OK - now you know

~ Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived. ~ Jean Luc Picard

x0x0x0 - hazel

It Has Been Awhile

I have had so many life changing events occur since my last posting that I simply do not know where to begin. Because of that overwhelm-ness; I am going to share with you my current motto:

Be kinder than necessary
..........everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

xoxox hazel

Part II Of Commuting

This is beginning to become a bit more routine. I try to catch the 5:30 train and I walk into the office at 6:15, this requires a bit of coordination between Bood and I. I count on Bood to watch the weather forecast on my behalf so that I can be prepared for inclement weather. As I came into the kitchen, I noticed the “Doppler Radar” was all yellow dotted with red areas, I mentioned this to Bood, he said something that sounded like “oh, that – that’s a loop of weather that has been moving through the area over the past 4 hours…it’s really not us.

As Bood drove me to the train station today, I noticed that more than a few rain drops were falling on the windshield. As I got to the train station, the rain was really pouring down; too late to go back home and get an umbrella and jacket. Not a big deal - I just took a place in the corner of the station that provided great protection against the now hallowing wind and rain storm swirling around me. The ride into work was wonderful, I was able to read a little, chat a little and simply enjoy the commute

As I came into the station, once again Mother Nature had decided to show how creatively she could blend rain and wind into one hell-of-a storm. When faced with the challenge of getting from the train to my office (about a mile), it is amazing how adept I became at picking out the best route to providing shelter from the storm …………….I wish you shelter from the storm, a cozy fire to keep you warm, but, most of all, when snowflakes fall, I wish you love.

Ok...Now where was I? I was able to pick my way under trees, took a short-cut across a covered parking lot, under the underpass, over the bridge and through the wood. I arrived at my office safe and only semi-wet. For you that are mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, uncles or have had the privilege of taking care of small children, this is the same 6th sense that kicks in when you are frantically looking for a bathroom when your youngster; who can announce at the most inopportune time, while dancing about:
I HAVE TO GO NOW”

ok...Now where am I?
Work was ...Work
Walk back to the train station...cool, dry and calm
Train ride...nice and quiet
Bood picked me up at the station, we stopped by a local restaurant for dinner and a beer; then toasted to another wonderful day in paradise (at least that's what I call it).

x0x0x0x0 hazel

Riding the Train to Work

I have a friend of mine that lives in Naperville and rides the train to work every day to downtown Chicago. How COOL is that? Last time I was out there to visit, she showed me where she parked, the coffee shops, bakeries and small shops that had cropped up to entice all those commuters to stop in for a small purchase.

Needless to say - I had commuter-envy.

Well this past week, the small town that I live in (approximately 25 miles north of Salt Lake City) opened up the station and we now can all ride the "Front Runner". In the mornings; the Front Runners pulls into "my" station every 1/2 hours beginning at 5:30am and after a couple of stops we pulled into the SLC Station. I excitedly looked around to find out where my office was and to my dismay...it was about 2 miles away. Not to worry....it was early and the walk would do me good. Well about 45 minutes later, lugging a briefcase, a purse, coffee and sporting shoes that were definitely NOT made for walking...I was in my office.

Oh Boy - was I excited; I was a commuter and I was going to do it all again at 5:00 pm. As I exited the office, I meet a co-worker who asked if I was riding the train home. "Yes" -I was and started off on my 2 mile trek. He yelled at me as I took off ...something about "where are you going"? - you can take the light rail and be at the station in 7 minutes.

YAHOO - for me; I changed directions and started walking over to the light rail car, thrilled that I had already shortened my travel time.

I rode the train all 5 days; I learned a little more about what to carry, what not to carry, what shoes to wear and that the east side of the train gave me a wonderful view of the sunrise and is certainly cooler on the way home.

All types of people ride the train. Lots of nurses going south to the hospitals in SLC, business men buried in their newspapers, retired folks that have started a second career and are excited to share their stories about what farm was where, who lived on what street and a few times asked the other riders if their grandparents lived on the corner of 6th and 9th...they were pretty sure they recognized them from many years ago (even asked about about their family). People bring their bikes, their babies, their strollers, lunch, music, books to read and all are eager to share their seat and the experience.

I think I will stick with riding the train. Not only am I saving gas, minimizing my carbon footprint; I love that Bood takes me to the station in the mornings and picks me up at night (often with our dogs in the truck) AND I have found a new community of people that I am sure I am going to become friends with.

x0x0x0x0x0 hazel

The 'Word'

Hi m'0'm (aka hazel)

Start by reading her post on 12/31 titled "an end + a beginning + my word", http://www.aliedwards.typepad.com/ then read the subsequent posts including her latest where she shares all the words from the comments on that post. I picked a word for 2008 that I saw on the big list, "ahead" and used the definition "in a forward direction, onward, forward". Posted it on my office wall so I won't forget to look ahead and to remind me not spend so much time looking back.:)

I'm sure you'll pick an interesting word too. Don't make it the f-bomb...that was 2007's word. :)
xoxoxox
edna

....You may be wondering about my 2008 word; it is:

Optimism

• a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome
• the belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world
• the belief that goodness pervades reality.
  

xoxoxo
hazel

Happy Thankgiving

Thank you, dear Lord for this good life. Forgive us if we don't enjoy it enough...

What a wonderful life I've had. I only wish I had realized it sooner...

xoxoxoxo

hazel

How About A Little Wine?

The good part of traveling is the opportunity it gives you to see what’s going on “out there”. On a recent trip to St. Louis I came across a unique selection of wines.

Back label of "Mommy’s Time Out"
We all know that being a Mommy is a difficult job. A Mommy’s Time Out is a well deserved break. This wine is delicate and fruit (sic). It comes from some of the finest
vineyards in Italy where the best grapes are vinified (?), resulting in a long lasting finish. It is a great complement to chicken or fish or may be served as an aperitif.

The back label of "Mad Housewife"
Somewhere near the cool shadows of the laundry room. Past the litter box and between the plastic yard toys. This is your time. Time to enjoy a moment to yourself. A moment without the madness The dishes can wait. Dinner be damned

If I were to design a new label it would read:
Mommy’s had a very hard day
Time for the kids to go out and play
I’ll join them all in just a few
After I have a tip or two

The wonders of Marketing!

xoxoxox

Hazel