Moving Days: The first day

We moved all our stuff yesterday morning with the help of our dear dear dear friends (we love you!)

Last night was odd, being in a new place. We're in the forest so it was darker than our old home, and colder too. My eyes never adjusted in the dark and I kept waking up excited to be in the new house yet worrying about all the things we still have to do like go back on Monday and shampoo our old rugs. Life is so full of "to dos"

We went to the Elf Magic Christmas Fair here in Willits today stood in line for an hour and still didn't get to see Santa :(

Life is brimming with the craziness of moving but where so glad to be home!

Moving Days: The first day

We moved all our stuff yesterday morning with the help of our dear dear dear friends (we love you!)

Last night was odd, being in a new place. We're in the forest so it was darker than our old home, and colder too. My eyes never adjusted in the dark and I kept waking up excited to be in the new house yet worrying about all the things we still have to do like go back on Monday and shampoo our old rugs. Life is so full of "to dos"

We went to the Elf Magic Christmas Fair here in Willits today stood in line for an hour and still didn't get to see Santa :(

Life is brimming with the craziness of moving but where so glad to be home!

WDI Europe Results

IDAS 2008 TOURNAMENT
SEMIFINALS

ROOM 1

1 Univ Ljubljana CIMERMAN-DOBRANIC 2ND OPP
4 Univ Ljubljana JAKOVAC-PLOSTAJNER 1ST GOV ADVANCES
5 Cornell SOLLOWAY-STITELER 1ST OPP
8 Serbia-Croatia JANKULOSKI-BLACE 2ND GOV ADVANCES

JUDGES: FISCHER, LOKE, LLANO

ROOM 2

2 Germany HILDEBRANDT-ASYAMOVA 1ST GOV ADVANCES
3 Vermont CARESS-NATALE 2ND GOV ADVANCES
6 Slovenia ZVEPLAN-CVIKL 2ND OPP
7 Slovenia PODLOGAR-JANZEK

JUDGES: GREENLAND, MORGAN, LANGONE

THBT the United Nations should send a multinational peacekeeping force to Sri Lanka.

FINALS

ROOM 1

1st GOV JANKULOSKI-BLACE
2ND GOV JAKOVAC-PLOSTAJNER
1ST OPP HILDEBRANDT-ASYAMOVA FIRST PLACE
2ND OPP CARESS-NATALE SECOND PLACE

JUDGES: MORGAN, MARUSIC, LOKE, LLANO, GREENLAND

THBT violent action to protect the environment is justified.

SPEAKERS

Position Name Team Total points Average Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6
1 Natale Caress-Natale 482 80.33 85 77 83 78 83 76
2 Hildebrandt Hildebrandt-Asyamova 476 79.33 82 82 74 77 83 78
2 (3) Plostajner Jakovac-Plostajner 476 79.33 75 79 81 79 78 84
4 (5) Asaymova Hildebrandt-Asyamova 472 78.66 81 80 76 74 84 77
4 Podlogar Podlogar-Janzek 472 78.66 80 81 79 73 80 79
6 Dobranic Cimerman-Dobranic 470 78.33 78 78 80 82 77 75
6 (7) Caress Caress-Natale 470 78.33 82 76 79 75 82 76
8 (9) Cimerman Cimerman-Dobranic 468 78.00 76 79 78 81 78 76
8 Jakovac Jakovac-Plostajner 468 78.00 65 82 82 78 77 84
8 (10) Zveplan Zveplan-Cvikl 468 78.00 75 76 78 84 78 77

IDAS 08 TOURNAMENT MOTIONS

ROUND ONE
THW make voting compulsory.

ROUND TWO
THW not negotiate with the leaders of Iran.

ROUND THREE
This house would not prosecute battered wives for killing their husbands.

ROUND FOUR
TH would allow the advertising of prescription drugs.

ROUND FIVE
THBT governments should not bailout failing corporations.

ROUND SIX
This House would ban international adoption.

SEMIFINALS
THBT the United Nations should send a multinational peacekeeping force to Sri Lanka.

FINALS
THBT violent action to protect the environment is justified.

Full results at bottom of USA WUDC results page:
http://debate.uvm.edu/usudc/usudctab0809.html

November 29, 2008 - How the Light Gets In

I’ve been paging through Jean Shinoda Bolen’s Close to the Bone: Life- Threatening Illness and the Search for Meaning (Scribner, 1996). It’s her contention that serious illness catapults many of us into a spiritual country we’d scarcely dreamed existed:

“Whenever or however that line from health to illness is crossed, we enter this realm of soul. Illness is both soul-shaking and soul-evoking for the patient and for all others for whom the patient matters. We lose an innocence, we know vulnerability, we are no longer who we were before this event, and we will never be the same. We are in uncharted terrain, and there is no turning back. Illness is a profound soul event, and yet this is virtually ignored and unaddressed. Instead, everything seems to be focused on the part of the body that is sick, damaged, failing, or out of control.

A hospital has much in common with an auto body repair shop. It is there with its staff of specialists to diagnose, fix, or replace what it can of the physical body to get it running again. The patient and those accompanying the patient through this crisis are considered to behave well if they do not get in the way of whatever the doctors want to do with the ailing body. Troublesome patients (or their troublesome significant others) ask questions, want to understand what is wrong and why a particular treatment and not something else has been selected, bother doctors with requests, or don't respond properly. The medical setting is one in which there is a definite line of authority, with the doctor in charge and others responsible for carrying out orders. A good patient like a good soldier is one who cooperates or obeys orders. Especially when cancer is the diagnosis but in many other conditions as well, the doctor's perspective is often similar to a general at war: the disease is the enemy to be fought, with the body of the patient the battleground.” (pp. 14-15)

We human beings are more than the sum of our parts. That’s a conviction that’s driven my vocation in ministry for all these years, and that’s become more and more real to me in my lately-discovered role as cancer survivor.

As a lymphoma survivor, I’ve become used to the medical observation that my cancer is not localized, but systemic. It can’t be treated surgically, because it involves the entire lymphatic system, whose vessels and capillaries snake their way throughout my body. My cancer is part of me, and I a part of it. Whatever treatment I’ve had – and may have to receive in the future – will take out not only the malignancy, but a portion of my healthy self as well.

Yet, as I’m coming to learn, the experience of cancer treatment can also build up my healthy self – particularly its spiritual dimension – in unexpected ways. It’s no empty platitude to state that cancer can be – and often is – a life-changing experience. Bolen continues:

“A life-threatening illness calls to the soul, taps into spiritual resources, and can be initiation into the soul realm for the patient and for anyone else who is touched by the mystery that accompanies the possibility of death. When life is lived at the edge-in the border realm between life and death-it is a liminal time and place. Liminal comes from the Latin word for ‘threshold....’

Illness, especially when death is a possibility, makes us acutely aware of how precious life is and how precious a particular life is. Priorities shift. We may see the truth of what matters, who matters, and what we have been doing with our lives and have to decide what to do – now that we know. Significant relationships are tested and either come through strengthened or fail. Pain and fear bring us to our knees in prayer. Our spiritual and religious convictions or the lack of them are called into question. Illness is an ordeal for both body and soul, and a time when healing of either or both can result.” (p. 15)

The words of songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen come to mind:

“You can add up the parts
but you won't have the sum
You can strike up the march,
there is no drum
Every heart, every heart
to love will come
but like a refugee.

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.”

(From “Anthem,” by Leonard Cohen)

Most of us spend our lives looking for that light, in one way or another. The oddly paradoxical truth about cancer is that, for those of its victims who can lift up their eyes from the dusty path in front of them and glance up towards the sky, it can provide a glimpse of the light.

Moving Days: Happy Thankgiving

Blessed Thanksgiving to you all!



We will be celebrating this day with munchies, family and warm cozy spots to rest our packing tired bodies. We're excited to have my sis Gina with us here this year! She's a jolly little elf who brightens any room!



Right now I'm feeling thankful for:



- Cuddly soft mornings in family bed where I get to see two big brown eyes and two big blue eyes flutter open each morning under the glow of the golden sun streaming through the window.



- Sweet kisses on my cheek from Seth as I mash potatoes.



- Naked baby butts.



- Good friends who love me.



- A country on the verge of change.



- Short days and long stories at bedtime.



- Dreams about birth.



What are you thankful for?

Moving Days: Happy Thankgiving

Blessed Thanksgiving to you all!



We will be celebrating this day with munchies, family and warm cozy spots to rest our packing tired bodies. We're excited to have my sis Gina with us here this year! She's a jolly little elf who brightens any room!



Right now I'm feeling thankful for:



- Cuddly soft mornings in family bed where I get to see two big brown eyes and two big blue eyes flutter open each morning under the glow of the golden sun streaming through the window.



- Sweet kisses on my cheek from Seth as I mash potatoes.



- Naked baby butts.



- Good friends who love me.



- A country on the verge of change.



- Short days and long stories at bedtime.



- Dreams about birth.



What are you thankful for?

WDI Europe/International Debate Academy Begins

Sam Greenland speaks in the demo debate

Arrivals can be difficult and this one was no exception. All are now here and safe. Now we are about 80 people from 15 countries here for a week before we move to Maribor for the tournament.

Sunday night most people had arrived and a demo debate was featured. The motion was “This house would punish parents for the crimes of their minor children." It was an all-star cast, with Debbie Newman (world champion WSDC coach for England, England-Wales debate champion, former president of Cambridge Union) debating with Sam Greenland (Sydney WUDC semifinalist in 2007, former Hong Kong WSDC coach) were opening proposition, Sam Natale (top speaker, Northeast Universities 2008, University of Vermont) and Lucas Caress (top speaker, Global Youth Debate Conclave, Bangalore 2008, University of Vermont) were closing proposition; Filip Dobranic (twice top EFL speaker at WSDC, University of Ljubljana) and Maja Cimerman (EFL world WSDC champion, University of Ljubljana) were opening opposition, and last but not least Steve Llano (former national champion coach in USA, St. John's University) and Loke Wing Fatt (Singapore, WUDC breaking judge, father of debate in China) as closing opposition. It was a very spirited debate, chaired by Berlin Debating Union's Jens Fischer, and caused a great deal of discussion among he students. The video is coming soon.

Each day has the same schedule. There is an 8:45 AM organizational meeting at breakfast, followed by a series of lectures divided by experience level. After one hour there is a brief break before we meet again for an hour of drills on the subject of the lectures to help turn theoretical materials into behavior and habit. Then a motion is given and everyone has a debate with a long critique. There is a lunch break followed by a digestion break before the afternoon's activities take place. There are two one-hour period for elective classes. During each of these periods between five and seven different topics are offered, and students can choose which they would like to go to. I will send along a list of enacted electives later. After the second elective of the afternoon another motion is announced and with another debate and a long critique before dinner.

The first practice debate motions were:
1-THW pay a salary to stay-at-home parents
2-TH would create separate units for gays in the military.
3-THBT supporting Georgia's NATO bid is more important than maintaining good relations with Russia.
4-THBT the capitalist experiment has failed.
5-THW criminalize Holocaust denial.

Evenings have had a considerable social component. On Monday night the Country Exhibition took place where students brought items, foods, beverages and other things from their country on display and shared them with everyone. This was a robust affair of international fraternity and lasted well into the night. On Tuesday evening the traditional Slovenian "Kitsch Party" took place. Students swapped clothing and dressed outrageously for the party. It raged for quite a while before the judging took place. Sam(antha) Ricker of the University of Vermont was the winner, looking quite good in ponytails and wearing Helena Felc's pajamas. Second place was Don(na) Bracciodieta of St. John's, who had nice cleavage. Pictures will be coming along soon.

Having been at all six International Debate Academy sessions, I would say that the experience level and excellence of the teams is growing immensely here and all over Europe and the world.

Stay tuned for more from Ormoz.

First Time Ferris Wheel Ride

My boys both rode a ferris wheel for the first time at the Pumpkin Patch celebration. Nykki was thrilled but very careful. On the other hand, I had to hold Ronan down from jumping out of the cab! Seriously, he was struggling the whole time to climb out - very excited about how high he was. Nyk on the other hand was reverent, he didn't move a muscle but stayed in awe.







My boys are so different I sometimes wonder how they can be related at all. LOL!



It's times like the ferris wheel ride that I especially cherish these two very unique little souls that have Heavenly Parents have sent Seth and I.







In other news we have signed a year long lease, paid the deposit and are officially moving on Saturday! I'm still in shock we actually got the place. I honestly feel like a princess right now, moving into a palace!

First Time Ferris Wheel Ride

My boys both rode a ferris wheel for the first time at the Pumpkin Patch celebration. Nykki was thrilled but very careful. On the other hand, I had to hold Ronan down from jumping out of the cab! Seriously, he was struggling the whole time to climb out - very excited about how high he was. Nyk on the other hand was reverent, he didn't move a muscle but stayed in awe.







My boys are so different I sometimes wonder how they can be related at all. LOL!



It's times like the ferris wheel ride that I especially cherish these two very unique little souls that have Heavenly Parents have sent Seth and I.







In other news we have signed a year long lease, paid the deposit and are officially moving on Saturday! I'm still in shock we actually got the place. I honestly feel like a princess right now, moving into a palace!

Rainbows Truly Are God's Promise

I've been reflecting a lot on rainbows lately. My sister Gina LOVES rainbows and Nykki and her have been drawing up a rainbow storm :)



Rainbows speak to us on a deep level. I think of ancient man and woman kind basking in the afterglow of a fresh rain. A rainbow is the perfect mix of rain and sunshine - the building blocks of life.



In all this rushing about during our big move I'm focusing on rainbows. What are you focusing on right now?

Rainbows Truly Are God's Promise

I've been reflecting a lot on rainbows lately. My sister Gina LOVES rainbows and Nykki and her have been drawing up a rainbow storm :)



Rainbows speak to us on a deep level. I think of ancient man and woman kind basking in the afterglow of a fresh rain. A rainbow is the perfect mix of rain and sunshine - the building blocks of life.



In all this rushing about during our big move I'm focusing on rainbows. What are you focusing on right now?

November 23, 2008 - Brenden's Last Wish

This morning I have the TV news on while getting dressed, and I catch a CNN news item about the recent death of Brenden Foster, an 11-year-old boy with leukemia. It’s a sad story, to be sure, but there’s something very unusual – and powerful – about the way this young boy faces the reality of his own death. Brenden seems preternaturally calm, and incredibly accepting of the fact that his life is going to be far shorter than that of any of his peers.

Searching on YouTube later, I find this clip of an interview with him that aired a week before he died – a portion of which was included in the CNN story I saw:



Brenden exhibits what could be called the “It is what it is” approach to dealing with cancer. There’s a sort of wistfulness about him – not sadness, necessarily, but a detached, philosophical acceptance of what’s about to take place. Maybe there was a time when Brenden raged against the news of his own death, or denied it – but, if he ever was in such a place, he seems to have transcended it. He’s progressed far beyond those stages of the dying process.

I find Brendan’s demeanor calming, and beautiful. Would that we could all accept our own mortality with such equanimity.

We have a house!

We found a rental home! We are so excited and hope to be moved in by Thanksgiving! The house is in North Willits, where we use to live, in a small township. It's near one of our favorite hiking trails and is minutes from many of our friends!



In a way I'm bummed to move away from the friends I've made here in Lake County but I know this is the right move for us. Seth has been offered work in Willits and I too have been offered to teach yoga again and perhaps restart the Waldorf playgroup. It's the right move for us :)



The house is a dream come true. A great low price, 3 bedrooms, two baths, new carpet, new windows, etc. Everything is very well kept and in good repair. I'm so in love with it! The kitchen is really big with lots of counter space. A window above the sink will help my daily mediation of dish washing. The home sits up on a hill in a wooded area with lots of redwood trees and a wrap-around porch. The neighbors have a son a little younger than Nykki :)







On our trip out the show my sister the house we found 3 butter bolete mushrooms! Yum! That one is my favorite! What a beautiful welcome home gift from nature! I can't wait to get some garden bed going in the sunny front of the property, a little greenhouse, ya know, grow some yummies.







I hope the move is smooth and not too much stress. *crossing fingers* Well, I'm off to pack!



(the magickal, fairy backyard)

We have a house!

We found a rental home! We are so excited and hope to be moved in by Thanksgiving! The house is in North Willits, where we use to live, in a small township. It's near one of our favorite hiking trails and is minutes from many of our friends!



In a way I'm bummed to move away from the friends I've made here in Lake County but I know this is the right move for us. Seth has been offered work in Willits and I too have been offered to teach yoga again and perhaps restart the Waldorf playgroup. It's the right move for us :)



The house is a dream come true. A great low price, 3 bedrooms, two baths, new carpet, new windows, etc. Everything is very well kept and in good repair. I'm so in love with it! The kitchen is really big with lots of counter space. A window above the sink will help my daily mediation of dish washing. The home sits up on a hill in a wooded area with lots of redwood trees and a wrap-around porch. The neighbors have a son a little younger than Nykki :)







On our trip out the show my sister the house we found 3 butter bolete mushrooms! Yum! That one is my favorite! What a beautiful welcome home gift from nature! I can't wait to get some garden bed going in the sunny front of the property, a little greenhouse, ya know, grow some yummies.







I hope the move is smooth and not too much stress. *crossing fingers* Well, I'm off to pack!



(the magickal, fairy backyard)

November 21, 2008 - Always On My Guard

Busy week. So busy, in fact, that I’ve been meeting myself coming and going, as they say.

Diane, our church secretary, gave notice a couple of weeks ago – early retirement – and, as of this week, is no longer on the job. We’re muddling through with the help of Dottie, our part-time secretary, who’s graciously agreed to give us a few extra hours. Last week, we ran an ad in the classifieds for our modestly-compensated, 30-hour-a-week position. Bam! In no time at all, there was a stack of over 120 resumes spilling off my desktop. (That compares to about 25, the last time we ran a similar ad in response to a secretarial vacancy.)

I’d originally booked the classified ad to run for 10 days. I called the newspaper up and canceled it after 4.

It’s a comment on the state of the economy – not only the sheer number of applicants, but also who they were. Real-estate agents. Legal secretaries. College graduates. Even two or three people with MBAs.

It’s also a comment on the state of health care in America – because, even though our pay scale is barely competitive with for-profit businesses, we do offer excellent health-care benefits: Blue Cross/Blue Shield, through the Presbyterian Pension Plan, for the employee AND family. I think that’s what sent them flocking to our door (or, I should say, to our e-mail address and fax machine). Decent, employer-funded medical insurance with a 30-hour-a-week position is pretty uncommon, it would seem.

But, I digress. I started commenting on how crazy-busy I’ve been, as a prelude to talking about an annoying little medical problem I’ve developed. It may or may not have been exacerbated by lack of sleep.

I’ve got a mouth ulcer, inside my cheek opposite my gums, that’s getting more and more painful. My cheek’s even starting to get a little swollen. Time to see the dentist, I guess. I wouldn’t want to think it’s some kind of abscess, though I suppose it could be – even though there’s no pain coming from any of the nearby teeth.

I have to confess, though, that one of my first thoughts was, “What if it’s cancer?” My rational mind says it couldn’t really be lymphoma, because I’m not aware of any lymph nodes in that part of the face (I checked a couple of anatomy diagrams on the web, just to be sure). The very fact that this thought came to mind, though, is a side-effect of my cancer survivorship.

The thought of recurrence is never far away – even more so for someone like me, whose cancer has already recurred, though it’s been advancing at a snail’s pace.

Most likely, it’s a minor dental problem of some sort – although it’s hard to keep my mind from jumping to the worst possible alternative.

I suppose my mind will always play such tricks on me. Goes with the territory, I suppose.

Whats been on my needles

I recently finished a pair of warm, wool leggings for Ronan. Wool leggings are a dream when it comes to winter pottying. I can leave Ronan's bum free, so he remembers to go on the potty, yet keep his legs warm.







Here's a pair of two needle socks. I adore two needle socks! Here's the pattern I like best. I knitted these while on the phone to my dear friend Maggie *waves*!



Simple homemade clothes are a true gift. Through knitting I create independence.



What are you creating? What independence are you cultivating?





(Optional Reading) The Mormon Perspective



D and C 42:40 The Lord commanded His people be sure that "all thy garments be plain, and their beauty the beauty of the work of thine own hands."

Whats been on my needles

I recently finished a pair of warm, wool leggings for Ronan. Wool leggings are a dream when it comes to winter pottying. I can leave Ronan's bum free, so he remembers to go on the potty, yet keep his legs warm.







Here's a pair of two needle socks. I adore two needle socks! Here's the pattern I like best. I knitted these while on the phone to my dear friend Maggie *waves*!



Simple homemade clothes are a true gift. Through knitting I create independence.



What are you creating? What independence are you cultivating?





(Optional Reading) The Mormon Perspective



D and C 42:40 The Lord commanded His people be sure that "all thy garments be plain, and their beauty the beauty of the work of thine own hands."

Winter Gift Letter

Wow, the warm days are truckin' right along here in Nor Cal, it's feeling kinda hard to get into the holiday spirit. We're still looking for a rental and I'm wondering where we will decide to go for Thanksgiving. I'm really testing the limits of my fear zone these days - being so close to moving time without a rental lined up but I'm confident and I have faith.



Anyways....



So here's a copy of the winter gift idea letter I sent out to friends and family recently. I thought I would share this with my readers since I know many of you may be wondering how to create a gift list that reflects a natural play environment yet is accessible to those who are not following that lifestyle. I always try to be kind yet set some solid guidelines. Let me know what you think and feel free to copy any or all of it if you want to use it for resources, ideas, etc.



Hugs :)





Dear Friends and family,



Here you will find a list of suggested gifts for Nykki and Ronan this holiday season. We have worked very hard as a family to come up with a wide variety of suggestions which can be purchase at many different merchants, all over the country. Hopefully this makes it easier to do your holiday shopping this year.



As many of you are aware we practice a parenting and homeschooling philosophy based on the Rudolph Steiner (also called Waldorf) method. Please understand that we wish to create and educated with the most imaginative, natural and authentic play things for our children. We will not be able to keep items which do not fit our lifestyle.



For us homeschool and life are intertwined. Nearly everyday the boys are involved in some type of natural, creative project and this constitutes a large percentage of their playtime as well as the highest demand on our resources. You will find on this list many craft material suggestions and may wonder how these are "played" with by the boys. If you wish to know more specifics about the crafts the boys do, like felting, needle work, baking, painting, water color, knitting, etc. feel free to email me.



Homemade



We love homemade things! Here are some simple projects anyone can do that would really warm the boys hearts. The links beneath show you how to make them.



Felt Blocks

http://www.canadianliving.com/crafts/sewing/soft_blocks_to_sew_for_baby.php



Gnomes

http://squirrelacorns.blogspot.com/2008/02/felt-gnome-tutorial.html



Cloth Dolls

http://www.clothdollconnection.com/FreePatterns.html



Kites

http://www.skratch-pad.com/kites/make.html





Nykki



Stockmar Molding Beeswax

can be found at www.waldorfsupplies.com



Wool felt and felting needle (can be found at most craft stores)



100% cotton clothing size 7T or higher



Wooden Doll House



Spanish learning books (no logos please)



Wooden or Metal Kitchen pretend play things



Keen or teva shoes size 1



Pirate and/or space man dress up clothes



Metal Slinkey



Books and/or puzzles about space





Ronan



Stockmar block crayons

can be found at www.waldorfsupplies.com



100% cotton clothes size 2-3 T



Spanish board books



Shoes size 7



Balls (medium to large size, no small please, he still has chocking issues)



Metal Slinkey



Bath Toys



Underwear size 3 T







General



Water color paper



Drawing paper



Natural paints (Michaels Craft Store has a wonderful new "green" line)



Paint brushes



Traditional Medicinal Teas for Kids (found at most health food stores)



Wool Yarn



Embroidery Thread



Play Silks

can be found at www.threesisterstoys.com



Organic Baby soaps and lotions, Organic Bubble Bath (can be found at Wild Oats, Trader Joes or Whole Foods)



Herbs for Kids tinctures



Wool or cotton socks





DVDs



Cirque d'Solei



Star Trek Movies



Star Wars Movies



Classic Scooby Doo



The Sound of Music



Yellow Submarine



The Secret Garden



(Please note that we do allow the kids to see some selected "logo" based shows such as Scooby Doo but we do not believe in cross marketing i.e. "stuff" that goes along with logo TV. Please do not purchase logo items, we will not be able to keep them)



Websites



Here is a list of online mom and pop shops we LOVE. There wholesome products are always a winner.



www.threesisterstoys.com



www.novanatural.com



www.blueberryforest.com





Thank you and merry solstice!



Ayla, Seth, Nykki and Ronan

Winter Gift Letter

Wow, the warm days are truckin' right along here in Nor Cal, it's feeling kinda hard to get into the holiday spirit. We're still looking for a rental and I'm wondering where we will decide to go for Thanksgiving. I'm really testing the limits of my fear zone these days - being so close to moving time without a rental lined up but I'm confident and I have faith.



Anyways....



So here's a copy of the winter gift idea letter I sent out to friends and family recently. I thought I would share this with my readers since I know many of you may be wondering how to create a gift list that reflects a natural play environment yet is accessible to those who are not following that lifestyle. I always try to be kind yet set some solid guidelines. Let me know what you think and feel free to copy any or all of it if you want to use it for resources, ideas, etc.



Hugs :)





Dear Friends and family,



Here you will find a list of suggested gifts for Nykki and Ronan this holiday season. We have worked very hard as a family to come up with a wide variety of suggestions which can be purchase at many different merchants, all over the country. Hopefully this makes it easier to do your holiday shopping this year.



As many of you are aware we practice a parenting and homeschooling philosophy based on the Rudolph Steiner (also called Waldorf) method. Please understand that we wish to create and educated with the most imaginative, natural and authentic play things for our children. We will not be able to keep items which do not fit our lifestyle.



For us homeschool and life are intertwined. Nearly everyday the boys are involved in some type of natural, creative project and this constitutes a large percentage of their playtime as well as the highest demand on our resources. You will find on this list many craft material suggestions and may wonder how these are "played" with by the boys. If you wish to know more specifics about the crafts the boys do, like felting, needle work, baking, painting, water color, knitting, etc. feel free to email me.



Homemade



We love homemade things! Here are some simple projects anyone can do that would really warm the boys hearts. The links beneath show you how to make them.



Felt Blocks

http://www.canadianliving.com/crafts/sewing/soft_blocks_to_sew_for_baby.php



Gnomes

http://squirrelacorns.blogspot.com/2008/02/felt-gnome-tutorial.html



Cloth Dolls

http://www.clothdollconnection.com/FreePatterns.html



Kites

http://www.skratch-pad.com/kites/make.html





Nykki



Stockmar Molding Beeswax

can be found at www.waldorfsupplies.com



Wool felt and felting needle (can be found at most craft stores)



100% cotton clothing size 7T or higher



Wooden Doll House



Spanish learning books (no logos please)



Wooden or Metal Kitchen pretend play things



Keen or teva shoes size 1



Pirate and/or space man dress up clothes



Metal Slinkey



Books and/or puzzles about space





Ronan



Stockmar block crayons

can be found at www.waldorfsupplies.com



100% cotton clothes size 2-3 T



Spanish board books



Shoes size 7



Balls (medium to large size, no small please, he still has chocking issues)



Metal Slinkey



Bath Toys



Underwear size 3 T







General



Water color paper



Drawing paper



Natural paints (Michaels Craft Store has a wonderful new "green" line)



Paint brushes



Traditional Medicinal Teas for Kids (found at most health food stores)



Wool Yarn



Embroidery Thread



Play Silks

can be found at www.threesisterstoys.com



Organic Baby soaps and lotions, Organic Bubble Bath (can be found at Wild Oats, Trader Joes or Whole Foods)



Herbs for Kids tinctures



Wool or cotton socks





DVDs



Cirque d'Solei



Star Trek Movies



Star Wars Movies



Classic Scooby Doo



The Sound of Music



Yellow Submarine



The Secret Garden



(Please note that we do allow the kids to see some selected "logo" based shows such as Scooby Doo but we do not believe in cross marketing i.e. "stuff" that goes along with logo TV. Please do not purchase logo items, we will not be able to keep them)



Websites



Here is a list of online mom and pop shops we LOVE. There wholesome products are always a winner.



www.threesisterstoys.com



www.novanatural.com



www.blueberryforest.com





Thank you and merry solstice!



Ayla, Seth, Nykki and Ronan

November 17, 2008 - Do You Really Know How I'm Feeling?

This evening I attend the monthly blood cancers support group at The Wellness Community, sponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It’s our usual gathering of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma survivors, plus a couple of new faces.

One statement that elicits a strong response from the group is the line, “I know just what you’re feeling.” One of the group members is sharing how he hates to hear that line from friends and family members who don’t themselves have cancer. Several other group members chime in: they don’t especially like hearing that statement, either.

Just talking about it brings one of the group members to tears. Whenever she hears that line, she takes it as a sign that the other person is minimizing her feelings.

“She’s right,” I think to myself. “That surely is an insensitive thing to say to someone with cancer.” But then, I remind myself that I do pastoral counseling as part of my work. Lots of people out there haven’t had the benefit of clinical counseling training. They just don’t get it. One of the first things our professors taught us in our seminary counseling courses was how phony and superficial that sort of statement sounds to the recipient.

Do we ever truly understand what another person is feeling? Even at our most empathetic, we only get partway there. In order to have a truly honest and open exchange, we need to allow room for listening to what the other is saying – especially about feelings that go beyond our own, limited experience.

No, we never fully know what another person is feeling. But we can listen. And that’s a great start.

I Value Climbing Trees

So I can't say I've been climbing that many trees - perhaps I should - but Nykki has really been feeling his own strength lately as he ascends the many walnut trees around our home.



We've been blessed with a few sunny, warm days this week, after a large down pour of rain we had two weeks ago. The golden sunlight as his compass, Nykki has pushed toes into bark, grappled for study limbs, scraped, wedged and vollied himself up into the autumn tree tops.



I've thought about calling him down to do work on his letters or pick up his toys - but ya know what? I truly value his tree climbing, I do. It builds strength, confidence, and self reliance not to mention he is uniting with this ancient earth cousin to join together in a common goal while building a friendship with this living, breathing tree.



Part of homeschooling for our family is knowing when not to interupt the magnificant spiritual bond a child forms with nature. I'm really into not interrupting this week. What are you not interupting, what are you letting form and flow?







(Optional Reading)



The Mormon Witch perspective:



Trees are very dear to our Heavenly parents. In 1 Nephi 11 Nephi wishes to know the meaning of the tree of life seen in his father, Lehi's, vision. The tree of life is a common religious theme. We find spiritual trees and trees related to Gods spanning our bright blue globe from ancient Celtic lore to Japanese folk tales.



The answer Nephi recieves regarding his question as to the meaning of the tree of life is a vision of the Virgin mother holding her infant. Given the fact that the ancient Israelite God El's companion was a Goddess know as Asherah, it's not surprising that the scholar Daniel C. Peterson concluded that the tree of life in the Book of Mormon was associated with the Goddess Asherah - the consort of El and Mother to all.



I don't know what levels are active in Nykki when he climbs his trees. I think his present conciousness probably sees it as fun and invigorating. His racing heart, his moving muscles cry out in health and joy. His lungs take in fresh, clean air but somewhere in his still dreaming state he is climbing the tree of life, he is connectiong in his own way to Asherah - and I value that.

I Value Climbing Trees

So I can't say I've been climbing that many trees - perhaps I should - but Nykki has really been feeling his own strength lately as he ascends the many walnut trees around our home.



We've been blessed with a few sunny, warm days this week, after a large down pour of rain we had two weeks ago. The golden sunlight as his compass, Nykki has pushed toes into bark, grappled for study limbs, scraped, wedged and vollied himself up into the autumn tree tops.



I've thought about calling him down to do work on his letters or pick up his toys - but ya know what? I truly value his tree climbing, I do. It builds strength, confidence, and self reliance not to mention he is uniting with this ancient earth cousin to join together in a common goal while building a friendship with this living, breathing tree.



Part of homeschooling for our family is knowing when not to interupt the magnificant spiritual bond a child forms with nature. I'm really into not interrupting this week. What are you not interupting, what are you letting form and flow?







(Optional Reading)



The Mormon Witch perspective:



Trees are very dear to our Heavenly parents. In 1 Nephi 11 Nephi wishes to know the meaning of the tree of life seen in his father, Lehi's, vision. The tree of life is a common religious theme. We find spiritual trees and trees related to Gods spanning our bright blue globe from ancient Celtic lore to Japanese folk tales.



The answer Nephi recieves regarding his question as to the meaning of the tree of life is a vision of the Virgin mother holding her infant. Given the fact that the ancient Israelite God El's companion was a Goddess know as Asherah, it's not surprising that the scholar Daniel C. Peterson concluded that the tree of life in the Book of Mormon was associated with the Goddess Asherah - the consort of El and Mother to all.



I don't know what levels are active in Nykki when he climbs his trees. I think his present conciousness probably sees it as fun and invigorating. His racing heart, his moving muscles cry out in health and joy. His lungs take in fresh, clean air but somewhere in his still dreaming state he is climbing the tree of life, he is connectiong in his own way to Asherah - and I value that.

Update!!!! I've missed you!

Here's a rare snap shot of my man. He's camera shy most of the time. I don't know why. Ain't he sexy? :) (psst....he's got brains too!) I'm a lucky gal, let me tell ya!



Oh my goodness, hello everyone! So I've been MIA for a week or so.



Tons has happened! First, our internet has been out for about two weeks now. We're quickly scrambling to find a rental home, our last day at our current place is Dec 1st but we're hoping to move by Thanksgiving. It's a grueling and tiresome processes. Seth literally just got off the phone with ANOTHER landlord who doesn't want to rent to someone with kids. It's ridiculous not to mention illegal.



Add to that we were in a hit and run last Saturday. Crazy! We are all OK, Nykki received a wicked case of whip lash and we are lucky our insurance coverd a Chiropractic doctor for him. We're truely counting our blessings around here. Even though we got the plates of the guy who hit us the police refused to do anything because I couldn't make a positive ID. Duh, he hit and ran, I didn't get a great look at him *sigh* So frustrating.



In good news....



My sister Gina is visiting!!! Even better than that she's preggers! She's nearly 9 weeks pregnant with her first babe and I'm soooooo excited (she is too :))



I have fun projects just flying off my needles right now. I'm trying to knit all my winter gifts this year and so far I've completed two purses, a baby hat and half a set of leg warmers to wrap up my little guys chubby hams in! *squish*



We're eating lots of soups and bread this chilly time of year and I feel my enegery desperatly wanting to settle and nest which is not conducive to moving - ha!.



Heaven is wrapping up in a warm wool blankey and reading a library book to my two treasured boys. What are you wrapping up in now?



Speaking of which, my boys are very tired so I think it's off to bed we go!

Update!!!! I've missed you!

Here's a rare snap shot of my man. He's camera shy most of the time. I don't know why. Ain't he sexy? :) (psst....he's got brains too!) I'm a lucky gal, let me tell ya!



Oh my goodness, hello everyone! So I've been MIA for a week or so.



Tons has happened! First, our internet has been out for about two weeks now. We're quickly scrambling to find a rental home, our last day at our current place is Dec 1st but we're hoping to move by Thanksgiving. It's a grueling and tiresome processes. Seth literally just got off the phone with ANOTHER landlord who doesn't want to rent to someone with kids. It's ridiculous not to mention illegal.



Add to that we were in a hit and run last Saturday. Crazy! We are all OK, Nykki received a wicked case of whip lash and we are lucky our insurance coverd a Chiropractic doctor for him. We're truely counting our blessings around here. Even though we got the plates of the guy who hit us the police refused to do anything because I couldn't make a positive ID. Duh, he hit and ran, I didn't get a great look at him *sigh* So frustrating.



In good news....



My sister Gina is visiting!!! Even better than that she's preggers! She's nearly 9 weeks pregnant with her first babe and I'm soooooo excited (she is too :))



I have fun projects just flying off my needles right now. I'm trying to knit all my winter gifts this year and so far I've completed two purses, a baby hat and half a set of leg warmers to wrap up my little guys chubby hams in! *squish*



We're eating lots of soups and bread this chilly time of year and I feel my enegery desperatly wanting to settle and nest which is not conducive to moving - ha!.



Heaven is wrapping up in a warm wool blankey and reading a library book to my two treasured boys. What are you wrapping up in now?



Speaking of which, my boys are very tired so I think it's off to bed we go!

November 10, 2008 - Diagnosis Amnesia

Today, reading an e-mail newsletter, I come across an article about a very real psychological phenomenon I’ve experienced in the past. For lack of a better description, I’ll call it “diagnosis amnesia.” (“New Cancer Patients Retain Little Medical Information,” HealthDay News, October 22, 2008.)

It’s a common phenomenon, it seems: when a doctor has bad news to deliver to a patient, the patient may speak calmly and rationally, ask appropriate questions and nod with evident understanding. But then, the very same patient may walk out of the office and promptly forget a good deal of what the doctor has just said.

I know. That’s what I would have done on the day of my diagnosis, had I not had Claire along with me to remind me of the details, and had I not brought a notebook to scribble down all the medical terms we were hearing for the first time.

The article reports how “researchers... found that most people just diagnosed with cancer remembered less than half of what their doctor had told them.” I can remember concentrating very intently, that day, on what Dr. Lerner was saying to us. I can remember asking him to define terms, to explain the interpretation of test results – all the right questions, in other words. But then I can also remember, while surfing the medical-information web sites at home a few hours later, struggling to recall whether he’d just told me I have B- or T-cell lymphoma (which I now understand is a hugely important piece of information). Many of the details that had been so crystal-clear to me, there in the examining room, had slipped right out of my memory banks. I can remember opening up that pad of paper I’d brought with me, and reading the barely legible notes I’d taken – notes that were so fragmentary, they made little sense. And I’d only written them two or three hours before! It was like I had wool between my ears, or something.

I now recognize this as a common, ordinary symptom of psychological denial. The words, “You’ve got cancer,” are so momentous, so emotion-laden, that they have the capacity to force the brain to do a partial data-dump.

The conclusions of the researchers doesn’t surprise me one bit. “In one ear and out the other” with half of what the doctor has said doesn’t seem at all unusual.

Here’s more:

“Older people tended to ask fewer questions than younger ones, and surprisingly, those who asked the most questions had poorer recall. And people with a grimmer prognosis tended to remember less information than those with a brighter outlook, according to the study.”

Yup. That’s denial, all right.

So, what does this suggest, when it comes to trying to be a good patient? Bring someone with you, for one – a second set of ears always helps. Bring along a notebook, and don’t be afraid to write things down, right there in the doctor’s presence. Also, ask the doctor for booklets and brochures that explain your condition (fortunately, when it comes to most cancers, the doctors have plenty of these to give away, courtesy of the pharmaceutical companies).

And, one more thing: don’t worry if you have a hard time remembering this stuff. It’s just your system hunkering down and trying to protect you from the impact of dreadful news. Don’t be surprised if you have to reconstruct, later, what you heard – based on what your friend or family member recalls, and what you wrote down in your notebook.

Diagnosis amnesia is a powerful thing – and very real.