Duncan's Halloween Trick or Naughty, Naughty Puppy!

This is a cushion LESS swing...what happened to the cushion you might ask yourself...one very active, very BORED puppy...Duncan!

Dear Mommy...Nom Nom Nom...Look Mommy...I made snow...Nom Nom Nom...you were at work all day see and your back was hurting and see I just wanted to play...

I Love you Mom, sorry your yard is all messed up and junk...guess YOU will be cleaning and I will chase the rake...

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"

Mostly Wordless Wednesday - Halloween Part II

"Meech" and "Ree Ree" approximate ages 7 and 5...

Sisters...then and now...still playing dress ups!!!

Ree Ree still has a little gypsy in her (smile, I love that) Meech is dancing again, however not in a unitard (she is taking Hip Hop classes, I love that) Fall Festival Saturday - I know of one little girl that will probably, most likely, definitely be a PRINCESS of some sort!

P.S. Michelle...I am still looking for the Rug Indian costume...who knows what I may find!!! BEWARE...hehehehe...love you girls...mean it!

Halloween or Not...That is the Question???

(Halloween circa 1968ish in Germany with one of my best friends...muhawhaw...)

One of the sure signs of Autumn...ghosts, goblins, pumpkins and all manner of things that go bump in the night. I am quite the fan of classic horror movies and literature. I am talking about a good ghost story, the oldies in black and white film...I am totally not a fan of anything classified as horror that involves slashing, bashing and mutilation. As a child, the movie "The Creature from the Black Lagoon" scared my socks off! Time to read a little Edgar Allen Poe with some hot cider by the fireplace...

My back has been "out" and as an excuse I watched scary movies and "The Haunted History of Halloween" on the History channel. The show was a veritable feast of Halloween origins and traditions. I have always thought of Halloween as a time for friends and family to enjoy some fun and frivolity. Apparently, many think of Halloween as the "Devil's Day" and give it a more ominous meaning. I understand that much of the celebration has pagan beginnings...to each his own...something that I found deeply disturbing...was of a church that had a Hell House...wherein they showed sins and what would become of "sinners" if they partook in Halloween or the many other sins of the world...from the little portions that were shown on the program...if I were questioning my beliefs or a seeker...I would run away from this "christian" enterprise as if the devil himself were after me. The "Hell House" was freaky and not in a good way. I just didn't get it! The God I worship is a God of Love and Mercy and Charity. I am interested in what others think of Halloween...celebrate it or not?

And being the heathen that I am...here is a repeat from another Halloween post...my Mom clearly helped throw this outfit together...

My friend's mom was a wee bit more imaginative...love ya anyways MOM!!! Thanks for letting me wear your dress and make up!

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.

I Second That Emotion...

I had one of those nights where the brain is in overdrive and bouncing all over the place. Fortunately exhaustion finally kicked in and sleep was very good. Do you ever have moments, days or weeks whereby you experience every single emotion. Our lives have been filled to over flowing with abundant joy and yet at the same time we are experiencing extreme anxiousness, sadness and disappointment.

Unfortunately, some people will let you down and disappoint you...all we can do is get up, dust off and keep going...I saw a "Japanese proverb" that states "Fall Seven Times Stand Up Eight"I like that a LOT. I still have to believe with every thing in my soul that most people are good...it is the only way to make it through one day to the next. With hope. My husband is the King of dust yourself off, quit whining and go forth!

sooo...how do you like my new house....

I wish...this enchanting home was the setting for a lovely wedding day brunch for our very soon to be daughter in law. Friends of the family hosted a lovely event and allowed me to wander amidst the antiques and fabulous architectural features...love!

It was a busy, cold and wet weekend culminating in the joining of two hearts as one!

Presenting Mr. and Mrs. F, III All the very best to them as they start a new chapter in their lives!

(My husband yelled Mazaltov after the speeches...I am not sure he knows what that means! The bride's sister tucked her dress in her PURPLE rainboots for the reception. It was cold and the ground was still very wet!)

So much joy...

coupled with anxiousness...a son in law in Afghanistan...we pray for his safety and well being...his wife and children miss him so much!

As my friend Kristi often closes...Peace Ya'll!!!

In the Pink - Writing and Creating

Martha Stewart Living and Ford Warriors in Pink have joined forces to donate proceeds from a stamping kit to raise funds for breast cancer research. The kit has a variety of colors and lovely stamps to create a number of fun projects...ideas can be found in the Martha Stewart Living magazine or you can "do your own thing".



I love to receive emails and to "talk" with friends on facebook...however more than that...I absolutely ADORE receiving cards and letters the old fashioned way through the United States Postal Service. I enjoy sending my own creations...cards and embellished letters and envelopes to my friends. Yolanda at Perfectly Imperfect made some suggestions for letter writing groups. I remained pen pals with a friend from Germany for over fifteen years...it was good fun. Alas, I do not write near as many cards and letters as I did in years past. If anyone is interested in exchanging cards or letters let me know in the comments section and we can work out the details!



My husband and I would write each other letters and notes...sometimes they would be silly like the ones written by a younger child such as do you like me...check yes, no, maybe...my husband writes the most heartfelt, sweet letters complete with pictures! My daughters and I kept a notebook that we wrote back and forth to each other...often containing very bad poetry and limericks. I find it very difficult to part with my notes and spent a greater part of an afternoon reading the very first cards, notes and letters written by my children...so sweet and now my grandchildren are "writing" and drawing pictures...too sweet.



I think of some of the letters written in days gone by...some published in books...some collected by family members...the day to day thoughts expressed so lovingly. It is definitely becoming a lost art. My Mother and Father wrote daily letters to each other when he was stationed in Viet Nam...often it would take weeks to receive them. On occasion Dad would write separate letters to my brothers and me instead of including a line in Mom' s letters. I remember the letters from Germany...the struggle to read a language in which I was quickly losing ground. Now it is a phone call...nice...I miss the letters.



To those suffering a devastating illness, a card or letter is most appreciated by most. I have received thank you notes for offering such a simple kindness. Each of us know someone that is suffering from physical illness, heartache or other grief...send them your thoughts...it is not always easy to say the right thing...if your heart is involved the message will be heard and deeply appreciated.



To my dear friends and family suffering the ravages of disease...I think of you and pray for you daily with a loving heart. Peace be with you.

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.

In the year 1981..

28 years ago today I was in the hospital giving birth to the most wonderful bundle of joy...we were both blessed that day after serious complications and a short stay in the hospital...we began a beautiful journey...HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHELLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is rare to photograph "Meech" without one or more children on her lap, back...attached to her legs...one beach photo of Michelle and her husband has little arms and hands reaching up...

I don't know if I tell you often enough...you are fabulous, wonderful, beautiful, talented and funny...my grandchildren and son in law are lucky to have you!!! Love Ya Bunches, Mom

(I think M's hubby took the photos, I only took the first one one Christmas morning)

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...)