I can’t believe

I put a picture of my leg on the site. Oh well, it was for you Jen. 

(P.S. I had to write this post just so it would not be the first thing people see.)

surfing accident

Yes, I am officially an idiot. Well, I have always been an idiot, but here is the proof. Here’s how it goes. Ellen thinks she can surf. Ellen gets a surf board. The wind starts to blow. Ellen falls. Again and again. The waves push Ellen into the ocean floor. Again and again and again. Ellen stops surfing only to realize she is an idiot.

I know that it doesn’t look that bad but the bruises go up and down my left side. I am an idiot. Sexy right?

Note to those who do not know me well: I know I am not really an idiot, I just do idiotic things from time to time.

following suit

A dear friend of mine blogged about this…

 

Underrated

long distance friendships

feet

swimsuits

humidity

the Ironman watch

beer

imperfection

Anthony Bourdain

 

Overrated

the I – phone

Jon and Kate plus 8

the Napa Valley

pedicures

skiing

the antibacterial revolution

buying a house

FACEBOOK!!!

 

What do you think? What is under/over rated for you?

embarassing

I have been meaning to write about this for a while. 

I was just discussing the matter with a friend a few days ago and it happened today.

I got stuck in a dressing room today.

Let me explain.

I was not locked in.

I was instead stuck in an article of clothing.

How many people has this happened to?

Or is it just me?

I was stuck in the stinking piece of clothes, I started sweating, and I panicked.

I was alone.

In the dressing room.

Wearing an article of clothing that was entirely too small.

I collected myself, tried not to bust a button, and wriggled my way out of that wretched piece of fabric.

It was completely embarassing in a private way.

I just thought I would put it out there.

It has happened to me.

Multiple times.

Moral of the story.

Never shop alone?

Always wear spandex?

Laugh at yourself?

Yes, there it is. Laugh at yourself alot. Even if it is privately.

(You now have permission to laugh publicly.)

Our last month

 

First day

Sweetheart face

Silly and sillier

Precious moments

Big eyes

The getting ready

Having fun 

Very sweet

The strangle hug

Very happy

So cute

Here we are

Running from the camera – the usual

S does not mind the sand – can you tell?

This one was a fun one to take!

Me and my girl

 

a small regret

I think I was supposed to write more while I was here. And here I am, a few days from leaving and I have written very little. I thought being removed from the daily grind would inspire me to do more of the many things I love – one of which is to write. I had this grand idea that I would write every day, as a discipline. But fact is, me and discipline don’t always mix. I have written nothing down. I have taken some notes in my head, even inspired a dictaphone dream (that is to purchase one) but that is as far as my ambition has taken me. Dreams and thoughts.

But, I have had sand in my bed for the last 20 nights. And my toes are gorgeous from the polish of that same sand. My children know the name of most of the indigenous fish on this island. I know the exact time of sunset each night. All of us have showered outdoors for the last month. We all walk slower here.  I even had a surfing accident. All of this is to say, that I do regret not writing more. I really do. But I have been living, enjoying these priceless moments together as a family. Writing will have to come later.

Sacred

I know that the world is imperfect. But this was perfect. Absolutely perfect.

20 hours

In the car with two small children. The soundtrack goes like this…

Where are we? (x20)

AarrAaaaaraaaaaaaaaaaaa!

I want to eat lunch! (x 25)

Aaasahjgssaaaaaaaaaaassaaa!

(whining)

(crying-see above)

Silence.

Repeat. (for 20 hours)

I’m kidding. Sort of.

But I do love almost every minute of it.

everybody knows

A little place that takes them away. We are leaving behind, for 30 days, the hustle and bustle of Houston, to return to a place where a simple bridge can lead to a garden of paradise. We have found a refuge on earth. We will not work. We will not repair. We will be as best we can be, at rest. Together. 

Yay.

first things first

I made it. I made it. I made it.

 

I made it through the school year. If you follow my ramblings, you will recall that this year of teaching has been so challenging for me. I have questioned myself, and also the students that I taught pretty much continuously throughout the year. I have cried. I have yelled. I have laughed. And I have shrugged my shoulders in indifference. Tonight, I rest. I have finished what at one point felt insurmountable to me. I made it.

Say a prayer. Have a drink. Make a wish. Whatever your fancy, just take a minute to celebrate the accomplishment I feel. 

I made it.