The Story of English in a 100 Words by David Crystal

Wow! I just started this book and I already love it. :)
The premise is that the author goes through the centuries chronologically adding words that have developed and are pertinent in the development of the English language for each era. I have already read about roe, lea, and, loaf, out and street. And I am only up to the 9th century.

The book merges archaeology and linguistics. And is a fabulously interesting read. I highly recommend this book to any and everyone.

Centering

Katie Kup V- Royal Manchester Golf Club 6/24/12

We attended the Katie Kup V this past weekend and we are so grateful for such good friends and to be a part of all the good things that the Katie Herb Foundation is doing to support families and children with Congenital Heart Defects.
This annual event was fabulous and the weather was beautiful. Regan golfed with my cousin, James and they enjoyed the day with some other interesting guys.

Diane and Lia at the Katie Kup

Then we drove from Carlisle PA to Milford DE. I love coming here. It is a relaxing time of just being schedule free and calm, and I get to be with my dearest friend, Alison and her beautiful family. I absolutely love both of her sons with all my heart and have a deep connection with them.
What a fabulous week. It was busy, taking care of children and relaxing and napping and living simply. I am so grateful for this fabulous time. I always leave here with a little more clarity and a little more self-assurance in my own progression through life.
We got into a routine of going to bed after watching a fabulous show on the food network called "Chopped".

Bike riding in the late afternoon

In the tent

Nathan, my newest love

A morning with my Loves

At the movies with Regan

What a week. Although I miss home and miss my normal routine, I always feel calmer. Alison asked me the question "Why does that bother you?" and this was something I wanted to remember. To ask myself why something is bothering me and to remember that I can answer myself those thoughts. She also stated that she noticed that Regan is very hard on himself. We need more fun in our lives and less hard on ourselves. This is something that I need to be more cognizant of as I progress forward.
And so as we are getting ready to leave on Sunday we are thinking about the things that have been relaxing and our own reactions. Not a bad set of meditation thoughts for my future days.

Getting ready for relaxation

So tomorrow Regan and I travel to Carlisle PA to visit with friends and gold in the annual Katie Kup in memory of my friend, denise's daughter, Katie. We will be staying with a friend and her family, and then heading to Delaware to spend the week with one of my dearest friends and her husband and boys. I am excited to get a way for a little bit and to relax. 


Summer has been going quickly and I still have so much stuff to do that needs to get done and I feel that we are running out of time. I need to sort and prep some things for a yard sale and also to clean the house and to plan a trip to Florida for a friend's wedding. I can't wait to go on a vacation to Florida. There may be time to get to DisneyWorld!!

I am extremely grateful for the time that I get to spend with Regan and the way we try to be better and be the best we can for each other. I love the fact that we try to make ourselves more and more intentional in our actions. Regan is sweet and kind to me and so I am grateful to get to spend time with him, even if it is only doing the mundane things that need to get done everyday. 


Not only is it that, but it is also how brave he is to move this far away from his family and friends to be with me and my family. He cares about me and tells me. 
I cannot wait for this week to bring the worlds of my friends into the world of my relationship with Regan. He is so sweet, educated, silly, fun, participatory, supportive, and adventurous. He is respectful of me and my family even when I don't always tell him.
He is the best thing for me right now, we'll see if this is something that we can continue and commit to for the future.

Brussel Sprouts, Good Friends and Healthy Living

Finally feeling a little better about being here in PA. Having good friends and people to spend time with  it essential to happiness. We all need down time. I am grateful to have been involved with Special Olympics in Northampton County, even when faced with some opposition. I love the women whom I have met though this organization and I love helping the athletes. Not often do you see that kind of joy on a child's face, as when they are participating in sports. And the group of girls that I get to spend time with through the organization are some of the coolest, sweetest, smartest most caring and fun women I have ever come in contact with. I am truly grateful for them! I just wish the same thing for Regan... Hopefully soon he'll find some people that he matches with as well.
Today, I went out for a sushi and drinks lunch with two fabulous women from work. I had an amazing time and tried new things. It is a good thing to eat something that you think you don't like and then find that you LOVE it! Thanks for getting me interested in trying the Brussels sprouts, Natalie! I came home and found one on goggle:

Wok-Seared Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients

500 g Brussels sprouts
1 tbsp peanut oil
2 tsp grated ginger
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp toasted sesame seeds 

Preparation

Trim the Brussels sprouts of their darker green outside leaves and cut the sprouts in half.

Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil. Add the Brussels sprouts and cook them for 4–5 minutes.

Heat a wok over a high heat. Add the oil, ginger and cook briefly. Add the drained, hot Brussels sprouts and toss quickly to coat them with ginger and oil. Add soy sauce and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently to allow the liquid to evaporate. Add the sesame oil and sesame seeds, and serve.

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DELISH!

Looking forward, I think I may want to go and paint some pottery at  Color Me Mine. Delish!

ANd I have also been walking every morning since summer vacation started and I feel much better. I am sleeping better and looking forward to tomorrow's walk. I only hope to keep this up.

And then a party for friends to celebrate their engagement. And Father's Day and then we go for a week to the beach! Life is good. really good. 

Summer and why it's important

I LOVE summer.
Summer is the time that I get caught up on sleep and have less anxiety. It's typically when I get to do my taxes and clean and sort and organize. It's when I can read for pleasure and it's when I nurture my soul. I don't feel that I have much time to do that when I am working all year. 
Summer is for trying new recipes, watching movies, naps and barbecuing chicken for a late night dinner. I get to go the public library, I get to sleep on lazy afternoons in the hammock and I get time to sew and craft. 
This summer is a little bit of heaven in my house because not only are all the tennis grand slam tournaments happening but also the Summer Olympic Games are being held in London, and London is a little bit of home for me as well. 
Since I have my "Bucket List" for life I usually use the summer to choose a couple things and complete them, but this year, I created a shorter list of things that I want to accomplish this summer:
1. Ride a horse.
2. Canoeing.
3. Camp in a tent.
4. Read 40 books.
5. Grow herbs inside.
6. Meditate daily.
7. Finish paying my undergrad loans.
8.Buy a house.
9. Spend a week without tv.
10. Visit Pittsburgh, and Fallingwaters.
11. Zip-linging.
12. Buy a new bed.
13. Bicycle around town.
14. Tell those I love how much I appreciate them.
15. Make my own pickles.
16. Do spring cleaning in the house.
17. Yard sale.
18. Spend a weekend in Atlantic City.
19. Make one item of clothing for myself.
20.Go hiking.
21.Go to the Aquarium.
22. Get a new passport.
The purpose of these items is that they are perfectly possible to complete within the summer. 
We are also planning on having some visitors this summer. Regan's parents are coming for 4 days after their return from France for the Tour. And Erika and John are coming to visit during Musikfest. I think at some point I'd also like to take away trip into NYC to see some things and be in the city.
And so on that note I am going to go back outside and read a little more of my book in the sun and swinging on the hammock.