Bloom

We often look to blame the person or the situation that has occurred.  In truth the environment causes a great deal of the joy or chaos.  We each contribute to the environment.

Today, let's make a healthy, happy contribution to our environment!

Don't Forget the Heartbeat

Joe Maddon's words of wisdom on the most recent t-shirt for this charity - Respect90.  I've already ordered mine.  So  many times we get caught up in the end result that we forget about the people involved - the heartbeat.  This is a tremendous reminder that its not all about the numbers, its about the heartbeat.  

Joe's Take
“I think in our game today, the way it’s run on a lot of levels, it’s more about math than people sometimes... I want our guys to understand that we understand the heartbeat around here, so don’t forget the heartbeat.

We won that game (Game 7) purely because of competitive natures and the fact that we wanted to win and the heartbeat was so good. It has nothing to do with statistical information, mechanics physically. It had everything to do with people.

And I really want our guys to understand that, because we’re going to do all the other necessary work. We’re going to do all the math work. We’re going to do all the physical work. We’re going to do all the work. But at the end of the day, man, (when it’s) a different uniform than you, you compete. You try to beat that guy in the other uniform. Don’t forget that."

Laughter is the best medicine

Bill and I talk about this card all the time.  We received it from Uncle Johnny and Aunt Christine over 15 years ago, and it still makes us double over in laughter each time we read it.

We treasure it!  And the laughter it continues to bring to our lives!

We quote it to one another when life gets complicated.  "Stay tuned" and "Healthy New York" are my favorites.  Although after reading it again I may begin to use "Keep it shiny" more often now.

When I think about what was important 15 years ago, we may have thought engagement was a milestone.  Now we know different.  Marriage, parenthood, death of a parent, moving across the country, illness, divorce of friends - those are all milestones that changed us.

Good news - my ring is still shiny and we are staying tuned for what's in store for us!

Thank you Aunt Christine and Uncle Johnny for your beautiful, profound and laughter-filled words!

#LoveMore

There's a book inside me

There's a book inside me waiting to be written.  It's coming to me in snippets on my drive to work some days.  The main characters are Elizabeth and Christopher and theirs is an unusual and extraordinary love story.  They may not be beautiful to anyone but one another.  Their love is complex and strong.  Their challenges are as well.

Life is challenging.  We know that, we've lived it.  What matters is how you live it, how you love and who you keep in your heart.

I'll continue to sort through these ideas as I begin to put these characters on paper.  Their story is worth telling.  Believe me.

Beauty and the Beast

Today we continued the birthday week celebration with a trip to the movies!  And not just any movies - this theatre is the one with the big leather reclining chairs that you book ahead of time.  We opted for an early matinee and loved every minute of this movie.

Perhaps I was the one with the highest expectations going in .. this is my favorite.  Going way back.  It is one that I love to see over and over.  We visit anything Beauty and the Beast at Disney and are never disappointed.

Today was no different.  We loved it!  What a masterpiece!  Such a wonderful story, so beautifully told.  We were glad for the opportunity to share this with Ellie as the birthday week celebration comes to a close.

She had a special request from Bill to make Shrimp Scampi for her last night for dinner.  And after the movie we finished up those leftovers for good measure!

What a wonderful 11th birthday celebration!

Power of Friendship

This week was long, trying and exhausting.  It felt heavy and cumbersome at times.  The vast majority of that was caused by work pressures, unkind co-workers and personal agendas.  Although there is an end in sight with some upcoming changes, those changes have not set in yet.  Something in my mind is still caught on the discomfort, the inequity and the frustration of the situation.

Through those times I remind myself to breathe, to meditate - quiet my mind, and to pray.  Those all help.  What also helps is the power of friendship.  Last week I had wonderful phone calls with both Jody and Monica, and a series of texts with Erica.  Oh, the beauty of girl talk!

Fast forward to Saturday morning.  I had a hard time shaking sleep from my brain.  A bit foggy and sluggish.  Our 9:30am soccer game was in Plano, so with drive time and warm-ups we left the house at 8:20am.  When we arrived we saw Coach Cheryl, her daughter and another team mate headed to a warm-up area to kick the ball around.  Bill and I hadn't anticipated how chilly it was - windy and cloudy so we hung back in the car.

As we sat there in silence I recognized my crankiness.  Unsure exactly what was causing it, and more so how to resolve it!  The field in Plano is at a park that hosts a variety of sports - baseball, basketball as well as the soccer fields.  There is also a walking path that curves around the entire place.  While I sat in the car wondering about the crankiness I saw a group of three woman walking the path.  They seemed to be about my age, likely with kids somewhere in the complex at a game.  They were chatting and I could see from their faces they were happy.

In an instant I realized that what they had was not about calories being burned.  It was good for their soul.  The connection of friendship.  That left me longing for friends like that - CLOSE BY!  I made peace with it and we made our move to her game.

Although this time it was different. Instead of plopping down in my chair next to Bill I chose to stand with two moms I talk to in passing most weeks.  I love their girls, for their kindness and teamwork.  Know their other children by site as well, and husbands who often are en route to take another child to a different game.

Today I stood with Katie's mom and Leah and Miriam's mom.  We drank coffee from our travel mugs, talked about our kids - all of which celebrated their 11th birthdays within a week of one another, our inability to exercise as much as we'd like, the stiffness in our backs, the family vacations we're planning for the summer and the best part was the consensus of needing alone time.  They each spoke kindly of their husbands, and although content in their lives - they were tired too!  By the end of the game - and our time together - I said to them, "you have no idea how very much I needed this today ... I've been missing close by girlfriends and this conversation filled my soul!"  We hugged and wished each other a great rest of the day.

Sometimes God answers our prayers without us even putting them into words.  Thank goodness for the spirit of women, motherhood and coffee talk with girlfriends!

Happy Birthday Ellie!

Our little girl is growing up!

We shared stories with her of the night she was born, the first night of her life in a hospital separated from me, with Bill by her side.  We talked about where we've lived and how she's grown.  And most of all how very proud of her we are!

She's funny, kind, sweet, smart and downright amazing!

She picked Kenny's East Coast Pizza for dinner last night.  This is her choice of margarita pizza with fresh mozzarella and basil.  We shared a chopped salad and looked forward to dessert!

Her peanut butter pie arrived with a candle on top as Bill and I sang Happy Birthday to her!  She had a great day at school and a special dinner out with family.

Vacation comes to an end

I love the app that allows you to put your 'best nine' in one photo capture.  Its often harder to figure out which ones to leave out!  Here's an assortment of the best of our vacation to Destin, FL last week.

If you only had these photos to use to summarize the trip I believe you'd see:  sunshine, smiles, beach and beverages!

This trip was different from the rest.  Less adventure and more laughter.  Less being late and more holding hands.  Less reservations and more snacks of fruit and cheese.

Bill asked me several times if this was boring.  Heck, no!  This was perfect.  Everything in moderation - and I mean everything!  Togetherness, sunshine, cocktails, eating out, structure, plans, and even seafood!

We had a wonderful week.  The weather was phenomenal.  Much better than we anticipated.  There were walks on the beach, hours at the pool, some eating out, even more eating in, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse for our special occasion night out, sunrises and sunsets, cocktails by the pool, more bottles of water, taking advantage of recommendations and finding our own favorites too.

Somehow we all found time together and apart.  Ellie spent more time in her room by herself than ever before.  Bill and I spent time each morning on the deck watching the water with our coffee.  The two of them went to the pool each morning while I did my 3-mile walk on the beach solo.  It was a variety of activities with a rhythm only we seemed to understand.

We bring back to our reality - wonderful memories, sunburns, shells and sand, a renewed sense of one another and of a family as well as the adventure of a new place we look forward to visiting again and again!

It's almost time ...

When it is time to celebrate, there is really no stopping us!  We're nearly ready to pack the car and get on with this Spring Break to Florida!  We've made lists, made reservations and now it's time to make it happen.

We won't have many pictures posted until our return.  Yet know we are relaxing and enjoying ourselves while looking at the water in Destin!

Neighbor's Table

What an amazing concept - a big table - friends and soon-to-be friends at a big table in your yard, on your patio, on the deck.  This is a mission that does just that.  I found it through an author I read and ironically she has relocated from Houston to Dallas.

More to come!

we are powerful beyond measure ...

And our talk continued.

I was explaining to Ellie that we shouldn't ever feel as though we need to diminish our smarts or our strength.  By doing so you are not using all the talents that God gave you.  She always tells me, 'that's the way God made me ..." for many questions that I ask.  So when I remind her that God made her this way to be smart, funny, brave and kind - there's no other permission needed.  You are a child of God, and to do his work you need to live in your own light.

So glad that her light shines so brightly!

Let your light shine

Life is a balance of quiet and noise, ups and downs and light and darkness.  What we've learned is that both are necessary.  Ellie and I talked this week about being our best selves.  That is what God asks of us, and what we should expect of ourselves.

Let your light shine ....

Happy Birthday Bill!

Bill's birthday celebration!

We went to dinner at Magliano's with Michael and Jeanine on Saturday night to celebrate.  Ellie loved her shrimp scampi - and the special dessert they brought Bill.

Sunday was family day.  We lounged and grilled out before Ellie and I presented Bill with his cupcakes - special "50" one just for him!

A new season begins

And new season begins.  Spring soccer - first game of the season on Saturday.  It was fun to watch the girls warm up dribbling the ball to one another back and forth.  We would turn to one another and say, 'Oh, hasn't so-and-so gotten taller since the fall?!"  We've been playing with the same group since Fall 2014 - making this the sixth season in a row!

Ellie's been fortunate to play on a team with great coaches, kind and generous team mates and supportive parents who've become our soccer family.  Saturday Ellie and Jacqui split the time as goalie - with Jacqui taking the first  half, and Ellie the second half of the game.  They each let in one goal.

Ellie's strong and confident in net.  She has mad-skills in kicking that ball downfield!  Amazing!

Hopefully at some point this season we can actually video tape her while tending goal.  That would really be something!

the Gift

Being Godmother to a cat is a unique experience.  I imagine it's similar to being a grandmother .. to a human, I mean!

Here she is with the Valentine's Day gift I gave to her - apparently she loves it!  It spins around and the ribbons at the top twirl.  Honestly, who wouldn't like it?!

I also made sure she had a Valentine card for her human Dad too.  It was two cats hugging - One large, one very small.  It said, "I freakin' love you!" on the outside.  Happy Valentine's Day on the inside.  So I wrote, "love ya, Izzy.  PS - where's Jude been, I kinda miss her!"  Which likely made me laugh most of all!

It's unexpectedly fun to be Godmother to a cat!

Hippies for Hope

Uncle John sent Ellie two awesome tie-dye shirts from Hippies for Hope!  I posted them on Instagram and tagged them in the post.  They asked permission to repost her photo!  Of course, I said yes!

"Our friend Ellie is showing off her new Hippies for Hope shirt today in honor of her Uncle!"

She loves them, and feels loved by her Uncle John too!

Thank you!!

Hearts

Hearts come in all sizes and shapes.  Some you find unexpectedly along the way like this one on the sidewalk.  Ellie said it was a bit misshapen.  But aren't we all?

Hearts are like love.  Look different to each person and to one another.  And often come unexpectedly.  Let's take care of one another as if we are one of a kind, a little misshapen and worthy of love.

Isn't that why we're here?

So much to celebrate!

Today was February 14th - and to most this is the day to celebrate all things Valentine!  Today was also pitchers and catchers report to training camp.  How could two things be celebrated together so well?  A baseball within a heart!

WOW!

It was a celebration that began in our house on Sunday - flowers, healthy snacks and cards as we usually mark the holiday on the weekend before when there's time to celebrate.  That celebration carried into the week as I celebrated the holiday with my 'family' at work as well.  This year's gifts were shorter on the candy and longer on the sentiment!  Each leader (and mentee) arrived to work to find a gift bag with a mug and starbucks gift card on their desk along with a card described how much they matter.

Several teams received baked treats - sugar cookies with colorful sprinkles and cherry oat bars divided among teams.  With special small containers for those who have asked to 'be on the list' of those who receive their own allotment.

Today was a day to make others happy.  Help them see what they mean to me.  Remind them that the matter.  And that sure does feel good!  Sweet treats aside, it was a wonderful day - full of  love!

Ellie's 1st NHL game!

Ellie witnessed her first NHL game on Saturday watching the Dallas Stars beat the Caroline Hurricanes.  It's a huge area with lots of entertainment.  Honestly, the 50/50 was worth over $8,000!

Yes, we had our numbers.   No, we didn't win.  Yet we had lots of fun anyway.  Who knew the Dallas Stars could have so much fun.  Several old-timer names that I recognized and lots of new ones to learn too!

We spent the afternoon with Jeanine and Michael and we were off to Rodeo Goat for burgers and an early dinner while we were downtown.  You'll notice the last photo is dessert.  Ellie ordered her favorite dessert here - Goat Balls.  Fried biscuits with cheese inside topped with blackberry compote. YUM!

Less than a week ...

...Until pitchers and catcher report.

I posted this photo to show the miracle of the sky and to track how many days until the big day.  A Texas Ranger reporting for the first time to Phoenix area for Grapefruit league acknowledged my photo.

Last year he pitched for the Diamondbacks.  This year Spring Training will be different.  Perhaps even as a big leaguer he has apprehension.  He didn't say all that.  He agreed that the prettiest sunrises happen in Texas.  And was thrilled that we were so close to pitchers and catchers report.

Its a great big world out there.  Yet we're so, so much alike.

Awaiting the day!

Togetherness

"We are more alike than we are different."

"It sure does take a village."

"We belong to each other..."

That last one is the most recent one I've added to the things that I share with others.  It we don't belong to one another how can we ever depend on one another?  Both collectively and individually.

Belonging to one another does not give privilege or permission.  It truly means we're in this together. Side by side.  Heart to heart.  Breath by breath.

And most days that's really all it takes.  Knowing that you matter.  Others matter to you.

We belong to each other.

Small Acts

As I delivered the news to one of my Supervisors today that she was selected for an opportunity she pursued it was certainly with mixed feelings.  She is a great member of the team, people learn from her and yet her time has come to leave our next and teach others now.

We talked about what has changed since last fall.  She asked if I was still looking for miracles everyday.  No, honestly I wasn't.  She said, 'well you certainly are creating them!"  I had left a card and a book on her desk the day before for a job well-done and she said it was her miracle.

It reminded me that each day we have that opportunity.  To smile, to compliment and sometimes to just listen.  It makes a difference.  A small gesture to us may be the best thing that's happened to that person all day.

"One radom act of kindness at a time."

Super Bowl

One of the treats from our trip to North Park Mall was visiting Uptown Popcorn.  Lots of flavors and tins - my treat was a Patriots tin full of Chicago mix.  Caramel popcorn and Cheese popcorn together.

A treat for the game.

And after a long game ... a win on the board.

2017 is off to a great start!

Adventure Saturday

In the old days we used to call it an adventure when we'd set out as a family to do something fun that wasn't centered around errands, soccer or shopping.  Today didn't begin as one of those days, but we really loved it that it turned out that way~

We set out to take care of ordering me a pair of prescription sunglasses.  Over the last month or so I've misplaced mine and wanted to get a new pair before our Destin trip at Spring Break.  Warby Parker came recommended and when I checked it out online I was impressed with the prices and the causes that this company supports.  There are only 3 storefronts in the country, the rest is online.  So off we went to North Park Mall in Dallas.

Its only of Ellie's favorites because of the Disney store, and Bill loves to Oakley store too.  Its anchored by Nordstrom's, Dillard's and Macy's.  So you get the drift.  There's a Michael Kors store, Aveda, Vera Bradley, Apple, Microsoft, Steve Madden and many, many more!

We did our 3 mile walk inside the mall - walking and walking - not stopping to shop until our walk was 2 miles in - and then we could double back and find the stores we were looking for - it was a great adventure.  I'd promised them California Pizza Kitchen for lunch since Bill loves the chopped salads there.  Ellie had pasta while Bill and I both had salads and pita with hummus.

We thought the adventure was over until we found Carlo's Bake Shop across the street!  The Dallas store opened last year, and the new Frisco location (North of Dallas) had it's Grand Opening today where both Buddy and Grace would be there to ribbon cut.  We skipped the crowd and stood in the 30 minute line at the Dallas location.

Lobster claws were our favorite as the cannolis didn't live up to our expectations, and the chocolate and strawberry mousse Ellie ordered was just so-so.  I guess that's okay.  Since it wasn't great we won't be going back again and again!

Here's more pictures from our adventure today!

Ellie and I at the Mirror, Mirron on the Wall in the Disney Store.

Ellie and Buddy in the Dallas Carlo's Bake Shop location

En route home we saw this awesome carfare the bride and groom!  Even had the steering wheel on the opposite side!

Home.

This gorgeous shot is of the City Link campus of State Farm in Dallas.  Four buildings in a quad campus, three of which connected by pedestrian bridges.  Its a beautiful place that has developed into a work, live, play environment.  There are condos, restaurants and sculptures that surround the buildings where we work.  It has become home to over 8,000 employees.

Of course I took the picture because of the lights.  Which is a good reminder that light matters.  Joy matters.  And most of all how we look at the place, person and situation matters.

Look for the sparkly lights.  Every time.

Perspective

It is often in the most moments that clarity and wisdom arrive.  At a stop light, standing in an elevator and gazing at the sky.  This moments teach us that this is when God is speaking to us.  Or maybe more accurately this is when we are still enough to listen to the message God is sending us.  I believe he's guiding us with each and every step.  We just need to be still enough to hear it.

This gorgeous sky of pinks and grays was a moment of perspective as I paused to take the picture just before getting in the car to drive to work.

Breathe.

Ease.

Listen.

Simply that easy.  So need to make it harder than it has to be.

The countdown begins!

Hard to believe that we are 20 days from Pitchers and Catchers reporting!  It's like seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  It may seem like it was just October in the heat of the pennant race, and yet here we are just a few days from February!

It's very exciting to think about a whole new season out in front of me!  And to top it off I had lunch with KB today!  I know!  We talked about how long its been since we'd last seen one another.  It was almost a year!  We've talked on the phone several times, and he's had two brain surgeries to keep the Parkinson's at bay .. and here we are.

He looked, sounded and WAS wonderful!  What's most admirable is his wonderful spirit and outlook.  "Well, I have Parkinson's,' he said, "I guess there could be worse things, right?"  He asks with a sparkle in his blue eyes.  He told wonderful stories, he asked insightful questions and we agreed that we needed to continue these visits while he's here in Dallas for the next few months.

I know fully understand and have lived the phrase, "good for the soul."  That's how I feel after I've spent time with him.  He reminds of what is wonderful and good in the world.  When we share our stories of what I'm most grateful for today - its just one thing - KB.

Amen.

The wait is over.

Its been two whole weeks since the last I sat to write.  Wow, time flies!  It hasn't been that we didn't accomplish anything, or lead boring lives .. truth is January has been full of ups and downs!  The temperatures for one thing have been on the move from the 20's to the 70's!

Today we enjoyed some time outside as a family.  I brought the camera as that's my commitment to 2017 - walk more with the camera.  I find my favorite shots are those of the sky ... the sunrises, sunsets and trees.  Is there some hidden meaning there?  Perhaps not hidden at all.  I'd like to think its my prevailing sense of optimism.

Or it that I recently put Michael J Fox's "Always Looking Up - the adventures of an incurable optimist," at the top of the pile.  I'd decided to read it again, now having a very personal a frame of reference for Parkinson's disease.  Perhaps something I read will resonate with me and help me better understand what KB is living with, and the impacts to him.

Looking Up.  Belief.  Optimism.

The photos on this page are full of promise.  And reality.  The day was warm, yet not sunny.  Perfect for our walk.  To enjoy what we have, when we have it.  We had the day.  We had one another.  And we had the energy and ability to get out and walk.

So we did just that.

Three Amigos

Bill and I hosted Craig and B for the weekend.  Hard to believe that this is the year that each will turn fifty!  This friendship continues to remain strong.  Six children between them, living in New York, Virginia and Texas - yet finding ways to laugh, share and connect through this bond of friendship.

1.7.17

Today is KB's birthday.  He's someone I've adopted as a father figure in the last several years.  He's not my Dad, but one of a close friend's.  He's a great Dad, a successful Executive, a generous and caring man who loves baseball, golf and helping others.  He also doesn't have a daughter and mentioned he doesn't see grandchildren in his future anytime soon ... so I see an opening here!

His birthday January 7th, makes today's date 1 - 7 - 17 ... Hmmmm, isn't that interesting!

I have believed for a long time that you create a family along your journey.  There's no legal document in place, just a commitment of the heart.  We take care of those who are family.  Those that matter to us.  The ones who have touched our lives, and accept us for exactly who we are right now.

Wishing him peace, love, health and happiness to mark his birthday today!

See it to believe it!

The burger challenge is not the only thing Ellie and I do on the very last week of each year.  Another exercise she's grown to look forward to is creating our Vision Board.  We rummage through magazines with scissors in hand ready to clip any image or word that stands out to us.  We don't plan a theme, it is about trusting where we're led on this journey.

These two images are the finished products of our boards from last week!

Ellie is on top.  When I asked her to explain it a very wise, quiet voice explained that right now the words were the focus and the pictures would be later when those words actually happened.  She very profoundly explained each word and how one carried into the next.  I told her I loved all the open space.  When she asked why I explained, "because you've left room for so much to happen this year!"  The pictures WILL fill themselves in throughout the year!

It was awesome!

I tend to gravitate toward the words and phrases too.  Along with strong women, outdoors, color and happiness.  With a pile of clippings we take our poster board and lay out all the images.  I overlay the phrases where they seem appropriate and it comes together!

There's not a time I look at it throughout the year that it doesn't make me smile!

Pause. Rest. Ease.

Today I woke with a painful headache.  The waking happened at 4am and I couldn't fall back asleep.  Its the kind of headache that is brought on my barometric pressure and impacts my sinuses.  So laying down hurts because of the pressure.

I got up to drink water and put ice on my forehead.  I also used my headache drops on my temples and behind my ears.  Nothing.  Still hurt.  Took Execdrin migraine.  Lay down on the couch.  Still hurt.

Here's what I decided.  Rest.  Close my eyes.  Decide that I could push a morning meeting until later in order to rest.  Why should I push myself when I felt like this.

Bill and Ellie left about 10 minutes to 7, and I slept for 20 minutes.  At 7:15 I called Bill in the car to tell him my headache had broken.  The intense pressure was gone and I was going into work later.  No big deal.

When you get tired, rest.  It didn't mean I had to quit.  Just pause.  Approach with ease.

Good to know.

Our family

When I saw this photo it really made sense to me.

This is us.

All of it.  Well..... maybe not the LOUD part.  But if you get us all laughing at the same time, we sure do loud well then.

In fact Ellie's favorite saying recently was, "No, I'm not loud, I'm Italian!"  Which of course is on a t-shirt that we got for Papa.  And of course, she thinks its the greatest thing ever!

The photo below is an oldie, but a goodie.  Hard to believe she was ever that little!  That sparkle, that curiosity and that gorgeous little face!  She's still that same wonderful girl ... growing up now so quickly!

That's our family!

Here we go!

Today everything begins again.  Yes, we are several days into the new year - yet, today the world begins to settle into January.  Work begins, school resumes and all those New Year Resolutions begin to waiver .....

Which is why we didn't make resolutions at our house!  We're focused on one another and how we can make a difference.  There is no big goal, just the intention of connecting and showing up.  We'll know the right moments when we see them.

Sometimes those right moments come as a surprise.  The key is to be ready to grab them when they show up.

Yesterday was one of those days.  It began with quite a surprise.  We all got up before 7am, make coffee, Ellie had oatmeal, turned on the Today show and talked about how we'd spend out last day together before 'life' returned.  About 8:30am Ellie was reading an email that said the school semester begins on Monday, January 2nd.  We told her, 'No, that has to be a mistake.  Today is a holiday.  The observed holiday."

Always wanting to have the most accurate information I went to the computer.  The school website said the semester started on Monday.  I called the school, "Yes," the school secretary told me, "school is in session today."

WHAT ??

Ellie hurried to get ready.  Clothes, hair brushed, teeth brush, backpack packed and off she went.  Bill dropped her off at the front door with a note to excuse her tardiness!  Wow!  Although they were only 20 minutes into first block it was a whirlwind!  It was very strange - how could there be school?  Apparently we weren't the only ones who didn't know .... according to the Attendance office!

Bill and I took the morning to get our own things in order.  I puttered around the house prepping for dinner, tidying up after Christmas clean up while Bill got to work on  his laptop.  Around noon he came downstairs and said, 'Let's go to lunch!  We can go to Frankie's for Mexican."  And off we went.

It was an unexpected lunch date ... it was busy, busy when we arrived so we sat at the bar with margaritas, a lively crowd and delicious Mexican food!  Let's spend the rest of the year grabbing those moments when they're offered to us.

And so it begins ...

My visits to check on Izzy have been mixed.  One day she'll come out and see me, the next she's in her 'hiding' spot on the top shelf of the closet.  On the day she came out to see me she got treats, played with one of her toys although mostly she sat and watched the front door hoping to see her 'real Dad' come through the door.

Yesterday she only wanted to snooze.  She raised her head when I called her name, but stuck to her plan of 'hiding' in the closet.   Truth be told, I was disappointed.  I thought I'd made progress from the day before and she'd welcome me in.  Not so fast.

Isn't that really the story of life? Kids and pets - you can only HOPE to influence, persuade or help along the way.  Yet they are their own beings.  They have their plan.  Here's where tempering your expectations can help.

As I refilled her food, changed her water and found her toys that she'd pushed under furniture I reminded myself why I was there.  I wasn't there because Izzy asked me to be, she didn't approve of this plan.  I was there to make sure she was fed, safe and cared for in her 'real Dad's" absence.  For her it wasn't about me.  IT WAS ABOUT HER!

Similarly with children.  We can do everything in our power to guide this process, but ultimately they need to accept and want it too.  Perhaps that is oversimplifying it, but honestly don't things go so much smoother when both parties have the same outcome in mind?

Pictured below, Ellie has finished the final Burger Challenge visit for 2016.  This time we took Bill with us to Deep Ellum.  We visited Uncle Uber's this time - which is right across the street from Angry Dog.  Bill thought it was great too!

The reason the Burger Challenge works so well is because Ellie and I share the common goal of determining the best burger.  In the end we can have different winners, but we were in it together.  And we are both satisfied ... well fed, had fun and did it together.  Great lesson of creating a common goal, and with Izzy recognizing that as long as she was fed and safe - goals were met.

Who would have thought that this 'scaredy cat' would have taught me such a valuable lesson this week?

Izzy:  who me?

The year of 2017

Well hello 2017!  I certainly can't say that you snuck up on us.  We've been enjoying all these days of December .. which came to a meaningful close last evening on New Year's Eve.

2017 is sure to bring more adventure, more fun and more outside time.

So far today we've made plans for a couples dinner night 1/21 with Jeanine and Michael, and got Dallas Stars tickets on a Saturday afternoon in February!  Ellie and I plan to continue our walks outside looking for birds and taking photos, while we'll put some day trip plans around TX on our calendar as well.  By the weekend we'll have B and Craig here in Dallas for the weekend.

And we might as well start counting down the days until Bill's big 5-0!

Happy 2017!