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My little shaved beauty!
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Wordless Wednesday
Hey, it's ok Tuesday . . .
Playing along with Airing My Dirty Laundry
she . . . got this idea from Glamour magazine. They have a section called Hey, It’s Okay and will list a bunch of things to be okay about. You're welcome to join in and do something like this on your blog. Doesn't have to be on a Tuesday either. Just make sure you link up (with her at Airing My Dirty Laundry) and that the post you link up is a Hey, It's Okay Post.
***************************************************************
To be really excited to start watching Big Brother. Enough so that I actually tried talking my boss in to not scheduling me for closing shifts on those nights. (no it didn't work)
To be loving the summer months, even though during the day it is a bit hot in the house and out.
To realize I do love to wear dresses at work. WOW, imagine that. They are cooler, lighter and easier to deal with.
To know that even though I really, really, really want a dog, now is just not the time.
To want to rent an RV and visit some really cool USA travel destinations. Suggestions???
To be looking forward to seeing Katy Perry's movie Part Of Me in 3D. Oh yeah!! (yes, I know I am probably going alone)
To be jumping from one book to another, not really identifying with any of them.
BUT WAIT, DEBORAH HARKNESS'S SERIES
BOOK 2 IS COMING OUT JULY 9th!!!
The second book in the All Soul's Trilogy
is called Shadow of Night.
And yes, if you are wondering what
I will be doing July 10th and 11th.
Well, that is it.
she . . . got this idea from Glamour magazine. They have a section called Hey, It’s Okay and will list a bunch of things to be okay about. You're welcome to join in and do something like this on your blog. Doesn't have to be on a Tuesday either. Just make sure you link up (with her at Airing My Dirty Laundry) and that the post you link up is a Hey, It's Okay Post.
***************************************************************
To be really excited to start watching Big Brother. Enough so that I actually tried talking my boss in to not scheduling me for closing shifts on those nights. (no it didn't work)
To be loving the summer months, even though during the day it is a bit hot in the house and out.
To realize I do love to wear dresses at work. WOW, imagine that. They are cooler, lighter and easier to deal with.
To know that even though I really, really, really want a dog, now is just not the time.
To want to rent an RV and visit some really cool USA travel destinations. Suggestions???
To be looking forward to seeing Katy Perry's movie Part Of Me in 3D. Oh yeah!! (yes, I know I am probably going alone)
To be jumping from one book to another, not really identifying with any of them.
BUT WAIT, DEBORAH HARKNESS'S SERIES
BOOK 2 IS COMING OUT JULY 9th!!!
The second book in the All Soul's Trilogy
is called Shadow of Night.
And yes, if you are wondering what
I will be doing July 10th and 11th.
Well, that is it.
Please explain wth. . .
I could tell I was completely and utterly tired. Way too tired to run any errands. Yet, I still did.
I did the best I could to keep pushing myself back to the front of the store so I could leave, instead of wander aimlessly around the store til I keeled over from tiredness. (you know how that is right? I always wander forever in stores when my brain is done)
Finally, made it to the cashier.
Right next to my credit card is a coupon for 5% off. As I pull out my card, she sees the coupon.
Cashier: Did you want me to scan that?
Me: No, it's only a $6 purchase. I don't want to use it today.
C: But you can use it all day.
Me: No I won't be back today. (it's after 7pm)
C: But you can use it over and over again all day.
Me: I really won't be back today.
C: But you can continuously use it in a 24 hr period.
Me: (pause and breath) I really will not be back today or tomorrow, so no.
C: But . . . and she walks away making noises like I am stupid.
Is it me? Really? Is it me?
WHY in blazes would I use a 5% coupon on a $6 purchase? 30 cents!! I completely understand I can use it all day long, but a) the day is already over and b) my next day will be insane at work and I am sure I will not be coming back. What kind of sense does that make to the cashier? What am I missing?
I personally would rather wait til my purchase is much higher to use it anyhow.
I did the best I could to keep pushing myself back to the front of the store so I could leave, instead of wander aimlessly around the store til I keeled over from tiredness. (you know how that is right? I always wander forever in stores when my brain is done)
Finally, made it to the cashier.
Right next to my credit card is a coupon for 5% off. As I pull out my card, she sees the coupon.
Cashier: Did you want me to scan that?
Me: No, it's only a $6 purchase. I don't want to use it today.
C: But you can use it all day.
Me: No I won't be back today. (it's after 7pm)
C: But you can use it over and over again all day.
Me: I really won't be back today.
C: But you can continuously use it in a 24 hr period.
Me: (pause and breath) I really will not be back today or tomorrow, so no.
C: But . . . and she walks away making noises like I am stupid.
Is it me? Really? Is it me?
WHY in blazes would I use a 5% coupon on a $6 purchase? 30 cents!! I completely understand I can use it all day long, but a) the day is already over and b) my next day will be insane at work and I am sure I will not be coming back. What kind of sense does that make to the cashier? What am I missing?
I personally would rather wait til my purchase is much higher to use it anyhow.
To blog or not to blog
So as you have probably noticed, I haven't been blogging much. I am not sure why. I would like to say that life itself has taken over. I am happy and full, but then I feel that means my blog is just a way to console myself and I hate that thought.
I have been busy. I am working out, hiking, reading, making healthy food at home, planning vacations, visiting family and friends. Life has been beyond good. I mean it is so stinking gorgeous outside and I cannot stand to be inside or not right next to an open window. My need to be out in the wilderness with nature is like a virus.
At work we have been having employee appreciation week, so we have been wearing jeans to work! Holy cow, jeans! I love jeans. They are seriously more comfy that pjs for me. It couldn't get better than being able to wear jeans to work everyday. I feel good. Things are very good at work. I feel confident and I feel like I know what I am doing. I love that I am getting used to being my wacky self. I am so weird when I am who I am. It is laughable, but I don't care. One of my favorite things to do is I easily think of songs that relate to any conversation I am having. (so stupid, but so funny to me) For example, I was talking to someone about Chinese food and fried rice and I break out in "I like fried rice and I cannot lie." Yes, I know. I got that look from my coworkers, but I can't not do it. It is so hilarious to me.
My boyfriend and I have been able to spend some good quality time together even though we live in different cities. It amazes me how easy it is to be with him. Never have I ever experienced this.
I have been hiking at least once a week and occasionally twice a week. I love to hike with other people, as I have hiked once by myself (post here), but it is so wonderful to be outside with nature. I can't believe how incredibly beautiful it is. I have been seeing lizards, birds, hearing cicadas and more. The trees, rock formations, smells and sounds are just amazing. I know I have said this, but seriously, outside is wonderful. My boyfriend and I hit an 8 mile hike the other day and I forgot my inhaler. Ugh, I feel so weak with asthma, but I worked through it and we made it all the way. Course about 1/4 from the top I decided I needed a break. I got the backpack from the man and sat down in the middle of the trail. I was so tired and sore, I just wanted to rest. I pulled out the beef jerky and breathed. My boyfriend said he was going to take pictures. Yes, whatever. I just wanna break. I sat there in the middle of the trail, taking in the warmth of the sun, feeling the breeze across my skin eating the tastiest jerky and drinking water enjoying the view for miles as we were over 10,000 feet up.
Blogging has always been something I have done. It started out as a practice to write each day, but really it didn't ever roll over into actual writing of books. But I am not sure I am ready to let it go completely. So my apologies as I don't post very often. I'll be in touch, but I would love to hear what you think.
I have been busy. I am working out, hiking, reading, making healthy food at home, planning vacations, visiting family and friends. Life has been beyond good. I mean it is so stinking gorgeous outside and I cannot stand to be inside or not right next to an open window. My need to be out in the wilderness with nature is like a virus.
At work we have been having employee appreciation week, so we have been wearing jeans to work! Holy cow, jeans! I love jeans. They are seriously more comfy that pjs for me. It couldn't get better than being able to wear jeans to work everyday. I feel good. Things are very good at work. I feel confident and I feel like I know what I am doing. I love that I am getting used to being my wacky self. I am so weird when I am who I am. It is laughable, but I don't care. One of my favorite things to do is I easily think of songs that relate to any conversation I am having. (so stupid, but so funny to me) For example, I was talking to someone about Chinese food and fried rice and I break out in "I like fried rice and I cannot lie." Yes, I know. I got that look from my coworkers, but I can't not do it. It is so hilarious to me.
My boyfriend and I have been able to spend some good quality time together even though we live in different cities. It amazes me how easy it is to be with him. Never have I ever experienced this.
I have been hiking at least once a week and occasionally twice a week. I love to hike with other people, as I have hiked once by myself (post here), but it is so wonderful to be outside with nature. I can't believe how incredibly beautiful it is. I have been seeing lizards, birds, hearing cicadas and more. The trees, rock formations, smells and sounds are just amazing. I know I have said this, but seriously, outside is wonderful. My boyfriend and I hit an 8 mile hike the other day and I forgot my inhaler. Ugh, I feel so weak with asthma, but I worked through it and we made it all the way. Course about 1/4 from the top I decided I needed a break. I got the backpack from the man and sat down in the middle of the trail. I was so tired and sore, I just wanted to rest. I pulled out the beef jerky and breathed. My boyfriend said he was going to take pictures. Yes, whatever. I just wanna break. I sat there in the middle of the trail, taking in the warmth of the sun, feeling the breeze across my skin eating the tastiest jerky and drinking water enjoying the view for miles as we were over 10,000 feet up.
Blogging has always been something I have done. It started out as a practice to write each day, but really it didn't ever roll over into actual writing of books. But I am not sure I am ready to let it go completely. So my apologies as I don't post very often. I'll be in touch, but I would love to hear what you think.
Asthma, really?
For a woman who swam on two competitive swim teams for over a decade, I am dismayed to learn I have sports induced asthma. I do not remember a time ever having trouble with it. I vaguely remember being diagnosed with light asthma when being checked for allergies, but it was such a side note that I never really thought about it. As a woman who is active; though, if I was really honest hasn't done much in the way of exercise in awhile. It disappoints me to no end.
I took off of my first hike ever by myself. Alone. In the wilderness. Just me, the cicadas, my backpack and the trail. Oh and the occasional lizard. Ew.
At first it was exhilarating and refreshing to be traipsing out into the wildness on my own. No rules. No one to tell me where to go or what to do. It was all mine. Minus the occasional passerby, I was alone with the wind whistling through the trees. After about fifteen minutes of huffing and puffing, I realized that I heard no one else, but my own boots hitting the trail. And then I freaked out a bit. I was completely alone. I stopped and looked around. The beauty is unbelievable. That nature can be so alive and here I am twenty minutes away all the time living my life, completely unaware. Not a soul in sight.
That I could see. That is when it hit me. I am completely alone in the wilderness with no one to help me should I need it. ACK! Talk about a scare. I turned, put my head down and hustled it out of there. But I wasn't giving up, no I was going to try and finish this trail. If it killed me. Hopefully, no one was waiting to do so. Seriously, could I have been given the gene my sister got who is not afraid of anything? Instead of the gene that screams horror movie around every turn?!
One of the girls at work once commented that she "would not peg me for an outdoors-y kind of girl." Yep, I imagine I don't peg myself that way too. I wouldn't say I am fussy, but I do like the finer things in life. I like to shower, relax, wear dresses. I don't really do makeup, but man going camping or fishing. Awesome!!
I continued pushing myself through the trail listening to my breathing, which was a bit more heavily than I would have liked, and the sound of my feet hitting the sandy trail. It was comforting and rhythmic. It added to the allure of it all. I could have put on music, but I didn't want to spoil the reality of it all. Occasionally, the cicadas would become overly loud and overpower the sound of my breathing in which I would stop and look around. I couldn't see them, but it made me chuckle thinking of my first camping trip with my boyfriend. The man who is not put off by anything was a bit miffed at the cicadas. (I'll leave it at that)
I kept going, up and up and up. Wondering how long I had been walking. Wondering if I had reached the halfway point and maybe there wasn't a marker. Maybe I had led myself off the trail completely. It was a trail among many others; intersecting and intertwining. Just as I felt I might second guess myself and turn back, I would run in to someone; a couple, a single gal like myself, a man running (yes, running - dick head), an older gentleman with poles. Each person equally nice and friendly.
Every once in awhile I would stop and take a few pictures of something I felt touched me deeply. At one point, I even stopped and sat on a large rock. I arched my chest out like they teach us in yoga to open up the inner heart to hopefully help my breathing. I had reached the point where I was considering using the inhaler again. Why does it feel so defeating to use it more than at the beginning of a workout? Instead, I took a few long drinks of water and then regulated my breathing. I chose to continue on the trail and hope my breathing would level itself out. I wasn't at the point where I truly needed the inhaler. I could do this.
This past week we have been reflecting on our inner guru in yoga classes. As we breath, we are to look inside and seek out our inner guru, the voice that speaks to us when we are tired, overworked, distracted, etc. My inner guru is my father. I think he always has been. He is the one who pushes me harder, makes me grit my teeth and push farther and to smile and congratulate myself when I finish (the ultimate Rocky jogging and punches). He has always spoke to me about looking up to God, listening to Him and allowing Him to guide me. We are not really religious, but my father has always spoken to me about never being alone because "if God be for me, who can be against me." It is not a question, but a statement.
I look up only to realize the scenery has started changing. I went from sandy rocks to green grass and large thick trees. The sun has gone behind the mountain and the trees are even louder with cicadas. The shade cools my sweaty back and I reach my hands over my head to stretch out the weariness of my shoulders. That is where I hold tension and anxiety. When I breath with difficulty, it is also where I feel the pain because getting air into my tummy is harder. The shade releases some pressure of the need to push so hard. I put my hands on my head and walk with my chest open and breath deeply using the 2, 2 method that runners use.
I look around and miss my family immensely. If only they could be here, to see this with me. As much as I love this journey I am on, I am so sorry to have left them to experience it. I know in my heart that they are happy for me, but to find my worlds so far apart makes it harder to love it all the time. I remember when we used to go camping as a family. Pitching the tents, letting the dogs run lose, getting up at the crack of dawn to fish, making breakfast over the fire. Good times before life set in. When all was peaceful and the world was our oyster.
I find myself rooting through enormous boulders, climbing over large flat rocks with spaced between too small to accommodate my hiking boots. It is a pleasant change in scenery, but it keeps going steadily up and up. Rocks to climb over, rocks to climb under like a version of boot camp. I find myself jogging a bit through it all. Though I do stop to take a few pictures of the wonderful rock formations.
As I get around the rocks, it opens up and I am finally at the peak of the hike. Surrounded by trees, grass, but I can see the city just over the tips of the leaves. It is stunning. I can see the redness of the clay and dirt on the mountain facing me. The breeze blows coolness on my neck and shoulders. A gentle reprieve for the arduous hike up. I long to stay and enjoy it, but I know my time is limited. The sun is setting and I do not want to be caught up here in the dark. Talk about facing some demons then!
The faster it descends, the faster my feet want to hop and skip over the rocks. I am exhilarated to know I am on the other side. I did it. I have made my very first hike by myself. I have to be careful though as hoping through the rocks can turn my ankle if I am not more careful. I slow down a bit to drink more water. Seriously, what did we do before Camelbacks?
As I joyfully jog down the final stretch, I see the cars sprinting by on the freeway. I have made it!! I did it! I cannot believe how wonderful it feels to know I just made a split decision to do this and I did it. I am so proud of myself.
Pshaw!
Ashma = 0
Me = 1
(major Rocky fist pumping)
I took off of my first hike ever by myself. Alone. In the wilderness. Just me, the cicadas, my backpack and the trail. Oh and the occasional lizard. Ew.
At first it was exhilarating and refreshing to be traipsing out into the wildness on my own. No rules. No one to tell me where to go or what to do. It was all mine. Minus the occasional passerby, I was alone with the wind whistling through the trees. After about fifteen minutes of huffing and puffing, I realized that I heard no one else, but my own boots hitting the trail. And then I freaked out a bit. I was completely alone. I stopped and looked around. The beauty is unbelievable. That nature can be so alive and here I am twenty minutes away all the time living my life, completely unaware. Not a soul in sight.
That I could see. That is when it hit me. I am completely alone in the wilderness with no one to help me should I need it. ACK! Talk about a scare. I turned, put my head down and hustled it out of there. But I wasn't giving up, no I was going to try and finish this trail. If it killed me. Hopefully, no one was waiting to do so. Seriously, could I have been given the gene my sister got who is not afraid of anything? Instead of the gene that screams horror movie around every turn?!
One of the girls at work once commented that she "would not peg me for an outdoors-y kind of girl." Yep, I imagine I don't peg myself that way too. I wouldn't say I am fussy, but I do like the finer things in life. I like to shower, relax, wear dresses. I don't really do makeup, but man going camping or fishing. Awesome!!
I continued pushing myself through the trail listening to my breathing, which was a bit more heavily than I would have liked, and the sound of my feet hitting the sandy trail. It was comforting and rhythmic. It added to the allure of it all. I could have put on music, but I didn't want to spoil the reality of it all. Occasionally, the cicadas would become overly loud and overpower the sound of my breathing in which I would stop and look around. I couldn't see them, but it made me chuckle thinking of my first camping trip with my boyfriend. The man who is not put off by anything was a bit miffed at the cicadas. (I'll leave it at that)
I kept going, up and up and up. Wondering how long I had been walking. Wondering if I had reached the halfway point and maybe there wasn't a marker. Maybe I had led myself off the trail completely. It was a trail among many others; intersecting and intertwining. Just as I felt I might second guess myself and turn back, I would run in to someone; a couple, a single gal like myself, a man running (yes, running - dick head), an older gentleman with poles. Each person equally nice and friendly.
Every once in awhile I would stop and take a few pictures of something I felt touched me deeply. At one point, I even stopped and sat on a large rock. I arched my chest out like they teach us in yoga to open up the inner heart to hopefully help my breathing. I had reached the point where I was considering using the inhaler again. Why does it feel so defeating to use it more than at the beginning of a workout? Instead, I took a few long drinks of water and then regulated my breathing. I chose to continue on the trail and hope my breathing would level itself out. I wasn't at the point where I truly needed the inhaler. I could do this.
This past week we have been reflecting on our inner guru in yoga classes. As we breath, we are to look inside and seek out our inner guru, the voice that speaks to us when we are tired, overworked, distracted, etc. My inner guru is my father. I think he always has been. He is the one who pushes me harder, makes me grit my teeth and push farther and to smile and congratulate myself when I finish (the ultimate Rocky jogging and punches). He has always spoke to me about looking up to God, listening to Him and allowing Him to guide me. We are not really religious, but my father has always spoken to me about never being alone because "if God be for me, who can be against me." It is not a question, but a statement.
I look up only to realize the scenery has started changing. I went from sandy rocks to green grass and large thick trees. The sun has gone behind the mountain and the trees are even louder with cicadas. The shade cools my sweaty back and I reach my hands over my head to stretch out the weariness of my shoulders. That is where I hold tension and anxiety. When I breath with difficulty, it is also where I feel the pain because getting air into my tummy is harder. The shade releases some pressure of the need to push so hard. I put my hands on my head and walk with my chest open and breath deeply using the 2, 2 method that runners use.
I look around and miss my family immensely. If only they could be here, to see this with me. As much as I love this journey I am on, I am so sorry to have left them to experience it. I know in my heart that they are happy for me, but to find my worlds so far apart makes it harder to love it all the time. I remember when we used to go camping as a family. Pitching the tents, letting the dogs run lose, getting up at the crack of dawn to fish, making breakfast over the fire. Good times before life set in. When all was peaceful and the world was our oyster.
I find myself rooting through enormous boulders, climbing over large flat rocks with spaced between too small to accommodate my hiking boots. It is a pleasant change in scenery, but it keeps going steadily up and up. Rocks to climb over, rocks to climb under like a version of boot camp. I find myself jogging a bit through it all. Though I do stop to take a few pictures of the wonderful rock formations.
As I get around the rocks, it opens up and I am finally at the peak of the hike. Surrounded by trees, grass, but I can see the city just over the tips of the leaves. It is stunning. I can see the redness of the clay and dirt on the mountain facing me. The breeze blows coolness on my neck and shoulders. A gentle reprieve for the arduous hike up. I long to stay and enjoy it, but I know my time is limited. The sun is setting and I do not want to be caught up here in the dark. Talk about facing some demons then!
The faster it descends, the faster my feet want to hop and skip over the rocks. I am exhilarated to know I am on the other side. I did it. I have made my very first hike by myself. I have to be careful though as hoping through the rocks can turn my ankle if I am not more careful. I slow down a bit to drink more water. Seriously, what did we do before Camelbacks?
As I joyfully jog down the final stretch, I see the cars sprinting by on the freeway. I have made it!! I did it! I cannot believe how wonderful it feels to know I just made a split decision to do this and I did it. I am so proud of myself.
Pshaw!
Ashma = 0
Me = 1
(major Rocky fist pumping)
Review - Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris
Title: Deadlocked
Author: Charlaine Harris
Publisher: Victor Gollancz
Publish Date: May 1, 2012
GoodReads
Barnes and Noble
Amazon
At this point in the Sookie Stackhouse series, book #12, I am at a point in reading where I never thought I would arrive. I could in fact read these books til the day I die. I completely and utterly infatuated with Sookie and the other characters in these books. I really hope Harris never stops writing these books. I would love to read them til Sookie is turned vampire or old and grey - like I will be one day. It is honestly like having coffee with an old friend.
It absolutely amazes me that Charlaine Harris can keep Sookie so prim and proper, yet pull her into crazy situations. I love that she would put any of her friends before herself, but somehow manages to survive each time.
I find it truly sad that she is struggling from one relationship to another, though I suppose dating a blood sucker has it's natural hazards. One being that he is dead. The other that he needs live people blood to survive. The other that he is a well respected vampire that others would like to kill or have a hold over. The list goes on with danger.
This is the first series I have ever read and then bought again in order to reread. I have yet to reread a book all the way through. I remember them too easily. These books will be the first, and maybe the only, ones I continue to read and read and read.
Thank you Charlaine Harris for an awesome series!!
Summary -
With Felipe de Castro,
the Vampire King of Louisiana (and Arkansas and Nevada), in town, it’s
the worst possible time for a body to show up in Eric Northman’s front
yard—especially the body of a woman whose blood he just drank.Now, it’s up to Sookie and Bill, the official Area Five investigator, to solve the murder. Sookie thinks that, at least this time, the dead girl’s fate has nothing to do with her. But she is wrong. She has an enemy, one far more devious than she would ever suspect, who’s out to make Sookie’s world come crashing down.
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