Bopril

Weekendings

I recently kicked off a new routine at work...this weekend marked my second consecutive Friday where I worked from home. It's amazing. I completely underestimated what a difference a single day could make. One morning that I'm assured a workout because I don't have to rush to get ready and head downtown. One less day per week that we require the services of our lovely dog walker - which translates nicely into dollars saved. And most importantly - one day a week when I can take a breath, work in my pajamas if I feel so inclined - plow through my to-do list without the inevitable distractions an office setting brings. I'm grateful for the gift, so pleased with the change, so happy at the prospect of flexibility.

Naturally, the boys are thrilled with the new schedule and they spent the entire day curled on either side of me as I completed conference calls, emails, decks and various other documents. I find them to be the perfect co-workers, terrific office mates. We wound down our workday, opened a bottle of wine and indulged in a mini i-tunes inspired dance party while we waited for Hubby to get home.

Then it was off to date night - a chilly, misty Friday evening at one of our favorite neighborhood haunts followed by an early bedtime.

I joined a great girlfriend for my second consecutive Saturday morning at Pilates - love everything about this class except for the price. (Seriously, WHY must yoga and pilates run such steep price tags??)And together, we're mapping out our path to fitness and better health. I'm keeping a detailed food journal and tracking workouts - here's hoping the buddy system is just the kick in the #$$ I needed to get on track.

Errands consumed our days - finding a new dog groomer, picking up needed items at the store, grocery shopping, perusing a new costume shop as we began to give thought to our Halloween costumes, looking up recipes and thinking through the week's meal plan - mundane normalcy that never fails to make me feel lucky and like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

The park called our name - it was muddy, so the boys' frolic time was cut a little short and Jack didn't get to chase his favorite toy, but an excellent time was had by all. Sunday is winding down now - we enjoyed a brisk fall evening walk, whipped up a pot of veggie soup and are watching a little tube before we call it a night.

As much as I hate to see the weekend come to an end, I am comforted by these treasured rituals, safe in the routine of home.

And you?

On My Mind...

For your reading pleasure, I submit the following list of random (and very likely mundane - at least to you) list of items occupying space in my mind, on my to-do list, or both:

• I must get back into my early morning workout routine. Yes, once again after establishing a great "groove," I have fallen off the wagon and am now going weeks without workouts. Again. Yes, again. Shut up. My name is April and I am addicted to a vicious and terribly unproductive fitness cycle. Please send help. Or chocolate.
• I've been thinking a lot lately about an attitude shift. More to come on this one when I'm ready (read: when I'm actually able to articulate what I mean by this), but for now, enough to know that it is something I recognize a need for and will soon put into action. 
• Cooper gave us quite a scare last week - turned out to just be a mini back injury, but had my mind going to very scary, very dark places. Also? I'm terrible with vet visits and am hit with huge waves of anxiety the minute we walk in the door. How am I ever supposed to witness a human child receive vaccinations is entirely beyond me. 
• Confession number 1: I have been watching a soap opera off and on since high school. Confession number 2: it has mostly been "on." Confession number 3: I got an embarrassing amount of joy out of seeing Jason and Sam rekindle their romance this week. I'll let you determine which soap. It strikes me that I could easily become that old lady who always has to watch her "stories."
•   I'm so excited and sending out major congrats to our good friends Brett and Laurie who welcomed a baby boy into the world yesterday - on my baby brother's birthday no less! 
• I have said this before, but I'm going to say it again anyway. I need to get in a more regular groove of posting to this blog. Maybe I need to create my own editorial calendar? Or maybe that will make this space seem too much like work...must think more about this. Will report back. 
• Must diversify my diet - need to get a better variety of veggies into rotation - too heavy on the potatoes as of now. I've never met a potato I didn't love. No, seriously. Never. 
• I wanted to know what all the buzz was about, so I randomly jumped into both True Blood and Mad Men a couple of weeks ago. I totally get in. In both cases. Suddenly, I just can't get enough of vampires. Odd. And also? That show is a little crazy. And a lot graphic. And completely awesome. Same for Mad Men. In an entirely different way, but still? Awesome.  

  
  I could do this for ages, but I realize you've likely bailed before even getting to this point. So here's a cute doggie photo to make up for it.
  Sugar Daddy. And Half of Cooper. Terrible cropping, but I love this pic!
  
  

Weekendings

We pondered the crazy weather which had us conjuring images of tailgates and football games, crunchy leaves, a variety of soups and full, beautiful mums. Some of my favorite weather, but months too early and thus not overly comfortable (or welcome).

I stood in a porta-potty line at a street festival and recalled days gone by when I was lost in the music, comfortable in my surroundings, at home in the crowds. I sighed, rolled up my jeans to avoid "debris" and wondered how time moves so quickly (and muttered "I'm too old for this" once or twice). 

I laced up my sneakers and surrendered my thoughts to my ipod and the pavement for five good miles; I visualized a healthier me and felt good about a small step in the right direction.

Always fascinated by the connection of mind, body and spirit, I picked up the Quantum Wellness cleanse and read it cover to cover, nodding in understanding page after page, relishing the comfort of a mutual understanding, a state of mind brought to life on the page and the resulting click when its contents registered familiar. Tears poured down my face as I read the chapter titled "Awakening" because this lovely author was able to articulate with such grace every reason I've wholeheartedly embraced a vegetarian lifestyle. It was validation I didn't know I needed, encouragement for a part of my soul that doesn't know how to ask for support. I can hardly wait to begin the actual cleanse and see what happens and Internet, I'll bring you along when I do.

I started to think about my upcoming trip to Boston, making lists in my head and seeing the images of Cambridge, Beacon Hill, Newbury Street and the Freedom Trail through my camera before I ever even board the plane. The break is needed, and I plan to make it a good one.

Hubby took Coop to the vet for his check-up and while we lamented the price tag of the visit, we sighed with relief at his good health and happily filled his prescriptions to keep those liver levels in check. And then I thought of Sydney, my sweet girl, and remembered the wiggly pup of 13 years ago that stole my heart with a glance and has never let go. She wears time on every inch of her body...a muzzle covered in grey, a slow ramble where there used to be an unstoppable dash, but the eyes...those soulful eyes can still whisper secrets and show me past, present and future. I fear she's nearing the end and I can't embrace it, not yet. I'm not ready to let her go, but its not about me and I know if I'd let her, she would show me that. Dogs are awesome that way.

Sunday was a quiet jumble of errands, walks, doggie play and movie watching. We saw Away We Go and its humanity stays with me still. Amazing, beautiful portrait of family and of love. 

And now we're all back to the grind, but trying to keep the peace, the stillness, the joy of the weekend in tact, hoping its magic will color the week ahead.

And you?