Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Lazy, hazy, crazy days with Gkids...

How lucky am I? Four gkids...each one individual with strengths, needs and strong personalities and they all STILL want to go on a  road-trip with their Gma. This was from a recent short trip and was so successful we're already planning another one for later in the month. Travel companions are frequently my three dogs (my husband isn't retired yet so isn't quite as free to leave on a whim) but during the summer these guys have agreed to 'ride-along!' I will keep you posted!

Monday, January 11, 2016

In an effort to ensure noone else gets sucked into this company's claims...

Ok...time for a painful confession...see this returned box? It contains a supposedly free sample of a 'serum' that was advertised to reduce or eliminate bags and dark circles under your eyes. Yes, I know, I can't believe I fell for it either, but quite honestly, I feel SO good that I wanted my eyes to look like I felt smile emoticon Pure old vanity in it's most obvious form, right? This company is a FRAUD! DON'T fall for it! Five minutes after sending them my credit card info, I researched more and realized they were probably fraudulent and shouldn't have anything to do with them. I called and their customer service representative hung up on me (I WASN'T nasty...just asked to cancel the order.) I emailed and their server bounced it back to me. Went to their website and it was 'under construction.' So now...I'm pissed....look out Alluracell. And then to add insult to injury there are two fraudulent charges to my account...one for $5+ and one for $85+. I've had to cancel my credit/debit card and contact countless others that I have done automatic payments to ensure they get the correct card replacement number. Seriously? What the hell is the matter with bags under your eyes, anyway? Right?

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Traveling back in time...

Northeast corner of Colorado...

Union Pacific Depot in Julesburg (now a museum) where my dad, John Sandoval worked many years as station agent

South Platte River

Remembering Kenny...my beautiful nephew, gone too soon.

View of Colorado plains

Traveling back to Julesburg always brings mixed emotions. It was with great sorrow that I moved away from this small farming community in the early 60's. I was in 8th grade...Julesburg had the only school, town, friends, church and way of life I had ever known. It was the type of community where everyone knew who you were, to whom you belonged, and whether or not you were supposed to be where you were and would quickly call your parents if they thought you were headed down the wrong road. I loved it. We moved because of my mother's rheumatoid arthritis and fortunately my father had a career with the Union Pacific that allowed him to transfer to a warmer, dryer climate. We moved to Southern California and I hated it.

Julesburg is a small (pop. approximately 1200) farming community...Ontario, California where we moved was huge by comparison. My high school graduating class had more students than the entire town of Julesburg. Chaffey High School campus in Ontario was originally a college campus and we had acres of land to traverse between classes. There was North Hall, South Hall, Library, Gym...and many other buildings besides...I never really felt like I belonged or fit in. Fortunately I had a few good friends that kept me centered and sane but I never really recovered the culture shock from our initial move during my high school years. For years I felt behind the proverbial eight ball because of the move.

But now...66 and looking back on my life...I can only say thank you! Thank you mom and dad for having the foresight to get me out of my comfort zone and into a world of change. That set me up for a life of loving change...embracing change...instigating change...still with an appreciation for the stability of sameness. My experiences have been so much richer as a result...you were good parents and role models. Thank you.











Retirement...starting the day with something you love...

Notice I said something...not someone. Someone you love may have something else in mind...like work, exercise, breakfast, news, newspaper, meditation...YOU need to identify what you love and begin your day with it.

I've begun my days with whining and laughing children, a mad dash to my workplace, cramming last minute for an exam or presentation, furious exercise, and numerous other endeavors both fun and sexy, seemingly critical at the time. But NOW...retired and with the luxury of doing pretty much as I please, most of my days begin as I choose.

Days beginning with partnership activities still occur, whether fixing breakfast, bag lunches, conversation and other stuff...:)...but most mornings begin singularly for me. I'm still up early...still choose to feed and water the dogs as soon as my feet hit the floor. Coffee is on before I have my eyes completely open...and then it happens. I think...what next? Oh my gosh...what luxury! Shall I paint a little...photograph the beautiful snowfall, work on images already taken that need some 'Photoshop' magic, swim a few laps at the local community center, EAT OUT...my all-time favorite meal to venture out for...and the list goes on. This morning is no exception. (Next week starts my online classes so I have a little more required structure to my life then) but for this morning...it's my choice! And I choose to...

Blog...really? Is that what I wanted to do this morning? Yes! Why? Who cares? I've started another wonderful day of retirement (I know, am I really retired when I'm teaching online part-time?) YES! I'm still doing something of my choosing...something I love to do, with the luxury of not doing it tomorrow if that's my choice. You can't beat that, right?

Retirement years...are they really golden? They have been for me...

Views from my 'blogging spot' this am


Road trip 2021

 A picture review of 2021 Sister Trip. As baby of the family, I’ve committed to visiting my three older sisters as often as possible, before...