Something Sweet

My photo was posted on the truffle girls website today.

Have a peek.

Note from the Universe

Every day I get a note from the Universe, delivered straight to my inbox.

This was today's:

Sometimes it just sneaks up on you, Kelsi, doesn't it? You don't even see it coming. Suddenly and without warning, you're surrounded by the best friends you've ever known. You're waking up in the mornings just "dying" to get into the day. There's a lightness in your step and a gleam in your eye. Your thinking is new, your laughter frequent, and you're drawn to tears whenever you hear happy tales. You're on a roll, so it's not like you're thinking about it, but if you were to think about it, you wouldn't know what's gotten into you, nor would you recall just when. You'd only shake your head whenever you thought of how quickly everything can change... Just something to remember the next time you don't see something coming. By the way, you row my oars -
The Universe

Today is my 41st birthday. Last year, as I faced my 40th birthday I was also facing an impending job loss (though the official notice took months...) and a crisis of confidence, of sorts. I wanted to do something more creative but I didn't have the background. I loved taking pictures but didn't want make it my business. I liked to write but I didn't like to be told when to write or what to write!! So I did Mondo Beyondo and Inspired Work and I made my lists and I opened myself up to my largest hopes and dreams. I remember sitting at my desk one day and deciding that I needed to write down what kind of boss I wanted and what kind of team I wanted to work with. I wrote the following words: Inspiring, Creative, Collaborative, Innovative, Challenging. Now? I'm there. Is it because I made a list? Would it have happened anyway? Or does my openness to the possibilities actually bring the possibilities to me? There's no way of knowing. But it certainly didn't hurt, did it? I feel so incredibly blessed - by the opportunities I've been given, by the people in my life, by the love that surrounds me. If this can happen after one of my hardest years in which I felt directionless and helpless....what will the future bring?

09/20/10

Music to my ears....Dean playing piano for fun.
The best birthday present he could give to me.

Back on track, sort of

We took a field trip to the roof today to do a little location scouting. Here's Tanja checking her email.

Not a recap, yet

I can't do the summer recap right now. Instead, here are some things that absolutely made my day today:

• Dean, bursting into the house yelling my name, "MOM! Where are you? I had such a good day! I LOVE MY SCHOOL!! Thank you for introducing me to Talia and Quinn! I made so many new friends! I have my own cubby and I get mail! Thank you so much!"
• Jack, shyly looking up at me and telling me that yeah, he had a great day, too.
  
• This email about one of my photographs: "ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THIS?!!?!?! I LOVE IT! jeez, this is a genius photo. i got chills." - from a t.ruffle girl!!! D'you know how amazing that felt??
• Salmon cakes with honey mustard sauce and steamed green beans and snap peas tossed with the best butter in the world.
• The lunches and coffee are made for tomorrow.
• A good Tae Kwon Do workout at home - all my forms, self defense techniques and advanced one-step sparring. Awesome!
  
• My book, waiting for me to finish this post!
• Life is good.
  

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First day of school at a new school. A little nervous, a little excited. Can't wait to hear how it was.

Back to School ... And More Coming

The boys started school today - at a new school. It's hard to start in a new place and leave good friends behind. The boys were excited about their new school, but a little nervous. Today will be the hardest day for them but I know, absolutely to my core, that this was the right decision for them.

A way overdue Summer Recap is in store and I swear I will write it tonight.

So much good is happening .... it makes my heart want to burst open.

I'm woefully behind on photos - I am still taking them (most of the time) but completely fell off the wagon about posting them. I hope to get back on track with it soon.

More is coming .... I promise. But if I don't get to it later today, just know this: I was in one of the worst mental places in my life this time last year. I had no idea what I was going to do job-wise, I was about to turn 40, I felt lost and uninspired, I felt checked out as a parent and wife, I felt sorry for myself and angry, I felt I hadn't done enough and I was running out of time. Now, one year later, I am about to turn 41. I've had the absolute BEST summer spending time with friends and family. I have a new job that I love, working with people who are smart, creative, and inspiring. My kids are going to the school that I wished for. My husband and my kids are healthy and wonderful. I don't have any more time, money or rest than I did last year but my life is so full of love and I am thrilled with the momentum and the direction in which it's going.

You may think I'm crazy, but I firmly believe that this had a lot to do with my change of direction.

Off to see the Wizard

We're watching The Wizard of Oz for the first time.

Dean's comment: Nope, she's not in Candace anymore.

Jack's: I liked it when she was in Candace better.

Today

Today I:

slept in (sadly 8:00am is now sleeping in)
finished the laundry
baked 2 loaves of banana bread
gave 1 loaf away to a friend
laughed
cleaned the house
bought fresh fruit from the farm stand
brushed both dogs
cooked 2 meals
cleaned the kitchen
took pictures
said hello to my neighbors
didn't yell at the boys
almost had to cross off that last sentence

08/01/10

My handsome husband.

07/23/10

Tamsin gets thrown into the deep end.

072310

What color is your moon tonight?
Mine is blue.

Today

Today I:
Yelled at the boys
Said I'm sorry
Worked hard
Had lunch with a friend
Laughed hard
Was inspired
Got sweaty
Had ideas
Am grateful
Exercised
Bought groceries
Washed dishes
Prepped for tomorrow
Took a picture
Wrote on my blog
Took a hot shower
Went to sleep

I love happy endings.

Day? - 072210

Poor Wolfie. He's not feeling so good today.
Although, right after I took this picture he started wrestling with Kate so maybe he's feeling better now.

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07/17/10 California desert sunset. Home sweet home.

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07/16/10 Heading home. Sunset courtesy of Idaho.

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07/14/10 Inside the ice cream shop in Cody, WY. The boys are learning about women.

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07/11/10 Leaving the Tetons, heading to Yellowstone.

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07/10/10 Jackson Hole, WY

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07/09/10 Idaho falls, Idaho