Thursday, December 31, 2015

2015 Terms and Conditions

It has been a year for the record books. It was a good year, a hard year, a year of massive changes, huge highs and debilitating lows.

Winter arrived in October and Spring appeared in December. Relationships, friendships and careers we thought would last a lifetime evaporated and disappeared into the past. 

Bruised, battered, cut and sutured, we somehow picked ourselves up, took charge and removed ourselves from a particularly toxic situation. 

Moving on, up and well out of our comfort zones we discovered that taking risks, trusting our instincts and tending to our own well-being was easier than we thought and far more satisfying than we could've ever imagined.



Facing deep vulnerabilities and insecurities, I discovered I had the courage to muster on. I stopped apologizing for being softhearted, learned the fine art of occasionally not giving a fuck and every now and then, experienced what it was like to give up control. 

Goodbye 2015. We learned a lot and thank you for those lessons.  

Welcome 2016. We're ready to embrace whatever you have in store for us...on our own terms.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Spare Spirit

It's December 23rd. It's 60 degrees. It's a day for merriment, last minute shopping and finding our Christmas spirit.

After dumping the contents of Ken's spare change box into the coin sorting machine at the bank, we gleefully split the $164 and headed on over to the Ithaca Commons for a little shopping. For us Christmas is all about inexpensive, thoughtful gifts and surprises on Christmas morning. Wonder what Santa is bringing us this year...

Friday, December 18, 2015

Prospects

December 18th 
It is the last day those of us with online businesses guarantee your package will arrive by Christmas, so shop on! It is also seven months to the day since my Achilles surgery. A month after surgery the future was looking mighty grim.

This week I walked my first mile. 
 Merry Christmas to me.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Lillie

We lost Lillie yesterday to old age and cancer.  She was the sweetest, most patient and kind kitty we ever knew. Always willing to share her box, especially with Jesse.
 
I wish I could explain to him where she is now.

Rest in peace our dear sweet little love, Lillie girl.
 

Saturday, December 12, 2015

On the Line


It is 60 degrees on the 12th of December and I just returned from another glorious walk on our sweet little country road.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Christmas Sprit

Not feeling it this year...
 

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Not Spring

Sleeping late, lunch at Creekside CafĂ©, a little shopping at the Spirit and Kitsch holiday pop up shop and homemade ginger snap ice cream (yes, it was warm enough for ice cream today!). All followed by a leisurely drive around the lake and an hour's nap at home. I have a whole new relationship to Saturdays these days. 

It turned out to be a lovely sunny and warm day and I am loving the weather, but soon...as in SOON, it will be time for snow. It won't feel like Christmas until it snows. And until then, I should probably let my poor little garden know that it isn't Spring yet.

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Wrap Up

Scenes from our life in November

 Lillie is still with us, is responding to treatment, eats like a ferocious lion and purrs like a freight train.
James received his graduate degree in snuggling, and is making Lillie's days warmer and sweeter.
 
The business is growing.

and soon I'll need assistants with opposable thumbs.


 It was unseasonably warm all month.

 Warm enough to wear sandals, go without coats and to shoot product photos outdoors.


Thanksgiving was delicious, cozy and wonderful.

The cars are still in the garage.


We are happy and healthy.

Welcome, December.