There's still no place like it...

on my way.

Missing baseball...just a little bit.

I've got a golden twinkle in my eye...

I've got a Golden Ticket!!

La vie est belle!

It's September 21st!

Happy Birthday Kelly Sue!

On the road again...

On to the South of France...

It's September 18th!

Happy Birthday Sherri Marie!

This is where I am today...

with a cheese croissant in one hand and a cafe latte in the other!!

Yes, it's time...

...au revoir

D-O-D...G-E-R..

...I might need that blue one, don't you think?

A beautiful day for a ballgame!!

...Elijah's first baseball game.

I'm taking Elijah to his first baseball game tonight!

Hooray!

If it makes you happy...

The six game losing streak is over. And their 70th win of the season!
Yep, (despite being 10 games back) it makes me happy...

On the road again...

“To awaken quite alone in a strange town
is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.”

Freya Stark

Cell Block

Though I am not taking a laptop to Europe, I decided to upgrade my phone service to "international" for the two weeks that I will be traveling there.

It's rather expensive to call out, text out or even to receive a call or a text (and YOU will have to pay dearly to call or text ME!) But, let's all agree that it's more than worth it if something urgent comes up and someone needs to get a hold of me.

My sweet, text-loving Dad let me know that he would not be sending me texts throughout the trip (he usually keeps me up to date on Dodgers scores and standings while I'm out of the country) but that he would immediately communicate with me if Frank McCourt sells the Dodgers or if Joe Torre announces his retirement.

Whatever the cost, I have to agree, urgent is urgent folks.

EAT PLAY LIVE

Traveling is the great, true love of my life.
And it always calls me back.

Things I OFTEN have to remind myself...

1. Expectations are planned disappointments.
   
2. Be grateful. Period.
   
3. Stop blogging and go for a walk.
4. The housing market still sucks, but you're stuck in a GREAT house.
   
5. Your job is not your life.
6. You have LOTS and LOTS of people who love you!
7. Get perspective on the sadness.
8. Slow down. Breathe. Be patient.
   
9. Life is long. (But at least you can drink now!)
   
10. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
11. You can NOT be friends with anyone who is rude to a waiter.
12. Keep encouraging people...especially yourself.
13. You have a really good life.
    
14. You cannot do a cartwheel. Please stop trying.
15. Check the pockets of your pants before putting them in the washer.
16. Be forgiving.
    
17. Nobody cares if you can dance well. Just get up and dance.
18. Don't be so damn defensive.
19. Eat. Pray. Love. Laugh. Cry. Smile. Live. Enjoy! And then laugh some more.
20. This, too, shall pass.

*And you'll be in Europe soon.

To me, "joy" and "curiosity" have similar definitions.
I think it's pretty much the key to life...
just keep going...and enjoy the ride.

Ready...set...

I have spent the last two afternoons washing, ironing, folding and PACKING for my upcoming European vacation! I do have to work (and live!) the next couple of weeks, so I can't quite be 100% ready...but I'm damn close. (I'll pick three or four of the blouses, depending on the weather in France and Italy as we get a little closer to the date!)

I polished my old black shoes and cleaned up the others...pulled down two unread books from my bookshelf...and even found 8 euro in my travel drawer!

I rolled all the tee shirts, pants and socks...folded all the camisoles and jackets, ironed and tucked in a few scarves...even counted out and packed up underwear. All toiletries are measured, bagged ready for airport inspection.
Besides the suitcase, I have not had to purchase anything for the trip!
Yes! Two weeks in a carry on takes a little more planning and preparation than ususal.
Did I forget anything?

See World

If you and I have ever been anywhere together, you know that I usually--OK, always--have my camera on me. Over the last five and a half years or so, I have had an intense need to chronicle my day to day life --primarily through pictures--on this blog and, more recently, through Facebook. Even if you've never been anywhere with me, you have, no doubt, seen proof of that.
But something has happened to me in the last few months. (Actually a LOT has happened to me over the last few months...) I have started to feel as though I want to keep some (if not most) experiences--the really important things--for myself. Oh, of course, I am still taking and posting pictures, but much of what really matters to me--the most special and meaningful of occasions--are not being photographed at all any more.
These things are going to be just for me.
My memory is a virtual iPhoto anyway. I remember every little detail of each and every experience. I'm finding that not having photos is actually, very often, a blessing.
Looking back over these last nearly six years, most of the things I frequently picture in my mind--most of the things I really loved and enjoyed and poured my life into--don't have a blog post or a Facebook album to prove it. It wasn't needed. With or without photos, those moments will long be remembered. By me anyway.
Though I still love to share my JOY and HAPPINESS, I've realized that I no longer need you to know what happened! Each and every image lives on--constantly and vividly--in my memory. Good or bad--
and that's permanent enough for me.
That's (the main reason) why I have decided to not take my laptop to Europe. I'll certainly be taking photos and, no doubt, posting several when I return home. But this time, this trip--this upcoming experience--is for me. I no longer need to show evidence that I am having a good time or to affirm that my life is full of adventure. I no longer feel the need to show PROOF that I have moved on. I don't need photographic confirmation to affirm that I have (finally) pulled my life together.
To be really honest, I've recently come to realize that I was actually trying to prove all those things to myself. And gratefully, there is no need to prove anything anymore.
I am the luckiest girl in the world...and I know that for sure now.
This trip is just for me.
I'm going to SEE it and FEEL it and EXPERIENCE it more this time...
Not just PHOTOGRAPH, POST and PUBLISH it.

And from now on, if we are together and I DON'T pull my camera out for a picture--consider that a compliment. I want to keep you--and our encounter, event, adventure--our time together--for ourselves.
No need to share with anyone else.
Anymore.

Resting Heart Feat

It took me five and a half years to learn how to rest.
I am really good at it now.