Taking a Knee.

I really dig California. I love Northern California, Southern California and all the Santas and the Anas in between. I feel like there is a piece of my soul that has once resided there in a past life or perhaps RDK and I have another chapter ahead of us as part-timers (or old timers?) out that way.

It’s fun to daydream about a little (extraordinarily tiny and excrutitiatingly pricey) bungalow, biking to farmers markets, hiking the peaks and valleys, enjoying a local taco truck while watching  my senior-citizen-year-old hunk hubs surf the waves (head to toe wetsuit and a preemptive ambulance on site, of course). My blood pressure takes a healthy dive when I’m out that way- and  not to mention the lack of humidity makes for a good hair day every day. I love the statewide no plastic bags policy and the energy and peace of mind I scrounge up when I’m on the left coast. I even often quote one of my favorite Californians, Larry David, regarding his theory of plan cancelation—- “Don’t evvverrr feel guilty canceling plans with me. Truly. Please. Please. Feel free to do it anytime. Please cancel. ( I didn’t want to go in the first place.)” I’m not (always) that harsh, but who doesn’t love a surprise opening in their day? :)

This picture was taken in Big Sur, CA amid maybe my favorite hike to date.  For many reasons, but mostly because it was one of the stops on RDK and I’s honeymoon. No kiddos born; life seemed so still when I think of it then. Even though it probably wasn’t, that is the feeling that comes to mind when I reminisce of a time pre-children; calm– and peaceful. Is that possible? :)

Even though this was 6 years ago, I remember this hike (and moment) very clearly.  The feeling that good things were ahead. (And that’s not even including the exceptional open air wine bar and later cozy cabin restaurant we encountered to reward ourselves post 13 mile hike that day.)  We cheersed ourselves to death that trip promising we would make trips to California often. Low and behold, 9 months after this trip, our first munchkin was born, other peaks and a major valley came our way, and then two more children arrived shortly after. We don’t get on planes or trains that often at the moment, though we make great, big plans and one day we’ll cash in on them.

When I think of all the things I’m most grateful for in my wild tizzy of a world, RDK comes quickly to mind. He saved me in many ways – and apparently continues to do so. Somehow recently we arrived in a conversation where he was telling me I needed some get away time. I’ve earned it apparently. Or was I getting too snippy for the both of us and needed some “mindfulness” ? Either way, I was tempted to take him up on this. I love any hotel with a white noise, blasting AC unit. But where to go? RDK, who knows me best, kept suggesting the west. “Check out the west” he’d say…. “….the mountains, California, Arizona… that’s your peace place.”

I casually started speaking with friends and looking into some “rest camps”. I’m gonna call it a rest camp, because resort sounds too cushy for what I’m stepping into, I think.  I won’t go into too much detail, but I’m booked and signed and sealed to be delivered tomorrow at this time, as I write this. West America, here I come.  I’m feeling many emotions— mostly nervous to be away and excited for some needed gentle therapy walkabouts of sorts, de-toxifying spa time and some spiritual (delving) and guidance. Rehab for the soul…and for sure some sleep.  I’m even going to a few parenting informational workshops, so here’s hoping I’ll come back better armed to weather any spaghetti-slinging-from-the-highchair storms that come my way. I’ve never been away from the littles for over a few nights, so 5 nights for me with minimal communication is a lot. Let’s see if I can do it.

Being the most self proclaimed “high-strung-laid-back” human I’ve ever met, I’m hoping this little T-O does a body good. I’m just gonna take a quick knee– in fact I’ll be taking lots of knees with around the clock yoga and meditation. Bring it on. I’ve packed a suitcase full of active wear, lip gloss because it’s one of my quick go to-s when I get anxious, a slew of drawings and homemade, macaroni necklaces from the gang for me to keep on at all times during my stay– ala the movie Overboard.

I look forward to being in touch soon. Hopefully with a clear, bright mind and something worth sharing. If nothing else, I should be rested for the first time in half of a decade, so that has to account for some kind of increased twinkle.