J.J. Devine's Blog, page 9

Been a busy week...

Honey, I'm home...

Good morning, everyone!!!

The sun was shining the morning we hooked up to head out. Camper was packed, truck was gassed up, and we were ready to set out on an adventure. We were headed to a place we’d never been before. Hocking Hills, Ohio. We moved down the road, camper in tow, spirits high for the time ahead.
            It wasn’t long before we met up with the rain. Not just a little sprinkle, a nice wash everything clean kind of rain. We traveled on, not allowing the weather to dampen our spirits. The more we drove, the harder the rain came down. I was determined to enjoy this vacation no matter what.
            We set up the camper between showers. Put our patio camping mat down outside the door as not to drag mud inside the camper. We had stopped for dinner before we arrived at our campsite, seeing as the hour would be later than we had hoped. So, we held up inside that first night, watching a little tv and just enjoying the evening just the two of us.
            My parents had arrived a few hours before us, but they also were enjoying some down time in their camper, out of the rain. They weren’t as fortunate as us, they had set up in the rain, so they were ready to enjoy a quiet moment or two as well in the privacy of their own camper.
            The next morning, I awoke, put on the coffee, set up my chair on the patio camping mat, the sky was overcast, but no rain at the current moment. The rest of our camping party had not arrived yet, so we visited with my parents some, drank our coffee, and enjoyed the quiet overcast morning.
            Cell signal was none for us. No phones, no internet, no link to the outside world other than a few tv stations that really had much of nothing on them. Secretly, I was thrilled about this. I needed to disconnect from the rest of the world for a little while.
            Our small camping party finally arrived a little before nine. We helped them get set up and made the decision that day would be a ‘stay in camp’ day. The rains came on and off the entire day. We set up a screen house and put a picnic table inside. The sun stayed behind the clouds. Yet, again we did not allow this to dampen our time, we were on vacation.
            The next morning as we all gathered in the community area of our camping sites, we discussed what we would do that day. We decided since it was forecast to rain all day, we would head into town and hit up the antique store, the glass store, and the Dutch Buffet. On the way back, we visited Ash Cave. It was spectacular.
            The weather remained overcast, but the rains stayed away where we were. When we arrived back at camp, it had rained a good deal, but it still didn’t dampen our spirits because we were on vacation. We took one of the short hikes down to see The Devil’s Bathtub. Oh, the beauty of this place was breathtaking. We walked through and around the puddles of rain water. Took the steps down into the valley to view this vision closer. At one point I almost stepped on a Northern Water Snake all curled up for his night of rest.
            Day 3:
            Our youngest son arrived the night before. We had all decided rain or shine we were walking the trail down to see Old Man’s Cave. We walked the trails on and off as a group of twelve. We found hiking sticks to help us make our way a little easier, seeing as our youngest son was the youngest person in our group.
            We walked down steps, up and down hills, we took in the amazing beauty of this place. Caverns and caves. Sandstone and rock. Tunnels and waterfalls. Hours and hours of walking the trails. Life is amazing when you don’t allow the rains to get under your skin. It rained on and off during our walk, but it didn’t bother us. We enjoyed the spectacular views this place has to offer.
            Once back to camp, my sister, a dear friend, and I decided to take another walk. We walked down to Rose Lake. Oh, what a wild walk that turned out to be. But the beauty of the lake was well worth the insanity of the walk. We were gone so long my hubby and father came looking for us, which by this point in time we were thankful for the ride back to camp.
            The next morning, hubby, my parents, uncle, and I took the youngest son to see Ash Cave. The rains during the night only made the waterfall even more stunning. This was one sight we wanted the son to see before he headed back to the real world.
            We hit up another antique area, later in the day. As well as a few Amish grocery stores. My favorite place to shop. We then took another hike to see the Natural Bridge. It was literally breathtaking, lol, we may have been huffing and puffing when we came back to the cars, but I will be forever grateful we took the hike.
            Today, I awoke to sunshine. Not sure if there is rain in the forecast or not. No contact with the civilized world. But it doesn’t matter to me one way or the other. We’re on vacation. We could allow the rain to get us down or we can go with the punches and just enjoy the day. Whatever may come.
 
Whispering Cave
            Whispering Cave was probably one of the tougher hikes we’ve done this trip. However, I’m glad we did it. It was spectacular. Some of the paths were narrow and all the paths were windy, but it was worth the trip.
            I started this vacation telling myself tranquility and peace. It was my mantra so to speak. I would feel myself beginning to get stressed and I would tell myself over and over ‘tranquility and peace.’ It worked. My soul has been peaceful this entire trip. Now if I can just maintain this calmness in the real world.
            Life is a vicious cycle of ups and downs. I’m aware of this. Disconnecting from the world, however, gives us a better view of the world we live in. I think that is why I like getting back to nature so much. Leaving the problems of the world behind. Putting things into perspective. Breathing in the beauty of the world around me and knowing deep in my soul there is powers much greater than I.
            The rain each day taught me that we have a choice of how we look at each day. We can say, ‘Oh it’s raining, my day is ruined,’ or, ‘I have plans today rain or shine, it doesn’t matter.’
            It’s like that every day, whether or not it is raining physically, or if the rain just comes in a pattern of unfortunate events. Either way you feel like your getting wet. Sometimes you feel like your drowning depending on the heaviness of the rain. But no matter what we have choices on how we look at the world around us.
            I’m guilty of allowing life’s mishaps to bring me down. To let it get under my skin and push my moods over the edge. I must remind myself all too often I’m the one in control of my emotions and my actions.
            There was this tree outside our camper which was knotted up and what appears to be a million faces are visible in the trunk of that tree. At first, I just thought it was cool. Then the more I see this tree each morning I realize, maybe, just maybe, it is the ugly pieces of what those before me have brought into this particular site and left behind when they leave. I am sure when I leave here there will be another image form in that tree. The pieces of myself I will leave behind in this beautiful place.

Tecumseh
            Yesterday we spent the afternoon walking around Logan. Taking in the historic town and hitting up some of the shops. We all love thrift store shopping and they happen to have a large one there. I found a wonderful 1892 song book which was my little treasure find for the week. Well, next to the plaster craft dog dishes I found to make for Shadow and Bear.
            Then last evening after supper we headed out to an outdoor theater where Tecumseh was playing. I would highly recommend if you have never been to an outdoor theater put it on your bucket list. If you have the opportunity to go and watch Tecumseh if you are in the Hocking Hills, Ohio area, definitely check it out. You won’t be sorry.

As you can see I've written most of this while on vacation. Getting up each morning to write a little before beginning our day. Hubby and I headed home on Friday, seeing as I had to work all weekend. 

It was fantastic getting away. Leaving the rest of the world behind for a little while. I've renewed my energy and gotten back some of my patience levels. I still have to remind myself I have a choice on how I look at the day, but right now it is easier to remind myself I chose how to look at what life throws at me. 

Well, I guess I better get this day started. 

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!













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Down to the wire...

Good morning, everyone!!!

Well I'm down to the wire on getting things ready and I feel like I'm no where closer than I was yesterday. Sure, I got the shopping finished up, some of the food in the camper, and the cucumbers pickled. But there was just so much running yesterday and for some reason I just woke up angry yesterday, so not nearly what I wanted to accomplish got done.

So, today is going to be a busy one. In a little bit I'm heading out to the camper and getting that started. But before that I need to make some tea, start the laundry, and a load in the dish washer, then gather up the frozen food items and get that going before I really delve into the camper.

It's not that bad out there, but there is some vacuuming and sweeping and mopping, and making the beds, and then preparing everything for travel. Then follow my numerous lists of getting things put out there from the house and getting the potato salad whipped up and...

Oh the list goes on and on and on...

Then of course I need to put the house back in order from where I've destroyed room after room to get things out and get things ready for this big event. 

No rest for the wicked they say, and boy is that true.

I've already put the tea on to boil, loaded the dish washer, and cleaned up the kitchen, so I guess you could say I do have a jump on this thing called prepping. My lists have been made for more than a week now :) So yet another thing that is done for the prep work :) Yeah, I'm desperate here to find the little things to make this not seem so overwhelming.

Yesterday I just woke up angry. No reason, I just did. All day I couldn't shake it. Believe me I tried. I even put myself down for a nap because I thought that would help. Nope it didn't. Maybe that's just how it is when you're tired of dealing with people for awhile and you have to go deal with people. Yeah, I hate shopping. In fact, I despise it. I ended up in six stores yesterday before I called it a day. So yeah, maybe that played a part in my grumpiness????

I put up eight more quarts of pickles and four pints of dill spears, and a little half pint just because :) They had to be done before heading out on this vacation because they wouldn't be here when I got back for sure. I have one cucumber left I'm taking with us on vacation to set out during meals. 

I really need this getaway. I need to clear my head, look at the beauty created by Spirit, and breathe in the peace. This is what needs to happen in my life right now. It is not that I don't like my life. In fact, just the opposite, I love my life. However, there are just times when life seems to get the better of you and you need a break from all the insanity. That's where I'm at right now.

I need to put time and space between myself and the issues lingering in the balance. I need to allow myself a little freedom away from the world and just relax. 

So, that's where I stand for the next twenty-four hours. I'm not sure I'll have signal where we're going so not sure how often I will be able to blog. Just know when I get home I'll tell you all about it :)

Well I better get things going around here. 

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!















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One major task down, a million to go...

Good morning, everyone!!!

One eight hour shift and then begins the chaos and relaxation. Chaos is what happens before the relaxation, because for this old lady, well, let's just say I'll be running around like a crazy person getting things ready for a relaxing vacation :)

Over the course of the last two days we picked and canned 43 quarts and 11 pints of green beans. It was definitely a group effort. Thankfully mom snapped all of them while my sister and I worked yesterday otherwise we would be going into day three of this process. The brother-in-law knew we were going to be doing this so he stopped at the grocery on the way home and grabbed some steaks and cooked us dinner. Not to shabby for a night of canning :) 

Tomorrow I need to put up some more pickles, start getting the camper ready for our trip, and do a store run. Then run out to the farm and help my sister begin preparing her camper. So the next few days are going to seem endless in prep work for our trip.

I've had a lot of things on my mind lately. Some things just make me shake my head and wonder 'what in the hell' but I'm holding out for this vacation to really allow myself a moment to breathe and gain some new perspective on things.

Sometimes that's what's called for in life. A step away from it all and a new perspective can come to light. I am in desperate need of a new perspective on things right now. An enlightenment of sorts. I've been praying very hard over the course of the last several months for signs, results, and understanding. I'm also intelligent enough to know what you put out into the world comes back to you. Maybe not in the fashion you want or believe it will, but in one way or the other it does.

Sometimes we have to step outside our comfort zone. Do what we know is right, and hope for the best. Maybe a karma spell would be best. Or maybe a justice spell? I'm truly hoping to do some meditating while on vacation to really get clarification on my next course of action.

The truth prayer I did not long ago has revealed so much it makes my gut hurt at times. That's why I don't often do the truth prayer, because I know truths of all sorts come into play and always more than you bargain for. I feel the energies coursing through my veins and I know this energy will eventually need to go somewhere. So, yeah, I know action will be needed in the very near future. But the right action for the situation must be clear. There's only one shot at this, of that I am positive.

Well I guess I should prepare for this busy day ahead.  One work day left then vacation!!!

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!










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So much to do so little time...

Good morning, everyone!!!

We're down to the wire on vacation prep and life has thrown more on the to do list. We'll manage to get it all done but man, is there really enough time in a day?

I have a list five miles long already written up and have only marked off a couple of things. Fortunately, I have a couple of days off before 'the day' to get things accomplished. My deal is this is where my anxiety comes in. I get anxious to have everything done at once, but the more I do the more I have to do.

This is no different from any other time. In fact, this is my normal :) and I'm okay with that. It is this anxiety that helps push me forward, helps me get things done. 

We all need that little push from the inside to accomplish what needs to get done. Mine is the anxiety of thinking ahead, knowing what I need to do, and then stressing over it and doing it at the same time :)

Last evening my sister, mother, brother-in-law, and I worked on green beans. Twelve quart jars so far, with a LOT more to be put up tonight after work. Yeah, that garden has gone wild for sure :)

After vacation we're putting the camper out there and I'll be living there more than here at the house. This is the fun part of having a garden, putting up the results of the hard work that went into the beginning of it. 

We've got pickles coming out our ears and more pickles to be put up. I'll be working on those some Wednesday morning while I'm getting the blankets and sheets for the camper washed and hung on the line. Multitasking is the keyword here :)

I don't have time to focus on much else this week. Finding my sanity, well, that left me years ago so I hardly think of it anymore :) 

Two more work days left before the real push begins. Next week, that is the goal, the final result, the time to relax and breathe a minute :) Until then it will be chaos and insanity, rushing around, and feeling accomplished at the end of the day. 

Well I guess I should get this week started.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!










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Four more days...

Good morning, everyone!!!

Oh my word how much I need this four days to fly by. I'm too irritable lately for my own good. Definitely time to take a step back and relax a bit.

In four days my vacation begins :) Then it is ten days away from work to regain my patience levels :) Very needed at this point, seeing as nothing has gone right for weeks now.

Every summer the ice machines go down, not just for a minute, but for days upon days. This adds to my stress because I just can't get why. I understand people use it a great deal more, but man, why on earth do the blasted things keep shutting themselves off? Keep going into delay mode and not come back up? Then we have to add bag after bag of ice to them because frankly these machines don't want to work.

Then from there it only goes downhill. 

Yep, definitely time to get away for a little while so I can come back refreshed.

I'm looking forward to the vacation ahead. The peace and quiet of camping. The beautiful scenery. The enjoyment of no alarm clock. Ahhhh….

Waking up in the morning and enjoying my coffee in peace without the hurry up, down it, and get moving. 

I need this minute away from the stress of every day life for just a few moments. I need to clear my head and come back renewed. 

Sometimes walking away for a few minutes is all that is needed to give you a new perspective on things. I definitely need a new perspective on way too many things at this point. The stress of the year is catching up with me and when I see vacation pictures on my 'memories' on facebook, well it just reminds me it's time :)

So yes, I'll be counting down those days until I can walk out the door saying that's it for me until next time :) I will be back refreshed and ready to start the day.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!













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Sometimes you just have to stop and smell the baking...

Good morning, everyone!!!

This has been a nightmare of a week, however, instead of dwelling on the nightmare, I decided to spend time building on grandmother/grandchildren relationships.

So beginning Tuesday I brought over the grandson and granddaughter and we spent the evening in the kitchen making cherry bread. A new recipe and a fun way to just relax and just be. 

Last evening I brought over our other granddaughter for some just Lil Miss and grandma time, seeing as it has been a long time since just the two of us hung out. We had such a great time making Zucchini bread from the recipe hubby's mother got from his grandmother.

For two days my kitchen has smelled so yummy :)

Sometimes when the adult world seems like it's too much, you just have to hang out with the little people in your life to get a better perspective on what's important in this world.

With everything that has gone on this week this has really helped me put it behind me and move onto the next day leaving yesterday behind. Something that I must say has been a blessing.

The day job has had one thing after another going wrong this week. But I've remained calm for the most part. Life has also thrown me a curve ball or two in a more serious aspect of life and even through it all I've managed to focus on what's important and not by into the bullshit. 

Sometimes in life people want to intimidate you. Well, I don't intimidate easily. I also am sick and tired of being that person who is always being blamed for the bad shit in someone else's world. I'm not responsible for other people's life choices. That simple. Sure, I can be blamed for it, but the reality is I'm not responsible for it. 

You make choices in this life, you need to own up to them. That simple. 

Human nature is to find someone to blame. Most times we blame people who are often helping us dig out of the hole we've gotten ourselves into. So I'm committed to no longer digging people out of the holes they dig for themselves. Pretty words, sob stories, and bullshit are off the agenda. Turned on tears and whining, gone.

It's not callus to say enough is enough. It is not being hard hearted, it's allowing people who you've grown accustomed to helping dig themselves out of the shit holes they've gotten themselves into all their lives, do it for themselves for a change. 

We all face consequences for the choices we make. Good or bad. Sure, sometimes they intermingle with the lives around us, but as a bystander we have a choice of how involved we become. 

Giving myself a bit of time focusing on what is truly important in this life has allowed me to see things a bit more clearly. 

A job, well, it's a job. I don't believe in doing things half assed, so I give my all. 

A relationship, however, it last a lifetime and beyond. This is where the most energy of my world should be. Building memories, making lasting memories for that time when I've gone to the beyond. 

I want my grandchildren to look back on our time together and remember the fun things we did. Gardening, baking, little projects. Watching movies together and munching on popcorn or ice cream. The hugs, the kisses, the feeling of just being loved by a grandmother. 

I am a firm believer hearts feel hearts. So I always want to surround my home with love while they're here. To feel the connection between grandmother and grandchild. 

Because as a grandmother I know, this time with them is short. They will grow up one day. They will have busy lives and children of their own one day. The time they'll have for grandma will be limited. 

But when I'm gone and they are sitting there with their grandchildren, I want them to smile as they think back on a time when their grandmother took time out of a busy day to just play.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!














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Some days ya just need a start over button...

Good morning, everyone!!!

I should have stayed home yesterday, LOL. Right out of the gate a car sped out of a parking space, headed right into the road, (where I was driving), and came a foot from T-Boning me. I had to lay on the horn and pray hard, then brace for the impact. Fortunately, he stopped at this point and I wasn't hit. However, it was definitely an adrenaline rush to start the day.

From that moment on the day went downhill. 

The up side to this is I got quite a bit of work done. :)

That seems to be my go to, work until I feel better. Do odd things I wouldn't normally do and let my mind settle on what's the best course of action. Once I have that in mind then I move forward.

Sometimes being a deep thinker is not always the most ideal thing to be, but it does work out in the long run. 

Today, I press the reset button for the week. Start the week over and hopefully accomplish everything I need to get done this week. I have so much I want to do and I would really like to make a dent in my projects :) Yesterday I had to take care of business, today, we let the chips fall where they may. Plain and simple.

I'm a firm believer in karma, so let the karma begin. I am also a firm believer in my own peace and this I am struggling to hold onto but I am gripping it for dear life :) because I need this peace within me.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!











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New week...

Good morning, everyone!!!

Yep, it's Monday!!! Yep, new week, new possibilities, new goals, and yes, a chance to make things what I want them to be.

I survived last week :) High stress, but that's how I get through things sometimes. I've learned to quit expecting things from people which in turn has made my life a little easier :) You can't get upset if you're not expecting it, right?!?

The next two weeks are prep work for vacation :) We planned out the menu Friday evening. I made up a mess of pork chops for the trip last evening. Just a few more items to pick up for the food prep and things will be good :)

I learned to make blooming onions from scratch over the weekend. Different but definitely something I'd make again :) 

We worked on the garden a bit, picked cucumbers, squash, herbs, onions, peppers, and green beans. Went on a coyote hunt, didn't get him, but not giving up hope on that one. 

Yesterday the daughter-in-law, son, granddaughters, and the other two grandchildren came over. After we got my stove in the house and hooked up I cooked a new lasagna recipe :) Which was so easy and tasty :) Then the oldest granddaughter helped me shred a ton of zucchini and squash. We'll be making bread later this week :) 

I will start working on getting my list made for vacation so I can start getting things to the camper and put away for the ride to Hocking Hills. I'm excited to go there and can't wait to see this place in person. The pictures are so beautiful.

I need this get away for certain. 

Well everyone enjoy this new week. 

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!












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Ready for some relaxation...

Good morning, everyone!!!

Two more days and then two days off :) I've already made plans to go out to the farm for a few days. Thankfully I have a lovely place to go to destress :) 

It has been a week for sure. But I've survived 100% of my days so far. So, the way I look at it, that's a plus.

I've put in some long hours over the course of the last two days, but I've accomplished a lot so that's a plus. Hopefully today is a much easier day than the last few. I could really use just one easy day this week. One where I'm done on time. One where I can just go home when I'm done for the day and not feel like I've run a marathon :)

It's weeks like this one that remind me that taking care of oneself is a must. Taking time out and just being is also good for the soul, just as much so as a good day of hard work.

I've learned over the course of time to focus on what concerns me. Not to expect things from other people, because sometimes people give all they have and it will not always meet up to your expectations. Which is fine. Sometimes what one expects and what one gets is two very different things. We just have to learn to accept this and be okay with it.

We cannot please everyone all the time. So, we just do who we are and be happy with that. We also cannot expect people to like us 100% of the time. We need to be able to find peace with that as well.

Currently, I'm pretty sure I'm not the most likeable person to several people. I'm okay with that. Because right now my focus is getting through each day. Minute by minute. And yes, some days second by second. 

I made the decision to not always let people walk over me this year. You know the type, as long as you're putting up with their bullshit, then they like you. However, putting up with the bullshit isn't always in my own best interest. And besides, who wants to be likeable if you're losing a piece of yourself to be so?

You don't have to always be likeable to still care about people and what is going on in their lives. You just don't have to be in the midst of situations that do not serve you as a human being.

If being in the midst of a situation brings you stress, anger, hatred, the ability not to see the peace you wish to embrace in your life. Then it is probably a situation you should distance yourself from no matter how much you love and care for someone.

We have to let others learn their lessons in this life. We can't always be the one to 'make it right'. Sometimes people have to learn to pick themselves up to learn the lessons life is teaching.

Sometimes your hands are tied in situations you must deal with. Even when you know it's not right, you still have to put up with it because you are not the one who can make these changes. This is where I am today, learning to let go of the anger and rage that surrounds situations like these. Learning to let go of the powerless feeling and just keep moving forward. Then having to deal with the condescending attitude and self appointed God attitude that goes with the same situation. 

Sitting on a high horse looking down on everyone never has served anyone in a good light. I have to work hard to keep my focus on the long term goal. To not lose myself in the negative side of the situation and maintain some sort of balance. I see clearly this is the lesson life is tossing my way this year and I must learn to hold onto that peace I so crave and not allow the other emotions to overwhelm and take over.

This is why it is so important I seek out my peaceful places. Such as the farm, walks in the woods, rides on the golf cart through the woods, seeking out places I've never been before and adventures yet to be had. It helps me keep that balance.

I'm not saying it's not okay to be angry. I am saying it is not okay to hold onto that anger and let it consume all of who you are stealing from you every ounce of peace left within your soul.

Vent it out. Be done with it. And resume your peace.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!











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