wed and today

wed:

1. having the energy and inspiration to unpack a huge amount of boxes that i've been avoiding and seeing the space and beauty it created
2. seeing my cousin for the first time in three years since his (long-term) visit to china
3. trader joes ready-made pizza crust - my calzones were a hit!
4. jeff's face when he got back from his motorcycle ride
5. lea and i having a great afternoon strolling around half moon bay without any tantrums

nugget: life goes in stages so don't get too upset when things get rough; things will inevitably shift just when you wanted to give up

today:

1. lea only woke 2 times last night....it's been 4+ since we moved
2. time today to draft my plan for 2009 to ensure i meet my goals - never too late!
3. the amazing view of the ocean from all angels of our home
4. my 2 new books that i picked up yesterday at the new bookstore/gallery, both of which has inspired me more than i can know (kristen, i asked about showing my work too! i told her you sent me :)
5. feeling hopefully even though the morning was turbulent

nugget: "happiness is not simply the absence of despair. it is an affirmative state in which our lives have both meaning and pleasure" gordon livingston

tuesday

1. having a little time for myself today and using part of it to start a new drawing series
2. great conversation tonight enabling plans for the future
3. fresh perspective allowing me to see options in how to carve out time for myself consistently so that i can paint
4. dick blick art supplies - specially their illustration markers
5. starting to truly accept that being a good mom is a journey and not a destination
6. this group for continuing on with new perspectives, voices, and enthusiasm
   

nugget: there is ALWAYS someone who will understand whatever you're going through so speak up!

monday

1. trader joes
2. drive thru lattes
   
3. time to reflect and write
4. new recipes for healthy cookies
5. jeff for going shopping tonight

home sweet sweet

1. home motherfucking sweet home! (sorry for the swearing but it's gotta be there)
2. surviving our first plane trip with lea
3. jeff's patience, tolerance, strength, and unconditional love
4. my new silver ugg slippers from jeff and lea
5. watching lea getting bathed in bubbles
6. seeing how happy lea made my family and friends this weekend
7. the chance to see so many people i love from my past and have them meet my immediate family

nugget: decide to go easy, make it work, and stay calm. it works in short spurts.

from yesterday

last day of 32

1. having coffee with a friend and reaffirming that the more i open up the more i find others can relate
2. talking things through at the right moment
3. alden's mint chocolate chip ice cream
4. feeling at peace with not knowing what to do next and understanding i just need to trust right now
   
5. seeing an ugg box in jeff's room filled with my new slippers - yippee!

nugget: maybe things aren't as complicated as i think sometimes. maybe they are really, really simple.

33 and counting

1. kristen's new idig format of defining the day in the subject line
   
2. all the birthday messages, visits, gifts, and conversations proving how lucky i am to be surrounded by so much love and support
3. the chocolate cupcakes from kristen - the gift that keeps giving throughout the day
4. believing that even though i still have a ways to go, i have traveled so far already...which inspires me to keep going
5. the feeling of my bed when i get to crawl back into it and fall asleep

nugget: i decided today the theme for my 33rd year is going to be SHINE. i think it's perfect as it allows me to focus on the good, encourages me to trust myself and take risks, but most of all forces me to use the power i already have.

tues

1. making some strides in the long journey to conquering my fears and living my dream
2. being a stay at home mom - getting to be a little more graceful with the role
   
3. my own studio space in our new home
4. finding a note i wrote in nov of '07 that helped remind me that i'm on track
5. having the new perspective of being a painter in life - not just the studio - and seeing how much it works, even though i didn't really understand how to go about it at first

nugget: i'm better at jumping into my power than staying in it. i need to learn to stay, sustain, and accept my power.