Oh, if we could all do this for a change...

(Photo of me and Evs taken by Peta Maze, courtesy of http://www.debsphotographs.com/photoblog/)

On Parenting

I came across the following excerpt today and it really touched my heart. I found it on the GOOP blog. Read on...

"I don’t know if I’m pulling rank here: I’m speaking now as a grandmother, not an active-duty mom. But my four grandkids have given me a second chance to learn the lessons that I missed the first time around. Or maybe it’s simply that the passage of time lets one see the forest, not just the trees.

The single most important thing is to take time to LISTEN to your children – as fellow human beings, not just as your charges or pet projects. There’s a wise little human soul in there, ageless in heart even while young in time. Follow her lead. Listen to what she says and DOESN’T say. Don’t just manage her, but allow the things she’s interested in to open and energize your own heart. That’s the secret of eternal youth."

Here is my favorite part...

"Second, don’t be afraid to be real with your children. I’m not speaking so much here about being honest with your feelings (that’s generally good, but don’t forget that as a parent you have a primary responsibility to hold a safe space for your kids, and your self-expression should never overwhelm or frighten them); rather, I’m talking about being transparent about what you truly love. For eighteen years my own mother managed, scolded, imposed manners, dragged us kids off to Sunday school, arranged lessons in necessary social graces, chaperoned parties and supervised homework. And yet, for all that gray blur of duty, the one day I truly remember from my childhood was the day she simply gathered up her beloved oil paints and marched us off to a local arboretum. As my brother and I explored the gardens, I watched her a short distance away, poised before her easel, golden sunlight streaming down her face, completely entranced in what she was doing. How I loved her in that moment! And the unspoken lesson on following your bliss has remained with me for nearly six decades."

-Cynthia Bourgeault

Cynthia Bourgeault is an Episcopal priest, writer and retreat leader. She is founding director of the Aspen Wisdom School in Colorado and principal visiting teacher for the Contemplative Society in Victoria, BC, Canada.

Photo of Evs by Michael Flohr

Best Game Ever

Sidetracking from my normal babbling and sticking with the bragging I have a little news to share; Michael Flohr had the best golf game ever and I was there to witness! We played golf with our dear friend/adopted family member Steve Long and Corey Johnson yesterday at Balboa Park 18-hole. (Corey's wife, the lovely Adriana is my cupcake baking business partner and friend.) It was Steve's birthday and we all got up at the butt crack of dawn to play. Steve likes to play eeeeaaaarly.

Let's skip to the chase shall we?
Michael Flohr scored a 77!
Best game of his life and he played it with me.
It felt so good to see him so happy and I felt good because, although half of my game was in the toilet, the other half wasn't bad!
Not a bad way to celebrate Steve being born. Even though it was a looooooooooooooooonnng time ago. (hee hee).

In other news, I have been making a conscious effort to do more for myself and less for others. Okay, okay, kidding about the less for others part, but very much serious on the me part. Hope I can keep it up. I'll need your encouragement, so if I can get a "hell yeah!" every now and then, it would be appreciated. I need ideas. How do you carve out some "me" time for yourself when you've got a family to manage?

Blank Canvas

Well, I'm about to do a little braggin'. Get ready and settle in. My Hubs, a.k.a the very talented artist Michael Flohr just got back home from a whirlwind show schedule. He had a remarkable show here in San Diego this past weekend and then two days later flew to Breckenridge, Colorado for another very successful show. (Enter the bragging). Whilst at the Breck gallery, he set up a half-painted canvas to be completed by the end of the two day show. He finished it faster than he had anticipated. It sold. So the next day he set up a blank 16x20 white canvas on his easel. He turned around after setting up his palette and there was a red dot placed upon it. Red dots in the art world mean SOLD. We are all about the red dot.

So Michael Flohr sold a painting before paint ever touched the canvas.
For approx. $8500.

(Applause)

Way to go honey, I'm so proud of you and your amazing talent.
I am also certain that I am not the only one who feels this way.