SydClifton's Blog

Step One…

sydclifton — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 03:00:08 +0000

So, step one of realigning my priorities is to devote more time to myself and to my family. Today I knocked a big TODO off my list by trimming back my rose bushes and cleaning out my garden in preparation for some spring planting. Once that was done my family and I piled in the car and drove up to Bradbury Mountain for a little walk/hike. It was beautiful, a little muddy in spots but no big deal. The view was lovely from the top and best of all there were no mosquitoes yet! We only spent an hour but it was really nice. Then we went into Freeport and found a great dress for Megan for her cousin’s upcoming baptism. The dress is really nice, but I hate how grown up she is getting! After some ice cream and trip to Whole Foods for some grilling items, we landed home for a delicious dinner and then some lazing on the couch. I would rate this day a solid 9.5! Now for some before bed reading and much needed sleep.

BTW, I highly recommend Whole Food’s Butternut Squash Crab Bisque! It was super delicious!

Meg and Me Bradbury Mtn

Meg Bradbury Mtn

Meg and Steve Bradbury Mtn

Out of whack…

sydclifton — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 10:21:26 +0000

I was reminded by a good friend yesterday that if I was going to have a blog I needed to actually write something. Thanks for the gently nudge Patrick!

I realized yesterday as I was having lunch with my good friend Patrick (it was actually his lunch, I was off) that my priorities are all mixed up. I was telling him about a conversation I had with a wellness coach from the Mayo Clinic about how I was too busy right now to focus on losing weight. I told her I had a full time job, I was trying to finish up a consulting project, I was in school, I am getting ready for a big volunteer event and I have a family… Even now, as I pause to look at that list I am appalled at how backward it is. Family last? Really? I think I owe Megan and Steve a big apology! And I am not even on it!

I am going to spend this afternoon reorganizing my priorities, it must be done! I will let you know how it turns out…

Wordle – Personal Values Paper

sydclifton — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:23:31 +0000

I am spending more time these days actually following the links my friends are sending me and exploring the wonders of the internet instead of hanging out on Facebook all day! I thought this one was cool: http://www.wordle.net/

It allows you to make useless, but graphically cool images of your words. For fun I plugged in a paper I wrote last night about Personal Values Development and came up with this image. What will I discover next?

If I close my eyes and wish hard enough will it be summer?

sydclifton — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:20:44 +0000

This weekend was just beautiful, despite the snow that still covers the ground – it gave me a taste of what is to come. This winter has been a long one and many times I found myself wondering why I ever left Florida. This picture reminds me why. This is the dock on Monhegan Island – the gateway to one of my most favorite places in the world. Summer on Monhegan is one of the reasons I love living in Maine. Although I only get out once or twice (if I am lucky) each summer, every trip is special. As soon as I step off the boat onto the slip of the dock I am relieved of all the stress that has built up since my last visit. While the island is certainly more connected that it was when I was growing up it still feels separate from the rest of the world. On Monhegan I feel as though I can truly get away, relax and reflect.

This summer my visit(s) will be bittersweet following the passing of my great uncle Harry. It will mean saying goodbye one more time and yet it will also be my chance to say hello again because that is where I will always feel the closest to Harry and Doug who “gave” me Monhegan as well as my Aunt Jennie and Grammy O.

Couple more months to get through but I have something to really look forward to!

Butterflies2

sydclifton — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 22:57:25 +0000

Butterflies2

Originally uploaded by sydclifton

I took this picture in August, 2007 (I think) on Monhegan near the Library. Obviously I edited the photo (Photoshop). It was my first attempt and I like the way it came out.

It is really amazing when all the monarch butterflies are on the island – if you stand very still I swear they would land on you. We went out in July last summer and didn’t see many so I think we will wait until August again this year.

Monhegan – 2006 17

sydclifton — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 22:49:34 +0000

Monhegan – 2006 17

Originally uploaded by sydclifton

This is an old picture but I thought it was pretty cool. I got to play with the 12x zoom on my new digital camera. We were quite a distance away but I was able to capture this bald eagle sitting out on Eastern Duck Rock.

What am I thinking?

sydclifton — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 21:59:38 +0000

Well, I am thinking I want to give this a try. I have no idea or concept of what I want to do with a blog but I guess I will never know if I don’t give it a go. Of course, this is just another one of those distractions, like Facebook or Twitter to keep me from doing what I “need” to be doing but I guess I can use one more!

So boring start but stay tuned it could get interesting – or not – we shall see!