Looking back

Trying to stay busy while all the pounding was going on outside my house I decided to read my second Amazon E-book, "Journey of an Enlightened Egotist". It is still available for $2.99 and so far has never been moved to a hard copy book. Something happened with the paragraph indention, which doesn't make me happy as a perfectionist, but it does not change the information offered. As I read what I wrote, when it was published, I once again asked myself, did I write that? I was amazed at the wisdom shared.

Anyway, I began reading the book backwards. I found several things worth quoting, but I would like to share one in particular. "At the beginning of my conscious spiritual journey I wondered aloud what a soul looked like. At the time I thought it was a good question. Now I understand that a soul is the invisible essence of who we are. A soul is the continually evolving part of us most like our Creator."

Moving on

 The renovation project is moving along. They are almost finished with the siding, then new skirting and paint. As an extra I decided to have them remove the trailer hitches that have been on the end of the house since 1977. I will now have a house instead of a trailer! It is something that should have been done years ago.

When I look back at all the renovation that has been done in the last couple of years I can't believe what I have managed to accomplish. I think it is all because of the fact that I do not live above my means. I never do anything that I can't pay for in a reasonable length of time. 

Over the years I have given a lot of thought to moving into town. Apparently that is something I am not supposed to do. Perhaps I got mixed messages about what "new" meant. It looks like I am staying here for the duration of my life.

Making progress

Making progress. The front and end are done, at least the siding is. When that is all finished and painted I need to fork over more money to replace the skirting. When all that is finished it should look like a new house. A few months ago the roof was replaced and before that, most of the carpet. Whew that's a lot of money for someone basically living on Social Security! If it wasn't for the rent my oldest son pays me this would never have been possible. It's good that I have one child that gives a damn.  

I am not terribly happy about what the workers did to my shrubs, but I suppose they will grow back. In the spring I am going to do some planting in the front of the house. It looks pretty bare now. I'm thinking of moving a small dwarf tree from the back yard to the front. Maybe, maybe not.

Following my intuition, which has been knocking at the door to my mind this week, I purchased a NM lottery ticket. I figured why not? I could certainly use the money about now. If I win anything big don't expect me to report back! 

That's my week's progress. Things can only get better from here on.

 

 

Changes

 This is going to be an interesting week, full of changes.

I have been waiting for several weeks for Garcia Services to have time to address the siding on my house. After over 40 years a lot of it needs replacing. The week has finally come to do the job. Having already replaced the roof and old carpets it will be like having a new house. Not having a ton of money, jobs had to be done when I could afford them. I refuse to be in debt!

Next, my son will be taking part of the vacation he has coming to him and will take his new camper on a trip. I might not be going anywhere, but it will give me a vacation too. No meal planning- yea! I will have my house to myself for almost a week. Not sure what I am going to do with my time, but I suspect some of it might be used to write. Perhaps a new book is in the offering. I wouldn't be surprised!

Even though changes are coming many things will stay the same. It's like mixing up a brand new recipe.

H1N1

 History certainly does repeat itself. I recently discovered that my maternal grandfather died of the Spanish Flu in 1918, at a Washington State Army base. That means my maternal grandmother, mother, father and all other relatives alive at that time survived a pandemic that lasted two years. I would think something that important would have been discussed at sometime during my life by someone. No, not a peep!

Talk about a closed mouth group!

Perhaps I should write about this pandemic so that my future generations would not find out about it as a surprise. I believe I would title it, "Surviving in Plain Sight".  

It's cold in here

 Yesterday the temperature dropped at least 40 degrees plus there is smoke in the sky from fires in adjoining states. What a difference a day makes! I dealt with the cold all day, but finally gave in and turned the furnace on. I kept the windows and doors closed to keep the smoke out of the house. 

I feel really sorry for the people who have lost their homes because of the fires. In this pandemic, where are they supposed to go? Entire towns have been destroyed by fire. The constant high winds are adding to the problem. The things that are going on are unbelievable! 

Even though the temperature dropped I am grateful to be living in a little town that only has to stay away from the virus to be safe.

Conversations

 This has been an interesting week. I had three real conversations with three real people. Yes!

The first was Wednesday when I met with my chiropractor for an adjustment. In addition to what is going on with my body I learned about how her mother is doing. She is my age and apparently doing great with no signs of arthritis. When she came to this country she decided she didn't like the American diet and stuck to what had always worked for her. It's probably too late for me.

Next on Friday I had a great conversation with my hearing aid person. I had been having trouble with one and it needed adjustment. I had to laugh when he came into the room and asked if I liked eggs. Surprised, I laughed and asked if he had chickens. This led to a long conversation about his family when he was young and lived in Texas. Information was also added about his wife, who is a teacher. 

The third conversation was this morning when I had a hair appointment. My hairdresser is also an aid at one of our local elementary schools. We had a conversation about how difficult it is to work online, while trying to keep track of her own children. I like conversations with her because we seem to be on the same wave length and know some of the same people, especially children. Her nephew and my youngest grandson are friends and in the past played on the same basketball teams.

Most of my days are made up of conversations with my two cats and dog. They don't talk much. My oldest son, who lives with me doesn't talk much either! So it was a pleasant change to have three real conversations with three real people!