Smoothie-time

Kale, leaf lettuce, pear, a few blueberries, 2 bananas, flax seeds, water and a few ice cubes. Mmmm-mm-mmmm...

Where have you been?

Oh...where have I been? Right here. Well, most of the time. We did get away for a weekend or two thanks to some very fine neighbors. (Have I told you that we live in the BEST neighborhood in the world?)

And I've been studying to sit for the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners exam(?) on July 27th. Yeah, it's a big deal. The test is scheduled for a full day and I will be happy when it's over. It's unfortunate that I have to wait until October for the results. Taking the exam is one of my personal contributions toward healthcare reform.

In that vein, I'm also exercising more, doing yoga and attempting to improve my diet and reduce stress. Those in DC can fuss and fight all they want but we as individuals have the power to reform our healthcare needs.

In the stress reduction department, here are some photos of our getaway to Rancho Milagro and the Sonoita-Elgin-Patagonia area of southern Arizona.

Rancho Milagro gate,

cow jam,

a great porch,

great food,

and inspiration for my garage door found in Patagonia.

Another Before/After

This I found on the parking lot of a used furniture store. Just what I needed for the teevee in the bedroom. Yes, I have a teevee in the bedroom. So there.

I love this green which is a departure for me as I usually stick to the more grayed down earthen tones.Ignore the dust on the brown ledge. It belongs there.

Movie Friday

well, at least this Friday.

I finally saw Milk and have to say that it was much better than I expected. I am so often disappointed by films, but this was a wonderful telling of a story that seems unbelievable. I remember when this happened, and thinking then how crazy it was that public officials would resort to violence in an attempt to solve differences. Today it seems that some public personas are almost goading folks into violence. Fear is a powerful motivator.

On a lighter note, just today I found this interesting site from Sara at Speaking of Simplicity. Lights, Camera...History! , all about period dramas. I can't wait to dive into that. What are your favorite period dramas? Mine are: Elizabeth (1998), Mary of Scotland (1936), The Forsyte Saga (2002).

And, I found out from my Pilates classmates, I must put Death at a Funeral on my Netflix queue.

Ode to a Bike Path

I am so lucky to have daily access to this bike path, which is lengthening daily.

Healthcare on My Mind

Mommy how did I get here?: ... space planes that looked exactly like DC8s (except they had rocket motors instead of propellers).

Healthcare has been on my mind a lot lately. Actually it's on my mind all the time as that's my day (and night) job but especially so the last couple of days because I attended a Healthcare Town Hall hosted by my Representative Gabrielle Giffords. It was quite interesting with a wide range of invited speakers from libertarians, to conservatives to pinko-lefties (those terms are meant to be endearing, not perjorative). There was also great input from the audience, which must have numbered over 500. Attending increased my realization that we all need more facts. We can't rely soley on our experiences to be the indicator for what is best for everyone.

So it is with this renewed mission of inquiry that I open my Google Reader and start flipping through the healthcare posts. And I see this headline: Actress Kirstie Alley Brings Attention to Lies about MOTHERS Act. I'm thinking, Cool, the act needs all the support it can get. But then, I read further and find that it's the Scientology smear campaign being waged via Alley's Twitters. Reading further, I find a link to Daily Kos diary by Xenubarb which provides more info on what was being said. Please go read it, the shock value is worth the click.

There are different treatments for depression but sometimes medication is the only one that works.

Rust-Oleum has changed my life! Can I get an AMEN?

I've seen these hanging on the paint cage at HD and always thought "Hmmmm sounds like a good idea but probably another piece of cheap plastic crap that that stops working halfway through a job" And then I read Erin's praises in her blog Hands-On and decided to to give it a try.

Rust-Oleum has changed my life! Can I get an AMEN?

Rust-Oleum even has a Facebook page-and I'm a fan.

Now I have trouble making myself stop painting. Husband, kids and dog, be afraid, be very afraid.