I just love the number 18, lucky for me, lucky for you, I am full of gratitude! The perfect box to store my almost perfect treasures.

It's possible that my hero of a son, Jacob, saved his mama yet again. We'll see what happens next. This blogging is a mystery to me! I'll post a photo of me and my favorite computer geek of a son, Jacob. Wish me luck!

If at first you don't succeed........

Rob chopped me up some wood and I made me some art!

I'm going to try this blogging thing again. Can't wait to share some of my latest creations and inspirations! Hope you enjoy......

It's been along time...

It's just like me to ebb and flow with enthusiasm.....I'm starting to flow again in case anyone has tuned in. If you are reading this, thank you for your patience.
Brief update... our ski trip was wonderful. I started out coughing and ending up breathing deeply. I love those family vacations, lots of bonding and the stuff dreams are made of. We become a team, partners, friends and the brotherhood seems so real on vacation! I love to observe, that's because I'm the mamma bear and always will be.
January has been a bloooor. I turned my dining room into a quasi studio, that felt good. It's too cold to enjoy the garage this time of year. No heater can make up for 10 degrees! I haven't done much art, working on an event for the Wellness Community, playing hooky with Rob on Tuesdays, trying to breath more deeply and experience new ways to release whatever needs to be released. Speaking of which, it's official........
Jacob was accepted to Indiana University! He's excited and now I feel so happy for him and a pit in my stomach for me. Today he became the star at his tennis clinic, got officially accepted to IU, making all A's right now and asked if he can spend spring break with his friend.....not his mama. UUH, it hurts, but it sure is growth. He said, now I can get over my fear of roller coasters.....last roller coaster ride he spent visualizing he was in the Bahamas. This time he might choose to be present. It's all about choice, a big topic these days. I make lots of choices daily, luckily because I can. I need to be better about not second guessing my choices and putting more thought into them than is necessary or helpful. Yatta, Yatta, always room for growth.
I've been doing so good about Jacob actually going to college. Tonight it felt different, more real, more lonely for his mama. As he grows, I will too.....like anything else, it will take practice....good days and bad but it's good, very good.
Thanks for listening!

more ski trip photos

winter park Dec.-Jan 2009

Awareness!!!

As we franticly pack for our ski trip I've become AWARE that you can tell a lot about a person by the way they pack.

Me, I'm concerned with my toiletries....of course the only make-up I bring is mascara and lots of lotion for my aging skin. But trust me, everything besides make-up I want with me at all times. I've even been known to bring along a roll of super soft Charmin or two. A girl has her needs. I want cozy socks, warm PJ"S and colorful layers. 

Rob is focused on his tech gear. What coat will he choose to wear this year? Will his new gear live up their labels on the slopes of Colorado. He likes color too, so that we can find our fearless leader in any terrain. I like that!

Jacob packs for days, slowly, painstakingly he makes piles. He organizes and reorganizes the piles and then, if the pile meets his approval he will bring out the rubber band and bind the pile together as one. Luckily, we got him some new rubber bands for Hannukkah...go figure. His suitcase, the same one he has used for the past 10 family vacations is a work of art and engineering. His toiletries are labeled and his tech gear is packed. I do mean tech gear, as in computer stuff. He doesn't go anywhere without it! Our Jacob never stops baffling us. I just hope his system continues to work for him. He did go to Italy for two weeks! Like his mama, he just likes to know everything is there...just in case. And Jacob, unlike his mama, can find what he has brought.....he's got it all laid out on his customized map/visual diagram. Anything normal here?

Ben quickly gathers things that seem good enough. He wads them up and shoves them in his bright yellow duffle bag. He's done packing in 10 minutes and he almost always has exactly what he NEEDS. He packs fast and furious, just like he does his school work and gets dressed in the morning. He doesn't waist time and he doesn't worry about wrinkles.

Ethan doesn't stress. He skips into the laundry room and analyzes his choices. He wants to look "cool" on the slopes but feel the "heat" with his layers. His daddy has taught him all about the gear and Ethan knows his labels.

When it's time to put the piles in the suitcase, he finds the smallest bag, turns on his music real loud and starts packing. He rolls his clothes while dancing to the tunes. His bag is packed tight and efficient, just the way he likes it. (Jacob usually asks him to turn down the music because he can't hear his latest pod cast)

The adventure begins as we pack our bags. Each bag is unique as is each Pollack. The fun has just begun...I've got to go pack more tissues because I have an epic cold. I'm hoping the dry air will do wonders for my sore and runny nose, wilted eye balls and swollen glands. I'm not looking or feeling my best but, as always, I will rally to be with my "Peeps"...those Pollack Boys....,man cubs in the making.

Nighty, Night and have a wonderful week bringing in the New Year and starting those resolutions ASAP.

In A New York State of Mind!

Some New York Highlights