Epiphany

Oh my goodness! Here....in the wee hours of the morning....things are finally coming together. I've been battling with an underlying depression for the entire month now...and all of a sudden it is GONE!! (And no, I'm not manic/depressive). :)

I've just been struggling with many different issues and in part thanks to the words and wisdom of my friends (both in real life and Internet), things are finally starting to come together in my mind. A big shout out to Kim and Veronica (my real life friends) who show me by example how to BE a friend. And a big shout out to Sandy (both real life AND Internet) for being so warm and nice and caring and who shows me how to communicate better. And a big shout out to Wendy and Julie and Tricia (Internet only friends...but we'll meet someday) for their examples of wisdom and caring and compassion for others and their absolutely MARVELOUS personalities! I love you all....I really do! And as a PS....Wendy...I just now noticed that you are following my blog....COOL!!

And also a Big Shout Out to Lindsey, whom I guess would be an Internet acquaintance, because we don't interact very much, but her one comment on this Blog just helped me SO immensely! Thank you Lindsey....and thank you for helping me to see one of the realities that I was going through. After reading your comment...I realized that you were right...and suddenly things made so much more sense! And thank you for reminding me that God watches over all of us. I truly believe that if we BELIEVE and keep a positive attitude and most importantly of all, if we can keep hatred and resentment and fear from our hearts, that we open up powerful forces. God knows what we need....and sometimes a little word from a stranger opens up our hearts.

And last, but not least, a big shout out to "American Granny" who shows me by her example how to just keep living one day at a time....and she has lived them! She's over 90 years old and one of the most remarkable people I have ever come across on the Internet.

Now I'm not being all Pollyannish tonight. I'm sure that I'll fight the "depression monster" again someday....but I now have more tools with which to fight. There has just been so much happening and I have so many thoughts that I will be putting into words over the next week or so. Just wanted to say my thank yous first!

Myrtle Beach......Here I Come!!!!

But not until Monday!! That's right! I postponed the trip for two days because I just had so many things that I wanted to finish around the house before I left.....and I knew that I would enjoy the trip more if I finished them. The decision was made really easy once I realized that I don't have to leave MB until Sunday morning so I still will have 6 very glorius, relaxing, serene days and nights to spend there.

And I am so glad that I stayed! I had a wonderful outing with my daughter today. She dropped by after her first consultation with a potential client for her dog training business and YES!...he is now a full-fledged client.....with TWO dogs...and he even paid a deposit! Woo-hoo! Now you see, if I had left this morning as I had planned, I would've missed seeing the excitement and joy on her face! So.....her first week in business and she already has 3 clients!!! She gives her first lesson on Monday to the owner of a local pub and then she starts on April 6th with the guy she saw today...and the 3rd client will start sometime in April as well.

And as for the stuff I wanted to finish around the house, I got a lot of things done....just a few more to go....and then I can leave relaxed and happy! And well prepared to complete my other projects....AT THE BEACH!!!!

Not in the mood

I just have not been in the mood to write on here recently. At first I felt guilty about it, but then I thought...."Wait a minute! This blog is for my pleasure and although hopefully a few of my family members and friends will enjoy it, it's mainly for me, so why feel guilty when a period of time comes along and I'm just not in the mood to post?"

I think that in the hectic world we all live in today that we sometimes put too much pressure on ourselves. There are enough things out there that DO demand pressure such as doing well in school, or doing well in a job or trying to do well as a spouse and/or parent, that to put pressure on ourselves to write on a blog every day is ludicrous.

Now don't get me wrong....I really ENJOY having this blog....especially the posts that have pretty pictures with them....it's a GREAT way for me to look back and remember what I was doing or thinking in any particular timeframe, but I am the one in control of it...not vice-versa!

So why haven't I been in the mood to write on here recently? I'm not really sure, and I guess it really doesn't matter. Part of it has been an underlying depression....part has been that I've been busy....and part has been that I have just wanted to read some good books, watch some TV, and connect with people on Facebook and other discussion groups. But all of those are just excuses...the main reason has been that I just haven't felt like it.

Since I last posted, I have spent another week with my daughter at her dog training school. It sure wasn't what I thought it would be like, mainly because my dog, Sam, died suddenly and very unexpectedly the second day that I was there. I was so shocked....felt as though life had given me a punch in the stomach....just was not expecting that at all!!! I plan to post a note soon all about remembering Sam.....but probably won't get around to that until after I am in Myrtle Beach.

Yep, that's right! I go to Myrtle Beach for a week beginning Saturday, March 28th and trust me, I really need that week....by myself...finally getting a chance to work on some personal projects that I have been putting off way too long. I'll be staying in a gorgeous deluxe one-bedroom condo overlooking the ocean. I can't think of a better place to work! And work I shall! But it will be enjoyable work! I've got four projects that I've been trying to do for about six months now and have just been too busy. But in Myrtle Beach, I shall have no interruptions...not even the dogs, Alex & Kyla, because they're not allowed in the condo. I hate that...but for this one time, it's going to be beneficial to me because I'll be able to concentrate on just ME! I can just see me now....waking up....having my first cup of coffee sitting on the balcony overlooking the ocean, enjoying the scents and the sounds....and then going back into the condo to the dining room table and working on my projects...all the while being able to look out anytime I want over the ocean.

Sounds pretty good, eh? So until then, dear blog....I bid you adieu. See you in Myrtle Beach!

Key West Lodging

I thought that it might be time to switch back to the Florida Trip for a bit. As my friends know, I was SUPPOSED to be posting about this trip last March, when I was actually there, but since I was computer camera illiterate back then, I couldn't figure out how to do it, even with the excellent instruction that my daughter gave me.

Anyway, for one of my nights in Florida last year, I just HAD to spend one of them in the town of Key West itself. I chose a charming little bed and breakfast, set within walking distance of everything that Key West had to offer and so once I arrived I never needed my car until time to leave. I walked to the pier, the shows, the great dining establishments and just walked for pleasure. I found a great bus tour that lasted for about an hour and took us to all of the famous sights of Key West.

The pictures here show the bedroom that I stayed in and the beautiful garden sculptures in view of my window. The garden itself was GORGEOUS! It had trails that wound around it and ended in a gorgeous pool. There was a bar right by the pool where I enjoyed rum and cokes and fascinating conversations with the bartender. I am SOOOO glad that I elected to stay one night in Key West. I just wish that I could've stayed for more.

New Dog Door!

Look, Look, Look! It's a new dog door!!! Isn't it cool?! When I arrived in Knoxville this week, this is the surprise that Kevin had waiting for me!

The dogs absolutely LOVE it! And so do I!!!! It took Alex and Kyla about five minutes to learn how to use it. It took Sam a little bit longer because he only has 3 legs, but as the picture shows, he's doing great!

Kevin, however, is worried that the height might hurt Sam's only front leg, so right now he is busy building a platform so that it will be easier for Sam to navigate. The storm door is so airtight that the regular door can be left open, and then when the weather is really nice the window in the upper part of the storm door can be raised and it becomes a screen door. Nice! Nice! Nice!