The Trail

I don't consider myself a "nature" person. I don't go camping because I don't have an equipped travel-trailer. No tent for me. No outdoor potty--been there, done that. I must have electricity. I guess I'm a princess. I don't rough it.

That being said, I do enjoy my walks on the trail. When I round that little corner and I see the sun glistening on the lake, I'm in a different world. Even at mile 1.50-1.75 when I can see and hear the traffic, it seems so far away.

My sunflowers are gone. There are a few dead drying stalks left amid the prairie grasses and ragweed. It's a sure sign that fall is here and the trail is changing with the seasons.

I don't own an i-pod. I'll eventually buy one, but I can't imagine walking on this trail with music blasting in my ear, drowning out the natural sounds of the trail. The crickets and other insects that I can't see sing and chirp along the trail until I realize that their chorus has been replaced by the dancing song of the birds. I look up and they are dancing from tree to tree; some with their wings extended, soaring for longer distances. Then there was the rusting in the weeds. Is it a snake? A coyote? A fox? More than likely it's an insect or a squirrel getting ready for winter.

I never feel alone on this trail.  The butterflies were my escort today. One would had me off to another. I tried in vain to capture a picture of my escorts, but they were too nimble for me. When they weren't there, the grasshoppers were stationed along my walk; still, like soldiers waiting for me to pass.

I didn't want to time my walk today.  I spent a lot of time just messing around. I stopped to take these pictures, helped a couple of kids round up their dogs who were really enjoying the trail, and just enjoyed the walk myself. Now I'm back to the hustle and bustle of reality.  Maybe I should look at these pictures when I can't make it to the trail; and just for a few minutes be taken to a more peaceful place.

Monster Mash

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Heart Walk

Tomorrow is the day!  The Denton Heart Walk is tomorrow. We'll be walking to raise money to fight Heart Disease.  Women and African-Americans often do not get the care and education needed to fight heart disease, stroke, and hypertension. These diseases are prevalent in our communities.  Please donate to the American Heart Association.  Click on the subject line of this post or my gadget on this page or contact the American Heart Association or Go Red for Women .
Thank You!!

My HSA Rant

I am now ready to scream.  We just received notification that effective January 1, 2011, OTC (over-the-counter) medications and products will no longer be an eligible HSA (Health Savings Account) expense unless they are prescribed by a physician.  This means I will now have to go to my physician and ask for a prescription for something that she has recommended and that I can buy over-the-counter.  Does that make any sense?  This also means that now I have the added expense of a doctor's visit for this.  Never mind the insanity that will create for the physicians.  I also will not be able to use my HSA Debit card for those purchases. Was this someone's warped idea of  health care reform?  Once again someone is so out of the loop that they really did not care about the ramifications that their decision would have on the masses. All for my little two cents in tax money because my HSA funds are deducted pre-tax.  Looks like I'll need a proctologist after this one. Oh, the glory of being middle class....

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This Week's Challenge

I just watched Christy's post for our Shrinkvivor Challenges this week. I am just not ready for the exposed movement, but I will make an effort to be more satisfied with my body.( I will post a picture, just not in the undies and no I don't and have never owned a bikini!) Once again the perfectionist demon from my earlier post raises his (yes, his) ugly little head, but I vow to press on! So, no more negative self-talk about my body.  If I receive a compliment, I will graciously say "Thank You".  The last time anyone said anything flattering to me, I didn't say, "Thank You" and I really don't even think that I even acknowledged it.  That was so incredibly rude and I apologize. I can't believe that I was so caught up in my "issues" that I didn't even say thank you.  Aaargh!

Two more things.  First, I lost two pounds this week!  The exchange thing is getting easier.  My challenge now is working out my meals now that I also have a part-time job.

Next, I survived my first day on the part-time job!  I'll like it.  We have classroom training before we go out on the floor. YEA!!

Wow, did I post twice in the same day.  It must have been the earthquake or the Chilean miners being rescued or the Rangers winning.  Take your pick!

New Endeavor

Last night, I was engrossed in my usual Tuesday night television viewing of The Biggest Loser.  Once again, I saw myself. One contestant was not happy even though she lost seven pounds.  Someone, probably Jillian, made the comment, "Nothing is ever good enough for her."  That wasn't me that she was talking about, was it?  Maybe it was.

Today I start a new endeavor.  Today will be the first day of my new part-time job.  I am both excited and apprehensive.  I am a true perfectionist and I always worry that I won't live up to my own warped standard--nothing less than perfect.  Every day it is a struggle to not let my perfectionist tendencies rule.  They often derail me because of the fear of failure and not living up to expectations.  They are my expectations.  I might say that I'm afraid of not living up to everyone's expectations but really it's just my warped standard of nothing less than perfect.  It goes much deeper than the new job. It has permeated every moment of my life. I truly believe that this has often kept me from living the best life possible.

So send up a prayer, wish me luck today.  I am determined to start living a truly full and satisfying life!

A Year Later: The real post

In the year since our trip, I have really done a lot of soul-searching.  I enjoyed the trip but there is a whole world that for various reasons I just haven't explored.  While I was in California, there were several things that I didn't get a chance to do and that frustrated me.  I did have a great time but I still felt very sad about it.  Then, I didn't get a chance to go back for my family reunion and that frustrated me.  There are just so many things that I want to do before I leave this world.  I can't wait for anyone.  I can't depend on anyone. I just need to press on and accomplish something.

A year ago

This time last year we were heading for California.  If you have never taken a road trip like this one, you should consider it. Our country is so beautiful!  We took the southern route (I-20-I-10).  For us Texans, we're halfway there without leaving our state.  El Paso is the halfway point!  The next city after the El Paso/Las Cruces area is Tucson.  There is nothing but little ghost town/truck stops and the beautiful desert and mountains. I realized that I really do like the Southwest!
 
We only spent a short time in California before heading back via I-15 to I-40.  There really is a sign at the beginning of I-40 that reads, "Wilmington, NC 2,554 mi.".  One of these days I'll get to go back and one of the things on my list is to get a picture of that sign! ( I have a sizable list of things that I didn't get to see and do.) 

My favorite stop was the trip to the Grand Canyon. Add one more item to that list.  I would love to hike down to the bottom and back up.  That place amazes me. Everyone should take a vacation there at least once in their lifetime. Yes, I know it's a big hole in the ground and it's still there every time that I pull up the picture, but I am in awe.  How can you see this wonder and not believe in God?  I just will never understand that one.

Next we headed back to Big D. After passing through the Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert, we stopped and stood on a corner in Winslow, Arizona.  That was a blast. I love the way the towns on Route 66 have embraced the nostalgia of the road.  I-40 and Route 66 are the same for some stretches of road and others they run parallel.  It's easy to exit and ride Route 66 through some of the small towns along the way.

 
We crossed the Continental Divide and passed through Albuquerque and the Sandia  Mountains. We stopped in Santa Rosa, New Mexico and ate the the Lake City Diner. It was great!  I"ll have to see the Blue Hole the next time.

Next stop Amarillo and The Big Texan. That was fun but I didn't get to try the steak!

Here's something silly.  We have been "eating out" for a week and we stop at Lindsay, TX to get barbecue! Now you know how I started my last weight spiral that I am now paying for!!

Fall Is In the Air

It is a beautiful day here in Texas. Fall has finally arrived! I managed to get my walk in today. I felt so blessed to be able to walk and have a beautiful trail and a beautiful day to enjoy. The water on the lake glistened with the fall sunlight. The cool air was like a crisp fall apple. I even saw a beautiful yellow and black butterfly that danced around me for a few feet. For some reason it reminded me of my mother. It was so graceful and beautiful. I tried to get a picture of it but it was gone!