Life Boats

A sail across the sea.

Life sometimes feels like that to me.

(And after this past week~ it's nice to know that the sailing can vary :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's nice to have a routine and a steadfastness to your days.

But there are times when it's  wonderful and Necessary to have the beautifully surreal moments.

Life can bring some turbulent and churning times....

....and times you feel pretty much out there by yourself.

It's a must to have those you love along with you in moments, even if it can get a little crowded.

Sometimes it's true....The More The Merrier.

It makes up for the times when you feel like 2 or 3 is a crowd.

And YOU're the underdog.

Breathtaking and those "ahhh"  moments must be held on to.

It can get you through those days where all you feel you're good for is work.

Tugging things around to keep the order and sanity.

 Ever feel like life isn't quite what it should be?~~~~
a substitute for what really should be.
It isn't reality,
but sure is nice to enjoy while you're there!

And then there are the days we have strength.

We seem to feel we can withstand the pressures of the journey, 

and stand out and up while taking on the overwhelming tasks of the day.

I love those days!

Of course, there are times when 2 is better than 1. 

Teamwork is an incredible means to journey with.

Especially when there's  harmony.

Solitude is lovely.

And often only bits here and there is what is needed to get you through the next leg.

Did I mention that Solitude is Lovely?

:)

It's nice to know others are out there....even if not right along beside.

Because really...we all are in the same boat.

Even if it isn't at the same place and time.

Life can be a party.

Life can take us directions only the wind blows.

And at the end of the day, 

it's nice to pull your boat out~ and just be thankful it stayed afloat!

And remember....

“When the tides of life turn against you and the current upsets your boat,  don't waste those tears on what might have been, just lie on your back and float.” ~~~~

Happy Sails to you for this new week!

Defining Moments

Our lives are a series of defining moments, strung together by passing time.

Surrender fully to this moment, 

because it is not the moment itself that defines us, but how we choose to live in it.

                                             ~Jill Pendley

~~~

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!!

A Century + 2 of Living

Grandad passed away 2 days  ago- 

at 102 (and a 1/2) years old.

He drove until he was 95,

and lived on his own up until a year ago.

He lived a long life- was blessed with more time than the average person.

He lived through both World Wars~worked in the Navy and fought during WWII.

He gardened, traveled, knew how to fix or build anything.

He loved his flowers and enjoyed bird watching.

He married and had 3 children, which

 led to 6 Grand ~kids and 9 Great Grand~ kids.

~~~~~

I met him 16 years ago, but because he lived in England (half a world away from us), that was the one and only time I saw him.

Out of my 4 kids, only one was ever lucky enough to fly over and celebrate his 100th Birthday with him.

Yet we wrote back and forth.

He remembered us all on Birthdays, Anniversaries and Christmases.

For some unknown reason- I sent his Christmas letters from the kiddos over to him in November.

And HIS Christmas card to us, came just 2 weeks ago.

I am so thankful we didn't miss that last letter from him.

One we will keep forever.

~~~~~~

Isn't it amazing how many lives can be touched by one person?

The choices he made led us as a family - 

all up to this point in time.

Thank you for leaving us with such a great heritage Grandad.

You are missed by your family and those who knew you.

You were a Blessing to all of us.

Grandad

June 21, 1908 ~~~ December 7, 2010

I'm Gonna Do It....i think

My finger is hovering over the send key.

Well, it was right before I started this post, 

and it will be just as soon as I'm done....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This here is PART of
My Bucket List ~
(attainable List that is.
I have 2 Bucket Lists.
The other is my, "In my Dreams Bucket List....a whole other post!

********* Run a Half Marathon


********* Complete an Olympic Distance Triathlon

(sprint Triathlon)

********* Get my Motorbike License

(image here)

******(after license-a Road Trip to the Mountains on my Harley)


****** Hike the West Coast Trail

(A Yoho Hike)

(....and so the list continues. I have several pages.)
******************************************************


My finger is hovering over the send key in regards to that Olympic Distance Triathlon.
The one I want to start with is in these mountains.

My most favorite place on earth.

A 1500m swim in a mountain Lake.
A 40km bike over mountain roads.
A 10km run through mountain pathways.....


Oh I want to do it!
I so very much do!!


So why does my finger hover here?


Ever wonder just what it is that holds us back from doing the things we WANT to do and know we are capable of?
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bucket List Additions:


Rid myself of insecurities.
Stop worrying about what MIGHT happen.
Focus on the positive What If's.
Live life and remember that it won't end if something I think should happen- doesn't.


My Olympic Distance Triathlon is sounding easier to accomplish......
Will let you know when my finger pushes S-E-N-D on this registration form.
(sigh)

Dog Run

Duke~Great Pyrenees~10 weeks

Have you ever tried to train a puppy to run?

You wouldn't think it hard, but putting him on a leash and expecting him to follow doesn't just happen.

(Really...who wants to be led around on a leash?)

We must look pretty funny....

me pulling on his leash as he drags and slides along the slippery snow covered road, 

all while he sits back on his haunches and determinedly pulls his head back.

I bought Duke to have as a running partner.

And my watch dog.

 {I don't want him running away on me when I need him to stay.}

When there is another dog approaching I want him to stand guard.

And when there's a moose in my way, well....sorry Duke, but I want you to be my soldier.

(all this after he grows a bit first;)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I pretty much have left the Running Practice up to my "older dog"...

After 10 miles of this, he seemed to be playing Follow-the-Leader pretty well.

"Ever wonder where you'd end up if you took your dog for a walk and never once pulled 

back on the leash?"

  ~Robert Brault

(of course, 

I'll wonder this AFTER he learns how to walk using a leash...)

~Only for a Limited Time~

It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth -- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up -- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had.

- Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Driving to the city this past Friday....

I missed being hit by a trailer which unhitched from a truck, by a few mere seconds.

As I watched the trailer in my mirror, flipping at least 3 times while debris flew in every direction, 100 thoughts  raced through my head.

One of them being,  "What had I done in my day to delay my travel by those few seconds?"

How our lives can change within those seconds is astounding to me. 

Even if you're doing it all right, your next breath is not guaranteed.

I've done posts on this before, but this weekend renewed the thought in me.

I'm thankful I got to see this day.

Hug my kids.

See the blue.

I keep seeing that trailer in my mind~ 

as it was when I passed it, and its condition seconds later.

(Thankfully the driver was not seriously hurt.)

Why did I miss it?

I have no idea.

All I know is I was given another day to live my normal life.

For that I am thankful.

Wishing you a NEW Wonderful Week.

Night Photo ~~~

I took this picture at night while sitting at a stop light.

The street lights gave all of the frosted trees an unearthly glow.

~~~

Normally I love days filled with color, 

but on this night it felt calm and peaceful to be in a grey and silvery world.

The street was lined with these magical trees~

{Defying the street lights- 

theses ancient looking trees used the harsh light to show off their frosted beauty.}

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(http://writteninc.blogspot.com/2010/12/thematic-protographic-126-night.html)

I prefer Snow Flurries....

....to a Flurried Season!

It's here again.

A ~December weekend~

and not sure if I want to attempt it.

A concert in the city (which means a 2 hour drive one way).

A party (which means a rush back from the city and a meal to create).

 A family reunion of sorts (which means family dynamics!).

 A Ball to attend (which means money and the stress of the dress).

Makes you sometimes wish the lazy days of summer were still around.

~~~

My son took this picture - my coffee sitting (probably forgotten) on the table.

Trying to remember the joy for this season as I get caught up in the work.

Picking out the little things to make me smile.

Laughing at silly things.

(example.....

Asking my son why he kept a ruler under his pillow.....

" I wanted to measure how long I had slept for."

:)

~~~

Enjoying my walk views

 (and coming upon fat-free Frosted Mini-Wheats;)

Of course I stop every morning before my bedroom window and grab my favorite time of day.

Getting through my weekend will be pretty easy.

{But I am looking forward to sitting down on Sunday evening once it's all over.}

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

~~~~~~

I need a Beach Day

I need a beach day.
And not because I have a ton of snow and am wearing a winter down-filled coat.
No.
I've been thinking.
And thinking and thinking.
About everything in particular and nothing at all.
My head sometimes feels like a busy freeway!

I think I need a break.

~~~~

Anyone want to go here with me?

~~~~

So I was told by  a well-meaning friend yesterday, that I come across as a person who will 

"never do something if you don't want to."

At first I thought this was true.

But as I thought of it....I wanted to yell out-  it wasn't!

I mean...how many diapers does one really WANT to change?

(I think in the course of my lifetime with 4 kiddos I changed 1000's. Of course I did.)

What about when I have to make dinner and I'm not hungry?

Or doing everyone else's laundry?

No..I do things I don't want to.

For sure I do.

But the other times...when I DON'T do things I don't want to?

Isn't life to short to play that game?

If it comes down to it....I Do the Things I HAVE to.

I Don't Do the things I don't Have To if I don't WANT to.

There.

That's that.

One less thing to think about.

I knew I needed a Beach Day.

(and now you probably do too;)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

()

~Welcome December~

The last month of the year is here ~~~~
and waiting to be lived in.

Thinking of all the places this year has taken me.
{God gave us memory so that we may have roses in December~James Matthew Barrie}

Not happy with some of them,

but oh so glad for others.

***
and Definitely excited for the new places.

~~~~

Wishing you all a 
happy December!

~~~

Beautiful in the Mundane

Driving to work I stopped to look at this.

Walking to get my mail I watched how shadows fell.

Washing the dishes I enjoyed this view.

Hiking a trail I left a smile for whoever came next.

It's finding beauty in every day mundane which sometimes keeps me going.

It can be 

quite a 

beautiful Life.

~~~