Alice came to work with me Sunday (‘tis the season for weekend work) and this is what I found on my white board Monday. ❤️

Reason 127 why I go through dress shoes at a ridiculous rate. Sometimes, weather and a full calendar and clamoring to do lists and appropriate footwear are secondary to just needing to get out and walk. Years of running developed the voice that reminds me to “just get on your shoes and go” when life feels overwhelming in one way or another. And some days it says “forget the shoes; just go”. I have lived in PNW for a long time now – more years here than anywhere else in my life, and I’m still waiting to love winter here. Maybe in another ten years. (This message brought to you by good rain gear, vitamin D supplements (go take yours), and Zappos).

I read this yesterday: “It’s not the tragedies that kill us; it’s the messes.” (Dorothy Parker). And it reminded me of Bukowski’s The Shoelace. And then I read the HONY profile that starts with “I’m only unhappy when I have a toothache”. It’s Friday and it’s been one of those death of a thousand cuts weeks of impossible expectations hitting the wall of reality and I have to remind myself that this is a moment, not a life. Life is good, even if today, or even this month or season, is kind of an asshole. Reminder in case you, too, need it.

The Sunday NYT had this great “body edition” section. I taped it to the living room wall thinking it would spark conversation or even outrage (“gross mom, why are there intestines in our living room?”). Instead it has sparked only ridiculous pictures. Another in a long line of glorious mom fails. This one heads back to college Sunday. It’s been so nice to have everyone under one roof, dumb selfies and all.

Edit: she posted this to her instagram with the comment that her New Year’s resolution is to be more transparent. Smart ass.  Oh I’m going to miss her.