Those White Lines...

Hey, while trying to prefect the art of doing taxes for others when tax season comes and find a paying job this week; if anyone can think of a way where I can make a living while driving around our grand country, let me know. I've picked up a CDL book and I think I've met my match. I Don't give up on Much and Not giving up on the CDL idea, but this one is going to take me a while to get it all in my head. In the mean time those lines on the road are a calling. I'd love to write even with my silly mistakes, I enjoy it. I'm willing to write and take pictures about my journeys if that helps.

This photo could be taken any number of places on the east coast (morning fog), but this was taken in Eastern Tn last August. Day 2 of my return trip with my road trip partner, Kaci. This would make the 11th and final major road trip for her. It was so hot last summer, we drove mostly at night (9pm to 10am) with her usual pee breaks every 2 hours or so. She loved them as much I do, smelling all the local smells at every rest area, being on guard duty no matter where we stopped to rest. I don't know how I will make more trips without her in the back seat, because she made me feel safe, but I'm sure I'll figure it out.

I'll keep dong the work, like all of you,

Hugs

Its Monday :)

This picture is from my move back to the SW, its someplace in NM, along I-40. It was really green last august and HOT.

Well, unemployment is stressful. The news isn’t very cheerful about it, but it’s a relief to know that I’m not alone with this problem. It’s been just over a year sense I graduated from college with a business degree and sadly I haven’t been able to put it to work just yet, unless doing taxes applies. Those graduating from school this year, I feel for, because they’re competing for the same job by those 20+ years their senior. I’ve thought long and hard about what I really want to do, but the economy keeps getting the way. I’m so embarrassed by the fact that I’m struggling worse now then I have in years, that I can’t call to ask for some help, I have to email the request in. I’m not proud of my situation. If I had to chose from all the jobs that I’ve applied for in the last year and wish it had fallen into place for me on even a permanent PT basis, it would be the one I had to 3 months making decent money, doing taxes… It’s an interesting job and it makes my brain work really hard. I sit at home every evening and make a list of things I need to get done the next day, the phone calls I have to make and cross my fingers that something pans out. I’m applying for jobs that will offer good pay, so I can catch a break and get back on top of my bills. I’ve never had to back out of a lease before and I’m not about to start. The rent is cheap enough, so I should be able to get it paid every month, right? I have my days were I’m pretty down about all of it. Friday was one of those days, I’m fighting it off this afternoon. Making the list of things I need to get tomorrow sure can bring someone down. My will is strong, I’m independent, and I’m good looking for being 40 years old. I was thinking thru a lot of things this morning and found that there are things I can do, but making money from them isn’t likely anytime soon. Leave it M*A*S*H to bring you back to earth of what problems are.

I like yourself, keep doing the work

Hugs

Hi All

Now, I can see that my blog can be rather boring, hence the lack of readers, but this whole thing is new to me. I did get the photos off my camera and I can add one to my blog. No pictures of my yummy pancakes; sorry, I ate them... :)

Now this picture really shows how green it is in the southwest. For those of you who are out east, yes the sky really is that blue to the upper right hand side of photo. Pardon the glare from getting the photo thru the windshield.

Well, I guess thats all I have today. Enjoy the picture. More to come later.

Keep doing the work

Hugs

My Pancakes

Sometimes I get tired of the same ol' pancakes. So, to solve that little problem, I buy the least expensive mix I can find and start pulling stuff from the cupboard. Saturday, I wanted some pancakes, so here is what I came up with and they were Yummy. Now, I don't do much measuring, but it turns out pretty good. The measurements I'm giving here are for 2 or 3 6 inch pancakes.

1 cup pancake mix

1 tblspn chocolate powder mix (any will do)(I keep unsweetend on hand)

1 tspn cinnamon

3-4 tblspn Wheat Germ

1 gram cracker (broke up small)

Mix and add

1 egg

1/2 to 1/3 cup of soy milk (until right thickness)

I use olive oil to cook them, (Essential olive oil w/ Omega 3 in my house)

Top with Maple syrup or syrup of choice

These items is what I had in the house. It may sound yucky, cooking it with olive oil, but I can't tell the difference between it and good ol' fattening butter. I can tell that they don't hurt as bad down the road. :)

Who says pancakes have to be a plain carb filled breakfast. Enjoy

Keep doing the work

Hugs

Melted Chocolate

Well, it's the season of melted chocolate bars found (forgotten ) in our cars. It's like camping and fighting to keep the smores from falling apart and going all over ones face. Its like taking a new partner on a first date and it always turns out to be with the long pasta & red sauce pasta with meatballs; there's no easy or polite way to eat without making a mess, even a small one. Like with a Hershey's bar, you have to get the melted brown goodie off the wrapper, because 40% of the treat is on the inside of the wrapper. We hope no one is watching us attack the melted treat, but we know that someone is watching and laughing while thinking to themselves "Oo that looks yummy, I want one." We continue to attack that melted mess with true desire and give up trying to be nice about it and go for the gusto to finish it off. We do our best to make sure none of the cooled pieces have fallen on our nice clothes while pulling the wrapper completely open to get all the goody. Once done and the wrapper is safe in the trash can, we proceed to wet a corner of a towel or napkin with some water and wash the missing chocolate off our face that we can't feel is there, because our whole face feels sticky with chocolate. That was yummy, totally worth the hassle. :)

See you tomorrow & keep doing the work

Hugs

Well, not much to report today. The sun is out and the cool breeze is nice. Much cooler in the shade then out in the sun. Blue Grass is going on in Telluride this weekend, they usually get some sorta weather. My weekends are free for while, now maybe I can finally get some time to figure out this whole blog system.

Surely I'll have something to talk about tomorrow. Today, I'm taking stock of all things I'm thankful for.

See you tomorrow & keep doing the work

Hugs

Today's Drive

Well, today is a new day and it feels pretty good to be around. I was driving to the big city (tiny to most people) and found that its pretty cool to be apart of this country. I know I've said this before, but its true. Today I was heading over here and lost track of all things (thinking) and saw a pickup heading west and the passenger had their hand out the window letting the air pressure force it up and down. Things we do on the road in the copilots seat and bored out of mind. I started to laugh, the things we find to keep ourselves entertained. Pulling into town , a harley passed me and as I looked over, saw that it was in fact a female and read her plate. I won't disclose it, but I'll say she served in one of our nations armed forces. I thought it was very cool and glad to see her home, in one piece. I guess my point is that the smallest thing can bring us back to the little things that matter, when our minds are occupied with the bigger issues.

Despite the feelings that we're all broke, I can say that there are people out on the roads and being tourists, even in their own state. I've seen some out of state plates too. It's encouraging to see that the wheel of the movement of money hasn't come to a complete holt.

One of these days, I'll get the pictures off my camera and get them loaded for those of you who have visited or lived here in the past and see what has changed. There's a little snow left on the mountain tops, but not much. Those glaciers look more like small dots from here, but they are there. By no means enough to hike up and ski.

See you tomorrow & keep up the work

Hugs

My Economy Survival Tricks, part one

The economy has been tough on everyone.  I work at a shop where people would want to spend money and that makes it even harder to make a living.  Lots to learn and lots to report later on.  I don't have all the answers to surviving day-to-day and month-to-month, but I do have tricks.  Luckily, I don't have a mortgage payment or a car payment, which frees up a LOT of money.  But I'll pass on a few of my tricks to living off on nothing to you.

*No Satellite or Cable TV, sorry Directv & Dish, but thats a couple tanks of gas.

*I've even given up my internet connection at home, thats 2 weeks worth of groceries.  The library is a nice place to get most work done.  Unless a neighbor has wifi and help pay their bill for the access to it.  $25 is much better then $60 or more each month.

*My cell bill is down to about $75/month, which would be less but the $20 keeps the texting fees down.

*I opted for the 26 (?) inch flat screen TV over the bigger one, saves about 50/month of my power bill.

*Usually to tired in the summertime to turn lights on at night, so they don't get turned on much.  Even in the winter, I'll have one centralized light to run and light as much of the house as possible.

*Using a crock-pot saves on my power bill (or gas bill) if I'm cooking chicken soup &/or rice or another food that would take a long time to cook on the stove.

*Eating out is a treat and its usually the local brew pub or the best burger joint in the area.

*I haven't used my credit card in months, but paying $25 or $50 over the minimum payment and on time (mailed 10 days before its due)

*AC in my home, well, its a small fan that sits on the floor and blows air around the house.  Even if I had AC in my house, it would set at 78 degrees all the time and as high as 85 if I was gone all day.  Heater/furnace set at 68 in the winter time, with my small fan pushing air around.

I have 5 (five) bills I have to pay every month, not including food and gasoline.  The trick is to get yours down to where you can count them on both hands, ideal is one hand.  These 5 bills total right around $875 each month.  My rent being less the half that amount.  My income; well, thats another story.  But with some luck and some work that will improve.

How do I stay sane about it all, bills are higher then $ coming in.  It used to just stress me out to no end where it made me mean and crazy and I hated myself for it.  It took a ton on energy from me and that bothered me.  Now days, I keep in mind that everyone is having a hard time.  Letting the stress of money control you everyday will in-fact destroy you and possible your family.  You must not allow it to take over your every being which will make you plum crazy.  I have the same feelings most do, "I'm down, I need to go Shopping..."  What do I do, I burn up some gas until the feeling passes, easier to fill the tank then to explain the new pair of shoes with the money that should have paid the rent/mortgage.  If I have to spend money, I check the local dollar stores to see if they have what I need; envelopes, laundry soap, female items, rice, ect...  It may surprise you what you may find at these stores.  The quality of food still surprises me.  

Explain the situation the kids, give them the respect that they might just Get It, if you include them in the house cash flow problems.  They may even find ways to help out.

Hope this helps and don't let the cash flow stress you out.  There was a time when we didn't have the electronic toys and the fees that went with them.  

See you tomorrow & keep doing the work

Hugs

Peace

Today is Flag Day and it's a fine day.  Long history with many lessons learned.  Like my life, I've held no grudges or malice towards anyone who has hurt me.  Like Flag Day, we celebrate the past and move forward with much light and peace in our hearts.  

To all male member's on my mother's side who have gone to VMI and helped our country and to all the males on my Dad's side (including my dad) who have fought for us to help protect us in wars of time for them.

Life can be pure hell but what makes us who we are is how we come out the other side.  I personally crawled out of my hell as soon as I free from the anger around me and was given a chance to figure out who I am, how smart of a person I am and most of all, what I can achieve in life.  My personal Will is strong and I Always Land on My Feet.  :)

See you tuesday & keep doing the work

Hugs

The Human Spirit is a Fragile Thing

Today was an interesting day.  I’ll try to keep this as simply as possible.  I asked for some advise on a few things and got some “pull the wind right out of me” questions.  They were by No means meant to hurt my feelings in Any Way, but one of these questions pulled the wind right out of my sails.  The question was simple; “what did you like to do as a kid?”  Seems simple enough, right?  Well, it sent my head spinning.  The truth is that when I was a kid, if I wasn’t hiding in my house sitting in front of the tv, I was running for my life.  I was running from people of both upper and lower class grades from me.  There were days it was so bad, I had to hide from them under some old unused stairs of a big building in town and praying they wouldn’t see me, but they usually did.  They may not have been able to get to me, because I was so much smaller, so they used their voice and chosen words to hurt and scar me on the inside.  I discovered today that they broke my spirit over 30 years ago.  In truth, I'm not sure how I got thru it, but I have a better understanding of why the tv is a safe place for me, it holds my sanity in place and keeps my creativity flowing.   The simple answer to the question I guess is simple: I have NO clue what I liked to do when I was a kid.

Please, if you have school age kids or kids who are about to start school.  Talk to them about kids who may be mean in many ways.  Encourage them to go see a Teacher and Hear what they’re saying to you about what is going on in school and even off school grounds.  Don’t let your kids go thru what I endured.  Make sure their spirit stays healthy, happy and good.

I have to pull 26 hours at work in the next 3 days, so I won’t be around until Tuesday.

See you Tuesday & keep doing the work.

Hugs

The River

The snow melt from the mountains is making its way down the path it has known for many moons and making the usual sounds as its moving over the rocks.  Some of the rocks break the surface and some stay under the surface for a long time or until the spring run off moves them down river.  The birds are working to make their nests high in the trees that reach out of the waters edge towards the blue mountain sky.  The water is lower now then it was a few weeks ago, but the small boats with people in them are still making their way down river.  Ooops, they took the wrong route, they got beached in the rocks.  It doesn't look shallow, but it is. Sitting on the doggy path and watching them swim in the water having fun, bringing sticks back from the other side of the bank to where their master is standing.  "Shake!!!" from head to tail and the water still drips from the fur coat.  The air is still cool from the new snow deposited yesterday but it sure feels nice.  The Blue sky and the White clouds that hang over head is an awesome thing.  I sure do love this area.  

See you tomorrow & keep doing the work

Hugs

Employment for More

I've given our job situation a lot of thought here lately.  I like many of you have been searching the papers, state employment offices and the www for jobs.  And like you, I am also frustrated with the whole thing.  I have skills, a college education and smart.  However, the employers are searching for those who will do the job of 2 people for less then they would be paying 1.  They're seeking the impossible.  My guess is that 80% of all of us who are looking for work are having to change our jobs to different kinds of work.  Only a few lucky ones are lucky enough to find work in their fields and are getting paid for it.  I'm guessing that many of us have a very well written resumes and still can't find something that will pay the bills each month.  Some of us have huge monthly bills and some of us have made enough changes to get our bills down to less then $1,000.00 a month and still can't find something would make ends meet.  All of us want a safe environment and/or know that our employers will protect us if something would happen while on the job.  Many of us will be happy with 20 to 25 hours a week for more then minimum wage.  Some of us might even only need seasonal work for 6 to 8 months out of the year.  A true part time job with locked in hours would allow us to find another part time job.  For some reason that seems to be very hard to work out.  All the part time jobs I've looked at will not lock in my hours but want all of my time open incase they call; meanwhile, I'm still not making it.  If we are willing to work crazy hours, why can't these hours be locked in so we can fill the rest of them?  With millions out of work, why aren't the employers doing more to fill these positions even on the part time basis to get more people working?  Its pretty sad when someone who was earning big money has to compete for a minimum wage jobs these days.  Most of us need to work and I'm guessing that most of us will work 20-25 hours a week for more then minimum wage.  I welcome any thoughts on this and possible employment.

Thanks

Mother Nature

Good day!  As I sit here over looking the river and watching the rain clean off the streets and water our plants, I'm grateful its not another drought year.  Most of our great nation has been in a drought for a few years and some of the midwest has gotten their fair share of water in all forms.  My heart goes out to all of you who have had a tough last 12+ months of it.  However, for the rest of us, anywhere from Florida to the North West have been short of water for some time.  It's amazing to see the rain make everything green after so many years of watching the clouds (if there were any) to see if we were going to get any rain at all.  Again today, most of our nation is seeing rain and I have to admit, its pretty great.  In parts of Colorado, the higher elevations even got a nice to deposit of snow last night and this morning.  It sure is a nice feeling that our waterways aren't going to dry up too early this summer.  I'm sure most of you are wanting the "normal" summer with warm temps back.  But here is the thing, its been so long since we've seen a Normal summer, we've forgotten what they're like.  So enjoy the fact that we have nice cool weather and can walk our dogs without killing them with heat stroke.  If you think I'm crazy, walk barefoot with them for a while and you'll see what I mean.  The most awesome thing about all the rain we're getting is our water tables "storage" is filling back up and allowing us to flush out toilets more then twice a day!!! :)  So, cheers and enjoy the rain while we have it.  

See you tomorrow & keep doing the work

Hugs

Thrifty

Hello, well this is for all of those who are counting those pennies and trying to not rob the piggy bank.  I've been trying to get my new place sorta set up without going broke; oh yeah, I already am broke.  :)  So, I do go even more broke.  :)  I hit all the thrift stores in the county and found a few things that I've been avoiding to pay full price for.  I have a washer/dryer in my place and it needed a curtain to hide it from the living room.  The rods were either too short and/or they cost way too much.  Well, I found one that was more then long enough and for only $2.00 :)  So, if your counting you pennies like I am, check out the local thrift stores.  I saved a few bucks buying the shower rings at the local dollar store and paid $1.00 for them.  There are some things in life we don't need to buy brand new.  

Heres my food for thought.  How much plastic do you buy each day and how much is kept to be reused in house and how much is tossed in the trash?  Maybe try to only buy plastic that will have a long life in the house and not a one time use.  Reduce the trash and keep the plastic out of our water supply and most importantly out of our food supply.

See you tomorrow & keep doing the work.

Hugs

Miles Per Gallon

Today's Walk gave me lots to think about and I had to finally pick one.  It's an informative thought.  I'm finally in a really nice car, (thx jv) not of huge value to many, but it does very well on its own accord.  I live in one town and commute to another about 30 minutes or so away.  I like my drive, gives me time to think and enjoy the beautiful area in which I live.  I can brag that my whittle car gets really sweet gas mileage to begin with, but here lately, I've been trying something new with how I run it.  I've always taken really good care of all my cars; oil changed regularly, new tires when it's time, any major work on them before they leave on the side of the road.  On a good day, my car will give me about 37 mpg on the highway; doing the speed limit mind you, I'm in no real hurry even on the way to work.  Well, I have always been a fan of fresh air in the car, windows down and not much AC unless it's really hot.  Well, this last tank, I got 43 mpg.  What did I do different?  Well, like I said, I'm a fan of fresh air and I've keep the vent "on" pulling from the outside, mostly on "1" or the lowest setting.  This last tank, I had it on "2" for all 320 miles this past week and it made a HUGE difference.  Now, I know that its not an easy thing to do when you live where its hot, live in the city or the car/truck is blowing black smoke in front of you running down the road.  Running the vent "on," pulling air from the outside (even in winter for me with hot air blowing) is an easy way to improve your mpg.  I'm also aware that there are many other things that affect the mpg on any vehicle; like where you live, the traffic you get to fight, how fast to gas it, how hard to break, etc...  It seemed like something that is worth my while to pass onto to you to help you increase the mpg while lowing the need to gas up.  Good luck on your attempts to see the difference, it's a life style change for some that is for sure.

Plus, I love to see the old VW's out on the road.  Very Cool!!!  

Hug your best friend today...

See you tomorrow & keep doing the work

Hugs

Work & Festivals

Well, I'll be back on monday.  Working really long shifts makes a body tired.  Enjoy the weekend and be sure to see what area festivals are happening in your area.

See you monday & keep doing the work

Hugs

Remembering Another Life

Good Day...I was put in touch with an old friend of mine I haven't seen in years.  Its amazing what time brings us when we realize we did have another life in another place in another time.  Life may have been really bad at one time, but with will, courage, determination and drive, we can get past just about anything.  No matter how bad it looks right now or what was yesterday, this second is new and the next and the next one after that.  What are you doing to do with the one that follows the next one?  It's all up to you and me.  No one can make our bodies go in different directions, our mind drives us and we go in that direction.  As I sit here and type this out it brings to mind one oddball thing most of us do without even thinking...  What are we looking for when we look in our own or someone else's refrigerator anyway???  Our mom, something we lost, or something we're searching for?  

So, what are you going to do with the seconds that are passing today.  Me, I'm going to clean my house...

See you tomorrow & keep doing the work...

Hugs

Today's Walk

Well, it brought me to creating this blog.  My life style has made a huge shift; from being a puppy owner for 12 years to no longer having her company.  It has been both sad and new.  So, I’m grasping all the new things that come to me, new things the spirit of my best friend is helping to guide me towards.  I’m excited about this new thing and looking forward to what it will bring into my life.  Life is full of change and I’m learning to live with my new life style.  My new place has the things I need in my life, like big windows on the south side of the house, washer/dryer, and best of all, nice neighbors with dogs. 

My notes could range from many areas of life, experiences, ideas, simple thoughts, complaints and whatever comes to me.  It’ll change almost daily and be from things of that day, maybe a funny story from my collection of pet stories or even things on mind I’d love to pass onto you.  If I come up with a yummy meal (for one), I’ll pass it on to you.  I ask that you save me on you Bookmarks or Favorites for easy access to see what’s up.  Tell your friends and family to have a look see.  I plan to have fun and pass it onto you. 

Today’s walk was the creation of this blog and the outlet for my thoughts and what I have to share to many.  Sitting by the river has been very nice today and I might even post here again, unless its raining.  You may even learn some things about me you didn't know before.

See you tomorrow & keep doing the work…

Hugs