love, we don't flow. 

I would have loved the opportunity to go hiking with my nephew and his family, I'm sure his mom and dad would have joined us. The weather was perfect for it, unfortunately there simply wasn't time to squeeze it in.  When you do a quick weekend trip that means you simply do the basics.  We'd also wanted to do the winery.  Mom didn't want to so we scrapped it this time.  Next trip will include a hike and the winery even if that is the only reason we travel south on that trip. 

Last night as I was soaking in a hot bath, relaxing from an incredibly fast weekend I decided to start reading up on some of my cheese making stuff.  HOLY MOSES!  I am not sure what I have gotten myself into with this idea.  I am not even sure I have enough space to do this, I mean I know she says you can make it in your kitchen, but I am questioning how HUGE her kitchen must be.  I mean presses sitting on the counter for days?  I am going to have to get super organized and not plan other activities in the kitchen for the same time frame.  I also learned that patience will definitely be taught during this course.  Some of these cheese have to age for 18 months?!  I mean will I even remember I am making them?  Additionally... it appears I need a cave?  Not sure what in the blazes that means, and I am a bit concerned about it. I guess I'd better start reading heavily and taking some serious notes, as I am fairly positive that I am completely confused and feeling like I have bitten off way more than I can chew!

Either that or I am going to fall deeply in love and Hubs and I are going to have move out in the country and buy a bunch of goats and a milking cow so I can become an artisan cheese maker... no... I don't see that happening. Evidently you can also make some interesting butters for cooking.  Oh my... what rabbit hole have I slid into?

Well, my little Belle has curled up beside me for her morning nap, her brother is stretched out in my chair.  I think I am going to do some more reading of my cheese class and planning out my week while I drink my coffee.  I will check in on family, plan today's walks and simply cherish this life I have been given. It's a beautiful day here in our castle and my life is definitely enough...

love and peace... 

ying and yang...

Another February Friday dawned bright and beautiful and snowy.  This seems to be a pattern, hopefully it fades when February does. It's beautiful, but super cold, like OMG my bones are freezing cold.  I am not usually someone that the cold bothers, but this bone chilling cold stinks. 

It's been a busy morning, we are heading out after lunch, the puppies first real trip and to see the family down south.  Actually, it's going to be the first time in a good while that all the sisters and mom will be together. I'm hoping for a family picture of the five of us, the last ones are getting a touch old.  Heck the last one I have of the four girls was taken before my youngest grand was born and she will be five next week. 

I'm even willing to have it taken with all the puppy wounds I have acquired this week, I'll just look like the loser in a knife fight... not that bad... but definitely noticeable.  Ms. Belle struggles with her excitement in the mornings and has to love with the mouth wide open, usually those razor sharp little chompers manage to catch my check or chin before I can move back quick enough.  She isn't biting, just bouncing around with her mouth open.  She is rapidly sorry and tries to make it better with kisses as soon as she see's it.  It's a learning curve. 

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit apprehensive.  We are all very strong willed women, with very different personalities and getting us all together often involves someone's feelings getting stomped on or a massive disagreement.  We all love each other unconditionally, we just often fall into the sibling dysfunctional bubble.  Add in that all of us are on the worry bus where the little warrior is concerned that will only amp it up.  It's always said about us that we will argue and fight like demons with one another, but heaven help the fool that thinks they will attack anyone of us.  We can circle the wagons faster than you could blink. 

Heck, I am pretty sure I'm the first one to step into the poo with a text string this morning.  I am desperately trying to understand things, I am not remotely in a medical field, never have been, and I asked a question.  Maybe I didn't word it correctly, I don't know.  But... anyone else's momma say to watch your words?  I am the biggest proponent of not having conversations via email or text as I know that they can easily be misinterpreted or misunderstood. Yet, we all text things in an imperfect manner with only the best of intentions sometimes. For now, I'm moving into emoji world.  I don't want to cause stress with questions that cannot be answered right now.  Prayers are enough. 

That being said little warrior is struggling a bit right now, the virus is moving into a what is evidently the hardest phase and he needs as many prayers as there are stars in the universe.  So... any prayers, healing thoughts or love sent his way would be greatly appreciated. 

Personally, I think I am going to step back into my shell and do a bit more meditating, I was in a great spot earlier, feeling a little off balance now.  My house is ready for us to leave, my puppies got their baths and I have us almost packed and ready to roll as soon as Hubs is free for the day.  I am looking forward to my sweet puppies first experience with traveling, Hubs and I love to wander so they will be joining us for many adventures.  This one won't include too many hikes or time outside exploring, but it might include meeting new pups (my mom and sister have dogs) it will involve meeting new people and their first hotel experience. Should definitely be an interesting weekend. 

Well, time to finish getting ready to travel... I've decided to not take my computer with me this weekend.  I'm going to disconnect a bit.  Focus on knitting, puppies and family, maybe even some wine.  Not necessarily in that order... I hope that everyone has a peaceful and love filled weekend... let those around you know they are important.  

love and peace...

thankful...

The steady rhythm of the rain pounding on the chimney cap at 3 am this morning woke me up.  It was so beautiful, we haven't had much rain in a long while, heck even the snow two weeks ago made only a minor difference in the river levels.  I've never seen so many sandbars in our rivers, normally they are mostly at flood stage except in late summer.  I was thankful to hear the sound of it.  It was heavy and pounding, I could simply imagine the rivers soaking up those rains, filling their basins, in my minds eye I could imagine the dry beds drinking it up and feeling refreshed. 

We'd gone to bed super early last night, both of us were tired, heck even the pups were tired they went into their kennels on their own at 7 pm.  So I don't feel tired, although I tried to get back to sleep, I even meditated trying to turn my brain off and put myself back to sleep.  I gave up almost an hour ago.  Decided it was time to start the day.  

I have a lot to accomplish today, we are heading for a short trip after lunch tomorrow and I would love to have my to do list wiped out before we go.  There is something so refreshing about coming home to a fresh house.  Where the beds are fresh, the laundry is completely caught up, floor are all mopped and carpets are all vacuumed and extracted.  It just feels nice.  I also need to do the packing thing and figuring out how to travel with pups.

That is going to be quite an experience, it's their first long, away from home trip.  We bought travel kennels for each of them, as their normal ones don't fit in my car.  I will need to be sure to pack lots of toys and treato's, these babies definitely love their treato's.  They are used to being in the car so I think they will do just fine.  We take them for lots of adventures. But I'm definitely keeping my fingers crossed and saying a few extra prayers for a peaceful, uneventful adventure. 

We were hoping to meet our great nephew this trip, but he is in the hospital with a cold.  For most of us a cold is simply nothing to worry about, but when you have half a heart, a cold is a pretty big issue. In fact it can be life threatening without proper care.  I'm worried about his family, I imagine that even knowing he is getting top-notch care there is still so much angst and anxiety.  They are being wrapped in love and prayers, I hope they feel it.  Hubs and I are perfectly okay waiting until the perfect time to meet him, although the wait is bittersweet. We simply want the very best for him, I will admit to being a touch jealous of my mom and sister as they got to meet him already.  I am living vicariously looking at the pictures of them holding him.  Their smiles say it all. 

If you pray, they could use the extra prayers, if you believe in healing vibes, energy or whatever... please we are asking for you to lift them up and send them everything. 

It's time to get busy with my to do list, I'd like to get as much accomplished as I can before the pups vet appointment this morning and the snow that is predicted this afternoon. 

love and peace...

removing oneself...

I made some decisions yesterday.  I would love to delete Facebook completely, but unfortunately that is the platform for several classes I am taking.  So... there's that. But I did log off and will only be bouncing on to participate in my classes, I need space from the rolling negativity that is out there, from the control that other's are trying to force onto our lives and our free thought.  I can't deal with it any longer, or rather I won't. 

Last time I checked our constitution said we were born free.  So... count me in the free column. I also muted Nextdoor, debating on unsubscribing, but need to find an alternative to find out local community stuff as that seems to be the way everyone is communicating right now. I am only going to allow myself short window's of time to log on and check things out.  

Instead of wasting time in those bubbles, I spent time out at the park in the beautiful sunshine yesterday having a picnic with our youngest grand and the Pups.  I spent time starting my basil indoors (keep your fingers crossed - it's a first for me) and I also got the lavender seeds soaking in the fridge.  We'll see how that experiment turns out. 

A miraculous thing happened when I made the decision to basically stop using social media as a time suck.  My stress immediately went down.  My angst and anxiety ceased to be there.  I wasn't angry. I guess it is similar to when I stopped watching the news, because there was a time that I was a serious news junkie, it was always on, always blaring in some way around me.  It was the only thing I turned the television on for, I read it, I listened on the radio.  Then one day I noticed what they were talking about non-stop wasn't at all related to what I personally was observing and living.  I realized it was simply there to train you to think the way they wanted.  I realized that it was straight up propaganda.  I turned it off.  I've never looked back.  I prefer to see with my own eyes and to feel with my own heart.  I don't want to listen to the b.s. any longer. 

I woke up this morning, with what I had felt all along confirmed.  The other day it was non-stop breaking news that Russia would invade Ukraine at 2:30 in the morning on Feb. 16 - I'm assuming they were lying, as they are in a different time zone than we are and there has been no breaking news of an invasion.  

I'm tired of all of the fear mongering.  I told Hubs that I firmly did not believe the Russian government would announce an invasion - sort of defeats the purpose don't you think? As I wean the last of the propaganda news from my system and days pass from things they try to instill fear in you about - things that never happen, I am sure I will feel even more at peace. 

This morning as the sun dawned a beautiful red and I puttered out in the tree top garden, I am not someone to let 55 degree weather go to waste, I could feel something very right in my soul.  I was cherishing the calmness, having my fingers in dirt and wind in my hair.  I can't be the only human on the planet that is simply over the ignorance?

As the sun was rising we took the pups for a long walk and are now curled up on their respective beds snoozing away the morning.  There is bad weather blowing in as I type, over sixty degrees yesterday and snow by tomorrow - ah the Midwest. 

The confusion on their faces when Hubs and I were down in the yard and they were blocked up on the deck was absolutely priceless.  Tomorrow the guy is coming to give us a couple of bids on fencing, so we needed to get into agreement on what we wanted it to look like and what would be best for our babies.  Sure hope he shows up early in the day before the weather goes from wet to freezing. 

I honestly think I am looking forward to fencing a piece of our property to give them space to run and be silly, but to also give some boundaries to our world.  I know for a fact it will not keep the deer out of the yard, I watch them effortlessly jump over the neighbors fence all the time.  It will probably not give too much of a deterrent to the coyote and fox either, but knowing my babies can run makes me happy.  Besides, I spend a stupid amount of time outside when it isn't freezing, maybe I will find places to plant more plants and expand the beauty surrounding our home.  

photo credit - youngest grand!

Well, I have a ton of things I want to accomplish today, and one must make haste while babies sleep... if you need me, you know how to reach me... 

love and peace...