some completion

A little over three years ago, I began a journey that took me out of country, cross country, traveling to multiple countries and just a general lack of a "home".  My life was fractured with little bits of me in Arizona, Florida and London.  I try not to be materialistic but this journey has included an incredible amount of material loss - like my library of 800+ books, family photos and other treasures. 
Simplification has certainly been the order of the day ... of necessity going from an almost 6 figure annual income, a marriage, a beautiful home and an exciting career track to barely keeping my head above water, a separation waiting for the legality of divorce, a new little home and a decimated career due to the economy.
But that is what life is all about, right?  Challenges, Joys, Sadness, Contentment, Grief - And our characters are measured by the grace and fortitude with which we weather the tsunamis of life.  I get that.  but sometimes I cannot help a bit of a whine ... or feelings of deprivation ... and then the immediate guilt that follows because so many are in far worse shape than me.
Living in Utah and restarting with nothing but a few tubs of personal items and clothing has been a great learning experience and has certainly led me to appreciate the simplicity of life that I have found here.  We have a little home but the key word is "home".  It has become a sanctuary and a place that my son and I feel safe and relaxed and ... finally ... content and settled.  PHEW.

busy busy

Has been a busy couple of days - lots of moving stuff around here at the house and still not much sleep.  I am considering taking a roommate for a few months to cut down on some expenses as the new job ramps up.  Did I mention that it is commission only?  eek :) good thing I love it but after lots of thought - the roommate option seems to be the best.  The apartment is set up perfectly so that they could have their own room and living space and so can I.  wee bit tighter quarters but I can live with it.  So much rearranging and finding new homes and creative homes for the several hundred books and all my statues and stuff i love... :)  I packed some away and there is just still tons!
Crossing fingers that I find someone nice...otherwise I could always just go camp out with the dragonflies!  :)
Here are a few more Florida pics...

son of fat boy before he eats the flower

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storm coming in

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carbs and sunshine

literally...

king of the pier

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A1A - ocean highway

Good Morning from the Dragonfly Stalker

It has been a busy morning - another insomnia night so I just stayed up and then headed out at about 5:30am for the beach to get the sunrise.  And it was beautiful!  And I have pictures.  BUT the pictures are stuck on my camera - sigh - and hte cable is floating around here somewhere....I think.  Normally, I use a memory card but I forgot to take it out of the card reader and got there - ah well - LOL - brains go mushy with no sleep.  SO...I got back and walked around back of the house to at least take some pics of the cool clouds and much to my surprise - the dragonflies were there!  Not quite as many as in the evening but still alot!  So here are my early morning bug stalking pictures and I even got another kind - I think it is a butterfly but I will have to toss that to the voxpert - PAT!!!   I was also joined by another stalker...slinking through the grass and getting ready to pounce and then he saw me and took off - it was a little wild kitty!  These are all single shots as they were more spread out and they seem to be a bit more frenetic in the morning.  I came away with about 50 blurred pictures!  HAPPY SUNDAY!

a butterfly I think!

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dragonfly at dawn

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as dawn broke

Starbucks Fly-thru

flying right at me!

morning dragonfly coffee

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sippy straw

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Home of the Dragonflies

halfway somewhere

“This bridge will only take you halfway there, to those mysterious lands you long to see. Through gypsy camps and swirling Arab fair, and moonlit woods where unicorns run free. So come and walk awhile with me and share the twisting trails and wondrous worlds I've known. But this bridge will only take you halfway there. The last few steps you have to take alone.” Shel Silverstein

Full circle, in a manner of speaking.  Life has been change for the past few months (YEARS!) and I am working hard on some stability.
 
I am back in Florida and settling in.  I just got back from London a few weeks ago and have been busy unpacking (finally) and getting organized.  The apartment is good - good location, good floor plan and lots of room and light and a great office space.  My space is set up - the books are on the shelves and the statues have all found homes.  I have been cooking and breathing and it is good.
 
I made some work changes and started a brand new job today from home as a Recruitment Manager.  

It felt good today and there are lots of confirmations that I have done the right thing.  For sure, Munchkin Man is ecstatic that his gypsy Mom is setting down some roots - poor wee Capricorn!
 
I will be returning to London to visit in the near future and hopefully to live again in the not so near future.  I miss it but again - confirmation that I have done the right thing for the time being for my son and my sanity. 
 
I am looking forward to reconnecting with the vox community - it has been sorely missed. 
 
I am looking forward to reconnecting period and start working to live, instead of living to work.
 
Hugs to everyone...hope you didn't forget me totally!