Saturday, January 29, 2011

25 Years Ago......

.......the space shuttle Challenger blew up.

Do you remember that?

I remember bits of that time, but I was only 6 years old and can't recall all the particulars. I don't remember the President's speech (although reading it now gives me goosebumps). I don't remember the outcry to stop space exploration and I don't even remember what happened to cause the explosion. I do remember that it upset me greatly. At the tender age of six, it was a tough lesson to learn that the best planned events don't always work out and can sometimes come to a devastatingly tragic end. I learned as a first-grader that the heroes don't always win the day.

My Mom encouraged me to talk to her about my sad feelings and asked me what I thought we should do about it. So she hauled out the old typewriter and punched away as I dictated the following letter to the editor of our local newspaper:



It's been 25 years and I still think the postage stamp idea is a good one. But more than that, I think the way my Mom chose to help me handle that event was a loving and appropriate teachable moment. She didn't tell me to get over it, or tell me to not feel a certain way, instead, she showed me how I could try to do something about it.

Twenty-five years ago I didn't understand that my mother was doing anything more that typing out what I spoke, but now I realize she was gifting me something that would stick with me for the rest of my life.

Thanks Mom. It only took 25 years and being a mother myself to realize how wise you truly are.
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Tuesday, January 18, 2011

A sort-of-imaginary conversation with my daughter

Me: Hey Lana Girl. Those are some nice shoes ya got there.

Lana: Thanks Mama. I think they're pretty silly. But they're not real shoes, no one has feet this big, right?


Me: Sorry Sweetie, but feet do come that big. Actually, Mama's feet are that big.

Lana: No way.

Me: Yes way. And guess what else?

Lana: What?

Me: Chances are your feet will be that size too.


Lana's reaction to that scary prediction:

I sincerely hope that bit of information doesn't scar her until she indeed does fit into those shoes.
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Sunday, January 9, 2011

2011: My year of More/Less

I know, that heading doesn't make a lot of sense, but let me explain.

For the past couple of years I've written down some new goals to help ring in the new year. Some of these I've succeeded in keeping, others....well....not so much.

I've decided this year to live more intentionally, from how I treat my husband and daughter, to what I eat, to what I watch on TV, to how I spend my free time and even what I wear.

No matter what I do, a year from now, a year will have gone by, and I want to spend that year being more intentional about the decisions I make.

I'm also realistic and know that I can only cram so much into my already busy days, that means some things will have to go. Therfore, if I set a goal to do something MORE, I must do something else LESS.

So, in no particular order, here are some of the ways I want to live MORE/LESS this year:
-Move MORE/Eat LESS
-Save MORE/Spend LESS
-Read MORE/Watch LESS crap on TV
-Wear funky jewelry MORE/Dress in frumpy clothes LESS
-Be creative in the kitchen MORE/Make the same ol', same ol' LESS
-Compliment MORE/Criticize LESS
-Forgive MORE/Harbor resentment LESS
-Eat MORE veggies/Eat LESS crap
-Write MORE/Mindlessly surf the web LESS

There are others that I'm sure I'll pick up along the way, but I'm starting here.

What are some ways you want to live MORE/LESS in 2011?

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011!

The Christmas Tree has been taken out, the needles vacuumed up, presents put away and decor packed up, with the exception of the lovely Christmas card display. I absolutely love all the neat cards we got this year (ahem...last year). Many of our friends and family sent photo cards and it's so much fun to see how their families grow and change. If you sent us a card, thank you so much. We really do enjoy them. (Click on the photo to see it larger and better view the family photos and creativity.)


2010 was a pretty great year in our house. Our girl learned to walk and talk and dance and make Mama and Daddy melt with just a look and a smile. We got some things taken care of around the place, including cutting up and hauling away 6 HUGE downed trees, fixing 8 acres worth of fence, putting in a garden, working on the lawn, upgrading a bathroom, installing new light fixtures and getting a new bigscreen tv.
Dan kept very busy (see above list) and even managed to take care of and sell 9 puppies this summer/fall. I began dabbling in freelance writing and even scored a couple of paying gigs. We went to Disneyland in October and hosted Thanksgiving dinner in November. We've really had a memorable year. I can't think of any reason why 2011 can't be any less eventful.
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