December 15 - 5 Minutes

December 15 – 5 Minutes. 
Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010. 

In thinking of alarms, I start this with my own alarm clock, the best purchase of 2010.  My winter mornings are started with a steadily building glowing light that begins a half hour before I am due to wake, tricking my brain into thinking the sun is rising.  On alarm, steel kettle drums signal that its time to pull on my workout clothes, grab my iPod and greet the treadmill (or before it snowed, head outside to the reservoir).  This ritual is how I keep myself from slipping into the winter blues; this is the first year I've really pulled myself free from this muck and mire.  I don't want to forget it, because I do, fast - and then I'm back there again. 

This was the year that we started moving towards next steps:  we fought and discussed and compromised and cried over house searches, cars, jobs, and babies.  We've had nine different rental cars, we've seen hundreds of houses, and we know we want to be closer to family but right now, but career wins.  Family visited:  my mom, my grandparents, his parents.  We visited family.  I went to a conference.  A job offer, denied, but not before weeks of terrible anxiety.  We went on adventures, seeking hidden treasures and taking tons of photos.

Lessons learned:  When you feel that upset about something, it isn't right (thanks mom, for pointing that out).  Sugar is no good for you.  Take cars to the dealer.  Oil heat sucks.  You need to actually like the house you are buying, because you'll be sending a big fat mortgage check for it every month (that one is from my F-I-L).  Return to Lake Tahoe (Lake Taco!) because its beautiful.  Keep traveling.  There is a network of powerful, gentle, amazing women who want to support you.  Laughter and silliness is a necessity.  And we love each other very much. 

Join Here:  Reflect on this year & manifest what's next