Category Archives: P365

Project 365

Today’s Photo of Help on The Way

I’m trying to get back into the groove of the office after being away for so what felt like forever – first on vacation and then back-to-back trips to Las Vegas and Seattle. I’ll be spending the day trying to dig out from under my massive to-do list.

Our weekend was quiet, but productive. I spent most of it catching up on laundry while the boys played well together (for the most part). Samuel spent most of the weekend as Wonder Woman, complete with home made tiara and magic bracelets. Thomas built cities out of Lego and blocks. It rained a lot and we barely left the house. Thankfully, our friends dragged us out of hibernation late yesterday afternoon with a football/Karaoke get together (football for the boys and karaoke for the girls). I feel like I’ve been out of touch with everyone for weeks and I’ll be grateful to start getting back into some degree of normalcy.

Before I head off to tackle my pile of work, I’ll share a couple of quick photos that I took during the drive home from Seattle last week. If only they made snow plows that would help dig through to-do lists…

Today’s Photo of a Storm Brewing Over Seattle

If you’ve been following my whining on Twitter, you’ll know that I found myself stuck in Bellevue, WA (just outside Seattle) for a day longer than I anticipated. Thankfully we were able to drive home yesterday during a brief break in the snow and freezing rain. I hear that I-5 is now closed halfway between Portland and Seattle – at the same location where we stopped briefly for lunch, the power went out and a tree fell across the freeway onramp, all within the span of 20 minutes.

So, I count myself lucky that I didn’t find myself spending the weekend. As much as I love Seattle, I love my family more and I was VERY tired of looking at the walls of my hotel room while ice literally rained from the sky.

They were warning about snow when I took this photo of Seattle from the windows of our Bellevue office on Monday.

Today’s Photos of Not Quite a Snowstorm

It’s nice to look back at these photos I took on Sunday and laugh at the innocent naivety of children who think they were actually experiencing a snowstorm.

No kids, that wasn’t a snowstorm.

A snowstorm is what your mother is experiencing right now as she sits in an office in Bellevue, WA, obsessively watching the weather reports for signs that the roads will clear up just a little so she can return home today.

Of course if I lived in Ohio right now I’d be saying “that’s not a snowstorm…”

Today’s Photos of a Teeny Tiny Karate Kid

This year we decided to enroll Thomas in Karate lessons. The lessons fall during his after school program at 2:30pm so it has been difficult for me to get away on a Friday and watch him in action. Thankfully he has been very willing to show us his  moves at home, but still it’s not quite the same as seeing him in full “Gi”, the official name for the white shirt and pants. (It’ short for “Karatagi” – I had to look that up).

One thing that was apparent as soon as I started taking photographs is how very small he is when you stand him next to a couple of 4th grade girls.

I supposed it’s a good thing he’s developing a few self defense moves if only to protect him from giants.

Thankfully there are some kids on his level.

Thomas has told us a few times that he wants to quit Karate. The problem is that it’s during his after school care time and going to Karate means that he misses out on snack time and outside time and basically anything-that’s-fun time.

 

It’s only once a week (although for 90 minutes) and I plan to keep encouraging him to stick with it for a few reasons:

  1. It’s good discipline and encourages concentration and focus
  2. It will help him feel as though he can stand up to giants if the situation ever presents itself. (self defense only, of course)
  3. It’s a wonderful way to connect with his Japanese culture and the rituals that surround it.

Of course, the only thing that’s motivating Thomas right now is the promise of a yellow belt at his first belt test and a new fascination with Ninjas.

Welcoming the Year of the Dragon

As I return and recover from a quick trip to Las Vegas during which I I walked about 30 miles of the CES floor, I want to share a few photos from our weekend visit to the Japanese garden to celebrate the Year of the Dragon.

Of course a Japanese New Year leads to reflection of each of our own birth years – what they mean and how they may have shaped our personalities. A quick critique of my year – the year of the Rabbit:

  • Usually generous, friendly and tranquil by nature. (ummmm…ok…)
  • Rabbits like everything to be low key and even tempered and are anxious if forced to take risks. (that’s fair)
  • They enjoy paying attention to detail to create an ambiance in their lives. (I have no time for details)
  • Rabbits most often prefer the easy road. (OK, now we’re onto something…)
  • Rabbits are suited to careers in literature, art, design, public relations, counseling, advisory occupations and law. They also make good secretaries. (Stop right there! Secretary? I would be a terrible secretary. And where is Photographer?)

Regardless of the inaccuracies in my own zodiac, I am looking forward to the Year of the Dragon and I’m grateful we were able to welcome it in style amidst the beauty and tranquility of the Japanese gardens.

Thomas and his friend Camille jumped at the opportunity to practice their Japanese calligraphy. Thomas tried his hand at some Kanji…

…while Camille worked on a Dragon.

And then we watched the professionals create their own amazing works of calligraphy art.

With REALLY big brushes.

Wishing you a very happy year of the Dragon.

Today’s Photo of the Last Lights of Christmas

The christmas tree has been taken away by the recycling and all of the ornaments are packed away in the basement, but I just can’t bare to put these away. They give the house such a nice glow.