Upside Down Cats

You may have noticed that I haven't posted much this week.

By way of explanation, it has been a busy and emotionally draining week for me. I have felt that I was too distracted by one issue to be able to focus on anything else. I've been blocked from writing by this monolith, and I couldn't see around it.

Last night it finally occurred to me... The only way to get past feeling overwhelmed by it IS TO WRITE ABOUT IT! It is going to take the thought process I use to write to lead me through the quagmire of my emotions and make some sense of it all.

Shall we proceed into the inner workings of my mind?

(Be careful...It's slippery when wet...)

Continue reading "My Adverse Reaction" »

I've been looking at low-carb dessert recipes to make for relatives who are on the Atkins Diet.

God bless these sturdy souls! I would totally give up desserts altogether if these were my only options...

Continue reading "I Think I'd Rather Be Overweight..." »

It's hard to believe that when I finish writing this entry and click my "publish" button, I will have successfully completed the NaBloPoMo challenge of posting to my blog every day throughout the month of November. So, "Yea for me!" in advance. Here on the final day of National Blog Posting Month I will write about what I believe is the most important of all the things for which I am thankful...good health.

Continue reading "Health Center(ed)" »

Wow, we've reached day 28 of the 30 days of NaBloPoMo! I've almost accomplished my goal of posting about things for which I am thankful every day during the month of November. Today I want to write about a pursuit that is decidedly less goal-oriented...

I am thankful for yoga.

Continue reading "Yoga Bear" »

Although I'm writing all month long about things for which I am thankful, in honor of Thanksgiving Day tomorrow, I just want to make sure that I mention the most important ones:

For my Wonderful Husband Scott, without whom anything else I'm thankful for would only be half as sweet.

For our loving and supportive families who fill our life with so much warmth.

For the health that we are fortunate to have.

For the abundance of food and the material comforts we enjoy.

For contentment of spirit.

I wish these gifts to all, that everyone can find things for which to be thankful, on Thanksgiving Day and every day.

The world could be a better place for us all if we focus more on those things for which we are thankful.

I'm writing about things for which I am thankful throughout November, also known as National Blog Posting Month. Today on day nineteen of NaBloPoMo, I am in a reflective mood. Looking through family photos earlier today brought back a flood of evocative memories. Many of the photos reminded me of my dad, who passed away ten years ago.

The photos have brought to the forefront of my mind that I am thankful for my dad.

Continue reading "Daddy's Little Girl" »

Today is the twelfth of NaBloPoMo. I have vowed to write about things for which I am thankful each day of November.

Today I am thinking about what it means to me to have been born in the United States. When I was ten years old my sister got me a subscription to National Geographic for Kids. It was my first exposure to people who lived in other parts of the world. I remember having a revelation...that I could have just as easily been born in India or Africa as New Jersey. I tried imagining being me on the inside, but looking different and living differently. It kind of blew my mind, because I had very limited experience with diversity. In my house, those who were different from us were known as Protestants.

Continue reading "Lucky To Be Me" »

I'm having fun participating in NaBloPoMo, where each day of November I will write about things for which I am thankful. Today, on day six, I am thinking that although some of the things I write about are big and some are small, in concert, they comprise a well-rounded compilation of what brings joy to my life.

I've been cooking today (what else is new?...). While standing over a pot which contained what would soon be transformed into chicken rice soup, my topic literally hit me in the face...specifically, in my nose - Garlic.

Continue reading "For The (C)love Of Garlic" »

I've been slowed down by a mysteriously swollen and painful knee this weekend. I don't have any idea why it hurts, but it has sure made even the normal routines difficult. Anyway, I finally can post some of the meals I've planned to cook for us this week...

 

Eggs in a Rye "Frame," Bacon & Cheese Hash Brown Potatoes, Raspberries with Whipped Cream

Cheese Tortellini with Sausage & Tomato-Alfredo Sauce, Mixed Greens Salad

Fish Sandwiches, Coleslaw, French Fries

Southwestern Chicken Soup, Shrimp Fajitas

Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches, Waffle Fries, Mixed Greens Salad

Chicken & Asparagus Stir Fry over Rice

Homemade Cheese Cauliflower Soup, Turkey on Rye Sandwiches

 

Hopefully my knee will feel better and won't have to rely too heavily on the help Scott has already generously offered. It looks as though he has a busy week coming up as well.

I've just enjoyed the delightful experience of a hot stone massage...very, very nice. My one and only massage before today was a full body massage five years ago and that was also a beautiful thing. The full body massage was a more rigorous "kneading" of the muscles which led to a lovely sense of looseness and relaxation. I certainly recommend it! The hot rock massage differs in that most of the contact is not with hands but with smooth hot stones used with a lighter touch. The heat from the stones relaxes the muscles. I went in with a headache and achy, tight shoulders and legs...I left without any of that and a calm sense of wellness. Thanks, Rita at Imagine Salon and Day Spa in Glenwood, Illinois for a lovely hour in paradise!

I am going to go bask in my massage afterglow...