You know when you get back from a really big trip and try to summarize all the little wonderful things that happened but, out of fullness of mind and loads of laundry to catch up on, you can't? Whew. Here's some of the bullet points:
- Walking into my parents house, swearing that it smells like the fragrant kitchen my great-grandmother had and trying not to tear up.
- Watching Morgan tease her uncles and adore her aunt.
- Going shopping for Christmas presents with my Mom. Finding that we want to peruse the magazines for Christmas cookies for us instead. hehe
- Oooing and aaahhing with my Mom at Anthropologie and G Street Fabrics.
- Hugging my family incessantly.
- Enjoying a feast with my family. Being truly thankful. For my uncle's recovery from his stroke this year. For Dan's better job situation. For loving siblings and parents. For God.
- Watching my brothers, husband and father as they rib each other at poker. Watching them the morning after as they lament the money the lost or the drinks they had.
- Marveling at how my kid sister is now a woman. Marveling at how, although she has had her choice of men for ages, she is willing to wait for one in particular. She is learning love.
- Watching the glimmer come back in my brother's eyes after many hard years of searching for truth.
- Watching an Jane Austin movie with my mother.
- Marveling at the way my father can see the potential in an old house, flip it and make it someone else's home.
- Seeing a long friend of Dan's and grateful how God has given her a beautiful child and husband.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Buche de Noël
I made my first yule log cake. It wasn't as hard as I thought! Give it a whirl, friends. You can make it in stages.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Life Coaching
I mentioned in my earlier post that I'm enjoying an ecourse on the Energy Equation, a family of 8 lessons by life coach Lori Radun on bringing energy back into our lives. She spends the first part of the lessons talking about decluttering.
A little back story: As a stay at home mother, I spend approximately 50% of my day moving stuff. Seriously. Moving Dan's shoes from downstairs to upstairs. Moving Morgan's toys from the middle of the floor to a less dangerous setting. And, lest I sound too self-righteous, I pick up my own castaways as well. Stuff.
Living in a small house the past 5 years taught me to be choosy about the stuff I brought into my house. I miss my old house sometimes for that very reason. I liked the coziness of it all.
There is a point to this. I promise.
Ever since we moved into this larger house, there's a lot more storage for unused stuff. I'm trying to be vigilant about purging our house as often as possible from things that no longer fit our lifestyle or our future lifestyle.
I found it interesting, then, that Lori Radun has devoted the first lesson in her energy course to decluttering. I was surprised. I honestly thought she'd throw in some vitamin research, ways to workout better and a few wise proverbs. Nope. She has an action plan. Though a throughly spiritual person, she approaches this course from a very physical standpoint: get the junk out of your way that is keeping you from resting.
Let me show you two results from my recent endeavors. A few weeks ago I installed track shelving in my office. The shelving is modular in case I need to move it around. It's very strong... can hold up to 400 lbs per shelf. And as a result of this installation, I now have a sense of peace in my office; everything has its home.
Additionally, I finally framed Dan's September 11th airline ticket. Now it holds a precious place in his side of the office along with a reminder that our days are in God's hands.
I won't say that I'm bursting at the seams with energy, but it sure feels great to know that each item has a home and that I can find it easily.
Check it out. You may enjoy it as well.
Here's the syllabus:
Week 1 - Introduction - Identifying the Energy Drains in your Life
Week 2 - Clutter in your Environment - Why we hang on
Week 3 - Clutter in your Environment - Letting Go
Week 4 - Clutter in your Relationships - Energy Draining Behaviors #1 - #4
Week 5 - Clutter in your Relationships - Energy Draining Behaviors #5 - #8
Week 6 - Clutter in Yourself - Self-defeating Behaviors #1 - #4
Week 7 - Clutter in Yourself - Self-defeating Behaviors #5 - #8
Week 8 - Creative Ways to Refuel your Energy
A little back story: As a stay at home mother, I spend approximately 50% of my day moving stuff. Seriously. Moving Dan's shoes from downstairs to upstairs. Moving Morgan's toys from the middle of the floor to a less dangerous setting. And, lest I sound too self-righteous, I pick up my own castaways as well. Stuff.
Living in a small house the past 5 years taught me to be choosy about the stuff I brought into my house. I miss my old house sometimes for that very reason. I liked the coziness of it all.
There is a point to this. I promise.
Ever since we moved into this larger house, there's a lot more storage for unused stuff. I'm trying to be vigilant about purging our house as often as possible from things that no longer fit our lifestyle or our future lifestyle.
I found it interesting, then, that Lori Radun has devoted the first lesson in her energy course to decluttering. I was surprised. I honestly thought she'd throw in some vitamin research, ways to workout better and a few wise proverbs. Nope. She has an action plan. Though a throughly spiritual person, she approaches this course from a very physical standpoint: get the junk out of your way that is keeping you from resting.
Let me show you two results from my recent endeavors. A few weeks ago I installed track shelving in my office. The shelving is modular in case I need to move it around. It's very strong... can hold up to 400 lbs per shelf. And as a result of this installation, I now have a sense of peace in my office; everything has its home.
Additionally, I finally framed Dan's September 11th airline ticket. Now it holds a precious place in his side of the office along with a reminder that our days are in God's hands.
I won't say that I'm bursting at the seams with energy, but it sure feels great to know that each item has a home and that I can find it easily.
Check it out. You may enjoy it as well.
Here's the syllabus:
Week 1 - Introduction - Identifying the Energy Drains in your Life
Week 2 - Clutter in your Environment - Why we hang on
Week 3 - Clutter in your Environment - Letting Go
Week 4 - Clutter in your Relationships - Energy Draining Behaviors #1 - #4
Week 5 - Clutter in your Relationships - Energy Draining Behaviors #5 - #8
Week 6 - Clutter in Yourself - Self-defeating Behaviors #1 - #4
Week 7 - Clutter in Yourself - Self-defeating Behaviors #5 - #8
Week 8 - Creative Ways to Refuel your Energy
Ch-Ch-Ch-Christmas?
I may be alone in this sentiment, but I have a small phobia. Of malls.
I know, I know-Crazy, right? I'm a woman who somewhat enjoys shopping, but there's something about the vastness of choice, throngs of people and- I'll be honest- "Made in China" labels on nearly every item that make me uncomfortable. I avoid malls like the plague. Maybe I overdosed on shopping as a teenager. Who knows?
What's more, I don't particularly like to have a lot of excess in my house, either.
So it follows that I have a tinge of anxiety when Christmas rolls around. Malls. Stuff I don't need. Decision making--eeek! For years, I haven't known quite what to ask for when my family requests my Christmas wish list.
What I really want sounds lame on a holiday list:
- A nap
- A baby. (Oh, c'mon, laugh. It's funny.)
- A good husband- already have that
- A darling daughter- got her!
- Uninterrupted time in the bath
I'd like to throw out some ideas to my bloggyland friends which may prime the creative pump of yours when giving or receivng gifts this holiday season:
1. A Class
You heard me right. A class. Dance class lessons. Swim lessons for the kiddo. Gymnastics lessons. Cooking class. My in-laws bought Morgan a class last year for Christmas and it was SO fun. It was the gift that kept on giving.
2. Something Homemade
I'm starting to get to that age where the best gifts involve memories of good times. Photo albums. Hand painted watercolors. A poem. A collection of black and white photos of deceased relatives who are special.
3. Life Coaching
I'm serious. Doesn't that sound like fun? I met a life coach last year named Lori Radun. She has fantastic ecourses on mothering and I'm in the midst of one now on energy... and why mothers lack it. It's pretty interesting.
4. An Experience
What does a tired business professional or weary parent need for Christmas? Forget the crock pot. A little buzz in the creative juices would do wonders. How about concert tickets? A swanky picnic in the park. A day downtown. A pedicure. A makeover. Something to remind one that they are not only human, they have a heartbeat and a personality.
These are just a few suggestions for those suffering from bulging eaves and support walls. A house can only hold so much stuff comfortably, right? Let China make a few things for their own country while you try some unconventional gift giving techniques. It's worth some thought.
I know, I know-Crazy, right? I'm a woman who somewhat enjoys shopping, but there's something about the vastness of choice, throngs of people and- I'll be honest- "Made in China" labels on nearly every item that make me uncomfortable. I avoid malls like the plague. Maybe I overdosed on shopping as a teenager. Who knows?
What's more, I don't particularly like to have a lot of excess in my house, either.
So it follows that I have a tinge of anxiety when Christmas rolls around. Malls. Stuff I don't need. Decision making--eeek! For years, I haven't known quite what to ask for when my family requests my Christmas wish list.
What I really want sounds lame on a holiday list:
- A nap
- A baby. (Oh, c'mon, laugh. It's funny.)
- A good husband- already have that
- A darling daughter- got her!
- Uninterrupted time in the bath
I'd like to throw out some ideas to my bloggyland friends which may prime the creative pump of yours when giving or receivng gifts this holiday season:
1. A Class
You heard me right. A class. Dance class lessons. Swim lessons for the kiddo. Gymnastics lessons. Cooking class. My in-laws bought Morgan a class last year for Christmas and it was SO fun. It was the gift that kept on giving.
2. Something Homemade
I'm starting to get to that age where the best gifts involve memories of good times. Photo albums. Hand painted watercolors. A poem. A collection of black and white photos of deceased relatives who are special.
3. Life Coaching
I'm serious. Doesn't that sound like fun? I met a life coach last year named Lori Radun. She has fantastic ecourses on mothering and I'm in the midst of one now on energy... and why mothers lack it. It's pretty interesting.
4. An Experience
What does a tired business professional or weary parent need for Christmas? Forget the crock pot. A little buzz in the creative juices would do wonders. How about concert tickets? A swanky picnic in the park. A day downtown. A pedicure. A makeover. Something to remind one that they are not only human, they have a heartbeat and a personality.
These are just a few suggestions for those suffering from bulging eaves and support walls. A house can only hold so much stuff comfortably, right? Let China make a few things for their own country while you try some unconventional gift giving techniques. It's worth some thought.
Monday, November 19, 2007
It's DAN'S BIRTHDAY!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEETIE!
He is 33 years today! Yeah!
Morgan and I will work hard to sing you a heartier version of Happy Birthday. Your 6:30 departure this morning did not leave time for our vocal chords to warm up.
He is 33 years today! Yeah!
Morgan and I will work hard to sing you a heartier version of Happy Birthday. Your 6:30 departure this morning did not leave time for our vocal chords to warm up.
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