It shouldn't take a hurricane

Our Irene Feast

In the Northeast we are slowing returning to normal following Irene's visit.  Although unlike even an unexpected house guests, she's left more than an extra load of laundry upon her departure.

The National Guard has arrived on the scene in my mom's town to assist with clean up and it won't be long until we are all  back online and refilling our refrigerators.  

If there is anything to like about Irene, it is that it brings us back to basics.

Food.  Shelter.  Water.  (Maslow sure had it right on this one!)

Family.  Togetherness.

We were forced to abandon the Blackberry, DVR, laptops and the entire line of Apple products.  We read, talked, napped and spent a little more time just BEING rather than DOING.  When was the last time your whole family unplugged?  Our days were simple and it enriched my feeling of gratitude of all that we so easily take for granted.

I hope we don't need a nasty weather forecast in our future to take that time again to just be with one another and TALK.

Besides cleaning out the frig has been on my list of things to do anyway!

The Lure of the List

I am list obsessed. I can't remember a time when I haven't had a list within arms reach. I suppose I could track it back to 1996 when I received my first Franklin Covey planner from the consulting firm I worked for at the time, but that just gave me an excuse to expand the lists and a nice faux leather case to swaddle them in.

The topics for my lists come in all shapes and sizes, from the mundane (Daily to do, Items I always buy at Costco) to the bucket list variety (Places I'd like to visit, Adventures I'd like to have).

They span both past (Books I've read {since '93}, Countries I've visited) and future (Books I'd like to read, Movie to see).

Then there's my favorite - 100 Things To Be, Do, or Have, which always offers up a bit of inspiration on a rainy day. And five years later I still have my 40 Things to do in my 40th Year, just because.

I have even been known to add something to the list AFTER it's complete JUST so I can cross it off. I suppose there's a 12 Step Program for this or perhaps TLC will be doing a reality series on The Lure of the List which will air right after Extreme Couponing.

Some are designed to keep me organized like my Project lists (categorized by short & long term and business & personal, of course). Others are simply designed to aid my pre-menopausal memory (Gifts to buy & Wines I'd like to try).

They are a means to catalog and create, and sometimes they are a simply a reminder of my options, of what's possible.

And anything that evokes hope and possibility is not a habit I plan to break anytime soon.

Now I'm off to cross 'write blog post' off my list.





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Another K & P advenuture... in beading

Last night we embarked on another K & P adventure.  This time it was beading.  I know, it's much more docile than  previous adventures like surfing, zip lining, and horseback riding.   There were no anxiety attacks beforehand, no sweaty palms, and we certainly aren't sore this morning.

However, we are two self-proclaimed, non-crafty gals, so it was indeed an adventure of sorts. 

When I was growing up my closest childhood friend, Beth,  and I would lament to one another "what should we play today?"  Beth (who by the way is still a close and crafty  friend and I hope she's reading this) would exclaim, "Let's make things!"

I would groan.  Making things was just not my forte.

Beth's Barbies would be adorned in beautiful homemade gowns with rouching and trim and my Barbie would be sporting a wrap dress made out of Kleenex.  You get the picture.

So, when Pina and I embarked on our beading adventure we didn't know what results to expect.

Turns out it was fun.  We could both get hooked on this craft.  Our instructor, Erin, taught us about crimping and closures and the like and we both came home with darling little braclets. 

Here's what I realized: 

• You don't have to be skilled at something to give it a try.  Think you can't sing?  Roll down the windows and belt out a tune.  Think you have two left feet?  Get out on the dance floor and shake your booty.
• It doesn't matter if it's good, it matters that it's yours.  My bracelet won't be winning any awards, but when I look down at it, I know it's my handiwork.
• Girl time does a soul good.  After a rough week, I found beading to be relaxing.  The spinach and artichoke dip and wine which we enjoyed at an outdoor table in hip SoNo also helped, as did all of our chat in the "Girl Zone."
• And finally, when beading, bring your reading glasses if you wear them. Those suckers can be small!

What adventure will you embark on today? 

Stay tuned for more K & P adventures and we'd love to hear YOUR suggestions for our upcoming adventures.

Finished products: Pina (left), Kristen (right)

Relaxin' with Reiki

I had a great Reiki session last night with a special client and felt the need to spread some yummy Reiki energy! I first became interested in Reiki when I was preparing for surgery in 2008 and in my typical overachiever fashion, I began researching the quickest way to healing and recovery so that I could be back in action as soon as possible.

It worked.  

I've been hooked ever since and have loved to see how clients benefit.

One of the greatest Reiki healing health benefits is stress reduction and relaxation.  This triggers the natural healing abilities of our bodies and improves and maintains health by gently balancing life energy.

There's a lot of stress in the air right now.  Stress reduction isn't just a buzz word.  It's a choice.  

Do something to relieve your stress TODAY.  And if you're so moved, schedule a session and experience the healing and relaxing benefits of Reiki.  Find a practitioner near you OR if you're in lower Fairfield County, contact me and I'll come to YOU!  Now that's stress free!

Flexibility for Health

I LOVE my yoga!  Not only have I brought yoga into my business (two great classes a week with Kathleen & Mark) , I regularly practice at home as well as at another local studio.

Have you ever noticed that when you are flexible with your plans, life feels easier? Our bodies are like that, too. When we have physical flexibility, we move fluidly and easily in everything we do.

Stretching after strength training or aerobic exercise helps loosen muscles that may have tightened, balancing your body. Stretching on its own is great any time for improving your range of motion and increasing circulation, allowing more blood flow to all body parts including your brain. With regular stretching, you can even improve your posture and relax your mind.

You can begin a stretching program at any age.

Be sure to talk with your doctor before beginning an exercise regimen, especially if you are new to physical activity or are resuming after a long break.

Stretching Tips:

• Stretch easily and gently, only until you feel slight tension
• Don’t bounce
• Stop before you feel pain
• Breathe deeply, exhaling as you relax into each stretch

Good times to stretch:

• First thing in the morning
• After sitting or standing for long periods
• When you feel stiff or anxious
• While watching television or sitting at your desk
• Before falling asleep

Stretching Programs

Yoga – Dating back thousands of years, yoga continues to be a popular stretching program, and ranges from very gentle and slow forms to more rigorous power yoga that incorporates balance and strength with flexibility.

Tai Chi or Qigong – Also dating back thousands of years, tai chi and qigong are series of slow, gentle motions that circulate the body’s energy while loosening joints. Most movements can be done sitting or standing.

Pilates – Created in the early 1900s, Pilates is a system of exercises that increase flexibility, strength and coordination through mind-body control. While often done with machines, simpler version of Pilates can be done using only a floor mat.

Gymnastics or Swimming – More vigorous activities including gymnastics and swimming allow muscles to stretch and elongate while boosting your heart rate.

However you choose to stretch, try to do it three times per week – your body and mind will love you for it!


Time to stretch it out!


Tips adapted from Jazzercise.com