Tag: inspiration

HAPPY FRIDAY

Happy Friday ya’ll! I’m looking forward to a packed and good weekend. Got a bit of freelance to juggle in there, but hoping to maximize the downtime.

I’ve still got other photos and memories I want to share with you, but its Friday, and thought this shot cracks me up.

This was taken up at San Francisco’s Outside Lands Festival back in 2008. It was such a blast. The highlight was seeing Radiohead, Manu Chao, The Black Keys, Beck, and Cold War Kids.

This was an early birthday present gift from Tim that year. He’s not one to go to concerts that are this big or crowded, but he was up for it. I’m glad we went, it was such a fun trip.

And speaking of cold. It was the middle of August, but freezing in San Francisco. This shot was taken in the afternoon, and I’m wearing a beanie, scarf and fleece jacket. I also had gloves that I wore once the sun went down.

In some ways the cooler weather was nice, and the crowds were nice too. I mean, I don’t know how people can do it, going to Coachella or Burning Man. So much heat, people get cranky.

This trip also allowed us to visit Tim’s good friend Toby and his wife Sonja, and their adorable kiddos.

Anyways, have a fabulous and fulfilling weekend!

March 16, 2012
TIM + OLIVER

This photo was taken back in 2007. I love how candid the first shot is. And the second shot makes me smile. Oliver looks a bit goofy, and Tim’s got a sassy grin, like he’s about to make a joke of some sort.

March 8, 2012
TEDx GARDEN DANCE

Here’s a sneak peek of my night with the lovely garden goddesses from a few weeks ago. I helped them cater a TEDx bootcamp speaker event. We had a blast, as you can see here. And met some fabulous peeps. More to follow…

March 7, 2012
CHANGING ACCOUNT NAMES

I accomplished a big item on my list today.

I finally switched the account name on our utilities from Tim’s to mine.

I started this task, like I start most of these tricky tasks: I took a deep breath. I was doing pretty good, calling most of them, getting the task completed, until I talked with the last one, my cable provider. Here’s how that call went:

Cable Provider: Hello, how can I help you?

Me: Hi, yes, I’d like to change the name on my account from my husband’s name to mine.
He’s passed away, so I’d like to switch the name to mine.

C: Yes, ok. I’m so sorry.

Me: Ah thank you.

* * * * * She changes the information, verifies the numbers and then * * * * *

C: I just want to say how sorry I am for your loss.

Me: (A bit trembly) Yes, thank you.

C: You sound very young. And I’m just really sorry.

Me: (Long pause and a bit more trembly, and I just want to end this call ASAP!) Yes, thank you.

After the call ended, I immediately had a good deep cry. I prayed to God and asked for his strength. And walked into the other room and gave Oliver a good hug. Then, I walked outside and let the sunshine dry the tears and sadness.

Although, changing your name on the utilities is a task that needed to be done and is the right thing to do, it was another reality and finality that Tim’s not here with me, and that I’m on my own. That I have to take responsibility and ownership for my life and the life and things we shared.

I realize the empowerment of being the “woman” of the house, but its this strange new territory of not choosing this situation. And making the best of being in this situation. That although I’m “removing” his name from the utility bills, IT DOES NOT mean I’m removing him from my heart or my life. That it’s just a stupid account name, and it’s my checks that pay the bills now, not Tim’s.

The “you sound very young” comment. Also hit me deep. Why did she have to go there?

Yes, I am young. (I look like I’m in my twenties, but I’m 34). And was Tim very young, too.

But this is my reality. And all I can do is trust in the universe and be so grateful and blessed that everything is going to be alright.

One of things that I realized after this good cry, was that sometimes life puts us in struggling situations, but we can get through it. To not let the sadness or to let “being a widow” take ownership of me.

Before I signoff, I wanted to share a poem from another TEDX speaker I saw in December, Sekou Andrews. Loved this guy. His energetic and powerful performance and message gave us all a jolt to the conference. He speaks from the heart and enjoys sharing his knowledge of living happy and purposefully. Here is the part from his speech, that gives me strength and hope:

We CAN.

We are ABLE .

We WILL.

We MUST.

That all that matters is that your HEART has the power.

Thank you for reading and enjoy your weekend!

March 2, 2012
BUSY LIL BEE

I’ve been busy as a bee doing an assortment of different things.

I helped my friends cater a TEDx bootcamp event, went to a movie all by myself (this was a goal of mine), and attended a “real marriage” conference (I’ll share why I went and what I learned).

I’m also in the process of scanning photos of my favorite Tim adventures and having fun with a new freelance project for a fashionista I met from ALT.

I’ve been wondering where the time has gone, but feeling so blessed for all this variety and discovery.

March is also Tim’s birthday month, so lots of great memories to be shared soon.

Also, I stumbled upon this fantastic designer/illustrator, Matthew Kavan Brooks. Love his stuff. Great quotes. And completely engaging typography and design. You can also see and buy more of his work here.

This one caught my eye immediately. As a widow, (or perhaps someone going through a loss, or maybe there’s some sort of rock in life’s path) the saying “just taking things day by day” is so true. Sometime’s life can be so challenging, sometime’s taking it minute by minute is the best one can have hope for. However, I think allowing ourselves to relish and enjoy that minute, that day, or that moment for all that’s possible, we can really enjoy and honor that hope and strength. We can’t stop time, but we can enjoy life slowly, minute by minute, if that’s what it takes. Until we get so busy living we forget how fast the time really flies.

March 1, 2012