endings can be beautiful...

as I watch the object of my affection slowly sink into the west, the sky illuminates with spectacular shades of colors reflected against the clouds. I stand constantly in awe of the beauty of nature...it is for me love made visible.

life...

is fragile. Handle it with care.

xo

oh! the places you'll go...

"your future is as boundless as the lofty heaven".
love my latest fortune!

cosmology

refers to the study of the Universe in its totality as it now is and humanitys place in it. Thinking on a grade scale. Perspective really helps with the here and now.

resiliance

the best thing

about turning 40, or being alive for that matter, is my little family. How I adore them. This seaweed sign says it all. How lucky am I?

xo

A-

its 39....

riding into the sunset! Hello to a new decade!

happy birthday to me!

I am turning 40. I suppose it isn't a big deal. It is just a number. However, it is a BIG number. I suspect what gives me pause is that whole "mid life" crisis thing. Yes, mortality looms larger as your age gets higher. There are some concerns...like "i'm too old to join the CIA and have the secret spy double life I've always wanted!" Silly me. I still feel like the world is my oyster and anything is possible. It is, I just run a little slower to the ice cream truck than I used to. Anywho, when I look at all I've done, the places I've been, my wonderful daughters, my fantastic husband, its been a wonderful ride. I would just like to have a whole lot more of it! So, in the end, I embrace the age, and who I am. So cheers to 40!

xo

A-

laundry...

why are you never done? Any why, skinny jeans, do you taunt me so? You need pliers to turn those things right side out. Yesterday it was onesies, today skinny jeans, tomorrow....well, tomorrow they will be gone. So I need to enjoy even this!

laundry...

why are you never done? my heartfelt sympathies to people that have more than 2 daughters...who wear 5 outfits each day. And those skinny jeans? Don't even get me started. Those things need pliers to turn right side out. Is it fair for me to expect the girls to do that themselves? The joys of motherhood. Yesterday it was onesies, today its skinny jeans. Tommorrow, they will be gone. I need to enjoy even this!

intention

is the key. set the intention and then launch yourself off into the world. you might be surprised with what you find. I was!

the sound of silence

this morning, all I hear is the rain on the roof. the kids are off to school, brook is off to work, the dog sleeps at my feet. its a lovely feeling, sitting in silence. i try to breathe deep and not think about the stack of work on my desk, or the impending classes that i need to have assignments ready for. as i look out my window i see birds flitting quickly from branch to branch, the green of pine boughs and the dynamic cloudy sky. on my windowsil, an abalone shell reminds me of the beach. pens are still. i am still.

confluence

what do you think of when you hear the word "confluence"? It's actually the flowing or running together or junction of two rivers. The Latin root means "the act of flowing together". I've been pondering all the confluences in my life lately, and thinking specifically of starting a small business using all my skills. (ninja skills, karate skills, etc.) I might be on to something good! I'm excited about the future and what it might bring.

"we carry what is hidden as a gift to others"

today...

i got paid to take a standardized test. How weird is that?

olympic dreams

I believe that everyone has Olympic dreams...or maybe its just me. I always think someday I will happen upon a sport that I am so miraculously incredible at that I am at the top of the field and ready to go world wide (without all that pesky hard work and dedication). Unfortunately, that hasn't happened yet. Thought maybe it would be snowboarding. Trust me, its not. Cross Country Skiing? Well, better than snowboarding, but I'm no Marit Bjoergen. Perhaps Ice Dancing? Brook doesn't even want to try with me. So what's a girl to do? Keep on dreaming, and watching stellar, and not-so-stellar performances by inspirational atheletes who do work hard and dream big. I'm all about dreaming big...and maybe next week I could give Curling a try.

Journey to...

moistness. This weekend was spent in sweet reflection, hikes in the rain and learning about the "MAP OF THE PSYCHE". I know, it sounds a bit esoteric and scary, but it really resonates with the idea of wholeness and how that connects to our nature based soul. You might think it sounds like a bunch of hoo-hah, but it is my field of study, Ecopsychology. It's endlessly fascinating, so if you'd like to learn more about it, call me, text me, email me, facebook me, whatever. I could talk your ear off. Needless to say, its mainly about reconnecting with nature, living a compassionate life with all of God's creations...thats my line. They don't really say that in grad school, but they mean it. Best part, meeting interesting people in a beautiful environment and meeting my Grad Advisor, Gene Dilworth, for the first time. After a year of living with his voice in my head, it was nice to put a face to him. He is a gentle, insightful and wise man. He led the workshop with his sweetheart, Mary. They are both great people.

As a group we made this incredible Mandala, which is the first time I have ever done that. It is a physical representation, or microcosom of the conceptual map of the psyche (are you following? :) It really was a beautiful, enriching experience. Now I know you are thinking this girl is crazy. And thats ok by me.

Happy New Year! 2010

This year came in with a bang...of my head against a toilet. No, I didn't party too hard. Just a bug that caught me off guard and 3 days and 5 pounds lost later...I feel ok. I think its good to start the new year off a bit humbled. Knowing that things could always be worse. So, with that tone of resignation, I say Happy New Year! I'm working to make this the best year yet. Several highlights to come this year: Turning 40! Getting my masters and teaching credential! Wahoo! Lots of hard work ahead, many adventures await.