Starting Now: Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Thankful:

That I could bring some comfort to Lily tonight through push-pulls and Reiki, relief to her bug-bitten feet and tense body.

For coming across a recipe just today for Brussels sprouts when I happened to have some in the refrigerator a day or two away from going bad. Saute in grapeseed oil, roast in the oven, then saute just long enough for a little butter to melt and toss with sea salt and pepper. Andy and devoured the whole dish full of them!

To the girls for trying the Brussels sprouts, even though they decided they didn't like them.

For a hard day today of inner battle to make me realize I had abandoned that for awhile and would really like to leave it in the dust again soon - NOW.

For a free eyeglass deal on Facebook at www.Coastal.com.

For hearing my niece say, "When am I going to come over to your house Auntie Karen, because I haven't been over in a really long time. Remember those glitter things you were making? You do lots of craft projects and I don't do any. Well, I do make those purses from duct tape." We will have to plan a craft date soon:)

For Frugal Mama - Simple Life, Happy Family. I think I'm addicted, but so far, it seems like a healthy addiction that is bringing me comfort in positive, real thoughts from a fellow mom, and some great tools, downloads, and what's worked for her family that really seem to align with ours, or what we hope for ours to be:)

For a conversation Andy and I had over dinner to simplify the girls lunches - make them like a Pita Jungle kids menu. Have a list of five each of proteins, carbs, fruits and veggies that we've bought for the week, and they get to circle one of each of these categories for that day's lunch. And make it fun on chalkboard paint on the wall or chalkboard squares.

A beautiful, moving speech from First Lady Michelle Obama that will hopefully move the campaign and election in the right direction.

Homemade lunch of quinoa with sauteed onions, zucchini, and yellow squash, grilled chicken, and feta cheese.

A phone call with Mom on my way to work. She is always able to make me laugh and to feel loved.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Welcome to Starting Now

Starting Now, I am starting to finish. Always prolific in my starts, I give birth to many ideas that flutter like a baby bird leaving the nest for the first time. In what feels to be the thick of my life (see "About Me"), there is no better time than now to take flight, to make my finishes as abundant as my starts. I no longer have limitless time or desire to clean up the mental and physical chaos created by starting many things and not fnishing one.

It is my hope that in starting now (for there is only now) and starting here on the page, that I will reach through the initial excitement of a thought, a project, a relationship just beginning, etc.... I will abandon my fear of yet another fallen start, sorrow heavy on my mind and in my heart to instead, give strong wings to my start, life to my lungs, and clarity to my psyche as I soar from one project to the next.

A bit lofty, I realize, but in starting this blog, I am creating accountabilty for myself to show up at the page every day. To show up is to write every day. Create. Improve every day. Learn. Hone the idea, thought, project, progress every day. Grow. And perhaps, learn from others who care to share their ideas on starts and finishes, as together, we spur a community of finishers able to relish in the life and gift - to ourselves and those we share our lives and gifts with - of what we finished, and what we start anew, again, now.

The idea is that as I embark on a start, I will track it here to its finish. Add thoughts if you like, or share your own starts, what you learn along the way, ideas for improvement and efficiency, how you enjoy the journey. For I realize that life is not simply about finishing, but the journey along the way. Yet, I am learning that to finish (something, anything, if even just for today it is folding the laundy and putting it away), boosts my confidence and becomes the catalyst for the birth and life of another start. Another contribution to our beautiful world.

My Life

Mother to Lily and Emmy, two young girls alike only in their adoring, interesting, active, sensitive, loving, creative ways; wife to Andy who has an uncanny resemblance of characteristics to the ways of our girls and who is a recovering (at least that is my wish!) non-finisher like me; caretaker of our human-like Irish red and white setter named Molly, and;

Breathe, ahhhh

Active participant in our lives filled with work, school, deadlines I struggle to meet, homework, cooking, appointments, relationships, laughter, sometimes screaming (we’re all working on that), play, bills, travel, gymnastics, walks with the dog, reading, managing technology and schedules, exercising our independence and learning to work together (and the balance of the two), trying to make healthy choices, and, did I forget anything?

Yes! In honor of my first start, breathing fully (I often forget to do this) and practicing gratitude. Thank you breath, for you give me life!