Author Archives: jnnfrlynn

Four-eyes

Posted on by

This puzzle by Jan van Haasteren was a gift from one family member to another for Christmas 2011. Last week we made a bit of family night of it–dinner and a puzzle. It’s been a while since we’ve done anything like this. And I had a blast.

As you can see, there’s a lot going on here. As with any puzzle, sometimes you have to check the back of the pieces … to be sure they fit. 
After mom fit these two together (and was proud of herself for making a match!) I just happened to look at what she’d connected. 
Um. A for effort, momma. {giggle} But not quite. {giggle} Try again. 

>~~<~~>~~<~~>~~<

It strikes me this is a good analogy for life. There’s a lot going on. Sometimes it can be hard to tell if things fit. And, pieces that seem to fit may not create the right picture. Double-check. If necessary, get someone else to look, too. And take pictures! The best memories are made of simple moments.   🙂

More redneck lawn art

Posted on by

Two of my fabulous friends and I started a blog to help keep us [better] connected across the miles that separate us. My post this week is about redneck lawn art. I had a pleasant little promenade down memory lane browsing through my archived photos of Ferdinand, the old farm truck. Here are a few more of my favorite snaps: 

“I’m ready for my close-up”

 

the neighbor’s cows are fascinated with him too …

 

this one gives me the impression Ferdie has a runny nose

 

I love the way the wheel turned out in this pic

 

spidey’s web just about makes the perfect frame…

 

To count, or not to count. *That* is the question …

Posted on by

Last year about this time, I sat contemplating whether or not I was going to set New Years Resolutions. What I ended up with was my 20-11 List: twenty things I wanted more of, and eleven things I wanted less of. A smart list, if I say it myself, and reviewing it throughout the year, one that helped me keep the important things important. 


–>–<–>–<–>–<–
I suppose I’ve always smelled faintly of chlorine. I learned to swim when I was four, and joined the swim team at seven. I swam competitively for 10 years, retiring from racing after high school. And I’ve managed to stay in the pool since. 


The difference between my workouts then and now is counting. When you’re prepping for the next meet, yardage is important. When you’re following the black line on the bottom of the pool to just stay in shape, yardage isn’t as important as whether or not you’re hitting your training heart rate. Some days I count laps, some days I don’t. I find I’m more motivated, and feel better about my workout, on the days I count. There’s a greater sense of accomplishment when I *know* I’ve put in a mile, instead of guesstimating I have done. Apparently, Coach, that training is a hard habit to break!


It dawned on me a couple days before Christmas that my morning workout is a good analogy for the rest of my life. I’m more motivated, and pay better attention when I’m counting. And I definitely don’t pay as much attention to the stuff I don’t count. 
–>–<–>–<–>–<–



So here’s my 2012 List: Things to count. And not to count.

 

Count
Expressing gratitude
–       Acknowledging,
in the moment, when someone does something I appreciate
–       Saying
“please” and “thank you”
Precious face-time with my family and friends
–       Family
dinners
–       Inside
jokes
–       Crazy
capers from which legend is borne
–       Puppy
kisses
–       See
also “celebrations,” “laughter, “gratitude”
Snail mail
–       Sent
… being tangible with family and friends across the miles
–       Received
… that isn’t a solicitation or a bill!
Healthy habits
–       Calories
burned
–       Miles
swum
–       Walks
with friends
–       Walks
with the 4-leggeds
–       See
also “laughter”
–       Mental
health breaks: see also “moto,” “face-time”
Accomplishment
–       Finished
projects
–       Good
books
–       Permission
to abandon old stuff
Celebrations
–       High
fives
–       Happy
dances
–       See
also “face-time”
Laughter
–       Giggles
–       Chortles
–       Guffaws
–       Snorts!
Moto rides!!!
–       Camping
trips
–       Wandering
to nowhere particular
–       See
also “healthy habits”
Photo ops
–       Sunrises,
sunsets
–       Ocean,
mountains, rivers, valleys
–       Dogs,
cats, kids, cows
–       Face-time
with friends
–       Celebrations,
accomplishment
–       Moments
that memories are made of (and legend, too)

 

Not Count
The number of times it is “my turn” to talk
When a friend has the floor … be still, and listen
between the words (it’s what I hope they’d do for me)
When I don’t get my own way
In 5 years, will it really be important anyway?
Being right
Quarreling takes too much energy, and there never
are any real winners
Minor personal inconvenience
Especially if it’s while being of service to someone
Unanticipated change in plans
Often, the best adventures are unplanned. Definitely
don’t count if it’s family/friends changing it up.
How often I’m sent “up over” or “down under”
Being the young bendy one in the family means I’m
climbing the ladder or crawling under the house to do…something I’d probably
rather not. But, it’s precious time and relationship maintenance with my old
people I wouldn’t trade for anything. Count under “face-time” and “accomplishment.”
Rainy days
It’s Oregon after all. It rains here. But it means
fabulous green stuff and gorgeous blooming things.
* In no particular order
** Subject to change as I think of things to add

Well, hello 2012!

Posted on by

New Years Day toast. Courtesy of Martinellis.

Puzzle Perfect

Posted on by

It was my first “grown up” two-week vacation, and I was staying with my very best friend. In London. It was the first time my travel required a passport! My flight was scheduled for Sept 12, 2001, and for obvious reasons, my whole itinerary was pushed back two weeks. But I did go, and I wouldn’t trade that trip for anything. It was the first time I’d seen my sister-friend in a few years, and we made the most it. 

Proper English tea. A weekend in Paris. Cheese and wine in a French museum followed by the most amazing Monet. The first time I’ve been moved to tears by
art. A beyond-words lovely day in Bath (no small thing for a Jane Austen fan). We had SUCH an adventure. So many new experiences. So much time together, celebrating
the moment and imprinting the memories.
~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~
For several summers, I’ve been part of my friend’s hot air balloon crew. This year, he started teaching me to fly. No one in this season of my life knows I’ve wanted to fly since I was 6 years old. Growing up, I dreamed of being a Navy pilot. I wanted so badly to fly aircraft off carriers. My junior year of high school, I started gathering the requisite recommendations for Annapolis. That summer, several family circumstances shifted, and I readjusted my college/career plans.
These many years later, to be learning to fly … I’m not sure there are words.
 ~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~
I’m certain Andrea didn’t know why that holiday and hot air balloons are so meaningful to me when she picked out a seemingly innocent Christmas present. It’s really not important. What matters is she listens between the words found a gift with meaning across several seasons of my life. She must have bribed the keeper of my sentimental bits. In any case, I couldn’t have picked anything more perfect.


My heart is full.