Cath, etc.

15 Things: Nicole's Big News

1.  Her exit strategy was delivered by the UPS man just last week.

2.  One of our inspiring daughters, Nicole, has been accepted to graduate school!

3.  In Toronto.

4.  That's the Toronto in Ontario, Canada, where she'll be precisely 1,916.83 miles from our doorstep.

5.  She's not just out of the nest, she's flyin' the gall durned coop.

6.  And it's time. Really it is.

7.  We know this.

8.  We are over-the-moon happy for her. Over the moon!

9.  And proud as peacocks that we have a kid going to graduate school. We've got a kid going to graduate school!

10.  But I'm not sleeping at night and doubled over with gut aches wondering what I'm going to do without the light she brings to my life.

11. Knowing that Skype and email and unlimited text and bottomless long distance will make this easier than it has ever been before. And we're always looking for new places to vacation.

12. Knowing equally that there's nothing quite like hangin' out in the living room, each in her favorite chair, gabbing over a cuppa tea with laughter and tears and anger and frustration and joy ringing in the rafters. Ringing in the everloving rafters!

13. Inevitably followed by a hug with a squeeze and a kiss on the forehead. Love you, Bud.

14. Making me wonder--

15.  How does anyone ever survive the roller coaster that is parenthood?

...and will I?

15 Things--I Am Spoiled

1. Just got back from shopping for a dishwasher. Stainless steel interior? Utensil basket in the door? Energy efficient to the point of not drying your dishes? Adjustable upper rack? 16 different settings? Sanitizer? Steamer? Wow. I just want a machine that will clean my dishes


2. because washing my dishes by hand is already getting old. I am spoiled.


3. Reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver and writing blog posts about it all night long in my dreams. Best read in the sustainability repertoire yet.


4. Makes me want to quit my job and bake bread, make homemade cheese, and raise chickens all the livelong day.


5. Not really, but sometimes I think it would be nice to live in that world


6. until I realize that modern conveniences are there for a reason: they are convenient.


7. Everything in moderation. Maybe I'll bake some bread on the weekend. Or make some cheese. The chickens are right out.


8. Redeemed my opera ticket birthday present on Saturday--Mozart's Marriage of Figaro--and got a weekend at the Marriott to boot. Happy belated birthday to me!


9. Hiked up City Creek Canyon--an hour up and an hour back. Sore. Sore. Sore.


10. Looked at my beautiful downtown Salt Lake City from our upgraded executive suite with a corner view for no extra charge. Watched workers add concrete beams to the 7th or so floor of the new City Creek condos where Crossroads Mall used to be, watched the exterior LDS temple lights come on, and viewed a stunning sunset all at the same time. I am spoiled.


11. Discovered the caprese sandwich at Red Rock. Mmm. Discovered carrot chips and ranch dip at Red Rock. Mmm. Shared a Reve with Mark at Red Rock. Mmm. I am spoiled.


12. Made a trip to Liberty Fresh for Kalamata olives, Vosen's rustic bread, d'Affinois brie, and juicy Fuji apples to go with our champagne. Mmm. I am spoiled.


13. Came home to a clean house and a delicious meal made by Beccah--Italian subs.  Mmm. I am spoiled.


14. Rediscovered after this weekend how incredibly spoiled I am. I'm married to a wonderful man who appreciates me, I have a great job that I love, and I don't have to make my own cheese, bread, or raise my own chickens.


15. And pretty soon I won't have to wash my own dishes, either.

I. Am. Spoiled. Grateful.

15 Things: Comfort in the Strength of Our Gifts

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1. I'm starting to feel as though Winter's grip upon me is lessening I know this has been a common theme this week I wasn't kidding when I told you about the mold
2. After 30+ I-got-nothing minutes staring at a blank screen last night here on Cath, etc. trying to conjure up something, anything--I have been mired in winter's block
3. I woke to a mind bursting with ideas and inspiration, propelling me like a run-away truck through the day and into the evening, even now my patient boss Jennifer bearing with me my lightbulb moments
4. As I ponder this, my 200th post I never knew how much this world would come to mean to me
5. Sanctuary in a crowded space with many distractions so many interesting things to pursue!
6. I find myself most in this
7. As the economy tanks how long is this going to go on I'm starting to think that there's no one left yet untouched
8. And businesses are restructured it's such a difficult time
9. And friends try to find meaning  it's always most dark before dawn
10. In situations beyond our control it's all so far beyond our control.
11. But in the midst of it all, it does feel as though spring might be coming sing to the rafters the light is returning
12. There is a sense of lilt, a hint at lightness, a lifting of spirit
13. That was noticeably detected even by my husband today I could feel his optimism the moment I walked through the door 
14. A sense that even in this proverbial darkness, we will find the light. Does it feel to you as if we may find light?
15. I'm just hoping that, in the end, we can all find the light together for there is light in the connections between us and comfort in the strength of our gifts.