Note To Universe

Please send reinforcements.

If you count the lentils and rice and oyster crackers in jars that have been in the cupboard for, oh, eons, we have enough food to last about a week. If you count the unspent balance on the Visa, we have enough money to pay gas and bills for about the same. Meanwhile, I'm going here for a week of R&R. Contradictory you say? Nonsense.

Self Portrait

Protective gear worn when mowing the lawn, to avoid allergens and hearing loss. Forgive me, Mother Earth, for I am currently using a poison-spewing gas-powered mulching lawn mower, and, no, I don't leave the clippings.

It is time to put down for myself what I really want and need, to clarify to the universe and put the right energy out there. What I want is to win the jackpot millions in the lottery at the next drawing. OK, that said, I'll lay out some more realistic needs and wants. I want and need a new job that meets the following criteria:

Is part-time (20-25 hours per week), allowing me to work days on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. This is to leave me with 3-4 days per week for travel and other writing projects including the dog book update.

Pays an absolute minimum of $25 per hour, the hourly rate that I'm really going for is $45 per hour, preferably with good medical, dental, and vision benefits.

Takes advantage of my talents as a writer and budding photographer.

Is challenging enough to keep me interested for years, allows me to learn and grow, compliments my other needs and skills, and yet, leaves me plenty of energy and creativity for outside writing projects.

Is on a bus route or downtown via the water taxi route or can be reached by commuting on my bicycle.

Doesn't require a fancy dress code.

Is fun and enjoyable with people who can and will become friends.

Then, above all, most importantly, I ask the universe for whatever it is I need to bring my writing back to life.

People, Not Profit Part II

While you're waiting for me to decide what to do with my new url, there is one already out there you can look up People Not Profit. Mine's with an "s".

Flower Firsts, Second Edition

Yet another one of "my" rosebushes has produced its first flower of the season. Husby and I have been putting a tremendous amount of effort into the yard this year. I even planted a veggie garden of my own for the first time ever. Tomatoes, peppers, onions, strawberries, and lettuces are growing nicely in the back corner by the fence. There are many times when I have trouble putting so much love and work into something that belongs to someone else, that I am only borrowing. But even when we "owned" a house, the house owned us. With a minimum of a 30 year mortgage, who except the super rich really own property any more?

How Much Are Those Doggies...

Life from the outside looking in. At night, when coming home from work, all I can see are puppy head silhouettes. Remember those black paper silhouette portraits that were popular in the 70s? Yeah, like that. My Mom still has ours hanging in the hallway.

Expectations

I love the hopefulness of this photo, taken this morning. The first rose has bloomed on our bush, and there are dozens to come. Sure, there are a few bugagoos to be worked out (look closely for white aphids), but aren't there always? The background (the past) has been dark, but even there, rays of hope shone through.

My Summer of Fun Has Begun

A photo from the Munich botanical gardens. Here's how you know you love where you live: you go all the way across the world, and the first thing you seek out are things that remind you of home, like this Rhody.

I am happy today. My husband comes home from New York, and we will have quality time together, a chance to talk and walk and work out some of the frustrations that have been plagueing me about us lately. Just as importantly, I finally feel like all the pieces are in place for me to have a great summer. The last little detail will be to get a super-short haircut on Monday. I now have an electric bicycle, which will help me cavort around town, and get the exercise I need without too much extra stress on my 80-year-old knees. In the last year and a half, I've effortly lost 20 pounds, halfway to my goal. I'm only beginning to feel less heavy, less weighed down in life. I've reorganized my office, and sorted all the files I need to start writing for profit again. I bought two "how tos" on making money with photography. I gave the food co-op an ultimatum--I can work three days a week or not at all. Take it or leave it. I think they'll take it, and stop abusing me. I won't work there full time, or even 3/4 time. That wasn't part of the deal. On the days when I am less happy, I think, I'm 41 years old. If I haven't got my shit together yet, is it likely that I'll ever get it together? So, in the spirit of making my life work for me, here's a meme of the things I want to do every single day this summer, not in any particular order:

1. Ride my new bike.
2. Take pictures.
3. Write.
4. Play with my husband, family, and friends.
5. Improve my health.
6. Make more money while working less.
7. Lighten up. Have fun.