June 6th, 2012

I am such a BAD Blogger!!!
Seriously!
Here, let me explain.


A little OVER A MONTH AGO(!), Pat (A View from the Edge) had a contest.
Well, i entered my guesstimate, and...
I WON!  I was totally shocked!


The prize for winning was a gift certificate to Amazon.  Well, let me tell you, i am ALL ABOUT books!  I've bought more books in the past few years than i've bought in my entire life!  Growing up, we didn't buy books.  Too much money for a household of 4 kids with a teacher & a secretary for parents.  We always went to the Library.  Thank goodness for public libraries!!  
But in the past few years, if i want a book, I GET IT!  =-)


When i won Pat's contest, i eagerly went to Amazon and bought a couple of books on Ayurveda.
What. You haven't heard of Ayurveda?!  It's *only* the world's oldest medicine/science/health-lifestyle.


Here are a few links if you're curious:
Deepak Chopra's site 
An excellent book on Ayurveda (including recipes)  
Another good book on Ayurveda  by the leading Ayurvedic doctor, Vasant Lad
Wikipedia's explanation on Ayurveda  
The University of Maryland's site about Ayurveda  




That should give you something to do for awhile.  {evil grin}


Anyway...
Thank you so much, Pat, for the contest, and for the gift certificate!!!
I've REALLY enjoyed my books!




I hope you're having a Wonderful Day!!!
Love and Light -
Wendy

June 5th, 2012

So... Yesterday.


I am now OFFICIALLY a Registered Yoga Teacher!!!  =-)


I took the 200-hour course at Gotta Yoga in Charlotte.  It was Quite a Ride, too.  =-)  Lots of Yoga; lots of emotions; lots of "stuff".  


And i learned some very valuable lessons.
I think the most valuable lesson i learned is that "Girls are Okay!"
I've never had a "group of girlfriends" that i hung out with.  I've never had a special "best friend", other than Boyfriend, but i'm talking about Girls!
Oh, don't get me totally wrong; my daughters are my Best Friends,
and my Sister has ALWAYS been my Best Friend.
But they kinda "hafta" love me.  =-)


I'm talking about someone who started out as a stranger, but ended up as a "Girlfriend" or a "Bestie".
So imagine my delight and surprise when i discovered this group of ladies of all ages who didn't whine about everything,  didn't bitch about little things, didn't talk about each other behind each others' backs, and didn't get moody!  I LOVED IT!!  =-)  It gave me a renewed faith in "Female-kind".  =-)


Anyway...
I had the privilege of auditioning for my Yoga Studio this past Thursday.  =-)
And i did just fine.  =-)
I've been offered a position there!!!
Right now, i'm "merely" on the Sub list, 
but come the Fall, they'll probably offer me a Regular class!  And i'm SO tickled!  =-)




On the HomeFront:
The Landscape Dude is in the back yard right now, hammering and making all kinds of noises as he and his lone helper bust up all the concrete back there.  It's an area of about 14'x26'!  And they're just using one sledge hammer!  I offered them mine so they could each bust the concrete, but he told me it's okay...  Whatever, Dude!  It's gonna be slooow going for ya, but whatever.  =-)




I hope you're having a WONDERFUL Day today!  
(You'd better be; this is the only June 5th, 2012 that you're gonna get!) 

Here's a little "Relaxation Inspiration" for ya!

photo by Boyfriend @ Long Key, FL

June 2011

=-)

June 4th, 2012

Whooh!  What a weekend.
Boyfriend and i went to Beaufort (SC) to see my Mom.
It's been awhile since i was there last...
And once again, i was rudely reminded why that is.


We don't really like her husband.
He is so opinionated!  And he's never wrong.  And even when you try to agree with him, YOU'RE STILL WRONG!
It's a bit like the Harley saying, "If i have to explain it, you won't understand!"
If you haven't been with this man, there really isn't a way for me to explain and describe how and why he is SO difficult to try to get along with!!!


I try to bring my Yoga "off the mat", as they say.
I TRY to overlook his habits...
I try to remind myself that, inside he's just a hurt little boy...
I try to ignore the "bad", and only look at the "good"...


But DAMN!!!  
When i went there at X'mas and New Year's to take care of them from their hospital stays, it was so rough.  And when i finally came back home, i told Boyfriend that i felt as if i'd been physically and mentally abused! 
This time isn't quite that bad (and i assume that's because i didn't stay as long), but it's still... such an ORDEAL!  
And it makes me not want to go back.


I know that's awful of me!
So many people simply WISH they could visit their Moms for just ONE HOUR, but they can't because their Moms have already passed away.
And if you are one of those people, and my incessant *whining* is bugging the hell out of you?
I sincerely apologize!




Okay!
My day today was good!  =-)
I think I'll wait 'til tomorrow to tell you about it.






I hope you're having a Lovely Day!!!
=-)

May 30th, '12

Boyfriend and i are busy with plans for the backyard.
He's decided he really wants to do some "re-work" back there.


So i've been moving dirt and plants from that area, 'cause it's gonna be totally changed!


Also
Last Tuesday (the day after Memorial Day) was a kinda busy day for me.
First, i transplanted a bunch of my irises; some into the front yard, not far from the front door; some to the back left corner, by the fence.  [Weekend before  last, Boyfriend and i moved 3 Clematis plants, and about 15 Asiatic Lilies.  We put them in the "new" area up against the fence.  They already look great!  =-)  (I was so afraid that moving the Lilies would kill them, but they actually survived!)]


I also did some sewing.  My little sister, Z, brought a friend, Nikki, over on Sunday evening (May 27th) and asked me if i could fix a couple of Nikki's dresses.
Huh?  I haven't seen Z since the day before Daddy left, and all of a sudden she zips in and wants me to do something for her friend...
Okay.  Whatever.  (At least she knows i'm here for her.)


Anyway, i did a repair on one dress (sewed elastic back in around the top), and "tightened up" the straps on another dress.  It was kinda funny because, with Monday being a holiday, i kept thinking that Monday was actually Sunday, so Tuesday kept feeling like Monday to me!  Nikki "needed" one of those dresses on Tuesday 'cause she was going on a date, so when it suddenly struck me that morning that, "Oh Crap! It's TUESDAY!!!", i had to jump-on-it!
Whatever.  It got me goin', anyway.  =-)
While i was at my sewing machine, i also repaired Bunny's purse that's been sitting there for a few MONTHS waiting for me to fix it.
And i "darned" the hole in my jeans that's been slowly getting bigger.


So THAT felt good!  To get all that stuff accomplished, and to be in front of my  sewing machine again.  It made me feel like "the Old Me".  =-)


I also made supper!  Boyfriend & i went on the Atkins diet in March of 2011, and have been on it since then, and something about it...  I dunno.  I just have been on a downward spiral about getting in the kitchen and actually cooking.


And now?  Now we're switching from Atkins to Ayurveda.
What?  You've never heard of Ayurveda?  It's merely the oldest medicine there is. It's a holistic way of living that's over 5,000 years old, and it's from India.  Deepak Chopra has a site about it.  And this is an AWESOME book about it, including recipes!
Anyway, i diverge...  I've been reading about Ayurveda, and trying to memorize my "Allowed" and "Not Allowed" foods, AND Boyfriend's "Allowed" & "Not Allowed" foods, and so i'm having a difficult time with trying to figure out WHAT to cook!
But Tuesday, i cooked!  And it felt GOOD.  
Again, feeling more like "the Old Me".  =-)


It was a good day!
I hope you're having a good day, too!


=-)

What A Journey!

I apologize for not posting in such a long time, but...
Well?  Honestly?

I've discovered that FaceBook is a Vortex-Black Hole!

I'll get on my computer to write a post, 

or to look at some blogs,

or to write something on Word,

or whatever...

And next thing i know,

it's TWO HOURS LATER!

And i've accomplished NOTHING!

Except i've been "entertained" on FaceBook!

I haven't done the laundry;

i haven't done the ironing;

i haven't done the dishes;

i haven't even made the bed yet!

But i've "caught up" with all my friends on FB, buddy!

So i may try to do an "Intervention" on myself.  

I'm gonna try a little "rehab" for awhile.  =-)

Ha ha.

...

Anyway!

I came on here today to give you an update!

I'm SO EXCITED!!!

On Sunday, May 20th, 2012, 

I GRADUATED FROM 

YOGA TEACHER TRAINING!!!

I graduated with a certificate for 200-hour Vinyasa Flow Yoga.

Now i've sent in my certificate (a copy) and money to Register with Yoga Alliance, so soon (2 - 3 weeks?) i'll be a

Registered Yoga Teacher!

and i can put the initials RYT behind my name (for at least 3 years).  =-)

Not really sure if i should post this picture, but...

It's mine, and i'm in it, and i'm SO PROUD of it!!!  

My Graduating Class (& my 2 Teachers!)

(I'm the 3rd from the left in the back)

It was *quite* a Journey!

I learned so much about Myself.

I learned so much about People.

I learned so much about Yoga.

I learned SO MUCH!

It was an AWESOME Experience!  =-)

...and now i'd best go make the bed.

AND fix supper!

Namaste, ya'll!!!   =-)

I Just Don't *Feel* Like It...

I *want* to post a blog at least once a week...


I just don't *feel* like it.




I *want* to go paint in my room...


I just don't *feel* like it.




I *want* to go hang out with friends...


I just don't *feel* like it.




I *want* to go for a walk out in this gorgeous weather...


I just don't *feel* like it.




I *want* to go sew something...


I just don't *feel* like it.




...i've been down in the dumps for a couple of weeks.  Sorry i haven't posted anything lately.  I *want* to...  I just can't muster up the motivation.   


Hopefully i'll start "feeling like it" again soon.


I hope your part of the World is going good.
=-)

Happy Birthday

Today is Boyfriend's birthday.


I always call him "Boyfriend" on here, but that's just because of the 'anonymity'  thing 'we' all try to maintain on blogs.


In actuality, i've been married to this *very* wonderful man for over 28 years!


It's kinda hard to believe that someone could love me as completely and as forgiving-ly  as this man has... AND for more than TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS!!!!!


That's really hard to believe.


But even harder to believe is how MUCH he loves me.
How much he SHOWS me he loves me.
How, after all these years, he's still excited to see me.
...and i don't just mean when i'm naked.
...though, after ALL these years, i'm NOT as young and "nubile" as i once was, and yet... he's STILL excited to see me... even though my skin is starting to sag... and my hair is *definitely* getting grey... and my "girls" are definitely NOT what they once were... and allllllll the aging i've been doing lately...


...wow...
i'm starting to depress myself now...




But my point was!  He's STILL EXCITED!
And i am SO THANKFUL!!!


Thank you, Herman, for being in my life.
Thank you for staying with me through it alllll.
Thank you for loving me.  For putting up with my shit.  For "overlooking" sooooo much.  For being patient.  For adapting.  For listening... ESPECIALLY for listening when i don't/won't talk!!!


I cannot thank you enough for all the things you do, and for the person you are, and for the ways you love me.
I do NOT know what i would do if something happened to you!


And i hope i don't find out.
I would curl up into a tight little ball and cry myself to sleep for a looong time.  






Happy Birthday to the Man who may not be Perfect
but who's Perfect FOR ME!!!

August, 1983

March, 2011

(Herman's B'day @ Chima's)

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!

...and here's to 28 MORE!!!  (*IF* you can take it!)  

=-)

If Not Now... When?

(photo by Bunny)

"Everything changed the day she figured out there was exactly enough time for the important things in her life."


- Brian Andreas




I hope your week is lovely.
=-)

...Awful...

So i've been awful...
An awful Blogger, anyway.


It's not my intention!  Honest.  
But if there isn't much going on in my life, other than the typical "same ol', same ol'"...
Well...
Then i just can't force myself to blog anything.


I always feel like i can't make a blog post if i don't have any news...
or some new project i'm working on...
or something going on that "bears telling".


I'm slowly working on some embroidery on a bluejean jacket...  Still.  =-)
I'm also slowly doodling and what-not on an "altered" book.  I've been doing "something" with this book for, what, like 3 years now? 
Not 3 years steadily, though!  Like 10 minutes one day here, and then 12 minutes one day like 6 months from now.  It sits around a lot.


But that's how i "work".


But i AM working on getting my Yoga Teacher Training!  =-)
And it's KICKIN' MY ASS!!!
The first weekend, i was on my period, so i came home absolutely *exhausted* each day (it's fri, sat & sun).
But then, the second weekend, i wasn't on, so it went better.
Then this past weekend, i was on it again, so i'm *still* tired/not right.
But i'm hoping tomorrow is better... motivation-wise, anyway.  =-)




...oh.  Oh yeah.
I have some sad news to share...
Kitty will be moving out soon.
She wants to move out soon with her boyfriend.  Like, maybe next month.


I
Am 
Totally
NOT
Ready
For
This!
!
!


But i know it's just the natural progression of things as they should be.
She's growing up.
I'm happy that she has the confidence to move out.
I'm happy that she has the courage.


But now...?
Now i'll be...


Alone.


I know Boyfriend is still here!  I'm not saying that!
But he's usually at work, and i'm usually here...
By myself.
Just me and the dog.
And she's usually 


asleep.






But i'll be fine.
I know i will.


I just need some time to digest this.




I'll be back.
I don't know when!
But i'll BE BACK!!!


=-)

...I'm Terrible, I Know. Sorry.

I apologize for it being such a looong time since i last posted.
It's not that i don't think about posting.  I do!
It's just that i don't always have much of anything to post about.
I just go about my days, doing my "usual" things, and i don't think you want to read the same things, week after week...


Or maybe i'm wrong.
You know, all of those "reality" shows are so popular now, and most of them are about all the day-to-day and stupid things that folk do.
So maybe i have the wrong attitude about it all.  =-)


Anyway, my Dad is still coming over every weekday for his Yoga class from me. =-)  I'm so thrilled that he's doing Yoga!  


And he's noticing improvements!!!
That's the really important and wonderful thing!  (in case you couldn't figure that one out for yourself)  =-)


Anyway, he comes over every weekday.  We used to do his "class" after my  own morning Yoga class, but we decided to change it.
It was kinda an out-of-sorts time when we were doing his Yoga at lunchtime.  So yesterday (Monday), we started doing his Yoga at 7:45am.
It's working out much better.  =-)




...and speaking of Yoga...
My Yoga Teacher Training starts THIS Friday!!!
I'm excited, but i'm also nervous.  When i told my teacher that i was also nervous, she just didn't understand *why* i would be nervous...
Seriously?!
I worry about so many things.
Of course i would be worried about this too.


But i'm gonna do it, regardless of my worries or fears.
I *am* looking forward to it.


I'll try to keep you posted.
(... but hopefully it w


Wish me luck!


=-)