February - Counting by 12s Update

All I can say is that there is a reason that this is #1 on my list and it's the last thing I've completed both months. If "write my book" was not on this list I would not be writing it, it's that simple. It has made me realize that there are so many things that we *can* be doing, maybe even we *want* to do them (or think we do), but for whatever reason we simply DON'T *do them*. The good news is that I realized how important this book is to me and that I need to make a commitment to writing it. I need deadlines or I do not feel the pressure. I may have to make more artificial deadlines!

All that being said, I did work on my book again this month! Yay me! Again, I started another chapter and the book is really starting to have a "form". I'm feeling good about my next "baby". The gestation period for this baby remains to be seen. 

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Our sweet potato is sprouting a beautiful purplish vine! It's so fun to watch it grow.
Also, when my daughter and I were cleaning off my dresser we found seeds that were the favor at my good friend's wedding 2 1/2 years ago. We weren't sure if they were still "good" but were pleasantly (and quickly!) surprised when they sprouted up! This growing stuff is so much fun!

(I will have to add pictures later since we are in Florida and won't be home till March!)

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February 1st - left my grandpa a message. February 2nd he left me one while I was teaching. I called him back while I walked to Mike's office after my class was over. It was very nice.

EDIT: My grandpa is not doing so well and has been in the hospital. It has been a very rough month for him. This makes me even more thankful that I called him. Prayers and positive, loving thoughts are appreciated.

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I love when I'm lying in bed and get an idea about what I want to paint next. I had commented on Facebook how I'm "addicted" to connecting with people. And for a while now, whenever I feel particular "connected" to lots of people I imagine all of these lines or strings extending out from my body to all the people I love. I can almost feel them! So that is what inspired this painting. I especially love how it looks from across the room, a little distance makes it even more beautiful!

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Mike requested and found a recipe for baked ziti. I have definitely never made it before so it fulfills this month's requirement in the category. I have to admit that it felt a bit like "cheating" though as 1) it was super easy and 2) it was very similar (but even easier!) than my lasagna recipe. I'm hoping to get something a little more exotic or different in next month. Also we are experimenting with cutting dairy out of Marisol's diet as much as possible to see if it helps her ears/nose/throat issues. If anyone has any good dairy free recipes or websites, please leave any links in the comments!

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Baked Ziti - not very original, but it was yummy!

I have not made any progress on getting a "mother's helper" but I haven't tried all that hard. After my original post I had a couple of inquiries but they were all too far away to make it work.

One of the most consistent times that I get some time to myself is after teaching my Hypnobabies class. This past month I walked from home to Mike's office where he and the kids were playing after two of my sessions. I really enjoy doing this because I get exercise (it's a little over a mile), fresh air, and time to just breathe. Sometimes I talk to a friend on the phone (uninterrupted!) which is always a treat.

The best date I got this month though was a whole day out with Mike sans kids! We went to the Daytona 500 yesterday and it was a great day. The car ride there was so nice to actually get to talk. And it turns out that I actually really enjoyed the race too! Danica Patrick was the first woman EVER to sit on the pole (start first) in a NASCAR race - and it was the BIGGEST race of the year! Mike roots for Dale Earnhardt Jr. so between those two racers it was really fun to watch. Danica raced in the top 5 for much of the race and ended up 8th. Dale Jr. raced further back most of the race but ended up 2nd!

So my quest to carve out meaningful time for myself continues (quite successfully I might add).

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I found a great cause to donate to this month. Amy Clover was raising money this month for her tour of the US and Canada called 30x30. Amy tried to take her own life a while ago and now she's turned her life completely around and is helping others do the same and find their own strength through working out. Suicide is an issue that has personally touched me in the past year. I think it affects everyone in one way or another at some point in their life. This is why I felt drawn to this cause this month. Check out her website here.

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Gerry Talk 

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Did-it and done.

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From my Together Walking Facebook page: "Today I am grateful for my life. More generally (or specifically!) I am grateful for Life. For manatees and rivers, for breezes and giggles, for iPhones and pelicans, for little, dirty hands on my face, and chocolate covered faces. Life is good."

And Marisol covered the "Awesome Jar" by putting Disney World in it before we even left for Florida! Since I'm confident it's going to be AWESOME, I felt ok about that. We head to the Animal Kingdom tomorrow morning!

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My dresser got an overhaul this month - internally and externally. I went through and pulled out a whole basket of clothes to donate (purge) and then my daughter and I organized the top of it which was a dusty disaster (I only have an after picture, you're just going to have to trust that it is much better!)

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Love the kids' reflections in the mirror. Marisol is wearing one of my dresses and Gerry is getting his daily exercise on our bed.

I've taken several shorter, "day" breaks - including Mike and I both left our phones home when we went to the race. I was really glad that I did because I felt way more present without the distraction of looking at my phone for email and facebook updates. And I'm planning on taking my first bigger break now while we are at Disney! So I will not be uploading pictures as we are there - maybe later this week or next week when we are home. Wish me luck, I hope I don't have withdrawal!

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