Here comes the Sun (Salutations)

National Yoga Day was last Saturday, but that's OK because Yoga Haven in Galveston is celebrating it tomorrow. I hope to be there. Read more about it in The Galveston County Daily News.

FND: 10.01.15

We hosted the first Friday Night Dinner of 2010 with old friends and in Mardi Gras style.

* friends * Last Friday night, after a pedicure and belly dancing birthday party with girl friends, Eddie met up with us at Club 21. Before I found my seat, I found a familiar face. Martin Benoit, Mr. Everything at Lamar University when I was there years ago, had just moved to Galveston. Friendly as always, it was easy to catch up with him quickly and share our stories of how we each made it to Galveston. That next Sunday, while at church, I turned around and there was Martin again! Our paths has crossed twice in two days. He was destined to be a FND guest! And for old times sake, we invited Wanda, who we missed at New Years.

* food * Appetizers were smoked salmon on toast points (below) served in the lounge. For dinner, Eddie made pork tenderloin in a marsala sauce with a mushroom risotto, green beans and stuffed tomatoes.

Dessert was a delicious marzipan-filled King's cake from Randall's (yes, Randall's!). And wouldn't you know it, Joseph got the piece with the baby!

Then surprise! Diana texted and wanted to come over, so she stopped by for awhile.

* fun * I think Martin really enjoyed himself :-) At one point he said that he was looking forward to a home-cooked meal, but he didn't expect the level that Eddie delivers. He was impressed. But the best memory was the look on Martin's face when Eddie presented him with a to-go container filled with another serving of pork and goodies! Martin actually was giddy!

2009: The Year of the iPhone

I can't, in all consciousness, note 2009 without mention of the iPhone, more specifically, my iPhone, my constant companion. I can't think of a device that has changed my life as much as the iPhone. And I can't wait to see what the future technology will bring. That's the feeling a device like the iPhone can evoke. Once the light goes on illuminating the possibilities, you understand that this device can replace your computer and will be a significant tool in your daily life.

I'm almost lost without my iPhone. Just yesterday, Eddie and I went to lunch and I left my iPhone in the car to charge. In our conversation between ordering our food and getting it, we needed the iPhone no fewer than two times: to check the weather in Llano, TX for Joseph's camping trip this weekend, and to start a packing list for our upcoming ski trip.

Checking email, texting grocery lists, alarms to get to school on time, identifying a song on the radio, listening to my favorite radios shows and podcasts, finding a restaurant, tracking traffic, locating the nearest Hobby Lobby, checking flight status, looking up definitions, texting photos on the fly, reading Shakespeare, watching YouTube....it's all on my iPhone. And don't get me started on the social media stuff!

And I'm sure I've only touched the surface of what this device can do with the hundreds and thousands of apps launched and updated daily. The iPhone certainly has affected my life, and I like it!

2009: The Year of Yoga

Although I took my first yoga class in 2008, my practice was interrupted by Hurricane Ike. I started fresh in January of 2009, so now I've had a full year of yoga. And now I can share some of the ways I believe yoga can help you in everyday life, and to live every day:

• Flexibility & Strength - Yoga has many aspects, but for me, initially, I started yoga as a gentle way to move into a physical fitness routine. The self-paced, non-competitive nature of yoga allows you to jump in at any level. And as you build your practice, you will experience a continuous improvement in your flexibilty and strength. But this applies more to every day life than any other exercise I've experienced. Better posture, improved movement, greater energy are all physical effects I have experienced because of yoga.

• For all bodies - Last week, when I had to climb under rafters and over air ducts in my attic, I was thankful for my yoga. Think of all the occupations and situations that require physical flexibility, strength and balance. I understand men have shorter hamstrings, for example, and other differences that limit their physical flexibility. I wonder how many occupational injuries could be avoided if those with physically demanding jobs embraced yoga. And for those who have injuries already, yoga is the gentle way to build strength and flexibility and ultimately lessen the pain of injury. My primary instructor's philosophy is to live a long, pain-free life. Yoga helps to keep him on that path.

• For all faiths - Yes, the chanting is different, and there is a bent toward "the light within." But yoga does recognize a Creator, and for someone with a well-formed conscience, yoga can enhance the spiritual experience. There even are programs, like Yoga Fit, that have no spiritual component and instead focus on fitness. But As a Catholic Christian, I use yoga to help me strengthen my faith by increasing my awareness of my connection to God and others in addition to improved fitness.

• For all ages - I admit: My body has changed, especially since turning 40. But in some ways, I feel better than I did at any other age, thanks to yoga. I hope to grow old continuing my practice of yoga. (It sounds much more appealing than Sweatin' to the Oldies or Sit & Be Fit!) And I would recommend yoga to people of all ages. I encourage Joseph (11 years) to do a few stretches in the morning before school. Who doesn't like a good stretch? Yoga is a series of stretches that helps you keep that great feeling for much longer.

• Awareness - This is the area I need to work on the most. Every time I do yoga, I get more out of it than the time before, because I have taken time to listen to my body, empty my mind, and focus on being aware. But many times while doing yoga, my mind does wander to thoughts, ideas, things to do, even topics to blog about. In our 21st century lives, this is typical. But yoga offers an age-old remedy to help you reach the timeless goal of awareness.

These are just a few broad reasons to try yoga. Everyone will have their own list of benefits, and these are just the ones that come to mind today. But if I were to sum up what yoga does, it would be this: Yoga lifts you up while grounding you at the same time.

Nameste.

2009: The Year of Chick

Eddie's dear friend, "Chick", is the reason for Friday Night Dinners. FNDs started, oh, about 1989 on Sundays with Eddie making the dinner and Chick bringing the wine. Today the roles are the same, but now the dinners are celebrated at the end of the work week. Being the CPA that he is, Eddie calculated that some time within 2009 Chick attended his 1,000 Friday Night Dinner. Unable to pinpoint the exact day, we decided to celebrate the milestone the entire year! And for our New Year's Eve party, I identified ~130 FND photos from 2009 , including shots of Eddie's culinary conquests, to display on the big screen. Below is the show.

Happy Blue Moon New Year, Part II

June

Summer was off to a busy start with a trip to Arlington to attend GASC and to bring Gregory for a week of Camp Invention. Grandpa and Pauline came to Galveston to bring him back, so that led to a FND with Bert & Holly. Joseph started the Junior Lifeguard program. Then the Hugger family met up again for Sr. Mary V's jubilee.

July

In July, Eddie and I celebrated our one-year wedding anniversary. I continued with improvements to the Houston house, slowly but surely. Joseph competed in Beach Fest as part of Junior Lifeguard and placed in two of his three events. But the big event of the month was Eddie's 30th high school Reunion with his friends from O'Connell.

August

Most of August was consumed with the ramp-up of Joseph's new school. Because it's a new program, a full week of orientation was held so all students were ready to hit the ground running on the first day of school. I was at the school every day to help any way I could and ended up serving the year as PTO president.

September

The Paws Gala was so much fun! Canceled last year because (duh) of Hurricane Ike, the main fundraiser for the Galveston Island Humane Society was held on the first anniversary of the storm. In true Island style, the anniversary was commemorated with a big party! Eddie and I made it to Austin for a fraternity mini reunion and to watch the UT/Tech game with Ted.

October

Eddie was guest cook at the re-dedication of the Shultz kitchen and wowed everyone with his paella. My sister, Jennifer, and her three kids came to visit and among other things enjoyed a day of fishing with the guidance of our friend, Arthur. We hosted the 30th Anniversary Oenophiles Wine Dinner, this year at 901 Post Office, where they served the pink champagne on ice. Then it was my turn to celebrate a high school reunion. And - finally - my house went on the market!

November

Well, November surely has the fewest photos. There are the obligatory FND photos (this one taken outside), which I've surprised myself with my consistency. I think there are few event photos because the house was in minor turmoil while a new floor was installed in the kitchen and sun room and Eddie got a new tv and sound system. We've been in the house for a year-and-a-half, and we're still moving things around! Speaking of: I soon get a contract to lease my Houston house! Now the real work begins: moving!

December

Joseph became a member of Boy Scout Troop 123 this fall, and every December the Troop goes to the Texas City Gun Range for a day of shooting. Joseph and Eddie had a great time of gun safety, good aim, and male bonding. Joseph hit his first round of skeet and impressed everyone by hitting the first pull! For the first time in my life, I spent Christmas away from my Hugger family. This year we stayed in Galveston and celebrated Christmas at home. Christmas Day was spent with Eddie's family now that parents are back in their home. And the year ended with a final move-out from my Houston house. Hooray!

Happy Blue Moon New Year!

It's been a hectic few weeks, but I'm taking some time to reflect on 2009. Not much of a year, especially compared to 2008, which included a wedding, a move and a hurricane. But, here it goes: highlights by month:

January

I'm starting off with this photo, taken early in the year and printed and posted in two prominent places: in the key holder and on my monitor. It set the tone for a new year, new family, new life.

After creating the site for Joseph's school, I held a training for the teachers and started another site called Galveston Now Open. It was a photo gallery displaying photos of signs businesses were posting around the Island to announce they had reopened after Hurricane Ike. By the time I posted 100 photos, life was almost back to normal. I said almost. Trucks continued to transport loads of sand up and down the Seawall to replenish the beaches in time for turtle nesting season.

February

Early in the month, a lady flipped her Lincoln into our nextdoor neighbor's yard. I was the first responder. We hear she's OK. There was Mardi Gras, of course. One of our favorite eateries, Sonny's, reopened. But the most life-changing event of the month was that Eddie and I got iPhones!

March

Grandpa came to visit and helped me with some improvements to the Houston house, which I've slowly updated, purged, cleaned and painted most of 2009. Grandpa also got to partake in a Friday Night Dinner (FND) and play with Joseph. Eddie celebrated the reopening of El Jardin!

April

Joseph and his 5th grade class went to Camp Kappe, and I went to CKC (my first) in Houston. The Grand Kids Festival was another sign of the Strand returning to normal. And of course, April is birthday month, so we did it fun at Schlitterbaun.

May

Rudy & Paco's finally opens! We don't go right away, but I've always thought that the reopening of Rudy & Paco's signaled the return of "normal". May wrapped up the school year with lots of end-of-school activities like May Crowning and Field Day. Also, I helped the 5th grade make cards to sell at the GCS Art Walk. Oh, and we hosted the May wine tasting. Not everyone is back in their homes.

(ok, enough for now. I'll recap the rest of the year tomorrow!)

Holiday Hybrid

This is for my fellow scrappers in Circle Journal #7 over at Paperclipping.com. We all are to do a layout of "Holiday Moments," however we interpret that. I overcomplicated this simple task by finally doing a LO that I've wanted to do for years and doing it hybrid. Well, my computer (and my skills) are not equipped to do digi, so after various programs and versions, I was able to come up with the image below. It's now at Color Inc., and when I get the prints, I'll scrap it up with a 3D surprise, mail them out, and post the final here. So CJ7, thanks for your patience, and thanks, Sandy, for coordinating.

25 years ago...

...I graduated from high school. The reunion featured the classes of 1980-1985, so even my brother showed for the festivities. I was voted most changed (again) and Andy was voted least changed (again). Eddie took loads of photos. Here are 50 or so.

Happy Birthday, Lillian Grace!

My best friend's "baby" is one year old today! Here's a recent layout to prove that I have been scrapping. Can you believe that all these photos were taken on my iPhone, indoors, without a flash?

July flew by without a single blog post. Bad blogger! If anyone is interested, I've been doing lots of little things: painting the old scrap room, organizing the new one; gardening, which really equates to watering the dying plants; learning what I can about SEO (search engine optimization), sepecially since the release of Bing and the whole scary Microsoft/Yahoo thang; pouting that I didn't get to go to CHA but pumped that Noell & Izzy are doing such a great job capturing the show; seeing positive effects of yoga and twice-weekly muscle power; oh, and becoming one with QuickBooks and customizing reports.

School starts soon, so Joseph is trying to enjoy what's left of summer. He's in the water at every chance and earned two first place ribbons at BeachFest. Apparently, he's quite the runner. Basketball Camp was this week, and next week he's at Camp Thurman. Then it's orientation week at his new school. Uh, there goes summer!