Duct Tape & WD-40

A Quick 2500 Mile Trip

If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you know that I am currently in Los Angeles to attend an art retreat. Originally, I was supposed to stay until Sunday... but then came FOOTBALL! and my photo got accepted into The Art of Hope exhibit, so I decided not to go. Then I decided if I could get back home by Friday evening to attend the opening of the exhibit that I would go. Let me just say that it is a really quick trip for such a long plane ride.

So today, at the end of class I went on a "photo safari" to Malibu State Beach to get inspiration for tomorrow's projects. All I can say is "Wow!" The Pacific coast is amazing and beautiful.

I got a chance to quietly explore and remembered a lesson that I learned a long time ago when I used to scuba dive.

It is so easy to get awed and overwhelmed by the big picture. You think you are seeing it all.

But then I remembered to stop and look down. Be still and notice everything. There are so many wonders waiting to be seen.

I'm not talking about a "stop and smell the roses" kind of lesson, although that is always a good and useful thing to do.

I'm talking about slowing down and really noticing the details all around you. For example, the blue of Luke's eyes is a much deeper color than that of his brothers. His eyes remind me of a starburst blue bowling ball.

Someone once said that God is in the details. How very true that is.

Happy Inside

I have said it so many times on this blog that I actually have a category for it. I am so blessed and lucky. I always keep that close to my heart. Even when I am in my darkest places, I know this to be true. Really, when I am in my darkest places, I feel guilty that I am there. How can I be sad when I have so much?

Lately though, that good feeling has been coming back to me little by little. It is a place of happiness and contentment that I haven't felt in a long time - at least a year. It causes tears to well up in my eyes because I actually feel grateful for the smallest things. Colorful flowers in the Spring. A bike ride to get a pedicure. The smell of jasmine in the night air when I let Bella out before bed. These are the things that bring happiness to my life. After a long, hard Fall and Winter, I'm glad I found them again.

NO! I am not pregnant.

Attitude of Gratitude - Day 7

The seventh and final day of the Attitude of Gratitude project is here. I won't be blogging anymore gratitude lists for a while, but that doesn't mean I won't be making them for myself. This day started off nice, but ended up rather difficult. It is on days like today that these lists are even more important. It's so easy to be brought down on a hard day. Really difficult to find things for which to be grateful. But when you start to think of those blessings, it is a little easier to face the next day.

I'm glad I have all 140 of these things written down. I know I will be referring back to them often. I might even make a poster for my studio that I can read when I need inspiration.

So here it goes. I am so very thankful that:

1. Cole arrived home safe and sound

2. He reported good interactions with his classmates

3. Jack only throws fits like he did tonight once in Blue Moon

4. Tomorrow is garbage day and they are going to take away A LOT of stuff

5. Karen has Mark to support her during her grief

6. I had an unexpected lunch with a friend today

7. Bella is a really smart dog that obeys most of the time.

8. Have I said Oprah because she has taught me a lot?

9. Chocolate! I can't believe I haven't said that yet

10. All the girls on my tennis team. They made feel welcomed and appreciated since the very beginning. Go JCC Milfs!!!!

11. My family eats dinner together almost every night.

12. we can afford to send our kids to the schools that we think are right for them

13. food in my fridge and pantry

14. Art supplies and art supply stores

15. Scrapbooking. It opened the door to a whole new direction in my life

16. Ranger Industries

17. If a kid needs any type of glue, paint, paper or scissors, I've probably got it.

18. The weather is cool enough to run outside rather than inside on a treadmill.

19. Nike + iPod Running

20. Both Luke and Jack are a part of the Y.E.S. team

Attitude of Gratitude - Day 6

I've made it this far. Can you believe that I have posted every day? Hmm... but I did promise something funny to keep you entertained. Let me see what I can come up with... 

I thought about putting "googly eyes" on all my moving boxes because they scare me so, but then I figured that if I had time to put googly eyes on everything then I have time to just unpack the stupid boxes. Here is the SNL skit to refresh your memory.

Just hang on through the commercial.

So that starts my gratitude list for the day! I am so very thankful for:

1. YouTube and internet video that allows me to see and learn and share things from all over the world.

2. people that make me laugh

3. my sense of humor. In my family, this really comes in handy.

4. Stores that are open 24/7 (so that Gary can go out and buy a plunger at 11:00 at night)

5. I have goals and aspirations

6. I can take my boys on family vacations

7. The natural wonders of the world like Yellowstone and many others that I haven't seen

8. my creativity

9. my new studio space in my home. It is full of boxes right now, but I still smile every time I go in there.

10. Luke likes football and can enjoy it with his dad

11. Cole's love of cars that he shares with his dad

12. Clean drinking water that comes from my fridge 

13. high-speed internet access (remember dial-up????)

14. e-mail

15. my brother-in-law, Sergio, who had a birthday today.

16. Anthropologie (it's like me in the form of a retail store)

17. Apple computers and Steve Jobs

18. LUSH bath products

19. Museums that hold the treasures of our past.

20. My husband bought me 3 PLY toilet paper!

Attitude of Gratitude - Day 5

Day 5, time to get more creative. I enjoyed a good concert tonight with my friend, Allison and her parents. It kind of felt like we were back in high school. We saw Jackson Browne. He gave an all accoustic performance. Nice and mellow.

So, on with the list. I am so very thankful:

1. I wasn't home tonight when Bella threw up on the carpet. The boys fed her Airheads.

2. My pool pump that just bit the dust is covered under our home warranty.

3. I got to have lunch with my husband today.

4. My boys have made friends in their new neighborhood.

5. I no longer notice the trains that pass by our house in the night.

6. My new bedroom furniture is coming tomorrow. I can finally unpack the bedroom boxes

7. I'm going to Artfest in March with my friend Jilliene!

8. My friend Cameron wants to have a Lovebomb at her house in February. I'm so there woman!

9. Cole seems to be having a good time on his class trip

10. My "Aunt" Reba who has known me and loved me for many, many years.

11. Americans elected our first African American President and I was around to see it.

12. Ikea

13. Wireless everything

14. Martha Stewart and her magazine. She gives me great ideas, but is not around to judge the results

15. Cole's Scout Leader, John Sowinski. The man is a saint.

16. DirecTV dvr

17. Brain candy TV shows like Keeping Up With The Kardashians, The Girls Next Door and Real Housewives. What is a lazy Sunday without them?

18. Quality (?) TV show like 30 Rock and Big Love

19. George Clooney, Clive Owen, Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig. They are all on my list.

20. Hot coffee when it is cold outside. If it EVER gets cold outside.

Attitude of Gratitude - Day 4

Today's gratitude comes with a heavy heart. The older brother of my friend/assistant, Karen, passed away this evening. His was a very short battle with cancer. Indeed, it wasn't more than three months ago he was enjoying a vacation in Colorado with a friend. When he got home, he had flu-like symptoms. He kept thinking he would get better, but continued to get worse. He was admitted to the hospital thinking that he might have picked up Lyme Disease from a tick in Colorado. As his condition deteriorated, test revealed that his body was riddled with cancer. There was no time for treatment. He spent just one day in Hospice before his death.

I never knew George personally. I have just heard stories from Karen. He was a gifted wood worker and cabinet maker. His life's calling, however, was music. He was able to play in bars around town. Karen speaks of the times he would call her and her mother on-stage to play the kazoo along with the band. I can only imagine the fun.

I grieve for the loss of a still young life. He would have turned 60 in December. I mostly grieve, however, for my friend, Karen. She and her daughter have endured so much loss in their lives. Life isn't fair, but it seems particularly unfair to this family.

Karen is also so worried about her 87 year old mother with a failing heart. She is not dealing well with the loss of her child. I guess it doesn't matter if they are 6 or 60, a parent should never outlive their child.

So I'm taking today's gratitude list very seriously. You never know what is around the corner and life can turn on a dime. I'm extra grateful for my kids, my husband, my friends and family today. I'm also incredibly grateful that Karen is a part of our lives. I just wish there was something I could do to help ease her pain.

I am so very thankful for:

1. sunset over my lake

2. music that makes me want to sing along and dance

3. Coach Art and Coach Sackman - two great coaches in Luke's life

4. Old Navy and Target for inexpensive clothing for my boys

5. Strawberries, grapes and peaches

6. Cole is responding so well to therapy and medication

7. Jack would rather be home with me than anywhere else.

8. Scott Kelby teaching me new Photoshop tricks

9. tulips

10. the big Magnolia tree outside my bedroom window. I can't wait until it blooms.

11. Gary is starting to pay more about his health. 

12. Bobby Bowden and all may FSU football memories

13. my hair - sometimes it is the only part of my that I like

14. audiobooks that I play on my iPod during my miles and miles of driving. I'm learning a lot of cool stuff.

15. This I borrowed from Cameron - There is no longer any man named Bush in the White House

16. Our troops who do what their country asks them to do

17. Professor Mike Radelet who opened my eyes about crime, punishment and the death penalty

18. My Aunt Jenny and Uncle Jack who love my boys, make us homemade jelly and marvelous carmel cake. 

19. My Aunt Shelby, Uncle Doug and Aunt Etta who are my boys' connection to their Appalachian roots

20. My niece, Laura, seems to have her head screwed on straight and KNOWS HER POWER

Attitude of Gratitude - Day 3

 I am so grateful for:

1. Cell phones and texting that let us easily keep in touch

2. Cole's 4 day trip to Williamsburg with his sixth grade class

3. I don't have to drive to Cole's school for 2 WEEKS!

4. Hospice care to help ease the pain of loved ones

5. I learned to appreciate good beer

6. English and Irish pubs

7. The holiday season that means egg nog

8. The Fresh Market

9. Free antibiotics from Publix

10. Movies

11. organic products are easier to get

12. Miss Kathy! Oh yes, Miss Kathy!

13. Books and book clubs

14. My boys love to read!

15. Morning veggie smoothies - Seriously!

16. Chocolate chip cookies - homemade, of course

17. Double dark chocolate Zone bars

18. DIET COKE

19. Starbucks - not just the coffee but the great design inspiration

20. Blogs

Attitude of Gratitude - Day 2

I started thinking that it might get kind of boring for readers to just read 20 things I am grateful for during the next six days. But internet, it is not always just about you. I do this as written record of my life and there will definitely be times when I need to refer back to these lists. I would like to encourage you, dear internet, to hang in there and check back everyday. You see, 20 entries times seven days is 140 entries. While I am very blessed and lucky, I'm thinking I am going to have to start getting pretty creative by about day three. Seriously - no duplicate entries.

So take a quick read of my list. Maybe it will remind you of some things that you are so grateful to have. In the mean time, I'll try to find some funny YouTube videos to entertain you during the week. Thanks for your visit.

I am so thankful for:

1. My dogs, Emily and Tundra, that were such an important and special part of my life

2. While we are on animals, that stinky, messy rabbit, Cookie, that belongs to Cole. You make him feel happy, needed and loved. You're pretty cute, too.

3. Grey Goose Vodka - 'nuff said

4. my father-in-law DOES NOT live with us

5. a husband that understands my need to travel and get away and doesn't give me too much hassle about it.

6. Bruce Springsteen

7. a mini-van that I don't like, but is paid for and fits my family's needs at the moment. It's black because it is one Bad Ass mini-van

8. everyone on Cole's "team" of specialists that give their very best to him

9. my Mac laptop that unleashed me from my office and allowed me to work at places like football practice and Cole's doctor appointments.

10. I have a handy husband that can fix things, when he is not working at the office, saving us costly repairs.

11. One word - iPhone

12. My Canon 50D

13. I could fill in a bunch of numbers by listing my camera lenses individually, but that wouldn't be in the spirit of things. So, I will just say my Canon 50mm f1.4 lens. It handles light beautifully.

14. My sewing machine that was easy enough that I finally learned to sew.

15. I've already said my Facebook friends, but now I will just say Facebook. I can keep up with my friends' lives AND chat with my friends in England.

16. that my friends Joyce and Keith have jobs that they love. I wish that for ALL of my friends - and myself.

17. Internet. Yes you internet! I can connect with fellow artists, liberals and SHOPPING all over the world. I don't feel so alone when I know there are others like me.

18. happy accidents and hot tubs

19. I can afford the best health care and education for Cole, Luke and Jack. I would be so much more stressed if I couldn't

20. London

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I have decided to participate in my friend Jilliene's 2009 Attitude of Gratitude. The goal is to write down 20 things you are thankful for, without duplicating, for a week. Like she says on her blog:

"When I am feeling frustrated, short changed, insufficient or victomized, I have a wise friend who reminds me that you can't feel self pity and gratitude at the same time. She has suggested on many, many occasions that the best way to combat feelings of resentment, jealousy, disappointment, inadequacy and sadness is to make a gratitude list."

I've mentioned that I have done something like this before with the book Simple Abundance (Oprah told me to do it!). It is truly amazing how well it works. The bad things just don't seem so bad when you are counting your many blessings. 

So I will start my week with this Favorite Photo Friday, and do my best to post my 20 things everyday. If I don't get to the computer, I'll still write my list.

YOU can do it too. Even if you don't have a blog, you can still write your list or write a few gratitudes in my comments section. If nothing else, give your blessings some thought before you go to sleep at now. Let's see if our attitude improves.

 

I am so very thankful for:

1. My husband, Gary

2. My kids, Cole, Luke and Jack

3. My beautiful dog, Bella

4. Our lovely new home

5. I finally live on the water

6. By far the best thing to ever come out of Texas, my BFF Anke

7. My favorite Ivy League grad, Allison

8. My parents who are still alive and healthy

9. My sister and her whole family that makes my family more complete

10. Luke and Jack's school

11. Cole's new school

12. Cole's new friends, especially the kind hearted Ben

13. Karen, Karen, Karen!

14. My longtime friend, John

15. John's wonderful beach house and St. Teresa Beach

16. My friend across the pond, Steve

17. All 211 of my Facebook friends. Yes, Gary I know every one of them!

18. All my Girl Night Out moms

19. My talented and wonderful friend in VA, Cameron

20. The super sweet and talented, Claudine.