To Whom It May Concern:
If you are a New England Revolution fan, an MLS soccer fan or just looking for a Sunday morning read, please check out the following two articles by my friend, Ryan Lanigan, who made his writing debut for ESPN Boston yesterday. Good stuff Ryan!
Update on goalkeeper Matt Reis' father in law who was injured at the Boston Marathon:
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-revolution/post/_/id/1998/condition-of-reis-father-in-law-upgraded
NE Revolution vs. Philadelphia Union
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-revolution/post/_/id/2003/rapid-reaction-revs-2-union-0
Happy Sunday.
Peace & Love,
Hope
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Now It's Official
Dear Comrades,
Today I write with news of officiality. Spell check doesn't like that word. How about officialness. I found out something about living in the sunshine state yesterday. If you get an apartment, it doesn't make living here official. If you register your car, it doesn't make living here official. If you get a driver's license, it doesn't make living here official. What makes it official? When an official resident gives you a lawn flamingo.
I'm sure in time the flamingo will get a name. Bequeathing names is a super power of mine. Suggestions can be made in the comments section below.
In between taking care of details and looking for a job, I am developing a new hobby for Fridays and Saturdays. Tag sales. But here they are called garage sales or yard sales. Here are some positives of this new venture. First of all, it's more than a venture, it's an adventure. I don't know what I will find when I pull up to the designated house. Second, it's inexpensive entertainment. In two weekends I have spent a total of $7.75, items purchased will be disclosed in the next paragraph. Thirdly, it's an opportunity to interact with people. At one sale I stopped at today I didn't buy anything but had a great conversation with the home owner about her Husky named Winter. (I continue to be amazed by the number of Huskies down here, the woman said they adapt.) And finally going to the yard sales gives me a chance to check out different neighborhoods in the area. Depending on what kind of work I find, it could cut into my new hobby but I'll ride the wave as long as I can.
So here's what I've purchased so far: 2 drinking glasses, $.25 for both
A glass jar with a glass lid (to hold shells I pick up at the beach), $.50
2 small corning ware baking dishes w/lids, $1.00 for both
4 towels in decent shape (to be used for drying off a wet dog after the beach), $1.00
and finally my find of the day - at a yard sale that wasn't even on my list
A sturdy, made in the USA, coffee table for $5.00
Also of note in this picture, the chair on the right is the BROWN chair that was in my office and my peeps from the Crisis Team would sit in when they visited. The PURPLE chair on the left was given to me by my mom as the car was being packed to start this adventure. Omeg. Kiki. I hope you are reading this.
Well, as I've been writing, Jak got up and went to bed so I should probably follow his lead. Before signing off I will share one more picture. Bonus points to anyone that knows where this is from. Hint - my wedge sandals aren't here yet or I would've worn them.
Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope
P.S. Thanks to Auntie Marion for making it official with the gift of a flamingo and for taking the pictures!
Here is a blooper of the last shot I posted. My neighbor unexpectedly came out of her apartment while I was posing for the picture. Yard sale bargains are great but the look on my face in priceless. Caught.
Today I write with news of officiality. Spell check doesn't like that word. How about officialness. I found out something about living in the sunshine state yesterday. If you get an apartment, it doesn't make living here official. If you register your car, it doesn't make living here official. If you get a driver's license, it doesn't make living here official. What makes it official? When an official resident gives you a lawn flamingo.
I'm sure in time the flamingo will get a name. Bequeathing names is a super power of mine. Suggestions can be made in the comments section below.
In between taking care of details and looking for a job, I am developing a new hobby for Fridays and Saturdays. Tag sales. But here they are called garage sales or yard sales. Here are some positives of this new venture. First of all, it's more than a venture, it's an adventure. I don't know what I will find when I pull up to the designated house. Second, it's inexpensive entertainment. In two weekends I have spent a total of $7.75, items purchased will be disclosed in the next paragraph. Thirdly, it's an opportunity to interact with people. At one sale I stopped at today I didn't buy anything but had a great conversation with the home owner about her Husky named Winter. (I continue to be amazed by the number of Huskies down here, the woman said they adapt.) And finally going to the yard sales gives me a chance to check out different neighborhoods in the area. Depending on what kind of work I find, it could cut into my new hobby but I'll ride the wave as long as I can.
So here's what I've purchased so far: 2 drinking glasses, $.25 for both
A glass jar with a glass lid (to hold shells I pick up at the beach), $.50
2 small corning ware baking dishes w/lids, $1.00 for both
4 towels in decent shape (to be used for drying off a wet dog after the beach), $1.00
and finally my find of the day - at a yard sale that wasn't even on my list
A sturdy, made in the USA, coffee table for $5.00
Also of note in this picture, the chair on the right is the BROWN chair that was in my office and my peeps from the Crisis Team would sit in when they visited. The PURPLE chair on the left was given to me by my mom as the car was being packed to start this adventure. Omeg. Kiki. I hope you are reading this.
Well, as I've been writing, Jak got up and went to bed so I should probably follow his lead. Before signing off I will share one more picture. Bonus points to anyone that knows where this is from. Hint - my wedge sandals aren't here yet or I would've worn them.
Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope
P.S. Thanks to Auntie Marion for making it official with the gift of a flamingo and for taking the pictures!
Here is a blooper of the last shot I posted. My neighbor unexpectedly came out of her apartment while I was posing for the picture. Yard sale bargains are great but the look on my face in priceless. Caught.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Connections
Dear Readers,
Back in January my job of 12 years ended and I was offered a full time position within the company in a department where I was already working part time. Accepting the move meant a transition but not a drastic one. What was hard for me was the change in environment. I had worked for so many years in a fast paced team environment and so going from that to a quiet corner by myself took some getting used to.
Thankfully I was able to recognize that I am at my best when I am around other people and so I made a decision to find ways to connect with my colleagues around the building. I called it "stirring things up" and would periodically pop in to different people's offices to say hello and hear about their days. My work did not suffer from these visits, actually it probably benefited from them because they lifted my spirits.
In making the decision to pick my life up and move far away from family and friends, the biggest fear I struggled with was loss of connections. Would I be able to make a move like this and not lose touch with those who mean so much to me. It is much easier to stay connected nowadays. I told myself this many times. There is texting, email, unlimited long distance phone calls. There is good old fashioned US Postal Service mail. And there is blogging.
I am glad for the path my job took and for the opportunities it provided for me to expand my connections with colleagues. It reminded me of the importance in surrounding myself with good people and the value of nurturing those ties. It helped me to see that not only would I be able to maintain connections with the people back home, I would be able to make new connections in a new place.
We've been in the apartment for over a week and am on a first name basis with my neighbors that live closest. I also know their pets by name and of course they all know Jak. Each time we go to the dog beach there are new people with dogs to chat with and some we've seen more than once.
My fear of losing connections was unfounded. I still feel connected back at home and I am starting to feel connected in a new place. Sure it requires a little ongoing effort, but totally worth it, in my opinion.
Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope
Back in January my job of 12 years ended and I was offered a full time position within the company in a department where I was already working part time. Accepting the move meant a transition but not a drastic one. What was hard for me was the change in environment. I had worked for so many years in a fast paced team environment and so going from that to a quiet corner by myself took some getting used to.
Thankfully I was able to recognize that I am at my best when I am around other people and so I made a decision to find ways to connect with my colleagues around the building. I called it "stirring things up" and would periodically pop in to different people's offices to say hello and hear about their days. My work did not suffer from these visits, actually it probably benefited from them because they lifted my spirits.
In making the decision to pick my life up and move far away from family and friends, the biggest fear I struggled with was loss of connections. Would I be able to make a move like this and not lose touch with those who mean so much to me. It is much easier to stay connected nowadays. I told myself this many times. There is texting, email, unlimited long distance phone calls. There is good old fashioned US Postal Service mail. And there is blogging.
I am glad for the path my job took and for the opportunities it provided for me to expand my connections with colleagues. It reminded me of the importance in surrounding myself with good people and the value of nurturing those ties. It helped me to see that not only would I be able to maintain connections with the people back home, I would be able to make new connections in a new place.
We've been in the apartment for over a week and am on a first name basis with my neighbors that live closest. I also know their pets by name and of course they all know Jak. Each time we go to the dog beach there are new people with dogs to chat with and some we've seen more than once.
My fear of losing connections was unfounded. I still feel connected back at home and I am starting to feel connected in a new place. Sure it requires a little ongoing effort, but totally worth it, in my opinion.
Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Tuesday, Tuesday
Dear Sir or Madam:
Perhaps instead of writing a blog letter I should be starting a letter of a different kind with the above greeting. A cover letter. The days seem to be passing quickly, as of tomorrow I will have been in my new place for a week. This week I have been applying for jobs online and will make a visit to the local career center about 25 minutes from here.
Today I started down the road of changing my registration over to the new state. Easier said than done. I am half way there and do have at least a month to get all the way there. I will work more on that tomorrow during normal business hours. I also need to get a new driver's license which as I've been told requires multiple forms of identification, proof of residency here, and my first born. Geez, as if my biological clock wasn't already ticking. (Parental units reading this, please don't get too hopeful, I'm kidding about the first born thing - there's no plans for parental units to become grandparental units.)
Jak and I continue to head out to the dog beach most days. He needs to be walked and what better place to do that. I'm sorry to say to my northern readers, the weather today was perfect. 75 degrees and sunny with a breeze. I took the following pictures during our walk this evening:
I guess not everyday brings noteworthy news. And that is how I am feeling about today. We are doing fine here, settling into apartment life and working toward the next step of finding employment.
I will leave you with a picture that I took of Jak during our stay at the LaQuinta last week. He was allowed to do something that is not allowed at the La-Hope-a.
It's a dog's life.
Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope
Perhaps instead of writing a blog letter I should be starting a letter of a different kind with the above greeting. A cover letter. The days seem to be passing quickly, as of tomorrow I will have been in my new place for a week. This week I have been applying for jobs online and will make a visit to the local career center about 25 minutes from here.
Today I started down the road of changing my registration over to the new state. Easier said than done. I am half way there and do have at least a month to get all the way there. I will work more on that tomorrow during normal business hours. I also need to get a new driver's license which as I've been told requires multiple forms of identification, proof of residency here, and my first born. Geez, as if my biological clock wasn't already ticking. (Parental units reading this, please don't get too hopeful, I'm kidding about the first born thing - there's no plans for parental units to become grandparental units.)
Jak and I continue to head out to the dog beach most days. He needs to be walked and what better place to do that. I'm sorry to say to my northern readers, the weather today was perfect. 75 degrees and sunny with a breeze. I took the following pictures during our walk this evening:
I guess not everyday brings noteworthy news. And that is how I am feeling about today. We are doing fine here, settling into apartment life and working toward the next step of finding employment.
I will leave you with a picture that I took of Jak during our stay at the LaQuinta last week. He was allowed to do something that is not allowed at the La-Hope-a.
Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope
Friday, April 19, 2013
Settling In
Greetings friends, family and random blog readers,
On Wednesday afternoon I moved into my new home away from home.
I am amazed at how much stuff my car had in it. Thanks again to Mom & Dad for packing it so well. It took me a good number of trips to get it all unloaded and after two days there's still plenty of random stuff waiting to find its place in the apartment.
I purchase a bed on Wednesday to be delivered on Thursday so the first night here we camped out on the floor. Well, actually Jak had a bed, it was only me that didn't. I am happy to report I made it through with minimal soreness the next day. The bed has now been delivered and the cable/internet/phone have been hooked up. I am giving the cabinets and drawers a good cleaning before I put my stuff away and continue to be pleased with the amount of closet space and a whole extra storage/utility room that may also house a washer and dryer one day.
Speaking of which, I made a trip to the onsite laundry facilities today. Well. I guess I'll use the word adequate. The room is left open all day (and probably all night) and I was greeted by the smell of cat pee upon entering. So, I think I'll be finding some other place to wash my clothes.
Yesterday I went out to a thrift store looking for a lamp. I didn't find a lamp but I did find these...
I just absolutely love the design of these plates so four of them came home with me as well as four salad plates which are also sort of like bowls. They have some wear but worth the $6 investment I believe. My grandmother was famous for her finds at the "boutique" thrift store run by her church. So I guess I am just carrying on a family tradition. I will head back out either today or tomorrow and continue my search for a lamp and whatever else I may come with instead.
Well, I've made the trip, I've moved into the apartment so that means next on the list is to find a job. I also need to do license and registration stuff but at 3pm on Friday that stuff will have to wait until Monday.
Before I bring this letter to a close I want to take a moment to comment about the events back in my home state this week. As scary as it is to think of people seeking to inflict harm on other people, I urge you to take a moment to see how the human spirit prevails at times like these. Is it a time to be afraid or is it a time to step up and do good for our fellow human beings. Strangers hurt people on Monday, but strangers also helped the hurt people. Gun control laws and other government actions will not make this stuff go away. Being kinder to one another will. We can all do this in small ways each and every day. And not just in the wake of a tragedy. A smile, holding the door open, letting someone out in traffic or a favorite of mine, pretending to fly past a colleague's office door (Hi Marilyn!). We are all united in our humanness.
Check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht0_H6iqpOE
Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope
On Wednesday afternoon I moved into my new home away from home.
I am amazed at how much stuff my car had in it. Thanks again to Mom & Dad for packing it so well. It took me a good number of trips to get it all unloaded and after two days there's still plenty of random stuff waiting to find its place in the apartment.
I purchase a bed on Wednesday to be delivered on Thursday so the first night here we camped out on the floor. Well, actually Jak had a bed, it was only me that didn't. I am happy to report I made it through with minimal soreness the next day. The bed has now been delivered and the cable/internet/phone have been hooked up. I am giving the cabinets and drawers a good cleaning before I put my stuff away and continue to be pleased with the amount of closet space and a whole extra storage/utility room that may also house a washer and dryer one day.
Speaking of which, I made a trip to the onsite laundry facilities today. Well. I guess I'll use the word adequate. The room is left open all day (and probably all night) and I was greeted by the smell of cat pee upon entering. So, I think I'll be finding some other place to wash my clothes.
Yesterday I went out to a thrift store looking for a lamp. I didn't find a lamp but I did find these...
Well, I've made the trip, I've moved into the apartment so that means next on the list is to find a job. I also need to do license and registration stuff but at 3pm on Friday that stuff will have to wait until Monday.
Before I bring this letter to a close I want to take a moment to comment about the events back in my home state this week. As scary as it is to think of people seeking to inflict harm on other people, I urge you to take a moment to see how the human spirit prevails at times like these. Is it a time to be afraid or is it a time to step up and do good for our fellow human beings. Strangers hurt people on Monday, but strangers also helped the hurt people. Gun control laws and other government actions will not make this stuff go away. Being kinder to one another will. We can all do this in small ways each and every day. And not just in the wake of a tragedy. A smile, holding the door open, letting someone out in traffic or a favorite of mine, pretending to fly past a colleague's office door (Hi Marilyn!). We are all united in our humanness.
Check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht0_H6iqpOE
Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope
Monday, April 15, 2013
I Have Arrived
Dear Peeps,
On a day of destruction back in my home state, I write with news of a happier note. After two and a half days of travel, Jak and I arrived in Florida this afternoon. Jak has been a good natured traveling companion.
There were a few moments (and a few tears) on Friday night as I wondered how I would ever make all this happen. My dad and Lois fed me dinner and gave me a GPS to navigate my trip. My mom assured me that spending time with friends and family during the week had been the right decision even though I was falling to pieces trying to pull everything together in the 11th hour. On Saturday morning Mom & Dad packed my car as I continued to pack and haul stuff out to the car. I left at 11:20, which was only an hour and 20 minutes after I had planned to leave.
I traveled to Martinsburg, WV the first day. As I said, Jak was good. We spent the night at Motel 6. Yes, they left the light on for us. The second day was long. 12 hours travel time, including stops for bathroom breaks, gas and food. By the time I arrived in Hardeeville, SC it was almost 9pm. And it was pouring rain. And just as I started down the exit for the Red Roof Inn my low fuel light came on. Today was my short day of travel. Only about 5 hours. The Welcome to Florida sign was a welcome sight.
I have to say that Virginia was the prettiest state I traveled through. The view ranged from beautiful to spectacular, especially as I came down the mountain on route 77 from Virginia into North Carolina. I wish Jak could have driven for a while so that I could have looked more. The following pictures were taken by pointing the camera and pushing the button. I was cruising along at 70 mph so they are what they are and really do not do the mountains justice.
On my long second day of travel there was fatigue and loneliness which ultimately led me to wonder and hope that I am making the right decision by making this move. I have been daring greatly (good book by Brene Brown "Daring Greatly") which feels really big and overwhelming at times. My friend Aimee got the "I hope I'm doing the right thing" text messages last night. My mom got the tearful phone call. I needed reassurance which I got from both and I needed sleep.
Today has been better. Even when I arrived at the apartments and the one that was ready for me wasn't quite what I was expecting. There was another option but it is being worked on and won't be ready until Wednesday. So Jak and I are camping out at a hotel. We went to the dog beach which was good for the soul. This guy crossed our path and unlike a black cat, he stands for positive energy and wisdom.
Everything will work out as it should. Perhaps I will use the extra few days to buy a mattress and have it delivered on move in day so I will have a real bed to sleep in. I have to bring this letter to a close as once again I am exhausted. No tears today. And I continue to hope I am making the right choices.
Until next time...
Peace & Love
Hope
On a day of destruction back in my home state, I write with news of a happier note. After two and a half days of travel, Jak and I arrived in Florida this afternoon. Jak has been a good natured traveling companion.
There were a few moments (and a few tears) on Friday night as I wondered how I would ever make all this happen. My dad and Lois fed me dinner and gave me a GPS to navigate my trip. My mom assured me that spending time with friends and family during the week had been the right decision even though I was falling to pieces trying to pull everything together in the 11th hour. On Saturday morning Mom & Dad packed my car as I continued to pack and haul stuff out to the car. I left at 11:20, which was only an hour and 20 minutes after I had planned to leave.
I traveled to Martinsburg, WV the first day. As I said, Jak was good. We spent the night at Motel 6. Yes, they left the light on for us. The second day was long. 12 hours travel time, including stops for bathroom breaks, gas and food. By the time I arrived in Hardeeville, SC it was almost 9pm. And it was pouring rain. And just as I started down the exit for the Red Roof Inn my low fuel light came on. Today was my short day of travel. Only about 5 hours. The Welcome to Florida sign was a welcome sight.
I have to say that Virginia was the prettiest state I traveled through. The view ranged from beautiful to spectacular, especially as I came down the mountain on route 77 from Virginia into North Carolina. I wish Jak could have driven for a while so that I could have looked more. The following pictures were taken by pointing the camera and pushing the button. I was cruising along at 70 mph so they are what they are and really do not do the mountains justice.
On my long second day of travel there was fatigue and loneliness which ultimately led me to wonder and hope that I am making the right decision by making this move. I have been daring greatly (good book by Brene Brown "Daring Greatly") which feels really big and overwhelming at times. My friend Aimee got the "I hope I'm doing the right thing" text messages last night. My mom got the tearful phone call. I needed reassurance which I got from both and I needed sleep.
Today has been better. Even when I arrived at the apartments and the one that was ready for me wasn't quite what I was expecting. There was another option but it is being worked on and won't be ready until Wednesday. So Jak and I are camping out at a hotel. We went to the dog beach which was good for the soul. This guy crossed our path and unlike a black cat, he stands for positive energy and wisdom.
Everything will work out as it should. Perhaps I will use the extra few days to buy a mattress and have it delivered on move in day so I will have a real bed to sleep in. I have to bring this letter to a close as once again I am exhausted. No tears today. And I continue to hope I am making the right choices.
Until next time...
Peace & Love
Hope
Sunday, April 14, 2013
New Chapter, New Blog
Dear Friends & Family,
After having a successful blog a few years ago, in that I updated it regularly, and then a not so successful rebirth of it a year ago, I have decided to give it another go. The concept of this blog is an idea I got from reading the book, "Following Atticus" by Tom Ryan. In the book, the author wrote and published his own small town newspaper. He ran a regular column in which he would write letters to his father. Letters that all newspaper subscribers got to read. So, I will do a version of that with this blog. Please note this is not in lieu of communicating with friends and family individually. It is intended to be a creative way for me to write and share news as I start down a new path in life. As some of you may know, I am an old fashioned letter writer trying to save the USPS one postage stamp at a time and plan to continue that mission.
I welcome your comments below or feel free to email me. Perhaps this blog might even inspire you to hand write a letter of your own.
Till next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope
P.S. Thanks, Shana, for loaning me "Following Atticus". It captivated and inspired me at a time when I needed both.
After having a successful blog a few years ago, in that I updated it regularly, and then a not so successful rebirth of it a year ago, I have decided to give it another go. The concept of this blog is an idea I got from reading the book, "Following Atticus" by Tom Ryan. In the book, the author wrote and published his own small town newspaper. He ran a regular column in which he would write letters to his father. Letters that all newspaper subscribers got to read. So, I will do a version of that with this blog. Please note this is not in lieu of communicating with friends and family individually. It is intended to be a creative way for me to write and share news as I start down a new path in life. As some of you may know, I am an old fashioned letter writer trying to save the USPS one postage stamp at a time and plan to continue that mission.
I welcome your comments below or feel free to email me. Perhaps this blog might even inspire you to hand write a letter of your own.
Till next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope
P.S. Thanks, Shana, for loaning me "Following Atticus". It captivated and inspired me at a time when I needed both.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)