Jill and her flights

I am heading out this weekend for my annual sister weekend in Phoenix. Jill, Zoe and I have been going for 10 years. Every year Jill always has issues with her flight. It is a variety of problems, she books it wrong, has the wrong dates or just decides to change. One year she booked two tickets to Vegas and no return flight, to this day we still have no idea how she did it, then had a few cocktails in the bar and almost missed the flight. So, in true sister weekend tradition Jill called wanting to go earlier and was looking for her wingers. Instantly I made the lists of all the things that I had to get done before I left. They were mostly about the household tasks. Why do we feel that leaving our home clean is important? I think it is one of those mom things, like the clean underwear because you might get into a car accident. What about next week when I arrive home? The girls will drop off their laundry and the house will be in the same shape. I guess I just made the decision that the laundry, housework and all other menial tasks will wait for my return. Why not go a day early? Raining here, Sunny there. Making my crazy lists again almost stopped me. I need to figure out how to get fired from being a homemaker, this job comes with to much guilt. Now Karma Sisters, I will be taking time off from my blog to read and hang by the pool. I may or may not check in. But I am planning on having a whole bunch of fun!

I am the Founder

I was filling out an online application today. I got to age, All of a sudden 41-50 seems really old. I liked the 30-40 box much better. Next came occupation. Homemaker? Well I guess I am but I am terrible at it. My laundry never seems to get done and my vacuum has a permanent home in the dining room. Executive.. Well this is true. I am an executive in my volunteer position, which I am pretty sure I gave myself that title. So, I decided on founder as my new title.. Founder of Karma Sisters. It's so vague, sounds difficult, and with lots of sweat and tears I am building a company. Geez, look at me a founder. Not sure what a founder does, maybe drink Starbucks and talks on the phone.. I love being the founder.

Kate & Betty

I rode betty today.. Betty is a bike. Its that bike with the basket on the front of the handle bars. It has 3 gears and to stop you have to peddle backwards. She is white with purple rims and a gigantic bell. It is a flash back from the 50's and I love her. I have owned her for 3 years and every year I promise myself to ride her more. When I first saw her in the store, I envisioned all the zen like moments we would have with my hair blowing in the wind and my fresh baguette from the bakery in the basket, waiving at all my friends as I peddled down the street. Last year she made me feel more guilty, as I never took the time to take her out. She sat in the garage just waiting. Well, today I took her to the store. Betty and I were on tour with daughter #3, Kate. We peddled through the neighborhood weaving our way to Sobeys. I felt like I was 13 again. I raced Kate and the rain home, Kate won. You can never have to many child like moments at 43, especially when your 11 year old gives you heck for not looking both ways when crossing the street... Thanks Betty and Kate for the perfect ride.

Dandelions

Its Dandelion Season.. with this comes weeding.  As I was removing this  pesky "weed" from my garden,   I thought about what an incredible plant it is.    Many chemical companies have made special formulas to remove it, and have been unsuccessful.   I have tried to dig it out, but still the next week it arrives back in the same spot, just as big.  So,  Why are  we trying to eliminate something  so amazing?  Do you know its a  food source, as  you can consume every part of a dandelion?  It is  used for stomach and liver remedies in holistic medicine .   It grows fearless,  planting its  roots deep in the earth.  Every season without water or fertilizer it is the very first flower to arrive.     It spreads its seeds through the air, with tiny parachutes, and if you look through the eyes of a child, its  beautiful.    I think we should  be  more like this hearty frost proof plant.   No matter what happens, no matter what conditions are thrown at us , we are always first to arrive,  deeply rooted, and flowering in the spring with a wiliness to heal.   Think about that next time you are digging for the roots....   

Reorganizing with Ikea

Tonight I was at Ikea with Hayley trying to buy an organizer for her room. Ikea is a million square feet of beautifully displayed furniture. They have built up a maze through the store making sure you pass by every room to show you how truly unorganized your life is. Maybe this is one of the problems in society. Instead of cleaning it up, we head to ikea to figure out how to organize it. The crazy thing is the furniture is impossible to build and never lasts long. If we do get it built, and our stuff put away, off we go to fill up again. Maybe part of my slowing down plan is not to re-organize but simplify. And building Ikea furniture is not on the simplicity plan.

Devon and the three bears

"Thats not the real story!" exclaimed Devon, while I was home reading in grade 2. He was angry over the outline of the three bears as the author had put a twist on this classic. It took a little boy in grade 2 to bring attention to something that happens everyday. Don't we add our own twist to our life stories? There are always three sides to every story, the truth and the other two accounts. I like to believe that people are inherently good, not trying to knock others down purposely. Just like the fable of Goldilocks and the three bears. Goldilocks didn't go into the house to break baby bears chair, eat his breakfast and fall asleep for revenge. She was lost, tired and hungry and stumbled upon a house in the woods. It was safe, warm and had a hearty breakfast ready. So take a moment and think about what would baby bears story be? Probably that this blonde was a thief, vandal and outlaw. Not to mention a scatter brain. Who goes out in the woods alone? Wow, wouldn't the lawyers have a heyday. Just remember to think about the other side in your own story. It just might make a difference in the outcome of the fairy-tale.

Karma Sister Candice

I went to see the inspiration guru on Tuesday night, Wayne Dyer . I am always looking to find inspiration. Wayne was full of enlightenment but my surprise gift was from a Karma sister named Candice. It has been a few months since I have spoken with her but in the matter of 5 min at intermission, she told me how she decided to take a right turn on her straight road in life. She is changing careers, moving to Vancouver and becoming a chef. This is not a 20 something without roots. She has a successful career, a home and a child. Somewhere on her journey she lost that voice that stocks up all the evidence which prevents us from moving forward. Usually the sentences start with.."I can't".. "what about"...and one of my favorites... "that's not you". This new brave soulful Candice has found... I can...I will and.... I AM. I saw a new light in her, she glowed like that yellow moon last night. Its amazing what happens when you stop listening to your head and start leading with your heart. I am a chef, this soul sister will be able to say. I wonder if it will work on the home lotto... I am a home lotto winner.