Don't squat with your spurs on

That is something my dad would say.  My version is Don't put your contacts in right after you brush your teeth.  Minty eyes don't feel so swell.  Just saying. 

A few weeks ago, my sister-in-law and I went on my first "hike" (walk) since my surgery. She picked a really cool place.  Nisqually Wildlife Refuge.  It has a beautiful board walk out onto the water.  The tide was out so mudflats for the win.  It was very cold but no rain.  It was beautiful and felt amazing to be outside.  My foot didn't hurt.  I didn't mind that it was a walk not a hike.  We saw a pair of bald eagles.  Them and hummingbirds are my favorites!  We walked 5.6 miles.  We kept a nice pace but were able to talk. Before surgery I walked 3.5 miles in an hour.  The 5.6 was 2.5 hours.  But we stopped and admired the view, took pictures and looked for eagles.  I would go back there. I think I'd like to try with the tide in for a different view. 

We then went and had a yummy lunch/dinner. It was a Southern BBQ place.  Wendy is still working on finding her way with her new place without my sister.  We did a bit of work emptying boxes and going through things.  It makes me wonder what my people will think while sorting through my things after I'm gone.  We have laughed and shaken our heads, A LOT! I love her and miss her so very much, but I'm calling a spade a spade.  My sister had VERY weird, eclectic taste, in clothes and nick naks and decorations. We laughed and cried.  I hope Chrissy knows how much she is loved and missed. 

On to my happy place, Outside!

I love reflections like this. 

Fungi are so interesting and grow in the most amazing places. 

Do you see it?  The eye and eyebrow?  After Wendy pointed this out, I kept seeing them everywhere.  And faces. It was so fun finding them. 

So beautiful.  I love where I live. Next time I hope this is full of water. 

It was busy but it didn't feel that way.  It was getting a lot busier as we were leaving. 

Mr. and Mrs. Eagle.  I have other pictures, but they were in the trees then.  Someday I will have my paparazzi lenses so I get close ups.  

I loved these 2 barns. 

It really was a great place to start my walking/hiking season off. 

I urge you to get outside as soon as you can.  For me it's a must.  

Peace

Popcorn

 

I have had so many thoughts running through my brain.   I have things I want to write about but I'm having trouble making them all into cohesive sentences and paragraphs. So, popcorn brain for the win. 

In the past week or so I have heard several times in several different ways that God will turn my mourning into dancing. That He will cover me with Joy. That this is just a season.  I know grief never ends but it will change.  Right now, I don't really want the pain to go away, that feels like I am saying I'm done missing my dad and my sister.  I know that isn't the case, but it feels like it.   I know that God see's all my failures and all my flaws and weaknesses. and yet He still loves me and wants to be with me.  I know that to be true, so I know that He can and will carry me through this time too.  

I find when I think the darkness is just never going to end, God sends me a sign that He knows me. He knows my heart.  He knows that I need the details.  I've survived the longest night of the year.  I love that. I will trust that. 

It's still Winter. However, Spring is coming! 

Peace

Sometimes the smell of pine isn't good.

 

In March (I think) I have done what I do for 32 years. I know I started with an itty bitty Skater on my chest.   I love being in customer service.  I really like my clients.  I am really concerned about 3 of them.  They are in poor health, and I know I really help them.  I've had most of my clients for years.  I really do like it.  

Today was a first for me.  Picture if you will, a large, jetted tub.  It's set in the middle of a largeish area.  I have to stand in the tub to clean the windowsill and the back side of the tub area.  As I moved to step out of the tub, it's a wide swing for me.  I was doing it blind, so without looking.  I stepped into the bucket!  At first, I thought I had knocked the bucket over.  It would have been a HUGE mess. Nope, I just stepped right into the bucket!  As it was the pine sol water sloshed over.  I had to run and grab a towel to start mopping it all up.  I was laughing so hard.  Of course, it was me and a Monday. I took my shoes and socks off.  The right one was DRIPPING wet.  Mrs. Client was on a business call.  She muted her mic, and I told her what happened.  She said I could go home.  No, that's not how this works.  It was just a wet foot.  So, I continued on with my day, barefoot.  I have never worked barefoot before. Well at home I have.  Mrs. and I laughed off and on all day.  She said she could totally be the one to do that.  I was going to explain the Myers gene to her, but I knew it wouldn't make sense.  But I laughed in my head.  Seriously all the stars had to aline for that to happen. A giant bathroom, 1 bucket and a size 8 1/2 shoe.   It made my Monday different.  Different is good sometimes.  Everyone that knows me will laugh. It did make me miss my Aunt just a bit more today because she would have laughed hysterically. I know it felt really good to laugh.   

So now my shoe is in front of the heater, hopefully it will be dry by morning. I did put them on to drive home.  I didn't want to take the garbage out and get to my car in bare feet. As I left I made the squish squish squish noise with my mouth as I walked by Mrs. Client.  It gave her the giggles all over again.  So on to a new week.  I hope it's not setting a precedent for the week.  Other then, if that's the worst that happens this week, it will be a good week.  

Peace