Spring fills my soul with renewed passions ... I love spring!  These are photos of the tiny new flowers blooming in my garden. 

The promise of new beginnings ... the first tulip bloom of the year. 

© KJR Photos may not be used without my express written consent.  Thank you :-) 

Once again the season changes to spring, leaving the cold of winter behind as new life rises and breathes for the first time.  The tiny buds come from beneath the snow and reach for the sunshine. 

Last week, as I battled a second round of the cold/bronchitis, which returned with a vengeance Monday night, I found myself restless.  I thought a lot about things in my life that weren't working - or feeling right.  Foremost, I felt a void in what I hoped would last longer, perhaps the rest of my life.  The seasons change, once again and I found myself reaching for sunshine and wanting to put the cold behind me.  The winter was not all bad, I enjoyed the beatiful snow as it fell from the sky and how it sparkled in the sunlight. Perhaps who warmed my heart during the winter will return again in the summer or fall but for now, he needs to grow on his own.

This past winter, I almost fell in love with David, yet the past few weeks, it became apparent that something was wrong.  In the beginning, we spoke for hours about what we want out of a relationship and life.  I felt as if I'd found the man I always wanted.  An epiphany hit and I realized that what he said he wanted and what he was living were two different things. 

He wanted romance - both to give it and receive it but he didn't.  He wanted to give his heart - but it was not ready to give (which is what I sensed was wrong).  I was as more patient than I've ever been but my patience ran out when I realized that he was not ready for a relationship.  I'm setting him free and in doing so, I'm setting myself free.   

I know he came into my life for a reason and one day, that answer will be discovered.  My heart is not broken and I feel blessed that he was in my life.  I wish him well on his journey, but for now I'll flutter along on my own journey.  I'll continue to break through the soil of life... and reach for the sunlight.  This is a positive change and I feel good about it.

In the famous words of Ms. Vickie... Life is good.  Now if I can only set the bronchitis free, I'll be good.  ;-) 

Happy Easter! 

Top O' the Mornin' to ye!  The one day of the year that it's OK to be green and show some of my Irish blood. I'm a melting pot of English, Irish, Scottish, German, and Danish blood. 

I am teaching a workshop this mornin' (and Wednesday) and it's an interesting group.  I'm going to bribe them with chocolate to keep them focused on the workshop instead of green beer... well, it's worth a try anyway.

Chocolate is appropriate since we begin with a short film about Milton S. Hershey's life and the history of his company.  He was an amazing man and never let his dreams of success die.  

I've been waiting for the appropriate time to share my experience, the first day of teaching The Leadership Challenge... which is where the a day of red comes in to play.

I was teaching the Inspire a Shared Vision portion of the workshop and the subsection of breathing life into a vision.  The students are required to share their inspired vision speeches on the second day of the workshop and I was conveying the fact that they needed to use picture-type words. 

Picture it - the class is filled with 23 men and one woman (the brave soul that she is!). 

I used the example of Paris and asked what came to mind.  I had several responses; Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, romance, city of love, wine, the River Seine, and so on.  Then I asked how many students have actually been to Paris and four men raised their hands.  Then I asked how the others knew what was in Paris, from their answers.  They responded, pictures, history, stories, movies, etc.  

Then, I asked the class, "When I say 'Tuva,' what do you think of?"  Most responded, "Never heard of it."  Then one very outspoken man said, "Isn't it a part of the female anatomy."  I face, neck, and chest turned HOT in an instant and I know my face was the color of a beet.  I cleared my throat, bit my lip to stifle a giggle and said, "No, I'm afraid not... it's a place in southern Russia/Siberia, near the border of Mongolia and they're known for a unique form of throat singing." 

Needless to say, I quickly finished the section and called for a 10-minute break.  My co-instructor said that I recovered well and that his face even turned red.   

Interestingly enough, on a workshop evaluation/critique, someone answered, "more info on Tuva," to the question, "What would have made this workshop better."  Gee whiz, I can guess who that was!

Here is a website if you're interested in Tuva.  Here is a website of a group that travels the world.  Interesting...

Many of you may remember Susan's niece, Kayla, the courageous and amazing 17-year old girl, who has battled cancer for over two years.  She's battling it again and this time, there's no treatment available unless she qualifies for an experimental treatment. 

Kayla is an inspiration and has a piece of my heart for all she's been through.  She's an example of what positive thinking can do in how she battled the cancer previously.  She's full of love and has a wonderful personality.

Kayla has a family full of love and their hearts are breaking as they're dealing with this new outbreak of cancer.  Please keep them in your thoughts.

If anyone is interested, there is a group making cranes (senbazuru) to send to Kayla, please visit the Yahoo group page.  The project is about a prayer of a 1000 cranes, which is something that was done for Ellen (scroll down to the June 28, 2007 post), God rest her soul.  

Kayla and her family need our help in lifting their spirits and letting know that we care. 

Much happened to me and to those I love recently; some was rough, however, most made me smile.  I'm grateful for the good things and for everyone in my life.

My dear friend, Emma, finished a huge project that she began in December; she wrote a bookazine for children on gardening.  I am immensely proud of her and praise her for all her good and hard work. Congratulations, Emma!  You deserve a huge celebration because you worked so hard and you are an amazing lady. 

A few weeks ago, my dad's neurologist prescribed Aricept for Dad's memory and confusion (it's mostly used for Alzheimer's but also works for Lewy Body Dementia).  The past two weeks, MY DAD, the man I love with all my heart, began to reappear after 18 months of slowly disappearing.  I can see him coming back just by the look on his face as well as his sense of humor. 

Dad cracked me up Saturday night when we got home from my nephew Adam's wedding.  I brought the mail into the house, sorted it, and handed his mail.  Dad got an advertisement from a hearing aid company and he told me to "Trash that," then he waited a couple of seconds then asked me, "Say what?!"  He and I busted out laughing and Mom came in to see what we were laughing so hard about.  He's such a hoot.

My nephew Adam got married on Saturday to a lovely young lady, Shalise.  I'm so happy for them and they're such a beautiful couple.  I'm so proud... my little buddy grew up to be such an incredible young man.  Shalise is sweet and I know she loves Adam very much and he's in good hands.  (click on photos to EMBIGGEN)

They didn't have a traditional reception (YAY - Utah receptions are grueling), instead they had a big dinner for family and close friends.  It was perfect and everyone had a great time.  Taking photos outside was freezing, especially for Shalise!  Here is a photo of Adam, Shalise, my brother J Dee, SIL Patti, all their children, grandchildren, and my parents. 

Besides the wedding, there was exciting news to celebrate.  My cousin Teria and her husband are expecting their second child in September, her little sister, Lindsay, is getting married in August, and my nephew Jason is getting married in September.  Jason is J Dee and Patti's last child at home... at last, they'll have a honeymoon period.  It's great to see them so much in love still.  Patti asked me to take a photo of her and J Dee in front of the Bountiful Temple yesterday and I was honored to.

I got to see and hold cute little Eli and while my hands were full of her, my sister, Susie grabbed my camera and took a photo of Eli and me.  Geez.  That's the last time I leave my camera within her reach!  LOL  I might be persuaded to post it for Wordless Wednesday this week  ;-). 

My friend and partner-in-crime, Linda, is moving to my building at work!  We're both so excited.  We worked in the same building for almost 10 years before my organization moved to our current building, which is across the base (Hill AFB).  We used to play jokes constantly... especially the remote-controlled fart machine.  Ah, those were the days...  and NO - we'll never grow up.  We bring the best out in each other, that's for sure! 

I went spending when I got my tax return and bought a DVD-Recorder/VCR combination and a new camera lens.  The DVD Recorder, I used for dubbing a VHS tape of my family in 1990 and 1991.  I cracked up at most of it but there definitely treasures on the tape.  My late grandma and late SIL, Lisa were in parts... it took me back to that time and it felt as if they're not gone but when the tape was over, it hit me again that they are gone.  BUT - the great things are their memories and the fact that their memories are brought to life again.  I am excited to share them with my family.  I chatted with my niece, Morgan, Saturday, who was only 5 years old when her mom died.  This will be a chance for Morgan to see her mom in action and to hear her voice; she has all sorts of photos but nothing like a video.  It made me feel really good to see the look on Morgan's face when I told her. 

The video that cracked me up royally was my nephew Adam when he was 5, singing a naughty/kids version of the "Popeye the Sailor Man" and the camp song, "Scab Salad,"  while hanging upside down, eyes covered, and a pair of eyes and a nose painted on his chin.  I need to splice it and post it one of these days...............  Adam actually remembers doing it and how much fun we had.  There are more videos to be found and put on DVDs... now to find them! 

The camera lens I bought is a Olympus Zuiko 50mm Macro Telephoto lens and it is ooooo so lovely.  Here are photos of a mini purple calla lily, black jelly beans, tiny water droplets on foil.  I SO love this new lens!!   Now, if the snow would melt off the lawn and flower gardens so the lovely spring flowers can grow.  (The calla lily is in my house)

I got through my first time of "teaching" The Leadership Challenge Workshop last week.  My co-teacher said I did well but need to work on my confidence level.  He's right and next time, I should do better.  This week is Interviewing Skills and the Mock Interview is my section and I always have so much fun with it.  I appreciate all your good thoughts my way - it's great having my own cheer leading squad. 

The last thing is a bit sad.  My sexy man hurt his leg (at work - injured it twice) and had surgery on Saturday to reattach the thigh muscle to the bone.  I told him that I was kidding about both of us needing wheelchairs...  Sheesh.  *snicker*  Let your mind go where it will... it made him laugh.  He should be back to work in ten days and will have to wear a brace for a few weeks.  Hmmm... that means behaving.... at work, I mean.