"BREATHE WITH YOUR EYES" Dish Towel

One of my newest designs! This one is special because, in only a few phrases, it sums up my Girl Reinvented travel adventure – and a man I met along the way.  

Live FREE

Be Brave

Seek Adventure

Breathe With Your Eyes

Do you understand the meaning of "Breathe with your eyes?" Of course, it's subjective, but for me, it means slowing down, paying attention to the small details, and absorbing each moment (into my soul). It's a reminder to be fully present and appreciate all the beauty surrounding me.

I wish I could take credit for the saying, but I can't. During my adventure, I was occasionally on Match, the dating site. My profile read, "I left NYC to travel the country..." As you can imagine, men were not lining up to date me. However, I did receive a tremendous amount of supportive emails -- which surprised me. 

One particular email stood out from the rest. It was from a man named Jerome, "I missed you on both ends," his email read. He had just left San Francisco to move to NYC, and I was, sitting smack in the middle of America, at the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers, reading his email. Jerome had traveled the country quite a bit and even hitchhiked across Canada alone -- he understood. "I would suggest some sites to see along the way, but I don't think that's necessary as your heart will guide you. The advice I will give you, however, is to breathe with your eyes." His words touched me, unlike anything I had read before. That single phrase embodied my entire journey. He did understand. He didn't try to tell me where I should go and impose his beliefs on me. Instead, he respected the deeply personal path I was on. My journey of solitude was spiritual and liberating, free from noise, judgment, and obligation. When you allow your heart to guide you, right and wrong doesn't exist. I didn't rely on books to tell me how I should feel. No one was correcting me, and I was free from expectations. I was learning to slow down and experience the soul-quenching journey in my own way. l was alone, allowed to process my emotions and feelings on my terms, and with each breath, I branded memories into my soul forever. Spicy or mild, cooked or raw, my journey was simple yet complex, and most importantly, it was mine and mine alone. 

match mishaps

I have been pleasantly surprised by Match. Most emails I receive are incredibly sincere and genuinely nice. I think most of the yahoos are turned off by the fact I'm traveling. Fine with me! While most are nice, Match wouldn't be Match if you didn't have the occasional weirdo! This just came through (again) so I just had to share.... 

Hi Beauty 
Enjoyed your profile and would like to learn more. Also and while hoping to avoid the obvious find you quite attractive. In addition to manufacturing lubricant powders I also have a publicly visable business that breeds much gossip (a full service restaurant/banquet site). Typically I keep my profile off as I prefer a little anonimity with respect to our staff and guests although would be happy to send it if your interest is piqued. 
Enjoy the rest of your day. 

Let's dissect this... FIRST MISTAKE: do not mention you manufacture lubricant powders! What!? Are you serious? I don't care if your lubricant powder cures cancer or mixed with water can feed a village. As noble as your lubricant powder might be, it's weird and gross to put that in an email to some girl you're trying to date! SECOND MISTAKE: this is the same exact email I received from him two months ago. He's clearly a "copy and paste" bandit. I wonder how many other "Match Girls" received this email. I bet THAT'S an alarming statistic!!

Btw, I have the utmost respect for anyone on Match (heck I'm on there!). I would never be disrespectful and post anyone's name! This is just funny and harmless to share! :) 

glacier heli tour ! a view from above!

Yoga reaps many benefits: more flexibility, better posture, mind, body, spirit connection AND meeting nice guys that will take you on a helicopter tour of Glacier National Park!

I took a wonderful Hatha Yoga class last week at Healing Yoga in Kalispell (still need to update that post). After class, Phil, one of my fellow yogis started chatting with me. I could tell he was a genuine, super nice guy. He emailed me the following day and invited me on a Heli Tour as he was traveling for business and one of his co-workers cancelled. I couldn't refuse!  

The tour was experience I'll never forget. There were periods of sheer terror, coupled with the sensation of hurling and adrenalne fueled by manic laughter! I'm afraid of heights so I was borderline terrified. We literally bounced around like ping pongs sandwiched between two glaciers. It was insane but INCREDIBLE! Ahhhh An aerial view of Glacier National Park is a breathtaking, awe-inspring perspective. I highly recommend it!

THANK YOU PHIL!!!!

SEE MORE GLACIER PICS HERE!

finding mr. right,... on match?

ON-LINE DATING ON-THE-ROAD!

I am incredibly happy and love my independence. Being single definitely has its perks, but I definitely wouldn't mind being "coupled" again someday. I'm certainly in no hurry, and I believe that is evident in the fact that I quit my job and set out on a cross country adventure alone with my dog. I am temporarily homeless and living in a camper, which looks more like a pimped out dog kennel. I do eventually want to meet that perfect guy. He's rugged, passionate, ambitious and adventurous. Do you know him? He's a man's man, but likes women. haha OMG I crack myself up. Anyway, I couldn't sit around and wait for him. I needed to LIVE my life and do things for me that I'd been putting off. I'll meet him some day and when I do, I'll never look back and "wish" there were things in my life I'd done, because I'm doing them. AMEN!

So I got to thinking, it couldn't hurt to go online and see who's "out there" (literally, across the country). I've been on Match before and as long as you don't take it too seriously, it's quite entertaining and who knows you could actually meet someone. Sure you might have to "block" the occasional stalker, but thankfully it's an option.

It's been a couple of weeks and I've chatted with some pretty cool guys online, albeit both from NYC so that doesn't help me right now. Regardless, it's still refreshing to chat with nice guys on here so you never know!

Here's a note to men out there that may want to give online dating a shot. Online dating doesn't carry the stigma it once did a decade ago, so why not give it a shot. I just look at it as expanding your dating pool. I know I'm speaking for all women when I say this,... keep your initial email short, sweet and clean! No weirdo comments about "spooning" or wanting to be someone's "chocolate lover"! YOU WILL BE BLOCKED! (and yes, someone did reference wanting to be my chocolate lover.

Below is an example of what to say in your introductory email to a girl, and the other is what you NOT to say. 

OK men, listen up –

This is an example of a normal, cool email...

"How is your trip going? What part of Ca. are you going to? I live in Denver, but am in the process of moving next week to Sacramento, actually it's 20 miles outside of Sac. in the foothills. But anyway, if I hear back from you great if not have a good trip."

This is a nice, normal man. I don't think we'd have cute babies but that's besides the point, at least he was normal.

This is an example of what NOT to say... this is only an excerpt, the entire email was at least a page.

"And, finally, I'm very sensual. My dream date ends with cooking someone special breakfast _ my 'huevos moltulenos'...and I love playing spoons. 

Seriously, did this guy really write this to me and think I would respond. You don't talk about being "sensual",  "breakfast" and was he actually referencing the game of spoons or "spooning"?? EK! Either way, this entire email made me dry heave.  

Oh, and here's one more bit of advice. READ the girl's profile before you send your email!!! C'mon people. Keep in mind I am completely honest in my profile and say that I quit my job and I'm traveling across the country.

Clearly this man did not read my profile. I think he just copy and pasted an email to me...

Great pics and profile. Sooo you showed up as my "perfect match" yesterday which I'm pretty sure is a good thing? :) And after reading your profile, I thought we did indeed have some things in common.... Haha... Sooooo, here's to hoping you like the tall, witty, confidant, loves to laugh and tries to stay in shape type :). Let me know if you're interested in chatting or grabbing a drink after work one night."

Hey smart guy, how can I grab a drink after work one night when I don't have a job or live in NYC? Read Read Read. Girls appreciate that, I swear. He's definitely what I call a copy and paste bandit. He's the guy that's all about volume so he types the same email and copies it into a zillion emails. 

I have so so so many more awesome and scary emails archived! lol

thank you lulu

If lulu didn't get us kicked out of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I never would have went to Whole Foods at the time I did, and crossed paths with Greg! It's funny how life happens. 

Greg came to my hotel to pick me up at around 8. We were both starving. As we headed down the road, we could see fireworks exploding in the distance. Greg, excited as a little kid, glanced over at me and asked "would you EVER eat 'fair' food". Laughing to myself, I responded with an exhuberant YES. I have been eating so healthy during this trip, but dang I can cheat a little. I can not believe I'm going to a carnival. It's truly the last place I ever thought I'd end up. I literally wear flip flops and sneakers around the clock, but of course I chose to put on my Stuart Weitzman espadrilles tonight! We're going to a muddy carnival dumb-ass!! Oy vey. I never said I was smart (but I look cute thought hahaha)

We had such a fun time, and my Stuart Weitzman's survived! Greg could not have been a more perfect gentleman. He dropped me back at my hotel around midnight and with a parting hug, we said good-bye. As I was walking in the entrance he hollered to me, "be careful out there! Not everyone is as nice as me!"  True, true, true and thank you!

Btw, for those that know me, how INSANE is it that I ended up at a CARNIVAL in OHIO (of all places)!! How crazy and how incredibly surreal. For those that don't know me, there's a HUGE backstory here.  I was looking over my shoulder the whole time. It's definitely not a story for my blog -- maybe my book (someday). :) 

one more night in cleveland

Woke up this morning and headed out the the stables to meet one of Greg's racing horses, Icy Glance. Icy was heading for an exercise "swim" and I thought it would be a cool thing to see – and it was! Beautiful horse. I LOVE horses by the way! Greg lives on a 18 acre horse farm here in Cleveland. Note to self: you can meet cool single people at Whole Foods! Who knew?

After the horse visit, I got a voicemail and a text from Greg... apparently I'm so "entertaining" (haha) that Greg (my new Cleveland friend) would like me to stay another night! So much so that he's offering to pay for my hotel room!

Am I crazy to accept?

Maybe, but I made it VERY CLEAR there would be NO funny business what-so-ever if I let him pay for my room. No obligation. Nothing. JUST friends. Seriously. I grappled with the decision for a bit, but then thought why the heck not! If he's hell bent on paying for my room, who am I to disappoint him?! I don't want to hurt his feelings. The idea of staying and taking a long nap was SO exciting! Sure I could pay for my own room, but why do that when someone else is offering? I still needed a second opinion before I could accept so I dialed my brother, the voice of reason. When my brother Chris was done laughing, he said go for it – as long as I stay alert and smart –––– I can do that!!

So here I am, still in Cleveland, still at the Marriott! Btw, Greg knows I'm leaving/driving across the country and he knows I'm blogging about him! Hi Greg!

yes, i'm OK! he is not a serial killer

Had a fun night and made it back to my hotel safe, sound and alone!! (except for lulu!)

If you don't hear from me (soon) call 911!!

So much fun, and so many unexpected turns!! Went shopping in the Whole Foods in Cleveland, Ohio today and decided to sit down at their little trattoria for some dinner. Great little spot! It was a mini restaurant right in the store. Totally different than the normal "booths" you find in other Whole Foods. Anyway, had a glass of wine and some yummy chicken marsala, when along came Greg. Greg sat beside me and next thing you know, I'm heading out to meet him for drinks in downtown Cleveland.  I don't know his last name, so if you don't hear back from me (soon)... put out an AMBER ALERT. Photo of the car is his – just run the plates!

yoga day 26 | nyc's finest

I was walking by the Engine 74 Firehouse the other day when John, one of the delicious firemen, noticed the mat strapped to my back and asked where I do yoga. We then proceeded to chat about yoga for quite some time. He said he wanted to go, but probably not until the fall when he has more time. That's when a lightbulb went on! I could kill two birds with one stone (never thought about it but that's actually a pretty awful saying!).  Anyway, I can "date" and do my "yoga" at the same time! John would be my first test case. Yoga with one of NY's Bravest. Love it! Just need to convince him to go.

Here's my new pickup line...

Hey handsome (or insert your own flattering adjective here), would you like to do yoga with me? It's for "research". Blahahahaha. Little does he know what kind of research! Seriously, I crack myself up.

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Funny "match maker" story! It's official – My "guy" does not live in NYC!

So about a year and half ago I decided to do the online dating thing. It's really not as taboo as it used to be so I figured why not open up the dating pool! Match is one way to go, I've tried it, but it doesn't really have a good "crazy yahoo" filter. I think you have to pay extra for that feature (it's not really a feature, but it should be! I'd pay!) Anyway, I was googling around one night looking to see if there was another more discreet option with the "crazy yahoo filter" included. I found one that sounded pretty cool. I submitted my info and continued on my merry way. They only contact you if they find a guy that seems like a good fit. So...

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