Welcome 2013...

SUSTAINABILITY, Part 2

If you read THIS post ("Sustainability -- or, Going the Distance"), then you know what we're talking about.

Sustainability is, to me, the ability to consistently live our life in a pace and pattern that is realistic; having the energy to do what we need and want to do, without feeling perpetually overworked, overloaded, exhausted, or stressed.

Yes, of course, we can summon the adrenaline and do something for a short period of time that we would not be able to do indefinitely.  And sometimes this unpredictable, crazy thing called "life" requires that.  But that should be the exception, rather than the rule, of our lives.

After all, you can only "burn the candle at both ends" for so long... eventually you will be burned.

In my opinion, sustainability entails making wise, well-thought-out decisions, large and small, that are not knee-jerk or focused on "instant gratification" -- but rather, on what's better for the "long haul."  I think that some of us may be more hardwired for success in this area than others, but I believe it is something any of us can learn.

Although I already strive to live a simple, uncomplicated, quiet (although at times very busy) life, I knew I could make some additional beneficial changes.  As I mentioned in Part 1, I made the decision on vacation to set some goals and make some changes when I got home to sustain those blissful feelings of restfulness and relaxation.

My personal goals?
To exercise more (back on the morning routine, before work, which sounds grueling but really does work best for me),  to lose that pesky 5 pounds I had resigned myself to made peace with, and most importantly -- to get more sleep.  Surprisingly, the "getting more sleep" is the hardest, but that is my priority, because I have learned that all the rest of my goals depend and hinge on that.

I have a set M-F work schedule, so to "get more sleep",  I have to go to bed earlier.  There's simply no other option.  BUT, to be successful with that, I have to start winding down about 8 pm... and that means kitties fed and litter cleaned, house tidied up, computer and TV off,  PJs on, face washed, teeth flossed and brushed, bed turned down, alarm set, phone charging, clothes chosen and set out for tomorrow.   It's much easier said than done.  But I'm trying -- and so far, so good!

Now what about my friend's question, "But not everything is sustainable.  What about enjoying the moment?"  This is what I told her:  Enjoying the moment, to me, means taking time to really absorb and appreciate the beauty of the "here" and the "now."  That's a wonderful thing, and sustainability is not in conflict with that.  A happy and well-balanced life has plenty of room for both.

In fact, as we were having that long-distance text discussion, I was poolside in Cancun, absolutely enjoying the moment of warm sun, white sand, blue Caribbean water, and the delicious Mango Margarita beside me!

Photo credits:  HERE and  HERE.

SUSTAINABILITY - OR, GOING THE DISTANCE

My husband and I recently returned from a wonderful 2 week Caribbean vacation.  We stayed HERE (Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun), a gorgeous "6 gold apple" resort on the Riviera Maya, a little south of Cancun.  

We both work very hard and lead busy lives.  And, for a variety of reasons, the last few months have been especially stressful and busy.  We were long overdue for some much needed R and R.

Now we enjoy all different kinds of vacations... adventure vacations, cruise vacations, visiting-friends-or-family vacations.  (In fact, we've never had a bad vacation!)  But when planning this vacation, we chose an "all inclusive" getaway, an especially relaxing, low key kind of vacation.  

Typically with an all-inclusive vacation, you can be as busy or as *lazy* as you want to be.  Now Sapphire was no exception. All included and all on-site were sailing, kayaking, water aerobics, beach and pool volley ball, Zumba, yoga, Pilates, target shooting, archery, pool games and contests, cooking classes, bingo, bicycle rides and tours, music, karaoke, dancing, shows, as well as a myriad of other activities and entertainment. 

We arrived on a Wednesday afternoon, after a long day of travel.  And although it was wonderful to be there, and I was certainly enjoying the warm weather, beautiful beach and grounds, and delicious food, honestly, I did a lot of sleeping, napping, resting and dozing the first few days, barely dragging myself up to eat (but oh, I did, I assure you!) 

I knew I had been tired before the trip, but it wasn't until a few days into our vacation that I realized just how exhausted I had been. I woke up on Sunday morning and noticed something unusual. I felt ...different somehow.  Rested. Refreshed. It was a amazing feeling!  in fact, I almost didn't recognize it!  I told my husband excitedly, "I'm not tired!"  I honestly  couldn't remember the last time I wasn't tired.  Yes, I had actually forgotten what that feels like.  That really made me think. 

BUT, what does this have to do with "sustainability" (the title of this blog post), you ask?  Well, this:  It seems obvious to me that if it takes a person almost 4 days to get rested up from LIFE, and if that person doesn't even at first recognize the feeling of being rested, then clearly something has to change!

Which caused me to think seriously about my everyday life.  Most of us have a lot on our plates, and too few hours in our day.  Many of us have stresses and problems.  And true, there is a lot in all our lives that cannot be changed; but certainly there is still a lot that can. I made a decision that day on vacation to commit to some simple lifestyle changes at home to sustain those blissful feelings of restfulness and well-being. 

I was sharing my thoughts with a good friend who asked,  "What exactly do you mean by 'sustainability'?"

Good question.  To me, sustainability is the ability to create and maintain a positive life change.  Positioning and giving yourself every advantage possible "go the distance",  the "long haul." Not everything is in our control, of course, but much is.  Sometimes far more than we may realize.

My friend then said, "But not everything is sustainable. What about enjoying the moment?"

Another good question -- and I have some thoughts on that, too.  (Of course!)  Stay tuned for "Sustainability, Part 2"!

Our favorite spot.  Many happy hours spent here!

To view a Photo Journal of our vacation,  please look HERE.

LOL! ( x 2! )

These 2 videos CRAAAACKED ME UP!
Toooo funny!

 

And a sequel:

WEEK NIGHT WONDER - CHERYL'S PEPPERONI PIZZA SOUP

1.  OK, so if you read THIS POST, you know that one of my favorite things to do is take favorite tried 'n' true flavor combinations and serve them up in new and different ways. 

2.  And if you read THIS POST, you know that I recently reconnected with a dear friend, Cheryl, from very early childhood.

Add 1 + 2 and what do you get?  A KILLER soup recipe that she recently shared with me.   It's one of Cheryl and her husband's favorites, and now, it is also one of ours!

Here's the recipe, as Cheryl sent it to me:

PIZZA PEPPERONI SOUP

                    2  15 OZ CANS OF BEEF BROTH

                    1 LG. CAN OF CRUSHED TOMATOES

                    8  OZ CAN OF MUSHROOMS

                    1 LARGE ONION, CHOPPED

                    1 MED. GREEN PEPPER, CHOPPED

                    8-10 OUNCES OF SLICED PEPPERONI  (I cut mine in 4 pcs, like a pie wedge)

                    1 LB GROUND HOT SAUSAGE

                    1 TLB OREGANO   

                    1 TSP BASIL

                    MOZZARELLA OR PROVOLONE CHEESE

                    SAUTE THE ONION, GREEN PEPPER AND SAUSAGE, CHOPPING THE SAUSAGE IN SMALL PIECES AS IT BROWNS. DRAIN WELL. ADD THE MUSHROOMS AND STIR.

                    TRANSFER TO A CROCK POT, THEN ADD ALL ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS. STIR WELL. COOK ON HIGH FOR 4 HOURS. SERVE IN BOWL TOPPED WITH SHREDDED CHEESE. ENJOY

                    WITH A HOT LOAF OF CRUSTY BREAD.....

Now since I view all patterns, recipes, etc., as only general GUIDELINES and not strict instructions (LOL!) here was my tweaking:

I used fresh mushrooms (12 oz) because I had them.  I added several cloves of fresh garlic, used 2 onions, and a mix of red, green, and yellow bell peppers because we love them.   I used 8 oz. of a specialty-brand pepperoni stick, cutting it into slices and then fourths, like Cheryl does.  Probably went heavier on the herbs, I seldom measure!

AND I didn't use a crock-pot because my crock-pot is too small, so I simmered it on top of the stove in my dutch oven for a few hours.  BUUUT, I can see how it would be GREAT in a crock pot, and super quick and easy --  thus easily meeting criteria  ;o)  for my "Week Night Wonder" category.  I was also a little fussy about the cheese (fresh mozzarella) and bread we used (after all, it is Pepperoni PIZZA soup, the cheese and "crust" is critical!)  I chose a rustic artisan loaf, cut lengthwise, and oven-toasted till lightly browned and crunchy.  *YUM YUM YUM!*

So thanks, Cheryl, for a recipe we loved and will definitely REPEAT... (in fact, Barry is already asking for it again!)  I will think of you every time I do.

LOL!

LOVE. This!

JOGGING DOWN MEMORY LANE!

OK, so the COOLEST thing happened to me!

A dear childhood friend, who I hadn't seen in DECADES, was thinking of me recently, googled my maiden name, found me through Google Profile, and emailed me!  I was soooo jazzed to hear from her!

She still lives in my old hometown, in the same neighborhood we grew up in.  We have had the best time strolling  jogging  streaking down Memory Lane!

Cheryl 

So, we both remember...

...Playing Barbie by the HOURS on a blanket under her big shade tree.   (I was enormously jealous of her double red plastic Barbie case and impressive collection of tiny clothes and accessories!)

... Happily DECESRATING the big Sears and JCPs catalogs.  We would pour through them, imagining we were wives/moms and on a budget and carefully "spending our money", choosing just the right clothes, furniture, accessories, etc., for our families!  We would also cut out the people and other pictures from the catalog pages and arrange "vignettes", sticking them to the wall -- arranging and rearranging!  

...Playing "Invention" (we double, double, toil and troubled crazy, goof-ball mixtures like laundry soap and kitchen salt and Elmer's Glue... not sure now what we were actually trying to invent??! Shoot, not sure we even knew THEN!!  And um... to be honest, this endeavor was not our greatest achievement, LOL!)

...Working feverishly on a secret language that only we would KNOW, and creating a comprehensive DICTIONARY of ALL the words -- oh, I kid you not!!!  (By the way, I even remembered that "mojo" was our code word for "bra" -- something I did not yet own but aspired to need one day!)

...Playing "Jewelry Store" outside, again BY THE HOUR, making "brooches" out of clover or daisies stuck down through leaves, "earrings" from pussy willow buds or buttercups, "rings" from long braided blades of grass!  We would meticulously CREATE our jewelry, then display it artfully on rocks and bushes and hedges, and then carefully (and seriously!) "shop" the wares!  Don't laugh, it was great fun!

What don't we remember?  We don't remember EVER "being bored", watching TV, arguing or fighting.   Even from very young ages, we both clearly remember always being treated by the other with kindness and respect.  We were never mean girls!  

She was the one who first told me about periods.  Her mom gave her a pamphlet, and as a public service announcement (LOL!), she shared the info with me.  And since discussing these types of subjects was NOT my mother's strongest suit, I was deeply appreciative! 


Cheryl is HILARIOUS, some of her emails have left me LOL.  And her memory is awesome, she remembers things that I had long ago forgotten.  For example, that 3 feet tall "walking doll" I had with the eerie, freakishly large eyes and the stiff-legged, stilted walk that always slightly spooked me.  :::shivers!:::

We have found that we have a lot in common.  Just like me, she is married to her high-school sweetheart AND she is a slightly OCD, jewelry-lovin', cat-crazy QUILTER, too!  Can you believe that?!

So it's been a blast reconnecting with her, "catching up", and fondly remembering the innocent days and endless summers of our childhood.  

Thank you, Cheryl, for thinking of me, looking for me and finding me.   But most of all, thank you for being such a sweet and good friend to me "way back when".  xoxo!

Photo credits:  HERE and HERE.