Return of the Sun

 At this time of year I eagerly track the patterns of the sun in anticipation of longer days.

Thinning out those weedy pines on the hill was a great step in extending my southern exposure.  I get sun on the house at any time of day now before 4pm, even if just a sliver of sunlight - when the sky is clear anyway.

We've had enough dramatic weather in the past two months to make up for a whole season if you ask me.  Snow, wind, and rain storms, 13 power outages, and that last cold spell down from Canada made me feel like I lived in the arctic!

I've been tested on my pioneer skills (and tolerance) enough to make me wonder if another location would be any easier.  But in the words of the Abraham collective;  you take your (energy) vibration with you wherever you go.  So until I can master this lifestyle with ease, I shall just carry on here.

The best thing that happened this winter was the purchase and use of a light box for the symptoms of S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder).  I wasn't sure to what degree I had this but learned about it in a terrific book called "Winter Blues" by Norman E. Rosenthal, MD.  (By the way, the fourth edition has updated information).

I feel like a new person!  I feel like the person I am during the longer, lighter days.  Energetic, inspired, confident.  There's a lot to be said for a balanced brain chemistry!  

With this new tool I am better able to cope with the challenges that come along here.

After the last snowstorm and nearly 3 day power outage, I got busy working with my local development on an emergency call list.  I'm happy to say that I have passed through all the red tape so far and will soon be implementing the plan.  We will ask residents if they would like to be on the list, to have someone call or check on them during outages or storms.  A designated representative from each division will cover their area.  Sometimes just a human voice that cares is a comfort to those that live alone.

It's a great concept that I hope will catch on in other housing developments and small communities.

Work continues on the kitchen, and small steps are getting accomplished.  I'm taking pictures of the progress and will post them when I'm nearer to completion.

In the meantime, I hope you are all well and getting off to a great start in this new year!

New Pioneer Wheels

A friend of mine suggested I write about my recent experience searching for, and purchasing a new car.

Although I am fairly confident in most areas of my life, I did feel a bit of trepidation for this task.  I needed to research the vehicles, then decide what would work best for me, then of course, actually go out and purchase one!

I started with the research.  Luckily I found the April 2011 issue of Consumers Report magazine to be all about cars.  The reviews for the 2011's and extensive information on used cars.  I studied this for hours.  I already had in mind a few cars I liked, but read about all of the competitors as well.

Now here is where I may lose a few skeptics about mysticism and metaphysics, but I am willing to take that chance.  I meditated daily on this issue and instead of visualizing "the" car I wanted, I focused on the energy of the outcome;  the things I wanted and needed in a car. 
Where I live, city cars don't make the cut.  Here we need something that can handle hills, snow, rain and mud.  So it was important for me to look at the all wheel drives, clearance underneath, and versatility.  Of course price was key, so the fancy SUV's were out.

While I was in this process I saw many cars that caught my attention.  Here is where the "signs" of the process came in.  I was attracted to the Vibe, Matrix, Fit and Focus, all great cars. 
It took me a while to figure out that it was not the cars, but the names of the cars that were the signs!
So I "focused" on the "vibe" that would form the "matrix" to give me the perfect "fit". 

Of course by now it had been six months in to my research and I was pretty clear about what I needed.  One day in a parking lot I saw the Suzuki SX4 and was quite taken with it's hatchback, four doors and overall look.  It was of course on my list of best AWD small cars, but I wasn't convinced yet. 

As I continued my search I applied for financing online at both Honda and Toyota, but got no response, interesting.  Then I found a pre-owned SX4 online and applied there.  I got a response in 30 minutes via email and phone! 
It was a very pleasant experience from application to delivery.  By the way, I ended up with a 2011 SX4, as I just could not pass up the incredible warranties!!!

So the moral of the story is this.  One has to use more than your head smarts to make decisions and follow through.  A keen intuition, and trust of that intuition is vital.  You will know when you have made the right choice or decision, as it feels really good!

So here's the new vehicle for the new pioneer at retro retreat.