The Farm Report – Page 29 – Archiving the early years

Things I love: Mini Lunch Notes

January 27, 2011

While Xmas shopping, we discovered these Mini Lunch Notes.

My mother, who has been a teacher for a gazillion years, recommends that parents write notes to their kids to encourage them to read. Kids are super-motivated to read when it’s a message from their parents. I tend to write things like “Please bring home your water bottle. I love you!” Tom writes notes like, “Please don’t eat your socks today.”

I know, I know. I could just use a plain piece of paper, but Tom and I pack lunches in the wee hours, a time of day where finding paper and a pen a getting them to the same spot seems like a near impossible task. So I will happily give Chronicle Books $10 to save us from nearly three months of searching for paper at 6:30am.
Maintenance

January 26, 2011

The van was due for its 90,000 mile service. Tack on a recall, and you’re looking at a four hour wait.

Thank goodness Chris scooped me up from the dealership and we had a Panera-based work day. I like these little shake-ups. It’s good to sit behind your computer, but look out a window with a different view. Plus, their coffee pot never turns up empty.
Story

January 25, 2011

On the heels of finishing Catwings, Neko picked up a marker and wrote a story.

To some, this may not seem out of the ordinary, but this child has not exactly enthusiastically embraced reading and writing yet. (Skating, skiing, chickens, and the name of every animal she’s ever laid her eyes on—that’s another discussion.)

At moments like this, we very intentionally do not correct spelling. There’s a time and a place for that, and it certainly is not when one is writing simply for pleasure. I have stood fast by my philosophy that if we don’t force it down her throat, one day she will do it out of love and desire.

I believe that day is approaching fast.

On a side note, she taught herself cursive. Clearly, the way to her writing heart will be partly a graphic one. But I suppose she comes by that honestly, eh?
365 Things: 16–24

January 24, 2011

16. Framed poster I have been hanging onto since my early 20s.
17. Red stool.
18. Several unrelated tension rods.
19. Doctor dress-up outfit that is a little creepy (it’s for kids…get your mind out of the gutter).
20. Ancient rubber water bottle.
21. Jenga (a duplicate).
22. Yahtzee (another duplicate).
23. Bizarre collection of unrelated hats and gloves.
24. Two picture frames.

In terms of remaining purchase-neutral, I’m doing pretty well. I bought a book, a sweater, a new pair of boots, and a fun wooden building block thing-y for the kids. In turn, I’m getting rid of The Lovely Bones (hey, book about child murder, get out of my house), a pair of shoes, a shirt, and a toddler pull toy.

One fifteenth of my way to less cluttered year!
Goodbye SLC

January 23, 2011
Skiing, scenery, and sightseeing

January 22, 2011

Today yielded the following knowledge:

1. I now know that I am a skier that is dependent on short, beginner skis. The longer skis I somehow received turned into a disaster on the slopes.

2. The photos do not do the scenery justice. It is simply magnificent.

3. An afternoon devoted to my very own projects is priceless.

4. Chris and I finally found good food in Salt Lake City. Thank you Himalayan Kitchen.

5. I’m becoming a fan of period pieces. On the heels of last year’s The Young Victoria, I thoroughly enjoyed The King’s Speech.

6. I adore everything about The Children’s Theatre in downtown Salt Lake City—the posters, the storefront, and the enthusiastic kids in class just beyond the windows.

7. Five days away from my husband and kids is plenty. Time to go home.
Tomorrow we ski!

January 21, 2011

The conference wrapped up today, and I’m walking away having learned a lot.

We chose this conference as it was some solid time away, offered the opportunity to ski on some gorgeous mountains, and hear from some really interesting people who I wanted to see speak. Sadly, some of the speakers I really wanted to hear disappeared from the panel after we registered. (Gayla and Davin, we’re sad to have missed you.)

That said, I probably shouldn’t attend conferences. I’m not a schmoozer. I don’t like it and I don’t do it well. This is my fault entirely, and I freely admit I do better one-on-one. I just like to get to know people. I like to talk about the things that make me smile, and I like to know what invigorates you. I don’t want to sell you something, and I don’t want you to sell me anything in return. I don’t want to compete for my share of the conversation.

Don’t get me wrong, I love to meet new people, but conferences just feel a bit like speed-dating.

So I spent a lot of time at the conference with my mouth closed. Listening. Watching. (Except for that night out with Chris and Tina, where I likely made up for my silence—my favorite time here by far!)

As I close in on 40, I feel like my wrinkles have earned me the right to offer some unsolicited advice. So after these few days, this is the nugget I’m putting out in the universe.

There are well-known people I greatly admire. People that do what they do remarkably well. But what I know is that they are busy. Crazy, silly, stupidly busy. Although they would love to meet and help everyone who admires them, they really don’t have time. Because in all likelihood, they’re barely juggling the balls they have in the air.

Feel free to cue up to meet that famous person. Tell them how much you appreciate their work, because I’m certain they appreciate your kind words. But it is unlikely this person will be your connection to success.

Go ahead, look for the not-necessarily famous, but very well-known people in the crowd. If you admire them, introduce yourself. Ask them to have a cup of coffee. They might accept, and it’s possible they might be a connection.

But the person you should really talk to is the person sitting next to you, whom you’ve never met in your life. Who you know nothing about, and with whom you think you have nothing in common. That person could inspire you. Or hold the answers to your unanswered questions. Or be your next investor. Do not discount someone just because you don’t know their name—yet.
Salt Lake City

January 20, 2011

The best part of today’s conference was the folks we got to meet. I finally got to meet Tina of swissmiss after only virtual meetings. Chris finally got to meet Jon and Heather after the same sort of virtual dialogue.

Chris, Tina, and I headed out for dinner tonight. Do you know how hard it is to find a restaurant with open seats when both Sundance and the world’s largest outdoor gear convention are both happening in the same city? We finally ended up at a seafood place, which was surprisingly tasty.

After dinner, based on a suggestion from the woman who waxed my eyebrows on the day we got in, we went to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearse. Rehearsals are open to the public on Thursday, so if you’re ever in town, I highly recommend a visit. I don’t care what your religious views are, the choir was something spectacular. When I visit places like this, I’m reminded we all need to spend more time sitting, away from technology, with good sounds around us.

We ended the evening with a stop at the hotel bar, and loads of meaty conversation. Good stuff.
Me taking a picture of Chris taking a picture of clouds and mountains

January 19, 2011

He would probably like me to assure you that his neck has been shaved since this photo was taken.
Headed for the mountains

January 18, 2011

Chris and I are headed to Altitude Summit. I’m REALLY excited about a few days away. And a whole day skiing. And dinner with folks I’ve only met virtually.

Oh, yes, and I’m excited about the conference, too.