I thought I'd write a new entry in this journal, have not been on here for any length of time lately. We recently lost our beloved cat Sammy to feline leukemia and I am trying to cope with that and keep up with online college classes. I had to make a decision recently too whether to try and go back to work or resign my position as a bus driver for the school system here in our town. I chose to resign. I can now longer climb the 3 steps up into the bus seat and stand sitting for 2 1/2 hrs twice a day bouncing all over the country taking children to and from school. I have this bad thing called degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis so bad that my hips look like swiss cheese on the ct's and mri's that I have had done. I have both knees that are shot, no fluid or padding left in either one so walking is hard for me too. I am seeing a pain management doctor who is giving me epidural spinal nerve block injections every two weeks and both him and my regular doctor says there is nothing else they can do for me. I am taking strong narcotic pain meds and feel like I am not here in this world half the time. It is at the point that I am so tired of hurting that I don't know what to do with myself, if it was not for the love of my family and grandchildren I honestly can say that I would not be here today fighting and striving to enjoy each day, one day at a time. Which brings me to today! The weather has went from cold, damp and rainy to warm (70's) and sunny for most of this week. My boyfriend and I decided to get in the truck and take a small road trip around close to see if the fall colors are popping yet. Well, we found patches of color here and there, but I think it will be another week or more before all the true colors show. We were only gone 3 hrs and did not realize it but we took about 110 photos!!! I don't know what it is but I am not happy with most of the photos I took today! Not sure if I am just being critical on myself or what, but since I have been taking photography as my degree, I am critiquing my own work more and more. Out of all those photos I only have about 6-7 that I really like. I guess a lot of professional photographers go through a lot of photo taking before they take those few that stand out enough to keep and show to the world. I like being on here and sharing my photos but now begining to doubt my talent enough that I don't feel a need to post more photos. Maybe if some of you out there on deviant would critique some of my photos, I would get an idea better if I am doing good or ideas on what I need to do more or change. Ok, enough typing for now, I will find those few photos that I took today and post them for you all to see. I hope you truly enjoy them at least a little.