Happy Holidays!

Dear Friends and Family,

The holidays for me started a few weeks early when I headed north to the home state for a few days.  It was great to see everyone that I could, as the time goes so fast.  Perhaps someday I will get used the fact that there won't ever be enough time to see everyone or to spend with those I do get to see.  There is only so much one person can do in a few days!

After my return to the land of sun, I was straight out busy with both jobs and trying to finish up last minute stuff for Christmas.  The time just flew by and before I knew it, it was already Christmas Eve.  My friends that I had Thanksgiving dinner with (I usually refer to them as my dog beach friends but they really do have names...Bill and Sally) invited me over for dinner on Christmas Eve.  They have been very kind to me and I appreciated the invitation.  It was an evening of good food and good company and since they would be traveling the next day, I also got to bring all the leftovers home.  More to be thankful for!

Christmas Day was spent working at my retail job.  Many think we shouldn't have bee open, for the most part I am fine with it.  While I was in the home state I asked my mom to make stockings for me so that I could fill them for the kids that had to work with me on Christmas.  In my mind I would open with my manager and have them hanging before the kiddos arrived.  Of course that didn't quite happen, however the stockings were super cute and my co-workers appreciated the gesture all the same.  Here's a picture of them hung by the pastry cart with care.

The reason I said that for the most part I'm fine working on Christmas is that unfortunately a lot of the customers were just not nice to us.  If everyone (or the majority) would have been merry and bright I would've been totally fine with it.  It's Christmas, can't they just be nice for one day.  Apparently not.  It was not our usual crowd so I'm assuming mostly those traveling for the holiday and seemingly doing so miserably.  As much as I wanted to remain positive, it just sucks the life out of you to deal with one unhappy person after another.  And it was so busy which is just plain tiring. 

By the time I left work, my 6.5 hour shift had turned into 10 hours (partly of my own doing and partly because of it being busy) and I drove home feeling great contempt for society.  My aunt had invited me for dinner and I almost canceled, feeling like I wouldn't be very good company.  I pulled into a parking spot at my apartment complex and sat in my car for a few minutes trying to pull myself together.  As soon as I opened my car door I heard the voice of the nicest, sweetest girl in the whole complex.  Cheerfully she said, "Merry Christmas Hope!" Before I could even get out of my car.  My heart so needed that little bit of kindness right in that moment.  Some faith in humanity restored.

After a nap, I was feeling a bit better so I loaded up Jak and we were off to the dog beach.  It continues to be such a grounding place for me.  The sun, the sand, the beach treasures.  I have made good friends there.  And the scenery makes me smile.  This was the sunset we were treated to on Christmas Day and there were so many dolphins around.  It was a good end to the day.

As I had printed on my Christmas cards this year, it's the little moments that make life big.  I hope your Christmas was full of those little moments and that the new year has many more in store for you.

Peace and Love to All of You!
Hope

Happy Day After

Howdy Pilgrims,

I know I said I'd write on Thanksgiving but obviously that didn't quite happen.  I had to be to work at 4:30 a.m. And then I came home, took a quick nap and got ready to go to my friends for Thanksgiving dinner.  It was a chilly day here but so much better than the snow that I know my friends and family in the Northeast were dealing with.

My friends that invited me for dinner both work at a local college and had invited several students to also join them. When we sat down to eat, the host asked us to go around the table and tell a little about ourselves. This turned out to be very interesting as everyone had a diverse tale that brought them to that table.

This is a picture of De Chelly (pronounced DeShay, she is named for a Canyon in Arizona where she came from).

DeChelly is an impish Husky who loves to tell her tale of woah. Last time I visited these friends, Jak was invited too and though she tolerated him in her house she didn't love it.  Woah woah woah. (Rie, you know what I'm talking about!)

Well, it's time for me to get ready for work. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving full of good food and good company.

Until next time...

Peace and Love,

Hope

Time

Dear Loyal Blog Readers,

If you've still been checking for updates, thank you!  I was asked this question the other day, "Do you think you'll update your blog for Thanksgiving?"  Yes, Mom.  In fact I'm updating before turkey day arrives.  It is definitely time.

Interestingly it seems that time is what has been keeping me from writing.  Most days it just doesn't feel like there's enough of it.  On a day to day basis I feel like I am managing working 6 days a week pretty well.  Cumulatively though, it can get a bit wearing.  I think the advantage of having two days off per week is that you have a day for errands and chores and a day to rest.  With only one day off and the fact that one can only put off errands and chores for so long what ends up falling by the wayside is rest. 

In the evenings (or mornings depending on which day it is and which job I'm working) when I could take time to do things like write on my blog, I find it hard to do much more than plop on the couch and watch TV.  That has become my time for rest. 

This week I requested two days off from my retail job just to give myself a little break.  Being that I am a huge fan of the Apollo space program era, ever since moving here I've been wanting to visiting Kennedy Space Center.  I found a good deal on a Groupon and decided to go on one of my two days off this week.  Well, because I am who I am, when another supervisor called out for her opening shift yesterday, I said I would work part of it.  Since my planned tour at the space center was in the afternoon, I'd have time to do both.  Which is exactly what did.  I just love all that space history stuff.  On December 4th they're launching a massive rocket from Cape Canaveral as part of test project for future manned flights.  It is already on the launch pad which we got to see but were forbidden to take pictures.  To the point that NASA security was flying over in a helicopter monitoring what we were doing.  Should my schedule allow, I may try to head that way the day of launch.  From what I understand it's pretty spectacular to witness one close up. 

Jak is well and as mischievous ever.  The first few days after the time change were rough as neither Jak or I were getting a enough exercise so we had to figure out a new walking routine.  Even on the days when I'm at my job with regular daytime hours, we can no longer make it to the dog beach before the park closes.  So we've had to find an alternative, safe after dark location to walk.  I have now done so and for Jak the best part is the fancy marina we walk past.  You see, they have a well maintained lawn for which Jak likes to flop down on and bust out his favorite dance move.  The worm.  Whatever makes him happy!

I guess that's about all for now.  As promised to my mom, I will be updating my blog for Thanksgiving and maybe even before that.  Thanks again to those who keep checking here even though I haven't written in so long.  I suppose the lesson for me here is make time to take time to do it.

Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope

Slacking

Howdy Peeps,

Yeah, I know.  I've been slacking on writing my blog.  The thing is I was managing working two jobs pretty well until I offered to work extra while my boss was on vacation.  Which meant I worked two weeks straight without a day off and energy wise I haven't been able to get out from under it.  So currently my life pretty much feels like I work, try to walk Jak and beyond I can't get out of my own way.  Now, I'm not complaining as I made the choices, what I'm saying is I don't have anything fun to write about.  It's the cause and effect explanation of why there haven't been any blog entries.

I have made a new friend at the dog beach.  Her and her husband walk their two dogs there.  He travels a lot for work so her and I try to plan to walk together when he is away.  She is a kind and supportive person and always has something good to say.  So even though my fun and energy have been limited lately, at least when I do get out I get to spend time with good people.  It took a while for Jak to get used to their younger dog which is a Husky.  She can be a bit in your face to begin with.  As it turns out she is very prey driven, always sticking her nose in crab holes and such (we're all convinced one day she will come up with a crab attached to her nose!).  Jak of course is food driven, as in the kind that is already prepared.  He would much rather stalk the park ranger that gives him treats than a living ghost crab so he and the Husky can co-exist peacefully on the beach.

The weather is still in the mid 80's most days and we have had some rain pretty much every day for the past month or so.  The natives are all excited that tomorrow the high will be in the mid 70's.  That makes it feel like fall to them.  I, of course, love the warm weather and that wearing shorts and t-shirts everyday is still necessary in October.

Well I guess that's about all for now.  I won't make any promises about writing again soon, I'll just say when I feel up to it I'll write again.  I hope everyone is enjoying the fall.  The only thing I really miss about the northeast this time of year is fresh apples.  Someone have a Macoun for me!

Until next time...
Peace and Love,
Hope

Long Lost Hope Returns

Greetings Friends and Family,

Yes, I have sort of been a lost Hope for a while.  I seem to be managing two jobs okay, it's just a big consumption of my time.  I am, however, getting to the dog beach on a more regular basis which is good for body, mind and spirit.  And of course also good for Jak.

Last week on my day off when I could have sat down and wrote on my blog, I instead decided to treat myself to a little luxury.  I spent the day shopping around for a washer and dryer and I am proud to say I am the new owner of a set of Whirlpools.  After a year of hauling my clothes around to wash them it was just time.  It has improved my quality of life to come home from work and just throw a load of clothes in, instead of having to plan my week around getting somewhere to do laundry.  It seems to be the small things in life that make it oh so much better.

I was thinking this week about a time in my life when I was around someone that was capable of speaking unkindly to me.  In a lot of ways I've worked through the situation and let go of so much it.  I don't even hold bad feelings toward the person.  The thing is, even years later, I was still telling myself it happened because I let it be okay and in effect, blaming myself.  The other day it finally hit me.  It wasn't okay.  Bad behavior is not okay.  I let it be because at the time that was the best choice I knew how to make.  And now, I can finally stop blaming myself.  I did the best I knew how to do and when I knew better I made different choices around spending time with that person. 

A few days after having this breakthrough, I opened a little book of wisdom that I have and the page I opened to said this, "When I loved myself enough, I stopped blaming myself for choices I had made - which made me feel safe and I took responsibility for them."  How's that for some validation.  And then yesterday this TED talk came recommended to me...(only five minutes)

In it the speaker, David Brooks, recites the following quote by Reinhold Niebuhr:
"Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; therefore we must be saved by hope.

Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore we must be saved by faith.

Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore we must be saved by love.

No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as it is from our standpoint.  Therefore we must be saved by the final form of love which forgiveness."

The lesson learned for me this week, forgive myself.  Stop taking the blame for justifying things that are not okay.  Accept the choices I've made and strive to use that knowledge to make better choices from here on out.

Be kind to yourself.  Be kind to others.  Forgive yourself for the times you haven't been and for the times you've let it be okay for someone to be unkind to you.  We are all doing the best we know how to and that is enough.

Until next time...
Peace, Love & Kindness,
Hopeful

Working 9 to 5 AND 3 to 11

Hello Peeps,

When I made the choice to take on two jobs, I vaguely knew the possibility existed that I could have a long stretch between days off.  This week I lived that reality with an eight day stretch between days off.  Friday was the eighth day and by the time I left work at midnight I was one tired girl.  The new job is going well and I find some respite in having a few days a week that are set daytime hours.  I am also enjoying coming home for lunch and getting to see Jak. 

Today I've been cleaning like a madwoman before I go in to work a closing shift tonight.  The apartment complex is in the middle of annual building inspections and since I now live here and work here, I felt the need to be a bit more thorough in my cleaning.  Believe me though, I am still a far cry from being Susan Spotless.  Some people are cleaners by nature.  I am a cleaner by necessity. 

The weather has been HOT here and if I'm at the point of being miserable about it you can be sure that it's relentless right now.  Yesterday I think it was about 250 degrees with 300% humidity.  (That might be a slight exaggeration.)  Now, this doesn't mean that I am unhappy here it just means I'm ready for the weather to cool down a bit.  Last evening while standing around chatting with my friends that work at the dog beach I could just feel the sweat rolling down my back.  Gross.  Although as my father would say, you'll get used to it and to some degree I suppose I have.  Usually Jak will walk in the water a little bit and then get right out to peruse the sand for interesting smells.  Last night he walked the whole way in the water.  One time he almost went out deep enough to swim.  The good news about all of this is that I've come to the conclusion that mid to late August will be a good time to visit Massachusetts next year.

At some point I hope to get back to writing insightful blog entries again.  Sometimes I have one half written in my head while I'm at one of my jobs and by the time I could sit down and write, it is gone.  I haven't forgotten about it or my followers.  It's just a matter of finding the time and inspiration to write.

I hope that everyone is doing well.  Thanks for the continued support!

Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hopeful

Be One!

Greetings One and All,

This week I started my new part time job working in the office of the apartment complex where I live.  Since it is a new position my exact responsibilities are yet to be defined so this week was mostly just rolling with it.  By the end of my first three days I had a desk and a computer but no phone.  Since this was the first full week of the month, the property manager was busy with collections and delinquencies while I did busy work like walking the property delivering notices on people's doors.  I like that I will be able to get outside some and was even given permission to where my flip flops when I have to go mobile.  Heels are fine for the office but not for walking the back forty.

On Monday I woke up with the worst stiff neck.  I've been nursing some sort of upper arm injury on my left side for the past few weeks and I think it crept over my shoulder and into my neck.  It took me ten minutes to get out of bed on Monday because it hurt so much.  Since then there's been a lot of ibuprofen ingested and a heating pad purchased.  Each day it's gotten a little better though it's still pretty tender to say the least.  Mostly I've been trying to figure out how I got old enough to wake up with temporarily debilitating aches and pains.

A recall noticed arrived in my mail this week for the floor mats in my car.  When I went out to verify the serial number on my mats, I lifted up the passenger's side one to find that the rug underneath was wet.  I consider this a fortuitous discovery and am now trying to dry it out and figure out where the water came from.  There was a bottle of water there so I'm hoping that maybe that leaked.  Fingers crossed!

Some friends from work loaned me the 4th season of Downton Abbey so I'm off to watch another episode of that.  And even though I watched it when it originally aired, I just can't get enough of it!  I will leave you with a quote I just came across.  Hope everyone is doing well!

"The world is full of nice people.  If you can't find one, be one."  ~Nishan Panwar

Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope

That'd Be Alright

Dear Friends,

There has been a cat hanging around the apartment complex.  I call him Herbert.

I briefly considered the possibility of adopting him but he seems like more of an outdoor community cat.  I've seen him all around the property and when I got some food to give him (outside) he was only slighty interested so he's not starving.  During the brief window when I was considering adopting Herb, I asked around if anyone knew who's cat it is.  I even happened to run into the apartment manager in the parking lot so I asked her.  She did not know.  However on a completely different note, she wondered if I had any interest in working part time in the office here at the apartments.  I did have some interest so I dropped off a resume and found out more about the job.  It would be 3 days a week, set hours, set days.  Though I'm not familiar with property management, I am familiar with administrative tasks so I feel like I could learn the specifics.

So I spoke with my manager about cutting back my hours at my current job and got her approval.  Then I had an interview with the property manager and the district manager that went well I thought.  Last Thursday I was offered the position.  Yay!  So starting a week from today, providing their HR department gets all of my paperwork processed, I will be starting there.  Or here actually.  I think it will be good.  I'm really looking forward to having some normalcy in my schedule again.  And even though I'll be working six days a week, it feels manageable.  I already feel less stuck at my other job which is a relief so I really hope I can get back to liking it there again.  And who knows what the future may bring.  Part time jobs always have the potential to turn into to full time jobs.

When I moved here I considered bringing a few of the gnomes from my mom's collection with me.  Technically a few of them are actually mine so it wouldn't stealing or anything.  But with limited room and the last minute chaos of packing, I didn't bring any.  Last week I saw an ad for an estate sale with lots of art pieces including the same kind of collectible gnomes.  So off I went because a home really isn't a home until you have a gnome.  Or two.

 

The price was right so these guys came home with me.  Welcome Gnome!  Every piece by this artist has a story which unfortunately did not come with them and attempts to find it on the internet have not produced it either.  Their official name is Moore or Les and they are phone company workers.  I think this is actually a piece that Mom does not have in her collection.  And since her and I now talk on the phone regularly, it seems appropriate.

Jak and I are just back from our evening walk where I hoped to see a rocket launch.  It didn't go at it's designated time so we hung around a while but since it is a warm, humid evening I didn't want to keep Jak out too long so we left.  As I turned onto my street and looked up at the sky I saw the smoke trail from the rocket.  Oh well.  Maybe next time.  And as it turns I had a direct view of the smoke trail from my front door so I could've seen the launch without leaving the comfort of my home.  My gnome home.

I heard this Alan Jackson song on my way home from work yesterday afternoon and I will leave you with some of the lyrics from it.  This is my wish for all of you.

If everybody, everywhere,
Had a lighter load to bear,
And a little bigger piece of the pie.
We'd be livin' us a pretty good life,
And that'd be alright.

Hey, go heavy on the good and light on the bad,
A hair more happy and a shade less sad.
Turn all that negative down just a tad:
That'd be alright.

Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hopeful

Adventures

Dear Folks,

After being here a for more than a year, I decided that it was time to start taking some adventures.  Nothing crazy or daring mostly just exploring the culture here as a local instead of as a visitor.  Last weekend for the first time since I moved, I actually took an excursion south of here.  The purpose of the trip was to deliver my aunt to the airport.  The return trip was via the scenic route through the area formerly known as the Space Coast.  I believe they still launch rockets from Cape Canaveral but not sure what else is being done with the property.  The second picture of is a former space shuttle launch pad and the third pic is the enormous building that was used to assemble the space shuttles.

This week my day off adventure brought me to a beach about an hour north of here with a long stretch of coquina rocks.  As I've been told by friends at work this is a great place to find sea glass and other treasures and in the fall it's a great place to see starfish on the rocks.  I thought it would be a scenic place to take some pictures so off I went yesterday with a friend from work who went in search of sea glass.  At one point I was contentedly sitting on a rock with my toes in the water until a big wave came in soaking the rock and my shorts.  I spent the next few hours feeling as though I had peed myself.  The good news, my camera was safe so that's all that really mattered to me.

I haven't shared any metaphors for way too long so here's one I was thinking of last night.  People are like the rocks on this beach and the ocean waves are like our lives.  They ebb and flow slowing changing and shaping the rocks.  Like our life experiences are slowing changing and shaping us.  Sometimes we have to weather a storm and come out somewhat broken or changed in a bigger way.  Most of the time it's just a gentle everyday washing over that guides us.  There are treasures hidden in and around the rocks and in people, you just have to be willing to take the time to explore.

Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope

The Closer

Hi Friends,

No, I'm not referring to the TV show.  I am referring to the shift I've been working a lot lately.  When I first started as a supervisor I was supposed to have one or two closes a week and the rest would be midday shifts.  Now it seems I am closing four days a week with only one mid.  How do I feel about this?  I feel tired.

Yesterday a friend sent me a text recalling the days when she had a job working evenings and she put into words exactly what I've been feeling.  "...when you work nights often your whole day revolves around going to work.  For me it always felt like having no day, no night, and then going to bed."  Pretty much sums up where I'm at.  And then add to the mix a dog that needs to be walked in a climate where early mornings or evenings are the coolest times.  And of course early mornings are when I am sleeping so that leaves evenings which is when I am working.  Sigh.  I think you get the point.

I also just realized that I hardly ever cook more than a black bean burger anymore.  I mostly bring PBJ's to eat on my meal break at work and making a big meal for lunch before I go to work just doesn't happen.  I have a freezer full of my favorite spaghetti sauce but not the time or ambition to make a spaghetti dinner!

So what is the answer?  I'm not exactly sure.  I did have a job interview this week for a position that is similar to what I used to do.  With day time hours.  However they said they wanted to make a decision that day and I have heard nothing so I'm not feeling all that hopeful about that particular job.  Sometimes I daydream about just quitting my current job though the reality is I have too much integrity to do that.  So I will keep on keeping on and also keep applying for jobs that are in alignment with where I want to be.

For the most part I can stay positive and hopeful about something coming along.  I do have my moments when I just want to wallow in self pity for a little while but then it's onward.  Marilyn, I didn't know your mother but if she can help I'm all for it!  Please and thank you!

Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope

Happy 4th of July!

Greetings Peeps!

It is a hot and humid 4th of July morning here in the land of sunshine.  Which, I guess is to be expected.  I rearranged the magnets on my door about a month ago in honor of today.  Since I had to cut out the stars, there are only 13 in recognition of the 13 original colonies.

I am on a stretch of working closing shifts and although the hours are not my favorite, for this weekend I will gladly stay away from the beach.  As much as I love our walks there, I am not a hang out at the beach all day kinda gal.  Jak and I went for a walk this morning along the main road from the highway to the beach and it was already bustling at nine a.m. 

Tropical Storm Arthur blew past here on Wednesday bringing some periods of heavy rain throughout the morning.  By the afternoon the skies cleared up and all that was left was a nice breeze.  (Which is welcome here this time of year.)   It looks like Arthur gained strength around the Carolinas.  I hope he brought the I-95 corridor some much needed rain.  The corn fields looked very dry when we rolled through there last week.

Not much else to report here.  I've been rearranging my living room a bit trying to find the best place for the rocking chair that I brought back with me from the home state.  Since the TV has to stay on the wall the with cable hookup, there isn't a lot of moving around that can be done.  So it's mostly about trying things at different angles.  I am pretty content with the current layout except that there is a lot of wasted space behind the futon.  For now I'll let it be, usually in time these things work themselves out.

Well, wherever you are, I hope you have a damn fine 4th of July.  Eat watermelon, be safe and have fun!

Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope

Like A Band Gypsies

Greetings Folks!

Over the past week, Jak and I have been on the road again, like a band of gypsies we rolled down the highway.  Seven days, 2700 miles (round trip) over 12 states.  Our journey of a thousand (plus) miles began with Jak giving me the stink eye and ended with poison ivy on my feet.  The good news is, everything in between went really well.

Since my childhood vacations always revolved around making this trip (in the reverse order), I didn't mind all the driving.  Though a co-pilot would've been nice for conversation and perhaps to do some of the driving so I could do some sightseeing, Jak and I managed just fine.  I stocked up at the library with books on CD and managed to get almost all the way through two.  Sometimes I get a bit distracted listening to books so getting through two is a big accomplishment for me.  Jak was a good passenger.  Only occasionally did he get a little antsy or restless.  He is an easy traveler as he will eat his meals and do his business pretty much anywhere so a rest area is more than adequate for him. 

Jak's good nature was put to the test a bit when he had to spend a few days with Mom's new puppy.  Maizie Grace is a good little dog, she is however young and I took to calling her Miss Wiggles.  She made my Jakky look like angel (for the most part) as she took to jumping on his head.  I reminded Jak that he was young and energetic once too.  As I was loading up the car to head out on Tuesday Jak was outside watching me with a look that said don't leave me.  When I got his leash, he literally jumped up and down and willingly got in the car which doesn't always happen.  This picture pretty much sums it up.  Maizie jumping at the camera, Jak in the background wondering if it's time to go home yet.

My freezer is delightfully full of spaghetti sauce from my favorite spaghetti dinner I used to attend regularly, containers of chicken pie filling and corn from my uncle's garden.  A friend loaned me a cooler to take north and we loaded it up, strapped it closed and wrapped it in a sleeping bag.  The ice had barely melted when I arrived home last night and opened it.

Aside from a quick tour through my old work stomping grounds, this trip was all about family.  I had some really good visits with my step mom and aside from being very thin, she is otherwise so normal and positive.  I was telling my dad it's too bad we can't donate weight to somebody like you donate blood.  I'm sure she'd have a long line of willing donors at her door.  By the time I left, my step mom was talking about taking a trip to come visit me.  From the bottom of my heart I hope the treatment gives her the opportunity to do anything she wants to.  And as much as anything, I believe her thinking forward like that will carry her through.

Today I go back to work which I have mixed feelings about.  It will be good to see everyone.  A week away has probably rejuvenated me some but it has also left with me a greater feeling that this is not what I want to be doing long term.  So I will continue to pursue other potential opportunities and see where the road leads me.

Hopefully my week away has also provided me with the break I needed to get back into writing my blog regularly again.  Several of you mentioned that you still check for updates and I'll work toward there being more. 

For now, it's lunch and the US World Cup match.

Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope

Cheers!

Howdy Friends,

The theme song from the old show Cheers has been running through my head this morning...
"Making your way in the world today takes everything you got. 
Taking a break from all your worries should would help a lot.
Wouldn't you like to get away.
Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name."

I think there are two reasons this song is on my mind this morning.  First because some days at work really feel like they take all I've got to get through.  (Yesterday being one of those days.)  And secondly because I'm heading north to the home state in a couple of weeks.  Where everybody knows my name.

This time I'm taking a week off from work, driving and bringing Jak.  For those that don't know, as I only eluded to details when I went home for a few days in January, my step mom is battling cancer.  She has been through a round of radiation and chemo since I was last there that did not elicit the desired results so she has just begun a second round chemo.  She has known since diagnosis that it is not curable.  The hope is to at least slow it down.  As I previously wrote about, she continues to handle it all with such grace.  She always finds something good say even when she could be so downtrodden in the report she is giving.  If you believe in something, anything, please say a prayer for her or surround her with white light or whatever works for you.  She is a courageous lady.

I am looking forward to seeing family and friends.  I am also looking forward to some time away from work.  As both of my parents have pointed out it's a lot of driving to only be there a few days.  Which, I guess it is.  I think it will be good though.  I'm not going crazy making tons of plans ahead like I did in January.  I'm just going to roll with it and see where it goes.

Over the weekend while at a used furniture shop, I noticed a yoga studio next door.  I haven't been to any yoga classes since moving here and feel like I'm ready to start again.  I looked the studio up online and they have a Monday morning class which would be perfect this week since I have to close at work today.  When I went online again this morning to verify the time, there was a message that said the studio is closed June 9th, 10th and 11th for construction.  Oh.  Well, I guess today isn't the day that I get back into yoga.  The studio also rents stand up paddle boards (a popular activity here) which is something I would like to try sometime.  Though I have some reservations around being on the water I think I would be okay with a life jacket and someone experienced on the water.  Anyway, an activity for my to do list.  If anyone wants to come visit and go with me, yes please!

A friend of mine from the home state is packing up today and heading off to start a new adventure in Texas with her family.  As I can empathize with the fear and sadness of making a big move like this, I can also encourage and say, taking the leap is totally worth it!  Safe travels my friend, you got this!

Be well, kids.  Be courageous and be encouraging.  And most of all, laugh as often as possible!

Until next time...  Om!

Peace & Love,
Hope

Hope Anchors The Soul

Hello Friends,

Recently I saw the title of this blog letter on a t-shirt.  Hope Anchors the Soul.  I was thinking about this concept today as I stood in beautiful park next to the river where the local Memorial Day service was taking place.  It made me wonder.  If hope anchors the soul, then what anchors hope?

I've always felt like moving here was/is the right decision for me.  I love the warm weather, the laid back lifestyle and friendlier atmosphere.  However, having been here over a year I feel like there's really nothing that anchors me.  This is sort of a strange concept to me as I came from a place where I have five generations buried in the local cemetery.  My roots run deep there.

Here, I live in an apartment.  It is adequate.  It meets my basic needs.  I have my stuff in it but it's not mine to do as I please with.  I have my job but that too feels transient, either within the company or in a whole new direction.  And with a schedule that varies each week in days and shifts worked, it would be hard to volunteer or join some kind of group that meets on a regular basis.  Since I'm not the type to make friends quickly, that has also taken some time to begin laying down those roots.

So as I stood there at the Memorial Day service pondering all this, the mayor did something unusual.  He said that he wanted to do what he has participated in when he's attended events at the Legion.  He asked everyone in attendance to all join hands while he played a recording of Lee Greenwood's song God Bless the USA.  And there Hope was, hand in hand, anchored in a sea of strangers.  It was in that moment that I realized what really anchors us is perhaps not just the big things in life but a series of small things.  And that a sense of belonging and community can be found anywhere as long as we're willing to look for and see it.

"There ain't no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA."  And God bless everyone for that matter.

Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope

I'm Still Here!

Dear Blog Readers,

Last night I was reminded again that I haven't updated my blog lately.  That statement was followed by that person saying, and I can just imagine what it would look like if you did.  Meaning that I just haven't been quite myself lately. 

Things at work continue to be a struggle and I find it weighing on me every time I go there.  In addition to my ever changing schedule, I find it difficult to navigate the continual lack of structure.  We all have to find our way through the chaos from time to time, and I'm willing to work through my share, however in my current work environment chaos reigns supreme and I feel like I'm constantly walking on egg shells.

Thankfully the past few days I have had some normalcy.  I worked a 7-3 shift on Thursday and was off on Friday so Jak and I were able to go for our evening walks on the beach.  One of the nights we ended up walking with a couple that have two dogs.  Though we often see them there, this was the first time we were all going in the same direction at the same time.  They are nice people and I enjoyed having the company.  It also made me realize that my crazy schedule puts limits on the amount of social contact I get outside of work.  So, I'm applying for other jobs, looking into perhaps transferring to another store and really just trying to be clearer with myself about what I need from a job to at least feel human.

It's hard to believe Memorial Day weekend is already upon us.  The beaches here will be busy this weekend with highs in the 90's predicted.  (I have the front door open for Jak as I write this but that won't last long.)  Here are some pictures I took earlier this week.  I think they will be the preferred modes of transportation around here this weekend.  I had to take the second picture three times in order to get the Jolly Roger flag flying.

Tomorrow I'm running a 5K in the morning and working in the evening.  For now, I'm jumping in the shower and heading off to an estate sale.  Whatever your weekend plans are, be safe, have fun, stay awesome and remember our Veterans.

Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope

   

Just Do It!

Dear Peeps,

As Eleanor Roosevelt once said...

Recently I saw this quote and during my morning jog I decided to follow her advice.  And so after being petrified of it when I was little, today I jogged across this bridge.  And back.

Though the drawbridge is up in this picture, it was not up at the time I crossed it.  To be honest, that was what scared me so much about it when I was a kid, that it would go up while I walking over it.  For that reason until this day I hadn't ever walked on the actual drawbridge part of it.

Life has been a bit consuming lately.  At work I am still trying balance who I am with who I need to be to get the job done.  I am finding that this requires self care and ultimately setting boundaries. I think with boundaries comes the illusion that you only have to set them once and be done with it.  In reality people like to push back against them so there is a lot of repetition and consistency involved in being a good boundary setter.

The weather is in the 80's most days now and I am totally fine with that.  After spending most of the winter telling Jak he couldn't get his feet wet when we walked on the beach, the ban has finally been lifted.  Jak is not a fan of getting the salt water rinsed off after our walk and in the cooler months, he acted like the hose water was a torture device.  So with consistently warmer air temps, the hose isn't quite so bad and he is once again allowed to wade in the water to his heart's content.

It's almost time for me to get ready for work so I'll bring this to a close.  I know my posts have been few lately and I promise to make an effort to write more. 

Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope

To Get From Here To There

Hello Friends,

I was reminded last night that I haven't updated my blog lately.  This was not a fact that had gone unnoticed by me.  The thing is I just haven't felt inspired to write this week.  And although there is that popular term, fake it till you make it, for me when it comes to writing it's got to be genuine.

Last evening some rain and thunder showers rolled through about the time I would take Jak to the dog beach and I found myself home in the 5pm-7pm time frame.  It dawned on me that between work and the dog beach I am so rarely home at that time and it just felt so good to be.  This is representative of a crossroads that I find myself at right now.  My ever changing schedule at work continues to weigh on me and I find myself longing for the days of a Monday through Friday, 9-5 work week.  The lease on my apartment is up in June and though I'm not unhappy here (double negative, yikes!), I also wouldn't say I love it.  If I could find a place in a residential setting where I was comfortable to walk Jak any time of day I think it would be a much better scenario. 

So where does all this leave me, the crossroads, "two roads diverged in a yellow wood", well all I can do is take steps toward making changes.  I am once again on the job hunt, I've already applied for two this week.  I have set some boundaries at work around my schedule which should help some short term.  I am also looking everyday for apartments.  On the days when I can sneak in a run, I've been jogging through neighborhoods where I think I would like to live, hoping to come across a "For Rent" sign that wasn't listed on Craig's List or in the Pennysaver where they would love to have a Golden Retriever.

In the meantime, I will continue on with my job and where I am living knowing that the only way to get from here to there is taking steps, no matter how big or small.  One day at a time, one foot in front of the other.

Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope

A Year In Review

Dear Friends, Family and Random Blog Readers,

Yeah, so, a week ago I had every intention to sit down and write an insightful review full of wisdom and metaphors and anything else you could ask for.  And then life happened.  Things at work have been a bit stressful lately added to my ever changing schedule and I found myself too exhausted to write anything profound.  So I didn't.

Now a week later an epic review of the past year no longer feels as necessary.  Instead I've decided to condense it into three sentences. (The idea adapted from a writing exercise; your life in three sentences.)

~Have the fortitude to dream and the resilience to ride the wave.

~The love and support of family and friends is priceless.

~Express gratitude daily and be kind yourself.


Earlier today I pulled out my neglected camera and took some pictures on our morning walk.  I truly feel blessed to live where the following images are a part of my any given day.

It would be remiss for me not to include at least one metaphor in this review, so here it is.  If every rose has its thorn, then every cactus has its bloom.  Perhaps the people who are the most prickly on the surface and hard to deal with are the people who are most in need of our compassion in order to bloom.

 

As of writing this, my blog has been viewed over 4000 times.  Thanks for the love and continued support!



Until next time...
Peace, Love & Gratitude,
Hope

One Year Ago Today

Dear Friends and Family,

It was a year ago today that Hope arrived in the land of sunshine.  It's hard to believe that a year has gone by since I set out on this adventure and started writing this blog.  Through the ups and downs of it all I can honestly say I really love it here and have no regrets with my decision to move.  In the next few days I plan to write a comprehensive recap of my first 12 months in a new place.

Today also marks the one year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings back in my home state.  I believe that times of tragedy are also times for the human spirit to prevail.  The following video is about John Odom, one of the victims of the bombings.  His story became of particular interest to me as his son in law, who played a role in saving John's life, is my all time favorite MLS goalkeeper Matt Reis.  What an amazing journey the past year has been for John and his family.

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/boston-bombing-victims-miraculous-recovery-and-the-doctor-who-saved-him/

I've put this quote on here before and today I will share it again. 
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Lao-tzu
For John Odom it was literally a single step.  For me it was packing myself up and heading south.  Whatever that single step is for you, take it.  Even if it's scary.  One small step for you is one giant leap for mankind, because I believe following your dreams adds to the greater good of humanity.

Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope

Full Circle

Greetings One and All,

This week has not been one that I would consider banner.  My crazy schedule finally caught up with me and you could say I've been feeling a little frazzled.  And what became even more frustrating to me was when I spoke up at work and said I was having a hard time, I felt unheard.  That's the funny thing about speaking up for yourself.  The results are not always immediately obvious and it is very easy to feel like why should I even bother.  I just have to believe that the benefits of standing your ground will evolve sooner or later.

Last night, however, after working nine hours on a day I really wanted off, I found myself on the verge of a major downward spiral.  And in the midst of hating the world, I came across this bit of news that halted the spiraling and put a smile on my face.

This is Chase Elliott.  He is the 18 year old son of racing legend Bill Elliott and for the second straight week, he won the Nationwide Series race.  At a track he'd never driven at before on a night when he could have been attending his senior prom.

When it came to racing, I grew up in a house divided.  My brother a devoted Dale Earnhardt fan and I (like my dad) rooted for Bill Elliott.  And back in those days, the on track rivalry between Earnhardt and Elliott was a big thing.  Now fast forward all these years later and now Bill Elliott's son is making a name for himself in the same sport as his father.  But here's where the full circle part comes in.  You see, the team that Chase Elliott drives for - JR Motorsports - is owned by none other than Dale Earnhardt Jr.  The fathers once famous on track enemies, the sons now an alliance.  Ironic yet poetic all at the same time. 

The following picture was posted on Twitter recently and it just makes me smile.

It's the legend Dale Sr. with Chase Elliott, who I'm guessing is about 2 in this picture.  Who would have ever thought how this would all turn out.  I like to think Dale Sr. is smiling down as he watches Chase and Dale Jr. winning together.

And so on a not so good day after a long week, I was reminded that you just never know where the road may lead.  Have faith, take heart and keep on truckin'.  You just never know when you might find yourself celebrating in victory lane. 

Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope

Reading and Writing

Dear Framily,

Framily. Friends + Family = Framily
I came up with a new word this week when I discovered that in being away from most of my blood relations that my friends have become my family here. Being that they are all an important part of my life it seems like a word to encompass both is necessary.  And fitting.

What I've been up to in my spare time this week has been actually writing some individual letters/emails because when I started this blog I promised that I would still do that too.

I have also started reading again which has been an interesting journey back to doing.  When I first moved here and wasn't working I thought I would do tons of the one thing I always wanted to when I was working and didn't have time. Read. Four months went by and I didn't finish one book. Over the past few weeks at work as my responsibilities increased and I was again facing a learning curve, my desire to read came back to me.  Perhaps reading has to be a treat or a reward for it to draw us in.  I have finished two books already and am half way through a third one. I think a good book could also be considered framily.

By the front door of my apartment I like to hang motivational or inspirational words or quotes. I change it up periodically as the mood strikes me. Yesterday I copied and hung up the following quotes to read and remember each time I go out to face the world.

Jak and I are off to the dog beach soon for a morning walk before I go to work later.  Happy Friday Peeps! Dance and sing like no one is watching.

Until next time...

Peace and Love,

Hope

Bad News/Good News

Hey There,

As part of my new role at work, during shift change I like to process with the other supervisor who is either leaving or working after me.  During this time I like to share with them what I call bad news/good news.  It's my fun little way of framing the not so good stuff with something a little better.  For example, I might say the bad news is we were so busy I wasn't able to get x, y and z done.  The good news is the customer that no one wants to wait on (b/c she is crazy) has already been in today so you won't have to deal with that later.  Or the bad news is I'm leaving in a few minutes.  The good news is I did get x, y and z done before you got here.

Since I am off today I thought I would share the home version of bad news/good news.
 
The bad news is I can't get my vacuum cleaner bags from Sears.  The good news is the bags are durable and I was actually able to empty the one in my vacuum. 

The bad news is my vacuum is small and therefore the bags are too.  The good news is, after emptying it, I found out they hold a remarkable amount of Golden Retriever hair. 

The bad news is I don't know if this shortage of bags in permanent.  The good news is I've found a temporary solution.

The bad news is there is a predicted high of only 60 degrees today.  The good news is without having heard the weather, I started making a vat of chili yesterday to be finished and eaten today. 

The bad news is I have plenty of chores that I need to go do.  The good news is I've updated my blog more than once this week.

Make hay while the sun shines, kids!

Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope

Random Thoughts

Greetings One and All,

Happy Spring!  After a long cold winter in the northeast I hope the warmer weather finds you all soon.  In the land of sunshine we've already been dealing with the joys of pollen for weeks.  Allergies have been coming on strong and everyone's vehicle has a lovely yellow tinge to it.

Things at work are moving along just fine.  I'm starting to get my feet under me in the new position and find my place among the other supervisors.  There are more changes on the horizon.  Another supervisor is transferring to our store and one of our current supervisors will likely be promoted to an assistant manager.  Since we do not currently have an assistant manager it will interesting to see how this all works out. 

Jak and I are enjoying the extra hour of daylight as it gives us a bigger window of time to get to the dog beach around my crazy schedule.  Currently Jak is laying across the threshold with his head hanging over the step.  He's really so good about me coming and going at all different hours.  One good thing about his love of food is that he will eat his two meals a day any time.  Even on the days when breakfast is at 4am or supper is at 11pm.  Last night I rolled over in bed and knocked a pillow onto the floor right on top of poor unsuspecting Jak who was sleeping peacefully next to my bed.  The poor thing jumped up from a sound sleep not knowing what hit him.  Needless to say I felt pretty bad.  I'm glad it wasn't anything heavier than pillow.  Poor pup.

If I can find the ambition this morning, I will go for a run before work.  I am still trying to work up to running a 10k, though my schedule makes it tough to have a set training routine.  I'm at least trying to run 2-3 miles a couple times a week sans Jak and then whatever running he is up for on the days I walk him.  At the very least I want to do the same 5k that I did last May.

Before I wrap this up, I want to send out some belated birthday wishes to my friend MaryAnn.  I apologize for being a few days late and just remember you get a whole week to celebrate.  So Happy Birthday Week MaryAnn!  I hope there's sun and fun in store for you!

Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope

A Big Sigh (of Relief)

Greetings Compadres,

I didn't realize it's been over a week since I've written.  To be honest, with my scheduling varying so much at work, most of the time I don't know what day it actually is.  I just know whether I'm supposed to be at work or not.  For example, it dawned on me only about an hour ago that I missed my favorite soccer team's game on Saturday.  (Luckily I can watch the replay online and I'm so out of the loop with news I don't even know who won.)

After years of being a pastey white (sun deprived) tourist that visited the area, today I am breathing a big old sigh of relief that Bike Week is over and the tourist population has dropped by a million or so.  Those bumper stickers that say "Look Twice, Save a Life, Motorcycles Are Everywhere" was an understatement these past 7-10 days.  The people were nice, no biker gang issues or anything.  There were just so many of them.  My brother says that even though I've lived here almost a year, I can't consider myself a local.  I told him, you are w-rong.  I became a local the first weekend (last April) when I went to the dog beach and it was over run with inlanders and I was completely annoyed about it.

In other news, things are work are going pretty well as I start to settle into my new position.  There were some times last week when I was feeling incompetent and on the verge of tears.  I told myself I was feeling vulnerable about the recent changes/increased responsibilities and that it was not that many months ago that I was feeling completely overwhelmed about working there to begin with.  For the record, this strategy of talking myself down is not really satisfying in the moment but does seem to have a good effect in the grand scheme of things.

The weather has been warmer here and I am loving it!  It's almost time to start switching out long sleeves and pants for shorts and t-shirts... yes please and thank you!

That's about all for now.  Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Celebrate safely.

Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope

When Hope Breaks in Two

Greetings Friends,

A while back I wrote about choosing "hope" as my word for the year.  Since then I haven't mentioned much about this decision and how it's going.  I also haven't shared any good metaphors lately so I thought I would write about both in one letter today.

About a week ago during a visit to Charming Charlie I decided to treat myself to this...

It is my word for the year and really, who couldn't use a little sparkly hope in their everyday.  (Plus, it was on clearance for the girl who loves a bargain.)  All was going well.  My Revolution key chain would be moved from car key to newly assigned work keys and Hope would become my car key chain.  Then it happened.  I caught the H on my console and just like Hope broke in two.

Insert metaphor here:  Sometimes in life it really feels like hope just falls apart.  The thing you've been waiting for, wanting for and especially hoping for seems to break into pieces.  So what do you do?  What did I do?  Well, first I tried a little glue but that only held for a few hours.  Then I tried glue and band aid (yes, a real band aid!) but that only last a few days.  Today I designed a custom wire brace and am currently waiting for the glue to dry so I can see if that will be enough to keep Hope together indefinitely.  The thing about hope is that it doesn't have to be permanently broken.  Even when it all seems lost, there is always a way to put hope back together.  Maybe it's not exactly the same as it was before, however maybe the new version will be even better and stronger.  Plus there is satisfaction and character building in working with the broken pieces to put them back together.

All the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't put humpty dumpty back together again.  Hope, however, can definitely be repaired.  It just takes some trust and confidence that it can be done and as previously stated that's what hope really means.

Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope

Recovery Day

Yo,

What's up?  I'm up this morning, though a bit reluctantly.  In the middle of last week my schedule was changed to accommodate training for the new position.  This meant I went from having Sunday off to having Thursday off and had to open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  Now, taking the training part out of it, opening means going in at 4:30am.  And in my world that means getting up at 3am so I have enough time to get myself ready and get Jak ready.  In addition to getting up early, my brain is also trying to absorb new information so I'm pretty much exhausted and thankful to have today off.

On Friday and Saturday I opened with another shift supervisor and on Sunday and Monday I was the only shift supervisor.  When I arrived Sunday morning I was greeted by the following, left by my colleagues that closed the night before...

There was also a sea of encouraging sticky notes left around the backroom of the store.  A total vote of confidence to know I have so many people in my corner.  (And yes, my nickname at work is Cray Cray short for crazy, of course.  It's a likeable crazy though - I think!)

This week I will have three nights closing the store.  Two with another shift supervisor and one as the shift supervisor.  I will be working both openings and closings and mostly the mid shift which covers the gap between the opener and the closer.  I think it's good to learn how to do both.  I find it valuable in the learning process to see the other side of why things are done a certain way.  I have closed a few times during my tenure and now that I've opened a few times, I can already understand why some things are done the way they are.

Not much else is going on here.  Obviously the last few days have been consuming enough on their own.  I did take some time when I was off last Thursday to update my front door for the next holiday.  It was a little harder to accomplish than the heart for Valentine's Day, however I enjoy the creative process and gave it my best shot.

Oh well, even if it isn't the most accurate looking shamrock, it is at least cute.  And I had fun doing it.

For now I'm going to try to shake this nasty headache I have.  As it turns out, after a few nights of sleep deprivation, a full night's sleep has left me feeling hungover.  Without any imbibing.  Go figure.

Keep it real and stay awesome Peeps!  Leave your co-worker an encouraging note today.  It makes a world of difference.

Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope

Feeling Uncertainty

Greetings One and All,

Today is a last minute change of schedule day off for me.  Since I haven't been writing as much lately, this seems like a good opportunity to do so.

Something that's been on my mind this week is dealing with uncertainty.  Several situations have put me into new territory which of course makes one feel vulnerable and uncertain.  The thing about feeling uncertain is that I think it's something you recognize more in retrospect than in the moment.  My default reaction mode is gathering information.  For me, having more information -even if the accuracy of it is unknown- gives the illusion that I have some form of control over the situation.

For example, when Jak hurt his knee last summer, within an hour of returning from the vet I had Googled everything from alternative joint supplements to knee replacement surgery.  This of course can be a troublesome road to venture down because there is a vast amount of accessible knowledge with no way of knowing what might actually be helpful.  And in reality, the answer could only be found in time and by giving him common sense care.  The thing is when uncertainty is looming like a storm cloud, allowing things to happen in their own way and time is just excruciating.  As human beings in times like these we reach of our elixir of choice; food, drugs, alcohol, Google.  Anything to take the edge off of uncertainty.

Earlier this week when I found myself turning to my old friend Google, instead of choosing to venture down the lost highway of information, I decided to see what wisdom my favorite researcher/author -Brene Brown- might have to offer on the subject of uncertainty.  Turns out this was a good choice.  The following is an excerpt from an article she wrote on the topic.

"Uncertainty makes us feel vulnerable, so we try to escape it any way we can. Sometimes we even settle for misinformation or bad news over not knowing. Have you ever ended up in an Internet rabbit hole of terror while waiting for test results?

Yet it really is possible to thrive amid uncertainty. It's not about getting advice you can trust; it's about faith and self-trust—believing that whatever happens, you'll find a way through it. Without uncertainty, we'd never start a business or risk loving someone new. There are no guarantees when we step into the unknown. But these periods of discomfort can give rise to life's most important adventures."

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Living-with-Uncertainty-Brene-Brown-on-Uncertainty#ixzz2uX087qRk

This was so what I needed.  For one, not to feel alone in how uncertainty can feel.  And secondly and perhaps more importantly, that recognizing a state of uncertainty is the first step to embracing the process instead of resisting it.  Brene says when she feels herself start on a downward spiral she says to herself "I am feeling vulnerable" to break the cycle before it gets out of control.  For me, this is great advice and I have already found myself following it in the past few days since I read it.

I'll end this super-sized blog letter with a few lines from a Garth Brooks song (of course!) that have been rolling around in my head.

"No way over it.  No way around it.  If you want it, you have to go through it."

Until next time...

Peace & Love,

Hope

Moving On Up

Hey Y'all!

There comes a time when you realize that one Good Year blimp just may not be enough.  As it turns out for those days, there are actually two Good Year blimps.

What this also means is that the Nascar racing season starts this week and the area is overrun with fans, tourists, race teams and a couple of blimps.  I have also had several celebrity sitings at work this week.  Joe Gibbs, former NFL coach and current Nascar team owner, came in for a cup of joe (haha) last Sunday.  And then on Monday one of the ESPN Nascar commentators stopped in.  As I was making his beverage, I totally called him out on it's lack of appeal.  Decaf, non-fat, no whipped cream.  I said to him in the middle of a busy morning, this is one big old cup of no fun you got here!  He did laugh.  And I am leaving his name out of it on my blog because he did seem to be a nice guy.

So while the title of this letter to home is seemingly about the picture above, there is actually another reason for it.  A few months ago at work one of the shift supervisors transferred to another store.  At that time I spoke with my manager about the possibility of moving into that position at some point.  We were busy with the holidays and filling the position didn't seem dire so the discussion fell by the wayside.  I know I haven't been there that long but feel that I could handle the responsibility of the position so I at least wanted to get on the track toward making the move some day.  This week another shift supervisor handed in her two weeks notice and filling her position is a bit more necessary.  So, in about a week I will begin my training for the new position.  Several of the other shift supervisors have been supportive, encouraging and singing my praises to the manager which is greatly appreciated.  It feels like the next natural step so I think it will be a good move.

The weather here has been pleasant the past few days and my schedule has allowed for me to get out and enjoy it.  I'm trying to work up to running a 10k so once or twice a week I leave Jak home so that I can run a bit farther than I do with him.  I noticed he looks a little stiff the next day if I push him too much so I have to be aware of that.  Today I did about 3 miles and probably ran 3/4 of it.  Or so I'm telling myself.  I am just grateful to be living where I can get out and run (or walk with Jak) in February.  I was just thinking today how lethargic a cold, snowy winter used to make me.  I love my family and friends and miss you all.  I don't, however, miss a New England winter.

That's enough news for one day.  Keep it real, peeps.  Stay awesome!

Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope

V Day

Hello World!

Happy Valentine's Day! 

I asked Jak to be my valentine today and he said yes.  I think.  As long as there's food involved.

Today at work we are exchanging Secret Valentine gifts (it's like Secret Santa) and I made some mini cupcakes to share with my work peeps as well.

Whether it's a made up holiday or not, today is a day to appreciate those in your life who make your everyday better.  So come on, hop to it and spread the love!

Until next time...
Peace, Love & XOXO,
Hope

Checking In

Howdy Friends,

Thought I would drop a note just to say I'm doing fine and I haven't abandoned my blog.  I've had a lot of early shifts in the past week and have a hard time getting to bed early so by the time I get home I only do the bare minimum.  Plus I haven't really had much to write about, which could also be a result of just being tired.

It is currently raining and thundering here so I'm writing this while I wait for it to pass so I can take Jak out.  I see that another winter storm is creeping it's way into the northeast.  I have to say, I would much rather wait out a thunderstorm to walk Jak then to shovel a path in the snow for him to get outside.  It doesn't feel like February here and I am totally fine with that. 

Tomorrow and Saturday are my days off this week so hopefully once I've had a few good night's sleep I'll be more inspired to write.  To my friends and family preparing for another storm, stay warm, stay safe.  Watch the Olympics while you're housebound, make jigsaw puzzles and eat lots of comfort food.

I'll leave you with some hope.  Only 36 days till Spring.

Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope

A Moment of Clarity

Happy Tuesday Peeps,

The other morning I had to get up at 4:30 to get ready for work.  I'm not sure if it was sleep deprivation or the sheer fact that no one should have to be up and functioning at that hour but I had this moment of clarity.  For a brief instant I could see my life objectively.  I could see the magnitude of what I had done by picking up my life and moving to a place where I knew hardly anyone.  And I thought holy crap, this is a really big thing that I've done.

Now, maybe it sounds silly that I hadn't recognized it before, however as I've mentioned in previous letters (most likely as a metaphor) when you are the one in the middle of it you're just doing it.  Moments of seeing your life objectively are few and far between (at least for me) perhaps because fear would have a chance to grow and overshadow the thing we were in the middle of doing.

My moment of objective clarity came on the heels of a trip back to the homeland which may well have shifted my perspective just enough to see.  I am grateful that I found the courage to make a move like this and also thankful that I could not see the magnitude of it as it may have paralyzed me with fear.  I regularly feel glad to be here.  It hasn't always been easy and it hasn't always unfolded the way I thought it would.  However, I haven't once regretted my decision to make this move. 

In the movie "Sweet Home Alabama" there is a scene in which Melanie is lamenting about her life in NYC versus her life in Alabama and how they both make sense to her.  Jake's response to her is "you can have roots and wings."  This quote ran through my mind periodically as I was preparing to make this  move.  In a completely different format I recently came across the "roots and wings" concept again.  My trip to the homeland reminded me of my roots and the goodness that I come from.  Being back here reminds me of the importance and beauty of spreading my wings. 

Be kind to yourself.  Be good to each other.  And when opportunity arises, spread your wings and fly.

Until next time...

Peace & Love,
Hope