Don't Forget the Reindeer

This year was all about the Reindeer; the boys put out veggies for Rudolph and the gang. And Chase was certain that Santa wanted Soy Milk - like him. I'd like to report that everything was eaten.

Merry Christmas!

Henry Theodore Robinson

At the funeral my dad told this story, and I can't help but feel grateful for the wisdom from the story and its metaphor. When my dad was younger he went to shear sheep with his father. After working all day (literally sweating and struggling and wrestling) my dad was able to shear 13 sheep; in the same amount of time my grandpa had sheared 113 sheep--one hundred sheep more. My dad felt timorous with his small offering, but my grandpa cheerfully accepted his part and said, "Well, that's 13 I didn't have to do."

There are times in our life that we have more to give and others we simply have less. When our offering is 13 do we feel ashamed by our part, heaping pressure and judgement upon ourselves? Or do we see it as a vital part; an important part needed to make the whole? At other times, when we offer 113 how do we perceive the smaller offerings? Do we begrudge those who have a smaller part? Do we judge them against ourselves. Or do we take one another's offerings as rich and vital?

I'm thankful for this moment, for my grandpa henry validating my father's offering.

Give Aways...

So, I learned about Oneity recently. You can read about them here. But, basically they are a small boutique that gets fabric all over the world, and then gives back to the communities that make the fabric...pretty good.

Anyhow, they've asked me to do occasional book reviews...and this week they are doing give aways. A lot of places do giveaways, but with 450 comments over at Design Mom the chances of being chosen are pretty small. But, very few people know about Oneity so far! So, I just thought I'd share. Because you can't go wrong with cute and free giveaways (a new one tomorrow).

UPDATE 1/3 - They are doing give aways each week - I'm telling you, its so fun to win something!

Once there was a Snowman

My Grandpa Henry passed away last week and we all went to Utah for the funeral. Funerals are always such a mix of emotion. Highs and lows, laughter and tears.

One of the highlights was the snow...I'd like to draw your attention to the Dora Boots. I've always said, it takes a real man to wear pink!

The Birthday Boy

Every good sports party needs a football cake complete with goal posts and green coconut for grass. And it is requisite that your favorite team (NY Giants) are winning against your least favorite team (SF 49ers).

A party can only be better when you are dressed in your Uncle Ben's XXL jersey, shorts, and hu-normous shoes -- for the sake of relay.

Best friends are a must! Justin on his right and Christian on his left.

Happy 6th Birthday, James!

Bookclub Top Five

At book clubs across America, I am sure some of the choicest, strangest, and funniest sentiments are uttered...I am going to share my top five from last night; Letterman style.

5. Women writers write round and flowing, like a uterus...or so says an unnamed professor.
4. As I was filling out papers at the bank with my pregnant tummy and two year old sitting on my lap, they asked my occupation and I answered, "Nothing."
3. Did I spill orange juice? (the answer was no, lactation can just be that fun)
2. Lets go toilet paper his house...with pitchforks and torches...in true Medieval style.
1. In response to the infamous Jerry McGuire quote: If he had you at hello, you should run the other way.

The Cutest Little Shepherd & Joseph

Little Faces I Love the Mostest

Trees, etc.

This morning at James' school, we were being presented to the class. He is sunshiner of the week and got to bring his family today. All of the children were asking us questions. One little boy asked, "What is your favorite tree?" James said redwood without thinking twice. I said any willow; but truthfully need more time to answer such a question. Grammy said oak. And Chase said, "orange." He-Hee, I thought, what's an orange tree. I pictured an orange trunk, well something like this:

but when I went searching for an image of an imaginary orange colored tree, this is what I found:

duh! Of course I know oranges do grow on trees...orange trees; but that's not what I thought of, at all...well, in my defense, an orange colored tree could be lovely. Sometimes I look straight to the obvious and not beyond.

Do you have a favorite tree? (Is that something people have favorites of, anyway?)

I Have a Muscle

I am a rock climber. Ok, that's a little bold. I am more of a rock climbing wannabe. But, in either case, I recently looked down at my bicept and, well...I had one. Its easier to feel than see. But, there in Planet Granite, I saw it. A real live arm muscle. This is new to me and my arms and quite exciting.


But, because no one wants to see pictures of adults in harnesses, I'm posting a picture of cute James recently climbing. Now, he does look cute in a harness!

Birthday Blues

So James turns 6 in about a week and a half. I'm blue that he's getting older, but I'm also just blue about the party. He keeps talking about these grand birthday ideas - inviting his whole school class and such. And I'm not really up to a big bash - nor do I want to spend billions on a party. Not to mention the fact I haven't planned anything yet. So, what should I do? Any fun, cheap, semi-social ideas?

Snoozer

I'll admit it, I'm a snoozer, as in someone who doesn't get right up at the sound of an alarm. As in, someone who doesn't pop right up with sunshine in her soul. As in, someone who really shouldn't be talked to until post-shower. It takes a little work to get me going. But, I haven't given up on me.

I think it makes it harder when the laws of nature are againt you...isn't Newton's Third Law of Motion something like: Objects at rest tend to stay at rest. Well, I submit, it's true with people. Once I'm going, I'm good. But, the getting going is so tough sometimes.

So, what gets me going...two little voices sweetly pleading for books or cereal. That's the main thing.

But sometimes I feel stuck. For example, someone asked a great question about motivation at Ask Angie. I couldn't even start to think of a response. So, I do what I often do when I am stuck, I ask a friend. In this case I asked my dear friend Hannah to help. She is a wonderful teacher and parent and woman. And she was able to answer the question a way I couldn't, with a perspective I totally needed. And although, I'm not an unmotivated six year old, it really got me thinking. I realized that IDEAS are what inpsire me. And just reading her ideas I was able to think of some myself. Anyhow, you'll really have to read her words because they are beautiful!

Call Me Smurfette

I wore bright blue tights yesterday with a simple black dress...and I felt fabulous. I don't know if I looked fabulous, but I've been talking about colored tights all season and I finally worked up the courage to do it! No compliments, but a lot of eye attention (the nice way to say shocked glances).

iTunes - Jason Mraz

Last night I had to find a family picture for James to take to school. The task was much harder than it sounds, much harder than it should be. As I started sifting through pictures, the tears that are always just beneath the surface came. The hard part was that the pictures were all so happy. Times of laughter and goodness. I love what we built...but that didn't prevent the cheating and the pain it still causes me. And although a good angry-chick-song is great to run to...this one captures my sorrow of a good thing lost.

You and I by Jason Mraz

...Cause you and I both loved
What you and I spoke of
And others just read of
Others only read of the love,
the love that I love.

See I'm all about them words
Over numbers, unencumbered numbered words
Hundreds of pages, pages, pages for words
More words then I had ever heard
...
And if you could see me now,Oh love, no
You and I, you and I
Not so little you and I anymore, mmm...

And if you could see me now
Well I'm almost finally out of
I'm finally out of
Well I'm almost finally, finally
Well I'm free, oh, I'm ...
I'm almost finally, finally, out of words.

But, if you do know a good angry song, I really do run better...and would love something new!

Run, Do Not Walk

I repeat. Run, do not walk to your nearest Trader Joe's. I wasn't in time to try them last year. But now that I have, they are all I can think about. Candy cane cookies - who knew?! Now all I need is a scoop of the seasonal Dreyer's/Eddy's Peppermint ice cream with these cookies crumbled on top. Peppermint Heaven.