I love when spring finally arrives. Life gets full and busy again. I like it that way. Keeps me from being bored and focusing on the what ifs and maybe's of life.  Last weekend I went on a 4 mile hike with a new group of people. I think I've discovered one of the things I need is new friends.  My best friend lives hundreds of miles away, my next closet friend an hour away. So I need to find folks, even if they are more like acquaintances, to hang out with.  I'm not looking to give up on the people I know that are near by, I just need to find people who fit my life better. And so that quest has begun.  Slow and steady evolution of me! 

​This year has been such a major improvement at work. It's been a pleasure instead of constant stress. Today was a bit of a side step.  I guess I should state that on the 25th I send out a plethora of reports for all of the companies I am responsible for.  One of the companies is having a rough month. I have been discussing it with the Manager there for over a week. Sent him preliminary reports to review a week ago. Today, after I prepped the VP that there would be issues with the reports,  he called the manager. Suddenly he decides to review the prelim...he now thinks there is an issue with a particular line item. So you had 7 days to look at this? And you wait until 2 hours before I have to have it out? This same manager sent me an email at 4:50pm last Friday and said hey I need these three contracts tomorrow can you get them typed up? He has been fairly warned, be proactive.  Only a few rough hours, not day after day...keep it in perspective.  

​​It's time to travel the world again, headed some place new this weekend. Camera in hand! As we all enjoy the benefits that so many have fought and died for this weekend let's keep that in mind. Our privileges have come from a lot of dedication and sacrifice for many years, by many people, those enlisted and the families that support them.  Thank you!

It was  a pretty damp, dreary weekend here in the Northeast but I was able to find a few good hours to dig a new garden. A month ago I had purchased 30 Lily bulbs knowing they needed a place to be planted. I delayed the project waiting for the Aprils showers to warm up to May Sunshine.  I dug out a 10 foot by 2 foot patch, peeled up the grass and planted the lily bulbs then enclosed it in a gardening fence, hoping to keep the wild animals out or at least deterred. I threw on some top soil, too.  Here's hoping I have a lovely flower garden to share photos of sometime in the near future.

​Today my thigh muscles and glutes are telling me a did some real work! Not a bad thing at all, I still did my 2 mile walk as well. I have been trying to get that in 5 days a week. Started out a mile, now I've expanded it but kept the time the same, going a little farther and a bit faster when I get comfortable.  

​Spring is so much about clean slates, starting fresh and new beginnings to me. I'm ready to embrace the future and see where it takes me.  

Life it happens to us all. It's easy to forget that. It's not easy today.  I have a friend, she actually graduated high school with my daughter. But we are connected in many ways. We actually met through a work affiliation. We were sitting there and connected the dots...we lived in the same town, she graduated in my daughter's class, and oh...she and I share the same birth date. We aren't best friends, but in that work environment she is my friend. The end of last year she was diagnosed with leukemia. Ugh!!! How is that possible.  She's strong, she's young...she's in for the fight of her life. She was doing well...today I hear...not so good...it's back to the hospital for a much more aggressive treatment, like the first one wasn't tough enough?  My heart aches for her, and her parents. I can't even begin to think what it would be like.

​Later today I'm scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed and I see multiple posts to another friend, "heard you and the family were in an accident"? Ugh? No response, looked on his wife's page...no posts hmm? Okay, text the same mutual friend that told me earlier today about my young friend going back to the hospital...Yes, it's true. My friends wife and children were indeed in a car accident. There are some broken bones. A lot of bumps and bruises...but they will all be okay.  I am some what relieved. Auto accidents have indeed touched my life very closely, having lost 3 close relatives to the hands of others poor driving.  I've reached out...hoping to prepare a meal and drop it off when they are ready for it.  I got an update from my friend late tonight, a bit more serious than originally thought. There is indeed some permanent damage to his wife's leg.  The simple moral of this story DON'T TEXT AND DRIVE!!  The person who hit his family, wasn't even looking when they crossed the middle line and smashed in to them. 

​Just one of those days that make my heart sad.  I wish everyday could be full of sunshine and rainbows, but sometimes...they just aren't.

Well, not your typical anniversary...like years married or in a job...no this week bears the anniversary of my near death experience. No, I don't have stories of the afterlife or bright lights,  I guess I wasn't that near death. But if you were me...it was. It came down to a simply decision really, one that even now, 4 years later I give 100% of the credit to my sweet departed dog, he's been gone now 2 years, the anniversary of his passing is also coming up soon. Anyway, I was sick, having recently flown, not hard to believe. An adult with 102 fever even on medication...yeah that's sick. I had been to my primary doctor twice in 24 hours. They assured me, I would feel better soon and to just take the antibiotics they had given me. (There's a lot more story to this but I'm trying to not focus on how inept they were.) So that night I was laying on my bed, my throat feeling worse, with hardly any voice and barely able to swallow water, and I came to a cross roads: either take the medication and go to sleep or go to the hospital. It wasn't an easy thing to decide. Having grown up with a nurse as a mom, well you just didn't over-react to medical things.  But my dog, he made me aware this was no joke. He didn't leave my side that day or evening. He followed me every time I left a room. When I was laying on my bed trying to make that decision he was right there next to me. He wouldn't eat, or go out side. He was worried about me.  I decided to go to the hospital. And probably not a moment to soon. Within an hour of walking in to the ER I was intubated and put into a medically induced coma. I woke up 3.5 days later.  Epiglottitis: an infection of the epiglottis.  1 in 100,000 Adults are stricken with this a year.  They never could tell me why it happened, but they did assure me it is highly unlikely it would ever happen again. My take away from this, 4 years later, it did take awhile to get to this point...live every day to the fullest, as much as you can. you never know what day will be your last. Live, Love, Laugh and Enjoy every day!

It's Easter. Not really a big holiday in my family, I remember when I was little having family get togethers with Easter Egg hunts and a picnic like atmosphere when the weather was suitable.  What it usually ended up was a family dinner. I don't have a lot of family around so, today, the weather was glorious. I opted for time in the fresh air and sunshine.  It was quite an amazing day really, just what I needed I think: an ocean breeze and some sunshine.

                                                      











It's not the clear blue seas of the Caribbean, which from what I have heard the last 2 days, the skies and seas have been a bit rough if you are interested in seeing a very smart pilot make the right decision to do a go around check out the link below.
​https://www.facebook.com/Maho.Beach.Cam/videos/1989105221318270/

​Today flights were diverted to other Islands until the skies cleared. Rough few days, but I can bet you whomever is on the island, is still having a grand time. 

I hope however you spent your day, observing the Easter holiday with family and friends, or finding your happy place for today, I truly wish you a wonderful and marvelous day, and week ahead.

I see the buds starting to open on the trees, crocuses, tulips and hyacinths are pushing up through the ground and blooming...Spring has Sprung!  I love this time of year, it's full of new beginnings for nature and people.  I have a touch of spring around the house, some tulips in vases. Last weekend the windows were all open and the fresh air was flowing through. And today, the first roll of thunder for the year. There is something about the beauty and power of nature that just brings a smile to my face. I guess that's been a constant theme since I started writing these little tidbits. It's been a very busy and productive winter, I'm looking forward to the change that comes with a new season. Busy takes a different turn...more towards the outdoors.  

What a busy few days it has been!  I jumped back in to the work world pretty much the second I landed, and haven't really come up for air since.  I am now just about caught up.  It's a busy time at work, end of the year, end of the month. Lot's to do.   I have an honest desire to get out and have some fun.  So where can I go to have the same fun that I was having last week on the Friendly Island? Hmmm, that is indeed the dilemma. I'm on a mission to enjoy everyday life more.  Okay, I am missing an opportunity tonight, but truth is...I'm tired!  And the weekend weather is supposed to be beautiful, so I don't want to miss some out door fun for indoor fun tonight.  I am also in the midst of planning some more travel, only through May. And some thoughts about an adventure in the fall, as well as a River cruise in 2018.  I leave for my next adventure in just over a week.  Counting down again!  What do people do when they are home for fun? I mean really fun? Not sitting at a bar staring at TV. Live music is what I am thinking will be fun. And so the quest begins...

I guess it started with the spice rack...and I'm still on a kick to clean up and clean out.  I'm getting down to things I hadn't touched in years. I do have a habit of gathering and saving things because I know I'll need them later. I assure you, it's not a mess in my house. I'm not walking through trails of paper and stuff stacked to eye level.  I tend to organize things in a shoe box or basket and I actually know what's in there. I have decided it's time to part with the unnecessary things that hold no value be it monetary or sentimental. Those printed out directions really just aren't necessary anymore; GPS will indeed get me there. The recycling crew may not be too happy with me this week.   I've started various boxes to donate to those in need of what I can give: Books I've read (I still like to hold a book in my hands, e-reading is too much like work!) Kitchen utensils and dishes,  Clothes, Christmas ornaments (I could have 2 trees and still not use what I have some how acquired) and even a few pet items.  Even when I finish this "project" I think there will be more to do.

Well on this eve of change I find myself wanting to miss every thing about it. I just don't like politics. A friend of mine once described politics as "Many (poli) Bloodsuckers (tics). Hmmm, can't say that is wrong. No matter what side of the aisle you may be on, or even if you aren't on a side at all the reality is that most of the folks who are representing the people haven't got a clue about the life of the people at large.  I think that statement is true in most countries around the world. I do believe that some "politicians" have better intentions than others. I won't lie, I am concerned about where things could be headed, but remain hopeful that all will be okay. Only time will tell. Only time will show the true heart of the matter and the people involved. My hope is that this change remains peaceful in all aspects.

Hmm, a volunteer what? That's where the issue begins. When I was a kid I was a candy stripper. I went around the hospital and delivered mail and flowers to patients. Some times inter office mail from one area of the hospital to the other. It was enjoyable, but I don't think that's what I'm interested in now. A friend of mine reads to children in school. That's pretty cool, but that job thing makes that complicated for me. Dogs - I love dogs.  There are a lot of places that need volunteers with animals. That's a possibility.  Before I dive in, I will have to do diligent research on the organizations.  The truth is I don't have a lot of time to give, but maybe I can do something to give back.  One weekend day a month? Yes, I could do that.  I realized part of my personality is that I need to have something to care about.  Over this past year I adopted the squirrels in my yard. Well, okay maybe they really just love the black walnut tree in the back yard, but they are my "pets".  I toss about a pound of shell on peanuts out for them every morning. It's gotten to the point where they are waiting for me in the morning, at least on most days.  It's kinda cute really. They sit on the front porch and wait for the treats to come. When it's really cold, I cheat and throw them from the window instead of actually going outside.   There are also Blue Jays and Cardinals that like the peanuts. I have had quite a gathering of small animals in the yard:6 Squirrels, 5 Blue Jays, 3 Cardinals and a chipmunk. Something about having them there, knowing I'm helping them survive makes me feel good about life. I've actually shopped around and found the most economical place to buy the peanuts.  I've also hung a few bird feeders. They are "squirrel proof" so to speak. That's where  feeding the squirrels came from. It hardly seemed fair to dangle seeds that the squirrels aren't allowed to have with out offering them something of their own. Maybe volunteering has already started in my yard...might be time to expand on that.