Life's a beach!

Sometimes it's hard to just enjoy each day as it comes. This is especially true when you're anticipating an exciting trip. I'm headed to Cali to meet Ruth and Mary Beth for my birthday extravaganza. It is said that a lot of what makes a trip so great is the anticipation. Looking forward to vacations, fun events, or visitors is part of the fun.

That being said there are opportunities for greatness each day or at least moments to savor. For example, yesterday two grants (complicated ones at that) were turned in on time and they really were well done. If I say so myself. That was such a nice accomplishment! Then I had the evening to get laundry finished before my trip. My friend Lo stopped by so we had a glass of wine. Then I watched "Blind Side" for the second time, and it made me teary. Overall, a good day for a Monday.

Today, I am playing catchup to dig myself out after the grants. So that feels good. And tonight my friend Carrie is taking me out for an early birthday dinner. I always say you should have a birthday month! We're going to hop around some galleries, and then grab drinks and dinner. Today is going to be so fun. I dressed up!

So what does tomorrow hold? Well I'm attending a yoga breathing workshop in the morning, and who knows what else. See each day is good. Life's a beach, and it truly will be this weekend when I'm at the beach soaking up the sun.

Where is my chocolate?

This might seem like a silly question, but I need a boost, and a piece or of dark chocolate would do nicely. If my friend Mary Beth was around I'd be in great shape, as she's known to have emergency chocolate on hand. Unfortunately, I don't have any chocolate. Sure I could go to the store around the corner and down the street, but I've already been there today to pick up healthy breakfast items.

Instead I'm going to complain about needing chocolate. I actually blame the folks that made this crazy grant application that I'm writing. Overload. And did I mention that I'm writing two grants for two different nonprofits? The plan was to space out the grants so I wouldn't be overloaded, but guess what that didn't work.

So all I want is some chocolate. I could be really bad and get a yummy chocolate goody from a shop across the way. That's what I'll do. It better be open! Wish me luck!

Il Dolce Far Niente

Summertime is my favorite time of year especially in Colorado when the weather is well in a word, amazing. You can't help feeling good because the sun is shining, and everyone is in such a good mood.

The only challenge is everyone is just so busy. As we're all trying to squeeze in as much as possible in the summer it becomes overwhelming. This summer I'm planning much less, as I like to have some flexibility in my schedule. Honestly, I used to be so overscheduled that I never had free time. I'm just not willing to do that anymore.

Without freetime you can't possibly be creative or just see where the day will take you. (I know a lot of kids who are completely overscheduled...parents need to stop it). Part of this lesson was learned in Australia where people are just so much more relaxed. Americans often feel that the more they do the better.

I say that we should enjoy the summer and sometimes make it a point not to plan anything. To just enjoy. The italians say, "Il Dolce Far Niente," which means the sweetness of doing nothing. Sounds good to me. Anyone, want to take a trip to Italy?

I am thankful for my friends

Here are today's quotes about friends:

"A true friend is someone who thinks you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked."
-Bernard Meltzer

"Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose."
-Tennessee Williams

"Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer."
-Anonymous

Friends make the world go round. Take the time today to tell a friend how much they make your life better.

Any book lovers out there?

Well one thing I've found out is that moving is difficult and blogging seems to fall by the wayside. Well now that I'm somewhat moved in...I still have some boxes to sort through so I'm back to writing in my blog.

Speaking of which I've got too many books. Yes, I have a book problem. I put my myself on a book diet so that I only buy one book at a time, which helps. And now I am downloading books on my Kindle, which doesn't take up space. My mom and I trade Kindle's so at least I can share a book as well.

I'm not saying that you shouldn't read. Quite to the contrary. It's just that when you move heavy books around you realize that maybe it isn't the best idea to keep buying so many. If I would have ended up in a small apartment like the many that I saw, I would definitely be in trouble.

And keep in mind I trade my books in for other books so I'm definitely conscious of making sure my books are read more than once. I'm a believer in books making the rounds. I also pass books on to friends, and I even send book lists of great reads to others. I may have to start trading my books in for cash at least until I can get through the stacks of books that I already own. I need to read through my library before getting more.

I keep my favorites, and I have collections such as a collection of books on writing. I also have books signed by authors such as Frank McCourt, Madelaine Albright, Yogi Berra, and more.

Obviously, I enjoy books. Recently, I joined a book club. It had been awhile since I had been in one, and it gives you a chance to discuss a book with others and enjoy some good company.

Right now I'm reading, "Unbroken," which is a creative nonfiction account of an extraordinary man's life. I highly recommend it. (And I borrowed the book so it goes back to the original owner). Want to borrow a book? It's yours for the asking!

The Pursuit of Mindfulness

For some reason after a long weekend four days of work just seems well endless. It's some sort of a mind trick. When you're back on Tuesday you just can't believe that you are back at your desk being asked to gasp, work. Sometimes life just isn't fair.

Then you get to Friday, and you're so excited for the weekend to begin. At least now I'm not as obsessed with getting to the weekend. Don't get me wrong I love my weekends, but now I'm trying to embrace each day and the moments from each one. That doesn't mean I don't grumble about Monday or need extra coffee, but I just realized that I needed to find ways to make Monday and Tuesday enjoyable, too.

Living in the present is a process. It's about mindfulness and about truly spending time with another person instead of focusing on that endless to-do-list. And let's be honest that to-do-list has a lot of unimportant stuff on it. Right now I'm working on vision board and goals for the upcoming year. No, I'm not really late on resolutions instead I'm just taking the time to refocus so that I spend my time on what matters instead of what comes up.

If you've never done a vision board, I highly recommend it. It's a visual representation of what you want in your life. You just take a poster board or a large piece of cardstock paper of some kind, and you use words, art, photos, magazine images, and whatever speaks to you to create your vision board. It's amazing what happens when you put it on paper. Taking the time to do this offers you clarity and understanding of what you value and what is important to you. Now that's time well-spent.

Enjoy the weekend and the week!

What are your summer travel plans?

Well I just got back from San Diego. I've been there more than a few times, as I have family there. I decided to visit over Memorial Weekend, as my friend Mary Beth moved there less than a month ago. It's definitely a cool place to live. You can choose from various beaches. Just remember to wear sunscreen other than the spray kind, as that doesn't always offer coverage. Since my skin hasn't seen the light due to a long winter and spring in Colorado I ended up with a sunburn.

Good thing we had other things planned besides the beach. We went on a winery tour in Temeculah. Nothing like wine to cure a sunburn! We also hiked the Torrey Pines Reserve, which offered excellent views of the sea. Of course, we enjoyed some great food and fun. Thursday we had dinner with Christina at a cool Italian place downtown. I also had breakfast with my cousins, Rob and Jen, at Margarita's, which is a restaurant near Ocean Beach. Overall, it was a wonderful trip.

There's something about getting away that makes you appreciate life. Even as you try to get back in the groove you can think back on your fun experience. The first day back to work is an adjustment, but then you settle back in to your regular life. It's a toss-up on whether a long trip or a long weekend is better. Both versions offer a respite from the ordinary. My next trip will be for my birthday. To where? Still deciding!
Where are you heading this summer?