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Wandering and Wondering

Wandering and Wondering.  Wow. here I was looking forward to what I had written back in September that I never got around to finishing.  All I had done was the title.  Goes to show, I have been kept busy with one thing or another, and for the life of me, I couldn’t tell you what exactly.  That is what my head space is like thee days. I’m enjoying life.  I’m happy.  Content even.   I flow from one task or activity to the next, living it, and then letting it go.  I have been keeping up with my Long Dash Studio blog, that I do almost every day. http://longdashstudio.blogspot.com .   I’m writing a short article each month for the church (Perfect Liberty) that appears in Tone Magazine. http://www.facebook.com/Tonemagazine or http://www.tone.ca

My various personas are all doing well.  Qyhat Harbour is now a ginger cat, and has an art exhibit on in Raglan Shire, it will be there for two months, April 2013 and May 2013 … AloToi is CEO of LONG DASH STUDIOS, writer,model, photographer, and Xsa Queler is model and writer for the blog. The blog is  now in its 14 month, and we have reached close to 15000 readers, our biggest readership is in USSR, Europe and the UK.  You can find us in Second Life, http://www.secondlife.com

We did wander last year, 9 States and 5 Provinces.  I must have been going to write about the adventure.  we’ve talked of taking off again, but so far, we have not strayed to far from home … Maybe when the nicer weather is here to stay, we will venture out.  Meanwhile, I’m just saying Hi…  and putting this blog to bed.

PL thought for today.

The value of Money and Things Depends on How you Choose to Use them.

Money and things are materials for your self expression.  Use them to their fullest for the sake of others and society.

Wandering- Wondering
I’m back. I’ve been wandering. 9 States and 5 Provinces. A lot to see and take in.. We drove down to Sarnia, Ontario and spent our first night there. From there we drove to St. Ignace, Michigan, and then on to Marquette Michigan. We stayed in Marquette a couple of days. This is where we dealt with the problem of one hard drive and a pair of sunglasses that could not be repaired.
I had never been in St. Ignace or Marquette so I was thrilled to discover that there were Thrift shops for me to explore. Little did I know what lay ahead.
Everywhere we stopped Hubby got his GPS traking thrift shops for me. He happily set up office in the vehicle while I was treasure hunting, walked the dogs, or “people” watched ^^
So this is not to drawn out for you, these are some of the other stops we made along the way, Park Rapids Minnesota, Bismarck, North & South Dakota, Gillette, Wyoming.. here was another place where we stayed more than one night. Billings, Montana ( I could have spent more time here, but we needed to get on to our friend in Missoula.) We were many days in Missoula, my friend Wei took me around to a variety of thrift shops and a special drive was to Flathead lake.
Each and every place we stopped had history and character to take in. The drive to these places was at times so breathtaking that one was left with such wonder, there was no more to say .. one could only try to capture it all in the minds eye. We did take pictures hundreds of them, not one captures the awe that was inspired by the sights we saw.
By now you have to know the Rav 4 is packed. What was not tampered with was the personal spaces of the dogs. Each has his/her own space on the back seat. However, in front and in back of them was fair game. For those of you who have yet to meet Canaille and Velcro, les voila.

From Missoula, we were heading back to Canada, however, Hubby wanted me to see a few more States, so we  headed to Idaho next.  we didn’t stay in Idaho we drove on to Spokane, but I loved idaho so much, we stayed in the vicinity for several days.  The draw for me was Couer d’Lane, Idaho.  I found it charming, delightful, whimsical, and full of places to “treasure hunt”

For those of you who know and follow me, you know that I love to thrift, best of all, in chasing down the thrift shops, I got to meet and learn about the various charities in the different cities and towns.  I like to give back to the communities that give me such pleasure, and for me it is a way of really seeing a city/town/village and getting know what  it is about. 

In Couer d’lane not only is there a trendy main street with gift shops, boutiques and the like.  There are outdoor cafes and stalls to temp the visitor driving through.  Of course for me it was the street lined with a number of thrifts run by either the community, State sponsored, or a charity.  Inter spaced with a pawn shop or three, a big Joanne’s, and a few art shops.  I could have spent more time than we had, so its on my “to do again” list. 

I’ll save the trip back to Canada for another blog.  Can’t have you thinking I’m writing a novel.  when I got home, we had a lot to do, and I’m still working on what needs to be done, however I did get to Raglan and Tiny Outpost.  October is coming, one of my favourite months.  You’ll find this new outfit in my shops. (Kangaroo Fashions)

Thanks for sharing with me…

If you want to keep up with my Second Life fashion blog, it is http://longdashstudio.blogspot.com  It is for  the Fashionista/Divas of SL, their lifestyles, trends and fashions.

rain – wow how novel

woke up to the sound of rain on the window and roof top! We were away for just a little over a month, and we had rain one afternoon in Michigan, and later on our way back a bit of rain fell while we drove to our night stop in Norther Ontario. The rest of the time we had clear blue skies, fluffy clouds, and I’d say HOT weather. Especially in the Dakotas, Wyoming and Montana. Idaho and Washington although very warm, temperatures in the morning and evenings were more balmy. Oh I’m reminded that in Montana for maybe 20 minutes where I was it rained. Where hubby was he said it came down in buckets. Wei and I were at Flat Head Lake and although they had seen rain, and the water was producing white caps to equal an ocean shoreline. In fact the water was rolling up over and up under cars parked in the parking lot facing the lake. the tour boat had to take cover near one of the islands, and all other tours were canceled for the day. Yet for our walk about, it did not rain. Only when we were driving away did we get a shower.
In the time we were gone, we visited 9 States, and 5 Provinces. It was the longest road trip that I’d ever been on.
Some of you are aware of the few challenges we had, in the first week, hubby’s netbook died, due to hardware failure, and a couple of days later it was determined that my new Samsung tablet had a lemon battery, and nothing could be done except the return of it to the Mfg. Needing to be “wired” we both needed new net books. Fortunately hubby had his camera, I had intended using the Samsung, so we do have some pictures.
There was just so much to see, I loved South Dakato, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. The geography is awesome. I will write more at a later date of the “treasure” shopping I did. For now, this is an overview, letting you know that we are now once more back home. Yes planning our next “get away”.
For me it was an adventure, I got to see places I’d never dreamed of seeing, a taste of parts of Amercia that i will want to see more of. Hubby got to see places he had worked in, and how they had changed. as a broadcaster, he has covered many stories in his lifetime, and when he shifted over to the printed media many of the places we passed through, there was a story or stories that resurfaced. It was a great time for both of us.
In Winnipeg we stayed with in-laws. For me this was extra special, I got to spend time with the 3 nephews that until the visit, I had only met fleetingly at family gatherings where I had not had the time to really visit with them. One nephew and his wife took hubby out to play disc golf. aka frisbee golf. I got to spend quality time with a sister in law that is a gem. Brother in law is the cook in the family, so, YES we were well fed. Family dinners with sometimes 6. 7 at the table. unusual for us. (smile)
Of course we had the dogs with us. They were troopers. Canaille (Portuguese Water dog) got to put her dainty feet in many lakes. Velcro our dashing whippet, has been renamed “chick magnet”.. although he drew as many men as he did women to his side. ( his owners beamed of course) To the dogs it was all ho hum, they are used to the ooohs and aahhhhs.
The car was laden down with “stuff” -material- gifts- what nots- now we are in the process of unpacking and letting our bodies reclaim their well deserved comfort zones back,
Thanks to all of you who kept in touch during this adventure, it meant a lot to me.
Yes I will be writing more about thrift shops, and personal insights. Blessings!

up all night

Here I thought I would be fast asleep, instead I find my thoughts drifting into one “play area” after another. Later this morning we will leave for our road trip to Montana, crossing States I’ve never been in before.  It is exciting.  the prospect of new geography, towns,cities, lakes, has me anticipating.  To prepare for the time away, I found myself focused on writing my fashion blogs and motoring along in a very goal oriented way.reminiscent of the days I worked full time. Now when I should be off in dreamland, my mind is not wanting to shut down.

Also my body is grumbling.  I’ve not been to the gym now in some time.   I notice the difference the lack of daily exercise is having on my body.  I feel sluggish, and less “tuned in”.  Eating habits change too, because the routine has changed.  Add to that I’ve discovered the white chocolate frappe coffee drink at Starbuck.. not a coffee drinker, I certainly soak this beverage up, loving the whipped cream that tops it.

How is it, that the body wants to sleep, the mind is tired and wants to comply, but some part of the brain simply does not want to go along, it is out of step wanting instead to be heard.  then when I try to listen, it doesn’t make itself understood, instead it has the rest of my components yawning, and dragging waiting for it to get with the program.

I’m almost (I hope) over half way in the last book of 50 shades of Grey.  Debating on whether or not to take it with me to finish or leave it behind.  It has me wanting to read a John Norman book on Gor.  Much like after eating something with a very sweet taste to it, you need to clean your pallet with something totally different.  If you are wanting something different to read, and you’ve not ready John Norman, you might want to try his first book, Tarnsman of Gor.  (1966) it is best to start with the first book in the series so that you start out on the journey right a the beginning.

I am a woman with very strong convictions, I believe and support women’s rights etc etc.. my first reaction to the sub culture that this author’s books have inspired was very negative.  A friend challenged me to read the book the way the author wrote it, before making anymore of my “comments”  She sent me an e-version of the first book.  I was hooked and wanted to read the book.  I had prior to reading it, thought I would read it, find it trash, and support my dislike for what it spawned (Gorean societies)  Before I started on Shades of Grey, I had read the 1st 5 in the series.

If anyone else out there has read or is reading John Norman (look him up on Google) please, share your thoughts with me.  

Finally I’ll leave you with a picture of me dressed for my holiday.. from my last blog

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How often have we heard that?  I certainly lucked out the other day, while browsing a thrift shop with a friend, I saw a chair out of the corner of my eye that I really liked. Turned out, the chair was in mint condition, and for some reason, the shop was having a sale on furniture, it was reduced from $45. to $9;99. Now you know I was gonna have to make room.  All the cards fell into place, the car had been recently cleaned out so we could pack for our holiday.  The young man easily got it into the car (after checking that the sale price was right ).. it was.. and we now have a new chair.  So what is the big deal.  WELL…. in life, the idea is to unclutter, simplicity is really the best way to live an uncomplicated life.

I had previously said that anything new coming in, meant something should go /be recycled.  Since the new chair arrived, I have not parted with another piece of furniture.  I did pass along two side tables about a week ago to my niece, does that count? hmmmm somehow I think I should do more.  Last week-end I took about 5 pounds maybe more, of costume jewelry to a “thrift” show for recycling.  does that count?  What a dilemma.  I derive great pleasure looking at this chair.  No! although I find it very comfortable to sit in, VERY much so, it swivels and rocks, and this I don’t like.  I enjoy looking at the chair..

It is like found treasure, only another treasure hunter would understand. any one else out there that shares this “little’ idiosyncrasy?

We are leaving for a short holiday, I will not be in SL (second life) for awhile,  LOL this pictures shows my avatar chilling, you can see she is already in the mode for a vacation.  Now all I have to do is finishing packing, the chair unfortunately can’t come, wonder  if I will still be enthralled with it when I get back?   If you’d like more information on this outfit I’m wearing visit my fashion blog http://longdashstudio.blogspot.com

to be or not to be

In my case, it is to write or not to write.  I’ve been dithering back and forth for days I’ve had a lot of things to say, yet the words simply didn’t want to come together.  Whether it was an opinion, a passing thought, I lacked the passion to sit down and process and put to “paper”.  A lot has been going on in my life, we are planning to leave next week for a road trip down into the States.  Exciting yes.  I’ve been wading through the book 50 shades of grey.  Impressed no.  But I did buy it, all 3 in the combined 3 book that was available, so I’m persisting, hoping that it will WoW me.  If you’ve read it, please tell me what you thought?  Did you find it worth the time you put into reading it?  It has certainly had good press.

My fashion/lifestyle blog is going great guns.  I find it amazing that (1) there are so many wonderful creative ideas out there, and that I get to explore and enjoy the diversity. (2) That some designers lack the “people skills” to say thank you when they are given a write up, unsolicited and positive, yes they know it happened, because I and other professional writers who blog, notify them when their product or event is blogged.

I’ve discovered that not going to the “club” (The Athletic Club) on a daily basis, is an activity that I miss,  (I’ve taken a LOA for the time I’ll be away, and the weeks leading up to the vacation so that I can “prepare”)

Yesterday was the service to celebrate 2012 Kyoso-Sai (Founder’s Day)  My first time, I really enjoyed it.  Google Perfect Liberty for more information.

This is a picture of the “pants” that I find comfortable to wear, and hard to find.  I was on a mission, I’m happy to report that I now have several different varieties

Second Life

Second Life.

So much of my time is spent in SL (Second Life) for those of you who have yet to experience this virtual world, this is a video done by the CBC.

Changes

While change is the only constant in life,I still can’t seem to easily adjust to the new modes of communication..  Picked up the new Samsung Galaxy tablet today determined that I should take another step forward in the world of technology. Merchants have their hands out, and have come up with a lot of different ways to try to encourage the client to part  with extra dollars.  The gadget is listed at X$ but then there is a cost for this, and a suggested plan for that.. by the time they list all the extras, the dollar figure you started with has somehow almost doubled.  One has to be firm, in what one will and will not buy.

I can’t get over how many people I see with a phone stuck to their ear as they walk along the street, wait for a bus, even in the shops, people are on their cell phones.  Myself, I can go days without using the phone. hmmm, wonder what the attraction was for the tablet?

Finally

I have tried since May to access my first attempt at a blog on this site.. I was unable to find a way to make contact with WordPress.  Gave up and started this one.  Finally here, and too tired to really write.

What I’d like to do is share a link to my fashion blog http://longdashstudio.blogspot.com .. what am I doing in a sandbox?  From this link you will get to my flickr pages and Facebook

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