Squirrel!

I feel the need to write tonight, but yet I'm not sure what it should be. I have deleted several beginnings. Thinking it wasn't what I needed to express. My mind tends to wander all over at times. Okay a lot. Jumping from one thought to another. I made a comment recently to a friend, that my mind works like my black lab Maggies'... squirrel ... it gets distracted frequently and easily. You know, like a dog who is doing something, sees a squirrel and gets side tracked for awhile until you can reign them back in.

The thought of squirrels, brought a memory of talking with my stepbrother Chris. He's an amazing guy, very driven, creative and talented. One evening we were having dinner at our parents house and the subject of my "squirrel" mind came up. I quite often have problems accomplishing tasks I set for my day because I get side tracked by a "squirrel". An example would be, I start the dishes, I walk into the other room to see if anyone left a cup in there. I see a shirt that was left and needs to go into the laundry basket. I walk into the bedroom to put it in the laundry basket and notice it's full, so I take it into the laundry room to start a load of laundry. On my way I stop by the bathroom to pick up any towels that need to be washed and notice the sink needs to be wiped off. As I walk by my office on the way to get cleaner I notice my computer and remember an email I was suppose to send.... This can go on and on if I'm not careful. A few hours later I wander back by the kitchen to see the dishes (still not done) that I began that morning! Nor is the laundry in the washer or the sink wiped down. Then I think, no wonder I never accomplish anything on some days. I chase to many squirrels!

After describing a typical squirrel episode, we talked about how that also can happen to people in general during there day and life. Their goals get squirreled! The squirrel can be caused by many things. Above is one example, but what about the co-worker who interrupts you with something they need. A friend who calls or stops by. A child with a need. All those things can happen (my example is an extreme, but plausible in my life) . So how do you keep focused? How do you get back on track when you've been squirreled? Life is full of distractions. Things come up everyday that you just can't avoid or ignore. I like being flexible for those occasions. I also like however; feeling like I've accomplished something each day.

Since that talk, I've thought quite a bit about it. I've come up with some things that have helped me. I keep a list of things I need to do. Give them a ranking of importance. I keep lists of things I need to purchase when I go to town. Yes, I still get squirreled. But the most important things are usually accomplished. My dishes still have a tendency to get forgotten. My strategy is not completed. It is a work in progress. I hope to find more solutions to my squirrel problem. I will find them... as long as I don't spot a squirrel.

Fall in the air?

It feels like a Monday after the Labor Day weekend. It also feels like fall in the desert. Growing up and living in the desert southwest, I have a different outlook on fall. Our leaves usually don't start changing and falling off the trees here until November. The end of November. So what makes it feel like fall. This morning when I woke up at 5:30, the temperature was below 80 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact it was only about 69 degrees outside at my house! YE HAW! :). Cooler temperatures are what I anticipate from about mid April till October. I know my friends and family up north are rolling their eyes about now. Honestly, when all you see is sun, day in and day out, and your lucky if the low temperature dips below ninety at night, you really appreciate a storm rolling in. Rain if we are lucky, clouds and the smell of rain is a treat. Hot, sunny, blower dryer affect winds get old, fast. So, as I enjoy this short reprieve from the norm (cause it will heat back up for the rest of the week), I think I'll do something you try not to do in the summer (all six months of it :). Maybe I'll bake, or go for a walk OUTDOORS! Who knows?

Have to begin somewhere

I decided to get on the band wagon. With so many family and friends getting farther and farther away, and ME being the worse journal and letter writer, I thought maybe this would help. We'll see. I make no promises :).

Summer is all but over (except the heat here!). The kids are back in school. Ashley is a junior in High School and working at Sonic.

Ashley and her FIRST paycheck!

Jesse graduated from UC Davis the beginning of August. He and Nicole have moved into a house with some other friends and are getting on with life.

A really old picture of Jesse and Nicole the last time they both visisted.

Britni and David are married.

Mr. & Mrs. David James Richards...

Bailey is away at college.

Bryana now lives back east and works in DC.

Two of my very cute nieces Bry & Bai.

Morgan, Devin and Antigone

The other nieces are off doing adult things (like working :). (Notice lack of pictures? Hmmm.)

The nephews are either back in school also and working or working and doing their own things. (Amazing lack of good pictures of nephews together!)

Dom, Nadine & Jenna at Brits wedding.

(Have to get pictures somehow :)

The sisters have moved to New Harmony by Dad :( and left me in the big city alone...

Me and Dad at wedding. Me and MEAN big sisters :)

What does all this mean? My house is very very QUITE for the most part. Well except for the plane crashing into the neighbors house. Huge plumes of smoke and fire. Helicopters hovering day and night, people driving through the neighborhood to try and get a look. Official type people everywhere. But other than that pretty quite.

Pretty scary stuff. Second one this week! Thank goodness no one in the home was hurt, unfortunately the pilot was killed. I was talking to Morgan on the phone when I heard it. Looked out the laundry room window and could see the flames and smoke.

Thank goodness for Morgan and Tiggy who come to play. Tiggy makes me smile and laugh. She is a lot of fun. (However; she misses giving Britni the EYES.)

Tiggy helping her Mom sing Grandpa Frehner's Farm at Cousin's camp!
I LOVE this picture! It is so Tiggy!

She came over tonight for awhile. She loves teasing her Uncle Lloyd! There is no better sound than a little girl or boy laughter and giggles! She loves our two littlest dogs. I think they are the real reason she like to come see us. Well them and the nacks (fruit snacks) I have in the cupboard.

Tiggy and Pebbles sitting together. Chiwa the wonder dog.

I mean even Britni loves Chiwa. She and David have pictures of her everywhere! ;)