Cats Playing Patty-cake...

hahahaa..

He's a comin'!

A Roundhouse special event...

Sun Dec 5, 10:00am-12:00pm, Exhibition Hall

Children: $6 , Adults: $7.20

Santa’s coming to the Roundhouse! Come join him and his helpers for a pancake breakfast and take part in many fun-filled activities.

Please pre-register as space is limited! Children must be supervised by an adult. Children under 1 year are free. Pre-registration required.

Cheap thrills

I am so not one for kitchen gadgets. Like most people out there I have had my share of useless kitchen gadgets and for me in all honesty most of them really are are useless. The fanciest thing in my kitchen is my crockpot (which has been pumpin' non stop for about a month now with this cold)!

One day out of the blue I picked up these two things from London Drugs (which was really unlike me). I am not a fan of shopping to begin with, and useless kitchen stuff is about the last thing I'll buy. But to my delight I have been using both of these items every single day! One is a milk frother (under $5). And the other is a rice cooker ($14). The rice cooker is something that I would have deemed completely useless (although I do have a girlfriend who swears by hers). And now I can see why!

I love it and it makes every single type of rice and whole grain perfectly (and it steams veg too). It shuts off automatically too. I just wanted to share because I am using both of these things every single day, and both of them together are under $20 bucks. Yup, cheap thrills :)

Project Smile - November

A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you're at home. - Author Unknown

Another month of reasons to smile!

1st - Last day of our Kindermusik class. This was our fourth session
2nd - I voted!
3rd - A glorious walk along our beautiful ocean with my beautiful friend, Jenn.
4th - A happy little traveler.
5th - Officially in escrow!
6th - Enjoyed a nice long lunch with a dear friend and Lucas turned 17 months!
7th - Celebrated my niece's golden birthday.
8th - I got to hold my girlfriend's newborn baby boy and remember back to when Lucas was so tiny.
9th - Took a peaceful walk along the beach and saw dolphins. A walk is always better with dolphins.
10th - Remembered my mother with love. She would have been 62 today.
11th - Finally got my hair cut and colored. It had been almost THREE months. So long, grays!
12th - Daydreaming about a brilliant future.
13th - Lucas found a mud puddle and he was happy as a clam to play in it.
14th - My best friend's birthday and a fun day date with my husband complete with movie popcorn.
15th - Exercising my freedom of speech.
16th - Epic carrot cake.
17th - Dinner, wine and good conversation with a dear friend.
18th - Children that take three hour naps.
19th - Family.
20th - I threw a little shindig and brought some of the coolest bloggers together that I know: Kludgy Mom, Surfer Wife, Mommy of a Monster, The Little Hen House, Mommypants, Not Just Another Jen, A Beautiful Mess and Mamaondago
21st - A visit to the bookstore and train table.
22nd - Oprah's final Favorite Things episode.
23rd - Hiring a mover.
24th - Catching up on TiVo.
25th - Family, friends, good health, a little money in the bank and a clean kitchen.
26th - Sushi and pool with our neighbors.
27th - Dinner and a movie with my sister.
28th - Family picture in front of our new house.
29th - Story time and shaking our sillies out at the library
30th - Donating three huge bags of clothes and other household items to Goodwill. Purging feels so good!

I hope I wasn't the only one that found so many reasons to smile this month!

Alicia is the brain child behind this wonderful meme. Be sure to link up at her blog, A Beautiful Mess or check out other people's lists.

You can see my October reasons to smile here.

Zen Meditation-the basics

One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people can be. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?

“It was great, Dad.” “Did you see how poor people can be?” the father asked. “Oh Yeah” said the son. “So what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father. The son answered, “I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.”

With this the boy’s father was speechless. Then his son added, “Thanks, dad for showing me how poor we are."

MUTIRÃO...

Neste final de semana o povo da Cel São Lucas esteve envolvido trabalhando para melhorar o nosso ambiente e prepará-lo para o culto de encerramento das atividades dos 40 anos, bem como organizá-lo para o Natal 2010.

Veja ai algumas fotos...

Ceramic Mugs

I started packing on Friday in an effort to burn off calories consumed on Thanksgiving and so that our impending move seems more real to me. I'm excited, I'm just in denial.

I started in the kitchen and quickly had five boxes full of linens, pots, pans, glassware, bake ware, wine and water glasses, water bottles and ceramic coffee mugs.

I don't drink coffee and Todd, who only drinks iced coffee, uses glass mugs. Why I keep carting these ceramic mugs around from address to address is beyond me. Some were gifts and others were souvenirs. When I remember, I'll use one for hot chocolate or chamomile tea, but otherwise they collect dust and every three years or so, get wrapped up in newspaper and moved to a new home, where they will once again sit on a top shelf and wait to be used.

With each move, I try to get rid of one. I am down to six.

There are two that I will never part with because my mother made them.

Ironically, she didn't drink coffee out of them either, but her favorite diet soda.

I don't remember my mother being a very creative person, but she did teach Kindergarten - third grade, so she knew how to do simple arts and crafts. She sewed a lot when I was really little and made me and my dolls matching clothes and I always had homemade Halloween costumes.

During the early years of her marriage to my father, she was really into painting ceramics à la Color Me Mine. It was the 70's after all.

Sadly, all I have are a few figurines and these two mugs.They're ugly, weren't made for the microwave and aren't dishwasher safe, but right there in the middle of my gung ho packing day, I had to stop and have a cup of hot chocolate in one of my mother's mugs.

Just be kind

Every 5 minutes it seems there's another study touting the effects of yoga..

The most recent one is yoga and happiness ♥

Researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine investigated whether yoga or walking made people happier and the answer was Yoga.

People who practiced Yoga 2-3 times per week reported being happier and much less anxious than those who walked for the same length of time. And the science backed them up completely. The yogi's had much higher levels of mood boosting chemicals in their brains too.

Those of us who practice yoga regularly always find these studies entertaining. We feel the effects of our yoga. I'm thrilled that medical science is discovering what we have all known for years (and the ancient yogi's have known for literally thousands of years). It is nice that it can all be confirmed in a lab or by a fMRI machine these days. And it is really lovely the way that yoga is moving more and more into a clinical setting as well. That makes me so very happy as yoga truly is self care of so many levels.

I love my yoga and I do love my walking too. I recommend the best of both worlds. Walk to yoga!

P.S. registration is on for both The Roundhouse and Mt Pleasant classes so let's do it up!

Do you volunteer?

Do you volunteer? Over the holiday season or throughout the year?

Pretty much everywhere you go this time of year you can see people giving of their most valuable commodity. Time.

Speaking as somebody who has volunteered pretty much my whole life I can tell you that everybody wins. Not only the person/people you are giving the time to, but you too benefit. Hugely. I'm not exaggerating in saying that it might just be one of the most valuable experiences of your life.

If you give of yourself, good on ya!

And if you don't you should do yourself and the folks in your community a favour by giving of yourself. There is only one you. And the world needs us! All of us.

We all have causes we believe in and topics that interest us. And we all have skills and ways of helping unique to us. Everyone can benefit! I almost feel guilty volunteering. Nothing makes you feel better! It adds such a richness to your life. I believe it releases endorphins too. And from a karmic stand point you can't go wrong. We will all need help in this life and thats a fact. So why not help?

I have an array of organizations I love to help but the two biggest are The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada (website here), including their BrainWAVE Program ( website here), and the one and only Shanti Uganda Society (website here). *Both of which are always looking for volunteers!

If you ever had any questions for me or wanted to be pointed in the right direction feel free to contact me, anytime at yoginilori@gmail.com I'd really love to help you get started. You will not regret it!

Happy holidays and namaste xo

Did you know?

The winner of the 2007 NYC marathon was the mother of a 9 month old baby.

Isn't that amazing? I heard it mentioned the other day and it is just so inspiring.

All you moms inspire me so. You are all so truly amazing.

Thanks for being in my life. xo

Imagine

There is no denying the success of the Lennon/McCartney songwriting duo. Together, they wrote some of the most beautiful and breathtaking lyrics, but the simple and positive message of Lennon's Imagine gets me every time.

I grew up listening to The Beatles and it was sort of understood in my house that the favorite of the Fab Four was Paul, however, I have always been drawn to John. Particularly because of this song.

Imagine there's no heaven

It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

The anniversary of John Lennon's death is December 9, 2010.

take some time to get quiet and don't be afraid to be who you really are

Every day we slaughter our finest impulses. That is why we get a heart-ache when we read those lines written by the hand of a master and recognize them as our own, as the tender shoots which we stifled because we lacked the faith to believe in our own powers, our own criterion of truth and beauty. Every man, when he gets quiet, when he becomes desperately honest with himself, is capable of uttering profound truths. We all derive from the same source. There is no mystery about the origin of things. We are all part of creation, all kings, all poets, all musicians; we have only to open up, to discover what is already there. ~Henry Miller

snow withdrawal

I'm going through a little snow withdrawal now that it's gone. Was it something we said?

a good decision

When we met with the surgeon Monday morning, he asked us whether we wanted Lucas to be implanted with the N5 (sticking with the same company as the old ear), or whether we wanted an AB (different company) implant in his left. We joked about it for a few minutes, thinking that it would be silly to have two different devices, but he told us that some people seriously do have one ear from each company.

I thought about it for a moment (and really just a moment), thinking about the possibilities of having the benefits of both devices. Advanced Bionics implants are advertised as giving increased musical benefit to recipients, which I see as a big drawing point. We originally chose Cochlear, mostly because of the versatility of the babyworn processor to go easily between being clipped to the body and being worn completely behind the ear. We've been pleased with our decision, but I'm sure we would have been happy the other way around too.

On Monday, we decided to stick with status quo, as I've been dreaming of the Nucleus 5 device ever since it was released. I also am a big fan of symmetry. Having 2 different external processors brings more attention to his ears, in my opinion.

Well, I believe we made a good decision. The day after Lucas's surgery, AB voluntarily recalled their HiRes 90K implant, and retrieved all unimplanted devices in distribution. We would have missed the recall by a day.  Apparently there have been 2 reports of recipients experiencing severe pain, overly loud sounds and/or shocking sensations at 8-10 days after initial activation. You can read the press release here. This may have caused Lucas to be explanted. I'm not sure what they would have recommended, but I'm very thankful that I don't have to deal with another element of stress in this whole process.

I've heard many, many good things about this company, and I sincerely hope that the problem gets solved soon, for both the company and the recipients.

The Handsome Cover Model

I baked a vegan apple pie, a regular apple pie, a sweet potato pie, a ham, and then helped with the turkey, the food prep, and the cleanup of a meal for 17-20 rock climbers in Bishop. Well, Kim did half the work. I can't take credit for all of it.

Between the truffles and the pie, Eric said, "So, you're on the cover of the new Rock & Ice and you haven't even sent the route that you were on."



"Nope," I replied. I tried Bob Jensen's Easter Island 5.12c/d on Phobos Deimos Cliff in Toulumne three times but quit when I tore a huge flapper in my finger. "But I can always go back to the route and send it. And if I don't," I looked at Eric, "I'll still be on the cover."

I figured Eric was a little jealous. Everyone wants to be on the cover of a magazine. The reality is that your friends will give you shit and the only people in your fan club will be 30 year old dudes. Climbers are an insecure lot. Yesterday, Kim and I went to Rio's Crack to try the v6 boulder problem. I thought it would climb like a crack with finger locks. I thought I would crush it. I thought wrong. Whatever. An Asian girl from the bay, started spraying as soon as we got there.

"Well, I've been working on 9s and 10s for the past few months but haven't done this one because it's really hard," she tossed her hair back. "I've done Flyboy sit (I was supposed to know that was V8), and High Plains Drifter (I was supposed to know that was V7) and this thing is really hard. I'm just trying to wrap up the lower grade problems that I haven't done."

She reeked of insecurity. I had an immediate desire, not to offer encouragement or support, to start posturing. "These moves are totally harder than the ones on Big Baby (a 5.11 offwidth in Inidian Creek Utah), and the Westie Face of Leaning Tower (a 5.13 bigwall in Yosemite)." I didn't say that though because she wouldn't understand whatI was talking about. A more appropriate response would have been, "I've been on the cover of Martha Stewart's Home living, and I totally won the chess tournament the US government sponsored in Russia last year, I don't know why I can't do this problem!" Instead I didn't say anything.

Let people deal with their own insecurities and I'll deal with my own.

My Son Has A Crush

My son likes Elmo, but LOVES Abby.

He enjoys watching her on Sesame Street, pointing her out in books, looking for her whenever we are out and about and toddles around saying Abby, Abby, Abby all the time. It truly is one of the cutest things ever.

He almost jumped right out of his skin when he saw her on the Sesame Street float during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

My sister recently got Lucas his very own Abby doll and the two have been inseparable ever since.

Seeing as my son has such a crush, I thought I should do a little background check on little Miss A.

According to Muppet Wikia, Abby Cadabby is a three-year-old fairy-in-training and made her debut in the first episode of Sesame Street's 37th season.

Her name is a play on the magic word Abracadabra.

Abby's magical powers are limited to popping in and out of thin air, floating when she's happy, and turning things into pumpkins.

Although familiar with the world of fairy tales, Abby is astounded by such basic learning skills as drawing letters or counting, prompting her catchphrase "That's so magic!"

She frequently uses her wand cell phone to call her mommy. When she's asked to return home, she says that she's "gotta poof."

I gotta respect anyone that can turn things into pumpkins, but personally, I think it's her bright pink color and adorable freckles. I don't think I have to worry too much. I mean, really how far can a relationship with a Muppet go?

Mensagem do Presidente EGON, sobre o Dia de Ação de Graças

Estimados irmãos e irmãs,


Diz o apóstolo Paulo em Colossenses 3.15b: “Sede agradecidos.” Hoje é o Dia Nacional de Ação de Graças. Na verdade, essa é uma data, um motivo festejado em muitas partes do mundo. Começou nos Estados Unidos depois de uma boa colheita, no final do outono. Hoje é uma data muito lembrada e comemorada, especialmente nos Estados Unidos e Canadá. Nessa ocasião é dada uma atenção bem especial para a família e para a religiosidade. No Brasil, em 17/08/1949 o presidente Gaspar Dutra instituiu o Dia Nacional de Ação de Graças, pela Lei nº 781. Em 1966, pela Lei nº 5.110 estabeleceu-se a quarta quinta-feira do mês de novembro para festejar essa data.Agradecer é um gesto de humildade. Agradecer é um ato de grandeza, digno e honrado. Lamentavelmente o ser humano, em geral, é tardio em agradecer. Rápido para pedir, mas tão esquecido e lerdo para voltar, reconhecer e dizer: Muito obrigado!. E isso vale no campo terreno, como também na sua relação com Deus. A Bíblia nos dá exemplos disso. Numa situação dez leprosos foram pedir ajuda de Jesus, e apenas um voltou para agradecer. No SL 50.15 diz: “Invoca-me no dia da angústia, eu te livrarei”, e aí termina o texto dizendo “e tu me glorificarás.” Muitos fazem o ponto final depois das palavras “eu te livrarei.”
Irmãos em Cristo! Nós temos muitos motivos para agradecer. Na verdade, temos todos os motivos para agradecer. Cada novo dia é uma benção de Deus. Cada passo, cada refeição, o ar que respiramos, a água que tomamos, tudo é graça e misericórdia de Deus. Mas além de todas estas bênçãos terrenas e materiais, temos um presente, uma graça, um gesto de amor que supera a tudo: Deus mandou seu Filho ao mundo para nos salvar. Jesus que deu a sua vida por nós, para que fossemos reconciliados com o Pai, para que tivéssemos perdão, vida e salvação. Poderia ter presente maior? Poderíamos deixar de agradecer, reconhecer e responder a tamanho amor?
Por isso: “Sede agradecidos!”, não só hoje, não só num dia durante o ano, mas em todos os dias, da manhã até a noite, dia após dia, em todos os momentos, vivamos a gratidão e a alegria de termos um Deus tão maravilhoso e gracioso como o nosso.

Um bom dia de Ação de Graças.


Rev. Egon Kopereck
Presidente da Igreja Evangélica Luterana do Brasil

thank full

our “just add water” thanksgiving – 2010

table settings: lucas
put turkey in bag: andrey
stuffing: stove top
rolls: costco
pie crusts: pillsbury
baby milk: lindsay

supervisor: gavin – of course. 

Todays the day! Bring a clean blanket on your commute!

*Bring a blanket on your way to work/school/yoga Friday Nov 26!

Click here for more info

Let's join Gregory and his young son help keep the homeless warm this winter!

a Thanksgiving message

This message is brought to you by our little turkey himself!

We spent a relaxing Thanksgiving day today at my parents' house. Little Lucas is back to his joyful, silly self. We are managing his pain with acetaminophen now. He got to take a bath today too! Lucas had a busy day! He...

... watched Daddy carve the turkey ...

... broke the wishbone with Daddy ...

... ate lunch with a turkey on his head ...

... showed Opa Mommy's new toy ...

... played intently at Oma's train table ...

... spent time with his (and my) Nanny ...

... and was a good sport while posing for lots of pictures ...

We are so thankful this Thanksgiving for everything in our lives... our health, our jobs, our new home, our loving and supportive family, and our beautiful son.

It's hard to imagine what life would be like without Lucas. At his first Thanksgiving, we were anxiously anticipating his 1st cochlear implantation. At his 2nd Thanksgiving, we were celebrating the miracle of his access to sound. This Thanksgiving we are celebrating successful 2nd implantation and are awaiting the arrival of surround sound to augment his already awesome ability to listen and speak. I don't think we can top this next year. I will be content with a quiet holiday, and I look forward to looking back at Lucas's 1st bilateral year. 

We continue to be unbelievably grateful for all of the healthcare professionals who have shaped and continue to shape Lucas's outcome. From his weekly therapists, to the audiological and education team at CHOP, to his talented CI surgeon, we feel very lucky to have such amazing professionals working with him. Cochlear implants change lives. We are thankful today, and e.v.e.r.y d.a.y for this medical miracle. 2nd activation is in 2 weeks, and counting!

Giving Thanks

Wise men count their blessings; fools their problems. - Author Unknown

Last year, my husband and I took 5 1/2 month old Lucas to Italy (you can read about our trip here) and had a fantastic time, but this year I'm happy to be home spending the holiday with family.

Today, we started our day with a local 5 mile Turkey Trot, which I highly recommend to anyone is planning to eat and drink all day, like we did. It was only Leah and I that crossed the finished line, because poor Lucas woke up with a cold and since it was 50 degrees out at 7 AM, after mile 1, he and Daddy waited for us in a cozy and warm coffee shop. The rest of the day, Leah and I played Scrabble, cared for Lucas, wiped his runny nose, watched his favorite programs on TV, tried to get a good holiday card photo of him and stayed out of Todd's way as he cooked the turkey, made twice-baked potatoes and green beans.

Our feast was served at 4 PM and it was button on your pants popping delicious!

This year, like most, I was in charge of the pies and there were three, as usual: pecan (Leah's favorite), pumpkin (Todd's favorite) and chocolate (mine!). And yes, there is a piece missing from one of the pies... someone just couldn't wait until tonight.

Looking back at my Thanksgiving post last year (you can read it here), there isn't much that I'd change or add to my list of things I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving. I have been blessed beyond belief! With only a few minor edits:

• The 35 years I had with my parents.
• A supportive, loving, patient and understanding husband, who also happens to be an incredible father and amazing cook. He's also very generous; I found him preparing a full plate of food for a homeless man hanging out in our alleyway tonight.
  
• A happy, healthy, smart, adorable, fun toddler who teaches me something new everyday and fills my life with joy.
  
• A sister who has the capacity to listen, forgive and love unconditionally.
  
• Being able to stay at home and raise my son.
• Friends and family near and far, old and new, especially my mommy friends; I don't know where I'd be without any them.
• Living in Southern California where there is sunshine 360 days a year.
• This blog, which has proven to be one of the very best things I have ever done for myself.
  
• Extra long foot massages, pajamas, Cabernet Sauvignon, babysitters that are available at the last minute, TiVo and sleep!
• The ability to travel to far away places, have exciting adventures, meet new people and then return safely home.

I hope however you are spending the holiday, you find as many things to be grateful for. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

This post is for Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop - Prompt #2: Share a photo of what Thanksgiving looks like in your neck of the woods.

baby mine

 charlie grey – month one
+++
this sweet boy is made of magic.
we’ve yet to really hear a cry from him.
he is peaceful and content.
+++
a champion nursling.
a growing wonder.
a deep thinker.
a bassinet sleeper.
a swing lover.
+++
a piece of baby cake.

Loss

We lose hair, weight, sleep, contact, keys, sunglasses, luggage, races, games, arguments, jobs, money, homes, our place in line, our way, our will power, our balance, our sanity, our minds, our cool, our nerve, our courage, our voice, our faith, ourselves, people we love and people that never will be.

Sometimes our losses are little and will soon be discovered exactly where we left them or they become life lessons to learn and grow from. They become a part of who we are.

Other times they are almost too great to bear and leave us asking why and endless other questions.

I would like to think that a really big devastating loss means that a really big wonderful win is just around the corner.

This Thanksgiving eve, with hope in my heart, I pray our wins always outweigh our losses.

We give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way. ~ Author Unknown

Qi

The character for Qi (pronounced chee) represents steam rising from rice, meaning the air of life, a symbol for effortless sustenance.

You Know You're A Mom When-sDaze

You know you're a mom when...

• You open your purse one day and find rocks! Actual rocks.
  
• A child's book with sounds will make noise out of the blue on it's own, repeatedly scaring the crap out of you until you finally throw it away.
  
• There will come a day when you will have to reevaluate every single relationship that you have in your life and eliminate or redefine the ones that don't make sense anymore or offer you something positive all in the name of motherhood.
• You have waited for your toddler to switch from formula to regular milk for almost 18 months and now that the day has come and he didn't fight it, you're a little sad because it means your baby is no longer a baby.
• You are driven your craziest just moments before Daddy, the babysitter or relief of any sort shows up to save the day (and your sanity).
  
• You realize that the holiday season now has a whole new meaning because this little person is a part of it.
  

A Boy & His Graham Cracker

This post is for Wordless Wednesdays and if you want to link up or see some really beautiful photographs, visit Alicia at A Beautiful Mess.