Wellness

I'm teaching a new course this term about health and wellness. One of the first assignments the students complete is a wellness inventory. It's very long. Worth doing but if you're crunched for time try this tiny section today:

On the lines below, list four activities that you enjoy doing above anything else in your life.

1. ___________________________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________________________

3. ___________________________________________________________________

4. ___________________________________________________________________

Next, answer these questions:

5. I allow myself to experience the activity listed in 1 above:

a.yes/always/usually

b. often

c. sometimes/maybe

d. occasionally

e. no/never/hardly ever

6. I allow myself to experience the activity listed in 2 above:

a.yes/always/usually

b. often

c. sometimes/maybe

d. occasionally

e. no/never/hardly ever

7. I allow myself to experience the activity listed in 3 above:

a.yes/always/usually

b. often

c. sometimes/maybe

d. occasionally

e. no/never/hardly ever

8. I allow myself to experience the activity listed in 4 above:

a.yes/always/usually

b. often

c. sometimes/maybe

d. occasionally

e. no/never/hardly ever

This section has had a significant impact on me already. Two of the things I listed were hiking and live music. 

When I completed the section I answered "e" for both of them. So sad. So, I've been working on that. These photos are a reflection of our recent family hike. 

First family hike to be precise. 

We picked a perfect first hike for OM: a quick 2 mile loop filled with waterfalls, small caves, and bridges along the way, warm weather, and a creek bed to pass the time sitting by, eating snacks and throwing rocks and pebbles into, to determine whether or not they made a "ker-plump" sound and splash. Glorious.

They told us over and over how much they liked hiking.

Yay!

And, the following videos are from two bands Woody and I went to see recently. Live music really is nourishment for the soul. I forgot how amazing it is to see musicians jam. 

To Wellness.

maple tree bridge

I couldn't be with my family today as they gathered to remember my grandparents so instead I headed over to the maple tree bridge to send some maple seeds floating down into the creek below...my way to feel somewhat connected to them and spend some moments thinking about two people I loved with all my heart.

These pictures are from almost exactly two years ago.

It is a spot we love and a memory I think OM will always hold of this place.

I'm glad I can now connect it to my grandparents.

And, I listened to this Sigur Ros song while I was there.

Nine years♥

California Academy of Science

Grandmommy♥

There she is.

My beloved grandmommy.

I've sort of been avoiding this post b/c I get too sad thinking about it.

I was hoping this would pass with a little time but I'm realizing now it will need a lot of time. Maybe never.

 I loved her with all my heart.

My first memories are of her and my sweet grandfather. They loved me and looked after me like I was their own daughter. I felt safe and loved and cherished by them.

Me and grandmommy had a great relationship: she liked to talk and I liked to listen.

I delighted in her stories and loved her cooking and am so grateful I was abundantly blessed with both throughout my lifetime. 

OM didn't get to hang out with her as much as I would have liked but she loved them to bits and I know they could feel it.

Well, this has taken me two hours, what with all the pauses to reflect and wipe the tears, yet not a lot of words showed up on the little page here.

She knows how I feel.

I think I've mentioned it here before that I am a fan of the poet Mary Oliver. 

A favorite:

To live in this world you must be able to do three things,

to love what is mortal,

to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it,

and,

when the time comes to let it go, let it go.

I listened to this CD about 20 times during grandmommy's last few days. 

This song is beautiful like her.

Rest in peace grandmommy.

Maya's memory game

My handmade gift for Maya's birthday this year was a memory game.

I first saw the idea on the always wonderful Sew Liberated blog but she actually got the idea from Posie Gets Cozie's adorable book, Stitched in Time (oodles of sweet ideas in there).

Posie lives in Portland. :)

This was a very time consuming but super easy project.

For me, the longest time was spent choosing which photos to use. I had thousands to choose from and it was tough. 

I knew I wanted all family members represented (g'parents and cousins I mean) and lots of Maya with Owen.

Once I figured out the 18 photos I printed them on printable fabric sheets! 

So excellent that these exist.

I used some fabric I already had but I bought the wool felt instead of using the cheap felt I already had. There really is a lovely difference between the wool felt and the synthetic version.

Woody and I watched Point Break on TV one night while I did most of the cutting.

It was epic.

So, once you print and cut your photos, the wool felt (2 squares per tile) and fabric backing you stitch them together and cut the edges with pinking shears.

Easy peasy.

This is Maya opening the game on her birthday.

I also made her a little bag to put the tiles in.

I used this tutorial, tweaked slightly.

I was going to use my monogram stitch setting to print her name on the bag but was too scared so I just freezer paper stenciled it, of course.:)

It's sweet and fun just like our girl and I hope she likes it for years to come.

1st day of 2nd grade

Last night, prompted by this lovely post, we celebrated the beginning of a new school year with a decadent chocolate cake and a wish made by each of us...

Maya, below, is thinking her wish over.

(Yesterday we baked chocolate chip cookies for Owen's lunch and for his new teacher and the sweet crew in the Principal's office (including the Principal).

As I was transferring the cookies from the cookie sheet to the cooling racks I held up the spatula and asked Maya if she could name it.

'Spatula!' she replied happily.

'Great job Maya,' I said.

To which Maya replied, 'Mom, Spongebob always uses a spatula to flip the krabby patties. Of course I know that is a spatula.'

Stinker!)

O must have read my post a couple of months ago about being the only kid to start 2nd grade with a full set of baby chompers, because he finally lost his first tooth this weekend.

Here he is in all his first day of second grade gloriousness!

I came downstairs @ 6:45am to find him sitting on the couch completely dressed, velcro-ing his shoes, ready to go.

We didn't leave until 8am. 

He was very calm but I know he was pretty darn nervous.

We found out last Friday that his 2nd grade teacher is named Mrs. Robinson.

We still didn't know who would be in his class but when we arrived this morning he was happy and relieved (I'm sure) to see some of his favorite friends sitting around him.

Here's to you Mrs. Robinson...make it a good one for our amazing O!