How is everyone doing, on this first week of back-to-school? So far, so good in the Boyhouse; maybe not from Barkley’s point of view, though.
Yesterday after drop-off, Barkley and I stared at each other for a while, in our silent house. But one cannot stare at the dog all day, humming Landslide or Time After Time. No, one must embrace new eras and new situations, and to that end, I taught a class, prepared for another, baked cinnamon loaf, made from-scratch cookies-and-cream ice cream, did laundry, and tidied the house. After taking Barkley for a walk I did indulge myself by staring blankly out the window for a while, but only for a little while.
We had the Best Summer Ever; it was full of fun and activity and relaxing and family time. Truly, a wonderful summer. But as all things come to an end, here we are in September. This month to me always feels like the time to make a Fresh New Start, even more so than New Year’s. I had an epiphany of sorts, and that – along with a dear friend in health crisis, who is reminding me every day of her strength and also that we need to embrace every day and live our lives with joy and intention – has had me making a few changes in my life.
For one thing, I quit my part-time-work-from-home job, mostly to focus on yoga teaching, but also because I felt that it was weighing on me; having to always be attached to my computer or phone, always checking updates and never really being off the clock, in a haphazard and unpredictable way. Yes, I realize that quitting a job to lighten my heart is a very privileged thing to be able to do, but the truth is I am a very privileged person, I am extremely fortunate, and I would like to use that in a way that best helps other people. To that end, I am focusing on yoga teaching, being more available for friends and family, and taking the time to be a better person in general. As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup, and I plan on having a very full cup to pour from.
The other thing I have been doing is moving away – yet again – from negativity and toxicity in my life. There is no room in my life for toxic people, both on-and offline, and so I’m making a concerted effort to move away from them. There’s “being compassionate to people who are obviously hurting” and then there’s “these people are killing me softly.” It’s a fine line.
So more time outside, more time cooking and baking – and good thing, because my children are bottomless pits – and more time doing things I love like reading or learning a new song on the piano. More time with my family, and to that end, what is everyone doing now on Sunday nights, now that Game of Thrones is over?
I won’t post any spoilers here but I can see nothing for it but to gradually make my way through the entire series in time for the next half of the seventh season in 2018 or 2019. Also, if I may be so bold to recommend The Verge and their recaps, they will bring you great joy. Spoilers, obviously.
Side note and slight digression: do you know how often a yoga teacher will say “bend your knee” in an average week? I don’t know either, but it’s a lot. Every single time I said it, for the past six weeks, I’ve thought of Game of Thrones, and I’ve had to literally pull my thoughts back to the present moment, and not think of – NO SPOILERS, BUT I’M DYING HERE – you know what.
This is not a spoiler at all, but what is UP with Cersei’s hair? She had her hair cut off literally seasons ago, and even in the odd GoT time spectrum, it has been a long time. It should really not look so ridiculous. Is she CUTTING it to look like that? Is she trying to look like the late Joffrey? Is this some kind of weird foreshadowing? I don’t know but if I were that actress, I think I’d be requesting a new wig.
Seriously, it’s grown out maybe an inch since her Ultimate Walk of Shame, and within that time – NO SPOILERS, IT’S KILLING ME – a lot has happened. Enough to get a new hairstyle.
Well, the original question was What Do We Do Now Until 2019, and my answer has been to binge-watch the final season of House of Cards with my husband. I’m not quite done yet – NO SPOILERS, AGAIN – but my gracious, you guys. My gracious.
In any case, I hope September is starting off smoothly for you, and until next time, xo.
It felt strange not to have a kid in elementary school this year (for the first time since N started kindergarten in 2006) not to be at the Open House the week before school, etc, not to wait for the postcard that tells you which teachers your kid has, etc. I’m guessing you were in the same boat.
I hope the change of focus is good for you.
A lot of wise words here (BEND THE KNEE HA HA HA HA HA HA). I never watched Game of Thrones until Monday or Tuesday, so my Sunday nights are pretty much the same, but I think I will rewatch because honestly I didn’t know what the hell was going on half the time the first time through.
We sort of gave up on House of Cards halfway through Season Three, although I loved the first two. And let’s talk about Robin Wright as another beautiful woman with an unfortunate haircut, can we?
SO SO incredibly support your decision to move on. Yoga teaching is really like the mothership calling you home, after all.
Thank you! xo Yes, her hair is BRUTAL but it gets a lot better in Season Five!
Oh my heavens, I SO totally agree about Cercei’s hair! I almost made a whole blog post about it myself, but I was worried about seeming a little too obsessed, and also, I feared no one else would care. But of course I should know that in the wonderful wilds of the internet, one is never alone!
It has been long enough since she had her hair cut off for armies to cross the entire sea, to march across all of Westeros, for several major battles. On the other hand, though, little Sam remains a baby. On the other-other hand, Sam himself described Bran as having survived beyond the wall for “years.” I can put up with a lot of mixed-up nonsense from this show, but this timeline thing is killing me. I have to believe she is cutting her hair now on purpose for some twisted reason, for my own peace of mind.
I know, the timeline! What is up with that! It should be at least chin-length by now and little Sam should be walking!
I love Barkley’s expressive face.
A quote I read yesterday that speaks to me in terms my own attempt to move away from negativity:
“The woman you’re becoming will cost you people, relationships, spaces, and material things. Choose her over everything.”
I’ll miss your recipes, but I admire you figuring out what you really want to do!