Thawing Out

 Just last week, I was whining about how I was SO OVER being cold all the time. We keep our heat low in the house through the winter, so I end up wearing layers and jackets and such around the house on cold days. Well, every day was a cold day for a while there. And windy. And gray. And BLAAAH!

 Well, Someone must have heard my complaining and decided to coddle a poor wuss such as me.The past few days have been sunny and super warm. I feel human again. I have picniced in the yard with my kids. Opened all the windows to air the house out (Nothing smells more wonderful than a house that smells like spring). And taken naps in the warm sunshine to thaw myself out(i.e. worked on my tan).

Then then most amazing thing happened. A springtime miracle. I guess the warm, sunny weather has awakened my inner spring-cleaner. Because I have also vacuumed my ceiling. That is worth repeating, I VACUUMED MY CEILING. I looked up and saw cobwebs EVERYWHERE. It was like my ceiling had become one giant web. At any moment, one of my kids might jump too high and never come back down.

Now, my entire body is itching with the need to throw stuff out. My cozy little winter home now feels cluttered and stuffy. So, I guess I'll be going through the closets next. In between tanning/napping that is.

Ahhhh, spring.

Just an Update

We had a warm, sunny, amazing week. Now we are wet, cold, and grey. Tomorrow is to be nicer, but then the rain is back.

I have added one little art class to my schedule, and I'm telling you, I feel stressed and overworked. I'm embarrassed by this because I know all kinds of people who work or take multiple classes while juggling the responsibilities of running a household. Having to get up early and go full tilt all day just two days a week is wearing me out! But, the puzzle is fitting in homework around "Mom!" "Mommy!" "I need! I Neeeeeeed!" I feel awful for sending my little one to day care during my class time. Now I am contemplating getting a babysitter so I can do homework.

Mother-guilt aside, I am enjoying taking this class. I love that it is mine. I like getting out of the house. I even appreciate getting up early to watch the sun rise and then go take on a full day. I especially love that this class forces me to create art. I regularly crave to make art any way I can, but I am a perfectionist at heart, so my fear of failure and imperfection outweighs my need to express myself. This class requires me to be creative whether it comes out perfect or not. I get good feedback and support from others. I get inspiration from seeing other students' work. And, I get the chance to just practice, practice, practice.

Oh, btw, I have lost 1.8 lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunny Days

Ahhhhhhh, warm sunshine.

I am so happy about this weather that I want to run around in circles and giggle like a kid hopped up on sugar and cola. SO HAPPY!!

Yesterday, we ate lunch outside. I sat on the deck and read and did whatever else I could that had the word "OUTSIDE" in the text.

I am definitely heading to the beach today.

You know what is super-awesome about this warm, beautiful, sunny weather? It is supposed to be like this all week. YAY!

Rain, Rain, Don't Go Away!

The rain is here and here to stay.

Everyone is talking about the deluge that will saturate Big Sur for the next week. I've never see such excitement for rain. Like it's the first snow of winter and we're kids again. Everyone is running around nervous and giddy at the same time. I am beginning to understand that this is the Big Sur equivalent of a snow day.

All this rain - 22 inches predicted - means life slows down. You can't work outside, which is where most of us spend half our days. Roads might get washed out stopping our long, often stressful errands in town. (I have friends who are almost wishing there will be a mudslide just to get a forced break from driving to town!) With the rain comes cold, windy days, so we keep the fireplace smoldering and the house cozy.

 But, first we have to run to town to stock up on any necessities just in case we're stuck at home for longer than expected - things like toilet paper and rice and dog food. We resupply our larder of dry firewood and kindling and bring in big armfuls to keep by the hearth so we won't have to brave the cold rain late at night. We scurry around our yard, putting tarps over things that aren't waterproof, gathering tools and supplies to put in the shed, making sure nothing is out that can easily blow away in the gusts of wind so common with these storms. I feel a little like an ant. It's fun, the whole "batten down the hatches!" feel to preparing for days on end of rain.

Then the rain arrives. And we relish it. Not only because it brings much needed water but because it slows us down. We settle into it, like a big bear in winter settles in to hibernate. We curl up next to the fire with our loved ones, sipping hot tea, and wondering at the beauty of mother nature's fury. We read books, take naps, bake, sew, reconnect with our families and ourselves.

Adjusting to this "Rain is coming!" life, where you bend your routine around the weather, feels awkward, but I like it. I get such a strong sense of community just by the fact that we are all affected by this one thing. We are all going about preparing at the same time. We are all thinking and planning and looking forward to the same event. We are all ready to help and support each other if there is a mudslide.

And, what is most awkward for me but is routine for everyone who has been here a while, we accept that, while we do what we can to prepare, in the end we relax into the storm. I don't know how to explain it, but I'll try. Life is bigger than our own selves, right? We all struggle with that truth. I just see that here, in a place where wild animals, fires, and storms can do all kinds of crazy stuff and people can do NOTHING to stop it, I see people comfortable with the bigness of life around them. This is what I struggle with but am learning to do. The letting go. The relaxing after preparing, so that we can enjoy the beauty of the storm and not just fear its power.

Open Windows

I know something as mundane as the weather should not be so exciting to me. But. . .

OMG! I can't get over this Big Sur weather! We just started the new year, winter is still in full force, and yet I played ball with my kids outside in the warm sunshine yesterday! We even had a picnic lunch for goodness sake!

I spoke with a friend back east. She happened to be outside when I called. She was scrambling to get inside out of the cold while I was walking around my house opening windows. I felt a little guilty. . . but I was still smiling.