Lust is not pretty

Totally lusting after this:

Dr. Marten's Leather Satchel

And this:

Amazing typographic map of San Francisco from Axis Maps

Rockin' and Rollin' and Whatnot

Instead of making resolutions for the new year, I tend to make goals. I call them 'goals' to take some of the pressure off myself when those 'goals' don't get met. Or, as is more often the case, it takes a lot longer to reach those goals than I anticipated.

One of my goals each year is to move. Yes, you could say 'exercise' or 'get in shape,' but if I tell myself I will move more, it makes me feel like that rush about I do on a daily basis as a mom is actually achieving something. That's why I was so excited about the fitbit, which is a small wearable device that calculates the steps you take, the calories you burn and the miles you've traveled. By wearing it, I feel like I'm more active than (perhaps) I really am, but it validates the constant scamper I run at. There's also a very appealing flower icon that grows as you become more active. (I really love it when the flower has 10 leaves on it!)
The fitbit also calculates how much sleep you've had and of course, when it syncs in to your online account, will tabulate all of your data so you have more informed picture of your health. If you want to add more data online, you can manually enter foods eaten, maximum heart rate, blood glucose levels and even your mood for the day.

I think it's a great tool to help you realize where you're at on a day to day basis, giving you more information to help long term goals. However, just when I got into the routine of remembering to wear it all day (and night), glowing in the number of leaves on my fitness flower, the display went dark. Apparently, there is already a software update/fix for the PCs, but as a Mac user, I'd have to wait.

I wanted to take the time to wear it, sync it, and base all my information on what appeared online. I wouldn't have to peek at how many steps I took between breakfast and lunch, right? But it was like carrying around an iPod where you could only hear your favorite playlist when you were plugged into the computer-far less gratifying than I wanted it to be. So, I'm returning the fitbit. A bummer, but a lack of display combined with its questionable durability make it necessary to find other alternatives.

I'll have to search for an alternative immediately because I signed up for the Seattle Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon and I need a reliable training partner.

Big X

We celebrated Emma's 10th birthday with an all-day-girls'-play-date. She invited her gal pals over for archery, lunch, cake and a movie. I thought Doug would feel horribly outnumbered, but he ended up taking them to sushi and cooking Korean desserts with them. There's something to be said for being the only male in the house!

Emma was very pleased to have her friends around on her special day. We are thrilled to watch our thriving, growing girl.

Em was happy with her loot.

Per her request, Doug drew a picture of Artemis on her cake. 

Our rainbow cake for sending "iris messages." 

test your gif

Another Dave Sighting

The world really must be getting smaller because I saw Dave Matthews again.

Seattle isn't a huge city, but it's not Mayberry, either. I've lived here 14 years and I've seen my share of Seattle royalty (Howard Schultz at the now closed Oceanaire, Bill Gates at the Bellevue Galleria movie theater, Jay Buhner at a Sammamish Plateau eatery). Running into Dave Matthews at the CityArts Festival was coincidental, but not too unrealistic. But running into Dave Matthews at my kid's gymnastics class was totally surreal.

I didn't even try to talk to him this time. I felt so dorky chatting him up last time. Most of the parents were visiting with one another or turning to look at little Johnny as he called out, "I'm on the rings, Mom! Look!" I try to keep an eye on Phoebe since this is her first session where I'm not on the mats with her. So folks were pretty cool, not gawking or anything. He's just a normal guy, holding his coffee, waiting for his kid to finish gymnastics class.

That's twice so far. I'll keep you posted if he shows up again next class.

A Look Back

The holidays were a blur. Even though we kept it low-key and close to home, our family is still sort of recovering from the excitement. Here are a few moments I'm happy to look back on from the season.

Em and Phee during our pre-Thanksgiving snow

Phee sends her "Bighty" to Santa.

Phee is a natural on the drums.

 

I get a bass guitar from Santa!

The girls make cookies for Santa.

"Tangled" was a major theme for Phoebe this year.

Emma was thrilled with her "Spy Kit."

The girls hang out with Rachel the Pig at Pike Place Market during our 'staycation.'

Our impromptu sledding day at Snoqualmie.