A Monthly Birthday Celebration

This weekend, I shall celebrate another birthday. Pook, ensures me that it will be the "best birthday ever", for in the eyes of a 7YO, each birthday is better than the next. And, I happen to agree with her. She is quite smart you see.

She also informed me that I should celebrate it the entire month. (I mentioned she was a smart one!) So, I decided that I would. I'm taking this month to relax and enjoy my family. I will not be formally homeschooling. I plan to spend time at a pool or two (there is something about water in the summer). Enjoy the summer breezes (it's been heavenly this week). Play lots of games (someone is learning checkers). Read for enjoyment as well as to learn. And to take the time to pause, breathe, and enjoy things like cooking and food prep.

Squeak has been having a lot of break throughs, so I want to make sure that we take the time to nurture and celebrate how far she's come, and how close she is. I want to give her attention as she works on her sensory issues. She's been inspired by a new friend, and I don't want to loose that. I also want to make sure Pook is getting her fair share of attention as well.

So, I'm listening to my heart and slowing down. I want to savor things - life, moments, food, and people for a while. I want to take the time to walk slowly, breathe slowly, do things without feeling like I "have to" or feeling rushed. I want to box this feeling of slowness up and give it to you my dear readers as a gift.

I want time to think, to be, to figure out what I want to do with my life and what is currently happening in my life. I don't know if changes will be made. I hope to make a few. I do know, that I'm treasuring this month. I'm looking at it with the wonder and joy that Pook does.

Journey to the Sea

They say the journey begins with a single step, and ours did indeed, though the key part was the crossing of a bridge. The weather was foggy, so you could only see so far. It reminded me of how we needed to stay in the present moment, and focus on what was in front of us, as opposed to where we were going or what was ahead.

I think I smiled the entire vacation. My heart was full. I was with my family. I was visiting family and meeting friends of old and new. My heart was full, bursting with joy and gratitude. I found myself enjoying everything - the car ride, the kids, the people, the views, the food - it was heaven. I made the most of each moment, treasuring with all of my senses.

Gifts can be wrapped up in packages and tied up in string, or they can be wrapped in what you least expect. Everywhere I turn I discovered something sweet (and not just the chocolate!). We spent time with some amazing people. Even hubby enjoyed himself (and that is a rare thing when it involves new people).

When visiting my mom, she sent the kids on a radish hunt. She'd picked two, then had them search for the leaves in the garden where they got to pick more. She took the time to set up a feast in her part of the house, and fed us throughout the day, until my brother came in, and fed us more.

I found that I was not only fed on the physical level. My spirit, my very soul felt nurtured and loved throughout the week. We were able to see a few friends (sorry if we didn't get to see more of you - we only had so much time!), and even though some plans fell through (thanks to work and flash floods), everything still fell into place.

I found that when I just enjoyed what happened, when I made the most of events, people, things, and feelings, there seemed to be some type of pattern or plan in place. So, we embraced it and went with it.

Eventually we made our way to the beach. The beach has always been healing for me. There is something about the waves, the ocean itself, and the sand. I always need to say hello, and to listen. I like to stand at the edge, and let the waves kiss my toes and embrace my feet. Joy filled me, traveled through me. I wanted to dance, even go into the waves and let the water baptize me with joy and contentment. You can almost let things go with the tide, to be taken away into the oceans depths, and not have to worry about them.

We wondered how Pook would react to the water and sand this time. She loved it. It was a joy to watch her play in the sand and the waves. She made a new friend, and we made new friends. There was an overflow of gratitude on so many levels. There was full, total, and complete relaxation. And laughter, oh the laughter!


We found that time was relative. We stayed up until the wee morning hours indulging in chit-chat, chocolates and pomegranate margaritas. There were rum and cokes, 10 layer cakes, mini do-nuts ;), and other delights to tease the tast buds.

The environment was laid back and loving. The people were kind, generous, interested, interesting, and overall wonderful. There is something about being able to be with people who just take you as you are. People with whom you can let down your guard and just be yourself without worry. People whom you can laugh with, and share precious moments with.


We made some incredible memories. We had an awesome time. My heart is filled with gratitude for the people, the moments, the fun, the laughter - ALL of it.

Thank you. I am basking in blessings.

Autumnal Bliss

The scent of soup on the stove wafts through our home. It's lentil soup, and today, it's a very special soup. You see, it's because Pook helped to cut the veggies, add the veggies and stir. A dear friend of mine gave me a knife that is not sharp that kiddos can use to cut things. Although, she doesn't quite have the strength yet. So, she sat on my lap and helped push my hand down.

It was one of those sacred moments. It's been one of those sacred days.

She woke up from a bad dream, so I brought her from bed, and kept her in my arms while working. She dozed off and on, then looked up at me, put her hand on my face, and told me I was wonderful. Then, she told me how much she loved me. My heart blossomed.

There were many things I'd wanted to do today, but I put them aside to plan a picnic to the park. She helped to pack up the foods. When it was time, we drove to the big park. We sat on a rock and ate our hardboiled eggs, then we played for a bit on the swings, and sat on the slide to drink and eat a bit more.

We climbed ladders. We explored the sound of crunching leaves, and wondered about which birds sang for us. We slid down the slide together. We laughed. We hugged. We had to rest on a bench on the way back to the car. She told me that when she gets bigger, and can use the stove, that she will cook soup and dinner for me.

I asked her if she'd move away when she got older, or if she'd stay nearby. She informed me that she would live nearby. I sighed, and told her that if at that time she wanted to live far away, it would be okay. In my heart, I hope she'll stay close. But, that's a long time away. For now, I only know that she thinks I am wonderful. That she loves me. That right now, she needs me, and that she is so very precious to me.

I am so eternally grateful for this day.

Art and Mozart

I sit here typing, while Pook paints to the tune of Mozart's Morning Commute. One of those CD's I got suckered into years ago with those mailing lists. But, today, it's vibrancy filters through my home, while Pook happily creates green from blue and yellow.

I'd share a picture, but the camera's broken. :( We're trying to figure out how to rectify that. Phil, Stacie - any suggestions for the next camera?

It's hot and muggy outside, so thankfully we've got air condition and paints. :) Although, this past weekend - the weather was sheer perfection!

Freedom from Self-Improvement Day

I thought this was pretty cool. A freedom from self-improvement day. More information here for those interested (or just tired of trying to improve one's self:

http://www.freedomfromselfimprovement.com/

A sweet week

It's been a good week this week. It's been one of those mind-blowingly creative, inspiringly productive, let's-get-up-and-dance-when-the-music-plays -a-good-beat type of weeks. OH what fun!

Pook has been really into her alphabet computer game, and doing these practice writing worksheets. This has actually given me time to *gasp!* read and do other crafty projects. She's been really enjoying drawing, we've been reading her Lady Bug magazines together, and I've even had the opportunity to start looking into homschool programs. Who knew there were SO many?

We did get snow on Wednesday; however, it's melting fast, and the signs of spring and longer days are definitely here. Especially in my dining room, and around the house. Slowly, I've been removing the winter decorations, and replacing them with more floral things. I was so inspired, that I decided to sew new place mats, and to create table runners, and Pook was helping me and ready to learn how to sew, and... then my sewing machine broke.

So, I made do with a few stiches to hold things in place until I can get a sewing machine, or borrow one. I was not to be deterred from the yummy yellow fabric I wanted to see on my table! :)

And with that, I wish you all a Happy Friday, and a weekend with spring goodness admist the winter!

So, do you like British humor?

I absolutely LOVE British humor, with thanks to BBC and Phil for introducing me to Black Adder (LOVE IT!), the hubby for Red Dwarf (oh Lister!), and oh other goodies! And don't even get me started on the delightful discovery of the series of Hercule Poirot, starring David Suchet as Poirot. I can't even see anyone else playing him now. He's so perfect!!! (And for you Monk fans out there - you will SO see who he is based off of!)

But, I've digressed. I'm here to rave about the movie Keeping Mum with Maggie Smith, Rowan and Kristin. If you like dark comedies, British humor, Maggie Smith (Oh Maggie!), you will SO LOVE this movie! And Rowan! I knew he was brilliant in Black Adder... but he just floors me in this movie. Really, he was amazing as a vicar (yes, a vicar) who's disconnected from his wife and how he rediscovers himself and, well, don't want to ruin it for anyone, but really - this movie is SO good!

And um, yeah, I've already watched it 3, maybe 4 times since we got it Friday from Netflix and ended up buying it. I can't help it, each time we watch it, you notice something else. A look here, a simple inflection there... I have an awesome appreciation for these actors. Mind you though - the Amercian character will discuss you, and there is some nudity. And, oh yeah, murder (that you never actually see... and arent' gory).

And so now you know. I love and adore British humor. And yes, you'll occasionally hear my spouting off about putting the kettle on for tea, watching the tele, etc. ... comes from all those bloody good shows doncha know.

Making the most of snowy days...

When it's too cold to venture outside, we reccomend baking:

When you get 4 inches, and it's warm enough to go out, then, it's most fun to sled.

For the last 4 winters, my sweet Pook has had a variety of reactions to the snow. First, she hated it and cried because of the cold. She was 8 months. Second winter, when she was 1 and a half, she cried, but sledded a bit, and helped with a snow man. Third winter, there was lots of giggles and the desire to build a snowman, but you had to sled with her.

Forth winter:

It's all about independence.

I heart...

this blog:

Soule Mama

Not only is it one of the more inspiring blogs, but if I'm having a rough day, I can go there and soak in the visual goodness. Her blog is so cozy, and her pics on Flickr - more visual goodness.

Ah... bloggity bliss.

200th Post and More Snow

It's my 200th post. Wow. Have I really written so much?

Yes. And each time I write, it frees up a part of my mind, providing clarity. I've always been a writer, in that I love to write. This blog has been a great outlet for me.

Today it snowed again. Pook was excited beyond belief. She was especially excited when she realized that she could leave foot prints. She made a snow rainbow with her lil friends.

She even made a snowman with her friends. Though good for skiing, our snow was not good for packing, so the snowman looks like he's melting.

The one thing this winter's snow has taught me, is that sometimes, you need to just leave things and go play in it. If you wait until the afternoon, it might be melted and gone, and then you've nothing to play in.

This winter, I'm all about getting outside in the snow. Pook loves it, and I get to recconect with something greater - nature and the outdoors.

So here's to the footprints we leave, and the blogs that we read. May you always get the chance to play in the snow, before it's gone.

Attitude

I recently read this post by Ed over at his blog. First, it got me wondering if I'd told people - "Just you wait until... " in terms of babies. Hmmm... Ed, I think I might have said/written something along those lines, and if I did, I apologize.

I'm not one of those people sitting by, eating popcorn in wait for new parents to have issues, or to go through what we went through; however, I realize I've a tendency to blurt out my thoughts. I think it's just become a habit for me to say things like that, as there have been some people I know who've jumped into parenthood without a clue as to what to expect. In my own mind, I think I wanted to prepare them - life inevitably changes after baby. But then, in recent events, I suppose that's a judgement on my part.

What really strikes me about his post, and Ed in general, is the way he approaches life. He has FUN. In his words:

When faced with any responsibility we tend to see "fun" in those things that match our routines and see "work" in those things that do not. And, thus, there are those who suffer through and those who celebrate the very same things. Which is just a long-winded way of saying: it's all about attitude! After doing something I enjoy, I feel refreshed. After doing something that I just couldn't make myself enjoy, I feel exhausted, as if I have been swimming against a rip tide. So, I've found I get more done by doing things I enjoy.

I've learned to find stimulation in several otherwise mundane tasks. Far from being simple for it, I've found it takes a great deal of imagination, creativity, and energy. I've also found that thinking this way has made me often scratch my head when people warn me of the trials of most things in life.

So, please, let me adjust the Nike slogan of "Just Do It" and replace it with "Just Enjoy It".

Well written Ed (although, if you ever do get around to updating your post, let me know and I'll fix it here).

Perhaps I'll come up with a few other ponderings on this at another time. But right now, I just want to savor the words.

Faery names

My faery name:

Flower Saphire Skylace

or, if I took my hubby's last name I'd be: Flower Saphire Pomegranate

The Pook's faery name:

Sunshine Misty Pomegranate

Hubby's faery name:

Dillweed Wonder Owen

Curious about yours:
http://www.wishfaery.com/faeryname/faeryname.html

Freaky...

Your Life Path Number is 5

Your purpose in life is to life freely and collect experiences. You love life - new adventures, new people, new ideas. You are very curious, and you crave novelty in all forms. You tend to make friends easily, and you enjoy the company of all types of people. In love, you are fun and even a bit intoxicating. But you won't stick around for long. You are impulsive and spontaneous - which sometimes leads you to do things you regret. Sometimes you can be overindulgent with food, sex, or drugs. You have many talents, so many that you are often scattered and unfocused.

What Is Your Life Path Number?

What time of Day are you?

So, do you think this fits me, or not?

You Are Sunrise

You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary. You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward. Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You're often cooking for friends or buying them gifts. All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be.

What Time Of Day Are You?

The Art of Play Doh

Today, I had the time to sit on the floor and play with my beloved daughter. We made elephants, giraffes, birds, and snakes. We made letters of the alaphabet, and I was asked to spell out our names, and Daddy's too. It's amazing how a few moments of concentrated play with a child affects her.

It's also amazing how much fun playing Play Doh with a 3-year old is. Hmmm... think we'll have to get some more of those activity packs. Personally, I always liked the one where you put people on a chair, and the Play Doh came out like hair! Now, there's a plethora of things to choose from: http://www.hasbro.com/playdoh/default.cfm?page=products

Empress Spring Frog

If I were ever a member of the Ya Ya Sisterhood... that would be my name. Although, if I go by my nickname, I'd be Princess Smiling Sun.

Hmmm... which do you think fits me best?

Sweet Sunday Moments

Sleeping in amongst flannel sheets, rain's outdoor symphony against the bedroom window panes, I slowly opened my soft eyes to morning's light peeping in through my window, and the sound of pitter-pattering feet, followed by a happy sounding "hey!"

Sitting on the couch, caught up in the laughter of Da Hub falling off the couch and landing on Dora's "Backpack", only to end up erupting in one of those good, old-fashioned pillow fights (after we removed glasses), where you beat one another silly without maiming someone or something, and watching Pook grabbing a pillow and whacking Daddy with all the force her little body could muster.

That feeling of relief that only a good spout of laughter that takes you uncontrollably, shaking out all the stress, fear, and anything else you can't remember, as you hold your sides to catch your breath, and smile.

Snuggling in hubby's arms while Pook plays amongst us, eventually working her way over, so that all 3 of us end up spooning in the middle of the living room floor, basking in that sporadic feeling of family love and gratitude.

The soft voices of hubby and pook singing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star".

Pook holding my head in between her soft little hands, telling me that she loves her Mommy, while my heart melts, and she falls into my arms for a full blown Mommy-daughter hug.

Ah... these are the mornings that fill me with bliss.

Funny tidbits about me in fives...

This in in regards to a few questions from a certain someone, who as promised, shall remain anon. However, also as promised, my answers (and dag, these were tougher than I thought!!)

5 Things most people don't know about me
1 I like Elvis, and listen to his music.
2 I enjoy writing snail mail letters to my grandmothers
3 I don't like watching movies in the theater; but I'll watch them at home (where I can watch them from the end, to middle, to beginning skipping around)
4 I love old comedy movies with starts like Shirley MacLaine, Dan Kaye
5 In the same day I can be passionately moved by a classical baroque piece, and within 5 minutes I've a passion for a hardcore techno beat.

5 Things I enjoy doing
1 Reading good books
2 Dancing by moonlight, round a bonfire, to drums
3 Getting a good massage
4 Swimming in an outdoor pool during the summer
5 Zoning out to good music, and letting my imagination run free

5 Things I really want to do
1 Take a train through Europe
2 Do one of those murder mystery train rides
3 Live a month in Italy and Greece
4 Live a month along a beach or a cove in Maine or Taiwan
5 Have lunch with Oprah Winfrey

5 Things I love to eat
1 Really, really good chocolate
2 Pomegrantes
3 Chevre, especially warmed on white bread
4 Any of the soups at the nearby French Restaurant
5 Moist, delicious chocolate cake with a light and fluffy buttercream icing

5 Things I love to drink
1 Water (Um, yes, really)
2 Chai Lattes
3 Bengal Spice Tea
4 A smooth, sweet red wine
5 Mexican hot cocoa

5 Things I love to wear
1 A good fitting pair of jeans
2 Hanes tank tops
3 Warm socks
4 Jade bracelets
5 Yoga pants

5 Things I'd love to get as gifts from other people
1 A gift certificate for a massage
2 A gift certificate for reflexology
3 Tickets to a symphony
4 A day at the Spa
5 Donation to a valid charitable organization in my name

5 Things I'd love to get as gifts from good friends
1 Hugs, hugs, and yeah, more hugs
2 Poetry or art work
3 Pictures
4 Their time
5 Fresh Flowers

5 Things I've recieved as gifts that made an impression
1 Freshly picked flowers
2 Homemade facial toner
3 Poetry written for me
4 A set of carved wooden pigs
5 A fancy cake made especially for my birthday

5 Things I'd do if I won the lottery
1 Buy a house in the mountains with lots of land
2 Put away money for the child's education
3 Donate a good portion to various charities, including people I know who could really use some financial help
4 Travel the world
5 Live a month in Italy or Greece

5 Things I wish my mate would do for me
1 Get season tickets to a symphony or play, or at least take me to one.
2 Plan a vacation near a beach or small cove, and walk with the beach with me.
3 Plan and execute a date night; complete with babysitting arangments
4 Take me out for a latte, just the two of us where we could sit and talk on the front porch
5 Get me monthly massages (since he's not too fond of giving them)

5 Things I'd like to do for my mate
1 Find an anonymous benefactor so he wouldn't have to work anymore
2 Take him on a trip around the world
3 Create a space just for him; a little cabin in the words. Complete with playstation and other eltronic setups, spot for napping, and cozy pillows and blankets.
4 Send him on a return vacation to Maine (either with us, or on his own - his call), hecht, if I could, by him a vacation home there.
5 Take him to dinner at the Olive Garden

5 Places I really want to go
1 Italy
2 Paris and French country side
3 Greece
4 Ireland and England
5 Canada ;)

5 Places I've been
1 Estonia
2 Russia
3 Taiwan
4 BalHarbor, Maine
5 Sedona, Arizone

5 Favorites
1 Crisp fall days
2 A good murder mystery
3 Snow days (when no one has to go to work!)
4 Soft flannel sheets
5 A good cuppa chai latte

And, though techinally this is sort of a meme, anyone who feels compelled to do this in their own blog, journal, or what have you, is more than welcome.

What type of weather are you?

This was too neat not to post. And, for those who know me, I think it's pretty accurate:

You Are Rain

You can be warm and sexy. Or cold and unwelcoming.Either way, you slowly bring out the beauty around you. You are best known for: your touch Your dominant state: changing

http://blogthings.com/whattypeofweatherareyouquiz/">What Type of Weather Are You?

Awesome new discovery...

I found this on on of the blogs I'm addicted too... er, that I read.

Check her out: http://www.lilihaydn.com/flash/flash.htm

You can hear samples of the CD on her site. She's beautiful to listen to, and look at! In any case, I'll be ordering that CD next month once I pay off the new puter screen.

Oh, and off the topic, I just had to share this, from this site. And, being that I'm over 30, I must say, it's so true. I don't know what it is about that age, but it was a powerful transition time for me. Unlike friends of mine who pretended they were still 29, I embraced it with a passion and two parties. (One of which involved dancing around a bonfire, drumming, with a bunch of women celebrating our inner goddess while the menfolk stayed at the house wondering what we were up to, but scared to find out. That was THE BEST! In fact, I think I need to find another reason to do another one of those... Hmmm...)

UPDATE>>>This was NOT written by Andy Rooney from CBS 60 Minutes. Actually, as Ed pointed out in his comment on this post, it wasn't Andy Rooney (who, if you check Ed's post feels differently), but Frank Kaiser in 2000. And thank you Ed, because after I posted it, I was wondering if it was one of those urban legends, but I admit I was too lazy to look it up!

In any case, I got it here: http://amethystgrove.blogspot.com/ My comments are in brackets.

Andy Rooney says:As I grow in age, I value women who are over 30 most of all.

Here are just a few reasons why: A woman over 30 will never wake you in the middle of the night to ask, "What are you thinking?" She doesn't care what you think. [This isn't entirely true. I do care; most of the time. ] If a woman over 30 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does what she wants to do. And, it's usually something more interesting anyway. [Okay, this is completely true.]

A woman over 30 knows herself well enough to be assured in who she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of 30 give a crap about what you might think of her or what she's doing. [This is very true for me.]

Women over 30 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you, but only if they think they can get away with it. [Ditto.]

Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated. [Considering I JUST mastered the art of appreciation and gratitude, this is SO true. I could be an unapprecitive b!tch at times. And I so apologize for any of you out there who dealt with that! Blarg!] A woman over 30 has the self-assurance to introduce you to her women friends. A younger woman with a man will often ignore even her best friend because she doesn't trust the guy with other women. Women over 30 couldn't care less if you're attracted to her friends because she knows her friends won't betray her.

Women get psychic as they age. [Well, I agree with this one; for me at least.] You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 30. They always know. Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 30 is far sexier than her younger counterpart. [I like this one, but would like to know why he feels this way. Any men out there care to expand on this?] Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off if you're a creep or if you are acting like one! You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her. [True, although, there are still those moments when I want hubby to read my mind. ]

Yes, we praise women over 30 for a multitude of reasons.Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coifed hot woman of 30+, there is a balding, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year-old waitress. Ladies, I apologize. For all those men who say, "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free". Here's an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage, why? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire Pig, just to get a little sausage.

The last part had me cracking up. So, I know there are guys out there who read this blog, and I'd like your opinion on this. What do you think of women who are over 30? Feel free to be blunt. I'm over 30. I can handle it. ;)