posted January 27, 2014 08:58 AM            

Is the baby calf still ok?

Charmaine,

I'm sad reading about your sister! Really sad about what your family went through. I think it's amazing that you have recovered so well...and your sister is lucky to have you for guidance. Still, it must be really difficult trying to straighten things out between your sister and your mom?

It's weird how many families I know of, where the children dealt with the hardship in completely different ways: some feeling sorry for themselves and never really getting off the ground again, others being made even stronger, and even "carrying" their siblings.

Well, I think these strong ones are heroic...and that's you...and I hope life rewards you for being this way.

It's been a very cold week and I've barely gone out of the house. I feel like I'm frozen in time. But I am about to suit up and go out grocery shopping...that's the big event for now.

My kids have been doing some fun stuff lately though. Knitting hats for each other, and watching YouTube videos of science experiments and stuff. They made "lava lamps" out of baking soda, vinegar, food coloring, water, and oil. In an empty plastic peanut container. If you turn the lights out and shine a flashlight behind the bubbly mixture, it does look like a lava lamp! Woohooo

And yesterday, they were playing "polar bear," walking barefoot in the snow. Kids R Krazy!

I guess that's all for now, don't really have much news...stay warm, everyone! Stay happy!

posted January 28, 2014 11:57 AM            

Yuppers, colder than Siberia here as well. Funny the kids go barefoot in the snow. Locally, there is a charity event called the Polar Dip.
Sturdy folks, every January, disrobe and take a dip in the bay of Lake Mi. Hardy fools I call them because no charity gets my cloths off in January much less in icey waters.

Power has been hit and miss again. I sure hope you don`t have these bitter winds and lose yours as well.

Stay safe, warm and happy

posted January 28, 2014 12:03 PM            

When Mom passed, she just crumbled and was adrift for too long. She depended on the financial , emotional and excuse system Mom provided and when had to face the real world, she was ill prepared.

I hope this doesn`t happen to your sis and she can find herself

It sounds like a fun get together and memories were made!

posted January 29, 2014 05:58 AM            

quote:

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The charity work I miss and need to get back to. I love that you do it. It's great when people are beautiful inside and out.

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Kudos to you!It us heart warming when a person can help those who need it.I volunteered for a Cancer association for kids.Many of their parents couldn't afford to visit their kids because they lived too far away and couldn't afford the travelling expenses. Later vehicle were arranged to fetch parents so that they could visit their kids more often. That is what the kids needed the most..lots of love and having loved ones around.

Most of us who volunteered there got quite attached to kids.. Some made a recovery and some didn't..

Those children were the angels..

posted January 29, 2014 06:07 AM            

quote:

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In winter, I crave carbs in the form of breads & cakes too. I think it`s a physical instinct to lay down winter fat. Or so I excuse myself with the thought!!

I have been busy as I agreed to teach a master gardening class for the Uni`s extension program this March. I`m excited and nervous at the same time so I am preparing early.

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Grrreeeeaaat stuff, Junibug! "Master gardening" sounds like you're a Guru. ..which means you are a fairy!
The best of luck with that program.

posted January 31, 2014 04:16 PM            

Charmaine, I am so touched by your helping the families of children with cancer. I got misty-eyed and tingly-nosed reading about it. I am so grateful that there will always be compassionate people, and for every tragedy that arises, there are good people going out and sacrificing their own time and energy to make someone else better. It's like my favorite thing about life!

And I really love that you are one of these people! LOVE IT.

My life is missing charity work. I think I already said this ten times but it's like a refrain in heart. I can't wait until my children are older and I'll have time to volunteer.

As for fat being insulation, I'm working on it! Generally I enjoy my good genetics (most of the women in my whole, huge family are thin) but I am envious of my heavier friends when it's cold out.

Regarding sisters: funny how all three of us seem to have been the stronger ones? If that wording doesn't bother you? I'm nine years younger than my sister, but she's a triple Cancer...I dunno, it's like her emotional outbreaks always consumed so much of my parents' energy, there wasn't much left over for me. In a way, I'm thankful that I learned to fall back on my own resources and develop independence. On the other hand, I would have gladly traded this for a healthier family dynamic...as I'm sure everyone would.

But we all just forge on ahead making the best of things, right?

Juni,

I'm jealous that you're a master gardener! Soooo jealous! Plants seem to hate me.

And as for the crazies who go out in the cold, swimming and all that...I just picked up a book last night called Secrets of People Who Never Get Sick, and the first story was about a fellow who claimed that he was cured of tuberculosis by taking a daily swim in the frigid winter Danube River.

No thanks, I'd rather just die of the TB.

Yes, my husband has guided the kids through some experiments with baking soda and vinegar...it IS delightful how happy kids get about simple things like that.

The way my 3 year-old is perfectly ecstatic when he rediscovers a toy bus he hasn't seen in several months...wish I could get like that! Maybe if I improve my diet or meditate or something.

Mercury entering Pisces has me watching New Agey YouTube videos than usual...that's why I'm thinking of meditation.

Do you two meditate?

Best wishes with everything~ stay warm!

posted February 05, 2014 01:25 AM            

You know how you read a post with the intention to reply but then you get side-tracked? It happens to me often. Sorry!

posted February 05, 2014 02:30 AM            

quote:

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Yes, my husband has guided the kids through some experiments with baking soda and vinegar...it IS delightful how happy kids get about simple things like that.

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Why didn't anyone teach me this as a kid? They'd be vinegar bombs going off all the time. Lol! Well, it's never too late *mischievious grin*

quote:

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My life is missing charity work. I think I already said this ten times but it's like a refrain in heart. I can't wait until my children are older and I'll have time to volunteer.

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You yearn to do charity work again and that's great.Remind yourself that you will do it again when you're ready and able. Enjoy your kids for now. I've heard many parents saying how quickly their kids grow up. You have this time with them. Your kiddies are Blessed. They have a mum who loves them and is there for them.

We read stories, talked and played with the kids, especially with the ones who had parents living in a different provence. We arranged birthday parties, Christmas parties, raised funds for treatments etc. To see happiness radiate from a child is priceless.

Even though I relocated, I still volunteer/support a couple of organizations here.

In summary, Faith..what you're doing for your kids now is just as good as any charity work.

It seems the three of us have much in common.
My sister is currently facing a small (emphasis on small) dilema and making it out to be this HUGE thing. She can't cope with the little curve balls in life.
Sigh.

That aside, she's cool.

I think we're "stronger" because we chose not to allow our past to mould us. We don't want to repeat the cycle..

posted February 05, 2014 02:37 AM            

quote:

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Yes, my husband has guided the kids through some experiments with baking soda and vinegar...it IS delightful how happy kids get about simple things like that.

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Why didn't anyone teach me this as a kid? They'd be vinegar bombs going off all the time. Lol! Well, it's never too late *mischievious grin*

quote:

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My life is missing charity work. I think I already said this ten times but it's like a refrain in heart. I can't wait until my children are older and I'll have time to volunteer.

---

You yearn to do charity work again and that's great.Remind yourself that you will do it again when you're ready and able. Enjoy your kids for now. I've heard many parents saying how quickly their kids grow up. You have this time with them. Your kiddies are Blessed. They have a mum who loves them and is there for them.

We read stories, talked and played with the kids, especially with the ones who had parents living in a different provence. We arranged birthday parties, Christmas parties, raised funds for treatments etc. To see happiness radiate from a child is priceless.

Even though I relocated, I still volunteer/support a couple of organizations here.

In summary, Faith..what you're doing for your kids now is just as good as any charity work.

It seems the three of us have much in common.
My sister is currently facing a small (emphasis on small) dilema and making it out to be this HUGE thing. She can't cope with the little curve balls in life.
Sigh.

That aside, she's cool.

I think we're "stronger" because we chose not to allow our past to mould us. We don't want to repeat the cycle..

posted February 05, 2014 03:03 AM            

Ram and IQ tried to aid me with this. I have not mastered it yet.

Have you started with meditation?

posted February 10, 2014 03:14 PM            

Charmaine, I've been thinking of you, just wanted to try and meditate a few times for real before answering your question.

But I want to clarify here:

quote:

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Originally posted by charmainec:
Enjoy your kids for now. I've heard many parents saying how quickly their kids grow up. You have this time with them. Your kiddies are Blessed. They have a mum who loves them and is there for them.

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Oh yes, I DO enjoy my kids now!! When I said I "can't wait" for them to grow up, that was just the wrong expression. I CAN wait. I love having them little and sometimes get upset about them growing up.

I just meant that I'm also looking forward to those other opportunities, when they get older. No rush.

Talk to you later, hope you are warm!

posted February 12, 2014 01:20 AM            

Sorry if what I said appeared to imply something else.

These no doubt that you love your little ones.

Did you meditate yet? I want to hear your thoughts on it.

Wish Summer was here!

posted February 13, 2014 11:20 PM            

You hear a voice constantly talking to you?

posted February 18, 2014 02:08 PM            

No...so sorry, I just feel really...

Hmm...

Do you ever feel emotionally affected by something and it makes it so that you don't want to small talk, you just want to speak from your soul? But then, it's hard finding the right words, so you try looking for a happy medium between soul-baring and small talk? And it's really exhausting, finding those words? That's where I am like all the time now.

Saturn is on my NN in Scorpio, I wonder if that's what it's about. I've gotten behind in almost all my correspondence because I am demanding more from myself.

Make any sense at all? I hope so. If not, just chalk this up to my babbling addiction!

But I ***WILL*** meditate and let you know how it goes. Soon!

Hope life is happy for you and all who tread this thread! Good luck and rainbows.

posted February 18, 2014 02:15 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by charmainec:

Sorry if what I said appeared to imply something else.

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Oh and no worries at all, I was the one who used the wrong expression.

And...

quote:

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Originally posted by charmainec:
What I do daily is to be "still". Releasing emotion, taking deep breaths and tuning into my body first. Listening to it in a sense. Picking up on tension (emotions tend to hoard into certain parts of the body) and release it.

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posted February 20, 2014 01:21 AM            

It's probably a common thing for many at some point. There are days when I don't want any small talk. It's a craving for "soul nourishment". It's all about balance. And when one out weighs the other it leaves you drained, stagnant..

Yes, it helps because you become more aware of yourself, more aware of the things you don't tend to notice when you're busy.

How to quiet your inner voice? Focus on something. That is why I focus on my breathing and tune into my body. You may find you become even more distracted but it's part of taming your mind. There are various methods. You just need to find one which suits you.