Apology

Blogger has added a bunch of new fonts. Since I don't know how, nor do I have the technological equipment to truly customize my blog, I'm beyond thrilled with the additional choices.

I am a child of early typewriters. The unimaginative limitations has not completely vanished from my memory. Need I tell you how delighted I was, (was it really only the late 1980's/early 1990s?) when word processing actually offered some font choices? And don't even get me going on the back flips when color choices became available!!

With all of these available fonts for my blog, I'm not going to be able to help myself. I wasn't born with this red hair, and my styles have been everything from a spiky bob (late 80s), to super short (short enough it didn't really need to be combed) permed, bangs, long, medium, shagged (not Austin Powers shagged), and ruined. If I'd do that to my hair, well.... what do you expect with font choices?

So, I shall apologize in advance, for the Wal Mart tacky changes I will be making to this blog on a regular basis. I can tell you right now, I won't be able to resist.

2011 So Far

How great is this?
It is only January 17, and I've already learned new things in this new year.

As of January 1

quinoa flakes make a great morning hot cereal
add a little Almond Breeze
a banana
1 (or 2) tspn. of peanut butter
This is a holding power food
very yum




I've learned to love Zum soap.
Goat milk feeds my skin all silky good.
Currently using Lavender/Frankincense (confession: I had to look up the spelling of Frankincense)




prayer flags

I've seen them, but didn't realize their color meanings and purpose. Torn, not cut. I like that. Thank you, Cathy. You've been teaching me new things for 40+ years. Imagine what you'll teach me during the next 40!!



Weight Watchers DOES work - 5 lbs worth since Dec. 28
(yes, the quinoa hot cereal is on the diet)
I've even been allowed a couple of cheats on fudge and lasagna - not together



And, during the writing of this blog, I've reaffirmed my passionate love for Zappos.com. My first order for 2011: rainboots. I'm planning on attending the Tulare International Farm Show in February. The weather is notorious for raining during the outdoor event, creating sloshy walkways. I placed my order this morning about 9:30 am, and just received an email from Zappos that the boots will be here overnight!! I LOVE YOU ZAPPOS!!!




So, imagine what is yet to be learned this year of 2011, if already I've added the above to my repertoire (I didn't need to look up that spelling) of knowledge.

I think I'll keep adding to this list, as the year progresses.

Sensory Deprivation

Winter Doldrums

I need color

wildflowers splashing,
blue skies and blue waters,
yellows and oranges in the sky,
green, green, green.
oxygen




I need sound

waves crashing
wind humming
trees dancing



I need scents

clean air
organic forest floors
scattered seaweed

I need to feel

sandy feet
cushy redwood needles decomposing
redwood creatures in my hand, tickling
cool forest air, dewy, leftover morning mists
rays beating on my face, re-energizing my soul




My January hibernation is making me twitchy.
I'm feeling ready to kick off the grey blanket.
My soul is feeling suffocated, and needs to breathe.
Stretching arms
legs that need to jig
This burrow is getting small, restrictive.

I'll work harder at accepting the need for this time of quiet.
February will tease
March will open
April will deliver

Today's Name

In a previous post, I included a quote about naming each of your days. I've really held onto that thought, and since reading that quote, I've tried to make myself more conscious of my days. I wonder how many of my days would have been named "Mundane"? I remember a day that was named "Huh?"

Today's name would have been Time and Order.

Being on vacation with no big plans, it's given me time to work and complete tasks that I don't normally find time to accomplish. Oh, according to the clock and the 24 hours in a day, there certainly is time to tackle these organizational types of tasks. But, I just don't stretch myself much to find the time. Normally, I'm just working the day, then trying to regather enough energy to go back to work the next day.

Today, I got my pantry reorganized. Over zealous purchases of multiple cans of tomato paste, now outdated, tossed. Numerous opened bags of rice, compiled into one large bag. Canned products together, with closer dated cans at the front, 2012 dates at the back. Beans together - tomatoes together - hominy and diced chilis, just waiting for their call to Tortilla Soup duty. Grains are on the left, eye level shelf. I'm well stocked on quinoa and not ready to give up on the black rice. It stays. Baking ingredients are housed together now, with enough sugar to bake sugar cookies for all of Southwest's flights during month of January. Not sure when my obsession with buying sugar started.

Today was a double thrill. Time and order.

1-1-11

An open heart
A welcoming spirit
joy
dance
nourishment
wings
sunrise
lifting soul
breathe
refresh
respond
create



the journey continues

2011