Oh so "Fortunate" again...

Once again, Evan and I have been named to the list for "Style Makers" of the Fortunate 500 in our fair town. It's always a humbling and pleasant surprise that invokes a bit of reflection...
One aspect of our good fortune lies in our neighborhood. Despite the fact that our family of 4 currently lives in an 800 sq ft bungalow that was built in the 1930's (more on the "Project" later) and we don't have a back yard for the twins to play in...it is urban living at its best. We live less than 100 yds from the most happenin' street in town.

Our evenings go something like this: after dinner and before bedtime, we take a family walk.
-We check in at my boutique to see how they did for the day and as we pass by the other shops, we wave and share news with their employees. Creed & Zelda like to run into the salon next door and visit the girls.
-On up to Jo's where the employees will give Creed his nightly banana and we chat with whoever's around...followed by a tour around the outdoor bar at the San Jose and a hello to the fishes in the fountain. No time for cocktails as there's music across the street at the Continental Club - that means dancing on the sidewalk to some country swing.
-Up to Gueros where the garden is filled with diners waiting for a table and more music! We dance to Ponty Bone or Los Flames - Zelda jumps and smiles and Creed runs and drums.
-Back down the hill to the terrace of Mars where Olivier Giraud is playing guitar with Paris 49 - we get our French fix of music for the evening.
-Another stop at Jo's where the Vampire Weekend/Spoon wannabes - i.e. hipster guys in skinny jeans are playing music before they show a film in the parking lot. Creed likes to say "Mosh pit!" and imitate them with his air guitar.
-A final stop at El Sol y La Luna where a wonderful cumbia band with a mariachi guitar invites us to dance with the other patrons....

So yes, we are fortunate...we may not have a swing set or walk-in closets (at least not yet!) or our own swimming pool, but our kids will grow up with music, friendly faces and a neighborhood filled with adventure.

The Fortunate 500

Once a year, the Austin American Statesman puts out a list of 500 "movers & shakers" in town that influence different areas in our community such as food, politics, media, heritage, philanthropy, etc. Since its inception, Evan & I have made the list for "Style/Fashion". We appreciate the recognition but also question their choice. For at times, usually at our lowest moments, it feels like the emperors new clothes. It's all smoke & mirrors and the public is buying it. Not that we don't have a wonderful life together with our twins; it's the other stuff, the day to day paying of the bills, running our businesses, trying to build up on our house, worrying about medical issues.

As far as the name "Fortunate 500" goes...when I see the other names on the lists, so many of them are major players. The couples with buildings named after them. The women who married "well". The old Austin families who donate lots of money. Sure, they may be fortune-ate. But we are so lucky in other ways:

-we have each other. My partner in life is wildly intelligent, creative, silly and "stylish", too.

-our kids are alive and flourishing beyond all expectations from the medical community.

-my entire family now lives nearby and my parents, who are in their 80's, are alive & kicking (and swimming, playing golf and the latest - playing pool!)

-we have such good friends that have supported us through all of our trials and tribulations and continue to take an interest in our lives and those of our children.

-we are healthy as we move past our 40's into our 50's.

-we continue to challenge ourselves both intellectually and creatively to produce things in our community.

That's only 6 things I am lucky enough to have. I am sure that I could think of 494 more...