berkestrings

The Art of Possibility!

2013-09-22T03:41:00.000-07:00

My latest thing to ponder is "possibilities". Our life is full of possibilities. But, then again, I am sitting in the prime of my life, healthy, stable job, middle class income, spouse, healthy happy kids finding their way in the world, a job, church family, etc., etc. I look at the possibilities in my life, and the world is open to explore.

I Might

Possibilities. When I wake up in the morning anything is possible.
It is possible that today I might decide to go visit my parents. It's possible! I can drive, I have time (in the summer or on weekends), I have the finances to do it, we are empty nesters, so I don't have to worry about someone to watch the kids, I have a house to come back too, etc. It's possible.
I might spend the day with my husband. Camping, visiting friends, enjoying nature, eating out. We enjoy being together. We have a camper and the finances to go camping. We have a truck to pull the camper. We have wonderful parks and lakes to camp at. we have lots of friends and family to camp with. It's possible.
I might clean the house (not likely, but possible). I have all the latest cleaning inventions known to man, I have a healthy body to do it, I have a beautiful house to clean, etc. It's possible.
I might go thrift shopping! It's a fun past-time to test my creativity. I have a car to get there, I have some cash in my pocket, I have friends I can call to go with me, I don't have anything else scheduled that I have to be back for... it's possible!
I might spend the day in my art room creating fun stuff! I have a room full of wonderful possibilities. I have all the supplies I need (almost), I have the space I need, I have an imagination, I have the knowledge I need (internet) to get inspiring ideas. It's possible.
I might take the dogs for a walk, go for a hike at the park, a bike ride, kayaking. I have dogs, I have legs that can walk, I have a bike, a kayak, many lakes close by. It's possible!
I might sit home in my pajamas and read a book all day. I have a library card, a home library, internet access to books on line, a comfortable chair to read in, a beautiful view of nature (birds, woods etc) from my chair, heated house, air-conditioned house, snacks whenever I feel like it, etc. etc.
I might go on the internet and learn new stuff all day. Pinterest, google, facebook, twitter, etc. I have a computer, internet, cell phone, ipad, ipod, samsung tablet, The know-how to find anything and answer any question I might have. Yep, I think that's a possibilitiy!
But what if..... I didn't have? My health, my age, my education, my strong mind, my finances to do whatever I want (within reason), my stability, my loving husband, my children, my job, my house, my friends, my family, my bike, my camper, my technology, my strong morels, my faith?

What if...I didn't have a God that I could go to at any time, any place, any situation? I had to depend on myself, and myself only? What would be my possibilities?

Would I be content in what I do have? Would I be loving and caring toward other people that have those things? Would I go out into the world and help others? Would I still have my same values? Would I feel cheated in life? Would I feel hopeless and unloved? Would I still have a strong faith? Would I feel valued? loved? Would I feel I had anything to give in the world? Would I go out into the world and try to find possibilities? Would I have it within myself to love?

What do I value? (Not necessarily in order of importance)

Strong Faith (God, church, devotions)
Family
Friends
Knowledge
Active Mind
Creativity
Home
Stable finances
Solid job security
Art
Music
Travel
Nature
Healthy body

Quinoa

2013-02-02T18:31:00.000-08:00

An excellent source of protein! I prepared this with chicken broth. Just warm up any left over vegetable, sauté red peppers and green onions in a little olive oil, and toss it all together! Yum!

www.quinoa.net/181.html

The Basic Quinoa Recipe This light and wholesome grain may be prepared quickly and easily with this basic method. 2 cups water 1 cup quinoa. Place quinoa ...

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/quick-recipes/dinner/healthy-quinoa-recipes/13 Easy, Healthy Quinoa Recipes

www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/...recipes/.../healthy-quinoa-recipe...

Jul 2, 2012 – Quinoa, a grain that is used in many South American dishes, is high in protein and is gluten-free. Plus, its mild taste and rich texture ....

Beautiful

2013-01-07T16:42:00.003-08:00

Lately I have been thinking about what it means to feel beautiful. Beautiful on the inside as we'll as outside no matter what age. As I get older, I hear other younger people comparing me to their mothers or grandmas, wow, I am struggling on just where I fit in?.. IT has me reexamining, , self reflect, search my soul. find a more beautiful me, in the process of growing older. Beautiful actions, thought

2012-09-08T08:17:00.000-07:00

Day four
Awesome day! Woke up, had breakfast and hit the water! Tate brought goggles, so I spent the day on the water looking at the fish and finding sand dollars. Tera and I were diving for treasures and Pam was our holder and transporter to safe holding. Charlie Ann kept busy finding sea glass on the shore. Needless to say, she will be happy for the rest of the stay! Out a ways off the beach was a coral reef with sand dollars and cool fish. It was very funWe had a nice lunch, Charlie Ann had a chicken sandwich and fries, Pam and Tera stayed with the fabulous fish pieces and I had the shrimp kabob! It was covered in butter, but I managed to choke it down (LOL) . After enjoying the water for most of the day, we took a little trip to the local grocery store. What better place to find out what the locals actually eat! I basically bought the things that didn't look familiar (just to try) it wasn't too different from what you would find in the states, but a few things. I will try to attach a few pics! It is 5:30 in the afternoon and I am sitting at a table overlooking the sunset...don't really know where the rest of them are, but the people watching is incredible! What a beautiful place! The sun is going in and out of the clouds, I hope they stay away long enough to see the sunset!
Went to a local seafood place for supper. The kids were there the night before, so we thought we
d give it a try. Charlie Ann had the Mahi mahi, with rice and beans. Very delicious! I had the crab meat stew.....they were out of rice and beans (how ironic) and so I had the mashed plantains. It was very interesting...the crab meat stew was actually brown in color and looked like beef. We couldn
t figure out what the spices were??? It was quite salty and is still up for a rating! I'm glad I tried it, but probably wouldn't order crab meat down here:) After that we hit the beach to enjoy the music and the sound of the waves. Oh yeh, we found a cool app that translated english to spanish so we could talk to Amelia (Paola's mom). Amelia went to supper with us and then on the beach. I bought a bottle of wine, so we all had a nice evening on the beach. On the way to bed, we saw Tate and his friends and went up to their room. It was a blast!!! (Dress # 4, eight to go)

Day Five
Got up this morning and had breakfast at the hotel. It was fruit, a selection bagels, french toast,, ham, cheese (eggs were an additional charge). Went to find flowers for Paula

Learning Spanish

2012-09-08T08:07:00.000-07:00

http://www.123teachme.com/learn_spanish/basic_course_saying_hello

One of my goals is to start learning Spanish this year. I have a couple of ways to do this. 1.the website above. 2. My Spanish speaking students.

Why?
1. to travel to Columbia to visit Amelia and speak enough Spanish for basic things.
2. Great earning another language is great brain food and brain health. Active and functioning brain work.

puerto rico, day 3

2012-08-03T15:24:00.002-07:00

Day three has been a day of travel. Sharla and I woke up and found a quaint little place in San Juan to eat breakfast, yep you guessed it, McDonalds. Okay, so we were not that adventuresome at that point! Not knowing the area and looking quite foreign, we were not sure what was what. Come to find out later that day, there were other choices, but maybe next time. We had a few hours to explore waiting for our ride to Rincon, we found the beach a few blocks away. It was gorgeous and the water was waarm and inviting. We walked the beach and waded. Around 1100 we went back to the Guest house to prepare for our trip to Rincon. We met one of Paola's friends Shelly, who also stayed at the Guest House. Beth and Betts arrrived around noon with the rental car, and from a great recomendation from the Guest House owner, we ate at the () . It was fabulous! Evidently an old estta lishment that President Obama ate when he visited San Juan. After a Bista (the name of my sandwich, turkey, ham, cheese,mustard and other unidentyable ingredients) we headed toward Rincon. Betts (Nick) drove, thank goodness, and three hours later we made it! It is a beautifful resort Villa Confresi. We settled in and met everyone, including Paola's mother, Amelia. She is just as beautiful as Paola, although does not speak a speck of English, which we are still trying to figure out how to communicate. Tera and I (Jukebox) tested out the water and it was great! The waves were getting bigger, which made it evven more fun. We had a light supper from the bar (fish pieces) which werre great. The rest of the evening we sat in the patio and listened and watched the local Karaoke. It was awesome!!!!! We certainly got a tastte of Puerto Rico. People watching is also very entertaining.... Sharla, Pam and I retreated to the lawnchairs on the beach and enjoyed the sounds of the waves with great music in the background. Went to bed around midnight. The end of a great Day three!

Puerto Rico Adventures

2012-08-02T05:25:00.001-07:00

Day One (leaving Fairmont) and Day two (traveling)
Hi everyone, This is Jukebox (Judy) and Charlie Ann's (Sharla) amazing venture to Puerto Rico for Tate and Paola's wedding! I arrived at Dave's in Cedar Rapids around 1:00 p.m., and spent a wonderful day with two of my favorite people, Olivia and Grant. We started out going to Olivia's swimming lesson, my she is doing well! and then went to "fruitzen" for a snow cone. When we got back I got a tour of the area on the golf cart. My oh my, those two can really drive that thing! We took a walk in the ravine and took some pictures.
I will be doing these entries with my new ipad, so if some things seem a little weird, that is the reason. It will be fun playing with it on this trip. The only problem is downloading pictures, thank goodness Sharla will be bringing her computer, so I can download pics on that and then transfer it to the ipad. We will see.....
Day two: traveling
Dave and the kids drropped us off at the airport in plenty of time for departure. The first flight was just an hour and a half, piece of cake! We had a three hour layover, which went quite fast. We ate at a very nice restaurant (Pappadeaux) and had a seafood cobb salad. It was our main and only meal of the day (besides oatmeal). We then emailed and charged our batteries for the long flight. Actually the flight was not bad. I watched a good movie on the plane "The Best Exotic Mangolia Hotel " (well Jukebox liked it, since she brought along her Boze earphones, but Charlie Ann had a pair from the plane and only one ear worked,and that didn
t work very well, and couldn
t hear iti good enough to get the drift:) and played solitaire the rest of the time. I sat in the middle seat between two guys. The guy on my right was from Puerto Rico and a very nice gentleman. The guy on my left was probably in his twenty's, wearing a baseball cap sittting beh8ind his parents. They were going to his sisters wedding. He probably had a little case of ADHD, couldn
t stay in his seat for very long, but okay. Sharle satt in the middle seatt between a 6th grader (she just can't get away from them) and a 10th grader. They were quiet and very good travelers (thank goodness!!) We arrived in San Juan right on schedule 10:30ish, and found our luggage with no problem. Went to the taxi stand, and got right on the taxi, and he took us to the Andalucia Guest house,our first hotel. This was definitely in the flavor of San Juan, Charlie Ann wss a little nnervous about the neighborhood, and wondered if we were going tto be left on the street corner with no where to go, but we made it. A quaint little place with a small room (and I mean very small) but with a clean bed and a power strip for charging, what more could a person need!
Well, when we get to Rincon,I will download my pictures, but for now this will have to do. Miss everyone back home, but am looking forward to our adventure!
Love ya,
Jukebox & Charlie Ann

2012-07-23T06:11:00.002-07:00

Source: mindbodygreen.com via Kandice on Pinterest

This is a very good site for yoga. I'm going to set up a morning routine, using this to stretch out my body. I am discovering more aches as I get older....hmmmm.

2012-07-06T04:16:00.006-07:00

Mid summer:
Lots of hot weather!

Here are my thoughts, as a teacher on summer break!

June is anticipation, relief, time out from the world, afraid to schedule anything or commit to anything (it makes the time go too fast). When something is planned, I (and most of us humans ) have a tendency to anticipate, plan, give it a lot of 'mind' time. When that happens, it can get out of control and we forget to live for today. TODAY is the time to live every moment. Hmm..that gives me another thought. Maybe if I approach it differently...

Today plans: Pick up Anastasyia (new Youth Director) at the airport, supper with the Bleeses and Anastasyia
Tomorrow plans: Hmm...can't think of anything planned...Hippee!
Weekend plans: Camper, Lake, friends
Next week plans: Lund cabin
Next month plans: Puerto Rico Wedding, Canada Fishing
Two Month: School Starts

I' m going to try something and I encourage all of you to try it with me. Every morning I am going to meditate 5 minutes on today and only today. I'll let you know how that is working out!

2012-06-19T06:52:00.001-07:00

Summer Vacation

Thought-less

Schedule-less

Worry-less

Stress-less

Should-less (we really should...)

Expect-less

just be...

Missing my good friends!

2012-06-02T04:37:00.001-07:00

Missing my friends! Looking forward to a summer of spending time with them, getting refreshed and renewed!
For all you women out there, girlfriends are important. No matter what stage of life you are in, young and just married, small children or empty nesters, GIRLFRIENDS ARE IMPORTANT. Take the step to renew those friendships and keep them close.

What NOT to eat!

2012-05-28T07:59:00.001-07:00

Make sure you read the previous post, before you read this.

Usually I don't worry too much about the "what nots" just because I am never hungry or wish I could eat something else.

Things I try to avoid...
Anything white (except cauliflower) That may include, white pasta, white potatoes, white bread, white sugar, cream soups, margarine, butter, high fat dairy
Processed foods: I read the labels. watch out for the processed meats ICK!
Fat: anything that says it's over 3 grams of fat! Start reading labels, it's unreal the amount of fat in things.
Limit red meats- although some lean meats are totally acceptable.

Judy's Food Preferences

2012-05-28T07:52:00.000-07:00

On a previous post, I told you about my weight loss journey. Now, after losing 40 lbs., I thought I would share this. It's probably not as fast as some would like, but, it is healthy. My goal was 1 pound a week. I was just happy if the number kept going down:)

Important: Eat something every couple of hours, don't let yourself get hungry. It doesn't have to be a lot, just something to keep your blood sugar level stable.

Oikos Vanilla Greek Yogurt
Blueberries,
Brown Rice,
Black Beans (or any beans),
Sweet Potatoes,
Oatmeal,
Flax seed,
Cinnamon,
Bread Rounds,
Roasted Sweet Potato Chunks (Schwan's).
Yellow, Orange and Red Sweet Bell Peppers,
Red Onions,
Zucchini,
yellow squash,
Flat Pretzels,
Any crackers under 3 grams of fat, and doesn't say enriched flours
Raisins/Seeds/nuts (Walgreen's brand)
Chicken,
Fish,
occasional lean red meat,
Asparagus,
Spinach,
Artichokes
Whole mushrooms
Quinoa,
couscous,
Ambrosia Apples
Banana
Laughing Cow Cheese
Parmesan (on everything)
Grand Salsa (with corn and beans) Hyvee brand
Dark Chocolate: (Every time you feel like you have to have something sweet, or hungry for something, just don't know what?) Have one square and wait 15 minutes before you have another.

Exceptions: Every morning I have Fat Free Vanilla Creamer in my coffee and I haven't cut out a glass of a Reisling in the evening.

Favorite fast suppers:
Veggie Pizza
Whole grain pizza crust (comes in a package of 2, in pizza section, no refrigeration)
Pizza Sauce (check label for fat content)
Artichokes
Red onions
Mushrooms
Mozzarella

Everyday opens up the possibility for change!

2012-05-28T05:23:00.000-07:00

Everyday opens up the possibility for change! To some that may be scary, but for me, it is hope! I have always had this desire or calling for something that is just beyond my reach. I just can't put my finger on it...I think it's my creative mind trying to be challenged. An idle mind, lack of creativity, is so very dull. It is screaming for something to challenge it! Mix that with sharing talents, ministry, being God's hands, and what is that??? I may be looking for it the rest of my life! Maybe, just maybe all those things can be used in whatever I am doing? Maybe, it's right now, and I am doing all those things! Maybe, I don't have to look far! God can use you right now, in whatever you are doing.

Dancing Leaves

2012-01-31T04:12:00.000-08:00

Found this today, thought I would share:

Spirit of the living God,

Surround my dreary world today

And set my feet to dancing

The silent song of days gone gray,

A heart that's heavy laden,

Won't have the last, the final say

I know a song of dancing leaves,

They swirl and twirl despite the gray.

Spirit of the living God,

Set my feet to dancing

Author: Debra Klingsporn Women's Devotional Bible 2

My favorite photos

2012-01-09T17:02:00.000-08:00

Crayon Art

2012-01-09T15:28:00.000-08:00

My Favorite thing these days!

2012-01-08T06:02:00.000-08:00

href="http://pinterest.com/judyberkeland/">

Hey everyone, check out my site on Pinterest! it's AWESOME!

Healthy body

2012-01-02T15:31:00.000-08:00

30 lbs and counting!' Counting calories? NOT
Last July after going to Maine with my sisters (and seeing myself in the pictures:( And, after a visit to the doctor (resulting in high cholesterol) I decided it was time to stop the craziness and do something about it. The first thing I did was to hold my breath and step on the scale. YIKES! it was true...195. I have never in my life weighed that much! Oh well, a good kick in the rear!
So, I decided to cut the "White" food in my diet...such as, white sugar, white flour, potatoes, white rice, pasta. I was never much of a sweet potato fan, but I decided to give it a try, and now they are one of my favorite foods. well, this was a start and since then (and a huge fan of Dr. Oz), I decided to fill my diet with healthy options and work from the inside out!

Key facts: eat every 3 hours, essential everyday items, and exercise (okay, I haven't exercised, but it sure sounds better) Red meat once a week, fish once or twice a week, chicken and pork loin. I carry a packet of sunkist "ready made" tuna and Multi-grain thin bun in my purse all the time, for that quick source of energy!

5:00: (or whenever I get up) I have two cups of coffee with Carnation French Vanilla (no fat)

7:00 Start out the morning with a bowl of oatmeal. I discovered the steel cut oatmeal and decided it was a bit too heavy, so now I mix steel cut with long cooking oatmeal. It settles better and is a great source of fiber. Add 1/2 to 1 tsp of cinnamon to a large batch, along with flax seed for the best nutritional value.
I will include my oatmeal recipe with "My Favorite Foods". I make a large batch on Sunday for the week. I just spoon out what I want and heat it in the microwave. I really love Silk Vanilla Light Soymilk with it!

9:00: Oikos Greek Yogurt with frozen blueberries. I pack this in my lunch bag for school. This is a great boost for the morning. Since I get up so early, I am hungrier in the morning.

11:00: I eat lunch which consists of any of the following: brown rice with any left over vegetable: brown rice with chili beans: Brown rice with Grand Black Bean and Corn Salsa, tuna fish sandwich, soup (homemade vegetable, tomato or whatever I made over the weekend)

2:00: Snack: Tuna sandwich, fruit, whole wheat saltine crackers with laughing cow cheese

5:00 Supper: Salmon, fish, pork loin, chicken breasts, usually whole foods. (no creamy soups or high fat processed foods)

Wine/crackers (Flat pretzels, laughing cow cheese, Townhouse flatbread (Sea salt)

The Creatist!

2011-01-29T05:25:00.000-08:00

I have discovered my true identity!

It came to me right before I woke up this morning. Yes, that is usually when I find my ideas! The other morning an idea came to me while brushing my teeth. I always have a pen and notepad by the sink in the bathroom, so I can write down my ideas when they hit.
I am a creatist! When I think about "what excites me", or where I fit in this world, I have come up with this thought. I absolutely love coming up with ideas, projects, ways to do things "out of the box". I have always said i would love to work in a "think box" organization. This would include an office (which would be an industrial loft, with wide open spaces, huge walls for displaying ideas, spaces that give artwork their own space, black and white with huge pops of color). To give people another way to look at things, a new perspective. Whether it be related to their work space,education, music, a problem in their life, an approach to a situation that isn't working for them, their home space, a relationship - whatever it is - create something new and better from it.
I think I will start my own company. Call it "The Creatist"! Wait a minute, every time I type creatist, it comes up with red squiggly lines under it - it is not a word. I think I just created a new word "Creatist".
Oh yeah! I would certainly have coffee breaks with rolls! That promotes "Creativity" - oh wait a minute - what else could I do to get the same satisfaction, without the calories! CREATE

It is what it is! Another opportunity!

2011-01-18T05:50:00.000-08:00

It is what it is! That has been the theme running through my mind these past few weeks. Sometimes when I find myself pondering on a thought, it is usually for a reason. I believe that is one way God speaks to us, and we are so busy in our lives doing daily tasks, we don't see it or own it. So, with that in mind, I will share with you how this has affected my life.
Have you ever found yourself coming up with excuses or reasons why things happen (or don't happen). For example, you are running late for work, with no excuse except it took you longer for some reason to get dressed or you got side-tracked and it took you longer to get ready? On my way to work, I would be thinking of valid reasons for being 5 minutes late. Just in case I would run into someone and have to explain why I was late. I would make myself very anxious, rushed and in a tizzy. One day it just hit me...it is what it is. What is the point of making myself crazy, making up valid excuses, my body gets tense and my digestive system gets messed up. It is what it is....I'm late...period. Now, if it's a habit, then maybe you need to restructure your morning routine. But for now, it is what it is.
Another example is...I sometimes get anxious about upcoming concerts. My mind is preoccupied with details and "what if's" . What if my lead players get sick, what if it snows and has to be postponed, what if I didn't prepare it correctly, what if I chose music that was too difficult, what if I forgot to reserve the spot, what if.... Finally one day I claimed this thought: I did my best...I did my homework...and "it is what it is" and I will learn and let it happen. It is only a tragedy if I didn't learn from the experience and move forward. Life puts things in your path and it's your God given gift to use it for the better and move forward.
So, now when I wake up in the morning, after giving thanks for another day to experience heaven on earth, I say to myself "it is what it is" and therefore turn "what is" into an opportunity to experience a joy filled day.

Technology as a tool to enhance learning

2010-12-10T13:46:00.000-08:00

Lets take a look at using technology in the music classroom. Not necessarily technology software, but other tools to enhance learning, open up communication and share our music with each other and the world.

1. Have a good website: Try out using Moodle. It's a website that is user friendly and interactive.
2. Purchase a hand-held digital video camera. These can be used by the students for auditions, lessons and analyzing work.
3. On-line vocabulary quizzes.
4. Open forums for students and parents.
5. You-tube comparisons and critique.
6. Concert and weekly updates via Moodle.
7. Electronic grading
8. Google docs - for Staff development and student group work.
9. Google Calendar
10, Texting - communicating with students

This is just a few of the possibilities. Stay tuned for more!

New thoughts!

2010-09-19T19:48:00.000-07:00

It's interesting to see how life changes as we age.

Things we heard growing up is coming into play:

"Material things have less importance... " I don't need anything for my birthday...just you"
Too much stuff clutters the mind...simple is much

All of a sudden our history, our parent's history and their parent's history seem very important.
Learning new things is not only important, but vital to maintain brain cells

Thank you cards take on a whole new meaning

It doesn't really matter what people think...you are going to live life to the fullest.
The realization that every day may be your last...
Nature is seen in a whole new way...it's like God said, "Wake up and see the beauty I have made for you, don't take it for granted"

Stay tuned for more...

My Favorite Things

2010-08-22T08:46:00.001-07:00

2010-08-12T05:48:00.000-07:00

Summer Project http://moodle.northernstaronline.org/course/view.php?id=1183

Well, I have had the most interesting/challenging job this summer. Last spring I applied to work on a grant sponsored by Intermediate District 287. When I applied I had no idea that I was going to learn SO much! I enjoy learning new things on the internet, and thought I would enjoy this task. Thinking this was going to be a piece of cake, something that would actually take 40 hours (as suggested in he material), I applied and was accepted. Well, needless to say, after 2 months, it was HUGE, but worth every minute. I designed an Online Class for beginning cellist. The idea came when the summer lesson program was cut due to budget cuts. I wanted to develop a place for the new students to come and get these lessons online. This unit takes the kids through the beginning steps of learning to play the cello. Everything from how to take it out of the case, take care of it, proper posture to playing pizzicato and how to hold the bow. They can see and hear me explain, see video's of professional cellist explain it, and read on it. WOW! It's amazing! Now if I can pull it off and teach the kids how to use it, it will really be amazing.
Stay tuned for progress reports.

By the way, click on the underlined word "unit" above and it will take you to my online class.