Monday, January 22, 2007

Where Have I Been?


JRT in motion
Originally uploaded by Xena~.
I've been computer-less for over a week. I've been re-located at my MIL's house. She had surgery to fuse her foot together. 6 weeks in a wheelchair, then 6 weeks in a walking cast.
I'm her cook, her go-fer and her um, well...
potty chair 'empty-er'.
Not a glamorous job, but I've gotten to know my MIL a little bit better. She is fast becoming one of my favorite people and I feel really lucky to be able to spend this time with her.

This is making life a bit interesting for my on line school though. I'm getting creative in ways to do schoolwork at the office and making time to run home to take tests!
Makes for some stress.
But yesterday I got out for a little while with Morris, my snowshoes, and my camera.
Whew.

Monday, January 15, 2007

Bury the Hatchet???


Left behind
Originally uploaded by Xena~.
I hate people who brag brag brag about all the 'bigness' in their lives to impress you via email.
I'll admit, I am guilty of some bragging, but not about how 'wealthy' I am [b/c I am not], or how successful I am [I am successful at things I choose to do].
I don't drive a brand new car or truck, I have plenty of food in my house and I sleep out of the weather. Nope I don't have to impress anyone but myself. I only need to judge me.

What brought this big insight on? Oh, heard from a sibling I hadn't heard from in AGES. She's got a BIG list of impressions she likes to make. I guess the years hasn't changed or humbled her in the least.

I just haven't decided whether I want to 'bury the proverbial hatchet' yet.

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Strange email...


Been out today ...
Originally uploaded by Xena~.
After 9 yrs of not a word...I got an email from my sister in 2005. We emailed each other exactly 14 times in 5 days. Then -- nothing.

Today I got home booted up the computer to do my 'typing' class on line and see I have a message from
my
sister.

As though no time ever lapsed in two years?
I'm curious, I can play games better than she can. I guess I will respond with just enough info to keep her only informed of what I want her to know.

After all -- my phone number and physical address has not changed in over 10 years.

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Morris is terrified...


Maybe mortified is the proper term. He heard that 'monster' last nite once more before we went to bed. I banged on the ceiling and he whined. After all he did see what the 'monster' did to my slippers and he knows that he'd be one very hurtin' pup if he did that. Dang, the poor dog is scart that the monster will after him next!

I shouldn't laugh, but it is funny. Hubby should be setting traps and figuring out what kind of furry visitor we've been having today.

Monday, January 08, 2007

Squirrels in my attic?


Grand Oak
Originally uploaded by Xena~.
Or bats in my bellfry?

Our house seems awfully quiet.
Except
for the
squirrel or
something that got into our attic...and
ate the nose and eyes off my Tweety Bird slippers!

I'm in shock and horror...well, just not amused really.
Morris got interested when I opened up my closet door when I heard all sorts of scratching.

Got a hole in the wallboard and a hole from the attic into my CLOSET!

I am seriously bummed.
Tweety has no eyes.
And I had something creeping in my house!

Sleep with one eye open.

Sunday, January 07, 2007

Getting Lost...


Little Falls
Originally uploaded by Xena~.
When time stops it is only because I am lost in the woods, along the creek with Morris my JRT and my camera. I stop and peer at just about everything there is.
I explore with different eyes. I lose track of time and ignore everything but the angle of the sun and what I may see through my camera lens.

I must have hiked miles and miles today. Both Morris and I were tired when we got home. A bit wet, a bit muddy, but happy and tired.

I think this is one of my best shots. I really worked hard with exposures and settings. I must have taken dozens of shots to get the right one.

Life is good.

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Forever Friends


Forever Friends
Originally uploaded by Xena~.
Today I sewed up Morris's toys that Teslin gave him. Red stuffed 'thing' got its tail ripped off. Said tail is now gone, but the hole is sewn shut. His little orange stuffed bone was dismantled this morning in a fury of growls [he protects us well from these glaringly obvious dangerous objects that litter my floor].
I restuffed and stuck a jingle bell in it for noise...and sewed it back up.

I've missed having Tes with walks. Morris misses her too, as he loves to eat her food. He is back on a diet and isn't liking it too well.

I wish people would have friendships like these dogs do. Open honest and no lying. Dogs don't lie to each other. When Tes is unhappy with Morris she simply gives him a low growl.
When Morris does not want to share, he takes his toy and runs into his crate.

Next life I am coming back as someone's very spoiled dog.

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Resolutions?


Currently Unavailable
Originally uploaded by Xena~.
Today is the 2nd and while at work today I was asked over and over--'What are your New Year's Resolutions?'
Do people really make them? I think resolutions are dumb, I used to believe in them back in the 60's--
Like: I'm going to grow taller this year [yeah, I'm a short person]
Like: I'm going to get pretty [okay so I didn't know if I was or not...or I thought I should look like some sort of model haha]
My resolutions of many years ago never happened. I found out only one thing I can tell people is this:
Believe in yourself. Use self discipline. Never stop learning. But I try and live each day this way and not just repeat it for folks as a 'resolution'.

I do know that I'm going to achieve a goal that I was unable to complete last year. And that is ride a 50 mile endurance race with Badger. I don't doubt that I'll be able to.

Now here is a wish I had upon the first star I saw tonight.
Star light
Star bright
I wish I may
I wish I might
Have this wish
I wish tonight...

And that is?
To see more of my Grandchildren. That is the one thing in my life I cannot control, that I can only wish for.

Monday, January 01, 2007

Only the memory of a kiss...


Kisses...
Originally uploaded by Xena~.
I met Lily Ann last week on Wednesday, Jer and Lily stayed until Friday. I became entranced by this two year old child immediately. It struck me -- I mean
SLAMMED
me
right in the old heart. And here I am thinking I'm a tough old broad. But the smile, the giggles, the 'Nanma'!!!, the please, the thank you's, the eyes...the look
by Wednesday evening I was smitten.
By Thursday I was hooked.
When they left on Friday morning I cried like a baby.
Yes I really did.
I cried because I surely missed that little girl and now just have pictures,
and memories of kisses.