It's all about Donna

I’m back! Did you miss me? My mantra this year, is simply, it’s a new year. New beginnings, new days, new life.

I have struggled with a lot of issues these past few years. I won’t go into the details, just trust me on this. It hasn’t been pretty. Now, having said that… it’s a new day, it’s a new year, it’s a new beginning!

This year I resolve to be resolute with my resolutions. The most important resolution and goal, is to get my art studio built. I miss having a creative space, and as art has re-entered my life, I want to nurture it. I have lots of ideas using Zentangle and must have the space in which to create. The couch and kitchen table no longer satisfy my thirst for artistic expression. I am hoping the birthday fairy godfather will wave his magic wand and help my dream come true. In the meantime, I dream and scheme.

As the new year begins, I am determined to blog more, make healthier choices, and above all, be happier. Won’t you?

From my friend Dr. Ravenblack…

I have quite a few good friends who live on the East Coast and I am pretty sure none of them has an earthquake survival preparedness kit. My friends on the West Coast probably think about it—but my NYC dwelling friends? It is probably the last thing on their mind. (Probably would be mine too if I lived in NYC!) So, I thought I would make up a little care package—just in case this kind of thing happens for them again. Here are a few things I am throwing in:

MOLLE Five Day Assault Pack

Check it out! MOLLE-981

MOLLE Five Day Assault Pack

Since military-influenced fashion is still in style, I picked the OD green backpack. I prefer backpacks, because they free up full use of your arms. And, I promise, you’re going to need them! If you have to ditch your place during a disaster, you need something comfortable and big enough to hold all your essentials—like your laptop, your jewelry, your favorite pair of Manolos, a first aid kit, your flask, a knife, a flashlight, lip balm, ammo, a hairbrush, and other such items you will need as you bug out. This bag also holds a few days’ worth of clothes; but why bother? Now you have an excellent excuse to go ahead and buy more.

Like it? Buy it! MOLLE-981

Jumbo Stainless Steel Flask

Check it out! CAMP-370

Jumbo Stainless Steel Flask

This is a huge, and I mean, huge flask. It holds 64 ounces of water … or not water. Depending on how you want to cope with whatever just happened. Knowing my friends, they will need two flasks. Seriously, guys, fill one up with WATER. Do not even try to make it a whole day without drinking water. I know it is beat into the ground, but water is the one essential item for survival. As far as coping mechanisms? Well, they are pretty important, too.

Like it? Buy it! CAMP-370

Kaito VOYAGER Solar and Crank Radio

Check it out! LOW-559

Kaito VOYAGER Solar and Crank Radio

This emergency crank radio does it all. Even though it is a bit pricier than other crank radios, it is worth it because of all the extra features. It picks up AM, FM, Shortwave, and seven NOAA weather alert channels. In a natural disaster, it is extremely important to stay informed of what is going on around the city—you will know if you need to leave, or stay barricaded inside. The Kaito Voyager has two different lights, including a reading lamp and six different types of power: crank, solar panel, AA batteries, and a built-in rechargeable battery pack. It will even juice up your iPhone and iPad, so you can still play Angry Birds.

Like it? Buy it! LOW-559

Millennium Energy Bars

Check it out! Food-900

Millennium Energy Bars

Since the subway would most likely be down and available cabs would be scarce, my friends would probably have to do a lot of walking, which requires energy. Plus, in a natural disaster, I am pretty sure your favorite sushi place would either be destroyed or closed, so food is almost as important as coping mechanisms. These energy bars are pretty tasty, and are just 409 calories apiece—for those of you watching your girlish figure.

Like it? Buy it! Food-900

So much for a weekly, let alone daily, post about life in the day of me. It’s been crazy. I haven’t really had a whole lot to say either.

Here it is a little over three months after my last post. More life has happened. I remained jobless since October 1, 2009. That has totally sucked. I’ve picked up some freelance and barter projects, but nothing significant that I can support myself on. It has totally grated on me to be stuck in this position.

Had to put down the two old horses. That wasn’t fun, but it was necessary. Boukie went down and couldn’t get up. That sucked. Several weeks later, it was clear that Louie was languishing after the loss of his buddy. I love my Vet and his people, and my good friends Lori Allen, Kathy and Jeff Hoffman, who all helped me with this huge task. Thank you all for both your physical and moral support.

OK. It’s not all doom and gloom. There have been a ton of bright and uplifting spots along the way. In March, there was all the preparation for the annual Sunrise Ridge Horse Driving Trial. I’m responsible for the program and sponsors. That alone is nearly a full-time job. The event took place in April this year.

In May, I got to attend the Certified Zentangle Teacher conference in Massachusettes. Had a blast, met some creative people and made some truly wonderful new friends. It was good for networking, too. This was truly a turning point in my life and as one new friend told me, “life changing.” She was not kidding. It has been life changing, and as a result, I vow to be more diligent in posting on a regular basis now.

Because I do have life in my day, I hear it calling my name. Until my next post, HAVE A GREAT DAY!

“Let the sun shine
Let the sunshine in
The sun shine in

Let the sun shine
Let the sunshine in
The sun shine in

Let the sun shine
Let the sunshine in
The sun shine in”

~~HAIR

Winters in North Texas are typically pretty mild with a handful of crappy weather days. Yes. Crappy weather. I said it. When the weather is bad in North Texas, it’s really bad. There is no middle ground. At least not in my opinion. This winter season we have seen more crappy weather than in years past. In fact we had our first white Christmas in over 50 years and we now stand at the second snowiest winter in Texas’ history. While I’ve enjoyed some of these snow days and bad weather (in hopes of freezing out all the bugs), I have really had enough. I am ready for the sun to come back out and shine once again. I need the sun to replenish my happy supply and make me smile again. I shrivel horribly when the weather is crap. Today, the sun is out and life is good.

Let the sun shine in!

This post is long overdue. It’s been a year. It’s been a long year. I’ve had a lot of life in my days. This post deviates somewhat from what I would normally post here. Since I haven’t posted anything in some time (nearly two months), I reckon I’m allowed.

I fell into the ranks of the unemployed nearly a year ago. I really didn’t think twice about it. My skills are highly desirable and very marketable. I was prepared for an up to four-month search as I knew my job sector had taken a direct hit in this ‘new’ economy.  Low and behold, within four months I did indeed find a short-term contract. Cool… this would get me into the fall when things should get better and it would buy me a little time to find a longer-term contract or even a permanent position. As my contract came to completion, several new opportunities presented themselves. Once more I found myself in the candidates chair and in the top three to five choices. While this is all very positive, the negative is that a job offer did not materialize. This is a first for me and I am simply astounded. Not to worry… life goes on.

And life does go on. Life in my day is now let the dog in, let the dog out; let the dog in, let the dog out. You get the picture. I’ve also got four horses to care for, three of which are senior citizens (pasture ornaments due to their age). Additionally, there’s all this work around the house that needs doing everyday. Oh yeah… and I have to conduct daily job searches for that ever elusive job so that I can continue to draw my unemployment.

There are several things I’ve learned this past year:
I can indeed live on way less than my usual upper 5-digit annual salary (of which I was lousy at saving).
I don’t need half the crap I used to buy and now realize that if I don’t ‘need’ it I don’t buy it.
I can do so much more, on so much less. This is almost liberating.
I have true friends who care for me (and for whom I’ll always be extremely grateful).
And the biggest thing I’ve learned is how much I really LOVE my parents and how much they really love me. I don’t say because they give me money, because they don’t. In fact, my mom keeps trying to give me money and I won’t take it. I love them because of the moral support and how they have been enriching my life this past year with our weekly lunch dates. A tradition we extended into yet another blog, 52Tables.com.

This post will definitely fall under babble as that is pretty much all it is. I just felt the need to write, so I did. There’ll be more… lots more.