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The building has begun!

The thought became a dream.  The dream is now becoming a reality.  The foundation has been poured, the TGI flooring has been laid and the walls are now going up!  Jeff has been at the homesite for the past three weeks helping the crew put up the walls in our new home.  The log work, Jeff tells me, will start tomorrow.  We have a craftsman builder who will begin carving the logs tomorrow to fit into the Structural Insulated Panels aka SIP's.  The house should be completed enough to have inspections clear the home for living by April of next year.  I think things are going to start steamrolling from here and I'll have my hands full with decisions to make on cabinets, fixtures, lighiting, ect, ect., ect..........YIKES!    This will be the view from our kitchen window. Well, at least a partial view as you can't see the moutains with this shot, but you can tell we're going to be seeing alot of green!  It's definetly country living.

The beginning of constructio

Time for something to walk on

The Richness of Life

I haven't always been good at keeping in contact with friends, but I'm working on getting better.  I've been working at tracking down a dear friend that I've lost contact with over the years.  My house has many special items in it that she made and gave to me.  Nary a day goes by that I don't think of her.  A black velvet pillow with pink rosettes sits on my daybed alongside a red leather pillow with blue fringe, artistically placed in various spots.  I see them everyday.   And  though I couldn't get an address for her, I did get directions  and found myself knocking on her door mid morning.  I was elated when I saw her open the door!  We embraced and fell right into conversation as if we'd never skipped a beat in our relationship.  Granted, we had at least 10 years of catching up to do, but I felt so comfortable and natural being around her.   I found out that both of her parents had passed and in the process of all of that, she disowned one brother and sister.  I was surprised to see that she still has the same three cats, their ages.............22, 21 and 19!  Talk about cat logevity!  WOW!      She tells me that she wants to join The Red Hat Society and I just happen to know someone that is a member so I'm going to look into it and accompany her to a meeting.  I don't know that I want to join myself, but I'm willing to check it out with my dear friend Pat.  When we parted ways, I left with her address and phone number and she asked "Do you want me to put my last name down?"  I told her that she didn't even have to write her name at all.  Her handwriting was so familiar to me that I'd know who the information pertained to just by looking at the handwriting!  I'd been to see her Easter Sunday and found a locked gate at which I left not one, but TWO notes just in case one got blown away.  She told me that when she came home and saw the handwriting on the notes, she immediately knew they were from me.   We are so in tune with one another, I find it sad that we lost touch right here in our own backyards!  But I must look forward and not past.  We've found each other again and I look forward to rekindling the relationship. I love my friend, Pat Moran!  As we parted with a hug and a kiss, we told each other exactly that at the exact same moment.  Kismet. Friends......the riches of life.    

A List of 39

This list was emailed to me by a very dear friend.  When I first saw the list, my mind went negative to think I had to make myself read through yet another list of worthless information.  I'm glad I took the time to read it.  I found the list to be very worthwhile and enlightning, so I thought I'd share it with some photos.

These are really very powerful.   No stress. Implement whatever you can.
   
 

  1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
      It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

   

      2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you
      have to.
        
      3. Buy a DVR.  Tape your late night shows and get more sleep..
     
    

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 
    'My purpose is to __________ today.'

     
     

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

     
     

6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2007.
     
    

7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga or stretching, and prayer.
      They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

     
 

    8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the
      age of 6.
     
   

9. Dream more while you are awake.
     

   

 

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food
      that is manufactured in plants.
   
 

  11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan
      salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
   
    

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
   

   

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and 
       flowing energy into your life.
   

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires,
       issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control.
       Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
   

      15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems
       are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra
       class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
      
      16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a
       college kid with a maxed out charge card.
      
      17. Try & pay an honest compliment to someone you wouldn't normally.
   
      

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

     
      19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
   
    

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

   
   

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
     
      22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
      
      23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their
       journey is all about.
   
    

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
   

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years,
       will this matter?'
      
      26. Forgive everyone for everything.
       
      27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
      
    
    29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
   
 
 

30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends
       will.  Stay in touch.
    
    
     31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
   
   
    32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
 
 
 

33. The best is yet to come.

   
 
    34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
   
    
    35. Do the right thing!
 
 
 

36. Call your family often.
 
 

    37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
       I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.
 
   
     38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
    
    
    39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you
       certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so
       make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

Two Squirrels

Squirrels are not common in the Tucson desert.   I'll see one in my yard about once every 5 years or so.  And if I travel to a mid town park, I could see a few if I wait around long enough.   But, as I was driving home yesterday, two squirrels ran out into the street in front of me and began to tumble about with each other.  They frolicked for a brief time before continuing their run across one side of the street and then the other. I know, I know....what's the big deal about a couple of squirrels?   I'll tell you what the big deal is.......they brought joy to my life and they made me smile from the inside out!  It's important to relish in the simple yet rich joys that life has to offer.  I'm still thinking about those two squirrels today and they are still making me smile! 

Papayas

Jeff and I shared a Hawaiian papaya for breakfast this morning. HAWAIIAN papaya.  I know it's related to its distant cousin the Mexican papaya, but there is an ocean and a world of difference between the two.  As far as I'm concerned, the only two things they have in common are: 1) They have the same name  2) They're roughly the same shape.  The Mexican papaya is much larger and has a strawberry red flesh.  The taste doesn't even begin to compare with the scrumptious taste of its Hawaiian cousin.  The Hawaiian papaya has a smooth texture with a rich gold flesh and a mellow, rich, just right sweet taste.  Cut it in half lengthwise and after taking out the seeds which resemble caviar, plunge in with a spoon and ENjoy.   And if you really want a treat, fill the center with cottage cheese or better yet, cottage cheese with pineapple.  OMG!  And as if things could get any better, I always think of my sister in law, Josie, when I eat one.  Always.  She lives on Oahu and she introduced me to this delicious fruit when I visited her there.  Thinking of her just makes that papaya taste even richer! 

As the Hawaiian papaya is a bit pricey on the mainland, I'm not surprised that virtually every time I check out at the grocery store with one, the clerk tells me they've never eaten one.  I then share much of the above paragraph with him/her.  I've paid as much as $5 each when I get that craving.  (Hey!  When was the last time you went out for breakfast and walked away with a $2.50 check?!)  I once tried the distant Mexican cousin because it was cheaper.  Here is a true case of "you get what you pay for".  You notice I said ONCE.

So, if you've never savored a  Hawaiian papaya, or if it's been awhile since you have, you owe it to yourself to sink your teeth into one very soon.  It's a healthy and delicious way to be good to yourself!   

Invisible Sign

I like to live my life greeting people as though they are wearing an invisible sign around their necks that reads "Appreciate Me".  As I was driving down one of my neighborhood streets this past week, I came upon a crew of men working hard at filling in potholes.  I rolled down my window and shouted out "thank you" as I drove by.  I know they heard me and felt appreciated when I saw one of the men waving back at me.  I'd thought about driving back over with a quart of limeaid, but I didn't go that far in making them feel appreciated.  I could have, I just didn't.

I sometimes think I walk around with an invisible sign around my neck that reads "Talk To Me."  Yesterday while at the bakery, I heard not only about the bad back of the gal behind the counter, but also her husbands bad back that came from making a bad jump out of an airplane while he was in the Army.  The cashier at the grocery store told me all about the great massage her boyfriend had given her.  She threw in the fact that he wanted her to propose marriage to him becasue she was, after all, a goddess, and goddesses are the ones that do the proposing.  While at the furniture repair shop, the young immigrant behind the counter told me about his educational pursuits.  He's working on his GED and hoping for better things.   At yet another furniture shop, I heard all about the good grandkids and their trip to the circus with Grandpa.  I also heard about the questionalbe step daughter.  Though nice, all of these conversations take time which I occasionally do not have.  Does anyone know how to get that "Talk To Me" sign off from around my neck?  Not permanently, but maybe just once in awhile......

Meet Molly

Here is the latest addition to our family.  Meet Molly.  She came into our lives on January 25, 2008.  She had been a Christmas gift to a teen girl who apparently didn't meet her responsibilities in taking care of her pocket pet.  Little Molly had previously been in a home that she shared with cats, and when that didn't work out, she was moved into a home with big dog people.  They didn't care to deal with the likes of this little excitable upstart named Molly so we became the lucky beneficiaries!

Molly and Zorro, though both chihuahuas, couldn't be more different!  Molly doesn't know the meaning of the word grouch, except when it comes to defining  Zorro.  She's excitable, playful and friendly.  Yes, friendly!  Those of you that know Zorro probably think friendly isn't a chihuahua trait, but Molly will prove you wrong!  There's no little ankle nipper in her blood.  Molly's only downfall, if you want to call it that, is that she's, well..............homely.  We definitely won't be entering her in any beauty pageants, but if we did, she'd be in the running for Miss Congeniality.  And if you ever need a confidant with whom to share a secret............Molly's all ears!  

One Foot In Front Of The Other

The big thing that's going on in my life right now is my getting smaller.  The good news is, I've lost 12 pounds, 3.3% body fat and 18 3/4 inches.  The bad news is, this process started on 12/3/07.    I''m working out  with a great trainer named Evan.   I've found that this is a good way for me to step ahead since it provides me with the motivation and accountability that I need to keep one foot in front of the other.  I've been working out diligently.  I'm committed to working out 5-6 days a week.  Three of those days consist of weight workouts with some cardio built in.  The other two to three days are plain cardio days where I generally walk three miles, sometimes five. 

When I first started with Evan, I made it clear that my biggest problem was the chasm in my brain between "food for fuel  -vs- food for comfort."  It's HUGE.  I can honestly say that the reason I probably haven't lost more weight is because of this issue.  Though I'm watching what I eat and how much I eat, I'm not on a definite regimented program.  I've made a concerted effort to eat breakfast and I find that when I do that along with drinking water during the day, I do much better with my food consumption.  I believe it is true that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  It sets you up for successful eating. 

I find this next area to be very interesting, and I guess it's kind of a big "ah-ha!" way of thinking for me.  I'm actually doing something good for myself.  Working out 5-6 days week cuts into my day.  Eating right is FAR from easy or comfortable, so it's been hard for me to view this as doing something good for myself.  Aren't those supposed to be "feel-good" fun things like going to get a massage or going to a movie or a concert or taking a trip to Taihland?   Working out and watching what I eat is painful and very much the road less traveled but it's actually good for me?  The gratification is delayed, sometimes to the point where I feel that the train is late!  I have to keep telling myself that it doesn't have to feel good to BE good.

I'm working at thinking positive, viewing this as a journey.  I'm not always successful, but I'm working at it.  I've got a long way to go so I might as well enjoy the ride.   One foot in front of the other, Debbie.  It will come!   At least that's what I'm telling myself these days.

Playing Catch Up

Christmas 2007 was incredible!  Dad, Mom, Tish and Molly came down from NM and we celebrated the holiday together.  Bill, Kath and Matt graciously opened up 'the big house' in Sahuarita and we all stayed there.  We woke up in the same house, ate meals together, played games and shared the richness of each other.  My heart swells at the memory of that time together.  Our nephew Chris, in Bible college in Louisiana, was on Christmas break, so he was able to join us as well.  What a joy it was to spend time with him as well.  He sat across the table from many games of chess while he was here, and I dare say that he's been practicing since he won most of them! 

Jan joined us at the house several days and as always, added such a beautiful sweet presence.  I was truly gifted when I received such a loving mother in law.

Paticia did most of the cooking and setting up for meals.  I'm telling you, that girl could go professional in the kitchen!  Not only is she a great cook, but the presentation of the meals could have graced any cooking magazine or book!  She added nothing but joy as we relished her creative home cooking! 

Uncle Bill put on his badge of courage several days and took Matt and Molly out on driving lessons on the seven acre property.  What a hoot it was to watch them learn to drive a stick shift!  They left many a divit and smooshed cactus patch along their not so smooth path.  Count it all as joy, pure joy!   

Dad managed to lift a few weights, and to the dismay of much of the family, hoist a chain saw to help Bill trim an old mesquite tree.  He also went out on a walk where he hoofed out .10 shy of a mile.  Had he known that the finish line was as close as it was, he would have made it that extra tenth.  Dad has Parkinsons and his doctor wants him to walk every day so hopefully this walk has encouraged him to get on that path.  I'll finish this start of a catch up post with a few more pictures so that you can meet the rest of the Christmas crew.  The number 8 stands for new beginnings, so as I  leave you go out on my new path, (which I'll get into on a future catch up post), I'll post a few pictures so that you can get acquainted with the rest of the Christmas crew.   Look for them under the photos labeled Christmas Crew.  Cio! 

Ruidoso, New Mexico

I just spent a marvelous week in Ruidiso, New Mexico in a 3 bedroom, 3 bath condo.  My mother in law, Jan, was with me for the entire week.  My sister Kathleen and her husband and son joined us for 2 nights.  My parents and sister Patricia and her daughter, joined us for 3 nights!  We celebrated Thanksgiving together on Saturday and I have to say that I've never seen a more beautiful turkey come out of an oven in my life!  And talk about juicy...........YUMMY and mouthwatering!  The New Mexico group arrived first and got settled in.  The Tucson group arrived just in time to watch a beautiful snowfall.  We had 6 inches of snow on our first night there and was it ever beautiful.  Our condo sat in a small valley, surrounded with rolling hills of pine and pinon with large ranch homes including horses and stables on those hills.  We saw deer in abundance, grazing near the property in early evenings.  We had a fire in the fireplace every morning and evening and all in all, we had a fabulous time together.  I hated to see the rest of the family leave, but I'm happy that they made it at all!  I believe I speak for all of us when I say that we had a fabulous time together.  While here, we decided to spend Christmas together in Tucson so I'm looking forward to that with great anticipation.  The one negative about the trip is that I FORGOT MY CAMERA!!!!!!!!!!  I take my camera nearly everyplace I go, even for short jaunts to the grocery store, but on this most important occasion, I forgot it!  I had to stop myself from beating myself up or I would have come home with a VERY battered psyche!  You will have to use your imagination as to the beauty of Ruidoso, New Mexico.  It is definetely a town worth visiting!