Yoga . . . All Week

I am giving myself a little test. I plan to take 5 yoga classes this week (as in 7 days). I may skip Wednesday since I'll do my hour-long walk with my good bud (sounds like something you buy in Ocean Beach) and walking companion, Sherri. I just found this new yoga studio called Ginseng and it is wonderful. Everyone practices in a huge yellow room. Most classes are an hour and 15 minutes. We'll see how I do. I have big expectations. Whenever I do yoga, as I leave the class, I am always thinking why don't I do this every day? It feels so great to stretch out all the cobwebs that make me tired and weak feeling. So, here goes. My personal challenge commences today at 5:00 with a class called Flow Yoga. I' m hoping to get in some back-bends like this here kitteh:

Saving a Life

Anyone who knows me knows I love animals so much. I love them all: from rats to rabbits to cats to dogs and horses, possums, cows, birds, even snakes. I recently pounced upon this Etsy shop - Karen Foster Art - that creates cards benefitting the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society and AWBAR - Abandoned Wild Babies Animal Rescue. Her Etsy shop can be found here. I loved the quote on this card she designed (which I just bought!). In the spirit of something my friend Lori's Dad told her, "Honey, you can't suckle the whole world," this quote is a good reality check. We can't save everyone and everything, but saving one makes a huge difference to that ONE. Miss Kate is a rescue, as is the often-photographed Miss Tallulah Mae. We do what we can.

It also cannot be ignored that my earlier-mentioned friend Lori shares her heart and home with I believe she is up to SEVEN, count'em, SEVEN cats and dogs -- all rescues. Love that woman!

The Little Castle Gets a Mural

Last week, James and I went over to Mom and Dad's to herald the installation of a new mural! They sometimes call their home the Little Castle (I love this name), and so here we have pictures of the latest addition on the landing of the Castle's stairway to the second floor. The mural was painted on canvas by Chelsea McGraw, then affixed to the wall - you can see more of her work here.

Here's Chelsea, the artist, overseeing the installation:













Here's a close-up of the adorable bun-buns on the stairs.













And, of course Mary served up something delectable - a wonderful lunch of homemade split pea soup for hungry onlookers and workers alike!

Ahh, Emily

"Hope is the thing with feathers -- that perches in the soul -- and sings the tune without the words -- and never stops -- at all --" (Emily Dickinson)

Dearest Boy O' Mine

Just thinking of my boy, Oreo, today. What a handsome boy he was. So regal. What was he thinking? Maybe, "Mom, you're always staring at me ... but then I'm always staring at you." It was definitely a Mutual Admiration Society. :-)

Mid-Century Makeover

Had a fun night at the Pearl Hotel in Point Loma on Saturday. It used to be the Sportsman's Lodge and from what we hear it was more of an "hourly" hotel, complete with visits from the cops. Now, it's all cleaned up to show off the great mid-century design, complete with a pool with big beach balls floating in it, and a movie screen outside - playing original episodes of Get Smart! Loved that show! Right now they're also showing movies every Weds. night! We're probably going to go see Dr. No in March. The wine list is extensive (had a delicious Argentinian Malbec) and the food was great. They even had an organic vegetable plate on the menu. Cool, huh? James and I are sure to go back hopefully with some friends in tow! And check out the cool, free link which is on their web site to Groove 24/7 which plays tunes like those played at the Pearl. Fun . . .

My Trusty Assistant

With Oreo off in spirit kitty land, Kate is watching his former post as office assistant. Actually, Oreo was the HR Director, so Kate will have to work her way up. Here she is guarding the laser printer, laying on her Carter's just one year flannel baby blankie. Oh my. Let's hope nothing needs printing any time soon. She said something about being out of toner, gotta order some from office supply, and zz-zzzzzz-zzzzzzzzzz, snore, zzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Kate Crunches Wheatgrass

Hm? What do we have here? Tabby cat Kate investigates the rose and wheat grass arrangement.













She goes in for the crunch. "I think I'll have a bite," she says, crunching, crunching, crunching with her back teeth.













Satisfied after her snack, she enjoys her view out the window.

Felines and Canines from F-L-A

Mr. Puff, who I guess is from Persia, had a new fancy designer haircut last time I was there. Check it out! He's telling us all about it in this picture. What a little lion!













And here's Bella, ready to get some face time with you. This dog likes to be close!













And I saved the biggest for last! Harley Man - really just called Man. Not even "the" Man, just Man, because that's who he is. Man is also epileptic. The day I left FL, Man pulled an all-day shimmy-shake with about 8 seizures. But he pulls through with the trusty assistance of his Dad who gives him all the right pills at the right intervals. Just look into his eyes - the dark, crazy pools of love.

Jaws of Love

My niece's bulldog, Chloe, is a little, slow-moving (unless running to dinner!) latte-colored love ball. Her sister, Bella, pictured in an earlier post with Chloe, is an energy ball! Chloe is seen here nuzzled into the comforter on her mommy's bed. She has this adorable little slow blink that she does as she looks at you. And I can't even describe all the little sounds (grunts!) that they both make. They're like little muscular, wrinkled, baby bundles.













Chloe is also good friends with Mr. Puff, her Persian kitty brother. Here they are out by the pool enjoying the sun.

A Very Mary Christmas

My in-laws have the warmest, most welcoming home, and my mother-in-law, Mary, once again shines bright by creating a Christmas wonderland. Even though it's 2008, I wanted to post these pictures because they are so great - it gives me a renewed, however late (or early?), sense of Christmas spirit. She and Dad create this vacuum of love when visitors come to call. There are sweet treats, hot teas, and perfect snacks to make your visit all the more satisfying. During the holidays though, it's even more special because the little castle is all buffed up with holiday decor. I took these photos a few days after Christmas, so there's an obvious absence of presents under the tree. But you can certainly get the idea . . . First, the picture above of the mantel (topped by a beautiful embroidered "painting" by Mary of a village of houses with paths leading to each door). The next one is the entryway when you walk in the front door. I love the Durer bunny.













These stockings Mary created many years ago when James and Fred were young. The one that says Jamie at the top in pink and green is hubby James'. How cute is that? There were others for Marty and Paul, also great, but I didn't get shots of those.










































This next picture is a shelf on the china cabinet upstairs. And if my $450 camera could take a picture that wasn't blurry, I'd have a great shot of that. However, I won't make you squint at the shot I did get. Last there are the resident bears outside in the garden, all decked out with Christmas ribbons. So very Mary.

One Foot in Front of the Other

I am inspired by this post about 'Easing Into It' by my friend Sherri at Foziewisp. And as we sipped non-fat (because it makes the best foam) Chai tea lattes yesterday, we talked about this concept. We humans can be so hard on ourselves. We expect super-human results sometimes, and all that expecting can just stymie a person. Me, for sure. As an avid dreamer, sometimes I get so tangled in my dreams and goals that I trip and fall over them and get nothing done at all! And what causes more agida than stillness, when all you want to do is move forward and do all these things whirling through your head!? It's crazy-making. A slower approach is the answer. Taking a step and savoring the job well done. A little thing done well and complete is a wonderful thing and bound to lead to more of the same.
Something I'm happy about: yesterday I made lots of progress on the 'big garage clean out of 2008' and did a bazillion loads of laundry which had piled up while I was in Florida.
Something I want to do: knock off the saying of the guilt-drenched word "should" - also inspired by Ms. Foziewisp. The word simply has to go!

A New Year Begins

Most year-ends happen slowly enough to give you a sec to think about the year's events as you weigh your big hopes for the coming year. This year was a crazy whirlwind as I traveled between Fort Myers and San Diego making lots of big decisions; probably weightier than any I'd made for myself all year. Quite an experience, chock full of lessons and moments that kind of stopped me in my tracks. As a result of my travels, I was left with a stronger feeling that it all boils down to a few simple things: family and friends and the love you share with these folks. And ironically, these things can be quite economical and available in abundant supply with the right mindset. If I have any resolution for the coming year it is to live, laugh, and love more. And, well, maybe some crunches? :-)
Here are a few pictures from Florida. First, my sis-in-law, Sheri, at the top of the stairs at the Bubble Room - a restaurant that we go to as a bit of a family tradition. Although the food didn't wow us as much this time, it was still nice to be there all together.












Next, the herd of Paparella dogs, all with underslung jaws. First is Chloe (a.k.a. Chlo-bee or Chlo-bee-wan-kanobi) on the right, and Bella (a.k.a. Bells or Belly) on the left. The boxer is my brother's son, Harley! Harley is pure LOVE. Words cannot describe the enormity of this dog's personality.


























Last, but not least, I leave you with Buddy - the cockatiel I met at the airport during my 3.5 hour layover as I flew back to San Diego on Christmas Eve.