Moms

What’s Your ONE? Solutions to a Crazy World
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What’s Your ONE? Solutions to a Crazy World

In this world where the media shows us more bad than good, more sorrow than joy, and more problem than solution, we can work ourselves into a spiraling mess of woe.  On any given day we see shootings, hunger, terrorism, abuse, and bullying.  Some of us see the snippet of news and let it pass by, never to rest in our consciousness while others of us are very affected by what has been told.

Whether you’re affected in a big way or you let it pass by you, the bigger issue is what can you do about it?  What can one person do with such large problems?  Let me offer some suggestions.  You can be involved in the Power of One.  Read on friend.  My small solution might be tantamount to a larger solution. Continue reading →

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WE EAT RIBOLLITA SOUP

 

Ribollita Soup

RIBOLLITA SOUP

This is a SIMPLE Italian veggie soup that I always have the ingredients in stock.  I haven’t met a person yet who didn’t rave about it! 

Ingredients

2 cans white beans, such as Great Northern or cannellini
Kosher salt
1/4 cup good olive oil, plus extra for serving
1/4 pound large diced pancetta or smoked bacon (optional)
2 cups chopped yellow onions (2 onions)
1 1/2 cup chopped carrots (5 carrots)

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THE WAY TO A CHRISTMAS VILLAGE

Christmas-Tree-Fireplace

Ever walked into someone’s home during the Christmas season and wonder how they transformed their regular house into a Christmas Wonderland?  You need hours to wander around and look at each and every nook and cranny!  I love to look and I love to create!  You can create a fantastic Christmas look in YOUR home if you follow my advice! Continue reading →

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Take Back Christmas

My Christmas Mantle

My Christmas Mantle

Oh the joys of Christmas are many but the hustle and bustle that we get ourselves wrapped up in are exploding before our very eyes; exploding before our family’s very eyes!

I’m not sure when, if ever, in my life that Christmas was an easy and gentle time.  I fully admit that I go for the all or nothing approach, decorating every corner of the house, baking dozens of cookies, writing cards to hundreds, singing in concerts, ringing the Salvation Army bell, hosting parties…  You get it – over the top.

This year I have discovered , more than any past year, that I need to stop and listen.  I need to stop what I’m doing, look at the people around me, and ask one simple question.  “How are you doing this time of year?”  Oh I’ve asked the question many times before but the” stop and listen” part were not in my consciousness.

The answers to my question have been rather humbling. Continue reading →

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The Hardest Part of a Workout

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Jaime & me on October 27, 2012 after the Healdsburg Half Marathon in Sonoma County celebrating my 50th Birthday!

Hands Down, most difficult part of a workout for me is just putting on my shoes….

I absolutely love it when I’m actually working out!  I love the feeling of making my body tired, and more than that I love the feeling of being able to walk, run, hike as many miles as I want to.  I love meeting a goal.  I love the euphoric feeling that running can bring.  My family all works out.  From running to lifting weights to playing organized sports to yoga.  We all participate in something.  I’m happy that Aldo & I were able to set an example of the importance of taking care of your body.  Even if it’s some hard work in the yard and garden!!

You’d think I’d never quit working out, would you?  Ha!  I love meeting a goal and once the goal is over, I tend to stop.  I can still do active fun but not like when I’m training.  I lose my motivation and I can’t seem to put my running shoes on to go outside or go downstairs to the treadmill.

I have come up with ways in the past to solve the lack of shoes on my feet.

Continue reading →

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Moms, Kindly Scoot Out of the Way

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We moms can be kind of controlling. Are you intrigued because you are a mom, you are married to a mom or you have a mom?!! I write this message as a mom, who has a partner in parenting.  I don’t want to leave my sweet husband out of this!

I believe it’s in our nature to want everything to be wonderful for our children.  We want to protect them and we don’t want them to hurt – EVER.  Our wisdom and experience can certainly save them a lot of grief in life.  We think they need us to be in the helicopter over them, ready to slide down the rope to save them at any moment.  Hold Please — Land the Helicopter and Let Them Fly!

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Soaking in a Girlfriend Weekend

Quinn’s Hot Springs in Paradise, Montana.  (Seriously, it’s the name of the closest town!)  The cabins and the lodge, the tavern and restaurant are wonderful compliments to the 6 hot pools, which range in temperature from 78 to 106.  Pools that offer minerals and therapeutic healing as well as interesting people and laughter to nourish the soul!

Quinn’s was the location of my recent girlfriend weekend!  Perfect location for us four girls (AKA The Posse), who see each other as often as possible but in reality, it’s never enough!  The last time we were all together was seven weeks ago.  Yes, we live in the same town but we all work in different professions, we all have varied hobbies & passions, and we all have families and other “girl groups!”  When we get together, “Watch Out World!”  We laugh, we talk, we drink wine.  We play cards.  We dance.  We don’t sleep much….

Continue reading →

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The Lingering Aspen Leaf

Aspen Leaves Upclose

It happens every autumn, the leaves change color and fall off the tree. 

I was on a walk this week as the leaves were rapidly falling from the trees in  a serious windstorm!  The Montana Big Sky was a gorgeous hue of blue, my thoughts were no where and then everywhere.

I looked up at an Aspen tree that was quaking and shaking and noticed a few of the leaves were hanging on even though the majority were swirling off the tree.  I began to wonder about my life in  comparison to the leaves that were hanging on.

Am I hanging on to something in my life that I should be letting go?  Continue reading →

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All Plates are NOT Created Equal — God Knows What He’s Doing

Why can she do so many things in her life and I can barely manage to get myself out the door to work?  What gives him so much energy to accomplish goals and it seems like it’s so easy for him?   My plate is full. And it’s my plate to fill.

Think about the last time you compared yourself to someone else?  Not that long ago?  I know — it’s human nature to compare ourselves to others but people…. throw away the self doubt!  Why do we feel inadequate when we see “Mr. Get ‘Er Done” or “Ms. Overachiever?”  What is God’s intention for our lives?

I’m telling you my friend – God gave us all a different size plate to fill.  For some of us – we practically have a serving platter, for others of us – we have a tea cup saucer.  Along with the size of plate, He gave us different gifts to use.  He gave us everything we could possibly need to fulfill His plan for our lives. Continue reading →

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Listen My Friend, God is Speaking

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God Speaks all the time.  If I am listening, if I am paying attention, if I take a moment to leave the “Me” world, WOWZA – Awesome things happen.  Awesome ideas form.  Awesome people are met.  Awesome situations are encountered.

Today, I was in our local airport flying Non-Rev (short for Non Revenue Passenger) with my pilot husband. Because of his job, we can fly on most carriers for a small price as long as there is space available on the flight.  I could go into all sorts of plans and schemes that we use to get ourselves from one city to another.  Often it involves lack of sleep and running and thinking fast on my feet!!  Let’s just say it’s not for wimps or for inflexible people!

We were trying to get to Annapolis, MD for his Naval Academy Reunion.  It’s been planned for a LONG time and I have no idea why we didn’t purchase tickets since the last time we went to USNA a hurricane hit Maryland and flights were cancelled and we were all over the US trying to non-rev into Annapolis!!

No extra seats in the cabin on the first flight but there was an extra seat in the cockpit just for other pilots trying to get a ride!  I looked at Aldo and told him to take it and get to his reunion.  I would follow along as soon as a seat opened up on a flight!!  Continue reading →