our vacation part 2

Taking a walk in an open expansive place is what was needed on day two of our vacation.

The kids are at an age where they prefer peers to parents, rock music to peace and quiet, and their computers take up a lot of their time, even though we are stricter than most parents about screen time. Honestly they weren't super excited to take this mini trip.  But we took them anyway, because we are so mean, lol.  We took them away from distractions and screens and cell phones and the sarcasm of other teenagers. We set up camp in a quiet small house on the rainy side. We played catch with them, and picked fruits, and went out for meals and laughed and watched quality movies. We drove around our old hometown and even saw our old house, pictured above. A house Annabel and Sky lived in before Shawn was part of our family. We drove through our old hometown, a cowboy town with hitching posts along the road in some areas. We breathed the fresh air. It was just what we all needed.

I'm glad to remember that time a few weeks ago, and the peace we all felt.

Soon we will be reacquainted with Sky, who is now living 3000 miles from us. We miss her.

for my children~2016 election

Our attitudes effect everything and each other. Massive fear, anxiety and panic are not going to help anyone. Don't feed off of it. Focus your attention right now on what you love, what you think good is, what you value and hold dear. Have that be in the forefront of your mind.

Never ask any one thing or person to be everything you need them to be. That's like saying "You need to be exactly what I need you to be before I can feel okay!"

Try to appreciate qualities of the people on both sides of the ideas and concerns you are debating.

Love all beings. This is your true nature and if you hate on people, you are out of alignment with your true nature. Our true divine nature loves all beings!

Don't get all caught up in things you can't control. Control what you can control -- where you focus your attention, how you spend your time, the friends you choose, your personal priorities.  Focus on what is good and right and beautiful in the world. There is plenty of it.

Never doubt that there is God's Grace always available to you, flowing in a constant stream. I trust that we are all in very good hands, and we are part of an evolutionary process as humans on this planet at this time. Remember the miracles we have all experienced and seen. Remember that human life is indeed, a miracle.

Decide what you are for!
I know what I am for. I am for kindness, compassion, acceptance of differences, helping those in need, equal rights for all people. I am for taking the high road, having class, and as you all know, manners. I am for being level headed, generous, unselfish, having good boundaries, and being open to all sorts of people.  I am for family values. I am for learning new things every day. I value beginner's mind. We are all learning, all growing, all evolving. People can change and grow for the better. We all know this. We have seen it. Remember the story of the thief who becomes a wise saint after meeting the right person and having his eyes opened.

And never forget - regardless of what many people think or how they behave, you have the ability to be an advocate of your own well being and others' well being. So let your lights shine my dear children. They are bright and beautiful and incredible.

I know you know this all. This is just a reminder.

Love, Mom

upcountry vacation

I have some of my best childhood memories from our family vacations, and in many ways we have recreated that dynamic with our kids. Gary is very generous when it comes to travel and getting away. He loves to take trips, whereas I am more of a homebody. But it is always good to get away, even for a brief time as we found out recently.

There was a fall school vacation so we decided to take the kids on a weekend getaway to another part of our island. Annabel needed a break from college applications. We all took a breather.

We found a cottage for rent on Airbnb and it ended up being great. It was such a sweet time. It was quiet and peaceful out on the country on this huge property where everything grows to gargantuan sizes. We had lots of soft rain and fresh air, fruit trees to pick from, bunnies to visit with, and some nice laughs. One night we watched The Pursuit of Happyness with the kids for the second time. It was a great film. And the next night we watched School of Rock. I love our kids, in all of their feistiness and teen bigness and noisiness and yes, a tad bit of drama.  They are ours and we are grateful to have them around.

haiti and baked goods

This month Mr. Shawn decided to do some fundraising for a project my brother is involved in. My brother is headed to Haiti to treat victims of cholera and he is part of a group that frequently goes there to give medical treatment to people who otherwise have no way to see a doctor. This is their cause if you want to check it out. 

Shawn was so excited to contribute the money he made selling his delicious breads and muffins. He did the planning, shopping, and baking all by himself. I smashed a few bananas, that was it for my contribution. Shawn made close to $200! Here's what Shawn had to say.

"I'm SOOO proud of my uncle for doing all of this selfless service for the people of Haiti. I raised this money from making banana bread and blueberry muffins and selling them to my neighbors. Hopefully that will inspire whoever is out there to do something like that and help the world as much as possible! :)"

the spirit of home

So we are back home to a life that is very familiar and yet new and a bit different too. The biggest difference is there are two kids living with us instead of three. There are two new schools, one is a local university, as Annabel is now taking all college classes as a high school senior. And thus bus routes to learn. We are driving our small, easy to park, quiet, zippy electric cars which I love and really missed. Mine is turquoise blue. The kids have new friends and more independence since we last lived here. A new edible home garden project is about to happen. We visit the same beaches and shave ice stand. There are more photovoltaic systems popping up on roofs everywhere and some new buildings and stores on our tiny island. 

There is the same welcoming small town spirit. Peace and serenity abounds. It's nice here.

back home

Greeted by beautiful sunsets, bananas and a huge crop of tangerines, oh and of course my smiling family.

We are planning to add many more fruit trees and a veggie garden area in our back yard.

Lots of rain here lately, which is nice for us, hard for certain areas. But we escaped any hurricanes! Just some clouds and rain. Thank God for that.

Sky's doing well, living in California and taking college classes.

the main us

There is something that has happened as the years have passed.

The bond has strengthened.

The happy memories have increased.

We've grown as individuals and we've grown together as a couple.

We've supported each other's dreams. We've stood by our kids and we've loved each other.

It seems that one day I met Gary, we got married, and we became parents. Where have the years gone? Sometimes the days were long...but the years flew by. Seems like one day I woke up and I had a long committed marriage. With lots of traditions and joy and sure some strife, everyone has strife. But it's what you do with strife that determines the outcome. Strife itself is just par for the course. 

But yes, I am happy. Being with my best friend. Feeling like we are there for each other and we can count on each other. 

Is there anything better than that? To find a soulmate in a life? What a blessing. 

Love you so much babe.

california summer trip with miss sky

I don't know how Sky and I got so lucky but we were able to stay in a beautiful, magical place. After our time in New York with my parents we went to northern California and moved into a house with a bunch of monks. Me and Sky and the monastics.

During this time we went into San Francisco and also to Marin to see old friends. Sky got to see friends she has known since babyhood. Their mothers were my friends when we were all new mothers. What a special bond we all have.

We stayed some days in the beautiful house eating Indian food and resting and doing some volunteer work, and then I returned home while Sky remained on her own for a few weeks. Sky and the monastics. Sounds like a rock band name.

I returned to California to the same house and a few days later moved Sky into college. Then something interesting happened but that's for another post.

visit with mom and dad

There weren't many photos taken on this trip but that in no way reflects a lack of enthusiasm and happiness I felt being with my parents. 

Gary took Annabel and Shawn home and on the way stopped off and visited a college. I took Sky to upstate NY to see my mom and dad. We were there for my birthday. We relaxed, watched movies, went for ice cream, made nice meals. I painted my parents' mailbox. It was just what the doctor ordered.

I love the old family portrait, and especially how we are all looking to the side, smiling. I'm sitting on my father's lap. Both my parents and I are smiling. My brother is thinking about it. Even baby sister is looking. Someone got all of our attention and captured an adorable moment.

I come from a small town filled with wholesome, kind-hearted good people. Whenever I return I realize that, and I am proud to be from there.