Paddy's Birthday

February 17, and it is Paddy's birthday. What a gal she is. A delight in every way. I'm so glad to celebrate her life. She glows.

I'm off work for the week. Worked two days, but I need to decide if I want to continue after my initial commitment. I like being there and being around everyone, but I really don't feel like I need the money, and the novelty is wearing off a bit. I need to see what I do with my time off. Looking forward to my trip to California.

It Is Find Your Famous Double Week

I had a little fun this week with finding my famous double. It all started with Jennifer picking Brooke Shields, and she did fool me. Then I put up Tyne Daly, and it inspired me. I just never know how to do facebook, so it got people confused. I sent Aggie several look alikes and then I settled on our look alike couple (Bobby Flay and Paula Dean). It entertained me, and after all isn't that what it is all about (not the hokey pokey).

This week our family was chosen to be in the Nielson study. Since I watch tv I take it seriously. It will be hard for me, because I am a channel changer.

I'm back at work again. This is day 7 and although I like it, it challenges me to be present and to care. I like helping people with the computers, and less actually advising people. One is finite and the other infinite so more difficult. It's only for 8 weeks, but so far it has enhanced my life rather than taking away. It is good to be back at Lane again, and to remember the good that the school and the program provides.

New Beginnings New Year

Started the new year well. Ate crab and long noodles, and black eyed peas. I think we are covered in the many traditions for a new year. We got the technology straightened out, which was exhausting, but now I have exercise videos on my tv. Much better.

Maya has her art on the cover of Skipping Stones magazine. We are very proud of her in so many ways. She is interested in art as well as music and dance. It is always amazing to be acknowledged.

Wishing everyone a wonderful year, filled with love, and what they want for themselves and the world. I am always refiguring what it is that makes me feel good. This week it is fixing things. I do love when stuff works right, and figuring out how to make it work.

The Festival of Lights

Went up to Portland with CoCo for the last two days of Chanukah. As it turns out I did celebrate the festival of lights. Paddy and I put up a chandelier from Ikea with eight lights on it. It was a miracle! She was sick and we ransacked her house for tools, and I really didn't know what I was doing, but don't tell anyone. We went to a movie Precious, (excellent) ate in a wonderful Italian restaurant and just hung out with the dogs. Lot's of dog walks.

Then connected with Basja and we lit the candles backwards, after all don't Jews do it backwards. We just got closer and caught up on all our travels. Jocelyn and Olivia picked me up from Basja's. Jocelyn found me on facebook, and it was good to reconnect with them and catch up on our lives. I felt very loved. So far this has been a good December.

Peace Rally

Went to a peace rally today to protest the escalation of the war in Afghanistan. It was a small crowd but I connected with WAND, and felt welcomed. I brought my homemade sign. I tried to get to the heart of what was most disturbing for me.

Then Ibrahim spoke and I was moved to tears. He simply said that war was devastating and has caused destruction and harm to everyone touched by it. He hoped that after millennium of doing things that way, we can come up with another way to do things. It was so good to hear and so beautiful. I realize that I am not angry but sad at the decisions Obama is making. Sad at more war, and so I cry.

Returning to Yoga

It all started with the realization AGAIN that I am not in optimal health. I was declined from an insurance company for my weight, and took my blood pressure and it was high. The first thing I did was look on the internet for "ways to reduce your blood pressure naturally." So now I am doing yoga.

I returned to the "first lady of Yoga," Lilias Folan. I started with her in the 70's after buying her skinny paperback and watching her on TV.

Here's my story and I am sticking to it. I took my blood pressure at Rite Aid and it was 164/93. Freaked me out. Then I went home did 30 minutes of yoga with Lilias, and went immediately to Fred Meyers and did it again. This time 124/83. I felt so mellow and it proved I could lower my blood pressure naturally.

So I force myself down the stairs, drag my mat, and do yoga with the tv. It is difficult, but I do feel like I will get more limber and get the other benefits. I love Lilias as she starts slow but does get into some harder postures. All the while correcting and adjusting along the way. Good for me.

Box Boy at Rest at Last

Our dear cat Zorro passed this September. He lived to be 18 years old, and had outlived his 9 lives. He used them all up in many fights as well as eating a needle and thread. It was sad to see this strong fighter go. All our neighbors were amazed at his tenacious desire to be outside and bake in the nice sun. He is now resting in our Kwan Yin garden under a shizandra plant. We will miss him. Goodbye good boy.