The Return

For two weeks, I have been living on my own.  My husband has been speaking with customers in China and meeting with his parent company in Japan.  I have spent the time deep cleaning my house, attending concerts, finishing major projects and trying to create a less stressful environment at home.  I tried my best to get rid of unneeded things and go to a more “minimalist” lifestyle.  I don’t think I succeeded as much as I had hoped but every drawer is organized and most things have a place. In the past I have had a tendancy to get rid of too many things only to find later that I could have used an item I junked.  I am trying to be more reasonable than the “everything’s gotta go!” mentality I had as little as a few months ago.

The nice part of being on my own for two weeks, other than having time to do all of that organizing, was witnessing some very giving and caring people blessing me because I was lonely.  At every concert I attended I had someone to sit with (mainly Shannon), Rachel, the Josjors and Helzers and Karla included me in dinner plans.  Danielle kept me active with the longest run ever (until next week, that is), Karen included me on some special music and practiced with me, Bible study ladies kept me in their prayers while Jim was away.  I had at first hoped for two weeks of isolation but instead was given much more love from the people around me than I could ever deserve.  I’m very blessed here in Ogallala, even when my husband isn’t here. 

I am also very blessed when my husband IS here.  Not only is he an amazing husband, he is also a kick-butt gift giver.  I scored on his trip!  A beautiful Chinese dress (to be pictured at a later date, when I have an occasion to wear it) was the first to be presented.  Then I got to open an adorable cell phone charm that means “too cute”.  This was followed by the big gift of the trip—silver earrings from Akita, Japan.  He also came home with gifts from the plants and customers he visited.  Wall hangings, a miniature kite, golf balls and a clay tea cup in a box.   So much for going “minimalist”, right?  But I am so glad to have him home and to enjoy our time together for the next couple of weeks before I leave for my “getaway”. 

Weekend.

Jim will be home in less than 24 hours.  Less than 12 hours, even.  I am going to brush the dogs, vacuum, clean a bit (just a bit), make homemade cookies (so the house smells awesome when he gets home), and go try on these jeans at Repeat Boutique that someone insisted I try on ;). 
Yesterday morning I discovered my favorite pair of jeans were missing.  At this moment they are still missing and I wonder if I didn't throw them away with some old jeans that had holes.  I hope not, but just in case I bought a new pair at the other clothes stores, Clothing Closet.  I'm excited for the new pair but totally bummed about the mystery disappearance.
After work Karla picked me up for our ladies date night.  We went to Taste of Texas BBQ, where Haley, a sweet high school girl from church, was our waitress.  Then, when we got to talking, we decided to go to the Lorax movie. 

Karla was one of the few people who kept me entertained while Jim was away.  I love spending time with her, she is a fun loving, light hearted woman, great mom and great friend.

After a fun night, I woke up this morning for something fun but not anywhere related.  My first 15 mile run.  I felt great until about mile 14 and then I hated it.  Then I hated it for about a half an hour afterward, but now I feel pretty good for doing it.
Afterwards all I could think about was making a smoothie.  I was soo thirsty.  And, as always, I was happy to try my Ninja!

Peaches. Strawberries.  Peach Yogurt.  Water.

Blend 1
Blend 2
Blend 3

and

News

Multiple post day.  I have to get caught up on my pictures.  At the moment, before this post, I'm sitting at 65 pictures on my blog and I am on day 77 of this blog.  *Click my tongue*  I'm behind.

One very exciting thing that happened this week that I have yet to mention in the blog world is some music news.  I am going to be a performed composer for the fourth time in my life.  GoldDiggers is about to make it's comeback as a new and improved version, performed by Ogallala High School.  Mr. Schlake took some time to look through the piece and talked me through a few range issues (because a clarinetist like me doesn't know that a certain progression of notes is near impossible on the french horn.  I assumed everything was near impossible on the french horn.).

I have been very fortunate to have willing band directors open to subjecting their students to an untested piece of music.  I am very fortunate to have such talented kids play my piece and I am so, so excited to hear it live in April.

Time With Friends

I apologize for the lack of posting lately.  I have had some great experiences that deserve being shared but unfortunately, even having the camera on me, I didn't get pictures.  I guess when I'm having fun I forget that I should take pictures to share later.
The above picture is of the Rastrelli Cello Quartet.  I was invited to write the review for the Arts Council here in town for the concert.  I sat in between Rachel and Shannon and enjoyed all sorts of genres by these Russian performers.  The third one in, Kirill, was kinda cute. Don't worry, I didn't mention that in my review, though I'm sure I would have gotten a laugh out of someone.
Wednesday night Bob, Shannon, Nate and Danielle invited me to join them in their weekly dinner outing.  We went to Mi Ranchito.  It was a lot of fun to laugh with friends.  Tomorrow night I am out with Karla.  Saturday morning I run with Danielle.  Saturday afternoon I go to a local talent night concert.
So I've been much busier than I had originally anticipated for this week.  It's been good, however, to be busy.  Even though I've been busy, I have had time to do a few of the things I love.

For instance, I baked.  I attempted Naan, an Indian flatbread.

 I also made a one minute chocolate cake for myself.   I used this recipe.  Except, I switched a lot.  I used only one packet of Truvia for sweetener.  Almond Milk.  Dark chocolate cocoa powder.  Hazelnuts.  It was delicious. 

I promise to be a more diligent blogger in the near future.

Online "Friends"

A few weeks ago I made a comment on facebook.

"Considering another break from facebook.  But who would stay in touch if I did that?  If you would (seriously), I'd like to exchange email addresses.  Please PM if interested."

Notice the one kind response.

I received one PM.

I have 99 friends on facebook.  2 responded. Ten or twenty are from Ogallala and see me regularly and wouldn't really need to keep in touch via email as they know where I work and where I live and know my number even if I never gave it to them... it is Ogallala, after-all.  A handful are cousins or family who don't correspond regularly with me but could find my information if they had to.  A few had already given me email addresses my first disappearance from facebook and most likely didn't think they needed to again, which is true.

But with all of that, about half of the people who are my "friends" did not respond or show any interest at all.  Most of them I haven't spoken to, though they have "liked" a comment or picture here and there.  Some have even written a few sentences in response to something within the last couple of years.

So, I've decided that while I may keep the account open for the occasional person who has no other way of getting a hold of me, my presence there will be very, very minimal.  Because while there are some dear people on facebook, they can be dear friends in the real world, too.  Because I know what real friends are, and our messed up "like" and "dislike" society is NOT friendship.

My mom talking to me everyday about anything and everything is a friendship.
My husband and I playing games together or dancing in the living room is friendship.
Rachel driving across the country with me, or inviting me to spend a whole afternoon with her is friendship.
Mary Jane and her incredible gift of making me feel welcome and safe to open up is friendship.
Karen and I sharing our music is friendship.
The amazing and unique friendship that comes with being Danielle's running partner (the one person I'm not totally freaked out to have see me sweaty and gross!).
The ability to pick up and get to know each other again and again with Alicia is friendship.

This isn't an exhaustive list, and if you aren't  on it that doesn't mean you aren't a true friend to me.  I am blessed with many amazing people in my life who fill special places of my heart.  I recognize in myself that I am selfish in my friendships,  wanting friends that involve me instead of focusing on involving them.  I hope to be a person that fills a special place of a friends heart someday.  I hope that someday I can bless someone as much as these people have blessed me.  I don't want to just be a status update, or someone that some person I graduated is curious about.  I want to be a true friend.

Brands

Bear Naked is a great granola brand.  Sometimes their ingredients make me raise an eyebrow, but they are a great company.  If you send their packaging back they recycle it into different items.  Their granola tastes awesome.  I love the chocolate and the vanilla, but the fruit and nut isn't bad either.

Terra is a great vegetable chip brand.  I particularly love their sweets and beets.  Sweet potatoes, beets and a little sunflower oil.  That's all the ingredients.  It's pretty amazing.  And I love sweet potatoes. 

Just a couple of things I keep handy when I'm hungry enough to eat but not hungry enough to cook.  :)

Yo Yo Society

We live in a yo-yo society, especially health-wise.  Yo-yo dieting and exercising equaling a yo-yo waste-line.  I hear more about how we go through "seasons of life" than I hear about being dedicated and steadfast.  The media can never make up it's mind on anything and the whole country follows suit.  We are in a constant battle of extremes never finding a happy and medium balance.  And I for one am so tired of no one ever being happy about anything. 
Just a few years ago, coconut oil was bad for you.  At the moment it's the best thing in the world.  Eggs were bad, then good (I can't say where they are now).  Milk has been bad and good.  Cheese.  Spinach.  Broccoli.  Chocolate.  Running.  Yoga.  Cushioned shoes.  Minimalist shoes.  Fruit.  Carbs.
A few things remain the same.  "Eat a healthy diet and exercise" is the most commonly accepted weight loss, fitness and health advice.  I hate hearing it, though, because it is so mysterious.  If everything has been deemed good or bad at some point or another, what do you chose as being "healthy"?  And if running and yoga have been considered "bad" at some point, how do I know they are "healthy" decisions?
And, with 30 day programs more popular than actual lifestyle changes, how long do we avoid the may or may not be good for you carbohydrates and how long should one religiously follow the Jillian Michaels DVD?
Whatever happened to everything in moderation being taken seriously?  What ever happened to understanding that there isn't a perfect food or perfect work out, but that both good/healthy food and exercise is good?  And why is fitness considered a "season in life" instead of a lifelong goal?

I don't know how many times I've been told that I will eventually give up running because it's just a season, or that someday I'll revert back to my old eating habits.  I don't know why when diet is discussed there are people who get angry by the things I avoid or don't avoid.  I can't believe how many angry vegetarians attack a meat-eater, or how many people have complained because I choose to avoid processed foods.  I'm surprised that the goal of most women is to lose weight or be thin but the minute someone becomes thin they are told they are "too thin" or accused of things like anorexia (which is completely disrespectful to both the person and the people who struggle with the actual illness).

I admit to allowing these things to dictate my decisions sometimes.  I have fallen victim to a miracle food or two.  I have allowed "too thin" to slip from my lips before.  I have secretly clicked my tongue at the occasional vegetarian.  And I allowed myself to gain 30 pounds after high school.

But I would like to suggest that we stop allowing yo-yo into our lives, especially in relation to others.  Stop dieting for a goal weight instead of just eating healthy all the time, stop taking 30 day challenges.  Stop falling for every health food fad (no matter how hard they try to sell it, unless it's Jesus himself telling me it's true there isn't a perfect food).  Stop claiming a season and start a lifestyle.  Stop lumping people in the "fat" or "big" group or the "too thin" group and instead encourage each other in all areas of our lives to live better without judgement or rude comment.  And to pray that we can come to live better in all areas of our own lives as well.