I picked up this Fabulous 5 Meme from the Swandive...
What were you doing five years ago?
1) I was working part-time at Michael's as a scrapbooking instructor
2) I had just moved into a Victorian duplex a few months before
3) I didn't know yet (consciously) that I was gay
4) I had been working as a healer for about a year but hardly had any clients
5) Except for occasional visits to my mom's church, I wasn't really going to church
6) I was addicted to Dawson's Creek & Ally McBeal
What are five things on your to-do list for today (not in any particular order)?
1) Start a blog for people trying to create or build a work-from-home business
2) Talk to Shelly
3) Read the chapter of Spiritual Direction to prepare for tomorrow's Sunday School class
4) Read part or all of the Cottage Style magazine I brought home from the store
5) Work on renovating the website for my healing practice ~~ gotta add the LofA group I want to start
What are five snacks you enjoy?
1) Cookies
2) Grapes
3) Fruit Cups
4) Chips
5) Popcorn
What five things would you do if you were a billionaire(not in any particular order)?
1) Buy some stuff: a log cabin on a lake, a new car, some clothes & jewelry
2) Renovate my mom's house
3) Create a nonprofit healing ministry so I could offer healing free or on a sliding scale
4) Create an intentional community
5) Invest
What are five of your bad habits?
1) Eating comfort food
2) Drinking sweet tea (cups of caffeine, basically)
3) Staying up too late
4) Not getting enough exercise
5) Swearing
What are five places where you have lived?
1) Jefferson City, Missouri
2) Lookout Mtn., TN
3) Virginia Beach, VA
4) Chesapeake, VA
5) Georgia
What are five jobs you've had?
1) 2nd Assistant Manager at Yankee Candle
2) Scrapbooking Instructor at Michael's
3) Family Counselor for an inpatient chemical dependency unit
4) Addictions Counselor for an outpatient substance abuse treatment center
5) Healing Coach-Practitioner
If you can read this, you are officially tagged.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Bedtime Moment to Remember
Just had a sweet moment with my son and wanted to be sure not to forget it!
We were saying goodnight and I said, "I love you!" and he said, "love you more!". I argued that that was not true, and he said, "the one who hugs first, wins!"
We both practically fell on each other trying to hug first and we laughed and laughed and laughed.
It was very cute!!
One of those moments of joy, an unexpected gift.
We were saying goodnight and I said, "I love you!" and he said, "love you more!". I argued that that was not true, and he said, "the one who hugs first, wins!"
We both practically fell on each other trying to hug first and we laughed and laughed and laughed.
It was very cute!!
One of those moments of joy, an unexpected gift.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Friday Five at the Garage Sale
From Songbird & Will smama at RevGalBlogPals...
1) Are you a garage saler? Not at all
2) If so, are you an immediate buyer or a risk taker who comes back later when prices are lower?
In general, I am not an immediate buyer. I wait, I mull it over, I reconsider. But it's like every so often, I just go crazy and buy on impulse.
3) Seriously, if you're not a garage saler, you are probably not going to want to play this one.(That wasn't really #3.)3) This is the real #3: What's the best treasure you've found at a yard or garage sale?
A friend found both a TV and a vacuum cleaner for me once. Does that count?
4)If you've done one yourself, at church or at home, was it worth the effort?
I should make my son do one--geez, he has a lot of stuff for a 7-year-old!!
5) Can you bring yourself to haggle?
I have on other occasions--and have gotten good deals, too! Only seems to work when I really don't care, though.
My own bonus question: if you're not a garage saler, what would make you convert?
If I actually knew ahead of time what kinds of things might be there. Like, right now, I need a washer/dryer set and a vacuum cleaner. If I saw a garage sale sign with those items listed, I'd turn my car around to go find it.
1) Are you a garage saler? Not at all
2) If so, are you an immediate buyer or a risk taker who comes back later when prices are lower?
In general, I am not an immediate buyer. I wait, I mull it over, I reconsider. But it's like every so often, I just go crazy and buy on impulse.
3) Seriously, if you're not a garage saler, you are probably not going to want to play this one.(That wasn't really #3.)3) This is the real #3: What's the best treasure you've found at a yard or garage sale?
A friend found both a TV and a vacuum cleaner for me once. Does that count?
4)If you've done one yourself, at church or at home, was it worth the effort?
I should make my son do one--geez, he has a lot of stuff for a 7-year-old!!
5) Can you bring yourself to haggle?
I have on other occasions--and have gotten good deals, too! Only seems to work when I really don't care, though.
My own bonus question: if you're not a garage saler, what would make you convert?
If I actually knew ahead of time what kinds of things might be there. Like, right now, I need a washer/dryer set and a vacuum cleaner. If I saw a garage sale sign with those items listed, I'd turn my car around to go find it.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Medicine Woman
I was watching the Waltons this morning. The episode where Mary Ellen decides she wants to become a doctor so that she can help the hill people better than she had been able to as a nurse. I felt really connected to that, to the way she felt about it.
Then there was the episode where John-Boy was helping a pregnant woman in a deserted mountain cabin and when she got sick, he went to see the local African-American healer, who directed him to her shelf full of herbal blends. There, he found exactly the one she'd prescribed and it worked.
Last night, I listened to a teleclass designed to sell a weekend training in August that I won't be able to attend.
But the woman who was speaking last night was talking about finding one's authentic voice. She mentioned themes and threads that follow us, in her opinion, through many lifetimes, that will help us figure out what our message is, what our voice is. If I believed in multiple lifetimes, based on the attraction I have always had for healing, medicine people, curanderas, etc, I would be sure that I had been one of them in a previous life.
What I do believe, instead, is that we carry generational memories, some that need to be healed, some that will guide us as to who we really are. We inherit traits and maybe even life or soul missions, right alongside the blue eyes or brown skin and the tendency toward high cholesterol.
Well, my family is said to have some native American ancestry.
I never have been very interested in genealogy before now, but it suddenly occurs to me that maybe I take after some native American ancestor. If you can heal in every generational direction, can you also inherit that way, as well?
Perhaps it's a flight of fancy (I am quite the romantic sort), but I feel somehow connected to some wise woman/medicine woman/village healer/storyteller. If true, it would certainly tie a lot of things together: my interest in healing, my intuition, my connection to nature, my desire to be part of a small town/intentional community/etc. Maybe even my attraction to log cabins and country decor :)
These are all things that seem odd in comparison to the family members I know.
Another thought I had is that if this is true, I have some layers of false self that still need to be healed. For example, I have allergies!
I'm working on that, though.
And I called my mother to ask her about it. She thinks the connection is through her grandfather, but she's going to ask around and try to find out more.
But even if that turns out to be a dead end, I know I'm onto something in tying these things together. And now I know that last night's teleclass wasn't a total waste of time!
Then there was the episode where John-Boy was helping a pregnant woman in a deserted mountain cabin and when she got sick, he went to see the local African-American healer, who directed him to her shelf full of herbal blends. There, he found exactly the one she'd prescribed and it worked.
Last night, I listened to a teleclass designed to sell a weekend training in August that I won't be able to attend.
But the woman who was speaking last night was talking about finding one's authentic voice. She mentioned themes and threads that follow us, in her opinion, through many lifetimes, that will help us figure out what our message is, what our voice is. If I believed in multiple lifetimes, based on the attraction I have always had for healing, medicine people, curanderas, etc, I would be sure that I had been one of them in a previous life.
What I do believe, instead, is that we carry generational memories, some that need to be healed, some that will guide us as to who we really are. We inherit traits and maybe even life or soul missions, right alongside the blue eyes or brown skin and the tendency toward high cholesterol.
Well, my family is said to have some native American ancestry.
I never have been very interested in genealogy before now, but it suddenly occurs to me that maybe I take after some native American ancestor. If you can heal in every generational direction, can you also inherit that way, as well?
Perhaps it's a flight of fancy (I am quite the romantic sort), but I feel somehow connected to some wise woman/medicine woman/village healer/storyteller. If true, it would certainly tie a lot of things together: my interest in healing, my intuition, my connection to nature, my desire to be part of a small town/intentional community/etc. Maybe even my attraction to log cabins and country decor :)
These are all things that seem odd in comparison to the family members I know.
Another thought I had is that if this is true, I have some layers of false self that still need to be healed. For example, I have allergies!
I'm working on that, though.
And I called my mother to ask her about it. She thinks the connection is through her grandfather, but she's going to ask around and try to find out more.
But even if that turns out to be a dead end, I know I'm onto something in tying these things together. And now I know that last night's teleclass wasn't a total waste of time!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Happy Memorial Day!
What a great day for families!
I slept in -didn't really feel like getting up, actually- and then, had a quiet, leisurely day with Jonathan before heading to my mom's house for an early dinner. Hamburgers, baked beans, rice, sweet tea and apple pie. Wonderful!
With running, screaming children and I Love the 70s as a backdrop.
My sister was very, very tired and not inclined toward conversation.
But other than that, it was a normal family gathering, complete with leftovers.
Jonathan and I had heard on the radio that there was to be a moment of silence at 3pm this afternoon in honor of our military and we observed it.
This song came to mind and I sang a little of it. He joined in. I am not sure I'm always proud to be an American, especially when I remember things like racism, slavery and gay bashing. But one thing I know for sure, as Oprah likes to say, is that I am very proud of the people who are giving their lives and have given their lives to serve our country...
If tomorrow all the things were gone,I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,with just my children and my wife.
I’d thank my lucky stars,to be livin here today.
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,and they can’t take that away.
And I’m proud to be an American,where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,God bless the USA....
Lee Greenwood
I slept in -didn't really feel like getting up, actually- and then, had a quiet, leisurely day with Jonathan before heading to my mom's house for an early dinner. Hamburgers, baked beans, rice, sweet tea and apple pie. Wonderful!
With running, screaming children and I Love the 70s as a backdrop.
My sister was very, very tired and not inclined toward conversation.
But other than that, it was a normal family gathering, complete with leftovers.
Jonathan and I had heard on the radio that there was to be a moment of silence at 3pm this afternoon in honor of our military and we observed it.
This song came to mind and I sang a little of it. He joined in. I am not sure I'm always proud to be an American, especially when I remember things like racism, slavery and gay bashing. But one thing I know for sure, as Oprah likes to say, is that I am very proud of the people who are giving their lives and have given their lives to serve our country...
If tomorrow all the things were gone,I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,with just my children and my wife.
I’d thank my lucky stars,to be livin here today.
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,and they can’t take that away.
And I’m proud to be an American,where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,God bless the USA....
Lee Greenwood
Saturday, May 24, 2008
the Smell of Rain
I came out here on my balcony to watch, listen to and smell the rain. The trees are talking to each other, too, so there's lots to experience. I love the smell of rain!
I have had a great day at home today, hanging out with my son.
Earlier, we watched "Groundhog Day". Such an interesting premise. Living the same day over and over again. I've seen the movie several times before, but had some new thoughts today.
Being able to predict and thus, prevent, the things that would happen in your neck of the woods would be a burdensome responsibility. Remember him hurrying on the way to catch the boy who was about to fall?
On the other hand, it would be a great way to try out new ways of being and moving in the world, because none of it would stick. It would all be just an experiment you could try again and again until you liked the outcome. You would be freed from the burden of doing and could focus more easily on being, or even becoming.
You could practice transparency. No one would remember anything you'd said or done!
I would love to have that kind of time with my wife. And once the do-over day was finally over, I would know her in a way I hadn't had time for before and would have honed the skill of letting her know me and learned how she would be likely to respond. Trying it again for real would be much less risky!
Of course, I expect we will come to know each other that well anyway. And I look forward to the deepening intimacy that comes with lots of time and experience and storms weathered together!
With parenting, I'm guessing that I would learn not to sweat the small stuff and I could choose day after day after day (the same day) to spend time with my son without having to worry about things like bills or making a living.
Of course, I was just saying to a friend the other day that we can all choose to stop worrying any time we want, no matter what our circumstances are. But I think a situation like that would drive the point home even more.
The rain seems to have stopped, though its fragrance lingers.
My son is inside and has just come to check on me for the fourth time in about 15 or 20 minutes.
Guess I'll head in...
I have had a great day at home today, hanging out with my son.
Earlier, we watched "Groundhog Day". Such an interesting premise. Living the same day over and over again. I've seen the movie several times before, but had some new thoughts today.
Being able to predict and thus, prevent, the things that would happen in your neck of the woods would be a burdensome responsibility. Remember him hurrying on the way to catch the boy who was about to fall?
On the other hand, it would be a great way to try out new ways of being and moving in the world, because none of it would stick. It would all be just an experiment you could try again and again until you liked the outcome. You would be freed from the burden of doing and could focus more easily on being, or even becoming.
You could practice transparency. No one would remember anything you'd said or done!
I would love to have that kind of time with my wife. And once the do-over day was finally over, I would know her in a way I hadn't had time for before and would have honed the skill of letting her know me and learned how she would be likely to respond. Trying it again for real would be much less risky!
Of course, I expect we will come to know each other that well anyway. And I look forward to the deepening intimacy that comes with lots of time and experience and storms weathered together!
With parenting, I'm guessing that I would learn not to sweat the small stuff and I could choose day after day after day (the same day) to spend time with my son without having to worry about things like bills or making a living.
Of course, I was just saying to a friend the other day that we can all choose to stop worrying any time we want, no matter what our circumstances are. But I think a situation like that would drive the point home even more.
The rain seems to have stopped, though its fragrance lingers.
My son is inside and has just come to check on me for the fourth time in about 15 or 20 minutes.
Guess I'll head in...
Friday, May 23, 2008
A Friday Five on Vacation
From Sally, RevGalBlogPals...
It is a holiday weekend here in the UK, and the weather forecast for much of the country is not good!!! But we can still dream and so with that in mind I bring you this Friday Five.
1. Getting ready for summer, do you use the gradual tanning moisturisers ( yes gentlemen you too can answer this!!!), or are you happy to show your winter skin to the world?
Well, I have what might be called a natural tan. So when I think of preparing for summer, I think of softening the skin I haven't been showing all winter.
2.Beach, mountains or chilling by the pool, what/ where is your favourite getaway?
You know what would be wonderful? A cottage or cabin on the beach, where you could walk right to it from the house.
3.Are you a summer lover or does the long break become wearing?
I love every season except winter. My fave thing about summer is being able to wear sandals and dresses and feel the sun and breeze on my legs and arms.
4.Active holidays; hiking swimming sailing, or lazy days?
I love the "lazy, crazy hazy days of summer"!
5.Now to the important subject of food, if you are abroad do you try the local cuisine, or do you prefer to play it safe?
I've only been to Canada. In general, I am rather cautious, so I would tend to stick to what I know.
No bonus this week unless you can think one up!!!
My bonus question: are you planning to go anywhere in particular, this summer?
I'd love to go to Myrtle Beach (I have a great time every time I go), but I'm not sure if I'll be able to go or not.
Bonus #2...
It is a holiday weekend here in the UK, and the weather forecast for much of the country is not good!!! But we can still dream and so with that in mind I bring you this Friday Five.
1. Getting ready for summer, do you use the gradual tanning moisturisers ( yes gentlemen you too can answer this!!!), or are you happy to show your winter skin to the world?
Well, I have what might be called a natural tan. So when I think of preparing for summer, I think of softening the skin I haven't been showing all winter.
2.Beach, mountains or chilling by the pool, what/ where is your favourite getaway?
You know what would be wonderful? A cottage or cabin on the beach, where you could walk right to it from the house.
3.Are you a summer lover or does the long break become wearing?
I love every season except winter. My fave thing about summer is being able to wear sandals and dresses and feel the sun and breeze on my legs and arms.
4.Active holidays; hiking swimming sailing, or lazy days?
I love the "lazy, crazy hazy days of summer"!
5.Now to the important subject of food, if you are abroad do you try the local cuisine, or do you prefer to play it safe?
I've only been to Canada. In general, I am rather cautious, so I would tend to stick to what I know.
No bonus this week unless you can think one up!!!
My bonus question: are you planning to go anywhere in particular, this summer?
I'd love to go to Myrtle Beach (I have a great time every time I go), but I'm not sure if I'll be able to go or not.
Bonus #2...
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