Monday, March 25, 2024
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Don't give up now
But really, do I have a choice?
I guess it was his birthday, a trigger day that started me on the roller coaster again. Just when I was starting to feel better.
I'm so tired of feeling better only to slip back into this funky phase of grief. The good thing is I have writing about it to help me get through the awful moments.
If it seems like I am ready to give up going on with my life and having a normal life again, the answer is hell no, I will never give up. I got through losing JR and I will get through losing The Captain. He taught me that life does go on . . . he made it possible for me to do so. It isn't easy, but life isn't easy.
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Love With No Place To Go
Saturday, March 9, 2024
Back Some Day
The Captain used to send me this song in his emails to me when we were in the long distance phase of our relationship. He would travel from North Carolina to Florida so we could spend time with each other to see for sure if what we had developed online worked in real life.
Every time he visited, the hardest thing was to say goodbye and not know when he would be visiting again. That is how it was between the visits and the returns home until he moved in with me forever. The words to this song bring back all the feelings. I could play this song over and over again, enjoy the wonderful memories and hate the tears because he is gone.
Single and feel a spark for someone online? Opportunity is knocking (read that post) and you need to listen. It may be something that can develop into something more.
Back Some Day|Blue lyrics
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Passionate and Intense Love
Have you ever felt an intense and passionate love for someone that seemed to be a gift from God?
There is nothing like it in the whole world. Although it feels like a gift, the object of your desire may have no idea how you feel because it is nothing that someone can intentionally give you. It is what it is and purely natural. And the person feeling the "love" can't make themselves feel it . . . it just is.
It may not be love at all, but this feeling for another person is more like magic. This magic can actually make your heart skip a beat, feel like you are floating in the clouds and you truly believe you are in love. You could possibly be falling in love and perhaps "the falling" is actually more magical than being in love itself.
All these thoughts came rushing to me as I thought of the first days of meeting The Captain online. I was so taken by him with his charismatic and charming personality that I did not want to see a photo of him. We spoke on the phone and his voice was music to my ears. I felt so strange to feel so strongly about someone I had never seen or touched. But my senses felt his magic.
I prayed that this was not an ugly man that had captured my heart so intensely since my heart had previously been taken only by men I was strongly attracted to physically. Shallow and too picky, I know. But I was being taught a different way of falling in love and it was blind faith.
It was one of the best times of my life.
When you meet someone online, you really have no idea who they are or what they really look like. If they have a photo, it could possibly not be the person you are interacting with, but someone else the person wants you to think they are.
Unfortunately that deception happens often online. The person resides in your computer or phone, an image in your mind that your heart interprets what it wants, but really is not real until you are eye to eye with the person.
In my case with The Captain, he made my heart skip a beat with his charming personality, but when I finally saw a photo of him and ultimately met him in person, my prayers had been answered and I had been falling in love with a man whose appearance I was strongly attracted to . . . to the point that I didn't know if I was coming or going. What a feeling!
He gave me a gift I will never forget and he lives in my heart forever. RIP captblackeagle, I will love you forever. Miss you so much, my heart is still broken and always will be.
Love your loved ones like there is no tomorrow . . . there may not be.
Listen to your heart
Lyrics
I get a notion from the look in your eyes yeah
You've built a love but that love falls apart
Your little piece of heaven turns too dark
Listen to your heart when he's calling for you
Listen to your heart there's nothing else you can do
I don't know where you're going and I don't know why
But listen to your heart before you tell him goodbye
Sometimes you wonder if this fight is worthwhile
The precious moments are all lost in the tide yeah
They're swept away and nothing is what is seems
the feeling of belonging to your dreams
Listen to your heart...
And there are voices that want to be heard.
So much to mention but you can't find the words.
The scent of magic, the beauty that's been
When love was wilder than the wind.
Listen to your heart when he's calling for you
Listen to your heart, there's nothing else you can do
I don't know where you're going and I don't know why,
But listen to your heart before you tell him goodbye.
Friday, February 23, 2024
Pets . . . the story of Buster
My pets are like my kids and once again, one of my babies is the subject of my Picture Perfect entry.
This is Buster, he was a terrier mutt that my dad found and brought home for me since at the time, I didn't have a pet and he thought I needed one. His nickname was Red . . . he had reddish-brown hair and had lips like a human . . . for real . . . he even knew how to use those lips correctly to pout. This dog was too funny!!
The photo is Christmas morning opening presents . . . Buster is anticipating a treat from his Christmas present of a box of doggie treats. The photo is a little blurry because he was moving and I was trying to keep him under control so we could get a decent photo of him with his Christmas present. lol Do you see him licking his lips? He always did that around food . . . and act like a crazy dog until he got his little morsel of happiness. I never saw a dog enjoy food with so much gusto.
The next photo is much clearer of him licking his lips in anticipation of stealing food this time. There was food on the coffee table and he wanted at it really bad. Check out the look in his eyes . . . what a character he was!! Food drove him nuts!! It was difficult to have a party with him around . . . we had to be very careful where the food was placed or put him outside.
He was also very funny when I was cooking . . . I didn't have to worry about dropping anything on the floor and having to clean up . . . he was my live vacuum cleaner. The only thing he would not eat was garlic. You know that if you feed dogs raw garlic they won't get fleas . . . well, he would not eat it unless I disguised it wrapped up in ham and cheese or something similar.
Buster is another one of my babies who has passed and now resides at Rainbow Bridge . . . I miss his silly little personality, gluttonous and very sweet ways. He was a charmer . . . we could take him anywhere, he was the perfect little well behaved gentleman unless food was involved.
Comments (48 total)
Gagan…
FTC, me Ginaaaaaaaaaaaa ... wow you look soooo beautiful ... nice take on theme. Nice day there and nite. Mine is not yet prepared. I am sorting my folders for that. Let's see on Friday then.
Wednesday October 3, 2007 - 10:36pm (CEST)
Natur…
So funny! He probably never got over having to be hungry when he was on the streets as a stray. I had a dog once that stole food. He was huge and could eat food right off the dinner table. I remember once he ate a whole lunch meat tray off the table at Christmas while I was not paying attention. (except for the swiss cheese, hehe). Great photo for the ANTICIPATION theme.
Wednesday October 3, 2007 - 04:42pm (EDT)
Reymu…
What cute pictures. You look so happy with your baby.
Wednesday October 3, 2007 - 03:50pm (CDT)
Le-La
Hi Gina, my Mum has had dogs, cats, birds since I can remember and they all had their own little quirky characteristics.
We would name them accordingly and it would be bizzare how well their names suited them. Some were mischievious, some sly and yes some gluttinous. I so understand when you related the food put somewhere high or they were outside. We had some great laughs with our pets and they still bring Mum such joy.
Love your post.
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 08:10am (EST)
Mare
Hi Gina!!! I love the pictures of the poochies they are sooo cute oh yeah and you are beautiful too !!!! hehehe love ya Gina
Wednesday October 3, 2007 - 07:06pm (EDT)
xxxxx…
OMG, he's sooo cute.. I bet he loved Christmas time. lol
Wednesday October 3, 2007 - 05:14pm (PDT)
Cathe…
Hi Gina, Buster sounds like a real sweetie. I didn't know if you gave dogs garlic, they wouldn't get fleas. You're so pretty-look at that hair! Thanks for sharing this.:)
Wednesday October 3, 2007 - 06:36pm (PDT)
Scalo…
You look great together both appear to be very happy I guess you do love your baby and your buster baby loves you too it seems. Have a great weekend.
Wednesday October 3, 2007 - 10:12pm (EDT)
Take …
That is too cute..Yes he is excited and the look of anticipation is priceless. :)
Wednesday October 3, 2007 - 10:17pm (EDT)
…
This is cute. It reminded of my son's dog, Boomer. He used to sit under the table when we ate, just waiting for someone to drop something. We couldn't leave anything edible within his reach.
Wednesday October 3, 2007 - 07:45pm (PDT)
great job.......I think that i might post mine tomorrow....oh the anticipation!!!!
Wednesday October 3, 2007 - 07:49pm (PDT)
shirley
Nice job! he is sooo adorable.I can see his anticipation
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 01:02pm (SGT)
elly s
sooooo sweet
you both look so happy n love each other...
I have cat as a pet
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 01:07pm (SGT)
Emmm
Those eyes are just burning holes in whatever he had his sights set on. I had a dog like that - dedicated to the pursuit of the smallest morsel. Your story has brought back some fond memories. Thank you for sharing this.
Mines up too.
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 01:09am (EDT)
devil…
Your little guy is too adorable. I love such adorable dogs and isnt it wild how we get so attached to our pets. They really are something special. A great job on these weeks theme.
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 01:22am (EDT)
Cherie
Yes I can see in Buster's eye the look of anticipation and michief no wonder he stole your heart.
Wednesday October 3, 2007 - 11:00pm (PDT)
Natty
Thank you for sharing, he's cute! Anticipation all around. :) Mine will be up tomorrow.
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 11:28am (CEST)
::Rii::
Hei Gina
Heheh!! Lol
He sure is anticipating all right.
Good take.
HUGZ from Rii xx
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 01:09pm (CEST)
Luxy
Another happy baby! Feed him geez!!! lol
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 07:27am (EDT)
Man's best friend also womens i reckon they give out so much love and affection. I miss a dog in our house for cleaning up the mess our kids drop on the carpet oh well..... at least the vaccuum works lol. Nice photo of you both!, enjoy the weekend.
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 06:12am (PDT)
Harma…
Doggies!
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 11:39pm (JST)
ஐ♥ღDe…
OMG....too cute....dogs are soooo much fun....what a cutie he was and it sounds like his personality was awesome!
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 10:56am (EDT)
*MaRi…
So sweet!!! :D
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 05:44pm (CEST)
ღ♥Lis…
Aww, great pic, I bet you do miss him!
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 12:22pm (EDT)
Suzy Q
That is so cute! We know who is spoiled now~ great pic thanks for sharing
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 11:30am (PDT)
Umman C
Good memories keep us happy. You two look very nice. Have a good day.
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 02:20pm (CDT) Remove Comment
John O
LOL A whole new perspective on the phrase "Chow Hound"
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 09:02am (GMT+12)
360 o…
i have a puppy...only 45 days old...he is very bitey..OOPS
Friday October 5, 2007 - 02:40am (IST)
True …
Offline
Anticipation & Excitement!! He wants that treat - He is cute G
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 04:27pm (CDT)
Buch
it's amazing how much joy a dog can bring... i've seen that anticipation look so many times on pets, especially when it comes to food, lol... great pics!!!
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 05:36pm (EDT)
GG:NF
Very cute Gina. I hve two vacuum cleaners here too so i know exactly what you mean....LOL.
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 02:50pm (PDT)
'chel…
I like this one! I ALMOST did this with Rocky. He's the same way around food! I knew just what you were talking about when you mentioned that gleam in his eyes!
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 05:53pm (CDT)
♥Fran…
Hey Gina Great minds think alike... love your blog and your dog is precious.. I have such a heart for animals... Mine is alot like yours.
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 08:43pm (EDT)
Nick
Why is it that all pets no matter how much you feed them they always want what you have on your plate.. great post I to love all my pets..
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 10:01pm (EDT)
Sienn…
He's a sweety pie! I loved seeing the photos of you, too!!! The Rainbow Bridge poem is the best.
Your dad gave you a wonderful gift giving him to you and you gave Buster a loving home. xo
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 09:13pm (CDT) Remove Comment
Kim K
what a great present from your dad.. doggies and daddies are just gifts.. wonderful pictures too....
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 10:58pm (EDT)
Scatt…
Anaimals are too funny.... There is always anticipation around food. When I cook the dogs will not leave the kitchen no matter what game the children are offering them. The anticipation of scraps coming there way is too much......
Friday October 5, 2007 - 08:39am (GST)
A Fac…
Buster's anticipation is just sooo apparent!!! Great pics. Are dogs ever out of the state of anticipating food????? Great blog as always!!!!!!
Friday October 5, 2007 - 12:50am (EDT)
ahhhh I love Dogsss
Thursday October 4, 2007 - 11:42pm (PDT)
ღஜLov…
What a sweet post! Mine is up have a great weekend!
Friday October 5, 2007 - 12:27pm (CDT)
Love that pic of him lickin' his chops. Too funny.
Friday October 5, 2007 - 10:43am (PDT)
♥♀♂Ŵħ…
Awww Gina what awesome photo's of you and your precious pups!! You can feel the love with just a single glance... they are so lucky to have you to care for them!! I'm sure they anticipate being spoiled by mama eh?! Have a great weekend girl ~ Hugs and Love
~Bren~
Friday October 5, 2007 - 02:30pm (EDT)
Awww how sweet! I have two dogs that are my babies also! Have a great weekend!
Friday October 5, 2007 - 06:32pm (EDT)
Marie
what a mischievous look he has on his face! I'll bet Thanksgiving was his favorite day of the year :D
Friday October 5, 2007 - 10:13pm (EDT)
Linda O
Buster shows us real anticipation!
Can sure tell he is loved and sure loves you!
Saturday October 6, 2007 - 12:29am (CDT)
not h…
Just now making rounds. How precious. Love furr-baby and real baby shots so much. He looked like a very loved ad happy furr-baby. Maybe he's met a couple of my furr babies at Rainbow Bridge and they are frolicking together.
Lovely shots Gina...and such wonderful memories. thanks for sharing both
Saturday October 6, 2007 - 01:41pm (CDT)
Annette
...great photos and story.... enjoyed reading your posting... thanks so much for sharing...
Saturday October 6, 2007 - 03:57pm (CDT)
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Love is . . .
Saturday, December 23, 2023
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Fear of Moving On
never knowing what a great person
you might have been
I wrote the following post many years ago. The Captain was already an awesome friend, but it was before we became serious about getting together. Actually, I was involved with two other guys I was contemplating moving on with. The big question was "am I ready?"
The theme of the post is fear and feeling safe. While I am so thankful I got through the fear of moving on and eventually let The Captain into my life and got married, fears still keep me from moving on with my life in different ways.
When I think that I am hopeless with all these fears I still have, I feel gratitude for the progress I have made since JR passed away. The post I wrote back in 2009 proves that to me and I don't feel so crazy.
Originally published April 15, 2009
What would you do if you weren't at all afraid?
There seems to be an inordinate need to be "safe" . . . staying in my comfort zone prevents me from living a truly satisfying life as I once experienced with such a zest for life.
Perhaps this is all a result of the grief process . . . the extreme life changes . . . and hopefully my "normal" zest for life will return. Fear of failure has gripped my heart and soul where I once followed every dream after making the plan, I now analyze everything to death before making any significant move . . . fearful of the outcome rather than approaching the situation in my usual carefree but cautious manner.
Moments of attaining my ying/yang life balance are coming back with regularity, but leave me with that "fear of failing mentality" with as much regularity. Time heals all wounds and I see this as one of the most important areas of my life to gain control over.
The fear is like a security blanket that I have found difficult to let go of . . . why? It doesn't really keep me safe and keeps me from moving on with my life. Did I just hit on the answer? Is it a fear of moving on and letting go of life as it was? Still feeling the guilt of moving on?
Fate and destiny brings people into our lives at different times for various reasons. Someone from my past has come back into my life who I have always loved, respected, have an extreme comfort with, passion for and would trust with my life . . . my first love.
TRUST AND LOVE . . . isn't that what my major relationship problems have been in recent past?
My thoughts of moving on are becoming more realistic. There is no doubt in my mind why "he" is back in my life . . . to cross that huge bridge in my path with me . . . it scares me.
There are times when people drift out of my life and at the time I wonder why, yet always find the answer with the passage of time. The reasons are always for my benefit whether I consciously agree or not. One door closes and another opens . . . the biggest obstacle is walking through that door. Perhaps there is a reason why . . .
Saturday, September 17, 2016
Support of your loved ones
For most of my young life, I tried so hard to meet his expectations that were never going to be met. The result? As a young adult, I spiralled out of control and was thrust out in a world that I was not ready for, however, deep down inside I knew that I was not that stupid little girl that I was made to believe I was all my life.
As time went on, I did prove to myself that I am a very intelligent person with compassion for others. The compassion came from understanding the emotional hardships we all go through and what they do to our mental health. However, self-esteem has always been a problem for me, no matter what I accomplish.
There have been people in my life who have recognized my problem with self-esteem and used it as a weapon against me. It personally stops me in my tracks when I recognize it is happening and makes me wonder why this person is still in my life and their trait of flawed compassion questions my capacity to make wise choices.
It doesn't have to be loved ones. The support of those we admire means so much . . . think about it. Compassion and support from others is a treasured gift that should be cherished when you find it.
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Fear and Emotional Honesty
It is sad to live in a world where honesty is feared. People are nosy by nature and always want to know "why" for so many things. The tendency to pry into the life of one who is not so easy to get close to is a sure way to make them run away and never come back.
What does that have to do with emotional honesty?
"Being honest in a relationship means you tell the truth.
Being honest doesn’t mean the same as passing judgement or making assumptions or giving an unsolicited opinion. Being honest is not saying something hurtful because you are hurt. Being honest means you express your emotions accurately and in a loving way. You stay on the same side. You don’t blame, name-call, or use the relationship to control what the other person does. Emotional honesty, factual honesty and respect support and nurture loving connections."
Half truths are much like lies. My intuition always tells me when something important is being swept under the rug. Those things that are under that rug can start a roller coaster ride that sometimes goes out of control. Trust flies out the window . . . and it also depends on the type of relationship you have with this person.
On the flip side . . . I started this post about fear of honesty. It has been my experience that people in general are very insensitive and love to judge others. Maybe it makes them feel better about themselves.
Call it paranoia, but in the past I have been so judged about my varying phobias and how I deal with them that I have gotten to where I don't want any new friends and having to "explain" why I can't do this or that. It isn't worth it anymore.
I recently arranged to meet up with a childhood friend at a restaurant close to home and my "comfort zone." We lost contact with each other after high school. Actually, I was feeling pretty positive about seeing her again. Then I got the message that her husband wanted to meet half way. That place would have taken me way past my comfort zone and I just didn't want to explain why I could not comply with the request that, under normal circumstances would be considered reasonable.
So, I cancelled and deactivated my Facebook account so I would not be asked to explain with all the dreaded questions about "why" . . . which leads to judging and even more questions that make me so uncomfortable. Yes, I know she now thinks I am nuts, but probably would not have understood my issues anyway. So I ran away from it.
In this case, honesty would have taken me to an all familiar uncomfortable place from my recent past that I don't want to be at again. I'd rather not have new friends.
Most people don't "get" phobias and I'm tired of explaining them. Just when I think I am managing better and take steps to move on, a situation arises to make me take many steps back.
It all makes me sad . . .
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Run Baby Run
For an unfamiliar song,
And she pictures all the places,
She knows she still belongs,
And she smiles the secret smile,
Because she knows exactly how,
To carry on
lyrics from the song
Run Baby Run by
Sheryl Crow
There are three words I use all the time
that really do describe who I am best
♥♥♥ Peace, love & happiness ♥♥♥
That is my balance, my ying/yang thing . . .
when they are not in balance, I run to find it.
I'm lost without it
JR knew how to keep me there
and since he's been gone,
I've been lost.
I began finding it again through my keyboard
in the little box that sits on my desk
and in the words that come from my heart,
expressing myself, finding myself
I love to write about life.
And their talk of better days,
To the comfort of the strangers"
I'm searching for that unfamiliar song, since I've said goodbye to the old familiar faces in my life, the backstabbers and the phony people who graced my life with smiles and beauty when they have to while they carry the knife behind their back.
I ran from my real life
and I'm still running
My life is not in balance, there is no peace, there is no happiness . . . love? Honestly I don't know. I always run before finding out. First I need to know who I am and that is what I'm trying to do here.
I don't like to get hurt . . . does anyone? My emotions are still raw and wounded from losing the most important person in my world.
He's gone and I'm still lost
still trying to figure out who I am
All that to explain I'm vulnerable and I sometimes let someone get close to me, not often. I write about my life very honestly and candidly, but few get inside my heart and soul. When I do, it is because I feel absolute trust in my heart . . . like a child instinctively trusts their mommy.
When that person uses something they know about me against me . . . it knocks the wind out of me. It momentarily destroys me, blinds me to the core of my being.
I know all those years as a professional in the corporate world should have made me hard and unfeeling, calloused to cruel people. I am to a certain point. All the classes, seminars and rah rah sessions I attended through the years to learn how to deal with people should be enough, huh? It was. I'm an awesome professional. My defense is that I don't let many past the personal walls I have built around my heart and soul. There are few that I allow close enough to hurt me.
I'm fiercely competitive and I hate it when someone takes me on. I'd rather run . . . I'm emotionally tired of fighting these type of people and they know it. It gives them power over me. I want happiness with peace and hopefully lots of love.
So I run and they win
Is anything worth a fight?
Not anymore
Honestly, I think I will be happier just writing and not involving myself with the social networking thing anymore. I've made lots of awesome friendships that I will maintain and forget about having the big page with the big social network of constantly meeting new people and the constant hope of meeting my Prince Charming. I'm over it. For now, I just want to write and be creative.
God will provide me with what I need