Happy Early Christmas!

Happy early Christmas everyone! I hope all are well out there in the world. I am doing much better than before.... had a change of priorities with work and that has been what was needed. No more selling the soul. Well, not even selling the soul. Giving the soul. But not in the beautiful way of giving. I am SO glad Christmas is finally here tomorrow.... as far as work it has completely ruined me for Christmas! I don't want to hear another Christmas song! I thought I didn't like them before......
I think things will calm down or at least get better at work now..... which will be a good thing. The weather here has been super cold (8 degrees) and then warm (60 degrees)! Wild. I am looking to the new year for what is ahead.... places I will go, things I will do, changes that will occur. It will be good. I'm looking forward to it. The mountains here are beautiful. I don't get tired of them. I love to see the earth rising up. I could do with warmer weather, and a shorter winter season, but I am really enoying the natural beauty here for now.
I will write more later when I'm not so tired.... : )

Welcome back to me!

Wow, well it's been about a month and a half since I last wrote! Things have been super busy and alot going on..... too much to be able to write about actually. I hope everyone out there is well. I don't know if anyone even reads this... so I guess it may just be for my own public journaling benefit.... don't know. It's almost Christmas! Crazy. Really crazy. I seriously can't believe it. It was just August! It was just January! Strange. Things with work have been kind of stressful lately... there have been a few changes (corporate) with the company which has affected things a little. We are understaffed and I don't have enough time to do everything for the floral department that needs to be done to do it in the best way. Beyond the regular shipments of 10 cases of roses per week plus about 4-8 cases of other cut flowers, we got many potted plants (rosemary trees, cypress trees, amaryllis bulbs, paperwhite bulbs, christmas cactuses, orchids) and two shipments of 240 poinsettias each. So..... since I am the only person who deals with floral... and my first priority is produce, it's like I'm working two jobs with only enough time for one. It's been very difficult because I want to do things well and I am working with perishable things.... cut flowers need to be taken care of, things need to be in good shape/good quality if they're to be for sale, and potted live plants need to be cared for so they won't die. So.... I've finally learned that I am draining myself by trying to give everything possible to do what needs to be done when I'm not being supported by the company itself. So, even though it is my thing, it is more their thing. On several levels, the lack of integrity really disturbs me. It's the using and abusing of people for the benefit of the store.... selfish, greedy.... not to me the best way to do things. And not the way I want to do things. So... for now this job is what I need and I'm learning alot. We'll see what happens in the future. There are not alot of other options in this area as far as work. So, we'll see.....

I'll have to catch you up on all that's been happening over time.... all of the critters are doing well.... Zeppelin is happy and her arthritis has not been bothering her, which is great. Priscilla is good.... she's very happy but has had some incontinence lately.... time for a vet appt.... maybe she has a UTI.... I don't think it's behavioral, but I'm not sure. Charley is good.... he's been kind of grumpy but lately has gotten alot better. He enjoys his time outside. Izzy is doing great- she's getting so big! She's the most affectionate cat- she actually puts her paws around my neck and kind of hugs me. She's been having a great time with the moths that came out in the past few days with warmer weather. They all enjoy going for a hike in the backyard.

We have Winter Solstice Ceremony this weekend.... will be great to be in ceremony and with community. Much love to you all! Sorry if this is boring!

Gratitude

Congratulations President Obama!! Congratulations to the universe. What an overwhelming moment. So many thanks. What a blessing it is to have this special man with us. Years ago when I lived in Carbondale, IL I saw Obama speak for the first time and saw this day happen then. Now it is here! It is a new day and a new time...... what a beautiful moment for all african americans- to see their face in his today. To hear Martin Luther King, Jr. whisper through his voice. It is a joyful, tearful, and amazing moment.

A Day of Rest

Hello to everyone! Well I have the day off from work..... it's wonderful to have the day to rest! It's been very busy at the store and yesterday along with a truckload of new produce, we also got a ton of new flowers and plants! I'm really excited but it's alot of work to get them all ready and then change the display around along with getting the produce department taken care of. We got almost 40 Rosemary plants in, one of my favorites! So that was great to see them and get to work with them. Next week we'll be getting some orchids in. I hear I'm up for the promotion, which would be great. I still have yet to see it though.

The new dog has a new name...... it's Priscilla! That was the first name that came to me, and I was having a hard time with it because all I could see was Priscilla Presley!! But after about two weeks of struggling with finding her name, it came back to me and now it's a done deal. She likes it too (a requirement)! It's a new name for a new life. She is doing great- her only desire (besides food) is to be held and pet. Izzy really likes her and tries to play with her and snuggles sometimes. It's cute. I still have yet to see the two dogs really play..... and Charley is getting used to things.

The other day I hiked up the small mountain behind my house- farther than I'd gone before. Made it almost to the top. You can see the mountains from there!! I was so suprised! And the fall colors are beautiful. I can't wait to go farther next time.

Today we have a House Blessing Ceremony (house balancing) for someone in community. It's great to have Ceremony. Next weekend will be Fall Ceremony. I hope to make a trip to Kentucky soon.......... if I have time with work. I miss it and my beautiful friends there!! It's only 4 1/2 hours from here.....

Much love to you all!

Baby It's Cold Outside!

IT'S SNOWING!!!! I can't believe it! WOW! What a suprise. It's not even Halloween and it's snowing?!! They say it's supposed to get to 26 tonight. Things are beginning to balance out a bit.... adjusting to the new work schedule. Everything is going well. I've found a place that offers swing dance and two-step lessons- I'm hoping to be able to start taking some classes soon. I guess there's not alot to write about? Maybe more next time.... Happy New Moon!

I will not die an unlived life.

I will not live in fear

of falling or catching fire.

I choose to inhabit my days,

to allow my living to open me,

to make me less afraid,

more accessible,

to loosen my heart

until it becomes a wing,

a torch, a promise.

I choose to risk my significance,

to live so that which came to me as seed

goes to the next as blossom,

and that which came to me as blossom,

goes on as fruit.

-Dawna Markova

Balancing Act

Hello to all.... it's been an insane week or so... last week the store opened and there was so much to do and it was so crazy, but things went really well and we had a record breaking opening week sales, which is great. The store is successful so far! I cut a chunk out of my thumb the night before opening day and that led to all kinds of added stress. Along with a number of other things it was a crazy and exhausting week. Grandfather Rainbow Eagle and Grandmother Mary came to town for some teachings and that was wonderful. It was great to see community, even if it was just for one day.
This week my intention is for it to be a "normal" week- not full of rushing and stress, and getting enough rest to enjoy every day.
The critters are all doing well. Charley is a little upset, I think he is still adjusting from his time away, and he doesn't seem to be liking the kitten or the new dog at all right now. I hope this changes.
Today I have the day off (yeah!!) and after going into town for a doctor's appt., I hope to spend the rest of the day in the woods, or at least outside. Maybe a nap can happen also!
Not too much more to talk about right now...... oh yesterday I was offered the position of my boss's assistant- which I think would be something like Produce Department Assistant Manager. Yeah!
Everyone take care....

Welcome to the family!

Well, we have an addition to the family. She does not have a name yet, but has been called Pretty Girl in the past. She is 10 years old and was rescued from the shelter on her day euthanization by an organization called Project Zero. Her owners turned her in to the shelter saying they couldn't take care of her anymore. She had no hair on her back, was covered in fleas and ticks, had sores and scars, broken teeth, and they think was a 'puppy mill mama' who had many litters of pups. Now she's spayed, teeth cleaned and three pulled, hair grown back in and doing very well. She has a few birth defects- one of her eyes is very small and she can't see out of it. She also has many extra toes! Besides that she's as sweet as can be. Very loving and I think happy for her new life. She and Zeppelin seem to be getting along fine, except for the territorial disputes that are going on right now. Hopefully they will be playing soon. When they first met they were almost playing and there were no fights. Now Zeppelin is having to get used to the idea of sharing 'her' space again. It's been about four years since Stella left us and we were just one dog and a few cats. I'm hoping her new name will come quickly as I need something to call her!

Bubba's Back!!

Charley is back!!! Yeah!!! Wow, what a crazy experience! 6 days of being gone. I was so sad thinking that he was gone. Then this morning he came in and woke me up- I couldn't believe it! I really thought- am I awake?! He seems to be in pretty good shape- not dirty and not cut up. He was hungry and seems a little tired like he's been stressed. Maybe he just had a good vacation! Who knows..... I'm just so happy he's back and is safe and happy. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!

A short update.... I'm adjusting to the new schedule and system of working for a company........ kind of a shock to the system after many years of working for myself!

Sunday my friend Todd took me for a motorcycle ride- it was really fun. We had intentions of going to the Apple Festival here in town, the biggest thing all year for Erwin, but when we got there we found out it had closed down for Sunday! I keep forgetting that Sunday is a special day in these parts..... almost everything closes. So we just went for a ride, drove towards Asheville and it was a gorgeous day. He has a 73 Harley named Ashley! It was fun and relaxing.

I have a heavy heart- Charley (I call him Bubba), the white cat, has been missing since Friday night. I understand he might just be out and about and will show back up, but it just doesn't feel right and I'm worried about him. He loves to go up in the woods and also loves to come inside, so for him to be completely gone for so long is really strange. I'm really sad to think that I might not see him again- he is such a cool guy and I've really enjoyed the time I've had with him.

I'm off to build a table and mow the lawn. I hope everyone is well. I you can, pray for Charley.

Happy October

Just a short update for now.... I've started my new job at Earth Fare, and it's going really well. There are alot of nice people I've been meeting, and it's great to be working for a company that shares many of the same values that I do- a first and it's very refreshing! I'm really looking forward to what will come. I'm in charge of the floral section, which is a small area of produce. They didn't think we would have any flowers or plants for a while until we saw how sales were, but it turns out we will have roses and potted mums. So, I'm excited to have that! We've been working hard setting the entire store up, and tomorrow two of the other produce workers and I are going to the Asheville store (the original Earth Fare) to help out there and learn. They're picking me up at 4:45am! Wow.... glad I have the weekend off! I've been spending what time I can in the woods and by the creek. Last night after I got home Zeppelin, Charley, Izzy and I went for a hike partly up the mountain (it's not that big...) behind the house. There is a definite animal trail that we followed, and I'm guessing it's deer. We went farther than before but still have alot to explore! It was really fun to have the whole family out exploring together. Last night it got really cold- 39! I'm going to have to get the propane tank filled soon for heat! Luckily I had a space heater that did the job, along with 2 comforters and 3 blankets! The leaves are starting to change. It's going to be beautiful soon. It already is. It's BBQ night at the hobbit house.... we're having BBQ chicken, sweet potato and salad.... yum!! I hope everyone it well and I'll be back in touch soon! Much love-

Welcome!

Welcome to here!!! This is a virtual look into the beginning of a new chapter in life...... After nine months (which felt like 10 years!) of journeying for who I am , where I'm going and what I'm doing with this life, and traveling many, many miles, I have landed on the eastern border of Tennessee..... and am falling in love with my new home- putting some roots down in a small country town with an amazing, fertile, powerful beauty of the natural in this place full of mountains, woods, and rivers. I don't know what is ahead, but I have a feeling it is going to be beautiful....