Living in the Sunshine

Posted in Uncategorized by adrianahartley

I stopped to see the beach and to listen to the waves for 5 minutes before heading home, because I was really “busy” today.

We were going to sit in the hot tub and drink our coffee, but we didn’t. We went for a walk with the kids instead.

We were going to go for a drive to test out my friend’s new car, but we didn’t. We sat on the patio and watched the hawks circling overhead instead.

We were going to make lunch, but rather we put out fruit and meat and cheese and told everyone to help themselves.

We joyfully watched the kids play all day, appreciating them still being kids. We relaxed in the sunshine and talked the day away and there was nothing else I would have rather done. We were very busy, being.

We flowed and danced and loved being together side by side, enjoying our kids and our friendship and living our happily ever after in the sunshine. This is it. This is my version of the best life. Thank you my friend, for sharing your weekend and family and home and thoughts with me. xo

How did you live it up today? What does your happily ever after look like? Be well, BeLOVErs.

29Nov2015

Beach Time

Posted in Uncategorized by adrianahartley

So chill…up early, out on the beach and in the surf.

The water was so cold, that we rented a wet suit.

It was too bad we didn’t have all day to stay and play and chill with our friends. I love the laid back, relaxing feel of the beach vibe. Seeing the kids in the water and dipping my feet in brought back my carefree, childhood sweet memories.

Life is good, especially on the beach, which is the best place to BE.

nAMaste

28Nov2015

My Happy Place

Posted in Uncategorized by adrianahartley

After spending several days with family, eating and drinking and just being together, we are spending our last day of vacation recharging at my other happiest place on earth, the beach.

We got here in time to see the sun setting behind the clouds. Isn’t it just so peaceful to see?

After an early dinner and watching the first half of the Stanford / Notre Dame game, I took the kids swimming and sat by the fire for hours while Jeff and Christian enjoyed watching Stanford win in the final five seconds of the game. Our friends are also staying at the same hotel, which made our shared experience even better.

They even had s’mores and hot chocolate for the kids and big kids alike. We are so lucky!

This is what happiness feels like and looks like to me.
What does happiness feel like and look like to you?
I wish you well.

nAMaste

17Apr2015

Day 5 – Santa Cruz

Posted in Uncategorized by adrianahartley

My happy place! I love the beach and just being there makes me happy.

My favorite part today was people watching with my BFF and enjoying the kids just playing. It was sunny and windy so I was a bit cold and wore a sweatshirt the entire day.

Today I saw the beach as a place to build and create and connect. There are free, unlimited building materials everywhere and mixing sand and water is magical. I’ve never thought of it this before this way but today, watching the kids from 0-60 build and play and run and laugh made me smile. There was unlimited entertainment.

Our kids loved bringing big shovels and digging deep holes, making a man cave and a place to sit and hide.

An older gentleman spent hours building a sand bridge. He was like the pied piper, with people coming around to see what he was doing.

Teens were jumping in the waves and then resting and digging for sand crabs, all together in a row.

Our kids were making soccer fields and soccer hole goals and boundary lines and then playing a game together. They used their boogie boards for the back of the soccer goals and played and ran and shot and laughed and then went in the water to cool off.

They boogie boarded and enjoyed the cold water. They were brave and stayed together, laughing and jumping and riding the waves over and over again.

There were women flying kites and naked babies and little toddlers coming over to see what our kids were doing. There was kindness and teamwork and big boys sharing with little boys. There were little ones rolling over and over in the sand because they could.

There were seagulls stealing chip bags and protecting their territory, defending their loot from the other birds. This was so funny to watch.

We watched boats come in and out of the harbor and waves crashing on the rocks. We watched a police boat jet off and jet skiers following them as well and another boat that pulled a broken down boat back into the harbor.

There were volleyball players and football throwers and little ones running back and forth.

The beach is a beautiful place, filled with life and joy and movement.

This is my happy place! Where is yours?

Tired Out!!

nAMaste

10Aug2014

Happy Feet

Posted in Uncategorized by adrianahartley

I have wide, ugly feet, but I’m ok with them, especially after a pedicure or when they are partially buried in the sand and in the ocean.

These are my happy feet, not that feet should really be photographed, but maybe just notice the happy sand and bubbles and shells and visualize the cold water swirling around them.

We stopped at the beach on our way home from an event because I had a strong desire to look out over the ocean and to dip my toes in the water.

When I’m at the beach, I am content and my mind rests. I feel small in comparison to the big ocean and this is comforting to me.

I loved the sites and sounds and even the smells. I loved watching a paddle board surfer, a little boy learning to surf, as well as watching the bigger kids learning too.

Where is your happy place?

Life is good. I hope you have a great week! namaste

23Mar2014

California Poppies and Jellyfish and Sea

Posted in Uncategorized by adrianahartley

I love California and being near the ocean. Today I walked barefoot through the sand, splashed in the cold water and walked a couple miles along the water’s edge with Jeff, Nate and Becky.

Life is good.

Two jellyfish.

California poppies. Love them!!

Have a great week and enjoy the little moments. xo

1Aug2013

Carmel-By-The-Sea

Posted in Uncategorized by adrianahartley

One of the things I loved most about being an expat was my sense of adventure and curiosity for learning and exploring. I was never bored. I want to keep that spirit with me in my now “normal” life and continue to explore the beauty that surrounds me.

California is one of the best places on earth! Today brought us to Carmel with Michele and her kids. To watch our kids just play together and enjoy one another is such a joy in itself, not to mention the beautiful surroundings and just being with one of my best friends. Thank you Michele for inviting me to join you this week!!

Life is good!