Balcony Bird

This little gal (pardon the screen) was taken from my balcony. I was just sitting on the couch and seen her fly onto the balcony, I moved as quickly as I could to snap this one picture.

I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment, while I was hoeing in a village garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance that I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn.  ~Henry David Thoreau


Sara's Birthday Day 29

Today was my loves birthday! Iam so very grateful that this beautiful woman came into my life. She has such warmth and love! I wouldn't know what to do without her. It's always nice to look forward to special holidays when you know you get to spend them with someone you love.

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years
By Abraham Lincoln

Sara's Birthday Cake Day 28

I couldn't post this until today because we were very busy yesterday with Sara's birthday, plus I didn't want her to see the cake on Friday. This was my very first attempt at a double layer cake. I surprised her with confetti icing and strawberry cake! She loved it!

"Let them eat cake!"

Dinner With Love

Finally got all my day's caught up! This is my beautiful Sara making dinner, we always eat together no matter how late it is. Dinner time is our time to be together and talk, and maybe throw in a movie. We like to try new and different recipes, when we can afford lol. I love that we always make this a special time to be together to make new memories =).

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach. Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Work Ugh~Day 26

This is taken at my night job, I have grown a strong dislike for this job. I've been there four year's to long and can't wait to quit. On this night in particular we stood around and did mark ups. Which means we had to scan, tear the old perforated price tag off, and then put a new sticker on it. The new mark ups ranged from .50 cent to $2.00, it was the stupidest thing I have ever done.

“It was true that I didn’t have much ambition, but there ought to be a place for people without ambition, I mean a better place than the one usually reserved. How in the hell could a man enjoy being awakened at 6:30 a.m. by an alarm clock, leap out of bed, dress, force-feed, shit, piss, brush teeth and hair, and fight traffic to get to a place where essentially you made lots of money for somebody else and were asked to be grateful for the opportunity to do so?”
—Charles Bukowski, Factotum, Black Sparrow Press, 1975



A Daughter's Love~Day 25

This little note was left on my facebook wall by my daughter. A lot of people that know me may be thinking I don't have a child, and you would be right I don't have a child. My daughter is actually my step daughter from my previous marriage. The thing is that I don't believe in that ugly word STEP CHILD. I may have not given birth to her, and she may not be blood, but she IS MY DAUGHTER! I would do anything in my power for her, I think about her often, wonder how she's doing. She's in school and I couldn't be more proud of her, she is trying and she will succeed in anything and everything she puts her mind to, I know that much for sure. I hope the day she graduates that I will be able to be there to see her again walk down and isle to yet another achievement. I love her she means the world to me, I would give my life for her, just as her own mother would. So this is my little story about a beautiful girl woman that turned from a stranger into a beautiful gift, the gift of love from a child to a mother.

A mother's treasure is her daughter.  ~Catherine Pulsifer

 

First Eval~Day 24

This is my first evaluation for my day job. I really like my job, I have great client's and love them! Most have become like a second family to me. As long as I don't have to mess with the office I'm good to go lol.

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.  ~Confucius

Bath Time!

Today was little Peaches turn for a bath! We even tossed in a pink ducky for her. She does pretty well with her baths, and usually doesn't try to jump out. The only issue is that she refuses to shake in the tub, so we always have to be prepared to toss the towel on her to catch the water.

The greatest fear dogs know is the fear that you will not come back when you go out the door without them.

Stanley Coren, dog psychologist

 

Love Day 22

Sara made this card for me! I love it and it is happily displayed in our office. She even put a little hallmark seal on the back.

"I am my Beloveds and my Beloved is mine"

My Self Portrait Day 21

Here is my self portrait for January. This wasn't the best day, my fiancee says I look a little irritable. Eh maybe I was. Here it is anyway!

A photograph is a portrait painted by the sun~Unknown

Daddy's Girl

I was tagged in this picture today by my Aunt Pam. I haven't seen my Aunt Pam since I was maybe 3? To see a picture of a past I do not know brings up a wide range of emotion's. The most strongest I can think of  is this, I see me as a little girl with her daddy, and I'm sure he is everything in her world. She feels a sense of security and all is right with her world. But things change and that little lost her daddy and didn't find him again for another 27 year's. I grew up in a domestic violence home until I was 13, with my mom and my step dad who was an alcoholic. I always thought of my dad, and it was my ex-husband who helped me to locate him. It was the only really good thing that my ex did for me, my dad and I are in contact with each other today. I seen him for the first time in 27 some year's last September, it was an amazing feeling. I could tell that he felt awful that time had separated us, and that alone helped me to forgive him. I'm once again that little girl who has her daddy, and slowly, hopefully with time I will trust him and feel that security again.

Our Visit Last Year

A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart.
-- Author Unknown



First Day of Classes~Day 19

What I don't miss about school: the parking and this very, very long light. It seem's that no can actually go through the light when the arrow appear's, so we sit at it waiting in a very long line. The parking OMG! The shool had gone up again in attendance when I seen the parking lot I thought "Why is it when I registered did I decide to take two of my classes on campus but only one online?! What the hell was I thinking?! I decide to take the first spot I seen, fight the cold and just rush my ass to class. Class went well, with the exception of my computer not wanting to recongize my password. We shall see what the semester brings!

The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.  ~Sydney J. Harris

My Lil Peach

This lil one came to us in May- my fiancee found her walking in the middle of the road. She came home, opened the door, and said "We have an emergency". I knew that it must be an animal, although we weren't prepared for another one and Harley defintly didn't want a sibling. We dubbed her Star, but her name has slowly changed to Peach. We thought about getting rid of her but she is so cute and adorable, and looks fantastic in all the clothes we buy for her! I mean just check her out in those little boots, how cute is that?!  Her little name tag is even in the shape of a star. Harley still hasn't adjusted to his litttle sister, so they take turns being in the living room with us. We couldnt imagine a day without our lil Peach, she is defintly part of our BIG happy family!


My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet. Edith Wharton

Finished Book 1~Day 17

So this is book 1 only 11 more for the year, and then one more off the bucket list. I really ended up loving this book, it will definitely be a keeper. It has already found a home on the bookcase! The second picture with this is the bookmark I used, I found and thought it was perfect. My fiance taped it for me so I could keep it =) The caption says "If I ever make it through Wuthering Heights", and I felt that way sometimes but I did it!


"It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him: and that, not because he's handsome, Nelly, but because he's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same; and Linton's is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire."
- Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights, Ch. 9

Finding My Way Out Day 16

Finding my way out of a "down" can be as simple as finding a hidden message. Like the message in that mug I found that day, on this day I found a smile. So this down is coming to a brief end, like each time it finds me I know that I will always find my way out.


A smile confuses an approaching frown.  ~Author Unknown

Harley's Day at the Office

Well yesterday was National Dress Your Pet Day, but if you read my post from yesterday I really wasn't in the mood. So I dressed Harley up today, as you can see he is all ready for a day at the office. He is even supporting a cause very close to his heart, gay rights. His button all though hard to see says "I kiss boys and girls"


If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater. . . suggest that he wear a tail." Fran Lebowitz 

What was yesterdays blog?!

So today I struggled to remember yesterdays blog. Lets be realistic 365 days CAN NOT all be this perfect picture thing, truth is life has it ups and downs. I found my down side today, truth be told its been there about the last two weeks, but I hide things very well. It's a talent and one one that I'm all to proud of. As for my picture today, music to me is like a heartbeat. I find the band or lyrics that will most help my mind set for the day, or the week. Atreyu is a band I found about 5 years ago, from the moment I heard them I was hooked. Every time I hit a "down" I turn to them, there are others but their on my top.



Atreyu "Lose It"

Standing on the edge,
battle in my head,
I'm dying to know
I'm dying to know

If I take this leap,
to fail or succeed,
I'm dying to know
I'm dying to know

This is it I'm shaking.
My body's aching,
I lose my hold,
I will let go.
This is it, I'm falling.
My wings need to grow.
I lose my hold,
I will let go.

There's so many roads,
pitfalls filled with doubt.
I'm dying to know,
I'm dying to know.

Grabbing what I need,
Grip until it bleeds.
I'm dying to know,
I'm dying to know.

This is it, I'm shaking.
My body's aching,
I lose my hold,
I will let go.
This is it, I'm falling.
My wings need to grow.
I lose my hold,
I will let go.

Blessed Life

This picture was taken with my phone so it's not the best quality. When I took this picture I had a moment of "Wow look at my life I'm so blessed". There are a ton of things going on in my life right now, I'm struggling to make ends meet etc. It would be so easy to just sit around and be sad and let all of this overwhelm me, but I try everyday to find a blessing. The truth is with all the bumps in my life it is really good, I'm blessed with a woman that loves me very deeply, I have two amazing fur babies, and at least one of my jobs is great. I guess what I'm trying to say is if everyone took just a second everyday to find that blessing and take a deep breathe they would realize how lucky they are. 


Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.
Camille Pissarro

Plain and Simple~Ice Sunset

This was taken from my cell phone, I was outside and thought it was just beautiful! Despite the frigid cold, the sunset on the ice is amazeing.



Beauty, like ice, our footing does betray; Who can tread sure on the smooth, slippery way: Pleased with the surface, we glide swiftly on, And see the dangers that we cannot shun.   John Dryden 

Peace

There is something about the snow, it brings a calm and quietness with it. You step outside and just kinda get lost in silence. Nature becomes more alive, birds and squirrels come out together with one common goal: food. The cardinals look like little red flowers dotted here and there across the white landscape. Every where you look gets a fresh new coat of color. You just have to ignore the cold long enough to take all of it in and make a new memory.


There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you.... In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself.  ~Ruth Stout

Snow Dog's First Snow of the Year

I was so excited to see out first snow fall! So was Harley who I affectionately call my "Snow Dog". When he was just a little puppy he had his first experience with snow, needless to say it wasn't fun....at first. He got just one paw down in that snow and that was to much. He had to go out though so I gently pushed that little fur ball down the steps. All of sudden it dawned in him that the snow wasn't that bad! He jumped and ran through it, and scooped  the snow into his mouth. He quickly learned that snow could be fun, and ever since when it snows he's ready to go out and play in it! That's why I call him my Snow Dog.


Advice is like snow - the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper in sinks into the mind. Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Ready for the Next Step....I think.......

So I got my books...exciting yes but a bit frightening as well. I still have alot going on this semester. Working both jobs, babysitting my brother a weekend or two, and going to class is a big under taking. One that I handled fairly well last semester with the help of my wonderful finance. I guess taking classes that truly will lead to your future career will give you a bit of concern, mainly because I'm much more concerned about my grades. I'll be delivering my progress about my classes throughout the semester!



Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success. Dale Carnegie

Winter Shades

 There is a winter front blowing through today and throughout the weekend. It was absolutely beautiful today! The sky was amazing with color, the sun would get behind the clouds and the reflection made such a beautiful shade. The sound of the trees blowing added to breath taking view! What a great day the Goddess and God created!

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant. Anne Bradstreet

Pennies from Heaven~For January 6~Just a bit late lol

I have been finding pennies on the ground for a couple months now, I usually find them everyday. I consider them little tokens from an ex-fiance (who I was still very close to) that passed away. He was a courier that went and picked up change from business, on the day he passed he had just done a pick up. All around the accident site  were pennies, so every time I find one I think of him. I think that they are his little hellos from heaven. In this little pile I found 13 and then an hour latter at the store I found two more!

A penny saved is a penny earned. Benjamin Franklin

Karma

The reason for this picture isn't to show that I'm doing laundry, but to tell about a good deed I did. An elderly gentleman was at the laundromat while I was there to do the monthly wash for my client. He had a big black bag of bathroom rugs, he proceeded to load them into the washer. He stopped for a moment in confusion, at which point I just happened to look up, he looked at me and said "Lill lady could you help me? I don't know if I should put the money in first or the soap". So I got up and proceeded to help him telling him how much to add and starting the washer for him. It made me feel good to do this little task for him, and it brought up memories of  my grandpa. He always said that a good deed would always be repaid. It was just knowing that I helped that elderly gentleman.

Like gravity, karma is so basic we often don't even notice it.  ~Sakyong Mipham

The List

So along with my little blog here, I've been faithfully working on my bucket list. A list of all the things that float in my head that I've always thought would be great things to do. It hit me one day that I should jot them down to help me get a move on them. I have 58 things so far, some small things, some big things. A lot will take some work to do, some are just finding the right moment and time to get them done. Anyhow here is a picture of 23 to 58. You'll have to excuse any spelling error's you may find, my journals are full of them!  If you notice 58 is this blog, so 5 days in now and one step closer to marking off another item on my list!

The unexamined life is not worth living.~Socrates

Beautiful Tree

I've been looking at this same tree since I started seeing my client. Even when all the other trees get their leaves this poor guy (the one on the left) doesn't get his. For some reason I'm very attracted to this tree, or maybe it's the location.

Love is truely everywhere

I found this at work today at the bottom of tea cup. If you look hard enough you really can find love everywhere!

It's offical

Took the trees down today. So it's offical the New Year is here! Goodbye to all the holiday craziness, and hello to whole new year of surprises!

Happy New Year...Let's start with some Laughter! January 1, 2011

A kiss at midnight perfect....you by my side make's me complete. Throw in our usual silliness and all is right with the world! (A little behind on my first already but gonna do my best to be on top of it after this!)