Today

Today I got up just after 6am to get to the gym for my daily workout. I am still pretty limited in what I can do right now. The right knee is my constant reminder of pain and discomfort. And because I have been swimming a lot more, my right shoulder is very tight and sore. I have to be creative now because being inactive is NOT an option for me. I sat on the exercise bike, sadly picked "3" on the intensity level (a scale of 1-20) and selected my current favorite album on my IPod - Plain Jane by Chantal Kreviasuk.

I love Chantal Kreviasuk. Her lyrics are real and soulful. My American friends may not have heard of her, but you have heard her songs on movie soundtracks. Chuck and I had the chance to see her perform in Edmonton about a month ago. She came out in blue jeans, a black shirt, ponytail, sat at the piano and say this song - Today. I instantly connected with this song and it has become my mantra. "Today, today, today is the greatest day!"

Let's be honest, sometimes it is in fact NOT the greatest day. When I first got on the exercise bike, I was discouraged. I am a cardio junky. I miss having a high heart rate, sweating, the burn of my muscles. But when TODAY came on my IPod, I found myself tapping, mouthing the words, and somehow today felt like it would be pretty great. Eventhough my son is home sick, I cancelled all my appointments, my husband is stressed, and the pain is still there - Today is the greatest day.

A sign in my house says, "SOAR - one's attitude determines one's altitude."

Culinary Delights

Someone suggested that I should be using my new kitchen to increase my culinary skills. Well, I'm happy to report that this year I canned pears all by myself, I usually need my Mom to hold my hand through the whole process. I cooked Thanksgiving dinner here, canned 24 quarts of apple juice, made pumpkin bread, pizza dough, shrimp and scallops, and a few other new recipes (having been inspired by the movie Julie and Julia).

What's your favorite thing to make in the kitchen?

Finding ourselves at home.

From this.....

.... to this!

It is so wonderful to be home! Pictures are hung, a few minor things are fixed and we are settled in.

We were able to have my whole family over for Thanksgiving dinner and it was the best family gathering we have had in a long time. I loved having my family here. I love having MY little family here.

Please, come see us anytime!

Finding my Zen

In the efforts to do something for me this year - I always pick something as you may recall my fencing lessons, ballet classes, cooking, etc. This year is the year of Zen. I have enrolled in a Yoga class.

Deep breath in. Find your center.

I did Yoga about 15 years ago and still do some of the poses and stretches from time to time. But this - this is serious stuff. Okay, it's level one. My class is every Tuesday afternoon. I loved my first class! I felt so great the rest of the day. It is more challenging then I thought. I think I managed okay. The instructor only had to come reposition me a few times. Once she kept pulling on my hip to get it back more and I kept thinking, honey, it's as far as it's gonna go today! But she is so nice and calm and everything a good yoga instructor should be.

I am determined to become more limber and more peaceful. Namaste.

KL's Photo Challenge

Hmmm...nothing exciting in this 9th folder of my pictures and 7th photo....Chuck opening his Christmas presents in 2006.

You're so awesomely random KL!!

All together now.......big sigh!

We moved in on Saturday and it already feels like we've been here a month!

We love the house! We are walking around in a dreamy haze. The boys are so happy and have adjusted quicker then ever. The first day of school (which was yesterday) was fantastic. They are very happy with their new classes and teachers. I started back to work yesterday and I have to say, I am much more relaxed and focused having the packing, cleaning, and moving behind me.

Pictures will follow soon - and please - come and see me!!!!

A Quiet Tuesday Morning to Reflect

My blog mood has been quiet serious! Whenever I come to big changes, I think A LOT and reflect. They say moving is in the top three of life stresses. I have already been through one of the other top three and believe me - MOVING IS A PIECE OF CAKE IN COMPARISON. So, forgive the lack of humor and jolliness - consider this like reading my journalling of thoughts. Be honored, cause NO ONE reads my journal!

The house is pretty much packed up. Chuck keeps asking where things are, things that probably would still be handy, but are in a box somewhere. Chuck has lived in this house for 12 years. The boys and I have lived here for 7. It has been a great home. There have been so many good times and just as many challenges. I know Chuck has reflected on the memories he had while living here. Hard times for him - newly divorced and fighting to see his boys. Then all the sudden his gets remarried and has an insta-family! He handled that well. Boy it was tough though!! There has been an abundance of life lessons in this tiny abode!

I talked to Devon and Cameron last night. They are anxious to come home and I'm so glad. Cameron told me, "I'm ready for summer to be over and that's weird for me to say. I'm ready for school, to see everyone in Edmonton, to be in my bed, and to eat something other than fast food." This is the hardest week of summer for me. This is when I miss them most and can't remember what it feels like to hug them. I have been praying non-stop for their safe return and that this school year will be better then the last! I worry about Cameron sometimes - the past year with Richard living with us was hard for him. Harder then I had realized. He has been down and lost. I hope to help him find something to be passionate about and to return calm and peace to our new home for him and all of us.

I only have one massage to do today and then I get MY massage. Always such a treat for a massage therapist. My knee is aching constantly now and thanks to a good friend's husband, I will hopefully get my MRI done next week! That is much better then having to wait till December as originally scheduled. I am limited to swimming now which meant I had to pull out of my last triathlon for the season. That's okay! There's always next year.

On Sunday, I got to read some of my favorite books to my friend's little girl. I have saved all the books that were special to me and the boys. Later that night, I started scanning my favorite pictures onto the computer to add to my screensaver. This is picture is probably one of my all time favorites from probably my all time favorite book. It is from "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak. The page just before this picture, Max has declared, "Let the wild rumpus start." And that is what I say - today is the last day of calm before busy work days and the big move. If you look at Max and the wild things, they had a great time in the wild rumpus - and so will I!