mid-march check in

March is half over now. It feels more like summer here these last few days, rather than technically still winter. Oh my. Winters lately in Southern California.  To tell  you the truth, I'm feeling pretty anxious about the lack of rain, the record drought conditions, and the ever hotter winters.  I'm not sure what else to say about that. I hope that human beings adapt to this new climate . . .

Good things that have been happening in March--my walks are getting more regular and I'm liking them more.  This is a good sign.  I'll refrain from getting overly optimistic too soon.  I think having a hill to walk up gives me enough challenge and novelty that it feels new and fresh to me--not my usual super boring walk around the block.  And on Saturdays (two weeks in a row now) I've been going to the top of my normal hill and then entering the trailhead at the top and doing the entire loop.  I call it a hike, but I think most would call it more of a walk.  Anyway, it is beautiful and the views from the top are sweeping (see photo 1).  It takes me an hour and a half to do the full loop.  It's exciting to have this.

I've been listening to a new podcast-- Happier with Gretchen Rubin.  You know I like her blog and books, right?  The podcast is in its infancy, but it's pretty fun.  Her sister is her co-host.  Her sister is located in Southern California and she also commented on a local hiking trail she has been enjoying and that what passes for "hiking" in So Cal would most likely be known as "walking" everywhere else.  It made me smile for sure!  What podcasts are you listening to lately?  I hear Invisibilia is worth checking out.  I listened to one episode (the one they aired on This American Life) but I need to download more episodes and give it a fair chance.  How about you?

In other news, I have a new breakfast (photo #2).  Faith sent me a picture of her breakfast one morning this week, and I was fully inspired.  Hers was eggs, avocado, and tomatoes.  I subbed spinach for the avo and have been having it ever since.  I think it's making me healthier already!  ;)

Also--the orange blossoms are fully in bloom and they are fragrant and lovely.  I love this time of year--so expectant and hopeful.  I love making plans for summer and the longer evenings (after the sleep deprivation is over).

I did a bit of a closet cleanup today and am heading to Buffalo Exchange tomorrow after work to sell some stuff.  I'm continuing my goal to transition to a capsule wardrobe.  I feel like I'm making some good self discoveries in the process (e.g. buy less and don't expect to like it forever, so adjust your spending accordingly.  I think I've mentioned Jennifer L. Scott's YouTube videos before, yes?  She is very helpful in this process).

Thank you so much for the comments you have been leaving!  I haven't been getting e-mail notifications lately (not sure why), but discovered today comments I hadn't seen before.  Thanks again!  How is your March going?

february wrap-up

homemade chicken pie

kitchen

sleeping on the floor at the Hilton

March has come!  I thought I'd do a little February wrap-up.  I started the month up in Santa Cruz with Faith.  I had a little getaway weekend at the end of January and drove home on the first of February.  I can't tell you how refreshing it was to spend a weekend with my daughter.  We ate out, saw a movie, shopped at Bookshop Santa Cruz (so fun!  I overspent on books!), got pedicures, and watched City.Ballet on her laptop under her fully quits.  Mother-daughter time at its finest.  The movie we saw was The Imitation Game and we cried so much.  I drove home Sunday and that Monday I had a day off so Ken and I had breakfast out.  So it was a really  nice weekend over all.

Mid-month I attended the CSNO conference in Anaheim.  It is the yearly school nurses' conference that is held in different parts of California each year.  Last year was in Sacramento, which I loved.  Getting away to Anaheim is less exciting, but I still leaned a lot and it is always nice to bond with the other nurses.

For the Oscars we had a super fun "party" at my parents' house.  And by "party" I mean it was just them and us.  My mom made a lovely spread of food and we watched the entire thing.  Even the boys were mesmerized because we don't have broadcast TV at home, so it's a treat to watch an actual show.

And, I also had jury duty one day.  It stressed by out!  But fortunately I did not get selected to serve on a long trial.  Next time perhaps I'll be a bit more prepared, but this time I was not and was so thankful to be released after serving my one day.

And now we are on to March!  It even rained a little today to welcome the new month.  Do you have any March goals?

almost November

lunch on Sunday

Oh, hello!  The weeks have gotten away from me and I missed posting in September entirely!  I started a new school year and it's been busy and stressful.  I will say I think things are calming down now just a bit.  It's almost November and I feel just getting to that month is an accomplishment in itself and then there will be some breaks.  I always feel that September and October, where there are usually no breaks or holidays for 8 weeks or so, is a long haul.

So since I last blogged we got a new kitchen (!!!!!) and Rainer turned 8.  I'll be back (soon I hope) with pictures of both.  I have to say, having my baby turn 8 is great but getting this new kitchen has been amazing!  Anyone who has read my blog over the years, especially reading between the lines, has probably picked up on the fact that I hated my kitchen and this remodel means the world to me.  I'm so happy about it.

I love a good bullet point list, so here we go--

• I love doing kitchen chores now and keeping everything clean and neat in there.
• I got rid of maybe 50% of my kitchen stuff and I plan on keeping everything minimal and spare.  It's what my heart wants.  
• I'm actually decluttering everything I have that is my own.
• I'm transitioning to a capsule wardrobe. 
• Can't wait for Thanksgiving break--we are going to Palm Springs for a few days.  Much needed!
• Before that there will be Veteran's day--a random Tuesday.  Not sure yet what we'll do with that.
• I'm dying to go to an art museum and look around. 
• I'm doing a 30 day no sugar thing.  It's hard for me, but it's good timing before the holidays.

Madrid, Spain

You guys, I never meant to abandon the blog for so long.  I'm sorry if any of you were checking back and wondering.  I still want to do the blog, I just haven't figured out how to fit in blogging in my current life.  I used to make it a big priority, and now I just don't want to anymore.  But I do want to fit in a bit every week.  I just need to figure out when.

Faith is spending an academic year in Madrid, Spain, so the day after Christmas I flew out to visit her.  Wow!  Madrid.  I never would have made it to Madrid if Faith had not been there.  Admittedly, I had no curiosity about Spain (I do have tons of interest and curiosity in the UK or any of the Scandinavian countries, or France).  On the other hand, Madrid is way more exotic than those other places because many people just don't travel there.  I loved all the old buildings and beautiful architechture, and its European-ness.  Perhaps you can tell by the photos that we valued being together, going around, having tea and drinks and meals, but didn't make it to any tourist attractions.  I'm okay with that.  I just wanted to spend time with my girl.

What are your experiences with Spain?  Anyone been to Madrid?

Hopefully I'll be back soon to blog about Christmas.

Happy January!