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

Walking Toward Beauty and Harmony

It is almost one week since I have "blogged"; it is fall now in Flag, much colder in the morning and even frost on my car window the other day; have not walked for awhile; don't know why; maybe a combination of cold in the am and the sun going down much earlier in the PM. So, tomorrow is THE DAY I WILL START WALKING IN ENERST! saw t this am; we hugged a few times; i cry when i see her. i hope she is happy now. it s going to take a long time to heal from this deep wound in my heart, life, and soul. On a brighter note I have had a nice young man z working on my kitchen; did i say "my" kitchen? he is installing new lights and two beautiful hanging glass lights over the island...he is such a gentle soul; just what the dr ordered. it will be finished in about one week. i have been working really hard for uu lately; we are planning an event in the next couple of weeks so it is taking more time than usual. t picked up the GIRLS today; it is so quiet without them around filling the house with their bouncy personalities and of course l's special barking; the CATS all three of them continue to be "just cats" and have such different habits and interests. it is "harvest moon" tonight...the tomotoes are dying; i want to plant bulbs this weekend; i know i am all over the place tonight....oh well..what are blogs for anyway...it is my place to "talk" with myself and others.

a few days without crying: a break through

Yes, it was 4 months on Monday and I have not cried yet....progress re letting go and letting hp do the rest; went for a long walk on Mt. Eldon this morning; windy and a bit cold but fun to be outside in the pine trees; really sorry I missed calling L1 on her birthday; I hope she understands. I decided not to go to Phx tomorrow (Thursday, or today???) and that is a relief. So, just checking in and getting ready to go to sleep in a few minutes; 12:49 AM...the basket is full of love for my dearest friend, L # 1....happy birthday and many more.

Ode to L

L in Portland is my friend and I am glad she was born....a special day is coming up next week---she radiates love, honesty, spirituality, joy, kindness, and creativity and SHEISART....I am so happy we are friends....ode to L.

9+11:death, loss, crises, pain, trauma, fear, hate and today it : acceptance, moving forward, praying, spirituality, holding on to others, memories, reflection, and tomorrow will: unknown, hope, post-modern, life, death, new reality.....

An Honor for Me

today at uu the uu board of trustees were installed...we all went up front and our dear minster w said our names and then asked us as a group would we be there for our fellowship/church....we all would say "I will"...my dear friends b and b were there and I appreciated their smiles and hugs. after the service r gave me some fresh green beans and someone asked me to go to the sfp next weekend...i felt STRONG and EMPOWERED. thanks to l2 for all of her loving support and practical ideas about my current situation. So all in all it was quite a day of spiritual blessings, love and support, and c being herself; walking in beauty! good nite

Going Back to School & Teaching

when you go into a classroom you never know what to expect; you do your best to have anough material, feel confident that you know something but it still is nerve racking; Wed was the 3rd class for my intro class and the first one after a big holiday; so many freshman and sophromore...so I feel like I am a mother duck and imprinting the "social work" motto...upon them in some way...basically we are still in the honeymoon period but that will change pretty soon; so I might as well enjoy it! The pictures are a reminder to everyone what it is like to be in the classroom. So long ago for me! At least I don't have to wear black patent shoes anymore. I hope the German quote is ok for public viewing..Teach in Beauty.

What do these images have in common? THE SUN OF FLAGSTAFF! Went to Coconino County Fair this morning and volunteered for the Coconino County Democratic Party...such an interesting process; those who come by who want to visit, those who just ignore you, those who sit down and registrar, those with questions, those with children, those with smiles and those who just don't like us! Oh well....Left just before it started to rain; took the free bus from NAU to the Fair; that was fun...saw more friends. Riding the bus can be a fun event especially on Labor Day; someone even shared their carmel corn...Labor Day was established to celebrate the end of child labor! I did not know that; did you? c invited me over to her lovely house next to the golf course; saw woodpeckers, dalmatians, bulldogs, other birds and that was just the guests! The democratic party ran a mock election and when I left Hillary had 172 votes! It sure feels like fall in Flagstaff now...cooler, leaves starting to turn yellow...one more tomatoe today.

My Garden!

This is hard to believe BUT I GREW SOME VEGS THIS SUMMER---i have 6 small pots on the back porch (WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FULL SUN!)...and the flowers bloomed into REAL TOMATOES! So far I have eaten 2 and it looks like another one is turning red and will be ready for harvesting by tomorrow...I have really enjoyed them and considering I DON'T REALLY LIKE TOMATOES...this is really funny! Who would have known? So, next summer here I come tomatoes and maybe other veggies too...I have heard about having a 'green thumb' but it seems I have a "red thumb"---ok, pretty poor joke...but still funny...sure happy August is almost over!

coffeecharchar

just purchased a new "hot beverage system" formerly known as a coffee maker, for a single cup! no longer need to make 10 servings...took me a couple of tries but finally got it to work....md gave me a mini mentoring session on the phone and viola it worked; also put together a lamp! my my char has some mechanical skills! So I would say I am ready for classes to start tomorrow....don't forget tomorrow there will be two moons...our earth moon and mars being at its closet ever! so, go outside and look at the wonders of our universe....we are so small and really nothing is that important...except to love one another and take care of our earth hogan.

Back to School--a theme for this week

I started back at NAU; I will be teaching in the classroom two days a week; I have not been in the "traditional" face to face classroom for almost 3 years. I will be also teaching two classes on-line. Nice to see many friends at NAU today. It will be 3 months on Friday....grief work and more grief work...I hope school will keep me busy and not thinking so much about it. Started an 8 week basic Spanish language class at the adult center with b last week. That will be fun...it already is...so, life goes on...............there is a semi full moon outside my home office window; I guess next week on the 27th we will be seeing "two" moons, Mars and Earth Moon getting very close ===I am looking forward to seeing that event. Space certainly puts my little situation into perspective. I have to keep remembering that I came from star dust and will return to star dust....thanks to everyone who has supported me in this change...you know who you are and I lov you all....Libby is much better and so am I! Ruby and Lib are both sleeping by my feet in my office at home...so cute. Lov them both! Until the next time---walk in beauty

Goodluck Symbols

This is for my dad, Charles Tsoi Goodluck who passed away today (8/15/73) in Ft. Defiance, AZ. I miss his love, humor, hugs, smiles, and gentleness.