"Scientists have developed a tiny implant, no bigger than a pinhead, which sits inside the cornea and slightly increases its curvature, to allow the eye to focus again. The inlay is called Raindrop because it is the shape of a droplet and is made of a substance called hydrogel which is also used in contact lenses."
Good things, and not so good things, all come to an end, whether you feel ready or not. School life, child rearing, a marriage, or life itself...... 2 years 11 months today, we revisit those moments in time.......
Jordan spent his time moving to a new place, in a new territory of SF. Each living situation has brought its share of good and bad, depending on housemates and landlords. There is no way to know; it's a crap shoot and you hope you get lucky and don't wind up with a whacko. The setting does not lend itself to feeling "settled" but has been a "season" for gathering knowledge........
Having John's eyes and experiences has been invaluable in recent months, because I know he will help to bring me balance if I need it. An East coast thing:) Turns out, I know what I'm talking about; decisions will continue to be made, as I pursue the direction we have for the future.
We spent a few hours on Dockweiler Beach with the Redondo Beach Team, as Logan and his partner played in a HS pairs tournament. After a few days in the 90+ degree weather, the sand becomes too hot to even walk on or move in. I wear my pink sneakers on the beach:/
Having the "heat" for an extended period of time with no rain or refreshing becomes exhausting. There is "pressure" of a different kind than elsewhere in the country...... I am speaking of more than the weather, and of spiritual things......... there is no break.
Something that should end can last way too long for a variety of reasons, but indecisiveness or even a lack of direction can be an issue. Most times it takes as much courage to begin a new life, as it does to end something. Objectivity can be your friend....... or enemy.
"The new generation is getting more concerned about freedom and the future of Hong Kong… No one, including the organizers, expected this event would turn out in this fashion. It's stunned the world. The mentality has changed, and it's a legacy that will last."
Today, I am FINALLY able to share with you my precious, new, baby nephew Dillan, the newest family member:) (see family pic below) He's joined us early September, and my brother and Marie walk courageously through the process of domestic adoption.
I am thrilled to be a new aunt and MUST get home to visit! THIS makes me happy............ LIFE. When I don't feel LIFE around me, I am seriously unhappy, particularly since going through loss. I want nothing to do with anything that isn't life giving.... nothing. Period. On this, I will not compromise.
Last night, I heard Chynna and Logan discussing healthy recipes with John, who likes to do the job of life sucking grocery shopping and cooking ..... a godsend to me, lol:) Etched in their memory are my words from many years ago, when I said "I don't mind cleaning, if I could have someone cook for me".......I had forgotten.
I've been to Kohl's 3x this week with a 30% off coupon, buying and returning because of wrong sizes, ha ha. Logan has grown so much. His first indoor club practice was Weds night and felt very energizing. Life.
He and the RUHS Beach team are playing in a Pairs Championship tomorrow, in the heat of Fall, 93+ degrees:/ Today, at least one SoCal school let the kids out early because of "excessive heat". No comment:)
After knowing what we've been through and surveying the lives of friends and family members, I think it's easy for anyone to thrive, given the "right conditions." Perfect life, abundant finances, great job, good grades, strong heritage, yada yada. Anyone would do well......
It's those of us, however, who when tested to the limits, and pushed to the brink, come out shining, strong, and so much more capable than when we first started...... that's when redemption draws nigh. Resurrection is seen. New beginnings are created.... over and over again. There are no limits!
Go and find it.
"A pair of maritime detectives has embarked on an unprecedented two-year mission to uncover possibly hundreds of shipwrecks at the bottom of the sea near the Golden Gate Bridge and the Gulf of the Farallones. The sleuths are looking for shipwrecks buried in the dark waters of the Pacific Ocean so that they can learn about the past, teach scientists about what can be preserved in marine conditions and infuse a sense of wonder when unearthing stories about people who lived and worked on the sea, and who sometimes lost their lives."
"Have Americans forgotten that this is a great nation? And that great nations can shape events, and not merely observe them? More Americans think the country is doing too much to help the world than too little, even though a majority agrees that major threats to the United States exist and that the world is growing more dangerous. Switzerland should be allowed to hold those two views at the same time. The United States shouldn’t. Why is our response to these dangerous world events so passive and ambivalent?"
It may seem as if you work hard in life and don't get anywhere..... days you're left wondering how in the world to "get ahead" and what that even looks like on a personal level. Ny late husband and I would reflect on our attitude of doing right and worked hard, all for a future we hoped would one day exist......... something better to come.
Hoping that something more in the future, than I currently know to exist in the present, I think is the essence of "faith." Looking ahead......Because "faith is confidence in what we hope for, and assurance of what we cannot see." Faith is belief. Belief is hope. Hope heals the heart........
As I reach a pivotal point in my life at age 45, having experienced more trauma than most perhaps, I somehow am able to position myself/us for a blessing. Even when those beliefs are tested, tried, and totaled, I am able to ultimately trust........ like gold refined in the fire.
Jordan is positioning himself for a new move, another place that has come available, in the proximity of the city he needs to be in. He continues to gain more knowledge and most importantly, shares it with many, freely..... just like his dad. He has a wealth of it..........
After a chaotic first day in October, I am very excited about future prospects. Waiting patiently is very hard, no matter what the subject matter; however, when all hope was lost, a prospective family I wanted as new tenants are coming through. During this week that tested me, they have positioned themselves to occupy one of my homes:) God is good.
I am learning to ask for more, and expect things to work out on my behalf. When I continue to trust and do what is asked of me, aligning myself with the will of God as I know it, great things happen.
Today, after beach practice Logan left his flip flops behind, on this first day of a new month in the Fall. His partner picked them up, after we got home. Never happened before......... His club practice begins also, which will lead to new positions and partnerships.
Perhaps we will see what this Fall brings forth.......
"…the hope is that xenon could be used in therapy to treat conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder by having people recall their bad memories while taking in the gas. The key here is that each time you recall a memory, your brain actually treats it as though it were creating a new memory and xenon blocks that memory creation process."
"After nearly a week of incessant rains and flooding that have left hundreds of people dead in Pakistan and the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, rescue operations have been strained by the scale of the disaster and a collapse of communications networks in some areas."
We've had a vast array of experiences since setting foot in Southern California, many of which I would not need to relive. But I do not regret things either, because I am a better person for it. Too many times I think we move through life trying to forget things we should remind ourselves of......
I'm told folks of all kinds flocked here 30+ years ago, to a place that held freedoms, fun, and futures..... the CA of yesteryear perhaps. It seems as a way of escaping everyday life, loss, and past loves, a "paradise" of sorts was created, yet the intrusion into personal lives, locally and on the state level is astounding. I could write a book, lol.
I honestly did not realize the amount of freedoms afforded on the East Coast. My eyes have been opened. We come from a land very unique; real estate is affordable and where dreams can be discovered.
An area where my sons can shoot basketball with friends for fun, have a pool party, throw football with family/friends, make some noise, listen to music, drive a car easily, and freely play with pets. Most important, you know who your "friends" are. and who you can call on........
Chynna has begun her online Personal Training course to become certified; this plan aligns nicely with her desires as a coach, player and for our purposes. She already has had a few "clients", lol. I told her she can continue to whip me into shape:)
Only two weeks after my core fitness class ended, I've done the workouts on my own, and seemed to have "hurt" myself ha ha. I'm the kind of person that needs a trainer! With a few minor injuries, I may be signing up for the next course, starting next week.
I set aside the time from May through September for a very specific purpose, and as I look back over these months, I can see pieces of our purpose unfolding. It's okay to reflect and look back on where you were to where you currently are; however, that doesn't mean the move ends.
I don't want to be a "pillar of salt", a "preservative" left in a pile that just
sits there, as told in the story of Lot's wife.
This is only just the beginning......
"Hulu and J.J. Abrams’ production company, Bad Robot Productions, are teaming up for an adaptation of Stephen King’s acclaimed 2011 cross between a sci-fi story and historical novel, 11/22/63, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The thriller follows a high-school teacher who travels back in time to stop the assassination of John F. Kennedy"
When one or more you love suffer loss or pain unneedlessly, each expresses it differently. Even if it can be part of their personal growth, it all remains very difficult to deal with. As a mom of a son who witnessed the worst possible thing ever in losing his dad, I have a special place in my heart for him........
Having 3 other kids who shared the pain, as well as help uncover the purpose of loss, have forever been changed and challenged......... Even almost 3 years in, I will continue to do whatever it takes to help each realize their futures do exist. Perhaps a mother's love or the determination of destiny........
One of mine needed to go as far away as possible to escape familial responsibility; another always had a craving to chase after her dreams. One son, a bit more volatile and emotional, is the heart of the family...... and my youngest, well, he has made the most of every opportunity given to him.
I find it important to reevaluate life and decisions regularly because I will always want and do the best possible thing for the kids...... not for myself and not because of peer pressure. We follow a different flow......
I do find myself extra sensitive to dehydration while here in this extra dry climate. It's hard to imagine seriously worrying about a "water shortage" for years and years, if living here permanently. The lifestyle of renting in the South Bay and NorCal lends itself to never feeling settled..........
Austin is fighting off an ear infection for the past week, so it may be time for a doctor visit:/ His new job at The Loft Hawaiian is going well and will need to fit in, following his school schedule on weekdays. After implementing a few new plans, he is coming along well. although it is tricky without his own car:/ We have no plans to make a big purchase here because of countless scammers in SoCal.
Chynna's team won an Indoor Tournament today and she's very excited about going to Nationals in 2015:) I may just have to make a visit there. I wish we would've known then what we know now; she could've gone far in this sport after high school but trusting in a divine order and plan. Now could be her time:)
Sometimes lessons learned can be gleaned in a short amount of time. When the Spirit of God is involved and dreams are revealed, time becomes irrelevant. Age does not matter. Fear is not a big factor. I find what used to take 20 years, can be learned in 2. Crazy stuff........
Setting up plans for the next six months. Exciting days are ahead.