Wandering Cyberspace From the Cornfields

Finally!!!

I'm back on the road next week and I couldn't be more excited.  I've been home for four very long weeks.  I know that probably seems silly, but anything beyond two weeks and I start to get restless.  This doctor is wayyyyy out in the middle of nowhere-a 45 minute drive from the airport.  I'm hoping that means there will be some pretty scenery.  It will be a small training, just the doctor, his wife and maybe a new employee.  It will be office number 190 for me.  That's a WHOLE lot of orthodontic practices to spend time in. :)

Today I pondered if maybe I am becoming hermit-like but decided hermits don't actually leave their house. Friday I was at the shelter, yesterday I went out and ran a few errands and today I took myself out to breakfast.  I'm feeling sort of blah when it comes to projects.  I'm down to the last 4 pages of my wedding gift project.  I started scarf number 17 tonight for my warm hugs project.  I started a pink baby sweater to take with me on this trip.  As per my usual I'm taking enough knitting supplies to last for a month and I'll just be gone for 5 days.  I would hate to run out of something to knit.  I like to keep 2 baby sweaters on hand for gifts.  I mailed out the pink sweater I had made to a consultant that often talks at our user's conference.  Of course it included a matching sewn bag and gift tag--all that I just happened to have on hand.

I needed 3 cards to finish up for Arbor House for July.  Not feeling overly motivated to make cards this weekend I spent time stamping and die cutting words and sayings and went through my box of scrap paper and die cut squares, and circles and flowers and rectangles.  I won't even venture to guess how many cards I can make out of that mountain of paper.  Last year at this time I had made a start on my Christmas cards.  Maybe after I get home from the wedding and get that over with.

I'm doing my best to focus on the positives of the wedding.  I'll get to see both of my daughters, it's been quite some time since the 3 of us have been together.  I have some cousins that will be attending the wedding that I always enjoy spending time with.  I'll get a chance to check in and visit some friends in the area.  I'm also going to see if I can track down my brother.  I haven't seen him since my mom died, 10 years ago.  My daughter is disappointed that he did not RSVP for the wedding.  I was thinking today, I'm pretty sure he didn't attend my wedding either.  I may just show up on his doorstep.  Neither of us are getting any younger--so a visit is long overdue.  I send him cards for his birthday and for Christmas, and so far the mail has not been returned.  He friended me on Facebook about 2 years ago.  I might try to reach out there before I drive to his house in Cincinnati.  Yes, my family is quite dysfunctional.  I learned long ago though, that most families are.  My mom was married 2 times, there are 3 sets of kids and I don't really have contact with any of my siblings.  I found out a few years ago vie Ancestry.com and the results of a dna sample that I sent in, that I in fact have a DNA sister.  I had no idea when I sent the sample in that I would be matched with someone else that sent in a sample.  Yeah, that's quite a revelation to find out when you are 60. 

...still trying to get into the habit to do a blog post now and then...as always my life is a work in progress. :)

Happy 4th of July!

This mid-week day off was refreshing.  I got a walk in this morning, the start to the Amerithon.  I'm part of a team to walk 3,521 miles across the US.  I'm part of a team, and there's no deadline for completion.  I've always wanted a way to see "where" I'm walking to, not just steps on the Fitbit.  I was also part of a team to Run the Year--2018 miles in 2018, as a group we crushed that goal--I not so much.  But I have better intentions and have promised myself to try to do better about getting some steps in.  I've set my alar for 6:30, hoping to get some steps in before the triple digit heat of Texas kicks in.  Ask, believe, receive and get my butt out of bed and off of the couch seem like a good start.

It was a good crafting sort of day, both projects turned out better than expected.  I'm working on a big project for a wedding gift for my daughter and her new husband.  My goal is to have it done before I head back out on the road next week.  I'll still have a few days when I get home before leaving for Ohio but I like the thought of having it all finished.

I went to the movies today to see Ocean's 8, I enjoyed it.  I've always loved the Oceans movies.  I squeezed a short nap today.  I tend to listen to my body and when it says rest, I rest. 

I'm finishing up scarf number 12 for my Warm Hugs project tonight.  Last year I made 36 scarves--I need to kick it into gear, the year is half way over and I've got a lot of stitches to knit.  It's a simple pattern that doesn't require a lot of thought.  I've made it so many times with just a few variations in the stitch pattern.  I have my favorite yarn I like to use and I do my best to find it on sale.  I have it all wound and ready to go so as I finish a scarf I can pick the next ball of yarn to start the project. 

Yesterday was a meh kind of day.  I think it's all of this time at home and not on the road.  Even I get bored from time to time, no matter how many projects I am juggling.  It's not that my life on the road is wildly different.  I guess I've grown accustomed to being in a new place and working with new people every week and all that involves. 

...this too shall pass 

How did it get to be July?

The 4th of July always seems to mark the middle of summer.  In some ways I feel it is later in the year--so I've still got time.  :) I thing because I have two trips coming up out of the country in the next few months.  I'll be in Australia for 2 weeks and will be celebrating Thanksgiving in Galway, Ireland.  It will be my 6th trip to Ireland, one of my favorite places to visit.  I was in Galway my first trip to Ireland in 2006. That was my first trip outside of the US and that's probably why it holds a special place in my heart.  I'll have a few more days in Galway, it's a one day meeting and I plan to extend my trip a few extra days.  

With this job you are always looking forward, planning the next trip, the next adventure.  It will be my 12th trip to Australia.  I never imagined I would go there once.  Part of the trip will be in Perth--then south to Albany for a one day training.  Those spots are probably the furthest place from where I live that a person can travel.  A lot of time on a plane but quite a few days there and some time for fun tucked in.

When I started this job I hoped to have on international trip a year.  2018 will have 4--New Zealand, Spain, Ireland and Australia.  That is pretty darn crazy.  Each trip is a new adventure to meet new people and to explore new corners of the world.  Even my trips in the US take me to places I never thought I would ever get a chance to see. 

My life is filled with abundance.  Yes, it's not all sunshine and rainbows but I choose to focus on the good stuff and to treat every trip as if it is the last time I will visit that particular part of the world.  In the mean time, I'm using my time at home to work on my crafty/charity projects.  

....and trying NOT to go stir crazy!

Ann

 

I had a REALLY good day today....

For some reason I can't sleep past the normal time on a day off.  I did have a long leisurely wake up and then I started my day.  First on my list for today was to drop off my package of goodies to Arbor House.  It's the nursing home in my neighborhood.  This is the third time I've dropped off cards to them.  They were really happy to see me and added a smile to start my day.  They started sharing stories about the cards I dropped off last month.  They said you don't understand how much joy these cards give to our residents--yes I do. :)  They told me that they had saved a card for a new gentleman and gave him the card as part of his welcome to his new home.  They've added mail day to their calendar as a special event now every month.  Thirty cards is a challenge, and I don't send more than 2 or three of the same design. The residents are showing off their cards from their new friend.  I write  little note and tuck inside of the card.  That way if they want to give or mail the card to someone else they have that option.  They also told me they love the little birthday bags and have been using them to celebrated birthdays.  Such a small thing really, but I can only imagine what life would be to spend the rest of my years in a nursing home.  

The next stop on my list was at Michael's they had the yarn I use for my winter time warm hugs project scarves on sale for $2 a skein--a real bargain from the normal $4.99 price.  I optimistically bought 20 skeins.  I have about 10 at home and I counted last night and I have 9 scarves made.  Last year I made 36 scarves so I have a few scarves to get finished before December. 

A pedicure has my toenails pretty and purple with a tiny design.  It's just one of those small luxuries I do to spoil myself.  I was craving my favorite puff tacos and had the for lunch.  The restaurant only has them at lunch time and only during the week. They were just as delicious as I remembered.

Friday afternoons are my time at the local animal shelter.  It's hard to believe, this is my 12th week going there.  I stopped at Kroger, my favorite florist, and picked up some flowers and I made a card for the shelter workers.  The weekends are a challenge, that's when people tend to surrender their dogs.  With the holiday next week it will be a busy week of people dumping their dogs before vacation.  I did a lot of laundry today and made it to the bottom of the dirty laundry bin.  Egads when you get to the bottom of the bin it is one really really smelly place.  I had time with 5 dogs in the courtyard.  One of the dogs absolutely loved the pool and we both ended up wet by the time I took him back to his kennel.

It was a day filled with simple pleasures, things that made me happy. Along the way I made a few other people happy.  Yep, a really good day today :)

Day 2...

It's a bit like riding a bike once you shake off the rust and start to write again. Most of the things I write these days are work related or fit into a small window--once in a great while a longer note posted to Facebook.

A lot has changed in my life since 2010.  I've loved and lost--travelled all over the US and more than a few countries outside of the US.  My normal is getting into an airplane on Monday to some new location and flying home to Dallas on Friday. It's a different way to live life and I've been doing this for almost 8 years.  I still love my job, the people I have met, the friendships I have made.  It's not nearly as glamorous as it seems.  It's been a life changing experience.  I still love what I do, it's filled with lots of challenges and quite a few rewarding experiences.  It's always an adventure.

It's week 3 of being home.  I tend to get a bit stir crazy after 2 weeks at home.  I've worked to find ways to try to fill my time at home.  I love my time volunteering at the animal shelter.  It makes me feel good and helps satisfy that want/need to have a dog.  It's not at all practical with my lifestyle.  I fold a lot of laundry, clean up a lot of dog poop but also get lots of love from the dogs each week.  I fall in love with at least 2 dogs every week.  I love it when I go back the next week and the dogs have been adopted.  Some have been there for quite some time.  I have been around dogs for a great deal of my life.  But shelter dogs, are an entirely different breed (no pun intended.) Many are tossed away by their owners and it's heart breaking to see how frightened they are at the shelter.  I've also come to realize that it takes a very special person to go into work every day and take care of those animals.  So as part of my time there I try to find ways to bring a smile to their day.  Tomorrow I'm taking flowers and one of my handmade cards. I'm going to make them all fat and diabetic if I take treats every week.  It's becoming a fun challenge to come up with new things to take when I make my visits.

Kindness and my charity projects seem to be filling a space while I'm home.  I'm doing my best to make the most of my time here.  I'm thinking of starting Christmas cards next.  A three day weekend on the horizon.  I plan to do my best to rest, relax, recharge and do something nice for me.  Pedicure please, puffed tacos at my favorite Mexican place and whatever other mischief I can find to get myself into.

:)

Ann

 

Knock knock...

It's been 3 years since my last blog post.  It feels like I've stepped into the confessional, but I don't have anything to confess and I'm not Catholic and I would never consider myself religious.   Once upon a time I used to blog almost daily about the things that were on my mind.  Then came Facebook and Instagram and all sorts of social media.  On those platforms I find that I share less and less about what's really happening in my life.  Oh I share the good stuff, things that make me happy but long gone are those days of baring my soul.  I miss that feeling of posting anonymously.  

As if I had that? When I worked at the college someone there found my blog and were shocked by the things that I wrote.  Yes, I went to a nude beach once.  I'm pretty sure that's not a punishable offense and I hope that one day I might do it again for the third time.  Life is too short not to swim naked in the ocean.  

Now that I've stumbled upon this space, and 10 years of being in Texas perhaps I'll start to write again.  Being at home drives me crazy and this might be a nice outlet.  I'm ok with staying way under the radar.

Ask...believe...receive. 

 

Ann

I came here tonight to close down this blog...

I am paying $8.95 a month to keep this blog up and running.  I've thought about canceling my account, I'm really not even sure there is anyone reading these posts.  I've not been in the cornfields of Ohio for a very long time.  This blog was a reflection of who I was once upon a time.

I've changed in more than a few ways.  But deep inside, the parts that really count are still there.  I have the same values I was raised with.  I still love my charity work, I enjoy knitting, I've just added a few new hobbies to the list.  Instead of charitable works at a distance, I have found things around the Dallas area that I enjoy like making sandwiches for the Dallas Soupmobile twice a month.  I love venturing into downtown Dallas.  Funny, once upon a time I was nervous about driving in downtown Dayton, and now look at me.

I think I will continue to pay the $8.95 a month.  There's a lot of history here, blog posts dating back to 2006.  This is the archives of at least a part of my life.  I think I need to preserve those ramblings from my brain, and ramblings from my heart for a little while longer.  Maybe one day I will go back and read the posts, just not yet.  I have a feeling that there are some painful memories in there between the lines.  I choose to look forward and look toward the path that is before me now. I can't go back and change the past, nor would I want to.  All of those pieces are what makes up the puzzle of my life, and I wouldn't go back and change any part of it. 

I'm alive and kickin' in Texas, happy and loving life.

I hope you dance...

I spent this afternoon at a dance seminar at Gilley’s in Dallas.  (Yes, once again I ventured to downtown Dallas!)  I felt that smile spread across my face as I made my way into downtown.  I saw some of the buildings that I painted last week in painting class—I didn’t let the traffic jam dampen my spirits I knew that I was going to have a good time today.

There were a lot of people at the dance seminar today.  Several Meet Up groups from across the metroplex were invited.  There were even reserved seats for our group. There were a few familiar faces from my dance classes, but lot of new people.  I sat with two women from Meet Up and made two new friends.  They also told me a great place close to home that offers dance lessons on Sunday night.  There are no classes tomorrow, but I promised them I would join them there next week.

I learned a few new dances this afternoon, my favorite was the barn dance where you danced a pattern and then shifted partners.  The dance moved around the outside of the floor in the circle and was great fun.  I learned a tango like line dance that let me slink across the floor and you guessed it laugh at myself.

I realized after dance class on Thursday this week that I have been learning more at dance class, than just how to do the progressive two step, the three step, the two step and the waltz.  I’ve been given a few lessons on life.

Patience--There are always more women than men at both dance class, and today at the afternoon seminar.  It can be frustrating to be the person standing back and waiting your turn until there is someone to dance with.  There were a few times today that I felt like the last kid picked for kickball.  In all fairness, I was the new person there, and really didn’t know anyone.  Each time will get easier.  Driving home tonight I realized just how brave it probably is to just get in my car and go to these lessons and events by myself.  It’s not always easy putting yourself out there to strangers.  But, I didn’t move to Dallas to sit in my apartment all weekend.  So I will keep pushing myself to do new things and tackle new challenges.

You have to let other people lead – Laughing, this really has been a struggle for me.  If we are practicing and I know what we are going to do next I tend to back lead–and every time I do that I am busted by the guy I am dancing with.  When we are doing free dance when I don’t know what might come next I am much better at letting the man lead.  I’m working on it.

Being told what to do , and really listening and trying to become a better dancer- Not the same as leading I have been fortunate enough to dance with some experienced dancers who give me pointers and suggestions.  I truly do appreciate the help.  It can be intimidating dancing with someone who has a clue when you are still in the learning stages.

Being in the moment – It’s hard to count, follow a lead and twist and twirl around the dance floor and focus on anything else.  No time for checking text messages, emails or poking anyone on Facebook.  You just have to pay attention and dance.

Understanding - I love dancing with people who are better than I am.  After dancing with other beginning dancers, I know that it’s not as fun for them as it is for me.

Appreciation for people who have been at this for awhile -  Those times when I am sitting on the sidelines, I enjoy watching really good dancers move across the floor.  I’m determined that I am going to be one of those people.  Who can just go from move to move without thinking, and loving the feeling of gliding across the floor.

I have gotten better than that first class, and the lessons do help.  I’m determined, and really feel comfortable enough to dance several dances and not be intimidated.  I’m hoping that my sense of humor help me get through the silly parts of my introduction to dancing.  I know that I can do anything that I put my mind to, and I’m putting my mind to this.

We had a break at the end of the day and had a *spread* as they call it in Texas.  There were a variety of homemade and purchased food that lined the table.  The dancers sat in groups and just shared a great afternoon together.  I arrived at around 12:30 and left at 7:00.  We do this again in a few weeks, and I will be there again, ready to learn more and for the next adventure.

To accomplish great things, we must not only act but also dream. Not only plan but also believe.–Anatole France

This month...

At least once a month I will try something new and different…that’s goal number 4 for 2010.

Last night’s adventure was attending a painting class at Painting With a Twist in Grapevine. I had purchased a Groupon Coupon back in December for a night of painting for $20.  I figred that was cheaper than a movie night with popcorn and thought it would be fun.  Whoever came up with the concept of adding wine to craft classes is a genius!

I had a bottle of wine that I purchased while visiting the hill country in Texas last summer.  The wine was a Muscat Canelli from the Sister Creek Vineyards in Texas.   It seemed a perfect fit to paint the Dallas Skyline.

The class was full with 40 people attending.  There were groups of women having a girls night out, couples, and a few single people like me just there for an evening of fun.  Many people had done the same thing I had done and purchased the $20 coupon.  The owner of the store said they had sold over 600 coupons through their offer on Groupon.com.

I arrived early, opened my bottle of wine, and poured myself a glass.  I put on my apron, admired some of the other paintings in the room and pondered taking another class.  It was a lively evening with lots of laughter and fun.  It was very cold outside (especially by Dallas standards) but there was only one empty seat.  I had a great view of the instructor and didn’t have to turn my back to watch what she was painting.

At the end of the evening we posed for a group photo with our paintings.  No two paintings looked alike, some were better than others, some were *very colorful*.  The one thing that was constant were the smiles on every face around the room. Every person in the room had a great time and went home with a reminder of the evening to hang on the wall.

I plan to frame my work of art and hang it in my apartment.  Not because it is a stunningly beautiful painting, but it’s a reminder of a fun evening, and stepping outside of the box and trying new adventures.  The teacher said last night they are working on a companion piece that will be the skyline of Fort Worth.  Sign me up!

Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.  ~Pablo Picasso

I have happy feet!

I think I understand now about the lead character in Happy Feet.  That’s how I feel after I leave my dance class on Thursday night.  I have that rush of excitement from figuring out a new turn, a new step that puts me on a high that I just can’t imagine.  I honestly never pictured myself as someone who would enjoy Country Western dance lessons so darn much.

Tonight started a fresh round of lessons.  The weather was simply awful outside, crazy raining which really had my cough acting up.  It had been a long day at work and on the drive home I started finding myself thinking of excuses to stay home.  I gave myself a quick kick in the behind and went to class.

There were only two groups tonight a beginner class and an intermediate class.  That meant that my partner, an advanced level dancer had to take a step down and dance with the intermediate group.  It makes a big difference dancing with someone who knows what he is doing.  It can also be very intimidating.  Thankfully, Don had lots of patience, and taught me quite a few extra moves that we didn’t learn in class tonight.  I still struggled to let him lead, but found that after a few practice runs it was easier to just step back and let him lead me where I needed to go.  When we had the free dance period of the night he was very patient when showing me new things and gave me lots of tips to help make me a better dancer.

Next week I may be brave enough to wear the python boots, it really is important to wear shoes that don’t have rubber soles.  I need to get used to just regular walking n them before I take them dancing.  Baby steps… I had to giggle tonight when Don pushed me to try new things..and I said sure I’ll try.  Doing a few dance moves doesn’t seem like all that much after the major life changes I’ve gone through in the last few months.  All of those changes started with baby steps too…

Life isn’t worth living unless you’re willing to take some big chances and go for broke.– Eliot Wiggington