This week marks some important milestones for two of the people that I love most in the world.
Minou and p'tit minou un each have a birthday. Not to give anything away,
but let's just say that both of these involve traditionally big deal days.
Neither of them wanted a big deal though, so we will simply have hugs and chosen dinners and cakes.
I am so glad to be a part of their lives and that they are mine. Glad we are a family.
Happy Birthday to two very special people.
Showing posts with label birthdays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label birthdays. Show all posts
Monday, January 28, 2013
Saturday, June 9, 2012
saturday
soft grey day. project complete. whoo-hoo!
one boy is sleeping off a sleepover (or maybe eating pancakes up the street by now), the other is off to the vet's with our cats (he is the guardian of the animals, very in tune with them).
Minou is building a beautiful bench for my mother.
and I'm sitting on the couch, revelling in the sound of the washing machine and a peaceful moment.
many thoughts swirling around, many projects to complete, but none of it feels heavy right now.
rather, inspiring!
I have had a lot of gifts this past week. let me share:
one boy is sleeping off a sleepover (or maybe eating pancakes up the street by now), the other is off to the vet's with our cats (he is the guardian of the animals, very in tune with them).
Minou is building a beautiful bench for my mother.
and I'm sitting on the couch, revelling in the sound of the washing machine and a peaceful moment.
many thoughts swirling around, many projects to complete, but none of it feels heavy right now.
rather, inspiring!
I have had a lot of gifts this past week. let me share:
- a beautiful birthday. loveliest surprise dinner and birthday cupcakes.
- future kundalini yoga classes. maybe tomorrow.
- an opportunity at work: taking action that made me very unpopular (this is hard for me, I like to be liked) but may actually have prevented a future tragedy. sometimes the hard stance is what is needed.
- a student nursing conference and chance to grow, learn and share with some amazing women.
- a day at the coast. great naps both ways.
- a partner who invites me for walks every night but understands if I don't go (je t'aime Minou).
- patience and encouragement from people around me. I'm grateful.
- a new-to-me sweater & japanese maple from a friend at work.
- a reminder, which I needed after a brief loss of perspective last weekend (note: never visit giant open houses for sale in the neighborhood you want to live in, if simple living is your real goal), of how privileged I am. why was I born where and when I was? I don't know, but the choices and comforts I have here and now are unusual in our world.
- a new mantra: to look at a situation with clear eyes and heart and ask "Now, what can I do?"
Saturday, June 2, 2012
birthday business
Wow! I just realized that I will be turning 41 in a few short days. Unlike last year, this event has been low on my radar this spring. However, much as some people like to set New Year's resolutions, I enjoy using birthdays as an opportunity to mull over my intentions for the year to come and think back over the prior year.
Usually New Year's is the time I find myself focusing on more concrete goals, such as financial or professional. I'm happy to say that this calendar year I met my plan of fully funding my Roth IRA and also increased the amount I'm setting aside for retirement in a 403 (b). I managed to pay down our mortgage principal, shaving 2 years off the length of the loan. All this has been due to some pretty simple living. Simple, but not deprived. Professionally, I completed two public-health-related classes and plan to continue moving steadily along toward completing my BSN degree, which will (hopefully) happen next spring.
But back to birthdays! For me, this is the time for more introspective, less tangible objectives. This year, I want to put more effort and time into maintaining and developing friendships. They are precious. They need care and attention (like children). Also, I would like to create beauty and order in my home environment, while experimenting more with a lifestyle of simplicity. What can I live without? Materially? Mentally? And what will exist in that future space? Stay tuned for 42.
Usually New Year's is the time I find myself focusing on more concrete goals, such as financial or professional. I'm happy to say that this calendar year I met my plan of fully funding my Roth IRA and also increased the amount I'm setting aside for retirement in a 403 (b). I managed to pay down our mortgage principal, shaving 2 years off the length of the loan. All this has been due to some pretty simple living. Simple, but not deprived. Professionally, I completed two public-health-related classes and plan to continue moving steadily along toward completing my BSN degree, which will (hopefully) happen next spring.
But back to birthdays! For me, this is the time for more introspective, less tangible objectives. This year, I want to put more effort and time into maintaining and developing friendships. They are precious. They need care and attention (like children). Also, I would like to create beauty and order in my home environment, while experimenting more with a lifestyle of simplicity. What can I live without? Materially? Mentally? And what will exist in that future space? Stay tuned for 42.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
B-Day x 2
Today is a pretty big day around here, what with not one but TWO family birthdays. 15 years ago today, G1 arrived just in time to share a birthday cake with Minou (in his arms, that is), having kept his excited & expectant first-time parents waiting a little more than 2 weeks past his predicted due date.
We are fairly low-key with birthdays around here, but try to do something to make the celebrated one feel special. Usually they choose a dinner and a cake. This year, they are thankfully going to combine cakes (Minou and I are trying to eat healthier). Dinner will be a Tofurkey for Minou and pad thai for G1.
There were flowers on the breakfast table for Minou, because when you are celebrating 40-some years on our planet, a little fanciness and bright colors are called for. For G1, there was a lot of ribbing about drivers permits, something that strikes terror into Mama Minou's heart.
The plans for the day include a trip to our wonderful public library, shoe shopping for Minou, and maybe a good game of Scrabble (I recently discovered Words with Friends and want to try the original again). Minou was supposed to have the day off the dishes, but I just heard the water running...at least, he had the morning off chicken duty! I got up early and cleaned the Ladies' coop so that he could lounge in bed a little longer.
We are fairly low-key with birthdays around here, but try to do something to make the celebrated one feel special. Usually they choose a dinner and a cake. This year, they are thankfully going to combine cakes (Minou and I are trying to eat healthier). Dinner will be a Tofurkey for Minou and pad thai for G1.
There were flowers on the breakfast table for Minou, because when you are celebrating 40-some years on our planet, a little fanciness and bright colors are called for. For G1, there was a lot of ribbing about drivers permits, something that strikes terror into Mama Minou's heart.
The plans for the day include a trip to our wonderful public library, shoe shopping for Minou, and maybe a good game of Scrabble (I recently discovered Words with Friends and want to try the original again). Minou was supposed to have the day off the dishes, but I just heard the water running...at least, he had the morning off chicken duty! I got up early and cleaned the Ladies' coop so that he could lounge in bed a little longer.
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