5 (really good) things

1.  I'm off of work for 12 days!  T-W-E-L-V-E   D-A-Y-S!!  With nothing planned beyond getting plenty of exercise, reading, watching a stack of library movies, enjoying time with my daughter, seeing some friends and maybe doing some sewing/jewelry-making/craftiness - we'll see how industrious I get.  But TWELVE DAYS!  Such joy!  Such leisure!

2. My kiddo cracks me up - more and more every day.  For example:  Last Sunday, my church bag was heavier than usual, but I didn't find out the reason until I got home.  My girl had packed herself some 'snacks'.  The photo below is what she chose to bring.  I love trying to figure out how her mind works.  

 

3.  Have you seen the new Squam Art Workshops website?  It's beautiful.  I'm honored to have my story posted, as well as a photo or two.  Some of my very good friends are teaching classes, and I'm so proud of and excited for them and their students.  It's such a wonderful event.  Take a look. 

4.  My week has been downright calm, especially for the usually insane rush before Christmas.  Since I had everything done early, I have been able to enjoy a random evening with my favorite Alisha, and lunch with G Love.   Grocery shopping is done, all presents are wrapped, and all lists Tomorrow will be spent at the movies and baking cookies with Riley.  Not a bad way to spend my pre-Christmas days, huh?

5.  After a month of a nasty inversion, the air cleared and the sun made an appearance yesterday!  I snapped this photo out my car window, while on my way to meet G for lunch.   The blue skies are making me so happy today!  Now, if we can just get some snow so I can ski and snowshoe....

 

What's good in your world?

Gratitude Friday

Today, I'm grateful for:

*Feeling like things in my home life are clicking along, all is well with me and my Girl.
*Her ever expanding vocabulary, which currently has acquired the phrases "please speak to good purpose" and "I'm owning my actions."
*Dedicated and talented preschool teachers who teach her these phrases (and so much more.)
*Figuring out how to fit baking my own bread into my schedule. I find the entire process so soothing and gratifying.

*Riley's increasing willingness to try new vegetables.
*Finding peace and contentment within the walls of my own home.
*Seeing my friend realize big dreams.
*This announcement means I'll be gainfully employed for the next three years (really proud and excited to be working on this.) 
*The newly renovated hot tub in the basement of my building.
*only 8 more days until Christmas, and then I can stash this holiday away for a year (all things considered, it hasn't been too bad.)
*contemplative evenings with my journal - I'm un-inviting some things into 2012. 
*my upcoming 12 days off work- I have no major plans, no major projects, no traveling - I'm just going to do what calls to me. 

Right Now: What I love about her

Her sweet, helpful heart.  She's very thoughtful and is often on the lookout for ways to help others.  She asks me often whether there is a job I need her to do or a way she can help me.  I am so happy to be raising a little one who can see past herself and is learning the value of giving to others. 

Her friendly spirit.  We live in a condo building and have some great neighbors, and if Riley had her way, she'd visit each of them at least once a day.   She says Hello to anyone who makes eye contact with her, and smiles at every passerby.   More than once, I've had someone stop to tell me her smile made their day.  It's a gift I hope she continues to give to others. 

Her active imagination.  Today our hallway was a pirates' cove, chock full of alligators.  We had to jump and leap to get through safely.  Yesterday, my bed was the inside of a rocket ship and she was getting ready to fly to the moon.  She is, on any given evening, a princess, a dancer, a doctor or maybe (to my personal wonderment) an orphan.  Her imaginative play is so much fun to observe, and even more fun to be a part of.  I love seeing what she'll come up with next.

 Her silly personality.  She has a great sense of humor, tells goofy stories and loves playing practical jokes.  She hides my keys and tells me, very innocently, that maybe I'm going crazy, or will sneak in and shut off the lights when I'm taking a shower.  Life isn't dull with her around. 

Her inquisitive mind.   The questions are endless with this one, and I find myself looking up random things to satisfy her - the latest:  how hot popcorn kernels need to be to pop (about 356 F, FYI.)  I love that she wants to know about the world around her and is willing to keep asking and wondering until it makes sense to her.

Her sassy, confident attitude.   I've heard her tell herself, while staring in the mirror, that she is the prettiest, smartest, funniest (insert complimentary adjective here) girl she knows.  I love that she thinks this about herself (I agree with her!) and that she hasn't yet learned to be hard on herself or to dwell on her shortcomings.  I hope this is something she holds on to for her whole life.

Her loving, giving soul.  I can't count the number of times she tells me each day that she loves me, or that I'm her favorite mama, or that she thinks I'm so, so, so, so pretty (yes, I love this. I"ll admit it. )  I see her treat others kindly and often hear her say nice things to strangers and friends alike.  She hugs easily and shows affection constantly.  Her sweetness is one of the things I cherish about her right now. 

Fa-la-la-la-la

If you know me, you probably have heard me complain about the Holidays.  I don't really like them.  It's not that I have anything against celebrations or Santa or playing in the snow or the birth of Christ.   I love all of those things.  What I hate is the madness, the busy-ness, the tension, the focus on money and consumerism and 'stuff', and the things i dislike seem to be taking over the things I love.   It stresses me out and makes me irritable, right in the middle of a season that is supposed to be filled with joy and cheer.

Fa-la-la-la-la la-la-freakin'-la.

So...this year, I decided to make the season as positive as I could by getting rid of as much of the stuff I dislike about the holidays, and focusing on what I like and what I enjoy.  So, I made sure my Christmas shopping was done before Thanksgiving.  I made a list and I have stuck with it.  I set a budget and didn't budge (hehe) from it.  I decided which of the holiday parties and social events I will attend, and which I will respectfully decline.  And I am really trying to make sure that the things I do that keep me sane (working out, eating well, getting enough sleep, seeing my friends) aren't sacrificed to the cause of those that make me insane.

I can't say that I'm completely in the Christmas Spirit (that would be an outright lie) but I'm not a complete downer about it, either. So far, I've enjoyed helping watching Riley decorate our tree- all the ornaments are clustered on two branches- and I'm helping with some clothing drives, which is rewarding.  Riley has a short list of Christmas things she wants to do (Go see Santa, enjoy the lights at Temple Square, etc.) and other than that, we're trying to stay on our routine as much as possible.

It's just a few weeks out of the year, and I'll get through them happily enough.  But I will say that the spa day that I 'heard' Santa will be leaving for me - well, it's doing it's part in keeping my spirits bright.

My Happy Place

See this closet?  (pardon the very poor lighting and composition.)

This closet used to contain an awkward storage unit, a weirdly placed clothes bar that didn't actually fit anything well, and some odd sized shelves.  I had pretty much just left it alone- storing my biking, hiking and ski gear there and writing it off as a poor design decision someone else made, and an issue that I didn't want to deal with. 

Then, over Labor Day weekend, I was itching for a little DIY project and this closet was where my mind landed.  I have wanted a dedicated space where I could spread out whatever project I was working on for quite a while, and I realized that, with the right modifications, this closet might fit the bill perfectly. 

So I did some serious deconstruction work - those organizers and shelves were screwed, nailed and glued into the wall (I guess whoever put them in really didn't want them to come out).  Then I did some serious reconstruction work- I basically ended up tearing down to the sheet rock in most places, the deconstruction causing a couple of large holes in others.  I ended up patching, taping, mudding, texturing, priming and painting the closet walls before they looked right. 

Then I hung new shelves, added a table that fit the space, figured out some lighting options (although this will be upgraded in the near future) and moved my supplies into their new home. 

And.....VOILA! 

  

It doesn't look like much, but I now have a perfectly appointed space where I can sew, craft, work on jewelry, paint, whatever....

I spend a lot of my time here these days.  I am really enjoying having somewhere I can let my creative juices run wild, and the best part is that if I leave an in-process project spread out, l can shut the doors from curious little four year old hands.  

I didn't expect to enjoy this closet re-do as much as I have, but I have found that I'm more apt to work on things now that I have the space to do them without leaving a huge mess around the rest of my condo.  

Who knew?

I love it when a project comes together even better than I expected. 

Thankful

Riley and I spent Thanksgiving in Idaho with my family.  We stayed at my Dad's home, and enjoyed four days of family, fun, and aMAZing mexican food (we branched out a little for Thanksgiving Dinner this year.)  We drove back to Utah this afternoon, and I spent most of the drive thinking about how good things are for us right now, and how thankful I am for the life I live and for how things always seem to turn out how they are supposed to.  It reminded me that I needed to catch up on posting my November Gratitude lists here.  

upside down me

Nov. 14 - Grateful for Mondays, for my full schedule and the fulfillment that I find in my work.
Nov. 15 - Grateful for the opportunity i have to work with several 8-11 year old girls in my new church commitment.
Nov. 16- Grateful for a flexible schedule and an understanding boss - taking a sick day to care for Riley is not nearly as stressful as it could be. 
Nov. 17- Grateful for the sorted and organized home and mind that comes with some time to myself.
Nov. 18- Grateful for the chance to end the week with some of my favorite people and for an evening of rest and relaxation.
Nov. 19- Grateful for my dear friend who helped me out at a moment's notice, and for the cheerful spirits that she and her three girls posess.  Being in their home, even just for a very short time, left me uplifted and happy.
Nov. 20 - Grateful that, despite the fact that Riley is not feeling her best, we were able to enjoy a quiet Sunday at home together- reading, cooking and napping.
Nov. 21- Grateful that my girl was well enough to go to school today, and that I finished up my Christmas shopping today.  I still have to work on some gifts that I am making, but by and large - I'm done!
Nov. 22- Grateful that I'm finally able to work out at my normal level.  It's been almost a month since I've been able to work hard at the gym, and I really missed it!
Nov. 23- Grateful for my daughter's newest obsession - Gala apples.  I'm always happy when she adds another healthy item to her limited eating repertoire. 
Nov. 24- Grateful for my family, especially those that are not with us today.  I'm very blessed to be part of such a tight knit family, a group that truly enjoys each other's company.  I'm also thankful for the hilarity a turkey pinata adds to the traditional Thanksgiving celebrations.

Riley and Lexi and the iPad

Nov. 25 - Grateful for the friendship my sweet nieces offer to my daughter.  As an only child, they provide her with a sense of what it would be like to have siblings, and she just adores them (as do I).  I'm so grateful that we can spend time with them this weekend.
Nov. 26- Grateful for the truly excellent sleep I've had for the past three nights.  I sleep better at my Dad's home than anywhere else on earth, and three days of that type of rest will hold me for several weeks.  I always leave there with a rested and happy heart.


Things are good.
Things are just really, really good.
I'm so very Thankful. 

Right now, I'm:

Processing (finally) the photos from our Disneyland trip.  It was such a fun time, and seeing the photos are bringing up some silly memories.  This photo is one of my favorites.

 Eating a big bowl of quinoa black bean salad - quinoa, black beans, tons of veggies, cilantro and a cumin lime dressing.  Divine.  And an easy, healthy way to use up all the veggies that were cluttering up my fridge.

Tired from a day of caring of a sick little one.  It's nothing serious - just a cold- but sick days really take it out of both of us.  We are both heading to bed early.

Listening to Riley's soft snoring.  Ever since she was an infant, she's snored when she is the slightest bit congested.  It makes me think of this video of her - she was about 4 months old.


Anticipating the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday weekend.  Riley and I are going to Idaho to be with my family and I'm very much looking forward to a low-key, relaxed holiday with the people we love.

Looking for book suggestions.  Got any you want to throw my way?  Please do!

Grateful for a job I really enjoy and the fact that on Sunday evening, I am usually looking forward to the week ahead, rather than dreading it.

Editing a few personal writing projects.  Looking forward to sending them to the places they belong shortly.

Excited about the possibility of getting out to do some snowshoeing and XC skiing this week.  Let's hear it for Idaho snow and family who will keep an eye on the Girl while I get myself out into it!

Thankful my mom's back surgery went well.  She's home and resting and doing as well as can be expected.  I'm glad she's a step further in the process of getting her health back on track.

Sore from the first real workout I've been able to do for about three weeks.  Yesterday I felt well enough to so some strength training, and run for about 40 minutes.  I'm feeling it today, but it's that good kind of sore and I'm looking forward to getting back in my regular routine this week.

Hoping I'll be able to finish up most of my Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving.  I only have a bit left, and I prefer to avoid the stores after the holiday craziness hits. 

Thinking about the possibility of a spring vacation for the Girl and me.  I like to have something to look forward to during the cold days of winter (preferably somewhere warm and beachy) and I have some frequent flier miles that could be used for this purpose.  Hmmm....Florida Keys?  South Carolina beaches?

November 12of12

I wanted to get this up a few days ago, but oh well.  Better late than never.  And I decided to skip the grid this month again, because, well...I'm lazy like that.

I blame the cold medicine. 

This month's 12of12 was fun to capture because my brother, his wife and their three little girls were staying with us for the weekend.  K&J did some christmas shopping on Saturday and left the girls with me for a while- such a fun way to spend the day. 

the morning started off with cereal and coloring.

Slurpees seemed like a good idea at the time.

I forgot how sweet it is to have a sleeping baby around.

We made cookies because, you know, why not?

My hallway became an art studio.

Oh, my Hallee.  Sweetest girl on earth. I adore her. 

For some reason, i decided to can some homemade pizza sauce in the middle of everything.  I blame the cold medicine. 

One of several pillow fights that erupted throughout the day. 

Chilling after a hard day of shopping. 

The girls made personal pizzas for dinner.

Then wound the day up by doing a little bit of yoga.

Jamie and I wound the day up with Alkaseltzer cold medicine.  Disgusting, but surprisingly effective. 

Hello out there! and November Gratefuls

Hello.  Hi.  Remember me?

I'm the girl who usually posts here three-ish times a week?

Yeah?  You do remember?  Oh good.  Just wanted to stop in, say hi, and that I'm hoping to be back in full swing soon. 

 

Her current choice of "me" time entertainment - the Riley playlist on my iPod

The past three weeks, I've been hit and hit hard by a wicked sinus infection, which joined forces with a double ear infection to really give me a run for my money, health-wise.   Sure, there are much worse things I could be suffering from, but for a person who is usually insanely healthy...well, I'm frustrated.  And tired.  And irritable.  And ready for this bump in the road to smooth out.  I'm trying to stay positive though, and am grateful for great medical care I have access to, and that things are getting better day by day.  I'll get there.  I'll make it.  Still, any prayers or positive energy or healing vibes you want to throw my way are very much appreciated.  Thank you.

Now, on to the real topic of this post....


In November, I join several friends in recounting something I am grateful for each day.  Many of my friends post these thoughts on Facebook, but I am spending very little time on Facebook these days.  So, I am writing them in my journal instead.  Still, I wanted to post them online, as well, since many of the good in my life is due to the amazing people I am surround by and I think it's important to acknowledge the good in our lives out loud, and often.  There is no rhyme or reason as to why I chose to post the list, thus far, today.  I just wanted to get it out there and am excited to continue through the rest of the month.  

Nov. 1 - Grateful for a small home that goes from trashed to tidy in less than an hour.
Nov. 2 - Grateful for a much-needed evening to myself.
Nov. 3 - Grateful that my little girl is learning the value of "me" time (see photo above.)
Nov. 4- Grateful that I have an objective person on my side, to listen and to advise.
Nov. 5- Grateful for the dedicated 'creative space' in my home, one that I can close it off to keep little hands out of projects.
Nov. 6- Grateful for a quiet day at home to rest and get myself back on the road to health.
Nov. 7- Grateful for excellent healthcare providers and insurance.
Nov. 8- Grateful for a productive day, despite large amounts of cold medicine and antibiotics and painkillers.
Nov. 9- Grateful that a much anticipated meeting went well, and for an early night and 10+ hours of sleep.
Nov. 10 - Grateful to have spent the evening at a good friend's home, soaking up her wisdom and her girls' playful happiness.

Nov. 11- Grateful for my military experience; for the opportunity to serve, for the life lessons I learned and for the committed, brave, and generous people I met along the way. 
Nov. 12 - Grateful for a plethora of little girls; for giggles and hugs, for dances and drawings.
Nov. 13 - Grateful for a new chance to serve others, and for the songs and words of children.

What's going on around here

It snowed today-the first real snow storm of the season.  At first, I was sort of "ew! ick! snow!" but an early morning romp through the freshly fallen powder with Riley and Harley was all it took to turn that attitude around and remember that I can enjoy it.  I guess it's time to get the snowshoes and XC skis out.

 Riley's new bedtime regime leaves me with more free time in the evenings than I have had since she was born.  Besides catching up on my own sleep, I've been using the time to work on various crafty-DIY projects that I've had my eye on for a while, but haven't had the time or energy to undertake.  I like stretching my creativity in these ways and it's always fun to learn new skills.  I'll post some pics of the projects I've been working on soon.

Today has been a majorly lazy day, all around.  We got up and made pancakes for breakfast, played in the snow, watched a movie and made salt dough, went to our favorite burger joint for lunch, watched another movie and now we are eating cereal and bananas for dinner.  On the agenda for tonight- yep, another movie.  It's a pretty atypical Saturday for us (usually they are filled with errands and housework), but it's been very nice, nonetheless.

November is the month that I have to apply for Riley to go to the school I'd like her to attend (I'm hoping she can attend a school that's a bit closer to my work rather than the school that she'd attend based on school boundaries.)  Making plans for her to attend school is such a reality check for me.  Where did my tiny baby go?  Where is the toddler?  How do I have a child that is starting to read and write?  It's bizarre!  And it makes me really try to savor each moment with her.  They are fleeting and precious, indeed.

Riley just told me that our house looks like a "tomato" hit it.  Haha!  I'm happy that came out of her mouth while I'm writing here. And for the record, she's absolutely right.

I'm not a huge fan of the holidays (in fact, to say I sorta dread them is a much more accurate) but I'm really working on changing my attitude this year.  Riley is excited about them, I have all my christmas gifts planned and many are ready, and I'm going to slash and burn through the invitations that have already started to arrive.  It's going to be ok.  It will all be ok.  *deep breath*

So...What's new with you?

Happy Halloween!

 

From the Sassiest "Princess Witch" you ever did meet!  

 

 

 Hope you all have a safe and happy Halloween! 

Miracles in the making

When I feel like I am on the cusp of some sort of breakthrough, or am processing something big, I spend a lot of time thinking and writing about whatever is swirling around in my head and my heart.

And after days and days- sometimes weeks and weeks- of morning pages and nighttime journaling and writing down random thoughts and recording the dreams that show up in my sleep, I finally come to a place where I can stop.

and state what it is I need.

and own what it is I feel.

and ask for what it is I want. 


When I finally get to this place, a place where I can stand inside my own truth, I write the statements, the questions and the wishes that I'm holding close on these tiny slips of paper, tie them up in knots, and put them to rest somewhere in my home.

Today, they are resting next to my bowl of heart shaped rocks.

I do this because I believe it honors my needs, my wants and my wishes in a very real, very concrete way.  I do this because I think it's healthy to state your truths and stand your ground, even if only to yourself.  I do this because while I believe that sometimes life requires hard work, I also believe sometimes it requires patience and faith.  I do this because I know that all of this and more is coming to me, but I have to hold the space (oh, you know how I feel about that phrase) for it.

So I write them down, I tie them up and I leave them be until I feel compelled to open them.  Or not.  Either way, I believe that by writing them down, by making the effort to make them real, I've exercised some of the faith that is needed in making the things I want and need happen.

It's powerful, people. 
It's a powerful thing to be able to name what you need and say what you want.
It's how big shifts happen and how big lives are lived.
I'm harnessing some of that power for myself. It's all written down.


I've been sorting through some very big things lately, making some life changes that are right and good but any change can be taxing.  I'm feeling a little bit tender lately, a little weary and careworn.  It's a cycle, a part of the ebb and flow.  But in an interest to take care of myself and pay attention to what I need, I'm taking a little bit of a blog break - probably only a week or so, but I'm leaving that open to whatever comes up.

Also, I know that I learned this technique somewhere, but I honestly cannot remember where or who told me about it.  A class I took, maybe?  Mondo Beyondo?  Anyway- the idea wasn't mine originally but I've seen it work for me and it can work for you too. Try it. (and if you know where I learned this, please tell me so I can credit the person next time - thanks!)

Working with what you've got

It's funny how you sometimes solve one problem, and replace it with a new one. 

My old new friends

I seem to have landed myself in just that predicament lately.  I've written a lot here about Miss Yaya's sleep issues, and it seems like we have finally... finally... figured them out.  She's getting between 10 and 12 hours a night, is taking the occasion nap during the day, and seems much happier and healthier now that she is sleeping a normal amount.  Her teachers have reported an improvement in behavior and attitude, and I know that I have a much easier time dealing with her these days.  Plus, because she is getting enough sleep, I am also getting enough sleep and a bit more 'mama' time at night, and I feel leaps and bounds better than I have for a while - more patient, healthier, and definitely more sane. 

The problem this opened up for me is that, in order to get her the sleeping and keep her sleeping, I have had to keep to a very strict schedule.  Basically, we come home in the evenings after work, I make dinner, we eat, she takes a bath, we read stories, and she goes to bed.  That's it.  That's all.  So in the evenings, when I used to go to the gym two or three times a week after dinner....well, that is just not in the cards right now. 

I don't consider exercise to be optional.  It's necessary to me, and I've found that my body does best when I get plenty of it.  Working out keeps me healthy, it keeps me sane, and it is an important part of keeping some genetic risk factors at bay.  Plus, I enjoy it. It's fun for me. But having my schedule disrupted by finally getting Riley on one frustrated me for a few weeks, and I sorta lost my motivation because everything wasn't going how I thought it should. 

It was annoying.
It was lame.
It was frustrating.
And yes, I got sorta whiny about the whole situation.

Then,  I talked to Hannah about it (she is my go-to exercise/healthy lifestyle cheerleader/coach), and she reminded me of what I already knew (but effectively squashed down in my "poor me, I don't get to go to the gym" lame-ness).

You don't whine. 
You don't quit.
You adapt. 
You adapt and survive. 
Then you adapt and thrive. 

So, I'm adapting.  I'm trying to work in a couple of lunchtime runs during the week, and I try to get to work as early as possible so I can leave in time to hit the gym a couple of days during the week.  I can always get a good workout in on Saturdays, and if nothing else, there is my trusty equipment waiting at home for me. 

My medicine ball, my kettle bell, my dumbbells...we are getting reacquainted again.  I started doing push ups and squats and ab work while Riley is taking a bath (just like I used to when she was little).  I have annoyed my neighbors (I'm sure) by jumping rope late at night on my driveway with the window open so I can hear Riley if she wakes up. I've even done the dreaded Jillian Michael's "Shred" a couple of times (She is a phenomena i just don't quite get).

Nope, it's not my preference.  Yep, it feels sorta disjointed and random.  Sure, I wish it were different, and I'm on the lookout for new ways to fit this into my life.  But for now, it is what it is.  I'm adapting.  I'm working with what I've got.

That's all you can do, right?

Coming Home

Yes, Disneyland was fun, fun, fun! (photos from that coming soon)

Still, the small amount of time we spent on the beach,

the waves,
the sand,
the water,
the discoveries,
the games,
the shells,
the pure sense of openness and freedom I always find by the sea...

This was my favorite hour of an amazing weekend.

 

October 12of12 - the lazy edition

Ok, lazy might not be fair... time-crunched, perhaps?  I have totally spaced the 12fo12 the last 2 months, so I wanted to get todays done and up before we leave town for a little getaway.   So, with no time to put these into a grid, here are today's 12of12. 

My cutie little girl, ready for school.

bare feet, ragged jeans, and painted toe nails.  She's my kid. 

checking her makeup on the way to school. Yes, I make her wipe it off before we get there. 

driving Miss Riley.

checking herself in at the door.

Riley and Kasja.  She looooves Kasja.

My one job for the trip - buy SeaWorld tickets.  Done!

I worked on a paper all morning.

I met my friend  for lunch.  Indian food -yummmo!

Self portrait in my 'keep calm' poster.

Packing for our trip.

It wouldn't be a 12of12 without a SP of the girl and me.  She surprised me by laying one on me.  This one cracks me up.