82:365:2012


I am quite excited about 2012.
It's the Year of the Dragon... and according to Chinese Astrology... I am a dragon
... so this is MY year.

When I first was thinking about the goals and such I wanted to accomplish this year... I came up with quite the list. Now... I am not saying that I am not going to pursue each and every thing on that list...
But I will say that ... other things are probably going to be more to the forefront... at least right now.

For instance. I need to get my health in order. 
As women... I think we tend to put ourselves on the back burner... and this isn't going to cut it for me anymore. And so... this week I (finally) made an appt for the dentist... and went in yesterday for a consultation. I get the follow-up appt next week... where I will get 2 caps replaced because of cracks.. and 2 cavities fixed (because of the cracks)... and a root canal for an abcess that developed on a third tooth. eeps.

I also went to see the Chinese Massage people .. . and got a fantastic (though somewhat painful) overhaul.

I got a pedicure (the first in probably a year)... and treated myself to some wonderful shea butter and body scrub while I was at it.

I also ordered myself a new pair of glasses on-line. 
A couple years ago when I went to see an eye surgeon... I was told that I could no longer get "lightweight" glasses because my eyes were too bad... my astigmatism was too severe... and I needed eye surgery as I was slowly losing my eyesight. eeps. Anyway... the crux of it was that my glasses would cost $600. I declined... and have been putting up with my 7yr old lenses/ frames. But honestly... they are way too damaged and scratched to really see very well out of them. And so... I was (finally) able to find a place on-line that will make them for me for MUCH less. WoOt!

And I made an appt with my medical doctor for a physical.

I know it sounds obvious... 
but if we don't learn to take care of ourselves... how can we possibly take care of anyone else



81:365:2012


I know nothing about wine.
So... when we had the opportunity to go to the St. Clair Winery and Bistro this weekend
... we decided to go for it... and it was lovely.

Our server, Jessica... was extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the wines available... and I selected a fabulous white for our meal. Combined with a tasty crock of french onion soup and a gorgeous salad of spring greens, feta cheese, nuts and cranberries... it just about made my day.




77-80:365:2012


As you all know... on Saturday, BAJ and I went on a little trip to the northwest part of the state.
We went for a friend's wedding... but decided to make it a "grande event"... 
and see some sites while we were there.

So. 
On Sunday am, we went to the ruins in Aztec, New Mexico...
... then a fab late lunch at the St.Clair Winery...
... then the wedding :)

On Monday... we spent some time in a wonderful hot tub at our hotel... 
Then spent a leisurely drive coming back to ABQ.
Of course, I took lots of photos.



So... for the next few days I will probably be editing some of them to post here...
Care to come along?

76:365:2012


It's been a rough week for me.
This weekend... BAJ and I are heading out to go to a friend's wedding...
up to the north end of the state... so it should be a little bit of an adventure.
I hope to take some photos... and get some good rest.

In the meantime... 
Today I played with some photos that I took almost exactly 2yrs ago today.
These were taken on one of my (many) trips back to PA. 
It's always great fun for me to play around with my photos... and I work on some every day.

In other news... 
--we have the fire pit in the backyard up and ready for a bonfire
--we're planning out the gardens for the year
--and today I got some gorgeous smudge sticks and incense in the mail from a friend... and it's awesome.


75:365:2012


We had a little visitor today in the backyard... 
he was awesomely handsome.

You can read more about him and his kinfolk:  here




74:365:2012


I have no special talent. 
I am only passionately curious.
 --- Albert Einstein




Today is Albert Einstein's birthday... 
and so I thought that a quote from him would make a nice start to my post.

The sun is shining... and although allergies are kicking my butt... it's been a good day.
Today feels like everything is fresh... new... and full of promise.
Keep curious... keep  learning.

73:365:2012


 And today... I am exhausted. 
The kind of bone-shaking... down to your core... feel like you've been hit by a truck (or tree)...
tired.

But. I did get to play with my granddaughter... 
run a couple errands...
had coffee with my honey...
did some chores around the house... and on-line...
enjoyed the sunshine...
visited with friends...
and now... I am off to snuggle with a puppy on the couch.

Hope you are all doing well.

72:365:2012



Hard to believe that only a couple nights ago... it was snowing.
Today... it was in the mid 60's .. and sunny.

And so... in my 20 minute spurt of energy...
I decided I should cut down a tree in my backyard.
Normally... I really hate to cut down trees. 
...Especially here in the southwest, where it's hard to grow them.

But. 
This one had been struck my lightening several times... and was mostly dead... 
save for a couple hardy twigs that bore leaves last summer.

I put my daddy's BIG ol' cowboy boots on... grabbed the saw... 
and down she came.
I left a goodly portion of her trunk... and I hope to build a couple birdhouses
or feeders... and post them there.

Fortunately... I have some "elves" here around the house to cut and stacked most of her before the sun went down...



71:365:2012


This photo is from a couple years ago... on one of my many road trips back to PA.
I believe this one was taken in Ohio... and I shot it with my little Kodak (while driving) from the window.

Scenes like this make me wish I felt up to another drive ... somewhere... anywhere...
But for now, I will be content with some good movie watching on our (new to us) sectional couch.
We are renting-to-own it from Aaron's... and I couldn't be happier.

70:365:2012


...today is a good day...
 ...to read...
...drink tea...
...watch movies...
...listen to music...
... take a nap.

69:365:2012


Our path in life is rarely (if ever) crystal clear.

In fact... most of the time (at least for me) ... it is akin to driving in a dust storm. 
You may be able to see ahead... but not by far. 
Life can shake you around a bit... perhaps even force you off the road for a little while... 
but in the end... we still get where we're going... 
it just may take us a bit longer.




67:365:2012


Pain.
... a subject I am quite familiar with.

It's an interesting thing.
I believe that pain is a very important tool in life... one we can choose to learn from; if we desire.
Now, that is not to say that this is something we have to tolerate unnecessarily. If you have the means to stop some of the suffering... by way of herbs... tea... heat... medications... whatever... why not? 
Learn from the pain... and move on. Don't be a martyr and suffer if you don't need to.

Having had cancer (more than once)... I believe that pain should be minimized when possible. Too many people are reluctant to take medications (morphine for example)... because they are afraid of addiction.
From my experience as a nurse ... I KNOW that the pain eats up the drugs almost as quickly as you take them... and unless you are taking meds without having pain to eat them up (so to speak)... this is something you probably won't ever have to worry about. There are, of course, exceptions... Some people are just prone (genetically or otherwise) to addictive behavior.

--but I digress.
Today the wind was whipping thru our neighborhood... and (being sick at the moment)...
 it reminded me of how we handle pain... discomfort... trials and tribulations. 
And so today... I encourage you ... to bend with the wind...

66:365:2012


I felt a little better (for a short while) today... and decided to do a bit of work in the yard. 
Not much mind you... but it's a start... 
and I am very grateful to my loving family and friends who help 
(or in some cases... do the bulk of the work).

The thing about Lupus... or at least one of the main things for me... is remembering to pace yourself. 
I get these (brief) spurts of energy... and the desire to overdue when it happens must be curbed... 
or I  pay for it greatly.

So... small tasks....sporadically throughout the day... with rest periods in between ... is the key.



While I was out in the sun though... I took a few photos... that I would like to share...

65:365:2012


Well.... seems like I am in (another) Lupus Flare.... eash.
Which means... I need to rest as much as possible... and try to take care of myself. 

And so this afternoon I watched a movie... BIG FISH
... and tonight I made some steak... to go with a variety or potatoes (red, blue, and fingerling) that my daughter cooked up... and some raw spinach, peppers, and tomatoes for salads.

Last night I went to Barnes and Noble... and I found a couple books to read this week.

-------------------------------------------

The photo for today's post, is one I took at the Pescadero Point Lighthouse in California.
There were a bunch of little birds hanging out on the weathered fence... 
and I was able to get a couple photos of this one.
Like me this week... he is simply taking a breather...

63/64:365:2012






...the desert wind whips us... and molds us... and shapes us...
These treasures were found on a walk close to my house.

((Original photos by Carmela DaParma... but I cropped, edited and altered them... 
with her permission... so it was sorta a collaboration))

62:365:2012


...I've been brainstorming alot ... 
...thinking of art to make... 
...things to do... 
...now I just need to get the energy to do it...

In the meantime... here is an example of some of the photos I have been working on.

61:365:2012


...thought I would showcase some of the photos I have taken in the last couple years... 
of the neon lights here on Route66 Albuquerque.
...enjoy...






60:365:2012



It's hard for me to sometimes find the words to write for these posts. I don't want to be boring.
And yet, some days are just not exactly noteworthy or interesting.

I love it when I am able to travel... because there is just so very much to see and write about...
 and try to describe... and to photograph... and I want to share it all with you.
And then there are days like today... where I am just too tired... sore... frustrated with stuff beyond my control...
and I really don't want to write about that stuff.
 So what's left?

I work on my photos... and I think good thoughts... and send warm, fuzzy vibes to you all.
And I play my music entirely too loud.

59:365:2012


I absolutely love spring.
However. Today seems to be the start of the windy season here in ABQ...
and I am NOT loving how it's stirring up my allergies.

On the other hand... 
we got groceries... and now we have chips! and a huge batch of home-made salsa to enjoy... 
(which is loaded with tons of Vit C to combat those nasty allergies and such).

Photo for today's post: is a photo I took of a bouquet we got for a friend for her birthday.
I try to get a fresh floral bouquet any time I go to Trader Joe's... they have the prettiest flowers there.