Looking Forward

What's your light at the end of the tunnel?

Calling All Botanists!

Can you name this plant?

It looks and feels similar to an aloe vera plant but in a smaller, wider version.

It was discovered on an impromptu yet hilarious trip to Santa Cruz, CA yesterday. Copernicus was actually the first one to investigate the plant or ground cover or whatever it is because it was everywhere! He was in search of a place to go, if you know what I mean, and he was having a difficult time because California landscape is not what he's used to and change is not his forte.

So with all the business out of the way, we stopped for a few photo opportunities.

We were thrilled that we got to fit another hot spot into her vacation! But, we only had 15 minutes to be there and had to come back to catch her flight. So...

On the way back through the windy, curvy, hilly, oh-no-it's-nauseating trip, my eyes started watering. One eye started twitching. And, then, it was full blown allergic reaction.

My eyes swelled. My throat was tight. I felt like I was going to pass out.

After grabbing two Benadryl's and a shower, I started to stabilize. I am still feeling some after effects today but ....

I really need to know what the plant is. And, I promise, I won't touch it ever again! lol ;)

*** Just a quick update ***

My mom, a long-time Californian, let me in on what this disastrous plant is. It's called California Ice Plant and now I shall forever stay away from it. Thanks, Mom!

Just Who Will You Be?

I picked up the book on my latest trip to the library, surveyed how small it was and then began to assess whether or not it would be worth reading. Its mere 91 pages that were bound in a 4"x6" format weren't that impressive to me.

...but it was the title, not the author, that hooked me. And, so I borrowed it.

I immediately found myself connected with Maria Shriver, the author, when she described certain phases of life where she lost her identity. Driven, ambitious and full of energy to accomplish much in life, she defined herself in many ways that were similar to ways that I have defined myself in the past.

Her book was written based on, and includes, a speech she gave at a high school graduation that revolved around the question,

Just Who Will You Be?

The emphasis was on who not on what.

....and I find myself in that question. I find myself feeling stripped of identities that provided me with a full sense of myself. The question of who will I be is profoundly applicable.

I am no longer "busy" with

small children

or a career

or anything

that might appear to give me a title or a sense of purpose. And, in that regard, I think am a little lost.

This idea of who not what I will be has planted itself within me at a startling apropos time. Maybe its the springboard for my future?

Just Who Will I Be?

"I've finally learned after all these years that I don't need to define myself with a certain job or a certain name or a certain role in order to tell myself who I am. I've learned that all my roles are simply a part of me - but they're not all of me.

I've learned that by looking at myself apart from my roles - by softening and taking off some of the armor I put on as a child and wore my whole life - I can more clearly see and feel the people around me. Now that I'm not obsessed about whether I measure up to other people's expectations, I've found a new gentleness and kindness in myself, for myself and for others.

Just Who Will You Be

- Maria Shriver

Unbalanced

I bought the Wii Fit right before all the packing, moving and coastal craziness started. I was so excited because I love my Wii and I had heard nothing but great things about the new Wii Fit.

Well, things have finally settled down so I decided it was time to begin my new workout schedule.

Little did I know that as soon as I entered my height and weight and all of that great information, my Mii got lumpy and was given love handles. Oh! I guess that's really me ??

Ok, well...so I shook off that small insult and went through the balance game section that the system took me to.

OMG!!! How does it know that? Agghh...

But, regardless of the reality checks Nintendo provided me with, I'm still a fan. I love Wii Fit and am so glad I have it.

Wii, anyone?

Thoughtful Tuesday

"Not in the goals but in the transitions man is great."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Celebration!

The stadium wasn't what I expected at all!

... oh, this is a single A team and not a AAA team?

There wasn't much to eat.

... at least for me, the vegetarian.

I knew I was supposed to "watch out for the ball!!"

... and I was, but my rear end still became the target for said such ball??

Yes! It really did and I have quite a nice 'shiner' to show for it but thought I should spare you the visual scariness of proof. ;) lol Please accept this photo of the actual ball that hit me as solid proof as well as the testimony of Mr. Smart Guy who witnessed the event.

Ahh...but it was still a great celebration amidst those minor details. I hope yours was just as fabulous... but without a bruise on your rear end! ;)

God Bless the USA

We already know what will happen.

In just a few hours, we'll head out to enjoy our local AAA team's baseball game.

We will cheer our team on with lots of oohs and shouts! We'll eat lots and lots of food! We'll get to know the new players and guess at whether they'll be any good. Innings will pass.

...and hopefully, we will have won.

But as soon as the game ends, the fireworks display will begin. He'll take my hand and we'll sing. We'll sing loud and with all our hearts. We'll sing because we both believe in freedom and liberty. We 'll look at each other with thankful eyes that we have had the honor of defending those very things.

...and, like always, I will start to cry.

The fireworks display and blasting patriotic songs will stir up my patriotism. For it is truer than true, tears will spill down my cheeks as I sing along with a stadium full of people to Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA, and I will mean every word I sing!

...I will gladly stand up,

next to you

and defend her still today.

For there ain't no doubt,

I love this land....

God bless the USA!