June Trail Keepers

Talk about a busy week. We haven't slowed down much for me to post and when we have, I just haven't felt like spending my time on the computer. On Monday, we went swimming, on Tuesday, we hung out and had lunch with the Brays and on to celebrate Luke's birthday with him. Wednesday, Spanish and the grocery, Thursday, YMCA dinner and trail keepers, and yesterday I played catch up all day...

Here are some photos from Thursday. We all went to Taquierra La Parilla (yummy Mexican Rest) before going to do the trail. 4 families. Let's see that is 8 adults and 12 children! The adults sat at one table and the kids at the other and I bet they were ready for us to get the heck out of there when we did, but it was fun! It always is.

So, here is Jennifer with a shoe - yuck! One of the kids ask, why would someone leave their shoe down there and how would that happen? It was pretty gross...

Here is the big group heading together to pick up trash. I'm always amazed at how eager the kids are to do this and how much we get. Luke and I really focused on a big spot with a lot of glass. We didn't get it all, but we got a lot of it up and we tried to get up the pieces that were sticking up so the dogs that walk on that trail wouldn't hurt the pads of their feet stepping on glass since most dogs don't wear shoes. I really loved this conversation with Luke. It was insightful and thoughtful the way he was thinking about animals hurting themselves on trash. This is how I know the message is getting across...

Here, we have Kalib and his good friend Elijah walking along the path. I don't know how much trash picking up these boys did as they walked way ahead of everyone else and were the first done, but the vibe they get on when they are together is priceless, so even if they aren't picking up trash, I know they are getting something from being there... if you look closely you might notice they are also both barefoot. They obviously weren't thinking about the glass and yes Elijah towers over Kalib, we just make them small and the Cooks make them not small. It works for me and Sarah C, so why not Elijah and Kalib.

another lodge

On Saturday, Jason and I were blessed with the opportunity to attend a sweat lodge together. I have been participating in lodges for over 2 years maybe going on 3. The sweat lodge is a wonderful place to ground, shed unneeded energies, dead skin cells, and toxins. This is the first time Jason has ever been a part of a sweat lodge. It was a great experience for us to share together. When I sweat with my girlfriends, we do everything. We gather the fire wood, build the fire, tend the fire and we move the bricks in and out of the lodge ourselves. It is a lot of work that takes most of the day. For this lodge, we decided the women would do everything for our men. This lodge was all about them. All they had to do was to show up. This was very important to me. Jason works so hard and he has accomplished a lot in the last couple of years. There isn't a day that goes by that I am not aware of the choices he has made to support all of us and I wanted to give something back to him. The lodge isn't much in return for all that he is and all that he does, but I know the benefits one receives from it, so to share it with him and know he had to just enjoy it makes me feel good. He didn't have to do anything except be the person he already is. I know we already share such a bond, but this journey together has brought us even closer as we have shared in an ancient cleansing ritual together and I have made an agreement with myself to try my best to take him less for granted and celebrate him as often as I can. I know he appreciated the lodge and has walked away from it with many of the same feelings I have for it. There are few things in this world that can change your life in such a positive way, but tapping into something people have been doing for 1000's of years is certainly a beautiful way to build upon an already wonderful life together.

the future of rock n roll

There really isn't anything more to say...

random thoughts

Something I have been thinking about a lot lately is appreciating what we have around us. I have been reading A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle and he talks about being present all the time and learning how to be in the moment more often. When I went away to California back in March, I was in desperate need of mental clarity. I needed to know and figure out what was missing and why I always felt stressed and not very happy. Why could I not get that at home? It was new surroundings and different stimulation. My routine was missing, so the things I was needing to figure out I could because I didn't have all the commitments I usually have like house cleaning, taking the kids places, work, phone calls, and e-mails awaiting my attention. I was able to realize I can have that by simply making things like a clean house less of a priority and taking a few days to return a phone call if it means I can play apples to apples or uno with my kids. The thing is, that when I made having a clean house less of a priority, I realized our house actually stays pretty tidy for us to be home all the time. I decided I wanted to eat at home more and eat better quality food and when we made that transition it created more time and more space and we spend less and consume less. I backed off from a lot of the community commitments I had which also created more space in all of our lives and all of a sudden, I can be at home and seek the clarity I so desperately need to stay balanced and sane in a world full of chaos. So, why do we do this to ourselves? Our world is moving at such a fast pace we can't sustain ourselves it is next to impossible to stay present when we are so heavily committed and running ourselves to death and draining the earth in the process. We are working to buy things that supposedly will make our lives better, but then all that happens is we are away from the people and "things" that make us happy because we are working so hard. I do not want our lives to be like that. The reality is no THING makes us happy. We have to be happy within ourselves to experience true happiness. When I realized I was stretching myself too thin, I realized how little time I have to sit back and appreciate what I have around me, I couldn't appreciate the happiness I have within myself. I think we all do this. We consume because that is the way our society has been built, but it brings me no joy to consume anything. What brings me joy is to sit with my family and friends and share in laughter, taking time to watch the breeze move through the trees, or feeling the warm sun on my skin, noticing the purple cone flowers in my yard have begun to bloom or that for the first time ever we have an apple on our apple tree (who knows what pollinated it!). When I accepted that I can not always be at everything and that it is ok for me to want to be home and doing nothing and that I can say no occasionally, I suddenly felt liberated and alive again. I feel like I truly am able to present and be real within every interaction I have with each person I come into contact with. My life is rich in love and I'm fortunate to have such an amazing community and family that supports each other in our efforts to take care of ourselves however is best. I want to be a good steward of earth, I want to be genuine and compassionate and I don't have to go away to get mental clarity, I can simply look to the sky and watch the clouds move or gaze into the glow of the moon, I can see someone I don't know laugh or I can just breath deeply and become present. I can appreciate what is around me if I stay present and don't take each day for granted and get caught up in routines and commitments. What a blessing to realize this and be able to share it with the people I love. It gives me the space to truly be able to give back to those I love because I am not so consumed with getting my own needs met. I have the energy to give to my loved ones and rejoice in it without any expectation of receiving something in return. That is the greatest gift of all. That is the gift presence brings me. That is the joy of life. Giving freely... How beautiful is that?

more summer pics

What a beautiful smile. I love to see them so happy. Her friend Hazel stayed the night with us on Monday and on Tuesday, we went over to Sandy Creek for a couple of hours before I took Hazel home. I wish I knew what she was laughing at!

Thankfully, the girls more than willingly let Kalib be a part of their building and swimming.

Today, the girly's not feeling so well. She has a stomach bug, so we will be staying in and taking it easy... She'll be back to her chipper self tomorrow.

Swimming

Summertime is my favorite time of the year. I feel like we can do ANYTHING this time of year. The kids aren't trapped inside, and they get to use up a lot of their energy being active. We can go to the pool where they can swim and eat, swim and eat, and I get to lounge by the pool either in the company of good friends or a good book. I wish I was better at keeping my schedule so free in the winter, but it is harder for me to relax because I'm trapped inside. The heat doesn't really bother me so much if I can cool off some by going inside for a few minutes or jumping into water - even just sitting by the pool is good enough for me. I don't really even need to get in, just taking in the sunshine is enough for me. I'm sure I feel this way because I don't HAVE to be in the heat everyday.

The other day we went swimming with some friends at Green Acres Swimming Pool on the East Side. I really like this pool - in fact, I think it may be my favorite swimming spot in Athens. There is sun, there is shade, and the pool is maintained very nicely. It's in a quiet neighborhood and it is a pretty large swimming pool. The best thing about the pool is THE DIVING BOARD!!! No other pool we frequent has a diving board, so they really love it! Thankfully, we have friends with memberships here so we can go pretty often. Here is Kalib practicing his skate tricks. I'm not sure that is what he is actually doing, but it certainly looks like it.

Here is India practicing diving. She really wants to learn to dive. We have been practicing just trying to go in head first, so here she is sort of rolling off the board. It is a confidence thing, so she has to believe she can do it. I know this is her year to do it.

fathers day

We went to Jason's aunts house for Fathers Day and I failed to take my camera. I'm still beating myself up about it. We left early enough to go to Duncans Creek Skate Park and I was excited to take some video of them skateboarding, but alas, I discovered in my haste of trying to print out homeopathy homework to work on in the car, I left the camera sitting at the computer desk, so we will all have to wait for the video until another time. ( I was hoping to get Kalib dropping in for everyone to see and Jason carving the bowl.)

When we got home, Jason went immediately to work on his ramp which is his Fathers Day present, Birthday, and the next few holidays worth of presents. He lifted up a piece of plywood and there was a little turtle hiding under there. We have a turtle that travels through each year, but it is much bigger than this one. He just sat there while Jason cut wood and screwed pieces of wood together, but he stayed in his shell. We have been trying to come up with cool names for his ramp and now we potentially have one - The Turtle Shell. Jason isn't in love with it - yet - but that's what I'm going to call it from now on.

So, I thought you all might like to see where the ramp is at. He's getting there. Piece by piece... It is pretty freakin' big - I didn't realize just how big it was going to be until he got the middle section put together. I'm glad we have the space for it, and I'm glad he's getting to fulfill a life long dream - even though it is taking a little longer than he was originally thinking it would. I mostly can't wait until it's done and they all go to painting on it and skating it. I like that it is something he and Kalib and India can all share, I do like watching it. Skateboarding is really hard at least it looks hard, there is so much balance involved and body control. It's pretty mental. You have to always be a few steps ahead in your mind while you are moving. Talk about problem solving skills...

I hope everyone of the amazing dads we know had a wonderful day. We are thankful for all of you and the impact you have on our lives. We take lessons from each of you and incorporate them into our lives and they help make us into the parents we are.

Promotions

This one is short, but incredibly sweet... Jason got promoted (well re-classified as it is called on campus) to a Horticulture Assistant! We are so happy about it. It is not only more money, but a nice new fancy title. I'm very proud of Jason for working hard and standing up for what he believes in ALWAYS. He has earned this title through his determination to work hard, learn plants and trees as best he can and pushing others to work as hard as he does. He takes a lot of pride in his work and he loves it. He deserves this as he is constantly striving to go one step beyond. GO HUBB!!!!

happy birthday Jennifer

Today is my good friend Jennifers birthday. Happy Birthday Jennifer! She is a super mom in every sense of the word! She has 4 kids with her husband Jason and still manages to find time to be a good friend to those around her. She seems to always have a smile and a laugh to share and her patience with having 4 kids is comendable. I certainly have a lot to learn from her about patience. I'm always amazed at her ability to take things in stride and her ability to work to find things that her children enjoy and want to do. She is one of the most selfless and giving mothers I know, so I want her to know that we appreciate her and the lessons in parenting we are able to take from her. She, like many of my friends, oozes out creativity. It seems to leach from every pore of her body, and that is one of the things I love most about her. She seems to always be thinking of creative ways to accomplish simple tasks and make them exciting and beautiful. We are ever so greatful to have her in our lives and the rest of her family, so I want to formally wish my dear friend a wonderful birthday and I hope she gets some time to relax and put up her feet today.

Stream Bank Restoration

Jason has been working on this cool project at work. They are restoring an old stream that runs by East Campus Road. They are rerouting it away from the street and turning the area into a bog so the wildlife that lives in the water will thrive. They are only allowed to work in small sections to help make sure they do minimal damage to the wildlife living in there. It is a lot of back breaking work, but when they are all through, a very small unnoticed natural habitat will be restored and it will be one more thing Jason can be proud of being a part of. I'm glad to see the University taking more and more steps to be more environmentally conscience. I was told recently that all the buildings will be cleaned with all green products soon. It is encouraging. Further proof that the message is being spread and more and more people are waking up to what needs to become our reality. (small soap box - I just can't help myself.) I'll post more pictures as the project comes along and keep everyone up to date on it, so you can go see it when they finish. Jason now has a camera he takes with him. Hopefully, he will keep taking pictures.

Here is a picture of a barrel Jason is using to catch the condensation off an air conditioner at work. It produces enough water for them to use in the greenhouse there. He took a workshop recently about water catchment systems and it has inspired him. We hope to put some gutters on our roof somewhere in the future and build our own water catchment and rain gardens around here. Our next project here is to reroute our air conditioner condensation into a small pool for our dogs to drink out of. Right now it goes to where our raspberries were, but we had to move the raspberries to make more room for the 1/2 pipe.

belt testing

So, it was recently belt testing time again. The kids have been working diligently and practicing hard, they also got to take a weapons class this session. They really enjoyed this class. When it came time for the formal testing this session, we were out of town, gone to Lake Oconee. Thankfully, Master Castro was willing to make it up with us at a later date. The kids finally got to test (not because of him, but me) on June 5. He was also willing to have a private session with India to work on breaking boards some more because she felt like she didn't get enough of that during this session. Master Castro is a really wonderful instructor who really seems to care about his students and he also focuses in on their personalities and works with them in the way that best suits them. (We also are extremely fond of the other instructor, Mr Hill - he wasn't able to be around as much this session, but we'll be back with him more in the fall we hope.) I would recommend the Y program. We also like that they are exposed to kids who do go to school and they get an idea of what a class is like and how they have to behave and function with the distraction of many other kids. The upper belts class isn't very big, but it is big enough... It's a great lesson in having to listen and focus.

Here is a video of India doing her purple belt form. I know lots of you have never gotten to see her do any of her forms. She will be receiving her blue belt recommended next, then onto blue belt decided, then it is red, then brown, and finally black. Not too long... Also, the kids usually have to spar, no contact, but at the formal testing he would not have them spar against one another nor would they spar against one another since they are siblings, but they were the only kids there so they ended up sparing against each other. I guess it is good that they practice at home, this is some of the best sparing I've seen them do.

Here is Kalib going for his purple belt recommended. He's only 2 belts behind India.

We are really proud of how far they have come and the work they have done to get there.

paynes creek

We went to Paynes Creek on Lake Hartwell this weekend to do some car camping on the water before it is too hot to camp near a big body of water and enjoy it. This is the first time EVER that India and Kalib have slept in their own tent. Here is their tent! We are proud of them for being brave. Jennifer brought her kids up on Saturday. They all had a really great time. They did A LOT of swimming as well as building a really cool "mud" castle. I couldn't keep enough sun screen on the kids because they rub it off when they come out from under the water. They were cooked and ready for bed Saturday night before it was even dark. We roasted Marshmallows and off to bed they went. Jason and I were not far behind all that sun wears you out fast.

This is the view from our camping spot. The spot was pretty nice. It was in full shade for most of the day, so even though it was hot it wasn't as hot as being out in the direct sun and we could sit in the shade while the kids swam.

Alligator swimming

living easy... this is the life

She is most certainly NOT afraid of a little mud!

The mud castle (couldn't really be called a sand castle, because it was mostly mud!

India looks like a worn out flamingo.

Kalibs face is so red even the whites of his eyes were red, but it wasn't for lack of trying to keep sunscreen on them, they just rubbed it off.

There are more pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/quiltingearth/60608LakeHartwell

5 guys skate tour

Jason and Kalib went to the new skate park in Buford on Sunday. Duncan Creek is brand spankin' new and the boys were eager to get up there and get it checked out and skate it. They rode up with Wesley (aka Wezel), his son Julian, and Chad. (I think the trip is called 5 guys because there were 5 of them and they ate at a 5 guys burger joint - that hasn't been confirmed, but it seems rather obvious.) Anyhow, it is nice that Jason and Kalib share this common bond of skating. It brings them closer and I love to hear all about their adventures together and what new tricks they learned or what trick they mastered or about the session Jason had. The joy skateboarding brings Jason makes me very happy simply because he so happy and really at the end of the day, that is all I want for him. I want him to have a life filled with nothing but joy. People frequently ask me about his getting hurt and the truth is, he could get hurt doing just about anything. Really, he's probably more likely to get hurt at work than on his skate board and he assures me he is safe and only steps out of his comfort zone to push himself a little and not a lot and I trust him and that alone is enough for me. I love that he can share this with Kalib. They recently went to a skate park in Lawrenceville called Woodward and Kalib dropped in for the first time EVER! Dropping in is skate lingo for standing on the edge of the ramp and rolling into it. It's a scary thing to do for the first time. Jason called me with so much excitement in his voice, he was super proud. Made me wish I could have been there, but I know this is their thing and they will always have that moment and be able to share it and I can fully appreciate that. Another perk of the skating is that I have always liked those skateboarder boys - you know the outsiders! I love the freedom they have to be who they are and their willingness to not accept societies rules just because... I could go on, but I won't... So, here are some pics that Chad took of my boys skating...

Kalib resting before the rain at Duncan Creek

Hubb in one of the bowls at Duncan Creek (front side 5-O)

Hubb at a secret spot

A good life - the play

So, here are more pictures from our very busy weekend. On Saturday night, we went to see a play about Madison County at the Madison County high school. Sarah Cook, Beatrice, and Jacob and Ossian Wienges were in it. It was based on various stories told by people who were from Madison County. I regret not taking my grandmother to see it since she grew up on Moons Grove Road and my great grandmother is buried in the cemetery behind Moons Grove Church as well as my great aunt and great uncle and other relatives I'm sure. I have a lot of family history in Madison County. My other great grandmother traveled here in a wagon when she was 7 or 8 and lived in Hull where she had my grandfather and all his siblings. She lives to be over 100 years old and I'm sure she had some great stories. I didn't really know her all that well. It's pretty cool to think about how deep my roots to this area are.

So, The play was great! The kids enjoyed it a lot too and there was so much history thrown in. What a great way to learn about it. We had to talk about the KKK, douche bags, habitat for humanity, immigration, and many other interesting subjects. What a wonderful lesson into history for all of us.

Jury Duty

I spent my day at the courthouse yesterday hoping to get out of jury duty. I get that it is an important part of our government, but it is really no fun and not something anyone really looks forward to. The benches are uncomfortable, they don't offer you ANY food and you aren't supposed to take any into the courtroom, and it was freakin' cold! I'm glad I thought to carry a long sleeve shirt in my bag - if only I remembered to carry an apple. I was there until noon and I'm still not free of it. It was daunting to watch the lawyers go through the people and the questions they had to pick the jurors who would serve on their juries. So many questions and people trying to answer honestly, but not wanting to have to serve and wishing they would also get sent home. They didn't get around to me. I have to go back on Friday to see whether they will need me for a jury then. Hopefully, when I call in on Thursday night I will be released. We are supposed to head out of town to Hartwell Lake for the weekend to do some camping and swimming and we were hoping to leave out after lunch. Guess I'll have to pack everything up on Thursday and keep my fingers crossed I'm not stuck in court all day. I did meet an interesting woman. She sat beside me. She was a high school art teacher really hoping to make a difference in some kids lives. Most teachers I meet are distrusting of homeschooling and as we talked she said, "you sound like an unschooler" and I told her we were in the process of deschooling and we were getting there and fully trying to embrace each step. We talked about how much she likes the idea of unschooling and tries to bring some of that into her classroom and frequently talks with other teachers about creative ways to let kids do things on their own in a school environment because unfortunately not everyone is in a position to be able to stay home with their children. I found her to be super intriguing and it was nice to be able to talk openly with someone in education and feel truly understood and supported. It seems to me everyone knows intrinsically that unschooling makes sense, it is just the fear of the unknown and the going against the "norm." But, what is the norm? A prison like environment for our youth with a focus on scores rather than on real education? It's pretty scary. Knowledge is important, but who should determine the knowledge they need to get by in life? Some educator politician, a teacher, a test? Where does self worth fit into all this and the innate desire we all have to learn and expand ourselves. Do we stop being sponges at kindergarten and have to have our brains filled? I think we continue to be sponges as long as we are alive and engaged in something be it TV, gaming, cooking, grilling, gardening, homeopathy, parenting, whatever our interests are. Every moment of everyday we are learning. We don't need someone to tell us what we need to learn, we will learn what we need to learn when we need to learn it if we are willing and we have the trust and confidence in ourselves to go the extra mile and try anything. When I came home, I felt inspired and I know in my heart of hearts we are on the brink of new beginnings in education as these new young teachers with new ideas come into the schools and that there is a push for change. People are realizing our educational system is failing a lot of children and people are getting tired of it. We are getting tired of seeing our children come out of the schooling process broken and disfunctional. I don't homeschool because I think I can provide my children with a superior education, I homeschool because I KNOW I can provide them with a thirst for knowledge and they can be free to be who they are and learn in the way that best suits them.

A night out...

So, Sarah Cook and I conspired to go hear our dearest Megan sing for the celebration of the New Mothers Center and to contribute money to it. Megan's voice is like honey to my soul - not only because I love this woman so much, but also because her voice is just incredible. When she has her eyes closed and she is giving it all she has you know it's coming from some source deep inside her and I always get chill bumps. She has a couple of songs on myspace www.myspace.com/meganbaermusic if you have never heard her, you should. She also has a cd available at wuxtry and school kids records downtown as well as Daily Grocery or you can order it from CD Baby http://cdbaby.com/cd/meganbaer

So, the night was not only filled with incredible music for the soul, but also wonderful friends and conversations over delicious wine (thanks Sarah C for having the taste you were having). Madrona's talking about getting a cow and I don't think it was the wine talking. Rachel and I shared some not so proud moments as mama's. We all talked about kid dynamics and watching our girls blossom into women and our desire for them to know and be filled with the gifts we have gained over the years and wanting to leave footprints and plant seeds in them that will help carry them and help mold them into strong proud women. The most beautiful thing that came out of the evening for me is something Madrona and I have talked about in the past, but the timing hasn't seemed right and the energy was not there, but now it is looking like the road that brought us all together to begin with is coming full circle with the possibility of us trying again to have a practice of deepening our clan roots together with the book the 13 clan mothers by Jamie Sams. Years ago when I was a new mother just setting out on this journey we began meeting as a group called the New Moon Earth Sisters because we met on the new moon to circle and celebrate and honor what is and as with most groups, it changed and morphed into different things and we spread our wings and took what we gained into our greater community and fortunately, we have picked up a few more amazing women along the way. The first time I ever met Madrona was under the new moon around a fire. She had simply the sweetest voice and I knew then in the dark that night that I would love her. Sarah C, Holly (not in the picture), Jenny and Catherine (who was there, but I don't know why she isn't in the picture) were also a part of that original circle and our friendships have grown over the years and I am excited about this possible new journey into more self discovery. Time with mothers honoring the gift of life we all share is an important part of growing in our motherhood and as women. We are forced to examine ourselves and look deeply to be strong women and hold our passions for life up. It is important that we come together to celebrate being women and mothers and all that we are and to know we have the support of a strong community (or clan). I am, as always filled with thanks for the amazing women in my life... now we will have to see if Madrona really gets a cow!

Trail Keepers

Well, another month in... Just barely. It is amazingly difficult to organize so many people to all show up and this month, we just couldn't make it all happen. I didn't get to go, I had work I HAD to do :( but thankfully, Rachel was willing to pick the kids up and they got to go. I sent the camera along so India could take pictures and I could at least see how the trip was. They had a good time as always feeling like they are contributing to keeping Athens clean, and they found some interesting items as always. They found a pair of pants and a car mat now how do you think that got down there? The pants, I can see a homeless person accidentally leaving those behind, but the car mat? Anyhow, I'm already looking forward to next month and I'm going to make sure I get to go! Thanks Rachel and Jennifer for the hard work of watching the kids and including them since I couldn't make it and thanks kids for doing a great job of keeping our trails clean! I'm proud of you all... You really are a special group of kids and folks.