balance

i vow to find balance today.

i talked to the bosses & we're going to work together.

my mind is rested & i can move into positive action mode.

this is what i'm doing today:

i'm going today to buy a new computer chair so my back will not hurt everytime i sit here.

i'm going to return license plates to the dreaded motor vehicle department so i can put that behind me.  i will be nice even though they are usually mean!

i'm going to clean my house so i can walk with my eyes open.

i'm going to work on a mixed media piece i started & let my juices flow.

& this afternoon i will relax on my float in my hot tub pool!

i feel balance coming at me!

i'd love to hear how you find balance when you're out of sync?

stress is awful

i'm feeling a little stressed right now so i thought i'd get it out of my head & on to paper (so to speak).  i requested to meet with my manager & the director of the program where i work.  it's scheduled for tomorrow first thing & i'm feeling really stressed as i try to organize my thoughts.  i won't go into alot of dreary details as that would get me going even more but lets just say i'm really disliking my job & there are some pretty unfair practices going on.  how do you tell your bosses that?  especially when you know that they know what's happening.  i've come to this point after months of dreading going to work every day...& i am serious...every day!  it's taking a toll on my attitude, mood & my health.  i'm not sleeping well, my stomach aches & the headaches - oh my!

for alot of reasons, leaving is not a choice right now.  i need to be solution focused.  i want to present some alternate resolutions to the issues. i need to pick my battles. i want to not get emotional when i talk to them.

i'm thinking i've got to try to relax tonight.  i need to do something that makes me happy.  i've made a few notes & now i need to set it aside.  i think i'll go take a relaxing bath & listen to my audiobook (even though it's about 80 degrees).  i'll call my daughter who always makes me laugh.  i'll follow my kitty around the yard as he romps through the flowers & bushes.

inspiration avenue weekly challenge: water

in my part of the world, it's been a hot, hot summer!  i've spent many nights off to bed early as that's the only room with an air conditioner!  this week i hosted the inspiration avenue weekly challenge and was highly motivated to work on something.  i continue to play around in photoshop elements whenever i have a few moments so my submission is a watercolor rendition of "water"!

contemplation!

so hop on over the inspiration-avenue team blog sunday afternoon and cool off!

a good day

i had a pretty decent day at work today which is pretty rare.  i'm a state employee... a state like many in financial crisis.  do more work, provide more services to more people... & guess what... less resources!

but the real fun started on my way home.  i stopped to take a few pics of roadside views...

played around a bit in picasso.... just for fun!

                                                                    
rocky volunteered for a photo shoot....

how was your day?

meet rocky.....

 

we have a new addition to our family.... he came into our home 2 weeks ago, rescued from a flea infested garage with a multitude of neglected dogs & cats.  he was 8 weeks old & none of the flea products are safe at that age but i was able to find a natural bath that advertised safe for all ages.  i didn't have much confidence but it absolutely worked! 

i know some people believe that cats should be kept indoors at all times & i'm all for that if it works for them.  we live on a private road, very isolated & have 2 dogs that do a great job keeping any critters away from the house.  in the nice weather, we have a screen on our deck door that allows our dogs to come & go as they please so there really isn't any way to keep him in without sending our guys (who have lived here for years) into a tizzy. so... i believe the benefits of rocky's rescue outweigh the risks living here.  rocky is having a blast going in & out as he pleases, tromping through the gardens (his potty, yuk), but seems to have found his favorite playground on a table which holds family photos!  i've never used a squirt gun on a cat before but i'm thinking about it!

spanky & lucy "kinda" like him & do try to play.  after a few scratched noses, it's obvious already who rules the roost....

of course, i've already shot a couple hundred pictures & have put a couple in my etsy shop.

i am also offering a set of flashy, funky feline notecards with rocky & the other dudes (franky,  crow & max) that took up residence with me through the years....

to celebrate my newest baby, i am offering a giveaway to one of my readers.  everybody likes free stuff, right? to be eligible, go take a look in photogenicgallery & tell me your favorite photo (& what you like about it would be nice).  for a second chance, link back to me from your blog.  for a third chance, give me a shout out on facebook or twitter.  let me know what you did in your comment.

one week from today (next wednesday),  i'll choose the winner via random generator. make sure i have a way to contact you.

thanks for stopping by.....

celebrate!!!!

the wedding celebration

wow... it's been over a month since i've been here & today i'm gonna have a blast sharing the results of my absence!  my daughter, my baby is a married woman!  we did have a professional photographer but of course mom was there capturing as many moments as i could....

the glowing bride to be....

a moment before stepping out....

presenting mr. & mrs. garza!

 proud papa!

the shelf in the fridge let loose!   but the cake is fine!

spanky gets down!

the dollar dance... we are family!

to all my family & friends that shared in our celebration... many thanks!  i have 300+ photos i will upload to facebook soon....

to all my blog friends who for months shared in my joy & excitement... hope you enjoyed the celebration!  i look forward to getting back to the norm & i promise to come visit!