Merry Christmas to all

Merry Christmas. We hope you are finding joy and blessings during this holiday season. 

Thanks to all of you who touch our lives and bring to joy to us. 

We feel so blessed this holiday season for all of our wonderful family and friends.

boots

If you are in a snowy place like I am then you might need a pair of these

Goodbye New York

copycat

"Always be a first rate version of yourself, instead of a second rate version of somebody else."

 -Judy Garland

    I was part of a conversation last night about individuality and originality. Of course like everyone, I have been copied, and I have been a copier. Although they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, sometimes isn't it downright annoying? My friend Kathryn wrote all about this on her blog this morning. And instead of just leaving a comment I wanted to share with you the quote listed above by Judy Garland that I have sort of tried to live by since I first discovered it in high school. In high school all of my friends were dancers and soccer players. Of course since that was cool thing to do I also wanted to be a dancer and a soccer player. Well, fortunately for all of us I didn't take me very long to figure out I am painfully uncoordinated. It was a little bit of a let down, but on to plan b. After this phase I discovered other activities like Yearbook, that I really loved and excelled at. It was hard lesson to learn, but I'm grateful I had the chance to find things that I am good at and that I love, because I'll be honest I never really loved soccer or dance. The point being, we all owe to ourselves to respect the person that we are. It doesn't mean we can't admire others for their skills and talents, but it does mean we should find our own voices in this world. 

*This Norman Rockwell print has always been one of my favorites

and the clock ticks

In approximately one week we will be spending our last night as residents of New York City. This makes me kind of sad. It made me really sad when some of my friends came over last night to help me pack and I was reminded of all the fun I'll be missing out on when I am thousands of miles away. I needed cheering up so I went today and bought a yellow sweater. This made me happy because I realized I can start trading in my black clothes for bright colorful California ones and I can unpack all my darling high heels that can't bear the New York City sidewalks. So life isn't all that bad right?

Image via cherry blossom girl

choo choo

I remember being a kid and loving everything in miniature, and I am not sure I ever outgrew that. I was one of those children with wild imaginations that would get swept up in pretend. I specifically remember convincing myself that a town called Kaysville on the way to my cousin's house was a miniature city where miniature people lived and drove miniature cars, and had miniature dogs. In my defense things usually do look smaller from the freeway. 

Speaking of miniature, yesterday I went to meet Dan at his office building. For the holidays they set up special exhibit of miniature toy trains in the lobby. It is an event publicized all over New York and well worth the effort to go to for kids and adults alike. I have to say I was enthralled, but the funny thing was, so was Winston. He was mesmerized by all the little trains  and just staring and staring at them. When 2 or 3 would pas near us he would get all giddy and start kicking his legs. I guess the hopes that we would be spared a Thomas the Tank Engine phase were just hopes. 

If you are in the area, you should definitely pop by. And if not, check out this link. 

coast to coast

The rumors are true. We are moving. We'll be headed out to California the beginning of the year and although Dan will staying with Merrill Lynch he'll be venturing out on his own as a financial advisor/private wealth manager. We are sad to leave our friends, New York, and all that is familiar here. But how can you not be excited about sunny skies, more space, and being closer to home. Meanwhile I've got lots of packing, purging, and soaking up New York to do before we make the trek west. We've got a busy couple of weeks ahead.

The downside, I don't know many people that live in San Diego. If you read this blog and you live there, will you please be my friend?