Valentines Day

Valentines Day is next month and will be here before you know it. If you haven't noticed the link to my CafePress store is gone from my sidebar and that is because I have closed it. 

I'm focusing my efforts now into my Etsy Shop which is now open. I currently have three items and working on another as of this moment but stopped so I could get this message out. I will do my best to keep you updated when new items are added. I will add a link to my Etsy Shop on the sidebar soon.

As mentioned earlier, Valentines Day is approaching and many of you are familiar with The Bottomless Heart I designed a couple of years ago. That is the first card in my shop for Valentines Day but can be given for other occasions as well such as anniversary, birthday or just because. 

I made some changes from the original design which are more simplistic. It still features the story line behind the design of the heart which is your expression of love and time shared together, with the one you love.

Here is a photo of the card's front. Please visit my Etsy Shop to see the rest.

  

A Blogger's Pic In Poetry 1

I recently came across this photograph by way of my Google+ stream courtesy of Anissa Mayhew  who shares a lot of nice pictures on her stream from other members.

I don't know what it was about this photo but I was impelled to write a poem about it. 

To give you a heads up, this is the first of more to come in a series I'm calling: A Blogger's Pic In Poetry. 

I'm not sure where I will find them or how often I will see a poem in a photo, but when I do, it will be included in the series.

I will say that I have spent some time on Daniel Plumer's Google+ page and I have four poems from some of his photographs. This is the first and I will post the rest in the order that I viewed and wrote the poem for each one. 

Reflection

What is, reflects of itself

Doubling of single, non-stealth

Rocky hard, branches sticking

Softly seen, yellow green lifting

I am who I am, am I?

Seen as such is, to eye

Same as is, unchanged two one

Crazy it is, when seen how it's done

Photo by Daniel Plumer 

Poem by me

A Gifted Talent Given

Let the talent of the talent shine

Brightly as gifted it was given, absolute

Astounding, the beauty of the gifted talent

How bright the talent?...matters not

Resting it aside for still of time, wasted

For it is not the one to give the talent light

But true to the giving, it is His light shining

Once the talent is motioned thru space of time

Wonder not the beauty to the eye

Savor in His gift, the talent given to shine

Time's Relevance

Time's relevance is irrelevant at times
Other times, so vastly important
Seeking to achieve one's destiny
Time waits for no man at all times


Man's purpose, sought by man throughout
In degrees that vary for purpose in life
Some to persevere in want and need
By others in disillusionment and despair


Flashing moments portray accomplishments
Times even to them who feel failure
Remember one and all, remember
Time's relevance, in the hands of one

                                                         

New Neighbors

We spotted this cocoon in our Canna Lily yesterday.

This is on a branch hanging over into our back area.

What's Going On

I have been steadfastly busy trying to find my niche and still may be empty, but I feel as if I am in a groove if you will. It is difficult to find something that the consumer will take a look at, let alone buy. 


I do believe I am on my way though. 


So have I found what may be something that could find itself into the homes?


Only time will tell.


To see what I talking about, please visit my website at WhatrUWorkinOn.com


If you like what you see, please leave a comment.

The Ending

June 1st marks the ending of the first six months of 2012. Thinking ahead....I wonder what all of those superstitious people are gonna do about next year.....anyway, my mind goes to all of the resolutions that have been broken or never made it out of the gate. It's been awhile since I've done the resolution things....very long time.


I penned the poster below November 12, 2011. I'd have to do a little more digging to see when it was first published on my blog or my CafePress website. It may sound cliche but I do get inspired when I read it. I wrote it in a way that whoever reads this, can apply it to themselves....the question at the end?....I ask myself, what have I done since the last time I read it. Sometimes I am so angry with me because I've missed easy ops, but I know there are more doors ahead. There are times when I muster a smile or two just knowing I am able to even try to pursue dreams. I frustrate myself by trying to do too much at one time....multi-multitasking. I love it when I get that giddy feeling.


I'm more determined than ever to reach for goals, achieve them and reach for more. I'm not going to wait until the beginning of the year to start my new year. Right now I feel as if I'm making that turn....you know the feeling....you've been on THAT road for such a long time you can tell that the scenery is starting to change. It's such a good feeling.


I did edit the wording on this new poster...I took out the words "have to" on the third line and replaced them with the word "can" and did a little realignment with the rest.

I'm going to be posting pictures in a couple of weeks and I would very much  your advice, opinion, input. I'm going to have a few small giveaways during the month of June so it would be a good idea to tell your friends to like my Facebook page. That's a few of what's up and coming....gonna ride this wave as far as it will take me.


If you'd like to see this in a different flavor you can go here.
  

Rain Storms

A popup rain storm is one that is not predicted by the weather personnel. When the conditions are right, they just appear. The lightning strikes, the thunder, the high winds and of course the rain.


Yes storms can do damage that can be costly, but they can also be beneficial. Breaking lose dead tree branches, clearing the air of pollen and pollution. 


When the storm is over and the damages are assessed, it can't be denied that everything looks cleaner, refreshing and you can smell it in the air. 


I guess it can be said that storms in our lives serve the same purpose even if we don't see it that way. It is not pleasant to be caught in a rain storm without shelter of any kind and the same can be said for the storms that develop in our lives. But how can anyone deny that once our life storm passes, we feel refreshed and stronger....triumphant. 


Do I welcome or seek these storms into my life?....no way! But I cannot deny that it is a good feeling when all is said and done. 

One More Please

Hi everyone if you would like to see today's post, click one more please...here at WhatrUWorkinOn.com 


Thank you,


Reggie

This Takes Me Back

I'm tellin ya ahead of time....it's a picture heavy post.


It was time for me to take a closer look at the engine of my van. This won't be the first time I had the "dog house" cover off, but it will be the first time I'm taking a good look into what I'll have to do in the near future.

It comes apart in two sections.

It's really pretty easy to 

take apart....two 1/2" bolts

on the floor....

 ....and two clamps on both sides 

at the top.

Once you get both sections off, you have access to a great portion of the engine.

When I removed the breather cover, there was a strong gas odor. I'll probably replace the oxygen sensors.

Spark plugs don't look so hot either.   

I climbed underneath to see why my 

tires were worn and part of the reason, 

the ball joints have no grease. 

I rotated the tires to finish up. The van is in sound condition and once I get the tune up and some tires I should be good for a bit.

I tinted the windows a couple weeks ago...it looks much better from a distance, but not bad for doing it alone. The instructions suggest two people; that is some hard stuff to work with I'll tell ya! I removed the windows from the van and tinted them that way.

On another note....I'm thinking of designing new signatures for my blogs.

Reggie

                                            

Phase 1 Is Done

If you checked out my post from yesterday, you saw that I was at the beginning of organizing my piles of screws, nuts and bolts, washers and an assortment of other items that has accumulated over the years.

These are the items I had within eyesight....I'm sure more will turn up shortly. How many phases do I have ahead of me?....not a clue.


Reggie  

I Needed Wheels

To continue from my previous post, there is one thing that I do miss about my job and that is I didn't have to worry about transportation. We were allowed to drive the vans home after we were finished for the day; that was a big savings in fuel costs, maintenance costs and insurance costs I didn't have to worry about.


So now I was in need of some wheels. My first thought was what I would be doing and what type of vehicle would best suit the purpose. I already knew what I wanted and needed but I had to go through the routine because it wasn't just about me and what I needed it for. Price of course comes into play because the funds are very limited so I had to stay within that certain range. Something that would get decent gas mileage which would have to be a car, but would be too small in the long run. I started looking at mini vans and suvs while still looking at cars. As it turned out, the prices for cars were about the same or higher than the vans, so that's where I turned all of my focus although I did test drive a mini van or two. 


I've always liked older cars, not sure why. Maybe it's because I can work on some of the problems that may arise on my own. 


What I really wanted was an older Chevy van. Back in the early ninety's I had a 1977 Chevy van. We loved that van; it had four captains chairs and an area in the back with a table that transformed into a bed if you would. The seating area around the table was in a U shape and lifting the table top off of its post and laying it into the U opening would give you a bed. 


I like vans because they are versatile such as bad weather when you need to haul something. So I come across an ad for a 93 Chevy van, must see the add said. I pass it up. I was about $500.00 more than what I wanted to spend. I continue shopping and begin to get more and more frustrated. Days turn into a week and then more. The van is still on the market with a price drop....hmmmm. This looks promising. I decided to rent a car for two days because it's crunch time and my timeline is slowly dissipating; the longer I have the money, the more chances it will also shrink. 


I drive onto the lot looking for the van as I pull in, I spot it. After parking I get out and walk straight to it. It's clean and no dents, but it's a window van....ugh! I like vans but window vans are not on my list of favorites. I ask for the key and it fires right up. There is nothing inside but two front seats. It has air, I check it and it's cold....looking better....I look it over inside and spotless is how to describe it. For a van this old I was expecting some damages, but nothing major that I could see. 


Now it's time to negotiate. I knew coming in I was $200.00 short of the new price but I go for it. He said he would have to make a phone call and...bingo! I get it for $600.00 less than the original advertised price!

I know you're thinking I now have an extra $600.00 to work with....not so....remember when I said that I came with a couple hundred less than what they wanted for the van?....yes, the funds had already began to shrink due to odds and ends popping up. 

But I have my van!

It Doesn't Take Much

I took these pictures in our back yard earlier today.

It doesn't take much to appreciate the fact that change is on the way.

Fear and Success

Image Credit

Image Credit

What Is The Right Thing To Do?

Our internet service went down last night and was restored a couple of hours ago. After the restoration, I really noticed how much email I had accumulated and decided to clean house. While going through my two major accounts it came very clear to me how different things are for me right now. One of the accounts showed me how much I had strayed away from poetry and the online friends I was beginning to become acquainted with. Not only that but a couple of blogs I was reading on a regular basis.


As I continued through the old mail, the dates brought to mind what I had already remembered long before starting this venture. The 1 year anniversary of my oldest brother's passing. I called my mom and talked to her for awhile and that made me remember even more how much I miss him. It was good to hear my mom's voice...still strong in my ear....realizing how much I miss her too.


Events in life never stop...they keep coming. How they affect us and how we choose to deal with them rest solely on our individual shoulders. Deleting those old emails did bring back memories but they also triggered a need....no....a desire to restore what I miss about me. Even though you may not have heard from me as much as before, I have not been idle. Changes have been taking place and the journey continues.


Eliminating that which hinders us sometimes may not seem the right thing to do in the eyes of others, but others don't have to live our lives. Remembering is not always a good thing, but forgetting can sometimes be the wrong thing to do. How we handle these rest solely on our individual shoulders.


Time doesn't stop, events continue to happen and changes do take their place. We must also take our spot and do what is right for us...even if others may think it foolish...they do not live our lives...and we don't live theirs. 


Making decisions are all a part of the journey and they have to be made...good or bad, right or wrong. 

Better Late Than Never?

This was supposed to be the meme post that I didn't finish and it was also to be the post for the one I accidentally posted yesterday. 

OK...so I've been #workinon my designs and making headway in my attempts at transferring them to my new software. I like the new look and you may also see new designs coming.

As I wanted from the very beginning, I will be able to accomplish the product line I believe will be appealing to many. Calendars, cards, T-shirts, maternity, baby, mugs and so on. 

Below is an old design of The Bottomless Heart.

Copyright WhatrUWorkinOn.com
2010-2011

This is the new look.

Copyright WhatrUWorkinOn.com
2010-2011

I will be making changes to my core logo design but the #QuestionMark will remain. Below is a sample.

Copyright WhatrUWorkinOn.com
2010-2011

I'll be adding a dot on the bottom of the #QuestionMark.

Those are some of the things I've been #workinon around here.

#whatruworkinon

Hey MahoganyMama!

I just wanna say

It's your birthday

I just wanna say

It is today

I hope it's a good one

Even if you don't see the sun

I hope you have fun

When it's all said and done

Nope it's not here either

Don't even look in the freezer

I can't pretend

This will come to an end

At some point or other

I'd much rather drother

Be there right now

I'd give you a bow

To show some love

As tight as a glove

That goes on a hand

As sure as you stand

Sunday Morning Ride

It's really been hot the past few days and I had decided not to ride my bike. Today it's a bit cooler in the mornings, which I prefer to ride, so off I go.

This is my first pit stop along the way.

This is Town Center of Virginia Beach. It's a nice area with places to eat, areas to sit outside and enjoy the view or your company. It can get pretty busy here.

`````

Here I arrive at my destination...Mount Trashmore. For those who don't know, it is a landfill converted into a park...a rather nice one at that.

This is the Mount Trashmore emblem located at the top of the hill. You can find kite flyers here during windy times. Lots of people use the hill for working out. The guy on the left for example is walking backward down the hill. Some jog all the way around the top instead of using the path.

I'm not sure if they are together, but backward they go.

`````

Of course we can't forget the children who want to enjoy the play area before the sweltering heat sets in.

`````

Here I have my stuff set up after the ride around the park after arriving, preparing for this post. It is a really nice breeze blowing to help squash the heat. I'm gonna be heading back after I post this. It's about fifteen miles round trip. This is my second trek here since I got the bike.

Time to head back....

Still Workin On It

I haven't forgotten about the meme or the other stuff I'm #workinon. It's been a rough ride lately and really tough to get the wrench out of the gears.


My previous post was in draft and I had forgotten all about it. I had written it back on May 13th and thought I might tweak it a bit, but set it aside. That must have been the beginning of the funk. 


Finding a happy medium in a place that is filled with anything but happiness has been breathtaking...and not as in awe inspiring. It has been a struggle to break through the rut of what seems like, despair. I say despair because it seemed to be relentless. Usually I would find myself dealing with negatives, on a positive note. Noooo...not this time.


I'm angry with myself for allowing this to happen....this is not me. Sure there are times when we fall into doldrums, but I was getting dangerously close to not wanting to write anymore. It was as if I didn't care...AND I KNOW THAT IS NOT ME!   



Going through my mind now, I see some of the things that has brought me to stagnant hood. 


Occupation-wise, I have been installing auto glass for 30+ years now....I'm tired. I like what I do....but I'm tired. One of the most rewarding part of my job that keeps me going are the customers we service. It is really gratifying to see the smiles and have a good talk at times while working. 


I think I'm burnt on my current occupation and deep inside, crave for change, something new. But we all know that these are tough times and jobs are hard to come by. Watching the evening news and saw that all those people will be out of work once this last shuttle mission is over.


Tough times...nuf said on that.


I bought a used bike this past Sunday. This will be beneficial in many ways. I don't have to worry about gas. I get exercise. My mind will start functioning again. Can't go wrong with any of that.


I'm still here and kickin'.


Whatr U Workin On?

More Good News

Many of you know that TheWife and I had been separated for three years...now back together. She and my son Reg, have been looking for work. Well, TheWife has found success and is now employed. 


She had an interview two weeks ago, went in for a pee test and background check the next day, then waited. I actually had that on my mind yesterday and wondered when she might get a call. TheWife did mention that she was told they would be hiring during the month of April. To our surprise and thankfulness, she got the call Thursday. 


Today is her first day. I asked her how she felt last night and I think she's mixed, but understandably so. She's in a different line of work she was accustomed to for the past five years..give or take. Different state and city to boot. She's been out of work for three months...you how that can become comfortable for some. But I believe once she gets this day done, it'll be old hat.


I'm sure she'll come home with lots to say. Shouldn't be long now...in the meantime, I'm going to enjoy more of my time off and also make an attempt to get other things done.