Vacation Supper

See this Greek Salad?---------------------------->

Looks yummy doesn't it?

Pretend like I made this one.

Because mine looked almost exactly like it. You just can't see the anchovies.

And.

It was delicious.

Did I mention that I can't find the charger for the camera's batteries?

Dreamy Morning

I'm having the morning of my dreams.

I got up at about 5am with the intention (been saying that a lot lately) of going to work out. However, with the pain in my head I couldn't imagine the exertion would help a headache any. That's what happens to me when I go a month between massage appointments instead of every other week. My shoulders gather up around my ears and muscles wad up into knots.

Although that doesn't sound very dreamy, drinking coffee (surprise) and visiting blogs is. I've been making my long neglected blog rounds. Over time my list of favorite blogs has lengthened. I used to be able to visit most of them about every other day. Now, not so much.

Some inspiring things this morning:
Alicia's post evokes memories of summers past.
Anahata inspires me with her art.
This sweet lady reminds me to let kids be kids.

I think I love blogs about as much as I love coffee.

Combine the two and I'm in a swoon.
Yes. I'm very relaxed now.

I'm sure it has nothing to do with the muscle relaxer I took either.

Of course not.

Coffee--The Other Wonder Drug

I'm a user.

Unabashed and unashamed user.

I zoomed through my day yesterday, weaving in and out of activities. Seamlessly moving between clients and the business of business that inevitably comes when you own your own salon.

I was effecient, effective and happy.

I made calls, tracked down information, gave an employee a pep talk and did hair almost all at the same time!

I had two cups of coffee before my a.m. meeting with the two other owners of the salon. We met at my favorite local coffee shop. Of course, while there, I had the biggest non-fat latte that they serve. I sipped on that through the morning till lunch.

Occasionally, I go to bed looking foward to the next day if only for the coffee that I know awaits me in the morning. My sister just made my coffee dreams come true when she began working in a coffee shop in our hometown.

I guess we would be safe to say at this point that I love coffee. Hot, cold, frozen...just make it good quality and I'm all over it.

I think I'm addicted.

I'm Not Here...A Travelogue

You may observe me going about my day to day life, but I am not here...here is a portion of my daily travelogue....
***********************************************************
Outside the door of the inn, I pause, squinting in the bright sunlight. First order of business: a big, floppy straw hat. I observe the town; much the same way I watch movies--paying little attention to the action played out before me but watching the scenery behind.

Lush flowers trail from window boxes, colorful, handpainted jugs sit by door steps and hang near doors. Beyond the whitewashed buildings, I see cypress trees their edges black and jagged against the cerulean sky. I follow the cobblestone streets to the market area where there is an eclectic mix of items for sale. Some of the shops are clearly aimed at visitors looking for tourist totchkes to take back to friends and relatives--proof, I guess, that they were actually here in this spot. I bypass these, preferring to delve deeper into the city for the local wares. I do find the perfect hat, so my time spent is not in vain.

I wander through the streets breathing deeply of the sea air. I love exploring a town this way-- peering into windows, taking note of this shop and that. I could stop and leisurely browse through each one but the pull of the sea is strong. I vow to come back soon and shop to my heart's content.

All roads in this town, I discover, eventually lead to the water. The view literally stops me in my tracks.

The sea sweeps out to the edge of the world. the water sparkling like a beautiful blue topaz gem. I walk through sand almost as fine and soft as confectioners sugar, becoming firmer as I reach the water's edge. I slosh through ankle deep water then stop, marveling at how clear the water is. A flock of white birds fly over my head looking for all the world like a ribbon trailing across the sky.

The rest of the world comes into focus as I begin observing people around me. People of all shapes and sizes filter in and out of my view. I feel safe enough behind my dark sunglasses to watch unabashedly.There's a family with a cherubic child of about two years old. I laugh when the squealing child runs straight for the water arms outstretched as if to embrace the entire ocean. A couple of older ladies walk by heads bent in deep discussion clearly working to solve the problems of the world. I raise my water bottle in silent salute wishing them much success. I spot a scrap of white and make out a sailboat bobbing on the horizon. I sit for the next two hours watching and vicariously sharing snippets of other people's lives offering little in return for the privilege.

Finally, the sun begins to sag in the sky and I decide it is time to move on as I have fulfilled my goal...
To see, sit and soak in the sea.

Into the Halls of Higher Education

Looks like fun times ahead!!!
Let's go!!!
Sure daddy, I'll stop long enough for a picture....

"I got to go!" (said when daddy started fiddling with his camera.) Happy to see teacher!

My girl crossed another major milestone this week--school!!

She has been looking forward to it for weeks. Everyday this week, she has said, "Mommy, I love going 'at' school!" or "Mommy, I can't wait to go to school!" "Can we go again tomorrrow?"

I ask you, how can I weep in the face of such eagerness and enthusiasm?

Yes, I'm losing my baby, but I'm gaining a precious little girl!

I'm Not Here...cont'd

You may observe me going about my day to day life, but I am not here...here is a portion of my daily travelogue....
***********************************************************

I awoke to the sun streaming through the open window. I had no idea what time it was, nor did I care. I only knew that I was famished and in desperate need of coffee. I lay for a moment in the bed; piled high in a nest of pillows and sheets. I stretched luxuriously wiggling my fingers and toes. I reveled anew in my new found freedom and gave a little shriek of delight as I discovered it all over again.

I sat on the edge of the bed, letting my feet rest a moment on the cool floor. A glimpse out the window drew me--I pulled back the curtain.

I had been so tired and numb from travel the night before, that I had registered very little as I arrived at the modest inn where I am staying. It was twilight when I arrived and I had moved through check in functioning on auto-pilot.

Stepping out onto the narrow balcony, I survey the vista before me. I am in the heart of this little village. The inn is set up on a hill, the town spreads out before me, cobblestone streets weaving in and out among the whitewashed buildings. Achingly bright colors pop against this white canvas. Beyond this is a turquoise sea. I rush to dress, eager to begin the exploration of my new surroundings. Comfortable shorts, a soft cotton tunic top slipped on over my bathing suit will be my new uniform. Sturdy sandals comfortable enough for walking complete my ensemble.

I eagerly make my way downstairs, following my nose which directs me to the delicious scents wafting from the dining area. The coffee is hot and fragrant. I sit for awhile sipping coffee and eating breakfast while looking over brochures trying to decide what to do first. I was never good at making decisions, so I gather up the brochures and head out the door feeling serendipitous.

Happy Anniversary...to We.

You know?

Being married is an eye-opening experience.

And not just because I was naive and an ingenue.

I've always been of romantic mind. What girl doesn't dream of her prince riding up and sweeping her away and she lives happily ever after with stars in her eyes?

Yes. Well.

That lasted until the next morning when it was pouring down rain and he was wondering if he really could take care of me like he promised and I was worried about him because he was worried.

Reality bites.

We coasted along the first five years learning each other's quirks and preferences. Arguments were polite: "...but sweetie, that's not what I want to do."

The next five years found us a little more comfortable with each other. "Sometimes I don't like you, but I love you..."

The next five years, I thought I might be able to relax a little, I knew him inside and out, I'd grown up a little; now I could settle back and just enjoy being married.

Right?

Wrong.

The rules changed. Fifteen years later, DH lets me know that all these years, he's been elevating me as his queen, and not really saying how he really feels.

He's changed. I've changed.

We aren't the young, naive kids we were. We've grown up, gotten knocked around by life, grown up and matured a bit. Perceptions about a lot of things have shifted.

Now what?

The man I'm married to today isn't as quick to let things "roll off". Frankly, neither am I. I've become much more independent and less of a "clinging vine". He has strong opinions and I can match that strength with the opposite viewpoint.

It was time to scrap what we had.

Next question...walk away? I mean, this was hard. We weren't the same people we had married in the beginning. If life was going to be this full of sparks, flying this often, I wasn't sure I was up to this for another 30 or more years.

But...

I'd promised.

For better or for worse, in sickness and in health...

People break promises everyday.

But I couldn't.

Besides, what kind of friend drops a friend when times are tough and they don't like them or agree with them anymore?

Also, we had experienced one of the biggest miracles that could ever happen to us. We created a child. I feel so strongly that our girl would benefit from both of her parents raising her, that I just couldn't leave--and I didn't want him to leave either.

I would think back over our history. How we met. How in love we were. I longed and prayed for that again. I prayed a lot during the past five years. I couldn't imagine that God would lead me to this man then allow me to be miserable for the rest of my marriage. (Much of the misery is probably due to our own making, I admit)

We've been through a lot. Ups. Downs. Mistakes. Victories. Life.

As I look back over the past 22(!) years we've been married, I'm filled with gratefulness. Gratefulness for a man who is consistent. He knows what he believes and stands by his convictions. He loves me steadily, through good, bad and ugly. He loves me well and although sometimes his love is clumsy, I can trust him. He is a fine man, gallant, courteous, protective.

He is my husband.