From the mouth of babes...

This morning, as I was getting Georgia ready for the day, she looked me squarely in the eyes and said, "Mom, I talked to God and He told me that you are pregnant.  You are going to have a baby.  You don't have to wait anymore."  She said it so matter of fact and with such clarity I had to just stare at her for a minute.  Georgia knows a minscule amount about my struggle to have a second child.  We've talked before about how we are waiting to see if God will bless us with another baby.  But our discussions have been one or two sentences max.  Her comment today really surprised me.  There was a huge part of me that wanted to take her message at face value.  I really wish it were true.  My response was something along the lines of "wouldn't that be wonderful."  I think Georgia is beginnig to think about siblings and desire one.  I do not know if she was motivated by her ponderings on siblings or if she actually heard a message from God.  I wouldn't put it past God to deliver a message through a child.  Just thought I'd put it here to document in case it does happen! :)  I will say that there is some science to beliefs and their effects on biology.  I am about to read a book called The Biology of Belief.  It deals with this very topic and is based on a very new branch of science called epigenetics.  Epigenetics asserts that thoughts not genetics determine your overall health.  It is not a "name it and claim it" type of idea.  Epigenetics has to do with electrical currents that run through the brain and the effect they have on biology.  I can't wait to read it!

50 Year Anniversary

Here she is with my old barbie box and barbie canopy bed.

Georgia looks like a doll to me. A doll playing with dolls.

Georgia discovered my old Barbie stuff while we were cleaning at Omama and Opapa's house. She has enjoyed pulling out all the clothes, brushing their hair and putting them to sleep. When we ate bar-b-que chicken the other night she gave us all a lesson explaining that barbie and bar-b-que are the same thing. She is still confused on that topic. :) I was in Pottery Barn Kids the other day and noticed that they have an entire Barbie bedroom ensemble. Apparently this year is Barbie's 50th anniversary. The bed decor celebrates this milestone. That would mean that she first presented herself on the retail stage in 1959. Hmmm... Barbie is such a controversial symbol now-a-days. Sometimes I feel guilty allowing Gigi to play with her because of all the psycho-babble hype. Is it all that bad to let your child play with a beautiful doll? Does she really embody a female role that is negative? I know for sure that I never used Barbie as a measuring rod when I compared myself to an ideal woman. In fact, I've always thought it kind of funny when people look too much like Barbie. Not that I wouldn't love big boobs and long full hair, but still, Barbie is not my go-to source when I wonder how I should behave, look, be as a woman. When I was growing up, every now and again I would receive the admonishing that I should strive to be like the Proverbs 31 woman. Now if anyone that woman is setting a standard that is way difficult to achieve. Still, I believe there is much truth in that passage, and my favorite line is "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD shall be praised." So, Barbie, happy birthday. And Georgia, dear, have fun playing with my old dolls but remember the ultimate standard is not Bar-b-que, but Proverbs 31.

Wild at heart

Penelope, blooming again. As lovely and as fragrant as ever.
My Spanish lavender. Stinky but beautiful.

My garden has gone completely wild. It had such great potential to be this little oasis of structured fecundity. Instead it is this jungle of weeds, flowers and fruit. I can't say that it is all that bad to have this jumbled mess. It is still nice to see things sprouting and growing, and when the sun shines on it in the morning and evening it is still beautiful to me, but it is not what I had planned. I was speaking to a man from India the other day about the Indian goddess of destruction, I think her name is Kali. She is symbolic of the forces in nature that destroy and she is not evil, she just exists as a natural cycle of life. Life emerges, is organized and is then destroyed and she represents this final stage in the cycle. I guess my garden is nearing its final stages. It is about to be destroyed by the coming winter. Harvest time is right now, and I am still getting carrots, tomatoes, tomatillos, bell peppers, kung fu peppers, banana peppers, basil and all the other herbs. But the winter is near. It is sad to see a garden destroyed by winter. But winter time has its benefits too. It allows the ground to rest and there is always the promise of spring. I've heard that there are plants that one can grow during the winter months-- beans, garlic, onions and cabbage. The French do that. Those crazy French. Always doing what they want because they can. I think I will too.

The Emperor Moth

A man once found a cocoon of the beautiful emperor moth and took it home so that he could watch the moth emerge from the cocoon.

On the day a small opening appeared, he sat enthralled and watched for several hours as the moth struggled to force its body through the little hole. After a while it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could go and it could go no further. He just seemed to be stuck.

So the man, in his kindness, decided to help the moth... he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of cocoon. To his relief, the moth then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the moth because at any moment the wings would enlarge and expand and support the body, which would contract in time, and the moth would fly away. But it never happened. In fact, the little moth spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the moth to get through the tiny opening was the way of forcing fluid from the body of the moth into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

Freedom and flight could only come after struggle. By depriving the moth of its struggle, he deprived the moth of health and freedom.

If we were to go through life without any obstacles or struggle, we too would be crippled. We would not be as strong as what we would have been. Give every struggle (opportunity) a chance, learn to grow beyond it and fly free of your cocoon - leave no room for regrets.

-Author Unknown

Layers

Have you ever noticed how layers make life more interesting? Cook a hamburger using meat straight out of the package with a bun straight from the grocery store and slap some american cheese on it and you have a burger. However, if you take the time to season your meat with some salt and pepper (and whatever else you prefer), add a few onions to the pan before you cook your meat, take time to butter and toast your buns, and then use a cheese that has been aged -- like a good aged cheddar, then you have A BURGER! There is more to it than the basic ingredients-- it has been layered with flavor and wow how those layers bring out the best in the end product!

I've started to notice that everything is better with layers-- makeup application looks better layered, decorating is better layered, cooking is better with layers and so is photography! Even people are layered. Children come fresh out of the package and it is endearing and fabulous because they are so in the moment and honest about it. As people age, there are experiences, sad and happy ones, that form the person and make them interesting, profound and sometimes difficult to understand. Sometimes you have to peel the layers away to get at the core of a person. And sometimes a person is so transparent you see through to the core immediately, even though there are many layers.

It takes courage to be transparent about one's life and to be honest about the layers-- the good and the bad ones. I think art (music, literature, painting, film, sculpture, architecture, etc.) that is powerful and speaks volumes comes from an artist who is honest. Honesty resonates with humanity and elevates expression-- whatever kind, to true art and sometimes even to a masterpiece. There are artists in each of us with an expression to be made if we are courageous enough to be honest with ourselves and voice it. I guess life is an evolution towards expressing this inner voice. And I read somewhere that true art is the expression of the divine within-- of God within us. When we reach that moment of honesty in our work/expression we are communing with God Himself because God is the embodiment of truth (as well as love) and that, my friends, is beautiful!

Whoa horsey!

Georgia's vocabulary spans a broader spectrum than it did just a month ago. She is putting words together to form rudimentary sentences. My favorite is when she asks for horsey rides (see pictures above) by neighing like a horse and saying papi. She also enjoys saying "no wa wa" (meaning no wally). She can now say "mommy" instead of just "mama" and does so at length whenever she wants out of her crib. The "y" sound extends to papi and wally too, but she often defaults to the easier "papa" and "wawa". "No" is actually becoming a popular response and I was hoping it would hold off for another month or two, but it looks like it is here to stay. She calls herself "Nena". You ask her, "Georgia, what is your name" and her response is "Nena". When you ask, "can you say Gigi" her response is also "Nena". This makes me laugh. She likes to show ownership by saying "Nena" and then the item... for example, "Nena agua" or "nena elmo". The language teacher in me is loving this developmental stage. Unfortunately she only says one French word, which is "main" (hand / mano) and I'm assuming she is actually trying to say the spanish "mano". Still, it comes out in French and so I guess I can claim this one word. I need to start speaking to her more in French. We only read books and listen to music in French, I hardly ever try to converse with her in this language. It sure would make my degree more valuable if I could be disciplined enough to teach it to her.

Okay, now onto another topic, first of all I want to say that I have not been able to eat non-processed foods. That stuff is everywhere and quite frankly, living in Oklahoma one would have to be cooking all the time to avoid eating processed food. I'm perusing the internet, magazines, etc. in search of ideas on how to be more healthy. I've discovered one intersting lifestyle, it is called the Raw Food Diet. I certainly don't want to only eat raw food, but perhaps this branch of foodies might have some helpful recipes for a mom. I've even called into The Splendid Table and left a message for Lynn Rosetto Casper asking for ideas, but no one from her show has called me back. Ho-hum.

This leads me to something that I have wanted to do for a long time. I am going to list and review my favorite restaurants in OKC. Here they are (in no particular order):

The County Line - Best bar-b-que brisket, sauce and POTATO SALAD I have ever eaten in my life. The restaurant itself has a great history as a 1930's speak-easy and classic art-deco architecture. I love eating at this place.

Sushi Neko- This restaurant is a cliche as a great place to eat sushi in OKC, but I love it because everytime we go, Georgia is distracted just enough by the atmosphere to eat her food and not complain about it. Plus, their sushi is truly delicious.

Cafe do Brasil- The food is simple, warm and spicy Brazilian fare. Anna the owner always makes us feel welcome and like family. I've known her since 2000 when I used to visit her cafe as a teacher at Classen. Now her restaurant is in a beautiful mediterranean style building and is painted a dramatic yellow inside. Fun place for lunch.

Bellini's- Everytime I eat here I can't help but feel the thrill of the Red Bud Classic. The outdoor patio is dreamy during the late spring/early summer and even fun in the milder part of the fall. I haven't ventured too far off the chart in terms of food. I usually order spaghetti or a pizza margherite and some wine. For me, Bellini's is comfort food and a great atmosphere.

OKC Museum of Modern Art Cafe- Light, bright and modernly elegant is how I would describe this happy retreat from cowboyish OKC. When eating here I feel like I am in a major urban chi chi environment. The huge windows are their best asset! Food is tricky here, it is either fab or just bad. I love their pizza margherite. Much, much better than Bellini's becaue of the goat cheese. Also, on Thursday evening's during the warmer part of the year they open up their rooftop for "drinks under the stars". Escape here when you wish you were a movie star. :)

Old Kaiser's Building- I always forget the name of this restaurant but it houses a terrific old-fashioned soda fountain. There is a squirly lady who comes in and plays the piano at lunch time. She warbles in a wobbly, off-pitch voice that is highly entertaining. I've only been at lunch time. They have yummy, warm German potatoe salad and decadent ice cream sundays. One of my old students works here. Hi Cynthia if you are reading this!

City Bites- This sub shop is Oklahoma born. Their sandwiches are addicting! They also have fantastic cookies. My favorites: Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl, Sooner-Doodle and Snicker-Doodle.

Victoria's- This greasy, tiny restaurant was voted the most romantic restaurant for the OU student back when I went there (1995-99). I wouldn't call it romantic now-a-days, but they sure do make one ridiculously delicious marinara sauce. I think they might put nutmeg in it. Whatever their secret recipe, I haven't found anything that compares. This place is cheap too-- great date place for any OU alum. Go down to Norman, eat some pasta, drink some wine and then walk on the campus reminiscing about your college years.

Boulevard Steak House- Strange to write this, but I had the best scallops of my life at this Oklahoma steak house. Whoever buys their food does a great job. I've only been once but have been dieing to go back.

Saturn Grill- Mouth-wateringly satisfying Asian cold noodle with broccoli salad. Wish I could remember what they call that salad. This place is packed like a sardine can at lunch time. Call ahead and take it out, otherwise you might just be miserable waiting!

Deep Fork Grill- The only thing, and I do mean only, I like at this restaurant is an appetizer of brie cheese with some sort of raspberry/cranberry relish. It is to die for! The rest of the food here is fair and rather smoky tasting.

Cafe Nova- I covet the marble slab on the bar in this restaurant. It would look so good as my kitchen countertop. This place is a little like Deep Fork but in a trendier sort of way. What I do enjoy here is their chocolate Martinis. Actually, I just enjoy sitting at this bar pretending to be someone I am not. The owner of this place was on the Bachelor.

Bahama Breeze- Alas, this restaurant is no longer here, but I write this in fond memory of the many times I sat on its deck looking out onto lake Hefner at the beautiful sunsets and imagining that I was on a Caribbean Beach. Someone needs to buy that building and get something up and running. I would definitely visit!

That is all I can think of right now. Hope you have found this list helpful!

Bye bye processed food

Today was gorgeous. Thought it was spring. We went to the park and rode the slides. Here are some pictures. Also thought I'd throw in one of the Gigi "talking" on my cell phone when we were at the mall.

Now onto the good stuff...

I've had another epiphany about life. Yesterday I was at the Affair of the Heart with my friend Jehan. We were having a jolly good time and stopped to eat some lunch. Lunch choices at the Oklahoma Fair grounds are not that exquisite but at least I had an option between a strawberry crepe and a hot dog. Do you know what I chose? A hot dog. Why? you might ask. Well, the reason is because I eat hot dogs about 3-4 times a week. Add on to that Mac n' cheese and then frozen pizza and you might suggest that I'm turning into a processed food foodie. Isn't that horrible? When the lady at the hot dog stand handed me one of the most giant hot dogs I have ever seen in my life the lights finally clicked on. I've got to stop the processed food before I myself turn into a giant hotdog. I used to be such a healthy eater. I read in Parenting magazine that 54% of moms surveyed said that their eating habits have improved since having a baby. I wonder how this is possible because mine have plummeted. So, I am now adding onto my list of self-improvements that I will no longer eat (very many) processed foods. I think I'll allow myself one processed food day per week and that will be all... Let's face it, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is just too good to say goodbye to for forever. But hotdogs I should have no problem with.

New Perspective

I've noticed that the pictures posted on this blog are always at our house. This is mainly because I forget to take my camera anywhere. So, in order to prove that Georgia and I do more than just sit around the house all day I've decided I'm going to begin chronicling our weekly adventures. The two posted here are from our visit to Target and Chili's this week. We also went and had Gigi's hair cut, which I actually brought my camera for, but then became so involved in trying to keep her from crying while the lady cut her hair that I forgot to take pictures.

Also, I have had trouble falling asleep tonight because I've had thoughts racing through my head. In order to relieve my mind of my thoughts I am going to post them here for all the world to see. They are (in no particular order):

*I don't want to buy anymore clothes, house doo-dads, hair products, and miscellaneous items for the next 11 months. I've got so many piles and piles of stuff accumulating all around me that I can barely stand it. I've been trying to eliminate for the past 6 months. I have Habitat come by and pick up my piles once a month and I still can't seem to get rid of all it. I think this is because I buy little things here and there. Would it really hurt me if I just stop shopping for 11 months? I don't think it would one bit. Will I be out of style? Yes. But I actually already think I probably am and so this should not really matter. Americans collect way too much junk. We need to do a lot of simplifying so that we can really LIVE. Clutter gets in the way because it consumes so much of our time!

*I'm not going to cut my hair (except for the necessary split-end trim) for however long it takes me to get 10 inches of non-layered hair. I don't work and I am so consumed with taking care of Georgia that I have very little time on my hands to even take care of myself. However, the one thing I can give to someone who needs something is my hair. It is no problem for me to just let it grow. And the organization Locks of Love is really a unique and helpful charity. I want to contribute to it.

*Oklahoma needs better neighborhoods. I have a very good design for the ultimate neighborhood lingering in my head. I have no money to finance such a project but wouldn't that be cool if I could find investors and actually DESIGN a neighborhood. If I could, mine would have two goals: beauty through landscaping and architecture (classic architecture and landscaping that get better over time) and it would c0nnect people to a community-- give them a sense of place.

*I am writing a book. Yes, to all of you who did not know, I am writing a book!! It is in the beginning phases and I don't want to reveal any detail about it because, well, it is just presently my little secret. I think secrets are very fun and now that I think about it I should probably have a few more simply because I am getting so much pleasure out of this one.

Okay. I think that is all I want to write for now. Hope you enjoyed reading this blog. It is definitely not my usual entry.

Thanksgiving

There is a lot to be thankful for this year! Topping my list are:

Sleep, macaroni & cheese, a working heater, sunshine, the internet, visits to and from the grandparents, phone calls from sisters, furry friends, health, promotions, curtains & chandeliers, baby kisses, zoo trips and of course my wonderful husband and beautiful daughter.

As the round of holiday cheer begins, I want to wish all my readers a happy and fabulous Christmas season!! May you spend it with those you love and may the joyful reason for this season fill your hearts.

love, JoDee