A pain in my side.....

For the last few days it has felt like I had a pulled muscle in my side. Sleeping was uncomfortable. Last night I did something about it. I didn't put heat on it, I spoke to it. Once I got into bed last night, I pictured all the people that could be causing the pain in my side and spoke to them one-to-one in my mind. This morning the "pulled muscle" is gone. This speaks to the power of mind over matter and the importance of a good night's sleep.

A weekend away........

I have spent this weekend away in a house by a lake. I have been coming to this place for over 40 years and it still holds the ability to quiet my mind, relax my body and help me find clarity. This weekend my clarity came in new understanding on my life moving forward, writing a first draft of a document for my business and looking deeper into my relationship with my already teenage at 11 y.o daughter. I am always grateful for these weekends of reflection. Even more grateful that my parents had the foresight to buy this place 40 years ago and see in it a respite from city life. I hope that future generations that come here will also see its beauty, find rest and gain clarity. And to boot, Marco (the dog) feels right at home in the house and by the lake.

Ice cream sundae

IAt my last Reiki session, my friend and practitioner, Cindy, asked, "What was your dad's favorite dessert?" My answer, "An ice cream sundae." So she told me to have one and I did so yesterday. It may not have been the best one I ever had, but it was the most meaningful. I felt an instant connection to my dad and my great uncle (his favorite flavor was cookies n' cream), who both died around this time of year. Just from the sundae, I understood how both of these men, who were integral part of my life, would view my life now. I even felt like they gave me so advice too. Often, I wish they were still here to talk with and learn from, so thank you Cindy for pointing out a way to connect to them in spirit and continue to learn. I learned that my favorite dessert is a simple sundae—vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Unlike my dad, I don't like a cherry on top.

Family is what you make it....

After my daughter's 5th grade graduation, a set of her grandparents went out to lunch. They ran into the teachers and commented how nice graduations was. The teachers asked who they were their for and they told them. A teacher said that she the resemblance between Grandma and Sylvie. Only, they are not biologically related. These grandparents are very close friends that have been in Sylvie's life since she was in my tummy (in fact I meet Grandma when I was 13) and so they became grandparents. It is nice that I can teach my daughter that family is what you make it and not just biology. Sylvie is close to my mom and this grandma with no distinction between the two. This warms my heart.

What's in spirituality?

I have spent this weekend with my best friend and her family experiencing Easter. I went to church for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The services have been moving and reminded me of the services I attend at Synagogue. It has been wonderful to experience the spirituality of Easter and relate it to my Jewish upbringing and current practice as a Jew. And as always I love being with my friend and her family. It always reminds me of the importance of friendships and maintaining them.

Opposites.....

Last night at 11:30 my daughter decided to stop working on her school project due today and finish it in the morning. She then said to me, "I'm a procrastinator." I thought, "how am I a time management coach and my daughter is a procrastinator." The I remembered the old adage--the cobbler's children have no shoes.

I finally did it

I have wanted to learn to make Linzer cookies, so a few years ago my mom gave me the cookie cutters and I found a recipe in a vintage cookbook a friend gave me. Well, the phot below shows that I have learned. So my advice, keep learning and growing.

Banner Day....

Ok, so here is my banner day...
1. Great weekly networking meeting
2. Awesome meeting with my Life Insurance Broker—she aligned her company with a bigger outfit and the services she can offer are extraordinary. I can't wait to see her office next week.
3. Finally made it to the pottery studio to copy the plastic tray of my mom's, so she can have a ceramic version. It has a design to it, but since she reads my blog (thanks, mom), I will not share it now.
4. Got to work on my Personal Productivity workshop—with the aid of Google Docs and voice dictation.
5. Baked dessert for a dinner party Saturday night and made the dough for cookies for brunch on Saturday morning (I already made a batch of different cookies for the brunch).

Now you see why I call it a banner day. Was you day a banner day? If not, try and have one soon.

High and low.....

Low: snacking on cold Chinese food before bed (rough evening)

High: completing 98% of a crossword puzzle on the across clues. The best I have done.

After years.....

I attended a conference this weekend to unlock my full potential. The money I spent was beyond worth it because I have opened a line of communication with my sister. We have not had any relationship in over 13 years. Whatever happens is moot. What's important is that I put up a door where once stood a walk. I raise a glass to the future.

What's in a fortune?

Today my mom came over to help me do some cleaning and organizing—the cellar, my bedroom and the kitchen. In my bedroom, we removed everything from under the bed to be able to vacuum  (it was gross). In  a box full of memories, there were items of my dad's, my great-uncle's and even my childhood. In one little box belonging to my dad I found fortunes from fortune cookies. When I was in my 20's I used to save mine too, putting the date on them and taping them to my bedroom mirror. No matter how many times, I had rifled through the box, I had failed to notice the fortunes and just one more thing my dad and I had in common. Now everytime I get a fortune cookie, I will think of him.

Shout outs are due....

I have been recovering from surgery and tomorrow will be the two week mark. So some gratitude should be given out. First, to my mom who has taken care of me —finishing unpacking after our renovation, cooking dinner and giving me sponge baths, until I was allowed to take a shower. I remember loving sponge baths as a kid, but  not so much as an adult. Second, to my daughter who reminded me everyday that laughter is the best medicine (keep it up). Last but not least, to my extended family and friends, who sent well wishes in the form of cards, food, flowers and healing energy. At two weeks out I am rested, energized and ready for life in my new body thanks to all of you. At this time of year it is important to count our blessings and not the number of presents we get.

Been a while....

I have moved back into my home despite the fact that my kitchen renovation is not quite done, necessitating that I wash dishes in the bathroom up stairs (only working sink) and so I am grateful for canned items with pull tabs (my can opener is packed away in storage), the automatic water dispenser on my new fridge and my patient daughter especially when she asks, "Mom, what's in the sink?" and I reply "I washed pots this morning."

Tip: Traveling Sandbox Toys

With the plethora of collapsible kitchen items and travel accessories, you can make a flat pack sand toys kit for that family trip to the beach

1-2 collapsible bowls
1 collapsible colander
2-3 plastic cookie cutters
2 collapsible travel cups
1 set collapsible measuring scoops
1 small plastic shovel (optional)

And you are good to go!

The holiday weekend according to my daughter....,

In the Kitchen on Thursday: Easy Tacos—Turkey and black bean

1 lb. ground Turkey
1 can (14 oz.) black bean soup (I used Progresso)
2 Tbsp. Taco Seasoning
2-3 Tbps. Sunflower oil
1 medium onion
2 cloves garlic
Taco Shells
Toppings: Shredded lettuce, tomato, grated cheese, sour cream or plain yogurt, diced Avacado

Chop the onion and the garlic. Heat the oil in a 10" skillet. Add the onion and the garlic and cook for a few minutes. Add the meat and cook until it is browned. Open the can of soup and drain off 1/2 the liquid. Add this and the seasoning to the skillet and stir to combine. Let the soup heat through. Then, let each person make their own taco. Serves 4 (2 tacos each).

In the kitchen on Thursday or not....

For my Thursdays, I post a recipe that I have made recently and well since I had wrist surgery last week, I haven't been cooking and not starving either since I hired a caterer to prepare some meals for me, so my family could eat well (not take-out every night) and I wouldn't have to worry thankfully.

In the kitchen on Thursday.....Mac n' Cheese reinvented

1 box your favorite mac n'cheese brand

1/4 C. pesto sauce

Prepare the mac n' cheese according to the box. Once the cheese sauce is all mine, add in your pesto and toss the pasta until coated. Serve warm with grated cheese as a topping.

Tuesday's Tip: Don't leave home until.....

When traveling, be sure to prep your home by watering plants, putting a light on a timer and closing all windows.

What's important?

While traveling, I am learning that being there for your family is just as important as having a good time and that you can truly only have a good time when your whole family (those traveling with you) feel at ease.