Learned the Hard Way

Two things I desperately wish I had on hand when we moved into the new digs:

1) Wasp Spray

2) A Plunger

(Not necessarily in that order, but I think I've said enough!)
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On another note, I'm glad to say that I've been able to wake up early enough the past three days just to have a bit of light restorative yoga in the early morning. It has felt really good to start the day with some stretching and breathing; very helpful for easing the aches and pains from all the manual labor lately!

Where In!

Quick moving update: we are in the digs! The POD has been emptied as of yesterday, and today Aqua Man and I unpacked and set up as much as possible. We are tired and sore, but feeling good about the new pad and neighborhood.

While we were doing this, The Kid has been having the time of his life spending the weekend with his aunt, uncle, and cousins. BLESS MY sister and brother-in-law for taking The Kid!

It was so great to know that he was having an awesome time, and the only thing I can say is; holy shit! Did it make things so much easier to get done with having The Kid around during unloading and unpacking and setting up. Wow.

Now finishing up at the old digs and going for our first night at the new.....

I Need To Get With The Times

The Kid will be starting Kindergarten in the fall. Between the end of preschool and now, The Kid has really grown and started to act a lot more mature. A good deal of this has to do with him spending so much time with his older cousins since we've moved here. It's been great to see him come into his own even more than before, but sometimes I am taken off guard by how independent he's becoming.

The other day the following exchange took place between The Kid and I in regard to me offering him some help with buttoning up a normally "tough" button:

Me: (After watching him struggle for a few moments, I casually ask)
Do you need some help with that?

The Kid: [A bit exasperated, yet with compassion at my "mistake"]
Mom-my! I need to PRACTICE. If I need your help, I'll ask!

Moving On Up

Up until about, um, 2 hours ago I was feeling pretty calm about our move. That is, until I sat down and checked the "to-do list." And despite my very busy day today and lots of running around, the list is still very substantial. Many things need to get done by Saturday, which is when our POD arrives and we officially move in. And a few crucial things need to get done by Friday which is when I will go to the house and clean up before the big move.

Yes, we move three days from today. And, I'm staring to feel a little bit tense about it. Just a leetle bit. How could you tell? Well, my high pitched shrieking at Aqua Man tonight about all of the things that need. to. still. get. done, dammit! Yes, this was probably the first clue.

Yes, logically, I know it will all come together, but, but, but.....they-meaning the people who have been hired by the owners to prep the house for our arrival-aren't done, well, prepping the house for our arrival. And we are moving in on Saturday! Did I say that already? ('What are you doing?!' I want to yell out the few times I've driven by the house over the past three weeks. And I STILL see a work truck there, and still see paint cans and ladders inside the house. 'For f*&k sake, people! The house just needs simple cleaning and painting! You ONLY have to paint a few rooms in a very, very modest size house, clean up a bit, and repair six boards on a back deck. What are you people DOING!?!?')Did I mention that this prep/repair/clean up crew is getting paid overtime to take care of this house? Way to milk the system people. I have to hand it to you there. At any rate, something tells me descending on the house, and yelling this out to the work crew, would not be the best way to start out our new rental relationship. (Yup, I'm quick on the uptake like that.)

I know it will all get done, but, but, but.....they haven't even finished painting the house yet! And, and, they haven't finished repairing the back deck yet! And, what about the yard? Huh? Some damn kids (damn kids!!) toilet papered our soon to be house, and, the current fixer upper/yard crew haven't cleaned it up and it rained this morning and now there is wet, white, smeared toilet paper in the front yard hanging on a big tree, since last Saturday. Yet, I haven't wanted to say anything and step on any toes, seeing that they do officially have two more days until our lease begins to get it all done. BUT, if I drive by tomorrow and see wet, soggy toilet paper hanging in the tree still...

*Sigh*
*Grrrr*
*Insert your favorite expletive here*

Pay As You Go Garbage: Or, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

I just found out that in our new neighborhood-to-be we have to pay $2.85 for each bag of garbage that we want the city to pick up on garbage day. Rather than billing you a flat rate as a utility bill, you pay each week, per bag. You purchase stickers ahead of time and put them on each bag. You also pay for your own paper lawn care bags and put the same stickers on them.

Recycling pick up, on the other hand, is FREE.

From what I found out yesterday, they appear to take a great deal of items for recycling, and they aren't fussy about the type of container you put out, or sorting items. I am on my way to buy recycling bins right now.

I am really interested to see how this system plays out in our everyday life. I think it will be a great opportunity for us to find ways to reduce, reuse and recycle and make more mindful choices.

New Digs Found

Happy update: We found a really cute rental home in the neighborhood that we really like. The new neighborhood is only a 22 minute express train ride (during the week-about an hour on the weekends) into the city, and about 35 minutes by car. Woot!

I am very excited to be able to live and shop locally, and to be able to get to the city so easily. Aqua Man can walk to the train station for his daily commute and we can walk The Kid to his new school, as well.

In our day to day, we will be able to walk to several parks, the library, a movie theatre, and to the town center where there are many independent shops, stores, pubs and restaurants. Also, (hooray!) there is an independent bookstore and a community yoga center just blocks away from our new digs, and a Trader Joe's (joy!) less than a mile away. Pinch me. Someone pinch me.

Should We Stay Or Should We Go. Now?

One of the big changes that has occurred over the past few months is that we have left our previous residence, moved out of state back to my hometown and have been staying with my family-my sister, her hubby, and their kids to be exact-while we search for a rental home. They have been unbelievably gracious, generous and just overall awesome hosts, not to mention a whole lot of fun to live with. They are known, among family and friends, for their constant generosity and love of having a good time. Living here has been nothing short of mind blowing to see how open and giving they really are to all who come across their paths. So to say that our transition has been "easy" because of how comfortable they have made us feel living in their home is a total understatement.

During this time, we have been looking and looking and looking for places to live. Nothing so far has been the right combination of factors that we are looking for: a neighborhood that we can see ourselves really enjoying living in; the right distance for Aqua Man's work; the right school for The Kid; the right area for me to offer my work; the right distance to the city; the right home for me to work out of; and of course, that pesky little detail of the right price. We have seen A LOT OF CRAP along the way. A lot.

Even though I'm back in my hometown-which I haven't lived in in over 11 years-we are concentrating on finding a place about 30 minutes from here, so it's a totally new area to cover. With the many factors that come with relocating to a new state, especially that The Kid is starting Kindergarten in the fall, we have been very fortunate to not be rushed by my family. Yet, this being said, we so Do. Not. Want. To. Be. Freeloaders!

So after lots of looking and researching and calling and searching we think we've found a rental home. We have a few final details to work out, and possibly by tomorrow it may all come together. And, if so, it could be as soon as next week that we could start moving in.

Even with all of the time that we have been living here-5 weeks now-my family is still saying, "Don't rush. There's no need to move unless its perfect!" Most people would be throwing us out by now!

Good people-you gotta love em-and feel really lucky when you can count them as friends, and family.

Speaking of Journey

So, I check the calendar today and realize that it has been three months since I last put up a post. Three months! Okay, wow. I didn't realize that so much time had passed since I last wrote.

How to catch you up on things? I don't know that I can do this very well. There has been so much change, so much waiting, and shifting and moving that I don't know that I can fill you in properly. I'll just share that there have been changes in our address, changes in Aqua Man's career, changes in relationships and with our family. There almost isn't an area in our lives that hasn't been changed. Basically, so many things that have been in the works, most for a long, long time, have finally gone through. And, as a result, lots of changes have occurred.

And more change is still occurring. Thankfully it's almost all positive, at this point in time. And although almost every aspect of my life and my families life has changed, there is a feeling of calm and balance surrounding it. Don't get me wrong, it's not without its trials and challenges, but overall, not an unsettling experience. Again, perhaps because the ground work was laid well ahead of time, in some cases years before, and then finally--boom--the right time, place, and opportunity came through. Perhaps this is why things still feel more balanced than imbalanced.

Like my oldest, dearest BFF says; life is a series of ups and downs, its nature is to constantly change. When you realize this, you can then enjoy the "up times" even more, appreciating them, knowing that "down times" will come, but when they do, you will be prepared for them because you know they won't last forever.

So, perhaps in future posts I will share more specifics, but for now I can put it best by saying that I am truly grateful and enjoying the "up" times that have come our way.

Numbers on My Mind

*Yesterday I just realized that I currently live 1, 171 miles away from where I was raised.

*I haven't lived in my childhood state in over 11 years.

*During the last 18 years I have moved more times than I can accurately count but I think it's around 32 times or so by now. Some were big moves, some were small, some where temporary stays, but if it required me to pack boxes, I count it as a move.

*One day I'd like to sit down, list all of the addresses of the places I've lived, and then add up the total distance from those place in comparison to the address of where I first lived and then moved from. Overall I think it would be fun to add up the total miles I've covered over my years of moving.

*I predict that aside from an interesting number-probably higher than I realize-I would learn that no matter how many times I've moved, or where I've lived, where ever I go, there I am.

It's both a comforting and confounding thought.

Hello, Internet!

It's been a long time since I've last written. A heartfelt apology to the precious few readers that I actually did have. Sorry for leaving you so abruptly back in mid-March! My how time flies in the non-Internet world. I'm sure I don't have to tell you how busy, obtrusive and disruptive non-Internet life can be. Damn "real life!" Any who, enough of my sorry excuses.

Today I just wanted to jump back in and share the following little tidbit from my experience yesterday while chaperoning for The Kid's class field trip to the cities big-downtown-performing arts center. Let me set the scene:

The kids, teachers and myself loaded up on a bus at 10:30 a.m. There were 28 kids, 3 teachers and 2 chaperons, including myself. However, one chaperon was only invested in watching her granddaughter. All other kids seemed to be invisible to her. So that just left me as the lone chaperon. We arrived at the destination at about 10:45 a.m. We sat outside trying to keep the kids from sticking their entire bodies in an outdoor fountain. We taught them how to play charades. We sat in the hot sun for about 30 minutes, waiting. We finally entered the theatre but they still had to wait. By the time the lights went down, it was 11:45 p.m. and a pre-show--not the main show--finally began. Within the first 30 seconds of the beginning of the pre-show The Kid leaned over to me and said:

"Is this the show?! Why is it NOT cool?"

And I was thinking, good question, I was just wondering the same thing.

Friday Home Yoga Sequence

Lately, my home practice has been feeling very stale, and while I long to be practicing at the yoga studio with my favorite teachers, my finances just can't support this right now. So, I'm always on the look out for ways to make yoga affordable and accessible, and I'm happy to pass ideas along to you as I discover them.

I went to Yoga Journal's web page and found a feature that offers a yoga sequence builder. I'm going to give it a try. If you want to check it out, go here and take a look. There is an option to make your own sequence or to click on a sample sequence as well. Either way, you can put in options for all levels, intermediate and advanced sequences/poses. Today, I'm feeling drawn to seated twists, back bends, Bandha positions, deep breathing (pranayama) and some good old restorative poses to end with. I'm going to enter all of this in, see what suggestions they give, play around a bit, and give it a try today and throughout my weekend. If you try this out, too, I'd love to know what you thought about using this sequence building guide.

Happy Friday to all!

Another Moment of Parenting Zen

It was only 8:00 in the morning and I hadn't even finished my first cup of coffee yet, and this is what I heard myself saying to The Kid: "Stand Still! And STOP trying to climb the wall while I'm putting sunscreen on your face! For REAL. Get. Your. Feet. Off. The. Wall. Now." 

But, between you and me, although, this was EXTREMELY annoying (especially while trying to apply sunscreen, which ended up in his eyes twice because he was moving around so much) it is kind of impressive the way he positions himself in the hallway entrance, puts both feet up on the wall, finds total balance, and kind of suspends himself for a moment. 

But, um, yea, I'm not going to tell him that. 

3 Birthday "Celebrations", 1 Bout of Bronchitis, and 1 Puke Fest

We have survived the a fore mentioned in the last seven days. Actually, we are still getting through The Kid's never-ending cold/"touch of bronchitis," as diagnosed by his pediatrician. The puke fest took place at The Kid's final birthday celebration, by the birthday boy himself. We first spent a couple of hours at a local ceramic shop where the kids had an awesome time painting. Then we walked to a local park to let the kids play for a bit. It was all very causal and fun, but then things took a turn for the worse. Let me just put it to you this way:

Mucus + Sugar + Running at the park = Linda Blair Projectile Vomiting.

Poor, kid (I have to go on record, though, in saying that I warned The Kid, and even pulled him aside twice, not to run too hard or too much given that he was still getting over a cough. But, I realize, that's a very tall order at your own birthday celebration.)! Luckily, Aqua Man was with him right before he was about to "throw up", and had the mind to pull The Kid off to the side, away from everyone, so that this was not witnessed by all, nor did it cover everyone else at the park. It did, however, entirely cover The Kid and Aqua Man, and eventually, myself. The Kid was, understandably, crying hysterically and really freaked out. I covered him up as best as I could, pulled him to me so that everyone wouldn't see him covered in vomit and then carried him off to a more private spot. He calmed down after a few minutes, and said through the tears still rolling down his face, "Mommy, that was the worst throwing up ever in the world! When is it going to end?" I hugged him and said, "I think you're done throwing up, buddy." And while he, thankfully, was done, we did have to leave the park right away. Needless to say, it was a very abrupt end to his party, not to mention, well, smelly.

We arrived back at our car, packed The Kid in, loaded up, cracked the windows, and took off for home. For a few minutes we were sharing stories of "embarrassing childhood puking moments" with The Kid as a way to help ease what we imagined was his horror of the moment. He was taking it all in, nodding his head, but not saying much. I was thinking, oh my god, this is going to be burned into his brain, eclipse all other memories of his 5th birthday and probably come up when he is in therapy 20 years from now. Then, right before he fell asleep on the ride home, he announced, "Well, good thing I waited until I was OUTSIDE to throw up. I'm REALLY glad I didn't PUKE while I was PAINTING!" Glass half-full, baby, glass half-full.

Beach Dreams

I took this picture about six months ago, or so, while hanging out at a nearby beach. I would love to be there right now feeling the warm sand in between my toes and hearing the soothing sound of crashing waves. I would stay until the sun went down and the water glowed from sunset.

Looks Like We Made It

Here's what's happening lately:

#1: Aqua Man made it through his big meeting last Friday; it was logistically, financially and mentally challenging to pull off, and he kicked ass! No word yet, though, on what this will mean in the long run. What ever the outcome, I'm very proud of him, and inspired by his bravery to step out of his comfort zone and to go for something new that truly interests him.

#2: The Kid turned 5 years old this past Sunday! Happy Birthday to the best kid ever.

#3: Birthday Celebration Number One, this past Sunday, was a success. We had a small party at our house with three friends and family and fun was had by all (It is the first of three mini-celebrations that we are having for The Kid because it turns out to be less expensive, over all, while still including all of his little friends.).

#4: Birthday Celebration Number Two (otherwise known as "We couldn't find a place to host a birthday party for 16 kids, plus parents, that didn't cost a small fortune, and our house is too small for that many bodies, so my mom will bring cupcakes to everyone in my class so all the little friends are included" mini-party): Sugar was had by all, and by 5 year old standards, it was a great success!

#5: I'm beginning to pitch my freelance work again, and moving forward with an idea I have for a small writing project. Overall, I'm feeling positive about both.

72 Hours and Counting

Five years, and 72 hours ago, I went into labor with The Kid. Yes, that's right. I said 72 hours of real, bona-fide labor. And, no, I'm not joking. I have a Douala, Aqua Man, my doctor, the hospital staff, and numerous friends and family to back me up. If brought up, there are still several family and friends who, to this day, will say "Wow, remember how LONG you were in labor??!! We were waiting, and waiting, and waiting and waiting.We thought you'd NEVER have that baby!" You thought? (Now, just to be clear, in many, many ways, I lobbied for this type of birthing experience. And, also, in many, many ways my birthing experience wasn't anything that I could have ever anticipated, length wise, and other. For me, this was my birthing experience, and I respect if for what it was. But it does blow my mind to remember.)


Aqua Man and I still disagree, five years later, on the labor time frame. He insists that I was actually-from the first moment of labor to when The Kid was delivered-in labor for 78 hours.


For whatever reason, I just can't handle adding on those extra six hours, although he may be right. I have the exact moment of when my labor began somewhere in a journal, but I've blocked it out (Where I put the journal, and the time frame!). I just don't want to internalize more hours, so I've conveniently rounded it down to a mere 72 hours, which apparently, my psyche can handle, thank you very much.


So at some point, five years ago, and 72 hours worth of labor, I gave birth to our beautiful baby boy, The Kid. And now, on this coming Sunday he turns 5 years old. Yes, that's right. Five years ago, I went into labor very early on a Friday morning, and The Kid was born on a Sunday evening. Do I know how to party, or what?

What Worry Feels Like

It feels like a sharp, twangy pain inside my left shoulder cap, and runs across and down the left side of my lower neck and shoulder blade. Just in case you were wondering, there you go. I had Aqua Man drive The Kid to school this morning because turning my head, shifting gears, and generally just sitting up for extended periods were not on my "to-do" list. Grrrrr. I have the tendency to be a I-don't-feel-good-something-is-hurting-me-but-I-still-have-to-get-things
done-person. So today may be all about annoying myself. Hooray! Although intense pain has a way of making a person mellow, just a leeetle bit, and I take the pain in my neck, back, and shoulders very seriously, in that I listen to it and know not to push it. It's been so long since I've felt this shoulder/neck/back pain that I actually forgot what it was like before I started practicing yoga three years ago--it used to be frequent and intense, and often my back would "give out." I am so freakin' grateful that I don't feel like that all of the time, anymore. I know with some restorative and gentle yoga stretches and breathing today that I'll be able to loosen up the area and get some relief.

What's Your Dosha, Baby.

Last night instead of vegging out in front of the TV, again, I decided to flip through the latest issue of Yoga Journal and read the article "Pampering with Purpose" by Hillari Dowdle. Considering that I haven't had my haircut in months, my nails look like I've been constantly gardening, or such activity-which I assure you, I haven't been-and that the closest I've come to a "spa treatment" is just brushing my teeth, I'd say I was living very vicariously through this article.

Although I don't frequent spas, (but, hey, I'm not opposed to them. I'm just saying, you know, in case the universe wants to send me on an all inclusive spa-trip.) I am starting to learn more about Ayurveda approaches, and thought this was an interesting article. The author gave a web address to Yoga Journal's on-line site, which will lead you here where you can take a quiz to identify your dominant Dosha(s). You'll also find other links on that page where you can learn more about Doshas and yoga.

So, I took the quiz and my dominant Dosha is a pitta with vata as a close second. I wasn't too surprised to discover this. Although, honestly, I didn't realize I was so intense most (read: all) of the time. Aqua Man assures me that I am. That must be why he's always like, "Hey, are you going to yoga class/getting ready to practice yoga at home? You are? THAT'S GREAT!"

How about you? What's your Dosha?

At The End of The Pier

After dropping The Kid off at school this morning, I drove straight to the river park and walking path to sneak in a quick walk before I went home to get some things done. I needed the stress relief, big time. This Friday will be a day which will give Aqua Man and I more information about whether we will be staying here, in this city, or whether we will be relocating to another state, all together. And if the latter is the case, that move could happen very, very fast. I am excited and nervous; he is excited and nervous.

In the midst of all of the reality, I've made the choice to hold off on pitching new freelance work until the end of the week, but no matter the outcome, whether we stay here, or we move, I'll have to pull in more work. Either way, though, my work will shift, but each place will require different ways in which this will happen, almost all of which, I have no idea what that will really mean until I'm in it. I fully support this move, and believe that equally exciting opportunities will open up for me as a result of it, but it still leaves a lot of big details to come together. It's just a lot of unknowns, maybes and possibilities, right now. All of which are equally exciting and scary. Also, The Kid is turning 5 years old this Sunday. 5 years old! This is just blowing my mind, and giving me plenty to reflect on, as well. Knowing that these "big days" are approaching at the end of the week makes for some interesting ups and downs.

So, with all of this on my mind, I walked until I was eventually able to loosen my grip on my thoughts, and to just enjoy the surroundings. I didn't plan it, but when I eventually tired of walking, I was drawn to the end of the pier. And once on the end of the pier, I was drawn to do some light yoga and stretching, which then led me to a 20-minute sitting meditation practice.

At first I held back a little-a bit self-conscious of who might be looking at me-but slowly I got over that, and it was awesome to be outside practicing. The birds were flying and diving into the water, a rowing crew rowed by, the wind was steadily blowing, leaves were swirling at the end of the pier, and I could hear metal chimes ringing from across the other side of the river. And I felt intimately a part of it all. I was in my own little space, breathing my own mantra in and out, while connected to every ripple of the river, every bird, and every gust of wind. It was just a divine moment of unexpected peace.

The hardest part was coming out of meditation and leaving the outdoors. I truly felt like I could have stayed in meditation for the rest of the day, just breathing and sitting in stillness at the end of that pier. On my walk back to my car, the serenity and peace I had felt was quickly followed by a bit of sadness at leaving that space. I didn't want to go back home, be by myself, sitting inside, and face my work, my tasks, my to-do list.

I'm taking this feeling of being psychically separated from my serenity as a challenge and a lesson. The challenge, I think, is to find this serenity even when I'm not at the end of that pier-even in the face of to-do lists, and things that I might not want to do. I know this serenity always lies within me-as I believe it's in each one of us.

Sitting in my home office right now, typing this post, I can suddenly hear my neighbor's wind chimes ringing, birds chirping, and the blowing leaves, and I am transported back to the end of that pier, when I felt at peace and a part of everything. I wonder, was that chime ringing the whole time I was writing?

And there in lies my lesson, I think: I choose my focus. I can focus on the chitta in my mind, or I can just acknowledge it, and let it go. I can choose to bring myself to calming thoughts. Over, and over, and over, again, (yup, sometimes, its just like that), I can come back to the calm that already lies within.

You Don't Have To Tell Me Twice

I took this photo at the small river front path that is just four blocks from our house, although we can also access the river just one block away. I discovered this area and came upon this sign during the first walk I took while exploring our new neighborhood almost two years ago.

I walked down our street and wound around the corner to discover an opening slightly covered by bushes and trees that then revealed the riverfront. I stepped from the street onto the grass walking path and the feeling instantly changed; it was a bit darker, and the air was slightly cooler. I could see birds flying and sitting on the water, yet there was a strange stillness to the overall atmosphere. I instantly noted the change, but was still mostly thinking, la, la, la. I'm taking a walk, and chilling out. This is so cool to live somewhere so different from where I've lived before, and... whaaaaattttt??!! ALLIGATOR??!! A-l-l-i-g-a-t-o-r???? No, for real. An alligator?!?! Holy Shit!

Now, for those of you who have lived in places where alligators are commonplace this sign would, of course, not be a shocking discovery. But, having previously lived in places that have no alligators nearby--zip, zero--I couldn't believe that this sign was for real. I mean, alligators living in the water about four blocks away? Yes, yes that's right. Well…that’ll put a new twist on outdoor activities such as swimming, boating, and just talking a walk along the water. Wow.
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This sign makes me wonder though, what if all potential dangers or repercussions were posted as clearly and prominently in life? Would you take the warning of potential danger or repercussions into consideration before entering into a situation, or making a decision? Would a sign so blatant as this, warning of potential dangers, keep you from traveling down a certain path? Do you think that there are times when warnings have been given to you this clearly in life, but you decided to tune them out and go down a certain path anyway?

I know that in the course of my life, I've ignored some blatant warning signs in different areas of my life. I can look back and see that, although small at first, warnings were often present, and I might have missed them at first. Sometimes, over time, those warning signs would grow larger and more frequent, if I continued to ignore them. And on many occasions, I still choose to ignore them. Live and learn, is how I view those experiences, and I take them forward into my life today.

But when it comes to this sign? Sure thing! No, problem. You got it! This is one warning sign that I will definitely heed.