The Truth About Aging

“Aging is not ‘lost youth,’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength. It’s a different stage of life, and if you are going to pretend it’s youth, you are going to miss it. You are going to miss the surprises, the possibilities, and the evolution that we are just beginning to know about because there are no role models, no guideposts, and no signs.”~ Betty Friedan

Susannah Conway posted that quote above and asked a group of women to write about getting older on her blog. As it is something that I struggle with and accept at the same time.  

The posts are beautiful, touching, thought provoking, connecting, honest, vulnerable, soul-baring, simple, accepting, sensual, courageous and a complex mixture of amazing stories.

Truthbombs

I receive daily truthbombs from Danielle Laporte. Theya re emails sent from Danielle with just little nuggets of truth.

They often seem to tell me the thing I need to hear in the moment.  The day I got this one, someone had upset me, but then I realized really they said what they said because of their own feelings and going on - and really it didn't have much to do with me.  Really often when people are upset - defaulting to kindness and remembering we are all fighting our own battles that helps me process it and not take things so personally.

Living in Pain

"If we spent one third of the energy that we spend on chasing happiness…on getting better at being in pain…our experience of being alive would dramatically expand." Chela Davison from a blog post on Pain: A Love Story

Walking Each Other Home

I always enjoy Kelly Rae Roberts blog and her art of course too!   But I really liked this entry from the other day....

"..that the people we choose to live significant parts of our lives with are the exact people that can help us heal something in ourselves - old wounds, new wounds, all of it. In this sense, we really are just walking each other home. Home 

as in healing. Home as in the best versions of ourselves. Home as in wholeness. Home as in our divinity." Kelly Rae Roberts

Amazing Reproductions

Source: blogs.denverpost.com via Darby on Pinterest

#OccupyWallstreet

I have been totally hung up on this website for the last several days. It really is getting to me. I feel often at times we are struggling but then I read things like I am reading on this website and am thankful for the roof over our head and the work coming to the business. Michael works really hard and I am proud of all he does to keep moving forward. Our story pales in comparison to most of the folks I read about. We are in the 99 percent - but we're grateful for what we have as most folks are in much worse shape.

http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/

To Err is Human

I seek out to listen to Brene Brown and went to her website and found this link to where she spoke on a radio show called Tapestry from Canada. The first person they spoke to though I really enjoyed too gave me a lot of food for thought - Bruce Mau. He has a great voice and face too because I had to google him after hearing him.

Here is the interview of Brene Brown and Bruce Mau on Tapestry

Brene Brown has been doing classes online this past spring/summer and I am hoping that maybe this fall she has another and with birthday money I treat myself to take it.

Connection, Belonging and Being Enough

If you didn't catch the video by Dr. Brene Brown for Paper Coterie's Open House, they have now posted on their blog. Please take a look at it. It is so powerful and inspiring. You might look at it and think you don't have time for 24 minute video, but please take the time. It is worth it. Her message is worth it.

Chris Jordan

Art by Chris Jordan - Paper Cups, 2008

Depicts 410,000 paper cups, equal to the number of disposable hot-beverage paper cups used in the US every fifteen minutes.

I really enjoyed looking through the whole series....all the numbers associated with the items creating the patterns.

Life Questions

A good fun article - simple questions but good questions

20 Questions that Could Change Your Life

This is a really good blog too...How to Make a Life List You’ll Actually Do: A Comprehensive Guide

2011 has been about me answering some of those 20 questions and making that list. I have started it and keep adding to it.

Abandoned Houses

Found this website a while back and then stumbled upon it again today....100AbandonedHouses.com

Here are just a few photos from the website...

Bringing Back the Pack

When I moved to Omaha, I was starting 5th grade so the Richman-Gordman Zooland animals weren't for me as I was a big girl. But I remember them. And remember my sisters playing on them. I think it is great that the Omaha Children’s Museum has brought them back together.



Video Promo: http://www.youtube.com/user/OmahaChildrensMuseum

6 Changes

I found this website by Zen Habits author called 6Changes.com. It is about taking 6 habits a person wants to change and then following the 6 Changes method. And I like everything it has said so far. I just want for myself....to be able to do it instead of think about it. Just as Kathie's Challenges - doing instead of just thinking about it. I don't believe in New Year's Resolutions but I do believe in setting goals and working towards something better always. I feel like for a very long time though I haven't been working on my goals. And a lot of that is my fault. And some of it is because of my focus on Michael's business - and I am THRILLED I can work with him and do what I can for the business. I just need to be better at prioritizing my other time. I do a lot of things that are time wasters. And I know that and some of them are okay time wasters as they are to help me unwind. Mindless things to just help slow down the wheels in my brain going out of control. But others I know I could cut out and make better use of my time.

So it is my hope that in 2010 that I find ways to create positive changes for myself.

Crescent Rolls

Another giveaway over on Picky Palate that feature Pillsbury Crescent Rolls and serving ware reminded me of a childhood favorite using Crescent Rolls. I know it probably sounds disgusting but I am now at this moment craving it.

Taco Pie

1 package refrigerated crescent rolls
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup black olives, pitted and sliced
2 cups crushed Frito chips
1 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions

In a large fry pan, brown the ground beef and drain off the oil. Stir in taco seasoning and follow directions on package.

Separate crescent dough into 8 triangles. Place triangles in an ungreased 10-inch pie pan, pressing to form a crust. Sprinkle 1 cup corn chips over the bottom of crust.

Spoon meat mixture over crust and corn chips. Sprinkle black olives over the meat mixture. Spread sour cream over meat mixture and cover with cheese.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

Giveaways Sponsored by V-8

So check out these giveaways...a $100 Visa gift-card giveaway at

Picky Palate
Simplicity in the Suburbs
Naptime Chef
Stop, Drop and Blog
Scrutiny by the Masses


I enjoyed all their reviews of the V-8 Fusion. I really want to try them. I printed off a $1.00 off coupon so hope to pick some up the next shopping trip.

Pumpkins: Come with Me

From the Poppy Tree....isn't it lovely?

Clara on YouTube

These videos are just so great for many reasons but Clara is the main reason I enjoy them. I enjoy her stories as well as the cooking she does.

Don't Divorce....

A friend had this video on her blog. She just got married this summer in California to her partner so might be one of the couples forced to get a divorce. It is upsetting. So this video is made in support of the Courage Campaign to fight it.



"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

Compassion

Bean of Coyote Craft posted this.... and I just had to repost it.

"Sometimes we think that to develop an open heart, to be truly loving and compassionate, means that we need to be passive, to allow others to abuse us, to smile and let anyone do what they want with us. Yet this is not what is meant by compassion. Quite the contrary.

Compassion is not at all weak. It is the strength that arises out of seeing the true nature of suffering in the world. Compassion allows us to bear witness to that suffering, whether it is in ourselves or others, without fear; it allows us to name injustice without hesitation, and to act strongly, with all the skill at our disposal. To develop this mind state of compassion... is to learn to live, as the Buddha put it, with sympathy for all living beings, without exception."

~ Sharon Salzberg, Lovingkindness

Captured....Yesterday

This link has amazing photos of yesterday....breathtaking...

Captured - Inauguration Day

Adding this link to the prayer at this mornings service.