People get less time for murder

That's what my DH always says when he talks about our upcoming 20th wedding anniversary.  It makes me grin every time I hear it.  Mostly because it's true.  Marriage is never always easy.  I like to think of ours as a work in progress.  Every day we work towards the common goals.  We dreamed together and made plans together and every day we have been working towards making those dreams come true.  Sometimes the dreams change.  Sometimes the plan changes.  But our happiness for one another never changes.  I want my DH to be happy.  No matter what he dreams.  And I know he wants the same for me.  Ultimately when we are both happy our marriage is a happy place.  The scales can tip - and often do - but we each share the common goal of "centering" that scale.  People in prison for murder should be so lucky as to have a sentence of 20 years for being part of a team like ours.  

Rewarding? Or the reward?

Is there a difference?  I think so.  I wonder at times if accomplishing the task is rewarding or the reward.  I wonder if completing a project is the reward or is it rewarding?  You might say they are one in the same, but to me they are not.  One is a verb; rewarding in that I feel the journey as the important aspect.  The noun - reward is that the completed project itself is what matters and not the journey.  Sometimes I think I complicate things too much by dissecting to this level, but for me it brings clarity and appreciation.  I compartmentalize a lot.  It helps me to see different levels/views.  Things don't overlap well for me.  I don't like overlapping.  I like clear dilineation.  Something is either complete or it's not.  There is no "almost".  Not for me anyway.  So when I look at it from that aspect it's the finished product that is my reward.  I don't seem to enjoy the journey and maybe I should.  Too many outside variables influence the journey.  Too many people with views different from mine; styles unlike mine; priorities not my own.  I think that's the "rub" for me. 

Why is it you only get one life?  It's way too short for me to do everything that I want to do.  My list of things to get completed seems to grow and although I do check things off, they are a far cry from the ones I add.  Wonder if you didn't die until your list was finished to your satisfaction?  I've met old people who say they are "finished" and are ready to leave.  Their list has been checked off item by item and they are done.  Nothing left for them to do "here". 

Money and time seem to be a common theme.  We lack time due to the need for money which requires work.  Work takes away from often doing things on her list, although I agree work can also be on the list...  Are we supposed to stop making money to complete our list?  Are we supposed to make due with what we have earned and stop adding new things to our list?  Is our list influenced by the money we make?    If I had to choose between more money or more time I would always choose more time.  Always.  Time for me provides way more satisfaction than money.  Money is fleeting and the things that come along with it.  To me time is the investment; not the money. 

And so are my thoughts for a drizzly Friday... 

Gettin a little bumpy up in here

That's a favorite line of a co-worker of mine.  And she's normally right.  Last week brought a shake up long overdue and I'm still on cloud 9.  Euphoria is a very good thing. 

The funniest part has been the people.  I won't get specific, but suffice it to say many are acting in a way that is almost comical.  There is no stress as a result of this change.  As a matter of fact there is less and in some cases; it's now completely vanished.  Put that into perspective.  Bottomline is work has improved for me 100 fold and I couldn't feel more blessed or content.

Crochet.  For a while it was on the back burner because I was trying so hard to get away from the things that were bothering me.  Now I am finding the same joy I used to crocheting.  I'm in the middle of my fair afghan.  I must admit this "new" pattern is a lot of fun and I am really liking how the colors seem to work out without any planning.  Although I am a very balanced person (Libra) for some reason the randomness of this feels "balanced" to me.

 

We have made some great strides at the ranch.  I am slowly creating the space I've always wanted.  I have been experimenting and having much success with seeds.  Ohio is a marvelous place to plant and as a friend of ours loves to say, "You can grow anything here."  And he's right.  Even for a brown thumb like me I'm having a lot of fun and success planting flowers and making our space look pleasing.  The red "K" was a find at a flea market and I think it's perfect.

I've been trying to work with Dolly as she needs it and so do I.  She's been a willing partner.  Second day in a row I've gotten her out to do ground work and just sort of peak her curiosity and I think it's working.  She's smarter than I am and she likes to have a job; even if it's to walk smartly across the green pasture several times with intent.  Intent being the operative word.  Walk with a purpose. Walk like it's my job.  Walk like it's the most imporant thing I'll do all day.  And she enjoys it.  Her ears are up; eyes bright and her step always light.  Then she gets my phone and takes a selfie.  Yep, she's feeling good, too.



Music

Anyone that knows me even a little knows how much I love music.  It is my salvation.  It is where I find my voice when I cannot find the words.  It is where I find my heart.  I am open to all kinds of music, because good music crosses all genres.  I grew up listening to Elvis and Merle Haggard.  By choice.  I had a very broad range of musical interest. I listened (on my own) to Wayne Newton, for instance.  I grew up knowing every word to every song on every one of his albums.  Didn't make me popular at school, but what it did give me was an appreciation for talent, looking outside what the world around me was telling me was "cool".  I also listened to Bob Seger, ACDC, The Eagles, The Monkees, U2, The Osmonds, Jackson Five, Jimi Hendrix, CCR, Oak Ridge Boys, Alabama, George Strait.  The list goes on and on and on... 

Today my musical taste hasn't changed.  My iPod is a mixture of bluegrass, gangstagrass (look it up), country (old and new), rock, pop, alternative, metal and classic rock.  I like it when others tell me about bands they listen to I might not know about.  I just found two that way; The Black Angels and Golden Animals.  Although I am 50, and hardly likely to be a fan, I am enthralled with Default, Theory of a Deadman, Staind, and Cage the Elephant.  I am a long time fan of Daughtry, although that's not a surprise.  Bluegrass music was something my Dad listened to and although at the time I certainly didn't have the appreciation for it that I do now I realized it's significance in American musical culture.  I love the newer bluegrass bands like Newfound Road and Steeldrivers. 

Music is my salvation. 

Hope floats

I wake up every day with a positive attitude.  It's as if the slate is wiped clean from the day before.  All the people that got on my nerves is forgiven.  All the work that was so frustrating is a memory.  I exit the elevator on my floor hopeful that today is the day.  It normally doesn't take very long for that old feeling to creep back in.  People are creatures of habit.  If they are normally late for meetings, nothing is going to miraculously happen overnight to make them less late.  Sigh.  I love that saying "Hope Floats".  To me it resonates sunrise and a new day.  A new beginning to do better and be better.  I wish others could/would embrace it.  But we are often stuck in ruts too deep to get out of.  People often don't like feedback or criticism, so approaching them to make changes can be a struggle.  I'm not perfect and I take way too much personal when I shouldn't.  But I think I am very self aware.  I realize when others are silently criticizing me for things I fall short on.  I would prefer to fix those before they feel the need to make a suggestion.  Others don't seem to follow this lead.  I often wonder if they have an attitude of self-importance.  Like people who are habitually late for everything.  It's been my experience that these people think it rude others don't wait for them.  I know there are often circumstances outside of our control, but people need to take accountability at some point. 

Okay, I'm off my soapbox.  On to better things...

I am in the middle of 2 blankets; one Ohio state and another signature throw.  The signature throw is the furthest along, but the Ohio state blanket needs to be finished first.  That's my first priority this weekend.  It's for a coworker's husband and a surprise for him.  I bought some beautiful purple yarn for the next signature throw and I can barely contain my excitement to start it and see if the colors are as amazing as I think they will be.  I've had a lot of traffic to the Etsy shop lately.  It seems they are checking out my sold blankets, so I feel a little driven to get something out there for inventory.

I'm hosting the February Craft Club.  We are going to make our own personal mini pizzas.  We have two new members and they are younger so it's nice to see their interest and enthusiasm. 

My sister is hosting a jewelry party on Saturday.  I am looking forward to going and maybe finding a cool piece or two...

Off to start my day.  Yay, it's Friday!!!