Moments D665: Comfort foods

Today was Family Day.  A welcomed February statutory holiday here in Ontario.  It ended up being a lazy-stay-in-you-PJ's kind of day.  

Perfect for a lunch filled with comfort foods.  And so, we made fancy grilled cheese sandwiches (okay, who's kidding who, *I* had a fancy grilled cheese sandwich with coriander and avocado in it and EQ had a plain cheddar cheese sandwich) along side, yes, you guessed it, tomato soup!

Delightful.  Simple.  Perfect for a lazy day.

And then I stewed a big (too big) pot of chili for dinner. (Yes, that's right, I overflowed into a second pot!  Whoops!)

Yes, it was a comfort food kind of day.

Moments having a simple quiet day.

Moments enjoying simple comfort foods.

Moments D360: Messages from the Universe

Today was one of those strange days where everything seemed to hit at the same time. From an early morning personal shake up to an overly intense day in the office. It just seemed that every way I turned there was something else coming at me. And with every passing hour there was something else to juggle.

And yet, I juggled it. Even though it was challenging and somewhat chaotic, it was under control. For part of the day, it felt like I wasn’t really me. It was like watching the mad dash from above. And yes, I even found myself cheering myself on. (It was a lot and it helped with all the energy!)

It was a chaotic-shit-flying-keep-up-with-the-requests kind of day. And yet amoungst all the chaos and switching of gears and digging deep within, was this eerie sense of calm. And as I processed through the different steps (both personal and professionally) pieces of the puzzle just fell into place. When that happens, at least in my world, it’s a sign that I’m doing what I should be doing. I’m not fighting the universal energy, I’m working with it. And working with that universal energy things are smooth and calm when they could otherwise be very overwhelming and perhaps a bit paralyzing.

And so, I took to heart the messages from the universe. I hear you. I understand. I don’t particularly like all of the messages, but I hear you. I am paying attention. My eyes are open.

At the end of this challenging day, I spent it with my dear work friend out to celebrate a belated birthday dinner with her. I ended up driving as I was to lazy to do anything else but drive. Of course, that meant finding parking close toPravda where we were going for dinner. (Which, as a side bar, was a DELIGHTFUL place for dinner and/or drinks!) As we were driving, my girlfriend said she was envisioning a parking spot right out front of the bar for us.

So both our amazement, when we drove up, there is was. A small parking spot right in front of the entrance to Pravda. The question then became - can I get my Tink into that spot? With the doorman at Pravda watching, I handily parallel parked my car in one go. The doorman was impressed. I won’t lie. So was I.

Yes - it was just that kind of day. Where everything lined up and made sense.

Moments appreciating the calm in the chaos.

Moments listening to the universe.

Moments D355: Puttering

Today was a ME day. I’ve been running hard and fast for the last two (plus) weeks. Today is the first day that I can call all my own. I went to bed late with the full expectation of sleeping in and lounging around all day.

BUT - today didn’t end up being that lounging day I envisioned. I’m not sure why, but I think it started with the fact that I wanted to get a manicure. What a better way to start ME day, right? I was up and out to the salon shortly after they opened today. From there, I ran a few errands that I’ve been meaning to do and grabbed a quick lunch out. Now I will have my leather jacket fixed, I have my supplements for the next little while replenished, I returned my empties and I did a little window shopping. Puttering. I didn’t really have a plan, but I puttered. I even hit the Dollar store. I bought the kitten a couple of new toys (laser pointer anyone? Wow. So much fun with the kitten!) and supplies for work. I was in no rush. It was nice not to be in a rush.

Once I returned home, I started to clean up the hurricane that had hit my dining room table and in my office. And the next thing I know, I am chatting with my dearest friend. We chatted while I filed and cleaned up my office. It was perfect. Laid back, slow, and, as always, great to catch up with my girl.

Just as I was ready to play some video games, another friend called. I haven’t talked to her in months. Of course, I took her call. It was really great to hear her voice. Another chunk of time passes. I’m not pressured, I’m not stressed. I’m happy to go with the flow today and just putter.

I didn’t find time for video games, but I did managed to get a lot of things done, slowly, on my quiet, lazy ME day.

After a run for groceries, guacamole making and cracking a beer I was digging into a tasty late dinner. It’s been a good, slow, long day. I look forward to crawling into my bed, but not just yet. One more TV show before I retire. Why not? It’s ME day.

Moments appreciating a slower pace.

Moments puttering instead of racing.

Moments D327: Ahhhhhhh

Today was spa day at the Scandinave Spa. I’ve been planning on this day since mid-January. I was inspired to have my best friend join me in this luxurious day of relaxation last September when I was up here on my own. And even though we were down two players for this part of the weekend (and therefore not quite perfect as planned), it was an amazing way to end an amazing weekend.

A massage. Hot baths, plunge pools, sauna, steam room with eucalyptus and relaxation rooms with a gorgeous view. Heaven after running hard and fast for a couple of months. Heaven after working hard and writing an exam. Heaven spending quiet time with your best friends. No words necessary.

Beautiful.

I’m now ready for the next two months of running hard. Maybe I need to make this a quarterly treat. Hmmmmm. Me and my mushy brain can’t seem to find a reason to say no to that.

The weekend came to a quick close, but we all felt like we were away for longer than just two days. That’s the joy about going away from everything. It’s not your house. It’s not mine. There are no other distractions. Just the day at hand. The evening. Being present and enjoying the moments.

There were many, MANY moments. Shared secrets, shared fears, shared sickness, much shared laughter and many, many hugs.

I love my friends. I had the perfect birthday weekend. (Well, minus the fact thatI forgot the coffee!) Seriously - it was a perfect weekend. I look forward to the next time we can enjoy time together.

Moments of utter relaxation and feeling revitalized.

Moments of peace within.

#moments #friends #spa #quiet #birthday

Moments D284: Soaking in the sun and the winds of change

Today we enjoyed a day by the pool, but in the sand. Yes, our resort has a man-made beach! Drinks from Jay the ever attentive bartender, pizza lunch on the beach. A perfect day out enjoying some tunes and each other.


The best part of the day was late in the afternoon. It was just my uncle and I left soaking up the sun as the girls bailed on us. We continued to soak in the last of the day’s rays in complete silence. How zen it was! It was in these last quiet moments that I found a deep sense of quiet & relaxation. It was incredible. No distractions, just me, myself and I, enjoying the heat of the sun.

In those last moments of the day I thought about many things. From a brief overview of my last year of change and growth to a more in depth processing of next steps looking forward. I feel a great change coming. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it is coming. The question becomes: Am I ready for it?

Yes. I think I am. There’s no reason to simply be comfortable. Change makes us uncomfortable. But I think, I’m ready for that stir up. My new year’s resolution: To be more true to self. and not fear change.

Moments in the quiet.

Moments with one’s thoughts.

Moments D272: A quiet night in

Today I’m enjoying a quiet night to myself.   I was supposed to go out for drinks with a work friend.  Unfortunately he wasn’t feeling well enough to go out,  so I picked up some inner healthy groceries (baby kale, sprouts, tempeh, and cherry tomatoes), then headed home.

I spent the first three hours updating my computer.   Not glamorous, but necessary.  Now I’m at up with Malware and fresh anti-virus.   I’ve also managed to get my online benefits set up.  And then I just hung out o  the couch with my kitty. I'm finally caught up on a couple of my old shows.   Huh. 

Productive quiet night. My moment today was just enjoying the quiet.   Puttering.   Being productive.   So outside the “norm” for me.  And tomorrow I get to do it all over again tomorrow.  I might even get my homework done early.

Moments D153: Enjoying the silence

Today was a most uneventful day. This morning a short workout. Today a day filled with productivity at work. This evening, filled with productivity with my homework. But today’s moment isn’t about productivity and feeling good about plowing through so much “stuff” Today’s moment is about enjoying a moment of quiet at home.

This past summer has been a busy one. Between baseball and volleyball and friends I haven’t really been home a whole lot. Tonight I was home. Tonight I was really home. I enjoyed left overs, so there wasn’t much work to be done once I was home from work. There was no frantic pace.

There was a moment this evening where I looked up from reading my textbook and just absorbed the silence. I didn’t have any music playing, nor the TV on. The only sounds I could hear were muffled from outside. (After all it’s chilly out and the windows are now closed.) What a treat. Silence. Quiet. It was brilliant and I enjoyed that moment for a good long time. Yes. I think I am happy in my new space. It’s not perfect, but it’s comfortable and honestly, I’m very happy with comfortable for now.

Moments of quiet.

Moments to pause and absorb the silence.

Moments D130: Rays of Sun

Today was a lazy day. I awoke to the sound of my phone ringing and I lazily pulled myself out of bed mid-morning. This was a first for me, in many, many weeks.

The morning was bright and beautiful outside but instead of getting out and enjoying the sun, I hunkered down and dealt with some unpacking and organizing that needed to be done. By early afternoon I felt I had accomplished something and I was ready to get out of the apartment, so I headed to our baseball team pool party.

It was a quiet gathering (at that point in time anyways), but lovely none-the-less. The moment that brought me the most joy and smiles though was not the cannon ball into the pool nor lazing in the cool waters for a bit….it was when I jumped into the floating chair. Once in the chair, I closed my eyes and soaked up the last rays of summer. I was no longer part of the conversation going on around me but I was listening to the banter. It was a moment of quiet and peace amoungst much laughter and words. For me, it was the moment that defined my day. Finding peace and quiet and an appreciation for the sun warming my body.

Moments in sunshine.

Moments in peace.