Overflowing Cups are free!

Money.
It's such a nasty word.

Let's think about it for a second. Money is really just a currency we exchange for something that we want. We earn it for satisfactorily performing an action that is pleasing someone else. So we're pleasing others to satisfy out own desires. I see this going down a different path than my original intention so I'm going to steer myself away from the "working for the man" path and redirect toward the "do what you love" path.

The discussion of money can add so much stress to a situation. Something we've learned as adults is, unless you're in very familiar company, don't discuss money, religion, or politics. I remember never wanting to ask my parents for money when I was in high school and college because I could just see the stress in their faces. Asking for more money in a job is one of the hardest things to do. Negotiating big purchases is an art form, and it takes great skill and detachment. We have to be willing to walk away from whatever it is we're are trying to acquire--and that it stressful!

But if we pause, and take a step back, we can see that we can be just as happy and satisfied with less. Set aside the American pattern of always wanting more...bigger...newer...upgraded. You can have tulips shipped in from Holland because you love them so much, but can't daisies or roses be just as beautiful and pleasing to the senses? You can save and save to go on your dream vacation, but can't we find the same adventure and sensory experience if we take a train rather than a plane, or stay in a hostel or with friends rather than a glorious hotel? The exchange of money does not equal the ultimate satisfaction. Working and earning every day toward an idealized end is not a way to live a full and balanced life. And so often that end doesn't meet our grand expectations and we're left disappointed. Disappointed and stressed out for all it took us to get there. Bummer.

I guess this goes back to my long held "work hard, play hard" philosophy. Of course, I think there should be some sense of play in our work--we should enjoy what we spend the majority of our time doing. (Conversely, do I think there should be some work in our play? I don't know about that.) And as I get older, I'm moderating my philosophy to more of a "work pretty hard, play pretty hard." A gentler way of existing.

Maybe all of this is just a way for me to figure out how I'm going to get to Greece for less than what I spent going to Italy (which was not too bad, if you ask me). But I really believe that it doesn't have to be prohibitive to travel, to remodel, to change your style, to throw a wedding, or to feed your family healthy food. Maybe it's part sacrifice, part creativity and resourcefulness. But life is too short to not have some joy in each day and some bliss on a regular basis. To suffer day after day as a means to an end is a waste. Maybe if we can open our eyes to the gifts we have before us in each moment, we'll see that the exchange of money is not what creates happiness, but that simply living with gratitude and awareness will fill our souls. And even when we feel full and abundant, there is always room to add more when it comes to us.

I am going to try to figure out why it is so challenging to post a comment to my blog. Hopefully by the time you're done reading this I'll have made it easier. I'd love to read your comments and your take on what I post. These are just my ideas which can always be expanded upon, enhanced, or even changed based on the input of others! And if I can spur contemplation in someone else then I feel I'm being successful in my writing. So please, comment away!

For my 35th birthday in 2008 I got a gorgeous pair of diamond earrings from my darling husband. For my 36th birthday this year I got this spaceship-looking composter. So romantic.

Starting in May we have been adding all of our produce scraps to this crazy composter. We eat more fruit and vegetables that I realized, as we dump about 2 large bowls of trimmings every day. We fill up the bowls with not only produce, but paper towels, egg shells, coffee liners and grounds, and leaves from the yard. The composter sits on a handy stand equipped with wheels for easy spinning of the orb. I'll admit, it can get a bit funky. We had it on the back deck but we moved it to the "garden" to help with inevitable dripping and the occasional ant visitors. It's working out much better out there and isn't as big of a topic of discussion whenever we have friends over for back deck cocktails.

A great byproduct of composting for us has been our huge reduction in curbside garbage. We have trash pick up once a week and whereas before we would fill our barrel each week, we sometimes find that we only have one or two bags of trash in the barrel. We already separate all of our recycling and take it to the recycling center every couple of weeks: glass, plastic, aluminum, cardboard, junk mail, and more. So we feel really good about reducing what we're putting in the landfill each week!

The monster composting globe was getting heavy. Spinning it was getting difficult. We have, after all, been putting two big bowls of scraps in it every day for about 4 months. Interestingly though, it appeared to only be half full. The magic of composting! So today we decided it was time to empty it out and start fresh. We took some sticks and limbs from recent storms and built a little "cage" to hold the compost. The idea is that we can come to this pile when we do our future plantings but keep the composter spinning. We rolled it down to the backyard and dumped out dark, beautiful, earthy-smelling soil. A few worms, no foul smells, and a corn cob or two that hadn't broken down.

We created a thin layer of "power dirt" to nourish our flowers and plants. Just a thin layer! Imagine all those bags of garbage that could have been hauled away to who-knows-where. Instead, mother nature took charge and broke it all down for us to use again. Love it!

Turtlenecks and turnips

Blue jeans and leather jackets. Long cotton scarves and boots. Red highlights. The crock pot. Full bodied red wine with hearty beef stew--don't forget the crusty bread.

I love all four seasons. I have decided that it's important to me to live in a place where I can experience all of them. Flowing with Mother Nature and her rhythms is comfortable to me. I have always been the type of person who looks forward to the next big thing, always ready to move forward. The past few years I have really been working to live more in the present. Daydreams of what lies ahead are useful to get me through some of the monotony of my everyday life as a stay-at-home mom in the suburbs. But being fully aware of what is happening right now can be so rewarding--especially in times of change.

I have always thought of fall as a time to reconnect with the Earth, to set new goals, and to reflect on where I am. I like New Years resolutions, but they are never as meaningful to me as the work I do in early September. I would think that maybe springtime would be a more likely time to be called to start anew, like nature. Summertime is so free...it's hot (especially here in Georgia), clothes are lose and light, a dip in the pool can substitute for a day's shower, a salad and a pinot grigio won't weigh me down. Then I feel that slight chill in the air. We've had some rain, we've raked some leaves, and we don't mind so much if the kids leave the doors hanging open. Things are changing, and it calls me to ponder what is changing in me.

I've been snooping around for goal setting programs online. Getting organized with my thoughts is important in me accomplishing things. For several years I have been focused on raising the kids. Carving out time for me was one of my goals, and I've been successful at that! Now I'm finding that, with all 3 kids in elementary school, I have plenty of time "for me"--now what am I going to do with it? Like nature in autumn, it's time for me to shed my old leaves, gently. It's time to go within and start settling in for deeper growth. No hibernating, no dormancy...there is serious work to be done. The flightiness and "distractability" of summer must take heed in the attentiveness of fall.

To think of next summer, it seems so far away. We still have a full fall, winter, and spring to experience and accomplish before those long, muggy days return (although I'm sure we're not done with them this year yet!). I'm excited about the work that I can do between now and then. I'm excited to light up a fire in our fire pit. I'm excited to go barefoot on the cool Earth on the evening of a full moon. Get motivated, get organized, get focused. Get cooking! Fall vegetables, soups and stews, hot tea in the afternoon. So much to do! I'd better get on it!

There is a rabbinical saying: "Don't limit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time." Give you child the freedom to explore the world for themselves. If you fear for their safety in territories unknown to you, walk beside them and explore those places together. Let your children be your guides in rediscovering the world."


Although parents wish to protect their children from danger, an important task of parenting involves allowing children to explore their own depths and the mystery of fate - which draws them into the potentially dangerous but transformative experiences of life.

Both of these passages are from "1,001 Meditations" by Mike George.


I am raising my kids as little individuals who feel strong and empowered in their decisions. I want them each to be independent and eager to learn about what interests them. I want them to ask questions and challenge themselves and others. I want to make things available and accessible to them. We're so fortunate to be living a life that can allow us most opportunities if it is important enough.

I love that high schools are now offering "internships for credit" type of situations. Expecting a fresh high school graduate at 18 to know what they want to do for the rest of their lives is just not so realistic. What a great way to try a few occupations out? And what about travelling? Learning about other cultures first hand and in person can enrich anyone! I wish travel was more affordable. I guess it's a matter of priorities. If I lived more simply now I could afford to travel more. Travelling with a family of 5 is a bit more limiting--but doable. If I really want it and think it's important enough.

I feel like I pretty much did what I wanted as a teenager. I was working so I had some money. I didn't ask for permission for much--or maybe I didn't much listen to the answer. I don't remember asking for much guidance. I had to learn for myself--and I did. I'm thankful I had parents who, although I don't think they knew what to do with my free spirit, let me be. They could have put heavy restrictions on me or sent me to some school for curious and independent girls that would have stifled my explorations.

This isn't exactly what I want for my kids though. I feel like I have some experiences they can learn from. Or at least my stories might sway them to make one choice over another on their own. But when it comes down to it, they are their own people. What intrigued me will not be the same for them. What gets their blood pumping will be different than what it was for me. And it's true, growing up in the 2020's and 2030's is going to be far different than it was for me in the 1980's and 1990's, or what their father experienced in the 1970's and 1980's. Their world as young people is so different.

So I guess all I can do is talk with them, listen to them, and allow them to be free. Free to explore, free to ask questions and challenge, free to be themselves...as they search to discover who it is they really are. That work, after all, has very little to do with me. As I've said before, I'm a guide. I want to be the best damn guide I can be. One with a cold glass of water and a foot rub at the end of each quest. I won't have all the answers, but maybe I can offer them clues. And I'm really confident that I'm going to feel so proud to know them. I already do.

I'm just realizing that I'm going to have to be alone with myself for a week while I'm in Italy.

Maybe I should be doing as much, if not more, preparation for THAT as I am all the cooking classes and tours.

There is a full moon coming tomorrow. My brief online research tells me the full moon is a time of abundance, strongly related to the maternal. I can affirm that I am full to the brim with maternal energy right now. Kids go back to school in a few days, the baby starts kindergarten, and the emotions are running high as far as being protective, and the struggle between holding on tight and beginning to let go. I hope to connect to Mother Earth tomorrow night, soak in her energy, and pray for guidance in supporting my children on their journey. It is their journey, after all, and I can't do it for them.

The next new moon occurs while I'm in Tuscany. The same brief online research taught me that this is a time of new beginnings, positive change, evolution and expansion. How ideal! Again, I will plan to take off my shoes (will they be the practical-yet-stylish hoofing around Italy shoes or the new leather boots I acquire on my travels?) and plant my feet on Mother Earth. I will set my intentions for the next phase of my life.

As if I didn't have enough research to do! I will remain open to receive the messages intended for me and it will all work out as it should. Take a breath, give thanks, and slow down. Embrace the work I have to do in the next week as Mama, then prepare for the equally important work I have to do as Cristin.

What is success? To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty; To find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived; That is to have succeeded.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson