Halloween 2008

Well holding true to how most of this year has progressed along----strangely unpredictable---we spent Halloween with a mixture of events.

The day started our dreary and slightly wet but did not detour Amira's kindergarten group from attending a school field trip to Fog Willow Farm which is a pumpkin patch. Aside from feeling like we were driving to the end of the earth, it was a beautiful drive in farm country.

This place was so well organized and structured. My hat off to the owner and their employees because it was so efficient and amazingly operated. It was the last day of the season tours and I'm sure after thousands of screaming, high strung kids from all over they were ready for it to be the last day; however, their professionalism never led onto their possible exhaustion.

They had stations set up to teach the kids about farm life. We first visited a station where the kids were able to bundle hay. Then we were off to a tiny petting zoo where they could feed goats hay. Followed by selecting our own pumpkin, then onto a hay ride around the farm. After the hay ride, we went to an area where the kids could milk a simulated cow (now that was funny, but for liability reasons I understand why they did it), then to see some cows, a miniature horse, chickens, baby bunnies and an Alpaca. Lastly we had a picnic under some old oak trees. One of the best parts of the whole trip was the rainy weather held off long enough for us to enjoy the wonderful day.

Following the field trip, Amira had a doctor's appointment for her 'kindergarten' check up, which consisted of weighing her, measuring her height, listening to her lungs and asking a series of questions along with dreaded immunization shots, which I don't necessarily agree with but because the school requires them to keep your kid in school we had to do it. Well actually you can enroll your child in school without their immunization; however, should their ever been a breakout of anything then your child is immediately sent home even if they are not the cause of the breakout.

During the physical examination part, Amira told me that she liked doctors, but after the injection lady injected her 5 times through nearly inaudible words she uttered that she didn’t like doctors. Of course, I had to explain that this was a requirement of her school for her to attend there and that the doctors do not intend to hurt people but rather help them to remain healthy. However, it doesn’t matter what you tell someone whose just received 5 shots, they just want to cry and be mad. So, she cried because it didn’t feel good, and I cried because she didn’t feel good.

After leaving the doctor’s office we returned home to get ready to go to my brother’s house for the evening. We were not only celebrating Halloween but his birthday as well.

When we arrived at his house there was a Tinkerbell sighting.

And as unusual as this year has been the trick or treaters were no different. Usually there are hundreds of kids that come through the neighborhood gathering candy, but this year there were only a handful of kids that were out. Makes me wonder if the below capture doesn’t truly depict the Halloween season for this year.

All in all it was a good day with the exception of now dealing with Amira having a low-grade fever due to the immunization shots. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Easter Funnies

Greedy Dominators + Ass-Kissers = Politics

Those that know me know that I’m not a fan of politics. Can’t stand politics actually. Think of politicians and all that are surrounded or associated in politics are a form of inbreeds that either strive to be greedy dominators or to be ass-kissers. Moreover, as to not offend or leave any political group out, I feel this way globally. However, with that little unsolicited bantering, I received this email this morning and the following cracked me up.

Color IS GOOD!

Maxine's recent doctor visit

Yesterday I went to the doctor for my yearly physical. My blood pressure was high, my cholesterol was high, I'd gained some weight, and I didn't feel so hot. My doctor said eating right doesn't have tobe complicated and it would solve my physicalproblems. He said just think in colors...Fill your plate with bright colors... greens, yellows, reds, etc.

I went right home and ate anentire bowl of :

And sure enough, I felt better immediately. I never knew eating right could be so easy.

Work-out or Pick-up

This morning Amira (daughter) and I decided to head off to the gym. She loves the gym because they have a huge play area for kids her age that includes kid-proof gym toys, video games, along with a movie playing and a multitude of other toys for them to play with.

I love going to the gym because it’s a great stress releaser and well quite honestly, I love watching people. If one ever wants to discover the insecurities of other humans go to the gym. Of course not all are insecure, but the one’s that are truly insecure or are ruled by their egos standout as quite a form of entertainment. I know you all know the ones I’m referring too.

Like the guy who’s chest is the size of a big-rig truck and legs that look like a chicken.

The ladies that come fully showered, with hair done perfectly, makeup flawless, and clothes matching impeccably, as if heading off to work or maybe even a nightclub.

Humans are definitely the most fun free entertainment I can often experience. :-)

To Mantra or Not Mantra - That is the Question!

I've heard some say to have a mantra as it helps get through stressful times. What the heck is a mantra? Do you have one? Someone shared the following with me.

A mantra is just a word or a phrase that you repeat several times aloud or in your mind that helps bring a sense of calm and peace to you. "Mantra" literally means "to free from the mind," and that's what it does – repeating a mantra helps banish all those many anxious thoughts or stressful feelings we seem to acquire throughout the day and clears the mind.

When you repeat a mantra, it has been shown to have a direct impact on the body and emotions. In studies done of people who repeated their mantras daily, it was found that they had reduced their stress levels and anxiety and increased their sense of well-being. So you could think of a mantra as your "comfort" words.

While a mantra can be a prayer, like saying the "Hail Mary" used on a rosary or the "om-mani-padme-om" in Buddhism, a mantra can also be a personal motto, or a phrase that inspires you or that expresses something you believe in. It could be something like "go with the flow," "all is well," "take it easy," (cofman - now you're a mantra) or "love surrounds me." It's important that whatever you choose is something personal that has meaning for you.

Saying your mantra daily could even help your heart. According to a study in a British medical journal, when people recited their mantras, their breathing became more regular and synchronized with their heart rhythms. This stable respiratory rate is beneficial for long-term heart health.

You can say your mantra at any time throughout the day, for as long or short a time as you wish. You can "think" your mantra while waiting somewhere or riding public transportation, or devote some time at home to say it aloud as a form of meditation when you can sit comfortably.

Create your own little oasis of peace throughout the day, and you'll be the better for it. Do you have a mantra?