I love Wednesdays! :)

It's my day of yoga with a friend! :)

My crockpot chicken stew that I made up for Shabbat lunch was freaking awesome! :) I think it might quite possibly be the best meal I've ever eaten! :) (Loose) recipe coming shortly in my Foodiscovery blog.

Rena was playing with her laptop computer toy today (though it was Shabbat). Its voice asked the question, "What's your favorite toy?" She answered, "Dada." I got such a kick out of that. She loves playing with her daddy! :) It asked, "Is there a special place you like to visit?" Rena could not say her answer clearly, but I'm almost positive she said, "Israel." She hasn't actually been there yet, but I talk about it a lot, and for sure she's also learned about it in preschool. :)

I had a beautifully spiritual moment while lying on the couch and looking out the window at a tree. This bare tree is a wonderful example of fractal geometry, and I was admiring it and thinking about the amazingness of God's creations. Then I was thinking that it was a perfect visual example of choices in one's life and all the possible outcomes that could follow from different choices. Then I was thinking about how the tree has roots and how important it is for me to stick to my roots, basically meaning the values that I learned in childhood, especially Judaism. I realized that I can make different choices while still sticking to my roots, and that, though different outcomes will follow depending on my choices, if I stick to my roots I will raise myself up high to the heavens (I.e. becoming what God wants of me) like the branches on the tree. There is no one right path for me but my decisions and outcome will be good as long as I stick to my roots.

Rena napped for hours today so I let her stay up late for havdallah, the short ceremony to mark the end of Shabbat that Rena loves because there's a candle involved. Lately we'd been waiting until Sunday morning so she could go to bed at bedtime on Saturdays before Shabbat is over but still join us for havdallah, but we often forgot to do it at all (and it just doesn't feel the same when it's done on Sunday morning as it does on Saturday night). So, Rena really enjoyed havdallah this week. (We were also considering going to a party tonight but she was too cranky and tired when it got to be past her bedtime. So, I didn't have to take her out in the rain.)

I love my freshly washed laundry! :) I did a load tonight after Shabbat and put lots of peppermint Dr. Bronner's Castile soap in with the detergent. The clothes came out smelling all pepperminty! :)

Early finish

I finished cooking for Shabbat early so I have time to chill before Shabbat! :)

Shabbat shalom! :)

So glad Rena slept in today!

I was exhausted so I was glad that I got to sleep in, too! :)

Awesome morning so far! :)

1. Someone gave us a new old stroller rain cover so we don't have to buy a new one! :) The one we had before ripped.

2. As Rena and I were coming into the building, the head of school was making a special announcement that one of the teachers had gotten engaged! :) (Not one of Rena's teachers but it's always good news to hear about someone getting engaged.)

3. The internet is working here again! :) It was broken on Monday.

4. I'm having a nice Facebook chat catching up with my friend Raquel! :)

I LOVE our clean apartment! :)

Thanks so much to our cleaners from Green Cleaning Seattle! :) Everything is so shiny and smells good! :)

Yay, hubby! :)

Thanks for doing a load of dishes! :)

Thanks to our building manager...

...for changing the batteries for the smoke detector in Rena's bedroom! No more incessant beeping! :)

What I need, when I need it

Wow! I received in my email the following forward from my awesome favorite cousin. I'd been feeling depressed. Hubby did a wonderful job cheering me up mostly but seeing this message really made me smile. It's just what I need at this time.
 
 


PRAY THIS EVEN IF YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE IT!!

IT WILL ONLY TAKE A MINUTE.

I contemplated not doing this, but as I read it....

I understood Hashem to say,

'You need a miracle tomorrow'

so here goes...


You never know when Hashem is going to bless you!!

Good things happen when you least expect them to !!!!!!!!

Change the number in the subject box when you forward it by adding one!!!


Hashem,Hashem, I thank You for this day,

I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning.

I'm blessed because You are a forgiving G-d and an understanding G-d.

You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me.

Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to You. I ask now for Your forgiveness.

Please keep me safe from all danger and harm.

Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.

Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.

Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things.

Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over.

And give me the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.

I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart.

Continue to use me to do Your will.

Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others.


Keep me strong that I may help the weak...

Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others.


I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way.

I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood.

I pray for those who don't know You intimately.

I pray for those that will delete this without sharing it with others.


I pray for those that don't believe.

But I thank You that I believe that Hashem Yisborach changes people and G-d changes things.

I pray for all my sisters and brothers.

For each and every family member in their households.

I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes; that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.

I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than G-d.

Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.


I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it.

Amein!


If you prayed this prayer, change the number in the subject box before forwarding the message
so people can see how many other people have done so.


Just repeat this phrase and see how G-d moves!!

Hashem, I love You and I need You, come into my heart, please.

Pass this message to 10 people except you and me. You will receive a miracle tomorrow.
Don't ignore this and G-d will bless you.

Know that you are already blessed by the person who sent this to you.

Secret

I can't give any details, but hubby did something AWESOME today that made me jump for joy, dance, and cheer! :)

In other news, I waited to get frozen kosher organic chickens brought to me from the back freezer at QFC, instead of just grabbing the non-organic that was on the shelves. And I got four of them, so we're all set for the next few weeks! :)

Rena's first dance class! :)

Rena and I had a great time at the dancing tots class at All That Dance! :) It was a great beginner dance class because it incorporated basic dancing concept into the class and also the use of musical instruments and objects like scarves and a parachute to play/dance with. One wall of the room is mirrored all the way, which Rena loved, of course. :)

Yoga! :)

Today, while our kids were in school, I attended Power Yoga at Lakeview Yoga with a friend! :) It had been several years since I'd done yoga. Though my body struggled to shape itself into the moves, many of them came back to my mind. I think I could get good at it if I do this weekly. Also chatting with my friend before and after was very nice! :) (Not during, though, because there's no talking allowed during the class.) Thanks to my friend for inviting me to do yoga with her, and thanks to the wonderful teacher! :) I've written a recommendation on the Facebook Page for Lakeview Yoga.

Upon picking up Rena from school, I was delighted to hear that her preschool class had held a birthday party for trees to celebrate the Jewish holiday Tu B'Shvat, which I think of as the Jewish Arbor Day. The teachers provided for snack the Seven Species for which the Land of Israel is noted, the tree in their classroom "wore" a crown, and the kids sang Happy Birthday to it. Haha, I didn't even know there was a tree inside their classroom. (There's one in their playground.) I'll have to look for it next time. (I didn't get to look because pickup is from the playground rather than the classroom, unless it's raining, and it wasn't raining at pickup time.)

So grateful to Whole Foods...

...for refilling the self-grind organic almond butter! :) I'm glad I opted not to get the jarred stuff yesterday because self-grind is tastier, less expensive, and fun to watch! :)

I need to post here....

....It's been a long time since I've felt like writing a yay. And you know what ended up happening? I got really depressed yesterday. I need to write here. Feel free to send me a Facebook message reminding me to write one. It's that serious.

Anyway, today I want to publicly thank my husband, mother in law, and father law for their kind concern yesterday and in recent days. You know what I'm talking about. No public details, please. I was a bad daughter-in-law by getting upset and not responding. To the latter: I've heard and understand your idea and will call you later today when Rena is in bed. Thank you both for putting up with me and my refusal to answer while depressed. And thank you hubby for making me call you mom! You know that always makes me feel better.

Also I want to say how glad I am that the really cold season here is short. The weather was beautiful today! :)

Thanks to hubby for taking Rena to school today.

Ok, I guess that's good for now.