Returning to Work

After caring for my mother for the last few years, finally moving her into an assisted living facililty, clearing out her crammed 4-bedroom house, and working with a realtor to sell it, I was able to move into my own apartment at the end of May.  My at-home job of caregiving and caretaking was over, except for some paperwork to tie up the loose ends.

Although I was looking forward to getting back to work outside the home, I kept hearing that finding a full-time job would be a challenge in these tough economic times.  While tracking job listings and submitting applications, I also signed up at 2 temporary agencies, but - as the weeks went by - there were no calls to work. 

An unexpected opportunity arose for me to spend a week in Sedona, Arizona.  I longed to take this trip, but I was becoming more concerned about working (and earning!).  As you know if you've been reading this blog, I did go to Sedona.  But, I started formulating a plan to apply for seasonal work when I returned, probably in retail shops.

On the day before I was to fly back to Oregon, I received a call.  A 3-day office job was available, and I could start the day after my return.  And, there was also a possible 3-week job coming up in November!  After four months, I was returning to work at last.

The 3-day assignment went smoothly, and I am now scheduled to start the 3-week assignment next week.  I don't know what I will be doing after Thanksgiving, but I do feel I've started building a little momentum in the direction of finding my full-time work for this new chapter of my life.

Stay tuned for more on returning to work.

Good Eats

Hard to believe I've been talking about my Sedona trip for several days without mentioning the food.  I ate very well throughout the week while keeping to a moderate budget.

Javenlina Cantina:  Enjoyed a good-sized chicken vegetable burrito (and saved half for another meal).  Tasty food and attentive service.  Chips and salsa were good, as was my St. Pauli N.A.  Choice of seating inside or on the terrace.

Oaxaca:  I selected a delicious omelette stuffed with avocado slices for my late lunch.  Although no automatic chips and salsa appeared as in similar restaurants, the service was prompt, the portions generous, and the price reasonable.  The covered patio was pleasant though noisy with multiple family groups nearby and traffic noise from the street.

Rene at Tlaquepacque:  Located in Sedona's "arts and crafts village," I had a delicious tomato bisque and eggs florentine for brunch.  Service was a little slow, but I didn't mind waiting in the peaceful dining room looking out on the fountain of the Patio del Norte.  The walls were hung with original paintings, and a bridal couple happened to stop just outside the window and pose for their photographer.  The entire experience was charming, and I enjoyed a stroll around the village afterward.

Note:  One painting in particular caught my eye - "Make a Wish" by Libby Caldwell.

Schwezwuan Chinese Restaurant:  They offer a huge selection from the adjoining Martini Bar (I didn't try one this time), and a variety of Chinese dishes in a pleasant atmosphere with good service.  I started with spring rolls then went on to the special chow mein (with chicken, pork and shrimp).  I saved half the chow mein for another meal, and finished with the mango ice cream (two scoops, which would have been enough for another meal, too).

Troia's Pizza Pasta Amore:  This meal was my big splurge - I had "butternut squash ravioli," one of the chef's special's, with a glass of Sangiovese.  The food and the service were both very good; however, I have to admit I've had a similar Italian meal at Pastini's in Oregon for significantly less money.  As I left, the man I took to be the proprietor thanked me and said, "Be well."

Wildflower Bread Company:  Modest prices with scenic views from the large windows.  I ordered a tomato/feta/egg sandwich at the counter, picked up a cup of coffee, and sat at a table where my breakfast was served.  Yum!

Because my room at Red Rock Guest House had a microwave and fridge, I did eat some of my meals there.  The reheated chow mein and chicken vegetable burrito were both good, and I went through a box of cereal and a quart of milk during my stay.  It  is possible to eat well in Sedona without spending a bundle.

Autumn Thoughts (Twelve-Year Plan III)

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."  (George Eliot)

Autumn is my favorite season, and October is my favorite month.  Not just because it's my birthday month, but because the air is cooler and crisper, and the colorful leaves seem to demand my attention.  I don't know if it's the football season or upcoming holiday festivities, but there is a sense of anticipation unlike any other time of year.

While growing up, Autumn always meant the beginning of a new school year, with new classes and new clothes and months of possibility stretching ahead of me.  As an adult, Autumn still feels like a beginning to me, with my October 8 birthday marking the start of another year on this planet, another chance in this life to see what I can make of it.

Today, I am adding another intention to my Twelve-Year Plan: to spend more time outdoors.  This intention is prompted by my appreciation for the season as well as my time outdoors on my recent trip to Sedona.  I am surrounded by the beauty of this world, and I want to take time to enjoy it, not only while traveling but in my everyday life.   Ah, delicious Autumn!

My First Night in Sedona

(Obviously, my entries about my Sedona trip are NOT in chronological order.) 

Looking at my notes, I remember driving north on I-17 from Phoenix.  The speed limit was a breezy 75 mph, as opposed to 65 mph in Oregon.  I saw motor-cyclists without helmets (yup, against the law in Oregon).  And, the cactus plants along the road were an unusual sight for me.  However, as the road begin to climb, it reminded me of I-5 between Roseburg and Grants Pass.  I passed several trucks laboring uphill as I sped along toward Sedona.  Darkness fell quickly, and I was grateful for the explicit driving instructions supplied by Sedona Soul Adventures. 

Once I left I-17, I followed the well-paved Hwy 179 the remaining 15 miles of my journey.  I have never driven through so many roundabouts!  I lost count of them even before I made it into central Sedona.  At each one, I had to think ahead about where I was going, so I would be in the correct lane.  What with being in the dark (both literally and figuratively), it took some concentration to get the hang of it.  Sedona has limited outdoor lighting on its streets and businesses, and I had to keep a sharp lookout for signs - and for the numerous pedestrians who nonchalantly wandered back and forth, in and out of the crosswalks.

I had found my way to Sedona, but it took two calls to my host at Red Rock Guest House before I found my final destination.  Feeling tired from traveling and sore from sitting on the plane and in the car, I decided to walk around outside before collapsing into bed.  As I stumbled down the driveway, I was struck again by the limited amount of lighting.  "Maybe I better just stand still while my eyes adjust to the darkness," I thought.  Then, I looked up at the night sky with more stars than I could remember seeing for years and years.  As I stared at the heavens, I knew - at least for that moment - I was in my perfect place.

Twelve-Month Plan II

A few years ago, I visited a yoga class.  I chose a "gentle yoga" class because I was out of shape and having some soreness and stiffness in my joints.  I found the classroom, the teacher was very clear and encouraging in her instruction, and I left the class in tears.  Even in a "gentle yoga" class, I could hardly do anything that the other students were doing.  I was extremely disheartened.

While on my recent trip to Sedona, I encountered several people who mentioned yoga and its benefits to me.  They told of the difference it had made in their lives and the lives of loved ones, and they urged me to find an instructor when I returned home.  They discussed options such as private instruction and practicing yoga at home with a DVD.  Toward the end of my trip, I was beginning to respond, "Enough, already!  I got the message!"

I did indeed get the message, and I thank all the messengers.  I have already begun my search for a yoga instructor, and I have added yoga to my Twelve-Month Plan.

The Little Rental Car That Could

In order to get from Phoenix to Sedona, and in order to drive around Sedona, I needed a rental car.  I felt a little uncertain about arranging for a car - the only times I've had a rental car in the past was when someone else made the reservation.  Usually, I'm taking shuttles or catching a ride with a friend or family member.

When I went on-line to reserve a car, I was somewhat shocked by the prices, especially the amount of taxes involved in renting a car.  I ended up paying about $280 for a Chevrolet Aveo from Budget Rent-a-Car with unlimited mileage (October 6-12).  Over 1/3 of that was in taxes and fees!

Note:  The coordinated rental car logistics at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport are great.  Other than having to listen to a sales pitch for renting a more powerful car, taking out extra insurance, etc., both pick-up and return went very smoothly.

Something Alarming.  Driving north to Sedona in late-afternoon commuter traffic took a little extra time, but my Aveo was performing just fine.  A short distance out of Phoenix, I stopped at an In-N-Out for a hamburger.  The burger was delicious, the restroom was clean, and everything was great - until I got back into my car.  When I put the key in the ignition, the car alarm went off, and I didn't know how to stop it.  I grabbed my cell phone to call my sister for her suggestions.  She didn't have much more experience with car alarms than I did, but she did have one idea - it might have something to do with locking/unlocking the car doors.  After some experimenting, and setting the car alarm off a couple more times, I finally mastered this advanced technology and headed back to the freeway.

Can I Do This Myself?  Toward the end of my stay in Phoenix, I noticed the gas tank was almost empty, so I pulled into a gas station to fill up.  "Oh," I realized, "I have to pump my own gas."  (In my home state of Oregon, pumping your own gas is against the law.)  Opening the little door to access the gas cap was no problem, but then I couldn't get the gas cap off.  I fiddled with it for a few minutes with no success.  Finally, I asked the driver of the car behind me if he could take it off for me.  Of course, he opened it immediately!  Fortunately, I managed to pump the gas, pay with my debit card, and get a receipt with no further delay.

Schnebly Hill Vista.  One afternoon, having no definite plans, I decided I would drive up Schnebly Hill Road to the "not-to-be-missed" vista.  I knew the road was only paved part of the way, but I was willing to give it a try.  I found the correct turn off the highway, confidently driving the Aveo until the pavement ended and I saw the sign "Schnebly Hill Vista, 5 miles."  Five miles on unpaved road?  Well, I was still ready to give it a try - after all, I could always turn around.

As I drove along, every curve in the road brought a beautiful new view of the rocky landscape, but I was starting to feel anxious.  This unpaved road was not gravel or dirt - but rocks.  Hard, uneven, and sometimes sharp rocks.  Occasionally, I saw another vehicle - most of them jeeps.  Should I turn back?  I wanted to see the "not-to-be-missed" vista.

I checked the gas gauge, checked the temperature gauge, and prayed the spare tire was good.  I proceeded slowly, driving about 10 mph most of the way.  Watching my odometer to see my progress, I waited and waited to see each number change.  Sometimes the road was fairly even, but other times it seemed like there was hardly any road at all.  I gave up trying to stay on my side of the road and concentrated on finding the least rugged route, telling myself that - if I got into trouble - I could hitch a ride with one of the jeeps.

Note:  These two smaller pictures give some idea of the drive up; look for the horizontal markings to see where the road took me.

Reminding myself that I could always turn around, I kept going - a little farther, a little farther.  Finally, after what seemed like hours, I was there.  Wow!  Schnebly Hill Vista was absolutely stunning.  I could literally see for miles, and I was truly glad I had not missed it.

For better pictures of the Schnebly Hill Vista, look for sites such as www.takemytrip.com/07sedona/07_13a.htm.

The Little Rental Car That Could.  I drove slowly back down Schnebly Hill Road, stopping from time to time to take a picture, usually from the car window.  What a relief when I reached the paved road!  And what a sense of accomplishment - I had never done anything quite like this before.  For the rest of the day, and into the evening, I continued to marvel - at the beautiful views I had seen, at my determination to reach this goal in spite of my anxiety, and the Aveo's performance on the rough road.  Had this drive been a smart idea?  Maybe not - but the cost of the rental, the unexpected car alarm, the difficulty in opening the gas cap - all of these seemed unimportant when I realized I had been driving The Little Rental Car That Could.

Stay tuned for more on my Sedona Soul Adventure.

Back From Sedona

My Sedona Soul Adventure was amazing, awesome, and any other over-used adjectives you'd like to throw into the mix.  It provided me with what I was looking for - although not exactly what I was expecting.  So much happened in my one-week journey that I will have to report on it in bits and pieces.

Red Rocks.  Yes, I saw red rocks - and orange, pink, grey, and other colors, too!  For someone who has lived her entire life in Western Oregon and Washington, I never anticipated the impact the rocky landscape of the Sedona area would have on me.  The evening I arrived, it was already dark, and I had very little sense of the surrounding terrain.  The next morning, as soon as I opened my door and looked outside, I was immediately struck by the size, color, and proximity of the rocky heights reflecting the rising sun.

I've seen spectacular mountains before - the American Rockies, the Swiss Alps - but something about these views filled me with a sense of awe for the power and majesty of creation.  I was surrounded by sights such as these the entire week I was in Sedona, and they were a major part of my overall experience.

Although a native Oregonian and former Girl Scout, I have gradually spent less time outdoors as the years passed.  In Sedona, I spent time each day walking, meditating, and taking pictures out in the autumn air.  And, every day, I was struck with renewed wonder at the magnificence of the landscape before me.  In fact, I could not return to Oregon before purchasing "Sights of Sedona" which promised a "spectacular time-lapse DVD experience of Sedona's Red Rock Country." 

Three Cups of Tea.  Do you have a list of books you intend to read "someday"?  Well, I do, and Three Cups of Tea is on it.  Although it was published a few years ago, I never quite got around to reading it.  I even recommended it to others, admitting that I hadn't yet read it myself.

Before I left Sedona, I thought, "I should get a copy of Three Cups of Tea to read in the plane on the way home."  After looking for it at one store, I forgot about it, but I did add the book to my Twelve-Month Plan the next time I had computer access.

The day after I arrived back in Oregon, I found out that David Oliver Relin, co-author of Three Cups of Tea, would be speaking at Marylhurst University on the evening of October 16 (that's tonight!).  I now have a ticket to hear him speak and a stronger commitment to get a copy of the book.  I would be inclined to say "What a coincidence!" if I believed in coincidences.

Stay tuned for more on my Sedona Soul Adventure.

Leaving for Sedona

Tomorrow morning I leave on my trip to Sedona, Arizona.  I am excited and a little nervous as I embark on this journey, and I am sad and a little tired after the events of the past week.  I will be staying at a wonderful-sounding place called "Red Rock Guest House," and I will be participating in some sessions arranged by "Sedona Soul Adventures."   (If you want to learn more, go to http://www.sedonasouladventures.com/.)

I hope that my retreat/vacation will be a time when I can look at my life so far, maybe let go of some things I don't need to carry with me any more, and set some intentions for my life ahead.  I've already written down a few things (see my Twelve-Month Plan), but many of my plans are still under construction, and I hope to see significant progress in the coming days.

When I was born in 1951, everything was a new experience as it is for every baby.  As I start my sixtieth year, I am glad I have the opportunity to travel to a new place, meet some new people, try some new activities, and maybe even encounter some new ideas.

I will not be posting new entries to my blog while in Sedona, but I look forward to resuming "Sandi's Sixtieth Year" next week.

Thank you, Laurence

Yesterday, my friend Laurence passed away after a long illness.  His beloved wife Christine has posted some pictures and text at http://www.sacredheartministries.org/

I have been thinking about my time with Laurence over the years and about our recent visits at the hospital, then at home where he was under hospice care.  His life has touched so many people in so many different ways.  What stands out in my mind right now is his gratitude.  While visiting him at the hospital, he said "thank you" more times than I could possibly count.  He thanked every person every time they came into his room.  Whether it was to feed him, take his blood, empty the trashcan - it didn't matter.  He thanked each for their caregiving and support.

"An attitude of gratitude" and similar phrases are not unfamiliar to me.  I have heard numerous strategies such as "write a thank-you note every day" or "think of something you are thankful for before you go to sleep at night."  In my time with Laurence, however, I encountered an example of the gratitude that St. Paul meant when he wrote "in every thing give thanks."

Laurence had many reasons to feel frustrated or discouraged, angry or afraid.  I know he experienced much pain and discomfort.  Even so, he has provided me with the most striking example of gratitude I have ever seen in my 59 years.  For that, all I can say is,

Thank you, Laurence.