Meet Lilly

Okay, time to come back and check in with my adult friends. I've been busy watching so many Backyardigan episodes with my two-year-old grandson that I can literally sing their theme song.
It is snowing here in Portland, not a norm in this rainy city. In fact, my sister-in-law is stuck near her home and the police are not allowing her up a steep hill. So my husband is off in our four-wheel-drive, headed across town to help her out. So while I'm waiting for his safe return, I thought I'd introduce you to Lilly. Lilly is our great-niece and she just turned three years old.

Our little girl is very tiny. She is struggling with an illness for which the doctors do not have a definitive diagnoses. Around age one she quit eating normally and became very ill with ear infections, pneumonia, and other illnesses. Since that time she has been through countless tests and doctor's visits, and is currently seeing specialists in Seattle. They have said that she has super low B and T cells and non-functional antibodies. They have been giving her immunoglobulin G by IV to give her a boost. They know that she has many other symptoms like low appetite/slow growth but so far nothing to tie everything together. She has short telomeres and they think she might have some previously unknown form of Dyskeratosis Congenita.

Despite all of these hurdles she remains a joy to all of us who know her. Her hardworking parents divide their time between jobs, school, and caring for Lilly. In March they will go to Disneyworld as part of the Make A Wish program that will be granting a wish to Lilly, who is all things "princess." We can't wait to hear all about it!

In the meantime she had a very special visit with Santa. After waiting in line at Macys, for what seemed like forever, it was finally her turn. She had been worried about the visit, more than a little frightened. But then she just took off and ran to him, wrapping her arms around the jolly gent and proceeded to hug him intensely for what seemed like forever, not letting go long enough for her mother to get a good picture! After the bear hug, she proceeded to talk to him in what her mother described as a "strangely intense" manner for about five minutes! Her mother couldn't hear what she was saying, but the kindly Santa was quite taken with his tiny visitor, and told her mother she could come back anytime. (Click on the photo to see their expressions.)

We don't know what they talked about, but we do believe in miracles. So please say a prayer, or send healing energy to our little darling. 2010 is going to be a great year for Lilly!

Enjoying the season...

And the very best of what it has to offer - family, friends, love, and Evan Williams egg nog...

Taking my own advice to concentrate or "compartmentalize." Which is just another way of being mindful. Time to bake, cook, wrap, and hug those I love for the next couple of weeks. Hoping you all have a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year. I'll be lurking and occasionally posting - see you next year!

P.S. Loved all the sleeping advice from my last post! Thank you!

How is your Intention Board?

Remember this post on Intention Boards? Well I thought I would bring you up to date on mine, and what has manifested and what is still in the works:

I had on my board the following intentions (all in short sentences or pictures cut from magazines):

THE GOOD LIFE - which included in small print: our countryside, made in america, eco smart, natural beauty, the best way - which is self explanatory - my intention was all of these things. (So far I have not bought a car, hoping to buy an American brand, but just haven't found one that I really like, we are recycling as much as possible and buying eco-friendly products - including cleaning supplies. Natural beauty comes from within - and I am always working on that.)

SIMPLE, WITH SOUL - My intention was to live simply and with great mindfulness. (So far we have been doing this. We're happier and healthier.)

BUDDAH, at Volcano Garden Arts - My belief system is mostly Buddhist, and this was a reminder to live my life with great love and compassion for all living things. (I have read several books by Pema Chodron and refer to her whenever I begin to feel negative for any length of time. She is a great guide during these difficult times.)

FEELING GOOD - My intention was to feel good by living my best life possible. (This continues to be a work in progress, but I am more clear on what is not working in my life.)

EATING BETTER CAN BE YUMMY - My intention was to incorporate more grains and vegetables in our diet without feeling deprived. I also intended to remove simple sugars as much as possible, and to eat less meat. (This also continues to be a work in progress, some weeks are better than others, but we are certainly eating more vegetables. Making all of our own bread from organic 100% whole wheat flour, and eating far less meat.)

BETTER SLEEP, BETTER HEALTH - Good sleep has been a big issue for me for some time. My intention was to figure out holistic ways of sleeping better. (Sorry to report this is still an issue - any attempt at better sleep has not been fruitful. Any suggestions?)

BUY ONLY WHAT YOU LOVE - My intention was to become very mindful of things I thought I wanted, and things that I wanted because I really loved and/or need the item. (I am definitely there. I only buy things that resonate in a good way.)

THE WEST, AT IT'S BEST - My intention was for my husband to attract a job in the West, where our family and friends reside. (Currently two possibilities in the West, one in the Midwest, and one on the East Coast. In the meantime we are enjoying living at beautiful Lake Tahoe. No complaints on this one.)

THE HAPPINESS BUG - My intention was to spread happiness, in any way possible. (I'm working on it...)

THINK OF IT AS ENHANCING YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE - My intention was to focus on those things that are life-enhancing and not negative or draining. (I do not watch any news programs, preferring to read what little news I can handle online. It only upsets me and makes me mad, which does not help in enhancing my quality of life.)

"THERE IS WISDOM IN ADAPTATION. LOOK AT THE SAGUARO, WHICH LIVES FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS IN THE HARSHEST OF ENVIRONMENTS - Dr. Andrew Weil - My intention is to become adaptable to whatever circumstances may arise in my life. (We have adapted quite well to a completely different way of life. It's all in how you frame things sometimes.)

A PICTURE OF A BIG CACTUS GARDEN - My intention was to make one of these gardens someday. (Hasn't happened yet.)

ADDED SINCE THAT POST:

"THRU EDUCATION, PUBLISHING, AND WRITING ABOUT PHILOSOPHIES, BELIEFS, ETC., YOU WILL EXPERIENCE YOUR MOST PROFOUND TRANSFORMATION. - My intention is to become a more enlightened person, a better person. I feel writing is my way of moving forward in this endeavor. (I think blogging has made me realize my way of moving forward involves writing. Now I'm trying to decide if it is time to move on from blogging and put all my creative efforts into the book I have always wanted to write. I'm not sure I can do both at the same time.)

AN "ABUNDANCE CHECK" MADE OUT TO MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF - My intention was taking the advice of a blogging friend, Leah, who reminds us each month to write a check to ourselves on the new moon for abundance. (All I can say is this works!)

My husband never used his side of the board and now I am moving into that space... 


How about you? Did you do an Intention Board? If so, how is it going?

In The Spirit of Christmas

My blogging friend JC, at Lilac & Cats has asked me to post for two little boy cats who have been at Pet's Mart for ages in Renton, Washington. In the spirit of the holidays, please take a look and see if you might have a place in your heart for two little cats that are brothers.

Home for the Holidays ...

Beau BeauNoni Noni

I went to PetSmart on Sunday.

The boys are still there.

Could you PLEASE put them on your blog.

They have been there for over four months.

All they want is a home for the Holidays.

They are at the PetSmart in Renton, WA

Sponsored by 

Purrfect Pals

Please help me find them a home ...

Holographic Universe

 

As I have mentioned before, I will post on a book I've finished reading if I think it might be of value to others. The book that I have just finished is Holographic Universe by Michael Talbot. It was published in 1991, and was the third book by this incredible writer and seeker. Michael Talbot died not long after publication, in 1992, of leukemia.

The Holographic Universe is an extraordinary book. The main premise being that the universe is actually a giant hologram. The main architects of this scientific construct of reality is University of London physicist David Bohm, a protege of Einstein and world-renowned quantum physicist, and Karl Pribram, a neurophysiologist at Stanford University, and author of Languages of the Brain. They came to their conclusions differently and from completely different directions. And if they are correct - the universe as we know it is not at all what we believe it to be.

Talbot dove into many other mysteries as well. He took us along on a journey of exploration that involved healing, energy, near death experiences, out of body experiences, the construct of time, science, ufos, psychic phenomenon, and much more. But Dr. Stanislav Grof, in The Adventure of Self-Discovery explains it much better:

The new data are of such far-reaching relevance that they could revolutionize our understanding of the human psyche, of psychopathology, and of therapeutic process. Some of the observations transend in their significance the framework of psychology and psychiatry and represent a serious challenge to the current Newtonian-Cartesian paradigm of Western science. They could change drastically our image of human nature, of culture and history, and of reality.

This book would appeal to those who are interested in the above topics and/or a worldview that could answer many of the mysteries man has contemplated over millennium. I found it to be an interesting and face-paced read. Straddling my focus of science and spirit, it was hard to put down.

If you would like to watch (two) ten minute videos on U-Tube, go here and here. Or to hear Talbot, himself, explain this theory go here.

Christmas Fun

Good Cook challenged us to all have a little fun. She joined in the fun via Mandy's blog and so it goes... So if you would like to play along, please do. Here are the instructions:

If you're reading this post, then you must:

(a) leave a comment and answer the below 25 questions that Mandy made up,

(b) write the answers to the questions below in your own blog post, if you have a blog, that is.

or (c) call yourself a scrooge in the comment below and refuse to answer them.

I hope you choose (A) or (B) but if you choose (C) then I'll just let the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future deal with you. If you do decide to write your own blog post about it, please mention Mandy since she is the author of these important questions. (Writers credit and all that jazz - thanks!)


(1) What is your favorite Christmas movie?
Love Actually! Hands down, my favorite!

(2) What is your LEAST favorite Christmas movie?
The Clamation movies, maybe.

(3) What is your favorite Christmas song?
O Holy Night. It plays in my mind all during the season for some reason.

(4) What Christmas song(s) drives you crazy?
Anything sung by Alvin and the Chipmunks.

(5) What is your favorite Christmas drink? (i.e. egg nog, hot chocolate)
Eggnog and bourbon.

(6) What is your favorite Christmas memory?
When my children were tiny and so very excited, and the time my daughter swore she saw santa outside the window.

(7) What is the best toy/gift you've received on Christmas?
My horse - Samanthy - when I was thirteen.

(8) What is the worst toy/gift you've received on Christmas?
A coo coo clock that my brother actually wanted. ?

(9) What do you LOVE about the holidays?
The spirit of giving, in so many ways.

(10) What annoys you about the holidays?
Grumpy attitudes, and lack of Christmas spirit - oh wait, that's two. Oh well.

(11) Do you prefer star or angel on top of a Christmas tree? Or something else?
Angel.

(12) What is your family favorite recipe at Christmas?
Cream puffs. But my husband insists it's prime rib, regardless of the fact he is the only one that eats red meat.

(13) Are you a Grinch or a Who at Christmastime?
Definitely a Who.

(14) Christmas light displays - Love them or Hate them?
Love them! We used to drive around at least once during the holidays to enjoy the houses that went all out on holiday lights.

(15) Santas at the mall - Fun times or Creepy?
Hmmm well, mostly creepy I would have to say. Although I have seen some that are really good.

(16) Christmas cards - do you send them, yes or no?
Yes, and my husband always does a letter - which has become famous in our circle.

(17) What is the best thing about Christmas, in your opinion?
The reflection on what is important in our lives.

(18) What is the worst thing about Christmas?
Too many, especially children, that do not experience the magic.

(19) When do you put the tree up and take it down?
It changes every year when it goes up, but it always comes down after January 2.

(20) Out of the 12 days of Christmas, which day and item would you want your true love to give to you?
Two turtle doves - I am becoming a bird freak.

(21) Why do you think that Grandma got run over by a reindeer?
I hate that song.

(22) Who is your favorite reindeer?
Rudolph, of course. He worked the hardest to get what he wanted.

(23) Do you believe in Santa Claus?
Duh!

(24) What is your favorite smell at Christmastime?
Baking - any kind of baking.

(25) What would make you happy at Christmas this year?
I believe we choose to be happy or not, and I choose happiness. But I would like every person in the world to have a full stomach this Christmas.

So how about you? What makes you happy about the holidays?

Bloginar

I have found a new website (through one of you, but I can't remember who exactly), that is having a "bloginar" on energy and healing. Over the years I have read many things on energy and the mind/body connection and this series synthesises complex information very well. Some of this information is now being taught in mainstream courses. Many general practicioner offices now have Naturopathic doctors on staff, utilzing them for preventive health and alternative medicines.

Humans have an innate ability to heal themselves, and moving away from the pharma-based system we now depend on may be where healthcare needs to go in order to be sustainable. Utilizing alternatives, or working in conjunction with mainstream medicinal practices, makes sense for the future.

If you are interested, go to Healing Mudras and start here. It has several parts over the month of December.

Let me know what you think.