Lady Gaga Even Has Crazy Fashion In My Dreams

A Humorously Mundane Moment Experienced Earlier Today:

Ahbuhbuhbuhbuhbuh....buhbuhbuhbuhBUHbuhbuhbuhbuhbuh....

There are a lot of sensory experiences that are pleasant to awake to--a fragrant breakfast cooking, a warm splash of sunlight filtering through the window, a soft "I love you" from a beloved voice...

...the "ahbuhbuhbuhbuhbuh"ing of my ill husband shivering himself awake at four in the morning is not one of those pleasant sensory experiences.

I had been building a porch with my college orchestra director, a coworker, and Lady Gaga when my shivering, shaking, and generally miserable husband woke me from what was quite possibly the strangest dream in history. About 45 minutes, three blankets, two medications, a phone call to Mom to make sure aforementioned medications wouldn't result in death, one imprisonment of the cat (who thought that this was the perfect time to play, wouldn't you?), and five Clorox bleach wipes to clean the bathroom (a side effect from the trapped cat, who thought that throwing litter everywhere was a fun alternative to playing) later, I laid back down next to my (now drugged-up and sleeping) husband and prepared to return to Dreamland and see how the porch was coming along.

And for the record, her fashion sense was just as out there in my dream.

-Cindy

wherescindynow.blogspot.com

did you know

that it’s not illegal in Ethiopia to rape a woman?It’s actually acceptable.
And if you rape someone they are yours to keep.

And if you report a rape then you are forced to marry your attacker.

As much as I love it here, I am so glad those aren’t the rules my life operates under

♥ Single Girl
you can follow my Ethiopian adventures here.

A walk in the park

As we drove home a few days ago, after Atlanta was becoming soggy under so much rain,  our car was filled with late afternoon sunlight. Surprising warm temperatures in the middle of our wet spell prompted a statement from the tiny voice in the backseat, “Maybe we can go to the park again soon.”

A hesitation on my part. The ongoing balance between the litany of things “to do” and the reminder that sometimes an impromptu visit to the park is a perfect addition to the day.  And the realization there will always be a litany of things to do. My response “Today seems like a great day to go” was received with a giant smile.

Sun pours between the trees as tiny feet race to the swings. As he only wants the “big kid” swings now, the set of bucket seats is ignored as he races by them. I remember those racing feet accompanied by racing heart when I was a kid. You know what comes next: Push me, Mommy!

And after several minutes he asks, “Do you want to swing too?”

I feel the pulse of the Blackberry ball and chain in my pocket. Just one more tool to remind me of tasks, emails, chores, upcoming appointments.

But yes, baby. I want to swing too.

Giggles are the primary soundtrack as we race to see who can go higher. Even when you have not sat on a swing in a long time, you never forget how to rise.  And for an unexpected detour, I embrace it.

And as my son laughs with his entire heart, he tries to mimic the moves as I rise higher.

I lift up.

Sunrays splashing through my arc.

I float through perfect air.

I remember how much I used to love this simple act.

And I remember the wonderment of freedom, freedom, freedom.

And yes, sometimes an impromptu walk in the park is a perfect addition to the day.  And I appreciate the reminder from my son that is a good idea for grown-ups to play on the swings once in awhile too. 

Have a great weekend. 

Driver Seat

At 35 years old, I am more comfortable in my skin then I have ever been in my entire life. I no longer need the validation from anyone to know that I am beautiful and smart. I wear what I want to wear, I no longer allow food to control my life, and I no longer hold malice and resentment in my heart. I feel free as bird to do as I please!

I made a decision about 3 months ago, to no longer depend on anyone else to make me happy. I have taken that responsibility back. I have made the decision to tell the people that I like, I like them, people who are toxic to beat it and people who inspire me thank you.

Sitting around dreaming about who I want to be is not enough anymore; I am now in the driver seat!

Are you driving, or still in the passenger seat?

Chantale Merchant

365 Lessons-Lesson 60: Those with Patience Persevere

I don't know why this word "patience" keeps popping up today. It popped up in an e-mail from my agent and it seemed to be the word I wanted to tell my husband's business partner when I stopped by the evening yoga class and saw only a few people in class. Kind of a let down after seeing the huge crowd of yogis and yoginis at the grand opening. After running two yoga schools in Korea for 5 years, I know that everything worthwhile in life takes patience.

The problem is that when things aren't going smoothly or at the speed we'd like them to, we give up. We think we need to change something. Things and people will take their own sweet time to change. You can't change situations or people, you don't have control over that. All you can do is give love continuously, through all the ups and downs, and see what happens.

We are always looking ahead to the next thing and often forget how far we've come in life. Today marks the day I have blogged for 60 days! It may not seem like much when you look at an entire year. When I try to imagine blogging for 365 days, It feels impossible. It feels like trying to scale Mt. Everest in one day or count grains of sand or something. The only way I can continue is to take each day as it comes. I don't even know what I'm going to write and sometimes I'm not sure I have anything interesting to say, but I keep at it.

So, today I celebrate the small victory of writing continuously for two months. I remember someone asking me, before I started my 365 days of writing, if I only blog or write when I'm inspired. I think I used to steer clear of the computer when I felt down or didn't have anything interesting to say. Now I just go to my keyboard and start typing. I have no idea what will come out, but it's all part of the process for me. Sometimes I feel so much enthusiasm, other times I feel down in the dumps and there are also times when I don't have much to say. This is life.

This is an experiment. It's my experiment and I have to remember that. I'm doing this for me so that I can remember the time when I wrote everyday for an entire year and what that was like. I am doing this because I believe those with patience persevere.

Anyone who has ever run a business knows that there are times when you can't believe how great business is going and times when you are sitting around twiddling your thumbs waiting for people and thinking in the back of your head, "How am I going to pay the rent?"

Anyone who's ever had children (I do not but I have learned quite a bit from my friends who do) knows that there are times of joy, love and awe when you look at these miraculous beings in front of you and there are times when you'd like to go to the store and return your children like you would a sweater (especially when they are screaming at the top of their lungs in a department store.) But you don't return your children because you are committed to them through the thick and thin of it. Children can be the greatest teachers because they make you feel the full spectrum of life, they test your patience and there is no guarantee that children will behave exactly as you'd like them to. You have to have patience with them.

How can we develop patience? I'm learning that I'm not so good at this part sometimes. I need to step back a bit and let things happen. All I can do is keep watering my intentions. The seeds have been planted and if I take care of these plants of mine, one day they will blossom. I am not going to throw in the towel at the slightest bump in the road. I will maneuver over and around the bumps, up the hills, down the hills, through the tunnels, through the dark clouds, hail, snow, thunder, and even sun. What else can I do but take each moment as it comes.

So, hurray for 60 days!..this is what I'm celebrating today in this moment. At least I had enough patience to make it this far. All I can do is keep breathing, keep putting one foot in front of another, keep loving and keep going no matter what life throws my way.

Leftover Day of The Week

A national day of leftovers, actually exists. Yes, it does, November 27. I Googled it, because inquiring minds (I), want to know!

What I really wanted to know if there is a designated leftover day of the week. And, there's not! So, I'm proposing Thursdays. I want it put on a registry of some sort. Yes, I'm for real! Why wouldn't I be?

I know you're wondering why Thursday, and not any other day. This is my reasoning in a nutshell:

Sunday's, being the first day of the week, and we traditionally cook a big meal.

Monday, we're not ready for Sunday's leftovers, we just ate that!

Tuesday, especially since I started Project What's For Dinner, I want to cook something new!

Wednesday, well it's Wednesday. I don't have another reason just... how about tomorrow.

Thursday, we've passed hump day, and about to go into the weekend. There's enough food from the week, for what my mother calls CCC, catch as catch can! It just seems right!

Friday or Saturday take your pick. Have either something quick and light, or takeout.

Having a real leftover day of the week, would really help me out. My family can be a little funny, when it comes to leftovers. They have the audacity to say every once in a while, they don't want it. Having a real day, I can say... "It's Thursday dammit, the national leftover day of the week. And we're eating leftovers!"

So, are you on board? Thursday! Thursday! Thursday!

Food for thought...

Angela Stokes has been a raw foodist for a long time now. What I like about her is that she took charge of her health and followed what was right for her. She looks radiant in every way possible.



Over the past 5 years, I have done a lot of reading about this lifestyle. I personally don't think a 100% raw food diet is for everyone...I know it's not for me, but it certainly has helped me to make positive changes in my daily diet. I now purchase less junk food and eat more whole foods.

Now with that being said...I have been slacking lately. I used to have green smoothies everyday. I am starting up again on Monday. I will be making my grocery list and dusting off my blender. Now that Spring is around the corner, I've been re-inspired.


All the best,
Marnie

http://www.whatsupwithred.blogspot.com