#SOL2018 Day 7 Where was the friendly receptionist?

I do not like going to the doctor or dentist. Today I had an appointment for a mammogram. So I gritted my teeth and headed out.

The receptionist spoke in gruff, one or two word phrases: "Birthday? Smoker? Middle initial? Doctor? Sign here."

All the while she was typing furiously on her keyboard. She shoved a blank envelope toward me but didn't provide any instruction. It lay on the counter. When she was done with the interview she said, "Address this to yourself."

I complied and tried to give it to her. She said, "No, take it with you."

Where was the friendly person who is supposed to calm my jitters?

The technician was friendly, thank goodness. She came early. She was professional and quickly put me at ease. Thank goodness.

#SOL 2018 Day 6 Slicers have stepped up the game

I know it's time to write my slice but I don't want to stop reading all the interesting slices. It seems everyone has stepped up their game this year. The slices are powerful, truthful and tell such great stories. When commenting, I think, "I should write about this." I'm in a community of writers who welcome my stories. I feel I've found my niche. I'm encouraged to write every day and try harder to tell my story. Thanks to all of you for sharing your lives by writing.

#SOL 2018 Day 5 too good to be true

I’ve always heard the saying, “If it’s too good to be true, ...Recently I followed up on temporary employment. I spoke with the superintendent, he provided me with the details. He said I’d be helping out the district by filling in until the next school year began, just a few months. He gave a round number for expected pay. It sounded perfect. But time passed, I called, the board had taken no action last month. Finally I visited in person to inquire about the status of the opportunity. The superintendent said the news wasn’t yet released but they found a full time person for the position. Oh, my, it was too good to be true. I’ll survive.

SOL 2018 Day 4 Beach time vs being at home

Hearing the high pitch of spring peepers once I returned home.
Hearing the ocean waves crashing against the sandy shore while at the beach.
Robins, bluebirds, chipping sparrows, crows, and doves frequent my walk at home.
Pelicans and gulls frequented my beach walk.
Green grass, wild onions and beefstake smells fill the air at home.
Salt water mixed with sand filled the beach air.
Cooking, cleaning and taking care of others at home.
Being served breakfast, lunch or dinner by others at the beach.
Too early for food fresh from my garden at home.
Fresh seafood served every day at the beach.
Schedules, obligations and appointments fill my time at home.
Whims, curiosity and spur of the momemt decisions filled our days at the beach.
It's important to spend a few days at the beach.
It's also good to fulfill expectations and be back home.

SOL Day 3 special day visiting with former coworkers and friends

Time spent with friends from the past made my day special. Today I went to a wedding shower for a daughter of my former coworkers. They were actually more than coworkers. I was high school counselor when he was the band director. Our educational philosophies were similar. We supported each other during times with irrational school leaders.

My son went on numerous marching band trips with the band director. His wife attended as a cosponsor and she was Winter Guard coach. My son served as assistant setting up Winter guard performances with them . My husband served on the school board when the band director was offered the position of high school principal then superintendent. I was the junior high principal when his wife first started teaching junior high English. Our lives were once closely intertwined but we lost touch over the past 11 years.

Children grow up, go away to college, get engaged and make their own way in this world. They watched over my child as he matured. I watched from a distance as their two children became adults.   I was excited for the opportunity to catch up with these friends. The young daughter has grown into a remarkable young woman. She is working on a Masters degree and planning for a doctorate in a medical field of radiation therapy.

It was good to reminisce and touch base with this family.

SOL Day 2 I write about my Busy Day

Day 2 and I'm struggling with what to write.
I had a busy day so I'll write about it. I had planned to do some painting in my studio but my plans fell apart.
I was up at 6 am to walk the dog. After the outside time, we all had a quick breakfast and I helped my husband find a part in his garages. He had an erran to run so I began cleaning house. I vacuumed 4 rooms of carpet, dusted, changed the bed sheets, and completed some laundry. I also read and commented on a few slices between jobs.

At 10:30 my husband returned and I helped him. We put the hitch in the pick-up receiver, hooked up a car trailer, unloaded a car, parked it in the garage, he backed the trailer into a shed and we loaded a car frame (no motor or steering wheel) onto the trailer and strapped it down.

It was lunch time, a salad and a trip to the bank for some folding money.

Back to work in the house. Make some phone calls to reschedule a doctor appointment, check on a job, and call a hotel to see if I'd left my ankle boots there while on vacation last week.

Coffee break for me while he delivered the car frame. But then he called because didn't grab any cash and needed to wash off the car frame. So I drove 3 miles to town to take him a couple dollars.

I did watch a painting video while he was gone. It was a bluebird, I'm hoping to try it tomorrow.

When he returned, we got the dog outside again while we unhooked the trailer, attached the scooter lift, loaded the scooter, strapped it down, parked it under the overhang. He was getting ready for an early morning trip to a swap meet.

We drove back into town to get a couple items for dinner, pick up the mail and get gas in my car.

Prepare dinner, enjoy it then clean the kitchen, fold laundry, make the bed...and time to read and comment on a few more slices.

SOL Day 1 Beach Time leads to making dog treats

Just last week I was at the beach. It was beautiful, breezy and warm. I think it's been four years since I'd walked barefoot in the sand, that's much too long. I'd love to live there, the next best thing is getting to spend a few days soaking up the warmth.

Several reasons attract me to the beach. Exercise is natural. Every morning I walked up and down the sandy shore. Eating non processed foods is easy. At least once a day we ate fresh seafood. Red snapper is my favorite. Breezes coming off the ocean are a delight. I don't even get hot. I'm drawn to create. The scenery begs to be painted. New experiences provide for a creative outlet.

This trip was for a nephew's beach wedding, so several family members were there too. We enjoyed visiting together, the cousins even took a few selfies as proof. Not all could attend so one niece did a live video on FB for friends and family back home. I tried to stay out of the range of filming, then when we got home my husband said he couldn't find me there. Ha.

On our last day we happened upon a farmers market. The food was amazing. We sampled a variety of fresh foods. I bought pumpkin cinnamon treats for my Golden Retriever back home. Oh my, did she love them. So much that I searched online for a similar recipe. This morning I made her treats that taste good! I know because I had to sample them.