1) I created a new sandwich that both my husband Andrew and I adore. It consists of grilled eggplant, fresh basil, mozzarella cheese and tomatoes. We ate it twice this week. Yum!!!
2) I performed a dental at work on Monday with two extractions that are usually teeth that have to be surgically removed. Both were loose enough to just get out with an elevator so that made me and my upper arms super happy.
3) I managed to be able to do yoga every morning. And every morning, the Leira dog lied down right beside me to offer love and support, especially during the challenging sequences. I feel so energized and renewed every time I finish a yoga practice. It's such a beautiful and positive way to begin each morning.
4) I can almost (almost) smell fall in the air. I cannot tell you how elated this makes me. I love love love the fall! It's cooler in the mornings and evenings now and we haven't had to use our air conditioning nearly as often. Waking up to the smell of mountain air as it breezes through our bedroom windows each morning is one of the most peaceful moments of each day. I feel so lucky to be living in a place that offers up such moments of serenity.
5) Tuesday morning, I woke up and found a sweet message written on the the last gratitude post I wrote. Thank you Sara for always supporting me and lifting me up with your kind words. I am so very lucky to have a friend in you.
6) Andrew and I had another movie date and experienced the Cinnabar for the first time. It was lousy service and only an OK movie but I always enjoy date nights:). PLUS! They brought me my popcorn in a HUGE metal mixing-like bowl and it was cheaper than it would have been at a regular movie theater. Cheap popcorn and wine during a movie viewing with my favorite-est person in the world = a wonderful time in my book.
7) At work last week, one of our clients brought in two 8 week old sibling chihuahua's that she had rescued/bought from a meth head "breeder". I wanted to put both the pups AND this sweet little old lady into my pocket and carry them home with me. Such kindness and puppy breath always brings a smile to my face.
8) I learned two new songs on the guitar. Thank you Brandi Carlile for inspiring me to continue learning and improving on my skill.
9) I made the best salad EVER! Arugula, strawberries and shaved almonds. Need I say more?
10) Thursday was my Friday and the knowledge of this is what got me through having a not so easy dental to do with 5 extractions that took us forever to accomplish and a 4 minute lunch to follow.
11) We got up early Friday morning, packed up ourselves and the Leira dog and headed out onto the parkway where we hiked to a beautiful waterfall. I can't get over how close we are to so many hiking trails and beautiful landmarks. Neither of us can get enough out of these mountains. They keep beckoning us to come out and play.
12) After our hike, we traveled another hour and a half to one of my favorite destinations in the world, Fontana Village. It is here that my brother and I spent many of our summers growing up. It was discovered by my parents before we were even a glimmer in their eye and it has remained a very special place in our families' heart. My parents had driven there the night before and my brother and sister-in- law and Aunt, Uncle and cousin met us all there later. It was a fun filled weekend full of love and laughter. But I think my favorite moment was singing and playing guitar with my brother Pat. He is such a huge inspiration to me and I am so very lucky to have him not only as a brother, but as a best friend. I have always wanted to have enough courage to feel like I was good enough to play the guitar with him, and though we sounded rusty, it truly was music to my ears. It was also super fun to play and sing along with him and my Aunt Phylis and cousin Jennifer. I felt like I was in a scene in a movie and I didn't want it to end.
13) We came back home yesterday afternoon to 5 very needy kitties. All of them took turns snuggling on the couch while we ate frozen pizza, drank cheap wine and watched a couple of episodes of Monk. We then went to bed with a very wiped out Leira dog in between us.
14) Life is good. It's as simple as that. No trial or feat could possible be big enough to destroy the happiness between Andrew and I and our 6 little critters. I am so fortunate to wake up beside him each morning, beginning each week with the knowledge that he will always be there through every moment of happiness and any challenge that may threaten this.
15) The love I feel from everyone in my life overflows me with gratitude. Thank you all for being a part of this journey, and for keeping me focused on the real things that matter.
Here's to another joy-filled week!
Aw--- how wonderful.
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