Painting Party at Picasso’s Grapevine

April 14, 2015August 29, 2015 ~ Spence's Girl ~ 4 Comments

For those who follow my blog, you’ve seen references to my lifelong BFF who has been integral in injecting fun into my retirement life.

Yesterday, she gathered a group of family and friends for a painting party which is a new trend but the first time I’ve attended one. Held at Picasso’s Grapevine, the hostess brings in wine and snacks, the venue provides ice buckets, cups, corkscrews and the like. As we signed in we were given our own easel and canvas. She’d pre-selected our subject for painting which was on display – a kind of Van Gogh-esque Sunflower scene. In front of each easel were smocks, a large, medium and small brush, a cup of water (to clean our brushes) and a paper plate palate of acrylic paints in white, black, royal blue, burnt sienna, yellow, orange, red, green and purple. Our instructor, Heather, started us off with a toast and as we raised our glasses, she explained the process. At first we were all very quiet as we gripped our brushes with precision, getting the feel of painting. As time went on and wine was consumed, we loosened up. The painting became more intricate and the laughter ratcheted up as our group walked around to look at how others were interpreting the same instruction.

Our group, lifelong BFF and I are far left.

Over all, it was a blast and even though I don’t think I’m ready to start selling my art, I felt a sense of accomplishment by doing something outside of my comfort zone. It was fun, relaxing and I have a memento of our painting party as a bonus.

C'est Magnifique, no? — C’est Magnifique, no?

Sensory Deprivation or Floating Away Stress

November 19, 2014August 24, 2015 ~ Spence's Girl ~ Leave a comment

Everyday in retirement holds infinite possibilities for experiencing new things, traveling new places. And I’ve been one busy young retiree. Immediately after I retired my lifelong BFF found a 3 day Primordial Meditation Workshop – was I in? Abso-freaking-lutely! I knew meditation would be good for me but was always too stressed, too tired or too fill-in-the-blank to commit to it. Fast forward to now. I’ve rarely missed a day, sometimes meditating twice a day. Using a free smart phone app called Insight Timer, I’m up to 221 days, 87 hours of meditation and that doesn’t count the meditation done in my private yoga class. I began working with an awesome yoga instructor/life coach/spiritual guide every other week, leaving each class feeling more zen, younger and flexible.

So when my sister gave me a brochure to Great Lakes Floatation and asked me if I’d be interested in going, I thought “but of course”. I deduced that being in such a great mental place, I could easily handle being inside a sensory deprivation tank for an hour. Just me floating in a mega-salt water bath, in the dark. My sister by contrast, approached our girls-day-out in the midst of a catastrophic, money-hemmoraging home repair nightmare that for two days prior to the float included jackhammering her basement floor. I knew that she desperately needed this but wondered if she could “let it all go” and just float.

I needn’t have worried. There is something magical about the silky, tepid salt water. About the dark and total absence of sound. I repeated my meditation mantra for awhile, I think I dozed off a few times. I stretched and floated in a state of nirvana. I liken it to transporting back to the safety of the womb. (too much?)

When we emerged from our private tank and after a shower, we met up in the after-floatation lounge. I felt fantastic but the transformation in my sister was remarkable. All the frustration and stress that she carried in with her, had “floated” away.

My tank

My sister’s tank

Great Lakes Flotation LLC
5232 South Morrish Road, Swartz Creek, Michigan 48473 – in case you’re interested

Roomba, My New Toy

November 1, 2014August 24, 2015 ~ Spence's Girl ~ 2 Comments

I’ll admit, I’ve secretly coveted something my sister has for awhile now. I never let her know how I felt, trying to take the higher road and knowing, someday, I could have it too.

As fate would have it, last week the stars aligned when my 30% off Kohls coupon arrived, coupled with a sale price, $30 in Kohls Cash and free shipping. The universe sent me permission. And so, I did it. I bought an I-Robot Roomba. Now admittedly, convenience was a factor. After all I’m busy blogging now, taking yoga, traveling, meditating, creating gourmet meals for Spence but let’s not gild the lily. I’ve seen the youtube clips of cats, no smarter than my own, riding these Roombas while their owner’s floors were being cleaned. The first time out of it’s docking bay, I was so fascinated that I didn’t have a camera at hand and missed Tipper and the Biscuit’s initial reaction. And no, they didn’t hop on it. But it was hilarious, take my word for it. Today, I decided to unleash it in my kitchen/yoga space/pop-up dance floor (that’s a story for another day) and it did a fine job. The Biscuit was a bit less apprehensive this time out but when I suggested “hey kitten, hop on for a ride”, he shot me a look like “lay off the wine woman” and walked a safe distance away. I decided not to force it. For now…

Biscotti checking out the Roomba — The Biscuit checks out the Roomba. “You don’t scare me you little alien”

The Biscuit observes and protects as the Roomba hovers near his food dish. “Not gonna ride it” thinks Biscotti.

“Baby Got Back” and Finding the Right Pair of Yoga Pants

November 1, 2014September 10, 2015 ~ Spence's Girl ~ 2 Comments

Being a woman of both stature (6 feet tall) and shall we say, possessing a “curvy bod”, I’d always appreciated the sentiment in this song about the virtues of a prominent derriere. (for those of you not familiar “I like big butts but I cannot lie…”)

One of the great joys of yoga and retirement is the need for YOGA PANTS. I “needed” (seriously) new clothes in order to do yoga. Enter the discovery, via online shopping of Athleta.com who carries amazing stuff but to me, most importantly, Kick-Booty Yoga Pants – and in TALL SIZES. I ordered them, free shipping (hoorah) and then patiently tracked the package as it sped my way.

When it arrived I was as excited as a child on Christmas morning, racing upstairs and stripping off whatever I had on. I pulled them on, oh joy – comfortable, long, great fit all around. Then I turned around and checked out my “Kick-Booty” posterior in the mirror. It was magnificent! Needing further validation, I ran off to find Spence and model my new yoga pants. I think I even attempted to twerk (not something a woman of my age should try, but hey, it’s all about testing your limits – right?). Spence pronounced that I looked “amazing” and of course, at the end of the day, that’s what I was going for.