What Happens in Las Vegas Stays in Las Vegas

Swallowing humble pie is a tough process. Getting that pride to flow down the gullet with grace and no bitterness is something all of us need. At least once in a while, to keep us humble, to keep us mentally level as humans. 

The Oregon Ducks did play the Washington Huskies in Las Vegas on Friday night. After shoveling down a piece of that pie, the Ducks returned to their pond with a 31 to 34 loss under their wings. It was a great season overall, leaving us with the one loss against the Huskies, and then of course, the championship game in Vegas. Both games we ended up with a three point loss. Sad, but it is what it is. 

So that just happened. Game day is typically on Saturday, and the championship game played out on Friday, throwing my weekend all off. I hate when that happens. I took on a long file on Friday, making it difficult to really enjoy the evening, although the paycheck looks better. Is it worth it? 

Saturday came and went. Nothing special, but it was another day spent together. That's always a good thing. The evening meant the choices for dinner and that developed into wanting to make some zuppa Toscana soup again. I love that soup! As I was working on some things, my sweet man came into the office and said he would like to go to Mexican food, so poof! There it was. No cooking and no mess. Awesome! 

Well, there is a mess or was a mess. I worked up sourdough to bake bread loaves Sunday. Two sandwich loaves and a plan to create some boules for the rest of the overkill of starter. I thought the sandwich loaves called for two cups of starter and it was only one, so now I have three science projects growing, breathing, and living in my kitchen. Time to bake to use it up!

Mexican food was tasty on Saturday evening. Of course, we went to our favorite go-to place of Hacienda Vieja and enjoyed a combination meal. The waiters are always so accommodating and kind and this night was no different. 

Full bellies and empty plates meant the end of yet another awesome meal at our favorite place. I was so stuffed I couldn't breathe! Having to take some home in a box meant more of this deliciousness tomorrow. 

After our routine episode of Castle, the murder mystery show, I sprawled out on the couch with TV remote in hand and sweet man took his position outside to smoke a cigar and relax. Wonderful, relaxing, quiet night. 

I have to say, this weekend Terry and I spent an hour or so deep in conversation. We shared our thoughts, feelings, and humor once again, giving our relationship a deeper, more bonded meaning. I know I have said it many times over in this blog, but it's worth repeating for memory sake, my sweet man earns his nickname. 

We have come to the conclusion that we were brought together by outside forces, the universe, spirit and the angels, or the one, source, whatever term you and your belief system inserts here. We know we were. All past relationships were learning experiences, leading up to the finale, the perfect connection in this, our relationship. 

Terry choosing to propose to me came so quickly and out of the blue. He was telling me he would marry me some day, but the official engagement came upon us so fast. One day we are hanging out, giggling over comedy movies, and the next day, we are eating turkey dinner with the family and he is asking me to marry him. We met in August, he proposed in November. Surreal event that brought such happiness, yet came with such fear and concern. Would this work? Such a short time of knowing one another. Is that the way to do this? 

I blurted out "yes," with a feeling inside my gut that it would be great, but with a fear in my heart that asked the question, "Do we trust this?" Past experiences in relationships questioned that feeling in my gut. Finally, the gut was out voted by my soul, and the reply to my sweet man's query spewed forth like the speed of light. I had from November until June to let the idea settle and know for sure if this was the best choice. 

Sometimes we need to take that leap of faith and trust in our gut, our soul. We are given the gift of intuition for a reason. It is our guide, our voice deep within to help us remain on our path in life. There are many times I jumped ahead and didn't bother listening to that light inside that was making an ignored statement and I paid for my choice. This time, it was as though I was pushed through the door with the reply rushing out of my mouth so quickly. I'm so thankful I was guided to this point. That fear, the uncertainty is gone now. I am settling in to my partnership with Terry, each day bringing me closer to the man I married, and giving me unworldly joy, abundant happiness. I have never been this happy, this excited to wake up and begin each day. Our meeting, our bonding has given us the understanding of what life is really supposed to be all about. When the age old question of "What is the meaning of life" arises now, I can now answer that with this: Love.

Loving our partners and all the people in our lives. Loving ourselves. There is the love of life itself, feeling grateful and joyous that you're alive. Making the most of life is our responsibility. I'm not talking about sky diving and jumping off of cliffs with a bungee cord attached. Hell, no. That's not happening. Why jump off of a perfectly good foothold on a cliff? No. I'm speaking of just enjoying every day, every moment. Keep joy in your heart. 

Our thousands of blessings are right in front of us, with thousands more to garner. Each day is a blessing, each breath. You can rock in life by simply knowing that you are blessed, you are given each day as a gift. Open that gift lovingly and know that you are here for a reason. All that love you give is returned to you in triplicate. 

As you look around your home, taking in all the blessings you have been given, don't forget to consider the ceiling. The actual home you live in is a blessing. Many don't have a home. Far too many in our society actually. We (I'm including myself) take for granted all the things we are gifted. We forget that just getting up in the morning, no matter how much our bodies ache, no matter how much pain we may be in, is a blessing in itself. So breathe today! Enjoy your life and all you have been given. There is quite possibly a man down the street who doesn't have a home or clothes or enough food, but he is thankful for the park bench he can sleep on or he may be thankful for that coat he found in the alley, that breath he took this morning. 

I'm done preaching. Sorry. I get on a tangent about how many blessings we have because we simply need to "be," to look around, to feel what we have. Be thankful today. Thankful for the day, grateful for your friends, the breath you took this morning to begin the day, the clothes you have, the food you will eat. Give love to others around you, no matter the connection.

With that sermon out of the way, I proudly throw my chest out toward the heavens in a true Lion King moment, giving thanks for the day and my life. As I push toward the sky, one thought comes into my mind out of this gushing of pride, "Ah, shit. I forgot to take out the meat for dinner." And she's back ...

I'm going back to baking some bread and am finished with my weekly groove. Terry and I do wish happiness, joy, and abundance to all of you. Even when life doesn't go our way, be grateful. The universe has a different plan for you apparently. It's just not meant to be. Relax. Enjoy the ride and know that you are in capable hands. We love each and every one of you and thank you so much for reading the blog. It's a simple life, an elementary blog, but it is our life shared together and for that part of the plan, we are grateful. Love your blessings!

Just be.