About Me

My photo
Concerned Citizen and a Serial Entrepreneur wrapped in a progressive democratic soul longing for us all to get along.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Today is Tuesday, November 1st, 2016

Awesome.... that's how I feel about starting to blog again...

I am very grateful as the holiday season approaches.... I've always loved this time of year.  It was always our special time to give.  This year has been a year of adaptation of huge changes in my life.
The second year after losing my love has been one of reluctant acceptance of my new life.  In a lot of ways, it was much harder than the first... the blinders were off and I had come out of the fog... only to realize fully how drastically my life and future had changed....

I heard a song the other day that kept repeating "Is this the life that you choose?" ... couldn't have come at a more opportune time for me.  I was feeling pretty low at the time, but I had tasked myself with bringing a dish to a loved and hurting friend.  All of a sudden, I realized that I had a lot to be grateful for and perhaps, it was about time to reinvent myself....

Life doesn't have to be about pain and loss... it is NOT what I choose... I choose to look forward NOT back and I'll keep trying to remember that!

I traveled with Shar (my sis in law) and four other women to the UK recently...  I fell in love with Scotland!  Their way of life - slower, more deliberate... the brogue and their sense of history... the whisky (what we call Scotch and not a typo- without the e)...  I had watched the Outlander and fallen in love with Jamie - the lead - who reminds me of Tracy when I first met him.  So many great memories....

So, here's a smattering of photos from the trip....





Me, Shar, Lydia, Mary Ann, Bobbi, Pat

Pub Crawling with Jane, the Brew Sommelier



Off to Glasgow by train from London


My absolute favorite gin!!!

Shar has her purse under her shirt- no she's NOT pregnant...

Lots of cashmere here....



The bridge at St. Andrews Golf Course

Wishing we were leaving on the Brittania

Smooching the Edinburgh Laddie

Friday, January 29, 2016

Today is Friday, January 29th

I've been a little more crazy than usual lately 'cause per normal, I left the 60 hours of study for my Real Estate license to the last minute....ahhhh ... finally tested out Wed. morning just before I had to head out for our office meeting and training.  Surrendered the completion certificate, credit card etc to my office manager and she took care of the state registration.  YAHOO!!!! Done for another 4 years.... Could have been enjoyable if the text hadn't been written by a non-native English speaker....
The woes of 21st century outsourcing...

Anyway I am truly evolving... I am actually using my brain and logic to make decisions... interesting that I can see that.  More decisions near term to make such as renew the lease for the rentals or sell?  I think we're approaching a critical time in the market.  China's woes etc. are affecting the technology sector which is a huge influence on our real estate world.  So... I'm gonna inspect both houses on Sunday and either give notice or continue renting them for another year.  The lease on 105 expires 4/1 so, I'll have to give 60 days notice....

I've been repairing and redoing all sorts of things on my home.  Electrician was here this morning to replace the motion detector out front.  Oh what a great feeling that is.... had the house treated last month for termites and framed the door for the martini deck.... put screens on all the copper drainpipes after the gutters were cleaned out .... replaced the weather stripping on several doors....and on and on....  I can finally say I'm truly grateful for my home and once again acknowledge and take responsibility for my guardianship....

I closed my last deal for 2015 on 12/23.  I've been very lucky and been referred another wonderful client and met a new client on Wed. at a Rio del Mar gathering who will become a friend... and she loves to dance!!!!  Salsa dancing here we come!

Riley is really starting to show his age.... that's the hard part...  tuning in to his needs and trying to keep him happy.... the walk down to the beach is getting harder but he loves it when we arrive...  the puppy rejoices...and so do I...

and then there's my T.... last night, Alan told me that T had told him, " he was in the fight for his life  and he was losing".... oh dear God...

Carpe diem my friends!!!!

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Today is Tuesday, January 5th 2016

Wow!  Do you believe it?  I'm really amazed... I'm still here and actually looking forward.

Against all my hopes for accomplishments before the start of the new year;  I am now struggling to take the 45 hours plus an entirely new set of management courses to renew my Real Estate license for the 3rd and probably last time and oh by the way - must be done by 1/30/16.  12 years in the biz and counting and realizing I've landed on my feet yet again.... as all the fees associated with having a license have escalated continually.... and my quarterly taxes loom.  Oh the joy of being self employed and motivated and successful at a profession that I enjoy.

Interesting holiday celebrations as I've reflected on years past spent with my honey.  I've resolved to push myself forward to go out and participate;  even tho'  the party girl would rather stay home with my Ry most days and weeks on end and study my navel.

Went into Tracy's Place yesterday with a very strong glue to attempt to fix my crab sculpture.  I'm working on it.  Phew!  I miss him there most of all.  He would have been churning out pieces and someday soon I will too; surrounded by his genius and his faith in me.

Also, spent some time clearing and cleaning T's work space in the garage after getting the weather stripping replaced and the martini door framed and on and on.  Tomorrow,  I'll attempt to do lots more on my classes but my breaks will be spent taking down the Christmas decorations.  It's tough to see them go... spent so much time putting them out and it really brightened my home and gave me some holiday cheer.... so much nostalgia in ornaments chosen with love....

New Year's eve was a true triumph over melancholy.  My Ca. family joined me to eat, drink and play games to usher in the new year.  Thank you all for your love and support as I evolve....