Desert Magnolia

I had never been across the pond. Ever. Lots of time in Mexico, a venture or two into British Columbia, but never across the pond. International travel is its own beast. And I've fallen for the beast. Head over heels, heart stopping absolutely gotta do it again ASAP fallen. This probably comes as no surprise to those of you who've traveled abroad. There is an allure that cannot be overstated. Paris? Really? That city has more character in one of its potholes than our entire country does so far! The richness of history, the soul deep beauty, the architecture, what's NOT to absolutely love? (and yes, LG, even the gargoyles and abundance of random statuary and cherubim!) The Middle East..was new as well. Seeing a city up close that hadn't existed 40 years earlier that now resembles a Hollywood movie set with a dramatic, skyscraper-filled skyline and a veneer of slick and modern? Enlightening. In many ways. Seeing another city up close (Dubai this time), the proud...

First, an apology. For my very long silence. To say the last few weeks have been a blur would be a gross understatement, so I won't go there. I will say, however, that the frenzy leading up to the departure? Nutso. But here we are. Via Providence. And Paris. And now the Middle East. I bought and have been noting impressions of our experience in a journal...and there have been many, so I'll share over the next few weeks. We left Albuquerque on the 14th, Wednesday, and headed to Providence. Where we were gathered up by our daughter in a borrowed car. Can we just say, thank you so much Miss J.D. for entrusting our girl with your super cute Honda. Thank you thank you. We met the roommates, super sweet girls that are also soccer players and dedicated students. We met the neighbors, super cute boys that clearly adore our girl and her roommates..and with whom the girls have a really nice give and take relationship. This made us happy in a parental way.... We saw the traini...

..but not too big a breath because the To Do list is pretty long right now! First, there's work. Lots of setting things up to run while I'm away, of year-end closing and New Year planning and fulfilling old obligations, etc. But I'm doing my level best to not take on new stuff...before I head out. Because doing so would involve initiating, then abandoning (essentially) fledgling projects, and I do not like to do that. Then there's domestic stuff. Like planning clothes, packing, battening down the hatches at home in prep for being away for over two weeks, and so on. And getting a hair cut. And mani/pedi. And finishing up my portion of another big project I've undertaken. (details later). And trying to stay focused and calm and productive while inside I want to BE AWAY right now! Because Providence awaits. As does Paris. And beyond that Abu Dhabi. And then Kansas City on the return leg. Christmas abroad we've never done, but we're all really looking ...

The whole Primal Body, Primal Mind thing? Well, it's cool. I started out with an 'ok, I'll kinda try this and see how I feel' approach, and am steadily adopting more and more of the eating habits. G.G. has been uber supportive, though he's admitted he probably won't be going all out Primal because he does love his carbs, and eschewing them completely doesn't feel right to him right now. But our meals are now reflecting the approach more, and an awareness has been born that can only continue to flourish as positive results warrant. Things I've noticed: I'm sleeping better. My energy levels seem to be more even. My emotions are more level, too, which is never a bad thing. I'm not craving carbs. Seriously not, which is the biggest surprise to me. I haven't yet wanted to veer into a grocery store parking lot, purchase the biggest bag of chips that I can find and have a carb orgy in my car. I just haven't. I've realiz...

We're booked into a 'charming, 19th century style hotel with modern amenities' close to the Eiffel Tower. Which means we'll have somewhere to crash at the end of our days while exploring Gay Paris...which is a good thing. As I've read more of Primal Body, Primal Mind, I'm struck by how it's resonating for me in many ways. It's making more sense, and I'm trying to figure out how I might incorporate its wisdom into everyday life. But I'm pretty sure I won't be heading into a strict non-carb diet before our big trip - that would be silly. I fully intend to enjoy our big getaway, and if there's an occasional pastry involved, so be it. Knowledge is a funny thing, though. Once Pandora's box is opened, it's awfully hard to shut it again.

Seriously. You'd think that arranging a trip the likes of ours would be a piece of cake. That travel agents would grab at the chance to book us. Apparently not. Apparently nobody seems to know where to stay in Paris, and unless they're getting a rather substantial cut of an airline fare, they don't look for good deals. This is a fact which has upset G.G. and caused a series of events to begin that include but certainly aren't all inclusive: We bitch and carry on and then do what we (probably) should have done in the first place, which is to do our research on our damned flights and book 'em. Period. There are hops and there are variables, but if you're a travel agent, aren't you supposed to take that in stride? I mean, what the hell else do you do all day but figure out options for your clients??? That's your frickin' job. We decide if we want to go through Boston or NYC, then choose. Just make a decision, and book. We concoct a meal tha...