There's a moth in my ear!

Happy Days

2011-03-18T10:51:00.000-07:00

On our way to Disneyland!

Happy Birthday to my Pisces Babies

2011-03-10T22:20:00.000-08:00

On March 9 my first angel baby girl was born ~ 26 years ago. Until that moment, I never knew the powerful love a mother and child possess. That love only grows deeper by the day and unbelievably, when another beautiful soul is born to your family, that same love endures. On March 10, my second angel baby girl was born ~ 9 years ago, and the love I have for my girls is a force not to be reckoned with. Every single day of my life I thank the universe for our love, our power, our beauty. Happy Birthday Tara. Happy Birthday Mikayla. Loving you is more natural than breathing for me and your unique and amazing souls astound me.

If you could help create world p

2011-02-24T09:13:00.000-08:00

PEACE

If you could help create world p

Superbowl was great!

2011-02-07T11:18:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned, one of the stops on our road trip was in Wisconsin for some good old American cheddar cheese. As much as I loved the Emmental in Finland, and the Feta in Cyprus, I had really missed that sharp, squeeky taste of cheddar and had to have some, so we added it to our itinerary across the map. While I thoroughly enjoyed my old friend Mr. Sharp Yellow Cheddar, I also found a new love...Lovely Lady Cheese Curds...yummy. In my search to find more pics from the road on my phone the other day, I found this one and decided it was a sign to side with Green Bay for the Superbowl. Turns out it was a good choice - what a great game! We had a girl-style day since Mike is stuck out in the field with training. No hot wings here. We noshed on roasted veggies, goat cheese brie with fresh herbs and red onion and flatbread pizza with mushrooms and cheese. Mik picked the Steelers so we had fun cheering and jeering, dancing at the halftime show and laughing at the commercials. The Doritos dog was Miks fave, the cheese sucking finger guy was mine. Hilarious!

Yes, it does snow in Southern Cali

2011-02-01T16:45:00.000-08:00

About an hour from home there sits a white-capped mountain that I spy every time I look out my kitchen window. We took a ride up there while Tara and Gary were in from New York, just in case they didn't get enough snow back East this year. Looks like we were wrong. Just heard there was another snow day today - record numbers!!! Wish we were there sipping cocoa, making snow angels with them now!!!

2011-01-31T21:31:00.000-08:00

Torn between two choices
One of those times you see the road split
I lean toward my inclination
And make peace with it
Suppressed feeling and urges
Return with renewed power
Foresight and hindsight beckon
During every waking hour
The co-pilot is turned off
I am at my control
I choose my own sacrafices
And I honor my soul
Life without consequence would be too shallow to live
Experience it all
And save some to give

Another me original - January 2000

Leafing through some old journals...

2011-01-31T21:13:00.000-08:00

There is no seperate distinction between the two
The space that divides is massive
The space that divides is an illusion
Yet the energy, very real

The ripple in the water can not be felt
When it is the pebble slowly falling that you fix your eyes on

Your touch calms me, yet it is electrifying
I can not sleep one wink
As I toss and turn your words over in my mind

You call to me through dreams
And I hear you

An original by me :)

Rock Art

2011-01-30T16:54:00.000-08:00

We've been busy working in the yard this month. I've been moving wheelbarrel's full of rocks from the horse turn-out and decided to create some sunshine to greet us every morning when we open our door! Kimo was there to oversee the project.

The Road Trip

2011-01-30T16:35:00.000-08:00

Wayyyyy back in July we arrived back in New York after three years overseas. It was Arianna's first time in America! So much time as passed, but some of the most memorable thoughts remain in the forefront of my mind - the pride of seeing the first of many American flags flying proud, the first sights and smells of NY pollution via the highway - nothing quite smells the same and in some weird way, comfortably familiar - and driving on the right side of the road again, which made me feel uncomfortably weird! In fact, I still find my self questioning where I should be on the road after making a turn sometimes.

But, it is the road trip that I hear calling me these past few days. Maybe its because the weather is warming up out here in the desert, maybe its because our shag-o-licious van-mobile still sits outside my window long after I thought we would have it sold, or maybe its just the gypsy in me feeling the tugs on my wings again. Whatever the reason, I am ready to hit the road somewhere ~ soon.

And since I am sitting here in my living room, instead of behind the wheel of our car (Mike would be amused with that statement since I think I drove only about 12 hours across the entire country) I wanted to share some of those highlights. Of course, being back to our roots, our families, was the absolute BEST. Aunt Cat opened her home to me and my girls and Kimo for the first week. Even though it was a crazy whirlwind of days and days of running and spending some long lost time with everyone in our family in both New York and Connecticut, they were treasured moments not soon to be forgotten.

A heat wave hit as we pushed off and our van broke down before we even made it to the highway. Luckily it was a small fix and we were on our way westbound in early August. Our first stop was Michigan. It was the first time our girls ever met Mike's brother's boys Evan and Quinn - who bonded like siblings immediately. Ray and Robin treated us to some good times out on their boat and took us on a tour of their beautiful town of Grand Haven. In fact, we had such a good time we stayed four days longer than planned.

With the kids, the dogs and the U-Haul trailer in tow, we headed in the direction of Chicago - for hot dogs and Wisconsin - for cheese. Lots of stories still to come...

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year with bright beginnings and continued happiness the whole year through!

The Friends Club

2010-12-07T10:32:00.000-08:00

I was so glad I was able to capture the first friends club meeting. In attendance were, Leo, Kimo and Arianna. Events planned for today: Belly rubs, snack time and then a long nap in the afternoon sun! New memberships available now!

Kate and the Girls

2010-11-23T09:58:00.000-08:00

So much to catch up on! Let me begin by introducing our newest family member, Kate. She is a rescued quarter horse and one of the finest babysitters ever! We've been spending the last few months at the rescue ranch getting to know our new friends and we have decided that Kate and her two sisters Tat and Kahlua would be most welcome at our new home. We've been working hard at building the trust these girls need to know they can depend on us to take good care of them, and know they will do the same for us. The desert is cooling now and we are starting to spend more time indoors, so I promise to finally begin catching up on the thoughts and memories we have had since moving back to the states. In the meantime, warmest wishes for a beautiful and delicious Thanksgiving!

Happy Birthday Ryan

2010-08-13T10:33:00.000-07:00

My little boy would be celebrating his 24th birthday today. Its been almost two months since my last post and as much as I can't wait to share and re-live the fun and crazy times we've had since we packed up and journeyed half way across the planet, it was today that was most important to acknowledge. The birthday of my only son, my cute little boy who had the ability to make you want to kiss and kill him all at the same time! What a rascal, a dreamer, an artist and a real boy's boy he was~ and will forever remain in my heart and mind. Missing him never gets easier, but remembering him is just like breathing to me - its essential and it keeps me very much alive. Today we will sail our balloons up to heaven with messages of love and birthday magic knowing trhat somewhere, without a shadow of a doubt, Ryan receives them...I can hear him laughing already. HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN PATRICK ~ MOM LOVES YOU FOREVER! XOXO

Simple pleasures

2010-06-22T03:57:00.000-07:00

From a vendor's stand in Famagusta. Doesn't it make you just want to fill up a basket with breads and fruits and a beautiful bottle of wine and watch the clouds pass overhead?

It's Official

2010-06-22T03:47:00.000-07:00

Its been a very special week for us. The highlight was Mike's pinning on ceremony. We are saying good-bye to Gunny and hello to Master Sgt! Congratulations on a well-deserved promotion Mike, we are so proud of you. Special thanks to Mike S. and Ambassador U. for officiating and making the day that much more memorable.

Graduation time

2010-06-22T03:31:00.000-07:00

Look who's a 3rd grader now! The end of the school year show was really great this year. Our music teacher, Miss Kate chose Disney shows for each grade. Mikayla's class performed songs (she was a beautiful mermaid) from Peter Pan and Lydia's class did Jungle Book. They were so great we were able to forget the 101 degree temperates we had to endure that day!

Team Spirit - Father v Son game

2010-06-22T03:21:00.000-07:00

Happy Summer Everyone!

2010-06-22T03:03:00.000-07:00

Hope your summer days are filled with "buckets" of fun! Mikayla and her friend Lexie started off their summer with some pretty cute underwater creatures. I guess I won't be eating any more squid in red wine sauce. So cute!

First to go

2010-06-17T03:05:00.000-07:00

Anita and Vanessa ,I am going to miss you guys (Brenden too) when you leave tonight. We have had some good times and shared a few sad ones too (our doggies are playing in heaven for sure), but mostly its all the laughs I will remember most. These costumes you guys made at a moment's notice still amaze me and whenever we needed to count on the "fun" people to show up for things, you were first in line. Argentina is so lucky to have you next! When we started out on this life of travel, it was people like you that I prayed would cross my path. Looking forward for that time when we will meet again and share the special friendship we will always have. Bon Voyage my friends xoxo

Pope visited Cyprus

2010-06-16T13:02:00.001-07:00

Its funny how the lack of air noise can make you so sensitive to the sudden appearance of it. A couple of weeks ago (I know, I'm really behind on the news lately) I noticed a helicopter flying nearby our house - probably the first in the entire time we've been here. I remember running through a bunch of silly scenarios in my mind of why it would be in this area. By the time it had flown away, I had already forgotton it was ever here. So when I was woken to the whop-whop-whop-whop of a very low flying copter I shot out of bed, grabbed the camera inside the bedstand cabinet and flung open the window to see what all the racket was about. It was in that moment of early morning sunshine blindness that I realized that the Pope was in town and would be only a few short blocks away from my house that Sunday morning in a stadium nearby. Unfortunately I wasn't able to snag tickets, so I clicked away at the helicopter instead, as some sort of momento of his visit. We knew he was coming a few months back when our priest told us he was actually staying with him at our church and we even asked the nuns if we could delay the Communion, just so the Pope could give his blessings on such a special occasion. Obviously...we got a no-go on the idea! I'm just glad they didn't see me hanging out the window clicking away at them, although it would have made for a far more interesting ending!

Small snippet on the visit:
The pope is meeting in Cyprus with prelates from the region to set an agenda for an October meeting in Rome to build a strategy to stem an exodus of Christians from the Holy Land, Iraq and elsewhere because of violence and economic hardship. The Middle East includes ancient Christian communities.
Cyprus was ethnically split in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup by supporters of union with Greece. Turkish Cypriots declared an independent republic in the north in 1983, but only Turkey recognizes it, and it maintains 35,000 troops there.
The pope, speaking about the problems of both the division of Cyprus and the Middle East region as a whole, said that "violence is not the solution."

Me and my boys

2010-06-10T06:52:00.000-07:00

The last couple of Saturday mornings have been my best. Never stop believing in your childhood dreams~ or yourself!

Locks for Love

2010-06-10T06:47:00.000-07:00

My sweet angel, Tara Bella, has donated her beautiful hair to one of the greatest causes there are...wigs for cancer patients. May the recipient of these gorgeous locks be blessed with the loving spirit that resides in each and every one of those strands.

Side note: I tried for the last 15 minutes to upload the "after" picture but each time I did, it failed.

Solar Bears

2010-06-10T05:28:00.000-07:00

http://www.scribd.com/full/32828006?access_key=key-1fklhmb3uim3vtw2oh5b (click this link to read a great article on the team)
Just a few years back the borders between southern Cyprus and northern Cyprus were riddled with many rules and regs. In fact the travel book I have states that the borders still close at 5PM. Lucky for us, by the time we arrived, travellers are now able to cross and return at any time. And lucky for Mike, who is an avid (and in my humble opinion - superior) hockey player, an ice rink of sorts had opened up in the north. I say sorts because it looks like ice, and the team glides across it in their ice skates, but the composition of the floor is actually some kind of synthetic clear flooring that does not require water or ice. Its really kind of crazy when you realize these guys are skating around on a type of plastic, but once the game gets going it looks and feels like you are at any ice rink in town. What is even more amazing are that these guys are coming together - the south and the north - breaking down the borders that have been closed down since 1974. The team he plays on are called the Solar Bears and these guys rock. We won't be here long enough to see this new sport in Cyprus really take off, but I sure am proud that Mike is one of the forefathers of this brand new craze!

The after party

2010-06-10T00:44:00.000-07:00

Is there any other way to spend the day after your birthday...

Being One is so much Fun!

2010-06-10T00:15:00.000-07:00

It seems that I've been having too much fun since the celebrations began on May 21st to find the down time to share on this blog. But looking over these great pictures that Arianna's "fairy godmama" Svetla ( here in the first picture) took at the party, got me motivated to start playing catch up. So, our little baby is now a toddler. The time has flown WAY too fast. Luckily for me, she still lets me cradle her for a quick snuggle every now and again before she escapes to toddle and climb on every stair and piece of furniture in the house.
We had a full house of little friends, moms and dads, Marines and even Simba the Pug came out to celebrate the big day. Since Arianna was born here in Cyprus she has been one of the two "token" babies (see her good friend Keirianna below) loved and embraced in this overseas community. We are so happy to have them in our lives. Agnes (in the last photo) has been a part of our family since last July when she started baby and dog sitting for us, and could very well be considered her second mom. This little one year old is very loved indeed! She may not remember these first twelve months, but the imprints of all will be with her forever. Thank you ALL for making this a most amazing first year - and Happy Birthday sweet Arianna :)

Daddy's little girl

2010-05-25T12:43:00.000-07:00

We've had a most amazing weekend celebrating Arianna's first year birthday. So much so that I haven't had time to post, but this beautiful poem from Mike must be shared immediately! We can catch up on everything else later ~
click on picture to enlarge

First Holy Communion

2010-05-19T12:31:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday Mikayla made her first Communion! We are very proud of her for her commitment and ongoing interest to learn about her religion. We had to endure some tongue lashing and a few moments of disapproval from Sister when we missed some Sunday masses and a couple of classes due to travel, but through it all, Mikayla stayed the course and enjoyed her very special day. Better pictures to follow from our other camera!

Fashion blunder of the week

2010-05-16T14:18:00.000-07:00

Well, since I'm on a roll talking about things out of the ordinary for me, I thought I might as well poke a little fun at this beauty I caught galavanting around in our little town. If the picture is too small to view, you can click on it to make it larger and see her fabulous ensemble of curlers, frock and go-go boots along with white shades to match! One of these days I'm going to take some pictures at the grocery store and show you a real treat. Its like they get ready for the clubs ten hours too soon, so they go and do some food shopping while waiting for the night to come. I promise you are going to love it!!!

Izzy

2010-05-16T14:06:00.000-07:00

Meet my little friend Izzy
This is Izzy, and this is what I did to Izzy a couple of weeks ago. So…I had the opportunity to go to the range, and suddenly, all those years I’d dreamed of wanting to be a sharp-shooter in an alternative life frightened me to pieces. Whenever I go to a carnival or amusement park, I am always most interested in the shooting games rather than the ring toss or hoop shots. Even when it’s just the water gun and balloon game - I don’t even care about the prize, I just like hitting the targets with precision. My most favorite game has always been at the BB gun shack which allows you to fire out the little red stars hanging from a piece of paper. So, when I found myself hesitating at the offer to fire some live rounds, I was feeling completely puzzled. This was the real deal here and I was feeling intimidated and frightened by the thought of using a “real” gun. I finally talked myself in to going, but I swear I don’t think I spoke one word the entire car ride to the range. I didn’t want to blow my opportunity to go, so I just pushed on and tried to act cool as I learned to load the cartridges and hold the guns properly. Not only was I a little worried about totally fucking up and shooting a toe off or something, but I was struggling with the idea that I was holding a deadly weapon and it didn’t sound at all like the real me that doesn’t particularly like any kind of violence. But that’s when I realized that it was better to have this knowledge than to fear it. Not that I plan on packing heat any time soon, but at least, if ever in a situation where I would need to know how to use them, I was now completely confident in Mike’s expert knowledge and safety precautions. I took my first shots with a 9MM and I hit my target! Once I got the hang of the push and pull of the hand position, I really started to enjoy it. In the end the only thing that still freaked me out a bit was the spent bullets that fly at you from the shooter on your left. They are hot as hell and a little distracting when you’re trying to focus. Someone just asked me today if I liked it. I said I still wasn’t sure, but now that I’ve had time to think about it more, I did like it and would definitely go back and try it some more. I wasn’t a perfect shot, but I’m pretty sure I could be. And as far as coming to terms with weapons, I’d rather know how to use them than not know and wish that I did.

Through the eyes of an 8 year old

2010-05-13T00:49:00.000-07:00

A couple of years back, we bought Mikayla a Fisher Price digital camera - which turns out to be one of the best gifts she ever got. At first she took lots of pictures of stuffed animals and her favorite television personality - Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer. I didn't realize that she had moved on to more interesting subjects until yesterday, when her battery started running low, and I had to download the pictures before they were lost forever. For a little kid's camera I must say I'm pretty impressed. The teeny screen on the camera reveals very dark and grainy photos, but once they were downloaded I realized I've got a budding photographer on my hands. My favorites here are the two chairs out in the backyard and the one of Max with his big ol' cheeks resting on the floor. The way she got down on the ground at face level is genius! Of course I was delighted to find we now had a few more priceless pictures of our beloved Cadie girl as well. The basil plant seedlings made me realize how much of the natural world she has been exposed to and has developed an appreciation for. I've been thinking about upgrading to a more semi-professional camera for some time now and had decided I would start taking some photography lessons too. Seeing these photos has cinched the deal for me for sure. Not only will I upgrade, but I may not have to look any further than Mikayla to get the most valuable lessons on viewing and capturing life - through the eyes of a child.

Decisions

2010-05-12T12:40:00.000-07:00

As the weather grows warmer these last few days, I find myself torn between heading to the mountains or out to the sea. In fact, I sadly had to decline an offer to go on a wreck dive the other day in spite of all this indecision. You see, I had to wait for my first delivery of packing boxes instead, a fact that makes me want to jump in the car and take a long road trip immediately. I've got a serious case of wanderlust brewing and I've got it bad! There are still a handful of monestaries and wineries that beg to meet me on a much needed day trip. I still have to catch a glimpse of the elusive goat-like creature they call a Mouflon in the foothills of the island and the turtles will be returning to the beaches in the next few weeks. I'm sure I accepted their offer to meet under the light of the next full moon and cheer them on as they find the perfect nesting site of the season. Yes, soon enough we will be living from our suitcases again, as new chapters of our lives are begging to be told, but this epic journey is not over yet, and I've got a full tank of gas and an empty memory card on stand-by. I've got an archaeological dig planned, and the next few Saturday mornings I will attempt to perfect my new found skill of pole jumping (not dancing!!!) on one of my favorite horses - Sparky. We've got Mikayla's first holy Communion this weekend, and I will make my final debut working as the temporary Community Liason Officer while the "real McCoy" is away next week. The calendar is filling up - just the way I like it. And in all honesty, no, I am not ready to move on yet, but it is out of my hands. I'm going to do what I do best and enjoy every damn waking second I can! So stay tuned for a lot of great photos and stories as we wind down and prepare to move on. I hope you find yourselves in the throws of just as many good times as the days get longer and the nights stay warmer. xo

Mother's Day Gifts

2010-05-10T14:03:00.000-07:00

Not only do I get the most beautiful girls as daughters, but the most thoughtful too. My sweet Tara Bella surprised me with this compilation of my happiest moments - being with the loves of my life! Mikayla surprised me with a handmade card and grape flavored Lik' a Stick candy, and Arianna gave me a big wet drooly kiss along with her biggest and bestist four-toothed grin.

Of all the things I've ever accomplished, being a mom is my greatest achievement and most rewarding life's work. Thank you Tara, Ryan, Mikayla and Arianna for making me the happiest Mom on earth. I love you guys! xoxo

Buon Giorno!

2010-05-05T01:40:00.000-07:00

After years wistfully regretting not paying attention to my Nonna as she patiently tried to teach me her native language of Italian, I have signed up for an online course. As it was in our home, very little of the language was spoken. My dad only knew a few "choice" words and my mom and Nonna only spoke when they didn't want me to understand their private conversation, at which time my ears would perk up, but alas only the "choice" words stuck with me as well. So far I have just completed the first two lessons and it seems that although I never actually spoke the words, they flow from me easily and I am finding the meanings are easy to remember. Albeit, it was just the basics, but I am feeling encouraged and excited. Some may say that French is the language of love, but the passion and beauty of the Italian language stirs my soul. I want to return to Italy and never utter a word of english while I am there. I want to read the paper, understand the street signs and sing the songs. I want to re-connect with my roots, my ancestry, my heritage. I want to share it with my own children to share with theirs. I suddenly realized that if I did not undertake this challenge it would be lost within one single generation - how truly sad a thought. So forgive me if I bore you with my salutations of Ciao and Arrivaderci, but I've got a big job ahead of me right now. I need to save some family history before it is gone forever. Do you wish there are things you had learned but kept putting off? As they say, there is no better time than now. Get fired up and just take that leap, it feels great! Che bella e la vita... How beautiful life is.

May 1st - "May" Day - Vappu!

2010-05-01T14:11:00.000-07:00

The Finnish celebration of May 1st has so far been one of my most favorite Spring parties. On this day the city streets are closed to traffic as practically everyone in Helsinki comes out to play. The celebration begins at the Havis Amanda statue by the pier, where students put a graduation cap on this bronze beauty and wash her down. The year we were there, a couple of hard core partyers were also swimming around in the fountain that surrounds her. Everyone wears their graduation cap for the day (they looked more like sailor's caps to me), and some were quite yellowed with age. There really isn't any organized agenda after that, just a lot of meandering through the streets with friends and booze - LOTS of booze. I think it was the only day I ever really saw Helsinki as a whole completely unreserved and noisy as hell. Everyone is smiling in anticipation of the warmer weather and longer daylight hours. You can finally put away your happy lamps for a couple of months and get some real sunshine into your eyeballs. Its no wonder is one of the biggest celebrations of the year. The following day families are camped out on every piece of green landscape available for the first picnic of the season. The place looks totally trashed by the end of day 2 and you find yourself wondering how a whole country of people known for their reserved nature and pride of clean and pristine land only exhibit this behaviour one day a year? Its like 11 months of pressure cooking for this one big bang. But drive down the streets on May 3 and everything is back to normal. The rubbish is all cleaned up, the empty bottles have all been recycled and an unusual quiet has returned...that is of course, only until June 21st, my second most favorite time in Finland...Juhannus!

Happy "MAY" Day everyone!!!

Some things I love about Cyprus

2010-04-29T14:22:00.000-07:00

Pomegranate, lemon, olive, almond, orange, fig, walnut and eucalyptus trees. Red poppies that blanket the fields in spring and giant rolls of hay throughout the countryside. The smell of a sheep farm we still haven't found, the sound of the doves walking across the tiled roof in the morning, the church bells that ring right before 7 every day. Roundabouts, left side driving, free-for-all parking rules and yes, the crazy driving too. Early mornings at the horse ranch, late night music from my neighbors porch and the smell of smoky meat cooking in my other neighbors outdoor oven. The view of the Northern mountains from one bedroom window and sunrise from the other. Grilled halloumi cheese, hummous and pita bread, cucumbers with tzatziki sauce and octopus in red wine sauce. The history, the ruins, the Castles and beloved Aphrodite. The beaches, the turtles, the mountains and the sea. Cyprus, I do love you!

Full Moon today

2010-04-28T01:59:00.000-07:00

When I was pregnant my sister Sandi sent me an amazing book entitled " Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful: Experience the Natural Power of Pregnancy and Birth with Kundalini Yoga and Meditation" Since then I've become a big fan of Kundalini Yoga. Just last night I was re-reading a chapter from the book (no, I'm not pregnant, just wanted to brush up on some meditations) and one in particular jumped out at me. It was a meditation for world peace and healing. I usually do meditations at night, when the house gets quiet, and quite a few times I have even fallen asleep right in the middle of one. Not last night though. I actually saw this bright purple/blue light that grew larger and larger inside my head as I repeated the healing mantra and felt like I could sit there forever sending and receiving love. I guess its what many may call the peace within and I tapped into it. I was so excited ! I finished up with a prayer to all I love and fell fast asleep. When I woke up this morning I had faint whispers of a dream last night that had something to do with Buddist secrets being shared with me. Then the alarm went off and I went into mommy-mode... making breakfast, packing lunch and getting Mikayla on the bus and off to school. After that I grabbed my coffee mug, opened up my computer and found an email waiting for me which was an invitation from a friend to join her and others today in a full moon meditation. Apparently, in some circles it is believed that Buddha descends from His high place during the full moon in the month of April to bestow spiritual blessings on the world . WOW! I don't know exactly what it all means, but I do love synchronicities like these and I do believe in the power of prayer and good intention. So join me today (or tonight) under the bright full moon and send this planet some much needed blessings and of course, save some for yourself and all of those you love!

Invictus

2010-04-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

INVICTUS

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll.

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley

I watched this move last night about Nelson Mandela and was so moved by his integrity and power of inspiration. The title of the movie is the same as the poem that he kept with him while imprisoned for all those years, and it struck such a strong chord within me when I read it. I hope you, too, find your own meaning to these words and a gentle reminder to be the captain of your soul.

Ryan

2010-04-26T12:32:00.000-07:00

Ryan - August 13, 1986 - April 23, 1998

Ryan, you inspire me daily to be brave, play hard, and push it to the limits if it feels good. Our time was short, but so full, and I learned to live in hope and believe in you. I still believe in you my little Superman, and I feel your love, and see pieces of you in each of your beautiful sisters. You are still with me, with all of us, and when the night time comes and I close my eyes to sleep I hear your laughter and wait for the next time we meet and hug again. Sleep with angels my sweet little boy!

Happy Earth Day

2010-04-22T12:07:00.000-07:00

Only after the last tree has been cut down

Only after the last fish has been caught

Only after the last river has been poisoned

Only then will you realize that money can not be eaten.

-Cree Native American saying -

Earth Day Cometh

2010-04-20T12:27:00.000-07:00

You know, even though I'm done with the No Impact Project, I am still a tree hugging, water conserving, waste reducing fool. Every day I see or hear about the devastation humankind has caused this planet and I am truly mournful for the damage, but there are definitely times when convenience trumps conservation for me too. You don't have to be a superhero Green Earth Warrior every single day. Just don't stray too far for too long when you do have to fall from the path. Ex: you can't or didn't bring along your reusable water container for whatever reason, then be damn sure to recycle that water bottle when you're done with it. My last two weeks of travel did some serious carbon damage to be sure - we flew three planes just to get to our destination (gasp!) and since we were warned of water borne illnesses with the baby, we used loads of bottled water and regular disposable diapers and wipes (double gasp!). At first I was feeling really sad that all the hard work I do every day to live more gently was compromised by taking this trip, but then my feet hit the sand, my body floated in the sea and I remembered that the reason I do all of it anyway is so I can enjoy an unspoiled beach and sleep with the windows open to breathe in clean, unpolluted air. So we used some bottles of water yes, but we also didn't request clean sheets and towels daily. Shoot, we didn't even have a tv at the first place we stayed, and when it got dark, we didn't turn on the lights - we sat outside, under the moonlight and counted seashells. In a way, the first five days were so low impact we may have redeemed ourselves a bit for all the air emissions we contributed - the only thing on the island was our hotel, so we didn't use a car, we ate only local foods and showered in barely warm water. Okay, so the coldish showers weren't exactly by choice, but each bungalow did have a solar panel on the roof. The entire hotel turned off the electricity for a couple of hours during the later part of the morning which saved some kilowatts and Mike and I did our best to support the local economy by purchasing many tropical and brewed beverages :)
We're back now and I'm using the G-diapers again, packing school lunches in reusable containers and hoping to find some fun events on Earth Day (two days from now). But when another opportunity comes to jump on an airplane to the next horizon, I'm going. What's the point in saving the world if you don't get to see what a good job you're doing anyway?
HAPPY EARTH DAY

Highlights

2010-04-16T13:01:00.000-07:00

Funny signs

2010-04-14T12:59:00.000-07:00

You know...just in case you've forgotton how to use the toilet in Thailand!

Ah right, just what I want to do, stick my legs into a tank of disease and skin eating fish...

and you thought it was a joke!!!

We will miss you Cadence~terribly

2010-04-08T02:46:00.000-07:00

Our beautiful Cadie girl is gone. She left before we could say goodbye and the tears I cry are filled with anger and rage, and confusion and hope and fear and guilt and sadness and extreme gratitude. I will miss my Cadie forever and have added her to my list of demanded answers to be met when it comes time for me to meet my maker. Another soul has left my life too early and taken a piece of me forever away with her. If she could speak, could she have told me there was something wrong? Did she know her time was near and will she forgive me going away when she was so close to leaving herself? Why don’t people without pets understand how hard your heart hurts when they’ve died? And why do we all tend to dwell on the sad things to recall when there are millions more of the good times to be remembered?
From the day I brought her home from the Hawaiian Humane Society, she has brought love and light into our home. She was the last pup of her litter left behind and the lady at the shelter told me I probably shouldn’t consider adopting her because she jumped and scratched too much. She didn’t think Cadie would be a good fit with a toddler in the house – Mikayla was about three at the time. We took her out of the pen anyway and into the viewing room to see for ourselves. Within five seconds I knew she was part of our family.

At the time, Mike and I had been planning on adopting two Boxers when he returned from his deployment, so when I told him I had brought home a puppy from the pound, and she wasn’t a Boxer, he was rightfully pissed at me. I promised that he would love her -- and he did. We all did. Always listen to your heart.
It was immediately apparent that she was special in so many ways. A very smart girl. She learned everything quickly and spoke to us directly through her eyes. She didn’t need words. She looked like a baby Jack Russell when we got her so we were surprised to watch her legs get longer and longer as the months passed. Very unique in her looks and her ways. She was my constant companion while Mike was away and Mikayla’s eternal playmate, patient beyond words. We took daily walks to the beach where she chased crabs and other dogs – the only dog in Hawaii who wouldn’t swim! She joined me on runs and hikes through the hills and loved sitting in the back of the Jeep for rides around the island. She had a very particular sound she made when she was happy to see you come home. Not really a bark or cry, but this high pitched cooing sound that was her signature voice. How I wish I had filmed her more often and captured these priceless lost moments.
Part of the agreement in loving a pet is acknowledging that you must prepare yourself for that day you know will come… when you must say goodbye. But like all things wonderful in life, no matter how much time you have, you want more, and when it’s over you can’t imagine living without it. That’s where I am right now. I want her back, right now. I want run for miles with her at my side and lie side by side in the sunshine and throw balls for her until the sun goes down. I want to cook her filet mignon and give her belly rubs and tuck her inside my bed with the fluffiest pillow. I want to tell her over and over how much I love her and how special she is to this family and much is it going to suck to come home everyday and not see her bouncing up and down at the wall when we pull into the driveway. I am not ready to say goodbye dammit…not ready at all.

Of course, she wasn’t perfect, but she was perfectly real. . She dug holes, ate poop and stole food from the other dogs and the baby. She wouldn’t go out in to the rain to pee and she didn’t know how to walk on a leash without pulling your arm out of its socket. She could be a real pain in the ass, but she was OUR pain in the ass and we loved her. If she was here right now I would let her climb right on top of the "good" couch for a nap and join her in the dirt to dig a new hole. I would take out my umbrella and get soaking wet the next time it rained just so she wouldn't be alone out there and let her eat all the snacks Arianna dropped without saying a word. But its too late, and its over, and the finality of it all is so sobering.

We've all heard and said it a million times. Love every moment. Cherish it all. It's never going to be enough - you'll always wish for more when its over. Don't just say it - live it.
Cadence I hope you can hear me now. You have left your paw prints on our hearts forever. Thank you for your love, your loyalty, your friendship, your patience and all the joy you brought everyone who has known you. Thank you for being the best big sister to Max and Kimo, the best little sister to Tara, Mikayla and Arianna and the best furry child Mike and I have ever loved. WE LOVE YOU FOREVER CADIE GIRL - FOREVER.

A colorful life

2010-04-06T00:38:00.000-07:00

We've just returned from two weeks in Thailand. From the southern beaches, to the northern rivers to the bustling city of Bangkok. Every moment was unique and as colorful as this first bloom that just appeared in David and Jills's garden in California.
As I unpack the memories and the suitcases from our latest adventure I smile as I think of how beautiful this world is.

2010-03-19T04:47:00.000-07:00

These gorgeous lights were inside the Citadel mosque in Cairo

Last night we watched the Avatar film. Since I'm not a big fan of Sci-Fi, I was preparing myself for a long two hours during the opening scences of the movie. By the end I was blown away! There's one line in the movie that goes something like this...we are all just borrowing energy that one will one day return to the source.

Seriously good flick packed with ancient wisdom!

What mark will we leave on this world?

2010-03-19T04:25:00.000-07:00

An Instant Pick-me-Up!

2010-03-18T02:21:00.000-07:00

2010-03-17T12:46:00.000-07:00

On our last day in Egypt our driver insisted on bringing us to a church and I have to admit by day four I was a little done with mosques and churches. After all, I had been inside the King's Chamber of the Great Pyramid just two days earlier and was sure that was the highlight of the trip. As I should already know, there is always room to be further dazzled. This is the Church of St. Samaan and the story is that the mountain of rock that it is carved within was originally in a different location and moved by the prayers of St. Samaan and others of his time. The carvings are incredible and I am so grateful for Raafat, our driver, for his persistence. Definitely a must see in Cairo!

Love this!

2010-03-17T12:18:00.000-07:00

A good friend sent this to me and although I don't know exactly what is being said I pretty much get it and LOVE it!!! Can someone PLEASE translate for me???

Waste not a moment...

2010-03-17T07:30:00.000-07:00

A Precious Human Life

Every day think as you wake up,

Today I am fortunate to have woken up,

I am alive; I have a precious human life,

I am not going to waste it,

I am going to use it.

All my energies to develop myself

To expand my heart out to others.

To achieve enlightenment for

The benefit of all beings,

I am going to have kind

Thoughts towards others,

I am not going to get angry,

Or think badly about others,

I am going to benefit others

As much as I can.

H.H. the XIV Dalai Lama

Egypt

2010-03-16T23:15:00.000-07:00

Just a few days ago I was standing among the last of the intact ancient wonders of the world. These great structures have withstood the passing of so much time and their exact locations are still being studied as to what they actually represented aside from a burial site for the kings. The air is electrifying - the buzz of your high stays with you long after you have walked away. I wanted to stay there forever, to watch the sun pass over its horizon until the night came and the sky filled with stars. But we had so much more to see and do in such a short time. I like to know that my footprints will remain, forevermore; my hands have touched and run across the stones that were precisely set to erect such beauty, and my mind's eye has burned permanent images inside me that allow me to be there in an instant.

Please watch this

2010-03-15T04:12:00.000-07:00

One of the many amazing talents my friend Adele Selena has shared with me are her guided visualizations and meditations. She is now offering free meditations here. Please take a few minutes to watch and enjoy the gifts she shares!

Egypt

2010-03-15T04:06:00.000-07:00

Just returned early this morning from a most amazing journey! MUCH more to follow...

Mikayla's celebrates today

2010-03-10T00:46:00.000-08:00

So, seventeen years and one day later I had my second baby girl. She was due on March 5, but as fate would have it, she did not come. The labor started on Tara's birthday and rather than jumping in the car and rushing to the hospital, I called the doctor and told her that this baby was going to have to wait. I was busy making Tara's cake! My water broke and I grabbed the paper towel roll and stuffed my pants with a big wad of padding, sat my ass on the stool and continued to decorate that cake. I was actually crushed! I will never forget Tara's face when she walked through the door to find out the news. My heart was breaking into a million pieces for her and I think we both cried for a million different reasons. We were going to be a new family soon and there were still a lot of raw emotions behing all of this. But as I mentioned, Tara handled it with grace and composure as I packed up my things and headed out the door. Labor progressed normally at first but in the end she just wouldn't come and early the next day the doctors decided it was time to get her out via C-section. I remember the night nurse rubbing my face and telling me that it was past midnight and it was okay, I could let this new baby out now, she would be having her own special day. As the sun was just rising they rolled me down the hall and within fifteen minutes my little Mikayla Reanne was here. At that moment, I couldn't imagine the world without her. The first thing I saw were those little purple little feet and then I heard that first cry. There she was, lying across my chest, a perfect little angel. Mikayla is so lucky to have such an amazing big sis, and the same can be said for Tara. A little sister to love and adore you is a lifetime reward! And as cool as they are to share such happiness just one day apart, I still want to be sure they both know just how special each of them are to me in their own separate ways. Thank you both for choosing me to be your mom - it is really me who is the lucky one! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU MIKAYLA - MIK-DOODLE, MIKI-D, and as Mimi liked to call you Trixie D. Your laughter is contagious, your smile melts my heart and I love you forever!!! Your timing was perfect as I see now, and your existance is a gift to this world. xoxo

Happy Birthday Tara

2010-03-10T00:37:00.000-08:00

The first time I ever saw this painting I was immediately convinced it was as if the artist painted it for me and Tara.

My first baby

2010-03-09T13:34:00.000-08:00

I've been daydreaming all day about Tara's arrival 25 years ago. All 7lbs 2oz of pure love. I remember my mother dragging me out to the store about a week after she was born to buy some food and how I cried in the supermarket because I wanted to get back home to my baby. Same with the first time she went off to kindergarten and then sleep away camp (which was only a week). Most parents can't wait to get away from the kids for a little holiday. Not me, I knew these times were precious and made sure every vacation included both her and Ryan. That's what retirement was all about, right? Well, I'm not ready to retire quite yet, but I'm still crying every time we part and still plan my vacations with her in mind. If I could keep her with me forever I would. We are mother and daughter yes, and I know it sounds cliche', but we are truly the best of friends. I am blessed to have such an amazing relationship with my daughter, she is my blood, a part of my essence, a slice of my soul. Her beauty astounds me and her grace is one of her greatest virtues. She has taught me just as many lessons in life as I have her. I am so bummed that I am not with her today to celebrate every day that she has been a part of my life, but I know that she is surrounded with love and luckily I am not the only one who realizes her greatness. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY FIRST BABY GIRL. I love you to the moon and back again my sweet Tara! xoxo

The Alchemist

2010-03-04T11:27:00.000-08:00

To realize one's destiny is a person's only obligation. When you want something, all the Universe conspires in helping you achieve it ~
The Alchemist - Paul Coelho

Nine months old

2010-02-26T08:52:00.000-08:00

Nine months! About nine and a half months ago I was doing yoga with my big ol' Buddah belly hanging out, imagining my baby inside, sitting in yoga pose, enjoying all the big breathes and stretches as a gift of space as the walls of my belly closed in on her closer and closer by the day. Now she's here - and she's a little over nine months old. And she still enjoys yoga. She likes to sit and watch the poses, waving her arms back and forth, humming along to the Sat Nam mantra's as if on cue. I'm positive she remembers all of it.

Nine months - the time is so relative. Nine months of pregnancy, spent dreaming of who this new little person would be, what she would look like, how she would fit in as her own little being in this family. And then that same amount of time, after birth, watching your little one grow - it goes by in a FLASH! This month has been a biggie. One of her top teeth has started coming in (she got the first two bottom teeth in December) and we went from getting the feel of swallowing mushy rice cereal to full-fledged chewing motions now. She almost seemed insulted one morning when I mashed a banana. Her eyes were pleading, "bring on the chunks mama - I've got some teeth and I'm ready to use 'em". Pita bread, avacado chunks, pasta fagiola - she's conquered them all! She's also been studying everything we say and do with such intent and suddenly has a full repetoire of trained acts. Her arms go up for the "How big is Arianna?" question, she can clap her hands for dancing and cheering, and four days ago the backwards seal move gave way to a full-on forward crawl - INDEPENDENCE at last!!! Today she bee-lined right out of the "play room" and into the kitchen. She went under the kitchen table, checked on Kimo napping with a little tug of his ear then grabbed hold of the bar that runs underneath, and up she went into a stand!

That's it... in just a blink, her days of infancy are over and the limited view of her world has just opened up to a whole new adventure. I'm just hoping that all that yoga pays off and through the bumps and achievements ahead, she always stays grounded as she finds her favorite stars to reach for.

Spotted this online yesterday!

2010-02-26T04:05:00.000-08:00

More from Carnival week

2010-02-19T09:41:00.000-08:00

Can you spot our little cowgirl?

Carnival and Green Monday

2010-02-15T02:17:00.000-08:00

Feast before the fast. Cyprus is about to begin their forty day fast before Easter. "Green Monday" (beginning of Lent) kicks off the start of it all. No meats; just fruits and vegetables and breads. Loads of big beautiful loaves of bread - herbed, olive loafs, seeded and unseeded. This daughter of a baker loves all of it! Families gather outdoors for picnics on this holiday and kids can be seen all over the island flying their kites, playing music and dancing. I love traditions!

Year of the Tiger!

2010-02-15T02:04:00.000-08:00

Happy Chinese New Year! If you missed your chance to clear out the old and usher in the new, back in January, well, here's your chance. Place plates of fresh fruit throughout the home to represent abundance, clear out the clutter and get ready for a great year ahead!

Scenes of love for Valentines Day weekend

2010-02-11T11:41:00.000-08:00

Me and my Dad, my first true love!

More help still needed

2010-02-09T21:55:00.000-08:00

As the weeks pass, its easy to lose sight of how much help is still needed in Haiti. Last week Mikayla and her friends held a bake sale as their contribution. If you are not sure where to send money, the Red Cross is always a safe option.

A little piece of heaven at the stable

2010-02-07T13:54:00.000-08:00

If dogs can be angels, then surely horses can be too.

I took this up at the stable a couple of weeks ago.

Can you see the beam of light shining straight down into the pony's pen?

Do I believe in angels?

2010-02-07T13:38:00.000-08:00

Without a doubt! But what about little white furry ones? Well, exactly one year ago today an angel moved into our house. All these years I’ve been picturing angels as cute little chubby cherubs joining hearts on Valentine’s day, or beautifully radiant beings with long white flowing robes and wings, and of course, my all time favorite – Archangels standing ready to guard and protect me from – well – anything I need protecting from! I never really stopped to contemplate the concept of angels in animal-form, but I am now convinced that I share my life with one daily.

As I write, he is resting right below my perch, close by, as he always is, ever faithful, ever present, and I swear I think he sleeps with one eye open to just to make sure he doesn’t loose sight of me at any given moment. Even when he goes outside to do his “thing” he stays close to the glass doors like a dutiful sentry would.
Its not like he’s a stalker though – he does like his play time and will run circles around Cadie and Max when they all hang outside – but for the most part, where ever you find me, you will definitely find Kimo. And as I said, I am pretty sure this little guy was sent from Heaven to watch “under” me as I was over him.

Here I was thinking I was the one who would make a difference in his life when I plucked him out of that dirty, smelly, overcrowded puppy pen at the shelter last year. You see, he was the runt, and all the other little puppies just barreled over him to get at the food. Survival of the fittest is what they call it, and I would just watch as he sadly backed inside the little doggie house and lie down on the blanket, knowing full well he was not going to get past all those big bully’s up front.

I was pregnant at the time, and certainly didn’t need to take on yet another responsibility three months before having a baby, but when I plucked him up out of that little wooden box I just knew I would never put him back down.

So here we are, one year later and this little Cyprus pup has brightened my days, lifted my spirits and given me more unconditional love than a person can ever imagine they could receive in one lifetime. I know that sounds so over-the-top and you want to say, “yeah, I love my dog and my dog loves me too,” but seriously, I think he is more than just my furry animal companion, in fact I’m sure of it. He is most definitely, without a doubt, my living, breathing guardian angel, who has come to spend some time on earth with me to laugh and play and brighten each and every day.
Luckily, it was a smooth transition when he moved in. Cadie and Max welcomed him like a long lost relative. Now that Arianna is here, she and Kimo have grown up together and play like all siblings do. They roll around on the ground together, take naps in the afternoons and sometimes like to share their toys. And yes, I have caught Arianna chewing on Kimo’s bone and have also caught Kimo chewing on Arianna’s stuffed animals, but the BEST part lately is that they can share her clothes. These days are, for sure, the most wonderful days ever! So keep your eyes out for those angels, you just never know who or where you’ll find them 

Good morning

2010-02-06T02:16:00.000-08:00

The first thing I see when I wake in the morning is this sunrise - straight out my bedroom window. I've never been much of a morning person. I didn't realize what I was missing! Happy Saturday everyone.

I've been hibernating I think

2010-02-04T14:17:00.000-08:00

I don't know why, but the last few weeks I just haven't had the energy to do much of anything outside of day to day living, and it dawned on me today that the weather had turned cold and I must have gone into some sort of mini hibernation. I finally got out of Nicosia today. Took a nice long walk along the beach and let the sun melt away the winter blues. Granted, it is not as cold as what NY and much of Europe is experiencing right now, but it is certainly not warm, and its definitely not summer. I also went into my pictures tonight for some further inspiration of the beauty that surrounds me and found this scene from the top of St. Hillarion Castle. I hope you enjoy the eye candy as much as I do. Time to snap out of it and get all my latest pictures uploaded and get back in the game now!

Clarity

2010-01-19T11:17:00.000-08:00

That's how I feel today...clarity in motion. We all make our own little ripples in the water, and yet we find we can all live in peaceful harmony - together - and as one.

This photo was taken by our good friend David who accompanies his beautiful wife Jill to Hawai'i every couple of years. This moment was captured at the Byodo-In Temple in Kaneohe which houses one of the largest golden Buddah's I've ever seen. I'll have to see if David has any more photos to share!

My Mom - The Star

2010-01-14T12:36:00.000-08:00

Seven years without a Mom. Such a strange thought and so very hard to believe. I always imagined my Mom in her late 90's, doing astrological natal charts, reading tarot cards, hanging with her best friends and dragging those willing out on a Friday night for yet another weekend of dancing. Cooking all of Nonna's tried and true recipes for all us girls and our families on Sundays, and mostly being the pillar of family life she had become. I guess she had other plans and moved on to be the true Star she always saw herself as, just like the one in that deck of cards she kept wrapped in silk. The first year without her I walked the beaches of Hawaii and threw flowers to the ocean, the second year I left trinkets in the snow by her grave, and then each year thereafter - I now realize - I've pushed further and further from all the gifts and wisdom she shared with me, in some kind of denial/punishment/rage for my lack of understanding how someone so vibrant, health conscious, artistic and truly unique could just up and leave like that. I stopped the magic inside me and I only "real"ized that truth today. The magic never left me you see...I left the magic, and I forgot how to live with my TRUE self, the person I was shaped to become when I was born to such a clever/healing/loving mother. The last month or so I started re-visiting that little girl in me, who was fascintated with the stars and begged for just one more reading. Who liked to stand beside her mother with healing hands and draw the white light from the heavens, believing without a shadow of a doubt, that love and faith is better than taking two aspirins any day of the week! Wishing on rainbows, shooting stars, the flowers that you blow on as they take your dreams to the winds...all of it, I am feeling all of it again, and I will never let it go this time. Seven long years, it has taken my heart to mend, and the pieces are still a little tattered around the edges, but today, when I look out at the stars and I think of my mom, my first best friend, I can truly say I am at peace with her passing and I no longer feel anything but love and grateful thanks for every minute I had with her physically, and welcome our continued love that we undeniably share eternally. I am back to meditating daily, sending healing rays to all I love, reading up on astrology and even did an online tarot reading for my birthday - something she would have really dug!!!! I do miss her hugs though, even her sarcasm -and of course- her wit. But I proudly announce that today, I am back - 100% pure ME and it feels fucking great! By the way, that tarot reading I did online basically ended with the Star card as my destiny. I know that's you Mom, watching my back, just like always. I LOVE YOU RINA ANN TORRICE!!! XXOOXXOO

Her favorite tarot card - The Star - of course! Here's what it means...

What has traditionally been known as the Star card is about reconnecting one's Soul with the Divine -- the transcending of personality, family, community and reputation. It has to do ultimately with the freedom to be one's Self. The Soul is responding to celestial influences -- forces that can provide the personality with a stronger sense of purpose. The Star card helps us to remember our exalted origins and our attraction to a Higher Union.

This card could also be called the "Celestial Mandate" -- that which refers us back to our reason for being, our mission in this lifetime. The Star reminds us that, in a sense, we are agents of Divine Will in our day-to-day lives. If we let go of the idea that we are supposed to be in control, we can more easily notice and appreciate the synchronicities that are nudging us along. In this way, we become more conscious of the invisible Helping Hand, and we better understand our place within -- and value to -- the larger Cosmos.

Poetic..or rather...Musical justice

2010-01-10T13:24:00.000-08:00

When I started blogging I made a pact with myself to keep it light and find a way to bring, if not laughter, at least a smile to my face and yours. There's already enough "buzz kills" in this world, we don't need blog sites with a bunch of rants and raves out there since the world is already full of news stories giving us bad news daily. That being said, I've been thinking long and hard on how I could make a personal statement to the airlines that Tara flew out on this last trip to see us. I was so disgusted in her story, and as it turned out, many more people I know who experienced real crappy service during the holidays. So... when I got this email about this guy Dave who found a creative solution to make his voice heard I knew I had to post it right away. Airlines are taking more and more money, giving us less room (I swear the seats are stacked twice as close as they used to be), less luggage and weight allowances and WAY less customer service, and we're bitching and moaning to each other, but not making them change a thing. The longer we allow it, the more it will continue to happen and I am not happy about it. Are you? Let's all be more like Dave and sound off in the best way we know how. Tara, this one's for you.
BTW - TARA DID NOT FLY OR HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH UNITED, but Dave did!
United Airlines and The Guitar

This is a true, and wonderful, story....

A musician named Dave Carroll recently had difficulty with United Airlines. United apparently damaged his treasured Taylor guitar ($3500) during a flight. Dave spent over 9 months trying to get United to pay for damages caused by baggage handlers to his custom Taylor guitar.

During his final exchange with the United Customer Relations Manager, he stated that he was left with no choice other than to create a music video for YouTube exposing their lack of cooperation. The Manager responded : "Good luck with that one, pal".

So he posted a retaliatory video on YouTube. The video has since received over 6.8 million hits. United Airlines contacted the musician and attempted settlement in exchange for pulling the video. Naturally his response was: "Good luck with that one, pal".

Taylor Guitars sent the musician 2 new custom guitars in appreciation for the product recognition from the video that has lead to a sharp increase in orders.

Here's the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo&feature=channel

Someone...anyone

2010-01-07T12:31:00.000-08:00

I just got this picture in from Dee, who got the picture from Jillian and now I need to know where I can find these - pronto! Anyone???

If I could be a Christmas card, this is what I'd look like :)

2010-01-07T12:28:00.000-08:00

Nice is sooooo over-rated! Ho Ho Ho to the Kaufmann Clan!

Look who's having a birthday!

2010-01-07T12:26:00.000-08:00

Wishing Brynn and Tess the Happiest 6th Birthday! And happy giving birth day Sandi!

Wisdom for the New Year

2010-01-01T04:56:00.000-08:00

Found on a NYC storefront window by Tara

The best moments are these...

2009-12-29T03:08:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-21T13:31:00.000-08:00

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

Winter Solstice Celebrations

2009-12-21T12:30:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-12-20T12:26:00.000-08:00

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

Merry Christmas to All!

Mikayla Bliss

2009-12-17T07:52:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-17T07:39:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-10T13:07:00.000-08:00

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

Congratulations Mike!

2009-12-10T12:57:00.000-08:00

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

Giving Thanks!

2009-12-10T12:21:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-07T14:27:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-22T21:55:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-22T01:57:00.000-08:00

Happy Sunday :)

Alternative gift ideas

2009-11-20T06:44:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-20T06:15:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-19T09:16:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-12T22:15:00.000-08:00

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?

2009-11-11T01:18:00.000-08:00

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...

2009-11-04T02:38:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-03T04:47:00.000-08:00

Halloween Day 2

2009-11-03T04:45:00.000-08:00

Halloween Day 1

2009-11-03T04:38:00.000-08:00

Why I love Halloween

2009-11-03T04:28:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-01T22:51:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-10-27T05:21:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-27T05:14:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-27T05:05:00.000-07:00

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????