Cabo for Christmas

We just got home from a marvelous week in Cabo San Lucas.  Here are a few of my favorite pictures.  Happy New Year to all!

Christmas cheer

It has been a fun couple of weeks since my last post.  I decorated the house and the tree and I must say, I am quite pleased.  This year I was very frugal in what I put out.  I have so much stuff, much of it meaningful that I don't have the heart to part with, but at the same time tacky, outdated and not my style.  The stuff I do like is on display and fills the house with Christmas cheer and it all evokes special feelings of family and love.

I cherish our stockings.  My grandmother made mine when I was a child and my mother-in-law (MIL) made my husbands when he was a small child.  I find it neat that they are essentially the same pattern.  (Mine is the dark green one second from right next to small red velvet stocking - which is my grandmother's.) Our first Christmas as a married couple my MIL made me a stocking, not knowing I already had one.  I hang both up every year!  My MIL made stockings for all her 13 grandchildren when they were infants.  I love that we have all the same stockings!

                                                                                                  This wooden snowman sits proudly on our front porch.  My sister and I got matching ones at a craft fair probably 15 years ago.    He is about 4  feet tall and made out of wood.  We  had to lug these heavy snowmen to our car .  We still talk about and smile over the memory of this purchase.     My favorite part about this snowman is his  face.  I love the rosy checks and the lopsided smile.  I proudly put him on my porch each year! 

This ceramic Christmas candy dish used to be my grandmothers.  I have filled it with treasures that I have purchased on my travels to Italy and Prague.  I have always loved the glass candies that look real enough to eat (think root beer barrels from childhood).  We took a wonderful family trip to Italy in 2008 and in Venice we saw beautiful Murano glass items.  Everything from large (and expensive) decorative bowls and vases to these small candies.  This past spring my son did a study abroad program in Prague.  My mother and I went to visit and were delighted to find beautiful things made with Czech glass.  When I found small candies I just had to get some to add to my collection.  I got to hand pick out each one displayed in the dish, and though I don't know which are from Italy and which are from Prague now that they are co-mingled I just love the memories they invoke.

My oldest daughter got me this cheery singing snowman duo several years ago for Christmas.  I have it set on a table in our entryway and almost every time I walk by I press the little button on the hand and it plays "we wish you a merry Christmas" while they dance. It makes me stop and smile for the 30 seconds of entertainment.  It's a reminder to me of family and love.







I have lots of snowman and Santa Claus pieces.  But the snowman in the picture below is an all time favorite. My youngest daughter made it for me when she was 12.  It's made out of muslin, stuffed with batting and adorned with buttons and a piece of gingham fabric for a scarf.  Every time I look at it I think of her and smile.

These ornaments are some of my favorites.  Mr. & Mrs. Claus used to adorn the tree when I was a child.  When my parents moved and changed their Christmas ornament theme, they gave many of their treasured ornaments to my sister and I.  I proudly hang Mr. & Mrs. Claus on my tree every year and it brings back wonderful memories of my childhood.  The raccoon ornament on the right is so much fun.  He is a little thief trying to steal an ornament and it makes me giggle.  It was a gift years ago, unfortunately I do not remember from who, but I love it.  It's whimsical and fun.

This is the most recent ornament to adorn our tree.  Last Saturday we went to a dinner party with an ornament exchange.  Most ornaments were the lovely store bought type with the exception of a few handmade ones. I was lucky enough to select this gem out of the pile of brown paper wrapped ornaments.  I found out afterwards that my friend Mark was the crafty maker of this one of a kind snowflake.  The rules were to either get creative and make an ornament or buy something unique/unusual.  He didn't know what to do so he went out to his shop (he is a farmer) and found some old keys, welded them together and then spray painted them.  He kept his project secret from his wife so he wouldn't be laughed at.  Turns out it was the hit of the party and I love it!

And speaking of snowflakes.  This collection of paper snowflakes is another of my favorites.  My oldest daughter is a math whiz and several years ago while home on Christmas break from college decided to make  some snowflakes using her nifty math skills.  I had no idea making an intricate snowflake was so complicated.  Each snow flake is large - probably 8" in diameter and just like in nature, no two are alike.  We have a vaulted ceiling in our family room so I hang this on the edge of our kitchen are that leads into the family room.  They add a festive touch to my holiday decor and like all the decorations I display, it has meaning.  And to me, that's what Christmas is all about.

Hope you are all enjoying the joyful Christmas season!  I know I sure am.  

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 30

It's finally over.  When I started 30 days of Gratitude I thought it would be easy.  How hard can it be to write about something you are grateful about during the day?  But it was hard, much harder than I thought.

I always had something I was grateful for, but how to translate that into a blog post that didn't sound obnoxious or cocky was difficult.  No one wants to hear that I was grateful I got to sleep in until 9 am on a random Tuesday or that I watched Ellen while I worked out.  It would imply my life is easy and that I don't work.  Though I know that's not true, I wonder what others think.  Perhaps I shouldn't worry about others because this is my blog not theirs.  But I do think about those things.  I do care what others think and how they feel.  Whether it's right or wrong, it's how it is.

As I look through my posts during this challenge I see that much of what I was grateful for are things, tangible things.  When did that happen?  When did I begin to place such esteemed value on the object/things in my life, that I felt the need to write about them?  Life is about people, emotions and events not things.  It makes me feel so shallow.  Something I will definitely need to think about and work on.

I have a great family.  My grandmother is still alive and lives nearby.  We get along well and I see her fairly often.  Though I am struggling with some of her neediness and wish my mom lived closer to help more.  I get along well with my parents and see them several times a year.   I love my husband and children.  My oldest daughter and I struggle with many issues and I hope and pray that one day we will have a close relationship.  But she is 21 1/2 and so sometimes I wonder if that opportunity has passed.  I hope not.  I adore my sister and her family.  We see each other often and I love spending time her.  I have good friends.  And great relatives on my husbands side of the family.   Family and friends - that is what I should be grateful for, because those are things that matter.

And good health.  You get to a certain age and you have friends that become ill or pass away.  It's hard and makes you think about you own mortality.  But today, right now, I am in good health.  And the people I care about are in good health, relatively speaking given age etc.

I am grateful that I am living and breathing.  I am grateful that I am loving and kind.  I am grateful to have a great family and friends and that I am in good health.  There is nothing else I need.  I am blessed.

What are you thankful?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 29

Today I am grateful for many things:

My husband's not-routine endoscopy and colonoscopy went well.

The policeman who pulled me over only gave me a warning.

The new medication is keeping my hiatal hernia from being problematic.

I had a chance to lay low with my husband all day after his procedure.

I got a text from my son saying saying "I love you".

I made an excellent batch of vegetable soup to last the week.

I've done well the past month to continue my quest to get healthier.

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 28

I am so grateful that I had the time to get the house decorated for Christmas including the tree today.  I love the stockings hanging on the mantle, the tree and all my snowmen and Santa Claus decorations.  It's very festive.  I really pared down and was selective in what I put out this year.  And I am pleased.  I think this is the first time I have ever got it all together before December!

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 27

I am very grateful for all the hugs I got when leaving my sister's house today.  I LOVE hugs.  They exude warmth and love.  My daughters got up long enough to say goodbye, then they headed back to bed for a few more hours before going back to college.  I got a hug from each of them and an "I love you, Mom" from Sarah.  Then I got a hug from my sister, her husband and my two nephews.  I left this morning knowing and feeling that they were glad we/I was there for Thanksgiving and that they love me.  And I love that feeling.  Then after a long car ride, hugged my grandmother when we dropped her off at her place.  And another hug from my son as we dropped him off at his fraternity.  All in all, a very huggy day.  Yay!

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 26

I am grateful for family games.  We had the most rousing game of Bezzerwizzer tonight and oh what fun it was.   It's a trivia type game where you can answer questions about a variety of topics.  You have the option of challenging, called Bezzerwizzer, and switching categories, called Zwap.  It's easy to learn, easy to play and a blast for all ages.  We got the game this summer and played it numerous times at the lake.  With our kids in college, it has since sat in the cabinet collecting dust.  My sister reminded me to bring it for Thanksgiving.  So glad I did!  If you don't already own Bezzerwizzer, I suggest you go buy it.  Your family (of all ages) will thank you.

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 25

I am very grateful that I had a chance to take an hour long walk with my sister and husband today.  It was chilly and cloudy and felt so invigorating.   Walking is great exercise but even more so, it's stress relieving.  The fresh air clears my head and gives me energy to focus on the myriad of things in my life.  The past month has been a difficult one for me and I have so much on my mind.  Between the calorie burning and stress relief, walking is win:win in my book.  I am hopeful I'll get a chance tomorrow for another nice walk.

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 24

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday.  To me it represents family and a time to reflect on what's important in my life.  I have always enjoyed being around my family; my parents, my grandmother, my children and extended relatives.  I have a close relationship with my parents and really missed them this year.  They live in Nevada and for a variety of reasons they aren't big travelers on the holidays.  Though my 95 year old grandmother was with us today and it was very special.

We spent today with my sister's family and her in laws and her brother-in-law's family.  To me it was a magical day.  Usually I host a dinner for 18-22 people from my husbands side of the family.  It's always fun, everybody pitches in, but it's work - the cleaning, prep and cooking - it takes some serious organization.  But today our family were guests.  I did make the cranberry sauce, contributed some wine and other ingredients but nothing compared to what's involved when it's at my house.

I was able to visit, observe and relax.  I not only enjoyed the food but all the people today.  From the three year old to the 95 year old there was a story to be told or something to be learned.  Some people view family gatherings as a curse, I think of them as a blessing.  I am not always happy with the neurosis that my family exhibits, the rudeness, the attitude.  But I love my family and I tell them.  Often.  My nephew said that as much as he enjoys his friends, spending today with them and not family would be weird.  And I totally agree.  I love my family and if I didn't have these wonderful people in life I'd be lonely and sad. I am so grateful for my family and the bounty of Thanksgiving.

What are you grateful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 23

Our 300 mile journey today was uneventful.  Lots of rain in the pass and on the west side but no snow on the roads.  Hallelujah.  So grateful.

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 22

I am so thankful for my hair dresser, Heather.  She worked her magic today and I feel like a new woman.  Last haircut was done by someone else and what a horrible decision that was.  It was as though each side of my head was a different haircut.  It was awful.  Heather adjusted the layers, trimmed it up and made me look 5 years younger.  Just the pick-me up I needed today.  Thank you, Heather!

What are you grateful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 21

Fall is my favorite season, I love the rain, the falling leaves and the brisk chill in the air.  Today as I work at my desk I am cozy and warm.  The wind blown trees divert my attention outside and it makes me smile.  Fall signals the approaching end of the year and with that brings change.  I think of it like a flower bulb, we are heading into a dormant time and will emerge with new energy and vigor.  Fall is the winding down and a time to reminisce and reflect on all the year has brought.  Time to think about what lies ahead and how to affect the change we want to see in our lives.  I am grateful for this tumultuous fall day and how it forces me to sit back and reflect.

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 20

Eight years ago we bought a Tempur-Pedic mattress and it's still the best bed I've ever slept on.  The prior mattress was plush pillow top type and was only seven years old.  The last few years of its life it had become horribly uncomfortable.  Not sure if the springs were worn or if it was just a defective mattress but we had to get rid of it as neither of us were sleeping well.  We really debated about the additional cost of a Tempur-Pedic and if it was truly worth it.  There is no doubt in my mind, it's one of the best investments we've ever made.  The bed is just absolutely perfect.  Even eight years later it's still as comfortable as the day we got it.

And being gone last week and a busy weekend I am looking forward to my super comfy bed. So grateful I have this wonderful bed to sleep on!

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 19

Today I had a very nice phone conversation with Kristin.  She had just gotten her haircut and was walking home.  We chatted about her day, her evening the night before, her grad school applications, her haircut, Thanksgiving and whatnot.  It was a very nice 15 minute phone call.  Sometimes our conversations are tense and leave me feeling frustrated.  But this one was different and it was a very welcome spot in my day.  She seemed happy and it made me smile.  Because isn't that what we ultimately want for our kids, to be happy? I am thankful she called just to chat.

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 18

I am very grateful that my mom's shoulder is healing well.  She fell and broke it last month and thankfully does not need surgery.  She has been very good about wearing her sling and limiting her activity.  When I talked to her about it she really seemed relieved that it was healing just the way the doctors wanted.  She got the OK to not wear the sling around the house and I know she is happy about that!  Glad she has strong bones!

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 17

Today is my sisters birthday and I was grateful to be able to spend it with her.  She is 3 years and 4 months younger than me so I've known her all of her life.  She is an amazing person and my best friend.  Don't get all weird thinking, what about your husband?  He is a dear too but the sister/sister relationship is different from the husband/wife relationship.  I can tell her anything and she always seems to know just what to say or not say, she is wise, humble, gracious, loving, empathetic.  She is beautiful both inside and out.  She has a positive attitude and almost always has a smile on her face.  She is an awesome mother to two wonderful boys.  She is so nurturing and always makes me feel welcome and loved.  I adore her and sometimes I secretly wish I could be just like her - she is beautiful, funny, skilled at putting on makeup, classy...many of things I sometimes feel I am not.  She is family.  My blood.  Someone who has known me almost all my life. 

I am blessed to be her older sister.  We choose to spend a lot of time together, well, as much as we can with families and living 300 miles apart.  Our families spend time together and I love that the kids are close with their cousins.  We have gone on vacations together, we spend holidays together, we make time to be together as sisters and as families.

We got along as kids and only a few times do I remember distinct fights.  I remember friends having horrible fights with their siblings and I didn't get it.  Maybe we were lucky?  It was when I went to college that we became even closer.  Campus was about a 15 minute drive from home and she visited me often in the sorority.  She joined the same sorority I was in and that further strengthened our bond.  She was a senior in college when my twins were born and though she was about a month away from graduation, she drove three hours south four weekends in a row to visit and help.  My husband and I were busy and overwhelmed with twins and she was a godsend.  We moved to another state when the twins were five weeks old and of course being poor and foolish young we decided to do it ourselves.  I drove the car with the twins, my husband the behemoth (uhaul) and she drove the pickup truck with the cat.  We trekked 400 miles in one very long day.  She never complained even when the cat was screeching.

"A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life." ~ Isadora James

Here are some pictures that I like.  I have a lot more at home, but since I am at her house and not mine I am relying on facebook for these photos.  But from the smiles on our faces, I am sure you can see just how close we are and how special our sister bond is.

At a young age c. 1968

In Mexico

At a Mariners game

A fun night out

The beauty of our friendship is that we are there for each other. I truly believe we would be friends even if we weren't related. And that is a wonderful feeling.  We are friends by choice and I love her dearly.  I wish my sister a very happy birthday and all the best today and always.  I am so grateful to be her sister, her friend and glad we could spend the day celebrating HER!

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 16

Today I am thankful for Shnoo frozen yogurt.  The original flavor with strawberries and mini chocolate chips is heaven.  At 130 calories for 5 ounces of frozen deliciousness, it's a great non-fat, healthy treat with lots of calcium.  The sprinkle of chocolate chips gives me my chocolate fix and combined with the strawberries is a win-win combination.  It was a long, wet, complicated day and dish of frozen yogurt added the perfect amount of sweetness to end the day on a high note.

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 15

I have this nifty app on my iPhone called Nike+GPS which keeps track of my walks and tracks my progress.  It tells me how many calories I'm burning, my pace, maps my route and even encourages me when I am finished.  I'm not kidding, this voice who calls himself Dirk Lewinsky (very silly name) shouts at the end of my workout various motivators.  "Good job, you ran more miles this week than last", "Good job, you ran the fastest pace yet", "Good job, you ran 3 days in a row".  When I hear his voice, it makes me laugh because I have an image of this guy in my head and then wonder what he looks like but then I realize it's just a computer voice which makes me laugh some more!

This app has different options -  to listen to music, run against the clock or run for miles or a basic run, which is what I select.  I turn it on and head out the door and after each mile it gives me a recap of pace, time and distance.  When I am finished, it takes me back to the main screen and recalculates my total distance.  This is a snap shot of where I am at as of this morning.  130.4 miles in 45 runs walks.  I can look at the history and see all the different routes and details of each one.  I love knowing that I have burned 16739 calories and walked for 37 hours 17 minutes and 35 seconds in these 45 difference walks.  Pretty nifty, huh?  I am grateful for this app, it's motivating and a fun way to log my workouts.

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 14

For the past two weeks I have been thinking a lot about gratitude.  I find things all throughout the day that I am grateful for.  Much of which I normally take for granted.  Blogging 30 Days of Gratitude has made me slow down and notice what's around me.  I feel more aware of things, like the fall leaves on the ground and how they crinkle and crunch when I step on them.  Or the courtesy clerks at the grocery store as they smile and ring up my purchases.  It's amazing how a smile can affect others.  When someone genuinely smiles you can't help but smile back.  I noticed a lot of smiles today.  In particular, Sarah's smiles.

I love her smiles.  She can light up a room with her infectious grin.  Her eyes even sparkle when she smiles and it melts my heart!  Tonight we were watching a movie and about 15 minutes into it, they started speaking German and there were no subtitles so it made it very hard to follow.  The movie was set in German so I wasn't surprised at the German language, but subtitles would have been quite appreciative, especially for a moving that relies on dialogue!  After a couple more minutes, she smiles real big and says "I think there are supposed to be subtitles" and then she chuckled.  We turned off the movie and talked about her afternoon and class.  And she smiled. She seemed happy tonight.  And that made me smile.  Oh how I love my Sarah and I am very grateful for her smiles and the happiness she exudes when she does smile.

Sarah age 5 (and ridiculously adorable)

Sarah (age 10) and Kristin (age 12) with their Beany Boppers

Senior Portrait

Sarah is such a love bug with the warmest smile!

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 13

I love coffee. Starbucks Komodo Dragon is my preferred blend.  To me, the perfect cup is black and strong.  I love everything about coffee - the smell, the taste and without it, I'm not a happy person.  I started drinking coffee in college.  Those late night all night study sessions required copious amounts of coffee.  It's a habit I still enjoy, every morning. When I travel I bring Starbucks Via as the hotel coffee is usually terrible.  I am not a big fan of mocha latte's or fancy fru fru drinks...but a traditional cup of  joe...I'm a happy gal.   I could give up wine, but never, ever in a million years coffee.  I am so thankful for coffee!

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 12

Getting comfortable while sleeping has been somewhat challenging since my neck surgery in February.  And boy do I miss sleeping on my stomach but it's not good for my neck, nor could I even turn my head enough to sleep that way again. To get comfortable I have tried various pillows: thick, thin, down, foam, temperpedic and what I found works best is the simple curved neck pillow you buy at the airport.  They sell for $14.99 and are filled with soft little beads, or something similar, which allows for perfect molding against my neck.  I even made pillow cases for it.  It's size makes it super convenient for travel and when I sleep it cradles my neck perfectly.  I am so grateful for this lovely little pillow.  Nothing is better than waking up in the morning feeling rested from a good nights sleep.

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 11

Today is Friday, November 11, 2011.  Veterans Day.  A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. To all Veterans that have served and are to those that are serving our great country now, and to all their families, thank you!  Thank for your sacrifice and service so that we can have the privileges that we do.  I am very proud to be an American and I am very grateful for all the veterans!

"On this Veterans Day, let us remember the service of our veterans, and let us renew our national promise to fulfill our sacred obligations to our veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much so that we can live free." ~ Dan Lipinski

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 10

Today I received a cookbook in the mail titled Green Lite Bites.  I had entered a give-a-way contest on La Phemme Phoodie's website and I won! Green Lite Bites is written by Roni Noone and she has a website by the same name as her book - Green Lite Bites.  The website is filled with lots of information on healthy eating along with some great recipes.  I had been wanting to buy the cookbook so winning it couldn't have come at a better time.  I come across give-a-ways and contests frequently on the Internet and I rarely enter but this time, I am so glad I did.  I can't wait to try out some new recipes and I am so thankful I won the contest!

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 9

Last week my grandmother asked me alter two shirts for her.  She gave up sewing several years ago as her eyesight declined and after a move into assisted living gave her sewing machine to my sister (because she didn't have one and I think she secretly hoped my sister would take up sewing!).  My grandmother was a wonderful seamstress and could make tailored garments and fancy dresses.  She made most of her clothing while a young adult living in New York City.  

Here she is in 1938 in a lovely dress she made for an evening out.

Her sewing skills were honed throughout the years in part due to necessity and in part because she enjoyed it.  Money was tight and clothes were expensive.  Discount shopping stores like Wal-Mart and Target didn't exist back then.

Here is my grandmother in a lovely blue ensemble from c. 1978

When my mom was born, she made most of her clothing too and also taught my mom to sew.  My mom could make a tailored jacket, a pleated skirt or anything she wanted with her eyes practically closed.  She and my grandmother were very skilled.  In fact, my mother made both mine and my sister's wedding dresses.  It sure saved a lot of money, but the best part was knowing that I had a beautiful dress made by my mother.  She spent countless hours hand sewing hundreds thousands of beads on.  I have that dress packed away and maybe, someday my girls may be interested in wearing it or evening having me make their dress.  Unfortunately I don't have many pictures of my mom and none of her wearing clothes that she made.

The wedding dress my mom made.  1986

My mom and grandmother inspired my interest in sewing.  I received a sewing machine on my 18th birthday, a basic Sears Kenmore model that got a lot of use.  I sewed many of my dresses for college dances.  One of my favorites was a red taffeta tea length dress.  I still have it, though I couldn't begin to fit into it.  But when I look at it, I smile and am filled with pride.

This is my husband and I on our first date in 1985 and me in the red dress which I made.

I sewed quite a bit in the early years of our marriage and when our children were little.  I made their Halloween costumes, reversible corduroy/adorable cotton print pants, diaper bags.  When they were napping or asleep for the night, I would sew.  I enjoyed the creative process and started of tradition of making pajamas for my children and my nephews to be opened on Christmas eve.  They were always so eager for Christmas and loved the pajamas (and toothbrush that came with).  Each was made of a different patterned flannel that suit their personalities.   I even made matching pajamas for their American Girls' Dolls.

This picture is from 2000 and my children, nephews and dolls are modeling their new PJs!

As the kids got older and I got busier, I sewed less and less.  I began stamping and scrap booking (neither of which I do much anymore) and sewing was only something I did for utilitarian purposes.  Hemming pants, patching a hole or mending.  I look back and some of the things I created and though they are beautiful and evoke good memories, the desire to sew and create just isn't there anymore.

So when my grandmother said she needed my help I took the cover off my sewing machine and threaded it up.  She now has two shortened tops and I'm sure she'll be pleased.  At 95, I don't expect her to get out her needle and thread.  I am grateful I could help out and put my sewing skills to use. 

Here is my grandmother and my grandfather on their 60th wedding anniversary in 2000.  (My grandfather passed away in 2002).  My grandmother is wearing an ensemble she made and I think it looks quite lovely on her.

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 8

Today I was grateful for my resolve, my dedication, my "I Can Do It" attitude.  I normally work out in the morning and today I got working on other projects after breakfast.  I knew I needed to work out, but the day was quickly passing by.  And I was stressing about it.  Stressing about not getting in my exercise, not meeting my goals of exercising 5 out of 7 days a week.  I was losing focus on my projects as my mindset was consumed with 'not exercising'.  Everything is so much easier when I work out in the morning.  Because it's done for the day.  And I move on to other tasks.

By 2:30 it was really eating at me that I hadn't exercised yet.  I was tired from the project I was working on and all I wanted to do was sit down and read for 30 minutes.  But at 3:30 I grabbed a water bottle and headed down stairs to our home gym.  I turned on the TV and got on the exercise bike.  I did a 30 minute interval work out that was tough.  At about 13 minutes in, I was sweating up a storm and breathing heavily and I wanted to stop.  But I said "I Can Do This" and I kept going.  According to the heart rate monitor I burned 345 calories and I biked 7.8 miles almost all up hill.

When I finished, relief washed over me that I was done with exercise for the day.  I then went on to tackle my other projects and finish some work.  The burden was lifted and I was productive the rest of the day.  Tomorrow, I am definitely working out before 9 am.  The stress it causes to delay it just isn't worth it.  I am really grateful that I dug deep and found the tiniest bit of motivation to get on that bike today.

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 7

I am part of a great group of women who gather monthly to eat, drink and be merry. We always have a wonderful time when we get together.  The beauty of this group is there is no agenda, no formality and no dues.  We gather for the sole purpose of friendship.  We have such different careers: professor, fundraiser, artist, event planner, realtor and we are of varied ages.  We differ in our political views.  One is a vegetarian.  Some of us have kids, some don't.  Our conversations are as varied as each one of us and no topic is off limits!  Regardless of what people ate or drank (or didn't drink) we always divide the bill equally.  Tonight we ate at Nectar and it was quite tasty.  I ordered steamed clams in a garlic saffron broth.  Yum.  For dessert the five of us shared a piece of flour-less chocolate cake.  We each took a fork and had a few bites.  It was a great finish to a superb evening.  I am so grateful for this engaging, fun and lively group of women.  I can hardly wait until we meet again!

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 6

I am very grateful for comedy.  You've heard the old adage "laughter is the best medicine", well, it's true!  We went to see Tower Heist with Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick and Alan Alda.  It had a plot with suspense and drama.  And humor, lots of humor.  All the characters were well cast and all so very different!  Made for a really great way to spend 2 hours on a Sunday afternoon.

I was still in a bit of a bleak mood and the movie really helped snap me out of it.  I laughed out loud many times during the movie and it made me smile.  Amazing how a little humor can change your mindset!

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 5

Today was a particularly hard day.  A phone call with a loved one was very emotional and just threw me for a loop.  I am still digesting the words spoken and my stomach is in a knot.  It is the most unpleasant feeling and the ache still very real and at times unmanageable.  Why is it the people we care about the most have the deepest pull at our hearts?

We had tickets for "Viva Italia!" by the Washington Idaho Symphony tonight and I wasn't in the mood after the phone call.  On the drive to the venue, my loving husband said "Try and relax and let the concert take your mind of things".  The first part of the program was "Summer" and "Winter" from Four Seasons by Vivaldi.  It was magical.  He held my hand throughout the concert and squeezed it a bit tighter when he sensed I was tearing up. I did my best to relax and when I closed my eyes and felt the music, it filled me with joy and gratitude.  And for brief moments I was transported to another place, free of pain and heart ache and for that, I am grateful. Grateful for the Washington Idaho Symphony and the beautiful music they play.

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 4

I am very grateful for our fireplace.  The one in our living room is a gas fireplace, which is nice, but I don't go in there very often so it's not used with any regularity.  Which is unfortunate because it's my favorite room in our house.  I love sitting on the sofa in the living room in the afternoon, the lighting perfect making the room peaceful and tranquil.  I just don't do it very often, but that will be a blog post for another day.

Our other fireplace is in the family room and it's a traditional wood burning fireplace flanked by granite tiles and gold trim.  I'm not a fan of the gold trim, in fact, I don't care for gold at all, but the fireplace is so awesome I hardly notice the gold trim. There is a definite chill in the air this time of year and we make a fire almost every night.  Sometimes we use real wood, other times duraflame logs.  It provides a warmth that I can't get from turning the furnace up a notch.  It's such a cozy wonderful feeling to sit by a fire.  I prefer the real fireplace to the gas one as the flames are much bigger and seem to dance.  It's very mesmerizing.  I'm grateful for the fireplace and the sense of calm and warmth it brings.


This photo is from tonight's fire.  Doesn't it look inviting?

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 3

I am grateful that I like to read.  It's relaxing and soothing and it distracts me from what's going on around me.  I didn't always like to read.  When I was in middle school I was in a development reading class, apparently I didn't read at the level of all my other 7th grade peers.  I felt like I was stupid and of course, it was embarrassing as all my friends were in the regular class.  By 8th grade I was moved up with my friends, but the notion that I didn't read well still resonated with me.  It wasn't until college, that I started enjoying reading.  When I had down time or if I was stressed, I would pick up a book and escape from reality.  The JA Jance detective series were one of my favorites at the time.  I still love novels, historical fiction in particular.  I also enjoy reading newspapers and National Geographic magazine. I like to learn about other cultures, customs and peoples opinions.

Ideally I would love an hour every day to read.  But mostly I just settle on the 10 minutes before bed.  After I've read the same page 3 times and I can barely keep my eyes open, it's time to turn out the light.  I am currently reading The Accidental Bestseller by Wendy Wax.  I have a big stack of books on my bed side table, another stack on the floor and about 100 on my kindle.

I just finished reading Catching Genius by Kristy Kiernan while we were in Maui.  I thoroughly enjoyed it. I had the luxury of sitting for about two hours on this beach to do nothing but relax and read, along with a few dips in the warm ocean.

Reading opens your eyes to the world, helps with vocabulary, improves memory and analytical thinking.  And it makes us smarter. I am very grateful that I like to read.

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 2

I am thankful for my husband.  He works very hard in a profession that he loves. And he takes good care of me.  And for that I'm forever grateful.  Our 25 years of marriage hasn't always been easy.  In fact, a few years back I was ready to throw in the towel.  But we persevered and things are better than before.

We recently went to Maui to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.   I am grateful for his smile, his work ethic, his foot rubs and most of all his love.  He is a GREAT GUY!  xoxo

 

Cruising along the Kanaio Coastline on the southern coast of Maui

 Playing golf at the Wailea Emerald Course (Maui)

Looking north from Honolua Bay (Maui)

 A wonderful dinner at Mama's Fish House (Maui)

And he made me this pie for our 25th Anniversary.  It was delicious.  I've definitely got a keeper!

What are you thankful for?

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 1

Fall is my favorite time of year and Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  I love the cool crisp air, the wet damp leaves, the rain and the clouds.  And of course Thanksgiving is a time of gathering.  Friends and family gather in celebration of each other.  It's a joyful time.  A thankful time.  November is the perfect month to acknowledging our blessings and taking a moment to express gratitude.  It may not change our circumstances but it can change our outlook and attitude.  Expressing gratitude creates ripples and those ripples effect everyone around you.

Today is November 1, 2011 and Day 1 in my 30 Days of Gratitude challenge.

Today I am grateful for my son.  He offered to go to the store for me today.  I needed more Duraflame logs (it's chilly out) and some grocery items.  He even called me from the store to make sure he was buying the right things.  Then when he got home he said "Mom, would you like me to start you a fire?"  And he did.  He is loving, he is sweet and he is kind.  I am grateful for my son, today and always.

Looking mighty handsome

Having fun in Portland

"Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."  Unknown

What are you thankful for? 

what's in your cup?

I love coffee; the smell, the taste and I can't start my day without it.  It's become a ritual that I crave.  I drink it black and I like it strong.  Two cups will satisfy me, but three is preferred.  I'm on cup two now and thoroughly enjoying it.  My favorite blend is Starbucks Komodo Dragon but it's rather pricey and lately I've been drinking Safeway's French Roast Blend.  As long as it's not weak and wimpy, I will drink it.  You can always add more water to coffee that's too strong but you can not resurrect weak coffee. 

This is one of my favorite mugs.  It was a gift from my daughters many years ago.  

It makes me thinking of them whenever I use it.  

The coffee has given me a needed boost this morning and now it's time to get moving. I've got a full day ahead topped off by a late afternoon matinee with a friend.  We are going to see The Help.  I thought the book was super and from what I've heard, the movie is pretty darn good.  If my morning is any indication of the rest of my day, I'm sure it's going to be great!

Iceland

Iceland in February is beautiful.  Here is a quick mosiac of some of my favorite photos.  

top left photo: Strokkur Geysir

top middle photo:  Icelandic Horses

far right: Hallgrims Church

bottom right photo:  Thingvellir National Park

bottom middle photo:  Leiðarendi Cave (lava cave)

bottom left: Gullfoss Waterfall