DiForYou

Figured I’ve done it already I can batch another three days together. Monday was a chill day, Tuesday was too but I worked in the morning, took a yoga class and visited with neighbors, and Wednesday was busy with work, lunch with friends and hair appointment! All of them were peaceful days. I’ve had three triple crown days, too. I think it is because I’m going to bed a little earlier, I’m also eating more portioned dinner. I kind of stuffed myself last week one night on a tofu dish LOL and the feeling of being over full is staying with me.

2/23: Family on Long Island got hit hard by the storm, 30 inches of snow in Patchogue!! I remember January 1979 having a big snowstorm and the snow drifts went to our second story windows! We could not open our back door it was so wild. I was chillin’ hard Monday morning, then went up to my office to work on my volunteer project! I am working with the SPCA to put together a process for their PETS Pantry (did I already write about this?) the pantry is for community members in need to come and get dog or cat food to supplement what they already have. It keeps animals with their people and out of the shelter. They have a fantastic program and would like the volunteers to be able to do more of the distributing and that is where I come in. I’m looking forward to helping in a meaningful way!!! While I was working, Mike and Uli went to the post office and for a walk and Iris moved right into the warm spot on Uli’s bed. She sat like this with her ears back, looking towards the dresser for a little while and then finally settled in to snooze.

2/24: Tuesday I subbed at the main studio and took Alana’s Stability Basics class – Debra took it virtually! As are all of the classes I take at Dragonfly, this one was fantastic! We used 2lb weights and our blocks and tried not to wobble too much. It was a fun class and I’m glad to report I’m a bit sore today! Mike got the Pathfinder oil changed, tire rotated and inspected! Woohoo! We went to the post office to mail some records and then to the battlefield to walk! It was cold out, like 37 degrees but the air was so fresh. We heard what sounded like peepers, I recorded them and meant to see if one of my nature apps can figure out if the frogs woke up early. It was a spacey sound, if it is the peepers they don’t sound too thrilled. Once home, Uli and I went next door to visit with Buddy and his people (who are two of Uli’s favorites) our other neighbor joined too but left her two pups at home. We had a big long catch up about what has been going on in our lives, the good the bad and the ugly. Uli and Buddy are supposed to play but they just make the rounds so each of us can love on them and then Uli plops down. Today he came up on the couch with me, silly boy, he barely fits.

2/25: Wednesday werkday. It’s my busy day, open Dragonfly hot, open Element and open Dragonfly main! Then it was friend time, Anne and I met Bobbi for lunch at Sammy T’s for Bobbi’s birthday! Then I went to a long overdue hair appointment. My last one was January 5th! Shortly after that I got a phone call from the salon to let me know that my stylist was leaving to do bridal and extensions! So happy for her, she is going to be very successful. I asked around, of course Anne has the best (I learned today lots of ppl I know with gorgeous hair go here!) and I got an appointment (seven weeks since my last one) ! I absolutely loved everything about this place, the way it looked, the music, the way it was set up – reminded me of Dragonfly/Element in the intention! I used to pass this cool, old, empty building everyday when taking my girls to Lillian’s. FFWD like 25 years and it has been remodeled inside for beauty! Well, today I was remodeled on the outside for beauty…

Peace and love, peace and LOVE! Ringo Starr. Bye for now!

Putting my weekend into one post since I was occupied with my dad on Friday, at work and a workshop all day on Saturday, and tried to be tuned out in the morning because I needed to be tuned in from 12-6 at work on Sunday.

2/20 A Deceased shirt was found out in the wild at our local thrift shop <wasn’t us> LOL! Super cool and creepy design, I like the logo in blue too. Very cool!

2/21 Had a great workday as usual. Attended a workshop afterward at the main studio “Bringing Order to the Chaos, training the mind for health and performance” it was so fantastic – I don’t even have words – I have a lot to dive into. What really stuck with me is that all of the micro changes we start making today will make us the people we are in the future. That we might not notice the changes, but the people around us will. Some of the book recommendations I’d like to read are “Self Compassion for Dummies” and “Why Don’t Zebras Get Ulcers”. Hope she does the Part 2! Had tons of notifications from my Bird Buddy especially since I moved it from the backyard and into the front yard! There’s a tufted titmouse for ya!

2/22 Spent the morning reading and chilling with the pets. Uli, Iris and I love a Sunday morning in bed. But Sunday mornings turn into Sunday afternoons, and I worked at Element woohoo! The afternoon was nice and steady, we had a little break at one point and I worked on my Dragonfly weekly email, it had been calling for snow – this big Nor Easter that hit Long Island (family) and Massachusetts (bestie) really bad – and we got some too on Sunday! As I left work I was hit by snowflakes that felt like snowballs!

Nothing compared to what happened up north!! All three of those days 20, 21 and 22 were my peaceful days, they really were. I can tell a difference in myself since I’ve been telling myself “today is my peaceful day” as soon as I wake up. Maybe others will notice! Bye for now. Peace!

Highlighting my coworker from Element this morning, a beautiful floral arrangement by my friend, the talented Mary of Moss Floral Designs (her own business!) she did the big planters inside and outside of the studio and yesterday after lovingly misting all of the inside plants I admired the arrangement on the desk and then sent a photo to our chat group – good thing I did, since my coworker needed more water in her vase!

I so appreciate both spaces I work in; element and dragonfly – because they are so beautiful and smell so good. Got to see Amelia as she was in town for her hair appointment, showed her around the space once it was closed and she is excited to come as Mike’s guest sometime soon. They had daddy-daughter time at Umi and later we had sushi for dinner YUM. It was a splendidly peaceful, rainy, day. Be peaceful! Bye for now.

Sheesh, woke up 45 minutes early today, at 4am instead of 4:45, no reason just up so I got ready for work.

I didn’t take any photos yesterday at the ribbon cutting (or today of anything) so I’m putting in a screenshot from element’s Instagram of Anne and Jesse cutting the ribbon with the Mayor and Fredericksburg Main Street representatives. I worked at Dragonfly and Element today, then out to see my dad early since I didn’t work at the main studio.

I blasted The Killers Hot Fuss and belted out all the songs to release some anxious energy I was feeling. Today is my peaceful day but I didn’t start it out that way so I had to reframe my thoughts and needed to sing. My dad was in such a great mood, when I got there – lots of smiling – at what… I’m not sure but I won’t complain. I told him that I am reading (listening to) Autobiography of Yogi and how in the book he explained that his belief is that we have three bodies; our physical body, our astral body and our causal body and I wanted to tell him about this because sometimes when he “hears” someone else talking to him or “sees” something that I cannot – maybe he is in his astral body but his physical body is still sitting with me. It is hard to tell him that I don’t see what he sees but I try to make it sound like he is special to be able to do that. He’s never troubled by the fact that he sees and hears things that I don’t. He got his weekly back scratch, joined in on my SPCA video call for a moment and sang. Big strong hug as I was leaving!!!

Came home and took Uli through the yard and woods, first time since the snow that I’ve walked him in his favorite woods – lots of wild animal scents to smell. He was so happy when Mike got home from his day out and I told Mike that I learned today that the venerable monks have two OTHER stray dogs they adopted other than Aloka and there was a sweet video of them greeting venerable Pannakara after not seeing him since October. It was a wild scene, I could feel how happy they were and when the caption mentioned that he was scratched on his face by the greeting, I could relate, they are marks of uncontained love. Today IS my peaceful day. Bye for now.

Woke up peaceful, had a great night’s sleep (unlike my sister, we can see each others Oura metrics and she had a bit of a blip in her night like I did a couple of nights ago) before I did anything else I wished her a happy double nickel birthday! LOL. Happy lunar new year – the year of the horse, we lead with our hearts this year. I feel like I do tend to lead with my heart but will be mindful that I am each day in all of my interactions with others AND with myself.

I finished one of 4 panels of my crochet pieces for the pillow cases I decided I needed for my ‘winter bed’. At this rate winter is going to be over before I finish!! Posting a photo I sent to Amelia of my progress, she seemed very impressed, but then again, she is the best cheerleader!

Walked Uli in the neighborhood while Mike waited for his friend to meet him for coffee at Wegmans, he had to wait a long time.

We went to the ribbon cutting for Element, it was FANTASTIC. Jesse is such a great public speaker, I really admire that trait in people because I am not a great public speaker. I am also so impressed and proud of Dan and Bobbi, they are so talented. Being able to take abstract ideas and turn them into something will always amaze me. Once again, Anne inherently creates systems that operationalize a customer experience. I’m surrounded by greatness and am so thankful I get to participate with my bit of expertise, too. We joked that Anne needs a leaderboard for Mike since he currently has the most visits at Element. He loves it and mentioned yesterday that Anne knows how to hook him, she got him obsessed with yoga and now contrast therapy. I’m glad he gets to experience this kind of wellness in his life. Today is our peaceful day. Bye for now.

The eve of the Lunar New Year/Chinese Year of the Horse is today! It is also President’s Day so lots of things are closed/people are off work. I subbed this morning at the yoga studio and opened at Element, and had two guests right at opening! Tomorrow is the Ribbon Cutting ceremony, I guess that means we are officially open! Mike and I are going to attend. Tomorrow is also my sister’s 55th birthday, I can’t believe that! This is going to be a great year for her.

Today is my peaceful day, did not get a lot of sleep because I had to get up at 4:45 for work and had a bit of a blip last night just after dinner. LOL I will remember this if I use these descriptors; “you drove to the Giant Shopping Center in the rain, the snow was making everything very foggy, you were driving like 30MPH, everything ended up being alright, but you were very stressed” HAHAHA

I did virtual yoga with my sisters today, it was such a fabulous class! Stephanie knows the right things to say – she is such an inspirational teacher. After our class we had a video call with each other, sister time! This is the only picture I took. haha Denise found a long lost earring, Debra had a delicious healthy breakfast, and I’m just cheesin’. I love my sisters to the moon and back, they are my first besties, my forever besties and the most kind and generous people!! I AM LUCKY! Shoveled the slush that remained after the rain this weekend and fed the birds the last of the terrible bird food from Petco. I’ll get their favorite tomorrow from Wren and Sparrow.

The monks are preparing for the new year, I am looking forward to the year of the horse. Be peaceful. Bye for now.

Chill day. I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night, I woke up at 4am a little thirsty so I got up and had a glass of cold lemon water and well… that sure woke me right up! I read the news, played my word games, crocheted (I’m on panel one of four for my two big pillow shams), then I made energy balls – Mike had asked for them a few weeks ago and I decided I would make them today while he was at yoga. I made a new one, too after I made almond butter. I was an energy ball machine this morning. I wanted to make some to bring to Anne since she has been keeping me nourished with her healthy muffins. Her last batch was soooooooooo good, she added flaxseed!! (Note to self, you still need to do your dishes from this morning.)

We had a reservation at noon at Element and Carla and Arturas joined us! Arturas grew up in sauna culture in Lithuania and told us today that when he was younger they would sauna and then jump in a pond. He really loved Element and they both did great in the cold tubs for their first go, Carla even did the 55 degree one for her second plunge. Now I’m inspired to try it myself. We discovered that Mike has done 25 contrast sessions!!! I’ve done 6, which I think is amazing for me, but really impressed by 25! Tuesday is the ribbon cutting, maybe Mike will get to wear a crown hahahahaha.

Just checked my Oura stats and the session made a huge impact on my stress (physiological) metric! SUCCESS! Today is my peaceful (and restorative) day. Bye for now!

St. Valentine’s Day! Worked at the studio and wished everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day – I mean why not. People say it’s a made up holiday (aren’t they all?) but I think anytime a light can shine on LOVE why not let it shine for a day. As one long married yoga student said “we celebrate valentines everyday” and I felt that.

We set up a little ‘offerings to St. Valentine’ with candies, flowers and fruit. I think it was super cute. The water bottles were custom designed by local artist and business collaborator Gabe Pons. They say “Yoga is Love” and it truly is. Loving yourself and what your body and mind can do, loving your community by practicing loving kindness and for those of us that work at the studio, loving your coworkers. We have the best team.

I came home to a little surprise, Mike got me some chocolate covered strawberries at Wegman’s. That place goes ALL OUT! He got caught up. Listen, I love, love so get caught up in it, Mike. I’ve loved him for so long, but it still feels the same. I am so glad, I know that not everyone feels that way about their partner. I.AM.LUCKY!

The monks made it to their hometown in Texas and watching their homecoming brought tears to my eyes. Venerable Pannakara cried as he was greeted by his Master, it was just a beautiful display of emotion and devotion. May you and all beings be well, happy and at peace. I am. Bye for now.

Friday the 13th! Another ‘out at dad’s” Friday, and this one was the exact opposite of last Friday. When I arrived they were both sitting in the family room listening to music and my dad was eating some apples. He had on clean clothes, had gotten a shower the day before, greeted me with a big “hellll-oooooo” WHEW! Got there early, stayed there late – Shirley was able to get a lot done and take a big walk with her neighbor. On my way there I stopped at Walgreens and found the perfect valentine’s day card for my dad to give her – I got a chocolate bar too!

Funny thing about my dad, when I say it is a gift giving holiday – Shirley’s birthday, Christmas and he did it when I said “tomorrow is Valentine’s Day” he gets this alarmed look on his face and says “but I don’t have any sheckles to get anything” which I love. He was a pretty good gift (and birthday money RIP LOL) giver. Today I told him “Dad, I got you, I stopped at the store on my way here and got a card and chocolate for you to give to Shirley” and he smiled conspiratorially – I saw my dad for that moment and it was awesome. Once she left to run her errands, I got the card out and read what it said and he smiled. It really said all the right things from him, to her. We tried to decide if he should sign it as “Bill” which is what Shirley calls him since they met at work and that is the name he went by or “Detlef” and he decided on Detlef saying “because it’s my name”. It was hard to get him to write on the white part of the card so I stopped trying and he wrote what he wrote where he wanted to! I jotted a little note of my own. Then I asked if he wanted to write her name on the front and he did – S.H.I.R.L.E.Y he spelled it out loud. He did a good job and she will know it is for her because I went upstairs and put it in her bed so when she pulls her blankets down to get in tonight, she will have a valentine. I’m writing this so future me will remember this sweet afternoon with my dad. I gave him an extra long back scratch with a little bit of shoulder massage and told him that was my valentine to him. Today is my peaceful day. Bye for now.

Contrast studio workday! Had a nice steady stream of guests this morning, good chats, I helped a guest with her cold plunge – it was nice to look her in the eye and tell her she was doing a great job, to breathe calmly and evenly… later in the day while watching Wonder Man (loving it!) one character guided another through box breathing. I’m also (reading) listening to an audiobook “Autobiography of a Yogi” by Paramahansa Yogananda and read by Sir Ben Kingsley – who happened to be playing the actor who guided the box breathing. Nice circle of circumstance. I love those.

The photo that I chose for today is an old school Throwback Thursday that I found when I was looking through my Instagram for a photo of me doing archery – my friend is at a resort in the wilderness and said we should girl trip there and noted to me “Dianne, they have archery” I loved doing archery with my girls (daughters) back in the day and would love to with my girls (besties) any time.

Anyway, I digress… I found this photo of La Pizzeria – for a long long time at GEICO my coworker buds and I would do Pizza Friday. I’d call it in, take a partner with me to hold the pie and drive down to the shopping center next to the mall. The pizzeria used to be in the mall, and was ‘mall pizza’ which was an earlier version of Pizza Friday that I would do with my claims/SIU coworkers way back. This Pizza Friday tradition got us through the week, we loved going in and waiting for Mr. V to provide us with the most delicious pizza that I (New Yorker) and Ryan (Jersey Boy) could find down here in VA. Mr. V sold the place and pizza was never the same. In another circle of circumstance, Antonio, who works for the Rug Store that is part of the building where the hot yoga and contrast studios are, is from El Salvador – San Salvador specifically (he’d been on vacation and when I asked where he said “I went home to San Salvador so I asked if he knew Mr. V who used to own the pizza place and he said you aren’t going to believe this, my wife is the cousin of… Mr. Vasquez!!! MY Mr. V who sold the pizza place and returned to San Salvador. I asked Antonio how he is doing, he said he is doing great – I asked him to let him know that Dianne and her friends from GEICO miss him and his delicious pizza. The monks went from DC to Maryland to visit the State House before bussing back to Ft. Worth TX on Friday. Today is my peaceful day. Bye for now!