Ric Elias: 3 things I learned while my plane crashed

A short, powerful story from Ric Elias, who was a passenger on Flight 1549, the plane that crash-landed into New York’s Hudson River. What went through his mind as his plane went down?

Slide Project: Finally Moving Along

I am finally making some progress on my dusty slide project. WooHoo!

It’s been really fun really seeing some of these photos for the first time, but it will still take some time to finish.

This is my mom, 1967-68ish, she would have been around 28 years old:

Mayan is in love with her sunglasses!!

Gratitude Project: Day Today

1. I am very happy for my friend J and her family, who are in China picking up their second beautiful daughter.

2. Eggs that peel easily after boiling. Only one of the six eggs that I cooked today was cooperative. I was grateful for that one!

3. The tulip leaves pushing up in my front yard. Yay Spring!

Gratitude Project: Day 6

1. A clean craft room.

2. Lexie (Skye) and her blog post this morning, which was timely and touching.

3. Wine.

Gratitude Project: Day 5

1. Just one today. I was cleaning out my craft room this afternoon hoping to make it useful for stained glass work again soon when I found a notebook that I’d forgotten. After the accident, the students at Mayan’s high school signed banners and wrote supportive notes in this notebook. I have the banner folded up on a shelf and the notebook was with it.

I don’t remember ever reading through the notes, I suppose it was just too difficult at the time.

Despite the fact that the notes were sweet, beautiful and loving, reading through the messages was hard.

Through tears, lots of tears, I am grateful for these kids. They did make a difference.

She Was Doing What?

Mayan’s Facebook status read:

At the Scottsdale Arts Festival wine tasting with my grandma — at Scottsdale Center For the Arts.

My first thought was “um, what?!”, and then I remembered that Mayan is indeed 21. In fact she isn’t that far from being 22. I guess I’m in denial!!

They had fun. I wish that I had been there!

Gratitude Project: Day 4

1. Supportive friends.

2. A clean kitchen floor.

3. Fage Greek Yogurt with strawberries.

Gratitude Project: Day 3

1. Amazing generous friends.

2. This.

3. And I’m grateful that Mayan went into the basement today and discovered a leak/water problem before it became a huge issue. Problems I can deal with!!

Spring Break 2011

Mayan’s last official Spring Break and she decided that she wanted to visit my parents who were spending some time in Arizona.

Since we used to live there, she has an attachment to the Phoenix area and spending time with my parents is something that she always loves to do! She was able to visit and spend time with the little girl who used to live across the street and her best friend forever, Katie as well as her Big Brothers Big Sisters sister Jen.

My mom sent me a couple pictures that I wanted to share:

Dad and Mayan

Mom and Mayan

Mayan with her "big sister" Jen

I might have another picture or two to share in the next few days.

The last time she was in Arizona was four years ago when I took her, along with Sunny and Mel, to Phoenix for Spring Break their senior year of high school. We had such a good time. I am forever grateful that we were able to spend that time together.

Gratitude Project: Day 2

1. The sound of mowers and landscaping activity. It sounds like summer.

2. Open doors and fresh Spring air.

3. Driving with the windows down. Music turned up.