Mom and Mason - sweet post

Happy Saturday

We always knew she would be a fashion industry rock star!

Designing Your Life - Make it a great Monday

Hey girls,

I found a new book I want to read and study; and encourage you to read as well. It is called Designing Your Life. Here is a website that gives you some background. Watch the 3 minute video when you get a chance.

http://designingyour.life/

And here is summary:

Designers create worlds and solve problems using design thinking. Look around your office or home--at the tablet or smartphone you may be holding or the chair you are sitting in. Everything in our lives was designed by someone. And every design starts with a problem that a designer or team of designers seeks to solve.

In this book, Bill Burnett and Dave Evans show us how design thinking can help us create a life that is both meaningful and fulfilling, regardless of who or where we are, what we do or have done for a living, or how young or old we are. The same design thinking responsible for amazing technology, products, and spaces can be used to design and build your career and your life, a life of fulfillment and joy, constantly creative and productive, one that always holds the possibility of surprise.

Make it a great Monday!

Dad

Ed Epperson came over to visit his beloved Easy Street today

He shared this sweet poem with mom and me, barely able to get through it as tears poured down his face. It made me think of the birdhouses that my dad built through the years. One of which is pictured below. I love you girls!

28 Reasons to do it again

28 Reasons to do it again:
1. Our wedding was a lot of fun
2. My bride was and remains beautiful on the inside and the outside
3. Sally Burke Singletary - April 1, 1992
4. Emily Page Singletary - May 13, 1994
5. Lucelia May Singletary - March 13, 2000
6. She's a great mom
7. She's a great friend
8. She is a seeker of all things good in life
9. She's spiritually grounded
10. She's funny and does not take herself or others too seriously
11. She lifts me up (always!)
12. She is an explorer
13. She likes to party
14. She's a great cook
15. She feeds us healthy foods
16. She stays fit and works out with me
17. She's well read
18. She works hard
19. She's eternally optimistic
20. She keeps the house clean
21. She's a sports fan
22. She likes to plant things and watch them grow
23. She's a great kisser
24. She's the pool boy

25. She knows how to deal with life’s curve balls

26. She’s the best story teller ever

27. She listens intently when our girls call or talk (and they do so often)

28. She does not rub it in when the Dawgs beat the Heels!

Happy Birthday Dad

Queen of Katwe

This looks like an inspiring story, with interesting ties to Chapel Hill.

“Phiona Mutesi is the ultimate underdog. To be African is to be an underdog in the world. To be Ugandan is to be an underdog in Africa. To be from Katwe is to be an underdog in Uganda. And finally, to be female is to be an underdog in Katwe.”

Make it a great Monday

Mom and I joined Lucy and a number of her friends at church yesterday (at Riverbend Church) for Lily Young's Baptism. The 11:15AM service is described this way: Participatory, Modern, Band-led style of worship in our main auditorium - The Home for Hope. The band was great, including this Bob Dillon song, Gotta Serve Somebody. The pastor was also quite good, Pastor Dave Haney. 

Lucy gave Lily a devotional book after the service. During the service, Mom found this devotional on our anniversary date, September 17th. It is a great message for us right now!

Nuggets from Dad returns

Such a cool picture of our Lucy May Singletary!

Hey girls,

I had a great anniversary weekend with mom, and now it is my birthday week! I've decided to bring Nuggets back, but this time the posts will only go to our immediate family, at least for a while. 

I want to take some time to write about the transition we are going through, as we start the process of downsizing. Some of what I will be sharing will be information that we should keep among ourselves. I think it is important that we have a way of documenting and reflecting on what we are doing, especially to so everyone understands why we are doing this and how it will help going forward.

So starting tomorrow, look for some daily doses of Dad's nuggets. So that I know everybody is getting the posts, could you all shoot me a text to confirm that you received this one?

Thanks and I love you all!

Dad

Happy Birthday Emily Page Singletary

Mom:

1. Emily impresses me with her fortitude and incredible attitude. With golf and fashion design, she is often pushed past limits that others would crumble under. She stays strong and always does her best. I am so proud of you Emily! There is nothing life can throw you that you will not be able to handle!

2. Emily is a true friend in every since of the word. She supports her teammates, roommates and friends as they deal with life without expecting any thing in return. Of course it's nice to be loved back, And everyone loves Emily!!!

3) I absolutely love how Emily calls me most every day and updates me on her life. Please don't ever stop. Happy Birthday sweet Emily. Your mama loves you!

Sally:

1. I love how Emily can be friends with absolutely anyone. She has a great way of relating to people and is one of the most empathetic people I know. She takes no friendship lightly or for granted. She finds qualities to appreciate in everyone and makes everyone feel special. 

2. I love how Emily stays so true to herself always. She has not strayed from her love of fashion design and has persevered with extreme fortitude. She is passionate, driven, talented and going to succeed without a doubt in whatever she wants! 

Lucy:

1. One thing I love about Emily is her constant positive attitude. She has taken her senior year with such a graceful approach and I admire that everyday. She finds the bright side of every situation and certainly knows how to have fun no matter what situation she's put in. 

2. I love how Emily is always so supportive. She has always been supportive of me and Sally in everything we do but it is clear she is also very supportive of her classmates, teammates and friends at school. Thank you for being such a great big sister meme! :)

Dad:

1. Emily, we are so super proud of what you have accomplished at SCAD these past four years. You made a choice to pursue a design career that is very rigorous and challenging, but you went all in. You have excelled in the classroom (aka, the lab), in the gym (aka, Coach Carter), on the golf course, (aka Captain), and as a friend and advisor to your pals. These skills and attributes will all translate into the amazing life that is in front of you in the world. 

2. Thanks for being such a special member of our family. You are the connector between your big and little sister, and they both adore you so much. You are a great communicator with your parents. Mom and I have had so much fun going through the past four years with you - the ups and the downs - and watching you develop into such a talented and amazing young woman!

Happy Birthday Sally Singletary

Lucy:

1. I love the way Sally is so dedicated to everything she does. She always wants to do what she's doing to the best of her ability and works so hard to make sure she can.

2. I love how creative Sal is. She is always amazing me with the things she comes up with for work and just in life. I'm so proud to call her my sister :)

Emily:

1. I love that Sally is so driven in all things but specifically her job. She has created an amazing set up for her self at a young age and I'm sure the future holds only more greatness. 

2. I love that Sally is always there to hear my stories and talk on the phone about anything, mostly fashion choices. I'm going to miss being in the same state as Sal so much and can't wait for all of the sister reunions to come! Love you Salpal

Dad:

1. I am impressed with how thoughtful Sally is of others. She has a special way of celebrating the accomplishments of others and of making them feel better about themselves.

2. I love how Sally stays so organized and on top of all of the things going on in her life.

3. I also like her boyfriend - he's a good guy.

Mom:

1. I love how Sally likes to share her life with me and how she takes so much time to make each trip I take to Atlanta meaningful. She plans dinners so that I can meet the people most instrumental in her life and takes me to the best shops . 

2. I love how loving and kind Sally is. She is so considerate and thoughtful and always thinks of others before herself. She is the best at picking out gifts that fit each person perfectly. 

Happy Birthday Cathy Malcom Singletary - #1 Mom and Wife

Sally:

1. I love how mom works SO hard all of the time but still manages to take great care of all of us, have awesome friends, and exercise. She does it all. 

2. I love how all of my friends love hearing stories about mom and coworkers and love her even before meeting her.

Emily:

1. I love that my mom loves to visit me in Georgia (and offers to whenever I'm having a hard time) and when she comes she not only does chores for me but she makes an effort to hang out with my friends and party with us and it's soo fun! I'm proud to call her my mom. 

2. I love that mom has a great sense of humor and always likes to talk to me on the phone about whatever is going on in my life and always makes me happier. 

Love you mom!!!! 

Lucy:

1. I love how mom loves to entertain. It's always fun to come home to her friends, my friends, or random renters partying in the kitchen. There is never a dull moment around here!

2. I love how mom is always willing to spend time with me. Being the only two girls at home I've learned to love running errands and hanging out with my momma! She never wants to leave me home alone so I don't get lonely. She's always looking out for me.

Dad:

1. I met Cathy Malcom 30 years ago this past September on a blind date. I fell in love with her that night, almost instantly. There was something about how much fun she was that hooked me from the beginning. And today, she is still just as fun. If I had to pick one word to describe my bride, it would be fun!

2. I love how Cathy is always so positive and believes that things always work out for the best. And how she is all about doing whatever it takes to help keep our boat a float!

Happy Birthday Cathy / Mom! You are a blessing to all of us!

Time for some more Nuggets

Happy 16th Birthday Lucy May Singletary

Happy 16th Birthday Lucy May Singletary . . .

Emily:

1) I love how mature Lucy is. She is my best friend even though she is 6 years younger and always looking out for me.
2) I love Lucy's sense of humor and her natural wit. She always makes me laugh. I also love her forehead.

Sally:

1. I love how Lucy can shine in any situation with any age group. Like at the party on Friday no one could believe she was 16. She makes everyone feel special and is so genuine to talk to.
2. I love Lucy's self awareness and how even keeled she is. She is the best at rolling with the punches

Mom:

1. I appreciate how Lucy works so hard to accomplish goals that she sets for herself. She effortlessly and tirelessly pushes herself toward greatness.
2. I love how Lucy cares for her sisters and enjoys spending time with them. She laughs at their stories and loves making memories with them. 
3. I love you Baby Lu and I'm so proud of you!!!

Dad:

1. I am impressed with how Lucy handles her schedule. She is super busy with Hyline and school, but she has great time management skills and seems to be able to balance things quite well and she also has a very age-appropriate social life.
2.  Lucy is doing a great job with her student driving. I really have fun spending time with her in the car and teaching her how to drive and I appreciate how she respects the process and wants to learn and stay safe.
3. I am blessed to have a third daughter. I love you Lucy and am always here for you.

Live Action from Mulberry

Mulberry Farm

After a few weeks of working with our Jersey to establish a routine and celebrating the success of squeezing off a few squirts yesterday morning, we finally produced our first quantity of delicious creamy milk. Now, it was barely an ounce but it is progress. Hopefully, every day will see an increase in yield as we continue to stimulate her milk production. 

What a treat to just walk into your back pasture and sled.

Add caption