3 Gratitudes

I'm trying to be good about my commitment to spend time each day, as part of my 100-day challenge, writing in a journal or blogging... typing is faster, so here I am wanting to watch Californication -- but blogging first. :)

I thought I'd wrap up the day with 3 gratitudes... three things that I'm thankful for top-of-mind as I get ready to turn in for the night. Tonight I'm very thankful for my roommates. I can't believe how smooth my transition went from living as a couple with Mike to living as a single woman -- sure, it's been pretty freaking difficult at times, but the house that I moved into and my roommates here have been such a huge blessing. When I come home, I know there's a .00005% percent of any drama at the house. My roommates have all become good friends, each bringing special qualities to my life. Gregg with his surfing, his sweet girlfriend, his commitment to volunteering, and his kind words throughout my Dad's progression with Alzheimer's. Ken with his warm hugs, his calming presence, his good beer and good food. Amanda and sometimes her sweet girlfriend, now fiance... such a testament to how great a relationship can be. They love each other so much, and are so fun to go out with. Karla who, like our house mom, does so much to keep our ship sailing and does it in such a cleanly way. She's so much fun, in whatever state of mind she may be in, and is someone I know I can always vent to or talk to about boys, life, anything. What a great group of people. So, actually, tonight -- I think that's not three gratitudes, but four. My four fabulous roommates. I don't know what I would've done without them over the past (almost) year, (geeze -- has it been that long?)! They're the best, and I feel so priviliged to get to live with them.

Love,
Katery

Well, this is kind of perfect...

A co-worker who's getting to know me pretty well sent this over this morning. It certainly speaks to me, so I thought I'd share...

For A New Beginning

In out-of-the way places of the heart,

Where your thoughts never think to wander,

This beginning has been  quietly forming,

Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire,

Feeling the Emptiness growing inside of you,

Noticing how you willed yourself on,

Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety 

And the gray promises that sameness whispered,

Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,

Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight,when your courage kindled,

And out you stepped onto new ground ,

Your eyes young again with energy and dream,

A path of plentitude opening before you.

though your destination is not yet clear

You can trust the promise of this opening;

Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning

That is at one with your life's desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure;

Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;

Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,

For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

 

-John O Donohue

Love,

Katery

1 day down... 99 to go!

For the last 100 days of 2012 I'm officially booze-free. So far, so good. It'll actually end up being more like the last 114 days of 2012, but who's counting? (I am -- seriously). I decided over the weekend to add a little extra challenge -- write or blog daily. So, yesterday I made good on my challenge and didn't drink and also journaled. Tonight, even though I'm exhausted and can't wait to go to sleep, I'll also blog a little before bed.

I'm excited to get another blog going. It's created, just not written on yet -- Katery Travels: a blog dedicated to the traveling I'm planning on next year. I'll likely start blogging there soon as I prepare for my trip. But for now -- Katery Designs is still the blog spot. :)

Over the weekend I took Coyla to Sunriver... a fabulous trip. She hadn't been there before, and it was a great weekend filled with hiking, biking, swimming, movies, Friends, vegetarian/vegan meals, and earlier this afternoon we also hiked around Paulina Lake. Beautiful pictures to come... what a lovely hike and some serious quality time with my Little Monster. I couldn't be more proud of her -- with her 4.0 GPA, all of her volunteer and school-related activities, and her general cool factor. She's pretty freakin' awesome, and it was good to see her. I'm hoping that when I move away she'll be able to come visit, (as I hope quite a few good friends will be able to do).

This weekend I had a lot of down time to process, reflect and just think. Coyla's great to go on an 8 mile hike with -- we don't have to talk the whole time, there's plenty of quiet time for walking and thinking. So, between lots of reading yesterday, journaling, hiking, and driving... I got a lot of good, quiet Katery time in, as well. What a relaxing weekend! Just what I needed before heading back into a busy, productive work-week. Next weekend I'll be off to Olympia for a night with Melissa for an adult girls' slumber party at Anita's. Wheee!!

Now, seriously, off to bed. TIRED girl! :)

Love,
Katery

100 Days of...

There are 102 days left until the new year… which meaning we’re coming in on 100 days of something fabulous I can do to round 2012. This got me thinking. What is something I can do for the final 100 days of this year? Yoga every day? That seems like a schedule issue. Eating healthy? Too generic. Not drinking? Well, geeze, that doesn’t sound like fun, but I’m leaning that way so far. Three gratitudes? I’ve been trying to do that randomly, but I’m not so sure it would happen every day.

There are, of course, some ideas online… I could apparently co-create a new reality in 100 days, (new car, new job, new mate?)… Sounds promising, but not for me.

How about 100 days of real, not processed foods? Yea, right… but awesome idea!

Ha… how about the 100 day burpee challenge? Awesome – one burpee day one, two on day two, three on three, so on and so forth…

There’s even a plan to dramatically change my life in any way I decide in 100 days…

I think what’s most important to remember here is that I’d like to do something in 100 days that I find personally challenging. I think one of the most challenging things for me involves booze right now. Far too much of my life is centered around drinking, albeit social drinking, but it’s the truth. One drink turns into three or four all too often, I’ll end up having a cigarette or two, (or three or four depending on how much I’m drinking), it gives me drunk-reasoning to call some boy who I’d otherwise have no sober intentions of contacting, and then I feel hungover, don’t do yoga or whatever else I intended to do the next morning, and I realize I spent way more money than I intended on spending.

So, as I approach the 100 days left in 2012 mark, I think that’s it for me. I know it seems kind of extreme. I could, of course, have a glass of wine with dinner here or there, but I’m kind of a go-big-or-go-home kind of girl. And this time, I’m going big, (rather than going home with the dude I met while drunk). This will be my 100 day cleanse, (even though I technically started a break from booze on September 9^th). J

Goodbye alcohol. I’ll miss you Pinot Noir. Farewell prohibition era cocktails. Au revoir HopWorks. Go in Peace, Pasion at Las Primas. (Hello fewer calories, zero hangovers, and less money spent). 

The 100 day Booze Ban Katery Cleanse officially begins on Saturday, (and I’m already not sure this is such a great idea)! I'll update progress here. :)

Love,

Katery

3 Gratitudes

Today I'm thankful for a job that is low-stress. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Universe -- my last 2 jobs were pretty stressful in different ways. This one is not. Thank you.

I'm thankful for good friends coming home who feel like family. I knew I missed Preston and Melissa, but having them home is like having a big piece of home... home again. :)

I'm grateful for reconnecting with good, established friends... great to catch up and touch base with people who are *good* people. So good to see you, Sarah-mony! <3 p="p">
Love,
Katery