and so much more.
xo,
LBN

sometimes, i get a little overwhelmed by how lucky i am.

lucky:

for a healthy and happy kiddo

for a successful and hardworking partner

for a loving and supportive relationship

for flexible and impact-ful work opportunities

for parents whose number 1 priority is to be wonderful grandparents

for mountain views

for the sea breeze.

EBN and i spent the morning at the beach yesterday.  ”yellow flowers, amarillo flores,” she pointed as she sat in her stroller (that in itself was a mini-miracle – i can’t remember the last time she sat in her stroller for an extended trip) and i got an opportunity to stretch my legs as we walked down one large hill and then along the road to the water.  by the time we settled in the sand, and EBN stripped down to her undies, we were joined by good friends who had the same idea of making the most out of the truly science-cannot-be-solely-responsible kind of beautiful day.

we watched the surfers surf.

we watched the whales spout.

the kiddos played, happily throwing handfuls of sand in the air, for more than two hours, while i got to have a conversation with another adult about things that i care about.

and then EBN napped.

and i worked.

and listened to music that i got to pick.

and life was good.

i feel so lucky.

written at 2:59pm, sunday

the very last thing i have time to do write now is write a blog post.  i have a fundraising email to write, soup to defrost and tables to set.  but the baby is sleeping.  and my aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents just left to go back to the hotel and take naps themselves.  and my parents are at the airport picking up my brother.  and ABN had to run to office depot to get a new printer cartridge so that we can actually have copies of the haggadah for tomorrow night.  and the real world san francisco is on tv.  and i’m sorta in heaven.

my thoughts in this moment:

i can’t believe the real world used to be this show and is now THIS show.  what happened?

there is no city as beautiful as SF.

i want rachel’s wardrobe.

i’m so glad judd and pam found love.

alright – i hear the garage door.  it’s time to get back to my real world.

xo,

LBN

i have nothing real to say on the topic other than i remember 8 years ago waiting for the white smoke to rise – largely because my bff was dating a would-be news caster who had to stay in rome until the new pope was installed and the wait.felt.endless.

also THIS.

somehow, the pope makes me feel nostalgic for long, dry, hot summers full of sea air, freckled knees, tie-dyed shirts and finding new music.  at camp i discovered the music that shaped me then and inspires me now.  from jeff buckley to sarah mclachlan to rem to…meryn cadell?

if you haven’t heard of him (seriously, wikipedia – you are full of fascinating information), you’re missing out.  there are a number of true gems on angel food for thought, the entire album is worth a lesson (recommended after drinking a bottle of cheap wine, and while consuming cheez-its) but for sure, the sweater, is a track that is not to be missed:

you guys, i’m thinking about cutting my hair (cue my mom and dad doing a happy dance).  i know.  i’ve spent the last 5 years growing it out from the last time i went nuts and chopped it all off, and ever since i quit going to LA for haircuts and started driving out to pleasanton (it’s quite a hike), i’ve been on a mission to get my hair to be a long as possible.  but i’m feeling sort of over it.  i’ve come to the conclusion that it’s never going to be as long as i want it to be (my hair just quits growing) and so maybe it’s time to cut, and run.

while watching the golden globes on sunday night (one of my favorite nights of the year – i do love awards season), i was struck by how many pretty ladies had hair on the shorter side.  i’m not talking about going all anne hathaway/lena dunham (although i wish i could – those ladies looked awesome), but maybe a long-ish, curly bob?  here’s what i’m talking about:

Source: brunchatsaks.blogspot.com via LBN on Pinterest

but here’s the thing – in my old age, i’ve learned to be realistic (ha! just ask ABN), and this style would require a lot of work. and that’s just not in the cards for me. if i cut my hair to my shoulders, and did my typical routine (mostly, nothing), i’m pretty sure it would look more like this on a daily basis.

the problem with pinterest is that i have a record of the reasons i wanted my hair to be long in the first place.  i mean, if i stick with it just a little longer, could it look like this, or this or this? [okay don't loose all respect for me just because i pinned olsen hair.  i just love it okay.  whatever.  you can judge me.  i judge myself].

i dig my current color – but i just love this style and if i could click my heels and hair would sprout out of my head, this is what i would go for – relaxed, wavy, boho:

Source: fuckyeah-hair.tumblr.com via LBN on Pinterest

 

i have til saturday to make a decision – go ahead and weigh in!