It's Time for An Adventure

I have the wiggles. We're packing and leaving our current apartment, but we are not moving into another. Nope. Sometimes I just need to go, and this is one of those times. 

And so, when we opened the discussion of renewing or not renewing our lease back in December, I voted for not renewing. When hubby asked where I wanted to live --assuring me he would go anywhere with me (yes, he really is that sweet)-- I voted for far.

Not the most specific place, I know, but he can't complain he didn't get a say. After rapid-firing about a dozen excited suggestions, he stopped me and said yes. Yes! But to which one? I think it was number seven. Anyhow, in about three months time we are leaving to Cancun. Yay!

The reactions to this have been priceless. We have friends that are completely excited and on board. A few have already planned a visit!

Then there are those with shifty eyeballs that suspect we've secretly won the lottery (I wish). And there's the concerned sector that is just sure we're having some kind of crisis. Please rest assured there's nothing further from the truth. We are very happy and delighted that we're running off to have an adventure.


As for why, I say why not? Some people like stability. Go you! I like it, too, but in the same way I like certain TV shows or beeswax lip balm. Change, however, I love like I love food, naps, and kissing! 

So, don't be surprised if my Scribble Pad is suddenly covered in pictures of ruins, Shamans, seafood, and beaches.

Pic: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikemcholm/ / CC BY-ND 2.0

Big Girls Sometimes Do Cry

"Do you sell the clothes at your thrift store?"

"Yes." He smiled, carrying our donated coffee table.

"What if they don't sell?"

"They are donated."

"What if no one wants them?"

"Someone does."

"But if no one does, do you throw them away?" I can't stand the thought of it. She always took such good care of her things. Everything she owned looked forever new.

"No, we never throw those away. When we can't find a place for them here, they are packaged and sent to third world countries through non-profit organizations that collaborate with us." He talked as he walked back up the stairs to retrieve more items.

"Then you're sure they will be used by someone who needs them?"

"Yes, absolutely."

I had walked back and forth between my front door and our bedroom holding the cardboard box. Yes, donating this is the right thing to do. If she could, she would have told me to do this a long time ago. In fact, who knows? Maybe she's the one that keeps bringing this up in my mind every spring.

Can I do this? How can I do this? I have to do this.

Eyes down trying hard to hold my voice steady, I shoved the box toward the reassuring stranger. "These belonged to someone that meant a lot to me--"

That's as far as I got. I pushed it at him and bee-lined to the bedroom. I wanted to scream Leave, please, just go before I change my mind!

Twice I turned to go after my precious box. Twice I forced myself to stay and sob as loudly as I had to.

I can't even write this short post with dry eyes. Years go by, but my heart won't stop breaking. She couldn't live forever, but in my heart she will last forever. And try as I may, I can't keep from desperately wishing she were here.

Pic:http://www.flickr.com/photos/g-ratphotos/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

Shaking off the stress

The only way to keep the insane work pace I've kept for the last five and a half months is to laugh until I cry as often as possible. 

Of course, my maniacal laughter and odd habit of dancing randomly in public may one day get me tossed in the loony bin, which would definitely create a serious backlog. But, if this video is any indication, at least I'll be in good company.

Fun sites

Need a break? Here's a tiny collection of goofy sites people have sent me.

Yeti Olympics - OK, that's not the site's real name, but until the creator clarifies, this is what I call it. 


Fly Swatter - It's disturbingly fascinating. I like the squish sound.

Indexed - For a quick chuckle before getting to work.

Paintball - There's something wrong, yet satisfying about splatting paint on a smiley.

Bug on a wire - Bug yells "Wee!" when he jumps. Hee hee. Use the arrows to move from wire to wire.

Drink Cafe - Waiting tables sucks, but pretending to is kind of fun.

 

Egg Meets Acorn Squash

I made an accidental yummy today.

In an effort to clear out our fridge, I created the following concoction for two. Vegetarians beware, bacon is involved!

Ingredients:

2 oz asadero cheese
2 oz quesadilla cheese
1/2 acorn squash
2 stips of bacon
2 eggs


Directions:

Fry the bacon at a medium heat setting. Set it aside on a paper towel and blot. While the bacon is sizzling, dice the cheese, get two bowls and put half of each kind of cheese in each bowl.

Add the acorn squash to the bacon grease and brown. Then remove the pan from the head and add an ounce of water --if you leave the pan on the stove, it will splatter more. Adding the water steams the squash and softens it. Once it's soft, add half to each bowl, on top of the cheese.

Fry two eggs over medium. Add them to the bowl. Crumble bacon on top. It's sweet and salty and good.

Yoga Twist - Day 7

It's like the universe just knew. This past week in particular was rough. And having the restorative yoga instructor unexpectedly replace a regular yoga class was just what I needed.

I only have three days left on the Groupon. I'm  completely bummed that I haven't gone to more yoga classes, but it's been a great catalyst. On days that I haven't been able to go or chosen not to go, I still feel the need to do something --stretch, walk, go through some sun salutations. It's been a good experience.

Mexican Mint Marigold

Today I was proofreading a translation for Edible Magazine and this lovely little herb popped up in the article. As I went to hunt for marigolds online, I discovered this little plant is not a Marigold at all... it's a plant with super powers, native to Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. In Mexico it's known as pericón, and it's a remedy for stomach aches, diarrhea, indigestion, dysentery, typhoid, and vomiting. See... superpowers.

My grandmother used to keep a garden full of plants with healing magic. After reading about this nifty plant, of course... I want one.

I got to thinking how fun it would be to do a little micro farming. Then I realized, until the last freeze killed most of our plants, we kind of already did. We had and used red chilis, basil, mint, and bell pepper (just the one, but it was tasty). Before that we had chives and aloe for sunburns.

Right now, besides the indoor plants that aren't lunch, we have a single red chili desperately holding on to what is in fact a dead plant. That's it. Hmmm. Time to get in touch with our inner urban farmer. She's a hippie muse named Om Lennon.


Pic:http://www.flickr.com/photos/eileen_mcfall/ / CC BY-NC 2.0

Twist Yoga - Day 6

Sleep deprivation is a bad thing! Especially since a nightmare was involved. Today was a shaky yoga day.

Day 6

There are forms of yoga encouragement that I very much enjoy. I like it when teachers give several versions of the same pose, inviting everyone to try something new. I like it when they encourage us to overcome our mental blocks and reach a little further, to relax and breathe into a pose, or to envision our muscles releasing.

Pushing, however, is unpleasant. I don't like the whole "hold it!" "all the way!" sort of commands. And hovering is unwelcome, too. Oh, and being told to "stay" kind of bugs me, as well. Fortunately, these are uncommon in a yoga class... unfortunately they do happen sometimes. 

So, today I had to block out those less pleasant ways. It's good for my patience and tolerance, I guess. Although, it actually inspired me to come out of poses faster and more often. Of course, even though I was a bugged by the commands, the lack of proper sleep probably affected both my tolerance and my strength.

Either way, I'm glad I went. With all the time I spend in front of my computer, yoga is always a good idea.

Pic: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ishane/ / CC BY 2.0

Twist Yoga - Day 5

I love to balance, but I've always had an issue with my arches cramping. Well, maybe I should say 'that flat part of my foot where an arch should be'. So when I'm balanced on one leg, I usually dip down and stick my hand under my foot or come out of the pose to massage my screaming arch.

Well today I learned a neat trick.

Day 5

As it turns out, an arch can be coaxed from a flat foot. After class, I approached the instructor and asked for pointers to keep my feet from cramping. Well, my hand-under-the-foot solution is not a very good one. It trains my body and mind into a bad habit. Ooops. What I need to do is work on creating an arched foot... yes, with my chubby flat foot.

Standing with toe spread, raise your toes and hold. Focus on the arch --it will raise naturally because of the position of the toes-- then lower the toes focusing on keeping the arch. With practice, I should be able to retrain my foot, get an arch, and balance for longer periods, pain free... and ditch the shoe inserts. 


Pic: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fisserman/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0