Burr Oak State Park

Yesterday was a lovely day.  My parents came down on Friday evening to Athens to bring me a dresser and spent the night.  In the early afternoon we went shopping and then they headed home.  I was also headed in that direction, but...well, I changed my mind.

Instead (despite not feeling great ;) ) I decided to go on a short hike.  The weather wasn't too bad after all and I wanted to be outside.  So, while driving through Nelsonville I saw the sign for Burr Oak State Park and took the turn.  I've never been to this park before and I will be back.

I was only able to explore a VERY small section of the park but it was so worth it!  The area I discovered was the Tom Jenkins Dam.  The Dam was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers.  The lake is lovely and has hiking trails around it.  I went on a short hike/walk, but with muddy conditions; not feeling well; and my stupid bum knee; I really wasn't up for a long journey.  However, I did get a few (60 total) shots around the area and had to share them.  After a  little editing, here they are!

In my estimation, this was the perfect ending to 2011.  It has not been a great year.  No, that's not true.  It has been another TERRIBLE year, but I am determined to make 2012 a great year.  So, ending 2011 with a bit of my favorite things: family, photos and NATURE (thanks God!) was a wonderful send off. 

Anyway, I hope you all had a lovely New Year's Eve!  Most importantly though, I hope 2012 is filled with adventure, excitement, and Love.  I know I'm excited for it.  A new baby in May (Logan Max, my newest nephew!!!!!) and so much more to look forward to.  I will strive to be positive, keep growing in the things I love and put the old aside.  Most of all I will pray not for the same old, same old of healing (that's not working anyway) but just for an answer.  God's Blessings to all in this new venture!

Enjoy!!!!!

Sounds of Silence

I like to talk.  Its one of the good things about what I do for a living.  I get to talk.  At the Front Desk, with my kids, with parents, staff, at events, in meetings; I do a lot of talking.  So, that said, its really hard for me right now.  I can't talk.  I have a little bit of a 'squalk' but, on the whole not a lot is coming out.  To me its embarrassing.  I am not able to effectively live my life, do my job and function as I normally would.  Even as a single person I'm always talking at home.  Whether its on the phone, talking to myself or normally singing along with whatever music I have playing while I'm doing other things.  So, I'm kind of at a lose.

Its not that I haven't had laryngitis before.  I have.  In the past several years I've had many bouts.  It usually lasts 2 days and then I get most of my voice back.  That is not happening this time.  I suppose that is part of what's frustrating me.  I'm not making a rebound.  I saw my internist on Thursday and he recommended rest and fluids.  We can't do any type of meds because A, they probably wouldn't do anything and B, they would exacerbate my other issues.  We both know where this comes from and that is, to me, becoming infuriating.  I'm not mad at the doctors, that would be silly.  I'm mad at myself, a little at God (sorry, I know its wrong) and just mad in general.  My esophagus and stomach cause this.  Acid corrosion in my esophagus onto my vocal chords, and the raging infection in my esophagus that has probably moved into my vocal chords, are the underlying problem.  Is there no end to the litany of problems that my digestive system feels the need to throw at me?

So, here I sit.  In silence.  I've spent the bulk of the weekend at home, in my room, resting.  No talking.  Communication through e-mail, texts, Facebook and now Blogger.  I'm dealing with the situation and pray that tomorrow I'll wake up and things will get better.  I've been silent and that is 'supposed' to help.  I don't feel like it has but, what can I do but try?  I'll wait it out for now.  I go back to the doctor on Thursday and see no point in attempting to call before then.  I've just gotta deal with it and do the best I can.  (Can you tell I'm trying to give myself a pep talk?)

Anyway, the best thing about this weekend has been resting and working on simple things.  You'll see in my photos below some of the things I've been doing.  Hope you like my pictures.  If you need to get a hold of me, e-mail, text or Facebook would be best for the foreseeable future.  Don't bother trying to call, I won't be answering.  *sigh*

Have a great week!!

I have wanted to try my hand at embroidery and this is my first real attempt.  I like it.  It took a little more time than I thought and isn't perfect, but it's cute.

Yummy vegan chocolate chip pancakes I had for dinner.  Not really 'healthy' but healthier than the alternative.  No milk, eggs, oil, so a little better than usual.  And they were really good!

I had to go to the store yesterday (for medicine) so I took a more scenic route home.  This was along the way and I thought it was a pretty view.

I had to get out today and found this tree trunk.  Pretty in its decomposing state.  Yeah, it was covered with fungus!

More fungus in my yard.  This is on/beside a tree stump in the front yard.  Fungus doing its job!

More fungus that's on the stump.  So pretty.

Changing leaves.  Welcome Fall!!!

A breathtaking sunset.  I almost missed it.  I went to the kitchen and was washing up a few dishes and happened to look out the window above the sink.  I saw this, grabbed my jacket, camera and ran to the back yard.  Glad I did as it was gone in literally 3 minutes.

To end this post, I'll conclude with the lyrics from a song I've been listening to a lot lately.  I travel a good deal, and am several hours and quite a few miles away from the people I love the most.  My heart is spread out in Ohio and the US as a whole.  But, I love this song because as the last lines say, 'don't count the miles, count the I Love You's.'

Miles sung by Christina Perri

Kiss me on my shoulder
Tell me its not over
Promise to always come home to you
Remind me that I'm older
To be brave, smart, sweet and bolder
Don't give up on what we're trying to do

Don't count the miles
Count the I Love Yous

A new blog, a new adventure

I've started another blog.  On my way home this afternoon I was thinking.  Thinking about my health, God and just everything that has been going on lately.  I know I need to focus.  I need to concentrate more on what is important to me and how to improve myself.  So, I've started a 2nd blog.  I call it M.A.D.E.  It stands for Music, Art, Devotions, Exercise.  Those are four things in my life that I want to work on to help improve my relationship with God and the rest of the world. 

I love music and always have something playing.  Most of my music is rather tame, but there is some that pushes the limit.  Art is also something that is a big part of my life lately.  Sewing, photography, poetry, etc. are all ways I can help reach out to others and explore the gifts I've been given.  I am determined to read more in the bible and contemplate how this affects my life.  So, I'll start doing daily devotions.  Finally exercise is something I desperately need to work on and so its a part of the package.

So, for the next 90 days I've set some goals to work on to help improve my spiritual, mental and physical health.  If you're interested check out my other blog here. 

In other news, tonight I went for my 2nd ever Jog.  It was okay.  I ran/walked 1.8 miles in 30 minutes.  Not bad for my second time.  I did intervals of 2 minutes jogging, 2 minutes walking.  I have an app. on my blackberry called Endomondo that is helping me reach my goals.  I have less than 2 months to prepare for my first 5K so, I plan to really kick the training into high gear this week. Pray for me.

My photos for tonight are from West State Park (my usual work out zone).  I was enthralled with the trees (big surprise) and that is my main subject for the evening. 

Enjoy!

The 'old' shelter at West State Park.  I really like this shelter and have used it for Preschool day in the park and have been to our Church's outdoor worship service here.  On August 7th, we'll have another outdoor worship service in this spot.  It really is lovely and is well maintained.

So this is how I feel sometimes.  There's a path, but you can't tell where it goes, except that you're probably going to fall.  That is what my life feels like most of the time.

The Hocking River.  Its a bit full right now.  The past several summers it has been just a tiny trickle.  This year its running good.  Old Man's Cave and waterfall should be really pretty right now.

The Canoe Portage.  I'm thinking a canoe trip might be fun.  Its good exercise and a lovely way to spend time in nature.  I'll have to consider that.

This is where I stop and stretch after my 'run'.  During this time I almost really hurt myself.  Something pulled in my hip when I was stretching and it took me 15 minutes of walking to get it to a 'bearable' pain.  I'll have to be careful with that.

I saw this pine and had to take a picture.  Tomorrow is July 25-Christmas in July!  Only 5 months until Christmas, better start planning now!