Wednesday, April 29, 2015

It's easy to remember

Today is the 73rd anniversary of my mom's birth.




It's easy to think of the things we assume she's missing out on: new grandbabies and our ongoing accomplishments that she would have loved being a part of. But it's getting easier to imagine that she's still very much a part of things. I believe she's just enjoying things from a different vantage point.

It's easy to remember how much Mom loved her birthday! It's easy to remember how she loved everyone else's birthday too - making a fuss over the birthday girl/boy, baking cakes for her friend's birthday lunches, finding the perfect card and underlining words that she wanted you to know she really, really meant.

It's easy to look around and see her legacy - children, grands, and even great-grands now. It's easy to remember the love she had for us - she shared it willingly and unselfishly. We always knew we were loved!

It's easy to remember how she would rub her cheek after we'd plant a kiss there - rubbing it in so it would get to her heart just a little faster. How, when she was a little annoyed, all of her sentences began with, "Well! ..." And it's easy to remember little things about her that make us smile, sometimes shake our heads and mumble, "Oh, Mother."

It's hard to remember my mom's fight with cancer, but it's easy to remember how much she loved life. I miss my mom more than words can say, but I am also grateful beyond words for everything she stood for and the way she instilled those values in us.

So today we look to Heaven and thank our lucky stars for my mom, Marti. We'll wish her a happy birthday from maybe-not-as-far-away-as-we-imagine.

There's a party on Cloud 9 today - they're serving margaritas.

Monday, April 27, 2015

Weekend Adventures in Yoga and Blogging

Monday, Monday.
Already.
Another busy weekend has quickly and deliciously slipped through our fingers, leaving us with sweet memories and a lot of unfinished laundry. I'm really not complaining! It was a wonderful mix of friends and yoga - just how I like it!

The yoga class I teach on Saturday morning consisted of two students - my girl C, and our dear friend Barbara. I never know what to expect in terms of attendance for that class, but I knew that most of the regular crowd was either out of town or committed to other activities that morning. I loved our little class! It was a relaxed practice and afterwards the three of us had coffee and breakfast at the Crepe Bar next door. An awesome way to begin the weekend!!!

As part of my ongoing yoga teacher training, I attend a workshop one weekend a month and that happened this weekend. This was my view for five hours on Saturday, and three on Sunday...

This weekend we learned about breathing techniques (pranayama) so there was a lot of breathing and sitting and not much moving around. I LOVE my yoga teacher training so much. However. Sitting on the floor for that many hours is tough on my body (lower back). Today will require some serious stretching and moving around a whole lot more than normal.

The good news is that I have a few new tricks up my sleeve for teaching breathing techniques to my own students. Good stuff!

A big highlight of my weekend is that I had the pleasure of meeting one of my dearest blog friends, Beverly. When she emailed me months ago saying she'd be in town (from North Carolina) we made plans to get together. I picked her up from her hotel and brought her back to our house where she met the whole crew. Even our temperamental cat, Whiskers Jay, allowed her to pet him, proving what a sweet soul Miss Beverly is.

Beverly was a member of Team Teal, so we had dinner at my mom's favorite restaurant, and drank margaritas in her honor. Ah! It was so much fun. I wish it was still Sunday evening and we were there with Carrie, acting like long-time-real-life friends instead of online blogging buddies.

Sweet Beverly came bearing gifts for each of us. Among the treasures was this envelope decorated in her amazing artistic style. I didn't notice until late last night that part of her design included a fun mandala with journaling that describes me perfectly.


I've had the pleasure of meeting many blogging friends over the past six years and I'm always amazed when we do come face to face. There's a kinship and comfort level that is so sweet. Being with Beverly was the perfect way to wrap up an already great weekend.

And now...well...we all know the routine:
yoga, work, repeat for the next five days.
I'll catch you on the flipside.
xoxox

Friday, April 24, 2015

Just a Quote for Friday





"Age and glasses of wine should never be counted."
 
~ Italian Proverb

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Where I look for Inspiration



For the past few months I've had a serious plan in my head for the future. Actually, I also have it on paper in the form of written goals and affirmation notes posted here and there. The plan involves some major changes and I believe with all my heart that it's the path for me. It's where I'm going and it's what I'm doing. End {and beginning} of story.

And because I walk this path with human tendencies, there are times when doubt creeps in. I know that doubt is a side-effect of fear, and fear usually rears its ugly head as a way to protect me from growing. If I stay the same I exert no effort, but the side-effect of that is to continue to live a life that is unfulfilling.

Right about the time when I was ready to scrap the whole plan, the reminders that I've surrounded myself with held all the right messages for me. Messages of trusting the divine timing of things, believing in myself and the process, letting go of outcomes and just continuing to do what I'm doing.

So today I'd like to share with you a list of links that I rely on for inspiration. I am continually amazed at how each of these resources gifts me with the perfect message at just the right time.

Danielle LaPorte ~ I receive her daily "Truth Bomb" emails - quick little messages that pack a powerful punch. The one that hit me this morning went like this: "Be devoted to dreaming about your ideal life." Other times her truth bombs are more direct with a "suck it up" message - always what I need at just the right time. I also like her on Facebook and just love her writing style and what she stands for: truth, no nonsense, go for what you desire.

Notes from the Universe ~ Written as if God was sending me a daily email, there's always something that applies to exactly what I need to hear. And God has an entertaining sense of humor too! The notes arrive in my inbox Monday - Friday, and if/when you sign up to receive these notes, be sure to always scroll to the bottom of the message for the last little tag line. They always make me smile! This morning's was, "Deb, your courage and persistence have become as legendary [in Heaven] as your cooking."

Own Your Awesome affirmation card deck by Tricia Huffman, Your Joyologist ~ A beautiful deck of affirmation notes that always resonate with me. The card in my photo up above is from her deck: "What I want wants me." How simple and powerful is that? I love this deck! Visit Tricia's website here, and Facebook page here.

Indigo Angel cards by Doreen Virtue ~ This deck was a gift from Carrie and one that I use from time to time. I hold the cards in my hands, say a prayer and thank Heaven for divine guidance. I ask my angels to reveal a message they think I need and then I draw a card. The cards come with a book, so I open it to the corresponding page for the card I drew and I read the words there. Sometimes I read the message twice. The messages are beautifully written and filled with validation that I am divinely guided and protected. There are times when I really need that reminder.

My Uncle Wes on Facebook ~ No link here, but if you are lucky enough to be in his circle of friends and family then you know what I mean. He's funny. He's kind. He's introspective and inspirational. It's awesome to have someone in my Facebook feed that makes sifting through all the other junk worth logging in!

How about you? Do you receive daily emails filled with inspiration?
Like a page on Facebook that feeds your soul?
Read a blog that lifts your spirit?
I'd love to hear about who/what inspires you.

Monday, April 20, 2015

My weekend state of mind

Good morning, blog friends.
Welcome to the beginning of a whole new week.
What a lovely, busy, spring-time sunlight and allergies, shopping with my girl, yoga practicing, weekend I had.

My mind is all-kinds-of-jumbled this morning with things that I'm most likely over-thinking. Things that I know will work out fine but that require some purposeful planning on my part.


And while I'm busy thinking and planning and working things over in my mind, my sweet garden continues to maintain her steady pace.


This weekend recap is short and sweet - ha - kind of like my weekend. Time to hit the yoga mat and pull myself together. I plan to keep this quote in front of me over the next few days:

"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Friday, April 17, 2015

Just a Quote for Friday


"Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky."
~ Rabindranath Tagore

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Mandalas in the sky

A rather romantic blog post title to introduce photos of some mandalas I drew on the airplane last weekend. :o)



Me + 3 hours in an airplane = need for distraction * 7 mandalas
 


I brought along a mini-mandala kit for our flight to and from Seattle last weekend. I used one of the many cosmetic bags I've received as a "free gift with purchase" and filled it with a small notebook, mini-colored pencils, a #2 pencil, a circle template, and a piece of heavy cardstock cut down to size to use as a straight-edge ruler. Oh - and a pencil sharpener.
 
I drew these two mandalas on the flight to Seattle, plus another really colorful mandala that I'll share with you in the future. And I drew four more on our trip home but didn't photograph them at the time.

I guess it goes without saying that I'm a little obsessed with mandalas at the moment, to which I will add that there are worse things to be obsessed with. :o) It's the ultimate form of doodling for me - so relaxing and enjoyable. I have some super fun ideas for some art projects using my mandalas, and I'm planning to have some notecards printed for my grandma with my designs.

Here's a link to an article about the relaxing benefits of coloring mandalas.
And a link for my local friends to sign up for my mandala workshop coming up in May.

Monday, April 13, 2015

Our anniversary weekend in Seattle

Good morning, blog friends!
Guess what Doug and I did this weekend... We flew to Seattle to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. :o)

There were lots of stairs to climb...

Flowers to enjoy...


Produce to covet. Man, I wish we had produce markets like this in Arizona!


Gorgeous scenery during lunch... The outside view wasn't bad either. ;o)


Fish...


People...


Chocolate...


Art sculptures...


Hotel room view... (see the Space Needle on the horizon toward the left)


More art and architecture...


The Space Needle...


Ccccccccold wind at the top of the Space Needle...


Dinner with our friends on Saturday night. This is me with my friend and soul sister, Connie.


And celebration of 10 years of marriage to this awesome guy...





Awww...what an awesome weekend we had. All the sight-seeing, exploring Seattle, eating yummy food, relaxing, and celebrating with good friends we don't get to see often enough. We left Arizona on Friday morning, returned home last night, and I did such a smart thing by taking today off work too. :o)

Time to unpack suitcases and put things back in order around here...
Have a lovely week, my friends!

Friday, April 10, 2015

Just a Quote for Friday

“It is tremendously important that we try to make something positive of our lives. We were not born for the purpose of causing trouble and harming others. For our life to be of value, we need to foster and nurture such basic good human qualities as warmth, kindness and compassion. If we can do that, our lives will become meaningful, happier and more peaceful; we will make a positive contribution to the world around us.”

~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Where the mandala leads

About a year ago now, Carrie purchased some passes for the two of us to attend yoga classes at a local studio. It had been years since I'd stepped inside a yoga studio, and I remember feeling just a little anxious on our first visit. You know that feeling? Like there's a longing to do something but when it comes right down to it you're a little hesitant?

Well my hesitation didn't last long. In fact, as soon as we entered the door something unexpected happened to me. I had a deep sense of belonging in that yoga studio - like I was meant to be there and that it was the beginning of something really meaningful for me.
 
It was during our first class in that studio that a little vision popped into my head. I could see myself teaching there, in the beautiful "Ocean" room. In my mind I was already there - standing in front of students, windows behind me overlooking the lake, the word Breathe scrolled beautifully across one wall, sharing my love of yoga as students followed my lead.

As it turned out, Carrie and I both loved the studio that we happened upon with a simple coupon. Within a month I had registered for their 200-hour yoga teacher certification program, and now comes this...

I've had some ideas in my mind for teaching a yoga/mandala workshop. There's a series of yoga poses I want to lead, information I'd love to share about the history and significance of mandalas, and to teach students how to draw their own would be such an honor and a thrill for me. I picked a date and contacted our favorite studio to ask about renting space for an afternoon in May.



I half expected the answer to be no - there would be no space available. The other half of me figured that if there was space available it would be a small classroom at their "other" location. Imagine my surprise when the reply email came saying, Yes! There is space available, for the date I chose, at the time I want, and oh - I'll be teaching in the OCEAN room!

Now half of me is giddy with excitement and the other half is a little anxious. I cleared a big hurdle yesterday by pressing the button to send out information about my workshop. It's all over the internet now and there's no turning back! ;o) There's something about putting myself "out there" that isn't comfortable for me...yet...but I know it will be ok.

I've already seen it in my mind: 
Me...teaching in the Ocean room...

Local friends ~ You can read more about my workshop and register by clicking here.

Monday, April 6, 2015

A weekend and a wedding.

Hello April, springtime, and blog friends!
So long Easter bunny, cool temps, and the weekend...
Our weekend was busy, happy, sunshiney, busy, fun-filled, busy. Happy.


Saturday evening found Carrie and I at the wedding of some good friends of ours. Kristin and Kandice were originally "married" in 2011 before Arizona had officially recognized same-sex marriages. And now that Arizona has stepped it up, K & K hosted "Wedding 2.0" where they officially tied the knot, signed the papers, and celebrated with friends. We had so much fun at their official wedding!

I made red velvet cupcakes for the occasion...

So yeah, Saturday was all about baking and frosting and getting dressed up for a wedding. I chose Sunday as a day to take care of a few things around our house and that ended up involving several hours of friendship quilt sewing. :o)

It almost felt surreal to finally be joining all the blocks together to form a quilt top. I loved revisiting every square and thinking about the amazing connection I've made with so many women from around the world. The whole thing really blows my mind sometimes!

I made great progress on joining squares but had to move on to other things so I will revisit this project in a couple of weeks. You know I'll share more about it as I go.


And now it's Monday morning and time to take on another work week. I wonder what kinds of wild and wacky things are in store for us in the next few days...

Here's hoping for lots of awesome in the week ahead.
{It's out there, you just have to look for it sometimes!}

Friday, April 3, 2015

Just a Quote for Friday



Bunnies are cuddly
The large and the small
But I like the chocolate ones
The best of them all.

~ author unknown
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