37

Being almost 40 sounds yucky.  I found out I have arthritis in my foot this year (btw, wtf?)  I have to hold onto the railing when I go down the stairs in the morning because my muscles don't wake up the second I get out of bed anymore.  These days, it will take me until about 2pm plus drinking about 64oz of water plus drinking 3 cups of coffee to recover from a prior night of drinking too much.  And it's getting way more uncomfortable to do those backbend poses in yoga.  

But so many things are getting better with age.  

1. I am slowly learning to worry less.  If it's not going to be a big deal in 1 year than it's probably not a big deal right now.  

2. I am trying to have no regrets.  You can't change history so why waste time worrying about it?  

3. I am trying to find something good about everyone I meet.

4. I am figuring out how to be present more.  Definitely not always easy.  

5. I treat myself to something every day.  Usually wine & coffee.  

6. I am trying not to say no when an opportunity arises, just because I'm feeling lazy or I'm a little worried about how things will turn out. 

7. And of course, last but not least, I have finally found something in life to be passionate about.  This photography thing has changed me forever. No going back.

I think 4 and 7 might be two of the keys to a happy life. But who am I to say? I'm no old sage. I'm only 37.

In some cultures, birthdays are not necessarily related to a person's age, rather they are a celebration that acknowledges a period of growth or a milestone achieved, irrespective of the number of days since the last party.  Although it has been 365 days since my last official birthday, I do believe I am due for a 'period of growth' celebration, too!

There is no place I'd rather be.

Cookie Bake 2011

The annual Christmas Cookie Bake!  It all starts around 9am on a weekend morning before Christmas.

Well.... let me back up.

It really starts in November, soon after Thanksgiving.  Planning for the big cookie bake takes a lot of work.  Perusing cookbooks and magazines for the best recipes.  Making a list of possibilities.  Reviewing and editing. Making sure the final plate of cookies will have the appropriate mix of colors, flavors and textures.  Then the shopping.  Finding chocolate chips and sugar on sale.  Getting your coupons in order! Better yet if you can double them.  All part of the annual tradition.

This year, we sent our very youngest helper (Lillian) out christmas shopping with our least helpful helper (Daddy).  Although I was sad that not every family member would be present, I think it was a brilliant decision and the key to our success.  It's a nice idea in theory to have everyone around for cookie baking, but it's not all all fun & games, you know.  The kitchen gets really hot.  Extra bodies make it hotter.  Timing is crucial.  One distraction and the cookies are burnt.  Then Gigi starts swearing.  It's just not a place for young ones, really.

That said, we did let Ben stay this time.  This was the first year he was old enough to really help out.

dough balls waiting for the oven

yum

chocolate crackles with peppermint kisses

hot out of the oven

I didn't eat any.

Really. I didn't.

Five hours and three hundred sixty odd cookies later... Team gordon/soulia is ready for a drink.

I thought I wanted a decorating set for Christmas, but I think I take it back, Santa.  These antiques are actually pretty cool and seem to work just fine.

Thanks, Laura.

Ben has officially proved himself helpful and worthy of participating in the tradition.  Not sure how many years we have before he refuses to hang out with us so we must savor every moment!

double whammy

Two big events on the same day!

Ben's first holiday performance with his new school and Poppy turns 73.  What a busy night.


"He sees you when you're sleeping...."    can you find ben?  I'll give you a hint. Red vest.

"He knows when you're awake...."

Full media coverage:

and back at the ranch.  cupcakes and candles for Poppy.

yes, that's steel reserve.  the presents are so awesome when you turn 73.

You didn't think you were going to blow those out by yourself, did you?

I do believe in Fairies, I DO!

You just think happy thoughts! And they LIFT you into the air!"--Peter Pan


Show Notes:
2.5 hour run time is about 0.5 too long for a 5 year old.
Mechanical crocodile: not that scary
Captain Hook:  scary

3D special effects for flying scene - so cool. Ben said it looked "just like the real world"

Characters say 'stupid' a lot in Peter Pan
Also a lot of talk about death, stabbing, killing, cutting, and bleeding.  yikes!
Tinkerbell is wayyyy cooler and spunkier than that version Disney tries to pass off
$4 foam sword purchased in lobby - worth every penny



Having forgotten my camera at home, here are the very limited iPhone highlights...

how can a pig be so cute?

Big morning out at the movies this weekend.  Olivia holiday special...

popcorn and chocolate milk for lunch!

I love how this pig thinks.  If only I didn't have to sleep!

They say "Good night, Olivia, your big day is through".  

But how can I sleep, there is still so much to do?

It looks like I'm tucked in tight snug in my bed, 

But tomorrow is chasing today through my head.

Will I climb the highest mountaintop,

Or will I paint my masterpiece?

Go ride a bronco in the rodeo

Or wow the crowd on my trapeze?

Princess, doctor, author, astronaut,

From jungles dark to oceans deep.

I'll do anything go anywhere

Just don't ask me to go to sleeeeeeep...

these are a few of my favorite things....

the smell of freshly cut christmas trees

picking out a tree with the whole family in a car that fits that whole family(plus a tree plus a potty in the back for emergencies).

tree helpers young and old  (trying out some things on photoshop in these next 6. not sure i love the color.  kind of cool and kind of artsy fartsy, but also kind of not real looking. agh maybe someday will figure this all out...! or not.)

Lillian, pretending to be serious about the tree selection process....

Just kidding!

by chance, running into friends and family at boston's last working farm

warm snuggles out in the cold

fun photo ops ( i love silhouettes!)

a boy and his tree

hot chocolate mustache

don't get between me and my hot chocolate

multi purposing the christmas decor

princess. day in and day out

cool toys from the 70s

no lillian is not on her way to child prodigy lite bright school - santa picture courtesy of dad!

a classic Christmas pop up book from my childhood that still has all it's pops

and last but not least, holiday shopping in my pjs!! hurray!

good ol' st.nick

Santa made his annual visit to Roslindale yesterday.  For our family, it went something like this.

Gigi's done this Christmas thing a time or two in her life so she's pretty savvy. And she's a senior citizen so don't mess with her when she stakes out a spot in line to see Santa an hour before everyone else.

Santa was late.  really late.  while we waited around

the kids made up games

watched and listened for Santa's firetruck

we posed with the christmas tree

we even had time to notice this totally confused tree, budding flowers at the end of november due to the unbelievably warm weather we've been having.

Finally the big guy arrived.

We were first in line. which rocked.  In case you aren't familiar with it, this is Ben's scared sh&*less look.  I'm just so proud he actually sat on Santa's lap. It's the first time in his life!  Ben asked for a car.  Hey Santa, no big deal, but um can I have a car for Christmas?

Santa's helper by the way was really happy. And maybe a little crazy.

Lillian, on the other hand, completely freaked out at the sight of this weird old man and clung to me for dear life.  After that she was content to sit in her stroller with a candy cane and watch from a distance.  Lillian was going to ask for a 'princess bed'.  This girl is all princess all the time.  On the walk home from the village, she asked why Santa didn't give her a princess bed.

until next year.....