embrace

 

 

 

 

 

The intensity of this embrace can be mesmerizing for me.  I have always liked this print and thinking of purchasing it.  This one in particular is a more close up view than the more popular print of the full length of their bodies.  It seems as though they are melting into one and absorbed into each other's embrace.  She looks as if in a world set apart from her surroundings.  Is this only an appearance of love?  An embrace depends on what it signifies.  For me this print illustrates the closeness that each of us want in life.  But an embrace can be however close or apart as you want it to be.  The emotional aspect can mean all the difference.

 

 

 

"Not all who wander are lost." 
J.R.R.Tolkien

Today was absolutely gorgeous outside.  The weather is getting warmer and warmer with each passing day.  Springtime feels like it is here to stay.  These are the kind of days that I just want to take the canoe out of storage, visit the lake and do some fishing :)   

 

Experience Works

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daniel went on an overnight field trip with 20 kids from his AIM class at school.  It was located 150 miles north of Atlanta at the Experience Works Camp.  This is a unique learning experience camp that promotes team building, leadership and self esteem.  They work together at problem solving, creative thinking and acomplishment.  Daniel climbed the rock wall, repelled, built a catamaran with his team and had a great adventure.  Not too bad for a 10 year old!  He came home exhausted but enjoyed every moment. 

A challenge

Sometimes I get one pulled over on me because I tend to believe in what I am told.   In other words, I choose to believe that people wouldn't lie.  That on occasions will have consequences.  After purchasing an item from a reputable company, I was given a rebate form for $130 to mail in.  After looking over the form in the store I noticed the purchase by date had been expired.  The representative said not to worry. She said they use these forms all the time and it will definitely work.  Well, go figure.  Checking online today for the status, it stated "sorry, rebate expired".  Since I always like a challenge in the business world,  I called and explained the situation.  I have learned from experience that stating the facts without yelling or demeaning the person will get you everywhere.  My $130 check will be arriving in 15 days.  Success...the only way to go. :)

The beach

 

My patience had to come into play these last few days if I wanted to keep any type of sanity.   With the upgrade of this computer and all that went with it, I would have to say I've kept my cool. We have yet to get all the programs on here that I use for my work and the pictures that I play around with.  This is done every year for my benefit but it seems to take forever when it happens.  With that said, I feel I have the time to dream of  being back on the beach at Paradise Island with the sand feeling as powdery as you can imagine and stuck between my toes .  The water is crystal clear and the birds are singing sweetly around me.   I can feel the energy from the sun filling up inside of me and the warmth encircling me like a blanket.  The views are spectacular with the lush trees all around and the feeling of tranquility fills the air......  ahhhhhhhhh...... In the background I hear....."we're up and running!" ! ?  Gees....back to reality.  lol

Spring

 

 

 

 

A little madness in the spring is wholesome even for the King.  Emily Dickinson

Spring is here and beauty is in the air.  I spent yesterday outside working in the yard and enjoying the warm sunshine and the blooming flowers.  This is the time of year when ideas come flooding in.   I have thoughts of putting in a small pond to grow some water lillies.  This will add a sense of calmness to my garden with the flowing water.....something that I crave and look for in my garden as I hide out.  :)

 

thoughts within

 

I can still feel you holding me
with your arms encircled around
your eyes are looking deeply into mine
your smile is intriguing
are we here alone?
or is everything at a distance just in our mind?
these thoughts that are within
are here and now
the same as it was then
it can't escape with time
we are alone
as time stood still
and the sun shone brightly around
the only sound was that of the quiet
and the only thing on our mind
was the next moment

 

 The only way to escape the personal corruption of praise is to go on working.  Albert Einstein  

 Thank you to all who voted for my journal.  Carol

 I am only an entertainer who has understood his time.  Pablo Picasso 

We hiked a local mountain this past weekend for a little fun in the sun.  The views  were the skyline of Atlanta and Stone Mountain.   I had my camera as usual and started taking some pictures of my surroundings.  Then I looked up and saw this gorgeous sky and thought what a great picture this would make.  It ended up being my favorite shot.

My life can sometimes be hectic, sometimes calm......thriving on the hectic and flourishing with the calm.  They are intertwined.  I get things done faster with pressure, yet feel unruffled during that time.  I expect the best of myself in what I set out to do, however accept things when I do less.  I listen to others with focused attention and feel disappointment when it is not returned.  I feel energized by a tiny speck of love and overwhelmed when lavished abundantly.  Rejection can crush me, yet I've learned to brush it off and continue on.   I find  honesty my best quality and not afraid to speak it.   I feel friendships should last a lifetime and do my best to make it happen.  My outlook on life has always been positive and feel there is no room for pessimism to overshadow.  This....is in the life of Carol....

Friends

This is one of my friends that amuse me during the day as I look out my window.  :)   Sometimes I think he is watching me since my computer faces that window!  I continue to feed these guys even though I have neighbors that dislike it.  They seem to bring the outdoors into me on days when being outside has to wait.  I call that a good friend.  lol

I could use you here tonight
to hold my hand
and wipe away my tears
built up from this time of missing you... 

and as the lonely night goes by
thoughts of you linger in the air...
I close my eyes and see your smile
which seems to lighten my mood...
holding on to that will get me through 

I miss you like crazy...
1/23/04

beauty

 

The sunsets this time of year have been gorgeous and I find myself mesmorized by the fleeting colors.  How beautiful it can be for the little time that it shows....but, how warm it can make one feel.  :)

Keep on going and the chances are you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I have never heard of anyone stumbling on something sitting down.
            -- Charles F. Kettering

 

    

 My mind is racing and I can't seem to sit still.  I glance at my reflection and it seems to be on an endless journey of discovery. I see others feeling content with pure passiveness and it appears foreign.  I don't confuse this with the quiet time meant only for me, for it is in those times that my imagination runs wild.  These long moments are simultaneous to the calmness of my being, as I am quietly persistant in what I set out to do.

 

 It figures my first purchase on ebay would be concert tickets for Prince.  We have some serious ebay people living here that watch it everyday and purchase items just about every day.  I am always the one that couldn't understand their excitement with it.  That is until yesterday.  :)
I remembered at dinner last night that the concert tickets went on sale at noon.  I had forgotten to get online and purchase them. I turned around and signed onto Ticketmaster to find tickets.  That is when the emotions went flying. The best priced tickets of $77.00 were sold out.  OK I thought, the $50.00 range won't be too bad.  At least I'll be there.  Well, the only seats left were the ones way up in peanut heaven!  Those are the seats that you can touch the ceiling!  My first thought was just try again.  No luck.  The disappointment shown and I was yelling at everyone, until my 14 year old said "lets get them on Ebay." Huh?
He proceeded to pull up ebay and listed were tons of tickets!  Good tickets!  We found something and I said to bid on them. OK, he said, but you have to wait 6 days to see if you win them.  WHAT???  At this point my heart was racing.  He went on to say I could purchase them now at a different price.  All right, do it!  Can't do that he said, they're $300.00 for 2 tickets!  WHAT???  He said, I'm getting Dad.  Well, go get him I yelled back, I'm getting the tickets!  For some reason he wouldn't let go of the wireless mouse.  I was getting pretty upset.
Next thing you know I got hold of the mouse, hit click....bought... for $300.00+. My son looked at me in amazement while I just sat there and smiled.  Floor tickets...row 13.  I think we both learned something about each other last night.  lol

memories

Sometimes I dream of a different time and it lifts me from the shadows, creeps back in my heart and settles in just right. This feeling is one that comes and goes like wisp of air. It shows of times when thoughts never linger and each new incident is only replaced by another.  I remember the freshness and lightness surrounding me, but not knowing it at the time. These memories carry me.

Kiss

 

 

 

 

As I was searching online for new art,  I once again came across one of my favorites from Ron D'Raine.  I have always loved this print but could never find a place in my home for it.  It just makes me smile when I look at it.  I think we all can remember that first kiss.  I just wonder if we also had that look of content on us like the little one does in this picture.  :)

My Life

    

 

"What one has not experienced, one will never understand in print."Isadora Duncan, My Life 

The last few days have literally opened up my world to a whole new outlook.  My surgery Monday went well to remove the cataract in my right eye and replace it with an implant lens. I awoke yesterday and made my way downstairs and stood alone at my front door with tears streaming down my cheeks.  After 2 days of everything looking red following the surgery, my eye cleared and I instantly began seeing unclouded objects.  Everything looked so sharp and with such vivid colors that I stood there for what seemed like forever and just looked around.  How easily I had forgotten what bright colors were.  I find myself full of anticipation of what beautiful things there are in this world to view.  After waiting years to have the courage to get this done, I am now looking forward to having the left eye fixed.  It can't come soon enough. 
Life if good.  :)