Here I am.
There you are.
I am so happy that you chose to spend the weekend with me and that we got to be together.
I loved being together with friends and family.
These are the best of times.
Enjoy every moment.
Have another wonderful week!
nAMaste
Monthly Archives: August 2016
End of Summer
Hello friends! How are you?
I have been enjoying taking a writing break as we ended our summer staycation and are transitioning back into our new school year routines. Change is good.
It has felt both good and strange not to write every day and I have missed this part of my nightly routine, while at the same time have enjoyed the break. The yin and yang of life continues.
What’s shakin’in your world? I hope all the transitions are bringing you some sort of joy.
nAMaste
Day 65: Summer
Seriously? Has it been 65 days already? By counting the days, I’m fully aware of time passing and how long summer vacation actually is. I will be ready for the school year to begin again this week. This was a transition summer for our family, with me working from home, and with the two teenagers starting their first summer jobs as lifeguards and practicing with their sports’ teams. This summer, we stayed closer to home and did more afternoon and day trips around our more complex schedules. The kids slept in while I worked, and we enjoyed our friends and hanging out together during the afternoons.
I realized that we had a “free” day with no commitments today and wanted to do something all together as a family. After much discussion and debate, we decided to visit the Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz and packed a picnic lunch to take with us. Have you ever been to the iconic Mystery Spot before?
We enjoyed the mystery of the optical illusions and the feelings of anti-gravity and like we just got off a rollercoaster.
Our tour guide was funny and entertaining and we enjoyed the experience of doing something new together and laughing at the craziness of it all.
The Mystery Spot is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. After we finished our tour, we left the redwood trees and took our picnic to the beach, where we enjoyed watching the surfers and locals walk by as we ate. It was a gorgeous day to be by the beach. I loved today, and being with my crazy family. I am thankful that we made it happen.
Life is good.
Day 64: Summer
I think I’m ready to slow down my writing again as I wrap up summer this week. Maybe tomorrow will be a good day to stop, on day 65. Maybe after day 65 of summer and before we start school again would be a good time to transition. That’s what I’m thinking today. The last time I attempted to stop writing, I kept on going. We’ll see…
Today I enjoyed my BFFs at Testarossa winery for a picnic. It was so much fun to have some downtime and some girl time together today.
Life is good.
Day 63: Summer
Today I am thankful for these beautiful ladies. Our babies are seniors in high school this year and have been friends forever.
We hosted a summer birthday celebration at the beach today before they all start their last year together. I am thankful that when we moved back from Holland, that these friends were planning their annual birthday celebration and invited us to join them and we’ve been celebrating ever since.
It was a cold day at the beach, but it was fun to be there never the less. When we arrived, the parking attendant shared that there was a shark sighting 100 yards off the shore, so the kids stayed out of the water besides splashing around on the shore. They had fun playing with full sized shovels and digging holes and building ramps. They enjoyed eating chips, fruit, candy and Subway sandwiches, but not necessarily in that order. A day at the beach is always a good day.
Life is good.
Day 62: Summer
I am holding on to the last few days of summer and being with my babies when I can.
Today we stopped for boba tea drinks and I convinced them to go for a walk in the park with me. We did some geocaching along the way and then they decided to play for a few minutes. I hope they never lose their youthful spirit!
Life is good.
Day 61: Summer
A week from today, the kids will be back in school. Summer is winding down. While I’ve mostly enjoyed the unstructured afternoons, I’m looking forward to a more normal and expected schedule that the school year provides for our family. As I practice living in the moment and being thankful for what is, here are three events that filled me with joy today.
I enjoyed a lunch break with Jeff and Juliana between our work schedules. We chose to get falafels and schwarma wraps for lunch and it was all delicious. We wondered if my parents might like this food and wanted to share it with them when they come to visit soon.
After work, Jeff and I enjoyed going for a walk and doing a kettle bell workout together.
As we waited for the rice to finish cooking as part of our dinner, Jeff and I sat on our comfy outdoor couch with a drink and listened to the water fountain, while we relaxed and chatted about parenting teens. We are growing up!
What three things brought you joy today?
Day 60: Summer
My eyes are red. I was going to post a picture but it was too freaky. They are red because I am over tired, but not because I was crying or sad. I am writing earlier than usual tonight and plan to go to sleep earlier too, to clear the red out, I hope.
People are starting to go back to school, which means summer is almost over. I’m not sure how I feel about that, but probably feeling a bit of the yin and yang. Has it really been 60 days already? I think I’m ready for another change again?!?
My sister was supposed to come visit today but she was sick and had to postpone her trip. This does make me sad as I was looking forward to her company and hope she feels better. We were hoping for one last hurrah before the structured days set in again. Now we will have to wait.
How was your day? Did things go as planned or did you have to adapt too?
Wishing you peace, wherever you are! xoxo Adriana
Day 59: Summer
Tonight I’m thankful for our camping friends who invited us to come join them for the day. This is glamping, staycation style and I loved it and brought the smell of the campfire home with me. How did I get so lucky?
Thank you friends!! We had a great, windy, cold, fun time with you.
xo
Day 58: Summer
Are you enjoying the Olympics?
I am enjoying catching bits and pieces here and there. My favorite sports to watch are gymnastics and beach volleyball and swimming.
What are your favorite events?
I felt so bad for the Dutch woman who crashed on her bike today and felt so proud of her Dutch colleague who won first place. It must have been bittersweet! And the poor American woman who was so close to gold and lost in the fina moments. There was the yin and yang between the agony of defeat and the triumph of victory.
I am amazed by the dedication and determination and focus of the athletes and am enjoying watching them perform, especially the Americans!! Go USA!!!
It’s been another great day to be on Staycation and enjoying the Olympics from my living room.
Life is good.
here i am 