Soul Family

We all have a soul family. If we are lucky enough, they are made up of family members of all kinds. In my case my Mom, Dad and Brother are part of my soul family as well as being my blood family. There has never been a minute I didn’t know they were out there thinking nice thoughts about me and ready to support me at a minute’s notice. What a blessing! ♥

A soul family is that group of people – could be 1 to 5 to 10, but they get you in ways no one else does. They know what you need and oftentimes how you need it. Sometimes they move in and out of your lives and sometimes they are there every single day. It doesn’t matter really. They are there when it counts and somehow, they intuitively give you what you need – happy, sad, funny or serious. With so much shifting and growth this year, members of my soul family have shown up in some pretty remarkable ways. My girls, oh my girls, where would I be without you on runs, on the beach, sitting and chatting on couches, sending funny text messages, emailing from a far, a bracelet, a journal, something thoughtful done just for me, even if just the occasional supportive comment sent at just that right moment? M is my person. I’ve known it pretty much from the start, but this year, more than ever, we’ve been brought so close together. So to all of you…Thank you so very very much.

Soul Family

I put this little collage together and, after trying to figure out how to fit everyone in it, I came across this great picture from the summer of girlfriend arms. It seemed very appropriate, hands on gorgeous hands with everyone blending together. Thanks to my family soul & blood for making this such an incredible year filled with so much goodness, depth and growth. And again, I wish the happiest and brightest for us all in 2013…♥

2012

 

As The Year Closes

2012 has been an interesting year. There has been so much good and also a lot of growth. Looking back, I think it’s been pretty pivotal. I’ve faced some interesting challenges, checked my ego a lot and grown more confident in some ways and less confident in others – I’d like to think more confident in the ways that matter. The best and brightest of this year, is that I have had wonderful insight into what’s truly important. Love, friendship, devotion and peace are words that ring true to me this year. ♥

I started thinking about the year in review and words kept coming to mind. So I decided to sum things up in words through an unedited stream of consciousness. If there is a word repeated, then it must mean it played some particular importance. That, or I was being forgetful. Either way, no matter. This was a big year of transformation – hence the butterfly. Have the happiest New Year and I hope 2013 is beautiful, insightful and brilliant!

2012

Kick Your Cold ~ East Meets West!

And the countdown is on…umbrella drink vacation is in sight. Christmas was wonderful. Such quality time with special friends and special family and time spent catching up via phone to loved ones not in San Diego this Christmas. Santa brought us such beautiful things, including a cold for me.

M and I Christmas Morning (b&w to hide puffy cold face)

It showed up Sunday night. I sneezed once after dinner and pretty much haven’t stopped since. Word on the street is that this cold going around is a nasty one. So I’ve been fighting fire with fire and mixing East and West to kick this sucker quickly!!! My girlfriend Carol recommended a regime and I blended it with my own to come up with the following program…

Hourly juicing (I’m home sick today so I can blend at will, but if you don’t have that luxury, mix a big batch, take it to work and do a shot every hour)

Here is my recipe:

• 1 clove of garlic
• handful of frozen berries
• half a lime, peeled
• chunk of ginger
• 1tsp turmeric
• 1/2 banana

Cold Buster Ingredients

Blend in your Nutribullet (what? you don’t have one? Get thee one asap) or blender. And pour 3/4 of the juice into a glass. (preferably a pretty glass) Then top off with sparkling water. And voila, a kick-butt, cold busting remedy! It doesn’t taste that bad, I mean it…

Pretty Glasses Make Things Taste Better!

In addition to the juice, I’m guzzling as much hot water as I can to break up the yuck that’s been gathering in my chest (sorry). Chamomile tea, Theraflu or just hot water + honey + lemon at least once an hour. Every three hours, add in a shot of Dayquil. Then for good measure, chug plain ‘ole water. Hydrate as much as possible! Before bed, M has been making me his signature Hot Toddy – bless him.  Irish Whisky (a shot should do it), lemon, honey and hot water works miracles and makes you sleepy.

Sleep when I’m sick is essential! If I’m not rested, forget about getting better. So I don’t take chances on not being able to sleep. This part is optional, but I take 1 Tylenol PM. Then I make sure my bedside table is well stocked for any & all late night necessities.

Nightstand Essentials

My Aussie girlfriends Lucy and Bec turned me on to Lucas’ Papaw Ointment. It is amazing for burns, chapped lips and, unfortunately for me, a chapped nose due to excessive blowing for 2 days straight. (don’t have access to Lucas’, Aquaphor works great too) Water and TP are also essential. I have Nyquil on stand by just in case I start watching the sun come up.

And finally, stay warm! Anytime I feel chilled it’s into the hot shower I go. As hot as I can stand it for even just a few minutes does wonders. Then beanie and socks on to keep head and feet warm. And no matter how much I want to, no exercising – not even yoga. That’s where a chest cold can turn really nasty. Overkill you say? Well, we shall see. It’s day four and I can breathe through my nose again. My incessant sneezing has settled into a throaty only slightly painful cough and my eyes aren’t quite as blood shot as they were yesterday. So here’s to East meets West remedies and a little bit of hoping.

Happy Boxing Day!

Happy Boxing Day!