Phew!

I think this past week was the first time I've really sat down and relaxed since Christmas. Brad and I both have birthdays right after the holidays, and for me this bday was a big one. I've officially bid adieu to my twenties...frightening, and at the same time I kind of like it. It's a strange feeling to say I am in my 30's but I kind of feel about my 20's as I do about high school. They were fine while they lasted but I can't say I am willing to go back and do it all over again!

We decided to take advantage of the milestone birthday with a last minute trip to Key Largo. We had never been there before, and I honestly don't think we can give a good review of the town even now, as we essentially just lounged on the beach all day and went to dinner at night. And it was perfect! There are many more pictures to follow, but for now I leave you with the view from my chaise on the beach...sigh...

TasteSpotting

Sometimes the creativity of the blogging world amazes me so much that I have to sit down and catch my breath. Yesterday I saw a post where someone cut up an old sweater and used it to make a lampshade (a really cute lampshade). I've seen people turn pillowcases into the cutest little dresses you can imagine. And then there are the food blogs - my God the food blogs. In the same way that I am a total sucker for good advertising, beautiful pictures of food actually make me salivate. Food blogs have really intensified my love for cooking and, let's be honest, the sense of accomplishment I feel when my dish looks remotely like the one in the picture is beyond compare (sometimes, there are victory dances).

All of this is to say that, my latest favorite site is TasteSpotting. All of those aforementioned food bloggers submit their delicious goodness to be featured with only a beautiful picture and a blurb describing what you're seeing. I am not kidding you, this is better than TV. My only warning is that this site has powers similar to those of a black hole, wherein you can look around days later and think - holy $#@*, is it Thursday?

Working on My Follow Through

People who know me in “real life” will tell you that when I get an idea in my head, I can have tunnel vision until it comes to fruition. I am stubborn. And, truth be told, when I really want something I will go to great lengths to get my way (let us all now take a moment and heave a collective sigh of sympathy for my husband).

But lately I’ve been noticing that when it comes to the really big decisions, those that require a somewhat substantial leap of faith, I hesitate. This little voice of self doubt begins to whisper ideas of inadequacy, disguised by the premise that they are actually logical thoughts, and clearly the “right” thing to do. And if I don’t listen right away those little thoughts will escalate into a resounding, “Who the hell do you think you are?”

For several months now I’ve felt like I am standing on the edge of some significant, life altering changes. I am *this* close to fulfilling dreams that have been years in the making. But here’s the thing - making those dreams come to fruition is going to require a leap of faith on my part. I’ve finally realized that I can no longer sit back and wait for things to change. To get the big results I am going to have to take a deep breath make that leap. I might fail (I might fail miserably). I might embarrass myself. I might wind up right back where I started. By saying aloud “this is what I want” I will be vulnerable. Clearly, the underlying current here is that I am afraid of failure.

So I am wondering - do any of you feel like this? Do you hesitate when it comes to those big decisions? Have any of you conquered your fears and taken a leap? I would love to know your thoughts…

{Photo via sfgirlbybay}

Baby, It's Cold Outside

These are our windows. I am no expert, but I am pretty sure windows aren't supposed to do that. Lucky for us we're being forced to pay out the nose to fix them in the spring (hooray for condo buildings with no reserves)! In the meantime I am thinking of getting myself a space heater to cuddle with.

Break Up

It pains me a little to admit this, since the whole "I am an actress turned singer" thing really gets under my skin. But nonetheless...Pete Yorn & Scarlet Johansson have teamed up to make a new album and I like it. I like it a lot. Specifically, I am kind of addicted to "Relator" and have been listening to it much more than once a day (on my spankin' new green ipod, courtesy of the husband).

I do this with songs I like - listen to them until I can barely stand to hear it again and everyone who lives in a 100ft radius of me is on the brink of murder. In college there was a pretty serious Third Eye Blind incident that went on for months, eventually prompting my roommate to yell "people hate you!" as I blasted How's it Gonna Be for the 400th time. At least now I have headphones.

Wish.

Yes, this is a sleeve from a Starbucks latte (a very tasty one, I might add) but its a nice message. After a recent yoga session I recently heard the definition of "namaste" described as - the spirit in me salutes the spirit in you. So, namaste to you...make your spirits bright.

Happy and Merry

Ahhh, the start of a new decade. I always welcome the feelings of hope and renewal that come with the beginning a new year, and in our house we were especially happy to bid adieu to 2009. For the first time in recent memory we didn't make any plans for New Years Eve and instead decided to spend the evening at home, quietly welcoming a fresh start and new beginnings. There were warm blankets and movies, popcorn and champagne. Each of us made a list of things we would like to let go of and leave in the previous year, and then we let those lists go up in smoke. The perfect punctuation to a very difficult year.

I don't normally make resolutions (do you?) but among a few other things, this year I want to try to take more pictures. My lofty ambitious side would like to try for a picture a day, but at the least I want to to a better job of documenting our journey through the next 365 days. Maybe more of a goal than a resolution. So, welcome 2010 and all the hope you bring along with you. I wish each of you the best for the coming year...health and happiness and nothing but good things.