Category — Lists

Okay, so I’m actually pretty anti-gun, but that is totally beside the point. Oh, and no, my kids cannot play with guns. Wait, missing the point again, and I don’t have kids. Well, I have one – is it actually a kid yet or is it still considered a fetus until it’s out of the womb and breathing? That’s probably a question for science and religion to duke out. I digress. I did wake up about ten minutes ago from a very long and deep sleep nap (okay, kids, I drooled! I don’t drool!) so that’s my excuse. And wait, why wasn’t I taking naps throughout the whole pregnancy?! I thought I disliked them but that felt absolutely incredible.

Back to my point. I have been given a happy award (thanks, Candice!) by someone who I grew up with and went to slumber parties with and embraced the wonderful 80s with! We went our separate ways at some point during the tumultuous period of junior high (my guess? is that right?) and completely lost touch years and years ago. This makes it that much cooler that in the past few months we have reconnected as adults (as two adult women who are both about to making the life-altering shift to motherhood).

The rule after receiving this award is to list 10 things that make you happy and pass the award to 10 other people. Hmmmm. I may only award one or two. We’ll see.

1. First day of spring weather (short sleeves, sun, windows open)
2. Spending a full day with Dave with no distractions (yes, these will be few and far between in a few days)
3. Finishing a project and actually loving it
4. Anticipating time as our new family of three
5. Chilling with Darwin, the wonder dog (yes, I’m biased)
6. Waking up to the sound of crickets on hot, sultry summer days where the only thing on the agenda is lazing
7. Cold beer and a plate of fries after a long, hard hike
8. Girls nights with ice cold martinis and great conversation
9. Reading a great book, the kind that you can’t put down, the kind that you stay up reading until 1am even though you have to work in the morning
10. Summer days and nights complete with grilling and time outside – porch time makes it perfect

I could keep going, but I’m stopping at 10 because I love following the rules (okay, no, not really). And I’m passing this on to Kerilyn.

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Wow, the first week of this year is a jam-packed one! On the agenda:

• First birthing class (I have no idea what to expect but I know that the class is a mix of all different ideas and methods so I’m looking forward to that!)
• Infant CPR class (I don’t even know regular CPR so this will be good!)
• Client lunch
• Client phone conference
• Baby kicking like crazy – it’s starting to feel a little like Alien – these sudden body parts (as yet unidentifiable) jutting out of my belly! Very weird.
• Balance
• Page for M2C (a secret project)

Let’s get started!

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This is definitely a work in progress. It’s daunting to make a list of 100 things that I haven’t done and tempting to throw some in that I’ve already done (and cross them out immediately) so it feels like I’m accomplished, but here’s to the Mighty Life List which I expect will evolve and change and grow… Thanks to Mighty Girl!

1. Get a tattoo
2. Pierce my septum
3. Write a yearly letter to my kid(s) (starting this year when #1 arrives!)
4. Take a romantic trip to Italy, stay in a villa, and drink wine
5. See the Northern Lights (in person)
6. Go on a yoga retreat
7. Plan an all-girl art, love, relax retreat
8. Start my own design business
9. Hire an accountant for freelance until above is done
10. Give birth
11. Visit all 50 states (drive throughs count)
12. Organize all of my photos (digital and film)
13. Print and frame my favorite photos
14. Live in another country
15. Read Atlas Shrugged
16. Meditate regularly
17. Learn to make baby food
18. Enter design competitions regularly
19. Kayak camp again
20. Take a lock boat trip in Canada
21. Take a long train trip (several days)
22. Live in a foreign country
23. Live on the west coast
24. Read Walden
25. Buy a house
26. Go on a honeymoon (even if we’re not married!)
27. Go sky-diving
28. Ride in a hot air balloon
29. Visit each continent (North America and Europe, check)
30. See each ocean (Pacific and Atlantic, check)
31. Grow my own vegetables
32. Publish a book
33. Go to SXSW
34. Learn to silkscreen
35. Learn to play guitar
36. Think before I speak
37. Volunteer again
38. Throw an art party
39. Enjoy something completely each day
40. Have a piece of my art in a gallery
41. Attend a fancy charity ball
42. Take a ride in a helicopter
43. Visit a tropical island
44. Visit Tahiti or Fiji
45. Simplify
46. Go to Burning Man
47. Go whale watching
48. Host a dinner party
49. Be an awesome mom
50. Be a better photographer
51. Visit Machu Picchu
52. Take an adventure vacation
53. Pay off my credit card debt
54. Go on a date once a month
55. Make time
56. Balance
57. Paint a wall (or two or three) with chalkboard paint
58. Live off the grid for at least a month
59. Visit Yosemite
60. Visit the Arches in UT
61. Donate regularly again
62. Learn my family’s stories
63. Visit Mexico
64. Have a hammock in our yard
65. Keep it green(er)
66. Donate bone marrow
67. Visiting the ruins in Greece
68. See the Great Pyramids
69. Relax on a private island
70. All girl road trip or long weekend
71. Do yoga on the beach at sunrise
72. Visit Dry Tortugas again
73. Surprise Dave with a trip
74. Keep in touch with friends
75. Get tattoo rings
76. Improve my focus
77. Make a list of places I want to visit
78. Visit a jungle
79. Laugh every day
80. Have an art studio
81. Start or be very involved in a non-profit
82. See a Día de los Muertos parade/procession
83. Sleep in once a month (but preferably once a week)
84. Completely eliminate TV  (I still watch some shows online)
85. Organize my art supplies
86. Own a pair of blue cowboy boots and rock them!
87. Build a savings account together
88. Visit Portland
89. Visit Seattle
90. Visit Baja
91. Hike 10 new trails
92. Learn how to make an amazing ice cold dirty martini (vodka, shaken)
93. Be strong enough to do Pincha Mayurasana (forearm stand)
94. Take and be in more photos every year
95. Learn how to make homemade chicken noodle soup
96. Create a birthing plan
97. Create a business plan
98. Regularly do crafts/art with kids
99. Get back into a regular yoga routine
100. Love every day

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I just came across this here and decided to give it a shot. I make take my time with it and keep coming back. We’ll see how it goes. And yes, I’m a blogging fiend today.

1. What Do You Do For A Living?

Art direction for a web development company and graphic design and web design/development on a freelance basis.

2. Who Do You Love?

I love many people (and animals too). Family, friends, pets.

3. Do You Have Enough Money?

Never. Though I guess I do when it comes down to it because I have a house to live in, heat (usually!), a car, food… but more would be very helpful.

4. Are You Healthy?

Yes, I am healthy. Can I be more healthy? Yes. But I think I’m on track. Need to get back on track with exercising but the working full-time (and doing freelance work) in the third trimester is wearing me out.

5. Do You Think You Are a Good Person?

Definitely. I think my heart is usually in the right place. I forgive easily. I’m loyal. I’m honest. I care. Sometimes I may be too blunt or too harsh in my speech, but it’s not coming from a place of malice.

6. How Old Are You?

Well, 34 (35 next month) but I feel like I’m in my 20s most days.

7. Who’s Your Best Friend?

Dave. And in at second, it’s a tough choice – can’t pick just one.

8. What’s Your Childhood Dream?

It was to live in California. Still on my list.

9. How Often Do You Laugh?

Lately, I laugh every day (or pretty close). Pregnancy makes me laugh!

10. What Makes You Smile?

Waking up well-rested on Saturday mornings, Dave’s late night dances, our dogs, visiting my family in NJ, belly kicks, snow days (when we DO have power!), girls nights, dirty martinis, exhausting hikes, taking a perfect photo, finishing a project, gigantic family get-togethers (especially since I don’t get them much anymore), Christmas tree hunting, first days of spring, relaxing by candle-light, impromptu late nights with friends, camping, blasting music, late-night conversations, road trips, walks on the beach, naps on the beach, dolphins, dreaming, getting my hands dirty, seeing old friends and having it feel completely normal and comfortable, talks with dave about our future (talks, not “talks”), writing, rainbows, vacations, new jobs, romantic dinners, long loud dinners, date nights, NYC, art openings, bare feet in summer, long summer days and nights, the future.

11. Who’s Your Most Dangerous Enemy?

Probably myself, thought not lately. Besides me, mum is the word.

12. Where Do You Live?

I live in a temporary spot for now. It’s sort of like transitional housing. It’s not really a home, but a house, and that’s okay for now. The future knows more about home than I do at the moment.

13. Do You Think You’re Strong?

Yes, usually. Strength in my beliefs but flexible enough to let them change and grow.

14. What Was The Most Important Thing You’ve Done So Far?

Probably getting pregnant. And in at close second, letting go.

15. What Was The Most Stupid Thing You’ve Done So Far?

Most stupid? I’ve done many stupid things, but it’s tough to pick a most out of them. Probably not trusting myself.

16. Do You Love Yourself?

Yes!

17. What Do You Fear The Most?

One of my biggest fears is being apathetic and/or being content with being content. Not striving for more, not caring to try or getting too caught up in life’s mundane things to find the time/energy/etc. I like to think that being aware that that happens to too many people will ensure it won’t happen to me.

18. What Is Your Favorite Word?

Enigmatic. Well, either that or fuck f&*k.

19. When Was The Last Time You Cried?

Yesterday. Hormones. No heat. Work suckage. Tiredness.

20. What Is The Best Thing That Could Happen To You Right Now?

Well, there’s the easy one – things can continue going smoothly with pregnancy and we will have an amazingly perfect baby. Next up? Dave gets a job in the perfect spot (northern Cali, Oregon coast, right here, western Mass) making the perfect amount of money and I get lots of freelance work with excellent and fun clients.

21. What Is The Worst Thing That Could Happen To You Right Now?

Hmm. I’d like to pass on this one.

22. Picture Yourself In 5 Years From Now

Happy, creative, running my own (design) business from home, living in our perfect home in a progressive town/city with 2 or 3 kids.

23. Do You Regret Anything?

Hmmmm. Not going to art school but only twinges of regret. I think it all worked out perfectly.

24. What’s The First Thing You Do In The Morning?

Cringe (I hate waking up early), then hop in the shower; well, more like drag myself into the shower than hop.

25. What Are You Thinking Just Before Going To Bed?

Lately, I’m so tired I’m not thinking about anything before going to bed except for how tired I am.

26. What Was The Highest Point You’ve Ever Been To?

Somewhere in Yellowstone or Glacier but I’m not sure which is higher. Glacier is my guess – Going to the Sun Road? I’ll have to look it up.

27. If There’s One Thing In Your Life You Want To Change Right Now, What Is It?

I’d like more time and I’d like more financial security.

28. What Are You Proud Of?

Proud of getting some clients and doing freelance work and continuing to learn the ins and outs of it (now, if I could only master taxes).

29. Sum Up Your Life In One Sentence

An incomplete journey toward creativity, peace, and happiness.

30. Name The Thing That Annoys You The Most

Lies.

31. What Is Your No 1 Question To God?

Why did you let money come into being?

32. Do You Have Secrets?

Of course. For various reasons.

33. What Makes You Laugh?

Well, this was also in my smile list, but Dave’s late night dances crack me up (and no, I can’t describe or share them).

Ok, I lied. There are 34 questions:

34. Are You Happy?

Yes, despite feeling drained lately and poor and tired, despite the feeling like a dark cloud tends to follow us at times, I am very, very, very happy.

***

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This year has definitely been a year of change. Some of the highlights and lowlights, things that have happened, things I’ve done, things I’ve learned:

• Job transition (started in 2008 but kept transitioning), pay cut (yikes! not fun!).
• Said good-bye to Mr. Boodles, an amazing, smart, friendly dog. We buried him in our yard in Mars Hill as it snowed. We included food and love
• Said good-bye to our cat Drifter later in the year (after moving). We think she was just too cool for the new neighborhood and found some awesome farm to live on.
• Added a new dog to our family. Molly is a bad-ass (no, we didn’t give her that name – she came with it) for sure!
• Got pregnant!
• Moved out of our cozy little house in Mars Hill – a bittersweet experience – the first place Dave and I lived together. Got pregnant there. Gained and lost pets. Learned about each other more than ever before. Dave started and finished grad school there. Enjoyed the quiet, private spot with amazing energy that was already there when we arrived. We both did a lot of growing in that house.
• Found out about being pregnant the day after we finished moving into our new place
• Said hello to a giant house on a lake in Weaverville and said hello to new roommates (Marly and Erich)
• Drove to New Mexico in March; fell in love with Santa Fe; drove through Texas (yeah, it’s ginormous); saw White Sands and Gila Cliff Dwellings; luxuriated in Holiday Inn Xpress after doing the opposite in Super 8; enjoyed the freedom of the road and no plans; missed N’awlins due to tired, late, and rainy
• Learned how to bake an amazing sweet potato pie
• Fit in a hike or two early in pregnancy (before it really kicked me in the butt)
• Built some confidence in freelance
• Didn’t learn to manage my time
• Made a baby list
• Took time out for rest, relaxing, reading, vegging
• Came up with a name for the baby (if she’s a she)
• Struggled with boy’s names (still struggling with that one) Elijah and Ignatious (or is it with a ‘c’, Dave?) are head to head and I think it will be a draw
• Attended lots of weddings! (four, I believe ?)
• Started Atlas Shrugged (again)
• Hosted Thanksgiving and decided not to do that again while pregnant
• Stuck to my new years intention
• Started blogging more
• Grew (in more ways than one)
• Had a love hate relationship with my camera and didn’t take enough photos
• Really dug into Wordpress
• Practice a lot of yoga in the first half of the year (not as much a fan of prenatal yoga)
• Learned (and am still learning) how to deal with temporary blockages of creativity – it’s not easy, but sometimes it’s just a matter of finding new outlets and thinking outside of the box
• Read lots of baby books then took a long break (time to pull some new ones out now)
• Learned that snow storms in the south aren’t as fun as they are in the north because they render everything powerless (figuratively and literally)
• Although some amazing things happened in 2009 and I wouldn’t trade it in for anything, a lot of setbacks also happened and I’m looking forward to 2010 – another year of tremendous change and growth – and good fortune! And babies! (well, one anyway!)
• Learned that moleskin notebooks are not “mole” “skin” notebooks (not that I thought they were made of moleskin but I thought that’s how they were pronounced. They are actually pronounced: mol-a-skeen’-a Crazy!

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Restaurant moment
Grove Park Inn at Sunset with Dave (oh, and it happened to be with a gift certificate!). The weather was perfect, the sun danced on the terrace overlooking the mountains of surrounding Asheville, we were in need of a date, and the food. Delicious. We had heard some mixed reviews of their food, but everything was exquisite. AND a delicious dry red wine (back in my non-pregnancy, drinking days). A perfect experience.

Photo borrowed from 10best.com

This has been a Best of 2009 Blog Challenge moment.

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