While I was in my yoga class last week I had a thought. I know....I'm not supposed to think while doing yoga, I am supposed to breathe. I can't help it...I was thinking, sometimes I pray. I still miss my Mississauga yoga studio and probably always will because it was the best yoga studio ever!
The awesome Mississauga yoga studio was a bastion of peacefulness, it had beautiful new cork floors..that were regularly cleaned, low lights, a hot room (which I loved) and a regular room, mirrored walls, soft music and excellent instructors who mixed up the class every week. They were great! It was luxurious!
I go to a yoga class at our country club now... because it is there and does not cost me anything extra. It is in a gymnasium type room with icky wood floors. I have no idea the last time they were washed. In the room next to us there is loud thumping music and shouts from the instructor for the spin class that takes place at the same time as our yoga class. Our room is FREEZING cold when we get it because there is a step class before our yoga class and they like it cold because they are working up a sweat and need to cool off. When we come in the room the lights are bright, the fans are going at warp speed and the floor is grimy with sneaker grit, ahhh so zen. Our instructor turns the lights down, turns on some very nice music and tries her best to create a yoga worthy atmosphere.
You really have to concentrate to forget the whomping music and shouting in the room next door. You have to concentrate to avoid freezing your ass off before you are able to warm up. It takes a lot more time to loosen up your muscles in a freezing cold room, we all wear our jackets for the first 15 minutes of the class. We put our jackets on for the end of class too, otherwise we would shiver right through shivasana.
I still go to the frigid yoga and most of the time I enjoy the class. I must say though that there are days when I would just love to be back in Mississauga at my old yoga studio all warm and clean and challenging, sometimes I just try to transport myself there....mentally, I just have to concentrate really hard!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
And Now A Word About Football
I like football.... I really like college football, specifically LSU football! I am also a Saints fan and a recent Texans fan. Knowing these things you might conclude that this was not the best week in my life, as far as "my" teams are concerned. It is not the end of my world and there are not global consequences due to the unfortunate losses by ALL of my teams this week, but man, did it take the wind out of my spirited sails. Coming in second or 6th,7th, or 8th in a season might seem less than perfect right now but it is not bad for a season's work....I guess.  |
After watching LSU lose and the Saints lose, TJ and I decided to record the Texans game today and play golf. We thought the golf course would be wide open during the game, and we were right! It seemed like the entire city had gone in to watch the game, there was no one on the course and there were not even any cars driving on the roads, these people are serious about their football team. As it turned out, we are very happy we took advantage of the mild January weather and played golf instead of wasting an entire afternoon only to see our team lose the game in the final minutes. It was a good game and made even better by fast forwarding through the commercials! I guess we are going to be forced to cheer for the Giants?! Whoever we choose to cheer for is destined to lose.....
just saying.
Monday, January 9, 2012
All It Takes Is One Song
One song on my ipod during a flight taken in January can transport me to Nova Scotia in a minute. It might be an Irish tune or some folk song by Spirit of The West or The Rankins but I can hear a song, look at the calendar and sigh because it is only 5 months until I get to live that other life...one completely different yet totally familiar....even unattended for nine months at a time.
While reading a memoir on the plane I wondered how my own memoir would read. This weekend would be in it and so would Nova Scotia. This weekend our youngest moved to NYC. I flew up to help her settle....at least into her apartment. I can't control everything! This weekend made me realize how sheltered I was at her age ( I would never have been as brave/savvy/talented/prepared as she is), maybe my memoir would mention that and how important we thought it was to expose our children to the world and broaden their horizons. This weekend will serve as a launching pad for our LG in her new life in the city...and when she feels lonely or lost or overwhelmed, at least her apartment will be an oasis, a home, organized ( it was when I left), unchaotic? and a place for her to just be herself in that awesome, crazy, busy city.
Any way, another song, Dire Straits "Your Latest Trick" is playing on my ipod while I fly home and it brings me back to my first trip abroad at the ripe old age of 33. Back when you didn't have to strip naked to go through security and shampoo and toothpaste were not lethal weapons and were allowed to travel with you on the plane. I listened to that CD all the way across the ocean on that trip and did not sleep because I was so excited about finally realizing one of my dreams...going to Europe! I learned that the jet lag from not sleeping on the plane is monumental! To this day I can't hear that song without thinking of that trip!
What songs can transport you to another place and time?
While reading a memoir on the plane I wondered how my own memoir would read. This weekend would be in it and so would Nova Scotia. This weekend our youngest moved to NYC. I flew up to help her settle....at least into her apartment. I can't control everything! This weekend made me realize how sheltered I was at her age ( I would never have been as brave/savvy/talented/prepared as she is), maybe my memoir would mention that and how important we thought it was to expose our children to the world and broaden their horizons. This weekend will serve as a launching pad for our LG in her new life in the city...and when she feels lonely or lost or overwhelmed, at least her apartment will be an oasis, a home, organized ( it was when I left), unchaotic? and a place for her to just be herself in that awesome, crazy, busy city.
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The Big Apple   |
Any way, another song, Dire Straits "Your Latest Trick" is playing on my ipod while I fly home and it brings me back to my first trip abroad at the ripe old age of 33. Back when you didn't have to strip naked to go through security and shampoo and toothpaste were not lethal weapons and were allowed to travel with you on the plane. I listened to that CD all the way across the ocean on that trip and did not sleep because I was so excited about finally realizing one of my dreams...going to Europe! I learned that the jet lag from not sleeping on the plane is monumental! To this day I can't hear that song without thinking of that trip!
What songs can transport you to another place and time?
Monday, January 2, 2012
The Last Week and the First Week
The week after Christmas is one of my favorite weeks of the year. There is no gift shopping to do, no gifts to wrap, no pressure or anxious anticipation. It is the week that I get to actually enjoy Christmas! The house is decorated and full of life. The kids are still out of school. Many people have few work related responsibilities which means they are either home or home early. There is still a holiday to look forward to in New Year's Eve. Oh, and there are some really great sales at all the stores for when you return that hideous gift and get whatever you really wanted...for less!
This year the week between Christmas and New Year's has been one of the best. First, a little review of some of our holiday activities. We have adopted a Christmas Eve Eve tradition that involves eating out and going on a pub crawl (and responsibly taking a cab home). Be sure to mark this on you calendar for next year because it is one of the most fun nights of the season. In the past we have had the CEE pub crawl in Toronto, Madison and Houston. We could be visiting a city near you next year! We had a full crew that night but Michael had to go to Mexico for work on Christmas Eve, leaving TJ to fend for himself with all the women.
The day was great and we all got a lot of reading done, I know we are an exciting bunch.
New Year's Day was spent much like Christmas Day, eating, drinking, playing games and being together.... in clothes this time instead of pajamas and the sun was shining.
This year the week between Christmas and New Year's has been one of the best. First, a little review of some of our holiday activities. We have adopted a Christmas Eve Eve tradition that involves eating out and going on a pub crawl (and responsibly taking a cab home). Be sure to mark this on you calendar for next year because it is one of the most fun nights of the season. In the past we have had the CEE pub crawl in Toronto, Madison and Houston. We could be visiting a city near you next year! We had a full crew that night but Michael had to go to Mexico for work on Christmas Eve, leaving TJ to fend for himself with all the women.
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| His future is so bright he's gotta wear shades? Cheers and Merry Christmas Eve! |
Christmas was beautiful and quiet, unless you are talking about the weather. It rained for 2 solid days. We all spent most of the day in our pajamas! Luxurious! Kelly managed to work pajama pants into three outfits.....it was just that kind of day, very comfortable.
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| Evening wear pajama pants |
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Sleep/morning wear pajama pants |
The week between was a lot of fun for some and a little work for others. Michael worked in Mexico, till mid week. Kelly had to go back to St. Louis for about 24 hours and watch all of her worldly possesions get packed and loaded into a truck for their trip to NYC. She came back to Houston for the remainder of the week to gather strength for her big move. We decided to go to Baton Rouge for a few days and visit the rest of the family. Maybe TJ just needed a little male companionship.
New Year's Eve ended up being a lot of fun. It was like Christmas Eve without the presents. We played games, we laughed more than humanly possible, we sang....badly, we went to a party at a friend's house and managed to get home before midnight and brought in the new year together....at home.
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| Happy New Year! |
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Merry Christmas Everyone!
You came! Merry Christmas!
Here is a pictorial review of our year. All in one place, saving lots of paper....trees....branches!
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| January A trip to New Orleans with good friends Bob and Donna! Laissez les bonne temps roulez! |
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| February We went to New York City (where Kelly will be living as of January 2012) with good friends Rick and Patty and found a Chinese New Year's parade in Chinatown! |
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| March We went to Park City with friends and family...a good time was had by all! (and no bones were broken) |
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| April TJ rode 180 miles in two days in the MS 150...again! And it did not rain again in Houston until October.... |
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| April We got to see Christopher and Daniel in Madison for Easter! |
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| Early May The Dixon sisters went to the Cayman Islands to celebrate one of us getting older. |
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 May
Way to go Kelly!
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| Later in May
We went to Nova Scotia and found our new sun porch...almost finished and tulips in bloom!
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| June We waited for the garden to grow....and did a lot of work around the farmhouse! |
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| July We started harvesting the bounty from the garden!  Rachel, Matt, Daniel and Christopher came and spent their vacation with us in Nova Scotia!   TJ and Lisa went to see London Bridge....still standing. |
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| October Michael and Jehnna were married in Boulder, Colorado 
We visited the grandsons...and their parents, for Thanksgiving!
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December
The tree is up, the house is decorated and we are waiting for Jesus.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Love, The Mahoneys
P.S. to read more about any month just click on the blue highlighted month name.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Bah Humbug
Are you one of those overachievers who already has their Christmas shopping done, their cards sent, cookies baked and the house decorated? Bah humbug! Obviously, I am not....at least this year! I am finding it very difficult to actually get into the spirit. The 80 degree muggy weather might have something to do with my lack of Christmas spirit....just saying. I don't think I am alone in this either, until yesterday the stores seemed empty. Guess I'm not the only last minute shopper out there. At least the traffic online has been manageable, no parking problems or lineups at the cash register!
Maybe one of the reasons I am not feeling the spirit is because the little shopping I have done has been online. No hustle and bustle to get into my psyche, just a computer screen. No endlessly piped in carols playing in the background, no Salvation Army bell ringers, no pushing and shoving to get the perfect item, no over the top decorations to delight the eyes..... just my dirty floors, and dishes in the kitchen with the washer and dryer humming in the background. Hmmm, maybe that explains the lack of spirit I'm feeling.
Guess it's time I sharpen my elbows and go shopping. One can only buy so much online before you have to go to a real store. Get my earplugs, bah humbug! Next on the list....Christmas cards? We will see, I don't want to overdo it!
Maybe one of the reasons I am not feeling the spirit is because the little shopping I have done has been online. No hustle and bustle to get into my psyche, just a computer screen. No endlessly piped in carols playing in the background, no Salvation Army bell ringers, no pushing and shoving to get the perfect item, no over the top decorations to delight the eyes..... just my dirty floors, and dishes in the kitchen with the washer and dryer humming in the background. Hmmm, maybe that explains the lack of spirit I'm feeling.
Guess it's time I sharpen my elbows and go shopping. One can only buy so much online before you have to go to a real store. Get my earplugs, bah humbug! Next on the list....Christmas cards? We will see, I don't want to overdo it!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Hello and Goodbye
This week I had the profound experience of saying goodbye to one life and hello to a new life. Within one week, a good friend of mine was taken from this world and a baby was born into our extended family. Life and death, opposite ends of this journey through life.
My friend had cancer, but in the end it was not the cancer that caused her death, it was complications from a fall... an accident. We all assumed that eventually the cancer would win but it was not at that point yet, so we were all caught a bit off guard by her passing. We were not ready. If you have gone to church lately, you know that many of the readings have been about keeping alert, staying awake, because we do not know the time or the place when God will come. "The day of the Lord will come like a thief." "Watch therefore---for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning---lest he come suddenly and find you asleep." These words remind us to do our best and live a life pleasing to God. Our friend lived her life to the fullest, she never let it get her down...for long. She was a force of nature with a raspy voice, who made you feel cared for and had an exuberance that was infectious. Even if we were not ready, I think she might have been and I am sure she is looking down on us from a much better place...and eating a little chocolate.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, a baby boy was born. One life taken and another given. A precious, innocent, beautiful little boy was born. His life is before him. There is so much happiness and love surrounding him. So, while the world is less one wonderful woman, it has a new little boy to make us all smile and give us hope.
My friend had cancer, but in the end it was not the cancer that caused her death, it was complications from a fall... an accident. We all assumed that eventually the cancer would win but it was not at that point yet, so we were all caught a bit off guard by her passing. We were not ready. If you have gone to church lately, you know that many of the readings have been about keeping alert, staying awake, because we do not know the time or the place when God will come. "The day of the Lord will come like a thief." "Watch therefore---for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning---lest he come suddenly and find you asleep." These words remind us to do our best and live a life pleasing to God. Our friend lived her life to the fullest, she never let it get her down...for long. She was a force of nature with a raspy voice, who made you feel cared for and had an exuberance that was infectious. Even if we were not ready, I think she might have been and I am sure she is looking down on us from a much better place...and eating a little chocolate.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, a baby boy was born. One life taken and another given. A precious, innocent, beautiful little boy was born. His life is before him. There is so much happiness and love surrounding him. So, while the world is less one wonderful woman, it has a new little boy to make us all smile and give us hope.
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| Welcome to the world Sam! |
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