Bopril

Don't Want to Miss A Thing

I have always loved this song and I'm certainly digging their fun interpretation of the lyrics. These two make me want to pick up an instrument and just learn to play the hell out of it.

Pomplamoose strikes again, and I'm so happy they did:

A Day for Me

It was a good day.

I woke up, and even though I was still fighting some sort of cold/bug, I felt excited. I went into the kitchen for water and discovered a series of my photos, hand-picked by Hubby (some of his faves), matted and framed. They were arranged along the counter with a card from the fur-babes, calling them a selection of some of my most "wooftastic" images. Heart = melted. 

To be honest, I figured I'd get a handbag, or shoes, or jewelry or perfume - and let's face it, I LOVE all of those things - but this gift kind of blew me away. You see, I love photo walls - I like to frame photos and hang them in some sort of symmetry, forming collages that line the walls of our home, telling our stories to all who visit. Hubby knows this, and decided that the next wall should feature images of my own. It's something I likely never would have done for myself, but now that I have them, I can't wait to arrange and finish the new wall. Stay tuned for photos of the photos in their place on the wall. (say that 3 times)

After that, I went to work where I was showered all day by my colleagues first with a balloon, and then with cards, well wishes and more sweets than I've seen in months. There was a fun lunch with a piece of cake and a birthday song, a meeting with delicious cupcakes and another with a platter of every imaginable cookie. I was on a sugar high, sure, but also...I just felt special.

And of course, throughout the entire day a steady stream of good wishes and greetings poured in through Twitter and Facebook, voicemail, email and text. I know there is much debate about technology and the social networks that now occupy so much of our days, often replacing real connection with virtual ones, but if you're going to analyze the negatives, you should also look at the positives... and at the heart of all of it is community. Easy access to share our lives and provide support however we can, stay linked and connected and in the know for each other's stories. I can certainly appreciate the gift in that...and so to everyone who stopped by my virtual world on Tuesday, thank you. I was wrapped in hugs from waking to slumber, and it felt terrific.

Another year has passed. I'm not as far as I thought I'd be in my life's journey, and yet I'm also much further than I could have imagined. My circle of support expanded in some aspects while shrinking in others and I stand in the center, happy to be here, grateful for the moments, recognizing the blessings as they come. 

It was a good day.

Cupid's Running A Few Days Late Around Here

In spite of all the sentiment that Valentine's Day is a "Hallmark holiday," the "commercialization of love," etc - it is actually one of my favorite days of the year. Love is fun, and any opportunity we get to remind ourselves and each other of the love in our lives, the better as far as I'm concerned!

Anyhoo, we really enjoyed our Valentine's Day weekend and I think you'll agree that Cupid is especially good to me:

Seriously, could anyone in the world resist this?

 And speaking of not being able to resist things...

Hubby and I had a lovely little Valentine's Day dinner at one of our favorite neighborhood joints (Italian, mmmmm) and that was our dessert. Heart shaped cheesecake? You betcha!

What's not to love about this day of, well, love? 

Love for Marina & Will (Pretty Please, Won't You Help?)

I've written about my fabulous friend Robin before, and I've talked about the inspirational journey her sister Becky underwent to find her awesome little man, Bek. But I'm not sure I have ever mentioned her youngest sister Marina.

And that is a tragedy, because Marina is so wholly, entirely, absolutely full of The Awesome. The entire Hewgley clan is the bees knees if you ask me, and Marina is no exception. She's simply lovely - kind and beautiful and funny and sweet. In fact, she is so wonderful that I plotted with Rob all through college to arrange it so that Marina and my brother would one day get married (and make us sisters by extension of course - maybe only slightly selfish motivation there).

The my brother/her sister thing didn't work out - turns out it is hard to set up people who have never met and live thousands of miles apart! :) But things work out how they're supposed to and Marina met her prince charming without our help. His name is Will; I've never personally met him, but trust me when I tell you that these ladies are REALLY good at picking wonderful life partners. I have no doubt that Will is fantastic, and I was so excited to hear of their recent engagement. Shortly after this gorgeous couple announced that they were planning to tie the knot, life threw them an ugly curve ball.

Their joy was interrupted by Will's cancer diagnosis and these awesome people are facing such a frightening situation with admirable grace, and most importantly, they are facing it together. I think they've got this marriage thing nailed already, don't you? Anyway, when I heard about this opportunity to help bring a little joy to their current journey, I couldn't wait to participate and also, to spread the word.

So...here is where you come in. If you are so inclined, please take just a moment and vote for Marina & Will to win an ultimate wedding package from Crate & Barrel; you'll need to register to be able to vote, but it only takes a minute and wouldn't it be awesome to help them turn some seriously bitter lemons into some sweet lemonade?

Spread the love folks; I don't know anyone who is more deserving! Marina & Will, I'm sending you love and strength and prayers (and hopefully votes too). I can't wait to see you kick cancer's ASS!

Martha Stewart Called, and She'd Like Her Kitchen Back

For some strange reason, I woke up this morning, sat straight up in bed and thought "I really need to bake Valentine's Day goodies today." Given my lack of talent or even interest in the kitchen, this was very unusual...but also not an instinct I wanted to fight. When I get an urge to cook anything, I know better than to fight it.

So after completing a few normal Sunday morning activities (you know, greeting the landlord to fix our heater - because really, who needs heat in February? In Chicago? No one!), I headed to the grocery store to secure the necessary ingredients.

Because I am sports adverse and Hubby is out of town, I completely forgot that today was Super Bowl Sunday. Allow me to share a little hard earned advice with you - DO NOT - under ANY circumstance - EVER - go to the grocery store on this particular day. Every aisle was 3 to 5 carts deep, practically everything was out of stock (even bell peppers, WTF), and the lines were seriously obscene. Thank God for Twitter and my iphone; its all that kept me sane while I waited.

Anyway, I came home, took the fur babes for a brisk winter afternoon walk and then got down to business. I made red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and sprinkles (my fave) and a huge vat of sugar cookies - also with icing and sprinkles. I'm quite pleased with myself and hoping my colleagues are ready for a major sugar high tomorrow.

Hubby finally returns (feels like he's been gone FOREVER) tomorrow night and I'm going to greet him with a huge cookie and all the cupcakes he wants. Then he'll be my valentine. For sure.

And you? I hope you had a lovely weekend. If you'll excuse me, I now need to go back to not watching the super bowl and not eating the insane quantity of sweets taunting me from my (er, Martha's) kitchen. 

PS - I was caught up in the baking excitement and forgot to take any photos - you'll just have to use your imagination to know how drool-worthy my treats are. Sorry!

What Are We Waiting For?

I've mentioned this before, but I've been getting more into the practice of yoga and pilates in recent months. Not nearly as much as I should - not nearly as often as I'd like - but I find these particular practices, the study of them, so fascinating. Everything is so deeply rooted in breath, and at first, that was such a "hippie" sentiment to me and I didn't relate. Until I tried it. Until I let go of irrational fears of looking, feeling or acting ridiculous and just focused on the simplicity. Inhale, exhale...let it all go.

The applications are endless - there is nothing this won't help us overcome - or at least achieve peace about...

**Sitting in traffic, rage bubbling mightily to escape in the form of yelling, honking, cursing. And for what? The light turns no faster, the car in front of you remains there until it moves. Instead, inhale, exhale...let it go. And amazingly, even the most traffic laden commute can be a peaceful experience.

**Staring at a computer screen, mere seconds from hurling the entire machine across the room. Again, for what? The hour glass will still be there, the error message will still sound its alarm. Instead, inhale, exhale...let it go. I'll enjoy my oatmeal while I wait for IT to fix the problem.

**Shuffling after a tiny, shivering pup on snow-filled streets, frustration filling every pore. "Just GO already, god!!" To what end? More shivering, more staring, fear at the anger in your voice. Instead, inhale, exhale...you know the drill. Notice the stillness of the morning, feel snowflakes on your face. Practice patience, because it works.

I haven't mastered this, not by a long shot - but I'm working on it. I'm actively thinking about it, all the time. Because I believe it can become habitual - and I'll be better for it. I think this is true for all of us.

And then, today...this:

Such truth in this message, such simplicity, such urgency. It's worth your time to watch the video and it's worth our time - all of us - to constantly ask ourselves what are we waiting for? Happy Love Thursday, one and all.

About That Time...

I was on a roll there for a bit - what with my fairly consistent posting schedule and all - and then...chirp, chirp...crickets. Silence. Sorry! Sigh...

I've been around. I've been meaning to post - really, I have - but you see Internet...it's about that time.

That time of year when the need for sunshine and time spent outdoors is so strong, it is physical...god, it is visceral. It's that time when I'd give absolutely everything and anything outside of Hubby and my fur babes to return to sunny CA. I want to ditch the bulky, messy boots for dainty, fun ballet flats. I want to walk down the street, fur-babes in tow - and feel the sun on my shoulder, the wind in my hair.

I want to gaze at a horizon so familiar, I can recall its every minute detail.

The curve of a path, traveled so often, lined with brush, a lush and green rolling hill that gives way to the steepest cliff sloping right down to the urgent PCH below:

 
The feel of a weathered white fence against my hand, my knee, my foot...years of rest and thought and wishing/hoping/dreaming done in its company.

 
And oh, most of all - the expanse of shimmery, rolling calming blue-gray that dances with the sun and soothes all in its presence:

 
So lately, instead of coming here, I've been going there. In my mind anyway - I've been watching the birds swoop up and down, in search of a snack, the dogs, cyclists, runners, walkers, gazers - all mingling on the winding paths that connect beach towns for the entire length of a coast.

 
I can smell it - salty air carried on a crisp wind, and I can hear it - thunderous waves crash mightily, again and again, to create what is - to me anyway - the quietest and most healing sound in the world.

 
Ah, mighty Pacific...what I wouldn't give to stand at your shore. I'd tell you every secret, turn every burden over to you. And I know you'd carry them...just as you always have.

 
As they say, California dreamin...