I am so very blessed...

I pumped the handles back and forth my feet forcing the pedals on the elliptical forward and back with pretend vigor.  As I squeezed my eyes closed tight with tears streaming down my cheeks, I could picture my dear friend doing the same on her treadmill in the past.  She recently shared with me how hard it was when she moved a number of years ago and how as she struggled to fit into the new community she would get on her treadmill every morning and cry.

I was having a major pity-party and I was the guest of honor.  I got on my knees in prayer bawling for the second time in the past 24 hours.  I couldn't bring myself to call my friends or family because I didn't know what to say.  I couldn't put it in words and I didn't want to call with nothing but sobbing and blubbering coming from my end of the line.

I had a list of woes a mile long - I had received another job rejection the night before, I couldn't run due to an injury which was a major way I released stress and energy, every time I considered going out in the heat and humidity a dark cloud would roll in and the thunder would boom, I wanted to snuggle, kiss and play with my grandson, I wanted to have my kids over and listen to their witty banter and laughter, I wanted to sit and giggle with my friends, I wanted to stroll on the scenic trail by the river, hike through the woods without worrying about scary snakes, and I wanted to go to my parents house for dinner.  I wanted to see someone (anyone) at the grocery store that I know.  As I opened up and photographed multiple umbrellas at Target, I wanted someone to walk up and say, "Hi Patti!  For goodness sake, what are you doing?"  I wasn't surprised about these feelings, in fact after having lived in my previous town for 30 years, I would be surprised if I didn't feel this way.  However, that certainly didn't make it any easier.

I am so very blessed.  My bright spot was (and is) my absolutely wonderful husband who is kind and loving and so very, very good to me.  I almost dread telling him how I'm feeling because I don't want him to think it reflects on him in any way.  When he comes home it's the highlight of my day and I have to make a huge effort not to consume his every moment after he arrives.  I think he knows I'm struggling as he's a very smart man and he also started calling me every day on his lunch break.  He knows the day gets long for me.

I am so very blessed.  My family and friends have been wonderful by calling, emailing, and sending cards.

I am so very blessed.  Technology enables me to see my grandson playing on the living room floor and to hear him laughing and chortling. (He really doesn't coo so much any more.)

I am so very blessed.  I am able to work out on my elliptical even though the plantar fasciitis won't allow me to run right now.

I am so very blessed.  I love our new home and being able to be with Harry.

I am so very blessed.  This extra available time has allowed me to write more and to create an online Bible study.

I am so very blessed.  I have a brand new umbrella to ward off the rain.



     

Finding MY Brightly Colored Umbrella

Recently I posted about the rainy season in Florida and deciding that I needed an umbrella to call my own, I went to the store to buy one.  You see, if the streets I travelled did indeed look like the one pictured to the left, well no problem!  But alas, they do not, thus I need a nimble, handy, compact, easy to carry and quick to grab brollie.  

So I set off on this sunny day to peruse Target's umbrella department.  It took a moment to get beyond the large brimmed straw hats that I've been oogling for the beach.  (But haven't wanted to spend the money on since I am not yet gainfully employed.)  However, once I cleared the hats I was thrilled with the selection and had to check them all out!

• Some were compact - very nice
• Some were flimsy - not in these winds, yikes!
• Some were auto open - swweeeet
• Some had little sleeves to store them in - one more thing to keep track of
• Some were plain and boring - didn't even bother with those
• Some had colors that clash with my feng shui - never mess with feng shui! 
• Some were for old lady grandmas - can't go there
• Some sported team logos - who the heck are the Gators!?
• Some were for golfing - what's wrong with staying in the cart?
• Some had polka dots - need I say more?

One was JUST right.
So I purchased it and sure enough when I got outside it was raining.

Brightly Colored Umbrellas

It's rainy season in the Sunshine State of Florida.

Let me translate that for you.  The sun is shining through the window and suddenly there is a pounding noise on the roof and on the sidewalks and sure enough... it's raining.  A dark cloud has snuck up from the other side of the house and brought a downpour with it.  The rain will last all of three minutes and then it stops as the cloud moves on to dump the rest of its wetness on others in its path followed by the reemergence of the sun.

I certainly understand the concept that the rain has to "begin" and "end" somewhere and while driving in the past I've encountered suddenly entering or exiting a rainy area.  (Which always feels slightly bizarre.)  However, I believe what Harry experienced the other day probably takes the cake in that arena.  He was driving down the road and rain was falling on the oncoming traffic, but not on him... just a few feet away.

What I call "The Deluge"

The other type of rain I've observed here in Florida is what I'll call the "deluge" rain.  This particular day it was cloudy and overcast most of the day and then the thunder and lightning started just prior to about a 30 minute GUSH pouring from the skies.  The backyard turned into a river and the trees across the street were tossing to and fro.  It was definitely picture worthy so I grabbed my trusty iPhone and snapped a few for your viewing pleasure.  

When it rains I like to go out on the porch and breathe in the freshness.  There is something so cleansing about rain.  I have also noticed that many people carry umbrellas with them as they protect from the hot sun as well as the rainstorms.  (And are cooler than rain jackets.)

I do believe that life is a lot like the summer rains in Florida and for that reason I have decided to only walk down streets covered with brightly colored umbrellas that offer protection from the elements that can dampen our outlook on life.  

   

Kodak Moment

     We spent last weekend at Orange Beach, Alabama in a great ocean view room.  After biking and enjoying the beach for the afternoon we decided to relax and enjoy a glass of wine on the balcony before heading out to dinner.  The sun had started to set and apparently the lighting was perfect for taking photos because as we sat there we observed several families taking advantage of the "picture spot" or the "Kodak moment" if you will.

"Khaki pants family" is forefront
with "Pink top" sisters seaside

     First came a larger family that we dubbed the "khaki pants and white shirt family."  It consisted of three young families (siblings is my bet) with small children.  Using a tripod they gathered everyone around for a big group shot and then proceeded to split them out into smaller groupings and some staged action shots.
   While all this was going on, the "white shorts and pink top" sisters hit the beach for several shots with the ocean in the background, followed by the "blue shirts and white shorts" gals whose mother was getting some great shots of them both together and apart.

"Blue shirts girls" on the left and
"Family of 4" is center front

     The family that spent the longest amount of time proportionally was the "family of four" with dad wearing his yellow shirt and black shorts while mom, junior and little missy were all wearing black and tan.  After they set up the tripod a nearby photographer offered to take their family group shot for them, however apparently mom was afraid that wouldn't suffice because they continued to take several more click and run shots with the timer afterwards.  Then they split up into little missy and junior, mom and little missy, mom and junior, dad and little missy, dad and junior, dad, junior and missy... well you get the idea.  We were amazed at the patience of the two school aged children and frankly dad's patience was right up there with Job from the Bible.
     These families will all have wonderful (framable) reminders of their trip to the beach!  My bet is that several of those shots will end up in brightly colored wrapping paper next to a chocolate birthday cake or under a glittering Christmas tree.  They will certainly be hanging on living room walls right next to the graduation photos and smiling baby shots in no time flat.

A picture is worth a
thousand words

     All this picture taking prompted us to take our photo as well lest we forget this fun day.  Time will tell whether it gets framed, wrapped and hung on a wall.

The Kodak Moment thrives because a picture is worth a thousand words.
   

Oh, life could be a dream....

Last night I had this awesome dream that I was flying, or more precisely, floating.  It was magical and wonderful.  I was in complete control of the direction I was headed as I gracefully and effortlessly wove my way around beautiful green trees and tall buildings, then over sparkling water and lush green countryside.  All the colors were very pretty, but my tastefully bright pink, long flowing gown was the most colorful object to be seen.

I wondered what the dream interpreters would have to say so out of curiosity I looked it up online.  (I wonder what Joseph with his Technicolor Dream Coat would have to say!)   Here's what I found:

"If you are flying with ease and are enjoying the scene and landscape below, then it suggests that you are on top of a situation. You have risen above something. It may also mean that you have gained a new and different perspective on things. Flying dreams and the ability to control your flight is representative of your own personal sense of power.  To dream that you are floating on air indicates satisfaction, contentment and acceptance of some situation. You are letting go of your problems and rising above obstacles. You are experiencing new-found freedom and gaining a new perspective on things. Nothing seems overwhelming or too difficult to handle.  Pink represents love, joy, sweetness, happiness, affection and kindness. Being in love or healing through love is also implied with this color.  Green signifies a positive change, good health, growth, fertility, healing, hope, vigor, vitality, peace, and serenity. The appearance of the color may also be a way of telling you to 'go ahead'."

______________________________

Oh life could be a dream sweetheart.  (shaboom, shaboom)     

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”  ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

4NN, 4GN - Cracking the Code

4NN, 4GN and there's more but if I tell you the rest of the code I'll have to shoot you.  This mission should you choose to accept it....


Having recently moved 1,099 miles away from the area I called home for 30 years, I am now in the position of having to find providers for all of life's necessities.  Day one I nailed down water, power and internet providers.  Day two we found a trail to run on.  Days three, six and ten I checked out the selections offered at the nearby grocery stores.  Day five I located the Social Security office and officially changed to my new married name.  Day 19  we located a place to buy "good cheese" and wine with the bonus of finding fresh seafood at the same place as well.  (Score!)  

During this whole time a little voice keeps reminding me that I need to locate one of the most important people a gal can know.  Yes, you are absolutely correct, I'm talking about a hair stylist and to top it off, the enemies are emerging at the roots and time is running out!  I did plan ahead and had my hair done a couple days before we left town, and I even have the formula for success (4NN, 4GN, and of course the rest is confidential) written down and waiting for the big day.  However, I still face the daunting task of finding the right talent.  

Lori who works at Ce Bon

This will not be easy you see as I've been going to an awesome stylist for the past six or seven years.  She's amazing and it's not just that she colors, highlights and cuts my hair so that I look amazing, but she is kind, funny, thoughtful and an inspiration to anyone she meets.  She is truly a beautiful person inside as well as out.  Whomever I locate will have a tough time walking in her shoes, wielding her scissors or whatever the equivalent is.

During my travels through the grocery stores, at church, the utility offices, Home Depot and Lowes I've kept my eye out for someone who has great looking hair.  Good color, highlights, great cut.  I've been prepared and ready when I spot her to interrupt at the check out line, "Excuse me, could you give me the name of your hair stylist?"  But alas, this has been a tough task.  I've seen a few people who I was ready to ask, however one of them was moving so fast through the store (with two teenagers close on her heels) that I would have needed my running shoes to catch up to her!  I also thought it might be a bit tacky in the middle of the sermon on Sunday to stop the pastor and ask the lady two rows in front of me who does her hair.  "Pardon me Pastor, could you just hold that thought about eating those locusts with honey while I chat for a moment with that gal about her hair stylist?"

You can imagine my joy yesterday when a friendly, young lady with a Paula Walker cute haircut complete with great highlights picked me up to take me to the service station where the Jeep was being worked on.  (Yes, I even found an auto service center faster than a hair stylist!)  During the five minute ride I had the perfect opportunity to ask who her stylist is and you can bet your boots I'll be calling Suzie at the Hair Suite in the very near future.

It's a tough job finding someone who can crack the code.