Whatcha Doin'?

Oh, my little blog! I have been neglecting you! Here's why...in the past two weeks we've had day after day of some combination of fun, excitement, hard work, snow!, and a little vomiting (just to keep us on our toes). You see, our kids' school finally moved into the new location that we've been waiting for since, well, years ago. There was a flurry of activity in the new space to prepare it for students, and I've spent a lot of time there lately. A lot. It's all been worth it though seeing how excited the kids are to have a bit more space to stretch out and explore. I'm so happy for them.

The picture above was from about a week ago. We woke up to a very wintry scene here in Portland, and the schools decided to call it a day before the sun even came up. Too bad though - the stuff was completely melted by 10:00 am! Whatever. It was the only "snow day" so far this winter, so I think the logic was that we should just enjoy the day off. Yeah fine, except I had an appointment that morning to take care of #1 on my list! My wonderful husband came through for me though, and I got to drop the kids off with him while I took care of myself. It was awesome.

Oh yes, the vomiting. Well, suffice it to say that somebody - probably not me - gave my kids food poisoning on opposite ends of last week. I don't know how that can happen, but it was dramatic, and thankfully brief for both of them. All better now! We've been pretty healthy for a long time (knocking on wood here), got our flu shots last fall, and are really hoping nothing else pops up before our big (huge) trip to Nicaragua that is fast approaching.

Picture Inspiration - Week 1 - Self Portrait!

So, between all that, and starting a new photography class or two, organizing the spring fundraiser for the school, and working out as often as possible, I've still got a crazy March to contend with. March is a marathon every year now because my husband and both of our children have birthdays this month, actually within twelve days of each other! I think I've got the kids parties covered, cakes have been ordered, grandparents are on their way, but...oh wait...do I have any presents yet? A few. Phew! This mom stuff can be pretty exhausting. And pretty great too!

I Want to Be Present!

Rocks the kids found at the beach this summer - cool, huh?

If anyone is wondering what to get me for Christmas this year (or Hanukkah - I'm not Jewish, but we can all feel the love), or if you happen to be a rich hippie benefactor who would love to sponsor me on a creative endeavor...have I got an idea for you! I just found out about the be present retreat happening next spring in my "backyard" - Manzanita, Oregon! Oh.my.gosh. This retreat is going to be a series of workshops centered around the theme of "Joy," and I'm wondering if it could get any sweeter than that?!

I don't know anything (yet) about polaroids or painting, but you can bet that I need to find my joy in the kitchen. Just look at that berry cobbler. If anyone asked me to whip up some whipped cream like that from scratch, I might just stare into a big bowl and have a little cry, that's how badly I need to go to this!

Plus, getting to meet Andrea Jenkins (aka hula seventy), and having her teach me the art of taking polaroids is right up there with shooting hoops with Barack Obama...out of this world, surreal fun!

Is anybody else considering going to this? We could be roomies!

En Guarde!

Look what I'm doing today! Vacuuming like I should be? Non! I found this book at Powell's this morning, and now I'm going to indulge in a little quiet time and classical French culture. C'est si bon! Sadly, this book did not come with its candy bar counterpart, but it does help me with #23 on my list. And maybe #5 too, but we'll see.

Maybe I'm feeling a little nostalgic about France because I was there one year ago, wandering around the streets of Paris with my friend, Tiffany, just going anywhere we wanted, eating anything we wanted, and breathing it all in. It is a city that I absolutely LOOOOOOOVE. I'm a little silly about it, probably. But what can I say? I'm not the only person to feel that way. It's Paris, for crying out loud!

Oh! Depending on who you are, you may be interested to read that I went up to Seattle this weekend to meet up with the Northwest Dreamers of Mondo Beyondo, and they are fabulous!!! I was so excited to meet these ladies, and we had an awesome time getting to know each other over yummy Greek food and gelato. I highly recommend these meet-ups for any others that know what I'm talking about and have the opportunity to meet like-minded women. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, use that linky up there and check out Mondo Beyondo. It's fantastic.) Go for it, people! Put yourself out there and see what happens! 

Wish List

The view from the bottom of the Eiffel Tower last fall...

I've been seeing lists all over people's blogs and I really love the idea. Some are birthday-related, like hula seventy's fantastic one, and then there is the grand Life List that Karen of Chookooloonks put together. Inspired by their lists, and others, I decided to just do it for myself - I'm excited! I turned 38 last week, and while it would be nice to complete these items by my next birthday, I'm not putting any pressure on myself to do that. This is just for fun! I may add to the list, or change what I've listed, but I will definitely be crossing out stuff as I try, do, or complete them! Wish me luck!

Here goes, in no particular order:

1. Get a massage (or two)
2. Take Rachel ice skating
3. Try paddle boarding
4. Actually use the Project Life kit I just ordered
5. Learn French - enough to feel confident in short conversations - booking a hotel, buying something, making a joke!
6. Have more playdates with my friends
7. Raft down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon
8. Read The Swiss Family Robinson and Treasure Island with the kids, preferably while hanging out in the hammock
9. Get really good at making something from scratch, like spaghetti sauce or chicken noodle soup
10. Take Ollie fishing - with hooks!
11. Go on safari with my dad
12. Start taking ballet again
13. Plant sunflowers in my yard
14. Make a photo book of my 2009 trip to France and Italy
15. Take a photography class at PCC
16. Don't travel for Christmas this year
17. Ride my bike more
18. Celebrate my birthday, Bastille Day, in France
19. Have more spontaneous dance parties in the living room
20. Make a magical thinking jar  started 7.21.10
21. Less coffee, more green tea
22. Take Rachel horseback riding in the mountains for her birthday
23. Read at least 3 classic books this year (not related to #8)
24. Try surfing with Andy, but not in Oregon
25. Make some of the felt softies I bought that book and supplies for
26. Reorganize my closet (again)
27. Keep up the hard work in pilates class!
28. Plan a monthly date with Andy to do something fun, not just a movie
29. Go back to Hawaii done - August 2010, but I'm keeping this one on the list
30. Plan a party to celebrate a holiday, maybe Halloween or New Year's Eve
31. Keep getting better at being on time - try being early!
32. Take the kids kayaking or canoeing
33. Create a craft space that isn't in the basement
34. Eat more fruit & veggies (local, organic, you know, the good stuff)
35. Get birthday cards mailed out on time to everyone this year
36. Take a scooter for a ride
37. Indulge in kindness and goodness
38. Drink more water
39. Breathe and relax

That's it so far! What would your list look like?