The best moments are these...

If I could somehow make everything stop in the world and make time stand still, this is where I would stop it. My baby girls and me squished up close - just the way I like it.  We spent almost every second together from the moment Tara stepped off the plane and it still wasn't enough.  Tara I miss you so much that my heart actually squeezes the breath from me.  Thank you for making this such a special Christmas for all of us. I love you to the moons of every planet, the stars of every galaxy and back ~ from my heart to yours, wrapped up in a bazillion pounds of love!

Tara's on her way to the airport for Christmas in Cyprus

And her little sister's are discussing which one gets to hug her first!  We've decided on a group hug :) 

Winter Solstice Celebrations

I really enjoy embracing customs from around the world.  While in Finland I learned of many, but my most favorite was on the Winter Solstice and the celebration of Light.  The above photo (that flame is looking a little heart shaped isn't it??) was taken in our Helsinki backyard to celebrate the coming of brighter days.  I wasn't too thrilled to have night time fall across the sky a little past 2:30 in the afternoon that day, and yet I somehow feel a strange longing for that moment today.  So in honor of the darkest day of the year, and brighter days to follow, I offer you a new ritual I have just come across today.  I especially love the sentiment of not berating ourselves for any misfortunes or unhappiness we may have to "burn" away at this time, but to celebrate the awareness of the what we have experienced and to make room for the wonder we can create for ourselves now as we bid one final adieu to the old patterns we no longer need. 

"Release is powerful medicine, a plumbing of the depths, fertilizing your foundation. This Winter Solstice, write down what you would like to release into the darkness. You can write as many thoughts as you wish, about a situation, energies, a person or a habit. This is a time to revere what has taught you well, not to revoke yourself for the past. Think about what you would like to release, as well as what you would like to replace it with. With your fire or candle lit, cast the written offerings into the fire, and as it burns, affirm this release by declaring what you would like to replace things with. After fully finished, let your fire or candle burn completely to the end, releasing that which is now gone. If there are any remnants of your ritual fire or candle, you can either keep a few ashes or a piece of wax to commemorate your releasing next year, and recall that which you have consciously "let go" of for 2010. Lastly, celebrate your awareness by enjoying pleasure! The long night has just begun, your fire is burning and there is much to treasure."*

*Quoted from Winter Solstice Traditions - Celebrating the Return of Light by Shannon Day

One of my all time favorite Christmas movies!

If this doesn't get you ready for Santa, nothing will!

Merry Christmas to All!

Mikayla Bliss

This one deserves its own space.  I missed all the action on the dunes since we had Arianna with us out there, so I am sooooo glad Mike was able to capture these moments.  The sun is about to set and they are up on top of a huge dune after some awesome dune diving. Just look at the purest joy!

Recent trip

We recently had the opportunity to visit Abu Dhabi while Mike was attending a conference. Mikayla was at the tail end of what we are pretty sure was a nice case of oink oink flu and we missed our flight out on Saturday so by Sunday I was actually ready to throw the towel in on the entire trip. The thought of traveling with a just recovering 7 year old and a 6 month old who was requiring us to have to take an additional suitcase for all the needed essentials had me trying to convince Mike it was just better for him to go this one alone.  I am SO glad he didn't listen!

We ended up flying on Etihad Air who supplied us with a bassinet that snapped in on the bulkhead wall as soon as we were up in the air and actually served us a choice of fantastic food that was served with actual silverware...in economy.  And, having missed the original flight meant that we no longer needed to have a layover. We flew straight through which is a definite bonus with kids.

The above picture is actually a domed-type window in the tunnel that took us from the hotel to the beach side of street adjoining our hotel. At night the glass reflected back at us and I just happened to look up and notice the phenomenal photo op!

The trip was absolutely, hands down the most relaxing trip I have EVER taken. Both girls slept in past noon each and every morning so I found myself dragging them out of bed twice just so we could make it to the best damn breakfast buffet I have known. Aside from the essentials like eggs, waffles and the like, there were fresh carrot juice stations that you could blend your favorite morning cocktail - I stuck with the carrot juice and I don't even like carrot juice usually. If you didn't want veggie juices then the fruit juice section was also available, as was home made breads, jams and honey's. I am definitely a breakfast kind of girl. In fact on the days we ate breakfast we couldn't even find the room for lunch. 

So, highlights from moi to thee, should you ever find a reason to visit:

Cultural Heritage Center

A walk on the Corniche (their version of a boardwalk)

Any of the malls - we liked the newest - The Marina Mall

A bike/trike ride with all the locals on the Corniche

Dinner at the "Lebanese Flower" for authentic yet simple delights

The Big Bus Tour - a hop on/off tour of the city

Mandoo's - A great one stop shop for all your Abu treasures (across from Abu Dhabi Mall)

The Grand Mosque - Exquisite!!!

Desert Safari - Belly dancing, sheesha pipes, henna tattoos, camel rides and for the extreme sports guy/girl in all of us - Dune Peshing (sp?) the craziest ride you will ever take in a 4WD vehicle!

We happened to be there for their 38th National Day which culminated on Dec. 2 and the largest fireworks show in the world (they hoped to make the Guinness World Record with 100,000 devices going off that night).  You could literally feel the electricity in the air all day as the excitement grew.

They were also hosting the F1 H20 water races in the Gulf across from our hotel on Dec. 3.  These boats look like space ships on the water and we were just meters from all the action.  Not sure who actually ended up winning but the French guy in our hotel had my vote!

Since we were traveling with kids I do not have any night life recommendations this time around, but, it is a non-alcohol consuming country, so keep that in mind when traveling there. We are glad we picked up a couple of nice bottles of vino in the airport on the way over. And of course, all the big hotels have fully stocked bars.

Viva la Abu Dhabi!

Made in Finland, Born in Cyprus

First plane ride was to Abu Dhabi last week where she got her first tooth on the First of December!

Congratulations Mike!

It's official...Mike has been selected for promotion to Master Sergeant...wooo hoooo!

Giving Thanks!

I try to remember to wake every morning with gratitude. My Nonna lived with us for many years and every morning (and every night) she would go on and on about how thankful she was for what seemed like everything - the good drivers, the beautiful leaves on the trees, the wonderful candy she ate that day. I would love it as a little girl and sadly, started to belittle it in my mind as I grew. "Oh, what a boring life she must have to think of all the small things she has to come up with to give thanks for."  NOW I get it.  So, although the official third Thursday in November Thanksgiving has come and gone, I would like to celebrate today and every day with an unofficial Day of Thanks!  THANKS NONNA, I'M STILL LEARNING FROM YOU! I LOVE YOU ENDLESSLY XOXOXO
Watercolor artwork done by the very talented Mikayla Reanne

Time travel

I never gave the concept of time much thought but with our recent travels it dawned on me that I was actually a time traveler – how flippin’ cool is that! No, I’m not going get all sci-fi on you, but seriously, did you ever just stop and think about this whole time thing? I read a very thought provoking book a couple of months ago called “The Power of Now” and I walked away with a fresh look on now and what that means to me. It was actually pretty amazing to realize how much time I wasted in the future when really it is always only now that we live in. Luckily, I’ve never really been much of a dweller of the past, so all I had to keep reminding myself was to stay focused on the here, the moment right now. Of course, as soon as something that I considered could affect my future showed up, as it always seems to do, I was right back to the future in my thoughts but catching myself gets a little bit easier every time I try to stay focused on it, and soon enough I now realize that until that part of what I think the future holds catches up with me, there really is no point in projecting my hopes or unfounded fears. “Right now, everything is cool,” I say to the future worrier me, and then I tell that bitch to get lost – I don’t need her around any more, just the now me can stay.
Anyway, as I flew away from Cyprus time, further into my future last week (you still need time as a reference I guess) it dawned on me that I was going to be another two hours ahead of my latest time frame, which then made me realize I kept cheating myself out of a little more time which was bringing me that much closer, that much quicker to my next birthday. Hah, not something everyone can embrace, but again, it sat on my mind and my mind said, no biggie, but this time travel thing here sure is pretty damn wild. Starting out my life in NY “way back when” I began cheating time by gaining about six hours when we moved to Hawaii. Then I lost those six and gained another six when we got to Finland, stayed the same in the move to Cyprus. and gained another two in Abu Dhabi, but you know what, nothing really changed except the numbers on the clock. Which brings me back to that book, that now seems to ring more truth than I even realized at the “time” I was reading it. You can’t control it, you can’t own it and you can’t undo it but you can live it and live it fully and live it totally with abandon of the happiness or whatever-ness of your choice. The choice is always yours, its that simple!

A gift of no gifts

I love my sisters! Sandi and Stacie have agreed to no gifts for Christmas and Stacie is going to make a donation to the Heifer Foundation in our family's name. Thank you, thank you, thank you - both - for the best gifts ever! Here's more on Heifer:
http://www.heifer.org/
Amanda...I'm coming for you next! I LOVE YOU ALL XOXO

God and Dog

Happy Sunday :)

Alternative gift ideas

Okay, not giving or getting gifts may seem a bit extreme for some of you.  Here's a few great gift ideas that require no paper wrap and still can satisfy your need to spend your money.

Massage gift certificates...if you have to buy me something, I'd always take this one!
Movie tickets - going to the movies with all the trimmings is a small fortune these days.
Brunch/Dinner gift certificates to your peoples favorite places.
Introduction to some kind of class (you pay the course fees) that you know the receiver would enjoy.
E-books instead of paper books - Save the trees.
A bag of "green" goodies - canvas re-usable bags, lunch box, water bottle...you get the idea - be creative

In fact, be creative in general. Your thoughtful gifts will be remembered far longer than those last minute, "damn I hate shopping with the crowds, let me just get this" present.

Another very cool gift would be making a donation/loan/investment in your gift receiver's name.  It's called Microfinance and I'll copy a little blub I found:

Microfinance is a simple but powerful tool that enables the poor to pull themselves out of poverty. Most commonly, it involves making small loans to the working poor in developing countries. These loans are usually less than $200 and are made by local organizations called microfinance institutions. The loans are used by the working poor to establish or expand small businesses that generate additional income for the family. This extra income allows a poor family to buy food, access healthcare, educate their children, put aside savings and lay the foundation for a better future.


Microfinance has emerged as an effective poverty alleviation tool because it is based on the fundamental principle that human beings are motivated to do whatever it takes to make themselves as well off as possible.

Consider the story of Puja Patel, a single mother who lives with her four children in a village in India. With a $50 loan, she bought a sewing machine. She made clothes, sold them for a profit, and repaid the loan with interest. She was also able to save some money to buy books and send her children to the local school. This is microfinance in action.

New to MicroPlace?


For the world's working poor, a $100 loan is often all it takes to make the difference between running a successful small business and begging for a handout.

Dara Mon used her $100 loan to start a business making hats. She doesn't want your charity. She wants a loan that she can repay with interest and dignity.

Check them out at : https://www.microplace.com/learn_more/microfinance
to learn more.

This is an E-Bay owned company, so you can research it more.  If anyone gets involved I'd like to hear and share it :) 

How to stay debt free in December

So, the Christmas season is upon us already - WOW!  Here's a link for the following certificate, the best present anyone can give and get!
http://www.simpleliving.net/ftp/gift-voucher.pdf

HOLIDAY GIFT EXEMPTION VOUCHER

This certifies that ___________________________________ is exempt from the exchange of holiday gifts with _______________________________ (by order of the Buy Nothing Committee)

Signature ____________________  Date ___________________

Senator Gillibrand's response to Aunt Cat

Aunt Cat...YOU ROCK OUR PLANET!

NOTE TO EVERYONE ELSE: Copenhagen is not looking good for the U.S. in terms of commitments this year - just one more reason to step it up and get your voice heard.   To put it in the simplest terms, our carbon load should be no more than 350ppm and right now we are well above those numbers.  It truly is crucial that we all do our part.  If we can't get our country to sign the pact, then we can start where it all matters most anyway - with ourselves. Do your research and find ways that you can stop wasting energy, making rubbish, buying more crap than you or any one else needs and keep letting your Senator's know that you want a healthy planet for your family to survive on!

November 16, 2009


Dear Ms. Torrice,

Thank you for contacting me about your concerns about global climate change. This is a critical issue facing the world community, and as your Senator, I am working to pass comprehensive climate change legislation that will promote the growth of a green economy while setting a framework to slow, stop and reverse the effects of global climate change. The evidence of climate change is clear. It is imperative that we take significant steps now to address this global threat for the sake of our environment, our economy and our national security. As the only Senator serving on the Environment & Public Works, Agriculture, and the Foreign Relations Committees, I am in a unique position to advocate for the State of New York during this upcoming debate.

I recently voted for the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power (CEJAP) Act when it was considered in the Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee. As the Senate continues to consider comprehensive clean energy and climate change legislation, I believe we must concentrate our efforts on breaking our dependence on foreign oil, increasing energy efficiency and the use of conservation technologies, and investing in the research and development of clean, renewable energy sources to power all sectors of the economy. New York is a leader in the fight against climate change, and it is critical that this legislation accounts for the actions that New York and other states have taken in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and investing in conservation.

I have worked to ensure that the EPW legislation addresses the transportation needs of New York. I was a strong proponent of increasing the percentage of allocations dedicated to transportation projects, by way of the Clean-TEA provisions, from 1 to 5 percent. Additionally, I fought to include a Green Taxis provision, which will amend the Clean Air Act to allow local governments to set more stringent fuel economy standards for taxi fleets. Agriculture and forestry are also critical to achieving success, and I am working to ensure that New York's farmlands and forests can participate in an offsets program.

One of my top priorities regarding climate legislation is to ensure that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) retains its authority over our nation's oldest and dirtiest coal fire power plants. These plants, many of which are scheduled to be decommissioned, must not be allowed to continue to operate under the lax standards that they now follow. Under this bill, all new plants must meet rigorous emission standards, and if these plants are to continue to operate, they too should abide by the new performance standard.

It is also my goal to promote innovation and entrepreneurship as a key tool in addressing climate change; I have introduced legislation to advance development of the clean tech sector. I fought to ensure that the National Clean Technology Business Competition Act was included as part of the CEJAP Act. This program, within CEJAP, will invest $50 million through a new Department of Energy grant program to cultivate national clean technology business competitions. This proposal will not only create clean energy jobs in New York, but will also bolster the hard-hit manufacturing and financial sectors by spurring innovation and creating new investment opportunities. Clean tech business competitions in New York will also help retain talented engineers and scientists in New York State, like those found at universities and research centers from Brookhaven to Buffalo and everywhere in between.

This issue is too important to our nation's future to delay, and your passion and advocacy will be important in the coming weeks and months. Thank you again for taking the time to contact me to voice your support for the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act. I ask that you continue to stay in contact with my office during this critical process. For more information and to stay connected to me during this important process please visit my website http://gillibrand.senate.gov and sign up for my e-newsletter.

Sincerely yours,
Kirsten Gillibrand
United States Senator

If I could do this I would

http://www.zipcar.com/

We first noticed these cars in Rome and then they started showing up on the streets in Finland, along with these bright green bicycles with the same idea. Instead of owning a car, or bike, you just pay as you go. And now I see there's a company in the USA that is doing the same. Right now they are around the major cities and university campus areas, but I did notice one that was in Purchase, NY, so the smaller towns are pulling in too.  This is such a brilliant idea that if I had the money I would start a business here in Cyprus today. Check out their website and then think about who you know who may be interested...very, very cool!

Can you donate your miles for Children's Cancer?

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,53234,00.html?jumpLink=%2Fbearhug

Please visit this site if you have United Miles you can donate.  And if you don't have any miles, then a regular donation will do.  Ryan would have loved this!

Our family grows...

After month's of guessing, our newest family member has arrived...and its a BOY!!!  This child is going to grow up with some of the greatest people on earth and loved and adored by all of us.  Welcome little Luca, we are so glad to finally have you here with us.  Here's proud mama Nicole's message I found waiting for me when I woke up this morning...

He's so big (8 pounds 4 ounces-


22 inches long) and beyond sweet.

I am madly in love.

Thank you all for your endless love and support. Luca and I appreciate

it beyond words.

Love you!!

Li'l Pumpkin

Halloween Day 2

Halloween Day 1

Why I love Halloween

Halloween, what's there not to love? No pressure to cook, clean, buy gifts or any other nonsense...its just a day (or two or three) of pure and sometimes hysterical fun!  I've never missed one yet and when I think back to my earliest Halloween memories the first person to cross my mind is the fabulous and most certainly known in our circles as the -Queen of Halloween - Aunt Cat.  Cauldrons of dry ice, haunted houses and hayrides are all but a few of the many great memories I have with her.  I still have every Halloween decoration she's ever given me and when the rest of the world has forgotton how nice it is to actually get a card in the mail, it never slips past Aunt Cat. Early October came and so did the annual card - the official kick off of Halloween for me.  We did a lot of different things this year and my fears of my little girl missing out on the great excitement of trick-or-treating  was quickly forgotton when I just let it go and enjoyed what we did have instead.  It does make me sad that she doesn't have Aunt Cat close by to make more Halloween memories, but I'm doing my darndest to carry on the traditions best I can.  Here's to you Aunt Cat - Happy Halloween!!!  And to all my other ghouls and guys out there, hope it was as fun as ever!

BTW - in keeping with the green theme this year, Mikayla and I used costumes we already had :) Just when you thought I'd let it go for a day....ha ha

WE ADD UP Climate Action Giveaway

WE ADD UP Climate Action Giveaway: "I just signed up to help stabilize our climate and to win in the World's Biggest Green Sweepstakes! You can too!"

Please visit the link above and sign up today!

BIG NEWS - Tara & Gary are engaged!

Yes its true...I have been waiting until I knew for sure that Tara and Gary made the first announcements but I can not contain myself anymore...this is one of those mom moments that are so hard to describe. How to find words to portray the sublime happiness you feel for your own child's delight and joy is pretty much impossible. You feel the emotions like they are your own, and yet you want every second of celebration and excitement to be theirs. These two are both phenomenal individuals in their own right and when they come together they are the blending of something really very special. The kind of people you want to hang out with, share a cold drink and a good laugh. The kind of people you can depend on when the road gets tough and who you want to call on to enjoy it when its all right. They share many of the same solid qualities you want to know exist in this life, and I'm sure that these similarities are what first drew them to one another. I know it is this force that pulled them in, that will hold them tight, through their amazing journey of love and lifetime of adventure. CONGRATULATIONS TARA AND GARY - blessings for an abundance of happiness and bliss in every life experience you share. I love you!!

New favorite breakfast

I make these, cut them into small chunks, freeze half and keep the other half in the fridge. You'll never want anything else for breakfast or a quick power snack after eating these.

2 cups whole wheat flour
½ cup ground flax seed
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
1 t cinnamon
½ t allspice
½ t cardamom
½ cup (1 stick) butter - room temperature
½ cup natural cane sugar (I use a little less and its still great)
2 eggs
½ cup honey
¼ cup carob syrup
1 t vanilla extract
1 small apple, peeled and chopped
½ cup raisins or dried cranberries
½ cup chopped dates or figs
1 cup chopped walnuts or almonds (optional)
Sunflower seeds - a good handful
1 cup coconut
3 cups old fashioned organic oats
1/4 cup applesauce
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350°.
Stir together dry ingredients (flour, salt, flax seed, baking soda and spices).
In a mixing bowl, beat butter and sugars. Add in honey, eggs and vanilla. Slowly add in dry mixture and beat together. Stir in oats, applesauce, coconut, fruit and nuts.
Spread in a lightly oiled 9x12 glass casserole dish.
Bake 30 minutes at 350 or until lightly browned.

2nd Grade Beach Clean Up Day

Did you ever notice how some things have a way of lining up in just the right way sometimes? After our own week of "cleaning up our act," it just so happened that the school had a beach clean up day planned on Monday. This beach was actually quite clean. The largest amount of rubbish collected were in the hundreds and hundreds of cigarette butts lining the entire stretch of beach. The most entertaining for the kids... a pair of guy's briefs found in the bushes! eew
Why are they called a pair when they are only one????

Live long and prosper

Jennie, I miss you already. Thank you for being such an important force in my life. You are more wonderful than even you think :) Live long and prosper dear friend!

Day 7 - Giving back

After a week of looking inward, it is time now time to take a look outward and find a place that needs your help. Nicosia Dog Shelter became my place, from the first week we arrived. I've never seen a shelter with so many beautiful, peaceful dogs. Pet ownership is not like back home. These dogs do not wear designer labels, eat gourmet foods or heaven forbid, even sleep indoors most homes. No, these animals are disposable here. Many are hunters dogs who are later left abandoned in the fields, or worse yet, the streets. Others are pets gone wrong - also just left to roam the streets. A few actually are brought in by their fickle owners who have half a heart.

The dogs live outside their pens most of the daytime hours, lazing in the shade, sharing their old bathtubs of water and vying for the attention of the few that come to visit. There are no pack issues here...everyone just finds a way to get along and wait for a new forever home. Many never get one. Having arrived with two large dogs I didn't expect to make room for one more, but pregnancy and nesting got the best of me and we took our Kimo home when he was just a little runt on the verge of starvation. He is our Cyprus poodle and the best thing we ever did. We still help out the shelter - even if its just to go show up and give some belly rubs, but it never feels like its enough. If I ever get that big "break" in life, I promise everyone right here and now...I am going to adopt them all.

So, today's theme was to give back...and once you start doing it, go and give back some more!

Day 6 - Water

I was warned that we would be water rationed while living here and I must admit I was concerned. We get water pumped in to the house twice a week so being aware of water usage has already been second nature. But I was signed on for this No Impact Experiment which meant being even more cognizant of my actions all week. I found out that I can take a shower without the constant stream of water, and realized how wasteful it was to keep it running the whole time. Try it next time, get in and get wet - and then turn it off while you're sudsing up. You'll see how much time and water you waste when its not on. Really pay attention to the water you use in the kitchen sink too. Can some of it be re-used for watering plants or other things. And please, please, please do not let your water run when you're brushing your teeth...you'll spend more time brushing and less time rinsing away all that good flouride :)

Day 5 - Energy

Turn it off and unplug it. I've been telling people forever to unplug their cell chargers once they're charged...don't let them just sit in the wall drawing energy when they aren't doing their job. And I'd get those looks, like, whatever...but now they actually have a term for what you're doing...a phantom draw of energy...small, but still senseless really. And that goes for all of your appliances and gadgets you are not using but keep plugged in. Here in Cyprus we have switches next to our outlets so you can actually switch off the electricity right at the plug when not in use. No biggie, just takes a second. The other wonderful thing I've noticed here is that almost every house has solar panels. I can not understand why that is not a universal way of life. Especially in the sunnier climates...can anyone please explain that to me...its not that expensive and makes so much sense.
Oh and since Jennie is pointing out all her wonderful carbon free ways, I'd like to remind her that her computer does run on electricity...

Day 4 - Food

Green and black olives right off the tree

Our fresh picked olives being prepared for jarring.

Today we are trying to eat locally which is fortunate for us as there are so many fruits and veggies in season right now. The tricky part is trying to avoid the packaging of so many foods. And Jennie is here for a visit so I don't want to starve her - not a very nice way to spend a vacation.

In the last week I had noticed many people picking olives from the trees so I thought it might be something culturally interesting for Jennie to try - while also making use of local food idea. I didn't expect so much enthusiasm...we ended up with three bags of mixed olives, then Jennie found a Greek Olive making recipe online and jumped right in. All the olives had to be separated, scored and left to soak for three weeks. I've had to promise - like a million times - that I will change the water daily and follow the instructions consisely since I never was successful at growing the pineapple Jennie started in Hawaii. Pineapples, by the way, take two years to grow!

And in case you were wondering, I am re-using the water that the olives soak in to water my plants. Jennie reminds me daily that she is still not generating any rubbish and is probably greener than me. I remind her that she had to take an airplane to get here, but then again, it was a business trip, so I can't fault her for that. And besides, I am really, really, REALly glad she's here!

Day 3 - Transportation

This is a very hard day for me. I can share a ride with Mike, but I'd much rather bike or walk it. Alas - it is more like a death defying act to ride a bike along the some of these roads and I've got a big planet that needs my help right now - along with some gorgeous daughters, three dogs, a bunny and my man! Note to self and others...petition for more bike/walk ways whenever possible.

Trash

Day Two – Trash
Today we are being mindful of all the trash we generate so we get a separate bag and collect our own waste. Mike keeps putting everything in my bag…egg container and shells, cheese wrappers, basically all the food packaging. His logic, if I cook it, I own it! It’s a competition for him and he is not going to let me win…hmmm…that’s fine with me, as long as he’s in I’m good with all of it.

photo was taken on one of my walks in the neighborhood. unfortunately you see this quite often

I'm sure many of you agree!

Here's my horoscope for today...I'm a Sag'
Sunday, Oct 18th, 2009 -- You are marching to the sound of a different drummer now and others may think you've gone mad -- for they don't hear the magical music that's playing. Although there may be too much stress being created by awkward relationship dynamics, all you can do is continue to be yourself. Your interpersonal dance will become more fulfilling as you take care of your own needs first.

Day One - Consumption

(A gorgeous ring I found in my Mom's "junk jewelry" bin!)

Day one. I lay awake thinking a lot about this experiment last night and how we will be applying many of its principles beyond this one week trial. We have been living abroad for almost two years and although shopping is alive and well in much of the world, it certainly is different experience from home. While in Finland we found out if you didn't bring your own shopping bag they would charge you for one - Genius!! I still have the few I ended up buying when I found myself without my own. No one seemed to have overflowing baskets at the supermarket - they bought what they needed for the day. We definitely got our fair share of stares when we walked around with a weeks worth of food in our carts, but we were in the learning curve and soon found it was better to only buy what you needed, when you needed it. Shopping malls both there and here in Cyprus are also quite different. Yes, there are sales and gorgeous shoes to tempt you around every corner but both of these countries are now on the Euro and the exchange rate is never in our favor. I learned to live and get by with the shoes I already had, sans a gorgeous pair of boots I picked up on sale in Germany. That was a huge step for me in the beginning of this new life. If we were desperate for something warmer (we came to Finland via Hawaii) we found that some perfectly wonderful winter wear were overflowing in many of the thrift stores. I had to buy a warmer winter rain coat that I picked up for 3 Euro and I love it. The thrift stores here are harder to find, but they are out there. What's interesting here is that you hardly ever find the locals in them, mostly foreigners. I've been told that it is considered an embarrassment to be seen in these stores by the locals. So I’d have to say that living overseas has definitely changed our consumer habits for the better and I believe these will be life-changing habits. Now, on the other hand, we definitely are guilty of online purchases. There are some things I just couldn’t find here that could compare in quality. Number one being the organic baby formula we buy in bulk (I was unable to produce enough milk after two months of trying everything possible). I did try a brand that was imported from France but it was a digestive disaster. The other big online purchase were the hybrid diapers I bought, but now that we are using cloth inserts much of the time, I wrestle with telling myself it was a win-win situation. And that’s the point of this whole rambling blub I’ve got going here…if we absolutely had to live off the land we found ourselves on could we survive? Of course we could, so many have come before us, but would we want to and how do you convince others to do the same when modern convenience rules the purchasing industry. I’m finding that this little experiment I’ve stumbled upon across the seas is a lot bigger and more meaningful to me than ever before. I will continue to weigh and consider almost everything I do from this day forward. To the Beaven’s – thank you for forging the way!

Doing more, leaving less behind

Listen up people, there are only three more days to join in on one the biggest “green movement” collaborations all year. Now I know most of you already do things to make a difference but what I’m asking from you for JUST ONE WEEK is to DO MORE! Not one of you chicken shits have accepted my triple doggie dare challenge to date and my patience has just run out! Someone, anyone, just sign up and give it a try. And if you just can’t do it, then pass this on to someone you think might. Once you sign up you will be directed to a social network that allows you to join others in the places you come from. You can find me under the “Worldwide” and “Hawaii” group. The only time is now so hurry up!!! http://noimpactman.typepad.com/

I double dog dare you to join No Impact Guy and me

Okay, there's this guy, Colin Beavan, aka "No Impact Guy" who is one of my newest hero's. Basically this guy decided to "stop talking and start doing" when it came to reducing his carbon imprint on this planet and undertook the ultimate task of going green with what most of us would think was a nearly impossible feat in the belly of New York City. He did this for a year and he survived - and thrived - with a wife and small child in tow! Now he is organizing a "No Impact Challenge" on October 18th and I want you to join me in participating for just one week. You have to visit his site to get spun up on everything: http://noimpactman.typepad.com/

Once you accept the challenge, email me to let me know you are in. Its gonna be the best thing you do all year - I'm sure of it! To quote Stevie Nicks - "If not for me, do it for yourself."

I triple doggie dare you :)

Eat your veggies

(Visiting the village of Lefkara to see their famous lace with Dee, Arianna and Skevi)

In case you were wondering, I have continued my morning walks, and thanks to my new friend Skevi I am no longer risking my life or Arianna’s. Turns out there’s a walk/bike path not too far from our house and even though I do have to drive there to get to it, which kinda kills the spontaneity of exploring different avenues and routes, it gets the job done. Skevi is a Cypriot who has just returned home after many years on the road with her American husband. Things have changed a lot for her here, new roads, buildings and crazy amounts of traffic, but at the same time, much has remained the same. I really enjoy our walks and love to learn about her land, a place that my own daughter will one day want to return to also, because it represents their place of birth. It’s a land of past and present, where age-old traditions hold fast - yet Starbucks coffee houses overflow with the younger set, wearing their big sunglasses, latest fashion trends and I swear, smoking more cigarettes than any other culture I can think of. But I can bet that even these folks, much like Skevi, share more of their spare time hanging out with relatives, if not living with a few generations worth all in one house. They still grow grapes on their arbors, plant and eat the fruits from their citrus, fig and olive trees and they even have a local “shop” they bring their bushels of olives to be pressed for oil. Most mornings Skevi greets me with a bounty of fruits and vegetables harvested from her parents land. Tomatoes, eggplants, zucchini, onions, and small green peppers have all been making a daily appearance in our dinners. I wrapped the figs in prosciutto and served it on fresh toasted bread, brushed with oil and garlic and then I slow dried the rest in the oven to bring out the sticky sweet goodness that tastes better than any piece of candy. Nothing is wasted because I know how hard her parents hands have toiled to offer these gifts. As we walk the paths Skevi points out the difference between the tangerine and the orange trees, knows when a green fruit is just a lemon that hasn’t ripened or a lime. When I ask her how she can be so sure she says she just knows. She’s not a farmer, never studied agriculture and goes to the farmers market for veggies when they’re not in season just like me, but you see, she is still in touch with her land, and I’m jealous. I think that just a few generations back we were much the same in the U.S. but somewhere along the way convenience and instant gratification took hold and now we are losing touch with so much more than just the food. It makes me sad. I want to drink wine from the grapes that grow in my neighborhood, press enough oil to last until the next olive season, eat the foods that grow in the rhythm of the passing year and I want every one else to do that too. We don’t have prepackaged baby carrots here. If you want to snack on them you have to peel them yourself, if you want to make a salad you wash and dry it – none of that prepared mix junk. At first I thought all of this work was going to be such a hassle but it woke my ass up on a number of different levels instead. The recycling/waste reducing lover in me was appeased by the lack of additional packaging, the organic gardener/eat local produce gal in me liked knowing some farmer nearby grew his stuff with care and can still make a living off of it, and the nutritionally minded mom in me knew that what I put in my mouth would be mimicked by my mini-me’s. I guess what I’m trying to say in a very roundabout way here is that I am grateful for having Skevi and her wonderful family in my life now, and what started out as a pact to stay fit together has already evolved into so much more. Eat local, go organic whenever possible and try peeling your carrots next time, they will taste better, I promise :)

WW, Cap'n A & SuperG

Halloween version of patriotism - '07

Creative collaboration

This bad-ass creation was made by me and Tara a couple of years back, with bits and pieces of black, orange and yellow wrapping paper, mask, gloves and spider web; in an effort to score first prize in the decorate-the-door contest in Finland. We had just arrived earlier in the month so we were still without our household goods shipment and standard Halloween decoration supplies, and Mike thought it'd be "fun" for us to decorate his office door. I should mention that Halloween is not celebrated in other countries like it is at home, so even finding these bits was a challenge. I think I've also mentioned before that Mike likes to win, so we knew this - we wouldn't be making little pumpkin cut-outs for this task. How we came up with this idea, I'm not exactly sure. I think the goblins of inspiration were among us that day as the 3-D skeleton reaching out through the flames of hell to win that damn prize slowly evolved (the prize: a lousy chocolate bar as we later found out). So, we started cutting out flames, then we stuffed the gloves and mask and stapled them to the black backdrop, glued a spider to his head (skeletons are always male, right??) and covered it all up with some spider webs and there we were - winners of the first (and last) door decorating contest in "Hell"sinky! The picture of Mikayla on the left was from a previous Halloween in Hawaii. If you click on the picture you can see the genius of our work :)

Tara's Amazing Art

I'm still trying to put in to words how much I LOVE this piece. For once, I'm speechless!!!

Have a grape day

Some scenes from our visit with Jacqueline...