A Beautiful Day at Estes Park, Colorado



Highway 72 on the way to Estes Park, Colorado
May 29, 2011
(Linda Meikle photo)

I've posted photos and the travelogue story of our Sunday, Memorial Day, trip to the Colorado Mountains and Estes Park over at my geocaching blog. Please click over there and enjoy the day with us. http://geocachingindenver.blogspot.com/


Or, click HERE

Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda

Found A Home - Looking For a RN Job!

I can tell you now that we've finished closing on the house, and some of you already know, but my followers here on the blog, perhaps, haven't heard yet...

I was laid off from my nursing job along with about a dozen other nurses and CNA's here in Denver.  My last day was May 6, and you wouldn't believe how hard it is to get a response from resumes posted and phone calls made!!!

The facility I was working for lost a big contract and closed one wing of its 120-bed skilled and long-term care.  Some employees who have been there for more than five years were also given a 30-day notice.  It was a very sad and frustrating last month there for everyone.

Right now, NEITHER of us have a paying job.  Being without work is something that has never happened in my lifetime!  I've normally carried several jobs at one time, as my children will attest.

I'm putting out leads every day, and expect this experience to be short-lived and serve to make me stronger.  At least I'm learning how to be even more frugal in every area of living!

In the meantime, our home is looking more pleasingly complete every day. Yesterday we put up about 30 pictures on the walls. Some that had been in storage for years!  I'm happy to see the family smiling from the walls all around me. Our bedroom is mostly for our kids and our wedding photos. The living room is laid out with 20x30's of nature pictures I've taken over the years. The study has Jim's old but treasured Ansel Adams large framed posters along with some favorites of mine.


A work-in-progress in the study.



Seasonal angels watch over the dining room.

 Our walk-in closet is shared, but my side includes a small, personal, "angel wall".
I'm still working on the bathrooms.



Personal Space in the walk-in.

 I wish hubby Jim had some strong backs to help him unload the garage of boxes to the basement. But, he's doing that slowly and carefully. It will take a few more days for that task. Neither of us want a unsightly 'neighbor-view' of all our overflow personal belongings! (Although every garage we see with the doors open are filled with household items instead of cars!)

For window coverings, we're using what we have on hand, and hope people don't laugh. Actually, the windows look rather happy with a touch of JC Penney, Wal-Mart, and Linda's special home-made variety of privacy decorations.  We're rather proud of how we've decorated the home and stayed within a budget of $0.  (Well, except for one major trip to Wal-Mart.)

The cats have found all the warm-fuzzy areas. They had to adjust to no carpets on the floor and more spaces to explore. We just wish they wouldn't do the noisy, knock-down, high-jumping, explorations at 3 a.m.! 



Little Paws as high up as he can get!



Sir Ceasar just wants to be close to people he loves!



Stay close to those you love, And, Take Care on the Journey,
~Linda


Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com

Moving - One Trash Bag At A Time, and A Very Sick Lady!

...And, Uggg, you would not like what you see!!!



We're using trash bags for several great reasons.
They are reusable
They're "space effective".
You can get more into the car or truck.
They're easier for me to carry
I get trash bags almost free with coupons
Since we're emptying the bags at our new home as we arrive,
we don't have to label them.



This is the most horrible part of moving!



 But, the snow is gone,

and the flower bed is pretty already!

 See the orange butterfly I 'planted' next to the rock?

It's not massive, but we used the opportunity to meet and greet our neighbors
on Mother's Day Sunday as we cleaned the bed and planted these. (Yes, hubby did the hard part.)
First, the kids on the block came up on their bikes and told us ALL about themselves and their siblings, and their parents, and a few things I'm sure they shouldn't have.  :)
Then, the parents wandered over where we were sitting on the ground (we got up, of course) and introduced themselves. We even made a deal with a neighbor boy to mow our tiny, little, yard for $5.

Sadly, the wonderful woman who sold us the house (also Linda) is in the hospital ICU in serious condition after a seven-hour surgery. I went to see her yesterday, but she was still barely conscious.  She did nod her head that she knew who I was. She does need our prayers.

When we arrived on Sunday to plant the flowers, I found her in the kitchen doubled over in pain. I asked her movers to take her to the ER right then.

We've become great friends in the few days we've known each other. She read my book and passed it on to her friends. She calls me her "twin" because we are so much alike. (Mentally & Spiritually) Even our signatures (left-handed) are very similar.  At closing, they asked if we knew each other before buying the house.  After the closing, we all went to lunch and would have sat and chatted all afternoon, but we all had lots to do!

When I got to the hospital yesterday, two women were sitting with her. They jumped up to welcome me as soon as I said my name was Linda. They knew all about me, and thought it was a miracle that I found them.  They said they had been trying to get in touch me and had even looked through Linda's cell numbers to reach me. (They didn't know my last name.)

I'll be going back to check on Linda today. She has a very long recovery ahead. Her plans to move to New Mexico are on hold even though her rental car is sitting at a friend's house all packed to leave. The Pod with all her belongings still sits in our driveway. She hadn't even finished cutting off some utilities to the house, so it might be interesting how that works out.

At least the official signing and closing was completed only hours before she was rushed to the ER.

Take Care on the Journey
And, be ready any moment!
Your friend in life,
~Linda

Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com

The Kodak Moment During Closing



Keys to our NEW HOME!!!
(James Meikle photo)

Take Care on the Journey
Your friend in life,
~Linda

Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com

Closing On Our New Home Tomorrow

A bright day ahead with everything moving forward as planned for our new home!!  We do a final walk through at 10 a.m. and the official signing at 11 a.m. Friday, May 6, 2011.

I'm wondering if I should take flowers or GET flowers.  ha ha

What a beautiful Mother's Day gift to us!  We should be able to start moving in on Monday, May 9th.

Not sure how the 'move' is going to go because it's only three miles down the road, and we 'plan' to load things without officially packing.  Ummmm. Wonder how THAT will go. 

John will be here on the 24th to help with the big stuff.  With my bad back, everything is big stuff to me.  LOL

So, we'll keep you posted, but wanted to update before the weekend.  (See photos below. Taken while doing our first visit of the house.  Not our stuff...)

Happy Mother's Day to all women everywhere. We're all mothers!!!

Take Care on the Journey
Your friend in life,



A Small Part of the Living Room/Dining Room
Looking out from the Kitchen area




A Very Small Part of the Kitchen Pantry




A Very Small Part of the Walk-in Closet

 ~Linda

Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com

A 'Be Strong Linda" Day

We each have those days when we know it's going to be tough
To smile and be positive. 

I can't post the details right now, but just so you know,
I'm having that kind of day.

I'm working on the, 'keep looking up' part...

A message from the furry children...



Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda

Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com

The Royal Wedding - Personal Reflections

April 29, 2011 - Another Fairytale Royal Wedding  Prince William and Kate



Kate Middleton walks up the aisle on the arm of her father Michael Middleton at Westminster Abbey, central London, for her marriage to Britain's Prince William, Friday April 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Andrew Milligan, Pool) 



Britain's Prince William, center right, and Kate Middleton, center left, stand at the altar during their wedding service at Westminster Abbey, London, Friday April 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Dominic Lipinski, Pool) 

Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge stand outside of Westminster Abbey after their Royal Wedding in London Friday, April, 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) 

I'm out of bed at 1:30 a.m. ... with a cup of tea and my cat curled up in my lap, I plan to enjoy the early morning wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton who, after this wedding day, will be known as The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
As I sat glued to the pre-wedding festivities on TV, I completely forgot that I was going to get the laundry done and organize my shopping coupons while watching the all night wedding event.

It occurred to me that I could turn on hubby's computer and make notes of my observations as they happened.  So, here are my moment by moment personal reflections of another storybook wedding.  As I typed, I added the comments to my Facebook page for the next five hours!

Those who would like to visit the official Buckingham Palace website, this is the link HERE.

The first impression is the unusual natural beautification of Westminster Abbey. I learn that the bride and groom wanted simple, natural, beauty which included eight maple trees lining the long walkway to the alter, and later I read the cost was $83,000 to decorate the Abbey.




Britain's Prince William, center left, and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, walk down the aisle at Westminster Abbey as they make their way to Buckingham Palace, London, Friday, April 29, 2011. (AP Photo/David Jones, Pool) 

 As I find another chair to get comfortable in, I wonder if my friend, Tania Phillips, is able to watch this. I know she's excited as this is her home country.

Of course it wouldn't be British without the HATS. Here are a few of the special ones worn to the wedding. Guests started entering the church three hours early. Wow! Look at all the unique, colorful, some strange-looking HATS!



Carole Middelton
Chris Jackson/Getty Image




Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

Her Majesty the Queen of England
(Getty Images)

Lots of colorful marching bands are performing all along the route right now as Little Boots and I enjoy watching the long-distance wedding event.  Here comes the perfectly groomed parade of handsomely uniformed officers!

A marching band parades along The Mall before the wedding of Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton.
PHOTOGRAPH BY: DYLAN MARTINEZ / REUTERS

There's so much talk about what Kate's wedding dress will look like. Everything from the 'goddess' look to hoping she will have a big veil and long train. For sure, the commentaries say, we know she will "get it right". At this moment, she's quite likely putting on her wedding dress!


There they are! Prince William, a splash of red in the back seat. He waves at the massive crowds with pure white gloves. He and Harry both salute as they go through the gate. Very good cameras getting close-ups!


Pensive: Prince William appears nervous as he is transported in a Rolls
dailymail.co.uk



Both boys enter The Abby and are fidgeting like they're nervous. Beads of sweat shine on their foreheads! William informally greets people in The Abbey. I thought he would head for some secluded room. Oh, there they go behind the High Alter. They're calling it a 'holding area'.

Kate's mother is on her way. We now have details of her dress, but it didn't mean much to me. The light blue dress made by someone, the hat made by someone else who will be famous from here on out! Foreign royals are now entering The Abby. And, some members of the royal family are on their way.
The Queen departs to trumpets sounding and great cheers from the people along the route. She is dressed in very bright yellow. Her husband is dressed in his bright red uniform. Bridesmaids leave. Prince Charles and his wife arrive  The six state trumpeters herald the Queen's arrival at The Abby.






Photo CNN world

Ohhhhh, the bride enters the car. I see a long train being very carefully folded into the car. It's being called a 'delightful view". By the time you read this, the photos will be everywhere. Her hair his down and pulled back a little.  It's being called a 'delightful view". By the time you read this, the photos will be everywhere. Her hair his down and pulled back a little. Now... Now...the screaming begins. I see a veil. She’s smiling and waving constantly. She doesn’t look nervous to me. A woman is driving the bride’s car. There’s no rain on her parade
There she goes down the isle! Prince Harry peeks around and whispers to his brother, Prince William, who has to stand with his back to the bride while she comes down the isle. Prince Harry looks like he going to cry. Probably thinking of his mother.

The congregation is singing a song very few people seem to know. The little kids doing better than the grown-ups. The choir makes up for the non-singers.


 ‎"...Let him speak now or forever hold his peace."  ‎"...Let him speak now or forever hold his peace." A cough, but no objection. ..."Comfort her, honor, and keep her." Love him, honor him and keep him so long as you both shall live." "I will". She says all his names correctly, and he smiles...les at her. The rings.. Yes, Prince Harry has them! Oh, only one ring. A prayer, and they both close their eyes. I think I heard a faint cheer from outside when they are pronounced man and wife. Another song. The congregation is still standing. I wonder if they forgot to tell them to sit down. Naa. No mistakes here! More singing.


Kate's brother presents a Bible verse. Whew. Everyone can sit down now. Prince William and Princess Kathryn (I hope that's how to spell and say her professional name now) also get to sit. They pretend to look at the program. Princess Kathryn glances around and tires not to smile and wave. A choir sings, "This Is the Day", a song written for this wedding.


"Be who you are supposed to be, and you will set the world on fire..." starts the 'sermon'. Kate looks a little nervous now. Is she going to faint? Her breathing is a little fast and labored even though she's sitting down. She glances to and smiles at Prince William. He gives her a handsome, quick smile. ... Is she going to faint? The Princess doesn’t look well. She’s pale and breathing too fast.


..."Give them the gift of children..." "Live together in holy love until your life ends..."

 Elton John pretends to sing the next song, but looks like he doesn't know this song either.


The signing of the three registers. Family members go to the back for this to be done in private and in the most sacred part of The Abbey. The Princess looks much better. She smiles up at Prince William, and he gives her a quick smile of strength!


All these hats in the 1,900 selected guests moving about as women fidget while waiting. Oh no. there's a man picking his nose. Two women chat and laugh while their big hats hide their faces. Here's comes the procession now. Wait for it. Wait for it... Trumpets!!! Wait for it...

 The bridal couple comes back into the sanctuary. She smiles (at last). He holds her hand tightly. They turn and curtsy to the Queen. (Or, she does). Slowing walking down the isle. She looks royal. A shy smile along the way. He looks dashing, but humble. The little ones in the wedding party are perfect angels. Still walking down that long isle. The Priest quietly claps at them as they walk past him. A close-up of their hands, both are slightly shaking! Prince William avoids stepping on her gown! The stop and smile at the door to the Abby! The bells ring and ring! The crowd is louder!





Britain's Prince William bows and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, curtsies in front of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as they leave Westminster Abbey accompanied by his best man Britain's Prince Harry and her maid of honour Pippa Middleton after the wedding service at the Royal Wedding in London Friday, April, 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, pool) 

 White horses and the red carriage. A little bit of sunshine. The Princess looks at everyone and smiles. Prince William gets in first. Moves to a different side of the carriage. Thousands of long-lensed cameras focused on the serious, but quietly happy couple. They talk to each other without looking at each other. She looks simply elegant. Not overly done up. The Queen looks happy now too as she comes out of The Abby. For some reason, Prince William salutes and holds the salute a lot. I think Prince Harry rides a horse beside the carriage.

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Their Royal Highnesses Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge make the journey by carriage procession to Buckingham Palace past crowds of spectators following their marriage at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) #

The bride and groom briefly holding hands as they go under a tunnel (through the gate). I think they thought no one saw them holding hands because when they came out, they weren't holding hands anymore.
I'll bet all the females in the world will be wearing those small earrings that the bride is wearing today. Boy, is the Queen smiling now in her carriage. Cheers from the crowd for her too. Enter the palace. Time for photographs. (I wondered when the would do that/)


Interestingly, as Princess Kate steps out of the carriage at the palace, there's no one to help with her train because Prince William is holding her hand and her bouquet. One of the guards comes over to hold her train. I'll bet that's something he'll remember forever!


The Queen arrives. The Duke helps her out which she seems to have a little trouble maneuvering. The carriage is a little shaky.

The newscaster's comment, "Her Majesty has a smile now".


Think I'll go sip some tea while I wait for "The Balcony Thing" in about an hour.

Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda

Denver Weather Report & Happy Birthday to Neil Hunt

It's till uncertain on most fronts.  A little rain, some splats of snow, brief spots of sunshine, and a chilly wind.

The same goes for the 'promotion' I was hoping for.  The director who could have made the decision says she hasn't made up her mind yet.  But, I do still have work for which I'm happy.

In meantime, I've accomplished very little, it seems. After the 32-hour weekend shift, I'm just too fuzzled (my word) to get motivated to pack or do much of anything else.  Hubby assures me that the three-mile trek will be much different than packing for a cross-country relocation move.  I hope so. Because not one thing has been packed yet! And, we 'move' in 10 days.

For the record, today is the birthday of our friend, Neil Hunt. He's been like family ever since I can remember. Although it's been about 10 years since we've seen him in person, we wish him a very happy, blessed, BIRTH day.

We're doing lots of pre-planning for our move.  Colors for the rooms. Placement of furniture. Anticipation of those hot spa baths anytime I want!!! A special guest room with their own closet and bathroom. Checking out the pool table downstairs. Organizing a kitchen with about 12 cupboards AND a pantry. A dryer that actually dries the clothes. A double garage. Little garden spaces all around the house. And, maybe even a mural on the dining room wall.  I simply can't wait.

The previous owner, Linda, has been very sweet to welcome us to our new home.

Our first guest will be son John, from Ohio. He's coming for a week in May.

Then, my little sister, Sandy, will be here for a week in June. We have plans for a girls night out up at Ameristar at Black Hawk. We are collecting items to place some Geocaches, and we expect to hunt for ans find other geocaches!  We will cram pack those short five days!

That's all for now. Here's sending a wave of positive inspiration and love.  I hope you are always moving forward and looking up.  Looking down, you will find something already stepped on. Looking up,  you will find new beauty.  (That's a quote I just thought of as I was trying to think of something new to say in closing.)

Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda

Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com

Approved For Our New Home

Who would have thought....

From this...

Where Sandy & I grew up in Missouri

To this...

It keeps me humble and thankful

Take Care on the Journey

Your friend in life,

~Linda

Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com

Spring Is In The ... Trees!

Waiting for news on the house...

Waiting for news on my job...

Waiting for Spring - No More!

Blossoms hang above the clouds!

Makes one want to dance around and sing out loud!

Take Care on the Journey
Your friend in life,
~Linda

Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com