Posted on December 25, 2013 by Amanda

Mine. That’s how I started the day. There were presents everywhere at our family Christmas party! All. Mine. They must be. Lyla was certainly mistaken as she crawled over to one and began clawing at it with a mess of sticky fingers and drool. It seemed perfectly natural to tackle her at this moment. Perhaps it wasn’t the most thought out move in my life. What followed was screaming, blinking, angry eyes, a boring story about being nice and sharing, and a few minutes to “think” and hit the “reset button”. Reset button? Seriously??? They think I fall for that.

During my thoughtful minutes in exile, I started thinking about some life lessons and tricks I’ve learned. So here’s my gift to you all: a list. (Momma would be so proud with the list thing!).

Making lists…

Life is meant to be shared. You should share all your stuff with me.
The best way to get your point across is to suddenly act as though you have no bones. Just fall to the ground.
“Come here” means “Run the other way”…and most of the time “No” means “Yes- do it more”.
If I didn’t think of it, it probably isn’t a good idea.
People in the house smaller than you make the best toys. And despite what I keep hearing…I’m pretty sure eyes do grow back.
All buttons on all things are meant to be pushed. Repeatedly.
When you learn a new trick or new word, to avoid becoming a sideshow, promptly forget said knowledge when asked to perform. Instead, blankly stare. Better yet, drop to the floor and pretend to be a puppy.
The best time to talk is when Momma or Daddy begin talking. Otherwise, wait. When the angry eyes come out, put your pointer finger to your mouth and pretend to be thinking, as though saying, “hmmm…I wonder.”
There isn’t any worry that a love from Momma or Daddy can’t make better.
When you get caught doing something and are asked, “What are you doing???”… copy with the same question, “What are you doing???” Throws them every time. You’re mocking them, but they think you’re copying them, the highest form of flattery. Follow with a devastatingly cute, toothy grin.
Watching the people you love smile because of something you do makes you feel like a superhero. Wait. It makes you a superhero.

Merry Christmas everyone! The next time I write it will be a new year, full of new adventures, new celebrations, new pictures and lots of love!

RSWL: David Sedaris

Posted on December 23, 2013 by Amanda

“Certain small, ugly creatures are considered adorable and cute. Take, for example, the baby orangutan pictured on the poster that decorates the garage wall. Nothing about this animal is pretty to look at but he doesn’t seem to care one way or the other. When an orangutan catches his reflection in a pool of crystal-clear water he doesn’t take the time to get depressed about his looks. Instead he just goes about his business, eating leaves and examining the heads of his friends and family, searching for mouthwatering fleas. A creature is cute as long as it has mournful eyes and lives in the woods. An ugly person can’t be carefree like animals. From what I’ve seen on television, animals mate without regard to who has a glossier coat or the longest whiskers. I don’t get the idea that apes turn down dates. They might talk but I doubt anyone’s feelings get hurt in the process. I could be wrong because I am not a scientist.”

— David Sedaris, Barrel Fever

One of the biggest surprises of the last decade for me was David Sedaris. My brother, Tim, introduced me to this author over one of our annual visits. I was surprised at just how much I liked him instantly (Sedaris, not my brother…although to be clear, I probably liked my brother instantly too). I guess I should say I liked Sedaris’ work…I really didn’t meet him, nor do I know THAT much about him.

Perhaps you’ve read one of his books, or listened to him on NPR. We listened to some of his readings on CD, and it was then that I learned, “Santa didn’t USED to do anything.” I was hooked.

“While eight flying reindeer are a hard pill to swallow, our Christmas story remains relatively dull. Santa lives with his wife in a remote village and spends one night a year traveling around the world. If you’re bad, he leaves you coal. If you’re good and live in America, he’ll give you just about anything you want. We tell our children to be good and send them off to bed, where they lie awake, anticipating their great bounty. A Dutch parent has a decidedly hairier story to relate, telling his children, “Listen, you might want to pack a few of your things together before going to bed. The former bishop of Turkey will be coming tonight along with six to eight black men. They might put some candy in your shoes, they might stuff you into a sack and take you to Spain, or they might just pretend to kick you. We don’t know for sure, but we want you to be prepared.”

This is the reward for living in the Netherlands. As a child you get to hear this story, and as an adult you get to turn around and repeat it. As an added bonus, the government has thrown in legalized drugs and prostitution — so what’s not to love about being Dutch?

One doesn’t want to be too much of a cultural chauvinist, but this seemed completely wrong to me. For starters, Santa didn’t used to do anything. He’s not retired and, more important, he has nothing to do with Turkey. It’s too dangerous there, and the people wouldn’t appreciate him. When asked how he got from Turkey to the North Pole, Oscar told me with complete conviction that Saint Nicholas currently resides in Spain, which again is simply not true. Though he could probably live wherever he wanted, Santa chose the North Pole specifically because it is harsh and isolated. No one can spy on him, and he doesn’t have to worry about people coming to the door. Anyone can come to the door in Spain, and in that outfit he’d most certainly be recognized. On top of that, aside from a few pleasantries, Santa doesn’t speak Spanish. “Hello. How are you? Can I get you some candy?” Fine. He knows enough to get by, but he’s not fluent and he certainly doesn’t eat tapas.”

—Excerpt from Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris

Since that first encounter (thanks to my brother), I’ve acquired all his books (I think), and have seen him read his essays and stories live a couple times. Never a disappointment, Sedaris is the kind of writer who both amuses you and makes you think. Some, if not most, of his stories make you laugh…and laugh. And then, he sneaks in a few serious ones that make you contemplate society or choices.

I’d like to think his humor inspires me and the way I tell stories. Maybe it’s the self-deprecating nature of his largely autobiographical writing. Maybe it’s his timing. Maybe it’s his mix of fascinating information with humor. As long as he is writing, I’ll be reading his work, or listening to it. Reading it is great, but if you get the chance, you really must listen to him read his own writing. The delivery is amazing.

Cheers to big surprises and ridiculously funny people.

12/11- Nate’s Notes: Not As Easy As I Thought

Posted on December 18, 2013 by Amanda

Hi people. Sorry it has been awhile. Lyla, then Momma, then Daddy got sicko, so I had to take care of everyone. But they are whining less and So remember that whole promotion thingy? Where I take photos to help Momma now? Well, it’s a lot of work!! Apparently there aren’t that many acceptable ways to use a camera. I’ve tried. Upside down, sideways, running, using my teeth…all of which earned angry eyes from Momma or Daddy. Momma keeps telling me I’m looking through the camera the wrong way. She laughs (not AT me) and tells me I keep taking a lot of “selfies”…whatever that means.

You have to hold really still, like you are pretending sleep. I tried this, but kept closing my eyes (because aren’t they supposed to be closed when you sleep? I guess fishy sleep with their eyes open…but whatever). It’s pretty hard to take a picture with your eyes closed. I’ve tried. A lot.

What I’m trying to say is that this is hard work! The camera gets heavy, my legs get tired, and having to help push Lyla around gets even more tiring. And I don’t even have to do the editing and camera work. Momma says hard work is a good thing. Uh oh- that’s code for a soon-to-come-long-boring-story from her soon. I’ll just “take a nap” then. Oh well, gotta get back to work. Practice practice practice. Don’t forget to check out some of my photos online!

Apparently you can’t run and take a picture. Trust me, this big rock is amazing!

TMG Philosophy: In The Moment

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Amanda

Be present. Be here. Variations of this have come out in past blog entries, but I have been ever mindful of this goal recently. Watching my toddler son and infant daughter teaches me to live in the moment. Truthfully, some of those moments (i.e. numerous nighttime awakenings and temper tantrums) I’d rather zoom through. Even then, in the midst of those struggles, I close my eyes, and try to remember it is temporary; it is only a moment.

When I am present, I watch, I play, I enjoy, and I learn. I watch my 2-year old skip from one minute to the next full of wonder and awe. I watch him crying face down on the floor one minute, and belly laughing the next. While I know he is still learning to control these emotions, it reminds me that he is purely in each moment. He isn’t worrying about how much time he has before a nap. He isn’t holding a grudge against me for taking away his books so he will eat. He isn’t thinking about when he will have clean clothes or how much of a mess he has to clean in each room. As I crawl around on the floor with him and his baby sister, pretending to be puppies, I feel his joy, his contentment. It grounds me. It calms me. My moments with my babies, the crying ones, the laughing ones, the sleeping ones, the screaming ones, all teach me to be present and value what I have. Those moments don’t come back.

We have all felt or experienced sudden loss, some more than others. Whether it is a home, a job, a beloved family member or a treasured dog, those moments of loss can level us. Those moments can imprison us. But in processing that grief, in acknowledging that loss, I have learned about being present. I have learned about being grateful for each moment I am in because I don’t know how many more I will have, and some of the sweetest moments of my life have passed. I have learned to love all that is in front of me, right now, right here.

Being present means I delight in the details surrounding me right now, right here. Actively photographing the world around me has disciplined me even more than I thought possible. If I go out on a field adventure and I’m not present, I miss the hidden beauties around me. I miss the opportunities to see what is in front of me. I forget to consider different possibilities, different angles, different perspectives. I have gotten to the point now, when I get back home and upload my photos, where I can tell if I was shooting the pictures in the moment, or just using the camera. I’ve even gone back to the same place twice because I have been so disappointed in my work, in the details I missed. I read myself this quote often before I head out for a field adventure- “Normally, we do not so much look at things as overlook them.” — Alan Watts.

There will always be a time when we are worried about the future or thinking about the past, and forget to be in the moment. Yet those times that we do find ourselves “lost in the moment”, carefree and surprised at how much time has passed…those moments should be celebrated. I know I strive to be present as often as I can, even if it comes less frequently than I want. I can hear my son calling me now to play with him. My answer: I’m here. I’m present. I’m not going to miss this moment.

Nate’s Notes: Gotta Listen. Gotta Work.

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Amanda

The other day we went on a field adventure to a place where people used to catch a lot of fishies and shrimpies. Lyla was wearing Momma on her back while Daddy and I walked around a super neat place by the water. It was some sort of park. In a state. There were boats, and sticks, rocks, hills and buildings. It started out great! I had my listening ears on, Momma and Daddy were smiling and taking pictures, Lyla was…well, doing what Lyla does- growling. Daddy gave me his camera to practice shots. After all, I gotta work with a camera now, not just write. The sun was just right, not too hot, not too cold. I found this stuff on the ground under a tree, and decided it was a good place to take pictures. “Pictoos? Pictoos of dat Dadda?”, I asked as he watched me. “Sure Mr. Man…I’ll help you,” he answered back.

Tree Skin. Gross.

I pointed and asked my favorite question, “Whhhaats dat?” For the biggest effect, I like to ask this about eleventeen times in a row. “That is…the skin of the tree. It’s coming off the tree and landing here,” Daddy answered. That. Is. Just. Gross. Worried, I looked at my own skin and then back at the tree, and then to the ground.

It’s possible this is what set me off, or maybe it was the salt air, but my listening ears kind of fell off, like the tree skin. After finishing my pictures of the tree skin, I looked around and noticed Momma and Lyla ahead. Camera still in hand, I ran down the hill after them. I could hear Daddy yelling in back of me, but somehow his “no’s and stop’s” sounded like, “run away faster”! I was almost to them when I was lifted straight off the ground. Daddy grabbed my overalls and hauled me into his arms. Uh-oh. He had his angry eyes on. I turned around to see Momma…yep, she had her angry eyes on too.

There was a big story about listening, not running away, being careful, not getting hurt, not having the camera alone, and some other stuff. The story wasn’t as cool as Papa’s stories. I heard some of it, but mostly just started hearing the birds tweeting, Lyla growling, and the songs in my head. It would TOTALLY have been Daddy’s fault if I had dropped the camera. I was just trying to work. I gotta work! After a little bit of silence and angry-eye blinking, I summarized for them. “Not a good idea, Nate.”

Because my listening ears fell off, I didn’t get to take more pictures on our field adventure, AND, had to wear Daddy in the front of my backpack. Their loss. I could have taken so many cool pictures. I guess you’ll just have to settle for theirs. Maybe next time. Gotta listen. Gotta work.

Nate’s Notes: Promotion

RSWL: Challenges

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Amanda

Challenges. Okay, so I don’t mean the kind of life challenges that refine us and define our strength. That’s another entry. I mean those fun 30-day challenges (or whatever the length of time). It could be anything from saying “hi” to a stranger every day, to running every day, to journaling every day, or cooking a new recipe every day. Some of these can be quirky, some a lifestyle change, some a renewing experience. Whatever the challenge, it is always rewarding to mix it up, set a goal, test our own integrity and stick-to-it-iveness, and come out of the time with new knowledge, new skills, or a new habit (hopefully a healthy one!).

I came across this fun 30-day photo challenge and want to invite you to join me. Try it, share it, show it.

30-Day Photo Challenge

Tricky tricky 16. Glow
Flatness 17. Smile
Altitude 18. Weather
Green 19. Broken
Wet 20. Patterns
Light 21. Perfection
Landscape 22. Earth
Rebirth 23. Pastels
Shadow 24. Reflection
The good life 25. Panorama
Brown 26. Solitary
Floral 27. New beginnings
Strength 28. Au naturale
Help 29. Lost and found
Macro 30. Headlight

Use your imagination; it’s a powerful thing! Sometimes we just need a little “click” to tap into our creativity or renew our inspiration. Maybe this challenge is just that…maybe not. But we won’t know until we try. Go ahead…I dare you.

Nate’s Notes: Promotion

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Amanda

I got a promotion! I got a promotion!!! A promotion!!!! What’s a promotion? If it involves more cars, more toys, more running time outside, and more books- well, I’m in. It must be a good thing because Momma has big eyes (the happy kind, not the angry eyes) and that goofy grin on her face right now. I’m just gonna keep smiling and jumping loudly since it seems like the perfect opportunity to get away with squealing and craziness, even if I don’t know what the big deal is.

Getting In the Zone

Well, here’s the deal. Since I am two now, apparently Momma and those people she works with (one is my Uncle Tim and he has cool boots) think I can do more than just be a contributing writer. You know what I think? I think they’ve never experienced writer’s block. Do MORE? What are we talking about here?! They MUST realize I’m entering a dangerous stage of life where my brain is still so mushy, making it easy for me to go from happy to crazy sad, to calm and then angry in the blink of an eye, right???!!! And they trust me with more? Okayee!!

Here’s the more. Besides writing Nate’s Notes, I’ll be taking pictures. That’s right, you will be able to see my pictures on the website now! Momma says I shouldn’t toot my own horn, but…Toot! Toot! The images will be in the Artistic Shots Gallery. Get it? Because they are artistic. Because I am an artist. THEY finally see it!! See for yourself; my early work should be up soon.

Momma finished telling me about the big promotion with a hug. I jumped up, running to my room to find my camera. Momma followed me to ask what I was doing. Well THAT is a silly question. Pfff…and people say MY brain is mushy?? Exasperated, I answered, “Momma- I gotta go outside to take pictoos!”

TMG Philosophy: Success

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Amanda

I ran the Golden Gate!!!

It has been a few weeks now since I ran my half marathon in San Francisco. Remember it was a half that I ran with a group of friends and family to honor and raise money for the fallen 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew from Prescott, AZ and all others that have given the ultimate sacrifice while on duty. Remember I was worried about my run. I was worried about my performance. I was worried about my finish time. Despite my best efforts to think otherwise, I had convinced myself that in order to succeed at this run (or any run for that matter), I had to not only finish, but set a new personal best in time.

So did I succeed? Well, it was a new time record for me: the slowest half marathon I have ever run. Yep, the slowest. As I crossed the finish line, I wondered. I wondered if the time I was looking at meant I had failed. I wondered if the fact that I felt more pain than I had ever felt at the end of a run meant I had failed. I wondered if all this pride and self-centered thinking meant I had failed. After all, this run wasn’t about me; this run was about bringing honor to the memory of the 19 firefighters who had died in that fire. So I wondered some more.

Had I succeeded? I had trained for the race. I showed up for the race. I ran. I finished. In those aspects I had succeeded. I had my husband and two babies at the finish line to hug me. That made it feel a little more like success. Now, what about the more important point of bringing honor to the memory of those firefighters? I guess I could say that by training, showing up, raising money, running, and finishing, I had achieved success. After so much wondering, I was starting to feel quite hungry. It wasn’t until after grabbing some food, packing the car and heading home that I finally started to relax and consider my morning a success instead of something less, or even that ugly “f” word.

Success isn’t always about the fastest, the shiniest, the newest, the biggest or any “-est”. It certainly isn’t always about winning. That day, success meant I had committed, run in the face of my fears, self-doubt and pain. That day, success meant I had finished. On the car ride home, as I watched the passing hills, my husband grabbed my hand and told me he was proud of me. Success. Then he asked a question that got me wondering all over again. He asked, “I wonder why all of you didn’t run the whole race together? Why didn’t your whole Granite Mountain team plan to stick together, running all 13.1 miles as one group, as a team, with the fastest runner encouraging the slowest runner?” Well, s***. That would have been a perfect way to honor those 19 firefighters who fought as a team and died as a team.

So I wondered…

Nate’s Notes: Thanks Again!

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Amanda

Not that I have run out of things that I want to say thank you for, but I feel like I’m rambling, just like Momma. Not cool. I am trying to establish a cool, big boy image. So for now, this might be the last of my list of things that fill up my heart. I think.

When Momma was looking over the spiderweb page…no…the looking page…no, no, no…the website (!) the other night, I got to sit on her lap. Normally I touch all the buttons and have to get down, but my self control was at an all time high. So we looked at the animals. I love animals. Daddy calls me a little monkey sometimes and says I act like an animal. Best thing I’ve heard if you ask me!!

When we were looking at all the super cool animals, I decided they make me feel happy and thankful. So today, I’m saying thanks for all the animals I know.

Goofy Dogs!

Benson and Ellie– Well, I’m pretty sure you know how much my heart dances when I see you every day. You are goofy. You are my puppies and friends. Thank you for cleaning my face and hands. Thank you for bringing me back my bouncy balls. Thank you for running with me. Thank you for cuddling. Most of all, thank you for eating the food I don’t want to eat….ssshhhhh.

Stitch– For a cat, you are super cool. Even though it’s part of my chore list to feed you, I’m happy to do it. AND, even though your best friend is Bob the bobcat (who eats all my chickens and takes my egg money away), I still like you. Thank you for being soft and easy when I give you too big of a hug. Thank you for bringing me sleeping mice to play with. Thank you for sharing your food with me…ssshhhhh. (You won’t find a picture of him because … let’s face it- he is a cat and he’ll do what he wants, which is NOT letting me tackle him for a picture.)

Run Ladies! Run!!!

The Ladies– Aaaa, the Ladies. You are a fun bunch of birds. I could watch you run all day it’s so fun. Your little chicken dance is catchy as well. Again, even though it’s part of my chores to feed you and collect eggs, I think it’s fun! There’s also that time you ate all the lettuce I helped plant. For that I say thanks because lettuce makes me gag. Thank you for giving me eggs to eat, and eggs to sell for my piggy bank fund. Thanks for not pecking my hand too hard. Well, maybe you could be a little easier. And thanks for not telling Momma when I repeatedly try to make your eggs bounce…ssshhhhhh.

He. Is. Huge.

Luther and Iris– When I visit Papa and Gram, I get to see you. First of all, Luther, thanks for not eating me (and Lyla) you gigantic, monster tall dog! Thanks also for making me laugh when you back up and sit on the couch or my lap like a person! You’re a dog…sitting on a couch like a person- it doesn’t get much funnier than that in my world. And Iris, eventually, you have decided I’m okay. I could tell you’d like me once I got bigger. Thank you for cuddling with me the other day. And thanks for ALWAYS alerting us when there is a squirrel, a bird, another dog, or anything moving outside Papa and Gram’s house. (I don’t have a picture of Iris because she is small and squirelly. I will work on that.)

I just love animals. I do. Now, if I could convince Momma and Daddy to get one of those cool camels or chimpanzees from the imagery site in this house, we’d be really happy! I’d even say “please” and “thank you”!

RSWL: Volunteers

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Amanda

We’ve all done it. We’ve all asked someone to do it with us…maybe even begged. We all probably wish we could do it more. I’m not sure what you’re thinking of, but I am referring to volunteering.

Volunteers are the backbone of organizations and events throughout society. Who hasn’t signed up for a creek clean up day, soup kitchen, building project or more? Sure, some people volunteer a few times a year, others volunteer like it’s their job. And while I usually smirk at these do-gooders, the truth is that I wish I was more like them. I’d love to volunteer about a gazillion percent more than I do, and I want my kids to grow up volunteering throughout their lives.

There is such a range of volunteering too, that there HAS to be some area we all fit into with our abilities and personalities. Whether it is helping at a race event, vacuuming a church, tutoring kids, walking a dog, or fighting fires, volunteer opportunities abound. I’ve seen firsthand the impact a couple dozen people and a few hours can make on the lives of people who are hurting. Giving our time for something bigger than our needs gives hope. For me, helping out at whatever occasion comes up is a good reality check and a reminder that life isn’t just about my needs, troubles and wants. Sometimes the circumstances are eye-opening, or life altering, like a mission trip or being part of relief efforts after a natural disaster.

I’ve also seen firsthand how easily volunteers can be abused. All too often, the same group of volunteers can be called upon to virtually run an organization. Not good. And yet, these volunteers wouldn’t think twice when called upon to give and help. Witnessing these people time again give with their hearts (without grumbling) is often another self check for me: Should I do more? Can I do more? Does my attitude need adjusting?

Whatever the motivation, whatever the cause, whatever the reasons for helping, volunteers are just plain cool. We don’t all have to believe the same thing or think the same way to have an enormous impact together. Imagine a life without volunteers. What would happen at our churches, libraries, volunteer fire departments, schools and parks if the volunteers didn’t show up??!! I don’t think we want to know.

So, if you have ever volunteered, or if you are going to volunteer…thank you. You. Are. A. Superstar. Seriously.

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