Inane Conversations

So I am checking out today at Trader Joes and suddenly the check out guy thinks I am his best friend. He doesn't want to stop with the customary, "How are you today?" Which I answer with a complete and utter lie (as is customary), "Fine." No; he goes on to ask what the rest of my day holds. Really?!

I almost blurt out that after a weekend of complete self-doubt, angst over parenting, and over-analyzing the bulk of my life, I am off to wrestle my most likely uncooperative child into a swim suit and shuffle him off to swim lessons, after which I will run home and prepare a beautiful, orgainic, gourmet meal for my family of five, then, while he is kicking and screaming I'll put my child to bed because my husband just doesn't seem to be able to make it happen before nine, then for dessert I think I'll have a very difficult conversation with one of my dearest relatives. Perhaps I can even find time to make my famous granola later in the evening. I mean really, WTF? Is he expecting this sort of answer? No. He wants to hear what I tell him, which is that I am off make dinner and soak in the tub. Perhaps that's my real fantasy: that all I will have left to do at the end of the day is make dinner and soak in the tub.

It sure sounds good right about now.

Overheard in Indianapolis

Upon returning from a garden show....

Amy: Guess what I bought today!
Dad: I don't know.
Amy: Not that it's a political statement of any kind, but a Bleeding Heart plant; or is it a bush?
Dad: No Bush has EVER been accused of being a bleeding heart!

The Honeymoon Is Over

Ok, so my crush was quick-lived. I had another pilates class yesterday; this one was with 5 others who all seemed experienced, and a different instructor. There was far less emphasis on breathing and this instructor had us using weights and rings and all sorts of "enhancements." She seemed very into the effects of the excercise (the fabulous body I am actually convinced she was born with) and not so much the benefits of the workout. Later she confessed that she needed a hot workout to really feel motivated. Yeah, not feeling so much that way myself.

I will say, though, just as Mr. Udall said to his beloved waitress, Carol: You make me want to be a better woman. And for that, I am proud of myself. I forsee a long relationship with the E-word, and pilates. But you can be damn sure I'll try to stick with Corinne as my instructor. She was much more in tune with the wholeness of the workout -- not just the results.

The E-Word

So I have this on-again, off-again relationship with excercise. I believe in it, I really do. I love it when I do it, but when I get out of practice, it just seems too much to deal with, not worth it, or just plain too much work (I forget about that fabulous euphoria I get after a great workout). And it is SOOO hard to get back in the swing of things again. I'm such a creature of habit.

Today I started a pilates class and I have a twitter-pated springtime crush! I am on-again, at least for the time-being. I have this feeling that once I can move my abdomen, I will be right back in the studio, working my core and breathing like a fool. I LOVE this stuff!

Spring?

A week ago we were out golfing. We played our first round since last fall. It felt good. I got my first farmer's tan of the year (certain not to be my last) and I remembered why I desperately want that King Cobra off-set driver with the men's shaft. I out-drove my dad twice! Hayes and his dad planted some flowers in the front, the coyotes were scavenging behind the house, and all our bulbs were happily sunning themselves.

And this week, it has been like the return of February. Certainly no golf. No more planting for a bit. The bulbs have survived as has the Magnolia, which was not fully open yet, but damn! It's cold! And Jezzy can't for the life of her figure out what happened to the sun. We hear that our neice and nephew in Baltimore may actually have an Easter Egg hunt in snowsuits. I realize that it is only April, but I am ready for the return of spring.

My Love My Church

We had a most fruitful meeting tonight. It did not take the direction I thought it would, but when does that ever happen? And furthermore, when it does happen, it never seems to be quite what I had hoped for.

We are in a period of transition, our little community. And I love the way we are handling ourselves. This is not to say that we aren't stepping on toes or making poor decisions. I am certain we stepped on toes tonight. But honestly, that was one of the most important things that happened. Because it opened the door to a discussion we might not have otherwise had. And it helped us to gain insight into one another. Most of all, by the end of the evening, we were not just more comfortable with each other, but we had new information that will help guide us in our future dealings and decision making.

I am really proud of us. I can't wait to see what happens next. I think we are ready for the next step in our journey, and we are taking it together. It feels really good.

Recent Work

For those of you who won't make it to the open studio tomorrow, here's a peak at my most recent works. I'm loving them!


Melpomene - The Muse of Tragedy (number 5 in a series of 9)


When Life Hands You Lemons (part of The Drinking Series)


Time for Coffee (another in The Drinking Series)


Tree of Life


Hope (in honor of Miriam)

I Left My Heart In San Francisco

It was possibly the most relaxing and enjoyable vacation I've had in years. Love to the Brenners and the Knauer :)