I don't know why I ever stopped this.
Oh my dear BS/ACV hair care routine how I have missed you!
Well...I know what made stray, I colored my hair to 'get back' to my natural hair color (yes THAT turned into a fiasco) and I was suckered in by a sulfate free shampoo...
It just made my hair ucky...but I bought it, so I had to use it
Well...NO MORE! The last of it touched my head last week and yesterday I went back to my beloved Baking Soda wash and Apple Cider Vinegar rinse...oh how I miss the feeling of CLEAN hair
Yes, I'll probably have to go through some of the transitionary pains again...
But I know the results are more to my liking...not to mention my budget.
so just an update...
I'm not cutting (no more than a trim for which I'm seriously over due) until 10/31/10...that's when I will revisit the idea of cutting...
I'm not coloring anymore, so yes, even though the bulk is black and my roots are growing out dark brown, I'm dealing with it
And no more shampoo or conditioner
I find I don't use very much product in it when I go 'poo free...so I'll reassess the need for those once the 2 bottles of product I have are gone.
We leave Christmas morning after our traditional Christmas breakfast of Green Eggs and Ham and head out for the week!
We cannot wait!
This year has been rough and a week of roughin' it is just what we need! Our buds T&S loaned us their pop-up so set up and tear down day will be MUCH easier than years past...not to mention sleeping!
So today...the hub and I are gettin it all in gear (the gear that is...)
We'll have smoked cornish hens for Christmas dinner
Chili with Sun Chips is a camping MUST (last year we forgot to pack the utensils and we had to eat our chili with our Sun Chips...voila! new family tradition)
Of course there will be hot dogs, s'mores and hot chocolate
late night trips to the bathroom with our flashlights fastened to our foreheads
and THIS year...Middleson and I are getting our time-lapse shot of the stars!
I've done the dishes
swept the floor
brought the kids (and the project) to school
and then...nothing
mind you, the floor was a BIG accomplishment because it was NASTY...especially in bare feet
but now...
just sitting in the lazy chair with the snoop dog
diddling around with my blog layouts
waiting for my 3pm appointment
I've sat here long enough that I've decided it's really okay to be sitting here
I've also decided to clip snoop-dog's nails before I leave for my appointment
so there's another accomplishment
Monday Bm has her "Ancient Wonders of the World" project presentation.
She has to create a 3D representation of one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World.
She chose the Hanging Gardens of Babylon
The medium of choice, suggested by Papi and agreed upon by all...CAKE!
This weekend is the BIG Bake off...and we gathered up most of our supplies this morning.
We've decided to use Brownie mix instead of cake mix because it isn't as crumbly when it comes out of the pan.
We have blue sparkly squeeze frosting for the 'river' and waterfalls. Oreo Fun Stix for the tree trunks and we scored green Christmas tree-shaped marshamallows that actually really look like palm fronds.
The hub and Bm are headed to Michaels to pick up a couple of 'frosting flowers' and the assembly begins tomorrow night...AFTER a day of romping around Universal Studios, maybe we'll actually get to ride Rip Roarin Rockit!
Of course, pictures of this cake sensation will be posted asap.
It was bound to happen sooner or later.
We've been a single income family for 6.5 out of 12 months this year so it was only a matter of time before money became an issue
i don't know whether i honestly "worry" about it or the Devil is just in the details because yesterday the "issue" reared it's potentially-ugly head and part of me wanted to get ugly
the smart part of me took over quickly
focused my energy on positive vibrations rather than the ugly ones
okay so that worked for the facts
but the feelings were still there
so i stated them...matter of factly
fast forward to evening conversation over financial facts
and it was just that
facts
no issues
no baggage
no emotially charged allegations
coz in the end...it's only money
2 Now I was obstinate and empty, darkness was over the surface of my heart, and the Spirit of God was hovering over my life.
3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. I could see, for the first time, something other than my lack of self worth and self defeating behaviors. 5 God called the light "hope," and the darkness he called "discouragement." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
6 And God said, "Let there be an understanding of the self to separate flesh from spirit." 7 So God opened my mind and helped me see my self. And it was so. 8 God called me "beautiful," but I didn't quite believe it. And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.
9 And God said, "Let the shifting sands under your feet turn to a solid foundation." And it was so. 10 God called the shifting sand "life," and the solid foundation he called "faith." And God saw that it was good.
11 Then God said, "Let that faith take root: producing seed-bearing thoughts and and actions in Babetta that bear fruit with thoughts and actions that are like Mine." And it was so. 12 The faith took root: bearing thoughts and actions that are in line with God. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.
so I posted my 'stumble' post and then I check my email...
this was today's note from the universe
It's got nothing to do with being a perfect, goody-goody, selfless, sacrificing, spiritual saint, Babetta. Blah! That whole characterization was meant for a different audience at a different time, and they really had issues.
It's got everything to do with being yourself, trusting the magic, following your heart, dreaming big, and having fun.
The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today
Is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips
Then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle.
That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable
(What If I Stumble ~ DC TALK)
This post Summer does not like Christians, reminded me of a DC Talk song I love so very much
It convicts me each time and reminds me why I'm really here
I've often toyed with changing my "belief" statement to "follower of the Way" rather than Christian
so sad that a religious label can have such a negative connotation...but they all can in someone's eyes.
I am not the image you would find in a contemporary dictionary under the heading "Christian" leader
I'm female
I'm tattooed
I'm pierced (although I don't wear many of them anymore)
I believe in equality for everyone regardless of race, creed, sex, sexual orientation, belief system, etc
I think one of the most poignant represenations of the negative connotation of Christianity was displayed in Borat (oh yeah, add that to my list...I saw, and enjoyed the movie Borat...I think it's a dead on represenation of American society.)...they took him in to 'save' him but once he offended them...they kicked him to the curb.
Yes it was extreme...it was a movie folks, but the point was definitely made.
I believe in God
I go to church
I call myself a Christian
and I follow HIS way...hopefully we are on the verge of a tipping point and the Summer's of the world will start to see us more often
And even more so...hopefully when we 'followers' are the masses, we don't change what we believe in exchange for haugtiness or status
Keep me humble
lest I stumble
Jesus began his ministry introducing a new spiritual paradigm ...
This is a line from a book I'm re-reading - Sacred Contracts by Caroline Myss
It got me to thinking
It's so very true
Jesus came and turned ministry on it's ear and told those practicing at the time they were doing it wrong...what good is it to follow the letter of the law if you miss the intent?
He 'called out' the Pharisees and the Sadducee and told them there was more to their beliefs than just the laws...what good is it to follow the letter of the law if you miss the intent?
He encouraged compassion and love and inclusion
He ate with tax collectors and prostitutes
He and his band of disciples were probably a rather motley crew...traveling from place to place on foot or by boat
ne'er stopping for a haircut or a daily shower and always living off a hand out or the generosity of those he visited...it wasn't until well into his ministry that he fed the 5,000.
He challenged their thinking...in return some of his followers left, some of them betrayed him...but some of them continued to follow.
Then...he challenged them more
just as he was preparing to leave them...he told them to spread the news, share the Gospel...with everyone
even the (gasp) Gentiles
What would that look like today
The last thing any self respecting Jew in Jesus' day would do is associate with Gentiles
eat with them, share with them...NO
They were different, they were dirty, they were disrespectful in a nutshell...they were hated
Who would that be today?
Jesus began his ministry introducing a new spiritual paradigm every bit as important as that initiated by Abraham 2000 years earlier.
If Jesus began his ministry today, introducing a new spiritual paradigm...just as he shifted the thinking of the laws of the old testament...how would he present his Way today?
The last thing any self-respecting Christian would do today is associate with...
If scholars interpret so many of Jesus' words to have such breadth and depth of meaning...why not the use of the word Gentiles when speaking with the Jews
What if he was saying...share the word and include everyone...even those you don't think are deserving...because I want everyone ...everyone is worthy...everyone is good.
While working on my next message series...I was going through some old posts and stumbled across this... I am Divine (link)
I like it, I think I need to print it or create it in a physical medium so I can look on it daily
"When you are in alignment with who-you-really-are, you cannot help but uplift those with whom you come into contact. Your value to those around you hinges upon only one thing: your personal alignment with Source. And the only thing you have to give to another is an example of that alignment—which they may observe, then desire, and then work to achieve—but you cannot give it to them. Everyone is responsible for the thoughts they think and the things that they choose as their objects of attention."
Words that ring so true for me today, from several perspectives... I cannot bring them with me and I cannot give my alignment to another Sigh that is hard I can only hope that it rubs off
and their alignment doesn't rub off on me Sigh that one is harder
Some days it is hard just to keep my own alignment; my Spirit led heart and mind remind my frustrated flesh to stay in line My flesh just wants to scream a crooked scream
It is probably also as good to remember
"When you are in dis-alignment with who-you-really-are, you cannot help but deflate those with whom you come into contact. Your value to those around you hinges upon only one thing: your personal alignment with Source. And the only thing you have to give to another is an example of that alignment—which they may observe, then desire, and then work to achieve—but you cannot give it to them. Everyone is responsible for the thoughts they think and the things that they choose as their objects of attention."
I CHOOSE TODAY TO NOT BE DEFLATED MY BODY WILL KICK AND SCREAM MY THOUGHTS WILL TRY TO CONVINCE ME OTHERWISE BUT MY SPIRIT GENTLY REMINDS ME THAT I AM IN ALIGNMENT IN A CROOKED WORLD AND A CROOKED TREE ONLY BECOMES STRAIGHT WHEN IT WEATHERS THE STORM AND FOLLOWS THE SUN
I've always been intrigued by the Discovery Channel Eco Challenge...you know the extreme races in really cool challenging places...I've secretly always wanted to complete an Eco-Challenge...sigh
but, turns out that I'm more than 1/2 way there in completing ONE particular Eco-Challenge
The "Country Living Eco Challenge" (April 2009)
"reduce your enviornmental impact in one month-without giving up modern conveniences"
1) return wire hangers to the dry cleaner (I'm ahead of the game on this one...I stopped USING the dry cleaner.
2) Tighten your gas cap until it clicks 3 times - check
3) Burn Soy Candles - i don't burn candles as much as I used to but YAY for soy candles
4) scrub down your wheels at a car wash, not at home - check
5) burn a fire with an artificial petroleum-free log made from wood fibers and biowaxes - I live in Florida, really?
6) Drive with cruise control on the highway - not an option...sigh but i do let off the gas when traveling down hill :)
7) set your home page to ecosearch.org... will have to check this one out
8) Keep your freezer's temperature at 0 and your refrigerator between 35 and 38 degrees - check
9) Use soft-white compact florescent lightbulbs - check (but be sure to dispose of them properly!)
10) Eat meat-free once a week - check
11) Leave bar soap by the sink - check! Even the kids are using it now...woot woot
12 ) Wear organic cotton clothes - check...at least when I buy new clothes
13) Register to get your name off junk-mail lists - check...and we shred and use whatever slips through in the compost bin the worms LOVE it
14) Stash a pitcher of water in your fridge...good call! Adding this one now
15) Submit your taxes electronically - check
16) serve a 1.5 liter magnum of wine when dining with a group instead of two 750 milileter bottles... okay
17) put cloth napkins on the table - check!
18) Donate your old cell phone to charity or return it to the manufacturer for recycling - check
19) Plug your devices into powertrips, and turn off the strips when not in use - check
20) Place a recycling bin next tot he wastebasket in your home office - check
21) Read/check your water meter - check
22) purify your air with potted plants on windosills and tables - check! (kitchen herb garden!)
23) switch your computer disply to go to sleep mode after five minutes of inactivity - annoying, but check
24) use your dishwasher's air-dry cycle - I fail miserably at this one...can't stand the spots on the glasses, I'll put more plants on the kitchen shelf to make up for it
25) Stow a reusable bag in your car for errands - check! I even have my hub carrying one around now!
26) have your car's air filter cleaned and tires inflated - happening this week
27) replace traditional shower heads with high efficiency models - check
28) wash laundry in cold water - another one I struggle with coz i have stinky boys so it just aint gonna happen for a while
29) consolidate your errands into fewer trips - check...and once my work schedule evens out I plan to work stuff into my trips home from work and just be HOME when I get home :)
30) use a toaster for simple baking tasks - check!
See at this rate I'm more than half way through my race!
My 14 year old texts me...we have good conversations
My 11 year old hugs me, tightly before bed
My other 11 year old trusts me
My hub thinks I'm hot
I got all the clothes folded yesterday
fresh oregano and basil over sliced cucumber and tomato is yum!
At the end of the day or the week or the trial
if you realize you are all there is...is that all there is?
If you think you made it through on your own are you all you need?
If all the people that happened to cross your path were just random happenstance
is there no order to things? is there no higher power?
if you realize that you are all there is when you realize this do you cease to exist?
What else is there if "human" is the highest life form
Can it really be? I mean...really? have you SEEN some of the humans out there?!?!
Perhaps I need to think about how my thoughts on this issue play out in printed word
It's so very much a part of my breath
so to be able to express it eloquently in words should be an important component
If everything were logical...there would be no place for faith
We can all pretty much agree that all things are NOT logical...leaving room for faith
so I'll start there...
Lots of Lemons this week, I wish I could say they've all come from our garden, but our garden has not yielded much (if any) fruits and I'm trying hard not to read into that. Lots of proverbial lemons...but the Proverbs offer the perfect lemonade recipe...and from where I'm sitting, it tastes pretty darn good.
However...I won't be so bold as to ask for a better harvest of lemons any time soon! ;)
I want a community of THESE!
Thanks to one of my fave bloggers for sharing the link!
I believe life is better when it's simple
when neighbors are neighbors and needs are met
the wants become more social and less socially motivated
I want a yard where kids can play
a community garden
a circle community school
finding joy in the gifts we have and can share
I want to bake for my neighbor and share meals together
I want to can (more than just pickles)
If we ALL would live with what we need
the EVERYONE's needs could be met
and we ALL could LIVE
I tried to get everything together before I left for Texas but the cukes I bought at the market weren't very good so I scrapped the idea for a later date
today was that date.
I made up my own pickling spice recipe
and think next time I'll add some of our pepper creations to the brine.
But for now, the jars are resting...waiting to be eaten in a few days!
My boss's boss asked me today what would make our business more profitable.
He didn't mean the theme park itself...he meant our little corner of the business.
I told him we don't market our services
If we just included information in our print ads
or had a spotlight article about our services in the local paper
our target community is loyal
once they know you provide a service...they frequent
We've been providing amazing service at unheard of levels and haven't been telling anyone about it
If you tell them...they will come
So he said he'd work on the copy in print ads...he's got more clout
And he asked ME to write an article
something he can float down the line to the ones who make things happen
me...he says I'm a good writer and know the niche intimately
Me
So see both of these things (print ad, article) are on my list of professional goals to be completed in 2009.
And one of my personal goals is to be published...thought I had accomplished that one with my guest appearance in a tattoo mag...but maybe not...maybe this is a chance for the whole 2 birds one stone thing
Now I'll just not question my writing abilities and go...
Last night my daughter did everything in her power to say she needed time with me without just coming out and saying she needed my attention
I put her off
I promised her that today (my day off) she could teach me how to play her game and we'd find a better way to put the patches on her vest but right then, I had some last minute things to do and then it was going to be 9 and I was ready to just sit.
She didn't really need to do the things she was asking
She needed some attention
I think Father's day is hard for her
She loves my husband very much but in some ways she's still trying to figure him out
I know she thinks if she loves him too much, her brothers will be mad
And she loves her brothers too
So what's a girl to do?
SAY HOW SHE FEELS AND LET THE OTHERS DEAL WITH THEIR OWN DANG FEELINGS that's what I say...but I can't even do that all the time.
Then there's her bio father
it probably didnt help any that my pants pocket called him on Friday so he called back
(probably freaked him out because my number hasn't called his number in well over 3 years)
I learned what it means to move "from glory to glory" here
because my glory left me behind...and waited for me ahead.
It was a bit weird driving back...we haven't been in that neighborhood in such a very long time and a lot has changed (construction, etc). We weren't sure what it would be like walking back in ...it's been 2 years since we left, I've never met the new pastor (we left during the interim upheaval) and we've had contact with just a handful of friends since then.
Walking in was a pleasant surprise
Pastor M was thrilled to put a face to the Babs name
and turns out hub is Louis-of-the-Roof
hugs and hellos from many who walked in and saw us there
tears from some
can't take my eyes off you stares from others
it was nice to see how much of what i started while there has taken root (funny too because the message today was about planting seeds)
felt good to see that i guess i knew what i was doing because the things that they do now that work, were my seeds
gives me hope that we've been moved to our new congregation with purpose
We also realized we really love our new church
yes, it was great to see some old friends
if they were friends ...then wouldn't they still be...but I digress
#1son apologized for liking the old place better than the new...the old place definitely has a youth thing going on...but later #1 said the youth thing was good because of what I did to it
so I could do it again where we are now
that felt really good
I haven't put myself forward as a youth leader in our new place coz, well more than 1/2 of the youth live in my house...and i didn't think they'd want me as a youth leader...they have to deal with me enough...but, there was a resounding request from the back seat today as we drove
gave my heart a squish :)
But...
even though both congregations belong to the same denomination
our new one is more in line with our spiritual walk
more organic
more open
more affirming
more inclusive
more about what is outside of our 4 walls instead of who is inside
our mission field IS our ministry
we're SMACK in the middle of a not so great part of town
down the road from a shelter
across the street from day labor
one of our main ministries is feeding and assisting the homeless and on any given Sunday while walking into or out you will find someone posting up with his shopping cart or her sleeping bag...and that's okay.
Christianity is our path.
and we celebrate some sacraments in the way Jesus did
but we honor the Divine in all forms, with all names and recognize that all who seek will find.
I don't want to go back
I can very easily step back into my role there tomorrow if I wanted to
heck, I could've grabbed a microphone today, someone asked me why I didn't
The door is once again red you may remember this from before and be thinking, "wait, wasn't the door already red?"
Why yes, yes it was...then we bought a new door.
So once again, the door is red AND the new hardware is in!
oh yeah...and i think i mentioned a post or few ago that Bm's room is complete
I don't think i posted any pics...the bed belonged to my parents and is from Sears (way back before there was ever a Roebuck so it's OLD...and for the record, friggin HEAVY).
The surfboard will be mounted on hooks she can retrieve it from when she hits the beach but keep it out of the way when she's home...and the posters have since been stuck to the wall. You can't see the other corner because, well, her clothes are all over the floor...it's one of those "battles I've chosen not to pick" right now :)
Well i didn't get the mac daddy fancy schmancy will juice anything, make nut butters AND milks juicer that I wanted...but I DID get one
I opted for The Sharper Image Super Juicer at Bed Bath and Beyond because it was 70 bucks AND THEN the cashier gave me a 20% off coupon coz I left mine in the junk drawer in our kitchen...
This morning I made juice
yummy juice
carrots, an apple and a pear
OMG it was delicious and I was AMAZED how satisfied I felt all the way through mid morning
Out topsy turvy garden is 1 1/2 for 3...one japanese cucumber plant is doing FANTASTIC, our tomato plant just so so and the other cucumber plant just died :( the hub thinks the wind broke off the stems...I think it was an animal, but either way we'll have to find a replacement plant
We bought the pieces we need to complete our rain barrel, we have a design for our compost bin, and we have 25 strawberry plants, 2 dwarf banana trees and one hardy tree on the way.
We also got some seeds this weekend. I've been saving toilet paper tubes for seed starters and the plastic containers our strawberries and spinach comes in for mini greenhouses so I'm going to start our brocolli and zucchini inside so they're ready to plant in July...we're going to put the corn and beans (2 different varieties) along the back fence line
I heard a story this morning on npr about grey water harvesting...sounds interesting may check into it. We already "recycle" water through our central air conditioning unit to water our lawn. Our A/C unit is a water cooled system and we divert the run off through a hose and sprinkler...so whenever the A/C runs, the lawn gets watered. We'll eventually get to a system that is programmed and switches zones on its own...for now we just move the sprinkler every once in a while.
We've also decided to use the side yard for a patchouli garden. We've figured out the best way to grow from cuttings and the side yard gets the perfect amount of sun/shade etc. I think I'll try to distill my own essential oil and I know we'll sell plants through the couple that gave me my very first cutting.
Okay...time to cook dinner
maybe I'll juice mine...i'm saving the pulp for some soup i'm starting from the fresh pork shoulder the hub smoked last week....yum
I made belgian waffles, eggs, bacon, sausage, corned beef hash...the works ...everyone just picked and chose at their faves.
For me, I made gluten free apple cinnamon waffles with homemade cinnamon ricotta (who KNEW how easy it was to make!) Fresh strawberries, Bananas and REAL maple syrup
We also put some peppers in the ground AND I treated myself to a new lavender plant...and YES those ARE the patchouli cuttings flourishing in the background!
Definitely time for a good book and a lazy afternoon on the porch!
I can cross off one of the things on my to do list for the year.
I always make a "professional goals" list and a "personal goals" list...actually 2 of those, one that pertains to work and one that pertains to everything else
One of my personal, work related goals is to be the receipient of a BRAVO! Award, my company's version of "Team member of the month"
and today...tada! I was awarded for the month of June
lots of goodies
not the least of which is a CLOSE parking spot with my name on it for the month of June
if you knew where I worked...you'd KNOW this is a major perk
heck I parked in IDAHO today and it's been raining every night at just about 5
Like I told my boss
I've had my aspirations for this award for about a year now...the "qualifications" have been what my work process has been modeled after...and will continue to be...gotta be a good role model now :)
oh oh oh
AND I got a name plate for my cubicle!
I know this seems trivial but I've had my cubicle for almost 3 years now
and I've never had a name plate because I'm a "department" not an individual...it's confusing...
but my cubicle neighbor noticed I didn't have one and didn't think that was right...so she ordered one for me :) (she's the admin in charge of name plates...it was easy for her to sneak it in)
so not only was I recognized...I was validated too :)
