Well hello, I've been a stranger

Yes it is true, I have been absent and my 30 day clean out turned into much of a bust. Based off of my experience of summer(spending time outdoors rather than in front of a computer screen) I've admitted to myself I might find great absence in the blogging world. I don't wish this though as my habit is that when I blog I also check in on YOUR blog. So I have decided to go where my heart calls so that I will stay connected. My heart calls me to my gardens. Though I know nothing of gardens I am learning more every day and wish to share with you what I learn and how it relates to my life. And so it is that if you are a regular reader of this blog, or a partial checker- inner, or a random reader, I invite you to join me now at Maryguitecontrary-lisa.blogspot it will be great fun and you can watch Mary quite contrary as she learns how her gardens grow. I am fairly excited about this new endeavor so I hope that you will follow all the good things that grow this summer; my flowers, my veggies, my shrubs, my life. Join me in the fun and we will re-establish the 30 day routine after this 100 days of summer.

Day 1- Taking time

My official clean out is beginning, though I have been on retreat for two days now. These last two days have been....
1. sleeping in
2. going to yoga
3. hanging out with my sis Ash
4. biking with my friends
5. hanging out in my garden
6. cleaning out the basement and my bookshelves
7. massage, pedicure
8. reading
9. relaxing

So I was hesitant to set my official clean out because while on retreat I discovered I might want; pizza night with my sis, a drink with my friends, a little bit of TV, and cake for breakfast...ahhh, ok these don't fall into the guidelines but let me share them with you first.

Body clean out:
No alcohol, caffeine, processed foods, white sugar/ flour, limited animal products

Mental clean out:
No TV, 5 minutes a day of meditation, reading, writing

Spirit clean out:
daily practice of prayer, gratitude, forgiveness, and extending love


So Day 1 is officially set and these are my guidelines. Not rules, guidelines. I will let you know as I progress forward how this undertaking cleans my system and allows more freedom and love into my life.

Tomorrow will bring more time in my yard, and a full overhaul on the front slope. I will provide before/after pics. I am so excited!

On a side note: Everyone and I mean EVERYONE deserves a vacation at home. This has been so healing and inspiring to my soul and though I intend to enjoy the rest of my 3 days on retreat I am excited to go back to work and life refreshed.

Day 1 on deck- And a garden clean out

Today I enjoyed a day in the garden. Clearing away the clutter, debri, leaves, of last fall and allowing the spring growth to shine through. And what a sweet day it was, the sun was shining, it was warm and the beauty of spring was more evident with each pile of leaves I raked away from the garden. It looks so fresh and new and I was deeply in love with each moment of bringing the new growth to light. It was a pleasant reminder for me that as I am in process now of clearing away the clutter and debri of my mind, I can stay ever present and in love with the new growth that I am allowing to shine through in my life. It was a meditative experience, my mind was clear, and I was able to hear the "wisdom of my heart" clearly. Playing a sweet melody of joy and expectation for all the goodness and blooming that is to come!

I am taking Ashram next week. In the dictionary ashram is explained as "spiritual retreat". More to come on this but it will also be when I begin my official '30 day clean out' although I feel in truth it began today!

Still Day -1

Wondering where I am? What's up with the 30 day clean out? Me too....some resistance to this experience. Ahhh, the beautiful place of struggle we all get to own through out our lives. I will make a promise (as I did with my new shoes) that I will be on task by the end of the week. Sometimes we need a little time to make that jump from "I don't want to" over to "I know this is the best thing for me". I am going to sit on the other side for a few more minutes. Don't hate me for it. :)

Day -1/ Beginning again

Spring is about new beginnings and I am taking on new beginnings for my health, wealth, and the love of life. Starting Monday I am beginning the '30 day clean out'. More to come on this, I only must get through tomorrow's happy hour Flat tire clinic that involves wine (not allowed in the clean out) and as much sugar as I can possibly put down in one day (also not allowed on the clean out).

So details to come on my most melancholy Sunday night before the first day of the clean out. Sometimes getting what you want means doing some things that you don't!

L-

Day- 0- New "boots"

So I did as I promised and by Thursday of last week bought my "new boots" a nice bright pair of slip-ons (not really slips ons but have made them such by loosening the laces)

Not my typical style these neon fenons, but will make for an interesting spring/summer.

Day 30ish...+some. Farewell winter, farewell boots!

Ok, I am a terrible blogger. I admit it. I lack in the art of staying connected via blogspot. I am even more painfully aware of this as little over a week ago I helped my friend Donna (aka Blaise and don't ask why) set up a blog of her journey selling her home here in Mpls (so sad) and setting up a guest house in Austin (Tx of course, would anyone really blog their journey to Austin, Mn?) and within a week she has posted more often (and more interestingly) than I have since the beginning of the year. Well, you want funny? You want often? Then read her blog for goodness sake, about her little inn of horrors. But if you want Lisa then here you are, and here you will be, waiting for me to finally post. And of all the interesting things I have to write the most is related to what is MOST me; my boots.

Everyone knows Lisa and her boots. They come out in October and don't get sent away to the closet until nearly May. I have many reasons...1. I LOVE them. 2. They are so easy to get on and off. 3. They keep my feet toasty like I like them. 4. They add dramatic effect 5. They offer my ONE AND ONLY fashion statement (currently I can barely even rock the fake hair, it is always in a pony tail) 5. Did I mention they are so easy to slip on and off?

Today during our 75 degree weather I had to admit in 3/4 length stretchy pants (I guess I lied my second fashion statement is Lycra, not original though, Morgan works that much better than I do) and a tank top, I was getting a lot of funny looks. This compiled when in the studio I got many comments as well. So I guess, even though it is only almost April, it might be time to say farewell for the season.

In lieu of another 30 day(the next one is a whopper doozy and coming soon) I am posting a promise. I will find and buy (sorry Matt I have to) another pair of slip on shoes that are not flip flops (my other staple) by tomorrow night. Farewell sweet boots, until the cold-or semi- cold, or barely cold- or ONE day of snow, even if it is in September. And too bad Donna/Blaise you will be in Austin and miss out on the fan fare when I bring them out before Halloween, but I promise I will wear them when I come to visit you in Austin in the winter. Just for old times! And you'll be required to do hundreds of burpies!