Right Now: Winter 2018

I'm listening:   To the hum of the dishwasher and the tumble of the dryer.   Sunday evening chores.  It seems like this time of year, the weekends just fly by and I find myself scrambling to get to all the tasks I set out to do "on the weekend".   To include updating this much neglected blog.  Let's see if I can at least cobble something together.

I'm loving that the worries of the first quarter of this year seems to be sorting themselves out. 
We started out with being on high alert, as my dad showed us all just how determined he is to make a complete recovery from open heart surgery.  Here he is just a day after receiving his bovine heart valve...

And by mid-February, Hubby was relieved of care taker duties by my sister...

Lately, our troubles have been transportation related.   There is an intersection in our community that is notorious for trouble.   Thing 2 was headed home when the other driver attempted to make a left hand turn right into the hind quarter of Thing 2's "new to him" car. 

Poor kid:  had just made 2 payments when the Insurance folks said "She's a total loss".

  A second  car accident event occurred not even a week later, which left us all on edge.   What are the odds, being hit twice in a week, and neither event being his fault.   Yeah, the nerves are still not quite settled  for old Mama Bear Better order the bubble wrap now...

I'm feeling:   ready for summer!   An epic adventure is  being planned for Hubby and I.   It will involve all modes of transportation and actually will be several vacations and trips layered on on top of each other.   Stay tuned for hopefully frequent blog updates once that adventure begins. 

I'm needing:   to slow down and enjoy this Spring season.   These guys are no longer nervous freshmen

Nope...they are the too cool for school seniors...

And Thing 1 is wrapping up his first year of college...

 It seems to fly by all so quickly...just like the weekends...Until next time....

Right Now: January 2018

I'm listening:   to the morning chatter here in the office.   It's a happy chatter, and what a refreshing way to gradually enter each work day.   It gives me a chance to reflect and during this morning's reflection, I realize I haven't blogged in forever...and I miss that.   So, here I go, off to try to and resume a healthy habit I once practiced with greater regularity.

I'm loving that 2018 seems to be starting out pretty smoothly.   December was a blur with my father facing some health challenges and Thing 2's car being stolen.    I'm happy to report that my dad's health has stabilized to the point where he has now been cleared to proceed with a planned and very necessary surgery.

  And Thing 2 is now the proud owner of a new-to-him car, complete with co-signing a loan.   But alas, bad mom that I am I have no photographs of said new car.   I'll add it to the to-do list.  For now this picture of him learning to operate a side car will have to suffice...

I'm loving that despite how busy the days get, I still find time for hanging with the ladies.   In December, we went for a little culture...attending this fabulous musical.  

I'm needing to find time for regular exercise.    For the longest time, I had a walking partner who far exceeded me in the motivation department.   She called, and made sure we walked.   But she's had some back problems and has scaled back her walking efforts.   And that's all the excuse I needed to back off on my personal efforts.    This past weekend we got a small amount of snow that Thing 1 and I shoveled.   The sore muscles and the stamina were really a sign that I need to get myself back in the routine of exercise.    Start small, go slow but just get out there and do it.

I'm feeling ready.   Ready to continue with my weight loss journey after a small derailment with holiday eating.   I gained about 3 pounds and have managed to already say goodbye to half that gain.  If I add exercise, I'm confident that the rest will soon follow.   And if not, I'll still have peace of mind that I am treating my body with the kindness it deserves.   I'm ready to get back to the great joy of reading (or listening) to a good book.   So far, I've been on a winning streak, totally enjoying the memoir of Glennon Melton Doyle, who wrote Love Warrior and am now laughing with the wisdom of Lauren Graham of Gilmore Girls fame.    I'm also reading a book called "Reading with Patrick" and it is the true story of a teacher who goes to Arkansas as part of the Teach for America.   She used a writing prompt similar to what I use here on my blog and the words of her young students brought tears to my eyes.   At times I forgot how protected my little world is.

Time to wrap things up...but fingers crossed that this new year continues in a positive and healthy direction for me and my family!   Until next time....

20 years of Christmas

Oh dear neglected blog...I promise I'll visit you later...yeah right...but know that I treasure the stories I shared here through the years, even if these days I don't take the time to continue this tradition.

Right Now October 2017

I'm listening to the hum of the furnace kicking in.   We are in the back-n-forth season, some mornings it's not too cold and other mornings it's a bit brisk.   While typically I find more comfort in the predictable, I must say I enjoy the swings in the weather that occur this time of year.   For it is this ever changing weather that brings forth some pretty impressive sunrises (and sunsets too).

Photo credit:  Hubby

I'm loving so much that if I listed it all, you'd call me a sap?   How's that for a non-answer...but seriously, the new job is going really good,

 I mean seriously...what's not to love...not only do I get paid to go to the zoo...but we get Fall Break!

As for Fall Break, yes, both myself and Thing 2 get a week off from school.  However,  since I switched school districts, my break was a week before his.   But even that worked out just fine.   

 Hubby and I spent my time off exploring the Black Hills area of South Dakota.  

 Granted, I'd been before:   First as a kid growing up and again when the boys were about 6 &8.

  But this trip seemed the most memorable...with great weather, next to no crowds and plenty of wildlife.    

Did I mention wildlife?  Yeah, it's a whole new experience from the side car....

Thing 2 spent his break taking a motorcycle training class earning his motorcycle endorsement.

A little bit of foreshadowing...

and working (volunteering actually) at a music venue in the city.   He's learning all about sound engineering and concert promotion.  

He noted afterwards that it's a lot of work serving as the lead on a project, so seemed rather content to be back to just being an attendee at a Halloween night concert...

As for the Hubby and Thing 1:  No Fall break for them...work, school, just seem to be hanging in there, avoiding my picture taking madness.

I'm needing to start working on some to-do lists.   If September and October were any example, then Thanksgiving will arrive before I've had a chance to clean the house and prep for hosting Thanksgiving Dinner and house guests.  

I'm feeling like:   There really is no need to sweat the little things, for in the end it all works out.  

 I'm not always in this mindset, but some recent events have reminded me just how important it is to celebrate the little events in life, with less worry about having everything timed just perfectly. 

 Call that friend for a quick walk through the neighborhood, meet an old neighbor for brunch when you just can't seem to connect for dinner due to ongoing scheduling conflicts, and grab that camera and go when you kid tells you at the last minute "Hey, we're taking pictures for Homecoming right now if you want to join us".  

 for it is in these impromptu moments, one sees glimpses of life's memorable moments...unfolding right before our eyes..

from the serious 

to the silly...

The secret of having it all is knowing you already do..unknown author

Right Now: September 2017

Right now

I'm listening to podcasts.   Or at least I was on my way into work this morning.   My new commute is about 20 minutes long.  Not terrible, but long enough that I need something to occupy my thoughts.  I'm not really a fan of the radio, nor am I a connoisseur of music, so podcasts have become my "go to thing".   Everything from NPR to pop culture can be found on a podcast...and the best part?  Free!

I'm loving that:   we've turned the corner from summer to Fall.  

Photo credit:  Hubby, somewhere near Ouray CO

 The furnace has been turned on, the mountains have had their first dusting of snow and we are clearly headed into a new season.  Oh sure, I'll be weary of this season soon enough, but I do love the change that comes in the weather and the mindset.  

However, before I go into total winter hibernation, I love that I spent a little time this past month with friends and the hubby.  

First up was a quick camping adventure to Canon City.   

And a chance to catch the sunset on the impressive "Skyline Drive"

  Another objective of this little get away trip was to explore the options for "boondocking".   For those not into the RV/Camping lingo, boondocking references when you camp somewhere that is free..free in cost but also free of the usual comforts such as electric hook up, water, and facilities.   There are many options here in Colorado, especially on national forest land and BLM land.  However, in this setting, those options were either off on a rugged road that was not appropriate for the RV to traverse or in a canyon where cell coverage was non existent. 

So instead, it was a night spent at the KOA, with running water, electricity and wifi! 

This past weekend, I gathered with a group of dear friends (the Vegas ladies) to celebrate some birthdays.   As is our tradition, when someone has a birthday, we all wear sombreros to celebrate.

   It proves for a very festive and fun outing, and I'm always impressed with how friendly and curious others are as we sit there with our giant hats, laughing and chatting...

I'm needing to wrap this up.    Soon the students will arrive and my day will begin.   But what a treasure this new job is, that I have a chance each morning, to savor that cup of coffee, check in with colleagues and in this case, update the neglected blog.   

I'm feeling like:  I shall embrace the words shared by a friend this morning.   In the wake of the horrific tragedy in Las Vegas Sunday night, fear, hatred and anger can become the prevailing emotions.  However my friend remarked that intentional kindness is one thing that can combat those negative emotions circling our world right now.    

"In a world where we can be anything, be kind!"

Right Now: August 2017

Right Now

I'm listening: to my guilty conscience.    I'd rather go back to reading my latest library read, but I realize  that we are already 3 days into the next month and I've not uploaded August pics to "the cloud", nor have I tackled any of the tasks I'd promise myself I'd work on during this 3 day Labor Day weekend.   So, here we go, a quick wrap up from the Chang Gang...

I'm loving that:   the changes we've all experienced this past month seem to be working out well.

For starters, I've started a new chapter in my work career, heading to a district just north of where I've worked the past 7 years.

Overall first impressions are good and I"m optimistic that I've landed right where I belong.

 Still a nurse, still in a school, just working in a  district with different challenges, and assigned to a  school with way fewer students but with each student having more significant needs.

 Thing 2 is starting the final chapter to his K12 education...

 Surrounded by friends he's had since elementary school...

and Feeling pretty confident it's gonna be a great year..

He's also changed jobs...but so far, I've missed THE TARGET (hint-hint) in terms of snapping an on-the-job photo of the newest red-shirted cashier..

Thing 1 is also starting off on a new adventure...

As he starts classes at the local community college.  *Camera shy, this photo is courtesy of google images.

And let's not forget hubby.  While he didn't have any  back-to-school adventures, he did get to experience one of those once in a lifetime experiences when he traveled to Nebraska to witness the much anticipated total eclipse

...his pictures were pretty impressive and I have to say,  helped me appreciate that while we had 93% eclipse here, 7% really does make a big difference when it comes to the sun.

I'm needing to:   lace up the shoes and head out for a walk...just so that the next time I agree to do a 5K with my neighbor friends, I won't be so sore the day after. 

  Yep, you read that right, last weekend the ladies and I did a fun 5k called the Color Run.   

No running was involved, but we had a blast getting doused with colored powder, walking the streets of Denver and just celebrating our recent victories with getting to a healthier state of being!  

 I'm feeling like:   Time is flying by way too fast.   Especially when I realize we've gone from these little Things...

 To the almost all  grown up edition in just 18 short years...

Yep, Thing 2 had a birthday this month and by all accounts, it was a good one. 

Complete with Cash (and a PINTEREST success!)

Cake...

And  hanging with friends cool enough to sport stylish party hats...

He and one of his besties are both August babies...so they decided to have a joint party..

Oh wait, this is Colorado...maybe I should be more specific...a combined party..

at least we hope that's all that happened...it was held with minimal parental supervision

And that's a wrap on August...just a few days late...until next time...