Looking Glass

 I feel as though I have a lot of small projects in need of my attention. Many are those on line tasks and others are finalizing my move...those pesky things like tearing down boxes, finding a needed box of belongings I must have accidentally socked away in storage, hanging a couple of pictures, and so on. I am trying to learn my new position with the Toastmasters District...oh yea...my mentor is moving to San Diego, so the District Gov asked me to step into his place as a Public Relations Officer (PRO). Go figure...ha.  Work is the same, stressful, not very fulfilling and taking my turns with the on call duties. I figured I spend 10 hours per week=40 hours per month=480 hours per year=20 days per year, driving back and forth. I spend about $180 per month=$2160 per year on fueling my Honda. I am adding 66 miles per day=1,320 miles per month=15,840 miles per year onto my Honda. All for a bare $35k with no benefits. Take my income and subtract that fuel cost=$32840k annual inco...

                                           The view from my basement apartment.  I moved in mid October to the basement apartment of my dear friend, KP. It may be small and a bit outdated, but I don't have to share the space with anyone else. I have my own kitchen again, my own cupboards...no other's possessions hoarding most of the space, as my last two locations with Linda and Jill showed. But that is OK, I am grateful I had a place to move to and they found it in their heart to share with me. (Corny, but true.) I made new connections and friends and shared a space for the first time in 52 years as an adult, with someone other than my kids or husbands. We keep on learning, don't we?  Of course, this picture was snapped shortly after my move in date, before the weather darkened and grew soggy. It is peaceful and I am glad KP offered it to me for rent. I cannot w...

  After I arrived at the office, calmed down after a disturbing "page" from on call, I settled into completing other tasks when  I heard my cell phone bleep.  It was tucked into my purse, sitting under my desk. Normally, I don't answer my phone or do personal pc tasks at work, but for some reason, I wanted to see what this bleep was about. Something pulled me to it. Below are the answers to the bleeps. My daughter sent me pictures of her dress shopping time. This is not the first time she has sent me pictures during her ventures for the perfect dress. This has been happening for at least 6-7 months. I love her for including me as best she can.    She asked for my opinion and I quickly texted her my answers and comments. No matter which she chooses, she'll be gorgeous. I was envious of the fact that her mother in law, to be, was able to participate with these outings. I was grateful, as well. She is marrying into a good family, and "mom to be" is maki...

 This is the on line, Merriam's Dictionary meaning for inkling: a slight indication or suggestion : hint , clue , a slight knowledge or vague notion. I am wagering a guess that my blogger friends knew what this word meant before I posted it. I bet you even used the word during some conversations. Inklings...I am having me some of those today. Not a coffee pot full, not a glassful, just a cupful. Why would I have such inklings of one nature or another today? I can pinpoint this quite well, actually.  This morning, instead of heading straight to work, I was asked to go back to my friend's house to feed her two Pugs their breakfast. Ms. Doctor never made it home last night, and had driven another one of our friends to a distant town, where THAT friend's son was in the ER, unexpectedly, of course. She would not be back until much later this afternoon, so, of course I obliged and drove the 22 miles to her house to feed the dogs. On my drive there, at 7:09 AM, I was paged by ...

 I sit here at my friend's house; the one who has the gorgeous home and two Pugs in need of care, while she travels to Montana. I have been commuting to work from here these last few days and discovered it was only a mile farther than my regular digs. The atmosphere and home is lovely; resort-like, relaxing and inspiring. Yet, I sit here staring at my keyboard and deliberate about what to write. What is of importance in these last few weeks of my life? What would readers want to read? Maybe nothing...maybe everything. I have not pondered this too much in the past and have written what comes to mind. Today however, I am pondering it. I have read my friends' posts of late and commented on some of those posts to show my appreciation or support of their circumstances and writings. Despite my inspirational surroundings, I am baffled and at a loss of what matters and what I should write.  Maybe describing the scene will help. The sky is clear blue and the water is a pristine blue...

  I came home after another busy day at work. I ate a bit of dinner, read some emails, took some calls and as I look at the paper clutter on my desk, here at home, and think of a lengthy to do list, I postpone it. I wanted to relax differently, and read some of my friend's postings and maybe scribble out a post of my own. Like our friend Bill, who types out his thoughts and allows us to read them. I didn't get too far with his site. He removed the last post and I could not seem to get his "older posts." Hmmm...He always leaves us thinking, right?  The job is going fine. Crazy and busy as this in home care industry is. Providing on call support two weeks per month, which has no calls at times, and too many calls at others. I deal with it.  I had to act as a SARP (Sexual Assault Response Provider) advocate tonight for the first time. I met the victim at the local hospital and was there through the three hour ordeal. Just got home a bit ago and am having a cup of cocoa...

 I just spent about an hour reading my pals' blog posts. Again, time has flown by without checking in here, despite my thinking of you all often.  I am glad not to be a Toastmaster club officer this year. It is nice; if I don't feel like going to a meeting, I don't, and my brain isn't forcing me to attend since I have no official duties. That is a relief. Then, low and behold, my friend Derek has name dropped me to a few district officers who are forming their committees and teams right now. I have gotten phone calls from three district leaders to participate on their team. One to assist with District 32's social media sites, one to be an assistant VP of PR and most recently, to be an educational Ambassador to relay and share new and upcoming programs to the area clubs. I did pretty good sideswiping the invites until recently. I did apply to be an educational Ambassador and I am thinking about helping the district VP of PR with social media. He has to outline some ...