IT'S 50!

Winter is officially here in Kentucky. We have had a snow and temperatures cold enough to start freezing the pond, which means it is cold. This will be my third winter in central Kentucky and it contains a chill that makes me want to hibernate in my bathroom soaking in warm coconut oil. I have lived in Colorado and on top of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and neither compare to this coldness. Perhaps I am now older with thinner skin. Perhaps my intolerance it due to motherhood and I am over-concerned for the warmth of my child. Maybe because when I was in Colorado and North Carolina I was more active in snow-like activities and here without snow winter is just depressing. Maybe since I have lived here Kentucky has experienced its coldest winters in thirty years.

Whatever the reason, when we do have days, like today, that are sunny, dry, and warm (a bustling 50) one must take advantage of the heatwave. During my daughter's nap I was out on the pond paddling my stand up board. I am surrounded my farm country so I am sure the neighbors are watching eyes wild open. "Cora Mae! Look here! That girl thinks she can walk on water." Then I met my husband at the arboretum for a run in sunshine pushing our daughter along as she sang to the iTunes. Lastly, it is warm in enough for me to finish a painting project in the workshop.

All in all, a very productive day.

Surviving the Winter

While growing in the 90s Grunge was in full swing along with skateboarding. My best friend managed to show stability on the board whereas I excused myself from the occupation claiming my newly acquired large hips simply would not allow equilibrium at achieve transportation without a broken bone. Now after receiving my husband's gracious gift of the latest fad, SUP board, I am faced with conquering my lack of coordination. Can the old dog learn new tricks? We shall see.

Coming to the conclusion that my whitewater days as a kayaker may be coming to a close, I perked at the interest of SUP (stand up paddle). Though my husband loves me and loves to support me, whitewater paddling is really not his thing, unless perhaps in a raft. Now living about fives hours from descent rivers it is hard to justify the drive by myself, especially when I now have a toddler involved. I still love being on the water and still want to enjoy my surroundings with exercise. After being able to test stand up boards the previous summer I could not help asking for a board on my Christmas wish list. The husband lovingly complied.

Because of Christmas travels it took five days before I had the opportunity to use my gift. That first day also happened to be 30 degrees Fahrenheit and rainy. That is okay. I am paddler. I slipped into neoprene pants and wool sweater covered by a rain coat. Blew up my the inflatable board (I should mention this is an inflatable board, which seems strange, but proves to be very useful. First, it is storage and travel friendly. Second, it is cost friendly.) and ventured to the pond. Now over the summer I rented a board made of ABS plastic and foam core firmness. Both have different feels and functions. The first noticeable feature as a pro for the inflatable board is lightness since it is mostly air. However, my balance on the board suddenly took me back to my teenage years attempting to steady myself on a skateboard. I had to be very careful, very deliberate about every movement for fear of loosing my balance and experiencing a body freeze. After a few days of practice I feel confident standing knees slightly bent with feet shoulder width apart, but my goal is to hold poses unshaken and comfortable about using my knees and thighs to control movement of the board.

I have a long journey ahead of me. A positive about training for the stand up board is I can practice inside with yoga poses and stretches. This summer will also involve transition from me so this will be the perfect relaxing activity and safe enough I can involve my daughter as well. I am excited I am learning and pleased I am trying to think outside the box. One way or another I will enjoy the outdoors.

Let's be artists!

It is cold outside and mommy is not feeling very well. Best show off our artistic side.

New year's resolution. Running with Daddy

Happy New Year!

Lucy and I have started potty training, or I am helping Lucy learn potty training. I noticed Lucy stomping around back and forth through the house and this was the discovery.


Lucy has mimicked her training. While sitting on the potty she usually eats chocolate and we reads a book. Lucy took the effort to bring her baby a book and bottle. Here's hoping the training is working.

Science Museum

Its my birfday!

Today I turn 36. Not a landmark birthday. Young enough to not feel old. Old enough to not feel young. I admit, I look at the mirror and see the differences. The neck is starting to sag. The marionette lines around my mouth are deeper, but concealable with smiling. There are fine lines around my eyes. My facial skin no longer feels smooth, but rough and porous. I have gray hairs on my head that refuge to be dyed or colored.

I can live with the physical/cosmetic signs of aging. It is the mechanical rusting I have struggles. But it is weird. Physical exercise like running or hiking, no problems. My husband gave me a Stand Up Paddle board for Christmas. I take it around the pond for laps, I have a blast (apart from loosing my balance and falling in freezing cold water). It is the daily grind that gets me. Bending over to pick up toys. Feeling that ache. Spend a day painting furniture for the daughter's bedroom. The muscles are pulling. Shoveling out chicken poop of the coop. My hip is screaming. This is a pain I have been experiencing for nearly a year.

I have discussed my remedies before. I am now taking magnesium recommended by a acupuncturist. I drink turmeric milk. And I do a lot of resting with the heating the pad, which feels the best, but no lasting relief. I mention all this because I would like to be pregnant and the idea of a growing mellon in my womb while cringing at the slightest bend is exhausting. My last pregnancy made me feel old as my growing belly gave me shortness of breath. Then raising the kid has made me feel older as I strain to find a tolerable position to lift my daughter.

But what is in my head? I do not feel old. In my mind I still consider myself 28. Ready to take off and explore. Jumping to start a new project. Wanting to learn something new. My body, particularly my right hip, says, "Oh no, Girl! I don't think so!"

I keep waiting for a miracle hoping my body will suddenly heal itself and I can continue on my way. Pretend the discomfort never existed and go believing I am still 28. It can happen, right?