Holy Smokes!

So FINALLY back to blogging! I lost my password and could get into my blog! What a pain in the rear!
So just to update all on my life in general, this has been the busiest year I think I have had since beginning working after my undergraduate degree. Work is great and I am enjoying the responsibilities and the changes that have happened in the past year.
I am working hard to increase my technology skills, and creating professional podcasts. I have been developing and conducting webinars with other consultants to provide ongoing literacy support to teachers. 

I still help with Special Olympics and have been working on streamlining the medical process and database support with a wonderful friend, Linda. Linda has also invited me to be a coach for our new program of Equestrian! I am so psyched to help with this program and love the ability to go and be a side helper at an equestrian program and support the athletes, who are fabulous! They LOVE the horses and I love feeling that I am a part of their happiness, in some small way. I also spent time recently with students who were participating in the regional bowling events and realized that I really enjoy these kids. I feel that I am so lucky to be invited into their lives and am grateful for their friendships.





Natalie and I have started taking a Wednesday night class at The Knitter's Edge and we are able to learn the basics of knitting and how to follow a pattern with support then and there when we might need it. 
Regan and I are well, just "progressing on the path" as a good friend put it earlier. 
on the house hunt and trying to find a beautiful home that we feel comfortable in and with and then that we will be able to get a loan to purchase. We found one we're jazzed about and trying to work the process.
All in all, just enjoying love and food and life in general. Beautiful sunshine and beautiful people. 
Grateful for my friends and those who love me.
Tomorrow I should write about my dear Grandpap Beck and what he means to me.
I am glad to be back, blog. Let's get this thing on!

List 20 Random Facts About Yourself

20 Random facts about myself:

1. I collect Asterix comics.
2. I watch the Rodeo and know the rules to all the events.
3. My favorite game is Clue.
4. I swam Butterfly.
5. I speak French and German.
6. I know how to spin wool and harvest flax.
7. I love Harry Potter.
8. My favorite pizza is Hawaiian.
9. I don't like chocolate.
10. I am always cold.
11. I consider myself buddhist.
12. I believe strongly in civil rights and will stand up for instances where I feel people need me to be an advocate.
13. I own a canoe.
14. I can roller-skate backwards.
15. I love coloring books.
16. I like to read aloud to people.
17. My favorite song is "Escape: the Pina Colada Song".
18. I often wear inappropriate shoes.
19. I'm not sure I ever want to have kids.
20. I rode a camel.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

I am currently reading "The Road" as part of the tutoring I am doing with a really awesome girl who is between grades 10 and 11. I was hesitant to read the book because it totes itself as "post apocalyptic". I am not into that kind of thing at all! Yucky. But the book is rather interesting and a relatively easy read. It is written in a prose-type style and it is very descriptive and full of imagery.
On the whole I am enjoying it, even though there are very graphic descriptions of cannibalism and torture by one group of people in the book. Slightly disturbing but interesting in that it explains the relationship between a father and a son and that a parent's love is beyond life or death.
I recommend people reading this book. Not for everyone but give it a shot.

Fermented Watermelon

So I got up this morning when my alarm went off. Thinking I would start the day in a zen mood. I found a meditation that I liked the look of and then as my sense of smell began to wake up, I smelled cat puke. After a hunt to find the cold lumpy cat puke I grabbed it and threw it in the trash. This took two trips for both chunks. It was then that I went to eat the cut up fruit I had in preparation for breakfast in an attempt to be healthy. That is when I moved the comforter only to smell a rant hot-boxing fart which was mildly reminiscent of a dead animal. But the emissary of this anal smell, was still fast asleep. So I got up and made coffee and grabbed the fruit. When I returned to bed I found that the watermelon is starting to ferment and not really tasting quite how I hoped at 6:30am.
So looking forward, I am thinking that I am going to go the dental appointment that I have, at which I will inevitably be told that I need to floss more. Floss more?? How about floss at all? I forgot to floss.
Then I need to figure out how to eliminate three or four leather arm chairs which have been destroyed beyond repair by Len and his dogs, but that cannot be taken to a charity store. Thinking that maybe there is a dump? But I don't know where to determine a dump in this area.
Regan's family arrives tomorrow and so there is lots that needs to be done before then and I have to get some things done for Special Olympics as well.
No rest for the wicked. But I will definitely read my meditation for coffee and opening the curtains this morning:
I open the curtains on this new day. I look upon this morning as a rebirth and understand that only this one day exists.
I drink this cup of coffee in mindfulness. I hold the present moment in my hands.

Busy Wednesday

While waking up today, I sat in front of the window and watch the animals in the yards out front. I saw three rabbits playing and two squirrels. Wondering how these animals can get along so well, when others cannot and humans have a difficult time with everything else. I really enjoyed the time watching the rabbits this morning.
Trevor was banished to the bathroom this morning as he kept meowing in my face this morning at 6:00 am . So I finally just took him to the bathroom and left him there until I was awake. I am not sure he understood, but maybe he did.
Going to look for a Sparknotes book for "The Road" this morning and then off to tutor for a bit. After which I need to pick up the car keys and come home and pack for my overnight at Harrisburg.
So, in order to get started, I should have a cup of coffee and begin my breakfast and start the day.

Stress

Having both parents under one roof
Sorting things that are in this house
opposing my father
Calling him out on crazy decisions that he makes
sweaty humid weather
His anxiety
his behavior irritating to everyone around him
impolite
throwing things away
setting mice traps
worried I might see a mouse
feel like everyone needs everything when I just want to hide and let this weekend disappear

Independence Day

I don't know what it is about the 4th of July, but it puts me in a great mood just knowing it's here. What a great couple of days I have had. I babysat for a friend last night and it was great. What a little cutie, Jillian is! She was so well behaved and sweet. Then today I got up and Regan and I went for a stroll to downtown Bethlehem for a breakfast bagel. When we got back, I went out to lay on the hammock and listen to music, but that didn't last long for me. I wrote out a its of things we could do with Regan's parents when they visit in 2 weeks and then I got busy cleaning up the backyard. I organized and sorted. Then I went in the back door and started on the mud room. I threw things away and found all sorts of items that I am interested in using for crafts and to make nicer so that we can use them. It was dirty work, and I was sweating, but it was fun. And another room at Len's is cleaner. This is the best part of the whole day.
It was then that I decided that I wanted to get my bike out and get it in shape for a ride. I got the bike out of the basement and then blew up the tires and gave her a spin around the block. First time on a bike since I was 15! That is impressive.

I set up the bed in my mom's room and then ran to Artsquest for a sale on Musikfest tickets. We got 2 tickets for GooGoo Dolls and for Jane's Addiction. Should be fun. Also while there I bought a gift for Regan's nephew since it was on sale today with our Artsquest membership.
I negotiated a price for a newer car. A yellow SlugBug! It's going relatively inexpensively and I think it would be good for me to do it! So I am a Slug Bug girl now for real!

When I got home this afternoon, I started right away making ham and pineapple kebabs, wok seared asian brussel sprouts and salad. I also made myself a little vodka root beer float! Delish!

Ham and Pineapple Kebabs

I seriously love days like this!
And fireworks later on tonight! Today was created just for relaxing and having fun!