March 7, 2011
"Exploring the Mother-Child Relationship - What are your memories of important events in your childhood that either include your mother or you wish included her?"
I honestly cannot think of an important event in my childhood that Mama wasn’t involved in or present for.
I joined Brownies in second grade; she became the assistant leader of the troop. We explored Brownies and Girl Scouts together through my sophomore year in high school. I left scouting then to pursue other things and so did she.
We shopped together for every special event; school dances, Christmas and other holidays, birthdays, baby showers, wedding showers. And we shopped together just to have time together. We went to lunch, to coffee, and spent time just sitting together at home and talking through life.
We planned my high school graduation party together. We planned my wedding together. She was with me when my son was born; welcomed children and grandchildren into the family until the day she died.
We shared everything about our lives with each other; nothing was taboo, not even sex or the lack thereof. No subject or question was ever dealt with other than openly and honestly.
The only important event she ever missed was my second wedding. There was not enough notice for her and Daddy to change their plans. But I talked to her the morning of my wedding and we talked again that night. She was there in spirit.
Mama was, is and will always be my best friend. I miss her.
March 7, 2011
"Exploring the Mother-Adult Relationship - What qualities of your mother have you taken in or internalized? i.e. behaviors, phrases, values, etc."
I am my mother’s daughter in almost every way. I look like her, I talk like her, I use the same cuss words (plus a few more), and I feel the same way about life and family that she did. I learned on her lap, at her knee, and by her side.
I am a touchy, feely person just like she was. I hug, I love to snuggle babies and critters, and I love with all my heart. Mama did and that’s all I know. And our hearts were broken many times because of that deep love.
Family comes first. I will never regret the time I took away from home and work when Daddy and then Mama became ill. I would have regretted not doing so. If family or friends call and say “I need you,” I’ll be there. Mama taught me that. Work is important, but it doesn’t come before love.
Mama modeled the love she had for all living things and I took after her with a vengeance. She never turned away an animal in need. We always had animals in the house, in the yard, and some out on Uncle Don’s farm. We had horses at a boarding stable and she was out every day possible taking care of her Big Red.
Uncle Don is gone now, the horses are gone, the goats are gone, and so is Mama. My house is still full of soft, sweet babies; dogs, cats, birds, and other occasional visitors. Her life revolved around family and friends. Mine does, too.
Yes, I am my mother’s daughter. And I am passing these same traits to my own daughters and to their daughters. Thank you, Mama! We love you and we all miss you.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
March 12, 2011
Busy day, to say the least. Moved three car loads of boxes, etc. to the storage garage, went to Coralville, picked up bread at the co-op, stopped by Hawkeye Harley and picked up the parts catalogs I forgot last week, put my jacket on lay-away, drove back to Cedar Rapids, and took a load of small furniture to the storage garage.
It's hard to work on lesson plans on the couch in my room so I decided to run over to the coffee shop where I could actually spread things out on a table. Not every idea is a good one.
"If you can't say anything nice, come sit next to me."
Well, the girls aren't here and I have nothing nice to say about the "music" I heard tonight so I'll just say, "P.R., lose the 'accompaniment' and just f'ing sing. It's impossible to concentrate in the middle of a cat fight."
There, that's off my chest. and I can move on. Which I did; straight home again.
Back on the couch again. All three dogs are curled up next to me and either I need a bath or she likes my lotion, as my arm is getting a good wash from Rosie. LOL! It's hard to type as she really means business.
The laptop battery is about done so I think I'll shut down for tonight and go read a bit. Still need to work on those lesson plans. ;)
Night!
It's hard to work on lesson plans on the couch in my room so I decided to run over to the coffee shop where I could actually spread things out on a table. Not every idea is a good one.
"If you can't say anything nice, come sit next to me."
Well, the girls aren't here and I have nothing nice to say about the "music" I heard tonight so I'll just say, "P.R., lose the 'accompaniment' and just f'ing sing. It's impossible to concentrate in the middle of a cat fight."
There, that's off my chest. and I can move on. Which I did; straight home again.
Back on the couch again. All three dogs are curled up next to me and either I need a bath or she likes my lotion, as my arm is getting a good wash from Rosie. LOL! It's hard to type as she really means business.
The laptop battery is about done so I think I'll shut down for tonight and go read a bit. Still need to work on those lesson plans. ;)
Night!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
The overnight news is horrific. Earthquake and tsunami in Japan, volcanic eruption in Indonesia, tsunami warnings all through the Pacific Rim, and the planetary alignment coming up on the 19th. What can we do? Two choices; pray or put your head between your legs and kiss your ass goodbye. Think I'll chose the first option.
Take care of yourself, live your life, love your family and friends, give what you can, and remember that we all return to the one that left us here in the end. Leave a life behind that will make people wish you were still here.
Pre-breakfast = 1/2 cup black coffee
Breakfast = 1 hard egg, 1 piece turkey sausage, 1 pancake, 1 cup black coffee
Lunch = chiabata roll with chicken salad, 1 slice swiss cheese and leaf lettuce, hand full of sourdough pretzel nuggets, and finish breakfast coffee.
I forget that friends of friends do not know my sense of humor. Oops! My wicked. Sorry, Lorelei, didn't mean to upset Ben. Then again; Ben, get over yourself! ;p
Oy, back to work . . .
Wondering if there was anything related to the earthquake/tsunami about 1:27 CST; maybe an aftershock or the tsunami striking somewhere. My entire nerve system was quivering for about 15 seconds and I have no idea why it would do that. Unnerving. And again about 2:47. I hate not knowing what's going on . . . :(
Bangs trimmed and sides evened up again, thanks, Joann! I can see! I can see!
Dinner at Cancun II - tortilla chips, guacamole, seafood nachos, 1/2 Smirnoff Ice. Nom to the 10th power! Thanks, Dadu!
Dogs fed, cats fed, birds tucked in for the night. Rosie and I had a rousing game of "you can't catch me," and now I'm tucked into my own little nest, jammies on and two of the dogs tucked in with me. Rosie is crashed in front of the heat vent, wondering why it isn't blowing warmth at her. Silly bug.
Signing out,
Mumsy
Take care of yourself, live your life, love your family and friends, give what you can, and remember that we all return to the one that left us here in the end. Leave a life behind that will make people wish you were still here.
Pre-breakfast = 1/2 cup black coffee
Breakfast = 1 hard egg, 1 piece turkey sausage, 1 pancake, 1 cup black coffee
Lunch = chiabata roll with chicken salad, 1 slice swiss cheese and leaf lettuce, hand full of sourdough pretzel nuggets, and finish breakfast coffee.
I forget that friends of friends do not know my sense of humor. Oops! My wicked. Sorry, Lorelei, didn't mean to upset Ben. Then again; Ben, get over yourself! ;p
Oy, back to work . . .
Wondering if there was anything related to the earthquake/tsunami about 1:27 CST; maybe an aftershock or the tsunami striking somewhere. My entire nerve system was quivering for about 15 seconds and I have no idea why it would do that. Unnerving. And again about 2:47. I hate not knowing what's going on . . . :(
Bangs trimmed and sides evened up again, thanks, Joann! I can see! I can see!
Dinner at Cancun II - tortilla chips, guacamole, seafood nachos, 1/2 Smirnoff Ice. Nom to the 10th power! Thanks, Dadu!
Dogs fed, cats fed, birds tucked in for the night. Rosie and I had a rousing game of "you can't catch me," and now I'm tucked into my own little nest, jammies on and two of the dogs tucked in with me. Rosie is crashed in front of the heat vent, wondering why it isn't blowing warmth at her. Silly bug.
Signing out,
Mumsy
Rambles for March 10, 2011
Amazing what a day of rest and self-care will bring about. I feel almost well today, other than the cough that simply will not go away. Up, dressed, and out the door by 7:15 am! Rock and roll!
Usual breakfast of fruit, Kashi cereal and almond milk. Working on coffee #2 and final for the day. Fell off sweets wagon because the cafe was selling cookies for charity. Means an extra 100 calorie workout on the ellilptical tonight and I don't care or mind.
Work is going well today; emails caught up and number of tasks completed.
Mmmmm, chicken and dumpling soup with two saltines for lunch. More dumplings than chicken, but that's alright. I think I saw one small piece of chicken in the whole cup. LOL! Means it was "almost" meatless Thursday. ;)
Had a handful of honey wheat pretzel rods as a snack, with a glass of water. Meh, but it filled the empty spot.
Dinner was red beans and rice with turkey keilbasa and a glass of almond milk. A late Mardi Gras dinner, but I would have just tossed it Tuesday night. :(
Was in my jammies and ready to call it a night when Lisa called and said, "I'm bored, wanna hang out?" We ended up a Java Creek and the rest of the evening is in the next blog. ;) Keep reading!
Oh, while at Java Creek, I had one glass of wine and a few sips out of an energy fruit drink.
Night all!
Usual breakfast of fruit, Kashi cereal and almond milk. Working on coffee #2 and final for the day. Fell off sweets wagon because the cafe was selling cookies for charity. Means an extra 100 calorie workout on the ellilptical tonight and I don't care or mind.
Work is going well today; emails caught up and number of tasks completed.
Mmmmm, chicken and dumpling soup with two saltines for lunch. More dumplings than chicken, but that's alright. I think I saw one small piece of chicken in the whole cup. LOL! Means it was "almost" meatless Thursday. ;)
Had a handful of honey wheat pretzel rods as a snack, with a glass of water. Meh, but it filled the empty spot.
Dinner was red beans and rice with turkey keilbasa and a glass of almond milk. A late Mardi Gras dinner, but I would have just tossed it Tuesday night. :(
Was in my jammies and ready to call it a night when Lisa called and said, "I'm bored, wanna hang out?" We ended up a Java Creek and the rest of the evening is in the next blog. ;) Keep reading!
Oh, while at Java Creek, I had one glass of wine and a few sips out of an energy fruit drink.
Night all!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Night Out March 10, 2011
My daughter-in-law, Lisa, called last night to say she was bored and wanted to hang out. I remembered that Java Creek had music and so we met over there. So glad that we did!
Kassie Miller is as good in person as she was on Ultimate Coyote, and what a sweetheart she is! This little Nashville cutie has a voice like fine, aged whiskey and a smile that lights up a room.
Java Creek Cafe is a perfect venue for her, and her partner, Ben (Benjamin Wilson), as they get to be up close and personal with the audience and that audience quickly becomes a fan club. I purchased a CD which was quickly signed and offered with a smile and a hug.
Kassie took the time to find out a little bit about her audience members and did requests of anything she felt her voice was equal to and she knew. She says she doesn't have the ability to do Reba, so I asked for Miranda Lambert instead and got a double shot. She brought me to tears with "The House That Built Me" because of Mama's death and the dismantling of the house that built me over the past few months. Kassie then turned around and changed the mood with "Gunpowder and Lead." Any covers she did would have made the originators proud. Her own work is phenomenal.
Kassie, you've made a new fan and a new friend. I'll see you in August!
Kassie Miller is as good in person as she was on Ultimate Coyote, and what a sweetheart she is! This little Nashville cutie has a voice like fine, aged whiskey and a smile that lights up a room.
Kassie took the time to find out a little bit about her audience members and did requests of anything she felt her voice was equal to and she knew. She says she doesn't have the ability to do Reba, so I asked for Miranda Lambert instead and got a double shot. She brought me to tears with "The House That Built Me" because of Mama's death and the dismantling of the house that built me over the past few months. Kassie then turned around and changed the mood with "Gunpowder and Lead." Any covers she did would have made the originators proud. Her own work is phenomenal.
Kassie, you've made a new fan and a new friend. I'll see you in August!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Meditation on March 9, 2011
As I sit watching the candle flame, I see that the wick has separated in three "heads." The flame splits around them, then comes back together, almost like it is caressing the three of them.
My consciousness shifts slightly and I see three figures representing the Maiden, Mother and Crone, tied back to back round a stake, the flames rising around them. But they are not consumed by the fire. The flames are harnessed and burn the ropes holding them to the stake. The three step away from the flames and walk away together, unharmed.
My consciousness slips back, I close my eyes and see what I come to feel is my totem sign for Owl and Athena; the owl in flight. A large half circle, covering a smaller full circle.
I gaze at the candle flame again and see two rays of light beginning to reach for my root and sacral chakra points. One by one, they touch my root, my sacral, my navel, and my heart chakras. I feel the warmth of the flame as they rise and close my eyes to once again see my owl sign.
Opening my eyes again, I see that one of the three "heads" has burned off. My intuitive thought is that it is time to let go of the Maiden in my life and concentrate on my Mother and my Crone. Athena and the owl are signs of knowledge and wisdom. It is time to teach my daughters.
Namaste'
My consciousness shifts slightly and I see three figures representing the Maiden, Mother and Crone, tied back to back round a stake, the flames rising around them. But they are not consumed by the fire. The flames are harnessed and burn the ropes holding them to the stake. The three step away from the flames and walk away together, unharmed.
My consciousness slips back, I close my eyes and see what I come to feel is my totem sign for Owl and Athena; the owl in flight. A large half circle, covering a smaller full circle.
I gaze at the candle flame again and see two rays of light beginning to reach for my root and sacral chakra points. One by one, they touch my root, my sacral, my navel, and my heart chakras. I feel the warmth of the flame as they rise and close my eyes to once again see my owl sign.
Opening my eyes again, I see that one of the three "heads" has burned off. My intuitive thought is that it is time to let go of the Maiden in my life and concentrate on my Mother and my Crone. Athena and the owl are signs of knowledge and wisdom. It is time to teach my daughters.
Namaste'
Daily Rambles for March 9, 2011
First day of The Goddess Diet and I wake up feeling like death. Yay? Lemon Lift and green tea with honey rather than coffee. The world must be coming to an end! This too shall pass, and soon, please.
Sent a text to Eric, but have yet to hear back from him. **shrug** Forgoing my green shirt for my warm, red plaid jammies. They have green in them. It will have to do. He did eventually text back saying, "OK."
Daily Affirmation: You look better than you feel. Elphaba would be proud.
More later . . .
Decided to chance breakfast; fresh frozen blackberries, Kashi Warm Cinnamon cereal, almond milk, and another cup of tea. Thinking I might make some coffee a bit later so as not to create a deprivation headache.
For now, back to emails and such . . .
Well "emails and such" turned into a nap; shouldn't I feel better? Instead I can't tell if I'm hungry or just want to toss breakfast . . . more tea being consumed to check the process. At least I'm not prone to snacking today . . . ugh.
Lunch consumed: 2 slices fresh whole wheat farm batard from the co-op, 1 tbs chunky peanut butter, 1 tbs honey, more tea.
Read for a while, started getting queasy again, so I brewed a strong cup of peppermint tea with honey. Drank half of that and curled up for another nap.
Woke up about 3:00 feeling better, thirsty, and needing salt. Reheated my peppermint tea and had a few nut and rice snack crackers with that.
Did my evening meditation (blogged separately), then chatted with daughter, talked with sister about her beautiful sunset, chatted with daughter some more, sent hubby to dinner alone, made more cereal and sliced off a couple more pieces of farm bread for supper, then made a cup of night time tea with honey.
Will probably have a pack of fruit crisps before sleep. I can't do the not eating after 6:00 pm thing or I won't sleep. I need that little something or my tum starts rolling about 3:00 am.
Signing off for tonight. Enough rambling for one day.
Mumsy
Sent a text to Eric, but have yet to hear back from him. **shrug** Forgoing my green shirt for my warm, red plaid jammies. They have green in them. It will have to do. He did eventually text back saying, "OK."
Daily Affirmation: You look better than you feel. Elphaba would be proud.
More later . . .
Decided to chance breakfast; fresh frozen blackberries, Kashi Warm Cinnamon cereal, almond milk, and another cup of tea. Thinking I might make some coffee a bit later so as not to create a deprivation headache.
For now, back to emails and such . . .
Well "emails and such" turned into a nap; shouldn't I feel better? Instead I can't tell if I'm hungry or just want to toss breakfast . . . more tea being consumed to check the process. At least I'm not prone to snacking today . . . ugh.
Lunch consumed: 2 slices fresh whole wheat farm batard from the co-op, 1 tbs chunky peanut butter, 1 tbs honey, more tea.
Read for a while, started getting queasy again, so I brewed a strong cup of peppermint tea with honey. Drank half of that and curled up for another nap.
Woke up about 3:00 feeling better, thirsty, and needing salt. Reheated my peppermint tea and had a few nut and rice snack crackers with that.
Did my evening meditation (blogged separately), then chatted with daughter, talked with sister about her beautiful sunset, chatted with daughter some more, sent hubby to dinner alone, made more cereal and sliced off a couple more pieces of farm bread for supper, then made a cup of night time tea with honey.
Will probably have a pack of fruit crisps before sleep. I can't do the not eating after 6:00 pm thing or I won't sleep. I need that little something or my tum starts rolling about 3:00 am.
Signing off for tonight. Enough rambling for one day.
Mumsy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)