Now I Know...

Clearly this is the reason none of the others wants to associate with him...(yep, that's kitty litter caked on his nose)


I mean, he may as well have come out of the bathroom trailing toilet paper from the bottom of his shoe.

Dork.

A Small Observation

I've been attending yoga classes fairly regularly now for about 2 1/2 months. I'm happy to report that I can see the physical changes the workouts are having on my body. And I'm certain the breathing exercises I've learned help me to remain calm and collected during times I would have otherwise gone nuts (like tonight when my car started acting up and the "check engine" light came on. Guess I'll be dealing with that this week while breathing deeply).

But today I realized I've gained an added, unexpected benefit...

After class this afternoon, I hit the ladies room before the 20+ mile drive home. As I was taking care of business it occurred to me... I was hovering effortlessly!! You know what I'm talking about, ladies!

Utkatasana, or "chair pose", REALLY has its perks!

Is It Too Late To Save My Own Neck?

For as long as I can remember, this baby pink moisturizing potion has had a comfortable place in my mother's make-up bag. And every morning at about 4:45 my mom would slather it all over her face just prior to applying her blush and concealer, making ready for her day. This routine and the soft scent of the lotion is a fond memory of mine regarding my mom.

So, it comes as no surprise to me that for at least the last 20 years I, too, have rubbed and massaged this creamy concoction all over my face. I've never used another product, never saw a need. If it ain't broke, don't fix it - right? But it's recently occurred to me that, until the last month or so, I NEVER APPLIED IT TO MY NECK!!! Oh my God! The panic I'm in!

Every woman knows that your real age shows in your hands and your neck! Will I ever be able to catch up? Can this stuff work magic?

My favorite Uncle Les calls it "Oil of Delay".

God I hope he's right!

Knock Knock

I am convinced that the older I get, the cooler I am becoming. And while the aging process really seems to bother most people, it doesn't seem to be affecting me. However, what does tick me off is that I'm learning so much and trying different things and stepping out of my comfort zone more easily and frequently but only recently! Why haven't I been doing these things all along? Why do we "grow wise". Why do we finally "get it" when it really doesn't matter any more?!




Because I'm acutely aware of this now, I'm making an all out effort to really pay attention to my surroundings. To really watch and listen to people. To really mean it when I say to someone I pass in the hall, "How are you doing today?" And to take the time to listen to their response, because I care.



I took up yoga about 2 months ago in an effort to kick start my new weight loss/body change program. I was expecting physical changes. I was not expecting changes in the way I think, the way I move, who/what I pay homage to, why I eat the food I eat, how much I enjoy something good (a latte, a homemade cupcake, a good night's sleep...) and good music.



This "practice" has opened me up to many new and wonderful things. I'm a little sad to be going through this experience alone but I'm getting sort of used to that now... During yesterday's class, while I should've had empty thoughts during savasana (deep relaxation), I instead was in awe of the music we were listening to. So much so that I cornered the instructor and asked who or what was in the CD player. She smiled and said, "oh, that's Bill Callahan. But you may know him from his band Smog." Um...no...Jasmine, I am not familiar with this Smog you speak of. Can I get him at Target?!



15 minutes later I find myself in what I would call a dank, non-air conditioned hole in the wall with a hookah bar on one side and waifs of incense coming from the "retailer" on the other side. I think I went underground, people...



And while I didn't find the CD that had that incredible song on it I relaxed to in class, I did come home with this little gem:

If there's some "alternative" music you're looking for or coffeehouse-type melodies, might I suggest CD Alley on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill? Oh, and you'd feel most comfortable there after having not shaved your underarms or legs for weeks and a bra is not required either.

Yep, I'm officially cool.

My Glads Are Blooming, My Glads Are Blooming!

And I'm SOOOOO glad! Aren't they pretty... other colors on the way, too!



But then there are these... My mums are blooming, too. Are the mums confused or am I? Shouldn't they be "sleeping" during this time of year and not showing their colors until the Fall?

And when it's this hot outside, there's really nothing better to do than...well...this...

Stay cool blog buddies!

My Bathroom Smells...

DELICIOUS!!!!

My Gardenia bush is in full bloom - the best year yet! So I clipped off a bloom or two and set them in the bathroom window and every time I go in there, it's like a little whiff of heaven.


Of course, these little guys do full battle when you-know-who is in there with them.

Just sayin'

My Pre-Memorial Day

I had to work yesterday and I have to work tomorrow which meant today was my Memorial Day. And this is how I spent it...

Victoria Bowden at Carrboro Yoga Company hosted a fabulous Flow Yoga class here in the Paper Lantern Room this morning. If you click on her link, you can actually witness me in action (that's me in the blue). She just happened to have a fellow student videoing the class in order to offer a snippet of how she works on her page of MYCYCOs website! Who knew I'd be just a little famous!

The Paper Lantern Room courtesy Carrboro Yoga Company

Next, I headed here. To The American Tobacco Trail. I love running along this tree lined trail.
It's soft, packed sand and is so peaceful. And the nature...it sounds just as beautiful as it looks. I especially like to run here when I have a "long" run to do. I can lose myself in my surroundings and pass the miles easier.

The American Tobacco Trail

The start of the trail is just off of the parking area. There's a pretty good hill leading down to mile marker 1.

Beginning of the trail

Of course, before starting out you'll want to make a pit stop. Being eco-friendly, think of these bathrooms as permanent porta-johns. Yep, no flushing and no running water to wash your hands. They want to conserve the environment. And, well, yes...those are "smoke" stacks, where the odors are supposed to escape. Overall, the concept works very well.

Environmentally friendly bathrooms

Inside the bathrooms are information sheets, explaining the benefit of waterless restroom facilities. I especially like the bullet informing us about the "sweet smelling toilets". Um, sorry but there is NO SUCH THING!!

Explanation of benefits

As I take off, this is my view as long as I looked up. My favorite thing about living in NC? The sky...the Carolina blue sky. It really does exist, people. And it's breathtaking, no matter how many times you see it.

The beauty along the trail

And this is what I see for miles and miles. I only wish I could embed the sounds along this breathtaking pathway. The birds and the frogs and the crickets and the kids and the bike tires along the sand and the other runners. All of this was here today although it doesn't look like it below. There were many periods of complete solitude along my way.

My view at mile marker 1

All good things must come to an end. And this is the end of my run. Back up the hill to where I started from.

A great hill to sprint if you've got anything left

Sometimes I even take time to smell the flowers...

I had a good day. I hope you did, too.

Happy Memorial Day blog buddies...Happy Memorial Day