It's time for a Back-To-School Friday Five!
1. Is anyone going back to school, as a student or teacher, at your house? How's it going so far?
Since I am homeschooling my son, I would say we both are back in school! It's going okay, but we are both still getting adjusted to the early hours. There have been more than a few naps, for both of us, in the past couple of weeks.
2. Were you glad or sad when back-to-school time came as a kid?
I was always really excited! Couldn't sleep.
3. Did your family of origin have any rituals to mark this time of year? How about now?
Well, before school started again, sometime in August, we'd go to the mall for new clothes. That was always fun!!
I think the big thing for my son and I is taking a "back to homeschool" picture on our first day of school.
4. Favorite memories of back-to-school outfits, lunchboxes, etc?
Can't remember the lunchboxes, but I do remember a "first-day" outfit or two! Those were fun.
5. What was your best year of school?
I think my best year was my first year of college. I fell in love with all my new friends, loved being away from home, and began to enjoy thinking and learning and being smart in a way I hadn't before.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
Friday Five: Being Vulnerable
So I bring you this weeks Friday 5:
1. Is vulnerability something that comes easily to you, or are you a private person?
I am pretty open and honest. Authenticity is very important to me! But I have to admit, I don't like to cry in public. I end up doing it anyway, but I usually fight it at first.
2.How important is it to keep up a professional persona in work/ ministry?
In my work as a healing practitioner, I have found that it works better when I am real, down-to-earth, accessible and connected.
3. Masks, a form of self protection discuss...
I was taught to hide as a child. Remember that commercial, "never let 'em see you sweat"? I used to tease my mom that that was written about her. She seemed to equate vulnerability with weakness so eventually, I got good at hiding my feelings, even from myself. People would comment on how peaceful I always seemed.
I'd tell them I felt anxious or upset, etc., and even those closest to me would say that they had no idea. When I was in grad school for counseling, I realized that that couldn't be healthy and decided to work on it.
Now, people tell me that what I am feeling shows on my face whether I say it or not! Mission accomplished.
4. Who knows you warts and all?
My wife. God. Me.
And one of my friends from church, I think. He apparently has taken things I have said, remembered them, mixed them all together, and come up with things I didn't say but that are nonetheless true. He surprises me regularly with that ability.
5. Share a book, a prayer, a piece of music, a poem or a person that touches the deep place in your soul, and calls you to be who you are most authentically.
There have been many books, songs, and people who have done this and I am grateful for them all!
Lately, or most recently, I have been reading Nepo's the Book of Awakening, which helps connect me to myself.
6. I thought of another bonus question: if there was a quality you wished to show to the world, that you don't think you have, what would it be?
For me, I think it's a kind of fearlessness when I am interacting with others. Think Sophia (from the Golden Girls) with wisdom.
I am an introvert who thinks before she speaks. And I am quite self-conscious at times. If I'm nervous, I will even stumble a bit over what I am trying to say.
So, at most, I can only resemble this quality. When I am at my best.
1. Is vulnerability something that comes easily to you, or are you a private person?
I am pretty open and honest. Authenticity is very important to me! But I have to admit, I don't like to cry in public. I end up doing it anyway, but I usually fight it at first.
2.How important is it to keep up a professional persona in work/ ministry?
In my work as a healing practitioner, I have found that it works better when I am real, down-to-earth, accessible and connected.
3. Masks, a form of self protection discuss...
I was taught to hide as a child. Remember that commercial, "never let 'em see you sweat"? I used to tease my mom that that was written about her. She seemed to equate vulnerability with weakness so eventually, I got good at hiding my feelings, even from myself. People would comment on how peaceful I always seemed.
I'd tell them I felt anxious or upset, etc., and even those closest to me would say that they had no idea. When I was in grad school for counseling, I realized that that couldn't be healthy and decided to work on it.
Now, people tell me that what I am feeling shows on my face whether I say it or not! Mission accomplished.
4. Who knows you warts and all?
My wife. God. Me.
And one of my friends from church, I think. He apparently has taken things I have said, remembered them, mixed them all together, and come up with things I didn't say but that are nonetheless true. He surprises me regularly with that ability.
5. Share a book, a prayer, a piece of music, a poem or a person that touches the deep place in your soul, and calls you to be who you are most authentically.
There have been many books, songs, and people who have done this and I am grateful for them all!
Lately, or most recently, I have been reading Nepo's the Book of Awakening, which helps connect me to myself.
6. I thought of another bonus question: if there was a quality you wished to show to the world, that you don't think you have, what would it be?
For me, I think it's a kind of fearlessness when I am interacting with others. Think Sophia (from the Golden Girls) with wisdom.
I am an introvert who thinks before she speaks. And I am quite self-conscious at times. If I'm nervous, I will even stumble a bit over what I am trying to say.
So, at most, I can only resemble this quality. When I am at my best.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
The Secret Life of the American Teenager
I'm no stranger to teenage angst, or maybe I should say, to the memory of it. So I am sometimes a sucker for teen drama on TV. Dawson's Creek, Gilmore Girls, 7th Heaven...
And once again, I am completely in love!
The Secret Life of the American Teenager is exquisitely well-written. I've adored it almost from the very first episode. And hey, it's timely! It's about teenage pregnancy!!
If you are reading this, and you've never seen it, ABC Family is going to have a marathon of all the previous episodes on Monday beginning at 6pm. Then, the show's season finale will air on Tuesday night. I can't wait to see what happens!
And once again, I am completely in love!
The Secret Life of the American Teenager is exquisitely well-written. I've adored it almost from the very first episode. And hey, it's timely! It's about teenage pregnancy!!
If you are reading this, and you've never seen it, ABC Family is going to have a marathon of all the previous episodes on Monday beginning at 6pm. Then, the show's season finale will air on Tuesday night. I can't wait to see what happens!
Back 2 Homeschool
Early this morning, in pjs and robe, my son and I went back to homeschool. He was very excited to be a second-grader! And I was excited about the school year ahead. In addition to the regulars, he and I have plans for some great explorations...
yoga for kids
eco-spirituality
conversational Spanish
ballroom dancing
science club
cooking
etc.
Today, we focused on reading, art, cooking and a little about the presidential election. I've shared a little of his artwork.
We had a great day!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Broccoli Cheese Casserole
I tried one the other day. It was okay, but I doubt I put in enough cheese.
I was following the recipe from last Sunday's Big Daddy's House, which seemed really simple, except he used chunky cheese and I had the shredded kind. But today, I had it again, finishing up the leftovers.
I put it in a saute pan and covered it with cheese and let it melt. Then, I added a little butter on top and that fixed it right up. So next time, I might put butter in the pan when I cook the broccoli and I will definitely add more cheese.
Second time around: yummy!
I was following the recipe from last Sunday's Big Daddy's House, which seemed really simple, except he used chunky cheese and I had the shredded kind. But today, I had it again, finishing up the leftovers.
I put it in a saute pan and covered it with cheese and let it melt. Then, I added a little butter on top and that fixed it right up. So next time, I might put butter in the pan when I cook the broccoli and I will definitely add more cheese.
Second time around: yummy!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Excited About Obama!
This has been the most exciting Democratic National Convention I've witnessed since the Clintons were running!! The speeches have been spellbinding. Hillary and Obama both hit a home run as far as I'm concerned.
"With profound gratitude and great humility, I accept your nomination for the presidency of the United States."
When he uttered that acceptance, making history I didn't think I'd see in my lifetime, I burst into tears!
Other favorite quotes...
Eight is enough...
Tonight, I say to the American people, to Democrats and Republicans and Independents across this great land - enough! This moment - this election - is our chance to keep, in the 21st century, the American promise alive. Because next week, in Minnesota, the same party that brought you two terms of George Bush and Dick Cheney will ask this country for a third. And we are here because we love this country too much to let the next four years look like the last eight. On November 4th, we must stand up and say: "Eight is enough."
10% chance on change...
But the record's clear: John McCain has voted with George Bush ninety percent of the time. Senator McCain likes to talk about judgment, but really, what does it say about your judgment when you think George Bush has been right more than ninety percent of the time? I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to take a ten percent chance on change.
He just doesn't get it...
Now, I don't believe that Senator McCain doesn't care what's going on in the lives of Americans. I just think he doesn't know. Why else would he define middle-class as someone making under five million dollars a year? How else could he propose hundreds of billions in tax breaks for big corporations and oil companies but not one penny of tax relief to more than one hundred million Americans? How else could he offer a health care plan that would actually tax people's benefits, or an education plan that would do nothing to help families pay for college, or a plan that would privatize Social Security and gamble your retirement?
It's not because John McCain doesn't care. It's because John McCain doesn't get it.
What is that promise?
It's a promise that says each of us has the freedom to make of our own lives what we will, but that we also have the obligation to treat each other with dignity and respect.
It's a promise that says the market should reward drive and innovation and generate growth, but that businesses should live up to their responsibilities to create American jobs, look out for American workers, and play by the rules of the road.
Ours is a promise that says government cannot solve all our problems, but what it should do is that which we cannot do for ourselves - protect us from harm and provide every child a decent education; keep our water clean and our toys safe; invest in new schools and new roads and new science and technology.
Our government should work for us, not against us. It should help us, not hurt us. It should ensure opportunity not just for those with the most money and influence, but for every American who's willing to work.
That's the promise of America - the idea that we are responsible for ourselves, but that we also rise or fall as one nation; the fundamental belief that I am my brother's keeper; I am my sister's keeper.
That's the promise we need to keep. That's the change we need right now.
bin Laden...
John McCain likes to say that he'll follow bin Laden to the Gates of Hell - but he won't even go to the cave where he lives.
We all put our country first!
But what I will not do is suggest that the Senator takes his positions for political purposes. Because one of the things that we have to change in our politics is the idea that people cannot disagree without challenging each other's character and patriotism.
The times are too serious, the stakes are too high for this same partisan playbook. So let us agree that patriotism has no party. I love this country, and so do you, and so does John McCain.
The men and women who serve in our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and Independents, but they have fought together and bled together and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a Red America or a Blue America - they have served the United States of America.
So I've got news for you, John McCain. We all put our country first.
I get it...
I get it. I realize that I am not the likeliest candidate for this office. I don't fit the typical pedigree, and I haven't spent my career in the halls of Washington.
But I stand before you tonight because all across America something is stirring. What the nay-sayers don't understand is that this election has never been about me. It's been about you.
"No turning back, no turning back"
America, we cannot turn back. Not with so much work to be done. Not with so many children to educate, and so many veterans to care for. Not with an economy to fix and cities to rebuild and farms to save. Not with so many families to protect and so many lives to mend. America, we cannot turn back. We cannot walk alone. At this moment, in this election, we must pledge once more to march into the future. Let us keep that promise - that American promise - and in the words of Scripture hold firmly, without wavering, to the hope that we confess.
The American Promise
"With profound gratitude and great humility, I accept your nomination for the presidency of the United States."
When he uttered that acceptance, making history I didn't think I'd see in my lifetime, I burst into tears!
Other favorite quotes...
Eight is enough...
Tonight, I say to the American people, to Democrats and Republicans and Independents across this great land - enough! This moment - this election - is our chance to keep, in the 21st century, the American promise alive. Because next week, in Minnesota, the same party that brought you two terms of George Bush and Dick Cheney will ask this country for a third. And we are here because we love this country too much to let the next four years look like the last eight. On November 4th, we must stand up and say: "Eight is enough."
10% chance on change...
But the record's clear: John McCain has voted with George Bush ninety percent of the time. Senator McCain likes to talk about judgment, but really, what does it say about your judgment when you think George Bush has been right more than ninety percent of the time? I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to take a ten percent chance on change.
He just doesn't get it...
Now, I don't believe that Senator McCain doesn't care what's going on in the lives of Americans. I just think he doesn't know. Why else would he define middle-class as someone making under five million dollars a year? How else could he propose hundreds of billions in tax breaks for big corporations and oil companies but not one penny of tax relief to more than one hundred million Americans? How else could he offer a health care plan that would actually tax people's benefits, or an education plan that would do nothing to help families pay for college, or a plan that would privatize Social Security and gamble your retirement?
It's not because John McCain doesn't care. It's because John McCain doesn't get it.
What is that promise?
It's a promise that says each of us has the freedom to make of our own lives what we will, but that we also have the obligation to treat each other with dignity and respect.
It's a promise that says the market should reward drive and innovation and generate growth, but that businesses should live up to their responsibilities to create American jobs, look out for American workers, and play by the rules of the road.
Ours is a promise that says government cannot solve all our problems, but what it should do is that which we cannot do for ourselves - protect us from harm and provide every child a decent education; keep our water clean and our toys safe; invest in new schools and new roads and new science and technology.
Our government should work for us, not against us. It should help us, not hurt us. It should ensure opportunity not just for those with the most money and influence, but for every American who's willing to work.
That's the promise of America - the idea that we are responsible for ourselves, but that we also rise or fall as one nation; the fundamental belief that I am my brother's keeper; I am my sister's keeper.
That's the promise we need to keep. That's the change we need right now.
bin Laden...
John McCain likes to say that he'll follow bin Laden to the Gates of Hell - but he won't even go to the cave where he lives.
We all put our country first!
But what I will not do is suggest that the Senator takes his positions for political purposes. Because one of the things that we have to change in our politics is the idea that people cannot disagree without challenging each other's character and patriotism.
The times are too serious, the stakes are too high for this same partisan playbook. So let us agree that patriotism has no party. I love this country, and so do you, and so does John McCain.
The men and women who serve in our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and Independents, but they have fought together and bled together and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a Red America or a Blue America - they have served the United States of America.
So I've got news for you, John McCain. We all put our country first.
I get it...
I get it. I realize that I am not the likeliest candidate for this office. I don't fit the typical pedigree, and I haven't spent my career in the halls of Washington.
But I stand before you tonight because all across America something is stirring. What the nay-sayers don't understand is that this election has never been about me. It's been about you.
"No turning back, no turning back"
America, we cannot turn back. Not with so much work to be done. Not with so many children to educate, and so many veterans to care for. Not with an economy to fix and cities to rebuild and farms to save. Not with so many families to protect and so many lives to mend. America, we cannot turn back. We cannot walk alone. At this moment, in this election, we must pledge once more to march into the future. Let us keep that promise - that American promise - and in the words of Scripture hold firmly, without wavering, to the hope that we confess.
The American Promise
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Celebration of Cooking
My sweetie left very early this morning. Not much that's exciting about that! We've agreed to plan our next visit within the next 2 weeks, so we'll have something to look forward to and soon.
But I did console myself just now with a bacon and cheese dip I made myself! It was YUMMY!!
So I thought it might be fun to make a list of all the yummy things I've made since the Great Cooking Experiment began :) ...
spaghetti
mediterranean herb foccacia bread
apple spice cake
almond pound cake w/ strawberries & whipped cream
almond pound cake with pineapples & whipped cream
basil pesto spaghetti
basil pesto dip
cheese sauce (for pasta)
bacon and cheese dip
Parmesan bread
green beans with garlic & onion seasoning
brown rice with garlic & onion seasoning
mashed potatoes with bacon and garlic seasoning
garlic bread
And probably a few more that I haven't thought of that I just tried on the spur of the moment.
Many of these cooking successes were made with seasonings, mixes or recipes from Tastefully Simple. My consultant has been a very encouraging cooking coach.
I even bought a cooking set from Martha Stewart (on sale) which I have totally fallen in love with and use almost every day! They clean up do easily!!
I think, looking ahead, that I'd like to experiment with rice dishes, more pasta & cheese recipes, sandwiches, breads and desserts. My son and I are trying to move toward more vegetarian living, but we haven't gotten there yet. Meanwhile, I'm trying to focus more on meatless recipes.
It's much more fun than I thought it would be but that's because of all the things I discovered that have made it easier!
BTW, I made dinner for my sweetie the other night and she loved it!! I call it the night I conquered the cheese sauce.
And cooking with her this week was a blast, as well. I also like cooking with my son.
I'd say the Great Cooking Experiment is going well!
But I did console myself just now with a bacon and cheese dip I made myself! It was YUMMY!!
So I thought it might be fun to make a list of all the yummy things I've made since the Great Cooking Experiment began :) ...
spaghetti
mediterranean herb foccacia bread
apple spice cake
almond pound cake w/ strawberries & whipped cream
almond pound cake with pineapples & whipped cream
basil pesto spaghetti
basil pesto dip
cheese sauce (for pasta)
bacon and cheese dip
Parmesan bread
green beans with garlic & onion seasoning
brown rice with garlic & onion seasoning
mashed potatoes with bacon and garlic seasoning
garlic bread
And probably a few more that I haven't thought of that I just tried on the spur of the moment.
Many of these cooking successes were made with seasonings, mixes or recipes from Tastefully Simple. My consultant has been a very encouraging cooking coach.
I even bought a cooking set from Martha Stewart (on sale) which I have totally fallen in love with and use almost every day! They clean up do easily!!
I think, looking ahead, that I'd like to experiment with rice dishes, more pasta & cheese recipes, sandwiches, breads and desserts. My son and I are trying to move toward more vegetarian living, but we haven't gotten there yet. Meanwhile, I'm trying to focus more on meatless recipes.
It's much more fun than I thought it would be but that's because of all the things I discovered that have made it easier!
BTW, I made dinner for my sweetie the other night and she loved it!! I call it the night I conquered the cheese sauce.
And cooking with her this week was a blast, as well. I also like cooking with my son.
I'd say the Great Cooking Experiment is going well!
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