Weekly Goals & Feelin' Good

For the first time in a several months I gave myself a few goals this week. It's a sign I'm feeling better; I used to do it all the time when I was on sabbatical. On the list:

• budget - CHECK!
• dishes from last week - CHECK!
• two blog posts - CHECK!
• take stairs at work - CHECK!
• read - CHECK!
• watch movie - will do after this post
• drive to NB with Sis - we leave Friday 6am!

I kept it simple and made sure I included some fun stuff like tonight's movie and some reading, not to mention Friday's trip to NB with Sis. I'm grateful for the familiar sense of accomplishment that comes with those checkmarks. I hadn't felt that in a while. It feels good.

Why Did the Turtle Cross the Road?

I had to brake for a turtle on Queen Elizabeth drive yesterday. I thought it was a twig with branches then I saw it move - slowly - making its way towards the Canal. Poor little turtle, I do hope it made it across in one piece.

Out of a Rut

I feel light and free. The rut is gone. What did it? Who knows. Maybe a combination of ...

• a hot soak in my clawfoot tub, enhanced by Barefoot Venus' Therapeutic Mustard Bath (from their vintage collection)
• a fabulous group of supportive friends,
• a relaxing but full weekend trip with D. to Gananoque, including a stay at his brother's place in the country, a side jaunt to Picton on a sunny Saturday, a Blue Rodeo concert by the waterfront and a hike to Charleston Lake,
• time spent giggling with Sis,
• time spent with two carefree 18-year-olds, Z. and S., whose energy and laughter can't help but rub off on you.

Whatever did it, I'm grateful. I haven't felt this light since my return to work in May. It's refreshing.

Finally, I'm out of a rut.

In a Rut

I'm in a rut and I'm trying too hard to figure out why. Instead of overanalyzing, I feel a need to be still but I don't remember how. I feel fidgety and anxious. I guess I just have to trust that it will come.

On a happier note, I'm thankful for this particular exchange that brightened my somewhat blah day: Tonight someone I don't know asked me if I'd ever seen Amélie, the movie, to which I answered "Yes, I have." "You remind me of her", she replied.

Grin.

Running Man

Good running vibes are going out to Bro-in-Law who's running his 10th (?) marathon tomorrow morning in Edmonton. You go Bro-in-Law ... we'll be cheering you on from Ottawa!

Urban Living Checkpoint: Week 80

I haven't commented on my urban living experiment in a long time, but after 80 weeks in my downtown apartment I'm still reminded of why I like urban living so much:

• proximity to the Ottawa Farmers' Market, where I can load up with local fresh veggies
• proximity to Nicastro's Italian deli, where I can load up with fresh mozzarella, romano and capicollo
• Patterson's Creek and its surrounding green space, where D. and I can picnic in the shade with Cassie by our side, and where the most enchanting weeping willow I've ever seen stands tall
• Bridgehead, Bridgehead and another Bridgehead, where I can enjoy good medium roasted coffee, and where they leave out a bowl of water for thirsty canines & birds

All these great places so close to my home ... no wonder I like living here.

Back from Vacation

I'm back! Hopefully you're still checking in despite my temporary hiatus during summer holidays. There's no way I could capture everything from my trip down East, but here are a few things I especially enjoyed ...

• spending quality time with family at the Savoie reunion - seeing cousins I hadn't seen since 1979
• initiating D. to Hole 41
• enjoying a private concert by Les Farailliens
• playing frisbee at Mom & Dad's with Dad and D.
• stumbling upon a field lit with what looked like thousands of fireflies - even Dad said he'd never seen anything like it
• camping on Grand Manan: whales, dolphins, seals & bald eagles - need I say more?
• exploring Dragons, Between Science and Fiction at the Musée de la civilisation in Old Quebec

Each segment of the trip had its own flair: the family reunion was full of laughter, music and love; time spent at Mom & Dad's was the epitome of rest, relaxation and comfort; Grand Manan was unlike anything I'd ever experienced, and Old Quebec felt luxurious and posh. All in all, a good mix to satisfy body, mind and soul.

I hope to get a few pictures up for your enjoyment in the days to come. Stay tuned!