Sometimes

Sometimes you just have to let go and have "childlike" fun.

Encounter Healing

Encounter, by Zoe Hersey

"Anyone who has ever felt the distance between herself and her true self-and who has looked for a way back-knows that the awe and humility that come from recognizing her place in nature can point the way. No matter how long the journey, when we return to our essence-our self-we are met with compassion, gentleness and love. And from here, hope and healing take flight."
– Mariska Hargitay, Founder & President, Joyful Heart Foundation

Winter Wellness Meditation from Joyful Heart Foundation

To begin, find a comfortable seat, take a few moments to quiet your mind and focus your attention on your breath. Noticing the inhale and exhale, feel the air flowing in and out of your nostrils. You will begin by offering Metta to yourself. If distracting thoughts arise, acknowledge them, you can make a mental note or label them and then gently return to your concentration.
Visualize yourself and repeat the following phrases several times:
May I be safe.
May I be happy.
May I be healthy.
May I be at peace.
May I be free of suffering and the roots of suffering.
When you feel connected, move on to a person that you love, someone who makes you feel joy. Visualize them and repeat mantra to them:
May you be safe.
May you be happy.
May you be healthy.
May you be at peace.
May you be free of suffering and the roots of suffering.
Next, chose a neutral person. It could be the person at the grocery store, bodega, someone in your neighborhood… anyone you feel no strong connection to. Visualize this person and offer the mantra to them: May you be safe… May you be…
Now move on to a person who you are in conflict with or struggle with somehow. Offer them the same mantra: May you be safe… May you be…
Finally, repeat the mantra for all living beings, yourself included:
May we be safe.
May we be happy.
May we be healthy.
May we be at peace.
May we be free of suffering and the roots of suffering.
Sit and take 3 – 5 breaths before opening your gaze and when you feel ready, gently open your eyes.

A "Fritz" of Fun!

I spent today milling around Kansas City with my Hubs and my Ham. We had a wonderful suggestion to go to a little KC classic dive called "Fritz's Railroad Restaurant". Since Ham loves trains, we decided we'd go and check it out. The food was a bit yummy, yet very greasy and "dive"-ish. The bill was a little fluffy...but, the company was priceless and the atmosphere was super fun for a train lovin' boy and his parents.

As we walked in, they gave Ham his own little train hat.

Making funny faces at my husband.

My Boys

You ordered your food at the table with the phone.

Beside the table was an enclosed train track where a train goes around the restaurant.

This is the track the train takes to bring your food to the table.

Drinks are hand delivered...can you just imagine if they didn't?

 

The train has a tray below the tracks that carry a container of food.

A metal arm slaps down over the table the food belongs to which slides the container on to the platform below which lowers slowly to the table.

Our food being delivered.

Ham eating his grilled cheese and fries.  He approved.

 Ham, chocolate shake and a fun kid-sized train car to hang out in.

 

We had a wonderful time and a wonderful day together.

I love my family.

Thank you God for blessing me with the opportunity to share my life with these two beautiful creations of yours.

Hundreds Gather for Global Warming Protest

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ho, ho, ho!

Had to be silly today.  My fall semester concluded yesterday, all finals done and papers in.  Now I get a couple of weeks off before I'm in KC for three weeks of January classes.  No rest for the wicked, right?!  I'm almost half way done with seminary.  Wow...I'm exhausted...and transformed.

Today is the last day to submit photos for the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party.  Send them to coffeegodandme@yahoo.com.  Can't wait to see them.  Then come back tomorrow and Friday for voting.

Fa, la, la, la - A Christmas Carol - Not to Remember

Last night, Ham, Hubs and I enjoyed a Family Date Night.  When we added Ham's grandma and papa, it became even more fun!  We started with a nice meal at the Elephant Bar and then headed over to the mall to visit Santa.  Ham was so excited and we had prepped him up (big time) for what to expect when meeting Santa so he wasn't too shy.  None-the-less, Ham was still VERY shy.  He did manage to tell Santa what he wanted...barely.  "I want a Buzz Lightyear," he said so softly the poor old Santa could barely hear him.  Then, being the fabulous Santa that he is, he takes Ham's hand and says, "Well...what about Woody?"  Boom...Ham smiles, ice is broken.  We didn't get much of a smile for the photo as so many people were watching, but Ham couldn't stop talking about how cool it was to see Santa.

After Santa time, I got to do a little shopping, which was great because Santa's helper gave me a 20% off coupon to Gymboree and I got to add that to the already amazing 30-40% off sale inside Gymboree.  This girl got deals, y'all!!!

Then off to see A Christmas Carol with Jim Carey.  DDUUUDDDEEE!!!  DO NOT TAKE YOUNG CHILDREN TO THIS MOVIE!!!!!  I had not been warned.  I thought it looked cute, it was Disney, it was animated, it was CHRISTMAS, but I was SOOO very wrong.  The Dickens story is still as timeless as ever and I love the story.  The imagery and graphics in the movie were amazing and totally awesome.  BUT...it was darn right scary!  I mean, I kept elbowing Hubs because I could not figure out what in the world they were doing with this movie.  I think I prayed the whole way through that it wouldn't scare my kid, but he was in a popcorn coma so I think he generally survived it although he did sleep in our room last night, but OMG!!!  Outrageous.  It's just Tim Burton "ish" scary.  Totally threw me for a loop.  I guess I'm going to stick with the Mickey Mouse Christmas Carol from now on.  And...I must be honest...confession time here...it SCARED me.  Anyway, it wasn't all for naught as Ham really understood the story for a 3 1/2 year old.  Even my parents were astounded by the production.  Of course my dad recalled being a kid and how scary he thought the Christmas Carol was back then.  "I never really found it scary dad," I told him.  Come to find out, it's because the only version he'd let us watch was the Mickey Mouse one.  ;-p  Gotta love parents.  Live and learn.

Ham at the Elephant Bar

 

Ham and Mommy (aka Freddae', aka me) at dinner

 

Ham with Santa.  We got this much of a smile because Santa starting tickling him.

Good work, Santa!

~ My Project ~

This is my office.  This is my office on Christmas.  This is my office

due to the affects of a long, crazy, semester at seminary that is

quickly coming to an end with finals, projects and papers.

This is my office which has now become the household "junk drawer".

This is my office which has no functionality whatsoever.

This is my office which needs my help.

These are photos of my horribly embarassing yet 'representative of my life' office

which I have chosen to share with you as a motivator to tackle this project

on my "To Do...NOW" list.

Stay tuned to see how long it takes me to take this office and in the words of

Tim Gunn, "Make it Work!"

* The following is not for the weak of heart or successfully organized maidens.*

Proceed with Caution!

 

 

I promise, there is a couch under there somewhere.

 

At one point, this was a desk.

 

Oh the horror and shame!  **Head hung VERY low**

D'Vine Times - Breckenridge '09

In high school, waaay back when, I met three girls who would decorate my life with their beauty, their friendship, their laughter and their love. Last year the four of us began a new tradition, our Annual Girl's Weekend, and kicked it off in Las Vegas. This year, we took our fabulousness to Frisco and Breckenridge, CO. For those of you who don't know, I grew up and spent my formative years in Colorado. My girls still live there, but I had to bust out, run to OK and marry a country boy. Who knew that would happen? Anyway, it was a beautiful weekend, lots of fun and I enjoyed being surround by my girls and my mountains.





Downtown Frisco, CO.


Our Cabin


I cannot even tell you how much I love that snowman chest of drawers.


Eating Mexican food in Breckenridge. We had Blackberry Margaritas!
I didn't even know there were Blackberry Margaritas.
GS, KK & KG - The Girls

My favorite photo from our weekend.
GS, Me, KK and KG


D'Vine Wine in Breckenridge
This was an awesome little winery we stumbled across and ran into
when we read the sign, "Wine Tasting". It was well worth it.
They had amazing wines and an cozy atmosphere.


Me, KK, GS and KG
Four Girl's Gone Wine


Okay, that's me being goofy as usual.
But the fabutastic part? That is a Wine-A-Rita I'm enjoying!
A Blackberry Wine-A-Rita I might add. Scrumptious!!!


My lovely GS. See...we're all goofy together.


Beautiful Colorado Mountains...How I Miss You!


GS and I enjoying Peppermint Mocha's before catching a movie.


KK and her Peppermint Mocha before the movie.


What movie did we see? Um...it was opening weekend and yes, we've all read the books.
It was New Moon time baby!
I think we all agreed the book was better, but the movie was still fun.


Last snapshot before heading home.
Me, KG and GS.


What an amazing weekend. Wish I was still there, but next year we're going to Mexico.
Is it September yet? September 2010 = Mexico Baby!!!