I paddle my own canoe

Posted by random olio

For as long as I can remember I have been someone who has done my own thing. I am not exactly a rebel, but I like to chart my own course, find my own answers, and do not love to just follow someone else’s lead. That does not mean I cannot follow directions or stay the course as needed, I am just less interested in following others. I am not usually one to read a book that everyone is reading. Instead, if the right person shares a nugget that resonates with me — that is when I decide to read the book. Not because everyone else is doing it. I like jewelry that is a piece of art and potentially very few individuals have that piece.

Having been a fan of “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed I was eager to read her next book: “Brave Enough.” Until I learned that it was basically a book of quotes. I am not usually one to sit down and read a book of quotes, and then I thought, it is a small book, it will be a quick read — and it was. She also shared some great ideas. One particularly resonated with me, it is not hers but a proverb of sorts that she shared, and it was the first time I had heard of it. It made me realize that I have always been one to “paddle my own canoe.”

“Love many, trust few, and always paddle your own canoe.” page vii

Later on the same page she says:

“Maybe you have to know the darkness before you can appreciate the light.” Page vii

Right on sister. I know I think about that often. Yesterday Chris and I were chilling on the couch while the turkey was cooking away in the oven, and I came across an email between my sister and me from 2010 about my mom, and whether I was mothered. As I read it to Chris I was getting choked up. My sister and I were remembering the good, bad, and ugly from our childhood on the anniversary of my mom’s passing. The beginning of the email my sister says: “Thinking about you tonight – and about mom and how she has been gone for half your life.” That was five years ago, and my mom has now been gone for 21 years, and yet all that I have been through over the years only serves to allow me to see the light.

I have definitely seen darkness, but I have also seen years of light and love. Thank you, Cheryl Strayed, for the reminder that I paddle my own canoe, and that I live in the light.

He is my person

Posted by random olio

I am addicted. Yes, I am absolutely wholeheartedly addicted to my husband. Chris is my person. Today marks 11 years to the day that we decided to begin this crazy adventure together through health challenges, fun trips, job changes, family ups and downs, moves, money woes, dreams come true, and most importantly day-to-day bliss. He is the person I want to call, the one I want to yell at when I am frustrated, the one I want to soothe when his world is turned upside down. While I have only known him for just over 13 years, and it often feels like 25 years, I really cannot imagine a day without hearing his voice.

Call me a sap, call me whooped (he would say the same) but I hate traveling without him, or having days when I cannot feel the comfort of his arms around me whether to celebrate an amazing day or to say we will get through this together. He is my travel companion when I am the crabby one on an airplane (I get so bored and restless), on a road trip, or when I am stuck somewhere and have to pee. He keeps me fed and knows when I am on that tipping point between hungry and ravenous (the difference of great extremes).

Together we decided very early (prior to marriage) that we would only bring good to those around us. That our relationship was not only about each of us as individuals, and what that would mean to be together and be a family, but what our collective and shared world would mean for those that we are around. Meaning that our relationship would uplift and bless those around us, whether through our example of love, our support of others, or in elevating the thought of those around us. Together we take a stand small or large for what we believe in – in hopes that it means that others benefit by the work we do whether professionally, in the community, and in our personal lives.

I never take Chris for granted. Every day I cherish him for what he is, what I learn from him, and how we continue to grow together. I never tire of sharing him with others, lighting up when I talk about him, and spending every day with him. Happy “love you so much every day” – day.

He is my person.

Belated Blog Birthday

Posted by random olio

Do you know when you get so into what you are doing you forget to look up and notice what is happening around you? That is what has happened to me. My one year anniversary of my blog happened on January 8, 2013, and I missed it.

I was so into life, work, family, friends, and my blog that I did not even realize that a full year had passed. Looking back on the first year of random olio, I have learned a lot. I am excited that I did not give up (I am not one to give up). It is a lot of work to write a blog 5 days a week. I find that writing my blog inspires and challenges me. It requires me to stay on top of my thoughts, inspirations, and ideas.

I am honored by each and every individual who is following my blog, those that comment and ask questions, and those that have encouraged and inspired me. I thank you. It has been a year full of changes, triumphs, set backs, and growth. I am going to continue writing, learning, and making connections with each of you.

What was your favorite post from random olio over the past year?

Happy belated first birthday random olio!

1st birthday

A happy wife…

Posted by random olio

I know I rave about Chris all the time, but I had to share this beautiful present. First, our 1/2 anniversary falls on Christmas day. In the past few years, we have made the choice not to give each other gifts. Last year we were traveling for Christmas and due to the high cost of the trip, we decided to pass on gifts. This year, due to purchasing a home, we decided again to put aside giving gifts. However, he always has something up his sleeve.

In November, we were at a design show and we found and fell in love with this print. I was with my good friend that was visiting that weekend, and after seeing that print she said: “Guess what you are getting for Christmas?” Well she was right. Just not for Christmas. A few days before Christmas I had come inside from my run, and sitting on my desk was the below print, framed. I went to find Chris. Happily excited, I asked how he pulled this off. He said: “I have my ways. Happy 1/2 Anniversary.”

Chris and I are horribly picky about art. We have learned over time that if we both fall in love with a piece we have to do something about it right away. We have experienced first hand when we fell in love with a piece, and waited. Only to find out that it had been purchased before we made our decision.

I encourage you to explore more of Audrey’s work. The image below does not even begin to show you the detail of this piece. Thank you, Chris.

the Pine

A happy wife.

Designing my 2013

Posted by random olio

It is officially 2013. Still so hard to believe. While I am not much of a fan of New Year’s resolutions, I do think it is good to have goals for the year. So much good happened in 2012, it is hard to imagine what big things will happen in 2013. Here is the start of my list of things I want to do in 2013:

Run a 1/2 marathon
Start writing a book
Read more than 125 books. Maybe 150?
Travel more
Celebrate my 10th wedding anniversary (via a trip)
Add more photos in my blog posts
Take my camera out more often so I can add photos to my blog posts!
Paint more
Get back into drawing, I have a new fascination with figure drawing
Start to meditate

Here is my dilemma: I am often hard on myself to do everything and then some more. For example, each year I add another project to my list. In 2010, I wanted to read 100 books, for 2011 I wanted to read 125 books. In 2012 I wanted to read 125 books, write in my journal each day, and post a blog each week day. This year what has come to me to add to that list is: to meditate each day. Is that a lot to take on in addition to my exercise regimen, professional work, and being a wife? Will I have enough time in the day to do each of these projects? Yes. Why you might ask? Because these projects fuel and inspire me. Often I will write in my journal and get a blog idea. Or I will run and read, and solve a problem at work. It all somehow connects together. I think meditation will be the perfect blend to what I am already doing.

What to do better next year…

I would like to cherish the small moments, smile and laugh more, play more, and reach out and connect with those in my life that I have not spoken to in a long time. I would like to let go more and control less. These all might sound like easy things to do, but for me they are not. They will take conscious effort and focus if I want to be better. Take cherishing the small moments: This means I have to live more in the moment, which means I have to be more aware when I am not living in the moment. Hopefully as I meditate more, that will help with each of the above items. Time will tell. I will try to share my progress throughout the year.

I am also going to start doing something I saw on Facebook. I have started a jar that says: “Good things that happened in 2013.” At the end of the year we will open the jar and read all the notes. I bet it will be quite amazing to look back and read things we had forgotten about, and to see all of them in writing. I am ready for 2013 – bring it on!

What goals do you have for 2013?