Near our house, there is a large wooded marsh with a network of winding trails. Just about every day, either Kim or I or both of us are out taking a walk in that marsh. She takes amazing photographs with her phone of details that I walk right by. (See below.) The other day I stumbled upon three deer. We all froze. I bet I spent five full minutes standing there, quietly, having a staring contest with them. When they finally ran away, I marveled at their grace and power, and they reminded me a bit of NFL wide receivers. I love those encounters. And I am grateful for that …
The Problem with Doughnuts
I love painting doughnuts. They are sweet and nostalgic and whimsical, which is how one might describe my artwork. I’d probably be content to paint nothing more than doughnuts for the rest of my life. Only one problem. Every time I paint doughnuts, I want to eat them. Which is not sustainable. Unless I add "getting cut out of my home and removed via crane" to my bucket list, which I'd rather not. You know what is sustainable? Optimism. Deciding to look on the bright side and find the good in every person and every situation. It sustains us in the good times and the bad times, with no …
#Thankstagram
Baby toes. Ocean sunsets. Cream puffs from the Wisconsin State Fair. These are a few of my favorite things. When we focus on the stuff that's missing from our stories, it's the equivalent of inviting Adultitis into your living room and encouraging him to put up his feet while you prepare him a seven course dinner. I'm just saying that you shouldn't be surprised at how difficult it is to get him to leave at the end of the night. On the other hand, cultivating a sense of gratitude is like slapping a restraining order on the big jerk. As much as I have to be grateful for, I still …
The Sellout
When you make the amazingly courageous decision to improve yourself, to say yes to bigger and better things for your life, you WILL encounter haters. They may even be people you consider friends. Consider it a sign that you're on the right track. Keep going. The Sellout by Jason Kotecki. Made with iPad. …
A First-Year Father’s 13 Things to Be Thankful For
In a few weeks, my daughter Lucy will celebrate her first birthday. Last Thanksgiving, we had to skip the traditional two-hour drive home because my wife looked like she was hiding the Great Pumpkin under her shirt. At the risk of sounding like every other dad who’s ever lived, I can’t believe how fast the time has gone. (Even though the first few weeks did seem like an eternity.) With another Thanksgiving just around the corner, and my first year of fatherhood coming to a close, I sure do have a lot to be thankful for, including sleep, football, and cheese. Here’s the full list: …
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Gil’s Tips for Thanksgiving on the Cheap
So this dude known only to us as "Gil" sent us a video with some tips for escaping adulthood this Thanksgiving. He mostly focuses on saving money, which is certainly a cause of great stress for many people these days. While we don't endorse all of his ideas, we can certainly get behind his desire to help you remember what's really important this Thanksgiving. Let us know what you think of Gil's tips. [flv:http://www.kimandjason.dreamhosters.com/clubkj_stuff/misc_videos/gil/gil-thanksgiving.flv 450 338] iPod Version (61.8 MB) …
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10 Ways to Have a Childlike Thanksgiving
In case you've been wondering, yes Adultitis is contagious, but so is being playful and young at heart! Which would you rather spread? There will always be the "Scrooges" of the world who turn their noses up at you, but there is hope... just look at the Grinch, an Adultitis survivor. So, I challenge you to be a real live Adultitis Antidote by modeling a childlike (not childish) existence this Thanksgiving. Be an example of someone living life with less stress and more fun. Does this mean you should channel the 6th grade class clown at the dinner table? Not so much. Crossing the line into …
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