You're a daisy if you do...

A mural of our little town

It's bill printing time at the clinic again, and that means collections calls.  Grrrrrr!!  This is beyond a shadow of a doubt, my least favorite aspect of my job.  I absolutely detest having to make repeated calls to clients who are frequently falling behind in their accounts.  That is, if they bother to pay their bills at all!  What is it with people who gladly accept your help, in this case, veterinarian services, and then never pay their bills?  I will never understand how some people can merrily skip through life treating their bills like they're someone else's responsibility.  It's like trying to get blood out of a turnip.  Seriously, it is that difficult at times!

So, in keeping my sanity, and my positive outlook on people, humanity in general...I'm taking a little break.  A little blogging break.  Jen over at "Muddy Boot Dreams" posted a question (three questions actually) about the importance of blogging in ones' life, and just why people blog in the first place.  That got me to thinking...a dangerous thing, I know.  :)  Very interesting to read everyone's responses, and how a similar thread kept recycling over and over.  I'm not all that different from most bloggers.  So, here goes:

I blog because I originally and probably most importantly, wanted to keep a journal of my life.  I want to keep an account of all the things that can happen in my life on a daily basis.  The milestones yes, but even more importantly, the little things, those special little things that cause me to pause for a moment, to smile and be thankful.  Those little moments in time, that if not recorded, may very well end up being forgotten over time.  I want to remember, and this gives me a place to look back over the days, the months, and even the years and reflect.  Smile once again.  And yes, sometimes cry again.

Secondly, I want to connect with other people.  People out there in our world that live far away, and most likely, I never would have known at all, had it not been for blogging.  There are so many different people out there!  People with passion, people with families, lives so different from my own, and then again, a lot of them who live quite similar lives to my own.  I want to reach out and touch someone!  I love reading about so many things that these ingenious and creative people can come up with.  Amazing, really!  I want to know that I'm not so very different from others; and that no matter how bad my day may seem, or how lonely and disengaged that I can feel on some days; I'm never really alone.  I can reach out to someone and receive a friendly "cyber hug", a reassuring kind word, some encouragement.  I can share smiles and I can share tears, accomplishments and disappointments.  For everything that happens to each and everyone of us in this life...we share so much.  And in that way, we are friends.  And who doesn't want more friends?

And thirdly, how important is blogging to me?  At first thought, my answer was, not really important.  After all, I don't write here everyday.  Sometimes I can go for weeks, and yes I've even skipped a month or more before...but I always return.  It's cleansing to write.  I usually have no idea what I want or need to write about, but find that once I begin, the thoughts just keep coming...and I can get overzealous and write more than I ever thought I could.  I've always been an avid reader, and I get a great deal of pleasure out of reading other people's thoughts, their choices of words, their opinions.  I learn when I visit other people's blogs.  I get ideas that I never would have come up with on my own.  I guess it boils down to perspective.  Blogging and visiting other people's worlds gives me valuable insight and a different and sometimes refreshing perspective that may, or may not be very different from my own.  It's like a lesson in humanity.  Sometimes I gain courage to try something new, validation for my views, permission to be different from anyone else, and know that that's alright.  Overall, blogging gives me the feeling of being a part of a very large "whole".  And that, my friends is a good feeling.  So in retrospect, I guess it's fairly important to me after all.

One of the many wineries in our little town

We're all in this thing we call life together.  And nobody's getting out of it alive.  So make the best of what is.  Throw caution to the wind! Enjoy your life...expand your horizons and be thankful that God decided to wake you up this morning.  You've got another chance to make a difference.

Think about why you blog...You're a daisy if you do!!!!
(name that movie)  :)

Blessings all,  C-ingspots
Keeping all of our East Coast friends in my prayers...

Here's that load of wood we got last Sunday - firewood is a beautiful thing!!

And that pile of gravel there, is all nicely spread over our parking area and our pathway to and from the barn and our house.  So, hopefully that will mean less mud in our house this winter!!  A girl can only hope...

Until next time...
Lorie

Land ho, it's been a gullywasher!!!

Whoowee!!  This past weekend was so wet, I do believe that we've made up for the last 4 months of dry weather we enjoyed in one fell swoop.  Much more and we'd be searching for higher ground, I do declare! So, if any of you webfoot Oregonians were fretting and fussing or harboring any concerns about a drought...rest assured, I believe we are out of the woods for the foreseeable future.  And then some!!

We didn't let a little ole rain stop us from making progress on that "to do" list though.  No siree!!  We took the dogs to the local "You Do Doggie Wash" and they got their quarterly buff and fluffs, mani-pedis and they are sweet-smelling and silky to touch!  Annie is positively glowing with knowledge of her beauty and grace.  I love how they seem to feel so much better, knowing that they've had a special salon treatment.  You know it just doesn't matter what the species - girls like to feel pretty.  I'm sure of it!  :)

Afterwards we went out for a relaxing lunch and watched the rain come down in torrents from our window with a view.  Seriously it was a gullywasher and then some.  Impressive!  Even by our standards.

Before we left, we had turned the horses out after they enjoyed breakfast in their stalls.  By the time we arrived back home, in the mid-afternoon, they were more than ready to come back inside their warm, cozy and dry stalls.  So, they had a light flake and spent some time relaxing and drying off while it continued to rain and rain and then rain some more.  I'm so thankful for our barn!!

The next morning the rain had slacked off, and the weatherman was predicting a break from the rain until early afternoon.  So, we decided it was now or never to go get another cord of firewood for our woodshed stash.  We worked in a light rain for a little while, but overall it was pleasantly dry and quite warm.  We packed the truck with the wood and were back home in about 3 hours time.  We managed to unload about half of it before the rain started again - in earnest!  We decided it was a good time to park the truck in the shed and head indoors for a little break.  I enjoyed a nice, warm shower and got dressed in cozy, warm lounging clothes.  We decided we'd done enough hard work for the day and settled in for a little football and a movie on tv.

Nothing exciting, but the weekend was quiet, laid-back and it always feels good to accomplish something.

I might complain occasionally about our weather, and especially the quantity of rainfall that we get; but I'm also very thankful that most always, when compared to so many others, we don't really have anything to complain about at all.  While up North on our West coast, there was an earthquake and the scare of a Tsunami, and on the East coast, Hurricane Sandy...we're blessed.  I'll be keeping everyone back east in my prayers.  Prayers for protection and prayers that the hurricane is nothing more than an overblown, over-rated windstorm...with a little rainfall.

Blessings, Lorie @ Cingspots

*quack!*

Signs of change

Yes, our weather has changed and we've been in a wet pattern for the last several days now...sigh.  I'm not ready to say good-bye to the warm sunshine on my face.  But it is, what it is, and I have no control over such matters.

My grandma used to say that the only constant in life, was change.  And change, we must.  We're continually evolving, growing, aging, changing.  Nothing in life ever remains the same.  It's a good reminder to embrace what we have in life to be thankful for.  Recognize our blessings and the people in our lives whom we love.

For tomorrow, everything could well be, very different from what we have today.

Our weekend was low-key.  I was perfectly ok with that.  There aren't many times when I can say that I'm at peace.  I've always felt an inner turmoil that I've never been able to explain.  I'm rarely satisfied for long, or with the status quo.  Always feeling the need to be doing, going, seeing...never quite content with what is.  It's a situation that I'm always at odds with.  So, when I feel content - I'm quite often surprised and always thankful.  This weekend was one of those rare times.  I didn't feel the need to be somewhere other than where I was.  How nice.

Friday was a chaotic day at work.  I have no reason why, it just was.  The phones started ringing the minute I walked through the door and never for a moment, seemed to stop throughout the day.  People wanting things, needing help, questions...always the questions, that never seem to end.  By late afternoon, I had a headache and was thoroughly depleted.  All the life had been sucked out of me.  I was ready to relax, and be somewhere quiet.  When I arrived at home, the smell of dinner cooking wafted through my senses the minute I walked through the door...hmmmm.  And it was warm, and cozy in our little home.  My husband had our supper all ready and a fire was going in the wood stove.  We ate a quiet dinner, did the chores and relaxed while watching a movie before heading off to bed.   Sabbath morning we went to church; the first time in a while.  We listened to a sermon by our new pastor.  It felt wonderful, and I felt peaceful.  Afterwards, we went out for lunch and headed back home.  I had a nap.  Delicious...

Sunday we spent the day cleaning, cooking, doing chores, and I had a very good session working with Eagle.  I'm ready to start riding him.  He's ready, and so am I.  He's a good, sensible, kind and loving horse.  He trusts me.  Now, I need to learn to return that trust.  I also want to get a helmet.  That'll be a first for me.  I've never even had a helmet on before, but it just seems like a good idea.  Not that I think Eagle will buck, or do anything unexpected.  I just have that thought, and I'm going to pay attention to it.

I have a few more pics of my wonderful trip to the beach a little over a week ago, that I'd like to share.  Beautiful little Neskowin Beach and their many signs...

 This house is named the Eishirlou...they have 3 daughters.  Eileen, Shirley and Louise.  Eishirlou.

 The Green Dragon is a rental cottage.

 This little community is all about the dogs.  They are very dog-friendly and it's evident everywhere.  I like that.

 This family really got into the spirit!

The following pictures are from Cape Kiwanda, the beach at Pacific City...Dory capital of the world.  The Dory fishing boats launch directly from the beach into the surf, and when they come back ashore, they slide way up onto the sand.  It's fun to watch!  In the last several years, Pacific City has been changing.  It's becoming quite popular with surfers.  You can see what a beautiful day it was...wish I were there again!

 The Oregon coast is famous for two different "Haystack Rocks".  This is the larger of the two, and the other is further up North, at Cannon Beach.

 The beach we lived on is just on the other side of this rather large sand dune...down the beach a couple of miles at Tiera Del Mar.

Looks like fun!!

My beautiful girls...tired from walking and playing.  We picked up a pizza and headed back to our little cottage away from home.  It was a perfectly lovely time spent at the beach.  It was wonderful to get away for a few days and relax, spend some time rejuvenating our spirits and just "being", instead of always "doing".
What a blessing and possibly one of the last warm and perfectly gorgeous fall days before the rains settled in.

Like I said before, life and everything that goes along with that; is in a constant process of change.  We need to learn to embrace that change...and like the sign says - "go with the flow".

Happy Monday all,
Cingspots

Here on Cloud 9

Have you ever wondered where such sayings originate?  I ponder these important questions in life occasionally...

Just in case you were curious.

Anyway, my point here is, (of course I have a point!) this glorious weather we're enjoying right now.  It is, in a nutshell, perfection with a capital "P"!  October is one of those spectacular months in the Pacific NW that we relish and glorify in immensely.  We wallow in these days because, well because frankly, we know our days are numbered.  I've said it before, but it bears repeating.  Come November 1st, all bets are off!!

Finito!

God turns on the water...

and then He forgets to turn it off.

Well, in all fairness - He remembers, just not until sometime in June.  Or maybe early July.  Really.  One of these days, we're gonna have a conversation and then I'll know why.

Anyway, you get the point.  This day, just like yesterday, should go down in the record books for being so wonderful.  I get all twitchy being inside and look for reasons to keep heading outside and tilt my face upwards toward the sunshine.  And let it soak into my pores and into the depths of my soul, where I can keep it and treasure it for months to come.  A memory worth creating, so I can take it out and admire it on some of those cold, wet and dreary wintry days that I know are coming.  The days that threaten to swallow me up and spit me out when all the life's gone.  The days where I feel like pulling the covers over my head and never getting up again.  Until the sun comes back again...

So, while they're here and oh, so beautiful; I'll savor and appreciate and glorify in the very best that October has to offer.  She really can shine, when she wants to.  *sigh*

Enough of the drama.  I'm going to continue with my incredible beach cottages that I just have to share or I'll bust!!!  Yes, I do love them that much!!!  :)  I'll bet you do to.  They'll make you happy...you'll see!

Some are grand...

 Many are made of cedar...

And others are small...

 Most have decks, and all face the sea...

 Some have touches of color here and there...

 Many appear quite welcoming...

And most have colorful flowers.  Geraniums, mostly in red and lots of Nasturtiums...

Cozy fireplaces in most to ward off the chill...

When pigs fly!!!      (another one of those sayings...where in the world do they come from?)

 I love this one!!!  Everything from it's weathered cedar shakes to the forest green trim, and the stained glass hummingbird on the front door...one of my favorites!!

 I like this one a lot too.  I see so many opportunities for whimsy and touches of color.  So cute!

 A lot of twisted and gnarly trees ravaged by time and the sea's breeze.

Some have guardians...

Many have weathered wood fencing.  So cool...

 And touches of the sea, wherever you look...

 One of my favorite parts are the choices in front doors.  Whether old or new, plain or ornamental, painted or natural...there are so many different choices and each makes a statement about the family who reside within.

 Look at this entry...Americana meets the sea!  I'd love to have that door on my house.

 Moss covered ropes and 3 wee fishies to greet visitors.

 Once again, where else would you expect to see a grey house with a pink door and trim...and actually like it!?  Cool!

 LOVE!!! this door...

 Would I ever love to have this door on my barn, or a garage!!

Flowers of so many varieties just simply flourish in the temperate ocean climate!!
Aren't they beautiful?

Now tell me - just where else could you get away with fuchsia trim?  Really.  But it works!

 Lots of old, rusty ornamentals too.  I love old rusty things, don't you?  Just screams country to me.

 Love this entryway...
Makes me want to go home and paint my door something bright and cheery!

Now tell me you don't feel happy!?  These quaint and whimsical, some quite ornamental and some grand, amazing beach cottages just make me smile, and yes, even dream a little when I look at them.  I simply cannot get enough of them!  I want one!!  And after reading some of the history about so many of them, they really do have a lot of stories to tell...

Next up...the signs of Neskowin Town.  :)

Blessings all,
Lorie @ Cingspots

Neskowin Beach trip

Well, we've had our first rainfall of the fall this past Friday.  The dust has been dampened, the air is refreshed and pleasantly cool, and I'm hoping for some Indian Summer weather to continue.  It's rained a little bit most days since then, but today is absolute perfection!  Around 70 and just an occasional puffy, white cloud in an otherwise brilliantly blue sky...sigh.  I adore fall days like these!  You just can't ask for anything better.  It's a perfect day to do just about anything you set your mind to.  Except be cooped up at work.  That's not my idea of wonderful.  It's been super quiet all this week so far.  Tell me again, exactly why am I here?  Oh yeah, the almighty dollar - now I remember!  Bummer.

At least I got a break from working last week.  I took a few days off and went to the beach.  :)  Just me and the dogs.  Yep...awwwwesome!!!!!  I did whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted.  And it was splendid weather!  I couldn't have wished for anything better.  There weren't very many people there either.  That's another thing I like about the beach in the midweek - it's so quiet, and so peaceful.  Just perfect.

I took a lot of pictures.  I'll probably break the pics up into groups so as not to bore you, but I took a lot. of. pictures.   Just sayin'...

 My quiet and cozy little cottage away from home on Neskowin Beach.  I loved it!!  It was clean, quiet, comfortable, and the dogs were welcome too.

 See that flooring in the kitchen?  It was beautiful!  That's pretty close to what I'm thinking of putting in my kitchen, nook off the kitchen (wood stove room), laundry room and mudroom.  It has no red tones in it at all, just brown.  Not too dark, and not too light.  That's what I want.

 The cute and cozy living room area with a small patio.  The fireplace was electric and was just enough heat to warm up in the evenings.  A fake fire is certainly better than no fire at all.  It's all about the ambiance...

The view from the patio.  This is called South Beach and that big rock just to the right in front of the ocean is called "Proposal Rock".  The name originates from one of the long ago residents who proposed to his bride-to-be after an exhilarating hike to the top for a romantic and picturesque view of the Pacific ocean far below.  How romantic is that?  The name stuck and it's been Proposal Rock ever since.  To the right of the rock is beautiful Neskowin Beach.  On this beach you can walk for over 7 miles all the way down to Cape Kiwanda, the beach in Pacific City.  Home of the Dory Festival, and more recently the local surfer's hangout.
When my hubby and I lived on the beach, our home was just a couple of miles on the other side of Haystack Rock on Cape Kiwanda.  This is my most favorite section of beach on the entire Oregon coastline.  From Neskowin Beach, up north to Tiera Del Mar.  It's just gorgeous, and the beach is huge.

 There were lots and lots of sand dollars everywhere.  Most of them get broken up by the sea, but some of them you can find intact.  I found two perfect ones, but one of them broke in my pocket.  Guess I need to go back again to find a replacement.  :)

 Beautiful Proposal Rock.  During low tide you can still make the trek all the way to the top.  It's not a hike for the faint of heart though...no handrails here.
It was fairly early in the morning and the fog was just lifting to reveal a beautiful fall day.

 The tide was on its' way back out.  The evening before we walked at low tide and the beach is much larger then.  This is looking south towards South Beach.

 The ocean is the most relaxing place I've ever been to.  A place to carry all your worries away...

 Looking North towards Cape Kiwanda at Pacific City.

This always troubles me a wee bit...my girls a little too interested in something they've found on the beach.  Notice the seagull looks none too amused.

I love the subtle colors of the greyish-blue of the ocean in the morning before the sun has fully burned the fog off.  Such a peaceful color.  Wouldn't that be lovely in a bedroom?  So tranquil and relaxing.

Nice homes for storm watching or just enjoying the ocean view huh?  I adore the variety in the houses on the beach.  But what I especially enjoy are the quaint and cozy little beach cottages that Neskowin Beach is famous for.  I'll save those for another post.  In my rental there was a book with history on the town and a lot of the cottages since the early 1900's.  There were pictures of the original cottages and how they look today, including stories of the people who built them and lived there, many for numerous generations.  It was such fun walking around and taking pictures of those adorable beach cottages and knowing some information about the families and their stories.

 Seagull feet...

This house is a beauty, a little large for my tastes, but lovely all the same.  I loved how the morning sunlight was streaming through the fog.

 A nice little spot for a rest and some contemplation.

Annie and Ruby exploring and checking out all the wonderful sniffs that the beach has to offer.  I can't imagine going to the beach without my girls.  :)

 Ruby has matured into a lovely young lady.  She's a little over 2 years old already - my how time does fly...

Can you even imagine how wonderful it must be to take flight, and soar above the ocean waves?  I've had two dreams in my life where I've been able to fly of my own accord, and I must admit that I really didn't want to wake up.  It was magical!

 Even the seagulls contemplate the world; and life whilst gazing upon the ocean so blue...it's mesmerizing!

 Not sure what, or if, Ruby's contemplating anything other than what lies around the next bend.  Every single dog she sees, she's convinced it's her long-lost best friend.

While Ruby goes gallavanting off in search of her next grand adventure, Annie's much more content to walk by my side.  Always has been a momma's girl - think she always will be.  I love this dog so much! She really is my best friend and my constant companion.

 And here comes Ruby back...at full speed!!  Oh, the exuberance and the sheer joy of running!!

 I can't ever resist rolling up my pant legs and wading in the water, feeling the sand sift between my toes and shift beneath my weight.  I love it.  And the water wasn't even cold.  Well, on my feet anyway.  :)

  
The lovely trail that led us back through the enchanting little town of Neskowin and all those delightful beach cottages.  It was time for a warm shower and a hot cup of coffee while taking in the view from the comfort of a cushy chair on the patio...hmmmm, I could get used to this.

Blessings everyone!  Hope you all get the chance to get outside and do something fun or out of the ordinary while it's inviting and enjoyable.