First Sunday of Advent – 2004

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After a very hectic day, we celebrated our 2004 First Sunday of Advent. The theme given to us this year is “Wabi Sabi”.

“No one is perfect-in fact, we all are perfectly imperfect. That is the paradoxical first lesson shared by Taro Gold in Living Wabi Sabi: The True Beauty of Your Life.

What is Wabi Sabi? A universal ideal of beauty, Wabi Sabi celebrates the basic, the unique, and the imperfect parts of our lives. Wabi Sabi is the comfortable joy you felt as a child, happily singing off key, creatively coloring outside the lines, and mispronouncing words with gusto.

On a deeper level, Wabi Sabi is the profound awareness of our oneness with all life and the environment. It includes a deep awareness of the choices we make each day, the power we have to accept or reject each moment of our lives, and to find value in every experience.

“Appreciate this and every moment, no matter how imperfect, for this moment is your life. When you reject this moment, you reject your life. You don't have to settle for this moment, you are free to steer a different course, but for now, this moment is yours, so be mindful to make the most of it.”

Living Wabi Sabi leads us to discover the true beauty of our lives, to know true joy here and now, to reveal the most powerfully positive sides of imperfection. Illustrated with stunning yet simple watercolor art, Living Wabi Sabi is a beautiful keepsake that is sure to become a beloved resource for wisdom in the joy of living.”

May our hearts be open to the Love we are given through this beautiful Advent season.

Thanksgiving and Advent 2004

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Thanksgiving – 2004

Will go down in my book as the Thanksgiving that I have most to be truly thankful for. To be specific:

* Ryan is doing so much better this year, compared to last year.
* Matt's home (now half my heart IS NOT in L.A.)
* I have an interesting job after a time earlier this year when I didn't know IF I'd be working after June, or where.
* My remodeled kitchen is BEAUTIFUL and I'm grateful for the home equity that paid for it – and for Steve's need for perfection that helped make the installation worth the time and effort (we did the majority of the installation ourselves – just the two of us).

On to Advent 2004

My sense is this will be a powerful Advent for us all. So much changing in each of our lives. My prayer for each of us (as well as all of YOU) is that hearts are open to whatever God may bring.

“You are deep pink”

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you are deeppink
#FF1493

Your dominant hues are red and magenta. You love doing your own thing and going on your own adventures, but there are close friends you know you just can't leave behind. You can influence others on days when you're patient, but most times you just want to go out, have fun, and do your own thing.

Your saturation level is high – you get into life and have a strong personality. Everyone you meet will either love you or hate you – either way, your goal is to get them to change the world with you. You are very hard working and don't have much patience for people without your initiative.

Your outlook on life is very bright. You are sunny and optimistic about life and others find it very encouraging, but remember to tone it down if you sense irritation.
the spacefem.com html color quiz

Government – secrecy

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“Its government that can pick our pockets, slap us into jail, run a highway through our back yard, or send us to war. Knowing what government does is “the news we need to keep our freedoms.”

an excerpt from:

Published on Friday, September 17, 2004 by CommonDreams.org
Journalism Under Fire
by Bill Moyers
Address to the Society of Professional Journalists
Saturday, September 11, 2004
New York City

For the whole article, go to:

Journalism Under Fire

2004 California trip

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Just got back from the trip to LA – Matt's BD, Kyle's surprise 50th BD party, Regina's transition…………

Too much to write about now – I need to process it more. Here's what I'll be thinking about as I fly off to Chicago for a meeting tomorrow and Wednesday (not in any particular order):

* Regina – her transition from marriage to divorce is proving difficult with her alcoholism. Seems to be in denial. Not sure how I can help. The visit with her was cut a bit short as I felt it was too toxic an environment for Ryan and I. I love her so much but given what I went through with my Mom………. too many issues came up that created a sense of “deja vue”. Need to pray and think about all of this.

The good news is Vincent (my nephew) is coming up for the first week of August for a visit. First time ever! I hope I can be a positive source of emotional and spiritual support for him.

* Kyle – our friendship has stood the test of time. Her family planned a surprise 50th BD party for her – I was charged with taking her out for the day so they could prepare everything! She really was surprised because they had a “party” for her two days before with just the family.

They invited EVERYONE. I saw Gwen and Gail – twins I knew from Jr. High!! Wow….. this was on the last day we were there. Ryan and I left the party at midnight to begin our journey (drive) home. The Jetta's glow plug warning light came on about 50 miles from home. Manual says to take it to a dealer “as soon as possible” as it means there's something amiss in this system of the car. Cruise control stopped at the same time – may be a computer glitch??? ugh….

* Money – as usual – spent waaaaayyyyyyyyyyy too much. The next 6 months are going to be difficult financially.

* Matt – his 23rd birthday. He's really gone now – I sensed a definite difference in him, in our relationship, in everything. I suppose that's good, right? Kids grow up and move away….. part of the process, right?? All needs to be processed, and prayed about. I want to be a good mother and let go without losing him completely. Bought him clothes (which he even acknowledged he needed) and paid for an oil change (100% synthetic) and tank of gas for his car. His car's oil stick showed NO OIL registering when we got there….. wow……. I guess he won't learn until he has no transportation, no job……… Why do we all have to learn things the hard way?

50 years young!

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Today is my birthday – 50 years young!

I feel very content with life right now. Emotionally and spiritually; I've never felt better! Could stand to lose a few pounds which I'm going to attempt with all my discipline beginning tomorrow! I'd like to look slimmer when Ryan and I go to California to visit at the end of June.

Had a little family party at Steve's house – “from scratch” carrot cake baked by Jen was delicious!

Steve is buying the parts and helping me build a “pondless waterfall” in my backyard as my birthday gift! Yea Steve! We will start digging next weekend! It will be very nice to go in the backyard and hear the sound of a gentle waterfall this summer.

Ryan's gift is to help us dig the containment hole for the pondless waterfall – hard work but it will be worth it!

Ryan's 18th Birthday

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18 years ago today, Ryan came into the world! It was such a special day for me, personally. I can't believe how much he's grown as a person in the last year. He's such a sensitive, beautiful soul! I hope I can help him see how beautiful he is, and how much he has to offer the world!

He and I saw the new movie – “Troy” – which was GREAT! Then we went out to dinner (Bahama Breeze – relatively new restaurant by Southcenter) yesterday (Sunday). Today he took the day off of school, I went to my last State Programs meeting in the AM and my peers in that group took me out to lunch and gave me a $100 gift certificate at Gene Juarez for a “farewell” celebration. I'll miss each and every one of them! I've worked with almost all of them for over 10 years and I have been blessed to know them!

Then this afternoon Ryan and I went to the Family Fun Center and played miniature golf and air hockey (he cleaned my clock at the latter – I won golf by a stroke!). Then we played some video games and while doing so, it started to rain and I had left the top down on my Saab – wow – I can't believe how it can go from sunny, clear skies to raining in a couple of hours! No harm done though.

Brett came over (so good to see him) and so did Steve. We had cake and sang happy birthday to Ryan. We sure missed having Matt here with us!

It's hard having half my heart in LA all the time!

Mother's Day – 2004

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2004 will go down as the BEST Mother’s Day for me EVER!

First – Matt surprised me with a visit home! I had no idea he was coming – in fact – he told me he was going to New York with some film school buddies to work on a movie and lo and behold – Friday night at about midnight – he shows up!

At first, I was absolutely petrified when the door bell rang at almost midnight! It took me a while to believe it was him – and my knees shook for almost two hours I was so excited!!!

We had a GREAT weekend – he and I caught up with what’s going on and he spent a lot of time with his good friend! Sunday we went to brunch at Red Robin and then he went home!! I love Matt and Ryan with all my heart!

Unfortunately, Ryan had a seizure Saturday – we’re not sure why – he didn’t miss any medication or anything but Friday’s sleep was interrupted so that’s the only thing we can point to. ugh…. I feel so bad for him. He’s such a sweetheart and so sensitive about things. I love him so very much and wish I could make the seizures go away all together. He’s a real trooper though and drove to the Mother’s Day brunch to show his brother how good he can drive.

I got a beautiful Celtic Cross for our Teeko/Rajah Memorial Garden!

The tree from Claudia was killed when a very large branch from the large fir tree fell on it and crushed it completely so it was time to revamp. It’s going to be beautiful when I get the Memorial Garden complete!

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you and may God bless each and every one of you as much as I’ve been blessed!

My New Job

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Good news – I have accepted a position at my same company – “Product Manager”.

Beginning May 3rd, I’ll be working half-time at my new position, and half-time at my current position.

I think I’ll like my new boss – he’s new to the company – from Arkansas and seems very nice.