Educator Gifts.

Because we are so honored to have the most amazing

team members at our centre, it was important to both

of us that we celebrate and honor them. For our first

day of operation, we gifted them each a journal, a

key and a star, representing memories they can write

about, the key that they hold to each child's heart,

and the star because they are all "rock stars!" It was

fun to watch them open their gifts. We are thankful!

💗 Chy 💗

 

May the Stars ....

A beautiful Wintery scene with sweet

and timely words from Chief Dan George.

~ Chy

As Long As ....

I'm having quite the journey at work.

I am working hard to get through. It

is exhausting and heartbreaking. But

I'm determined to make it through.

Love this quote for inspiration. All I

can do is baby steps and keep going!

~ Chy

Amazing.

Nothing to say, but this!

~ Chy

Blogtober: Day 20.

This was posted this morning on FB and I grabbed it as it spoke to me in volumes. I am one of those kind souls who has endured repeated hurt and attacks from others, all of my life. It would take a book to outline every single experience. But going back to review just brings up anxiety in my gut. Each has been dealt with, when possible, or buried away if there was no way to deal. These harsh moments have shaped who I am today. So is it worth it to experience the hurt and then move forward? Always at the time, it feels like the worst thing. I mull over every detail, try to tuck the hurt away, pull it out to get rid of it and somewhere along the way, compromise with what to do. Later, I often feel like I've won a war if the individual or experience has managed to not take me down. But it's exhausting and has left me leery about forging new relationships in the future. 

A theme has emerged over the years. Some of the hurt I've experienced has come from others who seem intent on taking me down professionally. It's been varied but the  message is always the same ~ individuals who are not fans of my eclectic style or literally want to take what I have. This translates to what I've created and continue to provide in community. My work, my volunteer time, my family .... all it at one point has been affected. I'm getting much better at heading it off before it gets big, but in my early years, I was vulnerable to those who were stronger than I was then. At that time, I would really "dislike" the individual but can look back now and realize they were coming from a place of hurt themselves. Or lacking confidence. Whatever their deficit, it's not my path to fix theirs. My responsibility is to not let them stop me from being the kindest soul I can ever be.

Have you had experiences that

have shaped who are you now?

Experiences that came with

great hurt but with great lessons?

~ Chy

Mother's Day.

 

To all who are mothers with little ones, Happy Mother's Day. To all those with now grown up babies, Happy Mother's Day. To all those who are mourning the loss of a precious baby or child, I hold you dearly in my heart today. To those who are missing their moms who have died, or those who have a mom who cannot clearly remember that today is special, you pain is known by many and I hope you know we all think of you as well. Today is a beautiful reminder of where we come from, who we strive to be and who we become. But it can also be bittersweet. Be gentle to those around you as they navigate a million and one feelings on a day like today. 

No breakfast in bed for me this morning as we are 8 months in to Intermittent Fasting, so no eating in the morning. But lunch was amazing ~ leftover pasta from last night's feast that we ordered from The Olive Garden. I wasn't sure if mine would be okay on the 2nd day but it was actually even better than last night. We had a small sleep in and then I had a workout in our little gym. Showered and listened to dgs's radio show. Went outside to take the covers off our outdoor furniture and sat in the sun for a bit. So grateful for the rain we've received for the last 2 days. Everything is magically green again. The trees have leaves that seem to blossom even more, every time I look up to look at our landscape. Soon we won't be able to see our neighbors house next door. We did a walk around the yard, sat in the sun and made our landscaping to do list, pottered about in the greenhouse, got the Adirondack chairs out from the potting shed, along with some of my bigger pots, ate lunch, and we've been sitting outside every since. Dh has just gone in to do his workhout, so I might go in and work on a project OR write a bit more of my grant. It's due next Saturday but I'd like to send by Thursday at the latest. I work on it a bit each day so it's not so daunting. Our landscaping to do list is quite long but we had a bit of sticker shock when we received the 1st of 3 quotes back ~ $52,000 to do all we hope to accomplish in the next year. Yikes! For now, we'll wait for the other quotes but likely will end up either doing it all ourselves or breaking it down and letting someone else do the big we feel are out of our league. I was surprised that dh's first reaction was "ya, no, we can do it all!" Proud of how far he's come over the years in taking on these tasks instead of paying someone else. He's feeling pretty confident that we could do it all, except for re~grading the front path and re~gravelling the driveway. I agree on both those points. The rest is a lot of work but manageable. And much more reasonable in cost. I love projects so not worried that it will be too much. But it will definitely be a later completion date as we spread it all out. Wish us luck as we put our energy in to creating beauty!

Quiet afternoon planned, then a call to wish my mom a beautiful day, dinner and a favorite show or 2. I hope your day is just as you hoped, or filled with love from those around you if it's a hard one. Every day, we miss our little ones who died at birth. I know the feelings that surround loss during special days. Take good care of yourself today. 

Namaste!

~ Chy

Capturing: Day 28.

I was so excited to unwrap this gift on Christmas

morning. I almost forgot I had indicated that I

would LOVE to have this puzzle to complete while

we're working from home due to Covid. Though

it is 1,000 pieces, I think it's saving grace will be

all the "words." Just as I so love reading Susan

Branch's books, I will equally love reading this

puzzle as I work to put it together. Can't wait!

~ Chy

Challenge: Day 2.

Given the unrest in the World at the moment, 

this quote has become my fave! Perfect for

today's November Blog Challenge: "My Fave

Quote." Do you have a favorite quote to share?

~ Chy

Right Here. Right Now.

I'm a day late in following Barefoot Mom's Sunday night post. But we had an event yesterday and I was so exhausted after (it went really well!) that I didn't take any time to create a post. I hope it's okay to write this a date late!

What I'm wearing .... my comfiest socks, jeans, a tank top and a light blue pullover hoodie sweater.

What I'm reading .... Educated by Tara Westover. One more chapter and I can take it back to the library. 

What's happening in my kitchen .... Dishes are washing in the dishwasher. No baking today. A yummy dinner of coleslaw and sausage patties. And lemonade.

What's outside my window .... dark skies. It suddenly is so dark so early now. Fall is here tomorrow!

What I'm thankful for .... my beautiful family. And this sweet cottage that keeps us warm and cozy.

What I'm smelling .... the new apple candle I bought last week. Smells like fresh green apples!

What I'm hearing .... the constant Tinnitus in my ears. Starting to really drive me crazy. Impacting my sleep big time. Sigh.

What I'm crafting .... I took some time today once my work was done to tidy up the Art Studio. I'm going to start working on a dollhouse that I rescued last year. Needs lots of TLC.

What's on my mind .... my grandson's comment today when I picked him up from school that he has no one to play with at school. Still the new kid. I wish I could fix this for him. But he'll get thru. And he's always a happy kid. Just needs to click with the right kids. 

Words to live by .... 

Have a great week!

~ Chy

Sweet Art.

I'm a huge fan of Susan Branch, who has a million

books ~ okay, not quite but many. She uses art and

words together. I've never seen anyone else do this.

Until I came across this photo in an Art Magazine.

As I begin to expand my art journey, this technique

is something I hope to incorporate. Isn't it sweet?

~ Chy

Welcome.

We picked up this sweet print at

our local charity shop for the hall.

I love the vintage frame and the

soft, muted colors ~ perfect for us!

I love this tiny girl reaching up to

the door knocker. Here are the words:

"Hospitality is the greatest cheer,

for a friend walks in when the

whole world walks out."

Anonymous

"Let your door be always open and

a warm welcome be in your heart;

For he who looks outside is dreaming

and he who looks inside awakes."

Anonymous

"The wise teacher points us to the open

door, but you must have the courage to

enter for yourself."

Old Chinese Proverb

Tea Words.

A sweet image for the blog world

tonight, sent from a friend to me.

No Words.

Over the last few days, I've read many, many blogs

The words that those of you affected in the U.S. by

the unbelievable change that shook the world on

the 9th describe such despair and helplessness. I

have tried to write several times, to find words that

would bring clarity or comfort, care and compassion.

But words elude me. How does one share thoughts

when it feels like life has spiraled out of control

for those south of our border? In the end, there is

truly nothing I can say that will make it all better.

All I can share is that all of you are in our minds, 

all of you are held in our hearts and all of you are

always welcome here. I have thrown my own fears

out to the Universe and hope that there are enough

sane people in this insane time to ensure that no

harm will come to any citizen and that our world

will find ways to combat the differences so that true

peace will reign over all of us. Fear won't win here.

Beautiful Thrifty Treasure.

 I found this beautiful Karla Dornacher

"Every Day Thoughts" Book Calendar. 

I love her art work. So whimsical.

Today's verse: "Love is a flower 

that blooms in all seasons".

My gift for you today!

Capture December: Day Twenty-Eight.

"Words."

What more can I say!