When I told my friend Chelsea Paxton, who teaches yoga in Tulsa, OK, that I was looking for a studio in OKC, she encouraged me to visit Spirit House Yoga and attend one of Martha McQuaid’s classes. Chelsea and I lived in Boston together (and now we are both in OK!), and she is aware of my previous Pilates/Yoga practices and the ski accident that resulted in my back injury. I completely trusted her recommendation, and the weekend after Thanksgiving I went to my first class at Spirit House Yoga (SHY). I was a bit nervous returning to yoga practice; every time I’d attempted yoga post-ski accident I always ended up feeling like I had been hit by a truck the next day. I intentionally arrived at SHY a bit early so that I could speak with Martha, and her co-teacher and husband Ted, about my injury. They were incredibly welcoming and very willing to work with me so that I could experience a pain-free yoga class, but also to begin to heal my back. My first class with Martha and Ted was so positive that after class I asked Martha if I could give her a hug. Since I attended my first class a little over a month ago now, I’ve been back ten times, definitely achieving my 30 for 30 goal! Recently, it struck me that some of my 30 for 30 “goals” that began as items to check off my list actually have the potential to change and shape my life long-term. Thinking about my desire to continue yoga as a long-term commitment to myself is exciting and inspiring. 
I have experienced a great deal of transition in my life over the past three and a half months, and I am so grateful to have found a yoga studio that is helping me continue my journey to a more balanced life while working my body, mind and spirit. SHY has given me a place to continue to ask life’s questions, yet encourages me to find happiness in the present and sitting with the unknown.
Boomer has had several play dates since my 30th birthday. In fact, last April I would never have guessed, but he actually has a new roommate!
When Boomer and I made our respective treks to Oklahoma (he flew to OK with Tom, not me, which is a story all to itself), he and I moved into a house that was already occupied by a cat named Maggie. Maggie and Boomer spent their first two weeks under the same roof in separate quarantine spaces. During that time they made up a game I fondly named “Playing Paws.”
At the end of the first two weeks, the kitties got to switch spaces. Boomer hung out in Maggie’s territory, and Maggie went into Boomer’s space.
Boomer and Maggie met for the first time in their carriers. All nerves where calmed when they just sat there, like cats do, staring at one another.
The final step was lifting the quarantine and giving both cats full roaming territory in the house. Boomer was so excited to come out and play. He went right up to Maggie and gave her a kiss on her nose. They’ve became fast friends and have been best buddies ever since.
Boomer and Maggie are frequently found together lying in the sun, cuddled on the down comforter, or chasing anything with string, feathers or a laser beam. Their favorite time of day is feeding time. They are most active around 9pm when they run through the house on the romping obstacle course.
When I moved back to Oklahoma City I took a look at my 30 for 30 list and realized there was an item on the list that was going to be very difficult to check-off now that I’d returned to a land-locked state: #12 “Go Whale Watching.” I gave myself permission to amend my list, and #12 became “Go to a Thunder Game.” With enthusiasm and excitement I announced this to my family. They grimly informed me that my alternative might be equally as hard to complete in this land-locked state due to the NBA lockout. Boo!
Keeping the faith, I reminded them that I was a lucky charm for professional sports teams in the city where I reside. While I was in Boston (2003-2011) the city’s pro football, baseball, basketball and hockey teams were all the cream of the crop at least once! The New England Patriots won the Super Bowl back to back in 2004 and 2005. The Boston Red Sox saw the end of the “Curse of the Bambino” and won the World Series in 2004, and again in 2007. The Boston Celtics won the NBA Championship in 2008. And the Boston Bruins won the Stanley cup in 2011. I was absolutely convinced that the NBA lockout would be resolved, and I would get to go to my first Thunder game. After all, I’m a lucky charm.
Then it came to pass...
On Christmas Eve my new friend Ashley Armstrong, who works for the Thunder, called and offered me two tickets to the Christmas night, opening game of the season. What a blast! I took my cousin Elisabeth, and we had the full Thunder experience: Rumble in his Santa suit, KD’s 3-pointers, and yes, a Thunder victory! I could not have been a more perfect night.
Oh, and by the way, the Thunder have started off this new season with a roaring boom. This lucky charm is definitely holding out for a Championship season for the OKC Thunder in 2011-2012!
When I told my friend Chelsea Paxton, who teaches yoga in Tulsa, OK, that I was looking for a studio in OKC, she encouraged me to visit Spirit House Yoga and attend one of Martha McQuaid’s classes. Chelsea and I lived in Boston together (and now we are both in OK!), and she is aware of my previous Pilates/Yoga practices and the ski accident that resulted in my back injury. I completely trusted her recommendation, and the weekend after Thanksgiving I went to my first class at Spirit House Yoga (SHY). 
I have experienced a great deal of transition in my life over the past three and a half months, and I am so grateful to have found a yoga studio that is helping me continue my journey to a more balanced life while working my body, mind and spirit. SHY has given me a place to continue to ask life’s questions, yet encourages me to find happiness in the present and sitting with the unknown.
