Duly Noted

Saturday night brought a crowd of folks to Slide Ranch to celebrate the Pisces birthdays. After losing track of the number of red wine glasses I'd consumed, I joined the "human stew crew" in the giant cow trough propped over a blazing bonfire. The lack of clothing, floating Eucalyptus leaves, and extreme water temperatures (someone kept showering us with freezing hose water) inspired a conversation about the mind/body connection. As the wine wore off, I realized that perhaps I wasn't doing my body any favors: sitting underwear-clad in a cow trough drinking from wine bottles with a bunch of naked strangers (okay, distant acquaintances) in the middle of the night. Sure enough, I felt pretty out of it the next day. The following afternoon, my friend Zia and I sprawled out on the deep wooden benches overlooking the Pacific and discussed "alignment." As the sun set, we pondered: are our actions in line with our mind and emotions? are we aware of what we need and ...

I was going to write :"our little nugget's due date came and went," but she isn't a nugget anymore!  Not even close!  She is feeling like a real baby in there!  All knees and elbows.  Regardless, her due date came and went on Wednesday.  This wasn't a surprise for anyone, including me, although I was hoping that maybe she would make an unexpected appearance in the days leading up to May 25th.  The good news is that Mike is done teaching for the year and I decided to make Tuesday my last day, so we have been enjoying some time together with Misha at daycare.  These past couple of days have been rather peaceful as we have finished some projects (our basement guest room is ready!), started some new ones (Mike is replacing all outlets- he is on a total home repair kick), whipped up some desserts (strawberry shortcakes with ricotta filling, one of my favorites), and organized stuff (like an electronics drawer- found an undeveloped one-use camera from 201...

Month in numbers: Running mileage: 133 # of runs with running buddies: 10 Swimming yardage: 9100 (5.170455 miles!) # ab workouts: 23 # of push-ups: appx. 460 Minutes spent weight lifting (+countless minutes of lifting misha): 20 minutes Strengths: I am feeling good about my first three swim team practices!  The workouts stretch me and it has been motivating to join a new community of athletes.  I am the slowest swimmer in lane 2, but I think if I keep going on Sundays consistently and add 1 more swim workout a week (either a practice or just swimming on my own), I will begin to improve.   I am feel strong on the running front.  It is heavenly to get outside when the temperatures allow it.  I am thankful that I joined the gym and its been fun to do some workouts with a buddy next to me on the treadmill.  Not so good: Mostly nutritional stuff... Gained five unwanted pounds over the last month.  I know that is hard to believe with all the workouts but wit...

As a teacher, I am a creature of habit.  5:30 alarm, sleep 5:40 alarm, sleep 5:50 wake up Head downstairs, get coffee and oatmeal started. Do 8 minutes of abs while waiting for coffee and oatmeal. Eat breakfast, read emails, check weather, and toodle around feedly and pinterest 6:30 Feed Misha or prep milk, brush teeth, floss, comb hair and get dressed.  Pick out a scarf to wear. 7:15 Bike to work, enjoy the fall colors 7:45 Meet with students about essays, respond to work emails, get ready for classes 8:30-11:30 Teach! 11:30-12:00 Wrap up materials, get ready for tomorrow's classes. 12:00 Bike home, enjoy leaves again! 12:30 Home sweet home!  Cuddle and feed Misha. 1:00 Eat lunch outside on our picnic table and make plans for the afternoon. Unlike my mornings at work, weekday afternoons have yet to fall into a routine.  Although sometimes I yearn for this, I am okay with no routine with one caveat.  I need to spend some time moving, and...

  Things to think about this weekend.  What do you think about this message?  Does your life express your intrinsic values?  Do you advocate for well being policies in your community and American society?  Please share your comments! ***Thank you Kat for passing this along.