Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Good Thing Harvey Washed Away

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One Love! This is beautiful.

My Best Laid Plans

There’s not much in the world I can truly say I hate. But I hateHarvey.

We have been sitting here for more hours than I can begin to count being brutally lashed by his seemingly never ending fury. I would be lying if I said it wasn’t scary…terrifying…at times, but we are among the lucky ones. We are safe and dry.


Harvey has taken so much from so many. Homes, lives, hopes, jobs–all washed into the Gulf of Mexico by his relentless anger. As the horrifying images and desperate needs flash across my screen in endless and quick succession, I sit here with tears in my eyes. Where do you begin? I have never felt so helpless. My neighbors are in dire straits and I can’t do anything but pray. It’s a terrible feeling.


Pregnant women and their toddlers stuck on roofs waiting hours upon hours for…

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The Little Things

Posted in connection, Cooking, family, food, Gratitude, happily ever after, intention, Love, motherhood, simple living, Uncategorized, work life balance, working mom by

I’ve missed writing and think about it often, wondering what I would write if I chose to write each night I think about writing but don’t actually begin.

I’ve enjoyed the gift of time from not writing and also miss the days of continuity and focusing on what went well each day when I was writing. That yin and yang thing is always present and there are trade offs, aren’t there?

The little thing that caught my attention today was making the kids’ lunches again. I used to make their lunches, then Jeff made their lunches, and then they made their lunches, you know, practicing growing up and being responsible for taking care of themselves.  When we had our Japanese exchange student with us earlier this month, I was making breakfasts, lunches and dinners for everyone, including my BIG kids. After Kohei left, I kinda carried on and continued making lunches, gave up breakfasts and still make dinners. I realized I actually love making their lunches and the connection this creates, providing for them this way. I love that it makes them happy and takes a little bit of the burden away from their busy mornings, even if they could do it for themselves.  I love when Juliana texts me during the day to say how much she enjoyed what was prepared for her, or shares her gratitude and a moment of thought, connection, love.

I love the little things.IMG_8436 2

Don’t Dwell in the Hell

Posted in belovers, connection, Gratitude, happily ever after, Happiness, intention, joy, positive living, simple living, Uncategorized by

This saying keeps coming up and making me smile so I thought I’d take a minute to share it with you.

Don’t dwell in the hell. This was my mantra after getting in an argument with my husband, being frustrated with the kids, after my Amazon order got lost,  and well, you get it. 

Stuff happens. People make you mad. Things get broken. People forget. Stuff goes missing. Things don’t get done. People disappoint. Holiday schedules make us crazy with more to do’s.

And, life is still beautiful when we choose not to stay on the frustration station.  Change the channel. Let go. Forgive. Be kind to yourself and others. Focus on the good stuff, in you, your loved ones, and in these moments. These are the days to create our happily ever after.

nAMaste BeLoveRs

Happy Hour

Posted in Cooking, family, food, happily ever after, Happiness, intention, joy, Uncategorized by

It’s 5:00ish here – it’s happy hour!  Are you feeling happy?

How was your day?   I have a little break between work and play and wanted to check in as I was thinking of it being 5:00 and it being happy hour, even when I was home cooking and cleaning.  It made me think of our definition of happy hour and how often we celebrate “it.”

We can and should celebrate happy hour every day, and it doesn’t just have to be at 5:00 with a drink in your hand.

Maybe your happy hour is when you first wake up in the morning and the house is still quiet.

I think I’ve had several happy hours today.  Mine started when Jeff brought me a cup of coffee while I was still in bed. This ritual makes me really happy. My cat wanted to sit with me and stay warm and who was I to deny him his happiness? I am a giver like that, and just had to stay a few minutes longer.

Maybe your happy hour is when you’re running or working out.  I didn’t choose to spend a happy hour working out today, although I thought about it.  I got in the groove of work and just kept going. Some days are like that.

I actually really love working, and most of the hours are happily spent doing what I’m doing, feeling creative, solving problems and helping others.  Do you enjoy your daily work? I think if we are going to be spending several hours a day working, that we should be enjoying this part of our journey too.

What about after work? What do you love?

Today I enjoyed being prepared to make a recipe that I had chosen this weekend and got to use the grill. I don’t know why this made me happy, but I think it’s because it intimidates me a little and makes me uncomfortable.  After using the grill and making sure the patties were each at 160 degrees, without a flame or burn, I felt strangely proud and like I conquered the all powerful grill. I am happy that I have a meal ready for everyone when they come home from their long days. Feeding my family makes me incredibly happy.  Such a basic need, and one that I truly love.


And now, this happy (partial ) hour of connecting and writing is done… I have more to do, to create more happily ever moments before the day is done.

Join me by enjoying whatever you choose to do next and we’ll celebrate happy hour together!

Cheers!

Adriana

 

 

 

 

 

 

Call Your Friends

Posted in best friends, connection, Cooking, food, Friends, Gratitude, happily ever after, Happiness, intention, joy, parenting, positive living, simple living, Uncategorized, work life balance, working mom by

I picked up the phone today and called a friend. She didn’t answer and usually I would hang up, but today I left a message and I Am happy that I did.

I told her that I would be near her house this afternoon and would love to drop by and see her, if her schedule was open at all. Lucky for me, she noticed that I called, checked her message and called me back, right as I was getting ready to go out again and we were able to connect.

She invited Jeff and I to her house and we enjoyed an hour or so together, chit chatting and catching up right at dinner time and before her PTA meeting and between our kids’ soccer practice and polo matches. While we were talking, she whipped up fish tacos for her family and insisted that we eat with her and that she had plenty.

I can’t tell you (well, actually I guess I am sharing right now) how cool this moment was. This was living happily ever after right now, and saying yes, and not being too busy, or too tired or too anything (even though we are). We showed up, sat around the table and enjoyed each other’s company in the middle of the day on a Tuesday. I loved this, can you tell?

Thank you Susanne! You made my day. 

If you’re thinking of a friend, try calling them. They just might make your day and dinner. xoxo

P.S. Thank you Charlie for inspiring me to write tonight and asking me what made me happy today.

One Love

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It’s been 15 years since the towers came down.

We show the world how we love one another, despite the negativity and pain and sadness that surrounds us and tries to divide us. This is the way we continue to rebuild hope and unity.

We love ourselves. We love our friends and family and our community. All of us.  Pay attention to these messages and stories and doing. Focus on what’s real and what’s important and do that.

As we continue to practice love and unity, we come together again and again. This is our daily bread, our daily practice and we are all capable and able and are thriving.  Pay attention to all that is good and create the love you want for yourself and your family and friends. Let’s continue to do the work together, to love one another, and especially the ones who don’t seem worthy.  They need loving too.

One Love. This is the answer.

namasteimg_2048

 

Day 56: Summer

Posted in family, food, Friends, Happiness, Uncategorized, work life balance by

How often do you try something new? 

Tonight I tried grilled teriyaki squid and even though it looked intimidating and weird, it was chewy and delicious!


We enjoyed a potluck at our pool club with friends and noticed that the weather is beginning to cool down. Fall feels like it might be coming early.

Have a great weekend!

Day 44: Summer

Posted in best friends, connection, family, happily ever after, intention, joy, Love, memories, motherhood, parenting, simple living, spark joy, Uncategorized, work life balance by

Today we celebrated Charlie’s birthday at Hurricane Harbor in Valencia with his cousins. We were worried about the air quality as the Santa Clarita fires are burning out of control and were only 10% contained this morning.

We were lucky that the park and freeways were open and we were able to arrive before the park opened for the day.

As soon as we entered the park, we went to find lounge chairs in the shaded area first. Once we were settled, everyone began exploring and cooling off, as it was already so hot first thing in the morning.

We all had a good time, floating down the lazy river, splashing in the kid areas, bobbing up and down in the wave pool and riding a handful of rides.

Happy birthday, Charlie!  Today it was fun to play in the water and in the sun with our family.

Life is good.

Day 12: Summer – Helping Others

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I was excited to see pictures of one of my kids, working with her friends, building homes for the less fortunate people outside of Tijuana, Mexico today. I anxiously watch Facebook for any one of the advisors to post updates to social media. Our kids were not allowed to bring their phones with them on this service trip. I love that they are free to be without any attachments, and can truly be present, doing what they’re doing without any distractions. I can’t wait to hear about this experience from their perspectives. I wonder how they’re feeling half way through the trip. I am feeling proud and am excitedly anticipating their safe return this weekend.


We are watching over a friend’s house while they are on vacation. I am thankful that we have the opportunity to give back and to take care of their home, as they always take care of us when we are away. It’s true what they say about when you’re giving, you’re actually receiving. I loved watching Charlie take the lead, happily watering all the potted plants and picking the ripe, red tomatoes, eating a few here and there.


 I loved that he and I got to take a walk together, and he put his arm around me as we walked down the street arm in arm, almost at equal eye level. I got to see and feel how tall he is getting and loved the shared moment alone, just him and I, walking and working together.

These are the simple days of our summer so far. I’m loving this now.

How are the first few days of your summer going?  I hope you are doing well and living it up, serving others and loving your one, beautiful life.

namaste.

 

 

 

 

Day 11: Summer Lovin’

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Today we celebrate 19 years of marriage! 

I am thankful that we have never given up, despite the struggles and tribulations! I am thankful for the three kids we’ve created and are raising together, who were born out of love. I am thankful for my husband’s unconditional love and support.

Love is good! 

xoxoxoxo