Just a little something thats on my refrigerator.

LIVE WITH INTENTION.

WALK TO THE EDGE.

LISTEN HARD.

PRACTICE WELLNESS.

PLAY WITH ABANDON.

LAUGH.

CHOOSE WITH NO REGRET.

CONTINUE TO LEARN.

APPRECIATE YOUR FRIENDS.

DO WHAT YOU LOVE.

LIVE AS IF THIS IS ALL THERE IS.

I DID IT!!!!!!!

I had my first show. It was fun, hectic, and a total group effort to get everything done. My Thanks to everyone for their hard work. My youngest one invited people on the street down to my show site. The rest of the kids hung out and entertained each other and the viewers running in and out. The show was part of Art Work in downtown Hollywood.
I do believe my work was well received. I had several artist love it and suggest other venues to show. The only negative was this old coupe. (make up garish). They were well dressed, carrying their to go bags from where ever they had dinner. I asked what they thought. She was blunt. " We don't like photographs. Only paintings. " I very nicely thanked them for coming and stopping by. I was very sweet. I do believe she didn't get it. She just looked at me and was clueless that I was the photographer. Which was just fine with me. Everyone has an opinion. Thats what makes it fun.
I didn't sell anything yet. But I really didn't think I would have last night. Another artist helped out and said no one ever sells the first time out. But she loved the work. and I will sell.. Last night was all about getting out there and being seen. So on Wednesday I will go take all my work down/ and come home and hang it all over my house for safe keeping. Which is why I chose the pictures that I did.

I hope everyones is having a personally fulfilling kind of weekend.

Getting ready for MY FIRST PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW!!!!!

To say that I am a little excited, a little nervous and very critical of my own work. Is an understatement.
I am also a total control freak. And having people help me and be in control of something so personal is huge.
But I also believe in letting people do what they do best.

I take very nice pictures. I seem to have an eye and talent for things. I am also very artistic. My medium now seems to be photography. In previous periods of my life it has been music, crafts, and acting. Well we all act in our life. Life is a stage and our part is living it. How we choose to portray ourselves is our choice.

The very nice lady who owns the Now Art Cafe is also a control freak. Or she wouldn't have owned her very interesting gathering place for as long as she has. I have loved her Cafe since I first walked in the door almost 12 years ago. She didn't serve alcohol then. She's a martini bar now. Same ambiance. Beds, sofas, sitting areas, live music, etc. But she said when she turned 40 she wanted her place to grow up too. She used to just serve teas, coffees, desserts, etc. Now she has expanded.
The fact that she is having my first show is very telling. We're very similar in or uniqueness. Very free spirits.

Francesca is also a very big part of my first show. Her talent in putting together colors is invaluable in getting just the right touch in matting and framing. She helped choose the final 9 photos finishing touches. She's also handling the framing shop for me. I kind of lost my cool with the supervisor the other day. Something to do with his "not guaranteeing my work being in for my show on time". His whole attitude was just not in my best interest. I kept trying to get his attention back on my issues, he kept telling me how busy they were and trashing the competition. (Who happened to have gotten my first 4 prints back before their due date and they were nicely done.) Francesca managed to find a competent person in the department who was helpful and she found the information on the computer that they will be in on MONDAY. A few days late, but in time for my show on Saturday. Unlike the supervisor who is just inept.

So I find myself in a position of trusting others to handle their part in the scheme of things. I am usually in charge of all aspects of a function. But trust me. I will be dotting the i's and crossing the t's just to make sure it's how I want it to go.

Now if I could just get my web site the way I want it by Saturday I would be a happy camper. Frustrating. I really don''t like computers. Or maybe that I just don't know how to get them to do what I want them to do. Like post a picture on my blog. Too funny since I am a photographer.

I am also pet sitting my sons big dog for the weekend. So I pissed off the neighbors guest by asking them to keep their little male shi tzu on a leash while he is here. Give me credit. I didn't yell at her for not picking up it's poop. Remember I have 2 female shi tzu's . He thinks they are play toys. But I didn't want hers to be a snack for the big guy.

Lets just say my hormones sure chose a great time to show up and wreak havoc with my moods. Gotta love being 49 and being menopausal. I hear that is an excuse. Or should be.

Have an awesome weekend everyone. And if you hear of a crazy lady loosing it down in South Florida, the stress got to me.
And the framing supervisor got his just rewards.

Happy Labor Day everyone!!!!

Tomorrow is my 49th birthday. Now how can I be 49 years old already. I look around at my grown children and wonder where has the time gone. I sure don't feel 49. But what does 49 feel like?

I still haven't found a job. So I have just been hanging out on the beach with Francesca from Chicago. She is a total blast. You can never get her out of the water. What a total water baby. She is so tan it's not funny. Yesterday she cooked a traditional Greek dinner for my family and some of her local friends. She's been staying with me. So she and my daughter have been bonding in the kitchen. They both love to cook. I'm letting them. I'll gladly clean up.

Today we are heading to the beach as a family to celebrate my birthday early. Since it's Labor Day everyone's off. So that makes 2 family days in a row. Then home for a BBQ and cake. Works for me. The kids love hanging out together. We have family dinners every week. I sure got lucky on that one. But as I like to say. I raised them to be friends. It's nice to see it worked.

Now tomorrow Franny goes home to Chicago to start packing. She has put her condo on the market and is looking to move to South Florida with the rest of us sun seeking crazy people. She thrives in the environment for sure.

I am also picking up my matted and framed photos this week for my first photography show. I can't wait to see the finished product. The show will either be the 15th of September or October 20th. The owner of the place that is hosting it has been out of the country on vacation and may have missed the deadline for the publisher. I should know this week. Either day works for me. It will be interesting to see if anyone will pay for my work. Do to the cost of framing they are going to be pricey. Only time will tell.

I hope everyones having a wonderful final long summer weekend.

I am home safe and sound. I had an adventure for sure. Accomplished what I was looking to accomplish. Not a bad month for sure.
My week at my sisters went well. Spending the first week of July in my hometown for the first time in over 20 years was great. A week well spent. I did a lot of cooking for my sisters family, so my sister had a break while she worked, coached soft ball, etc. I took lots of photos. Got 2 commissions for taking pictures. Fulfilled them both. How fun is that.

Then off to Bethany Beach I went. Shiloh had a head cold by then. Got sick in the car. We took the Cape May - Lewes Ferry into Delaware. It dropped me off 30 minutes from my best friends beach house. I am happy to say she had sobered up. And is still sober as of yesterday. I am sure it's not easy for her. She has a lot going on in her life and some life challenges that she will have to handle. Her husband has asked for a divorce. He has been a saint thru all this. But I understand where he is coming from. For 8 years out of this 13 year marriage she has refused to sober up and stay that way. Her love affair with the bottle is more valuable to her. Everyone deserves the chance at happiness. And you can only take so much before you say enough. I did notice while I was there how little interaction there was between them. She told me over the weekend that he asked for a divorce months ago. And she dove right back into the bottle. Or had just not come out of it yet. She's been in the hospital 4 times detoxing in 4 months. Not rehab. That hasn't worked 3 times. So I understand and I wish him nothing but happiness and peace.

My friend and I had a nice visit. We went boating, shopping, to the beach, and emergency vet stop for Shiloh. Upper respiratory infection. After 2 days of antibiotics she was a new puppy just full of life. And hasn't stopped being an outgoing and fun loving puppy since then.

I am home now. Everyone is happy to have me home. I just got a chance to show my photography at the art walk in downtown Hollywood. They have art night the 3rd Thursday of every month down town. I am having a showing in a bar called "Now Art Cafe". The place is eclectic. I have always loved the uniqueness of the place. I was downtown Saturday night, walked in, ended up talking to the owner who remembered me from years ago. One thing led to another and she wants me to show in her place. To promote my work, etc. She said she rarely shows anyone. She's picky. She will have a Martini tasting for me. Now how fun is that. My friends and family will all show up and support me. I guess motorcycle parking will have to be arranged. Right out front of course. Park a few bikes, more are sure to follow.

So now it's time to get busy, pick the best of the best. I have all the 20 somethings in my life putting in their 2 cents. Plus I will have my friends help. And last but not least the owner Angel pick her favorites. My work is so varied, that I may have to have a few shows. Or maybe she will want me to come and do it monthly. We will see. I need to find a place to print , matt and frame my work. I need to talk to Angel first and see what size she wants. Everything I show must be available for sale. No problem. Now it's time to see if people are willing to pay.

I am job hunting. Via on line applications. Not fun. Talk about not being able to sell yourself. And I am NOT bilingual. This is becoming a huge problem. Now my question is this. Is it not America? Is English not our language in this country? OK. I won't start on that. But everyone is requesting that you speak several languages. Down here it's Spanish, French and then English. French because of all the French Canadians. Now everyone should speak English. If I was in their country I would sure try to communicate first in their language. Not demand they speak English to me first. I guess I'm just old school on some things.

So now you know what's going on in my life. What's going on in yours?

I am on vacation right now. What an experience it has been so far. My vacation started out good until I pulled into my girlfriends house in Oakton, VA. Now she has been my best friend since high school. She is a chronic alcoholic. She can die if she drinks. She was so drunk she could hardly stand. Not good. I got a first hand look at the ugliness of this disease. I kept her mostly sober all day until the evening the next day. I told her what a great job she was doing. We went horseback riding on one of her horses, in the morning. Then went on a sight seeing tour of the new monuments in DC in the afternoon. A great day. Lots of pictures. Now I moved away from the DC area in 1992. They have 3 new monuments since I left. The World War 2 monument, Korean and Roosevelt. If you haven't been to DC in a long time. Please go. All these tributes are around the reflecting pool and tidal basin. So centrally located. I left the next morning for the Jersey Shore.
The next stop was a very nice and fun weekend at my sisters. I got some beach time with my niece and brother in law while my sister was at work. Took some awesome sunset pictures. Sunday her husband and youngest son (15) took off for Penn State and football camp. Her oldest took off for work (18), and we just had her 11 year old daughter. Not bad. Relaxing. We went out for breakfast, went out for some pet supplies, she took a nap, just watched movies and relaxed. Watched the sunset at the inlet and went out for italian ice after words. My sister is 7 years younger than I, looks like me, and never gets any down time. Except while I'm here. I cook dinner, pick up behind her family, help with the laundry and try to not kill the kids for not helping. But they do more while I'm around. They have no choice. My sister has Shiloh's brother Max. He is twice her size and they are so cute together. Puppy play time non stop.
Off to the Cape I go with my puppy Shiloh. 7 hours later I am with my Grams. She took one look at Shiloh and was totally in love. That was the end of our relaxed time. My Uncle moved in his girlfriend in December and my Grandmother has an apartment in the house. She took one look at the puppy and started trouble. Now I had permission to bring the puppy from my Grams. His house has always been pet friendly. I was planning on staying with my Grams at the house for 7 nights. 8 days with my Grams. Lots of picture taking. The girlfriend started in right away by saying my Uncle this and that. You can't stay until next Monday. Blah blah blah. You can't park your car there. Move it there. Non ending. My Uncle was in NJ working. I spent the night. We had a good day the next day despite the girlfriends trouble making. Then the evening hit and the phone call. I was screamed at by my Uncle for bringing the puppy. Who gave me permission, get out by Thursday night and the puppy is not allowed in my house. Keep her in the garage . His girlfriend said the puppy was pissing and shitting all over the house. In her closet, etc. Now my puppy was not allowed free run of the house. Had not been in their room, and not making any messes. Her dog had peed all over my bathroom. My 5 lb puppy does not lift her little leg and piss all over the toilet and the rug. Trust me, not possible. I just cleaned up the bathroom. Her male dog is about 60 lbs, makes messes on a whim, etc. My take was the girlfriend does not want my Grandmother happy and content for any period of time. She likes to keep her on pins and needles. Not good.
So my Uncles is screaming at me on the phone, telling me the puppy is not to be in his house, what was I thinking, get out by Thursday night, I am not to come to his house unless I pass it thru him. I give the phone back to his girlfriend. Now my Grams is mortified. I take my Grams and go find a pet friendly hotel. I finally found one, close enough, go back and pack up my stuff and take me and the puppy back to the hotel. Now by this time my Grams is beyond upset. No worries. We will just work around her and make the best of it. I checked out of the Cape Friday morning. We had breakfast together like always, took off for the days for picture taking and took the puppy with us everywhere. Like always. Grams still needed her puppy fix. We had dinner at the house in my Grams apartment every evening, and kept the puppy in view outside on a long chain. We would set up our chairs, put down a beach towel and play with the puppy, read and just enjoy our visit at the house. Outside. My Uncles girlfriend was just fuming at our antics. She was not making me leave. I put my car in the garage in my Grams spot. Took her Jeep, and played by my Uncles rules. But the harassment of my Grams didn't stop by the girlfriend. I have no idea what this chicks problem is, but she does not want my Grams in the house. It was just her stopping in with my Uncles verdicts and missives of the day. Or so she says. We just ignored her and did our own things. My Grams did tell her that I would still come visit often and that we are just going to leave the area for a few days on mini vacations. My idea. Grams loves it. The girlfriend said that was an excellent idea. I am not welcome by the girlfriend. Now this is my Uncles house. My Grams lives there for life. And the Girlfriend is not wanting her there. That is my take on it. She wants to marry my Uncle. Is she in for a surprise. He said he would NEVER marry again. Lets hope that is true. This one is nuts. She actually told my Grams to stay in her apartment and the house is not hers, it''s my Uncles. Excuse me. What is she a prisoner.
My Uncle finally arrives Thursday evening. My Grams goes up to him and he ignores her, doesn't speak to her, and goes about his business with the repair guy. Grams is heart broken. I leave for the hotel later. No sign of my uncle for the evening at Grams or the morning. I am packed up and checked out of the hotel. I am there for breakfast. We put the puppy on the leash outside. Have breakfast together and I have to leave. I am hoping things improved at the house. But I am not so sure. It seems that my Uncle does not want anyone at the house while he is there. But her older son and girlfriend showed up and moved in Thursday. And her 18 year old son arrived Friday. Wow.
Now my cousins wife and kids are planning on being there for 6 weeks. Starting in 2 weeks. My cousin will be going back and forth with his Dad to work in NJ. Oh and they are bringing the 2 cats. I love my cousins wife. She's awesome and the kids are so good. They also love my Grams. So she will have 6 weeks of non ending love. The girlfriend is not going to tolerate the bunch I am sure. But I will warn them by email what is going on. Should prove interesting. What a mess.
I am now back at my sisters for a week. Taking pictures, seeing friends and enjoying my vacation. I even got to tour the house I grew up in. They renovated it. My sister and I walked thru memory lane. The people living in it are wonderful and loved hearing about the history of the house. My Pop built it, my Mom was born there. Such history.
I am going to enjoy the week. And my family.
Have a fun summer everyone. I will write more later.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!!
I have been riding my motorcycle every day. I went for several long rides this week. Wow. I wonder why I didn't get my own bike years ago. The weather has been low 80's, and very windy.
I bought 2 new Shi Tzu puppies a few weeks ago. They are so cute. I call them Max and Shiloh. Poor Izzie was feeling a little out of sorts. But she is having fun with them now. But alas, Max will be heading up to my sisters on June 1st. She is in for a treat. He's a fun and loving puppy. I am going to miss him.
I hope everyone is having a fun and exciting family filled weekend.

Riding is so much fun.

The weather has been just glorious down here.
I have taken advantage of lighter traffic on the weekends to ride.
The neighborhood behind me is very quiet with lots of stop signs,
light traffic, a peaceful place to learn turning and stopping.

I even went out by myself for 2 hours and drove some local neighborhoods,
then ventured to my old neighborhood, by the beach, and did some more
stopping, turning and just plain enjoying the day. Did I take advantage of
the time change? You bet I did. I rode while everyone slept. I call this getting
my confidence up.

Yesterday was also my sons 24th birthday. So we had a family BBQ at his new place.
My adopted sons girlfriend just moved down here from NJ and will be living with the boys.
She will fit in nicely. My daughter made him his birthday cake. A Kryspy Kream doughnut
cake with strawberries and candles. A sight for sure. A typical interesting family gathering.

So may all your challenges be conquered with grace and courage. I am challenging myself
in a positive way. Pushing the envelope of comfort for sure. But that is what life is all about.

Have an awesome day!!

I got my motorcycle license!!!!

Now the hard part begins.
I finally got to ride my own motorcycle by myself out on the street.
Talk about scary. Boy do I need a lot of practice, lessons and time riding in a safer environment.
Thank God for a good friend that has the patience of a saint. I scared him with my turns. I scared me with my turns.
Then we have my shifting ability. Or lack there of. I feel like my foot will get stuck. Mental exercises for sure.
Don't think, just do it.

First trip out of my drive way. Traffic light, BEEP< BEEP<..Time out. Give me space. It's a Sunday, take your time.
I didn't freak, that's a good thing. I will not be rushed. I will not dart out in front of oncoming traffic. I don't in my car.
Why would I on the bike!! I just can't wave at them on the bike.

The easy part was going straight. No worries. Turns were freaky. It's going to take time to get used to the bike.
It's heavy, I sure don't want to dump it. Saddle time they call it.

I can do this without getting hurt. If I can learn how to push around aircraft, drive trucks, busses and limos. I can do this.

I'll keep you posted on my progress. I sure need a ton of improvement.

MY MOTORCYCLE!!

I finally got my motorcycle. I have friends taking me riding right now.
I also have them teaching me to ride. But lets not forget the safety factor.
I have registered, paid for and gotten the days off for my SAFETY COURSE.

My kids think I am nuts, but this is a life long dream of mine that I chose to make happen.
I believe I have earned the right to ride. I have worked hard, played by the rules, and raised
my family. So before my 50th birthday I am riding. With a red full face helmet of course.
OK, I'm only 48. But thats 18 months more to have fun with.

My wish for everyone is to make your dream come true. No matter how small or large it is.
I am just that type of person. I did the dream trip with my Grams, now my motorcycle is strictly
selfish on my part. And I am more than ok with that.

Have an awesome day!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

Now that 2007 is off to a good start, what changes and goals have you made for yourself?

I am working with an airlines so I can travel. The kids are doing well and going about their lives in their ways.

Now I wish I could learn how to work this blasted computer. Make it do what I want it to do.

I wish I had more flexibility in my job. I find that them being so understaffed is making it very hard to travel.
They are taking away some of my days off for coverage. Which does not make me happy. And gives me no time
to travel.

I love driving my Miata with the top down. The music loud and on a country channel.

I will learn how to drive a motorcycle this year and buy my own. I am getting a lot of flack from the kids on that one.
But thats o.k.. The weather down here is so gorgeous, and it has always been a dream of mine. Time to see it come true.

I will find more time to take pictures in interesting places. More beach time for sure.

I will hopefully get a job as a Flight Attendant. More time to travel and explore. Maybe not with my airlines, but one that flies and is financially stable. Delta is not in that position. But they will be hiring flight attendants again for the first time in years. Southwest is hiring, and they are financially stable and growing. Wish me luck. But I will continue working until I reach my goal.

So tell me what your looking to accomplish this year and what your going to do that pushes the envelope a little more.

Have an awesome day!!!

Happy Thanksgiving Week.

What in your life do you and your family have to be thankful for?

I am thankful that I am healthy enough to get back to work. I love the fact that I can travel all over the world now for free.
I am thankful that all 3 of my children are home and close by now for the first time in almost 10 years. Hard to believe that they were all over the place after my oldest left for college. The youngest has finally finished and come back into the fold. They are happy seeing each other often. I guess I am officially over Empty Nest. My nest filled back up. It's nice having them around again. And not have to raise them anymore. They are officially raised and grown. We may still tweak them from time to time. But the tough part is over. For that I am Thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

REMEMBERING ZOE
11/01/06

AFTER 11 YEARS OF GIVING OUR FAMILY UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
OUR FAMILY LOST OUR POMERANIAN THIS WEEK. SHE WAS HIT BY
A CAR AND HAD TO BE PUT DOWN. SHE WAS IN RETIREMENT WITH
THE "WUSBAND" THIS PAST YEAR DUE TO BONE SPURS. BUT SHE WAS
JUST AS LOYAL AS ALWAYS. IT WAS MUCH EASIER ON HER TO NOT HAVE
TO NAVIGATE OUR STAIRS. SHE WILL BE VERY MISSED.

Just another day in the life of Carol.

I have gone back to work. I am enjoying my job
with the airlines. I get to fly all around and see people I care about.
My first trip was to see my Grams. And have a lobster dinner.
I will be flying up again this week to have lobster again with her.

My youngest son is moving back home after a short 5 months in Denver.
The smartest thing he could do at this point. He will be starting a new job
in the South Florida area. Buying a townhouse with his best friend. And starting fresh.
I call this a life's lesson the hard way.

I am all moved into a much bigger place. I love the extra space.
The move was a mess with my shoulder out of commission.
I don't like the neighborhood as much as where the apartment was.
But the place is nice and has room for visitors.


So what interesting things have happened in your world lately?

As we enter new stages of our lives, what have we learned?
I have learned that I don't want to move to a new place. I like where I live.
I am thrilled that I finally got hired by an airline, and that I can now fly around
the world and visit all my blogging friends when I want to roam around the country.
And I know the timing is right to go back to work. I can't wait.
I miss my youngest one who now lives in Denver.
I am thrilled that my daughter is starting Medical School next month.
And my oldest son cracks me up laughing.
I love I-CHAT. I turn on my computer and my youngest child is usually on line working.
I get a Hello Momma, How's your day? Everyday. I love it.
I am having a good day. How was yours?

Welcome to my world.
Thank you for stopping by to see what I have been up to lately. I have just been enjoying my life. Between family time, getting the youngest one graduated, my oldest one off for vacation and being the pet sitter, and having my daughter finalize her start to medical school. What more can you ask for. Izzie and Jasper to keep you sane.
Now in honor of the Mothers in this world. What has been the most fun about being a Mom? I have had a blast watching these 3 children of mine grow up and become adults. And I really like who they have become. So tell me about your life?
Have an awesome day everyone!