Embrace Your Inner Bee

So today the family was getting ready to go to work and school. My daughter strolls through the kitchen in a Batgirl costume...with jeans.
This popped into my mind....

Blind Melon No Rain

So what is a mother to do?
Do I squash her spirit?

No...I let her "embrace her inner bee."

I will find out later if that was a good idea or not.

It did get me thinking though...if I could just "embrace my inner bee" what would I do today?

B

John Connors and GaGa!

I found this lovely mash up in my google reader. I was trying to think of a post to go with my favorite book:

1000 Awesome Things


My Awesome thing today was finding a video that made me laugh. I know, small potatoes but I am consciously going to try and collect my own list of awesome.

What "awesome" thing happened to you today?

Unitl Next Time...

It's A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.....

I remember growing up with Mr. Rogers.
That guy had the best job ever.

SO...What can we learn from Mr. Rogers?

1. Keep your closets organized. You are more likely to wear sweaters you can find.
2. Support local businesses. If you need a cake, walk over to see Chef Brocket don't drive across town to visit a supermarket.
3. Fill your day with music. What song would you like to start your day with?
4. Play. Keep up with your childhood passions. If you want to color...color.
5. Don't yell. If you talk softly, most people will listen to your concerns.

Have a great day in your neighborhood!

B

Snain Snain ...Go Away!

This week we had...SNAIN...

You know snow and rain...equals SNAIN.

The first impulse was to get angry. How dare those weather gods?

I snuggled up with my laptop and soon realized that the data gods were also impeding my plans.

The more I read, the angrier I got. Nothing new...or nothing exciting...blah.

SO, I decided to take an internet diet on Sunday. I went and cleaned up my son's room. For some reason, it felt better to clean and therefore cleanse my thoughts too.

Seth Godin makes a good point in today's article.

"Twice as much email, twice as many friend requests, twice as many sites to check, twice as many devices."-Seth Godin

Information and even a lack of new information can be overwhelming.

I think by going on an internet diet, I was able to focus on the day, the task, the moment. Balance is key...

Thanks for listening,

B

Home Makeover Health Edition

Anyone who has lived through a mass renovation or mass tumor...knows how your world can be turned upside down.

Why not start with a new paint color and then add new this and that?

Lately, or more precisely since my remission, I have been focusing on my health.

I have tried mass "body" renovations , ie. quitting unhealthy habits cold turkey.

This rarely works. Why? A framework of healthy choices need to be built in over time. Allowing your body, lifestyle and family to adjust.

Recently, this book 8 Weeks to Optimal Health by Andrew Weil,
has provided great inspiration to begin with small changes.

This week it has been daily walks and tea after lunch instead of coffee.

While this might seem lame, it is working. I have discovered that little changes have fit in nicely...

So consider, Baby Steps, next time you decide to change it up!

Living for Tumor-morrow

Hi All,
I am back. Consistent...I know..just like a weed.

Well. Today I saw an article on "Mindful Writing", I would like to expand on that.

How about? "Mindful Living".

I am no expert on dying, but living...pretty good.

I have:

1) Fallen down the stairs in my walker (18 months old)
2) Poisoned (age 2)
3) Drowned in a pond (4 years old)
4) Fell off a 10 foot stand at a ...get this...wheelchair basketball game...do you sense the irony?
5) Had Cancer but was a Libra. (What's with that?)

SO I do realize that life is in peril constantly and I am in no control at all!

But seriously, we need balance people!

What is with the oversecheduling of our kids and ourselves? I am not alone in this. Check out Geek Dad.

I have said no to scheduled "fun" and replaced it with enriched family time.

What do we do on weeknights and weekends?

1) Visit parks.

2) Have a weeknight picnic.

3) GO on a family date night to the leisure center (pool).

4) Watch a movie.

5) Go to the farmer's market.

6) Craft up a storm.

7) Go on bike rides and long walks.(in the community or explore your own city)

8) Ask your kids, "What would you like to do?" (This did backfire once. My daughter asked if there were Mermaid classes to become a Mermaid.)

9) Sign them up for short periods of activity. (ie Art classes, 5 saturdays, 90 minutes). Notice there are not weekend Art tournaments...

10) Develop life skills such as swimming, golf, skiing and self-defence arts.

As my husband said...
Kids remember moments...we need to create moments not schedules.

Until Next time...

If I Ate Dirt Would I Be Less Anxious...

Well...close...

According to this article If You Want Smart Youngsters Let Them Dig in the Dirt , digging in the dirt provides contact with a natural anixety reducing drug.

"The researchers say we've become so urbanized we risk losing a connection with an organism in nature that may actually be beneficial to humans."

So does what does this mean for us. It means, instead of reading this post at your desk, perhaps kick off those pumps, shoes and socks and enjoy the post running your toes through the dirt. Turn all Shrek like and roll in it...if you must...or check out this book.

I Love Dirt!: 52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature By Jennifer Ward (Author),
Enjoy!