Messes

Another inspired blog post comes from the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants..

One of the quotes in there (remember, the books are sprinkled with meaningful insights) said that it's okay to make a mess sometimes. I guess we could talk about making a mess of one's life. But, the first thing that came to my mind was my closet. I remained unorganized (except for work clothes) for a good 3 months until this week! Yup, a milestone I tell you. I found a home for every piece of clothing I own. Finally, I'm organized!! It only took me three months, but I can actually find things I'm looking for now.

I also feel like my life is cleaning up too. Life in Sacramento is solidifying....Fun Fun Fun!

Stealth Health

For a while we've been embracing the 14 Super Foods. Today, I came across another philosophy of working health into my life while being almost as stealthy and sneaky as the mosquitoes last weekend. The top 10 list comes from an article in the Chicago Tribune: Stealth Health: Healthy habits in small doses

Stealth Health Top 10
1. Drink a cup of tea in the morning.
2. Walk for 30 minutes a day.
3. Quit smoking.
4. Have a glass of wine every evening.
5. Take five minutes a day, close your eyes in a quiet room and practice deep breathing.
6. Talk to a friend (whether in person on the phone or via e-mail) every day.
7. Eat fish twice a week.
8. Take a multivitamin with minerals.
9. Eat whole, natural foods rather than boxed or processed foods.
10. Get a good night's sleep.

These seem pretty manageable. I like tea. I LOVE walking. I don't smoke. Number 4 might be a problem...being as I don't drink much alcohol. Prioritizing quiet deep breathing each day will be very good for me. Friends are all around me (and I'm the queen of e-mail) so I've got # 6 covered. I like fish, but I don't keep track of how often I eat it. I should get back into the habit of taking those multivitamins...oh, and the calcium chews. I found the local co-op grocery store, so I'm working on the natural foods. Sleep...that might be the most difficult. I've been staying pretty busy (with the whole friends and activities thing) that I haven't gotten much sleep. I'll work on that one.

Good Luck to you for integrating Stealth Health into your daily routine!

Smoking Breaks

Today, I exercised my right to a smoking break. No, I don't smoke. That's disgusting! Have you smelled smoke? Gross! Have you seen pictures of smoker's lungs? Grosser!

But, have you noticed that smokers always have a reason to go outside and take a break? Today, we exercised that right, even though we don't smoke. We took a little trip across the street to Starbuck's.

Aren't you proud of me, Sis?

I tried the Green Tea Frappucino. Let me tell you. It was scrumptious!!! Totally good! Yumm!

What if I'm starting to warm up to the idea of Starbuck's as an OK place to spend my money. Is that so wrong?

Pondering

Here's the real quote to ponder (in case you didn't ponder it over the weekend, like I told you to).

"Nothing is too wonderful to be true."
-Michael Faraday

Taken from The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares

Silence and Stealth

So, it's Tuesday now...and I planned to log on and tell you about the silent stealthy mosquitoes that attacked us this weekend. Only, now I realize that the last post was about bugs. (I'd completely forgotten about the bug that flew into my eye. That was rude!)

Anyway, we went backpacking this past weekend, and the mosquitoes were not the "buzz in your ear" kind. They were silent. Yes, they still bit. I felt it was kind of unfair of them not to warn me by buzzing, but then again, if they were buzzing, I would've been super annoyed by the buzzing. There's no winning with mosquitoes. They are just gross.

Yes, we had repellant and we applied it every hour on the hour. I think after 24 hours the mosquitoes were used to the taste of it... I slept under the stars (no tent) the first night and woke up without a bite. But the next day...the mosquitoes spared me no sympathy. Oh well, they are not as bad as spider bites. They go away much quicker and itch a lot less!

I got spider bites too, don't worry.

I'm sure it sounds like I shouldn't be out in the woods because I'm complaining about the bugs. But, actually, I didn't get frustrated with them or annoyed at all. I was at piece with the bugs. There were no complaints from me. I guess it's only in the urban environment that I become a drama queen and have wars with them.

The weekend in the woods, of course, was fabulous! I rolled around in snow patches despite the near 100 degree weather. So much fun!

Bugs (again)

Let me preface this post with the fact that I am (again) covered in bug bites. I think it is a mix of spiders and mosquitoes this time. I have been noticing the bites when they are fresh, but not seeing the bugs... I have run into several spider webs lately. You know how you just feel them run across your arm or your face (eww!) when you're walking? I hate that!

Anyway, as if the bugs aren't doing enough to me, this morning I was attacked. A little tiny bug flew right into my eyeball while I was out for my morning run. The nerve of that guy! It just sat there in the corner of my eye. I had to wipe it out. Gross!

The end.

Weekend Pondering

I started reading the Second Summer of the Sisterhood last night...It's the sequel to the Traveling Pants book. Did you know there's a third book too? There's so much to enjoy with Carmen, Tibby, Lena, and Bee.

Anyway, there is added fun in the books with ponderable quotes sprinkled throughout. I don't have it with me, so I can't quote it exactly, but the opening quote said something like:

"Nothing is too good to be true". (I'll give the quoter credit at a later date)

With all of the pessimism and hate in the world today, sometimes it's hard to believe that things can actually be good, just to be good. Munch on this one...and appreciate the good things this weekend!