Looking Glass

Have you ever had one of those times where a project you are trying to complete gives you more challenges than it is worth? Your time could have been better spent as you did not accomplish what was expected? The results basically, suck. That is me, tonight. so I am walking away from this blasted computer and going to bed. Maybe tomorrow or the next day I will be able to post the Toastmaster's X-mas party pictures here and to the club's Facebook page easier. It is not happening tonight. Good night.

  So, there it is. Mom moved 10 days ago and my brother followed a few short hours later. She by airplane with another brother, he by truck and trailer with a brother in law. Both of their journeys were without incident. Apparently, Continental Airlines treated mom well, and gave her much attention. My brother's truck held out for the trip and no inclement weather hindered them, the whole time. So, my mom is staying with my sister in WI, and Bro is staying with his daughter in MN, temporary for them both until they get their own digs. My mom was to go into an assisted living facility, but they declined her application due to her challenged walking and need for an electric scooter. Really? Really? so, they are off to look at other facilities in my hometown, Austin, MN. (Yes, the home of Hormel). Yes, I've heard all of the jokes about Spam, you can imagine. It's okay. (smile here).   While talking to my sister on the phone, (the one who is housing mom, temporarily), I had to...

  It is not a disturbing sound. It is not loud or invasive. It is not even annoying. It is an interesting sound. It is not calming, per say, but it is a sound which is easy to accept. This sound raises curiosity in me. It is a train whistle blowing in the distance. I can also hear the rolling of the wheels on the track. It is far away enough to not be loud. But the train sounds are distinct. You see, my new space, is in a neighborhood, one mile from an Amtrak station. It is a small station. I went there last Christmas to take, and pick up my daughter, when she traveled to Portland to visit a friend for a few days, while vacationing here. A train is scheduled to come through, only two to three times per day.  I guess the curiosity arises when I imagine the people on the train. I wonder where they are going or where they have been. I remember waiting in the station for my daughter one night. Dark and cold outside, but warm and well lit on the inside. Many benches fill it. Very ...

 So, here I am, settling into my new space. My friend KP helped me box things up on Saturday. I moved, primarily on Sunday 10/30/11. On Halloween pm, I was at the townhouse cleaning from top to bottom. November 1, I did my walk through of the townhouse, and the office assistant said everything looked really good. Hopefully, the corporate office feels the same way and refunds the whole $200 cleaning deposit. I even had to professionally, carpet clean the place, per the lease agreement. Final refund will come in 10-15 days. Mid month, if I hear nothing, I will call them.  I am grateful to Derek and my son for the time and efforts they put into helping me. First time they met. Kind of funny as my son asked me a couple of questions about whether Derek and I were dating. I told him I had stated some time ago that he was my friend with benefits, but my son doesn't like to hear things like that. It probably went in one ear and out the other.  Both, my son and Derek, told me th...

  So my energy level has dwindled these last few days with packing and moving. I think my job is so busy and such little help lately, that I come home and have no energy. Then there is that, "always thinking" process, with my brain and it is rarely at peace lately. (sigh here).  My son from Seattle, Derek, and my friend KP have offered to help with the actual moving of goods. Sunday will be the major furniture to the storage unit and the new place. I have my walk through lined up for after work, on Monday. I am trying to figure out a few final details. It will be nice when this move is done and I resettle into a new space, with a roomie and other projects to work on. I need to write the next newsletter for the Toastmaster Club. Crap, I have to give a speech Tuesday at the meeting. Don't even have a title, outline or idea of what I will present. My topic is "To Inform". Hmmm...   My brother from Wisconsin was in town last weekend. While playing dominoes with my ...

  So, there I was this week, starting to pack bits and pieces. I had been collecting some boxes for quite some time. so I am grouping, and piling things together. "Storage stack" and a, "new place" stack, a "throw out" stack and a "donate stack." I go through shifts of emotion. A bit of excitement, a bit of acceptance, a bit of melancholy and even...sadness.   The excitement is rendered from freedom. I can pick up, pack up, and go at my own free will. My decision affects no one. I can look forward to monetary savings and say to myself, "yea, I'll be able to get my hair done when it NEEDS it. Not when I can AFFORD it. I can have an occasional drink out with the girls and maybe not let the brain operate like a cash register in overtime. My housemate and I should get along well. A new friend.   Acceptance bears weight inside me, I see this period in my life for what it is. A growth, a path to gaining my goal of owning my own place again. ...

  The Autumn Party my friend, KP and I held, was delightful. During some of our conversations over the month prior, we had been discussing just having a relaxing, comfortable party to meet some of each other's friends. Make a connection between some of them. All good people, fun, and striving through life.   The scene, KP and I had been planning for a month, warm, comfort food was the main items. Artichoke dip, shrimp dip, pork loin roast with roasted potatoes, homemade stew, homemade squash soup, banana bread, pumpkin bread, and apple crisp for desert.  I had gone over and painted her glass doors with an autumn theme of trees with real leaves used as a brush in fall shades.  A line of three pumpkins in grass at the bottom. Our invitations were, "Welcome Autumn, Welcome friends." We had fall decorations on the table, and spiced hot apple cider warming in a crock pot. Lemons, cinnamon and a touch of cloves rested in a cheesecloth nest inside. The aroma was wonderful ...