Category Archives: Summer of Intentionality

A way to ensure summer time is fun and productive.

Tiny Tips Tuesday: Summer of Intentionality – To Learn

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Dear Friend,

Have you started your Summer of Intentionality lists yet? I am super excited to report lots of people have reached out to say they are starting to think differently about how they spend their summer time and want to use their time a bit more intentionally. Please leave a comment or send me an email (tgbtsblog AT gmail) and let me know what you want to read, do and learn this summer!

A few friends contacted me to say my lists were kinda stressing them out because my reading and to do lists are pretty long. This is such a great point! My lists {especially the fun ones} are long on purpose.

I spend a great deal of time (as do you) dealing with the seriousness of grown up life that when I have some free time rather than having fun on purpose or spending time getting lost in a good novel I find myself at the bottom of a Facebook rabbit hole wondering where the last two hours of my life went. {Please tell me I’m not the only one….}

These lists are mostly a reminder to myself that fun doesn’t have to be super planned or time consuming, it can be as simple as eating our meals outside away from all the screens or laying on a blanket in the backyard reading another Mercy Watson book out loud to my daughter.

There is probably no way possible for me to finish all the items on my lists. In fact, that’s part of the project for me – to see what I actually do by the end of the summer. So much of my life has been productivity driven, at least for the summer months I want to be sure to mix in some fun. And to let go of the idea that if something makes my list that I am obligated to finish it.

I say BOO to that business. Summer is for fun! And reading! And learning! Without further ado…

to learn

TGBTS/Tami’s 2014 Summer To Learn List:

  • Webby things. It is my intention to have a sparkly NEW WEBSITE to reveal by Labor Day.
  • Instagram is my favorite social media site. I would like to learn how to use it effectively.
  • How to look good in a photo to myself. I will let you know when I figure it out. I think the answer might be different than we first think.
  • Positive Discipline techniques for my professional three and a half year old. It might involve locking myself in the bathroom.
  • How to prepare vegan salads (you’d think that would be a given….) that I want to eat every day of my life. I will share what I learn.
  • How to do some basic hand lettering and water color. Ever since I took an art journalling class I’ve been a little obsessed with water coloring and I’ve recently fallen down the let’s pin all the hand lettering pins rabbit hole.

I do hope you decide to make you own Summer of Intentionality lists. If you’d like to take a peek at some of my lists from the past click here.

With lots of love and compassion,

Tami

xo

PS – If you find this helpful or know someone who would, please be sure to pass it on. Sharing is caring!

Other posts you might like:

Leisure Stress Defined

Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life From Dear Sugar (aka Cheryl Strayed

10 Things I Loved In March 2013

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Tiny Tips Tuesday: Make the Most of Your Summer – Part 2

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Dear Friend,

Have you started your Summer of Intentionality lists yet? {Missed last week’s Part One: To Read post? Check it out here for details}…

summer of intentionality part two to doToday I share with you my Summer of Intentionality To Do List aka my list of fun things I want to be sure to experience this summer.

TGBTS/Tami’s 2014 Summer To DO List:

  • Take my daughter on vacation alone – Portland in June, Truckee/Tahoe in July, Minnesota in August. So I can go to Curve Camp in Nashville all by myself!
  • Ride the steam train in Tilden Park
  • Take my daughter on a city bus, a light rail and a train. She’s totally into things that go right now.
  • Read 100 picture books with my girl – already well on our way!
  • Make {dairy-free} ice cream
  • Kayaking at Lake Natoma
  • Read outside – at the park, at the pool, at the beach, in the hammock.
  • Attend at least 10 yoga classes at It’s All Yoga and use my Curvy Monthly classes at home.
  • Host a neighbor get-together – homemade ice pops me thinks.
  • Return to weekly meal planning
  • Daily meditation – already started!
  • River Cats baseball game
  • Family bike ride
  • Complete the library reading program with the little one. I sign up every year and have yet to finish.
  • Splash in a splash pad.
  • Swimming pool most evenings (and swimming lessons for the little one – already signed up)
  • Watercolor with the little one – already started. We both LOVE it.
  • Art days: paint outside on easel, paint vistas outside
  • Drive in movie
  • Fishing with the grandparents.
  • Wash car – at home and at the car wash.
  • Picnic lunches with post lunch rinse offs in the water table – already have done several days and everyone feels better.
  • Breakfasts outside with our lonely cat – such a great way to start the day! We’ve been eating outside for a week and I’ll be sad when it is over.
  • Patio dinners with friends.
  • Farmer’s markets on every day of the week – meaning go to new ones around town.
  • Play in the sprinkler
  • Go to the beach and play in the waves
  • Fly a kite at the beach and at the lake house.
  • Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge
  • Investigate the Crocker Art Museum
  • Visit Mendocino County grandparents
  • Visit Bay Area grandparents
  • Visit Minnesota grandparents
  • Build a sandcastle at the beach
  • Make sidewalk paint/chalk
  • Walk 100 miles
  • Drink fruit infused water – cucumber, lime, watermelon, pineapple. YUM!
  • Take a wagon ride
  • Family hike somewhere cool.

Are you noticing a pattern? Not a typical to-do list! A list of fun things that would get lost in the day to day of life (or in the air conditioned house watching endless hours of Sprout) unless we are intentional with our time.

I do hope you decide to make you own Summer of Intentionality lists. Please leave a comment or send me a message and tell me all about it. If you’d like to take a peek at some of my lists from the past click here.

With lots of love and compassion,

Tami

xo

PS – If you find this helpful or know someone who would, please be sure to pass it on. Sharing is caring!

Other posts you might like:

Teacher Travels: De Yound Edition

Teacher Travels: Academy of Sciences

Meet the Teacher

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Tiny Tips Tuesday: Make the Most of Your Summer

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Dear Friend,

Summer.

That word alone brings to mind a kind of freedom from the have-to’s in life to more a may-do way of living. Everything slows down and we are finally able to fully exhale. Our family takes the summer away from school (one of the serious benefits of being a teacher) and we dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to doing what we like to do.

It hasn’t always been this way. We used to save all the yucky house projects for summer break and then spend the summer avoiding them and not really getting anything accomplished and also not having that much fun.

Enter the Summer of Intentionality. {thank you, Rosie!}

You can click the link above for the whole story, but it pretty much comes down to this – in order to get the most out of your summer – plan what you want to learn, what you want to do and what you want to read. – You don’t even have to be a teacher to play along!

summer of intentionality part one to read

TGBTS/Tami’s 2014 Summer Reading List:

The Next Best Thing by Jennifer Weiner

Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson

Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates The Soul by Stuart Brown

How to Be a Woman by Caitlyn Moran

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding

And I am hoping many, many more… I’m also signing up for the Sacramento Public Library’s Summer Reading Program for even more incentive to read this summer.

Have you ever been accused of reading too much? Is there really such a thing? What are you reading this summer?

I do hope you decide to make you own Summer of Intentionality lists. Please leave a comment and tell me all about it. If you’d like to take a peek at some of my lists from the past click here.

With lots of love and compassion,

Tami

xo

PS – If you find this helpful or know someone who would, please be sure to pass it on. Sharing is caring!

Other posts you might like:

43 Books (but it really is only 39)

Books I Love: Mindset

Books I Love: Steal Like an Artist

No Seriously…. I LOVE BOOKS. Lots and Lots of BOOKS

If you enjoyed this post, get email updates (it’s FREE).

summer break

Please send me an email if you’d like to schedule a private session.

Making the Most of Summer Break: Halfway Check In

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summer of intentionality 2013

Oh my goodness, friends, I just realized we have hit the halfway mark for summer break 2013. *gulp*

It’s both good and bad news. I’ll leave the bad news up to you, but the good news is there is still time to make some summer break plans to learn, to do and to read.

Have you made your list of things to learn, to do and to read yet?

Here’s my update:

Summer of Intentionality 2013:

Things I Want to Learn:

Skype – – I have used it and am LOVING IT! It feels nothing short of a miracle every time it works. My dad asked me a “technical” question about how Skype works the other day on a video chat and my answer was “It’s magic!” and that pretty much sums up how I feel about the whole thing. I totally wish I would have started using it earlier.

Hootsuite – I’ll just say there is still time in the summer for me to give it a go.

Movie Maker – I’ve been playing around with camera placement, lighting and getting ideas together. Look for some new videos from me in the next few months.

Student Motivation – I am so excited to be learning about the research behind motivation. More on that below.

Things I Want to Do:

My Activities:

Yoga class twice a week at It’s All Yoga – a work in progress! I’m going to class more than I have been in the last couple months, but not making that twice a week goal. Something to work on.

Daily restorative yoga – dude. I need to get on this one.

Manicure – Must schedule appointment.

Pedicure – Must schedule appointment. Is this a good time to talk about my fear of getting oglies from getting a pedicure? Because I really think that is what is holding me back.

Foot massage -Someone may need to hold my hand on this one.

90 Minute full body massage July AND August appointments are on the books.

Road trip to see Rhett Miller with friends. Show tickets are purchased. Now we need to rent a car and find good places to sleep. I may also try to convince my friend to go to a restorative yoga class in SF.

Ride my bike for errands. – Dude, where’s my bike?

Nap in a hammock.- The hammock has been put together and has clocked lots of reading hours. The cat and the kid fight over who gets to try to knock me off. Needless to say, I may have to switch this from napping to reading. Just for safety if nothing else.

Make pie. Good god, I love pie. – So many pies have been made and consumed this summer.

Family activities:

Visit Minnesota grandparents – DONE

Visit Bay Area grandparents – DONE several times!

Visit Mendo County grandparents – in the scheduling process.

Visit Portland friends – they are coming here instead of me going there. Two on the books.

Visit the swimming pool several times a week as a family – Best.Idea.Ever. We’ve been meeting another family there for dinner and swimming more nights and it is simply the best. I’m going to be sad when summer ends.

Ride bikes as a family. – I am not even sure where my bike is at this point.

Go to the farmer’s market together. – So far it’s been teams of two, not three, but we go several times a week.

Cook outside at the pool and eat dinner there. – We haven’t cooked there, but we’ve brought lots of picnic food with us. I love summer food! Especially when it is shared with good friends.

Fruit picking – DONE

Late add: Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge – on the schedule

Late add: Tuesday Night BBQ – on the schedule

Things I Want to Read:

Complete the summer reading program at the library.

 Just Kids by Patti Smith – It was so different than what I thought it was going to be I have to say I was just surprised. I liked it, not loved it. I learned a lot, but completely different stuff than I had anticipated.

Mindful Teaching and Teaching Mindfulness – I have it, but haven’t started it yet.

Steal Like An Artist – by Austin Kleon. I reviewed it here.

Uncertainty by Jonathan Fields – I have it, but haven’t started it yet.

Mindset by Carol Dweck – I’m almost finished with it and if I have seen you in person recently I’ve told you to read it. Can’t wait to tell you more about it.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – I’m on page 556 and I’m still in, so it must be good.

That’s my mid summer update!

 How are you making the most of what’s left of summer break?

Summer of Intentionality — Part Two: To Do

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Here are last year’s To Read, To Learn, and To Do. 

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2012 Summer of Intentionality 

To Do:

Many of my summer to-dos can also be found on my 43 Before 43 list.

Clean up my bike and run errands on it all summer long.

Take Ruby to see live music.

Host a baby shower.

Travel Plans:

Road trip to Portland.

Road trip to Anderson Valley.

Bay Area visits to see friends and family and escape the 1,000 burning suns in Sacramento.

Air trip to Texas to visit my mom.

Act like a tourist in Sacramento:

Crocker Art Museum.

Railroad Museum.

Kayaking.

House work:

Wall of shelves in the dining room.

Entry way re-do.

Bedroom spruce.

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What’s on your to-do list this summer? Fun and functional?

Please click on images for source.

Summer of Intentionality — Part One: To Read

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Last summer I came up with an ambitious list of activities which fell into three categories: To Read, To Learn, and To Do. The original reason behind all the summer planning came about because, quite honestly, I had a tendency to waste a lot of time on the internet and not have much to show for it.

So when I read about Rosie’s Summer of Intentionality, I knew this would be a way for me to best use my time away from the responsibilities of work.

Now that I’m home with Ruby, it’s still about making the best use of my summer time with my family and of my me time. Over the next few posts I’ll be revealing my To Read, To Learn and To Do lists.

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2012 Summer of Intentionality

To Read:

Clearly I am a non-fiction reader, so if you could suggest your do-not-miss fiction titles, I would greatly appreciate it.

What is on your summer reading list?

Second Chances and Do Overs: Let’s Talk Fitness, Friends.

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Back in the days before I became a Stay-At-Home-Mom/teacher on parental leave/person without a fulltime job or baby – yet – (otherwise known as July), I was talking about making a commitment to regular exercise when I returned to work.

Uh, well, yeah.

I didn’t return to work and then we tore up the walls in the house and hired painters and I decided to rip the ugly carpet out of Ruby’s room without a plan and well, my commitment to fitness disappeared in a frenzy of the furniture-is-in-the-wrong-room-ness.

Can you relate?

In part of my fitness hiatus I’ve been spending a lot of some time on Pinterest. Hello, new eye candy.

Anyway, there are lots of words of wisdom on the internet.

Who knew?

I would like to think of this time as a second chance for fitness. In a lifelong series of second chances. It is my belief humans requiring exercise to be healthy and sane is a design flaw.

Amy over at Just A Titch has been writing about her fitness journey and she’s got some great ideas about food planning, getting hydrated and rethinking your body image.

Here’s what I’ve learned about myself and exercise.

I love it being done. I’m pretty lukewarm/chilly about actually doing it. {is your head nodding?}

I am a social exerciser. If I am by myself, I’m most likely not going or doing.

The weight room fascinates me.  Where are the women folk? I like lifting heavy stuff and feeling strong.

As it turns out, I like walking outside. Especially in the not-hot part of the day when it is light. I think they call it morning.

My gym is awesome because it is remarkably clean and has the best sauna/steam/soak spot. {Justifying the large price tag? Yes, yes I am.}

Now you – What are your fitness secrets?

What do you do?

Where do you do it?

Who do you do it with?

What time of day do you do it?

What motivates you?

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I’m feeling a bit lost in it all these days. Lots of time, lots to do, mostly just running things through my mind.

Please tell me your fitness secrets (or questions/complaints or whatever) in the comments. Let’s start a conversation.

Anyone want to exercise with me?

Images: click for source

Teacher Travels: deYoung Museum – Masterpieces From The Musee National Picasso, Paris

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What do you get when three teachers travel together?

A whole lot of awesome, that’s what.

Our plan was multifaceted:  Help me with my Summer of Intentionality list, escape the Sacramento heat, enjoy a leisurely lady date and a visit to the deYoung in San Francisco to see the Picasso: Masterpieces From The Musee National Picasso, Paris.

Alicia {4th grade teacher/textile artist/owner of Spirit House Designs}, Amy {high school English teacher/blogger extraordinaire Just a Titch} and I {yoga teacher/school teacher on parental leave – holy crap!} were super excited to see this exhibit and to not have to travel to Paris to do so.

Travel tips from Sacramento to the deYoung Museum {AKA a whole lot less expensive than a trip to Paris!}

1. To make sure you can get into the exhibit, please order your tickets online before you go. $25 for the general public and $15 for members. Or special pricing for others – see link for details.

2. The tickets are time and date stamped so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get there.

3. Know that even on a midday Tuesday, you’ll be swimming in people. {I was surprised and wondered why everyone wasn’t at work. Forgot about all the tourists!}

4. Need to know how to get to the deYoung? Check out my post on getting to the Academy of Sciences. They are in the same part of Golden Gate Park.

5. Once you finish with the exhibit, be sure to check out the deYoung Cafe for a glass of wine and lunch. We did.

The wine totally helped us get over the weird goat thing Picasso had going on.

Pretty sure the polenta was loaded with dairy. My taste buds were dancing!

Other things to while in San Francisco:

Giggle at the Segway silliness.

Dig your feet into the sand at Ocean Beach {get back on the N-Judah and head all the way down to the beach}.

How do you spend your time in San Francisco?

Teacher Travels: San Francisco Academy of Sciences

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Summer of Intentionality is really starting to kick into high gear has seriously taken on new meaning since we found out we’ll be traveling abroad in six WEEKS. Local travel and visiting museums sans baby is one of my top priorities this summer and the first really hot day in Sacramento made for an excellent escape to the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.

Travel tips from Sacramento to the Academy of Sciences (many thanks to Leili for her inspiration and itinerary}:

1. Get to BART after 10am in order to park in the lot. Spots open up at 10 – don’t forget your parking spot number – and to pay $1.00 for your space after you enter the station {you can take it off your BART card if you have enough money on the card}. There is a machine before you get to the platform inside the station.

2. Get off BART at any of the downtown SF stations and take Muni -the N- Judah ($4.00 round trip) and get off at 9th Avenue and follow the signs to Golden Gate Park. It takes about 20 minutes to stroll over.

{Or stay on the train and go visit Ocean Beach. Who knew? Oh San Francisco, I love you even more than I did before.}

3. Bring your Muni card to the ticket counter for a $3.00 discount on your admission fee. {every little bit helps or it almost pays for itself}.

4. We brought a lunch and picnicked in the grove in front of the museum where my sweetheart tried to scare me with tales of The Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

5. Bring a jacket.

And a scarf.

And a hat.

Did I mention we were escaping the heat? 40 degrees “cooler” in SF. Otherwise known as cold.

Or awesome.

Whatevs.

6. Not a museum tip, a post tip: These photos are all straight from my camera since I have not yet mastered the art of photo editing {and I may never}. That being said, please leave really nice comments about their professional quality and the witty captions you can only see if you roll your cursor over the photo.

7. Roll you cursor over the photos and laugh. A lot. At the awesomeness.

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First stop:

Rain forests of the Americas

While I took that photo above, this was happening right behind me. {It’s because he’s so sweet}.

How cool would it be if we all had backsides like this guy?

No, not that guy.

The butterfly!

Next up:

Down to the aquarium.

Did I ever tell you about the dream I had about walking through the Shark Experience tube-thingy where it broke and suddenly I was swimming with sharks? I didn’t? Dude, it was scary.

Guess who took 10,721 pictures of the jelly fish? I shall only share one. You’re welcome.

Not only do I want a pet jelly fish so I can take its picture, I’d really like this guy.

Well, not this guy, but one of his living friends.

Birds of Prey? Yes, please!

Ever since I started teaching third grade and studying city wildlife, I’ve been noticing and appreciating birds and their adaptations.

Have I ever mentioned how much I love third grade science?

It’s true.

What about you? Do you love science? Third grade or otherwise?

Summer of Intentionality Progress Report: To Learn

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Oh friends, this Summer of Intentionality list is proving to be the most difficult. Learning new things is challenging my brain in ways I hadn’t expected. Please send me your tips and advice!

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To Learn: The whole list

Status update:

Weightlifting 101 – my friend and I have a standing date for the gym every week day of this summer. I’ve only taken one day away {first day of my tiny cold}.

Success!

So far we’ve concentrated on the basics: actually going to the gym {make that 2 days away – our first day we ended up at the Fox and Goose for breakfast, so don’t think the getting there is too small a detail}, using the standard weight machines that run the perimeter of the room and this week even venturing into the middle of the room where the more complicated weight machines live.

What I’m learning from this weight room experience is a) I love how it feels to push myself physically b) I’m totally intimidated to be down in that manly space without my girlfriend c) In order to maintain the results and benefits from this I’m going to have to do this every damn day of my life {thanks for the reminder, Amy!}.

The good news is I have a partner in crime who has the same fitness goals and I’ve already started to brain storm ways to keep this daily physical practice going once I return to work. I’m toying with the idea of before work training sessions. Maybe not every day, but who knows?

Any advice on building fitness into your daily schedule?

Status Update:

Knitting Lesson #1

I met with my lovely knitting teacher at Temple and she patiently showed me the ropes and even made a video our lesson. Benefit of working with a technology teacher? I’m thinking so.

What I am learning:  The hard parts of actually remembering to knit a little each day (tie a piece of yarn around my finger?), not totally freaking out about what to do when I mess up and scheduling a follow-up lesson. Lessons a plenty here. Keeping the inner critics chilled out is an exercise in and of itself.

Any ideas on how to get myself to remember to practice? Have I ever mentioned how much I need to practice practicing?

Status Update:

Skype Lesson #1

A webcam has been procured and Skype been added to my computer.

What I am learning: I am so not a fan of learning. I am a fan of already being good at stuff or faking it behind the scenes until I am able to confidently fake it in front of others. Hello, perfectionist monsters!

I think making a connection or two with close friends needs to happen so I can feel more comfortable using the new setup.

Any tips for getting more comfortable with technology? Care to share your embarrassing technology stories to help me feel better?

Status Update:

Photo Editing Lesson #1

Another lesson. Can you tell I’ve been crazy busy lately?

What I am learning: Again with the hard part: practice. It looks like I might have to bust out a daily 15 minute schedule on myself. I didn’t want it to have to come to that, but stuff isn’t getting done without it. Why am I so much like my 3rd graders in this way?

Status Update:

Backyard Traveling – definitely my favorite {most comfortable} part. I’ll be posting later in a little Teacher Travels series.

What I’m learning: I really love going bye-bye. Day trips, museums, visits to the ocean? Love them all. Oh and Northern California looks a lot like Europe this time a year.

What is your favorite Northern California destination?

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The biggest lesson for me in this process is I really, really like starting new projects and I still have trouble with the small doses every day part of practicing new skills. It would seem I really enjoy the grand gesture, big picture, the newness of things and have a seriously underdeveloped practice muscle. Still I have weeks left to go before I return to work, so there are still many opportunities for learning.

Please leave me tips, advice or a progress report about what you’re learning this summer.


Summer of Intentionality Progress Report: To Read

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I’m already a huge reader during the school year, so when summer break comes along my reading habit gets kicked into overdrive.  I’ve heard rumors that one’s ability to read decreases dramatically when one has a little one roaming their home, so I better enjoy my last pre-kid summer of reading.

To Read: The list:

Status update: All the books on my list have been purchased, checked out and/or borrowed. They’re all here just waiting to be read.

So what have I actually been reading?

Not what’s on my list, of course! I’m wacky that way, I guess. Plus, I have so many books to read because I’m trying to win an iPad2.

The REAL reading list {for now}:

Vegan with a Vengeance by Isa Chandra Moskowitz – full of ideas for my dairy-free living.

I finished BossyPants by Tina Fey in about 2 days. I definitely recommend it, but I have to say I didn’t find it to be side-splittingly funny like people made it out to be. I found her to be smart more than funny and I’ve decided we’d be great friends should we ever meet. So if you’ve got an in with Liz Lemon, let me know.

Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe. Yes, West Wing/Hotel New Hampshire Rob Lowe. Admittedly, I got this book from the library after seeing him speak about it on Oprah. He’s still so handsome (sparkly really, in a pretty like a girl way) that I desperately wanted to know his beauty secrets. Hence, I’m reading the book. Oh yeah, and he hung out with all the actors of my generation and I probably wouldn’t mind hearing gossip about them too.

I’m only part of the way through, so I’ll have to get back to you on the beauty secrets and the celebrity gossip. Warning: If you decide to read it, either read the first chapter with a large grain of salt or skip it. It kind of sounds like a Sam Seaborne speech: earnest, longing, wistful.

The husband and I have been pecking away at What to Expect The First Year and having super funny conversations about the details of our impending parenthood.

“T” is For Trespass – don’t hate, friends. I’ve read almost all of these alphabet books. It’s been at least a decade since I’ve read one and I need a mystery for my Summer Reading Bingo card, so there you have it.

What are you reading this summer? Not your what would make you sound smart or be cool, but  your real reading list?

Summer of Intentionality Progress Report: To Do

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Summer of Intentionality 2011 is off to a great start! I’ve been ticking items of my three lists and am happy to report progress is being made on all. So much so, it’s been difficult to find time to write posts and keep up with reading my favorites.

Over all I’m happy with feeling productive and remembering that putting out effort to make things happen a) doesn’t take that much effort and b) can be loads of fun. This has come as a huge relief to me because I would hate to feel like my summer has been “wasted” on frivolous stuff. At least this summer my frivolity is planned frivolity, dammit.

{Ed. note – please click the links – there is good stuff hidden there. Such good stuff, you too, can fall down the internet rabbit hole. I’ll see you at the bottom!]

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To Do: The whole list

Status update:

Dinner with Vanessa and Jeannie in Oakland at Burma Superstar – even included a ride on the back of JP’s new scooter!

Farmer’s market last Sunday under the freeway and Wednesday’s at Chavez Park

Many fruits and veggies consumed since the beginning of the summer.

Swimming in a pool – check

Yoga class with Michelle, Madeleine and Bob all of whom I love and highly recommend.

What have I learned about myself from my To Do list?

Saying yes to fun is, not surprisingly, more fun than saying no. You can, in fact, do more than one fun thing in a day and it can be exponentially more fun. Most of you are probably shaking your head by now.

What can I say? I think I may be lazier than the average bear. The result of too many restorative yoga classes? In any case, more fun equals more fun!

Saying yes is also really tiring for those of us who don’t drink coffee or sleep well.  Grandma may just need to take more naps — why didn’t naps make this list???

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What about you? How is your summer going?

Saturday Senses

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A way to capture the spirit of each week…

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tasting :: pork banh mi sandwiches and thai iced tea

hearing ::  the squeal of bart tracks under the bay. can’t they get a little wd-40 action going on in there?

smelling :: fog!

seeing :: dinosaur fossils, penguins, stars and rain forest plants

feeling ::  connected. i’ve been seeing friends in sacramento and the bay area almost daily. yay team!

wishing/hoping ::  summer of intentionality knitting lessons start next week {with miz mercer} and i’m hoping i can keep my light/playful exploring attitude about it. learning new stuff can sometimes be a challenge for my goal driven brain.

What about you?

What are your senses this Saturday?

Looking back, how was your week?

Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.

This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.

Don’t forget to click the links!

Saturday Senses

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A way to capture the spirit of each week…

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tasting :: lentils for breakfast/lunch {with quinoa+asparagus+pecans} and dinner {tacos – who knew?}.

hearing ::  queen’s greatest hits on repeat

smelling :: cherries

seeing :: a year-long writing plan emerge from genuine collaboration – go 3rd grade team!

feeling ::  unexpectedly rested and revived despite working all week. must be the change of pace.

wishing/hoping :: for a bay area trip to happen this week and for me to start my summer of intentionality.

What about you?

What are your senses this Saturday?

Looking back, how was your week?

Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.

This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.

Don’t forget to click the links!

Summer of Intentionality Part 3: What I Want to Read

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Curious about the Summer of Intentionality? Check out Part 1 :What I Want to Learn and Part 2: What I Want to Do

What I Want To Read:

I am participating in the Sacramento Public Library’s Summer Reading Program {and trying to win an iPad 2}.

You can too! If you read my books, let’s get together for tea {or online} to discuss.

My Summer 2011 Reading List

Good Enough Is the New Perfect by Hollee Schwartz Temple and Becky Beaupre Gillespie

Don’t miss It’s All Yoga’s author event with Hollee on June 25th!

Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown

Watch her Ted Talk – if this doesn’t make you want to read this book, I don’t even know what to say.

Beautiful You by Rosie Molinary

In addition to being an accomplished author, Rosie is also an adoptive momma. Her adoption posts are some of the best I’ve read.

What to Expect The First Year by Heidi Murkoff

Better find out what we’re getting ourselves into with Miss Ruby!

Toddler Adoption: The Weaver’s Craft by Mary Hopkins Best

One that’s been recommended by many.

Anything you think I should add to my list?

What’s are you reading this summer?

Summer of Intentionality Part 2: What I Want to Do

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My Summer of Intentionality List continues.

What I Want to Do:

– Visit friends. Bay Area friends especially. So close and yet I don’t see them nearly as often as I’d like.

– Visit Portland friends too. Love them and the Pacific Northwest summer weather.

– Make daily writing a habit.

– Schedule the rest of 2011’s Featured Teachers Interviews. {Are you an amazing teacher? Do you know an amazing teacher? I’m looking for more to interview for the series.}

– Visit a different farmer’s market each week.

– Eat fruit and vegetables at every meal.

– Make and photograph a meal a week from the market.

– Go swimming. In a pool. In a river. In an ocean. Seems totally doable.

– Yoga classes. As a yoga teacher, I find it a) hard to get to class and b) incredibly inspiring when I do.

What do you want to do this summer? Would you like to have an Intentional Summer? You can! Leave your list in the comments or write a post of your own and link back.

Stay tuned for 2011’s Summer Reading List.

Summer of Intentionality Part One: What I Want to Learn

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Thinking back over the summers since becoming a teacher I’ve noticed a pattern. International travel every other year and lots of hanging out not doing much the other years.

Not a bad gig, if you can get it.

But this summer is different. This summer is the summer before we become parents.

We’ve got baby things to prepare for and house projects galore. The travels of  past summers were exciting and gave me lots of cool things to talk about, but if I’m honest, a lot of that time wasn’t time spent on purpose.

The hanging out doing nothing much? Clearly, not so mindful.

This summer shall be different. This summer shall be full of intention and mindfulness.

And FUN!

Let’s not forget the FUN!

I declare summer 2011 the Summer of Intentionality.

Thanks to my Twitter friend, author Rosie Molinary, for inspiring this project.

Here’s her summer list.

What I Want to Learn:

1. How to edit photos.

I’ve downloaded Picasa and my new photos of the old 97’s show last weekend. Sounds like a match made in heaven.

2. How to Skype.

This was a Winter Break intention and yet still no webcam. I will join the 21st century this summer!

3. How to knit.

Recently I saw some women knitting at the airport looking so peaceful, I decided in that moment I wanted to become one of them. Knitting looks like quiet activity that keeps me busy, but doesn’t involve a screen.

4. How to use the weight room at the gym.

So many interesting machines and I have no idea how to use them. My thinking is I’ll better mix up my workouts and keep it fresh.

5. How to be a traveler in my own backyard.

Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area was great, except for the part I never went to any of the attractions because I grew up there. This summer I plan to make a bunch of day trips back to the Bay Area to see the sights and escape the Sacramento heat.

Goals:

Ferry to San Francisco

Brush up on my science and get inspired for next school year at the Academy of Sciences.

See some of Picasso’s pieces at the DeYoung.

Take in some modern art at SFMOMA.

Stick my toes in the sand and swim in the ocean at Stinson Beach.

What is your must see/do in San Francisco?

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Stay tuned for more Summer of Intentionality goals: What I Want to Read and What I Want to Do.

Feel free to join in the fun.

Would you like to teach me how to do my stuff or learn along side me?

Would you like to come up with a list of your own?

I’d love to hear how you are spending your summer.  Leave your plans in the comments.


Saturday Senses

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A way to capture the spirit of each week…

i took that photo!

{photo credit: me}

tasting :: strawberry lemonade popsicle from fat face inside bows and arrows. it’s going to be a delicious summer.

hearing ::  mine has returned to normal after the amazing old 97’s show at harlow’s last saturday night.

smelling :: cookies, cakes and muffins – oh my! my students loved sweet treats at their end of the year celebration.

seeing :: twenty + resting yogis this week. we’re starting a resting revolution, friends!

feeling ::  grateful for the few minutes of conversation with rhett after the show. topics: twitter, kids, a cheer squad meet up in the middle of the country – {he suggested chicago} and the glamour of life on the road.

wishing/hoping :: for the sweet balance between complete freedom and intentionality with my precious time off.

What about you?

What are your senses this Saturday?

Looking back, how was your week?

Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.

This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.

Don’t forget to click the links!

In Case You Missed It Edition! Volume 31

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Each week I’ll give you links to posts that made me laugh, cry, think or at least raise an eyebrow. Please click the links and check out the posts. You may find something that rocks your world too.

Leave me some feedback in the form of comments below on what you liked, what you hated and what you’d like to see more of. I’m here to help you find the best of what is online.

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A completely insane week. I can’t believe I was just in Texas last week. Nutty.

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My Best Of…

Do you ever feel like you are living a double life? A work you and a you you? My life is definitely much more integrated than ever before and yet Summer Tams still exists. Check out Madeleine’s post about bringing yourselves back together: Code Names and Living A Double Life

Interested in learning to meditate and aren’t sure where to start? Check out The Open Heart Project.

We Are What We Do – kinda says it all, huh? via Charlotte’s Fancy.

What are you doing this summer? My new favorite blogger, Rosie Molinary’s, post Summer of Intentionality got my wheels churning.

Jenna from This Is My Happiness (formerly Adventures of a 21st Century Family) did an awesome post about an upcoming Picasso exhibit straight from Musée National Picasso, Paris. I’m adding it to my summer today list right now, what about you?

Speaking of this summer…. have you read Good Enough is the New Perfect yet? If not, get yourself a copy and start thinking about what you’d say to the author is you got to meet her because Hollee Schwartz Temple will be in Sacramento at It’s All Yoga in late June. Details to follow.

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That is the In Case You Missed It Edition for this week, folks.

Remember to click the links and leave some comments. This is a conversation, you know.

In Case You Missed Edition Archives -click it to see them all.