May 31, 2010 - Artwork

"Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty."

- John Ruskin

May 30, 2010 – Out of Curiosity

Be curious.  Look.  Wonder.  Question.  Learn.  Study.

Never stop.  This is how we learn.  We should never stop learning.  We should never feel silly questioning.  Only when we stop, asking questions will we stop learning.  And then, we should feel ridiculous.

~K

May 29, 2010 – Don’t Forget…

"We have forgotten how to be good guests, how to walk lightly on the earth as its other creatures do."   - Barbara Ward

 

We must respect our Earth.   Remember that we are guests, inhabiting for just a brief moment, but leaving the space behind for our children and grandchildren.

While keeping this in mind, take a break and recognize the beauty and the miracles that are just here.  Without our intervention.  Just trying to survive through our inhabitance.   Amazing things surround us every day.  Find them, notice, care for and appreciate.

~K

May 28, 2010 – Interesting to Think About

“It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy.  It is what you think about.” – Dale Carnegie

 

Interesting to think about, what you’re thinking about…

~K

May 27, 2010 – The Power of an Educator

My daughter ‘graduated’ from Kindergarten today. 

My husband’s grandfather was just awarded a lifetime award for being a local principal for many, many years.

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My daughter is all smiles tonight, full of excitement about being a FIRST grader.   While I’d love for her to stay on her little rug in the kindergarten classroom, where the days start with songs and have snack twice a day and a rest in the afternoon, I know she’s been filled with love and education and self esteem and all that she needs to move forward. 

For that, I can thank an educator.   Her teacher is so important to me.  For this woman, has now spent more time with my child in a day and in a week than I do.  What a responsibility.  I am so grateful that she handled my heart and my child with such awesome care.

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My husband’s grandfather is 85.  He has been retired now for many years.  Yet his presence is still felt so strong.  Former students, now parents, showed up, - generations of positively affected human beings.   They sang to him, learned from him, interviewed him, sat in awe and listened to his words.   Lives molded.

A teacher can change lives.   A teacher can change the world.   The power of an educator is amazing.   Today I am grateful for those educators like the two mentioned here… they knew their power, their responsibility and honored it.  I am grateful, for they have positively changed our world.

~K

May 26, 2010 – Busy Bees

Busy days.    More to do than time to do it.  Loose ends to wrap up.  Things to do that are overdue.   Summer beginning.  Projects starting.  Kids growing.  Schedules demanding.

I’m grateful for it.  For the chaos, for the lists, for the family and for these very busy days, full of life and of  living.

~K

May 25, 2010 – Good Gardenia!

I opened the back door today and naturally inhaled a breath.  Instantly, the perfumy smell of fresh gardenias blooming in my yard filled my senses.  They are just blooming their soft white petals and their scent is fresh and flowery, brightening the senses of anyone who enters the yard. 

Immediately, I took a second longer at the door, knowing for certain this was my moment of notice for the day, realizing how amazing it is that these things just readily happen in nature and wondering how many of us how often take these wonderful gifts without notice.

Today, I most certainly noticed.  Took a moment.  Inhaled.   Enjoyed.

~K

May 24, 2010 – Summertime

People keep asking me what I’m going to do with my kids this summer with school being out.   Apparently, ‘camps’ are the in thing to do.   We’re going to sign up for one, for an hour or two each day for a week.

I don’t know for sure what to say, so I don’t.  I’m not trying to be antisocial, or even cheap for that matter.

The truth is my plans for the summer are simple.   What I’m going to do with my kids isn’t really a secret, but it’s just my truth.
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I’m going to play with them.  Teach them.  Hug them.  (Probably make many mistakes and raise my voice to them… it’s always doing  just the best you can each day).  Swim with them.  Go to the zoo with them.  Watch tv with them.  Love. them. to. pieces.

Today is our first half day, gearing up for summer.  Oh boy, this mama is a happy girl.   I love it.  Call me crazy.  I’m so glad for these moments in their childhood.  I’m holding onto them as tight as I can and doing my best to savor every second, so grateful to be along for this amazing ride.

~K

May 23, 2010 – Day to Day

Do not doubt that many of today’s ordinary blessings could very quickly turn into tomorrows most desperate desires.

Appreciate your life and all of the goodness, big and small that you are fortunate enough to experience and to enjoy. 

~K

May 22, 2010 – Happiness

Today was a day full of happiness.  My children were calm and peaceful and joyful (well, at least one of them… the other was most of the time- what can I say?), my husband and I played with them and enjoyed each other, our life and our family and our day.

No one lost tempers, everyone was kind to one another.  We fed off of each other’s kindnesses and love.  We talked.  Laughed.  Played. Enjoyed.

My wish for today is many more days like this.  Taking the time, just being together.

~K

May 21, 2010 – Hope

A morning with some of my favorite ladies, putting together a project that was once too big to dream, enjoying company and coffee, friendship and writings.

So much to  be thankful for.

~K

May 20, 2010 – Forever, my friend

Today I am grateful for my husband, who knows I’m having some girlfriends over in the morning for a ‘writing tea party’ of sorts.  He knows that this and these women are important to me.

He listens to me talk excitedly about our project and encourages me along, even when he’s heard me say it all a million times before.

He stayed in the yard last night well into the darker hours cleaning up the front for me because he knows that the yard is important to me.

He will get up in the morning and dress our baby, help me prepare for my tea party with girlfriends and then leave for work without a complaint.

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We have a crazy life, our marriage is full of ups and downs,  and at the end of the day, every day, he is my best friend and I’m grateful for him and for how good he is to me.  

~K

May 19, 2010 – Fifteen Minutes

We celebrated my daughter’s birthday in her kindergarten classroom today. 

She got to be the star of the group and we were invited to sit in and to tell about her life.   The children sat quietly and my daughter beamed with pride. 

They sang songs.  She shared rice krispie treats and made a wish.

It took fifteen minutes of class time.   (Fifteen minutes of class time at the busiest time of the year when teachers  really can’t afford to schedule in these kinds of events…. even for a birthday.)

That’s the catch to this story and the thought for today. 

Actually, it wasn’t her birthday.  Not even close.  Her birthday falls during a time when school isn’t in session.  She wouldn’t have been able to have this celebration in her classroom.

However, when I initially told the teacher that she had been mentioning her 'classroom celebration’, it was my suggestion that maybe I should just distract her thoughts onto something else.   It would be fine, I told her, to explain to my five year old that kids with summer birthdays just don’t do in school celebrations.

Without hesitation, the teacher’s response was, ‘If this is important to her, and I think it is, we’ll find some time.  How does first thing Wednesday morning sound to you?’

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It took fifteen minutes.   It made a lasting impression on my child.

In fifteen minute’s time, this woman provided my child with a lifetime memory, gave her a moment to shine, provided a place where she could feel important, and reminded her that she was indeed a very special five year old.
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I’ve thought about it all day.  Fifteen minutes is a segment of time that we all have each day.  What if we all did what this woman did and graciously and excitedly use some of our time to make another person feel special?

~K

May 18, 2010 – Learning Day by Day

Each day is a lesson.  For that matter, each moment is a lesson.  To often fail these lessons makes us normal.   Where we can rise above is in learning from these lessons and improve.

“I did then what I knew how to do.  Now that I know better, I do better.” – Maya Angelou

Let us forgive ourselves for our mistakes.  Let us know what we didn’t know before.  And let us all do better. 

~K

May 17, 2010 - Mmm, Mmm, Good

I enjoy cooking.  I cook for my family every day.  I often make extra.  And more often than not I share the extra with friends.  When I make a big pot of soup, I deliberately freeze it in smaller containers.   Then, when a friend is out of sorts, or having a bad day, or has sick children, I pull one of my containers out and share.   It’s what I do and what I enjoy doing.  It makes me smile and shows my children an example of positivity and of sharing with others.
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Today,  my dear friend, who happens to be a fabulous cook, turned the tables on me.   She brought over a homemade pot of terrific lentil soup for my family and I, for no reason at all!  She, too, had made a good bit, and in turn, shared her deliciousness and made my day.   Though I enjoy cooking, all day long it made me smile knowing I didn’t have to worry or even think about dinner for my family.  It was homemade, wonderful and such a great surprise.
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Thinking of it now makes me smile.    Today I am grateful for people who take the time to make others smile.   Oh yeah, that as well as warm lentil soup and a wonderful girlfriend.
~K

May 16, 2010 – Nothing to Say

My day included lots of these.   Nothing could make me happier.  There’s nothing more to say.

Pure joy.  Innocence.  Happiness.  Love.  Laughter.  My heart.

~K

May 15, 2010 – Handle With Care

Take care of yourself.  Be gentle.  Give yourself space.  Do things that make you smile.  Be true.  Laugh often.  Eat well.  Surround yourself with goodness.  Love fully.  Exercise.  Be kind to others.   Set boundaries.  Give hugs.   Get plenty of sleep.  Know yourself.   Be honest.   Work hard.  Enjoy your friends.  Love your family.  

Appreciate all that is good… and so very much is so very good.

Appreciate and notice.

Handle with care. 

~K

May 14, 2010 – Perfection

When you set out to have a perfect day… and then put forth the effort….  it’s amazing how many perfect days will come your way.

~K

May 13, 2010 – Cheers

Here’s to a day filled with more smiles than tears-

More laughter than concern,

More of my time spent with family and friends and less of my time spent on things that can wait;

Here’s to a day with less negativity and worry in my head and to a day with more peace and joy in my heart.

Cheers.  My wish for today.

~K

May 12, 2010 – Afternoons

A Red Flyer wagon.  Squeaky wheels.  Bare baby feet kicked off the side.   School clothes skipping next to me.  Excitement hardly being contained.   Weaving in and out of people.  Finding friends.  Ring a round the Rosey.  Smiles.  Sunshine.

Vegetables.  Farmers.  Soaps.  Meats.  Breads.  Eggs. 

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The food as genuine as the innocent babes now dancing around it, who will later be eating it.  A day outside with friends.  Shopping from the farmers.  Loading up my wagon.  Produce surrounding my baby. 

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Taking it all in.  Refreshing in so many ways.

~K

May 11, 2010 – Inhale, Exhale

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

~ Robert Brault

 

~K

May 10, 2010 – Sunshine

I first heard this song in a music class I took the kids to.  I often sing it to my kids as a lullaby, changing the part where in this video it says mama to also daddies, little girls, little boys, peace, flowers, trees, grandmas and grandpas, etc. …. It’s such a sweet lullaby and one that holds dear memories with my family.

I saw it again today, someone had posted this version with Raffi for Mother’s Day.  It seemed only appropriate to share here.

 

~K

May 9, 2010 – Truths

“Keep true, never be ashamed of doing right; decide on what you think is right and stick to it.” – T.S. Eliot

~K

May 8, 2010 - Banking

Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children. ~Charles R. Swindoll

Make today count.  What a great, positive quote.  Sometimes it overwhelms me, the responsibility of parenting and trying to do it right.   I think the bottom line is to each day, do the best you can.  Some days that may be more than others.  Make great memories, smile at often,  and love those you adore much.

~K

May 6, 2010 – Sunshine and Daydreams

His eyes sparkle when he laughs.   She tries so hard to remember new words, like ‘humidity’ and ‘variety’.

He talks of dump trucks and tools.  She talks of first grade and of tag on the playground.  

The sun shines on these two as they play together in the yard.  I quietly dream of their futures, hoping their expectations reach beyond their wildest dreams and that they are always as happy and as gentle and as genuine as they are right this minute, rolling  in the sun, holding onto each other in laughter and knowing nothing but this kind of pure happiness.

~K

May 5, 2010 – Positivity during Struggle

Confusions.  Delusions.  Agitation.  Disorientation.

Perplexing.  Boggling.  Provoking.  Worrisome.

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Regardless of the circumstance or the situation, despite feelings of desperation and defeat, handling your thought processes, actions and reactions with positivity can only help both the situation and your ability to process it.

~K

May 4, 2010 – Dancing Boots

"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain!"-Vivian Greene

A friend posted this quote today on facebook.   I don’t know why or what motivated her to type this, but as I read it I thought it was spoken from an interesting perspective.  Rather than always waiting for things to improve, for the storm to pass, for things to get better, for a new or brighter day, perhaps what is just as important is finding a way to dance as best you can, even when it’s raining.

~K

May 3, 2010 – Safe Travels

Today is a good day to be grateful for safe travels. 

Travels across the country, literally from coast to coast, with no one but you showing up on time,…and then, being grateful that both you and your luggage have safely arrived at your destination by sundown.  

A short day car trip with small children safely buckled in and in happy song concluding with lots of smiles and memories from a fun family day. 

Short airline trips ending up in long days, ridiculous delays and tired feet and bodies… but at the end finding babies and grandmas held close in hugs.

Today is a good day to be grateful for safe travels.

~K

May 2, 2010 – Painting

“Stress is usually caused by pressure, which is closely related to expectations, goals etc. Once in awhile, paint something only for yourself. "  Alev Oguz

Alev Oguz is an artist.   Though her quote above is about painting and probably literally incorporated in her life, I think the intended message is applicable to all of our lives.  We need to each find something just for ourselves, whether it is running or pottery, painting or yoga,  reading or gardening, tai chi or tennis ….   chances are it will relieve your stress and make you better to yourself and to those around you.

~K

May 1, 2010 – Checklists

Today was spent checking off checklists.   Groceries, check.  Yard mowed, check.  Dinner made, check.  Pack for a trip, check.  School project, …. almost check.

But somewhere in the middle of all of it, both my babies were fighting to be in my arms.  I gently reminded them that I had two and there they went… assuming their sides.  We laid in bed, cuddled and talked and I kissed their heads over and over.

The best part of my day.  And to think, it wasn’t even on my checklist.

~K