And then....life happens.

Been a while since I posted. 

To sum up 2015 so far: 

• new job which is decidedly the opposite of boring and un-engaging [yay!!]
• family stuff
• two robberies in 48 hours [committed by neighbors in our literal back-yard]
• recovery of some goods
• lots and lots of paperwork
• yadda, yadda, yadda

But, well....I missed my blog. I started it to write about interesting things I do / make / places I go, and while there's been no dearth in any of those categories, just haven't allowed myself the space to write about it. That's just plain laziness. So let's start with a new beginning....

Gratitude has been on my mind a lot lately. With the burglaries we have a completely busted, inoperable front door and we had $12k worth of "stuff" taken.

Yes, the eejits got my engagement ring, and the engagement ring of Spouse's former fiancee. But they did not get my great-great-grandmother's amethyst and gold bracelet. 

They got a week-old-to-us television and a lot of various other electronicals. But I was able to provide a vivid enough description on my stolen (personalized) laptop, that the cops recovered it (on a call for another burglary) + $1100 in other merch that is ours. AND managed to arrest two suspects.

Clear signs the thieves are not MENSA candidates: left the power cords to the television and a wireless bluetooth speaker, which were either attached to the device or right next to it. Derp.

At least one of the thieves managed to cut her/himself on the second kicking in of our front door, leaving spots of blood on our living room carpet. Because of that, the very nice insurance adjuster added carpet replacement in the living and dining rooms (they are contiguous), and paint / painting services to cover the damage to our walls, when the replacement door is installed. We hadn't even thought to include the carpet, let alone paint. 

You may see where I'm going with this. For every seemingly crappy thing that occurred, a simple act of generosity, human caring and/or irony, has lightened my spirits in some way. 

Yes, we were burgled. Yes, our home was violated and by extension, we feel violated, since our home is our sanctuary. 

But.....

• We weren't home during either robbery.
• We now know 5 cops and 1 detective in our city's force. 
• Our new door will be way more energy efficient than our last. Also safer because we are getting a reinforced door with a reinforced steel plate to help protect against another door kick-in.
• Due to the high level of nerd in our home, we have the serial numbers to 95% of the electronicals that were stolen. Doesn't mean we think we're getting anything back, but it may lead to more charges down the line, should a search ping one.
• We have good insurance, thanks to our very helpful parents who helped us, make sure we had the right coverage (and didn't skimp). 

My frame of mind, most days, in most moments, is one of just simple gratitude for life, to put it simply. Not every single moment, but for every icky thing that has occurred, I am quick to remind myself that all truly is well overall. 

Case in point: I was on the freeway today, in a rush to get somewhere. I entered the highway with a funeral procession in the far left lane, complete with the little flags on the roofs of cars, and flashers on. My occurrence was that everyone, including me, slowed down a little, even though we didn't need to. My lane eventually reached the front of the procession, and in the front were two hearses. Not one, but two. I could see a white coffin in the hearse that was second, and a flag-draped coffin in the lead hearse. 

I made note of the company handling the services, and when I got back to the office looked to see if I could find a back-story.  

Smith Roger D. Smith passed away April 4, 2015 at Grant Hospital and his wife of 39 years, Patricia Smith unexpectedly passed away 6 days later, on April 10, 2015. She was born July 8, 1939 ... survived by loving children, Gene Rochelle, Jeff Rochelle, Travis (April) Smith. Roger had ... 12 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren... Roger served as a paratrooper in U.S. Army; loved to play the guitar and sing. 

Talk about a perspective moment. Lost stuff seems *really* unimportant in that moment. 

#DeathByFun

One of Spouse's dearest friends, Reverend Al, goes on jags of time he titles "Death By Fun", which generally involve a LOT of activities crammed into a short amount of time, with little sleep in-between. I feel that is a great definition of what the last few weeks have been, and this weekend was no exception. 

I was celebrating a milestone of a high school reunion. Twenty-five years. Ouch. 

First Quarter Review

March was indeed fairly awesome - especially when compared to January and February. I thought this would be a good juncture to check-in with my 2014 Intentions and see how I'm doing!

The following are updates on my daily fitness goals, which are to have at least 5 flights of steps logged, at least one mile walked/run for exercise, and at least 8 sessions with personal trainer & friends (or at least 8 sessions at the gym). 

January

• 1 day of not reaching goal of 5 flights of steps
• 66.5 miles walked/run for exercise (my unoffical 5k was a walk I took with my friend, Sydney, around Occom Pond in Hanover, NH). 
• 4 sessions with my personal trainer & buddies

February

• 8 days of not reaching goal of 5 flights of steps (but then I also had an ear infection + cold + flu for part of the month)
• 60.5 miles walked/run for exercise
• 2 sessions with my personal trainer & buddies (see excuse for flights of steps missing)
• Spouse & I were signed up for a 5k in February, but I overslept and we literally missed it by minutes. Still got our packets though and walked that day on our own. 

March

• 2 days of not reaching goal of 5 flights of steps
• 78.87 miles walked/run for exercise (19.75 were during the time period for the Luck of the Irish Run)
• 8 sessions with my personal trainer & buddies (although 2 were 30-minute solo sessions)

Below are the intentions I set up for myself at the beginning of 2014, with notes on progress made. I asked Spouse to grade my burrito making so far. 

Could be doing worse, could be doing better. I'll be honest: January and February took the wind outta my sails. I am just starting to feel less meh, and interested to be goal-oriented with these goals. 

I also know I'll be seeing Granny (and a lot of my mom's family) in a few weeks. Also be seeing Spouse's dad's family in June (which wasn't on the original list) + getting to see my NH Lovelies again in June, although this time we are meeting up in NYC (which also means, I'll get to see my groovy friend, Yessica, and possibly some other NYC area friends!!!!). 

It's also a good reflection to be gentle with myself, and realize that it's not complete slacking that's involved, and also to note that I am making progress in areas. Reminder: it was never my intention to say I WILL DO ALL OF THESE THINGS! More of a, here is what I'd like to accomplish....

There's always room for improvement, I always say.

I'll check in again in July and see what progress I may have made since April. Looking forward to it!

Did you set any intentions for 2014? 

Have you taken stock of progress?

Reflecting.

It's that point in the year, when everyone seems to be reflecting on the year that is almost over, and looking ahead to the year that is coming. My Pea-In-A-Pod Friend posed this earlier today, and I have to agree with her (as usual - there is a reason we are peas-in-a-pod after all): 

Truth: I've never understood New Year's celebrations. Out with the old, in with the new! Next year is going to better! Now is the time for change! We can finally hope for something different, something better despite the fact that tomorrow is likely going to be the same agent as today! I don't really *get* it. 

I believe that every sunrise is the opportunity to celebrate the newest new, the freshest fresh start and the cleanest clean slate one can have. And I personally like to celebrate that moment from the comfort of my bed, with my eyes closed. I may need to re-evaluate, but for now, that's the reality of my gratitude. Note to self: be more aware & grateful. Also, get your lazy ass out of bed more/earlier/without fuss. 

And so, here we are: the entire world* celebrating NEW! and POSSIBLE! and CHANGE! and BETTER! this *one* day when perhaps we should actually acknowledge this Every Day. 

But then I think, at least the entire world* celebrates together. And THAT, my dear, is truly a miracle. For today, the human race is largely in harmony. AROUND THE GLOBE, people are engaging in local traditions to celebrate the very same thing. Synchronicity. Commonality. Shared humanness-ity. When I think about *that*, it's actually kind of miraculous & beautiful. All the humans rejoicing together, celebrating together, hugging together, hoping together, fireworks at midnighting together ... 

New and Possible and Change and Better: I'll take it. On this and every new day.

Well said, my friend. 

If there was one lesson that I learned from 2013 (and frankly, 2012 too), it's that today is an awesome day, and the perfect day to try anything, especially something new. 

An expensive yogurt batch.

I made a batch of yogurt last night. 

Nothing remarkable about that, really, except that the previous two batches were utter failures, so I felt much relief and joy that *this* batch worked. 

Enter Genius Spouse, who chimed in with, "Sweetie, for your yogurt, do you need consistent temps? Maybe that's the issue, since we turn the furnace down each night". 

Dammit, Beavis. 

He's completely right. I've been wrapping the warmed crock in two thick, nice beach towels, and leaving it to chillax on the kitchen counter, but we like to sleep in a fairly chilly house. Plus even though it's technically not winter until Saturday, it has been winter for a few weeks.

I also suspect my I-have-no-idea-where-I-even-got-it-or-when thermometer may be biting the dust. I was farting around with it while heating the milk on the stove, and it seemed to have differing opinions of temperature at times. I realize I'm imprecise when cooking, but there is a time and place for preciseness. Fermented foods are up there. 

Thank you, Nelson Mandela.

My freshman year of college was remarkable, not just for the obvious reasons of being my first year "on my own", away from my family. I started college in August, 1989, and had no idea of the amazing events that would take place that (academic) year. 

First, in the late fall, the Berlin Wall fell. The symbol of The Cold War, and the ideals that came with it, gone. I remember watching on my 13" tv, in my dorm room, as people came together with sledge hammers and power tools to make it happen, and seeing East Berliners & West Berliners shaking hands and hugging, without guards in-between. It was so amazing to me. 

Giddy with Gratitude.

All of sudden yesterday morning, it hit me. This week is Thanksgiving (and the start of Hanukkah). 

<BAM>

I knew it, clearly, based on the rant from my last post, but the full effect finally reached my soul or whatever. I think it was the snow we've gotten over the last two days. And finalizing the logistics for Thanksgivukkah. And realizing it was a short work week (WOOOOOOOT!). 

But the full effect just hit me and with it, came a really great mood. The kind of mood where doesn't really matter, you just can't wreck it for me. Not only can you not wreck it, I just won't let you. 

<sigh>

Short post with no reason, other to say, I hope you get or stay giddy with gratitude over the next few days. Whether you are celebrating with family by blood, family by choice, pulling the covers up over your head and ignoring the whole lot - be giddy with gratitude as your celebration takes place.

• Say Please. 
• Smile a lot.
• Say Thank You.
• Give big, full-hearted hugs. 
• Sing along to "Over the River and Through The Woods", really loud and off-key. (Bonus points for getting some little kids to join you).
• Share. 
• Hold the door for the person behind you.
• Practice patience. 
• Make eye contact, especially with the harried workers you encounter. 
• Say I love you.
• Be silly. 
• Buy the person next to you a treat - a beer, a cupcake, their lunch, whatever you can manage.
• Listen to your favorite holiday carol or song, then turn it up to 11.
• Go into a locally owned shop you have never been to and just wander around. 
• Give someone a high five. 
• Let another car have *that* spot.
• Listen. Not just with your ears.
• Bring your own shopping bags. 
• Say Thank You (it bears repeating). 

Location applicable: 

• Make a decent sized snowball and smash it into the ground with all the strength you can muster. 
• Clean off the snow-covered car next to you after you've cleared your car. 

I'm not asking you to do everything on the list. Just keep these few ideas in mind, and know that I appreciate you reading my little blog. Thank you. 

I'm giving you a virtual high-five and a silly face. 

post-workout dork face

Be safe on your travels and enjoy the time with your loved ones. 

It's beginning to look a lot like Thanksgivukkah.

Thanksgiving in one of my favorite holidays. The food is delightful, the concept simple yet elegant, and there's no major decorations/presents/buying crap pressure. 

This year we get the special addition of the first night of Hanukkah, so that November 28 becomes the Super Holiday of Thanksgivukkah. 

You had me at latkes, thanks.

Add in the rest of the winter holidays: Saturnalia, Solstice, Christmas, Festivus (you know for the rest of us), Kwanzaa, Hogmanay/New Year's Eve, New Year's and with all of them falling within 35 days of each other, and it is the express lane of holidays. Pretty interesting.