I went walking today.... it just might rain!

Its been a long time since Max and I ventured out for a long walk and I found a perfect spot - the Lion's Park near our house is awesome! The walking/biking/running trails are in great shape and you have a choice of just looping around the "lake" or you can walk the Salado Creek Walkway. I choose the later and found it to be a serene walk in the midst of a large and very busy city. The sound of the birds, squirrels, and other small critters such as lizards scampering in the underbrush reminded me of our walks along the river in San Marcos. I realized today just how life-saving those walks were. OK, I know I  need the physical aspect of it but the mental and spiritual benefits are what I really craved. Its funny how I was feeling blah and wasn't even sure why but seeing the wild flowers, watching the birds, and just being outdoors with Max was invigorating. And the best part? Seeing all the great amenities the park has like covered pavilions; plenty of picnic areas with tables with trash cans (recently empties and clean) nearby and permanent grills; port-a-potties (which are good to have even if I avoid them like the plague); playground equipment for the little ones and shaded, covered benches to take a load off your feet while your running or walking the trail loop. And one of my favorite parts to all of this - PET FRIENDLY, or at least dog friendly. There are dispensers of Poop Mitts so you can clean up after  your dog and there is also a doggies fountain at the base of the water fountains! I had packed water and a bowl for Max and surprisingly didn't need it!. I am going back, like tomorrow - a big THANK YOU to the Lion's Club for this treasure. Also, there is a huge map of the area on display with the list of wildlife you might encounter.

Stress, my mortal enemy returns, with a vengenace

I have resorted to covering my body in menthol rub and ten blankets with a heating pad on my back in a futile attempt to "sweat" out the evil toxins that reside in my body. What I have been left with are smelly sheets and a bad hair day. I eat vitamin C drops like they are candy and have been religiously taking all my meds - if you know me, you know that I don't do ANYTHING religiously, like not even religion, that's how bad I feel. The worse part is my family suffers too - oh I get up every morning at the same time to make sure my little one gets on the bus and is fully dressed and I still make breakfast and dinner for my man - mostly; I still read a chapter of "Son of Neptune" every night, or at least until I cough up half a lung. SIGH everything hurts, even my teeth hurt! What's up with that?!?!?!? If my hair had feelings, it would hurt too...right now it just LOOKS like it hurts......
I have heard that stress wrecks havoc on one's immune system and how do you get rid of stress? I know the source of my stress and I just can't do anything about it - it must play itself out and nothing I can do will expedite the remedy. Curse you! Curse you, my mortal enemy stress! And may your minions be cursed as well!

my latest tattoo

this is my 3rd tattoo. like my other two, it is very dear to my heart and has deep spiritual meaning for me. on my journey through life, i have had both setbacks and wonderful revelations. for me the turtle represents both the new love of my life and a way of life. one may think of turtles as slow and boring but they are quite fast! have you ever tried to catch a red-eared slider in the river or a common snapping turtle in the grass? they are NOT slow. they are however, ancient creatures whose evolution matured quickly and which has changed little over thousands of years. they carry their home - shelter and skeletal - structure wherever they go so no matter what, they are at "home". there are myths throughout the world and through out time that describe the world as being carried on the back of a turtle. turtles are long living and are hatched as miniature versions of their adult selves - there is little change except for size. i want to be turtle -like in that i want to feel "at home" in my own skin and not dependent on others around me for my thoughts, feelings, and actions. i also want to be steadfast in my beliefs and duties. i want to "slow my roll" and think before i speak, before i act and before i lose myself again........