Quiet Friday

walked with lily, lifted weights, long discussion with kim, the trainer, a brief visit to mom and dad's, and took some time to explore more new-age pics that i love..

Steve

this is a pic from last year, but i had such a nice conversation with him tonight--and there is so much going on in his life--that it had to make the daily entry...can't wait to spend sometime with steve and kathleen in a few weeks!  learning of the day:  i used to be a lot at better at being alone, but i still enjoy the quiet..

Lily..

looking spiffy with her new haircut..this dog is growing closer and closer to my heart with each passing day; loren is leaving for Jekyll Island for five days, so it's girls' time ahead..! Learning of the day:  people are so beautiful when they are vulnerable and unafraid to show who they really are..and i'm experiencing that myself more and more

Amazing Women

12 weeks with this group of women was a great experience, and so interesting to see how it all came together for everyone.  karen was especially creative in using her "inside out" metaphor to bring her thoughts to the surface--and of the course the pieces she was wearing made the shape of a heart when put together.  a lot on my mind these days...

Finished

i got so wrapped up in this project--in fact, i really had a hard time calling it done..i am even noticing a few spaces that need something more as i now write.  the creative incubator has incubated the desire to live a more intention-filled life.  Through most of the twelve weeks of classes and assignments, I was thinking of creating a business--it was only in the past week or two that I stumbled upon wanting to create a life, which may or may not include a business...It is hard to read but the yellow and green hearts near the feet of this person are the steps i now want to take, and that is where i want to focus--taking action...

People..

i'm thinking about most this quiet sunday morning..

Changes...

Spent the morning doing orientation at a South Toledo home where I am considering doing some part time caregiving..spent the afternoon putting the final touches on our kitchen decisions;  Loren and I had fun at appliance center comparing our ideas, but i think he was really ready to go ahead and "order, already..."! 

Exploring..

a different kind of fitness routine..working out with Kim now at Positively Fit, and paying very close attention to my heart rate throughout the workout..as soon as it shows signs of stress (hangs too long at one pace), the workout is over.  So far, the workouts have lasted for about 15 minutes, max.  I love this so far--I leave the workout feeling refreshed and energetic...that's new for me...we will see about results

Celebrating Cheryl

dinner at Bravo's for Cheryl's Gerken's 49th..talked, laughed, drank and ate 'til late..Amy-Marie and Beth joined in..should've had a pic of the birthday girl!

New favorite office

in the park..spent a couple hours there this afternoon

Because it's beautiful..

..and because our incubator project is almost due, which for me includes a tree trunk and the sun

Bookstore Office...

working to prepare for French tutoring lesson tonight..feels a bit like the old days with lesson plans..
does anyone else in the world drink their latte with a straw?  sarah, probably

Backsplash

..am now moving on to backsplash considerations...quiet sunday, though, and missing the kids..

An evening out...

dinner with my brother tonight at Rosie's--a nice evening with amazingly warm temperatures...

Decisions

brought back a couple of samples of granite for counter tops from marble and granite works in Michigan...realize what a visual learner i am when it comes to making decisions regarding decorating--i need to see a lot of displays before my own mind becomes clear...(and not quite there yet)! 

i was told the other day that it must be really nice having so much "space in my brain."  In context, I think she meant that I have time in my life right now to ponder things such as granite patterns, new life directions, politics and things not of the making-a-living sort of concerns.  Yes, I am so grateful to have some time to pause after teaching since 1977, yet it is so interesting how i now feel pressure to figure out how to make-a-life.  okay, here i go--my cry for the day...I guess I'm seeing that we need to figure out how to enjoy life no matter what phase we are in...

A Different Kind of Morning...

drove down to the UAW Hall in the old west end to hear Biden..he only spoke about saving the auto industry, which was a bit disappointing--but understandable; the real joy of the morning was just being amongst so much diversity in little downtown toledo...

Vice President

Democratic office called me and wanted to know if I wanted a ticket to see Joe Biden tomorrow..i said yes and we will see what he has to say (if indeed, i decide to go to UAW Local 12...)   Such a beautiful day today--sunny and about 75!! 

Amichi Capelli

colorful salon, colorful hair..really like Jen who is an inspiring and hard-working young woman..fighting to stay afloat

Way too much..

..money for these new orthotics, but hopefully they will last for a very long time;  seems as though we need more and more support of all kinds as we age..chiropractor said they are made out of some brand new more-wicking material (lined with gold, i believe):-)

enjoying the sunshine

..and her favorite stick;  came home from a walk in the park today and found both loren and lily tummy up in the sun...peaceful and warm first day of "spring forward" with time change

Still beautiful...

took mom out to her restaurant of choice--American Table--the evening before her 85th..
She was fighting a skin infection, but held up well and didn't let it get her down too much.. The meal felt a bit tense and very brief, but I think she felt loved. 

While the cat's away....

..maybe i should leave more often--my wonderful husband refinished all of the kitchen cupboards giving a much lighter, happier feeling to the room i usually try to avoid..wow!!! 

Santa Barbara Fun

pondering what kind of tattoo to get in downtown Santa Barbara...

 hiking on the Rattlesnake Trail in the mountains above Santa Barbara, wine-tasting at the Gainey Vineyard near the little town of St. Ynes (after a windy drive on the 154 Pass!)

 ..saying goodbye to Sarah on the patio...good bye to a beautiful place and a sparkling daughter--until next time..

Bath Street

front of the building where we are staying..another sunny day--75 degrees and a cloudless sky...ran a few miles, walked the art show along the beach, lunched on state street and said good bye to sarah at the train station..:-(  

santa barbara tutorial

getting settled in for the evening in beautiful santa barbara.  sarah is giving janet a lesson on the use of a mac computer...so here we are in a gorgeous apartment in a fantastic california location, drinking wine and..working? it is still fun and funny being with these wonderful women

california sun!!

arrived this morning in LA and what a beautiful day!  spending a few moments in the beverly hills sunshine before meeting sarah for lunch.  dined in a small French cafe in the Farmers Market near the Grove shopping center...we certainly aren't in Kansas anymore..love spending time with janet and sarah..  

Packing

lily was looking at me in disbelief today when i told her i was going to be gone almost a week..
leaving for california early in the morning--i will miss this sweet thing, but visiting a sweeter one