January 21, 2016

Here's some stuff...

January 21, 2016/ Libby Hickman

Still doing winter here. I don't know why I keep thinking that I'll just wake up tomorrow and it will be spring?! I shoveled the driveway this morning. (Again.) This is almost a daily occurrence. I pretend to hate it but it's actually so awesome. I love the accomplished feeling that comes along with getting something practical done and getting sweaty in the fresh air. Yes!

How to know you live in the arctic: You carefully consider the amount of traction that your chosen footwear is equipped with when walking out the font door. (I caught the lower half of my reflection in the mirror that the kids knocked down in the entryway.) It's winter yo. Layers of thick cotton tights, wool socks, knee high boots, undershirts, heavy sweater dresses, maybe a sweater on top of the sweater dress... and a coat always (I hate wearing coats). I feel limited. Tips on looking feminine & professional in the snow? How about we just bring back the sundresses and flip-flops?

When it's this gray outside I have to have little touches of luxury or bright spots of cheer that make staying inside not-so-bad after all. I've been adding Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Soap, lavender essential oil, and a squirt of almond oil to my bath every night. Mmmmm.

This was a tasty lunch all week. I usually make a batch of something on Sunday that I can eat Monday-Friday. I left out the spelt berries and just used the quinoa. You should try it! I'm attempting to add some movement back into my life because I want to feel strong and fit again. I weigh more now than I did last year, or the year before... but guess what? I feel sexier than ever! I never expected that. The way I see myself has changed. When I look at my body in the mirror I see my best friend. "She" (my body) has given my heart a vehicle for living and loving. "She" has created 4 incredible humans and fed them exclusively for a cumulative of YEARS. "She" has taken me on all kinds of hikes and swims and has helped me to experience incredible beauty and pleasure. I'm done talking shit to her every day. I'm learning to love her in all the different (even softer) shapes that she may take. I'm so thankful for the people in my life that have helped my thinking in this area. Acceptance feels nice. It changes everything.

I came across this blog the other day. As I've been considering how to do something I love while paying my own way around here I found these kinds of unconventional yet completely practical ideas inspiring. No excuses.

Speaking of...

I have been working so hard on updating and improving my childbirth classes. I'm so proud of myself! It's taking a lot of learning as I go... but I'M DOING IT! Yesterday I needed to resize a photo and after updating my operating system, subscribing and downloading Adobe Creative Suite, and watching several video tutorials, 5 Hours later I had the right size photo! Tedious but done! Look how pretty my business cards came out. I had them printed at Moo.com. The paper quality and matte finish are just what I was looking for. Yay me.

Okay my friends- just those random thoughts for now.

January 19, 2016

Surprise!

January 19, 2016/ Libby Hickman

It was my dad's 60th birthday on Saturday. My dad has a twin brother and so there was dual cause for celebration.

Far more daring & tricky secret squirrels than I planned them a surprise party.

All day leading up to the party I was nervous for him. I was nervous for the rest of us too. I wasn't sure how he would react to unknowingly being lured into a room full of people staring at him. He and I are two birds of a feather and I dreaded that moment for him. Worst nightmare. The soul focus of all attention (I think I might throw up now) is an uncomfortable spotlight for people like us.

But he took it like a champ, and in the end I think it was actually fun for him to see all of our family and friends. Halfway through the party I handed the camera off to the kids. They took turns snapping pictures. Seeing the party from their viewpoint was so fun! As blurry as some of the pictures turned out (read: no flash, low lights, and wiggly photographers) I love looking at the things that caught their eye.

Balloons, cupcakes, and babies...

Grandpa hugs and boring grown-up conversations (Laurel can't even...)

Happy faces and purple hair! (We love you Meleah)

I think adults should have more birthday parties. The older we get, and the more we go through, accomplish, and savor...the more cause for celebration! Right?

My dad means the world to me and I'm so happy that we were able to gather together and mark this day as one to be set aside to honor him and his brother.

Surprise! Happy Birthday Dad (and Uncle Mike), you are better than ever!

January 13, 2016

planning for adventure

January 13, 2016/ Libby Hickman

Adventure. Sometimes it finds you (like when you unexpectedly become unemployed as a single parent with 4 kids and a house payment- that's adventurous), and sometimes you plan for it (like when you've had a helluva week and you and your best friend set aside a day together and decide that you should try snowshoeing- that's also adventurous).

So you block out time. You pack snacks (and maybe drinks). You borrow gear. You bundle up. You do something different with someone who's the best kind of familiar. You make a goal to get a little lost. You set an intention to get out and be silly. You smile a little when you think of the very real possibility of mischief.

You consult trail maps. You look at webcams. You read trip reports. You charge your camera battery. You put silly things in your backpack like extra socks and matches and more granola bars than you could ever eat in a couple of hours... just in case. This is all preparation for spontaneity. All of the setting aside of time and pulling together of details used to bother me. I used to feel as if the scheduling and planning took the adventure out of having an adventure. Now I see it as taking the necessary steps to free myself up for fun. I can be present and wander off the beaten path when I've equipped myself to do so.

And then you just go. You ignore your phone, your email, your schedule, your kids, your clients, your aching heart, your dwindling bank account, your tiniest little worries, and...

You just go.

I can't tell you what comes next. It's a grab bag. Hopefully you stay safe (mostly). Hopefully you end up back in your own bed at night. Hopefully you take at least one picture. Hopefully you fall a little bit more in love with your life and the people that you share it with. Guaranteed you will create memories.

You just never know what kind of adventure you'll have, but at least you planned for it.

Here are a few of my favorite links for adventure planning

Washington Trails Associatio n