I've put up some of the images I captured on my AKatseyeview site.
Grab a drink and come on over!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Rose Festival Pics...
I headed to my hotel after work yesterday, dropped off my bag, strapped Chanda in her backpack along with extra lenses and headed back out to the Rose Festival.
I've put up some of the images I captured on my AKatseyeview site.
Grab a drink and come on over!
I've put up some of the images I captured on my AKatseyeview site.
Grab a drink and come on over!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
ACK!
I changed my template and all the links to other peoples blogs I read disappeared! :(
Please post your blog link in a comment so I can add you again!!
Please. Please. Please.
Please post your blog link in a comment so I can add you again!!
Please. Please. Please.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Rose Festival, Portland Oregon
I work in Downtown Portland right next to the Waterfront--where every festival that Portland puts on, is located.
Great scenery but it also makes for very clogged roads.
Add to this mix--Memorial Weekend and Glen Jackson bridge repair work that has backed up traffic for hours on a normal weekend...I will be staying at a hotel in downtown instead of enduring a grueling drive home.
I'm going to plunk my work stuff in my hotel room after work and then take Chanda into the hordes of people and Rose Festival activities.
Another Chanda opportunity!
You can see some pre-Rose Festival glimpses on my Mobile City blog:
http://iphone-city.blogspot.com/
Great scenery but it also makes for very clogged roads.
Add to this mix--Memorial Weekend and Glen Jackson bridge repair work that has backed up traffic for hours on a normal weekend...I will be staying at a hotel in downtown instead of enduring a grueling drive home.
I'm going to plunk my work stuff in my hotel room after work and then take Chanda into the hordes of people and Rose Festival activities.
Another Chanda opportunity!
You can see some pre-Rose Festival glimpses on my Mobile City blog:
http://iphone-city.blogspot.com/
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Trickle Trickle...
Sorry for delay. I have so many pictures I took on my trip. It's been labor to leaf through them and decide which ones to post and which ones will remain in the secrets of my PC :)
Akatseyeview
Akatseyeview
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Spent an extended weekend in New Orleans and Vicksburg Mississippi
So much to tell. So many pictures to post.
I shall start trickling them into my akatseyeview photo site over the next couple of days.
Wild storms, cancelled flights, monsoon rains made for interesting times!
I laughed through it all.
This is life, Peeps.
An exciting roller coaster ride!
Bring it :)
Many thanks to Aafrica for her tourist tips!! It was great hearing your voice after reading your blog for so long :)
I shall start trickling them into my akatseyeview photo site over the next couple of days.
Wild storms, cancelled flights, monsoon rains made for interesting times!
I laughed through it all.
This is life, Peeps.
An exciting roller coaster ride!
Bring it :)
Many thanks to Aafrica for her tourist tips!! It was great hearing your voice after reading your blog for so long :)
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
15 Days and Still No EWO...
It's been 15 days, Peeps...and I've still not seen EWO.
Strong with the Force I be.
Strong with the Force I be.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
I am Proud...
I know this is going to sound terrible.
But I don't care.
I no longer care.
And that, People...is a major break through for me.
I did not pick up EWO at the airport.
I did not call her the night she arrived.
I did not call her the next day either.
My phone finally rang in the evening.
EWO was hesitant and talking like she was stepping on egg shells with me.
She did not know how to handle me. How to manipulate me.
I had changed the rules.
She gently pried...laying out traps in which to snare me into taking her into my home. Into feeling obligated and guilty so that I would drive her around and entertain her while she was in my city.
Slow drips of poison that I saw coming and stepped away from.
She will be here 3 weeks.
I will not see her until the 3rd week and only then so I can give her friend a break.
I have broken the hold.
I have begun walking the path that will remove her from my life.
She's had 44 years of me.
Its time to say enough.
But I don't care.
I no longer care.
And that, People...is a major break through for me.
I did not pick up EWO at the airport.
I did not call her the night she arrived.
I did not call her the next day either.
My phone finally rang in the evening.
EWO was hesitant and talking like she was stepping on egg shells with me.
She did not know how to handle me. How to manipulate me.
I had changed the rules.
She gently pried...laying out traps in which to snare me into taking her into my home. Into feeling obligated and guilty so that I would drive her around and entertain her while she was in my city.
Slow drips of poison that I saw coming and stepped away from.
She will be here 3 weeks.
I will not see her until the 3rd week and only then so I can give her friend a break.
I have broken the hold.
I have begun walking the path that will remove her from my life.
She's had 44 years of me.
Its time to say enough.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Its That Time Again...
EWO is arriving in my State, my City, my Neighborhood, my Space...tonight.
She is staying (for now) at her friends house.
She did not call me.
She did not write me.
Her friend called to warn me last week.
And her Mexico friend called me (multiple times) to give me jobs to do once EWO arrives.
When will I no longer feel obligated to host this person who filled my childhood with shattered shards of memory that roll around and leave my insides bleeding?
Every day of my life with MiniWarrior and Lord V is filled with kindness and love. Gentleness and laughter.
I've become spoiled, wrapped in their love for me.
And every day it shows me what I missed when I was a small helpless prisoner in her house.
Every day it shows me what could have been. Should have been.
And I struggle not to let the empty space she created inside me fill with hatred.
I push it down by wrapping my arms around my precious son and kissing the freckles that dust his cheeks.
I shove the bitter tide back when I lean against the strong wall of my Lord V and hear the sturdy beat of his heart.
I'm trying.
Trying not to let her neglect and abuse of me win.
But sometimes?
Sometimes I feel broken and wonder if I'll ever repair.
She is staying (for now) at her friends house.
She did not call me.
She did not write me.
Her friend called to warn me last week.
And her Mexico friend called me (multiple times) to give me jobs to do once EWO arrives.
When will I no longer feel obligated to host this person who filled my childhood with shattered shards of memory that roll around and leave my insides bleeding?
Every day of my life with MiniWarrior and Lord V is filled with kindness and love. Gentleness and laughter.
I've become spoiled, wrapped in their love for me.
And every day it shows me what I missed when I was a small helpless prisoner in her house.
Every day it shows me what could have been. Should have been.
And I struggle not to let the empty space she created inside me fill with hatred.
I push it down by wrapping my arms around my precious son and kissing the freckles that dust his cheeks.
I shove the bitter tide back when I lean against the strong wall of my Lord V and hear the sturdy beat of his heart.
I'm trying.
Trying not to let her neglect and abuse of me win.
But sometimes?
Sometimes I feel broken and wonder if I'll ever repair.
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Puerto Rico: Pigeon "poop" Park
So many many pictures to weed through of our Cruise trip.
I'm slowly putting them up.
Today's tour?
Pigeon "poop" Park.
Wanna see?
Go here :) akatseyeview
I'm slowly putting them up.
Today's tour?
Pigeon "poop" Park.
Wanna see?
Go here :) akatseyeview
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Hood River, Oregon
MiniWarrior is on his way to Disneyland with his Dad and family so Lord V and I are childless for a week.
We took advantage of a sunny, child-free day Saturday and headed out (with Chanda in tow) to Hood River, Oregon.
We are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of America and every Spring we are reminded of just how beautiful the Northwest is!
Wanna see images of our trip?
Go HERE.
http://akatseyeview.blogspot.com
We took advantage of a sunny, child-free day Saturday and headed out (with Chanda in tow) to Hood River, Oregon.
We are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of America and every Spring we are reminded of just how beautiful the Northwest is!
Wanna see images of our trip?
Go HERE.
http://akatseyeview.blogspot.com
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Pictures and Cruise story: Akatseyeview
For you faithful few whom have been following my blog even after my long disappearance to *mumbles* facebookland...
I have begun posting pictures of my cruise experience along with added blurbs of our trip which can be seen HERE at http://akatseyeview.blogspot.com
See you there!
I have begun posting pictures of my cruise experience along with added blurbs of our trip which can be seen HERE at http://akatseyeview.blogspot.com
See you there!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Cruise blog
I have been busy uploading pictures of our cruise.
Many many pictures...
They will be coming soon :)
Many many pictures...
They will be coming soon :)
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Goin' On a Cruise!
Lord V and I are joining our friends and going on a Cruise! I have never been on one and I am beyond excited :D
I love adventure, new places, new sights, sounds, food...*sigh* I can't wait.
Whats especially cool about this cruise is two of the ports we are going to I had been to when I was on my Internship year in College.
One is San Juan, Puerto Rico. I plan on dragging Lord V and our friends to El Morro--the famous fort that over looks the ocean and other places in Old San Juan that I can (vaguely) remember from my stay there in 1984.
Another stop is St Thomas. I have never been there--but we are taking a sailboat from St Thomas over to Buck Island where we will dive off the boat and snorkel around the protected reef/garden. This was my favorite place to snorkel when I spent part of my Internship in St Croix.
I am so excited to be able to see my old haunts again. I didn't think I'd ever be back to these places. Funny how life has circled back for me...but in a fun way :)
Did I mention I'm excited?! :)
Chanda is too ;)
I love adventure, new places, new sights, sounds, food...*sigh* I can't wait.
Whats especially cool about this cruise is two of the ports we are going to I had been to when I was on my Internship year in College.
One is San Juan, Puerto Rico. I plan on dragging Lord V and our friends to El Morro--the famous fort that over looks the ocean and other places in Old San Juan that I can (vaguely) remember from my stay there in 1984.
Another stop is St Thomas. I have never been there--but we are taking a sailboat from St Thomas over to Buck Island where we will dive off the boat and snorkel around the protected reef/garden. This was my favorite place to snorkel when I spent part of my Internship in St Croix.
I am so excited to be able to see my old haunts again. I didn't think I'd ever be back to these places. Funny how life has circled back for me...but in a fun way :)
Did I mention I'm excited?! :)
Chanda is too ;)
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Coffee Dilemma!
I love Hazelnut creamer in my coffee.
I despise the taste of black coffee.
What does one do when faced with enough creamer for two bland cups of coffee or one really rich and deliciously hazelnut flavored coffee?
*pout*
I despise the taste of black coffee.
What does one do when faced with enough creamer for two bland cups of coffee or one really rich and deliciously hazelnut flavored coffee?
*pout*
Monday, February 22, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Beach Trip
Thursday this past week--my weekend--began with a brilliant blue sky filled with the magical light of a surprise pre-Spring Sun.
"MiniWarrior" I called over my shoulder to the lanky 12 year old stretched out on the sofa in the family room, "Come here I want to talk to you about something."
"What I'd do?" He said, body taught, paused in full alert for an impending Mom lecture.
"Nothing. I just want to talk to you for a moment."
He climbed off the sofa and shuffled slowly towards me, trying to read the expression on my face. "Yeah, Mom?"
"How'd you like to skip school tomorrow and head to the beach." I said, holding back a smile at the wary look on his face.
Shadows disappeared as his grin scattered joy from his mouth and lit up his eyes. "For real? Really?"
"For real. Really."
"You're the best Mom, ever!" He exclaimed as he pumped a victorious fist.
Indeed. I am. ;)
As always, pictures of said event can be found here: akatseyeview
"MiniWarrior" I called over my shoulder to the lanky 12 year old stretched out on the sofa in the family room, "Come here I want to talk to you about something."
"What I'd do?" He said, body taught, paused in full alert for an impending Mom lecture.
"Nothing. I just want to talk to you for a moment."
He climbed off the sofa and shuffled slowly towards me, trying to read the expression on my face. "Yeah, Mom?"
"How'd you like to skip school tomorrow and head to the beach." I said, holding back a smile at the wary look on his face.
Shadows disappeared as his grin scattered joy from his mouth and lit up his eyes. "For real? Really?"
"For real. Really."
"You're the best Mom, ever!" He exclaimed as he pumped a victorious fist.
Indeed. I am. ;)
As always, pictures of said event can be found here: akatseyeview
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
MiniWarrior~ism
Mom, I broke up with my girlfriend today.
MiniWarriors sat cross legged in the passenger seat of my truck, looking down at his tennis shoes struggling to shift his sad face into a stoic manly one.
You did? What happened?
Well, there is this boy in school who is my friend but my girlfriend doesn't like him and her friend doesn't like him so they are rude to him.
He glanced at me, frowning and shaking his head in disapproval.
That's just not nice. So today I said, "Why can't we just all get along. Why can't you be nice to Nicholas?"
My girlfriend got mad and got up and walked away from me.
I went after her but she kept running away from me. She told me that she wishes that I would just leave the school and not come back.
He stared down at his shoes again.
I told her that I didn't want to be her boyfriend anymore because she was being so rude.
He shot me a look to see if I was mad about his decision.
I lay a gentle hand on his knee.
I'm so proud of you. You stood up for your friend even though you knew your girlfriend wouldn't like it. That takes character, Son.
Character? He was puzzled by that word.
Yes. Character. It's what makes you a good person and what will make you into a great man. You stood by what you believed to be right and stood up for your friend.
Yes. He smiled and straightened his shoulders. Yes, I did, didn't I?
Yes you did and I couldn't be more proud.
I'm still feeling a little emotional, Mom about not being (girlfriends name) boyfriend anymore. He added quietly.
I know son. You made a hard choice. I'm so proud of you.
He smiled at me but his eyes were sad. We drove for awhile in silence.
Little boy freckles still dance across his nose but his shoulders are broadening molding his frame into a man.
My MiniWarrior is moving from Mini to Warrior.
My heart aches at the loss of the little boy but is soothed and filled with the sight of the wonderful man he is becoming.
MiniWarriors sat cross legged in the passenger seat of my truck, looking down at his tennis shoes struggling to shift his sad face into a stoic manly one.
You did? What happened?
Well, there is this boy in school who is my friend but my girlfriend doesn't like him and her friend doesn't like him so they are rude to him.
He glanced at me, frowning and shaking his head in disapproval.
That's just not nice. So today I said, "Why can't we just all get along. Why can't you be nice to Nicholas?"
My girlfriend got mad and got up and walked away from me.
I went after her but she kept running away from me. She told me that she wishes that I would just leave the school and not come back.
He stared down at his shoes again.
I told her that I didn't want to be her boyfriend anymore because she was being so rude.
He shot me a look to see if I was mad about his decision.
I lay a gentle hand on his knee.
I'm so proud of you. You stood up for your friend even though you knew your girlfriend wouldn't like it. That takes character, Son.
Character? He was puzzled by that word.
Yes. Character. It's what makes you a good person and what will make you into a great man. You stood by what you believed to be right and stood up for your friend.
Yes. He smiled and straightened his shoulders. Yes, I did, didn't I?
Yes you did and I couldn't be more proud.
I'm still feeling a little emotional, Mom about not being (girlfriends name) boyfriend anymore. He added quietly.
I know son. You made a hard choice. I'm so proud of you.
He smiled at me but his eyes were sad. We drove for awhile in silence.
Little boy freckles still dance across his nose but his shoulders are broadening molding his frame into a man.
My MiniWarrior is moving from Mini to Warrior.
My heart aches at the loss of the little boy but is soothed and filled with the sight of the wonderful man he is becoming.
Temple Grandin Speaks!
This article is so...SO awesome. It's like being granted a peek inside my MiniWarriors mind.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35150832/ns/health-mental_health/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35150832/ns/health-mental_health/
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