Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Day 21: Artwork

One day, nine years ago, I was being oh-so-cultured and wandering through the Uffizi in Florence (Fireneze, as us locals would say) and soaking up the hundreds of years old art.  It was fantastic.  We spent hours and hours really looking at brush strokes, having my mind blown that someone could see the bigger picture in such a small movement.  Occasionally we'd slyly latch onto a paid, english speaking tour, trying not be too obvious.

It was the most time I've spent looking at art.  Mostly I'm hurried, rushed, feeling the pressures of whomever I'm with to move along.  Creating art is something I admire, the ability and the patience.  I'm lacking in both categories.

I'd like to find some creative art piece if I ever get another tattoo.  I want it to be artful, clever and beautiful.  I want to be moved by it.  Body art is interesting to me because there are so many variables.  I love the idea of using the turns and curves of the body to play off the piece, that's really what I am looking for.

There are a few art pieces that I've stumbled onto recently that I felt connected to.  This one is part of a greater piece, but really I like it on it's own.  I can feel the love, the closeness, the pure joy of being a child's mother.  I can actually feel the weight of my sleeping baby's body across my chest and the tickle of her hair on my cheek, from looking at that painting.  I am totally wrapped in the joy I get from hearing her call me "Momma" and her confident knowledge that I am safe place, from looking at that painting.  I love it.

Gustav Klimt Mother and Child detail from The Three Ages of Woman



Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Day 20: Where I Sleep

Our bed is a place where weary heads rest- if you live here, you sleep here.

Jazzy Belle sleeps as close as she can to a highly uncomfortable place to lick, i.e. nose, cheek, ear, eye.  She's a lover and the night brings out her clingy side.  She needs to purr and knead and lick and slobber all up in my (or E's) business.  Cute & sweet?  Sure.  Terribly annoying and untimely?  Most definitely.

Sunny doesn't sleep in our bed anymore.  She stays on the couch unless she's eating or using the box.

Rosanna has slept in our bed since she was born.  It was a controversial choice we made and I'll never regret it.   She's just started sleeping in her own bed for about half the night, the rest is cuddled up next to me or her Daddy.  Besides the cuddle time, waking up next to Ro is the most awe inspiring wake-up routine I've experienced.  She is awake and that's that.  No groggy eyed, slow motion wake up period.  Just up.  Up and ready to do something.  Anything.  It's pretty unreal.

Of course, E and I sleep in our bed too.  A bed that has no boundaries.  I love it that way.  Our kid feels like we are accessible and our cat warms our feet (eventually, after being tossed to the foot of the bed umpteen times).  If you are wondering, this lifestyle hasn't affected the more intimate side our our lives and it has definitely brought me more joy than I could have imagined.  Bed sharing is caring!


Monday, November 28, 2011

Throwback: Day 13: Written Words

I skipped out on day 13.  I wasn't inspired, and when I'm not inspired, the result is crap.  What I really had in mind was a little piece of paper that was MIA.  Then I found it.

So here we are, looking back to day 13 for the sake of posting a photo of a business card that I've kept for 5 years.  It was left in my car a few days before September 16, 2006.


three and a half days later we were married!

Day 19: Best Friend

This friend's for real.  Like, no joke, stick to me while I have my freak outs, love me when the lovin's tough and to top it off, he's a real looker.

Be jealous ladies.


Saturday, November 26, 2011

Day 18: Something New

Sometimes when toddlers want to help, it's not helpful.  I do what I can to include Ro in all the aspects of my chores: laundry, vacuuming, picking up, etc.  I'd like you to know I've done a bang up job!  She is ever present and excited to take on new tasks, and baking is one of those things.  It's also one of those things that I haven't mastered the art of her role in "helping".  

So when the times comes, and the wee-one is insistent on lending a hand, I hoist her onto the counter top to stir, mix and pour as the opportunity arises.  Often there is a point in our adventure when her eight octopus arms are helping with things I don't need help with: retrieving knives from the block, pulling out apples and potatoes and throwing them on the floor, dunking her feet into the sink and pouring out a soaking pot onto her socks- you get the idea.  So here is where I get to work my creative side.  In this particular instance I was at a loss, so I looked through the cupboards for inspiration.  Ah-ha!  Expensive, Whole Foods marshmallows.  Vanilla Bean flavored, don'tcha know.  

First she played with putting them into and taking them out of their plastic container.  Quite the good time.  Then she discovered that they were, indeed, a food item.  Fork please!

This child had never had a marshmallow before, nor anything like it (is there anything like a marshmallow?).  I was pretty proud of myself because this charade was proving to keep her occupied and I got to plow on through my recipe undisturbed.  

All of this led up to the moment of truth.  How much would she like these obnoxiously priced treats?  Would she be begging for them everyday for the rest of her childhood?  Would normal, jet-puffed marshmallows be scoffed at by her superior palette and therefore ruin any chance of her enjoying s'mores on humble camping trips?  
My fears were unfounded, however, as the marshmallows went in......and came back out.  

Oh, well.  Money in my pocket!




Friday, November 25, 2011

Day 17: Memories

Did anyone else just hear that song from CATS playing in there head?  Hmmm...

I have a love/hate relationship with memories.  They are simultaneously fabulous and vehicles of continued suffering.  I have struggled with and am a great believer in leaving the past where it is.  There is a great phrase I found on pintrest that I think I should post in my brain as a blueprint on interacting with others:

Don't judge me by my past, I don't live there anymore.

Right?  I love it.  I can relate because I know that things I have done in the past don't define who I am now.  Even things I did yesterday.  Today, now, this exact moment is an opportunity for me to be someone new.  I am not even the person I was 5 minutes ago.

Rant much?  Anyhow, some favorite memories are posted below.  I could go on and on and on posting photos, but that would only be interesting to me, so I forced myself to pick just five.






Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Day 16: Animals

I have said in the past (high school?) that I wanted to work with animals because they weren't as difficult as people.  I've never wanted to be a veterinarian though.  People always thought I did.

I love animal communities and the different rules for different species.  I used to volunteer at a wildlife rescue & education facility and it was pretty important to get clued in on those sorts of things.  Like, don't smile at the monkeys.  It was my most favorite job.

I am thankful for the animals in my life too.  Some I can't think about without tearing up.  One was taken way too early, inflicted suddenly by a stupid genetic disorder.  He might very well have been my first love.  Dang it, I loved that cat.  As a wee kitten I named him Alexander the Great.  I called him Alex.  Or Lou.  Don't ask, cause I don't know.

My sweet Lou

My pups weren't really supposed to be my pups.  They were about 3 years old and we were watching them for a weekend while their foster home was unavailable (they were in a foster home until they would be adopted).  Well, that weekend turned into the rest of their lives.  Chewy and Leia were Keeshound/Aussie mix, brother and sister.  They were quite the pair.  When we lived on property one would keep watch toward the house while the other would dig holes under the fence.  If they were successful they would run the countryside all day long and come home ravaged with burs and foxtails.  I'd spend hours picking foxtails out of their skin, digging under all that thick, heavy coat.  Then I'd get down in between their toes to get the foxtails out that wanted to burrow into their webbing.  The memories are vast and wonderful, I'm crying right now just thinking of them and how perfect our time was together.

Bounding out of the dog house E built for them, with their summer hair cut

Sunny is my adopted cat.  She was my brother's and became mine when he moved out.  She loves the sunny spots on the floor (her namesake) and is highly opinionated.  She can detect a warm, empty lap from across the room and if it's yours you're in for a furring.  Hopefully you're not wearing dark colors.  She's our oldster, about 22 and still plugging along.  We love our Bun (don't laugh, I come up with strange nick names for my loved ones).

What's up Bun

Jazzy Belle is a result of dirty deeds.  We found her outside on a freezing night at my brother-in-law's house. She was too stinking adorable and didn't seem to belong to anyone....so we bundled her into a turkey roasting pan and whisked her away to our home.  After we fed her she she became revitalized.  We put up "Found Kitten" signs for....6 hours.  Then decided we were gonna go ahead and keep her.  STOLEN!!!  We love our Jazz.

Bean

Day 15: Technology

We have a love/hate relationship.

I was computer-less for a few weeks (sorta).  I didn't have a PC at my fingertips and I lived.  I felt like a junkie for a few days, needing a hit of pointless internet drivel.  Then I felt freedom set in and, I am embarrassed to admit, I spent more time with my kid.  My butt got dirtier from scootching (p.s. did you know "scootch" isn't a word?) across the floor after giant lego blocks and I took on the personalities of plastic bus driver, pink hippo and roary lion.

Contrariwise, I have thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with people I have known in my life- and would otherwise have not reconnected with- if not for the internet.

That said, I despise that it's my go-to time suck.  I make conscious efforts to notice when I am being dead-brained and zoning off into the oblivion of the back lit screen.  Then the screen goes down and my butt plops back onto the floor.


Saturday, November 19, 2011

Expanding Light

A few weeks back I was having a melt down.  No doubt my raging pregnancy hormones had increased the intensity of my upset, but it was a real upset nonetheless.  My complaint, it turns out, held no water as I was quickly shown.

Me: (Crying and whiny) "I don't get to just go away for a few days like you do!  I resent that you can I and I can't!"
E: "Why can't you?"

And "POP!" goes my balloon of pitifulness and victim-laden thoughts.  Well said, E.  Well said.

The universe has been working for me in spooky ways lately.  It has brought people into my life that I want to be in long, fabulous conversations with.  It has answered questions that I have had only to myself.  It is actively laying the groundwork for my life to be filled with people who are interested in the same goals that I am and I am truly loving what it looks like.  This same thing happened as a response to my complaint with E.  The very next day a deal came into my email for a getaway just an hour from here.  Two days and two nights, up in the hills of Nevada City doing yoga, meditation or doing nothing at all.  I bought it.

I panicked.

Rosanna is nearly 2 years old (WHAT?!) and I hadn't spent a night away from her ever.  There may have been one time when a grandma put her to bed, but otherwise it's always been me.  Every single night since she was born, approximately 635 days straight I have snuggled our little bean sprout all night long (and loved it).  Now here I was facing not only two days but two whole nights as well.  The levels of excitement and panic were in a battle for my affection and mostly panic was winning.

When I made my reservation the lady was gentle and kind on the phone.  Talking to her I already felt relaxed and taken care of.  I even got a bit more excited about the while thing.  She encouraged me (after learning what the nature of my visit was) and reassured me that I would not regret it.

Leaving the house that morning to escape into the wilderness was no big deal.  I got kisses and hugs and I was off.  Gone.  What it really felt like was freedom.  My kid was in the caring, loving hands of her father so what else was there for me to fret about?  Nothing.  I filled up with gas and had the feeling like I could really, actually do anything right then.  If I wanted to drive into the Nevada desert I could.  I had only to come home in two days, no one would even know what I had been up to.  Or I could go to the airport and fly to Vegas.  Or drive to Tahoe.  It was like my strings were cut.

I headed up to Nevada City anyway.

When I got there I stopped into a book store for a book that I already owned but seemed to be MIA since our move.  I felt like I needed it for the trip.  I found it in a sweet little book store and had a conversation with the owner about how she had replaced a book onto this one particular spot multiple times.  She couldn't figure out why the book kept disappearing, no matter which book she put there it wouldn't be there by the end of the day.  It was, as she said (multiple times), "Blowing my mind!".  Her bafflement was too much, she had to share it with me.  I giggled to myself and attributed the "mind blowing" to the universe prepping me for my upcoming adventure.
Here's my journal entry from my first night at the Expanding Light retreat center:

Today is the first day of the first night away from Rosanna.  I am in Ananda Village, far from everything.  As I drove away from home I was pummeled with unsure thoughts.  'What did I forget to tell Ethan?'  That Rosanna takes oatmeal with a cube of ice? No, he already knows this.  'What did I forget to pack?', 'What if I don't have everything I need?'.  This particular thought is funny to me now because the basis of life here is 'simplicity'.  Before I left the house I emptied the trash, wrangled some laundry, refilled a sippy cup, cleaned up blocks, wrote out directions for myself, put up the number for E on the fridge.  It was all I could do to not pre-prep meals for them.  I almost packed make-up.  The act of leaving wasn't difficult.  I feel like it should have been.  It wasn't.
On the drive through town I felt free.  Free of expectations and free of rules I created for myself.  I suppose this is why I bought a Snickers at the gas station...then a Filet-O-Fish at Mc D's.  I haven't eaten at Mc D's in at least 2 years.  
It was a terrible choice, I felt crappy afterwards- shocking.
After driving for eons I got here.  My room's in a dorm-esque building.  The room itself is tiny with two beds (no roomie so far) and a space heater.  The bathroom is across the hall.
Notes:
-Yoga teachers classes going on= lots of hatchbacks
-on my walk I found bear tracks!!!
-dinner: beans & greens soup, sunflower pate, fresh baked foccacia bread and garden salad
-mediation was horrible: back pain, brain restless, feet fell asleep


Later that same night: I just feel lonely.  It's 7:30pm and I have nothing to do.  I have these repetitive urges to call E, turn on the T.V., go online.  None of these things are a possibility.  I am going to brush my teeth, put on my jams and lay down with a book.
Being silent is a part of why I'm lonely.  My "I'm in Silence" badge means I'm invisible.  I hadn't anticipated that.  Goodnight?


When I got there, I was given the option to be in silence for my stay.  My thoughts on it were: why not?  There must be a reason it's offered, so I'll give it a go.  By the end of my stay I was no longer feeling totally invisible, people would acknowledge me with a smile or a nod.  Others would avoid me all together.  


Next Day:
Strange things are happening.  I just walked into my building past two girls sharing stories about going to the bathroom outdoors and discovering mid-squat how close they were to a giant lizard.  Not only did I go to the bathroom outside earlier today, but I JUST now went to the bathroom to discover I was VERY close to a thick black spider as I peed.  Also, I was looking through books in the gift shop and pages I opened up were almost verbatim words used in meditation and in a talk today and yesterday.
After watching a 20 minute video of Swami Kriyananda (the guy who founded this place) we meditated for 7 minutes (way better this time- I sat in a chair instead of on the floor) then went to lunch.  At lunch we blessed /prayed over the food before we filled our plates.  There were many more people around than yesterday.  It sounded like some had been "in seclusion" and are out now.  
Interesting.
I feel happier here today than I was yesterday.  Yesterday I was contemplating going home today.  I almost couldn't even stay the night.  It was no good.
This morning we had an oatmeal style cereal for breakfast with fruit & yogurt & cottage cheese.  The I went for a 2 hour walk.  I saw almost no one.  The most activity was by the goat barn where the ladies were doting over the goats and chickens.  Also by the school where there were no fences and kids were riding sleds down hill thick with pine needles.
I took a nap when I got back.  For lunch we had basmati rice, pinto beans & veggies, steamed collard greens with lemon and garden salad.  I loved it all.  I have yet to feel full/gross after eating a meal here.  I have felt perfectly filled and nourished.  It's fabulous.
I've gone to the market twice.  Both times I got a filled pastry that they make there and it's super yummy.  Going to the market is the most confronting activity so far.  It's not Expanding Light property and I have my badge of silence on.  No one has done anything to make me feel this way.  
There is two hours and forty five minutes until yoga/meditation/affirmation begins.  Having unscheduled time was more difficult yesterday than it is today.  I force a schedule though.  Like the walk this morning was planned, then a nap, then a video, then lunch.  Now I'm schedule-less.  I'm gonna take my book to the lake and read.  I still do a mental check for my phone when I leave the room.  It's strange to not need to be carrying around all kinds of things.
I broke my vow of silence.  After sitting by the lake, reading, I decided to walk to the market for some shampoo.  I left my book, water bottle and camera on the bench just outside the market door.  When I came out there was a little dog sitting on the bench near my stuff.  He stood up and I said, "Hey little buddy".  It figures I would break it talking to a dog.
After energization, yoga & affirmation and meditation was dinner.  We had cauliflower soup, barley bread, egg salad, garden salad and pinto beans & veggies (from lunch!).
Afterwards I sat in on a talk about healing methods: diet, heliotropic, prayer and affirmations.  The guy leading it had just spent a week in solitude.  He saw no one and spoke to no one for a week!  Dang!
I'm going to leave after breakfast tomorrow.  I've watched the video on my camera of Ro counting to 18 a few times and it's an understatement to say I cannot wait to see her.


That's the last thing I wrote.  Some things about the place I didn't expect are that it was fairly spiritual.  Not in a "pray to God" kind of way.  The prayer over food was more of a thanks to the universe for putting us in this place and time that we are able to have food that will keep us thriving.  I really enjoyed that sentiment.  Their philosophy was hard for me to grasp entirely (being in silence didn't lend itself to me discovering the parts of information that were missing for me) but I gathered that they didn't entirely subscribe to a "religion" but instead to an unending pursuance of higher consciousness.  Their prayer and practices are all aimed at reinforcing that path, to keeping themselves mindful of what it's going to take to achieve their goal.


I was surprised to discover I wasn't really appreciative of the time until I left.  While driving away I felt it.  I felt full of fresh air and deep peacefulness.  I was only gone for 2 days, but I can still access it.  I remember siting by the fireplace with my book and thinking: this is why I'm here.  I can sit here, be still and my ankles aren't being used as steps to shimmy up onto my knees by a vibrant one year old.  I could sit here for the next few hours and no other responsibilities would present themselves.  


And that is ultimately why I went.  

Friday, November 18, 2011

Day 13....er, uh, Day 14: Movement


So I couldn't get it together for day 13.  The subject matter didn't inspire thoughts through my finger tips and I don't believe in forcing that sort of thing.  So, on to day 14!!

MOVEMENT!

If only you could see us now.  Hippity hopping all around.  Stomping, twirling, scooting and flailing.  We do a fine job keeping our own beat and occasionally finding a beat or two with the music that's playing.

Me and my kid, we put on quite a show.  Laughing and trotting about.  The joy that comes from our festivities is a free and jolly sort.  I don't dance like this for just anyone, and Ro dances with the unabashed abandon of someone who hasn't learned to be self conscious yet, hasn't learned to sensor herself from possible self-inflicted embarrassment.

I take her lead on this one and let it all hang out, no matter the voices in my head telling me I look a fool.  It's the most fantastic fun.


Day 12: Hands

I have a thing for guy hands.  I like them.  I married a guy with guy hands.  Without getting too *ahem* personal, I enjoy my man's hands.


Day 11: Something Old

Can I put myself here?  Can you tell I'm feeling insecure about turning 30 this year?

Aaaaaaaanyways.


Of course, "something old" makes me think of weddings.  One of my favorite weddings of all time was mine.  Well, it was!  My 'something old' was my mom's jewelry.  It went with my gown and the look perfectly. Beautiful pearl necklace and earrings were the perfect accents.  I still love to look at our pictures.  How is it that we just got married and now we have a kid?  And we look so young!  

By far one of the most favorite days in my life.


Day 10: Nature

When I was younger my dad took me camping every summer.  We would load up the packs with food, tent, sleeping bags, water filter and step out of the front door to walk ourselves down the street.  When we got to the main drag that led up to the mountains we'd stick out a thumb and look friendly.  It usually took a bit of waiting and walking but eventually we'd make it up to our trail head.  Once a mom in a van with her kids took us up.

Then we'd hike.  It was only about 5 miles but it felt like an eternity to me.  Our stay was usually a few days and we'd set up camp by a little lake, using it for water.

I think these trips instilled a love of being outdoors.  It's practically trance inducing to hear the wind moving through the tops of pine trees and to smell the sweet air of sugar pines.  I love it.  There is a different kind of quiet there too.

A few days ago I was sitting in the middle of nowhere next to a pond reading my book and feeling the sun soak into my sweatshirt.  It felt like I was being recharged, loved by the wonderful attributes of the planet.

Needless to say, I am quite in love with nature.  Intrigued, fascinated and in awe of how it all works together so perfectly.




Thursday, November 17, 2011

Day 9: Inspiring Person

There are so many people that inspire me.

My husband for his unending patience and love for me.


The people who can drop into meditation after smiling through a difficult hour of yoga.

**NO PIC because I was trying too hard to be like them**


My kid, she lives in the moment and can move past upsets after they have passed.


Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Day 8: Favorite Color

It usually comes back to purple.  

Purple looks great on me.  

It was my first word, after all.

You can say it all silly-like.  And I do.  "Poy-ple".  Like Curly, from the three stooges.

It's the color my kid says if you ask her what color something is- even if she knows it's not.

Purple potatoes are fun, they turn the water purple when you boil them.

Same for purple carrots.

It's a fantastic sunset color.

The End.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Day 7: Something Funny


Day 6: Books

My first love.

I used to think that time slowed down when I was deep into a book.  I'd lose track of what was going on around me, it was like I didn't exist anymore.  I'd randomly have a vague awareness of this, and it would feel like I was floating.  It might be the closest time I've come to some sort of meditative state.

Anymore I just read at bed times.  Reading is one of the things I miss the most about my life belonging just to me.  Toddlers don't have much patience for staying still and staying quiet, unless they are sleeping.

I usually dread a book ending- the story is so engaging, the premise so riveting.  I actually feel a loss when it ends.  Then I look at it.  Just a stack of paper, ink all over it- and I think how incredible it is that an entire world happened there.  So much bigger than it's compact, rectangleness.

I tend to stay away from book stores.  I love them too much.  I walk in and feel alive.  The person responsible for marketing to me has done their job well- I instantly want 10 books to come home with me.  I am untrustworthy, I make promises I can't keep and I spend money I swore I wouldn't.  It's a sickness, really.  When I'm holding a beauty in my hand I am giddy with the prospect of reading it.  Everything about it is right: the weight, the smooth cover, the sound it makes when you set it down- a bit hollow and yet solid.  I love it.  They even have a funny smell, like processed earth.

The book I am into right now is wonderful and I only can't wait for it to end because I have 3 other solid books waiting in my nightstand.  Eek!  I can't wait!

Sharing is caring.

P.S. I you are local, there is an SPCA book store in the Raley's shopping center where we've bought a stack of books for less than $3.00- I'd go there first!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Day 5: Morning Sky

So, maybe I'm a weirdo and I kind of love mornings.

They are cozy and calm.  The din of the day isn't assaulting my ears and I feel the most grounded of any other time.  I used to be a solo morning adventurist as I married a college style boy, but Ro is a morning person extraordinaire.

She needs no time from consciousness to movement.  I need time.  She is all at once awake and onto the floor, headed for the door, chatting, completely coherent.  It's unreal.

There is definitely something special about stepping into a quiet, cool morning.  The sky is a lighter blue and not entirely free of it's night time hues.  I hear things that I don't hear later in the day.  My footsteps.  Birds.  Nothing.  Later in the day "nothing" becomes obsolete.....

....unless it already is:

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Day 4: Leaves

This is what I think of when I think of leaves:

Piles of them.  Suddenly one of them explodes.  My cat has pounced on....a leaf?  But which one?  She doesn't know either as it seems she changes her aim with every lunge.  She is spastic, twitching, wild-eyed and it's so entertaining.

It's one of my favorite "leaf" themed memories.

Secondly, laying on the ground under a tree is extraordinarily calming and (obviously?) re-grounding.  The simplicity of the act doesn't match it's power.

Note to self: go lay under a tree.


Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Day 3: Happiness

I cannot come up with a picture of happiness....not because I am depressed, but because "happiness" is too wide to define in one shot.

Things that come to mind immediately are: motherhood, marriage, sunshine.

MOTHERHOOD:
It rocks my socks.  At naptime and bedtime my kid tumbles into bed next to me, all arms and legs a-flailing, landing in the crook of my arm and babbling joyfully about everything.  She begs to do dishes with me.  She instructs whoever is near by on what they can be drawing for her with crayons, lately it's a "humpback whale".  When I give her a look, she falls into pieces- laughing, screaming and running away because she knows I'm gonna run her down and smother her in kisses and tickley fingers.  I could write novel, but I think you're with me.


MARRIAGE:
My first trial in a relationship fraught with elation, distress, joy, tension and fulfillment.  One that I committed to and cannot escape.  Sometimes I want to and I am always thankful that I made the commitment to stay.  The 'lows' are exponentially outweighed by the 'highs'.  They build us up, strengthen us to trudge through the lows.  Marriage is unlike any relationship I have ever had.  I am requested to open up and be vulnerable.  I am requested to show up for someone else.  These aren't qualities that are second nature to me.  I am quite selfish and closed up.  Ethan is my perfect match because he challenges those points regularly.  Sometimes it feels like the opposite, like he isn't the perfect match because the challenges make me uncomfortable.  Bit by bit he is making me a better person, flattening my buttons.  His smile is tragically handsome and his persistence that I let him love me leave me in awe of him- even when I am resisting with all my might.  The result of my marriage is always happiness, it is always worth it.


SUNSHINE:
The perfect accompaniment to nearly everything.  River day?  Lame, without sunshine.  Disneyland?  Even happier with sunshine.  I revel in the feeling of sun warming my shoulders.  I love the river cooling the sun off my shoulders.  I love moving out of cool shade, into warm sun and soaking up relief from chilly fall days.  I love laying on the rocks by the water and feeling the heat of the sun on my back and my front.  Ah, sun.  After it has been dreary for weeks, do you notice how emotions shift when the sun finally is revealed?  Suddenly the world is filled with "Hello"s, cheeks raised in smiles.  It's like we get a hit of happiness.

Day 2: SMILE

In chronological order:

He put a ring on it,


...and then came the baby.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

30 Days...8 days late (a.k.a. Day 1)

There's a cool little list floating around blogs this month, the basis of which is to be thankful (in November!? NO!).  It's intention is to be completed throughout the month, one thing each day.  Well, today is the 8th.  I'm a bit off schedule.  But, since I think it's a cool idea and because it'll keep me blogging, I'm gonna do it anyways. I'll start with day 1.

Day 1: Favorite Food

LASAGNE

Preferably a corner piece, so that the edges are a bit crispy with cooked cheese.  Only three layers of noodles please.  Lots of ground turkey, ricotta and spinach all swimming in a tomatoey tomato sauce.  Warm.  Mmmmm.  Yes, I'll have too much and then will feel round and disgusting.  But I will enjoy every bite up until that moment.