tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:46:54 +0000ethicssettling insweetnessEddie Veddereleanor rooseveltbookswallace and grommitvbs.tvlost packageNB 575 Trailurban dictionarymerry christmasshoppingnon-consumptioncommunityritualsBigFish learns to readGristnaturethe view from heresimplifysweetgrasspackingwinter sunwaretsyanxietysummersolicitationlambsself loveshaun the sheepBigFishwishnext generationcognitive remidiationoverreactionnutellamint.comgingerworkweddingsrantkidsromanceweatherfacebookreadingself check-inpeaceconsumerismpurple feathermumford and sonsthe internetOBXcartoonantarcticaspeechesvegananticipationfaithhappy 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 zerolife 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 ideaLow 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)Blogger641125tag: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/Wjlyv6GtAUk/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"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2012/01/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/oUc_W9bj43c/wishes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/oUc_W9bj43c" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2012/01/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/glB7YVoJhUM/let-joy-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/glB7YVoJhUM" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/12/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/rvIREw1EvUU/on-this-fourth-sunday-of-advent.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/rvIREw1EvUU" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/12/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/PZCR8-3ard4/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"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/10/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/zuGVrLngyu0/rumi-saves-day-again.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/zuGVrLngyu0" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/10/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/NF2JNg4ZHRQ/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"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/09/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/PS0K84WoRF4/my-meditation-today.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/PS0K84WoRF4" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/09/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/ISEpKVjqqes/prayer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/ISEpKVjqqes" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/08/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/GHWJEVSetsU/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"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/08/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/KvXLC1JgWHQ/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"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/07/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/~3/2aejfcJFS8g/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"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/06/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/wnuSu4s2RN4/on-our-way.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/wnuSu4s2RN4" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/06/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/wCMOudeNix8/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"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/06/interesting-video-on-mother-baby.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-365337531137538076Thu, 16 Jun 2011 12:15:00 +00002011-06-16T08:15:43.644-04:00Boston Harbor - Spring 2005, originally uploaded by McBoots83.This photo was taken over 6 years ago, along the Harbor Walk on Boston Harbor. This was the Harbor that Hubby and I looked out on every day upon waking when we were going to school in Boston. Such good memories!http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/MW7VbOWV7hA/boston-harbor-spring-2005.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/MW7VbOWV7hA" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/06/boston-harbor-spring-2005.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-7302829469701451218Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:52:00 +00002011-06-09T13:52:06.992-04:00farmssustainablebooksfuture My husband is/was a cheesemaker -- of the delicious, sometimes stinky, always artisan variety (currently unemployed).  If the time ever comes when we actually buy land and/or a home of our own, then I would really like to have this book on my person at all times.  The self-suffucient life does not appeal to everyone -- and I get that.  For me, paradise would include 10-20 acres of land and a http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/Cyry-qE40sw/i-would-very-much-like-to-get-these.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/Cyry-qE40sw" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-would-very-much-like-to-get-these.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-869810819569885869Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:41:00 +00002011-06-09T13:41:46.248-04:00bloggersJust wanted to let you know I got rid of the DISQIS feature on each post -- I think a lot of people were having trouble leaving comments because y'all have left no comments for weeks!  And I know you're there, because I usually get at least a few a week.  So, the easy way is back.  Bring on the flood of comments I know you have been holding in! :)http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/3djcPslHCiU/regular-commenting-feature-is-back.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/3djcPslHCiU" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/06/regular-commenting-feature-is-back.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-94259180922766057Thu, 02 Jun 2011 18:02:00 +00002011-06-02T14:02:20.305-04:00purple featherwordshopehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/UdBJVXG9lVo/power-of-just-changing-your-words.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/UdBJVXG9lVo" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/06/power-of-just-changing-your-words.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-7163133394258489152Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:14:00 +00002011-06-01T10:14:19.891-04:00body issueslife is hardweight Normal women can lose weight.  Yes, ladies, we can!  I love looking for these 'before and after' pictures online as a reminder that women like me can come back from a major weight gain. My weight over the last 2 years has crept up 20lbs.  No surprise.  I stopped exercising and started working full time at a desk job.  My caloric intake stayed the same, but with the increased stress of moving http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/SFhTnlFGMgA/motivatioooon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/SFhTnlFGMgA" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/06/motivatioooon.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-5297431865556397315Sat, 28 May 2011 19:22:00 +00002011-05-28T15:31:27.564-04:00NOLSleadershipLeadership, the workplace, and the teachings of NOLS.  Part I. I spent a total of 60 days in the wilderness with NOLS on two separate leadership expeditions.  As many NOLS graduates would tell you, a NOLS experience will change you forever.  The first expedition was in Alaksa, the Talkeetna Range, during the summer of my 16th year.  The second expedition was in the Abraroka Mountains of http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/yfHeEXCRCSU/4-types-of-leadership-what-i-learned.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/yfHeEXCRCSU" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/05/4-types-of-leadership-what-i-learned.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-5825247289673430632Fri, 27 May 2011 14:07:00 +00002011-05-27T10:07:52.593-04:00YouTubemusichttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/xgLIApR-oJQ/something-new-from-my-favorite-youtube.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/xgLIApR-oJQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/05/something-new-from-my-favorite-youtube.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-5094611753428725813Wed, 25 May 2011 13:48:00 +00002011-05-25T09:48:32.181-04:00NOLSthe workplaceleadership NOLS is the National Outdoor Leadership School, teaching leadership and wilderness skills via outdoor expeditions lasting from 14 days to semester length.  Check them out here:  http://www.nols.edu/ NOLS defines 'Leadership' in four ways:  1) Designated Leadership 2) Active Followership 3) Peer Leadership and 4) Self Leadership. I have found their explanations, principles, and guides for http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/6I8QnPCZ8kc/leadership-workplace-and-teachings-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/6I8QnPCZ8kc" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/05/leadership-workplace-and-teachings-of.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-2215349919199229190Mon, 23 May 2011 15:10:00 +00002011-05-23T11:10:03.564-04:00cutlureworkamericaExcerpted from an article comparing American's to European's when it comes to the philosophy and laws around work and vacation time: Working more makes Americans happier than Europeans, according to a study published recently in the Journal of Happiness Studies. That may be because Americans believe more than Europeans do that hard work is associated with success, wrote Adam Okulicz-Kozaryn, thehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/yJfZETTxmgE/americans-maximize-their-happiness-by.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/yJfZETTxmgE" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/05/americans-maximize-their-happiness-by.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216553829364093221.post-5497809193482238758Mon, 23 May 2011 13:19:00 +00002011-05-23T09:19:00.685-04:00quotehealth Everyone is a house with four rooms, a physical, a mental, an emtional, and a spiritual . Most of us tend to live in one room most of the time but unless we go into every room every day, even if only to keep it aired, we are not a complete person." R.Godden http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~3/_lMjX7zv36g/good-way-to-start-week.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mummy Dearest)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uiyP/~4/_lMjX7zv36g" height="1" width="1"/>http://lifeinavalon.blogspot.com/2011/05/good-way-to-start-week.html