A beautiful morning for a hike

Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day! (My grandma used to sing me that song when I was little) Anyway, I woke up before the sun to get ready and meet my friends from my singles group for an exhilarating hike on South Mountain. It was a fantastic experience that I enjoyed tremendously. Physically it was harder for me than I originally thought it would be but emotionally and spiritually it was more than I could have hoped for.

The morning was perfect. It was cool and breezy and the air felt wonderful. We set out at 6:45am and hiked for 4 hours. The hike we did was Mormon Loop at South Mountain. It was an awesome trail. The beginning was a lot of inclines and then we went down in to a valley, called "Hidden Valley" it was cool and quiet. We took a 15 minute rest there and then we were off again to finish our hike before Mr. Sun got too strong.

The hike was a total of 6 miles (so they said, it felt more like 10 to me and my legs) We finished around 11. My legs felt like jello but I felt invigorated to have accomplished a hike of this length. I used to hike all the time but the past year or two have gotten away from it. It is something I really enjoy and am going to make a part of my life again. This group goes every Saturday so I am going to try to take off one Saturday a month to join them.

This is called "fat mans pass" it should be called "fat man can't pass" We all were laughing so hard. I thought I was going to have to be pulled through it! It was the hiking leaders way of being funny. Little did we know there was another way, we could have hiked "over" fat mans pass. It was fun. I had a wonderful time and can't wait to get out and hike again soon!

This and That

I have been hearing a lot of people talking lately about change. This is not an easy thing for me. It never has been. I wish I was someone who embraced change but instead it makes me quite tense and stressed. So this is what I am working on right now in my life, adjusting to change. I read a new blog last night and it was very well said. It was written by Cassie, my dear friend Jessamyn's sister. It is inevitable so I might as well try harder to embrace it. I have been going through a lot of change lately and although most is good stuff, I still have a hard time with it.

My new job is going great. I really like it a lot. It is so much work and there is so much to learn. Some days, most days, I feel like I am working 10-12 hours and hardly accomplishing anything! But I know that little by little I will get there and start to see improvements. So the change to my life outside work has been dramatic. At my last job I was at a desk all day with maybe 4 hours of work to do in an 8 hour day. That left plenty of time for me to do my online banking, check my favorite blogs, read a magazine, catch up on phone calls etc. Now I am feeling like I have no time to get "life stuff" done. So basically for the first time in 5 years, I feel like the rest of the working world. Although for part of that time I was working 2 jobs between Real Estate and Starbucks I still had more flexibility. So I am working on being more organized, that definitely helps a lot. And planning social things, since I am no good at all at being spontaneous. Each day will get better and I will adjust appropriately I am sure.

I did make it up to the cabin this week on my 2 days off. The experience was very different than most of my trips up there. My parents came with us, and although it was nice to spend time with them, they are not really "cabin" people. So instead of reading, crocheting, watching a DVD, cooking a yummy meal in the crock pot, sitting in front of the fire like I normally would. I was out in town, going out for each meal, went to see a movie at the theatre etc. So it was good, just not my kind of cabin time. I am trying to get a few days off at the end of the month to go up and do it "my way"

Until then, I will keep striving to be better at my job, to be a better friend, a better dog mommy, a better daughter, a brighter spirit and be more open to change.

Count down to cabin time

Why doesn't it feel like fall yet? It is the 5th of October and it is suppose to be close to 100 degree's again today! I am so ready to feel the cooler weather. I want to smell the leaves....do you know the smell I am talking about. I love fall, it is my absolute favorite season. I have 5 days of work left then I am cabin bound! I am so excited to get up there. I just checked the weather in Pine and it is suppose to be 72 degree's today. WooHoo! I am going to make Velvet Brick's Pumpkin Corn Chowder. If it is a favorite of hers I am sure it will be fabulous. It should also be cool enough at night to have a fire going. I plan on reading a bunch and crocheting a bunch too. I'll me sure to write after my little escape.

Sorry I have been gone for a while....I've been selling cards...

Might seem like a strange post but I wanted to fill you in on my new work life. I started working for Hallmark about 2 weeks ago. I was hired on as a store manager and have been going through a very vigorous training program. I would have never thought so much goes into running a store such as this. I am really excited about this new venture. It feels like a really good fit for what I am looking for in my life. I was assigned to a really great store that is already making its sales plan. So I am entering it at a good time. I am sure the next few months will be really busy with holiday season upon us. I have been working a ton of hours but don't expect that to be the norm. I hope to get in my groove in the next few weeks. Thank you all for your continued support as I went through this change in career....again!

Prayer Request

I want to ask for your prayers for Andrea. I grew up across the street from her Husband Kenny and sister-in-law Jessica. Our families grew up very close and were more like family then friends. Andrea went to the doctor with really bad headaches and found out she had a brain tumor. She is going through a really tough time right now and has a long road to recovery. She is a fighter and has a great attitude. Here is her story.

Andrea writes:

I found out today that I have a very rare form of cancer, they are calling it a PNET (Primitive Neuro Ectodermal Tumor). Usually found in children and not adults, and I've been told I have a long fight ahead of me. Although the tumor was removed I was told that I definitely have more cell's in my brain that can cause another tumor, and sometimes the tumor can be inoperable depending on how it spreads. The cell's can also spread through by spinal fluid and they will be testing that Monday. The doctor did give us encouragement in that I can win this battle, just that it's going to be a hard road to travel. This type of cancer is rarely found in the USA, and only a few cases per year are noted. They don't even have enough studies to show what causes it or 100% how to treat it. My doctor has seen on average one case per year, and he's been doing this for 30 years. Although we will be starting treatment soon, we will be taking our records for a 2nd opinion for review just to help us feel better. I will be starting with chemotherapy very soon, then moving on to radiation. Please continue to pray for me, my family and friends. I'm doing quite well.

Thank you so much for adding Andrea and her family to your prayers. They are a wonderful family and are all praying for her to have a full recovery.

Learning to crochet

I am finally learning how to crochet! And it is so much fun. As a little girl I used to watch my grandma crochet for hours. She would crochet without even looking. She was always working on something and brought her crochet projects everywhere with her. She made the most beautiful afghans. She tuaght me the basics when I was young but I lost the knack somewhere along the way. Grandma has been gone for many years now (18) and I have always wanted to be able to crochet like her. She I solicited some lessons, read some books, watched some videos and now I'M CROCHETING! I am really excited. My first project is a simple scarf, I should have it done in a few days. It felt so great to actually have a project close to completion. I know this is a hobby I will enjoy for many years. I know Grandma would be proud!

We will never forget

A day of reflection, a day of prayer, a day of mourning.

God bless America

Land that I love

I started my day today by attending mass as I have done on September 11 for the past 5 years. I remember that tragic day like it was yesterday, it is hard to believe it has been 6 years. Isn't it funny how you remember where you were, how you found out, how you felt, the reaction of friends & co-workers. That is the first truly historical event I have been alive for. It is kind of like how my parents will talk about the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated, they remember it so vividly. It is truly a day anyone alive can not forget. Each September 11th since that horrific day I take the day off. Not for me, but for the many who lost their lives. I like it to be a quiet day, a day of reflection and prayer. It helps me. I did watch some of the footage on TV but after a few hours of it decided to turn it off. I did not need to see it over and over again to remember it. It is clear in my heart as it always will be.

Today,

Thank God for your freedom.

It is not something to take lightly.

Today's Message of the Day is:

Life is short.

Forgive quickly.

Hug tightly.

Kiss slowly.

Love Truly.

Laugh uncontrollably.

And never regret anything that made you smile.

Always remember how truly special you are.