One of the things I love about winter is that young or old we all play in about the same way. We bundle up in warm clothing and head outside to slip, slide and throw snow! I know I know, some people do not call this play at all and would far rather be throwing back a couple shots of jagarmeister! But those who play - play the same way we did as children. It think it's wonderful!
Today we spent about three hours outside with Trystan. We rode down our home made "Whistler Mountain" on an inner tube. We were so delighted to discover we can slide clear across the yard!! We crawled around the back yard maze and tunnels, and hid in our snow fort hoping that the Abominable Snow Monster wouldn't find us!! We've spent entire afternoons "painting the house" by throwing snowballs and trying to see if we could completely cover all the brick in snow! (My shoulder hurt by the end of that one! lol) We slip and slide and lay on our backs looking at the clouds etc. etc. This never becomes boring. Every moment of this is pure delight for Trystan and for Eric and I. Snow, is the great equalizer. It makes us all children again - reminds us to slow down (after all who's going anywhere fast when you're bundled up in all those layers of snow clothes and heavy boots!?) Reminds us to play - and often, those little tiny flakes of white tumble down and bring a lot of fond, cozy memories. Like egg nog and toast for lunch. Hot chocolate by the fire. Giant snowball fights with the neighbors, nights filled with skiing, wine and conversation with dear ones... It's so good to play! I think it's one of the corner stones of a rich life. It's about not taking yourself too seriously, being in the moment and connecting to the child within. JUST PLAY :)
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Saturday, 28 January 2012
Life is beautiful
There have been more than a few moments in my life when I have looked at or felt something very simple and been completely overwhlemed by the beauty. There are few in particular that stand out. A few that - took me over so completely that I, for a moment wondered if it was even real - if any of this life was real or was it a sublime dream?
I remember standing at the top of Blackholm Glacier watching the Sunrise
I remember snowboarding in powder for the first time and feeling like I was flying through clouds
I remember standing in the yard of our tiny little house in the woods - breathing as deeply as I could because the lilacs were blooming and the breeze was so perfect.
I remember planting tiny little Sunflower seeds and watching massive, beautiful flowers grow to become 10 feet tall in my yard!
I remember holding my child on my chest for the first time - patty his tiny little bum and playing with his fingers and toes.
The other day, Trystan put his hand on my face in the most loving, thoughtful way. He just looked quietly for a moment, then burried his head in my neck "AH, I wuv you Mommy".
Today, Loukah lay his little head on my shoulder, wrapped his hand around my finger, and quiety rested there until he drifted off to sleep.
It is REAL - this sublime dream. Life - is a beauitful, sublime dream.
I remember standing at the top of Blackholm Glacier watching the Sunrise
I remember snowboarding in powder for the first time and feeling like I was flying through clouds
I remember standing in the yard of our tiny little house in the woods - breathing as deeply as I could because the lilacs were blooming and the breeze was so perfect.
I remember planting tiny little Sunflower seeds and watching massive, beautiful flowers grow to become 10 feet tall in my yard!
I remember holding my child on my chest for the first time - patty his tiny little bum and playing with his fingers and toes.
The other day, Trystan put his hand on my face in the most loving, thoughtful way. He just looked quietly for a moment, then burried his head in my neck "AH, I wuv you Mommy".
Today, Loukah lay his little head on my shoulder, wrapped his hand around my finger, and quiety rested there until he drifted off to sleep.
It is REAL - this sublime dream. Life - is a beauitful, sublime dream.
What I've learned so far - Part Four
It's interesting to me how timely some of the points are today (this list has been written and on paper for many years and I'm following the exact order in which they have been written - no sorting) I always consider this kind of symmetry to mean I'm in the right place in my life. When old wisdom meets current living - it's comforting to me. Hope some of this is interesting to you in some way.
31) Don't assume the world is the way you see it. Everyone's reality is different
32) Stop expecting your parents to be perfect. Forgive their mistakes as you would ask yours to be forgiven. They are human. You will make many mistakes too.
33) Be willing to consider you're wrong sometimes. Be willing to consider criticism, take it or reject it - but consider it first
34) FLAWS - we all have 'em - find a way to laugh at yourself rather than feeling you have to fix or defend them.
35) Everything does not happen for a reason. Bad things happen to good people, but something good can come even of tragedy if you choose to look for it.
36) For every death - a new life is created
37) Ask yourself what you want and listen to the answer with the same interest you would to a dear friends answer.
38) Give sincerely, never expect back
39) Change is often as good as a rest
40) Listen to other peoples opinions - DECIDE for yourself
G'Night
31) Don't assume the world is the way you see it. Everyone's reality is different
32) Stop expecting your parents to be perfect. Forgive their mistakes as you would ask yours to be forgiven. They are human. You will make many mistakes too.
33) Be willing to consider you're wrong sometimes. Be willing to consider criticism, take it or reject it - but consider it first
34) FLAWS - we all have 'em - find a way to laugh at yourself rather than feeling you have to fix or defend them.
35) Everything does not happen for a reason. Bad things happen to good people, but something good can come even of tragedy if you choose to look for it.
36) For every death - a new life is created
37) Ask yourself what you want and listen to the answer with the same interest you would to a dear friends answer.
38) Give sincerely, never expect back
39) Change is often as good as a rest
40) Listen to other peoples opinions - DECIDE for yourself
G'Night
Thursday, 26 January 2012
What I've learned - Part Three
I can not take credit for the origins of all these points. Some of the greatest wisdom of my life has come from my husband Eric. He thinks very differently and sometimes it takes me a while to catch on to what he is saying - but when I get it....it sinks in hard.
21) In life there are times when you're at the top of the mountain (good times) and others the valley (hard times). You have the clearest view from the mountain top. Make your decisions when you're there and stick to them when you're lost in the clouds of the valley.
22) Have hobbies
23) Spend time with nature
24) FIGHT - only if you must. 1st to defend another, 2nd youself. Use your brain first, words second, body last.
25) Sometimes the hardest thing to say is nothing at all
26) Give a firm handshake, especially if you're a woman
27) Be friends with people of all ages, faiths, abilities, backgrounds...there is so much to learn and understand!
28) Never take your priviledge for granted
29) Drop your sense of entitlement. The world owes you nothing.
30) everyone can't like you. In fact rest assurd they won't. Don't waste your time worrying about them. Focus your energy on those who do!
21) In life there are times when you're at the top of the mountain (good times) and others the valley (hard times). You have the clearest view from the mountain top. Make your decisions when you're there and stick to them when you're lost in the clouds of the valley.
22) Have hobbies
23) Spend time with nature
24) FIGHT - only if you must. 1st to defend another, 2nd youself. Use your brain first, words second, body last.
25) Sometimes the hardest thing to say is nothing at all
26) Give a firm handshake, especially if you're a woman
27) Be friends with people of all ages, faiths, abilities, backgrounds...there is so much to learn and understand!
28) Never take your priviledge for granted
29) Drop your sense of entitlement. The world owes you nothing.
30) everyone can't like you. In fact rest assurd they won't. Don't waste your time worrying about them. Focus your energy on those who do!
I organized a play date this week. Invited 7 or 8 parents with their toddlers and infants to come by for an afternoon of fun. I started out with about 7 parents intending to come this would have made it 5 toddlers and 7 babes! I was delighted. Baked bread pudding, rice crispy squares, made guacamole! Hyped T man up for three days about our friends coming to play and how we would share the toys etc. As life with kids often happens - by this morning I was down to 3 or 4 parents, and by 3 pm I had 2 moms with babes.
I'm not sure if it's completely accurate to call this a lemonade situation or not. Of course it was a little disappointing. Especially for Trystan who was still waiting at 5pm for "the guys" to come play. I enjoy all the people who were invited and would have been so pleased to host the group. However, the kind of conversation you have with just 2 other women is very different than in a larger mixed group. We talked about everything - and anything - and it felt like such a loving, supportive little trio! We nibbled treats and talked about life, husbands, babies. We laughed at ourselves and shared stories about how ridiculous we are when we're sleep deprived. It was delightful!
I've been struggling a little with the direction of my blogging. I know there really doesn't have to be a specific direction - in fact - that's been my struggle. I didn't intend to write about being a mother all the time. But that seems to have been what's emerged. I guess that's because it's all I do right now. But I feel so strongly about the fact that it's not all I am! So I've been trying to write about other things too - and it doesn't feel right. It feels forced and empty. I always come back to "mothering". Today during our mommy play date I came to realise that writing about my experience is serving a purpose beyond mothering. It's allowing other women (parents maybe) to relate - feel less alone, connect in the experience. I didn't realise how many people have been reading along and enjoying these little snip its! So - when I feel like it I'll insert other items - but for now I think you're going to keep seeing a lot about my day to day mommy hood! I think it's healthy for all of us and I am enjoying the process.
(Hold on to your hats when I get the time to talk about Potty training. It'll be a poopapalooza!)
Now - I made a promise to e-mail the Ellen Show tonight, so I'm off to write that note. (It's a long story)
Goodnight - to my lovely ladies of the day!
Goodnight to the mommies and Jay that we missed out on!
G'Night - to my anonymous readers. I'm intrigued by you. I want to know more!
I'm not sure if it's completely accurate to call this a lemonade situation or not. Of course it was a little disappointing. Especially for Trystan who was still waiting at 5pm for "the guys" to come play. I enjoy all the people who were invited and would have been so pleased to host the group. However, the kind of conversation you have with just 2 other women is very different than in a larger mixed group. We talked about everything - and anything - and it felt like such a loving, supportive little trio! We nibbled treats and talked about life, husbands, babies. We laughed at ourselves and shared stories about how ridiculous we are when we're sleep deprived. It was delightful!
I've been struggling a little with the direction of my blogging. I know there really doesn't have to be a specific direction - in fact - that's been my struggle. I didn't intend to write about being a mother all the time. But that seems to have been what's emerged. I guess that's because it's all I do right now. But I feel so strongly about the fact that it's not all I am! So I've been trying to write about other things too - and it doesn't feel right. It feels forced and empty. I always come back to "mothering". Today during our mommy play date I came to realise that writing about my experience is serving a purpose beyond mothering. It's allowing other women (parents maybe) to relate - feel less alone, connect in the experience. I didn't realise how many people have been reading along and enjoying these little snip its! So - when I feel like it I'll insert other items - but for now I think you're going to keep seeing a lot about my day to day mommy hood! I think it's healthy for all of us and I am enjoying the process.
(Hold on to your hats when I get the time to talk about Potty training. It'll be a poopapalooza!)
Now - I made a promise to e-mail the Ellen Show tonight, so I'm off to write that note. (It's a long story)
Goodnight - to my lovely ladies of the day!
Goodnight to the mommies and Jay that we missed out on!
G'Night - to my anonymous readers. I'm intrigued by you. I want to know more!
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
What I've learned so far - Part Two
I'm a little brain lazy today....so this is all I can produce :)
11) There is no secret. Not to weight loss, wealth, happiness, success etc. It's all out there for all of us to see. We know it. It takes effort, self discipline, patience...
12) Often, what we dislike about another person is something we see in ourselves and are not proud of
13) Anger and jealously are secondary emotions. The truth of what you're feeling lies somewhere underneath.
14) Constantly seeking approval becomes toxic to you and your relationships. Do what feels right.
15) Gossip only makes you look like an untrustworthy person
16) Never tell another persons secret (with that in mind - think twice before you accept hearing someones secret, this can be a very heavy burden)
17) Strive always for - Humility, Dignity, Honesty, Loyalty
18) Be curious, be interested, be sincere. These qualities will take you nearly anywhere you wish to go.
19) FORGIVE
20) Be "weird" - march to your own hearts rhythm
11) There is no secret. Not to weight loss, wealth, happiness, success etc. It's all out there for all of us to see. We know it. It takes effort, self discipline, patience...
12) Often, what we dislike about another person is something we see in ourselves and are not proud of
13) Anger and jealously are secondary emotions. The truth of what you're feeling lies somewhere underneath.
14) Constantly seeking approval becomes toxic to you and your relationships. Do what feels right.
15) Gossip only makes you look like an untrustworthy person
16) Never tell another persons secret (with that in mind - think twice before you accept hearing someones secret, this can be a very heavy burden)
17) Strive always for - Humility, Dignity, Honesty, Loyalty
18) Be curious, be interested, be sincere. These qualities will take you nearly anywhere you wish to go.
19) FORGIVE
20) Be "weird" - march to your own hearts rhythm
Monday, 23 January 2012
What I've learned so far - Part One
This ongoing list is something I started about 8 years ago. I'm up to about 70 items and always figured I'd publis when I got to 100. But what the heck! I'll blog it now lol
I've learned most, but not all of these lessons through experience - some through observation. Let me be clear - just because I've learned that these things are true does not mean I have learned to successfully manage my life according to the guidelines. It's fun, and often helpful to me though, to look over this list and reflect on how I learned these truths - and how I can better apply them to improve my coping with the world in some way :)
I will share my list in chinks periodically. As food for thought - amusement - fuel to controversy!?? Hopefully it will generate some interest, some discussion, some reflection, or just a few giggles. I guess it depends on the content of the chunk ;)
For the record - I will not qualify these points with stories. Let your imagination amuse you :)
SO...here we go
1) In relationships: Never be the "other" - never tolerate "another"
2) Peoples true colours always show in the end - be patient and allow this to happen by itself
3) Be your own best friend. After that the others are bonus (but what a bonus they are!)
4) Most of the things we stress over are not to be controlled. So the stress is pointless.
5) The biggest regrets in life are usually the risks we didn't take.
6) When it comes to the people we love, there's no guarantee of a "next time" - so say it now!
7) Service to others is a beautiful experience and should be part of life. But don't lose yourself in it, it's not fair to you or the ones you serve.
8) No matter who you are you can always give more, speak less and learn from others
9) Never underestimate your own ability to adapt
10) Whether it feels like it or not in the moment or not, we choose our emotions. choose wisely :)
More to come
G'Night
I've learned most, but not all of these lessons through experience - some through observation. Let me be clear - just because I've learned that these things are true does not mean I have learned to successfully manage my life according to the guidelines. It's fun, and often helpful to me though, to look over this list and reflect on how I learned these truths - and how I can better apply them to improve my coping with the world in some way :)
I will share my list in chinks periodically. As food for thought - amusement - fuel to controversy!?? Hopefully it will generate some interest, some discussion, some reflection, or just a few giggles. I guess it depends on the content of the chunk ;)
For the record - I will not qualify these points with stories. Let your imagination amuse you :)
SO...here we go
1) In relationships: Never be the "other" - never tolerate "another"
2) Peoples true colours always show in the end - be patient and allow this to happen by itself
3) Be your own best friend. After that the others are bonus (but what a bonus they are!)
4) Most of the things we stress over are not to be controlled. So the stress is pointless.
5) The biggest regrets in life are usually the risks we didn't take.
6) When it comes to the people we love, there's no guarantee of a "next time" - so say it now!
7) Service to others is a beautiful experience and should be part of life. But don't lose yourself in it, it's not fair to you or the ones you serve.
8) No matter who you are you can always give more, speak less and learn from others
9) Never underestimate your own ability to adapt
10) Whether it feels like it or not in the moment or not, we choose our emotions. choose wisely :)
More to come
G'Night
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