Warming Up for Traveling Days

 Going Mental  No Responses »
Oct 282023
 

It’s been a bit busy this week with final electrical work being done on the kitchen, changing of seasonal clothes around in the closet, yoga and tennis, plus preparing for my long weekend ladies’ trip to Palma Mallorca.

I haven’t been to Spain for a proper visit in quite some time, so it is nice to explore a different part of the country on the Balearic Island of Majorca. Also, I love that I can speak a bit of Spanish to brush up my language skills.

This is the beginning of our traveling period as I’ll be here for four days, then back for a week before we head to Japan for two weeks and then back for a couple of days before we go to Florence for a couple of days and return again for another week or so. Then, it’s the big troop to the Bahamas, Christmas in Oregon, and back to the Bahamas for the new year. It’s gonna be a whirlwind! But, soooo much fun – we are both very excited.

With all that, I feel grateful to have a day to myself before my friend arrives. While I am super excited to have some ladies’ time, I am also happy to have time to myself as M and I have been together quite a lot lately and the travels will be a lot of togetherness and with others too. So, a little quite time is always good for me to recharge and store up!

Anyway, I’ll post pics of the trip when I get back!

Until then,

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Kitchen In (95%)

 Going Mental  No Responses »
Oct 232023
 

They started on Thursday last week and came back on Friday to do more. They still need to return sometime this coming week to bring our wine fridge, but otherwise it’s in!! 🎉

We still need to remove the old fridge from the space, but after spending Friday afternoon, evening and all of Saturday organizing we feel it is basically “moved in” now! And, we are so in love ❤️💜…with the kitchen (and each other, of course! 😅)

I have even baked already in the new space testing out the location of our pantry items, dishes, etc. It was so smooth and easy. You might see me in this kitchen more than ever before, but I won’t get ahead of myself. 🤪 For now, though, we are in awe of how much it has changed the energy and our use of the room compared to before.

Now, just to keep it clean and decide when to have our first kitchen dinner party! 😁

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Kitchen Out!

 Going Mental  No Responses »
Oct 162023
 

Our first proper renovation in the house has begun.

The kitchen is an interesting place in my history. For me, it has very mixed emotions. My unhappiest and happiest memories are in a kitchen.

Before my family, I would be punished in the kitchen. The grand event that got me moved out of my second adoptive family occurred in the kitchen. When I used to get panic attacks as an adult, they were always in the kitchen. My displeasure of cooking likely stems from these buried traumatic moments of early childhood.

However, I have very happy memories sitting at the island watching my mom or dad cook. We would have conversations as I sat watching. Or, I would take over the oven watch when Mom had finished making the dough for cookies. Dad reviewed the art of seeing how fractions were applied in life by asking me to convert recipes as he made muffins or cut vegetables.

Later in life I would be curious as parties would always somehow migrate to the small space of a kitchen. No matter how much space was available to sit on a balcony, in a living room, or elsewhere, one could always find a number of people stuffed closely in a smaller kitchen space conversing happily. The kitchen seems to be the heart of a home.

Thanks to my happy memories, I have slowly been able to overcome my preference to avoid it – though I still don’t cook much because M does! I have always preferred baking to cooking as well. Anyway, when we bought our house, we knew that the kitchen would eventually need updating. For M, it is absolutely the heart of a home. He loves to hold counsel, entertain, and shoot the breeze while we prepares a meal. So, we wanted to make it a modern and happy space where we could hold smaller dinner parties with that quaint at-home feel.

Although we had some challenges with finding the right company to work with us in a timely manner, we finally have some progress. In less than an hour this morning, they came and took away the “old” kitchen. The “new” one comes on Thursday. In the meantime, the tiles will be removed, the electrician will come to redo wiring and prepare the space for everything to work well beforehand. Then, all being well, I shall post on Friday with pics of the finished space! Stay tuned!

~T 🔥🐉♋️

These are the days…

 Going Mental  No Responses »
Oct 132023
 

…that the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in them. 🎶

When I was young, spring and fall were my least favorite seasons because it meant rain and allergies while summer and winter were the days of vacation. Now, I barely tolerate summer as the heat is no longer my friend, winter is OK for a month or so until it gets boring being cold and having days of grey. So, now, I accept I must simply pop some antihistamines once or twice a day and turn my attention to feeling gratitude toward the still warm days (but not dreadful heat) that mark the autumn season. Of course, wait until I write next week after a week of the rain that is coming… 🤪

Overall, though, I have been making a point of rejoicing and being glad in my days.

Although I am not overly religious, and have long since moved away from the life of Church-going, fellowship gatherings, and the like, I still believe in a bigger entity that I have previously shared that I call both Father God and Lady Universe – I think acknowledging the masculine and feminine powers is important.

Lately, I have developed an irrational (probably hormonal) sense of anxiety about driving, socializing, and various other everyday activities. While I am pretty good at talking myself out of and through it, I have found that one way I feel calm and at peace is through listening to Christian music. I know, weird-ish, right?!

Music has always been something that has soothed me. I remember humming as a child whenever I felt a little stressed and it would lighten my mood. For whatever reason, I can remember many lyrics and often sing along to songs (which tortured my brother for years) as I love how the mix of words and music tell a story.

So, it has been with joy that I have rediscovered the role of it in my life – especially as a soother to my anxiousness.

With that, Happy Friday the 13th! May you be rejoicing and being glad these days! ❤️

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Braids!

 Going Mental  2 Responses »
Oct 092023
 

So… I thought I had sworn off doing braids again after having three goes before – each lasting fewer days than the one before. My first round was done at the same place as the two following, but by a different braider. I loved them and only took them out after two weeks because I broke my ankle and got bored with them whilst laying on my back.

The two rounds after that were less than stellar with the last round lasting only a few days after the cornrows pulled out and my head went on fire from whatever gel they used for the braiding. Thus, I said I wouldn’t do them again….

But, then, I looked at pictures and I felt that perhaps I shouldn’t give up on them, but instead find a new place to go. Well, a little search online revealed another option with a nice Instagram account @braidedbywhitney_ located just a bit outside the center of Rome. Through messages, I felt confident to give it another try.

I went back to the first style, and am so in love with the look!

When I got the first set done, M and I pondered if this would be considered a version of cultural appropriation or not. Both of us dislike it when we see people dressing in the cultural dress of another country or when someone sends/says wishes for a holiday that they don’t actually celebrate. So, it was worth a bit of a consideration on whether or not I am being hypocritical by having my hair braided.

In the end, I felt that a) it is not really cultural appropriation as I’m not exploiting the African braids, but rather having my hair done in a style that I love; b) it doesn’t really matter if people think I am or not because well, I don’t care. I do not think I am personally offending anyone and am not promoting nor disrespecting any culture by my preference of hairstyle. So…there’s that!

Besides, I’ll have my hair this way for a few weeks. Then, I’ll take it out before I go to Japan next month as I plan to get my hair permed there and then I’ll have curly hair for a while. The fact is, I like to do different things with my hair because I can and it always grows back! 🤪

~T 🔥🐉♋️

TGIF!

 Going Mental  No Responses »
Oct 062023
 

Just a quick Hi before I head off to get my hair braided – again. I’m making another attempt at the braids because I love the look of them and it’s so easy to do my hair (well that last part might not be totally true). I’ll post up on that later.

It’s been a great week overall. My tasks each day have gotten done without too much struggle. My writing has stayed on track. The only thing I need to catch up on a bit is getting my writing website sorted, but I’ll work on it a bit this weekend. So, overall, I feel as if the refreshing of my schedule fulfilled its purpose.

With that, until next week! Have a lovely weekend!

~T 🔥🐉♋️

October 2023 Begins

 Going Mental  3 Responses »
Oct 022023
 

It’s already October, y’all! I feel as if this year has flown by, but I have to say that I am really looking forward to this month. Why?

Well, because we have plans to stay put for most of the month! We just got back from our separate travels this afternoon after a long drive back together from France. M decided to fly in to Nice so we could come back together, which was nice and not nice-but that’s another story.

Anyway, I’ve now unpacked and settled back into my office as I begin to think about all that needs to be done this week and over the next few weeks. Aside from me having a girls’ trip at the end of the month (I know, but it is at the END of the month, so technically we are here most of the month! 😬), we are getting our new kitchen installed mid-month, and want to enjoy the lingering warmer temps as much as possible. Sure, we are going to be in warmer environs most of December, but hey we can still appreciate it whilst at home.

So, here’s to “normal” days and sleeping in my own bed with a return to “routine”! ☀️

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Summarized Reflections and Goals of 2023 into 2024

 Going Mental  1 Response »
Sep 292023
 

Well, I managed to complete this task early in the week and so am posting it here now for record-keeping and accountability purposes. Cheers to a fairly decent 2023 so far and here’s to the amazingness that will come in 2024! 🎉

Reflections on my writing so far in 2023

Positives

  • Umbria on a Whim – Vol 1: The Basics was published and sent out in the world.
  • I started OSH’s Letters on Substack and maintained a paid membership.
  • My blog CreativeMeanderings got regular posts most months.
  • Started the year with paid publication under my pseudonym.

Oopsies

  • Writing on and for other platforms like Medium and collaborations fell to the wayside.
  • Work on my fiction novel took a back seat delaying yet another year in its progress.

Goals for my writing for end of 2023 into 2024

  • Prioritize my writing every day – this is my purpose in life!
  • Finish Umbria on a Whim – Vol 2: Health and send to publisher by end of October 2023
  • Work on drafts of Umbria on a Whim – Vol 3: Finding your Home & Vol 4: Making Home Yours – possibly one send to publisher May 2024 and October 2024, respectively…
  • Finish draft of my fiction novel by June
  • Beta readers for fiction novel and feedback by August/early September
  • Revise and send to publisher/agent/etc by November 
  • Move all writing to own sites for membership and any paid aspects: OSHwriter.com (aim is to reduce footprint and focus attention on my own spaces)

Reflections on my “professional” life in 2023

My work editing increased and is starting to naturally form into something clearer and more manageable. Although it was not something I was actively pursuing, I am happy with it as “work” as it allows me to basically read for ‘free’ and use my analytical/intellectual brain periodically. Plus, it is fairly flexible, so it works very nicely for me.

My freelance work with Fruitful continues to flow nicely. Also, I am happy with this work as something to keep me busy when the work is there. Again, it allows me flexibility and gives me a small income to use for gifts or splurges without dipping into other financial spaces. 

So, I feel content with these professional activities and how they have developed this year. 

Goals for my “professional” life in 2024

Although I am mostly enjoying the new English Yoga class that I am teaching once a week online for the next three months, I do not want to continue to do any more online teaching. Since I have already committed to this course and potentially future ones related to it, I will stick to that, but then probably avoid anything else. If I do any kind of teaching in 2024, I think it will only be yoga related and perhaps in person at the studio where I join classes; however, that is to be determined organically.

With the editing work, I will maintain it as is until I feel that it is not serving me positively. Otherwise, I have no desired changes to make “professionally” in the next year.

Reflections on my health and wellbeing in 2023

With the ankle break, this year was a bit of a mix in my health and well-being. I am first and foremost so thankful that I was able to go to a private clinic. Thanks to my yoga contact and financial situation, I was attended to by amazing doctors and got wonderful treatment. Therefore, my recovery period has been fairly smooth and quick overall. 

There is the obvious downside from being laid up with some weight gain and muscle loss, but I am starting to get that back. A positive was that I spoiled myself a bit with massages and spa days when I could. I found a couple of options locally to our house, so that has been lovely to know I can do a little self-care when wanted/needed. 

So, I would say, I feel pretty OK with how my health and wellbeing have been this year all things considered.

Goals for my health and wellbeing in 2024

I am on a bit of a mission to ensure that I do not gain any more weight or accept the dreaded “menopausal belly”. I don’t really compare myself to others as I know that most would look at me and say that I don’t have anything to worry about. However, my health and wellbeing are exactly that – mine. It’s about how I want to look and how I feel, not how others perceive me. So, I plan to keep up with my yoga practice regularly. I have already started using the Peloton app to see if I can include some fitness training through there. I’m not sure if I will continue with it or not, but the aim is to stay toned through light weight training and active through walking or other cardio. This is in addition to my yoga.

Also, in terms of wellbeing, I want to maintain my writing retreats. These retreats aren’t just for writing, but for finding my own headspace and resetting periodically. So, when I have the chance to sit with the man and tentatively plan out our joint travels, then I will also sketch out my writing retreats and outings so that I can satisfy my need for a schedule, which also gives me motivation and direction.

Reflections on the rest of life activities so far in 2023

It’s been a good year when looking back. The last quarter is also looking to be spectacular. Aside from the three months of focused recovery, I have been able to enjoy travel and dining experiences as well as developing friendships near and far. What being more limited did give me was perspective on what I consider important. 

So, a few months ago, I began to do a kind of countdown or count up of how many times in the next five years I can see my family, friends, travel, and do some of the things I consider important to me. When put into this view, it is easier to make decisions about my activities. This leads me into my goals for next year.

Goals on the rest of life activities in 2024

I plan to see my parents at least twice in one year. So, we will see them at Christmas 2023 in the Bahamas this year. Then, the plan is to see them in the summer of 2024 and possibly around Thanksgiving time again. I’ll also plan the next trip with my mom in 2025, if not before.

Three years have passed since I last saw my BFF and family, which is too long. So, we are going this November to Tokyo and they will come to Italy next June. All of that is in the books. One goal already checked off! 😀

As we like to have big parties here and there, I have tentatively scheduled large events for Easter and then one in the fall. I think this year it will be held in October, which sounds great. The rest of our get togethers are going to be quiet ones with those I/we want to really spend time with. For me, I want to make the most of my relationships rather than superficially skid through them. 

Then, there is travel. This is still being worked out as I imagine that during our time in the sun this December, we will sit to make our plans for the following year, so will update later – if I can remember – on that. 

So, there they are — my reflections and goals.

I think I covered just about everything except money, which is also an area that will be done together with my partner. We have tentative goals already, but I want to make them more specific.

In any case, it is satisfying to have this done and dusted now. It is exactly what I needed to feel refreshed and to reset my mojo. For the future, I need to install a process for doing this sooner, or immediately, when our schedules and placements get off-rhythm. Since we will likely be a bit more nomadic in the coming years/months/days, this will be important to have in my toolkit to ensure that I do not get unanchored and waste precious time that is limited as we lead this amazing life.

Thank you for being on this journey with me as a record-keeper and unwitting accountability partner just by reading my reflections and goals.

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Reflections & Goals 2023~2024

 Going Mental  No Responses »
Sep 252023
 
How apropos is this pic, btw? 😅

Since this is likely to be the last chance I’ll get for some proper time to sit on my own to reflect on the past year and goal set for the next, I am using this week to get a little ahead. Besides, I never was/am one to stick to the “normal” patterns of life nor a procrastinator to try to get it in at the last minute so that I appear “normal”.

Yesterday, I drove up for a week in France. It’ll probably be our last visit for the year since we have quite a bit of travel in November and December with plans to focus on the house and winterizing the place in October. It is fortuitous that I had already scheduled to meet a friend at the end of the week and M is planning to be away on a work trip anyway. So, with all the stars aligned, friends to see in France, and the weather becoming autumnal, this feels like the perfect time to sit, reflect and set some new goals.

Also, I think that it will anchor me a bit. It’s not that I feel lost nor that I am without direction, but it is that I feel a bit like I’m just floating toward a destination rather than on a chartered course. Sometimes, this is OK, but for the most part I am not a fan of this type of progression. I like to have a clear destination and a clear path. Even if the path is winding or has turns with unknown tangents, at least I can see the path and the goal. So, as I am really the only one who can do the clearing it is important for me to take the time.

With that, I shall sit back and ponder with my notebook nearby. Stay tuned for later in the week, when all being well -🤞🏽- I shall return with my reflections and goals.

~T 🔥🐉♋️

On the Road to Healthy…

 Going Mental  No Responses »
Sep 222023
 

So, remember when I said I was building up to 108 Sun Salutation As? Well, I did it. I actually finished a few days early because my ankle, back, and legs were starting to get a bit whacked out of shape from the repetitive practice. Still, the goal was achieved and I actually felt really good overall from it.

Although not necessarily noticeable to others, my arms started to look more tone and my belly started to go back to its normal size.

Then, M had some blood tests and physicals done which revealed that he needs to change his lifestyle a bit or he’ll need to go on medication to balance things out. This is not desirable to either of us, so we are on a healthy(ier) diet these days–vegetarian and less or no alcohol.

Funnily enough, it is much easier for me to take on this new diet and lifestyle than him. I suppose it’s not that strange as I’m not the one who needs to change these things, but I digress. 🤪

With more yoga–I’ve been continuing to get back on the mat regularly and today started back at the studio I was going to before after a six month hiatus–and starting the Peloton app to build myself up to some other types of workouts at home, my exercise regime is on the upside.

My only real issue lately is not getting enough food. Since M is basically in charge of cooking, we are eating less. This is a good thing overall, but my body needs more fuel than his which means that I need to eat more. Everyone’s body is different and while being vegetarian isn’t really a problem, I do have to supplement with other sources of protein as my body functions better with a higher protein diet. No, this doesn’t mean more meat, but it does mean more Greek yogurt or protein shakes, etc. It also means that I tend to require more snacks throughout the day of fruit or nuts or something substantial.

Unfortunately, I forgot this about myself. The other day, I had not eaten anything and it was a humid afternoon 🥵. We went to a salsa dance lesson and I got very hot, weak, and a bit sick from not enough water, not enough food, and not enough cooling options. It had been a while since I had gotten that shaky lack of sustenance feeling. 😩

So, now that I am reminded, I shall be more aware of my fuel intake. It might mean that I have to “cook” more, though! 😅 (Probably not!)

Anyway, it’s nice to focus on being healthy and enjoying the fruits of efforts to get in shape. 😇

~T 🔥🐉♋️

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