You’re off to Great Places in 2010

Rebekah, as the main author of the family blog, has been asking me when I might actually decide to post something. I’ve got a high standard to try to achieve, since she does such a great job with the blog.

I was originally thinking that writing something about how last year was a turbulent year for many people would be appropriate, and also how 2010 will be better. Then, incidentally, my daughter went over to the book bin under my nightstand this morning and reshuffled a dozen books all over the floor.

That’s not uncommon – probably a lack of supervision on my part – however I noticed that among the strategically-strewn pile was a hardcover copy of Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

We often hear the Dr. Seuss story quoted with friends and family, particularly around graduation times, since it was written as a graduation speech.

I plucked the book from the carpet, put the paper jacket back on, and then read it from cover-to-cover three times. I hadn’t touched it since…my last graduation.

If you haven’t read it in awhile (text is here) it might be worth five minutes of your time. Among a world that’s “always-on” and information-driven around-the-clock, I found it to be surprisingly simple, once again. Such a quick-read somehow captured the essence of life’s “Great Balancing Act,” while keeping the big picture of the entire journey in perspective.

One of my favorite pages was the last page. Here it is:

So…
Be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
Or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea,
You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!

No matter what 2010 brings you – and hopefully all good things, naturally – best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year! You’re off to great places and to accomplish great things.

-Scott

10 in 2010

Greetings from 2010! Did I mention that I love new year's resolutions? I love starting tabula rasa! I am going to challenge myself to do 10 in 2010. It might be a lofty goal. But not all my resolutions are that hard! If you are feeling inspired in the blogland please link me to your post of 10 in 2010!

10 in 2010

1. Streamline my work during work hours so I have more time to spend w/ Avery & Scott!
2. Sewing classes at Spool. Alicia and I are already signed up for the February market bag class. So excited! Ps It’s downtown on a Sat afternoon, perhaps we have no plans to go home right away?
3. Expand my photography using {AV} & manual settings; textures and black & white post processing.
4. Simplify life . . . always a work in progress.
5. Save for new home in . . . 2011-2012! I am actually attaching pictures of houses to my credit card so I am reminded each time I have to have that new pair of boots to replace the several I already have.
6. Recite the Serenity Prayer until it makes sense: God grant me the serentity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.
7. Paper crafts to a few new items.
8. Expand my cooking repertoire to include roasts & dutch ovens.
9. Tackle baking a layer cake {I usually do cupcakes}.
10. Did I mention increase my savings?? {that needed to be said twice}

**The photo was done in AV w/ my 85mm 1.8 lens. The yummy waffles were made by my husband on his new wafflemaker! Avery & I love waffles!

Our full life!

This picture actually looks so much less chaotic in sepia . . . my husband and I walked past this collective mount for about a day. Til someone decided to tackle it. The perils of having a full life!

Who's in Your Wallet?

Albeit it's an annoying commercial, especially with David Spade. But let me back track a minute which brings me to this special post. Last week, Avery and I were having some downtime and watching Bounce - you know Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck (pre signifcant others). At one point in the film, Ben's ponders a life with a full wallet . . . full of people, not materials. I took a look at my own wallet and it got me thinking the most important item I pull out is my picture of Avery. Who are the people in your life that make a difference? What do you value? What does it mean to have a meaningful life?


Who's in your wallet?

Avery's First Christmas!

As we get ready to celebrate Avery's first Christmas, we remember how blessed we are to have such a beautiful daughter and a new wonderful "family." We never forget the journey we've been on and all the wonderful people that have touched our lives. Each day that goes by I am grateful, thankful and all the above. I know many people are celebrating this joyous season; I know others are scared of the future, the tough economy, the uncertainty of things to come. To all our friends & loved ones, may you receive the most wonderful gifts this and the coming year.

I asked God for strength
that I might achieve . . .
I was made weak,
that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health
that I might do greater things . . .
I was given infirmity,
that I might do better things.

I asked for riches,
that I might be happy . . .
I was given poverty
that I might be wise.

I asked for power
that I might have the praise of men . . .
I was given weakness,
that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things
that I might enjoy life . . .
I was given life,
that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing I asked for,
but everything I had hoped for
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

Many Holiday Blessings!

Rebekah, Scott & Avery

When life hands you lemons . . .

Recently added to the blog: "Buy homemade!" First it was buy organic (pesticide et al free), then came buy local (reduce carbon footprints) now it's buy homemade (help out your neighbors). It's a sign of the times to come. When life hands you lemons . . . make lemonade!!