a little moment Archives - Page 7 of 8

Goodness Gnomes, 2014

Posted by Carolyn on December 17, 2014 2 Comments

As I said last year, I’m going to do something as an alternative to Elf of the Shelf. My inspiration came from the Kindness Elves. My reality is still evolving (more on that later), but for this year, I settled on Goodness Gnomes.

They made their first appearance earlier this month. As luck would have it, the girls got a package in the mail from my aunt Kim. When I shook it, I could tell it was something Christmasy – I figured ornaments or something. I decided it would be cool if the Goodness Gnomes delivered it to Alma and Hattie as a fun introduction.

When they girls woke up in the morning, they found that two gnomes had come through the fairy door with a package.

aIMG_5259 They also had a note saying that they should name the goodness gnomes. Alma named the red one Tasty, and Hattie named the blue one PuBa.

They loved the goodness gnomes.

I thought to myself, “Yes! It’s working! My girls are amazing and I will be able to teach them all about kindness and goodness and giving!”

They opened the package and for the most amazing Christmas hats. Seriously, my aunt is a knitting genius. Hats with jingle bells. I can’t even. They are gorgeous.

We had lots of fun that day. Alma wore her hat to school. Hattie kept hers on much longer than she usually keeps hats on. We did lots of jingling. And playing with Tasty and PuBa.

But… the day was sort of hard on Tasty. Alma took it upon herself to give him a shave. He almost lost an arm.

He has gone back through the fairy door. He has not come back. He might send some (more sturdy) friends next year (or maybe the next…) to continue this tradition. For this year, my girls got a taste of magic and some amazing hats. Good enough for me, I think!

Our Love is Here to Stay

Posted by Carolyn on October 28, 2014 1 Comment

Our time in this universe is limited. We are just a blink. Humanity is just a blink. When our civilization dies out, I imagine the Earth as a huge ball of love. As if our lives have burned up, leaving a smoke of love. After all this, our love is here to stay.

I know that when people die, it is their love that remains. The happy memories and feeling of happiness and love are what’s left of my grandparents. Bach left his sonatas, also full of love. Artists leave their love on their canvases. Parents leave their love in the children. Anyone who has ever made anything is adding to that smoke of love.

Sure, there’s war and hatred, in the world and in our lives. I get that. But, does any of that last? Does it have to?

Let’s just do the love.

Watch this:

Pfssst.

Another Pumpkin Patch

Posted by Carolyn on October 15, 2014 Leave a Comment

It’s kind of the Alma show here, but it’s hard to photograph a baby in an Ergo on my back…

5 Questions and Answers

Posted by Carolyn on October 9, 2014 1 Comment

1. What are you working on right now?

Right now I have lots of ideas that need to get going. I’m working on creating an interview series with authors I know. I’m also working on a new series of Pinterest creations – getting things off my boards and into my house. I’m really inspired by wood burning, so I’m practicing and designing some things for that. My sewing machine needs to be serviced, so I’m working on finding time to take it in to a shop.

2. How long does it take you to create a project?

Totally depends on the project, and whether or not I’m getting naps from the kids. I can sew a simple dress in about an hour.

3. What are my favorite things to create with at the moment?

Wood burning, my sewing machine (when it’s working), Photoshop, food.

4. How do I become inspired and stay inspired?

Blogs, Pinterest, Instagram. The getting inspired is easy, the staying inspired (or finding time to follow through) is the hard part. I feel like I spend a lot of time consuming rather than creating content these days.

5. What is my signature style?

What does that even mean? In terms of clothing, I don’t really have one. I’m trying out a capsule wardrobe, but without having the funds to go buy all new clothes, my capsule is a little confused looking. And since I mostly just wear sweatpants (I find that if I’m dress to exercise all day, I tend to work it in when I can), my style is a little sloppy.

In terms of creating, I’m not sure if I have a style here either. In photo editing, I am going for a more autumnal treatment with warm colors and softer focus.

I’m tagging Hannah and Anthony to answer these same questions!

Recommit to the Fitbit

Posted by Carolyn on September 22, 2014 2 Comments

When I first got my Fitbit, I was motivated and inspired and active. I loved it and I reached my goal every single day. I would always get my wrist party (when you reach your goal the Fitbit vibrates and lights up – a party on your wrist).

But then I got lazy. I had a few days without getting the wrist party. I have up. My weekly total hovered around 60,000. Not great.

Then my Rector posted that he had reached a summertime goal of getting 100,000 steps in one week.

Following his example – because we always ought to follow the example of our religious leaders, right – I set a goal.
I only had about a week off summer left, and my step total was abysmal, but I went for it.

Hattie and I have been using the time that Alma is in school to walk. The school is a fifteen minute drive from home, so it makes more sense to me to just park at the school and walk to all our errands, or to just walk to walk.

I love the neighborhood around get school, like love it. Like dream crazy dreams of owning a house and having a gardener. It’s also close to campus, and I love walking in circles on campus. Wrist parties come early on these days.

Side story: today must be Greek week because the campus was just a gaggle of girls. Hattie was walking around the quad when about 200 girls walked by. They all waved and oohed and aahed and loved my little girl. And Hattie loved the attention. She waved back and cracked up and tried to join their group. Not yet, little one. But, it was amazing and adorable.

Anyhow… My goal. Last Wednesday I took over 21,000 steps. Last Thursday it took over 16,000 and hit my goal.

Since Thursday, my total has always been over 100,000. I’m sure it will drop off eventually, but maybe I can keep it up.

No matter what, I am recommitted and loving our morning walks.

From My Journal

Posted by Carolyn on September 18, 2014 Leave a Comment

March 17th, 2008

I’m on a train at it’s still light at the first stop. It’s a beginning of a journey I’ve been on for a long time already. We stay at the first station until dark – the train daring my new found light and inspiration to get off in Hajigabul, and stay stunted and frozen like the village itself. We start moving again, the light still sitting in the seat next to me.

Are we going backwards? No. It is just an illusion in the darkness outside the train. I begin this journey of discovery on a strange ride across Azerbaijan. Other trains go by backwards, making me blink, dizzy.

There are times in life where the inspiration strikes. It is lightning. It flashes. It burns. It is gone, but it leaves a scar.

There was a time, on a train, at night, in Azerbaijan. I was sick and didn’t know it, but felt it. I was living in a country far from home.

I felt the greatness of being.

The greatness of my being.

I can still feel that greatness. The feeling of flying backwards on the train. The feeling of time-traveling as we passed villages so old and dark that they were in the past. The dizzy feeling of passing lights and smooth turns. The feeling that I was put here, on this earth, with a purpose.

There was another time, in the day, on my way to the mailbox. The lightning struck, and the ordinary moment of my life is permanently scarred in my memory.

There are more moments like this. Moments where the lightning strikes, leaves a scar, a reminder of the greatness I can have. The greatness I can be.

And, so.

I am in the mundane moments of my life, trying to find the sublime.

I make choices every day to ignore the scars from these life giving moments.

I am here. I resolve to feel those scars, live in those scars, give thanks for those scars. Be those scars. Those fingerprints of inspiration left in my mind. The light in the seat next to mine. The memories of promise.

Oh How I Love Fresh Starts -Autumn 2014

Posted by Carolyn on September 15, 2014 1 Comment

To me, there are three times in the year when we all get fresh starts. Fresh starts to set new goals, or to recommit to old goals. These are my favorite times of the year.

The first is obviously New Years. I love to clean up all the Christmas decorations and go into the new year feeling fresh and clean. The resolutions always feel a bit forced to me because there’s that overriding sense that we will all fail at these goals. But, there is also the choosing of the One Little Word. And the new numbers we have to learn to write in the date boxes on forms.

The next time of year when we get a fresh start is Novruz. It is the Spring equinox, and a time of growth and rebirth. At this time, we get to leave all our problems, worries, and bad things in a fire to get all burned up.

The third time is Autumn. After a long, hot summer, It always feels so good to feel the crispness in the air. The light starts to change. The leaves turn red, yellow, orange. The grass turns green again. Kids and teachers are making new starts in their classrooms. They buy new clothes, pencils, backpacks. The school year is full of amazing possibilities. I always loved when it was time to go back to school. It’s no surprise that I went into teaching with this kind of attitude about school.

The summer is hard for me. I don’t like the heat – it drains my energy and creativity. I don’t like how everything looks dirty – without a good rain dust and dirt starts to build up on everything. I do have to admit that summer is a lot more fun with kids. It’s been great getting to play outside and swim so much. I also loved all the fun things we did this summer – the track meets, trips, and lots of fun park dates with friends. But I’m pretty much ready for a cleansing rain and cooler weather.

I always get a surge of energy around this time of year. Energy for decorating my house (this is pretty much the only season I actually decorate – besides Christmas). Energy for making things. Energy to work in the garden. Energy to drink tea and do jigsaw puzzles. Energy to cuddle and wear slippers. Energy to stay up late playing board games.

I know some people hate to see summer end, but I say bring on autumn! And I’m already indoctrinating Alma. I have her on the lookout for autumn – whenever we’re in the car, she’s looking for the changing leaves and yells “MOMMMMY!!!! AUTUMN!!! OVER THERE!” whenever she sees some. Hattie even pointed out a yellow tree on our walk yesterday.

So, let’s set some goals. Let’s clean up our gardens. Let’s make things. Let’s drink tea and cuddle with the people we love. Embrace it!

I will leave you with my autumn anthem by Laura Kemp. Enjoy!

Hannah Branch!

Alma’s First Day of Preschool

Posted by Carolyn on September 8, 2014 4 Comments

Last night Alma was a baby. Today she’s the biggest kid ever. She had her first day of school.

I woke up with butterflies in my stomach.

I love first days.

Alma was excited to get ready and get her backpack on. She wanted to help get the snack ready. As families at the preschool, we take turns bringing snacks for the whole class. I signed us up for the first day because that’s the way I roll.

We ate breakfast and took showers. Alma let me do her hair without complaint (not a normal occurrence, believe me). She picked out her outfit.

Then it was time for the first traditional First Day photo. Hattie had to get in on it.

We got to school. She walked right in. She remembered where her cubby was and put her backpack right in. She started playing with her friend.

Jesse and I said goodbye. She gave us hugs, kisses. And we left. I knew this would happen this way. Having Rachel there is so wonderful.

When I went to pick her up, she ran to me and said, “I love you!”

Perfect first day.

Alma, I am so proud of you. You are such a happy kid. I know you are so excited to get to be in school. To get to be around kids. And Rachel. You make me so happy with your desire to play all the time. You are the best, my dear. Have a wonderful first year of school!

Humanity

Posted by Carolyn on August 1, 2014 Leave a Comment

These days I just want to hide my head in the sand and ignore all that is going on in the world. My daily dose of NPR just makes me sad. Even John Oliver’s ‘news’ show doesn’t seem very intriguing. There is just so much war and destruction and disregard for human life.

Maybe it’s because I have kids now, but I can’t even think about all the children who are in harm’s way. It’s easier to just ignore it. I mean, what can I even do about it? I can ‘like’ photos on Facebook, or listen to the news, but what good does that do, really? I can write to my congressman, but what would I say? “Make everyone stop killing everyone else!” I’m not sure that would work.

We are so lucky to be on this earth. There is no where (as far as I can fathom) else where life is so perfectly designed. Once, I got to hear an astronaut talk to a bunch of middle schoolers. One of them asked him, “Is there other life out there?” The astronaut’s answer was very interesting.

He said, “When I think about all the things that had to happen perfectly – the Sun being the right temperature, size, distance from Earth, oxygen and water levels on Earth – I don’t think it’s possible that there is life on other planets.”

So, yes, we are lucky. And what are we doing with that lucky existence that we have been given? Where is the focus?

I am here to suggest that our focus be on the beauty all around us. My favorite Anne Frank quote has always been, “Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.” Yes, people are still good at heart, but that is only possible because of the beauty. If we stop seeing the beauty, what good is anything else?

Last night, we had a most beautiful sunset. I was struck – as I saw neighbors come out of their houses to watch the changing colors – by just how odd this is. The sun sets everyday. Every day for our entire lives. Yet, we are still amazed by this. We can still be surprised and inspired by something that happens like clockwork.

And that is beautiful. And it gives me faith.

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