It was HBD (!!)

I had a really nice birthday.

Run felt very hard since it's been a minute, but always feels great when I finish. Got the run in this week before temps climb again.

Lunch was fun with my son -- 2nd year in a row lunching with him on my birthday. Found a street spot, parallel parked -- that felt accomplished. Ceviche for lunch.

Atlanta is super high tech -- driverless cars and delivery robots. Still shocking to see. They were everywhere.

Finished my first watercolor painting for the picture wall. That's on my 26 for 2026 list. Also filled a few more picture frames. 

Not exactly a masterpiece, but it's whimsy and I like it. Here are a couple of other filled frames.

Picture from a children's book.

Pressed flower card from my friend.

I had a few birthday calls too. 

The scheduled call with an old friend was interesting. We've been friends for about 27 years. Had SO much in common. We were so often on the same wave length even not living near each other for well over half of our friendship. 

What's interesting to me is talking to her shows me how much I've changed in the last 6 or 7 years. She doubled down on the same trajectory and I took a left turn. This is probably a little judgmental of me, but it seems like she hasn't grown. Lots of diet and body image talk. Lots of brag-book chatter with rose colored reporting. Outdated thinking. 

It's been this way for a while and yesterday's conversation hit home how different we've become. Believe me or not, it's less about judging her, than being grateful I made changes. It's a feeling like THAT could be me and I'm glad it's not. I could have continued to grow those things, but instead I planted something different. 

What a relief to be over body image and diet crap. What a relief to not feel like I have to peacock to show my worth before I could ever admit anything vulnerable. What a relief that I don't need to give subtle jabs to cover for what I really want. What a relief to update my thinking and evolve with new ideas. 

We are still close friends who've shared a lot of life. I wonder what's in store for us in the future. It was kind of a cool revelation on my birthday. A reminder to keep building WHAT I want and WHO I want to be ... keep going. It makes a difference. 

Hubby got home in time to tuck me into bed.

Lovely birthday. I felt the love and friendship and really felt seen by the people in my life. Couldn't ask for more. Also, a few little accomplishments scattered in and that felt like the right foot to begin this next year. 

From my garden. Little flowers
around the center -- incredible. 

I have my Friday morning coffee and then I invited the group to try the new Lebanese cafe for lunch. 5 or 6 of us going -- it'll be a fun morning.

Have a happy Friday too. Later gators. 

HBD to Me

Starting another year and I'm grateful. 

What's on the birthday agenda?

Outside run -- I try to do an outside run every birthday. I'm a bit stiff and cranky in my joints right now, but I'll give it a go. I'm not sure why I do a run, but it's tradition. I suppose there will come a year I can't run anymore so I'll enjoy it while I can. Hah -- might be this year, my hip is giving me grief. Always aches and pains. 

Midtown Atlanta with my son. He's working in the office today and invited me for lunch.

Birthday call with a good friend -- her birthday is Monday and we do a call every year at the end of June. She was available today so we scheduled it on my actual birthday. 

Maybe little spatterings of fun in-between things. Or some quiet time. Or watercolor painting. 

I registered for a club hike for next week. It's been a long time since I've hiked with the group. I'm ready to focus on getting back to it for longer hikes. This one is a fast 10 miler with elevation and a picnic after -- should be fun. It's a trail I know well so a good one to get back on the horse.

I made another cucumber chopped salad -- I guess this is my summer repeat while the cucumbers are producing. It's so good, but a lot of fiber. Nighttime gets a bit windy lol.

Look at this GF bread from Trader Joe's -- it's always wonky. This one looks like a tooth. Why, Trader Joe's?!? Never a square slice. 

New thrifted rug. It's handmade and really fun colors. Couldn't find a place for it, but I'm happy to add some color to the workout room.

Breakfast with my friend was really nice. She was up against babysitting so had to change the time -- I guessed as much. She bought me little vases from Montana and made a pressed flower jar. Very kind and perfectly me. We had a nice catch up and a good conversation.

I should have time for a birthday meditation today after all. I've been reflecting and reviewing the year -- more on this soon. It's kind of a return to basics for the year ahead. I've been playing around with new things and having fun with it, but somehow stepped a few too many steps away from my base. Time to strengthen it again.

Stronger and lighter -- this year's motto. I'll try it on and if it doesn't fit after a few months, one of the classics will come back (choose the bigger life, keep going, walk until the day becomes interesting). 

More on this later too. 

I also want to do a post about summer books. I've been lazy about book talk. Stay tuned.

Lots of "more later " --  mornings have been a bit rushed and I haven't had as much time to do the more thoughtful chats. That's a little part of that base I want to get back to -- slower rolling mornings to have more time with my morning routine which really sets me up for a good day.

On that note, have a good day. Later gators.

Eeek, A Birthday Mood

I'm in a bit of an ungrateful mood this morning. I know it's sort of my fault and I know it's JUST a temporary mood. 

The week seems to have gotten away from me. Where did my downtime, reset, reflection time go?

I have a lot of birthday plans this week and I'm very grateful to have so many people in my life who want to celebrate my birthday -- I feel this and it feels good. 

Here's the mood ...

I said yes to some changes that are making the quiet bits difficult. I didn't feel like I could say no since these plans are people celebrating with me. If I had all the facts (so to speak) before I originally said yes, I would've made different decisions. 

Then the add-ons of normal life interrupting. Duke threw up 3 times again this morning. Hubby called me at 5:30 because he's in the UK and "knew I'd be up." 

I'm trying to have a bit of a morning before breakfast with my cancel friend that WAS a lunch and got shifted. Now I have a very rushed morning and the long birthday meditation is out the window -- no time the rest of the week. 

Could I change some of my plans until afternoon? 

Not really.

Can't garden in the heat of the day because it stresses the plants.

Meditation in the afternoon doesn't hit the same for me.

Workout, dog walk -- all need to be early. 

Even if I can change some things around ... I don't want to and that's what's frustrating me. 

I don't want to!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Said with a total tantrum vibe.)

My friend shifted lunch to breakfast to accommodate HER schedule and in the process MY schedule got messed up this morning. 

And I agreed to it. 

And it will be fine.

And I'll have a nice time.

But ... ugh.

Guess I'm more frustrated with myself. I don't mind a full, energetic day at all, but I LOVE slow roll mornings with my routine and quiet evenings. I thought I had that protected this week. I have some soul searching to figure out how to do this better or shift my perspective. 

In other news ...

I did a practice watercolor picture ahead of a larger one for a wall frame in my bedroom. It's okay (not that the bigger one will be a masterpiece hah). That's why it's a practice on a small sheet. The plan is a bunch of little birds all over 9x12 with music notes floating around. 

Color isn't quite right. I'll add different shaped birds too. I wanted to start the bigger picture yesterday but my plans changed and I ran out of time.

Painting is the one thing that I can easily do anytime. I usually prefer afternoons so maybe today. Watercolor is at least a 2 day process so it can dry. 

Okay, that's all for today. I have to get going for a quick garden time, workout, and dog walk. I'm trying to change up this mood and bring in a different perspective. Wish me luck. Later gators. 

HBD Week

Birthday week continues ...

I started the scent flight from Ode to Perfume. Did I talk about this? 

5 samples selected based on a questionnaire. Video explaining why each was chosen and instructions on how to experience them.

First -- spray the card, wave it, wait, smell. 

I did this with all 5 and put them in order that I liked them. Made notes on the back. I really liked 3/5.

Now I'm trying them -- favorite to least favorite to see how they do on my skin. 

My favorite on paper was AWFUL on me. I had to wash it off before bed. Totally different scent experience. I sprayed #2 on this morning and it's not as bad, but I don't like it enough to wear it out in the world. This is not boding well to find a scent I'll wear. 

I'm shocked, but now I understand my mistakes buying perfume. I can't believe how different they smell on me after a bit of time on my skin.

Duke hid after I sat down.
Don't think he liked it either.

This is very unscientific, but I think I have particular skin. A number of lipsticks turn a bright shade of pink after about an hour on my lips. I have to wear brown based lip color or put a base on my lips -- and even that can change if it's not enough of a brown base. 

I think perfume does the same -- a little presto change-o. Maybe this happens to everyone?!? I'm only wearing the perfume in the morning (before my shower) or when I change into pjs. I don't want to scent my clothes if I'm not going to like the perfume. 

A couple of plant things ....

Saw this beauty on a morning walk with Duke. 

Pretty shape, pretty color.

Looks like a phyllo pastry with slightly burned edges.

Thai basil is such a beautiful plant. Easy to forget it's a delicious herb too.

HBD lunch was really nice. We had a particular lively conversation. Had to call it at 2 hours because of parking limits in the town. I think they do themselves a disservice. I planned to stop in the vintage store before I left, but no time before we'd get ticketed.

Chatted with a good friend for another couple of hours when I got home. Also, lively, fun conversation.

Today is the only non lunch-out day this week. Volunteering for the local road cleanup again. Two hours walking the road -- weather is much cooler this morning so it should be nice. I enjoy spending time with this group of ladies.

Also chores! Watering my indoor plants -- such an effort in this house. I'm going to try and get some watered before I leave this morning. I saved a couple of good podcasts for the plant care today. Distract my way through it works the best. A few other little things too.

Picking up my grandson from school and back to his new house for the afternoon. Then the evening is mine. I finished a book yesterday -- "Woman on the Ledge." Fun, quick suspense. Twists, but not super believable. Library book so worth the read. 

Oh, and I watched this movie. The book was even better, but this was still so good (maybe because I also read the book). Cried at the end. This is one of the reasons I like alone time -- would never have cried if people were around (it's a me-thing), but it feels really good to cry at a movie. Cathartic, but no lingering emotions. 

I had a full day and it felt good. I made a cucumber and bean salad with all the garden things -- chopped my heart out. Baked banana bread for my grandson. It was a little bit of everything yesterday. Even though today is more obligation based, I want to find that same intention. 

Hope you also have a well intentioned day. Later gators -- I'm off to water plants. The good news is the level of dread is equal and opposite to the delight I feel when it's finished. I'll be positively skipping by this afternoon hah! 

Better(!!)

Quite a bit better. 

AND, the universe WAS all up in my business yesterday. Power went out 4 times while I was riding the Peloton and the internet went down for about 15 minutes. I powered on and eventually finished the workout. Duke threw up in 7 places on my new bedroom carpet during the never-ending workout attempts. Used every last drop of the carpet cleaner AND it's no longer available for delivery.

Yep, I declared EASE and UNBOTHERED and the universe is showing up to help me practice. Maybe I should retract that declaration.

But ... I did my sheets anyway. Hubby worked around it. I waited to help the kids until I tamed the garden a bit. Passed out a big bag of veggies to a neighbor (always my delight). THEN spent the rest of the day packing, cleaning, moving. 

Hubby and I tried a new bakery that opened 2 blocks from the house. Turkish treats and coffee. Family run to help an autistic son who has a passion for coffee. Lovely people and story behind the cafe. My neighbor gave me the heads up it FINALLY opened. I love that our neighbors are community minded -- all part of being a good neighbor. I passed the info along and am going with friends on Friday. 

Gave Turkish coffee a go
even with the caffeine hit.
Hubby got the biscuit.

I feel better. Just getting a few things off my plate helped -- mostly helped my mental load. I feel ready to enjoy my birthday week. 

Today??

Another Peloton workout (too humid for a run).

Birthday week meditation.

Lunch with my HS friend at a favorite restaurant. 

Reading this afternoon. 

Reflection time for an intentional year. 

Quiet and fun -- I love this combination.

On that note, time to workout. 

Have a good Monday and start to the week. Later gators.

Not yet ...

Not quite MY time yet ... still helping the kids today. Grandson with his other grandparents and we're on moving duty. Apparently, not everything (like the entire kitchen) was boxed and moved (not sure why THEY didn't help with that yesterday), but here we are. 

MY list of chores is growing LONG. I really, really don't want to spend my birthday week doing chores. 

There's some lesson somewhere in all of this. I'm not sure where. 

Go with the unexpected flow? (Ease and unbothered ... I'm looking at you.)

Set stricter boundaries with my time?

More downtime built into my schedule?

Just accept this happens?

It's really frustrating because I'm trying to get my things worked on and I get blocked at every turn. I've needed to wash my sheets since before my trip to Asheville. Everyday has been some reason I can't get at it. I planned this morning, no exceptions and hubby said he was too tired to do wash yesterday and needed the washer and dryer all morning before his trip. 

Seriously?!? It's things like this. Now I need to fit it in tomorrow morning which is already a push and a growing list of to-dos. 

It seems like everyday there's some add-on or left-over that's pushing my chores further into my birthday week.

Goodness. I didn't plan on this being a rant, but I am feeling a bit desperate to get my life organized and room left to get back to my routines. 

BTW -- such a great day with our grandson yesterday. Hubby went to the house to help and I got the day with our little 2 year old. Park, library, cars and more cars. No room to squeeze in any work, but it's always worth it. 

On that note, I'm going to get moving. At least I'll get a workout in this morning. Hoping for a little garden time too. Tomatoes are OUT OF CONTROL and the storms broke the trellises. I hope I can stake them without braking the main stem. 

Fingers crossed. Wish me luck. Happy Father's Day.

Later gators. 

Chasing a Two Year Old

Home and busy as ever. 

Kids are moving this weekend and we're on babysitting duty. Yesterday was a joy and we're at it again today. Two year olds are hilarious and we laugh the entire time we're with him.

Then ... tomorrow it's all about my stuff and getting my act together. Storms hit my tomato plants HARD and they need some TLC before the main stem breaks. I need to organize my week. Organize my stuff. Get back to a morning routine. Get back to meditation. Get back to eating veggies!!!!!

Hubby is out of town from Sunday afternoon through Friday. I have lunch plans everyday next week for my birthday and a few little extra straggling things in the afternoon. 

The week is MINE and the evenings are quiet. I want to get back to basics -- rock painting, reflecting, hiking, reading. QUIET, ME time is a must.

June has been a bigger month than I expected and I need a recovery.

It's been a lot of loud life and I'm grateful, but I need to mix in the quiet things now. 

Duke had FOMO of the napping tent and tried it out last night. He hates confined spaces and sat in there with the flap down until I found him. Oh boy. Poor little Duke.

Hope you have a good day. Later gators.