Scarves to break up the solid colors

 

Add accessories...

 

First the basics....

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Step one of Ilona's challenge. 

My new office look

New desk, same mess.  Different wall hanging that needs some adjustment. 

Summer color

Among my many non-work related errands today, I dropped fabric and photos with Don Robert, tailor to the stars.  Well, he is my tailor.  He was shocked as I pulled color after color out of my bag.  Not to worry....there was plenty of white linen, too.  He took his usual measurements, asked a few questions, made a few notes  and said he would have all ten of my blouses ready on June 1.  Yet another reason I am where I belong.

Yet another "aha" moment

 In my new yoga class (more about that later), the instructor was talking about the prep work needed to do a head and/or hand stand.  I was immediately discouraged and thought about all of the times I actually did the prep work in various yoga classes with various instructors for  nothing, knowing there was no way I would ever do anything remotely resembling a head or hand stand.  I left the class thinking this is probably not the class for me if the instructor is going to waste my time preparing me for something I will never do.  Of course I fumed and groused and whinged the rest of the day until I was falling asleep that night when I had a vision.

A vision of doing glorious, wonderful, liberating hand stands in all kinds of places and at all ages...Olson Park, Expo, Lake Okoboji, FDSH, the health center in Hampton.  5 or 6, 10, 12, 16, 20, 40. (Yes, many of these handstands involved Andrea which is also another story.)  My point here is that I have a long history of doing handstands!  OK, yes, the handstands were all done in the water, but why split hairs? 

I practically ran to the pool the next day to prove my point.  I have to admit it took a few tries as I had to regulate my breathing, organize my thoughts and adjust my goggles, but I did it.  A handstand.  I did a few more and smiled all day.

As soon as I arrived in my office, I, of course, started googling.  Wouldn't you know there are pages and pages devoted to water yoga.  I am working my way through all of the poses that I have little chance of doing on dry land....my water plank is picture perfect as of now.  I am working on several other poses that involve some serious leg lifts and balancing.  Even poses I can actually do on land are benefiting from additional work in the pool such as tree pose. 

To catch up, my April travel plan was only partially successful.  I returned to Mexico feeling better than I usually do because I abstained from most flour and sugar, but I failed miserably at exercising.  The semester ended on May 6 followed by catch up work, planning for the summer and fall and just taking care of things.  The good news is that I have joined a new yoga class that I like.  I am only going once a week now and will be unable to attend class during June because of the summer school session, but I look forward to returning to the class in July.  I am averaging 5 visits a week to the pool which is truly my lifesaver.  I had been my usual inconsistent self with food...until my handstand moment.  I have new energy.  A new commitment... 

9/13 Arghhhh.....

Mixed results in Fort Dodge.  Lovely dinner prepared by Donna and Andrea awaited my arrival followed by talking and, of course, Scrabble.  We did not go to bed until 2:00!  Sunday morning featured a visit by Aaron.  It was good to see him.  We had lunch at Sports Page followed by some serious shoe shopping.  No swimming.  No walking.  Sports Page could have been worse plus I did hit the Story City McDonalds both coming and going.  I drove back to Pella in hellacious rain and spent all day in meetings.  I am just now getting caught up with emails, etc. at 9:00.  Tomorrow is another full day.  I am ready to leave Pella.  My general condition:  Fair.