Eat Pray Love

This is me and my journeys-.

"...I've come to believe that there exists in the universe something I call "The Physics of The Quest" - a force of nature governed by laws as real as the laws gravity or momentum. And the rule of Quest Physics maybe goes like this: "If you are brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting (which can be anything from your house to your bitter old resentments) and set out on a truth-seeking journey (either externally or internally), and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue, and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher, and if you are prepared - most of all - to face (and forgive) some very difficult realities about yourself....then truth will not be withheld from you." Or so I've come to believe."

XOXO
CM

Keeping myself busy!

As I mentioned before, Sophia left on Sunday to FL with her dad, which means that I get all kinds of me time. This weekend was a great example of what my summer days are going to be. On Sunday I woke up super early and met some new friends in PTC at 6:30 am to run 7 miles. I have not ran that distance since last summer when I was training for the Chicago Marathon which I  didn't run. I have to say it felt awesome and God how I missed this, now it's easier for me to arrange these things.

Sunday I rented a road bike, Trek rents you bikes and 100% of the rentals go towards a new bike if you decide to purchase with them which I am thrilled about. So yesterday I took the bike to this place here called Silver Comet Trail, an abandoned trail track that they paved and turned into a 61 mile long road for runners, cyclists, rollerbladers, you name it! I did 22 miles on my first bike ride, Woot Woot! I absolutely loved it and can't wait to do more next weekend.

At night I went to L's who I had not seen since last week, I got there and we picked peaches and veggies from the garden to cook dinner and then watched 3 food documentaries; Food, Inc., Food Matters and King Corn, ate fresh picked vegetables and deer yes, Bambi) and then play outside with an iPhone app that finds constellations (there are no lights where he lives so the sky looks incredible outside his house).

I left super late, he actually offered for me to sleep over but I don't think I can get into that just yet. We have definitely not gotten to that level and I think it's a good thing. For the first time in my life I am taking things slow, getting to know someone without the pressure of intimacy and I kind of like it. He is definitely a gentleman and has been super sweet. 

We might start riding together, he mentioned wanting to get a bike so we could go to Silver Comet Trail together, which sounds great! I am excited to see this relationship evolve the way it is, I am just not used to this slow pace so I second guess it all the time. 

Life is definitely getting better, I found a new love in cycling, that is for sure and I am definitely keeping myself busy this summer with running, cycling, I have to incorporate swimming at some point and maybe I'll even get to my first triathlon soon. 

I am excited, and even though I miss Sophia terribly even though it's only been a few days without her I think it's a good thing for me to have "me time".

Hope you  all had a great memorial weekend!

XOXO
CM

The perks of my job

I have mentioned this before but I am loving my job, not only I love how relaxed and laid back it is but I love the people, wearing jeans every day, the huge bottle of honey in the break room because they know I like it and working of the conference room. 

Well, one of the perks I had not tasted yet was the employee discount since I am not a full time employee yet... but better than that was the employee sale that went on today. I got a little note on my white board while on a conference call that said "employee sale @4pm in the break room, bring cash". I got excited because everyone wears Triumph t-shirts to work and I have non but I REALLY GOT EXCITED when I heard the prices - leather jackets $20, leather boots $10, t-shirts $1, belts $2!

These are some of the awesome things I bought!

The leather jackets are amazing and retail for about $400, they have all the pads for riding too. I do ride with a couple of my friends who have bikes, but it would be sweet if at some point I have my very own bike and learn how to ride! Maybe one day ;)

T-Shirts are our preferred office wear and I can't wait for Tuesday so I can start wearing them to the office! I love them all! I also got a pair of riding boots, and 2 casual shirts that are very form fitting, and everything has Triumph Motorcycles all over.

I am so excited about my new Triumph wear and can't wait to wear it all, to bad the leather jackets are gonna have to wait for a bit.

Until next post.

CM

Tea Party for the Princess

Today was really fun, I went to Jackie's house thinking I was going to a farewell party for Maddy who's leaving for California. Jackie told me it was a hat/tea party evening to say goodbye to her niece and I bought it!

At lunch time, I went shopping for matching hats for me and Sophia and I happened to find a beautiful dress that would just look adorable with the white hat. Well, I am mad I did because I got to Jackie's house after picking up Barrett I was sent right upstairs to change Sophia which was kind of weird... Then I was not allowed to enter the kitchen, and still had no idea!

Finally they said "Carla, only you con come... Sophia has to wait" and when I walked into the kitchen there was pink, and balloons and colorful homemade cupcakes! I teared up :')

Finally we asked Sophia to walk in and we all yelled SURPRISE! Her face was too much, we were both surprised and very happy!

There were presents and games and fun with friends, such a nice gesture from Jackie... Sophia kept repeating "mommy this is the best party ever!"

The hats were so much fun and Sophia and I had matching hats! I can't thank Jackie enough, she definitely made this a memorable birthday for my little princess!

Well, we definitely enjoyed this creative afternoon filled with sweets and loved ones!

Until next post :)

CM

Keeping my options open

So it's summer and Sophia is going away as every year already, she leaves next weekend and I am for 2 months single and childless. So, my question is... Shouldn't I be dating and just going out instead of putting all my eggs in one basket? The answer is ABSOLUTELY! Don't get me wrong, I like "L" and if it evolves then great, but why do this with the first guy I meet after my ex? I think I have to do things different this time and shop around a little, lol!

Since I am in no rush... That's my story and I'm sticking to it! So yesterday I finally decided to go out on a date with a new guy. We have been texting for about 2 weeks and honestly I look forward to his texts. Witty, funny... Very cool guy, and good looking too!

For our 1st date he took me to this restaurant Agave in Atlanta, I had heard really good things about it so I was excited to hear that that's where we were meeting! The food was amazing, and he was as fun and witty as on the phone. His pictures were accurate which means he was a hottie so the date was a success!

After dinner the date evolved, we parked my car at his place, he has a house in my favorite part of the city and we went to a nearby club. Let me just say I haven't been in a club in forever but it was fun. We people watched, danced and had a good time and around midnight Cinderella had to go! I had to go get my monkey, the good thing is he has 2 monkeys of his own so that wasn't a problem.

It was a very fun date, so I am definitely looking forward to going out with him again... Date #2 is scheduled for next Sunday! In the meantime, tonight I see "L" so we will see how that will go.

Well, that's it for now!

Until next post.

CM

I am blonde

For those waiting, here is a quick post with the new look ;)

CM

Delicious Lentil Tacos

Today I tried an awesome recipe that I have been meaning to check out and boy was it good! Even Sophia ate 2 tacos, she is loving lentils and so am I. It is very simple but it takes about an hour to cook the lentils. 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of chopped onion
• 1 garlic clove minced
• 1 tsp of canola oil
• 1 cup of dried lentils, rinsed
• 2 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2-1/2 cups of vegetable broth
• 1 cup of salsa (chopped tomato, onion & cilantro with the juice of 1/2 lemon)
• 12 taco shells
• 1-1/2 cups of reduced fat cheddar cheese
• 6 tbsp of fat-free sour cream

Directions:

In a large non-stick skillet, saute the onion and garlic in oil until tender. Add the lentils, chili powder, cumin and oregano and stir for about a minute. Add the broth and bring to a broil. Reduce heat, cover and let simmer until the lentils are tender (about 35 min). 

Uncover and cook for another 5 minutes until mixture thickens out. Spoon about 1/4 cup lentils into shell, top with lettuce, salsa, cheese and sour cream and go for it!

It serves 6 people and it is super healthy and low cal... this is one of those dishes that amazes all those meat lovers and keeps them begging for more!

Enjoy!

CM

Love

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13

Fun in the South

Yesterday Sophia and I went strawberry/raspberry picking! I wanted to find something fun for us to do and found this farm 20 min from where I live where you can pick berries all throughout the summer. Outside of the farm they also have a farmers market with fresh veggies that I loaded with for the week! We picked 5 lbs of strawberries and 1 lb of raspberries! Can we say antioxidants!

On top of that I got a bunch of veggies for the week and made a delicious vegetarian lasagna for lunch :) I will post the recipe later today.

The point is Sophia and I had a blast, I definitely enjoy certain things about this area and this is definitely one of them. My monkey is leaving to FL with daddy in 2 weeks... Oh I will miss her :(

Time to get up and make breakfast, I sure enjoy blogging from bed!

Till next post.

XO
CM

Dreams vs. Reality

So I woke up from a nap practically sobbing... I had this dream that just felt so real, it was about my ex being in the hospital. I kinda hate the fact that I don't know anything about him or have no one to call just to make sure everything is ok.

I know I bitch all the time about how things ended and what he did after but I do wish him well... That's all you can do for someone you loved, right? I am still very hurt about him & what's her face being together... I would have never done something like that to either of them but whatever, we can't always expect for people to act/think like us, right?

Oh well... Needed to bent :(

One of those days.

CM

Mother's Day

Today me and my munchkin started the day with early service at Church, as always it was awesome and she made me the cutest heart where she wrote that I weigh 7 lbs and that my favorite food is veggies and cheese, lol! 

Then she wanted McDonalds which I had to give her because she hasn't had any of that in forever and has been asking for this for a while. Then we came home got into our inny tinny bikinis and went to the pool for a couple of hours. 

Now time for a show and a nap and then we will work on some crafts to decorate our windows while we bake some cookies. Definitely a date day for Sophia and I as the craziness of the week starts again tomorrow.

Life is getting so much better and even though I am still a few weeks away until I can feel a bit of relief financially it looks like a very promising summer. I can't help but think that this has a lot to do with the way I have prioritized my life, and putting God first has made a big difference.

I can't wait to see all the other wonderful things that he has in store for me, because what he has done so far has been amazing. He keeps answering my prayers in ways I can't even describe in words and all I can do is thank him and be grateful for every blessing I've had.

Never forget that God loves you!

Blessings =)

CM

Maverick!

I just have to say I have a smile from ear to ear... Today was date number 4 with "L" or 5 if you count Sophia's 1st flight as a date (which I don't) and to say AMAZING would be an understatement! Pilot boy exceeded my expectations and I am extremely impressed.

The date couldn't be more perfect... I got to his place and he had all these veggies that he had hand  picked for our dinner from his organic garden - yes, he has an organic garden with his neighbor on an acre right on his property - him and his neighbor take care of it and I tasted the crunchiest and tastiest snap peas EVER. He had picked baby potatoes, onions, rosemary, mint (for the tea - yes tea!), broccoli, turnip greens, some sort of lettuce that seemed more like a dark green leaf and I am sure I am missing something else.

He brewed tea for us to drink all night with fresh honey from his friend's honey bee's. He made an awesome salad, cooked the turnip greens, the potatoes and chicken in the grill. Everything was so amazing, and we watched a movie... You want to guess? TOP  GUN! It was so perfect! Mr. Pilot was just so in his element and I was totally loving it.

He had a big smile on his face all trough the night and he so enjoyed cooking for me... He was so excited! His house was in perfect order, clean and everything in place... Huge kitchen with tons of counter space and a deck in the back where the Big Green Egg matched perfectly.

We watched Top Gun while eating and he was just so sweet, the smile on his face just melted me and I had so much fun. When it was time to go "L" was nervous and the anticipation was killing me, I could see it coming... he finally made a move! Great kisser, my first kiss in a LONG time but totally worth the wait =)

Now it's time to go to bed as I have work tomorrow and I know I will pay for this late night... But as I lay in my bed while blogging this post I have a smile on my face that will last for a while because I am finally feeling butterflies again!

Night Night!

Until next post...

 CM

Dating Scene

Oh boy has this been interesting... I am back on Match.com and honestly I still don't know if I am ready or even have the time to dedicate to this. I think I am out of patience and just don't feel like dealing with all the BS, which honestly is way more than what I remembered.

I have gone on 4 dates so far and I can barely stand anyone, there is though one guy that made it to a second and a third date because he is mostly normal and cute but I still find myself pointing out (to myself) all his imperfections. 

No one is perfect... right? And I do have to say, this is the exact same thing I did to try to sabotage my last relationship where I ended up engaged and living together. My point is that maybe with age my Virgo characteristics seem to be getting stronger, I even vacuum every day and sometimes twice which seems extremely OCD to me.

So after 3 dates should I assume he is interested? I usually throw the bomb pretty early about exclusivity. I am not one to date more than one person at a time and I am assuming that at any moment pilot boy is going to try to make a move, which I will welcome... But there is no way I will be sucking face with anyone that is not "at least" giving me the exclusivity rights. 

So some people debate my decision of putting this up front in such an early stage, but I say it's part of the screening process. If your level of interest is not high enough to be willing to at least entertain the idea  of giving us the chance to see how things go without external distractions, then simply you are not worth my time.

My theory is that in the on-line dating world, the grass will always be greener on the other side. The options are so vast that you will always be curious about what the next candidate has to offer. In my opinion, unless you stop for a while to pursue the one that caught your attention you will never settle and give anyone a fair chance.

So date #4 is tomorrow and he is actually cooking dinner for me at his house... He actually cooks, woot woot! What the location leads me to believe is that at some point during the cooking/cleaning Mr. Smooth will come out and try to make a move. Nervous? Yes, which is why I have to throw the bomb of exclusivity so neither him nor I waste our time.

Am I being too direct too soon? Maybe... But if you want a piece of me then you have to play by my rules. I don't think you sticking with me and only me is too much to ask, specially if your trying to take this casual friendship to the next level.

I  am also terrified that he might want to take me out for a ride on his "fast plane" because yes, there are 2 small planes! Ughh... I am freaking out! Why can't I be like my daughter and just jump on the freaking plane? Somehow I do not think of this as fun and that might be a big hiccup when it comes to compatibility... or maybe I will fly once and love it and then everything will be fine ;)

Oh well, we shall see what happens... If he or I freak out then... NEXT!

Until next post.

CM