"this ole house": revisionist experience

up at 6:30 then off like a bolt of lighting...seriously...sprayed a curtin rod with white paint (from ugly black)(how exciting is that?)(and did not get any on myself); put all of the piles of leaves, wood, pinecones, litter, branches, more leaves, and more leaves (I think you have the picture)in trash bags (10 in all); (front yard); then cleaned all the pots on the front; dug 6 inches deep to plant bulbs for spring...that was really hard considering we have rocks 2 inches down...peat moss and bone meal to make the bulbs happy little campers until they come up; (it is like planting "hope" as my friend L1 would say--and she did on her own blog yesterday); washed screen door with 409..washed two screens for bedroom windows; did the laundry; are we done yet? all before 1:00 pm...then baked a variety of pototoes for lunch...yummy--then played on photoshop for some relaxation; z is still painting the kitchen; I hope I don't have to sell the house to pay him....it is so pretty---yummy too. tonight my second Spanish class at ccc...so, when am I going to prepare for class tomorrow? I guess at midnight tonight! oh well...sure having some fun making "this ole house" at least "middle age" now...that is suppose to be funny; t came over without calling me to pick up her mail and really liked the k---i hugged her when she left...so I am all independent now! repairing and painting the house is an external representation of what is going on internally! (aren't I smrt?)(from don)...off to get ready for tonight. The image is from my photoshop class and it is a receipe for Navajo Fry Bread...not low fat or diet; to say the least...it is getting colder now...so, char go to class!

Cleaning my life

Spent most of day cleaning the house, outside, plants & pots, dishes, clothes, etc etc...it is a cycle and it never ends...around and around and around...life is full of routines and more routines---plus class to even it all out! We need rain! HP help us. I selected this quilt from Hawaii when I went there last Feb with L1 and many others....I love the color and shape of it. nite nite

Playing with Art: Again

I am taking 2 photoshop on-line classes at the same time (I have learned one is enough); however, one of them I really enjoy and have learned a lot of new techniques for photoshop images and my own art..so the image I have today is from my experimenting with the new techniques; basically playing around after a very busy day: saw l2,UU, RA, townhall uu meeting; raked leaves in front (that was a new experience for me); then going to see "Michael Clayton" a fast moving movie with suspense until the very end! (popcorn too). I could not believe that a small coke was $3.50 --are they kidding! What a joke...anyway good day; warm and sunny--nite, nite...z have fun in lv if that is where u went! :) :)L1, I love the blubs; I am hoping to get to mine in the next few days...

art is in the eye of the beholder

It is really a beautiful day outside---a warm fall day with the sun shining with leaves still falling. I have been altereding "art" cards all morning---need to start grading my 370 class papers in a few minutes. z told me that the color of yellow is for "healing" and that means so much to me...he is what hp sent to me to transition the ole into the new...a new kitchen and the center of any home; my home! The type of yellow is "cottage white" from Home Depo. Very warm, soft, and mellow---mellow yellow and it goes with the orange title back splash....yummy, yummy...

La Luna in Arizona

the kitchen is closer to getting finished; I even painted a little today; all of the plants, furniture,etc. are on the porch; C took me out for my bd this evening and a joined us. I am pretty tired so off to bed now...long day...nite nite

much better day

I having a much better day today; actually taking a Spanish class for the next 4 weeks at our local cc...11 students; played my first cross-cultural card game tonight in Spanish; UNO...buenous noches..

just a bad day

tears are a human's way to show others you are real....I am.i hope those in sw220 learn from my role modeling...it was a hard day

Playing Again with PS

Credit for the flower collage is my dear friend, L1,+ she knows who she is...I just expanded on it...thanksl1.

Life is Full:Hannah Dau of L + D

ThesweetpictureisHthedauofl+d===whatabeauty===soluckytohaveherasasweetfriend;maythespiritblessu+keepusafe+protected... It has been a week since my bd...what a wonderful week; all kinds of extra surprises;satsaw"thejerseyboysintempeatgradygammage"withc+j pm+openedgiftsfroml1portlandwz; UU=prayers=hbsong=pinkcoat+surprisecardflowersfromts=ah+himmilayandinner=monday=ali&5wymenfriendsatjoesphines=bnfromtcatbrandysformybd===thenonwediwonaIPODrearaffleiwon!!!whatawildweekformy61birtday--atreattoseel22+iamblessedinsomanyways...evenlost3lbs!tonightiamdoingartworkandplayingonphotoshop...wenttosee"Elizabeth"+powerofwymn.nite.nite...thankstoeveryonewhohavebeenthereallmylife---socanureadthiscode?lastnitewenttosee"WhoseLineIsIT?"--laughterisenergyformysoul...gettingpainttoday[thatisanotherstory]...

"Its my birthday and I will cry if I want to" OR NOT!

What a delightful day from the very beginning until now just before midnight; went to Tempe to see "The Jersey Boys" a play/musical about the Four Seasons...it was so much fun and the music sent me to another place...it was a Grady Gammage, a building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright...the sea shell lights, the pink soft glowing rounded walls...what a treasure to see it. I went to see something years ago...I just love the design...had center seats 20 from the front---fabulous seats...went with 2 other very nice women, one from UU and a new person who works at a local elementry school. Got the names several books to read...saw fox on the way home; came home to B and Z and the girls. B gave me a sweet card and z was working on my kitchen...he is such a gentle soul...artist and musician..I asked him to stay while I open my gifts from l and he did...it was fun sharing this with him...he is a very special person and I am lucky to know him. It has been a wonderful day....a new life is forming for me and it is good. So good nite everyone and know that I love you all...thanks for the cards, calls, good wishes and fun times; all day long...I am a very fortunate person. nite nite Happy Birthday...

true beauty

Just a little knowledge can be quite fun....especially when I don't have to do any REALWORK....what a concept this morning. The Girls got me up about 3 AM..jumping on me and semi barking....I guess they heard something and WANTED ME TO HEAR TOO. So this is my latest creation on photoshop...

library--what a concept

considering my life has changed so drastically I am now using the local library; went there today and checked out two books on Photoshop and Elements...I did not have my library card so they said "you can use your ID one time only"; I wonder why they have that rule....oh well...it was fun to see all the different people at the library...it is actually a very good one...i have not been walking...need to get back to my daily steps...have no idea why I have not done it...i know i will get with it pretty soon....just do it char! z is coming tomorrow to work on mi casa. The Spanish class ended today at the adult center...I am starting another Spanish class at ccc on Oct 23rd...I think it will be more organized..I did learn some Spanish in this class and the teacher was very sweet. so, adios...

play time with photoshop

Sure had fun playing with my new toy, Photoshop...I will be taking another art class on-line beginning Oct 15th...I accomplished a lot today so I feel free to PLAY...anyway need to go to sleep now...lots of grading papers this evening; had a great study session with my students in SW220 this afternoon. Coffee with a at lunch. So, I am tired and want to sleep as I just stated...so c go to bed!

repairing my house and soul

Attended an alllllllllllllllll day class at our local cc on home repairs for women; it was great; feel so empowered now; it was allllll day from 8 to 4!! So my head is swimming in new information and then this evening I have been working on my new Photoshop class on the web....the image I inserted is a desert plant/cactus with some photoshop changes via filters and artistic play functions; basically I am really learning and just playing around; the class on the web is a bit too advanced for me so it is much harder and really making me think---that's hard enough but to do it this late is another thing....anyway--nite,night--l1 I hope u are feeling better and getting over your cold. good night. The Girls are sleeping on the floor next to my computer...so cute.

laughter is food for the soul

Went to see Jerry Steinfield tonight at NAU; I was three rows back from the front in the center---actually saw him really close up...what an amazing person and his observation skills about human culture is extraordinary. His commentary about cell phones is worth the entire ticket...my sides hurt I laughed so much....I need more laughter in my life! p and c were sitting behind me a few seats down, so fun to share the evening with them; then went to b party for awhile....home to play on photshop and my new web class! It is getting really cold now---want opie to come in the house but can't find her....I don't want her to be cold tonight...I know she will come back---The girls are with me now--sure miss them. They light up the house with their play and of course, barking and running....so happy l is feeling better and not as sick as she was....nite nite....need to get up early tomorrow to take a class at CCC.

an amazing journey

Just found this quote: "The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift of life is yours; it is an amazing journey; an you alone are responsible for the quality of it". [Dan Zadra] YOU GO GIRL, charlotte

a regular day in October

Art made my day playful, adventuresome, and creative; I began a new class on the web re learning more about Photoshop; it was hard and I had to keep emailing the instructor about the functions in layers. It took me several hours to complete just a couple of pages. "Learn as I go basically". L2 sent me a lovely note re "Gifts by Charlotte"; she also called me later in the afternoon; a called too; it rained and it was grey so I basically stayed home and enjoyed my artplayday....it was a regular October day.....free to live my own life as I feel! Darn it, someone just called and wanted to talk w t; darn it anyway...can't I have one day without being reminded of her especially today! I started to cry...........then I got mad! I know the triggers will not end but I am still raw. I have had 90% of my day as a play day so put it into perspective, Charlotte...."What was given to me? Be joyous in what you have, not what you lost. Thank you for all the gifts you have given to me.[charlotte]" it will never be this day again! Part of self care is to love yourself all the time. You are there for yourself always...Love in Beauty....c

praywalksmilelaughhugsfelinesbegratefulbepatientbeyoube

Dearest Charlotte, I love you very much. You are a whole person! You are loving yourself by blogging....remember self-care is everyday. Tulips to be planted; paint the spaces blue; make art; celebrate your new life; divine intervention; let go and let love and let care....let others love you. Be.....it is a time to free yourself of any doubt, anxiety, fear, anger, loss and be------------u. Thank you to l1,l2, d, j, m, e, l, c, a, b, c, d, t, uu....for all the love you have given me in the last few months; i am writing myself into the next day--it is my own bridge into my new and continuing life of self love, self care, and freedom. FREEDOM...Forgiveness...Forever----You. Sleep in Beauty, c

what a fun day in Flag

I walked for about 45 minutes on my treadmill and THEN I GOT AN IDEA! I would take the Flag bus to SBS--I had a meeting at 3:00 pm on south campus...so, my saga began: 1. walking to the bus stop (wrong one since I really didn't know which one) 2. correcting myself and asking someone how to get to the bus on rt 66 3. found the bus stop near Jack in Box...had a chicken pita...yummy 4. had to wait until 51 until the hour...or 1:00PM... 5. got on the bus---what lovey experience of hearing people taking with each other; me looking at the Peaks....wondering how this was going to turn out? smiling to myself---it cost .50ct one way + transfer ticket 6. got to the "turn around" near the other Jack in Box on the westside of town 7. walked over to the transfer bus re route 3 8. took it over to NAU campus (on the north side) 9. walked to NACRP and the office was closed! no M around and I was suppose to sign some paper 10. walked to Cline Library and caught the NAU bus to SBS; the women driving gave me the "the look" for not getting on at the right stop but she was kind to pick me up in the middle of the bus stop...I guess I looked kinda lost???? 11. went to south campus and got off at SBS 12. walked to my office on the 3rd floor---played on the computer for awhile 13. drinking lots of h2o........ 14. walked across to SBS west for the meeting; it took 3 minutes since everyone decided not to apply for the grant re youth! 15. walked to bus stop in the sbs parking lot and went to north campus 16. called m and she met me at the office to sign papers 17. she and her sister took me to San F south of Rt 66. (I thought the bus stop would be closer)---nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 18. had to walk to Beaver and the C of Commerce---and wait............wait......wait 19. saw m drive by on her way back to get her niece... 20. lots of fumes from trucks and cars---when you are sitting at the bench you get the car fumes directly...a health risk that's for sure 20 A---forgot to mention "the loud train going by and going by and going by" 21. the red bus came (another .50 cents...and I went to Fanning going east; many more people at this time of day; many got off at 4th street; men of color (Navajo and Hispanic) 22. walked across the highway at Fanning and rt 66...very busy---kinda scary 23. walked norht on Fanning about 5 blocks up hill---I had lots of H20 24. got home about 4 pm....!!! 25. so my carbon footprint was reduced for the day.... 26. now that I know how to do it and what to expect I want to do it again 27...got over 9500 steps today! 28. I was tired, hungry, and beat! 29. I was grateful for all that I have and know I am very privileged since I have such a beautiful place to come home to. 30. So this was my adventure today....plus only 1.00 for travel/transportation.... 31. Saw the world from a very different perspective...it was humbling. 32. "Baby Son" is walking all over the computer right now...so good nite. 33. I bet I will sleep really good tonight...nite nite