Missing you dad.

This is the last picture that I have of my dad alive.  Makes me wish I would have spent a little more time focusing on him that day (Easter 2009).

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of his death.  Since most of the people I would have enjoyed the company of on this emotionally difficult day were working or busy. . . .I decided to embark on my own little journey for the day, get in touch with my feelings, remember the good times, etc.

So I packed my bike up and headed out to ride (of course).

This past year has brought a lot of different things to my life.  Some good, some bad. . . . it's brought a lot of wonderful friends to the surface, and it's forced me to take a deeper look at my life and what it's missing. 

I'm one of those people who look at the closed door for so long I miss out on the open window.  I don't do it because i can't stand change. . . . . .I think I do it because i'm usually SO attached to that closed door that I can't even SEE the open window.  I don't like that part of myself. 

Many people in this world just shut everyone out.  Then they don't have to worry about closed doors.  I don't want to be like that. . . . . .but I feel like that's who I am becoming.  Strange how little things affect us so much.  How great loss can upset our whole "emotional balance". . . . have us wondering if certain things are really worth it.

I went to find peace and inspiration yesterday.  Instead I found confusion and more questions.  Questions to life. . . .questions there aren't really answers for.  Confusion as to why I do the things I do. . . .why I am who I am. . . .why I can't be who I "WANT" to be ALL the time.

I guess a day of reflection does that to a person.  :-)

Thinking about my dad today puts a smile on my face.  It still puts tears in my eyes because I truly miss him. . . . .but I know he's in a better place.  I will continue to strive and ltry to ook past the closed door. . . . .and find the open window.  It's exactly what he would want, and it's what I need to do for him. . . .for me. . . . .and for those who love me.

Peace.

North Carolina

One more trip to North Carolina under my belt.  This year was a year without Bill, a year without group rides and a different year all around.

8 people braved the trip, and while we all stayed in the same house, we all did our own thing.  That ended up being good for me becuase that meant people actually rode with me.  It also meant our group of 4 had a lot of fun, lots of laughs, lots of exploring.

This past year of my life has been very different for me.  Not having my dad has had me feeling a bit lost, especially during those times where I really need someone to talk to. 

Changes in the real estate market have had my business doing it's ups and downs, while the last few months have had me working very hard for what will hopefully be fruitful months to come.

Changes in my personal life have been on-going. . . . .things that were once very important to me seem to need re-evaluating with respect to importance now.  My life is built around others, I am on this earth to give to others, to enhance other's lives, to put other people ahead of myself.  This is how I've been for 40 years.  And over these past 40 years that train of thought has led to a lot of heart ache.  Maybe it's time to change that way of thinking?  Maybe my life should be a little more about ME and a little less about others.  I probaly care TOO much anyway.

2010 will be a life changing year, that's for sure.  I just have to figure out how to make that life change a GOOD change for myself. 

One day at a time. 

Spring is on the horizon

I'm starting to get Spring fever big time.  Being ALMOST over this sinus infection/cold that I've had for over 3 weeks has me wanting to get outside and RIDE!!  With the "promise" of better temps this weekend, I'm hoping for a nice ride outside on Sunday, perhaps around 11:00 or 12:00.  If anyone is interested, drop me an e-mail.  The more the merrier!

In the mean time, let's hope for nice weather, sunshine and melting snow.  It is March after all. . .. it's time to start thinking SPRING.

What is YOUR Spring plan?

Home Buyers Tax Credit

Does everyone know about this? 

You're running out of time to get your $8000 or $6500 credit.  April 30th is the date to have an accepted offer by, June 30th is the date to have closed by.  This credit applies to first time home buyers ($8000) as well as current home owners ($6500).

Check it out.  If you're thinking about moving, now is a great time.

Killer Whales

I don't care HOW trained I am, or how many years I've been working with Killer Whales. . . . . I think I'd be a little leary to get anywhere near such a massive animal - one that's been known to take lives before.

It's things like this that remind me of the frailty of our human existence.  One day we're here, one day we're not.  One day our loved ones are here, one day they're not.  One day what we think and feel is "true" we find out maybe it is not.  One day we come to realize things we see in our own future maybe are mearly "a dream" and not reality.

Life is precious.  It changes every day whether you are ready or not.  Whether you hold on tightly and pray for "no change", or whether you welcome change with open arms. . . . .change is inevitable.  And the scary thing about change, and life in general, is that it's not really all about "YOU".  What you want, your needs and desires, your thoughts and feelings, what makes you happy and whole. . . . none of this matters when a giant Killer Whale grabs your pony tail and pulls you under.

Life isn't about us.  All we can do is live it to our best ability and hope for another day. . . . .a better day.

How Green Are We?

What percentage of Americans participated in energy-saving activities within the past year?

Installed more energy-efficient light bulbs:  63%
Purchased energy-efficient appliances:  36%
Started paying bills online:  46%
Switched to paperless financial statements:  40%
Donated an electronic device for recycling:  41%
Swtiched from bottle to tap water:  29%
Installed a low-flow showerhead:  17%
Installed a low-flow toilet:  16%
Made home inprovements (e.g., windows, solar panels or insulation that provided government tax credits):  14%
Bought a more fuel-efficient car:  13%
None of these:  13%

Source: Harris interactive

What did you do?

Blogger Profile

I can't believe it's been over a month since I've updated my blog.  How sad.  And I actually enjoy writing on my blog.  I need to get back to taking more time to do the things that put a smile on my face again. 

With that said, I found this Blogger Profile article interesting.  It was in my real estate magazine this month, and was apparently pulled from the Technorati State of the Blogsphere 2009 report.

• Two thirds of bloggers are male.
• 60% are 18-44 years old.
• 74% have a college degree, and 40 percent have a graduate degree.
• One in three has an annual household income of $75,000 or higher, and one in four has an annual income of more than $100,000.
• More than half ar married.
• More than half are parents.
• Half are employed full time.

Interesting.  How about some "How Green Are We" statistics next time around?

Teaching is my passion (which is strange because I decided to change my major before finishing my education degree and instead came out with a sociology/psychology emphasis which is also a great interest of mine).  And I really don't spend enough time "teaching".  I've got to work on that. 

Now if I just figure out how to incorporate my blog into my web page, I'll be able to go to ONE place to share information.  Baby steps.