Sometimes when I am overwhelmed by work tasks, practice tasks, finacial issues, home construction issues, etc., I step back and realize just how lucky I am.
I live in the town I love.
I have a job that I like and great co-workers.
I work in a tea shop (can you believe it!??)
Life is good.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Nature: A Feel Good Elixr
Spring insn't officially here, but I definitely felt and saw signs of her approach this weekend. Hubby and I went for a wonderful hike in Harper's Ferry on the Maryland Heights Trail This was our first hike in the area, so we parked outside of Harper's Ferry, asked crunchy hikers to point us in the right direction, walked half a mile to the historic Harper's Ferry (that always feels eerily empty to me even when it is overflowing with tourists), and headed out over the old railroad bridge. The steps leading down from the bridge to the canal path were open-grate, which was mildly disconcerting given the swift running water, nearly ready to overrun its banks. In fact, the river was lapping around the final step. The trek up the riverbank was steep and reminded me that my hiking legs had not had a good workout in quite some time. Nevertheless, it felt wonderful to be active in the fresh air!
Sunday was a local hike day. We visited three open houses...Hubby even obliged me and went in. We also strolled Baker Park and discovered Great Stuff by Paul. Usually when a shop has "great" or "best" in the title, I can almost discount its greatness or bestness; however, this was different. They truly had great stuff. I found candle holders made from old sugar molds, and Hubby found a factory cart that would make a cool coffee table. Given that we don't actually have a house yet, we decided to refrain from purchasing the items. The house is coming along, though. The plumber was working on Sunday when we stopped by. Hubby and I had a small tiff over the master bath shower, but we just have different styles of doing things. Hubby likes to make a decision NOW. I could spend the next six years researching the issue. We compromised. I researched for a few hours and we had a decision.
I'm feeling good after spending time in nature. I feel more like myself. Maybe it is getting back in touch with Pennsylvania roots where every free moment was spent outside or maybe it is reconnecting with nature in a way that is inherent in us all. Either way, I'm ready for more!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Small Town Living
Friday we had dinner with our soon-to-be neighbors. I feel that having good neighbors makes a huge difference in domestic enjoyment, and I'm glad to have good neighbors. Our dinner conversation revealed that we are indeed living in a small town. They knew people who we knew...interesting.
Matt and I went for a walk in Reston Saturday morning. We always have good talks while we walk, and this time was no exception. We walked around Lake Ann through my favorite community, Waterview Cluster. These are a group of townhomes on or near the lake, designed in the mid 1960s. They are filled with windows and light. So beautiful. I definitely had house and neighborhood envy, making me second-guess our choice for Frederick. That was all for naught, because after volunteering at the tea shop downtown, walking though Baker Park, and standing at the bottom of the tower as the bells chimed, I was happy to be in Frederick.
Matt and I went for a walk in Reston Saturday morning. We always have good talks while we walk, and this time was no exception. We walked around Lake Ann through my favorite community, Waterview Cluster. These are a group of townhomes on or near the lake, designed in the mid 1960s. They are filled with windows and light. So beautiful. I definitely had house and neighborhood envy, making me second-guess our choice for Frederick. That was all for naught, because after volunteering at the tea shop downtown, walking though Baker Park, and standing at the bottom of the tower as the bells chimed, I was happy to be in Frederick.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Half Full
I knew I probably shouldn't have eaten almond butter, but I missed it. So, I did. And I paid...with stomach pains all weekend. Nevertheless, the stomach issue didn't stop me from volunteering at the local tea shop...Voila I loved it! It was a bit overwhelming...260 teas, and I haven't used a cash register since my pizza shop days! Then, hubby and I drove to Catonsville for a lovely, delicious dinner with a co-worker and her husband.
Sunday, I really wasn't feeling well, so I was confined to our tiny apartment. Matt painted at the house while I franticaly researched paint colors. Behr paint was 25% off...what a deal...but I had been dragging my feet making a decision (those of you who know me know my inherent and genetic difficulty with decisions) about the colors for the house because it was just too overwhelming. The deal was for three days...Saturday through Monday, so being the thrifty shopper that I am, I had to act. My pain prevented painting and fun activities like hiking, but on the upside I was forced to choose colors. I am a simple gal, and if it were up to me, I'd love to live in all white, but hubby is a bit more traditional. So, after many, many, many visits to paint websites, design websites (thank you apartment therapy, decorpad, and many blogs), I decided on....drumroll please...Benjamin Moore's Edgecomb Gray for the main areas of the house
And Decorator's White for the Master and my office
We went to Home Depot last night to pick up our paint. I waited nervously as our paint mixologist (very PC) prompted the computerized paint system to deposit red, yellow, and brown into our white paint cans. After the stirring/shaking machine did its thing, the paint mixologist, reached in to the can and placed a dab of the Edgecomb Gray on the lid...it was love at first sight. I was so pleased and had no hint of painter's remorse...let's just hope that it looks that good on the walls :)
I felt like crap this weekend...glass half empty. Feeling like crap forced me to stay home and make paint choices for our house...glass half full.
Sunday, I really wasn't feeling well, so I was confined to our tiny apartment. Matt painted at the house while I franticaly researched paint colors. Behr paint was 25% off...what a deal...but I had been dragging my feet making a decision (those of you who know me know my inherent and genetic difficulty with decisions) about the colors for the house because it was just too overwhelming. The deal was for three days...Saturday through Monday, so being the thrifty shopper that I am, I had to act. My pain prevented painting and fun activities like hiking, but on the upside I was forced to choose colors. I am a simple gal, and if it were up to me, I'd love to live in all white, but hubby is a bit more traditional. So, after many, many, many visits to paint websites, design websites (thank you apartment therapy, decorpad, and many blogs), I decided on....drumroll please...Benjamin Moore's Edgecomb Gray for the main areas of the house
And Decorator's White for the Master and my office
We went to Home Depot last night to pick up our paint. I waited nervously as our paint mixologist (very PC) prompted the computerized paint system to deposit red, yellow, and brown into our white paint cans. After the stirring/shaking machine did its thing, the paint mixologist, reached in to the can and placed a dab of the Edgecomb Gray on the lid...it was love at first sight. I was so pleased and had no hint of painter's remorse...let's just hope that it looks that good on the walls :)
I felt like crap this weekend...glass half empty. Feeling like crap forced me to stay home and make paint choices for our house...glass half full.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Work Pros and Cons
Cons: I just found out that I have to be on-site an extra day each week.
Pros: I am part of a mobile team, and I just returned from my first mission. See photo.
Who is Family?
The easy definition of family will likely involve blood relatives...living in the same house...daily interactions, etc. However, I've learned that Family is much bigger than that. In Europe, my co-workers (some of them) became family. We shared meals, we cried, we laughed, we traveled, we connected. But, I had assumed that this was due to all of us being geographically separated from the traditional family structures.
I was reminded of the expanded definition of family this past weekend. We had lunch with a wonderful family. We've known them for about 4 years; however, we've only spent a day with them here and there throughout the years. Yet somehow, sitting around the table sharing our traditional brunch with them, they are family. Another example...my coworker who I met 5 years ago is now my sister. She truly is.
Family has little to do with geography and everything to do with connection. One of the reasons that I moved back to the states was to be closer to my Webster-defined family, but that didn't strengthen the connection. In fact, I feel less connected, because despite the change in proximity, there has been little change in perceived connection. Letting go of the expectations placed on traditional family is difficult, and I'm continuing to work on that. Europeans embrace (both literally and figuratively) the concept of traditional and non-traditional family. So, here's a hug for all of my "family" out there :)
I was reminded of the expanded definition of family this past weekend. We had lunch with a wonderful family. We've known them for about 4 years; however, we've only spent a day with them here and there throughout the years. Yet somehow, sitting around the table sharing our traditional brunch with them, they are family. Another example...my coworker who I met 5 years ago is now my sister. She truly is.
Family has little to do with geography and everything to do with connection. One of the reasons that I moved back to the states was to be closer to my Webster-defined family, but that didn't strengthen the connection. In fact, I feel less connected, because despite the change in proximity, there has been little change in perceived connection. Letting go of the expectations placed on traditional family is difficult, and I'm continuing to work on that. Europeans embrace (both literally and figuratively) the concept of traditional and non-traditional family. So, here's a hug for all of my "family" out there :)
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Simple Food
I've been reading more about the Paleo way of life. The premise is that, if our caveman ancestors didn't eat it, we shouldn't either. I don't know if I buy that, but I do think that the simple eating strategy that the Paleo-proponents espouse is worth chewing on:
1. Eat whole foods. Eat vegetables. Green, orange, red, purple. Lots of them.
2. Eat fat. Research shows that fat doesn't make you fat, that saturated fat doesn't increase cholesterol, dietary cholesterol doesn't increase cholesterol. Saturated fats (such as those in butter and coconut oil) assist with vitamin absoprtion, and the lauric acid in coconut oil facilitates weight losss.
3. Skip grains. Grains cause inflammation in the body. This can manifest as celiac, diabetes, weight gain, irritable bowel, MS, autoimmune issues, infertility, and the list goes on...
I won't even get into the brainwashing that has taken place to keep us believing that statins are the answer or that this drug cures us. For more on that, read Overdosed America .
As I read blogs on the topic, I'm amazed by the people who say that they "don't have time for this lifestyle." When did we think that instant oatmeal from a packet, breakfast "cookies," and fake foods were the norm. This is your life. This is your health. You choose how to spend your time, but please don't expect me to pay for your medical bills for preventable diseases. But, I digress. Back to food. I've tried a few new recipes with success:
1. Costco sells organic chicken (breasts and thighs). The thighs are meh on their own, but when marinated in healthy oil, vinegar, garlic, mustard, they are marvelous.
2. Creamy Tomato Soup
3. Costco also sells frozen, wild Alaskan salmon that is scrumptious!
4. Roasted brussel sprouts with balsamic vinegar
5. Egg cupcakes
With my best Julia Child voice..."Bon apetit!"
1. Eat whole foods. Eat vegetables. Green, orange, red, purple. Lots of them.
2. Eat fat. Research shows that fat doesn't make you fat, that saturated fat doesn't increase cholesterol, dietary cholesterol doesn't increase cholesterol. Saturated fats (such as those in butter and coconut oil) assist with vitamin absoprtion, and the lauric acid in coconut oil facilitates weight losss.
3. Skip grains. Grains cause inflammation in the body. This can manifest as celiac, diabetes, weight gain, irritable bowel, MS, autoimmune issues, infertility, and the list goes on...
I won't even get into the brainwashing that has taken place to keep us believing that statins are the answer or that this drug cures us. For more on that, read Overdosed America .
As I read blogs on the topic, I'm amazed by the people who say that they "don't have time for this lifestyle." When did we think that instant oatmeal from a packet, breakfast "cookies," and fake foods were the norm. This is your life. This is your health. You choose how to spend your time, but please don't expect me to pay for your medical bills for preventable diseases. But, I digress. Back to food. I've tried a few new recipes with success:
1. Costco sells organic chicken (breasts and thighs). The thighs are meh on their own, but when marinated in healthy oil, vinegar, garlic, mustard, they are marvelous.
2. Creamy Tomato Soup
3. Costco also sells frozen, wild Alaskan salmon that is scrumptious!
4. Roasted brussel sprouts with balsamic vinegar
5. Egg cupcakes
With my best Julia Child voice..."Bon apetit!"
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