Saturday, What a Day!

Today I am thankful for all of the elements of the beautiful holiday season that make the beginning of winter so festive. Preparing to kick off Advent tomorrow made me wonder at the impact a few pine boughs and some glittery ornaments have. (For the record, I'm not talking about the tinsel-strewn plastic decorations that festoon retail stores this time of year.)

After Thanksgiving, I give myself full liberty to deck the halls and break out the box of holiday music. The moments that make me the happiest are on quiet evenings when the lights on the tree are sparkling, and the flames from lit candles are reflected in all of the glass surfaces in the room. Theoretically in these moments, James Taylor is crooning carols in the background and snow is drifting outside, but that level of perfection is rare.

Regardless, I am grateful for this season that celebrates anticipation, and I look forward to cherishing many moments with friends and family as we ring out 2011 and prepare for 2012.

Friday, Happy Day

We bought a car today. It's not the most practical model we could have chosen, but it's bigger than the Corolla and definitely more comfortable. I am bubbling over with excitement, but more on the new addition to come later...

For now I want to pay homage to my little car. She has been dependable and low-maintenance, and has gotten me through several cross-country transitions. I am very grateful for the years I have been able to rely on her and her 5-speed standard transition, and hope that with a little on-going care she will stick around for another 150K mi.

Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving! Today I am going to espouse my gratitude for my family, who has been a constant source of support this year. If you appear on this wall of our living room, know that you hold a special place in my life, and are thought of daily.

First of all, I am grateful to have married into a family that is loving and fun. We don't get to visit as much as I would like, but I love my in-laws, and for that I know I am fortunate.

I am who I am today because of the values and manners that my parents instilled in me over the course of the past few decades. They taught me the importance of honesty, and modeled the work ethic that got me through college and grad school. Since Bosco was diagnosed, they have saved us thousands in vet bills by graciously letting him interrupt their lives when Brian and I are both out of town. Dad has pitched in to help solve issues I create in pretty much every home maintenance project I take on, and is an awesome resource when it comes to taking care of my little Corolla. I am very fortunate to have a friend in my mom, to vent to when I have a frustrating day or to to share any joys that come my way, and ask for advice when I am struggling with anything.

The biggest blessing in my life this year has been my husband. I am so lucky to be able to share every day with somebody who knows how to make me laugh, and likes food(especially breakfast) almost as much as I do. For the most part we have the same taste in music, television, and movies, and he has started to open up to the idea of international adventures. Today we hosted Thanksgiving dinner, and it was totally a team effort. I love that we have grown to complement each other's abilities and support each other's strengths, even for tasks like roasting a turkey! I'm so lucky to have found the partner I have, and look forward to many more Thanksgivings to share.

Wednesday, Happy Days

Today I give thanks for my passport. Without it I would not have experienced the amazing places I have seen, or met some of the most wonderful people I know. It represents my freedom to travel, and the privilege of returning home. I am also grateful that I have been granted the curiosity to take advantage of these benefits, for some will never truly understand the wonder inherent in reaching across borders with a friendly heart and an open mind.

Tuesday

Today I am grateful for my house. It's not huge and we don't have a yard, but it's ours. Everybody should be so lucky to have a roof over their head and a bed to sleep in.

Monday, Happy Days

Today I am grateful for the impact music has on the human condition. I am so fortunate to have been taught the fundamentals when I was young, and had ongoing chances to nurture my love of musical expression.

On this Monday I feel especially blessed to be able to spend three hours with Sound Circle, singing and creating and preparing for our upcoming Solstice concert. I was in a pretty dark place when I was invited to join them again last spring, and I can't overestimate the affect of being asked to genuinely contribute to something after months of being told my time was not valuable to anyone else. There is much to be said for finding other people who encourage you to stay true to yourself, but I will suffice this post to focus on the music!

We received some exciting news this afternoon. In conjunction with Think Humanity, we received a large grant to develop a sister ensemble at a refugee camp in Uganda. What an awesome opportunity to share the joy I find in music! Even though it might not happen until the summer of 2013, I am thrilled to embark on this adventure.

Sunday

There have been lots of recent dramas among my friends and family, and I want to take this week to articulate all of the elements of my life for which I feel particularly grateful. Sorry if you find this boring or cliche, but I firmly believe in the power of sharing my gratitude and recognizing the blessings in my life. Here we go:

Women in my family have had a pretty rough year when it comes to physical health. In the wake of a double mastectomy, the replacement of a second hip, and the fusion of several vertebrae, I am more aware of my youth at this moment than ever before. Even something as simple as walking is challenging for many and may be for me someday. For now, though, as limited as they may be, I am grateful for my physical abilities and for my health.

This Glass Ain't Empty

There is a facilities manager who works in my building who is quite possibly the happiest person I have ever met. Our paths cross a couple of times a day, and he always waves and greets me, goes out of his way to politely hold the front door for me, and has even called the elevator for me. He always has a nice comment about the weather or the impending weekend, and emanates a positive attitude.

It was a challenge to drag myself out of bed this morning, and after pulling an outfit together and making some coffee, I reluctantly said goodbye to Bosco and drove to work lamenting the fact that it is only Wednesday. Outside the office I ran into Yuri. He stopped what he was working on and ushered me into the lobby, making the usual small talk about the beautiful sunshine, and sent me up to the second floor with a huge smile and a very sincere "Have a wonderful day!"

Less than a minute of interacting with him completely adjusted my approach to the day. What a positive way to influence other people around you!

What's Cookin'?

The kitchen has reached a stage of completion that has allowed some boxes to be brought back and the unpacking to start. Here is the view from the dining room into the kitchen.

This is mom's new cooktop. It's beautiful! Gas stove, two ovens, and a vented hood. Looking forward to all of the delicious meals that will come out of this kitchen!

Here's the new in-island touch-activated sink, and the HUGE workspace that is desperately in need of some bar stools!

This is "Joe's wine bar," which has since been lined with additional bottles to try or document. Also, Hazel has taken up residence in this corner, so the naming rights are currently being contended...

In Beauty May I Walk

I got to spend all weekend up in Estes Park with the phenomenal women of Sound Circle. Our fall retreat was very productive and my soul has been refreshed by the time spent surrounded by so many amazing people, and the breathtaking winter beauty that currently graces the Park. Our Solstice show this year is going to feature a piece we are composing that is called Requiem to Roadkill. The concept is to acknowledge the impact that we as human beings have on the environment around us, and to inspire respect for all of the creatures that we touch. We spent a lot of time talking about possible elements of the piece, and creating sounds that evoke those thoughts and feelings.

This was surprisingly a very emotional process for me. I internalize so many things, and the general ignorance and apathy of humanity towards animals is heart-wrenching to me. I have considered eating vegetarian before, and this weekend confirmed that at my core, I share those beliefs. However, I also understand the cycle of life and our dependence on protein in order to sustain ourselves. For me, the empathy I feel for animals that are injured or killed by humans is related to disruptions in that cycle. IE, not when an elk is hunted for a winter's worth of meals, but when a dog is beaten or a fox is run over and left suffering to die on the side of the road. So many times we cause interruptions like this and turn away, leaving a path of literal destruction in our wake. I am desperately saddened when I think about the world our generation's grandchildren will inherit if we continue to avoid acknowledging the damage we generate.

I have been inspired by another singers' mantra to First Do No Harm, and the knowledge that we must live the changes we want to see in this world.