Day 236: The sousaphone

"I've got a lot of respect for tuba players, just carrying that thing around" - Jim Pattison

Project 365: #236

Well, Nic has graduated to the Sousaphone for the lighting of the Christmas tree in Chester on Sunday! I had no idea how to spell 'sousaphone'...and it conjoured up 'Seussical' images in my mind! It does have a sort of Dr. Seuss type appearance about it! It is also enormous....luckily it is mostly fiberglass, but still gives you arm ache! I have newfound respect for tuba players! Well done, Nicole!

Day 235: Time for decorating

"Science and technology revolutionize our lives, but memory, tradition and myth frame our response" - Arthur M. Schlesinger

Project 365: #235

Even in the last 20 years, I can see the immense impact that science and technology have had on our lives, it is almost unbelievable, and sometimes I feel that it all advances too quickly, leaving me completely overwhelmed. As Christmas is fast approaching, and we were lagging behind in decorating, we hauled out the decorations. The girls are mad as we are still not getting a real tree, but using old-faithful. There is something special though, as each year since we bought our tree the girls have decorated the box when we packed it away. We have also used mostly the same decorations, with a few technological advancements, keeping with tradition. The tradition is what makes us family, giving us the foundation to move forward. Tradition grants us perspective, allow us to remain firm, but embrace the revolution of science and technology and whatever the future holds!

(Of course, Campbell had to take advantage of the empty box....or perhaps he thought we were moving again, and didn't want to be left behind!)

Day 234: Who needs street lights?

 "Our many different cultures notwithstanding, there's something about the holidays that makes the planet communal. Even nations that do not celebrate Christmas can't help but be caught up in the collective spirit of their neighbors, as twinkling lights dot the landscape and carols fill the air. It's an inspiring time of the year" - Marlo Thomas

Project 365: #234

This picture does not really give a clear perspective, but this is the view from our front porch across the street and down the road...all the houses are lit up with Christmas lights. It is really festive, and brightens the cold! The lights across the road flash on and off to Christmas carols....about those electricity bills! There is a definite collective Christmas spirit that bubbles over, creating positivity in the neighbourhood!

Day 233: Seasonal progression

"You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of" - Jim Rohn

Project 365: #233

It is important to see a concrete comparison of the seasons, so you don't forget what you have to look forward to. This is our view through the kitchen window. In the four months we have been in our new house we have a full season change from the middle of summer to the beginning of winter. I would have loved for it to stay lush and green all year round, but as we know, time marches on, and so the seasons must change. Through all our moving, I have come to realize that we cannot change our circumstances, but we must adapt to them. It is so easy to blame external factors on how we feel, or what we do, but it is important to take personal responsibility of our lives to make the most the the situations and circumstances that we cannot change...always looking to the future and making the most of what we have. Sometimes, in winter, when life is a little barer, it is easier to reflect on what we have and see the way forward!

Day 231: Christmas scenes

"There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus the Christ. It is the time to love the Lord, our God, with all our heart - and our neighbors as ourselves" - Thomas S. Monson

 Project 365: #231

Each month seems to bring it's own excitement! As it is almost Christmas, and Thanksgiving is over, front gardens in the neighbourhood are being transformed. The days have dulled, and are much grayer and colder, so the lights and holiday decorations are uplifting. What is even more exciting to see are the real Christmas decorations like this beautiful scene with baby Jesus in the middle! It is so refreshing to see the true spirit of Christmas is still alive! May we all remember the reason why we celebrate Christmas, using this time to rededicate ourselves to the principles of Jesus and share the message of love and peace!

Day 240: Woohoo...first college acceptance

 "A college degree is the key to realizing the American dream, well worth the financial sacrifice because it is supposed to open the door to a world of opportunity" - Dan Rather

Project 365: #240

It has been a tumultuous start to the school year, especially for Cait. Not only has she moved in the middle of the IB in her Senior year, and has a ton of NJ state requirements to catch up, but she has also had to choose and apply to colleges for next year. This has been a hugely daunting task with no history to fall back on, or previous knowledge...so needless to say has been extremely stressful. The unknowns to everything are immense.....SO, the pressure eased a little today when she received her first notification of acceptance....WOOOHOOOO! It is to the University of Arizona in Tuscon...a 36 hour drive away, or 6 hour flight. BUT, it was an acceptance, with an academic scholarship. It has eased the stress, answered our prayers, making everything a little less stressful and a little more d-able. Needless to say, we celebrated with genuine New York cheesecake!!

Day 232: Leaping squirrels

"I just need green. I need to wake up and see grass and squirrels. I don't want to see skyscrapers" - Andre Leon Talley

Project 365: #232

The flurry of fall and the falling leaves is over, but has been taken over by a flurry of little creatures looking for food and shelter to survive the winter. The squirrels seem to be territorial, as we see them in the same trees and places in the garden daily. We have been watching a little family hurriedly building their nest at the top of the tree. They scurry down to the where there are some leaves still on the oak tree, pick the smaller branches, and then scamper back with leaves in tow to build their nests. It is amazing to witness the resilience of nature and the cycle of life with the seasons. How blessed are we that we don't have to see skyscrapers and live in the bustle of a big city. We can be replenished daily by waking up, seeing the grass, and watching the squirrels!