tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44192399766317319522024-03-06T00:18:02.747-05:00beyond graceDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.comBlogger1327125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-61781168421330453232023-03-21T09:01:00.002-04:002023-03-21T09:01:33.798-04:00in the shadows<p>I am a celebrator, a seeker of joy.<br />Give me a holiday, big or small; a weekend of adventure or an ordinary old Tuesday. I will laugh in the joy, or dig in until I can find it. I love the planning, the doing, the beauty seeking. It is who I am, who I dare to be. </p><p>It is harder... in the shadows of days you could wish away. A day of blustery anger, or heartbreaking sadness, a day when your child tells you their soul doesn't fit in the body they were given. <i>Transgender</i>? It's not something I ever wondered about, and something that has become part of my precious family over the last several years.<i> And what do you say in response to an announcement like this?</i> I said all of the right things: I love you, I support you, I love you, I love you. I've also said plenty of wrong things... because my very soul aches, because I don't understand how this could be, because... from the day that sweet bundle of baby was set in my arms, all I saw was perfect. Are you now not the same person you were when we celebrated five, ten, sixteen, eighteen, twenty-one... or the million moments in between?<i> </i></p><p>I literally have no answers... I just love. Fear scrambles my joy... I continue to just love. I can't see that another choice lies before me, <i>but it is hard to find the joy in this</i>. I read of other people celebrating this with their children, being proud, moving forward with such purpose... and here I sit, in the shadows. Not because I think this is wrong, but because my heart just feels broken... for me and for them. <i>I feel broken</i>. </p><p>The shadows have overcome my days, and where there has always been beauty seeking, I feel... blah. I'm not saying I can't see the beauty of a sunset, feel the love of a hand clasped around mine, or even find joy in laughter that bubbles up unexpectedly. I cherish <i>all </i>of those things. But where the joy once glowed for hours, spurring on more and more joy, the shadows slip in quickly, and blur the lines. </p><p>I long to not be blurry...</p>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-19992076383959094662021-10-08T11:14:00.004-04:002021-10-08T11:14:46.173-04:00friday virtual coffee...many months later<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZJwK44awo7HHjJ9lNZsS0ExrpNmJBfaeHNpnX-Pnpr4CBeCI6zTx0D2kFDGFMYweoiZE1AI6ylqjmScoUchTPFm6aJHXau6xzPSj-pxylsBmtrpY2CWU9DEbcjTsM9bB97sgpLiXRo8/s2828/IMG_20211007_120154_513.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2828" data-original-width="2828" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZJwK44awo7HHjJ9lNZsS0ExrpNmJBfaeHNpnX-Pnpr4CBeCI6zTx0D2kFDGFMYweoiZE1AI6ylqjmScoUchTPFm6aJHXau6xzPSj-pxylsBmtrpY2CWU9DEbcjTsM9bB97sgpLiXRo8/w640-h640/IMG_20211007_120154_513.webp" width="640" /></a></div><br />This October Friday finds me sitting in the same chair, with the same view (but perhaps a different mug.) I'm not complaining - I could sit here forever and be okay. In one more month we'll be back in the office, full time - take two. This work/life balance I have found over the last twenty months has been... glorious. It will be hard to go back. Just thinking about the commute makes me shudder. But it's Friday, and the weekend is almost here!<p></p><p>It took me six weeks to get that vaccine appointment for Bob {which seems unreal at this point, when no one seems to want it.} When the "book appointment" showed up on my computer screen, I didn't dare breathe, and typed in the information in a flurry of errors, barely holding myself together. And when it showed appointment confirmed, I lost it. On my knees, sobbing my thanks to God, all while trying to call my Mom and texting the six others we had trying to acquire this one appointment. I may have held my breath a little, waiting the week until the appointment... but now, all of us have been vaccinated, and I'm just thankful. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRFvhrXt-dDjw58DYxwGsDZTC6wca-uH8HdV_BREYKo78aSndzKlG39nRGJPftUcSDH9DJvALIO-Hdky_e1hz8v9SNavV3PT_4Pm_OTWtDJKdFQI7TAEZSpeKlVAEBCcepuVT2nMP6Zw/s1920/PhotoCollage_20211008_102702914_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1920" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRFvhrXt-dDjw58DYxwGsDZTC6wca-uH8HdV_BREYKo78aSndzKlG39nRGJPftUcSDH9DJvALIO-Hdky_e1hz8v9SNavV3PT_4Pm_OTWtDJKdFQI7TAEZSpeKlVAEBCcepuVT2nMP6Zw/w640-h322/PhotoCollage_20211008_102702914_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></p>In the many months since I've been here, I've been living, and it has felt good. Trips to the beach, walks in the woods. A glorious journey to the mountains. Bike rides, owl sightings, and more than a few family celebrations. And with our Covid Bubble friends, who already felt like family, we have found our way around some great fun. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqStbryLzDXbZhAlxf3n3KDA1KHf1SEysgqzuGeVF1k_rKIU7URmsGpuZ3qc5CWqE_prljomYIde5WD7tJTbk_ZcqROgA81kOCrScYCbznCxN_IWX3Vp95pomFpB6kdqR2Z2Djmq_gqng/s1911/PhotoCollage_20211008_104204891_d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1911" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqStbryLzDXbZhAlxf3n3KDA1KHf1SEysgqzuGeVF1k_rKIU7URmsGpuZ3qc5CWqE_prljomYIde5WD7tJTbk_ZcqROgA81kOCrScYCbznCxN_IWX3Vp95pomFpB6kdqR2Z2Djmq_gqng/w640-h320/PhotoCollage_20211008_104204891_d.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_umFAftEXAsevYxgkyTjhdvnhEDvRt-BAhzdzK0kcZbGBIxbqMaB75CWyQii_r9V8RurcbPP6x8RviEQTrMfbqfzwHK6qnN1qMCSd6P9nODdgp5C9RvRmQHvfproAyhpq_6B_uHq-Uw/s4000/IMG_20210701_091604201_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_umFAftEXAsevYxgkyTjhdvnhEDvRt-BAhzdzK0kcZbGBIxbqMaB75CWyQii_r9V8RurcbPP6x8RviEQTrMfbqfzwHK6qnN1qMCSd6P9nODdgp5C9RvRmQHvfproAyhpq_6B_uHq-Uw/w640-h480/IMG_20210701_091604201_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHp8AHy6Qa5weZApbAp14cqxuQ1teTKm9gQiAWhkRY6VgLyJS6j43_AArIbQLZO7KsCliO6f5DNKLo39FWiElnT6WRQtozBkoy5PRHJ-f5tLtm_budxhzpBTV8rjgXWtXBdynBWjYOUo/s1920/PhotoCollage_20211008_103349331_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1920" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHp8AHy6Qa5weZApbAp14cqxuQ1teTKm9gQiAWhkRY6VgLyJS6j43_AArIbQLZO7KsCliO6f5DNKLo39FWiElnT6WRQtozBkoy5PRHJ-f5tLtm_budxhzpBTV8rjgXWtXBdynBWjYOUo/w640-h318/PhotoCollage_20211008_103349331_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUhXK6AQvA4w3I1ribz0oCrk3KVKyuhsN3HAx8H8O_s8I7kzLp_snZDz8W2WXTC4AU9y1CGIt9AOgrHDov5WPQgwvORMQ_fQTTTQv2-69AgFLgAZGBoJySaJeQG98ICMxr5Hlh7veh0Q/s2046/IMG_20210616_190027837-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUhXK6AQvA4w3I1ribz0oCrk3KVKyuhsN3HAx8H8O_s8I7kzLp_snZDz8W2WXTC4AU9y1CGIt9AOgrHDov5WPQgwvORMQ_fQTTTQv2-69AgFLgAZGBoJySaJeQG98ICMxr5Hlh7veh0Q/w640-h640/IMG_20210616_190027837-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1hsh4aGEHVJAZ18GG4bDPB4uVthDbwDv8CdNWsRz00W4Ub5Bn-22iU9jaolLvDiNbX4f5FSUpIhN-NwlFLGO4MGFKzJKpjPI0KSCp1fgnDiTeEgzc_nwYZNRvBYIJOBPM3BJt6GT1Z8/s2046/IMG_20210321_103608160_HDR-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1hsh4aGEHVJAZ18GG4bDPB4uVthDbwDv8CdNWsRz00W4Ub5Bn-22iU9jaolLvDiNbX4f5FSUpIhN-NwlFLGO4MGFKzJKpjPI0KSCp1fgnDiTeEgzc_nwYZNRvBYIJOBPM3BJt6GT1Z8/w640-h640/IMG_20210321_103608160_HDR-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I hope to stay focused enough to tell the stories... because the words are here, but the follow through has been lacking. That makes me sad, but I think we may all be suffering from soul exhaustion. All of that energy I had for a thousand projects during the shut down is long gone... but that may just be the reality of living outside the bubble. I was hoping to hang on to some of that, and maybe now, saying it out loud, I can try to find a compromise within myself. <p></p><p>I also hope to be back here, in this spot, long before so many months pass me by. </p><p><br /></p>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-55788707989417284802021-01-29T16:04:00.001-05:002021-01-29T16:04:02.704-05:00friday virtual coffee...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rePdveaURpKtGrO-NystUS5Mledv8yV72V2o8wEtXqmuI4YllviNSj1P5yWcaLw4Oi8VUHWaJhkg7PiqqxgWH7oH9hC_p6LYe06POxkVPpZS34eXCaVPPtT8d9WLXp_WpfzBC2E1Sb4/s4000/IMG_20210129_102431580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rePdveaURpKtGrO-NystUS5Mledv8yV72V2o8wEtXqmuI4YllviNSj1P5yWcaLw4Oi8VUHWaJhkg7PiqqxgWH7oH9hC_p6LYe06POxkVPpZS34eXCaVPPtT8d9WLXp_WpfzBC2E1Sb4/w640-h480/IMG_20210129_102431580.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>You know when you have only a little to say about several things? A coffee chat is the way to go, and virtual? Well, what <i>isn't</i> virtual these days? Half of me longs for real-in-person-life, and the other half of me is pretty content with the isolation. On this Friday, which somehow feels like a Monday, I took out my Dolly mug and filled her up with some strong hot chocolate....because the coffee is already long gone {and now that I have said all of that, I hope I can recall what else is on my mind!}<p></p><p>My day started at the computer... trying to get a vaccine appointment for Bob. I do not know the trick to actually acquiring an appointment, and it's ticking me off {this has turned my rare cynical side on overdrive!} People get through, the appointments disappear. I feel like I am doing something wrong. But my Mom texts me that she loves me, and my heart softens enough to return to myself. I guess it's just not our turn. And... if all these people got appointments today, they shouldn't be on trying next time. <i>I just want him safe</i>. Even though I missed my walk in the chilly air this morning, I did get in over 5k steps at the computer. Check!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyp5s6fbGVLGK4df0sNlTqgNTgLOWdekRti7Gxcu_AItBuwbtS_mB_8oL4P0A9tWsS82vJmX99nUDWmEJtrdzTC2rSSk8e_bc4J0bjK2L4rLgBAnlvTWMG7uO36VwrS1YyoAgepLo8Ec/s1920/PhotoCollage_20210129_155719421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyp5s6fbGVLGK4df0sNlTqgNTgLOWdekRti7Gxcu_AItBuwbtS_mB_8oL4P0A9tWsS82vJmX99nUDWmEJtrdzTC2rSSk8e_bc4J0bjK2L4rLgBAnlvTWMG7uO36VwrS1YyoAgepLo8Ec/w640-h640/PhotoCollage_20210129_155719421.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Yesterday I did get my walk in, although the chill had not quite arrived. The air seemed light and fluffy, wispy clouds blowing by, and catching sight of the beautiful lemon moon called me to walk a new way. I followed along beside, while she bobbed along the tree line. It's good to start the day with a smile!<p></p><p>And as today winds down to the weekend {thank you, God} I long to be in the sunshine and feel the breeze on my face. What does the weekend have in store? Maybe a morning of strawberries, definitely a little wine, a few rounds of the game with my parents, and rest... all enjoyed with the love of my life, who keeps me going. </p>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-55605835332420986722021-01-25T16:35:00.002-05:002021-01-25T16:37:10.534-05:00monday hope renewed...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKL0jhpdPlZevjUstK8HOhf5hy04rKNoIKklBKaWfcIdXytvJAWW90D8JNT4v2qOXh3loQ_8uUFdOb0UYgVDswsdJ0UzLlAlFeUgAs_Jg47hjYHDhxbUKRYOGCIx_3gaYT5P8_SAjWJw/s4000/IMG_20210124_083643427_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKL0jhpdPlZevjUstK8HOhf5hy04rKNoIKklBKaWfcIdXytvJAWW90D8JNT4v2qOXh3loQ_8uUFdOb0UYgVDswsdJ0UzLlAlFeUgAs_Jg47hjYHDhxbUKRYOGCIx_3gaYT5P8_SAjWJw/w640-h480/IMG_20210124_083643427_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Last week was tough... <br />Monday I felt like throwing in the towel. An afternoon visit to the doctor didn't help too much, but maybe the bronchitis was at least a reason for my mood. But I did what we all do, and pushed through, best I could. And this morning, on a new Monday, I laced up my shoes and started out the fresh new week with a renewed hope. The music propelled me along the sidewalk and into daybreak... and I caught a few glimpses of of radiant pink as I made the last few turns. I'm always thankful for the light.<p></p><p>I don't know much, except that <i>hope</i> is necessary for life, and it's value is under-rated. God keeps revealing that to me over and over again, so much so that I feel it is embroidered on my heart, and if ever I claimed a word for the year, this should be it. <i>Maybe not for just the year, but for all time. </i></p><p>He whispers the word in Swahili to my Africa-loving heart. <i>Tumaini</i>. He leads me to where it is etched in the sand beneath my feet. He directs my path... <a href="http://www.dawnsbeyondgrace.com/2021/01/hope-motivated.html" target="_blank">chasing the next beautiful sunrise</a>, with hope that the next one will be THE most beautiful. {Who am I to limit the wonder He can paint in the sky?} He sings it to my soul...</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;">You are the one thing that I need</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;">This is my only hope</span></div><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That you'll never let me go</span></div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I need an anchor</span></div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: inherit;">To hold me through the storm</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-<i>Anchor</i>, Colton Dixon</span></div></span></span><p></p>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-86335392535742629252021-01-20T10:00:00.065-05:002021-01-20T10:00:10.522-05:00life lately {scenes from a road trip part 2}...<p>Today is the day we arrive in Denver, and put our arms around our daughter. It's been almost a year. I'm so thankful we were able to visit last September, and I'm thankful now that we could take a {very careful} leap of faith and continue this road trip...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA19Mx13bytEmELVAEAW31pQaCm6meYNx4MyMqzxFhm7ZEC7INl9kEowtxMaLCKSiFPbMmURp8hpGYW-4xS9pt5MLAuXVxhJa6mlmwt-WsT6_QETgLfkUbLA4fWSnanBo8-OpH-CY909E/s1920/PhotoCollage_20210114_112809701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA19Mx13bytEmELVAEAW31pQaCm6meYNx4MyMqzxFhm7ZEC7INl9kEowtxMaLCKSiFPbMmURp8hpGYW-4xS9pt5MLAuXVxhJa6mlmwt-WsT6_QETgLfkUbLA4fWSnanBo8-OpH-CY909E/w640-h640/PhotoCollage_20210114_112809701.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. The plan? Head straight to CO. But once in a while... <br />you make room for something completely off the plan, <br />which is how we ended up in Wamego, KS, home of the Oz Museum. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">2. It made me grin to see this great green museum nestled into the very quaint Main Street.</p><p style="text-align: center;">3. While we waited for the museum to open, we wandered the town, found coffee<br />and Toto statues, and...</p><p style="text-align: center;">4. the Yellow Brick Road! Just a path from Main Street to the park, but if felt magical.<br />And...I made Eric walk much farther than he wanted to.</p><p style="text-align: center;">5. I expected the museum to be rinky-dink, but it was beautiful and so well done. <br />What a treasure we found off the beaten path!</p><p style="text-align: center;">6. You can even sit and watch the movie<br />{unless you have to finish your drive to CO!}</p><p style="text-align: center;">7. The Tin Man in the gift shop was just calling for a photo...</p><p style="text-align: center;">8. Just steps down the road, we visited the winery.<br />If you're on vacation, it is okay to do a wine tasting at 10:30am. </p><p style="text-align: center;">9. And lunch! Toto's TacOZ. </p><p style="text-align: left;">We had the full Wamego/Oz experience {or as much as we could in two hours} and we enjoyed the stop so much! Sometimes you have to make the quirky road stop... but the next stop? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNagVab7Ydz1HZDxvxkhdzzvM2BRmhrDSpQXofhLuttu6TrneJKvynqNAcsfc1mwgUG-FP31vQqelOkncOa2sh7VJZEGeJ-VJWZJ92dGdjHtLqO6Eymb2whWT_BROKlF-YSxvveOmJ_Ew/s2048/IMG_20200702_203508052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNagVab7Ydz1HZDxvxkhdzzvM2BRmhrDSpQXofhLuttu6TrneJKvynqNAcsfc1mwgUG-FP31vQqelOkncOa2sh7VJZEGeJ-VJWZJ92dGdjHtLqO6Eymb2whWT_BROKlF-YSxvveOmJ_Ew/w480-h640/IMG_20200702_203508052.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p><br /></p>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-9611436677624645982021-01-14T11:22:00.000-05:002021-01-14T11:22:01.655-05:00life lately {scenes from a road trip part 1}...On the eve of July, we headed out on our long awaited road trip... armed with masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, Norwex cleaning cloths, and a cooler full of food. This was all just for travelling... never mind the rest of what was packed {Laura's too big to ship possessions} into the car. Our plan was to bee-line it to Denver, just to get to her, and the extra day off in the weekend. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtgGfHRl8eXwi5ex0XCNeE8puKpqur0SsVf5E2r63O24XoWgPwk4gS_JEGdiH_GrKkWqs3Ufh4WuQlF2cz2iBtRJgBBzhhaCHTJqswLIgxFQ7B9EbIzsd-JookkAKUxJWDXZ7Q5saBnw/s1920/PhotoCollage_20210114_105819517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtgGfHRl8eXwi5ex0XCNeE8puKpqur0SsVf5E2r63O24XoWgPwk4gS_JEGdiH_GrKkWqs3Ufh4WuQlF2cz2iBtRJgBBzhhaCHTJqswLIgxFQ7B9EbIzsd-JookkAKUxJWDXZ7Q5saBnw/w640-h640/PhotoCollage_20210114_105819517.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. Ready to go... out of office email up <i>and</i> on my shirt! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">2. In all the cleaning out, I came across this state trivia learning <br />tool, and figured it was <i>now or never</i>! So with each state we passed <br />through, we learned a little something.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">3. We ate lunch on the road, but we love this fancy Chik-fil-a, <br />and stopped for dinner {& gas next door.} This year, it was just drive-thru. <br />We stopped for the night a little bit up the road, and learned...<br /> that hotel breakfasts are just grab & go now. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Driving through Tennessee I tried to capture the COVID <br />messages on the electronic signs... just for the sake of posterity.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Picnic lunch and stretching our legs at the Kentucky rest stop. <br />Laura's Beanie Baby cat was along for the ride...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">6. On into Illinois!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">7. Driving through St. Louis.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">8. Doesn't everyone carry their toll money in a taco? <br />Funny that I packed all of this change and most tolls were pay by plate...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">9. We drove almost 15 hours the second day... the sun was shining and the roads were clear. <br />And, bonus that the day grew longer as we headed west. Double bonus for <br />Cooper's Hawk take-out in Kansas City! <br />{that makes this our 10th CH!}</div><div><br /></div>Thank you, COVID, for not stealing this trip from us. <br />I needed it more than I knew...Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-75417397740887624632021-01-08T09:45:00.007-05:002021-01-08T09:45:58.743-05:00hope motivated...<p>If you've been around me at all, you probably know how much I love the beauty of the sky. Vivid blue, rose gold, cotton candy streaked, fiery orange, liquid gold... I love it all. Sunrise? Sunset? Count me in. <i>Always</i>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgS3rrdPp1pKWF4qZvK8nhLM98YI8KzfHE5rSE4JUCRMyQJADHPTJcBiC9bOcxSVg6-M_wlprd-RH5z-vmnSZg0Tm8Tqnzl8qPLvvvagqCpv6WR4DArk3B1pVaz6LJBFqQunDvYcAaJlQ/s1920/PhotoCollage_20210108_094327292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgS3rrdPp1pKWF4qZvK8nhLM98YI8KzfHE5rSE4JUCRMyQJADHPTJcBiC9bOcxSVg6-M_wlprd-RH5z-vmnSZg0Tm8Tqnzl8qPLvvvagqCpv6WR4DArk3B1pVaz6LJBFqQunDvYcAaJlQ/w640-h640/PhotoCollage_20210108_094327292.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The weather has been gorgeous for walking, but yesterday I was lazy. When I was talking to my work buddy on the phone, she mentioned how gorgeous the sky was, so I walked out to the driveway and WOW! It was truly a masterpiece of pale blue and brilliant pink, starting to streak with a little gold. <i>I almost missed this</i>... and I was not pleased with myself for skipping a walk. </p><p>This morning, with hope in my heart, I headed out in the nearly-dark morning... for exercise, but also for the sunrise. It's probably my favorite time to walk, because I love to watch the world wake-up. I could tell that the cloud bank was pretty low, and that sunrise might not be all I hoped today... but still, I walked, with hope. When you've already tied on your sneakers, and walked out the door, you're pretty much in it for the long haul. </p><p>The sky woke in wisps of gray, and the sky warmed to a light blue hue. While I still hoped for gold and pink, the music in my ears satisfied my heart {my walk is <i>also</i> my chapel}, and I trekked on. Turning at my favorite sunrise spot, I was greeted with misty gray. I smiled and headed home. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4P8ZBFOU2C98QBJuQ5sM9a-3OCe5neMWahy-ETQIVaMVAV51GeJUy3rB7gjGlKQqebPnmb7l9QqNbrIRwuMYTKBGlx4NLU_piSqFCmartlJ1EzHq4YY2pKGXaAGsnWQWebhC4N0Y-5s/s4000/IMG_20210108_071201186_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4P8ZBFOU2C98QBJuQ5sM9a-3OCe5neMWahy-ETQIVaMVAV51GeJUy3rB7gjGlKQqebPnmb7l9QqNbrIRwuMYTKBGlx4NLU_piSqFCmartlJ1EzHq4YY2pKGXaAGsnWQWebhC4N0Y-5s/w640-h480/IMG_20210108_071201186_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Hope. <i>It keeps you going. </i>Today may not be my day, but there is always tomorrow. And if not tomorrow... well, I'll just keep the faith, and hope in my heart. God gives us all we need, and so much of what we want, that I shouldn't let even a passing thought of disappointment cross my mind.<p></p><p>Almost home, and then I saw it. A swash of liquid gold peeking out from the clouds. I was planning on stopping at two miles, but that gold gave me a second wind. If I just walk up the street one more time... oh yes. There it is...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4Mgk9T42iYD_6q9zQHUgBYgbqm_FCYXyEiRDGUcoIhyphenhyphenDkmtRn8Z_Rtib7nX8kzgIQR73PyADD1jCnTt6BGSIYpAcizahyphenhyphen6sxl8KTpQqfkyr5k9XPnvpd7Mb5X0f0MiYbSRu0Su2_8BE/s4000/IMG_20210108_072239187_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4Mgk9T42iYD_6q9zQHUgBYgbqm_FCYXyEiRDGUcoIhyphenhyphenDkmtRn8Z_Rtib7nX8kzgIQR73PyADD1jCnTt6BGSIYpAcizahyphenhyphen6sxl8KTpQqfkyr5k9XPnvpd7Mb5X0f0MiYbSRu0Su2_8BE/w640-h480/IMG_20210108_072239187_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>all grace.<p></p>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-68825336687229860342021-01-07T14:42:00.006-05:002021-01-07T14:42:48.392-05:00perspective<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OriTMKwj6-X3S4YIhqaAqAc78vb8M8oEAGPAofKsPK2hBchMRSfzQfvexLwiD2yg5R4oPrki8xN_zUEfHLdoDyYQiMHDfStlWbPHQdr3noPCMZDxqAiZgJa2cQMGuQchUcsO7j7c6QI/s764/Screenshot_20210107-143529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="760" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OriTMKwj6-X3S4YIhqaAqAc78vb8M8oEAGPAofKsPK2hBchMRSfzQfvexLwiD2yg5R4oPrki8xN_zUEfHLdoDyYQiMHDfStlWbPHQdr3noPCMZDxqAiZgJa2cQMGuQchUcsO7j7c6QI/w636-h640/Screenshot_20210107-143529.png" width="636" /></a></div>Yesterday I was zoo-bound and listening to the radio on the way. I may have said it before but, my car is my chapel. Not my <i>only</i> chapel, but a good amount of worship happens in my car when I am driving alone. I mostly switch around between my three favorite stations, so I can stay in worship mode and not hear the ads and chatter, but once in a while, the conversation pulls me in. Yesterday... they were talking about giving the new year (and the old) some kind of perspective and offered this fill in the blank sentence: <i>2020 was _____ so in 2021 I'm ____</i>. It made me think about how I would fill in those blanks.<p></p><p>2020 was productive, and in 2021 I want to keep up that momentum.</p><p>2020 was still, and in 2021 I want to be intentional of how I spend my time and not be in rush mode for no reason.</p><p>I'm looking forward, even though I'm documenting some of last year {for posterity}, but in reflection, I hope to bring along some of those lessons, some of those gifts. How would <i>you</i> fill in the blanks?</p>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-46356962105677087632021-01-06T08:45:00.000-05:002021-01-06T08:45:02.015-05:00life lately {the june 2020 edition}...<p>June. <i>Summer.</i> <br />Did it feel any different? Yes. And... no.</p><p>The world was starting to open back up, and with some trepidation we started making decisions about where we might go, should we actually go, and if we did, was it a good idea? And what about our planned vacation?</p><p>My boss announced that our office was going to reopen, and we would each go back two days a week. The thought felt insurmountable in my mind, but before I could think too much about it, my boss changed her mind. <i>There is a reminder for you</i>. Don't let worry steal your joy, because the thing you are most worried about may not even pan out, and you can <i>never</i> get that time back. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIxJd6VQu94_IBZgwrtVpN8niFEnnOqJhpcwx2naZ097FUGr39T1ehjhuJTTEM2H9xML_L2Z9ax18AwzincnXWAEro9lqy_6zw3s3xhiPT8pcDj450u_hJA5EQV1nTkW1nc7Y-QimnK0/s2047/IMG_20200530_101227937-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIxJd6VQu94_IBZgwrtVpN8niFEnnOqJhpcwx2naZ097FUGr39T1ehjhuJTTEM2H9xML_L2Z9ax18AwzincnXWAEro9lqy_6zw3s3xhiPT8pcDj450u_hJA5EQV1nTkW1nc7Y-QimnK0/w640-h640/IMG_20200530_101227937-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. We actually ate in a restaurant. Our favorite. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And we were very impressed by their safety procedures.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">2. The zoo opened back up with a one way path...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Morning walks, beautiful skies.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">4. We explored a little coffee shop on one of our treks to Home Depot... <br />have you ever seen a more lovely cup of tea?!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Hearts on the boardwalk... we missed our walks while it was closed. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">6. The kids can't come to a Do the Right Thing award ceremony, <br />so my husband figured out a way to bring it to right to their driveway...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">7. June means the Poincianas are in bloom...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">8. Writing the Word... and loving the learning.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">9. Thankful to be {still} working from home, but missing my office Roomie...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And maybe the best thing about June was... deciding that we would take our planned road trip to see Laura. And I think... had we not gone... I wouldn't have felt so okay with 2020.</div><p><br /></p></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-87209723079629801712021-01-05T08:12:00.011-05:002021-01-05T08:12:00.371-05:00pop-up ice cream...Staying home isn't a hard task, but missing your people is a different story, and we knew that by <a href="http://www.dawnsbeyondgrace.com/2020/12/life-lately-may-edition.html" target="_blank">May</a>, <i>some</i> people were missing <i>all</i> people. And so... when Eric came to me with one of his <i>What if we...</i> ideas, we figured out a way to make it work. He is, forever, the idea man, and I suppose one secret to our marriage is that if he dreams it up, I try to figure out how to make it happen. <div><br /></div><div>We named our "shop" Wilbur's South, in honor of our family run Massachusetts ice cream shop Wilbur's North. I even made t-shirts, because I had plenty of time. We decided on a simple menu, with just a few flavors, added some balloons, just for fun, and mapped out our route. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEmXwn9UNkWQSi6dRktE3vNuqKvtCDAnU0ZzJdX6rntb4CRLlPfN-CZ8EZOPM0Kwd3hpkqCX53f8tIuyvyv6wM1r_Dply4cmITVfFqvpVGa5JyX2N5TQWmyl74sdW1CTQ2YVp8d7O_kQ/s1520/IMG_20200503_120248612-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1520" data-original-width="1520" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEmXwn9UNkWQSi6dRktE3vNuqKvtCDAnU0ZzJdX6rntb4CRLlPfN-CZ8EZOPM0Kwd3hpkqCX53f8tIuyvyv6wM1r_Dply4cmITVfFqvpVGa5JyX2N5TQWmyl74sdW1CTQ2YVp8d7O_kQ/w640-h640/IMG_20200503_120248612-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We were on a mission, to spread a little joy to some of our favorite people... and it was more than we could have imagined. Everyone was assigned a job, and as our family/friends came out to the driveway, Cam unfolded the table and menu board, I strung up and set out the decorations, and Eric organized his serving area in the trunk. There was wonder, laughter, and many, many smiling faces. <br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKymHdVfsEgIYBKbiqdQPL4tRGy1dV71ccr-h5zVgyT4TAksLOFDTiGrdgsSifbH35l7mPUhvXzgzWAuaYxkEbviotrJDfSnyeejBaN7JieeevSB6ZbYmHpQXOKtRgVjG2nX-HnORcJI/s4000/IMG_20200503_125622839.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKymHdVfsEgIYBKbiqdQPL4tRGy1dV71ccr-h5zVgyT4TAksLOFDTiGrdgsSifbH35l7mPUhvXzgzWAuaYxkEbviotrJDfSnyeejBaN7JieeevSB6ZbYmHpQXOKtRgVjG2nX-HnORcJI/w480-h640/IMG_20200503_125622839.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Our first stop broke all the rules. Sweet MK was too excited, and there was no way she was keeping her distance! She want to help, and she wanted a hug. Her Mom said <i>you are the first real people we've seen</i>! Eric scooped while MK looked on, and then we chatted and laughed together before packing up and making our way to the next driveway. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4p49pWLLmku5_wTQVcPCNuiSSA8eKU5eQkckVGMZr39ff5QptUV4uxTQqhVhaG1LxIzpQDbE70kAtHFF8PaSEcej1vlb40Fu1_W7nMxxjrTQUgzSCUNfOQMGi4lg2hAD4YorjozKS_1g/s1920/PhotoCollage_20210103_090357942.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4p49pWLLmku5_wTQVcPCNuiSSA8eKU5eQkckVGMZr39ff5QptUV4uxTQqhVhaG1LxIzpQDbE70kAtHFF8PaSEcej1vlb40Fu1_W7nMxxjrTQUgzSCUNfOQMGi4lg2hAD4YorjozKS_1g/w640-h640/PhotoCollage_20210103_090357942.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>In two weekends, we brought our little ice cream shop to over a dozen driveways, and would have done more, but the timing just didn't always work out. We forgot to take pictures at every stop, but there were smiles everywhere {well, almost everywhere... there was one little that wasn't sure about it!}. It was exhausting, but we loved it! </div><div><br /></div><div>We have always known that ice cream=happiness, but these driveway visits were more than we even dreamed they could be. In the days after our adventures, we learned that the gift we had given, in doldrums of quarantine, was much more than a sweet treat... it was a connection, it was Light, it was love.</div><div><div><div><br /></div></div></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-8156091338791967252021-01-04T09:00:00.029-05:002021-01-04T09:00:05.712-05:00finishing up a few things...<p>On this last day of Christmas break {even though my kids are grown I think of these two weeks as a well earned break!}, with only a few hours of daylight left, I complete a few stray tasks.... clean the fridge, clear the dining room table, organize one drawer. There is plenty more to do, but it seems I have run out of motivation. After a bit I wandered back to my sewing room and sifted through a few things and tried to make a mess of sense out of the items hanging on the wall. I keep tucking photos and sweet cards here and there, and while they make me happy, they deserve a little more breathing room. <i>Don't we all</i>? </p><p>When I head to my kitchen desk tomorrow for work, I'm going to wish there were a few less items on the to do list. But for right now... there are matters more pressing. Cooking dinner together without a rush, enjoy the twinkle of Christmas lights, watch the movie Camden bought, feel the sun shine on my face...</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNn7N88Nwgu-8U_q6PDrRSFGyyuvjpx_eKn37mdELwuvGn2gWXFvY7xZoHn9Qg7W3iAsfMEmlEBv5t4-WFN0gGLv30h5uuSLXQlo1kDVRVWQ7wPiGk17rEbyrli1y-G5nTRrOuE5NBARM/s1920/PhotoCollage_20210103_164611318.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNn7N88Nwgu-8U_q6PDrRSFGyyuvjpx_eKn37mdELwuvGn2gWXFvY7xZoHn9Qg7W3iAsfMEmlEBv5t4-WFN0gGLv30h5uuSLXQlo1kDVRVWQ7wPiGk17rEbyrli1y-G5nTRrOuE5NBARM/w640-h640/PhotoCollage_20210103_164611318.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I long to accomplish a great and noble task </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>as if they were great and noble.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">- Helen Keller</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After dinner, and enjoying the movie, I found the energy to toss in the laundry, tidy my side of the room, and clear the bathroom counter. This is the kind of list that will never be complete, but having a few less things to think about will make it easier to start in on the first real-life week of the new year. </div><p></p>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-17873544146833780752021-01-03T07:53:00.003-05:002021-01-03T07:53:52.656-05:00moving forward...As we step gingerly into the new year, with a fresh new hope and the reality that 2020 is actually in our hindsight, my heart feels heavy for the past year. It was the kickoff to a new decade, and in that alone, we seemed to hold it to a higher standard, doing things we never do... like actually going out to ring in the new year, roaring twenties style, and expecting our perfect vision. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPsCQSRFa6x9NfVzDRAI8HD6ilH88KzKRUip4dFFW0tAuvszM0z86g0UM3BhsX4hWTHqQi3Oj675GWyFxe57jscJdx-8-gStRQe6ZkoZlelEaDJynD2SnxkKbDuPUP6KwGr_lyuTxugM/s2046/IMG_20191231_201907161-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPsCQSRFa6x9NfVzDRAI8HD6ilH88KzKRUip4dFFW0tAuvszM0z86g0UM3BhsX4hWTHqQi3Oj675GWyFxe57jscJdx-8-gStRQe6ZkoZlelEaDJynD2SnxkKbDuPUP6KwGr_lyuTxugM/w640-h640/IMG_20191231_201907161-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div>I know that for some, it was a year of utter despair... but for many others, I think it might be chalked up as a major inconvenience. There is no doubt it was hard, and so very strange, but for me? I know we had it pretty easy, and I counted every blessing. I continue to be incredibly thankful that we have all managed to stay healthy, and that other than a six week furlough for Laura, we all continued to work. I have also been truly thankful that my kids are grown and I didn't have to juggle their education along with my job. </div><div><br /></div><div>Early on, I realized we had been given the gift of time, and I started {and finished!} projects that I had been holding in reserve, both in the <i>maybe someday</i> category and the <i>I really don't feel like spending that much time</i> category. I really focused on seeking the beauty, because I knew it was there. Some days it was easier than others, and a lot of days, I just missed my Mom. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBHyEH5ac_5nHJ7yadeRUgSzc-5tXINH7gn2-Ffs7DAKSQfrp88nLoVX-fgpHgPkKoKjpMv3559NBGrf6JVLWIZfgzcOettHmVTp0mLNT5C7wLs1iRE2Qmr94NSTzTwA1cZUAGWngdD8/s2028/FB_IMG_1588544591469-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2028" data-original-width="2028" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBHyEH5ac_5nHJ7yadeRUgSzc-5tXINH7gn2-Ffs7DAKSQfrp88nLoVX-fgpHgPkKoKjpMv3559NBGrf6JVLWIZfgzcOettHmVTp0mLNT5C7wLs1iRE2Qmr94NSTzTwA1cZUAGWngdD8/w640-h640/FB_IMG_1588544591469-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>morning walks, spreading joy, constant companion, kitchen fun</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Has a year ever been wished away as quickly, or by as many people, as this one? I do not know... but what I <i>do</i> know is that a turn of the calendar page, or the drop of a ball, doesn't <i>actually</i> change much. And I also know, every time I hear Unspoken's song, <i>Reasons</i>, I will be reminded of 2020.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><i>This year's felt like four seasons of winter</i></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">And you’d give anything you think to feel the sun...</span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But God has a plan, a purpose in this...</span></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, I believe He had a purpose for 2020, and I cling to the promise of beauty from ashes. I don't think we can sit back and watch it unfold though... I think if we want this new year to be brighter than the last, we need to banish the hate, we need to show kindness, and we need to <i>be</i> love in the little corner of our own world... and let it spread like wildfire. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></span></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-47402782583958230902020-12-22T08:21:00.002-05:002021-01-03T08:11:06.250-05:00life lately {the may 2020 edition}...<p>The page turn from April to May was heavy, and while staying home was just fine with me, the weight and reality of the situation had certainly set in on my heart. Are we really wearing masks? When will ever dine out again? Do we get together to celebrate a birthday? How long do you think we'll be working from home? Should we still plan our summer trip? <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUtXssvvc2-SKn5w2w-hxG07weSUFlFM8EkgnFOa0eaQDXf2rW3VGksyaLAsaJGvkRLwMYu0ErLvOb-wfxmpEYFKWSrvjiNmMXBaj23rbfJWJWFYAVKjh-WggrmGOcPAALOC4DN3eDGU/s1920/PhotoCollage_20201218_083507689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUtXssvvc2-SKn5w2w-hxG07weSUFlFM8EkgnFOa0eaQDXf2rW3VGksyaLAsaJGvkRLwMYu0ErLvOb-wfxmpEYFKWSrvjiNmMXBaj23rbfJWJWFYAVKjh-WggrmGOcPAALOC4DN3eDGU/w640-h640/PhotoCollage_20201218_083507689.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;">1. May has never been <a href="http://www.dawnsbeyondgrace.com/2020/05/in-stillness.html" target="_blank">so still</a>... ever. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">2. This deserves it's own post... but Eric dreamed up our pop-up ice cream store, <br />and we took our show on the road, and spread a little joy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">3. After hundreds of texts we decided we could safely celebrate his birthday - <br />and realized that blowing out the candles is no longer acceptable... <br />unless you have your own personal birthday dessert. <br />We had a good laugh over that, and my nephew still <br />had his chance to make a wish.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">4. We were invited to a new hiking trail, and caught up with Brenda, <br />who worked with Cam on his Eagle Scout project. <br />The scenery was beautiful, and the hike was great... <br />but the best part was Camden hearing Brenda's advice <br />{which was the same as mine, but who listens to Mom?}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">5. I painted my kitchen cabinets! Yes, I really did. <br />I was cringing the whole time, afraid I was ruining them... but I LOVE THEM!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">6. We may not be dining out, but we can still pick up from our favorite place. <br />And... it just makes me smile when some of your favorite people <br />are thinking about you and saving a few corks for your wine wall!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">7. Walk, walk, walk... sometimes fast, sometimes slow... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">8. Another project I've been dreaming about - <br />a wood valance for my dining room, and I LOVE IT!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">9. Working from home is the new thing, and perhaps Scout doesn't love <br />me taking over her window seat. Somehow we are making it work. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hitting the two month mark was surreal... and even more so as it became apparent we would still be counting. But we soldiered on, holding the anxiety at bay as best we could...<br /><p><br /></p></div></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-15171234355493995522020-12-18T08:19:00.001-05:002020-12-18T08:19:04.260-05:00a beautiful start...<p>The morning had me procrastinating, but an announcement of the chilly air was all I needed to be motivated. I have enjoyed the cooler mornings, and was thrilled to hear they had returned. I kissed him goodbye and off I went, knowing I only had about a miles worth of time before I needed to be at my dining room desk for work. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFYw3Qee0nRJPtSsHzGtmxD5n2G2B-V3PMDr-ggcCdRbKYlIxtaCo-EJGvZy9QOYFqjvYB9cEs2_tvOLLXHTqpsivOOpbRJ4xlPLVhvdfpBn_mFp-N2uPXW3xLDnWa6JIYmUQ2bXgxFw/s1920/PhotoCollage_20201218_081139408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFYw3Qee0nRJPtSsHzGtmxD5n2G2B-V3PMDr-ggcCdRbKYlIxtaCo-EJGvZy9QOYFqjvYB9cEs2_tvOLLXHTqpsivOOpbRJ4xlPLVhvdfpBn_mFp-N2uPXW3xLDnWa6JIYmUQ2bXgxFw/w640-h640/PhotoCollage_20201218_081139408.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Stepping out, it wasn't only the air that made me catch my breath - the sky was starting to warm pink. My footsteps lead me right, and I picked up the pace. Destination? <i>Sunrise on the lake</i>. My shadow in the streetlights made me smile as we raced down the sidewalk. </div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFt5KpQRlrSt6dulrU1q-ES2bUcOK_KMnjiTlXNJmTT2leABks_c_cb0nb6WwRf3jS1UsMQmSbveIO8gmEAt02NgSJ5BHD4v3-g4rT5fuQBdUH3-scD3uX89oZIj9PItzNJoQGp5tn6o/s2048/IMG_20201218_064651977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFt5KpQRlrSt6dulrU1q-ES2bUcOK_KMnjiTlXNJmTT2leABks_c_cb0nb6WwRf3jS1UsMQmSbveIO8gmEAt02NgSJ5BHD4v3-g4rT5fuQBdUH3-scD3uX89oZIj9PItzNJoQGp5tn6o/w640-h480/IMG_20201218_064651977.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Making my way briskly, I decided that forty-eight degrees is my perfect walking weather. The thought made me grin, as I am embracing the last couple of days of forty-eight years. And sunrise? Certainly another favorite. I love to watch the sky make its way from night to light, and the way the sun and clouds play together, making art in the sky. Cotton candy wisps, gradient pink, sky blue. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuaShb5emTpKEICSncMCO7MtULW_xaAIZS0jPGFDZhpTIk5st70sYpHAVCbr8ln-OiqIjsy3eh82JbRKNZ0upw-ySqQo9dJeDAjH_dlqHpE5iipJR2hXVf2_NPAVOsm8I08FIzNSK4J4/s2048/IMG_20201218_065912737_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuaShb5emTpKEICSncMCO7MtULW_xaAIZS0jPGFDZhpTIk5st70sYpHAVCbr8ln-OiqIjsy3eh82JbRKNZ0upw-ySqQo9dJeDAjH_dlqHpE5iipJR2hXVf2_NPAVOsm8I08FIzNSK4J4/w640-h480/IMG_20201218_065912737_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Twenty minutes well spent, and a beautiful start to the day. <p></p>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-58478914483906398992020-12-09T08:00:00.004-05:002021-01-03T08:11:25.154-05:00life lately... {the april 2020 edition}<p> I wasn't going to go back, but then I thought it might be a good challenge... to see if I could actually find nine pictures from April. So here is April... not necessarily in order. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWWU1Xznv0mGbzO1Z-o5_LLXBW_dO5X1j4_mW-nL5ipDq0gAfnAUMw0E4dC_dhYnAd3Jygazd9fI5IUILsYEibWByN7aN7tM7CyUtst5yHTjJ1nwMWjHVhm49RqA2SuiqNiRY3xfdHeU/s2047/IMG_20200401_180130411_HDR-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWWU1Xznv0mGbzO1Z-o5_LLXBW_dO5X1j4_mW-nL5ipDq0gAfnAUMw0E4dC_dhYnAd3Jygazd9fI5IUILsYEibWByN7aN7tM7CyUtst5yHTjJ1nwMWjHVhm49RqA2SuiqNiRY3xfdHeU/w640-h640/IMG_20200401_180130411_HDR-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">1. homemade margaritas... because we're home. and we have time.</p><div style="text-align: center;">2. this pretty weed was enjoying a little sun flare </div><div style="text-align: center;">on our safari road walk...seek the beauty!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">3. i painted the livingroom |<br />(and then the piano room, and the bathroom, and the front door...) <br />and put up some photos of place we love. <br /><i>the qualifier?</i> had to have a brilliant blue sky. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">4. when your quarantine friends set up a beautiful dining area by the pool, under the lights... <br />for your monthly Cooper's Hawk wine dinner.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">5. palm sunday... i wanted to be festive and cut a few palms <br />for the online service. and... scout ate them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">6. how did i never notice the heart shaped marking on this neighborhood tree?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">7. easter... we tried to zoom our favorite game with my parents...<br />it was a good for a laugh, at least!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">8. my massachusetts kim was moved from her comfy OR to ICU... <br />the work was difficult, and heart heavy. super hero? <br />she says no... but i think she made some heroic choices, with love. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">9. it hit me hard when the hand-drawn copy paper arrows <br />were all of a sudden more permanent. </div><div><br /></div><div>Oh April... we made it through, day by day. <br /><p><br /></p></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-40251167233615564212020-12-07T17:00:00.001-05:002020-12-07T17:20:28.061-05:00pay attention...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uJqzfm4XgF8XBGy2UaXtrG4bKHcct9exnAn-oVQSfzsxOSMBCXZscU_wkD9MnXGl2BpiC5jiRxG9OWFqvnJC6qEN3iAOB0sSQFHS0G53S5utOZq1ueegMK0G63jehx-6bV0Fpmriiiw/s732/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="732" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uJqzfm4XgF8XBGy2UaXtrG4bKHcct9exnAn-oVQSfzsxOSMBCXZscU_wkD9MnXGl2BpiC5jiRxG9OWFqvnJC6qEN3iAOB0sSQFHS0G53S5utOZq1ueegMK0G63jehx-6bV0Fpmriiiw/w640-h336/1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>I wonder if the people who live in Colorado see the mountains every day... or if, after living there a while, the astonishment fades. I was fascinated by them at every turn... and my camera is full of not-so-great shots that I tried to take from the car as we wove our way mountainside.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
In this go-go-go society, are we rushing through daily life stomping the roses because they are blocking access to the next event? or buried so deep in our phones, head down, that we are blinded by the blue light, letting life pass unnoticed?<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIR4U9LUeDTG77HTPFUBOTSurmThSGPStVezTGI2eCuHmrx9xSxH1_rtVWZDymiGme19XuKnxP9hg9w0eUizBUl5mAXFR7ka_j098nmZ6bfhI4zlSZizyv3qZWvC98jGSZ1clLQrAlqk/s771/3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="771" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIR4U9LUeDTG77HTPFUBOTSurmThSGPStVezTGI2eCuHmrx9xSxH1_rtVWZDymiGme19XuKnxP9hg9w0eUizBUl5mAXFR7ka_j098nmZ6bfhI4zlSZizyv3qZWvC98jGSZ1clLQrAlqk/w640-h356/3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div>I think these past months have taught us... that rushing is unnecessary, because there is no place to go. That the only real place to be is the here, and the now. And really? <i>It's quite beautiful</i>. We walk and the breeze whips around, directing our eyes to a ripple across the water, or the way the leaves shimmy and dance in the light. We sit and we rest, and in the quiet of nothing, I see how the sun shines through the sea grape leaves. And it brings me joy. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zj7LkwM21BvSrUxfVnExww8aMZtCdBmIi-b0fYhCgx81sFiIiDWJ4YYWtdf_r4Rl3_m0kXDqs_Jr7bbURpaHFYMwMGAXfRG-GFz-fjXS3ezof2W410C4442rg6ykzjRuUmPXxiMS2UQ/s514/4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="493" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zj7LkwM21BvSrUxfVnExww8aMZtCdBmIi-b0fYhCgx81sFiIiDWJ4YYWtdf_r4Rl3_m0kXDqs_Jr7bbURpaHFYMwMGAXfRG-GFz-fjXS3ezof2W410C4442rg6ykzjRuUmPXxiMS2UQ/w614-h640/4.JPG" width="614" /></a></div></div><div>From home, we may long for the flashy places, and the excitement they might hold. There is a time for that, and I hope we'll get there again. But these small moments, that are all around us, in the rush and the still, they are valuable. I pray that I will not let them go by the wayside. I hope, that on the other side of this mess, I remember to leave space to breathe, and don't have to remind myself to seek the beauty. </div><div>
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I asked Laura... do you still notice the mountains? <br /><i>Yes, everyday as I walk to school I look up at them in awe. </i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMLoXLaNZV7c1644XOYXGWzJzYl8sdfLXEiDUzalvvRMohjETrDLSIc0CabimTzAiCPDbeYzaoEDxOwWJsgC-a1i_ZAJB_lpuk4uCirWiiwBB-tfJ01OoDPkMH0CEFBxmKN7KU4t58AU/s860/5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="860" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMLoXLaNZV7c1644XOYXGWzJzYl8sdfLXEiDUzalvvRMohjETrDLSIc0CabimTzAiCPDbeYzaoEDxOwWJsgC-a1i_ZAJB_lpuk4uCirWiiwBB-tfJ01OoDPkMH0CEFBxmKN7KU4t58AU/w640-h312/5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div></i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>pay attention, be astonished, tell about it...<br /></i>-Mary Oliver</div>
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<br /></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-2076914941476878872020-10-23T15:47:00.002-04:002020-10-23T15:47:30.327-04:00hello again...I feel like I've been holding my breath for months now, how about you? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Prm_Yb1A9k8ke6zaG3EE17yHXWO7BpYzGMOdyep54xvBONLi9qjVmPCsCQwAkZu68y9jdKSSwIf1eLUM82ZTTQwZlyHFlZJued-MeEzszR4R8W1MIN_xutYZ2f8CcmOW9AgW3-NP724/s396/dawn-mask.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="390" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Prm_Yb1A9k8ke6zaG3EE17yHXWO7BpYzGMOdyep54xvBONLi9qjVmPCsCQwAkZu68y9jdKSSwIf1eLUM82ZTTQwZlyHFlZJued-MeEzszR4R8W1MIN_xutYZ2f8CcmOW9AgW3-NP724/w394-h400/dawn-mask.JPG" width="394" /></a></div><div>One and two felt endless. <br />Three through seven have flown by, and now... <br />I wonder if, or how, I can even find the normal that was. </div><div><br /></div><div>My county has renewed the mask mandate until April 2021. I'm not against the masks, in fact, we're trying to have as much fun with them as possible. But as long as I was living month to month, I felt ok {although is that really living?} and now, with a six month outlook, what are we to do? I can feel the anxiety slipping back in, grasping hold of my heart. <i>Six months</i>... how do I not plan for six months? Or do I just make the plans anyway, and move on... <i>masked</i>? </div><div><br /></div><div>We have been as careful as we can be, all out in the workforce, making the best of every day. Sometimes that means take-out curled up on the couch, just us, and other times we venture out to our favorite winery, where we know they are taking precautions seriously, and have a double date night. And sometimes... it is all too much, and all too little, and more than I can really fathom. </div><div><br /></div><div>So that normal... the one that was? It had its good and bad. <i>The good?</i> Fun, friends, adventure. <i>The bad?</i> Busy, hurried... and just because. What I'd really like to do is find a happy medium. Because the good of right now has a lot going for it {besides all of the house projects we've ticked off the list!} Time, quiet, purpose, rest, and yes... <i>joy</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Today I'm taking the day to wrestle with this unrest... and tomorrow, maybe I'll find a new way to breathe. </div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-91176015818051743762020-05-13T08:30:00.001-04:002021-01-03T08:11:39.777-05:00life lately {the march 2020 edition}March feels like it was a lifetime ago... but in reality, it's only not been March for 43 days, despite reports that April lasted five years. We had some fun, and life took an unprecedented turn. And still... we had fun, making it where we could.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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1. Jenn joined the 50 club with Eric, and after months of wondering how to celebrate, <br />she chose an elegant dinner party. It was a such a beautiful celebration, <br />and we were honored to help plan and execute the party. A night to remember!</div>
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2. I had all but forgotten we took a little road trip the first weekend in March... <br />and here I am, jokingly showing off my soapy hands at Disney Springs. </div>
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3. The actual destination of our get-away was Wild Florida, <br />where Eric has been wanting to visit for years. The timing was right, and our <br />adventure even included an airboat ride!</div>
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4. One week later we were shopping for some food, just in case...</div>
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5. And decided to brave it all and go to the county fair <br />the one night it was open, to show our support.</div>
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6. I've been working from home since March 17th.</div>
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7. A little takeout from our favorite craft beer place. It's such a fun place for us, <br />and we hope to be able to support it any way we can! <br />For now, it's growlers and an extravagant tip.</div>
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8. Cam had a job interview, and he has waved goodbye to Target <br />and is working for our county in the water lab. </div>
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9. Oh the walks... everyday after working remotely we needed to get out and breathe. <br />Jenn & I walked miles and miles until they had to finally close the trail. <br />The neighborhood streets just don't compare. </div>
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Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-24858964771368334292020-05-12T08:30:00.000-04:002020-05-12T08:30:01.186-04:00the lenten lettersSome of my zoo days are my best days. The conversations that happen around the table, amidst peanuts, palm fronds, and paint splattered everything, always leave me smiling. Sometimes it's all out laughter, and other days it is downright holy.<br />
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Ash Wednesday, after I was lamenting our King Cake debacle, the talk turned to Lent and forty days and did you have any plans to navigate those days? Terrie shared her plan and I was already in love with it before she finished describing it. <i>Forty letters</i>, to forty people, in forty days. Letter to say... you mean the world to me, I love you, you are important to me. <i>When was the last time you received mail like that? </i><br />
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When I got home that afternoon, I gathered my supplies together {note cards, envelopes, stamps} and made the list. And then I started writing, and my daily trips to the mailbox became a prayer walk. Did I miss a few days? Yes. Did I play catch-up? Yes. Did I finish in time? <i>No</i>. But I kept on going.<br />
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In my own little bubble, I sent out these messages to the people I love and let them know. What I did not expect was that there would be a return. Over the next weeks, often a text would pop into my phone. <i>I just received the kindest note. This is a keeper. I love you, too. I needed this today. </i>While I might have imagined a friend opening the note, and smiling, I hadn't thought that far... and I didn't expect to be so blessed in return. And it was beautiful.<br />
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I'm not sure why I was so surprised, because isn't that just like God, to pile on the blessings...<br />
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Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-87013344760702118622020-05-11T08:00:00.000-04:002020-05-11T08:00:14.314-04:00in the stillnessSometimes I need to be reminded that sweat is not the only reason to go for a walk, and perhaps the reason to follow the beckoning of the tree line, backlit with the pink promise of sunrise, is simply to breathe.<br />
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In maybe the stillest May I can ever remember, I find myself having to slow down even more, which honestly seems like a cruel reverse. Last week I was chasing the 15 minute mile, and this week, trying to hold off the bronchitis, the medicine combo has stopped that race in its tracks.<br />
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But this morning, I needed to get out and center my soul. A slow steady stroll. Cool morning air, which has been glorious after the early spring heat. The birds singing their song under the moon, still standing watch over the cul de sacs for just a few more minutes.<br />
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And then there was that promise.<br />
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<i>All worship</i>. Be still and know, indeed.Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-61563836278881806912020-05-08T10:41:00.001-04:002020-05-08T10:41:07.674-04:00{the long lost} virtual coffee...Oh dear friends, how lovely it would be to sit <i>together </i>and visit. Today there is actually tea in this cup. If we were sitting right here, together, I know we'd be talking and laughing for hours, about everything, and nothing, and all of the moments in between.<br />
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I want you to know... I had really great intentions for this break from the busy. I updated the blog template, and intended to <i>write</i>! and I didn't. It wasn't that I didn't have anything to say, because I feel as though my whole heart has stored up a thousand words. I suppose I was feeling motivated from many points and couldn't accomplish them all. The things that did get checked off my list? Painting baseboards, almost all of our living areas, and the front door. I have also checked off several little projects that resided in the <i>someday </i>portion of my head. At this point I'm just hoping that I might be able to find some of those words again, buried in deep.<br />
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I'd tell you that while the thought of working from home sounds nice, I didn't think it was something I could be disciplined to do... but I was wrong. It's coming up on almost two months, and while I wish I had a better chair, I am doing just fine. I miss my people, especially my car pool buddy and my office-mate and our marketing "department"... and I'm thankful for the texts and laughs that fly all day long, and into the evening, too.<br />
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I might tell you that my husband has been reassigned to the 911 office and is missing his elementary school kiddos. He sometimes records a story for them and sends it off into the portal, and he's shown them his new desk where he answers <i>all </i>the phone calls. Once in a while he'll drive over to his school and see some of the kids out in the neighborhood, and it's probably hard to tell who is more excited to spot the other. Well, probably they are more excited to see the police car... we see it in the driveway every day. Our own kids are doing fine, too. Cam working, Laura not... but both okay.<br />
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And when I stop to take a breath, and realize that this has all been about me, I would stop and look you in the eyes, and ask... how are <i>you</i>? Are you okay? Is there anything I can do to make your load a little easier to carry?<br />
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My prayer list is long, and you are on it. The list of blessings, also long. And perhaps the one that crosses my mind the most is that I am not having to teach my kids while I juggle all the rest of life. My heart aches for the parents that are struggling to find a routine for this monumental task.<br />
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Until we can meet, know you are on my heart, and I miss you.Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-87031680838545059962020-03-27T09:04:00.004-04:002020-03-27T09:04:47.756-04:00getting out...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQ4A_VRTD2K5gFs1wOeeFel7Ev4A65Dhnu55ZKoN-btqo3wi9LUkjjjVOH4aeDoeSoyFFKJYnsikeAYsBTbXUaDKG1mEhzeG_CduhnqpkTXtdLg5NeCfM3-M66hILsZeK4cwQOjzQzWg/s1600/IMG_20200321_084453497_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQ4A_VRTD2K5gFs1wOeeFel7Ev4A65Dhnu55ZKoN-btqo3wi9LUkjjjVOH4aeDoeSoyFFKJYnsikeAYsBTbXUaDKG1mEhzeG_CduhnqpkTXtdLg5NeCfM3-M66hILsZeK4cwQOjzQzWg/s640/IMG_20200321_084453497_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>And into the forest I go,</i></div>
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<i>to lose my mind and find my soul.</i></div>
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-John Muir</div>
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All of this <i>staying home</i> has been a growing experience. I have to say, I haven't minded it a much at all. Between conference calls and texting, I even feel like I have been in constant communication with my people. Our Zoo Crew texts up a storm, and the laughter brings us together when we have to stay away. This morning one coworker sent an email with his list of <i>good mornings</i> as if he were walking into the office and greeting each of us.<br />
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While working from home I have fit small projects {and naps} into my lunch hour... and tried to be productive during my commute time. It is as if I have won back two hours of my day, and I don't want to waste them or take those extra minutes for granted. I could get used to this...<br />
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And when afternoon comes, I escape the walls for the trails...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuREfcyzu75VmIxspSqPnqoIZ9xRyEZ4dnEp2SNZQoHrkN-cTsKcOss03mWfhSD14ZkpjG6qDNkj2jT70ce7-OtjrlvfUErUaceC2bsyQF7YDU_8BWr1s-qHcgUrmVcioN5nr4ZOs1-s/s1600/IMG_20200321_085014738-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuREfcyzu75VmIxspSqPnqoIZ9xRyEZ4dnEp2SNZQoHrkN-cTsKcOss03mWfhSD14ZkpjG6qDNkj2jT70ce7-OtjrlvfUErUaceC2bsyQF7YDU_8BWr1s-qHcgUrmVcioN5nr4ZOs1-s/s640/IMG_20200321_085014738-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The sun warms me while the air refreshes my soul. And walking along, the sights entice me to look closer, pay attention, fall in love with God's creations over and over again.Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-65296321392523006062020-03-25T09:53:00.000-04:002020-03-25T09:53:00.594-04:00some light advice...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vCJiodkCMUs52UR7wNAJIFaCE0IYyySvyOSaUjroaepN4YX8AK-PUVuywb0dr-6MzqWNa_AHNtugiIMWDpnPquR6-d8BRgH9pa6AlBCe6uIoNrrG-W6ilcworgwturkvjIdKvVNEK2Q/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vCJiodkCMUs52UR7wNAJIFaCE0IYyySvyOSaUjroaepN4YX8AK-PUVuywb0dr-6MzqWNa_AHNtugiIMWDpnPquR6-d8BRgH9pa6AlBCe6uIoNrrG-W6ilcworgwturkvjIdKvVNEK2Q/s640/Untitled.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The other day, my friend posted a few pictures from one of my favorite spots, and they spoke to my soul... so much so that I made a trip to one of her favorite spots so we could <i>share and share alike</i>. I love that our favorite spots are the same, though she lives there, and I am here... and we can be transported, along with all of our memories, with just a glance. That lighthouse... it brings me joy. She stands tall in the storm, and is beautiful, no matter the season.<br />
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<b><i>Advice from a Lighthouse</i></b></div>
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<i>-Stand Tall.</i></div>
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<i>-Be shore of yourself.</i></div>
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<i>-Look on the bright side.</i></div>
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<i>-Weather life's storms.</i></div>
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<i>-Stay Alert.</i></div>
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<i>-Set a shining example.</i></div>
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<i>-It's OK to be a little flashy.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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-Your True Nature</div>
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<br />Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-24874780385520211162020-03-24T15:19:00.001-04:002020-03-24T15:19:21.599-04:00the photo...After a million years {...<i>or maybe twelve</i>} I changed that picture of me over to the right. I'm not sure it is staying, as I do love that shot of my smiling eyes, but for now... it brings a sweet memory to my heart and mind.<br />
: :<br />
Did you ever have $50 burning a hole in your pocket? This fall, due to an airline change, we each had these vouchers. Fifty dollars is not much when you'd like to get away, but I decided to play in the search anyway... and you know what? <i>It was only $45 to fly to Chicago</i>... and only $25 to get back home. Was a weekend in Chicago with a forever friend worth $50? Absolutely. And so... <i>we went</i>.<br />
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I love the decadent feeling of a weekend trip... the Friday afternoon quick change, from work to play, and the celebratory <i>cheers</i> while you wait to board. And on this December Friday, our destination was winter. Would there be snow? <i>Probably not</i>. But it didn't make a difference to me because it had been too long since I laughed, in person, with Amy. The plane arrived early and by 9pm Amy was whisking us away from the curb towards our weekend adventure.<br />
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We didn't really have grand plans, just one <i>must-do</i> and a few <i>that sounds fun</i>. It was mostly the being away and the being together. We explored the ChristkindlMarket, deserted the crowds for tacos, and admired the holiday windows. Back in her neighborhood there was this little store that beckoned me in... markers and pens might be my love language.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWm4Sce3n10vCg7CTfne5xQZJlq_phujMp55EV8tkk1RO3LW-5s8GB_jSa1ykB8zkWasRnuM_zuJLxuDY48XphR4snOXyNWSH-K8l_l0XiDEMkEOniGcozvNL7f5DLjvEOZvzmVeJzFA/s1600/IMG_20191214_134311998-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWm4Sce3n10vCg7CTfne5xQZJlq_phujMp55EV8tkk1RO3LW-5s8GB_jSa1ykB8zkWasRnuM_zuJLxuDY48XphR4snOXyNWSH-K8l_l0XiDEMkEOniGcozvNL7f5DLjvEOZvzmVeJzFA/s640/IMG_20191214_134311998-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My hands were toting a few treasures around the shop when I noticed the snow start to fall. My squeal of joy led to Eric's warning <i>don't run out of the store with that stuff</i> and so I dropped it all into his hands and bee-lined for the door. <br />
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Two minutes. That's all there was. <br />Sometimes you really need to just grab the moment and dance in the joy of it, and I'm so glad I did...Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419239976631731952.post-19261722265674638382020-02-24T08:00:00.000-05:002020-02-24T10:59:09.065-05:00life lately...late.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Last week was busy... well, work was busy, which exhausted me. After work I was just busy recovering. I started this post, but never got back to it. Some weeks are like that...</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYavMquLoRYXy2yaGzr6ZroY2XhPI-bk_NisY974GnVKFuEuJ7CQyc35uePuuVKyPFe3VRB2oxEJI5K5aJLU8hUF75HOZvpkhb5nw8jgNCfKaIAna0w5gRNBWsxzFr4FIsHc24xPvFqc/s1600/PhotoGrid_1582159113142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYavMquLoRYXy2yaGzr6ZroY2XhPI-bk_NisY974GnVKFuEuJ7CQyc35uePuuVKyPFe3VRB2oxEJI5K5aJLU8hUF75HOZvpkhb5nw8jgNCfKaIAna0w5gRNBWsxzFr4FIsHc24xPvFqc/s640/PhotoGrid_1582159113142.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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1. A walk on the trail... I'm always looking for the red lichen!</div>
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2. Eric & my sister... enjoying food from our favorite food truck {Sweet Cheesus} at Zoobilee. <br />
I had a bite, but that was long enough to be off the dance floor. </div>
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3. This lavender trumpet, complete with a heart shaped leaf, caught my eye as I walked by.</div>
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4. Stained glass lights on the carpet... one of my favorite things. </div>
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5. I finally have a few more pictures of Laura...this one really makes me smile. <br />
Outdoors, in her element, new city behind her. </div>
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6. I talked Eric into going to a soft opening of this new place. <br />
He grumbled about how it would be crowded and we'd have to wait and... on and on. <br />
He couldn't resist me though, so we went and... the wait was an hour. <br />
Lucky him, he is married to a star bar stool sighter! We were eating in no time!</div>
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7. February wine tasting. <i>Wine is better than bowling</i>...</div>
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8. Clearance Valentine candy - I wish I could resist, but on this day I could not.</div>
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9. Another trip to the farm to pick strawberries and sunflowers. </div>
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So there we go... another quick catch-up on this life I love.Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037135437820258553noreply@blogger.com1