Day 12 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge-Ok Ok...I know...I blew it!

Dang it! I blew it! It was Memorial Day weekend and trust me...I had every intention of keeping up with my 30 Day Challenge. Which is why I don't respond to fitness challenges either...doing ANYTHING for a straight 30 days consecutively appears to be beyond me. Call it lack of focus, call it ADHD, call it just plain jane rebellion. I'm not good at it! I always need a breather. 

Here is the difference though: Being such an all or nothing person, if I fall off the "wagon" then I normally say "I blew it" and then never pick it back up again. This one I'm going to pick up, dust myself off and get back on the 30 day blogging wagon.

I will file this under:

1) I'm human
2) I'm busy
3) I didn't wanna

Now I forgive myself and move on
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My Favorite Childhood Book

My all time favorite childhood book was my actual favorite book growing up. I had a ratty tattered copy which is somewhere around (I have no idea where-see Hoarding) I have distinct memories of my parents reading me this book over and over. It is a quiet simple book from a different time. Jane's Blanket by Arthur Miller was the first and only children's book by the author of Death of A Salesman. 

As an adult, this book reads as a poignant reminder of how children perceive love and loss and some of the tough choices life faces us with. I highly recommend it!

Stay tuned tomorrow for What's Inside My Fridge

Day 11 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge-10 Favorite Foods

10 Favorite Foods

1. Artichokes-Artichokes are delicious. Of course anything dipped in lemon butter is delicious. They are one of those foods that people either love or hate. There is no middle ground. I love them to distraction. When I was single and young and kidless I would microwave an artichoke which is horrifying to some...but when you are young you cut corners. Here is how to properly prepare and artichoke. Simple and delicious. 
2. Coffee-I don't overdo coffee. Really I don't! But I NEED my cup or two of coffee in the morning. When I say need, I'm not exaggerating for dramatic effect although I do that from time to time. In fact there are many mornings that I question the wisdom of making my own coffee BEFORE I've had my coffee! Madness I tell you! For Mother's Day, my darling daughter and her even more darling hubby bought me a coffee subscription to DriftAway Coffee which makes the most delightful fresh roasted beans! This morning I'm drinking Ethiopia Shoye Sidama which has tasting notes of Peach, Honey and Floral (the package says that....I just taste delightful caffeine)
   
   It's so nice to try new things and I love the idea of a new flavor arriving every two weeks!
3. Reeses Peanut Butter Cups-Do I really need to describe why? You all know...Reeses are the best chocolate candy in the history of ever. I can go so far as to critique the different types of Reeses candies. Reeses Pieces-No Go. Wrong balance and too hard a shell. The huge Reeses Heart that you see at Valentines? Nope. Wrong Chocolate to Peanut Butter ratio. The Reeses egg is the absolute perfect balance that exists in nature. It's the bomb. The chocolatey peanut buttery bomb. 
4. Panang Curry-I like curry of all sorts but I LOVE Panang Curry. I especially love the Panang Curry at this little restaurant in Phoenix. If you live in the area you can't beat it. It literally lights my face on fire and I almost never can eat it and breathe at the same time but I can't help myself. If you are desperate it can be mixed with their Tom Yum soup which is my comfort soup for a delicious tasty sensation. They can thank me in the form of food. 
5. Italian Pork Sandwich (only in Philly)-Now my hubby being from Philly has very strong opinions on cheesteaks. I think they all do. It's like a genetic thing. Although that doesn't make sense does it. It's geographically genetic. Now please don't lynch me Philly people but I don't care for cheesesteaks. I don't get the hype. A cheesteak here, there or anywhere just doesn't thrill me a bit. But.....I found my gastronomic true love at my last visit to a Philly institution Tony Lukes. It's called an Italian Pork Sandwich and it's served with spinach and extra sharp provolone....delicious!!
   
6. Prime Rib-Anywhere. Anyway. Anytime. Love me some Prime Rib with horseradish! Delish!
7. Dolmades-I just adore stuffed grape leaves. And I sort of kid myself they are healthy. After all they are green, right? But they are historically made with lamb and rice. Not exactly health food. But they are delicious if made fresh and not canned. I always ask at restaurants and they almost always take them out of a can...but the ones that make it onsite....to die for!
8. Crepes-The very best kind are off a crepe stand on the streets of Paris.

   

   Photo via Pinterest

   Ham and Cheese or just sugar...hot and steaming and fresh off the griddle. Bon Appetit!
9. Butterbeer Gelato-This concoction is attributed again to my wonderful daughter. She invited us over to her new place for a little family dinner and she bribed me by making the most decadent delicious melt in your mouth treat. It is inspired by Harry Potter of course. And it makes it on my list of favorite foods!
10. Chips and Guacamole-Growing up in San Diego, chips and guacamole were a staple at every single party. I'm a big fan of chunky and very limey guac. Yes..the cool kids call it Guac. See? Wasn't that cool? Yum...I want some now!

Stay tuned for tomorrow's topic-My Favorite Childhood Book

Day 10 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge-The Best Trip Of My Life

The Best Trip Of My Life (So Far)

I've been tremendously fortunate in my life to have had amazing travel adventures. I'd rather travel than eat(but it's a close race) so I'm always planning the next getaway. But if I MUST pare it down to my favorite, I have to pick my cruise through the Panama Canal, Caribbean and Mexico with my kidlets. 

It isn't just the trip that was my favorite, but the time in my life that contributes to it bringing such fond memories. All told we were gone 18 days and to say that it was the trip of our lives isn't exaggerating. It really was a blast. Please don't judge the photos...this was 2001 and they are pilfered from my scrapbook. Yes I used to scrapbook...religiously...but that's a topic for another day.

Yep...that big ole ship was home for two weeks!!

Best time ever with the kidlets!

My little one lost her tooth in Aruba....tough life that one...

Livin the life...

Now they are all grown and have lives of their own but I know that they look back as fondly as I do on that trip. It was when we were a family and all together and experiencing things for the first time all at the same time...

Ft Lauderdale

Aruba

Curacao

Costa Rica

Panama Canal

Acalpulco

Cabo San Lucas

San Diego

Time of your life? Huh kid?

Stay tuned for tomorrow's topic My Ten Favorite Foods

Day 9 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge-What's In My Bag

What's In My Bag?

Thank HEAVENS this came up at a time when my bag is borderline acceptable! And no, I didn't clean it out for this blog. I swear...this is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. But in the spirit of transparency, I do need to admit that from time to time my bag contains cold chicken, stud finders, hammers and possible a yard or two of twine. It's just how I roll....

First of all I think we should acknowledge my bag. I've carried this for the better part of 3 years without fail. I love it to bits. It's a Leaders In Leather and I love every bag they've ever made. Pay no attention to the DIY Paint on the straps. It's not there....it's a figment of your imagination. But I think it may be Mermaid Tail. 

Ok here's the stash. 

1. Wallet
2. Penny
3. Check I picked up for a girlfriend
4. Random business cards
5. Not one but TWO thumb drives
6. Earphones
7. Chandelier crystal
8. More pens than any human needs in their purse
9. Business Card pouch
10. Charger
11. Sunglasses
12. Square
13. Car and house keys
14. Random key that I have NO idea what it goes to
15. Coupons and grocery receipt
16. Giftcards

How cute is this business card case?? Nancy got me that on one of her trips when I was feeling badly about being a bitch (not my word...but someone else's)

Did I mention Imodium? Yeah...there is some of that too. 

So what does that say about me? I'd love to know....it gets better...it gets worse...but there it is!

Stay tuned for the next installment. "Best Trip Of Your Life"

Day 8 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge-5 Current Goals

5 Current Goals

Today is Tuesday and after a "not-feeling-so-well" Monday I have sixteen zillion things on my plate to play catch-up and the stress is currently weighing me down a bit. I'm going to focus on very near future goals because that's about as far out as my over taxed brain can process at the moment so here goes nothing:

1) To figure this blogging thing out. I want to get better at scheduling and adding content and just plain telling you about my day (the interesting stuff at least). For example....I really don't like this stupid font, but I'm danged if I can figure out how to add fonts to make it different and then stay consistent. Consistency isn't my strong suit...

2) Consistency.....you saw that coming, didn't you?!? I really need to find a rhythm to this "stay at home and work" thing. I'm not lacking motivation and I'm not lacking drive....but I do find myself spinning my wheels a lot and I need to increase the focus and the consistency. Learning how to grow my business (of repurposing furniture and vintage accessories) and sharing that with you guys is harder than I imagined. But we are going to do this! We are going to fly like an eagle!

3) Flying like an eagle. Do you see a trend here? A dear friend sent me this video yesterday about change. And the pain of change. And the sacrifice of change. But ultimately the necessity and the gifts of change in our lives. It moved me to tears...maybe it will impact you as well?

4) To practice self-care. Even though I have those sixteen zillion things on my plate, I still matter. And if I don't practice caring for myself than what is the point of all of this. Here are the things that I'd like to have a goal to practice:

• Nails (even if I do it myself)
• Moving my body every day
• Meditation (even if that means spending 5 minutes in quiet reflection)
• Fueling my body with appropriate food (no, that doesn't mean Sonic)
• Staying hydrated (Not overdoing coffee) 

Let's start there and I will let you know how that goes. 

5) Communicating my needs to my husband. I'm so used to being independent and on the go all the time, I've all but stopped needing him for much (well to be honest I've always been financially independent and done what I wanted, when I wanted it). Now that I don't have a steady income I need to communicate with him about what I need and why. Not so easy for him...not so easy for me. But we are navigating it and honoring that this is a big change in our relationship. The point being....if you don't hear from either of us for 3-5 days, please send the authorities to check the attic for body parts! JK!!!

See y'all tomorrow! Stay tuned for What's in my Bag/Wallet. Yikes...be afraid...be very afraid!

Day 7 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge-My Five Favorite Songs

My Five Favorite Songs

I have to pick just five? That's nearly impossible!!! That's crazy! Do you know how many songs I have on my IPod? It's 8 GBs!!

Ok here goes nothing:

1) Anything Anything-Dramarama

This song clearly represents a time in my life. A somewhat carefree time when all was fun and light and a little aggressive. That was all denial.....it wasn't real but I was danged determined to pretend that everything was all right and that I wasn't lost and foundering. I was having fun! I was I was I was!!! I do appreciate the Buck Cherry version as well

2) Time After Time-Any Cindy Lauper version

In my humble opinion...which matters not a whit, this is the best song ever written. It makes me FEEL...in the real, authentic way that so few songs do anymore. It's a real song that really matters and although it's been covered a bazillion times I think it doesn't get the credit it deserves.

3) Bella's Lullaby-Carter Burwell

I know..I know...it's on the Twilight soundtrack. But this song I think is so lovely. It makes me want to play piano again. It's haunting and has a wonderful internal energy to it that swells my spirit. Listening to this song is almost a spiritual experience for me.

4) Rhiannon-Fleetwood Mac

Do I even need to justify this one? It's Stevie for heavens sake! I've never been a huge Fleetwood Mac fan growing up but in my forties some of the classics have grown on me. That rasp though!

Rhiannon rings like a bell through the night and
Wouldn't you love to love her?
Takes to the sky like a bird in flight and
Who will be her lover?

All your life you've never seen
A woman taken by the wind
Would you stay if she promised you heaven?
Will you ever win?

She is like a cat in the dark and then
She is the darkness
She rules her life like a fine skylark and when
The sky is starless

All your life you've never seen
A woman taken by the wind
Would you stay if she promised you heaven?
Will you ever win?
Will you ever win?

5) The Thunder Rolls-Garth Brooks

This song is such a good quiet brooding song. It's the best crescendo song I can think of with a huge build and an amazing delivery. I realize sometimes that I forget to breathe during it and it leaves me gasping for air a bit. I'm realizing that this is the only "country" song on the list despite the fact that I generally listen to country music these days...Interesting?!?



Stay tuned for tomorrow's blog on My 5 Current Goals

Day 6 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge-What I'm Afraid Of

1. Failure
2. My mouth
3. Scorpions
4. Getting old
5. Not traveling
6. My kids getting hurt
7. My husband dying (or getting hurt of course...but the actual fear is of losing him)
8. Not making a difference
9. Making a mistake
10. My parents aging
11. Being told no when it really matters
12. Losing my conscious contact
13. That our generation and those before have irreparably damaged the planet
14. War
15. Being in a car accident
16. Being out of control
17. Losing my eyesight
18. Letting my husband down

Not necessarily in that order. List may be larger than it appears. No judgement....scorpions are scary here in Arizona!!