Christmas Gift to Myself: Simplicity

It was a very laid back and peaceful Christmas in our home this year. We went to pick up our son Lee from his home on Christmas Eve, and enjoyed his sweet company until late Christmas day. As you can see, he was full of huge smiles. He's autistic and non-verbal, but his smiles speak volumes!

My oldest daughter came over Christmas morning, and Lee's face lit up like a Christmas tree! It's hard to believe they're both adults and out of the home. It's very special now when they're here together.

 

This was the first year that Sosena seemed very aware of the Christmas routine, and what it's all about. She had a blast with hot cocoa, s'mores, eggplant lasagna, pie, family, new toys, and the festive feeling of everything. I know you can cry from happiness, but can you cry from cuteness? I found out you can; she was so super-cute at one point, I noticed eyes welling up! Five has to be my favorite age.

This was an unusually stress-free Christmas.. so much so, I kept thinking I was forgetting something. I even had fun shopping (just did a couple days of shopping, and bought a lot online), and didn't feel drained by the time it was all over on Christmas day. Again, did I do something wrong; did I miss something? My mind was confused because it didn't coincide with the go-go-go we see and feel around us this time of year. We kept things pretty low-key, especially in the gifts department. Both Sosena and Andrew got 1) something they wanted, 2) something the needed, 3) something to wear, and 4) something to read. I used that as a guide, and I bent it a little here and there (i.e. we got Andrew three books, and got Amelie several things to wear). It seemed to keep things in focus for me. I also chose to cook a meal, but purchased a ready-made lasagna that I added my own ingredients to (eggplant, garlic, spices, and cheese). It required very little effort, so I could relax and enjoy the day. It was no less delicious than homemade, and I considered the minimal effort required to be a Christmas gift to myself.

my oldest baby and I

I like to compare the holiday season with the way a child listens to a favorite story. The pleasure is in the familiar way the story begins, the anticipation of familiar turns it takes, the familiar moments of suspense, and the familiar climax and ending. Fred Rogers
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/holiday.html#0sEKHVgXVEZi3GBV.99

I like to compare the holiday season with the way a child listens to a favorite story. The pleasure is in the familiar way the story begins, the anticipation of familiar turns it takes, the familiar moments of suspense, and the familiar climax and ending. Fred Rogers
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/holiday.html#0sEKHVgXVEZi3GBV.99

I like to compare the holiday season with the way a child listens to a favorite story. The pleasure is in the familiar way the story begins, the anticipation of familiar turns it takes, the familiar moments of suspense, and the familiar climax and ending.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/holiday.html#0sEKHVgXVEZi3GBV.99

 "I like to compare the holiday season with the way a child listens to a favorite story. The pleasure is in the familiar way the story begins, the anticipation of familiar turns it takes, the familiar moments of suspense, and the familiar climax and ending." -Fred Rogers

The Painful Unknown, and Letting Go

Today was a day of seeking answers, and finding very little. About a week ago, my husband and I received a notification from the court that our twelve year old son was admitted to an acute psychiatric hospital, and placed on two new anti-psychotic medications. We called his group home, and found out he'd been in the hospital for two weeks, which means something very serious happened. We've been trying to get answers ever since, but have had no luck. The social worker at the group home works for Child Protective Services, and is refusing to give us any information.

In early November, the court had to take over our son's care due to serious behaviors that would have endangered our family. He's mentally ill. We'd raised him for over a decade since he was a toddler; releasing him to the Court was the most difficult and painful decision of our lives. The judge stated to us that we have the option of contact any time we choose, and so does our son, but that none of us could be forced into contact. This means we can follow how our son is doing, his placement(s), progress, etc., right? We were told by our court appointed attorney that we could follow all that, but that we'd have to initiate getting the information. That's what we've been trying to do ever since receiving the hospital notification from the court.

This morning my husband called our Congressman, left another message with our attorney, called the hospital, and finally reached someone again at the group home. The group home informed him our son had been in the hospital for three weeks. That's all he would tell us. Then we called the hospital, and found out our son had just been released today. Three weeks in an acute psychiatric hospital? He's been hospitalized twice before with us, and both times for dangerous behaviors, but for no more than five days. To be held for three weeks tells us something even more serious happened. We have a record from the hospital, but most of the writing is illegible. We keep hearing about our son's "right to privacy" because he's twelve now. How are we supposed to let go? My husband wrote a nice little post about the process of not knowing, and how difficult it can be. You can read that here.

I'm not sure how to cope with not knowing what happened to our son, what he did, or what harm he might have even brought upon himself. The imagination goes everywhere. All I know is right here and now, we are not supposed to know. We work at letting go into a place of trust; trusting the State knows how to handle things of this nature far more than we do, and that they have far more resources. We will continue to get clear on our parental rights, but have to release the need to know. It's difficult to remain open to future contact (several years down the road after he goes through therapy and treatment) when we don't know what he may have done to warrant a three week stay. It's looking like we will never be able to make an informed decision in that regard. The world of 'letting go' is incredibly difficult on so many levels. No matter how "done" we think we are with difficult situations and relationships, we're not really done until all the lessons are learned, and we can fully let go. Every day I pray for my son- that he doesn't suffer more than necessary for his growth, that he learn from any suffering he does encounter, and that he doesn't bring suffering upon anyone else. I have no control over these things, but I pray for my own sense of well being, and a stronger peace of mind. I often visualize my son in a pool of liquid light (an ocean of divine love), and love him from afar. My heart is still healing, and it will be mending for many years. With the distance and a new sense of safety, I can be in a greater place of love and compassion than ever before. I'm trusting this is helping him far more than anything I could ever have done in this world.


"Life teaches you  the art of letting go in every event. When you have learnt to let go, you will be joyful, and as you start being joyful, more will be given to you." -Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Messages from Nature: "Go With the Flow"

"To affect the quality of the day,
that is the highest of arts." -Henry David Thoreau


It's funny how we can get so stuck in our day to day routines, we don't know what we're missing. In spite of our ruts, when we wake up each morning there are an infinite number of possibilities for what we can do, and how our day can go. And guess what? We're in charge. Most of us become automatons, doing the same things day in & out, week after week, without questioning or thinking much about it. Slaves of habit. Routines are great- they give us a sense of self-discipline and security, so they're not necessarily "bad." I've been noticing how important it is to consciously break out of our routines on a regular basis, though. In other words, it's good to make a routine of breaking routines.

I'm basically a spontaneous type of person, so it's more natural for me to 'go with the flow' and break routines. I can do things 'on the fly' so to speak. When I suggested something else for today, outside of what we'd planned, I noticed my husband had a harder time with it. He seemed thrown-off and even agitated mentally, but he acknowledged that and just pushed through it. He was annoyed, but open. We both saw humor in his sense of agitation.The usual 'Friday thing' was for him to drive Amelie to a play group at the local town hall, and then for him to write at the coffee shop for several hours. We'd planned to take our usual walk first, but I proposed something different-- instead, all three of us dropped Amelie off at her play group, then took a walk together by the creek at the center of our village before going to the coffee shop.. together. Lots of togetherness today! It turned out to be such a great decision because the creek is flowing, and we all had so much fun together. Andrew hopped and climbed on stones, played with sticks, and we followed the creek down a ways. It was magical. I enjoyed just sitting and listening to the sound of the water flowing because it's so soothing. It was an unexpected treat of beauty and exploration, much better than if we'd followed the "usual routine" that we are automatically inclined to. I rarely ever regret breaking routines, and my husband was happy to have pushed himself outside the idea of what he thought the day would look like.

I like to consider how each day can be different from the last. Newness keeps things fresh, interesting, and it's great on the mind and spirit. Sometimes it can be something very small, like taking a different route home from work, or trying a new recipe for dinner. Whatever it is, I like to notice my ruts because those are blocks to a zillion other more fun and interesting possibilities.

Dad and Andrew had a contest to see who could hold their hand in the icy cold water the longest. Of course, Andrew won!

This photo is proof of the slight "change in plans agitation" he was experiencing

Just look at my two little Forest Faeries, hahahahaa!

Strawberry Creek is in the heart of the village of Idyllwild, California

Andrew was measuring water levels with his sticks, and hopping rocks

To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.
Henry David Thoreau
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/h/henry_david_thoreau_3.html#2vFR2s8xpMVAM6D8.99

To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.
Henry David Thoreau
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/h/henry_david_thoreau_3.html#2vFR2s8xpMVAM6D8.99

Stupid Thoughts: Too Much Fun?

Being very new to unschooling my kids, I'm watching my thoughts ever-so closely. This morning I noticed myself thinking, "My kids are probably having too much fun, and they may not be learning appropriately as a result." What?! As if learning has a ceiling in place to control "fun levels"? Why be afraid they're not learning just because life is stress-free and fun? Umm, have you looked at the statistics on homeschooled and unschooled kids in particular; how successful they are in adulthood?

I title these posts "Stupid Thoughts" even though I know I should not judge any thought that way-- they're just thoughts that come from past experience, past parenting, past teachers, society, and past curricula. I'm accepting of my thoughts, but discern that they're still quite dumb. I need to put those fear-based, ignorant, and judgmental thoughts in their place. After all, I'm noticing the more fun my kids have, the more enthusiasm and focus they put into whatever they are doing. As long as learning is fun, learning is more effective! As long as learning about something has a clear reason and purpose behind it, they hunger for knowledge.

In  the midst of every day life I have been amazed at how much Sosena (age 5) is progressing in so many ways. I sit down to make grocery lists, and she wants to watch me write every letter. She knows the letters stand for sounds, so she works at reading on her own. She is so curious, so it drives her nuts that she doesn't know what I'm writing.. that characteristic alone has motivated her to start reading. She looked at a word, pointed and said, "I don't know what that word is.. hmmm." She was thinking hard, and I told her to 'sound out' the letters. It was the word "Tree" since I had planned to purchase our Christmas tree that day. She sounded all the letters on her own, and shouted "Treeeee!!!" She was super happy, and so was I. There have been other spontaneous instances like this, where I don't formally sit down to teach her, and she reads words on her own. I'm not pushing at all, but sometimes I suggest attempts to read words.. if she wants to great, if she doesn't, great. It's up to her in the moment. Like this morning when she was trying to click "Resume Playing" on her Netflix show, I told her to look for  the link that said "playing" in it. She pointed to the word and clicked on her own!

For me, all this spontaneity and natural learning is exciting. I'm learning far more than my kids right now because I have so many ingrained beliefs about how learning should look-- mainly, I keep thinking it should be a lot of hard work. Both my kids are self-initiators, they want to learn all the time; all I really need to do is keep things fresh and new, and trust a lot more in their natural tendencies. The trust part is very hard for me, but also extremely healing to the child inside me who felt imprisoned every day of structured school.

What's planned for today? Fun, of course! I'm hoping to make it to the library with Sosena and have her pick out books that interest both her and I. Parents need to love what they read to their kids, or the kids have no fun. There's that word again: fun! I love it. And I cannot believe I'm saying this (never thought I would), but I love having my kids home every single day, and I love learning with them! Historically, I was way too frazzled and stressed, and was dying for a break from the kids. Looks like we found the  perfect approach for ourselves and our kids. But wait.. being so happy with my kids and their natural learning set-up causes me to question myself, "Hmmm.. I must be doing something wrong." Naaah!!


Here are a few resources for families considering homeschooling or unschooling:

• Click here to read the benefits of unschooling. I especially loved all the family quotes at the end. The benefits are truly endless! We've just started, and are seeing major changes in self-esteem, well-being, family closeness, and a true joy for learning.
• The expert in unschooling, Sandra Dodd, has three videos on YouTube that are great introductions. Being new to this very holistic, organic approach, we're happy to find so much info online.
• This is an interesting article by a filmmaker and photographer who unschooled his son, and took issue with the mainstream media's portrayal of unschooling, including how "damaging" they said it is. Seriously? It sounds like his adult son turned out great!
• Homeschool Statistics Graphically Depicted.. this speaks for itself!

Unschooling and Coffee Shops Just Go Together

It seems like a perfect day- I get to sit in the local coffee shop and get some work done while Prasad reads the book he just checked out. Our first stop was the library, and he found the last Star Trek novel they had on the shelves.. "Probe." Boy, was he excited! He's reading a chapter at a time, then writing a paragraph in his log that summarizes what he read. Plus, he gets to feel special on an outing with Mom.

Our Unschooling World

After looking through the museum at so m any interesting things, Grover asks for more..

Wheeeee!!!

This is a book I'm planning to get for Sosena this Christmas, it's titled "Grover and the Everything in the Whole Wide World Museum

This book encapsulates the nature of unschooling so well. We've been letting Andrew decompress and recover from so much of his previous school experiences while we research, learn, and let go of so many old thoughts and beliefs about what learning looks like. With unschooling, parents and children learn together, and connection & happiness is far more important than the learning part. As long as we keep things fresh and new, learning happens naturally. "Getting out of the way" seems to be a theme in our lives lately, and it's becoming more fun than we imagined.

One part of our lives that has changed drastically is scheduling; we are not living by the clock as much as we used to. We all sleep until around 8:00am or later, so there's no more sleep deprivation due to early mornings, everyone is in a better mood, and no one has been sick with a cold or anything since pulling the kids out of school three months ago (schools are germ havens!). The kids usually eat when they are hungry, and Andrew is making Sosena and himself lunch daily. Snack time is "around" 3:00 now, instead of promptly at 3:00, and dinner falls whenever it's done. We eat any time between 5:30-7:30 or 8:00 most nights, but we used to eat promptly around 5:30. Bed times are set tentatively for Sosena, but if she's in the middle of something fun, we extend it. Late night learning can happen at times when I used to force her to go to bed when she wasn't sleepy. Same goes for Andrew. He used to get to bed promptly at 8:00, religiously. We used to need all our kids to bed no later than 8:00pm, but that's not the case any more. We are enjoying one another, and Andrew stays up later reading, drawing, watching cool shows (things his dad and I loved watching as kids), and just hanging out with the pets. He tends to retire on his own around 9:00 or 9:30, and I've been amazed at how he initiates bedtime himself. Our home life is taking on a completely different feeling and mindset. One of trust, freedom, relaxation, openness, and peace. This wasn't possible with a lot of what was happening in our home before. If there is one thing long-term hardship and drama does for you, it makes you appreciate life in ways we never could have without them.

On a creative note, Andrew researched homemade Christmas ornaments so we can get some great pieces on our tree this year, and he is teaching me how to make Polish star ornaments and a paper table-top Christmas tree. Next month I plan to encourage some food activities, like cracking eggs for fun and rolling dough. I can't wait to see how both kids react when I mention "playing with food." As the parents of unschoolers, we are supposed to make it fun for ourselves, and be the kind of people our kids want to be around. This means I can be a kid, too... something I feel has been lost during the past many years of trauma and challenges. I have a feeling this final lap of parenting my last two kids is going to be a blast, if not, at least it will be an interesting trip that nurtures my "inner Grover."

Meditation & Grace: How I Maintain Serenity

For years I've been approached by several people, asking me what my "secret" is, or how it is that I can be so positive and peaceful in the midst of some pretty heavy and horrible stuff. They don't just ask me flippantly, they inquire deeply for books, techniques, even asking about my diet and lifestyle to figure it out for themselves. Today I received another inquiry, and it was through a Facebook  message: "I come to you because, in the midst of all your turmoil ..... you manage to find your peace and hold onto it, and you manage to post the words I need to see when I need to see them. I think there's a synchronicity to it. I'm rambling, but the short version is this - I want to know more about how you hold on to your serenity."

It's a personal topic, but I've received enough of these inquiries now, that I feel compelled to write something publicly. I'm not an expert or teacher in this area at all, so all I can do is share what has worked for me and why I think it helps. I feel a bit awkward even writing about this, but here goes. First, I want to say that I meditate. I have a regular practice that speaks to the deepest recesses of my heart. I didn't find it overnight- it took years, but I never gave up searching for the right practice or teacher. I always recommend the book "Autobiography of a Yogi" if people want to know more about me, personally, and why meditation is so important. It's written by my Indian guru, Paramahansa Yogananda. If anything, it's a fantastic read, and some have told me it helped with every unanswered spiritual question they've had. You don't need to follow the guru for the book to impact you; it can open doors to other practices, or turn your previous beliefs inside-out. Although with some people, they receive nothing from the book (don't understand it), while one person I recommended the book to ended up changing her life dramatically.. fortunately, it's a book that appeals to all faiths and belief systems because it encompasses very basic truths. It changed my life, and the teachings of my guru have been the primary, guiding force in my life. Or I should say, my relationship and personal experiences have been what I cling to in the darkest moments. I believe when we have found our soul's path, and we know 100% it's where we belong, we should follow it completely, faithfully, and wholeheartedly. So, I'm extremely devoted to my spiritual life, and it's the at core of everything for me. It's not really me holding on to my serenity, I am the serenity itself and it's only through the grace of my guru that I am still standing today.

I guess people need to know I spend a great deal of time doing nothing except sitting in reflection; in total quiet. I'm talking many hours on some days. We don't have television, so I have a lot of time for this. It took a while to stop calling myself "lazy" for doing it. Sometimes I'm thinking about things, feeling creative and envisioning new projects, and other times I'm basically in a state of decompression, so I just sit and notice my breath, my environment, and those around me. I also practice a form of meditation called Kriya yoga. My point is that I believe all this crazy stillness has helped me significantly over the years. Every big decision in my life has been made through insights I received in a state of intuitive reflection and/or meditation. It's a natural inclination I've always had, but if it weren't, I'd try to cultivate it. In our go-go-go culture, the art of sitting quietly is seen as a waste of time, but it's really where our minds and hearts germinate intuitive insights and great ideas.

The more in-touch I am with my inner reality, the less my outer reality affects me. I've noticed the more I meditate and explore what is inside me, it's far more beautiful and enticing than anything this world has to offer. It took years for me to realize that, but there is a special inner world I have that is very secret and personal. It's a relationship with the divine. I'm not some nut with an imaginary world, though! It's extremely real. When things happen in this outer world, they're just events going on, and I can work at witnessing them from that inner place of peace, strength, and serenity that I know I am. We're all there, in that place all the time. It's not about a 'belief' in a place within us-- it's about direct experience with that place, and is our true state of being. I don't believe, I know (but I'm far from a know-it-all!) I'm always working at trying to remain in that sacred state through everything I do. It's not easy, and I fail a hundred times a day, but it's always there when I need it. I call it "practicing the presence" but there are many ways of saying it. I don't know if I'm making any sense to those who have little or no experience with meditation. I apologize if this is confusing or complicated. My hope is that it helps those who have asked in their search, if you are still searching. We're all going there-- all rivers flow into the sea; we're all already there. This world is a major distraction, and the ego is constantly trying to make us focus on what's outside, instead of the soul. If you feel compelled to ask these types of questions of me, then you're being called from a very deep and primal place, so keep listening to that.

Other things have helped me, too, including:

• Allowing myself to feel my feelings fully, not being afraid of big emotions
• Realizing emotions are no more a part of my true self than my hands and feet, and not being swallowed up or controlled by them. Becoming a compassionate witness to everything we go through.
• Communicating my needs in a respectful way, and valuing myself enough to have a voice
• Letting go of expectations in relationships, and as a parent. Allowing others to be exactly as they are, and practicing acceptance.
• Being patient and gentle with myself, parenting myself with love. 
• Disengaging in toxic relationships. Releasing guilt completely, letting others go with love.
• Focusing daily on the brevity of life, and living fully in each moment. I never know when my last day might be, or when I may lose someone I love.
• Allowing myself great joy, and acknowledging how much I deserve it. 
• No matter how bad things get, I have a deep sense of my inner strength and a strong resolve to not allow anything external to bring me down. I am here to shine, and life is too short to dwell on darkness.
• I'm always meditating, even when I'm not sitting quietly in meditation, I'm working at remembering my soul, God, my guru, and doing everything for a higher power, and seeing divinity everywhere. Like I said, I forget over and over again.. but always return to these higher thoughts.
• Creativity- noticing that I create my life, and it can be whatever I choose it to be. Enjoying the moment, and creating things to always look forward to. Dreaming, and goals.
• Purpose & Service: I make sure my life has a sense of meaning and purpose, because it does whether I see it or not. I serve others daily, which always serves me.
• Needing and desiring very little from the world and from others. Filling myself up from the inside out on a daily basis.
• Practicing calmness and even-mindedness, even when I want to scream. Eventually, calmness has taken hold and become a more dominant response.

Last but not least, I want to say that constant gratitude does amazing things. It's almost an overused and trite word these days, but I'm talking about living in a state of sincere awe. When I first started my "spiritual journey" (for lack of a better term) about 20 years ago, I remember consciously choosing to change all my negative thinking. I was living with someone who complained a lot, and also noticed the culture had entrained me to believe nothing was enough, and that I wasn't good enough. I made a pact with myself to start a gratitude journal, and wrote in it daily for at least three months. I recall noticing how my mind started jumping to the positive aspect, instead of the negative. It affected everything-- how I saw the world, people, relationships, etc. I continued the practice for several months until it became an ingrained habit in my mind. Now, I cannot imagine being a negative person. At the time it was a new way of thinking, and it put some people off. Misery loves company, after all. But gratitude, to me, is probably the highest state of thinking. It has attracted so much good into my life, and the good is endless. I always tell people to just try it, see how it works for at least 3-4 months. It's not just the daily journaling, but watch your thoughts and words, and correct them when you can. It's where I began my process to greater peace and joy, and it never let me down.

These days, I'm working at accepting 'more' for myself-- greater peace, more freedom. And I'm opening up to new friendships, and coming out of my shell (a lifelong process). I'm letting go of guilt, both surrounding my severely autistic adult son moving to a home, and my mentally ill child having to leave. I'm letting go, and it's a big challenge with grief and loss showing its face from time to time. I feel I'm rising from a large pile of ashes these days. The process of personal unfoldment never ends, and life is never without challenges. We are meant to keep unfolding so that we can choose to reveal all our beautiful soul qualities, not so that we suffer. We do have a choice as to which way it goes.

I can see infinite possibilities in my life, and it is so, so sweet. I introspect, praise, and correct myself daily. May all beings find peace, joy, and happiness regardless of outer life experiences. May all beings discover the blinding, yet eye-opening magnificence of who and what they truly are.

"One day the sun admitted
I am just a shadow
I wish I could show you
the infinite incandescence
that has cast my brilliant image!
I wish I could show you
when you are lonely or in darkness
the astonishing light
of your own being." -Hafiz


Resources:

• How to Meditate (through Self-Realization Fellowship)
• Purchase a copy of Autobiography of a Yogi
• Meditation for Beginners (Zen tips) 
• Basics on Meditation 
• 15 Books recommended by Buddhists
• Christian meditation through WCCM
• Transcendental meditation
• Amma and meditation
• Eckhart Tolle and meditation
• Sufi Meditation, Hazrat Inayat Khan
• Vipassana meditation center

Please feel free to add resources for readers in the comments section! There are countless teachers and types of meditation, which is great because it's not a one-size-fits-all deal.

Flexibility, Gratitude, and the Unexpected

I'm noticing more and more the importance of flexibility in life. Maybe that's why I had an obsession with rubber chickens when I was growing up.. they are both flexible and comical, after all. One of the fondest memories I have is of my maternal grandmother hanging a drawing I'd done of a rubber chicken on her fridge. She truly loved and cherished it through our shared sense of humor, and that ability to laugh is what keeps us open and flexible about life. Being self-employed and working from home requires a lot of self-discipline, so today I sat down and created a somewhat elaborate weekday schedule for my husband and I. It's titled "Flexible Weekday Schedule" since we never know what's going to come up from day to day, but I didn't expect to have a chicken-wrench thrown-in the very next day. The Universe has a very big sense of humor, and it's always trying to tell me something!

My husband and I have been noticing the need for specific times set aside to leave the home and do our writing. We have two very independent kids in the home, but home is still a very distracting place. So, we decided on specific days of the week that he and I can go to the local coffee shop, together or separately, for a few hours at a time. My husband is very excited about this, since he has a history of writing successfully in coffee shops. I, on the other hand, write best in bed; don't laugh- so does Woody Allen! I've been writing in bed since childhood, and old habits linked to creativity rarely die. It's all an experiment, and I'm going to see if I can also do well in a coffee shop. We all have our quirks, so it may not work as well for me. At least it will feel as if we're "leaving for work" each day, and give the illusion of productivity. Working from home can start to feel like non-work, no matter how productive we get.

Anyway, right after printing out the weekly schedule and proudly hanging it up on our refrigerator, I got an e-mail from Lee's home care director stating: "..his new school has called for an emergency IEP meeting tomorrow at 1:00. It would be very helpful if you could attend." I felt like laughing at first, but the humor was quickly diverted by the fact that Lee has had a difficult adjustment at his new school this week. He's not been placed in the proper program, and probably needs to be moved to a different school in the district that can better serve his needs. It's difficult to guide and direct staff at a new school when he lives further away, and the primary contact person for the school is the home care director at his new home. It will be good to attend tomorrow, and finally meet school staff face-to-face. I'm trusting that things will get ironed out soon, but we still have an important role in making that happen.

I'm taking a deep breath today, laughing at the idea of schedules, and feeling enormous gratitude for the freedom we have as a couple. We are basically semi-retired. My husband is only a part-time attorney now, working solely from home. He's also been building up an online, passive income that has grown since we moved here. Less attorney time has given him more time for that venue, which includes writing, along with marketing products and services he strongly believes in. We're pretty much able to go anywhere on a whim, and spend every day together. The kids have two parents at home full time.. wowie, how common is that? This lifestyle is the ultimate type of prosperity in our hurried and competitive day and age. Although, it does require more self-discipline, but I say schedules, schmedules! We're hanging on to the darned thing I wrote up today, but plan to use it as a mere guide for the week. It's basically a rubber chicken. The universe usually laughs in the face of schedules!


“Planning is helpful. If you don’t know what you want, you’ll seldom get it. But, no matter how well you plan, you will fare better if you expect the unexpected. The unexpected, by nature, comes unseen, unthought, unenvisioned. All you can do is plan to go unplanned, prepare to be unprepared, make going with the flow part of your agenda, for the most successful among us envision, plan, and prepare, but cast all aside as needed, while those who are unable to go with the flow often suffer, if they survive.” -David W. Jones