Currently: I Am Not Bored

 

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW... as you can see from this image, we're experiencing some non-blue sky weather. The numbers this week are 86, 89, 89, 89, 85. Still have yet to reach 100°.

PONDERING... I intended to get a birthday card in the mail last week to my friend in Alaska but it never happened. When I finish this post, I'm going to write a long email, hopefully to make up for the fact I failed at sending a card. I used to be so diligent about sending cards.

WATCHING... Over the weekend, I dog sat for friends and watched Netflix. I watched a couple movies but I'll be darned if I can remember the titles. I also watched several episodes of The Ranch. Loved it. I need to watch it again though because I discovered I started the middle but didn't realize it until I watched the last episode in the 6th season. Not sure what happened there. It is really good but if you are offended by the F word, this series is not for you. 

READING... I did zero reading last week. I spent a lot of time outdoors hoeing up weeds and listening to podcasts.

PODCASTS... I listen to about 10 hours of podcasts every week while I'm walking my dogs. I'll leave you my favorite episode that maybe you'll want to check out. This morning I was "wowed" by a 25 minute talk on Oprah's SuperSoul Conversations. The episode is called Pastor John Gray: The Bridge. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not a religious person by any means at all but I am a very open-minded, loving human being who loves love and I love the language of love. This talk is soooooo good, I highly recommend it if you just need a warm fuzzy today. Here is the link to  SuperSoul Conversations. I use the Stitcher app on my phone but if you have an iPod, I believe there is a podcast app that comes with your phone that will get you there. P.S. I may have liked this particular episode because Oprah didn't speak a word in it.  

THIS WEEK… There are a couple of days with nothing on the calendar but it likely won't stay that way. Today, I am going to photograph a new dog socialization class that is doing a trial run. Tonight, Remi and I have dog class. Later this week, I am dog sitting for a friend. In between, I'll be doing more clean up on an area that has been neglected. I have not been bored even one minute since I retired.

FAVORITE THINGS... I stopped at my favorite thrift store downtown as they had a 50% off sign and I physically could not drive past it without going in. I almost squealed when I found these hardly-worn Eddie Bauer skorts on the rack in my size for $2! I have the exact same pair already that I live in all summer. These skorts are $65 brand new. You'd squeal too, right? And, don't tell my other dogs, but Remi (pictured here) is my favorite.

EMBRACING... I don't know what I am embracing right at this moment.

A QUOTE TO SHARE... “The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog.” – M.K. Clinton

love, susan

 

Dog Language



 

Remi and I are back in dog class again. I'm a self proclaimed dog training groupie. I love everything about going to dog school. Being outside with my canine tops the list. This class is being held at a really nice, shaded park. There is space for us to spread out and not be bothered by other people. We're in a small, beginners "puppy" class. Although Remi is far from being a puppy, we're there to support a friend who is completing studies in dog behavior, and is being trained to be a trainer. Plus, if the truth be known, training your dog is never done. My dogs have all attended training and we use what we've learned every day. The other great thing about going to dog class is the exposure to other dogs. Remi needs that.

 

This week, we learned about dogs reading other dogs' body language. While I was in my back yard taking photos this week, I shot a perfect example of Remi's ear language when she is feeling fearful. You'll note that prior to Abbie walking into her space, her ears were perky and she was just minding her own business, enjoying the sunshine. THEN, Abbie decided to sniff the Remeister. In the 2nd photo, you'll notice Remi's ears are back and almost plastered to her head, indicating she may lose her mind. Oddly enough, Remi just blew it off. Weird. Perhaps she is becoming more tolerant. Typically their fights are over either food or the Kong. We are vigilant about not feeding them together, and the Kong is kept up unless we go outside to throw it. Remi is considered a "reactive" dog.

 

We also learned about "wait" in class this week. Remi and I have been to many classes together and although she knows how to wait, we can use this training for getting in and out of the car. The only time she gets to ride in the car is to dog class or the dog park. I'm going to try to record a video of us walking to the car next week so I can show you how excited she gets.

 

Training is never done.

 

Do you know how to read dog language?

Remi, enjoying a moment in the sun.



Abbie taking a sniff. See Remi's ears? Abbie should know better by
now but she seems to be a slow learner. 
(No dogs were harmed in this exchange. LOL!)

Here is what followed:

And, then there is Missy:





Missy actually gave me the time of day for once. I may or may not
have mentioned a treat to get this look.



Currently: A Life List

CURRENTLY is a great idea I snagged from a fellow blogger I follow, Paula over at  Smidgens, Bits, and Snippets. Hope you'll read something here that inspires you to do something, try something, or be something different.

 

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW...

The sun is up and there are some humid clouds hanging out. We are below the average temp for this time of year in Eastern Washington. We have not hit 100° yet.

 

PONDERING...

This morning I got a video chat from a friend who works out of town. Yesterday she experienced racism up close and personal and she shared the experience with me. If you don't believe that racism is alive and well, you must be living under a rock. My heart hurts for her. Ignorance and fear is a powerful force.

 

WATCHING...

Over the weekend, I watched several episodes of My Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman on Netflix. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. There are only 2 seasons and the episodes are about 40 minutes each. David Letterman is an excellent interviewer and you'll see a side of him that is far more human than what we saw on his late night show. I especially loved the episode with Ellen DeGeneres. Keep Kleenex handy.

 

READING...

Oh dear. I have a couple of books going right now. Ugh. I am committing right here, right now to finish reading The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen this week. I rarely read fiction but this book was my book club's pick and although they already read it and discussed it on Saturday, that discussion has prompted me to finish it. I've been into podcasts lately so I am adding that as a topic next.

 

PODCASTS...

My favorite thing to do now that I am not working is to take long walks with my dogs and listen to podcasts. I have several queued up in my Stitcher app and could write a whole post about podcasts. My favorite last week was a series on Oprah's SuperSoul Conversations with Eckhart Tolle using his book The New Earth as the topic. They talked about several chapters in a 10-part series. I'm not always a fan of Oprah ... something about her voice really bugs me but I loved this series and if you are looking for a spiritual shift in thinking, I recommend this free series. I also listened to a couple of interviews on Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard. Dax is always a little naughty in his podcasts (warning for anyone who might be offended easily) and he doesn't keep it a secret that he was sexually abused as a child. He has been sober for a lot of years and talks a lot about that with his guests. I love, love, LOVE listening to him.

 

EATING...

I've been trying to eat better but it is a struggle right now. Never give up, that's my motto.

 

PLANNING...

I'm taking a friend to a doctor's appointment today. I have dog training class tonight with Remi but other than that, my calendar is free. I am doing a dog sitting job Saturday/Sunday. Beyond that, I am working in my back yard pulling weeds every day and trying to make it look better. I have been tackling little projects inside the house when it gets too hot to work outdoors. The podcasts help me with things I don't love doing.

 

FAVORITE THINGS...

So, I have a ceramic Starbucks cup I use for my coffee every morning. I always heat it up with boiling water before I pour my coffee and warmed-up creamer in.

 

EMBRACING...

I am embracing the here and now.

 

A QUOTE TO SHARE...

You never get what you don't ask for.

 

love, susan

 

What's on your current life list?

Embracing Life Changers

My dog laying next to me while I read.
She has my heart, this one.

I've been walking a lot since my last day of work. People told me I'd be busy and wonder how I got anything done before, and that has proven to be true. The days fly by and they've been all good days. Love that. My word for 2019 is embrace. I've been embracing every waking moment lately.

 

On dog poo bags ... While I was walking this morning, I was thinking about dog poop bags. Silly thought, I know. Here's why. My friend from Alaska was talking about her dog poop bags and how much she hates the smell of them. Apparently, they are scented. She must have a lot of them because I'd think she would just buy different ones and throw out those smelly ones. She is sensible that way. So I gave her a roll of my dog poo bags and told her it was my gift to her. She is always bringing me something from Alaska when she visits. I'm embarrassed that I rarely have something for her in return. This trip though, I did give her a painting that a local artist did from a photo I had provided of my friend's dog and cat. She really loved it but I'm also hoping she loves those poo bags just as much, ya know?

 

Speaking of practical things ... while we were on the road trip last month, my friend secretly ordered me a lighted magnifying mirror that attaches to my big bathroom mirror. We had more than one serious conversation about the rogue hairs us old ladies grow on our chins. Before this magical mirror, I had to use a chemical hair remover on my face and it was so harsh. Not now. Can I just tell you how much I love this new mirror? Holy shit! It is a life changer. Along with it, she gave me a little hand held mini shaver that is just for that peach fuzz we get on our face. How did I live without it?

 

A new travel bag ... had to be ordered while I was in Denver. The zipper on my old bag decided to not work and I had to use a fork to get it open. My son suggested I order a new bag on Amazon that could be delivered before we had to leave. I would have never though tto do that on my own. That old bag had seen some miles, let me tell you. I was not sorry to leave it behind. It never was something I loved but I think this bag may go in the love column.

 

I haven't been writing much and honestly, I've lost my creative spark. Tomorrow I think I'll go back to a weekly post called Currently that I snagged from a blogger I read regularly. 

 

So, I'm curious, what one or two items do you own that you think are life changers? Tell me!

 

love, susan



Road Trip to Denver: Epic Stuff That Rocked

I am five days back from an 11 day road trip to Denver. If I don't get this written, it will be lost. As it is, I'm on to the next thing already. Perhaps I'll just leave you with a few takeaways from this epic road trip.GIRLS ROCK There was a time in my life when I would not have even entertained the idea of driving the number of miles (2,200) we did on this trip. When my friend from high school said she'd go on the trip with me, I was all in. We're doin' it, I said. We've been on four other trips together and discovered we are the best of traveling friends, despite my snoring. While renting the car, the sales guy offered us a reasonable answer to the possibility that we'd need a tire changed or a tow for a total of $24.99 and we grabbed it. That alone was the biggest relief for me. I can change a tire but it has been a long time since I had to, and I am not confident I wouldn't screw it up. Luckily, this trip we had no flats. Girls rock because we don't worry about how many times we stop to pee. We just do it. Stretch the legs and air out a bit. When we wanna stop to eat, we don't worry that it will add time to our trip. We're not trying to beat the clock.  SALT LAKE CITY ROCKS A quick stop for lunch with my friend's financial advisor was delightful. We had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory as we sat outside. SLC is one of my favorite cities are far as aesthetics go. It's great for people watching. A nice memory from that day was driving around an underground parking lot at least 10 times looking for a spot to park. On that last go around, we found a spot. My friend was a little anxious (she may have had to pee) but I think it helped her see that I have a lot of patience when it comes to such matters as finding a parking space. I'm like a dog on a bone that way. TWIN FALLS (Idaho) Shoshone Falls are worth seeing. It was not far from the AirBnB we rented. My friend found several marmots to talk to and photograph. We talked to a nice young couple with two kids who are on a one year road trip in lieu of public schooling. How great would be that be? They took a picture for us. GRAND JUNCTION  (Colorado) is high desert country. We didn't have time to see the national historic park there but I sure did love the weather. Warm and dry. DENVER ROCKS We had a little trouble with the maps on the phone and overshot our exit driving into the mile high city but a quick, verbal phone call to my kids gave us good old fashioned directions to their place. Once there, we walked everywhere except to the Denver Botanic Gardens. Denver is made up of neighborhoods and everything we needed was right in the 'hood where the kids currently live. It's a beautiful city and alive with millenials who love great food and dogs. So many dogs. YELLOWSTONE ROCKS My friend and I were happy to be able to check this off our bucket lists but I don't think either one of us will ever go again. The traffic made it a less fun experience. I had been warned about the traffic and it's no joke. No, thank you. PEOPLE ROCK I enjoyed everyone and everything about this adventure. The details are not important. What I want to remember when I read this again is that we had no set agenda about how things were going to go down except for where we were going to sleep next. I love it when people are at ease and don't worry about having to entertain me. We laughed a lot between us. Kathy Crenshaw, if you're reading this, I love you to pieces!

 

In looking back, this road adventure is just what I needed to ease into my retirement life. I had a couple of sleepless nights after my last day of work. I hadn't expected that. This trip was a pattern interruption that I needed for the transition. I have a feeling I'll go back to work sometime ... part-time. But for now, I am enjoying having time to pull weeds, walk my dogs, and enjoy a nap.

 

Life is just one big road trip with lots of stops, if you really think about it.

 

Do you love road trips? Tell me your favorite thing about road driving.

 

love, susan

 

At Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls, Idaho



Susan and Brenda Lanza in Florence, MT (cold that day!)



Grand Tetons in Wyoming



Pinedale, Wyoming (my favorite stay)



Lori Leyba, Kathy Crenshaw, and me.

 

51 Things About Me

I've been doing a little blog hopping the last couple of weeks, enjoying other people's writing. Just found a new one I think I'm going to love called Kwizgiver.  I'm going to try to write a 100 Things list inspired by Kwizgiver.  Not sure if I can think of 100 things but we'll see. Here goes. Very random. If you make it through all 100  51, you'll know a little bit more about me ... probably more than you want to know.

1. I got my blog name by combining my self-given nickname (Suddenly Susan) and my ever current mood (freezerburned).
2. Freezerburned because I lived in Alaska until I was age 42.
3. Dying by freezing to death is one of my greatest fears. I hate being cold.
4. SuddenlySusan because I went through a major life change at age 42. A memoir someday.
5. Won 5th place in the salmon derby in my little hometown of Haines, Alaska when I was a teenager. My salmon was just ounces shy of 40 lbs. if my memory serves me right (which is doesn't most times).
6. I came to hate fishing later on in life. That's a whole chapter for my memoir.
7. There are 3 dogs and 1 husband at my house.
8. Gardening is not a skill I have but I like to grow a few things.
9. Photography is a weekend hobby I have enjoyed for a long time and always looking to improve.
10. I retired recently. Not sure how long that will last. Maybe I'm just in between jobs?
11. My typing speed is 75 wpm. I love to type.
12. I also love to handwrite anything.
13. I love to journal but sometimes get stuck in a funk and that's the first thing I quit doing.
14. My journals are kept in a box in my closet. I'm not sure anyone will enjoy reading them when I am gone but I can't imagine burning them. Spoiler alert: my biggest secrets are not there. I told them to one trusted, closed-mouth friend who will go to her grave with them.
15. My favorite dog is the worst behaved one.
16. Insomnia has been cropping up a lot this year. Changes are coming and I seem to think about them most when I'm trying to sleep.
17. I am a minimalist wanna be.
18. Writing 100 things about yourself is not easy. You should try it.
19. Fonts are another thing I love along with typing. This particular BlogSpot is limited to only a few. A downside, me thinks.
20. Did I tell you I am adopted?
21. California is where I entered this world, which may explain why I hate being cold. I was in foster care until age 18 months.
22. My half-sister is a little older than me and I have met her a few times.
23. Seasonal affective disorder is something I've suffered with all my adult life. I need sunshine more than most people.
24. Road traveling is my preferred way to go.
25. Pet peeve: being late.
26. I don't love cats. I like friendly felines though.
27. Pollyanna has nothing on me.
28. Coffee is my beverage of choice.
29. Everyone is allotted a certain amount of alcohol in their lifetime, and I drank mine up by age 42.
30. Sugar is my kryptonite.
31. Cooking shows are my favorite to binge on.
32. Some people call me grandma.
33. Arizona has been home to me.
34. Napping is a guilty pleasure of mine.
35. Oh. My. God. This is hard.
36. I swear a lot.
37. I'm trying to quit swearing so much.
38. If the gas tank is half empty, I think it needs filled.
39. When I'm overly hungry, I am a horrible person.
40. Reading is a favorite pastime but I find myself terribly distracted and struggle to finish books.
41. Future tripping is not my deal.
42. I am always looking for new ideas.
43. My dark side loves true crime.
44. It's not easy to talk about myself ... I don't think I have 100 things.
45. So, it's my post and I can cut it short if I want to.
46. Oh, I have a very heavy foot when I drive.
47. Are we there yet?
48. Almost.
49. I use a Rolodex for all my passwords. Some young people don't even know what a Rolodex is.
50. Yeah, I can't do 100.
51. I try.

I changed the title for this blog post to 51 Things. Kind of sick of talking about me.

 

love, susan

Right Here, Right Now

While on a girlfriend road trip two years ago, my Alaska buddies asked me if I was going to retire when I turned 60. Uh, no, I said. I'm working for medical insurance. They reminded me that I had worked in Tier 2 for the State of Alaska and since I had vested I would qualify for retirement at age sixty. When I got home from that trip, I did a little research and here I am, 3 days away from retirement thanks to the State of Alaska, my ex-mother-in-law (who encouraged me to work for the state), and those girlfriends who were looking out for me. I pushed legal papers at the attorney general's office which was perhaps the most boring job I've ever had. 

 

Today I turned 60.

 

It feels weird to say that. I don't feel like what I imagined 60 to be. I did a little body inventory this morning. Besides the tiny ache in my fingers from what I can only surmise to be inflammation, or arthritis trying to come on, I feel healthy. Oh, and that pesky presbylarynx I was recently diagnosed with.  I was sitting with my cup of coffee, looking out the window, when a strong sense of connection to my past came wooshing in.

 

I have so much to say.

 

I have so much to say that it falls apart when I think about how I would go about saying it. My writer friends who read this know exactly what I mean. Trying to reel it in and write it so it makes sense and maybe can help someone else who has struggled with life decisions is like nailing jello to a tree.

 

I don't need to have a near death experience to have my life  flash before my eyes. It happens to me on a frequent basis. One day while I lived in Alaska, while riding the bus to work at my state job, I looked out the window and thought shit, is this all there is? I just didn't buy it. I was unhappy. Things would go so far downhill from that moment and I didn't even know it.

 

But I survived.

 

I only have 9 minutes remaining to finish this post before I have to get ready for work. I can hardly wait for my time to be my own.

 

This story to be continued.

 

love, susan

 

Monday Upsides: Indecision

 This would have been my last Monday working at the county attorney's office but for the holiday. Four days left and my days will be different for awhile. People keep asking me what I'm going to do after I'm not working. The only thing I can say is I'll do exactly what I do now when I'm not working but more of it, ya know? I picture taking a longer route for my morning walks with Remi. A life goal is to try wearing her out, and topping my personal best on the Fitbit. I don't know what that number is but let me just set it at 15,000 steps, right here right now.

 

We're not sure exactly what our next step is to be. We need to really sit down and have some serious conversations about it. The time is right to sell this place and move to a smaller abode where maintenance is far less. Yuma, Arizona is high on our radar. The thought of moving is really daunting, especially with 3 dogs. We have big items that need to be sold or donated. I'm personally not in a hurry to make decisions about it but the thought of living another winter like this last one where we had 8 snow storms in a month ... well ... you know. I see no reason to stay through that. But, it could happen. I was talking with a good friend yesterday and she said they had thought about selling their place but then talked it through and changed their minds. I feel like we haven't processed completely yet what we need to process.

 

The Denver road trip is so close that I am thinking about it constantly. My friend from Alaska and I have not seen each other for two years now. The way I am figuring it, we'll have approximately 35+ hours of  road time to talk to our hearts' content. I love that kind of undivided attention.

 

The hubs has been doing some outdoor painting. He thinks the stake I placed in my herb garden is a perfect place for hanging his painting glove while he rests. (eye roll inserted here) Regardless of what our next move is to be, we have a wagon load of work to be done around this place.  I am up for living in a place where there is far less maintenance to do.

 

MONDAY UPSIDES:

Only 4 working days remain.

The sun is shining and there is a slight breeze. Perfect weather.

My work clothes are all clean and hung up today.

We haven't gotten into another war yet.

My 60th birthday is this week!

We have choices to make and time to make them.

I'll be writing a final Monday upside next week and then I will move on to something else. Got ideas?

 

love, susan

 

 

The hubs was painting this week.

We're working on some chair time this weekend.

Monday Upsides: Don't Stop This Train

Book Club was on my mind this morning as I was walking my dogs. We recently read Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. I had heard it before (audible) but if I haven't said this before, the beauty of getting old is that everything is new. Movies, books, conversations. My memory is not what it used to be. I loved this book the first time I listened to it and I loved it again this time. If you are a creative, this book will speak to you.

 

One of the questions we discussed in book club was what inspires you? I'm not very quick with my answers to questions like that. Seasons inspire me in different ways. I'm inspired in the dark winters to write more. Summer light causes me to spend a lot more time outdoors with my camera, where I see everything. But on my morning walk today, it came to me that music is an all-season inspiration for me. I listen to a set playlist every morning on my walks until I can't stand it any longer and change it up. John Mayer, Van Halen, Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Seger, etc.

 

John Mayer wrote a song that I identify with called Stop This Train. I'll leave you with my favorite lines from this song below but they are even better when he is singing them. I'm his number one fan.

 

Monday Upsides:

• This is my last working Monday. We have a holiday next week and the 31st is my last working day. It's getting very real.
• The sun is shining today.
• My cactus are blooming.
• I am back into my Bright Lines Eating book. I've gained 23 lbs. since last July. I am not a quitter so I am simply back at it ... one day at a time.
• At least I have stretchy skirts I still fit into.
• All my medical insurance cards have arrived. We are covered!

Stop this train (John Mayer)
I want to get off and go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know I can't
But, honestly, won't someone stop this train?

 

So scared of getting older
I'm only good at being young
So I play the numbers game
To find a way to say that life has just begun

Had a talk with my old man
Said, "Help me understand"
He said, "Turn sixty-eight
You'll…

Had a talk with my old man
Said, "Help me understand"
He said, "Turn sixty-eight
You'll renegotiate"

"Don't stop this train
Don't for a minute change the place you're in
And don't think I couldn't ever understand
I tried my hand
John, honestly, we'll never stop this train"

 

love, susan

What Up Wednesday!

❡ Since the sun has arrived, my world has been busy.  Here it is Wednesday and I never got my Monday Upsides written.  The time between now and my last day of work seems to be dragging like ... I don't know what. Slow motion. That's what it feels like. ❡ Late last week, I received my medical insurance cards from the State of Alaska, which means we are officially covered starting June 1. When I applied for retirement through the State of Alaska back in January, I was ahead of the game but then it was sit and wait time. They don't really communicate very well so I had to trust the process. Over the years, I've become good at that. Still. I did worry a little about it. We cannot afford to be without medical insurance. Luckily, through my current job, I am covered through the end of June, so if things got messed up with my retirement, at least I could beg for my job back. But, alas, there will be no begging. ❡  Can I just say ... I am ready to move on to what's next in my life.   Well meaning people have asked me what are you going to do when you don't work anymore? I can't help it, I think it's an odd question if you know me. My life is so full beyond my work hours. But, since they ask, I give them a run down. Read, write, photography, walk the dogs, made fabulous meals for the hubs, wash my car, etc. You know. All the things you never have enough time for. There is a whole blog post waiting to be written about time anxiety. ❡  But for now, I need to get through the next 2-1/2 weeks. After that, I have a week off and then heading out on a road trip adventure with a good friend for 11 days. ❡  I'm upping my Fitbit game since the weather is better and my dogs never balk at going for a walk. I long for the day when I can go a little further than yesterday. I put on 14,000 steps yesterday! WHAAAT?  Yes, I did.  ❡  Well, that's it for now. Later gater.  love, susan

Monday Upsides: Too Many to List

Only 4 weeks of work left. I am not going to lie ... it has not been easy to keep going. I think partly because I haven't had much on my evening calendar, the days are a little slower. Meeting up with a friend tonight after work. Hoping to put some other events on my calendar this week. I like having something to look forward to on a daily, weekly, monthly, yearly basis. Not to future trip but just knowing there are fun things ahead helps get through the days. Yesterday, I drove out to the farm and took photos of 3 rescue pitbulls. I have gained a great appreciation for this breed because of my volunteer work. They are characters. They come in all sizes and I sure like the small ones.  We had a friend from the west side visit this weekend. I got some weeding done on my real estate, and slipped a nap in yesterday. We also took a road trip to Walla Walla to share an omelet at a local café  (The Maple Counter Café) I have been wanting to try. It was worth the drive. 

MONDAY UPSIDES:

The sun is shining and we're going into the 80's this week.

The ibuprofen I took last night before bed helped with my aching back after weeding.

Change is in the air.

I've got ideas.

After today, I have 2 Mondays left. My last week is a holiday week!

Got upsides this week?  Tell me!

love, susan