Through the blue summer days, I shall travel all the ways,
Pricked by the ears of maize, trampling the dew:
A dreamer, I will gaze, as underfoot the coolness plays.
I’ll let the evening breeze drench my head anew.

I shall say – not a thing: I shall think – not a thing:
But an infinite love will swell in my soul,
And far off I shall go, a bohemian,
Through Nature – as happy, as if I had a girl.

-  Arthur Rimbaud

What a perfect day to celebrate my birthday… 11-1-11. All ones. Yes, I’m the person who will always makes a wish when the clock shows 11:11. The number one is my lucky number. So this year I’m making that my word for the year. Luck. Lucky. Luckiest.

I’ve been blessed with beginners luck. The first time I make a new dish it always turns out surprisingly delicious. The second time, not so great. My first iPhone app was a huge success. The second and third didn’t compare. The first time I got on a plane I didn’t just go to the next city, but part way across the world to live for a year in Germany. To learn a language I only studied for one year. One works just fine for me.

The word for luck in German is glücklich which is the same word for “happy”. I love that. Luck is happiness and happiness is luck. The phrase “happy birthday” in German is “herzlichen glückwunsch” which directly translated means “heart filled lucky (or happy) wishes”. Those Germans are so “vernünftig”.

The Roman philosopher Seneca once said “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” I feel these past years have prepared me wonderfully for what lies ahead for this next year of life. The trials have given me insight, patience, and the wisdom I need. Mostly, I realize more than ever that each day we are all lucky in our own way. Here’s to a glücklich year for all of us.

ps: I also want to wish my late aunt Carol heart filled wishes who was also born on this day!

Two of my nieces spent the night with us yesterday – fitting in some time with their baby cousin before they head back to school. They showed up wearing a couple of wigs they scored at our neighbor’s garage sale, and the laughs just kept coming all day long. Our son absolutely loved all of their attention too.

Later in the day, we all went for a walk chatting about almost every teen girl’s favorite topic – boys. I immediately thought of a book I recently read called On Becoming Fearless by the brilliant Arianna Huffington (she ran against Arnie for governor). It’s  about the fact that women have so much potential, yet hold ourselves back. What does that have to do with boys?

If my wonderful nieces are to become the sensational women they are meant to be, they have to become fearless in everything, including relationships. Instead of drifting down that usual route of falling for guys who need to “be fixed”, I’d love to see these young women share their lives and hearts solely with people who brings out the best in them.

If there’s one thing I discovered as a mom is that time is precious and who you share it with means everything. They are so lucky to have grown up together. I hope they continue to look out for each other keeping guys with bad intentions light years away (times two).  They can bet that their aunt Carla will watching over their shoulder just to make sure!

via Philo-sofia

I’m guessing you’ve seen this video on Facebook or Twitter. It’s amazing and well worth a few minutes. I have two nieces that are this age and there is so much I want to tell them like…

1. Read more books. They open your world.
2. Write about it then let it go.
3. Stay in choir so you can sing at campfires by the beach.
4. That job sucks but stick with it. You’ll be ahead of others just by learing good work ethics.
5. If he doesn’t make you a better person, forget him.
6. Leave drinking for a bit longer. Your brain is still growing.
7. Go to more concerts.
8. Learn how to make the things you want.
9. Start giving to charity. Make it a habit.
10. Bad stuff will happen. You will feel crushed and defeated but the universe is looking out for you. Trust it.
11. Learn to let go. It’s hard and it hurts, but it’s the only way to move forward.
12. Be so comfortable with yourself you’re happy to go to the movies alone.
13. Trust your instincts and listen to your heart. It’s not lying to you.
14. Don’t worry if others mistake your kindness for ignorance. Keep being kind.
15. Do yoga and meditate. Be grateful for everything in your life.
16. Twenty years from now you’ll be even more beautiful, amazing, and hitting it out of the park. Believe it.

I feel so lucky. I just love my boys!

In just the past six weeks we welcomed baby Nico (aka Tiger) into our lives, spent 10 days in California, battled a crazy infection, launched an iPhone app, am working on an iPad app, hosted my in-laws from London for a week, hosted a baby shower, and launched a new business called Snapp. Toss in all the holiday stuff on top and I’m not sure what day it is most of the time. If 2011 starts out like this, I can’t imagine how it will end.

These past six weeks have taught me so much, it feels more like six years. Of course, our son has burst our hearts wide open with the beauty of life. Seeing family and friends dote on him brings me such immense joy. This little guy is so wise, aware, and ready for what life has to offer.

My Tiger

I’ll be completely honest. As grand as these experiences have been, there has also been moments when I wondered if we got ourselves in over our heads. A tear of exhaustion would fall into my coffee cup — that black stuff just didn’t seems to be doing the trick. And I knew that I had to dig down deep and change to make it all come together. I would have to do something I avoid at all costs and that is to ask for help. Normally, I will go the extra mile just because asking for help can be so incredible hard.¬† “I can do it. My self.” My stubborness tells me.

Like when I¬† pulled out the snow blower at the crack of dawn in sub-zero temps just to prove to my mother-in-law that I’m pulling my weight. Or posting 250 Christmas cards to maintain the family PR. Or baking something lovely at 5am so my husband wakes from a long night of baby duties to delicious smells. I can do it. I will do it.

Ah-ma feeding Nico

So this is why “change” is my word for 2011. Not only will I witness my Tiger change drastically this year. And I’ve been changing loads of nappies. I also get to see my business evolve. And I myself am changing more than I ever knew possible. I’m not sure if I will ever lose the stubbornness that I inherited from my dad. But I’m getting better at recognizing it and gradually I’m finding it easier to ask others for help. Insane independence is slowly being replaced by togetherness.

Local paper takes a snap of Snapp!

To my pleasant surprise, working together with something is far more rewarding than trying to always do it solo. My mom and her husband, siblings, friends have all stepped forward with a big smile, a feeling of honor, and ready to give me a hand. But mostly, my husband has been right there at every step, as always, with a small joke, a hug, some little magic touch to make it all an experience I never want to forget. Well, that’s if I can remember it all in the first place!

This is the perfect project for me because both my journaling and drawing have fallen behind. I’m hoping this will give me the kick I need to spark creativity, imagination and new ideas!

Sunday I spent the afternoon doing sewing projects.

This morning my dog woke me at 4am.

If I have a rough day, give me two minutes with this guy and I’ll be laughing and bemused. He cuddles on my lap even when I have bad morning breath and medusa hair. His complete¬†fascination¬†with a fluttering moth makes me aware of nature’s incredible beauty. And the first time he saw trees blowing in the wind made me realize how fresh the world can be — still.

Office mates.

Since I work from home, we spend most days together. Him fast asleep, me working away catching glimpses at him to make my heart pitter-patter. He just graduated from puppy training class last night which is a wise investment all new dog owners should make. We now have a means of communication which has opened our worlds even more.

He knows to ring a bell to go out, and sits patiently on his rug while we put on the leash. He sits to get his treat, knows to heal on walks, and goes completely bonkers anytime someone shows him a little TLC.

He’s a Havanese which have longer back legs, so he bounces like a bunny when he runs. They have silky coats that don’t shed and are extremely playful. In fact, they are used as therapy dogs which doesn’t surprise me at all. He’s been amazing therapy for me.

He’s a healer of hearts. A guru of laughter. A magician of wonder.

It wasn’t long before most of my family was here to help us move all the furniture, rip out the padding, prop up the carpet and locate dozens of fans to blow it all dry. It was Friday night and they all put their weekend plans on hold to help out. The cold beer afterwards didn’t seem like a big enough thank you.

Almost everyone pitches in to help.

The next day we hauled the padding to the dump in my brother’s truck that he so graciously gave us. On the way there, stopped at a light the man next to us yells over saying we can save some money if we put a tarp over our haul. So we pull into the next hardware store to buy a $5 tarp and spend $250. But we also discovered a well prized¬†dehumidifier. A rare commodity in town.

Returning from the dump, we decided to get rid of the carpet. So we set out to cut it in strips to make it easier to carry out. And just then, our friends came by to help. It took us less than an hour. Another cold beer thank you.

The biggest blessing is that we have insurance and they were wonderful about providing the full amount of our coverage. There’s a lot of stories brewing about some companies with crazy clauses that make it next to impossible to get a check.

Putting it back together again means moving some built in cupboards so we can install new carpet, changing out all the doors, trims, and while we’re at it, let’s put on a new color of paint.

This little disruption reminded me just how lucky we are in so many ways. Our family and friends are amazing. As well as living in such a friendly town.

Yes, he has that look all the time.

On another note, I’d like to introduce you to my main man, Castro. He’s a real charmer. Be careful, hang out with him too much and he’ll have you wrapped around his little paw!