tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221Wed, 12 Dec 2012 18:01:51 +0000ethicssettling insweetnessEddie Veddereleanor rooseveltbookswallace and grommitvbs.tvlost packageNB 575 Trailurban dictionarymerry christmasshoppingnon-consumptioncommunityritualsBigFish learns to readGristnaturethe view from heresimplifysweetgrasspackingwinter sunwaretsyanxietysummersolicitationlambsself loveshaun the sheepBigFishconflict transformationwishnext generationcognitive remidiationoverreactionnutellamint.comgingerworkweddingsrantkidsromanceweatherfacebookreadingself check-inpeaceconsumerismpurple feathermumford and sonsthe internetOBXcartoonantarcticaspeechesvegananticipationlife lessonsfaithhappy new yearobserversinfographicrainLetter to selfjeremy pivenPhoto boothanniversarysankt nikolausone for the journeymornings are toughflickrsunshineIkeaPaul Tillichfull braindarfuramericablogginglovecontentweightkoalafebruarysigns of springmovingbloggersresolutionstolkienlooksmindfulnessfirst eggcouragequoteMcDonaldschristmasHarry Potterdocumentarygenocidenon-profit organizationwinter blahsinspirationemersonindecisionleadershiphopethank youAvatargrammarGoogle mapsbackyardfarmsgreenLARPbilly collinsexcelslangmechanically separated foodfellow bloggerthe shadowzensustainablelife is hardnew blogsNew York Magazineupdatepoemsshoesrecoverylooking backhunting seasonMIKAhappy birthdayrecyclingSeptember 11thanksparentingmusicWWIIK'NaancompassionGooglebelow zerorenewallife is a journeyquit facebookcheap fooddismayread out loudcoming homewordsgirls weekendchickensalex wongcoffeeetta bakercairohappy mondaymental illnesswritinghealthsocial netoworksregina spektormy morningMondaysnostalgiawickedcancerphoto journalbunk bed disassemblyviktor franklfunnybad hairChacostiredlightfood logepiphanydietary guidelinesNOLSexploding dogbackyard farminggriffin and sabinearthairfreedomhoneymoonwholesomesmiletravelchocolateAl AndersonsunscreenhikingThree Kings DayiTouchpolitics as usualfamilycraigsliststreet view carsfrustrationdictatorshipscarl jungend of ropesaint barbaradanceLiteral videonatalie deefuturesilenceruminationsexercisecontemplationsoilreflectionscontemporary artwizard of ozthe workplacetransitionmodern technologythe royal weddinglocalBuddhistcutlurepooppsych centralalonebabysitter funthe southgratitudethoreaui warned youblizzardsaint nicholasdecisionsadventray lamontagnetraditionstigmaenjoystained glass spiralcalm downsuicidetreadmillstuckfree shoesbusyfunconfessionkaren armstronghilariousmountainsmy corner of the worldhappy valentines dayfirst bookcleaningIraqcommentersback from vacationscotlandbabiesnot a good ideatrustLow Five2011body issuesrocky mountainsfound wisdoma listpanasonicred headschangepicassomarriagemy DNAwinterphotoscallingnot do to listhere we arekivasudanmeditationhamburger of doomcooking projectinspiringmorning workbreaking breadlost mittenslayouta good chucklehappinessmother teresaLOTROld Spicestory of stuffgrossprayernew englandcover songblog hiatusrobert servicephotofunianon-profit12th nightoverstimulationchildrenPBSRilkepipe cleanerssummer vacationmyfitnesspalbirthdaylineagevacationpoliticsstruggle2010YouTubevalentines dayfrontlinegone fishinglifesweet momentsconflictGermanylittlefishinternet comainternet addictioncreepy artworkrunningchild rearingfoodletter to a staroptimismpoetryash wednesdaycatching upmugabe and the white africanjokehabitsegyptsaint francislonelinessrevolutionfair tradesnowpoetnational wildlifehttp://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)Blogger651125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-3417314730342078021Thu, 11 Oct 2012 13:29:00 +00002012-10-11T09:29:08.695-04:00conflict transformationruminations I recently took a test online via the USIP (US Institute for Peace) and the name of the test was "What is your conflict style?".  My top style/approach is "avoidance".  (private chuckle) Yup!  So ever since that test, I have been observing how I react in any conflict situation, big or small.  I have observed that my strongest tendency is to either avoid the situation with a 10-foot pole or try http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/Vu1dN9cjzlI/conflict-transformation.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/E3rwxZec7KQ" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/Vu1dN9cjzlI" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2012/10/conflict-transformation.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/E3rwxZec7KQ/conflict-transformation.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-238918714964329543Tue, 11 Sep 2012 14:49:00 +00002012-09-11T10:49:57.579-04:00trustlife lessonsrenewal Renewal is: reclamation, rehabilitation, refilling, replacement, replenishment.  And what a gift it is to me.  I woke up this morning feeling renewed.  I had been feeling on edge for several days, vacillating between feelings of helplessness and anger, loneliness and confusion.  I am learning.  When I am in this place of overwhelm, the answer for me is that I am doing too much and have to http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/5O1agIiDxgE/renewal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/DdFby4nvSPU" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/5O1agIiDxgE" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2012/09/renewal.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/DdFby4nvSPU/renewal.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-1496100619304743662Tue, 11 Sep 2012 01:26:00 +00002012-09-10T21:26:41.194-04:00 When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don’t run from trouble. Take it full-face. The “worst” is never the worst. Why? Because God won’t ever walk out and fail to return. If he works severely, he also works tenderly. His stockpiles of loyal love are immense. He takes no pleasure in making http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/SCYLIVeMBP0/sitting-alone.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/llUiAMcwOW4" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/SCYLIVeMBP0" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2012/09/sitting-alone.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/llUiAMcwOW4/sitting-alone.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-1597099626536005310Tue, 11 Sep 2012 01:16:00 +00002012-09-10T21:16:06.207-04:00 I wish I could get bored of Facebook, of coffee, of chewing my nails, and of staying up late into the night.  I'd also like to get bored of fear, of grief for things I cannot change, and of feeling under pressure, as if my head is going to explode.  What, I wonder, would I pick up if I could put all those things down? I cover my face with my hands several times a day and I breathe, sigh deeply.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/SkBJ0Kvir48/just-put-it-down.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/yTJwkeLCDM0" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/SkBJ0Kvir48" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2012/09/just-put-it-down.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/yTJwkeLCDM0/just-put-it-down.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-8181860802941159020Fri, 20 Jul 2012 22:11:00 +00002012-07-20T18:12:17.437-04:00 http://www.nickomargolies.com/big/2009/12/road-trip-sunset/ 2 more weeks and we'll be hitting the road for some much-needed vacation time in the Northeast!http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/HrxqNndiWQ4/roadtrip-time-8.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/dslXdU1jOPo" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/HrxqNndiWQ4" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2012/07/roadtrip-time-8.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/dslXdU1jOPo/roadtrip-time-8.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-1042697762143563573Tue, 17 Jul 2012 02:59:00 +00002012-07-16T22:59:06.955-04:00 It's the end of another chapter for our little family.  A year ago we moved to North Carolina with the hopes of living in community and because of the much lower cost of living down here than in the Northeast.  A long, challenging, and -- in the end, upon reflection I think -- worthwhile and fruitful year, has come to a close.  As life is wont to do, a new door has opened and we are about to http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/wh8UDoSmbkM/end-of-chapter.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/L2GIMnIBdoU" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/wh8UDoSmbkM" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2012/07/end-of-chapter.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/L2GIMnIBdoU/end-of-chapter.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-4118598209959322761Sun, 20 May 2012 14:48:00 +00002012-05-20T10:49:37.809-04:00 "Do not make prayer a monologue, make it a conversation" - anonymous  It is a sunny Sunday morning and the coffee is hot.  I have not been part of a church community for the past year, and that is OK.  I tend to be self-reliant and Sunday's are still a sacred day for me; I create my own church wherever I go.  This morning in particular, I have started the conversation with God already.  http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/ZTAzBZ75ivs/coffee-with-god.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/XyIsXuAB9nw" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/ZTAzBZ75ivs" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2012/05/coffee-with-god.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/XyIsXuAB9nw/coffee-with-god.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-5951891754259794873Mon, 07 May 2012 00:07:00 +00002012-05-06T20:07:21.050-04:00 Friday, May 4th was a Red Letter day in our small household.  It was the first day of being credit card debt FREE in who knows how long.  We did a little happy dance, gave each other hugs and high fives, and took a screenshot of the $0.00 balance on the credit card website. Next step will be to quietly place those credit cards in a drawer and get them only for emergency situations (we're http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/N1ij6Z976xY/red-letter-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)4<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/Y9ujpdFI3VY" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/N1ij6Z976xY" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2012/05/red-letter-day.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/Y9ujpdFI3VY/red-letter-day.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-6874608094937369869Tue, 01 May 2012 17:22:00 +00002012-05-01T13:22:40.060-04:00 I stood in the grainy sand this morning, facing the Atlantic Ocean, the waves crashing into the beach and my feet sinking into the foamy surf, and I looked out against the impossible distance to the horizon.  Synchronized flocks of pelicans glided here and there, undulating and cruising through the air above the waves.  My smallness and the oceans power drew me out and into deeper thought. I http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/rpscFEu5PdY/multitudes-of-beauty-and-mystery.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/pcwPzZiVW5I" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/rpscFEu5PdY" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2012/05/multitudes-of-beauty-and-mystery.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/pcwPzZiVW5I/multitudes-of-beauty-and-mystery.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-8005077543243771175Sat, 17 Mar 2012 02:03:00 +00002012-03-16T22:03:49.558-04:00 We're all missing home a bit now that we have been living in the South 9 months and have gone through the excitement, letdown, culture shock, and adjustment to living in a totally new place surrounded by new people and customs. There's nothing like being totally out of your element to make one grateful for the friends, family, and places that make you feel like you belong, that remind you thathttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/VebLcuiQ3yE/missing-home.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/juVknCYxcwY" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/VebLcuiQ3yE" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2012/03/missing-home.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/juVknCYxcwY/missing-home.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-4705912490726251496Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:11:00 +00002012-01-19T08:12:56.313-05:00 In my last post, I put up 4 new wishes.  I have made progress on a few!  Here's the what-what: 1) I wish to lose those 30 lbs once and for all and maintain a fit, healthy lifestyle.        - On my way on this wish!  I have been running and eating smaller portions for maybe 4 weeks now.  Am 8 pounds down!  Once I get to my first goal weight, I am going to celebrate by buying these boots. 2) I http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/LZzYjGgdheE/checking-in-with-myself.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/Wjlyv6GtAUk" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/LZzYjGgdheE" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2012/01/checking-in-with-myself.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/Wjlyv6GtAUk/checking-in-with-myself.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-2373035997484418053Sun, 01 Jan 2012 18:44:00 +00002012-01-01T13:44:37.833-05:00 It's 2012 and I want to make some random wishes.  I never want to forget my passions and even if they don't fit into my life right now, I don't want to forget these totally crazy dreams that excite me for different reasons: 1) I wish to lose those 30 lbs once and for all and maintain a fit, healthy lifestyle. 2) I wish to be a NOLS instructor. 3) I wish to get a Master's degree.  In... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/wmQreVdrYiM/wishes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/oUc_W9bj43c" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/wmQreVdrYiM" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2012/01/wishes.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/oUc_W9bj43c/wishes.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-6680588933694747152Mon, 26 Dec 2011 04:19:00 +00002011-12-25T23:22:10.599-05:00 Winter Sunrise on a farm in Iowa (photo credit) The season of Advent drew to a close last week.  With its ending, we leave behind the darkness, the contemplation, the reflection, and the waiting.  And now, whether we are ready or not, what we have been anticipating for 4 weeks has arrived.  A message and a messenger have come to us, holding a candle of light, a reminder.  The child of Mary, http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/UHW0WSU0xK0/let-joy-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/glB7YVoJhUM" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/UHW0WSU0xK0" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/12/let-joy-in.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/glB7YVoJhUM/let-joy-in.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-5664339239565497387Sun, 18 Dec 2011 20:01:00 +00002011-12-18T15:01:56.205-05:00 The Annunciation by Henry Ossawa Tanner  I imagine Mary after the angel Gabriel left her.  After he made his declaration to her and then left her there, alone.  Her life was changed so completely and without her own forethought or control.   She must have sat there, deep in thought, knowing that once she moved she would be taking the first steps towards this great undertaking.  I imagine thathttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/mIm1kGyTnJw/on-this-fourth-sunday-of-advent.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/rvIREw1EvUU" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/mIm1kGyTnJw" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/12/on-this-fourth-sunday-of-advent.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/rvIREw1EvUU/on-this-fourth-sunday-of-advent.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-696189246020377617Sun, 23 Oct 2011 23:11:00 +00002011-10-23T19:11:35.434-04:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/CXah3w9dEE0/ladysmith-black-mambazo-is-coming-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/PZCR8-3ard4" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/CXah3w9dEE0" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/10/ladysmith-black-mambazo-is-coming-to.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/PZCR8-3ard4/ladysmith-black-mambazo-is-coming-to.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-5916494647705024848Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:12:00 +00002011-10-11T14:13:46.608-04:00 Rumi once sat down and wrote: “The way of love is not a subtle argument. The door there is devastation. Birds make great sky-circles of their freedom. How do they learn it? They fall, and falling, they're given wings.” ― Rumi http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/RispwGhULeY/rumi-saves-day-again.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/zuGVrLngyu0" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/RispwGhULeY" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/10/rumi-saves-day-again.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/zuGVrLngyu0/rumi-saves-day-again.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-5970721907211595500Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:24:00 +00002011-09-21T13:24:46.705-04:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/hZ7sd8Wz8DU/hard-times-come-again-no-more-stephen.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/NF2JNg4ZHRQ" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/hZ7sd8Wz8DU" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/09/hard-times-come-again-no-more-stephen.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/NF2JNg4ZHRQ/hard-times-come-again-no-more-stephen.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-5459296180377645222Thu, 08 Sep 2011 17:58:00 +00002011-09-08T13:58:50.191-04:00quotemeditation "Empty yourself and let the universe fill you" -- the note attached to the string on my tea bag Nebula as taken by Hubble Space Telescope http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/8LcHz0yxrmk/my-meditation-today.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/PS0K84WoRF4" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/8LcHz0yxrmk" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-meditation-today.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/PS0K84WoRF4/my-meditation-today.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-1493574269365239078Thu, 25 Aug 2011 13:09:00 +00002011-08-25T09:09:40.784-04:00transitionprayerGod, forgive me for the many times when I only look but do not see. Grant me grace today to really see and to move toward another person in kindness. Amen. Coming up for air here...  It has been about a week since our son started school down in NC -- a brand new charter school, replete with uniforms, codes of conduct, and high expectations.  On top of our move, and all the transitioning therein, http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/dIBJVuwVAME/prayer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/ISEpKVjqqes" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/dIBJVuwVAME" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/08/prayer.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/ISEpKVjqqes/prayer.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-4023696260358105408Thu, 04 Aug 2011 03:56:00 +00002011-08-03T23:56:23.114-04:00a listI don't have much energy to put my thoughts into a post.  But I have energy for a list. A list I can do, especially in this 100 degree North Carolina heat! 1. We've moved.  It's been almost a month since we left the sweet embrace of the wooded western Massachusetts nook we called home for the past 6 years. 2. North Carolina is hot.  And humid. 3. North Carolina is also beautiful and http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/bIE8QpieYFI/list-of-10-thoughts.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/GHWJEVSetsU" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/bIE8QpieYFI" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/08/list-of-10-thoughts.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/GHWJEVSetsU/list-of-10-thoughts.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-9094440055872983Mon, 11 Jul 2011 17:38:00 +00002011-07-11T13:38:37.588-04:00the southmovingsettling inIt's been over a week since we moved almost 1,000 miles south -- from Massachusetts to North Carolina.  The US is such a HUGE country.  Anywhere else (except maybe Canada or Russia or Australia) and this type of distance would have required passports. Despite still being in the US, the South feels (and for all intents is) like a different country.  They speak differently here (some with accents http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/3zAdUWu5c5g/its-hot-so-give-me-some-sweet-tea.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)3<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/KvXLC1JgWHQ" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/3zAdUWu5c5g" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/07/its-hot-so-give-me-some-sweet-tea.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/KvXLC1JgWHQ/its-hot-so-give-me-some-sweet-tea.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-3907569743340212719Thu, 07 Jul 2011 15:50:00 +00002011-07-07T11:50:08.032-04:00God Speaks to Each of Us God speaks to each of us as he makes us, then walks with us silently out of the night. These are the words we dimly hear: You, sent out beyond your recall, go to the limits of your longing. Embody me. Flare up like flame and make big shadows I can move in. Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final. Don’t let yourself http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/7ftiPF9RK18/sharing-beautiful-poem-with-you-by.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)3<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/2aejfcJFS8g" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/7ftiPF9RK18" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/06/sharing-beautiful-poem-with-you-by.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/2aejfcJFS8g/sharing-beautiful-poem-with-you-by.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-3095461394879005384Wed, 22 Jun 2011 19:03:00 +00002011-06-22T15:03:14.959-04:00moving The Great Smoky Mountains The time is drawing near for us to be on our way to a most gorgeous corner of the United States:  western North Carolina!  Just about a week and we'll be hauling all of our carefully sorted and packed belongings onto a huge moving truck.  Western North Carolina is home to the Great Smoky National Park, a portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a whole boatload of food andhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/-bfYhWDC-GY/on-our-way.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/wnuSu4s2RN4" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/-bfYhWDC-GY" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/06/on-our-way.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/wnuSu4s2RN4/on-our-way.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-4003209971931604087Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:47:00 +00002011-06-17T11:47:22.841-04:00YouTubeparenting I find this clip reminds me of the Maria Montessori axiom:  "Follow the Child".  So often as parents, we come to our children with an expectation of behavior.  Especially when we are stressed or upset or rushed, we can overlook the reactions, emotions, and cues our children send us. The message:  slow down, slow down, slow down.  Listen, watch, and respect your child.  It will build trust and http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/Vub91tAMOaM/interesting-video-on-mother-baby.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/wCMOudeNix8" height="1" width="1"/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/Vub91tAMOaM" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/06/interesting-video-on-mother-baby.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/wCMOudeNix8/interesting-video-on-mother-baby.html