Soul Runnings

 Hi Friends!  It's a gray, cold, wet day here on Portland, Oregon. But as for me - I feel fabulous! I had lunch with my mother and my man, got in a quick workout (today is Day 48 at the gym!), and stopped at the library. I love getting things done!  I am now chillaxing at Starbucks before I begin teaching. I am feeling rather content and balanced. I love my new place- a space of my own - especially my own fenced in private backyard, where I have been doing a morning hoop workout before I start my day. I love the fact that the door to my backyard is in the bathroom.  I do love funky! I am excited to find a Planet Fitness in my neighborhood. Not only do I enjoy the hydro massage tables, but I just discovered their express workout room. It is essentially circuit training. There is a light signal on the wall. When it is green you start at the first station. There is usually enough time for 15 reps before the red light comes on. At that point, you wipe down your machine, take a little b

 Hi Friends! I am gazing out the window as I type this. Big, plump, white snow flakes are descending from a slate grey sky. It has been snowing since very early this morning. All of the school districts have closed due to the snow and power outages. I am waiting to hear from the music center. Usually when Portland Public Schools close for inclement weather, they are closed as well. I only have on in-person class on Mondays, the rest of my students have private, virtual lessons. I will most likely be teaching from home today.   It is actually pretty exciting to have snow in April. The week before Easter no less!  I looked at the forecast for Easter Sunday, and they are predicting sunny with a high of 58 degrees!  Today's high is only going to reach 44 degrees.  Low of 33 degrees.  In April! I am going to head out soon to the gym. The snow is getting wetter - soon it will turn into rain. But the ground is still white.  I am going to wear double layers for sure! After the gym, I am st

 Hi Friends! Just a quick check in. Yesterday was such a good day!  The chaffles, the gym, my students, my grandkids, and.... wait for it.... the man! Yes. We had a very nice, positive get together. I told him that when times are good between us, they are GLORIOUS!  I need to focus on all the good.   The title of this blog is deceptive. Love was there all along, we need to remember not to cover it up with negativity. :)  Pretty much the story of my life.  In fact, I am working on cleansing my mind beginning today. Everytime a negative thought enters, I whisk it away and replace it with a positive memory, or I ponder all the things that I am grateful for in life. I have a big list: God My 5 grandchildren My kids and their spouses My family My students Music The gym, and movement Beautiful weather in Portland (Like yesterday! Today, it's cooler and overcast, but that's ok.) My friends, near and far. Chaffles Tea The Community Music Center My new apartment AND YOU! My faithful rea

 Hi Friends! Sorry for the dramatic title. But my life does seem to mirror my bipolarness at times.   First the happy news: I had to do it! I ordered another Dash mini waffle maker, aka "The Chaffle Maker"! It arrived this morning. So I whipped up some cheese, spinach, green onion, cliantro chaffles for my daughter-in-law and I. And some ham, cheese and spinach chaffles for my grandson. I am not sure if he liked them or not, because he was napping when I left. My daughter-in-law loved them! Her first chaffle experience was very positive! I like them even better than before. Especially since the cheesy egg pancakes just didn't compare. The chaffle has these amazing, yummy crunchy ridges you just cannot duplicate! It is such a beautiful day today in Portland - sunny and 74 degrees. I hear rumors of highs in the upper 70's. What?! I nearly froze to death in bitter cold and wind waiting for the bus two days ago.  But that is Portland. Bipolar. Much like me! I actually had

Hi Friends! So, I made a thing! We are calling them cheesy egg pancakes. It started with me wanting to make chaffles for my breakfast while living temporarily with my son and his family. I am having pretty good success with my ADF fasting eating program. I "fast" on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, allowing myself up to 500 calories. The other days I eat normally. I've managed to lose (and keep off!) 6 pounds.  I need to work on not binging on my eating days.   I am still hitting the gym nearly every day! Today will be day 39! When I moved out of my daughter's place recently, I misplaced my chaffle maker. ("Dash mini waffle maker"). I have a suspicion my daughter might have "accidentally" thrown it out. However, I did find my Dash mini griddle.  So I improvised and made cheesy egg pancakes! So far, I have made them with eggs, cheese, almond flour, and spinach; eggs, cheese, almond flour, green onion, spinach and cilantro; eggs, cheese, almond flour,