During the month of June, and most of July, I will be taking a break and tending to my little folk. I will be returning mid-July once my priorities are no longer what is happening, but rather, what has happened. I will be looking forward to returning to Daily Lounge, my "what I want to do", as soon as I can.

Ah, my treasured notebook. It has been awhile. Life has taken hold of me the last few days and has thrown me for a loop. Today, I was able to shake it all off (busyness + stress = writer's block); and have a few thoughts outside of Diabetes, Autism, doctors, and the mounting bills.

A friend shared a wonderful question with me this morning and I would like to share it with you.

Do you want...read more

If you were sitting here with me, you would quickly take notice of the amazing silence. It is like paradise. I can hear the faint chirping of a couple of birds, a soft rhythmic breathing from my son fast asleep right next to me, and a car in the distance traveling about my neighborhood. And, here I am. Surprised I showed up for life today as yesterday knocked the wind out of my sails, and left me...read more

I'm in shape. Round is a shape... isn't it?

Author Unknown

It happens. Comfort food is satisfying while you are indulging, that is, until you later realize the comfort ended up somewhere around your middle, and has caused your favorite jeans to go through a shrinking process. I have two poisons; a Root Beer Float, and Iceberg's Onion Rings. I never mix the two as that could be quite...read more

How many loves have you been lucky enough to have experienced in your life? And, I am not just talking about the soul warming love for another person. I am also thinking along the lines of, a love for a certain place, a book that is still treasured, a four-legged friend, a vacation that changed the course of events, or a time that is, no matter how you slice it, unforgettable. How many of these loves...read more

It has been 4 days. And, I still cannot forget her face, especially her eyes. Her eyes lacked hope, inspiration, and held terrifying fear of the unknown. In just a few moments of handing over some of our loot, her eyes pierced my heart, and still her devastated spirit is with me. I just can't shake it; when harsh reality steps in, sometimes it is hard to let go and move on. I can still see her...read more

Wow. What an amazing week. I cannot believe I was lucky enough to witness (along with family), the NASA launch for the final Hubble Telescope repairs. Who would have thought; we would have a space station, a telescope capturing the most fabulous images of space we can all engage, and men and women who could enjoy a space walk, just before sleeping within the stars? Well, now that the mission is...read more

It started off just like any other day. I fired up my computer, filled my French press, and turned on some peaceful music to catch a glimpse of the chaotic morning news. After drinking my second cup of coffee, I began feeling ready to conquer the world, and face the day. That is, until the coffee decided to take over just a few moments later, leaving me, as usual, feeling like a bomb went off in my...read more

How often do we receive a doctor bill, or insurance premium payment, and want to run and hide? And, there are those times we struggle to get ourselves into the doctor's office, to find our fears of needing more tests, or other appointments to follow, come true? When was the last time you sat before your brilliant computer and chased a variety of websites, to find what it was you were suffering...read more

Overnight, the tree in our backyard gave birth to millions of leaves. Listening to the sounds of the leaves singing as the wind carried through brought peace and a stillness of calm within. Just moments before, I had been in a funnel cloud of busy children, and immersed in what I often call my "overtime daycare". Last night, I had ventured out to gaze at the moon, to find it was covered...read more

The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become. Charles Dubois

How many times do we have to roll something around in our mind, before we actually leap and take a risk? Why do we spend so much time talking ourselves out of why we should not do something, only to give up before taking a risk or just giving up? Is there something you have been...read more

While we try to teach our children all about life, Our children teach us what life is all about.

Angela Schwindt

We want to believe the worst that can happen to our innocent children is a scraped knee, a cold that takes over for a few days, and the growing pains from life's valuable lessons. When we watch our children endure the "worst", it can bring us down and break our hearts,...read more

In teaching you cannot see the fruit of a day's work. It is invisible and remains so, maybe for twenty years.

Jacques Barzun

As I pulled up to a red light, I noticed a bumper sticker on a rather "vintage" automobile in front of me. The words were in bold yellow letters: "I AM A TEACHER". I looked over the car again, and my mind went in many different directions. Why does...read more

I am excited to announce Misti Diaz, as the winner of this week's contest! Misti, a package will go out to you on Monday morning!

I am off to enjoy the enchanting sunset surrounded by family. We had an unexpected event happen yesterday, and are just getting back up, in the process of dusting ourselves off, and actively looking for the instruction manual of what to do when life throws a swift...read more

Whether you are a mom, dad, grand-mom, grandpa, student, you have a story, (or two), to tell and memories you hold close to your heart. With our busy schedules, we do not always have the time, the patience, or the desire to clean up after creating scrapbook pages, or the time to shop around to get the materials needed to scrapbook. We DO seem to have the time to sit before our computer. There is a...read more

On a day like today, when the sun is blazing, the birds and the bees are playing, natural sun light and heat renew and inspire, it is nearly impossible to be unmotivated, down and out, or seeing the glass half empty. Even the neighbor down the way, who wears a frown that looks quite heavy, gave a small lip curl this afternoon. It seems the winter that lingered well beyond its welcome, has finally...read more

After spending some time clearing the clutter, spring cleaning, (still waiting for spring to appear!), and getting the garage in order (if that is possible), I found some old photographs. Photographs of people I should call family. But choose not to. That evening after the kids were tucked in, I signed in to my Facebook account and did the unthinkable. I looked up my seriously estranged and very strange...read more

"The internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow." Bill Gates

Is it just me, or does it seem our daily and nightly news is becoming more graphic and horrific? Where has all the good news gone? Lately, when I catch up on my morning news, which includes of course, www.idahopress.com, and www.CNN.com, I walk away feeling weighted, and shocked. What I am seeing...read more

Last year on this day, I woke up to two strange emails not knowing my grandma would take her last breath a few moments after lunch. The first email was a newsletter from Allison Dubois. She is a medium who talks of those who have passed on. I had signed up for her newsletter sometime in 2007, just after doing an EXTENSIVE college research study (I had enough of the law studies and branched out). I...read more

When the first few raindrops meet the concrete, a beautiful one-of-a-kind scent swirls about. The aroma of wet concrete takes me to many places I have been, seen, and lived. While sniffing wet concrete, watching the rain come down from the heavens, and listening to the birds sing, my phone rang. The phone call that came to life took me back to where I have been, and what I have lived. So much for...read more

Sometimes the hardest thing to do, is the right thing. In doing the right thing we are usually only a few moments away from feeling relieved and knowing we followed our heart. So goes my last online shopping experience. We have become pretty successful at going out, or getting online and spending our hard earned, becoming-less-and-less valuable dollar, and at finding new and exciting things to buy...read more

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate. Oprah Winfrey

Can you believe this weather we are experiencing?! It is absolutely mind boosting, well deserved, and severely needed! Yesterday, when I stepped outside I was chilled to my bones, the wind was wicked, and I do believe we even had a few "snow drops". Today, we are surrounded in light blue...read more

Ever have that feeling that all is dangerously too good to be true? You are cruising along with little bumps on your road and light turbulance when out of the clear blue the rug of life is pulled out from under you. And, just before losing your footing you had a strong sense you should take a different path, yet, you failed to listen closely and act on your inner voice guidance. It happens to all...read more

Money is not the most important thing in the world...love is. Fortunately, I love money. Unknown

How far will you go for money? You can be honest to this question; no one is listening. Depending on what is going on in your corner of the world you might be willing to answer with, do a little less, or, a whole lot more. Money; is it the root of all evil? Or, is it a great reward to keep us doing what...read more

Let the beauty we love be what we do

Rumi

As Earth Hour is getting closer we are preparing to celebrate with a little Luau music, a Pina Colada, and some colorful candles to inspire the ambience. With all the grey today, Hawaii is calling my name! Maybe, it is calling yours too.

A Pina Colada to devour:

4 oz. fresh pineapple juice

3 oz. rum

2 oz. coconut cream

2 cups super-crushed ice

Pour...read more

This Saturday, many living on our big rotating planet will be celebrating "Earth Hour" beginning at 8:30pm, your time zone. During this hour we are to turn off all power and enjoy the good old days without all of the buzzing and humming, and work at conserving. Over here at the Anderson Ranch, we will be turning off ALL power at 7:30pm, giving the earth an extra hour. We are planning on...read more

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

Lao Tzu

At one time, I used to blaze through the Santa Monica Mountains, Bell Canyon in Agoura Hills, Idylwild Park in Thousand Oaks, and enjoy lengthy shimmering gold sunsets at Point Dume (where I tied the knot of forever) in Malibu. Those were the days. The days before I grew up. The days when my biggest stress was working under pressure...read more

Rejuvenate your spirit! Do something new today or this evening. Branch out, spoil yourself, take that much needed and deserved break, and get into what you want to! I will be enjoying my backyard (rain or shine) this evening with a new audio book. I am a book worm, but I remember I used to love a great story read to me at bedtime! The audio book I picked up is read by Mira Sorvino who has a captivating...read more

If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it.

William Arthur Ward

On some level we are all sharing a feeling deep within, a feeling of "what will tomorrow bring?" Many of us have been moving along at a comfortable pace when out of nowhere a curve ball is thrown our way and we either miss or strike out, or just barely hit it knocking it out of bounds...read more

Miscommunication : the failure to communicate clearly

There have been many conversations I have replayed in my mind; wondering if I said the wrong thing, wondering if I heard the wrong meaning to the words used, left feeling like there is more to say, more air to clear, more to listen to. Today was a perfect example of how easily miscommunication can play a role in a breakdown. With the right energy...read more

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime... (found in Caprice Crane's book, Stupid and Contagious)

It is amazing how the "little things" seem to get in the way, cluttering our minds, and our space; and it is the little things which matter the most. A couple of days ago driving down a long stretch of magnificent back road, "something struck a chord"...read more

Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply did not know where to go shopping,

Bo Derek

There is nothing as beautiful as spring days just after being overwhelmed with too much winter. The sun is shining brightly, following an enchanting full moon,and seems to be welcoming all sorts of new possibilities. It is time to start preparing seeds to put into the earth in just a few short days, and...read more

This morning was a spitting image of every other morning; awoke to the alarm, nothing out of place, sprinkled with a sense of rush to complete what I do before the rest of the house emerges. Quiet (until the little ones began running around), filled with online news, blogs, and the regulars I follow to get my mind moving. But this morning something shifted within just before it hit me. I have been...read more

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.

Henry Ward Beecher

Today our family celebrated more than just the coming of the full moon preparing to emerge on March 11th. Today, Obama signed the bill allowing for federal funding to be released to welcome stem cell research for a variety of diseases, including Type 1 Diabetes. For us over here at the Anderson ranch this is a blessing...read more

Daylight Savings Time is here! Did you remember to set your clocks forward at 2:00am? We will enjoy a "lighter" view until November 1st (thanks to George Bush), at 2:00am. If you have family members in other time zones, as I do, make sure you take into consideration what time in the world, it is. And for those of you with little ones running around the house, good luck tonight and tomorrow...read more

Last week 10 lucky winners from Chubb Corp's commercial insurance located in New Jersey won the "Mega Millions" $216 million dollar jackpot. Don't get to excited the luck of winning that drawing was 1 in 176 million and most jackpots have comparable odds. Imagine with me for just a moment.

With our current global village economic crisis I have imagined what I could do with a peice...read more

Stress, according to The American Institute is "the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change". What a simple defintion for something so complex. Stress affects our emotional, mental, and physical aspects in multifaceted ways. What may be a stressful event, time of the month, or daily routine for some, may be fullfilling and rewarding for others. We all handle what is...read more

Earlier today I enjoyed the beautiful spring storm, the lightening, the thunder, and thought about the many storms I have been through in my own personal life, and the colorful prisms which have followed. It seems we are always enduring a storm at some level while living amongst the sunshine. It is easy to get swept up in the powerful current of a storm, forgetting to foresee the ending it will bring;...read more

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."

- Anais Nin

A couple of weeks ago, a new, and rare gem in my jewelry box of friends mentioned I should sign up for a Facebook account. I was reluctant to say the least. Being somewhat a recluse, an "unsocial" butterfly I could not see...read more

I have picked up some fresh pink roses, a bag of Bliss chocolates, some fabric to begin making a new quilt (all reds and pinks) and Cara Lockwood's "Pink Slip Party". I am looking forward to Saturday evening with the family. Below is also on the agenda! It will be a tough choice between the Pinot Noir or the "Princesstini". Life often presents tough choices which usually lead...read more

Material in this article is quite graphic and painful, but it shows us what speeding, mixed with distraction can cause. As I type away, I am listening to a variety of sirens passing our home on a main road in Eagle, reminding me of the urgency to share the word. As I jump over to my Twitter, I find an accident has just occurred a few minutes from my home.

For many days I have wanted to a put a peice...read more

There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million!

Walt Streightiff

Looking for something to do with the family, check out Treasure Valley Family Magazine! Let your eyes wander to the left side of the page, scroll down and click on "This Month's Calendar".

Flu season is here without a doubt. Last year, with two children, both with medical conditions...read more

When I approach a child, he inspires me in two sentiments; tenderness for what he is and respect for what he may become.

Louis Pasteur

Following the daily world news, first thing in the morning and just before turning in, I often walk away with knots in my stomach, a pain in my heart and full of questions that go without answers. Having a background in Criminal Justice Administration I cannot help...read more

Today was "one of those days". Everything seemed upside down, and off balance, as if I were swimming against the current. As I sit before my computer contemplating the last 16 hours, I think of my grandmom and wish I could call her; but, I do not think they are taking calls for those on the other side of the rainbow. She was a beautiful soul, full of life with hints of good energy, happiness...read more

For months it has been nothing but cold, surprise snow showers, snuggling up in front of the fire with captivating novels, eating my fair share while enjoying the great "indoors". And, enough is enough. The sun is beginning to appear from behind the grey sky and the cleansing spring rain has come. It is time to put away the pink, red, and sassy corals and say goodbye to winter and the month...read more

Here in Idaho we do not have a chance to experience the "most magical place on earth", also known as Disneyland. However, Disney has come out with some amazing online games that "yours" can enjoy! Fly into Pixie Hollow, create a fairy (or many), and enjoy the beautiful artwork, the peaceful music and making friends with others online!

If"yours" are not into fairies...read more

I enjoy cruising over to CNN's "Daily Dumb"and thought I would share the link with you. A place to see what criminals are up to when their heads are in the clouds and their thumbs are in their....mouth?

Every morning just after creating my cup of coffee, always heavily creamed lightly honeyed, I limp half awake to my desk and begin my morning ritual of writing my "Morning Pages" (an idea shared by Julia Cameron in The Artist's Way), I pull my affirmation card (today was"surrender"), and I rip off yesterday's daily cartoon from The New Yorker desktop cartoon calendar for...read more

It is in every garden imagination, magic, and timelessness comes to life. From the tiniest seed, just like you and me, life breathes and blossoms begin a steady reaching for the light and the great beyond.

From a tiny seed comes all possibility with careful tending and nurturing and above all, patience. It is in every garden we learn life's greatest lessons. We learn to slow down to a pace that...read more