lately

The last three days have been ultra relaxing- playing with the kids, watching Kathie Lee and Hoda, visiting with a friend and eating pizza, sitting in the hot tub, browsing a Catholic thrift shop for book sales, eating Thai with the family, looking at ducks, writing, walking, and thinking.  It's been heavenly.  I thought tonight would be a good chance to catch you up on some of the things I'm into lately.
The first thing is ECO LIP BALM.  It is an amazing, life changing lip balm.  I have tried all kinds of lip balms from Chapstick to Burt's Bees, but I've finally found a lip balm that completely agrees with me.  It only costs three dollars, found everywhere, and it has my favorite flavor- I love all things mint.  It feels divine on the lips, and it's easy to locate in your purse or bag. 

The second thing I've been getting into lately is the ENNEAGRAM.  There are tons of personality tests out there, and they all intrigue me at a certain level, but the enneagram seems to really help you understand yourself and others... It also helps you recognize strengths, temptations, and such.  I know it may not be wise to get too far carried away as every single person is unique and should not be boxed, but it feels helpful in understanding our differences/approaches/drives.  On a personal level, I used to always think I was a number 4 (the artist, romantic), but I am scoring as a number 2 these days.  I've been thinking a little bit about that, and I realized that I have had some major growth in the last few years of my life.  I went to college, worked various jobs, made strong connections in Maine, lived in Seattle and worked as a nanny, volunteered for a week in Haiti, etc.,  I don't think I changed, or even that the core of who I am changed.  But I think I've grown to realize I am more than what I let define me in the past either myself or from others.  I can look at history and see that I really enjoy friendships, having people over and facilitating potlucks, and that I'm drawn to helping people.  It's interesting to reflect on, and it's still something I am processing. 

The third and last thing I am getting back into is READING.  I recently browsed a local thrift shop and bought a bunch of books for less than ten dollars.  (Oh and one DVD included- I Am Sam)

I had about ten books picked out that I wanted, but I decided five should be my limit.  I ended up with a great mix of books.  Sand In My Bra is a collection of funny travel stories written by women.  It's hilarious! The Bean Trees I have read before, but it's worth a second read at a different stage of life.  I could relate to it so well before, and I'm curious if it will still resonate as strongly.  The third book on my stack is a memoir from a woman that lives in a small, isolated town in Alaska.  Mother Teresa and Blue Mountain poetry- positive thinking and inspiration complete the pile.  I am in a mood to be inspired, to dream, to go to new places, and all of these books are destined to do that for me.