It's been a year and 3 months now since I moved. Not to discredit all of the traveling in between, but technically this has been my home for a bit. The end date of that reality is fuzzy and I'm ok with that. It's not time to leave.
The summer came and went in between now and my last post. Having more that just an instructor position this summer has proven to be a little consuming. When I'm not in the field, I'm in the office. I am thankful for my jobs (all at the same organization) and at the same time wondering when I'll slow down... does that happen again?
Last week Danae visited - a lot of firsts were had; as was a lot of great conversation, laughter, adventuring, and sitting. Even now it's hard to believe that such a great and dear friend who knows me from my life in Georgia was here, in California, getting a glimpse into my life here and the beauty that surrounds me. I couldn't be more thankful for that sweet time. It's interesting... I slept a ton, was with someone I can truly relax around, was loved on, and was given a chance to love - yet I still found myself pooped out. I guess living out of a car for a week and traveling all around trying to hit some really good spots will do it with the planner in me. It was nice though, not having to get every step planned beforehand and knowing that we would rather have it that way. Now when I tell stories of the people I share life with here, she'll know who I'm talking about. I like that.
I found myself just yesterday, saying that "if I can just get through this month, I'll be able to breathe." I don't really like the sound of that. I would rather not dread a single moment in life. My grandmother, such a sweet woman, said to never dread a year of your life; there might be some significant birthdays that people give special credit to like 16, 18, 21, 30, etc. but never dread a birthday. That exemplifies her spirit. No day is worthy of dread or of worry. I want to live in that Truth.
I have quite the month of September ahead, and yes plenty of details to forget and things to leave untended accidentally, but I'd like to hand that over tonight and be rid of the knots in my stomach. If you know me... you know I get joy out of doing things well - that usually includes organization, attention to detail, and a little something I am able to add to hopefully make it better than before. All of this takes effort that I want to exert and that wares me down after a while. I need more than myself here and I forget that.
Two things I'm looking forward to continuing:
1. I finally sat down with a needle and thread (for the second time this summer) a couple weeks ago and mended a couple purses, sewed on a few buttons, and got excited for sewing again. Yep - I want to continue the mending and move into creating as well.
2. Last night I had a breakthrough in the kitchen. Kelli meets the food processor. This relationship is just beginning and took way too long to happen. I made original/chickpea hummus followed by black bean hummus (thank you Libby) and finished the night with almond butter (a hint of salt and cinnamon). Wow. This year will be good for creating my own foods instead of buying pre-processed and tonight I've embarked on learning more about foods that help you cleanse. My body needs a little bit of that here lately.
I'll just say one more time how thankful I am for the friends I have the chance to share life with here. Recently found out that Ben will be sticking around longer than expected - he'll be a good addition to the off-season (not summer) community I've been provided here.
Here's me, trying to untie the knots - needing another hand.
