A Week of Joy

Jenn is coming to North Carolina this week which has just intensified the joy of everything I do and everything I say.  I can't wait to hug her beautiful neck and to spend time in her company.  As we prepare for her homecoming I am thrilled at even the smallest things we do to get ready -  preparing a room for her, stocking up on some of her favorite things, pulling out books I want her to see,  fluffing the towels, freshly laundered sheets,  all done with tremendous love for this amazing woman that calls me Mom.  Truly - a week of Joy!

Here's to the Good Life!

A Fun Filled Weekend

I feel like we spent the weekend in a whirlwind of activity.  Friday Night Live on Main Street filled with food, music and good drinks.  Saturday we spent the day at South Mountain and fell in love again with the beauty of the mountains and the rivers.  Sunday we spent some time cleaning and organizing then headed to the driving range for a little golf practice.

But finally I took a few minutes out of my day and unpacked most of my books.  I have a new book shelf and I could hardly wait to see all books lined up on the shelves.  Some of my books have been packed for a year and I was thrilled as I opened  box after box of of books.  My beautiful dictionaries are lined across the bottom shelf and I am anxious to flip open their pages.  The rest of my books are tiered above in varying heights and widths and I am content just looking at them.

All in all - a fun filled weekend!

Here's to the Good Life!

Becoming a North Carolinian

Today Jim and I took another step towards becoming a North Carolinian!  We left the house early this morning, stopped at Mc D's for hotcakes and sausages and then headed to the North Carolina Driver's License office.  And 59 minutes later we walked out with the privilege to drive all the North Carolina byways!

This makes a total of 5 different states that we have had driver's license issued in our names, and I wonder sometimes if there are more in our future.  Beginning in Indiana at the age of 16, then Michigan, (we went back to Indiana for a few years - but who's counting?) then Florida, then Tennessee - which seems like yesterday- and now North Carolina.  There was no fanfare today, no big celebration for this little milestone, but I felt happy all day remembering all the roads that led to becoming a North Carolinian today.

Here's to the Good Life!

Learning to Breathe

I have been breathing most of my life.  At least I assume I have.  There are years, in the beginning, that I do not recall, yet somehow I must have been breathing then too.  I suppose that just because I don't remember breathing doesn't mean I wasn't.

In my desire to learn to meditate, I now pay attention to my breathing, trying to teach myself to breathe deeply.  Sometimes it feels very uncomfortable to breathe deeply and I am not sure that the discomfort is all physical.  I have spent the past 2 and a half years learning to meditate, quite the mind, and breathe.  So far the sitting still is easy, quieting the mind is coming more naturally, yet the breathing eludes me many times.  Not that I stop breathing - I never do - I just don't allow my whole body to fill with the delicious oxygen that my body craves.  Surely it is a craving for I have been doing it for so long.

This weekend while we were at the top of Mount Mitchell I could see my breath when I breathed out.  Light puffs quickly dissipating before my next breath out.  Carried away by the wind, or maybe floating invisibly in front of me waiting for that slight inhale.   Sometimes I hear myself breathing as I take those last stairs up to my 3rd floor sanctuary or as I walk the dark neighborhood early in the morning.  Occasionally I feel my breathing as my body tries to pull in the oxygen needed as I hurry through my day.

Breathing, I know, is natural to me.  It comes without my conscious effort.  But, still I wonder what will happen if I learn to breathe consciously.  How will it feel to be aware of my breathing?  How will it feel to Learn to Breathe?

Here's to the Good Life!

Knowing it all

Saturday as we hiked through the blue ridge mountains, along a beautiful lush creek, I was reminded how blessed I am to have married some one who knows it all.  Jim (although not arrogantly) knows everything about everything we do together.  He knows how fast to drive, which lane to be in and when it's time to switch drivers.  He knows how to use a pocket knife (cut away from the body - not towards) He knows how to climb down a steep trail (turn your feet sideways so that you don't fall face first) and he knows how to get back up that steep trail.  He knows to break off a small limb to swish spider webs out of the way when walking through the lush greenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and he knows that the rocks by the water are probably slippery.

I, on the other hand, know quite arrogantly, that Jim loves me beyond measure.  He values my company, and is always concerned about  my safety.  I like to drive fast using all the lanes.  I like to use my pocket knife in all directions, I like to size of a hill and then head for the least steep area - therefore not requiring a sideways step, and I like to let Jim walk up the trail first so that I am not hit in the face with spider webs.  Oh - and I know the rocks are slippery too - but that's not going to stop me.

But still - as we walked through the mountains yesterday and Jim knowingly gave me directions (for my own safety) I could not help but smile at the love that I knew he felt for me.  As we walked high in the Blue Ridge Mountains I marveled at this love that unendingly tries to guide, to protect, and to shelter me.

Yes!  I am blessed.  And I am wrapped always in the knowing arms of love.

Here's to the Good Life!

Bermuda Dreams

Last night I attended a wonderful dinner hosted by the Bermuda Department of Tourism.  Filet Mignon, Red wine, Hazelnut Chocolate Torte and lively conversation.

During the presentation we were shown scenes of the Bermuda beaches and golf courses. We saw pictures of resorts that were more beautiful than I could ever have imagined.  Spacious rooms and lobbies, gorgeous restaurants, peaceful spas and so much more.......

Today I am so appreciative for the opportunity to expand my dreaming.  Now I dream of staying at these resorts, savoring delicious food at the restaurants, getting a couples massage and sitting on those beautiful pink sand beaches watching a sun rise and a sunset. 

Here's to the Good Life!

Blessed With A To Do List

Having just moved I have gotten behind on my to do list.  Little things slipping through the cracks for days and big things staring me down.  So today at lunch break I grabbed my day planner, all my scribbled notes and my cell phone and headed for a quiet spot.

I began making my calls and as the kind lady at the other end assured me that all was well  - I had not forgotten anything, a quiet ease came over me as I remembered that things always work out for me.  People are always kind to me.  I always make my deadlines and I am always greeted with kindness with any of my requests.  I always see beauty through out my day.  I always make it through my to do list on time.

I relaxed then as I made call after call - knowing all is well - knowing that my to do list had just reminded me of how blessed I really am.

Here's to the Good Life!

Seis de Mayo

Jim and I took Saturday off and did mostly Nothing!  The first time in a long time and it felt good to just be still.  However, we knew we were missing Cinco de Mayo so we decided Seis de Mayo would be our day for celebration.

We had dinner tonight at a simple Mexican restaurant.  And we let the Universe do it's magic.  Bringing to us the perfect outdoor table.  The perfect breeze coupled with the perfect drinks.  The perfect waitress and delicious food.  Lively conversation and dappling sun rays.

All in all - the Perfect 6th day of May!

Here's to the Good Life!  

My 3rd Floor Nest

Jim and I are all moved into our new house and I have set up the 3rd floor for my office.  I have a little path from the stairway to my computer with boxes stacked about waist high through out the room.  My printer is not connected, my files are not in the cabinet, and desk "stuff"  sits in an open box by my feet.

Yet I sit here looking out my window at the horizon of beautiful trees, blackened in the setting sun.  I see the lights of an airplane gliding by without sound, and I see shades of gray and black and blue in the layers of clouds blocking my view of the moon.

I do not want to interrupt my evening unpacking boxes, putting files away, and all that stuff.  I want to sit here and enjoy for a few moments the beauty outside my 3rd floor nest!

Here's to the Good Life!