"The Start-Up Kit"

This was sent to me from my friend, Kirbi, who said it made her think of me (what a WONDERFUL compliment). I'm unsure of its source, but I dig it.

Source: unknown

A little Glen Hansard...

Two Weeks!!!

Expectations

Life's under no obligation to give us what we expect.

-Margaret Mitchell

Expectations are real killers! They are setups for disappointment. Often, because of our expectations, we are completely oblivious to what is really going on in a situation. Because we are so wedded to what we think should be happening, or what we want to happen, we don't see what is happening.

Many a possible relationship has been aborted because we were too determined to turn it into a relationship.

Expectations also keep us in illusion. We set up our expectations for someone, project them onto the other person, and then we start reacting to our expectations as if they were real. Expectations and the illusion of control are intimately linked.

When we are tied to our expectations, we usually miss what's happening...life, that is.

Source: Schaef, Anne Wilson, Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much, 1990.

Kid's Art from Australia

This beautiful Picasso drawing comes from 8 yr. old Mikayla who lives in Australia. It’s really good Mikayla – I hope you continue to draw because I know some 5th graders who would love to be able to draw the way you do!

Source: Art Projects for Kids

Summer-time...and the livin's easy...

Cole had just returned from a six day trip to the Lake of the Ozarks with his friends (first time without parents!) and wanted to catch up on some XBOX Live.



Foreground: Cole's laptop and weather books. We were having incredible thunder and lightening storms with the threat of hail and tornadoes. Cole likes to keep us in the know and was giving regular updates on the impending storms.

Ruthless & Toothless Knows What Kids Like

Tattoo Artist, Chris Garver's children's clothing line has a pretty bitchin web site.

Click the image (left) to view a drawing tutorial and/or to print tattoo designs for coloring fun!

Sweet Basil Herb Garden in Recycled Coffee Container

Cole and I picked up a sweet basil starter kit in the dollar aisle at Target a few weeks ago in an effort to bring a little more green into our home and try out some fresh herbs. Cole's been getting into cooking a bit, and basil just so happens to be one of his favorite flavors.

We followed the directions on the starter kit package, and we had to transplant our ever-growing herb babies today.

When looking for a planting pot, we went for recycled. As part of our household economic awareness campaign, I've switched from Starbucks to Folgers; it's a little cheaper, and the coffee is just fine. The super-cool thing about the switch is that Folgers now comes in recyclable plastic containers (red no less!!), which is what we decided to use for our basil babies.

Ingredients to Sweet Basil Fun - Total Cost Under $5!

Sweet basil starter kit from Target (or wherever) $1

Potting Soil $1

Folders Coffee Container - recycled

Plastic Tray $.89

Cork Coaster $1

Hypocrisy Release Me...

I'm having a difficult time taking my own advice today. I'm sure that happens with all sorts of folks, but when you are a life coach, it seems very hypocritical. Yes, yes..I know; I am only human. ONLY human. I hate that phrase...ahem, rephrase...I know, I'm human.

Seriously though, I'm doing so much deep-breathing today, I may faint. Subconscious goal, perhaps? I wish. I've never fainted in my life. In fact, when the proverbially shit hits the fan, I become acutely focused. Blasted brain.

So there it is. Muddied waters today. Reflection and some rest seem pertinent. As it turns out, I have recently committed myself to daily reading of Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much by Anne Wilson Schaef. I picked it up at Prospero's (ahhhh...) the other day, or I should say, it picked me. (When I go into bookstores without a purpose, I try to let my eyes see titles like the hazy, crossed eyes necessary to see the images in those wild 3D posters.)

A month has passed since I started this daily ritual, and I really make an effort to find something of worth in each entry. Overall, however, I have found it too mushy for my sensibilities and in a tone of admonishment that reeks of recovery, but as I said, I look for something good in each.

Here is today's; I'm reading it for the first time as I type it.

SATISFACTION
Notwithstanding the poverty of my outside experience, I have always had a significance for myself, and every chance to stumble along my straight and narrow little path, and to worship at the feet of my Deity, and what more can a human soul ask for? - Alice Jones

Satisfaction with one's life is like being anointed with warm oil. It is so peaceful to read the words of someone who is content. Often we equate contentment and satisfaction with stagnation. They are anything but that! True satisfaction with one's life is an acceptance of what is, continuing to prepare for what can be, while letting go of what we thought needed to be.

Satisfaction is an active place of quietude, a busy place of stillness. Satisfaction is a relief in living rarely felt by women who do too much. Satisfaction is the soul breathing a sigh of relief.

Sometimes, when I take stock, I only look at what isn't done. I also need to look at what I have, what's been done, and what's being done.

Okay, I'll admit; that one is perfect for me today. : ) LOL!!

Cole's home, so I'm out! xo

(He lost a tooth while on his lake vacation and looks like he grew two inches!!)