Sedona, AZ.... 

Had a nice day celebrating my honey's birthday. Went to breakfast then rode up to Sedona. Enjoyed a perfect day in AZ. 

One of our signature photos! Lol

Incredible red rocks

Cute javalinas

Funny shirt, lol

My silly, fun, wonderful man!!!

Absolutely perfect day!!

Thank you Lord for the match you made!  

Laughter and smiles are contagious.  I have experienced some days that may have contained very little of either.  There is nothing worse than feelings of depression.
Hopefully most of this has been accelerated by hormone imbalance as I am aging...
I am back on track, with the doctors help; moving toward a healthy, happier me.

As I ponder the life I have lived, and the one I now live, I find it interesting how easily we can lose sight of all that is so important for true happiness.  I believe we "need" God close to us every day.  When I had nothing, it was so easy to rely on Him to see me through.  I now struggle with taking the time I need to know Him.

I have many struggles, completely different than anything I have experienced before. 

My life has turned and moved and thrown me around like a crashing wave in the ocean.  I have not really known which way is up. 

I have a life full of love, friendship, compassion, understanding and so much more.....
Lord, help me find direction, help me find motivation, guide and direct me in this path I am on.

Life is like a roller coaster, as we all know....

I am not a person who enjoys the drops and turns and unexpected loops of a roller coaster.  I find myself on an active one.  Mentally and emotionally I am trying to hang on.  Lord I need your hand. 
I am living a completely new life with a man who adores me beyond belief.  He supports me in every way, constantly encouraging me and giving me complete freedom to be who I am.  I am completely in love with this man who is an extension of me as I am of him.  Amazing how the attacks on him, the manipulations, the stresses affect me.  I struggle to let it all go but as it is thrown at him, I feel it so strongly.  I struggle with how and why I am so affected.  I believe it is my love connection to him.  We truly are one.
Lord, you know these struggles, and I know you have a plan for us.  Please help me deal with my emotions.  I am so confused by what I am feeling regarding the other people involved in his life.  I have lived life just scraping by for all these years; now I see the other side.....  It is not pretty.
All the greed and selfishness....
So depressing...
I do truly believe we humans are happier having little possessions and much faith; what I see are people with every "thing", and no happiness.
Lord, I pray you will help me find my great faith again....

I've never played any instrument, but I can sure relate to this wisdom....
I believe there are many more happy times than sad, but life is filled with trials and challenges.  In looking back, I see where I have failed to allow myself to fully feel and enjoy the happiness that has been given me.  On the flip side, I also know I don't usually truly allow myself to feel the sadness and tears necessary to heal through the rough times.
It seems easier to just slip by each day, guarding the heart and soul from major emotions.
This is probably a "learned" response to life.
Lord, I pray you will help me allow myself to experience the emotions you have given me.  Happiness and joy without reservation, as well as free flowing tears to cleanse my soul.  I have many trials as each day passes; help me to allow myself to truly live!

I've been trying and trying to set up this kind of life......
Oh, how much I wish this life was in my grasp.  I, we, have been dealing with some pretty intense emotional circumstances.  After all my posts about my Lord helping me through, I have now a whole other set of issues to work through.  I know God works in amazing, unforseen ways to strengthen us.  Lord, continue to teach me things I cannot possibly begin to see or understand.  I am looking forward to the day I look back and say, "so this is what that was all about!"
I trust you Lord to get me through this!!

Fountain Hills, AZ....
Feels like a place to call home one day.  This is a pic of the fountain; I'm told it was built as the world's largest but now is in 4th place.  Funny how people think to do something like this.  It is an oasis in a hot, dry land. 
The first time I ventured into this town, I knew it was a place to visit often and possibly even land in.  We are considering moving this direction.

Fountain Hills is four miles from one of my new favorite places, McDowell park.  I have now been learning all about mountain biking.  The trails at McDowell are perfect!

Not that I ever thought I would exercize - but it is a form of exercize I seem to be addicted to.  When out on the trail, I feel like I am going to die... (uphill); coming back down is worth all the effort!

What a great feeling to know I did it!

In this new chapter of my life, somehow I think I will do many new things and see many great places.
I'm so excited to have some adventure.  I'm so happy to have a life partner.
Through all the trials, we stand strong together, supporting, encouraging and loving each other!

I'm so thankful for what God has done for us in our lives.  He brought us together at the perfect time!

The newest addition to the family - Stella, our boxer baby!  She was born Oct 17th, 2012; we got her just before Christmas.  Poor little girl was very sick... After a week or so of medicine she started coming around.
Now she is absolutely happy and healthy... driving us crazy!  Silly girl won't stop biting feet and ankles...
She also has some potty training issues to be dealt with.  We have a trainer coming to the house today to help us remedy these issues.  Help Sam - we are under attack, LOL
Our efforts have failed...  she thinks we are playing when we try stopping her biting...

Much time has passed....

My new back yard, so to speak.  It has been quite a long time since my last blog.  I am now residing in AZ.  This pic was taken at Lake Pleasant which is pretty close to the house.

I have found myself feeling a bit out of touch lately.  I last resided in NC in October 2012.  After traveling around the Pacific Northwest, I am finally ready to settle here in sunny AZ. 

It reminds me so much of my childhood.  I grew up in So. California; spend many weekends in the desert.  Ocotilla Wells and Glamis.  My dad, his friends and other family use to camp and go riding dune buggies, three wheelers and motorcycles in the desert.   Hmmm... some great memories of family members who have long passed on......

Since moving and traveling, I have found myself struggling with many things.  I have a new life; much different from before.  I no longer have to work a 9 - 5 job (or whatever crazy hours I had to work before), I don't have the negativity surrounding me from my ex and I have what I need without worrying about every dime spent.  Even with all these positive changes, I have found myself longing for ???  what??  Something feels like it is missing.  I think it is "me and God" time.  Seems during the most stressful times of my life I felt so much closer to my Lord.

I am now on a quest to reconnect.  I hope to find the closeness I use to feel with God and share amazing experiences he brings my way.  I hope to encourage myself and learn from my life walk.  In the process, maybe be encouraging to someone else.

Soon I will go back and see where my story left off, fill in the blanks if needed and start moving forward.

Lord, I am seeking your face once again.... this time in complete thankfulness and appreciation for all you have to teach me and all the lessons already learned.

Thank you!