As we close a decade marked by war, help us usher in a decade focused on compassion.

The names of all affirmers on December 31 will be sent along with the Charter for Compassion to 5 world leaders whose countries are engaged in conflict.

What if more people went about their days with this view on the world and life? Check out the Charter for Compassion video and if you feel moved, add your name.

I really miss my Dad this year, as my mother is trying to set me over the edge. The holidays were the one time of year my parents didn’t argue, well actually that should be restated, Christmas eve and day were the only times.

I cherish this time of year, and in recent years it seems to creep up on me faster and faster. I love to shop for my friends and family. I like paying attention to their likes and dislikes over time and trying to find that special gift.

The ornament above was in my Dad’s family since the early part of the 20th century, and possibly earlier. I know it was handed down to him when he was a teenager.

I wish everyone a happy holidays with your family and loved ones.

While doing errands this morning in the bitter cold, the ideas going through my head were the different items I want to service on my car. It frustrates me to no end that I slacked on keeping the wheels clean over the past 4 years and because of that, brake dust has become caked on.

I look under the hood and there’s definitely surface rust on strut bolts and my air horns need to be polished and other items need a coat of armor all. These little things irk me. To add to it, my hood has some chips (8 years of highway commuting, it’s a miracle it’s not worse) and this past fall an acorn tree did some dent damage.

I want to bring my wonderful 8 year old vehicle back to new. Ok, well maybe not brand new, but looking good and feeling tight again. Of course this will take some money and definitely time on my part.

This got me thinking about how much my father’s meticulous attention to detail and care for all items in our home has carried on to me. When I was younger this was a bit insanely stressful. I was always in fear of things not looking exactlyas how I borrowed them.

All of this led me to realize, I am willing to take ridiculous measures to keep things looking new, in pristine shape and thus the ability to last a long time, except my own body. Most celebrities musicians or actors have to treat their bodies as a product, because it is for their professions. I have never really looked at mine like this, instead it was the one item hindering me from just getting things I wanted to get done. Ironically enough, my thought process has been more of a, “When is someone coming to take care of this thing”.

That thing is my own body, so no one else, other than me is going to be taking care of it. For most people this is pretty obvious, but I’ve spent the last 10+ years doing most of my living in my head; reading, studying, creating, analyzing, philosophising. Much like my car, with time and money it is possible to restore my body to a better state, looking “new” again.

Dew, originally uploaded by criana.

I took this photo in June 2008 at Topsmead State Forest. A good thunderstorm had just rolled through and all the flowers were covered with water droplets.

I’ve always wanted to take a photo with a silhouetted flower against a dark back drop. The exposure for the background was low to begin with and then in Lightroom I dropped it completely.

I’m not sure what kind of flower this is. I thought maybe a chrysanthemum but please correct me if you do know.

, originally uploaded by criana.

Jazzmine loves the camera, more specifically she loves to rub the camera, but when ever I take it out, she’s interested.

The other morning she was in her usual spot curled up at the end of the bed and I decided to snap some photos. She never moved, only the eyes moved as I walked around her snapping pics.

I look forward to the day when a cat translator is created, because I’d love to know what goes on in her head.

Gifts, originally uploaded by criana.

I did some quick work for my friend Kevin’s Mercedes-Benz club out in Indiana. In return they sent me these glasses along with two others.

Peanuts Ornament, originally uploaded by criana.

My childhood neighbor gave this to me around 1990. It has become my favorite ornament, I look forward to putting on the tree each year.

A few weekends ago, we had finally set a date for our [Kelly, Debbie and myself] 30th birthday weekend away. It should be noted our birthdays are all in February and March. It has taken this long to get everyone’s schedules together. Just before the trip Kelly had to back out due to having contracted the swine flu. We only had a few more weeks left in the year, so we opted to go ahead with the day trip.

To add to the chaos of the weekend, we were also being deluged by tropical storm Ida. Our plans were to visit Newport, RI; shop on Thames St, eat at the Red Parrot and then head out to the cliff walk and mansions. We managed to keep our plans with several puddles, umbrellas and rain drop dodging runs.

The food at the Red Parrot was very delicious and we spent quite a while just catching up. Then we ventured back on to Thames and did some fudge shopping and Christmas gift shopping. We browsed through the GAP and the General Store. We decided to try to see at least one of the mansions before we headed to dinner. Turns out they have really short hours and high costs. It was $18.00 a ticket and we got 45 minutes in the mansion before they closed at 5pm. We visited the Breakers which Craig and I hadn’t been to in a very long time. They had some Christmas decorations out but not the full regalia as it will be this week.

If you’ve never been to Newport, RI and have never seen the mansions, it’s worth the cost and trip. They are amazing. To create these today would be nearly impossible, the raw materials would be too expensive, even for the Bill Gates of the world. The land is is beautiful and the views are amazing.

After the mansions, we tried to see if the ocean was visible enough for photos, but it got dark so quickly. We even went out along the Ocean Drive but it was just dark and foggy. The group had filled up on fudge and jelly bellies from earlier so we headed back into town and then back home.

I’m hoping Craig and I will get over there again before Christmas to see Marble House decorated for Christmas.

This year I was thankful for having a job, being able to spend my life with my best friend, a roof over my head that I even like living in, a car that runs even at 163K miles and being able to do for a living something I love.

What were you grateful for this holiday season?

I forget sometimes how lucky I’ve been in life. This happens often since I’m typically consumed by the current moment and how it may or may not be living up to my standards. Perspective and time often help rectify this situation.

I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some very talented people over the years, and still do currently. Some people I’ve connected with in the field I’ve never even met in person and I’m regularly humbled by their talents. They inspire me. They also remind me I’m not alone and it’s a process that keeps me growing.

I’m taking a risk, something I don’t seem to like to do when it comes to my career and have said “yes” to several side projects. My time is limited but I need to feel inspired and alive again. The opportunities that have been presented to me recently are exciting, challenging, inspiring and making me very happy.

I hope to look back at this time with a large smile on my face for having grabbed the reins and taken my life in a direction I wanted to go in.

And to think I haven’t even received my copy of Gary Vaynerchuk’s Crush It book.