December Daily® 2014 | Day Twenty-Two And Twenty-Three

Today I'm combining my Day 22 and Day 23 of my  December Daily® album into one post partly because they feel like they go together and partly just to get them up here on my site. I'm working on the last two days today and hope to share them soon as well. 

Days 22 and 23 for me were at the beach with my parents. Aaron joined us on the night of the 22nd and then we drove back home on the 24th. Here's a look at those two days in my album: 

Mom and I went to see  Wild on the 22nd. We had both read the book and were looking forward to seeing the story played out in the movie. I think I wrote about it before on here but maybe I didn't - I had a bit of a hard time getting through the book because the main character made me so mad (who the heck walks the PCT without preparation and planning ahead). And then I kept getting mad at myself because I was being so judgmental. Sometimes we just have to set out without knowing how the story is going to end. Duh. I think the reality is that there are themes in the story that hit close to home for me in recent years - not literally but more figuratively - walking a new unknown path, letting go of control, loosing and looking for and discovering yourself, fear, loneliness, the evolution of our own personal story, etc. 

Bottom line. I liked the movie. 

That photo of my Dad on the bottom shows him cutting up meat for Shabu Shabu (a traditional Japanese dish that I love having with my parents). It's so him. It's actually one of those photos I think I'll treasure for a very long time. I find myself keenly aware of the fragility of life as I myself get older and I'm doing all that I can to really treasure and celebrate my parents while we are here together on earth. They are such real people - imperfect and awesome and I'm so thankful that they are mine. Getting to go and spend time with them by myself is such a huge gift to me. Our conversations - so often rooted in family stuff and our own histories and future and the things we let go of and hold on to - are so important to me even when we disagree. 

My parents are awesome examples of love and forgiveness and forward movement. 

Visits with my parents always include at least one walk on the beach, pretty much always with camera in hand. 

I love listening to them tell stories about this beach and I love watching them as they look through the lens of their camera to document the changes they see from a storm or things they want to show their elderly neighbors or just something they think is beautiful. I love how they notice things and want to document them. 

Yeah, not a lot of questions about where that comes from for me.   

In those top pockets I included the movie tickets and then a collection of stars - punched and other ones that were on my desk. Those glitter chipboard pieces totally got used this year. 

Definitely want to frame that photo of me and my Mom. Thanks Dad. 

Just a bit of writing on my photos for Day 22 - simple and easy. 

After our beach walk and after Aaron arrived we went out to see the lights. 

That top left photo includes silhouetted profiles of Aaron and my parents. On Instagram I added a caption that mentioned yesterday and today. That spot is a favorite for me to capture - in this one I also love that just off the center to the left are two hibiscus blooms that decided to bloom on the days we were there. 

On the 23rd we took Aaron to the Sheep Ranch which is a private section of  Bandon Dunes (the short story is my Dad worked out there at one time). We hit balls and walked around and had putting competitions and marveled at the view of the Pacific Ocean.  

It was a really great few days with my parents and Aaron. 

I also wanted to share a shot of my workspace from when I was at my parents. I took a big basket down with me that included my  December Daily® kit, my lap top and my Epson PictureMate Show printer. I shared this photo on Instagram and got a bunch of questions about the printer. It's the same one I've been using for a few years now and I love it. I use it here at home for printing all my 4x6 photos and smaller. Usually it's just hooked up to my desktop computer but it also travels pretty well. Highly recommended if you are looking for an at-home printer. 

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31 thoughts

  1. YolandaL says…
    12/26/2014

    Simply: fantastic. Man, the Oregon coast is a dreamy place.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. karenika says…
    12/26/2014

    these two pages feel really lovely and serene.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Michelle06 says…
    12/26/2014

    Go Ali go!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. peanutshell says…
    12/26/2014

    These pages are lovely. I clicked the link for the printer but it didn't work. Your "Oops" page is awesome!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. AliEdwards says…
      12/26/2014

      Thanks for letting me know! I updated it.

  5. mtercha says…
    12/26/2014

    Your photos, so very lovely. The relationships you have really shine in the photos and journaling. I hope you feel rested and better, and that you had an awesome holiday. Michelle t

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. abragg79 says…
    12/26/2014

    I love those glitter chipboard pieces. I didn't think I would - I thought for sure out of everything in the kit, I'd use those the least but they work so well in so many places! Glad that you had a great holiday! I will be sad when you're all done - I've really enjoyed your pages and have found so much inspiration. I've thoroughly loved the DD process this year!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Babz510 says…
    12/26/2014

    So good Ali.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. pirate63 says…
    12/27/2014

    Oh I just love your pages Ali xo

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. StaceyLee_Collis says…
    12/27/2014

    What a great little portable workstation you had set up! Even with what looks to be miserable weather, your photos still shine :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. prueger6 says…
    12/27/2014

    Wonderfully creative and happy pages!

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. pmmessner says…
    12/27/2014

    love all your posts and december daily pages... thank you for sharing a piece of your "real" life!
    xoxo...

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Roxanne24 says…
    12/27/2014

    Hi Ali....your picture of you and Aaron made me cry. It is such a priceless picture of two people loving each other. It is beautiful.

    As someone who has gone through some of the same experiences you have...I am so glad you were with your Mom and Dad over the holiday, while Anna and Simon were with Chris. It's so hard, the first few moments, when the house is quiet. I loved having quiet time, yet was keenly aware of the "quietness".

    I loved the picture of you and your Mom. How beautiful. Treasuring the moments with your parents.

    You write exactly how I think about things, getting irritated with myself for, what I deem is, judgemental, unkind, or mean-spirited... Again...thank you for being real. For being honest. For not pretending life is perfect and a storybook. It's so much better--just like the Oregon coast with its gorgeous shades of grey, the dunes and the rain.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. CasieGutierrez says…
    12/27/2014

    Ali
    Thank you for allowing bloggers to link up and sharing your life with all of us!
    I too had a hard time getting Into the Wild book because I wanted her to hurry up & get over herself but maybe because that is my style. 2015 I plan to sit with the pains of life more instead of powering through and learn from them!
    Love your parents and the awesomeness that they bring to your life! I blessed to have in laws that do the same for me. The ordinary house is a magic place for me and my kids!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. younggirl says…
    12/27/2014

    Pretty pages and lovely pages. Hope you had a great Christmas!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. lizness says…
    12/27/2014

    Love that photo of your workspace with your mom and Aaron. Hope your holidays continue to be wonderful and wishing you and your family a Happy New Year filled with many good things, amazing moments, and deep connections with those you love. =)

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. thecraftytokyoite says…
    12/28/2014

    I just received your free print! It is so beautiful and so sweet of you, Ali! We are packing up our Christmas things today so I framed it and put it in a box so we can put it up next year :) thank you so much!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. AliEdwards says…
      12/28/2014

      Wonderful. Enjoy!

  17. ksenia says…
    12/28/2014

    Beautiful! I love our coast. It is such a sweet photo of you and Aaron. Did one of your parents take it? It makes me a little sad that there are almost no photos of me and my guy because I'm the photographer in the family. I always feel weird asking someone to take a picture of us and then posing with a hug or something. Any tips on how to get myself in there and make it a genuine moment with a loved one?

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. AliEdwards says…
      12/28/2014

      My Mom took this one (actually both my parents had cameras in their hands while we were standing there). There are a bunch in this series that include us looking at the camera, laughing, and this was one of the last ones. So worth it to hand over the camera. I think my biggest tip is think about how much you will love the photo if it turns out - that's a big motivator to me in just letting go of what anyone else (or me) is thinking. Do you love him? Then show it and get it captured. Sometimes you'll feel silly and then you'll get a gem and be super thankful that you did it :).

    2. ksenia says…
      12/29/2014

      Great perspective on this! We're totally in love but even after 10 years together we don't really have any photos of us; it makes me sad. I will remember what you said at the next opportunity and embrace it! thank you!

  18. jenn0304 says…
    12/28/2014

    Hi Ali, do you print your words right on your photos using the little white epson printer???? Thanks!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. AliEdwards says…
      12/28/2014

      Yep! I put the words on the photos in Photoshop and then print.

  19. Untiedt says…
    12/29/2014

    Ali, I know you used photoshop to print the words on your photos but since I do not have photoshop is there an ink I can use on photos to get the same effect? Thanks. It looks like you had an amazing time with those you hold dear this holiday season. I loved the picture of you with your Mom & your Mom and Aaron. One posed shot and one depicting real life. I need less posed shots and more of scenes of real life. Thanks for December Daily posts & all the inspiration you gave me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. AudreyV says…
    12/29/2014

    That's funny, I had the same reaction to the Wild book, who sets out for a hike like that with so little preparation? But I enjoyed the book after all, and I should go see the movie. Awesome pages!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. gabbimia says…
    12/30/2014

    Ali, just breathtaking!!!!!!!!!!!! I guess I used to think the beach had to be beautiful ONLY if it were sunny and 85, but I certainly don't think that anymore. Your parents place and that beach just look amazing!!!!!!!! Your layouts, and ideas, are nothing short of AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!! And speaking of awesome THANK you from the bottom of my heart for sending all of us that word picture for ordering December Daily...I LOVE love LOVE that:) And before I sign off here, that pic of you and Aaron, swooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooon!!!!!!!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. raeoflight17 says…
    12/30/2014

    Ali, I'm so happy that you get to spend time with your parents. This is the first Christmas in a long time that I didn't get to spend with my parents. They moved back to Florida in April and we were transferred to California in June. I miss them terribly. I also love the photo with you and your mom. My mom is my best friend so I know how much you treasure that photo! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. RuthieB says…
    12/31/2014

    Hi Ali - Happy New Year! Quick question ... I got the Epson printer for Christmas (yay), but it looks like I won't be able to print using my iPhone - is this correct? I take a majority of my photos via iPhone so worried this may not work for me after all. Is there a work around that you use? thanks for your time!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. AliEdwards says…
      01/05/2015

      Hi - I don't print directly from my phone to my printer. I have it attached to my computer and print all my photos from there (photos taken on my iPhone are imported to Aperture - the photo I use for management). I think you can get a bluetooth adapter that will allow you to do that, but I'm not certain.

  24. LisaR says…
    01/03/2015

    There is so much in these photos, layouts, explanations, expressed thoughts regarding WILD....and the absence of your children. Well I know the navigation process through these waters during the holidays and may I say thank you for sharing your posts and the grace you have allowed into your life. My ex-husband chose to announce to our seven children on Christmas Day of 2009 his plans for divorce after 28 years of marriage. Christmas has never been the same and I am still picking up the pieces. Each year I determine "this year will be better" and it is. You have been an inspiration in moving forward and I sincerely hope you don't mind my stating this.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. shersley says…
    01/05/2015

    Ali, That picture of you and Aaron on Day 23 makes me so happy for you. What a special moment (caught by your parents' camera?)! I really enjoy reading about your family and life journey. You are a classy woman and they way you live your life, always re-evaluating yourself and how you want your life to turn out is an inspiration. Thank you so much for sharing as much as you do with us. Also love that pic of you and your mom. Pictures are treasures for sure!

    Reply 0 Replies

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