Second Wind

Veritable Quandary

2010-06-20T10:51:00.005-06:00

I was quite intrigued by the name of this restaurant, Veritable Quandary. Veritable means real or authentic while quandary means a state of uncertainty. So a real sense of confusion. It must mean something to the owner/operator because from the moment you step foot inside the doors you will quickly realize its not a restaurant but rather a dining experience that shows no sign of confusion when it comes to the food, spirits and atmosphere.

Veritable Quandary is "Located above the scenic Waterfront Park and offers a relaxed fine dining experience amidst an atmosphere of old Portland charm. Chef Annie Cuggino’s daily changing menu takes full advantage of the local, farm-fresh products of the Northwest while utilizing culinary influences from around the world. Their legendary bar is always lively and inviting, while the exquisite garden patio overlooking the historic Hawthorne Bridge is truly a dining oasis in the heart of the city."

Me with my camera close this time I could not resist taking pictures of our evening meal. Who doesn't love dessert frist!

Fresh Oregon Strawberries tossed in Aged Balsamic Vinegar,
Cracked Black Pepper, topped with whipped Marscarpone & Honey

Turtle Truffles

TIRAMISU

Chocolate Espresso Sauce & Cracked Whole Coffee Beans

Seared Petite Lamb Chops With Balsamic Reduction
with artichoke hearts resting atop Goat Cheese Phyllo Triangle

Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic & Honey Glaze

served with Spicy Black Eyed Peas, Bacon & Swiss Chard

Cioppino
Seafood Stew, Mussels, Clams, Prawns, Calamari & Fish
fresh tomato & wine broth

Fettuccine with Prawns, Local Asparagus, Pea Shoots,

Chile Flake, Lemon Zest & Garlic Crumbs

Duck Confit Spring Roll with Wasabi Ginger

Everybody's Brewing Country Boy IPA & Hales Dublin Style Cream Stout

I had great food and drinks all over Portland....a big shout out to Stumptown Coffee Roasters for my morning Americano's with honey and cream. Kenny & Zuke's Delicatessen for Stuffed Crepes with Fresh Fruit Compote & Sour Cream one day and Eggs Benedict with mushrooms and caramelized onions the next. Kenny & Zukes also served the best latkes with applesauce and sour cream...oh and amazing mimosa with fresh squeezed juice. Least I not forget Wild Abandon Restaurant & The Red Velvet Lounge where I had local red wine and Black Angus Ribeye Steak grilled medium rare served with mashed potatoes, sautéed vegetables, and finished with a red wine glaze. The entire city is a mecca for a variety of amazing food, wines and locally brewed beers. If you have a chance to get there, Portland is worth the trip.

Portland Rose Garden

2010-06-19T12:00:00.004-06:00

Portland's Rose Garden features over 6,800 rose bushes representing 557 varieties of roses. It was late in the day and the light was going down but I was still able to get a few good pictures of the roses. At the end of the garden I found a hydrangea, which was in better shape then the roses this early in the season. Over twenty years ago a friend and I took a trip to Portland and we visited this garden. At 18 you don't always think about slowing down to see the beauty in things. The funny thing is twenty years later walking the same pathways as an adult I kept thinking what in the world was I doing 600 miles away from home with only my same aged partner in crime? I don't suppose I would ever let any of my children go on a 1200 mile round trip to a city as large as Portland without adult supervision. Needless to say the drive, Portland, Vancouver and the surrounding areas were beautiful I just happened to notice this time.

P.S. Mindy...we sure did have fun though didn't we? Remembering that adventure 20 years later gave me pause...thank God we made it home in one piece.

Multnomah Falls

2010-06-18T20:35:00.002-06:00

There's nothing more powerful than realizing your life's direction and believing that you can get there by taking consistent, forward moving, almost involuntary actions toward achieving your purpose. To quote Gene Hayden author of The Follow-Though Factor: Getting from Doubt to Done, "Following-through is the only thing that separates dreamers from people that accomplish great things". Along the lines of great things...this had to be one of the greatest of all natural wonders that I've ever seen. From the bottom to the top plummeting 611 feet from its origin on Larch Mountain, Multnomah Falls in Oregon is the second highest year-round waterfall in the United States. It was absolutely breathtaking... awe inspiring and of course I loved the legend of the Multhomah Princess. She was said to have jumped from the cliff at the top of the falls to save her people. Whatever our own personal free fall may be we must always remember that we are never walking alone...we are also not granted a life without pain and suffering and sacrifice. May we all have hope in a promise that when we stop working our own plan we can be guided and delivered safely to our destination. I try not to think about whether or not I will ever be asked to jump off a cliff, most days I just wonder which one.

The view from half way up....it was a 700 vertical-foot climb to the top of the falls; about a mile and a quarter each way, mostly over switchbacks.
You could feel the mist of the falls blanketing the path the whole way up

The legend of Multnomah Falls

Many years ago the head chief of the Multnomah people had a beautiful young daughter. She was especially dear to her father because he had lost all his sons in fighting, and he was now a old man. He chose her husband with great care, a young chief from his neighbors, the Clatsop people. To the wedding feast came many people from tribes along the lower Columbia and south of it.

The wedding feast was to last for several days. The whole crowd was merry, for both the maiden and the young warrior were loved by their people.

But without warning the happiness changed to sorrow. A sickness came over the village. Children and young people were the first victims, then strong men became ill and died in only one day. The wailing of the women was heard throughout the Multnomahspan> village and the camps of the guests.

"The Great Spirit is angry with us," the people said to each other. The head chief called together his old men and his warriors for counsel and asked gravely," What can we do to soften the Great Spirits wrath?"

Only silence followed his question. At last one of the old medicine men arose." There is nothing we can do. If it is the will of the Great Spirit that we die, then we must meet our death like brave men. The Multnomah have ever been a brave people."

"I am a very old man, my friends, I have lived a long, long time. Now you will know why. I will tell you a secret my father told me. He was a great medicine man of the Multnomah, many summers and many snows in the past.

When he was an old man, he told me that when I became old, the Great Spirit would send a sickness upon our people. All would die, he said, unless a sacrifice was made to the Great Spirit. Some pure and innocent maiden of the tribe, the daughter of a chief, must willingly give her life for her people. Alone, she must go to a high cliff above Big River and throw herself upon the rocks below. If she does this, the sickness will leave us at once."

Then the old man said,"I have finished, my fathers secret is told. Now I can die in peace."

Not a word was spoken as the medicine man sat down. At last the chief lifted his head. "Let us call in all the maidens whose fathers or grandfathers have been headmen."

Soon a dozen girls stood before him, among them his own loved daughter. The chief told them what the old medicine man had said. "I think his words are words of truth," he added.

Then he turned to his medicine men and his warriors, "Tell our people to meet death bravely. No maiden shall be asked to sacrifice herself. The meeting has ended."

The sickness stayed in the village, and many more people died. The daughter of the head chief sometimes wondered if she should be the one to give her life to the Great Spirit. But she loved the young warrior, she wanted to live.

A few days later she saw the sickness on the face of her lover. Now she knew what she must do. She cooled his hot face, cared for him tenderly, and left a bowl of water by his bedside. Then she slipped away alone, without a word to anyone.

All night and all the next day she followed the trail to the great river. At sunset she reached the edge of a cliff overlooking the water. She stood there in silence for a few moments, looking at the jagged rocks far below. Then she turned her face toward the sky and lifted up her arms. She spoke aloud to the Great Spirit.

"Will you make the sickness pass away if I give you my life? Only love and peace and purity are in my heart. If you will accept me as a sacrifice for my people, let some token hang in the sky. Let me know that my death will not be in vain and that the sickness will quickly pass."

Just then she saw the moon coming up over the trees across the river. It was the token. She closed her eyes and jumped from the cliff.

My view from the top of the falls looking down.

Next morning, all the people who had expected to die that day arose from their beds well and strong. They were full of joy. Once more there was laughter in the village and in the camps of the guest.

Suddenly someone asked, "What caused the sickness to pass away?

Once more the chief called the daughters and granddaughters of the headmen to come before him. This time one was missing.

The young warrior hurried along the trail which leads to Big River. Other people followed. On the rocks below the high cliff they found the girl they all loved.

Then her father prayed to the Great Spirit, "Show us some token that my daughters spirit has been welcomed into the land of the spirits."

Almost at once they heard the sound of water above. All the people looked up to the cliff. To the right of the waterfall a stream of water, silvery white, was coming over the edge of the rock. It broke into floating mist and then fell at their feet. The stream continued to float down in a high and beautiful waterfall.

For many summers the white water has dropped from the cliff into the pool below. Sometimes in winter the spirit of the brave and beautiful maiden comes back to see the waterfall. Dressed in white, she stands among the trees at one side of Multnomah Falls. There she looks upon the place where she made her great sacrifice and thus saved her lover and her people from death.

My Children

2010-06-15T21:48:00.001-06:00

I always knew I'd be the mother of many...and by the Grace of God I was honored to birth into this world four of the most outstanding people I've ever known.

My Children. My greatest joy. These individuals who do not belong to me but have been entrusted to my care have brought me more raw and real emotion then I ever knew possible.

Miss Independent...my first born has a strong will and spirit. She has the strength to forge her own way and is destined for greatness. She taught me a great deal about patience, perseverance, humility, and how to love unconditionally.

The Hippie...quite a unique young lady. Her wisdom and faith are an inspiration to me. Her determination and overall persistence for excellence is admirable.

Mamacia...my baby girl. Gentle and generous. I am in awe of her selflessness. She warms my heart with her nurturing nature.

Sonny Boy...what to say about my only son. He is kind and highly perceptive for a young child. He is very smart and so creative. His love and compassion for all things especially animals is worthy of praise.

They are the most interesting and fun bunch to be around. They are witty and wonderfully able to communicate their good sense of humor. They can meld into any group and hold their own.

And there is more...they are not perfect!

Miss Independent has a propensity to say things off the cuff...she has never understood that somethings are better left unsaid.

The Hippie subscribes to avoidance, negotiating and supports the idea of bribery (her bribing us and us falling for it).

Mamacita is known to slam doors and produce a good tantrum.

Sonny Boy is a master manipulator and has the material wares to show for it.

Alas...they are my greatest joy and sometimes my greatest source of frustration as well but there is not a day that goes by that I don't thank God for the opportunity to be their mother. May they always know that my every move has been made so they can live to their fullest potential...may they always remember the simple lessons will be the hardest to learn and get right.

My Children,
When in doubt...go to God, never mind ALWAYS go to God.
Remember you will always have each other.
Do the right thing even when its the harder thing.
Leading is harder than following.
Work hard.
Play Hard.
Be honest, but remember the principle of the pause before you speak.
Respect gets respect.
No one owes you anything.
Go Big or Go Home.
Believe in the best.
Think your best.
Act your best.
Do your best.
And never ever...settle for less then your than your best.
Love,
Your Mother.....aka Madre, Mom, Ma, or Mommy

I got it....

2010-06-06T15:47:00.008-06:00

(click picture to enlarge)

I've been wanting the Cannon Rebel for a while now, I was never sure what I'd do with it or if I could ever figure out how to use it...nonetheless I didn't give it much thought I figured The Rebel was a few years out for me...I needed to learn how to fully utilize my cell phone, ipod (itunes), my home computer and some other various household electronics...like the cable box and DVD player. In no way do I lack the intellectual where.with.all to learn the ins and outs of these items and I certainly don't lack the patience...I've just operated on the idea that things come to you with practice. Its all about on.the.job.training for me. :) Just as I was mastering a playlist on my ipod....Surprise...I received The Rebel for Mother's Day...I can't seem to put the thing down... I am taking pictures all the time. Its a lot of fun to capture life with a camera that keeps it real...and its not even really complicated... I have not become and instant photographer over night...but I am shooting all the time. Thanks Rob... for the camera, it has been one of the better gifts you've produced...I was never a real big fan of the bassinet, lawn mower, or big screen TV all purchased as personal gifts for me under the delusion I wanted them. Having read most of the instructional manual for the camera, I may be on a roll...by the end of the week I might even be able to watch a movie without getting help figuring out which remote goes to which component.

It's all Relative

2010-06-03T18:02:00.001-06:00

Risk, taking risks….fear, faith and living. I have thought a lot about risk.... my whole life…mostly as an adult but even more as a parent…especially since my children have gotten older. I’ve evaluated risk vs. benefit on many levels. For most of us risk refers to the likelihood of bad outcome from any given situation… For instance, the risk of driving a car too fast is getting a speeding ticket, or worse still, getting into an accident. Webster’s defines risk as danger or hazard. Thus, risk is perceived almost entirely in negative terms. However as I have lived and learned and let my life’s experiences alter my thought process in this area I would argue some risks even dangerous in nature are worth taking because the benefit of the outcome is worth the risk. Anyone who has conquered Mt. Everest would most likely tell you it was well worth the risk. In my opinion when determining what is risky it’s wise to remember….risk is only a concept…a notion that represents an unknown probability of an unknown eventuality and it’s different from person to person. Herein we introduce fear and faith. Unfortunately, fear of outcome is what most people fall back on and usually it will keep them out unknown circumstances that may have been well worth the risk. To keep me from sounding casual or even reckless I also believe that "True fear is a gift. It is a survival signal that sounds only in the presence of real danger.” Yet unwarranted fear with little faith has assumed power over many people. Faith can replace unwarranted fear. Faith is a belief that in the end all is well. Faith does not rely on logical proof or material evidence for certainty or strength. It is with a nicely balanced combination of faith and warranted fear I live my life. I try to avoid unnecessary risks… for me this means risks with no possible good outcome. If there is NO possible good outcome then common sense tells me that I can avoid the risk. Taking risks is a part of how I live and I try not to be debilitated or miss anything because I have become bogged down by lack of faith, fear, statistics or evidence. It has taken me most of my adult life to figure out how to orchestrate a healthy balance. Really, ask my children….It’s a good thing they had their dad when they were little, or not a single one of them would have been allowed to go down a slide alone…I’ve come a long way. I would encourage anyone who is stuck on the path of less resistance to ask "why?" Life really is short....Go For It... do something worth the risk.

First Posted 11/10/09

Deep In Thought

2010-05-20T23:49:00.001-06:00

I have been feeling......well, very introspective for the past few months...a little philosophical and in need of meaningful and connected personal interaction. I was telling this to a friend last night.... when I quickly admitted that I might also drop a blue streak of profanities at any minute and yell at a kid too (not so introspective) ...but for the most part...I feel like I am in some kind of contemplative mode. Its a little like when you're doing a puzzle and towards completion the pieces just start to move themselves into place one at a time until you can clearly see the picture. I was thinking yesterday what do I really have to worry about....I'm just gonna go with it... my life that is...and stop spinning in circles... Just watch...I am about to really come alive.

Off to DO JUST ONE THING AT A TIME even if its folding the mountain of clean laundry that sits in the middle of the family room. Gotta get that done before the king of his castle gets home from an out of town business trip.

First Posted 1/22/10

If I Were....

2010-05-17T00:01:00.008-06:00

Mamacita and I
April 15, 2010

If I were a Season, I would be Winter.

If I were a day of the week, I would be Tuesday.

If I were a time of day, I would be Midnight.

If I were a planet, I would be Mother Earth.

If I were an animal, I would be a Kodiak Bear.

If I were a direction, I would be UP.

If I were a piece of furniture, I would be a Footstool.

If I were a liquid, I would be Quenching.

If I were a gemstone, I would be a Diamond (In The Rough).

If I were a tree, I would be a Redwood.

If I were a tool, I would be Handy.

If I were a flower, I would be an Iris.

If I were a kind of weather, I would be a Storm.

If I were a musical instrument, I would be a Harp.

If I were a color, I would be Black.

If I were an emotion, I would be Euphoria.

If I were a fruit, I would be a Peach.

If I were a sound, I would be Gentle.

If I were an element, I would be Oxygen.

If I were a car, I would be Parked.

If I were a food, I would be Locally Grown.

If I were a place, I would be Safe.

If I were a material, I would be Organic.

If I were a taste, I would be Peppermint.

If I were a scent, I would be a New Baby.

If I were an object, I would be a Welcome Mat.

If I were a body part, I would be Open Hands.

If I were a facial expression, I would be Inviting.

If I were a pair of shoes, I would be Comfortable.

What a great Meme. Thanks to Wanderlust, who would smell like rain, taste like crème brulee and feel like silk. After a busy weekend out of town I am playing catching up again and this was a perfect post.

What about you? What would you be?

O Canada

2010-05-10T22:57:00.001-06:00

This picture was taken high above

Seattle, Washington a little over three weeks ago.

I flew with The Hippie and Mamacita into Washington state so they could travel from there with friends to wrap up the 2009-2010 ski/snowboard season out of the country.
They chased the snow to Whistler Blackcomb, which is just north of Vancouver,
in British Columbia, Canada.

I elected to stay behind in Washington. (I know right, so unlike me to miss a chance to ski.) Its true, I needed some down time. The weeks ahead of the trip had been quite stressful... and I thought there was no better place to leave my worries but in the hurried streets of a city where no one would notice them and I would not have to bring them home with me.
Sorry Seattle.... she says, with no regret just appreciation.

The Hippie and one of her sidekicks captured hundreds of pictures from their trip.
Here are the highlights.

Crossing the border.

Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort

This breathtaking mountain is the largest ski resort in North America.

Lucky for them, Whistler had gotten several feet of snow just in time for their arrival.

Mamacita had been ready for weeks for this trip.

The Hippie said life just doesn't get any better than this.

And then I saw these pictures...of the gondola rides they were taking. I wasn't so sure about my babies being suspended from peak to peak like this.

Toto, we're a long way from Kansas up here.
A rare photo op with The Hippie actually posing.

Mamacita "posing"
Sisters having the time of their lives.

Solitude at its very finest.

Enjoying every second.

Taking in the sites

Paying tribute.

Crossing back into Washington.

The girls had a great time. We reunited back in Washington. Had dinner with Mamacita's God Parents who live about an hour from Seattle. We flew back the next day, I am pretty sure I left some of my stress behind because I didn't seem to notice it when we got home...and from the looks of that last picture.....the girls left their get.up.and.go in Canada.
Thanks to everyone who was involved in making this trip happen for the three of us.
We are very appreciative...and hope to see you all again soon.

Letting Go

2010-05-03T19:13:00.006-06:00

So....I am coming off what has been an unintentional blogging hiatus to write this evening. I didn't mean to stop writing here...I just did. For a while, life got bigger than me and nothing I wrote was fit for public consumption. I don't have enough time left in this day or potentially in all the days of my life to go into it...and DON'T let your imaginations run wild either... but if you must, just see me on an amazing vacation where when I stepped outside I found absurd amounts of snow...laughing hysterically... because most of you already think I am a wee bit touched, cuckoo, off my rocker because of my love affair with winter and the white stuff. Suffice to say...I am fine over here...I'm just catching my second wind again. I do almost feel like I have stage fright though...more like I'm standing here naked... after wrestling with the idea it would be easier to keep moving in the silent direction... I realized no.can.do. I can't stay quiet for long...I don't think I'll be opening any flood gates just yet, however I really wanted to say hello.

Today...and if only for THE day...all my children... ALL of them... Miss Independent, The Hippie, Mamacita and Sonny were in the same place at the same time...talking, laughing, even joking around....just being together... no angst, no anger, and no animosity. Everything in my world felt right...and that feeling from today has poured over into this evening. I have a calm peace about me that has been absent for many, many days...I guess since Miss Independent moved out and got married. Oh yeah... some of you didn't know my oldest daughter got married a month ago, don't feel bad...her Dad missed it too... it happened so fast, we all nearly missed it.

Its taken me the better part of ALL.MY.LIFE to really understand that things just happen in which I have no control over. The past few weeks have been a challenging reminder that I am not in charge. I've always known this and I have been good to allow my life to simply flow... but every once in a while I get this notion that I am the senior partner...not a humble steward...sort big of me I know... one of the hardest lessons for me is letting go and letting God... isn't it the hardest lesson for most? After weeks of trying to work MY plan I finally acquiesced and I felt the calm and I also wondered TINA.WHAT.TOOK.YOU.SO.LONG? Things happen that I can't do anything about it...nothing will change it...no amount of personal sacrifice can turn the hands of time...no agonizing...no pleading...nothing. Life unfolds and if you're open to it...and if you're willing to acknowledge it... the plan is there and the outcome you ask...its already in motion.

Here's MY visual aid:

I ski.

I've been doing it for years.
I love it.
(Have we covered that here? The part about me loving snow & skiing?)

So, I have ran this exact run a hundred times,
see me over there by the trees?
On April 4, 20o9

I came down that exact line and went from skiing,

to this...

and down the hill in the sled with a broken leg and yes that's really my rescue thanks to Ed. Thanks Ed, I needed these pictures more than you'll ever know.

(Have we cover the broken leg here as well...have I beat that horse dead yet?)

Like many other times in my life I played THAT split second out in my mind, over and over and over. I just kept thinking how did THAT happen? Call me crazy, it just didn't seem plausible that I could get hurt doing something I love so much. (Subliminal message: or get hurt by someone I love so much.) Unfortunately, IT JUST HAPPENED. As a matter of fact, while I laid there waiting for the ski patrol to come get me and confirm that I would not be skiing down the rest of the way... I thanked God the light was low and I was not flying down that run as fast as I usually did... or I might have broken more than just my leg. I could have been all sorts of broken up or worse. When I realized there was nothing I could have done to stop it or change it and this season when I was able to ride over that exact spot that dropped me without fear...I got over it. Even though I didn't have the best come back year ever... God was good to even have me on my skis less then 8 months later. I did ski with a heightened sense of awareness...just a subtle reminder that I was not invincible, but I did ski... a lot.

Things happen that are out of our control and we either move on and move forward or we stay in a strange holding pattern like an airplane above the runway waiting for clearance to land. You can only circle for so long before you run out of fuel... over the years I've gotten closer than most to empty and taxied in on fumes... I'm just not feelin' that anymore. This morning, I was given a surprise gift from Tammy. A silver bracelet with The Serenity Prayer engraved all the way around it. Perfect inscription and perfect timing. Thanks Tammy.

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

Breathe

2010-04-28T08:36:00.001-06:00

Giving Thanks

2010-04-23T18:00:00.000-06:00

adios en vaya con dios

2010-04-14T09:00:00.008-06:00

Sunday April 11, 2010
My Last Run for the 2009-2010 Ski Season.

Family, friends, followers, and unofficial stalkers I am going to be away from my blog for a few days. I know I've been gone a lot recently...but I've come back and will again..don't stop the love cause I WILL be looking for you when I return and hopefully with a lot to say.

Give me a week or so...I've made some wonderful connections here so don't let a little vacation put asunder.

I am going to have a minute to myself if you can believe it. I won't even have any kids underfoot. I'll be on my very own. I don't know the last time I even went to the bathroom alone...or took a bath without someone sitting on the toilet talking to me. I may not know what to do with myself.

My prayer....May I always try to pursue my highest good, and to inspire others to reach theirs... to make time in my life and room in my heart for many different passions and causes, to live what I believe, and teach what I live... to be gentle with others, and with myself... to care deeply about the world and my contribution to it...to be a good person, wife, mother and example to the people whose lives I come in contact with. All the while trying not to slam doors, holler at my children, mumble profanities, and throw my hands in the air as if to say "why God, why me"?

Leave me lots of comments begging me to come back soon!!

Walk Well,
Tina

It's Amazing!

2010-04-10T12:45:00.016-06:00

All the pictures are taken from the area I like to run.
(And since I know you'll be asking what kind of camera I use, ha ha...
its an LG Chocolate 3 Cell Phone)
Click picture to enlarge.

The backside of my neighborhood.

As you can see we still have higher elevation snow.
(The last patch in my yard melted today)

Right past those mountains is my ski hill.

I love this place I live.

Ani getting out ahead of me.

Thinking my God in heaven how far is the car.

Come on girl...the only way to the car is over that hill.

Home stretch...

I am not really sure what's happened in the past few weeks...and even less certain what I can write about, just yet...but what I will scatter here today is that exactly 16 days ago I was swept off my feet by a tornado and I have been deep in the vortex of that crazy twister ever since.

Earlier this morning, I was desperately trying to think what I could do to get out of this windstorm. As you all know... when there is snow...skiing is what I normally do for natural stress relief. Even though my local hill is open this weekend....I've been hesitant to go. I am not even in right fame of mind to ski. And with that comment, I can see all my local friends converging on my house. Don't panic, but don't call and ask how I am either unless you've got some time to kill cause THAT is loaded question.

ANY-way.... I reluctantly remembered when I don't ski, I run (and not run away, or run from things or people) but I run...you know to move quickly...more rapid than a walk and in such a manner that for an instant both feet are off the ground. Don't you like the thought of both your feet being off the ground!! The Hippie actually pushed this thought a couple nights ago after a no so good mommy moment....she said "YOU should take a run...and if not for you for your dog who is bored and getting fat". (Don't! She really was talking about the dog).

SO...tired of feeling tired....I was ready to let the funnel cloud spit me out... I had no choice but to get off my arse and get moving...get my heart beating and blood flowing. I am very thankful I did...because as I well know and just couldn't remember... physical activity does produce a certain result in me that I can't buy over the counter or at the liquor store.

I have not ran in a couple of months unless you count the times I've ran to the phone. I have skied a lot, as much as time and snow has permitted but as far as regular exercise... not.me.not.lately which has not been my problem but part of the reason I am not dealing with what is the problem constructively. I was afraid I might die out there today under a partly sunny...mostly overcast sky. I was seriously worried I'd succumb to a major myocardial infarction or a pulmonary explosion.

But NOT so. I ran...slowly (saving my bored and fat dog from her own near death experience). But I ran and I lived and what's better is I felt alive. When I got in the car, breathless, red faced and looking more than slightly like I needed a paramedic...but most certainly not dead...I felt ONE HUNDRED PERCENT better.

Move over my friend in the habit, Steven Tyler might be my new spiritual advisor....baah ha ha. I just had one of those weird moments... I know you've all had them when you hear a song or read a passage and you think I could have said that... I should have wrote that. I can't make a single promise...but I am hoping that things are looking up.

It's Amazing
With the blink of an eye you finally see the light
It's Amazing
When the moment arrives that you know you'll be alright
It's Amazing

And I'm sayin' a prayer for the desperate hearts tonight

If you must, you can spare yourself a rockin guitar solo that goes on for several minutes at the end.

Got Cascarones?

2010-03-26T00:15:00.003-06:00

In Mexico, many festive days, holidays, and all saint day celebrations involve the making of cascarones. Cascarones ("kass-kuh-ROW-nays") are a cross between an Easter egg and a party favor. They are brightly colored eggshells, either hand-painted or dyed, filled with confetti. Many cultures have a tradition of colored eggs, especially around Easter. For our family cascarones also represent the Resurrection of Jesus Christ; the breaking of the egg symbolizes how Christ had risen from the tomb, just like a new born chick opens the shell. Thanks to my friend Delinda our family tradition is to playfully crack an egg in our hands releasing it over one another's heads unleashing God's blessings, well wishes, good luck and good fortune in a shower of confetti. This gringa loves instilling some Mexican traditions in her children...stay tuned for Mamacita's upcoming Quinceañera...that promises to be a really amazing 15th birthday celebration.

What You Need to make cascarones :

* Eggs
* Tissue Paper
* White glue
* Scrap paper
* Hole punch

What to Do:

1. Carefully break a hole about the size of a penny, or slightly smaller, into one end of an egg.
2. Gently shake out contents of the egg into a bowl. If you wish, you can keep the egg yolk and egg white to use for cooking later.
3. Hold the empty eggshell firmly but gently between your fingers, and rinse it out with warm water. Mix in a small amount of dish soap to remove any traces of the egg's contents.
4. Set the hollowed eggshell aside to dry thoroughly. If you are preparing several cascarones, you can set the empty shells in the egg carton to dry. After the top of the eggshell is dry, flip the eggshell to allow the other side to dry. (At this point you can color or decorate the empty and dried egg).
5. Buy or use a hole punch to make confetti out of scrap paper in various colors. To brighten the confetti, you can also punch holes in foil paper!
6. Stuff the confetti into the eggshell, very gently. Fill the egg all the way to the top, shaking the eggshell so that the confetti settles.
7. Place small dots of white glue around the holes in the eggshell.
8. Set a small square of tissue paper over the holes to seal the egg.

I bought my dozens this year in support of the war on drugs in Mexico...but next year I think I will use brown eggs filled with bird seed instead of confetti!

I hope you try to make your own cascarones! They are a lot of fun and good party favors for any occasion..

WHY, WHEN and WHERE

2010-03-24T20:31:00.015-06:00

Picture completely unrelated to post...just a shot of where I spent my day.

There has been a lot of talk lately in the blogsphere regarding the WHY, WHEN and WHERE bloggers blog. I’ll bite…you should to…run over and take a look at Perfect Sentiment and link up your thoughts on this.

Lemme track way back…to The Julie/Julia Project. Yes, that Julie…from Julie & Julia…the movie…which was based on a book that was based on a blog where Julie Powell blogged about cooking her way through Julia Child’s cookbook. I stumbled upon the actual blog in its infancy. Then, like most everyone worldwide who followed the blog I immediately read the book and subsequently have seen the movie. (I am presently wrestling with whether or not I will read Julie’s second book Cleaving, a whole other blog post). PS Julie Powell swore like a sailor on her blog and in her book...the movie was good...but a slightly disappointing for me...and not because she didn't drop the F-bomb...but because Julie Powell didn't seem and is not a dripping sweet as Amy Adams was in the movie.

SO…it was in the midst of reading Julie Powell’s blog that I first thought about writing my own blog…and what a fascinating and also bizarre idea this blogging was. The thought came and went and in that time… I started noticing that it seemed everyone had a blog. They were as varied as the writers themselves…I followed a handful of blogs, nothing like I do now…and not with near the intensity. But, I was a blog stalker….FOR SURE.

Then, I started thinking...I can do this, I want to do this…still I only thought about doing it, until a girlfriend told me to stop talking about it and start doing it…and so I did. See her at Enough Talk…Time for Action. And for good measure here is an earlier post I wrote about blogging at Blogging for Dummies.

My intent was to chronicle life with my children. At the time, I suspected I would write volumes about the challenges of parenting teenagers…however; I have not shared much about that. I suppose some things are just better left unwritten . I blog about everything else though…and some days nothing at all…I write and I ramble. I like to joke I do this because I ran out of my allotted counseling sessions and I figured why pay Sister Mary Paul out of pocket to sit and listen to me when I don’t even have to leave home to bare my soul.

I said I would write whether people read my thoughts or not…it turns out a lot of people do read my thoughts…and some days I am sure you wish I would stop muttering and say something really profound, do a cool craft, take a decent picture, detail a hobby or at least write consistently about something…but I just come back day after day…doing what I do…and the truly fascinating realization is… so do you…my readers/followers/friends, you come back day after day and are genuinely interested...even in mundane things I find blog worthy.

When I started my blog 6 months ago another blogger said "just keep it authentic"…this advice is paramount and something I tell others when asked. I say what I mean, and mean what I say. If you’re looking for a cool craft…a decent picture…or talent…you have probably long since discovered that I am just an average almost 40 year old Mom…who with a slowing midwifery career, skis as many days a week as she can and who does not quilt, knit, sew, scrapbook, bead, and I don’t know squat about photography (what do you want from my little point and shoot digital camera). What you will find at Second Wind is an honest look into my life (interesting or not). You will see that I am just like you…getting up everyday trying to live well and stay ahead of the rat race. I love my husband, I adore my children. I am opinionated (but realistic and not as idealistic as I was 20 years ago), I cook, clean, taxi and rob Peter to pay Paul so I can work mostly from home. I get tired, crabby and even swear for no good reason because life is not easy…which is not to say its bad…my life is good….some days it is just harder then others. I love to laugh out loud, loudly and spend as much time as possible with my children. I have a slightly serious addiction to espresso with honey and cream…which may also be why I am a bit of an insomniac and write late at night. I have good taste; really good taste just not enough money…which does not bother me at all... I don’t live “green” I do what I can (notice I didn’t say I do the best I can, because I know I could do better). I do my share of cooking but my kids are allowed to eat Fruit Loops for breakfast even though I am fully aware they might as well eat sugar right from the canister….(I understand the value of healthy food but dang it sometimes I want Fruit Loops and in my defense -my microwave is in the garage how many of you can say THAT). We stay up late, get up late and rush around every morning before school like ants on a hill. We entertain a lot and love to have weekly guests at our dinner table. Even though I would like to say that my life is slow and simple…that would be a lie....most would say that we live in complete bedlam and they would be right.

I blog anywhere and anytime I can capture a few minutes to myself. Mostly, I blog at my desk/home computer when my children are at school or from my lap top in bed late at night. I’ll sure never make my million blogging…though I spend enough time doing it I know my husband wishes I would.

I love to blog… and as long as I can neglect dinner and dishes I’ll keep at it...ask the kids, tonight we had $1 hot dogs at Costco for dinner... you can’t beat that with a stick. I also follow a large number of blogs....I read various blogs for various reasons and jokingly commented yesterday that I do this purely for motivation...because I am not sure how some of you are actually doing it ALL. Working from or away from home, keeping spotless houses, clean and folded laundry, reading something besides Dr. Seuss and volunteering in each of your children's classrooms, not to mention...cooking organic homemade meals three times a day and preforming your wifely duties on demand. Reading blogs inspires me to be a better person...I often toggle with with idea of taking up tatting or some other handicraft so at the end of the day I at least have something to show for myself and the exhausted look on my face.

Dick's Ditch Banked Slalom

2010-03-19T08:34:00.033-06:00

Attention: If you care to get the full effect of any of these pictures just click on the image.

"Hang Loose"

Me, The Hippie & Mamacita

Jackson Hole Mountain's premier ski and snowboard freeride event, the Dick's Ditch Classic, was held March 5-7, 2010. It's a two-day banked slalom competition that runs over man-made and natural terrain in Dick's Ditch, from Lupine Way down to South Pass Traverse.

Dick's Ditch is a terrain trap named after a patrolman Dick Porter who survived a 55-minute avalanche burial there in 1966. A dozen years ago the Jackson Hole management team decided that the ditch would be a perfect do-or-die race course for hardcore skiers and snowboarders.

This sounded like the perfect race for The Hippie. I had a good feeling about the whole weekend. As noted in previous blog posts...its takes A LOT to get me out of town, but for a weekend in one of the most breathtaking places I've seen...I was ready to go.

We packed the car...and set out for our adventure.....The Hippie, Mamacita, Jesse Girl and myself. It was early and still dark...but the kids were to excited to sleep. Then, to our delight an hour out of town it started snowing...and it snowed all the way there...making for some interesting white knuckle driving on 10% grades up and down and around the switchback's until we finally got to the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort...it was amazing. And not just the mountain...at the base is a Swiss-style Village...everything you need is crowded together here...lodges, condominiums, espresso stands, restaurants, gift shops, groceries, ski and snowboard shops, car rentals, a skating pond, a gym and personal trainers if you still needed a workout after a day on the hill, No thanks.

We found the event tent...got The Hippie signed in and received her competition bib...NUMBER 17. We could not believe it...that's HER number. We all looked at each other and we KNEW what that meant. Or, at least I did...in my heart I knew she would own this race. I knew from the minute we signed her up...she was there for a reason...she would win. I knew it.

It was early Friday morning...the course was open for inspection from 11:30am-3pm. Course inspection was not required, but was highly recommended. Racers were able to 'section' portions of the course, but not run the course in its entirety. I got the kids situated to ride and The Hippie set out to take a look at the course she would race the next day.

I did not ski the first day... Looking back, I wish I had skied...because while I was hanging out in the Village listening to folks and the locals talk...I heard things like..."whoa dude...your doing Dick's Ditch they build a course here that will make riders pee their pants." GREAT. Still feeling pretty confident about my girl's ability I let that comment go...then, while sitting with an espresso in hand I hear..."It requires some serious Jedi maneuvering" and "the potential for carnage was high" CRAP. And apparently, this course known to cause tib-fib breaks and make riders cry or puke or both. CRAP...CRAP. My personal anxiety was high.

Meeting up with kids a few hours later... I asked The Hippie..."so, how is it?" She said..."its tough, but I'm good...its like a large scale version of stuff I ride all the time." So...I thought GOOD ENOUGH! It was ON.

We had a fun dinner at Bubba's BBQ, got back to the hotel...a beautiful hotel gifted to us for the weekend by The Hippie's Godfather Fred. (Thanks Freddy, we love you). Tucked in and lights out by 9:30pm.

I will admit the next morning I was anxious...I could not get that "known for tib-fib breaks" comment out of my head... I had broke my fib last season...and our good friend had a serious tib-fib compound fracture out her boot a few years before...so this was swirling in my head, pounding in my heart and churning in my gut.

Cut to the chase... it was her turn to ride... I could hardly watch...I was so proud of her. The Hippie is an amazing snowboarder...I've always known this...but when she passed me...I wanted to yell...I know her... I know that kid...I am her Mom. Then, the big joke...the tears, I didn't expect the tears...I think I was just so proud of her that I could not help it.

The rest is history and captured in the following pictures. Watch for this kid in the future and remember when she's famous that you saw her first here on my blog.

Catching #17 on her way up to the race.

Still can't believe this is the bib she drew.

Saying good luck and sending her down to the ditch, the starting point of the race.

Dropping in.

The following pictures are only one section of the race.
Great shots of her coming through some of the gates.

Mamacita rushing down to congratulate her sister
and also to inform her that I was hysterical and crying.

I got to her as fast as I could.

She was telling me that she had 'no legs left' .
The rumors were true.

After the race...moving out for a fast run down so we could
get back up and watch some of the other competitors.

Jesse Girl got some awesome shots.

Always in the air.

The Hippie, Jesse Girl & Mamacita.

Thanks HEAD Snowboard.

Smith Optical & Scott's we appreciate
your continued support and interest in
The Hippie's boarding future.

Waiting for the awards ceremony.

SHE WON!
Taking her place on top!

Getting a thumbs up and congrats from Matt, one of our home town locals.

She said this was "worth buying a belt for."

The Hippie and Jesse Girl, photographer extraordinaire.

Stopping to say Goodbye to Wyoming!
This was a weekend we will never forget.
See you next year!

Fallen Soldiers

2010-03-18T10:00:00.008-06:00

This morning I heard from a friend of ours....she was heart broke and grieving. She and her husband had just gotten world that Adam, a good friend of theirs died in Afghanistan, from injuries suffered during combat operations.

I did not know Adam. It didn't matter, I told her there is something powerful that should come over a person when you hear about a fallen soldier. I was sorry for his family's loss....their loss....the world's loss. This man was a true American hero.

Hearing how Adam drew fire away from his pinned down comrades in an effort to save their lives...set a lump in my throat I could not swallow....it gave me pause....and and filled me with a reverent pride that I can not wrap words around.

This news, also took me back a few years to the day my husband learned a fellow soldier he had served with, Army Special Forces soldier Scott Dyer had died October 11th 2006 in a helicopter above the mountains of southern Afghanistan from injuries he sustained in support of combat operations.

As for me, and my little Army family.... we have not forgotten there are soldiers stationed halfway across the world in harms way. No matter what we see or hear in the media about war... or how each of us feel about conflict and war....without hesitation, when asked these men and women leave all that they know to go...and for that, I am humbled to support them and I will always honor those serving and especially those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006, Army soldiers assigned to an honor guard platoon prepare for the funeral of Army Chief Warrant Officer Scott William Dyer during funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery.

Brigadier General Joseph B. Dibartolomeo
presents the U.S. flag
from CWO Dyer's coffin to
his widow, Jodi Dyer,
and their children, Sidney, 6, and Casey, 10.

Post It Notes or Bust

2010-03-16T15:53:00.007-06:00

Its true, after I said last week that I am NEVER, EVER...EVER... at a loss for words...I've had bloggers block. Either that or my life has just been to freaking lame to write about. One...the other...or both.

Not much to report ova here...I am moving at verrrry slow pace, watching my beloved winter melt in to spring (Yes, we can still be friends Katie). Trying not to get despondent.

First, the snow was late getting here (Who is in charge of that? I wanna speak to your boss).

Next, it took me weeks to find my groove (Move over Stella, next blockbuster: How Tina Got Her Groove Back).

Then, we had a streak of warm weather which melted everything in town, causing people to publicly rejoice so I can't even go to Winco w/o getting indignant (I pity the sun seeker who cross my path... she says like Mr. T from The A-Team.

NOW....winter truly IS almost over and I can feel the mourning ritual starting up (Please no advice about the wide range of pharmaceuticals available b/c unless I completely lose my neurotransmitters... miserable only lasts until I can get on my dirt bike).

So, blogging has been at the back of my brain. I have been chasing snow like a little kid with two quarters following the ice cream buggy screaming with my best George Lopez impersonation, Wait fer ME...Wait fer ME.

None the less...here I am! IF Supah can do it day in and day out in one piece, so can I. Because I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!

Today's post it notes are dedicated to my children...
but then aren't they always in one way shape or form dedicated to, written about or some how inspired by the four people I love the most
right behind their Dad...come on guys, he came first.

Didn't you see the way Ani eyeballed and drooled over Grandma's cat this weekend. She wanted to eat Shasha. No.Cat.No.Way.No.How.

OK...come on kid, your making me look bad. Your face is so tan below your goggles it looks like you have a beard. The attendance lady does not have to read my blog to know there is something fishy going on.

Fact of the matter is I can appreciate you never making the bed... I got the memo, you're just getting back into it...but every single article of clothing you own is on the floor....I know your a bit of a risk taker...but you are no match for a spider.
Clean that place up.

I have seen you every single day of your life give or take a few sleepovers...you moving out was a complete shock to my system...and the snow is melting...I'm about done for kid. Give me some time to make the corner I am still trying to catch up with you.
PS Next time skip the surprise and call me!
Receiving the text picture of you actually getting the tattoo
nearly landed me in the ER with a pain in the shest.

Captain's Log, Stardate 2010.03.16. The damage to the Mothership was extreme. Both sides have taken heavy casualties and it's clear that no one is going to win this conflict. Thankfully the fighting has reached a standstill we have agreed to negotiate a truce.

Captain's Log, supplemental. With most of our damage repaired, I keep thinking we're almost home. Yet I feel uneasy, and I wonder why. Perhaps it is the emptiness of this vessel...how could that be with the Mothership only missing a single member of her crew. Quarters are no longer close, but nerves are frayed, and I'm not sure what's more difficult to maintain... normalcy or the crew's morale. What's important is that we are together working toward a single goal. Survival. This is Tina... signing out.

From the desk of my Sonny Boy

2010-03-10T09:16:00.004-07:00

So... its Wordless Wednesday. Fact of the matter...I could not have a wordless ANY-day if my life depended on it. No way, no how... why do you think I write this blog... its to give my husband and friends a break from my constant chatter. But, apparently my son does not take after me on this one. Why? This morning, he and I had one of those moments... you know the kind...Mom and child deadlocked... at a complete impasse. I loved his solution. A little note, short and sweet.... I don't want to talk. Perfect! Don't, and don't complain about the waffles I made you for breakfast either!! I don't know many people who get up and make a full on Sunday morning breakfast...NOT on Sunday, well on Sunday too...but even on a rushed weekday morning before school. Yep, that's me...waffles, french toast, pancakes, muffins, biscuits, bacon...anything you want....the whole works! Not everyday, but I am known to make a breakfast before school that most kids have to order off the menu at Denny's, I-hop, Waffle House or the likes. So, this morning when I got flack about the waffles not being edible...what do you mean NOT EDIBLE?? I got a little indignant. Then, my son tells me how terrible it is that he can't have an opinion...I lovingly told him, he most certainly can have an opinion...and as he eats his waffle, he is welcome think anything he wants...but with a smile and glad heart tell me "thanks mom, for taking the time to make me breakfast." Skip to the end, he didn't eat the waffle and he didn't talk... at all, the rest of the morning... Wow...how did he do that? I am just not wired like that...but can respect his need to contemplate, ponder and even pout in peace. Oh to be 9... wherein the day can come to a compete and screeching halt over a waffle. When I dropped him at school...I told him goodbye, have a great day and to always remember his mamma loves him most. I am glad I had already packed him strawberries and grapes for snack... he'll be glad too.

What a Weekend

2010-03-08T00:01:00.005-07:00

Three days and two nights in one of the most beautiful destination ski/snowboard resorts in the US. I've got a great story...and a lot of fan-tas-tic pictures...but I also have a laundry pile that is sky high, and work to catch up on...so it might be a day or so before I get back here. Though I'll leave you with a little fact...this girl, The Hippie...she was in a two-day banked slalom competition and she brought home the WIN. We are so proud of her!

Say Hello to Alicia DiFabio

2010-03-05T00:01:00.006-07:00

I am thrilled to have Alicia DiFabio from Welcome To My Planet.

Alicia writes a powerful blog about Parenting, Autism and Life with her husband and 4 daughters. While she was earning her doctorate degree in psychology she worked as a psychotherapist, school psychologist, researcher, adjunct professor, and in-home behavioral therapist. I must admit... I immediately thought I can't read a parenting blog written by an expert.....I could already feel the guilt creep in...but before I had an attack of parental inadequacy...I read on and she said none that prepared her for motherhood. Today, you will find Alicia putting her "well-honed skills to use on her kids using advanced bribery and reverse psychology 101." This mother has the patience of a saint for which I know there is a special place in Heaven waiting just for her. Take a run around her blog and you will find that in one post she writes regarding the challenges of taking care of her 14 year old daughter who is severely autistic and non-verbal backed right up with thoughts on the lighter side of life. When you go be prepared for strong dose of reality and a full shot of humor.

Thanks for coming my way today Alicia and giving my readers a little break from my hum-o-n-around about this-and-that.

6-Word Memoirs
~by Alicia

Ernest Hemingway was challenged (likely a bar bet) to write a short story in exactly 6 words.

He came up with this:

For Sale: Baby shoes, never worn.

How brilliant is this man?!?!

Apparently, Hemingway's "6-word story" inspired the editors of Smith Magazine to compile the 6-word memoirs of many writing talents.

A story was aired about this memoir project on National Public Radio. The compiled 6-word memoirs can be found in the new book entitled: Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs By Famous and Obscure Writers. They are really interesting to read!

Since I love a challenge, particularly a writing challenge... I HAD to come up with my own 6-word memoir. The key is, you're not supposed to over-think it... it loses some sincerity. But, as usual, I had to go through several drafts...

So, what could I write that would summarize who I am in this world... the totality of my short, but full life?

I came up with a few renditions:

First came my smart-ass responses:

Without humor, it all basically blows.

What the F* is this sh*?

Seriously, don't know what I'm doing.

Then I go for the literal, especially after these past 3 days:

I'm knee deep in pooh, literally.

Then the loopy:

I don't send bad food back.

One big experiment on sleep deprivation.

She didn't drink the Kool Aid.

Then my brooding self surfaced:

Dreaming the dreams, but never delivering.

Life devoted to correcting past mistakes.

Heart always there, soul sometimes lost.

Then it started to get more 'genuine' to me:

Different than I imagined, but better.

Deserving of nothing, grateful for all.

And, after much silly brainstorming , I finally decided that this one probably says it all.

My life... my memoir... in a 6 word nutshell.

Plan B was better than expected.

Want to take a stab at it too?

Give a Warm Welcome to....

2010-03-03T00:01:00.009-07:00

Under The BIG blue Sky

I've been ~~staking~~ reading this blog for quite a while. I love it....I am captivated by the writing....the layout is organized and easy to follow...and I thoroughly enjoy the photography. It's the real life happenings of a family who could live next door to me, I wish she did...I'd be sneaking into her garden!!

Jen (Under The BIG blue Sky) is the dedicated single mother of two little ladies. She works hard and lives well. I've been impressed with her on so many levels. She's honest and authentic...which is what keeps me coming back to see what's on her mind from post to post.

Dear Girls
by Jen

I promise you that at some point:

1. I am going to look at you and not know what you are thinking.

2. you are going to hurt each other’s feelings and not value each other.

3. you are going to feel that I “DO NOT UNDERSTAND YOU ONE BIT”.

4. you are going to think I am, weird, crazy, wacko, out of touch, a freak of nature, over the top, ridiculous.

5. someone you thought was a friend is going to say something about you to someone else that will hurt you.

6. someone you thought was a friend will just disappear from your life.

7. a boy you really, really, really like, is not going to know you exist.

8. a boy is going to really, really, break your heart.

9. school is going to seem too hard and too time consuming.

10. you will think you are ready for a relationship that I know you are not ready for.

11. you will think that you got away with something that I will know about but never tell you.

12. you will struggle with your body image.

13. you will care about what other people think about you.

14. you will think every year that this is the only time there is and how important it is.

15. you are going to question the existence of God.

16. you will ask me questions about your father that I may still not feel ready to tell you about.

17. you will be embarrassed when I talk to you about sex.

18. you will no longer think the music I listen to is “cool”.

19. you will shy away from my hugs and my kisses.

20. you will be afraid to tell me how you are really feeling.

I already know this,

–mama.

She recently wrote this letter to her girls and I wanted to share it here because it rang so true and loudly for me and depicted things that I never saw coming, I wish I had, because with the exception of a couple my daughter's have seen these realities on one level or another. This is one of those times I thought "I could have said that." Dear Girls, is part one of two...so make sure to jump over to her blog so you can read the second half. Dear Girls Part Two

Thanks Jen, you're an inspiration and you really are brilliant.
Keep on...keeping on!

Saying it Supah Style

2010-03-02T00:01:00.007-07:00

Macie Marilyn: Happy BIRTH-day

2010-02-28T17:50:00.008-07:00

The births of our first two children, Sterling and Sarah, had taken place at the hospital with a Certified Nurse Midwife. Wanting a birth experience that more closely aligned with our philosophies, we chose to have a home birth for our third child, Meg. When we found out we were expecting our fourth child, we knew right away that we wanted another home birth, and were thrilled to have Tina work with us again as our midwife.

I knew that this baby most likely would not come on its calculated due date. My history with my previous three children had shown that. During the day of the ninth day after my due date, I felt as though there were some possible early signs of labor, but still nothing conclusive. It wasn't until my husband and I laid down for the night, that I felt regular, strong contractions. After an hour of those, I figured I may as well get up and move around, in hopes of speeding things up. It seemed that once Macie decided to come, she made every effort to help out. Between each contraction I could feel her wiggling and moving and working her way down. It took two strong pushes to get her out – all 9 pounds, 8 ounces of her. Before I knew it, she was in my arms,
accompanied with a sense of love, awe, and joy for her
that has since become a defining moment of my life.

Macie
2-28-08

Thank you Tina!! And happy BIRTH-day Macie Marilyn!!!
Written by Vanessa