Since We Last Spoke...

Life is a constant state of flux. Ruts are nice but a person doesn't ever have a chance to grow and evolve unless there are challenges. 

When we last spoke, I was working in an autobody shop paint department. I enjoyed my work. And was quite good at it. But if there is one thing I have learned from working in the auto industry off and on for years, is that there is always drama in the workplace. One big soap opera! I tried my darndest to steer clear of all the drama queens. Just kept my head down and did my work. I saw so many injustices - bullying, inequality with work loads, etc. But when it affected me, I had to take a stance for what was right. I quit and told the boss the reason I quit. Amazingly, things did change (some what) for a time. 

But I didn't go back. I moved forward. I threw myself into my writing and turned out two more books, which can be found on Amazon Kindle. But then, something else happened. Something which was unexpected and yet, not so much. And I then understood why the situation at work occurred and why I quit.

You see, I believe that things happen for a reason. We are not left to chance. The Universe gives us what we need when we need it. The Universe provides opportunities for us to grow, to learn, to develop. If I had continued working, Hubby and I would not have been able to get done in two months what we did - find a place to live, pack up the house, and tie up loose ends in the city.

We had a rental in Colorado Springs. Our landlords had both died in the last three months of 2016. Their daughter inherited the rentals. She decided to sell all the rentals at the beginning of summer. We did not wish to purchase the rental we were living in. The search for a house became our prime objective.  We knew we had a short amount of time to find a place to live. Completing the cabin on our mountain property, which had been our first plan, was not an option. (I will expand more on that next week!)

The housing market in Colorado is crazy! People were paying insane prices for small, run down houses in the city.  And truthfully, Hubby and I wouldn't have been happy in the city. We both longed for a life not filled with arguing, prying neighbors. A place where the music didn't play until all hours of the night. We knew where we needed to be.

So, here we are. Enjoying our quaint Victorian in a small mountain town. 

Next week I will write about what happened at our cabin/tipi location and why there are farm animals wandering down my sidewalk.

While you were away....

Oops! Guess you weren't the one away...it was me!

It has been an awfully long time since I have had a free minute to sit down and write a post. You see, I started working full time last summer. An opportunity arose and I took it. I have worked off-n-on in the automotive industry for most of my life. My first real job was in a repair shop and now I am back in a similar environment. I mask cars that are ready for a new paint job. Many people consider it to be tedious work but I enjoy it. It gives me time to ponder things and is an outlet for some of my creativity. I cover the parts of the car which are not to be painted with masking paper and plastic. May sound simple but speed and precision are required. Speed is something that has come with experience, even though I am not as fast as some younger people, my precision is good and makes up for the (lack of) speed. 

an example of a car masked and ready for paint.
image source

Working in this environment is dirty and can be stressful at times. I don't mind the dirt and dust. But the stress has been an adjustment. New personalities to adapt to, so many aches and pains at the end of the day, the 'mad rush' to get cars painted and out on time and a serious lack of free time.

Hubby and I share the chores and meal preparations. We still go on our weekend hikes as the weather allows. And we still are working towards a simpler way of life. We have continued to downsize by selling or bartering what we have for what we need for the mountain residence. At this point we only need windows, a door and of course materials for the building. And building materials do seem to show up at the most unexpected times. Also, we have purchased a vintage camp trailer to live in while we build our cabin. Once we move into the cabin full-time, we will give the trailer a make-over for the guest(s) who will undoubtedly come to visit.

I miss my writing. And often find myself talking like I write....

I miss my creating. While masking cars is a bit creative, it is nothing like bringing something to life from bits and bobs. I have been getting rid of my art supplies. Living in a small space does not allow a person to 'hoard' much. And I want to concentrate on only a few things - like sculpting and sketching. So most everything that doesn't have to do with those has been put on the sell/barter list.

I miss my research. Having a short amount of free time has made me become more selective about what I read and from who. (I read on my lunch break)

A new grandbaby was born recently. Zaviar Alexander. The delivery doctor has said he is somewhat of a miracle. The umbilical cord was twisted like a pretzel and had only one artery instead of the normal two. The doctor said that most babies with those conditions in the womb are born premature and underweight. Zaviar went full term and weighed in at 9lbs. 3oz.! 

Spring has come early here. The trees all have expanding buds and it won't be long before the leaves are popping out. The cycle of life continues.....