tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864787189934852112011-07-07T23:07:46.412-06:00My Choix de Vivre=My Joie de Vivre! I am a Mom, but it is not the sum of all my parts. This is not solely a baby blog, but an eclectic mix from all the parts of this particular single-mom who has seen a lot! Parenting a child has been the most amazing and challenging adventure amongst many: traveling the world; hang-gliding off mountains; moving overseas; jumping from cliffs; and diving to the depths of the ocean on one breath. Now I remind myself (and my child) to breathe...breathe. Enjoy!Mindful Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08695693361712958794noreply@blogger.comBlogger181100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286478718993485211.post-62544631844417612622011-03-23T00:38:00.002-06:002011-03-23T00:58:56.412-06:00

It still surprises me in this day and age when I hear parents advocating corporal punishment as not only an option, but as THE way to train your kids. In a recent conversation I had at a social gathering, a parent of older children (late teens) was advocating these means as the ultimate form of parenting. Now, don’t get me wrong, from the sound of it on the surface, her kids seem to have turned

Mindful Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08695693361712958794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286478718993485211.post-91649201507033087002010-02-15T07:44:00.001-07:002010-02-15T07:55:39.128-07:00

Sometimes I feel as though my village has failed me. Then I think “What village?” We as a society have moved so far beyond the village model it is impossible to think that there is any real support network. Not only have we moved beyond it, we have dismantled it purposely little by little. My research is theoretical at best, but look at the history of our communities. Should we go back as far

Mindful Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08695693361712958794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286478718993485211.post-38874816437393344832010-01-21T22:10:00.002-07:002010-01-21T22:24:03.861-07:00

Yup. It happened again. Time flew. One minute we were enjoying the throws of summer and all it had to offer and now, here we are in the depths of winter. It musn't be too deep, though, because the crocuses are popping up their heads in my front yard. Unlike the groundhog, however, they do not have the sense or ability to go back down into the ground for another several weeks. My head,

Mindful Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08695693361712958794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286478718993485211.post-50956810259674044522009-06-24T09:56:00.001-06:002009-06-24T09:58:14.791-06:00

What’s in your Purse? You can tell a lot about someone by what is in their purse. Not the planned contents like wallet, cell phone, and keys but the things that gather there along the way surreptitiously. Recently I was entering a government building here in our Nation’s Capital and as protocol slipped my bag into the x-ray machine. On the other side the guard retrieved it and rifled through

Mindful Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08695693361712958794noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286478718993485211.post-36120548200089449192009-05-14T20:18:00.004-06:002009-05-14T20:22:04.867-06:00

When I played softball in High School, most of our team had around a .600 batting average, so the old adage “you hit (or throw) like a girl” was actually a big compliment! We were good… and we had a lot of fun. Our coach was one of the player’s Dads, Mr McEvoy and would chuckle to himself as we danced around in the outfield to the tunes playing out of the dorm windows. That was a long time ago

Mindful Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08695693361712958794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286478718993485211.post-57354266017534938682009-05-11T18:34:00.002-06:002009-05-11T18:48:51.576-06:00

My current boss is the most challenging boss I have ever had. Although I once had a boss that actually threw temper tantrums and hurled office materials across the room, she was tame compared to my current boss. From the start to finish of the day she is non-stop demands. She’ll assign me a project and then change her mind completely and want me to work on something else entirely. She is

Mindful Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08695693361712958794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286478718993485211.post-30160797576179282262009-05-02T18:49:00.002-06:002009-05-03T13:27:18.765-06:00

I have decided that holiday decorations aren’t just for winter anymore! Really, does a moose go into hibernation in the Spring? Certainly not. I did get around to finally taking down the wreaths and lights, but I just couldn’t bring myself to take down the moose. Besides, my dog has befriended her. I still never understand the folks who get their holiday decorations up too early and then take

Mindful Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08695693361712958794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286478718993485211.post-14371630849171227722009-04-19T18:30:00.004-06:002009-04-19T18:40:06.085-06:00

Today we spent the evening at the emergency room, which I realized too late was more for my child’s amusement than was medically necessary. Fortunately, it was a waste of time and money. Anyway, when we got home she wanted to play “Doctor” so she handed me a green plastic work glove and said “Mommy, you be the Doctor”. I said “Ok” and donned the glove. She was the patient (and the Director) and

Mindful Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08695693361712958794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286478718993485211.post-51206461705739356502009-04-08T16:29:00.007-06:002009-04-10T20:38:35.043-06:00

Motherhood is like running a Tri-athalon – every day. An abundance of energy exudes from little bodies like there is not enough body mass to actually soak it up. Mommy’s larger than before body, on the other hand soaks it up quite readily until it is feeling quite parched for more. Yet the kids keep on running and are ready for the next event! Today my 3 year old and I ran a marathon of

Mindful Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08695693361712958794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286478718993485211.post-69220460801116983672009-02-28T10:03:00.000-07:002009-02-28T10:06:34.568-07:00

This link provides a great and simple recipe for boosting immunity as winter seems to trudge on.... My winter boosting soup might include: A good night (and days!) sleep; laying on the beach for a week; a hike in the woods; lots of water and good healthy food! Here's what Dr. Mao recommends: http://health.yahoo.com/experts/drmao/17272/5-immune-boosting-winter-foods/

Mindful Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08695693361712958794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286478718993485211.post-67637900483816004232009-02-08T21:27:00.000-07:002009-02-25T08:24:30.095-07:00

What’s the most anxiety-provoking thing you’ve ever done?Well, if you’ve ever had a child then say no more. That’s your answer. You spend the first days in complete awe that you made this little being and then awe is replaced by trying to figure out how to take care of this tiny, fragile life-altering bundle. It is no wonder parenting is fraught with anxiety! Basically, you are obsessed with

Mindful Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08695693361712958794noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286478718993485211.post-19640568776891042612008-12-09T20:39:00.000-07:002008-12-23T13:48:08.966-07:00

Today someone actually held open the automatic door for me at the safeway. By this I mean that he walked up just before me and triggered the door then stood in the “zone” and held his hand out for me to walk before him. I laughed and said – “That’s a first, I’ve never had someone hold open a door for me without even touching it!” He introduced himself and commented that I had a great smile.

Mindful Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08695693361712958794noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286478718993485211.post-43256534133537179152008-11-23T14:10:00.000-07:002008-11-23T15:03:53.615-07:00

Happy Birthday to my MotherWho taught me to be good and live from the heartWho lived by example and comforted those in need: Not only in need of food and clothing, but in need of friendship, comfort, forgiveness and acceptance. Who was the first one to invite someone to dinner who was being shunned by our little society and the first to reach out, not just with a casserole but a hand, to those

Mindful Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08695693361712958794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286478718993485211.post-3068805730876586942008-11-21T12:44:00.000-07:002008-11-21T12:49:32.282-07:00

Ever since my pregnancy and child’s birth, I have been afflicted with what has been called the “gift of the gab” by some. Since previously I have been much more laid back and quite a good listener, I am not sure what has brought this on. Perhaps it is the hormones activating an otherwise dormant gene (as there are certainly chatterers in my family) and/or sleep deprivation leaving my thoughts

Mindful Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08695693361712958794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286478718993485211.post-14451737014102456982008-11-18T12:38:00.000-07:002008-11-18T12:41:51.690-07:00

It’s official. I am the crazy no-sugar-added lady at my 3 year old’s school. One teacher actually stopped me in the hallway today and asked “Is it true you don’t give your child sugar? What is your reasoning?” Perhaps I should see it as her search for truth and meaning, but I continually see such ignorance or lack of understanding in our society. Also, I am rather sure that it was more akin to

Mindful Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08695693361712958794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286478718993485211.post-3351827293490740792008-11-04T20:41:00.000-07:002008-11-04T20:44:01.704-07:00

My very first post on this blog was dedicated to my deep appreciation for my child and how she has graced my life with so much joy. It is that joy and love that a parent feels so deeply which can hardly be captured in words. And if that depth of feeling cannot be captured, words can hardly begin to explain the pain of losing a child. I have heard the analogy that “having a child is like having

Mindful Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08695693361712958794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286478718993485211.post-89631733900478603812008-10-20T21:21:00.000-06:002008-10-20T21:24:56.832-06:00

I was reading Colin Powell's comments today regarding why he supported Obama and it suddenly became clear to me why I admire him (both of them, really). It is because they are inclusive. It is because they are not divisive. It is because they are thoughtful in their search for truth and meaning and will listen to all sides and points of view without dismissing them out of hand and may even

Mindful Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08695693361712958794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286478718993485211.post-38335621429160703682008-10-20T20:49:00.000-06:002008-10-20T21:20:27.125-06:00

This blog intends to be a mindful look at everyday life and be thankful for the little things, both figuratively and literally. It will hopefully serve as a reminder that the universe is full of good if you just pause and allow yourselves to appreciate it. So here goes: I am reminded daily that my choix de vivre is my joy of life. She reminds me when the first squeak from her lips in the

Mindful Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08695693361712958794noreply@blogger.com0