Take Away 150 ~ Surprises

Criminy sakes, it has been a long time since I've posted here. I started this blog in September, 2011 with the intention of it being a 365 day project. I'm not giving up. I still have take aways to write about. This morning I read through a few of them I have written here and I'm not sorry I started this project.

 

So, last week my son sent me two boxes of photos and a few other old items that his dad had mailed him. His dad and I divorced over 14 years ago and I left those things behind. What a treat to get them back. Of the many treasures is a cook book I had put together of old family recipes. I was greatly surprised to get it back. Happy surprised!

SURPRISES:  I think I'll divide up some of the old photos

that are of relatives that might like to have them. I'll send

them in a card. I'll bet they'll love the surprise as much

as I did last week. It's never too late to surprise people.

Take Away 149 ~ Luxury

Our air conditioner hit the skids last weekend and we had a couple of days this week with no cool air while the temps outside rose to 100 and continue to climb. We didn't panic. Lots of people in our area do not have a/c. Some people in Yuma, Arizona, where we used to live, located only 8 miles from hell, don't have a/c.  We knew we were not gonna die.  Be uncomfortable? Yes. So what? We were. Uncomfortable, that is. But, not horribly. After the sun went down, we opened the windows, started the fans and it got comfortable.

TAKE AWAY:  It's okay to be uncomfortable. 

I am grateful to be uncomfortable sometimes.

Take Away 148 ~ Tenacity

I just finished a month long A to Z Blogging Challenge.  I started out thinking it was going to be a breeze but turns out it was more time consuming than I thought. I had to continually be looking ahead and thinking of something new to write. I am one who must have a photo in my blog posts so it was fun to go into my archives as well as shoot new pics for some visual aid. Bottom line is I posted every letter of the alphabet even though some days I thought I should just quit. 

TAKE AWAY:  I have more tenacity in me

than I thought.

Who knew?

Take Away 147 ~ Blogging is Good

I'm participating in an A to Z Blogging Challenge for the month of April.  Frankly, I'm over it but I need to finish what I started.  Today's letter is O. Short of writing about oatmeal cookies, I went back into my archives and found a title that started with an O, copied and pasted it for my post today. While doing that, I realized starting a blog was the best thing I've done in a long time. I love going back and reading about all the adventures in my life. I only wish I had started recording it sooner.

Take Away: write down your memories!

Someday you'll be glad you did.



Take Away 146 ~ Wait for It

We took a Sunday drive yesterday, leaving late in the morning. The weather was gray and as much as I would have loved to just stay home, I always regret it when we don't get out at least for a short drive. We headed to Yakima and quite frankly it was boring. I was feeling super disappointed that I had not spotted something I could shoot with my camera.  And then ... just 20 minutes from home ... there it was. An old, falling down house we have passed dozens of times before. I yelled "PULL OVER!!". I got some very nice shots and we were on our way.

Take Away: Don't let disappointment seep in too soon.

Sometimes it is in the very last minute that

I'll find what I'm looking for.

Take Away 145 ~ Go Out of Your Way

I met early this morning with a friend for coffee and we decided to take a drive down by the river before I dropped her off at work. It was a little out of the way but not much. Secretly, I was hoping to spot an eagle as I had brought my new camera along. Just as we got to the end of the park, I spotted him. Oddly enough, my friend had never seen an eagle before.

Take Away:  Go out of your way whenever possible

and time allows. You never know what you'll see, hear or do.

I love that!

Take Away 144 ~ Escaping

We took a 3-day weekend trip to the coast recently. This time of year is not famous for great weather but just the act of getting ready for it and anticipating the trip is enough to keep this girl from going insane. Every time we go west, it is such a change in pace and landscape that I actually have the feeling of what it would be like to be on a different planet as we are driving home.

TAKE AWAY: Never miss an opportunity to escape

once in awhile. It matters not where you go,

just go.