cuteness

Adam surprised, and I mean SURPRISED me with a teeny tiny ball of cuteness for Christmas.



We call her Lily (aka, Lil, Lilith, Lilian (when she's in trouble)). I know it may seem weird for a grown adult to have a bunny for a pet, but, I gotta give a shoutout to bunnies as pets. Lily is already litter trained, she's only in her cage at night or when we're not home and she is sweet, sweet, sweet.

Corporate America

Here's an email that was sent to everyone in my office today. Seriously? Really?

Someone had fish today for lunch...and here was the consequence. Sigh.

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This email is being sent on behalf of the Senior Management team as a reminder to be sensitive to others with lunch time meals or snacks. As we know, certain foods have stronger smells than others, such as garlic, curry, fish etc. Please keep in mind that some may be more sensitive to these types of smells than others and try to pack your meals accordingly.

Please let me know if there are any questions or concerns about this issue.

Pretty Boy

Just Curious

It's 11:48 and I am not tired. So, I am listening to Brandi Carlile's new cd (so good!) and looking through my itunes library. I clicked on the "Top 25 Most Played Songs" and the results follow. Just out of curiosity, what's yours?

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1. Public Broadcasting stream
2. The Greatest Sum (Acoustic) (Avetts) (this surprises me)
3. St Joseph's (Avetts) (this doesn't surprise me)
4. Paranoia in B Major (Avetts)
5. What You Thought You Need (Jack Johnson)
6. Tear Down the House (Avetts)
7. Murder in the City (Avetts)
8. Bella Donna (Avetts)
9. Black, Blue (Avetts)
10. Souls Like the Wheels (Avetts)
11. Matrimony (Avetts)
12. Nothing I Can Do (Ben Taylor)
13. Let Me Touch You for Awhile (Allison Krauss)
14. Hope (Jack Johnson)
15. Walking on Air (Kerli)
16. Wasted (Brandi Carlile)
17. The Greatest Sum (Electric) (Avetts)
18. Late Morning Lullaby (Brandi Carlile)
19. Again Today (Brandi Carlile)
20. Die Die Die (Avetts)
21. Have You Ever (Brandi Carlile)
22. Keep Breathing (Ingrid Michaelson)
23. I'm Alive (Kenny Chesney w/ Dave Matthews)
24. The Weight of Lies (Avetts)
25. In the Curve (Avetts)

Big Changes

We have some major changes on the horizon. I start a new job on Tuesday in NH. I'm pretty excited for a few reasons:

1. The position is going to be challenging. I will be dealing with content that I don't know a darn thing about. My new job is in medical publishing, mainly dealing with dermatology, more specifically acne and psoriasis. I'll be applying all of the skills I've learned over the last few years in project management to bring the latest research findings to physicians across the globe in various formats: interactive websites, webinars, symposiums, and of course, print.

2. The people I met during the interview process for this gig seemed smart, focused, down-to-earth, and fun. I'm looking forward to being part of a team again.

3. I get to work in one of my favorite places on the planet! The NH seacoast.

4. The location is only 30 minutes from the barn. :-)

Adam also has a job on the horizon, but I'm not going to mention specifics until it's a done deal. We're not exactly sure where we're going to live yet, but are grateful for family offering up places for us to stay in the meantime. We'll settle on the seacoast somewhere. Settle...That's not a word I've had in my vocabulary for a few years. Looking forward to parking it for a little while.

Some Good News

I can't believe I'm actually typing this, but Adam has completed his training. He passed his CFII checkride yesterday just 18 months after he began. He is now a Certified Flight Instructor with the ability to teach Instrument flying. It took a lot of hard work and determination and weekends upon weekends (and weeks) of studying. He is now ready to dust off the kayak and go have some fun for a little while. No more tests to prepare for. YES.

We're not really sure what's next for us, but we've learned over the last couple of years to expect the unexpected. I'll keep you posted.

Life

Yesterday we received some terrible news from a friend of Adam's out in Oregon. Adam's first flight instructor was killed in a crash while instructing on Sunday. The student died as well. We both sort of stared at each other for like 5 minutes not really knowing what to say when we first heard. Then admitting not knowing what to say, it started a dialog about life and risks and reflection about a man with a wife and a baby and how precious our time here is.

My heart hurts today for Doug's wife and his baby boy who will not know his father. I have that sick feeling in my stomach because I know that someone on the other side of the country got the phone call or the knock at the door that we all dread.

The reality is that people die flying helicopters, paddling rivers, riding horses. Although it's tempting at times like this to stop doing the things we enjoy because of the risks involved, it's also true that people die slipping in the shower and I'm sure as hell not going to stop taking showers! Instead, I think it's important to remember that life is unpredictable. To honor those we've lost, we should do the things we enjoy. Don't sweat the small stuff. Don't hold grudges. Treat people in our lives with love and respect. Because you just never know.