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Love come softly, brush against my heart
Yearning for its closeness, not ever to depart
In God’s Infinite Wisdom, I place my life,
And trust for tomorrow, what be, what might
Whatever path this love may go
It carries with it the willingness,
to let it go
And hope that one day, it will again, brush against my heart ....
To stay forever.
Karen A. 05/30/06 
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HERE'S A SUGGESTION
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Mar 19, 2009 9:57 pm
1896 Views
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I think the following advice is very good and something many of you might want to exercise in the future whenever you find yourself in a stressful situation. By the way, I am not the original author, this is a C&P.
A Stress Management Technique
Just in case you are having a rough day, here is a stress management technique recommended in all the latest psychological journals. The funny thing is that it really does work and will make you smile..
1. Picture yourself lying on your belly on a warm rock that hangs out over a crystal clear stream.
2. Picture yourself with both your hands dangling in the cool running water.
3. Birds are sweetly singing in the cool mountain air.
4. No one knows your secret place.
5. You are in total seclusion from that hectic place called the world.
6. The soothing sound of a gentle water fall fills the air with a cascade of serenity.
7. The water is so crystal clear that you can easily make out the face of the person you are holding underwater.
There!! See? It really does work. You're smiling already. 
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8
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FOR ME ~ IT NEVER TURNS OUT THE WAY I PLANNED!
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Mar 12, 2009 12:04 am
2063 Views
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I'm sure many of us have seen a beautiful landscape, mountain range, or bright moon that just takes our breath away. Hoping to capture for a lifetime that special moment, we grab for the nearest camera. To those of you who have the good camera's and the skilled know-how to have it turn out just as you saw it, I envy you.
The other night I arrived home after dark. The sky were clear and the moon was bright. As I got out of my car I had one of those "take my breath away" moments. One of the leafless trees was silhouetted against the bright moon behind it. It was a beautiful shot, so I grabbed my little Nikon digital camera out of my purse and focused. Yes, through the little view window the scene was as I saw it with my naked eye. "Oh, this is going to be a great picture" I said to myself.
I eagerly unlocked my front door and hurried to my computer and downloaded the picture. With bated breath I awaited to see a masterpiece .... my best work!
Oh well,  as my title said .... It never turns out the way I planned!
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12
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CHECKING IN
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Mar 10, 2009 9:32 am
2139 Views
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I'm feeling the repercussions from not blogging as much as I have done in the past. I manage to come in to SFF pretty regularly and briefly scan over the blog front page, but there is a feeling of "lost connection," and I don't like that feeling.
Things have been busy for me, so the time I would like to take to read and/or comment, and/or write a blog myself seems pretty limited lately.
I guess that's good, because it means that I'm spending less time on my computer and more time with activities outside of the cyber world. Living alone and shutting myself up in my apartment is not a good thing. Living alone, and getting out and involved, is.
My life seems to have taken a new turn, and it is good. I started attending a new church fellowship this past summer, and I feel I have finally found the "church family" I have needed and prayed about for a long time. I have become active in a couple of areas of ministry, and small group activities outside the church. I am finally meeting people (after moving here in 2005) and making new friends.
Even though I haven't found any part-time work yet, I decided I needed to find something that kept me busy during the week. I need to keep my skills up, and my brain stimulated! So, I am doing some volunteer work and enjoying that a lot. I've met some really good people through the volunteer organization too.
Although I am not blogging as much, or reading your blogs as often, I still feel a closeness to this site and the people who are a part of it.
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14
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SOMETIMES I REALLY HATE THOSE AH HA MOMENTS
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Feb 25, 2009 10:49 am
2020 Views
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I was perusing my viewing list this morning and thought to myself "gee, I sure am getting a lot of views from older men." Oh, my ... then it hit me .... I'm closer to 60 than I am 50, who am I kidding?! LOL
It is really hard for me to "grasp" that reality lately. I certainly don't feel like 58 (what ever that is suppose to feel like).
I know I've been told that I don't look my age, but sometimes pictures lie, and lie big. If you really got a good close up look at me, you'd see all the dry patches on my face, the odd mole that recently popped up out of no where, and the crow's feet that must belong to a pretty good sized crow!
I think I got blessed with my dad's gene's where gray hair is concerned. I do have them, but unless I'm standing in the sun, its not so noticeable. My mother has proclaimed loudly a few times when she has seen the sunlight beaming down on my hair "Karen, you need to color your hair!" LOL Thanks Mom.
It's really all okay. I'm not depressed or anything. At least not yet. When I start including prunes in my diet, then I'll get depressed.
Have a good day! I'm going to.
~Karen
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14
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WHAT DO YOU SEE OUT YOUR FRONT DOOR
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Feb 24, 2009 4:03 am
2310 Views
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Let's have some fun, okay?
We've been having a lot of rain lately. I don't want to complain much about it because it is certainly needed to prepare us for the hot summer months and the fires that plague this area during those months.
However, a few days ago the rain let up, and the clouds parted and we had a little sunshine for a while. I've been meaning to take a picture of the view out my front door so I could send it to a friend of mine who lives in Portland. She does not have a computer, and will probably never have the chance to come visit me here. Compared to the place I moved from when I came to Redding, the view outside my front door now is wonderful
One of the great benefits of living here is the beautiful panoramic view of the cascades that are off in the distance. Redding is situated with mountains to the North, East and West. The best time for some breath taking views are during the spring thru Fall seasons mostly just before the sun sets. The mountains are silhouetted against a sky full of dark purples and blues. Also, on days like the day I took the picture below .... with snow capped mountains, sunny and blue sky's.
My little apartment complex has a maintenance crew that keeps the small area of lawn and shrubbery around my place trimmed and manicured. The grass is always green. The place I lived in for ten years prior to moving here had no front yard at all. All there was, was a black asphalt parking lot, and my view was a busy street and a huge garbage receptacle that seemed to always be full and overflowing.
This picture doesn't really do justice to the view that I have, but I thought it would give you a good idea. The cascade mountains in the background are my greatest viewing pleasure.
Okay, here is the fun part. If you are able to, take a picture of what you see out your front door and do a blog about it.
Have a great day!
Karen
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15
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MY LATEST PHOTO SHOOT
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Feb 22, 2009 10:16 pm
2050 Views
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I was messing around today before leaving for church, trying to take a picture of myself (Since I was all doodied up and all). As most of you probably figured out, I like to change my picture once in a while, and its about time to do that.
So, I'm standing in my little hallway next to the bathroom taking a few pictures. After I took a picture I would look at it, and then delete it. I just wasn't taking one I liked ...... until I took the one you see below. I believe its my best shot ever. The camera flipped out of my hands and I'm standing there frozen in horror watching it fall, thinking that its going to break as soon as it meets with the floor. Fortunately the carpet softened the fall as it bounced and then landed on the tile in my bathroom. As it hit .... the flash went off.
I decided to go with this picture and turned my camera off, put it away, and went to church.
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GOTTA QUESTION FOR YOU
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Feb 17, 2009 11:45 pm
2511 Views
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I'm thinking about rewriting my profile and I thought I'd get some advice from anyone out there who is willing to give it. And, I know there will be some. 
Actually, I thought it would be interesting for me to get some input from you on the type of man you think I would be best suited for...... or would be best suited for me.
You can be funny and take this lightly if you want, I am. I may or may not use your suggestions. What ever I write up will still be what I truly feel. I'm just "thinking" at this point and looking for something that might be interesting enough to put on my profile.
So, what do you suggest?
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19
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I AM A BIG PROCRASTINATOR, BUT I DO PRETTY GOOD UNDER PRESSURE
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Feb 13, 2009 2:30 pm
2120 Views
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A week ago today I received an e-mail from the husband of one of my long-time friends. He was letting me know that the two of them were planning a trip to California and wanted to vist me .... and how would Valentine's weekend be? I was excited and responded back with a "come on down" and gave him a few names of motels close by, as he had requested. I anxiously awaited for a confirmation of the day and approximate time they would arrive, but nothing else was heard. Finally, yesterday I decided to send an email to both him and Suz saying "hey, you still coming down?" I also called Suz and left a message. This week has been a busy one, so my plans were to do what housework I needed to do, today, in preparation for the visit. Since I didn't hear back from either one of them, and the forecast over the pass was snowstorms and chains required, I figured they were not going to be able to make it.
So, this morning I take my slow, good ole time getting up and motivated. I had a couple loads of laundry to do, at the laundry mat, plus vacuuming and straightening up my kitchen. But, heck, I had all the time anyway, and I figured if they were coming, it was most likely tomorrow. WRONG!
I got a call about an hour and half ago from Suz. "Hi! We're here, we're at (naming a place just up the road from me). We have to check in and then we'll be down. I panicked! I hadn't even showered yet. The only thing I had done was my laundry! Fortunately, it turned out they were hungry and when she heard the hesitation in my voice she figured out I wasn't ready. So, they went to get a bite to eat and I've been scrambling around here getting things done. I can't believe I'm sitting here now with time to spare while I wait for their arrival.
I've always been that way though .... always waiting till the last minute, but as my blog title says ... "I do work best under pressure!"
They should be here soon.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone.
~Karen
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7
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TWENTY-FIVE THINGS
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Feb 10, 2009 2:54 pm
2136 Views
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I am following Starphysh's suit [post 99955]. Below is 25 things about myself.
1. I am a middle child, sandwiched in between two brothers.
2. I was born without an right ear canal. I had several surgeries for exploratory and cosmetic purposes, but it’s still kind of a weird looking ear!
3. I am basically shy, and quiet. However, I make a good listener.
4. I love being around people with a good sense of humor.
5. I don’t like being around someone who is sarcastic in nature. Sarcasm can be funny at times, but too much of it, to me, is just a pessimistic attitude.
6. I’ve never married, and have no children, but would love to be a Grandma.
7. I am retired, having dedicated 30 years of civil service to the State of Oregon.
8. I only had my mouth washed out with soap once …. And I remember to this day having it done, but not what I did to deserve it.
9. I dislike generalizations.
10. I cry very easily.
11. I sometimes let my emotions lead, rather than my common sense…. And that gets me in trouble.
12. I’m easily entertained.
13. I’m not impressed by money, or position.
14. I love to make homemade soups.
15. I miss my Dad.
16. When I was a young teenager, I use to hike up a little mountain we called Flag Mountain, and when I reached the top, I’d find me a little rocky stone to sit on and gaze out over the trees and river below me and write poetry.
17. I didn’t get my driver’s license until I was 21.
18. My first car was a little silver Datson 1600 2 dr convertible. I forget the year … I think it was a ’64? I didn’t have it for very long. It had a radiator problem that couldn’t be fixed and I always had to carry a jug of water with me.
19. I do my best to not gossip!
20. My favorite color is green.
21. I was a 4-H Rockhound.
22. I love music. I sang in high-school choir and church choirs, and the Portland Chorale for two years. I play the piano and keyboard by ear, but only to entertain myself.
23. I’m scared of spiders, even the teensy itty bitty ones.
24. I love the sound of rain on the rooftops and wind chimes blowing in the wind.
25. Most importantly for me, I love Jesus. He is my Confident, my Comforter and my Provider, and He Loves me, in spite of my short-comings.
This was fun to do. Hopefully others will do the same! Thanks for getting it started Starphysh.
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5
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JUST CHECKING IN
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Jan 23, 2009 12:30 pm
2702 Views
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Thought I'd check in and say hi. I've been busy, but also haven't had much motivation for blogging of late. I don't want to be forgotten, so I thought I'd at least come in wave at you 
The house in the picture is the house I grew up in. Well, at least from about 10 years on. It's up for sale again. The people who bought it from my folks did some wonderful work on it, and it makes me feel really good to see it. I went to the Realtor site and was able to take a tour of the inside as well. A kind of nostalgic trip. Outside of a few renovations, the place still looks like the home I remember. Notice all the trees around the place. I do miss them. Looking at this picture, I can almost smell the mountain air too. The one thing I don't miss though is the dampness. See the window on the second floor, right side of main house? That's my old bedroom. In the ten years since my folks sold it, the house as gone up over $300,000 in price! My folks bought it back in 1957-58 for $11,000.
I'm having company over for dinner tonight. I decided to do a pork roast, so I have that cooking now in the crockpot. I'm trying out one of the recipes in my Weight Watcher cook book. Hope it turns out good. There's also some sweet potatoes, onions and butternut squash cooking with it.
Wishing everyone a good weekend!
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To link to this blog (Ola2006) use [blog Ola2006] in your messages.
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