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Authors Blog
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Wake Up and Smell The Coffee
2/5/2012 8:55:49 AM
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EpiphanyEver have one of those moments where it just all comes together in one big package with a bright red bow? I'm having one of those moments right now. Let me share :We're coming up on the one-year anniversary of losing Mom, so I've been really reflective on the past 12 months. It typically takes a large event for we humans to hit the *stop* button, and assess what is really important, and what is just noise floating around us. Each of us have our own journey and path to follow. I see this in so many ways. Work, friends, relationships, even hobbies come and go. But the one constant that always remains is, Family. No matter where you are on this earth (miles cannot separate you), decisions you make (we all make mistakes), life getting in the way (we're all busy), your family is always within reach. Out of the blue, you get a phone call, email, text. It just brings it all back around and centers you. Days, weeks, months, sometimes even years can go by without contact. Then, you pick up where you left off. Almost mid-sentence. This is what it is all about. Those relationships are the foundation of who you are. Cultivate those relationships and the rest of Life's Pieces simply fall into place, as they should be. P.J. |
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The Newest Book
1/15/2012 9:25:12 AM
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The New Book
The process of my book writing is very unique. You have to really get your mind wrapped around the specific relationship, in this case the Father & Daughter. A lot of reference books, 'interviewing' the Fathers and the Daughters. Asking, "What is one thing you'd like to know from your Father?" and "What is one thing you'd like your Daughter to know?" |
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Christmas Memories
12/22/2011 11:41:20 AM
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Its In The DetailsI pulled up the football schedule for this weekend to see who was playing and what times. I looked on Friday - nothing but basketball. I looked on Christmas Eve - there are three games that will be televised, one in the morning and two in the afternoon. I went ahead and looked into the evening to see if there were any others.What did my wandering eyes see? Christmas movies. MANY Christmas movies. New ones, silly ones, old ones. Got me thinking. Remembering, really ... all of those years ago when we were young. (by the way, I'm eternally grateful that I can still remember back that far :-)) Going over to Grams on Christmas Eve with the whole family. I remember it was always cold. Karen & I had to wear a dress (did I mention it was cold), so we donned the big coats that made us feel like that kid in A Christmas Story that looked like a red stay-puff. Once we went inside Gram's ceiling was decorated all festive-like with the hundreds of beaded ornaments that she made. I have many of those on my ceiling today. Its a nice feeling to see them twinkling around ... Everyone would pile in, my Aunt, Uncle and cousins would always be late, so we had to wait to eat until they arrived. We were really hungry! Every year I would say to myself ... "next year, I'm eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich before I come!" Every year, I would forget, or just give the relatives the benefit of the doubt and say, "this year, they'll be on time!" Never happened. Eat your sandwich before you go this year if you have chronically late realtives. Once we mowed through all of the food, and there were some strange things put out for consumption, all of us kids - there were 5 of us total between my brother, sister and cousins, would pile into the little overcrowded-with-Grams-crafts room, or we'd ooze out into the hallway and watch Christmas movies. I always ended up with "something in my eye" while watching Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer ... I still tear up a little :-) Yeah, I'm a sap. Then going home, Larry and Dad used to always say, "See? There's Rudolph now! We have to get home and get to bed!" Truth was, Gram lived next to the Portland Interational Airport. I saw "Rudolph" about 6 times from the time we piled into the car, to the time we arrived home. I figured something was up when he just kept going the same way. Maybe I thought he was lost, or forgot where he was going ... Once home, I swore I was going to stay up all night to see if I could get a better look at that elusive and directionally challenged reindeer. I rememebr sitting up in bed, covers pulled high up to my chin and staring at the Christmas lights that lined the roof. Every year, Larry would ask me what colors I wanted in front of mine & Karens bedroom window. I remember he'd switch the bulbs around just so I had the colors in the row I wanted. Every year, I'd fall asleep. I believe one year I threatened Mom that I was going to puke if I didn't get up now! I was so excited! I think it was about 3am, and Mom & Dad had just fallen asleep from all of the Christmas morning prep. Mom would get up and start her ritual of cooking too much food for us. It was always so good. People used to drop by (as we weren't allowed to leave the house on Christmas Day) and spread their cheer. It was always so festive and lively. As we celebrate our second Christmas without Gram, and our first without Mom, it really makes me appreciate these intermittent memories that pop up now and again. As with family, its never all puppies and bunnies, but the older I get, the more I tend to forget those not-so-pleasant-times, and focus on the Christmas memories that I've brought with me from that other time. As you sit with your family this weekend, look around and take a mental snapshot of that moment to store away in your Christmas Box. |
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Breathe
12/14/2011 12:59:58 PM
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A quick reminder ...
I received an email from a good friend today reminding me that during the hustle and bustle of the Season, to remember to find some time for yourself. |
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Communication
11/27/2011 9:10:17 AM
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| In the Father & Son version of "Someday, I'll Ask You", I wrote something that was intended to help transition the receipient from one question to the next. I'd like to share that, as I believe it is the absolute heart of the book : "Everything, All Things Circle back to You. Family Is the Center. Choices, Decisions, Chances for Communication and Growth." As you gather with your family this holiday season, consider your conversations. Really, think about them. You gave an opportunity to learn something about them. Something you may not have ever known. I've recently started a geneaology search and have found so much more than I had ever expected. But, if you have a Mother and Father and even Grandparents that are still living, ask them questions about their lives growing up. Some may be a little tight-lipped about some topics, but you never know what you're going to learn until you ask! |
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The Holidays
11/15/2011 3:56:49 PM
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As The Holidays Approach ...A funny thing happened when I sat down to write this. I received a call from Dad and Karen! How funny that we all must be on the same wavelength today. Which brings me to my topic ...There is so much opportunity coming up in the next few months to spend time with your family. Even if you are miles away, phone calls, emails and other social networks open up a plethora of areas to communicate with them. Let them know how much you care, reminisce about good childhood memories, laugh with them! It will really make the time spent more enjoyable! As a side note, there are 38 shopping days left before Christmas :-) www.amazon.com/Someday-Ill-Ask-You-Daughters/dp/0984137505/ref=sr_1_2 |
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Weekends
10/22/2011 9:06:13 AM
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The WeekendWell, here it is - The Weekend. How will you be spending your weekend? Other than the dreaded household chores, I will be outside in my gardens clearing away the weeds, and talking to my flowers. I might even wear a silly little hat :-)What I miss most, however, is spending time with my family. As the holidays near, I tend to miss my family more and more. Distance is what keeps me apart from them (San Diego to Portland is about a 22 hour drive - unless your Dad, then its more like a 30 hour drive). Is your family near? Do not take for granted that they will always be there, and that 'you'll get together with them next weekend', or at Thanksgiving, or Christmas. How about calling them up TODAY and asking them over for dinner this weekend? I think the older I get (and I'm still having anniversaries of the 32nd birthday) to faster time seems to go by. We are all busy in our lives and we fill our days and nights with so much. Live life to its fullest, but don't forget to spend it with Family. I finished putting together an iMovie from our vacation over in Cherry Cove - Catalina. If any of you have ever done this, you know how much work and time goes into a 25 minute movie. But that's not what I was seeing or feeling when I did this project. I saw my sister and brother-in-law having a great time with Andy & I. I saw all of those moments of fun Karen & I had. I saw fun with friends and enjoying happy hours on their boats. I even saw me running the little outboard up the back of the boat with Todd nearly flying out (although thank goodness there is no evidence of it) :-) I saw a week spent with family and I love reliving every single second of it. Call up your closest family today and get together with them, this weekend. |
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Wedding Anniversary
10/2/2011 4:42:10 PM
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Happy Anniversary!Andy & I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary on September 28th. We went to a nice dinner and when we have a free weekend, will head up to Napa or Santa Barbara or some place fun.What is truly amazing, is that I'm working on a "Save The Date" postcard for Andy's parents party that we and Andy's brother and wife are throwing for them a party next June. It's their 50th wedding anniversary. FIFTY! I was rather proud of our 15, but when I think of 50 years ... wow. They have been through most all of their life together. They've created a family, now have grandchildren, are traveling to very exotic places in the world, and really, truly enjoy each other. How many married people can say that after being married for 50 years? They are a true inspiration. |
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An Answer
9/25/2011 8:52:43 AM
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A Question Asked And AnsweredLast week I shared thoughts on Grams oatmeal cookie receipe, and how amazing it was that I had one from her, in her handwriting. I've found that the handwriting is what makes it all so special. Just seeing it reconnects you in ways you never thought possible.I wanted to read an answer that my Mother wrote out for me in my "Someday, I'll Ask You - Mother's & Daughter's" book. The question was : "As a parent, what was your favorite holiday with your family? Remember one, and decribe it" Her answer was : "Christmas. There wasn't one that was more special than the others. I really looked forward to seeing what you kids made for us at school. Some still hang on the wall." For this to be her answer, and to see it in her writing is a very special thing, indeed. Get your copy and give it to Mom. She will thank you - maybe it will be her best Christmas, ever. |
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The Oatmeal Cookie Dilemma
9/18/2011 9:29:00 AM
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Recipe For A Good CookieAs Fall creeps it's cool and blustery way into our calendars and lives, I am reminded of warm cookies made from friends and family. A warm cookie fresh from the oven, does a lot for ones soul on a crisp Fall day.I asked Andy what kind of cookie he wanted this weekend, and he's picked Oatmeal. Oatmeal, it is then. So, I open up my iPad and look on my favorite cooking websites, I see some basic, some really complex (who would put over 20 ingredents into an oatmeal cookie for goodness sake?!) and then it hit me. Grams cookies. Why not use the receipe she gave me for Oatmeal cookies? Growing up we'd visit Gram, and always at a holiday. I must admit that her cooking was outstanding, as she learned to cook early on in life, and lived through the Great Depression. It makes sense that she could make something from nothing. So, when I came across her Oatmeal cookie recipe, I felt this overwhelming release of familiarity. In her handwriting, I have the Golden Ticket to a decadent Oatmeal cookie. If some food critic took a bite, he might not think it was the best Oatmeal cookie, ever ... but who cares? I know it is the best, because it brought me close to Gram, once again. Talk to your Grandmother, today. Ask her for her receipe. |
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Friends
9/9/2011 5:49:16 PM
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Good Friends
A strange thing happened here in Southern California yesterday at 3:40pm. The entire region lost power. It stretched from Ensenada, north through Orange County and east over to Yuma, Arizona. I'm sure you've heard about it, as it's never happened before and is a rather significant event in this country. |
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Always Family
8/25/2011 9:38:47 AM
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A Place In The HeartWow! What a busy week it has been! It' already Thursday and my mind is still sitting on a boat over in Cherry Cove.Yes, last week we spent a wonderful week with my sister and her husband over in Cherry Cove on Catalina Island. The time spent there was unlike anything I've ever experienced. It was an interesting mix of trying to capture, through my lens, the things I never want to forget, and living in the moment. There were moments of silence between my sister and I that were some of my most treasured, as I know she was living in that moment with me, and that is something I can always have with me. That's how it is with family, really. Even during the Holidays (that are creeping up on us very quickly!) it's those moments of knowing and experiencing that keep you close. Enjoy your family. |
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Post1
7/9/2011 10:28:42 AM
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| 13 items total |
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| July, 2011 | |
| August, 2011 | |
| September, 2011 | |
| October, 2011 | |
| November, 2011 | |
| December, 2011 | |
| January, 2012 | |
| February, 2012 | |
| Bringing Families Together Again |