Sometimes, just listen to a good tune

Yippee

WCE accepted a job today....about 15 minutes from the house.  I know he is saddened by the dissolution of the dream team but I have faith that they may come together again someday.  The process was a harrowing one which included my heart getting all fired up, literally; the kids asking if we could afford Christmas this year; and picking through our values with a nit comb.

I'm also grateful for the partner that I ended up with....even though I didn't include him in the favorite pics of the year, he has such integrity and compassion and all good things that I sometimes can't believe our luck in finding each other.  It is when things go off the rail that he becomes most steadfast.  I just get kinda loud:)

Congratulations Sweetie!  They, and us. are lucky to have you!


And by the way, thanks to all my friends and family for lending an ear, giving us such generous Christmas gifts, and talking this thing through.  I must have rocked in my past lives:)

Favorite Pics of 2011

Before church

After the race

A Day at the Beach

Contemplation

 More Contemplation

 Getting There

Warrior Dash

Bermuda

There you have it:)

One last day

Today is the last day of a week long vacation.  What did I not get to?  Oh yeah, getting my oil changed, renewing my expired driver's license, and putting away the holiday decorations.  Of course, I can't really do those things on the very last day of vacation, that would be unvacation-like. 

What I need to do today, what we all need to do on our last day of vacation is figure out the last lego piece to the holiday sculpture.  What magical winter experience eluded me?  Besides anything having to do with snow in the becalmed Northeast.  Although we did ski, hike, climb, and run.  We also partied, laughed, read, ate, played games, and enjoyed each other.  I got it.  Today should just be more of the same.

Enjoy each other and the gifts of vacation for one more day.  The oil and the laundry can wait.

Happy New Year

We rang in the New Year with good friends, good food, and some fierce dancing!  Do you think you can dance?  Hang out with a hip-hopping 9 year old, a friend with a Jazz background, and a dude with a Dean Martin hat.  You will be disabused of your notion:)

This is the post where I get to wax poetic about the gifts of the year.  I love this part of the holiday, although another friend pointed out, rightly so, that this time of year is really about the death of the old year.  Reverend Judith with her Buddhist perspective, wished us all "Happy Continuation Day" and I like the flow of that. 

I'm thankful this year, in no particular order for the following:

1.  My bodhisattvas, the people on my path who are teaching me....that is all of you so a big shout out for that.  My daughter teaching me love, my son teaching me compassion, my husband teaching me trust, my friends teaching me faith and joy. 
2.  My job-- a difficult one but a raft in turbulent economic waters.
3.  Adventures--Bermuda, skiing, Harvard Square, Brimfield, the Warrior Dash,  and the Cape.  Most within 50 miles of here.  Go figure.
4.  My docs--they continue to work to contain my fear and my occasional irregular heartbeats.  Go team.
5.  My elders--they are "wicked pissah". 
6.  My Community-- I complain a bit about the suburban life but I've got neighbors who are getting my son on the bus, carpooling with me to dance, and preparing for ski season together.  I found a village and I'm grateful as hell.
7.  Yoga-my friend Rolf told me years and years ago that I was going to need yoga more than I was going to need any other physical activity.  His words have proven to be prophetic.  With my racing heart, arthritic knee, and herniated disc (I don't look that great on paper anymore), yoga keeps me going.
8. Church--  I need to sing, pray, meditate, teach, laugh, and cry.  That all happens every Sunday.  Amen
9.  The Things I made this year--not enough of them, and some half-finished....one even had upside down snowmen in the end but every minute I spent making something by hand was a gift I gave myself.  More next year, I promise myself.
10.  My Clients--I don't blog about 'em but I am immensely grateful for the amazing stories I am privileged to bear witness to and for...it is an honor.

So seize this year and embrace it.  I love you all!  

Why Read....Books?

Thank you Kindle, for being built by a bored teenager in an impoverished part of the world (most likely) and breaking down in a way that my WCE * husband could not fix...even with his high-powered safety googles and very tiny screwdrivers.  Apparently, I just need to call Amazon and they will send out a replacement but the universe is talking to me, through imperfect products, and I'm listening:

Universe:  What were you reading on Kindle that you miss?
Me:  Not much, I downloaded the entire Game of Thrones series which included murder, incest, rape, and naked princesses. 
Universe:  What have you picked up at the library since your Kindle went offline?
Me:  Biographies of Margaret Sanger and Kurt Vonnegut, a book on Buddhism, and some Irish short stories.
Universe:  Hmmmmm
Me:  What are you saying, Universe, that the Kindle's choices are mainstream and that I have to pick up an actual book and see if it calls to me?
Universe:  No, I'm wondering how the the last book in the series turns out.

Regardless of the smart ass universe, I'm not sure I liked what I was reading on the Kindle.  The choices overwhelmed me and for whatever reason, I picked down, not up.  I was talking to my buddy about reading and why we do it and we came to the conclusion that we all read for different reasons.  She beautifully stated that she reads to be moved.  I think I read to know more about what we all share.  The best writers transcend their culture and place and speak a universal truth.  The best example of that for me this year was The Elegance of the Hedgehog.  Stop reading this silly blog and order it on your Kindle, right now:)

May the new year be filled with transcendental books, and of course, the next one in the Game of Thrones.

*World Class Engineer

Dear Santa

Dear Santa:

I love all the stuff you give me, every year.  So I'm writing this note to ask you a couple questions.  Like:

1.  Do you have any pets? (besides reindeer)

2.  Do you ever get sick after eating so many cookies?

3.  Do you have back-up reindeer? (if one gets sick or dies)

4.  How many people usually get on the naughty list?

5.  Do grown-ups get presents?

6.  Do you ever shave?

From Emma...please write back
PS.  Am I on the naughty list?

HO  HO HO

I do have some penguins-
You and Luke never make the naughty list
I'm off to Jersey,
Thanks for the cookies
                                   --SC

Merry Christmas Everyone, may the wonder continue throughout the year!