random pics

pink flower 

raindrops

April snow

October sunrise

rainbow

I love taking random pictures.  They turn out pretty well considering I use my cell phone, however, they'll be MUCH better when I get a good camera.

pondering

A friend of mine and I were talking the other day about writing a book along the lines of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.  She asked me, "What do you KNOW in your heart and soul?"  I have been thinking about that question on and off since she asked.  She told me she knows, without a shadow of a doubt, that she loves her children and grandchildren so much that nothing they could ever do would change that.  That's a pretty profound statement to make, but a mother's love is a pretty profound thing, in most cases.  I'm having some trouble answering the question.  I've never had a strong bond to most of my family, so I can't draw from that which I do not know.  I'm not married, I don't have children and I'm not dating.  Looks like my answer is going to be about me.

I know that I am a special person (not THAT kind of special!) and that the love of my life is looking for me.  I also know that nobody can love you if you don't love yourself.  That's a harder statement to swallow because I have a tough time focusing positivity at the woman in the mirror when I get distracted by the outer shell.  It's a bad habit that I have to make a concentrated effort to break so I can let my light shine through.  It is Independence Day, after all.  I claim independence from negative thoughts from me about me!

I hope you all have a safe and fun Fourth of July!  Please keep our military and their families in your thoughts.  Peace!

shtuff

Thank HEAVEN that night is over!  What a zoo in the emergency department last night.  Not crazy busy, just crazy.  Nothing in particular, but with a new round of docs trying to muddle their way through without losing their minds, it makes it that much harder on the rest of us who aren't so green.

Three glorious days off starting today.  I don't want to go to sleep because I'll waste most of the day.  Maybe I'll set the alarm to ring around noon so I can be awake and enjoy daylight.  It's tough being a vampire!

I believe I've figured out what I want to do with my life.  I want to write.  I've researched a couple of classes in the Denver area for creative writing, and with any luck, a friend and I will partake in one soon.  We're talking about an idea for a book we would collaborate on and I think it sounds promising.  She also wants to do a children's book.  I think that's a good place to start.

I'm getting sleepier by the keystroke.  I better start loving up on my pillow.  Catch you on the flip flop!!!

damn it!...what?...seriously!...Yay!...end

It's official--I'm not playing summer softball for the league I chose.  I wanted it so badly, I could taste it, but they weren't able to place me on the Sunday afternoon team I needed to be on.  That is the only day I consistently have off.

I've been reading this and trying to figure out what career best fits my personality.  There are so many to choose from!  A brief sampling includes:  career counselor, social worker, priest (ha!), artist, novelist, interior designer, film editor, massage therapist, legislative assistant, HR manager, curator and environmental lawyer.  The complete list contains careers I have contemplated as well as many I've never heard of.  I was confused before I started this book and I'm just as confused today, maybe more so!  I'm going to re-read it and make many notes to help guide me through the maze of possibilities.

I've also been scouring the Internet for a new job.  The politics at the hospital are too much to bear lately and I'm not sure how much more I can witness.  There have been a few that I've applied for, but I haven't heard back from anyone.  I'll keep plucking away and I'll find one that is a good fit for me.

I am a pen connoisseur.  My latest and greatest is one that I've had for a few years.  I consider it a going away gift from a previous employer.  It writes like a dream and I have to go to Office Depot and squirrel away a supply.

That is all for now!  =)

RealAge

This post The Curious Case of Casey Malone from Daily Garnish has me thinking a lot about my health and well-being.  It's no secret that I am overweight.  I'm approximately twice the size I should be, according to any of the BMI charts found on the Internet.  I wasn't always this big, so I know what it's like to be fit and healthy.  It's not about vanity, although I'll admit that it does plays a key role.  Despite my weight, I am overall a fairly healthy person.  I don't smoke, I rarely drink and at last check, my numbers were good (cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, etc.)  I do tend to run on the low side of normal as far as my thyroid is concerned.

My diet and activity level is where I go horribly wrong.  I just took the RealAge quiz and found out I'm at least 48.1 years old (I guessed at some answers).  Given that I am only 38, it looks like it's time to make some big changes, less I want to continue down this road and become ethereal before my time!

This will take a lot of hard work, considering I have become bored to tears with food and have no desire to exercise.  I'm reading Emily's blog (Daily Garnish) to gain insight into nutrition and living a vegetarian life.  Her posts are very informative and her recipes look delicious.  I need to apply a bit...OK, a LOT, of discipline into my health routine and I should be on my way to a lower RealAge rather quickly.  I'm thinking of making her Protein Powder Mix to start.  I've been researching different brands, like Vega, but they are EXPENSIVE!  I'd rather buy me something cute than spend that much money on a drink!

I'm also a volume eater, so I tend to go for broke when I nosh.  It would be fine if the things I were noshing most of were plant-based, but they are not.  Unless you consider potato chips a vegetable...

Here's hoping I have the grit to start and stick to a good game plan for a healthy me!