MoreCheese

First Blogaversary!

Wow, the past year went by so fast that I almost missed my own blogaversary!!!  I started blogging last August.  What a year its been!  Together we sampled lots of yummy food, shared lots of laughs, elected a new president, and found strength and ultimately victory in BabyQuest.  I've become a dedicated reader of your blogs and have really enjoyed this 21st-century form of correspondence.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog and leaving your comments and sending your emails.  I wouldn't have kept at it unless you were here.

Doing The Things We Love

I was reading Karen's blog today, and she had one of those ideas that I think is totally worthy of spreading around.  So I'm wholesale ripping off her Love Thursday post.  (I have a feeling she won't mind.  Thanks, K!) 

For those of you who don't know Karen, she recently quit her high-pressure corporate world lawyer job to pursue her passions full-time.  Those passions are:  speaking, writing and photography.  In the year since her life/career change, she's done quite a job!  (Check out her portfolio.)  Today she shared her process for figuring out what her passions were, and it involved making a list of things she loves, and then elaborating on each thing a little bit.  To read her entire post, click here.

Even if you're not in the midst of a ginormous career change, however, making a list of things you love is a great exercise.  To wit:  recently, I've had a To-Do List in my head that's about 14 million miles long, and the stupid thing has actually been keeping me up at night.  The other night, I went shopping in my dreams!  And not fun shopping, either.  It was stressed-out, oh-my-god-how-am-i-going-to-pay-for-all-this-and-how-can-i-have-more-left-to-buy shopping.  Last night, I had a dream that I was screaming a warning to people at the top of my lungs, and no one could hear me or would listen to me.  Not very restful dreams, them.

Which means its time to refocus.  There will ALWAYS be 14 million things to do; that's a plain, simple fact of life.  When I'm feeling stressed like this, and my mind is stuck on "repeat" on that one play list, its time to redirect some of that energy towards doing things purely for the love. 

I think I knew this instinctively (although reading Karen's post really brought it all to the surface) because yesterday I planned and booked a small vacation for the Rockstar and I.  It will probably be our last vacation alone together for several years.  We didn't want to spend too much money (because that 14 million mile long To-Do List is an expensive one), but we desperately need to get away and recharge.  I made a tiny "Love List" involving things (he and) I love:

• The outdoors; lots of green
• Good food
• Cool weather (the heat around here is KILLIN' my profusely sweaty, pregnant self)
• Some art and culture
• Quiet

So.....  next weekend we're driving up to the Laurel Highlands in Pennsylvania.  We'll stay at a not-too-expensive resort up on a mountain, where we can walk through the forest, explore natural waterfalls and slides (or nap by the pool), and breathe in some cool mountain air.  We'll go take a guided tour of Falling Water, Frank Lloyd Wright's American masterpiece (something I've always wanted to see!), and I've sketched out a weekend meal plan that involves fine dining, casual BBQ, dumplings and lots of brunch (more things I love).

See what making a Love List can do for you?!  Just for fun, tell me, what would be on your list?

Happy Love Thursday, everyone.  For more inspiration, click here.

 

The radiant Karen of Chookooloonks, living the life she loves.

The 14-week, 5-day Check-Up

Dear Baby,

Yesterday we had our third check-up together at the OB's office.  This time we had a much younger, prettier, friendlier doctor.  Mommy likes her and hopes she's the person who helps me bring you into this world.  (Daddy will "help," too.)  (Oh my gosh, it is so weird and thrilling to refer to myself as your "mommy" even though Daddy and I have been referring to each other this way for the past 8 years with respect to Puppykins, who will be your first best friend.) 

It was a quick check-up, nice and boring, no extraordinary news or events to share.  The doctor and I listened to your heart beating, and I just have to tell you: that whoosh-whoosh-whoosh is the most peaceful, wonderful sound in the world.

Next month we get a treat:  I'll bring Daddy and the doctor will do an ultrasound.  I can hardly wait to see you again.

Love,

Mama