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Dear gel-covered bike seat,
Thank you for making my biking experience yesterday a most pleasant one. Your support and squishiness made our 20-mile ride so fun! Thanks to the cushy seat, I could focus on the beautiful weather and scenery.
Love,
Delara
I am lifting weights today and going to pilates tomorrow.
I love my new light blue poncho.
My delphiniums are GORGEOUS!
Our photos from our Arizona trip are finally developed.
It's Wednesday and I got a lot done today. (And yesterday too, for that matter.)
My brothers are each working on their dreams.
Paulie has a new job to look forward to in a GREAT part of his company!!
Camping season is upon us.
I attempted to see "Saved" twice this weekend and didn't succeed either time.
I was very tired when I came home today. And yesterday. And the day before.
Heartburn is becoming a regular visitor in my esophagus.
I do not seem to be able to lose the weight that reasonably I ought to be able to lose.
My NTC meetings don't last longer - because we just enjoy our service together, even though we do a LOT of work.
I am a slacker in keeping in touch with my friends.
Mara's laser is temporarily out of order.
Damian seems to have dropped off the face of the earth.
I am starting to feel disconnected in a deep way.
The "Touching Evil" season is over.
I have not been doing enough to assist Charla in planning her fabulous wedding!!
Focusing on the "have nots" seems to be easier for me at times than remembering the positive.
Sigh.
Slip 'n' slides?
Fiona Apple?
"Light as a feather, stiff as a board"?
Mon Chi Chi dolls?
Nancy McKeon?
The "Faces of Death" series of videos?
Whoopee cushions?
Now you try: "Whatever happened to...?"
Swelling in my stomach like a memory. Tearing me apart like a new emotion. Here it comes again, here it comes again. Ahhh!
For whatever reason, my mysterious pain was back in full effect this week. Just about a year after my first encounter with this monster. Again, I say, what gives? Only this time it is sticking around MUCH longer. And in addition to the one day (seriously, almost exactly another 24-hour period) of acute, excruciating, unbearable pain, this thing has lingered around in my stomach for at least another 5 days or so, although in a much duller form. At least I had the meds to fall back on, prescribed last year. It's nice to be prepared at least.
Might be time to re-examine the ol' life plan again. Hm. Time to ruminate on that one.
And - as a complete non sequitur - it has been QUITE a few days since I have heard from my dear friend in Canada. Well, that may be my fault - I need to be better about writing people back in a more timely way. C'est la vie right now though.
So, back to my pain for a moment. In addition to the whining at times, I tend to develop a really whacky sense of humor when I am not well. Well, I am not well in general, but that's a whole other blog. So, this humor over the last couple of days has taken on a weird form. It is as though, ladies and gentlemen, I am channeling Weird Al Yankovic - whom I just adore anyway. God loves a good spoof. So, to amuse you with some little diddies I cooked up, in addition to the one I started with, here goes nothing:
(recall Abba? here's my rendition of "On and On and On")
I was in my bedroom trying to catch some precious z's. Paul said, "Who are you to sleep so soundly next to me? What's the situation, do we have some time for us?" I said, "I was not exactly in the mood for lust." He said, "If you're going to sleep then can I come along?" I said, "Keep on sleeping baby 'til the night is gone." On and on and on. Keep on sleeping baby, 'til the night is gone. Do do do. On and on and on. Do do do. 'Til the night is gone. Do do do.
I think that's enough pain for now. Ha!
Even though it is a poisonous plant, I simply adore foxglove. I don't even know why - I did not grow up in a little English cottage with foxglove growing in the garden. I just think it is one of the most gorgeous of God's creation. And finally ours bloomed this year!
Our lamb's ears are quite something as well, except the rabbits keep eating it. Shoo, rabbits! You're cute and all but don't think I won't take a broom (gently) to you to keep you out of my garden!
Calls to mind No Doubt's "Waiting Room" even though the essence of the song is about something quite different. Sigh.
Yup. That's what my time looks like alright. Oh wait - I've got to go. There's my boarding call!
Uh... sorry - that was just the TV. I think I'm having flashbacks.
Here are the first of many photos to come, all of which were previously promised. We are not quite as organized at home with photos as I'd like. Ha!
More to come as we "unpack" at home.
I'm rather sad I wasn't able to blog at all last month. Lots happened - but it really is a big blur.
A highlight was a meeting I had at a Baha'i school near Santa Cruz, CA. In the middle of a redwood forest. So gorgeous. Thank you for my wonderful time there, everyone at Bosch!
But this month I'm all in it again.
Aw yeah!
And all was well in the world again.
So, Paul and I are finally back from vacation. And it was just FANTASTIC!! Mind you, this was the first time the two of us have taken a vacation alone together for more than 3 days at a time since we got married. True! Don't you wish you had my life? Ha!
Here's the rundown, though - day by glorious day...
May 23 - departed for the scorching hot Phoenix, Arizona. We arrived in 90+ degree weather, rented our little Mustang, and drove up to Flagstaff. Aaaahh... much cooler there. We hung out at Barnes and Noble, bought a couple of great hiking books, ate a great Italian dinner, and slept early.
May 24 - went on a great hike at Bell Rock in Sedona. This is one of those famed "vortex" spots. I must admit that although I was mildly intrigued by the supposed significance of these special areas throughout Sedona, it wasn't all that. Just a lot of hype - although the wind did kick up a bit as we climbed Bell Rock. It was just so beautiful. Red rock country, fo sho. Then Paulie and I did something he has NEVER done before - we went horseback riding. Which I LOVE! And now Paulie does too. He rode Dr. Bob and I rode Carmelo. Cute, eh? It was such a nice ride, right at sunset. Aaaahh... And topped off with dinner at Oaxaca in Sedona. Good stuff.
May 25 - took it eeeeeasy! We just chilled. Lounged. Relaxed. Hung out. Strolled through the streets of Flagstaff and Sedona for a bit as well. It was great.
May 26 - major hiking day!! We did three significant hikes. 1. West Fork trail through Oak Creek Canyon. We followed the cutest family of ducks paddling down the creek for a while. So cute!!! And quite a breathtaking hike. (This was hands-down my favorite experience in Sedona.) 2. Cow pies and Mitten Ridge. Seriously, the rocks look like a gigantic cow left its droppings in the middle of red rock country. It was so cool though. We hiked WAY up higher than most people do. And got a bit lost. That will teach us to hike without a compass. Who does that anyway?!?? 3. Fay Arch trail - a bit lackluster, but a nice little hike at sunset. And Delara got new hiking shoes today!
May 27 - to the Grand Canyon we go! We made the much-longer-than-you-think drive up to the less-visited North Rim. Breathtaking is not the word. Other-worldly might be the word. Just so beautiful. And much more green and alpine than the frequented South Rim. Just as spectacular. And watching rafters on the Colorado River from the Navajo Bridge was pretty cool too. Then we headed south to Scottsdale for three nights at a fabulously indulgent resort - for the cost of peanuts! We got such a good deal. I love that.
May 28 - we shopped. And shopped. And lounged a bit, sipping Frappuccinos. And shopped. And had Paulie's favorite chimichangas for dinner. Yum!
May 29 - hung out with the Ottos. So fun! We all went to lunch at Fuddruckers, saw Shrek 2 (again, for me and Paul - but just as funny the second time around), played with the kids back at the house, grilled burgers and dogs for dinner, and watched TV together. It was a fun day.
May 30 - made the dreaded return flight home to Chi-town, only after a FIVE HOUR DELAY because of what? Tornado warnings and such in the Chicago area. Whatever.
So, that was our 5th anniversary world tour. And we just had so much fun. Of course, you know I've left out all the x-rated night-time activity. That's another blog.
Photos to come, once we get organized. Stay tuned...