Family

I'm in the middle of big family Christmas and wouldn't have it any other way! I love that I love all of my family (both sides) and I love that at the moment, so do my kids. Life is good and getting better. Hug your family OFTEN!

Nine

The first word in my head is nine...wah?

1. Hmm...am I actually saying NO in German?
2. Is there something I need to remember at 9am or 9pm?
3. In nine days will there be something magical happening for me - interesting, if you count today guess who's birthday it is?
4. In numerology the nine is described as: the teacher; tolerant; somewhat impractical and sympathetic. My daughter is a 9. I am a 7.
5. My son is 9 years old.
6. I was married on 9/9/95.
7. Counting up to Graduate School, I lived 9 places: Patuxent River, MD; Monterey, CA; Fremont, CA; Newport, RI; Lexington Park, MD; Keflavik, Iceland; Naples, Italy; Fredericksburg, VA; Oshkosh, WI.
8. It took a little over 9 months to incubate both my kids (in my belly).
9. In the '80s there was a song about 99 Red Balloons (now you're going to have the stuck in your head all day)

That is about it for 9s. Now I am very curious what my next post will be about. My crystal ball is murky right now...so we'll just have to wait and see.

Freedom

I decided to write the first word that came to my mind as the subject of this post. So freedom it is. Hmmm freedom from what? freedom to do what?


Recently this song lyrics came to my mind "I'm free to do what I want any ol' time". I know that it is a Rolling Stones song, but my version I hear is the Soupdragons one. This "theme song" represents the idea that I have choice in EVERYTHING I do. Sometimes I get fooled into thinking otherwise and then I get the feeling of being trapped. Just the slight change of perspective helps me to feel more empowered.



So, now from this place of 'freedom to choose'...I choose to end this blogpost. For some reason, it feels heavy to keep it going. My next choice? Hmmm the voice in my head says "coffee".

Gratitude X 10

1. New Pespectives
2. End-to-end Rainbows
3. Energy Shifts
4. Healing friends
5. Hot Coffee
6. Kid Choirs
7. Game night
8. Flannel Sheets
9. Rainy adventures (and puddle splashing)
10. Big progress

Fortune in Apples

I am:

Flavorful

Best

Bold

Special

Valuable

Worthless

Natural

Handy

Dumb

Slender

As told by my winning cards from Apples to Apples Junior. Each of us in our family read our fortune from our cards. It brought a lot of laughs.

I am sure all of those words have been thought or said at some point in my life...so perhaps there is some truth (even the icky ones).

A New Day

Yesterday was "ick"

Although I woke up at 1:48am today, I've decided that today will be a great day.

Here is what will make a great! A NAP!!!!!

THE END

Gratitude X 10

1. Getting back on the blog wagon
2. Finding a new website that prompts my blogging
3. Friends who take my kids for the night
4. Movie night with my husband
5. Excedrin Migraine
6. Inexpensive Christmas trees
7. Heat
8. Coffee
9. Deep sleep in my bed
10. Fresh outlook

Time alone

Date night with my husband: We saw 127 Hours. That movie is not for the weak of heart...yowza. Both of use had to hide our faces (and ears too). That movie gives evidence for thinking that when its your time its your time, and when it isn't, it isn't even if it means cutting off your arm. Fascinating and stressful!

Travel hangover

True to form, I'm feeling a little slow and directionless today, the first day back from a trip. It never fails! I am just going to give into it and let the day unfold without worry of what I "should be" doing....a nap would be nice right about now!

Gobbled

Yesterday I gobbled and gobbled and gobbled. There will be more gobbling for the rest of the weekend as we have a family wedding to celebrate...and then before we know it, it'll be Christmas...let the festivities continue!

Dear H.A.M.

Dear Happiness and Moonshine - I promise...I am still happy...I just somehow have misplaced you as a priority. I'm not sure why...and I'm kind of not interested in finding out. But, I'm back again tonight...to check in and say I appreciate what you've done for me these past years and I look forward to more chats. I seem to have found many other ways to busy my mind and my heart and they're all good...coaching clients, photography clients, wonderful kids that I can't stop gushing over, a husband who supports all of my silly adventures...and a myriad more exciting features of my life. Oh yeah, and then I have "that new blog"...that is where I think the 'glitch' is...I feel like I'm two timing, I get confused who I need to say what to, I run out of ideas...just a little but of a stopgap if you must know. In time I'll resolve this, but for now....hello and boodbye....I have more distraction in the near future, but perhaps we'll get lucky and have more visits....until then...always remember that you were my first love (of blogging).

Gratitude X 10

1. Music playing while I write.
2. My new dolphin totem (playfulness, connectedness, and remembering dreams)
3. Friends for my kids
4. Xbox games for my husband
5. Creative friends for me
6. Photography clients
7. Coaching clients
8. Resources for inspiration
9. Quiet time
10. My new book of quotes and images....quote for today!

Lazy days....

The mark of a successful man is one who has spent an entire day on the bank of a river without feeling guilty about it....Chinese proverb

Favorite things

I have been in a candle lighting mood lately. I love the smells, I love the glow, I love the flicker and I love the feeling. I also love the picture I recently made to hang on my wall as an inspiration. Raindrops on roses, candles and pictures...these are few of my favorite things.

Two

Having two blogs is proving to be a little cumbersome. They seem to be encroaching on each other. Every time I start one here, I end up cutting it and moving it to my other one. I sense a transition to one blog is coming (my other one). I am at 800 entries so perhaps upon the 3rd anniversary of this blog (and goal of 1,000), I will call it good...Maybe/Maybe not?

I'll have to talk about threes next (as I see my reference to 3rd anniversary) because I've been brewing a little theory on that number...hmmm....something to ponder. Until then...have a lovely rest of your daylightsavingstime day!

Hello Saturday

Hello Saturday...what happened to Tuesday through Friday?

I cannot seem to find the answer to how the week is now over.

Having said that, I am also glad the weekend is here.

There are three adorable third grade boys asleep in our basement.

They had a 10pin bowling, arcade playing, pizza eating, cake noshing, imagination accessing kind of night...what I would term "a blast".

My daughter was whisked away by her friends (our neighbors) for a last minute sleepover.

Last night's cacophony of fun was the finale of a ca-razy busy week.

This weekend will be more mellow and next week I will build in down time.

I feel I am ready to slow the tempo down to perhaps a pace between Moderato and Adagio which, according to Answers.com, is Andante - walking pace.

Sounds bellisima to me!

Nine

I became a parent of two 9 years ago

My heart has loved my son for 9 years

I am smitten with my 9 year old son

I am so glad my son chose ME to be his mom

I intend to let my 9 year old son be a 9 year old boy this 9th year of his life (or is it his tenth?).....

He deserves it, and we deserve him to experience life that way....

You are more than welcome to tell me what you think of my 9 year old son because I suspect you're going to be slightly smitten too...I know at least 9 people who are.

Gratitude X 10

1. Sun after a rainy day
2. An evening with my boys (daughter at a sleepover)
3. Soccer games in the rain (glad they're over)
4. Giddiness of my son as he's about to turn 9
5. Coaching calls
6. Friend calls
7. Inspiration on the web
8. Visual journaling with my book Creative Entrepreneur
9. My simple but full life
10. Halloween fun.

Wowie Kazowie

I'm beat!

The weekend is full-to-overflowing with fun stuff.

Our family is whole again.

Our son turns 9 - how did that happen?

His braces come off tomorrow - he is beyond excited and cannot sleep

Life is good..and I'm off to bed.

Audieu to yu...and yu...and yu-ooooo

(did you see the cast of Sound of Music on Oprah?...I will watch it tomorrow)

Gratitude X 10

The Positive Polly vs. Negative Nelly addition:

1. Busy week...too busy
2. Sunny days...now rain
3. Parties...slow today because of them
4. Dedicated teachers...school conferences
5. Soccer win...rough opposing team, my daughter was stepped on as a goalie and has huge bruise
6. Work for my husband...he is absent this week, in Munich
7. Work for me...this week was skewed too far on the volunteer side
8. Candy...I MUST STOP eating it
9. Books...want to dedicate more time to reading
10. New week ahead...big sigh...

"Passions" - Wordle

Avoidance

Psst, blog...I've both forgotten and avoided you these past few days. I'm not really sorry, but I kind of miss you. I'll get back into the swing of things soon. Thanks for hanging out patiently even when I'm not paying attention to you!

Picture this

I just plain forgot to post yesterday. No real good excuses except that I spent the morning getting hugs and kisses from this cutie pie while I documented her 12 month self. I love taking photos. I love that people can have great pictures of their kids and "I did it!". So, I'm looking forward to taking more great photos in the future!

Tabula Rasa

Today feels like a clean slate kind of day. That is what I wrote on my twitter account today (@laurahenglish is my twitter alias). Anyway, that is what I feel. I decided to start a new book Infinite Possibilities by Mike Dooley. I also am going to finish my journal book and start a new one that has a fun kaleidoscope of colors. In fact, I may just quickly end my other book without ACTUALLY filling every page. Just that act of NOT finishing is somewhat scary for me (in more of a psychological way...not real fear silly). So it may take courage but alas...maybe that is all I need to feel big and strong and in control....TA DA! Obviously I'm a little goofy today, but this clean slate thing is kind of a cool feeling...it feels like what you'd feel when looking at a big open vista with never ending views of nature. So now what? I don't know. I'm going to go with my gut (or one might call it intuition) on my next steps. That is pretty much how I run my life anyway, but the Tabula Rasa approach feels kind of groovy....DUDE!

Click

I have a client coming to my house. I spent the morning tidying...I just felt the tell tale "click" feeling in my body where I know that I am feeling "good enough" about my house. I like the "click"...it helps me to let go of the perfectionist..."must have it perfect" feeling and lets me get on with my life. I don't know when this "click" perspective came into being but it has been in the past few years! I am learning to be neat, I am learning to employ wabi sabi techniques, I am learning to love my processes so that they don't overwhelm me! Feels really good...now to prepare my brain and heart for my client!

Looking forward...

I'm looking forward to the day that I don't notice the left side of my skull. I look forward to the day in which the dull headache in my sinus cavity does not exist. I also look forward to the day that the jelly beans of the world do not speak to me. Is that a lot to ask?

Readin' Fool

Tons of books vying for my attention. I just read The Happiness Project by Gretchen Ruben. I'm halfway through Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth. I'm coordinating a group program with Creative Entrepreneur by Lisa Sonora Beam and then I have a handful of half finished books to complete. I'm being drawn to read more. I'm happy to oblige!

Gratitude X 10

1. The color of fall
2. Impromptu parties at my house
3. Soccer season nearing its end
4. Making time to read
5. Naps
6. Winning $3 on a scratch card
7. Finding things exactly when I need them
8. Cleaning out cupboards
9. Flossed teeth
10. Adventures in the city

Restore revisted...

Today I restored via a 3 hour nap! I am still tired BUT that is exactly what I needed. I want to continue this indulgence by spending the rest of my day reading and relaxing. I am going to do it as long as I can before my family realizes I'm missing....catcha' later dudes!

Restore

This week my intention was restore. I don't actually know why I picked that but...I feel like I've restored:

1. Order in my home
2. My ability to cook some meals
3. A feeling of being 'on top of my schedule'
4. A sense of relaxation around my PTA duties
5. My ability to sometimes do nothing and be OK with it (today is that day)
6. Reading books again (Women Food and God by Geneen Roth)
7. Connection with my son and his learning
8. Evening ritual with the kids where we're more deliberate
9. Healthy sleep habits (slowly but surely)
10. Commitment to stepping up the health and fitness regimen.

Star Student

Phew - both kids have already been chosen to be "on display" in their classes. This little program is meant to highlight each kid throughout the year in his/her classroom. I already have a hard time developing a system to get the kids to do their homework efficiently...then add extra forms to fill out...then add "star student" and I'm a mess. This morning my son and I had to scramble at the last minute to get 6-7 photos printed, write out his favorite things, find a special toy...AND make the bus on time. Needless to say, I had to drive him to school! The good news is...I don't have to do this again until next year! Holy Ca-Moly I'm exhausted from that morning dog and pony show!

Gratitude X 10

1. Completed stuff
2. Deleted stuff
3. Ate yummy stuff
4. Laughed at stuff
5. Watched some stuff
6. Talked about stuff
7. Read about stuff
8. Coached through some stuff
9. Shared stuff
10. Appreciated stuff

REMOTELY Small

My husband's flight from London had to be diverted due to a medical emergency on his flight.
He asked me to guess where they landed. I guessed right - Iceland...but I wasn't completely right because he not only landed in the country I lived in for 2 years of my teenage years (which still causes my right eye to twitch)...BUT he landed in Keflavik, Iceland which is EXACTLY where I lived. What a completely RANDOM coincidence...no one goes to Keflavik (especially since the Naval base has since closed). He corroberated my story that there is NOTHING there! I am NOT lying!

It's a small world after ALL!

Today's Comfort

1. A cup of coffee
2. A friend lending me $5
3. Dedicated moms
4. Time to myself
5. Flu shots for protection
6. Coaching
7. Cardigan sweater
8. Quesidilla for lunch
9. Facebook update from my husband
10. Writing

Three musketeers

My kids and I are very well suited to have mini 'dadlessness' times. Because I don't normally cook, the meals are often of the frozen variety and so I'm usually making something I know they'll dig...then I add some veggies and fruits to make myself feel better. I allow them a little TV time if they've done their homework (which gives me, some "me" time). I let them both sleep in my bed...and I'll sleep on the couch or in one of their beds. It is all kind of a "different" flow of things...BUT (and it is a big one)...I would not want to sustain that 'flowiness' forever. We like our foursome A LOT. We love having daddy home. In fact just this evening I heard my daughter singing the night time song my husband sings pretty much every night (and I have to say...it isn't a song you want to stay in your head). It is actually the Mickey Mouse Club theme song (with some creative license). So...our little threesome is moving toward wanting to be a foursome again...and that is ALL GOOD! I appreciate my life immensely...just thought I should say that out loud!

Complete and Delete

This week I am busy being a single mom...which I'm good at in week=long doses. I actually enjoy it. I also enjoy when the time is over ...so Friday afternoon is glimmering in the distance.

My intention for the week is to complete and delete something every day. Yesterday I completed an outstanding group email I wanted to send to my colleagues and I deleted many emails from my inbox. Today my complete was editing and printing photos for a soccer team...my delete is actually the word WEDNESDAY from the newsletter I helped produce (and replacing it with the word THURSDAY). I'm not sure that counts as a feel good thing but it is something I am compelled to do because I made the error (aaargh). Tomorrow...well, tomorrow is another day...who knows what I'll complete and delete...but either way it will FEEL GOOD!

Gratitude X 10

1. I'm on post 777...coolio
2. Sunny day on Saturday
3. Rainy day on Sunday (cozy)
4. My coach Beth is AWESOME
5. Shopping for healthy food
6. Movie night with family - Liar Liar
7. My kids are awesome
8. My husband is a great provider - we'll miss him on his business trip.
9. My PTA newsletter is "in the can"
10. I enjoy my free time...which I have right now!

Question....

Why does it take all day to pick up a house, no matter how messy it is? I was determined to have it looking nice...and that task filled up most of my day!

The good thing...

...about not being able to sleep is that you can get a lot of work done before the day begins.

The bad thing is

a) you beat yourself up

b) you probably could have tried more to get to bed

c) it is hard to work in the pitch black

d) it'll be interesting to see what the day holds

e) it's hard trying to be "quiet as a mouse"

f) the quality of the work done may be suspect!

I am

1. Busy editing PTA newsletter


2. Snacking too much


3. Happy I picked up the house


4. Tickled by this morning's "picture day preparations'


5. Proud of my son and daughter when they're giving it all in soccer


6. Missing my friend who is in Europe until Sunday


7. Excited for my night out with my Martha Beck tribe


8. Calm because I meditated and wrote in my journal


9. Pumped because I had 3 calls today that were in my 'sweet spot' of connection


10. Amazed that the week is nearly over.

Totally Random

Random thoughts because I don't have much focus power right now:

1. Kids are about to be home and I don't feel 'ready' for their energy
2. I did sleep in my bed last night but took about 2 hours to fall asleep. I'm proud I stuck it out.
3. I am excited that all the shows are starting back again.
4. I have a sugar addiction...right now there are sour gummy worms on my desk
5. I am so grateful that my co-VP is 'on it' with our school newsletter. This first one it a total "winging it job"...now to figure out how to get someone ELSE to do it.
6. In a matter of a month, I've gotten very knowledgeable about our school...maybe too knowledgeable.
7. I get to go out with my Martha Beck peers tomorrow night. I need a fix.
8. The book I'm reading now is called Practical Intuition by Laura Day. I'm learning to listen more to my 'hunches'...it's fun.
9. I have a friend who is dealing with a sister with a severe illness and complicating factors. I'm learning how to support without attachment. I don't know that I am good at it.
10. My waste bin in my office needs to be emptied...(maybe that one belongs on my to do list).

I got a feelin'

I have a 'great day' kind of feeling and this is why

1. I woke up in my own bed at 6:30am
2. My daughter made the school lunches while I traipsed off to a meeting
3. I reconnected with my coaching peeps
4. I had a great client session
5. My productivity on the school newsletter was off the charts
6. I meditated
7. I only had to drive my daughter to soccer, not pick her up
8. I found something I was looking for on the first look
9. I got an 'out of the blue' email from a friend
10. My new scanner printer worked on the first try.

Reconnect

My word for the week is reconnect....here are things I'm going to reconnect with...

1. Clients
2. Friends
3. Family (I WILL contact my oldest brother this week - it is a goal we set this summer)
4. Journal writing
5. Meditating
6. Networking
7. Blog writing at http://www.lauraenglish.wordpress.com/
8. Peers
9. Reading (finish a book...one of many I've started)
10. Sleep (it was elusive last night and I TRIED)

Gratitude X 10

1. Movie night all by myself
2. Sun at soccer games
3. Kudos for hard work
4. Sleep in my bed
5. Talk with family
6. Pizza from Costco
7. High marks on State test (for daughter)
8. House cleaned
9. Sheets washed
10. Good thoughts for next week

Saturday morning moment

Here are the sounds and feelings of the next moments of time

1. Tickle in the nose


2. A sneeze


3. A belly grumbling


4. Son singing in a funny voice


5. Football on the TV


6. Daughter bouncing around in her room


7. Sniffle


8. Sip of Coffee


9. Squeal of son


10. Ears pop

Yesssss

1. It
2. is
3. Friday;
4. I
5. am
6. ready
7. for
8. the
9. weekend
10. !

Aargh

1. I woke up grumpy today
2. I wonder if it has anything to do with my buggin' post or if its because
3. I had a PTA meeting until 9:30pm last night
4. I don't like how grumpy can linger longer than I want
5. I want to sleep but have an appt at 2pm
6. I don't like how my time has been consumed by school
7. I feel a sense of being sucked into the vortex of crazy PTA
8. I want to maintain a clear boundary of helping the school to a point
9. I will keep my intention somewhere visible to remind myself
10. I don't mind busy as long a it feels as if I'm choosing it, versus it consuming me

Buggin'

Not much bugs me...but here goes...I'll try for 10.

1. My pimples and other facial fungus
2. My hairy legs
3. My lack of confidence in my "gifts"
4. My desire to 'solve things' when maybe leaving it alone is a good thing too
5. My aimless web trolling when I'm bored and lonely
6. My sleeping habits (but they've improved)
7. My smelly basement
8. My inability to "spend money" (within reason of course)
9. The loop in my head that says "Who do you think you are..." or "I'm not worthy..." (and I'm not even Catholic!)
10. When I don't listen to my gut.

Random Thoughts

1. I'm sleepy even though I had a good night's sleep
2. The "PTA volunteer monster" has invaded part of my brain
3. I love my weekly a one-on-one conversation with my buddy
4. Chewing gum is fun
5. I want candy
6. I'm so excited that Oprah is back on
7. I missed my walk today and will tomorrow
8. Thank you eyebrow lady for spending extra time on my face-scaping
9. I want to read
10. Time alone is both great and a drain.

Book Title Prophecies

Here are words from book titles that "spoke to me".

1. Practical
2. Intuition
3. Heal
4. Yourself
5. Infinite
6. Possibilities
7. Joy
8. Ask
9. Right
10. Steering
11. Way
12. Lucky
13. Thought
14. Conversation
15. Self-Esteem
16. Attraction
17. Can
18. Love
19. Your
20. Power

Here is what they mean (according to my practical intuition):

Practical Intuition will help Heal Yourself. There are Infinite Possibilities for Joy. Ask and you will be Steering the Right Way. With Lucky Thoughts, your Conversations will improve your Self-Esteem. This creates an Attraction that Can help you LOVE YOUR POWER. AMEN

Gratitude X 10

1. Kids pitching in to clean house
2. People who step up and take charge
3. Friends who invite us up to watch football
4. Husband who makes my coffee in the morning
5. Principal who inspires the school and parents
6. Teachers who show that they'll challenge my kids
7. Clients who are ready for change
8. Parents who call to chat and remind me that I am loved from afar
9. Websites that keep me learning and growing
10. Peers who coach me through my "issues"

I want

1. A new house plant
2. My basement to smell fresh
3. My school volunteering to be smooth and rewarding
4. My time with clients to feel like "flow"
5. Our soccer Saturday to be a fun day
6. To laugh during dinner with my husband and friends
7. My days to include time to meditate
8. More water drinking
9. A serendipitous moment
10. A book to move me to a new level

Contents = Meaning

Here is a view into my life right now in no particular order (literally) in the form of the contents on my desk. I give you one word that pops into my mind for what they mean - it'll be a "pop" test about my values:

1. Phone = connection
2. Check from a client = ambition
3. Lysol 4-in-1 wipes = cleanliness
4. Matches = light
5. Lovely smelly candle = sensory
6. My cell phone = remote
7. Old bag of popcorn = hunger
8. Diet coke = thirst
9. Notebook for my "thoughts" = reflection
10. Notebook for PTA = support
11. A note to myself "I am..." = goals
12. The book The Power is Within You by Louise Hay = growth
13. My Nikon DSLR = creativity
14. My Holga = funky
15. Cootie Catchers made by my daughter = play
16. A timer = structure
17. New Sketch book to capture my creative thoughts = fun
18. A jean jacket (I "borrowed" from my sister-in-law's giveaway bag) = style
19. My husband (briefly) to say Happy Anniversary = love
20. My Sanity (ish) = sketchy

Sounds about right to me!

Holy Cow that was fun! You should try it (it doesn't have to be a desk)!