Lean Into

                     Drip. 

                         Drop. 

                              Drip. 

                                 

Hugs and kisses were the first order of the day as my children headed out the door for their first day back to school. No one in our household looks forward to back-to-school season. It is an enormous blessing to live in a household full of love, comfort, and safety where enjoyment of the family unit is top priority. It makes back-to-school time bitter sweet. There is much excitement about the new. New teachers, making new friends, a new year of opportunity for learning and growth. Not so much excitement is felt for waking early, boredom in the classroom, parting with the security and comfort of home. BTST is hard on mom too. Watching my loved ones head out the door into the big wide world.

Today I am choosing the words lean into.

I am choosing to lean into this new school year with trust that none of us will not fall. Faith the kids will have the best year ever. Lean in with imagination for all that I will achieve during the day. Lean in and surrender to the flow of life. As I lean in I will whisper my intentions of success to the cloth of the Universe knowing it holds the magic necessary to weave my creative dreams into reality. This new year, new season, new cup of free time will be filled to overflowing with goodness. I vow to fill my cup daily with happiness, health, creativity, peace and love allowing my children to step off the bus directly into the overflow.

             Ah yes.

                     Drip.

                         Drop.

                              Drip.

                                  Drop.

My cup will overflow.

Guinea Pigs

     My daughter's teacher is on maternity leave. The class has a long-term substitute. The class recently completed a poetry unit in which the teacher told the students that she adored bacon and promised if they produced enough bacon poems, she would throw them a bacon party. The children came through. The teacher claimed they had run out of time. No party.

     This week my daughter was Star Student. Star Student is allowed to bring a treat. We decided to surprise the kids with bacon cupcakes. A mini-bacon party! I have never tasted a bacon cupcake but have read about them several times (internet of course). 

Fact #1 - Everyone loves bacon

Fact #2 - Sweet and salt are the best combination evah

Assumed Fact #3 - bacon cupcakes will be a hit with a group of children deprived of a promised bacon party.

     

     The cupcakes were painstakingly lovingly made from scratch with the finest ingredients (organic butter, grade A maple syrup, preservative free bacon, etc...). A full evening later, the cupcakes were done. I sampled. They were... interesting.

     Not being a cake eater myself, I served a cupcake to each family member to ask what they thought. Here are the results...

They're good!  X3

Interesting  X1

Don't care for  X1

     That's when it occurred to me. Yes, at 9pm the night before treat day, it occurred to me that a group of 24 third graders might not appreciate being guinea pigs for a new recipe. I asked Darling Daughter if I should run out and buy some pre-made cookies (just in case) and she insisted on the bacon cupcakes (which she adored). I left the decision up to her, suggesting she not take offense if no one took them or liked them!

     Thursday, Darling Daughter arrives to school with more than two dozen Bacon Cupcakes. They were a hit! Only one child declined the offer. Everyone who tried them liked them. One boy asked if he could have the extras (which were delivered around the school to teachers & staff).

     I will share the link to the recipe website but I would suggest adding some applesauce or honey to the batter as they turned out a bit dry. They are officially kid approved!

I am NOT nor do I claim to be a food/product photographer. Please excuse the distasteful picture!  ;)

Darling Daughter's Bacon Poem #1

Makin' some bacon

Sizzling, jumping bacon

Bacon up high

Bacon down low

Bacon everywhere

That's how to go

~Madelynn Retzlaff

Reaching Out - Holding On

So much violence. So many shootings.

They only seem to be getting worse.

The events that unfolded in Newtown, CT last friday are unfathomable. So many innocent lives lost. I have not written about it or talked about it much as I feel completely inadequate to do so.

Where are the words to heal the hurt?

Where are the words to soothe the suffering?

Where are the words to explain the unexplainable?

I tried to avoid much of the news. I didn't want to feed into the sensationalism. I didn't want my kids to fear. I didn't want to cry anymore. I didn't want to imagine the pain of those who lost loved ones. I didn't want it to be true.

I have been trying to figure out what I can do to help. I come up with nothing. I feel helpless.

I conjure up feelings of love to send out to the families. Love. It has to be the answer.

There is so much anger and fear and violence in the world.

We have to stop hating and hurting.

We must start healing.

How do we heal?

Love

I read about an eleven year old that brings a gun to school to protect himself and his classmates. I think, "Why is this happening?"

I read about a Texas school allowing teachers to bring guns to school to protect their students. I think, "Why is this happening?"

I am a considerable geographic distance away from Sandy Hook elementary, yet it is now in my own back yard.

The sickness seems to be spreading.

A grade school not even 40 miles away finds live ammo on the playground. A teen gets arrested for spouting about copycatting.

Now it is my child's school.

There have been rumors of a threat against the safety of the students and staff at my child's high school. The threat is set for 12-21-12. The police have been investigating.I received an automated call from the principal saying the students are safe as they feel the threats are unsubstantiated. The rumors continue and build. I do not feel it is safe. How can I? 

I again ask myself, "Why?"

I have no answers.

Anger, fear, frustration, desperation.

A lot of ugly feelings are surfacing for a lot of people.

Including me.

I ask that everyone try, try, try to feel love.

Don't feed the negative energy with more negative.

I am working on centering and focusing and loving.

Feeling love for my family.

Love for this life.

Love for the world.

Sirens flew by my house as I typed that last line.

The seventh time in 12 hours.

Sirens. Warnings.

Of what?

I don't know.

I'm feeling so helpless.

All I know to do is reach.

Keep reaching.

Reaching out and holding on to what is good.

If only by a single thread.

We must hold on to love.

Build on the good with good.

Reach. Hold. Love.

My heart and prayers go out to everyone.

I send you love.

And they're off!

Back to school.

Four kids.

Four different schools.

To say this back to school year will be challenging

is an understatement.

I know there is a collective sigh of relief when the start school.

For me?

I miss them already.

They are my heart.

Darling Daughter spotted this heart in the root of a tree by the river. Tree Love. Aaaaahhhhh!!!!!

While my heart is away

I'll let my mind play.

This year I am embracing ME!!!!

 

 I woke to a wonderful post by Shannon.

Perfect timing.

She has all sorts of wonderful links like

~ an article on how to make YOU a priority ~

~ a link for chances to win prizes ~

~ a link to a brand new inspirational online magazine ~

The first thing I am going to do (for me) is get organized.

I know, I know. I've said that a million times.

This time, I mean it!!!!

With no one here to mess up the joint

I have a chance at actually accomplishing ultimate organization.

 Great organization blogs for great tips, tricks and pics.

Organize Junkie

A Fresh Start

Fly Lady

Unclutterer

Enough reading and writing about it.

On to action!

What changes will back-to-school season bring you?

 

Amazing Story (an absolute must read)

Do you want to feel good this morning?

I have a story to share with you.

I am a proud parent of a member of

This Class 

(click on the link above)

The entire class of 2012 voted for king and queen.

The vote was won by a landslide!

I am so proud of all of them.

What an amazing prom!
Congrats to the King and Queen.

America's future is looking brighter.  ;)

My Path

(the road to self-discovery - full of unknown - uber exciting!)

My 20 year class reunion is coming up fast. 

Gulp!

and

Yikes!!!

Yes, you heard me right. 20 years. 

Hardly seems possible.

I am doing and have done so much since graduation.

I have grown tremendously as a person,

married my soul mate,

nurture our relationship,

birthed four amazing children,

raise them to be the best "them" they can be, 

worked a wide range of odd jobs for income and pleasure,

morally supported oodles of friends and family members,

travelled when able,

worked childcare for others,

am currently on an intense path of self-discovery,

learning to allow, accept and nurture my creative side.

Most days I feel I achieve massive amounts.

I am worthy, my life is full and successful.

When it comes to this reunion, I am STUCK!!!!

It's titles, facts and figures people look for in order to measure up a life.

"What is your title? What do you do? Where do you work? How much do you make?"

...ummmm

I will say, "I am a nurse, a chef, a chauffeur,

a teacher, a spiritual guide, a life coach, a counselor,

a maid, nanny and candlestick maker.

I do a lot!

I work from home.

My income is zero but the benefits are phenomenal!!!!

I'm afraid people will hear...

"I'm an at-home-mom."

Possible translation?

"I haven't done anything since high school."

The best part about it being 20 years out?

I don't care what they think!!!!!!!

My new title for myself is  "self-expressionist".

What do I do?

I be me :)