December 31, 2010: Day 365

So this is it. Mission complete. 365 days of contentment. 

What a year. Our family welcomed a new baby boy who added even more love to our growing family. I traveled all around the country to Maine, Florida, California, Niagara, Chicago and more. I got a promotion. I made my dream of teaching yoga come true. I settled in to my new cozy apartment. I made a goal for myself at the beginning of the year, and now I'm completing it. I met new friends and made lasting memories with old ones. I cried, but I laughed even harder. I loved and was given love in return. I chose happiness. 

I wish you the same in 2011. Here's to a year filled with love, laughter, gratitude, and countless days of contentment. 

December 30, 2010: Day 364

Woke up to fully bloomed paperwhites. It's so gratifying to plant tiny little bulbs and how quickly they turn into delicate, happy little flowers.

December 29, 2010: Day 363

The light peaking through the snowy fire escape steps stopped me in my tracks. Mystical looking, isn't it?

December 28, 2010: Day 362

A few years ago, mom started charting the height of all the family members on the inside of our pantry door. I love to see how much the kids grow year after year.

December 27, 2010: Day 361

I feel like I'm back in school. We had a snow day from work today which meant an extra day to play with the world's cutest nieces and nephews. A day filled with sledding in 16 inches of snow, making gingerbread houses, drinking hot chocolate (with extra marshmellows) and watching movies. Hooray for the Blizzard of 2010.

December 26, 2010: Day 360

Shiny new boots. Bring it, Blizzard!

December 25, 2010: Day 359

Children have the wonderful quality of making everything magical.

December 24, 2010: Day 358

A beautiful, warm meal with family. Merry Christmas Eve!

December 23, 2010: Day 357

This is what Christmas is all about.

December 22, 2010: Day 356

It was so peaceful tonight you could hear the sound of the snow falling.

December 21, 2010: Day 355

With 2010 coming to a close, I've been reflecting on the past year and starting, in a sense, to mourn the upcoming end of my 365 Days of Contentment project. A friend reached out to me this week saying she was having a tough time and was looking for advice on how I kept such a positive attitude and outlook "all the time." Truth be told, just because I have a photo from each day, doesn't mean every day was a "good" one. I reflect and although few and far between, there were certainly days of exhaustion, heart break and loneliness. Or more frequent were days that were routine or unremarkable. But even on the saddest or most mundane of days, there was always a splash of contentment, happiness or hope. There was always something to point my lens and focus on.

Today, for instance was a good day but not necessarily noteworthy. I enjoyed my day off from work with a true "Whit day" including finishing a wonderful book, Saltwater Buddha: A Surfer's Quest to Find Zen on the Sea, in my favorite coffee shop. (No, I'm not a surfer but that's a moot point.) One of the author's metaphors is that like life, the majority of time surfing is spent paddling and not necessarily riding waves. To be happy and really enjoy life, we must savor the paddling just as much as the thrill of riding the wave.

I wish you all peaceful paddling and extraordinary waves that are worth the wait. Happy Winter Solstice.

December 20, 2010: Day 354

An annual tradition of making snowman cupcakes with Caitlyn & Sarah.

December 19, 2010: Day 353

Talk about personality.

December 18, 2010: Day 352

My first Bruins game. Had a blast (but I still think I'm more of a baseball gal.)

December 17, 2010: Day 351

The holidays aren't complete without homemade poppyseed bread. Mom left me a package on my car at work with a freshly baked loaf and pretty red bow. Such a nice surprise to come out of work to.

December 16, 2010: Day 350

Watching new life grow.

December 15, 2010: Day 349

Enjoying my itty bitty Christmas tree.

December 14, 2010: Day 348

Got last minute tickets to see Weezer tonight. Some of the best things are unplanned.

December 13, 2010: Day 347

I can't believe 346 days have gone by and my absolute favorite cup hasn't made an appearance on the blog. I got this cheap, plastic cup for free at Burger King over 15 years ago. It's faded, chipped and, I'll admit, tacky. Mom gave up years ago trying to get rid of it. Not sure why, but everything just tastes better out my Pocahontas glass. 

December 12, 2010: Day 346

Carolers!

December 11, 2010: Day 345

Surrounded by Santas :)

December 10, 2010: Day 344

You've got mail! In the age of texting and email, getting snail mail is all the more exciting.

December 9, 2010: Day 343

Fa la la la la! Holiday cheer and bottle swap at MOB and Alex's. I was deeeelighted when I got home and opened this treat from Meg to find her famous chocolate covered pretzels with peanuts, M&Ms, and caramel. I love this time of year!

December 8, 2010: Day 342

Free Internet!

Where's the motivation to pay for internet when the watering hole next door has a comfy couch, live music, an ever changing list of beers on tap, and free internet so I can finally update my blog. Now that is a whole lot of contentment.

December 7, 2010: Day 341

Came home to flowers on my doorstep. A whole lot of sunshine on a cold, winter day.

December 6, 2010: Day 340

Parked next to this car tonight. Reindeer antlers and an autism awareness sticker...my kind of people!

December 5, 2010: Day 339

Mum dug up an entire eight-piece set of Aunt Mary and Uncle Jerry's old dishes from the basement tonight. I am truly delighted to have these funky, retro dishes filling my kitchen cabinets. 

December 4, 2010: Day 338

Tis the season for the world's best smelling candle, Frasier Fir.

December 3, 2010: Day 337

A surprise housewarming gift from mom. Moms are the best.

December 2, 2010: Day 336

"Life is like a movie, write your own ending."

December 1, 2010: Day 335

My new view. New beginnings are awfully exciting.

November 30, 2010: Day 334

An evening of board games, beer, and best buds.

November 29, 2010: Day 333

Bridget slipped this handmade card in my purse this morning. It absolutely made my day.

November 28, 2010: Day 332

Thanksgiving dinner #2

November 27, 2010: Day 331

Ruby and I made (delicious!) chocolate chip pancakes this morning for breakfast. It's safe to assume if Ruby and I are in the kitchen, chocolate will be involved.

November 26, 2010: Day 330

Patrick couldn't wait to go to Grandma and Papa's house. Shoes, check. Hat, check. Penguin backpack filled with toy trains, check.

November 25, 2010: Day 329

Thanksgiving in Queens.

During my drive to New York this morning, I was reflecting on all the people and things I have to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. I played back the pictures from the last 328 days in my head, realizing that in a sense I have been celebrating Thanksgiving all year long. The blessings are countless....parents who made it so I have always known love; three sisters that are always there for me; the cutest darn nieces and nephews that never fail to make me smile; three amazing, dynamic and loving brother-in-laws; friends who feel like family; co-workers who have proved to be so much more; getting paid to do something I love; the health of my family and friends; and the list goes on and on. Happy Thanksgiving all. Wishing you a gratitude-filled holiday season.

November 24, 2010: Day 328

Starbucks always tastes better out of their holiday cups...I wonder why that is.

November 23, 2010: Day 327

Piles of clean laundry.

November 21, 2010: Day 325

A pre-Thanksgiving celebration shared with cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, parents, brother-in-laws, and sisters. Aunt Carol even showed me how to make her famous lasagna. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for my family, the memories and certainly the feast we shared.

November 22, 2010: Day 326

Couldn't imagine a better way to pass the day then coloring and playing with Mara all day.

A lazy day all around.

November 20, 2010: Day 324

Shannon, Robert and I didn't see this sign until AFTER we accidentally crashed the High School Reunion. Ooops! They were serving champagne...who are we to say no?

November 19, 2010: Day 323

The city lights looks looked so pretty in the "bean" at Millennium Park.

Admiring "Sunday in the Park"...

Goodnight, Chicago.

November 18, 2010: Day 322

Girls sleepover!

November 17, 2010: Day 321

All packed for Chicago! First thing I packed was my running sneakers...is it possible that I'm actually starting to like running!?

November 16, 2010: Day 320

So very proud to be part of a community that not only respects diversity but celebrates it.

November 15, 2010: Day 319

She'll probably kill me for posting this picture...but it certainly made me smile when I ran into my mom at CVS tonight. Like mother, like daughter.