Fall comes to San Diego

What a glorious morning.  The sun is shining and there is actually a chill in the morning air.  Ladies I think we have Fall in San Diego.  I have looked at pictures of pumpkins, Fall festivals in the country and leaves of reds and golds, but all in other states where they is a real Fall. While we will never have that type of Fall in California, this cool weather is highly anticipated, especially by me.

There are 18 days until Halloween and my house looks like Fall, at least on the inside. I love to decorate for Halloween and my moto is "too much is not enough".

Hope your October morning is lovely wherever you are.

Welcome October

I am getting in the mood for the season change and cant wait for the cool weather of fall.  I started my Halloween decorating yesterday and still have a long way to go.  I will post pics when I am finished.

Let's see what is happening here.  I still cant see out of my right eye and the Dr says my body is not absorbing the blood in my eye so it will have to be removed by surgery.  As much as I detest the thought of another surgery on my eye, it will be worth it if I can see out of that eye again. We take so much for granted until it's taken away.  Everything is a challenge and once again I am having another lesson in patience.  Still and all, for a self confessed control freak this continues to be hard for me to get used to so lets hope this surgery takes care of the problem permanently.

I will have surgery on 10/16 so I have 10 days to get my house in order.  I have decided to have a Halloween party to celebrate Halloween and the return of my sight.  Since I don't know what to expect in the way of recovery, I need to get as much done as possible now. So 10 days and counting.

I have been off work since 8/13 so I will have a big adjustment when I go back, hopefully on 11/3.
I could easily get used to not working, but that is not an option for a while yet.  So I am off today for a little Halloween shopping so I can finish the decorating and post the results.

Happy fall ladies....
Sherry

SUMMER'S LAST DANCE

We find ourselves coming into my favorite time of the year, Autumn or Fall.  When the colors turn to the warm shades of gold brown and orange and there is that crispness to the air that makes you want to sit by a warm fire.  Halloween is will be here before we know it and I am hoping the hot days of summer will recede until next year. As a child born in the last quarter of the year, I crave the cooler weather and cant wait to build my first fire of the season. In California the weather will remain hot for at least another month, maybe longer. So the first chance to put the blankets back on the bed and change to flannel sheets will not happen before the end of October at best.

I usually wait until October 1 to put up the fall decorations just because somehow pumpkins just dont go with 90 degree weather in my mind. Halloween is my most absolute favorite holiday and have always wished I was able to change birthdays with my brother who was born on Halloween. I think the trade would be even as I was born on Christmas day.

Another Fall adventure is always the Renaissance Faire which happens this year at the end of Sept.
I have several costumes that I have worn over the years and if I stay away from the Mexican food and pasta for a while I should be able to wear them.  Even at 63 years I still love to dress up. I know if Serena lived closer she would be right there with me playing and enjoying the day in forest of old oaks, in the company of pirates, fairies, gypsies, wenches and cunning folk. 

So ladies and gents, lets celebrate the turning of the wheel to the coming season of beautiful colors and magical days.  The falling leaves of gold, brown and red and the warmth of heath, home and family.

Sherry

Learning Patience the Hard Way

I have many good qualities, but sadly patience has never been one of them. Somewhere it has been decided that I acquire this virtue, or at least something passable.
 I was having trouble with my vision in eye with the melanoma and saw my Dr. last Wednesday to find out what is going on.  As it turns out a blood vessel was leaking a casing the vision problem.  So without warning they did a laser procedure on my eye that required my eye be blocked or completely anesthetized to avoid any movement during this procedure.  That translates to A SHOT IN THE EYE!!!!  Now I'm quite sure that shots are not at the top of anyone's favorite things, but on my list there is not a place low enough to put this experience.  The only good thing I can say is that I had no advance warning or I would have stressed over this for days. I HATE NEEDLES..can't even look at them. Anyway I got through the procedure and the shot was the worst part, and the black eye does nothing for me,  but for the last 5 days I've had no sight in that eye. The Dr. said it would come back slowly but to what degree he couldn't say.
This is where the patience part comes in.  Not having sight in both eyes completely messes up your depth perception and how you navigate.  Something as simple a pouring liquid into a glass requires thought and adjustment.  I have not even considered trying to drive and having that freedom taken away is hardest of all.  When I want to go I just go, not so right now.  I think tomorrow I will attempt to go back to work and see (HA HA) how that goes.  I cant get into too much trouble sitting at a desk.  I shall have to find substitutes for some of the expletives I have used in the past days...
Blogging and pinterest can eat of the better part of a day so I have not been bored and I have finished a couple of projects that have sat for far too long.
I cant wait for my sight to come back even if only in part.  A little is better than none.
I know Patience....

Sherry

GOOD NEWS

I think the Gods have smiled on me once again.  I got the news from my PET scan and nothing has changed since Jan, which is very good news. I feel like I should be planning something big to celebrate so I will have to give this some thought.

I know I am very very fortunate and I am ever so grateful to

WHAT'S IN YOUR FUTURE

Let's gaze into the crystal ball, layout the cards, read the tea leaves, cast the runes...
Whatever the messenger be...what does your future see...

So many answers to this question. Will it be destiny, fate or karma.  Is our future in the hands of another or do we mold our own future. The answers are endless, depending on who you ask.  So basically our future is molded by our belief system.
I have always felt that I control my future to an extent  and then there are some things you can not control.

Yesterday I had another PET scan and now I wait, yet again, to see what my future holds, for the short term or maybe the long term. As I have not been blessed with patience, this wait for answers is an eternity for me.  So I distract myself as best I can and try not to dwell on it.  I ask myself "what do you want".  In reality, if the answers were not governed by certain conditions like the need to continue working, or other necessary obligations, my answer would be...

I would like to be around people who are happy, fun, interesting and care about one another. I would be able to get up every morning and go to the gym and or work in the garden. I would go to school or take a class to learn something new. My days would be my own with enough time to do as I wished, to be wherever or with whomever I pleased.  No time limits on anything. Just to have more time to hear the wind in the trees or the waves crashing at the beach, smell the sea air, see the beauty of nature or the smiles on happy faces. feel the caress of water on my skin or the rhythm of music in your heart.   No too much, not unattainable... so I will continue to believe.

What would your future hold if the gypsy should speak to you...

Anything is possible..
Sherry

Happy July 4TH

Happy July 4th to all..
I hope your day is filled with happy celebration and your night is as magical as seeing the moon with diamonds in her hair. She is only a crescent right now, but beautiful all the same. She is known by many names, but I like Mead Moon or the Moon of Middle Summer for July.
She has been worshipped and named by many from time immemorial. She is the bringer of light, love and blessings to those who adore her. She can take your breath away with her beauty and inspire words from the heart.
 Like a peacock spreading it's tail she is at her finest when she is full and there is nothing quite as magical as walking outside at midnight and the light is so bright as to be almost like the day.
I think everyone has a favorite memory of being stunned by the beauty of a full moon.
Mine was in August probably 10 years ago.  I was coming home from the company picnic which was held by the beach that year.  I decided to take Del Dios Hwy instead of the freeway as I love driving the windy roads that take you through the a beautiful forested area. At one point I came around a corner and was so distracted by this huge orange moon I had to pull over. It was absolutely, unbelievably beautiful and I have never forgotten that night and have never seen another full moon like it.
Do you have any favorite memories to share..

Whatever your plans, enjoy this long weekend if for no other reason that we don't have to work tomorrow.

Sherry

GET TO GETTIN......

I love Saturday mornings, getting up early, making a cup of coffee and knowing I don't  have to rush to go or do anything.  Great feeling ,but I can get lost in the dreaming, reading, or researching of whatever pops into my head and nothing gets done.  It is hard to fit it all in when you only have 2 days a week.  So today I better "get to gettin" and accomplish something..

I have had to hire gardeners today to take care of what I once took care of myself.  Very hard thing for me to do as I have always been a do it yourself kind of gal. Not easy for me to admit I need help, but I can't stand to see weeds and the wisteria is going wild.  No one touches my roses though they are all mine.

So many changes lately, it's hard to keep up and adjust. I don't like to whine, but between fighting with the GD insurance company to pay for a PET scan, to pushing the doctors to fight for me and the treatment I insist on, it has been a rude awakening to say the least.  I have never had to use my insurance much, but now when I do, it's maddening to me to realize the goal for them is to spend the least as possible. Well those AH's did not count on me because when I want something I don't give up.
I am a fighter and don't take no for an answer very well.  I feel sorry for the people who don't have my strength or will to fight and just have to accept what they are told.
It is a sad commentary on what our society has become and the value of the almighty dollar has become more important than the people.

Well maybe just a little whining before I go...
My mother is 87 and still lives by herself, but very close to me.  She has liver cancer and while she is very strong willed and determined like me, I fear the cancer and time are going to win the battle.  Now it is hard for me to accept my situation, but so far, with the exception of some change to my vision in the right eye, not much has changed for me. You always think your parents will always be there for you and somehow are ageless.  Yes I know, a delusional thought, but true, at least in my family.
To see my mom starting to fail is a hard reality for me. I know my life is going to change soon and I am going to need a lot of strength to get through this.

Well it's time to get to gettin...
Thanks for listening
Sherry

Welcome Summer

Yesterday was the first day of summer and it's hard to believe the year is nearly half over. Seems like the older you get the faster life flies by. In the blink of any eye I have arrived in my sixties and it feels like just yesterday I couldn't wait to be twenty one.
Sometimes I wonder if I had the chance, would I do anything differently.  My first reaction is yes, definitely, but then when I think again my answer always changes to no.  I think because I don't believe in regrets, except in the case that you hurt someone unintentionally. It does no good to regret the past as it makes you what you are today.

Summer is not my favorite season, only because I do not do well in hot weather but I love being able to open the doors and windows and keep them open until I go to bed at night.  When the weather is in the low 80's it is perfect for afternoon BBQ's and trips to the beach. I love the way things feel different in summer.  The warm heaviness that makes you dreamy and lazy. The caress of water on you skin when you go swimming. To feel the wind against your bare skin. Your senses are more alive in summer.

I found the lovely picture of the lanterns on Pintrest and it reminded me of summer nights.  Lanterns make everything seem more magical, like a signal to the fairies and other creatures of the night to come out and play.   Dining outside after dark with only candles and lanterns is my idea of heaven. With a cold glass of lemonade or wine, close your eyes, smell and feel the night.  You can go anywhere your imagination takes you.

What is your favorite thing about summer?

Whatever it is I hope you enjoy.
Sherry

Saturday;s Memories

Look at my new doo...isn't it pretty.  I have a new stylist ladies and her name is Cielo.
She was so very kind to help me update my old look. Cielo, I thank you again my friend.
Saturday has come and almost gone.  For those unfortunate souls amongst us that still rub elbows with the muggles five days a week, it is the sweetest day of the week.  To wake up and know your entire day is yours for the planning, wasting or just dreaming, is one of my favorite feelings.
I spent the day washing and cleaning, not much fun, but since I had to let the maid, butler and chauffeur go, these duties are left to me.  HA HA..this is where the dreaming starts. I know one sweet lady named Mona that loves to iron and to you I say here is my address, come to my house and I will keep you happy for hours...Ironing has never been a favorite pass time.  In fact I will let you in on a secret.  When I was just a baby in my twenties and married to a man who wore long sleeved dress shirts to work everyday, the only way I could get through that pile of shirts  was with a little help from a friend at the time named Maryjane.  I will tell you those shirts were perfect. Picture this, 1971, me sitting on the end of the bed, ironing board in front of me, TV going and me stoned, just happily ironing away. 
Now some of you may be offended, disgusted, surprised that I would admit this, or maybe you can relate. Sorry but I was never one to say "but I never inhaled."
Well that's my two cents for today. Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Sherry

You are all invited to the first picnic and tea party in fairyland.. as you can see the table is set and waiting for us.  As sorts of interesting creatures have been invited and I think we will have a great time.  Those naughty fairies are sure to come and share a trick or two with us and the elves and nymphs have will certainly make an appearance.  They have such a sweet tooth and will be expecting cupcakes I'm sure.
The witches from the four kingdoms have RSVP'd via their messengers the crows, so a spell or two or three are guaranteed to add that special something to the celebration.

What are we celebrating you ask...well life of course.  It's the gift we take for granted sometimes and as good a reason as any to make a party.  Just of hint of what is to come.  After a few cups of mead to loosen your tongues and allow you to speak freely, you will be asked to share what you would like to celebrate.  Can be anything from a new pair of shoes to meeting the love of your lift, to loosing a few pounds.  The reasons are endless and all valid. So join me dearies and bring your smiling beautiful selves.

Sherry

Gotta Start Somewhere

Well here goes. I have no idea how this blogging works, but what the heck. I don't see any score cards around....Maybe some day I will figure this out or get some help, but for now my words will have to do. No pretty pictures yet.
I discovered this medium about a year ago when I happened upon The House in The Roses and Cielo.  She is just the sweetest lady and I love the way she writes.  From her blog list I started looking at other sites and have spent countless hours looking at so many beautiful homes, gardens and reading the words of many lovely ladies.  Some you really connect to and some are just interesting, but the common thread in all the blogs is that special quality we women have. No matter what our age, some of us still have a young heart and  magic in or souls that will keep us young forever.

I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer 2 years ago, ocular melanoma.  It was quite the shock as I have been healthy most of my life.  The type I have does not have a very good survival rate and while I have this fact in my mind, it still is not real to me.  I really believe that if I didn't have the ability to see things the way I want to and not accept what the doctors say, I would not be doing as well as I am.  I have gone through the treatments for this condition, including chemo(what a living hell that was) I still have sight in that eye and I didn't loose my hair.  I am sure as women you can relate to how important our hair is, so I consider myself so very lucky. I have very long hair and I intend on keeping it. My point is, the ability to be believe in magic and make believe is such an important quality to have.  It will get you through the worst of times and keep you young at heart.

So here's to seeing you all at the next tea party in fairyland.  Invite all the witches, fairies and creatures of the forest and we can dress in our finest and celebrate life.
Thanks for listening.
Sherry