Family.

Dogs are way better than humans.

My one and only.

 Unless they are my nieces.

I need more of this.

 And this.

 And this.

 And this.

2 chains.

Antiques with Mother

Searchin' for motherly treasure.

I forgot to go back and get those green jars... :(

License plates.....too cheap to pass up.

Let me know if you need anything.

 Elephant vase.

 Baby bottle with measurement markings.

 Soul saver.

 I don't know what I would do without Moyou.

Papa Roro turns 62

Birthday action.

Cheeser.

This kid never stops smiling.

Dessie helping size up some engine mount bolts

Cheese..

Decoration station.

Keep your eyes on the prize, girl. 

Oh, I see. 

Almost finished.

 Nice candle, Mom.

Cake fingers.

He may not eat it every night like when I was young but.....

this is proof that he still eats a huge bowl of ice cream before bed....

Sometimes.

New Year's Part 1

Family

Moyou

Snowmobile

Hot tub

Can't wait for the next snowy weekend.

The left side of the underbody guard got ripped off in the ice.
Trimmed and re-secured.

Bolt action.

Retired?

Got it running!

Smile.

Hair.

All aboard! 

Grandparent time.

Hot tubbin'.

＊A new year＊A new beginning＊

2012:

 A year of growing and a year of letting go.

A year of becoming a better person but losing a big part of myself.

2013: 

The first year of the rest of my life.

Be the change you wish to see in the world.

Be happy and healthy by yourself or you can never be completely happy with anyone else.

Learn from the past but cut the chain and watch the anchor sink to the depths.

Less judgement, more empathy.

Grounded, centered, finding the future.

This is my new year's card.

Somehow not complete.

I am thankful for my family and friends.

I wouldn't have survived this year without you.

Roots.

Hope for the future.

 Growing strong.

New life.

Near to my heart.

Building up.

Best of times.

Love lost.

Road trips.

Heavy hitters.

Persistence. 

 

Leap of faith.

勤労感謝の日

While I am not exactly excited about the roots of this American holiday, I do understand the need to reflect on who we are thankful for in life.  In Japan this is celebrated as 勤労感謝の日、or labor day thanksgiving.  Though the name and date changes during the occupation of Japan after the war, it originally was a celebration of the first harvest of rice.  

It is easy to get caught up in our everyday and take those around us for granted.  I am thankful this year for that realization, even though it came at a great cost.

Mom's vegan pumpkin pie. 

感謝！！

My dad finally retired. 

So I put him to work.  

I look forward to being able to spend more time with him.

Door demo!

Still need to trim the inside, caulk and paint.

Some people say that sometimes one door has to shut for another to open.  

I replaced the whole damn door.  

So what's next?