Small Is The Beginning Of Big

 

2021 is on it's way out. My plan it to celebrate not only the biggest events that took place

but to celebrate the smallest events that happen. 

I'm very grateful that Morgan said she like roasted Chicken better than Turkey. What a relief.

Less time in the kitchen and more time to build a gingerbread house.

Less time in the kitchen and more time to walk around the neighborhood.

Less time in the kitchen cleaning up pots and pans.

Less time in the kitchen and more time to sit on the couch and hug.  

Less time in the kitchen and more time playing board games.

Letting go of more and choosing less.

Peace and Love,

Gaelen

How you do anything is how you do everything

 

How you do anything is how you do everything

Ok dropping Morgan off at collage was a total, streaming light through the clouds experience.

Before we dropped her off in the beautiful small town of Urbana-Champaign, 

our week of goodbye in Chicago was one of the best family vacations we have ever had. 

Morgan said it was second to Ireland. 

I've been to Chicago in the summer before, this time the weather was NOT 

muggy, hot and humid. 

We were able to walk everywhere, ok sometimes we did take an Uber but let me tell you, 

I Love Chicago! I'd live there if it didn't snow. 

People were saying "Oh, your going to be an empty nester" 

I don't know what that word even means. 

Empty nest doesn't exists when you use Facetime. 

We use it all the time. It's like she is at home. 

The Universe Spirit God (your pick) has provided me with plenty to do.

Good works thru me (or should I say God) and I'm finding Joy in seating quietly, or writing this 

overdue blog while Kiki out cat sits on my desk watching me.

Actually Kiki is probably sitting here as a reminder for me to feed her.

There is plenty to do. Thinking about what time I should put the chicken in the Instant Pot. The 

Instant Pot that also has the lid that can be set to broil so the skin is nice and crispy when done.

I guess I'm happy that I take the time to breath in Peace and breathe out relaxation.

I am happy to know Morgan is comfortable living in the dorm at University Illinois. 

She was very excited to tell me that when doing the laundry at school it's free. 

Well its also free at home but I guess doing her own laundry is the real excitement. 

I have started calling her the Queen of 93. Why??? 

Well her last calculus test she got a 93 and for the architecture midterm she got a 93. 

Besides it kind of funny to say or maybe it's just a Mom thing.

I am ever so grateful for all I have.

Peace and Love,

Gaelen

Power and Freedom to Choose

 

Freedom to me means the power to choose. Do I choose single scoop or double scoop?  

right or left? caffeinated or decaf?

This is a real life story of choosing a different way, walking a different path. 

Take a trip to Costco with me. When we walk thru the door we veer right to the meat aisle, 

then to the cleaning aisle, then milk/eggs aisle, then cereal/soup aisle 

and end up at the registers. 

Walking into Costco I said lets go around backwards. 

I wanted to get the protein powder for our smoothies first. 

I was speaking my Truth. 

Listening to the Spirit inside, the creator of new ideas.

Yes there was grumbling from Mark. 

The kind that says "that's not the way we do it".

Once we were finished with the left side we made our way to the meat asile. 

We turned the corner and right in front of us was one of Mark's closest friends 

who we haven't seen in almost 3 months.

We were so glad to see a man who had spent 3 months in the hospital driving the shopping

cart with wheels.

Had we gone into Costco and done our shopping in usual way we would have missed his friend. 

Choosing to do things in a new way resulted in an opportunity to share love and 

happiness.

I like "the unusual", following new ideas because I have the Power and Freedom to do it.

Peace & Love, Gaelen

There Is Beauty Here

 

If I see a wasp I will either say someone get a broom or I will get a 

broom and shoo it out of the house or beat it away. Sometimes beating it away could end up in a death situation for the wasp but not always. I do have to say while working on the cabin remodel, once the drywall was removed there was a wasp nest. Two things I am super glad about was 1. I wasn't there. 2. The winter 10 degree weather removed anyone from getting stung as wasps are not friends with being frozen. I'm sure they thought in the summer of some unknown year "Yay, this looks like a good nice warm place!" Interesting how sometimes you think something is really great and it turns out to be not really great at all. That is a conversation for another time. Anyway when Mark texted me the picture I was stunned by the creative beauty here. It almost looks like a bowl attached to the wood. Amazing wasps work together to form that. A nest to protect the queen. An effort to save a life so to say. There is soooo much we can do working together. Everything Is Awesome Everything Is Cool When Your Part Of A Team (taken from the Lego movie). Collaboration, vison ideas, realization of goals, service, the feeling of happiness when you realize you don't have to do everything alone. I have found that a sense of belonging opens my heart. Small groups, zoom groups, mask wearing groups, outdoor groups, make up your own group.

Peace and Love, Gaelen

365 Opportunities

 

                                Happy 2021!

Thank you to Elizabeth Austin for the cartoon :)  

Yes I've been quiet, I've also been happy in my quiet. Actually I've been very happy. 

The path I've been walking on has provided me with many realizations, 

one of them being the quote "All Is Well" is actually a statement of TRUTH.  

2020 brought me a garden, alone time to deepen my inner being, a cabin in Tahoe and a

stationary bicycle. I could go on but hopefully you get the message, All Is Well.

What I'm trying to say is, my outside is a reflection of my inside. I am happy and proud to 

say it.

Yes there were some upsets, global climate changes (fires in No. Cal), Covid-19 pandemic 

(Morgan is doing her senior year online), the killing of George Floyd (Black Lives Matter). 

This is a short list, visit 2020-Wikipedia if you feel the need to review what happened.

One realization for me is that prayer works and I use it 24/7. 

I remember that there is only one presence and that it is the presence of love and it is 

everywhere.

I am a child of the loving presence, in me contains everything that the loving presence is, 

strength, joy, opulence, wisdom. 

I have the ability to choose happiness and release any fear that has a grip on me and

the knowledge that All Is Well regardless of circumstances.

My ability to know what is true for me is true for you!

2021 offers 365 opportunities for you to choose what brings you happiness. It could be 

exercise, reading books, sitting by the fireplace, sewing, zoom calls, meditation, cooking, 

walking your dog, petting your cat, gardening, going to the beach, I could go on and on.

The question is, what works for you? What do you need to release from 2020 that is 

holding you from becoming New Year New You? 

Peace and Love, Gaelen

I'm Tired

Ok, this was at 9:47AM, at first I thought "oh my" did I miss the time change? I'm not even posting the view from the kitchen window because even the iphone camera couldn't get the tree in focus, we were both confused. . That is what Wednesday looked like ALL day. It was spooktacular in the science fiction creepy scary sort of way. Yes its been 6 days and I'm still tired. I know the dawn is approaching, a new day is coming and things are getting better all the time (listen to the Beatles) Getting so much better alll the time! Its getting better all the time. Better Better Better, Its getting better all the time. I'm making a better day for myself buy staying in the NOW moment. Right now the air is still smokey, on the iphone it does say un healthy so I'm not going to talk a walk outside. In this now moment I'm going to eat a few frozen grapes and sing to myself. I can take the time to pray for all sorts of things. You can make up your own prayer list, anything you want is good. Like peace for all beings involved in the curious time. You get the idea right? Right now I am choosing to see the beauty that is all around me even when it looks wired. I'm choosing Peace in my confusion. I'm choosing meditation for 20 minutes twice a day to stay in silence and live larger than life. PS my tiredness has gone away.

Something Is Growing

Life Force is soooo amazing. From One small seed, plus drip line you can grow just about anything. Have to say Mark and I (ok Mark did all the drip line, plus heavy lifting and planting anything I couldn't reach) created this beautiful garden during the "stay home stay safe" pandemic. What you see did take 4 months of sweat and hard labor and yes some SMALL starters.

I'm so happy to witness, that I am the cause of my own experience. I plant the seed where I want it and it grows what I want. 

I have found in the last 6 months of Pandemic Life, that it is like a garden. It needs attention, weed pulling and changes to be made. 

Most importantly there is always something growing, especially in my mind. 

When I feel stress, I have the opportunity to change that experience. I meditate twice daily, just sitting for 20 minutes with my eyes closed helps me remember, all things come to pass. To release fear. 

I guard my thinking and I do not plant thoughts that I don't want to live there.  

Love lives there, Faith lives there, Affirmations live there, Peace lives there. Music lives there. 

My Sweet Lord is definitely this months absolute favorite "I Really Want To See You" 

This song brought tears to my eyes. I was looking at the garden, sitting next to Mark, listening to the birds I could really feel what the song My Sweet Lord calls to.

The beauty of everything around me. I am holding tight to that feeling, God is in everything I see. Things I like and things I don't like, there is Life Force everywhere. I can create any feeling I want and let go of any feeling that does not serve me. Life Is Good.

It's A Great Day

It's a great day I'm not saying what day it is because it doesn't matter. 

Today is a great day, there are opportunities and possibilities. It's where where I've been hanging out. 

Ever heard of Bobby McFerrin?  He sings the song "Don't Worry Be Happy". I silently sing it to myself. 

"Here's a little song I wrote You might want to sing it note for note. Don't Worry, be Happy In every life we have some trouble but when you worry you make it double Don't worry be happy `Cause when you worry your face will frown and that will bring everybody down Don't worry be happy." It helps me in times where soooo much is going on. Like pandemics, economics, politics, black rights matter, LGBTQ rights, Dreamer program; it goes on, fill it in for yourself. The Don't Worry Be Happy song reminds me to do what I can, where I am, with what I have. I have to start with myself, everything has a solution. I told Mark being invisible doesn't exist anymore. The internet has solved that issue I want to take a stand for equality, human rights, love is love. I release all fear and live in Faith and know that Justice, Peace and freedom exists for all. It's an opportunity to find it.

I'm Sick of Saying What COVID Day is It?

I have a computer that has the date in it, a watch that has the date in it , an iPhone that has the

date in it, a day at a time inspirational flip calendar by my bed,  an iPad that has the date in it.

Yes sometimes I want to forget the date as I love staycation and I am realizing it is slowly coming to an end.
I am used to the life I have made during the become restful, slow down and  relax time.

I am so grateful that my gluten free baking skills beats anything you find in the market. 

The photo is the remains of chocolate chip blueberry bread that became a large scone and Mark gobbled it up. Morgan not so much as she doesn't like blueberries.

I am so grateful that we are have healthy immune systems, eat nutritious food, walk outside daily or I should say Mark and I.  Morgan does come out of her room though.  I live in an environment that doesn't have crowds. Wash my hands 10 times a day. Keep the windows open for fresh air. 

I have soooo much to be thankful for.

I am imagining the times ahead to be just as exciting as the content changes and I keep my
eyesight open to see all the good that the Universe is constantly giving me.

COVID is the perfect time to start thinking about Halloween

What follows is a saved blog from the way back when:

I am not really a dress up for Halloween kind of gal. This year we have 3 different places to be on
Saturday night (the 30th) and it is supposed to rain. I borrowed an outfit from my friend, the same
outfit I borrowed last year, and the same out fit I will wear this year. I might buy it from her and keep
it forever.
I did not buy the not really a doctor outfit, Mark got us Star Trek outfits that I now wear every
Halloween,

I do remember the beginning of COVID Day...

 Ok the date that Morgan's high school decided to go Social Distancing was Friday the 13th, not exactly scary but definitely weird. I guess its how you choose think about things.
 Yes I am grateful that I have a job that is considered essential and was not told to shut down. 2 days a week gets me to drive my car and use the electric 10 miles that my car gives me before switching to gas. 
 Here at Casa Cooper it really began when Mark left to snowboard in Tahoe for 2 weeks, March 16th which worked well for Morgan and I because Mark not being in the house for St. Patrick's day meant cookies cookies cookies for Morgan and I.
 Wait... I just noticed that life with gaelen came to life in 2006, 14 years ago when Morgan was 3. Just thinking about the last 14 years is making my head spin way more than wearing a mask when you go to the market does.
 I'm thinking it's safe (since safety is important) to say I love stay-cation. I am actually busy most of the time between making home made yogurt in the instant pot, participating in twice daily TM (Transcendental Meditation) zoom feeds, walking around the neighborhood, cleaning and re cleaning the house, making lunch and dinner, binge watching Netflix, M-F checking Ameritrade stock figures yes stock figures, as it is Mark and I's part in home schooling. Love to say I am the leader between us as to the person whose investment is doing the best.
Now that life with gaelen and I have gotten back together its another way to keep busy.

What COVID Day Is It

Yay I remember how many days it’s been with the stay at home order.

Picture of Mark, Morgan and me with food in my mouth

Ok I know I said I would post a picture from the restaurant.Happy I have some integrity :)

It's Morgan's 13th Birthday!!!

Ok this was last year at my 50th birthday yes it was the only picture I could find with the 3 of us in it, well actually I am in a hurry and I'm sure I could find another but I am hungry......

It is now 6PM and we need to get ready to take Morgan out to dinner and I will take a picture of us at her birthday dinner :) and post it later.

2015 Christmas

Serving you a Big plate of Love!!!

Ok Morgan wants to take Horse Back riding lessons again

Can you see why I'm not all about that?

This is why the Cactus is having trouble growing

Kiki now loves sitting in the Cactus bowl.

Happy Haloween

Yes I did put on the Tigger costume Happy Halloween.

Happy Halloween

Yes it's Mark getting ready for his Tigger costume. That boy loves Halloween. It's actually not my thing and yet I may put on the Pooh costume this year. Still deciding.

Sometimes no matter what I plan on it goes differently :(

Started off great at a golf lesson, when leaving the golf course parking lot my phone rings and it's Morgan's school saying she has a migraine headache come pick her up.

So I pick Morgan up, bring her home tell her to go to sleep and I head out to the office.

Morgan calls me about noon and said she just threw up :( so I leave at 1PM stop off at the market and buy, mineral water, 7 Up, Lemon Popsicle, Lime Popsicles and Pineapple Popsicle. I called the Doctor before leaving work and they were out for lunch and the answering system says they will call me when they return.

I get home and she is crying her head hurts sooooo much!

I give her the 7 Up sit by her till she falls asleep. Of course the Dr. calls and I say she is sleeping so they say bring her at 4PM.

We get to the Doctors office and she says I'm going to throw up-so I run and get the garbage can and put it in front of her which she throws up into.

The Doctor comes in and ask's Morgan what is up? He is concerned that she is dizzy, has a head ache and threw up. Then he say's why don't you bring her to the emergency room and have them take a look at her. Oh did I mention that while we were waiting for him to come in the room I ordered Morgan a burrito because she said she was hungry and I thought we could pick it up one the way home?

So after calling Mark and letting him know where we were headed, I stopped and picked up Morgan's burrito and a stress cookie for me (Gotta love peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies).

Of course by the time we got to the hospital and they hooked her up to take health measurements she was feeling much better-although the nurse did complain about me giving her food on the way to the hospital-what is a loving mother supposed to do?

So amazing that is how the end of the month went when I thought I would talk about Mark's birthday party and going to a comedy club after for his party.

Well now it's time for everyone to go to sleep :)