SQUIRREL!

Consistently consistent.

Over the years there have been a lot of ups and downs, ins and outs, this and that's. But one thing remains consistent: my follow through never keeps up with my initial enthusiasm.

Lots of things have been going on over the last few months, and packing up a house full of crap confirms that I have full-on ADD. Digging through boxes and closets reveals a never ending string interests and hobbies. I am a little scared that if I don't change my ways I will find myself in an episode of hoarders one of these days.

Examples: school, work, exercise, every hobby I have ever had, blogging. I am still interested in all of these things, I just find something else I am interested in more and move to the next thing. I am a dabbler in a million different things. As part of some recent self reflection, I realize that I am not present in the moment very often. I need to slow down, simplify, listen and take it all in.

I am one of the dogs from the movie Up. SQUIRREL! A bit unfocused and easily distracted. But I like to think that this makes me quirky and endearing, rather than flaky and frustrating.

My "new" house is half the size and ten times the ghetto. But it has tons of potential, is in a great area that is walking distance to plenty of shops, restaurants and bars, and will be absolutely fabulous one of these days. Right now it's kind of like your crazy Uncle Earl - sagging in the middle, a little dilapidated, wearing some out-of-date fashions, and a little offbeat, but still your favorite.

I have been kind of busy working on my life list too. Updates to follow.

Goodbye 2010, it's time to move on

So, anyway. What a year, huh?

Suffice it to say that 2010 didn't turn out the way that I thought it would. Major life changes. Ups and downs. Endings and beginnings. Happiness and sadness. A new dog. A new (old) house. A plan to get back on track.

I will leave 2010 with the same image I started it with. And the hope that 2011 will be these things and more.

Does size really matter?

Dear Old Navy,

Thanks for the feel good marketing techniques, mostly.

I realize that the last few months have been filled with junk food and sugar and booze and not much time in the gym, but it was tough when I tried on my "nice" shorts this year and most of them didn't fit. I was sad and am resolved to remedy the situation as quickly as possible.

But this is Texas, where temperatures have already hit 90 degrees, so I can't quite wait until my exercise and sensible eating plan reshapes me. Side note: Bring it on Jillian.

Under a little cloud, I headed to Old Navy for some cheap shorts to tide me over.

O.N., we have some things to discuss. This whole manipulating the sizes thing? I am not too sure about it. On one hand, it was good for my self esteem to find some new shorts that are the same size as the shorts that don't fit at home. On the other hand, it's a pain in the ass to take 74 sizes into the dressing room and truthfully, shouldn't I be aware that I need a bigger size? In the name of my health and well-being? And you aren't even consistent!

I am 5 foot 6 inches tall and hit puberty many (many) years ago. Let's be honest with each other, I should never ever need an extra small. But I found a nifty flouncy skirt on the clearance rack in exactly that size that fits great hanging next to a pair of XS shorts that I am quite sure I couldn't get one leg in. Mixed messages are not good things to send to women of any age.

Don't worry O.N., I am not giving up on you yet - you have a groovy dog mannequin.

Kisses!

Laura

(Size XS, S, M, 2, 4, 6, 8, and probably some 10s)

Time is not on my side

Has is really been six weeks since I posted? Yeah, pretty much.

It's not like I haven't thought about it. Remember that scene in European Vacation? The one where they are trapped in the traffic circle and they just keep going around and around. Look kids, Big Ben, Parliment!

I find myself in the traffic circle of way too busy and chronic procrastination. When I am not in one boat I am in the other.

So, you ask, what have I been doing? Working, planting the garden, running a couple of half marathons and a full marathon, and heading to Jersey for the Rockstar's Dad's surprise birthday party. I also read some books, planted some flowers, walked some dogs and watched some TV. Pretty riveting stuff!

I am hoping to get back in the groove though, so stay tuned.

Out with the aughts, in with the tens

Normally, the new year jump-starts me. I make lists, I get invigorated. This year? Not so much. I am not sure what the problem is, but I just can't get motivated. (I can't even get my new years post out before mid month - yeesh!)

I have always been interested in many many things. As a kid my answer to "What do you want to be when you grow up?" changed at least every month. I come from a family of nerds and voracious readers, so I was never at a loss for subject material or projects. One year in elementary school I got the award for reading the most books over the summer.

As I got older, not much has changed. I still jump in and out of things pretty often. I am a certainly a dilettante. I have piles of half finished projects, unread or half-read books on a hundred different subjects. Sometimes it wears me out just thinking of all the things that I want to learn, try or experience before I leave this planet.

Therein lies part of the problem. I spend a lot more time thinking than I do doing.

Last March I made a list. I have a bad habit of losing interest in things quickly. My follow-through is not nearly as great as my start. I worked hard to come up a well rounded list that contained items that would be beneficial and fun and keep me interested and engaged. So in lieu of resolutions, I will continue to work on my list. I have been making progress, but it's hard to believe that 9 months have gone by.

So for 2010, my words are action and focus. I want to spend a lot more time out conquering and a lot less time holding down the fort. I need to focus on being present in each moment and making the most of every day. On making day-to-day life easier by reducing clutter and establishing some routines. I am not supposed to spend all my time and energy tending my stuff, so I won't. 2010 . . . here I come!

By the way . . . what do we call this decade? The tens? The teens? The tweens?

A look back and a look ahead

I have been happily on vacation for almost 2 weeks. I had big plans to post stuff and send holiday cards and read books and ski and on and on and on. So far, I haven't really done too much. It has been wonderful.

It was COLD when we got to Colorado (much colder than usual) so we decided not to ski the first few days. As it got nicer, people came to town in droves and we didn't want to wait in super long lift lines. So basically, we are just lazy.

Shiner has decided to protest the cold. She won't walk very far before she begins hopping around or just plain stops and refuses to go any further. My arms are getting pretty buff from carrying a 17 pound dog. Maybe I should invest in a dog purse. She has a coat and boots, but she doesn't like them either. Yeah - I am that lady. The one with the fully dressed dog walking like she has swim fins on.

I always get contemplative this time of year. I try to take a look back at the good and bad of the past year and think about the promise of the year to come. 2009 has been rough for a lot of people. Loss of jobs, loss of nest eggs, loss of people. Maybe the biggest thing is loss of faith in the system. I have certainly had my share of ups and downs, but compared to so many people I am blessed - or maybe just lucky. Here's to putting 2009 in the bag and for a bigger and better 2010!

I did however send off 2009 in style. I spent the day at a spa getting pampered. I started with a hot stone massage, moved on to a facial and finished up with an organic Peruvian chocolate body wrap. By the time I left I was so relaxed I was seeing colors.

It was so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend it.

My kingdom for a post!

So . . . when you create a blog and don’t tell anyone about it, you are only accountable to yourself right? Well, self, you aren’t doing too well. In fact, some might call you a slacker or a slouch.

Even though I have been working on my list and keeping busy with life and whatnot, I haven't gotten into a blogging routine. It's a lot harder than one might think.

I have completed a couple of tasks and have many more in progress. Updates will follow soon - sometimes life just gets in the way . . .