Time to feel loved...

I cannot count the blessings... there are far too many.
In a new city, holding friends and family all the closer to my heart.

Down for the week, a time to be taken care of.
Feels good to be the one in the middle of the circle.

A quiet week to heal and think and sleep.
Time, what a priceless gift.

Emerging slowly, carefully, I see the waves on the horizon.
Quietly, today, one more day in the sweet stillness... of love, peace and quiet.

With a grateful, rested heart, I will wake in the morning, tomorrow and every day.

1 John 3:11

For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

Comfort Zone

"If you put yourself in a position where you have to stretch outside your comfort zone, then you are forced to expand your consciousness."
Les Brown

I'm thinking about comfort zones today, before I get ready for nose surgery tomorrow. Remember when Maisie broke my nose?
Well, I am going to have a nose surgery to fix it. This is quite out of my comfort zone. I hate hospitals, needles, and feeling out of control. I have never been treated in a hospital, or had any sort of major medical incident in my entire life for that matter... knock on wood here. In other words- this is very new and rather scary. But- it's time I breath and sleep correctly again- so I will do what I need to do and will come out better for it.

The truth is- I hate hospitals. Every time I am there I am so riddled with anxiety, I count the seconds until I can run out. I typically don't speak of this because I feel it gives more power to a fear I am working on defeating. But today is the last day of this fear. I am going to get over this tomorrow.

It's time I expand my world to include hospitals and needles... expand trust to the professionals. ugh. I feel that I could puke at any given moment. This is all going to be worth it.

Heart Healthy Start to the Day...

May others see the Lord's strength in me- morning, noon and night.
Stay in my thoughts and actions so that I may shine bright.
Thank you, Lord for Your forgiving mercy.
Thank you, Lord for blessing me.

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless toward Him;"
2 Chronicles 16:9

Quiet Reflection

Warm July days bring precious afternoon hours to steal away from the ever-pressing, ever-growing to do list- to find instead- a deliberate quiet in the house.

Today as I sit clicking away at my keyboard, I notice the quiet all around me. The dogs lounging in the low-hanging shade of the dog run. And cats hidden in their prized closet cubbies. The summer air is heavy and warm and the breeze is frequent, cool and lovely.

Such a blessing to s l o w down for even one afternoon.
To think
To sit
To lounge
To appreciate
To reflect
To write.

I'm not sure if it's the joy of being reunited with my husband, or the comfort of a new home taking shape around us- but I know blessings have fallen like rain all around this season.
I will rest and sow these planted seeds, and
watch the new grow.

Mexico!

Well we are back in one piece from Puerto Morelos, Mexico. In review-
Arriving before most of the wedding party was great- Neil and I checked in no problem and enjoyed our afternoon settling in to the Dreams Rivera Cancun.
We enjoyed a private shrimp and fillet dinner on the beach just feet away from the surf! Now this is my kind of romance! Under the moonlight toasting wine and champagne - this was a honeymoon bliss!

Thursday was snorkel with whale sharks. They only surface two places in the world- southern Australia and Isla Mujeres. Lucky us - we swam with over 50 whale sharks. How amazing it was- these gentle giants- gliding effortlessly through blue waters. Unforgettable.

By Thursday evening friends had arrived and festivities began over fresh ceviche and mango tangos. Then to the hot tub and then to dinner where the wine kept coming! How did we manage to rack up such a huge bill at an all inclusive resort? We can't say no to good wine... and we didn't!

Friday was naps, beach walking, ocean swimming, and swing bar. One favorite quote at the swing bar by the 10 year old boy swinging away beside me.
"Bartender, I have been waiting all day to find someone who can help me out. What I need is- TWO SHOTS OF HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE SYRUP! Are you gonna help me out with that or not!?" With a grin the bartender obliged... it is Mexico after all. :)

Saturday was back to bliss in the Spa- massages, icey plunges and hydrotherapy. I am officially a spa girl after all that. Wedding was lovely in spite or pouring tropical storms. The tequila shots flowed and dinner was hilairous as story after story from Amar, Emeia, Neil, Ryan and Lora flowed along with more wine.

We made it safely and luckily home after 12 hours of traveling. Monday is back to reality and installing wood floors into the master closet. Paintings are ready and make the house feel a little more like a home. Little by little we are finding our stride here in our new city.

LIFE IS GOOD...AGAIN. :)

My friends and family have been asking me how I am doing this week and I say, "GOOD! I am great!" Because I am. I am out of the cloudy world that was me in Austin and Neil in San Antonio for 8 months. WE- my husband, my dogs, my cats and me- are all together again. Under a tin roof in a house with beautiful floors that's full of boxes... and all is right with the world again.

I am working with the CTWP doing instructional technology and it is lovely, fulfilling work. I am excited about starting school in the Fall. Despite my feeble attempts to keep visitors out of the house until I have put the house together... we have had so many visitors! Matt and Nichole, Zach, Brent, Shelly and Tucker, Alex and Brandon, Illy and Jeff, Missy and Kevin, Michele and Nolan, Debbie and Scott, and a few others, and our parents of course... have all already been to the "before" version of our new house. We've already had a cook-out! True to our style - we have jumped in life with no holds bar.

To date- we have found - a new cafe for casual date or lunches, a beautiful hill-side ride down Blanco, a market around the corner, and Lowes (of course I can not live without my second home ;) We found an out standing Thai food restaurant and have a few more recomendations on the list for future meals.

I miss my family and my friends terribly. But it will do me no good to dwell on that. For now, I have more than enough to keep me busy, happily busy.

Transformation

Oh what a weekend! My wonderful family and friends rallied to help us remove old carpet and outdated granite tile to install beautiful wood floors in the great room, dining area, master bedroom and halls. It was HARD work. From dust to chemicals to hauling and installing... I have a new appreciation for these floors and how they get here.

A huge thank you to family and friends for your invaluable support and helping hands as Neil and I transition into a new chapter of our lives.

I'm thinking quite a bit about transition and transformation these days. It's rather tough any way you toss it. Growing pains and exhaustion mixed with new routines and unfamiliar roads. I have said, "Moving will show you what your are made of." Thankfully, Neil and I are on the home stretch.

Today I will gather the last of our things for the movers arrival tomorrow. I can't wait to see my kitties and take them to their new home. It will be so great to have everyone together again. I'm tired... too tired to think of anything else original to say. Neil, I'll be there tomorrow with boxes and bells on. We're almost there.