Writer's Block

Do you ever have an unfortunate case of writer's block???  Because I do tonight.

This is my first chance to blog since last week.  But instead of my fingers easily flying across the keyboard like they usually do,  I can't seem to conjure up any thoughts this evening.

I suppose I could mention that the cool air did find it's way here to Gator Country (sortof), and that my two youngest children were so excited about it they pulled our fall and Halloween decorations from storage, assembled them haphazardly, and declared our house officially ready for autumn.

Or that speaking of Halloween, my neighbor is having another rockin' party this year and I think I will go as a German beer maid.  Last year I was a dude with lots of bling and my boxers showing under my big, baggy, low-rider jeans, so this year I have to vamp it up a bit.

 Or I could mention that I think people - particularly celebs - get carried away by giving out too many intimate details when airing their dirty laundry to the public, as in Too Much Information, and I feel very uncomfortable hearing it because it is not my business and I do not want to know about it.  I choose not to listen to or read about such stories, but one cannot always avoid hearing bits and pieces anyway in this age of information overload.

Or I could mention that on the on the other hand, inspirational success stories shared in good taste are uplifting and, well, inspirational.  Especially when they are about ordinary folks who have done extraordinary things.  Very motivating.

I could tell you that I tried out a new Paula Deen seafood casserole recipe for dinner tonight (yum!) and sampled so much of it while I was mixing it all together that I couldn't eat any more when it finally came out of the oven.

Or that the chocolate chip cookies I baked for dessert all ran together on the pan to make one giant cookie, which my kids loved!

Hmm, perhaps I had more to write about tonight than I initially thought.  Sometimes you have to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and just do it.  Enjoy your evening.

Fall is in the Air?

I am looking forward to the morning when I go out to get the paper and there is a bit of a chill in the air.  It doesn't have to be much, just a bit.  However, with this week's temperature readings hovering around the 95 degree mark, I don't forsee the chilly air making it's way to town anytime soon.  Such is fall in Florida.

Fall is my favorite time of year, and the one time of year I wish I lived in a state where the seasons change.  It would be wonderful to view the leaves as they turned from summer green, to vivid hues of red, orange and gold.  It would be great to be able to start displaying real pumpkins and not worry that you might be putting them out so soon that they are at risk of rotting long before October arrives.  And you know what would really be great?  To not worry that you might melt into a puddle on Halloween because your costume is too hot to trick-or-treat in! 

On the upside, at least we don't have to shovel snow all winter, and we will be able to wear shorts and go boating in January.  So that's something.  

Happy fall.

Go Gators, Go Shopping

Football season is upon us, and I reside in Gator Country, home to the number one college football team in the country, and also one of it's biggest stars.  That would be the Florida Gators and Tim Tebow.  Although very exciting for many fans, this is a fact that is completely lost on me, a beach gal who would happily take sand in her toes any day over an afternoon spent at a football game.  Don't get me wrong - I am fairly athletic and there are a number of sports I enjoy.  After all, back in high school and college I ran track, played soccer and taught aerobics.  These days I power walk and practice yoga.  What was that?  Oh, okay, so aerobics and yoga are not really sports, but you get the point.  

The point is, I'm proud of the Gators for their accomplishments, but I'm just not interested in football.   The first few years we lived here my husband purchased season tickets, and I went to couple of games with him.  I always brought a cushion to sit on those terribly uncomfortable bleachers with while baking in the very hot  sun.  My cushion had a pocket on it where a book fit perfectly, which was convenient since I didn't go to the games to watch them anyway.  I went to keep my husband company.  And to read.  But my husband didn't find it so clever or such good company, and after reading my way through the few games I did go to, we agreed that he would instead take his friends who were fellow fans, and I was free to do whatever I wanted.  Which worked out great, because for me, the best thing about a home football game is that since most of the city is at the stadium during those three to four hours, that leaves everyplace else almost deserted.  A perfect time for shopping and errands with no traffic on the road and no lines in the store.  So tomorrow while countless Gator fans will be at the stadium hollering, "Go Gators!  Beat Tennessee!", I will be darting around town, running errands and saying to myself, "Go shopping!  Beat the traffic before the game is over!".  

And that is my idea of a great day of football.

Kayaking and Killer Whales

Monday's post brought back great memories of the trips my husband and I have made to Seattle, so I thought I would go back to that area again today, if only in my blog.  What a great city!   I realize that Seattle is known for it's wet, rainy weather, but ironically enough, we had perfect weather on our visits.  Nothing but blue skies and sun.  We had clear views of Mt. Rainier and according to the locals, that is unusual.  However, I didn't care if it rained or not, because I absolutely love it there.  What's a little rain, anyway?
 

One of my favorite visits was when my husband surprised me for my 30th birthday by flying me out to meet up with him on a business trip.  We stayed downtown a few nights, then took a ferry to San Juan Island to stay on a sailboat docked in Friday Harbor.  While visiting a whale museum there, we learned we could take a whale watching trip on the Haro Strait and if we were lucky, spot a few Orcas.  The trip was by kayak rather than motorized boat, but we didn't mind.  We both knew how to kayak, and thought it sounded like fun, so we signed up with a group of 7 or 8 other people.  As we signed the waivers, I shrugged off the idea of any harm coming to us.  The whales would be far away, after all, because we would keep the kayaks close to shore, how scary could it be?

As it turns out, very.  Being in the water with a pod (family) of killer whales is one of the most amazing things I have ever done.  And also one of the most intimidating.  As long as they lingered out in the strait, breaching beautifully, I was fine.  It was when they swam our way that I became nervous, not only because of their incredible size, but because we were the only floating vessels in the water without a motor.  We had been instructed by our tour guide that if they came close we were to stay calm and back-paddle to shore.  Let me just say, kayak paddles don't move a person away nearly fast enough from a pod of approaching orcas!  However, after accidentally whacking the lady in the kayak next to me with my paddle as I frantically back-paddled to shore, my heartbeat slowed down and I began to appreciate sharing the water and such an incredible setting with these remarkable creatures.  They moved in just down the coastline from where we were, swimming and spyhopping.  Soon I found I was no longer intimidated by the whales but rather, mesmerized by their grace.  I felt honored to be in their presence.  Kayaking with the orcas was no longer scary, just wonderful, and very good for the soul!

Namaste

This week my fall yoga classes begin, so it is bound to be a good week.  I have practiced yoga on and off for many years now, and it is by far the best form of therapy I know.   Many years ago, on my first trip to the wonderful city of Seattle, I bought some woodsy-smelling incense and a beginners book, and taught myself the basic asanas (poses) of yoga.  I felt very liberated, and have practiced ever since.  Sometimes I do yoga in my home, but it is difficult for me to achieve a completely focused state of mind because most of the time there is too much activity here to stop and say om.  When the kids and their friends are all here, well, I don't even bother.   When they are in school I try to  get as much as possible  accomplished before they return, which involves watching the time closely, which is not beneficial to a yoga mindset.  If I do practice at home, then it is late in the evenings when everyone is in bed and the house is quiet.  Unfortunately by then, I am so tired I almost fall asleep during my  centering breaths.  Usually I just settle for some good, quick stretches and a few asanas whenever I can fit them in.

But attending a class where I can "be the yoga" is a perfect solution.  It provides me with a place outside of home that is free of distractions.  Where the only thing I am focused on for 90 minutes is the teacher's soothing voice, the poses, and my breathing.  Nothing beats a great class led by a wonderful, inspiring yoga instructor, and I feel very fortunate to have found both.  If all our class did was listen to her voice for an hour, that alone would be completely calming and I could go through the rest of my day content.  However, add to it a challenging physical workout, and the mix is perfect.  When I leave class, I feel refreshed, relaxed and energized.  And as it turns out, my teacher relocated here from Seattle.  I guess some yoga classes are just meant to be.

Remembering 9/11...

Remembering September 11, 2001.....

image courtesy of www. public-domain-image.com

Teachers....

This week has been filled with open houses at my kids' schools to highlight what they are learning in their classes.  However, what I find just as impressive as what they are learning, is how much time and effort is put in by their teachers to make school a positive experience for them.  My thoughts on this are nothing new, I noticed it the first time my oldest child (now in 8th grade) entered pre-school and then kindergarten.  Teachers play such a significant role in our children's lives.... the learning experience itself is just a part of so many hats they wear while our children are in their care during the school day.  And they don't have just a few kids to attend to, they have whole classes - some larger and some smaller.  There is much responsibility that goes into helping to shape so many lives.  Teachers help children learn to respect themselves and others, to take pride in what they do, and I'm sure they referee many scraps that occur during a day, which takes a great deal of patience.  They come in early and stay late to attend to everything that is needed to keep the classroom and the school running smoothly.  They go the extra mile and more, not always being appreciated for it and certainly not always being compensated what they are worth.
  

So this blog is to say THANK YOU for all of the hard-working teachers out there.... I really appreciate all the time and effort you invest not only in my children, but in all of the children whose lives you touch.  

Thunderstorms

When I was a little girl, before my sister was born, my mom, dad and I lived on a beautiful island in Sarasota called Siesta Key.  You may be familiar with the name because today it is a very popular vacation destination in southwest Florida.  It is still as beautiful, but much more crowded than when we lived there all those years ago.  Anyway, my dad traveled a lot then, and mom and I spent much of our time exploring the key.  The one thing I remember best is the days we made a point to head for the beach whenever a storm was brewing out on the gulf.  And we never missed one if we could help it (unless there was lightning).  There were never too many other people on the beach, but those who were there would be packing up quickly to head in, and mom and I would pass them as we made our way across the wide expanse of white sand toward the darkening water.  Close to the water's edge is where we could best feel the effects of the change in the weather.  The sky would darken before the wind started to shift and pick up intensity, and we would smell a change in the air.  Soon the wind began to blow harder, it's air cool on our faces, and we would run up and down the beach twirling in circles, flapping our arms and laughing out loud, caught up in the excitement of the approaching storm. To this day, I love the anticipation of a good, old-fashioned  thunderstorm, when the heavens really shake things up and let loose with the wind and rain.  By the way, my kids and I have been known to do the same thing even now.  But you don't need a beach to experience this, anywhere will do.  So, the next time a storm heads your way, give it a try and have fun!

Good for the Soul Places

The voice of the sea speaks to the soul - Kate Chopin

The woods call to us with a hundred voices,

but the sea has one only -

a mighty voice that drowns our souls

in its majestic music.  

The woods are human

but the sea is of the company 

of the archangels.

-  L.M.Montgomery, 

   Anne's House of Dreams

The Sound of Music

It's girls night in, and my sister and I just finished watching for the umpteenth (is that a word?) time in our lives, our all-time favorite, noone else runs through a mountain meadow twirling and singing like Julie Andrews movie, The Sound of Music.  How could I have failed to list it as a favorite under movies in my blog profile???  I don't know, but I did.  Which is the reason for this blog entry.  Now THAT is a movie.  I mean, they just don't make 'em like that anymore.  Period.  When we were little, not only did the movie's scenery make us want to pack up and head for Salzburg, but so did the von Trapp sibings and their fun-loving governess Fraulein Maria.  My sister and I used to think being related to Liesl, Friedrich and the rest of the kids would be such fun.  Unfortunately, the closest I ever got to either Austria or the von Trapp family was during a few early years of my life when my parents insisted I take organ lessons and I learned to play many of the songs from the movie.  Oh, and I did visit Germany and Switzerland once.


During my organ lesson years, I played songs from The Sound of Music over and over and over until I knew them by heart.  And I do mean over and over.  Other than Glow Worm they were all I played, and thank goodness for that, because you can only play Glow Worm so much before getting really tired of it.   I never once grew tired of playing selections from the Sound of Music on our organ, although I'm sure my family can't say the same after listening to it for hours while I practiced.  Sometimes I even sang along and let's just say I will never be mistaken for one of the von Trapp Family Singers.


So, I will go ahead and add The Sound of Music to favorite movies on my profile because as entertaining as the '80's movies were, they do not even come close.  Plus, it's just not right to leave off the only movie I have seen almost every year since I was four!

Floridays

 WEEKENDS.

Enjoy yours.

To Ponder

Today I am pondering two conflicting universal messages.....one  message is to be content with what you have,  bloom where you are planted, and be happy where you are. 

 On the other hand, another message regards stepping out and taking leaps of faith such as; you never know if you don't try, "life is either a daring adventure or nothing"-Helen Keller, and from Robert Frost, "Two roads diverged in a wood and I...I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference".

I guess what I am pondering is this:  if we are supposed to be content where we are, then isn't it a bit ironic to think we are supposed to, at the same time, jump into the deep end, so to speak, and try something new?  Also, although we may bloom where we are planted, perhaps we would like to uproot and try blooming in a new location or new career.  So,  does the desire to do something different mean we are not properly practicing being happy where we are?  I think that while it is important to be happy with where we are in our life,  the fact is we change and that is (hopefully) how we grow.  It is also important to ask questions and look to new directions for our future.  Maybe for some, staying in one place is the answer, rather than for others, whose restless spirits require them to mix things up every so often by moving around.  After all, we can bloom where we are planted in more than one way or place in our lifetimes, don't you think?

Twittering is for Birds

I know, I know, Twittering is the latest and greatest in amazing advances along the hi-tech highway, but you just won't see me jumping on that bandwagon.  Even if,  according to an article in our local paper last week, it is more popular among the hip, older crowd than the hip, younger crowd.  One 18-year old who was interviewed on her opinion of Twittering was quoted as saying, "I just think it's weird and I don't feel like everyone needs to know what I'm doing every second of my life".  Well, I have to say I agree with her completely.  

I think that between constant texting, talking on cell phones, online chat rooms, online discussion forums, webcams, Skype, Facebook and MySpace, we all have plenty of opportunity to know all we need to know about one another, and then some.  Now must we add Twitter to the great melting pot of technology?  Can we not just take a break from all the incessant, virtual chitter chatter?   Really, I think it's ironic that the term MySpace does not mean at all what I think of as "my space", which is something I need alot of.  Rather, it really means "lots of people in MySpace" and that is just one too many people for me!  

Although somewhat grudgingly,  I have learned how to text so I can communicate from afar with my teenage son who never actually uses his cell phone to talk with.  I have also learned how to navigate my laptop and the internet (mostly), and I have awesome music on my iPod, which is pretty impressive for a gal who still has her entire collection of '80's tunes on cassette tapes and her original Sony Walkman to go with them.

So the point is, I appreciate today's technological advances in communication, and I use many of them myself.  I even created a blog!  But I really have to draw the line somewhere, and Twitter is it.  How about you?

Food Allergies, Kids and School

Because the school year is getting back under way, I want to dedicate today's post to the importance of being aware of kids with food allergies.

As with many things, you may not give food allergies much thought until you or someone you care about is affected by them.  I know I didn't think much about them until my daughter had her first allergic reaction before she was diagnosed with severe nut allergies, and it was quite scary.  Thankfully, it did not affect her breathing (although I have seen that as well) but she was covered in hives and her face swelled up until I could hardly see her eyes.  I had Benadryl in the medicine cabinet and soon after I gave it to her and contacted her doctor,  the hives and swelling began to subside.  I do not wish to alarm anyone, but rather to educate.  Although the subject of food allergies can be complicating, I would like to mention a few easy ways to help make the classroom a safe environment for the kids who have them.

Ideally, the teacher is informed of any students with food allergies in their class, and makes sure all the parents are informed as well.  However, that is not always the case, because sometimes a teacher has not been made aware of a student's allergies.  Therefore, I think the easiest way to avoid risking any problems is to simply avoid certain allergens, such as both peanuts and tree nuts, altogether when bringing snacks, food, desserts, etc., into the classroom. This includes snacks teachers keep on hand to give out daily, and food that is brought in for parties or other occasions during the year.  Some kids can have a reaction simply by coming into contact with a surface where nuts have been. So, if nuts are not in the room at all, there is much less chance for problems to arise. 

Of course, that holds true for any other food a student might be allergic to as well.  For example, my daughter also has egg allergies, and while she can eat food with egg baked in, such as cookies or cake, she cannot have certain dressings that contain egg, such as ranch, unless it is fat-free, with no egg ingredients. 

So you see, food allergies can be complicating.  As parents of children with food allergies, we do our best to ensure our kids are prepared by teaching them to have their Benadryl and Epi-Pens with them at all times, watching and teaching them to watch what they eat, and most important, educating them about their allergies so they can be pro-active in the management of them.  But no matter how cautious we may be, we cannot control everything, and it is comforting to know that others are aware and helping us keep our kids safe.

*According to FAAN, the most common food allergens are milk, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. If you would like to learn more about food allergies, check out the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN)  at www.foodallergy.org.

Mermaid in the Sand

Friends

 To know someone here or there with whom you can feel there is understanding 
in spite of distances or thoughts unexpressed ...
that can make this life a garden.

                                                                   -goethe

A Week Ago Today

Here's to anniversaries of all types and time frames.... weddings, birthdays, new jobs, new homes.........new blogs (one week)!

Hello, Is There Anybody Out There?

Starting this blog has been an interesting and enjoyable venture, even though the blogging process is not always as easy as I once imagined.  It was when I went about creating this one that I learned otherwise.  The preparation took much longer than I thought:  for example, deciding on just the right template design, deciding what to write for the first post, deciphering how to set up a blog site including tweaking the templates, html's and layout settings, feeling unsure about sending posts into cyberspace for anyone to see, deciding to go for it anyway, being ready to push "publish post" but having to tweak the template settings yet again because the layout doesn't look quite like I want it to, being ready to publish after that, but the feeling of trepidation creeps back in, ignoring it and telling myself "just do it already!" and finally, clicking "publish post" in relief.  Only to realize that in spite of all my efforts, my blog may not really be out there after all.  Well, it is out there, but there may not be anyone actually reading it.

Okay, I realize anativeinthesun hasn't even been in cyberspace one week yet.  However, I just assumed that any information sent out via the net is automatically everywhere, ready for the world to see.  What I have learned is that unless you are CNN, if you want readers, you have to put some effort into attracting them to your blog.  Although important, it takes more than a terrific template and pithy posts to attract an audience.  For all the large, well-known websites out there, there are probably many others that are more obscure.  Such as this one.  Unless you have a hit counter in your blog page, (and I don't  yet), then you don't know how many readers you have had for sure.  And readers don't always leave comments, which is fine.  Regardless of all that, however, one thing I do know is that lots of readers or not, I am having a good time with this.  I've mentioned this before, but it is important for me to venture out of my comfort zone every so often and challenge myself.  Last year's venture was to run a half marathon, which was fun, but I must say, this blog is also fun and certainly much less tiring!

So, what I am wondering today is this:

Is there anybody out there?

About Shells

I wiped away the weeds and foam,
I fetched me sea-born treasures home.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love seashells. I have them all over my house, in baskets and glass jars everywhere, collected up from my family's many hours spent beachcombing. Our collection includes shells of all kinds, from the tiny, iridescent jingle shells, to some very large whelks and conchs. We also have many cool sharks teeth we have found as well. Those wicked black teeth are pretty amazing, but they do not bring me the same sense of comfort that my shells do. In all of our years of beachcombing, I think we have saved just about every shell we have ever found, because they are each like a bit of ocean treasure that we cannot put back once discovered. The thing I like about our seashell collection is that it does not consist of many perfect shells. In fact, our perfect shells are few and far between. Although I do love the beautifully formed whelks, tulips, olives and murex that we have, some of my very favorites are the worn out, weather beaten shells or fragments of them. They have such wonderful character. Like a salty old sailor who has ridden out the many seasons of the ocean, and, enduring, stood the test of time.

Another thing I like about shells is how many ways you can decorate with them. For example, my sister creates beautiful shell art, and someday I would like for her to use some of our collection in one of her lovely designs. One of my favorite gifts from her is a wreath she made me out of grapevine that she distressed and then covered with faded, broken, weathered shells and coral from her own shell collection placed all over it. I'd like to work on designs of my own as well, such as using our shells to add some personality to the tiles around my fireplace.

I love our diverse collection of shells, and when I am not near the ocean, but here at home, they are a lovely reminder of the place I love most.

First Day of School

I didn't want summer to end, but inevitably it does, and today the kids went back to school. I have to admit, as much fun as we have with our lack of schedules during summer, it is always nice when everyone gets back into a certain groove. The kids sometimes ask me if I will home school them (in hopes they can sleep in mornings, I am sure), but I always decline. I truly admire moms who home school their kids, and I have several friends that do, because I think it must take a great amount of discipline which I'm not sure I have when it comes to something like that. I'm afraid we might not keep a consistent routine because I would always be thinking of the numerous other things we could be doing instead of schoolwork (like going to a movie, heading to the park or a trip to the beach) and then doing those instead. Most of all, as an at-home mom, school is time for the kids and I to have a little space from each other for a few hours, which is good for all of us. I look forward to seeing them this afternoon and sharing in their excitement and stories of school. But for now, I am savoring the peaceful quiet that surrounds me.

Here's to the first day of school!

So Long Summer

Well, this week we say so long to summer and hello school. Although I am gearing up my back to school mindset, thoughts of a memorable vacation still linger as Jimmy Buffett sings about a lovely cruise on the iPod next to me, and as usual, my mind begins to wander. I look out my window and the big, old oak trees in my yard fall away in my imagination, and become gently swaying palms on a sandy beach, the sun warm above me and the sand between my toes. My daydreaming is interrupted by my daughter asking me if we are going to buy new sneakers today. The kids know that unless we desperately need them, I don't buy new sneakers at the end of the school year because all we wear on our feet during summer is flip-flops since we are either on the water boating, or in the water swimming. So, I guess we are off to the shoe store, but first I want to make a list of our summer vacation highlights while Jimmy still sings to me in the background. This list is to remember those really "good for the soul" moments, the ones that remind us what life is all about. It is so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of daily schedules and activities that we don't make enough time for the fun stuff. So here it is to help me keep things in perspective as the school year winds back up.

Fun in the Sun and Good for the Soul Moments,
Summer '09:

Friends
Family
Boating
Shelling
the Keys
Fishing
Swimming
Snorkeling
Colorful coral reefs
Spotted Eagle Rays
Manatees
Dolphins
Crystal clear turquoise waters
Moonlight kayaking
Steinhatchee
Scalloping
Tubing
Skiing
Cookouts
Fireworks
Afternoon thunderstorms
Any thunderstorms!
Cayo Costa
Deserted beaches
Warm sand between the toes
Jimmy Buffett's music playing
Palm trees and ocean breezes
Sunsets

A First Post

Hi! I am A Native in the Sun. I’m new to this blogging business, but I have always loved to write and have many random thoughts I’m always jotting down, so I thought it might be interesting to put them out there for anyone else who thinks along these lines. Like my thought process, my writing style is rather random, so my entries might be as well. I am at heart a very private person, so I hesitate about putting myself out there in the form of a blog. However, I believe venturing out of your comfort zone every so often is a good thing, so here I am.

A bit about me .... I’m a native Floridian. I love the beach, I love a good bargain, I love the color yellow, and I really, really love my family. I have three cool kids and one equally cool (and patient!) husband who are my best inspiration.

One important note I’d like to make regarding this blog is that I intend for it to be upbeat. There is more than enough negative news and events to be found everywhere you look these days, which gets old. I’m no ostrich, I read the paper and search the internet headlines daily because I feel it necessary to keep up with current events. Also, I’m no Pollyanna. I don’t expect life to be completely carefree and without challenge. Certainly, we all have our share of that, on many different levels. However, in the midst of all that is going on in our world right now (or any time), I think focusing on the good stuff is important -to toss some lighthearted in the mix, and recognize those really good for the soul moments, which is what I'll try to do here.

Well, I guess every blogger has a first post, and this is mine. Welcome!