Sunny with a chance of ...

I knew it! Somehow deep inside, I knew I wasn't going to be able to write any posts. I've had intentions, but the reality always seems to be completely different from what I have in my mind.

First comes the jet lag, then the kids over excitement, followed by finding a computer that works (I don't travel with mine), then finding what I would like to say or show (which is the tricky part).

We are now slowly getting into a routine, which means going every morning to the pool followed by various activities which basically, mean not much, but enough.

Staring at palm trees and the always present blue skies (thank you Miami weather!! I think you are absolutely gorgeous, and I feel so blessed to be able to feel warm at this time of the year).

 Visiting colorful markets and wandering aimlessly throughout.

 Lounging at this time of the year? Pinch me please!

 Oh, the sunsets!! Everyday there is a new show. Free!

And of course some very yummy food, dairy is a major group right? Jaxon's is a favorite, and we don't miss the chance to go there. I did manage to finish this Rocky Road with marshmallow fluff and hot fudge. My absolute favorite!!

So far it has been very sunny with a chance of palm trees, sunsets, ice-creams, bookshops, toy stores, walks, and a movie with the husband (which I loved). That seems plenty to me, so far. If something else comes up, I'll be sure to pop in here, but I will just leave it at "I'm not sure."

I hope all is wonderful at your end and it has started to feel a lot like Christmas,
Giova

Warm vs Cold, Blue vs Grey

How about it, what do you think?? I hear all the time, "I'm wishing for a white Christmas," but I don't really know whether they're stuck with that song in their heads or they really mean it. 

Me?  I didn't grow up with a "white Christmas," but I left where I was born more than 20 years ago, so I've had my share of all that white, very cold, freezing, numbness...

I love grey, it is actually one of my favorite colors (that is, for sweaters, shirts, etc...) and even gloomy days have their appeal… then not so much after you've had them without interruption for weeks.

Blue skies on the other hand brighten the soul, bring smiles to bitter faces, and make everything more hopeful.

I'm not trying to fight nature, it is what it is, really. But when you come up with really, really cheap tickets to a warm place, you proceed to buy them immediately! Even more if the place you're going to is where your mother lives and you haven't spent a Christmas with her in 9 years!

So that is that and this above is what my little one wishes everyday could be. He comes from school everyday and puts on his swimming trunks and thinks he will be able to go out like that… no way!

We leave tomorrow, and I'm hoping not to take any blogging breaks, but who knows, I always have something in my head and the outcome is something else entirely.

For now I'm finishing this book (which I'm loving), and hoping to start this other one soon. I'm also soooo very excited about this online course, I can't wait for it to start. Other than that, I have grand plans of staring into sunsets and walking on the beach. And you? Are you wishing for a white Christmas or not??

Have a lovely weekend, and hopefully see you back here on monday,
Giova

This is it

As you may know (or maybe not?), we were in the process of deciding whether to stay here or leave. It has become a bit expensive for us, and we we're trying to decide what to do. No decision, not yet!

It is not easy not knowing… waiting in expectation, what will happen?, carrying a knot in my stomach, etc… All that wanting to know what decision is best was driving me a bit mad, but then I realized (with some help- read further), that I can't control anything, and there is really no point in worrying myself with things that I can't do anything about. Oh, it sounds so easy right?

For now, I'm finding solace in books (as I always have- I think they hold the answers to everything).
Especially the books by Pema Chödrön which have helped with almost everything. I always find the perfect book to read (like this one that I'm reading now, even the title is just right), or the perfect poem to help me through, and make me realize; "This is it. No one else has the answer."

I found the following poem here, which is a blog that I'm liking a lot lately. I was supposed to write it really nicely on my notebook but I haven't found the time. I hope you like it.

Always we hope
someone else has the answer.
Some other place will be better,
some other time it will all turn out.

This is it.
No one else has the answer.
No other place will be better,
and it has already turned out.

At the center of your being
you have the answer;
you know who you are
and you know what you want.

There is no need 
to run outside
for better seeing.

Nor to peer from a window.

Rather abide at the center of your being;
for the more you leave it, the less you learn.

Search your heart
and see 
the way to do 
is to be.

-Lao Tzu

I wasn't able to continue with the handmade gifts for Christmas because I'm alone with the kids, my little one has been a bit sick and I'm hammered. So hopefully I'll continue with it on Monday.

--I wanted to thank you all who left a comment on the giveaway. I loved reading all of your answers and as always I wish I had a gift for each one of you.

For this reason I have decided to do another giveaway (one of my garlands and one handmade notebook), but this time only on my Facebook page (so you'll have to go there to read about it). 

So with no further news, I say congratulations….

KIM!! Please get in touch with me with your details and your preferred notebook!

Have a lovely weekend and excuse the purple/blueish tint of the pic above, I've no idea where it comes from!
Giova.

Temporarily out of service

I have some very big news to announce, but  I'm still trying to digest them myself. I'm also trying to figure out which is the best way to say these particular news.

In my experience the best way to say something, is just saying it. I think a week will give me plenty of time to wrap myself around this imminent reality.

In the mean time I'll be trying to finish some things that I started awhile ago and enjoying this wonderful city.

Oh, 2014… you keep surprising me at every turn, you keep punching me in the stomach until there is no breath left!! (Fortunately the punching is not continuos).  So many things that I still need to learn! Oh, well…

One more piece of the puzzle will be placed in this rather enigmatic patchwork quilt that is my life.
For now I'll put my head out to grasp some air… until next week.

Hoping all is well on your end,
all the best,
Giova