With inspiration from my dear sister-in-law, Rachel, I embark on this adventure - capturing an image every day for a year both to have for myself and to share with you. My hope is that through this effort, I will "keep peace in the noisy confusion of life" - taking time to notice the small things, celebrate the big things, and more fully appreciate the gift of each new day. Of course, I had every intention of beginning this on January 1st - but when that day came and went without a blog, Rachel assured me that this project can begin on any day. After a slow start, I really hope I can pull it off - and that you'll enjoy it!
Today I mailed the last of our taxes. With my parents taxes done, Whitla Brothers taxes done, and our own taxes done, I get to check off a big fat item from my to do list - what a relief.
Last night Stuart and Douglas completed their Power Squadron Course - and passed the (very tough) final exam! For Douglas, who took the course only to keep his son company, passing means dodging a major embarrassment bullet. For Stuart, the rewards are far greater. As a licensed 12 year old, he can now captain a powered vessel by himself - the thrill of independence, four years before a driver's license.
In the time before children, many weekends were filled with trips to the fabric store to create pillows, cushions, and drapes. Of course, those days are now filled with trips to baseball fields, recitals, and playdates - and I am absolutely not complaining. It was fun, though, to get back to my old stomping ground today to pick up fabric for the flower girl's sash (coordinated perfectly, of course, with the bridesmaids' dresses).
Today we joined our friends, the Kincaids, for Easter Brunch. When we arrived, we discovered that the Easter Bunny had left treats hidden all over the yard!
This afternoon, Stuart's band played to an enthusiastic crowd, performing instrumental (a.k.a. no one in the band was brave enough to sing) Ozzy Osborne and Coldplay. Their keyboardist, Anthony (who also plays baseball with Stuart) was great, carrying the tune in the absence of a lead singer. The guitarist did a fine Ozzy solo and the drummer, of course, was superb. By the way, the guy with the sideburns is Russell, their teacher, not another 12 year old.
My friend Jonathan was born on 4/6/64 - an easy one to remember. While this picture could have been taken today (he looks just the same), I'm breaking the rules yet again by posting this photograph, circa 1987. Happy Birthday, old friend!
My parents recently returned from a trip to visit my two brothers, David in Portland and Pete in San Francisco. Just before leaving, Mom took a fall, breaking three ribs and a bone in her knee which was discovered on x-ray today. Crutches are not prescribed for those of a certain age, so she must remain in a wheelchair until her knee heals. We found this place online and picked up her wheelchair today. As upsetting as it is to see my normally spry, active mother confined to a wheelchair, I'm grateful that we now know why she's been in such pain - and that she'll be back on her own two feet before summer.
