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While Presidents George Bush and Ronald Reagan successfully gave student addresses to U.S. public schools, suddenly President Obama is shunned and ignored in many school systems.   His speech, whose text is posted and available here, is focused on the importance of education, setting educational goals and taking responsibility for learning is not being shown at either of my kids' schools, Shallowford Falls Elementary or Hightower Trail Middle School.  I emailed the letter below to the principal of Hightower Trail (HTMS) and the Cobb County Board of Education.  This has little to do with politics, but more about standing up for our democratic system and teaching our children respect.   I'm still shaking my head in disbelief.

To Whom It May Concern:
 
I am writing to express my disappointment in the decision not to show the Presidential Address scheduled for Tuesday, September 8th.   While I’m sure you heard from a litany of parents protesting the Address broadcasting in a PUBLIC, federally funded school this Speech, according to the Cobb County letter released, is focused on the importance of education, setting educational goals and taking responsibility for learning and given by the President of the United States for students.   We are taught and expected to respect those in leadership.  Students and citizens are required to show respect for their teachers and public servants, regardless of adverse personal feelings.  I expect nothing less from the HTMS educational community towards the highest elected official in our country.
 
I am so saddened that a group’s "dislike" of an elected President is controlling a public facility and my child's privilege to be a part of a communal group learning to honor authority even though it is sometimes uncomfortable when we don’t agree.   I just don't think this is sending the right message. 
 
I can’t convey my hope better than Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower when he said:
 
“This world of ours... must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate, and be, instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect.”
 
I would not and did not keep my children home or protest any Presidential speech, regardless of who was or will be in Office, because “if you want the rose, you must respect the thorn. ~Persian Proverb”   If one enjoys the freedoms, then this is the type of acceptance and tolerance should be imitated for our students. 
 
With this decision, HTMS set a precedent that no Presidential Address will be acknowledged or shown in the future of Hightower Trail Middle School, regardless of who sits in office.  If this has been the practice of HTMS in the past, then I withdraw my objections.  My youngest is in Kindergarten at Shallowford Falls, and I trust that HTMS will be consistent in the years to come on their stance.  My hope is that this decision is not merely a reflection of the political preferences of this district.   As Emerson said, "Men are respectable, only as they respect."   
 
I understand the need for peace on school grounds but am disappointed that I am forced to discuss with my son why his public school won't show President Obama's much needed speech on education and responsibility.  In retrospect, I would hope that those who oppose the broadcast could exercise their right to keep their children home from the PUBLIC, federally funded school if they don't approve of President of the United States.   At the very least, it should be an optional viewing in the school building.   This is not a private school. 
 
Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts.  Best regards.  Heather Turner  

Text of Presdient Bush's speech can be found here:  President Bush's 1991 Speech to Students 
Text of President Reagan's speech can be found here: President Ronald Reagan's Speech

        

I tearfully walk into our laundry room this morning, 15 minutes before we are scheduled to leave for the day, and I'm still in my white and blue flower pajama bottoms and grey Nike t-shirt. I gently close the door, and whisper, "I don't want to do this anymore." So, that instantly makes me feel like a bad person. But I've decided that I'm not going to judge myself. Not judging, not judging. Hands covering both ears .... blah, blah, blah, blah. << MORE >>

When I was introduced to the meaning of "Namaste", a traditional Hindu greeting, and the concept of "new eyes", I was deeply moved.  Dr. Rachel Remea in "The Life of Meaning" explains the greeting below:

"Namaste" means "I see and I greet the hidden wholeness in you."   No matter how you appear — how weak or sick or different — I can see past that to the wholeness in you. And I bow to that in you. Because I have learned to see your potential, I can befriend it and enable it to become a little more visible to the world, a little closer to the place that you live every day. When you see something in another person and acknowledge it, you strengthen it, and so in your presence they may experience a greater potential in themselves... maybe for the first time.

I think back over my life and remember those who recognized the best in me.  When I saw myself in the reflection of their rose-colored glasses, it made me want to rise to a higher level.  The rush of feeling someone perceive and acknowledge who I truly was regardlesss of my shortcomings and mistakes helped elevate me above where I was hovering (or heading). 

I'm challenging myself to see the "hidden wholeness" in others, especially those in my own home.  Sometimes I get so focused on Nick needing to pick up his socks, Gabby hanging up her wet clothes or Jack washing his hands that I don't enjoy, honor and cultivate their humanity.   Sometimes as parents we forget that our children are working through the stages of learning about themselves.   We push and push and push to help them to the next place, only to lose them because we forget to encourage and uplift them right where they are.  We parent in fear.  I parent in fear. 

I somehow got sucked in to watching, "The T.O. Show," on VH1 about crazy ass Terrell Owens.  



I have NEVER been a T.O. fan ... EVER!   There is no doubt that T.O. is an incredible receiver; he is a six-time Pro Bowl selection and holder of the league's single-game reception record.  However, to me, his controversy, antics, and the confusion he seems to create on the field and in the locker room have left me shaking my head.   In the last 5 years he's played on 3 teams.  I think he's too good for that kind of movement, and he seems so volatile and unstable.   As an aside, I watch sports mainly for the backstories (<—— that's the male word for "gossip"), and ESPN is all about sports gossip. 

Or maybe I didn't like him because his bodyguard was rude to my sister-in-law.  She saw T.O. out in Atlanta one night and when he walked near her, the bodyguard totally threw his arm out and haughtily barked, "No autographs."  She hadn't even asked for his little signature!  Boo.  Get over yourself.  Moving on.

Sooooo, I've seen two episodes of the show.  The second one detailed the trip to his hometown in Alabama to see his dad.  Apparently, Terrell didn't even know who his dad was until he was 9 years old.  Now, that's rough.  But then, it turns out that "dear old dad" lived across the damn street from him and never really accepted or acknowledged Terrell.  Suddenly, some of 'ole T.O.'s shananigans start to make a little more sense given his circumstance.  And WE ALL have circumstances. 

After watching T.O. face the emotions and hurt that come along with a childhood that didn't include his daddy giving that boy big bear hugs, playfully wrestling with him and going to his little league games, I began to see the "hidden wholeness" in Terrell Owens.  It took a lot of courage for him to face a man who "flaunted" his disregard of his son from across the street every damn day of his life.  No wonder he struggles with authority figures and rejection.   But, he is so much more than his past, his present, and even his talent.  We all are so much more.  So, Namaste to you, Terrell Owens.   Let your light shine.  And stop whining!  <—- just a little joke. J  I might even be a fan next year.  I do like the show, and his publicist, Monique, is a girl I'd like to have a drink with.

You can watch the full episode referenced above here: http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?id=1617342

T.O.'s struggle made me think of my Nicholaz, who hasn't seen his biological father in many years.  I'm trusting that the love and acceptance Cassius has showered upon him will resonate within his soul as self-confidence, self-love and inner peace.   And, the rest, I leave to God who has been watching out for Nick every step of the way.  However, I am acutely aware of the inner storm he navigates, but I know he will overcome it in his own brilliant and honest way. 

Let us all try harder to "befriend" the best of what we KNOW must reside in each human.  And, remember, that those who are closest to us are the most affected by our acceptance, or criticism, or love, or absence.  All the more reason to  "learn to see the potential, ... enable it to become a little more visible to the world, a little closer to the place that you live every day. When you see something in another person and acknowledge it, you strengthen it, and so in your presence they may experience a greater potential in themselves... maybe for the first time."  Hopefully, for a life time.  

Namaste.

        

It's true.  I'm totally addicted to expressing myself creatively in 140 characters or less on Twitter.  And why, you ask?  I don't really know, which is why I'm blogging to figure it out.  What is the lure of Twitter?  Hmmmm.   I've got a couple of theories, but nothing definitive.  

When I first heard of Twittering, I instantly proclaimed, "That is so stupid!"  <——-  I usually said it in a really high-pitched, annoying voice.   And ..... I also said the same thing about Facebook.... yeah, I LOVE Facebook now.  I've learned that when it comes to technology, I need to learn about it before I judge it.

So, what makes Twitter twit for me?   

The #1 reason is that I have instant access to people I would otherwise never meet.   Jane Fonda, for example.  She's pretty damn interesting.   Her favicon picture is a mug shot she took a gazillion years ago.  Winner!  Most people don't even bother to monitor those who "follow" them.  So, I get to eavesdrop on people and no one even stares weirdly at me.   

#2: There's a science to Twitter.  Once figured out, you can make it work for you in the ways of marketing and getting your personal brand, idea, or business exposed to a lot of folks. 

#3:  It's clever.  For example, Michael Scott, the main character from "The Office", tweets.  HIGH-larious.  

#4:  I actually "tweeted" with someone who lives in Iran about the Iranian elections.   It's like I have a backstage pass to an event if you can find someone who's willing to communicate with you.

#5:  I'm connecting with people who share the same interests as me.   Then, tweople post links to articles, websites, etc. that point you to new information or interesting topics on various subjects.  That's kind of cool.  

I'm learning the advantages of "social networking," a phenomenon that I totally ignored before but now am realizing it's power.   It's another way to tap into the world, and I want to feel the world (not like really "feel up" everyone, but experience the vibe). 

So, if you are not on Twitter, give it a try.  Here's an article entitled, "Twitter 101" to help you get plugged in to the lingo.  There's no age limit, and it's free.  I suggest posting 20 tweets and figure out how to re-tweet someone before you give up on it.  Oh, and find some people to follow.  That's fun too. Come "twisit" me soon!  <——— I know, soooooo lame.   But, here's my Twitter link. 

Another interesting conversation is, "When do you Facebook v. Twitter?" 
      VS.

Mashable also has a mega list entitled, "Twitter Lists, Resources & How-Tos" which gives you some great starting places to find people to follow who will interest you. 

Now, I just need to figure out how many tweets are too many tweets in one day...... Input?

        

I forced Cassius and the kids to go see Food, Inc. tonight.    I would much rather have my family understand why I'm driving all over the metropolitan Atlanta area looking for raw milk and organic eggs instead of copping an attitude with me, rolling their eyes and smacking, "Mama, I don't want a homemade milk shake and sweet potato fries!  Why can't we just go to McDonald's for my two all beef patty, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun?"   I knew some scenes were probably a bit excessive and a little over the top for them, but I usually err on the side of too much information instead of not enough.

Well, my friends, mission accomplished.  I am well on my way to raising political activists!!  Woo hoo.   Gabby is drafting a strongly worded letter to the Obamas, and Nick is appalled at "the way big corporations seem to buy legistlation."  Go get 'em!



Two of my little hamburglars declare they will never go to Wendy's again.  Unlikely, but at least we are on the right track.   Cassius is considering a temporary vegetarian run, and Gabby wants to know how to politely ask people if their chicken is hormone free!  High Five! 

        

So, now that we’ve identified the major problem (the lymphatic system which isn’t draining properly), then the solution process begins.   Dr. Chris sets a small Pyrex bowl on Jack’s lower stomach and starts placing minerals and vitamin supplements inside the bowl.  After he adds something, he pushes down on Candace’s arm again.  He keeps adding and taking things out of this bowl until Candace’s arm stays straight.   This indicates to Dr. Chris that he’s put together the right combination of supplements to correct the problem.

 

I’m not kidding. I saw this with my own eyes.  I don't think I'm a sucker.  To appease your doubts, you can use your own arm if you want, because adults don’t get Candace’s help .  Candace writes down the minerals and supplements on a piece of paper with dosage instructions and sends me to the adjacent natural pharmacy.  And just like Diedere told me, Dr. Chris suggested that we eliminate sugar as much as possible because it feeds the virus and bacteria that are stagnate in his system.   Also, reduce grain intake.  This was a Tuesday afternoon.

 

On Tuesday night we began giving Jack all of the whole food supplements and minerals suggested.  On Wednesday night, he slept through the entire night without waking up one single time!  He hasn’t done that in MONTHS!  I don’t know if you’ve ever had to endure months of interrupted sleep, but I know I’m not getting the proper “OOHs and AAAHs” from this minor miracle, so I’ll imagine that your reaction was, “OMG! You’re kidding. That is freakin’ amazing!”  

Additionally, his snoring is a mere whisper by Wednesday night.  We’ve gone from big, rumbling, Mack truck to a well maintained 2000 Honda Civic in two days.  As of today, Jack has slept soundly, without waking up to gasp for air four out of five nights (he snuck in my bed last night —grrr).  Cassius, ever the realist, is pretty amazed. 

 

Now for truth time.  If I’m going to blog, I’ve decided I have to be completely honest.  And, I’m hesitant to put it into words, but I must.   For the past several years, I’ve been walking around with this feeling that I would die at a young age (when my children are still young).   I have never shared this with another person until recently.  Because of this impending doom, I’ve lived my life with a sense of urgency regarding most things.  

As soon as I shook Dr. Chris’ hand after our visit, the lingering feeling was gone.   It was instant for me.  I hadn’t realized how heavy it had become until it was gone.   For the first time, I made the connection that this “sense” settled on me when I became pregnant with Jack, and I’ve accepted that maybe that feeling could have been about him.  It is serious when the system in your body designed to filter and fight off bacteria, virus and invaders isn’t working properly – and seemingly hasn’t functioned well since toddlerhood.  However, that feeling is gone, and I’m eternally grateful.   

The belief is that the supplements will drain and detox the lymph organs, and we will not have to have Jack's adenoids and tonsils removed. Then, we reassess and try to figure out why the lymph system isn't working well. 

 

I can't explain it.  Call me crazy or gullible.  But, this process had an immediate impact on Jack's sleep patterns, breathing, and quality of life.  

Well, I'll let you know when Jack passes that hearing test!

Thanks for reading this series.  I never intended this blog to be a soap box for nutrition, natural remedies or food politics ... I'm just sharing where I am on the learning curve.  Please leave your comments!   

        

After hearing the voice of a grieving mother share her story on “what she would have done differently”, there was nothing in my soul that could disregard her input.   Jack was sitting in Dr. Chris’ office within two days.   During that 20-minute office visit, I experienced what I will describe as a spiritual moment.   Watching this guy with the skill, knowledge, and reverence for all things natural caring and searching over my little boy's body was amazing ... and so damn comforting.

 

So, I wind my way through Atlanta traffic and after about 40 minutes find myself at Dr. Chris’ Natural Pharmacy.  Jack and I are RIGHT ON TIME, which means we’re late.  As an aside, I worked at Champs’ Sporting Goods store as one of my many jobs in high school, and the manager had a sign posted that read, “If you’re early, you’re on time.  If you’re on time, you’re late.  And if you’re late, your job is on the line.”  It’s true; it stuck. 

 

Anyway, we walk in and there are mostly elderly people in the waiting room.  We’re greeted by a friendly woman at the front, and I hand her the completed paperwork.   Rewind:  After making our appointment, we received by fax the patient questionnaire (to be completed before we arrive) and patient orientation, which contained several pages about Nutrition Response Testing.   I read it and thought, “O.K., this is cool…. But, really?” 

 

Now, I have to be honest.  I was skeptical.  So I hatched a plan - on the questionnaire, I didn’t specify the reasons for our visit.   I was sort of in the mindset of a doubtful, yet desperate, person going to see a psychic.  (BTW, I’ve not been to see a psychic – I’m just imaging what I would do as I star in the movie that only plays in my head).  However, I was “testing” Dr. Chris.  I needed to know if this is legitimate. 

 

Jack’s name is called, we walk down the short hall into a cozier room with one wall full of marked vials in a rack organized like spices.  I meet his cool assistant, Candace, who shakes my hand and looks me in the eyes with a big smile.  I like that.  Dr. Chris enters.  He looks much younger than I expect, with a shiny bald head and intense, but warm face.   He bends down and speaks right to Jack.  Again, I like that too. 

 

Jack quickly is swept up on a soft, cushy table and lain on his back.  And the conversation goes like this:

Jack:         “Am I going to get a shot?” 

Dr. Chris:  “Oh no, buddy, we don’t do that here?”

Jack:          “Is it going to hurt?”

Dr. Chris says as he rubs Jack’s arm: “That’s about as much as we do here.”

Jack giggly responds:  “Awesome.”

 

Then, Candace (the nice assistant) faces Jack, puts her right hand on his leg and sticks her left arm out to the side, perpendicular to her body.   Dr. Chris explains, assuming I’ve read the literature provided (which I had, ever the teacher’s pet), that children are too weak to respond to the technique so Candace acts as a conduit for him.  Kind of like when you stick your finger in a socket, the electrical current could be felt if you touched someone with your other hand.  O.K, I think, I got it…

 

Then, the cool stuff starts happening.  The doc is bent over Jack, touching various places (acupuncture points?) on his upper body and head while pushing down on Candace’s arm, kind of like a lever.  If her arm stays stiff and straight out, then no problem. However, if her arm lowers, then that indicates a weakness or deficiency at the part of the body that Dr. Chris is touching.  Very quickly into his assessment Dr. Chris asks me if Jack has had a lot of ear infections.  DING DING DING!  Yes, ONE POINT for Dr. Chris.  Then, as he touches a place behind the specific ear that fails during the hearing tests, he says, “Hmmm.  OK.”  TWO POINTS for Dr. Chris.  He’s scoring pretty well on my little test he doesn’t know he’s taking.  He continues to gently touch areas while pushing on Candace’s arm in rapid fire.  Then, he stops and says, Jack’s lymph organs are not functioning and draining properly.   His lymph organs are swollen, which includes the adenoids (3 POINTS) and tonsils (4 POINTS) that could affect his hearing (I’ve now stop assessing points – he WINS).  He asks, “Does he get strept throat often?”  My mind’s unruly voice screams, “Hell yes he does! If someone drives down our street with strept, then he gets it.”  But, I calmly and cooly say out loud, “Well, yes sir, quite often.”   He explains that because of his lymph organs, his immune system is very weak.   So, now that we’ve identified the major problem (the lymphatic system which isn’t draining properly), then finding the solution begins.  If I hadn’t seen it myself, I would not believe it!

 


Stay tuned to the “Solution” in Gut Feeling, Part 3!

 

        

In May of 2008, our dear friends Gino and Diedere Zalunardo lost their 15-year-old son, Joshua, after a year-long battle with cancer. 

Pastor Gino was my youth pastor as a teenager, and my husband Cassius was one of his youth leaders.  We go way back.   However, we had not been to visit since they moved several hours away to start their own church.  However, recently Cassius became insistent that we visit them the next weekend he was free from work.  We drove to Columbus, Georgia this past Sunday. 

 

Among the many topics discussed during lunch, we talked about the movie, Food, Inc..  Gino told us that when they found out Josh was sick, they bought a calf and raised it in their pasture to ensure they were eating grass-fed beef with no hormones.  They named the calf, “Dinner.” J   It seems when a family member is diagnosed with a hopeless disease, the whole family begins it’s search for unconventional answers.   One seeks to understand the causes of such an evil and unforgiving disease.   Diedere sat next to me at the table and at one point longingly whispered, “There are so many things I would have done differently.”  

 

I hesitantly asked for examples of what she would change because I felt such an urgency to know.   This kind and open Mother generously began to share her regrets.   She would have used different products to clean the house and launder their clothes; would have washed with natural soaps; and moisturized with less toxic lotions.   She wouldn't have allowed the kids to eat so much sugar, because sugar feeds tumors, bacteria and viruses.   Then said that she would not have removed Josh’s adenoids when he was a child.  Immediately the hair on my arms stood straight in the air and the space around me chilled and electrified.   Little did she know that my Jack had an appointment in 10 days to meet with an ear, nose & throat specialist to consult about Jack's enlarged adenoids.  I gently, but desperately, nudge for reasons. 

 

She explained that during their quest for anything that would help Josh, they began investigating alternative medicines.   At the behest of a close family friend, she took Joshua to see Dr. Chris Greene in Snellville, Georgia.  I don’t know the specifics of the tests that Dr. Chris performed on Josh, but Diedere explained to me that the adenoids help keep your body healthy by trapping harmful bacteria and viruses that you breathe in or swallow; they also filter metals from the body. Adenoids also contain cells that make antibodies to help your body fight infections. When they are swollen or infected it is because they are working overtime to fight an inordinate amount of bad stuff trying to get in our bodies.  When we just remove adenoids, tonsils, and gallbladders that aren't medical emergencies, we cut out organs that filter all kinds of bad things and protect us.  And in this day of so many pesticides, poisons and toxins in our air, water and food, we need all the filters we can get!

 

As she was explaining this, I’m kicking Cassius under the table.   Jack is a freakin' petri dish.  He catches absolutely every single bug and nastiness that can be transmitted among little germ monsters (other children).   He had pneumonia when he was 6 months old.   He keeps an ear infection and snores so loudly that Nick often just moves to the couch in the middle of the night because he can’t sleep with the noise.   It’s an issue with the whole house!  We pump him up with Echinacea, Vitamin C and immune booster vitamins attempting to build his immune system.

 


This past Spring, Jack failed two hearing tests caused by what the doctor (and we) assumed were swollen adenoids.   I put off making the referral appointment for the ENT.   By mid-July I was kicking myself for not scheduling the appointment sooner since now Jack would have to miss school for the surgery and recovery.   However, now I realize that there was another reason I loafed around.  FINALLY a justifiable reason for my procrastination!  

 

After hearing the tortured voice of a grieving mother share her story on “what she would have done differently”, there was nothing in my soul that could disregard her input.   Jack was sitting in Dr. Chris’ office within two days.   During that 20-minute office visit, I experienced what I will describe as a spiritual moment.   Watching this guy with the skill, knowledge, and reverence for all things natural caring and searching over my little boy's body was amazing ... and so damn comforting.

 

There was a higher reason for our visit with the Zalunardos that Sunday.  You can call it God, our guided path, mercy, karma ... whatever makes you feel comfortable.  To me ... they are ALL One and the Same = Love.  The timing is unmistakable.  We were there to get a message for our son from a family still devastated by the loss of their beloved son.   And a message and life we did receive.   I believe this change in treatment will truly change the course of Jack's life (and our's).  I am truly grateful for their willingness to share their story in the hopes of saving others.  I'm humbled and honored to know them and pray that peace would find them in the dark moments and soften the pain. 

Now I understand that many children have tonsils and adenoids removed with no affect, and I don't judge anyone for their decisions for their children.  Please know that I'm just sharing what feels right for me given new information that I didn't have before. 
 

More on our visit with Dr. Chris Greene and the outcome in Part Deux. 

        

As I was driving my recently paid-for vehicle (everytime you read that, just know that I'm singing "paid-for" with a high-pitched voice similar to the weird little twin dinosaurs on "Dragon Tales") ... For some strange reason, as I was driving my recently paid-for vehicle at 7:15 in the morning on the way to punch the time clock, I became aware of  all of the walkers and joggers.   I counted 12 exercisers that morning, some moving energetically and some languidly.  I noticed that 11 out of the 12 were elderly.  There was the really cute little silver-haired lassie wearing a torquoise and white striped shirt tucked into the perfectly ironed white walking shorts with very white socks and shoes to match.   She was spiffy!    Then came the thin, subtle Asian couple dressed in muted browns and greys (is it "gray" or "grey"?) mildly pumping their hand weights.   They smiled easily.   Of course, I pass the 40-something intense woman who by her Mary-Lou-Retton physique, fanny pack of mini waters, and the sweaty, sashaying ponytail looks like she's been running since 4:00 a.m., only to head straight to the gym for a swim afterward, then off to sip down her lunch with a twist of lime.  (I know... I'm ASSUMING a lot here).  

However, it was the two elderly men moving on opposite sides of the same street at the same time who changed the tone of my thoughts.   One was spry, upbeat, and red-faced from the brisk walk he was enjoying as he pushed the jog stroller which was sweetly cradlding a little boy.  Grandpa seemed so fulfilled — so alive.  Meanwhile, the other man walked with so much heavy effort.   His spine bent in an L-shape as if his head were attached to a pulley at the end of the street dragging him along.  He walked with a cane.  His face set with an agonizing grimace as he struggled toward his goal.  In my mind, I saw such a shadow of loneliness and pain cast by the cloud of inevitable regret of not maintaining his health.   Two comparable men, same morning, different moments.

It just brought it back to my attention that I need to take care of my body now.  I respect and admire each  person who was working out that beautiful morning, but something moved me about the gentleman with the cane out there on that hard, concrete sidewalk forcing his body to move forward regardless of the painful limitations.  I think it's the Marines who say, "Pain is weakness leaving the body."  This man wants to live.  He wants the weakness to go away.   I'm certain he wishes he'd done it sooner.   Maybe instead of regret, I saw determination that morning.   I hope it was determination.

It really does seem as if youthfulness is wasted on the youth.   

A friend of mine is a highschool teacher and plays the video below to her seniors every year.   She introduced it to me.  It reminds me to enjoy right now, offers good old fashioned advice, and helps me not get lost in worrying about the future.   It also reminds us to learn from other people's mistakes and prevent the preventable.  Enjoy! 

Baz Luhrmann's "Free to Wear Sunscreen"

        

Save a Duck Clothing fashions super cute tees with "wearable statements" and the company donates 25% of its annual profits to charity — I really like that.  

These are my favorites ....



                                                                   This one shows how you can use            "Save a Little for Tomorrow"
                                                                       coffee grinds in potting soil.                       (LOVE V-neck option)

        

Do you see that picture?  The one right above?  It's a freakin' miracle.  Are pigs flying?  Kim Jong Il throwing a retirement party for George Bush?  However unlikely, above you will see two boys .... 7 years apart .... peacefully playing an educational game.  Pretty impressive.  

Nick and Jack are playing with Mighty Minds!   Jack reviewed colors, counting, and shapes all the while working on geometry and spacial skills.  The "official" description is below:

"The tangram-based Mighty Mind Educational Game comes with 32 colorful, plastic design shapes that kids can put together in a variety of ways to build new and exciting shapes. Kids can start by building shapes on their own, then take on the challenge of using the design cards to “recreate” the scene with their puzzle pieces. The Mighty Mind Educational Game encourages and entices children to think, builds confidence as children progress in the building of complex designs, keeps them entertained for 30 minutes or more, and has universal appeal since no language is required to play! With the Mighty Mind Educational Game, kids will experience the building blocks of learning while they build away!" 

It's a WINNER - I LOVE IT!

        

HOW MUCH DO WE REALLY KNOW ABOUT THE FOOD WE BUY AT OUR LOCAL SUPERMARKETS AND SERVE TO OUR FAMILIES?

My friend Heidi and I went to see Food, Inc.   I cried, I laughed, and I am changed.  I am asking.... no, more like BEGGING, each and every person who reads this to find a theater showing this movie (search here).  If you are in the Atlanta area, it's showing at Midtown Arts Cinema 8.

Watch the movie trailer at Food, Inc.

"In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that has been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government's regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation's food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment. We have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, herbicide-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won't go bad, but we also have new strains of E. coli—the harmful bacteria that causes illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually. We are riddled with widespread obesity, particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults.

Featuring interviews with such experts as Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation), Michael Pollan (The Omnivore's Dilemma, In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto) along with forward thinking social entrepreneurs like Stonyfield's Gary Hirshberg and Polyface Farms' Joel Salatin, Food, Inc. reveals surprising—and often shocking truths—about what we eat, how it's produced, who we have become as a nation and where we are going from here."

        

It's back to school in 3 weeks for our little brainiacs, and I spent a few minutes looking over the always fun and never confusing school supply lists.   Who knew there were so many different types of glue sticks?  Anyway, I'm surprised to find that Nick needs a flash drive.  Pretty cool, huh?  However, to me ... I hear the truly sad moanings of, "Moooooom, I lost ANOTHER flash drive, and on it was my paper that's due tomorrow!"  Nick misplaces things like many 12-year-old boys.  So the internet search begins for a flash drive that will somehow TASER him when it is more than 3 feet away from his book bag.  Instead, I find the super cool Lanyard Flash Drive  and Jelli-Bandz from Pexagon. 




 You can even customize some of them with the name and contact information of the owner.  WINNER!

        

Why is it O.K. for people to be so rude on the telephone?   And I'm not just referring to the totally bitchy people who work in collections desperately trying to get money from people who obviously don't have it to give else their accounts wouldn't be in collections!  We're talking about the person who answered the phone at Macon Coliseum Hospital Patient Information this morning who is paid to give me my mother's patient room number!!  WTF?!?  Or perhaps she was a beauty queen wannabe who will boast of her 1,000 hours of community service helping the sick and needy.  Regardless, I'm calling a hospital (I could be very distraught) to check on a PATIENT and you are snappy and crusty because I need you to repeat the room number?  Just wrong...  

I've decided that people who are rude by telephone are repressed, passive-aggressive people who don't have the nerve to properly direct their anger to the people who cause it - Or apparently don't have a blog with which to vent!  Then, said ill-tempered person decides to get all "big and bad" with the general public who can't punch them in the face.     



On the flip side, Dr. Wayne Dyer  always says, "When you change the way you look at things.... the things you look at change."  The sheer number of curt, gruff and discourteous people that I encounter each and every day is just a symptom of how truly sad and lonely so many of us are.  I guess it would better serve our society as a whole if I started to treat the unlikeable and irritating personalities as though they needed kindness the most.   Ugh!  What a pain in the a$$!  But, it is so true.   Another apropos quote from Dr. Dyer, "How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours."  Yes... I've just been hit right between the eyes.   Time to dig deep.   I keep indoctrinating the kids to know that, "It's better to be kind than right."  Time to practice what I preach.  Time to change my reactions. 

By the way, my mom is fine.  Out of surgery and on pain meds.... she's juuuuussstt fine.

        

I was harshly jolted awake at 4:30 a.m., with my mind instantly filled with a litany of shortcomings and fears about my children.   Let me be specific about the fears regarding my children.   My question in this dark, quiet hour was about Nick.   I’m in the process of writing basic descriptions of each “little person” in our house, but Nick is 12, incredibly bright, quick-witted, sharp-tongued, and the most “demanding” at this stage in his life.    I was immediately plagued wondering if I had planted and watered enough seeds in Nick about how to pray, meditate and connect with God (you may call God something else, like “the Source,” “The Way,” “Allah,” Krishna,” “Rama,”) that when Nick finds himself alone with no one to guide him, will he be able to call on God and have confidence that he is not alone?   Can he find peace when he is at war with himself?   Does he realize that life is so much bigger than a bank account and job title?   Have I shown him enough love and bolstered his confidence enough to give him the courage to find his way even if it’s not an easy journey?   Have I equipped him with the tools to find love, seek to serve others, and diligently pursue his “Personal Legend”?  

 

Let me assure you that this was a really crappy way to wake up … all freaked out.    But can you really ignore it?   So, I get up, which is pretty amazing because I desperately need/love/want all the sleep I can get.   I crawl into bed with Nick and start to pray and send him good energy of love, goodness and peace.   I begin to whisper to him this homemade mantra of: “you are loved,” “you are safe,” “you are at peace.”   I stay with him until my panic attack subsides, and then I try to go back to sleep without making of list of events we need to attend, volunteer opportunities we need to seek out, talks we need to have, classes we have to attend, and books he should read. 

 

Then, in the car on the way to summer camp this morning, Nick starts repeating in this low, mystic voice, “you are loved,” “you are safe,” “you are at peace.”  

 

I yell, “you were awake!?!?!” 

 

Nick laughs and screams, “Yes, I was awake when you were doing your little 'voo doo' stuff on me this morning!”  

 

Then he gives me a little gift when he says, “Mom, I know you love me.  I’ll be fine.” 

 

I’ll have to remember about our children what Christopher Robin said to Pooh:

“You're braver than you believe,

and stronger than you seem,

and smarter than you think.”

 

Now tell me, does this entry go under “Mommy Guilt Sucks” or “Kinda’ Cool”?

        

People who invite you into the garden of their soul are really wonderful people. 

~William Sloane Coffin~

        

Our youngest, Jack, who is five and starting Kindergarten next month, told his dad tonight that, "Mommy is just like Auntie Dee ... always on the computer."  Yes, Donna, you got called out too.  Keep in mind that I don't allow myself on the computer most nights until 8:00 p.m.  Really Jack?!?  That dinner didn't make itself!  I still love you, though.  And, yes, I immediately put the computer aside and snuggled him in my lap so we could finish watching "Parent Trap," which was pretty good.  I had forgotten how normal and cute little Lindsey Lohan was before her mom stopped being her "mom" and became her "momager." 

        

Did anyone know that marijuana is legal.... in Mendocino County, California?  Ever heard of a "budtender" instead of a bartender?  Well check out the story I'm watching on MSNBC.  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28354324/

Holy Moly!  There are real life Nancy Botwins (Main character on "Weeds" that airs on Showtime)!  http://www.sho.com/site/weeds/characters.do

        

Disclaimer: Before you begin reading this one, promise me this won't be the first or last blog entry you read.  I'm still getting comfortable writing consistently but mainly because this particular entry is an attempt to describe myself to someone who may not know me, which is a strange undertaking since I think so many of us have such a hard time at self-analysis.  I find it so easy to look at someone else's situation and see it so clearly, in black and white.  But when I try to look at myself with the clarity ... the clouds roll in and fog settles.  But I figure it would be nice to have some context about the blogger.  So, here it goes.



I’ll never be awarded “mother of the year” or cultivate a “yard of the month”.  I’m pretty confident I won’t be voted PTA treasurer next year   I won’t need to purchase those little round Band-Aids to cover my nipples during a 26-mile marathon (yes, they exist).   And, I seriously doubt my living room will be featured in Southern Living magazine.   

 

Laundry irritates me.  Blue water in the toilet is kind of cool but the smell is pretty gross after a day or two.   I use baking soda to clean my oven (works like a charm).  I’ve made our kids run around the perimeter of our house when they were mean to each other.  I rub their eyebrows and ears to help them sleep.  Their laughs electrify my soul, and the tears shred my heart.  We taught our two oldest children how to launder their own clothes when they were 8 years old.  I’m a firm believer that if a kid is able to manipulate at least 14 different buttons on a PlayStation 2 controller, then he can sort clothes and start the washing machine.  

 

I’m married to the most accepting and loving guy that I have ever known.  I still wake up some mornings and am amazed to see his kind eyes.  He makes life easier, and I’m still crazy about him.  Our three incredibly wonderful kids are a “hot mess” because they are ridiculously beautiful & brilliant & sassy & perfectly imperfect.   We laugh a lot more than we cry. 

 

I don’t call my best friends enough but hope they are sure of my devotion ... I love them so much; I hope we grow old together.  

 

I sleep on a mattress with steak knives as springs.  I don’t wash my face every night.  I know… I’m gonna’ be pissed when the wrinkles deepen.   I love Webster’s Word of the Day.  I suck at Sudoku.  I totally should have been a professional photographer for National Geographic.  I don’t know much about wine.  I don’t really appreciate “high fashion,” but I have friends who do. 

 

I feel bad for Kate Gosselin … there, I admit it.  I think her husband should have communicated more clearly much earlier in their relationship.  Boo on him.   And I completely agree with anyone who thinks it’s kind of pathetic that I have an opinion about a couple who doesn’t even live in my time zone.  

 

I'm not a fan of flavored toothpastes (like orange mint), thick dental floss or Mojito-flavored gum, foot powder, poorly-paved roads, blurry photographs or hormone-laden milk.   I'm not enthusiastic about mold on shower curtains, beat up mailboxes, fake audience clapping machines used in game shows, jumbo paperclips (hate them), when the sole insert peals away from my shoe and sticks to my foot, underwire, WORDS IN ALL CAPS, heaters in the summer, gonorrhea, sunshine without sunglasses, projectile vomiting or dull scissors. 

 

I would definitely be OCD if I weren’t so overwhelmed with life … homework agendas, coupon clipping, ring-around-the-collar, drying tears, playing referee, making sure teeth get brushed, punching the time clock, staying in touch with friends, getting invited back to the family reunion, trying to light “the way” for little people in my life (when sometimes I can't find the flashlight even for me!), and wondering when my soul will get it right.   And, damnit!, I need to re-work my "pole" routine for Cassius.... I'm tired of the music.   So it's no wonder my natural OCD has turned into adult-onset ADHD. 

 

I use unnecessary sarcasm and substandard humor to veil how deeply intense I feel about my children, how oddly sentimental I am, how easily I cry, how harshly critical I am of myself, and how much I wonder about God and the spiritual world around us.  Haven’t been using the veil so much lately, though.

 

The personal pronoun “I” has been used 41 times in this entry … un‑freakin'-believable.  And if you actually check to make sure that I counted correctly then you are pretty damn funny. 

 

 

        

I'm kind of a whore for quotations, and this one was posted by a friend on her Facebook page:

"It is better to be in chains with friends, than to be in a garden with strangers."  ~Persian Proverb~

After the first read, I thought, "That is so true!  Wow!  I LOVE my friends!"  And, I do LOVE my friends.... but we use the term "friend" so loosely (at least I do).  I don't feel the same way about all of my friends.  One must wonder if the friendships referenced in the quote above would survive the enslavement and confinement of CHAINS, i.e., the inability to go home after dinner and cocktails!  The Persian who penned the quote obviously never lived in a dorm or had a roommate who started out as a friend but ended up just an annoying person who kept leaving the kitchen a mess. 

Does anyone else have "friends" who have shelf lives?  Kind of like shoes.  The super-hot, hooker heels that immediately sex-up your legs usually have a 2-hour wear time; the sensational shoes can last up to four hours; and if you are lucky enough to find a super cute pair that can endure the work day then you've scored BIG!  Even if you have to put on the those janky, shower flip-flops once you get to the parking deck, the super cute shoes are still a good find.  Now that we bring up flip-flops, not all flip-flops are created equal.  Great flip-flops with the perfect small wedge heel and well-placed bedazzle are God's gift to girls who like to look "put together" but can't stand aching feet.  I salute the charming flip-flop.  They have no expiration date.

It's kind of the same thing with friends.   It's fairly easy to find an amusing, witty, "life of the party" kind of playmate who you can enjoy for a few hours.  However, if the option of having meaningful dialogue with your party pal finds you reaching for the ibuprofen and your Blackberry, then I'd venture to say you'd rather be "in a garden with strangers", especially if the flowers are blooming.   

But sometimes, in this microwaved, pill-poppin' world, you are fortunate enough to stumble across a person (or if you are lucky... people) who meld with your soul.  No amount of time or space can affect the immediate energy present when you are together.  In their presence you are instantly open, honest, and comfortable with yourself.   And if they can throw back shots of tequila and wipe away your tears in the same night then you've scored BIG.  Now, this kind of friend is the equivalent to those perfect, charming flip-flops with no expiration date.  I'd rather be in chains with the flip-flops of the world instead of the hot, hooker heels.... any day of the week.

Not all "friends" are created equally... fo' sho'!