Winter Solstice Celebrations for Families and Households

by Selena Fox

Focus of Celebration: consider first your purpose(s) for the celebration, such as:


Strengthen family bonding with each other


Expand upon existing patterns of family celebrations


Attune family to Nature's cycles


Attune family to its membership in the community of all life on planet Earth


Connect with ancestors


Celebrate ethnic/cultural heritage(s)


Educate about ancient and contemporary folkways


Extend the celebration of Christmas, be an alternative, or expand upon it


Deepen understanding about spiritual renewal and love


Have fun


Components of Celebration: select one or more that fits focus, timing, length, and setting



Yule Wreath


purchase a wreath or make a wreath from evergreens collected by family members.


have family members gather around the wreath and consider it as a symbol of cycles of Nature; mention Yule and Jul, names for Winter Solstice time (and Christmas) mean wheel.


have family members each share something they appreciate about Winter


put the wreath in a visible location, such as on the front door, on an inside wall, or in the center of the dining table.


On or after New Year's Day, wreath can be returned to Nature, or kept until Summer Solstice and then burned in a bonfire.


Solstice Feast


Prepare favorite family foods and beverages.


Before beginning the dining experience, do a family prayer of thanksgiving.


End the feast with a cake or pie with a sun image on it.


Birthday candles can be put on this solar dessert. Each family member can light a candle and make a wish for the holiday season or the upcoming calendar year. Once all candles are lit, the family as a whole can blow them out to send wishes on their way. Then call out "Happy Solstice" or "Good Yule" in unison.


Candlelight Circle


Can be done as part of a feast or separately.


Family gathers in a circle around a card table or dining table. There is an unlit new red taper candle in a candleholder for each family member, plus a larger new red taper or pillar candle in a candleholder to represent the family as a whole and the Solstice Sun. Candles are arranged evenly around the central larger candle.


Parent(s) begin the circle by sharing some background about Winter Solstice, such as how it has been celebrated across time and cultures, and how its celebration is reflected in contemporary secular and religious Christmas customs. Then parent(s) describe the focus for this candlelight circle, such as to attune the family members to each other, to the ways of ancestors, and/or to Nature.


Lights are extinguished. Family stands or sits in darkness for a few moments and contemplates the reduction of daylight at this time of year, the importance of the Sun to life on the planet, and the symbology of light as indicators of renewal.


Then, parent(s) light the central candle with a blessing of renewal for the family and the planet and guide a short meditation on light and renewal.


Next, parent(s) invite each member to light her/his personal candle and give a thanksgiving for something in past or present or a blessing for the year to come.


When all the candles are lit, the family joins hands and chants or sings. The song, "We wish you a Merry Christmas" can be adapted to "We wish you a Merry Solstice" and sung to end the circle.


Candles can be left burning if in a safe, attended location, throughout the rest of the Solstice celebration, if there are other component parts.


Candles can be extinguished by everyone doing it simultaneously after one of the family members states that the light of renewal remains in our hearts.


Yule Log


An oak log, plus a fireplace or bonfire area is needed for this form of celebration. The oak log should be very dry so that it will blaze well. It can be decorated with burnable red ribbons of natural fiber and dried holly leaves. In the fireplace or bonfire area, dried kindling should be set to facilitate the burning of the log.


Begin by having parent(s) or some other family member describe the tradition of the Yule log. The tale of the Oak King and Holly King from Celtic mythology can be shared as a story, or can be summarized with a statement that the Oak represents the waxing solar year, Winter Solstice to Summer Solstice, and the Holly represents the waning solar year, Summer Solstice to Winter Solstice.


Lights are extinguished as much as possible. The family is quiet together in the darkness. Family members quietly contemplate the change in the solar year. Each in her/his own way contemplates the past calendar year, the challenges as well as the good times.


Then the Yule Log fire is lit. As it begins to burn, each family member throws in one or more dried holly sprigs and says farewell to the old calendar year. Farewells can take the form of thanksgiving and appreciation and/or a banishment of old habits or personal pains.


Once the Yule Log itself starts blazing, then the facilitator invites family members to contemplate the year ahead and the power of possibilities. Each member then throws in an oak twig or acorn into the fire to represent the year ahead, and calls out a resolution and/or a hope.


When this process is done, the family sings a song together. The traditional carol, "Deck the Halls," is good because it mentions the Solstice, the change in the solar year, and the Yule log.


Let the Yule Log burn down to a few chunks of charred wood and ashes. Following an ancient tradition, save remnants of the fire and use them to start the Yule Log fire the following year.


Bell Ringing


This can take a simple form of the family ringing bells together at the moment of Solstice, or it can be a circle ceremony in and of itself. It also can be incorporated into other components of the celebration such as the Candlelight Circle or Yule Log Ceremony -- in these cases, bells can be rung after each blessing/sharing is stated.


Each family member chooses a bell to ring. Bells can be of varying sizes and types, but should blend well with each other when rung together. Brass bells and/or jingle bells are commonly available and have long time associations with the season.


For a bell ringing Solstice Circle, the family gathers together in a circle. Each has a bell in hand to ring. Parent(s) or some other family member serves as facilitator(s). She/he begins by saying a few words about the Solstice being the start of the new solar year and how the calendar year used today in many places around the world was structured on the solar year. The facilitator then describes how bells have been rung in connection with many types of celebrations. Bells have been rung at this time of year to ring out the old year and to ring in the new year. Then the facilitator invites the family to celebrate the Solstice with bells.


If the family is used to honoring the directions as part of spiritual practice (Wiccan, Native American, Buddhist, Hermetic, etc.), the family begins by facing each of the compass points (North, East, South, West) and ringing the bells in unison, honoring connections with each sacred direction. Then the family rings bells in the three directions connected with the center: upward, the place of the cosmos; downward, the place of the planet; and center; Divine unity.


In place of or in addition to individual direction honoring, the family rings all their bells together to celebrate their connection with each other as a family; then they ring them in unison again to celebrate their connection with the cycles of Nature; and then they ring them a third time in unison to celebrate their connection with life on planet Earth and all of Nature.


Then from the oldest to the youngest, each family member speaks a vision or wish for the planet for the coming year. After each one speaks, all ring bells together to affirm that vision/wish. After all have shared, the ceremony ends as the family calls out "Happy Solstice" or "Good Yule" three times and rings bells.


Yule Tree


Decorate an evergreen tree as a Yule tree. The tree can be a living tree growing in the yard of the home or in a container indoors to be planted outside in Spring. Or, the tree can be a harvested one purchased or cut yourself from a tree farm.


The Yule Tree can be decorated prior to or on Solstice for the entire holiday season. If decorated prior to Solstice, on Solstice day, family members can each add an ornament. Members may want to speak a blessing on the Solstice celebration as they add their ornaments. Ornaments can be of any type, but those that represent the Sun, such as sun figures or shinny red or golden balls, are very appropriate because of their symbolism. A star, sunburst, or light at the top of the tree is another traditional Solstice symbol.


Electric lights on the tree can also play into the Solstice celebration. They can be first turned on during the Solstice celebration. Or, if the family custom is to have a lit holiday tree for much of December, the lights can be turned off during a celebration as the family focuses on the year passing and the longest nights of the year and then turned on to represent renewal and the new Solar year.


After the holiday season is over, the Yule tree can be burned in a bonfire, chopped up and used as mulch, or placed in the wilds as additional habitat for wild creatures. A branch can be saved and stored away until next year and then burned with the Yule Log to represent the continuity of Nature's cycles.


Winter Nature Communion


Grains and seeds, and the feeding of creatures have been associated with Yuletide holidays for hundred of years in Europe. To continue this tradition, gather some sunflower seeds in a large basket or bowl. Go outside next to the home or to a place frequented by wild birds and other wild creatures.


The family gathers around a bird feeder, a tree stump, a rock ledge, or other spot where the seeds are to be placed. Someone in the family serves as facilitator and guides the family in a Nature attunement meditation. First, the family silently focuses on the experience of being outdoors in the Winter at this Solstice time. Next, the family silently focuses on being part of the fabric of life of Nature. Then the family silently focuses on expressing appreciation for the beauty of Nature and the relationships with other lifeforms. Each family member then takes a handful of seeds and focuses on the seeds as symbols of life and as messengers of goodwill toward other parts of Nature.


Now, each family member in turn places the seeds in the feeder or on the stump, ledge, or other spot, and speaks an appreciation of Nature. After all the offerings have been made, the family joins hands and says together several times, "We are part of the Family of Nature!" The ceremony ends as the family in unison calls out "Happy Solstice!" or "Good Yule!"


Solstice Stories


The family can share Solstice related stories with each other. Parents, grandparents, and/or other older relatives can share how they celebrated Yuletide (Solstice, Christmas, New Year's) when they were young. Parents and other relatives also can speak about their ethnic roots and share whatever they know of Yuletide folk customs of their ancestors.


If little or nothing is known within the living extended family itself about ancestral folk ways, prior to Solstice, one or more family members can do some research into customs connected with ancestral nationalities, ethnicities, spiritualities, and other cultural forms. Some places to check for information include bookstores and libraries, gifts shops with ethnic themes, cultural societies, folklore centers, museums, and multicultural centers at universities.


In addition to stories about folk customs connected with Yuletide, myths and legends connected with Winter, the Sun, and/or Renewal can be told.


To facilitate passing this family heritage on to future generations, the family may wish to tape record or videotape the story sharing.


Gift Giving


Across many cultures for at least several thousand years, gifts have been exchanged among family and friends at Solstice time. Even if the family already has a tradition of exchanging gifts at Christmas or Epiphany, some gifts can be exchanged on Solstice as well. Having gift giving occur over a period of time extends the holiday celebration and is a time honored tradition, as commemorated in the song "Twelve Days of Christmas."


The Solstice gift exchange can take a variety of forms. When all family holiday gifts are displayed under the Yule tree for several days, each family member can select one gift with their own name on it to open on Solstice night or morning. In cases in which family members give each other multiple gifts, each member can select a gift to give each other member. Another method of gift distribution is to have family members place their names in a hat or basket, and when this is done, to each draw a name, which indicates the person to whom they will give a Solstice gift.


Still another alternative is to have a gifting experience unique to Solstice. A group of similar, yet distinctive small gifts, individually wrapped can be placed in a large basket or cauldron. There should be one for each family member. At least one extra gift could be included and this could be kept for the family as a whole or later given to a family friend. Some examples of gift groups include an assortment of pieces of tumbled agate or quartz crystals, a collection of animal figurines or exotic sea shells, an array of candles or bells, or a variety of pieces of candy or other food treats. Gift picking can be according to age: oldest to youngest, youngest to oldest; according to birth date in the year; by first name in alphabetical order; by lot; or by some other method. The gift exchange, when involving Nature gifts, can have an educational component. For example, if bird images are the gift form, the family can talk about each type of bird after each figure is unwrapped.


A good way to bring closure to the gift exchange on Solstice night is for the family to join hands together in a circle and spend a few moments focusing together on the sharing of love, a on-going gift that transcends time and physical presents.


Focus on appreciating each other strengthens the family as well as imbues the gift giving and other Solstice celebration experiences with a spiritual context.

moved over to new blog ....

http://ampababy.blogspot.com/

feeling great

I actually worked out this morning.
My husband and I commute so I drop him off at work for 7 am.
I don't have to work until 8:30, so I have an hour before my shift to do what I please.
I finally got an access card for the gym in my office building so I wanted to use it.
We have a beautiful little pond on the property, so I walked around the loop twice and climbed the stairs in between. Then off to the gym and worked the stationary bike for 15 minutes. Then stretching afterwards.
Overall I worked cardio for 30 mins and then cool down for 15.
I feel great !
I'm sure to have a wonderful energy day and a good sleep tonight.
I hope I can keep up with this routine.

Missing Family

I can't wait for September !!!

I am so lonley for my family.
My Daddikins.
My sissers.
My bro.
And the whole rest of the clan - Stevenson's and Browne's and extras!!!
I must say that I have the best family in the/my world.
How else can I feel?
I've been away from my home town since October 2008.
Don't get me wrong, I love my new life and my new job and my new town and my husband more than anything.
But my family has been there for a long time and we are all very close and have been through so very much together and apart. There's bonds that will never be broken no matter how far apart we are.
My poor husband is afraid he'll be left out when we go visit. I wish he wouldn't worry. He just doesn't understand the need for reconnecting to my roots and family. The love that swirls around. I hope he can feel part of it and enjoy it as much as we all do.

POEM: The Garglefish

The Garglefish,
As everyone knows,
Is a fish of the Grand River that grows
Till it's meters long from tail to nose;
It's quite a sight to see one.
But Garglefish,
As everyone fears,
Are very hungry and rather queer,
They'll jump from the water and snap off your ear;
It's really hard to flee one.
And worst of all,
Around here they say
That Garglefish in light of day
Look like people and seem ok!
They live by the river and seek their prey;
You never know who'll be one.
So very nice families like Gergoviches
May in fact be Garglefishes!
Look out when you see one.

Robert Munsch

Happy Canada Day !

History of Canada Day;

http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/canada/history.htm

Canada day recipes;

http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/canada/index.htm


Canada means so much to me. Especially since I no longer reside there. All of my family still lives there. I grew up in a small town in Ontario. It is one of the most beautiful areas of the country that I have been to.
I have driven across Canada; from Ontario to British Columbia. It is an amazing wonder to behold.
There are so many areas that I would still love to visit and hope to one day.

Happy Canada Day to all of my family and friends and fellow bloggers !

loving my new job

It's close to home (traffic is a nightmare)
Very flexible environment
Helpful and friendly staff
Great bosses
Lots to learn
Comfortable atmosphere
Beautiful building (well kept, landscaping is amazing)
Quiet

Live Your Life

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will.
You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time.
You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken.
You'll fight with your best friend.
You'll blame a new love for things an old one did.
You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love.
So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.
Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.

16 random things about me

1. I love Marilyn Monroe - movies, books, pictures, quotes, t-shirts, anything !


2. I have an extensive collection of gum wrappers.


3. I don't know what I want to be when I grow up.


4. I have way too many clothes, and can't wait to get more !


5. I am a pack-rat, and although I put forth many efforts not to be ... I think I will remain one forever.


6. I love Karaoke.


7. I have bitten my nails my whole life, and constantly struggle not to.


8. I can move my baby toes.


9. I'm not very fond of shopping.


10. I love to try new things.


11. I am a procrastinator.


12. I love Yoga and Meditation.


13. I know that I am much more than I think I am.


14. I have the best family and friends that anyone could ever ask for. Thank you.


15. I try to believe in the good in people, even when they appear to be bad.


16. I try to be a better person everyday.

First interview

Had an interview for a job
So excited to get the call
Nervous
Didn't sleep well
Wonderful opportunity
Don't want to get too excited ...
Waiting for the call back
Hard not to hope
Keep positive
Work on other things
Hmmm
Lalalala
Blah

Job Hunting rules

If you are mid-career, out of work and looking, you've probably already figured this one out: The tried-and-true job-hunting techniques that served you so well in the past no longer fill the bill.

While you were faithfully toiling away for the same employer, maybe for decades, a lot changed. Today it's a brave new world of social media and digital resumes and Google-ability. What's more, many extremely qualified people are willing to take positions clearly "beneath" them. Some will even work for free.

What's an experienced, qualified, truly valuable potential employee who needs a job that pays actual money like you to do? You really have only one choice: Get to know this brave new world, and conquer it.

Here are the 10 biggest differences between then and now:

1. You can no longer depend on a resume to get an interview. Simply mailing out resumes and then sitting back and waiting for responses was never that effective, and today it just doesn't cut it. It's a waste of time, paper, postage, and psychic energy.

2. Your experience matters less than it used to. This is unfair, even counter-intuitive, but people don't want to hear about everything you did way back when. They want to hear about everything you can do, specifically, to help them today. And tomorrow.

3. You shouldn't expect to hear back. Unfortunately, this little courtesy has gone the way of the vinyl record. Keep on networking, interviewing, and researching right up until the moment you have a firm job offer in your hot little hands. Maybe even a little after.

4. A resume is no longer a comprehensive summary of your work and education history. Don't bother to list jobs more than 15 years old. Emphasize recent accomplishments, certifications, and training.

5. More about resumes: You need a digital-friendly one that is easily uploadable, downloadable, and scannable (i.e., no bullets, boxes, boldface, unusual fonts, indenting). It should be rich in the "keywords" that employers in your field are looking for.

6. In fact, overall computer literacy is a must. Get comfortable with applying for jobs online and learn how to research on the Internet. If all this is new to you, your public library is a good place to start. Oh, and have a professional-sounding E-mail address.

7. A good idea is to go one step further and establish a lively Internet presence. Explore LinkedIn (get some stellar endorsements), Twitter, and Facebook. Become active in your field's social media sites. Consider building your own Web site (with a career-oriented blog, professional photo, and resume).

8. One of the first things a potential employer will do is Google you. That means you need to find out if there's anything negative about you online. If there is something bad, try to get it removed. Your best bet may be to "bury" it with more recent, more favorable, links (see No. 7).

9. More than ever it's about who you know, and who knows you. This is important: Finding employment nowadays is less a matter of applying for existing open positions and more about identifying needs potential employers have and demonstrating to them that you can fill these needs. Fortunately, there are more networking venues (real life and virtual) than ever before.

10. Many interviewers/hiring managers/recruiters may be younger than you. Get used to it. Treat them with respect and learn how to speak their language. Do not say "You remind me of my son/daughter," or "When I was your age... !"

written by Karen Burns

Cinco De Mayo

So we celebrated Cinco De Mayo yesterday.

Cooked some wonderful mexican food while listening to mexican music.

Stuffed shells, guacamole, salsa, margaritas, beer, and fun !

looking for another job

So I just got laid off from my new job.
The company lost thier biggest customer (losing 50% of their revenue) and had to let over 20 people go.
I'm the newest employee with just me in my area, so I was called this morning.
Unless I can generate enough revenue to cover at least my pay, I won't be getting called back.
So out go 20 resumes today to see what I can find.
I do hope to secure a job soon. I really liked this company and the people there. It was my comfort zone.
The money was already getting tight with just my husband's income. I was out of work for 17 months and back to work for only 2.
Wish and hope and pray I find something soon. I feel bad for the company.
I feel bad for all the people with no jobs. It's hard out there.

I am such a hard working and loyal employee. I wish there was some test to measure this and show companies this.
I am so many valuable things .... when do I get 'mine' ?!?

Balanced Brained

After filling out a quiz on which side of the brain I use, I got these results;

Balanced-brained people are mentally ambidextrous. They know how to rely on the right or left hemisphere of their brain depending upon the situation.
However, because balanced-brained people have so many options available to them when solving problems, they often have a hard time coming up with one clear solution. Sometimes, the obvious answer isn't always there.

This is so true.

I am quite ambidextrous with several things that I do. I used to be able to write with both sides, but I am definitely out of practice. when it comes to crafts and sports, I use both. Same with calculators and cutting. It helps a lot to be able to use both hands at once.

I was just talking to my husband the other day about how I see both sides of any issue. I can see why both seem to be right from each point of view. I may feel towards one side over the other, but it is hard to choose because I can put myself in both sets of shoes and understand the realms.

I often have a hard time making decisions.

My feelings do get in the way of my brain. I feel too much and it clouds my judgement at times.

The brain is a magnificent thing; an amazing organ. The human brain is unique.

House Chores

Laundry

Dishes

Sweep

Dust

Make the bed

Clean

Tidy up

Put away

Mail

Food

Shop

Cook

Groom

Wash car

Weed garden

Mow lawn

Dry cleaning

Fertilize

Pet maintenance

Water plants

Vacuum

Garbage

~ ~ The list seems endless most days.

I try to look for the good. The 'thumbs-up' vs. the *sigh*.



I remember the days when I had to drive my laundry to the nearest mat and wait there with strangers. Waiting for machines; making sure you have enough coins; going out in the cold miserable weather.
~ Now I can throw a load in and get back to work on other things in the meantime.

We have a dishwasher. I personally prefer to wash by hand, but that is time consuming. The dish washer is a great friend to have on hand. For the dishes that must be hand-washed I catch up on some TV while doing them and the time flies by.

As for house cleaning; music makes me move and enjoy it more. I put on something that I really love listening to and sing along or dance my way through the chores.

These are things that we will have to do for the rest of our days (unless you strike it rich and want to pay someone to do it for you). You may as well try to enjoy it and make the best of it all. Look at the upside and be happy that you are able to do these things that some people are unable to. It's the small things in life that count the most.

As I look around my home and work on the chores I am thankful for all that I have. Thankful that I get to live in such a beautiful house and have such nice things to dust. I am very lucky and I take pride in being able to clean and dust and make my house a wonderful home.

POEM 'Your Mother is Always With You'

Your mother is always with you...
She's the whisper of the leaves
as you walk down the street.

She's the smell of bleach in
your freshly laundered socks.

She's the cool hand on your
brow when you're not well.

Your mother lives inside
your laughter. She's crystallized
in every tear drop...

She's the place you came from,
your first home.. She's the map you
follow with every step that you take.

She's your first love and your first heart
break....and nothing on earth can separate you.

Not time, Not space...
Not even death....
will ever separate you
from your mother....

You carry her inside of you....

- Author Unknown.

POEM 'In Memory of You'

I find an old photograph
and see your smile.
As I feel your presence anew,
I am filled with warmth
and my heart remembers love.

I read an old card
sent many years ago
during a time of turmoil and confusion.
The soothing words written then
still caress my spirit
and bring me peace.

I remember who you used to be
the laughter we shared
and wonder what you have become.
Where are you now,
Where did you go,
When the body is left behind
and the spirit is released to fly?

Perhaps you are the morning bird
singing joyfully at sunrise,
or the butterfly that dances
so carelessly on the breeze
or the rainbow of colors
that brightens a stormy sky
or the fingers of afternoon mist
delicately reaching over the mountains
or the final few rays of the setting sun
lighting up the skies
edging the clouds with a magical glow.

I miss your being
but I feel your presence,
In whatever form you choose to take,
however you now choose to be.

Your spirit has become for me
a guardian angel on high
guiding, advising, and watching over me.

I remember you.
You are with me
and I am not afraid.


written by Kirsti A. Dyer, MD, MS

A Tale; A Story; A Life

Chapter 1: the Beginning

Once upon a time there was a girl who left her home on an adventure. She travelled quite a distance and was looking forward to some new things. The need for a job arose, in order to pay for food and rent, so she ventured into an offer where she met an incredible boy. The feelings were strong and unexpected; she tried her hardest to push them aside. Eventually the girl and boy got closer and enjoyed each others company immensely. Much time was spent together, and they were happy.

Chapter 2: the Sadness

After a time, things became difficult for the girl and boy. People were talking behind their backs, saying mean things. Some were mis-treating the girl. She did not understand. She wanted to leave her job and venture somewhere else for financial support. Big trouble was brewing for the couple, so they decided to part. There was much sadness and confusion. People still talked and treated the girl with dis-respect. She was very dis-heartened.

Chapter 3: the Parting

After some more time, the boy was sent away. The girl carried on, but she was very unhappy in her position. She decided to return to the home that she loved and was familiar with. She packed up her belongings and started her trek back to her family and friends. She was feeling much happier than she had for some time.

Chapter 4: the Rekindling

After more time passed, the girl really missed the boy. The boy had remained in contact with the girl. They both realized that they still cared deeply for one another and decided to try being together again. After much discussion the girl decided to go to the boy to start a new life together. She left home for another adventure.

Chapter 5: the Happiness

More time passed, as it often does, and the girl and boy became wife and husband. They were very happy and made a life for one another that they could've never imagined. They think back to the hard times they had and are glad that they could overcome the obstacles and be more happy than they ever thought possible.

The End

My body is changing

So I'm in my 30's now and my life has changed so much thoughout the years. Wasn't sure of where I would be or what I would be doing. I just kind of go with the flow and see what comes.

My jeans don't fit me anymore.
My weight is more than I would like it to be.
I miss going to yoga class. I need to walk more.

My face is changing. I can see the aging process working it's magic. I'm not sad. It's just a change that I have to get used to. It's almost kind of interesting. I look the same, but different.
My hair feels different.
My skin is also different than it was.
The wonders of life and the human body.

I can't eat some of the foods that I used to.
But I suppose my mind has also changed over the years. The way I think about things. The way I react. The way I feel.
Learning. Growing. Knowing.

It's quite extra-ordinary. I like being a witness to my life.

Insomnia

I love to sleep. It is a luxury. I like to get 8 hours or more each night. I love falling asleep when you are so tired that you can’t wait to relax your body in your comfy bed. The feeling when you are just falling asleep and your mind is sort of awake but drifting away from reality. I love when you get to sleep in and you keep waking up and falling back – in and out of consciousness….bliss.

*sigh*

Then there is the other end of the spectrum for me. I’ve always had trouble with the getting to sleep part of bedtime. Unless I am utterly exhausted and my body gives in I can sometimes lay awake for hours trying to drift off. I lay in bed with my brain running around in circles and jutting off into branches of thoughts that plague me constantly. I have several things that I try to make me tired so I can fall into sleep as soon as possible. I read one of the several books that I have on the go, or I work on puzzles. I have tried listening to soothing music or sounds to make me feel calm and relaxed. The odd thing about music is that I cannot fall asleep with it on. I am a very light sleeper and need absolute quiet. Being a light sleeper may have it’s advantages, but when the dog next door barks in the middle of the night, I wake up. When my husband turns over or gets up in the night, I wake up. If there is a ticking clock in the room I have to move it or will not be able to sleep. Noisy cars outside have woken me up in the past, but we live in a nice quiet neighbour hood so it’s not a problem lately. Sleepy time tea is far better than dark tea to drink at night, but then I have to go to the bathroom to relieve myself. I have tried doing stretches or exercises to wind down my body, but most of the time I forget. Once I am in bed and comfortable, I don’t want to get up to do anything.

But the insomnia that I have suffered for several years comes and goes. Sometimes I will go through a few nights of just not sleeping for very long. A few hours here and there. It can last for days or weeks, and can get very difficult to concentrate during the day during that time. I have wandered around the house a few times just not knowing what else to do. I’ve read so much on the subject, and some of the remedies do help. The RLS is what gets me the most. When my legs won’t stop moving and I can’t find a comfortable position to lay in, it gets really frustrating. I don’t want to toss and turn all night and keep my husband from getting a good night sleep, so I usually get up and go to the other room. It’s when my legs actually hurt and nothing I do will make them stop hurting. I wonder if something is wrong with me. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does it is painful and hard to deal with. I have researched RLS and read a lot of material on it.

The brain not shutting off is probably the worst insomnia causer. If something is happening in the near future, I will worry or analyze or think it to death. I try to use mantras to get my mind off of things that I should think about in the morning, instead of late at night. Why worry about something that you can’t do anything about at the time? It’s a waste of energy. Plus you are losing valuable sleep time for your body to rejuvenate itself. I have always wished that I had a ‘shut off’ button for my brain. Perhaps I would forget to turn it back on though? Pros and cons to this idea for sure. Maybe a ‘stop thinking so much’ button for when I need to rest and relax. Meditation works well, but I find that having someone else walk me through the meditation works best. I suppose I could download some meditations and put them on a CD to listen to at night. That sounds like a good idea.

When I can sleep and don't suffer from insomnia it is bliss.

Now I just have to deal with the snore monster who sleeps beside me !

Family Tree

I've been working on a family tree for some time now. I've been dusting off the old cobwebs in many people's minds to gain more information.
It amazes me how much family you actually never meet or have contact with.
It is also quite wonderful how many people you consider 'family' when they are not even related to you through any bloodlines whatsoever. But you still consider them to be closer than most blood relatives.
Family is a wonderful thing to behold. Everyone's is different. Everyone has problems. Family is family.
I think about the old 'you can pick your friends, but you can't pick your relatives...’ It makes me laugh. I am a very tolerant person of faults. Mostly because I know all of mine and admit to them with pride. The faults that I am not proud of are the ones I work on and try to overcome, but some are just part of me and will not be altered.
I've heard many stories about some of my relatives, and I don't use any of that info to judge them. I try not to judge anyone in this world. We are each our own to fight with ourselves. We do the best that we can at the time of doing it. We all have good and evil inside of us - we are the ones who choose which to use most of.

But back to family tree stuff.... it excites me to be doing this. The more I find out the more I want to learn. The many branches are interesting, and as siblings get married and other families join our world, the branches just keep growing. This tree is getting quite large and it's a beautiful tree. It's such a great hobby to have, and so many people are thankful for me asking the questions and dusting off their brains cobwebs, and remembering that we have lots of family. Even the ones that are no longer with us.... they are all important. They have all touched us in some way, even if not directly. They are all a part of who we are. We should be thankful for every one of them.
I know that I couldn't ask for a better family!

Free Hugs - Hugs are Healing

http://www.freehugscampaign.org/

A hug is like a boomerang - you get it back right away. ~Bil Keane (Family Circus)

You can't wrap love in a box, but you can wrap a person in a hug. ~Unknown

A hug is a handshake from the heart. ~Unknown

Hugs grease the wheels of the world. ~Unknown

Oh, I love hugging. I wish I was an octopus, so I could hug 10 people at a time!

~Drew Barrymore

A Hug Is Two Hearts Wrapped In Arms ~Unknown

They invented hugs to let people know you love them without saying anything. ~Bil Keane

A hug is two hearts wrapped in arms. ~Author Unknown

We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth —Virginia Satir, family therapist

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

There's something in a simple hug
That always warms the heart;
It welcomes us back home
And makes it easier to part.

A hug's a way to share the joy
And sad times we go through,
Or just a way for friends to say
They like you 'cause you're you.

Hugs are meant for anyone
For whom we really care,
From your grandma to your neighbour,
Or a cuddly teddy bear.

A hug is an amazing thing -
It's just the perfect way
To show the love we're feeling
But can't find the words to say.

It's funny how a little hug
Makes everyone feel good;
In every place and language,
It's always understood.

And hugs don't need new equipment,
Special batteries or parts -
Just open up your arms
And open up your hearts.

Jill Wolf

I will not play Tug O' War,
I'd rather play Hug O' War;
Where everyone hugs, instead of tugs,
And everyone giggles and rolls on the rug.
Where everyone kisses,
and everyone grins;
everyone cuddles,
and everyone wins.
~Shel Silverstein

"Hugging is healthy: it helps the body's immunity system, it keeps you healthier, it cures depression, it reduces stress, it induces sleep, it's invigorating, it's rejuvenating, it has no unpleasant side effects, and hugging is nothing less than a miracle drug.

Hugging is all natural: it is organic, naturally sweet, it has no pesticides, no preservatives, no artificial ingredients, and is 100% wholesome.

Hugging is practically perfect: there are no movable parts, no batteries to replace, no periodic check-ups, has low energy consumption, high energy yield, is inflation-proof, non-fattening, has no monthly payments, no insurance requirements, is theft-proof, non-taxable, non-polluting, and is, of course, fully refundable."

-- Sharon Lindsey --

A HUG

No moving parts, no batteries.
No monthly payments and no fees;
Inflation proof, non-taxable,
In fact, it's quite relaxable;
It can't be be stolen, won't pollute,
One size fits all, do not dilute.
It uses little energy,
But yields results enormously,
Relieves your tension and your stress,
Invigorates your happiness;
Combats depression, makes you beam,
And elevates your self esteem!
Your circulation it corrects
Without unpleasant side effects
It is, I think, the perfect drug:
May I prescribe, my friend,....the hug!
(and of course fully returnable!)

- author unknown

Hugging is good medicine. It transfers energy, and gives the person hugged an emotional boost. You need four hugs a day for survival, eight for maintenance, and twelve for growth. A hug makes you feel good. The skin is the largest organ we have and it needs a great deal of care. A hug can cover a lot of skin and gives the message that you care. It is also a form of communication. It can say things you don't have words for. The nicest thing about a hug is that you usually can't give one without getting one.

-- Author Unknown

HUGGING

It's wondrous what a hug can do.
A hug can cheer you when you're blue
A hug can say, "I love you so,"
Or, "I hate to see you go."
A hug is "Welcome back again."
And "Great to see you! Where 'er you been?"
A hug can soothe a small child's pain
And bring a rainbow after rain.
The hug, there's just no doubt about it --
We scarcely could survive without it!
A hug delights and warms and charms;
It must be why God gave us arms
Hugs are great for fathers and mothers,
Sweet for sisters, swell for brothers;
And chances are your favorite aunts
love them more than potted plants.
Kittens crave them, puppies love them,
Heads of states are not above them.
A hug can break the language barrier
And make your travel so much merrier.
No need to fret about your store of 'em;
The more you give, the more there are of 'em.
So stretch those arms without delay
And give someone a hug today!

- Dean Walley

Hobbies

My husband tells me that I have too many hobbies.
"Why don't you finish one before you start another?" he asks.
He just doesn't understand the way I work. I have several hobbies because I can't just stick with one.
I know it is terrible of me to have so many projects almost-done, but the fun in having so many things to work on is that you are never bored. I finished the quilt for the living room and the matching pillow cases, and the bird cage cover.
Now we have a new bird cage that needs a new cover. And the spare room quilt is only half-done. And the Xmas present of an embroidered scene stills needs some outlining completed and then framing. And the pictures aren't hung in the craft room yet, and, and, and....
The main point of hobbies is to pass the time. Sure, it's great to have completed things like quilts, and scarves and nice pictures to hang, but the main joy I get is in the creation process, not the completion. I like to work on several things at once, then as you complete items, you still have more fun to work on!
I haven't painted much. But I love to sew and crochet and other things. I just taught myself how to crochet granny squares last week. So of course now I want to make a granny square project ! Went out and bought some yarn this past weekend, and can't wait to start this week. But what about the slippers I never started for myself? And what about the painting I need to finish and mail off to my friend? And here we go all over again.
I also have a few books I am reading at one time and never get through. My mind craves so many different things at once, that it is difficult to fully satisfy it. I want to write and colour and draw and bake .... I want to do so much more.
I love to plant so I spent the weekend re potting some plants and starting new ones. Planted some seedlings for fresh herbs and excited to watch them grow and them enjoy their flavours. I like to keep busy.

Is it healthy or not to have so many hobbies?

"Good to Great" book exerpt

“Few successful start-ups become great companies, in large part because they respond to growth and success in the wrong way. Entrepreneurial success if fueled by creativity, imagination, bold moves into uncharted waters, and visionary zeal. As a company grows and becomes more complex, it begins to trip over its own success—too many new people, too many new customers, too many new orders, too many new products. What was once great fun becomes an unwieldy ball of disorganized stuff. Lack of planning, lack of accounting, lack of systems and lack of hiring constraints create friction. Problems surface—with customers, with cash flow, with schedules.

In response, someone (often a board member) says, “It’s time to grow up. This place needs some professional management”. The company begins to hire MBA’s and seasoned executives from blue-chip companies. Processes, procedures, checklists, and all the rest begin to sprout up like weeds. What was once an egalitarian environment gets replaced with a hierarchy. Chains of command appear for the first time. Reporting relationships become clear and an executive class with special perks begins to appear. “We” and “they” segmentations appear—just like in a real company.

The professional managers finally rein in the mess. They create order out of chaos, but they also kill the entrepreneurial spirit. Members of the founding team begin to grumble. “This isn’t fun anymore. I used to be able to just get things done. Now I have to fill out these stupid forms and follow these stupid rules. Worst of all, I have to spend a horrendous amount of time in useless meetings”. The creative magic begins to wane as some of the most innovative people leave, disgusted by the burgeoning bureaucracy and hierarchy. The exciting start-up transforms into just another company with nothing special to recommend it. The cancer of mediocrity begins to grow in earnest.

The purpose of bureaucracy is to compensate for incompetence and lack of discipline—a problem that largely goes away if you have the right people in the first place. Most companies build their bureaucratic rules to manage the small percentage of wrong people on the bus, which in turn drives away the right people on the bus, which then increases the percentage of wrong people on the bus, which increases the need for more bureaucracy to compensate for incompetence and lack of discipline, which then further drives the right people away, and so forth.”

www.jimcollins.com

Starting the Garden

This weekend we started working on our garden.

It was so beautiful and warm (63F 18C)



We bought paint for our planters boxes. I planted a big barrel of fresh herbs. Rosemary, leeks, parsley, cilantro, oregano and basil. We tilled composted manure into half of our garden, then covered it with black material to rest. We working on getting the soil much better for next year. It's not great soil right now. We will fill out planters boxes next weekend with soil, compost and vegetables.

We had paint left over so decided to paint out 2 bird houses, which we dull and faded wood. I hope that the birds like them ! I dug up some old plants that came with the house. I don't see the point in having prickly vines that don't grow any flowers. Our rose plant did so well last year that I would like to plant a rose garden behind the house. So beautiful.

I am also starting some fresh herbs inside the house. The smell is wonderful and we use lots of herbs for cooking so the more the merrier.


I am so excited. I don't know much but am learning and enjoying the experience. I hope that my garden does well in the future. Last year we had tomatoes and peppers, but the over abundance of rain ruined a lot of our plants. Lets see what the raised beds do this year and hope for the best.

Clouds

"A cloud is a visible mass of droplets. The process of condenstaion results in the formation of clouds."

I am obsessed with clouds.

I can't stop taking pictures of them.

Always changing, ever beautiful, forever intriging.

As a kid, the game of guessing what the cloud looks like was always fun. I still do it today. You can see so much in them. It stirs the imagination.

The colours of the sky. The shape of the clouds. You can't find this beauty anywhere else. Mother Nature is magnificent.

Imagine being a bird and being able to fly amongst the skies. the sights you would see. the wind you would feel. The freshness of the Earth's beauty.

Walking around and staring at the sky. Driving in traffic and just taking a few seconds to look up and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us every day. People take it for granted. I try not to. I love having lots of windows in my house, so I can always look out and see the sky.

I would love to study them more. To understand them. To read them.

They are truly an amazing part of this world.

"A pessimist only sees the dark side of the clouds, and mopes; a philisopher sees both sides and shrugs; an optimist doesn't see the clouds at all - he's walking on them." -- Leonard L. Levinsen

the Olmpics

I've never really been an avid watcher of the Olympics. My husband loves it, so I've been watching this year. The opening ceremonies were great. I really enjoyed that.
The footage on the luger dying did not sit well with me. I'm an emotional person who empathizes much too easily. I cried thinking about his family, and how hard he had worked to get this far. It's a sad situation. I also couldn't believe what was shown on TV. It was so graphic and shocking.
~~
Because I am not a reagular watcher of the Olympics, I have so may questions that I need to look into for satisfaction. Why would they let NHL players compete? Why not let hard workers that are hoping to get into the NHL a chance to prove themselves? These players already have bad habits from getting away with stuff for years. It should be a little tighter on the rules (no body checking, no roughness, etc) Isn't it for the love of the game? There is too much attitude and arrogance in my eyes. Some Olympians are only 16 yrs old. I am sure there are many athletes of that age group that would love to play hockey in the Olympics. Why not let them play. These NHLers who are overpaid sports celebs don't give the Olympic feeling that the others athletes do. I feel pride for the others doing their best at skiiing and skating. Hearing their stories and feeling their hardships. I don't feel that way towards the hockey teams. Yes, it is great to see our coutries competing, but ... too many buts. . .

I enjoy one event for a few days and then I personally get bored of watching it over and over again. And the same athletes compete in several events, so you are hearing about the same people over and over. Depending where you are watching the games, the coverage is different too. As a kid, it seemed very different. I am know that there have been changes, and wish that I wasn't so separated from things that I would pay more attention.

I commend all the athletes for what they accomplish. I don't care what country wins medals. I cheers for everyone who does their best and earns top marks. Sure, I am rooting for Canada because I am Canadian, but I am rooting for all star athletes to be praised for thier hard work.
Go everyone !

My Life is Wonderful

I am so grateful for the life that I live. Sometimes I miss people or things from the years passed, but the past is gone, and we must live in the moment. At least I experienced thos things and met those people; fond memories can be cherished. I look forward to experiencing new things and meeting new people. I look forward to every day with my wonderful husband.

I may not be doing what I thought I would with my life. I had dreams and hopes and goals and aspirations when I was younger. Things change. Nothing is what you expected it to be.

I never thought I would get married, but then I met someone who I can't live without, and my ideas changed.

I never thought I would move to another country, but that's the way things unfolded and I am very happy where I am living. I have a beautiful home in a perfect little city. There is so much to see and do. I wouldn't have gotten to see this place had we not moved here.

I never thought that I would lose my mother so early in life. And I never thought that I would miss her as much as I do. It makes me grateful to know that I loved/love her that much. I apprecite knowing her as long as I did, and learning as much as I could from her.

I never thought that I could 'grow up' and conquer my depression. All those years of hard work and research really helped me find control and accept who I am. With that knowledge, I have been able to help others with their mental issues. I'm no expert, but I do have first hand experience, and am grateful to share any advice to help others stop suffering.

I never thought that I could be as happy as I am today. I had such a cloud of sadness over my head for so many years, that I never thought it would go away. It proves to me that you can never give up. You can be happy and healthy and grateful. I try to look for the good in everything and everyone. It's there. It may not seem to be at first, but it is always there.

Life is wonderful.

I couldn't ask for anything better.

Online games

Ok.
I am addicted to playing games online.
Once I start to play, I cannot break the spell.
They are mindless and time-wasting, but they make me empty my mind of rambling thoughts or things that I don't want to think about.
But I can't stop once I start. I get hungry and ignore that. I have to go to the bathroom, and I ignore that too. My tea gets cold. My phone rings and rings.
How can I pull myself away? I need to get off the damn computer and exercise, or go for a walk. There is lots to be done around here. I can't help myself.
These games are just simple little speed pieces that I try to get a higher score on over and over.
Time to stop. Gotta get to sleep.
Gotta work in the morning.
What? I missed my show?
What? I was supposed to feed the pets?
OMG
I guess it's a better addiction that drugs or alcohol.
But it's time to STOP !

Valentine's Day

I'm not one of those tyical girls who need anything for V-day, except to hang out with the love of my life. And that's what I got to do. Exchange of silly cards back and forth in the morning. I actually got school-type valentines for him, he got me sweet and funny cards. I made him a braclet out of embroidery thread.

We went to the Zoo. We are both Tigers in Chinese Astrology, and Feb 14 was Chinese New Year 2010, Year of the Tiger. We decided to visit out tigers at the zoo. It was a beautiful day. Quite warm and sunny, but brisk. Walked around for hours and enjoyed outselves immensely. After some food shopping, we went home and I got my favourite lunch: Eggs Benny. Paul makes the best !

Watched some Olympics, and had BBQ drumsticks with grilled asparagus, corn on the cob and green beans with carrots, almondine style. Beautiful day, wonderful meal, excellent company.

I love my life.

Why can't I just paint again ?

My art work is null and void. I use to be so inspired. I used to be able to just sit in front of a canvas and create from my own mind. I really enjoyed painting and creating new things. I feel like I have lost my abiblities. My will to create new ideas is lost. I still enjoy sketching but I need to look at others work to get ideas. I have so many other hobbies that have made up for my lost time in front of the easel, but it's not the same. Do I just sit down and make myself paint? Do I drop all of my other hobbies so the only thing I can do is paint? When I took an art class oh so many years ago, I was feeling the same sort of funk. As the class went on I felt inspired and created so many wonderful things. I could paint again ! Perhaps I should take a class to get my momentum/motivation flowing....

Am I no longer the artist that I once thought I was, or wanted to be? Time to look at more options....