Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Limony Snicket's: A Series of Unfortunate Events
How can one month of the year be so daunting and exhausting? At least part of the plan of action hasn't wavered--too much. I registered for the 1/2 marathon, and have been picking up the feet to get back into running shape.
Brief aside: Dr. Oz, please stop telling people walking is exercise. I'm huffing and puffing so badly while running it's a wonder spectators on the path aren't calling 911, worried I'll keel over. And this from a woman who's walked/hiked 1-2 hours a day for the previous 12 months. Thankfully, my body is uttering "Oh, yeah, I remember this!" I ponder what the average bloke, waking up at near 50 thinking, hmm, let me try running, who's never run/walked/moved before in their life would feel like.
Back to the perpetual full moon or past life/this life mistakes coming back to haunt me. It all started (I believe) one fateful evening early in January where I headed to St. Joe's to meet with a SafeHouse Center client. A couple days later, the Plague descended upon me, and till this day, has not left the hallows of my chest, much to the chagrin of my husband, coworkers, or anyone else within 50 feet of me who must endure the repeated echos of a hacking cough -- though thankfully have not succumbed to the same disease! Two doctor visits later, and at the end of week 4, it is dissipating, but for a solid three weeks, I was coughing to the point of sore ribs, blood shot eyes and tears.
Besides the Plague, it's the gnawing gaffes that have popped up all month: The drunk who slid into my car one snowy night, taking off the bumper; the dishes that came crashing out of the cupboard onto the floor; setting a not fully sealed water bottle down next to me and realizing too late I'm in a puddle of water; falling into a mud pile, twice, while walking the dog; the dog that got skunked--and then again almost a 2nd time the next day.
I realize these are all small annoyances that don't amount to the tragedy that many suffer, but piled up day after day have just taken a certain toll.
I've been trying to "chin up" but I think last night I about hit the breaking point, dissolving into a puddle of tears as I left the house for a Jewel Heart class. The topic was "Enthusiasm" for the spiritual path. True to form, the uplifitng words of fellow sangha members, as well as my effort to bring my focus back to the "big picture," I returned home a new person.
Here's wishing for a rose-filled February!
Brief aside: Dr. Oz, please stop telling people walking is exercise. I'm huffing and puffing so badly while running it's a wonder spectators on the path aren't calling 911, worried I'll keel over. And this from a woman who's walked/hiked 1-2 hours a day for the previous 12 months. Thankfully, my body is uttering "Oh, yeah, I remember this!" I ponder what the average bloke, waking up at near 50 thinking, hmm, let me try running, who's never run/walked/moved before in their life would feel like.
Back to the perpetual full moon or past life/this life mistakes coming back to haunt me. It all started (I believe) one fateful evening early in January where I headed to St. Joe's to meet with a SafeHouse Center client. A couple days later, the Plague descended upon me, and till this day, has not left the hallows of my chest, much to the chagrin of my husband, coworkers, or anyone else within 50 feet of me who must endure the repeated echos of a hacking cough -- though thankfully have not succumbed to the same disease! Two doctor visits later, and at the end of week 4, it is dissipating, but for a solid three weeks, I was coughing to the point of sore ribs, blood shot eyes and tears.
Besides the Plague, it's the gnawing gaffes that have popped up all month: The drunk who slid into my car one snowy night, taking off the bumper; the dishes that came crashing out of the cupboard onto the floor; setting a not fully sealed water bottle down next to me and realizing too late I'm in a puddle of water; falling into a mud pile, twice, while walking the dog; the dog that got skunked--and then again almost a 2nd time the next day.
I realize these are all small annoyances that don't amount to the tragedy that many suffer, but piled up day after day have just taken a certain toll.
I've been trying to "chin up" but I think last night I about hit the breaking point, dissolving into a puddle of tears as I left the house for a Jewel Heart class. The topic was "Enthusiasm" for the spiritual path. True to form, the uplifitng words of fellow sangha members, as well as my effort to bring my focus back to the "big picture," I returned home a new person.
Here's wishing for a rose-filled February!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
The Usual 1st of the Year Drivel
Seems apropos to add a new entry on January 1, no? And fill it with all the where has the time gone, blah, blah, blah. Not sure whether it should be "wow, new year, new beginnings, fresh slate" or "let's take stock of the past year."
I've never been a 1st of the year gal, one to set all these resolutions and follow the lemming-like drove to the gyms, and healthier eating. September always seemed to be my time of year, the new school year, new classmates, new tablets, pens and classes about which to be excited. Even though I've left that all behind many years ago, I still love the fall.
But for once in my life, I have to say I am looking forward to this new year of 2012.
Taking stock of last year, it was an incredibly busy and stress-filled year. January, we found the house we wanted in Ann Arbor, and it was a race to beat others to the punch in getting this deal. February was filled with haggling around with finanacing and finally getting to the closing table.
While our little gem wasn't in quite the "fixer-upper" shape as our former house, it still needed some polish. The biggest on the to-do list was gutting the upstairs bathroom, which, while it seemed like an easy project, took until April to complete. But the painting, carpeting, cleaning, all took more work than anticipated, trying to accomplish this, all with a busier than normal work schedule took its toll on me. It never could have been done without what can only be described as Herculean effort by my dear husband, Mike.
Finally in April, the big moving day hit. Overall, we're not quite the hoarders, or packrats of the average Americans, but really, how is it that we have so much stuff? Losing a garage and 300 square feet proved to be a challenge to my organizational skills.
In May, work took over my life and we had one of the biggest trials I've had in over 10 years, a mortgage fraud case with three defendants, all which ended in a hung jury. It lasted until the end of June! The ensuing months of July, August, September & October found me in the office or at my house furiously completing the transcript for the retrial set to begin spring of 2012. (No, Virginia, court reporters just don't push a button and a meticulous transcript comes popping out!)
One shining moment amongst the chaos was my attendance at Jewel Heart's summer retreat, documented in my last blog post.
November, it was gearing up for where we've been this past month: Mike and I, busy traipsing through Asia.
So you see, I'm hoping 2012 to be filled with more people, places and events, rather than work, work, work-- whether on the house or in the office!
I've never been a 1st of the year gal, one to set all these resolutions and follow the lemming-like drove to the gyms, and healthier eating. September always seemed to be my time of year, the new school year, new classmates, new tablets, pens and classes about which to be excited. Even though I've left that all behind many years ago, I still love the fall.
But for once in my life, I have to say I am looking forward to this new year of 2012.
Taking stock of last year, it was an incredibly busy and stress-filled year. January, we found the house we wanted in Ann Arbor, and it was a race to beat others to the punch in getting this deal. February was filled with haggling around with finanacing and finally getting to the closing table.
While our little gem wasn't in quite the "fixer-upper" shape as our former house, it still needed some polish. The biggest on the to-do list was gutting the upstairs bathroom, which, while it seemed like an easy project, took until April to complete. But the painting, carpeting, cleaning, all took more work than anticipated, trying to accomplish this, all with a busier than normal work schedule took its toll on me. It never could have been done without what can only be described as Herculean effort by my dear husband, Mike.
Finally in April, the big moving day hit. Overall, we're not quite the hoarders, or packrats of the average Americans, but really, how is it that we have so much stuff? Losing a garage and 300 square feet proved to be a challenge to my organizational skills.
In May, work took over my life and we had one of the biggest trials I've had in over 10 years, a mortgage fraud case with three defendants, all which ended in a hung jury. It lasted until the end of June! The ensuing months of July, August, September & October found me in the office or at my house furiously completing the transcript for the retrial set to begin spring of 2012. (No, Virginia, court reporters just don't push a button and a meticulous transcript comes popping out!)
One shining moment amongst the chaos was my attendance at Jewel Heart's summer retreat, documented in my last blog post.
November, it was gearing up for where we've been this past month: Mike and I, busy traipsing through Asia.
So you see, I'm hoping 2012 to be filled with more people, places and events, rather than work, work, work-- whether on the house or in the office!
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