Unless you've lived here, you can't understand how 45 degrees can feel like 5 below zero. When I first moved here, I laughed at those wearing big winter jackets with hats and scarves. I'm not laughing anymore. I'm in my office with the heater cranked up, a small electric heater by my feet, and a jacket on. I can't explain why 45 degrees here feels like the coldest of cold in Oklahoma. It isn't reasonable, it just is.
Today we had a break in the endless downpour that is a California winter. Patches of blue sky peak through streaks of white and gray. It's nice to see my friend the sun again even if it is only for today. They are predicting rain through Sunday. There is snow on the highest points of the mountains. A part of me wishes we had used our Disneyland time for snowboarding. That vacation to Mexico I took in July is sounding pretty good too. What I wouldn't give for a nice warm spot on the beach with Juan and Miguel bringing be frosted fruity drinks.
In reality, it's back to work and school. We had a very good meeting with Erin's teacher today. I love that we meet him at the library and that our meetings are so casual. He commented on Erin's writing and said she was doing a great job. He also liked her artwork. Her favorite part of the meeting was when he told us there are no letter grades. I thought she was going to dance out of her chair! They only give P's for progressing. I'm never sure if we are doing enough or if she is really learning anything at all, but he assured me that she is doing quite well and that if I am feeling stressed it's perfectly normal. Apparently 6th and 7th grade have some of the highest workloads for parents. Why didn't anyone mention that when I decided to sign up for homeschooling? Really, it hasn't been as hard as I expected. We have our bad days, but overall it's been a good experience for us both.

We had a wonderful time at Dinsneyland. We went with our friends Jason and Shauna and their nephew Caymen. We rode rides, ate really good food, and for a few short days believed in magic again. :)

We're leaving for Disneyland very early in the morning. We're all looking forward to some much needed time off as a family. I'm sure I'll have many stories to share when we get home on Wednesday. Try not to miss me too much. :)

A Mr. Miyagi to the heart.

I've been irritated lately. Every little thing rubs me the wrong way, and I can't explain it. I tried to explain it in an e-mail to my friend Jen, but I'm afraid I came off sounding silly and confused. I just wasn't able to articulate the cause of my frustration, I could only acknowledge it. Last night as I was lying in bed being tossed and turned by the waves of frustration, I had the strangest idea. Do you remember the scene at the end of The Karate Kid where Ralph has just been "taken out" by a member of the opposing team? His leg is badly hurt and it looks like he won't be able to continue the fight. Mr. Miyagi pushes everyone out of the room and then with violent force rubs his hands together presumably making them so warm that when placed on Ralph's leg it is repaired at least to the point that he can finish the fight. Sometimes, I need a Mr. Miyagi to the heart. Last night, I got one as I read these two poems;

An Insidious Idol
by Meister Eckhart

Commerce is supported by keeping the individual at odds
with himself and others, by making us want more than we need, and
offering credit to buy what refined senses do not want.

the masses become shackled; I see how their eyes weep
and are desperate-of course they feel desperate-for something,
for some remedy

that a poor soul then feels needs
to be bought.

I find nothing more offensive than a god
who could condemn human instincts in us that time in all its wonder
have made perfect.

I find nothing more destructive to the well-being of life
than to support a god that makes you feel unworthy and in debt to it.
I imagine erecting churches to such a strange god will assure
endless wars that commerce loves.

A god that could frighten is not a god-but an insidious idol
and weapon in the hands of
the insane.

A god who talks of sin is worshiped
by the infirm;

I was once spiritually ill-we all pass through that-
but one day the intelligence
in my soul
cured
me.







An Image That Makes Them Sad
by Meister Eckhart

How long will grown men and women in this world
keep drawing in their coloring books
an image of God that
makes them
sad?

Sometimes, I forget what God looks like. I believe all the doom and gloom. Then, he gives me a Mr. Miyagi to the heart, and I remember.

The natural face lift, virtual training, and body love.

The girl and I ventured out to the salon today to trim the hairs and wax the brows. She, in an atempt to tame the unshapely duo, shaved off half of her brow about a month ago. It's finally grown out enough that a professional could make sense of it and so I introduced her to the pain that is facial hair waxing. She handled it very well and her reward is a lovely set of eye toppers and a cute new do to match. My cut is the same old thing I always get because I'm completely void of any new ideas and I'm trying to let my hair grow out a little. I must say that my eyebrows do look amazing! Having well shaped brows can make a dramatic difference.
In other matters of shape, I downloaded iTread Outdoors Set 6 from iTRAIN. What a nifty little idea that site is! I am so excited to have some direction for my morning walks. I was looking for a way to challenge myself and it looks like I've found it! It's downloading to my Sansa now. Hopefully it won't be raining tomorrow and I'll be able to try it out.
Did anyone else see "How To Look Good Naked"? After only one episode, I'm in love! What an amazing show! There's a link on their website to watch the premire episode. Go watch it and share in the body love!

It's one of those stay inside and snuggle kind of days. The sky is gray and it's pouring rain. This is a California winter.
I woke up late and am starting off slow. I have a list of things to do, but may not get around to anything on it. The rain ruined my walking plans, so I'll use the elliptical later today. Walking in the morning has been great! The path we take is about 2.5 miles and it takes us an hour. Next week I plan on alternating jogging and walking. It's easy to go too slow as there are always so many things to look at. The park is a nature reserve and there are several ponds with all kinds of birds. I've made a deal with myself that I will treat myself to a nice massage if I stick with walking at least 5 days a week.
This two weeks off from school has been so nice! I am ready to get back into the routine of school, but this time has been so important for my sanity!