The 'Spaz is thinking about retiring her blog.
I feel like I haven't been able to check in and write as much as I'd been, and when I do sit down to write, nothing really seems to come to mind.
Life has changed, as it always does, and I find myself wanting for time to follow other paths and chase other pursuits. The blog doesn't seem to fit into those dreams or paths any longer.
But I've met some wonderful people along the way, some of whom I'd hate to lost as contacts...and we only contact each other via the blog, so its definitely a dilemma.
Thoughts, dear friends??
Friday, February 05, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Thoughts by the Seashore
Since my hubby's car is at the doctor's, we've been sharing one vehicle...which means on days his boat is "on call", I get up at 0'dark-thirty and take him to work. In my advancing age, I'm learning to enjoy the quiet of the early morning. There aren't many people on the roads, and sometimes it feels like we are completely alone in the world.
Now that the sun is rising a little earlier in the morning, I frequently find myself looking at the sunrise on my ride home. So this morning I decided to take a detour by the ocean and actually see the sunrise! It was cold, crisp and perfect. The sun was peeking above the horizon on a calm and lazy sea, while the windows of houses along the shoreline on Martha's Vineyard slowly started shining like the lighthouse beacons.
As I drove along the road toward the beach parking lot, I was treated with a wonderful view.
Finally parked and at the beach, I was accompanied only by a couple of other early risers, and a troop of seagulls hunting for breakfast. Every now and again, you would hear a sharp *crack* as the gull dropped a clam onto the pavement. Following a bit of a noisy ruckus from a few of the nearby gulls, one of them would get a feast of juicy clam.
It dawned on me, watching those gulls, that they were truly provided for. Though gull "A" may have dropped the clam originally, gull "B" sometimes got to eat it. But watching them, I noticed that gull "A" usually got the next one...or the one after that. Even though they fought for the clams that were dropped, they all seemed to share too.
This scene reminded me that this is so with us too. If we have faith, and persevere, all that we ask will be provided for us too. This thought is especially poignant for me, since I am still searching for a job position. Though I am starting to (finally) at least get rejections, sometimes I find myself getting frustrated that they are just that - rejections. Its hard to understand sometimes why I am not being offered every job I apply for...after all, I'm a good worker, well educated, detail oriented. Why wouldn't every employer just know this inherently and offer me the position?
Sadly, it doesn't work that way.
But just like the seagull dropping the clams on the parking lot for breakfast, I know that eventually I'll get that clam to myself. It just takes some patience and, for me, a bit more prayer!
Now that the sun is rising a little earlier in the morning, I frequently find myself looking at the sunrise on my ride home. So this morning I decided to take a detour by the ocean and actually see the sunrise! It was cold, crisp and perfect. The sun was peeking above the horizon on a calm and lazy sea, while the windows of houses along the shoreline on Martha's Vineyard slowly started shining like the lighthouse beacons.
As I drove along the road toward the beach parking lot, I was treated with a wonderful view.
Finally parked and at the beach, I was accompanied only by a couple of other early risers, and a troop of seagulls hunting for breakfast. Every now and again, you would hear a sharp *crack* as the gull dropped a clam onto the pavement. Following a bit of a noisy ruckus from a few of the nearby gulls, one of them would get a feast of juicy clam.
It dawned on me, watching those gulls, that they were truly provided for. Though gull "A" may have dropped the clam originally, gull "B" sometimes got to eat it. But watching them, I noticed that gull "A" usually got the next one...or the one after that. Even though they fought for the clams that were dropped, they all seemed to share too.
This scene reminded me that this is so with us too. If we have faith, and persevere, all that we ask will be provided for us too. This thought is especially poignant for me, since I am still searching for a job position. Though I am starting to (finally) at least get rejections, sometimes I find myself getting frustrated that they are just that - rejections. Its hard to understand sometimes why I am not being offered every job I apply for...after all, I'm a good worker, well educated, detail oriented. Why wouldn't every employer just know this inherently and offer me the position?
Sadly, it doesn't work that way.
But just like the seagull dropping the clams on the parking lot for breakfast, I know that eventually I'll get that clam to myself. It just takes some patience and, for me, a bit more prayer!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
SPAZZY CHALLENGE 2010
Today, my hubby and I officially became a member of our church. The church we now belong to is a wonderful community of people who genuinely care for, pray about and help each other...just like a family should be.
As I sit and watch Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, I am again reminded of what a community is about. If you didn't watch it, the recap is as follows:
A Jamaican woman who grew up in poverty, moved her family to the US to have a better life. She purchased a home for the family, thinking that they could work hard and fix it up - only to discover that it was beyond repair and slated for demolition. Granted, there are some questions that rise over this, and I sincerely hope the people who obviously took advantage of her are fully ashamed...but I digress. Even in light of her own needs, she reached out to the rest of the community to assist them as well.
In his usual manner, Ty brings the community together and manages to pull off not only the rebuild on her home, but he brings in a reclaimed "stuff" organization to use as much of the old house as possible. Much of the old house went back into the community, and the team branched out (with the help of many more volunteers) to clean up and help more of the community. Many houses received the care they needed, and a new community garden was built in one of the empty lots.
This is the way a community works. They come together as a family and help each other without any expectation of reward in return.
There seems to always be so much negative in the news right now....from murder/suicides to horrible natural disasters. Though we can't always pitch in to help in the ways we would like to - trust me, I know many people who would be on a plane to Haiti if the could - there are still ways we can help by doing something for someone else. Its the "pay it forward" concept.
Ever notice that police and sting operations seldom keep gangs and drugs out of a depressed area...but a group of home/business owners who work to clean up the area frequently can?? Its truly amazing what a little paint and gardening can do for a neighborhood.
The world, with the help of the internet and social media sites, has gotten so much smaller with time. How can we, in the space of a year, help to clean it up - help those who need a hand?
Throughout the year, let's show what kind of community we are. Get out there and do something for someone else - whether on your own or through an organization like Habitat for Humanity, your church mission, soup kitchens in your area....there are hundreds to choose from.
Come back to my site, and post a link to your story on your blog or webpage.
You are hereby Challenged by the 'Spaz!!
Let's make 2010 a better place for as many as we can!!
As I sit and watch Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, I am again reminded of what a community is about. If you didn't watch it, the recap is as follows:
A Jamaican woman who grew up in poverty, moved her family to the US to have a better life. She purchased a home for the family, thinking that they could work hard and fix it up - only to discover that it was beyond repair and slated for demolition. Granted, there are some questions that rise over this, and I sincerely hope the people who obviously took advantage of her are fully ashamed...but I digress. Even in light of her own needs, she reached out to the rest of the community to assist them as well.
In his usual manner, Ty brings the community together and manages to pull off not only the rebuild on her home, but he brings in a reclaimed "stuff" organization to use as much of the old house as possible. Much of the old house went back into the community, and the team branched out (with the help of many more volunteers) to clean up and help more of the community. Many houses received the care they needed, and a new community garden was built in one of the empty lots.
This is the way a community works. They come together as a family and help each other without any expectation of reward in return.
There seems to always be so much negative in the news right now....from murder/suicides to horrible natural disasters. Though we can't always pitch in to help in the ways we would like to - trust me, I know many people who would be on a plane to Haiti if the could - there are still ways we can help by doing something for someone else. Its the "pay it forward" concept.
Ever notice that police and sting operations seldom keep gangs and drugs out of a depressed area...but a group of home/business owners who work to clean up the area frequently can?? Its truly amazing what a little paint and gardening can do for a neighborhood.
The world, with the help of the internet and social media sites, has gotten so much smaller with time. How can we, in the space of a year, help to clean it up - help those who need a hand?
Throughout the year, let's show what kind of community we are. Get out there and do something for someone else - whether on your own or through an organization like Habitat for Humanity, your church mission, soup kitchens in your area....there are hundreds to choose from.
Come back to my site, and post a link to your story on your blog or webpage.
You are hereby Challenged by the 'Spaz!!
Let's make 2010 a better place for as many as we can!!
Friday, January 15, 2010
A New Year, A New You
The last two weeks has not be very conducive to my keeping my resolutions. I guess its no surprise really, we usually take a little time to create new habits in the midst of "life as we know it". I know I'll persevere, however I found a surprising bit of support/information on Alton Brown's show, Good Eats, last night.
Alton has trimmed down using his usual scientific approach to food. He created four lists: 1) What you should eat once a week, 2) what you should eat twice a week, 3) what you should eat three times a week, and 4) what you should never eat.
Though there are a couple of things I will change (consuming sardines and consuming soy milk) I think I'd like to give his method a try. It totally makes sense - common sense! That's the best kind of "diet" to go on.
If you are interested, please see Alton's blog link to the recap of the show here, and join me.
I'll take the weekend to shop for the items I'll need and start once I have those in place. I'll try to post updates (and maybe some recipes) here from time to time.
If you'd like to join me, or get some of your friends to join me, please post your intentions in the comments section so I can check in in you from time to time.
Alton has trimmed down using his usual scientific approach to food. He created four lists: 1) What you should eat once a week, 2) what you should eat twice a week, 3) what you should eat three times a week, and 4) what you should never eat.
Though there are a couple of things I will change (consuming sardines and consuming soy milk) I think I'd like to give his method a try. It totally makes sense - common sense! That's the best kind of "diet" to go on.
If you are interested, please see Alton's blog link to the recap of the show here, and join me.
I'll take the weekend to shop for the items I'll need and start once I have those in place. I'll try to post updates (and maybe some recipes) here from time to time.
If you'd like to join me, or get some of your friends to join me, please post your intentions in the comments section so I can check in in you from time to time.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
A New Year, A New Decade
Happy New Year!!
I love the New Year because it is such a time for reflection, for recognizing growth, for acknowledging the need for improvement and for setting goals for the coming year.
I'd like to continue working even harder on my path for better health by planning a couple of 5k races for the Spring, and working toward a 10k in the Fall.
I'd like to get more involved in my Church and be a more active member of that family.
I'm hoping to continue growing as a person and be a better daughter, sister, wife and friend to those around me by staying in touch better and helping more whenever possible.
I'd love to find a job that is challenging, but allows for work-life balance.
I'd like to lose 30 - 60 pounds.
I'd like to learn how to cook and sew.
I'd love to do more scrapbooking with friends, finish some products I've started and do a few more. This includes organizing several years worth of photos into new albums.
I'd love to pick my violin back up and start playing again.
SO much to do, and the time seems to move so fast from year to year. Positive proof that we need to be vigil about how we use our days.
What are your resolutions??
I love the New Year because it is such a time for reflection, for recognizing growth, for acknowledging the need for improvement and for setting goals for the coming year.
I'd like to continue working even harder on my path for better health by planning a couple of 5k races for the Spring, and working toward a 10k in the Fall.
I'd like to get more involved in my Church and be a more active member of that family.
I'm hoping to continue growing as a person and be a better daughter, sister, wife and friend to those around me by staying in touch better and helping more whenever possible.
I'd love to find a job that is challenging, but allows for work-life balance.
I'd like to lose 30 - 60 pounds.
I'd like to learn how to cook and sew.
I'd love to do more scrapbooking with friends, finish some products I've started and do a few more. This includes organizing several years worth of photos into new albums.
I'd love to pick my violin back up and start playing again.
SO much to do, and the time seems to move so fast from year to year. Positive proof that we need to be vigil about how we use our days.
What are your resolutions??
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
What a Week
Well, I wish all my bloggy friends a wonderful Christmas (belated) and a Happy New Year (one or two days early). I must apologize, as I intended to go to each and every blog on my blogroll and wish them each a happy holiday, however things spiraled rapidly out of control.
The weekend before Christmas we had a big snowstorm. My hubby had to stay on the boat since we live too far away to get to the boat on time if they were called out. Not a big deal, since I didn't relish the idea of him driving in the storm anyway. However, it turned into a big deal when a member of the snow removal team on the base smashed into John's car in the middle of the night. How he didn't see that there way a car on the pier, especially when it was only one of four cars on the pier, I'll never know. Thankfully, John wasn't in the car or on the road when it happened, and his car wasn't pushed off the pier thus hitting the hull of the boat. Needless to say, his car is in the shop right now, leaving us down to one car.
The down to one car part isn't bad...until your Mom lands herself in the hospital.
Mom and Dad drove up from VA to spend the holidays with us. I was really excited, its been a long time since we were together for Christmas, and never in our house of three years. On Christmas Eve we received a call that they had arrived safely at the hotel. They were bushed from the trip, and we agreed that they would come over on Christmas morning. The next morning, Dad calls to tell us that they won't be coming over after all. It seems that Mom, who is already struggling because she needs one hip completely replaced, slipped when stepping out of the (handicap accessible) shower and broke her hip. Her OTHER hip!!
Christmas Day was lovely. John and I had already gotten up early to open up our stockings and we were prepping breakfast when Dad called. SO, we bundled up and headed for the hospital. Mom had surgery that afternoon, so we spent the day together in her room. She was really loopy on the meds, so the room was filled with laughter while we playfully teased her about her about her disconnect with the world...which she loved! The staff at the hospital was amazing, making sure our every need was looked after while we waited for Mom's surgery. We were all together the entire day and we were able to chat with my brother and sister by phone...despite our original plans to Skype. Christmas was really lovely in spite of everything.
Mom was frustrated that we hadn't opened gifts, so we took them all to the hospital on Monday, December 28th and had a joint Christmas and Birthday party...complete with two different Birthday cakes. It was great fun!
Yes, this week has been full of its ups and downs. I took my car in for service, and when I got it back I discovered that my alarm kept going off...so back to the dealer I went so it could be fixed. Meanwhile, my hubby was too generous this year and purchased a new printer for the household, a new Macbook for me and a new iPhone for me. I was floored!! I tell people its the first time in 11 years he's managed to get me completely speechless.
As the year comes to a close, so does the drama in our lives. Mom is doing well and in a rehab unit. She's returning slowly to her old self, which means we need to find plenty for her to do or she will go stir-crazy. I have a computer again, since I have transferred everything to the Mac; and I have a new project of transferring my hubby's stuff to my old computer. Additionally, hubby is back on the usual schedule...meaning I am in "flex mode" to go get him since the schedule seems to change with the wind lately.
Since I suspect this will be my last post for 2009, I wish everyone a blessed New Year. Party hardy, but be safe.
Fondly,
The 'Spaz
The weekend before Christmas we had a big snowstorm. My hubby had to stay on the boat since we live too far away to get to the boat on time if they were called out. Not a big deal, since I didn't relish the idea of him driving in the storm anyway. However, it turned into a big deal when a member of the snow removal team on the base smashed into John's car in the middle of the night. How he didn't see that there way a car on the pier, especially when it was only one of four cars on the pier, I'll never know. Thankfully, John wasn't in the car or on the road when it happened, and his car wasn't pushed off the pier thus hitting the hull of the boat. Needless to say, his car is in the shop right now, leaving us down to one car.
The down to one car part isn't bad...until your Mom lands herself in the hospital.
Mom and Dad drove up from VA to spend the holidays with us. I was really excited, its been a long time since we were together for Christmas, and never in our house of three years. On Christmas Eve we received a call that they had arrived safely at the hotel. They were bushed from the trip, and we agreed that they would come over on Christmas morning. The next morning, Dad calls to tell us that they won't be coming over after all. It seems that Mom, who is already struggling because she needs one hip completely replaced, slipped when stepping out of the (handicap accessible) shower and broke her hip. Her OTHER hip!!
Christmas Day was lovely. John and I had already gotten up early to open up our stockings and we were prepping breakfast when Dad called. SO, we bundled up and headed for the hospital. Mom had surgery that afternoon, so we spent the day together in her room. She was really loopy on the meds, so the room was filled with laughter while we playfully teased her about her about her disconnect with the world...which she loved! The staff at the hospital was amazing, making sure our every need was looked after while we waited for Mom's surgery. We were all together the entire day and we were able to chat with my brother and sister by phone...despite our original plans to Skype. Christmas was really lovely in spite of everything.
Mom was frustrated that we hadn't opened gifts, so we took them all to the hospital on Monday, December 28th and had a joint Christmas and Birthday party...complete with two different Birthday cakes. It was great fun!
Yes, this week has been full of its ups and downs. I took my car in for service, and when I got it back I discovered that my alarm kept going off...so back to the dealer I went so it could be fixed. Meanwhile, my hubby was too generous this year and purchased a new printer for the household, a new Macbook for me and a new iPhone for me. I was floored!! I tell people its the first time in 11 years he's managed to get me completely speechless.
As the year comes to a close, so does the drama in our lives. Mom is doing well and in a rehab unit. She's returning slowly to her old self, which means we need to find plenty for her to do or she will go stir-crazy. I have a computer again, since I have transferred everything to the Mac; and I have a new project of transferring my hubby's stuff to my old computer. Additionally, hubby is back on the usual schedule...meaning I am in "flex mode" to go get him since the schedule seems to change with the wind lately.
Since I suspect this will be my last post for 2009, I wish everyone a blessed New Year. Party hardy, but be safe.
Fondly,
The 'Spaz
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