Thursday, October 27, 2016

Nature Deficit!

One thing I can say for sure since we've relocated from rural Alaska to less-than-rural California is that I miss the wilderness.  Truly miss it.

The unbelievably crisp, fresh, clear air.  The stunning views from the top of any given peak we hiked.

The irreplaceable calm that results from being able to just be - in a natural environment, almost completely untouched by the hand of man.  Heavy-handed, I know.  But oh, so true.

One of our first California hikes at Eldorado National Forest

John Muir said it best:   "Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity…”

I couldn't agree more.

That's why our road trip about an hour or so out of town to the Eldorado National Forest in the central Sierra Nevada not too long ago was so necessary.  Now this isn't exactly "untouched by the hand of man," but I'll take what I can get!

We hiked around Jenkinson Lake during a lovely fall day.  Not too hot, a delicate breeze, waterfront trails.  It was perfect.



After hiking around the lake and checking out some of the campsites, it's safe to say we were all rejuvenated. Including the Pugbull.  Nature deficit begone!

The location is definitely a contender for a camping trip at some point.  Might need to be the Cricket's inaugural California camping excursion.

The forest smelled so piney and fresh

It's funny - I appreciate Kodiak more now that I'm not there.  I realize this smacks of a classic idealizing the past scenario, but it's true.  I miss the raw, natural beauty that was right outside our front door.

Not the climate, mind you.  But, that unforgettable environment and magnificent  landscape that was so accessible to us.

I guess that means we're going to have to step up our road trip game and get outtta town more often now that we're in the land of the light rail, sports arenas, and traffic.

"Wilderness is a necessity..."  I hear ya, John Muir.  I think I have Kodiak to thank for that.

Ta-ta for now.




Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Halloween Wreath

Full disclosure - this one was a teensy bit tedious.  It took me weeks to make all the pom-poms that make up the bulk of this wreath.  Mostly because lazy.

My grand plan is to make the accessories exchangeable, so I can flip it from Halloween to a Thanksgiving or harvest theme.  The orange color pallet makes for a nice autumnal blank slate to play with, and I think it looks nice just on its own, without adding any accessories. 

Supplies are pretty simple:  a straw wreath form, two different tones of orange yarn, floral pins, and scissors.  I used two packages of the light orange yarn, and 1 for the darker orange. 

The pom-pom tutorial I followed can be found here.  Super easy, by one of my favorite crafty gals, Miss Mustard Seed.

I interspersed the darker orange yarn amongst the pumpkin colored yarn, which I chose as the primary color.


Once you've made the pom poms, it's just a matter of attaching them to the wreath using the floral pins.

I hung  a few Halloween-themed whimsical guys I've had for a while inside the wreath, and on the bottom.  I got them at Pier One years ago, and I just love them.  I break them out every Halloween.  They make me happy.



Here's the full wreath in all its fluffy glory:


I think in a few weeks, I'll either replace the less than menacing monsters with pine cones or just leave it plain, so it's not Halloween specific, but just autumnal.  It's a multi-functional wreath.  Happy fall, y'all!

Ta-ta for now.




Wednesday, October 5, 2016

The Rut

I'm in one.  A rut, that is. Let's call it a not exactly unpredictable post-PCS rut.  I'm not following any of my own advice about adjusting to a new place after moving, and I'm spending waaay too much time hiding out in my house.  Which as many of you know...I love to do.  

I can putter around the house doing this, that and the other all day long.  For days in a row.  Without the least bit of desire to go out in the world. The house-gnome tendencies are off the charts lately. 

And this is a problem.  Why?  Well, because I'm not engaging.  I'm the opposite.  Almost completely DISengaged from this whole process of rebuilding my life, finding a job, being social, etc.

I can't seem to get my momentum going.  And truthfully?  I'm just...tired.  I'm tired of all the things I have to do to get my shit in order for yet another job hunt.

The resume updating, the hunting down of reference letters, the endless searching for interesting and relevant positions, applying for said positions, fixating on whether I'll be called for an interview, fretting about said interview, agonizing over whether I'll be hired, and on, and on, and on.  I'm just weary of the whole process.  I've done it So. Many. Times.

I've made very little effort toward finding a volunteer gig while I just barely job hunt, I'm not working out, it just goes on and on.

On top of the fatigue, the reality of knowing we'll only be here for 9 more months at this point makes it even more challenging for me to motivate the hell on up.

Man, do I sound like a whiny brat.  It's not my intention.

But occasionally, this platform of blogging ends up being a sounding board for me.  I guess this is one of those times.

Please standby for crafting, recipes and travel posts at a later date.  Insert high pitched emergency broadcast screech here.

I'm trying not to be too hard on myself.  (Not one of my strong points)  It's only been about 6 weeks since we've rid ourselves of boxes and unpacking.  So, I'm trying to cut myself a break.

I realize the only person capable of changing this lovely attitude of meh I've decided to take on is the one tapping away at the keyboard at this very moment.  You know, the lady who's been wearing the same t-shirt for almost 48 hours.  And can't seem to peel herself out of her house.  It's me.  The answer is me.

Alright.  Time to wrap up the sunshine and lollipops I've got going on here.  I need another injection of Chucky Swindoll.  Here goes:


Amen, Chuck.  I've got some work to do.

Ta ta for now.