Flashback Friday or Normal is Good!

So after the great "boobie" scare of the last few weeks...it is good to be back to normal...almost! During the dark of the night, the very worst scenario would lodge into my brain and stay there...if nothing else the "scare" made me appreciate my life...the people I hold near and dear.
Please check the girls regularly and get a mammogram!

So...my grandson has been registered for kindergarten and I am not really sure where the time went...I am sharing the photos whereby little one still has a diaper and his shoes on...the cutest ones are of the bare cheeks running through the yard...that boy has always loved water and not wearing clothes...seems like he was born just five minutes ago...playing with the granddarlings brings me great joy!

A few other random thoughts:

I am wondering what the new neighbors with six kids, five dogs, two or three trucks and lots of tools will be building this weekend...last Saturday I woke up to hammering...there were two little buildings erected...I can't see much because for the first time in twenty years there is a privacy fence separating the yards...the house has been added to as well. I remember moving into our house and our backdoor neighbors passing brownies over the fence and how many backyard over the fence conversations we had...our children grew up together...I guess I won't be passing brownies through this fence.

Hopefully, I will be inspired to work on a few projects this weekend! I have started an art journal, a new dance/exercise class (more on that later...love it) apart from the millions of ideas floating through my brain right now I also have the very practical home and yard projects to consider. Actually...I probably should do more than consider those projects...I want some home grown fresh veggies!

Spring excites me...rebirth on so many levels...I am also reminded of my dear friend Dot Dot each time I see the daffodils in bloom...her favorite harbinger of Spring and the poem by Wordsworth!

I wandered lonely as a Cloud
That floats on high o'er Vales and Hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd
A host of dancing Daffodils;
Along the Lake, beneath the trees,
Ten thousand dancing in the breeze.

The waves beside them danced, but they
Outdid the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay
In such a laughing company:
I gazed -- and gazed --but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude,
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the Daffodils

Can you believe most of our "Daffys" down South have almost bloomed out!
What will you do with your glorious Spring time?

Touch O Pink

October is nearing a close...it has been a month devoted to Breast Cancer Awareness...So much information is available...Be Aware...Do What YOU can! Christina of Soul Aperture invited the blogging community to participate in "pink thoughts"...who knows how many where reached by these efforts...Thanks Christina...you are a beautiful soul!

Browsing through photos I was amazed at the number containing a "touch o pink"

a few favorites...

• electricians will not use pink pens no matter how desperate they get...
• mother and daughter in shades of pink
• overexposed gerber daisy...speaks volumes...we are overexposed to so much that is not good!
• Divalicious Hair
• Shoe Uncertainty...which one...granddarling chooses to wear one of each

Some clever creators have come up with an unusual way to raise funds for breast cancer research using bras as a vehicle for ART...here is one link...there are tons of images at Google Images...just type in Bra Art Show!

It has been my pleasure to participate in "pink thoughts"

Got Encouragement

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month...I am posting one of the most wonderful articles by one of my favorite singer, songwriters Christine Kane. I read this when I need to be reminded to encourage others or even to encourage myself...

How to Be an Extreme Encourager

Many years ago, when I first shared my dream of being a songwriter with one of my best friends, she knitted her brows and said, "Huh?" I can't say I was deflated by all of the warnings that followed. After all, I had always been surrounded by this kind of "practical thinking." In fact, I probably shared my dream with her just so she'd talk me out of it. During this fumbling stumbling time in my life, I met a man who became an unlikely best friend and mentor. He was a brilliant jazz musician, and he could do pretty much anything on the computer. One night, after he performed at a local jazz club, we were walking towards my car. I told him my dream of being a songwriter. Without even blinking, he said, "Honey (he always called me Honey), you'd be a fabulous songwriter. That's perfect!" And he meant it. At that moment, I felt like I was falling into a soft clean bed. I had never experienced such direct and truthful encouragement without a single "practical" warning attached to it. This friend set me free by offering one simple thing: Encouragement. Fast forward many years and successes and failures later. I'm surrounded by encouragers. I'm sure there are doubters around. But they don't register anymore. Also, I have become an extreme encourager myself. I've observed extreme encouragers. I've also recognized some traits that they all have in common.
Here they are:
• An extreme encourager lives by example
The best encouragers are the ones who live it. Whether they're just getting started, or they're veteran risk-taking creativity-living wild-women - the encouragers are the ones who want a bigger life for themselves and are willing to "go there." This is why my jazz musician friend could simply offer encouragement when my other friend could not.
• An extreme encourager actively listens
Encouragers know that encouragement doesn't mean you just tell people to "buck up" or "get over it." They know how to listen. This means looking at the speaker, listening to her, setting agendas and judgments aside, and honoring the speaker as a wise soul.
• An extreme encourager avoids clichés
Avoiding clichés is actually a result of actively listening to someone. Being an extreme encourager doesn't mean that you blindly tell people "You can do it!" or "Let go of fear!" It's deeper than that. It's seeing the truth of the other person, especially when they cannot.
• An extreme encourager acknowledges the hooglie-booglies, but doesn't focus on them
We all have the hooglie-booglies. These are the voices that tell us we can't, or we shouldn't, or we'll fail, or we'll look stupid. An encourager doesn't focus on those voices because she knows they're trying to hook her. An encourager simply acknowledges that the voices are there and that you can't make them go away by arguing with them. An encourager knows that those voices aren't the truth. They only SEEM like the truth.
• An extreme encourager remembers that no one knows what's best for anyone else
An encourager knows that we are all wise and that sometimes we make choices that might not seem so wise. An extreme encourager calls out our deepest desires and then helps us see the thoughts and fears that hold us back.
• An extreme encourager accepts miracles, grace and mystery as the deeper truth
Extreme encouragers are often mystics of sorts. They know that the so-called "woo-woo" stuff is more real than the so-called "logical" stuff. They celebrate the divine as a simple fact of everyday existence and don't get caught up in the "prove it" mindset.
• An extreme encourager knows that you can develop the needed character traits as you go In other words, she knows you're ready now, even if you're not perfect yet!
I shudder when I read advice that discourages people from trying something because of character traits "required" in advance. "You shouldn't blog if you're not disciplined." "If you don't have focus, you can't be a writer." Most of the successful people I know developed these traits as they went. I certainly did. Encouragers understand the huge potential for growth in each human, especially when someone begins to follow her heart.
———————-
I'm grateful to the encouragers! And I'm grateful to be able to pass it on to others - either my friends, or to women in my retreats or my coaching clients! Who has given you the encouragement you needed in your life? And do you pass it on now?


Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her 'LiveCreative' weekly ezine with more than 4,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FRE*E subscription to LiveCreative at www.christinekane.com.

More Pink Thoughts

Wishing and Hoping and Praying that the race for the cure for breast cancer will be achieved during her lifetime! Maybe she will be the doctor or scientist who discovers the cure!

Other thoughts for the day...

Tracie sent me five words to ponder and write about...piece of cake...right...right??? Without further ado...I present my words and my attempt to tie them in with pink thoughts as well.

• Flowers - I adore flowers, so much that apart from growing some...I frequently buy them for myself and others...I always parcel out a portion of money each week to have fresh flowers on my desk usually daisies, one of my favorites! Flowers are food for the soul!
• Taste - hmmm...I appreciated my sense of taste more when I lost it for a brief time...for whatever reason my body was off kilter and everything tasted of earth and metal. Now I can savor fresh fruit, crusty bread and pungent cheeses (lunch today) May you always be blessed with plenty of nourishment and that you are able to truly enjoy the flavors.
• Comfortable - Do you remember a time when looks were more important than comfort? Well my friends, comfort is QUEEN!!!! My clothing and shoes must feel good against my skin and feet. I adore freshly laundered cotton sheets and a lightweight cotton blanket. My dear friend losing all her hair to chemotherapy remarked that the hat I knitted of the softest yarn was perfect to wear to bed..."my poor little, bald head gets soooo cold" This also prompted a project to knit many, many hats for the Oncology clinics that those in need may have something of comfort to warm their heads and hearts.
• Work - I believe there is great joy in being able to work, whatever the job may be...employment away from home, the homecaring that must be done, the volunteer projects, the child rearing that can sometimes be a lot of W*O*R*K Great satisfaction is the reward for a job well done.
• Believe - my word for 2009...I believe that through the efforts of many we can bring about "the change we wish to see in the world" (paraphrased from Ghandi) I believe we are beloved children of a Most Heavenly Father who knows our every need and desire and has a great plan for each of us. I believe that most people are Good...sometimes we may have to look a little deeper however goodness is there. I believe that goodness can radiate outwards like a ripple in a pond and we each must be the pebble that brings it forth.

I wish you a beautiful day filled with beautiful thoughts. To my sisters still battling a relentless disease I offer you my prayers of courage, strength and comfort.

A Brighter Shade of Pink

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. Christina has suggested posting "pink thoughts" every Thursday in October. You can read more about it by clicking on the pink thoughts badge to the left of this blog.

So many friends and family members have been touched by this disease. I wish to honor each of them and to raise awareness for our daughters and granddaughters...all the women we know and love.

There are numerous ways to show support and I would offer that you choose the way that best suits you and your lifestyle. I have included a couple of links emphasizing the need for monthly breast exams.

Cheryl Chapman has written a brochure about "Phluffing the Girls" which is illustrated and very informative.

The Feel Your Boobies Foundation has a website and facebook page and is also an excellent resource for information, products and donation opportunities.

Locally, Tilara is walking in the First Ladies Walk for Life 2009 and more information can be found here.

My prayer for you is that you are self aware and that you too may spread a message of awareness and hope. We are one and yet one pebble thrown in a pond creates a ripple effect that goes on endlessly!

(illustrated ribbon courtesy of www.vermontteddybear.com/SellGroup/Breast-Can...)

I AM NOT MY BOOBS!

It was that time again. It was put off as long as possible. Sigh, the "girls" needed some support. I would ALMOST rather have a root canal than to shop for bras. Oprah endorses her favorite as do many other celebrities. I have not found the ideal bra yet. I often wonder if these devices were originally designed by men to "keep us in place". Bras, for most of us, are a necessary evil! They keep the girls supported and they keep us modest. There are so many issues involved when shopping for the dreaded bras. Fit, comfort...straps that stay put, a back that doesn't ride up, no pinching or stabbing anywhere. I remember thinking that I would never have anything to fit into a real bra. A training bra sufficed until I was about 17 years old. A late bloomer...but when they bloomed...the rest is herstory. I wanted to feel pretty and at the time the options for larger breasts were pretty much limited to the Playtex, Cross Your Heart bras. During my twenties I often wanted to wear a shirt with an arrow pointing to my face. I wanted my male employers to acknowledge that I had a brain. At times I wanted to shout "I am not my Boobs!" Approaching 50, I just look at them and sigh! Gravity is not kind. My husband on the other hand is a happy man. (sorry kids, that's all I'll say) Coming to terms with who I am...I have changed the way I dress. I have given up the t-shirts to the neck with jean jumpers or anything that approaches my neck too closely. While trying to draw attention away from my chest, my clothes made everything appear larger. My look is mostly v-necks and lots of black but with a softer look! I like it.

I have been thinking about breasts due in part to several friends that have suffered the effects of breast cancer. These brave women have undergone surgery, chemotherapy and all the emotional effects of this disease. One of my friends related that every time she told someone she had breast cancer people would automatically look at her chest. Our breasts should not define who we are as women.

Recently I made the acquaintance of a wonderful woman that decided to have her silicone implants removed. She emphatically stated that she did not wish to have "these things" anymore. Who decides what is enough? This lovely lady decided to be true to herself and no one else. Bravo for You, J!

In honor of breast cancer awareness some time ago I e-mailed my friends an article written by a nurse describing how to "Phluff the Girls". Monthly breast exams are critical, yet how many actually take the time to do so? "Phluffing the Girls" has numerous other benefits for breast health according to the article. Look it over at http://www.cherylchapman.com/pdf/phluff.pdf

Big or Small, Perky or Not...our breasts are just our breasts and not a measure of who we are as individuals. The sum of all your parts makes up YOU! You are unique and beautiful, a creation of the most high God!