Yep! It has been one of those long running, "places to go, people to work for" weeks. With deadlines and last minute changes to newsletter, sick musicians to replace at the pub, and roofers making messes in the garden that I had left looking fabulous the day before.

My son was in a play last night, and I was running late.  Three of us were in the bathroom at the same time. I just got out of the shower (blind without my glasses), The King was brushing his teeth, and Miss T formerly Miss A was curling her hair. We needed to leave in about 15 minutes so I was moving fast.  I reached over to get my "even your limp hair can have body" spray, grabbed the bottle then moved quickly out of the room to put in my hair.  I started spraying and working it into my roots, when I realized that the bottle felt wrong.  Wasn't the right size.  Wait...I now FOCUSED my eyes on the bottle.  It was my eye glass cleaner that I bought at the fair. Anti streak, cleans every little thing off and defogs too. 

I pushed past the crowd in the room, and went for water, but the sink was being used by The King as he rinsed his mouth, so I moved to the bathtub as I was trying to explain to them what I'd done.  They were quiet for a minute, then as The King picked up the glass polish and started reading what it did for glasses, I was now putting my head under the faucet in the tub to wash the stuff out.

Me: "I hope my hair doesn't fall out."

Miss T: "Well at least we'll know it's not cancer."

Silence Silence Silence

I still had my head under the water and now I hear soft laughter, then they lost it.  I started laughing and "the moment" happened. You know, that moment when you know this will be a new family "remember when Mom put the glass polish on her hair" story.

We got our act together and made it to the play (which was fantastic).

This morning, The King reached over in bed and put his hand on my head. "Feels like glass."

Me: "Won't fog up either."

 I think the neighbors heard the laughter down the street.

Have a beautiful day, and keep your sense of humor. 

(pats heart, and points to you) 

It's a brand new day.  Let it lift you. As recommended by one of my favorite Mary Chapin Carpenter songs that I sing: 

    "Don't be late for your life."

You've been saying for the longest time. That the time has come.  You've been talking like you're of the mind. To get some changing done.  Maybe move out of the city. Find some quiet little town.  Where you can sit out on your back porch steps and watch the sun go down.

No one knows where they belong. The search just goes on and on and on. For every day that goes wrong, another one's right.  A change of scene would sure be great. The thought is nice to comtemplate. But the question begs, why would you wait. Don't be late for your life.

Now you might never find that perfect town, but the sun still sets. On a roof top where the city sounds like a Gershwin clarinet. And you might still be searching every face, for one you can't forget. Love is out there in a strangers clothes. You just haven't met them yet.

No one knows where they belong the search just goes on and on and on. For every day that goes wrong, another one's right.  Call it chance of call it fate.  Either one is cause to celebrate. The question begs, why would you wait. Don't be late for your life.

(pats heart, and points to you)

Did I tell you that my middle name is Recycle?  Jaynebug Recycle Bridgemaker.  Yep, that's me.

I take broken plates and make step stones, left over material makes fine puppets or pillows, cards and photos make art in countless ways, and the list goes on and on.  I have to stop myself when someone says, "Could you use this..." as I don't want it thrown out if I can pass it on to another artist or utilize it for school projects or create something myself.  I think it's a blessing to have art come to me in many forms. 

The back of my car usually has an assortment that is in transit to one drop off or another.  Right now there's a box of tiles that need to go into storage until Spring when I cover a table, some plastic containers for the teachers supply room at the school, an old printer that needs to get dropped off at the recycle place (better do that today), a box of stuff that one of my gardening clients gave me to clear out some of her own space.  I'm her bridge to "less is more", so I take it and pass it on to others, or drop it off to Goodwill.  By next week it will all have a space in another place. 

Back in December, I decided to clear out the pumpkins that had decorated our yard so nicely, but they we're in great shape, so I talked to my husband, The King about possibliities and he suggested a snowman. (No toxic material we're used in this project.  All water based, thus the umbrella. ) The best part of it was that the whole family got in on the project.  All I had to do was ask the question "What could we do with the pumpkins, and pretty soon my daughter was painting and my son and husband had discussions on how to change the eyes and buttons to look like coal.  They switched the hat until they were satisified. We laughed, we shared, we made a snowman.

Next year I think we'll paint Christmas balls of many colors from our pumpkins. 

I know that when I get that creative motor running, it doesn't let me down.

Have a creative weekend!

(pats heart, and points to you)

"Baby, it's cold in there." 

I read a book that says that we're set up for colds when we have too much going on in our minds. My head needs a vacation away from me and all my thoughts.  When I think about all that comes out with a cold, well...I have been working my mind way too hard.  Time to let go.

I was commenting earlier with a fellow Xangan about meditation. Travel with me if you will.

I breathe and let go. I float into a dreaming space, I wander though pure color, I allow a calming fog to envelope me with moisture for the soul. Purple silhouettes flow toward me, growing, pulsing, then passing through me. I use to ask who they were in my busy head, but I know who they are now, and so I let them pass as they come together to hold council in my higher mind. I imagine they have much to discuss, as I feel lighter and content. 

Higher Council:

"Thank you all for arriving on such short notice.  She only recently started meditating with regularity so you might be able to schedule your appearance in a more timely fashion."

"Let's join our love and energy now."

"Her head needs a clearing for sure. Did you see that dark stuff in the corner. I'm glad I brought my boots."

"That corner is nothing compared to the stressy green stuff over here. Someone hand me a calming wipe please."

"Maybe we should leave someone behind this time for continued maintenance."

"Okay, pipe down, follow the breath.  It's time to flow" 

"All together now!"

(pats heart, and points to you)

The bird in the tree outside my window doesn't know that it's 2013.  She just sings her song in my garden every day.  She is safe there with cover to hide from the neighboring cats and bigger birds that would make a snack of her.  She hops from branch to branch eating small findings as she moves along. 

I whistle or chirp sometimes when I see a bird in the garden.  I try to mimic their call.  I probably freak them out as they hear the sound, then look my way and see the wingless bird on the ground.  I wonder if they discuss me among themselves as they start chattering to each other.  I never wanted to be a bird woman like in Mary Poppins: the woman covered with birds and looking happy as she sings to others to feed them for "Tuppence a bag".  I don't want that many bird friends at a time, but I'm a big fan of songbirds hanging out and I do get excited when I see a new one, unfamiliar to me in my yard.  A feathered gift.

Day 2 and 2013 is already urging me into nature.  "Come tend to me", it calls.  It's cold here on the coast and we're whimpy about it as we remove our flipflops and shorts and grab for sweaters and coats that spend more time in the closet than on our backs.  I hunt through a basket that I swore had my gloves in it and has anyone seen that nice black scarf I got two years ago at Christmas?  My job takes me into early morning gardens and I have to layer myself for the slow warming of the day.  Sometimes by noon, I'm wishing I'd put the flipflops in the back of the car, but by 4pm, I know why I didn't. 

This is our crazy weather time.  Warm then cold, then warm, then rain.  I have Lillies that are blooming or trying to bloom, roses that have no leaves, but beautiful buds that can't make up their minds about opening or rotting on the stem as it rains, warms up then gets down the the 40's to high 30's at night, then warms up again.  Change is in the wind. 

I was asking my son, College Dude if he had goals for this year.  He wants to study in Italy, and he said that this year he was going to like who he was more.  19 years old and already thinking wisely.  I told him that many people my age were just learning or easing into accepting themselves for who they/we are, so he has a big jump on the gift of self love.  I think it brings us to a better space for everyday living as we think less of what others think of us and more about how we add ourselves into any given senario. 

Anyway...back in the gardens I go and the birds chitter about my presence there.  They hop or fly away, changing trees but keeping me in view as I move quietly through clipping, and weeding and cutting back so that Spring can think it was all her creation when it comes time to bloom again in March.  I just trim as I go all year round and let mother nature call the shots, with a large tip from the weather.  The birds put up with me in their space. I'm not a threat as they fly to the area I just weeded and pull tasty morsels from the moist open ground. They never leave in mass rather they watch from their perch in the trees waiting and chirping encouragment for me to keep on tending to their garden. They probably consider me part of the circle...a meal ticket so to speak.  

Cold morning thoughts.  Have a lovely day! 

I work for many, some with feathers. It's a good thing.

(pats heart, and points to you)

I don't have to make resolutions.  I trust in my journey.  I have complete faith in my direction.  I set the stage with my thoughts, then let the day carry me forward into my future.  I know I will connect with the exact person or people I need to complete each task at hand.  I'm never alone as I journey forward with "All That Is" supporting my steps.  I'm letting my heart lead the way.

Bye Bye 2012.  You've been quite the year.  I laughed, I cried, I let some things go, I gathered some people closer, I let boundaries become bridges, I let music teach me harmony in ways that heal, I took on challenges that others would run from and made my way to the other side of each one.  Thanks for the lessons never too late for the learning.

Hello 2013!  Let's go! (pats heart, and points to you)

The sky was dark to the right of me, raining on me, but ahead there was an opening with light behind it.

I pulled away from the home and reached for my water bottle.  Bob Marley on CD.  "One love, one light, let's get together and be all right." I shifted in my seat to the rhythm humming and singing to the chorus. I smiled to myself as the wiper on the car flapped back and forth dragging a piece of the rubber each time with a healthy groan across the windshield.  "I'm going home", I thought to myself.  But my mind immediately started processing all that had taken place in the last three days. 

The encounter with my mom and her dementia was an adventure in waves of feelings and emotions.  I'm a soft hearted one, so I had to just let the tears flow at times.  Mom didn't notice as her vision doesn't allow.  I held her hand and let the conversation come and go.  She said she felt like she was in a dream and I told her she was and that was okay too.  I reminded her that she is an artist and can paint her dream anyway she wants now.  At 91, she can let go.  For some reason she doesn't.  That's her road to journey.

I found it interesting that at times she thinks she's her grandmother, a woman she loved and respected.  My mother shared with me that she was waiting there because Jaynebug was scared. Jaynebug IS my mom, so I asked who she was and she sat up fuller in her chair and said, "I'm her grandmother!" 

"Why are you waiting?"

"She's afraid.  I'll wait her with her while the others go ahead." (no one else in the room)

"Do you encourage her to not be afriad?"

"Hell no! It's scary!"

"I'll wait with you."  I took her hand and she told me how warm it was, how "nice and warm."  I sent love from every pore in my body through that hand hold.

"I love you , Mom."

"Who are you?"

"I'm Lyne."

"Oh...when did you get here."

This conversation and many others washed through my mind as I drove home.  I looked out at the rainy day and let it go. Nature flashed by my window and I took it in. My spirit is open to receive healing and support from my source, so I let the road be the process as I left a bit of my child behind and opened a door to loving me more.   

The sky was dark to the right of me, raining on me, but ahead there was an opening with light behind it. 

"One love, One light...

(pats heart, and points to you)

Last night I was speaking to several people about a person I work with professionally who they all warned me was going to eventually "blow up in my face."  I responded that I wasn't worried and they laughed at me, shook their heads and said the ever sarcastic words..."JUST WAIT."

I have worked with so many "difficult" people, but then...someone needs to be able to help them.  Why not me?  I have patience and I have confidence that it's them and not me who is having the problem.  They may be more forceful or pushy in order to get their point across, but I don't have to play the game, right?   

I have found over the years that difficult people are usually very smart and have something that caused them to think that their way was the only way.  Maybe Mom or Dad had something to do with it.  I try to be a bridge for them to get the job done without bloodshed :0, and I also give them some cheerful attention as we go.  One thing I have noticed is that difficult people do not let many people into their lives in a close way.  They are guarded, so I try to gently break down the barrier and let them see a opening. 

I can teach old dogs new tricks without the old dog getting freaked out and me getting bitten. 

Here's the secret.  Don't attach to their anger, biting, pushy, stupid (did I say that?),bossy ways.  Think beyond it and as my sweet 91 year old mom would say, "Try to imagine them on a tricyle as a small child.  How would they ride?" It'll make you smile and they'll wonder what you know.

Do you work with difficult people?  Shower them with smiles and remember you can't soar above them if you've let them ruffle your feathers.

Are you a difficult person?  I charge by the hour. :)

Fly High!

Some years I let Christmas in too late.  I resist singing the tunes that cheer me, because I think it's just too early to celebrate. Not this year.  I need the boost!  I'll be decking my halls this next week as I will be traveling up north to see my mom and by the time I get back, the rest of my work week will have sucked up any useful time.  I'll be bummed and rushing.  See how well I know myself? Pretty good at confessing too.   

I'll brighten up a corner or two and let the light in.  It does indeed lift my spirit as I'm doing something creative and beautiful in the darker corners of my house.  I almost wrote darker corners of my life.  Hm...Must need that brightening more than I thought.  Better get moving.

Tra La La La La and Jingle Jingle Jingle! 

When I worked at New Times, a weekly news and entertainment publication, the guy for our Connections (dating) dept and I had a ongoing game during December.  We had all of the office to use and we had a small clip-on Santa. (If you stretch your fingers halfway out, that's about the size). One of us would secure a spot for him out of eye shot of the other and then we'd go by each other's desk singing "Jingle Jingle Jingle."  That would mean the game was ON!  When we'd find it we'd retrieve it and once again sing, "Jingle Jingle Jingle!"

As you can imagine, the whole office got in on it and some would know where it was hidden because we'd clip it on their computer or the picture of their children on their desk.  Sometimes we'd put him on a plant or a picture on the wall.  It had to be placed in open space where it could be clearly seen.  That was one of the rules. Once he put it right behind my head on a wall fixture and it took me two days to find it.  Everyone sure smiled a lot when they came over to my desk and I'd say "What?" "Where?"  No one over the three years that we did this ever revealed where it was as they enjoyed the search, the spirit of the seeking, and the laughter that ensued. We had a joyful time and the whole office got the magic too. 

Try it at an office or home near you!  Tell them Jaynebug sent you to lift the season into action.

May the games begin!

(pats heart, and points to you and you and you and, "hey" you too)

When I don't know what to write I just let my fingers start the process. It's usually when I'm holding in my thoughts like an editor that thinks I better not share that one that I tend to block or lose my creativity.  Yep. Sharing tends to be selective.  Ah ha! 

Recently I had to invest more in myself in order to get many things done.  I'd wake up feel more tired than when I went to bed.  My body ached from all the physical work and no down time to recover. I didn't feel talented, or confident, or smart, or well. I didn't feel much of anything. I didn't trust myself or my choices.  I felt like I was being played by life.  The only thing I had in defense of myself was screaming to be in charge, so I let it happen.  I played the positive card! 

Every day on the way to work I'd sing with the radio and smile at beautiful things I saw along the road.  I'd answer with silence when I wanted to be defensive or moody and remind myself I didn't have to fix anyone but me.  When co-workers and I didn't agree, I spoke with care and kindness in order to find a common ground rather than telling them they were WRONG WRONG WRONG. 

Guess what happened?  It changed me.  I no longer had to play the positive card, now I was living it.

@Shining_Garnet has been a fine host of the Positive Challenge.

I'm staying positive by choice.  It's the only path for me.  It will guide me, protect me, love me, support me, heal me, humor me, and best of all, let me move forward into the rest of my life.

Jump on in

(pats heart, and points to you)