MINDFULNESS...

Bower Museum Courtyard ~ 2.12.11

Mindfulness or being mindful is being aware of the present moment.

No  judging, reflecting or thinking. 

Simply observing the moment in which you find yourself. 

Pounding head... 

woke up in the early hours of the morning 

with a pounding head!

Spent the better part of the day sleeping... 

Now, sitting on the couch ~  being mindful of:

• the heat of the day
• the cool air of the fan
• the foggy feeling after a headache
• the taste of orange juice
• the feel of the rug under my feet
• the quietness of the afternoon

PASTEL SKIES...

sunset on Meadow Way 3.20.11

"Clouds come floating into my life, 

no longer to carry rain or usher storm, 

but to add color to my sunset sky."

~ Rabindranath Tagore, Indian poet, playwright

won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913

HAPPINESS...

view from kitchen - 3.19.11

"The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, 

the wise grows it under his feet."

~ James Oppenheim, American poet, novelist & editor

do you live in the moment? are you a planner? 

I'm asking for several reasons...

we're trying to make some plans 

for our SUMMER break!!

our activities will be arranged around 

some work-related conferences...

family visits...

a camping trip...

I confess...

I've always been a planner!

there's something about just "winging it" 

this summer! 

You know!

just do what "sparks our fancy!!"

JPE & I will be spending nine days in 

Washington DC

for our spring break!

When we booked our tickets,

I didn't believe I would

still be on crutches!

So - I'm trying to decide how to

approach planning for our summer??

I don't want to be "foolish" by 

visualizing the "perfect break" from work...

perhaps we should enjoy & 
explore the ground beneath our feet?

what are your thoughts about 

planning for the future?

A SINGLE FLOWER...

sunday's rain ~ 3.20.11

"If we could see the miracle of 
a single flower, 
our whole life would change."

~ Buddha, spiritual teacher

this week has slipped by

a BLUR...

:: traveled to Sacramento for a work meeting ::

education cuts are brutal! 

connecting with colleagues took the "sting" away

:: a week of rain! ::

love it when I'm home ~ not so much in a motel

driving in pelting rain storm = tension

::  loads of house guests ::

JPE's sister last Saturday

Eric & Richard on Wednesday

Marcus on Friday

:: completed a budget report - FINALLY!! ::

7 weeks late - I was not the reason for the delay

jumping for JOY!!

::  will be traveling to Mom's tomorrow ::

 attending a memorial on Monday

my Auntie Bev passed away three days ago

this FLOWER is for HER...

SPRING HAS SPRUNG??

3.20.11 ~ JPE FEELING FOR SPRING!!!

FRONT PORCH DRIP...

THINK I'LL STAY INSIDE!!!

"Spring is not the best of seasons.
Cold and flu are two good reasons;
wind and rain and other sorrow,
warm today and cold tomorrow."
~Author Unknown

JPE returned from a camping trip last night!

I heard stories about 8 teens + 4 adults

:: braving the gusting winds ::

:: stretching their limits rock climbing ::

:: taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway 

6000 feet high up Mt San Jacinto ::

:: swimming at Desert Hot Springs ::

:: cries of surprise at getting cell phone reception ::

:: sore b---ts from being in a cargo van for 6 hours ::

JPE's TiRed! 

I'm off to Sacramento tomorrow~work meeting!!

(5 hours northeast of home)

TA! DUH!!

Oxford Sheldonian Theater

Spring is nature's way of saying, 

"Let's party!"  

~ Robin Williams, actor, comedian

How are you welcoming SpRiNg? 

It's RAINING here!

HAPPY PADDY DAY!!

SPRING'S COMING!! 

Sending an IRISH BLESSING

your way!!
 

May your troubles be less,
And your blessing be more.
And nothing but happiness,
Come through your door.

Camellia ~ pic taken 3.11.11

HaPpY St PATriCk'S dAy!

SECONDS... MINUTES... HOURS

taken @ Pottery Barn ~ January 2011

"I went to a restaurant that serves 
"breakfast at any time."

So I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance."

~ Steven Wright, comedian & actor

SPRING FORWARD... FALL BACK

Did you set your clocks for Daylight Savings?

WEEKWORD = TOOTHED

TOOTHED?

TOOTHED??

TOOTHED???

WEEKWORD was selected by Katy @

CREATING MISERICORDIA

T-O-O-T-H-E-D!

Kay had some great pictures for

T-O-O-T-H-E-D! 

check her BLOG for other 

 WEEKWORD 

examples!

 

I'm afraid I didn't get very creative this week!??

It's a stretch...

but, ROSES have thorns that feel like 

TEETH

on your skin...

and, don't forget how sharp PUPPY TEETH are!!!

like little needles!

GREENING OF A GARDEN!

"Take the gentle path."

~ George Herbert

"A healthy garden is a reflection of a 

healthy soul."

"Patience is a flower that grows 

not in everyone's garden."

~ English proverb

WEEKWORD = DISCOMFORT??

"back patio" visitor ~ 3.6.11

“Patience is the ability to idle your motor 

when you feel like stripping your gears.”

~ Barbara Johnson, American author 

 

:: don't you LOVE this quote?? :: 

 

D-I-S-C-O-M-F-O-R-T was the WEEKWORD

chosen by Sally at SOW & SEW!!

 

the mishap with my FOOT immediately came to mind... but, I've gotten over the "guilt" of not being able to operate in the "fast-lane" (professionally & in my personal life). I've had some time (a lot of time, actually) to reflect...

 

sign in the Business Conference Room

here are some 

:: REFLECTIONS ::

 

I'm a person who loves showering!! I've always felt baths take TOO much time. Now, I look forward to bathing ~ a leisurely bubble bath soothes my weary body after a day on crutches.

 

I've devoted more time to reading! our libraries are busy, busy places these days (due to the economy)... we don't watch TV, so having a stack of books & a cup of tea is such a pleasurable way to spend the afternoon / evening.

 

I can't wait to get back to walking! I promise not to complain or say "I'll walk later" when JPE suggests I accompany him as he heads out for his daily run! 

I won't procrastinate about SPRING cleaning! I look forward to having the ability put items away, tidy closets & drawers, and de-clutter without having to balance on one foot. It's pretty "comical" getting stuff (laundry, craft stuff, books, clothes etc) up & down the stairs in plastic bags (when JPE is not home).

 

I'm looking forward to carrying a purse! It's hard to feel "professional" when you wear a backpack filled with your wallet, car keys, planner, sweater, scarf, lunch, water bottle etc. It's equally hard looking professional on crutches!!

I've "prided" myself on my organizational skills! One day, as I was backing out of the driveway, I realized I left an important file upstairs! I almost burst out in tears thinking I would have to get out of the car, drag myself up the staircase & back down in order to get the file for work. I decided to work on another project that day...

 

Most importantly, I've learned to be in the moment!! crutches require concentration. I've had some "close mishaps" when I wasn't paying attention to the "rhythm" of moving my body, while negotiating doors, and looking for potential challenges in the path ahead (rubber crutch tips + rugs/carpet = slow down!! thoughts).

 

I owe a lot to my friends for their assistance!!

Oh - I can't wait to be able to carry my own cup of tea, water, etc to the table (or my work space)....

D-I-S-C-O-M-F-O-R-T may have been the WEEKWORD - but I've learned PATIENCE as the result of my DISCOMFORT! the list of WEEKWORD participants can be found HERE!

STEPPING OUT!!

Southwark staircase, London ~ July 2010

 "My travels led me to where I am today. 

Sometime these STEPS have felt painful, difficult, 

but led me to greater happiness and opportunities."

~ Diana Ross, American singer

Sorry for the absence! I've missed connecting with my blogger friends & readers... so I wanted to let you know I'm STEPPING away (again) for a work conference. Not sure how busy the evenings will be? Hope to post Thursday, BUT, if not, I will see you this Friday!

such ornate ironwork...

Don't you love this London staircase? I'm a "detail person" ~ drawn to the intricate pattern in these STEPS! 

Other thoughts: 

Am I going UP or DOWN the STEPS? what's my PATH in the next month? Stairs are difficult (especially on crutches - YES, still wearing the AIR CAST) but it's a new month... new opportunities... new STEPS to navigate.

Excited? YES... the daffodils are blooming here! what are you looking forward to in MARCH?