Beautiful People

I heard this in class this morning and just about burst into tears.

I needed to share it with you all, my sisterhood

Happy Friday Ladies,

Beautiful lovely people:

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross 

Working on it...

So I only made it to Yoga twice this last week,

and as expected I am feeling a little lost.
The Barren new job changes also are going to have me spending a lot more
"me time" while he works late and travels again.
 

 So no time like the present to start on my goals for the year...

I took a journey into the BIG city all by my lonesome.

Try as I might I could not find another soul that wanted to journey into the big city with me to see the art fair that was filling two halls in a convention center.

I put on my brave face and drove myself and treated it like a research and development expedition.

I chose comfort over style to dress myself in and my back was glad for it.

Yeah good ol' pair of running shoes!

(i once jogged, but that was a decade ago, but the shoes are still AWESOME)

I spent over three hours wandering up and down the aisles and picking up magazines and cards.

It was interesting to see what galleries were currently carrying and representing.

The first day was apparently crawling with artists, the following three days was movie stars.

The gallery that I have had work in since October, was there and the curator told me she saw

Leo and the Fonz and Mr.mom

(you can figure out who I mean)

hand embroidered designs on deerskin, on a mounted deer!

left side: drawings inside matchbook covers, prints and then paintings
full spectrum of images!

Painting on porcelain and folded clay sculpture of a deer
both were from contemporary Chinese artists

I met this painter, the one of the left has baby birds hatching out of her shoulder
and the ghost cat is about to eat them. AMAZING painter, dark subjects loved it!

 

 There was also work that left me wondering:

gold saxophone made from river rocks

I am not sure, the women that were in charge of the booth
didn't want to be photographed with the work
(this made me giggle)

 

After hours of visual saturation; I left with a mixed sense of awe, inspiration and intimidation

The convention had everyone exit via a jewelry show and when I turned the corner I was arrested by the HUGE amount of SPARKLE!!

Diamonds everywhere!

BIG bright diamonds....

I was glamored but realized that none would be mine so I left....and went home.

none of this is costume jewelry!

I "rewarded" myself for my act of bravery with a stop at a vegan cafe,
and ordered mac and cheeze to take home and eat in my PJ's
It was goooooood, but I was also hungry : )

As I stare and read through the stack of information I collected, I realize that there are MANY
opportunities to submit work. The real work is getting representation, that is on this years goal list again. I would like to get representation this year.

The Barren and I went out to breakfast yesterday and were sat next to a toddler that was singing her own version of "you are my sunshine"...
The Barren looked at me and said he was sorry, I smiled with tears in my eyes and said
It is OK, she is happy: lets take in that level of joy and carry it with us!
It was tough, but I realized that I can make my own level of happiness everyday.
Just like the little mess maker that was sat behind us.

This is a new year...

OK I am feeling a lot more like myself...well at least closer to it.

So I figured I would wander onto here and type up some things...or babble.

 

OK so Xmas was nice

We got to visit with some friends and

eat everything in sight with smiles on our faces

Catching the new year sickie but was the low light,

but we got to be home together and commiserated

on our snot and tummy gurgles.

 

Now here I am standing up in the first week of the new year and finding that I still need to make a goal list....I took down last years from my bulletin board and realize I had completed about 50% of them...well the ones I printed out at the beginning of the year, mind you I drive myself INSANE by constantly adding to the list as I cross something off I tend to add to the list at the same time...

 

So here is what I have decided so far:

 

*I need to really learn how to braid my own hair, french braids etc...
I am tired of ponytails and buns and two tight braids




*I am OK being vegan,
I am also OK having cheese or a treat every now and again, zero guilt.
I am making a lifestyle change and it won't stick if I feel tortured all the time:





*I need to go to yoga at least three times a week or I am lost and confused.
Plus I had a breakthrough Monday and even though I was dizzy from lack of oxygen
and snot I finally was able to do this pose with a block under my forehead,
that means that the bruises on the backs of my upper arms are for something!:




*I am actively changing my thinking!
I am choosing to change my language.
When something is not stellar,
I am currently vocalizing all the things that are right instead.
The Barren witnessed this the other night when I couldn't breathe and was aching from coughing.
I started talking to myself saying:
I am fed, I have a loving relationship, I am warm and sheltered
I woke up this morning and saw the sun rise.



*As much as I don't like the 4:30am wake up for a 6am class, I really find the pre-dawn magical.
I look forward to watching the sky change colors in the morning.
I remembered that I even use to do this as a child:





I plan on getting serious stuff done this year.
 Focus on my work and take chances.
I know I might not hit every mark,
but I am willing to try
and that my friends is what I have found to be the most important
 in my personal rediscovery
I am trying.
I am less afraid and less concerned about the sky falling.
I am making muscles, so I know I can hold something high if I need to
even if it just my own shoulders

Monday giggles

 

A reminder that life is fun if you don't take things too seriously

The end is neigh...

OK so my first world problems were solved and the package arrived...on the Saturday. We left for our little trip on Sunday so I could still wear the dresses....though one makes my boobies look like rocks in socks...gotta find a good bra option for that dress, cause free styling is NOT an option it seems.

 

The Barren and I went away for the couple days before Christmas,

we are trying new things,

trying to find new personal rituals that make us feel good.

This year we tried the desert, I had a fantasy to see cactus covered or dusted in snow...

well, my state is in a drought, in fact this year is the driest on record since 1877!

We are bone dry...

So although there was no snow, the desert never disappoints in it's own beauty.

We visited a state park and were able to be almost alone for the whole day!

It was quiet and barren and beautiful.
 

We have to remember to bring a picnic, as we had to cut our visit short,
because we were getting hangry and
the bottle of water and mixed nuts just didn't cut the cheese.

We relaxed and got massages, sweated in the steam room, had dessert in bed and ate ate ate fancy food...
I ate everything I saw and it felt like that when I got back into class (ugh)
Then New year arrived and The Barren started to feel *funny*, he didn't drink much but we still ate like crazed people and the next day we were both lying low...by the end of New Years day The Barren was coughing and sweating and saying funny things.
He got a cootie.
I went out to the scary pharmacy in our neighborhood
(they assume all people walking in are looking for pills, or are strung out on meth...so it is a colorful crowd when getting cold medicine)
I nursed as best as I could and tried to keep my face away from his as he coughed through the WHOLE house...leaving no surface free of cooties!
I skipped class yesterday to nurse him after the doctor said it was a possible bacterial infection in his chest, I kept a cheery disposition and made sure he got two antibiotics into him before the end of the night...but last night my chest started to get heavy, and currently it feels like there is wet sand in my lungs, weighing me down.

Sadly, I can not miss work, we are about to have a very important inspection, so I am here, skipped yoga again as I could not imagine being able to catch my breath in class...and popped two ibuprophen and am drinking water so I pee every half and hour, and trying to work with a clear head.

I can only think of two things:
1. I want to go to sleep
2. when can I get back to work in the studio?!

So my new years list is on hold, until I can really see clearly
and feel rested to really know what I want from this year.

I have deeper and more interesting things to say, but it will have to wait
 as all circuits are busy right now with other tasks.
Happy new year ladies, I will be back to my normal self soon, I am sure....
xo

Wednesday....whining

 

mad DJ skillz kitteh

 

I needed a distraction from my building ulcer....

I ordered some dresses for a little weekend getaway last week

 and my package did not arrive on Monday as it should have but instead is

still hanging out on the WRONG SIDE of the country!!

 

I am a little frustrated....OK a lot frustrated!

first world problem I know

 

My yoga class was PACKED this am, all the college students are getting in the last workout before heading home for the holiday....so new hairdo's, talk of departure dates and work breaks were all the air was filled with in the locker room.

 

Meanwhile my pretty dresses are stuck in the wrong postal office!

ugh

 

Back to what you are doing...I am just bitching for no real good reason

 

Winter has arrived...well kind of

I live in a place that is almost always the same temperature.
Some find this heavenly, most people from places that have to
shovel themselves out of their homes once a year
or baton down the hatches from wind.
We live in a homeostatic environment. ho hum mm....
I find it really hard to ever really feel like life is passing
 as there are no visual signs of time changing or moving....

sunny and mild, for the next 360days
 

This last weekend things changed!

We had a whole night of "rain" and then grey skies for half the day...
followed by the last two days of COLD

it has gotten to, ready....30 at night!
 

This all happened in the course of two days...
and it doesn't appear that it will rain again for a while...
so our draught continues.
 

These last few days feels like winter,
I was shivering the other night...
I woke up twice now looking for a light dusting of snow...on the foothills.
No dice yet

My mother suggested I spray our patio with water to maybe make a mini ice rink!

it didn't work...sigh

 

So I have to focus on other parts of life,
wishing for a season is not going so well.
 

Last week I went to the end of the year big art event.
It was just as amazing, in fact I am not sure I have totally processed
all of what happened and how far I have come in this last year.

My work sold in the first hour!
There were TV people there
I wore a cool retro dress
My hair looked controlled
(vain)
I was present in conversations
It was packed and people said kind things about my work
I met new artists, and talked about the struggle to make art daily
It was a strange and reassuring time as an artist
I felt relevant

After the exhibit closed its doors, I walked with The Barren in the cold night to dinner.
We found a tavern that was not full, and waited for our table
When it was time to go to our table I took three steps and placed my foot in just the right way
as to land on my arse in the middle of a busy dining room!
Purse behind me, dress displayed like I was seated for a picnic, legs folded side saddle.
Mortified, I took an assessment of myself and got up...brushed myself off and went to our table.
The Barren got me a glass of wine, assured me that it was all fine and we had dinner.
I took tip toed steps past my point of impact when I needed to venture to the toilet..
the adults at the tables concealed their snickers mostly...

Yoga the next morning made all the aches and pains go away.

As "winter" settles in I feel less like hibernating and more like bursting out of my cocoon!
Like a confused flower bulb

I am not afraid to fall, I know I can get up again
I am bubbling with ideas
I am ready to greet this new year!
Winter is not frozen in me; it is alive and cool and vibrant!
I am currently composing my goals list of next year...

Look at that view

OK so I have to admit, I don't look around much in yoga...I am pretty self focused.
Not in a self-absorbed, or narcissistic sort of way but in a inward reflection kind of thing.

 I am also still trying to not puke up the four almonds

or the half liter of water I drink

 on the drive to class.

 

I am finding little glimpses of new physical strength

and every once in a while I will see what appears to be a muscle show.

Recently The Barren has been asking if there are any "cute guys" in class.

I find this funny, and sweet. He wants to know if I see any eye candy.

It appears that this studio mostly attracts college ladies.

I am always in a class filled with women in their early 20's, often much younger than me

almost always much more fit than me, but no one has been unkind.

I only know the name of one woman, as I asked her.

As for the other people I see almost daily, I don't know their names.

I smile and wish them a good day as I leave the locker room daily.

We've seen each other naked, or partially clothed...but no names.

strange, but not really.

I don't think any of these people come to class to make friends,

they come to practice and leave for the rest of their days.

Many often just change clothes and then go for a run! I am not that person....
 

Yesterday a rare event occurred, a second man was in class.

There is one guy that is in all my 6am classes, he wears a headband and a pair of long trunks.
He is college age, has little body fat and spends his practice focused.
 

The man that was next to me yesterday looked like he had maybe .00000018th % of body fat.

You could see every single muscle clearly defined and
 it was like I was doing yoga next to a living anatomy chart!
I remembered all the charts and images from my anatomy classes, and figure drawing classes.
I saw him as lines and shapes, wondered what it took to be that disciplined?!
I did notice that he had crooked toes, and from this I assumed he does martial arts...or did.
Why else would you have "repaired" broken toes....
I like to figure out stories for people when I see them, like in movies, when you get glimpses of backgrounds of who they are by the filmmaker showing you a fast slide show of images that allows you to understand the character in an instant.
 

I wasn't leering, I looked over at the beginning of class and

then when he was able to do "bird of paradise"
Which I was not able to, as my hands could not touch while
I was folded in half and bending forward.
Yoga has taught me a lot of humility and admiration!

 

 What I took away from this eye candy, was that it is OK to admire what others are able to do,
even if you can't do it. I had ZERO jealously about it...I was literally in awe.

As I progressed through the next salutation, Mr. Anatomy was in "child's pose"
he needed to still catch his breath. I found my mind wandering,
wow even with all his fitness he still gets winded.
That is amazing...

As the class ended, I was in deep meditation focusing on my mantra as Mr. Anatomy left,
like a ninja.
I guess that is another talent he possesses.

I am learning so much about myself.

Away I go

image

Salutation Saturday

One year ago today I had my surgery.

I know a lot of people on the internets are doing a month of gratitude.

I think it is great and if a call for bloggers or facebookers to write every day what you are

grateful for makes the world a more grateful one...then whooo ha!

 

I think I do a lot of reflection daily on things I am happy about, grateful for and looking to evolve.

So this is a little different.

 

In reflection of this last year:

I am glad I listened to my Primary care doc and got a second opinion

I am happy I found my cowgirl surgeon

I am happy that they developed the CA125 test

I am glad the Japanese researchers published their findings about chocolate cysts

I am thankful that she sat down and gave it to me strait

I feel badly that she had to eat crow when she was

convinced that this might "fix our fertility problems" 

I am glad that it rained that morning

I am grateful beyond words that my Barren was beside me

until the moment they took me into the OR

I am beyond thankful that my oldest friend dropped everything to be here to hold my hand.

I am so happy that my surgeon was skilled and saved my tubes and ovary for me

I am without words happy that she caught it before it became cancer

I am grateful that my body was able to heal well and return to being mine

I am thankful that a year later I am sitting here

Lighter, Happier and healthier then last

 

I am manifesting my new destiny

I am focusing on my desires for this life,

I am so thankful for what I am building

I am making art

I am meditating

I am happier

I have said goodbye to my guilt

It is such a relief, such a massive relief

Thank you

image

 

Thank you for the kind words about my anniversary.

The Barren and I spent time together hugging and kissing and shaking our heads in disbelief.

You see although we have only been married 11years, we have been together over half our lives.

It is pretty crazy and not a day goes by that I don't reflect on how lucky I was to meet the right person at the right time and then never let go.

 

Remembering

photo: Henri Cartier-Bresson

 

Yesterday was the anniversary of my first of three miscarriages.

I carried this reminder with me all day.

I awoke in the dark and quiet and got dressed.

Cats trailing me like shadows.

I drove in the dark to yoga, and set my intention to be kind to myself.

I focused inward during my practice and felt open afterwards.

My heart wide open, and I could feel the morning air flow through my lungs.

My chest felt uplifted and vulnerable.

I showered and went to get juice.

Quietly stepping over a man sleeping in the early morning dawn on the cement.

(he was someone's baby many days ago, he was someone's little boy....)

 I got a juice for The Barren and caught him before he entered work.

He was already frustrated and huffy before seeing me, and me handing him juice, which was not what he wanted had him roll his eyes and snapped his first words to me.

I held back tears as I told him I hoped his day would be better.

He saw this and lowered his head as he entered the building, like deflated balloon.

With tears brimming, I put a smile on my face and drove away hoping he would not see the arrow sticking out from my chest.

He called and asked me to tell him why I was crying...I was scared to upset his day more and said I was fine. He kept poking and I told him I was tip toe-ing away as he was clearly already mad and I didn't want to feed into it. I told him I loved him and he said he loved me

 and then we hung up to get back to work.

 

Ten minutes later this text arrived:

You are my heart and my soul and the inspiration and sustenance of my flesh.

Mornings like this where we stumble and trip and get caught on the roots of fear and confusion are one of my great pains in my life. I'm sorry. 

 

 

As the day passed I thought of him and how relationships take work.

Sometimes the way you express love is not seen as expressions of love by the other person but simply actions. So the real work in a long relationship is finding the right language/expressions when you want to show love.

 

We joined family that night to carve pumpkins.

By the time The Barren arrived and I had already cleaned the guts out of his pumpkin,

as I know he is not fond of that.

I watched my niece and nephew jab, saw, and carve their pumpkins, focused on creating a master  piece of a lantern! 

I drew a silly simple design on mine.

My pumpkin carving has been lacking these last few years...

We all ate together and as the night grew, The Barren was handed our newest niece to hold.

I saw him hesitate for a moment and then relax into it, our niece put her head on his chest and I could see him relax and then feel the bittersweet radiate from him.

He handed the little lady to me and I sat her to face us.

 The Earl (my brother) watched on...making sure we were holding her OK.

There was a strange quiet that fell over the room, or maybe I stopping hearing anything...

Our other niece sat on my other side and I realized for a moment that I was holding a baby, sitting next to my hubby, and had another child on the other side of me. The Barren made faces and cooed, gentling touching her arms and fingers commenting on how soft her skin was.

Like he was discovering it for the first time.

She eventually went back to her parents and we eventually drove home.

 

At home he asked how it was to hold her, I told him I was fine with it. How was he?

He said it was weird but alright in a way.

He asked how my day was, alright aside from our rough start to it.

I told him I was feeling very open and raw;

I was carrying an anniversary with me that at times during the day felt heavy.

He realized what I was talking about and said he was sorry he didn't remember.

I didn't expect him to remember, me reminding him was all he needed,

all he could really bear at this time.

 

Our wedding anniversary is a couple days away, so we shifted our conversation to that.

How we wanted to make a grand romantic gesture for each other but were coming up empty.

It is feeling a little melancholy these days;  a lock down at work so no one can take days off this coming month, the pressure of the year ending

and the absolute NEED for some time away/tuning out.

 

This morning in class, in the dark, I spoke to my babies.

I told them I loved them and that I was sorry we never got to hug each other.

I know we both could use that about now.

I understand

I got my first traffic ticket today...at 7:30 in the morning.

I was calm but shaking and in reflection not as shocked by the whole thing.

I have been taking the same street for months, and making right turns and heading on to work or home...but today, apparently I missed a new fixture.

I was informed by the officer that there are new, no turn on red signs posted.

I didn't see them, I told him that.

He said that there had been a lot of accidents at that intersection,

I told him it made sense to post signs.

He took my papers and wrote me a ticket.

Done

 

I am the type of person who would normally then spend hours berating myself about how I was bad and finally caught, I could have killed someone, I am a bad person.

Instead I called The Barren, told him I can take "get pulled over and get a ticket" off my bucket list.

he chuckled and then asked what happened.

I explained and he said you can fight it...you can talk to the judge.

I told him I would pay the fine and move one, I don't need the drama.

I didn't see the sign, I own it, I was in the wrong.

done

 

I was thinking about getting a massage as I was showering this morning.

I haven't had one since the super cold and I think it would feel nice.

 I might postpone it, due to lack of $$
but after writing this, I am thinking why...it won't change anything.
It is just a ticket, not a branding or a tattoo, a passing reminder that you need to pay better attention.
I think I just changed my own mind.
screw punishing myself....it is time to change that thinking and celebrate
Yahoo I got a ticket, and I am OK with that.

Love

It is well to give when asked but it is better to give unasked, through understanding.

Kahlil Gibran, 'On Giving,' The Prophet, 1923

 

I found this quote the other day while working on a project and it made so much sense to me.

It simply highlights compassion.

 but so so beautifully.

I was wondering around the internets and looking people up
...some would call this stalking but I am not doing it in a creepy way....
really I am not creepy or stalky...
curious would be a better adjective.

Anyway....I found my yoga teachers, and one of them has a blog too!
So I started reading it, it is not private or invitation only so I figured it was fair to read.
Well it revealed that this wonderful inspiring instructor of mine was just out of recovery last year,
for an eating disorder.

I have two regular instructors with my current schedule and so I alternate between them.
I find them both compassionate, inspiring and the reason I am still willing to wake up at 4:30 in the morning to get to their classes before work.
They are strong and although their bodies are fit and trim and athletic they are not whispers of women. I like that.
 It has made me brave enough to wear "workout" clothes
and be vulnerable in class.
It has allowed me to look at myself in mirror, and not be ashamed at what I see looking back at me.
It has allowed me to reclaim the person who I use to be, the one that liked herself and her body.

After reading this heartbreaking account of her daily struggles to overcome her mean inner voice, I could relate to the internal fight. The daily questions and wicked downward spiral.
I was overwhelmed and compelled to write her a love bomb.
I have been a little behind on my love bombs...and it was the perfect reason to start up again.
(love bombs are cards, notes and love I send to others, just because I feel compelled to)

 I wrote her a note, on a handmade card, that expressed my thanks for all that she has inspired in me; allowed me to explore and become and to thank her for being that person for me.
 I wrote one for the other teacher too...as she has played a role for me as well...
and then it overflowed into more notes to more people that I was thinking about.
It was wonderful and made me feel deeply about these people.
I felt warm and fuzzy and happy!
 Love bombs for me, are all about the act of making and giving them.
That is what gives me the most joy, I am leaving no words unsaid.
I am sending love out to others.
 When I was at my lowest, I just wanted to feel deeply loved,
whole and important. I wanted to be bombarded with love. If I couldn't receive that, I could give it instead....so I started sending love bombs.



 

Try and not cry while watching this one....

 

But more importantly....send some love out !



Autumn reflections

It is October... already!

I received a note on my social media page that was sending well wishes to me,

as October is pregnancy loss month.

It was a loving gesture that was totally unexpected

and in all frankness shook me a little first thing in the morning.

 

This is indeed the month when we had the first of our miscarriages.

I will carry that with me forever; I just wasn't expecting someone else to remember it too.

As I was in class this morning, I started to reflect on where I am now, at present, in my life.

 

I think that I am another step back, further from the center of it all. 

I started reading where I was a few years ago and how saturated in sorrow I lived, daily, alone.

Now I seem to be grieving for that person, the person so lost in sorrow it is hard to breathe.

The girl lost in daydreams of a baby.

 I feel so deeply for her,

and want to make her feel better.

Then I remember that I am her/that was me. 

Is that growth, recovery, coming to terms?

I am not sure

I am not living there anymore, I am simply living.
For real; my eyes are open, I am present.
I think that as this year since surgery arrives I realize that I have been freed from guilt.
I was left feeling this was never my doing, I hadn't left a stone unexplored.
So I was allowed to walk again.
Now it is me against a disease; not me against will or desire or drive.
That places a lot of power back into my hands.
So is it growth, or recovery or coming to terms I am still not sure but I am exploring it all.
As I see that girl who was, I embrace her and whisper in her ear...
you did not do this to yourself.
this was never your fault
you were never meant to carry that weight
 

Ch Ch Changes

So remember way back in June I mentioned I got my blood tested and it triggered concern from my doctor about my cholesterol levels?
 I was all pissed and mad and ended up starting this yoga-addiction I am currently in?
I also:

stopped eating cheese
 stopped eating bread

stopped eating whole eggs
(eating only whites sometimes)

stopped eating ice cream

  stopped having the occasional drink

I started taking a vitamin daily and extra Vitamin D

I started to exercise 3-4times a week

I started eating only vegan 5-6 days a week (I am human for goodness sake)

I restricted everything that went into my mouth/body

 

joke: How can you tell someone is vegan?

a: don't worry they'll tell you 

my answer was : they are grumpy and want an ice cream

 

Well, I went back to the doc this month, as an advocate for myself and to see if I could eat goat cheese again and if any of these extreme changes was doing any good.
I mean, if this evil self experiment was really making no difference
what the fuck is the point of being miserable?
(with the food restrictions, not the yoga)
It turns out I am making changes, but the levels could drop some more.
My doctor told me "with all these measures for three months, I might be fighting "the inevitable"
A family history of high levels."
*sigh*
"If I want to stay off medicine for correcting it, keep doing what I am doing and add an Omega-3 supplement."
 *sigh*
and "BTW you have lost some real weight too...."
(well yeah, I can't eat anything fun anymore)
Can you tell I am a little bitter about this.

So here is where I turn lemons into lemonade:
I learned how to make "cheese" from nuts...well, cashew cheese.
I can now have a comfort "quesadilla"
I am learning to be that person who gets to live with a restricted diet,
I am choosing to accept it at this point.
I don't want to take medicine for cholesterol
Instead I get to take four big supplement pills with breakfast and my meals look like this:

Pistachio Mint Smoothie and a handful of almonds:
Local Pistachios, Fresh Mint Leaves, Banana, Agave
Nectar and Homemade Raw Sprouted Almond Mylk



My lunch box:
romaine, corn, lentil salad and homemade cashew cheese balls

dairy free/soy free yogurt, fresh berries and a vegan toaster waffle

my lemonade:

I got myself a
"congratulations on the three months strait of yoga girl,
those 4:30am wake-ups are a bitch "
dress from modcloth.
It is grey with little pink elephants in wine glasses all over it,
plus I am going to wear it to a wedding and
I had been drooling over for a long time, and even though
I didn't have the money for it,
I said FUCK I have had enough bullshit in my life to let that stop me.

SO The Barreness has taken control of my uterus, my family history has taken control of my food loves and now I am taking what I can back.
I am now a relectant vegan....ugh

Three years ago today

Today is the anniversary of my infertility art exhibition.

It opened three years ago, and I was terrified that people would be less than kind about my vision.

There were a few mean comments, some left in my visitor book, some delivered to me personally face to face; BUT the majority of the comments were sweet, kind, heartfelt and honest.

It changed me forever.

 

As I reflect on this day, I am thankful beyond words to be where I am now.

Although I am still infertile and I am still not going to be a parent in this lifetime.

I am also still married to my AMAZING wonderful Barren.

We are understanding and coming into ourselves as grown up kids

We are still asking questions and exploring what we want.

BUT

I am no longer scared or ashamed of my Barreness

I am not thinking of myself as first The Barreness and then all the other qualities of myself.

I am healing my perception of my body.

I am able to look at myself in the mirror and not be mad at my reflection.

I am not only my twisted and fused  reproductive system

I am growing

I am whole

I am strong

I am smiling

 

Putting down some bags

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I tried two new classes this week, they pushed me, hard.

I felt sluggish and needed a little kick in the ass, so I kicked myself.

The first class was the next level up from the classes I have been taken these last three months.
It was a good change; new poses and a faster pacein that 103degree room.

The second class I described to a friend as this:

 

OK I did it, I went to Sculpt this morning....It was like taking: cardio, step, aerobics, core and weight training in 100degrees with a few yoga moves thrown in for giggles. Oh it is was taught by a speed freak who was as tiny as a spider monkey! I am still red in the face and floating...I think I will stick to the level 2 for awhile...to build up my strength....or stamina. I actually was laughing at one point because everything was swirling around me so fast....

 

It was like being in a gym class, the teacher was yelling, the music was loud house music and the people in class were mostly athletic college students. I was way out of place!

 

Being out of place was good, in a weird way.

It highlighted that I don't need to fit into all the boxes.

A reminder that I am not like others and I have no desire to be.

I finished the class, and showered slowly and quietly. On the way out the yoga teacher that told me to give it a try saw that I had actually done it and congratulated me, and then asked what I thought.

I said:
 " it was not what I had expected, I think I need to build some endurance up before attempting another class"

She said she understood and that she didn't like crossfit

it made me giggle

 

I have carried that idea all week, push myself and accept things that I am not meant to be a part of.
 OR
Drop a few bags that I am done carrying.
I have bowed out of the women's business group for a couple months; I felt I wasn't really present as of late and I needed to be for myself and the others there.
So I am taking a little break.
 

I am also transferring responsibility for a nonprofit group that I have
been doing webwork for the last three years for.

It was hard to ask someone else to take over; but such a relief that the person I asked agreed without drama or hesitation. I am incredibly thankful!

And I am beginning to feel a little less weight on my shoulders.
I don't like saying no, or not volunteering when I know I can do what is needed.
but
Right now I am building a new me, and it requires that I stay focused on my goals and basic needs to build a firm and confident foundation.
So I am not saying yes to much right now....not to be mean but to be focused.
There are a few things coming up that I could say yes to but I have remained silent.
In the past these same people have asked for the same things and not reciprocated and it has left me feeling stepped on and used, so right now I am just focusing on me
being happy and giving in other ways and being kind.

If you haven't heard this speech yet here is a link to written version of
George Saunder's commencement speech,
it is inspired and moving and good words to live by as we drop our bags
and open our arms to new paths:
 

Focusing under a grey cloud

 

I think I am fighting some melancholy.

I think it is that, it seems grey and unformed.

I am not sure why....well maybe I do.

 

I am being tested it seems, or poked...or taunted, still unsure how I am reacting to that.

Maybe that is why I am unsure if it is melancholy or not.

 

I found out a friend is doing IVF, I have a new niece, one dozen children play daily outside my front door (literally, our front door and garage door are the start and end points of their games),

I got bamboozled into a yoga class this week taught by a woman who is visibly pregnant,

I have purposely not taken her classes as I am selfish and don't want to spend my hour thinking about her uterus being full with a baby.

It twisted my mind so much, that I wasn't focused in class,  and I imagined the sounds coming from outside the studio were those of crying babies and it pissed me off and I wanted to run from the class.

She mentions that she is pregnant in every class she teaches and looks like she swallowed a basketball. I heard her tell a student that her body was not meant to carry the weight of a baby, she misses being able to suck in her stomach...I rolled my eyes and fled to the lockers.

Ideally I can continue to avoid her classes.

 

There have been a lot of articles about infertility in the news recently,

both Pamela and Miriam's piece, as well as Tracey's piece too.

And of course this sent me to do some Dr Googling on stage IV endometriosis and chance of pregnancy, with IVF or otherwise.

The verdict: less then 5%

It was a stark reality check again,

and in many ways reassuring that I am not missing something.

 

So back to the focus on my work and self and relationship and the life I want.

A mentor told me the other day that I need to really focus on what I want, career wise,

and then work backwards from that point so I can make that a goal a reality.

 

Once I let go of the feeling that I was doing something wrong, I was left feeling that I have work ahead of me; panic set in and then yesterday I sat down with my yellow pads of paper and started writing down what I want. What my goals are and now I am working on figuring out how to work back from that point to make them happen.

Big leaps are involved and there are big empty spots too....

focus focus focus focus

oh look a shiny thing....

*sigh*

I think my first task is focusing well

I am not quite sure what the point of this post was.....ugh

Doing it...

Making sex fun again...yeah it is work!

Inspired by Stirrups Queens post today I thought I would chime in.

I have to work to have sex.
Not because I have an unwilling partner, but I have found that the pill is a serious libido killer.
Anyone else find that?

I felt strangely empowered when I was facing the loss of my ovary, and wanted to have sex a lot!
Then after surgery, I sort of coiled into myself.
Which is understandable...but I kept asking my doctor when is it safe to have sex again.
She seemed puzzled by my eagerness to want to jump right back into the game, but I stressed to her pre/post surgery that my sexual health was very important to me and I was concerned about it.

Now, as I create my new future, I am faced with a new challenge.
I have to really focus and put into the agenda of the week,
have sex with my love.

When I was little my parents were very open with how babies were made, and when I got older how to respect myself and others. I was a good girl with a serious sexually flirtatious streak.
I came of age at a time when sex was scary, AIDS was killing people left and right and I remember telling my high school boyfriend: "if we ever have sex, we are using condoms, spermicide, dental dams and I will also be on the pill" poor thing; he was a wonderful bashful puppy and agreed to whatever would make me comfortable.
College I was sexual, and content and had great partners who were interested in making me happy.
I enjoyed that A LOT
The Barren and I met then and we have been "doing it" a lot since then.
We have weathered a lot of issues, growing up together tends to introduce growing pains and we have had them. He is still an eager college boy in the sheets, ready at the drop of a hat.
 I on the other hand, find as of late, that I am simply trying to keep up or in the same room as him.
He being the sweet wonderful man he is, has thought up some libido experiments:
encouraging me to try and think about sex more,
act out, be crass
daydream, think up fantasies...go hog wild
 as an experiment.

We are both wanting my libido to fire up, re-wire the mechanics of the synthetic hormones that are surging thru my body, killing or whipping my endo into submission.
I mean I got a little peek at what my sex drive could be in my early 40's before I went back on the pill and it was AWESOME.
Now I am due to be on the pill again until menopause, I am stunted sexually
and have to really swim upstream to get my rocks off.
It sucks!
Sex after infertility is WORK; first disconnecting the baby making mindset and then trying to recapture your self identity, and finally summoning your inner sex goddess!



Self Study

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While laying in a pool of my own making Friday afternoon, my teacher was talking about, "sriyaya",* self study, at least that is the word I heard through my own heartbeat and labored breathing. The word struck me as funny and I giggled to myself, making note to look it up and see if she really knew what she was talking about....she did.

 

I am finding that these classes are getting me closer to understanding myself....really getting a better picture of what I want to do, what I can do and what I have gladly left behind.

I am able to see myself in the mirror and not feel repulsed by who is looking back at me.

I see a hurt little girl, a strong but shaky woman who wants desperately to love herself again.

I am much gentler to her now.

Often in class, while I sit in a pose thinking this feels really good on my low back or makes me feel strong...I listen to my internal banter and it goes something like this:

 I want every one of my "sisters" to feel better

I want to create a class just for us infertiles. Like a club....

 Why would I want a labeled infertiles club? I wouldn't go to it...

that was a silly idea, breathe or you will puke...

 

I am breaking free from my own labels,

ones I seem to have tagged myself with and I no longer want to carry around or be.

I had a rough couple of weekends, feeling shaky in myself and my self esteem.

I went down a very dark hole and found it was very easy to stay there, angry and mean and unhappy.

I went to bed grumpy and repeated mean things to myself as a lullaby.

Then in the morning, I told myself that it was the wrong way. I needed to float above this Maury Povich show and walk away from this drama and negative self words.

It was a little like taffy but I kept going to class, and I kept my appointments and I walked further and further away from it. Not turning back, to see how far I had walked.
It is something, I find, I might always struggle with.
No matter how hard I work on myself, it is a constant practice of learning to love myself, learning to accept myself and finding ways to make peace with the mean voices.
I am neck deep in these books of self study....but it is helping slowly.
I can look at my newest niece and the first thoughts are not how come it is not me,
 but instead
Hello there you wonderful little one.

 

 

 

* Svadhyaya ("one's own going into")

Svadhyaya is the fourth of the five niyamas (observances towards ourselves). Sva means “self” and adhyaya means “investigation, inquiry, or education.” Teachers define svadhyaya as “Self-inquiry; any study that helps you understand yourself; the study of sacred texts.” These definitions all offer us different paths towards educating ourselves.