Musings

The Journey

annann — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:56:20 GMT

I just found this on a forum about someone who just lost her kitty Having animals companions has been a big part of my life since I was born. It is so difficult to lose a beloved companion. I think this would be good fro non pet owners to read too. Ann The Journey When you bring a pet into your life, you begin a journey. A journey that will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet will also test your strength and courage. If you allow, the journey will teach you many things, about life, about yourself, and most of all, about love. You will come away changed forever, for one soul cannot touch another without leaving its mark. Along the way, you will learn much about savoring life's simple pleasures -- jumping in leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joys of puddles, and even the satisfaction of a good scratch behind the ears or on the belly. If you spend much time outside, you will be taught how to truly experience every element, for no rock, leaf, or log will go unexamined, no rustling bush will be overlooked, and even the very air will be inhaled, pondered, and noted as being full of valuable information. Your pace may be slower, except when heading home to the food dish, but you will become a better naturalist, having been taught by an expert in the field. Too many times we hike on automatic pilot, our goal being to complete the trail rather than enjoy the journey. We miss the details; the colorful mushrooms on the rotting log, the honeycomb in the old maple snag, the hawk feather caught on a twig. Once we walk as a dog does, we discover a whole new world. We stop; we browse the landscape, we kick over leaves, peek in tree holes, look up, down, all around. And we learn what any dog knows that nature has created a marvelously complex world that is full of surprises, that each cycle of the seasons bring ever changing wonders, each day an essence all its own, each day a gift from God. Even from indoors you will find yourself more attuned to the world around you. You will find yourself watching: summer insects collecting on a screen; how bizarre they are; how many kinds there are or noting the flick and flash of fireflies through the dark. You will stop to observe the swirling dance of windblown leaves, or sniff the air after a rain. It does not matter that there is no objective in this; the point is in the doing, in not letting life's most important details slip by. You will find yourself doing silly things that your pet-less friends might not understand: spending thirty minutes in the grocery aisle looking for the cat food brand your feline must have, buying dog birthday treats, or driving around the block an extra time because your pet enjoys the ride. You will roll in the snow, wrestle with chewie toys, bounce little rubber balls till your eyes cross and even run around the house trailing your bathrobe tie with a cat in hot pursuit, all in the name of love. Your house will become muddier and hairier. You will wear less dark clothing and buy more lint rollers. You may find dog biscuits in your pocket or purse, and feel the need to explain that an old plastic shopping bag adorns your living room rug because your cat loves the crinkly sound. You will learn the true measure of love. The steadfast, undying kind that says,''It doesn't matter where we are or what we do, or how life treats us as long as we are together'' Respect this always. It is the most precious gift any living soul can give another. You will not find it often among the human race. And you will learn humility. The look in my dog's eyes often made me feel ashamed. Such joy and love at my presence. She saw not some flawed human who could be cross and stubborn, moody or rude, but only her wonderful companion. Or maybe she saw those things and dismissed them as mere human foibles, not worth considering, and so chose to love me anyway. If you pay attention and learn well, when the journey is done, you will be not just a better person, but the person your pet always knew you to be. The one they were proud to call beloved friend. I must caution you that this journey is not without pain. Like all paths of true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the sun sets, one day your dear animal companion will follow a trail you cannot yet go down. And you will have to find the strength and love to let them go. A pet's time on earth is far too short, especially for those that love them. We borrow them, really, just for a while, and during these brief years they are generous enough to give us all their love every inch of their spirit and heart, until one day there is nothing left. The cat that only yesterday was a kitten is all too soon old and frail and sleeping in the sun. The young pup of boundless energy now wakes up stiff and lame, the muzzle gone to gray. Deep down we somehow always knew that this journey would end. We knew that if we gave our hearts they would be broken. But give them we must for it is all they ask in return. When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let them run on ahead, young and whole once more. ''God speed, good friend,'' we say, until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again. And bless their souls for sharing their lives with us...and adding so much to our very existence. Author Unknown

I'm Offering Happiness Makeovers

annann — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 01:48:22 GMT

Are you not happy? Are people, things or circumstances affecting your happiness? Consider a Happiness Makeover. I'm offering my first 5 Happiness Makeovers with no charge for my services as part of my internship. My first client was much happier within the first week. The Happiness Makeover is a individually based 3 month training program which uses a mind, body, spirit approach to develop sustainable happiness. The mind portion consists of weekly coaching sessions based on the science of happiness. The body portion is focused on nutritional optimism, cleansing and exercise. The spirit portion includes 3 Reiki attunements which means that you go through three 21 day chakra cleanses which heals and changes the energy of the body. Please contact me if you are interested. It can all be done over the phone too. Thanks, Ann

Happy International Happiness Day!

annann — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:23:53 GMT

I'll be helping out at the evening event. Stop by and say Hi and learn how to stay happy even when bad things happen. July 10th - International Happiness Day!!! The countdown has BEGUN!!! International Happiness Day is only THREE days away! Everyone all across the planet will be celebrating HAPPINESS on July 10th, so join everyone for one incredible cause...HAPPINESS! If you happen to be in the San Francisco, Bay Area next week, then we encourage you to come and learn about International Happiness Day and most importantly, how you can be happy regardless of life's downfalls!! All of the information is below: SECOND INTERNATIONAL HAPPINESS DAY! LOCAL EVENTS: SAN FRANCISCO, CA JULY 10TH, 2009 TWO LOCATIONS: 1) South Park, San Francisco Lunchtime: 11am - 3pm Address: 49 S Park St. San Francisco, CA 94107 2) The Beacon Condominium Complex 6pm – 8pm Address: 260 King St San Francisco, CA 94107 We are also.... RECRUITING HAPPINESS ACTIVISTS!!!! The first thing you can do as an activist is invite your friends to this worldwide event!! If you want to participate in helping to create PEACE ON EARTH then join us on July 10th, making others happy using the NEW science of happiness! In San Francisco, we will be holding an information celebration increasing the awareness of the NEW HAPPINESS SCIENCE and the NEW AMERICAN HAPPINESS ASSOCIATION. The way to a happy more peaceful world is through the peace created in each one of us, on July 10th, learn how you can create happiness and peace in your life and your loved ones. These celebrations will be like a turnstyle where you come in and learn the tricks then leave and SPREAD HAPPINESS THE REST OF THE DAY!

Super Cute

annann — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 07:49:05 GMT

A friend sent me this link. It's really sweet and amazing too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rooyt3ptNco

Jesse Cat's Walk in the Rain Today

annann — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 01:26:19 GMT

I just got back from taking Jesse the cat for a walk in the rain. This is the second time he has walked in the rain. Amazingly, the rain does not seem to bother him very much. Both times it has been drizzling when we left and then the rain got heavier. He does not like the heavier rain but he still walks. When he knows we are getting close to home he walks faster. I like it when he walks faster. Sometimes he just putters along and is just being a cat. I can get a little frustrated with him at those times and I usually take him home. The first walk in the rain he walked all around the block. When he knew we were close to home he took off in a run until he reached the end of the retractable leash. I ended up running after him. He even walks in the mud and little puddles and he is very wet with muddy feet when we get home. I often pick him up when we walk but not when he has dirty feel like that. I have two coats that have mud from Jesse's feet on them. When we get home I wrap him in a towel and dry him off. He purrs, even when I dry his feet. I want to get him a raincoat but most of them are too big around and not long enough. He has a a very long thin body. A coat for a dachshund would be good. I think he might even wear it as long as the armholes are tight to his body. I put something on him and when he walked his front legs came out of the armholes. The photo is not of Jesse, just a cat on a leash.

Event: How to untie your happiness from your bank account!

annann — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 17:10:54 GMT

Aymee is a Happiness Coach who embodies Happiness. I am studying with her to become a Happiness Coach myself. Aymee says, "How many people know someone who has become depressed because they have lost money in the stock market? Please spread the word about this talk... it could save lives!". Event: How to untie your happiness from your bank account! What: Informational Meeting Host: Dr. Aymee Coget Start Time: Tuesday, February 10 at 7:00pm End Time: Tuesday, February 10 at 8:00pm Where: 33 Ora Way, San Francisco, CA 94131. Portola to Dia. Hgts. Blvd. to Goldmine go right two blocks To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below: http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=51124883305&aref=18704432

Fling-ama-String

annann — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 02:08:17 GMT

I got the kitties a new cat toy and they love it. They sit around it and take turns, it's very cute. A string comes out the bottom and then it goes back in and around again. Sunny is so quick and strong that he pulls the whole door when he has the string in his mouth. Fling-ama-String Cat Toy The battery operated, lean, mean string-flinging machine that cats love. No assembly required simply hang it on the door and turn it on. Works on any standard doorknob. The Fling-ama-String has two speeds for maximum kitty fun. This toy entices even the laziest of cats to play and improves eye-paw coordination.

Screeeeeech.....

annann — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:41:10 GMT

I'm in the house on the telephone and a friend is outside in front when I hear a loud noise. I thought it was the cats being destructo units again when my friend comes in and says that someone hit the recycling cans and took out the small tree in front and that she was almost hit too. Luckily she was not but she had just been where the cans were a few moments earlier. I'm so happy that she was not hit, that would have been terrible. I saw the rear end of the car and I was going to call the police when my friend said it was my next door neighbor who had done it. She is elderly and her husband does not drive anymore. They have a few kids who are often in the house helping. Maybe she hit the wrong petal or something. There are skid marks. She came back and I asked her if she was ok. She said she was but I'm not sure. She was very calm or she seemed to be. She was not very apologetic about taking out the tree, she just said to call the city but maybe she was in shock. I'm sorry that the tree is gone but much better the tree than my friend or my car or the neighbor hitting the telephone pole. The tree was small and it came out in one piece but without it's roots. I have to call the city and see what I can replace it with. Maybe they will take away the old tree. I'm not sure that recycling will pick it up. It's leaning against the big green can of leaves and food. Oh well, one tree down, it could have been much worse.

Happy New Year!

annann — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 01:12:45 GMT

I hope you all have a wonderful 2009 filled with gratitude, happiness, love and joy! Ann

Update on my matches from Poly Speed Dating

annann — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:38:33 GMT

I'm very pleased with my matches so far. I've met two and it's going well. I went out with one man for lunch and about a week later he cooked me dinner which I really appreciated. He was also at Nude Aid too. I'll see him on New Year's Eve too. I met his main lover and we had previously met but we got to know each other better and we like each other. She is fine with him seeing me. Tonight I had dinner with another match from poly speed dating. We had a wonderful time talking for 7 hours. I learned things from him and I love learning so that was good. I also got to do some of my happiness coaching homework exercises on him and he had some valuable feedback for me. We have another date next week.

Nude Aid

annann — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 04:26:01 GMT

I went to Nude Aid last night and had a good time. There were nude models and people drawing them and you had a ticket that you could exchange for a piece of artwork. I could not find one I really liked and at the last minute, I went up to a friend who was working there and he had a piece in his hands that he was going to put up on the wall and I said, "I'll take it". It's bright and cheery with a lot of red and it says "Ah, Life" at the top. It has kind of a tree trunk with a uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries at the top. It's about 22" by 14". Annie Sprinkle made it and signed her name in huge two to three inch letters all across the bottom. I have an original artwork from Annie Sprinkle, how cool! There were some other things to do there such as draw on a woman whose skin then welts up with your drawing, I drew big lips. And you got a free photo from Mark Chester, I hope ours comes out good. Plus, a lot of socializing of course. I came home with a friend and went around the house to see where I could hang it up. I found a perfect place. I might even get it framed. I put it down on the desk and Jesse the cat walked over it and then he was leaving red footprints so I had to clean his feet with a baby wipe which he did not appreciate and still his white fur was pink. Now, I wish I had asked him if she was still there so I could thank her.''Thank you Annie, I love it!

Grounded?

annann — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:41:27 GMT

What does grounded mean to you? I hear people say it a lot and I'm just not sure what they mean. I've started asking people what grounded means to them, so I am asking you, whoever feels so motivated, to please tell me what it means to you. I put it into google but I got a lot of other kinds of sites, like parents grounding kids, but nothing helpful, I just tried grounding cord and all I got were products. Thanks a lot :) Ann

I Went to Poly Speed Dating Last Night

annann — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:38:21 GMT

I went to the poly speed dating last night and I had a good time. I went with some friends which made it more fun. The locatng in El Cerrito was a good choice too. I knew some of the people there and I knew my first date, which was nice. You have 12 - 5 minute dates and you check yes or no to each of them. I checked yes to my first date as well as some of the others. He also checked yes for me too, which was nice. You can tell them if there are people you do not want to date that are going and when I signed up I did not know that my friends were going and we ended up having a date together. You can go as a couple, single, group, whatever. I also had another date with someone else I knew, I think we both checked no to that one. There were 106 people, 26 of them as couples and about half men and half women with some transgender and gender queer in there. Wow, they are quick, I got an email last night about an hour after I left with 4 matches and I already have one email asking if I want to get together for a lunch date. I'd call it a successful event.

The Man from Marin

annann — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:38:27 GMT

This is so funny and so true! Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQUUFg6p0aE

I had a Wonderful Birthday Weekend!

annann — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:00:46 GMT

My birthday dinner was great, delicious food, not to expensive, a close friend treated me (thank you!) and another friend came too. One friend got sick that day so he missed out. It was small but I liked it, we could all talk together and hear everything too. We had a nice booth to sit in, and a fantastic dessert. I got a lot of birthday wishes calls and a few calls where someone sang Happy Birthday to me. I liked that. I celebrated with some women friends today. It was short notice but all but one made it. I really appreciated my friends coming to help me celebrate my birthday. I've known two of these women since 1980 so 28 years. I can tell how we've aged as far as looks of course but also needing glasses to read things and even then having trouble if the print is too small. We had a delicious breakfast out and then we went to see a friends first new house. I had said no presents, no flowers, as Billy eats them but cards I do like. I did get a few gifts and a cake too. It was nice to get a cake and blow out candles. We had fun talking and sharing. They wanted to learn some Happiness Boosters, one of which is to sing Zippity Do Da every morning. So we were all signing it in the car, it was fun. Socializing and celebrating my birthday has upped my happiness level. I spend a lot of time alone, too much time. I needed a little extra this birthday as it's the first one where my Mom, who gave birth to me is not here anymore. It had a bittersweet quality. I really appreciated my friends efforts and caring. I felt loved this weekend. Thank you, Ann

Today is my Birthay!

annann — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:21:11 GMT

I'm 55 today, amazing, I never thought I'd make it this far! I've had a lot of friends call and wish or sing me Happy Birthday which is very much appreciated! Thank you! Going out to dinner with a few friends which is what I usually do. One friend was very sweet and offered to treat me to dinner but I may have them split my bill, we'll see. It was much more difficult to pick a restaurant this time as I don't want to totally blow the macro diet. I like Pacific Catch in Marin, great sweet potato fried, sushi with brown rice, Mojito's, and great desserts too! And not too expensive too. I am blowing the macro after I see this list but it's still better than Italian with a lot of cheese or Indian. After all it's my birthday! I had a moment a few days a go when I thought about my Mom giving birth to me on this day and that this is my first birthday since she has died. It's good to get the grief out. I love you Mom and I miss you and I thank you for giving me life. Ann

Any ideas for what to do for my Birthday, thanks!

annann — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:15:43 GMT

I will be 55 on Friday, Nov. 21st and I'm having trouble coming up with what I want to do and how to spend my day. My closest female friend has to work that day and night or I would plan something with her. Part of the problem in being on this macro diet. The places I used to eat at or where I would go for a celebration I cannot eat there now. I love Indian and Italian. Last year about 6 of us had a delicious Italian dinner. I could go to Cafe Gratitude but all my friends are broke. Plus, it does not thrill me. The place I really want to go to, O'Chame is even more expensive. I was going to have a party but it seems like too much work, plus how do you do macro party food? Sounds like an oxymoron. I have a few friends lined up for that night and one offered to be my sub and serve us if I want or need that. Thank you! I may try to organize a woman's brunch on Sunday with a few friends. I'd love any ideas that any of you may have. Thanks, Ann

What Odd Weather!

annann — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:23:06 GMT

I'm amazed that it's so warm so late in the year! Global warming must be the cause. I don't remember it being so warm so late in the year in the past.

I've lost 25.7 lbs Now!

annann — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:22:31 GMT

As of tonight's weigh in at Weight Watchers, I am down 25.7 lbs. I feel much better, I feel like myself now. I did feel like me when I was so overweight. I still have a long way to go, 35 more lbs to lose. It will take me a while at my one pound a week average. I'm eating much healthier food now, macrobiotics. Still learning how to cook it. I've lost most of the weight that I gained around my midsection. I never had it before. I think it was getting older, menopause and hormonal changes. The jeans that i was wearing when I started WW are now so big that I can pull them on and off without unbuttoning them or unzipping them. I have to wear a belt. I'm wearing some of my smaller jeans but I think I have to try to find some new ones. I highly recommend WW. If you are thinking of going it really helps to go with a friend. It's really easy to not go on the weeks you feel fat (and usually lose anyway) but then your friend is there so you do go and weigh in with an usually positive outcome.

Yeah! Obama Won, I'm so Relieved

annann — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:12:29 GMT

I avoid politics and the news but I do vote and I'm just so relieved that Obama won! Driving around today I saw lots of people standing on overpasses and in front of the Grand Lake Theater with Prop 8 signs. It was fun to wave at them or to give them a thumbs up sign, they liked it when I responded positively too.

Please Vote Yes on Prop 2, Farm Animals

annann — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:37:16 GMT

I know about No on {rop * and I'm voting for Obama but no one is talking about Prop 2. Yes on Prop 2! Farm animals are treated horribly and we need to change this. I have never eaten veal and I never will. I have not eaten chicken since 1969 and meat since 1970, 39 years. I do eat some seafood now. My parents and brother do not eat meat or chicken either due to my changes in diet. I did not preach to them but I will to you to vote yes on Prop 2. My Dad got me to stop eating eggs because of how the chickens are raised. I do but them at the Farmers Market sometimes. Chickens get their beaks cut off and some of them die from the shock of it. How can ew as a society treat chickens and other animals in such a horrible way. I agree with the quotes below. "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mahatma Gandhi “I have from an early age abjured the use of meat, and the time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men.” Leanardo Da Vinci How I wish that were true. Ann

More on Macro

annann — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 06:06:14 GMT

I started going to the macro cafe on Adeline in 1994 with a friend. The food was ok but nothing special. It's only now that I am learning about the macro lifestyle. It's not easy but I'm doing my best. I'm switching to all natural beauty products and cosmectics. I slip up down and then and but and old favorite or something new and then afterward I realize that it's not organic. I love tropical fruit, mangos, coconuts, pineapples, avacados but they are not locally grown so Im not supposed to eat them. I changed what I ate in April when I started Weight Watchers but I found foods that I loved and it was ok. Now, I have to change everything I eat even more and it's much more difficult. She wants me to make an alter for my Mom who died in Feb. I think it's a good idea too. I went to many practitioners before I decided to work with her. They all wanted to test me first, spit, blood, piss and poop. They were all testing something different. I like it that she did not need any tests. She heals with food. I like that. One woman in the group had breast cancer, one man has prostate cancer and it is almost gone after 14 months. The woman who referred me to her lost 60 lbs in 6 months and had no pain after 6 months. She did it for 62 years but she has not ben doing it fully and some of her pain is back. I wonder when I go back to visit my Dad in January how I am going to eat this way. I will be able to eat tropical food then which is a plus. I love shellfish and it's off the menu. It's all about what is yin or yang. I'm too yin, no meat or chicken for almost 40 years. Most of her clients are too yang so she likes working with me. She is very complimentary to me in class about my comments and questions and she makes me feel good about myself. I want to do that to other people. This is one of the books she recommended, the library has some on macro. I have 3 or 4 on hold. The Macrobiotic Path to Total Health: A Complete Guide to Naturally Preventing and Relieving More Than 200 Chronic Conditions and Disorders (Paperback) http://www.amazon.com/Macrobiotic-Path-Total-Health-Preventing/dp/0345439813/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224741402&sr=8-3 The Hip Chick's guide in the photo I have not read yet but I love the name.

Macrobiotics

annann — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:55:45 GMT

I've started to work with a macrobiotics counselor. It's an interesting journey I am on now. I thought macro was just the food and it did not thrill me. Macro is a whole lifestyle. She wants me out of bed by 7 am and vertical, I wake up with pain and this has been a difficult change for me. I am getting up naturally before 7 am now. She wants me in the shower and doing a 15 minute body rub with a hot washcloth. Has not happened yet. I do try to do two body rubs a day. She wants me to have green plants in every room, well one of the cats eats them. She wants all the windows open every day but the cats can then leave through the open windows. Old time windows that open out and cannot have screens. I do open the three windows that do have screens. Anything electric is bad, stove, heat, hairdryer, flat iron. I've cut down some on my use of electricity but I have an electric stove. I'm buying a propane burner to use. I love food that makes my mouth sing, where I want to savor every bite. This food does not do that. I find the food very bland for my taste. It's difficult for me to eat the food all the time. Bitter is an important flavor in macro and I hate bitter. It tastes so bad to me that I do not understand how others like it. I do realize that it must taste different to them. But I ate some other things that were not macro and had three days of migraines and other symptoms. It gives me incentive to stay on the macro course. And I have lost 5 more lbs, down over 24 lbs now! Yah! She is very accommodating and has given me restaurants where I can eat out. She is not totally against western medicine. I really like her a lot. I like the people and the support group and the cooking classes. So more macro for me.

The Wet Spots

annann — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 01:48:34 GMT

I've been wanting to see The Wet Spots for a very long time and I am going to see them tonight! Yah! I love their songs! http://www.wetspotsmusic.com/presskit.html

Yeah! I was finally able to get on Tribe again!!!

annann — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:35:54 GMT

I miss Tribe, I get on so rarely now that I forget to even try. I hope it improves soon! Nice to be here again!