Today.

Today, I'm:

Thinking about the best ways to live a simple, beautiful, prioritized life.  This isn't always easy, but the efforts I make towards this kind of living are always worth it.

Preparing to start the process of updating my ceilings.  It's time to bid farewell to the popcorn texture of the 1970s.  Its been a while since I took on a home improvement challenge, and I'm weirdly excited about it.  The only downside - the trip to Home Depot that is looming near in my future.  I have a solid hatred of any kind of shopping that involves big box stores and lots of people.

Putting my house back in order after having family here for much of the month of July.  I purposely neglect any sort of housework that isn't necessary when I have them here (I'd much rather spend my time enjoying them,) and now it's time to dig through the chaos. It's totally worth it, though.  I love having my nieces and nephews here, despite the limited space in my small condo.

Listening to "Hotel Transylvania" while Riley watches it.  It's one of my favorite kids movies ever - the dialogue is hilarious.  Have you seen it?  You should!

Grateful the Girl had a playdate this afternoon. She burned off a whole lot of energy with one of the coolest families we know, and I was able to take some time and do a few things for myself.

Sorting out the logistics of the new school year.   In the mix is my new job, a new school for Riley, an off-site after-school program, swim team and gymnastics for the Girl, a different gym for me, and a million other details.  I know it will all work out just fine, but the current state of flux is anxiety-inducing for me if I think about it too much.

Laughing (still) about these beautiful artifacts my sister and I ran across in an thrift store yesterday.  Seriously, WTF?!  I can't imagine why we didn't bring them home.  I mean, they are just breathtaking, right?

Photo Journaling 2012

One of my projects for 2012 is to take at least one photo a day that truly represents what that day was all about, or perhaps documents the highlights of the day, people who showed up, or some other aspect that makes that day what it was.  The purpose of this project is two-fold- first, to document my daily life in pictures, and second, to improve my photography skills as I go.  (You know....it's that thing about being good at what you do every day.(

Now that January is almost over, I took some time to evaluate this project.  I realized that there are some days that carrying my big camera is just. not. feasible.  For these days, I reserve the right to take iPhone snaps, instagrams, or whatever to document the day.  Also, there seems to be some days that the priorities of the day are going to trump this project.  That's ok.  I try to put first things first, and in some instances, this project just isn't a 'first thing.'  Ground rules are a good thing, and with those in place, here are a few of my favorite daily photos from January.

January 2

January 4

January 6

January 7

January 10

January 12

January 16

January 24

January 29

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?

Random Tuesday-ness

Bowl of hearts

A snippet of what's on my mind lately:

*I have what I am certain is a sinus infection. I guess my regular February visitor is making an August appearance this year (Boo!)
*While I am all in favor of the judicious use of antibiotics, I'm hoping that my doctor decides that's just what I need for now. I need to knock this sucker out so I can enjoy the rest of biking season.
*I am so grateful for my Mom and my Sister-in-Law and for their willingness to help me out. What would I do without them? How did I get so lucky?
*I'm in the mood for a bedroom makeover. Nothing major, just some new paint, new bedding and maybe a little bit of work on one of my closets to make it more efficient. Whatever happens in there, it will be some shades of blue. Perhaps I'll call it a birthday present to myself and do it sooner rather than later.
*Riley's birthday party plans are in full swing and we'll be throwing a "princess-themed" bash in a couple of weeks. She's beyond excited. I always swore I wouldn't do the big girlie birthday parties, but I think this one will be a lot of fun for her, and that makes it fun for me.
*It's funny how my perspective on so many things has changed after having a child. She pushes me to lean into the uncomfortable in so many ways that I just didn't expect.
*Are you on Pinterest? I'm a little bit obsessed with it. I love being able to find a categorize great ideas so easily.
*I'm less and less enamored by Facebook and think it's time to get off it completely. My only hangup is that it's the only form of contact I have with a few friends and I don't want to lose that.
*Actually, that last statement is pretty sad. I need to do something about that and connect in person.
*I have started using Twitter and it's fun and way less of a time-suck that FB. Are you on Twitter? Let's connect! You can follow me by clicking the button on my left sidebar.
*Did you notice I'm part of the Blogher publishing network now? I'm super-excited about this and am looking forward to working with such a great group!
*I'm considering making some upgrades to my blog to help showcase some projects I'm working on. I'm not sure what this means yet, exactly, but I think it may mean migrating to another site, or perhaps linking this one somewhere else. Actually, just thinking about this makes my head hurt. I'm going to stop now.
*Less than a month until my annual pilgrimage to Squam Art Workshops. I'm heading to New Jersey first to roadtrip to New Hampshire with the other Amy, and I'm very excited to spend some travel time with her! We can fill hours with phone conversation, but it's not the same as face to face.
*Summer is winding down so quickly, but I can't complain. It's been such a fantastic summer, full of fun and family and friends. I'm trying to soak up what's left and get ready for an amazing autumn.

So what's on your mind lately? How are you enjoying the last few weeks of summer?

Good Enough

*hanging out on my roof*

One of my intentions for this year was to create some s-p-a-c-e in my life. Space to play, to spend time with loved ones, to explore new places, to do the things that make me feel whole and complete. Between work, raising a child, and trying to take care of myself, I have a crammed-full life, and yet I have a mind and heart that need a lot of space and time to stay balanced. I simply was not getting that space or time, and it was causing a little bit (ok, a lot) of emotional upheaval.

Lately, though I've noticed just how much space has opened up in my life. It's not that I'm any less busy, or have any fewer obligations. In fact, things have ramped up a bit. My daughter doesn't spend much time with her Dad these days due to his schedule, thus limiting my own schedule, my work is busier than ever, I spend quite a bit of time with friends and family, and I'm actively working on developing new talents and hobbies.

Despite this, I have found that the space I needed has, indeed, opened up, and I can attribute it to some well-considered processes. After spending time making sure that I was solid on what my priorities were, I made three very intentional and much needed changes in how I live my life.

-I spent some serious time, energy, and elbow grease getting organized and on top of things around my house (stuff like decluttering, meal planning, budgeting,etc.) This keeps me from feeling like I'm always playing catch up with housework and grocery shopping and the minutiae of daily life. I thrive on structure, and this type of planning creates inordinate amount of breathing room for me.

- I started saying no to everything that wasn't an absolute YES. I used to think that I should attend every book club to which i was invited, go to every concert that sounded fun, and train for every race or event that came my way. I've realized that I just can't maintain this type of pace, so now I opt out of everything that doesn't just scream my name.

-Finally, I've really worked on adopting the "good enough" approach to life. This is hard for the type A perfectionist in me, but I'm getting better and better at knowing when "good enough" is, indeed, "good enough". (I think that this one thing alone has been the most important change I've made.)

So yeah...I've done exactly one triathlon and no century rides this year. But I've spent several evenings walking around my neighborhood with Riley, enjoying the lovely scenery and people that abound. I still try to eat a very healthy diet, but I plan super simple meals for most evenings and get my foodie fixes on the weekends when I can enjoy the process of cooking healthy, yummy meals. I get plenty of exercise, but if I don't feel like going on a hard run or killer ride, I don't force it. Instead I take a long, rambling walk or do some yoga. I go to bed when I'm tired instead of trying to finish up that 'one last thing'. I put in a solid day at work and then I shut it off and leave it there.

This type of living is not something you achieve and boom! You're done! Like everything else, it's a continual process and it's never going to be perfect. Sure, it often seems like I could be doing more, and in some cases, I wish I could, but right now, life has slowed down to a very enjoyable pace and I'm savoring it. I'm enjoying the evenings spent on the roof, the books I wouldn't normally have time to read and the time I get to watch my daughter learn and grow. These changes are giving me a lot of space and breathing room, and bringing with them a lot of peace and happiness.

My life these days - - it's really, REALLY good.

A Gratitude List

It's been a hell of a week.

Not a bad week, just a crazy-busy one, crammed with obligations and committments.

I also had to make a quick trip to Denver for work meetings, adding substantially to the chaos.

It is weeks like these that remind me to be grateful for the many good things I have going on, because without them, I'd get bogged down in the minutiae of a complicated, busy life. And so...a gratitude list.

Right now, I am grateful for:

**an evening spent snuggled up with my kiddo, reading books and making up silly stories.

**board meetings with myself on my rooftop deck.
**a fulfilling, mind stimulating, challenging career.

**an amazing support network.

**knowing my girl was well cared for and loved while I was out of town. (This is so critical for me to be able to do my job to the best of my abilities.)

**seeing the payoffs of all the work and time I spent streamlining both my time and possessions. It's so nice not to be owned by stuff.

**parenting a creative little soul - check out her 'mermaid tail' (both feet stuffed in one of my fins and legs wrapped in a bath towel). She keeps things so entertaining around here.
**a long, hot bath after a day of airport delays.

**running the trails around my home (have I mentioned how much I love trail running?) These are some iPhone photos I took on a recent run.

(is there any question about why I love trail running so much?)

**new friends and new projects.

**2.5 hour phone conversations with my Dad. That man just. gets. me.

**recognizing that it's time to come back to center and get back to the basics.

April 12of12

Click the photo to enlarge

1. The cherry trees in front of my condo are blossoming. One of my favorite signs of spring!

2. I'm not trying to be vulgar, I'm showing you my broken finger. But no surgery required! Yay! I do have to go to 'Hand Therapy' though, although I'm not even sure what it is.
3. Current read - very good but a bit tough to take. The words, though....the words are beautiful.
4. How I look during a conference call. I do this often.
5. My friend and co-worker Tricia making her first cameo on my blog. She is hilarious and helps me with all my dumb questions. Couldn't ask for a cooler person to work with.
6. I filled up my gas tank today. Yeeeeeesh. Good thing we don't do much driving- a tank lasts a week or more.
7. The lovely Candace. My office is between hers and Tricia's. It's lovely. Location, location, location!
8. Afternoon herbal tea break.
9. I had a photo tutoring date with the beautiful and insanely talented Alisha. I learned more about light and exposure and using my camera in this one hour of instruction from her than I have ever by myself or reading books on the subject. She's a phenomenal teacher and her work is, well...nothing short of amazing. Check her out here.
10. I let Riley pick what we had for dinner and she picked Hires for fries, root beer and bacon, her favorite meal for a girl date. Weird kid.
11. Finished off the evening with a quick trip to Target. She loves the circle.
12. Cool door handles from my photo walk.

Four Good (but sort of random)Things

I don't really like chocolate, but I love how pretty Easter kisses are.

**Last fall, my Hannah kept telling me to take strength training more seriously, to work it into the swim-bike-run routine I had going. Swore it would improve my tri workouts. Swore I'd grow to love it. Yeah, yeah....I listened to her. Sorta. But not really. And then I ripped my hip-flexor in November and couldn't do much but strength training. And then I sorta started to like it. And then I really started to like it. And so I kept doing it. And then my hip-flexor healed and I kept up the strength training, while adding the running and swimming back into the mix. And then I started riding again this season, and lo and behold - I'm STRONGER! And FASTER! Like, a LOT faster! I can push bigger gears for a longer time! This is HUGE, people! (ok, maybe only for me, but still...I'm excited.)

Moral of the story: Listen to Hannah (except about making your own yogurt because let's just be honest, we all know yogurt is gross.)

**We're making serious progress on the "go-to-bed" routine around here. It usually takes about 30 minutes, which is significantly shorter than the 2 hours it was eating up a few weeks ago.

**Brown Rice + Almond Milk + Fresh Fruit + teeny bit of Agave = Best. Breakfast. Ever. So yummy and keeps me full of consistent, steady energy all morning. I am NOT a breakfast eater, and I actually wake up excited to eat this stuff. Try it. And then send me a present for telling you about it. It's that good.

**Two weeks from now, I'll be in California, getting ready to depart for Hawaii. I'm flying to CA first because Riley is staying with my sister and her family while I am gone (She's beyond excited to see her aunt and uncle and the twinners). So, besides going on the trip I have been dying to take, I get to see the sister I have been dying to see. So excited. For all of it.

*********************

What March Looked Like

We met some new friends.
And had a few playdates (this turned out to be the playdate from Hell, but that's another blog post.)
There were some knitted trees (this photo is especially for you, Hannah).
And birthday celebrations with friends.
I became slightly (ok...very) obsessed with sparkling water.
And took lots of end-of-winter/soon-to-be-spring walks.
Riley let it all hang out, ballerina-style.
And we made cake batter pancakes *with sprinkles* (Sooooo gooooood. the recipe is here.)
And then I began a 21 day "compassionate cleanse" (day 6 today and going strong.)
Riley received a very special package in the mail (thank you, other Amy. We love you!)
I kept plugging away on the kitchen make-over (these are cabinet doors).
And we rounded out the month with a little lice issue at the girl's preschool.
It's been a very busy month, full of the same-old, same-old as well as little surprises along the way. I'm jonesing for spring, however, and while March was lovely, I'm anticipating all the fun times planned for April.

*Random Tuesday Thoughts*

**I attended a conference today about a new research center focusing on women and child health. I love being a part of things like this. It's so cool to me when so much brainpower comes together to work on a topic everyone in the room is passionate about. You can almost feel the place hum with the collective intelligence. It reminds me how lucky I am to do what I do for a living.

**I think I've mentioned before that I got rid of all my clothes that I didn't really like, and the outcome of that is that I really only have a few outfits for work and a few for home. I need to get around to replacing some of them, but honestly, I don't really like what's out there right now, so I just haven't. What I am finding, however, is that I don't really care if I wear the same stuff over and over, because the idea of having stuff I don't want is worse to me than not having much at all. Progress, no?

**This is what I ate for dinner tonight:
Multigrain toast with scrambled eggs, avocado and tomato, and mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries). It was so yummy and so easy. If you have never topped off your scrambled eggs with avocados and tomatoes, give it a whirl. It's completely delicious. A satisfying, healthy, meatless, and produce-heavy dinner that only produces one pan to wash-doesn't get much better than that!

**I've really been stepping up my training, in anticipation of the upcoming biking and triathlon seasons. My first Century ride and first Tri are in May, about two weeks apart from each other, and I can already feel them looming. To get my strength work in, I'm doing the p90x series again and WOW! I can sure feel it today. Besides that, I've been increasing my running mileage since it seriously slipped when I tore my hip flexor this winter, and I'm trying to spend more time in the pool. I've kept up spin classes all winter, but I need to step up my time in the saddle, too, so I'm considering investing in an indoor trainer. Just haven't had time to research my options.

**Did I mention I am going to Hawaii? To see my lovely soul-sister Demelza? In about two months? Did I mention I am S.T.O.K.E.D?

**My kiddo is finally reliably and consistently sleeping all night. Considering she's three, I think it's about time, but she's been a terrible sleeper since day one. It's really nice going to bed and not expecting to be woken up within a few hours. High time, indeed.

**I need to hire someone to clean my house and do my laundry. For some reason, I can't quite ignore the voice in my head that says: "it's only a tiny condo" and "there are only two people" and "why don't you quit whining about it and just do it". But seriously, I just need to hire it out and be done with it.

Well, those are the random thoughts that are swimming in my brain today. What's your most random thought for today?

February 12of12

I can't believe it's the middle of February already. Time really does fly. This was a fun month because it captured a typical Saturday for me and my Girl. I don't think I've had one of these kinds of days in the 12of12 yet.
1. Self portrait immediately upon waking. I can't believe I am putting this up, but here it is.
2. My bags are packed to head to the gym. Really great run-swim-lift workout.
3. I promised Riley we would go out for lunch, and she picked her favorite -Red Robin.
4. Grandma Nita taught her to pat her head and rub her tummy. She was practicing.
5. The two of us at lunch.
6. The Girl was exhausted after a busy morning of playing at the gym, going to lunch and running a few errands.
7. Jenica mixing up my hair color.
8. Riley decided we needed to bring Jenica's girls cupcakes. With princess rings, of course.
9. It was a beautiful day - perfect trampoline weather.
10. R and G figured the best way to prevent us leaving was just to sit on my legs.
11. Trip to Target for valentine supplies and to buy a birthday gift for a party later this week.
12. Wound up the day by getting Riley's valentines ready- Barbie for the girls, Phineas and Ferb for the boys.

Super Productive Monday

I came home from work today determined to catch up on laundry from the weekend, get some grocery shopping done, finish up a writing project I've had on the back-burner for a while, and go to spin. Riley is with her Dad tonight, and I thought it would be a great idea to start off the week in a productive mode.

Um....yeah. I didn't do any of that.

Instead, I have:

-taken a long, hot bath with bubbles from Riley's Mr. Bubble (because I'm classy like that).
-laid on my bed and listened to a meditation to help release back and neck tension (I don't know if it works but I'm giving it a try).
-drank club soda out of a light-up martini glass (the blue light is my favorite).
-made whole-wheat molasses bread from this recipe (Sooooo yummy and very healthy).
-made chex mix with baby goldfish crackers (I promised Riley I would).
-made dinner for tomorrow (apparently, I'm in the mood to cook).
-oohed and aahed over pics of my adorable nieces (don't take my word for it. Look for yourself at how cute they are!)
-admired my adorable daughter (she took the cookie decorating very seriously).
-painted my toenails (blue nails, pink flowers).
-brushed my dog and attempted to paint his nails (did. not. go. well.).
-talked for 8 minutes to a friend who is, for reasons I cannot even fathom, heading to Cairo (Safe travels, NR. Send me a present).
-considered doing some Yoga but instead laid on my floor and listed to a yoga mix (which is, you know, sorta like doing Yoga).
-and read a couple of chapters from Pride and Prejudice (because a chill evening is best when accompanied by Elizabeth Bennett).

How's that for a productive evening?

I didn't do a single thing I had intended to do, but I'm happy with it all the same. And now I'm off to bed. I'm tired after all that stuff I accomplished this evening.

Another year of the 12of12 project.

This was my favorite project last year, so I'm excited to do it again this year. It's fun to look back on a year of random days, and see what happened during them.

1. self portrait as we were getting ready for the day.
2. harley checks out the snow pack (I could not get him to look at me.)
3. my day started with a visit from a plumber. pipe bursting = new kitchen floor for me.
4. the Rapunzel cupcake the Girl was saving for her after-school snack. she did test out the icing.
5. gearing up for a busy day in the office. I had 3 conference calls and 2 meetings on the schedule.
6. on the first of those calls. I only chew my lip when i'm thinking numbers. I must have been working on a project budget or something similar.
7. a to-do list for the day. those of you who know about my 'five-thing' rule will laugh at how out of sorts this one is for me.
8. the girl came home from school and went straight for her cupcake.
9. the stack of papers I sorted through. wow, they add up fast.
10. Riley had 'homework' to do: a snowman to color and a mitten to glue stuff to. I think she was working on the mitten here.
11. at some point, she got out with my heart shaped rocks (which are off-limits to her).
12. the day ended with some reading- finished one book, started another and read up on some swim drills.

Getting back in the groove

Today, I am:
**transitioning (slowly) back into my routine.
**working. from home. in my pajamas. not a bad compromise considering it's still a holiday (for me) but I have loads to do.
**grateful that the Girl woke up feeling 'healthy and strong' (her words) and wanted to go to school. she didn't feel so hot yesterday, but she seems to have inherited my "bounce-back-quickly" tendencies.
**sipping yerba mate while I review some work documents. this may be a new obsession (the mate, i mean. not the work).
**forcing my washer and dryer to work overtime so I can catch up on laundry (is this a never-ending struggle for anyone else?)
**making a list of the many errands I need to run- more now than before the holidays (how does that even happen?)
**dreaming about which Squam classes I want to register for (can I just take them all? please...?)
**trying to decide between a run, swimming, or a Spin class...perhaps a swim/run brick, if time allows (it probably won't, but we'll see.)
**enjoying the view of the hot (and super nice) construction workers who are working on my building (I can't help it! I have a thing for manly men who do manly things. it's a sickness, really.)
**considering my 'word of the year' options. narrowed down to two or three (maybe i'll use all three.)
**looking forward to some XC skiing and some snowshoeing this week (bring it!)
**finishing up some writing projects (really excited about these ones!)
**jonesing for some new music (itunes gift cards, baby.) what are you listening to these days?

How about you? Are you feeling back in the swing of things now that the New Year is upon us?

Today, I am:

Sunrise from my living room, Dec. 15, 2010

*Grateful for the good friends who just get me, who don't need the details or the backstory. The ones close by and the ones far away. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
*Relaxed from an hour of yoga, a run/spin workout, and a massage. Oh yeah...my kind of day.
*Wrapping, packaging and making a 'last minute' list - trying to get Christmas off the ground.
*Enjoying the warmth and quiet my new windows provide.
*Relieved to be able to add running back into the workout rotation (only 20 minutes, 3 days a week for a while, but still...I can run again! Yay!)
*Reflecting on my 2010 word of the year (build).
*Thinking about my new year's intentions and my word for 2011.
*Honored to see this post being re-posted quite a bit. I think it's important and I'm glad to see it getting out there. Thanks to all who are posting links and re-tweeting. I'm getting fantastic feedback.

What has today been for you?

Getting ready for ski season

Because ski goggles and a sun-dress are always in style.

Grateful for the Little Things

Today, I am exceedingly grateful for the things that aren't necessary, per se, but sure do make life much more enjoyable. Today, I am grateful for:
*An evening at the spa that left me a bit sore (damn deep muscle work) but very relaxed.
*Tangled in 3-D with an 8 year old pixie and a very large bucket of popcorn.
*A good relationship with Riley's Dad. It's nice that we can work together for her best interests.
*The guy who sat on the end of my lane counting laps for me this morning. I love to swim, but I hate counting laps, so this was a nice respite from the dreaded task.
*An upcoming trip to Hawaii in April. I'm already day-dreaming of sandy beaches, amazing hikes, lovely sunsets and some quality time with one of my favorite people.
*A super-clean and well-organized home, thanks to a lost camera remote shutter and a slight OCD streak.
*Having my little one back after a few days with her Dad. I enjoy the break, but I am always happy to have her home.
*My christmas shopping is almost completely DONE! Yay! And the few things I still need can all be purchased online! Double YAY!
*I still have a day left in this long, lovely weekend. It's going to be a lazy Sunday with no plans, except making chocolate chip cookies with my kiddo and phone dates with a couple of friends.

What about you? What little thing is making your world a bit brighter today?

Wendesday Miscellany

**I've started working downtown one or two days a week, and it's been a really fun way to shake up my work life. My new office is a bit more "corporate" than my University office and the energy there reflects this distinction. I wasn't sure how I'd react to the difference in atmosphere, but I am finding that I really enjoy it. Everyone I have encountered there is very friendly and helpful, and the view...oh, the view! I can look right out over Temple Square and Capitol Hill. It makes me so happy to glance out the window and see the city going about it's business.

**I'm not a huge fan of the holidays (in fact, it's more accurate to say that I dread them) but Riley is so excited about them and I am trying to make them as fun as possible, without going overboard. We have already received so many invitations for different events and parties - it looks like we have something every night in December, and it's not even Thanksgiving yet! I'm going to slash and burn through that list - I can't handle being that obligated- and only commit to the ones I really want to attend. Bah humbug? Yeah, probably.

**My condo board voted to install new window through our whole building, and while I wasn't thrilled about a major expense and renovation right before the holidays, I do think it will be a nice upgrade. I've also decided to refinance my condo, so I've been buried in the legwork that goes with those two things. It's been pretty painless, as these things go, but it will be nice to have them both over with and out of the way.

**I'm making some plans to head out to the East Coast with my girl in May or June (probably June). We are going to see some friends who just moved to New Jersey recently and also this girl, who I love and adore and can't wait to spend more time with. I've never been to NYC (other than layovers which don't count) and I'm excited to explore the city with my little one. I think she needs to attend a Broadway Musical - right? Which one for an almost four year old?

**I've got some serious musical obsessions going on over here: Courtyard Hounds, Sarah Barielles, Christina Perri, Ray LaMontagne, Amos Lee....some aren't so new, but wow...I can't get enough.

**I need some new reading material...what's on your list these days? I keep a list of books I want to read, but they all seem so heavy right now. I need light and easy, maybe fiction. Thoughts and suggestions are welcome.

Tiny little moments

You know those moments? Those precious, ordinary scraps of time that make a lasting impression on your heart? That remind you of how sweet your life is or show you that you already have everything you need?

I try to hold these moments close, cradled as carefully as if I were carrying a glass globe or a jar full of fireflies. They are the moments that fill me up, that offer rest and comfort when my soul is weary, my body is exhausted, and my mind is tired with the minutiae of being an adult.

This is one of my precious moments:
Photo by Jenica
Snuggled into the couch at the home of dear friends who have become family, a place where both my little one and I are absorbed into the cheerful, comfortable chaos. Little girls piled willy-nilly on my lap, their tiny arms wrapped around my neck and sweet little cheeks cuddled into my shoulders. My voice bringing to life the words someone else has written, while miniature voices murmur in wonder and awe, breathing small sighs of contentment as they contemplate a world of unicorns and rainbows.

(Thanks, Jenica, for capturing this moment.)

The 12 photos I *meant* to take plus a story by Riley

So, yesterday was the 12th, which usually means a day of carrying my camera everywhere, and documenting my everyday life. Well, it's been a hell of a week, and I completely and totally forgot until about 3 pm. I'm going to still shoot my 12 on Monday, so i have the record for the whole year, but if I had remembered, these are the photos you would be viewing.

1. I woke up at 5:15 am, which is the norm these days. I feel like I have to get up that early to stay on top of my day.
2. Riley wore her favorite purple Tinkerbell shirt to preschool, accessorized by a lovely hot pink feather boa (thanks, Jolie). I convinced her to leave the boa in my car so it would 'safe and sound'.
3. Red and pink starbursts, a favorite of the Bugness these days. She calls them her 'sour treats'.
4. Mandarin oranges, one of my all-time favorite fruits is back in season, so I am all stocked up! They remind me of my sister and fun holidays in the Bay area.
5. I wore my Joy superhero necklace, which is one of my happiest things to wear.
6. My work calendar was crammed full of meetings, ending with a 3 hour conference call. I love my job, but three hours on the phone on a Friday afternoon is a bit much, in my opinion.
7. I drank Tazo Calm tea all day long, probably 4-5 cups of it and TONS of water. It's something I'm working on doing more consistently.
8. I have had a lingering headache for the past few days, so after work I took a loooooong hot bath and rubbed some peppermint oil on my neck.
9. I skipped my planned run in favor of relaxing and reading "Mere Christianity" and "Born to Run". I've read both in the past, but I really enjoy re-reading favorites now and again.
10. I usually schedule a massage at least once a month when Riley is with her Dad, and so I rounded out the evening with this lovely treat. It's may favorite way to be nice to myself.
11. Target run - stocking stuffers for both Riley and me....check.
12. I had a long, heartfelt talk with Jenica, that left me laughing, filled up, and so grateful for my amazing friendships. I can't think of a lovelier way to end the day.

.....................................................................................................................................
And on another note entirely....
Riley has been really into reading me stories lately. They are usually cute little jumbled up versions of some story we've read together, with some intrigue and perhaps a Disney themed conspiracy theory to twist you all up. She agreed to share one on video, so please enjoy her version of "Mama, I love you."