Recently, I was sitting with my daughter watching The Wizard of Oz - her first time and my 100th (or more). It never gets old to me. The movie was made in 1939 - 70 years ago and it holds up. I love this movie so much.
I can remember getting ready to graduate from high school and I could not wait to get the hell out of my version of Kansas. I went away to college and met my own personal cast of scarecrows, tin men, cowardly lions, witches, wizards, and even a flying monkey or two. Like most young people I was wondering what was over the rainbow.
So I jumped in with both feet. Studying (a little). Partying (a lot). Meeting new and amazing people. Falling in love. Dealing with a broken heart. Pushing my family away. Pulling them back. Falling back in love. Becoming a wife. Moving away to the west coast. Moving back to the east coast. Becoming a mother. Settling into a typical suburban life.
But even as I settled into my life - and it is a good one - I would catch myself wondering what was over the rainbow. Only recently did I realize that I was -in fact - over the rainbow. Today in church the sermon asked the question - "What will you do with this one wild and precious life?" My answer? Grab on with both hands and drink it all in.
This life with all of its "twisters", has all of the colors of the rainbow. The deep red of true love. The warm orange of contentment. The yellow tinge of uncertainty. The green of possibility. The blue of warm and loving family. The indigo of deep and important friendships. The energetic violet of growing children.
If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again I won't go looking any further than my own back yard. ~ Dorothy
I have found my rainbow.
Peace.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Gift Giving Madness
We ventured out today into the holiday shopping madness. So many people were out with their long lists attempting to cross everything off that list in the next 30 days. But, we weren't out buying gifts.
We took control of the gift madness a few years ago. My siblings and I decided to forgo gifts for each other in favor of spending that money on spoiling our parents a little more. As adults, we had all reached that point where there really wasn't anything that we needed that we weren't already buying for ourselves.
As for our children, we had gone through a couple of Christmas seasons where we attempted to get them everything they asked for. It was physically (and fiscally) exhausting. And then on Christmas morning they liked one or two things and the rest went unnoticed. We also were searching for a way to tie meaning to a season that has -in my humble opinion - devolved into an orgy of consumerism. We decided return meaning to the holiday and curb the spending by limiting our children to three gifts. Three gifts are what the Christ child was given so it allowed us to remind the children of the Christmas story. Plus, it forced our children to think long and hard about what they really wanted for Christmas rather than blindly circling everything in the Toys R Us circular. And we - as Santa - work very hard to make sure that what is on their lists shows up under the tree.
Most our friends were in disbelief when we started this - but our kids have never complained. And Christmas morning is really a joy. The kids are thrilled with what they open on Christmas morning because they get exactly what they wanted. And we have a leisurely morning actually PLAYING with the toys followed by a family meal and a holiday movie. Christmas Day is lovely.
Peace.
Tee
We took control of the gift madness a few years ago. My siblings and I decided to forgo gifts for each other in favor of spending that money on spoiling our parents a little more. As adults, we had all reached that point where there really wasn't anything that we needed that we weren't already buying for ourselves.
As for our children, we had gone through a couple of Christmas seasons where we attempted to get them everything they asked for. It was physically (and fiscally) exhausting. And then on Christmas morning they liked one or two things and the rest went unnoticed. We also were searching for a way to tie meaning to a season that has -in my humble opinion - devolved into an orgy of consumerism. We decided return meaning to the holiday and curb the spending by limiting our children to three gifts. Three gifts are what the Christ child was given so it allowed us to remind the children of the Christmas story. Plus, it forced our children to think long and hard about what they really wanted for Christmas rather than blindly circling everything in the Toys R Us circular. And we - as Santa - work very hard to make sure that what is on their lists shows up under the tree.
Most our friends were in disbelief when we started this - but our kids have never complained. And Christmas morning is really a joy. The kids are thrilled with what they open on Christmas morning because they get exactly what they wanted. And we have a leisurely morning actually PLAYING with the toys followed by a family meal and a holiday movie. Christmas Day is lovely.
Peace.
Tee
Friday, November 27, 2009
The Madness Begins
I am not a huge fan of the holiday season - there I said it. I know I am not the only one but sometimes it feels like I am.
From October 1st through New Year's Eve, I feel rushed. Christmas Decorations are out before Halloween and the gift buying frenzy begins on Thanksgiving Eve.
My parents were divorced when I was around two or three years old. It was the late 60s and divorce was not as civilized (if it ever is) as it is now with joint custody agreements and the like. We spent every other weekend and two weeks in the summer with my dad. Holidays, we spent with both families.
Ask any kid who spent their whole lives being shuttled between homes on Christmas and they will probably say things like "I got double the amount of gifts." For me, I was sick every Christmas without fail. It was exhausting to wake up on Christmas morning, open gifts at my mom's house, get dressed, get in the car with my dad, go to my grandparent's house, then my dad's house, then my step-grandparent's house, then back to my mom's house. I was pooped and the amount of gifts didn't make up for that. I did not view Christmas as special - but rather another day to get through.
As an adult, as soon as we had kids, I put my foot down. We do not get in the car on Christmas Day. If people want to see us or the kids, then they have to come to us. I did not want my kids to not have time to sit and enjoy the gifts they received. A lazy Christmas is the best as far as I am concerned.
Time has diminished my feelings that Christmas is a chore. But, I still am not a fan of this whole crazy whirlwind.
So in this season on madness - my wish for you is Peace.
Tee
From October 1st through New Year's Eve, I feel rushed. Christmas Decorations are out before Halloween and the gift buying frenzy begins on Thanksgiving Eve.
My parents were divorced when I was around two or three years old. It was the late 60s and divorce was not as civilized (if it ever is) as it is now with joint custody agreements and the like. We spent every other weekend and two weeks in the summer with my dad. Holidays, we spent with both families.
Ask any kid who spent their whole lives being shuttled between homes on Christmas and they will probably say things like "I got double the amount of gifts." For me, I was sick every Christmas without fail. It was exhausting to wake up on Christmas morning, open gifts at my mom's house, get dressed, get in the car with my dad, go to my grandparent's house, then my dad's house, then my step-grandparent's house, then back to my mom's house. I was pooped and the amount of gifts didn't make up for that. I did not view Christmas as special - but rather another day to get through.
As an adult, as soon as we had kids, I put my foot down. We do not get in the car on Christmas Day. If people want to see us or the kids, then they have to come to us. I did not want my kids to not have time to sit and enjoy the gifts they received. A lazy Christmas is the best as far as I am concerned.
Time has diminished my feelings that Christmas is a chore. But, I still am not a fan of this whole crazy whirlwind.
So in this season on madness - my wish for you is Peace.
Tee
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Plain as the Nose on Your Face
This morning, I had a procedure done called Mohs Surgery. It is a specialized form of surgery specific to having skin cancers taken from the face. I had a tumor on the side of my nose that I had been ignoring for the last two years. The tumor is gone now and I have a very attractive (and LARGE) bandage in its place. For the next two weeks we have to monitor the location to see if it heals on its own or if we will need to do a skin graft. I can't lift anything or bend over or do strenuous activity. They told me to take it easy for the next two weeks. For anyone who knows me, that's easier said than done. Taking it easy is not my thing.
I am religious about taking care of my skin and about using sunscreen and staying out of the sun. The doctor said that this cancer was probably the result of a bad burn when I was much younger. Yowza.
I can remember being younger and the highest sunscreen SPF was Coppertone 8. My mother would make me wear a t-shirt. When I was in college, I ignored sunscreen completely. I can remember hanging out on the roof of our sorority house to "get color" (translation - a sunburn) before big fraternity formals. I got blistering sunburns at a Grateful Dead concert and at the Preakness and just from hanging out.
Now, I wear sunscreen everyday. I use excellent skin care products. I can ROCK a hat!
Bottom line is make sure you wear sunscreen ALL year long. Learn to rock a hat. And get your skin checked by a dermatologist every year. Meanwhile, I will be learning to appreciate the new "character" of my nose.
PEACE.
I am religious about taking care of my skin and about using sunscreen and staying out of the sun. The doctor said that this cancer was probably the result of a bad burn when I was much younger. Yowza.
I can remember being younger and the highest sunscreen SPF was Coppertone 8. My mother would make me wear a t-shirt. When I was in college, I ignored sunscreen completely. I can remember hanging out on the roof of our sorority house to "get color" (translation - a sunburn) before big fraternity formals. I got blistering sunburns at a Grateful Dead concert and at the Preakness and just from hanging out.
Now, I wear sunscreen everyday. I use excellent skin care products. I can ROCK a hat!
Bottom line is make sure you wear sunscreen ALL year long. Learn to rock a hat. And get your skin checked by a dermatologist every year. Meanwhile, I will be learning to appreciate the new "character" of my nose.
PEACE.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Closed Door - Open Window
There is a quote that says - when a door closes a window opens. Well, our family is dealing with the closed door and looking hopefully for the open window. After waiting for an answer for six weeks, we found out two days ago, that my husband's position will not be renewed at the end of the year. After 11 years on the project, it is now time to look for something new.
The loss of his position will have a huge impact on our family. If he does not get a new position before the current one ends, we will join the ranks of Americans all over the country who face losing their homes, the destruction of their credit rating, and other significant changes to lifestyle and sense of security.
My husband has made a significant contribution to the project he has worked on for 11 years - as a matter of fact he is the only person left from the original team. The project allowed for him to work from home and be the primary caregiver to our two children. He is a great Dad and has raised two amazing young people.
The problem - after 11 years working from home and raising kids - he more than likely will have to go back out into the traditional work force. This may not seem like a problem, tons of people face it everyday. But for people like my husband or other stay at home parents (or people who have stayed home to care for their aging parents), returning to the workforce is tough because our society does not value time spent on these endeavors. Time out of the traditional workforce to do these activities is not recognized by most potential employers. It makes me sad.
I am trying to see the possibilities of this. If we lose our house - it really is just a pile of bricks. If we have to move to a new neighborhood - new friends. If we take a credit rating hit - we'll rebuild it. When we tell our kids - they'll see that their parents are committed to maintaining a positive attitude and learn the lesson that hardship is temporary and can be over come. All that matters is that the four of us land somewhere together with our minds on what is possible.
I already knew this but we have amazing friends who are doing their very best to point us in the direction of any open window. For them, we are grateful.
PEACE.
The loss of his position will have a huge impact on our family. If he does not get a new position before the current one ends, we will join the ranks of Americans all over the country who face losing their homes, the destruction of their credit rating, and other significant changes to lifestyle and sense of security.
My husband has made a significant contribution to the project he has worked on for 11 years - as a matter of fact he is the only person left from the original team. The project allowed for him to work from home and be the primary caregiver to our two children. He is a great Dad and has raised two amazing young people.
The problem - after 11 years working from home and raising kids - he more than likely will have to go back out into the traditional work force. This may not seem like a problem, tons of people face it everyday. But for people like my husband or other stay at home parents (or people who have stayed home to care for their aging parents), returning to the workforce is tough because our society does not value time spent on these endeavors. Time out of the traditional workforce to do these activities is not recognized by most potential employers. It makes me sad.
I am trying to see the possibilities of this. If we lose our house - it really is just a pile of bricks. If we have to move to a new neighborhood - new friends. If we take a credit rating hit - we'll rebuild it. When we tell our kids - they'll see that their parents are committed to maintaining a positive attitude and learn the lesson that hardship is temporary and can be over come. All that matters is that the four of us land somewhere together with our minds on what is possible.
I already knew this but we have amazing friends who are doing their very best to point us in the direction of any open window. For them, we are grateful.
PEACE.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
You are What You Eat
I co-facilitate a healthy living group every Monday night. The purpose of the group is to provide information and support to people who are interested in living an abundant, healthy life. It is an outgrowth of my Arbonne business.
One of the things we look at are the choices we make when it comes to food. This morning I pulled this article from YAHOO! News because it caused a lightbulb to go off for me. I have suffered from a low level of depression for years. It didn't occur to me that food could be a culprit but it makes perfect sense. As I continue to educate myself about my relationship with food, managing my depressive symptoms will be something I always consider when I am making food choices.
More and more I realize that you are - in fact - what you eat.
PEACE.
LONDON (AFP) – A diet heavy in processed and fatty foods increases the risk of depression, according to British research published on Monday.
Researchers at University College London also found that a diet including plenty of fresh vegetables, fruit and fish could help prevent the onset of depression.
They compared participants -- all civil servants -- who ate a diet largely based on "whole" foods with a second group who mainly ate fried food, processed meat, high-fat dairy products and sweetened desserts.
Taking into account other indicators of a healthy lifestyle such as not smoking and taking physical exercise, those who ate the whole foods had a 26 percent lower risk of depression than those who ate mainly processed foods.
People with a diet heavy in processed food had a 58 percent higher risk of depression.
The researchers put forward several explanations for the findings, which are published in the British Journal of Psychiatry.
Firstly, the high level of antioxidants in fruits and vegetables could have a protective effect, as previous studies have shown higher antioxidant levels to be associated with a lower risk of depression.
Secondly, eating lots of fish may protect against depression because it contains high levels of the sort of polyunsaturated fatty acids which stimulate brain activity.
And they said it was possible that a "whole food" diet protects against depression because of the combined effect of consuming nutrients from lots of different types of food, rather than the effect of one single nutrient.
The researchers concluded: "Our research suggests that healthy eating policies will generate additional benefits to health and well-being, and that improving people's diet should be considered as a potential target for preventing depressive disorders."
The study was carried out on 3,486 people with an average age of 55, who worked for the civil service in London.
Each participant completed a questionnaire about their eating habits, and a self-assessment for depression.
One of the things we look at are the choices we make when it comes to food. This morning I pulled this article from YAHOO! News because it caused a lightbulb to go off for me. I have suffered from a low level of depression for years. It didn't occur to me that food could be a culprit but it makes perfect sense. As I continue to educate myself about my relationship with food, managing my depressive symptoms will be something I always consider when I am making food choices.
More and more I realize that you are - in fact - what you eat.
PEACE.
LONDON (AFP) – A diet heavy in processed and fatty foods increases the risk of depression, according to British research published on Monday.
Researchers at University College London also found that a diet including plenty of fresh vegetables, fruit and fish could help prevent the onset of depression.
They compared participants -- all civil servants -- who ate a diet largely based on "whole" foods with a second group who mainly ate fried food, processed meat, high-fat dairy products and sweetened desserts.
Taking into account other indicators of a healthy lifestyle such as not smoking and taking physical exercise, those who ate the whole foods had a 26 percent lower risk of depression than those who ate mainly processed foods.
People with a diet heavy in processed food had a 58 percent higher risk of depression.
The researchers put forward several explanations for the findings, which are published in the British Journal of Psychiatry.
Firstly, the high level of antioxidants in fruits and vegetables could have a protective effect, as previous studies have shown higher antioxidant levels to be associated with a lower risk of depression.
Secondly, eating lots of fish may protect against depression because it contains high levels of the sort of polyunsaturated fatty acids which stimulate brain activity.
And they said it was possible that a "whole food" diet protects against depression because of the combined effect of consuming nutrients from lots of different types of food, rather than the effect of one single nutrient.
The researchers concluded: "Our research suggests that healthy eating policies will generate additional benefits to health and well-being, and that improving people's diet should be considered as a potential target for preventing depressive disorders."
The study was carried out on 3,486 people with an average age of 55, who worked for the civil service in London.
Each participant completed a questionnaire about their eating habits, and a self-assessment for depression.
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