Transformation

Last weekend the wife down the road stepped into my kitchen for brunch and remarked that I was like a whole new person in two weeks time. My hair was a slightly bit longer (2011 Goal is not to cut it except for trims), my newly prescribed glasses were being worn, and I had skinny jeans on my legs ending in knee-high leather boots. After not seeing each other in two weeks, I did have a few new items which all happened to land in the same period of time...however I don't know that at that moment I felt any different.

I've already written recently about trying to avoid the stress of the upcoming move. Some of the worries I have, of course, pertain to potential alterations of relationships. As my husband and I change based on our occupational  roles, financial situation, and physical location, those changes will likely create alterations to our relationship. Additionally, my family and friends have never had the opportunity really to know my husband and have head minimal ability to know the ways that I have changed (and vice versa) over the last two years. As amazing as I know it will be to again be surrounded by those I care about and love, the whole reintegration does impart some apprehension as well.

Then this week the hub has attempted twice to engage me in conversation about what it is that I want out of the next few years. This is the type of conversation that has not overly existed for the last year and a half, and it's amazing how not thinking about these big questions during the course of the last year leave me unable to answer this question. In fact, leaves me constantly changing the subject so I don't have to think about what might be the answers to these questions. Two years ago I would have said I wanted to have some land, a garden, and some sheep while working part-time....but do those wishes still define who I am today?

Rather over the course of the last two years, I have read less of the legit news and begun to believe that yahoo truly does report headlines. I speak more about Hollywood and TV than I do about political regimes, social issues, and sustainability. I've come to seriously love working full-time. I enjoy driving a car, I've bought skinny jeans, and I even have Softsoap for hand soap in my kitchen. Sure, we still hang most our clothes on the line, I pick plastics out of the garbage to put in recycling, and I send a monthly donation to a charity of my choice, but somehow over the course of the Louisiana me I've maybe begun to try a little less. Although the verdict is still out whether or not I care any less....or if I'm just disillusioned with how much is still left to do in order to create a equitable, sustainable economy and lifestyle. At some point, I stopped wanting to always be singled out as the public health, hippy nicknamed gal.

And so here I am, maybe more stressing about the transformations that have passed and those we will pass through in the coming month, rather than the actual details of the move. I can tell you that I had a slight glimmer the other day when I heard the hub ask me if we can renew my old Mother Earth subscription upon the return to Oregon....but there are still many steps to take back toward a sustainable direction...and back toward discovery of what I want to keep from this part of me, what I'll want to reintegrate from the me of before, and in what direction would I actually like to head.

Ironically for someone who used to think deeply all the time, it sure seems like I actually have some thinking I need to do ahead....

New Years in New Orleans

 HISTORY: This building is where the Louisiana Purchase was signed

 CULTURE: Street musicians on Bourbon

 ARCHITECTURE: French, Spanish, and oh so Southern

 SPIRITUALITY: Beyond voodoo, New Orleans is home to St Louis Cathedral and numerous other amazingly beautiful places of worship.

 CELEBRATIONS: New Years Eve at Jackson Square

 FOOD: Many thanks to Food Network---Mother's Restaurant for Po' Boys

JAZZ: Preservation Hall was amazing and authentic.

Overall, a great final travel venture for the hub and I in Louisiana and a wonderful way to celebrate 2011 with friends both old and new. 

Glorious, Slow Morning

Today I woke up just plain thankful to be alive. You know those mornings when you wake up and everything just feels like it must be right in the world? You could go for some more sleep, but you feel rested by the hours of snooze you did get? You feel that it's a day where the sun just has to be out....and let me tell you it is!

The day is starting off with THAT feeling. I contine(d) to lay in bed relishing the extra moments and waking up slow. Any movement in the morning's sheets, prompts the dogs to gleefully come investigate, pushing their snauzes up on the bed and wagging their tails. Soon after I let them outside and let the cats in. Major, per usual, came barreling in through the back door running into the dogs legs as they scrambled to get outside. His demands for food began the moment his paws crossed the hearth and Lady took up the tune from outside the front door until I could let her in too. Both cats ran straight for their food bowl and I dutifully scooped nuggets into the two dog bowls, while still allowing the dogs some time outside to relieve, play, and catch up on the neighborhood patrol gossip from their furry buddies down the street.

In another ten minutes I'll get out of bed for real this morning, turning on the retrieved Ipod that finally made its way back to the bedroom docking station last night and listening to music that will just make me continue to feel good. I'll wash the face, put on the make-up and clothes for the day, and start preparing my dishes for the potluck style brunch I'm hosting for some of the wives late morning. Most the legit cleaning and nesting was completed yesterday, so today I just need to bake and put out utensils and dishes for use. What's on the agenda on my end: German Apple Pancake, box cranberry-orange muffins, mimosas, and coffee---sort of an equal attempt at cooking and baking with some liquids thrown in.

The rest of the day should include reviewing the seminar slides I will be giving in the morning, hopefully working on an application package for a new job I discovered, and I wouldn't be surprised if some sort of walk or run with the dogs gets thrown in there too.

Regardless, here's hoping this beautiful feeling stays the whole day through....for me....and for you! ;)

January Countdowns

Not only did we participate in a count down as part of the New Year's celebration in New Orleans, but the new year also marked the official count down until we are back in Oregon. Ironically the last months have also seen us better settled into a regular routine here. Never fails to strike me as ironic when we find our groove right before relocating. The hub and I are definitely excited to head back home, although I'm probably adding apprehension to the equation too. I gave myself until February before I start stressing (as I'm so prone to do with any change that I cannot control), but the more people ask me for the details, the more I can feel that stress coming on early. Luckily, so far, the hub is doing a great job of putting up with my attempts to control as much of the rest of my life as I can....and I must say, it's doing amazing things for my running! ;)

We've started scoping out some housing options. All three college applications for the hub are now out there for consideration by admission committees. I've been applying for additional full time positions (which hopefully would be somewhat flexible at least spring term with my instructor gig), although without much luck so far. And it feels like the communication levels between the husband and I have been forced to increase as we try to sort out finances, potential timelines, and the few details we can brainstorm this far out in the game. It seems like most of the actual move planning won't be likely until mid next month, so hopefully I can hold off the stressing until then. So far, I have won one battle though, and I will get at least one dog riding INSIDE the truck with me to keep me entertained on the four day drive back home. ;)

Hub and I both are focusing on enjoying the last few months of our jobs and appreciating the aspects of them that we love the most. We'll probably head up to another Louisiana city for a day trip in the next month so we can appreciate it's history and cultural opportunities before relocating. There will definitely be little things about here that we'll miss, but it'll be great to be back home on so many levels! Although I can honestly see us itching for change at the completion of hub's 4 year degree.

Can hardly believe that we'll be in Oregon re-integrating into family, friends, and a more sustainable lifestyle within two months....

Now here's hoping that all the pieces fall together as they should. 

Christmas Thoughts

Finally moments of Christmas day, following my old solo tradition....a final quiet hour tucked into the couch pondering upon the glow of the Christmas tree, the blessings of life, and the desire to lift the want and need of so many of those who are walking upon this earth....

No matter how joyful the season due to the birth of a most magnificent gift, I'm always left pondering on the messages that he came to this earth to teach us--that of loving and providing and caring so deeply and profusely for the brothers and sisters who walk this earth with us.

A rather relaxing day begun with traditional coffee and sticky buns and a few opening of presents (mainly socks under our tree!), conversation, cooking, a meal with friends, and the evening wrapped up together with a viewing of my old holiday favorite A Christmas Carol....

This particular year we watched the 1984 version and for the first time the scene where Scrooge is exposed to the ghoul-like children Ignorance and Want struck a cord. Why I never quite got all the symbolism this movie provides I'll never know....but this year it made sense just why this particular movie reaches straight down into my core. Ignorance and Want which can be the ruin of the best of men and which encourages many and most of us toward indifference to others in this world. Ignorance and Want which lead us to make poor choices. Ignorance and Want which lead us to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to our fellows.

So frequently I get caught up in the ease of Ignorance and Want, but how much I do not want to be within its grasps...

And so this holiday season--frequently full of materialism---I am grateful for the simple blessings that surround. The large items: Family, friends, work, passion, health, love and on down to the small: lights a' twinklin', fuzzy blankets, warm socks, dog sighs. I am reminded that to those whom much has been given, so easy it should be too give and from whom much can be expected.

And to each of us regardless of our stead in life, well Tiny Tim summed it up best when he said, "God bless us, EVERYONE!"

So in this holiday season and as our Christmas comes to a close, let's head into a new year thankful for all that we do have, expressive to those who have done much for us, and open and willing to give to those who could benefit from our abilities and gifts. May each of you be passing through your own version of a beautiful, silent night headed toward a most blessed and fortunate year ahead.

Christmas Happenings

Definitely feels like the Christmas season is upon us! The hub is now on two weeks of vacation to relax and work on some of our transition items.  So far the holiday season count has included:

--Two office/work parties for my work.

--The hub's mandatory work holiday gathering.

--The incredibly fun military ball last weekend located 1.5 hours south of here in a casino and including an overnight.

--The local town's parade which were the last pictures I posted. 

--Picked up and decorated our free Trees for Troops tree last weekend.

--The Natchitoches Holiday Lights festival and dinner in our favorite little  nearby town last night.

 

The tree all decorated with a few gifts from Granny underneath.

The main street looking down historic Natchitoches.

The light displays along the farside of the river bank in Natchitoches.

The dogs enjoying their holiday treats!

Our Christmas cards are ready for pick up and mailing out, and this morning I ordered the final two gifts for my niece/nephews. (Yea for Amazong and free shipping!) The hub mailed out the few packages that we actually sent earlier this week. We're not big on receiving nor on sending gifts, although we do gifts for my siblings kids for their birthdays and Christmas each year. We try to keep the consumerism and materialism of holidays to a minimum and I have spent at least two Christmases in tears due to family giving me gifts when there are so many other individuals in the world who actually have needs. We both prefer to pick things up for others throughout the year to fill a need rather than to purchase something for someone due to society telling us that we're supposed to do so. Thus this year we donated money to a preferred charity of my parents and we did send three usable items out--1 to Granny and 2 items to the hub's family.

Somehow this season has not been stressful and each moment has been enjoyed in its own way. I've spent several evenings loving the scent and twinkling of the tree, and we've had Christmas music playing since Thanksgiving. In the midst of normalcy so many amazing memorable moments exist such as last night's hour drive home including a Christmas sing-a-long in the truck with our neighbors. ;) The season is one of the hub's favorites and so I came home mid-week to find him elbow deep in Christmas decorations and preparations!

We're planning on going to midnight mass with our neighbors down the street (why exactly the hub wants to go to mass when we aren't Catholic I'm not sure.....but I'm just stoked to have us planning on being in a church!) and on Christmas Day we'll cook a meal together and invite some of the single guys who didn't go home to head over as well.

Somehow I envisioned this week at work to be slower but so far the schedule looks otherwise! I've got a doctor's appointment on Thursday morning and then I'll be looking forward to a day off on Friday! Woo hoo! The best Christmas gift---besides the remembrance of the gift of the birth of Jesus Christ--will be the opportunity to have three days of rest and relaxation.

Hope each of you has a happy and healthy holiday season! May you be able to enjoy moments of quietude in the midst of the hustle and bustle!