tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:02:53 +0000hobbiesover itmomentslistoff gridThe WorkdeathepiphanyEarly Retirementlosscouragequotehow tozollmental healthsimplifyfood storageraised bedshairfreedomhopewarriorcreativityworking outkickassyogaemotionshikingself relianceLife+Deathinsanemore birthdaysBurning Evebeautylivingit gets betterlearninggrocery storeworktidy liferoadlet gohumorbedroomshoesweathertherapyAuburnrecoveryRedemption Ranchadviceword countpeacetime marches onphotographydemonspoliticsrandomA1home improvementmusicsinglehappydogMMblogbookexistentialsoapboxWinter SolsticelifeBlack PearltravelingpassionadventureME TIMETough GirlholidaysfoodUrban Girl Scoutpaindarknessgardeningsickprojectstoriesfeargoofylovehealthsolarcleaningwildlifediscoveryhttp://www.norcalkatie.com/noreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)Blogger193125blogspot/norcalkatiehttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-4829849090222193152Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:57:00 +00002012-02-02T23:59:14.648-08:00I've been doing a lot of thinking recently. If I am to really Live My Truth and be honest with myself, I need to take a break right now. I have to work through some personal stuff without the self-obligation of blogging regularly, or the need to share my journey with an audience. I love these things with all my heart, but I need to recharge in order to be able to share fully and authentically http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/vQeNEnuv9_g/break.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)17<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/vQeNEnuv9_g" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2012/02/break.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-2284879232461228671Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:35:00 +00002012-02-07T19:44:30.881-08:00happy Originally a print from Typcut Today I was running errands and thinking some stuff over (over-analyzing it, more like it) and out of nowhere the ideas were interrupted by the words LIVE YOUR TRUTH. I could see the letters in my vision as if they were really there and that little voice whispered them into my ear. Sometimes, it takes a lot for my Intuition to get my attention. Once they were http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/jKPlLXI9zD4/are-you-happy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)10<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/jKPlLXI9zD4" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2012/02/are-you-happy.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-1207813840296113142Sun, 29 Jan 2012 04:04:00 +00002012-01-28T20:04:11.462-08:00healthfood For the last few weeks I've been unusually tired. I haven't been online much this week because I haven't really felt well. I'm trying to figure things out as, usual. And thought I felt unwell the last few weeks...and then yesterday... Background About a year ago, I stopped eating melted cheese because out of the blue I began having a terrible reaction to it. I would be laid up in bed for dayshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/Icmydh-bcsg/acceptance.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)12<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/Icmydh-bcsg" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2012/01/acceptance.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-4379649958774728109Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:47:00 +00002012-02-10T11:43:32.821-08:00soapboxtime marches onlifehealthkickasshopeit gets betteryogahappydemonsdeathrecoverylearningadvicefreedom I finally made it to a more advanced yoga class. This one was far more difficult than “senior yoga” and I had a really difficult time keeping up. It was humbling. At one point we were doing a position (don’t ask me which one, I don’t remember) and we were on our hands, one knee, and supposed to lift the other leg. Mine wouldn’t budge. I tried and tried and couldn’t begin to lift my leg. I http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/YJ9efqt4OEM/excuses.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)23<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/YJ9efqt4OEM" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2012/01/excuses.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-282772131308610351Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:13:00 +00002012-01-23T11:47:46.423-08:00The WorkI recently asked twitter - Most of the suggestions were what you'd expect - Specialist, Consultant, Analyst, Freelance, etc. The sense of conformity was overwhelming and proved a point I was trying to make to myself. People aspire to have a serious, important-sounding titles. No thanks. Once again, I'm opting out. In my first real time job after college, I came across this quote which http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/KftSAzuC1wk/titles.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)6<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/KftSAzuC1wk" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2012/01/titles.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-3833541258843926817Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +00002012-02-09T22:42:15.923-08:00politics Dear Representative McClintock, Dear Senator Feinstein, Dear Senator Boxer, I am a constituent of yours living in Auburn, California. As a blogger and small business owner, I am STRONGLY opposed to SOPA and PIPA because these pieces of legislation are side-doors to the erosion of free speech and censorship of the Internet. If passed, the Internet could be forever changed and economic growth ofhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/pdzAwVmAttg/censored.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/pdzAwVmAttg" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2012/01/censored.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-4222087994446595178Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:05:00 +00002012-01-23T11:48:18.569-08:00blogroadcouragestoriesfearI read a great book this weekend - The Flinch by Julien Smith (non-affiliate link). The book is a free download as part of the Domino Project by Seth Godin. It was a quick read, but don't let that fool you - it was fabulous. I won't give it away but it's a book about facing your fears, something I've been regularly trying to do. In practice this has made me a stronger person. In my writing I tryhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/FSOS77j5b24/flinch.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)11<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/FSOS77j5b24" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2012/01/flinch.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-7540941221559597703Mon, 16 Jan 2012 03:15:00 +00002012-01-15T20:57:50.448-08:00lifeadvicefreedom"Are you really sure about moving in with him? You know, you've only been with him a few months." "You're going to quit your job??! What's your backup plan?"  "You want to fly across the country to do what?!"  Think about the last month of your life and how many times people have tried to dissuade you from something because of their own fear. Did you take on their fear and make it your own? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/YlYzc-gQhEQ/edges.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)8<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/YlYzc-gQhEQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2012/01/edges.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-8661308579652135998Wed, 11 Jan 2012 23:10:00 +00002012-01-11T16:32:16.171-08:00happylifekickassThe WorkfreedomAfter my divorce there was a point that I described as the "I've never had so much fun in my entire life" time. Of course, I was partying hard, staying out late, working early and swigging Pepto Bismol like it was my job. It was fun, but unsustainable. When I finally hit the wall, I was going approximately 150 mph. I was replying to an email this morning about following my dreams and kicking asshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/J-TMfnrnzR8/never-had-so-much-fun.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)5<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/J-TMfnrnzR8" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2012/01/never-had-so-much-fun.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-8686296225366475063Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:22:00 +00002012-01-23T11:49:25.929-08:00over itUrban Girl ScoutfoodI'm lucky enough to be a decent cook. I can follow a recipe, I can make shit up, and typically enjoy most of what I make. I print recipes often and add them to a binder I have in the kitchen. But lately, something has been bothering me about cooking and the recipes I make. None of them have been turning out as I've expected. At first, I thought it was me. A couple times I went back and made the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/k8WfMaJmJ80/dont-believe-everything-on-internet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)49<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/k8WfMaJmJ80" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2012/01/dont-believe-everything-on-internet.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-8974578968900168961Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:19:00 +00002012-01-04T13:05:59.427-08:00Life+DeathworkA friend of mine had a devastating and unexpected loss in her life recently. She said something that has haunted me since - Life holds hands with death. If I could boil the last two years of my life and my philosophy down into five words: Life holds hands with death. Being deathly sick changed my life in the most profound ways. I changed as a person, as a human living on this planet. It http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/tJDYTnLjD8Q/life-and-death.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)19<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/tJDYTnLjD8Q" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2012/01/life-and-death.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-680614665206140317Wed, 04 Jan 2012 02:18:00 +00002012-01-03T18:18:06.087-08:00creativityI've gotten my work flow started and it's evolving. I have a routine that is working really well for me, I feel productive and creative and moving in the right direction. And then I have a day like today where I feel like I was spinning my wheels all day. I was busy all day, but got nothing accomplished. I had to do research for an old medical bill, call one of the manufacturers for a lens I http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/6GND77h9Qvo/running-in-place.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)14<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/6GND77h9Qvo" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2012/01/running-in-place.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-5355935455631405765Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:41:00 +00002012-01-02T11:16:49.167-08:00doglifeBurning EveNew Year's Eve 2011 was pretty anticlimactic if you use 2010's as a benchmark. I had a lot more to let go last year and it was nearly a religious experience. This year, not so much. We hauled out the barbeque and torched some paperwork. We were in bed and asleep by 11pm. Neither of us woke up at midnight but according to the dogs there were OMG LOTS OF FIREWORKS LOUD NOISES GUNSHOTS PEOPLE http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/311_sLV98GI/welcome-to-2012.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)5<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/311_sLV98GI" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2012/01/welcome-to-2012.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-1370062903087061742Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:18:00 +00002012-01-11T15:12:09.187-08:00creativityBurning EveThe WorkI was in bed before 10pm last night and here I am, up before sunrise. I figure I'll go back to sleep for maybe a couple hours or take a nap later, but dictating paragraphs to myself in the dark? I might as well get up. 2011 is the year I learned to take better care of myself - quitting my day job was part of that. I need more sleep than average because of my chronic kidney disease (stage 3) http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/YueotX40z1s/and-so-it-goes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)7<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/YueotX40z1s" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2011/12/and-so-it-goes.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-4641776003597476770Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:31:00 +00002011-12-31T05:23:31.131-08:00tidy lifehappydiscoveryover itlifestoriessimplifykickasszolllivinglovefreedomIn 2011, I Rocked a mohawk Met a nice guy Turned 30 Ventured into gardening again Started liking succulents Hiked in Muir Woods Visited Mt. Talampais Got my hands dirty Watched my little sister graduate with her MA Visited Ventura Fell in love with gardening again Simplified my life Visited the ER Fell in love Said goodbye to Folsom... ...and Hello to Auburn! Lefthttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/QTCMq-FmbWw/year-end-review-2011.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)9<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/QTCMq-FmbWw" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2011/12/year-end-review-2011.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-8005569147257526172Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:23:00 +00002011-12-27T15:47:27.784-08:00K.D. - send me an email at k8tieroxor@gmail.com with your mailing address! Thanks to everyone who responded. I wish you all luck with your yoga practices.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/E_K2Ie3V0VI/yoga-post-update-book-winner.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/E_K2Ie3V0VI" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2011/12/yoga-post-update-book-winner.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-7967562059302535124Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:07:00 +00002011-12-27T15:46:21.805-08:00travelinggardeningI spent the weekend with Mountain Man and his family in Thousand Oaks in Southern California. It was 77F on Christmas. My cheeks hurt from laughing so hard at him and his brothers. We spent time in the hotel spa. Dear Santa,  Next year I'd like a spa for Christmas.  Thanks,  Katie  His grandpa was an orchid collector and the rest of the family has been taking care of what's left of them since http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/ebC_Ym1mqsM/no-place-like-home.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/ebC_Ym1mqsM" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2011/12/no-place-like-home.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-2609519490559183720Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:59:00 +00002011-12-22T10:59:04.171-08:00let golist Today when I got up, I caught one of the dogs doing something they aren't allowed to do (and they know it). I missed an appointment on Monday because I had a migraine. I got a huge bill from a medical practitioner because my insurance denied my claim...BACK TO MAY. I have a zillion emails to return. My 401k rollover isn't going smoothly and my account is in jeopardy because something in my http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/YypRQowJk58/overwhelm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)7<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/YypRQowJk58" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2011/12/overwhelm.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-4090916550636671660Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:37:00 +00002011-12-21T16:37:18.675-08:00Winter SolsticeToday is the winter solstice. Around this time of year I reflect on my life and where it's been. In 2009, I was picking up the pieces of my fractured life. In 2010, I was transforming. In 2011, I'm living. "As we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence actually liberates others." -Marianne Williamsonhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/T0ZAGBXYMls/solstice.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)10<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/T0ZAGBXYMls" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2011/12/solstice.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-942676173212322732Wed, 21 Dec 2011 03:42:00 +00002011-12-20T19:42:57.340-08:00happyhealthI used to post regular pictures of me because I didn't recognize myself. It was kind of trippy to watch the transformation, and even going back and looking at it bring me back to that place. Today I was really happy, so I took a picture to commemorate. Genuine I shaved my head a month ago, and here I am today much happier and healthier. I'm getting the back trimmed up tomorrow in time for http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/sb8x2VaTnVQ/hella.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/sb8x2VaTnVQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2011/12/hella.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-2565179143090373053Sun, 18 Dec 2011 20:05:00 +00002011-12-18T12:05:00.796-08:00raised bedshappykickassgardeninghow happy this makes me http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/a3p-f0wD8FM/you-have-no-idea.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)12<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/a3p-f0wD8FM" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2011/12/you-have-no-idea.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-2106942463012792134Sat, 17 Dec 2011 20:10:00 +00002011-12-17T13:03:36.855-08:00yogaworkUrban Girl ScoutGiveaway below! Photo by Lulumon Athletica Tree pose.  I mapped the yoga studio and figured out what time I needed to leave the house. I argued with Urban Girl Scout* all morning about whether or not I was going. "I'd rather stay at home. I'm tired. It's far. The drive will be annoying. Etc." she said. Finally the time came to leave and 30 Year Old Katie walked out the door. My yoga class http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/CWZSnHmhnkc/yogaathlete.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)5<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/CWZSnHmhnkc" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2011/12/yogaathlete.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-4059292411467719989Thu, 15 Dec 2011 04:39:00 +00002011-12-14T20:41:56.621-08:00doglet gofreedomThis is me and Belle. Every night we sit like this (usually she sits on the step with me) and every night Mountain Man says he wants a picture. So tonight my camera was in reach and he took the picture of what he calls his "bad girls." When I started dating MM and was spending a lot of time at his house, her response was to shit on the living room floor any time he/we left the house. This went onhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/Dec7SS-zgiw/bad-girls-christmas.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)18<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/Dec7SS-zgiw" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2011/12/bad-girls-christmas.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-3250806326118971781Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:34:00 +00002011-12-14T14:33:48.099-08:00mental healthdemonswarriorhealthdarknessadviceit gets betterI had a really rough day the other day. After November and all it's yuckiness, I greeted December with open arms and for a minute I felt better. And then December pulled me under and I've vacillated between really happy and really sad since. No middle. Bleh. In one of the most down moments I can remember in a long time (and after a relatively good day), I allowed a stranger's actions to leave mehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/bkXT-ea81ZQ/pep-rally.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)7<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/bkXT-ea81ZQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2011/12/pep-rally.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833920392201892581.post-7572868264254366106Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:36:00 +00002011-12-12T15:36:58.436-08:00tidy lifeOr rather, two things. I called to rollover my 401k and I called to see if my prescriptions had transferred. Both ended up being sort of painful and not going as well as I'd hoped, but the ball is rolling now for both, and I feel better. A tidy life is always a work in progress...http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~3/MIqDobhQ0vk/todays-do-one-thing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katie Swanberg)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/norcalkatie/~4/MIqDobhQ0vk" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.norcalkatie.com/2011/12/todays-do-one-thing.html