Reverb13: It's that time of year again!

So just as I did last year I'm going to Reverb at random. Not every day. Just when the mood strikes. But through the end of the year just like the last few years.

Today's word: Health

It's easy to take our health for granted. As many of you know I spent a week in the hospital (plus 2 days outpatient) for an infection. I was on the wrong antibiotic for 5 days and it was pretty horrible. So here I am.

A new month. A fresh start. FINALLY feeling like myself. Had a bad cold for a week recently too, so now I'm BACK to yoga. I'm back to enjoying life. I'm back to cooking and baking and doing laundry and "keeping house." Much to the relief of my husband, I'm sure (he was my nursemaid and helping hand--love you honey!). Sickness and in health.

Being out of the hospital and well enough to be in a dear friend's wedding meant so much to me. (shout out to the newlyweds Grey and Bri for such an amazing wedding that was creative and fun--it for me was the first time I'd felt normal in so long after being so ill and it was just a great weekend  in NH that I so needed).

Don't take health for granted. You can have the fancy cars, the multiple homes, the good friendships, and wonderful relationships, and the GREAT job. It all goes to shit if you don't have your health. I know this now. Yoga retreat scheduled for February. I started (and kept going with) writing every day while in the hospital--and I'm sticking to it--writing every single day (not in this blog, but still stretching that writing muscle).

Cheers! To good health and a fun and exciting 2014! 2013 was exhausting (just ask anyone that lives in the Boston area--ending on a good note, a happy note. I need 2014 to have more fun (go Red Sox) and less worry and bad things (terrorist attack on Boston). There's going to be daffodils blooming the entire marathon route (that runs through my town). I can't wait for 2014 to begin!

#Reverb12: Day 2, One Word

I just decided to take part in Reverb again this year. It's where you do a blog post for every day in December.

I'll do day 1 & 2 in one post.

Day 1: New Thing? (prompt taken from this blog)

What new thing did you do in 2012? For me that would be trying a new yoga studio and as a result a new class called Ballet Barre (the Barre Method). Actually, I not only tried 1 new yoga studio I tried a new one during my travels to Philly and NY. While in Chicago I took my first barre method class and I was not only challenged but inspired. I pushed through the pain and as my yoga teacher Paulina taught us this year I'm learning to "love the things you hate." Paulina often asks us at the start of our yoga class to say one pose we love and one that we hate. She works both of those poses into our hour of class. This approach is new to me and through this practice I've been able to do things I never thought possible (balanced half moon pose).

I hope to keep taking Ballet Barre on a weekly basis. It's got a little bit of yoga, pilates, weights, and ballet. And depending on where you take it maybe a little bit of kickboxing.

We can all learn from Paulina's example. Learn to love the things we hate.


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Day 2: One Word (prompt taken from this blog)

What one word would you use to describe 2012?

My word is "balance." I really got my rhythm in 2012 work-wise. In April I was at my job 2 years (still there) and it was my first year planning and attending all of the events that I'm responsible for. This was events in 10 states including some regional and national events. I figured out that sticking to my plan of flying in the day before an event is very important. There can be weather delays (Hurricane Sandy). There can be flight delays (got stranded in the middle of the night in DC and had to drive all night to make a morning meeting with a stranger in the car--we all pooled together from my flight and took what car rentals we could find).

You never know what your employment, projects--or even your volunteer work--is going to throw at you. Building in a buffer (my travel day) and making sure to build in time to take care of myself (trying new places to workout or hangout along the way) actually makes for better performance once you are there. Balance continues to be an important part of my life and a little painting "balance" hangs in my dining room to this day (a gift from my Mother-In-Law).

Reverb #11 (Day 1: Fresh)

This year the folks that brought you Reverb are no longer doing it on their own. They have asked bloggers to continue the tradition by doing their own Reverb.

Here's some examples of other Reverbs. It started today, December 1 and will go every day in December.

http://aimeepalooza.blogspot.com/2011/12/reverb-11.html
http://www.ultratrailgoddess.com/2011/11/reverb-11-is-on.html
http://www.rebelhomeschool.com/2011/12/reverb-11-day-one-turning-point.html

Some days you might have your own thoughts to add or your own response to the Reverb. I'd love to hear from you. And...we're off:

Reverb 11: Day 1, Fresh

In 2011 what was it in your life that seemed fresh and new? Was it picking up an old hobby or talent? Maybe it was taking a class in a topic that interested you. Perhaps a new job, or a new family member born to your family. For me I started cross country skiing again in 2011. As many of you in New England remember we had quite the winter.

There were weeks and weeks on end where my work closed down 1 day that week due to snow. I made the most of it. I had a simple New Year's Resolution for 2012: to ski. My parents made this goal possible. They got me new skis for Christmas and new boots for my birthday. I fell in love with skiing at Broadmoor in South Natick, MA. The combination of woods, fields, and quiet trails were wonderful.

In 2011 my goal was also to get back to my 2008 weight. This took 9 months of hard work but I was able to do it (and yes, there's an app for that--that's what worked for me). I'd like to think that my FRESH approach to a New Year's resolution is what helped. I picked up an old sport--something I had not done in years.

What was FRESH in your 2011? I'd love to hear from you.