Raige Creations

 I can hardly believe how long it has been since I added to my blog. I often open a tab, create a new post, and watch the blinking cursor tempting me to type something. But it blinks in vain. I sit there, my mind blank. Mind you, it is not blank any other time. In fact, I have written many a great post in my head while laying in bed at 1am or 2am, after a 2 or 3 hour nap on the couch. But the minute the cursor blinks, great words and ideas disappear. I wrote this blog many months ago, but never thought it was quite ready to post. Plus, I had to ask my friend if I could post her picture. We had both been so busy we didn't get to talking about that, or even swimming much. But here this is, I am sharing now because I finally asked and she said sure! The sad part is, we were chatting because she is moving away. And I said, " NO!!! - What will I do without my Swim Buddy!?!? Oh, by the way I have this blog....." So much like the original night I wrote this , I am sitting here o...

 Aimlessly scrolling this morning, while I enjoy my coffee, I came across this: I sang it to hubby, and yup, he said bang bang . No finger guns though. Perhaps he wasn't the finer gun type. But me? Well.... Now -  I am the warrior ...well I am the warrior...and heart to heart you'll win...if you survive..... Finger guns and all. I am right there, back in 1984, with my besties...back then we didn't call each other that. We called each other sisters, BFFs perhaps. We were a group of 8, then 10. The Great 8 Plus 2 . Inseparable in those crazy years, gathering at one of our houses (whosever parents were out of town, preferably, but not necessarily. We could cause a bit of trouble with or without parents around).  I even had the half a head of short hair, half a head of longer hair, hair cut - oh so 80's style. One of my friends cut my hair in this "hip" style, and cut part of my ear along with it! I am missing a little bit of my left ear. We were definitely shooti...

A surprise suggestion, this song was. I asked a friend-who-is-family for some ideas, as I wanted to do a Music Monday this week, but was having trouble picking a song. Just didn't have any that felt right at the time. So this friend, who by the way is someone we (hubby first actually) 'met' online. Communicated for quite a while before actually meeting in person. But you just know when you click with someone and we are going on over 8 years of friendship, I believe, though it feels like we have known each other forever. She has been a wonderful addition to our extremely small circle of friends. She is 'auntie' to my kids, she is who I vent to almost on a daily basis via messages, she is always willing to listen unconditionally. And that, my dear readers, is hard to find these days. She became family. Source So after complaining I was not inspired by any songs, she said she would see what songs came on over dinner with her Mama, and give me some ideas. Her Ma...

Yes. I can say that with confidence - I am thankful for my grey hair and wrinkles. And slightly large middle section (I call fluffy), and scars. Most days anyways. Actually most days I barely think of it. It is what it is. source However - yesterday I found out how other people see me. Well at least one other person. I was at the hair salon, waiting to get a much needed haircut. I had not taken one bit of time to do anything with my hair that day, so it was a bit wild and and frizzy. I ended up chatting with someone who I barely knew (met her almost 6 months ago, and hadn't seen her since). We were chatting about, well, hair. She, I will call her ' D ', had just that day decided not to get highlights in her hair, she was letting the grey show, and seemed quite proud of her decision. D 's justification and story about what led her to this point was long, and unecessary in my opinion, but I let her go on. She was waiting for her 15 year old son to f...

Still reeling from the sudden death an old and dear friend, this song doesn't quite capture the loss but for some reason resonates. The chorus playing over and over as we struggle with the fact that cancer came swooping in and ravaged my dear friend. It crushed her down to almost nothing, and finally took her vibrant smile and giggle, warm heart, and soft kindness. All we can do now is celebrate everything she brought to our lives. She made me smile countless times, her warmth so soothing. She will be sorely missed, and leaves a loving husband and 3 beautiful kids (who are around my kids ages). Rest well my dear friend, you fought hard. Now we find you in our memories and hearts forever. I nearly, I nearly lost you there And it's taken us somewhere I nearly lost you there Let's try to sleep now

We got the crap scared out of us Saturday night, just as we returned from our family portrait sitting. We had mistakenly made the appointment at the photo place at the mall for the Saturday before Christmas, so our nerves were trying to recover. Note to self, avoid mall the weekend before Christmas! We were were just getting home, still had coats on, standing in the kitchen going through the mail. I had just sent my oldest out with the smelly garbage, and hubby and daughter and I were reading the much awaited acceptance letter from App State. (Yay!) The door was open so we didn't notice the 3 people that appeared in the doorway.  Out of nowhere, they burst into song (very loudly)!  "Dashing through the snow...in a one horse open sleigh..." I jumped, the dog started barking, and they continued singing like nothing was happening. We were trying to figure out what in the heck was going on! All we could do was just stand there, confused, while we tried to deal with ...

Here I am, trying again to get back to working out.  To say the least, my workouts have been sporadic. I try, I get out for one walk, then don't again for a week, then two walks with a little running, then nothing.  But I am trying again. Since it is the beginning of a new month, I am trying to keep track, and be more consistent.  Here are my recent workouts. It looks a little scant, there in the line graph. And yes, the previous workout was 2 weeks prior.  But here I am, now with 2 workouts in one week, and now that I am sharing, well if I don't keep at it you all will notice. Plus, today I ran for almost 2 songs, and walked the rest. A little bit more each time.  Whether you like it or not, I am making myself accountable, and will be sharing with you, my new (perhaps unwilling) workout buddies. I will record, share, and hope to make some progress this time. I am trying again. After all, the true failure is not trying.  Plus, seeing ...

A beautiful thing happened this past weekend. I spent a wonderful amount of time with family, and even connected deeper with a new friend. I have started to let the stresses go, tho they do pop up, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel (though it is still quite far away). I have begun to deeply appreciate each moment I feel my future coming into place.  As the lyrics say.... Love is in the water, love is in the air.... Heaven let your light shine on me I'm gonna let it shine It's gonna shine on I am also still loving the new radio station, where I get to hear great songs from back when my life WAS more simple, and less stressful. I strive to get back to a more simple life, where I can enjoy the shine! The song ends with a beautiful suggestion - Well come on and shine. So it's a perfect way to start the week. Shining!  Shine on.

Just when we find it difficult to continue, just when we are about to give up, up steps a friend to encourage us to keep going. Just this morning, I was at the point I thought giving up was the best way to go forward. Stress, worry, and uncertainty got the best of me. It was a small gift I received recently that changed my whole day. About a week and a half ago, a dear friend , whom I 'met' online first and then have only had the pleasure once to see in person, sent me a little something in the mail. It is an arm band to house your MP3 player while you run.  She made it for me, she wanted to try a new pattern. I was happy to be the guinea pig really, because when I don't have on my new running pants with the pockets for such things, I have to hold my mp3 player in my hand. Along with my phone, and the leash, this is really annoying.  I got it in the mail, and sadly it sat for a few days untried. Then she sent me a note asking about it. She noted how she sent it for ...

As I mentioned on Monday , my last few months have been filled with feelings of going back and forth with ideas, running 'Hot N Cold' so to speak. One of the few constants I have tried to maintain is running, or at least mixing runs with walking. I even found motivation and groups online to help me through the mornings where it was so hard to get out there and do anything. I tried to share, for me and others, because if it helped me I knew it may help someone else. That's me in the middle there in the green shirt - asking "Why is there always a hill at the finish?" I ran the Shamrock Run back in March, which actually was a very hard race. I felt much more prepared for this race, and was determined to run the entire thing with no walking. Well, I did it, no walking, ran the whole thing, but my time was worse than the Jingle Bell Run, plus I felt worse after the race! My lungs ached, my head ached, and I felt it took me longer to recover from this race.  J...

These thoughts occurred to me today: I cannot help me to the detriment of you and I cannot help you to the detriment of me It also occurred to me I am guilty of both. This is a fine line we all walk - helping others and helping ourselves. It is an ever shifting line, and often we get all tangled up in that line.  It came to my attention that my walks and runs, ever increasing in length and exertion, have taken a small toll on the dog. She seems always starving when it's dinner time. I know, she is a dog and always wants what we are having, but lately her demeanor is urgent. Her vibes are - 'I am SO hungry ... I WANT WHAT YOU ARE MAKING'. So much so I am tripping over her as I prepare dinner!  Also, she no longer pulls me on our walks, well unless a squirrel runs in our path. She walks right beside me, even lags sometimes. That is until we make the turn around to come home, then she is out front again. And today, she looked downright miserable by the time...

Another year, another adventure in life.  Another adventure in writing with NaBloWriMo - where I challenge myself to blog every day in the month of October. I have been calling much of my life lately an adventure. And why not?  Life IS an adventure. But I am always behind. Source: whudat.de via Reach on Pinterest Tell me how to get caught up? I am always running behind , and it's not just writing this blog. It is with house chores, pet chores, shop chores , Raige Creations tasks (so so neglected poor Raige is), family time (I SO need to catch up on family time), time for friends, time for ME, and now blogging every day, the list goes on and on. Source: w3spine.com via w3spine on Pinterest Sometimes I feel like baby tomato, and like I look like poor  Mia there. Still trying to be funny, still trying to maintain composure.  A never ending battle to catch up. So off I must go, already behind schedule. Have a lovely Friday. ...

Thanks to hubby, my best friend, I have been listening to some good music at the shop lately. Who doesn't need a little Depeche Mode now and then?      Makes the day feel totally different than The Monkees , and that is a good thing! I like the relaxation I get when listening to Depeche Mode . It keeps me level, and helps me concentrate, which I need today. My Mondays have become like Fridays because I take Tuesdays off, and today I can't wait until the end of the work day so I can go home. Thank goodness some good music will get me there.  Thanks to my best friend, I know he will never let me down. And no , there is no 'again', he never has and I know he never will. TGI Monday!

We are young So let's set the world on fire We can burn brighter than the sun A great song for today, as we attack the new week after a wonderful weekend! We went ziplining on Saturday with a friend who was visiting from out of town. WHOO HOO!  If that doesn't make you feel young, I just don't know what will. I am not showing you the next picture of my face as I realize I started braking too soon and was going to land short of the platform..... But what a fun ride.  I also got to celebrate mother's day along with my youngest's 14th birthday. My daughter's gift to him was this: An incredible home made and decorated cake of exactly what he asked for on it. (it's a video game on his wish list - doesn't come out until the fall so he is wishing far in advance...) It was painful to watch the birthday boy cut into that piece of artwork. But he carefully got exactly the piece he wante...

Never thought it would be, but today is Farming Friday!  I went to the Farmers Market in West Asheville to check on Raige's Toekini's there at the shop Locally Grown. I added a few more, and after re-arranging, think maybe even a few more would do nicely. Then I had a wonderful lunch at The Moose Cafe with a friend. Super good Southern Food, super good company. Their Apple Butter is awesome on those home-made biscuits! It got warm, the sun was out ~ So far a great Friday Then I come home and check on my tomato plant and LOOK! I have 4 tomatoes! PLUS a few more flowers that are sure to turn into yummy home grown tomatoes. I may just have a green thumb after all, but don't want to speak too soon. My daughter has a good green thumb though. Proof here, are all due to her diligence in taking care of these, here are her  Trumpet Creepers .  She grew each of these from the seeds. Took care of them all fall, winter, and so far this spring. Then she ...

It has been a stressful week. I know, I know, hubby tells me I talk too much about stress. Well, these are stressful times, and the beginning of this week was quite stressful!! But I can focus on one happy moment this week . What was it?  Fudge .  And is it sad that this one happy moment for me revolves around food? I will explain. Fudge is one of those things that I am not real thrilled about. Unless it is GOOD fudge . I have had okay fudge more often than not. For me, okay fudge is not worth eating . But GOOD fudge is different . Good fudge is hard to find. Good fudge is totally worth eating . But I can't tell you the last time I found good fudge . So it is just one of those things that is 'eh, no biggie' . So then this week, right about mid week, when the stress is worst , my happy moment happens.  It's late afternoon, I am behind in a custom order, behind in blogs, don't know what's for dinner. In a sour mood . In walks son with the mail. He...