Thanksgiving

I’m breaking radio silence briefly to say,

Aaaahhh.

It’s so wonderful to relax. Perspective is a beautiful thing. I think I’ve found some of it again, now that I’ve had two whole days with minimal work and lots of lovey time with my family. We are enjoying ourselves tremendously. We even had a special Thanksgiving dinner today (thanks to Chez Safeway) that we ate in this glorious spot in the backyard of our rented vacation house, overlooking the rolling waves and frolicking surfers.

Life is beautiful.

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Grateful

I’ve been thinking a great deal about my parents lately. No, nothing major is going on with them. They are fine and relatively healthy. I’m very grateful for this, and very, very grateful for all they do for me and for my family. They are involved in our lives in a way that is so supportive, and yet not controlling or meddling.

Here are just a few ways they help us on a regular basis:

Mom knits socks, hats, and sweaters for my kids constantly.

Mom hems pants and sews pants and shorts for my kids.

Mom repairs just about any clothing item I take her.

Mom is still teaching me how to do things like knitting and sewing, and she gives generously of her time. She also fixes/helps me fix my mistakes.

Dad and Mom buy gifts and clothing for the boys, and dinners for the whole family.

They each take Lucas to school one morning a week: Monday and Thursday.

They babysit when we have dates, or things to do with friends, or even if we just have to work.

Dad picks Lucas up from school once in a while and hangs out with him in the afternoon.

Dad finds projects to do with Lucas, like building toys, working with wood, etc. He even let Lucas help build his garage.

Mom sews with Lucas and teaches him to knit.

They take us on family vacations to Hawaii every few years and pay for most of the trip.

Mom gave Ian her old car and he’s been driving it for something like six years now, maybe more.

They invest money in college funds for my boys!

Mom donates things she has made to Lucas’s school fundraisers.

They listen to us, treat us with respect, and don’t overcrowd.

We have fun together.

It’s been a long time since we had to ask them for money, but I know they would help us if we needed help.

Best of all is that my parents have become my friends, in a way. I’m still their daughter and they still have an interest in my well-being, of course. But there are times when I want nothing more than to just hang out with them. Wow.

Work Life

I’ve been soooooooo busy with work! A textbook that I’ve been working on for a long, long time is now it the final stages. I’m reviewing page proofs now and the schedule is very aggressive. I’ll be burning the midnight oil up to November 23. Trouble is, I’m tired. The last full day off I had was October 4. I’m just not as good at working late into the night as I used to be. Hello, 37.

It’s OK, though, because I have a vacation coming. We’ll be going to Capitola over Thanksgiving and I’m working really hard now in the hopes that I won’t have to take any work along with me. Working this hard now will turn out to be an investment in my sanity later. This is the plan, anyway.

A new Big Project is starting up for a Big Publisher and it’s one I’ll be working on through May of 2010. I have yet to figure out what I’ll be doing exactly, but I’m glad to have it. I’ll be working on the creation of a web-based product instead of a book. I’m excited to have the opportunity to expand my skills!

I recently finished a computer book edit, which was a great book and a good project, except for the lesson it taught me about Time vs. Fee. I choose to feel grateful for the learning opportunity.

On deck for today is this motto: “Work like crazy!” I am hoping someday soon the day’s motto will be “Play like crazy!”

Take Nothing for Granted

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Some days are so busy, I only have time for a quotation. Here’s one I found inspiring today:

Take nothing for granted: the sheer act
of walking each day; fresh air upon your cheek;
each effort expended on self or another—
walking the dog, shopping for food, toiling
at home
in an office
or on the road.
Every moment is rare, short and full of glory.
Every word is magic, a story achieved through will.
Marvel at nature’s moods as mirror of your own.
Recall a sunrise or sunset, a flock of geese in the sky.
Care about parents or children as fragile gifts
like petal on a rose, like song from one bird.
Praise the simple or complex—the invention of flight
above clouds; the wheel; the bathtub; a rocking-chair.
We rise and fall in the moon or a wave,
in a smile or many tears.
And being brave is to be alive
as we give and share love always,
only and ever to survive.

—Rochelle Lynn Holt

  • About Sara

    Thanks for visiting! I’m Sara, editor and writer, wife to Ian, and mother of two precious boys. I am living each day to the fullest and with as much grace, creativity, and patience as I can muster. This is where I write about living, loving, and engaging fully in family life and the world around me. I let my hair down here. I learn new skills here. I strive to be a better human being here. And I tell the truth.

    Our children attend Waldorf school and we are enriching our home and family life with plenty of Waldorf-inspired festivals, crafts, and stories.

    © 2003–2018 Please do not use my photographs or text without my permission.

    “Love doesn’t just sit there like a stone; it has to be made, like bread, remade all the time, made new.” —Ursula K. LeGuinn

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