Quotable Quotes

The concept of hanging on to a few key phrases or ideas was something that I learned in High School (thanks, Mrs. Pedersen) and continue to do to this day. As a writer, i'm drawn to words. I collect them. If you shuffle through my bag, there are quotes written on receipts and scraps of paper. I keep a journal with me almost all the time and write them there. I thought I'd share a few of the quotes that I'm finding particularly relevant right now.

"For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This persective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one." --Souza

**I try to live this way. I try to treasure the little moments and remember that life is about the journey, not the destination. Most of all, I DO NOT want to be one of those people who says "I'll be happy when...". This quote reminds me of that.

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." - Howard Thurman

**This quote, which currently is residing on my bathroom mirror, reminds me to be alive and in the moment, and make choices and spend time so I feel that way. Who cares if what makes me feel alive does not conform to society's view of normal and important? I'm the one who is living my life. And I'm living it for me.

"I want this music and this dawn. And the warmth of your cheek against mine." - Rumi

**Have I mentioned how much I LOVE Rumi? His words just make me melt. In my opinion, this sums up exactly what true love is about...shared simple pleasures and feeling at home with the one you choose. And, yes, this is one of those "non-negotiables" I am holding out for.

"Above all else, it is about leaving a mark that I existed: I was here. I was hungry. I was defeated. I was happy. I was sad. I was in love. I was afraid. I was hopeful. I had an idea and I had a good purpose and that's why I made works of art." Felix Gonzalez-Torres

**This is why I write. For all of the reasons listed above, and for many more.

"...I fully aim to get my soul known again..." -Jonatha Brooke/Woody Guthrie

**I'm not sure how to reference this quote. It's from a song by one of my favorite artists ever, Jonatha Brooke, but the words come from Woody Guthrie's previous work, I believe. No matter what, though, it sums up perfectly what I'm looking for in a relationship. I want someone to know my soul. (wow, lots of relationshippy things on the brain lately. Wonder how come?)

Just thought I'd share some of the words that are bouncing through my head these days. What about you? What quotes/words/songs make your world come alive?

After much debate, talking myself in and out of it, and trying to convince myself I didn't want/need/have time to go....

I JUST SENT MY REGISTRATION IN FOR SQUAM ART WORKSHOPS!!


Party in my cabin? Who's in?

Gratitude Friday

First off, I noticed that I have a few new readers here! YAY! I love getting to know new people and I especially love new blog friends. If you are so inclined, please leave me a little note in the comments and tell me about you. Also, I'd love your to check out your blog, if you have one, so please send that along.

And now, a list of things I am particularly thankful for this week:

~My daughter, as always, is the joy of my life. She hasn't felt well for a while and also had the dreaded ear infection over the last weekend. She's feeling better and is acting so much happier. I'm grateful she is healthy and whole.
~My friend, Molly, who just gave me the best advice ever. She said "We don't make rules for ourselves necessarily to follow them. We make them to make us think about it." This is particularly relevant in dealing with a recent issue, and she totally gets where I am coming from. I am so thankful to have such a wise, kind, caring friend who just gets me.
~And speaking of friends who just get me, I'm so very thankful for my friend and soulmate, Candace, who needs girl time, who believes in energy, who understands the need to shop for fishnets and Orgasm, who has taught me how to heal, who inspires me to work harder for what I want, and who lives for happiness at all costs. I couldn't have made it through a few hard times without her. She also called me "the coolest mormon she has ever met", which I am taking as a HUGE compliment. Love you, girl.
~ I am thankful for "my six month to one year plan". For those who know what I'm talking about...I'm also thankful for your encouragement and enthusiasm.
~I am grateful that it has not snowed much lately. I understand that I live in Utah and most people like the snow, but I do not. I am grateful not to be tortured as much this year. :)
~I am thankful for a full nights sleep, which has left me a little giddy this morning. Who knew that 8 straight could make you feel like a million, even with two ruptured eardrums.

As always, this is just a sneak peek at all the amazing things in my life. So what about you? What are you grateful for?

Love Looks Like This

I'm a writer. I express myself through words.

I've been trying to find the words to express how beautiful these little boys are. How, when their tiny fingers gripped around mine, I felt them grip my heart, as well. How amazing it is to see the personalities already. How giant the spirits are that are housed in the tiny bodies. How beautiful my sister is, and how fully she has come into motherhood. How strong and steady their father is, and how he is such a great example of the type of man they will become.

I can't find all the words I need, and so I offer these photos to show you: This is what LOVE looks like.

Special Edition of Gratitude Friday: TWINNERS!

My little sister had her twins last nights. They made their debut around 9:30 MST (I'm still working on exact times) and are beautiful and perfect, as you can see from the pics below. My sister, who is tiny and delicate, carried them to 38 weeks, delivered them without a c-section, and they were GINORMOUS for twins.

Please meet Bamboo (aka Baby A). Just a nickname until the real names are sorted out.

Bamboo was 7 lbs. 11 oz. and was 20 inches long. He had a little trouble with his O2 sats but is doing ok and will spend a little time in the NICU. He looks JUST LIKE JOEY!

Next, here is Twig (Baby B).

He's a trooper and a feisty little guy. I heard him yelling on the phone last night and that kid has a set of lungs! He was 7 lbs. 8 oz and is also 20 inches long. He looks JUST LIKE JOEY! (of course, they are identical twins, so this isn't a big shock to anyone.)

Becky is truly the Superhero in all of this! She's earned her place in the Rockstar Mom Hall of Fame, as far as I am concerned!

I'll keep everyone posted. I'm so happy they are here and so grateful that all was ok, and so excited to meet my Nephews! Love you, Becky, Joey, Bamboo and Twig!

Sixteen things

I've been tagged on this about 12 times, so here goes. 16 things about me:

1. I hate it to be totally dark when my daughter is home. When she isn't, I love and crave the complete dark. I blame this on a really terrible night I experienced when she was just a few days old.
2. The am actively working on two books, but have notes and chapters on about 14 others.
3. I fully intend to support myself and my daughter by writing full time within the next 10 years.
4. I have cable specifically for Discovery Channel, Nova, ESPN and TLC. Otherwise, I could not care less about TV and would get rid of it.
5. I am a great public speaker, and big crowds don't worry me in the slightest if that's why I am in one. Socially, however, I prefer smallish gatherings, where I can talk to people and get to know them.
6. I need PLENTY of alone time. More than the average person, I'd say.
7. My daughter and I share the same birthday. I was not willing to put off my c-section by 45 minutes so she could have her own. I am that big of a wimp.
8. I am very proud of my military service, yet I abhor violence, and refuse to watch it.
9. I could happily be the eternal student and I plan to go to school, in some form or another, for my entire life.
10. I have a great sense of humor, and can be really funny with most people, but I only get super-silly with those I love and trust.
11. I am just barely beginning to understand how big my heart is and how much love I have to spread around.
12. I am not easily scared or easily intimidated, but characters that come out of a play or performance and down into the audience - well, that scares the hell out of me.
13. I have a GINORMOUS family, which is awesome, and I especially enjoy how my siblings and I relate to each other now that we are all adults.
14. Even though my sister lives several states away, I consider my day incomplete if I haven't talked or texted her at least 10 times. I am not kidding at all here.
15. I didn't realize I was a pretty good cook until fairly recently.
16. Even though I am not a good swimmer, I feel calm and peaceful and complete around water, especially the Pacific Ocean.

Grateful for Inspiration

This new year has already tossed a few tough weeks at me. After the' buzz' of the holidays and the 'busy-ness' of getting back in the swing of things, I started to experience the 'blahs' of January. My writing wasn't going as well as I had hoped, there was some 'weirdness' in a couple of relationships I needed to deal with, and the nasty winter inversion that had settled upon my normally gorgeous mountain home was making me feel tired and, well, kind of icky (for lack of a better word).

I needed to do something about this state of affairs, and fast. So I decided to look for things that would help pull me out of this funk...actively look for, or perhaps more importantly, NOTICE the beauty and the creativity and the humor of the world around me. Basically, I began looking for inspiration.

And, boy, did I find it. Just some of the many things I'm feeling inspired by lately:

*May Sarton's Journals - so much truth and beauty and substance. I love the flow and rhythm of her words.
*Poetry, Poetry, Poetry - I have been getting lost in the lines of new loves (Pablo Neruda, Mary Oliver, Kay Ryan, Rumi) and old favorites (ee cummings, Keats, Byron, Dickinson, even Shel Silverstein).
*My sister's relationship with her husband - I tell them this all the time, but they truly make me believe there is a perfect match for everyone. They are both so different but they blend into something so much bigger and stronger than the two of them separately. It inspires me.
*The color blue- in all shades. I can't seem to get enough of it. I want to paint my entire house in different shades of it.
*New clothes - I really needed a wardrobe update and the new stuff I got just sings to me...pencil skirts, denim skirts, bright tops, thick belts. All of it is fun and feminine and a little bit sexy and I'm having so much fun with it!
*Vintage clothes- I've also spent a little time haunting my favorite vintage store and picked up a few "new to me" things to liven things up a little - black leather jacket that just works for me, brooches with colored stones, a funky bag that i can't wait to use. I am loving mixing the old and the new and playing with my personal style.
*Inauguration Celebrations - The Inauguration of President Obama was simply amazing. There was so much joy and hope evident in all the ceremonies and festivities. I believe he has an incredibly tough job and is the best thing for this country right now. Also, I really have enjoyed watching his wife. Our new first lady is elegant but approachable and seems intelligent and down to earth. I'm so excited for this chapter in our history. It's been a long time coming.

There's a lot more on this list, but needless to say, I found what i was looking for. I found truth and beauty and creativity and INSPIRATION.

For these things, I am grateful.