…I watch movies. 
I go, go, go all day and whenever I sit down to relax and watch a movie, my eyes close no matter what. I try so hard to keep them open, yet I fail. And in the end, when I open them again, I wake up to see the credits rolling. What a great movie!
Goodnight, my sweet friends. May the weekend bring you rest and peace.
nAMaste
This moment made me so happy today and it made me want to cry.
My baby girl grew up again today and I noticed the significant change, just by having her braces taken off. How can that be?
I loved seeing her soul and her inner beauty shine through her eyes and smile. I got to be her lucky witness.
Today was good.
Wishing you joy! xoxo
I am HFSS – Happy For Simple Stuff!
Remember how I shared that I am seeking rhythm to my life? It’s coming!! I can feel it. I like to do a lot of stuff and fill my days and I just added full time work to the mix. Now I need help to do it all, and I’m not that good at asking, but I’m practicing and it’s working.
I got up early this morning and enjoyed snuggles and coffee in bed before making French toast for breakfast for everyone and prepping dinner.
I then got an hour+ of work in before the kids went off to school. My friend dropped them off for me today, which gave me extra time for which I was thankful.
I then picked up the house a bit and started a load of laundry before meeting my friend for a hike at our favorite place. I asked my new work partner for help, while I was gone and she was a Godsend! I enjoyed a gorgeous and slightly wet, and slightly muddy trek, out in nature, finding joy being out in nature.
I was able to work for another several hours afterwards before leaving again for the first swim meet of the season.
I am thankful for a flexible job that allows me to work and play and be with my family and swirl it all together. The swim meet ran longer than I expected and I had to ask for help at my volunteer job and also of my husband to start the dinner I had earlier prepped. I was very happy to be able to be with my kids, enjoying their competitive sports and sitting with my friends in the bleachers.
I came home with the big kids to find dinner cooking on the stove, with my husband in the kitchen and I jumped for joy. Literally! I asked for help and he delivered. HFSS.
Because he was able to help with dinner, the big kids had a healthy meal and were able to come home, eat and run again. Christian is able to drive them now so I got to sit home and enjoy a quick meal with my honey. HFSS.
This is the best day. I love how things flowed and I found a rhythm to do it all with a little help from my friends and family. Now, back to work! I have a few things to wrap up before getting some rest.
How was your rhythm today? Did you live it up?
Life is good!
nAMaste
One Love.
I still dream of that every day.
I am still practicing, seeing everyone’s humanity and the gifts of our shared sisterhood and discovering ways to connect, through our confidence, vulnerabilities, bravery, abilities, gifts, grace, strength and perfectly imperfect ways of being human.
We all belong to each other.
Do you ever have a word that just resonates with you?
I was talking about trying to figure out how to balance work and family and personal interests, as I transition into my “new” job. I was asking for advice from my friends and one person said to prioritize my kids as they grow up too quickly. Another one told me not to focus on balance and that balance was a myth. She recommended that I search for a rhythm that works for me.
Huh.
I’ve never thought about life like that, and searching for my rhythm. When I think of rhythm, I think of flow and peace and things being in sync. There are highs and lows, soft sounds and loud sounds and harmony and the elements work together to create something great.
Thinking of defining the rhythm of life, at this moment, was peaceful to me and helped me to frame the transition that I’m experiencing. This is my word of the week.
What word resonates with you?
nAMaste
The sun came out briefly today before the rain and clouds returned. The earth looks so differently with sunshine upon it.
The flower petals were heavy with raindrops in the morning and opened up as the sun dried them off. 
I enjoyed feeling the sun on my face and being outside, feeling warm and dry.
Today was another beautiful day. I hope you had a good day too.
art shared by juliana
I am on a retreat this weekend and yesterday it was pouring rain all day, with high winds. Part of the retreat was to go for a 30 minute walk on your own and to be aware of your breath and what you notice. Some chose to walk indoors, while others chose to brave the elements.
I decided to walk in the rain and loved the entire experience, even getting soaked. I was so in the moment and loved all the feelings, sights, and sounds. I even splashed in the puddles and walked across the flooded labyrinth.
I don’t know if I would have chosen to go out walking on my own in the rain and was thankful for the invitation and “permission” to create space in this way.
Life is good.
nAMaste
What’s your favorite form of water?
Isn’t that a weird question?
Think about how powerful and simple water is and how we can’t live without it.
I love water in my Starbucks refillable cup, that I drink from all day long. I love that my kids want to share it, even though that’s kinda gross. I remember my mama always drinking water and how that was her favorite drink. It’s one of my top three too.
The ocean is my favorite body of water. I feel a longing to be near it and in it or on it. It provides comfort and peace, and joy and play. It makes me feel so small next to it. When I was young, I used to love tumbling in the waves.
How about a warm shower and the cleansing and relaxing feelings that wash over you? Aaaaahhhh…isn’t that the best?
I love the sound of rain, especially when I’m inside. It’s raining today and California is in such a drought that I’m thankful for its presence.
What else? Swimming in a pool. I love the feeling of being under the water and feeling weightless, held by the water and off my feet. I love how quiet it is and how there are no distractions.
I also like fountains and falls and the sound of trickling or gushing water. There’s something peaceful and majestic and simple about the sound of water. It’s also so powerful and can consume us and can be dangerous. I like that element too, that we have to respect its powers. Yin and yang.
And a still lake. Don’t you love those too? I love the reflections of the sky on the mirrored surface of the still waters. I also love how when the water is still, you can see how a small disruption has a ripple effect.
These are a few of my favorites. Have you ever thought about water this way? What are your favorite water forms?
nAMaste
After a stressful few days and missing my hike yesterday, I took a late afternoon break to go outside for a walk around the neighborhood. As soon as I stepped onto the sidewalk, peace arrived and I was content. I had no where else I had to be, and nothing left to do in these brief few moments. I loved being alone, just wandering alone with my thoughts, my phone and enjoying this space.
I carried this calmness back inside and enjoyed the quiet moments again before chaos came in. Peace looks and feels like cooking to me. I peeled and roasted carrots with olive oil and rosemary and made some pasta to go with the sausages Jeff was going to grill when he came home. I made some jalapeno artichoke dip for us as an appetizer and just enjoyed being in my kitchen alone and also later with my kids.
Life is pretty amazing and simple when you want it to be and do the work!
How was your day? Can you believe it’s Friday again already??
Have a wonderful weekend, BeLOVErS!! You are loved!!
We’ve been laid off.
Our oldest is now able to drive and has assumed our responsibility of getting himself and his sister to and from school and practice.
I still stand outside on the porch and wave goodbye, like I’ve always done, whenever any of my family members are walking, biking or driving away from home.
This week my son came home earlier than my daughter and he told me that he’d go back to pick her up, without me asking. I was expecting to pick her up. That felt weird to me and I had to let go and appreciate his offer. I was waiting for her text to tell him when it was time and instead he told me he was on his way and that he had already texted her. I was cut out as the middleman. Woohoo!?! I think.
I am appreciating having the gift of time back and lamenting that I am not needed as a chauffeur as often anymore. The good news is that when I do get to drive with them in the car, I appreciate and cherish the time together and it doesn’t feel like a burden. I appreciate the conversation within the closed confines. And when he offers to drive, I’m thankful to have time to relax or to keep on working.
Maybe being laid off isn’t so bad after all.
Another transition in the program of life. I’m all in and thankful for the help.
What transitions are you currently experiencing? Are you all in?
Namaste.
here i am 