"Life's Bump in the Road"

Well hello everyone. First I'd like to say, yes I am still alive, no need to think I'd stopped writing for good. Everyone needs a breather and for me a breather was a must. Have had some unexpected life events happening here and I  want to be completely honest. I personally feel that to be able to bring you stories and/or talk about just general topics off the top of my mind, I need to be in the right frame of mind.  I know I promised you a big grand story for the summer, but when an unexpected accident happened that shook my family completely off their feet two weeks ago, I not only lost my ability to write...I also lost my focus that resulted in my being placed on a leave of absence from a part-time job that I really do enjoy. So my plan is to take my family on a much needed vacation, or as many of you also call it - a holiday, which actually I adore calling it that, as it just sounds so refreshing.

 

I have continued to go to my Vet Center for my weekly therapy visits and in the process of trying to get myself and my family back on a positive track...I picked up a new hobby. Below are some pictures of what I call "The Color of Therapy". What I discovered about myself is that I know how to paint more than just snowmen on Christmas ornaments.

 

"The Proposal" Copyright 7/2013
Artist: Stacey L. Bolin
Inspiration
I made this for my in-laws 50th Wedding Anniversary.
The location is Bear Lake in Estes Park Colorado.
 It was here with a view called Longpeaks -
He asked for her hand in marriage.
 I wanted to give them a gift that symbolized
their loving years together. I hope that they like it.



"The Eyes" Copyright 6/2013
Artist: Stacey L. Bolin
Inspiration
The endless want for this hot, hazy, humid, summer
to bring the chilly days of fall and the
excitement of a spooky hayride
through the woods during Halloween.



"The Path" Copyright 6/2013
Artist: Stacey L. Bolin
Inspiration
The book that I am writing with the hopes
 that it is on shelves by Halloween this year & a Bob Ross
video that I saw on you-tube on painting techniques.

 

My plans are to be on Holiday for the next 10 days. When I return I look forward to getting back into the writing saddle, wrangle my crazy thriller story onto this blog, and get ta' sharing the same excitement I had when I wrote it. In the meantime, keep those e-mails coming, with your story ideas, topics, oh and we must not forget, fall and Halloween are just around the corner. (Rubbing my hands together with excitement while an evil Halloween grin would like to find it's place on my lips). Send me pictures of your pumpkin plans and what you plan to do that is unique to get ready for all hallows eve at  throughthebarrackswindow2011@hotmail.com Until next time - Blog ya later.

 

 

Kindness at Christmas.

With the unexpected snow during our trip to Colorado, and the spectacular display of Christmas lights that adorned the trees of Main Street in Estes Park, I caught hold of that Christmassy time of spirit.  We walked the streets and went into every shop looking for that perfect holiday find. The stores were filled with a heavy sent of cinnamon and cedar and just the right amount of pine garland wrapped in colorful lights in their windows. It mesmerized me and with all the resistance in the world I couldn't overcome being caught in the shock and awe of it all. I was drawn in like a big mouthed bass on an experienced fisherman's line - hook, line and sinker. We were all on a mission to find the perfect gifts for friends and family when low and behold we found the perfect place.

I have to say this one store helped us do just that, The shop was called MOOSELY T's, and it was right on the main street of town.  Awesome store! And awesome owner! She had a way of making you feel as if you had known her all your life and she wasn't afraid of sharing her life with you. She wore a red Santa hat, sweatshirt, shorts and boots. I knew she'd lived there awhile as she was used to the cold weather of November to be able to wear shorts. She had a sparkle in her eye and smiled a genuine smile with every word she spoke. I can't tell you how many times I have gone into stores these days, and that customer service just isn't there, but at MOOSELY's - It's there and then some. We immediately felt at home. We had found so many unique things in her store, that most of our shopping was done there during our stay.  OK we also hit the Taffy Shop where my husband used to go when he was a kid; he suffers from an extreme disorder called O.A.S.T. - Over Active Sweet Tooth. (Smile).

Several times we'd remember someone else on our list that we wanted to get something special for, and we'd go back over and over again to both shops until we were satisfied. Needless to say, we assault our credit cards quite heavenly in these stores, with the exception of Cabela's in Sidney, Nebraska.  It's a great feeling when you can connect with people, even when they are strangers, especially at Christmas time. So if any of you happen to find yourselves in Estes Park, Colorado, be sure to stop at these two stores. You won't be disappointed.  To the owner of Moosely's, many thanks for the black n' white chocolate dipped oversized pretzel's. They were delicious.  Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We survived the Thanksgiving Holiday...and then some!

I had been fretting for months that my husbands family would not be happy with me due to my recent book I had published. I also feared I would once again be left out in the cold while another family member would treat my husband as the long lost boyfriend and do their fair share of keeping us apart, yes oddly enough this has happened before.  I also worried extensively, as I had said in my last blog, that our flight would be treacherous because of my fear to fly. There was a lot going on in this mind of mine, you name it I feared the worst for the last three months since this trip was planned. As much as my extreme thoughts had me anticipating a trip filled with disappointing moments resembling the movie National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, I found a way to change all that and it rendered our family trip over the Thanksgiving holiday, anything but eventful.  On December 18th, the day we were leaving, I decided that I was not going to worry over anything. Life was going to happen and no matter how much I want to control the outcome so that nobody was hurt or disappointed, I threw caution to the wind and let my guard down once and for all. Doing this was the best medicine that our family of four has been seeking for so many years.  Not only were they happy, it let life fill me with so many moments of joy, happiness and a deeper connection that my husband and I and our boys have needed.

I will say, I couldn't help but wonder when the drama would begin and for each moment that in years past would have resulted in such extreme negative behavior, this time it was just the simple life, quality family time, great conversation and a true inner peace enriched with unconditional love.  This had always been my secret Christmas wish that I longed for, only to realize it had always been there - I just wasn't awake in my mind to see it until now. I had let the hurt of all those moments in years past, constantly dictate my distant personality - I was so tried of feeling so bad for so long, that this idea of changing my worrying ways was the moment in which I found complete peace. At this present time as the words in my thoughts find their way to my pen and paper, I shed tears of happiness and contentment. I can honestly say that my fear of the changes in my life had actually been the fear of would I ever get home in  my mind to be the wife, mother, friend and lover that had been trapped inside me, doing everything and anything to be heard, to be seen, but was suffering inside through my own invisible destruction. I guess the old saying - If ma'ma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy, really was true.

I sit here today, joyful of the moments that I was apart of and memories that will be forever etched into our souls. I can still hear the laughter of my boys and husband as we drove to places such as Sidney, North Platte and Scottsbluff Nebraska. The excitement that filled our SUV as we drove up the mountain to enjoy a weekend in Estes Park, Colorado where we experienced a grand snow during the "Catch the Glow" Christmas parade in Estes Park. Our trip was one of pure relaxation and fun. None of us wanted to come back to the world of reality, but like all things fun, our trip would soon end and we'd be flight bound back to the east coast. But I am happy to report that life has been just as grand at home as it was on our trip. For me, I can honestly say - Hello life, I've missed you. Thank you for bringing me back to reality and helping me see that what is important are the people around me, not the material things we have. That we don't know how long we have in life and to make the most of every day. If you are occasionally dealt with some negativity from others, learn to deal with it, but not consume it. People are who they are and some will never learn the value of changing within themselves and there is nothing you can do to fix it.  I have also found that if you love yourself, than you can show love to those who are important in your life. All my love to the three special men in my life - My husband Ron, and my two sons, Ryan and Reese.



 

 



 






 



 











"Life's not the breaths you take,
but the moments that take your breath away"