travel

March 2nd, 2019

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Today in North Idaho it was sunny with scattered clouds with a high of 22 and a low of 3. It was windy and not a great day to be outdoors so I stayed inside for the most part.

Sorry for the long departure. I’ve been busy being busy. I recently had my ninety day probationary period meeting so I am clear to move forward in my new job. Also, I have been working between clinics and attending as many dinner/teach events as possible. I also joined a bunko group and a local women’s group that goes out to dinner once a month. Both are strictly social as far as I can tell and are great fun!

Last night I stayed at my daughter’s house and took the first ever nap with those beautiful little feet I have shared with you. He is now eight months old and is truly the sweetest little guy I know!! There is just something so honest and “homemade” about that kind of connection with your grandchild. I am blessed beyond measure. I just see his mind working and it takes me out of all my own thoughts and calms me in the very best way!  He started crawling a few weeks back and is now walking with the help of one of those stand up baby walker things that looks like a cross between a toy and an old people’s walker!  Haha

I have been studying for an exam that I have coming up in a few weeks and I’m nervous and excited to make that happen as I’ll receive a raise when I pass. I am also considering going back to school and researching how to make that happen while keeping a full time job. Exciting plans indeed!!

Life has been good and my priorities are in check. I have a few hurtles ahead of me but all hurtles I have placed in front of myself in an effort to grow and learn more about my own limits and boundaries.

I hope that you are focusing on the good things in life. That you are letting go of the things that don’t serve you or keep you from a forward moving direction. It is NEVER to late to start again!!! It is Never to late to be the person you want to be!!

November 7th, 2018

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Brax Hiking

Braxton Hiking with his mom

Today in North Idaho it is overcast with a high of 39°.  Snow is showing this Friday in the forecast and I still have leaves on the ground and potted plants to bring in.  I hope everyone got out to vote yesterday!!!

I’ve had a few months off of work and will be starting back next week.  I have managed to travel, hike, garden and paint the majority of the inside of my Little Nest.  I have taken you along during my recent travels and I hope you enjoyed the photos.  I planted many azaleas this summer as well as a large honeysuckle, a lilac bush and installed a couple of lavender bushes at the beginning of my walkway to the front of the house.  They smell heavenly and are purple in color and I am excited for them to flourish and greet my family and guests.

I also was able to see more of my grandson, Braxton, shown in the photo above.  He is such a happy little fellow with perfect feet and a curious mind.  I see everything good in the world through him.  His parents are blessed with his birth as they believed they could not have children.  I am unsure if that makes this child all the more brilliant in our eyes or if it is just his general joyful disposition.  He is the reason for this blog and the treasure that puts my life in perspective.

I went for an early morning walk along the lake with my friend and her dog, Samson.  A morning walk always gives the day such a settled feeling.  Most of the leaves have fallen in preparation for winter and the lake is clear and calm.  I’ll continue with my painting project today which now finds me in the spare bedroom.  I have a cup of hot tea, a fire to keep the house warm, Howard’s End on the television for company and my favorite socks made of bamboo which are like heaven.

Counting my blessings in North Idaho and the change in seasons that is upon me. The holidays are coming and I enjoy all the festivities in this small mountain area and the family events that are to come.

Today I remind my small band of readers to focus on the hours in front of them.  Inject the things you love and adore regularly into your day and arrange to come in contact with them to lift your spirits. Put a smile in your way and trip over it often.

November 5th, 2018

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Today in North Idaho it is sunny with a high of 39°.  It has been rainy for the most part but the sun makes an appearance occasionally as it is now.  I am posting a couple of pictures of a pallet photo frame I’m making.  So easy and inexpensive.  Just the way I like it!!

I have spent the last couple of weeks settling back in at home and repainting my kitchen and living room.  Nothing like a fresh coat of paint to make your house feel clean and new!  I call my home The Nest.  It is the first house that I ever owned and which has been a rental for the past twelve years or so.  I moved back after my husband and I separated after twenty plus years of marriage. I could not manage the big house that we built and truly love The Nest where we raised our children and so being back in this home truly feeds my soul.  It feels like being in a place where hope and promise live and where every corner hold a memory of growth and love.

My home is located in N. Idaho just outside of a tourist town and close to walking trails, a restaurant, marina and lake. Just out of the daily hubbub in a very peaceful setting.  In fact, when my family first moved into this home our girls were very young and there were hardly any children to play with and the population was mostly comprised of elderly individuals that had lived here since they were children.  Now there is a big development right across the street from my house with million dollar waterfront homes and a flock of children playing in the streets daily.  How quickly things have change but not my little Nest!

Today I went on an Ellen binge.  Sometimes when I’m feeling unmotivated or low I’ll watch her past shows.  She makes me laugh and brings me up with her inspiring guests.  Her producer Andy had his annual scare at the haunted house last month!  He literally makes me laugh out loud and cry at the same time!  Where would this world be without Ellen Degeneres, I ask you??  She is the one person who constantly searches for ways to motivate her viewers to be better people and inspires them to love one another.  We just need to clone Ellen!  She is a real person who has a real and very public past both good and bad and has persevered with a kind heart!  Ellen is a perfect example for us all.

Tomorrow I’ll be moving into the spare bedroom and begin painting.  The weather is supposed to perk up a little and I’m hoping to collect my leaves before the snow falls.

Tomorrow I plan to leave a baggy with money in it in a random location with a note that reads “This is for you. Please enjoy this gift of kindness and don’t forget to pass on your own kindness when you can!”

Why…because someone may need warm socks…or a smile!  And because it feels good!

 

 

October 24th, 2018

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Today in North Idaho it is sunny with a high of 58°.  I am packed up and back on the road today heading out of Washington and back to North Idaho!  I will be taking a scenic route off of I5 and over to 20 through the Cascades. I’m hoping the weather holds out but I might run up against some fog.

It amazes me sometimes how my perspective can so quickly become tweaked. How a simple road trip can open my eyes and expand my heart. I imagine the lives of the people living in the towns I pass through. Some homes are so remote. What do they do for a living? Did they go to college? Do they work from home? Is there WiFi in these here parts?!?!  “Mow the lawn and find a tractor.”  And then the cities and the obvious loss of connection that the smaller towns can’t help but have.  The beautiful old architecture and massive manufacturing, a zillion shops, restaurants and pubs.  Different strokes for different folks.

How did I land in North Idaho?  Those little feet kept walking, my life had the same direction that all school children had in life.  After I graduated high school I married a man nine years my senior and went to college for stenography. I had my daughter shortly before I received my state CSR license. My mother had moved to North Idaho with her third husband about a year before I passed my exam and invited us to move up too. The area was beautiful so we packed our belongings and we went. My daughter was nine months old when we started life in North Idaho.  I must have sang Somewhere Out There from An American Tail a hundred times. Her favorite song and it kept her attention on the long drive!  The move was a big change. It was a new beginning.  Life was so full of promise and I’ll never regret moving to North Idaho and raising my daughter here.

My daughter has told me several times that she had a great childhood. I can’t begin to tell you the depth of peace that brings me. If I die tomorrow!  If I did nothing worth while with my life but give my daughter a happy childhood then I’m okay with that!! That is the only thing that has ever had my feet solidly placed on the ground. Her happiness was my only true purpose.

So know your purpose and fulfill it. It may take a life time!  It may be more than one thing!  Keep your focus because in the end everything else is just noise.

October 23rd, 2018

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Pallet Birdhouse DIY

 

Today in North Idaho it is sunny and 61 and from what I understand the weather in general has been wonderful for over a week. If you are located in a place where the summer forest fires bring in thick smoke then you will appreciate a few extra weeks of nice weather at the end of the summer in a seasonal area.  The last few years our summers have been downright miserable which is extra difficult when you have only a few months to be out on the lake. It is hard on tourism and local businesses. Also there are many hard working men and women firefighters away from their families and facing danger. Crossing my fingers that next summer is better.

Today I took a moment for a little DIY birdhouse project. I love repurposing pallets and birdhouses are easy, useful and quick.  People always love getting these little birdhouses and what bird doesn’t love a sweet little home!!

Joy comes in small packages! Just the smallest amount of effort can make all the difference.  I’ll give this gift to someone who will then gift me with a smile or a hug in return.

I make my future and so can you!